A SIGN OF THE TIMES

On July 13, 2012, Ballen Isles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens notified Realtors that their Board of Directors approved a resolution to facilitate the ability to purchase a Full Equity Membership, Sports Equity Membership or Upgrade to Full Equity Membership on an installment plan.  Membership seller must accept installment payments and seller will be guaranteed their installment payment by the Club.  

Members can upgrade to Full equity Membership based on the difference between the current prices of equity and initiation vs. paying the difference between what the Member originally paid and the current price of Full Equity Membership and Initiation, giving a substantial savings to those who purchased their existing membership at a lower price.  For more information contact Rosie Slocum, Director of Membership at 561-627-3372.

"BUILDING A HEALTHIER GOOGLE" INITIATIVE

Artist Ian Ross was challenged by Google to create a mural bringing the outdoors in for Google's new Mountain View, CA office wing.  

His unique "organic style" brings into the office the tranquility of nature.  

As people view these images, the large deer looking directly at them and the smaller ones not aware anyone is there, onlookers realize that perhaps they are in no normal place. They have now entered into a space in which artists are at play and where anything can happen.

ONE OF THE LAST GREAT HOUSES OF PALM BEACH IS FOR SALE

In 1919 Addison Mizner built the legendary landmarked Louwana estate at 473 N County Road in Palm Beach.  With 12 bedrooms, 12 full and 3 half baths, this magnificent estate, one of the Great Houses of Palm Beach, is on the waterfront.  This majestically picturesque  home is on a sprawling 1.5 acres has 11,074 living sq ft. and has four interior levels and elevator.  Staff quarters are included.

On the west side of the house there is a salt water pool set in a walled courtyard and floral and rose gardens.  A 2-story tower on the ocean has a living room, bedroom and ladies and men’s baths.  There are 150’ of beautiful direct private beachfront.

Living Room measures a sumptuous 36’ x 24’, has a fireplace and wood floor and ceiling.  Ocean views are spectacular.  Wood ceiling continues into the 32’x18’ dining room which has sets of French doors that open to patio, lawn and ocean.  Floor is tile.    Den also has fireplace, wood ceiling and windows on ocean.

Master bedroom, 30’x24’,with blue walls, has stunning parnoamic ocean view through a series of windows.   Kitchen is 16’x14’.  A guest house, pool house and cabana with a living room, bedroom and his ‘ hers bathrooms,  3-car garage, 4 fireplaces, a tennis court and elevator are also on the property.

Originally listed at $28MM in June 2011, the list price is now $26MM.  The house is an enduring legend of architectural and historic significance.  The home has remained in the possession of the family that originally built it. 

ALERT-MALWARE MAY KNOCK THOUSANDS OFF THE INTERNET ON MONDAY

Crain's NY and other publications are warning computer users that, according to the FBI, there are about 64,000 uses who may be affected.

To check your computer go to http://www.dcwg.org/ and that site can check your computer and supply a fix.

Check it out.

Hatchling Release Tickets On Sale 
Soon!



As we move towards the end of the 
peak of sea turtle nesting, our sea 
turtle nests begin to hatch. The 
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is one 
of only three facilities in Florida to 
conduct the extremely popular 
Hatchling Release Program. 




Hatchling sea turtles are removed 
each morning from nests excavated 
by our Marine Turtle Specialists and 
are ready to be released into the 
ocean in the evening. Participants 
watch as our staff places baby sea 
turtles on the sand several feet from 
the water's edge, and allows them to 
scurry into the ocean on their own. 


This program is offered for all ages 
and runs from late July through mid-
September. Tickets must be purchased 
in person and in advance for a specific 
evening, and they sell out quickly!  Click 
here for information (dates, costs, ticket 
limits, etc.) regarding the 
2012 Hatchling Release Program.

A GOOD TASTE OF FLORIDA HOSPITALITY

Wishing for a getaway, nearby, with historic reminders and beautiful gardens, near a downtown area brimming with museums, theaters, interesting eateries, Antiques Row, art galleries, yachts on waterways and a new downtown waterfront area? 

