Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Southgate, FL.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Southgate, FL, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Southgate, FL, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
973-587-8638
Special to Jacksonville Florida Times-Union USA TODAY NETWORKA landmark shopping hub that has stood for decades on Beach Boulevard is about to be razed.Jacksonville building inspectors approved permits this month to tear down the Southgate Plaza shopping center just east of the St. Nicholas area. The center, built in 1957 according to property appraiser records, has been largely vacant at 3428 Beach Blvd. One of the few remaining tenants is a Subway sandwich shop among some other small businesses.The demolition will cost...
Special to Jacksonville Florida Times-Union USA TODAY NETWORK
A landmark shopping hub that has stood for decades on Beach Boulevard is about to be razed.
Jacksonville building inspectors approved permits this month to tear down the Southgate Plaza shopping center just east of the St. Nicholas area. The center, built in 1957 according to property appraiser records, has been largely vacant at 3428 Beach Blvd. One of the few remaining tenants is a Subway sandwich shop among some other small businesses.
The demolition will cost $500,000 to complete. Lockwood Quality Demolition Inc. is the contractor. A date has not been announced.
Out with the old, in with the new:After Berkman demolition, more high-profile Jacksonville buildings to come down this year
Town & Country:Arlington shopping center being transformed into a hub of new stores and homes
Vintage TU: Iconic Times-Union building on Riverside Avenue will be sad to see come down
The Jacksonville Daly Record reported it will be redeveloped into nearly 300 apartments.
This also has been a trend in Jacksonville as several properties have been or are being razed to make way for new housing or apartments, including The Florida Times-Union's old Riverside Avenue site.
A new automated car wash facility is heading to University Boulevard between Philips Highway and Spring Park Road in Jacksonville.
Magnolia Wash Holdings is slated for the new 3,604-square-foot building. Permits for the new car wash were approved this month.
The facility is projected to cost $1.5 million at 5109 University Blvd. The contractor is MDM Services Inc.
125 W. Ashley St., interior renovations for First Baptist Church, 24,307 square feet, $816,550. Opus Group.
8808 Beach Blvd., remodeling of entire store for Walmart, $500,000. FMGI Inc.
760 Riverside Ave., interior renovations for VyStar Credit Union Riverside branch, 2,500 square feet, $452,820. Dana B. Kenyon Co.
4028 Timuquana Road, interior renovation for Timuquana Country Club Golf Shop, 2,850 square feet, $275,000. The Angelo Group Inc.
New venture for retail/grocery giant:Walmart joins health care demand with new clinics at Jacksonville, Middleburg, other stores
Veterans services:New VA Outpatient Clinic taking shape in North Jacksonville will range of medical, social services
Out of office: Northeast Florida attracts remote workers, sees community growth
10161 N. Centurion Parkway, pour reinforced concrete for Rise General Contractors headquarters and Acorn Property Holdings, $250,000. Rise General Contractors LLC.
555 W. 44th St., replace Jacksonville Public Works fuel canopy at repair station after demolition of some of the existing areas of the service area, $171,132. Warden Contracting Corp.
8200 Cypress Plaza Drive, Unit 303, tenant buildout for Southern Athletica, $95,000. Osterer Construction Co. Inc.
8180 Merchant’s Gate Drive, Unit 108, tenant buildout, update restrooms, install new electrical fixtures and update central heat and air conditioning, $75,000. Combined Industries LLC.
Lakeland has got some pretty picturesque spots, but when it comes to finding a landmark that best represents the Swan City – there are several that come to mind.We all know the typical spots — Lake Mirror, our skyline of steeples, downtown tree arch — but what’s the one place that locals and out-of-towners alike look at and immediately think of L...
Lakeland has got some pretty picturesque spots, but when it comes to finding a landmark that best represents the Swan City – there are several that come to mind.
We all know the typical spots — Lake Mirror, our skyline of steeples, downtown tree arch — but what’s the one place that locals and out-of-towners alike look at and immediately think of Lakeland?
We asked locals on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram what iconic images evoke the spirit of Swan City, and then ranked the top six.
