WATER RATE HIKE COMING TO BOCA RATON RESIDENTS IN NOVEMBER

Water consumption in Boca Raton has been cut back about 15% since drought-related water restrictions started in April. However the City Manager, Leif Ahnell told City Council this is NOT related to the increase coming soon.

AUGUST BRINGS BOCA FESTIVAL DAYS

Organized by the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, special activities include:

Saturday, August 4: 22^nd ANNUAL OPEN JURIED ART EXHIBITION. Open Mon/Fri 9 am – 5 pm. The Artist Guild of the Boca Raton Museum of Art has opened this show to all South Florida artists and sales of the artwork will benefit the Museum. Exhibit is open through September 7^th at the Courtyard Building, 5301 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton. Call 561-738-4842 or 561-487-3362 for more information.

August 4, 11, 18, 25, 2-3:30 pm, GUIDED TOUR OF HISTORIC BOCA RATON RESORT AND CLUB. Here is an opportunity to see a famous area in Boca Raton with historic significance. 90 minute tours of this beautiful historic property built in 1926 by Addison Mizner will be conducted by the Boca Raton Historical Society docents. $12 per person ($10 for BRHS members). $9 for valet parking. See www.bocahistory.org or call 561-395-6766 Ext 100 for more information.

Friday, August 10, 7-9 PM, SUMMER MUSIC IN THE PARK will feature the Hal Roland Band – a free concert at Sanborn Square on Federal Highway, a half-block north of Palmetto Park Road. Bring a blanket or chair. Parking available nearby. For information call 561-393-7827.

Friday, August 24^th, 7-9 PM SUMMER MUSIC IN THE PARK will feature the Applause Band with Joel Lawrence. A featured Las Vegas entertainer and lead singer in a “Doo-Wop” group. See Sanborn Square directions above.

Tuesday, August 14^th, 9 am, BIRD WATCHING BASICS at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, 1801 North Ocean Boulevard, Boca Raton – learn about birds in your backyard. Binoculars recommended. All ages – children must be accompanied by adults. $15 each, reservations required. 561-338-1473. Info: 561-338-1483.

THIS COULD BE A BREAK FOR FLORIDA HOMEOWNERS...

The Florida Board of Administration is meeting to discuss options to be sure that, in case of a hurricane, there will be funds to cover losses, and are considering a $5-BB loan for the Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, which currently has about $5-BB on hand from private insurers paid premiums and money borrowed last year still left over. Members of the Board include Governor Charlie Crist and the Attorney General and CFO. CFO Alex Sink liked the borrowing option and said that interest income might cover interest that would be paid. They are developing a proposal to allow their staff to negotiate to borrow funds.

The Catastrophe Fund pays claims above what private insurance companies must pay in the event a further need develops. To reduce the cost of private wind coverage for Florida homeowners, lawmakers expanded the “Cat Fund” this year so the state would pay the difference.

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.

BREAST CARE SCREENINGS AT

BOCA RATON COMMUNITY HOSPITAL SATELLITES

BRCH has opened a satellite location of the Diagnostic Center of Boca Raton BRCH on the Clint Moore campus, Suite 114, at 1905 Clint Moore Road, offering state-of-the-art digital technology for breast screenings with hours from Monday-Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Other locations are at the Women’s Center at BRCH, 690 Meadows Road and Women’s Center at Deerfield, 1979 W Hillsboro Boulevard, Suite 3, Deerfield Beach. Screening appointments are now available – call 561-955-5000.

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

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

SPANISH RIVER LIBRARY DEBUT SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 2008

After more than a year’s hiatus, construction has restarted. Once completed it will have a café, two terraces, computer lab, teen meeting room and story area for children. Computers have been purchased. The planned downtown library on the NW 2^nd Avenue site is in the pre-design state, and it’s future depends on how tax reform impacts the city. This library will be adjacent to a new development, Library Commons.

