THE GOOD, BAD AND BETTER NEWS ON HOUSING AND MORTGAGES

Neighborhood Stabilization Programs are reaching heavily into foreclosed areas. $4BB of federal monies authorized by Congress in 2008 and another $2BB dollars in the 2009 economic stimulus package are being distributed to dozens of cities, towns and counties in the United States. These are aimed at purchasing blocks of distressed properties to create “land banks” for future redevelopers. Private investors can work jointly with nonprofits to assemble and prepare real estate for government purchase. Sidelined by the recession, now local builders and developers may be able to help reconstruct damaged houses and manage them until they are ready for resale. Contact local housing and community development agencies that are making Neighborhood Stabilization proposals to the federal government. If local officials have not yet prepared proposals for HUD, you may be able to talk to them and get the process started. Tamarac in Broward County, the closest area to Palm Beach County receiving initially distributed funds for this plan, will get almost $5MM. For Further information. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that 2 weeks ago US mortgage applications soared 32% as record low interest rates spurred home refi loans, accounting for 78.5% of all applications. Zillow.com reports that in 2008 the housing market lost an estimated $3.3 trillion in value. Credit Suisse Group AG estimates that a total of 16% of all US households (8.1MM homes) with mortgages could fall into foreclosure by 2012. The Mortgage Bankers Association estimates that at the end of 2008, a little more than 9% of all US home loans were either in arrears or foreclosure. The $75BB incentive plan for lenders applies when they lower interest rates so that a borrowers monthly mortgage payment is no more than 38% of his or her pre-tax income. Then the government program would match the amount reduced by the lender to bring payments down to 31% of their pre-tax income, or to lower the principal owed on the mortgage, according to Market Watch. Part of the initiative provides for servicers to receive $1000 for each loan modification, and government funding for each month the borrower stays current on the loan. Homeowners can also receive $1000 annually for 5 years as long as they stay current on loan payments – this comes from the Trouble Asset Relief Program (TARP) and from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. A plan allowing judges to rewrite mortgage terms for homeowners in bankruptcy court is under consideration so that rather than force people into foreclosure they can make at least some of the payments. There is a fear, however, that this “cram down” law, if passed, would stop investors from buying mortgage-backed securities, fearing judges could unilaterally change the terms of the deal the securities were created around, according to MSNBC, thereby destabilizing the marketplace.

DELRAY ART LEAGUE PRESENTS “ARTISTS IN THE PARK”

On Saturday, April 4^thth and Sunday, April 5 from 10 am to 4 pm in Veterans Park (downtown Delray Beach near the ICW) come and relax and walk around to view the local artists showcase of fine art. This includes watercolors, oil and acrylic paintings, photography, sculpture and mixed media. Admission is free; artwork is for sale with a portion of the receipts going to the Leagues Art Education Fund. This past season the Delray Art League awarded scholarships to several FAU art students and made contributions to the Milagro Center, Old School Square, Atlantic High School Art Department and Delray Beach Sister Cities young art competition. There are more than 240 artists in the nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization.

SHORT SALES & FORECLOSURES IN EMPTY BUILDINGS – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Yes, you can get a real good bargain. BUT – if there are a lot of empty units in the building, residents may be getting a hefty HOA raise to cover ongoing costs such as maintaining landscaping, keeping building insurance policy, maintaining air conditioning, pool and other amenities. There are rules for lenders and buyers… a condo building cannot have more than 15% HOA fees delinquencies to qualify a buyer for a Fannie Mae loan.

