Extreme Water Shortage Declared for Palm Beach and Broward Counties

May 10, 2007
South Florida Water Management District

West Palm Beach, FL – May 10, 2007 – With recent rains doing little to alleviate drought-related conditions across South Florida, the South Florida Water Management District's (SFWMD) Governing Board today declared an extreme water shortage for eastern Broward and Palm Beach counties. The two southeast coastal counties are the first primarily residential areas to be placed in modified Phase III water use restrictions since the agency adopted a phased water shortage plan more than two decades ago.

Eastern Palm Beach and Broward counties (defined as all lands east of the Water Conservation Areas), and a small portion of Martin County are required to follow Phase III restrictions, limiting outdoor water use to one day a week.

Phase III water restrictions target outdoor water use, limiting lawn watering and car washing to one day a week: Saturdays from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. for odd-numbered addresses; Sundays from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. for even-numbered addresses.

At 9.37 feet above sea level, the current water level in Lake Okeechobee is within five inches of its record low of 8.97 feet, recorded in 2001. The primary back-up water supply for most South Florida residents, the lake is so low this year that its waters cannot be used to replenish the regional supply. If drought conditions persist, water managers expect the lake level to reach a new record low elevation within weeks.

Over the past several weeks, the District has documented more than 200 water restriction violations by consumptive use permit holders such as homeowners associations, golf courses and other water users. Under Florida State Statutes, the District is authorized to seek civil penalties of up to $10,000 per offense per day for water use violations. In addition, local municipalities have reported issuing more than 9,400 warnings and citations for violations of the current residential and commercial water use restrictions.

For additional information, residents can call the SFWMD's toll-free Water Shortage Hotline at 1-800-662-8876 or contact their regional SFWMD Service Center. Helpful water conservation tips, TV and radio public service announcements, and specific information on current water use restrictions are available at www.sfwmd.gov/conserve .

Florida Yards & Neighborhoods

www.FloridaYards.org
view complete handbook

FYN is an educational program and not a regulatory agency; however, the FDEP, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and local governments strongly support the program. The best part is that practicing these principles benefi ts both the environment and you — saving you valuable time and money.

This integrated approach to landscaping emphasizes nine interrelated principles:

• Right plant, right place
• Water efficiently
• Fertilize appropriately
• Mulch
• Attract wildlife
• Manage yards pest responsibly
• Recycle yard waste
• Reduce stormwater runoff
• Protect the waterfront
  

Hurricane Preparedness 2007 Sales Tax Holiday

June 1 through June 12, 2007

This sales tax exemption applies to each eligible item, regardless of the number of items sold on the same invoice to a customer. If the sales price of a qualifying item exceeds the allowable threshold amount (listed below) this tax exemption will not apply and the total purchase price is subject to tax. The exemption DOES NOT apply to the leasing of a qualified item.

The following items are specifically identified as eligible for this special sales tax holiday for hurricane
preparedness:

Qualifying items selling for $10 or less:

• Reusable ice or items sold as artificial ice

Qualifying items selling for $20 or less:

• Any portable self-powered light source
• Battery-powered flashlights
• Battery-powered lanterns
• Gas-powered lanterns (including propane,
• kerosene, lamp oil, or similar fuel)
• Tiki type torches
• Candles

• Any gas or diesel fuel container (including LP gas and kerosene containers)

• Batteries, including rechargeable (listed sizes only)

• n AAA-cell
• n AA-cell
• n C-cell
• n D-cell
• n 6-volt (excluding automobile and boat batteries)
• n 9-volt (excluding automobile and boat batteries)

• Coolers (food-storage; non-electrical)
• Ice chests (food-storage; non-electrical)

• Any cell phone charger

• Tarpaulins (tarps)
• Visqueen, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting
• Ground anchor systems or kits
• Tie-down kits (items that are advertised or normally sold as a tie-down kit)
• Bungee cords
• Ratchet straps
  

• Any cell phone batteries

• Radios (self-powered or battery-powered)
• Two-way radios (self-powered or batterypowered)
• Weather band radios (self-powered or battery-powered)
• Any carbon monoxide detectors
• Any package consisting of two or more of the previously listed qualifying items.

• Storm shutter devices (defined as materials and products specifically manufactured, rated, and marketed for the purpose of preventing window damage from storms)

• Portable generators that will be used to provide light, communications, or to preserve perishable food in the event of a power outage.

