Local News and Events

Timmothy and I have been submitting materials to a web developer for his new gallery web page. I just sent them this video as an introduction. We, Timmothy and I, hope to upload several more in a short amount of time so I hope you will let us know what you think is good and what is not so good. Here is my WELCOME video.I hope to have a welcome from Timmothy by the end of the day that I will post tomorrow. I don't want to post to much at one time. 03/17/2025

Respect Fest for 6th-12th Grade StudentsDo you have a child in 6th-12th grade or are you a youth-serving provider? Check out Respect Fest! This event spreads awareness about dating violence and prevention. Students may earn up to 3 SSL hours for attending and other events will be held virtually.This is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement. Chrysanthemum. Longwood Gardens,Kennett Square, Pennsylvania USA IMG 0263Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 03/22/2025

Not that I believe in reincarnation BUT if that would happen I want to return as a dog living in The Villages, Florida!  I pass so many golf cars with dog proudly riding along, not to worry most are leashed, plus the 9 dog parks to hang out with buddies!  We see them on walks, at the squares, outdoor dining and are a big part of the community, so we need a social club for dog lovers and that is where the “Dynamitic Dog Club of The Villages” comes in!  Here is their Mission Statement from their website www.dynamicdogclub.com“The Dynamic Dog Club provides the opportunity to bring together Villagers with a shared interest and love of dogs for the purpose of creating a network of resources and knowledge of various dog related activities.  We support active participation in dog related progr... 03/20/2025

 HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY ☘️ FROM NINA HOLLANDER IN CHARLOTTE, NCOne of the most cherished aspects of Irish folklore is the tradition of blessings—words of wisdom passed down through generations, offering good fortune, happiness, and protection. Whether spoken over a gathering of friends, written in a heartfelt card, or simply reflected upon in quiet moments, Irish blessings capture the spirit of kindness and hope. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, here are three beautiful Irish blessings to fill your day with luck, love, and laughter. ☘️ "May love and laughter light your days,and warm your heart and home.May good and faithful friends be yours,wherever you may roam.May peace and plenty bless your worldwith joy that long endures.May all life’s passing seasonsbring the best to you and yours!"... 03/17/2025

I have been hearing rumors from reliable sources big things are coming to Spanish Springs in The Villages.  Let’s discuss what we know already, FMK opened two very successful and busy restaurants on the square, Bella Vita Italian Steakhouse and Coastal Del Mar.  The developer opened Blondie’s adjacent to The Sharon L Morse Performing Arts Center.  Genesis Health Club has moved into the old theater, Amerikanos, Flippers and McCall’s all seem to be going strong.  The Village Center Community Development District Board of Supervisors is set to approve a bid of $1.2 million which includes the following work:  The project includes demolition, minor site work, curbing replacement at select intersections and utility modifications. The improvements consist of pedestrian concrete paving, pedestr... 03/18/2025

There are few places around the world where you can start the day in the mountains and end the day at the beach. Even fewer where this can happen in the space of a few hours on foot. Ventura County happens to be one of those place and the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon 2025 is the event that allows this to happen.What: Mountains 2 Beach Marathon 2025Where: Ojai to VenturaWhen: April 12th & 13thContact: M2B Marathon Organizers via emailMountains 2 Beach Marathon 2025This unique marathon begins in the mountainous area of downtown Ojai (around 700 feet ASL) and hits sea level in just 22 miles, ending near the Ventura Pier. It also counts as a Boston Marathon qualifier (if you know, you know). But if a full marathon feels a little out of your league, you might want to opt for the half-marathon ... 03/17/2025

Not sure where I found this drink, as this recipe is written on a random piece of paper, so maybe I found it on Facebook or somewhere.   Sure is delicious, and has a deep green color - perfect for St. Patrick's Day celebrations.  It is called "The Grinch". It works best if you make this in a pitcher, and I use an orange juice pitcher with a plunger to make it easy to mix it up!   3 oz. peach schnapps3 oz. Bacardi 151 rum12 oz. orange juice4 oz. Sprite or 7-Up3 oz. Blue Curacao You could garnish each glass with an orange slice or cherries or an umbrella and pretend you are on a beach somewhere!  Be sure to serve with food, as these puppies do pack a punch!   Drink responsibly and don't drink & drive, call someone instead! Happy St. Patrick's Day, and today we all can celebrate being a ta... 03/17/2025

