New Team in Town: Meet the Orlando Apollos

Have you noticed that there have been spring football games on TV this year? Our desire to see gridiron action all year round is finally coming true thanks to the brand new AAF, and we are in a prime spot to witness this new league with nearby Orlando getting one of the eight inaugural franchises.  

If you are a football lover that is looking for a team to root for this spring, the Orlando Apollos are interested in giving you that opportunity. And it looks like they are going to end up being pretty good, so we will have lots to root for here at the Tiki Bar.

What is the AAF? 

The AAF is the American Alliance of Football, and it was founded by television producer Charlie Ebersol and former NFL executive Bill Polian. Former players Troy Polamalu, Hines Ward, and Justin Tuck are also heavily involved in the new league, which officially kicked off on February 9 of this year.  

While it was initially conceived as a competitor to the NFL, much like the XFL positioned itself, the AAF has since evolved to see itself as a minor league for the NFL. There have already been discussions about the NFL loaning out some of its younger players to the AAF in hopes of developing them faster.  

Do I Know Any Apollos? 

The brand new AAF wanted to make a big splash when they announced that the Orlando Apollos would be their first franchise, and they did that in April of 2018 by unveiling that Florida legend Steve Spurrier would be their first head coach.  

That's right, the "old ball coach" is back in business.  

In addition to Spurrier, football fans will certainly recognize names like Bob Sanders, Donnie Abraham, and Lito Sheppard coaching on the defensive side of the ball.  

When it comes to the players in the huddle for the Apollos, quarterback Garett Gilbert has been lighting up the scoreboard throwing to his favorite target, Charles Johnson. And then there is the running back tandem of D'Ernest Johnson and De'Veon Smith churning up yardage on the ground.  

Are They Any Good? 

With only one loss in their first six games, the Orlando Apollos are already the class of the AAF. That means that they are well on their way to making an appearance in the four-team playoff set to happen this April.  

The Apollos offense has proven to be the best in the league thus far, and the defense is currently ranked as the second-best unit in terms of yards allowed.  

When Can I See Them? 

The Apollos are scheduled to host their final two games of the inaugural season at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 13. The April 6 contest will be against the San Diego Fleet, then the April 13 regular season finally will take place against the second place Birmingham Iron.  

Following the regular season, there will be a four-team playoff starting on Sunday, April 21 and concluding with a championship game on Sunday, April 27. And unless something goes terribly wrong in the next four weeks, Coach Spurrier should have his team in the hunt for the first ever AAF title.  

Not only are we blessed to have a new football team competing right down the road in Orlando, we are also fortunate that the team is playing extremely well to start the season. If you are looking for a fun weekend activity to keep you busy over the next few weeks, start following the Apollos and get excited about the AAF!

Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays generated some interesting conversations when they started utilizing their "opener" strategy early on in the 2018 campaign. Over the course of the season, that revolutionary approach to the game propelled the Rays to an astounding 90-win season.  

That unique strategy will be making a return to Tampa Bay in 2019, as will nearly all of the key pieces from that 90-win season. And when you factor in some of the new additions and young arms returning from injury, expectations are higher than ever for the Rays this summer.  

If you are looking to join in early on what could be a playoff caliber baseball team, we have all the key information you are going to need to know about the 2019 Tampa Bay Rays.  

Rock Solid Foundation 

The key in 2018 was the emergence of Blake Snell as a true ace pitcher. Not only was Snell the best pitcher on the roster in 2018, he was also the best pitcher in the American League and comes into 2019 as the reigning A.L. Cy Young Award winner.  

Snell will benefit from the support of a strong defense that is anchored by centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier, who might be one of the best defensive players in the majors.

In addition to Snell's pitching and Kiermaier's defense, Rays fans can expect to see plenty of pop in the middle of the batting order thanks to slugger Tommy Pham, who was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals right at the trade deadline last season.  

The Rays also acquired pitcher Tyler Glasnow from Pittsburgh at the deadline, and his improved command produced impressive results down the stretch. If he can build on that success moving forward, we can expect a solid year from him in 2019.  

New Faces in Tampa Bay 

In order to build on their successful 2018 season, the Rays made some moves to improve their roster during the offseason. The biggest of those moves was inking pitcher Charlie Morton to a two-year deal. Morton will slot in right behind Snell as the number two starter.  

Another free agent acquisition that could make an impact is the addition of Avisail Garcia on a one-year deal that is laced with incentives. Garcia is a proven major leaguer who was an All-Star in 2017, so there is plenty of reason to believe he can contribute in a meaningful way.  

The front office was also active on the trade market during the winter, which resulted in the acquisition of catcher Mike Zunino from Seattle and infielder Yandy Diaz from Cleveland. Zunino brings a big bat to the middle of the Rays order, and Diaz is someone the Rays have liked for years.  

Returning Young Arms 

In addition to a solid core and some key additions, the Rays are also going to benefit from the return of a number of young pitchers throughout the season.  

