Halloween is just around the corner and here are some spooky tips for families around Jacksonville, Florida!
Trick or Treating on Saturday?
In Duval County - most city members are calling for the city to recognize Halloween on October 30th instead of the 31st - so be prepared for trick or treaters on Saturday night, just in case! http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/mostpopular/news-article.aspx?storyid=173157&provider=top
Jacksonville Northside Communities
Jacksonville Zoo Spooktacular!
A safe and fun way to spend Halloween for the whole family and children of all ages! This celebration takes place from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm Oct. 21st-24th and 28th-31st. Tickets are less than $10 a person and there are online coupons on the Zoo's web site. This is a great way to spend Halloween on the Northside of Jacksonville!
Zombie Nation Party at the Landing
For Grownups Only! Downtown Jacksonville is host to an amazing costume and Halloween party every year! Dress in your best and you could possibly take home $1500 in cash! If you live in a Northside Community - this is a MUST!!!
Fla/Ga Post Game Halloween Bash
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/442466/udsentertainment/2010-10-22/halloween-costume-ball-fla-ga-post-game-party
5 Points Halloween Block Party
That's right...a huge block party! Every year, 5 points is blocked off and everyone is invited to come dressed in their best costume and get ready to boogie! Food, fun, trick or treating and costume contests make for the most fun you can have in downtown Jacksonville! http://www.5pointsjax.com/
Jacksonville Westside Communities
Family Friendly Church Events
Some Westside Churches in Jacksonville are having less spooky fall events the weekend of Halloween. If you live in a Jacksonville Westside community, you should definately check out some of these events. They are sure to be fun for the whole family! http://jaxchurchevents.com/
Roosevelt Square
Usually every year for Halloween, the shops at Roosevelt Square do something special for the little munchkins dressed in costumes. For more information, call the mall. Roosevelt Square
Jacksonville Mandarin Communities
Bojangle Boo-Berry Biscuits
Come and get your boo-berry biscuit on October 31st at the Mandarin Bojangles. If you live in a Mandarin community near Bojangles, you should definately make a trip and get one of these DELICIOUS biscuits for a limited time only!
Skull Castle
Orange Park Mall Trick or Treating
Every year, the Orange Park Mall has tons of family for everyone - including the Kidgits Club Halloween Party - make sure you check this celebration out for a good time!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Is Your Home Ready for the Winter?
As summer draws to a close, there are two things I think of. First: Where did the summer go? Then second: Is my house ready for the cold months to come?
As a ritual, our family likes to go through a little checklist every year to get us ready for winter. Here a few tips from our family's checklist...
1. Weatherstripping and caulking: They both can be purchased at a hardware store and are pretty cheap. Not only can it help trap in the heat (instead of heating up the whole neighborhood - as my mother would say) but it keeps out those bugs that want to stay warm. We usually walk around the entire house and inspect all the window and doors very carefully.
Kid Tip: To make it interesting, make it a game! Windows are 5 points, doors are 10 points and anything else is 15 points. The players with the most points wins cash or 30 minutes past curfew or something worth their while!
2. Relieve yourself of clutter: Nothing is more cleansing than getting rid of junk. During the summer, my family and I are on the go constantly and for some reason, we end up with tons of stuff - usually that we don't really need. For one weekend (we try to plan it around rainy or extremely cold weather) we comb the entire house for things that we don't need, things we've outgrown and things we have no idea where they came from. Usually, by Sunday, we can fill up the garage by clothes and furniture and other things that we just don't use. It's usually an instant relief knowing that we have de-cluttered our lives.
Money Tip: Take all that junk and have a garage sale! We usually have a garage sale and put that money aside to help purchase Christmas presents!
3. Insulation: Just like checking for cracks and opening, having the proper insulation will help make your house warmer and you won't be "heating up the neighborhood." Let's be honest, I don't know anyone in Jacksonville that thinks our winters are mild. Jacksonville winters are cold. Period. Properly insulating your home can really make a difference on your families warmth and your heating bill!
4. Clean your fireplace: There is nothing worse than sitting by the fire, getting cozy, toasting some marshmallows then having plumes of smoke come right back out into your home. It's stinky and it stains your walls! We typically burn a cleaning block before every winter. It helps clean out any gunk that has built up from last winter. But the best solution would be to call a professional chimney sweep. There are many here in Jacksonville that can get the job done for you at reasonable prices.
5. Check the heater: Run it once or twice before it gets really cold. Not only can you run the heater with the windows open (and let that stinky, stale smell leave the house) but this will give you the opportunity to make sure that it's functioning properly. It's also a good idea to call a heating and air conditioning company that you trust. They will come out to your house and thoroughly inspect your system to ensure you won't have any issues in the bitterly cold months.
