September 30, 2008
In a short two weeks, on October 15, 2008, stone crab season will open and continue through Mary 15, 2009! Not only are stone crab claws incredibly flavorful, but are also considered a “renewable resource”. The claws of the crab can re-grow themselves.
The legal size of the claw must have a 2.75 inch propodus. A propodus is the big part of the claw that is immovable. Take the measurement from the base joint to the tip of the propodus. The claws can be harvested from both the male and female crab, as long as the female is not carrying eggs. Assuming the claw is removed correctly, the crab will re-generate a “new” claw in approximately 3 years.
Stone crab claws can be cooked by placing the claws in boiling water and then bringing the water back to a boil for approximately eight minutes. Run cold water over the claws to keep the meat from sticking to the shell. To open the claws you can use shell crackers or the back of spoon! These sweet, succulent claws can be served with a mustard based sauce, a more fruity sauce made with orange marmalade base or drawn butter with garlic and lemon. No matter what your choice, stone crabs promise to be one of Florida’s tastiest of treats!
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September 29, 2008
Throughout the month of October, 2008, Southwest Florida Water Management District will be conducting controlled, prescribed burns on the Weeki Wachee Preserve and Annuteliga Hammock. Close to 260 acres will be burned near Royal Highlands in the Annuteliga Hammock in Hernando County and close to 400 acres will be burned in the Weeki Wachee Preserve which is located approximately one mile to the west of Spring Hill.
These burns are part of a routine maintenance that will mimic natural fires in a controlled environment in an effort to maintain the area’s ecological habitats. The District will try to make certain that any of the smoke from these burns will not affect the homes or roadways in the area, however, if smoke does tend to reduce any visibility on the roadways be aware and cautious when driving through these areas.
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September 26, 2008
As it is officially the beginning of the fall season, preparing your garden for the winter is the next step to your gardening experience. Once you have harvested your fruits and vegetables, it’s time to plant cover crops to keep your soil nutritious and fertile for spring planting. Cover crops are plants that are grown during the off season. They help to maintain soil erosion and are great for controlling weeds. Cover crops are not just for the larger scale gardens, any size garden will benefit from a cover crop. Planting a cover crop is not only easy but it is one of the best things you can do for your garden!
The perfect winter cover crop for the Hernando and Citrus areas of Florida is legumes, such as clovers and field peas. Cereal grains such as oats, rye or wheat are also sufficient. Be sure to start your seed planting directly after harvesting.
Creating a cover crop is simple, start by working the soil with a garden rake, sprinkle your seed over the soil and rake it in again. Keep your cover crop watered and mowed down, this will increase the root growth. Before the crop seeds and top growth gets out of control, it is time to kill your crop! Take a weed eater to your crop and than wait a few days. When the leaves and stems start to get dry, start turning the soil. Wait a few more weeks before planting your next crop of vegetables.
Planting your cover crops in between your fruits and vegetables is not only easy, it will make for a much healthier garden for the next season!
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September 25, 2008
The U.S. home prices for August hit the lowest decline since 1999 this year, dropping 9.5 percent to a median sales average of $203,100. As the prices continue to drop, buyers are taking advantage of the discounts of today’s real estate market.
The inventory of unsold homes has also declined by seven percent. If the inventories continue to decline the home prices have a good chance of stabilizing again. Causes for these declines may be due to the lower home prices, foreclosed properties tied up in the court system, or the fact that the homeowners that do not have to sell their homes, aren’t putting them on the market.
Although the home prices are dropping, the existing home sales are falling as well. In August of 2008, existing home sales fell 2.2 percent from July and almost 11 percent from August of 2007. While buyers are jumping on the lower prices in states that were hit hard, such as Florida, California and Nevada, sales are slow in markets that were once stable such as North Carolina and the Pacific Northwest.
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September 24, 2008
This weeks lowest gas prices in the area are listed below.
