Brandon FL | Valrico FL Real Estate Chatter

Bring on the WILDLIFE! 

Lowery Park Zoo has set up a special day for visitors!  Just $3 gets you in the park Sunday, July 29 and again on September 9th from 9:30 - 5:00pm!  You'll get to visit over 1,800 animals as well as endangered wildlife! 

Lowery Park Zoo always has something exciting going on.  Check out the upcoming WILD EVENTS for yourself. 

Quick links on how to: 

• Find out more about the zoo by subscribing to their newsletter
• How to purchase annual passes to the zoo
• Become a supporter of Lowery Park Zoo

Lowery Park Zoo * 1101 West Sligh Avenue * Tampa, FL   33604-5958 * (813) 935-8552

***You can also find this on my Brandon Real Estate Chatter Blog.

The Brandon News and Tribune posted a really great list of important numbers the other day.  The focus was regarding hurricane preparedness but this could apply to many emergency occasions.  I plan to PRINT THIS LIST and put it inside my kitchen cabinet by the phone.  Don't you know, when you NEED THE NUMBER, you can never find it!  NOW YOU CAN... 

Here's some IMPORTANT NUMBERS to bookmark if you're in the Hillsborough County Area:

American Red Cross: (813) 348-4820

American Red Cross Disaster Assistance: 1-866-438-4636

Citizen Action Center: (813) 272-5900

Special-needs shelter registration: (813) 272-5900

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, District IV: (813) 247-0455

Animal services: (813) 744-5660

Dispatch center: (813) 272-5665

Water service: (813) 744-5600

Emergency Operations Center: (813) 232-6890

Fire Rescue: 911

Federal Emergency Management Agency: 1-800-525-0321

Florida Division of Emergency Management: (850) 413-9900

Florida Highway Patrol: (813) 632-6859

Hurricane Help Line (state): 1-800-227-8676

National Flood Insurance Program: 1-888-356-6329

Phone service: 1-800-483-1000

TECO outage: 1-877-588-1010

If you're interested, you can read the full article by going to Hurricane Forum is One-Stop Source written by By LOIS KINDLE. 

You're PUMPIN' POINTS and ROCKIN' & ROLLIN' girl!  Keep up the good work!!

Send Katrina a congrats on HER BLOG!  YOU GO GIRL!!!  Keep on bloggin, commenting and sharing vital information for the community!  We're behind you!!

PS...Should we set a deadline for the "100" club??? 

**Did anyone else hit "50" TODAY that needs to be achknowledged?

I'm a DONOR!  I've been donating blood since I was "old enough" and decided to try!  I was a senior at Armwood High School in Seffner, FL when I first donated blood.  What a feeling to know I was helping someone out.  How exciting to know I could be the very person who could help out a friend, family member or stranger who needed my blood in an emergency!  Wow!  That was all it took.  Well, that and the opportunity to "get out of class" for an hour at the time!  This was the beginning of my dedication to donate.

Florida Blood Services gives you many options to donate blood and save a life.  This service benefits the young, old, healthy and sick.  You can start a new habit today that could save a life.  Do you have ONE HOUR to spare once every 2 months? 

Florida Blood Services is located in four counties on the West Coast of Florida.  The last time I donated blood was at the Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center in Brandon, FL during their Open House.  I've donated blood at one of my favorite title companies in the past in memory of the owner who had recently passed away.  You don't have to wait for a blood drive...you can go anytime! 

Check out the Donor Center Locations to find the closest and most convenient for you.  You can also choose Blood Drives By City or zip code. Get out your calendar(s) and just pick a Date to donate and take a friend!

It's a good habit, very rewarding, and could save a life! 

If you have questions or concerns about donating blood, you can Contact the office by email or calling (800) 68-BLOOD.

***You can also find this article on Brandon Real Estate Chatter.

Oak Valley is a quiet town-home community nestled beneath grandfather oaks.  This community was built between 2003-2004 by Rottlund Homes.  This neighborhood has one entrance to to prevent an excessive flow of traffic. 

The maintenance fees are very reasonable (currently at $455 quarterly) and include water, sewer, pest control, lawn maintenance, roof and the community pool. 

