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Curbelo and Grayson Introduce the Venezuelan Refugee Assistance Act

Posted: November 9th, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Immigration Reform, National News, Sarasota Immigrants | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »
Rep. Carlos Curbelo

Two Florida members of Congress introduced a bill that would allow Venezuelans who arrived in the U.S. prior to Jan 1, 2013, to adjust status to permanent resident. No word on how likely this is to move forward.

Washington, D.C.—In response to the continued instability in Venezuela, Reps. Carlos Curbelo (FL-26) and Alan Grayson (FL-09), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) have introduced the Venezuelan Refugee Assistance Act, H.R. 3744, to provide immigration relief to Venezuelans that have long-resided in the U.S., unable to return to their homeland:

“For the past decade, thousands of Venezuelans were forced to flee the brutal Chavez dictatorship. The situation has not improved under his hand-picked successor, Nicolas Maduro. In the last few months alone we have seen countless examples of the regime’s thuggish tactics, unethical behavior, and lethal force. They’ve arrested top opposition leaders like Leopoldo Lopez and the Mayor or Caracas, and banned others from running for public office, like Maria Machado. They’ve also arrested over 3,000 opposition protestors in a riot that left dozens dead. This bill will help those Venezuelan nationals who have made a new home in the United States to remain here if they choose to since it is dangerous to return home.

Specifically, this legislation would address the issue by adjusting the status of Venezuelans that arrived in the U.S. prior to Jan 1, 2013 as long as they do not have a criminal record and were never involved in the persecution of others. They have until January 1, 2019 to register for adjustment.

I applaud the Venezuelan-American community in the United States for their continued efforts on behalf of the people of Venezuela and I stand in unity for their noble cause of justice and freedom and thank Rep. Grayson for his leadership throughout the years to help the Venezuelan people. I would also like to thank Reps. Ros-Lehtinen and Wasserman Schultz for being original co-sponsors,” said Rep. Curbelo.

“I’m proud to join my Florida colleague Rep. Carlos Curbelo in introducing this important piece of bipartisan legislation. The political turmoil in Venezuela demands that the United States do everything in its power to protect those who have been able to escape to freedom in America. We cannot in good conscience force Venezuelans to return to a country where they face arrest, torture, and execution only because they oppose the government. Granting them permanent residence status is the best, most logical way to ensure their safety. I thank Rep. Curbelo for all he has done for the Venezuelan American community, and look forward to working with him to see this legislation out of committee and onto the floor for a vote,” said Rep. Grayson.

Rep. Curbelo will be holding a press conference regarding H.R. 3744 on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 in his Miami district office.

Source: https://curbelo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=537#.VidytfvLztE.mailto


Sarasota Commercial Realtor Shares Some of Her Listings

Posted: February 5th, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Investor Visas | Tags: , , , , | No Comments »
Sarasota Commercial Realtor Susan Goldstein

Sarasota Commercial Realtor Susan Goldstein

Susan Goldstein is a Sarasota commercial realtor with business experience.  She received her MBA from Columbia University and worked in marketing and advertising for such firms as American Express and Proctor and Gamble.  Today she uses those skills to market commercial property in the Sarasota-Bradenton area.  We recently saw her again at the Commercial Investment Division of the Sarasota Association of Realtors and she agreed to share some of her listings with us.

  1. 1961 Floyd Street.  This is a Medical Office Condo.  It is just over the $300000.
  2. 1487 2nd Street.  This is an investment property.  The value is in the income and future development potential.

We hope these listings prove valuable for those of you who are thinking of starting or investing in a business in Sarasota.  For more information and listings, please contact:

Susan H. Goldstein, MBA

Commercial Specialist

Michael Saunders & Company

8325 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

Lakewood Ranch, Florida  34202

941-907-9595 office

941-907-8802 fax

941-350-9747 cell


FloridaBusinessOpportunities.com Lists Florida Businesses for Sale

Posted: January 14th, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Investor Visas | Tags: , | No Comments »

Florida Business Opportunities

Florida Business Opportunities, Inc., a local Sarasota business brokerage firm, has long been a source of vital listings of Florida businesses for sale.

The company has it’s main office right across from the upscale South Gate Shopping Mall on S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. FBO has agents throughout the state to help you buy or sell a business in many cities.

From their website:

We are Florida’s Business Brokers with thousands of businesses for sale, business opportunities and franchises. Florida Business Opportunities is the expert in the Florida market of businesses for sale. Our combined knowledge of financing, research and negotiations help us close business transactions with confidence for both buyers and sellers.

