Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Key West Botanical Garden
Key West Botanical Garden on Stock Island off College Road on the right side just over the bridge. This 11-acre, city-owned garden is opened from dawn until dusk and is free to the public. A great place to take a tour, bird watch or just hang out and have a picnic. On Saturday, volunteers are available to answer your questions.
No oil here
No oil here, but Keys still suffer
BY TIMOTHY O'HARA Citizen Staff
Authorities on Tuesday said the threat of oil reaching the Florida Keys has diminished for now, based on the observations of a Coast Guard fleet of ships and aircraft that has been patrolling the Dry Tortugas for three weeks.
The fleet has confirmed that oil from the Deepwater Horizon rig is still hundreds of miles from the Keys and Dry Tortugas. Its mission was to scout out satellite-detected "anomalies," and it found none were BP-related oil sheen or tar balls, Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Matt Moorlag said.
That and other information has prompted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to amend models that said oil could be present and suspend production of daily offshore trajectory maps, as no oil appears to be moving far enough away from the spill site, Moorlag said.
"It's giving us a look at what's going on and what's not going on," Coast Guard spokesman Michael Hulme said.
Because the northern end of the Loop Current has been pinched off into a large eddy for most of the past two months -- it periodically attaches and detaches -- oil has had no clear path to the Keys, satellite images show. There have been no reports of recoverable oil in the Loop Current or Eddy Franklin, as it's called, according to NOAA.
The news came the same day BP responded to the Marathon City Council's insistence last week that it would lead its own oil spill response for the Middle Keys, saying BP and others would not be as effective as locals. The council criticized BP's response plan for addressing the cleanup of oil only after it reached the Keys rather than preventative measures.
BP's letter to the council tried to assure the city that BP, the Coast Guard and others have response plans and that BP will pay to have all the right people and equipment in place.
"BP will continue to rely on the independent assessments of government experts with regard to both the potential impacts and consult with them on appropriate emergency responses for a variety of scenarios," BP spokesman Andrew Van Chau wrote. "At this time, the threat assessment among these experts is that there remains a low risk of only weathered oil from the accident, such as tar balls, making landfall in the Keys."
A Coast Guard C-130 research plane and two helicopters, fitted with computers and cameras, will continue to conduct daily flights between the Keys and Apalachicola, according to the government's Joint Incident Command. NOAA also will continue to produce daily onshore trajectory maps.
The Monroe County Commission will hold a public meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Marathon Government Center to discuss the response to the oil spill and its possible impact on the Keys.
BY TIMOTHY O'HARA Citizen Staff
Authorities on Tuesday said the threat of oil reaching the Florida Keys has diminished for now, based on the observations of a Coast Guard fleet of ships and aircraft that has been patrolling the Dry Tortugas for three weeks.
The fleet has confirmed that oil from the Deepwater Horizon rig is still hundreds of miles from the Keys and Dry Tortugas. Its mission was to scout out satellite-detected "anomalies," and it found none were BP-related oil sheen or tar balls, Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Matt Moorlag said.
That and other information has prompted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to amend models that said oil could be present and suspend production of daily offshore trajectory maps, as no oil appears to be moving far enough away from the spill site, Moorlag said.
"It's giving us a look at what's going on and what's not going on," Coast Guard spokesman Michael Hulme said.
Because the northern end of the Loop Current has been pinched off into a large eddy for most of the past two months -- it periodically attaches and detaches -- oil has had no clear path to the Keys, satellite images show. There have been no reports of recoverable oil in the Loop Current or Eddy Franklin, as it's called, according to NOAA.
The news came the same day BP responded to the Marathon City Council's insistence last week that it would lead its own oil spill response for the Middle Keys, saying BP and others would not be as effective as locals. The council criticized BP's response plan for addressing the cleanup of oil only after it reached the Keys rather than preventative measures.
BP's letter to the council tried to assure the city that BP, the Coast Guard and others have response plans and that BP will pay to have all the right people and equipment in place.
"BP will continue to rely on the independent assessments of government experts with regard to both the potential impacts and consult with them on appropriate emergency responses for a variety of scenarios," BP spokesman Andrew Van Chau wrote. "At this time, the threat assessment among these experts is that there remains a low risk of only weathered oil from the accident, such as tar balls, making landfall in the Keys."
