BUYERS ARE LOOKING NOW
AND BUYING

Both local residents looking to upsize or downsize and out-of-towners seeking second homes are looking in the market right now. The common theme is, "Find me a bargain." Home owners who are willing to negotiate and are realistic about fair market prices have the best chance of selling, particularly if the homes are upgraded with newer kitchens and baths. When readying your home for show, DO YOUR OWN STAGING - paint the interior and if needed, the exterior, remembering that curb appeal gives the buyer their first impression. Clear out the clutter - either donate it to charity, give it to Goodwill or get a storage room. Buyers need to visualize how large your quarters are.

It may be wise to use your local Realtor who knows your neighborhood, but another Realtor might have new and different ideas, and if your property is their only listing in your neighborhood they might work harder to get it sold than an agent who has many houses to focus on within a small area. When interviewing an agent, ask for their Marketing Plan and where on the internet they will be featuring your property. More and more agents are using the internet to get their listings shown all over the world, internationally as well as nationally.

When you are looking to purchase a property, check with the listing agent about details. If you have pets, check out pet restrictions. Check out age restrictions - is it an age 55+ community and is that what you want? How far is shopping from the neighborhood? What security does the neighborhood offer? What do your Homeowners Association dues cover? Be sure to read the Community Documents as soon as you get them, focusing on Rules and Regulations.

While an agent's responsibility is to get you the most EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE they can to get that one buyer over to your property, once the house is under contract, the agent may have various obstacles to overcome on the way to the closing. Ask about their title company, home inspector, if they have a contractor to do any needed fix-up, whether they have a good plumber and electrician and any other kinds of services you might need.

If you want your agent to give you feedback, ask for it...but the reality is that when YOUR BUYER comes to look, they will make an offer, and that is the ultimate feedback you want to hear. Sometimes the feedback is helpful in fixing something you did not know was "in the way of a sale," and that is helpful information your agent will pass back to you.

Best wishes to all buyers and sellers in finding a property that you will love. Remember that home values WILL GO UP in the future, and if you have found a property that you love and the bottom line price is more than you want to pay, the value WILL be going up in due time. BUY WHAT YOU LOVE that is within your price range.

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MARILYN FARBER JACOBS, Realtor, ePRO - Keller Williams Realty Services
Lic. Mortgage Broker - Iberia Mortgage Corporation, Lic. Correspondent Lenders
Lic. Independent Insurance Agent - Health and Life Insurance, Medicare Supplements, Annuities, Long Term Care, Life and Structured Settlements.
December 1, 2008. Marilyn Farber Jacobs is a Realtor and ePRO specializing in listing and selling properties in gated golfing communities and on the waterfront. SEARCH THE MLS and EXPLORE THE AREA at http://www.MarilynJacobs.com. COMPARE waterfront condos at http://www.FLWaterfrontCondos.com. Marilyn's territory includes Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Highland Beach, Ocean Ridge, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth and Lantana in Palm Beach County.

Pictured above: 2006 Palm Beach Farms Estate For Sale, boat dock, 4616 sq ft, beautiful interiors, 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, gourmet kitchen, French Doors, Crown Moldings, Automatic Generator, 3 car garage, solid pour walls, elevator, private Master Bedroom with balcony in established neighborhood with playground. House has boat dock, is on waterfront. $2,500,000.

THIS ARTICLE APPEARS ON SMARTGUY.COM, written by Marilyn Farber Jacobs

TALLER BUILDINGS COMING TO BOCA’S DOWNTOWN AREA

Just approved by City Council: a new 140’ standard for construction with an additional 20’ for decorative and other elements. The building’s density would not increase, so a height increase would require a decrease elsewhere on the structure. The change would allow for more open space, wider sidewalks and more attractive architecture. Downtown is considered between Glades Road and Camino Real, with Palmetto Park Road and Federal Highway. This will give an additional 40’ to the current 100’ maximum. Residents have opposed a “box-like look,” and new designs are expected to offer staggered rooftops to create a more dimensional look, described by Mayor Susan Whelchel as “quality over quantity.” These guidelines will apply to an office building planned for the southeast corner of Palmetto and Federal, scheduled to begin construction in late 2009. This building also would have a boutique hotel with 153 rooms, 105 residential units, a restaurant and retail space.

