Local News and Events

Have you Discovered Dove Mountain?  (Marana, AZ)Dove Mountain is a plethora of community styles, adult living, resorts, restaurants, golf and more.Situated in the foothills of the Tortolita Mountains, it’s resort-style living appeals to the outdoors person, the birders, golfers, active seniors, and more – to name just a few.  Situated about 40 minutes north of downtown Tucson, the area offers quick access to freeway, natural getaways, and comfortable living options.A large portion of this area is dedicated to natural habitat. Towering saguaros, stunning sunsets, mountain and golf views are just some of the characteristics enjoyed on a daily basis. The area is served by the Marana School District as well as the newly built, state of the art preK-8 CSTEM school.  Parks dot the area includ... 05/20/2025

Carlsbad TGIF Concerts in the Parks Series for 2025 The first day of summer is June 20, and the annual TGIF Concerts in the Parks series begin that day. The free TGIF Concerts in the Parks are the highlight of summertime in Carlsbad for many residents. This free outdoor concert series might be the best entertainment option around North San Diego County! Indeed, the series was voted the 4th best outdoor concert series in the US in the 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards by USA Today for 2023 and was the runner-up in the 2024 awards. You can’t miss with a combination of great live music, in a beautiful Carlsbad park, on a Friday summer evening? What more can you ask for in free summer entertainment!  2025 is the 38th season of Carlsbad’s popular TGIF Concerts in the Parks series, presented by t... 05/20/2025

🐕 Adopt, Don’t Shop: Why Rescue Dogs Deserve the Spotlight 🐾 "Rescued is my favorite breed."... Anonymous Every year on May 20, National Rescue Dog Day shines a light on the thousands of incredible dogs in shelters across the country, all hoping for a second chance at a loving, permanent home. National Rescue Dog Day is a reminder of the thousands of incredible dogs in shelters across the country waiting for a second chance at life, love, and a place to call home. “You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it.”... Anonymous If you've ever adopted a shelter/rescue dog, you already know these dogs understand to their core what it means to be rescued and to get a second lease on life. My experience has been that rescue dogs become the most loyal, people-pleasing dogs due to their eternal grat... 05/20/2025

Tuesdays Treasures…A Musical Treat! For as long as I can remember, my brother,Mike, loved music, particularly the Beatles. He started out playing drums, then moved to the guitar.                                 His band, Checkered Past, has played private parties, local events, and clubs. They play at the Houston Rodeo’s BBQ Cookoff for one of the teams.  Last Saturday, it was a family affair at Mo’s Irish Pub. Jake, my brother’s grandson and my great-nephew, sat in on the drums for two songs!What a special moment for the family. Even the old folks (that would be Larry and me) were able to stay out past our bedtime!!!  I could not be more proud of Jake. Along with his musical talents, he has played in chess championships and is experienced in Taekwondo. He has a special surprise for his... 05/20/2025

FULL CIRCLE: WATCHING CHARLOTTE CONNECT TO A CITY 🕌 I ONCE CALLED HOME I called Abu Dhabi "home" for 22 months, spanning the period just before and after the first Gulf War. So when I heard that in just one year there will be direct flights from Charlotte to Abu Dhabi ✈️🇺🇸➡️🇦🇪, it definitely caught my attention. Back when I was traveling to and from the UAE—whether to/from Abu Dhabi or Dubai—there were no direct routes. Not even to major hubs like Paris or New York City, let alone Charlotte. Every trip required connecting flights or a stop-over through places like Kuwait City, Riyadh, or Bahrain. It made for a grueling journey, with long hours spent in the air and in airports. Travelling to and from NY City was a 30 hour trip door to door assuming everything was on time. Add in an 8-hou... 05/19/2025

Millions of pounds of trash wash up on shorelines around the world each year. An Ocean Conservancy Report stated that 840,000 pounds ends up on California beaches alone. Not only is that excessive, but it's absolutely avoidable. Unfortunately, we cannot control what other people do. What we can do is help keep our beaches clean. To do so, please consider participating in the Channel Islands Beach Cleanup 2025.What: Channel Islands Beach Cleanup 2025Where: Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center (1901 Spinnaker Dr. Ventura)When: Sunday, June 8th, 9 am to 12:30 pmContact: Channel Islands Visitor's Center (805) 658-5730Channel Islands Beach Cleanup 2025Want to help? All you need to do to participate in the beach cleanup is to show up at the Channel Islands Visitor Center by 9 am. A ra... 05/19/2025

