Want the fun of Las Vegas but not travel the distance? Reserve October 15, 2010 on your calendar and come out to the Cooter Poker Tournament & Casino Night, presented by the Senior Foundation of Citrus County. This night of fun will include a Texas Hold “Em Tournament, Black Jack, Craps, Roulette and Slots all done by a professional “Vegas style” host. It will also feature live entertainment and karaoke. Light Hors ‘dourves and refreshments will be available. The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for Casino Play. The Hold ‘Em tournament will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. Raffle prizes to include 2 Carnival Cruises, Flat Screen TV, Theme Park Tickets, Hotel Stays, Golf Packages, Night on the Town Outings, Gift Cards and much more! Suggested donations are $50 for Casino Play and $100 for both the Hold ‘Em Tournament & Casino Play.
The Cooter Poker Tournament & Casino Night will be held on Friday night, October 15, 2010 at the Citrus County Resource Center at 2804 W. Marc Knighton Court in Lecanto. Advanced tickets required and may be purchased at the Resource Center or any Citrus County Chamber of Commerce office located in Inverness, Homosassa and Crystal River. For more information, contact Kathy at 527-5907 or Suzanne at 726-2801. Must be 21 years of age to participate. Senior Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible in the fullest allowed by law. Event sponsored in part by the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce and the Citrus County Chronicle. Go to http://www.cooterfestival.com/ for more information!
August 24, 2010
Cooter Poker Tournament & Casino Night
August 23, 2010
Foreclosure Numbers in Citrus County Florida are Declining
According to reports from the Citrus County Clerk of the Circuit Court, the amount of new foreclosures that are hitting the market are showing signs of diminishing. The year started off with foreclosure numbers coming in at 130 for the month of January. During the month of July numbers have dropped to 114, the gradual decline is positive sign for the real estate market in Citrus County, Florida.
Foreclosure sales are held at the Citrus County Clerk’s office every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in the Jury Assembly Room. For a list of the foreclosures for sale visit the Clerk of Circuit Courts Website.
August 18, 2010
What is the median home price for your area?
Zoom in to your metropolitan area to get the 2nd Quarter 2010 median home price for your market, its… percentage change from the previous quarter, and the median work commute here http://www.realtor.org/research/research/nar_research_maps_msa
August 12, 2010
Sales tax holiday is back in Florida!
The sales tax holiday began in 1998 and for the last two years, due to a lean state budget, the tax holiday took a hiatus. The tax holiday will commence this weekend for three days only, as opposed to the week or more that the holiday would take place in the past.
The tax holiday will provide an opportunity to purchase items that are school related without having to pay state or local taxes on items that are priced at $50 or less. There are items that are not school related that are eligible to have taxes waived such as, wallets, purses and some shoes.
In Citrus County, school resumed last Monday, August 9, 2010, however in Hernando County, school will not begin again until Monday August 23, 2010!
August 11, 2010
Annual Property Assessment Appeal Opportunities have Arrived
Homeowners in Florida will start finding Notices of Annual Tax Assessments in their mailbox this month, providing an opportunity to appeal their property tax assessment. The Value Adjustment Board (VAB) notices will include three separate values for your home: assessed value, market value and taxable value.
Homeowners can appeal the market value of their home if they believe that the assessment is too high, which could result in having their property taxes lowered. There are some guidelines for homeowners that wish to appeal. For more information in the Hernando County area and Citrus County area visit the websites.
August 10, 2010
Progress Energy plans to ask Customers for Reimbursement
The repairs at the Crystal River Nuclear Plant has cost Progress Energy $245 million by the end of the 2nd quarter of this year and the company has plans to ask the State of Florida for approval to begin charging customers for repairs that the insurance company won’t cover. To date the insurance company has reimbursed Progress Energy $42 million and is expected to cover more.
Last September the plant powered down for a maintenance project that was expected to cost $310 million and was estimated to be completed by the end of 2009, however very soon after the maintenance project started, workers that were cutting a large hole in the wall in an effort to remove and replace two steam generators discovered that the outer wall had separated into two layers, which extended the project by 6 more months.
By May of this year, the estimated time of completion has changed to October or even later, as more cracks have been discovered. According to Bill Johnson, President and CEO of Progress Energy, “The scope of the work has expanded as we’ve gotten further into it, and we’re committed to getting this work done right. This is something that you need to do right and you need to take the time to do it right.”
August 4, 2010
Movies in the Park in Citrus County
Citrus County Parks and Recreation has been hosting Movies in the Park during the Spring and Summer months this year. Funding has been provided by the Florida Department of Health and Tobacco Prevention Program along with the Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center, Citrus County Chamber of Commerce and Citrus Memorial Health System.
This week, on Saturday August 7th, the movie that is being shown is Planet 51, an animated film about an American astronaut Captain, Charles “Chuck” Baker, who lands on Planet 51 believing himself to be the first person to set foot on it. Only to find out that the planet is inhabited by little green people whose only fear in the world is that the planet will be overrun by aliens…such as Chuck.
The movie will start at dark at Bicentennial Bark, 501 N. Baseball Point in Crystal River, Citrus County Florida. Popcorn will be provided and all movies are FREE. Be sure to bring something to sit on and something to drink.
For more information feel free to contact Debra Burden at 352-527-7540 or visit the website .
