Friday, January 29, 2021

Weekend Happenings on the Treasure Coast



Weekend Happenings


SEAN KENNEY’S NATURE CONNECTS® Made with LEGO® Bricks Exhibition


10


Indian River County
Date: Friday January 15, 2021 through Sunday April 25, 2021.
Time: Times Vary
Location: McKee Botanical Gardens
Address: Vero
Category: Arts / Exhibits



A Beautiful and Inspirational Exploration of Art & Nature presented by David and Barbara McKenna


JANUARY 15 – APRIL 25, 2021

McKee’s third installation and Sean Kenney’s latest series of his award-winning and record-breaking exhibition that uses LEGO® bricks to explore animal endangerment, the balance of ecosystems and mankind’s relationship with nature. Produced by Imagine Exhibitions, Nature Connects presents a playful spin on traditional sculpture art – making it accessible to guests of all ages and backgrounds. Using the beloved toy bricks as an artistic medium, the sculptures, and exhibit post the question: just as LEGO bricks interconnect, how is our natural world interconnected?


HOURS OF ADMISSION: Tuesday – Saturday (10 am – 5 pm), Sunday (noon – 5 pm). Last admission ticket sold at 4 pm. Closed Mondays and major holidays.


ADMISSION: $15 Adults, $13 Seniors (65+)/Youth (13-17), $10 Children (2-12). McKee members and children under 2 free.




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40

Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society
Date: Event occurs every Saturday of every month.
Time: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Historic Downtown on the Waterfront
Address: 200 N Indian River Dr
Category: Festival

Every Saturday, the Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society hosts a Jazz Market “featuring creative arts & crafts” in Historic Downtown Fort Pierce on the waterfront of the Indian River. Original hand made crafts, stained glass, Highwaymen paintings, hand-painted glassware and much, more are available for purchase. Funds raised support education programs and local scholarships.


The Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society Jazz Market is a year-round event.

The Jazz Market summer hours are 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.


Although we enjoy promoting our local Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County resident artists and crafters, our market is open to all crafters who wish to participate, given space available and our Market Managers discretion. If you are interested in displaying or selling your items, download the The Jazz Market Guidelines and Vendor Application.


If you are an interested new vendor, applications are now being accepted.


Print and fill out an application and return it with pictures of your items to:

P.O. Box 1086, Fort Pierce, FL 34954-1086


For more information, please email: JazzMarket@jazzsociety.org






_______________________________________________________________



St. Lucie County
Date: Event occurs every Saturday of every month.
Time: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Downtown Fort Pierce
Address: 1 Avenue A – Fort Pierce
Category: Other
Come enjoy the extraordinary Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers’ Market where there are over 70 friendly vendors that offer a wonderful and diverse selection of delicious foods, exotic plants, savory spices, and much much more!



Wednesday, January 27, 2021

5 Ways Real Estate Investors Can Manage Cash Flow



Real estate investors are becoming more attracted to the market, betting on the strength of rental properties moving forward. But the economic uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting nearly every asset class of real estate—commercial demand is way down and unemployment threatens the recovery on the residential side. So, investors—as well as real estate professionals who own investment homes—should make cash flow management a priority. In case there are more economic hurdles ahead, you’ll want to have enough money on hand to keep your business afloat during rough patches.


Managing cash flow for the next few months is key: Reduce the outflow and increase the inflow. To do this, arm yourself and your investor clients with the right tools to measure cash flow, including 13-week income projections for each investment property. Calculate what level of rent delinquency you can support and know at what delinquency percentage you’ll run out of money. Project delinquencies that could last for a few months and what might happen if they are not restored after that time period.


With those measurements in mind, practitioners can learn from the following five steps to manage cash flow and share them with their clients.




      1. Talk to your lender. Mortgage payments and property taxes are often two of the biggest expenditures for rental property owners. Investors should communicate with their lender regularly to keep the bank in the loop on their income situation and whether they plan to ask for financial help. If you have properties that are in a lease-up period, you may want to adjust your profit forecast to align with market conditions and discuss these changes with your partners and lenders. Many lenders are not interested in foreclosing on commercial or multifamily property and would rather work with the borrower to amend the financing arrangement. Consider asking for an interest holiday, loan forbearance, or restructuring. Also, share information with your lender and be aware that you may be required to submit detailed financial information if you want to make changes to your financing agreement. If you received a Paycheck Protection Program loan, interest payments are among the forgivable expenses.

