Northeast Florida Real Estate - St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Jacksonville
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July 2009
Jul. 26, 2009 - Car Registration Fees & other fees going way up September 1
The Florida State Legislature this year approved across-the-board rate increases for fees charged by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The new prices take effect September 1, 2009. It was a state decision and the local counties will see no additional revenue. Because the new rates do not take effect until September 1st, anyone who renews their vehicle registration and driver's license before then can pay the lower rates.
You can renew your vehicle registration up to three months in advance. If your registration expires on or before November 30, 2009 you should renew it before the new fees take effect on September 1st. You can save even more money by renewing your registration for two years rather than just one.
Driver's licenses can be renewed up to 18 months in advance. Changes of address can be updated at the lower rate by accessing http://www.flhsmv.gov/dhsmv/express.html before September 1.
Below are some of the hikes:
- License plate renewals: From $28.10 to $46.65.
- Registration fee for new vehicles: From $100 to $225.
- Drivers license: From $32.25 to $54.25.
- Replacement of lost license: From $15.25 to $31.25.
This applies to boat registrations, too. So, enjoy your summer, but you might want to take care of some registrations before the summer's end.
Jul. 26, 2009 - Don't Call Me Honey Unless you Mean It
On July 13th, the state of Florida got serious about our honey. As the 4th leading honey-producing state, Florida beekeepers were seeing what I would call unfair competition from overseas. Honey was being sent to Florida (and other places) with additives and calling the product pure honey. This was not fair to people selling pure honey.
Five major honey producers and processors approached the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006 asking for a U.S. standard of identity for honey. The FDA did not take up the cause "due to other more pressing matters".
So, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services stepped in. Under the new regulation, honey containing anything other than the "natural food product resulting from the harvest of nectar by honeybees" is considered an adulterated or mislabeled product.
Florida is the first in our nation and possibly the world to have such a regulation on honey. Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson says 28 others states are now considering it and hopefully the USDA and the FDA will get involved, too. The regulation went into effect on July 14, 2009.
The USDA allows for up to 18.6% of added water to honey for it still be classified as grade A. Honey is one of nature’s perfect foods as it does not spoil and you can store it almost indefinitely without additives or preservatives.
If you like honey, rest assured you will get pure honey in Florida.
Enjoy St. Augustine and St. Johns County with your dog. (Will cats be next?)
On Monday, July 6, 2009 the St. Augustine Beach City Commission passed Ordinance 09-08, which amends the city's land development regulations to allow four-legged canine companions in outside serving areas of Beach restaurants.
St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau (VCB) announced that a new website devoted to both resident and visitor dog lovers is about to be launched. Among its many features will be a listing of dog-friendly attractions, restaurants and hotels in the St. Augustine area. Here is a list of some of the places that are already dog-friendly. I look forward to updating this list based on input from the VCB.
Barbara Jenness is a Licensed Real Estate Broker and friend of nature serving northeast Florida from Jacksonville to Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine, specializing in waterfront properties (ocean, river, and Intracoastal) and foreclosures. She is an active community volunteer and has been involved with redeveloping Vilano Beach since 1998. She is the current President of Friends of A1A and the Vice-President of North Shores Improvement Association, the governing board of Vilano Beach Main Street.
I have been trying to access Facebook.com all morning and have been unsuccessful. Well, I found this great website that tells you if a site is down or if it is a personal problem (i.e., just me!).
Which isn't that wonderful as now I have to determine why. But it is good to know this site exists. It will save me a lot of wasted time as I hope it does you.
Happy 4th of July everyone!
Barbara Jenness is a Licensed Real Estate Broker serving northeast Florida from Jacksonville to Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine, specializing in waterfront properties (ocean, river, and Intracoastal) and foreclosures. She is an active community volunteer and has been involved with redeveloping Vilano Beach since 1998. She is the current President of Friends of A1A and the Vice-President of North Shores Improvement Association, the governing board of Vilano Beach Main Street.
Jul. 1, 2009 - Vilano Beach 4th of July Celebration
Yes, this is the biggest weekend activity in Porpoise Point and Vilano Beach. It seems the entire northeast Florida area comes to Porpoise Point to enjoy the 4th of July weekend on the beach and then watch the fireworks over our nation's oldest city. The entire neighborhood is one big party. It is one of my favorite weekends and makes me happy to live in Porpoise Point so I don't have to fight the traffic to get home!
This year our local community association, North Shores Improvement Association along with Vilano Beach Main Street , is make the experience even better if you can imagine that!
With funds raised from the Sunday Market, we are able to have The Falling Bones provide a pre-fireworks entertainment experience (aka concert). Band members Rick Levy, John “Long John” Higginbotham, Rob Piazza and Angello Olivieri will provide an intimate performance of classic cover tunes from the 1960’s on.
The Falling Bones will perform from 7pm until the simulcast of the St. Augustine July 4th Fireworks on local AM1240 WFOY. Simulcast of the fireworks soundtrack will also be presented at the Vilano Beach Pier Park. The venue is open to the public and free of charge. Viewing locations and parking are on a first come first serve basis so come early, enjoy the beach, a stroll along Vilano Beach Main Street and enjoy the show!
And don't forget to come back on July 5th for our Sunday Market from noon - 4 p.m.
Let's talk waterfront-ocean, river, Intracoastal in Northeast Florida, A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal National Scenic Byway, beach renourishment and Vilano Beach Town Center news.
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On July 13th, the state of Florida got serious about our honey. As the 4th leading honey-producing state, Florida beekeepers were seeing what I would call unfair competition from overseas. Honey was being sent to Florida (and other places) with additives and calling the product pure honey. This was not fair to people selling pure honey.
Enjoy St. Augustine and St. Johns County with your dog. (Will cats be next?)