There’s something iconic about our city’s neon signs —and yes, even our Tax Collector’s office gets it. This landmark not only lights up the city at night, but it also beautifies the street with its pastel green color during the day.
No drive through Dixieland is complete without a glance at the Southside Cleaner’s quote of the day. The sea-foam green and sunny starburst sign has been around since 1962 and is curated with different phrases on the marquee throughout the week.
This spinning neon demon (often dubbed as “Sputnik” because it looks like the satellites that were launched in the 1950s) was designed by Warren Milks between 1961-1970. The Roto-Sphere is so much of a Lakeland landmark, that it’s said that pilots use it as a reference point at night.
Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, the Frances Langford Promenade was completed in 1928 and later dedicated to Lakeland native Frances Langford.
The Polk Theatre may be one of the most famous landmarks in Lakeland. And it certainly ranks among the most photographed locales.
Built in 1957, the Southgate Shopping Center transformed the Polk County skyline – and now, you’d be hard-pressed to find an illustration of Lakeland that doesn’t include it. Not to mention, its universal claim to fame with an Edward Scissorhands cameo. With an overwhelming number of votes, the Southgate Shopping Center arch easily cinched the top spot on our list of Lakeland icons. But are you even really surprised by that?
Honorable Mentions
While we love the symbols that define quintessential Lakeland, it’d be wrong not to pay homage to some of our lesser talked about landmarks — those that give our city an extra dose of character. Here are a few of your more eccentric suggestions:
“The Publix cake water tower.” – @yesjustkate
“The swan statue that the sun shines behind is what I picture when I think of home.” – @thespringhouse
[email protected]: An earlier online version had the incorrect spelling of Faye Doppelheuer’s last name.LAKELAND — A flash of neon-style lights over Southgate Shopping Center has sparked renewed hope for the future of the Lakeland landmark.The shopping center’s retro arch is being retrofitted with new LED lighting according to Stephanie Carte...
CORRECTION: An earlier online version had the incorrect spelling of Faye Doppelheuer’s last name.
LAKELAND — A flash of neon-style lights over Southgate Shopping Center has sparked renewed hope for the future of the Lakeland landmark.
The shopping center’s retro arch is being retrofitted with new LED lighting according to Stephanie Carten, marketing manager for Crossman & Company, a retail leasing firm that manages the property.
“We know it’s an icon and we definitely want to make sure it’s done right,” she said.
The 70-foot-tall sign with stylized script has been dark for decades after the original neon sign was damaged. Carten could not provide an exact shut-off date, but restoration efforts began in November.
“We are upgrading it and moving away from neon,” she said. “We are looking to get away from the issues with neon including fire risks, which is why we had to shut it down years ago.”
The sign will be lit using FloppyFlex LED neon lighting designed by Australia-based Firefly Lighting, according to documents submitted to the City of Lakeland. It is marketed as “the perfect replacement for traditional neon,” produces a variety of colors and can be programmed to produce a custom light show.
The FloppyFlex lighting and its installation will cost approximately $58,700, according to an electrical permit application filed in November with the city’s building inspection division.
Many Lakeland residents are already familiar with how FloppyFlex’s LED rope lighting looks. One of the product’s biggest customers is Disney, according to Jeffrey Crisp, branch manager for Sesco Lighting, in a November letter to Crossman & Company.
Faye Doppelheuer, owner of Babe’s Shoes & Apparel, was one of several people who witnessed a test run of the sign’s new lighting on Tuesday. Doppeheuer published a few photos on Babe’s Facebook page.
“I was just teasing people,” she said.
Doppelheuer could barely contain her excitement to see the sign restored and she’s not alone. Photos of the test run were shared by several residents to overwhelmingly positive reviews.
“It is going to be so awesome for the shopping center and the Lakeland community,” she said. “The arch is iconic and is known worldwide.”
The retro arch of Southgate Shopping Center has become a pop-culture icon since it was built in 1957. It has appeared in several Hollywood movies, perhaps most famously in director Tim Burton’s 1990 hit “Edward Scissorhands” featuring actor Johnny Depp.
