» 2009 » December

• The Spirit of Giving

  Written by Connie Langhorst No Comments
  Last Updated: December 28, 2009

  Christmas has come and gone . . . and I, like others, am counting the hours, minutes, and (on New Year’s Eve) seconds, until 2010 arrives.

  The coming week offers a time of reflection and rejuvenation.   A glance back at the past and the promise of a new beginning.

  The year that is about to end brought ups and downs to our area’s real estate market.  Throughout Pinellas County, the good news is that our market appears to be rebounding (with record sales per statistics available online at www.tampabayrealtor.com). 

  This news is exciting and welcomed.  Still, 2009′s challenges greatly impacted real estate professionals throughout our community.  At year’s end, however, the takeaway is extremely positive and makes me proud to be member of Pinellas Realtor Organization (PRO). 

  Throughout Pinellas County and the year, Realtors and affiliate board members worked individually and cooperatively to support numerous nonprofit and community organizations, and charitable events.  This support is especially evidenced during the holidays.

  One example is the annual food drive and cash donation collection which takes place in conjunction with the Treasure Island Holiday Pitch Session. 

  Hosted by Baird Realty Group, a real estate office located in St. Pete Beach, and attended by Realtors and affiliate board members from throughout the area, weekly pitch sessions provide an opportunity for real estate professionals and service providers to meet and discuss real estate.  Along with others, I regularly attend these meetings to “pitch” property listings , learn about new listings and price adjustments, broker and public open house events, news for the good of the association, and to meet and hear from other board members.  The Holiday Pitch Session is the most special meeting of the year as it presents an opportunity to give back to the community in which we live and work.

  The 2009 Holiday Pitch Session was held in early December at Paradise Lutheran Church in Treasure Island.  The room was festively decorated.  There was a towering Christmas tree and everyone who attended was dressed in their finest (and, in some cases, funniest) holiday attire.  Yes, there were a few ugly sweaters and vests, lots of Santa caps, some twinkling name badges, jingle bell earrings and necklaces, and an abundance of good cheer!

  The pitch began, as all of the weekly meetings do, with coffee and networking.  However, due to the festive occasion, several affiliate board members volunteered to serve breakfast.  While everyone enjoyed the refreshments, members of a choir (comprised of affiliate board members) sang a holiday song, which they wrote and dedicated to the Realtors in attendance.  The joy in their warbling voices bolstered the already high spirits in the room. 

  A couple (she, a Realtor; he, a title company owner) brought their children to the meeting.  The toddler and infant, adorably regaled in festive attire, were surprised to hear jingling bells that announced Santa’s arrival.  Truth be told, many (read: much older) attendees were surprised, too!  The jolly old soul had a hearty laugh that jiggled his jelly-filled bowl of a belly.  The welcomed visitor distributed candy canes and hugs to all.  When he approached, I recognized the sparkle in his friendly eyes (Santa was another affiliate board member sharing good cheer).  The toddler climbed on his lap for the duration of the meeting. 

  Once started, we rose to our feet to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.  The process of “pitching” listings and services began in earnest, followed by a discussion of items for the good of the association.  Then, the minister of the church was summoned. 

  During the time we were together, working and making merry as Realtors, affiliate board members, and friends, we opened our wallets and hearts, collecting over $550 in cash and box loads of food items.  The cash and food was offered to the minister as a donation to his church.  When presented with this gift, the grateful expression on his face and heartfelt words of thanks made us all feel proud to be a member of our Realtor community.  A roomful of caring people, having faced tough times and good throughout 2009, selflessly giving for the greater good of our community. 

  In reflection and with an eye to the future, I intend to take many gifts from 2009 with me into the New Year.  As with each passing year, it has been a time of highs and lows.  As the curtain falls on the passing year, one can only hope that it will rise again on January 1st to reveal the bright sparkle of renewed hope.  Indeed, I plan to carry a considerable amount of pride and gratitude into 2010–for a Realtor community that works cooperatively and embraces the spirit of giving–not just during the holidays, but throughout the year.  This, fellow residents and real estate professionals, is something that we can all be proud of! 

  May you and yours have a very Happy New Year . . . in Paradise Found!

