Never have we been happier to hear the hammers, electric saws, beeping trucks and other sounds of new construction!  Once again our St. Augustine golf course community is abuzz with new home activity. More than 40 new homes are currently under construction in World Golf Village. The new construction projects are spread throughout a variety of the master-planned neighborhoods. Says Sherry Davidson, president of Davidson Realty, the leading real estate agency for World Golf Village and surrounding St. Johns County communities, “This new home building activity continues a forward trend in construction we started to see at the beginning of 2010, and we expect the St. Augustine and Jacksonville FL real estate markets will continue to improve this year.”

Currently there are 13 homes under construction in The Cascades, the active adult retirement community. Sixteen homes are underway in Laterra Links, the high-end enclave of coach homes, and another 10 homes are under construction in Heritage Landing, the amenity-packed family neighborhood.  Also under construction are two custom homes in Oakgrove Estates and The Crest, respectively.  Davidson added, “We started seeing a recovery to the real estate market in late 2009.  In January 2009, there was not a single new construction project on the horizon, but we kicked off January 2010 with several different projects and the building continues.”

Royal Pines is a very special place to me – one where I spent my childhood and teen years. I still think of it as home and cherish all the memories I have of taking our golf cart around the Village with friends and swimming with my brothers and our black lab, Bella, in my parent’s pool. Now, I am lucky enough to make new memories in Royal Pines – watching my brother fish, my dad cook, and drinking champagne with my mom on our screened lanai while admiring our beautiful view of the lake as the sun goes down. You could say I’m a Royal Pines expert and I’m going to let you in on 5 things that make Royal Pines so unique:

1. Royal Pines is the only neighborhood with 5 foot sidewalks on both sides of the road
2. The community is surrounded by a 40 acre lake
3. Royal Pines is home to the developer of World Golf Village, the President of Davidson Realty, and 3 Davidson agents!
4. And, it’s home to a turn-of-the-century cast iron crane fountain
5. Each home within the Jacksonville golf course community has its own unique style

These Jacksonville golf course homes start in the $400,000s and builders featured are Rutenberg, North Florida Builders, Providence Homes, and The Vintage Group. 

While picking a builder or a previously built home is a monumental decision for the homeowners, it is not the most important element when all is said and done. You and your family are what makes your house a home and what makes Royal Pines such a special place to live!

You would have to live under a rock to not know about the “Twilight” mania that is going on in pop culture right now. The series of books by Stephanie Meyer’s were wildly popular, even before they were transformed into movies. As the third movie in the Twilight sage, “Eclipse”, hit theaters the furor hit an all time high! You can enjoy the romantic thriller in its full glory for a limited time at the World Golf IMAX movie theater with a six-story high screen! This makes it the largest IMAX screen in Northeast Florida and a great way to watch all of the action…

For those of you who don’t know, Twilight is a story about an ordinary teenage girl, Bella, who falls in love with an exotic vampire, Edward. Of course, this creates some unique challenges for their relationship. Their love is further complicated by the fact Bella also is in love with Jacob – who is a werewolf! (It should be noted she loves Edward the most though!)

This love triangle has created a rivalry between fans of the movies: Team Edward vs. Team Jacob. After watching Eclipse, I must admit I am on Team Jacob. Personally, I think he is cuter than the skinny and pale Edward. (I have to wonder if I am going to get nasty comments on this blog post now!) But I mostly side with Jacob because he is honest with Bella. Edward tends to “protect” her too much and this leads to controlling behaviour on his part…that is simply unattractive to me. Doesn’t this bother anyone else? And there is the small fact he is eventually going to take her soul away! Although I don’t think the movie will ever be nominated for an Oscar, it is a great way to escape for two hours or so!

Now, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how wonderful it was to simply ride our bikes to see this IMAX movie! When you live in The Neighborhoods of World Golf Village, the theater is practically in your own backyard. For more information about living in the best Jacksonville golf course community, visit Davidson Realty.

It takes a Village to win a contest. Congratulations to the all-female crew of Village People who won the World Golf Village “My Neighbor is the Best!” Photo Contest. We love them for their chutzpah, creativity and cuteness.  And apparently so does everyone else.

The winners are neighbors in the Jacksonville golf course community and have become great friends. The photo is from Halloween last year when they showed 10-year-olds everywhere how trick-or-treating is really done.  The ladies will share World Golf Village Fun Packs and a $50 gift certificate to Caddyshack where we hope they will toast macho men and women alike.  Ladies, our hats are off to you, that includes hard hats, cowboy hats, camo caps, bandanas and feather warbonnets.

When you look at a map of the greater World Golf Village area, ever wonder what all those curvaceous creeks are like?  Well, it is simple to channel that wonder into an easy exploration, for most of the larger creeks in our area are beautifully serene and old-Florida wild.
 
