Check out what's happening in the NewQuestCity Forums for Florida .

Chapman qualifies for World Champhionships
01/12/2012

Denny Chapman recently qualified for the inaugural AQHA Cowboy Mounted Shooting World Championship which will be held March 1-3 during the Houston Stock show and Rodeo.

lia sophia names top sales advisor in Silver Springs
01/12/2012

lia sophia recently announced top honors for its Excellent Beginnings Program Achievers for their outstanding sales accomplishments and professionalism.  Having just joined the fashion jewelry business, Clara Sanders has earned this prestigious accomplishment in the first 15 weeks by attaining certain sales levels and by sharing lia sophia with other new Advisors. For more information, visit www.liasophia.com/clarsanders.  

Battalion Chief recognized for 9/11 ceremony
01/12/2012

Marion County Veterans Council’s Jeffrey Askew presented Ocala Fire Rescue Battalion Chief  Brian Stoothoff  a recognition award for his efforts in planning and organizing a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the tragic event. After making the journey to Ground Zero to witness the 9/11 destruction and recovery effort, Chief Stoothoff  realized the importance for citizens and uniformed members of our community to remember the sacrifice and events of that day. A Remembrance Ceremony committee was formed and,… Read More »

SECO honored for tree care practices
01/12/2012

When the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of Foresters honor a utility for the way in which it fosters good tree management practices, it’s a pretty big deal.  Sumter Electric Cooperative (SECO) has just been recognized by these two prestigious groups for the fifth year in a row for meeting their three very strict requirements. To receive the coveted ‘ Tree Line USA’ designation SECO had to have a program of quality tree care, annual worker training in… Read More »

Childhood Development Services names new Director
01/12/2012

Childhood Development Services (CDS) announces Luzonia Waters as the new Director for the Head Start Programs in Marion, Citrus, Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist and Levy Counties. Ms. Waters previously the Assistant Director of the Head Start programs worked with the preceding Head Start Programs Director Thelma Griffith.  Ms. Griffith retired this month after serving employees, children and families of Head Start programs for 20 years. Ms. Waters earned an MBA from Webster University School of Business and Technology and she is… Read More »

Local Modern Woodmen completes program
01/12/2012

Modern Woodmen of America representative, Susan C. Lynn of Ocklawaha, has recently completed a five-day educational program at Modern Woodmen’s home office in Rock Island, Ill. The program focused on comprehensive financial services for families and small businesses.  

Hair cutting raised money for charities
01/12/2012

OCALA – The Nowhere Bar recently held a hair cutting marathon for charity.  The following donations were made: $1,800 and four boxes of toys to Toys for Tots, $400 to the local Shriners and 21 boxes of food donated to Trinity Catholic High School.  

Tampa Bay: Back to School, Back to Normal, Giving Back
01/12/2012

Summer is slowly coming near an end in Tampa Bay. Although the weather here is not as telling as other climates that fall is on its way, there is still a change in the air come September. It means back to school for the kids; it means returning home for the tourists; it means back to a normal schedule for us Tampa Bay residents.

There is something about this time of the year that motivates us all to get out of relaxed-summer mode and into self-motivated mode. Nothing is more satisfying and self-motivating than giving back to your community, and Tampa Bay has no shortage of ways on how to do that. The following are a few upcoming volunteer opportunities available to Tampa Bay.

Be a Puppy Raiser with Southeastern Guide Dogs
Selectively bred puppies come to you at 9 weeks of age. They will live in your house while you teach them obedience and begin training them to be seeing eye dogs. Contact Ellen Cox for more information or visit the Southwestern Guide Dogs Website.

Grocery Shopping for A Good Cause with Tampa Bay Harvest
Ever wonder about that perfectly edible food that gets thrown away at the end of the day in restaurants or the outdated food at grocery stores? Tampa Bay Harvest is the organization that transports it from the people that don't need it, to the people that do. As a volunteer, you help collect and deliver the food the pre-approved charities in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties.

Join an All-Encompassing Volunteer Group with Handson Tampa Bay
Brought to you by the United Way of Tampa Bay, HandsOn is Tampa Bay's premier volunteering and community service platform. Its structure is ideal, uniting volunteers together in a fun and flexible environment, allowing you to choose from various volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

There is no better way to get to know your community than by volunteering. It makes a relatively large place like Tampa Bay seem much smaller when you are working within your community. If you are looking to move to Tampa Bay, Team Chais is a great resource for Tampa Bay Real Estate or simply advice about this great city.

