LOBSTER SEASON STARTS TOMORROW!

This Manatee Mailbox is all decked out for Lobster Season, which starts tomorrow, August 6th, here in the Florida Keys. For more info, visit http://blog.thefloridakeys.com/florida-keys-lobster/

FOLLOWING U.S. REAL ESTATE MARKETS?

► The U.S. housing market is slowly but surely moving toward a more normalized and sustainable pattern

► A number of Florida metro areas had a high percentage of cash sales

► Florida Short Sales ranked No. 2 nationally with 29 percent of all sales short sales

Read the full story at:

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=294419&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+floridarealtors+%28Florida+Realtors%29&utm_content=FaceBook

FARMERS MARKET - RAIN OR SHINE!

photo courtesy of Mariners

MARINERS HOSPITAL FARMERS MARKET -The “Project Backpack” Farmers Market, scheduled for this Saturday, July 13, 8 am to 12 noon, will take place rain or shine
“Project Backpack” proceeds will be used to buy school supplies for children whose families can’t afford to purchase them
CASH ONLY – NO CREDIT CARDS
Mariners is located at mm 91.5, bayside, Tavernier. If it’s raining, the vegetables, fruit, orchids and baked goods will be for sale in the hospital’s main conference room. If it’s shining, they’ll be in the hospital parking lot. For more info, call 305-434-3000

NEW LAW ALLOWS LONGER HOMESTEAD RENTALS

►           A Florida law enacted in 1996 stated that a homeowner’s rental of “all or substantially all” of his homesteaded property constituted “abandonment,” thereby removing the homestead exemption. One exception to the abandonment: An owner could rent his homestead after Jan. 1 and not lose his exemption for that calendar year, so long as the property was not rented the previous calendar year

►           Starting today, however, property owners may rent their homesteads for up to 30 days every year without jeopardizing their homestead exemption. However, they lose the protection of this safe harbor if they rent their property more than 30 days per year for two consecutive years. The law is still unclear regarding how many days beyond the 30-day safe harbor period one can rent in a single year without triggering abandonment of homestead

Read the full article from FLORIDA REALTORS Magazine:

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?p=4&id=293437

LIGHT UP THE FOURTH!

photo courtesy of Founders Park

The SPIRIT OF ISLAMORADA July 4th FIREWORKS CELEBRATION happens this year at Founders Park (mm 87 bayside) from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm. There will be hamburgers, hotdogs and drinks available for a donation. There will also be live music. All residents of Islamorada will be admitted free of charge. Non-Resident cost is $10 per car. All visitors staying at participating hotels can obtain a wristband from their hotel, which will give them free admission. Fireworks & event are presented by Julie & Jon Landau and Tap Johnson; and also sponsored by the Upper Keys Rotary Club. Donations are appreciated and go to local student scholarships as well as to local schools for athletics programs.

For more info, contact the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at 305-664-4503.

THE AMERICAN HEROES PARADE AND PICNIC

The parade with Grand Marshall Dr. James “Doc” Boilini kicks off at ANTHONY’S in Key Largo, mile marker 98 in the median and finishes at Waldorf Plaza, mile marker 100. From 5 to 8 pm, there will be a family & kid friendly picnic at the Murray Nelson Center, mil e marker 102, bayside with inexpensive food & beverages, games & a water slide.

FIREWORKS ON BLACKWATER SOUND!

The show will take place at mile marker 104 on the bayside, starting at 10 pm, weather permitting. For best views, try The Marriott Key Largo Bay Resort, Sundowners, Senor Frijoles, Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill, or the Caribbean Club. For more information call 305-451-4502 or visit:

http://keylargofireworks.com/

ISLAMORADA WALKABOUT!

Stroll the Old Highway and Morada Way, mile marker 81.5 oceanside. THURSDAY, JUNE 20^th, 6 to 9 pm - the Third Thursday Walkabout! Enjoy art, culture, fine food, music & fun! JORGE MARTINEZ will be tying tarpon flies at the Redbone Gallery. For more info, call 305-664-9100.

JAMMIN' AT THE TURTLE

Photo courtesy GTI

Join acclaimed DAVE FEDER and other local musicians for a “Jam” session at the Green Turtle Inn, mile marker 81.2 oceanside, Islamorada – Thursday, June 13^th, 10 pm to 1 am.  FREE admission; open mic night so all musicians are welcome to sing and/or play their music. Or just relax and enjoy the performance.

For more info, call 305-664-2006 or visit:

http://greenturtleinn.com/