Hurricane Prepardness Expo....May 31, 2008 - 05/30/08 06:02 PM
The City of Tampa and Hillsborough County will host the 2008 Tampa Bay Hurricane Expo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, at Tampa's Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI).  
Admission to the Tampa Bay Hurricane Expo is FREE. In addition,Tampa Bay Hurricane Expo guests can enjoy MOSI exhibit galleries and one standard IMAX® Dome Theatre* film for only $8 per person (children under 2 admitted FREE)! *Special engagement films not included.New this year, the Tampa Bay Hurricane Expo will educate residents on the importance of knowing their evacuation zone and making an effective plan in the event of … (8 comments)

Help Is On The Way - 05/26/08 06:22 AM
Bank of America Corp. announced after it completes its acquisition of Countrywide Financial Corp. it will modify or workout at least $40 billion in mortgage loans over the next two years to help customers avoid foreclosure.


In January, Countrywide agreed to sell itself to Bank of America Corp. Bank of America aims to keep about 265,000 customers from avoiding foreclosure through the plan.
Tenants living in properties facing foreclosure will be able to remain in their homes for 60 days after the completion of foreclosure proceedings, and will get $2,000 to defray moving expenses if they voluntarily leave.
… (22 comments)

Fannie Mae Makes Move To Aid Market Recovery - 05/21/08 12:03 PM
I was pleased to read, this morning, a positive move by Fannie Mae to help further stimulate market recovery. According to the article Fannie Mae's decision to allow 5 percent downpayments in declining markets, such as many areas in Florida, will "help encourage buyers to come back into the housing market," according to NAR President Dick Gaylord. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun went even further: "The Fannie Mae decision is huge and will have a positive impact, perhaps significantly, on the housing market," he says. "We are very appreciative to Fannie Mae for listening to us and agreeing." NAR and other … (8 comments)

Improvements in the making - 05/21/08 11:36 AM
Realtor.com is responding to Realtor's needs. As a result of a recent survey conducted by Realtor.com a revamped site will be launched in July, 2008.
The new basic Realtor.com improvements include listing four pictures per listing, Interactive maps, Detailed demographics, Listing updates several times per day and a New Home Valuation feature that overlays sold and current MLS data.
Showcase customers will also benefit from several site improvements which include Larger photos, Links to the Agent's other listings, etc.
These improvements are viewed as an additional means to improve our presence and effort in today's market place.
 
 
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A Day Trip to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens - 05/14/08 10:11 AM
 The Gardens are located at 900  South Palm Ave., Sarasota, Fl. are just 40 south of Sun City Center.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a respected center for research and education as well as a famous orchid showplace. Housed on 13 acres, the gardens host more then 20,000 greenhouse plants in addition to the thousands grown outdoors.
There are eight greenhouses including the Tropical Display House where "Color Plentiful" can be seen year round. For those that enjoy and appreciate Orchids, Selby Gardens will delight you with their collection of over 6000  orchids.
Hours are daily form 10 AM to 5 PM Admission Adults … (7 comments)

Bag of Books For A Buck! - 05/13/08 10:41 AM
GIANT BOOK SALE     Bag of Books for a Buck!
Saturday, May 17, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM will feature an enormous book sale at the SouthShore Regional Library on 19th Avenue, Ruskin, Fl.  As you come into the library, you will be handed a bag for stuffing all the books you want. The cost as you leave will be One Dollar for the bag regardless of how many books you've been able to put in it. The types of books will range from romance novel paperbacks to some rather elegant hard cover novels and collector items. A Silent … (8 comments)

New Gas Station Coming Soon! - 05/13/08 10:34 AM
Construction of a New Gas Station started a couple of days ago and, we're told, it will only take two weeks to finish building. The new gasoline station is on the Wal-Mart property at the corner of State Road 674 and US-301.  It is anticipated they will be open by the end of May.
Many residents were hopeful that a Station would be erected on the West Side of Hwy. 301 so as to permit golf cart servicing. Golf Carts are not allowed to cross Hwy. 301, however a study is in progress to determine if a bridge over the road would be feasible.
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Kids Against Hunger - 05/12/08 07:03 AM
Sun City Center volunteers once again out shined the Florida Sunshine!
Sun City Center Rotarians under took a project to recruit 200 volunteers to help package 50,000 meal packages for the local needy. Their efforts were accomplished and then some!
330 volunteers showed up at the Community Hall and packaged over 70,000 meals for local food pantries. Trucks were loaded and delivered the packages to local area pantries. Some 1000 families visit the pantries every week.
The Sun City Center Interfaith council donated $5,000 to help with the expenses. The money was generated from proceeds from the Nearly New Shop located here in … (3 comments)