Team Chais
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. This particular event is definitely one of those….

The Museum of Science and Industry Presents - CSI: The Experience

For every die hard CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Fan out there who has ever wanted to play detective, this is your chance. The exhibit allows visitors to play the role of the crime scene investigator, learn the scientific principles and investigative techniques, and actually solve one of three crime scene mysteries.

DNA, latent prints, forensic anthropology, toxicology - this is the stuff that Forensic dreams are made of. This hands-on exhibit comes complete with special effects direct from the TV series.

The exhibit will be available from June 19th to September 6th, from 9 am - 6 pm. The Museum of Science and Industry (The MOSI), located at 4801 E. Fowler Ave in Tampa, boasts more than 400 exhibits, the nation's largest science center, an IMAX theatre, a planetarium, a 3-D theater and a butterfly garden. Once again, the MOSI is typical Tampa Bay. It has everything that you could possibly want, in one place, that you couldn't get anywhere else.

If you love the sounds of having fantastic places like the MOSI right in your backyard, maybe its time you look into Tampa Bay Real Estate. We would be happy to point you in the right direction. After all, we know and love Tampa Bay and are happy to help anybody else find a home here too.

Team Chais
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The participating restaurants will offer a $25, $30, or $35 prix fixe 3 course menu featuring an appetizer, entree and dessert per person. Tampa Bay's restaurants run the gamut - from local charming bistros to Asian fusion hot spots, tapas to sushi, gourmet to the local beachside gem, from Spanish, French, and Italian, to every ethnic cuisine in between.

Here is the full list of participating Tampa Bay restaurants:

• 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House
• Avanzare
• Bella's Italian Cafe
• Blue Water Grill
• Boizao Steakhouse
• Brio Tuscan Grille
• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
• Café Dufrain
• Capital Grille, The
• CineBistro @ Hyde Park Village
• Columbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History Center Channelside
• Columbia Restaurant - Clearwater Beach
• Columbia Restaurant - St. Petersburg
• Columbia Restaurant - Ybor City
• Dempsey's Steak House
• Donatello, Inc.
• Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
• Gallagher's Steak House
• Grape at International Plaza, The
• GrillSmith- Tampa
• GrillSmith- Lakeland
• GrillSmith- Clearwater
• GrillSmith- Brandon
• Hangar Restaurant & Flight Lounge, The
• Hula Bay Club
• Jackson's Bistro, Bar & Sushi
• Kona Grill
• Marchand's Bar and Grill - Located at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort
• Melting Pot of Oldsmar, The
• Melting Pot of St. Petersburg, The
• Melting Pot of Tampa, The
• Mise en Place
• Mitchell's Fish Market
• NoHo Bistro and Catering, The
• Ocean Prime
• Oystercatchers
• Palm Restaurant: Tampa
• Parkshore Grill
• Pelagia Trattoria
• Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant
• Ruth's Chris Steak House
• Seasons 52
• Shor American Seafood Grill at Hyatt Clearwater Beach Resort
• Shula's Steak House
• SideBern's
• Spain Restaurant/Toma Bar
• StarLite Majesty Dining Yacht
• Tinatapas
• Urban Culinary Cuisine Cafe
• Yacht StarShip

As you can see, living in Tampa Bay puts you at the center of every possible amenity that you need. Its restaurants are a perfect example of this. Choose an area of the country, choose a type of venue ranging from luxury to local hole-in-the-wall, and choose from a large chain to a local gem. This is the beauty of Tampa Bay. If you are thinking about Tampa Bay Real Estate, please don't hesitate to contact Team Chais. We would love to show you around.

Team Chais
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Tampa FL Homes for Sale
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Fortunately, living in Tampa Bay Florida means having access to a lot of performance venues and events to get you laughing. In this case, Tampa Bay's comedy clubs is what we'd like to focus on.

The Tampa Improv Comedy Theater
1600 E 8th Avenue, Suite C112
Tampa, Florida 33605
A great trip for a few friends, big groups, or even date night. Get your laughter on with "Florida's Funniest Females" on October 20th, D.L Hughley on November 5-7th, or Glenn Miller's Comedy Hypnosis Show on November 24th.

Cocunuts Comedy Club in Tampa Bay
tampabaycomedy.com
These are Florida's longest running comedy clubs in Tampa Bay Florida. With three locations around Tampa Bay, they are able to feature nationally touring comic headliners that you will most likely recognize from TV.