While going through very old boxes from my aunt who passed away, I ran across a newspaper column written long before (perhaps) many of us were born. The paper was dated April 13, 1944. All the articles in the paper were written by the people (without credit to their names), who wrote to the paper, to share their point of view. I would like you to read one now. This old paper was too valuable for me to throw away. I would like to dedicate it to all who worked for the Milwaukee Road, Soldiers, Wives, Mothers, and Children and all who had loved ones who served in World War 11. With the exception of the image I added, this was the entire article written inside a newspaper by one person on April 13, 1944. We can't all wear wings ---Author Unknown We know how you feel, young fellow ---that st... 03/18/2025

Irish Greeting"Top o' the mornin' to ya!"Irish blessing “Wherever you go and whatever you do, may the luck of the Irish be there with you.”     Old Irish Blessing "May you have all the happiness and luck that life can hold—and at the end of your rainbows may you find a pot of gold."    Irish Blessing “May the winds of fortune sail you, may you sail a gentle sea, may it always be the other guy who says this drink's on me.”     Irish Blessing "May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future."     Irish Blessing “May love and laughter light your days and warm your hearth and home.”       Irish Blessing "May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back."     Bing Crosby "When Irish hearts are happy, all the world seems bright and gay. And when Irish eyes a... 03/16/2025

One of my favorite foods any time of the day is a good donut!  Even though my family is Southern, I am not a Krispy Kreme fan.  I have always favored Dunkin' Donuts, which has a good thing since I lived in Boston for two years and both my husband and my daughter went to Boston College.  You can't throw a pebble in the Boston area without hitting a Dunkin Donuts!  One thing I like about Dunkin Donuts is that they will personalize donuts to celebrate the local sports teams - like these purple frosted donuts celebrating the Baltimore Ravens football team and the red white and blue donuts celebrating the Washington Capitals hockey team..                  Happily, the world of donuts has grown beyond the competition between Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts.  In Washington we have a number of b... 03/16/2025

🥗Catholic Charities - Mobility & Independence☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email BrianInspired by posts that I see from others, I wanted to begin a weekly series of resources for people in need who are in the East Valley.  I think continuing to research this weekly series will also help me to discover what is out there for those in need.At 65 years old, Lorena injured her knee and struggled to recover. She had problems walking and couldn’t get to her kitchen, bathroom or bedroom independently. Lorena had a fixed income and couldn’t afford expensive medical equipment.” To learn more, click HERE.☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email Brian  ~  Search the MLS for FREE 03/23/2025

National Quilting Day 2025March 15, 2025 is National Quilting Day!! All you quilters in The Rain, how did you celebrate the day?I drove to Intercourse, PA, to meet my quilting friends at The Old Country Store, and I bought some fabric to finish a quilt and some fabric for quilts I have in progress. Then we went for lunch in Leola, a great place called Gracie's.  If you are thinking about learning to quilt, there is no time like the present. Howard County Community College has a quilting class starting next month.If you are looking for a retreat experience, consider joining Mid-Appalachian Quilters and attending their summer retreat for 3 days of classes, lectures, and programs with great national quilt teachers and lots of other quilters.Quilting is my passion, my sewing desk is right n... 03/15/2025

What a way to start the year! Who says real estate is slow? February is going strong, and I’m thrilled to share that I made it into the Coldwell Banker NW Austin Million Dollar Club this month!Our office celebrated with 19 outstanding agents who each listed, wrote business, or closed sales worth $1 million or more—a testament to our collective dedication, adaptability, and perseverance.Navigating today’s market requires a sharp eye and strategic finesse. With properties spending more time on the market and pricing adjustments becoming the norm, we’re continuously honing our approach. Our team thrives on collaboration, sharing insights each week to analyze trends across different price points and neighborhoods. We know buyer demand varies from one community to another, and sometimes, a l... 03/19/2025

The C-Note: Your Quick Guide to All Things Real EstateWelcome to The C-Note, the go-to source for everything real estate in Pensacola, Pace, and Gulf Breeze, Florida. Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, or managing rental properties, we’ve got you covered. With Charles Stallions as your trusted real estate broker, you’ll find expert advice and actionable insights to help you make confident decisions.Have a question about the local area, from top dining spots to job opportunities or real estate guidance? Call or text Charles at 850-476-4494, or email charles@charlesstallions.com—it’s who we “R.”Mortgage 101: Simplifying the ProcessAre you considering financing, refinancing, or just navigating the mortgage landscape? Charles Stallions is here to demystify the process. Whether you n... 03/18/2025

