ANOTHER WAY FOR SOME FUNDING FOR LONG TERM CARE TYPE NEEDS

Statistics tell us that on average, 69% of people age 65 today will need some form of long-term care. While 92% of Americans age 65+ listed poor health as the most serious problem facing older adults, only 43% believe that purchasing a form of long-term care coverage is important for their future. If you do not have a long term care policy, or wish to increase benefits, be aware that some annuities offer Enhanced Rider Benefits which are not long term care benefits, but funds from the annuity can be used for in-home care and other needs or can enhance long term care issues already in place. These require no underwriting or invasive medical questions. Balances left, if the annuitant passes away, go to beneficiaries. For more information, call Marilyn Farber Jacobs, Licensed Advisor/Independent Insurance Agent at 561-988-0070

PALM BEACH COUNTY ARTISTS SUBMISSIONS NEEDED

The Palm Beach County Art in Public Places Program asks visual artists who live in the county to submit artwork. Deadline is January 22 at 4 pm. Submissions will be considered for a 4-month Palm Beach International Airport exhibition from February 4^th to June 3^rd. Theme is “Come Out & Play!” Artists are invited to submit works featuring locals and tourists enjoying a variety of sports and lesure activities offered in the county. For more information email esinger@pbcgov.org or see www.pbcgov.com/fdo/art/calls.htm

32nd ANNUAL BOCA RATON BOAT PARADE

The boat parade will be held Saturday, December 20^th, starting on the Intracoastal Waterway at the Boca/Delray city limits (Canal C-15) and will travel south to the Hillsboro Bridge. There is limited free seating in bleachers at Silver Palm Park and Red Reef Park. Call 561-393-7827 or go to www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us for details. Free entry for boats. Over $10,000 in gifts and monetary awards for Best Decorated Vessels. Don’t miss the fun!

5 OPEN HOUSE TOURS 5 - Sunday 12/14 from 1 to 4 pm.... IF YOU MISSED THE TOUR, MARILYN WILL BE HAPPY TO SHOW YOU ANY OF THESE HOMES!

ORDER OF PHOTOS:
B, A, E, 1, C

NEW WEIGHT LOSS TIPS… BOTTOM LINE: I’M NOT GIVING UP CHOCOLATE

The current (January) issue of Reader’s Digest has some newer thoughts on weight gain, including a fat cells discussion about how they got there (genetic or external factors when Mom was pregnant), how they “work,” who might have more of them, and how to work them down (exercise… you’ve heard that one before). Again we read that exercise can change our metabolisms, so maybe we should try that if we don’t do it yet. There is lots of convincing evidence. GET ON THAT TREADMILL more often, go to the health club, or take long walks every day. Stress fattens, they write, because it sparks cravings (we knew that!), so they suggest yoga or quality family time to down tone stress. More sleep could mean more weight loss, meaning seven to eight hours a night. Your spouse’s weight loss could trigger stress, e.g. jealousy, so jump on the bandwagon and lose weight too. An experiment they describe showed that stem cells attacked by a virus can cause weight gain, which calls to mind what Mom used to tell us, “Feed a cold and starve a fever.” Your taste buds can be get a weight gain trigger from an ear infection. Antioxident-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables can keep obesity away. The article reminds us that we CAN be fit AND fat. It’s almost time for New Year’s resolutions, so let’s make some about weight loss, or lack of weight gain right now.

Buyers are Looking and Buying Now

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, 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

HOMES LISTED FOR OVER $100MM HIT BY REAL ESTATE SLOWDOWN

Culling the list of most expensive properties that are for sale from published property listings, high-end brokerages and conversations with real estate agents, here are updates us on the state of the high-end real estate market. Note that in Europe especially many estates and luxury markets are shopped privately for undisclosed prices. Financier Leonard Ross took his Beverly Hills Hearst Mansion listed for $165MM off the market, as did Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia with his $125MM Aspen Ski Lodge. But “our Donald,” Donald Trump, closed on the sale of his $100MM Maison de L’Amitie in Palm Beach, Florida to Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev, having given away the largest single residence price concession of all time of $25MM. Trump bought the house for $41.4MM four years ago, so still made a nice profit. Two houses remain on the market right now for $125MM each. The “Fleur de Lys,” in Beverly Hills, CA, modeled after Louis XIV’s Versailles palace, with Versailles-style decor, is 45,000 sq ft. Built over 5 years, included are a 50-seat screening room and library filled with 1st Edition books. There is a 9-car garage, 12 bedrooms, and 15 bathrooms. This Holmby Hills estate is sandwiched between Beverly Hills and Bel Air. A Jacobean manor with interior features similar to Dunnellen Hall, the estate has features such as vaulted ceilings, travertine marble floors, bay windows, limestone walls and wood paneling and sprawls over 40 acres of rolling hills edged with tall trees, is 21,897 sq ft and has a 52-foot long indoor swimming pool.

CHOCOHOLICS TAKE NOTE…

Recent research indicates that brisk walking might control chocolate urges… but suggests you do not walk in the direction of the candy store. After 3 days of chocolate abstinence, 25 regular chocolate eaters took brisk 15-minute walks and tests showed that exercise reduced chocolate urges. Shall we all try this? We MIGHT become “all-around healthier” as exercise increases mental alertness, brings oxygen into the body and is very good for all of us in other ways as well.

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 13^th Street and NW 7^th 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.