Using their search page one can search for established businesses and new franchises in every Florida county and in almost any category.

Their blog offers valuable information on buying a business, franchising, and how to be a successful business owner.

FBO even provide a broker directory in case a buyer or seller want to look more closely in a certain area or in needs other business services.

The company is also a member of the Business Brokers of Florida Association.  Jaensch Immigration Law Firm has decided to join the association as an affiliate member.  We will soon be bringing you more information from one of their meetings.

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Early Christmas Present

Posted: December 20th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Investor Visas, Sarasota Immigrants | Tags: , , , | No Comments »

Suncoast Sabbaticals Voucher

 

Suncoast Sabbaticals is offering an early Christmas present to the first 25 people to call; a free 30-minute consultation on how to start a new business in the Sarasota area as a foreigner.

We wrote about Anna and Martin Monka and how they themselves successfully started a new business as foreigners in the Sarasota area.  Now they wish to offer their experience and expertise to other foreigners who are thinking of doing the same.  By the way, starting a new business can be a very effective way to qualify for a visa or green card in the United States.

To contact Martin or Anna call: 941-487-7936 or email: contact@suncoastsabbaticals.com.


Cesar Garza Starts His Business in Sarasota

Posted: December 7th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Sarasota Immigrants | Tags: , , , | No Comments »

Cesar Garza is a Sarasota immigrant from Monterrey, Mexico.  His father worked in the Mexican oil industry and Mr. Garza spent his early years between Monterrey and Veracruz.  After completing college in Monterrey, he made his way to Cancun to work in the hotel industry.  Thus began a long and successful career in hospitality.

Mr. Garza began his career as a poolside events assistant and moved up from there.  He furthered his education by studying hospitality management at the Hotel School in the Hague, Holland (luckily all the classes were in English).  Returning to Cancun, he went to work with Marriott, then Ritz-Carlton.  He became Director of Conference Services for Ritz-Carlton’s’ Cancun, Jamaica, Amelia Island, and Sarasota locations.

Mr. Garza is a true believer in the Ritz-Carlton motto: “We are Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen,” and exemplified that motto while he was working for the luxury hotel chain.

After working in Sarasota for a few years, Mr. Garza decided it was time to move on to the next phase of his career.  He left Ritz-Carlton and started his own event planning company.  Called Event Designers, his company was founded in July, right here in Sarasota.  Due to the large amount of traffic from northern cities, Mr. Garza also established a New York office which he shares with his brother, an interior designer.

Mr. Garza applies the Ritz-Carlton motto and a meticulous attention to detail to every client. Things are going well for Event Designers; their website is full of images of the events they have coordinated.  Mr. Garza is based in Sarasota but he is willing to travel around the country to meet his clients’ needs.  He plans to start hiring additional event designers at the beginning of next Fall.  We wish him all the best.

 

One of the Corporate Events displayed on Cesar Garza's website

One of the Corporate Events displayed on Cesar Garza’s website

One of the weddings displayed on Cesar Garza's website

One of the weddings displayed on Cesar Garza’s website

One of the Corporate Meetings Displayed on Cesar's Website

One of the Corporate Meetings Displayed on Cesar’s Website

To contact Mr. Garza call 941.448.7680 or email cesar.garza@event-designers.com or visit their office at 73 South Palm Avenue, Ste 214B.


Jaensch Immigration Law Firm Attends the Chamber Expo

Posted: November 12th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Jaensch Immigration Law Firm | Tags: , , , , | No Comments »

On Wednesday, November 7th the Sarasota and Manatee Chambers of Commerce held the joint-chamber expo at the Manatee Convention Center in Palmetto.  Representatives from dozens of local businesses attended and it was great to see the economic diversity and vitality of the area on display.  Jaensch Immigration Law Firm shared a booth with Passport Health of Sarasota, they help us with immigration physicals.  Our representatives at the expo, Michael Marquet and Cesar Gomez, met with business leaders from all over the area.  They look forward to sharing ideas on ways to work together to enable Sarasota-Bradenton to continue to grow.  They are happy to post information on this blog on behalf of businesses who want to share what they do with the immigrant community here.

Michael and Cesar were especially pleased to see that As Good As It Gets had a booth at the expo.  We wrote about As Good As It Gets on this blog when it opened.  We wish them all the best.

