On Saturday, September 8th the residents of Pelican Bay, a gated "golf community" here in Daytona had their quiet lifestyle interrupted for a couple hours by the thunder of around 50 bikers and their machines.   They were riding up and down Pelican Bay Drive and in and out of the Pelican Bay Country Club, side by side on their shinning machines, but no one told the residents why their otherwise quiet lifestyle was being so noisily interrupted! Yes, Steve and I were among them.         We were filming a commercial for our Annual Bikes & Blues With Mickey Jones Ride & our 3rd Annual Mickey Jones Celebrity Golf Classic which is going to be played at the Pelican Bay Golf Course this year.                 While we were filming near the golf cart house I noticed a couple resident... 09/13/2007

For many people this day known as 9/11 is one that most will always remember. Include a moment of silence or prayer in your day today in remembrance of all those who are suffering because of these evil deeds. The pain of separation of missing family members and neighbors could be felt in every corner of the country today!http://www.whitehouse.gov/national-anthem/http://www.patriotwatch.com/911.htmPlease visit www.PortOrangeJuice.com . Team Gagliardi appreciates your comments on 9 11.  09/11/2007

In observance of Labor Day on Monday, the following offices will be closed in Volusia and Flagler County:· Post offices, banks and libraries.· Volusia and Flagler counties schools, boards and district offices.· All city and town offices.· Circuit and county courts in Volusia and Flagler counties, 5thDistrict Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach,and county courts and administrative buildings in Bunnell, Daytona Beach and DeLand.· All colleges and administrative offices.· Trash and recycling pickups in Volusia and Flagler counties will run as normally scheduled except for Edgewater. There, pickups normally scheduled for Monday and Thursday will be Tuesday and Thursday and pickups for Tuesday and Friday will be Wednesday and Friday. Monday and Tuesday recycling days will be Tuesday and Wednesd... 09/03/2007

Bermuda Dunes Investments recently sold a beachside site for $34.5 million. Bermuda Dunes Investments had  previously bought the site from local developers George Anderson and Tom Staed DBA Daytona Oceanfront LLC, who had planned to build a 22 story, 240 unit luxury condominium. The new owners of the site, Triarc Catalyst Group out of Stamford CT say they don't have any plans formulated for the site yet. But speculators say there's a possibility of a new Marriott Hotel.Read more about this story at the Daytona Beach News Journal online.  08/31/2007

More savings from Florida Power and Light for Daytona Beach area residents!! All you have to do is sign up for FPL's On Call program.You get a monthly credit on your electric bill in exchange for allowing FPL to cycle off home equipment such as central AC and central heater, electric water heater, pool pump, when electricity demands are high. For example, air conditioning and central heaters may be put on a 15-minute savings cycle or an extended savings cycle. The 15-minute option cycles appliances off for 15 minutes each half hour for up to a total of three hours. You can save up to $100 a year depending on the options you choose and it's completely FREE! Visit FPL for more info regarding their On Call Program!! 08/30/2007

It Is A Buyer's Market for Daytona Beach Real Estate! Sellers out number potential purchasers by far. Buyers are happy but my experience has been that there are so many choices for my buyers and it complicates decision making for them. Florida Real Estate inventory in Volusia County remains high. There are so many homes for sale due to the slow down in sales and foreclosures. I recently read an article authored by Rick & Ines of Miamism.com, which also indicated a slow down or buyer’s market as we are experiencing! If you notice homes with high grass and unkempt properties it is an indication that the home is vacant and there is a problem. It seems that most homes I show to buyers are vacant! It is really unfortunate because when these homes remain vacant and lawns and pools are not mai... 08/21/2007

Are you tired of the peaks and valleys of your electric bill? Well, Florida Power and Light offers a Budget Billing Program to even out your monthly energy costs and prevent fluctuations in your bill! The weather, new appliances, and guests are some of the causes of fluctuating electric bills. No Hassles and No Surprises: Balance out your electric costs over the year Avoid major changes in your bill Takes the guesswork out of your monthly payments Makes it easier to control your monthly payments Take the guesswork out of your electric bill, today!! FPL Budget Billing Program to make it easier on yourself! Looking for an energy efficient home? Search for a Port Orange home here! Visit My Blog @ PortOrangeJuice.com 08/21/2007