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR AWARDED TO THOMAS R. NORRIS (Part 2)

Thomas R. Norris was born in Jacksonville, Florida. His family moved to Wisconsin and later to the Washington, D.C. area, where Norris attended the University of Maryland, intent on pursuing a career in criminology with the FBI. Graduating in 1967, Norris enlisted in the Navy when his student deferment from the draft was not extended. He volunteered for the SEALs -- the Navy's elite special-forces unit -- and after completing the brutally rigorous training program served multiple tours of duty in Vietnam. In the spring of 1973, a RB-66 electronic surveillance plane was shot down over North Vietnam. One crewman, Lt. Col. Gene Hambleton, survived the bailout over North Vietnam and narrowly escaped capture. The Air Force launched an unprecedented rescue effort. In five days, over 14 people were killed, eight aircraft were lost, two rescuers were captured and two more were stranded behind enemy lines. On April 10, 1972, Norris led a five-man patrol deep into enemy territory. Separating temporarily from his patrol, he traveled alone through the jungle and located one of the downed pilots just before dawn. He led his crew safely back to their forward operating base. Later that day, a North Vietnamese rocket attack on the small base inflicted devastating casualties and compelled the medical evacuation of the one other American officer, the remaining Vietnamese officers and all but a remnant of the Vietnamese supporting force. After an unsuccessful attempt to rescue the first missing flier, two of Norris's three remaining Vietnamese commandos proved unwilling to accompany Norris on further missions. On the afternoon of the 12th, a forward air controller located the first pilot and notified Lt. Norris. Dressed as fishermen, Lt. Norris and a Vietnamese comrade, Nguyen Van Kiet, paddled a sampan up the river and found the injured pilot at dawn. Concealing him in the bottom of their vessel, Norris and Kiet headed down river to their base, dodging one North Vietnamese patrol and surviving heavy machine gun fire from a bunker along the river. This extraordinary rescue has been recounted in numerous books and a feature film, BAT-21 (starring Gene Hackman), the Air Force code name for the original reconnaissance mission. The following October he received a near-fatal head wound in action and was rescued by his fellow Navy SEAL, Michael Thornton. At first, Norris's doctors gave him little chance of recovery, but with constant encouragement from his family and from Michael Thornton, Norris fought on. In time, Norris and Thornton enjoyed the unique satisfaction of witnessing each other's Medal of Honor ceremonies at the White House. Thomas Norris ultimately realized his youthful ambition of joining the FBI. After many years of distinguished service in FBI hostage rescue operations, he now enjoys a well-earned retirement in Idaho. This story can be seen on the Military and History Channels... Thank you to Author Gary Gosnell, Southwest Airlines Pilot (Ret.)

CURRENT HOME SALES AND FORECLOSURE STATISTICS

CONSIDER THAT THE HIGH AMOUNT OF FORECLOSURES
DISTORTS THE PRICING COMPARISONS
AND AS THE FORECLOSURES ARE SOLD
THE PRICING COMPARABLES WILL CHANGE
TO REALISTIC NUMBERS

