CONVENTION CENTER ICONIC BRANDING IMAGE COMING

Barbara Grygutis Sculpture LLC of Tucson AZ plans to create a “Wave” to make a striking presence both day and night to enhance visibility of the 350,000 sq ft Palm Beach County Convention Center as a gateway feature to Palm Beach County. Completed in January 2004 at a cost of $83-MM, situatied near the Palm Beach International Airport, I-95 and beautiful beaches, the Center is in a 3-mile area offering 3000 guest rooms. It is a prime location for conventions, trade shows, meetings and social events. The Grygutis firm has completed 30 public art and sculpture projects in the US and has received many awards. The $625,000 public art lighting project for the exterior of the Convention Center in West Palm Beach will be completed in 12 months. The 202 Recreational and Cultural Facilities Bond issue is funding $375,000 and the Convention Center capital project budget is funding $250,000. Barbara Grygutis Sculpture LLC of Tucson AZ plans to create a “Wave” to make a striking presence both day and night to enhance visibility of the Center as a gateway feature to Palm Beach County. The firm has completed 30 public art and sculpture projects in the US and has received many awards for her work. The Convention Center is located at 650 Okeechobee Boulevard in West Palm Beach, 561-366-3000. Events coming up include the America’s International Fine Art & Antique Fair, Feb. 1-10 and the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show 2008 from Feb 15-19, 2008. For more information!

A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT IN HONOR OF YOUR FRIEND OR RELATIVE

Luv-A-Pet is one of the organizations that lost county funding this year, and they need help from the public. There is a very touching story in the current Town-Crier Online (http://www.thecrier.co) of a Chichuahua who needs surgery that they are helping. On Saturdays and Sundays, Debbie Shields, a member of the pet rescue organization, brings Gemma to the Royal Palm Beach PetSmart. Take the kids there and give Gemma some loving attention. And, leave a donation in honor of the kids, your Mom, your spouse, your own pooch or kitty. That is in keeping with the “giving” part of the Christmas holiday. Make it a better year for another creature who is in distress.

MOST EXPENSIVE WEST PALM BEACH CONDO IS AT ONE WATERMARK ON THE ICW

A 4 bedroom, 4 ½ bath end unit with 5242 living sq ft, facing northeast on the 7^th floor is listed for $5,950,000, on the market 44 days. Furnished turnkey, there are magnificent ocean, intracoastal and city views. Living Room is 21’ x19’; Kitchen is 12’ x 10’; Forman Dining Room is 15’ x 12’; eat-in-area is 12’ x 11’. Master bedroom is 22’ x 17’. Built in 2003. Private docks are available with water, sewer and pump. Leasing out is okay; up to 2 pets. Satellite dish. Windows are solar tinted. Building features a pool, lobby, elevator, exercise room, community room and business center. Patio is covered. Downtown Palm Beach is minutes away. If this lifestyle would fit you, let Realtor, Marilyn Jacobs, show you these beautiful living quarters. The views will just astound you! Call Marilyn at 561-988-0070.

ISRAELI SECURITIES APPROVED AS COUNTY INVESTMENT

The County Commissioners amended the county investment policy so that up to 1% of it’s $1.7BB portfolio can be invested in State of Israel securities, or a maximum of $17MM. Included can be bonds, notes or instruments backed by the full faith and credit of the State of Israel, if rated “A” or higher by Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s ratings services. They must also have a maturity of 2 years or less. The Development Corporation for Israel may act as an authorized broker/dealer for securities backed by the State of Israel only. Backed strongly by Commissioner Burt Aronson, whose Commission District 5 is heavily populated by Jewish families, he pointed out that “Israel has not defaulted on a bond in its 50-year history as a nation." The state of Florida holds at least $230MM in securities issued by the State of Israel and has been an investor for a long time. Governor Charlie Crist and Senator Ted Deutch signed legislation earlier this year called, “Protecting Florida’s Investments Act,” so as not to link public investments with “rogue” nations.

AGREEMENT NEAR TO FREEZE MORTGAGE RATES FOR SOME

A new program aimed at homeowners who have steady incomes and relatively clean repayment histories, who can afford the lower introductory mortgage rates they have now, but cannot afford the higher adjusted rates, may freeze their current rates temporarily. While some government regulators are calling for a 5-7 year freeze, investors want 1-2 year freezes. Two million sub prime mortgage holders, offered to borrowers with spotty credit histories, are scheduled to reset to much higher levels by the end of 2008, pushing payments up by $350/month and more. When enacted, this may start to relieve the worst housing slump in many years. Also being discussed is a program to create more affordable loans to homeowners who would like to refinance mortgages with lower payments. Expansion of FHA loan availability and boosting government oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are being discussed as well. One trigger for these moves is fear of a full-blown recession if nothing is done to alleviate the current problems for many homeowners. This news is from the Florida Association of Realtors.