Second Phase of Parking Coming to Sharky's

The engineering department in Venice is starting to build the second phase of the parking lot at the Venice Fishing Pier.
The improvement, which replaces the existing dirt parking area south of the pier, will provide 182 paved parking spaces, eight for handicap use and 46 grass spaces.
It also includes sea turtle-friendly lighting, landscaping, a handicap accessible ramp to the beach, continuation of the boardwalk to connect the north parking area, restrooms and pier and stormwater collection and treatment that will reduce flooding during rain storms, the city said.
Once the project is complete, there will be 375 parking spaces. The project’s cost is $1,290,646 and the money is coming from the Pier Fund and General Fund Reserve.
It should be done by the end of May. Sharky’s on the Pier restaurant and the fishing pier will be open throughout the construction, the city reports. Parking is currently available north of the fishing pier and along the east side of Harbor Drive next to the golf course.
Other activities at the beach include beach tilling as required by the city's beach nourishment permits in order to prepare the sand for the sea turtle nesting season. (courtesy Venise Gondolier)

New Insurers help Citizens

It seems as though there are some insurers besides Citizens that want to do business in Florida. They have snapped up almost 500,000 policies so far this year. Most of the policies aren't in the riskiest areas, but its a start. This offers the people of Florida a much wider variety of insurers that ultimately leads to lower premiums and greater service. Beware though, the policies can adjust higher at renewal, but you have the option of going back to Citizens.

Sarasota County Fair 3/14/08 to 3/23/08

The Sarasota County Fair is in town at Robarts Arena startint this Friday 3/14/2008 at Robarts Arena. The Arena is located on Fruitville Road, just west of Lockwood Ridge Road.

Foreclosure Crisis? Myth or Fact?

Is there really a foreclosure crisis, or something manufactured by the news media outlets? If you look at the superficial numbers, yes, foreclosures are up on average 78.23% nationwide. However the number of foreclosures are actually less than 1% of the homes out there. This is because the foreclosure rate has always been very low, and really except for a few markets, see below chart, nothing much is happening. The medial outlets make it look like most of the country will end up on the street. I think they need some regulation. There has to be something we can put on them for upsetting the economy.

In fact, most people that are in trouble to to resetting loans, ie option arms, are working with their lenders to re negotiate the loans so it is a win win for eveybody!