CELEBRATING THE 4^th OF JULY

Wear your red, white and blue outfit and mosey over to FAU, beginning at 6 pm on Wednesday, July 4^th for a musical revue at 4 pm of “An American Songbook: Irving Berlin, at FAU’s University Theater. Tickets are $20. At 5:30, a few blocks away, the outdoor event will begin with games at the carnival midway and family activities. The muxic beings with the “Rumor Has It” band offering music of the 1950’s and 1960’s. At 6 pm family activities are held and at 6:30 pm there will be a stage show, “You’re A Grand Old Flag. At 7:30 the Florida Wind Symphony presents a patriotic musical tribute including vocal selections from the “Irving Berlin Review” and popular family musical, “Bye Bye Birdie, both currently being presented at the University Theatre.

At 9 pm, a fireworks display will take place with traditional patriotic music supplied by Radio station WRMF 97.9 FM.

Other activities include appearances by FAU athletic teams and coaches, clowns amking animal sculptured balloons, face painting, sand art, gift drawings and family games. Special music and activities will be provided by the Childrens Museum and Glass Productions. “Operation Goody Boxes”, coordinated by the Humanitarian Society and othes, will receive monetary donations at their tent by the stage area to prepare and mail “goody boxes” to troops overseas.

Food vendors will provide picnic-type foods. No personal fireworks, open fires, pets or alcoholic beverages allowed. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Closest parking lots to the events are 1, 2, 4 and the parking garage next to parking lot 1. Those with handicapped needs are asked to use the 20^th Street entrance and go to parking lot 1. For information call 561-393-7806, selection 2.

WEST BOCA LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN IN JULY

The new 20,000 sq ft facility, costing $12-MM, will be located on the west side of State Road 7/Highway 441 between Clint Moore and Yamato. A 40-foot strip of land creating a right-of-way has been conveyed by Palm Beach County to the Florida Department of Transportation.

Library Director John J. Callahan III says that book circulation numbers are up 13% this year vs. 2006. There will be wireless access throughout the building, and the library will include computers, DVDs and auction tapes.

County library holders can use any of the 14 branches in the Palm Beach County Library System.

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.

“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.

TAX CUTS ARE IN.........

Dear Property Tax Reform Supporter:

I am excited to announce that an agreement has been reached between the House and the Senate on the tax cut levels for historic relief and reform package that will save Florida taxpayers $31.6 billion over the next five years. This is, by far, the largest tax cut in Florida’s history.

I cannot be more proud of the excellent work of our negotiating team and the valuable input from our respective legislative chambers. Together, we are bringing forth a thoughtful and comprehensive plan that will give every property owner – homestead, non-homestead residential, and commercial/industrial – a tax cut this year. We are confident that when this plan is implemented, Floridians will finally have a more equitable tax system that will yield property tax bills that they can afford to pay.

The details of the plan are provided below. Thank you for continued involvement in this very important issue. Please e-mail us at info@nomorepropertytax.com for more information.

Sincerely,

Marco Rubio

Speaker, Florida House of Representatives

$15.6 billion in Immediate Tax Relief and Reform (Statutory Changes)

• Beginning this year, every category of property taxpayer will benefit from the cut and the cap that the statute imposes.
• All cities and counties will be required to cut taxes in the upcoming 2007-2008 fiscal year to the 2006-2007 revenue levels. These local governments will then be required to make an additional cut of 3%, 5%, 7% or 9%. The level of cuts will be determined by a formula that analyzes their taxing performance over the past 5 years, measured against a statewide average.
• Special taxing districts and fiscally limited cities and counties will be required to cut taxes to the 2006-2007 revenue levels and make an additional cut of 3%.
• A cap on future property tax revenues (based on the rate of personal income growth and new construction) will be imposed to ensure that government cannot grow faster than personal income.
• Local governments may override the cut and the cap. The method for the override will vary based on the magnitude of the local government’s action (escalating from a supermajority vote of the local governing body, to a unanimous vote of the local governing body, to a referendum).

