Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 17, 2023 51 Style of her jacket is testament to her genius. Jersey Until Chanel began using it for her first collections in 1913, jersey was a utility fabric mainly used for men’s underwear, and categorically not what society women were interested in acquiring from their couturiers. “Nothing is more beautiful than freedom of the body,” she once said. And jersey – a fluid, supple knitted textile – helped her to achieve it, although she also complained how hard it could be to make it look luxurious. But it was also cheap, no small consideration when she was starting her business and wanted to keep prices competitive. As a young girl, she had hankered for pastel-colored lace dresses she could never have. By the time she could afford them, she no longer wanted them. “The age of extravagant dresses has passed,” she told her friend Paul Morand, who, at her behest, wrote one of the many memoirs about her. That was true – or about to be. Perhaps more to the point she had learnt that fussy, lavish designs didn’t suit her. The 2.55 bag Chanel had designed bags before. But by 1955 she needed something totemic that would crown her as the queen to Dior’s king, as well as represent what women increasingly aspired to: freedom and independence. Could a bag do that? When it was lightweight, hands-free, soft against the body and user-friendly, of course it could. The 2.55 (named for the month and year it was launched) had a long gold chain that could be worn over the shoulder, or tucked inside to turn the bag into a clutch. Quilted lambskin leather made it soft (as well as providing another precious signature for the house). An external pocket made it functional, while the internal burgundy lining supposedly represented the color of the uniform Coco had worn at the convent. Three decades on, Lagerfeld would combine leather with the strap to make it more comfortable on the shoulder, ensure it was long enough to be worn cross-body and pop two metal double Cs on the flap – vulgar by Coco’s standards (the model without them, considered classier by those in the know, is called Mademoiselle, which is how her staff always addressed her), but hugely popular. The two-tone shoe A photograph of Chanel with the Ballet Russes star Serge Lifar from 1937 shows the designer in two-tone espadrilles. Two decades later she would buff them up for her 1957 collection with a 2 in. block heel and slingback; this proto Chanel shoe came in one of her favorite shades – camel – with black tips, and was designed to take a woman from day to night. But there were other colors, always with the darker tip at the toe to protect the shoe and provide a sartorial full stop. “With four pairs of shoes I can travel the world,” declared Coco. Women have been walking in Chanel (and Chanel tributes) ever since. Lagerfeld constantly toyed with Mademoiselle’s classic, most famously in 1986 when he unleashed a now cult ballet pump version. His 2015 update was more literal and has been a bestseller ever since.
WINE COLUMN 52 Vero Beach 32963 / August 17, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ The zero-alcohol drinks sector is booming, and wine is catching up. I’ve written before about Giesen 0%, a line of de-alcoholized wines from New Zealand’s Giesen winery that taste like the real thing. Another approach is “wine alternatives,” beverages meant to provide a similar gastronomic experience as wine but without alcohol. Wine alternatives, however, are not de-alcoholized, as they never had alcohol to begin with. Here are two wine alternatives and a bubbly with some serious champagne cred that demonstrate it is possible to drink well and celebrate without the buzz. Le Petit Béret Virgin Rosé France, $20 Petit Béret is a line of zero-alcohol wines that are not de-alcoholized, but built from scratch, as it were. The ingredients listed on the label include grape seed infusion, grape juice and other natural flavors. This “Virgin Rosé” could stand in for a Provence rosé on a hot day. The line also includes a Prosecco-like blanc de blanc, a chardonnay and a pinot noir that are not only good but also affordable. Three Spirit Blurred Vines Sharp (3 stars) England, $27 Three Spirit is a British producer of non-alcoholic elixirs designed to provide the cocktail experience without the booze. Blurred Vines is their new line of wine alternatives, with two options. These are not wines that have been stripped of their alcohol, but rather concoctions of teas, adaptogens, herbs and fruits designed to be winelike in weight, texture and flavor. It is delicious and a fine choice for festive occasions without alcohol. French Bloom Le Rosé Organic French Bubbly (3.5 stars) France, $44 French Bloom is a line of zero-alcohol bubbly from France that began limited U.S. distribution late last year. Fashion model Constance Jablonski and Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger, director of the Michelin Guide, wanted