THINKING ABOUT A NEW LIFESTYLE IN A POSH GATED COUNTRY CLUB?

Life is GOOD at The Boca Raton Polo Club, a posh, busy, active environment with 2 championship golf courses, active tennis program, swimming, star-studded events, clubs with many interests, special interests including a singles group and children’s activity center and a world-class spa. Come and see this elegantly updated easy-to-manage 2000 sq ft lakefront home with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths. Lush tropical landscaping. Walk to community pool. Price lowered to $699,000 (original price: $899,000!). Friendly community. Mandatory membership dues and fees. For more details call agent/owner Marilyn Farber Jacobs at 561-302-3388 or email marilynfjacobs@gmail.com for more information. Come and see the lifestyle… you owe it to yourself… see the some of the very best that life has to offer… to live in tasteful surroundings that are easy to manage...

VIRTUAL TOUR

STADIUM JUMPING AND WELLINGTON EQUESTRIAN PARTNERS FORM PACT AND HORSE SHOWS STAY AT CURRENT LOCATION

Both Stadium Jumping and Wellington Equestrian Partners will act together as one entity with control over the grounds, dates, management and infrastructure of horse shows. Therefore, Stadium Jumping will not move The National Horse Show or Winter Equestrian Festival to 179 acres in the Wellington Preserve when it’s lease on the current site runs out next year but rather stay at the current location for the foreseeable future. Redesigns and improvements have already been done and more will come. Wellington Equestrian Partners recently purchased 150 acres in and around the current site for $135-MM, including the old Palm Beach Polo Stadium and its surrounding grounds. Now the ability to create a facility that matches European venues like Aachen, Germany, the mecca of horse sports, is possible. It is now named the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The National Horse Show is scheduled for December 5-9 and the Winter Equestrian Festival from January 30 to March 23^rd, in Wellington.

23-STORY WESTIN HOTEL COMING TO WEST PALM BEACH

Under discussion since 2003 (when the Palm Beach County Convention Center was built), final city approval was given, with final county approval in April, for construction of a world-class Westin Hotel with more than 100 condo units and a 2500+ spaces adjacent city-owned parking garage with 7 levels above ground and one below (bottom and first level reserved for hotel guests and condo residents), construction will being next April. It will be located with fronting on Okeechobee Boulevard and Florida Avenue. 400 rooms and 104 condos will be built. The property is leased from the county for 99 years by Ocean Properties, which must then buy the hotel and land at fair market value after the 99-year lease ends. The County will also build a $2.6-MM tunnel permitting valets to shuttle autos from the convention center’s Okeechobee Blvd entrance to the parking garage and will maintain the tunnel. The County may reserve 75% of the hotel’s inventory 18-months out, and the maximum room rate can be no higher than the hotel’s published corporate rate, plus a maximum 6% annual increase. The Count cannot subsidize another hotel within 5 miles except for an area around the Palm Beach International Airport. IN August 2006 the County approved a one-cent increase in tourism bed tax to fund the County’s majority portion of the garage cost; Ocean Properties will fund the balance.

ROSES WORKSHOP BEING GIVEN AT MOUNTS

A 2-part workshop designed to take the mystery out of growing roses in South Florida will be held from 9 am to 1 pm on November 10th and 17th at the Mounts Botanical Garden, 559 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach. Dubbed "How to Make Everything Come Up Roses", courses will teach about types of roses, selecting proper site, planting, staking, irrigating, fertiilizing, spraying and pruning roses. Mounts members pay $45; nonmembers pay $55. Included is the book, Growing Rose in South Florida. Call 233-1757 to register and visit www.Mounts.org.

UNDERSTANDING IRAN’S THREAT

Mark your calendar page for Sunday, December 2^nd, from 12:30 – 5 pm to head for the Marriott Hotel City Place, 1001 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach and learn all about Iran’s threat. An interesting variety of speakers will be featured, including Jim Woolsey, former Director of the CIA and Co-Chair of the US Committee on Present Danger and Congressman Ron Klein (D-Florida), Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Middle East, U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs. We will learn about Iran from an insider, Amir Abbas Fakhravar, Iranian Student Leader and former Prisoner of the Iranian regime. We will get other views from Philippe Vinogradoff, Consul General of France in Florida, and Victor Comras, former United Nations Security Council monitor of Anti-Terrorist Sanctions and a leading expert on international law and terrorism financing. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served. Sponsors are the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County in conjunction with the World Affairs Council of the Florida Palm Beaches and other local organizations. Please make out checks for $18 (not tax deductible) to Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County and mail to 4601 Community Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33417, Attn: JCRC. You can register online at JewishPalmBeach.org, or RSVP to Mary Greco at 561-242-6671 or email jcrc@jewishpalmbeach.org. Co-sponsors include Anti-Defamation League, B’nai B’rith International, Christ Fellowship, Covenant Centre International, Florida Security Council, National Council of Jewish Women and Palm Beach County Board of Rabbis. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to become more aware of Iran’s threat.

