Celebrate International Calm Day South Florida by unplugging from all your devices and slow down.  Americans live in a hectic and restless society. South Floridians seem to spend countless hours running, from the office or school, to the gym, and home.  This constant pressure adds stress.

The concept of mindfulness is defined as “a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.”  One must find a place of peace and complete relaxation.

Studies have shown that practicing mindfulness, even for just a few weeks, can bring a variety of physical, psychological, and social benefits. Some of these benefits…

5845 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

 

Marine fanatics in the Jupiter area now have a hi-tech way to circumnavigate local waterway routes. The Jupiter Waterway Trail Mobile Guide is a downloadable app available for your smartphone.  The trail guide allows users to find and map trails along the 39 miles of waterways in the Jupiter area.  Users can even share their favorite routes and find points of interest.

The plant life changes as you go down the river, to the Intracoastal and out the Jupiter Inlet from marshland to crystal clear, blue water. You will see turtles, herons, fish jumping and even porpoise. It is an entirely unique experience.

The Jupiter Waterway Trail is a sequence of trails that connect the Jupiter Inlet, the Loxahatchee River and the Intracoastal Waterway. The…

4823 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

In the United States, over 266 million people have cell phones. While it is hard to imagine Florida life without it, you increase the risk of having an accident by 400% every time you use your cell phone when driving. If it is necessary, use a Bluetooth earpiece or other hands-free device.

Florida has passed the “Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law”.  Drivers can still use phones for music, navigation apps, or to pick up a call as long as a hands-free device is then used. The current Florida texting law is limited to secondary enforcement, meaning another offense must be observed in order to stop and cite an offender.The law also states you can still text or email when you are stopped at a red light. Each county has a different fine for…

6023 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Photo Courtesy of Eduardo Buschin, Jupiter.

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is the largest environmental film festival of its kind in North America. On April 9, 2016, the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum, Jupiter is presenting the film festival. This commanding international series of short films are a call to action! Soul-stirring stories and comprehensive views will offer a sense of what it means to be responsible curators of the planet.  

Each year, Wild & Scenic draws top filmmakers, celebrities, leading activists, social innovators and well-known world adventurers to the area. The films powerful short motion pictures help to raise ecofriendly sustenance by highlighting the graphical challenges that the Earth has to face. It also opens…

4944 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

As you know not one state offers everything you dream of.  The Sunshine State has lots to offer and as they say “life’s a beach”!  There are many pros and cons of living in South Florida.

South Florida is warm and sunny the majority of the time.  With that comes living in flip-flops and shorts.  However, in order to respectably wear flip-flops, one MUST commit to impeccable foot maintenance.  It is one of the menaces of living in the sunshine state! No one wants to be exposed to unattractive feet, so unless you have time for a pedicure each week or every other week please wear closed shoes.

Florida is the “Golf Capital of the World”.  Prepare to see fairway after fairway; South Florida has more golf courses than beaches. Your golf game better be…

8542 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

When a  South Florida homeowner wants to renovate his/her home in the hopes of increasing its value, it is wise to know which renovations will enumerate their financial expenditure. Be cognizant that the average garage addition can cost more than $50,000, an  average bathroom remodel can cost more than $16,000, and adding a master suite or second floor can easily cost six figures, according to the National Association Remodeling Industry.

If the kitchen is over 15 years old, upgrading the appliances, cabinetry and flooring to contemporary ideals will net you more money at time of sale.  The kitchen is the “heart “of the home and a simple updating can increase the value.  Do not put in Wolfe or Sub Zero appliances if it is not warranted.…

8194 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Admirals Cove is one of South Florida’s premiere yachting and golf addresses.  Winding through Admirals Cove is six miles of inland waterways offering direct ocean access and residential back yard docks.   Additionally, The Club at Admirals Cove features a 72-slip marina, marina store and marina café. Residents with memberships enjoy uncrowded golf play on redesigned Von Hagge designed 18-hole course with intense elevations or 27 holes on a traditional style course.

Take a glimpse behind the gates of this prestigious community and tour a magnificent residence on the market. The palatial property is located at 146 Spyglass Lane in Jupiter. The home is a six bedroom, five full and two half baths estate with 100 feet of waterfrontage!  It features…

7732 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Easter Egg Hunts are all the rage with the kids this spring season and Southeast Florida does not disappoint.  Easter falls on Sunday, March 26, 2016 and kids are gearing up for the bunny’s arrival.

The word Easter has an interesting history of origin.  To some it is the celebration of spring’s arrival.  To others it is a religious holiday signifying deliverance.  

The Easter egg came to be based on fertility lore.  The egg was a symbol of spring.  The folklore then stuck and the Easter egg came to the United States. The bunny had its origin in folklore too.  The bunny never had religious symbolism.  He was used as a symbol of fertility.

Easter egg hunts are popular games where decorated eggs are hidden in various places for children to…

5490 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

 

Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens area residents are very familiar with Donald Ross Road and Ellison Wilson Road. Beautiful gated communities such as Bears Club, Trump National, Frenchman's Reserve and Frenchman’s Creek line the busy street. However, do you know who or what the busy thoroughfare’s namesake is?

Donald Alexander Ross was a resident of Lake Park, formerly known as Kelsey City.  He moved to Kelsey City (Lake Park) in 1928 as a child.  Spending his days like most kids in the area, he played outside.  It is said he spent his childhood roller-skating along Dixie Highway and spent many days on the water.  He would row a dingy to Singer Island and have camp out, sleepovers on the vacant land that is Singer Island.

Ellison Wilson was a…

8826 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

 

Tax laws are constantly shifting, lots of ebbs and flows.  There are no major new tax legislation changes for 2015, but tax laws are still always changing.  Some changes for 2015 may affect you.  Thank goodness, Florida does not have a state tax!

The 2015 tax bracket refers to the top 1 percent of high-income earners.  This means high-income earners will be paying 39.6 percent income tax on gross taxable earnings.

The IRS is cracking down on IRA rollovers. It was easy to “borrow” money set aside for retirement for up to 60 days.  As of 2015, one can only do that once in a 12-month period.  If you wish to move IRA assets, you may do so by using “trustee to trustee” transfers.

The Health Insurance penalty for not having health insurance has…

45074 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post