Archive for July, 2008

Planning a Wedding on Florida’s First Coast

Monday, July 21st, 2008

When you’re thinking about getting married and you are lucky enough to live on Florida’s First Coast, you’ll find that you’re in a position in which you can plan a fantastic coastal wedding without having to stray far from home.

When you plan a wedding on Florida’s First Coast, you’ll find that:

  • You’re able to hold your wedding as the sun rises over the shoreline
  • You will be able to have beautiful photos that capture your memories
  • Your guests may forget what you wore or what they wore but they will be sure to remember the location of your wedding
  • There are sources out there that will make it easy for you to find the right flowers, the right caterer, the right officiant and everything else that you need

Simply put, you’ll find that you’re able to plan a beautiful event and to know that it will be everything that you hope it will be - and the best part is that, if you live on the coast, you’ll be able to have it all right in your backyard.

Living in Florida: Taking Advantage of Golf

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

golfing in florida

One of the best things about living in Florida is that there are so many great golf courses - particularly in the First Coast area of the state.

With courses on Amelia Island and in Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach and in St. Augustine and elsewhere around the First Coast, you’ll find that it’s a lot easier to schedule a tee time than it in is many other areas. Rather than looking into golf vacations, when you’re looking for the chance to play a round (or two, or ten or more), living in Florida will put all of these great courses in your area.

Of course, for those who live in Florida who haven’t been able to spend a fair amount of time on the greens and fairways, you’ll find that you’re able to take advantage of lessons with the pros, to choose the courses that cater to a less advanced skill level and to those who don’t want to take the game too seriously.

And, for those who are not into playing golf but have out of town friends who do, living in Florida creates a great diversion and a chance for you to have some time to yourself!

Living in Florida: Fitting in Summer Workouts

Saturday, July 19th, 2008

For some, fitting in a summer workout while living in Florida simply means making a trip down to the beach and going for a run or a swim. For others, however, there are a number of challenges that come up simply because of the combination of high temperatures and high humidity.

If you’re finding that your workouts just aren’t what they used to be, here are some tips that will help get you back on target for reaching your goals:

  • Make the choice to work out early in the morning or later in the evening so that you will be able to take advantage of cooler temperatures
  • Look for shadier areas if you’re going to be out when the temperature is at its highest
  • Take your workout into the water. Swimming - whether in the ocean or a pool - can help you to keep cool and to get into better shape
  • Take your workout indoors to a health club or a gym that you’ve added into your home

Summer’s a great time, but the reality is that it’s important to keep an eye on your health while you’re exercising. By exploring your options and ensuring that you are able to keep working out without the challenges of overheating, you’ll be able to stay on track and to beat the summer heat.

Jacksonville Residents: Have You Started Thinking About Football Season?

Friday, July 18th, 2008

When you live in Jacksonville or nearby on the rest of Florida’s First Coast, you’ll find that sporting events are a big part of things - both for those who are looking for the chance to participate as well as those who are fans of the pros. Fortunately for those who are looking for a followup to the season that the Jaguars had last year, training is underway and there are going to be some preseason games coming up mighty quickly.

  • Aug 9 - vs. Atlanta, 7:30 PM
  • Aug 16 - vs. Miami, 7:30 PM
  • Aug 23 - at Tampa Bay, 7:30 PM
  • Aug 28 - at Washington, 7:00 PM

In the meantime, you’ll have to get your fill watching old broadcasts on the NFL network and reading newspaper accounts of training camps. But for those of you who are looking forward to the next season, it’s good to know that it’s right around the corner. Here’s hoping that the coaching staff and talent come together to give us all another great year.

Exploring Florida’s First Coast: Knowing What’s Out There

Thursday, July 17th, 2008

In Florida’s First Coast communities, you’ll find that there’s a lot more to do than to simply stick close to the area that you’ve chosen to call home. You’ll quickly discover far more than just a great climate, access to some of the world’s greatest golf courses and beaches as well.

Here are just a few examples of the types of events that you can expect to find when you’re living on Florida’s First Coast:

  • Lecture series that focus on education, politics (this is, after all, a presidential election year), health and other increasingly hot topics like drilling off of the Florida Coast.
  • Support groups that will help you to get through whatever you’re going through - whether you’re looking at health concerns or working through grief, sometimes the best way to pull yourself back together is to know that you’re not just going through things on your own.
  • Screenings of independent films as well as more traditional theaters that offer the big pictures (think Batman: The Dark Night).
  • Live music in a wide variety of styles - from classical and chamber music to the bands that are topping today’s charts and up and coming singer-songwriters who haven’t yet made it big, from large venues to coffeehouses, it’s possible to check out something new or an old favorite.
  • Art walks and gallery openings and museums and even open studio sessions where you can learn more about how artists work.

No matter what you’re interested in really, chances are good that you will be able to find and experience it without having to travel far from your Florida First Coast home.