TECHNOLOGY TO PLAY MAJOR ROLE IN TACKLING GLOBAL DISEASE AND BATTLING CLIMATE CHANGE

Stressing that “ideas, flexibility and entrepreneurship” are even more important than donating money, Larry Brilliant, Executive Director of Google.org, the philanthropic wing of the highly successful and famous search engine, said that their charitable arm has donated about $150MM to charitable organizations since 2004 and allotted about $350MM in online ad space to not-for-profit organizations. Google Maps and News technology are used to track disease outbreaks globally to help avoid epidemics. He also told about Google.org’s tackling climate change, and said, “Global warming is something that happens to all of us. We are in this together. It’s critically important for corporations to step up. Organizations, he said, such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Carter Center and Rockefeller Foundation have the potential to do even more.

LYNN REGIONAL CANCER CENTER AT BOCA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL OFFERS NON-INVASIVE TREATMENTS
More than 3000 cancer patients are treated at the Lynn Cancer Institute every year with multimodality care, where a patient has an entire medical team in one location. Departments included are BRCH Outpatient Imaging and Radiation Oncology, The Center for Hematology-Oncology, chemotherapy and infusion center, multimodality clinic, administration offices and high tech conference center. The Radiation Oncology department will offer “Novalis TX” and Rapid Arc Linear Accelerator allowing steretactic radiosurgery treatment at any location in the body, which are not offered anywhere else in Florida. Treatments are offered from outside the body, outpatient imaging, to destroy tumors or ablate targeted abnormalities without an incision, avoiding hospitalization and recovery periods and possible complications. Radiologists reading the results are nationally renowned, board certified and fellowship-trained with sub-specialty expertise. Advanced imaging tools are also available at the Lynn Cancer Center. The building is located on a 4-acre site at NW 13th Street and NW 7th Avenue in Boca Raton. Satellite locations are in operation in West Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach. If you would like information about a Supplemental Cancer Plan, call Marilyn at 561-988-0070. Marilyn Farber Jacobs is a Licensed Advisor, an Independent Insurance Agent selling life and health insurances, annuities, long term care, life settlements, Medicare Supplements.

FIRST BOCA SCHOOLHOUSE PICTURED NOW IN ALL CITY SCHOOLS

Built in 1908, the Schoolhouse is now enjoying a centennial anniversary. The Boca Raton Historical Society and Museum has presented framed photographs to all city schools as part of the observance of Boca Raton’s Centennial School Year. The first students and the teacher are pictured standing in front of the building. In 1920, a new masonry school building was constructed at the site of the present Boca Raton Elementary School. A new DVD, “The History of Boca Raton,” was also presented to all the city’s schools. Information about school programs and Boca Raton history can be found at www.bocahistory.org.

TAKE THE GRANDKIDS TO DELRAY BEACH AND BUY THEM A SOUVENIR POPUP BOOK !

With proceeds earmarked for the Education Endowment Fund to help schools in the Delray Beach area, the City Education Board created a pop-up book about Delray Beach in 2006 and it is available either on line at http://www.delraypopupbook.com/buy.htm or in local stores. The six pop-up spreads are colorful, fact-filled about the rich history and culture of the city, recreational activities and celebrations. The cost is $28.

WONDERING WHAT THAT ANTIQUE IS WORTH?

Bring your treasure to the Boca Museum of Art in Mizner Park for a “Road Show,” on November 17^th from 1:30 to 4:30. Appraisal cost is $50. Appraiser is Dr. Lori is a certified fine art and antiques appraiser who reviews about 20,000 items a year and is a nationally syndicated columnist and RV personality who has appeared on network and cable programs. For more information, email aglgl@bocamuseum.org or call 561-392-2500, extension 208.

