The Villages isn’t the best selling community in the country for nothing. Below I’ve listed 50 reasons to love The Villages.

I titled this article “50+ Reasons…” because I’m hoping you will find something I missed and tell me about it in the comments at the end.

Ready? Here we go…

1. It’s Disney World for Adults – When we put the question out on Facebook of why you love The Villages, the fact that it is Disney World for adults was mentioned several times. Who could dispute this?

2. Great weather – I don’t know what its like where you’re sitting but it’s February here and we’re in the 60′s and 70′s most days. There’s just something about great weather that brightens your spirits…makes your body hurt less…and just makes life all around that much more enjoyable. Sure, who doesn’t appreciate the first snowfall of winter? But after that, its nothing but a headache.

3. Great People – The Villages biggest asset is it’s people. Time and time again on our Facebook page we heard how friendly people are. One person said “break down in your golf cart and see how long it takes other residents to come to your aid and you’ll see what we mean.” The Villages has people from all walks of life, who’ve all come together to live out their retirement dream. The happiness is contagious. Some people visiting The Villages for the first time can’t quite understand why everyone is so darn happy. Its just hard not to be when you’re living the life of your dreams in The Villages.

4. Location – At only about an hour from Orlando, it doesn’t take long to get from the adult Disney World to the real Disney World. Great for when the grandkids swing into town. And don’t forget all the other theme parks, shopping, and restaurants. And several people I know make it a point to hit several Orlando Magic (NBA) games each year. Then of course there’s Ocala, Leesburg, and Gainesville close by. It’s all within reach.

5. Golf Cart Accessible – Another popular answer from our Facebook friends was that everything is golf cart accessible. Who does not love this. It’s so much easier to get in and out of places quickly in your golf cart than it is your car. Of course some people could be more careful, and cool it on the speed and booze every now and then, but all in all, the golf cart lifestyle is one of the top reasons to love The Villages.

6. Cleanliness – The Villages has to be one of the cleanest hometown’s in America. I know the management works especially hard in this department and residents do their part too. A clean environment leads to cleaner living and more enjoyment of the beauty The Villages has to offer.

7. Every day is a vacation – No matter what your ideal day is like in The Villages, it most certainly does not feel like work. If it does, you’re doing it wrong.

8. Safety – Low crime rates. Fast emergency response times. High cardiac arrest survivability rates. Home to Florida Fire Chief of the Year. Enough said.

9. The Jingle – Come on, sing it with me … “The Villages, Florida’s Friendliest Hometown”. For many residents, hearing the now famous Villages jingle during commercials on national television was their first exposure to the community that would one day become home. Yes, some other communities have their own jingles, but none are as hard to get out of your head as The Villages jingle.

10. Affordable for (almost) anyone – I think the saying goes, “Live like a millionaire on a retirement budget” and that pretty much describes it. The Villages definitely offers a the amenities and lifestyle that many residents quite simply would not be able to afford elsewhere.

11. Harold Schwartz and the Morse family – Developers tend to get a bad wrap. Its the same in most communities, not just The Villages. But truth be told, without the foresight of Harold Schwartz and the commitment to and guidance of his dream by the Morse’s, The Villages would not be the success it is today.

12. The Lighthouse – I do not care if The Villages is an hour plus from any ocean or inlet, the lighthouse takes you back to the coastal towns you may have visited as a kid. Who says time machines don’t exist? I think there’s one located in the top of that there lighthouse. Honest.

13. Legend and Lore – Speaking of which, how fun is it to seek out the plaques and signs detailing the “history” of this great place? Of course they’re all made up, but using your imagination helps you feel like a kid again, and The Villages team has done a great job of piling on the magical storytelling. I hear Brownwood is going to have some good stuff in this department.

14. MVP Athletic Center – When it’s time to get your sweat on, there might not be a better place to head than MVP Sports Club in Spanish Springs. Exercise, personal training, and spa services all in one convenient place. Of course MVP is not the only game in town as many of the rec centers have their own fitness centers and some of them are pretty good in their own right and more convenient depending on where you live.

15. Recreation Centers – Speaking of rec centers, never before has a community seen so many in one place. No matter where you live there’s one convenient to you. They serve not only as a place where you can go and play or exercise or practice your craft, but they are a place where bonds and friendships are formed. They play a more important part in the success of The Villages than I believe people give them credit for.