A TRUE STORY TO REMEMBER, FROM GARY GOSNELL, PILOT (RET.), SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1997, AT THE LITTLE ROCK EXCELSIOR HOTEL. During our airline crew check-in at the Excelsior Hotel front desk we were told that President Clinton & his staff was staying in the hotel. The occasion was the 40th Anniversary of the Little Rock Central High integration crisis. President Clinton was scheduled to participate in the anniversary celebration on Friday the 19th & Saturday the 20th. Additionally the Congressional Medal of Honor Society of the United State of America was also meeting in the Excelsior Hotel that same weekend. I met the first officer in the bar for a late night sandwich. The bar was crowded with White House staffers so we sat at the bar. To appear ignorant the upcoming events I asked the lady on my left who are all these people and what is the occasion. She explained they were White House Staffers and the reason for the presidential visit. When asked what she did, she said she was on the White House communication staff. A few minutes' later two older gentlemen arrived at the bar. It was obvious that they were not part of the WH staff. We invited them to join us at bar. One of six the WH staffers sitting in a booth directly behind us stopped the second gentleman, former Navy Seal, Thomas R. Norris and asked him what was thing he was wearing around his neck. (Norris was about 5'10", 230 lbs.). He responded to the WH staffer that it was the CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR. Being a well-qualified Clinton white house staffer, the male staffer asked the question of the weekend, "What's that?" The Vietnam veteran, explained to the WH staffers what a CMH is and its significance. One of the six staffers in the booth apparently overcome with patriotism and love of the military, immediately left the booth and did not return. Later another WH staffer (male) sat down next to the former Navy Seal. After a little chitchat the WH staffer again asked the Seal about that thing around his neck. The Seal told the staffer about the CMH. When asked, Norris told the staffer about the events which resulted in the CMH. The staffer left after his first drink and never returned. To my left and behind me were Clinton WH staffers and to the right of the first officer were two CMH recipients. The contrast was stark. The quiet one was an Army retired Lt. Col., and the other, a former Navy Seal, both CMH recipients. We spent a couple hours asking questions and listening to their personal stories. We were honored to have met and talked with these two American Heroes. SALUTE! On January 13, 1997, in the East Room of the White House, President Clinton presented the seven Congressional Medals of Honor, one to Vernon Baker and six to the families of now deceased WWII servicemen. Eight months later some White House staffers fortunate enough to be invited to Little Rock for the 40th Anniversary had no idea what is a CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR and its significance in history of United States. A sad commentary! (…details coming about Thomas R. Norris’ and another Congressional Medal of Honor award… stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 to be posted here shortly!)

PROPERTY VALUATIONS IN QUESTION

Appraisers complained at a House financial services subcommittee recently that loan officers, Realtors, builders and others made pervasive attempts to interfere with their work, and that sometimes resulted in distorted home valuations. The President of the National Association of Home Builders said that in 2008 and 2009 appraisers “have often used sales of homes in foreclosure or other distressed property sales as comparables for new homes without making the appropriate value adjustments.” He said that depresses the true value of new homes, produces a further downward spiral in new home sales and unfairly devalues entire neighborhoods. All Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans originating after May 1^st may change, but the National Association of Mortgage Brokers has filed a federal lawsuit in US District Court in Washington asking the court to declare the entire process illegal because it bans mortgage brokers from involvement in selecting or hiring appraisers. According to the association (which represents 20,000 brokers nationally) that will directly reduce the ability of mortgage brokers to provide consumers with an efficient and cost-effective means of shopping for a mortgage. Home buyers and refinancers then may need to pay for appraisals from every mortgage company or bank they shop. Currently, a broker can obtain one appraisal at the consumer’s expense and use it to get quotes from multiple wholesale lenders.

CALUSA VETERINARY CENTER OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE HUMAN-LIKE PET CARE

A tour of the Calusa Veterinary Center at 6900 Congress Avenue in Boca Raton, just south of Costco, will reveal an amazing, 10,000 sq ft state-of-the-art full-service veterinary medical facility where pets are treated similarly to humans. When diagnosed and tailored individual treatments are determined, your beloved pet may go to the Aquatic Center and receive hydrotherapy in a heated outdoor exercise pool and/or walk on an underwater treadmill, which provides low-level impact exercise in a reduced gravity environment. Treatments provided in the Rehab Center include deep penetrating low level laser, therapeutic ultrasound, electro-muscle stimulation, land treadmill exercises and stretching, range of motion, gait analysis. Homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractics, nutrition and herbalism are used in the Zen-inspired Holistic Center to get pets on their way to recovery. The Center’s holistic viewpoint includes consideration of their environment, the pet’s relationship with their owner and family, and disease patterns. If your pet is in need of treatment “after hours,” give Calusa Veterinary Center a call, and they will be ready when you walk in the door with your pet. Along with medical services and rehabilitation, the facility offers grooming, dental care, and boarding. Luxury boarding is available in the Barker Raton Pet Resort within the facility, and you can arrange to go online and see your pet in their boarding quarters. One focus of the Center is to promote responsible pet ownership, good nutrition, enhance the human-animal bond, and practice preventative health care. Pets are considered “seniors” at 7 years of age, and the Center has a Senior Wellness Screening package with a comprehensive physical exam. Gift cards are offered, and there is a 5% discount on the total invoice that can be used the next time, or any time you receive other services. Call 561-999-3000 to arrange for a tour. You may want to bring the kids along! Calusa serves the entire Palm Beach County area.

