Every year about this time, throngs of people gather at Ocala’s downtown square for the annual Light Up Ocala event to be entertained and amazed at the over 320,000 lights on display.  This year’s theme is “A Dazzling Downtown Tradition”, and a local tradition is exactly what Light Up Ocala is.    This is the 30th year for the popular event, and it promises to be better than ever, with three entertainment stages, and over 40 craft vendors and a couple of dozen food vendors, plus a huge variety of entertainment for everyone’s enjoyment.   Besides the Christmas Parade and Santa in his sleigh, there will be dancers and musicians performing throughout the evening, a “Whoville” themed area for kids showing the animated film, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”, and of course, the hugely popul... 11/21/2013

Ocala & Marion County Homes Sales and Price Gain!   Home sales up almost 25%, median price at $102,250 "Existing home sales in Marion County for October were up almost 25 percent from the same month last year, according to data released by the Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors on Wednesday." "The Realtors' report also showed: • a 33.1 percent increase in new pending sales — 575 last month compared to 432 in October 2012; • a 26.1 percent decrease in median days on the market, 105 compared to 142; • a 26 percent increase in sales paid in cash, from 242, up from 192; • a 19 percent drop in months' supply of inventory, 8.6, down from 10.6."                 By Richard Anguiano Business editor   Published: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at 11:29 a.m. With interest rates still low and... 11/20/2013

Updates on the "New" Ocala Yankees   The city of Ocala recently revealed the proposed location for the Yankee stadium.  Behind Market Street of Heath Brook, raises some interesting questions. "Market Street at Heath Brook, a shopping mall that has recently gone through a foreclosure, bankruptcy and auction, is in the area being proposed for the stadium. Mondell said the city believes Market Street will do well in the future and it and other area businesses could benefit from having the stadium."   This has raised some local concern already about SR200 in the area, already one of the most congested highways in Marion County.     Proposed Yankees complex might include commercial development  But nevertheless, the City seems to be pushing forward: City sends tax for baseball stadium to cou... 11/20/2013

How Long Before Ocala Gets Commercial Air Service? Although it is not in the current plan, Ocala airport is improving. Ocala eyeing major improvements to the airport "The city of Ocala has completed about 90 percent of its master plan for Ocala International Airport and part of the plan investigates the best way to phase in development of the airport's west side. Airport Director Matthew Grow said the city is not changing the scope of the airport. It will remain a general aviation airport, which means it will not offer commercial air service. But the city has invested $5 million in infrastructure -- water, sewer, electric, telecommunications and roads -- to lure companies to locate their businesses at the airport. "With the push for logistical-type businesses in Central Florida -- in Oc... 11/18/2013

Country Living in the City of Ocala YES, in the upscale deed restricted community of Bellechase that offers country living in the City of Ocala and is still located close to everything. Bellechase is a quietly elegant and exclusive residential deed restricted family development. A dream location for individuals who love and choose to be surrounded by natural beauty but are still close to city conveniences. A manned gatehouse screens visitors and welcomes you home to a private world within a world.     Bellechase is composed of wooded sites on 600 beautiful rolling acres. Ornate, natural gas street lights line the roads with lots ready for your custom designed dream home. The community is designed around a linear park system with a heightened respect for, and sensitivity to the land, nat... 11/15/2013

Ocala Ignores Government Shutdown What did much of America do when the government shutdown last month?  It shut down as well.   But not Ocala! How did Ocala react to: No unemployment report for September? It announced new job growth! Manufacturer moving its home base to Ocala  "A manufacturer of machined plastics and assembler of medical components is planning to create new jobs as it moves its corporate headquarters to Ocala from Waukesha, Wis., the company said Friday. Keith Hoffmann, ProFab president and CEO, said the firm hopes to create some 60 jobs within 12 to 18 months, with 25 to 35 of those positions to be added within three months. Hoffmann said the company has hired 12 local employees in the past two months."   And more new job growth!   Sitel to fill 250 more customer-servi... 11/12/2013

