Retail plaza sells for $11M, a 36% gain

The Plaza 8 shopping center near West Miami sold for $11.45 million, a 36 percent gain from its last trade three years ago.

Mall9600 LLC, an affiliate of Key Biscayne-based AD4 Group, sold the 53,428-square-foot retail plaza at 9600 S.W. 8th Street and 909 S.W. 97th Ave. to Allegheny Capital Growth L.P. The sellers were represented by Cushman & Wakefield's Miguel Alcivar and Dominic Montazemi, plus Bill Strauss from WCl Properties.

The price equated to $214 per square foot. Retail property value…

My Dilemma on this Blog. By Geniusofdespair

I just can't couple the two words together for our new president. Somehow I believe if I don't type those two words, it won't be true for me. Or maybe it is because I don't want to puke. Yes, I know it is denial. But for years Josiah Bartlet  of the "West Wing" provided me with a president I could admire during the Bush years.

I have been thinking about this a lot. I can hack The Donald.  I suppose I could write: President The Donald.  Any other suggestions?

Fidel ... by gimleteye

I share the anguish of Cuban American friends who lost loved ones in the violence under Castro. For some, personal tragedies will be genetically imprinted and echo through generations. One could say, Castro's passing marks a time of healing.  Perhaps celebrations will help dissipate the pain he and his regime inflicted on families and friends. Perhaps. Miami has long projected an ethos -- hatred of Castro -- with mixed results. Castro projected his influence on Miami politics for generations and through Miami, the nation. His death will be not be a meaningful symbol unless we account for the architecture of personal and political catastrophe, here and across the Florida Straits. 

What we are reading ... Happy Thanksgiving! ... by gimleteye

An Open Letter to Stephen Bannon from the Seven Sisters Presidents
https://www.smith.edu/about-smith/president-kathleen-mccartney/speeches-media/speeches-messages/president-speeches-open

Trump's climate denial is just one of the forces that point towards war
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/23/donald-trump-climate-change-war

Jeff Sessions interview By Tony Perkins, Family Research Council, November 30, 2015
http://www.frc.org/wwlivewithtonyperkins/jeff-sessions-everett-piper

The Rockefeller Family Fund vs. Exxon
https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2016/12/08/the-rockefeller-family-fund-vs-exxon/

Under Trump, NASA May Turn a Blind Eye to Climate Change
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/under-trump-nasa-may-turn-a-blind-eye-to-climate-change/

What So Many People Don't Get About the U.S. Working Class
https://hbr.org/2016/11/what-so-many-people-dont-get-about-the-u-s-working-class%3Chttps:/hbr.org/2016/11/what-so-many-people-dont-get-about-the-u-s-working-class%3E

Wynwood Zika designation lifted, leaving business leaders to reverse 'unseen losses'

Gov. Rick Scott visited Wynwood on Monday morning to officially declare the neighborhood Zika-free, lifting from the arts-and-entertainment destination a blemish that has in recent weeks caused a slump in business.

The announcement means that no new cases of the mosquito-borne virus, linked to birth defects in babies born to infected women, have been identified in the area in more than six weeks.

“Over the past few weeks, Floridians have worked together to prevent the spread of mosquitoes, take…

Comcast Xfinity Sucks Big Time. By Geniusofdespair

Comcast is so inferior to Atlantic Broadband.  SOOOO INFERIOR. Maybe our 5,762,000 page views will at least make Comcast take a look at their model with service calls and showing up -- which stinks.

Not only does Comcast Xfinity LIE. They Lie. We caught them in 1/2 a dozen lies. 2 we have on tape. And of course they don't show up for service calls. I stayed home for 3 service calls. Never showed.

I got this message yesterday: "They will be there in 20 minutes at about 4:40." Then about 4:30 we got a voicemail that said they were there but the building wouldn't let them, because on Friday after 4, Saturday, and Sunday trucks are not allowed in. Hah, I didn't believe them. I walked to the guard booth and asked the guard why we weren't called when Comcast Xfinity came. He said they were never here. He did say there was one Comcast Xfinity truck today. He said that truck was servicing another condo (it was 5:30). The Guard said the condo has no such weekend rule for Comcast Xfinity if the customer is home.  None.

