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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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3.20.15 FISHING REPORT in SOUTH FLORIDA

March has brought beautiful weather to South Florida with a bit of breezy winds as the cool weather tapers off.  The windy weather may cause anglers to battle with choppy conditions offshore but most say it is well worth it for some fun in the sun!

INSHORE-
As the warmer weather and water temperatures rise, snook fishing has been stellar along the seawalls, docks, and flats. Glow and gold have been the best colors for the snook this season and top water bite with a slow presentation is great during all hours of the day for strikes. The sea walls have been holding good amounts of Jack Crevelle, drums, trout and sheephead. On the flats, there has been a variety of pompano, jacks, ladyfish, sea trout and…

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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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The florida keys
Whether you live in South Florida or are thinking of moving to this lusciously tropical destination, you will have access to quick and astounding vacation destinations from your very own backyard. There is so much in South Florida that surprisingly you won’t even need a passport to get to experience the beauty, with year-round sunshine and ample amount of shorelines. If you are hoping to stick close to the water’s edge and thaw out from the winter weather, The Florida Keys is calling your name.

As close to the Caribbean as you can get within the United States, The Florida Keys flourishes on sight-seeing and crystal clear waters. Most visitors cross over many bridges and witness views of the stunning landscape of the area and most stay during the spring to…

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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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South Florida fresh catch
SOUTH FLORIDA KNOWS FISH!

Our oceans are so mysteriously bountiful and full of slamming fish, there is not much better than fresh fish fillets! It could have something to with eating what we excitedly worked hard catching or maybe it’s purely the deliciousness tastes of the fillets.

South Florida on the waterfront has an abundance of edible saltwater fish and being able to identify from the catch and release fish is important, since the only difference between them can be ever so slightly, view the popular profiles of Florida Saltwater Fish from Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC).  

No matter what, having the highest quality of tastes of any catch that gets put on the dinner table starts way before the fish is even hooked!

Some tips for keeping…

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