16. Lifelong Learning College – What a great name, as we should all strive to make a lifelong commitment to learning. What a great place to do it. With the motto “No tests, grades, pressure. Just Fun” this won’t feel like the high school or college you may remember. With regular classes on a variety of subjects, special speakers, day trips, and excursions, there’s something for everyone.

17. The Villages Regional Medical Center – The workhorse and cornerstone of healthcare in The Villages TVRMC makes sure residents get back in the game as fast as possible when injury or illness strikes.

18. Moffitt Cancer Center – It may have started off controversially, but I don’t think there’s anyone who would say they wish the Moffitt Cancer Center was not here conveniently in The Villages. Hopefully you and your loved ones will never need it, but if you do, you’ll be glad its there.

19. USF Health/The Villages Partnership – The Villages does not rest on its laurels. We already know its the “friendliest Hometown” and above I declare in the “Cleanest Hometown”. Well this partnership aims to make it the “healthiest Hometown”. Formed just last year this partnership is just getting warmed up but surveying Villagers about their health status and needs, and offering lectures to help teach about improving your health in many ways.

20. Shands – Not in The Villages but close by in Gainesville, Shands is there when you need it for more advanced medical care. It’s like an extra blanket of security that you hope you’ll never need, but glad that its close to The Villages.

21. Free Golf for Life – What a great deal and of course, a great selling point for The Villages. Free golf on all 29 of the executive courses, with more executive courses on the way. It doesn’t get any better than that.

22. The Villages Golf Academy – You’d be surprised how many people show up to The Villages having never swung a golf club in their life. Or maybe one spouse has played regularly but not the other spouse wants to join them on the course now that both are retired. In either case, newbie golfers can get top notch instruction right here in The Villages.

23. Championship Courses – The championship courses are some of the best tracks in the state. The Villages is expected to have 12 championship courses at completion but even without them, The Villages boasts more than 500 holes of golf. That’s more than any other community in the world. Unbelievable.

24. More than 1,800 (and growing) organized clubs and activities – “Something for everyone” is somewhat of a cliche but it is absolutely true in The Villages. If you can’t find a group, club, or activity that interests among the more than 1,800 available, well, I just feel sorry for you. But guess what, if that’s the case, you can create, organize, and publicize your own activity.

25. World’s Biggest Recreation Program – Villagers never lack things to do, but all of those activities are made possible by a large group of full-time, part-time, and volunteers who make it all come together. They obviously love The Villages, so we should also give them some love here in this article.

26. Camp Villages – Every summer The Villages hosts its popular program, Camp Villages. But this isn’t your typical “drop the kids off in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon” type of summer camp. Why would you expect anything that typical from The Villages? No no, this summer camp is for you AND your grandkids and features all kinds of activities that you and your grandkids can enjoy together.

27. Holidays in The Villages – Villagers know how to mark a holiday. Whether it’s St. Patrick’s Day, the 4th of July, Veteran’s Day, Christmas, or any holiday in between, you’ll likely be celebrating it with your friends throughout the community. Depending on the holiday there are parades, parties, performances, charity drives, and more. The Villages does not forget the true meaning and spirit behind each holiday, and neither will you.

28. The Villages Senior Games – Each year The Villages hosts regional senior game competitions with people competing in just about every sport imaginable. Golf, tennis, bowling, archery, track and field, and many many more. Hundreds of Villagers have gone on from this competition to compete in the Florida Senior Games, and then on to the National Senior Games. It’s great that, if you are an athlete, you don’t have to go far to put your skills to the test against other competitors.

29. Nightly Entertainment – Whether its a small local act or the occasional well know singer or group that is on stage, The Villages does a good job keeping residents entertained. Sometimes they even book presidential candidates to sing for the crowd

30. Arts & craft shows – It seems like almost every month there’s a new arts & craft show passing through town. Sure, some are better than others, but they’re always a good way to kill a couple of hours on the weekend.

31. Drinks on the square – We had at least one person throw out that their favorite thing about The Villages was being able to have drinks on the square. Well cheers to that!

32. Spanish Springs Lanes – Home to 32 lanes that host bowling leagues and tournaments, as well as allowing the kids to get out of the hot summer sun by letting them bowl for free, Spanish Springs Lanes is a great place to spend a few hours practicing your form. I’m not much of a bowler in real life, but you don’t want to mess with me when it comes to Wii Bowling.

