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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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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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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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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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couch_copy_500Modern interior design trends for 2015 are a fascinating blend of traditional materials, shapes, prints and decorating ideas with new products and rich room colors.  This year allows classic, contemporary and period pieces to shine with fresh new decorating colors and design ideas.  Designs reflect the intention of creating memorable living spaces with personality.

Traditionally, blue has been a classic, soothing color.  Any blue stirs up images of the ocean and sky.  Rich, saturated hues of the deep sea are vivid and opulent.  Beverly Lionetti, Lead Designer www.interiorsbybeverly.com  suggests navy blue as a trending color for 2015.   “Navy Blue is a true classic color and can bring drama to any room.  Whether it is used as an accent color on walls or…

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Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach, offers authentic Japanese cultural experiences to educate and inspire. According to the Japanese zodiac this year, 2015, we celebrate the “Year of the Sheep” for those born in 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, and 2015. If this is your year, perhaps a visit to the ephemeral beauty of “The Garden of the Drops of Dew” and a Sake VIP Tasting experience is warranted.

Within the walls of the Morikami Museum are tranquil gardens.  Morikami gardens, Roji-en: Garden of the Drops of Dew, were designed to be a living exhibit complementing the museum.  Designer Hoichi Kurisu created a garden complex with historical and aesthetic elements. Its six distinct gardens are inspired by, but are not replicas…

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GolfBeer Brewing Company, a Lakeland based brewing company founded in 2014, has teamed up with professional golfers Freddie Jacobson, Graeme McDowell, and Keegan Bradley to start the initial line of GolfBeer.

The beers were created to meet each golfer’s preference and taste profile. Freddie Jacobson’s Scandinavian Style Blonde Ale is a beautiful blonde ale brewed with Crystal malt and a variety of European hops. (4.5 % alcohol by volume), G-Mac’s Celtic Style Pale Ale is a crisp, refreshing pale ale with a floral nose and a snappy finish. (5.0% alcohol by volume), and Keegan Bradley’s New England Style Lager is an easy drinking lager brewed with two-row barley and a variety of North American hops (4.5 % alcohol by volume).

“Our lives have always…

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Plan an evening under the stars Saturday, March 7 from 7:00-9:00 pm for the Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park “Moonlight Concert Series”.  Doors open at 6:00pm.  No reservations are required to enjoy an evening of folk music with Bill and Kate Isles.

John D. MacArthur State Park, north end of Singer Island, was the only state beach park in Palm Beach County in 1989, now there are many more. The 438-acre state park is nestled between the azure blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Lake Worth Lagoon.  The purpose of the park is to protect a very rare and beautiful piece of our coast.

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park has been nominated for the “Best Florida Beach” with 10-Best Readers’ Choice Award.  “The boardwalk at this state park takes…

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