Hopefully you and your family have a similar or better checklist you run through before the winter months. If you have any tips or suggestions, please feel free to comment or send us an email.
Happy winterizing everyone!
As a ritual, our family likes to go through a little checklist every year to get us ready for winter. Here a few tips from our family's checklist...
1. Weatherstripping and caulking: They both can be purchased at a hardware store and are pretty cheap. Not only can it help trap in the heat (instead of heating up the whole neighborhood - as my mother would say) but it keeps out those bugs that want to stay warm. We usually walk around the entire house and inspect all the window and doors very carefully.
Kid Tip: To make it interesting, make it a game! Windows are 5 points, doors are 10 points and anything else is 15 points. The players with the most points wins cash or 30 minutes past curfew or something worth their while!
2. Relieve yourself of clutter: Nothing is more cleansing than getting rid of junk. During the summer, my family and I are on the go constantly and for some reason, we end up with tons of stuff - usually that we don't really need. For one weekend (we try to plan it around rainy or extremely cold weather) we comb the entire house for things that we don't need, things we've outgrown and things we have no idea where they came from. Usually, by Sunday, we can fill up the garage by clothes and furniture and other things that we just don't use. It's usually an instant relief knowing that we have de-cluttered our lives.
Money Tip: Take all that junk and have a garage sale! We usually have a garage sale and put that money aside to help purchase Christmas presents!
3. Insulation: Just like checking for cracks and opening, having the proper insulation will help make your house warmer and you won't be "heating up the neighborhood." Let's be honest, I don't know anyone in Jacksonville that thinks our winters are mild. Jacksonville winters are cold. Period. Properly insulating your home can really make a difference on your families warmth and your heating bill!
4. Clean your fireplace: There is nothing worse than sitting by the fire, getting cozy, toasting some marshmallows then having plumes of smoke come right back out into your home. It's stinky and it stains your walls! We typically burn a cleaning block before every winter. It helps clean out any gunk that has built up from last winter. But the best solution would be to call a professional chimney sweep. There are many here in Jacksonville that can get the job done for you at reasonable prices.
5. Check the heater: Run it once or twice before it gets really cold. Not only can you run the heater with the windows open (and let that stinky, stale smell leave the house) but this will give you the opportunity to make sure that it's functioning properly. It's also a good idea to call a heating and air conditioning company that you trust. They will come out to your house and thoroughly inspect your system to ensure you won't have any issues in the bitterly cold months.
Hopefully you and your family have a similar or better checklist you run through before the winter months. If you have any tips or suggestions, please feel free to comment or send us an email.
Happy winterizing everyone!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Floating, Fun and Family at Ginnie Springs
Just barely 2 hours away from Jacksonville's westside communities is one of the most beautiful and natural attractions Florida has to offer: Ginnie Springs!
Recently, my family and I took a day trip to the springs and had the time of our lives! After leaving from our Collins Builders' community of Bonita Cove on the westside, we made the trip in just under two hours.
Not only was the drive gorgeous (we took the back roads so we got to enjoy the beautiful scenery) but getting into the park was easy. Prices were reasonable and to our surprise, the park had it's own store so if you forgot anything - and we mean pretty much anything - the park store had it in stock. (Thank goodness because we forgot the mosquito's don't really go away until the cold season so we were able to stock up on bug spray!)
After we stocked-up on bug spray and goodies, we headed into the park to find a spot. There is so much to do when you get there. There are sandy volleyball courts, nature trails, campsites (for overnight camping) and little swimming areas. If you are looking to learn how to scuba - you can take classes to be certified as well! We decided to rent a kayak and float down the river. I can't even describe how gorgeous the river was. Crystal clear and untouched, it was refreshing and chilly but enjoyable at the same time. After an hour or so of kayaking, we decided to just hop in our tubes (that you can rent at the shop) and take a leisurely float down the river. Surrounded by laughing families and friends, we enjoyed a slow and refreshing lazy river ride.
We decided to hop out and one of the heads of the springs and grab our snorkels and explore. The crystalline water seemed to get bluer as the day went on while we watched little river fish dart in and out of caverns and holes that experienced scuba divers explored as well.
But like most good things, it must come to an end. The overall experience was great - only 2 hours from our home in Bonita Cove and the prices were reasonable. Ginnie Springs was a great way to wrap up our summer fun. We will definitely be making the trip again next summer and we totally recommend it for any family in the Jacksonville area!