33. and 34. The Villages Homeowner’s Association and the Property Owner’s Association – They they both have different goals and different politics, The VHA and the POA are both great organizations looking out for the greater good of The Villages and it’s residents. If you haven’t joined already, you should really consider doing so. Both organizations have very low membership dues, so its really a no brainer to support those who are working hard for Villagers day in and day out.

35. The Villages Polo Club – Hosting more than 30,000 spectators a year, The Villages Polo Club is a great place to take in “The Sport of Kings”. Offering two full seasons between March and May then October and December residents seem to get a kick out of watching the matches in style.

36. Pickleball – It wasn’t invented here, but The Villages is considered the Mecca of Pickleball and ranked as the #1 Place to Live for Pickleball. If you’re new to the game, there’s no better place to learn one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S.

37. and 38. Spanish Springs and Lake Sumter Landing – The two current town squares will soon have to share the spotlight with a third, but they will continue to serve residents of The Villages well. Entering either Spanish Springs or Lake Sumter Landing you feel like you are being transported back in time. Your attitude changes. Your spirits are lifted. Everything is at your fingertips. Dining. Shopping. Entertainment. Friends. What a great concept.

39. Brownwood – Only those intimately involved with the development and construction of Brownwood know just how great it will be. In fact, even they are not sure yet exactly how big it will be in the end. But, hey, I’m gonna go ahead and go out on a limb here and say that we love it already. Can’t wait to see if finished.

40. The Villages Shuttle Bus – Really, can they make it any easier to get from The Villages to Orlando International Airport. Forget about driving yourself, and hop on the bus. For $65 roundtrip bring all your bags, golf clubs and pets. Who doesn’t love this deal?

41. The Villages Trolley Tour – Speaking of transportation, if you’re looking to kill some time, hop on a scenic trolley tour of The Villages. Now who doesn’t love a nice trolley ride every now and then?

42. The US441/27 Golf Cart Bridge – This one-of-a-kind landmark is the only public golf cart bridge in the United States that crosses a US Highway. Like they say, “Only in The Villages!”

43. 640 AM WVLG – Not many communities can boast their own radio station. “The Voice of The Villages” broadcasts news, weather and entertainment to residents.

44. and 45. Banner Mercantile and Market Square Mercantile – If you love The Villages, and I know you do if you’ve stuck with this article this long, you want to show off the fact that you call this place home. Well there’s no better place to do that than with some logo apparel from Banner Mercantile or Market Square Mercantile. But they don’t stop at just clothes. Pretty much any household good you can think of including cookware, glassware, and dishes can be yours emblazoned with The Villages logo.

46. Church on the Square – Whether you are religious or not, you will most certainly visit Church on the Square at some point while living in The Villages. In addition to being a place of worship, Church on the Square serves as host to a variety of musical productions each month.

47. and 48. Rialto Theatre and Old Mill Playhouse – Movies are my favorite pastime, and I know a lot of Villagers feel the same way. There’s nothing like buying a ticket, grabbing some popcorn and a soda and taking in the latest Hollywood movies. Luckily The Villages has two convenient places to do just that.

49. The Political Spotlight – Whether you like their politics or not, it’s always neat to see all the politicians passing through each year. Who could pass up the opportunity to speak directly to 86,000 people who turn out to vote in astoundingly high numbers? It would be a huge mistake to ignore The Villages on your campaign route.

50. The Book Signings – If we ever go 100% kindle e-readers and ditch the paperbacks I wonder what all the authors will sign when they pass through The Villages for book signings. Granted many of these authors are political figures, but some of them aren’t. In any case, its very cool to see your favorite authors come visit your hometown on their book tours.

Over to you. What did I miss? Tell me why you LOVE The Villages in the comments below.

Round 2 of The Villages Aptitude Test is now available for your test taking pleasure.

Click here to take the quiz.

After you take the quiz be sure to rub in your perfect score by sharing the quiz with your Facebook friends.

More than 1,000 people took the quiz the first time around and we’re looking to shatter that record this time.

If you stay up to date on all the latest news coming out of The Villages you should do pretty good. We took all the questions this time around from past issues of The Villages Monthly. Not a subscriber? Well that just makes me sad

Why don’t you hop on over here and sign-up? Now THAT would make my day.

