New Hospital Coming to Ormond Beach FL

The new Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center off Williamson Blvd. will open July 14. This replacement hospital will be the area’s most comprehensive facility, featuring the expansion of many services already available and adding new and exciting features.

Short Facts (from the new facility's web site):

The Greening of the Campus - Landscaping for the Medical Center will contain 82 Palms, 432 trees and 55,115 shrub & groundcover plants.

The Greening of the Interior - The 7,451 square yards of carpet installed in the new hospital earned 118 tons of Verified Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Credits, equal to keeping 20 passenger cars off the road.

Big is Beautiful - The site for the Medical Center covers 135 acres, about the size of 102 football fields.

Well-Connected- -The Inpatient Tower and Medical Office Building are “hinged” together by the elliptical glass element.

A Healing, Natural Environment - Retention ponds are utilized as water features along with preservation of wetlands.

A One-Stop Cardio Shop - The third floor Cardiovascular Center has a combined prep area for cardiac catheterizations, endovascular and CV surgery.

Quick n’ Comprehensive - Emergency services include three nurses stations, with eight of the 53 private treatment rooms segregated into a Fast-Track location.

Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center Campus

Campus Acreage - 135 acres

Square Footage - 718,000 square feet

Patient Floors - 10 Patient Floors, 12 Floors Total

Private Patient Rooms - All private rooms

Total In-Patient Beds - 277 licensed beds

Operating Rooms/Same Day Surgery - 11 General ORs; 3 Cardiovascular ORs;1 Endovascular/Hybrid OR

Critical Care Patient Rooms - 46

Cardiac Cath Labs - 5

Emergency Department Bays - 53 Total (42 Main; 8 Fast Track; 3 Trauma)

BirthCare Center - 32

Nursery Beds - 10

CT Scanners - Siemens Somatom Sensation 16 CT Scanner;Siemens Somatom Dual Source 64 Slice CT Scanner

Telemetry/IntermediateCare Rooms - 210 beds have telemetry; 108 are designated as step-down or intermediate care beds

Parking Spaces - 1,200+

This will be a state-of-the-art facility. Even more reason to relocate to Ormond Beach, and contact me for real estate market information in the Ormond Beach area. Here's a link to Search the Ormond Beach MLS while you are calling me.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
http://www.ormondbeachflhome.com/
http://www.sherryarmstrong.com/

SBA Opening Center in Volusia County

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that a Business Recovery Center will be established to help businesses impacted by the recent severe storms, flooding and tornadoes in Volusia County. The Center opened June 10.

Through the disaster declaration, Volusia County is eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses, and most private non-profit organizations in the following adjacent counties, are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Putnam and Seminole in Florida.

Businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million for physical losses. For small businesses, and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Here are the details on the center:

Volusia CountyHolly Hill Community Recreational Center
Multipurpose Room #1
1046 Daytona Avenue
Holly Hill, FL 32117
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday

Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., EDT, or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX. 76155. Businesses may apply for disaster loans from SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

If you find yourself a a fix with your mortgage because of storm damage to your business, give me a call. I'm a Certfied Distressed Property Expert and can discuss your options with you.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com

Ormond Beach FL Hires Ombudsman

As reported in the News-Journal Online, Ormond Beach has hired an ombudsman to help residents who have experienced problems from the heavy rains and flooding.

"The Ormond Beach City Commission, during a special meeting Tuesday night, approved hiring attorney Charles Cino to serve as an ombudsman to help residents with legal questions relating to the flooding.

Cino would help residents with things such as paperwork, answering legal questions and advising them where to go for help. Cino would not represent them in any legal actions. The City Commission approved paying him up to $25,000 for his work. They also approved paying an environmental consultant, who has not been named yet, up to $25,000 to help residents with issues such as mold.

The city will also give residents who have been displaced from their homes by the flooding a tax abatement.

In the future, Ormond Beach will also allow residents to pick up more than 10 sandbags per trip as long as they sign a waiver. During the storm, the city limited residents to 10 sandbags because of concerns over the liability should the weight of the bags damage vehicles."

If you are concerned about how the flooding or damage will affect your real estate values, contact me to discuss your problems. I've been selling real estate in Ormond Beach for many years and know the communities and real estate values.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
www.ormondbeachflhome.com

New Museum to Open in Ormond Beach area

A new museum will be opening in DeLand, and needs your support.

