Hear from an iconic golfer this Saturday at The World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum in World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida as Nancy Lopez speaks about her legendary career. The World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum will celebrate the life and career of Lopez during a special exhibition, Nancy Lopez: Pride, Passion & Personality. Lopez will visit the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum on Saturday, January 15 to officially open her special exhibition. The Saturday event will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to tour the museum, the new Lopez exhibit and attend her personal speaking event in the Museum’s Shell Hall. Tickets are $25 per person for this memorable experience, and can be purchased here.

Nancy Lopez became a member of the LPGA Tour in 1977 and won 48 LPGA Tour events during her impressive career, including three major championships. She took golf by storm in the late 70’s. In 1978 alone, her first full season on the LPGA Tour, Lopez won nine tournaments, including at one stretch, five tournaments in a row. Also in 1978, Lopez was the only woman to win LPGA Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year, and the Vare Trophy in the same season. Lopez was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1987.

The special exhibit at the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum features more than 150 pieces of memorabilia from Lopez’s career, including LPGA Championship trophies, her trophy from the inaugural Solheim Cup and even the Ray Cook putter she used to win so many of her 48 LPGA titles.

Here are a few of our favorite things that will make the holidays merry and bright for givers, receivers and our local businesses too!

Mia at Publix Liquors at the Shoppes at Murabella says high-end scotch is hot for those discerning gentlemen who have everything. Consider Johnnie Walker Blue, Lagavulin or Dewars 18 but be prepared to pay $50 and up.  She also recommends the seasonal gift packs which go on sale – the Southern Comfort Gift Pack is on sale this week – and their wine cellar lock box boasts some choice vintages sure to impress.

Annual Passes to The World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater is the gift that keeps on giving. The annual Discovery Pass is $39 and the annual Power Pass is $69 with unlimited general run films and a host of other benefits. The World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX is upgrading to new digital 3D IMAX technology (it will be the 5th theater in the world to have it!) and will remain the largest IMAX screen in North Florida. In addition to the new projection system, upgrades will include a new screen and sound system.

There’s an array of great gifts to be had at the PGA TOUR STOP in World Golf Village, but a couple of our  favorites are the Breast Cancer Pink Rose Club Headcover for $22 and the Backyard Flagstick Pole & Cup for $18.

While you’re in the “Village,” mosey over to Murray Bros. Caddyshack  and pick up some gift certificates – perfect for teachers, guard gate personnel and neighbors.

Of course for those golfers on your list, a round at the King & Bear will always be appreciated.  Or, how about booking a Junior Golf Camp at the PGA TOUR Golf Academy for the little ones on your list?

Lay down roots or, in the case, a brick for someone special this holiday season. For $50-$65, you can have a custom engraved brick placed along the Walk of Champions leading up to the World Golf Hall of Fame. Visit www.wghofstore.com; the purchase is tax deductible.

Sherri Webb had my attention when she told me she recently cut a client’s homeowners insurance premium in half. She saved them more than $700. Sure, cutting coupons and shopping sales are good ways to save a little cash but saving hundreds while someone else does all the work?  That’s powerful! So I paid her a visit to learn a little more.

Sherri has more than 20 years experience in the insurance industry. She recently opened her own personal lines insurance agency, Angle Insurance Group (get it? She protects you from all checks “Angles”), in the Davidson Realty building at World Golf Village. She explained to me that she is an Independent Insurance Agent which means, unlike captive agencies, she can shop several insurance carriers, not just one company, to find the best coverage at the best price. “I don’t have to answer to any type of boss, I am my own boss, so my focus is finding ways to save my customers money. My customers really appreciate that,” said Sherri.  Sherri opened her new agency in June 2010 and is already saving people big money. Customer Sharon Horton said, “I knew Sherri for years but never paid much attention to my insurance until the premiums started to go up.  I had her look at both my homeowners and auto policies and not only did she cut my premiums in half, she also got me better coverage. I kick myself for not having her take care of my insurance earlier!”  Sharon added, “I refer friends to Sherri now and everyone is thrilled. Her personal service is top-notch and she doesn’t rest until she finds you the best coverage for the best price.”

I was looking forward to meeting Attorney Christopher W. Adamec, P.A. because I was aware of the generous support he has provided to our local schools, including Mill Creek Elementary, Ward’s Creek Elementary and Pacetti Bay Middle School. Adamec set up practice in the World Golf Village area about two years ago and in October he will move The Law Offices of Christopher W. Adamec, P.A., Attorney and Counselor at Law to a storefront location at The Shoppes of Murabella for better visibility. “Most of our business has been word-of-mouth which is a great testament to our service and value, but we want more of our neighbors to know that they don’t have to go to Jacksonville for excellent counsel or representation,” said Adamec.

Adamec’s services include family law, personal injury and criminal defense. His rates are more affordable than people might expect, starting at $75 per hour for consultation in family law and other matters, and no fee for personal injury consultation. Adamec explains, “Fees are definitely one of the biggest misconceptions about seeing an attorney.  For example, I recently helped a couple divorcing who had agreed on their marital settlement. I was able to take care of all their paperwork and get everything finalized in about two weeks so they could get on with their lives and the fee was under $2,000.” He added, “Unfortunately we’re seeing divorce really bog down the court system right now and create major headaches for people who are ready to move on. There’s a lot of paperwork and if it’s not handled correctly, it can result in multiple courthouse visits. An attorney can ease some of the hassle, worry and frustration in a situation that’s already stressful.”