FROM CALUSA VETERINARY CENTER on May 14, 2009: Unfortunately, due to the current economic climate and costs involved in operating a state of the art, high quality, efficient emergency room, we have had to temporarily discontinue having a doctor on premises 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will continue to provide on-site, 24/7 nursing care for our hospitalized patients and pet resort guests, as well as a doctor on call, and emergency care during office hours. Calusa Veterinary Center will be open for appointments 7 days a week, including Sunday! We will be seeing appointments 8:00am-7:00pm Monday thru Friday and 9:00am-5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. We will continue to provide the highest level of care and service, with our critical care, 24 hour nurse supervised care, holistic and homeopathic center, canine rehabilitation, full surgical suite with ventilators and laser, nutritional counseling, full digital x-rays, endoscopy, ultrasound, in house laboratory, full dental suite with radiology and our pet spa and pet resort. We ask for your understanding at this time, and your continued belief in our commitment to the care of your pets. Our ER doors will open once again, in the near future. In the event of an emergency after hours, please contact our office at (561) 999-3000. One of our emergency room nurses will be here to assist you and can guide you to the closest emergency doctor available.

212-ROOM BOCA RESORT BEACH CLUB OPENS

The redesigned beach club at the luxurious Boca Raton Resort & Club offers a full-service beach resort experience with a variety of world-class restaurants, spa, golf and tennis. There is a new ocean view fitness center with floor to ceiling walls providing water views and offering the latest in cardio and strength training equipment, a kenesis wall, new Camp Boca children’s activity center, 3 restaurants with a variety including seafood, snacks, and café with breakfast, lunch and dessert items prepared daily, three new meeting rooms and ballroom space with pool deck view, three new outdoor pools with lounge areas where WiFi access is available. Forty-six new private poolside cabanas and new in-sand beach loungers are available. Traffic flow is enhanced by the new wide circular driveway. The cabana-style guest rooms include nine suites with Atlantic Ocean or Intracoastal Waterway views

FIX IT ONLINE FOR FREE

Imagine! Something is not working right, and you can first check it out at www.fixya.com. Volunteer techies provide free fix-it advice for common breakdowns of gadgets, electronics, and other products. Chat online or post a message. Before purchasing an item, you may be able to get a “heads-up” from those who already posted on the item.

CHILD PRODIGIES FROM ISRAEL TO PERFORM AT BOCA RATON RESORT & CLUB

Benefiting the Keshet Eilon Music Center in Israel, whose goal is to become a world center for the training and performance on string instruments by musically gifted Jewish, Christian and Muslim children, four young musicians from the Center and other artists will perform in the Great Hall at the Boca Raton Resort & Club on Sunday, March 15^th at 11 a.m. The 19-year old center is located in Western Galilee near Israel’s northern border. Gifted young violinists from Israel and throughout the world are trained and promoted. Seminars are held throughout the year to locate and encourage promising young violin pupils. Plans have been approved for the construction of a campus for the Keshet Eilon Music Center on a seven-acre mountainside site at Kibbutz Eilon. Reserve at 561-620-2939 (limited seating). A donation of $75 is requested.

DENTAL, VISION AND HEARING INSURANCE OVERVIEW

These insurances are becoming an increasingly important part of your insurance portfolio. Some hearing insurances include $500 each towards a pair of hearing aids. There is a strong correlation between oral health and overall health. About 80% of Americans show symptoms of periodontal disease. Proper oral hygiene practices are essential. Poor oral health care can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Healthy gums play an important role in keeping harmful bacteria that is found in the mouth from entering the blood stream. Routine dental exams can keep your mouth healthy. Your dentist can spot symptoms of some illnesses in the mouth during routine dental exams. Illnesses including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer often cause signs and symptoms to appear first in the mouth. Ask Marilyn for plan details for good coverage.

