Ocala Florida Superstar - John Travolta's Red Carpet Event for "Bolt"

RED CARPET EVENT IN OCALA

I had chills that were multiplying and I almost lost control. But even though it was cold outside, it was still “Friday Night Fever” in Ocala, Florida, on November 21, 2008.

The reason for all the excitement? John Travolta held his Ocala Premier for the new Disney animated film, “Bolt” in which J.T. is the voice of the lead character, a little dog by the same name. Miley Cyrus also voices a character in the movie and she and John recorded a song together for the soundtrack, which played throughout the evening to the crowd assembled outside the theater waiting to catch a glimpse of John. I was one of those diehard fans willing to brave the cold to get a chance to see John up close and shake his hand. This would be my second brush with the famous actor. I stood in the rain and cold in March 2007, when John and Kelly held their first Ocala red carpet affair for the premier of his movie, “Wild Hogs”, about middle-aged men on a motor cycle road trip.

This year it was a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Marion County which raised $55,000. John Travolta and his wife, Kelly Preston, added an additional $10,000 personally for a grand total of $65,000. There was a VIP reception at Easy Street Fun Center that included a “meet and greet” with John and Kelly. Those tickets sold out immediately at $250 each for the opportunity to rub elbows with this movie star couple who call Marion County home. The gourmet delight gala was catered by Felix’s Restaurant.

Photo by Paula Rae

The crowd then walked the red carpet over to the Regal Hollywood 16 Theater for a private screening of the movie. Free tickets were handed out to 40 kids from the Boys and Girls Club. Two scooters donated by Ocala Harley Davidson, hand painted with the “Bolt” logo and personally autographed by John Travolta, were auctioned off. One went for $1,600 in the VIP tent while the other one was raffled off at $1.00 per ticket. I bought three tickets, but alas mine was not the chosen ticket.

When it was my turn to shake John’s hand, I looked into those beautiful blue eyes and said, “Hello Mr. Travolta, when are you going to appear on the cover of AARP magazine?” I have no idea where that stupid question came from. But to John’s credit, he merely said, “Well I don’t really know. I guess I’ve got another year to go.” Then I shook Kelly’s hand and said, “I think he should have been selected (People Magazine’s) ‘Sexiest Man Alive’, don’t you?” She smiled and nodded in agreement.

Then the Travoltas ascended the steps to a stage where the mayor of Ocala, Randy Ewers, presented them with a plaque honoring their service to the community amid the thunderous applause and cheers from their adoring fans. Cameras were flashing as the local media and news stations were covering the event.

I have it on very good authority that John intends to have another red carpet premier/fundraiser in Ocala when the weather will be warmer. He has an “action flick” co-starring Denzel Washington due to come out in summer of 2009. You can bet money that I will again be among the throng of worshipers lining the barricade to have my chance to see John Travolta up close and personal for the third time. I wouldn’t miss it!

Wendy Walters
The Shultz Team
#1 Team at Re/Max Premier Realty
Ocala, FL
Toll Free: 800-243-4087
Direct: 352-291-1276
Info@OcalaVisualTours.com
www.OcalaVisualTours.com
* FREE OCALA MOVING TRUCK! * - Contact for more details!

Real Estate Sales - Interactive Map

A fellow Cyberstar, Rob Levy, (a wonderful group I belong to and network with) sent this to me today and I thought it was very educational and fascinating.

Just by moving your mouse over the interactive map you can see what the median house prices are in different cities all over the USA and how much the market has changed from a year ago.

To view the interactive map just click on this link.

Please notice, even though we have been going through a very tough market in Ocala/Marion County, prices in other Florida Cities, like Miami, have dropped a lot more. Personally, our team has noticed a big increase in activity and sales for the last quarter of this year. There are lots of investment opportunities in Ocala, Florida now and local buyers and investors are noticing the great buys.

Look for my Ocala/Marion County market update for October shortly.

Have a great day,

Brigitte Shultz
The Shultz Team
#1 Team at Re/Max Premier Realty
Ocala, FL
Toll Free: 800-243-4087
Direct: 352-291-1276
Info@OcalaVisualTours.com
www.OcalaVisualTours.com
* FREE OCALA MOVING TRUCK! * - Contact for more details!