The Hard Hat Bash Saturday, May 16, is the first fundraiser for the Florida Museum of Women Artists, which is currently under construction at 100 N. Woodland Blvd., on the second floor of the Fish Building.

The evening will begin with a reception 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Volusia County Historic Courthouse, just down the block from the museum, and may overflow into the newly opened Chess Park next door to the Historic Courthouse. Tours will be led from the courthouse to the museum, where visitors must wear hard hats, to check out the construction in progress. Dinner will follow at Mainstreet Grill, 100 E. New York Ave.

A Volusia County ECHO grant helped make possible conversion of the second floor of the city-owned Fish Building to house the museum. When complete, the museum will have exhibits, a gift shop, possibly a cafe, and a classroom for art education.

According to BeaconOnlineNews, "The City of DeLand is leasing the second floor of the Fish Building to the group at a reduced rate for the first couple of years of occupancy, and sharing the cost of renovations with the Museum of Women Artists. City officials hope the museum will bring additional tourists and visitors to Downtown DeLand.

To buy tickets for the Bash, call Mary McBride at (386) 212-5777, or send e-mail to hardhatbash@gmail.com. If you are interested in supporting the women artists, visit Florida Women in the Arts.

Ormond Beach and DeLand offer much in the way of cultural activities. Our town is vibrant and energetic. Come joint our lifestyle and call for my free Relocation Information for Ormond Beach.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
www.ormondbeachflhome.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com

Ormond Beach Chess Park Opens

Well, actually it's in DeLand, but has proven popular to players and observers alike in the week+ since it's been open. News-Journal Online gives a good description of the park: "After more than two years of planning and construction, Volusia County opened the park, near the historic county courthouse building between West Indiana and New York avenues, last week.

"It features 10 game tables topped with black-and-white tile checkerboard squares and more than a dozen park benches. There also are brick pavers, young trees strategically placed to provide shade for park visitors, a black wall where water cascades into a small pool, public restrooms and a raised stage area. Both New York and West Indiana avenues are visible from the park, which has gates at the entrances from both avenues. The gates are locked each night."

The county provided funding with help from a $500,000 grant from Volusia County ECHO and $200,000 from the city of DeLand, which contributed money for the addition of public restrooms. Altogether, the county spent nearly $1.5 million before the project was completed, in about a year.

Ormond Beach has many public places to relax and enjoy our ambience and laid-back lifestyle. Contact me for a Free Relocation Package.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
www.ormondbeachflhome.com
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com

Take Advantage of the Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

The federal government has extended and expanded home energy efficiency tax credits through 2010 as part of the broader economic recovery package. The energy efficiency tax credits were created earlier this year by President Obama’s economic stimulus package, which focused on encouraging consumer spending, as well as promoting more energy efficiency in housing. The tax credits allow homeowners to claim 30% of the cost of qualified energy efficiency products, up to $1,500, including insulation, windows and doors, roofs, HVAC equipment, and water heaters.

Even in our Ormond Beach marketplace, with our (usually) warm weather and abundant sunshine, there are many ways to take advantage of the tax credits. To earn an energy efficiency tax credit, homeowners must save their receipt for a qualified purchase, print a form provided by the product’s manufacturer and then claim the deduction on their federal income tax return.

Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that promotes energy efficiency, said, “The new tax credits can help homeowners defray the cost of several types of energy efficiency upgrades, making them more affordable at this time of economic strain for many. By tightening up their homes with added insulation and caulking and sealing of doors and windows, homeowners will enjoy lower heating and cooling costs, too."

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that homeowners can save up to 30% on their heating and cooling bills by adding insulation to adequate levels and air sealing their homes. In addition, an estimated 65% of U.S. homes, about 45 million, are under insulated, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.

To read results of a recent survey conducted by Johns Manville on US views on the tax credits, read the RisMedia article (used as a resource for this blog).

If you are undecided whether or not to pursue energy efficiency measures in your home, consider the resale value of your Ormond Beach real estate. As the country becomes greener, and energy costs continue to rise, your next buyer - in 5 months or 5 years - will want all the energy efficiency in place, that you can build into your home.

Here are a couple of links for you to find out more:

energystar.gov/taxcredits

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits

Use your tax credits now to increase the value of your Ormond Beach property.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
www.ormondbeachflhome.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com

Ormond Beach Considers Redevelopment

Ormond Beach FL city commissioners are considering redevelopment of a piece of land off West Granada Blvd. and North Yonge Street. They authorized the city's planning department to request proposals on redeveloping the property, about 7 acres. Options, according to Ric Goss, planning director, could be mixed-use development of commercial and residential space, or commercial and office along Granada and residentional on Yonge.