      2. Consider your property taxes. You may be able to contest your property taxes. Market declines, construction defects, and other changes can decrease the fair market value on which a property is taxed; if you think your assessment doesn’t take those into consideration, it may be worth contesting. Some states also offer disaster-related valuation adjustments or tax deferrals.

      3. Cut or postpone certain expenses. Vendors may agree to change payment terms or grant extensions. Explore sourcing changes or reorganization initiatives that might save money. If you work with a third-party management company, ask if the company can provide flexibility on your agreement or renegotiate terms. Maintain spaces in buildings as usable to avoid violating any lease agreements, even if tenants aren’t currently using the property.

      4. Consider additional ways of accessing cash. The federal Main Street Lending program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) may provide necessary funds. You may be able to obtain a working capital line of credit to cover short-term needs. If you haven’t leveraged your property to its capacity, consider a mortgage refinance. Look for non-bank lenders, such as investment funds, family offices, and private equity. While you’ll pay a higher interest rate, many of them currently have more funds and evaluation resources available than banks.

      5. Work with tenants to keep some rent flowing. Though we’re under a federal eviction moratorium through January, many tenants will recover and resume paying rent. But think carefully about evicting tenants once the moratorium ends. The tightening economy could make it more difficult to fill vacancies. You can help educate commercial tenants about PPP loans or other programs available to businesses. Tenants can explore whether they have a claim on business interruption insurance, which could potentially cover rent payments and other losses.



 


Link



Tuesday, January 26, 2021

The Most Pinned Interior Design Trends



Many real estate professionals use Pinterest or other social networks to grow their sphere, and home interior design topics make for easily shareable content. As more homeowners look to spruce up their properties during the pandemic, they are turning to the internet for ideas. What type of inspiration are they looking for?


Former “Fixer Upper” host Joanna Gaines is the most-pinned interior designer in the world on Pinterest, according to the study conducted by Budget Direct Home Insurance. Thomas O’Brien, Nate Berkus, and Michael Taylor follow.



The most popular interior trends on Pinterest are vintage; pins that focus on how to strike a balance between retro and modern items show the greatest interest, according to the study. The following are the 10 most popular design themes on Pinterest.


Graphic showing the top 10 interior design styles on Pinterest.



Monday, January 25, 2021

ST. LUCIE COUNTY ENDS 2020 WITH A BANG





Just in! Newly released market reports from Florida Realtors® detailing recent real estate activity in St. Lucie County. The reports compare year-over-year data for December. Here are statistics on single family homes.












“St. Lucie County ended 2020 with a bang! The median sale price hit a new record high at $269,450. Homeowners should feel confident going into the new year as we’re continuing to see growth among closed sales and median sale price year-over-year. The South Florida housing market proved to be a shining light through the difficult year of 2020,” said Karen Johnson, President of Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie Realtors®.


Median sale price is our preferred summary statistic for price activity because, unlike average sale price, median sale price is not sensitive to high sale prices for small numbers of homes that may not be characteristic of the market area.


“Homes are coming off the market almost as soon as they are listed as the median time to contract decreased 55.6% to 16 days. Buyers across the country are flocking to Florida and this month’s market reports certainly back that up. Today’s market data indicates that investing in real estate will be a profitable decision especially with record low interest rates. Speak to a local Realtor® today for guidance on buying and selling in the current market conditions,” continues Johnson.


Time to Contract measures the number of days between the initial listing of a property and the signing of the contract which eventually led to the closing of the sale.


Additionally,  Saint Lucie County Property Appraiser, Michelle Franklin, released the 2020 estimated taxable value of real estate and personal property to taxing authorities within Saint Lucie County. These preliminary numbers will help each jurisdiction setting its budget for the coming year.




      • Saint Lucie County will see an overall increase in taxable value to an estimated $23.4 billion, an increase of 6.5%.

      • The City of Port Saint Lucie will see an increase in its overall taxable value to an estimated $11.7 billion, a jump of 9.5%.

      • The City of Fort Pierce will also see an increase in its overall taxable value to an estimated $2.6 billion, an increase of 5%.

      • The Town of Saint Lucie Village will see an overall taxable value increase of 4.25% to an estimated $70.6 million.