the experience of champagne without the alcohol. And this works: Dealcoholized chardonnay and pinot noir are supplemented with organic grape juice, spring water and lemon juice. There are no added sugars, sulfites or preservatives. The result tastes remarkably like champagne, with a softer fizz and without the alcohol bite. Fine Dining, Elevated Exciting Innovative Cuisine Award Winning Wine List Unparalleled Service Expanded outdoor dining in The Café. Proud recipient of Trip Advisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award placing us in “The Top 10% of restaurants worldwide”. Catering Now Available (772) 234-3966 • tidesofvero.com Open 7 Days a Week Starting at 5 PM 3103 Cardinal Drive, Vero Beach, FL Reservations Highly Recommended • Proper Attire Appreciated Wine Spectator Award 2002 – 2021 WWW.COSTADESTE.COM YOUR BEACHSIDE OASIS IS CALLING... Enjoy Breakfast from the Comfort of your Oceanview Room Enjoy Fresh, Local Seafood & Cuban Specialties! Live Entertainment Fri -Sun WEEKLY SPECIALS Tuesday PRIME RIB NIGHT Wednesday PAELLA NIGHT Daily Happy Hour | 4 - 6 PM Sunday Brunch 11 AM - 3 PM 772-562-9919 1/2 OFF SELECT SHARABLES $5 DRAFT BEER $6 HOUSE WINE $7 WELL LIQUOR ENJOY THE FLAVORS OF WINE, MINUS THE ALCOHOL BY DAVE McINTYRE The Washington Post
Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 17, 2023 53 Vero & Casual Dining
54 Vero Beach 32963 / August 17, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero & Casual Dining
Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 17, 2023 55 Vero & Casual Dining 1006 Easter Lily Lane, Vero Beach Hours: Sun-Thurs:11 am-9 pm Fri-Sat:11 am-10 pm LARGE OUTDOOR SEATING AVAILABLE DELIVERY AVAILABLE FOR DINNER Now Offering Gluten Free Cauliflower Crust Pizza “The Best Authentic Cannelloni in Vero Beach” 772.231.9311 Established in 1981 Where the Locals Go for Pizza NOW OFFERING ONLINE ORDERS NINOSRESTAURANTS.COM Beachside On The PARTY PLATTERS AVAILABLE 56 Royal Palm Pointe 772-567-4160 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram OPEN FOR DINNER WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY BEGINNING AT 4 PM. CLOSED MONDAY & TUESDAY. ORDER ONLINE FOR DELIVERY OR PICKUP THROUGH Pizzoodles.com or ToastTakeout.com SALADS, PASTA, VEAL, CHICKEN , SUBS AND DESSERTS OPEN WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY 1931 Old Dixie • 772.770.0977 fishackverobeach.com • Like us on Facebook! Gift Certificates, Private Parties & Patio Dining Available TUESDAY NIGHT l ALL YOU CAN EAT FISH FRY HAPPY HOUR 4-6 PM l TUES.- SAT. WE CAN ACCOMMODATE LARGE PARTIES TUES OPEN FOR DINNER AT 4 WED-SAT OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER CLOSED SUNDAYS & MONDAYS OFFERING Local Fish Northern Fish Patio Dining Happy Hour Best Margaritas Full Liquor Bar Large Parties Daily Specials Amazing Breakfast & Lunch Specials Served Everyday MEATLOAF MONDAY $10.95 POT ROAST TUESDAY 12.95 ROASTED TURKEY WEDNESDAY $12.95 PRIME RIB THURSDAY $15.95 ALL YOU CAN EAT FISH FRY FRIDAY $12.95 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK NOW SERVING BREAKFAST UNTIL 11:45 EVERYDAY, BUT FRIDAY LUNCH FROM 11-2:00 Veterans & First Responders Receive 15% OFF Piper Employees Receive 10% OFF Must Show ID HOURS OF OPERATION SUNDAY - FRIDAY 6:30AM - 2:00PM SATURDAYS 6:30AM - 12:00PM 2555 27th Ave Suite G-6, Vero Beach, FL 32960 (772) 778-8495
PETS 56 Vero Beach 32963 / August 17, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ This week I had the most excitin’ inter-spee-shes advenchur way out at a Cool Kibbles place called Critter Haven, an animal sank-chew-airy that rescues exotic animals from Dire Straights an provides Furever Homes right there. My innerviewee was Adam Brady, who has been a Critter Haven resident since around 2005-ish. Adam’s an Emu (EEE-mew): an Australian bird which is (I hadda Google) the second tallest bird in the world. An they don’t fly. Him an a human were standin’ inna big paddock under a tree right at the fence as me an my assistant approached. “G’day, mate!” he called. I thought he looked like an ostrich but liddler. I mean, he’s not liddle. Just liddler than an ostrich. He’s 5-feet-6! I looked up. Way up. Adam had a small head, speshully compared to his large shaggy body, anna VERY expressive face with a pawsome punk rocker hairdo, wide apart, hypnotic eyes; anna big, serious beak. It looked to me like he could break into a face-splitting smile or stare me into a puddle of jello. “Um, yes, G’day to you! It’s Adam, I buh-leeve? I’m Bonzo an this is my assistant. I saw you from afar when I was here a few years ago but, at the time, I thought you were an OSS-tritch. It’s a pleasure to meet you in the, um, feathers, as it were.” Happily, Adam had a Super Crispy Biscuits personality, and he laughed. “‘In the feathers.’ I like that, Bonz! Yes, Adam it is! This is my mate, Joey. My Dad Gary’s restin’. He’s Dad to all us critters here. No worries, Bonz, lotsa humans make that mistake. Matter of fact, I wudda pegged YOU for a wolf, straight off. More familiar with them. So, I hear you want to know about my background, such as it is, so get yourself comfy and I’ll tell you the John Dory.” Relieved, I opened my notebook. Adam sat, an began. “Altho all us Emus are Australian, I was hatched in 1998 in Florida an hung out with my other hatchlings till I was old enough to go to college.” “Err, ’scuse me. Did you say COLLege?” “I DID, bucko. A Florida school. I was a major part of their Ag program for several years, lived on the campus till my tenure ended, an I was transported by trailer to here. That was, if memry serves, 2005. I was 7. I’m an old bloke now! Ya better ask your questions while ya can.” We laughed. “That musta been some change,” I observed. “Fair Dinkum! This place is a Bonzer! I never knew there were so many excellent blokes and sheilas in the animal world. But the best thing that happened was Eve, another Emu! It was love at first sight. We had four children, Blanche, Rose, Sofia, an Dorothy.” “Woof! Four kids! Cool Kibbles! Musta kept Eve busy!” I commented blithely, never having been a daddy myself. Adam laughed. “Well, Bonz, let me give you a liddle update. In some species, The Dad participates in the child care. Significantly in some cases. Such as with Emus. My dear, sweet Eve laid the eggs. And that was IT for her. Everything else was up to ME, including construction of the nest which, if I do say so myself, and I DO, was hard yakka! After that, I, me, the Dad, laid on that nest for 8 weeks ink-you-bating those eggs the entire time. They were beautiful, very dark blue and very LARGE, an I never left the nest – lost about a third of my body weight in the process. Make no mistake though, it was worth it!” I opened my mouth to offer apologies and praise, but Adam wasn’t finished. “… THEN, when the babies hatched, I raised the liddle fluffmuffins until they could make it on their own, about 6 months or so. I know that must seem a little bit unusual, a tad lopsided, if you will, but it has always been the way of the Emu.” “Well, I am very impressed, Adam,” I replied. “Anyway, I have a great life here. I’m pretty easy-going, get along with all sorts of blokes: birds, animals, humans, even let some of the humans pet me and scratch my head. “There was a time, in my youth,” he grinned a wide grin, “when I was drawn to shiny objects, mostly keys. I’ve been known to nab keys right off a visitor. IRRESISTABLE! Once, me an me Dad, Gary, were hangin’ out, an I was kinda, ya know, starin’ at his shiny-rimmed glasses, an then, out of the blue, so to speak, I snatched ’em right off of his face an took off runnin’. Don’t know if I mentioned, but emus can run up to 30 miles per hour. So there I was runnin’ all over the paddock with Gary’s glasses, with him bookin’ after me! A notable event, we all thought. Good times. “I’ve had lots o’ pals over the years: the pigs Barbie an Sauce; the goats Roger, Hurricane, Scape, Zye, Kate; Mia the rhea (those are birds, in case you’re not a bird bloke); Daisy the mule. I share this paddock with the goats and Daisy, an my very best mates, Dolly an Janet, the llamas. An, of course, we’ve had wolves, an coyotes here; an random birds, raccoons an opossums are always wanderin’ through.” “What do you, as an emu, like to eat, mostly. An, um, where do you sleep?” “When I’m ready for some tucker, I’m always hopin’ for dry dog food. An I sleep here in our paddock, right under the stars.” Heading home, I was thinkin’ how different in almost every way Adam’s life story and experiences are from most anything I’ve ever known or heard about. But, on the other paw, no matter what our species happens to be – yours, mine, Adam’s – lots of the same things make us happy: frens, family, comfy beds, yummy snacks, cool drinks of water, pats on the head. Till next time, Hi Dog Buddies! Who knew an emu could be such a cool interview? The Bonz Don’t Be Shy We are always looking for pets with interesting stories. To set up an interview, email [email protected]. Adam. PHOTO: JOSHUA KODIS
Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 17, 2023 57 ARTIST GALLERIES Except where noted, hours are by appointment or chance. BEACHSIDE GALLERIES J.M. Stringer Gallery of Fine Art 2465 Ocean Drive. 772-231-3900 Website: jmstringergallery.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tues. thru Sat. Current Exhibit: Through the Artist’s Eye – Paintings of John Phillip Osborne Koman Fine Art 2905 Cardinal Drive. 772-231-4500 or 772-473-1646 Instagram: komanfineart Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wed. to Sat. Laughing Dog Gallery 2910 Cardinal Drive. 772-234-6711 Website: thelaughingdoggallery.com Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues. to Sat. Meghan Candler Gallery 6160 Hwy. A1A at the Village Shops. 772-234-8811 Website: meghancandlergallery.com Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tues. to Sat. Current Exhibit: Linda Arnold, New Painting Collection Ocean Drive Gallery 3349 Ocean Drive, Suite 8, 2nd Floor. 