More recently, Disney took over the shopping center in June 2018 to shoot scenes for its upcoming movie “The One and Only Ivan,” an adaptation of the Newberry-medal winning novel by Katherine Applegate. It is scheduled to be released in August 2020 and lists actress Angelina Jolie as a producer.
Carten said there is no date set for when Southgate’s iconic sign will regularly light the skies over South Florida Avenue again, but plans for a grand celebration are in the works. The owners declined to comment to The Ledger on why they’ve waited until now to restore the sign.
Whether the wait is a few more weeks or months, it can’t dampen Doppelheuer’s spirit.
“It’s been pushed forward so many times,” she said. “The past 12 months Southgate Shopping Center has come back alive and I’m so excited to see it finished.”
Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at [email protected] or 863-802-7545.
LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) – The glow is about to return to an iconic sign in Lakeland, beloved by Hollywood and locals alike.“Oh my gosh. It is so awesome,” said Faye Doppelheuer, who owns Babe’s Shoes & Apparel, located directly underneath the Southgate Shopping Center sign.The shopping center, located on S. Florida Avenue, was built in 1957, which gives it a retro feel.“In 2020, it’s retro. It was very, not so common, but just really kind of hip in 1957,” Doppelheuer said....
LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) – The glow is about to return to an iconic sign in Lakeland, beloved by Hollywood and locals alike.
“Oh my gosh. It is so awesome,” said Faye Doppelheuer, who owns Babe’s Shoes & Apparel, located directly underneath the Southgate Shopping Center sign.
The shopping center, located on S. Florida Avenue, was built in 1957, which gives it a retro feel.
“In 2020, it’s retro. It was very, not so common, but just really kind of hip in 1957,” Doppelheuer said.
“I just think it’s a historic building and I love the design of it and I always have,” said Mary Beth Packard, who frequents the shopping center.
The sign was famously used in the film “Edward Scissorhands.” In 2018, Disney filmed a movie at the shopping center called “The One and Only Ivan.”
Doppelheuer was there for the film shoot and for a special moment two weeks ago.
“I just happened to be here at the right time to be able to see it go live for the first time,” said Doppelheuer.
Work began on adding multi-colored programmable LED-lighting to the beloved sign back in November and the plaza’s owners have been testing the lights since. With the programmable lights, the sign will display eight different programs to run throughout the year. The last time the sign was lit was 20 years ago.
“Southgate and the arch and the sign, it’s just been iconic for years. People are so excited that it’s going to be preserved,” said Doppelheuer.
It is unknown when the test run may become a permanent glow. One thing’s for certain, the retro look will stay around despite the improvements.
“We’re still keeping the retro look. We wanted to keep the sign the same. Go back to its former glory,” said Stephanie Carten, the marketing manager for the owner of the shopping center, Crossman & Company. “The reason why it’s getting done now is because it’s a labor of love for the community and the owners want to show it’s an iconic sign and want to show the love for the community.”
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Artist Judy Robertson built a box gallery outside her home where people can give and take small pieces of art.On the corner of Sarasota’s Upper Tangelo Street and Brink Avenue sits a little wooden house attached to a stake and parked under a shady oak tree. It’s the Free Little Art Gallery.Similar to the ...
Artist Judy Robertson built a box gallery outside her home where people can give and take small pieces of art.
On the corner of Sarasota’s Upper Tangelo Street and Brink Avenue sits a little wooden house attached to a stake and parked under a shady oak tree. It’s the Free Little Art Gallery.
Similar to the little free library concept, the gallery is a space for locals to give and take art from artists of any age and ability. The gallery has a shingled roof, brightly colored walls and rocks and sculptures at its base. Take a peek inside and you will find miniature art hanging on walls and even figurines admiring the art. Artist Judy Robertson, who created the project, says she wanted to put a smile on people’s faces.
“I was stalemated for eight months during the pandemic,” says Robertson. “The thought of creating something was more than I could handle. I was a graphic designer for 45 years. I’m now retired, and I needed something to put my energy into. This is the most fun I’ve had with a project.”
