Picking Blackberries

Where to go:

U-pick blueberry farms:

Blackberry Hill Farm, 2995 Thunder Road, Middleburg, 904-264-2039 or 904-282-9250.

Dowless Blueberry Farm, 7010 Ricker Road, Jacksonville, 904-772-1369.

Mary's Berries, 44090 Koreys Lane, Callahan, 904-879-1569.

Williams Blueberries, 2595 Stratton Road, Jacksonville, 904-781-4676.

Sellers Blueberry Farm, 10229 Old Plank Road, Jacksonville, 904-781-7739.

New minimum wage

Jacksonville, Florida

Increases on 7/24/08. Taken from the Associated Press by The Florida-Times Union.

Increase is from $5.85 to $6.55, which the 2nd of 3 annual increases required by 2007 law. Next year, it will increase again to $7.25/hour.

Florida's minimum wage: $6.79

Hiring a Contractor

Jacksonville, Florida

Taken from "Missing: Everything but the kitchen sink," The Florida-Times Union, by Matt Coleman, 7/25/2008.

Source: Consumer Reports - this is source Mr. Coleman cites in the article

1. Get 3 bids to gauge the going rate for work

2. Get an estimate ( I will add to that...make sure it is in writing)

3. Choose pros you know

4. Get references from recent and older jobs

5. Look for proper licensing and insurance (and I will add, ask for copies)

6. Check the Better Business Bureau for filed complaints

7. Do the hiring yourself

8. Obtain a contract (from the one you hire)

9. Stick with the plans

10. Pay by check

11. Make final payments only whe the work is completed to your satisfaction.

Mayport Ferry

Jacksonville, Florida

Normal hours of operation:

M-F 6 am - 7 p.m.

Sat 6 am - 8:30 p.m.

Sun ?

Deadline to register to vote

Jacksonville, Florida

Monday, July 28, 2008, 6 p.m is the deadline to register to vote in the Aug. 26 primary election in Duval County and surrounding counties for local public seats.

Call:

Duval County: 904-630-1414

St. Johns County: 904-823-2238

Nassau County: 904-491-7500

Baker County: 904-259-6339

Putnam County: 904-329-0224

Home prices, sales in Jacksoville

Jacksonville, Florida

Taken from
"Home prices, sales continue upward trek," The Florida-Times Union,  by Liz Flaisig, 7/25/2008.

According to the Florida Association of Realtors:

Housing sales in Jacksonville have shown modest gains from month to month since February 2008.

Single-family Home sales in Jacksonville were up 2.1 percent to 1,013 from May to June. Though sales declined 20% compared to sales the same month one year ago.

The median price in June 2008: $197,000

The median price in May 2008: $193,200

The median price in June 2007: $212,200

Condo sales in Jacksonville went up to 20.5% from May to June to a total of 135 units. Though sales declined 9% from the same month one year ago when 149 units were sold.

The mendian price in June 2008: $$182,000

The median price in May 2008: $154,700

The median price in June 2007: $173,000