In all seriousness, enjoy the quiz!

This simply means that the asking price is less than the amount owed on the mortgage.

While this is not as common in The Villages as it is in other Florida retirement communities because many Villagers pay cash or only get small mortgages, it does happen in some cases.

On my other website, Florida for Boomers, I just published an in-depth article that you will want to read if you are in or think you may encounter this type of situation. The kicker is that what I have to tell you in this article is all from personal experience as I am in the middle of a short sale transaction myself at the time of this writing.

Continue to read Anatomy of a Short Sale: A Guide for Buyers

2012 should be just as exciting.

Let’s look at some of the major stories of the past year in The Villages.

(Note: All of these stories and more were covered in depth in The Villages Monthly this past year)

IRS Issue – This issue is now 4 years old, if you can believe it. I get tons of email every month from people who want to move to The Villages but are hesitant to do so until this is resolved.

As TVCDD and the IRS continue to spar over the accuracy of the details in the case, I still don’t see a quick end to this in 2012.

Despite that lingering piece of uncertainty, The Villages rings in 2012 with a full head of steam.

Among the good stories of 2011:

Moffitt Cancer Center – The new Moffitt Cancer Center celebrated its grand opening this month, providing cancer care closer to home for Villagers. The fundraising activities this past year were not without controversy, but overall I think Villagers are better off having more choices for care close to home.

The Villages/USF Health Partnership – This is an interesting partnership that came to fruition this year. With the aim of creating “America’s Healthiest Hometown” this partnership has kicked off in 2011 with a lecture series on various health related topics geared towards residents of The Villages, and several focus groups with residents to determine what health issues and concerns the partnership should tackle first.

I think that there are several communities like The Villages across the country watching how this partnership shapes up and evolves in 2012 and over the next few years.

The population of our country as a whole is skewing older every year, and I’m optimistic that the progress made in this partnership could potentially enhance the lives of millions of others throughout the country, not just here in The Villages.

2012 Presidential Election – Politics are always a major topic in The Villages, and 2011 was no exception. There was an extra amount of activity because of the run-up to the GOP presidential nomination.

Several state and national politicians made their way to The Villages in 2011, and we predict the politicians will visit The Villages in 2012 in record numbers as the run-up to the GOP nomination, and the eventual November election approach.

The Villages on the National Stage – The Villages got some great national publicity this year.

In May, CBS Sunday Morning had a piece on custom golf cars in The Villages. To date, the video has been watched more than 1.8 million times on YouTube.

Then in September, morning show FOX & Friends broadcast live from Lake Sumter Landing Market Square in The Villages. Guests included Florida governor Rick Scott, FOX commentator Oliver North, rock band foreigner, cheerleaders from UCF, performers from local high schools, and more.

2012 is sure to be an exciting and interesting year in The Villages. I look forward to keeping you up to date on all the major news that transpires.

I’d like to leave you with a video sent in by one of our readers who plans to move to The Villages in the next few years. He took quite a few pictures during his lifestyle preview and put them all together in this video. Enjoy!

Well I’m happy to report that today, The Villages Aptitude Test or (T.V.A.T for short) is finally here.

My goal was to create a fun little diversion that all of my readers could enjoy during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. I hope you like it

I’d be honored and delighted if you took a moment to pass the quiz along to your friends, either through email or by sharing it on Facebook.

Go here now and check it out

Keep in mind this is “version 1″. I’m not sure what the future holds for T.V.A.T. If people really take to it and it gets a lot of traction than I imagine updating it with new questions every couple of months, running new contests, etc. Time will tell. But for now, just go check it out and let me know what you think!

Update: Round 2 of The Villages Aptitude Test is now available for your test taking pleasure.

When we recently put the question “Where is the best place for seafood in The Villages…and what do you order?” out on our Facebook page we got more than 20 responses. Here are just a few:

We also had a poll option where our Facebook fans could vote on their favorite place. At the time of this writing, Bonefish took the top spot with 23 votes and Lighthouse Point Bar & Grille took 2nd with 13 votes.

Florida fishermen catch more than 83 percent of the nation’s supply of grouper, pompano, mullet, stone crab, pink shrimp, spiny lobsters, and Spanish mackerel. However, during the past several years, the influx of lower-cost, imported seafood has displaced local seafood in many commercial markets along with the rich traditions associated with it. For example, in 2009 imports made up 84% of the seafood Americans consumed.