Robertson has a small working studio in the Rosemary District. She found inspiration for the little gallery after finding Seattle artist Stacey Milrany on Instagram. Milrany created a similar concept for her neighborhood. “I just thought it was the coolest thing ever,” says Robertson. The gallery opened on March 15 and sees about 10 to 15 visitors per day. But it’s growing.
“I am always rotating art in and out of the gallery, and I encourage people to take things, even if they don’t have art to give in exchange,” says Robertson. “I also put out small, blank canvases if people would like to make something.”
The gallery’s growing social media interest has artists from out of the state and country participating. Robertson has already received pieces from California and Sweden. Mixed media artists Lynn and John Whipple gave pieces and Florida artists Brian and Debbie Miller donated, too.
Some of the best donors, however, have been amateur artists young and old. When the gallery first opened, two neighborhood boys rode their bikes over to take a look. One boy told Robertson he “couldn’t do art,” says Robertson, but she reassured him. “You can even pick up a stick and paint it,” she told him.
“The next day,” she says, “I looked in the gallery and saw a painted stick glued to a canvas. Art is art. It’s sweet when you get little nuggets like that.”
A young girl named Nora lives six houses down and comes to visit regularly in a princess dress and shoes. An elderly woman visited the gallery and said it was a miracle that she’d found it. “She’d been looking all over, and I thought she was going to practically fall when she saw it,” says Robertson. “Giving and receiving art really translates to all ages.”
People visit in groups, on bikes or on foot, and talk with Robertson. She said one of the best parts has been meeting and talking with her neighbors. She hopes more little galleries open in Sarasota and Bradenton soon.
“Don’t be hesitant to take something,” says Robertson. “I understand the spirit of wanting to give back, but we have lots of inventory, and are planning to send art to other little galleries. We’ve created a little gallery community, and are going to encourage each other.”
Free Little Art Gallery SRQ is located on the corner of Upper Tangelo Street and Brink Avenue, Sarasota. For more information, visit the gallery’s website.
Air Communities is spending big bucks on South Florida multifamily projects.The Denver-based real estate investment trust is paying $471 million for two apartment properties in Miami Beach and in Fort Lauderdale’s booming Flagler Village neighborhood.Air bought The District at Flagler Village building at 555 Northeast Eighth Street in Fort Lauderdale for $173 million, and has Southgate Towers at 900 West Avenue in South Beach under contract for $298 million, according to the REIT’s third quarter earnings release....
Air Communities is spending big bucks on South Florida multifamily projects.
The Denver-based real estate investment trust is paying $471 million for two apartment properties in Miami Beach and in Fort Lauderdale’s booming Flagler Village neighborhood.
Air bought The District at Flagler Village building at 555 Northeast Eighth Street in Fort Lauderdale for $173 million, and has Southgate Towers at 900 West Avenue in South Beach under contract for $298 million, according to the REIT’s third quarter earnings release.
Mill Creek Residential sold The District, after completing the 24-story building with 350 units last year. The Boca Raton-based firm had paid $7 million for the 2-acre development site in 2019.
The District’s apartments range from studios to three-bedroom units with monthly rents from $2,301 to $3,847, according to Apartments.com.
Air’s purchase, which closed in the third quarter, pencils out to $494,000 per unit.
The 495-unit Southgate Towers consists of a pair of 14-story buildings on 4 acres in South Beach, overlooking Biscayne Bay and Miami. Gumenick Properties, based in Richmond, Virginia and Miami Beach, owns the property, according to records. The late Nathan Gumenick, who founded Gumenick Properties in the 1940s, developed Southgate, according to media reports. The firm is now led by Chairman Randy Gumenick.
The buildings offer apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom units with monthly rents from $2,179 to $5,465, according to Southgate’s website.
Air’s purchase of the buildings, which equates to $602,000 per unit, is expected to close early next year.
The REIT also bet on the multifamily market in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood this summer. Air paid $211 million for the 28-story, 296-unit Watermarc at Biscayne Bay on the northeast corner of North Bayshore Drive and Northeast 21st Street. Mill Creek also sold this property.
