HAVE A GREAT TIME IN DELRAY BEACH

A PEEK AT DELRAY BEACH

Delray Beach is the type of coastal town that has it all: unobstructed beaches, shops, the restaurants and definitely, the entertainment.  A little bit for everyone to enjoy.  Delray does a great job with its festivals and fairs.  They close a main street and fill it to capacity with vendors, musicians and artists in a blink of an eye.  When is all over done with, it comes down just as fast as it went up. 

Come on downtown on Thursday, January 27^th for Art & Jazz On The Avenue.  Once a month, during the season, and on a Thursday from 6-10 pm, live musical entertainment is presented, On the Avenue.  Open house specials, and gallery exhibitions are will be browsed at the very least.  Even though it is On the Avenue, it will also extend to the SW 5th Avenue Plaza. 

Highlights will include:

• Florida Panthers’ Partymobile --- interactive games and the launch of the team’s new video game --- at the Delray Beach Magazine booth in the 300 block of East Atlantic Avenue.
• Palm Beach Makos and Cheerleaders in the 400 block of East Atlantic Avenue.
• Exhilarating skateboard course designed and constructed by Stoner Skateboards in the 600 block of East Atlantic Avenue;
• Sports clinics led by Atlantic High School sports leaders on the Great Lawn by Old School Square.
• City of Delray Beach Parks & Recreation sponsored dance and fitness demonstrations and performances led by the Delray Divas, Diamonds and Pearls and Delray Rocks and Cheerleaders Dance, also on the Great Lawn by Old School Square.
• Yankee great Roy White, the Roger Dean Stadium inflatable hitting bay and the Allianz golf hitting bay – all in Worthing Park.
• Representatives of the International Tennis Championships and the US Tennis Association in the 200 and 400 blocks of East Atlantic Avenue.
• Cycling on Your Mark in the 300 block of East Atlantic Avenue.
• Miss Geico 50-foot racing boat with jet turbine engine will be on display in the 500 block of East Atlantic Avenue and sports car along NE 1^st Avenue.
• Roaming Drew Tucker Stomp Band
• The Heavy Pets, a production of 102 Degrees, will be performing on the Old School Square Entertainment Pavilion with Stampede as the opening act. The concert will benefit Delray Beach’s Caring Kitchen through donations collected by volunteers. An after-party hosted by the new Pineapple Groove will start just after the concert.  
• Jim Kolvacik Trio in the 100 block of East Atlantic Avenue
• Groove Merchant and Atlantic High School Jazz Band on SE 4^th Avenue.
• Jazz Stream in the 400 block of East Atlantic Avenue.
• Al Johnson in the 500 block of East Atlantic Avenue.
• Visitors to the Vista BMW tent will be invited to register for a chance to win a new BMW 135i. Details will be available on site.
• Representatives of the Boca Artists Guild in the 100 East Atlantic block.
• Avalon Gallery at 425 E Atlantic Ave.
• Blue Coast Art Exhibit at 110 E Atlantic Ave.
• Blue Gallery at 600 E Atlantic Ave.
• Cacace Fine Art Studio & Gallery at 135 E Atlantic Ave.
• DeBilzan Gallery at 38 E Atlantic Ave.
• Delray Art & Framing at 321 E Atlantic Ave.
• Ford Fine Art at 235 NE 4^th Ave. #101
• Forms Gallery at 415 E Atlantic Ave.
• Kevro’s Gallery, Media Studio & Art Bar at 166 SE 2^nd Ave.
• Ora Sorensen Gallery at 445 E Atlantic Ave.

 Art & Jazz will extend to the SW 5^th Ave Plaza with entertainment from:

• Beacon Center first- and second-grade classes, creative dance team and Village Academy praise dancers.
• Creative dance team, Step Club and Drum Line of the Family Resource Center.

FREE ADMISSION!

THE GOOD NEWS: FALLING REAL ESTATE PRICES MAY ENCOURAGE BUSINESSES TO MOVE TO PALM BEACH COUNTY

 Palm Beach is 40^th on the list of top 55 cities of cheapest places to run a corporate headquarters.  The average age of Boca Raton and Highland Beach residents is 42, and in Delray Beach is 44.

They were ranked by Boyd Company, Princeton, NJ, comparing the cost of running a hypothetical 75,000 sq ft office with 300 employees.  The first 3 on the list were New York, San Francisco and San Jose.  Orlando was #55.  

Boyd  Company helps many of America’s best-known companies plan real estate expansions and does surveys in many industries.