Gas Stations in Citrus County
Murphy USA
2419 E Gulf To Lake Hwy
Inverness, Fl. 34453
Regular $3.649 – Plus $3.729 – Premium $3.729 – Diesel $3.959
Gas Stations in Hernando County
Hess
4159 Mariner Blvd.
Spring Hill, FL, 34609
Regular $3.619 – Plus $3.719 – Premium $3.819 – Diesel $3.999
Murphy USA
19365 Wiscon Rd.
Brooksville, FL, 34601
Regular $3.659 – Plus $3.659 – Diesel $3.959
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September 23, 2008
September 21, 2008
Buying a home may very well be one of the biggest purchases that you will make in your life. Researching your purchase can take a bit of time, but it is well worth it. With the real estate of today, there are plenty of homes for sale out there, this is a buyers market!
Decide which kind of homebuyer that you are. Would you like a ‘fixer-upper” that needs some work to transform it into the home that you desire, or would you prefer to have a home that is ready to move in with no changes that need to be made? What kind of home do you want? Would you prefer a single family home, an apartment, waterfront property or would you like to own land? Once you have decided which kind of home that you are looking for it’s time to figure out where you want to live.
You can change any thing in your home to make it into something that you desire, except the location! Be sure that your home is feasible for work travel. With gas prices the way that they are today, you want to make sure most of your mortgage payment isn’t going into the tank of your car. Check out the neighborhoods in the area and look for noisy neighbors, traffic situations, and access to shopping, schools and parks until you find the neighborhood that suits your needs.
Once you have found the right neighborhood for you and you start looking at the houses, make a checklist of things that you will not change your mind on, and things that you can work with. Look at the yard. Is it suitable for pets, children and/or gardening? How about your neighbor’s view of your home? Does their window look into yours? Are there stairs? Check the condition of the roof of the home, the plumbing and closet space, be certain that these things are up to your standards.
Taking this extra time to fill your needs could save you money and frustration in the long run!
Other related articles
Fixed Rate Mortgage vs. Adjustable Rate Mortgage
Green Mortgages in West Central Florida
Ins and Outs of Gated Community Living in Citrus and Hernando Counties
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September 19, 2008
In accordance with the New York Times article dated today, since the beginning of this year alone, the Treasury and Federal Reserve have been forced to bail out the sinking boat of four of the United States top financial institutions. Bear Stearns was bailed out in March of 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac both in the beginning of this month and this week AIG (American International Group) was bailed out with an $85 billion loan. These emergency lending programs are stretching the Federal Reserve rather thin.
Although the details still need to be worked out, the Treasury and the Federal Reserve met with Congressional Leaders on Thursday, September 18, 2008 in regards to a plan for recovery. An authorization for the government to buy distressed mortgages at a huge discount from financial institutions seems likely. The goal is to complete the legislation within seven days.
The Treasury Department has had to sell new Treasury bills at an unbelievable rate of $200 billion just this week and have given it to the Federal Reserve to use as needed.
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September 17, 2008
Due to the Hurricane Ike creating damage to the Oil Refineries in Texas, gasoline prices have shot up again this week. However, prices fell again yesterday. The cost of oil settled at $91.15 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange yesterday, which is down 4.8 percent. It is at the lowest price since February 2008. Hopefully, this drop in costs will begin to effect us at the pump real soon!
This weeks lowest gas prices in the area are listed below.
Gas Stations in Citrus County
BP
662 NE. US Hwy 19
Crystal River, Fl. 34429
Regular $3.899 – Plus $3.789 – Premium $3.939 – Diesel $4.349
Murphy USA
2419 E Gulf To Lake Hwy
Inverness, Fl. 34453
Regular $3.859 – Plus $3.899 – Premium $3.899 – Diesel $4.059
Sunoco
3761 W. Homosassa Trail.
Lecanto, Fl. 34461
Regular $3.789 – Plus $3.999 – Premium $3.799 – Diesel $4.299
Circle K
1224 Highway 41 N
Inverness, Fl. 34450
Regular $3.659 – Diesel $4.169
Gas Stations in Hernando County
7-11
15310 Cortez Blvd.
Brooksville, FL, 34613
Regular $3.999 – Plus $4.149 – Premium $3.799
Circle K
6227 Deltona Blvd.
Spring Hill, FL, 34606
Regular $3.619 – Plus $3.739 – Premium $3.859 – Diesel $4.139
Murphy USA
19365 Wiscon Rd.
Brooksville, FL, 34601
Regular $3.859 – Diesel $3.999
7-11
15310 Cortez Blvd.
Brooksville, Fl. 34613
Regular $3.999 – Plus $4.149 Premium $3.799
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