IDEAS FOR the 4th of JULY

BOCA RATON:

Wear your red, white and blue outfit and mosey over to FAU, beginning at 6 pm on Wednesady, July 4^th for a musical revue at 4 pm of “An American Songbook: Irving Berlin, at FAU’s University Theater. Tickets are $20. At 5:30, a few blocks away, the outdoor event will begin with games at the carnival midway and family activities. The muxic beings with the “Rumor Has It” band offering music of the 1950’s and 1960’s. At 6 pm family activities are held and at 6:30 pm there will be a stage show, “You’re A Grand Old Flag. At 7:30 the Florida Wind Symphony presents a patriotic musical tribute including vocal selections from the “Irving Berlin Review” and popular family musical, “Bye Bye Birdie, both currently being presented at the University Theatre.

At 9 pm, a fireworks display will take place with traditional patriotic music supplied by Radio station WRMF 97.9 FM.

Other activities include appearances by FAU athletic teams and coaches, clowns amking animal sculptured balloons, face painting, sand art, gift drawings and family games. Special music and activities will be provided by the Childrens Museum and Glass Productions. “Operation Goody Boxes”, coordinated by the Humanitarian Society and othes, will receive monetary donations at their tent by the stage area to prepare and mail “goody boxes” to troops overseas.

Food vendors will provide picnic-type foods. No personal fireworks, open fires, pets or alcoholic beverages allowed. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Closest parking lots to the events are 1, 2, 4 and the parking garage next to parking lot 1. Those with handicapped needs are asked to use the 20^th Street entrance and go to parking lot 1. For information call 561-393-7806, selection 2.

DELRAY BEACH:

Join the day-long celebration on the beach, an ongoing tradition in Delray, starting at 8 am on Wednesday July 4^th. Three days in advance world-class sand sculptors being their work, with a grand unveiling of the large-scale sculpture on July 3^rd. At 10 am there will be a flag raising ceremony of a 30’x60’ American flag near the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue. At 4 pm the traditional Patriotic Bicycle and Scooter Parade will leave from Veterans Park and head for the beach. New bicycles, helmets, gift cards and more will be awarded for the best decorated bicycles, wagons and scooters.

There will be music, entertainment and food available at restaurants on the beach. At 8:45 pm Mayor Rita Ellis will lead the pledge of allegiance and at 9 pm the fireworks begin acoompanied by music.

DELRAY NEIGHBORHOODS OFFERED PRIDE GRANTS

Deadline is July 30^th for organized residential neighborhood associations to apply for a grant of up to $6000 from the Neighborhood Pride Grants Enhancement Program. The grants will be given for projects that enhande neighborhoods and create a more pleasant place to live, work and play.

The goal is to actively engage residents in neighborhood upgrades and removal of sub-standard conditions. Eligible projects must be a permanent physical improvement providing a safer environment or creating an identity for the area.

Applications can be downloaded from the City’s website, mydelraybeach.com, and select Neighborhood Pride Grants on homepage in News section or from Delray Beach City Hall, 100 NW 1^st Avenue or Neighborhood Resource Center, 141 SW 12^th Avenue, Delray Beach. Return completed applications to City of Delray Beach Neighborhood Advisory Council, c/o Denise F. Jadd, 100 NW 1^st Avenue, Delray Beach or contact Denise Jadd, neighborhood planner, at 561-243-7629.

HOME & CONDO SALES PREDICTED TO MAKE STRIDES

More and more positive mentions of home sales are being seen in the media.

NAR projects that sales will have a gradual upturn becoming more pronounced by the end of 2007. FAR reports that statewide sales of existing single-family homes in Florida totaled 12,607 in May, which is more in line with May 2002 activity, prior to the housing boom years, than May 2006 with 19,072 homes – a 34% decrease in the year-to-year comparison.

The MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) reported that the Boca-West Palm area had 741 homes sold last month compared to 982 a year ago, producing a 25% decrease. Median price was $387,800 whereas in May 2006 it ws $391,000 resulting ina 1% decrease. 613 existing condos changed hands last month, up 11% from the 552 condos sold the previous year. Existing condo medial sales price in May was $217,400; a year ago it was $218,900, for a 1% decrease.

Among the state’s larger markets, the West Palm Beach-Boca Raton Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) reported 741 existing homes sold last month compared to 982 homes sold a year ago for a 25 percent decrease. The market's median sales price for homes was $387,800; it was $391,000 in May 2006 for a 1 percent decrease. A total of 613 existing condos changed hands in the MSA last month, up 11 percent from the 552 condos sold the previous year. The existing condo median sales price in May was $217,400; a year ago, it was $218,900 for a 1 percent decrease.

WEST BOCA LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN IN JULY

The new 20,000 sq ft facility, costing $12-MM, will be located on the west side of State Road 7/Highway 441 between Clint Moore and Yamato. A 40-foot strip of land creating a right-of-way has been conveyed by Palm Beach County to the Florida Department of Transportation.

Library Director John J. Callahan III says that book circulation numbers are up 13% this year vs. 2006. There will be wireless access throughout the building, and the library will include computers, DVDs and auction tapes.

County library holders can use any of the 14 branches in the Palm Beach County Library System.

ISRAEL BONDS INVESTMENT BILL SIGNED BY GOV CHRIST

A bill authorizing county and local governments throughout the state to invest surplus funds in bonds backed by the full faith and credit of the State of Israel has been adopted by the Florida State Legislature, starting July 1st, and was signed by Governor Charlie Christ on June 8th at a ceremony at Temple Beth El in Boca Raton.

Those authorized to invest are state agencies, municipal fire and police pension funds and local governments.

Gov. Christ recently returned from a trip to Israel that focused on bilateral trade between Israel and the State of Florida.

The first Israel bond was sold in 1951 and close to $25-billion in investment capital has been secured for the development of every aspect of Israel’s economy including agriculture, commerce and industry, and to absorb Jews from the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia and elsewhere.

More than $100-million of Israel Bonds are purchased every year within the State of Florida by individuals, corporations, pension plans, universities, hospitals, foundations, unions, banks and insurance companies.

JERRY TRUMAN'S ARTWORK WINS FIRST PRIZE!

Polo Club Member Jerry Truman has won first prize in a juried art show at the Boca Raton Museum of Art Artists’ Guild. You’ve seen Jerry’s artwork at our Polo Club Art Shows. The Guild’s gallery, which features the work of local professional artists and sculptors, is located directly across from the museum, and promises to be a delightful interlude while visiting Mizner Park. For information call 561-393-9115. Enjoy the gallery and the museum while browsing through Mizner Park.

10th Annual Delray Beach International Tennis Championships

10^th Annual Delray Beach International Tennis Championships to be held February 9-17, 2008. The Number 1 Doubles Team, Bob and Mike Bryan, have committed to play in this tournament. Past players have included Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Carlos Moya, Jim Courrier, Patrick Rafter and Marcelo Rios. Tournament activities will include live music shows, DJs and street performances as well as the tryouts.

Ticket packages which include priority reserved chair-back seating for all 13 sessions, start at $250 and the Weekender Series starts at $200 and includes chair-back reserved seating for the quarter-finals through the finals – 5 sessions Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Courtside box seat packages are priced between $1030 and $1200 for two seats or $1730 to $2300 for four seats and include amenities such as preferred parking and invitations to the exclusive Box Holders Party. To purchase tickets go to www.YellowTennisBall.com or call 561-330-6000. Courtside seats can only be purchased by phone.

The Polo Club, Boca Raton, Florida