ROTARIES PLAN ZOO EVENT

Various Palm Beach County, Palm Beach and West Palm Beach Rotaries, along with other Rotary groups, plan a season kickoff November 8^th at 7 pm, “Adventure at the Palm Beach Zoo. Music, dancing and entertainment, a barbecue and beverages are offered for the $45 per person admission price. Reserve by this Thursday and please wear safari and jungle prints. For more information, call 561-653-3973.

NATIONAL TRUST HISTORIC HOTELS WELCOMES BRAZILIAN COURT IN PALM BEACH

Citing its history and ambiance, the Brazilian Court, a condominium-hotel that is a favorite Palm Beach landmark, has joined the National Trust Historic Hotels of America, under the auspices of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. There are 200 hotels and resorts in the US that the organization acknowledges for preserving and maintaining historic integrity, architecture and ambience. Built in 1926, and designed by Rosario Candela (who built luxurious Manhattan apartments) the hotel’s south wing was added by Maurice Fatio and William Treanor in 1936. Multi-million dollar improvements were made, starting in 2002 and are now in the final phase. A central see-through lushly landscaped courtyard links the marbled lobby on Australian Avenue with an arched portico on Brazilian Avenue. A barrel-tile roof is accented with cantilevered wrought-iron balconies. The interior “speaks of Provence,” and complements the hotel’s Tuscan-villa roots. Stars who stayed there include Gary Cooper, Greta Garbo, Tommy Lee Jones and designer Bob Mackie and Marjorie Merriweather Post. Featured in the hotel are Café Boulud and the Frederic Fekkai Salon and Spa.

YOUR RENTAL CAR MAY PAY TURNPIKE & BRIDGE TOLLS WITHOUT USING SUNPASS


Customers of Avis, Budget and Hertz will pay daily fees of $2-$2.50 using “Plate-Pass” with charges billed to credit card of renter. “Rent-A-Tollpass” can be used with Dollar and Thrifty for a flat daily fee of $5.95 per rental day or $27.95 weekly with all toll charges included. These agreements are between Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise and American Traffic Solutions and Rent A Toll, Ltd. License plate information will identify the vehicles and electronically collect the toll. In it’s current newsletter, SunPass states that open road tolling will soon be available in 4 turnpike plazas – Lantana, Cypress Creek, Bird Road and Homestead Toll Plaza with plans to add this feature to other turnpike plaza areas. This will entail removal of the concrete islands (barriers, gates and columns) and adding new toll equipment structures and equipment so that cards with SunPass transducers can keep traveling at speeds of 55 mph instead of the current designated speed limit of 25 mph. Go to http://www.sunpass.com/ to update your license plate, check account balance, replenish your account, update your contact info and answer survey questions. Did you know that Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise invested $7.5-MM for generators for all service plazas giving full power for 72 hours without refueling, for use during hurricanes, and has external defibrilators available? Construction updates and real-time traffic info is available at http://www.floridasturnpike.com/. Another site for traffic info is http://www.traffic.com/.

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE…

Alas, all the sand-renourished beach areas in the county have been returned to the ocean by abnormal winds and tides, leaving behind long buried groins, rocks, tree stumps and revetments. Stairs, lifeguard stands and building foundations have also been removed. Nearby parking areas and parks have been flooded. Millions of tons of sand are gone, ensuring death to the off-shore environment. The sand smothers fragile coral reefs and all life that inhabits them, limiting food sources for sports and food fish, interfering with “catches” for the fishermen. According to the NEW YORK TIMES (10-2-07) the world’s polar areas are experiencing and ice melt so vast that predictions are that by 2013 a blue Arctic Ocean will exist. Would you say this is an exercise in futility, and that Mother Nature wins?

NATIONAL HORSE SHOW REMAINS IN WELLINGTON FOR 2007

A just signed Special-Use-Permit will allow the National Horse Show, which runs from December 5-9 to erect tents needed for stabling, vendors and hospitality. To hold the 8-week Winter Equestrian Festival, another special-use permit needs to be signed. This would begin in January 2008. Keeping the show and festival in Wellington is of special interest in particular to equestrians, realtors and business that rely on the influx.