2Q US SALES OF FIXED ANNUITIES JUMPS 54.1% OVER 2Q 2007

Beacon Research reports that sales of fixed annuities had their best quarter in several years when they rose to $2.46BB in the 2^nd quarter OF 2008. With weakness in the equity markets, folks are looking for safe investments. Did you know that the Florida State Guaranty Laws and Provisions guarantees your principal against loss for up to $100,000 in an annuity and an aggregate of $300,000 for all insurance lines? For example, if you were investing $300,0000 in annuities, you could use three carriers, investing $100,000 in each, and ladder them (have them fall due in different years). For information on CDs vs. Annuities and rolling over 401ks to defer income tax liability on interest earned (and get interest on the interest you are NOT paying for taxes in the meantime) email marilynfjacobs@gmail.com or call 561-988-0070. Marilyn is a Licensed Advisor for Fixed Annuities, Life and Health Care, Long Term Care and Medicare Supplements in Florida. She is an Independent Insurance Agent and gets quotes from many carriers for her clients to assure the most suitable policy available is quoted to them.

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.

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.

ACCREDITED VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMING NEXT YEAR IN FLORIDA

Believed to be the most wide-ranging virtual mandate in the US, a new Florida state law requires districts to create full-time virtual schools, collaborate with other districts, or contract with providers approved by the state. Your children and grandchildren who live in Florida will be able to go to school entirely online from kindergarten through 12^th grade, never setting foot in a classroom, but about 20% of the curriculum may be taught online and parents must commit to walking their children through the rest of the lessons. School superintendents must be ready by August with details from how to provide the needed technology to how to engage kindergartners attention spans as they sit at the computer for many hours in a row. While this program may eliminate the need to build more schools, the districts still must pay teachers, revamp their curriculum appropriately, and purchase new technology. Districts can choose to pay a state-approved private company to do that . Two online schools are already funded, one for students from kindergarten through eighth grade, and the Florida Virtual School offering middle and high school courses. During last year’s school year, 57,000 students took at least one Florida Virtual School course, but very few committed to an all-online experience. The new Web-based education is expected to attract many students. This year the district will start with 12 students, kindergarten through 8^th grade, who are registered for online school through a state program. Students and parents will be asked for input. For accountability, virtual students must meet state standards and take the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. There is concern that the virtual experience cannot be provided to students whose families cannot afford home computers and internet access. Opening school computer labs is one alternative being considered. The North American Council for Online Learning will be watching, as will the rest of us, to see how it goes. For more details see http://www.flvs.net/. Online courses are available for adults too. Check it out!

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.

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.

GOOD NEWS: 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 California, 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

Want to find something for the kids to do? 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.

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!

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!

MONTH LONG BOCA FESTIVAL DAYS COMING IN AUGUST

Festival Days was established by the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce to raise awareness and funds for non-profit organizations and to boost business during a “slow month.” Last year $200,000 was raised for non-profits including The Haven, Boca Helping Hands, American Cancer Society, Kids in Distress, Volunteers for the Homebound & Family Caregivers and the Wildlife Care Center. The Chamber pairs “for-profit” and “non-profit” organizations. The official Chamber Boca Festival Days even is Wine & All That Jazz, to be held on Saturday, August 16^th, 2008 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club on Camino Real. Upscale dress or business attire for this even, an opportunity to preview over 100 wines and fresh, handmade European style chocolates, plus music and dancing. For the full schedule of almost daily events, go to the online events calendar at www.BocaRatonChamber.com or email dsalazar@bocaratonchamber.com. You can support these events as a “Community Builder, “Community Partner”, or “Community Friend.” A list of organizations you can choose to support is on the events calendar for Festival Days. Call Desire Salazar at 561-395-4433, ext 235.

HOW ABOUT A FREE RELAXING CONCERT THIS SUNDAY AFTERNOON?

“OCEANS 2” will present a concert on Sunday, June 29^th 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.

SPEND THE DAY AT A BEAUTIFUL PARK IN BOCA RATON

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.

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.

PANDAS ARRIVE IN BEIJING FOR OLYMPICS

Eight merry pandas arrived safely in Beijing after a long journey from their damaged reserve near the epicenter of the deadly earthquake in China. The pandas arrived Saturday to spend the next six months at the Beijing Zoo on a special Olympics visit that had been planned long before the quake. If we built a Boca Raton Waterfront Zoo, would they come?

LOCAL PUBLIC 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

2008 BEST RESTORED BEACH AWARD GOES TO BOCA RATON

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”.

BOCA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL JOINS FORCES WITH MAJOR CANCER CENTER PROGRAM

A forthcoming study, Total Cancer Care, that Boca Community Hospital Lynn Cancer Care Institute will participate in, includes association with a major cancer center (the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa), a pharmaceutical firm (Merck & Co) and the state of Florida who will be doing a study that could radically change the way cancer is treated. Moffitt will link with healthcare providers nationwide. Fourteen hospital sites in Florida are participating. The goal of the program is to improve cancer prevention and treatment by using molecular technology to enhance the ability to diagnose and treat patients. Currently tumors can be tested for 30,000 genes which provide molecular fingerprints unique to each tumor. Scientists, by studying these unique molecular structures, will be able to develop individually personalized new drug therapies to enhance treatment responses. With no extra doctor visits, no additional expenses to pay and medical information remaining private, patients that participate in the program will also have access to individualized clinical trials as they develop. 2,500 cancer patients will enroll in the BRCH research program over the next 5 years, collecting tumor, tissue, blood, urine and clinical information at various points of their lives. Focus will be on breast, prostate, brain, lung, pancreatic, colorectal and ovarian tissue. Lynn Cancer Institute is one of the top five largest cancer programs for patient volumes in Florida. Patients are seen by multiple sub-specialists at the same location on the same visit. The newest location, the 98,000 sq ft $73-MM Harvey and Phyllis Sandler Pavilion is scheduled to open this fall.