Brandon FL | Valrico FL Real Estate Chatter

This is a BIG DEAL for Brandon, FL locals to continue such a tradition. 

This year's theme is:   It's Our Country - Celebrate It!!  

WHEN:  July 4th, 2007

TIME:  Parade starts at 10am and lasts until about 12:30 (come early if you want to find a parking place or seat)

PLACE:  The route starts at Parsons Avenue at Lumsden Road. The 1.5-mile parade heads north on Parsons, then turns left (west) on Robertson Street to Brandon Mall at 939 W Brandon Blvd.

COST:  FREE!!  FREE!!  FREE!!

Here's what you get for FREE!!! 

The participation of a time honored tradition of Brandon Area Residence is just the start!  You will most likely see "someone you know" while there, either in the parade or watching nearby.  There are 85 participants who will wander the streets by car, on foot, on horse, rollerblades, bicycles, motorcycle, float and then some!  You can expect plenty of music, local business participation offering coupons, candy, beads and other trinkets.  This is just a glimpse of what this tradition has paraded through Brandon on July 4th in past years.  COME ON OUT and BRING THE FAMILY!!

PS...There will be local fireworks that evening at the Brandon Blast  for the 4th year in a row!  Fireworks start at 9pm!  Shopping mall hours that day are 10am - 6pm with the main restaurants maintaining normal business hours. 

Searching the "Residential Listings"  on MLS today, I came up with 5 listings currently available in Brandon, FL for under $100k as of June 28th, 2007. 

1. $100k  --  T2241058 220 LAKE PARSON GREEN # 108, BRANDON  --  It's a 1/1  with 569 square feet located on the 1st Floor - Condo built in 1988 which has been on the market for 74 days.
2. $89,900  --  T2220920 155 PICARDY VILLA ST # 102, BRANDON  --  This is a 1/1 with 760 square feet located on the 1st floor - Condo built in 1981 which has been on the market 169 days.
3. $88,900  --  T2228814 829 ETHYL ST, BRANDON  --  It's a 3/2 manufactured home with 1404 square feet heated located in the Alafia Estates.  This manufactured home was built in 1986 and has been on the market 133 days.
4. $85,500  --  T2249344 PICARDY VILLA 00 # 102, BRANDON  --  This condo is a 1/1 and has 760 square feet and is located on the ground floor.  This condo was built in 1981 and has been on the market 32 days.
5. $69, 900  -- T2252238 10129 ELLEN AVE., BRANDON  --  This manufactured home is a 2/1 with 552 square feet.  It was built in 1970 and has been on the market for 17 days.

All of these properties are currently listed on the Multiple Listing Service.  Ifyou have questions about any of these properties, please call Susie Roscoe at 813-841-4721. 

SusRoscoe@msn.com

Welcome to Buckhorn Groves!

This lovely Valrico community consists of 160 homes.  These ranch style homes are all between 2000 - 3000 square feet heated with anywhere from 3-5 bedrooms.  The lots are at least 70' wide by 100+ feet deep so the yard sizes have plenty of room for pools and playsets.  This is a very desirable community for the Valrico Area. 

The community offers a main entrance located on Pearson Road with a side entrance off of Durant Road.  There is a wonderful playground for the community families to use at their leisure.  Buckhorn Groves offers an active Homeowners Association to ensure the integrity of the community remains attractive to buyers moving to the area.

The school district is excellent!  The following schools are assigned to this community:

Nelson Elementary School located at 5413 Durant Rd  Dover, FL 33527

Mulrennan Middle School located at 4215 Durant Rd  Valrico, FL 33594  (walking distance)

Durant High School located at 4748 Cougar Path Plant City, FL 33567

For more information about Buckhorn Groves or other homes in the Brandon-Valrico area, please call Susie Roscoe. 

Office:  813-689-3115

Cell:  813-841-4721

Email:  Susroscoe@msn.com

*School boundaries are subject to change.  These are the current schools as of June 28th, 2007.  For more information you can go to  Hillsborough County Public Schools or call them directly at 813-272-4000.
 

Does this really need to be said? 

Do people really NOT get it? 

This is dangerous and serious!!