COMMON SENSE HEALTH AND WELLNESS ADVICE

From every corner these days we are hearing about healthy life choices. There are many things you can do to help practice healthy adult living. Here are a few from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). GET THE SCREENING TEST YOU NEED. Mammograms, Pap smears, colorectal screens, and other tests can find diseases early when they are easier to treat. Talk to your doctor about which of the following tests you should have and when. These recommendations come from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and NIH. Blood pressure: Have your blood pressure checked at least every 2 years. Cholesterol: Women should have their cholesterol checked regularly starting at age 45: men every 5 years beginning at age 35. If you smoke, have diabetes, or if heart disease runs in your family, begin checking cholesterol at age 20. Colorectal cancer: Test for colorectal cancer starting at age 50. Your doctor can help decide which test is right for you. Depression: If you have felt "down", sad or hopeless and have taken little interest or pleasure in doing things for 2 weeks straight, ask your doctor about screening for depression. Diabetes: Screen for diabetes if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Breast cancer: Have a mammogram every one two years starting at age 40. Osteoporosis (women): Have a bone density test at age 65 to screen for osteoporosis (thinning of the bones). If you are between 60 and 64 and weigh 154 pounds or less, talk to your doctor about being tested. Cervical Cancer (women): Get a Pap smear every one to three years if you have been sexually active or are older than 21. Prostate Cancer (men): Discuss with your doctor the pros and cons of having a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test or digital rectal examination (DRE) to screen for prostate cancer. Sexually transmitted diseases: Your doctor can help you decide whether to be screened for sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, and for women, also chlamydia. General: After age 50, people also should have an annual fasting blood sugar check for diabetes, regular colonoscopies for cancer of the colon, PSA tests for prostate cancer, and mammograms for breast cancer. The body is truly fearfully and wonderfully made. God has made us stewards of our bodies and our health. Remember no one knows your body better than you do. Take the time to take care of yourself. Thank you for this advice to Polly Terry, a Parish Nurse, RN, who writes the column monthly for her Church Bulletin. Polly lives in Freeport, Florida.

THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’ IN CALIFORNIA… WILL FLORIDA BE NEXT?

The Santa Barbara Realtors Association President says, “Home sales are picking up across the South Coast… more favorable interest rates are one reason… prospective buyers are more likely to get off the fence when rates are low.” She also says that once the market has hit bottom, it’s too late for buyers to know that, and, “If you wait for the bottom to hit, you’ve waited to long.” As the drive begins to purchase homes, the competition makes prices rise again. According to a local online newsletter, “The South Coast has a chronic shortage of entry-level homes like townhomes, condominiums and smaller single family homes so federal stimulus spending could have a positive effect locally.” If you read the article farther down you will see that home sales in Florida are trending up. Is it time to get on the bandwagon?

FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS REPORTS FIFTH MONTH OF INCREASED HOME SALES ACTIVITIES IN FLORIDA

With existing home sales up 24% in January, the 5^th month in a row of year-to-year increased sales activity, 2009 FAR President, Cynthia Shelton, says, “Many people are looking at today’s market and seeing opportunities to find the home or business they’ve always wanted. With a range of available housing options, historically low mortgage interest rates and affordable prices, buyers who may have been hesitant before should take a closer look at the current opportunities for homeownership. As real estate professionals who know all aspects of their local market conditions, Florida Realtors are here to help counsel consumers making sound long-term decisions for their homes and their businesses.” Existing condos had a 13% gain in statewide sales. Inventories, nationwide, fell to a 2-year low. NAR Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, says, “It appears some buyers are taking advantage of much lower home prices. The higher monthly sales gain and falling inventory are steps in the right direction, but buyers will continue to have an edge over sellers for the foreseeable future.” Median (midpoint) sales price for existing homes last month was down 33% from a year ago from $206,900 to $139,500, and NAR attributes the significant downward price distortion to discounted sales, including foreclosures.

