Public Opinion Wanted

The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) has been holding community workshops in the seven-county area. They have now scheduled two on-line workshops.

A live, moderated PowerPoint presentation will be given at the first hour of the online workshop and repeated in the second hour. In addition, TBARTA representatives will answer questions and ask for ideas and comments from the online audience.

Below is information on the two online workshops:

• Thursday, November 1311:30 am to 1:30 pm

Visit http://www.tbarta.com/?q=node/1944 for login information

• Tuesday, November 185:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Visit http://www.tbarta.com/?q=node/1949 for login information

For more info, check out their website: www.tbarta.com.

News On A Few Of My Favorite Things!

Goodwill's Centergate Bookstore (corner of Cattleman and Bee Ridge) is celebrating it's 9th Anniversary tomorrow with free birthday cake AND 25% off everything in the store. If your are a book lover and/or have kids, you must stop by to check out their collection and deals.

Also, tomorrow is G.Wiz-O-Ween! From 5:30 to 7:30 admission is only $3 per child for trick-or-treating, ghostly games, spooky science and more. Last year was lots of fun so make sure to dress up and come on out tomorrow night!

VOTE!

My kids and I will be on the corner of 41 and Bee Ridge today to support Bill Furst for Sarasota County Property Appraiser! To learn more about Bill, visit: http://www.furstforfairness.com/.

Remember to get out and VOTE! It's your right as a US citizen. Don't take it for granted.

Show You Care: Clean the Coast!

Come clean up the coastline with me, my kids and a bunch of great volunteers from the Sarasota Association of Realtor's GRAS (Green Realtor Alliance of Sarasota) Saturday September 20 at 8 am around John Ringling Causeway. Follow this link for more details and the registration form: http://www.sarasotarealtors.com/about/event.cfm?eveID=74.

This is a great way to get your kids involved as volunteer opportunities for kids are few and far between.

Hope to see you there!

Florida KidCare Increases Enrollment

Gov. Crist and the Florida Legislature this year approved more funding for Florida KidCare, which will enable 38,000 more uninsured children to join the federally subsidized program and obtain healthcare coverage. The program is open to all families regardless of income. Officials note that the program is free for those eligible for Medicaid.

Monthly premiums depend on your household's size and income. Most families pay $15 or $20 a month. If you need to pay more, Florida KidCare will let you know. The full monthly premium to enroll in KidCare is about $128 - less expensive than most private insurance. More than 1.4 million children are enrolled in Florida KidCare, which gives them access to preventive care such as regular doctor visits, immunizations, dental check-ups and prescriptions.

For more information or to apply for Florida KidCare, go to www.floridakidcare.org. You can also call 1-888-540-5437 to receive an application by mail.

Source: Florida Association of Reators

Jungle Gardens Back-To-School BASH!

What a great way to spend your last weekend before school starts AND teach your kids how to give back to their community! This Saturday from 10 to 4pm.

Free for kids between 3 and 12 with school supply donation worth $3. All school supplies collected will be split between Sarasota and Manatee counties.

• Here are the details: http://www.sarasotajunglegardens.com/jungle/?page_id=110.
• Here's a coupon for $1 adult admission: http://www.sarasotajunglegardens.com/jungle/?page_id=39.

Hopefully Eddie, Mya and I will see you there!

Shoes For Kids Please

My office, RE/MAX Alliance Group, is collecting new shoes for school kids to distribute in the Charlotte County Public school system. Sizes 4 youth and 6 adult are needed the most but we have requests for 7 toddlers up to 11 adult female and 13 adult male.

If you'd like to help out, drop the new shoes by our office on Webber and 41 or the ones located in Englewood and North Port--or email me at Christina@YourHometownConsultant.com and I'll pick them up and deliver them for you.