Today, we celebrate Irish heritage, luck, and all things green! Whether you're wearing shamrocks, enjoying traditional Irish food, or raising a glass to good fortune, St. Patrick’s Day is a time for fun and festivity. From parades to lively music, it’s a day to embrace the spirit of Ireland, no matter where you are. So, grab your friends, spread some cheer, and may the luck of the Irish be with you today and always! ☘️🌈🍻How are you celebrating this St. Patrick’s Day? Let us know below! 👇 #StPatricksDay #LuckyDayWhy Choose Charles Stallions?Since 1995, with Charles's experience and certifications like Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Certified Buyer Expert (CBR), and Senior Real Estate Expert (SREE), Charles Stallions has helped thousands of families achieve their real estate drea... 03/17/2025

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced a plan to trim the USPS workforce by 10,000 employees through a voluntary early retirement program. In a letter to Congress on Thursday, DeJoy stated the goal is to cut costs at the financially struggling agency, which currently employs about 635,000 people. The retirement program was initially announced on January 13th.Adding intrigue to the cost-cutting measures, DeJoy confirmed the involvement of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. DeJoy signed an agreement with the General Services Administration and DOGE to help identify further efficiencies within the USPS.A source indicated this move is intended to appease DOGE. DeJoy’s first meeting with DOGE representatives reportedly took place earlier this week.The collabo... 03/15/2025

Test Your Irish Knowledge! 🍀🌈🍀💰How Much Do You Know About St. Patrick's Day?19 St. Patrick’s Day Fun Facts You Might Not Know... St. Patrick's Day -- a day when everyone is a little bit Irish! But St. Patrick’s Day is more than just shamrocks, leprechauns 🍀🧑‍🎤, and wearing green—it’s a holiday filled with rich history, surprising traditions, and fascinating myths. Celebrated on March 17th, this Irish holiday honors St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, but there’s so much more to the story than you might think. From the truth about St. Patrick himself, to the history of St. Patrick's Day parades, to why people wear green on St. Patrick's Day, to how much money Americans will spend celebrating St. Patrick's Day, these 19 fun facts will test your knowledge and maybe even teach you som... 03/16/2025

 NINA HOLLANDER A TOP 100 COLDWELL BANKER REALTY SALES ASSOCIATE IN THE CAROLINAS I'm honored to be ranked #31 in Coldwell Banker Realty's Top 100 sales associates out of 1,600+ agents in North and South Carolina for gross commissions generated in February 2025. My thanks to all my loyal clients who've continued to support my business year in and year out since 1999 with their business and referrals.   "You don't earn loyalty in a day. You earn loyalty day-by-day." ... Jeffrey Gitomer It can't be said often enough: I'm beyond grateful to have the most loyal and supportive clients any Realtor® would be fortunate to have! Where would we Realtors® be without our loyal clients who support our business with their referrals and repeat business? So thank you, all! "You can't buy clients. You e... 03/15/2025

Bonita Springs’ newest brewery, Chubby Mermaid Brewing will sample its beer, pretzels and homemade beer cheese at Grumpy Goat Coffee’s next Sips & Bites free tasting event on Thursday, March 27 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. In addition, Pansardo Italian Food Specialties will sample their Italian sponge cakes. The Grumpy Goat roastery is located at 28280 Old 41 Rd., Unit 11, Bonita Springs. The tasting event is open to the public. Attendees can meet their local master coffee roaster and other artisan food and beverage experts and enjoy samples of their creations in a casual, happy hour style setting. Additional exhibitors include Kristi’s Key Lime Cookies, Noble Brews, Olde Naples Chocolate, Liberty Cove Interiors and Global Wellness Source who will be providing free tastings including gourmet ... 03/14/2025

"Classic Chiropractor or Network Chiropractor and what is right for your family."If you live in Redmond, WA, you're lucky to have access to a choice when it comes to your family chiropractic care. Not only are there multiple chiropractors to choose from, but you also have a choice in the type of care you can receive. While you have a classic chiropractor in Redmond WA, you can also look at Network Chiropractors. When it comes to the traditional method of chiropractic care, the classic chiropractors use spinal manipulation and joint manipulation, sometimes referred to as High Velocity Low Amplituted (HVLA). This type of chiropractor relies on rapid movements to restore normal joint mobility and reduce pain by breaking up restrictions in the joint. A Network Chiropractor relies on a diffe... 03/14/2025