Red light camera to be installed at Bruce B. Downs and Fletcher intersection

A red light camera will be installed at the BBD and Fletcher Ave. intersection within the next week or two.  Just one of ten intersections to be monitored by the controversial cameras, motorists who blow through a red light on camera can expect warnings after installation until December when the fine for running a red light will be $125.00.  Of course you can still be ticketed the old fashioned way before then by a law enforcement officer who observes the traffic infraction.

Public meetings announced for multi-purpose sports complex project in Pasco County

Pasco County and Sportsplex USA have announced two public meetings to discuss the proposed multi-purpose sports complex.  The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 10 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City, and the second meeting will be held on Thursday, November 12 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the West Pasco Government Center Board Room in New Port Richey.  While the specific site for the complex has not yet been determined, brief presentations will be made about the project and public comment will be received.  Wesley Chapel is one of the locations under consideration for the complex.

World Of Beer in New Tampa set to open in November

The World Of Beer under construction in The Pointe At Tampa Palms (behind Olive Garden) is shooting for a November opening.  According to information posted at the site, job applications are being accepted online at http://www.wobusa.com/.

Palm Cove in Wesley Chapel

Five homes were reported sold in Palm Cove in the past month with prices ranging from $155,000 to $189,900.  Additionally, 19 homes are under contract with most of those identified as short sales or pre-foreclosures.  Homes for sale in Palm Cove currently range from $139,000 to $251,442.*
 *Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Coming soon to The Shops at Wiregrass

There are a number of retail shops and restaurants/bars racing to open next month for the holiday shopping season:

Lemon Fashion located at Center Court next to Pottery Barn; Barnies across from AJA (also under construction); & Brookstone.  Primebar has a target opening date of November 16.        

I also have been told that AJA is looking to open in December.

Squatters in Bridgewater?

According to Fox 13 news, The Florida Community Preservation Corporation recently posted over 100 notices on homes in Bridgewater. The local fox news station reports that the company plans to "take over" some vacant homes in Bridgewater without title to the homes. Huh? Outrageous!  Watch the video below (after the commercial) for details:



Link to written article

Primebar at The Shops at Wiregrass hiring

Primebar, under construction at The Shops at Wiregrass is hiring for all positions (Line and Prep Cooks, Dishwashers, Servers, Bartenders, Hostesses, Door Host, Bussers, Barbacks). All positions need to have at least 2 years experience in a high volume restaurant/bar. The job fair will be held in front of the Dillard's Courtyard from October 19th to the 23rd from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and on Saturday, October 24th from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. They are only taking applications in person and there is no phone, so no phone calls.   NOTE:  On October 27th I saw that they were still holding the job fair!

New fire station for New Tampa

Construction of a new fire station next to the Cross Creek Plaza in New Tampa is scheduled to begin before the end of the year. The 8,600 sq. ft. station with an estimated construction cost of $1.6 million will be funded with federal stimulus funds.

Garden Montessori School certified green

The Garden Montessori School in Wesley Chapel which opened this past June was awarded green certification by the Green Business League, Inc., a green technology and best-practices organization.

Located on Boyette Road, the school demonstrated "a high level of commitment to environmentally friendly practices; becoming more energy efficient, replacing paper-based communications, switching to non-toxic cleaning practices, and implementing recycling and composting programs". According to co-owner Stefani Ruskin: "Our primary motivation for going green was to provide the children with a healthy environment." School Website Phone: ( 813 ) 991 - 6335

Pasco County seeks transit input

Transportation officials from Pasco County will hold a public meeting on Thursday at the Land O Lakes Community Center from 3:30 to 6:30 PM. Public input is sought by the county for its update on its Long Range Transportation Plan on roads, public transit, etc. Additionally, display boards of the plan will be on hand for viewing by the public. Additional info: (727) 847-8140

Suncoast Arts Fest returns to Wesley Chapel in January

The Suncoast Arts Fest will return to The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel in January. The arts festival was held at the mall earlier this year in May with a reported 70,000 visitors and will be held on January 23rd, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and January 24th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Application for artists and craftsmen Phone: (727) 534-3445

hhgregg opens

The new hhgregg in New Tampa's Market Square opens today. Address: 6250 Commerce Palms Dr. Phone: (813) 402-3211:

Short sale delays threaten to cost many $8,000.

First time home buyers who are eligible for the tax credit up to $8,000 and are under contract on short sale homes are feeling the pressure of the November 30 deadline. It is unfortunate that the sellers' lenders don't feel pressure to give a timely response on Short Sales! (Contracts on short sale homes must be approved by the seller's lender(s) and that can take as long as seven months!)
James Thorner, real estate expert of the St. Pete Times writes: "An estimated 1.4 million home buyers across the country, including 106,000 in Florida, have claimed the credit already. But with the deadline less than two months away--and little indication so far that Congress will extend the freebie--real estate agents and home builders are warning buyers away from shilly-shallying with the bank." (on short sales). Full Story from the St. Pete Times