4th ANNUAL DOWNTOWN DELRAY BEACH ART SHOW

January 15th & 16th, 2011

Located on Atlantic Ave starting at US1 East over the Intracoastal Waterway all the way to A1A on the Atlantic Ocean. 

Browse, walk, observe and buy... enjoy the day in this fabulous "All American Town."  Stop in one of the eateries for some glorious food.  Mingle, people-watch, and talk to the artisans.

Lovely way to spend the day.


SEE VIDEO

TIME FOR A WALKING TOUR OF HISTORIC PLACES IN PALM BEACH?

Worth Avenue is considered one of the best world wide upscale exclusive shopping streets, with many top name luxury retail stores, jewelers, art galleries and restaurants.  Walking down Worth Avenue, in and out of the pretty and picturesque flowered alleyways, browsing or buying, can occupy a happy afternoon.  

Five major architects are responsible for charming, elegant old-world Mediterranean-style buildings in the Worth Avenue area – Addison Mizner, John Volk, Howard Major, Maurice Fatio and Marion Sims Wyethe.  The Everglades Club was built in 1918 and is still beautiful.  These architects are also responsible for many commercial and residential buildings.  The Palm Beach Preservation Foundation’s mission is to preserve the architectural and cultural heritage of the Town of Palm Beach and the scenic quality.  Awards are given to properties for their preservation efforts and results.

Built in 1925, architects for the Brazilian Court Hotel were, Rosario Candela (1925) and, Maurice Fatio (1936).  The property began as a Mediterranean Revival style residence, and later added a south wing and was landmarked in 1994.  Fatio built many beautiful homes in the area, as did the other architects mentioned above.  These stately elegant properties still stand, well loved and lived in, a testament to the abilities and quality of materials used by these architects in the early 1920’s.  In 2010 this hotel was designated #1 in Florida by Travel & Leisure Magazine. 

Now a 5-star hotel, you might want to stop for an exciting lunch or dinner at Café Boulud.  The courtyard in back is charming and romantic. A reservation for a room or suite will result in an elegant, memorable vacation.  The courtyard in back is charming and romantic. A reservation for a room or suite will result in an elegant, memorable vacation. You can walk to Worth Avenue or head to the beach with jeep transportation provided.

At 450 Worth Avenue, Casa de Leoni, built in 1920 by Addison Mizner, favors a Venetian design.  This property received the Preservation Foundation Ballinger Award for Restoration in 1995.  At 456 Worth Avenue, sits Villa des Cygnes, built by Addison Mizner in 1922.  In 417 Major Alley there is a small row of Bermuda style homes built by Howard Major in 1925.

In 1994, Pan’s Garden at 386 Hibiscus Avenue became a Preservation Foundation project, and won many awards.  See many Florida native plants at this delightful, serene Botanic Garden.  At 319 Brazilian Avenue, a typical Palm Beach bungalow was built in 1910 and given the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach Ballinger Award for Restoration in 1995.  Tours are available for school children.

The oldest house in Palm Beach is Sea Gull Cottage, built in 1886, in 1993 Henry Flagler’s first winter home.  In 1913 it was moved to the oceanfront as part of the Breakers Hotel.  The property has won many awards.

For exclusive walking tours for groups, call 561-659-6909 and be treated to the history of the area by James Ponce, who is called Palm Beach’s only “Two Legged Historical Landmark” by the Palm Beach Town Council.  Hear the facts and fables of Palm Beach’s illustrious history and celebrity residents.  Tours are scheduled to start at 11 a.m. in the Gucci Courtyard at 256 Worth Avenue on January 12,  January 26, February 9, February 23 and other dates thereafter.  Call to reserve.

THE LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE in PALM BEACH

Pioneer Day at the Little Red Schoolhouse in Palm Beach is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, January 15, 2011 from 1-3 pm.  Check with the Preservation Foundation at  561-832-0731. It is now home to a program of Palm Beach’s living history taking children back in time for a mini-day in a one-room school of the 1890’s, home to The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach.

The Little Red Schoolhouse is in Phipps Ocean Park in Palm Beach, 2185 South Ocean Drive in Palm Beach.  Refurbished in 1960 by the Gardeners Society of Palm Beach and the Town of Palm Beach, it remained unused until 1990 when it became part of the pioneer education program.  Education in America’s one-room schoolhouses stressed discipline, moral values and “the 3 R’s.”  Visiting students today participate in a spelling bee, trace Spencerian script and recite from Tom Sawyer, Little Women, The Ancient Mariner and McGuffey’s Readers.  Period artifacts are also part of the pioneer educational experience.