Booth at the Chamber Expo


Upcoming Event: Real Estate Congress and Sarasota Showcase

Posted: October 29th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Investor Visas, Sarasota Immigrants | Tags: , , , , | No Comments »

For the 6th year in a row now, the Sarasota Association of Realtors is holding the Real Estate Congress and Sarasota Showcase.  This year it is being held on November 4, 5 and 6 with an impressive lineup of events and speakers.

Events kick off on November 4 with a boat tour of Sarasota Bay aboard the Marina Jack II from 4:30 to 7:00 pm.  Buffet dinner included.

Events continue on November 5:

  • 8:15-9:00 AM: Congress Registration and Continental Breakfast.  Lido Beach Resort.
  • 9:00-9:50: The Global Economy and Real Estate.  Talk by Dr. john Tuccillo.
  • 10:00-10:50: The Story of Sarasota.  Talk by Jane Kirschner and Jon Thaxton.
  • 11:00-11:50: Panel on Sarasota Architectural Styles.  Moderated by Phil Cmielski, Guy Peterson, Steve Ellis and David Nash.
  • Noon-5 PM: Board buses for home tours.  Lunch and refreshments provided.

November 6 is just as busy:

  • 9:00-9:50 AM: Panel on the Market from a Broker’s Perspective
  • 10:00-10:45: Panel on the Sarasota Lifestyle
  • 11:00-11:50: International Panel
  • Noon-5 PM: Board buses for home torus of Lakewood Ranch.  Lunch culminating in cocktails provided.

This is a good event for realtors from all over the country to learn about all that Sarasota has to offer.  Our small town ambience enriched with a big-city abundance of visual and performing arts, education institutions, medical facilities and natural wonders makes the area a popular destination for for domestic and international tourists.  Many people, after spending a few winters here, decide to settle down, further enriching area.


Sarasota Flight School Welcomes Foreigners

Posted: September 29th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Sarasota Immigrants | Tags: , , , | 2 Comments »

Cirrus Aviation, Inc. has been the leader in flight training at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport since 1994.  Well known for friendly staff and quality instruction, their school consistently produces safe pilots who now work for commercial airlines, are aircraft owners, or just recreational enthusiasts.  Whether it’s for pleasure or career, they offer the programs future pilots need to learn to fly.

Cesna Skycatcher

This is one of the types of aircraft Cirrus uses for flight training.

Sarasota offers an optimal location for flight training.  We are fortunate to have beautiful coastlines (Sarasota is home to Siesta Key Beach, voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world) weather for year-round training, tower controlled runways, and light commercial traffic.  With nearly perfect weather all year round, it is always a good time to come to Florida and fly.  And, when students are not in the sky, there are plenty of activities to enjoy on the ground.

All students who are not US Citizens or Permanent US Residents need to have the appropriate visa for flight training as well as TSA (Transportation Security Administration) approval.  Permanent US Residents also need TSA approval, although a visa is not required.

Cesna Skycatcher 2

Another aircraft like the ones you will find at Cirrus

Cirrus Aviation can help students with what you need to get started for flight training.  Please review the information under the International Student section in their website at www.CirrusAviation.com for all the information you need.   Please find their contact information below if you would like any additional help.

Nayda Cattin

Cirrus Aviation, Director

Cirrus Aviation, Inc.

8191 North Tamiami Trail

Sarasota, FL 34243

(941) 360-9074


Sarasota Immigrants Should Check out These Events

Posted: September 28th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Sarasota Immigrants | Tags: , , , , | No Comments »

Saturday, September 29, 2012

“Deco Japan: Shaping Art and Culture, 1920-1945,” Art Exhibit, Ringling Museum, Sarasota (Also on Sunday)
10:00 AM – John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota – (941) 359-5700 Selected by Dr Kendall Brown, the nearly 200 works shown here highlight the Levenson collection — the world’s premier collection of Japanese art in the Deco style. These pieces include spectacular examples of metalwork, ceramics, lacquer, glass, wood furniture, jewelry, textiles, graphic design on paper, painting and woodblock prints; they range from fine art objects made to impress the public at national art exhibitions to goods mass produced for the modern home. The exhibition combines a dynamic range of compelling objects with fresh scholarly perspective to pull viewers into this rich period in world history and visual culture.