Veterans Day 2013 - A Tribute to the Greatest Generation!   What a perfect way to end Veterans Day weekend!  Made a trip to the the Ocala International Airport.  Got there just in time to watch the Wings of Freedom Tour WWII planes taxi and depart for their Winter home. But the greatest thrill of all came as I was leaving!  There was a gentleman wearing an Army Air Corp hat with a B-24 pin and a "15" pin.  As we spoke, I learned he was a radio operator on B-24s in the Fifteenth Air Force flying out of Italy in the final days of WWII.  My Dad was a tail gunner on B-24s in the Fifteenth Air Force at the same time!  My Dad passed almost 20 years ago, so what a thrill to chat with this man with such similar experience. God bless him, my Dad and all Veterans but especially The Greatest Gener... 11/10/2013

HIGHLAND HOMES HEADS NORTH TO OCALA Home buyers will soon have more opportunities than ever to purchase a new home from Highland Homes! We are pleased to announce our expansion northward to Ocala. Coming soon, Meadow Glenn will offer stylish and affordable Florida new homes in Ocala with pricing from the mid-$100,000’s. “2013 has been an uplifting year for Highland Homes and we are excited to announce our expansion into the Ocala housing market,” said Bob Adams, President and Owner of Highland Homes. “We have been researching the Ocala market for the past 18 months and concluded there was a real need for our homes and our mortgage programs.”  Buyers at Meadow Glenn will have a variety of home designs to choose from, so they are sure to find the right size, layout and price point for the... 11/06/2013

Coming soon, Highland Homes will begin offering Florida new homes in seven counties throughout the state as it expands north to Ocala. The builder’s first Ocala community, Meadow Glenn, will offer stylish and affordable single-family homes priced from the mid-$100,000s. With a variety of home designs to choose from, Meadow Glenn will offer the perfect layout and price point for many of Florida’s home buyers. Interiors of these beautiful homes will showcase more than 1,500 square feet with three to five bedrooms and two to three bathrooms. As with every home built by Highland Homes, buyers will have the opportunity to personalize their home to fit their unique style and needs with an abundance of available design selections. Highland Homes expects to begin construction on the model home ... 11/01/2013

Job Fair Set for Nov. 13 at College of Central Florida   The Ocala economy and especially the real estate market is in dire need of jobs.  So when an employer decides to hire or  a job fair occurs it is very important news!   "A job fair aimed at job seekers who are obtaining postsecondary degrees or certificates or who have recently graduated is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13, at College of Central Florida's Webber Center on the main Ocala campus. The job fair is a joint effort of Workforce Connection’s Patriot Job Connection and CF. The following employers have signed up to attend so far: Abidance Home Health Care, Camelot Chateau/Sumter Place, Caregiver Services, Casino Party Planners, Childhood Development Services (CDS), Cracker Barrel, DialAmerica, Fastenal, Florida... 10/30/2013

The "New Ocala" Florida Yankees?   Yankees talk on Tuesday, negotiated deal in hand   "After announcing nearly a year ago it was in discussions with the New York Yankees about the possibility of relocating the Yankees' Class A Advanced affiliate minor league team to Ocala from Tampa, city staff will present an agreement it has negotiated with the Yankees to the City Council at Tuesday's workshop meeting for consideration."     By Susan Latham CarrStaff writer   Published: Friday, October 25, 2013 at 5:55 p.m. Horse Capital of the World with baseball?  We'll have to see!!   10/26/2013

The BIG Fall Weekend in Ocala & Marion County   Fall has lots to do in What & Where is Ocala?, but this may be the biggest weekend of all. Here are a few of the great happenings in and around town: THURSDAY Blessed Trinity Carnival: Midway, rides, games and food, 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Blessed Trinity Catholic Church and School, 5 SE 17th St., Ocala. (622-5808, ext. 356, or www.btcarnival.com) FRIDAY Mini-Monster Boo Bash and Halloween Flick: Family Halloween party, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala. (368-5517 or www.ocalafl.org/recpark) "Lugosi Lives": Original stage comedy, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Insomniac Theatre, 1 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. Runs thro... 10/25/2013

Florida Fall Foliage in Ocala & Marion County   Orchids and Hawaiian Plumeria    Care and feeding: Place on pool deck.  Feed with endless days of Florida sun and an occasional afternoon shower.   Uses: Several months of viewing beauty until blooms drop and next plant blooms.   Inground pools   Care and feeding: Clean filters annually.  Dump 40 pounds of pool salt (rock salt to Northerners) in twice per year.   Heat with endless days of Florida sun and fill with an occasional afternoon shower.   Uses: Year round enjoyments if equipped with pool cover and solar heater. 10/23/2013