Starting with seven students in 1886, there were 35 students by the 1880’s.  The schoolhouse was located about a mile north of the Royal Poinciana Bridge on Lake Trail in Palm Beach.  Children arrived by boat, bicycle or on foot from Lake Worth families and were all taught together in one room.  The school ceased operation in 1901 and became a tool shed on the John S. Phipps property, falling into decline and deterioration in future years.  

Preserving past educational history and its artifacts is so important to the school children of today.  There are interesting positive lessons to learn from the past.

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE COLONY HOTEL AND CABANA CLUB IS DESIGNATED AS A HISTORIC HOTEL

 

 With its distinctive Mediterranean architecture and yellow exterior sporting red and yellow striped awnings that shade the guest rooms and hotel frontage, the 1926 Delray Beach Colony Hotel, located on trendy downtown Atlantic Avenue, recalls the romantic Flagler era and the talents of Addison Mizner, a grand period indeed.   The Hotel is smack dab in the middle of many boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants ranging from ethic to fine dining.  Lunch on the front porch can become a ritual.

The original manually operated elevator remains, along with original candelabras and chandeliers.  The lobby features French Doors and a wood burning fireplace.

Many weekends there are arts and/or crafts fairs and green markets to browse, off Atlantic Avenue.  Some nights jazz drifts though the area to the distinct pleasure of diners eating outside at sidewalk cafes.  What could be more relaxing or romantic?

The ocean and beautiful white sandy beach are only 5 blocks walk heading east.   The Colony Cabana Club, a private beach club located two miles from the hotel, where seagrapes, coconut palms and native flora sway in the breezes of the Atlantic. Hotel guests have use of 250 feet of private beach with complimentary umbrellas, cabanas and chaises,  right on the beach. 

The emphasis is on casual, but this is a sophisticated, worldly, enticing environment. 

DECEMBER 26 & 27, 2010 HEAD TO 4TH ANNUAL DELRAY BEACH HOLIDAY ART & CRAFT FAIR

Delray Beach will hold the next Art & Craft Fair in Pineapple Grove, north on NE 2^nd off Atlantic Avenue, from 10 am to 5 pm.   More than 100 booths will be featured.   Items to browse and purchase will include some of the finest arts and crafts in the US e.g. life sized sculptures, paintings, handmade jewelry, pottery and some very unique treasures.  Don’t miss the adjacent crafters market place with handmade body products, beautiful candles, wood plant holders and an expansive green market.

Show is now closed in jewelry category and only wait list applications will be accepted for this category.

Exhibitor parking is at City Hall on NW 1^st Avenue.  Both size is 10’x10’ but a double space may be available too.  For show fees email info@artfestival.com

DECEMBER 26 & 27, 2010 HEAD TO 4TH ANNUAL DELRAY BEACH HOLIDAY ART & CRAFT FAIR

DECEMBER 26 AND 27, 2010 – HEAD TO THE 4TH ANNUAL DELRAY BEACH HOLIDAY ART & CRAFT FAIR

Delray Beach will hold the next Art & Craft Fair in Pineapple Grove, north on NE 2^nd off Atlantic Avenue, from 10 am to 5 pm.   More than 100 booths will be featured.   Items to browse and purchase will include some of the finest arts and crafts in the US e.g. life sized sculptures, paintings, handmade jewelry, pottery and some very unique treasures.  Don’t miss the adjacent crafters market place with handmade body products, beautiful candles, wood plant holders and an expansive green market.

Show is now closed in jewelry category and only wait list applications will be accepted for this category.

Exhibitor parking is at City Hall on NW 1^st Avenue.  Both size is 10’x10’ but a double space may be available too.  For show fees email info@artfestival.com

DESPITE FORECLOSURES, COOL WEATHER, RAMPANT UNEMPLOYMENT - NOW SEE THE GOOD NEWS!

NOTE THAT OUR PART OF FLORIDA

RANKS HIGH IN LIFE EXPECTANCY!

NEW APPRAISAL GUIDELINES FROM FEDERAL RESERVE

A joint version of property appraisal guidelines was released 12-6-2010 by the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., the Office of Thrift Supervision and the National Credit Union Administration.  It is expected that this will be the final version.

Appraisal independence is cited, with lenders exchanging information with appraisers, but not being able to “directly or indirectly coerce, influence, or otherwise encourage an appraiser or a person who performs an evaluation to misstate or misrepresent the value of the property.”  Lenders cannot tell appraiser of any expected or qualifying estimate of value, nor mention a minimum value requirement for approval or condition of the valuation being ordered.  Lenders can’t tie compensation to appraiser to loan approval, nor blacklist an appraiser if valuations do not meet expected thresholds.

