HISTORIC HOMES TOUR MARCH 29th IN WEST PALM BEACH, MEET NEIGHBORS, EAT AND BE ENTERTAINED

On the National Register of Historic Places, Grandview Heights in West Palm Beach, established in 1910, includes twelve homes in Craftsman, Florida Bungalow, Spanish Mission, Dutch Colonial Revival, Art Deco and Mediterranean Revival-style homes to view.  Their Annual Grandview Historic Home Tour will be held Sunday, March 29^th from 3-7 pm.  Tours began in 1995.  There are 13 Historic Districts in West Palm Beach.

Connect with early Florida lifestyles and view historical Florida art as early as 1890 at Grandview Gardens Bed & Breakfast.  Paintings are by Highwaymen, the itinerant African-American artists whose work reflects Florida pastoral scenes. 

A block party is included with entertainment by Lotsa Papas and food, a plated meal, from the restaurant Aioli.  Meet and mingle with creative homeowners.

 

Grandview Heights is located between Parker Avenue and the FEC railroad tracks, just south of Okeechobee Blvd.  Boundaries are Park Place, Alabama Avenue, M Street and Lake Avenue.  Residents with 2-story homes can see the Atlantic Ocean over the island of Palm Beach from 2^nd story windows.  Hence, the area name evolved, Grandview Heights.  This is a successful urban neighborhood with great diversity. 

For further information call 561-877-1221.  Tour Admission is $35 with volume and early bird discounts.  A souvenir booklet with a self-guided walking tour and map will be provided.

 

TOUR OF HISTORIC PICTURESQUE PARROT COVE MARCH 15TH

IMAGINE… a neighborhood that is family oriented, with safe streets and no through traffic, with flocks of green parrots nesting in the trees in an “Old Florida World” setting.  Such is the case in Lake Worth’s historic Parrot Cove.  The area borders on Lucerne Avenue on the south, a golf course on the east, the south side of 13th Avenue on the north and the east side of Federal on the west.  The single family homes date from the 1920’s heydays but the majority of residences were built during the 1950’s and 1960’s.  There is an eclectic mix of colorful homes, inns, and churches. The neighbohood is pet friendly.  Landscaping is lush and blooming.   Virtual tour.  On March 15^th, come, attend and enjoy.

 

A non-profit neighborhood association was formed in April 2000 to provide information to the 600 homes in the neighborhood, on a wide range of issues and to meet neighbors.  General meetings are held at least six times a year.  Cost annually is $10 for an individual and $20 for a family.  Social Membership is available to those who do not live within the boundaries of Parrot Cove. The “Parrot in the Hood” parties for Association members are held in resident’s homes and block parties and private tours are also held.  There is a published newsletter, 6 times a year, delivered to residents’ doorsteps.

  

Every other year a major fundraiser is held with a Home and Garden tour, when residents’ open their homes to visitors.  This year’s tour will be held on Sunday, March 15, with visits to 9 homes, 3 gardens, 2 inns, a golf course clubhouse and 2 churches.  Purchased in advance at parrotcove.org and several local stores and inns, tickets are $25.  If purchased after noon on March 13, tickets are $30.  Tour is held from 2 to 6 pm and starts at Believers’ Victory Church, 918 N. Lakeside Drive.  Check-in will open at 1:30 pm.  The money raised is used to improve the community and to give to local charities.  In spite of morning rain, in 2012 there were 420 participants.

Residents can walk to shops, restaurants and pubs, library, movie theatre, playhouse, post office, city hall, grocery stores, pharmacies, a municipal golf course on the water and ocean public access beach.

WOW --- yum!

It was the pictures in an ad on my computer for some oriental dinners that made me head for dinner over to PeiWei off Palmetto in Boca DelMar.  The week before I was headed to Trader Joes on Federal and Linton, to buy fish for dinner, but when I saw a new PeiWei there, I happily succumbed.

They steamed my shrimp and I ordered lo mein to go with it.  Very tasty and healthy.  They had a new item, CRUNCH ROLLS that look delicious, but I was not hungry enough to have that too.  Maybe next time.  Opened and ate three fortune cookies, liking the first one best which said, “Good Times are Ahead.”  I figure if I open three, one is bound to be good.  And, I like the taste of the cookies. Their chocolate chip cookies are crunchy and have chocolate bursts.  There are gluten free alternatives too.  Choose from spicy or not spicy vegetable spring rolls, crab wontons, lettuce wraps  and chicken, shrimp, steak or vegetables and tofu dishes. Top it all off with fresh cut orange slices, found usually where the utensils are.  What is your favorite meal there?
 