I was recently on vacation with my family in Southern Georgia.  We spent a week at a lakehouse where we fished, skiied, tubed and swam while we were there.  Well, one evening while fishing we literally STALKED by an ALLIGATOR.  It wasn't big, but that makes it even more dangerous.  This (approximate) 4 - 5 foot alligator was following our boat, following our fishing poles, and wouldn't leave.  We started the boat engine, I slapped the water with an oar, we yelled and made plenty of noise (to scare the fish) but it wouldn't leave us alone. 

I have been married to a fisherman for 16 years, we have NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE!  I grew up in Florida where we have alligators in just about every (fresh) body of water you see, regardless of the size.  This has never happened!  We fish in lakes where you don't run the motor because it's a preservation and the engine compromises the integrity of the banks.  The alligators out there are H*U*G*E* but take off when they see our boat coming across the lake.  I've seen them almost the length of our boat and they still disappear when the boat gets too close to them or they feel intimidated by your presence.  We're used to seeing them slap their tails as they disappear...not continue to follow us around.

Sadly, this particular alligator has lost the fear of humans.  This alligator will eventually attack a human being if this continues for a quick and easy meal.  After speaking with some of the locals the next day, my husband learned that several dogs (no size stated) have disappeared in the last 6 months from that particular part of the lake.  This means the alligator(s) are venturing up the banks now searching for food.

This is SERIOUS!  Living in Florida, we continue to hear more about alligator attacks now than ever before.  We are creating this problem ourselves by "feeding the alligators" giving them the idea they can and should expect to be hand fed.  These are wild animals and need to be admired and respected from a distance for our safety and theirs.

******The boy pictured here is my son sitting on the back of our boat with an alligator less than 8 feet away******

 If you look to the right of the stump, you will see what appears to be another stump.  It's actually the alligator I'm referring to that stalked us while fishing.  My son Nick is sitting on the back of the boat fishing.  This alligator was relentless is pursuing his next meal.  We finally left  the area and went back to the dock.  My husband and son went back to the vicinity to fish for awhile...and their friend was still there hunting!

There are always stories about alligators, attacks, and killings in Florida.  Go to Google  and type in alligator attacks for more information.  You can also learn more from the Florida Wildlife Commission aobut ways to prevent alligator attacks. 

Brandon School of Dance Arts Recital 2007      

The children have worked so hard and are ready to share with their friends and family what they've learned and nearly perfected.  Mark you calendars to come out and enjoy the show at the Tampa Performing Arts Center for some beautiful entertainment.

Date:  June 20 - 21, 2007

Place:  Ferguson Hall  (The Tampa Performing Art Center)

Time:  7:30 PM

Brandon School of Dance  Center is offering a "Dance Camp" this summer from July 23 - 27 from 9am - 3pm.  Class space(s) are limited. 

Regular Classes offered:   ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, novelty, modern, acrobatics, and musical theatre

CONTACT INFO: 

Location:  2011 Parsons Ave., Seffner, FL  33584

Phone:  813-681-8637

Email:  bsda@tampabay.rr.com                    

Watch out for that T-REX!!!  You can't miss it driving down Interstate 4 through Plant City, FL!!  He's HUGE!!  He's ORANGE!  He's a DINOSAUR!! 

At Dinosaur World, you can tour the park at night with your flash light, get your picture taken with a dinosaur, have a birthday party, dig for fossils, take a field trip, get a pass and come all year long, or just come for the day!  Dinosaur World in Plant City, FL will intrigue the biggest kids around! 

For more information on a "pre-hisoric" party, you can call 813-717-9865 or email them at dinosaurworld@netscape.com.

5145 Harvey Tew Road Plant City, FL 33565

*Dinosaur World is located on Interstate 4, Exit 17 in Plant City. 

If You're New to Durant, FL...

You're in the "country" to us Brandon Folks but not too far away from busier places.  Once you're done enjoying the "quiet" of Durant...There's always something "close by" to try out for something new!

