The "Island Bash" at the Black Diamond Ranch's (Citrus County's best "restaurant") was fantastic!
The food, service, amenities and, best of all (by Laney's and my recconning), was the "JK Trio." They were three truly amazing musicians. I have no doubts that we'll be seeing them again at Black Diamond Ranch's clubhouse. (If you are not a club member, leave me a message and we'll get you an invite, but do not miss them the next time you see them billed anywhere). We'll mention it here when we know where and when they play again. I understand they can be seen and heard at Wine and Cheese on the 1st and 3rd Fridays in Crystal River. We stayed for the last song as Vic Nery and one or two others did but, as usual, we were home by 9:45 (hey, some of us older types need our beauty sleep). They played danceable tunes from the 50's to the present time with extraordinary talent--singing, rhythm, lead guitar and drums--all terrific.
Back by popular demand is the "URL" of three Black Diamond "Night of Nostalgia" spoof-skits that you may not have already viewed or were lucky enough to attend and see in person. Don't miss clicking on this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xabyhriMs30 or simply search www.YouTube.com/jmcgiv for "Black Diamond Ranch, Dean Martin or Jerry Lewis." There are two additional skits on YouTube--making five total--if you search that way. I'm not telling you who your silly neighbors are who performed. You'll just have to check it out for yourself, but I guarantee a "hoot." Feel free to leave comments here. We enjoy the many we've gotten already.
If you're new to this BLOG, you may wish to (or NOT) check out previous BLOGS (below this one) or at the blue links atop the Home Buyer's Friend URL:http://www.homebuyersfriend.net/blogs/jim_mcgivern/default.aspx. There is some good info about listings, area information and lots more in those links at www.homebuyersfriend.net. Past and future BLOGs here will have info pertinent to property values, etc.
Last night at dinner, I was asked about a fairly amazing cross-country horse-trailer saga full of boxes ("lucky there were no horses," said Ed Rogers). The two road trips that Laney and I both made is explained in the BLOG following this one, if you're up to it. There's an incredible occurrance and coincidental turn of events therein.
As previously explained, you may have to put up with a quick ad at every BLOG. Read about our (www.HomeBuyersFriend.net) shameless, but money-savings way to handle any new Black Diamond Ranch or Florida real estate listing. They're called, "PLS" listings (for Pocket Listing Service). If you consider the ads truly shameless, feel free to "opt out" by sending a quick "no thanks" reply and I'll take you off this mailing list with no problem or hurt feelings. (Sorry if you've read this far before you knew how to do that).
Otherwise, you may wish me to post YOUR sale items here too. It's been suggested that Black Diamond and Citrus County area folks really should have a venue to advertise a "bulletin board" with used items, gifts you might hate that you'd like to sell, cars, golf carts or clubs, furniture or anything you can live without that you'd like to sell. Sale items will usually be at the bottom of the BLOG, so feel free to scroll down imediately.
Reply here with your item(s) and/or call us at 352-249-4484. You may stay anonymous and if you wish to donate proceeds to the Black Diamond Foundation, we'll see that you get a receipt for IRS purposes after any sale.
For sale or "lease" this go-around is:
1. SOLD, but read on if you need a car for a short Tampa Airport trip. One (other, now) terrific "airport car." A Mazda Tribute (an SUV) is actually available to you, to drive one way to and/or from the airport to BDR (if you happen to be out of town at the moment) to BDR--even for free! (Well, truly just free if you promise to refer sales or listings to me--yours, friends or relatives that might want to live in the area. Oh oh, another shameless ad). Otherwise, you just fill the 10-gallon tank at 491 and 486 on the way up--perhaps a seven or eight gallons add at most). Simply call Jim and I'll fix you up. That machine is $45 one way; $75 round trip (or free forever with a real estate sale or listing. See?--I'm always thinking). It's cheap at half the price--especially with the round trip and no tip, as other "rides" require.
Laney and I still have three cars at BDR (!), since we sold our San Mateo, CA home a couple of months ago. We drove two cars out here from Northern CA. The airport thingy is simply a favor we do for any of our BDR neighbors. You pay the tolls on the parkway; we pay for the parking, full insurance and some of the gas. The parking lot is on the north side of the airport with free bus service, so you save 10-15 minutes getting to the terminal over any other type of ride--you save 25 or more minutes and lots of parking fees if you park and leave your own car. Just call and we'll get you to TIA, or back, one way or the other. We may consider your driving either car to Orlando, as well, but there is no free parking there. Just ask.
2. Also for sale: A functioning desk-top computer, monitor and printer. Has XP installed. All three for $69. Includes a wireless adapter.
3. Several brand new (never used) air filtration units. They are fairly large--about 2-ft. high by 1-ft wide and deep and have a quiet multi-speed motor. These units have filters that take out 99% of pollen, smoke, dust--you name it. I can give you the exact specs, if interested, but one of these units will keep you from sneezing for months without a filter change--for real!. These items were over $500 new and we're letting them go for $85 each, plus shipping (they're in CA at the moment). We're doing this for a family member. He once sold a bunch of these, is now into something else and needs the space. They're in the original unopened boxes.
As mentioned, reply (I'll write or call you back ) or call me at 352-249-4484 if you wish to list anything. This is a free service. Write your own ad or I'll help.
4. A great vacation ownership/time share for sale (not ours--a BDR member's). Two weeks in Kissimmee, called, "Westgate Lake Resort": http://www.westgatereservations.com/flash.cfm?newwindow=lrs&mrksrc=0510038 (They sell for about $12K each. You get both for $6600, no tax or closing costs. Call for details, week numbers, etc. Leave a message anytime and I'll get back to you. It's great for you, visiting relatives or friends wishing to visit the Orlando attractions. It's sometimes best to e-mail me at jamesmcgivern@gmail as I always have my laptop with me when we are travelling, which is fairly often--especially in the summer. We might simply buy them ourselves and rent them out. We have five other time shares: Marbeilla, Spain, the Canary Islands, Lake Tahoe, Cancun and San Francisco. Ask if interested in renting those too--very reasonably priced.
That's it for this 10 days to two weeks, or so. (Always feel free to opt out if you consider this spam).
Jim