A Coast Guard C-130 research plane and two helicopters, fitted with computers and cameras, will continue to conduct daily flights between the Keys and Apalachicola, according to the government's Joint Incident Command. NOAA also will continue to produce daily onshore trajectory maps.
The Monroe County Commission will hold a public meeting at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Marathon Government Center to discuss the response to the oil spill and its possible impact on the Keys.
Monday, June 21, 2010
From Renter to Owner – Let's make things happen!
Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you or anyone you feel comfortable introducing me to.
Some people prefer renting an apartment or house because they don’t want the responsibility of a house’s upkeep. Or perhaps they know they’ll be relocating in the not-too-distant future, or the location of the house or apartment best suits their lifestyle. But if you know someone who’s renting because buying a home seems like an overwhelming undertaking and they don’t know where to start, I have a free report that will give them the answers they need now to make a smart decision about what to do next.
Call me immediately! 305-776-2025. I’ll send you our report, How to Stop Spending Money on Rent and Own a Home Instead, for you to pass along and help make this happen!
Some people prefer renting an apartment or house because they don’t want the responsibility of a house’s upkeep. Or perhaps they know they’ll be relocating in the not-too-distant future, or the location of the house or apartment best suits their lifestyle. But if you know someone who’s renting because buying a home seems like an overwhelming undertaking and they don’t know where to start, I have a free report that will give them the answers they need now to make a smart decision about what to do next.
Call me immediately! 305-776-2025. I’ll send you our report, How to Stop Spending Money on Rent and Own a Home Instead, for you to pass along and help make this happen!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Private Living in Key West on Canal and with Gorgous Pool!
Come and enjoy the warm glow of this beautiful home just minutes from Old Town Key West.
Stroll the palm-lined streets and discover gingerbread mansions, tin-roofed conch houses, the John Audubon House and Ernest Hemingway's home, dine and relax in our fabulous restaurants and than enjoy home in this cozy setting.
Very private waterfront CBS-Canal Home with 10,000 lb boat lift. 2 Bedroom 2 Bath in the main house and 1 Bedroom 1 Bath attached guest unit with separate entrance which could be easily converted to a 3/3. New soundproof and energy efficient windows and doors. Large pool resurfaced in 2006 surrounded by lush landscaping. Inside pool light and stainless steele lighting around the pool. Operational Sky Light in the kitchen. Top of the line stainless steel appliances including in-line water purifier for clean drinking water. Bathrooms newly renovated.
To see this home call me today! 305-776-2025.
 |
 |
Happy Father's Day!
A Father Is…
A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us
there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.
A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow.
A father is a truly rich man if his children run into his arms when his
hands are empty.
A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be.
A father is someone who carries pictures in his wallet where his money used to be.
Credit is given to the author of this poem when
the original author is known.
A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us
there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.
A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow.
A father is a truly rich man if his children run into his arms when his
hands are empty.
A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be.
A father is someone who carries pictures in his wallet where his money used to be.
Credit is given to the author of this poem when
the original author is known.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Mistakes buyers and seller make!
The 10 Dumbest Mistakes Smart People Make When Buying or Selling a Home – and How to Avoid Them
Buyers
Mistakes
1. Not knowing how much they can afford to pay for a house before they make an offer.
Get pre-qualified for a mortgage from a Lender, so you know in advance exactly how much you can afford.
2. Not finding out in advance whom the real estate agent represents.
Asking your Realtor. Most people think their agent is working for them. But unless the agent is working as your buyer representative, he/she represents the seller.
3. Not realizing that the wrong mortgage can cost thousands of dollars in unnecessary interest and taxes.
Consulting with a mortgage consultant, accountant, and/or financial planner before making a final decision on which mortgage to choose. CPAs can tell you the long-term effects on your income.
4. Not discovering hidden defects before buying a home.
Hiring a professional to conduct a pre-purchase home inspection.
5. Not knowing how debt can affect their ability to buy or refinance a home.
Asking your mortgage professional to help you review and repair your credit file in advance.
Sellers
Mistakes
6. Setting their asking price too high because of personal need or emotion rather than fair market value.
Consulting with a professional real estate agent. He/she can assist you in pricing your home correctly.
7. Failing to “showcase” their home by highlighting the best features.
Thoroughly cleaning, repairing, and readying your home for showing before you put it on the market.
8. Signing a listing contract with no way out.
Asking your real estate agent if you can cancel your listing agreement at any time, no questions asked, prior to signing the contract or agreement.
