After an incredibly disappointing season, the worst in franchise history, our new owner, Shad Kahn, made a long overdue decision yesterday when he fired the General Manager, Gene Smith. Having been a Jaguars & NFL fan for years, I have been amazed by poor NFL draft choices, and their lack of performance, as well as our players lack of efficiency ont the field (seems as though our game tape has been widely distributed for others to watch with popcorn), so this *seems* like a step in the right direction. Here's hoping the Jacksonville Jaguars & their fans get everything they hope for in 2013!   Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/sports/football/jaguars/2012-12-31/story/who-will-replace-gene-smith-list-potential-replacements#ixzz2GjhHtpbx   12/31/2012

Rowlett Real Estate School is a full service accredited Florida Real Estate School serving Jacksonville Florida with our On Line Real Estate License Course. Feel Free to check out our website for other online real estate courses for Sales Associates and Brokers in Jacksonville Florida and all other FL Real Estate License requirements. Captain Wayne Rowlett is looking for a Licensed Real Estate Instructor in Jacksonville Florida to teach our Jacksonville Florida Pre Sales Associate Classroom Course.  For more information call 850-547-1333 Florida Real Estate Principles, Practices and Law, Version 35.0 Online Course Florida Real Estate Principles, Practices & Law is the most comprehensive prelicensing course in the state of Florida. Published annually, this course reflects the most recent... 12/30/2012

America's State Parks Second Annual First Day Hikes is 1/1/13.  EVERYONE across the country can find a park, and take a hike. It's a great way to experience the parks close to your home, in your own state or another. Some include geo-chaching (which requires a GPS app on your smartphone or tablet), and some will highlight local flora & fauna. Great way to start the New Year! Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-12-28/story/take-hike-state-park-new-years-day#ixzz2GRrsmz72 12/28/2012

It seems as though all we hear/read about is negative news: plane crashes, job losses, unemployment.... I found this today in the online version of the local newspaper, the Florida Times Union. I thought this was a fabulous time to share some of the GOOD news we have, in place of the BAD news.  You can read the full story here, and I encourage us all to find positive news in our areas! Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/editorials/2012-12-28/story/its-not-all-bad-out-there-statistics-point-some-good-news#ixzz2GOis8t6n 12/28/2012

I have been an NFL fan for years. Decades, actually. I grew up in New Jersey, and was fortunate to attend NY Giants games as a kid.....and, even if they lost, I always felt as though they had given their all. When I moved out, I felt as though I had to have my own team, not the same team as my dad, and chose the Chicago Bears. The 1984-1985 Bears, with Ditka as coach, The SuperBowl Shuffle Bears. Nice timing on my part, eh? And, so in Jacksonville, I have been a Jaguars fan.  It's been the toughest sporting relationship I've ever had.  Tailgating with our group started 3 hours minimum before kick off, and then we would post-tailgate to wait for traffic; total time each Sunday could end up at 12 hours, start to finish.  And, if the Jaguars lost, you had just invested 12 hours in...being ... 12/26/2012

6 STEP GUIDE TO HOME BUYING IN 2013 Never before in the history of real estate has the buying process been more complex than it is today. There are many reasons but the two biggest are because of the large number of legal steps and documents required and the shift in the world of financing since the market crash. Our goal, however, is to make the process as easy to understand and follow as possible and to take care of as many details for you as we can along the way. We do so by providing a FREE (no charge / no obligation / no spam) online program that walks buyers through the 6 vitally important steps of the home buying process in an easy to navigate format. To take advantage of this great program, simply click on DOORSTEPS and complete the short form requesting an invitation to join. M... 12/26/2012

Here is a handy calendar, published in the Florida Times Union and available online as well. Farmer's markets, to first day hikes, to scavenger hunts, you can find something fun and different to do on this list! I myself want to try some geo-caching, but I don't see it listed here.... http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/home-and-garden/2012-12-26/story/home-and-garden-calendar   12/26/2012