  PHOTO CREDIT:  Group photo taken at the Treasure Island Holiday Pitch by Michael West of www.michaelwestphotography.com.

  

• Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker

  Written by Connie Langhorst No Comments
  Last Updated: December 14, 2009

  Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker is returning to St. Petersburg!

  Tickets for the performance, which will be held at the Progress Energy Center for the Arts Mahaffey Theater on December 27, 2009 at 3:00 p.m., are on sale now.

  The tour marks the 16th consecutive season of bringing family and friends closer together.

   What better way to celebrate the magic of this special time of year!

  This year’s tour stars the ballet world’s Prima Ballerina, Cristina Terentieva and her partner Alexei. Cristina is a Gold Medalist of the 2008 Varna International Ballet Competition where Vladimir Vasiliev of the Bolshoi bestowed upon her the highest honors. Also starring in the Great Russian Nutcracker is the award winning couple Akzhol Mussakhanov and Ekaterina Bortykova.

  New in Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker this year are the Snow Maiden and Father Christmas! Two beautiful new costumes have been commissioned and the Moscow Ballet is proud to show families across the country that The Great Russian Nutcracker is more vibrant and alive then ever!

  Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker combines the family favorite with a prayer for peace.  The Great Russian Nutcracker has charmed us for more than a century.

  Praised for exquisite dancing and gorgeous costumes, the Great Russian Nutcracker is directed by Ballet Master Vladimir Troschenko. Mr. Troschenko partnered such legendary Russian ballerinas as Nadia Pavolva, Ludmilla Seminyaka, and Galina Mezentseva. He is an honors graduate of the Bolshoi and Kirov academies.

  Set against Valentin Fedorov’s spectacular hand-painted backdrops and life-sized dancing puppets the Great Russian Nutcracker delights audiences with a visual tapestry rich in detail and whimsy. It is especially distinctive for its unique setting of Act II in the “Land of Peace and Harmony” and for the introduction of a new character, a Christmas Dove. New this year is a fantasy clock with wings of an owl that cast a shadow over the battle between the Soldiers and the Mice. Mr. Fedorov, an Honored Artist of Chuvashia, was a protégée of the legendary designer Valery Leventhal of the Bolshoi Theatre. He is art director at the Chuvashia State Theater and has designed over 40 productions for opera and ballet.

  Moscow Ballet features top graduates of Perm, Vaganova, Moscow State Academic Choreographic and Kiev schools. Acclaimed for exquisite dancing and gorgeous costumes critics rave that the Great Russian Nutcracker is “flawless,” “breathtaking” and “dazzling.” Whimsical and imaginative storytelling blend with the richness of Russian classical ballet to make the Great Russian Nutcracker a memorable holiday treat for everyone.

  Particularly special about this (now annual) performance is that local dancers are featured!  Youngsters (age seven to young teens) auditioned in October for parts.  I am aware of one such dancer, a beautiful and talented young lady, named Lucy Baird.  Lucy was featured in two roles in 2008, as a Harlequin and French Sentinal, and will appear again this year.  Her parents and siblings are proud as punch, and this is what makes the Moscow Ballet’s Great  Russian Nutcracker such a wonderful family event.  And, after all, isn’t this what the holidays are about?

  Two photographs of Lucy (provided by her parents and www.Nutcracker.com) are featured below, along with other images from the 2008 performance which appear on the event website.  For young dancers, with visions of Sugar Plum Fairies (and the possibility of dancing in 2010), I’ve included a link (below) to the Kids Cast page, which includes information about the audition process. 

  The Holiday Season is here!  Get your tickets to the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker now! The best seats are going quickly. Give your family a gift they will remember with the Moscow Ballet.

  Charming and Classical . . . Just another Magical Moment . . . In Paradise Found!

  Happy Holidays!  Merry Christmas!   

  To purchase tickets, visit www.nutcracker.com.  Group rates are available.

  Click Here to Preview Kids Cast Photos

   Photos courtesy of Eric, Kelly & Lucy Baird, and www.Nutcracker.com. 

• Mingle ‘N Jingle . . . At Tampa Bay Watch

  Written by Connie Langhorst No Comments
  Last Updated: December 7, 2009

  “Pumpkins on the Porch” hosted by Tampa Bay Watch in October was such a success, they’ve decided to do something similar in celebration of the holidays!