July 16, 2010
Florida reclaims top spot; among top three for third consecutive year
July 15, 2010
Contact:
GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist, continuing his commitment to strengthening Florida’s workforce and economy, today announced that Florida has been ranked number one in the nation for its workforce by CNBC. The ranking came in CNBC’s fourth annual America’s Top States for Business rankings — a study of all 50 states that examines 10 different categories, including workforce, to measure each state’s ability to attract businesses. Florida moved up from the number three spot in 2009, reclaiming the number-one ranking the state held in 2008.
“The Sunshine State is home to the best talent in the world,” said Governor Crist. “We are committed to creating a highly skilled, innovative workforce across all industry sectors, and we take great pride in the role our workforce plays in driving Florida’s businesses into the 21st century.”
The workforce rankings in CNBC’s annual study are based on several indicators, including the education level of the workforce, the number of available workers, union membership and the relative success of each state’s worker training programs in placing participants in jobs. Workforce Florida Inc., the state’s business-led workforce policy and oversight board largely appointed by Governor Crist, is charged with strengthening Florida’s business climate and helping Floridians enter and advance in the workforce.
“We are committed to providing Floridians and businesses with the tools they need to ensure Florida’s competitiveness in the global marketplace,” said Workforce Florida Chair Belinda Keiser. “To receive the number-one ranking for the second time is a testament to the tenacity of our workforce, and to the excellence of Florida’s programs and collaborative partnerships that ensure we are able to create and sustain highly skilled talent.”
Most employment and training services in Florida are provided at the local level through the state’s 24 regional workforce boards, the backbone of the state workforce system. Key leadership is also provided by the Agency for Workforce Innovation, which is charged with administering workforce services in Florida.
In 2009, Florida’s workforce system provided services including job search, referrals and placement assistance as well as training to more than 1.7 million people.
The workforce ranking is one of the most heavily weighted categories in determining each state’s total score in the CNBC study, along with the cost of doing business and quality of life. This year, Florida placed number 28 in the study’s overall ranking for top business states for the second consecutive year.
Since its 2000 inception, Workforce Florida has developed and directed numerous successful initiatives aimed at addressing the state’s workforce needs. Among them are Quick Response Training (QRT) and Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) grants, which reimburse businesses for a portion of the cost of training employees. Recently, Workforce Florida developed a new, five-year state strategic plan, with statewide input from Florida businesses and the education sector. The plan confronts the challenges of getting Floridians back to work while focusing on the most promising opportunities to diversify our state’s economy by strengthening talent development at every level of Florida’s Talent Supply Chain.
Through the recently launched Microsoft® Elevate America initiative, an innovative public-private partnership, free technology training is available to Floridians for a limited time. Another recent workforce-system initiative, responding to a real-time need confronting the state, is the creation of the Florida Gulf Recovery Jobs web portal at http://gulfrecoveryjobs.employflorida.com/portals/gulfrecoveryjobs/ The portal is dedicated to helping Floridians access information about jobs stemming from recovery and cleanup of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
To view the CNBC workforce rankings, go to http://www.cnbc.com/id/37516706 To find out about the comprehensive workforce services and resources available in Florida, visit https://www.employflorida.com/.
July 15, 2010
Keeping Cool This Summer
Well, summer is here without a doubt! With the heat comes those high electric bills. There are some ways to keep those costs a little lower. Did you know that ceiling fans can make a room feel up to 7 degrees cooler? Closing your blinds and drapes also help the air conditioner cool more efficiently. Another thing to keep in mind is to move anything that produces heat (lamps, appliances,etc) away from your thermostat. These sources of heat can make your air conditioner run longer. Why not try grilling out more often to keep the oven and stove use minimal? If you would rather not grill out than use the range fan. Here is one not many people think about – when you do your laundry in the middle of the day you increase the humidity inside of your home. Humidity will make you feel warmer so it is best to wash clothes and shower at other times if possible. How about one more tip that can save you some extra money - upgrade your insulation to 12 inches! And last but not least, leave the house and head to your favorite swimming spots for an afternoon of R & R!
Three Sisters Springs in Citrus County is Saved!
In 2005 a Tampa developer, headed by Hal Flowers, purchased Three Sisters Springs in Citrus County with dreams of creating a large multi-family development in place of the surrounding land of the springs. Three Sisters, a popular “hot spot” for manatee enthusiasts was named in honor of the three vents that pump millions of fresh spring water into Kings Bay daily.
Over time, Flowers fell in love with Three Sisters and his need for the development all but diminished, while his need to save the springs heightened! Flowers and his developing team made the decision to sell the land back to the city. This prompted action from the Friends of the Chasshowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Inc., who sought funding from Southwest Florida Water Management District (Swiftmud), the Crystal River City County, Citrus County Commission, Citrus County Tourist Development Council as well as thousands of residents, in an effort to purchase the property from Flowers.
However, due to the many budget cuts, state funding fell short and it appeared that saving Three Sisters was just a pipe dream. But Flowers and his team of developers lowered the price of the land, making the purchase a success! This transaction will ensure that the City of Crystal River and Swiftmud will own the land and the US Fish and Wildlife Service will manage it as part of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.
According to Flowers, “Financially, it wasn’t a win for us, but it was the right thing to do.”
Equal Housing Opportunity - 
REALTOR® - Equal Opportunity Employer