Zephyrhills, FL

A few weeks ago I got ticketed for not having changed the address on my Florida drivers license within 10 days as the law demands. Oh well, guilty as charged and the State Trooper was very nice.

However, lately I have noticed that when I go to work (about a 10 minute drive) without fail I pass at least 3 police vehicles! Some are state troopers, some are county deputies, and others are officers from the City of Zephyrhills, Florida. They are either sitting along the road looking for speeders or other traffic law violators, or they already have someone stopped along the road waiting to receive a citation.

This presence appears, to me at least, to be much greater than in years past. Now, keep in mind that last year there was a big push to cut county and city property taxes. Add to this the fact that the assessed values of homes have fallen, as reflected on our tax bills. This has resulted in a loss of revenue for our local governments. So it may be that the officers no longer have the flexibility to let us off with a warning since the fines they collect could go to help keep them or their colleagues in their jobs. Something to consider. Also keep in mind that the state has increased the fine amounts. I was fined $111 just because I had not changed my address! That's a lot to me.

That said, if we are breaking the laws we cannot complain if we get caught and are fined. Ok, we can complain, but it will do no good. If we speed and a law enforcement officer gets us, we have to pay the price. It is just that nowadays, they have less leeway to give us a break. If they do, it could mean that someone in their unit could lose a job. In the end, they are just doing the job that we are paying them to do and are trying to keep our highways safer.

So, while you are out and about in Zephyrhills and Pasco County, Florida keep an eye on that speedometer. Especially in school zones or where there is a transition from one speed limit to another one. That does not mean to creep along. Sometimes that can be as bad as going too fast. However, be aware of the speed limits on the road where you are and stay within them. Otherwise you might just get a nasty surprise! Ouch!!

One more thing to keep in mind is that our winter residents are arriving and that means a lot more traffic, and hence, a lot more accidents. So be alert out there and have a safe ticket-free and accident-free winter!

I cannot help you with traffic tickets (wish I could), but if you need assistance with buying and/or selling a home, you can contact me at: 813-783-4444 or e-mail me at: jelwell1@tampabay.rr.com  You can also visit my webpage at: www.jelwell.century21bnr.com anytime!

TUBACHRISTMAS® RETURNING TO ZEPHYRHILLS

Date/Time: Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Place: Clock Square on 5th Avenue, Downtown Zephyrhills

There is no charge for the concert.

Tuba and Euphonium players are invited to come to downtown Zephyrhills to join in the fun of a special Christmas Concert sponsored by the First United Methodist Church of Zephyrhills with the support of the City of Zephyrhills.

Registration and practice will be in Cooper Hall at the First United Methodist Church 38635 5th Avenue at 2:30 PM, and the concert will be at Clock Square, 3 blocks west, at 6:00 PM. Zephyrhills High School Music Director Russell Schmidt will conduct the ensemble in this local variation of a national annual event, taking place throughout the country this season. Players pay a $5.00 tax-deductible registration and receive a commemorative TubaChristmas® button.

Music books entitled CAROLS FOR A MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS contain 33 titles of traditional Christmas music and are available at registration for $15.00

Players are encouraged to bring music stands/lyres and wear festive dress. Special TubaChristmas® scarves will be on sale.

In case of inclement weather the performance will be in the First United Methodist Church.

You can view and/or print a flyer concerning this event by clicking on the following link: Download TubaChristmasposter2009

TUBACHRISTMAS® concerts are events of public performances of tuba and euphonium players of all ages who honor the heritage of their chosen instruments in public concerts of traditional Christmas music. Through this medium they acknowledge the legacy of great artists/teachers through William J. Bell (born Christmas Day, 1902) and pay grateful tribute to composers who have embraced the instruments at the base of the band/orchestra with their solo and ensemble compositions through Alec Wilder (died Christmas Eve, 1980) who arranged the Christmas carols for the first TUBACHRISTMAS held Sunday, December 22, 1974 in Rockefeller Center, NYC.

For further information contact
Coordinator: John R. Wheeler
(813) 788-7408 E-mail: CaptJRW@aol.com

I know this is still several months off, but I wanted to make sure that all of you had time to participate in some way if you can.

Most of use know someone who has been touched in some way by cancer. Perhaps it is a family member, friend or co-worker. Many of us can remember a time, not so long ago, when a diagnosis of any type of this disease meant the "end of the line" for the victim. Even just 20 years ago, many of the detection techniques and treatments we now take for granted were unheard of. The American Cancer Society has been a large player in the war against the many forms of cancer. Now, what almost always used to be considered terminal, can today be successfully treated! 

On March 26, 2010 the Relay for Life will take place in Zephyrhills, Florida at the Zephyrhills High School at the corner of 12th Street and County Road 54.

Relay teams are already forming and their goal is to raise funds for this organization and to celebrate the many people who are cancer survivors.

So, do not wait! If you would like to learn more about how you can donate, participate, and/or motivate, you can download the following brochure from last year's event that I have scanned into the computer in Adobe PDF format. Just click on the following link to get this brochure: Download Relay for Life Brochure0001

For specific information about this year's event you can also visit the Zephyrhills Relay for Life website by clicking on the following link: www.relayforlife.org/zephyrhillsfl There you can learn a lot of important news about this important event in our city. You can also see how you can form your own relay team at your work, subdivision, organization, softball team, etc.

Still another way to get info is to call Stephanie Watts at: 1-800-227-2345 or e-mail her at: Stephanie.watts@cancer.org

So, please do all you can to support the work of this fine organization that does so much for so many! 

JUST SOLD! I just listed this home a few weeks ago and then shortly thereafter found a buyer for it as well. Now a new neighbor will be moving into the area and can enjoy all that Zephyr Shores has to offer.

This makes 6 homes I have sold in just that subdivision in the past 12 months! Lots more in other surrounding areas. So, if you are thinking of selling your home in your park or you know someone who is thinking of buying in our area, just have them contact me at the numbers or addresses below. I will be happy to assist them.

John Elwell REALTOR at CENTURY 21 Bill Nye Realty, Inc. 813-783-4444 or e-mail me at: jelwell1@tampabay.rr.com I also invite you to visit my webpage: www.jelwell.century21bnr.com You will find a lot of very useful information there and also links to my Weblog and my Zephyrhills 55+ Bulletin Board

Click on any of the images below to see larger versions of the pictures.

Almost every year our company holds a massive yard sale to benefit Easter Seals and the good work that they do for so many. We take in donations from our employees, agents and the community-at-large, and thus have a huge selection of items for people to pick through. Since autumn weather in Florida is wonderful, we always have a large turn-out. It also helps that a lot of the 55+ communities nearby also have community-wide sales at the same time. Lots of buyers make a day of it and visit as many sales as they can. And let's face it, there are some deals to be found!

So thank you to all who contributed and all who stopped by to find a treasure or two!

Click on any picture below to see a larger version!