  ALS - Improved by technology and AI. This is AN AMAZING youtube about how AI is modifying ALS. What's Next? If technology can do this for ALS, what will it do for the real estate industry?   As I blunder through the world of AI, I run across things that boggle my mind. The ideas that were in one person's head are now published and tested and shared and deployed to the world.   Instead of lack of communication, we now have to ask is that real!? ALS has taken some very sturdy people and affected many, many families. The technology in this video is astounding!   Where will we be in 3 years? 5 years? 10 years? Will diseases be eliminated? Will we be flying personal drones/taxis? What will jobs look like? What a time to be alive!   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJn0WRKwg34&t=118s (FYI, ... 05/18/2025

This season, my 10-year-old granddaughter Beckett decided to add something new to her lineup, kickball! And let me tell you, she’s all in! Yesterday, her team hit the field for a four-game tournament showdown. With each win, they moved up the ranks, teaming up and showing grit, teamwork, and heart. It’s Beckett’s very first season playing, and guess what? They finished third in the tournament! Not bad for a team just getting started, these girls have spunk!I was lucky enough to catch the first two games, and I loved seeing how in sync this team is. Beckett, wearing #2, holds down third base like a pro, always alert, always thinking, always looking for that strategic out. She's got game sense and determination, and I couldn’t be prouder.So thankful I live close enough to cheer her on an... 05/18/2025

 Summer Is (Unofficially) Here — And It’s Sizzling For Your Pets, Too!Hot Tips For Cool Pets: Summer Safety Tips From Charlotte's Pet-Friendly Real Estate Agent While summer hasn’t officially kicked off on the calendar, it’s already making its presence known in Charlotte and in cities across the country. And we're just one week away from Memorial Day weekend, which many consider the official start of the summer season. The rising temperatures, long sunny days, and sweltering afternoons are reminders that the summer season has effectively arrived. And while we humans can crank up the A/C or seek shade when it gets too hot, our pets aren't always so lucky. If you’re feeling the heat, just imagine how it feels for your furry companions — especially those covered in thick coats of fur. The ... 05/18/2025

Every year I circle this event on my calendar and never miss it, “The PT50 Thinkers & Doers Symposium!” It’s become a fun annual tradition to attend with my son and daughter, we always look forward to learning about the latest developments shaping our beloved city of Austin.Austin PT50 always brings the energy, the insight, and a stellar lineup of Visionary Leaders who are deeply invested in our one-of-a-kind Austin community. This year’s focus? Three game-changing projects that are shaping the future of how we live, work, and connect in our city.♦First up: “Unconventional ATX” – the New Austin Convention CenterKathy Zamesnik, Assistant Director of the Convention Center, walked us through the exciting transformation happening downtown. Out with the old, in with a bolder, greener, and mo... 05/18/2025

Grand Openings, Fun things to do Around Westport & More  SMILE for SPRING!     I'm enjoying the nice weather planting flowers and seeds. Orr's Farm Stand on Adamsville Rd in Westport, while not open with veggies yet, has a nice assortment. of flowers and veggies, 4 in. pots  2 for $10.  Also some packs of 6 for $5.      - - Share this Events & Home Tips Newsletter with Family & Friends It's FREE   https://www.safeharborrealty.net/p/25771/sign-up-to-receive-local-events-news    - - Follow us on Facebook FOR LOCAL INFORMATION, FREEBIES & HOME TIPS    https://www.facebook.com/SafeHarborRealtyHomes/ I    Fall River Carousel Make memories or relive your childhood memories from Lincoln Park's Carousel at Fall River Heritage State ParkOpening Day: Memorial Day Weekend   Saturday, May 24th | 1... 05/17/2025

Photo Journalism by Patricia Feager Brief History of Flower MoundNestled in the heart of Texas, Flower Mound is a land steeped in natural beauty, with a rich tapestry of terrains that beckoned the earliest pioneers to its fertile grounds. Enveloped by the Eastern Cross Timbers Forest, which stretches from Central Texas to Kansas, and the expansive Blackland Prairies, running from the Red River to San Antonio, Flower Mound offers a captivating blend of hardwood forests, rolling hills, and sprawling prairies  Early SettlementThe pioneers who discovered Flower Mound were enchanted by its varied landscape and the abundance of resources available for building farms and ranches. The land was a veritable paradise, where the forest met the prairie, providing an ideal setting for agriculture and... 05/17/2025