A mobile home park of about 44 units sits along the east side of Yonge and north of Granada. Goss indicated the park's owner was interested in the request for proposals, and tenants might be concerned about relocation. Most of the homes are 30-35 years old. Mayor Fred Costello said the residents would certainly be informed when proposals are received.

Goss said the request for proposal would be advertised in a redevelopment magazine, sent to developers specializing in downtown redevelopment, and to a downtown redevelopment association, and also placed on the city's Web site.

Ormond Beach offers residents a quality lifestyle and great weather. This is a Buyer's Market here - the best time to buy in years. If you are interested in the real estate market in Ormond Beach, now's the time to invest. Contact me for options.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
www.ormondbeachflhome.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com

Ormond Beach Dune Volunteers Needed

This week, volunteers are needed to help with a dune planting project. The dune plants should help eroded beach areas along Ocean Shore Boulevard in Ormond Beach.

Plantings will begin 9 a.m. Thursday and Friday. Volunteers should bring sunscreen, a bag lunch, garden gloves and a shovel, if available. County officials will bring plants, other tools and water.

People interested in participating should contact Volusia County Environmental Management employees Amber Bridges, who can be reached at 386-238-4716 or abridges@co.volusia.fl.us or Jennifer Winters, who can be reachedat 386-238-4668 or jwinters@co.volusia.fl.us .

There are plenty of opportunities here in Volusia County for volunteers - get involved!

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com

(thanks to Orlando Sentinel)

At Your Service in Volusia County

As many people worldwide celebrate Holy Week, regardless of your religion it makes you think of others less fortunate than you might be, and how you can help.

The News-Journal weekly prints At Your Service, a column describing hot lines and volunteer opportunities in Volusia County.

While there are many, here are three which are timely:

American Red Cross-Florida's Coast to Coast Chapter -- Disaster Action Team volunteers needed to respond to single family or apartment fires. Also, disaster services volunteers are also needed for disaster planning, preparedness, community disaster education and mitigation.

Children's Home Society -- Volunteers are needed to serve on the board of directors. Attend the Board Recruitment Breakfast on April 21, to learn about the agency, its services, an the expectations of a board member of a nonprofit.

Easter Seals Joey's Gift -- Respite care volunteers needed once per month to serve as playtime companions to children with special needs while their caregivers have some personal time off (April 18 in Daytona Beach, April 25 in DeLand).

And two related to my industry:

Flagler Habitat for Humanity -- Volunteer committee members are needed to serve on the Development, Family Selection, & Family Support committees. Clerical volunteers are also needed.

Southwest Volusia Habitat for Humanity -- Skilled construction volunteers are needed for building homes on Saturdays in Southwest Volusia County.· Star Family Center -- Front desk/receptionist, clothes and donation sorting, mailings and data input volunteers. Training provided.

I'll write a later blog on Habitat for Humanity, but it is one of the most wonderful volunteer opportunities we Realtors have to serve the community.

Get involved - visit At Your Service on News-Journal Online.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
http://www.ormondbeachflhome.com/
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com

Ormond Beach Teacher Hopes for Autism School

Mimi Lundell, a language arts teacher at Ormond Beach Middle School and executive director of Chase Academy, has been trying for 2 years to develop a local private school for children like her son, a 9-year child with autism named Chase. Lundell hopes to team up with existing private schools and tap into state vouchers for children with disabilities.

Early attempts to find a building to house The Chase Academy fell through after organizers couldn't locate enough parents able to afford the $21,500 tuition, even with a state McKay Scholarship -- or voucher -- covering part of the cost. Chase now attends fourth grade at First Presbyterian Day School in DeLand with a McKay Scholarship for children with disabilities paying part of the cost.

Chase was one of 293 Volusia children in 17 private schools receiving McKay Scholarships as of February. Lundell said most of those schools don't have specially trained teachers on staff to work with them. That's where she figures a partnership between Chase Academy and the private schools could pay off for autistic students.

For now, Lundell is partnering with an Ormond Beach child care center to offer a "developmental play camp" this summer that would be open to autistic children aged 3 to 10. Each weekly session between June 8 and July 31 would cost $125, with eight to 12 children enrolled. The program will meet at the Ormond Beach Union Learning Center, 56 N. Beach St. More information is available by calling 386-677-0494.

