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August is chock full of “dog day afternoons.” We know that means it’s hot outside but do you know where that saying comes from? For the answer you’ll have to go back to ancient Rome. Back then Sirius or the Dog Star rises before sunrise in the late summer months. Because this time was tied to increased heat it was thought that dogs would go mad and people would get hysterical just because it’s too darn hot. As any decent astronomer will tell you Sirius can no longer be seen in that same position in Rome but that phrase has stuck. Through the years it has come to mean a hot, sticky, muggy day where all you want is to crawl into a refrigerator. Residents of Sarasota, Florida know all about dog day afternoons. What’s your favorite way to stay cool?
Drinking all those fluids that everyone recommends you drink can actually quickly cool you down. It’s best to stick with things like water or ice tea. You can spruce up either of those drinks with a sprig of mint or orange slice. The goal is to keep drinking so that you never get thirsty. The moment you’re thirsty you’ve become dehydrated and now have to play a catch up game replenishing your body with fluids. Here’s something else you should consider: sweating in the heat is actually a good thing. It’s your body’s way of cooling you down. When it’s hot out and you stop sweating is when you should worry.
A lot of folks around Sarasota find welcome relief heading to the shore or dipping into a pool but you can’t stay in the water for hours. The alternative is to head indoors to one of the many cool malls, theaters or museums in the area. When that fails you’ll be stuck back at your place hoping to find relief. If it doesn’t feel like the cool air from your fans or AC unit is circulating it might be the fault of junk. If your home is full of clutter then that air can’t flow. Look around your space. How much clutter are you holding onto? If the answer is anywhere around “a lot” then it’s time to call Junk King Sarasota.
Junk King is the local Sarasota & Bradenton business whose mission statement is to take all the junk out of our lives. That includes all kinds of oversized items like furniture, mattresses and major appliances. If something is busted or you’re not using it then it’s junk and it should be taken away. As long as you’re hiring Junk King to handle those big items you can also get them to load up any other small pieces of junk. In no time you’ll have your basements, attics and closets stripped to the walls and cleared of junk. That’s a good thing which will free up space and allow your cool air to circulate more efficiently. And if you’re buying a new air conditioner, make sure Junk King takes out the old one!
Have you noticed what’s happening at your local grocery store? That would be the rising food prices. Yes, everything is going up and not just gradually. It seems that every week things are becoming more and more expensive. Clipping coupons or driving to that store across town with the better bargains can help cut down on those grocery bills but there’s an even better method: grow your own. There are plenty of Sarasota residents who are not only turning their backyards into gardens for their own families but are also cashing in on the organic urban farming craze. It’s not a stretch to grow your own fruits and veggies and sell them for a profit.
Aside from all the general discomfort, the Sarasota summer heat brings another unwanted guest: alligators. With the rising temperatures alligators are becoming more active which increasing the likelihood that they will start wandering out of their comfort zone. Just recently, a 12 foot gator was killed after crossing on to I-275 in St. Petersburg. Imagine the traffic snarl that caused! The best advice offered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is if you see an alligator, leave it alone and call it in. It is advised that you stay away from waterways. Yes, the temptation to take a dip to beat the heat will be great but you’re better off in your own backyard.
One of the oldest continuously operating attractions in Florida can be found right here in Sarasota. That would be the Sarasota Jungle Garden. The first time these gardens were opened for the public was way back in December of 1940. Since then millions of visitors have walked the trails and delighted in the antics of the animals and marveled at the serene beauty of the lush tropical surroundings. The gardens are spread out over 10 acres of land. Among the popular features are the free roaming flamingoes and the bird and reptile shows.
As any mathematician will tell you, the shortest distance between two points is a direct line. That theory comes handy if you’re planning a trip and want to map out your route. It can also apply to cleaning out the junk in your home. The shortest distance between you and a clean house would be a direct line to a rented dumpster. On paper that might work but when you put that theory into practice you’re going to find there are some major flaws.
If there can be a bright spot in the case of animal hoarding is that so many concerned citizens rise to the occasion to help out those who can’t help themselves. Recently, Sarasota County officials had to deal with an exhaustive case of animal hoarding that involved 260 different animals being kept in one home. That kind of rescue can put a burden on animal shelters all around the county. Fortunately, many local private rescue foundations stepped up to the plate and offered their assistance. VIP Rescue, which is based in Clearwater, was able to take in around two dozen dogs and provide them shelter and a path towards adoption. The Unleashed Spa in Largo found volunteers among their work staff to work for eight hours cleaning up dozens more dogs from this rescue. When you add up all the bills it clear to see this type of hoarding is not only the service to the animals but also a burden that the taxpayers must now endure.
The key to any successful move could come down to a matter of proper labeling. That’s why a Sharpie can be your best moving friend. When you pack up a box not only should you designate which room it will go in but you might want to include a general description of what’s in the box. For instance, a kitchen box labeled “dishes and silverware” might be opened a lot sooner than a box labeled “juicer.” This is going to make the unpacking process a much easier.
Many resort hotels in Florida advertise special weekend getaways for couples. One of the most popular amenities is to offer a hot tub for total relaxation. It’s hard to imagine any decent Florida hotel that doesn’t have a hot tub. For the truly exclusive packages, there are special suites which provide private hot tubs for couples. Florida is the perfect spot for hot tubs because of its ideal weather. Sarasota is no exception and you’ll find plenty of hot tubs dotting the landscape not just at hotels but in the backyards of many happy homeowners.
That popping sound you might hear could be champagne corks popping all around Florida real estate offices. This is because real estate sales in the region have bumped up to a whopping $1 billion during just the first two months of 2012. This translates into a 1/5 increase over sales figures the same time last year. It feels as if folks are coming out of the slump and are looking to get back into the lucrative Florida real estate market. While this is good news, it doesn’t mean we’re completely out of the woods yet. There are still many homes that have been foreclosed upon. However, what was a misfortune for one owner could turn out to be a blessing for another. Smart real estate shoppers have already discovered the many benefits to be had from adding foreclosed properties to their shopping lists.