Pitchers Brent Honeywell, Jose De Leon, and Anthony Banda are all scheduled to make their return from Tommy John surgery at some point during the year. All three have the ability to earn a rotation spot upon their return, which could eventually make the "opener" strategy unnecessary.  

Barring any significant injuries, the 2019 Tampa Bay Rays are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the American League. And while they might not be talented enough to take on the Yankees and the Red Sox for the A.L. East pennant just yet, they are almost certainly going to be a serious contender for one of the two Wild Card spots.  

There are going to be a lot of very exciting games happening at The Trop this year, so make sure you plan on heading down to see the Rays as much as possible.

March Activities and Events at the Villages of Citrus Hills

While March Madness is most commonly meant to describe the wild action of the annual NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, it is also a fitting description for everything happening around the Villages of Citrus Hills this month. The folks at the Activity Center are really pulling out all of the stops to keep us all moving as we officially head into Spring 2019.  

Whether you’re looking for fun social events, exciting learning opportunities, competitive sporting competitions, or delicious dinner specials, you can find all of that and more around our community this month. Let's jump in and take a closer look as some of the events you are going to want to mark on your calendar.  

Social Events

A favorite local rock band, Rocky and the Rollers, will be performing in the Hampton Room for the Sock Hop on Tuesday, March 5. This dance party will feature a cash bar, and themed dress is encouraged but not required, so don't hesitate to break out those leather jackets and poodle skirts.

 One social event that will be taking place outside of the community this month will be the Deep Sea Fishing Excursion to Tarpon Springs on Sunday, March 10. This trip will take members out on a massive 85-foot cruiser for some of the best fishing in the world.  

You won't want to miss the Dinner Show with Marc Black the following week on Tuesday, March 12. Learn the history of music with the award-winning musician who toured with the Doors, Van Morrison and more. The dinner will include Caprese-Stuffed Chicken and Roast Pork Loin Dijonnaise.  

All of our local trivia junkies will be back in action for Tasty Trivia Tuesday on Tuesday, March 19. This month's theme is "movies," and the dinner will feature London Broil with Mushroom Sauce and Baked Haddock.  

Art & Education 

Steven Davis will be the speaker for this month's Florida-Friendly Landscaping Seminar on Thursday, March 14 at 1 pm. Steven is the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Coordinator for the Citrus County Department of Water Resources, and he will be leading a discussion on how to incorporate Florida-friendly landscaping practices into your yard.  

Doc Talk will also be back this month with a lecture from Dr. Gerilyn E. Cross in the Activity Center Auditorium on Wednesday, March 27 at 6 pm. Dr. Cross will be presenting a wide range of information concerning hormone health and how it relates to different types of diseases.  

Local crafters will have their creations on display at the Spring Farmers' Market & Craft Fair on Sunday, March 31 from 10 am to 2 pm in the Activity Center Parking Lot.

This is one of the can't-miss attractions each and every year. Gourmet foods, craft and live entertainment by Mark Welzel. 

Golf & Tennis 

This month's golf calendar is going to start out with a fun one when the Four-Leaf Clover Open gets going on The Meadows course at 8:30 am on Saturday, March 2. Everyone involved will get to play their round and enjoy lunch afterwards.  

Things will get much more competitive on March 6 and 7 when the 2019 Skyview Ladies' Club Championship tees off. This two-day stroke play event will be flighted by handicaps and is open to all female Skyview Golf Members.  

The Citrus Hills courses will be hosting their own competitive event later in the month with the Citrus Hills Couples Championship on March 14 and 15. This will be a 36-hole better hall tournament open to all Citrus Hills gold and social members.  

The Skyview Tennis Center is also going to be busy this month, and that will start with their Free Beginner's Tennis Clinic on Tuesday, March 12 at 11 am. Then there will be a Spring Break Tennis Social on Sunday, March 24 that will include mixed doubles from 1 pm to 3 pm followed by lunch and beverages.  

Dinner Specials

Skyview Restaurant is pulling out all the stops with their dinner specials this month. You can enjoy an Asian Night Buffet on Tuesday, March 5, Lobsterfest on Saturday, March 9, an American Wine Dinner on Monday, March 11, and Foods of the Forgotten Coast on Thursday March 14.  

There will also be a St. Patrick's Day Dinner at Skyview Restaurant on Sunday, March 17 that will feature Slow-Cooked Corned Beef and Cabbage, Baked Cod, Irish Bangers and Mash, and Stout Braised Lamb Shanks.

The Grille will also be going all out for St. Patricks Day with specials like Irish Stew, Black and Tan Pork, Corned Beef & Cabbage, Scallop Pie, Roasted Lamb Shanks, and Lamb Shepherd's Pie.

BellaVita

And if you happen to find any quiet time for yourself during this busy month, you should also plan on heading down to BellaVita Spa. They will be running a 24 Karat Gold Revitalizer Facial and a Wrapping-Up Winter Massage Special this month.