 





Friday, January 22, 2021

Treat Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac like they’re a Utility



Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac oversight must change, and NAR strongly advocates a proposal it says will keep loan money flowing: Treat the two big lenders like they’re a utility.


 


The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) held a virtual event on Thursday focused on the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – companies that buy loans from banks so those banks can then make more loans. The federal government took over the two mega-lenders  during the Great Recession, and lawmakers of both parties agree that the ownership arrangement must change, but there is little agreement on what that change should look like.


NAR has its own proposal: Treat Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as if they’re mortgage market utilities.


“As market utilities, Fannie and Freddie would strike a balance between utilizing private capital to protect taxpayers, incorporating market incentives and innovation, and fulfilling their charter mission to American consumers,” says NAR President Charlie Oppler. “While the enterprises have operated safely, effectively and efficiently since the Great Recession, NAR’s plan locks down this structure for the future in a way that improves access to mortgages while maintaining market stability.”


During Thursday’s virtual event, NAR welcomed guests, including former Freddie Mac CEO Don Layton, Dr. Susan Wachter and Richard Cooperstein. NAR also showcased new research that offers specific guidance on how Fannie and Freddie can attract investors, minimize taxpayer risk and keep costs down as they make the transition into a mortgage market utility.


The research – GSEs: Their Viability as Public UtilitiesOpens in new tab.Opens as PDF. – is posted online.


In the spring 2019, NAR and financial market experts Wachter and Cooperstein first proposed transitioning the Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs, or Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) into market utilities, and it created an outline, Working Paper: NAR’s Vision for Housing Finance ReformOpens in new tab..


In the months since, NAR has worked to promote and refine its utility proposal. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the GSEs now support nearly 80% of the U.S. residential market.


NAR and others says that the GSEs’ somewhat conflicting roles as both shareholder-held and congressionally-chartered entities make them perfectly suited for a utility designation. The GSEs receive special federal-government treatment in order to comply with their mandate to support underserved markets and maintain liquidity – but they also must defend profits while answering to taxpayers and shareholders who take losses before taxpayers.


“Fannie and Freddie are central to the industry as they provide the infrastructure, maintain critical functions for the market to survive and carry out a public service,” Oppler says. “But the market in which they operate is not naturally competitive and could lead to negative outcomes like overpricing, restricted access and low-quality products for investors.”


The idea of a utility designation isn’t completely new. Since the Great Recession, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been reformed to be safer and operate more like utilities.


NAR contends the GSEs would not have been as effective in protecting the nation’s real estate market and the broader economy during the worst of the pandemic’s fallout if they were not structured this way. Without the GSEs, rates would be higher in normal times, access would decline and the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage may not be widely available.



Treasury, FHFA change shareholder rules on Thursday


Separately, while NAR was hosting its virtual event to discuss the GSEs’ future, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced an agreement to amend the Preferred Stock Purchase AgreementsOpens in new tab. (PSPAs) between the Treasury and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The changes allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to retain more of their earnings as important capital rather than passing them directly to the Treasury.


Since the Great Recession, much of the mortgage profit generated by the GSEs was returned to U.S. taxpayers. The change allows more of those profits to go to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s shareholders.


NAR issued a responseOpens in new tab. to the Treasury and FHFA announcement.


“NAR is glad to see (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) continuing to strengthen and stabilize as they fulfill their mission both in times of crises and prosperity,” said Oppler – but he voiced some concerns about the change.


“The (GSEs) buy loans from lenders and bundle them into securities, which they sell to investors with a guarantee,” Oppler said. “But in order to back these guarantees, they need loss-taking capital. Any considerations to limit financing on second homes, investor properties or entry-level borrowers will have a negative impact on borrowing costs and a broader impact on the rental market.”


Oppler said any new limit on that financing “would only undermine the GSEs’ ability to fund many of their charter duties and appropriately serve U.S. taxpayers and consumers.”


 


Source: Florida Realtors®



Thursday, January 21, 2021

Studies Show Normal Walking Can Add Years to Your Life



Walking can literally add years to your life, and incorporating walks after meals can improve all manner of chronic metabolic disorders.


Hardly news, the body of research on walking was augmented with another study which took place in 2003-06 but whose results were only just published recently, showing that people who took 8,000 steps per day had a 51% reduced risk of death than those who took 4,000 steps per day.


Furthermore, as uncountable scientists in the past have confirmed, the study found a cumulative, dose-dependent effect on the person, as those who walked 12,000 steps or more had a 65% reduced risk of death.