DEVELOPMENT MAY BE COMING TO VAST AGRICULTURAL AREA

The Callery-Judge citrus groves property in District 6 is the gateway to more development of a vast agricultural area near The Acreage, Loxahatchee and Royal Palm Beach. Early plans called for a “new urbanist project,” with 10,000 homes, 3.8MM sq ft of commercial and office space, a golf course, hotel and equestrian center. Residents who moved to the area for a rural environment had strongly protested the project. The revised project calls for developing 3700 acres with 2,999 houses, 236,000 sq ft fo commercial space and 80,000 sq feet of industrial property, and requires a more arduous state review, a DRI (Development of Regional Impact) study. The developer is relying on an “agricultural enclave” strategy, as yet untested in Florida, but authorized two years ago by the Legislature. Homes can be built in agricultural areas where they otherwise might not be sited; requirements for development approval is eased if their properties are at least 75% surrounded by development. GL Homes is prepared to develop a large swath of the area. Stay tuned for results of the soon-to-be-submitted project while Government officials get more familiar with this development strategy.

WELLINGTON VILLAGE COUNCIL MOVING STADIUM JUMPING PLANS AHEAD

Two measures were approved to build a new facility on 179 acres in southern Wellington, paving the way for horse show producer Stadium Jumping to move forward. A second vote for final approval will be held later this month. This will allow Stadium Jumping to skip the time-consuming comprehensive plan amendment process for large-scale developments, which require state review. Stadium Jumping has claimed that its current 79-acre facility at Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club are too small for it’s National Horse Show and Winter Equestrian Festival. This issue though still remains a problem to many who are against skipping the comprehensive plan amendment.

NAR: A GOOD DAY FOR HOUSING… September 18, 2007

Along with “the FED” cutting the discount rate by half a percentage point, the House of Representatives passed the Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007, HR 1852, offering homeowners a safer alternative to risky mortgage products, helping homeowners who may be facing foreclosure, increasing loan limits and eliminating the statutory 3% minimum cash down payment. Mortgage modifications will allow borrowers to change mortgage terms so they can afford to stay in their home. “Partial Claim” programs will cure a loan default with the FHA lending the borrower money with a no-interest loan due when the property is sold or paid off. The National Association of Realtors (NAR), America’s largest trade association, represents 1.3MM+ members involved in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate and is known as “The Voice for Real Estate.”

NEW STADIUM JUMPING SHOW GROUNDS APPROVED BY WELLINGTON COUNCIL

Holding the prestigious Winter Equestrian Festival and National Horse Show show this year may or may not be “in the cards,” but the horse show producer’s new show grounds in the southeast corner of the village has been approved 4-1 by the Village Council. Concerns about traffic, sewer capacity and legal issues were expressed. Stadium Jumping’s horse shows bring millions of dollars into the village and the equestrian season is relied on by many businesses. Stadium Jumping wants to build a new facility, calling it the Wellington International Equestrian Arena, on 179 acres in the Wellington Preserve. Included would be a grand prix field, 2200 permanent stables and 648 temporary stalls with rings for hunters and jumpers, a restaurant and veterinary clinic.

KRAVIS UPDATE

November 7: Queen Latifah... December 13: Anita Baker... January 30: Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. Kravis Members can buy tickets prior to this Saturdays Public Ticket Sale to be held in the center's Rinker Playhouse, 701 Okeechobee Boulevard, West Palm Beach. There will be refreshments available. To become a Kravis Center member, call 561-651-4320. You can choose your seats at www.kravis.org or call 561-832-7469 or 800-572-8471.

BEACH CLEANUP SATURDAY SEPT 15TH

Come to Gulfstream Park, 4489 No. Ocean Blvd, Gulfstream, 8-10:30 am and help cleanup, get free t-shirts, drinks and cookies and be awarded community service hours. Pre-reister with Gary Solomon, TheRecipeExchange@Comcast.net, 561-734-9128. www.Sandsifters.org. Gulfstream Park is a small beach park nestled on a hill behind a mass of Sea Grape bushes and shaded by Australian Pines. There are open picnic benches, a few BBQ grills, a children’s play area, showers and restrooms as well as areas to sit overlooking the ocean. The beach is wide and clean and there is usually a lifeguard on duty. Walk the vegetation-covered boardwalk to the beach. There are 86-parking spaces (free). Activities include fishing, swimming and sunbathing – a great place to take the kids to!