JUNE 1st - JUNE 30th, 2007

This information is current as figured by MLS as of July 25th, 2007.  All information presented on MLS believed to be true and accurate but should be verified.  This information does not include privates sales.

Please call Susie Roscoe for more information on Oak Valley Town-homes or other homes/town-homes in the Brandon/Valrico Area.  813-841-4721

FREE REPORT: How To Buy Lovely Homes In Brandon with Zero Down Payment ... Click here

Is How You Talk As Important as What You Say? Let's get things straight...

Think before you speak.  We've heard or preached (to someone else) this exact phrase countless times.  Will this bring value to the listener?  Is it gossip or negative?  Is it kind?  If you're not sure, reconsider before opening your mouth.  Once something is said, it's too late and can't be taken back. 

How do you talk about yourself?  I know I tend to be the "silly one" in the group who make sure that on the most stressful days I can make you laugh...if only for a minute!  For example, I tend to refer to myself as the "class clown" but then expect to be taken seriously when I'm ready to talk business.  In the past, I've found that "this type of talk" caused others to "talk" the same.  I've learned to talk more positively and enjoy what I hear others say about me as well.

You don't have to agree with someone to understand their viewpoint.  We've all found "this" on Active Rain when asking for guidance, or ranting about a situation of one kind or another.  Seeking to understand someone else demonstrates respect, and gives you insight into how to support and please them.  We all have our opinions, some share them and others don't.  Be respectful regardless of how you feel.  Remember, we're trying to build bridges--not burn them.

Your personal style sends a message.  This includes the clothes you wear, your hairstyle, the perfume or aftershave/cologne you've chosen, your pearly whites and right down to your fingernails.  Make sure this gives off the proper message and signal.  Think about what outfit(s) make you "feel like a million bucks" and work your magic.  When you feel like you look good...the message is loud and clear to others.  WORK IT BABY!!

Tone of voice can speak volumes.  Are you quiet as a mouse?  Do you have the thunderous voice that commands attention?  Are you the auctioneer who talks so fast you're always being asked to repeat yourself?   This is an important skill that some really have to work at.  Be bold...ask someone you trust what they think.  You just might be surprised...

Don't assume you're understood.  Asking open-ended questions require an answer.  Find out if you're talking or actually having a conversation with someone.  

Inspired by (1)Grace Judson's and (2)Group Dynamics

Do you live in Hillsborough County?  Are you in a flood zone?  Do you know?  If so, when was the last time you checked?  Find out what determines a Flood Zone as defined by FEMA(Federal Emergency Management Agency).

Residents in Hillsborough County can check their "flood zone status" online by using the Hillsborough County Flood Map.   This site enables you to key in your address or folio number for an updated map of your area to confirm your property location and flood zone level.

There are a few areas with exceptions.  There is specific contact information available for each area.  Some of the areas haven't recieved fully updated maps requiring additional information.  These exceptions include the following cities:

• City of Tampa **Call 274-3100
• Temple Terrace Residents  **Call 989-7170
• Plant City **Call 659-4200 for designated information
• Sun City Center  **Go to:  Sun City Center and Kings Point Map 

Photo compliments of  St. Pete Times taken during Hurricane season in Tampa in 2000.  Photo taken by Skip O'Rourke. 

Oakdale Reserve is a beautiful family community blessed with large grandfather oaks and mature landscaping.  This community was completely established in the early 90's by Pulte Homes.  This community offers excellent schools, convenient to interstates and the crosstown, (approimately) 40 minutes from Tampa airport, shopping malls and dining.  Oakdale offers an active HOA for those interested in the community.

Location:  Oakdale Reserve is located off Beall Shoals Road between Boyette Road/Fish Hawk Blvd. and Bloomingdale. 

Neighborhood Schools Include:

• Cimino Elementary
• Burns Middle
• Bloomingdale High

Please contact Susie Roscoe at 813-841-4721 for information about buying or selling a home in Oakdale Reserve or surrounding areas.

This information is current as figured by MLS as of July 20th, 2007.  All information presented on MLS believed to be true and accurate but should be verified.