Deco Japan

22nd Annual Sarasota Blues and Music Festival
11:00 AM – Ed Smith Stadium Complex, 2700 12th ST., Sarasota – (863) 559-4405
This year’s festival at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota will feature an unprecedented gathering of blues artists, including headliner and two-time Grammy Award winner Delbert McClinton and supporting acts Royal Southern Brotherhood, Ana Popovic, Curtis Salgado, Paul Thorn and prodigy act Pett Crow. The entire day’s lineup of national acts is bigger than ever before and strikes a chord with its blues roots while offering festival attendees a taste of country, rock and top 40. This year’s festival will offer VIP ticket buyers food and beverage service, upgraded beer and wine and a separate restroom area, all of which will be in close proximity to the artists on stage.

Sarasota Music Festival

Geiers Oktoberfest “30th Annual”
11:00 AM Geiers Sausage Kitchen, 7447 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota – (941) 923-3004
Geier’s Sausage Kitchen is a unique German meat market, deli, and now online German food store located in Sarasota, Florida. We have reached the amazing milestone of over 25 years in business. We pride ourselves in specializing in using all natural, gourmet ingredients in our products.

Geiers Oktoberfest

L. David Marquet – Turn The Ship Around! Discussion/Signing
1:00 PM – Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 4010 S. Tamami Trail, Sarasota – (941) 587-1106
Come to Barnes & Noble for L. David Marquet signing and discussion of his Book – Turn The Ship Around! Everyone can benefit from his leadership approach developed aboard the USS Santa Fe.

Turn the Ship Around

 Sunday, September 30, 2012

“Deco Japan: Shaping Art and Culture, 1920-1945,” Art Exhibit, Ringling Museum, Sarasota
10:00 AM John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota – (941) 359-5700 Selected by Dr Kendall Brown, the nearly 200 works shown here highlight the Levenson collection — the world’s premier collection of Japanese art in the Deco style. These pieces include spectacular examples of metalwork, ceramics, lacquer, glass, wood furniture, jewelry, textiles, graphic design on paper, painting and woodblock prints; they range from fine art objects made to impress the public at national art exhibitions to goods mass produced for the modern home. The exhibition combines a dynamic range of compelling objects with fresh scholarly perspective to pull viewers into this rich period in world history and visual culture.

Deco Japan

A Night At The Copa
7:30 PM – Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave., Sarasota – (941) 921-6651

A Night at the Copa


World Traveler Opens New Fine Food and Drink Store

Posted: September 14th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Sarasota Immigrants | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Douglas Gourley has lived and traveled all over the world, trying the best food and drink it has to offer.

Now that he has closed that chapter of his life he lives in Sarasota and owns As Good As It Gets, a “Purveyor of Extraordinary Delicacies,” on Palm Ave.  As Good As It Gets celebrated its Grand Opening on Friday, September 7, with more than 300 people coming through the door over the course of the weekend.  We thought we’d catch up with Mr. Gourley after opening weekend and share his story with our readers.

An interior view of As Good As It Gets

An interior view of As Good As It Gets

With a Swiss mother, an American father, and born in Mexico, Mr. Gourley is definitely a World citizen.  What’s more, he worked for Pitney Bowes Inc. and 3M for 27 years on international assignments from South America to the Middle East.  His last assignment was as a managing director for one of 3M’s divisions in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.  After that he was slated to return to 3M headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota but, with a little nudging by his wife, decided Florida would be nicer.  So he left “big box” retail and used his vast experience in fine international food and drink to open an exclusive retail store here in Sarasota.

An interior view of As Good As It Gets

An interior view of As Good As It Gets

Mr. Gourley provides only best in category food, wines, and spirits from around the world.  Visitors can taste the charcuterie, the carnivore’s favorite, with prosciutto and serrano hams, salmon, pate, foie gras, and more.  If meat isn’t your favorite, you can try the more than 35 types of European cheeses that Mr. Gourley keeps in his shop.  The dessert lovers will enjoy the exclusive Belgian and Swiss chocolates that can’t be found in any other area retailer.

An interior view of As Good As It Gets

An interior view of As Good As It Gets

Mr. Gourley and his staff strive to provide excellent service to match their exclusive culinary offerings.  As Good As It Gets attracts an educated and cultured crowd that knows how to appreciate the finer things in life.  We hope that many of our readers go out and enjoy!

As Good As It Gets is located at 49 Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL.  They can be reached via phone at (941) 373-1839.  They are open from 10-6 Mon-Sat with every first Friday of the month being an “open till they leave” first Friday.

Coming up!  Caviar tasting with paired champagne: October 27, 2012.


Sarasota International Business Lunch

Posted: August 16th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Employer & Student Visas, Sarasota Immigrants | Tags: , , , , | No Comments »

A few weeks ago, Jaensch Immigration Law Firm was invited to attend the annual International Business Lunch hosted by Jorge Chacon and the Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce. The International Business Lunch was started as a way to build connections between Florida’s Sun Coast and Latin America.