HIGH HOLY DAYS TEMPLE ATTENDANCE INCREASED BY YOUNG FAMILIES

Rabbi Sholom Ciment at Chabad-Lubavitch of Great Boynton Beach, which has 500 member families, said they this year the Temple has had a 35% growth of totally unaffiliated families. A preschool was recently opened at the Chabad, and more adjacent land was purchased, doubling the size of its campus. About 1000 people are expected for services. They offer free synagogue membership, including seats for the High Holy Days, to new families who register for the pre-school or Hebrew School. Rabbi Stephen Pinksy of Reform Temple Beth Torah of Wellington said that nonmembers attend their services, but most who come are members. He said that some congregations (but not theirs) believe they will make up their deficits each year through the sale of holiday tickets. In the past 12 years, the Temple has grown from 200 to 500 families of which 60% are younger families and 25% older families. Rabbi Anthony Fratello of Reform Temple Shaarei Shalom, west of Boynto Beach, says their High Holy Day Services are a sell-out each year, including a mix between young and old and some folks who have not yet found a congregational home. Rabbi Menachem M. Muskal of Orthodox Chabad-Lubavitch of Wellington, also called the Wellington Jewish Center, says they won’t turn anyone away for lack of funds, and their young population is growing.

HORSE SHOW COMPLEX ON 140 ACRES COMING IN WELLINGTON

Mark Bellissimo purchased 140 acres in Wellington, including Palm Beach Polo Euqestiran Club on Pierson Road and the old polo grounds along South Shore Bouevard with plans to run horseshows at Polo Equestrian Club and build a new horse shoe facility at the old polo grounds. New name will be Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Despite being locked in litigation with Stadium Juping, Belissimo said eh would work with them during the 2007 horse season. Plans are to offer international-level Grand Pirx jumping, dressage and events such as cross country, driving and a steeplechase, with part of the facility ready by this December horse season.

CITYPLACE EVENTS

On August 9th, CityPlace fine restaurants are featuring CityPlaceUncorked at the Harriet Himmel Theater. Over 150 fine wines from all over the world to taste… VIP Receipton 6:30-7:30. General Admission 7:30 – 10 pm. Call 1-866-449-2489 to purchase tickets. Tickets are $100 (reserved for exclusive tastings) and General Admission is $60 in advance, $75 on day of event. Participating restaurants in clued Blue Martini, Il Bellagio, Legal Seafoods, Saito’s Japanese Steakhouse, Starbucks, City Cellar, Brewzzi, Columbia, Continental Catering, Jinja, Mark’s and Taverna OPA.

PLAN AHEAD FOR 2008 at the KRAVIS CENTER

Joffrey Ballet (Dreyfoos Hall, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m., $25 to $75): Here's a program, billed as "Cool Vibrations," that will appeal to ballet buffs and pop fans alike. The famed American dance company, which fuses modern, classical and jazz idioms, performs works set to music by the Beach Boys, Prince and Motown greats.

Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary Tour (Dreyfoos Hall, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m., $15 to $100): This legendary jazz event is celebrated with a program featuring some of the top artists associated with it, including trumpeter Terence Blanchard (composer of numerous film scores), reed master James Moody (a veteran of Dizzy Gillespie's band) and vocalist Nnenna Freelon (a six-time Grammy nominee).

Israel Philharmonic Orchestra: Tribute to Leonard Bernstein (Dreyfoos Hall, Feb. 13 at 8 p.m., $25 to $130). The great American composer and conductor is remembered with a program featuring selections from his Broadway musicals "Candide," "On the Town" and "Wonderful Town." Jamie Bernstein (Leonard's daughter) weaves the evening together with personal commentary. Michael Barrett conducts.

k.d. lang (Dreyfoos Hall, March 1 at 8 p.m., $25 to 100). She's sung it all — country, pop, torch songs. Now, the Canadian crooner makes her Kravis debut.

Martin Short (Dreyfoos Hall, March 18 at 8 p.m., $15 to $100): You may know him as Ed Grimley, the ultimate geek. Or as Jiminy Glick, the clueless boob of a talk-show host. Or as songman Irving Cohen ("Give me a C?a bouncing C"). But whatever character comic Martin Short plays, he's sure to make you laugh.