  Plan to attend Mingle ‘N Jingle highlighted by holiday movies by the Bay at the Tampa Bay Watch Marine Center in Tierra Verde.

  Join Tierra Verde friends and neighbors in helping Tampa Bay Watch welcome the holiday season with family-friendly films after sunset.  Be sure to check your list to determine if you’ve been naughty or nice . . . as a jolly visitor plans to make a special guest appearance!  

  EVENT PARTICULARS:

  When:  From 6 to 8PM on Friday, December 11, 2009.

  Where:  Tampa Bay Watch Marine Center, 3000 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL 33715.

  Featured Films:  Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Mickey’s Christmas Carol.

  RSVP online at www.tampabaywatch.org.

  If you plan on attending, please consider bringing an unwrapped toy in lieu of admission or cash donation.

  The event is sponsored by the Tierra Verde Fire District and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department.

  All proceeds benefit the Tierra Verde Fire District’s “Santa Program,” which helps gives children a joyful Christmas.

  Guests are welcome to bring chairs and/or blankets to spread on the lawn.

  Tampa Bay Watch, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit stewardship program dedicated exclusively to the protection and restoration of the marine and wetland environments of the Tampa Bay estuary through scientific and educational programs.

  For more information, contact Rachel Arndt, Communications Coordinator, Tampa Bay Watch, at (727) 867-8166.

  To volunteer at Mingle ‘N Jingle, contact Jessica Combs at (727) 867-8166.
  

  Come mingle and jingle in Tierra Verde! 

  And be sure to have a Ho! Ho! Ho! Happy Holiday Season . . . in Paradise Found! 

  PHOTO CREDIT:  Images used in this post courtesy of Tampa Bay Watch and yours truly.

  

• Open Air Post Office in St. Petersburg

  Written by Bob Horn No Comments
  Last Updated: December 2, 2009

  

  St. Petersburg has a very unique and beautiful post office in the heart of downtown.  It’s known as the Open Air Post Office because, as you can see in this late 1940′s or early 1950′s era postcard, the main areas of the post office are not enclosed.  If you were to walk through the arches that you see, you’d be in the area of hundreds of post office boxes, as well as mail drops.  Our Open Air Post Office is located at the southwest corner of Fourth Street North and First Avenue north, diagonally across the street from Williams Park.

  This post office was completed and opened for business in September of 1917, so we are just a few years away from its centennial celebration!  And, interestingly enough, this was not the first open air post office in St. Petersburg.  Prior to the opening of this facility, there was a much smaller open air post office a block away.  That one was built in 1907, on the northeast corner of Central Avenue and Fourth Street.  But our growing city quickly outgrew that building, and in 1915, the post office had to move temporarily to the first floor of the City Hall of that day, located on Fourth Street South.  That same year, a congressional appropriation of $102,000 was granted for the construction of a new, large, full service post office that would be able to serve the needs of the city for years to come.

  Although initial plans drawn up for the post office involved a building built several feet above street level, with lots of steps leading up to it, our local Postmaster didn’t like those plans, and he worked to design a building at street level, with no steps, and one that was open on all sides and would allow postal patrons to have access to their post office boxes 24 hours a day.  The result of his plans is history – a gorgeous Mediterranean Revival building with rich architectural detail and a grand feel to it.  And, perhaps more importantly, a structure that has stood the test of time – this building is still operating as an active post office today.  In 1975, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

  To provide a little comparison, I scanned an old post card of the Open Air Post Office and that’s the picture that you see above.  Then, a few weeks ago, I took my own photos of the building, and those are the shots that you see below.  The photos are a bit compressed in this blog format, so for a much better view, please click on each picture to see a full sized image.  As you can see, the post office looks pretty much the same today as it did in long-ago St. Petersburg!  And you might also notice the Snell Arcade/Rutland building – the tall structure just behind the post office – it also stands proud today, as beautiful as ever.  This post office is worth a first hand look, so if you have a few minutes sometime and are near downtown St. Petersburg, park your car and walk through it and enjoy feeling a bit of history around you.  This is one of those cases where you really can say, “They don’t make ‘em like this any more… 

  

   

  
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