Side Splitters Comedy Clubs
12938 North Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, FL 33618
This Tampa venue hosts shows Wednesday through Thursday. They have a full menu, group events available, and you can even rent out the entire club for a big party.

If you are in need of any help selling your Tampa Bay Florida home, or if you have an interest in learning more about Tampa Bay short sales, Team Chais would love to help. We are experienced in many fields of Tampa Bay real estate and we strive to make your experience on the Tampa Bay Real Estate market as pleasant as possible. Ideally we'll end our journey with a new home or a home sold, and a lot of laughs along the way.

Team Chais
Tampa FL Real Estate Agent
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Tampa Bay Real Estate not only offers fantastic restaurants, it also has a great variety of Food Stores that carry organic foods and gluten-free foods.

Team Chais knows the importance of having gluten-free food within reach of your Tampa Bay home. As someone diagnosed with Celiac Disease, Stacey Chais has personal experience with the matter. So in honor of Celiac Disease awareness month, Team Chais would like to present Tampa Bay residents with a list of the wide variety of organic and gluten-free stores in Tampa Bay Florida.

Chuck's Natural Food Marketplace
?11301 North 56th Street, Tampa, Florida? ?(813) 980-2005?
chucksnaturalmarketplace.com

Whole Foods Market - Tampa
?1548 North Dale Mabry Highway.?
?Tampa, FL 33607?
?(813) 874-9435?
?wholefoodsmarket.com??

Publix GreenWise Market
?2403 W Azeele St, ?
?Tampa, FL 33609-3317?
?(813) 250-0129 ??
publix.com

Nutrition S'Mart
?14847 N Dale Mabry Hwy?
?Tampa, FL 33618?
?(813) 908-9500?
nutritionsmart.com

Rollin' Oats Market and Cafe
?1021 N MacDill Avenue?
?Tampa, FL 33607?
?(813) 873-7428?
?rollinoats.com??

Village Health Market
?3225 South MacDill Avenue?
?Tampa, FL 33629?
?(813) 831-6065?
?villagehealthmarket.com??



Tampa Bay is even receptive to your pets' food sensitivities! Here are a few popular natural pet food stores in Tampa Bay, Florida area.



Wag Natural Pet Boutique
?304 E Davis Blvd?
?Tampa, FL 33606?
?(813) 258-9181?
wagoftampa.com

Groovy Cats and Dogs Inc
?10213-B Lake Carroll Way?
?Tampa, FL 33618?
?(813) 265-1333?
groovycatsndogs.com

Q-Prise Pet Products
?4603 W Price Av?
?Tampa, FL 33611?
?(813) 837-6139?

We are a source of knowledge when it comes to Tampa Bay Real Estate. Whether you are looking for advice on the best restaurants to go to, the best schools to send your kids to, or the best way to search for Tampa Bay Homes, please don't hesitate to give us a call. We're here to help!

Team Chais
Tampa FL Real Estate Agent
Tampa FL Homes for Sale
Search Tampa Bay FL Homes

"
Daniel J. Boorstin

Team Chais is a team of licensed Real Estate Agents, Top Notch Negotiators and Certified Distressed Property Specialists that have a lot of experience with short sales. Well recognized for our work with lenders and attorneys in this highly specialized process, Team Chais has earned this recognition because of our personal approach.

We constantly come into contact with clients who hear short sale and do one of two things.
A) Run for the hills because they won't even consider it an option.
B) Assume that they don't qualify and that foreclosure is their only option.

As Boorstin says, the best way to get people to open their minds, is through education.

In this posting, we would like to educate you on the short sale process in a simplistic manner. These are meant to make you think about the possibility of a short sale, without overwhelming you, or making your eyes glaze over. There is a lot more to know about short sales, and as you will notice, it is imperative that you have a licensed and experienced Realtor to help you along the way. So without further adieu...

Short Sale 101

1) Banks grant short sales to sellers who have a hardship (i.e. unemployment, divorce, bankruptcy, etc.) and owe more on the mortgage than the home is worth

2) To qualify for a short sale, the seller will need to submit the following:
- A letter of authorization
- HUD-1 or preliminary net sheet
- A Hardship Letter
- 2 years of tax returns
- 2 years of W-2s
- Recent Payroll stubs
- 2 months of bank statements
- Comparative market analysis

3) A buyer will write a short sale offer (at which point the buyer should ask his or her Tampa Bay real estate agent for a list of comparable sales)

4) The seller accepts the offer

5) The Tampa Bay Real Estate Agent sends the following to the bank
- Buyer's preapproval letter
- Copy of earnest money check
- Seller's short sale package

6) The Buyer waits to get a response from the bank. The Tampa Bay Real Estate Agent plays a large role here in keeping in regular contact with the bank.