POLICE SUBSTATION OPENS AT TOWN CENTER MALL & BOCA POLICE ATTAIN “FLAGSHIP STATUS”

New 1700 sq ft substation and closed-circuit television command post added to Mall for use by Boca Raton police. It will serve as the operational base for the police officers currently assigned to patrol Town Center Mall and will include workspace for four Crime Prevention Unit members. Civilian volunteers and a Community Service Officer will assist patrons with police reports and fingerprinting. A video surveillance monitoring room, separate processing area and conference room are included. More cameras have been added to the 900 cameras already on the property in parking areas, on decks and within the Mall’s interior. These cameras give comprehensive views of the areas, and the area around the property. The Commission of Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies has given the Boca Raton police department “flagship status” as a model for other police departments.

READ THEIR LIPS: NO BOCA TAX INCREASE, BUT….

There will be additional fees including $5 per month trash fee, $10 increase in fire assessment fee for homeowners, water and sewer rate increase of 5.8% and 2% water and sewer electricity surcharge. The new library project has been moved to the 2009-2010 fiscal year in the city’s capital improvement budget. Beginning the library now, the city manager said, would cause next year’s tax to go up by 2%, counting debt service and library operations.

NORTON MUSEUM PRESENTS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT
Featuring as many photographers as possible, the Norton continues its longstanding commitment to furthering the visitor’s understanding of photographic history. A recent donation of 162 photographs, The Hunter Gifts, is now on exhibit until September 7^th. The collection includes the work of some of the most important photographers of the 20^th century. Six international photographers are paired together for easy comparisons of their work. The Norton Museum of Art is located at 1451 S Olive Avenue in West Palm Beach. General admission is $8, ages 13-21 is $3, children under 13 and members are admitted with no charge.

FORECLOSURE SEMINAR
EMPOWER YOURSELF! Attend FORECLOSURE SEMINAR, 7-9 pm, Tuesday 8/26 and Thursday 8/28 at the Deerfield Hilton, I-95 and Hillsborough Blvd. FREE pre-registration (561-338-2122 or www.iberiamortgagecorp.com.) or $10 at the door. Who should attend: First Time Buyers, Bargain Shoppers, Investors, Realtors. What you will learn: No credit or Challenged Credit, How to Profit from the Real Estate Mess, How to buy and repair a home with one loan; How the new House Bill benefits you.

DELRAY CULTURAL CENTER OFFERINGS COMING UP – GET OUT YOUR CALENDAR NOW

Songs, lectures and a variety of other special events are planned at Cornell’s Old School Square Crest Theatre, including big and small names with varied talents. “Altar Boyz”, a musical comedy, will open The Crest Theatre Main Stage Series November 14-16. The theatre’s season will conclude with “Romanza, the Art of the Tenor, April 3-5. From December 5-7, Spencer’s Theatre of Illusion will be appearing – maybe disappearing - featuring interesting theatrical elements. December 19-21 the Ballroom World Champion Tour will be held for dance enthusiasts. The latest incarnation of The Kingston Trio will present folk music January 16-18. The American Soul & Rock and Roll Choir will bring us cheer February 6-8. “Footloose,” based on the film, will present their national tour March 6-8. A new Celtic inspired dance production featuring Irish, Ottawa Valley and modern tap dancers, The Stepcrew, will appear March 20-22. The 2009 Lecture Series, held Thursdays at 2 pm, will include Secret Service Director Brian Stafford February 19, Author Michael Gates Gill March 12^th and author/photographer Lorraine Salem Tufts April 2^nd. Other presentations coming up include Tony Award winners Hal Linden, Tommy Tune, and Christine Ebersole with Grammy winner Billy Stritch, For tickets and more information call 561-243-7922, extension 1. The Crest Theater is located at 51 North Swinton Avenue, just north of Atlantic Avenue near the Delray Beach Tennis Center, in Old School Square. Individual tickets prices for Main Stage and Cabaret Series are $40 for matinee and $42 for evening. Individual lecture tickets are $25 for open seating (balcony) and $40 for reserved seating, which includes valet parking and post-lecture reception. Crest Theatre was voted BEST LIVE THEATRE by Forum Publishing Groups, The Best of Delray Beach Magazine, 2007. For seating chart, and more information on performances, see http://www.oldschool.org/crest.asp.

