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To some, a lawn is the crowning glory of their property. Yet to others it is a tremendous hit on their checkbook. How do you feel?

When I grew up, Saturday entailed us mowing and weeding.  Not quite my American dream, or that of my brothers as young teens, but we had a lush green lawn and it was every suburbanites dream.

Today, I still love the look of an impeccable lawn.  I enjoy the smell of fresh cut grass and the feel of it under my bare feet.  Not always so happy with the cost to maintain it, the noise to mow it, the weed eaters, the mowers, aerators, chemicals and fertilizers, etc.  All of this to keep the turf looking great. Nevertheless, we love the look!

Studies show that well maintained landscaping can add 15% to the value of a home.  The studies…

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1.    AMP UP CURB APPEAL:  Does the outside of your home make them want to see the inside?  The first thing the buyer sees is the outside of your home.  Make it as appealing as possible.  Maintain the yard, a clean driveway and an inviting porch.  Drawing the buyer in wanting to see more, it is a good start.  Touch-up or repaint exterior.  Plant fresh annual flowers, keep porches swept, and gutters clean.  Showing that the exterior of your home is well kept will lead buyers to the assumption that the home is well kept in general.

2.    SIMPLIFY, CLEAN, and DE-CLUTTER:  Do a deep clean or hire a professional cleaning service to make sure your home looks its best.  Keep beds made and carpets vacuumed.  Rooms will look larger by removing clutter. Over stuffed…

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Texting while driving is viewed by most people to be dangerous and in 40 states, it is illegal.  Florida will be the 41st state to ban texting and driving.  Governor Rick Scott is set to ban the act.  In a statement, the Governor said that texting while driving concerns him as a father and grandfather.  He also said state officials must do everything they can do to keep the roads safe, particularly during the 100 days summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  Those days are the deadliest days for teenagers on the road.

Florida’s Governor signed the ban Tuesday afternoon on texting while driving. The restriction takes effect October 1 and is a secondary offense.  A secondary offense means offenders can only be ticketed if stopped for another violation.  A…

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On April 2, 2013 the Town of Jupiter Historic Resources Board dedicated a historical marker at Jupiter Beach Park for the Jupiter Inlet Shipwrecks from 1600-1700’s.  The marker is located near the historic Dubois House and reads:

Jupiter Inlet Shipwrecks 1600-1700’s

During the 17th century, Spanish galleons and merchant ships navigated the treacherous waters off the Florida coast.  These vessels carried silver and gemstones from the mines of Mexico and Peru.  The routinely ran a narrow gauntlet of shallow water, sand bars, coral reef, and occasional hurricanes off the Jupiter Inlet as they followed the Gulf Stream’s swift north current.  The ships that did not survive the passage left a legacy of cannons, anchors, navigational tools, coins, flatware, silver…

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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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About 2,400 homes were damaged in the Oklahoma cities of Moore and Oklahoma City.  Some 10,000 people were directly impacted by the nearly 1.3-mile wide tornado, leveling homes and leaving a high number dead, many children.  Governor Mary Fallin said the tornado was “one of the most horrific storms and disasters that this state has ever faced.”  Oklahoma “will get through this and overcome.  We will rebuild. We will regain our strength,” she said.

The preliminary rating of damage created by the tornado is at least EF4 (winds 166 – 200 mph) – the second most severe classification on a scale from zero to five – according to the National Weather Service.  Approximately 34,000 residents of the Oklahoma City area remain without power after the powerful storm. …

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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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After five grueling years, Americans are feeling optimistic about the housing market and rightly so! “National home prices have been on the uptick for eight straight months and jumped 6.3 percent year over year in October – the largest increase since June 2006” according to CoreLogic.  CoreLogic is a North American corporation providing financial, property and consumer information, analytics and business intelligence.  The company analyzes data and information to clients and government with analytics and customized data services.

Bidding wars are making a comeback here in South Florida, and many properties located here on the desirable waterfront in Jupiter, Tequesta and surrounding areas are seeing multiple offers.  Buyers need to prepare themselves…

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