Mother's Day Reflections and Wishes! - 05/11/08 05:40 AM
Mother's Day holds a very special place in my heart. There is double pleasure for us the first week of May because Mom's birthday was the 9th. Sometimes we celebrated both occasions on the Sunday.
My brother and I were reminiscing last night, I would like to share some of it with you all.
First a little background. When I was four years old, my Dad passed away. His sudden death left my very young mother with four children. The youngest being two weeks old and the oldest eight years. (I was the second child, you all know second born are … (8 comments)

Hospice Residence Wins $100,000 Challenge Grant! - 05/10/08 08:33 PM
The Community Foundation of Greater Sun City Center has awarded a $100,000 challenge grant for an innovative residential program operated by LifePath Hospice. The Foundation will match the first $100,00 in donations made or pledged by February 2009.
LifePath Hospice Residence is an eight bed facility which was established to serve patients who are suffering from life limiting illnesses but do not require the more acute  level of care provided by Hospice House.
LifePath Hospice spoksman stated the the funds raised to qualifiy for the grant and the grant itself will represent about two thirds of the un-reimbursed care provided through the residence.
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Postage Rates Increase! - 05/09/08 10:21 AM
Just a reminder to all those that mail and mail and mail snail mail. Monday, May 12, 2008 postage rates will increase by one cent.
If you have a mailing scheduled try to send it out this weekend and save yourself time and money. Some of us, me included, have a mailing of over 300 due to go out on the 15 th. Rest assured, my mailing will go out a little earlier this month. Hope yours does too!
… (4 comments)

Rate of Job Loss Slows! - 05/05/08 11:21 AM
Th Department of Labor reported that Job losses slowed in April. According to their May 2 report, employers reduced their employment roles by 20,000 jobs. Those figures are far less then the 75,00 cuts economist were anticipating.
The unemployment rate also fell from 5.1% to 5% in April another surprise to economist that anticipated unemployment to climb to 5.2%
… (15 comments)

Economic Update - 05/05/08 11:12 AM
I read an article this morning, written my Spencer Lumia, which outleined several Economis facts that indicate there is improvement in the economy.
In recap, Lumin stated the department of Commerce reported on May first that consumer spending in March was up 0.4%, double the increase economist had predicted. Consumer spending accounts for 70% of U.U. Economis activity.
Further the FederaAal Reserve, which announced on April 30 that it was pushing down the federal fund rate to 2%, the lowest level since late 2004. That action marked the seventh rate cut by central bank since last September. Subsequently many commercial banks announced they … (0 comments)

AARP Offers Special Rate On Safe Driving Course - 05/04/08 11:31 AM
AARP has announced a Two for One - Special Rate for their Safe Driving Course during the month of May For Sun City Center residents.
From May 1 through June 15 you, AARP members in good standing may be accompanied by a friend, spouse or family member at the AARP Driver Safety Program classroom course together, for just $10.00. That is a 50% savings off their regular course price.
AARP offers two classes every month in Sun City Center. The classes run two consecutive afternoons from 12:30 to 4:30 pm.
Classes will be held May 8 & 9, May 12 & 13, June 5 & … (4 comments)

Dinner and Sunset on Anna Maria Island - 05/02/08 09:40 PM
After working most of the day at the office and holding an open house we drove our Maryland friends and visitors down to Anna Maria Island for dinner at a very popular restaurant called "The Sandbar".  Very Florida Casual.
Even tho the bridge was up allowing a beautiful yacht to pass we still arrived just ahead of the crowd. The weather was perfect for dining outside, the tables are right on the beach. Sand burgers anyone? Sly smile here on my face!
The Grouper was "fine" as was the service and setting. When we finished our dinner we retrieved our beach chairs and … (16 comments)

 
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Harold (Hal) Place

Sun City Center, FL

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A1 Connection Realty, Inc.

Office Phone: (813) 633-2020

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