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Recently, my family and I took a day trip to the springs and had the time of our lives! After leaving from our Collins Builders' community of Bonita Cove on the westside, we made the trip in just under two hours.
Not only was the drive gorgeous (we took the back roads so we got to enjoy the beautiful scenery) but getting into the park was easy. Prices were reasonable and to our surprise, the park had it's own store so if you forgot anything - and we mean pretty much anything - the park store had it in stock. (Thank goodness because we forgot the mosquito's don't really go away until the cold season so we were able to stock up on bug spray!)
After we stocked-up on bug spray and goodies, we headed into the park to find a spot. There is so much to do when you get there. There are sandy volleyball courts, nature trails, campsites (for overnight camping) and little swimming areas. If you are looking to learn how to scuba - you can take classes to be certified as well! We decided to rent a kayak and float down the river. I can't even describe how gorgeous the river was. Crystal clear and untouched, it was refreshing and chilly but enjoyable at the same time. After an hour or so of kayaking, we decided to just hop in our tubes (that you can rent at the shop) and take a leisurely float down the river. Surrounded by laughing families and friends, we enjoyed a slow and refreshing lazy river ride.
We decided to hop out and one of the heads of the springs and grab our snorkels and explore. The crystalline water seemed to get bluer as the day went on while we watched little river fish dart in and out of caverns and holes that experienced scuba divers explored as well.
But like most good things, it must come to an end. The overall experience was great - only 2 hours from our home in Bonita Cove and the prices were reasonable. Ginnie Springs was a great way to wrap up our summer fun. We will definitely be making the trip again next summer and we totally recommend it for any family in the Jacksonville area!
View Larger Map
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Bird Rescue in Your Own Backyard
Over the weekend, we had the fortune (or misfortune) of caring for a wounded bird that landed in our backyard.
About 7 o'clock Friday night, my husband asked me to step out back to smell the roses we have been growing. As I walked out, I noticed a small green feather pile on the ground. Shocked and confused as we got closer, we noticed it was a small Finch/Warblar-type bird. Even more shocking was that it didn't budge as we moved in closer. I quickly grabbed a shoebox and some water and we brought him inside - as the poor little guy was panting.
Luckily, we had a tiny eyedropper that we used to feed little droplets of water to the little bird. As the night went on, I was so upset that he wouldn't make it through the night.
We decided to run to the pet store and grab some food and a little cage for the bird, just in case he recovered and he wouldn't be stuck in a little shoebox.
After a couple of hours, we noticed the little guy stopped panting and looked alert. To our excitement, he began to flutter his wings and fly around the cage. Nervous that he wasn't a wild bird, we called B.E.A.K.S. (Bird Emergency Aid and Kare Sanctuary) on Jacksonville's northside to see what they thought. We received a call back the next day and we described the situation. The experts at B.E.A.K.S. told us he was probably a wild bird and told us we should let him go if he looked healthy enough. By the next morning, he was flying around the cage and looked healthy as ever. That morning, we took the cage outside and let him loose. It was a great feeling knowing that we helped another living creature - with the help of B.E.A.K.S.
If you'd like to learn more about B.E.A.K.S. and their work with injured birds, or to even visit the sanctuary for a tour - contact them at 904-251-2473
About 7 o'clock Friday night, my husband asked me to step out back to smell the roses we have been growing. As I walked out, I noticed a small green feather pile on the ground. Shocked and confused as we got closer, we noticed it was a small Finch/Warblar-type bird. Even more shocking was that it didn't budge as we moved in closer. I quickly grabbed a shoebox and some water and we brought him inside - as the poor little guy was panting.
Luckily, we had a tiny eyedropper that we used to feed little droplets of water to the little bird. As the night went on, I was so upset that he wouldn't make it through the night.
We decided to run to the pet store and grab some food and a little cage for the bird, just in case he recovered and he wouldn't be stuck in a little shoebox.
After a couple of hours, we noticed the little guy stopped panting and looked alert. To our excitement, he began to flutter his wings and fly around the cage. Nervous that he wasn't a wild bird, we called B.E.A.K.S. (Bird Emergency Aid and Kare Sanctuary) on Jacksonville's northside to see what they thought. We received a call back the next day and we described the situation. The experts at B.E.A.K.S. told us he was probably a wild bird and told us we should let him go if he looked healthy enough. By the next morning, he was flying around the cage and looked healthy as ever. That morning, we took the cage outside and let him loose. It was a great feeling knowing that we helped another living creature - with the help of B.E.A.K.S.