FAR “PUTS MONEY WHERE ITS MOUTH IS” RE PROPERTY TAX REFORM BALLOT

The Florida Association of Realtors, the largest trade group in the state, with 150,000 members, has pledged up to $1-MM to support passage of the Save Our Homes Amendment to allow homeowners to continue the 1992 Amendment for a 3% tax cap or to choose a new “super-homestead” exemption, taking up to $195,000 off their home’s taxable value. Passage of this amendment will provide meaningful tax relief for thousands of families including 1^st time homebuyers, and will equalize neighbor’s property taxes, says the FAR President Nancy Riley. She stated that then nurses, police officers, teachers and emergency first responders can afford to live in the communities they serve.

OKEECHOBEE TO BE WIDENED from 441 to WEST OF JOG

A license agreement with the Palm Beach County School District was approved to accommodate the 8-lane widening of Okeechobee Boulevard, west of State Road 7 (441) to west of Jog Road. Time frame was not yet mentioned.

BOCA MUSEUM PLANS EXHIBIT OF DEGAS SCULPTURES

While a Jacksonville art gallery owner claims the 74 sculptures are “fakes,” made after Degas’ death in 1917, the Museum’s Board of Trustees discounts the art gallery owner’s opinion, noting the goal might be “to get his name in the newspaper.” Museums currently displaying all or portions of the Degas bronzes include the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Getty Museum in Los Angeles and the Chicago Institute of Art in Chicago. The National Endowment for the Humanities has underwritten some of the insurance expenses for the upcoming show. The museum’s website says that the exhibit, DEGAS IN BRONZE, “offers an extremely rate opportunity to view 74 sculptures, posthumously cast in bronze from Degas’ original composite and wax models.”

IN MY HUMBLE OPINION…

With reports just in that New York City and Salt Lake City are avoiding “the [real estate] bust,” can Palm Beach County be far behind? Some investors tell me they are “sitting on the sidelines” waiting for prices to keep dropping… other investors want to “sell and get out now,” but in many cases sellers are “standing pat.” Expired listings number near or over 500 properties each day. Some sellers cancel listings after getting low low bids. Remember that June and July are usually “slow months” with so many residents and part-timers out of town. August has been an outstanding month for sales in past years as folks come down to purchase residences for this coming winter… perhaps that will happen in 2007 as well. As a Realtor, I can tell you that every day in this career is exciting… new faces… new properties… no two ever alike. Like the stock market, real estate is cyclical… and what goes down will go up… just a matter of time. Stay cool. Hang in there.

Marilyn Farber Jacobs, Realtor, ePRO

GREEN IS THE BUZZWORD TODAY

An Environmentally Certified “Green” $25-MM mansion is being built in Manalapan.

Frank McKinney has been building one-of-a-kind mansions in the area for the last 20 years, and is now creating an oceanfront estate that is approved by the standards of the US Green Building Council and the Florida Green Building Council. The entire project will be the subject of a documentary series. Groundbreaking is being filmed as part of this program. A scale model has been made.

The 15,000 sq ft 3-story mansion will be rooted in nature, and will feature

• thatched roofs
• water gardens
• floating sun terraces
• a waterfall spa with fire feature
• interior acrylic main floor with moving water below
• a 24’ sheer water wall with fog/smoke screen on which moving images are projected
• suspended double-helix main glass staircase
• hand-blown chandelier that mixes electricity with water
• arched aquarium wet bar to be able to walk below and view the fish above
• guesthouse made of palm and bamboo that is partially submerged in a lagoon.

“Green” features will include

• solar panels that could cover a regulation-size basketball court to generate enough energy for two average-size homes
• water system that collects enough “gray” runoff water to fill the average swimming pool every 2 weeks
• reclaimied wood amounting to saving 7 ½ acres of Brazilian rain forest
• renewable woods that regenerate every 3 years vs. every 50 years for other hardwoods
• pools, reflecting ponds, water gardens, misters and more to drop the site temperature 3-5 degrees over neighboring properties
• recycling 340,000 lbs of debris during construction
• air-conditioning and air purification systems four times better than an operating room in the Mayo Clinic.

MacKinney has written two best-selling books, and raises millions of dollars for his Caring House Project Foundation to build housing for the poor in the United States, Haiti, South America, and the Caribbean.

Governor Charlie Crist plans to reenergize the state with a mixture of solar, wind and nuclear fuel. He is expected to emphasize using renewable fuels and include mandates for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Friday afternoon, after two days of workshops and speeches at the Florida Climate Change Summit, Crist will sign executive orders and put his plan into law. Crist has signed California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Theodore Roosevelt IV to the bill along with various Hollywood personalities and scientists, renewable-energy advocates and environmentalists who will talk about how Florida can become more energy-efficient and use alternative fuels.

