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This Memorial Day please take a moment to commemorate all the men and women who have died while in military service for the United States of America.

This noble holiday started as an event to honor Union and Confederate soldiers who had died during the Civil War. After World War I, it was extended to include all men and women, who had died in any war or military action.  It was originally known as “Decoration Day” and fell on May 30, regardless of the day of the week on which it fell.  In 1968, a bill, known as the Uniform Holidays Bill passed, and Memorial Day became officially observed on the last Monday in May as a national holiday.

Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veteran’s Day.  Memorial Day is a day of remembering those who died while serving in…

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Canadian snowbirds may soon be able to spend two extra months nesting in their favorite spot, the sunshine state!  Each year Canadian snowbirds find their way to sunny south Florida. Currently, Canadians, aged 55 and older have a 182 day annual limit to stay in the U.S. without a visa. Winding its way through Congress is a provision that would extend that limit to 240 days – about eight months total.

Canadians represent a major boost to the economy in the U.S., particularly southern states such as Florida.  Florida recently dropped the requirement of an international drivers permit after strong objections from the Canadian Lobby.  Canadians are flocking to the sugary sand beaches of the Jupiter and Tequesta areas.   The surrounding areas are well known for…

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With more than 1,300 miles of coastline, it is no surprise that Florida has an active and thriving seafood industry! Florida fishermen harvested more than 106 million pounds of seafood, including grouper, mahi-mahi, pompano, shrimp, mullet, snapper and Spanish mackerel.  Florida fishermen provide 100% of the entire nation’s domestic spiny lobster and 97% of the stone crabs.  According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services more than 85 different varieties of seafood are harvested from our coastal waters.

Florida is ranked among the top 12 in the nation for fresh seafood production.  During the past five years, the dockside value of Florida seafood has grown by more than 25% to $222 million.  According to a recent University of…

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There is nothing better than a day at the beach!  Fresh air, sun and the surf.  The ocean is powerful and unpredictable, and without proper safety precautions and lifeguards, our local Jupiter, Juno, and Singer Island area beaches can be uncertain. With summer and beach season approaching it is important to refresh the basic safety tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable day at the beach.

Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation use a colored flag system to identify beach warnings.  Green Flag: Low hazard. Conditions are calm; normal care and caution should be exercised. Yellow Flag: Medium hazard. Moderate surf currents present. (i.e.: rip current,dropofff,rocks) Red Flag: High hazard. Very hazardous rough surf and/or strong currents; swimming for experienced…

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Did you know that there are over 21,000 public high schools in America? All three traditional high schools in Martin County ranked among “Newsweek Magazine’s America’s Best High Schools of 2013” list.   These high schools have proven to be the most effective in preparing high school graduates for college with quality education, teachers, administrators, and staff.  Congratulations to Jensen Beach High School (#969) in Jensen Beach, and  Martin County High School (#1,273), and South Fork High School (#1,322) in Stuart!

Martin County is a school district where it is not uncommon to take your child out of private school or charter school and enroll them into the local public high school.  Some advantages to the Martin County public high school system: …

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Trader Joe's, a privately held California based specialty chain of grocery stores, will open its first Palm Beach County store in the PGA Plaza and Prosperity Farms Road in Palm Beach Gardens sometime in 2014.  Trader Joe’s will be located in the southwest corner of the plaza, just west of the Marshall’s department store. The structure will be demolished and rebuilt to accommodate the 12,500 square foot market.        

 

People unfamiliar with Trader Joe’s will enjoy the laid-back vibe, cedar planked walls and Hawaiian shirts worn by employees.  The name “trader” reflects the company’s search for quirky and unique items that are good values.  They understand the importance of covering a range of options for the consumer when it comes to grocery…

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Jupiter Inlet Colony is a quaint community located at the southern most tip of Jupiter Island. It was recently named the safest community in the state of Florida by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. In addition to being the safest place to live in the state, Jupiter Inlet Colony also offers its residents some of the best golf in the country.

dock1_4288_01One of the courses conveniently located near Jupiter Inlet Colony is the Hobe Sound Golf Club. The par 72 Joe Lee designed course was designed around preserved wetlands and massive oak hammocks. Opened in 1988 the course plays at 6,664 yards from the tips and was re-designed in 2003 by John Sanford. The extensive practice area features a spacious driving range, target greens, bunker play, and chipping and…

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Photo courtesy of Palm Beach Post.

Good news for Jupiter area residents and visitors of the "golf capital of the world", a beautiful Courtyard Marriot hotel is now under construction in the Abacoa community!  Construction for the 128-room hotel began on April 24.  It is scheduled to open in February, 2014 and slated to include 2,500 square feet of event space, a bistro style restaurant, a Starbucks coffee shop, full service-bar, state of the art fitness center, outdoor swimming pool, business center, and guest laundry. There will be street level commercial space for lease and parking will be handled by an existing parking garage adjacent to the hotel.

The hotel will be located at Main Street and University, across from Roger Dean Stadium for an…

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Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 29 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the historic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse “Ponce Paella Party”!   This year communities all over Florida, from Stuart to North Palm Beach are recognizing the significance of the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de Leon arrival from Spain to Florida’s east coast, as well as Florida’s rich heritage and cultural diversity.

This paella party is destined to be a culinary delight for the palate.  Paella is a Valencian (east coast of Spain) rice dish. Many non-Spaniards view paella as Spain’s national dish, but most Spaniards consider it a regional dish. It is a delicious rice dish, cooked over an open fire, in a traditional paella pan, olive oil, onions, peppers, garlic, tomatoes, chicken,…

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Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

 

When Stacy Lewis returns to New Jersey later this month for the LPGA ShopRite Classic, she will be returning as more than just the defending champion. She will be coming back as a hero.

The number 2 women's golfer in the world and Palm Beach Gardens resident donated $20,000 in November as a result of the destruction from Superstorm Sandy. Lewis remembers seeing all the destruction on TV from Japan where she was competing in a tournament.

"I was just watching on TV and thinking, `Gosh, I remember walking on the boardwalk.' Just seeing the pictures, I couldn't imagine being that that situation," Lewis told the Associated Press. "The volunteer in me wanted to come and see what I could do, but obviously I couldn't…

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