 

The décor is “quiet” with dark wood benches, tables and chairs.  Enticing odors waft my way from the open kitchen – all you see are the heads of the cooks, but you can hear them cooking. When you order at the counter, they give you a small plastic sign with a number and that is how the waiter finds you when your order is ready.  There is never a long wait.  My small size portion was around $10.  FYI Pei Wei has 190 locations in the US, including Boynton Beach and West Palm Beach.
 

 

If you have a favorite Asian food restaurant, drop me a line and tell me about it so we can tell the Readership.

ARAGON LUXURIOUS OCEANFRONT CONDOS FOR SALE IN BOCA RATON

2494 So. Ocean Blvd.  Here you have luxury living in a 5-star oceanfront complex. Full service building with 24/7 guard gate, valet and concierge services for 2-4 bedroom units ranging from 2130-8500 sq ft. Larger units have all the features of a house with condo amenities for easy care and security when you are not there, and some have their own private pools-the height of luxury in an oceanfront condo. 

The three sister-towers were built in 1995 on A1A’s Boca Raton Gold Coast, south of Camino Real.  If you enjoy architectural details you will marvel at this complex’s features.  New York designer Melvin Dwork created an Asian-inspired motif.  The curved balconies and building tops present a contemporary element.  Elevators open into the units. Amenities include spectacular oceanfront pool with attendants, direct beach access, clubhouse, fitness center, community room, sauna, squash court, bike storage. 

Larger units have all the features of a house with condo amenities for easy care and security when you are not there, and some have their own private pools-the height of luxury in an oceanfront condo.  Lease OK, up to 50+ lbs. pet.  Maintenance includes basic cable.  Area public schools are all A-Rated.

Three 3-bedroom units are available right now, each a little larger than 4000 living sq ft, two on the 4^th floor for $2499,500 and $1,299,900,  and 1 on the 8^th for $3,395,000.

MARILYN KNOWS THE WATERFRONT and will be happy to show you these or any other properties!

 

CATS AGE CONVERSION CHART

CAT YEARS	HUMAN YEARS
1	15
2	24
3	28
4	32
5	36
6	40
7	44
8	48
9	52
10	56
11	60
12	64
13	68
14	72
15	76
16	80
17	84
18	88
19	92
20	96

 For more information about cat’s health

ASPCA/PET STATISTICS: Facts about Pet Ownership in the U.S.: It's estimated that 70-80 million dogs and 74-96 million cats are owned in the United States. Approximately 37-47% of all households in the United States have a dog, and 30-37% have a cat.

Considering a home purchase and want to know if pets are allowed?
Call Marilyn 561-638-9818
 

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL MOVE

·      A few weeks before moving date, get a moving file and calendar for just this purpose, keeping all documents relating to the sale and buy in the files, who to contact for utility turn ons, mortgage or lease contracts

·      Out-of-season clothes can be vacuum sealed and go directly into storage area in your new home

·      Keep sandwich bags handy for small items, e.g. screws for a bed frame or flat-screen and tape the bag to the back of the item, labeling them in case they get separated

·      Stack Styrofoam plates between each dish; put glasses inside clean socks

·      Organize packing boxes using colored duct tape for different rooms they items are going in to

·      Make a box of supplies including paper towels, trash bags, staples, a box cutter, screwdrivers and any other supplies that may help with unpacking and setting up.

·      Replace older items before the move, whether it is a small kitchen appliance or old mattress

 Prepare a “Survival Kit,”  with clothes and toiletries for the “day after”

ABOUT WEICHERT REALTY

·       Independent research ranks Weichert.com among the top five of all real estate broker websites

·       Site averages over 3MM visits monthly and 700,000 to mobile website

·       Average visit duration of 11+ minutes outpaces most major real estate companies and in some cases nearly doubles them

·       Our full-time internet marketing team ensures maximum exposure by bidding on over 1MM keywords on major search engines to lead to Weichert.com

·       Weichert.com listings gain additional exposure on an ever-growing list of sites like Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, Wall St Journal and New York Times

MARILYN FARBER JACOBS is licensed with WEICHERT-Heath & Joseph, Boynton Beach – 82 agents in our office who may come to a caravan of your property when Marilyn lists it, for an open house!  Keep in mind that MARILYN KNOWS THE COUNTRY CLUBS, THE WATERFRONT, ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITIES, HOMES IN A-RATED SCHOOL DISTRICTS and can list and quickly sell your property (even if it did not sell so far) and find you “the home of your dreams”!  Need an agent in another area?  No problem… ASK MARILYN!