South Florida’s apartment market has experienced hefty investment sales activity. The influx of residents since late 2020 fueled record rent hikes, although the growth rate has slowed. In September, the area’s rents increased 13 percent, year-over-year, to $2,590, according to Realtor.com.
Air, led by Terry Considine, spun off from Aimco in 2020 as an apartment communities REIT.
Aimco also has been investing in the South Florida market. In Flagler Village, Aimco paid $100 million in three deals this year, assembling 9 acres at 901-927 North Federal Highway and land on both the southeast and southwest corners of Northeast Ninth Street and Northeast Fifth Avenue. The properties allow for 3 million square feet, including up to 1,500 units, more than 300 hotel keys, and over 100,000 square feet of retail.
Southgate Plaza, a 1950s-era shopping center with five tenants, could benefit from San Marco area developments and completion of the Overland Bridge.“The few people who have looked at it say it’s a challenge, but it’s the first shopping center out of Downtown,” said Frank Reinstine, director of real estate services for Jacksonville-based Demetree Brothers Inc.Property owner Southgate Shopping Center LLC comprises executives at Demetree Brothers, a real estate development and property management company....
Southgate Plaza, a 1950s-era shopping center with five tenants, could benefit from San Marco area developments and completion of the Overland Bridge.
“The few people who have looked at it say it’s a challenge, but it’s the first shopping center out of Downtown,” said Frank Reinstine, director of real estate services for Jacksonville-based Demetree Brothers Inc.
Property owner Southgate Shopping Center LLC comprises executives at Demetree Brothers, a real estate development and property management company.
Southgate Plaza, built in 1957, comprises almost 140,000 square feet of retail space at 3428 Beach Blvd. It is anchored by Save-A-Lot, Family Dollar, St. Vincent’s de Paul Thrift Store, Subway and a nail salon.
The site is in the St. Nicholas area and not far from historic San Marco and apartment and mixed-use deveopments there, including The District that is proposed for residences, offices, retail and entertainment uses.
It’s also near the Overland Bridge, a project begun in 2013 to replace the Interstate 95 overpasses over Hendricks, Kings and Montana avenues.
The project could be completed by year-end and is designed to ease access throughout San Marco and beyond, including to the Southgate Plaza area.
Reinstine said anchor tenant Save-A-Lot’s lease runs to 2020 and noted the grocery chain opened a store along University Boulevard West, south of Beach Boulevard.
In anticipation of redevelopment, the Cantrell & Morgan real estate company is marketing Southgate Plaza as up to 90,000 square feet of retail space.
Anchor, outparcel and shop space is available, a marketing flyer says.
Plans show that the western side of the L-shaped center would be removed. The remaining line of stores could comprise three big boxes and two sets of shops.
Two outparcels of 1.75 acres and 1 acre are shown to front Beach Boulevard. The property is served by two traffic signals, one at the western end at Schumacher Avenue and another at the eastern side of the center along Beach Boulevard.
One of the outparcels is shown where the former Wendy’s is being demolished.
The city issued a permit last week for Realco Recycling Co. Inc. to demolish the 3,000-square-foot building at 3460 Beach Blvd. Duval County property records show it was built in 1987.
Reinstine said the property flyer is part of an early discussion. “We are taking the Wendy’s down at Southgate and at some point we would redevelop the site,” he said.
He said the discussion likely will pick up over the next year. “We see an opportunity to reposition that shopping center,” he said.
In addition to Wendy’s, other high-traffic tenants once operated at Southgate Plaza.
Reinstine said Duval County Traffic Court, the Duval County Clerk of Courts traffic division and an office of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles previously leased space there.
“At one time it was a one-stop shop,” Reinstine said.
He said his group will not renew Save-A-Lot’s lease when it expires. He said Family Dollar’s lease runs another two years.
“It’s a good market for new growth, but it’s a question of time,” Reinstine said.
“We definitely see a potential opportunity and we are in the preliminary stages.”
He cited other developments following the path of San Marco area redevelopment.