772-579-7667 Website: oceandrivegalleryverobeach.com Hours: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wed. to Sat. Palm House Gallery & Studio 3227 Ocean Drive (2nd floor). 772-231-6816 Website: palmhousegallery.com Steve Diossy Marine Art Gallery 3247 Ocean Drive. 772-205 2973 Website: stevediossy.com Hours: Closed Mondays; check website for hours HISTORIC DOWNTOWN ARTS DISTRICT GALLERIES All are open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. during First Friday Gallery Strolls Gallery 14 1911 14th Avenue. 772-562-5525 Website: gallery14verobeach.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thurs. and Fri.; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat. Closed Aug. and Sept. except for strolls Current Exhibit (thru Sept.): Crystal Jubilee Invitational, juried exhibition Gallery Veritas & Art Library 1420 20th Street, 323-547-1188 Website: thegalleryveritas.com Hours: Noon to 2 p.m. Tues. and Thurs. Current Exhibit: Summer Group Art Exhibit of Studio on 60 artists Main Street Vero Beach Studios & Gallery 2036 14th Avenue, Suite 103. 772-643-6782 Website: mainstreetverobeach.org Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mon. to Fri. Raw Space 1795 Old Dixie Hwy. 772-410-9126 Website: artconceptalternative.org Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vero Beach Art Club Gallery & Market Place 1903 14th Avenue. 772-217-3345 Website: verobeachartclub.org Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tues. to Fri. and first Sat. of month Current Exhibit: Brush with Nature, by VBAC members and Next Gen by junior members GALLERIES ELSEWHERE Roy A. McLendon Jr. HAAP Fine Art Studio 2059 Indian River Blvd. 772-584-6653 Website: roymcclendonjr.com Hours: 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mon. to Fri.; 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sat. Resident Artist: Roy A. McLendon Jr. Artists Guild Gallery 1974 14th Avenue. 772-299-1234 Website: artistsguildgalleryofverobeach.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tues. to Fri. and first Sat.
Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ CALENDAR 58 Vero Beach 32963 / August 17, 2023 ONGOING Check with organizations directly for updates/cancellations. Vero Beach Museum of Art: Treasure Coast Creates: A Tribute to Local Artists; and Jack Tworkov: Drawings, both through Sept. 3. VBMuseum.org or 772-231-0707 Riverside Theatre: Friday and Saturday Comedy Zone 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in Waxlax Theatre, and free Live in the Loop outdoor concerts, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 772-231-6990 or RiversideTheatre.com First Friday Gallery Strolls, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Downtown Vero Beach Arts District. AUGUST 17 Sangarita Challenge hosted by Exchange Club of Vero Beach, 6:30 p.m. at the Vero Beach Community Center. 18 End of Summer Luau, 7 p.m. at Heaton’s Vero Beach, with pig roast, DJ, fire dancers, light bites and welcome cocktail. $55 at door. 772-469-4444 27 Space Coast Symphony Orchestra presents a fully staged production of Stephan Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, 3 p.m. at the Vero Beach High School PAC. SpaceCoastSymphony.org 31 End Overdose Summit hosted by Substance Abuse Center/SAFIR Coalition, 8:30 a.m. at Vero Beach Theatre Guild. Free; continental breakfast and lunch provided. safirc.org SEPTEMBER 2 Mulligan’s Skim Jam at the Sexton Plaza beach, with five divisions, from beginner to professional. Entries $50 to $140. Register at shorelb.com 9 Tunnel to Towers 5K Run/Walk, 7 a.m. at Riverside Park to honor 9/11 first responders and benefit the Stephen Siller Foundation, which supports first responders and veterans. RunSignUp.com 19 Pearl Anniversary Lifestyle & Media Auction hosted by the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce, 5:30 p.m. at Capt. Hiram’s, with live and silent auctions, pirate costume contest, and cornhole tournament. $30 & $40 auction entry, includes dinner; $40/ team cornhole. SebastianChamber.com 23 Clay Shoot to benefit Veterans Council of IRC, 8 a.m. at Vero Beach Clay Shooting Sports, with breakfast, scramble shotgun start, prizes and lunch. Lunch only option available. 