If you'd like to learn more about B.E.A.K.S. and their work with injured birds, or to even visit the sanctuary for a tour - contact them at 904-251-2473
Friday, September 17, 2010
Attention Jacksonville Northside Residents: Looking For a Place To Eat?
Hey Northside residents - are you looking for a new place to eat and have some quality family time? Thanks to FunJax.com, we now have a list of Northside restaurants!
Click on the link here to view them all: http://funjax.com/restaurants/jacksonville_northside_restaurants.htm
Below are some of our personal favorites...
CiCi's Pizza
El Potro
Fast Boys Wings
Fuji Sushi
Primo's Coffee and Ice Cream
Click on the link here to view them all: http://funjax.com/restaurants/jacksonville_northside_restaurants.htm
Below are some of our personal favorites...
CiCi's Pizza
El Potro
Fast Boys Wings
Fuji Sushi
Primo's Coffee and Ice Cream
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Jags Games are HOT!
Everyone is so excited for football season - especially for our hometown heros: The Jacksonville Jaguars. But let's face it, summer is not completely over and when it is, we'll still have those days when it's boiling hot!
This past Sunday was a perfect example of the dangers of the Florida sun. Hundreds of people were treated for heat exhaustion and exposure. Read the article here: http://www.news4jax.com/news/24992338/detail.html
So here are some tips on staying cool if you find yourself in a hot situation:
1. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
2. Wear plenty of sunscreen to protect your skin from burning.
3. Take shelter in the shade or air conditioning every 45 minutes to an hour if possible.
4. Avoid alcoholic beverages - they do the opposite of hydrate.
5. If you begin to feel naseaus or sick, you should find help as soon as possible.
6. Avoid tight clothing
And don't forget to help the elderly, kids and pets - they can suffer from heat exhaustion and strokes too! Stay safe and healthy!
This past Sunday was a perfect example of the dangers of the Florida sun. Hundreds of people were treated for heat exhaustion and exposure. Read the article here: http://www.news4jax.com/news/24992338/detail.html
So here are some tips on staying cool if you find yourself in a hot situation:
1. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
2. Wear plenty of sunscreen to protect your skin from burning.
3. Take shelter in the shade or air conditioning every 45 minutes to an hour if possible.
4. Avoid alcoholic beverages - they do the opposite of hydrate.
5. If you begin to feel naseaus or sick, you should find help as soon as possible.
6. Avoid tight clothing
And don't forget to help the elderly, kids and pets - they can suffer from heat exhaustion and strokes too! Stay safe and healthy!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Back to School Blues?
The River City Marketplace, located on Jacksonville's Northside near the Jacksonville International Airport is the largest outdoor shopping center on the Northside and a great way to get over some of those back to school blues many people are experiencing right now.
Home to Hollywood Theatres and dozens of trendy retail shops and delicious restaurants it's a nice way to escape the daily grind to get in some much needed retail therapy after a long day in the office or classroom.
And with Fall right around the corner, it's a great place to stock up on winter gear or to take a nice leisurely stroll around the area for some fresh air!
Learn more about the River City Marketplace:
River City Marketplace Wikipedia Page
Learn more about the Northside's nearest Jacksonville home communities:
Northside New Homes
View Larger Map
Home to Hollywood Theatres and dozens of trendy retail shops and delicious restaurants it's a nice way to escape the daily grind to get in some much needed retail therapy after a long day in the office or classroom.
And with Fall right around the corner, it's a great place to stock up on winter gear or to take a nice leisurely stroll around the area for some fresh air!
Learn more about the River City Marketplace:
River City Marketplace Wikipedia Page
Learn more about the Northside's nearest Jacksonville home communities:
Northside New Homes
View Larger Map
Friday, August 27, 2010
Looking for Something to Do in Mandarin This Weekend?
Why not get your education-on and visit the Mandarin Museum! The Mandarin Museum and Historical Society offers educational ground tours of the old Post Office and Mandarin Store on Sundays. Sight-seers have the opportunitiy to experience what living in Florida was like in the 1800s and 1900s.
Not only are the grounds beautiful and seemingly untouched but the experience is truly unique! Grab your friends and family and take a trip down a historical Florida journey!
Mandarin Store and Post Office
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Mandarin Museum and Walter Jones Historical Park
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Not only are the grounds beautiful and seemingly untouched but the experience is truly unique! Grab your friends and family and take a trip down a historical Florida journey!