Among those are the stalled East San Marco retail and apartment project at Hendricks and Atlantic Boulevards in San Marco and the proposed $42 million Jackson Square apartment and retail project at 2600 Philips Highway expected to break ground in the first quarter of 2018.
“The next natural or potential redevelopment would be Southgate,” he said.
The Demetrees bought the property in 1986, property records show.
[email protected] months I've been hearing chatter about how the Macy's at Westfield Siesta Key is doomed. The word on the street for a while has been that the store would get its closing notice sometime this year, the last casualty of a retail battle where several local department stores met their end following the arrival of the Mall at University Town Center.Bu...
For months I've been hearing chatter about how the Macy's at Westfield Siesta Key is doomed. The word on the street for a while has been that the store would get its closing notice sometime this year, the last casualty of a retail battle where several local department stores met their end following the arrival of the Mall at University Town Center.
But it appears that Macy's is now trying to set the record straight.
A reader alerted me that she'd recently gone shopping at the Southgate Macy's, only to find a peculiar message at the bottom of her receipt.
"The Magic of Macy's continues at Southgate," the receipt read. "We are here to stay."
What does that mean, exactly?
I asked Andrea Schwartz, a spokeswoman for Macy's, about the message on the receipt. Schwartz acknowledged the speculation about that Macy's "continuing to serve the Sarasota community."
"We wanted to make certain our customers know that we are open and excited to serve them," she said.
But "open" is a little different than "here to stay." What does that mean? Was the lease recently renewed? Where did the closing rumors come from? When did the store sign its lease, and how long is it for? I posed all of these questions to Schwartz, but I didn't get a response.
Here's what we do know. In 2016, Macy's said it would close about 100 stores. Most of those stores would close in early 2017, the company said, with the rest closing as leases and other operating covenants were taken care of. At the time, Macy's had 728 stores. As of the fourth quarter of 2018, it had 641. Ten stores are listed on the company's website as "closing," and only one of those stores is still open. None of them are in Florida.
Even if Macy's is here to stay for now, it's hard to believe it'll be at Westfield Siesta Key for years to come. It is the last traditional department store mall anchor with two locations in Sarasota County. Macy's and other department stores like JCPenney continue to close stores as a way of adapting to a retail environment where malls are no longer king. Department stores continue to underperform — Macy's fourth quarter financials were lower than the company expected, despite positive comparable sales against a strong 2017 holiday season, according to a February announcement.
And if heaven forbid we hit another economic downturn, you can bet that we'll see department stores shutter more locations faster than you can say "stock market."
Overall, Westfield Siesta Key is a quiet property. Connors Steak and Seafood and Bravo Coastal Bar & Kitchen usually have sizeable crowds, Lucky's Market and LA Fitness have loyal visitors, and Cobb CineBistro offers a one-of-a-kind movie-going experience. But the inside of the mall is very quiet and several tenants, including bareMinerals, The Walking Co. and Victoria's Secret, are among the more recent closures.
But we'll see. For now, it seems that Southgate shoppers can breathe a sigh of relief. Hopefully "open and excited to serve" and "here to stay" go hand in hand with one another.
Laura Finaldi, the Herald-Tribune's retail and tourism reporter, can be reached at 941-361-4951 or [email protected] Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @lauraefinaldi. Join her Sarasota-Manatee Retail News page on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/sarasotamanateeretail.
Most senior living communities and operators acknowledge that technology is an essential driver of resident quality of life, as well as a critical component to staff retention and engagement.However, with the many technologies available today and the myriad of functions they offer, it can be difficult to ensure technology is being used to its full potential.Take, for example, the addition of new product features to a particular technology platform, or a change in staff or leadership who may not be familiar with some product use...
Most senior living communities and operators acknowledge that technology is an essential driver of resident quality of life, as well as a critical component to staff retention and engagement.
However, with the many technologies available today and the myriad of functions they offer, it can be difficult to ensure technology is being used to its full potential.