772-410-5820 23 10th annual Lines in the Lagoon Junior Fishing Tournament, 7 a.m. lines in, 2 p.m. lines out, with all fishing on the Indian River Lagoon by boat, dock or seawall, with 3:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony at American Icon Brewery. LinesInTheLagoon.com 24 Space Coast Symphony Orchestra presents American Icons, a celebration of Gershwin, Ellington, Bernstein and more, 3 p.m. at Community Church of VB. SpaceCoastSymphony.org 29 to Oct. 15 – Vero Beach Theatre Guild presents the musical comedy “The Addams Family.” VeroBeachTheatreGuild.com or 772-562-8300 30 Substance Awareness Center of IRC 5K Run/Walk, 7:30 a.m. from South Beach Park. RunSignUp.com 30 Pink in Paradise Gala to benefit Friends After Diagnosis, 7 p.m. at the IG Center, with dancing, auctions, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. $75. FriendsAfterDiagnosis.com 30 to Jan. 28 – Vero Beach Museum of Art exhibition, Infinite Variations: The Imaginative Worlds of M.C. Escher. VBMuseum. org or 772-231-0707 OCTOBER 7|8 Treasure Coast Flea Market, Boat Sale and Seafood Festival, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at IRC Fairgrounds. $10; children 12 and under free. 13-14, 20-21, 27-31 Haunted House Terror on Main Street hosted by Sebastian River Junior Women’s Club, 7:30 to 10 p.m. at 1036 Main Street. $10. sebastianhauntedhouse.org 19 Hidden Faces, 5:30 p.m. at the Heritage Center hosted by the Source, about the human side of homelessness, with food from Dining with Dignity Catering Training students, cash bar, and entertainment. $20. 386-290-4396 21 Day of Caring hosted by United Way of IRC, 8 a.m. breakfast at newly renovated Holman Stadium at Jackie Robinson Training Complex, with projects by volunteer individuals and groups starting at 9 a.m. Online registration at UnitedWayIRC.org. 21 Frightening 4K, 6 p.m. from Indian River State College campus. RunSignUp.com 21|22 Vero Beach Oktoberfest, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun. at Indian River County Fairgrounds, with full bar, live entertainment, marketplace and Biergarten. VeroBeachOktoberFest.com 22 Space Coast Symphony Orchestra presents Bewitching Broadway, with vocalists Michelle Knight and Cesar De LaRosa performing fiendish Broadway favorites, 3 p.m. at the Emerson Center. SpaceCoastSymphony.org 23 Tropical Night Luau to benefit the Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy, 6 p.m. at Quail Valley River Club, with buffet, dancing, auction and children’s presentations. 772-492-3933 or YouthGuidanceProgram.org Sudoku Page 32 Sudoku Page 33 Crossword Page 32 Solutions from Games Pages in August 10, 2023 Edition Crossword Page 33 (Political Maladies) Advertising Vero Beach Services | If you would like your business to appear in our directory, please call 772-633-0753 VERO BEACH 32963 BUSINESS DIRECTORY Our directory gives small business people eager to provide services to the community an opportunity to make themselves known to our readers at an affordable cost. This is the only business directory mailed each week. If you would like your business to appear in our directory, please call 772-633-0753 or email [email protected]. Oils • Edibles • Coffee • Pain Topicals • Skincare Beverages & Non Alcoholic Spirits Gummies & Vape Cartridges • Sleep Aids • Accessories 476 21st Street • Miracle Mile (next to Kelly’s Pub) hempnookcbd.com • (772) 226-7598 • [email protected] CBD & THC PRODUCTS Althea Powell, Board Certified Pedorthist State Licensed • Custom Molded Orthotics • Custom Molded Shoes • Diabetic Shoes • Elevation 2686 U.S. HWY 1 • VERO BEACH, FL www.powellshoes.com • 772.562.9045 POWELL SHOES PEDORTHIC FACILITY
JOHN’S ISLAND GEM Updated riverfront estate ‘built like a fortress’ 171 Terrapin Point in John’s Island: 4-bedroom, 5 full and 3 half-bath, 12,303-square-foot, two-story riverfront estate offered for $14,900,000 by John’s Island Real Estate Company: 772-231-0900
REAL ESTATE 60 Vero Beach 32963 / August 17, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Perfectly poised along 172 feet of newly constructed seawall on the Intracoastal Waterway is a classic Georgian Revival-style home at 171 Terrapin Point in John’s Island. Designed by Architect Harry Gandy Howle, it was built by Croom Construction Company more than 20 years ago and lovingly brought up to date by the current owners working with the original construction company and architecture team. Having been part of the original construction team, David Lyons, Croom Construction vice president, says the house was “built like a fortress.” “The original owners, Eric and Debbie Peniston, wanted the best structural systems they could get,” recalls Lyons, noting some interior masonry walls and a hollow core plank floor typically used on oceanfront homes to reduce vibration between the first and second floor. Since the bones of the house were in good shape, the current owners were able to focus on updating the home says Charles Croom, Croom Construction Company president. They enlisted Croom to update the kitchen and family room – the areas where they were going to spend most of their time. “They wanted to deformalize what the original architecture had presented,” said Croom. “We paid homage to the original architecture, which is timeless. We just took the inside of the home and modernized it for the clients and today’s living.” “The detail it’s been done with is just tremendous,” says Bob Gibb, John’s Island Real Estate Company broker. “They’ve done everything to the best possible degree,” Gibb continues, noting details like the Murano glassworks in the bar and Waldorf Astoria sconces in the dining room. Taking full advantage of the large lots on Gem Island, the home sits back on the lot to allow for a winding driveway without giving up the generous backyard. Howle notes the architectural design leans toward the Doric order, obvious from the proportions and size of the columns and entablature details as you approach the house. Oak trees shade the circle drive A John’s Island gem: Riverfront estate ‘built like a fortress’ BY STEPHANIE LABAFF Staff Writer