WHO IS BUYING IN FLORIDA?
According to the National Association of Realtors recent study, “2007 Profile of Florida Homebuyers and Sellers”, one in three Florida homebuyers is singe – 21% of 2007 new home purchases were made by single women and 12% by single men. 64% of the buyers had no children under age 18, but the median age of buyers was 43. For first time home buyers, 38% of 2007 home buyers, the median age was 32. 59% of homebuyers were married couples, 6% were unmarried couples. 18% were born outside the US. 27% bought new homes, 58% were detached single-family homes. Typical home had 1700 sq ft and was within 14 miles from their previous home. 98% of buyers ranked honesty and integrity as a “very important factor” when choosing a real estate agent. 90% of homebuyers financed their purchase. The report states that the typical home was on the market for 10 weeks and 33% of sellers did not lower their asking price before selling. Recent sellers typically sold their homes for 96% of the list price. 86% of home sellers reported that their home was listed or advertised on the internet. You can find the report at http://www.floridarealtors.org/LegislativeCenter/Research/index.cfm .

WIDESPREAD US HOME PURCHASES BY INTERNATIONALS

National Association of Realtors has estimated that between 150,000 and 190,000 homes in the US were sold to foreign nationals between May 2007 and May 2008. Florida, California and Texas were the most popular states. With the US dollar weakened compared to foreign currencies, US real estate was recognized as a good investment right now.

FYI: PENDING SALES JUMP UP

The pending home sales index jumped in July by 5.3%, rising in every region of the US. In the South, the index was up by 9.3%. Is a turnaround underway? This index measures signed sale contracts that are on the way to a closing, which is a leading indicator of home sales for the coming two or three months.

PBIA FEATURING PALM BEACH COUNTY ARTISTS EXHIBIT
An Opening Reception will be held at Palm Beach International Airport on Wednesday, September 10^th , 5:30-7 pm in the Airport’s Concession Mall, Level 2 Main Terminal, across from Travelers Lounge for exhibits of local paintings, sculpture, photography and mixed-media works, sometimes depicting the flora, fauna and natural places in the County. To see a virtual tour of the art, go to http://www.pbcgov.com/fdo/art/artworks.htm. The artworks, created by residents of various Palm Beach County cities, are for sale. Parking available in Short Term levels 4-7. The exhibit will be on display through September 24^th, and is sponsored by Palm Beach County’s Art in Public Places through a grant from the Palm Beach County’s Cultural Council. Selected works with are presented for four months and each exhibition features changing cultural and travel themes. Contact information for artists interested in submitting their works is http://www.pbcgov.com/art/FDORegistry.aspx.

MORE ON WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE HOUSE… NOW REPORTED TO HAVE SOLD FOR $750,000,000
Now comes word that the anonymous Russian billionaire who bought the exquisite Villa Leopolda historic estate on the French Cote d’Azur paid a higher price than previously reported. This purchase overtakes the previous highest purchase of a London home by Laksmi Mittal for his son for $236,000,000. (WOW these are all a lot of zeros!). Villa Leopolda is between Monaco and Nice, overlooking Cap Ferrat near Villefranche-su-Mer. It is a cream-colored turreted mansion with two guest houses. King Leopold II of Belgium built the villa in 1902. In 1916, King Leopold’s nephew and heir, King Albert I, turned the villa into a hospital for wounded officers during WW1. The Agnelli family later owned the property (Fiat auto tycoons) and held legendary jet-set parties in the 1960’s, with guests including Frank Sinatra and Ronald Regan (in his acting days). Fifty full-time gardeners are employed to take care of 20 acres of gardens and terraces, with 1200 olive, orange, lemon and cypress trees. The grounds are considered among the most spectacular on the Cote d’Azur. Seller was Lily Safra, widow of murdered banking billionaire, Edmond Safra. A Russian oil oligarch is said to be the new owner. But not Roman, Abramovich, owner of the Chelsea Football Club, who owns a $100,000,000 mansion near Antibes. It is reported that 60 villas and mansions on Cap Ferrat are owned by wealthy Russians.

HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE WILL GO ON
Canceled last year because of budget cuts, private sponsors have made it possible for the thousands who watch the Boat Parade to again do so on December 20^th 2008 starting at 6:30 pm at the C-15 canal (Boca-Delray line) and moving south along the Intracoastal Waterway. The sponsors to thank for allowing this 31-year old event to go on include Summit Brokerage, The Boca Raton Resort & Club, Loggerhead Marina, Florida Inland Navigation District and Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County and The Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District. Other sponsorships are available – email elilly@ci.boca-raton.fl.us or call 561-393-7827. As is the custom, boats will stop along the route at various docks and pick up donations for needy kids.

SOME OF THE “GOOD NEWS”
Affordable house prices combined with attractive exchange rates have resulted in our Canadian neighbors becoming the largest group of foreign buyers of homes in the United States, followed by buyers from the UK, Mexico, China, India and Germany. Since May 2007, foreign nationals have purchased between 150,000 and 190,000 homes in the United States. The most popular purchase was single-family vacation homes with an average price of $297,400. Florida led the way followed by Calfironia, Texas, New York, Washington and Nevada. Four out of Ten foreign buyers paid for their new homes with cash, compared to 7% of domestic buyers. Average stay for international buyers was 2.6 months during the year. 14% of purchases were $750,000 or more. This information is from the 2008 NAR Profile of International Home Buying Activity, a survey based on responses from about 4,000 Realtors who serve foreign buyers.

PLAN NOW: LOOK WHO’S COMING TO THE KRAVIS CENTER!

Carol Burnett (1/17/09)

Barbara Cook (12/16/2008)

Lily Tomlin (2-10-09)

Jackie Mason (2-2-09)

Steven Sondheim (2-4-09)

Marvin Hamlisch (3-8-09)

Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin, original EVITA stars (3-25-09)

Wynton Marsalis (1-28-09)

Dr. John and the Neville Brothers (3-3-09)

Led Zeppelin (1-13-09)

The Pink Floyd Experience (2-14-09)

Blue, a tribute to Joni Mitchell (1/2-4/09)

Kravis Membership is $75 and includes priority seating opportunities based on level of donation. Public tickets go on sale for 2008-2009 at 9 am on September 20^th. For more info call 561-832-7469 or go to http://www.kravis.org. Starting in October, for 11 sessions, “Movies by Moonlight” will be presented in the Gosman Amphitheatre including Grease, Sound of Music and Singin’ In The Rain.

AUGUST ADMISSION FREE FOR PALM BEACH ZOO
Grandkids coming for a visit? Palm Beach Zoo admission fees are waived in August and unlimited carousel rides are offered for kids age 12 and younger. There are over 100 shows a week and 1600 animals to visit. The Zoo is located at Dreher Park in West Palm Beach. Mission of the zoo is to provide an outdoor classroom of living creatures to foster awareness, appreciation and respect for the natural world. More info at www.palmbeachzoo.org.

WEST BOCA LIBRARY COMPLETION EXPECTED BY END OF SEPTEMBER Construction began in August 2007, and opening of the West Boca county library on 441 (State Road 7) near Yamato Road is planned before December. The facility will be 20,000 sq ft, with room to expand to 40,000 sq ft. The adult, children and teen areas will have about 30 internet and word processing computers. Computers with the Library catalog are available throughout the building; free wireless access will also be available throughout the building. Three meeting rooms are available, a large one for 70 people and a 50-seat room for children’s programming are included. There will be three private study rooms and a larger group study room, two express checkout stations and themed areas designed for young adults. There will be a total of 136 parking spaces. Materials can be returned at a drive-up as well as walking up to interior and exterior returns areas.

WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE HOUSE? $500,000,000!

Once owned by Bill Gates, La Leopolda, 10 acres, said to have the best views in Southern France, reportedly built by Belgium’s King Leopold for his mistresses, has been purchased by Russian billionaire Abramovich, reportedly for CASH. A regular 80% mortgage would have monthly payments of over $3,000,000!

MASTERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION TO BE OFFERED AT FAU
Did you know that FAU’s Pine Jog Environmental Education Center in West Palm Beach is one of the nations oldest nature centers and serves annually more than 25,000 students, 750 teachers and 12,500 adults? A 36-credit course resulting in a master’s degree program in environmental education, needing no additional state funding due to funds from a Pine Jog endowment, is being planned by the Florida Department of Education. It is noted that this is one field where there is a critical teacher shortage. There will be a conversion available from a track in the approved master’s degree in curriculum and instruction to a stand-alone degree in environmental education. The student can choose either to complete the track or transfer to the new degree program. The new program will be held in collaboration with FAU’s Pine Jog Environmental Center. The first Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certified “green” elementary school in the state is located on the pine Jog campus. An existing College of Education instructor who focuses on environmental education will be assigned to the program. Funds also come from a continuing contract with the Palm Beach County School Board.

LAST BOCA AIRPORT LAND PARCEL UP FOR BIDS AGAIN

“Letters of interest” in bidding were requested in the past for the 4.67-acre parcel of airport land, recently designated as non-aviation land (not needed for airport use). The bids received did not meet all the requirements, and another request has been made by the Airport Authority. This is the undeveloped land near the Muvico Theater and Premier Aircraft on Airport Road. Approved uses include business and professional offices, retail uses, banks and financial institutions, hotels and motels, educational institutions, radio or tv studios, indoor theaters, bowling alleys, recreational facilities and medical offices. Potential developers would need a conditional use permit from the city. Information about the proposal can be found at www.BocaAirport.com

GAS FOR LIFE?
The Florida Lottery is offering an 8-week “Summer Cash” drawing across the state to tap into the public’s frustration with sky-high gas prices. Prizes include “Gas for a Year” and “Gas for Life.” Tickets are $5. Grand prize is $250,000.

GO FOR IT!

HOW ABOUT A FREE RELAXING CONCERT THIS SUNDAY AFTERNOON?
“OCEANS 2” will present a concert on Sunday, June 29th from 3-4 pm at the Spanish Rivier Library on Spanish River Boulevard that is free to the public, as part of the Sunday Matinee Music Series. Skip Sheffield, columnist for the Boca Raton News and Bill Bowen, writer and editor at the Palm Beach Post will perform tunes from Simon & Garfinkle, Jimmy Buffet-style music, Beatles songs and others. For more information call Lisa Mansell at 561-451-3452.

Have you visited our beautiful Boca Raton parks? Some have ball fields for the school age children, some present shows, both at Sugar Sands Park. At South Inlet Park you have lots of sand to sit on, beautiful direct oceanfront views, a picnic and play area. Patch Reef has a community house with classrooms and meeting rooms and ball fields. Check them all out and enjoy our local facilities. You and the family can snorkel at Red Reef Park. For a large pool, head to Meadows Park. Call for their schedules… a great way to spend a Sunday and some have picnic facilities.

Red Reef Park -561-391-5014

Sugar Sand Park – 561-347-3900

Meadows Park - 561-393-7851

Patch Reef Park - 561-997-8504

South Inlet Park - 561-966-6600

ENJOY!

NOTE: YOU MUST MOVE OVER FOR STOPPED EMERGENCY VEHICLES ON HIGHWAY

With the primary objective to save lives of law enforcement officers conducting traffic stops, a statute passed during the 2002 session of the Florida legislature requires that motorists traveling on I-95 and other Florida highways with two or more lanes traveling in the direction fo the emergency vehicle “slow down” or “move over” and out of the lane closest to the vehicle as soon as its safe to do so, when approaching an authorized emergency vehicle stopped on the highway. Drivers are required to slow to 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit if 25 miles per hour or greater or travel at 5 miles per hour when posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less.

TEMPLE BETH SHIRA TO JOIN UNION FOR REFORM JUDIASM
Four years ago, five families formed Temple Beth Shira, West Boca’s Reform Synagogue, as a supportive congregation. Today more than 130 families are members of this multi-generational congregation, devoted to Torah, Jewish values, social action and community outreach. Members come from Boynton Beach to Coral Springs. On Friday, June 13^th the temple, in West Boca, will be officially welcomed into the Union for Reform Judiasm, the only West Boca Temple to be so affiliated. Attendance at the event is free. For more information call 561-912-1453 or go to www.templebeth-shira.org. The Temple offers a comprehensive religious school, bar and bat mitzvah training and small classes. There is an active sisterhood and brotherhood. Cantor Ellen Stettner is the spiritual leader. She served as Cantor of the historic Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, New York City, NY, from 1981 through 2002, and was the first person to have occupied that position. She also served Temple Israel in Melbourne, Florida, as interim Spiritual Leader, before accepting the position of Spiritual Leader of Temple Beth Shira in West Boca Raton. Services are held every other Friday at 7:30 pm at West Boca High School. For more information call 561-912-1453 or go to www.templebeth-shira.org.

