A Power Breakfast meeting on Tuesday, March 1 at the Deerwood Country Club will explore trends in transportation. The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a challenge to America’s mid-size cities including Jacksonville to address growing demands on transportation infrastructure in the decades to come and will fund projects that can solve transportation problems.

Competitors must demonstrate how advanced data and ITS technologies and applications can be used to reduce congestion, keep travelers safe, protect the environment, respond to climate change, connect underserved communities, and support economic vitality.

To register, click here. The event is planned from  7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., will cost $40 and the registration deadline is Feb. 26. The event is hosted by the Jacksonville Business Journal and sponsored by the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization, BBVA Compass and Holland & Knight.

Small businesses crafting their marketing plan should consider attending this Business Growth Workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the JAX Chamber’s Hadlow Board Room at 3 Independent Drive in Jacksonville.

The workshop, presented by Steve Goranson, MBA, President, ActionCOACH Jacksonville, is free for JAX Chamber members and is $20 for non-members. Registration is required and RSVPs should be made to Shirley Moore at [email protected] or 366-6618.

Steve Goranson, President, ActionCOACH Jacksonville and 2012 ActionCOACH Marketing Coach of the Americas

Hosted by the Chamber’s Entrepreneurial Growth Division, the workshop aims to deliver a dynamic learning opportunity for current and emerging small business owners and entrepreneurs.

• See and think about your business differently.
• Understand that marketing is math. It’s all about customer acquisition and how much does it cost to buy a customer.
• Learn how to develop a market niche.
• Learn seven steps to marketing plan clarity.

Lisa Villar, Broker Associate and Joann Gaudette, Realtor, Watson with Mike Bugg, Principal of The Condo Group LLC

The Palazzo on St. Johns recently hosted a Grand Opening of the new Sales Gallery and Designer Models.

Tyler Shields and Tim Holden, Realtors, Watson

Guests were the first to experience the newly designer-decorated model condominiums while enjoying live music from Chris James, delicious hors d’oeuvres by The Well and fine wine.

Kathy Browning of The Condo Group LLC and Jill Moore of EverBank

For more information about The Palazzo on St. Johns, visit www.PalazzoOnStJohns.com or call (904) 627-4762. The Palazzo on St. Johns is located at 3958 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, Fla. and its Sales Center is open Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

 The Mortgage Bankers Association of Jacksonville is hosting the 2016 Northeast Florida Real Estate Symposium on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. at the University of North Florida. For more information and to register, click here.

The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach is one of the most sought-after communities in Northeast Florida. At the community, elacora meets the demand of discriminating homebuyers looking for what is often nearly impossible to find – an innovative and exceptionally high quality new home in an established and esteemed resort-style community.

“Many buyers want to live in a private, established community, such as The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach, but they want a new home that is energy efficient and designed to meet the needs of today’s lifestyle,” said Victoria Robbins, exclusive agent for elacora Northeast Florida. “The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach is the only neighborhood in Northeast Florida where your home or lot purchase automatically provides immediate membership to a luxurious lifestyle including a private beach club, championship golf course, tennis facility, fitness center and social activities. Our buyers are thrilled to purchase a new home in a value-added, amenity-rich community.”

Originally established in the mid-1980s, The Plantation is a pristinely manicured community in a beautiful section of Ponte Vedra Beach. The community has an impressive array of lifestyle and recreational amenities, and significant neighborhood enhancements are underway which will make living at The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach even more spectacular.

The Plantation’s multimillion dollar facilities improvement plan includes an amenities park, a beach club renovation and the revitalization of the 18-hole championship golf course designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay.

Plantation Commons, the new community park, recently opened. Located near elacora’s homes, the park features an open air pavilion, a large fenced-in playground, a full-sized croquet court and open space for sports and activities. The beach club renovation will bring a new look with new decking, landscaping and a large space for a special event tent area. The golf course revitalization will improve the overall playing experience with the construction of greens and bunkers, improved drainage and a new irrigation system. Residents at The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach also enjoy a tennis facility, fitness center and a clubhouse with dining and social activities for all ages.