Exploring the Coast When You Live in Florida

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008

One of the great things that many people discover when they are living in Florida is that it’s remarkably easy to get out and spend a day at the beach. More importantly, however, especially for those people who have kids in the family, living in Florida is also about exploring the coast line and learning more about the natural habitat. Those who live in Jacksonville, for example, will find that they are able to easily learn more about life on the barrier islands off the shore:

(source)Join a park ranger to learn about the species that inhabit the natural communities of the undeveloped barrier islands of northeast Florida. The program will take place at pavilion one on Little Talbot Island. No reservations are necessary and the program is free with regular park admission.

Little Talbot Island is a great place for spending time with the family, to explore what the area would be like if it were all undeveloped and to make sure that the kids are able to learn more about preserving natural habitats. After all, one of the most effective things that you can do when you want to be sure that your kids are concerned about preserving the environment for the future is to make sure that they are able to take advantage of the full experience while they are young.

Jacksonville Florida Is a Great Place to Raise a Family

Tuesday, July 15th, 2008

When it comes to finding plenty of great activities for the kids, it’s important to know that you’re living in an area that will help them to learn on a number of different levels. Living in Jacksonville is a great opportunity for those who want to be sure that they’re able to get out and spend time with the kids.

  • Living in Jacksonville means that the kids are going to have a chance to learn about animals with trips to the zoo
  • Kids are going to have a chance to get outside at a wide variety of parks and won’t have trouble to get to the beach
  • Parents will find that it’s easy to teach their kids about the arts with classes and experiences at museums and galleries

Families will also find that when they are looking for a way to help the kids pursue their interests and to learn something, there are a number of great summer camps and opportunities out there as well:

(source)The public usually has to stay behind the yellow tape at a crime scene, but recently a group of children in Jacksonville, Florida got to go beyond the police lines to see what it’s like to be a detective.

They are taking part in a “Crime Scene Investigation” summer camp at the Florida Community College Advanced Technology Center.

For five days, campers examine a crime scene, collect evidence, learn about forensics, identify fibers and talk to real-life detectives about their job.

Simply put, for families who want to be sure that their kids are able to get out there and to have new experiences, Jacksonville is simply a great place to be.

Exploring Florida’s Beaches Isn’t Just About Time Spent on Land

Monday, July 14th, 2008

When you’re living on Florida’s Fist Coast, one of the things that you’re going to find is that there are plenty of great beaches that are there, waiting to be explored. What’s interesting though - and what many who live on the First Coast of Florida already know - is that beaches are not meant to just be explored from the shoreline and the water is not meant to be explored simply while in a boat. The area is also not a bad place to explore from under the water.

According to today’s SCUBA report:

Jacksonville Scuba Diving Conditions - 7/14/08

I did not personally dive this weekend but the only report I have heard was from the BR (Blackmars Reef) area. Visibility was 10-12ft and the water was 66 degrees on the bottom. I guess it could be worse!

In other words, when you live on Florida’s First Coast, one of the things that you’ll discover is that it’s easy to get out there and explore under the water. SCUBA diving is, of course, just one more thing that you’re going to be able to take advantage of when you live in Florida - especially when you live near the water.

Welcome to Your New Florida Condo

Sunday, July 13th, 2008

serena point entryway

When you look for a Florida condominium home, chances are good that you’re going to look into homes in a variety of areas. If you’re looking for the chance to live in Jacksonville Beach and you want to be sure that you are able to have a view of the sea, chances are good that you will be able to find a great home - a home that will be welcoming even before you walk through the front door of the building.

With high end features, ocean views from most every room in every unit, plenty of bedrooms and the space that you need, the Florida condos at Serena Point have plenty for you to look forward to exploring. Why shouldn’t you have a great kitchen where you can prepare meals for your family? Why shouldn’t you have a condo home with access to a gas line already built into the patio for those nights when nothing but the grill will do?

Simply by making an effort to choose a Florida condo that has everything that you are looking for, chances are good that you will discover that it’s all out there, that it’s just waiting for you. Even better, whatever it is that you’re looking for, whichever other features that you hope to enjoy in your home you just might find that those characteristics are waiting for you.

Finding a Unique Waterfront Property to Call Your Own

Saturday, July 12th, 2008

There are some people who, when they are looking for the chance to own a home in Florida aren’t just looking for any home; instead, they are looking for a unique waterfront home that stands out - a home that is as much a talking point as it is a place to live.

A unique waterfront home in Jacksonville is out there - in particular, you are going to find that there is a waterfront home on the Intracoastal waterway. Not only will you are find that there is such a property available, you will also discover very quickly what sets this home apart:

  • Direct access for boating and boat slips on the property
  • Built in salt water aquariums that are beautiful and functional, as well as built in bookcases
  • A game room
  • A kitchen that would make professional chefs happy
  • A guest cottage
  • Energy efficient heating

In addition, you will find that this Jacksonville home has an infinity pool, a landscaped lawn, and easy access to the beaches as well as all of the highlights of the city. You’ll find that you’re able to focus on relaxing with great views - even when you’re entertaining and have guests over for an evening of entertainment.