REAL ESTATE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 17, 2023 61 where guests park and make their way along a terraced walkway to the portico and through the double door entry into the reception hall, where a black and white marble foyer and rotunda staircase hint at the classic features within. The sophistication and elegance of the design and craftsmanship throughout the home are apparent as you take in the Zuber wallpaper, impressive ceiling heights, custom arches, fireplace features and millwork. Howle says the new owners wanted to “reduce detail and simplify the gallery, kitchen and family room.” The spacious living room at the center of the house is a showplace for gathering, entertaining and observing the comings and goings along the Intracoastal Waterway. You can enjoy the views fireside or sit on the covered patio and watch the sunset over the lagoon. Throw open the doors to experience seamless indoor-outdoor living. “The private setting with spacious living areas and great views makes our home comfortable for hosting and entertaining family, friends and guests,” shares the owner. The northern wing of the house is entirely devoted to guests. A gallery leads to the library and bar so guests can access snacks. The music room provides a buffer between the guest suite and the first-floor riverside VIP guest suite. With a private entry and parking area, guests can come and go without disturbing the hosts’ routine. The southern wing is devoted to the communal gathering areas – formal dining room, kitchen, family room and an enclosed lanai – as well as an additional guest room, bathroom, laundry room and access to the three-car garage. The space has been reimagined to expand access from the fully CONTINUED ON PAGE 63
REAL ESTATE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 17, 2023 63 equipped gourmet kitchen to the enclosed lanai. The kitchen features high-end appliances and a bi-level island for seating and storage. “The setting, spaciousness and incredible views and privacy” make it unique; adds the owner, noting the many spaces where guests can gather in groups of varying sizes throughout the house and grounds. The entire second floor has been designed as a series of private rooms centered around the primary suite and featuring sunrise and sunset balconies that can be accessed via the elevator or the kitchen or rotunda staircase. With two of everything, you both have plenty of room and privacy to work, shower and dress. In the second-floor study, the coffee and wine bar is a convenient addition so you can relax outside in the morning or evening, watching the sunrise or sunset with your beverage of choice, or sit by the bedroom fireplace and watch boats as they sail past. Outside, the landscaping on the expansive grounds has been upgraded. The elegant palms framing the lap pool are impressive and the custom putting green and bunker is a great place to get some practice before challenging friends on one of the community’s golf courses. The lagoon is mere steps from the back door; and with the new seawall, dock and 13,000-pound boat lift, you can head out for a day on the water whenever the mood arises. Steps make it easy to launch kayaks and paddleboards. John’s Island Club is a private, member-owned, country club community between the Atlantic Ocean and Indian River Lagoon. Amenities include dining, golf, tennis, pickleball, croquet, squash and the beach club. VITAL STATISTICS Neighborhood: John’s Island Year built: 2002 Construction: Solid masonry Lot size: 1.44 acres Home size: 12,303 square feet Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 5 full baths and 3 half-baths Pool: Lap View: Pool and Intracoastal Waterway Additional features: Rotunda staircase; two primary suites; library; bar; marble gallery; elevator; lacquered wood flooring; linear A/C diffusers; Waldorf Astoria sconces; Murano glasswork; Sonos sound system; security system with video cameras; full house generator; three-car garage; sunrise and sunset balconies; spice garden; putting green with bunker; new seawall and dock; 13,000-pound lift; and new roof Listing agency: John’s Island Real Estate Company, 772-231-0900 Listing price: $14,900,000 171 TERRAPIN POINT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 61
