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Congratulations to local North Palm Beach resident, professional golfer and respected philanthropist, Jack Nicklaus!  He has been presented with the Congressional Gold Medal. Both houses of Congress honored Nicklaus with the medal March 25, 2015

The Congressional Gold Medal is presented “to persons who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient’s field long after the achievement.”   It one of the two highest awards granted to citizens of the United States.   Nicklaus received the other, Presidential Medal of Freedom, in 2005by President George W. Bush.

He joins the ranks of Roberto Clemente, Joe Louis, Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens, Byron…

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The State of Florida Senate Finance and Tax Committee is in support of reducing commercial real estate lease tax.  The bill (SB 140) recommends reducing the current 6% tax on commercial real estate leases to 5%.  This reduction makes Florida even more attractive, in addition to the perfect weather and beautiful beaches, for homeowners and business owners.

Under the bill, the cut would take effect January 1, 2016.  Reduction in the state tax commercial real estate lease percentage will allow Florida to compete for businesses to move to the state.

Governor Scott said, “This part of our Tax Cut Agenda is a $100 million reduction in the sales tax on commercial rent, which costs businesses about $1.4 billion per year. This reduction will make it more…

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 tLoggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach

The ocean is Earth’s essence, and it is still 95 percent undiscovered. "No matter how far from the shore that you live, oceans still affect your life and the lives of your families and friends, classmates and colleagues. The air that you breathe, the water you drink, the food you eat, the products that keep you warm, safe, informed, and entertained — all can come from or be transported by the ocean."

The Loggerhead Marinelife Center is putting on its 12th annual free admission festival, TurtleFest which focuses on uncovering our world’s oceans to teach and encourage safe practices to boost ocean and sea turtle conservation.

TurtleFest is a family friendly event where learning is the focus of the experience. There will be students showing off their…

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Are you inundated with calls from telemarketers and solicitors on your cell phone number?   If you are like many new homeowners, a landline is a thing of the past. Studies indicate new homeowners, in Palm Beach County and South Florida, are not requesting landlines for their new residences.

It is estimated that 100 billion “robo-calls” (those calls without a human on the other end), political candidate calls and other solicitations are made annually in the U.S.   You might be surprised how they get your mobile number.

According to Privacy Star, automatic dialing devices can figure out and call all possible telephone number combinations.  These numbers can be listed, unlisted and mobile numbers.  A number of telemarketing companies ignore “do not…

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The Loxahatchee River Railroad Bridge in Jupiter will close intermittently next week.  The bridge, which is owned and operated by Florida East Coast Railway, will be closed to boating traffic during the scheduled maintenance.   Last week a malfunction with the bridge left the Town of Jupiter and the Village of Tequesta with a traffic quandary. 

According to Florida East Coast Railway representative, Senior Vice President Robert Ledoux, “an electrical problem caused the bridge to remain in the upright position shortly before noon on March 7, 2015.”  The malfunction stopped a southbound freight train, no pun intended, "in its tracks".  Resulting in three vital crossings to be blocked, dividing the town in half.  Fire rescue noted aside from being an…

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Photo courtesy Eduardo Buchin, Jupiter.

One thing many people will agree with is that this year has been an exceptionally brutal winter.  Spring break will come as a well-deserved break from the harsh, freezing temperatures up north.  Seasonal depression (Seasonal Affective Disorder) during the winter months can really get you down.

Some scientists think seasonal depression is caused by certain hormones in the brain that trigger “attitude related” changes at certain times of the year.  One theory regarding the hormone changes is that sunlight during fall and winter leads to the brain producing less serotonin.  Serotonin is a chemical produced by the brain which regulates mood.  When this isn’t functioning normally, results can be feelings of…

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Enjoy a taste of the islands Saturday March 21, 2015 from 1:00 – 6:00pm.  This family friendly event at the Plaza Down Under on the Riverwalk will feature something for everyone.  Listen to steel drum bands and live tropical music as local vendors sell island themed art, crafts and jewelry.

A “Junkanoo Band” will play from 2:00-3:00pm and lead a parade though the events plaza. Not familiar with Junkanoo? Junkanoo is a lively and colorful street carnival parade.  After 500 years of practice, the legends differ as to the roots of Junkanoo in the Caribbean. The most popular belief is that it stemmed from the days of slavery.  In the late 18th century many Loyalists, from England, brought their enslaved servants to the Caribbean. At Christmas time, they…

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Here are some fun things to do with kids in Juno Beach, FL!

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Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Loggerhead Marinelife, located in Juno Beach, is a great place to spend a few hours with the kids. Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 3pm, there is a fish feeding, during which time children can learn about the different kinds of fish. There are also Hammock Hikes every Friday morning at 10:30, which allows children to explore through a rare coastal hammock and learn about the different kinds of birds flying about. During the months of September through May, Hatchling Tales is a storybook time for ages 0-4 that takes place every Wednesday morning at 10:30am, as well as Mommy & Me Paint every Thursday morning at 10:30.

Downtown at the Gardens

Just a short…

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Orchids, orchids, and more orchids!  Over 10,000 orchid plants from local and international vendors will be on display Friday, March 13, 2015 9:30 AM to Sunday, March 15, 2015 4:30 PM at the 13th Annual International Orchid Festival.  Learn all about the exotic air plants.  Pick up tidbits on how to grow and care for them.

Orchids are flowering plants that are often colorful and fragrant.  There are over 26,000 varieties of orchids more than twice the number of bird species on the planet and four times the number of mammal species.  Orchids date back 76-84 million years.  The first evidence of this was fossilized when an extinct stingless bee was carrying pollen from a previously unknown orchid subspecies.

Blankets of orchids take over Fairchild…

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Photo Coutesy of Eduardo Buchin

For 27 years, the famed Art Fest by the Sea has been a springtime tradition for locals and visitors of Jupiter and Juno Beach. Experience the incredible displays of handmade art, stunning beach scenery and warm Florida sun at the 27th Art Fest by the Sea. Adored by locals and tourists alike, this art festival is unlike any other. Stretching along the azure, Atlantic Ocean and sandy beaches of A1A (the beach road), Art Fest by the Sea entices all of the senses. 

As you stroll along the beach road you will see an array of artwork from hand painted works to towering sculptures, glass art, incredible woodcrafts and jewelry. Vendors come from all over Florida and even from some other states to display their talents.…

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