Autism is a developmental disorder marked by problems with social interaction, communication and sometimes behavior. An estimated one in 150 children have been diagnosed with autism. Lundell is hoping to persuade administrators at some of the private schools to contract with Chase Academy to work with their autistic students and their teachers, with the McKay Scholarships covering the added cost.

Read comments to this article at NewsJournalOnline.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
http://www.sherryarmstrong.com/
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
386-679-3191
Find Ormond Beach Homes for Sale

Ormond Beach FL Historic Car Garage Proposed

Cars, racing, and speed records are an integral part of Ormond Beach Florida history. One local group wants to replicate the historic Ormond Beach garage which burned down in 1976. Originally built in 1904, about a quarter mile west of the Birthplace of Speed Park, it was on the grounds of Henry Flagler's Hotel Ormond, which originally stretched from the Intracoastal to the ocean.

The Motor Racing Heritage Association in Daytona Beach is proposing to build a small replica of the Ormond Garage large enough for a pair of sculptures of the Olds Pirate and the Winton Bullet racecars, at a cost of about $3,000.

The garage would be built at the Birthplace of Speed Park at Granada Boulevard and the beach, which was home to the cars, until corrosion forced them to go on an extended pit stop.

The roughly 16-foot-wide, 20-foot-long and 8-foot-tall garage would be built at no cost to the city, said Dan Smith, a member of the board of directors for the racing heritage group. "It would be a historical addition to the park, as well as protect the cars," Smith said. "Even though the original garage has been gone for a long time, it's still a big part of Ormond Beach's history."

To read more about the proposed project, visit News-JournalOnline. If you are interested in helping with the construction of the garage, call Smith at 386-441-7793.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
386-679-3191
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com

Spring Arrives in Ormond Beach FL Gardens

The News-Journal Online listed some fun and educational gardening events coming up soon for Ormond Beach residents. We missed the "Rain Barrels and Rain Gardens" but these are still ahead:

WILDFLOWER FESTIVAL, MARCH 28: hosted by River of Lakes Heritage Corridor; includes vendors, exhibits and field trips, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., historic Downtown DeLand, Woodland Blvd., DeLand. FREE. 386-822-5778.

HERB FAIRE, MARCH 28: festival, and plant sale; presented by Seaside Herb Society, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Riverbridge Meeting House, 1 N. Beach St., Ormond Beach. FREE. Lunch available for purchase. 386-405-5269.

There are events for every interest here in Ormond Beach - it's a great place to live!

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com
386-679-3191

Education in Volusia County, FL

Enough is enough was the message brought to the state capitol in Tallahassee Wednesday by parents, educators, and students, echoing President Obama's constant reminders that improved schools have to be one of the cornerstones of the country's economic recovery. With Florida facing a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall, the PTA and other education groups led a rally aimed at convincing lawmakers to shield schools from potentially deep cuts during the coming year.

Their message, chanted again and again, was clear: "No more cuts."

"The needs of our children need to be met now," Florida PTA President Karin Brown told a crowd that packed the steps of the Capitol. "Not tomorrow, not next year -- but now."

Bus loads of supporters -- including a chartered bus that left Volusia County about 6 a.m. to make it to Tallahassee -- cheered, listened to speeches and held signs that read, "Save our schools," "Make our schools a priority" and "Invest in children."

Read more at the NewsJournal Online and contact your state represenatives and senators to voice your opinions on funding for education. For links to the communities in Ormond Beach and the school sites, visit my Ormond Beach web site.

Sherry Armstrong, Realtor
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
www.sherryarmstrong.com
386-679-3191

Ormond Beach FL Biologist Honored

Charlie du Toit, biologist for Tomoka State Park in Ormond Beach, won the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection's award for resource manager of the year.

DuToit said he's proudest of his work restoring the miles of ditches that had been dug through what is now park land. Originally, they were dug for mosquito control, but restoring the ditches has helped to re-create the tidal environment that was once there.

"Years ago, I wasn't really hopeful that the marshes would be able to be restored. It seemed like such an overwhelming task," he said.

Read the full article at the Orlando Sentinel.

Sherry Armstrong
sherry@sherryarmstrong.com
http://www.sherryarmstrong.com/
386-679-3191