Mandarin Store and Post Office
View Larger Map
Mandarin Museum and Walter Jones Historical Park
View Larger Map
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Mandarin School to be Visited by Laura Bush for a "Heart2Heart"
If your child is a student at Mandarin Christian School, then you know how enrollment has grown enormously over the past few years. In an effort to raise funds to build new facilities and classrooms, the school is holding a fundraising campaign on August 31st, 2010 at UNF's University Center with guest keynote speaker: former First Lady, Laura Bush - complete with a meet-and-greet!
Mandarin Christian School's goal is to raise $7.2 million for bigger facilities and classrooms in hope to allow more children and teens in Mandarin to enroll in this exceptional school.
If you can, you don't want to miss this exciting event with Mrs. Bush! It's sure to be an evening you won't forget!
To learn more about "Heart2Heart" An Evening with Laura Bush for Mandarin Christian School, visit:
Mandarin Christian School's Web Site: http://www.prepare4rain.com/heart2heart
News4Jax Web Site: http://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/24687033/detail.html
Searching for a home in a Mandarin Community?
Mandarin Christian School's goal is to raise $7.2 million for bigger facilities and classrooms in hope to allow more children and teens in Mandarin to enroll in this exceptional school.
If you can, you don't want to miss this exciting event with Mrs. Bush! It's sure to be an evening you won't forget!
To learn more about "Heart2Heart" An Evening with Laura Bush for Mandarin Christian School, visit:
Mandarin Christian School's Web Site: http://www.prepare4rain.com/heart2heart
News4Jax Web Site: http://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/24687033/detail.html
Searching for a home in a Mandarin Community?
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Allergy-free Food Store on Jacksonville's Northside
Anyone with allergies knows how difficult it can be to buy foods that are allergy-free. Sure, you may find a few items at your local grocery store but there is really never a great variety to choose from. As someone who has many family allergy issues, I personally know the difficulty. It's great to hear there are others in our community who share the same struggles.
Chase Foods of Jacksonville's Northside is located on Yellow Bluff Rd and offers an amazing variety of allergy-free foods. Check out their web site: www.chasefoods.com
Happy Food Hunting!
For more information about new homes or communities in Jacksonville's Northside, visit the Collins Builders web site for more information.
Chase Foods of Jacksonville's Northside is located on Yellow Bluff Rd and offers an amazing variety of allergy-free foods. Check out their web site: www.chasefoods.com
Happy Food Hunting!
For more information about new homes or communities in Jacksonville's Northside, visit the Collins Builders web site for more information.
Bradham Brooks Library - Jacksonville Westside Events
The Bradham Brooks Northwest Branch Library on Jacksonville's westside has tons of activities for all families to enjoy throughout the year - especially summer! Activities include game days, events and programs!
Watch this video from www.jacksonville.com to learn more or visit the library's web site at http://jpl.coj.net/lib/branches/nw.html for hours and location information.
Find homes or new home communities in Jacksonville's westside. Be sure to visit the Collins Builders web site to learn about building a custom home or renovating your existing home.
Watch this video from www.jacksonville.com to learn more or visit the library's web site at http://jpl.coj.net/lib/branches/nw.html for hours and location information.
Find homes or new home communities in Jacksonville's westside. Be sure to visit the Collins Builders web site to learn about building a custom home or renovating your existing home.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Affordable Homes Still Available!
The market is slowly-but-surely improving and there are still so many opportunities out there to take advantage of. Whether it's cheap homes or great government savings - now is the time to capitalize on these great opportunities.
We still have many homes that are available, many starting in the $130s. To find out more about these awesome deals, visit our web site and contact the community of your choice for more information.
We still have many homes that are available, many starting in the $130s. To find out more about these awesome deals, visit our web site and contact the community of your choice for more information.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Remodeling, Renovations and Additions Offered by Collins Builders
With everyone is a being a bit more cost-conscious nowadays, it's clear to see why many people are opting to have their homes remodeled, renovated or adding extra rooms. This is a quick and cost-effective way to transform your current home into the home of your dreams.
At Collins Builders, we understand the importance home and family and that is why we are excited to offer Jacksonville home remodeling and additions to our suite of home building services!
Throughout the entire process of having your home remodeled or renovated, our remodeling and additions team will be there every step of the way to oversee the process.
Call the Jacksonville home builders you can trust today - call Collins Builders (904) 859-3551!
At Collins Builders, we understand the importance home and family and that is why we are excited to offer Jacksonville home remodeling and additions to our suite of home building services!
Throughout the entire process of having your home remodeled or renovated, our remodeling and additions team will be there every step of the way to oversee the process.
Call the Jacksonville home builders you can trust today - call Collins Builders (904) 859-3551!
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