The Icarus Session | Jacksonville FL | January 2, 2013 We are organizing the first Icarus Session meetup in Jacksonville FL on January 2, at 7 PM at CoWork Jax. CoWork Jax is located at 5 W Forsyth St., Jacksonville FL  - Phone: 904-586-8678.Icarus Sessions will be held all over the world that day and are the brainchild of marketing guru Seth Godin.  This is not a sales pitch. It is about you and what you have created - it is about your art. Read the rules in Seth's own words:"The Icarus Sessions are a challenging new way to bring your art forward. Not to make a sales pitch, not to get customers or patrons, but to find the courage to stand up and say, "here, I made this." You can attend a session without presenting, of course. A presentation at an Icarus Session is 140 seconds long. You... 12/23/2012

While the news continues that Tim Tebow is not being properly utilized, in fact, at ALL utilized by the NY Jets, we here in Jacksonville, FL have a happy thought that Tim could be coming here to the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Whether you are a football fan, pro or collegiate, or a Tebow fan, I can say it would be very welcome boost to our team, and NFL pride. From the Florida Times Union:  ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported late Saturday that NFL sources have said New York Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow is a ‘virtual certainty” to be on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ roster in 2013. Mortensen, who did not name his sources, said someone from the Jaguars told him the chances are good that Tebow would be in the mix during what will likely be an open competition for the quarterbacking job in the 201... 12/23/2012

If you haven't been to the Jacksonville Zoo recently, the holidays are a fabulous time to go!  The first annual ZOOLights is this year, starting 12/15/12.  The Zoo has been transformed with thousands of LED lights, making it both a virtual (and today through this weekend with our very cold temps) and real winter wonderland! You can walk among the lights, or ride the lighted train.  For more information on hours, please visit the zoo website at http://www.jacksonvillezoo.org/       12/21/2012

Think there is NOTHING to do in the greater Jacksonville area during the holidays? You are in for a treat: there is something for everyone, all ages, all parts of town. From caroling to gingerbread houses, to luminaria, to Christmas lights at the Jacksonville Zoo, you are sure to find something in this list you were unaware of. Have a wonderful holiday! Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/arts/2012-12-20/story/holiday-happenings#ixzz2FdGoShRB 12/20/2012

As many of you know, the Jacksonville Jaguars are well-known for their charitable giving, which may well be similar to every other NFL team. However, since I'm here in Jacksonville Beach, I know & read about the Jaguars more than the other NFL teams.  Many of the team members took homeless children from the Sulzbacher Center shopping for Christmas toys recently, which I think is wonderful. The Sulzbacher Center is a starting over point for many of our area's homeless, and what cooler thing to do than shop with a pro football player!   Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/sports/football/jaguars/2012-12-18/story/jaguars-shop-toys-sulzbacher-center-kids#ixzz2FT1aimEJ     12/18/2012

This must be catching on all over the country, because we have read about it in other cities. Let's help the Jacksonville Zoo celebrate its First Annual Zoo Lights!WHEN: December 14-31TIME: 6:30-9:30 PM Sunday-Thursday          6:30-10:00 PM Friday & Saturdayclosed Christmas DayCOST: $9 Non Members/ $7 MembersSome of the fun activities include - snow nightly on the Zoo's Great Lawn at 8 PM. Visits from Santa on evenings before Christmas. Fire pits for roasting marshmallows, one-way train rides to see the Christmas lights; and some animals on display.There is much more, so check out Jacksonville Zoo Lights on their web site. Graphic courtesy of Jacksonville Zoo. 12/14/2012