9. Choosing an agent for the wrong reasons. (For example, listing a home with the agent who works for the most popular company.)
Selecting a listing agent with the best marketing plan and track record.
10. Not knowing their legal rights and obligations.
Consulting a knowledgeable, trustworthy professional who understands the technical and legal aspects of a real estate transaction. Contracts are legally binding. Neglected details can wind up costing sellers thousands of dollars.
Buyers
Mistakes
1. Not knowing how much they can afford to pay for a house before they make an offer.
Get pre-qualified for a mortgage from a Lender, so you know in advance exactly how much you can afford.
2. Not finding out in advance whom the real estate agent represents.
Asking your Realtor. Most people think their agent is working for them. But unless the agent is working as your buyer representative, he/she represents the seller.
3. Not realizing that the wrong mortgage can cost thousands of dollars in unnecessary interest and taxes.
Consulting with a mortgage consultant, accountant, and/or financial planner before making a final decision on which mortgage to choose. CPAs can tell you the long-term effects on your income.
4. Not discovering hidden defects before buying a home.
Hiring a professional to conduct a pre-purchase home inspection.
5. Not knowing how debt can affect their ability to buy or refinance a home.
Asking your mortgage professional to help you review and repair your credit file in advance.
Sellers
Mistakes
6. Setting their asking price too high because of personal need or emotion rather than fair market value.
Consulting with a professional real estate agent. He/she can assist you in pricing your home correctly.
7. Failing to “showcase” their home by highlighting the best features.
Thoroughly cleaning, repairing, and readying your home for showing before you put it on the market.
8. Signing a listing contract with no way out.
Asking your real estate agent if you can cancel your listing agreement at any time, no questions asked, prior to signing the contract or agreement.
9. Choosing an agent for the wrong reasons. (For example, listing a home with the agent who works for the most popular company.)
Selecting a listing agent with the best marketing plan and track record.
10. Not knowing their legal rights and obligations.
Consulting a knowledgeable, trustworthy professional who understands the technical and legal aspects of a real estate transaction. Contracts are legally binding. Neglected details can wind up costing sellers thousands of dollars.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Father's Day!
Don’t forget Father’s Day on June 20th!
Dad’s Lessons Of Life
Tim Russert, moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press from 1991 to 2008, did something that most of us will never do: He wrote a book expressing his gratitude for – and celebrating the wisdom of – his beloved father. The 2004 memoir was entitled Big Russ & Me: Father and Son: Lessons of Life, and it became a #1 bestseller.
Big Russ & Me did something else: It inspired more than 60,000 people to write and email Russert with their own memories of their fathers. In 2006 Russert turned some of those memories into his second bestseller, Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons, giving others an opportunity to express their gratitude for – and celebrate the wisdom of – their own fathers.
Tim Russert died suddenly in June 2008 at the age of 58. In addition to being a son he was himself a father, a husband, and in the words of a colleague, “one of the premier political journalists and analysts of his time.” He received countless awards for professional excellence, and was clear on where credit for his many accomplishments was due. In the introduction to Big Russ & Me Russert wrote, “I hope this book will encourage readers to think about the things they learned from their father. Whatever we achieve and whoever we are, we stand on their shoulders.”
You don’t have to write a book to tell the dads in your life how much you appreciate them.
Dad’s Lessons Of Life
Tim Russert, moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press from 1991 to 2008, did something that most of us will never do: He wrote a book expressing his gratitude for – and celebrating the wisdom of – his beloved father. The 2004 memoir was entitled Big Russ & Me: Father and Son: Lessons of Life, and it became a #1 bestseller.
Big Russ & Me did something else: It inspired more than 60,000 people to write and email Russert with their own memories of their fathers. In 2006 Russert turned some of those memories into his second bestseller, Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons, giving others an opportunity to express their gratitude for – and celebrate the wisdom of – their own fathers.
Tim Russert died suddenly in June 2008 at the age of 58. In addition to being a son he was himself a father, a husband, and in the words of a colleague, “one of the premier political journalists and analysts of his time.” He received countless awards for professional excellence, and was clear on where credit for his many accomplishments was due. In the introduction to Big Russ & Me Russert wrote, “I hope this book will encourage readers to think about the things they learned from their father. Whatever we achieve and whoever we are, we stand on their shoulders.”
You don’t have to write a book to tell the dads in your life how much you appreciate them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)