These amenities are a wonderful complement to elacora’s homes, which appeal to professionals, couples and families. Homes by elacora are expertly designed with open and flexible spaces for living and entertaining. They feature spacious gourmet kitchens with furniture-quality cabinetry and stainless steel appliances, luxurious designer bathrooms, spectacular outdoor living areas and three-car garages.

All of elacora’s plans at The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach have been designed specifically for the community. They include numerous luxurious features as standards and offer abundant personalization options for adding bonus space for additional bedrooms, an office or a game or media room.

With only two dozen elacora home sites available, interested home buyers are encouraged to visit The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach soon and see the company’s available homes, including the Arcadia showhome furnished and decorated by Barbara Ondo Design Group. In addition to the Arcadia showhome, elacora has several move-in ready homes available for purchase.

Homes by elacora at The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach are priced starting at $549,900. For more information, call (904) 484-9023 or visit www.elacora.com.

The First Wednesday Art Walk is a monthly event produced by Downtown Vision, Inc. (DVI) to bring people to the cultural and historical center of the city and showcase Jacksonville’s creative talent. Open to visual and performing artists, Art Walk is on the first Wednesday of every month from 5 to 9 p.m., rain or shine.

More than 55 Art Walk venues stretch across Downtown Jacksonville’s core and include Hemming Park, galleries, museums, cultural and educational venues, restaurants and bars, Downtown businesses and more.

Upcoming Downtown Art Walk’s will be held on the following dates:

• Wednesday, Feb. 3
• Wednesday, March 2
• Wednesday, April 6

The First Wednesday Art Walk is a great way to meet fellow artists, buy and appreciate their work and be part of the rapidly growing art scene in Jacksonville. It is estimated that, on average, 10,000 art enthusiasts attend each month to see more than 250 artists exhibiting on the Art Walk.

Visit jacksonvilleartwalk.com for more information.

Attend the 2016 Beaches State of Our Cities Luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 11, to hear leaders representing the three beaches cities and Naval Station Mayport update attendees on current projects and provide an overview of what to expect in the new year.  The Luncheon will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Casa Marina Hotel and Restaurant, 691 North First Street, Jacksonville Beach.

Keynote Speakers are Atlantic Beach Mayor Mitch Reeves; Jacksonville Beach Mayor Charlie Latham; Naval Station Mayport Commanding Officer Captain Wesley McCall; and a representative from the Neptune Beach City Council.

Cost to attend is $20 when registered in advance or $25 at the door.

Click here to register online.

For more information, contact Amanda Patch at [email protected] or call (904) 273-5366.

As the Riverside neighborhood continues to be the place where people want to live, property lease costs are on the rise. Now that the historic, fully-renovated John Gorrie a condominium is FHA and Fannie Mae (FNMA) approved, qualified homebuyers can obtain a low down payment and fixed-rate mortgage at competitive rates, allowing them an opportunity to purchase a piece of history.

With only a few units remaining, The John Gorrie is home to professionals of all ages, retirees, families and their pets. While availability is limited, one- and two-bedroom residences and two-story townhomes remain. Pricing at The John Gorrie begins in the upper-$100,000s and owners receive an ad valorem tax abatement toward their homeowner’s tax bill through 2021.

Designed by noted Jacksonville architects Roy A. Benjamin and Mellen C. Greeley, the former John Gorrie Junior High School was constructed in 1923. The buildings were listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 and the school was closed in 1997. The building’s owner, Delores Barr Weaver, completed an extensive renovation and restoration to transform the historic landmark school into 68 residences with luxurious contemporary amenities including 12-foot ceilings, expansive windows, stainless steel GE appliances, CaesarStone countertops and hardwood floors.

The community’s amenities include private gated parking, a private courtyard, custom fitness center, elevators, a resident reading room and Wi-Fi Internet access.

The John Gorrie is located across the street from Bold Bean Coffee Roasters, Tres Leches eatery, a bicycle shop and more, and is within walking distance to grocery stores, allowing residents the opportunity to enjoy the immediate neighborhood without getting into a car. Residents are also in close proximity to the St. Johns River and a variety of beautiful parks, and with I-10 and I-95 being easily accessible, the Beaches are just 30 minutes away.