Daytona Beach Real Estate & Community Events Blog. By Lisa C. Hill, "THE SMART CHOICE!" Daytona Beach residents and visitors; are you looking for a way to spend a fun evening? Why not enjoy a ball game with the Daytona Cubs at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Visiting Jackie Robinson Ballpark is what Volusia Magazine recently called a "Norman Rockwell experience". This historic stadium that seats 4,000 was originally built in 1940, but many additions and renovations have been made over the years. I recently found about this fascinating bit of history... It was at Daytona Beach's own Jackie Robinson Ballpark that Jackie actually broke the color barrier in baseball, when he played in the first ever, racially integrated spring-training game. At the time he was a member of the Montreal Royales, i... 08/17/2007

    This is an AMERICAN ANHINGA OR SNAKE-BIRD.   She has been living (or lived) in a tree by my Century 21 Sundance office for at least the last year, hunting for her daily meals in the pond/canal. She is different from any other water foul I've ever witnessed swim before.       You see, she swims with just her neck and head above the water, (thus the name "Snake-bird") or if she is hunting fish she will be completely immersed as she stalks her prey, hiding amongst the pond muck before striking.                  The anhinga doesn't have oil in their feathers like most water foul so they will climb back in their tree and spread their wings in the sun to dry and get warm again. She will sit like this for a good long time too.           Her eyes are a scary red color. I imagine it has some... 08/16/2007

 A big tourist draw for Daytona Beach is the fact that people can drive their cars on the beach, just park right where they want to & hang out for the day.  You don't have to fight for parking in a parking lot then lug your cooler, blankets, chairs and surfboards or other toys from the parking lot to the beach, it's all right there for you.       Recently, some rare visitors decided to visit Daytona Beach. Then they had their baby here and put a small damper on the beach driving for about a quarter mile of the beach.          They are Black Skimmers, and are classified a "Species Of Concern" by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee.   I started hearing about them a week and a half ago on a Saturday morning while reading the Daytona News Journal.     The News Journal repor... 08/15/2007

THE Ormond Beach Real Estate & Community Event Blog. By Lisa C. Hill, "THE SMART CHOICE!" Real Estate Investors, this information will apply to you! And college seekers will definitely love this topic. Did you know that Daytona Beach Florida has some great colleges? I’m not talking about your standard, every day, run-of-the-mill colleges. I’m talking about really great colleges! I’ll start with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. This university’s aerospace engineering program is number 13 on U.S. News & World Report’s list of America’s Best Colleges for 2007. Embry-Riddle offers over 30 bachelor and master degrees in aviation, aerospace, engineering, business and other fields, and is the only accredited, aviation-oriented university in the world.Also according to U.S. News & World R... 08/11/2007

I guess my blog is starting to look like an on-going series about the merits of Daytona Beach FL. Apparently there are plenty of merits to discuss, since this post is no exception.Few people are familiar with Daytona Beach's very own musical theater, Seaside Music Theater. Last year, SMT moved to it's new location in the newly constructed News Journal Center for the performing arts. I've attended many fabulous performances at SMT and every one has been a breath-taking experience.Seaside Music Theater is the only professional music theater in the Southeastern U.S. that combines a full-pit orchestra with their productions. Right now, SMT is nearing the end of it's summer season. During the month of August, SMT is presenting Peter Pan. Follow the link for show dates and times.Click on the ... 08/08/2007

3 Bedroom concrete block home in the heart of Daytona Beach. New energy efficient windows, newer AC, paint, and bathroom vanity are just a few of many upgrades.         Remodeled kitchen with a spacious dining area, formal living room, family room, and a great storage space is what make this home a desirable buy for anyone who wants a back yard to have family gatherings and barbeques. Can be yours at $117,000.        Complete Virtual Tour: http://annalukyanova.point2agent.com/Listing/VirtualTour.aspx?ListingID=1202295call Anna Lukyanova at 386-405-7784 for more information 08/08/2007

Yesterday I posted a blog about driving on Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach is one of the few cities that allows this privilege. I see it as one more benefit to buying real estate here. But I'm addressing this subject again, to elaborate on the responsibilities that come with this privilege. In 1973, the Endangered Species Act (also known as the Habitat Conservation Plan or HCP) was passed, which prohibits activities that threaten or endanger any endangered species. Since sea turtles come up onto our beaches and lay their eggs in the sand, this area falls under the protection of this act. However, we're still able to drive on our beaches, through a permit that was obtained through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. To keep from losing the permit that allows us to continue driving on our be... 08/06/2007