Two of the best creeks for a paddle excursion are right at the doorstep to the World Golf Village.  One of them, Six Mile Creek, forms the western boundary of the King & Bear and Heritage Landing neighborhoods.  Six Mile Creek, along with its sister, Trout Creek, flow into the St. Johns River at their confluence with Palmo Cove.  In the 1800’s both creeks enabled loggers to gain access to harvest prime timber and raft it out to the broad St. Johns River, eventually delivering it to the mills in Jacksonville.  Today, the creeks offer a pristine glimpse into the flora and fauna that so intrigued the Bartram’s during their discoveries in the late 1700’s.
 
For starters, I suggest a half-day of boating that will reveal the unique character and quality of both Six Mile Creek and Trout Creek, while providing a window to the St. Johns River’s majesty.
 
There are two ways to do my suggested trip.  For an out-and-back trip, try putting in at the St. Johns County Trout Creek boat ramp on SR 16 / SR 13 – paddling out from there and returning to the same location.  Optionally, you can set up a shuttle with one car at the Outback Crab Shack on CR 13 – that way you can put in at Trout Creek and take out at the Crab Shack (after your lunch or dinner – just tell Ms. Margaret, Joe or David that you are leaving your car, before you depart).

In July, we will be opening the gates of our one-of-a-kind Jacksonville golf course community! July’s Sneak Peek Saturdays will feature Jacksonville golf course homes in the King & Bear. Tour the homes and be sure to check out our Swim and Tennis Center where all our social happenings take place. Fall in love with our resort-style amenities; a Junior Olympic-sized adult pool, kiddies’ pool, tennis courts, a fitness center, a clubhouse where tons of events take place, and more!

In World Golf Village, we like to celebrate the 4th of July all weekend long. Join us on Friday, July 2nd for the World Golf Village Community Fireworks Show. Bring blankets or lawn chairs and relax around the Walk of Champions before the big event. Then, join us for Sneak Peek Saturdays on July 3rd from 1-4 pm and you may be lucky enough to win a beach basket full of summer fun. If that just isn’t enough for you, make sure to book a tee time at the Slammer & Squire or King & Bear course for the 4th!

There’s a neighborhood for everyone in the King & Bear, so come out and find your perfect fit. For more information on the Community Fireworks Show call (904) 940-4123 and for more information on Sneak Peek Saturdays call (904) 940-5000. We look forward to showing you around our home!

Todd Oakes lives with his wife of 40 years, Cathy, in the Cascades at World Golf Village. They were among the first residents when they moved to the St. Augustine golf community in 2006. Although Todd’s favorite quote is, “It is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt,” he has graciously agreed to be our featured resident this month! Meet Todd…

1. If you could have front row seats to any concert who would you like to see?

I don’t know if you would call it a concert, but the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. I love to laugh.

2. If you could be brilliant in one subject, which would you choose?

Marital respect. We’ve made it 40 years and have been doing pretty good, but there is always room to improve.

3. Which is more important, the respect of your children or your parents? 

I don’t think you can separate the two.  If I did not have the respect of my parents, I don’t know how you would think your kids would respect you.

4. Should the individual or society be of primary importance? 

Since I am a lifelong conservative, this one is easy. It has to be the individual.

I am no stranger to Sherwin Williams. Truth is, I am practically a regular.  There are approximately nine paint swatches on my kitchen and breakfast area walls at this very moment.  All Sherwin Williams.  It’s hard to choose when they are each so lovely and the selection process is my favorite part.  Oh, the possibilities! 

Point is, I am so familiar with our local Sherwin Williams that I was surprised to hear that a lot of World Golf Village, Murabella, Kensington, Palencia and other nearby neighbors don’t know SW is right in our backyard.  Granted, its location is a little hidden – they are tucked just off International Golf Parkway behind Roots ‘n Wing Preschool in the office park near the Shell station.  It sure beats hauling to one of the huge big box retailers and I always get immediate and attentive service.  I figured out a while ago that their paint is better quality than any I had tried from the big stores. But hands down the best reason to use Sherwin Williams is for their fastidious electronic record keeping.  Store Manager Tore Isacsson said himself, “I’m a little fanatical about records!”  Thank goodness Tore can look up the last gallon I purchased and match it exactly.  It means one less thing to remember and we could all use that.

New Photo Contest Coming Soon to Your Hood

One of the best things about living in World Golf Village is the great neighbors.  We share laughs, trade stories, watch out for each others’ kids and look after each others’ pets.  That’s why we’re celebrating our neighbors.  Starting June 1st, send us a photo of you and your neighbor – make sure they know you’re snapping it for the contest:)  Show us why your neighbor is the best. Maybe he’s a master BBQ chef who grills steaks to order, or perhaps she has a crazy gardening get-up that makes you smile every Saturday, or maybe your kids have become fast friends.  We’re celebrating the wonderful neighbors of World Golf Village.  Watch for the official contest start on June 1st.  We’ll accept your photos from June 1st to 15th.  Voting is from June 15th to 30th so get your friends and family queued up to vote and you could win our grand prize: World Golf Village Fun Packs for 4 and a $50 gift card to Caddyshack so you can treat your neighbors.  The WGV Fun Packs offer a single day admission to the museum, one round on the putting course and admission to one IMAX film. Get ready to send your photos to Peyton Davidson starting June 1st at pdavidson@davidsonrealtyinc.com.