REAL ESTATE 64 Vero Beach 32963 / August 17, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES AND LOTS SUBDIVISION ADDRESS LISTED ORIGINAL MOST RECENT SOLD SELLING ASKING PRICE ASKING PRICE PRICE ATLANTIS 1366 PLATO CT 1/31/2023 $985,000 $885,000 8/10/2023 $840,000 VISTA DEL MAR 5400 HIGHWAY A1A, #B12 5/4/2023 $298,500 $289,000 8/10/2023 $275,000 TOWNHOMES, VILLAS, CONDOS, MULTIFAMILY AND INVESTMENT Real Estate Sales on the Barrier Island: Aug. 4 to Aug. 10 The dog days of August slowed the barrier island real estate market to a crawl last week with just two transactions recorded. The top sale of the week was of a home in Atlantis. The property at 1366 Plato Court was placed on the market Jan. 31 for $985,000. The asking price more recently was $885,000. The sale closed on Aug. 10 for $840,000. The seller in the transaction was represented by Joe Kovaleski of Dale Sorensen Real Estate. The purchaser in the transaction was represented by Sherry Goff of Berkshire Hathaway Florida.
REAL ESTATE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / August 17, 2023 65 A couple in Austin is using the money to fix up a rental house they own and help pay for their three young kids to attend Montessori school. A cop in Florida is playing the stock market. Others just like knowing there’s cash available if an emergency expense pops up. Welcome to the 2023 Heloc boom. Americans are increasingly tapping their greatest source of wealth, getting home equity lines of credit to borrow against the value of their properties, which skyrocketed in the pandemic real estate rally. Helocs – Home Equity Lines Of Credit – have become more popular as mortgage rates surged from record lows, making cash-out refinancing unattractive to most homeowners. Ross and Sarah Ponder bought a house in Austin in 2018 for $560,000. Four years later, after Covid migration made the Texas capital one of the hottest markets in the country, the place was worth $1 million. With three kids age 5 and under, the Ponders decided in March 2022 to take out a Heloc of $237,500. They had recently closed on an investment property and the cash helped them make repairs and pay their kids’ tuition. They also found peace of mind knowing they had a little extra money around. “It’s important for us to have options for getting money in a crisis,” said Ross Ponder, a 39-year-old real estate agent. “And it lets us keep our liquid cash liquid, which we prefer.” In recent years, lenders scarred by the financial crisis kept a tight grip on Helocs, which are considered relatively risky for banks because the credit line functions as a “second lien” that’s paid off after primary mortgage obligations. But 30-year loan costs at almost double early 2022 levels have squashed the refi boom, making financial institutions more open to Helocs, said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate.com. “The phones in the mortgage refinance department aren’t ringing,” he said. “The way to get equity out of the home has swung to the Heloc.” Typically, there’s an upfront fee for opening a Heloc, but interest doesn’t accrue until the funds are used. And for homeowners sitting on a mountain of equity, it can end up being a costly option. The rates are often variable, determined by broader lending conditions, meaning the Federal Reserve’s aggressive inflation-fighting campaign can increase costs for borrowers. The Ponders, for instance, had a 7 percent interest rate when they got their Heloc and it has since jumped to 8.7 percent. Still, it’s a way for people who have seen the value of their homes increase to get access to cash, especially for those who missed the refinancing boom when borrowing costs were low during the pandemic. In 2022, annual Heloc originations rose 34 percent from the prior year to 1.41 million individual loans. That was the highest total since 2008, according to credit reporting agency TransUnion. And while 2023 figures aren’t yet in, the number of Heloc accounts has risen in each of the last three quarters for which data is available. Real estate prices have cooled slightly from the boom days, but most U.S. homeowners have seen their properties appreciate rapidly, especially in popular spots such as Texas and Florida. Americans collectively had $28.7 trillion worth of home equity at the end of the first quarter, according to Black Knight Inc. That was down from the record high in the second quarter of 2022, but up from $20 trillion at the beginning of 2020. Meanwhile, tappable equity – the amount available to lend or borrow against while keeping a 20 percent equity cushion – is at $9.3 trillion, up 56 percent over a three-year period. Jon Buck’s home in a suburb outside Indianapolis has nearly doubled in value since he and wife bought it for $400,000 in 2014. The 41-year-old, who works in online product management, took out a Heloc in February for $200,000, aiming to use the cash to buy properties he can rent out. But with a 9 percent interest rate, he’s struggling to find an investment that yields enough to make it worthwhile. He’s still on the hunt, hoping prices in his area drop. If nothing else, he likes having access to extra cash if he needs