The study consisted of about 5,000 participants who wore pedometers for three years, and whose circumstances of death were monitored by the scientists.


Do the walk of life


Physical motion, not exercise in the traditional P.E. class sense, is the catalyst through which is born a strong, healthy body.


The science practically begs the reader to start moving around more, as it found the barest of minimums for participatory benefit. For example, the steps were not taken all at the same time, suggesting that on many occasion, the wearer of the pedometer was not even walking for exercise, but rather doing something like errands or chores.


Not only was there no correlation of consecutive steps and lower mortality rate, but there wasn’t even a correlation between step intensity and lower mortality rate, meaning one doesn’t even have to power-walk.


The science is quite clear: walk and live longer; exercise and live even longer.


The CDC estimates that 60%, or 165 million Americans, are living with one chronic disease, while 40% may be living with two. The cost of all this disease, according to functional medicine expert Chris Kresser, will equal national GDP by 2040.


As shown in a number of studies, many of these chronic diseases can be improved simply by walking—especially after dinner or a meal.


The European way


As iconic as the siesta is in European culture, a trip out onto the street after dinner in a country like France or Italy is principle people-watching time, as full-belied friends and couples of every description “walk it off” under the street lights.


Walking after a meal, particularly dinner, can improve all manner of markers for cardiometabolic disease.


study of type-2 Chinese diabetics found that walking on a treadmill at 60% of max heart rate for just 20 minutes after dinner decreased the post-meal blood-glucose spike average and peak, and improved how glucose was regulated for 12 hours post meal.


Study participants with gastro-reflux disease who followed dinner with a walk rather than sitting were shown in a study from Pakistan to have a significantly lower (12%) risk of getting gastro reflux symptoms.


Another study found that in 64 patients, “the effect of after-dinner quick walking is significant in the treatment of community fatty liver [disease] and it may improve liver function.”


Smaller studies with very few participants have looked at other effects and found significance in after-dinner walking.


Even though the recommended physical activity in the U.S. is 150 minutes of moderate intensity per-week, meeting that just with daily walks can be very rewarding as well.


 


Link



Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Drive-in laser light show at St. Lucie County Fairgrounds



A new, national COVID-compliant event is coming to the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds.


The Drive-in Laser Light Show will be here Jan. 21-24. The family-friendly show, which lasts 35-40 minutes, features musical hits, lasers and graphic effects. Attendees tune into a designated radio station for instructions and sound during the show.


Carloads are required to stay near their respective vehicles.


The event is meant to be a safe thing to do during the coronavirus pandemic that allows for social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.


Each vehicle’s designated spot has space for tailgating, so bring chairs, blankets and refreshments. Sanitized portable bathrooms will be available. Vehicle lights should be turned off after parking.


The event can’t get rained out because the rain actually would enhance the lasers, according to the website.


Showtimes are 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday. Gates at 15601 W. Midway Road, west of Fort Pierce, open at 5 p.m. for the first show and 8 p.m. for the second show.


The cost is $25 per carload for general admission, $50 for rows two to five and $99 for front row, plus fees. Tickets won’t be available at the gate and must be purchased in advance by going to cabinfeverlasershow.com.


 


Link



Tuesday, January 19, 2021

7 Signs It's Time For Your To Move Up



With more people working from home, location seems to be less of a concern when buying a home. Many families are looking to move into bigger homes or to move out of congested areas.  Here are 7 Signs It’s Time For Your To Move Up.




      • A Change in your relationship

      • You family is expanding

      • You need a bigger space

      • It would be better to move to a new house than to keep repairing you home

      • You desire a different climate

      • You commute is slowly draining you

      • There’s a job opportunity in another city



Graphic Representing 7 signs it's time for you to move up.


 


Want to learn more?  Contact Mortgage Masters today at 772.340.4003 for more details.



Monday, January 18, 2021

Everything BUT the “Kitchen Sink”?



