Brandon FL | Valrico FL Real Estate Chatter

          Riverview, FL  Zipcodes 

On July 1st, residents will see another sign of the area's explosive growth in Riverview: new ZIP codes.

In Riverview, the existing 33569 ZIP code will be split into three parts, creating 33578 and 33579.  The Riverview change, he said, will affect 18,267 residential and 457 business addresses.

Postal service spokesman Gary Sawtelle quoted, "Even though growth is at a very good pace in those areas right now, we're just trying to stay ahead of the curve." 

In Riverview, 33569 will include addresses south of the Alafia River, east of U.S. 301 and north of Rhodine Road. ZIP code 33578 will include addresses west of U.S. 301 and north of the Alafia River. And ZIP code 33579 will include homes east of U.S. 301 and south of Rhodine Road.

*Read the full article written by Catherine E. Shoichet  of the St. Pete Times

10, 426 addresses will get a new zipcode effective July 1st, 2007 in Valrico, FL. 

10, 172 will be residential and 254 businesses will be effected by this change.  Property owners will have through July 1st, 2008 to change all correspondents mail, such as magazine subscriptions and/or credit card companies.

Addresses north of Durant Road In Valrico will remain 33594 , and the new 33596 will include addresses south of that road.

                                                In Case of Emergency                                                

Isn't it true that we all carry our mobile phones with hundreds of names/numbers stored in its memory but yet nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our near and dear ones?

Let us for a moment create a scenario wherein (God forbid) we are involved in an accident or had a heart attack 
and the people attending to us get hold of our mobile phone but don't know which number to call to inform our family members. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency?  

For this reason, we must have one or more telephone numbers stored under the name ICE (In Case of Emergency) in our mobile phones.  

"ICE" Campaign Recently, the concept of "ICE" is catching up quickly. It is simple, an important method of contact during emergency situations. As cell phones are carried by majority of the population, all you  need to do is store the number of a contact person or person who should be contacted during emergency as "ICE" (meaning In Case of Emergency). The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when they went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. 
Following a disaster in London, the East Anglican Ambulance Service has launched a national "In case of Emergency (ICE)" campaign. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital staff        would then be able to quickly contact your next of kin, by simply dialing the number stored as "ICE".     

For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE 2 and ICE3  etc. A great idea that will make a difference! 

In May 2007, a 4 year old girl named Halle was rushed to the Emergency Room for being severely lethargic and incoherent.  Halle's father received a call from her school stating she was "very sick."  When he arrived she could barely hold her head up much less focus when he looked in her eyes.  The hospital ran blood tests, X-rays,  and every test imaginable.  Just before being sent to another hospital for further testing, Halle's teacher showed up to tell her father that Halle had licked hand sanitizer.  The 2nd hospital ran a blood alcohol test on Halle to find her blood alcohol level to be 85% and this was 6 hours after the ingestion. 

Further research has proved that 3 pumps of the sanitizer ingested by a toddler can be fatal to a toddler.  We forget that curious children put all kinds of things in their mouth.  Children learn about the world through tasting, smelling and touching.  They lack the knowledge to distinguish between what's poisonous or not.

Poison Control has confirmed that HAND SANITIZER contains 62% alcohol.  The best comparison is having someone drink something 120 proof!  The reactions of a child ingesting this sanitizer is incredibly dangerous and should not be taken lightly. 

HAND SANITIZER CAN KILL A CHILD - YES!  This is unfortunately true!    You can read this story in full at SNOPES.COM!

Wow...that takes me back a few years!  I attended my niece's graduation last night for Rivierview High School in Riverview, FL.  We waited for-ever to get in to park, then walked probably 1/2 of a mile to get to the auditorium, then had to have our "bags checked" at the front gate and the list of what was NOT ALLOWED was unreal!  Once we finally got inside we started making phone calls to find the rest of our family so we could sit together during the commencement. 

AND THEN IT HAPPENS...we start talking about "When I graduated..." and the stories begin.  My sister and I talked about when "I" graduated and how I didn't come home but didn't do anything exciting.  We talked about "her" graduation and how I was 22 years old and went toilet-papering with her for the first time ever!  The memories just kept coming and we laughed the entire way through graduation and all the way the way home!                                                                                                                          

Congratulations to my niece JESSICA MAY CEBALLOS!!!  She is officially a highschool graduate for the Class of 2007!  We are all very proud and look forward to what college has to offer you!

Nicole & Jess!                                                                       Jess WAVING 4th person back, middle row!

Walk for a CURE!  I intend to participate in this walk in the forthcoming years.  It means so much to me to help raise money for this cause! I've lost a couple of important women in my life from cancer.  Here's a tidbit about Ovarian Cancer and a link to FUND a FREE MAMMOGRAM!

Please keep her going...      