This September Publix Supermarkets and Darden Restaurants (parent company of Red Lobster and Olive Garden) announced their commitment to rebuilding the Gulf of Mexico’s stressed fish stocks. The two Florida-based companies will be working with the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), a Honolulu nonprofit whose mission is to rebuild depleted fish stocks and reduce the environmental impacts of fishing and fish farming.

Darden Restaurants is one of the world’s largest seafood buyers and Publix Supermarkets is one of the largest seafood sellers in the state. The partnership role of the company’s with seems to be primarily financial. Publix does say their seafood stewardship includes ensuring all their seafood comes from legal fisheries and that they try to source domestically whenever possible. They do note, however, that “the seafood industry is such that we must source product from all over the world.”

Publix also says they do not participate in any seafood eco-labeling, which is meant to inform consumers about sustainable seafood, because the program inconsistencies are “confusing” and certification is cost-prohibitive for small industry fisheries.

Darden Restaurants says it is committed to purchasing wild harvested and aquacultured species from sustainable sources. Also, their brands do not serve species such as Chilean sea bass, orange roughy or an type of shark, because these species are currently overfished. They also monitor fish stocks to evaluate if other items should also be removed from their menus.

Is it Safe?
Florida seafood took a big blow during the Deepwater Horizon (BP) oil spill during 2010. Media reports claim that more than 60 percent of Floridians are still concerned about the quality of seafood from the Gulf. To help assure consumers that the seafood is safe, the Florida Department of Agriculture has created MyFloridaGulfSafe.com. According to the web site, “Florida Gulf seafood was never affected by the oil spill of over a year ago. It’s safe now and always was. We make sure of that by continually testing Florida Gulf seafood using the most stringent standards available.”

Is It Sustainable?
Seafood is sustainable when the population of that species of fish is managed in a way that provides for today’s needs without damaging the ability of the species to reproduce and be available for future generations. This takes into account seafood stocks, harvesting and processing practices.
The seafood profiled above is labeled with a sustainability index from Monterey Aquarium’s Seafood Watch for the Southeast Region.

To make it easy to select sustainable seafood, Seafood Watch has downloadable pocket guides and mobile apps.

Tips for Purchasing Local Seafood

Buy from Reputable Vendors:
Just because someone is selling seafood out of a cooler at a road side stand, doesn’t mean they are local or legitimate. Purchasing seafood from reputable licensed vendors helps to ensure products are harvested, processed and sold according to federal, state, and local regulations. To find where you can purchase Florida seafood products visit: http://www.fl-seafood.com/consumers/wheretobuy.htm

Talk to your Fish Mongers:
If you have questions/concerns about the products you are purchasing, talk to the people who are selling them to you. Legitimate fish mongers should be able to provide you with the details you are seeking. Ask them for suitable alternatives if you cannot find the product you looking for.

Know your Seasons:
Being an informed consumer means knowing when and where fresh seafood is available. Just as Florida produce has “peak” seasons of availability, so does Florida seafood. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides consumers with a helpful resource in identifying what times of the year fresh Florida seafood products are available: http://www.fl-seafood.com/availability.htm

Choose Suitable Alternatives:
In some cases it might not be possible to buy Florida-harvested seafood. The product might be out of season or unavailable, it could be too expensive, or it simply is not harvested in the area (i.e. salmon or sea scallops). When possible consider purchasing seafood products that are harvested regionally or in the U.S. to further support the long-term health and sustainability of domestic fisheries. To learn more about U.S seafood visit: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishwatch/

Over to you. Have a favorite restaurant and/or favorite seafood dish in The Villages? Let us know in the comments below.

Here’s a preview of just a few of the stories we’re covering in the October issue going out next week:

• New restaurant openings this past month…
• Recap of FOX & Friends Live Show From Lake Sumter Landing…
• Florida GOP Straw Poll and It’s Ties to The Villages…
• Which political candidates visited The Villages this past month…
• Why Citizen’s First Bank (the major bank in The Villages) is in the news this month…

… and last but not least a story about a really BIG boat (not giving any more away about this one!)

If you are not yet a subscriber, my only question for you is WHY NOT?!?!