ART AND CRAFTS FESTIVALS IN BOCA AND DELRAY 2/28 AND 3/1

Mark your calendars and head to Royal Palm Place on February 28^th and March 1^st. Take advantage from 10 am to 5 pm of free admission to view the talents of many of the country’s best artists. Included will be painting, wood-working, sculpting, unique crafts and mixed media in this 2^nd Annual Show. Royal Palm Place is on SE Mizner Boulevard, south of Palmetto Park Road in Boca Raton. You can rest your feet, “grab a bite” or dine at one of the very nice restaurants right there. Window shopping is permitted, so you will have a festival for your eyes. On the same days, also free admission, visit the 12^th Annual Downtown Delray Beach Craft Festival, same hours. The streets of downtown Delray become outdoor craft-art showcases. Included will be folk art, pottery, handmade jewelry and paintings, personalized gifts, handmade clothing, scented soaps and you can talk with the crafters about their art. This will take place on 4^th and Atlantic Avenues, in the midst of shoppes to browse, wonderful places to dine, galleries to comb. Enjoy both shows!

FORBES: HEALTHGRADES COMPILES LIST OF AMERICA’S SAFEST HOSPITALS

Stating that you’ll get great care at these hospitals – all provide the best protection against complications and mortality, the hospitals recommend by the hospital rating company HealthGrades within Palm Beach County include Boca Raton Community Hospital, Boca Raton; Cleveland Clinic, Weston; Delray Medical Center, Delray Beach; JFK Medical Center, Atlantis; Jupiter Medical Center, Jupiter; and Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, Palm Beach Gardens. These hospitals were designated as Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence. Their complications and mortality rates are considered by HealthGrades to be in the top 5% of the country. For more information, and to purchase reports on individual doctors or estimate costs of a procedure and plan for future healthcare expenditures, go to http://www.healthgrades.com/. If you are looking for a health plan, a medicare supplement or advantage plan, call Independent Insurance Agent Marilyn Farber Jacobs at 561-988-0070. Marilyn is appointed by over 70 Florida carriers of various insurances. If you want an Advantage plan, Marilyn can help you pick which plan is most suitable for you and determine whether the physician you will use as your primary doctor will have you in-network or out-of-network with possible extra co-pays.

GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS

THE GOOD NEWS: A new $50BB Obama plan will soon be revealed to combat foreclosure of owner-occupied middle-class homes. A federal regulator urged more than 800 thrift institutions to suspend all foreclosures. Government-controlled mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac suspended foreclosure sales during the winter holidays and have halted evictions from foreclosed properties until next month. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the government would provide incentives to “try to induce economically sensible restructuring of mortgages,” but offered no specifics when testifying this week before House lawmakers. THE BAD NEWS: In 2008 more than 2MM American homeowners faced foreclosure proceedings; analysts say that in the coming years, depending on the severity of the recession, as many as 10MM homeowners could face foreclosure proceedings. Florida Economist Hank Fishkind now says that the bottom will come in 2010 and positive growth will not start until 2011 or 2012. However, he says home sales have already hit bottom and are beginning to stabilize.

HOW GOOD IS THIS NEWS?

December showed a surprising 6.5% jump in home sales. The south has a current 13% gain in pending home sales. Total number of homes for sale on the market nationwide dropped nearly 18% last month to the lowest level since May 2007. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said the jump up reflects “buyers responding to lower home prices and interest rates” that have improved the affordability equation to its most favorable level in 39 years. Are we at the “bottom”? It certainly appears we are headed there, if not yet there.