ARTISTIC ENTRIES BEING ACCEPTED FOR “BOCA FESTIVAL DAYS”

Sign up by Friday June 27^th to submit up to two pieces of 2- and 3-dimensional work. Be age 18+, and send $25 entry fee per application. For entry form go to www.sugarsandpark.org or go to Sugar Sand Park Community Center. You can call Stacee Cooney at 561-347-3901. The Sugar Sand Park Community Center’s Juried Art Exhibition is part of the month-long Boca Festival Days event organized by the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce.

LOCAL SCHOOLS RANK HIGH

NEWSWEEK’s May 21, 2008 “TOP OF THE CLASS” article showed the following area schools in these ranks in the top 1000 of 1400+ public high schools in the US:

Suncoast Community (Riviera Beach) is #3

Dreyfoos School of the Arts (Palm Beach) is #33

Atlantic Community (Delray Beach) is #58

Boca Community (Boca Raton) is #146

Spanish River (Boca Raton) is #196

Palm Beach Gardens (Palm Beach Gardens) #663

West Boca Raton (Boca Raton) is 675

Jupiter (Jupiter) is #859

William T. Dwyer ( Palm Beach Gardens) is #978

Public schools are ranked according a ratio devised by Washington Post Education Reporter Jay Matthews: the number of Advanced Placement, Intl. Baccalaureate and/or Cambridge tests taken by all students at a school in 2007 divided by the number of graduating seniors. All of the schools on the list have an index of at least 1.000; they are in the top 5 percent of public schools measured this way.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/39380

$232-MM – NEW WORLD RECORD FOR SALE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY?
It is widely reported, but not yet confirmed that Lakshmi Mittal is ready to spend USD $23 2-MM on a home for his son, Aditva Mittal (pictured here), in London’s Kensington Palace Gardens neighborhood. According to Forbes Magazine, Lakshmi Mittal is the 4^th richest person in the world with an estimated personal net worth of $45-BB. Current property owner is Noam Gottesman, hedge fund manager.

MOST EXPENSIVE SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE SOLD IN BROKEN SOUND IN 2008 SO FAR
With golf, lake and pool views, a 5 bedroom, 7 ½ bath remodeled Harbour Green home with 5,254 sq ft was listed for $2,395,000 and sold for $2,035,000 in January 2008 after 100 days on the market. Built in 1992. The house is on a treed lot, less than ½ acre, on a cul-de-sac, has a decorative driveway with a 2-car garage. Living Room is 38’x21’, master bedroom is 24’x15’, chef’s kitchen is 23’x15.

2008 BEST RESTORED BEACH AWARD GOES TO BOCA RATON

One of 5 cities in the nation to win the award, The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association cited North Beach, located between Red Reef Park and Boca’s northern boundary. Successful beach renourishment projects have been completed on the central and south beaches, in 2006 and 2003 respectively. Beaches are restored for storm protection, habitat restoration and recreation. More than 370 beaches in the US have been restored along coastlines in Miami Beach, Coney Island and Venice Beach in Southern California. Three criteria are judged – economic and ecological benefits the beach brings to its community, the short and long term success of the restoration projects and the challenges each community overcame during the project. Judges commented that the North Boca Raton effort “is characterized by its longevity, environmental sensitivity and foresight. The three large Boca Raton beachfront properties are worth over $330-MM, making them the city’s most valuable asset”.

MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCES
At 9:30 am on Memorial Day, Monday May 26^th, join the Veterans Coalition of South Florida at Veteran’s Park for the annual Memorial Day program honoring armed services veterans. There will be a procession of colors, guest speakers and patriotic music. Bring lawn chairs. Veteran’s Park is located at 900 West Palmetto Park Road between Lyons Road and US Highway 441 in West Boca Raton.