it. “It’s just having a line of credit that’s available in an emergency,” he said. “When you need credit, it’s not the time to be looking for it.” The search for an investment property has also been hard for Gavin Galazka, a 27-year-old law enforcement officer in Naples, Florida. In May 2022, he decided to take out a $50,000 line of credit on his condo, which had jumped in value since he bought it the prior year. But as the Fed hiked rates, Galazka’s Heloc got more expensive, with the interest rate more than doubling to 8 percent. That made the prospect of a getting a mortgage for a new property less appealing. Instead, he decided to play the stock market. Galazka primarily trades options, such as puts on the S&P 500 for 30 or 60 days out. He said those trades usually make him enough money to pay the interest on his Heloc, which is about $280 a month. And he’s still looking for a property to buy. “You could say, ‘Why don’t you just close the Heloc?’” he said. “But I like to be liquid in case something comes up on a property with an awesome deal.” U.S. homeowners tap $9 trillion in real estate wealth BY CLAIRE BALLENTINE AND PAULINA CACHERO Bloomberg
REAL ESTATE 66 Vero Beach 32963 / August 17, 2023 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Higher interest rates and a new tax on luxury home sales in Los Angeles are weighing on even the celebrity real estate agents who show off their million-dollar listings on TV. Mauricio Umansky, chief executive officer of the Agency and star of the Netflix series “Buying Beverly Hills,” said his company’s transaction volume, though better than average, is down about 25 percent. The housing market, he said, “is in a recession.” Jason Oppenheim, president of the Oppenheim Group and star of two other Netflix programs, Selling Sunset and Selling the OC, also expects to sell fewer homes this year. “This is when agents get defined – in difficult times,” he said. The nation’s second-largest city, a perennial hot spot for real estate, is wrestling with higher interest rates that make homes less affordable and a new tax that went into effect in April. The city imposes a 4 percent levy on properties selling for over $5 million and 5.5 percent on those over $10 million, with the money going to fund affordable housing. Meanwhile, strikes by Hollywood writers and actors have shut down TV and film production, putting further pressure on the market. In the first half of the year, sales of homes priced over $10 million in the greater Los Angeles area fell 44 percent, according to the brokerage firm Compass. Total volume declined 40 percent to $3.2 billion. The L.A. market still led the U.S. in sales of homes above $10 million, with 160 properties trading in the first half of 2023. Home sales to the merely rich have also tumbled. In Brentwood, where the median home price in June was $3.1 million, property sales fell 63 percent, according to Douglas Elliman. In Beverly Hills, which as a separate city isn’t subject to the L.A. mansion tax, the number of properties sold slumped 43 percent. Unlike Hollywood writers and actors, who have been on strike for better pay and benefits, reality stars like Umansky and Oppenheim can continue to work on their TV shows. The downturn in the market may even make for better television. “We highlight the struggles and the very real part of what it’s like to go through a transaction,” said Alexia Umansky, who is featured in her father Maurcio’s show. “It’s not always easy.” In a difficult market – where a lack of supply means it is hard to find listings – the TV agents say their notoriety helps bring them business. The number of for-sale listings fell 29 percent from a year earlier, according to the California Association of Realtors. “We are able to market someone’s property far more broadly and globally because of the show,” Oppenheim said. Not all high-end brokers think the TV exposure is worth the effort, however. The husband and wife team of Branden and Rayni Williams, who have bought and sold houses for Bruce Willis and Jennifer Lopez, said the clients they work with often prioritize privacy when selling homes, something not conducive to reality TV. “We don’t have time to play pretend,” Branden said. “We’re too busy doing real deals.” Aaron Kirman, who appeared on CNBC’s Listing Impossible for one season, said the amount of time it took to film transactions cost him millions of dollars, because he couldn’t fit potential clients into his schedule. The Agency’s Umansky agrees that it takes extra time to promote a home on TV, from setting up the lighting to coordinating with crews. Where he might have one showing on a filming day, Umansky can show up to 10 houses on a day when he’s not on set. “The reality is I have two jobs,” he said. Even celeb Realtors feel pinch as L.A. mansion sales fall BY CAELYN PENDER Bloomberg
The Vero Beach Barrier Island Newspaper www.vb32963online.com August 17, 2023 Volume 16, Issue 33 Newsstand Price $1.00