California Governor Schwarzenegger has committing his state to reducing its carbon emissions by 25% by 2020, calling for 1 million solar roofs by 2018, tightening car-emission standards and creating a multi-state global warming group and it is speculated that this will happen also in Florida.

Florida Power & Light Co., the state's largest utility, maintains that using renewable fuels and more stringent energy-conservation steps won't be able to support all of Florida's future growth.

According to an FPL spokesman, "What you have heard from the environmental movement is that we can get there through renewables or we can get there through offsetting the energy that we are demanding today. And what we're saying is that (it) will not get you there. You will still need to build power plants." Crist has praised FPL for exploring a wind power project in St. Lucie County and is ecstatic about utility regulators denying the utility's plan to build a "clean coal" power plant in Glades County.

IF YOU "FLIP" HOMES, THIS MAY BE OF INTEREST

A nationwide search is being done for the new cast of characters who will be featured on the upcoming season of Flip This House! The producers are searching for confident, charismatic, motivated and opinionated people who "flip" residential properties for a living. They want real-estate adrenaline junkies who love the high risk, high reward nature of their jobs and who are devoted to doing a great job! If you would like your team featured on the upcoming season send me an email and I’ll have them contact you.

marilynfjacobs@gmail.com

4TH of JULY CELEBRATION

Don't miss one of the area's biggest and best Fourth of July celebrations, “4^th on Flagler,” featuring fireworks, delicious foods, good music and much more along the city's stunning waterfront. Enjoy three stages of non-stop entertainment by acts including power pop band The Click Five, children's area and the firefighter's "splash and dash." The evening culminates with a spectacular fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m. followed by the Wild 95.5 Hour. Festivities will be held on Wednesday, July 4^th from 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm on Clematis.

ISRAEL BONDS INVESTMENT BILL SIGNED BY GOV CHRIST

A bill authorizing county and local governments throughout the state to invest surplus funds in bonds backed by the full faith and credit of the State of Israel has been adopted by the Florida State Legislature, starting July 1st, and was signed by Governor Charlie Christ on June 8th at a ceremony at Temple Beth El in Boca Raton.

Those authorized to invest are state agencies, municipal fire and police pension funds and local governments.

Gov. Christ recently returned from a trip to Israel that focused on bilateral trade between Israel and the State of Florida.

The first Israel bond was sold in 1951 and close to $25-billion in investment capital has been secured for the development of every aspect of Israel’s economy including agriculture, commerce and industry, and to absorb Jews from the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia and elsewhere.

More than $100-million of Israel Bonds are purchased every year within the State of Florida by individuals, corporations, pension plans, universities, hospitals, foundations, unions, banks and insurance companies.

4th of JULY CELEBRATIONS IN WELLINGTON

PATRIOTIC POOL PARTY AT AQUATICS COMPLEX

From noon to 5 pm. Regular pool entrance fee applies.

FAMILY 4^th CELEBRATION AT VILLAGE PARK

Traditional games, inflatable rides, crafts, face painting, airbrush tattoos, prizes and fun foods for purchase. Live musical performances by Bob Hoose & His Orchestral. Shuttle transportation service from Mall at Wellington Green Palm Tran bus stop.

FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA AT VILLAGE PARK

Spectacular disply will be given by Zambelli Fireworks International. Music will be broadcast along with the fireworks.

REMEMBER: No personal fireworks, alcoholic beverages or pets allowed in Village Park.

For more info call Cathy Flocke at 561-791-4770.

“PROTECTING FLORIDA’S INVESTMENTS ACT” SIGNED

Florida has now become the first state in the US to link its public investments with the actions of “rogue” nations.

The new law allows Florida to divest some of its $150-BB fund and other public investments from firms that refuse to stop doing business with or otherwise support Iran and Sudan. Genocide and the development of nuclear weapons by Iran, the “world’s leading state sponsor of terror,” will not be sponsored by Florida, said Senator Ted Deutch (D-Boca Raton) and he praised Florida Governor Charlie Christ, just back from a trip to Israel, for signing the bill.