TENNIS CHAMPS REVVING UP

Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center will host the highly anticipated Delray Beach International Tennis Championship from February 21 through March 1 with professional tennis players from around the world playing right here in our backyard. In it’s 11^th year in Delray Beach, 3-time French Open quarterfinalist Guillermo Canas of Argentina leads the field. Among the 23 players from 13 countries are Mardy Fish (USA), Tommy Haas (GER), Marcos Baghdatis (CYP), Robby Ginepri (USA), Steve Darcis (BEL) and Vince Spadea (USA-BOCA). Brothers Bob and Mike Bryan wll be playing doubles. This major $500,000 ATP world tour is in its 17^th year. Single session grandstand seats start at $15 at www.YellowTennisBall.com, MySpace and Facebook at “Delray Beach ITC”, or call 561-330-6000. Don’t miss this exciting tournament!

MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM 2-7, 1 PM AT GUMBO LIMBO’S OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATRE

The Sunflower Creative Arts’ new children’s repertory theatre group, “Shakespeare for Everyone,” will perform a 75-minute adaptation of Shakespeare’s delightful fantastical fairies, romps in the forest and an adorably mischievous sprite wrecking havoc on a group of poor foolish mortals. The forest setting at Gumbo Limbo promises the production to be fun, light and most enjoyable. The 8-14 year old actors have been given an unusual amount of freedom to make choices and explore their character’s quirks. They perform in full costume, with scripts in hand, to concentrate their energy on bringing their characters to life. The performance will include Shakespeare’s original text. Admission is free. Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is on A1A between Spanish River Road and Palmetto Park Drive.

NORTON MUSEUM FEATURING “GEORGIA O’KEEFE and ANSEL ADAMS NATURAL AFFINITIES

Sharing a profound love of nature and interest in conservation, painter/sculptor O’Keefe and photographer Adams met in Taos, Mexico in 1929. Both developed a deep interest in the American West and became icons of 20^th century American art. There are 40 O’Keefe paintings and 54 Adams photographs, and a few, side by side, show the same images captured in paint and on film, providing interesting contracts in each artist’s view and presentation, now featured at the West Palm Beach Norton Museum, internationally known for its permanent collection. Above are pictured Adams “Winter Sunrise, the Sierra Nevada from Lone Pine,California, 1944” (gelatin silver print), and O’Keefe’s “Black Mesa Landscape, New Mexico / Out Back of Marie’s II, 1930 (oil on canvas).The show continues through May 3^rd. How about accepting the challenge of using either one of their paintings or photos as inspiration, and seeing what you can do with your camera or paint brush? Check out this VIDEO LINK for interesting information on both artists. Admission is $8 for adults and $3 for ages 13-21. For more information call 561-832-5196.

WEDNESDAY HOUSE MEETING FLOOR VOTE DETERMINES BIG FLORIDA STIMULUS PLAN GAINS

No, we are NOT dreaming… money could be coming to Florida to help balance its budget, build bridges and highways, expand mass transit, modernize schools and improve other government services. Over $4BB could come to Medicaid, the state federal program providing funds for health care for the pool. There are $120MM in rebuilding projects which are ready to go and will provide immediate jobs. $46MM for water treatment could create 350+ jobs. $21MM for North Flagler Drive improvements could create almost 170 new jobs. Port St. Lucie could restore policing staff to earlier levels, and an energy analysis, resulting in 160 new jobs. Boynton Beach could have a new $31MM police station and 3 00 new jobs, as well as a park that would add 100 more jobs. Unemployment benefits could be extended with health care options for those laid off from jobs. The Senate, though, is working on a separate plan and any differences would have to be worked out before a final version can be sent to President Barack Obama. We will be carefully watching this vote and any changes or revisions.