Click here to learn more and subscribe.

Voted one of the top 25 best beaches in the WORLD, Clearwater Beach is a little more than two hours southwest of The Villages. Just hop on I-75 to Tampa, then cross the bay on Memorial Causeway. The road ends right at the beach.

If you’ve seen the recent hit movie Dolphin Tale, you’ve already seen parts of Clearwater and Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA). Filmed in the area, Dolphin Tale is based on the true story of one of Clearwater’s most famous residents, Winter, a bottlenose dolphin. When Winter was only three-months old, she got caught in a crab trap and injured her tail. She came to CMA for rehabilitation, but her injuries were too great and she lost her tale and two vertebrae. However, a marine mammal veterinarian and CMA trainers worked with Hanger Prosthetics to build Winter a prosthetic tail. Winter plays herself in the movie and stars alongside Harry Connick, Jr., Ashley Judd, and Morgan Freeman. Winter shares her home at CMA with Panama, another bottlenose dolphin.

Of course there are more animals at CMA than Winter, and there is a lot more to do. You can learn about turtles, otters, and sharks and you can even interact with the dolphins. There is also kayak tour or a two-hour sea safari. The more adventurous can take a behind the scenes tour or even be a trainer for a day.

When you cross the causeway into Clearwater Beach, the road ends at Pier 60. Pier 60 might sound like a nightclub but it’s actually a 1,080-foot fishing pier. You can walk out mid-point, or for a small fee, you can stroll all the way to the end. If get inspired, you can even try your hand at fishing. The pier bait house can hook you up (no pun intended) with a rental rod and reel. The park near the pier has a snack bar, the all-important restrooms, and, if you’re with the grandkids, a pretty good playground.

Though you’ll pass the pier as soon as you enter Clearwater Beach, be sure to come back in the evening (6 to 9 pm), to experience “Sunsets at Pier 60,” a daily mini-festival with vendors, street performers (buskers), and of course, an awesome view of the sunset over the water. As a bonus, on Friday and Saturday nights, around 8:15ish, pull up a beach towel and catch a family-friendly movie. The flicks are free, but bring a little cash for popcorn and soda.

For the true Florida beach experience, check out Caladesi Island State Park, just a few miles north of Clearwater Beach. Proclaimed the #1 beach in America (2008) by “Dr. Beach” (Dr. Stephen Leatherman), the 600+-acre park is one of the few undeveloped barrier islands left in the state. It’s rich with sea oats and oystercatchers (a wading bird), a mangrove forest, and other Florida flora and fauna. On Caladesi, take a swim, kayak along the mangroves, fish, go shelling, or read a book on the beach. There’s also a three-mile nature trail through the interior of the island. Public showers are available on the island and Café Caladesi offers casual beach food, a gift shop, beach chair and umbrella rentals as well as kayak rentals.

There is no car access to the island, but you can get there via ferry. The ferry is $14 for a round-trip (plus $8 per vehicle to get onto Honeymoon Island State Park, where the ferry departs), but think “un-crowded” and “unspoiled,” and it’s worth the fee. Just a note, no pets are allowed in Caladesi, but Honeymoon Island has a dog beach.

Many Clearwater visitors (and locals) make it a point to stop at the Clear Sky Café. About a block from the beach, the restaurant serves from breakfast to late-night. The menu is versatile, and offerings range from burgers and pizza to steaks and local seafood.

For something a little different, try breakfast on the patio, and forego the traditional eggs benedict, and try a version with crab or salmon. We hear the French toast is good too.

Clear Sky has a weekday happy hour from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., with food and beverage specials. Late-night drinkers can catch another happy hour from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. but the specials at that time are drinks only. However, the kitchen is still serving pizzas, flatbreads and paninis.

Another popular restaurant on the beach in Clearwater that my wife and I fell in love with is Frenchy’s. While we frequented the Rockaway Grill location because it was right by our hotel, Frenchy’s actually has four locations in Clearwater, and they are best known for their blackened grouper sandwich. Do not miss it!

When you’re ready to move off the beach and onto the water, Classic Cruises is the answer. The tour and charter company operates The Enterprize, a 1965 37’ Chris Craft Roamer, and the Tradewinds, a 60’ three-masted schooner. The Enterprize is available for one-and-a-half-hour trips, or it can be charted for the day. Tradewinds sailing trips are limited to six people, and word has it that the sunset cruises can’t be beat for relaxation and romance.