Belleview FL - Small Town Charm

Belleview, Florida

The City with Small Town Charm
Incorporated in 1885, Belleview began as a settlement around Nine Mile Pond nine miles south of Fort King along the military trail that led to Fort Brooke in Tampa. Nine Mile Pond is now Lake Lillian, and the city of Belleview has grown from its original 350 residents to more than 3,800 today. Still, the city's history can be seen in its core residences and public buildings, from City Hall, a Spanish mission-style structure built as a schoolhouse in 1926, to the Chamber of Commerce building and visitor center, a former railway station. Belleview's library, founded in 1886, is the second oldest in the state.

Belleview lies just 4 miles south of the Florida Trail crossing of US 441 at Santos, along the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, and provides easy access to 6 major trailheads for day hiking and backpacking opportunities. Also close to Lake Weir - for water and recreational fun! Check it out on our Lake Weir Florida page at www.OcalaVisualTours.com

The Cross Florida Greenway
Originally intended to be the route of the Cross Florida Barge Canal first surveyed in the 1850s, the Majorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway is a broad swath of public land stretching from Palatka to Inglis. Managed by the Office of Greenways and Trails, the Greenway contains three sets of parallel trails for different uses: hiking (the Florida Trail), mountain biking (Ocala Mountain Biking Association) and equestrian. These trails converge at trailheads, road crossings, and across the famed Land Bridge over Interstate 75.

Officially dedicated in 2000, the Florida Trail along the Cross Florida Greenway includes more than 30 miles of continous hiking between Dunnellon and Silver Springs, with the most popular trailheads for day hiking being Santos (just north of Belleview) and the CR 475A / Land Bridge Trailhead (just west of Belleview near I-75).

Trailheads and access points

1. Baseline Trailhead. The Florida Trail crosses SR 35 (Baseline Road) at its intersection with CR 464 (Maricamp Road) to the northeast of Belleview. The trailhead entrance is located along SR 35 just north of the intersection, on the right. This trailhead provides potable water, restrooms, and a playground plus access to a paved biking trail leading northeast.

2. Historic Santos. The Florida Trail follows SE 41st Ct and SE 80th Ct through the historic African-American community of Santos that was displaced during construction on the Cross Florida Barge Canal.

3. Santos Trailhead. Located just west of US 441 on SW 80th Ct. The Florida Trail crosses US 441 just east of the trailhead behind the Santos Sheriff Station. This trailhead provides potable water, restrooms, and a campground plus access to the famed Santos mountain bike trails.

4. SW 25th Ave. Road crossing with trail access.

5. SW 95th St. Road crossing with trail access.

6. CR 475. Road crossing with trail access. Bench in the shade just to the east of the road.

7. CR 475B. Road crossing with trail access.

8. Land Bridge Trailhead. Located along CR 475A, 2 miles north of SR 484. Entrance on the west side of the road, trail crossing just north of the entrance. This trailhead provides potable water, restrooms, and access to equestrian trails. A loop trail along the Florida Trail - the Land Bridge Loop - provides an easy 2.7-mile day hike for you to visit the Land Bridge.

9. SW 49th Ave Trailhead. Located along SW 49th Avenue in Marion Oaks, north of CR 484. Trailhead is on the east side of the road. This trailhead provides a composting toilet and access to equestrian trails.

10. CR 484. Road crossing with trail access, east of SR 200 about 2 miles.

11. Ross Prairie Trailhead. Located along SR 200, 1 mile south of CR 484. Entrance on the east side of the road, trail crossing just 0.5 mile south of CR 484 and again just north of the trailhead entrance. This trailhead provides potable water, restrooms, shower facilities, camping, and access to equestrian trails as well as to access the Holly Hammock Trail at adjoining Ross Prairie State Forest. The trailhead sits on a 3-mile loop in the Florida Trail, the Ross Prairie Loop, which features blue blazes leading east and west to connect you with the main orange-blazed trail. The loop trail crosses SR 200 twice; use extreme caution in crossing this busy, high-speed highway.

12. Pruitt Trailhead. Located along CR 484, 8 miles west of SR 200 intersection. Trailhead has parking, composting toilet,potable water, and picnic tables, plus access to the equestrian trails as well as the Florida Trail. Wet conditions may be present along the first half mile of this trail.