ALWAYS WANTED TO BE AN ACTOR? COME AND LEARN

An intensive 8 week Actors’ Workshop will be held at Sugar Sand Park (off Military Trail south of Palmetto Park Road) from February 2^nd through March 23^rd, Mondays, from 6:30 to 9:30 PM. The instructor for the 8 classes is Jane Kelly. The workshop is for ages 16 and up, those who are interested in tapping into their creative side, improving public speaking and presentation skills, overcoming shyness, having fun, or seeking a career in acting. Cost for a Resident is $150; non-resident is $180. Thursday Movie Time at Sugar Sands will offer a tribute to Paul Newman, 7:30 pm. Here is the schedule: 2/12: Rally ‘Round the Flag, Boys; 3/12: The Hustler; 4-16: Cool Hand Luke; 5-14: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Tickets are $1 each, and include popcorn and a drink. Limited seating. Please call the box office at 561-347-3948 to purchase tickets in advance. Watch Newman’s acting and enjoy it all! He is a good acting example to learn from.

BRING YOUR AGE 5-10 CHILDREN TO GUMBO LIMBO ART WORKSHOP AND CONTEST

From 10 am to noon on Saturday, February 7^th, bring the kids to the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center on A1A below Spanish River Drive for an art workshop and contest, “I am drawing with Pascal,” combining art with an environmental education. Sponsoring artist, Pascal Lecocq, will facilitate the workshop, along with staff and volunteers. Lecocq’s passion for the arts and environmental education led to the formation of the Pascal Foundation for the Arts and Environmental Education. The foundation’s goal is to encourage children to express themselves by painting and showing concern for the environment. He has created templates for the children, to which they can add color and designs, and they will answer five questions related to this year’s theme, “Plastic is Forever.” Contest Winners will be announced on Sea Turtle Day, March 7^th. An adult must participate with the child. To reserve space, call 561-338-1473. There is no fee. Founded in 1984 as a cooperative venture between the City of Boca Raton, Palm Beach County School District, Florida Atlantic University and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Incorporated, the Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex is designed to provide marine and coastal environmental education for the community through classes, workshops, field trips and research. Volunteers are welcome. The current Gumbo Limbo volunteers put in over 22,000 hours annually. That is the equivalent of 11 full-time employees!

ALWAYS DREAMED OF WRITING THAT FAMOUS NOVEL?

A non-credit Fiction Workshop will be offered by FAU on the Boca Raton campus from February 10 through April 21, 6-8 pm. Come, bring your writings, get feedback and meet other South Florida writers. Study craft techniques and find publishing opportunities. For fees and more info call 561-297-2974. Limited seating. Registration and payment due by February 2^nd. WE WANT TO READ YOUR NOVEL WHEN IT GETS PUBLISHED!

MOVES IN AND OUT OF FLORIDA BALANCED, SAYS UNITED VAN LINES

According to the Florida Association of Realtors, United Van Lines tracks its moves each year and compares the number of people moving into each state versus the number moving out. In 2008, the company found Florida to be perfectly "balanced," meaning the number of inbound and outbound moves was virtually even. The Mid-Atlantic states saw growth while states to the north saw decreases.

H.R. 7327: Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 - MRDs Suspended for 2009

A recent federal law temporarily suspends minimum required distributions (MRDs) from tax-deferred savings for policyholders over age 70½. This suspension is for 2009 only and does not apply to MRDs for 2008. If a policyholder turns 70½ in 2009, no MRD is required. If a policyholder turned age 70½ in 2008, an MRD for 2008 is still required by April 1, 2009. Although MRDs are not required for 2009, policyholders who need the monies can still take minimum withdrawals. The suspension allows funds that would have been withdrawn to continue to grow tax-deferred for 2009. Impacted plans include IRAs, 401(k)s, and other defined contribution plans. The law also applies to distributions under the five-year rule, where beneficiaries are required to deplete the annuity value within five years of the owner’s death. The new law provides an additional year to meet the depletion requirement. Systematic withdrawals taken by IRA owners or beneficiaries under MRD rules can be suspended. However, these policyholders must notify Policyholder Services to cancel withdrawals for 2009 and then restart them for 2010. For legal, tax or investment advice, please consult a qualified advisor.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-7327