A Tale of Tunnels, Toils & A Heap of Trouble A house, already bursting at the seams with more folks than a clown car at a circus performance (total of 27), recently got the attention of local law enforcement. Rather than look for a larger property, the Do-It-Yourselfer residents decided the best solution was to expand the living space themselves and got to work!  • • • 🤡 •  •  • The tenants became like fastidious moles, scooping out dirt well past the foundation above, toward the sidewalk, to create several subterranean bedrooms for those sleeping on the floors at night. They completely ignored applying for building permits or hiring an engineer to ensure structural stability. . . . 🕳 . . .  It turns out that digging underground foundations with zero job experience, doesn't create a saf... 05/17/2025

What's New Around The Lake Norman Region?The Lake Norman area, encompassing the charming towns of Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mooresville, and Denver, is witnessing an exciting surge in business activity. This vibrant region, known for its picturesque landscapes and community-focused living, is now also becoming a hub for new businesses, offering residents and visitors alike a plethora of services, dining, and shopping options. Here's a look at what's new around the Lake Norman region.HuntersvilleHuntersville, known for its family-friendly parks and community events, is welcoming a mix of new businesses that cater to both families and professionals. A notable addition is the "Tech Hub," an innovative co-working space designed to support startups and freelance professionals with s... 05/17/2025

Events for the Month of May 2025.   Cousins Maine Lobster at Flower Mound Farmers MarketSunday, May 18, 2025: 4203 Riverwalk, Flower Mound, Texas, 10 a.m. to 2:00p.m.  University of Dallas - Location Toyota Music FactorySunday, May 19, 2025: Commencement Ceremony - 9:00 a.m. The University of Dallas will award degrees for the Constantin College of Liberal Arts, the Brantiff Graduate of Student Liberal Arts and the Stanish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business.  Flower Mound Concerts in the Park Friday, May 23, 2025: The free concerts include a variety of family friendly 80s party band at Heritage Park, 600 Spinks Road, Flower Mound.  Flower Mound Memorial Day CeremonyMonday, May 26, 2025: Flower Mound Senior Center, 2701 W. Windsor Road, Flower Mound. The Town of Flower Mound and Local Lea... 05/17/2025

LGBTQ+ Pride festival and parade season is almost here for 2025! You can find festival events starting out with some prom dances in May, and festivals through out June through October in both North Carolina and South Carolina.We're leaving it up to our friends at OutCarolinas to provide the LGBTQ+ list to you so you can find your local pride event this year. Just click on the link. Or you can use our handy Google Map to search your event in your town.  05/16/2025

This Week…Summer is Pushing Out SpringWhen I looked at my weather app Friday morning, I did a double-take. It was 6 am and already 78 degrees.  A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.William James Everyone at Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve has started walking earlier to beat the heat. If you're just starting your walk at 8 a.m. it's too late. Larry placed an umbrella over the bluebird box to keep some heat out. Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. Benjamin Franklin   Here are the 5 chicks inside the box waiting for mom or dad to bring something to eat.   Be a free thinker and don't accept everything you hear as truth. Be critical and evaluate what you believe in.Aristotle   Larry ... 05/17/2025

Ready to turn your home into the ultimate summer sanctuary? Coldwell Banker Realty is giving away a FREE Wayfair gift card, and you could be the lucky winner!From stylish lighting and cozy furniture to outdoor accessories and appliances, Wayfair has everything you need to refresh your space, indoors and out. Whether you're dreaming of a quiet reading nook or a vibrant backyard escape, now’s your chance to bring those summer vibes home!As your local trusted Coldwell Banker Realty agent, I’d love to share how you can enter. But don’t wait, the drawing will take place on or around June 2nd!Let’s make this summer your best one yet, starting right at home. Reach out today for all the details! 05/17/2025

Book Discovered.George S. Benson was president of Harding College for years and years, approximately 1936 to 1965.  The book was written in 1991 by John C. Stevens.  I am sad to say that I never knew that it was written and published.  How about you?  Just a few days ago I found it at a Searcy AR estate sale and now own it and can put it in my collection of publications by Searcy-interested folks.  And now I wonder how the book escaped me.  I even graduated from Harding back in the early 1970s.  I have not had time to read it but it says that "The Conflict" begins in 1936 when he came to Searcy. So, Searcy Sleuths, do you have or have you read this book???? 05/18/2025

When searching for a new home in Simi Valley, one of the most important factors for families is the quality of the local schools. The Simi Valley Unified School District (SVUSD) is a vital part of the community, serving thousands of students across the city and offering excellent educational opportunities. As a local realtor, I’ve seen firsthand how the school district impacts home values and buyer decisions. In this report, I’ll cover key details about SVUSD and why it matters for both buyers and sellers.Overview of Simi Valley Unified School DistrictSVUSD serves roughly 15,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Simi Valley. The district operates a full range of public schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools, along with alternative and specialty programs d... 05/19/2025