MANDATORY CHANGES COMING TO YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE

Homeland Security developed the federal REAL ID ACT OF 2005 for the issuance of state-issued drivers licenses and identification cards.  After 2016, those under age  50  will need the new star on your drivers license for access to federal buildings and commercial airline flights (though 2 forms of ID suffice for airlines).  For those over 50, the date is 2017.  The purposes of this change are to reduce fraud and to fight terrorism.

This process cannot be done online.  You must appear in person at a service center (https://www.pbctax.com/locations) and have with you proof of date of birth, social security number and residential address.

If you need copies of these documents, see https://www.pbctax.com/sites/default/files/pdf/ENG_checklist_envelope_2013-04-02.pdf

LOCAL "TASTE HISTORY CULTURAL TOURS OF HISTORIC PALM BEACH" PROVIDES HISTORY, CULTURE, ART AND TRAVEL INFO

This multi-cultural culinary tour is for history buffs and foodies.  The Culture Trip, an international news agency cited this tour among their Florida’s 10 Best Food Festivals and Fiestas.   TripBuzz ranked this tour as #7 out of 118 nearby activities.  South Beach Wine and Food Festival and the Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival recognize this tour.

Visit 3 to 4 restaurants for hearty food tastings and trips to historic districts, unique restaurants, historic buildings, art districts and art galleries.  

Areas toured include Northwood Village/West Palm Beach; Lake Worth and Lantana; Delray Beach and Boynton Beach and private tours can be arranged. These local tours are available year-round and go on, rain or shine.

These guide-narrated 4-hour tours are done by bus for 15-20 people.  In Delray Beach, it’s early history is described from its first Midwest founders, William Linton and David Swinton, to early landowners including Henry Flagler and William and Sara Gleason.

Some eating experiences are standing-only.  Dietary restrictions and substitutions cannot be provided.  Some eateries are cafes, restaurants, bakeries, pastry shops, markets, food stands, an urban farm, historic buildings, cultural centers and art galleries.  See their facebook page for pix.

Tours are held on 2^nd, 3^rd and4th Saturdays at 11 a.m.  There is about 4-6 blocks of walking.  Tours travel through historic districts and neighborhoods.  Each tour varies its stops. 

Pre-payment of $40 per person is required; children under 18 are free when accompanied by an adult, but you must call to verify that space is available.  After February 15, 2015, the new tour rate will be $45 per person for Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth and Lantana; $50 per person for West Palm Beach as bus rental and insurance fees have gone up. 

Tours board at Macy’s outside east entrance at the Boynton Beach Mall in Boynton Beach.  The tours are sponsored partly by Macy’s, famous for its culinary tools department, and discounts are given to trip participants.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY BECOMING A CONDO CONVERSION sez THE REAL DEAL

As a condo conversion, it would be hard to find the privacy, security and exclusivity plus the historic feeling and water views... and it is a landmark!

The article states that parking will be featured at the base of the statue along with high-end retail stores, a five star restaurants and maids quarters.  Affordable housing would be limited.  Applicants just have to pass the reasonable credit check.

See more including layout of condos and prices at: http://therealdeal.com/blog/2014/10/12/what-if-
the-statue-of-liberty-was-condo-conversion/#sthash.SFI2GuqF.dpuf

(THIS IS A SATIRE BUT CLICK THE LINK TO SEE THE 

IDEAS FOR THE INTERIOR OF THE STATUE) 

PALM BEACH CULTURAL INSITUTIONS ARE FORGING AHEAD WITH NEW DEVELOPMENTS

The Dreher Park Zoo and Science Center are planning an ecotourism complex that is estimated to attract 2.2MM annual visitors, and to be the largest destination in the US focused on conservation and environment.  Cost slated to range between $93MM and $123MM, and result after 10 years, in an annual impact of $300MM. Joint venture agreement discussions to lay out roles and responsibilities are being held.  Plans call for a butterfly haven, rope canopy tour, IMAX theatre, outdoor Everglades exhibit, environment education center, and more.  Next February, completion is scheduled for the science center’s west wing, doubling its usable space over the past four years to 40,000 sq ft.  It’s last fiscal year ended with a $30,000 surplus.  By the end of the year, the zoo will have doubled the size of its Malayan tiger habitat.