The John Gorrie a condominium is marketed exclusively by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty. For more information about how you can be part of The John Gorrie community, call (904) 383-3688 or visit www.TheJohnGorrie.com.

Gregg Troy, Head Coach, University of Florida Swim Team/2012 Olympic Head Swim Coach, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty Founder, President and CEO Linda Sherrer, Gino Blefari, Chief Executive Officer, HSF Affiliates, LLC, and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty Executive VP Christy Budnick

The Olympic Games have always been a source of inspiration, featuring the greatest athletes in their quest for the gold. In that spirit, the real estate professionals at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty recently honored its champions at the company’s Annual Awards celebration.

“Like Olympians, our team is comprised of the greatest Realtors,” said Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty Founder, President and CEO Linda Sherrer. “They are champions, going for the gold, known for their determination, tenacity and client care, as well as their stupendous achievements. We appreciate all they do, individually and as a team, to contribute to the company’s ongoing success.”

Let the Games Begin…
The celebration’s opening ceremony was filled with the pageantry and pride one would expect from such a grand show. The production featured a parade of flags, dancers from the Braided Light Project and the lighting of the torch. Special guests Gino Blefari, Chief Executive Officer for HSF Affiliates, LLC, who has helped shape the brand’s culture, and Gregg Troy, former Olympic Head Swim Coach, added to the celebration’s red carpet ambiance.

Gino Blefari shared the national and international growth plan and vision for 2016, firing up the team with his exciting news and energy! Blefari is well known as one of residential real estate’s most influential and charismatic leaders. An industry innovator, he enjoys supporting and recognizing the talented, dynamic professionals who represent Berkshire Hathaway’s finest affiliate companies.

A true Olympic champion, Gregg Troy is head coach of the elite University of Florida’s men and women’s swimming and diving program. He served as the 2012 USA Men’s Olympic Swim Team head coach in London, England, where the U.S. men won 16 medals during the Games. Among his honors, Troy has tutored more than 75 Olympians during his career.

From left, Stefanie Bernstein, Elizabeth Hudgins, Gino Blefari, Stacey Scanlan, Anita Vining and Al Kekec

Going for the Gold
The Annual Awards celebration highlighted numerous achievements of epic proportions including the Northeast Florida real estate firm’s success in 2015.

For the sixth straight year in a row, the company achieved double-digit growth in closed sales. In 2015, the company had its most productive December in company history with more than $87 million in closed sales. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty’s 2015 median sales price increased 12 percent over the previous year. Additionally, the company’s closed sales of homes priced above $500,000 in 2015 increased by more than 23 percent over 2014 results. The company outperformed the Northeast Florida Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which reported a 16 percent increase in 2015 closed sales priced above $500,000 over the previous year and a 7 percent increase in 2015 median sales prices.

The annual awards celebration honored the company’s 2015 top producers for their performance, accomplishments and sales success. The Top Company Award Winners include:

• Anita Vining of the Avondale/Ortega/San Marco/San Jose office led as top producer with more than $38 million in closed sales.
• Stefanie Bernstein of the St. Augustine office was named top agent in listings. Bernstein also was honored as the company’s top transaction agent.
• Al Kekec of the Atlantic Beach/Intracoastal West/Southside office was honored as top sales agent.
• Elizabeth Hudgins of the Ponte Vedra Beach/Nocatee office achieved the Silver Medal with over $35 million in closed sales.
• Stacey Scanlan of the St. Augustine office was named Rookie of the Year. She achieved more than $3 million in closed sales.

The Avondale/Ortega/San Marco/San Jose Offices, under the leadership of Broker/Manager Sheron Willson, received the Chairman’s Cup, which recognizes over achievement of budget targets in a number of categories, including client feedback, recruiting, listing sides, closed sides, per person productivity, closed volume and profitability.

“The achievements of our team are awe-inspiring,” said Broker/Executive Vice President Christy Budnick. “Just when you think they can’t possibly do any more, they go the extra mile, overcome obstacles and achieve excellence. Our team is comprised of the most experienced, productive and results-oriented agents in the marketplace, and we are all looking forward to an exciting and positive 2016.”

Connect with the best at www.FloridaNetworkRealty.com.