Building Made Entirely of Recycled Kitchen Sinks


This incredible reclaimed pavilion defies the old “everything but” cliché – it is entirely made of kitchen sinks. Built by 2012 Architechten in cooperation with Jeanne van Heeswijks of Jeanneworks, the structure has risen up as a stainless steel castle tower amidst the traditional architecture of Utrecht, Vlaardingen and Amsterdam. An inventive example of reclaimed construction, the Sustainable Sky Box serves as a multi-purpose space for cultural activities.


https://inhabitat.com/building-made-entirely-of-kitchen-sinks/?fbclid=IwAR3Qo64N34-IX3X9f-HXrcUFFloBGICzDzmQBs7NDlRNw9yuGihnvAOJ7Jg


Reclaimed kitchen sinks serve as the pavilion’s principle facade elements, which are held together with scaffolding, wire and waterproof multiplex boards. The airy structure is open on top to the sky and doesn’t feature any specific amenities inside, which makes it more of a community gathering place than a shelter. The building can also collect rainwater in a tank to water the nearby collective garden.


A stunning example of reclaimed design, we could envision this type of facade being used more frequently. The sink basins could easily be replaced with windows, and the metal could be riveted to the building skeleton for a bombproof cladding material.



Friday, January 15, 2021

NAHB: More Construction In Second-Home Markets



In areas with a lot of vacation and second homes, single-family construction rose 13.6% in the third quarter; in areas without second homes, it only rose 10.5%.


 


More people are considering a second-home purchase as the remote work trend expands, and builders responded to the rising interest.


Single-family construction in second-home markets increased at an average annual rate of 13.6% in the third quarter, but it rose only 10.5% in other counties, according to data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).


Multifamily development is also on the rise in second-home markets. It increased 11.1% in second-home counties but declined 0.9% in other areas during the third quarter, NAHB says.


NAHB identified high-concentration second-home counties as ones in which the majority of local housing stock isn’t classified as the taxpayer’s principal residence and a major portion consists of non-rental properties.


As of 2018, Americans owned about 7.4 million second homes – about 5.6% of the nation’s housing stock, and NAHB says almost 70% of second-home counties are located in rural areas.


“Remote work arrangements have made it possible for some wealthier Americans to move to alternate locations that are not just small, suburban shifts from within their current metro area,” says NAHB.


Beyond vacationers, second-home demand could also be expanding thanks to an acceleration of retirement plans, as well as stock market gains.


 


Source: Florida Realtors® & Realtor® Magazine



Thursday, January 14, 2021

Governor Provides Details on Fed's Rental Assistance Program




Cities and counties with populations of 200K-plus will distribute their rental-assistance money to landlords and renters (about $550M), and Fla. will distribute the funds in all other areas (about $850M). The dollar amounts are estimates, and DeSantis expects funding “in the coming weeks.”




TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida submitted confirmation to the United States Department of the Treasury that it will take part in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program established under federal COVID-19 relief legislation signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020.


The program provides $1.4 billion in emergency rental assistance to Floridians, of which the state will receive and distribute about 60% (more than $850 million), according to DeSantis in a release. However, final allocations haven’t been released yet, and the amount remains an estimate.


The rest of the anticipated money (about $550 million) will be distributed directly by cities and counties with a population of 200,000 and greater, with the funds sent directly to them from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.


According to DeSantis, the following criteria applies for those requesting assistance:




      • Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19.

      • Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

      • Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income, with priority given to households below 50 percent of the area median income.



 


The governor expects fund disbursement under the Emergency Rental Assistance Program to occur in the coming weeks. He says additional information will be released after the federal government provides more guidance.


For more information about the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s website.


© 2021 Florida Realtors®




Wednesday, January 13, 2021

COVID Vaccine FAQs



COVID vaccine FAQs answered: How to sign up, get on waitlist, learn about clinics, etc.


Max Chesnes- Treasure Coast Newspapers

Since COVID-19 vaccine distribution began on the Treasure Coast, the inboxes and voicemails of TCPalm staff have been full of important questions from readers.


Many of you are asking: When can I expect to get a vaccine if I’m 65 or older? Can I get a vaccine in another county, and can counties limit vaccines to only its residents? I got my first shot, but when and how will I be contacted about getting the second one?


The answer to the most pressing question is: As of Jan. 12, all three counties were fully booked for the doses they had available. As Florida receives vaccines from manufacturers, 80% go to hospitals and 20% go to local health departments and long-term care facilities, by the governor’s executive order.


Here are a list of answers to some of your other frequently asked questions:



 


Am I eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine?


Local health departments are currently prioritizing three groups of people for free COVID-19 vaccines, as mandated by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis:




      • Healthcare providers with direct contact with patients

      • Patients and staff in nursing homes and assisted living facilities

      • People 65 and older




 


I am eligible. How do I get a vaccine?