You can get away from the cares of the day with a weekend or longer stay at the Casa Grandview, located in downtown West Palm Beach’s trendy Grandview Heights historic district, south of City Place and Clematis.   Here you will enjoy a 1925 historic bed and breakfast inn featuring private luxury vacation resort cottages, main house guest rooms and 1948 art deco cabana suites.  It has received the AAA Four Diamond Award.  

Accommodations are chic, warm, eclectic styles and inviting and retain the original interior architecture.  There is a cozy Caribbean-like island atmosphere with a Mediterranean flair.

Walk beneath a canopy of leafy palms and flowering trees.  Sit in the garden and enjoy the serene view.  Feel surrounded by history.  Some rooms reflect the Henry Flagler Era of 1893-1913, or the Palm Beach Boom Era of 1913-1926.  Others remind you of the Historic Neighborhood Downtown Boom Era of the 1894-1920’s.

Choose from Spanish Mission, Revival, Craftsman Bungalow, Art Deco and Key West styles, one or two bedrooms and suites.  This off-the-beaten path resort provides an authentic Florida vacation experience and gracious hospitality.  There are one bedroom units, suites with living rooms, units with kitchens.

Walk to the tennis courts, the Kravis Center, and the Convention Center.  Bike or jog the scenic route.  Have lunch at the world famous Breakers Hotel.

Some accommodations enjoy complimentary breakfasts, coffee and tea service and all have allergy blocking mattress and pillow encasements.  There is a DVD rental library, hammocks, keyless door entry, 600-thread count sheets, outdoor lounging areas, chaises, dining and grilling areas.  Cottages have washers and dryers.

For more information.

Out of 4783 acute care hospitals in the US, Boca Raton Regional Hospital and 175 others were identified as Top Performers, receiving the 2012 HealthGrades Women’s Health Excellence Award.  That puts BRRH in the top 5% for excellence in women’s heath care... for the third year in a row!  

BRRH is also the recipient of  the 2012 Best 100 Hospitals in the Nation for Cardiac care, stroke Care, Gastrointestinal Treatment.  US News Media & World Reports 2011-2012 Best Hospitals ranked BRHH as a top hospital in the South Florida metropolitan area.  

The hospital is a recognized leader in oncology, cardiovascular disease and surgery, minimally invasive surgery, orthopedic, women’s health and emergency medicine, all of which offer state-of-the art diagnostic and imaging capabilities and designated by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration as a Comprehensive Stroke Center.

ENJOY A FOOD TOUR IN A HISTORIC DISTRICT

Come on over on certain Saturdays, listed below, and join the "Taste History and Culinary Tours of Historic Palm Beach County."  Visit restaurants, eateries, cafes and markets in historic districts, areas and buildings in either Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth or Lantana, and enjoy food sampling. Learn about food history, food culture facts and foodways.

You  will be touring on a bus and walking four to six blocks for four hours, rain or shine, visiting at least two of fifteen eateries regularly on the tours, markets and urban farms.  See and hear narrative information by a live guide on historic buildings, districts and landmarks located along the tour.  Dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated but you may visit local home-grown markets, vegan restaurants, organic eateries, gourmet restaurants, soul food, visit an urban farm, and more.  Some food tasting is standing only - no sitting, so wear comfortable shoes.

Cultural Arts venues include stops at the Lake Worth Art League Gallery and the Clay, Glass, Metal, Stone Gallery in the downtown Lake Worth arts district. Cost is $35 per person, less for groups of ten, all paid in advance.   Tours being at 11 am so be there at 10:45 am.  Tours start at the Boynton Beach Mall (Macy's - Outside at East Entrance), 801 N. Congress Avenue.

The Tour is run by the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History in Boynton Beach, a non-profit 501c3.  Tours are held on the 2nd (Lake Worth), 3rd and 4th Saturdays (Delray Beach and Boynton Beach) of each month, year-round. The website is http://mlfhmuseum.org/culinaryfoodtours.html.

For more information call 561-243-2662 or E-mail tour@tastehistoryculinarytours.org. Private group tours are also offered.