Team Chais treats each short sale situation with compassion. We realize how important it is to provide counseling in more ways than one to help our clients through the short sale process. Being Tampa Bay distressed property specialists means wearing a lot of hats - part teacher, part counselor, part Realtor. Team Chais wears them all well. If you live in Tampa Bay and would like the full short sale lesson, we would be happy to help. Our site is a great resource - featuring articles on a Seller's guide to short sales, a Buyer's guide to short sales, as well as our exclusive short sale package.

Team Chais
Tampa FL Real Estate Agent
Tampa FL Homes for Sale
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01/12/2012

The beautiful thing about living in Tampa Bay Real Estate is that it is not quite a concrete jungle. Beyond the city streets and high rises, we are lucky enough to have the sunny, sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast. From St. Pete's Beach to Johns Pass and northward to Indian Rocks Beach - Tampa Bay boasts a pretty extensive sun and fun landscape.

Our beaches are unlike any other. They are more than just sand and ocean. A typical beach can feature everything from a campground to something as extravagant as an archaeological site. With too many to cover in one sitting, Team Chais would like to present you with…

The Featured Beach of the Week: St. Pete's Beach

Report by the American Medical Convention in 1885:
"Where should a healthy city be built? Overlooking the deep Gulf of Mexico, with the broad waters of a beautiful bay nearly surrounding it, but with little upon its soil but primal forest, there is a large sub peninsular, Point Pinellas, waiting the hand of improvement. It lies in latitude 27 degrees and 42 minutes, and contains, with its adjoining keys about 160,000 acres of land. No marsh surrounds its shores or rests upon its surface; the sweep of its beach is broad and graceful, stretching many miles, and may be improved to an imposing extent. Its average winter temperature is 72 degrees. Those who have carefully surveyed the entire state think it offers the best climate in Florida."

Nicknamed the Sunshine City, St. Petersburg is more than just a beach, it's an entire city. Just as this report says, this beach stretches many miles and may be improved to an imposing extent. St. Petersburg is vast and, year after year, continues to make improvements to its beaches and its community. Within the boundaries of this Sunshine City, there are five beaches.

Fort De Soto Beach
The first beach is one of the best around - not just in Florida, but in the entire United States according to numerous rankings and awards. The beach boasts a year-round county campground, miles of nature trails, paved fitness trails, canoe trails, and 800 foot boat launch with floating docks, fishing piers, picnic pavilions, a concession stand and shower facilities.

St. Petersburg Municipal Beach
11260 Gulf Blvd. Treasure Island
On the border of Gulf of Mexico sits the 500 feet of St. Peteresburg's sandy white shores. This beach features full shower and changing facilities, snack bar, beach volleyball courts and a beach wheelchair for the handicapped. Its biggest accomplishment is its cleanliness, recently proven by winning a Blue Wave Beach Award from the Clean Beaches Council.

Maximo Beach and Park
34th Street and Pinellas Point Drive
This beach has recently become the place to be with its newest venture - the "Tocobaga Disc Golf Course." A championship 18 hole course for Frisbee that winds through 47 wooded acres. It also touts three boat ramps, a nature boardwalk, two beach-side playgrounds, bike and nature trails, a 70 acre archaeological site, and a 10 foot observation tower which offers the perfect panoramic view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, the Gulf of Mexico and Boca Ciega Bay.

Downtown St. Petersburg's Spa and North Shore Beaches
2nd Avenue NE and Tampa Bay
A common place for tourists, this area offers two public beaches where visitors can rent paddleboats, jet skis and other watercrafts, as well as enjoy a playground, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, a palm arboretum, and plenty of parking. It is also the setting of big events such as the St. Anthony's Triathalon.

Egmont Key
If you're looking for the perfect place to take a long midnight stroll, this is it. This island features an 87 foot lighthouse, 440-acre wildlife refuge, and miles of beach offering the perfect view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

So as you can see, life in Tampa Bay really is a beach! It is part of our culture to spend a Saturday lounging the sand, running the length of the beach, or taking advantage of the amenities of the beach for a day of amusement with the kids. If you are thinking about Tampa Bay Real Estate, please don't hesitate to contact Team Chais. Living on the beach is not as far-fetched as you think.