St. Lucie County


People can get on a waitlist. Sign up at eventbrite.com/e/covid-19-vaccination-priority-groups-only-tickets-134664861225 and follow these steps:




      • Click on “Select a Date”

      • Click “Tickets” (on any date listed)

      • Click “Join Waitlist”

      • Enter your contact information

      • Click on “Join Waitlist”



 


The health department automatically will contact you with further instructions on how to schedule an appointment when the county receives more doses.


Indian River County


Indian River County does not maintain a waitlist, but the county is exploring options to improve its system and allow people to secure a place in line.


Until then, people should sign up for a free alert service announcing when the county receives new doses and is scheduling appointments for them. Sign up at member.everbridge.net/index/892807736723332#/signup.


Anyone who needs technical assistance with the online signup system can call a new hotline at 772-226-4000 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and select either:




      • Option 1: General information call center

      • Option 2: Appointment scheduling



 


However, calls are capped at 60 per day and 240 per week, after which callers will receive a recorded message saying all slots are booked and “additional appointment reservations will become available each week on Monday morning.”


Martin County


Martin County stopped maintaining a waitlist due to high demand and limited supply, but the health department is working on a better system.


People should monitor the Martin County and health department websites and social media accounts for announcements about new doses, clinics and appointments.


When appointments were available, they were being scheduled by phone at 772-221-4000, Option 3.


Before receiving a vaccine, people should complete vaccination forms, found on the health department’s website.


Can I show up without an appointment?


No. The health departments will provide instructions on when and where to receive your shot. Do not show up without a specific appointment time. You will be turned away.


Can vaccines be limited to county residents?


The Florida health department offices in Martin and Indian River counties have told TCPalm they are not turning away anyone who is eligible for a vaccine. Still, St. Lucie County residents have expressed frustration about the lack of vaccines near them.


“We know current supplies are not enough,” Clint Sperber, head of the state health department office in St. Lucie, said at a Friday briefing. “Please be patient as more vaccines arrive into the state and, eventually, into St. Lucie County.”


I got my first shot. What now?


Answers vary, but residents inoculated at the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds Tuesday told TCPalm they were instructed to contact their local health department office in 21 days after receiving the Pfizer vaccine.


“Reminder! Return for a second dose!” reads the back of the COVID-19 vaccination record card provided to those inoculated. The date of the first shot was listed on the card, with “21 days” scribbled as a reminder to return.


Can I get a vaccine from Cleveland Clinic?


Yes, if doses are available and you meet any of these hospital criteria:




      • 65 and older

      • High-risk medical conditions at risk of illness from COVID-19. Note: If you are younger than 65, you will need an order from your primary care provider.

      • Hospitalized patients who meet the criteria and are being discharged

      • Community healthcare providers and first responders.



 


If you do not have a MyChart account, the hospital encourages individuals to sign up. If you’re an existing patient who meet the hospital’s criteria, log into your MyChart account. MyChart will notify you when doses are available, then:




      • Click on “Schedule an Appointment”

      • Click on “COVID Vaccination Clinic”

      • Select an open appointment slots

      • Enter “COVID vaccine” as the reason for the visit.



 


You will receive a confirmation and can cancel at any time.


How many people have been vaccinated?


On the Treasure Coast, over 15,100 people had received their first dose as of Jan. 10, according to the health department.


 


TCPalm reporters Lindsey Leake and Jennifer Sangalang contributed to this report.


For more news, follow Max Chesnes on Twitter.


Max Chesnes is a former health reporter and current TCPalm environment reporter covering issues facing the Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie River and Lake Okeechobee. You can keep up with Max on Twitter @MaxChesnes, email him at max.chesnes@tcpalm.com and give him a call at 772-978-2224.


Read more of Max’s stories



Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Are you waiting for your stimulus payment from Uncle Sam?



The IRS began sending direct deposit stimulus payments to bank accounts on December 29th. It started mailing payments on Dececember 30th.



 


Here is some news…




      1. If you got a DIRECT DEPOSIT payment last year for the 2020 relief payment, you will get the latest payment the same way.

      2. Essentially, everyone who got a stimulus check in 2020 and who still qualifies will get a second check this year. That includes Social Security retirement beneficiaries and railroad retirees, as well as those receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.