Take, for example, the addition of new product features to a particular technology platform, or a change in staff or leadership who may not be familiar with some product uses or capabilities. A concerted effort toward ongoing training as well as creative approaches to user adoption can help ensure a community’s technology stack is working to its highest potential.
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Adapting technology to meet residents’ needs has made a significant impact at Westminster Communities of Florida, an Orlando-based organization with 10 continuing care retirement communities throughout Florida. A long-standing partner of Touchtown, Westminster identified opportunities to improve residents’ engagement and get them the information they needed in completely new way. Daily menus on their phone or tablet were just the start – some communities are experimenting with interactive monthly newsletters, online event registration, and even custom video.
In some cases, there may be technology already available to help resolve existing challenges, but leadership must identify the need and make the technology connection.
For Westminster Communities of Florida, the company’s wellness coordinator Joshua Alfrey noticed the growing amount of paper being used to distribute newsletters and other communications.
“We have 300 to 500 residents at each community, and all of the residential life staff have to send something—menus need to get to the residents, as well as newsletters,” Alfrey says. “That is a lot of paper, and a lot of people who have to deliver that paper.”
Alfrey knew Westminster had access to technology solution Touchtown, including its Community Apps offering. While the organization was using some of Touchtown’s capabilities, such as digital signage, he realized it could also be saving a lot of time and resources by bringing more of the community information into Community Apps.
“It [required] trying to get people to understand that we have this capability, and then motivating them [to use it],” Alfrey says.
Many times, a technology platform may be in place, but the utilization is low among both residents and staff based on leadership. Following the realization that staff could be saving time and resources by leaning more heavily on Touchtown’s Community Apps, Alfrey and his marketing team set out to train new employees on the capabilities and retrain existing ones who may not have been aware of the full suite of services.
“We were using only 5% to 10% of what it could do,” Alfrey says. “We went back and retrained everybody to make sure we were using the calendars, the slides — we almost had to start fresh because not everyone knew how to use all the pieces even if they had been with [the company] for many years.”
A critical component of gaining staff support was showing the resident benefit.
“We went from hearing ‘Residents aren’t going to use this’ to ‘Oh, I see how they will use this,’” he says.
Given residents frequently ask about the dining menu and daily activities, the organization turned to Touchtown’s app to host the content for easy mobile and desktop access among residents.
One of Westminster’s communities, Westminster Palms in St. Petersburg, took the approach a step further and made a concerted effort toward bringing its Penline monthly publication to a paperless format.
“When I arrived two years ago, we were putting the Penline online in pdf form,” says Andy Southgate, resident lifestyle facilitator at Westminster Palms. “Nobody was using it. No one wants a pdf on their phone versus a paper publication in the mailbox. I wanted to bring it to life, but in order to go paperless, you have to make something exciting and interactive.”
Southgate worked with his marketing team to create an interactive publication in Google Slides that integrates with the Penline app module. The linked slide decks help residents navigate and quickly preview some of the activities that were scheduled. A trip to a museum, for example, would include a link to a virtual tour of the museum and a registration form, saving residents a trip to the community’s lobby where a paper sign up sheet sits. The interactive newsletter is now hosted in the community’s MyWLife wellness app via Touchtown, among many other important community resources.
“Residents were absolutely amazed,” Southgate says. “They loved seeing the videos of the places we were going to go. It was difficult [previously] for them to get a depiction of the events.”
The community is also using Touchtown’s digital signs to communicate with staff, and Southgate has recently co-hosted several meetings with Amazon’s Alexa, which also interfaces with the software.
“Alexa and I host the meeting together,” Southgate says. “We put on a display in the multipurpose room. She turns on the lights, and I demonstrate accessing MyWLife.”
The resident lifestyle staff has really embraced the new capabilities with Touchtown. For one, the communities compete monthly against one another on the basis of their activities, and promoting the creative events through the apps and digital signage builds excitement throughout the community.
“It’s about awareness and engagement,” Southgate says. “And allowing people to spend time more wisely. Even those that are hip and savvy can be forgetful. Having MyWLife makes it easier to remember things, stay in touch and stay active.”
To learn more about Touchtown and its senior living technology solutions, click here.