Team Chais
Tampa FL Real Estate Agent
Tampa FL Homes for Sale
Search ALL Tampa FL Properties

Unfortunately, with all of the good, also comes some bad. There are always precautions we should be aware of when it comes to Trick or Treating.

7 Tips to Tampa Bay Trick or Treating Safety

At Least One Adult: Children should always go trick or treating with a responsible adult. One large group of kids does not equal one responsible adult. Have at least one parent along for the ride, even if that means walking 10 feet behind them as to not embarrass them.

Stick to the Neighborhoods: Many Tampa Bay Neighborhoods have a town curfew. Make sure to stick to the curfew times and stick to the subdivisions and neighborhoods with lots of homes - not only does it make for the safest scenario, but it also allows the maximum amount of candy in a short amount of time!

Go Towards the Light: Tell your kids the importance of staying out of back allies and fields. For a reference, tell them to always stay towards the well-lit areas. As a courtesy to your neighbors, Tampa Bay Homeowners should turn on exterior lights to provide as much light as possible for the kids.

Look Before You Eat: Make sure your kids know not to open and eat any candy before bringing it home to be inspected first. Be wary of anything that is not factory-wrapped or no longer sealed. The easiest way to keep them from picking at their stash is to make sure they get a full meal in them before they go out.

Stranger Danger: They've heard it before and they'll have to hear it again. Instruct your child never to go into the home a of a stranger or into their car. No exceptions. Even if they roll their eyes at you as you tell them this for the 100th time, one more time is not going to hurt.

Stand Out: Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick, or wears some sort of reflective tape on their costume. When it's dark outside, it's very easy for a car to miss a small child dressed in a dark costume.

Check In: The beauty of having cell phones these days is that we can keep tabs on our kids a lot better. Make it a rule that they check in with you every hour, or that you check in with them.

For a few more tips from Tampa Bay Online, check out this news story on Trick or Treating safety.

We feel pretty fortunate to live in a Tampa Bay neighborhood where we feel comfortable with our neighbors and safe in our community. When it comes to our kids, however, we always have to err on the side of caution. If you have any questions about any of the Tampa Bay areas, or you need some advice on which Tampa Bay Homes provide the safest areas - and will give you the best candy - give us a call.

Here is wishing all of you a very safe, fun and memory-filled Tampa Bay Halloween!

Team Chais
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298 Westshore Blvd, West Shore Plaza, Tampa, FL, 33630

This event goes right in line with the cause. Macy’s and Wacoal host this free bra fitting event, in which Wacoal will make a $2 donation to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation, for every single fitting made. Wacoal will also provide an additional $2 donation for
each bra purchased at the event.


Breast Cancer Awareness at Hard Rock Tampa
When: Entire Month of October
Where: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa, 5223 N. Orient Road, Tampa, FL 33610
Hard Rock Tampa will raise funds and public awareness by donating 25% of the proceeds from its "Pink Sheets" guest room bookings, 75% of the profits from its Pinktober Hard Rock pins, and 15% of the sales from all Pinktober items.


Pink and Blue for Two
When: October 27
Where: Desert Grill, Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay, FL
The goal of this event is to raise awareness and funds for both breast and prostate cancer research. Hosted by Olivia Newton-John and Moffitt Cancer Center founder, H. Lee Moffitt, the event will include a performance by Newton-John herself, along with No.1 Billboard-charting Contemporary Jazz artist and Tampa native Eric Darius.

We are proud to live in a town that recognizes the importance of volunteer and charity work. While Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great way to promote a very important cause, it doesn't take a designated month for the community of Tampa Bay to volunteer. When you Live in Tampa Bay Real Estate, you get to be at the center of a lot of resources - medical centers, research facilities, large organizations, and huge event centers. If making a big impact on the world is important to you, then you need to be in a place that provides the means to make a difference. If you would like to look at some Tampa Bay Homes, we would love to be your guide. Give us a call. Anytime.

Team Chais
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Tampa Bay FL is filled with activities to get you in the spirit.


Lowry Park Zoo's "Zoo Boo"
Dates: October 1-2, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24 and 28-31
Hours: 7-11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays; 7-10 pm on Sundays through Thursdays
Tampa Bay's largest family Halloween event. The Lowry Zoo will transform into a fright zone of haunted houses, free rides, and creepy decorations and lights. Each activity is rated with a scare factor of 1 to 7 skulls so you will know if the "kids" can handle it ;)

21st Annual Hyde Park Village Art Fair
Date: October 30th & 31st, 2010
Times: Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
As one of the country's best art festivals, this event features only the highest quality art work with each artist hand picked from hundreds and hundreds of applicants. The 150 exhibitors who made the cut will display a wide range of artwork from life-size sculptures to photography to jewelry.