Michael Marquet, Marketing Coordinator at Jaensch Immigration Law Firm, attended the lunch along with representatives from several US-Latin American Chambers of Commerce, local business people and county commissioners.

The topic of discussion this year was Colombia. Jay Almeida, President and CEO of the International Business Council of Florida, spoke about the opportunities that this now largely peaceful country presents. Colombia has signed several new free trade agreements in recent years. Their free trade agreement with the United States was ratified this spring. Both sides stand to gain from the opening of Colombia’s economy to trade. Colombia’s proximity to the United States makes it an ideal gateway for goods coming into or out of South America. Moreover, Colombia’s lack of a large government debt and low inflation rate make for stable economic projections moving forward.

Jaensch Immigration Law Firm can enable any international entrepreneur or investor who wants to come to the Sun Coast to do so legally and for an extended period of time.

Michael enjoyed making new connections at the lunch. Some of the people he met were:

Jorge Chacon and Jose Mendez

Hosts Jorge Chacon and Jose Mendez

Manatee County Commissioners Larry Bustle and John Chappie with Carlos Buqueras, Director of Port Manatee

Manatee County Commissioners Larry Bustle and John Chappie with Carlos Buqueras, Director of Port Manatee

Jose Mendez and Luis Soto

Host Jose Mendez with business consultant Luis Soto.

Jorge Chacon, Cesar G. Gomez, Jay Almeida, Hasmukh and Nina Ghandhi

From left to right: Jorge Chacon, Cesar G. Gomez, Jay Almeida, Hasmukh and Nina Ghandhi


Chris Jaensch Speaking at Sarasota Association of Realtors

Posted: April 13th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Investor Visas | Tags: , , , , | No Comments »

Big News!

Chris Jaensch will be speaking at the Sarasota Association of Realtors’ International 101 Seminar.  The event is being held next Thursday, April 19, from 2 to 4, with an opportunity to network over some refreshments from 4 to 5.  The address of the Sarasota Association of Realtors is 3590 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota FL 34239.

The topic of the discussions is “How to Become an International Realtor.”  We are very excited about this opportunity and look forward to sharing ideas and insights with other professionals in the field.

Entry is free for SAR members and $10 for everyone else.

To read more click on the link to the pdf here: SRQAssociationofRealtors


Region in Top 10 for International Home Buyers

Posted: March 28th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Investor Visas, Sarasota Immigrants | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

The “Sarasota Herald-Tribune” has reported that Sarasota county is No. 4 in the country for foreign home-buyers.   In fact, five of the top ten regions for foreign home buyers are in Florida.  They include, “Lakeland-Winter Haven, Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Orlando and Miami-Fort Lauderdale. Tampa-St. Petersburg came in at No. 9.”  In Sarasota County 6.5% of homes are bought by someone from overseas.

Here are some figures:

6.7 percent of buyers were foreign in Sarasota County from May 2011 to January 2012, while 6.1 percent were from another country in Manatee County.

13.1 percent of new homes sold in Sarasota were to foreign buyers while 12.3 percent of existing condominium sales in Manatee changed hands to international buyers.

Most intriguing is this:

The percentage of buyers who pay in cash is even higher than domestic buyers, who in 65 percent of transactions handled by Michael Saunders made their purchase without a loan in 2011, she said.

Most of these foreign buyers come from Canada, with the UK coming in second.  The county is seeing a small increase in the number of home buyers from Asia and Latin America.


Help the Sarasota Ballet Earn an ADDITIONAL $5,000!

Posted: March 28th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Athlete & Artist Visas | Tags: , , | No Comments »

From our Friends at the Sarasota Ballet,

Only 8 Hours Remaining In The 36 Hour Challenge!

You can help us earn a $5,000 cash bonus between now and 6 pm…..

Here’s How:

Log onto www.givingpartnerchallenge.org and donate $25.00 to The Sarasota Ballet.  Each unique donor (husbands and wives count as 2 donors), counts towards the $5,000 bonus.

Or, if you have already donated, or do not want to donate at this time, you can still help us win additional cash prizes by doing this:

Log onto www.givingpartnerchallenge.org and click through to www.thegivingpartner.org.  Then click on to The Sarasota Ballet’s Profile Page.   Just clicking onto our Profile will win us extra points and could lead to a cash bonus!

Thank you from all of us for your help with this Challenge!