• Hillsborough County Golf Courses
• Florida Festivals
• Florida National Forests
• Florida Recreation Areas
• Florida Wildlife Refuges
• A Boater's Guide to the Indian River Lagoon
• Busch Gardens
• Everglades National Park
• Florida State Parks
• Kennedy Space Center
• Lowry Park Zoo
• National Parks, Preserves, Seashores and Wild/Scenic Rivers in Florida
• Parks in Durant and Hillsborough County
• Recreation and Public Use Land - South Florida Water Management District
• The Florida Aquarium
• Things To Do in Florida

To me, it sounds like THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!!!  Great choice...

Davis Park

Location: It's located just a mile North of Hwy 60 off Parsons Ave.  

600 Mook Street
Brandon, FL 33510

This rustic park runs along Lake Mead on 15 acres.  There is no swimming here, but the wildlife is plentiful!  This is a bird-lover's paradise!  The park is filled with long legged friends such as the Egret and Heron.  You can also find Sandhill Cranes, ducks and gulls.  On occasion you may see the Gopher Tortoises, and a marsh rabbit. 

This is a very tranquil place to spend an afternoon, plan a picnic, or even a birthday party!  (my son's birthday party was here one year and the kids loved it)  There are restrooms, a few pavillions, some grills and a playground for the kids.  The quiet paved roads are perfect for short bike rides, roller blading, or just taking a nice walk.

Admission is FREE!

ATTENTION with this!!! 

On March 2, 2006, Karla Comfort received a lot of looks and even
some salutes when she drove from Benton, Arkansas to Camp Pendleton, California in her new custom painted Hummer H3. The vehicle is adorned with the likeness of her son, 20-year-old Lance Cpl. John M. Holmason and nine other Marines with F Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, who where killed by the same improvised explosive device blast at Fallujah, Iraq, in December 2005.

For 39 year old Karla Comfort from Portland, Oregon having the
vehicle air brushed with the image of these Marines was a way to pay homage to her son and his fellow comrades who fell on Iraq's urban battlefield. "I wanted people to remember that many Marines are serving honorably and many are dying. I don't want people to forget the sacrifices that my son and other Marines have made."  The idea for the rolling memorial came about at John's funeral
when she and her two other sons noticed a Vietnam War memorial on a vehicle.

Because John loved Hummers she purchased the vehicle in January and took it to Airbrush Guy & Co. in Benton, Arkansas, where after 250 man hours artist Robert Powell changed the plain black vehicle into a decorative, mobile, art piece.

The custom job would have cost $25,000 but out of respect for
Karla Comfort's loss and the sacrifices the Marines made, Airbrush Guy & Co. did it for free. Karla Comfort only had to purchase the paint which cost $3,000.  "I love it and am so impressed with it. I know John would be extremely happy with the vehicle. He would have a big smile on his face." 

Karla Comfort gave Robert Powell some basic instructions on what to include in the paint job. But in addition to the image of her son in his Dress Blues, and the faces of the nine other Marines, there were several surprises. "He put much more on than I expected. I think my favorite part is the heaven scene." The left side of the vehicle illustrates Marines carrying their fallen comrades through the clouds to their final resting place. The American flag drapes across the hood, the words "Semper Fi" crown the front windshield, and the spare tire cover carries the same Eagle Globe and Anchor design that her son had tattooed on his back. 

After she decided to move back to her hometown of Portland, Oregon, a cross-country trip from Arkansas was planned as her way to share her son's story. It was also her way of coping with her loss. "I still cry and try to accept the idea that he is really gone. What has touched me are the salutes people give."

I grew up with a Father who served in Vietnam, 3 siblings who served in the USAF, and now a niece and nephew who currently serve in Iraq.  This story was received through email but very touching.  I hope you took the few minutes to read this amazing story of one mother's fight to honor her son's memories as he served his country. 

Do You Want to Take the Whole Family...or just part of it?

We are "DOG LOVERS" in this house!  We have 2 chocolate labs who compliment our family.  We enjoy the outdoors and taking "the whole family" vs. just part of it!  So, we had to find places we could take our dogs when we left for an all day outing. 

Pet Friendly Places in FL gives you more options to take your pets along.  There are hotels, restaurants, parks, beaches, and more.  This website breaks down the locations by county so you can see what's offered depending on whether you're taking a day trip or a vacation.

 Cammie and Snickers    (taken) June 2006

Lake Seminole, GA on vacation with their family