$16 billion in Further Tax Relief and Reform (Constitutional Amendment)

• The estimated average savings for a homestead property (combining statutory and constitutional changes) will be $1,300 in 2008-2009. This average savings represents a 44% reduction.
• “Save our Homes” is replaced with a new “super exemption”. An estimated 73% of homesteaded properties will receive a greater benefit under this new exemption.
• The new “super exemption” will be as follows:
• Level 1: Homestead Property will receive an exemption of 75% of the first $200,000 in value of the home. The minimum exemption is $50,000 per homestead.
• Level 2: In addition to Level 1, homestead property will obtain another 15% exemption for the next $300,000 in value.
• We will grandfather the tax savings and assessment cap for the minority of property owners who have greater benefits under the current “Save our Homes” plan.
• We will preserve all existing constitutional exemptions based on special circumstances, including those now provided to disabled veterans, low income seniors and agricultural lands.
• Because the tax base for all taxing authorities will decline under the constitutional amendment, the fiscal analyses reflects a reduction in school funding. We intend to hold schools harmless from these cuts.

Other Constitutional Changes

There has been agreement to address remaining issues such as additional relief to low income elderly taxpayers, offering incentives for affordable housing and providing tax reform for “working waterfronts” and small businesses. Small businesses will receive a $25,000 tangible personal property tax (TPP) exemption resulting in a total exemption for $1 million of the 1.3 million businesses who must pay this tax. Furthermore, those who receive a total exemption on their TPP will never have to file the burdensome paperwork associated with the tax again.

MORIKAMI MUSEUM & JAPANESE GARDENS CELEBRATE 30TH ANNIVERSARY

On Monday, June 25, a very special anniversary party, free to members and non-members, will be held at the facilities from 10 am to 5 pm. At 1:30 pm a huge anniversary cake will be cut and served.

There will be two free tours of the Pastimes and Amusements of the Japanese exhibition including Japanese toys, games, musical instruments and other objects depicting the spirit of amusement and playfulness enjoyed in Japan, which officially opens on June 26^th. One tour will be held at noon, one at 3 pm, limited to the first 100 people. Two tours will also be offered of the exhibition Yamato Colony at 11 am and 2 pm, each tour limited to 50 people. These are provided by a one-year Florida state grant. Tickets for all tours will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis, starting at 10 am. Guests are invited to stroll through the Japanese Gardens and can use a free audio tour.

For children, a treasure trek activity is being scheduled to take place in the Gardens. The Cornell Café will be open for lunch. The museum store will give a free Japanese fan for purchases over $15 and discounts on some items.

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens are owned and operated by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department. They are located at 4000 Morikami Park Road in Delray Beach off Jog Road between Linton Boulevard and Clint Moore Road. 561-495-0233 or www.morikami.org.

FLORIDA’S HERITGAGE TO BE SHOWN IN ART SHOW & THEATRE AT SUGAR SANDS PARK

Willow Theatre presents “The Life of Ivy Stranahan: A florida Pioneer, Saturday June 23^rd at 2 pm. Reknowned historical Chautauqa portrayal artist tells tales of old Florida, with Mrs. Stranahan trekking through knee-deep mud, championing the Seminole Indians cause and becoming Ft. Lauderdale’s first teacher, a portrait of achievement and courage. Tickets are $12. Purchase at box office (561-347-3948).

The Boca Historical Society exhibits will include”Herstory: Boca Raton’s Pioneer Women.”

Sugar Sands Park Community Center and the Willow Theatre are located at 300 S. Military Trail, B oca Raton (561-347-3900 or www.sugar-sandpark.org).

100 COMPUTERS PURCHASED FOR PUBLIC USE BY NEW BOCA LIBRARY

With construction back on track and completion expected by the end of the year, there will be 65,000 books and 7,000 other media (DVD’s and CD’s). Computers will be purchased and there will be 2 computer labs, one for children and the other for adults. Another new library is planned on a parcel of land just north of the existing downtown facility at 100 NW Second Avenue.

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.

FASCINATING wave of the future... Haliburton is moving here and Trump is building a hotel. Just to keep you informed. Click on the link below. This could be on our itineraries for a future vacation... hit space bar to move from photo to photo:

http://www.realestatebooks.org/dubai/Dubailandiaeng_files/frame.htm