Home Sales Soar in Marion County   "Realtors in Marion County sold 40 percent more single-family homes in September than they did during the same month in 2012, according to figures released Monday. The median sales price was $107,000, almost 11 percent higher than September 2012." By Fred HiersStaff writer Published: Monday, October 21, 2013 at 10:01 a.m. Now is a great time to sell in Marion County. The Ruiz Miller Team is selling homes and needs inventory!   10/22/2013

Forbes ranks Ocala 5th nationwide for projected job growth Ocala's real estate market is slowly recovering, but is probably 6-12 months behind most of the country. If there is any one thing holding Ocala back it is jobs! So this is Great News for Ocala!   Forbes ranks Ocala 5th nationwide for projected job growth      "Of the 200 largest cities by population, Ocala ranked fifth among Forbes magazine's listing of the best American cities for job growth.   ...       Ocala, the only Florida city to make it into the top 10, has a projected job growth of 3.4 percent. The city's median household income is $39,630.       Ocala's 8.0 percent unemployment rate is 2.5 percentage points higher than Austin's."     09/12/2013

Wow! Is this Great News for Ocala!     Ocala's real estate market is slowly recovering, but is probably 6-12 months behind most of the country. If there is any one thing holding Ocala back it is jobs! So this is Great News for Ocala!   Forbes ranks Ocala 5th nationwide for projected job growth       "Of the 200 largest cities by population, Ocala ranked fifth among Forbes magazine's listing of the best American cities for job growth.   ...       Ocala, the only Florida city to make it into the top 10, has a projected job growth of 3.4 percent. The city's median household income is $39,630.       Ocala's 8.0 percent unemployment rate is 2.5 percentage points higher than Austin's."   By Susan Latham Carr Staff writer   Published: Friday, August 9, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.   09/04/2013

Farmers’ Almanac: Nasty winter on tap for much of US, Super Bowl could become ‘Storm Bowl’    LEWISTON, Maine — The Farmers’ Almanac is using words like “piercing cold,” ‘’bitterly cold” and “biting cold” to describe the upcoming winter. And if its predictions are right, the first outdoor Super Bowl in years will be a messy “Storm Bowl.” By Associated Press, Published: August 25       So what's one to do?       Go Ice Skating in Ocala!   Get Ready for Some 'Ice' Skating in Ocala?                   08/31/2013

Get Ready for Some 'Ice' Skating in Ocala?   The last time we saw ice skating in Ocala was ~December 2006.  Even with a bubble tent over it the ice was more slush that ice.  But hey!  It is ice skating in Florida! Well now something a little more practical is coming to Ocala! "The Ocala City Council on Tuesday approved the purchase of a synthetic ice rink for use downtown during the holiday season. The 64- by 32-foot rink will accommodate up to 40 skaters at a time, according to a memo from Kathy Crile, director of the Recreation and Parks Department."  Staff report Published: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. 08/31/2013

More Accolades for Ocala & Marion County   Appleton earns accreditation from American Alliance of Museums "The Appleton Museum of Art has earned a prestigious accreditation that only 6 percent of museums nationwide have obtained, officials announced Wednesday. The Appleton is one of only 50 museums in Florida to be awarded accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM.)"   WELCOME TO THE APPLETON MUSEUM OF ART   The Appleton Museum of Art is recognized throughout Florida and beyond as a vibrant cultural center because of its world class permanent collection, outstanding exhibitions, educational programs and year-round special events. As you explore this website, you will find 08/30/2013

Ocala & Marion County Market Report August 2013 Homes 40% higher last month than during previous July July was an active month for Marion County’s single-family home market. Realtors reported 518 sales of existing homes - 40 percent more than recorded during the same month last year.The median sales price was $107,500, which was 15.7 percent more than the July 2012 mark.Of those 518 sales, 246 were cash sales. That’s 31 percent more than last July. By Jim Ross City edito Published: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 1:05 p.m.   For a little broader view, the chart below breaks down activity for the last six months into various price ranges.  Overall, the market in Ocala & Marion County has become "balanced" - favoring neither buyer or seller.  And for homes priced below $150k it has become ... 08/24/2013