Pumpkin Patch, Hyde Park
Date: October 16-31st, 2010
Hours: Monday - Wednesday: 5 pm - 8 pm; Thursday & Friday: 12 pm - 8 pm; Saturday: 10 am - 8 pm; Sunday: 12 pm - 6 pm
This event is the perfect compliment to the Hyde Park Village Art Fair. Easily transport back and forth from the pumpkin patch to the Art Fair so that everybody is happy. After you embrace the art culture of Tampa Bay, this is where your journey begins on the search for the perfect pumpkin. Best part is, it is hosted by the Humane Society of Tampa Bay so you know the pumpkin proceeds are going to a good cause.


Busch Gardens Hallowscream, Tampa
Date: Every Thursday, Friday & Saturday from September 30, 2010 - October 31, 2010
Hours: 7:30pm - 1am on Thursdays; 7:30pm - 2am on Fridays & Saturdays; Halloween Night: 7:30pm - 1am
This annual Busch Gardens event is not for the faint of heart. Live music, scary attractions, and of course, stomach-dropping rides. Don't forget! Tampa Bay Florida residents get a discount on theme park tickets!


Dunedin Octobeer Fest
Date: Saturday, October 9th
Hours: 8:00 pm - 12:00 am
One of the largest German parties around! Sample over 60 different types of beer and food from the Tampa Bay Area Restaurants. While you're at it, stroll through the aquarium and view the animals and exhibits. Tickets get you free food, beer, live entertainment and dancing.

This time of year is always the best in Tampa Bay Florida. If you've just moved here from a cooler climate, it will be the first time you can enjoy the luxury of donning a Halloween costume without having to cover it up with layers of sweaters and jackets. You can enjoy outdoor activities galore and some of the creepiest haunted houses around. If you're still looking, on the other hand, and you're ready to get into the spirit, give us a call and we will help you find the perfect Tampa Bay home.

Team Chais
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Gulfport Art Walk
The quaint Florida village of Gulfport is the ideal place for a sidewalk event. For the First Friday and the Third Saturday of every month, the village holds an outdoor art show to showcase all of their Galleries and shops and local musicians, as well as their fine restaurants.
Time: 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Place: Beach Blvd in Gulfport, Florida
Gulfport Website

Sarasota Art Walk
Dancing, live music, drinks - it must be Palm Avenue! On the first Friday of every month, you can peruse through the fine art galleries, jewelers and restaurants of Palm Avenue.
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Place: Palm Avenue in Downtown Sarasota
Sarasota Website

Palm Harbor Block Party
From February to May, and August to November, on the first Friday of each month, the streets of Palm Harbor's historic district transform into one huge block party. This is worth the trip just to check out the historic downtown area if you have never seen it before. Its Old World atmosphere provides the perfect environment for live music, artists, crafts, and games.
Time: 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Place: Florida Avenue between Alt 19 & CR-1
Palm Harbor Website


Living in Tampa Bay Real Estate means, come Friday, it's time to shake off your work week, get outside, and loosen up. Start a tradition with a friend to go to one of the events above, or find one in your own Tampa Bay neighborhood. If you are only looking to move to the Tampa Bay area, this might be the perfect opportunity to get a better feel for the Tampa Bay community. Anything you need, give us a call!

Team Chais
Tampa FL Real Estate Agent
Tampa FL Homes for Sale
Search Sarasota Tampa FL Properties
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Team Chais would like to educate you a little...


Ybor City
Eclectic shops, art galleries, jazz, reggae, and salsa emanating from bars onto the streets, hand-rolled cigars being made on every corner - these are the sights and sounds that define Ybor City. The city was founded by Vicente Martinez-Ybor as a cigar-manufacturing center and is now one of only two National Historic Landmark Districts in all of Florida. With its red brick buildings, wrought iron balconies, and narrow brick streets, a visit to Ybor is like taking a step back in time to Tampa's Latin quarters.


Hyde Park
If Ybor City is the "Trendy LA Neighborhood" of Tampa, then Hyde Park is definitely the "New York Borrough." It is even located on South Howard Avenue, earning it the name "The SoHo District. It is filled with more than 50 shops, restaurants, and movie theaters - martini bars, wine bars, outdoor bars, upscale dining, live music venues, upscale shops, and more. As Tampa's first western suburb, Hyde Park homes range from Bungalow homes, to condominiums, to mansions. The village itself resembles a European promenade with its tree-lined streets, vintage street lamps, designer stores, and lush foliage.