The Guard said before becoming a Guard he was a Comcast Xfinity installer. The Guard said there is a scam at Comcast Xfinity with the installers. He said first they call you a couple of times (which they did but no one was on the line when we answered). Then they say you weren't home and then you are rescheduled by an automated voice with a random appointment. Meanwhile, you have been sitting there like a jerk for 3 hours and the NEW random appointment is a week out.

We also got a call from a garbled guy from dispatch who gave us a different story: They had an emergency and they were canceling our appointment. Then you couldn't understand anything he had to say.  We got disconnected a bunch of times from Comcast. Twice while making an appointment.

In one of the other cases, I was here for 3 hours no one ever showed. I called and they said I had no appointment. They insisted. Only thing is, I had a voicemail of the appointment time and date and the guy talking who scheduled it. The Comcast Agent wouldn't listen to it. In the first case, they just never showed up.

Will  4 times be the Comcast Charm? Fuck Comcast the worst company ever. I have spent 9 hours waiting for them so far. The part I hate: The lies.

In South Florida, Marco Rubio Is Sinking ... by gimleteye

Marco Rubio disagrees with Pope Francis.

"Pope Francis announced that caring for the environment should be added to the traditional Catholic works of mercy drawn from the Gospels and Christian tradition, such as feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless. In a message released on Thursday, the pontiff noted that it is refugees and the poor who are most impacted by global warming." (Religion and Ethics Newsweekly, Sept. 1 2016)

Marco Rubio doubts climate change science and says there is nothing we can do about man-made climate change.

"Climate change ... is the greatest long-term threat facing the world, as well as a danger already manifesting itself as droughts, storms, heat waves and flooding." (Obama on Climate Change: The Trends Are 'Terrifying', NY Times SEPT. 8, 2016)

Marco Rubio won't meet with climate change scientists.

"When he ran for the U.S. Senate in 2010, Rubio ... stopped talking about green energy and climate and began openly questioning climate science. Miami geologist Harold Wanless, who has modeled sea level rise for local leaders, met Rubio at a fundraiser that year and handed him a letter, signed by scientists, requesting a meeting to brief him on the data. Rubio took the letter but never responded." ("South Florida Is Sinking, Where Is Marco Rubio?", cover story on Newsweek Magazine, Jan. 28, 2016)

In November, Florida voters can respond: no mas, Marco.

"Since the appearance of visible life on Earth, 380 million years had to elapse in order for a butterfly to learn how to fly, 180 million years to create a rose with no other commitment than to be beautiful, and four geological eras in order for us human beings to be able to sing better than birds, and to be able to die from love. It is not honorable for the human talent, in the golden age of science, to have conceived the way for such an ancient and colossal process to return to the nothingness from which it came through the simple act of burning fossil fuels." Adapted from Gabriel Garcia Marquez

EXCLUSIVE: These two retailers could replace a closed Sports Authority on Federal Highway

Kimco Realty has found two tenants to replace the closed Sports Authority store at its Pompano Pointe retail center in Pompano Beach.

The city's Architectural Appearance Committee will consider a new facade for the building at 2421 N. Federal Highway on Aug. 25. Designed by architect SA Group, the redesign shows 20,150 square feet being occupied by HomeGoods and the remaining 11,200 square feet going to Ulta Beauty.

The space is next to Whole Foods Market. Charlotte Manley, the leasing representative…

Athens Fall Portraits 2016

Hello Athens Friends!

 

I read on athensgaweather.com that Athens recorded 52 consecutive days of 90°F+ temperatures. The streak was broken yesterday when the temperature only reached a balmy 88°! So I understand how hard it is to believe that the summer is coming to an end. But school is back and the leaves will be turning before you know it. Thank goodness Fall is just around the corner. 

 

So what's my point? It's time to schedule fall portraits!

 

 

I've made a lot of changes to my business in the last year, so I've written this post to explain how the new process works. 

 

I know this looks long, but I've done my best to narrow it down to just the nitty-gritty.

 

Here goes:

 

Before your family portrait session, we'll have a phone consultation. I'll give you tips on how to get the most out of our time together, from clothing options and ideas to setting expectations with the kids. (We can skip this if you want, since all of you are returning clients, but it's available if you want it.)

 

 

Now for the really new part. We'll make an appointment for your in person viewing and ordering session which occurs about 2-3 weeks after the portrait session.