FAU CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST & HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION STRAPPED - MAY CLOSE

FAU, working with the Boca Raton-based League for the Educational Awareness of the Holocaust (LEAH) is working to try to save the Center. The budget is about $200,000 a year, with half coming from the state through the university. LEAH picks up the other $100,000. State funding is from general revenue which has now been cut, so other funding sources are being pursued to prevent the Center closing. The Center provides curriculum for seven county school districts in the state, including Palm Beach and Broward. along with a lending library and professional development. According to US Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton, the center “has been an invaluable resource for Holocaust survivors… it is essential that FAU keep this prestigious center open at a time when the scourge of genocide as well as anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial continues globally.” Wexler said the area’s congressional delegation is “ready to work…to ensure that this center remains open.” Other representatives signing the letter to FAU President Frank Brogan included Representatives Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, Alice Hastings, D-Miramar, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Miami and Kendrick Meek D-Miami. Brogan is expected to address a number of budget cuts at the next full meeting of the FAU Board of Trustees.

FOR BEST GAS PRICES:

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HOME SALES PREDICTED TO GO UP 20-30% IN 5 YEARS
Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun recently said of an area that was hard hit by the housing downturn, that “the worst conditions in the Tampa market may have already passed… I think the second half of 2008 will be better. But if I look at the long-term perspective, five years from now, comfortably, one can say home prices in this region will be 20-30% higher.” He also said that while sub prime mortgages made up only 9% of all mortgages in the US, they made up 53% of US housing foreclosures, dragging down the housing market. Yun noted, “There’s a change in the mood over the last couple of weeks,” and that mortgage rates are at near historic lows, business spending is strong and corporate profits are up, all good economic signs. No doubt this is good news for Florida’s east coast too. According to an article in Realty Times, Palm Beach County buyers have purchased 30 percent more single-family homes from February to March.

MORE GOOD NEWS (and some bad) ON THE HOME FRONT…
The National Association of Realtors sees a flat pattern in home sales which will improve over the summer. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun says the recovery hinges on better access to affordable loans….(which is)… uneven around the country and sometimes within metropolitan areas. In many areas, buyers are looking at homes, but are slow to sign contracts, sometimes waiting for more affordable credit or turned off by unnecessarily restrictive lending practices. Real estate news is “local” with some areas showing sales increases and others not. Yun says, “It is critical to stimulate housing demand by inducing fence sitters back into the market. A home buyer tax credit on any home purchase would accomplish that.” The St. Joe Co., Florida’s biggest landowner, points to stabilization in residential inventory indicating the housing market may have reached bottom. CEO Peter Rummell says rather than “expect that prices are going to be lower tomorrow than today if they just wait,” buyers “must be “retrained” to recognize the importance of making home purchases now.” At Tuesday’s congressional hearing, it appears that mortgage lenders are pursuing unjustified foreclosures against struggling homeowners, piling on questionable fees and misstating amounts due. A law professor who analyzed the system testified that “bankruptcy gives mortgage services new opportunities to engage in abusive practices,” rather than offering families one last chance to save their homes from foreclosure. University of Iowa’s law professor, Katherine Porter’s review of 1700 recent Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases found that lenders regularly disobey laws and rules as they try to collect thousands of dollars more than homeowners feel is owed. Countrywide is cited for abuses, and in one case asked a bankruptcy judge to foreclose on a home though they were current on mortgage payments, and claimed the final mortgage amount was nearly $15,000 more than what the company claimed in bankruptcy court. Proof of payments closed the case. Senator Charles Schumer, D-NY, the subcommittee chairman, said that Countrywide “is at the top of the list” of firms responsible for the national mortgage crisis,” and that Bank of America “should think even harder” about whether to complete the purchase of Countrywide.

ROYAL PALM POLO SPORTS CLUB TO CLOSE
After 49 years of polo play, Royal Palm Polo, the last polo facility in south Palm Beach County, will close on May 15^th. It was one of the first polo clubs in the country to build a stadium, drawing players from the best in the world to weekend warriors. Equestrian followers can migrate to Wellington for horseshows et al.