The lesson here is, just because you think you know a place, doesn't mean you do. Tampa Bay is so much more than just a tourist destination. It is an up-and-coming city that brings in the amenities and unique features normally associated with the major cities throughout the United States. It can get overwhelming trying to understand all of the Tampa Bay Neighborhoods if you are not from here. As soon as you are ready for a Tampa Bay Real Estate agent, give Team Chais a call. We would love to educate you a little more on all the little hidden secrets of Tampa Bay.

In fact, why not get started right now by going to The Team Chais Listingbook website or clicking below to search for homes in Ybor City or maybe a bungalow in Hyde Park?

Team Chais
Tampa FL Real Estate Agent
Tampa FL Homes for Sale
Search Ybor City Tampa FL Properties
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Tampa Bay home. So when it's your turn to be the guest, keep in mind these tips to make it as easy on the host as possible to pull off the perfect holiday celebration...

7 Tips to Holiday Party Etiquette

1) Surprise Gift
It's always a nice surprise to bring the host something little to show them your appreciation for throwing a fantastic shin dig.

1) The Dreaded Double Dip
No matter how sneaky you are about it, double dipping is not acceptable. Not only does it turn people off, but it is also unhealthy. The correct move is to spoon some sauce onto your own plate, allowing you to dunk all you want.

2) Removing Shoes
If the host asks you to remove your shoes, you should oblige. If it makes you uncomfortable to traipse around barefoot, bring an extra pair of your own shoes. A good hostess, however, should be flexible, or at least provide you with slippers.

3) To Sip or to Stir?
That little plastic straw served with your cocktail was originally intended as a stirrer - not a straw. If you're in a bar, you can probably pull it off and use it as a straw. But if if the drink is served in fine crystal, it should be kept to its original intention.

4) Whoops! I spilled!
Don't try to cover it up! It will only make you feel worse in the long run. If you spill, tell your host right away, apologize profusely, and offer to help clean it up. If it needs professional work, offer to pay for the service to do it. If the host doesn't accept, mail them a check with a note expressing your apologies.

5) Pass the Potatoes
For a family-style dinner, the proper way of serving requires the host to serve the meat and the side dishes passed to the right (counterclockwise), with each guest helping themselves.

6) Help - Only if Wanted
Ask the host if they want help with anything - setting the table, cleaning up, etc. But if they decline, don't insist. It might just stress them out more to find something for you to do.

7) Send Thanks!
It may seem like a little much, especially if Grandma was the host, but a nice thank you card goes a long way. Imagine what a nice surprise it will be for the host to receive a card in the mail, long after the last guests leaves, thanking them for all their efforts.

At the end of the night - even after all of the stress and anticipation - entertaining in your Tampa Bay Home, surrounded by your friends and family, is one of the thrills of owning a home. It's such a wonderful feeling to have a place to bring everybody together, filling the air with laughter and delicious smells. With every party comes a new memory, a new story, and a new tribute to your home. If you're interested in Tampa Bay Real Estate, we would love to help you find your dream home.

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RedefiningRefuge.org.


Ride 2 Recovery Florida Challenge
Date: Monday November 15th-Sunday November 21st

United Healthcare is sponsoring the Florida Challenge, an event promoting the health and recovery of America’s wounded veterans who utilize cycling in their recovery treatments. Riding from Tampa Bay to Jacksonville, participants will see some of the best of Florida’s unique and beautiful landscape including the gulf coast, swamps, and horse country. A $75 registration fee includes hotel housing, rest stops, snacks, meals, and more. All injured veterans can participate free of charge. Visit Ride2Recovery.com to learn more.


Ameriprise Financial "HungeRun" 5K Run/Walk
Date: Sunday November 21, 2010
Time: 8:30 AM
Place: Al Lopez Park, 4810 N. Himes Avenue

At this event, one hundred percent of your $25 registration fee will go towards providing 50,000 meals for the hungry this holiday season. Participants are urged to bring a nonperishable food item while enjoying live music from Shaun Hopper and appearances by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders. With goodie bags, raffles, and family fun, this event is sure to be a good time. Register online at FeedingAmericaTampaBay.org.

As you can see, the city of Tampa Bay is a place where people can come together for the good of both themselves and others. If you are looking to become a part of the Tampa Bay community, be sure contact us – we would love to welcome you!