With so much to do this month, you’ll have to pick and choose which events are the ones that deserve a spot on your calendar. Good luck deciding, and have fun at whichever activities you choose to attend!

Weekend Getaway: New Smyrna Beach

Residents here at the Villages of Citrus Hills typically feel that the Gulf Coast offers the best version of the Florida retirement lifestyle, but that doesn't mean that a weekend trip to the Atlantic Coast isn't warranted every once in a while.  

With its crashing waves and laid-back atmosphere, New Smyrna Beach is the perfect destination for Gulf Coast beach bums looking to head east for a relaxing weekend getaway. If that sounds like your idea of a good time, this is our best advice for making the most out of your trip.  

Places to Stay in New Smyrna Beach

TripAdvisor.com doesn't always get it right in their rankings of the best hotels in a particular area, but we think they are right on the money in having The Black Dolphin Inn ranked at the top of their list for New Smyrna Beach. This stunning bed and breakfast will cater to your every need and have you staying right near all of the action downtown.

If staying on the beach is more of a priority for you, then the Atlantic Plaza comes highly recommended in New Smyrna Beach. These oceanfront condos will have you sleeping within steps of those famous Atlantic Ocean waves.  

Things to Do in New Smyrna Beach 

The beach is one of the popular tourist attractions in New Smyrna Beach, and we highly recommend planning to spend the bulk of your weekend enjoying the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. You will find that surfing, boogie boarding, and body surfing are all popular here, but strolling through the sand looking for shells can be just as enjoyable if you don't want to get wet.

In between beach sessions, you will also want to check out some of the many local art galleries that you will find around town. New Smyrna Beach is known as a "small art town," which means that there are lots of independent local artists that have come together to create a very unique cultural community.

Places to Eat in New Smyrna 

In keeping with the theme of everything else, you will find the restaurant scene offers a fantastic selection of casual restaurants serving up world-class food paired with some truly outstanding wine lists.  One of the popular restaurants is SoNapa Grille, which is known for their Lobster Bisque and their wine list, but won't disappoint you with anything in between those either.  

Other popular restaurants include The Garlic, which has a special approach to all of your favorite garlic-forward dishes, and Norwood's Eatery & Treehouse Bar, which is definitely one of the coolest destinations in town.  

This is just the tip of the iceberg of the fantastic dining you will find in New Smyrna Beach, which makes this a perfect destination to revisit.  

With fantastic restaurants, first-class lodging, and one of the best beaches you will find along the Atlantic Coast, there is no reason not to make the two-hour drive for a weekend getaway as often as you can. When are you going to be taking your next trip?

7 Benefits Of Building A New Home In Villages Of Citrus Hills

One of the biggest questions faced by many people who are relocating to Florida is whether they are better off to build a new home or buy an existing one. 

While there are advantages to both options, building a new home has certain key benefits that just can’t be matched when buying an existing one. 

Here are the seven top benefits of building a new home instead of buying a resale.

Choose the Exact Look and Floor Plan 

When you choose to build your new home from scratch, you get to build it the way you want it. You will have the option to choose the ideal floor plan you want and you will also be able to choose the materials and color schemes that fit your personality.  We have 6 brand new floor plans for Terra Vista. 

Personalize Each and Every Detail 

Another big selling point for new home construction is that you will have the ability to personalize many aspects of your home. Adding features like a pot filler above the stove or a particular type of recessed lighting in a certain spot are easy to integrate when they are added before the walls go up. 

New Homes Have Warranties 

Should anything go wrong with your new construction home in the first few years, it will almost certainly be covered under your warranty. The same cannot be said with a resale home, where what you see is often what you get and you could be opening yourself up to tremendous risk if something goes wrong down the road.  

Save Energy With New Technologies 

Whether you are selflessly concerned about protecting the environment or more interested in protecting your bank account from high energy costs, the modern green technologies that will be included in your new home will actually be able to do both!

 Your new home is sure to have energy efficient appliances, and it may also feature energy saving technologies in its roofing materials, windows, and ventilation system. 

Modern Style and Design 

Building a new home instead of buying a resale also guarantees that you are on the cutting edge of the most modern style and design in the industry.

At Villages of Citrus Hills you will have all of the design features that are popular today like granite countertops, open concept kitchens, elegant master suites, and covered lanais. 

Lower Maintenance Costs 

Simply put, new homes will require less maintenance. Your home will already have a fresh coat of paint and a brand new roof, air-conditioner and appliances, so those types of maintenance projects and replacements will not be necessary until years down the road. You will also be able to design your landscaping in a way that can help you save on maintenance there as well.   

You’re the Only One 

Another advantage of purchasing a new home is the feeling of knowing that you are the only person who has ever lived there. You won’t have to ever consider what might have happened in the home before you lived there. Everything will be brand new and built just for you. 

Building a new home from the ground up gives you the ability to create the home of your dreams where every detail matches your expectations. 

While there are pros and cons to both building a new home and buying a resale, for most people the benefits of building a new home far outweigh any potential drawbacks.