Daytona Beach Real Estate & Community Events blog. By Lisa C. Hill, "THE SMART CHOICE!" In Daytona Beach FL, we have the privilege of driving on our beaches. How many places can boast of that? And here's an interesting bit of history: In the early years of Nascar, drag races were actually held directly on the beach.  For more information on Nascar and other interesting Daytona Beach facts, read my post titled Daytona Beach Florida-Vacation and Second Home Destination. This post is also great if you're considering investing in real estate in the Daytona Beach area. Since the early days of Nascar are long gone, and Daytona Beach has become a hot spot for family vacations, the beach speed limit on Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, and Daytona Beach Shores is now 5-10 mph, for the safety of the... 08/05/2007

Realtors! Do you post your listings on CraigsList.com? We just got CraigsList in the Daytona Beach area few months ago. So about 3 weeks ago, I posted one of my listings there. Within a couple of days, I got a call on this listing. This buyer was very anxious to see the listing I have for this oceanfront condo in Daytona Beach. So the buyer came into town on Monday and viewed the condo. Yesterday he made an offer, and today the seller accepted his offer. For obvious reasons, I have now posted ALL my real estate listings for Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Ormond Beach and New Smyrna  on CraigsList! (These are the cities were I currently have listings)  CraigsList may be an old-school system, but it's free, and it works!  If you're a buyer, and you'd like to  make a move to the Daytona Beach... 08/02/2007

We only have a couple of days left, of the annual London Symphony Orchestra's Florida International Festival, in the Daytona Beach area. To read my full blog about this much anticipated, annual event, read my post titled LSO-The London Symphony Orchestra-Another Great Reason to move to Daytona Beach. Here's the schedule for the final 3 days.July 26LSO Family Concert, 11:00 a.m., Peabody AuditoriumLSO Classical IV, 8:00 p.m. at the Peabody AuditoriumHiromi, 9:30 p.m., Bank & Blues ClubJuly 27FIF Ladies Luncheon and Fashion Show, 11:30 a.m., Hilton Oceanfront ResortLSO Sound Explorers, 3:00 p.m., Ormond Memorial Art MuseumLSO Classical V, 8:00 p.m., Peabody AuditoriumJuly 28LSO Sound Explorers, 11:00 a.m., The Museum of Florida Art, DeLandLSO POPS, 7:30 p.m., Daytona Beach Ocean Center An... 07/25/2007

Daytona Beach Real Estate & Community Events blog. By Lisa C. Hill, "THE SMART CHOICE!" If you're planning to buy real estate in Daytona Beach FL, you'll now have something new to brag about, to all your out-of-town friends. The Daytona Beach Flea Market is now one of America's Top 5 Flea Markets, according to USA Weekend. That's quite an achievement, considering the size of this town, compared to the other top 4, which are the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, CA, the Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles IL, the Austin County Flea Market in Texas, and the greatest American flea market, in Brimfield, MA. The Daytona Flea and Farmer's Market boasts 3.5 miles of aisles packed with clothes, jewelry, electronics, antiques, collectibles and more. You'll even find a dollar store in the ai... 07/25/2007

There are many great golf communites in the Greater Daytona Beach area. These areas include Daytona Beach, Port Orange and Palm  Coast!  These golf communties are just a short drive to the World's Most Famous Beach, minutes from shopping and the Daytona International Speedway, restaurants and entertainment.  Retiring in a Port Orange golf community is the best option for a golfer. If you are not ready to retire then consider a second home or vacation home. Although some HOA's require a 3 day minimum rental period you may consider buying a golf community home as an investment opportunity for short term rentals during the height of Daytona Beach events. If golfing is not your forte, many golf communities offer social memberships which allows you use of the beautiful pool and all social ev... 07/23/2007

 I have to say, of the many events that are hosted in Daytona Beach, FL, the London Symphony Orchestra's annual Florida International Festival is a favorite among locals. For those of us who are natives to this area, or for those who have been here so long, they feel like natives, we're used to the many special events that are hosted in the Daytona Beach area every year. To find a multitude of Daytona Beach special events all in one place, view my post titled Daytona Beach Florida, Vacation and Second Home Destination, where I have links and information on Nascar, Bike Week, Biketoberfest, Destination Daytona and more.But for a pleasant change of pace from the usual tourist trappings, the LSO is culturally exquisite. The concerts began this past Friday night (July 20) with a violin conc... 07/22/2007