If you plan on making your Clearwater Beach trip an overnighter, the area has the usual hotel offerings (Doubletree, Holiday Inn, etc.), but the smaller properties could be a good choice. Several motels participate in the Superior Small Lodging Program. To be included, properties undergo independent review, and proprietors must commit to the quality, comfort, congeniality, cleanliness and safety standards of the program. You can also stay at a Clearwater Marine Aquarium Premium Partner property and part of the proceeds from your stay will go to build a new home for Winter.

Also, the aforementioned Frenchy’s has a “retro boutique motel” that they own and operate called Frenchy’s Oasis Motel. We took a drive by and it looked pretty nice.

We stayed at the Sandpearl Resort. The place is amazing. We would definitely stay there again if we ever get back over to Clearwater. It was first class all the way. While it’s a resort, many of the units are owned by private owners. We actually found the one we stayed in on VRBO.com, so my advice if you go there is try both the main Sandpearl website as well as VRBO.com and see what makes the most sense for you.

Anyway, if you head over to Clearwater, let me know how it goes.

In case you missed it, you might also like the first of our beach series articles: Sanibel Island

Be sure watch for our upcoming “Day Trip” post on St. Petersburg, a culturally diverse beach town just a few miles from Clearwater Beach.

When these types of incidents are brought to light, it makes you wonder why residents complain about speed traps (especially near school zones) and traffic stops.

The September Property Owner’s Association (POA) Bulletin highlighted several traffic issues including Sumter County police using unmarked cars to nab speeders, and the potential clash of golf carts and cars at a Morse Blvd. roundabout, south of CR 466. A reader writing in to the newsletter also asked Lady Lake Police Chief, Ed Nathanson,

As Nathanson pointed out, the stops help reduce violent crime and illegal drugs, but most importantly, the stops help prevent traffic crashes – many of which can be prevented by buckling up, slowing down and paying attention.

In July a Sumter County sheriff deputy discovered a meth lab in a vehicle during a traffic stop on CR 466 in The Villages. The three suspects arrested ranged in age from 18 to 31 and were from Lady Lake, Leesburg, and Wiersdale. Now, obviously these folks don’t live in The Villages but it does underscore the fact that traffic stops do in fact work, no matter how annoying they may seem.

Nationally, more than 30,000 people are killed in crashes each year. In addition to the toll on victims’ family and friends, crash deaths resulted in $41 billion in medical and work loss costs. In Florida alone, medical costs from motor-vehicle deaths are $40 million annually. Lost-work costs add another $3.12 billion, for a whopping total of $3.16 billion—the highest amount in the southeast.

The good news is the number of traffic-related fatalities in Florida has dropped steadily over the last five years. In 2005 there were 3,533 fatalities and in 2010 there were 2,444 — a 30.8% reduction.

So, how do the counties around The Villages stack up? Pretty good, actually. Luckily, in The Villages, the majority of drivers are over age 55. Most Florida crashes involve young adults (age 20-34) and teens (15 to 19).

Here’s a look at some local driving statics:

Source: http://www.flhsmv.gov/hsmvdocs/CS2010.pdf

Motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian figures are also available in the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles document referenced above.

Speeding
For all you lead-footed drivers out there, here’s an interesting fact to consider – the number of speeding citations issued vastly differs from the number of those found guilty.

Note: This table applies to exceeding posted speed limit only. It does not include driving too fast for conditions.

*Source: http://www.flhsmv.gov/reports/2010UTCStats/UTCStats.html

Oftentimes when people move to The Villages, they bring their parents with them. Despite their ages, some of these parents continue to drive. Now, most older drivers are good drivers. But as we age, most of us will need to take steps to ensure that we can continue to drive safely.

Florida offers a program called “Florida GrandDriver“. The goals of the program are to:

If you are in fact bringing parents with you, or perhaps find yourself questioning how sharp your driving skills are these days, give the program a look.

Be safe out there!

Scheduled guests include Florida governor Rick Scott, FOX News commentator Oliver North, rock band Foreigner, UCF cheerleaders, and…my favorite…alligators from Gatorland.

Should be fun to watch. I’m anxious to see how much of The Villages they show.

I’ll update this post after the show.