 

Deciding which photos you want to display and in what format is not easy, nor is carving out the time to do so in your busy life! I'm not going to send you a link to an online gallery and leave you to figure it all out for yourself. I used to do that and found that too many of my clients were buying a few digital images, and the photos never even made it onto their walls!

 

 

Instead, I will come to your home to help you narrow down your favorite images and decide which products work best for you to display your photos. I'll bring samples of all of my new products, so you can actually see what you are buying and pick exactly what you want.

 

I include both a phone consultation and in person viewing and ordering session with every portrait session because I want to make sure that you not only have a fun and easy experience while being photographed, but that you also end up with the quality photography products you want.

 

 

Now this is when you ask, “But I liked the digitals, can I still just buy them?” I understand that in today's world, having your photos means having the digital version, so I do still offer retouched high-resolution digital images for sale. However, I strongly advise you to not only get the digitals.

 

The thing is, I know that everyone and their brother is carrying around a camera every day. Since you are hiring a professional photographer, quality is obviously important to you.

 

The professional products I sell are of course more expensive, but they are worth it. Online printers that offer 50% off various products on every day of the week are clearly not selling a quality product.

 

When you invest in fine art with me, you are buying products that will look great and are made to last a lifetime and then some.

 

 

So are you still with me? I hope so!

 

I know it was a lot of information, but I think it's important to understand what I offer and why I'm different than so many of the new “Everything's included in one low price!” kind of photographers. Because with them, everything isn't included. You don't get my 10 years of full time photography expertise, and all you really end up with is a disk of images in your junk drawer.

 

 

So now it's time for pricing.

 

My fall sessions are going to be about an hour. I'll be scheduling them at 1 hr and 15 minute intervals so no one feels rushed. I'm going to be in Athens on September 25th and also October 8th and 9th. I have a two options for pricing. You can get the consultation, the portrait session, and the in person viewing and ordering session for $250. Or for $350, you can get all of that plus $150 towards your product purchase.

 

Either way, there is a $150 retainer to hold the time and date of your session, and the balance is due the day of the portrait session.

 

New, improved prints start at $20. Digital packages start at $250.

 

And of course I also have a lot of new awesome products!

 

OK, are you ready to get on the calendar? Email me at cg@CourtneyGoldman.com or give me a call at 404-310-1577 and let's schedule your portrait session with Courtney Goldman Photography!

 

The post Athens Fall Portraits 2016 appeared first on Courtney Goldman Photography.

FIRST LOOK: Co-working space opens in prominent downtown tower

Pipeline Workspaces opened its fifth U.S. location with new co-working space in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

The company now occupies the entire 20th floor of One Financial Plaza at 100 S.E. 3rd Ave., the home of the Tower Club restaurant. The space includes open workspaces, conference rooms, phone booths, dedicated desks and private offices and a cafe.

Tenants at Pipeline Workspaces in Fort Lauderdale include digital agency TECKpert, real estate firm Green Mills Group, Darfoor Law Firm, tech firm…

City National Bank Plaza sold for $38M

City National Bank Plaza near Boca Raton was acquired by a local company for $37.6 million.

The 132,598-square-foot building was sold by 7000 West Palmetto I LLC, managed by Morris “Skip” Stoltz II, to TJAC Palmetto Park LLC, an affiliate of Boca Raton-based TJAC Development. The deal included a $31.5 million mortgage.

TJAC Development Principal Zvi Schwarzman couldn't immediately be reached for comment. The company focuses on shopping centers and student housing.

The six-story office building…

Magic Leap requests revisions to $9M job growth incentive package due to delays

A first-of-its-kind, government-sponsored incentive package approved for Magic Leap in 2015 may be revised, officials documents show.

The Broward County Commission unanimously OK'd in December 2015 its portion of a job growth incentive package for Dania Beach-based startup Magic Leap that could reach $9.08 million. On Aug. 3, documents pertaining to the program were issued by the city of Plantation, where Magic Leap will relocate as it continues to develop mixed-reality technology. A staff memorandum…

Rob Stein: On Jane Mayer's "Dark Money" and the Koch Empire ... by gimleteye

Rob Stein is one of the most important figures in contemporary American progressive politics. Stein's first contribution to political discourse and analysis was, in the early 2000's, de-coding the message machinery linking GOP values politics with conservative foundations and funders. Before Stein, the breadth and scale of the Republican operation was not clearly understood. In Democracy Journal book review of Jane Mayer's important, "Dark Money", Stein captures some extraordinarily important points and deeply relevant to the November election in the United States.