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Florida Economist Predicts Housing Ready to Recover

Orlando - May 31, 2007
Florida Association of Realtors
www.FloridaRealtors.org

A top Florida economist has declared the housing slump a done deal. “It will take another 18 months or so before closing volumes reach more normal levels, but the worst is behind us,” says Hank Fishkind.

Fishkind says the turn-around is important to everyone, attributing housing troubles to the recent 75 percent drop in GDP (gross domestic product). The current 1.3 percent rate is down from the historic 4 percent pace, but Fishkind says that dropoff would go away completely when housing simply returns to normal evels.

“With (the number of home) starts below (the number of) closings, the inventory of new but unsold homes is slowly being absorbed,” says Fishkind. “Sales of existing homes are the best leading indicator for national housing markets. April sales were off sharply, falling below 6 million at an annual rate. At these levels it will take 8.4 months to sell all the homes that are for sale. However, prices remain stable. And the sales levels, while down this month, were up sharply earlier in the year.

“What all of this means, is that we have seen the worst for housing markets,” Fishkind says.

The Holistic Home

By Nancy Feldman
www.theartofplacement.cc

I've decided this month that we'll take a break from the Client Q. & A. because it's time for something else to take precedent! As anyone who's turned on the t.v. lately or read about the tragedy in the news knows…it's time to try to turn our homes into the nurturing environments we look forward to returning to at the end of every day.

It's time for us to focus on creating environments for our physical and spiritual well being.

More and more clients are looking for ways to improve the quality of their lives; I say begin with your home and create the sanctuary you need.

Feng shui, green design, manipulating energies to your advantage; everything that can have a positive effect on your environment should be taken into consideration. At least once a year (and I'm guilty of doing this seasonally), sage your house. Think of it as a Spring Cleaning; this cleansing is based on an ancient purifying tradition and harmonizes the energy of your home. It's especially important after an illness or death. I've also mixed together equal amounts of ground cedar, sandalwood and myrrh to counter any negativity. I occasionally shop at the Crystal Gardens in Boynton Beach for many of my supplies. They can also give you directions on saging and more.

Crystals can enhance and disperse chi into specific areas of your home and wind chimes bring positive chi into a room. If you're into candles then you'll already know that different colors have different meanings. White represents peace and spirituality, red protects the home and those in it. Green = healing energies, prosperity and luck, yellow creates the right mood for studying or reading. Pink = friendship and loving feelings (when decorating someone's home we usually put pink light bulbs in the bedroom) and purple promotes healing. If you're adverse to using candles, remember that these days there are many different colored light bulbs available on the market as well.

Scented Magic is the way I like to think of potpourri. Smell is a very personal thing…each of us should select what appeals to us. One of my favorite books has some great recipes for varying blends and here are two of my favorites:

Refreshing Potpourri

In a sealable glass container or polythene bag, mix together 2 oz. fresh lemon verbena leaves; 3 oz. fresh lavender flowers; 1 oz. fresh peppermint leaves; 1 oz. fresh marjoram leaves

A selection of blue or mauve petals for decoration; ½ nutmeg (grated); 1 oz. orris root powder, and 1 drop each of lavender, lemon, orange blossom, and peppermint essential oils. Seal the container or bag and store in a cool dry place for six weeks. Shake the mixture daily. When ready, decant into a ceramic or wooden bowl.

amounts of ground cedar, sandalwood and myrrh to counter any negativity. I occasionally shop at the Crystal Gardens in Boynton Beach for many of my supplies. They can also give you directions on saging and more.

Herb pillows: Combine two or three of your favorite dried herbs with a few drops of rosemary or oregano essential oil in a bowl. Mix together thoroughly. Fill small muslin or cheesecloth pillows with a spoonful or two of the herb concoction.

For those of us who may be short on down time, remember…there's no shame in going to your Corner Essential Oils store and simply choosing a scent that appeals to you and purchasing there, but my granddaughter Nikki loves getting involved in this and I do have some friends who luxuriate in doing it all themselves.

Introducing water features, a fountain in the courtyard or entry; a waterfall near the pool not only enhances chi but also helps to eliminate various sounds such as traffic and neighbors and can be very relaxing. Pillows, cushions, area carpets on wood floors all absorb sound as well. If you have a common wall that doesn't seem to be any good at keeping the noise down then consider installing bookshelves filled with books and collectibles to help filter out sounds. If your neigbors are noisy or have pool equipment running all of the time; consider heavy drapes to help muffle the sound.