BarbaraJo's Blog - Clearwater and Pinellas County Florida Real Estate -

IKEA is coming to Tampa! To many this may mean nothing, but this has special meaning to me. I LOVE IKEA!!!

Years ago, when I lived in Europe and was just starting out with family and children, we just to purchase our furniture and everything from towels and pillowcases to pots and pans at IKEA. It was trendy and inexpensive - extactly what young families want!

When I moved to this country I left all my IKEA furniture behind! Then about 6 years ago I opened a coffee shop and wanted to put IKEA in. So I had everything from tables and chairs to sofas and loveseats shipped down from the Northwest since there was no local IKEA!

So I am pleased as punch that we are now getting an IKEA right here in Tampa! It is set to open during the Summer of 2009!!! I for one can't wait! It is a great place to purchase things for my granddaughter's bedroom!!!

Ah, IKEA memories!!!! Little things that make me smile!!!!

Time is running out! Right now and through January 11th, you can see Egyptain Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum at our own Ringling Museum of Art in beautiful Sarasota!!!

I know I have written about this wonderful exhibition before, but if you have not made it to Sarasota to see this, time is running out and it is well worth the trip!

For more information you can go to www.ringling.org or call the museum at 941-359-5700 for more information!

Located at 5401 Bayshore Rd in Sarasota, it is a short trip across the Skyway Bridge and a wonderful way to spend the day!!!

Remember, if you are considering purchasing or selling in the Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor area give us a call. With years of experience in the local market, we are here for all of your real estate needs!

Call Bill at 727-916-0138 or Barbara-Jo at 727-512-0910 today!!!

Restaurant HAPA is located at 3970 Tampa Road in Oldsmar, Florida. It is one of my favorite local restaurants! Where else could you get

The Hapa House Salad which is comprised of spun carrots, organic baby greens, plum tomatoes, enoki mushrooms, blue cheese and a herb vinaigrette?!?! And that for the price of only $9. !!!!

Or their Carmelized Sea Scallops served with arugala and coriander, pink grapefruit, avocado and a chili oil dressing?!?!? And only $15. !!!!

If you are in the neighborhood, you really need to check this place out!!! 813-749-8400

Open Tuesdays thru Saturday, 6 pm to 10 pm

Be sure to check it out!!!!

While out in Fred Howard Park the other day I did what I like to do second only to showing homes - photograph trees! There are some beautiful trees in our Pinellas County Parks and Fred Howard Park is no exception.

I love these trees - they have taken such unusual shapes while growing - as if they are swaying in the Florida breeze! These magnificent trees just had to be shared with everyone here in ActiveRain!

If you are trying to find Fred Howard Park, I suggest you Google it since it is tucked away from all main streets - locals know where it is but few tourists manage to get there since you have to drive through the bayous of Tarpon Springs and through various residential areas.

It is well worth the trip! Once you find this fantastic park you will return again and again!

Remember, if you are considering purchasing or selling in the Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Palm Harbor area give me a call! With years of experience in the local market, I am here for all of your real estate needs!

Call Barbara-Jo at 727-512-0910 today!

We knew the beach would be closed since they are doing work out there, but I did not realize how LONG it would be closed!

They are keeping it closed for over a full YEAR while they do repairs and improvements! The rest of the park leading out to the beach is still open, but the causeway and beach itself are totally blocked off!

So if you want to go to the beach, you will have to drive a little south and go to Dunedin's Honeymoon Island State Park, which is about a 10-15 minute drive south on Alt 19.

The rest of Howard Park is still open, if you want to just get out to the park area for a picnic - which is what most locals do at this time of year anyway!

The nice thing about Howard Park is that you have to drive through Tarpon Springs' residential areas and around the bayou to get to it - so most tourists don't find it and it is never that crowded! It is one of my favorite parks in North Pinellas County!!!!

Remember, if you are considering purchasing or selling in the Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, Dunedin area, give me a call! With years of experience in the local market, I am here for all of your real estate needs!

Call Barbara-Jo at 727-512-0910 today!