SHE JUST LEFT my  house in Valrico, FL.   She  is walking for ovarian cancer. 

Please  pass her on so that she can reach her destination.  Say a  prayer for all those who are affected by this terrible  disease.

She's walking around the world --- via e-mail!!  Pass it on so she can get there!

Ovarian Cancer Whispers - so listen...  Watch for Pelvic or
abdominal pain or discomfort; vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets
such as gas, nausea, and indigestion; frequency and / or urgency of
urination in the absence of an infection; unexplained weight gain or weight
loss; pelvic and or abdominal swelling, bloating and / or  feeling of
fullness; ongoing unusual fatigue; or unexplained changes in bowel habits. If
symptoms persist for more than 2  weeks, ask your doctor for a
combination pelvic /rectal  exam, CA-125 blood test, and transvaginal ultrasound.      

A  Pap Test WILL NOT detect ovarian cancer .

Please keep  her going...

~~~   AND   ~~~

Fund a FREE MAMMOGRAM!!!  You can do it DAILY!!

Women's Words...

1.) FINE:  This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right, and you need to shut up.

2.) Five Minutes:  If she is getting dressed, this means half an hour. Five Minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

3.) Nothing:  This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes.  Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine (see #1)                                                   

4.) Go Ahead:  This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

5.) Loud Sigh: This is not actually a word but a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men.  A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing
with you about nothing . (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)

6.) That's Okay:  This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. "That's okay" means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7.) Thanks:  A woman is thanking you - do not question or faint. Just say you're welcome.

8.) Whatever:  Is a women's way of saying "screw you" 

9.) Don't worry about it, I got it:  Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself.  This will later result in a man asking "what's wrong" - for the woman's response refer to #3.
***Any suggestions for WORD #10???

Hoorrraaayyy!!! 

Finally, Myspace is turning over the files over of known sex offenders.  GREAT NEWS!  They have already deleted over 7,000 profiles of convicted sex offenders.  Now, they will be handing over the names, addresses and profiles used online of known convicted sex offenders who have opened up accounts. 

Our kids need as much protection as we can give them.  They don't realize how much personal information they're giving by adding their school and first and last name!  I personally monitor my son's activity on his Myspace account because I don't trust him, his friends or the perverts on the other end of the computer.  I'm thrilled to hear this news about "sharing the files" for all known sex offenders.  THAT is a start!

Read more about this in a recent article written by Brad Stone published May 22nd, 2007! 

              Do YOU own property in a PRIME LOCATION?              

Let a few visitors make the mortgage and then some...                                        

Hillary Chura recently wrote an article on HOUSEGUESTS WHO PAY and PAY WELL!  Between the cost of living and soaring property taxes...someone living in area that's known for active tourists can make some money!  There are families packing up the family silver and all their valuables and "renting their homes" out for weekends, holidays, and big events coming to town.                                                 

John Gilderbloom of Louisville, Kentucky rented out his Victorian home for the last 3 Kentucky Derbies to the tune of $3,000 for the first Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in May.  In September he's expecting to bring in another $6,000-$7,000 for the Ryder Cup Golf Tournament.  He says eventually, he would like to rent his home for holidays, family reunions and even weddings.                                                                          

This seems to be a growing trend.  Some families just relocate for the summer while they rent out their homes.  There are great websites to advertise these rentals like http://www.cyberrentals.com/, www.homeaway.com/, houseinstowe.com, and http://www.greatrentals.com/. 

 For further reading on this article written by Hillary Chura printed in the New York Times on May 19th, 2007. 

10 Budget Concious Family Activities for Tampa Bay  

The kids are ALMOST OUT OF SCHOOL for the SUMMER!  Everyone is excited now...but will be looking for something to do soon.  The kids will want to do "something" and not all the entertainment has to cost money.  There are day trips you can take...trips to the park with a picnic lunch...bike rides down/through a trail...hiking...swimming...and then some!  Here's a list of a few places that are very inexpensive and/or free to explore right around the Tampa Bay area!

1. Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary located at 18328 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores, FL
2. Dunedin Historical Society and Museum  located at 349 Main Street, Dunedin, FL
3. St. Petersburg Pier
4. Pinellas County Heritage Village located at 2043 Curlew Road, Palm Harbor, FL
5. University of South Florida Botanical Garden  located at E. Fowler Avenue, SCA238, Tampa, FL
6. Manatee Viewing Center located at 6990 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach, FL
7. Lettuce Lake Park located off I75 on Fletcher Avenue a few blocks from I75
8. Ybor City Museum State Park located at 2009 N. 18th Street, Ybor City, FL
9. Tarpon Springs located off U.S. 19
10. Clearwater Beach located in Pinellas County

For more information, please go to Top 10 Budget Concscious Family Activities compliments of Sandra Ordonez who writes freelance for Tampa Bay.