Just in case you have not had the chance to donate an unwrapped gift to Toys For Tots, or a new teddy bear to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, here are several opportunites for you to donate to kids in need.  Children's Christmas Party of Jacksonville The party for children 12 and younger will be from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday,or when toys run out, at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, 1000 Water St. Admission and parking are free. Donated gifts will be accepted at the Convention Center through Friday. To make monetary donations, go to ccpoj.org or mail to P.O. Box 5338, Jacksonville, FL 32247. For more information call (904) 504-3589, email christmaspartyofjax@comcast.net or go to ccpoj.org. J.P. Hall Sr. Children's Charities Christmas Party The party for children 14 and younger... 12/14/2012

One of the benefits of my association, Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, is this concise, monthly update.  I know we are all seeing more positive signs than we have in a long time, and I'm looking forward to a terrific 2013! Just five months of supply now on hand, closed sales up 14.5 percent for month and 5.2 percent year to date.   JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors announces real estate market statistics for November 2012. Statistics encompass both single-family residential and condo sales, combined.  The momentum for Northeast Florida’s real estate market continues on a upward track. During November, pending sales were up 47.5 percent over last November and showed a 16.5 percent increase year to date There were 1,428 homes sold during Novembe... 12/14/2012

The Sellin' With CC Team, Bartram Springs Home Values 904-401-8481         Do you think it's time to sell your Bartram Springs home? Do you need to know what it is worth? CC Underwood and The Sellin' With CC Team are your local experts. You see our FOR SALE signs, our JUST SOLD post cards, and we are proud to host your official Facebook Page www.facebook.com/BartramSpringsInfo as a way of giving back.    Fill out the form above to get an analysis of what your Bartram Springs home is worth. We are experts in your neighborhood and our current listings always bring us overflow buyers that are looking at Homes for sale in Bartram Springs.     Our Homes sell fast and for more money because we spend money to market your Bartram Springs Home. I don't want my FOR SALE sign sitting in your yard,... 12/13/2012

This is the time of year when it's so much fun to drive around and look at holiday light decorations!  I have friends who used to hire a limo so we could enjoy some beverages while on the tour. These were reader submitted, I do recall some of the best displays are in the older areas of town, where the homes sit on LARGE lots, and the families honor the annual tradition of putting up lights.  Enjoy!   http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/2012-12-12/story/where-see-jacksonville-areas-best-christmas-lights-and-decorations 12/12/2012

  Chick-fil-A's local store at Roosevelt Square is offering a deal this Friday, 12/14/12, for the second time in 9 weeks. From 6am-10pm, save your receipt from your purchase.  Then, bring back the receipt between 12/15 & 1/12, and you get the same meal for free! Sounds like some customers will be getting a free meal! Or course, this does not apply to certain things: catering orders, trays or deliveries. And, it's only at this location.      12/12/2012

Homes in Jacksonville - December 2012 from http://www.homesofjacksonvillefl.com There are currently 2864 active homes for sale in Jacksonville. The average listing price for Real Estate in Jacksonville during the month of December is $387,110. The median list price in December for single family residential and condo/town home properties in Jacksonville is $229,900. The typical home for sale during the month of December in Jacksonville is a 3.49 bedroom, 2.48 bath home built in 1994. To break down pricing further we can look at price by bedrooms in Jacksonville. During the month of December a 3 bedroom homes average for sale price is $244,695 while a 4 bedroom homes average for sale price is $449,705. The 5 bedroom homes are listing for an average of $769,724. All market data and statist... 12/11/2012

Homes in Jacksonville - December 2012 from http://www.homesforsale-jacksonville.com There are currently 1202 active homes for sale in Jacksonville. The average listing price for Homes in Jacksonville during the month of December is $550,282. The median list price in December for single family residential and condo/town home properties in Jacksonville is $325,000. The typical home for sale during the month of December in Jacksonville is a 3.47 bedroom, 2.63 bath home built in 1993. To break down pricing further we can look at price by bedrooms in Jacksonville. During the month of December a 3 bedroom homes average for sale price is $351,730 while a 4 bedroom homes average for sale price is $641,929. The 5 bedroom homes are listing for an average of $1,151,719. All market data and statist... 12/11/2012