Deutch says he is working with other states to accomplish a similar program, and Governor Christ has sent letters to Governors of 49 other states encouraging them to follow suit. Deutch said the use of the law would require three steps: Identify firms with ties described by the law, Engage those firms “in a dialogue that causes them to understand what they are doing, and Ask that those ties be severed. If they are not severed, those stocks will be divested from the pension funds holdings.

This bill was signed by Governor Christ at Temple Beth El in Boca Raton.

ANNUAL WORLD CLASS CHARITY HORSE SHOW COMING IN NOVEMBER 2007

The Annual World Class Charity Horse Show 2007 will be held November 8, 9, and 10yh, 2007 at the NEW Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, 7500 Forest Hill Boulevard in West Palm Beach from 10 am to 7 pm.

This facility is all under cover with beautiful barns and surroundings--a horseman's dream. There will be great box seats under cover, vendors, concessions and more. Something for everyone, ages 2 to 102! Y'all come and it will be a memorable time! Beautiful avenue of shops, box seats, premier box seats, concessions, exhibitor's parties, dog shows, and more. Spectator admission is FREE!

In addition to being a fun event, the annual horse show has been the biggest fund raiser for the Humanitarian Society.

For information call 561-362-8530. Website: humanitariansociety.org. Email: bocahumanitarian@adelphia.net.

THIS FRIDAY STARTS A 12-DAY TAX FREE HOLIDAY ON STORM ITEMS

Save money on batteries, generators, flashlights, fans, portable radios and other storm-related supplies during this period when you won’t be paying sales tax on these items. Florida residents are expected to save about $25-MM in sales taxes during this period.

WEST PALM BEACH CREATES THREE NEW ZIP CODES

With the areas around Highway 441 growing in leaps and bounds with gated communities, strip malls and office parks where there used to be acres of farmland, the communities covering areas west of Boynton Beach, from Military Trail to the Loxachatchee National Wildlife Refuge, will soon have new zip codes, as pictured here. The change will be effective July 1^st. The 33437 ZIP code grew between 7 percent and 12 percent a year during the county's building boom, according to the U.S. Postal Service. Parts of Lake Worth, for example, will now have a Wellington address.

STADIUM JUMPING PLANS MOVE FOR HORSE SHOWS

Stadium Jumping Inc. plans a move to 179 acres on 50th Street, between 120th and 130th Avenues in Wellington. The land is part of the 610-acre Wellington Preserve community. However, a lawsuit is pending with more being threatened due to a long list of conditions from the South Florida Water Management District as well as needing to install milions of dollars worth of roads and other infrastructure.

Their current location at Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club has gotten too small. Their shows include the Winter Euqestrian Festival and the National Horse Show.

A former partner of the Stadium Jumping President has sued saying the President signed a binding agreement to stay on the current site for 30 years, and this has divided the Wellington Equestrian community. The President says that 2010 is a realistic date for completion of the move.

Equestrian landscape architect Robert Jolicoeur said the proposed showgrounds will have 10 show rings, including a grand prix field and derby field, 2200 stalls and a alrge covered arena for night classes. A court decision is awaited on the lawsuit.

UPDATE: FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

PROPERTY TAX – “where it is” on 5-4-07

The Florida Legislature suspended negotiations on Save Our Homes portability, rollbacks and other property tax reform proposals until next month when lawmakers return to Tallahassee for a 10-day special session from June 12-June 22. Both sides have already agreed on two FAR-supported tax relief measures - $25,000 exemption on personal intangible property for small businesses and some form of Save Our Homes portability (terms not released). Sources say that so far there is agreement on cutting property taxes by about $20-$25-billion over 5 years; no sales tax increase; some form of Save our Homes portability.

To write your legislator send an email to http://floridarealtors.org - see Legislative Center.

Legislators made it easier for certain property owners to get insurance from Citizens which is now Florida’s largest insurer with 1.3 million policyholders. Property owners will be allowed into the Citizens pool if the only insurance they could obtain on the private market was 15% more expensive than what they would pay Citizens. Citizens rates would freeze through 2008. On Jan 1, 2009, Citizens would again be allowed to raise rates.

Homes valued at over $750,000 and located in high-risk zones will be required to install opening protections as of July 1, 2008 if they seek a building permit for work estimated at $50,000 or more. By 1/1/2009, all homes valued at over $750,000 in high-risk zones must be fitted wit opening protections to remain eligible for Citizens coverage. This is to help reduce some of the risk in the event of a devastating storm. Free inspections of 400,000 single-family homes is called for and grants and loan are provided to certain homeowners to make improvements to strengthen their home against storms.