Among the oak trees, around the golf fairways and to the gates, the first-ever Neighborhoods of World Golf Village Photo Scavenger Hunt begins this month.  From September 15th to November 15th, grab your friends, family or neighbors and let the hunting begin. Find four locations within World Golf Village, snap pictures with a ‘team member’ in them, and submit them with the entry form to Davidson Realty.  Four winners will be selected in a random drawing to win an Apple iPad. What better way to spend an afternoon than some quality family time on a picture-perfect fall day in Florida that could win you the must-have tech toy of the season? Visit www.wgvcontest.com for full details and the entry form.

The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village Photo Scavenger Hunt features four World Golf Village locations, each beautiful representations of our St. Augustine, Florida golf community. A majestic oak, a stacked stone gate, a park fountain and a bronze golf statue are the special spots. Photos of each spot can be viewed at www.wgvcontest.com. Teams must find each location and snap a photo with one team person in the shot.   Having trouble finding the photo opp spots?  Watch for hints on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WorldGolfVillage. All photos must be submitted with the entry form and turned into the Davidson Realty office located at 100 East Town Place, just across from the Publix at World Golf Village by November 15, 2010.  Office hours are 9 AM – 5:30 PM. Winners will be selected on November 16, 2010 and they will have seven days to claim their prize: an Apple iPad.

Those of us who have met Ernie the French Bulldog were not at all surprised he won the first World Golf Village Pet Photo Contest. Even though his smushed face, pudgy belly and constant snorting make him seem more pig-like than canine, he’s a great cuddler and full of puppy charm (he’s just 6 months old afterall).  Some might say he falls into the “so ugly he’s cute” category but don’t tell his mother who, like any new Mom, thinks little Ernie is the cutest, smartest, most wonderful dog ever born. Now she has official bragging rights. Congrats Ernie! Enjoy your Petco gift card but don’t blow all the money on treats.

Most real estate professionals, sellers and buyers would agree that home buying has become a more arduous process of late. Says Davidson Realty President Sherry Davidson, “There are quite a few home loans initiated that never come to fruition.  It’s a function of tougher qualifications and more complicated transactions.” Davidson Realty, Inc., based in World Golf Village, hopes to improve the home buying process with an on-site mortgage lender available six days a week, Monday through Saturday. 

Davidson Realty has teamed with three mortgage lenders who will provide on-site consultation for home buyers at its office in World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida. The varied institutions include First Atlantic Bank, a local community bank based in Jacksonville and St. Augustine; Dolphin Home Mortgage, an independent mortgage professional, and Bank of America, the large corporate bank. Rotating on-site at Davidson Realty’s offices, the lenders provide straightforward advice and honest assessments for home buyers and real estate professionals alike. Explains Davidson, “Gone are the days of pre-qualifying for jumbo loans and breezing through closings. Our goal is to help home buyers know from the get-go how much of a loan they can really qualify for in today’s market.”

Times are good for First Atlantic Bank. A little over three years old, the local bank was unscathed by the recession.  With no bad loans, First Atlantic enjoys a 4-star rating from Bankrate.com – the second highest rating in the Jacksonville/St. Augustine area.  According to Luciano Noir-Jones, St. Augustine Market Executive Vice President, the rating means, “Depositors money is safe with us.” 

Perhaps even more surprising in today’s environment is that First Atlantic Bank is lending. “Our capital is strong,” said Noir-Jones. “We’re actively lending to local businesses, from retail stores and restaurants to service-oriented companies, in Jacksonville and St. Augustine.  We anticipate doing about 20 SBA loans this year,” he added. 

First Atlantic is also strong in residential home lending. First Atlantic is one of the few lenders still doing construction to permanent loans and lot loans. Says Noir-Jones, “We underwrite and keep residential loans on our books, instead of selling them off.  This allows us to be more flexible for cases where a borrower, or the home they are buying, do not fit in the ideal box – recent examples are a high loan-to-value situation and a condo loan.”  First Atlantic recently teamed with Davidson Realty to have the bank’s Residential Mortgage Officer Jay Pardue onsite at Davidson’s office in World Golf Village two days a week.  Says Davidson Realty President Sherry Davidson, “This is a great opportunity for homebuyers since they can get expert advice on home loans on the spot.”

First Atlantic Bank has two locations in Jacksonville and two locations in St. Augustine – at Palencia and at Cobblestone Village. It has local investors and local board members. It’s tuned into the Northeast Florida market. Sherry Davidson recently joined First Atlantic’s Advisory Board. “We’ve been a very happy customer of First Atlantic, so I welcomed the opportunity to join fellow business owners on their Advisory Board. Rare is a bank that never fails to treat you like a valued customer,” said Davidson.

We have a serious soft spot for pets.  And we’re pretty sure you do too.  You might even think your pet is the cutest, most lovable, smartest and all-around most wonderful animal ever.  We get it.  In fact, we would LOVE to see how wonderful your pet is.  Whether your pet is truly adorable or only a mug a mother could love, we want your best photo.  Get ready.  Our Pet Photo Contest starts August 1st. The photo with the most votes will win a $100 gift certificate to Petco.

To submit a photo please email it to pdavidson@davidsonrealtyinc.com