 

 

The Norton Museum has begun rehabbing six historic houses it owns on Cranesnest Way and is planning an expansion to reorient the Dixie Highway entrance, and to add 15,000 sq ft of new or renovated gallery space.

Palm Beach Atlantic University’s 78-acre Marshall and Vera Lee Rinker Athletic Campus has raised more than $15MM to benefit the athletic campus, academic programs and scholarships.  The President of the College stated that the school’s economic impact on the community is $345MM.

GREAT AMERICAN PLACES NAMES WEST PALM BEACH'S HISTORIC CLEMATIS STREET AMONG TOP 10 BEST STREETS IN AMERICA

Since the 1890’s, Clematis Street has been the commercial district for Palm Beach County.  Initial surveyors and engineers for Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railroad (1893) planned the area’s configuration.  Since 1990 it has been a two-way street.  The 500 block is listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1996.  A waterfront park and pavilion connects the waterfront to Clematis Street.  From the park you can walk the waterfront and admire the really big boats docked there. Since 2009, there is a new library and city hall complex.

Locals and visitors are drawn to the street with festivals, annual events and concerts.  Catch the trolley that connects CityPlace, train and bus stations, Palm Beach Atlantic University and downtown West Palm Beach.  Some call it, “Main Street,” and “the entertainment center of West Palm Beach”, a living room, where people relax, have fun, shop, dine and do business.  There are antique shops to browse, colorful boutiques to find that one-of-a-kind item, nightclubs, a movie plex and some upscale stores and restaurants nearby. Have a drink and dine at Bradleys across from the Intracoastal Waterway and enjoy crowd watching.  Architecture is authentic and eclectic, evolving over the last century, including every era and style. 

Historic buildings abound with shops and restaurants on the ground floors of historic buildings.  On higher floors you can find startups, small tech companies, and artists.  Residents’ non –traditional work schedules activate and energize the street, often in the later hours. Some retailers have been there for 100 years.  Drop in to Segway Tours, “the best way to see the area”, and voted # 1 by Trip Advisor of 24 West Palm Beach Activities.  Rent a self-balancing “Personal Transporter,” a motorized “scooter” that changes direction by leaning that way.  Modern dance clubs and health food emporiums are included.  “Clematis by Night” offers a fountain-side concert series, food art and children’s activities.  .  After browsing an art gallery, sit outside and have coffee or wine and cheese.  “SunFest,” the annual boat show and “Corvettes on Clematis” are well attended events with the area drawing about 80,000 visitors a week.

Nearby places to enjoy are The Kravis Center where top stars perform, the Convention Center with art, antiques and jewelry shows, and lots of interesting street browsing.  The area encompasses 5 blocks from Flagler Drive to Rosemary Avenue.

Next time you are looking to have fun, head over to Clematis Street!

ISRAELIS DEVELOP BLOOD TEST FOR CANCER

Eventus Diagnostics, and Israeli life-sciences company, has produced a blood test for early detection of breast cancer, after 8 years of painstaking research.  Breast  cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide, with 1.6MM new cases diagnosed in 2010. 

Called the Octavia Pink test, this first ever blood test to reveal cancer is available now in Israel and Italy and is undergoing clinical trials to receive US Food and Drug Administration approval.  It identifies markers that might indicate cancer or something else.  Its innovations also lie in its examination of antibodies in the blood to pinpoint this specific cancer.

The company released a peer-reviewed study that confirms the diagnostic accuracy of its Octava(TM) blood tests designed for use with screening mammography. The study showed that the Octava(TM) Blue test has excellent sensitivity and good specificity in helping to identify whether or not women who have had an abnormal mammography result actually have breast cancer. The study was conducted by researchers at Eventus Diagnostics and at major cancer centers in the U.S., Italy and Israel.

Galit Yahalom, Head of the 15-member Research Team, is a 43-year old Israeli mother of two who has worked on this project since its inception.  She says, “We know that it recognizes cancer as an external enemy that must be destroyed. It is possible that each of us has had instances of cancer we were unaware of, because our immune systems killed it when it was still very small. For whatever reason, the immune system of people with cancer is not functioning properly.” She also states, “For the last decade, we have known that there is a connection between cancer and the immune system.”

The Octava breast cancer tests are the first in a new class of rapid, accurate and cost-effective immune system-based blood tests that detect the presence or absence of cancer by measuring ratios of autoantibodies produced by the body in response to the presence of tumor-specific antigens.

For more information: http://www.israel21c.org/health/israelis-develop-first-blood-test-for-breast-cancer/

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