Home inspectors, mold remediators and mold assessors will be required to be licensed by the Dept. of Business and Professional Regulation as of July 1, 2010 IF SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

Landlords are limited to a financial penalty when a tenant breaks a lease of two months of rent for leases of less than a year. Effective at once IF THE GOVERNOR SIGNS IT.

Mortgage brokers and lenders will now have many disclosure and education requirements to help protect consumers during the mortgage loan application process. This bill includes additional enforcement and investigative tools for prosecuting mortgage fraud. The definition of “primary title services” and “related title services” will be amended and a civil court case codified that permits a portion of a title insurance premium to be rebated IF SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

RECORD PROFITS IN 2006 FOR NATION’S PROPERTY/CASUALTY INSURERS

Industry net income rose to $63.7-BB in 2006 from $44.2-BB in 2005, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Assn. Most of the improvement, they said, was because of fewer catastrophic storms in 2006 than in 2005. Profits were also boosted by stronger underwriting gains, which are premiums minus losses and admin expenses. While a highly active hurricane season was predicted for 2006, it gave insurers much-needed time to recover from the six 2005 catastrophic hurricanes. Chief Economist, of the PCIAA, Genio Staranczak, said that insurers need to worry about future storms. Increased property values, growing population and a threat of more frequent and severe storms in high risk areas of the US create a financial problem the nation must deal with. Colorado State U experts predict that the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season will be very active with 9 hurricanes.

LOTS DOING IN “TALLAHASSEE”

1000+ realtors are in Tallahassee for the FAR (FL Association of Realtors) convention, and meeting with local senators and representatives on property tax reform, affordable housing, property insurance and other housing issues.

On tap:
…Senate is expected to release its property tax reform package shortly
…Senate Banking Committee and Insurance Committee Chairman rolled out property tax insurance reform bills (each of which have been approved during the proceedings)
…Another bill deals with hurricane mitigation
…Gov. Charlie Christ is supporting bill SB-2498 to allow homeowners to opt for coverage from the state-run insurer if they have an offer from a private insurer that’s 15% higher than the premium charged by Citizens. Homeowners would be allowed to stay with Citizens regardless of the rate offered by a private market insurance company & the bill will require the Office of Insurance Regulation to take into consideration the profits of parent companies when approving insurance rates
… The Senate Regulated Industries committee unanimously passed SB 2234 to provide licensure and regulation of home inspectors, mold assessors and remediators, but exempt from law: engineers, architects, building code administrators, real estate appraisers and fire safety inspectors. Licensure would be required for completion of a 120-hour course of study, and require 14 hours of continuing ed every 2 years.
…Gov. Christ signed legislation that could double the additional homestead exemption available to low-income seniors. HB333 implements a constitutional amendment approved by voters that increases the local option for the homestead exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 for individuals age 65 and older whose income does not exceed $23,414 in 2007.

REALTY TIMES SAYS SPRING HOUSING RESALES WERE STRONG IN MARCH IN SOME AREAS

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey for the week ending 4-5-07 showed the 30-year fixed rate mortgage averaged 6.17%, up slightly from the previous week average of 6.16%.

Last year the 30-year FRM averaged 6.43%.

GRADING SYSTEM COMING FOR EACH HOME’S ABILITY TO WITHSTAND SEVERE WIND DAMAGE FROM STORMS

During January’s special session to address the property insurance crisis in Florida, Senate Bill1980 and House Bill 1-A contained a rating system to score homes on a scale of 1 to 100 for their ability to withstand severe wind damage from storms. The Florida Insurance Commissioner said that “the adoption of a uniform scoring system for home safety is long overdue.” This plan is yet to be approved by lawmakers.

FIVE MAJOR HURRICANES FORECASTED FOR 2007

Forecasters from the Tropical Meteorology Project at Colorado State University say that with El Nino weakening, the 2007 hurricane season will be very active... and will include 17 named storms for the season between June 1 and November 30. Included, they predict, will be 9 hurricanes, 5 of which are expected to be major with sustained surface winds of at least 111 mph. However, the season, they say, will not be as active as 2004 and 2005 when hurricanes caused billions of dollars worth of damage in Florida, and days or weeks without power for millions of residents. They predict there is a 50% chance of at least one major hurricane hitting land along the east coast, including the Florida peninsula.

El Nino occurs when weak easterly trade winds allow warmer waters of the western Pacific to migrate east. The accompanying vertical wind shear stunts the formation of hurricanes. In the end of May this team will update their predictions.