Technology

If you’ve been thinking of upgrading your home appliances to more energy efficient options then this weekend is the time! From Friday, September 19th through Sunday the 21st, Florida residents will enjoy tax-free purchases on select home appliances and devices. The tax-free holiday applies to items that meet the federal government’s Energy Star or Water Source designation and is applicable up to the first $1,500 spent on an item. 

Qualifying Energy Star products would be:

• Air conditioner
• Air purifier
• Ceiling fan
• Clothes washer
• Clothes dryer
• Dehumidifier
• Dishwasher
• Freezer
• Refrigerator
• Water heater
• Swimming pool pump
• Package of light bulbs that is designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and

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08-07-2013 Update: You may have noticed the large “Now Hiring” sign on Dunlawton Avenue in front of the newly constructed BJ’s Wholesale Club in Port Orange. The new store has not officially announced an opening date, but one of the developers suggests that BJ’s should be open by mid-November. The 90,000 square foot of shopping space will make the Port Orange location the largest BJ’s Club in the entire state of Florida. Many local residents are looking forward to the convenience this store will offer, including a 12-lane gas station. Also, BJ’s will bring over 100 new jobs to the Port Orange area. Memberships at BJ’s begin at $50 annually.

Additionally, construction of the LA Fitness that will anchor BJ’s in the Altamira Shopping Center is

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When: Saturday, January 19th
Where: Along Canal Street, Historic Downtown New Smyrna Beach
What: New Smyrna Beach continues to show why it is such a great area to call home as they host another community event this weekend. The New Smyrna Beach Home Show and Business Expo is a day-long event filled with food, vendors and fun that will appeal to all ages. There will be local business showcases, live entertainment, educational booths, retail sale displays and even a kid zone full of fun activities. Bring the family down to historic Canal Street this weekend, enjoy our beautiful Central Florida weather, and spend some quality time with your family and the community.

Local simulation company Raydon was just awarded a huge contract totalling $46,500,00.00 for Virtual Company Operations Trainer Upgrades for the U.S. Army National Guard. More info included in the press release provided by Raydon Corporation.

Port Orange, Fla. (September 28, 2012)- Raydon Corporation announced today that it has been awarded a contract valued at approximately $46.5M from the U.S. Army National Guard (USARNG) to provide upgrades to the USARNGs existing fleet of Virtual Combat Operations Trainers (VCOT) over a 24 month period.
These upgrades will be applied to 68 VCOTs across the United States over a three year period. In addition to retaining all current VCOT capabilities, the latest upgrades will include Unstabilized Gunnery…

Last month I discussed some basic tips for hurricane preparedness this Summer, and though we have been lucky so far, the season is not over yet. It is now time to consider effective long-term safety options for your Central Florida home in the form of hurricane shutters and other window coverings. Hurricane shutters can be inexpensive and are invaluable protection for your home and family. These shutters can withstand hurricane winds as well as flying debris. This is important because once a window or door is breached by hurricane-force-winds, immense pressure is placed on the rest of your home’s walls and roof. This could lead to immense structural damage and even worse scenarios if you and your family are inside the home.

When it comes to hurricane

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According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the 113 million residences in the United States use approximately 22% of the total energy consumed in the country. The problem is, much of this is wasted in leaky ducts and windows, out-dated appliances, and other over-looked energy inefficiencies around the home. The average yearly household energy expenditures run around $2,000, but through a few simple steps, you can save 25% or $500. I don’t know about you, but I think I could find a better use for those savings. Here are some of the easy ways to decrease your home energy use and put a little extra money in your pocket.

• Install a programmable thermostat to lower utility bills and manage your heating and cooling systems efficiently.
• Air dry dishes

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Are you one of the many people who purchased a Kindle or Nook for Christmas? Millions of people own them today, so that means millions are just now learning how to use this new technology. The Volusia County Library is offering assistance to help new users learn how to use these devices correctly and easily!

Area library branches, including Port Orange, Edgewater, and New Smyrna Beach, are offering short classes that will teach you how to download books onto your Nook or Kindle device. They are free classes, but they do require reservations. Currently, a couple of classes are offered per month for free at the local libraries.

This is a great opportunity to get information about how to gain access to many free audio books and e-books through the

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You will find the information below very useful if you are about to close on a new home or condo in the Daytona Beach area. Listed below are details and contact information about local electric, water, cable, phone, and internet  providers. Please leave a comment below if there are additional companies you would like to add.

Local Utility Companies:

Electric:

Florida Power & Light

386-252-1541

www.fpl.com

Water:

City of Port Orange Utilities Dept.

386-506-5720
1000 City Center Cir.
Port Orange, FL 32127

www.port-orange.org

City of Ponce Inlet Utilities Dept.

386-236-2151
4300 S. Atlantic Ave.
Ponce Inlet, FL 32119

www.ponce-inlet.org

City of Ormond Beach Utilities Department.

386-676-3209
22 S. Beach St.
Ormond

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Please never assume a home is in a specific Volusia County School Zone without checking. Always do your research for individual addresses to confirm that the school zone is the one that you prefer. Technology makes it very easy for buyers to check a home school zone online. Volusia County has a website Volusia County School Zones that list all residential addresses and the correlating public school zones.

Click the link now and view the site. It's very helpful. All a visitor needs to do is enter the city and street name.

Local resident Brian Kelly has started his own electrical business called BK Electric. He is ready for your business in the Port Orange & Daytona Beach areas. Give him a call if you need any electrical work done around your home or at your commercial business. Brian will travel to all areas in Volusia and Flagler.

BK Electric
Brian Kelly
ph. 386-663-5562
ER#13014635

Examples of Port Orange & Daytona Beach electrical work include:

• smart house technology
• tv wiring
• phone wiring
• low voltage lighting systems
• pool equipment work
• wiring for backup generator switches
• light fixture replacement or installation
• updated wiring, light switches, install timers
• electrical panel breaker replacement or repairs
• landscape lighting

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