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01/12/2012

Team Chais would like to remind you that November is the official month for Alzheimer's Awareness. We could not agree more that setting an official time of year to raise awareness is one of the best ways to make strides towards finding a cure for this widespread disease that continues to affect our parents, grandparents and friends.

It is estimated that 5.3 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease (source: www.alz.org). That number is doubled, if not tripled if you think of the number of people who are affected by this debilitating disease - the friends, family, healthcare and social workers, advocates, and volunteers.

So this November, Tampa Bay is standing up and taking a walk to raise awareness with the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk and you're invited!

Place: Lowry Park Bandshell, 7530 N. Boulevard, Tampa, Florida
Date: Saturday, November 6th 2010
Time: 8 am (Pre-walk activities); 9 am (Walk step off)
Length: 2 Miles

Team Chais is participating and we would love to see you there! This is such a great cause and such a successful event. Since its inception in 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than $300 million for the cause. The money goes towards Alzheimer's Association support and research. The mission of the Association is to provide care and support to those affected, reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health, and ultimately eliminate Alzheimer's disease through research advancement.

Team Chais welcomes your donations and your words of encouragement. Go to the Team Chais Facebook Page to check out the Team Chais Memory Walk Event. Or visit the Team Chais Donation page to make a contribution to the cause. We are always happy to get more involved in the Tampa Bay community and encourage new and old residents to do the same. If we can use this blog as a platform to make one more person aware of this disease and feel that they need to do something about it, then we have done our job.

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events for the Holiday Season. Look out for the "Only in Tampa" notes, each one there to remind you that there are some things you can only do in Tampa Bay Florida.

Holidays at Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens
3000 E. Busch Blvd.
Tampa, Florida
Only in Tampa: Can you still ride roller coasters in the Winter!!
Talk about a rush! Riding the roller coasters, surrounded by Christmas shows and decorations. Get some of your best holiday shopping done in Santa's Christmas Workshop in Morocco. Last but not least, the ice show at the Stanleyville Amphitheater is not to be missed.

Chanukah in the Park
When: Tuesday, Dec 7 at 6 pm
Where: Old Hyde Park Village
1622 W Snow Ave., Tampa, 33606
A beautiful Hanukkah celebration in the park, complete with a Menorah lighting, kosher wine tasting, and latkes!

Tampa's Downtown on Ice
When: Remains open until Jan 2
Where: Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa FL 33602
Only in Tampa: Because you can actually enjoy ice skating when you're not freezing!
There may not be snow, but families can skate on an outdoor rink with real ice in the park. Each 90-minute session includes skate rental.

Christmas Tree Lighting at Shimberg Gardens
When: Thursday, Dec 9 at 5:00 pm
Where: 7606 Paula Drive, Tampa FL 33615
Only in Tampa: Can you appreciate a good tree lighting without freezing your fingertips off?
Live music fills the air with the voices of the 75 member Center Stage Singers of Morganwood Elementary school and others. Festive refreshments get passed around. Two trees light up the park. And then, Santa arrives with gifts for 300 kids!

Hillsborough River Holiday Boat Parade
When: Saturday, Dec 11 at 6:00 pm
Where: Lowry Park, 7525 N Boulevard , Tampa, 33604
Only in Tampa: A Boat Parade in December? Of course!
This annual parade in its 11th year is a much loved tradition with Tampa Bay residents. Kayaks, canoes, and traditional craft depart from the Lowry Park boat ramp - all decked out in Christmas lights.

Ryan's Rockin' Holiday Party
When: Thursday, Dec. 9 at 5:30 pm
Where: 1502 S Howard Ave., Tampa FL 33606
Have a really good time all while supporting a really good cause. This rockin' party, complete with music by DJ Felix, complimentary signature cocktails from Ketel One, hours d'oeuvres and a visit from Santa, benefits holiday wishes for children at Hillsborough County Department of Children's Services.


These events are just the tip of the iceberg (without the ice cold weather) for Tampa Bay this December. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter where you are during the holidays, it's who you're surrounded by and finding a place that you are happy to call home.

If you are looking for a Tampa Bay home, we would love to be the Tampa Bay Real Estate Agents who make that happen. If you are just looking for some advice on the best things to do this holiday season in Tampa Bay, we would be happy to help you there too. Reach out to us on our Team Chais Facebook page or contact us directly. Hope to hear from you soon. Stay warm!

Team Chais
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