I, too, have studied the topic of money in politics. I have been an observer and original researcher in this field since 2003, and in 2005, I founded the Democracy Alliance, the largest network of wealthy progressives to invest in progressive independent expenditure organizations. I have spoken publicly on these issues and have communicated, from time to time, with Mayer and other researchers and journalists. (I am quoted several times in Dark Money.)
Moreover, I am keenly aware that conservatives argue that the political conglomerate the Kochs and their allies have created is simply the mirror image of the interlocking nature of progressive activism in America. Their mantra is that we all do what they are doing and that the “vast left-wing conspiracy” is as large, powerful, and controlling as anything they have built.

Their political trust is bending American politics to their personal whims.

This claim is false. There is no progressive equivalent to what Mayer has described. Yes, wealthy progressive strategists, operatives, and donors are committed to advancing their political agendas and influencing the outcomes of elections and policy debates. Progressive donors do convene and consider recommendations for funding independent expenditure organizations. And progressive organizations and networks do target and attempt to align their political efforts.

This may be the most important point in the Stein review of Jane Mayer's book. Just like the false equivalency that dominated the media discussion of the 90's and 00's -- that the science of global warming was not settled and so adverse points of view needed to be given equal weight -- there is now another false equivalency afoot: that the Kochs and major GOP funders are simply organizing to do what Democrats are also doing.

In fact, the battle for America's political future is better described as a David versus Goliath battle, where every attribute of the smaller rival is adopted to confuse public perception of the leviathan at work. Koch funded entities, super PACs and penetration of legislatures, from Congress to state legislatures and even to local county commissions, has no equivalent in Democratic circles. There is no, for instance, no analogue within the Democratic ranks to the tightly woven, indistinguishable relationship between Fox News and the GOP.

Forwarned is forearmed. Except that so much damage to the United States has already been done ... to read the Stein review, click 'read more'.

Read more »

Hallelujah: Roger Ailes is gone! ... by gimleteye

Roger Ailes and Rupert Murdoch did great harm to public discourse in America. Ailes is gone. Finally.

The headline from Reuters reads, "Divisive Ailes gave conservatives a TV home at Fox News". Not exactly. Ailes gave corporate power and authority -- and advertising revenue to support editorial content -- a safe home at Fox.

He built an empire based on stirring fear, and he will be remembered for sexually harassing women less powerful than him. Had Ailes been bought off early, an Ailes-free Fox would have been worth a hundred times the cost of his severance package.

Good riddance.

Roger Ailes has reached an agreement with 21st Century Fox to leave his post as chairman and chief executive of Fox News. (Fox)
Stephen Battaglio

Rupert Murdoch had long been the staunchest supporter of Fox News chief Roger Ailes. Now he is replacing him, in the wake of sexual harassment charges that led to Ailes' abrupt departure.

In a move aimed at calming the cable news powerhouse - and a tacit acknowledgment that there was no obvious successor to Ailes – Murdoch assumed the role of acting chairman and chief executive of Fox News, in addition to his role as executive chairman of 21st Century Fox.

Read more »

New King Kong ride debuts at Universal Orlando

South Floridians visiting Universal Orlando Resort have a new attraction to visit, Skull Island: Reign of Kong.

The park officially debuted the new King Kong ride at its Islands of Adventure theme park, on July 13.

The theme park welcomed the crew of NBC's Today Show for the unveiling that included a special introduction and more on the latest ride to come to Islands of Adventure. Skull Island is within the Jurassic Park area of the theme park and gets guests closer to the massive ape.

The ride…

EXCLUSIVE: College seeks to buy city land in downtown Miami

Miami Dade College is in negotiations to buy a city-owned fire station in downtown Miami, according to sources at both the city and college.

The city's Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board is set to consider rezoning the 28,000-square-foot site at 144 N.E. 5th Street from “community facilities” to “central business district” on July 6. That measure, which would significantly increase the allowable density on the site, would also need city commission approval at a later date.

When the Business…