BPOs (broker price opinions) do NOT comply with minimum appraisal standards.

OH MY, WHAT IS THERE TO DO?

Head over to the Delray Art League Show: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on weekends, Dec. 11, 12 , 18, and 19 at Veterans Park, 802 NE First St., Delray Beach. Free. 561-843-2311. Note that the cruise boats leave from the pier in Veterans Park for a delightful trip up and down the Intracoastal Waterway, viewing gorgeous mansions and luxury condos.

Narrated Bus Tours of Historic Delray Beach: Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History. Registration 10 a.m., departure 11 a.m. Dec. 18 from Boynton Beach Mall, 801 N. Congress Ave. Adults/seniors $15; under 18 free. delraybeachbustours.org; 561-243-2662.

ADDITIONS COMING TO BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL

BRRH has received a $10M donation from business woman Christine E. Lynn and is developing the Christine E. Lynn Womens Health & Wellness Institute with this donation.  Another donation will enable renovation and updating of the orthopedic rooms beginning in early 2011.

Some revenue slid IN 1Q 2010 because the hospital started a discount program for uninsured patients who now get 50% off gross charges at the hospital.  With uninsured patients paying smaller bills, there was less bad debt on the hospital’s books.  The loss was less than the same quarter last year which was $4.1M.

Typically, 3Q is the slowest part of the year for admissions as more patients are seen when the snowbirds are in the area in the winter months.

FORMER SEA HORSE BATH & TENNIS CLUB IN GULF STREAM AREA WILL HAVE NEW CONDOS

FORMER SEA HORSE BATH & TENNIS CLUB IN GULF STREAM AREA WILL HAVE NEW CONDOS

The first new planned condo in Palm Beach County is set to begin construction at 4001 North Ocean on A1A along the beach.    This is prime beachfront   property and only 2 ½ miles north of the bustling dining, arts, cultural and entertainment trendy downtown Delray Beach’s Atlantic Avenue, and near Gulf Stream.

The builder will use in-house contractors and local subcontractors as well.  There will be 34 condo units in the 6-story building, each about 3000 sq ft and priced betweent $1.4MM and $3MM.  Four separate villas will be built on the west side of A1A priced similarly but 4000 sq ft with 2-car garages.

Featured will be 10’ ceilings, glass and hurricane-resistant constructions, and delivery is expected in early 2013.  The Grand Opening is planned for mid-January 2011 and needs 10 to 12 contracts to”go vertical.”  Three are reported already sold.  

LATEST HOUSING MARKET NEWS

·        Palm Beach - There were 517 sales of houses and condos for $1MM+ in the first 9 months of 2010, up 13% from the same period in 2009 – buyers are driving hard bargains and sellers are selling!

·        October statewide year-to-date existing home sales in Florida were u p 7% and condo sales up 33%

·        NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said what is slowing down the housing market recovery includes:

o   Recent foreclosure moratorium

o   Tight credit

o   Appraisals coming below a negotiated price

·        Yun also said the good news is:

o   Low mortgage interest rates

o   Favorable affordability conditions

o   Pentup demand by buyers may soon be unleashed

·        Economists forecast 1 million new jobs in Florida over the next 7 years

·        Foreclosure Shadow inventory (not yet on the market) poses a threat to market values going up

·        Proposed limits on mortgage interest tax deductions are slowing sales

·        Should some of the savings from earmarked money being canceled be put in the form of a new tax credit to help home buyers?

REMOVE MORTGAGE INTEREST DEDUCTION?

NAR Chief Economist and GURU

Lawrence Yun, said,

According to the

WALL STREET JOURNAL,

that removing the mortgage

interest deduction completely

could cause home prices to

fall by about 15%,

should it be wiped away

entirely.

“”That is,” he said, “an ugly 

scenario, particularly given 

housing’s fragile state.”

While the chances of the 

deduction going away 

are slim, he painted

a grim picture of

what could happen.

“Housing is critical 

to the economy,”

he said in an interview.

“In my view, 

[losing the deduction]

that will surely put us in a

broader economic 

recession.”

THE BAD NEWS... MAYBE THE GOOD NEWS WILL SOON COME OUR WAY

ZILLOW REPORTS ALMOST HALF OF ALL 

SEPTEMBER SALES IN SOUTH FLORIDA 

SOLD FOR A LOSS.

 The tri-county area has a 42% rate of underwater mortgages for single family homes.  Home values have fallen since the 2006 peak by 53% with price levels what they were in July 2002.  In October foreclosures increased with one in every 155 Florida housing units receiving a foreclosure filing, 2^nd   behind California and 17% of all US foreclosures.