      3. Check your mail box daily.  The IRS says payments will be going out throughout the month of January.

      4.  Some people who received paper checks in 2020 might get their stimulus payment via debit card this time, or vice versa.

      5. The DEBIT CARD will be sent in a white envelope that prominently displays the U.S. Department of the Treasury seal. It has the Visa name on the front of the card, according to the IRS, and the issuing bank, MetaBank N.A., on the back of the card. Information included with the card will explain that this is an economic impact payment.

      6. People receiving stimulus payments in any form should also get an IRS NOTICE in the mail a few days after they receive a payment telling them the amount of their payment. Even though the payment is not taxable, the IRS recommends that you keep this written notice for your tax records.

      7. You can check the status of your stimulus payment with the IRS Get My Payment tool, although you may have to wait during high-traffic periods.



 


CARES Act Payments


It appears that these payments will be sent in the same way as the previous CARES Act payments.  Some will receive the payment by direct deposit and some by check or prepaid benefit cards.


 


Recovery Rebate Credit


If you were entitled to a stimulus payment under the CARES Act and didn’t receive it, or only received part of it, you can claim a “recovery rebate credit” on your 2020 tax return.  If your income for 2020 was less than 2019 and you would be entitled to a payment based on 2020 income, you will be able to receive a tax credit when you file your 2020 income tax return.


 



Monday, January 11, 2021

COVID vaccine: St. Lucie County offers online scheduling, waitlist for seniors 65+



Seniors ages 65 and older in St. Lucie County may now book appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine online and sign up for a waitlist as bookings for the limited supply inevitably fill, the Florida Department of Health announced Friday.


St. Lucie residents may register via the “Events” page at stlucie.floridahealth.gov. When appointments are unavailable, a waitlist will open. Those with questions should call 772-446-8480.


The Alert St. Lucie (stlucieco.gov/alert) emergency notification system will alert all subscribers when vaccines become available, even if they are not on a waitlist.


The county’s first mass vaccination for seniors is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 11-13, but the drive-thru event at the fairgrounds likely will fill quickly, county officials said.


“We know current supplies are not enough,” Clint Sperber, head of the state health department office in St. Lucie, said at a Friday briefing. “Please be patient as more vaccines arrive into the state and, eventually, into St. Lucie County.”


As Florida receives vaccines from manufacturers, 80% of doses go to hospitals and 20% go to local health departments and long-term care facilities, Sperber said, in accordance with an executive order by Gov. Ron DeSantis.


Last week, the St. Lucie office received 3,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine, Sperber said. About 1,300 of those were distributed among community partners, including:




      • Florida Community Health Centers

      • Midway Specialty Care Center

      • St. Lucie County Fire District

      • Whole Family Health Center



 


Remaining Moderna doses will be given only to health care workers at a first come, first-served clinic Saturday.


The St. Lucie office acquired over 12,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine this week, Sperber said, the bulk of which will be distributed at next week’s senior clinic.


Sperber thanked the Indian River State College nursing program and Florida State University College of Medicine for their partnership in the county’s vaccination efforts.


https://infogram.com/covid-19-vaccinations-on-treasure-coast-1hmr6g773emwo6n


Frontline vaccinations


Vaccinations in St. Lucie County previously had been focused on health care personnel in direct contact with patients, and staff and residents of long-term care facilities.


Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital in Port St. Lucie is the only county hospital administering shots to seniors.


HCA Healthcare-owned St. Lucie Medical Center in Port St. Lucie and Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and Heart Institute in Fort Pierce have inoculated medical staff, but not members of the public.


Despite limited vaccine supply, state health department offices in Martin and Indian River counties had opened clinics aimed at seniors ages 65 and older.


Martin planned to administer about 800 doses at a Stuart clinic this week, spokesperson Renay Rouse said Monday. Indian River planned to inoculate 1,300 seniors through Friday at the county fairgrounds in Vero Beach, spokesperson Stacy Brock said.


Inoculation elsewhere


Florida health department vaccination clinics in Martin and Indian River haven’t turned away patients who live in other areas. Still, St. Lucie County residents have been frustrated by the lack of vaccine availability closer to home.


“My wife is 93 and I’m 95,” said Frank Tubeck, of Fort Pierce. “I’m a veteran with [a] service-connected disability, and I can’t find out anything about when and if I’m going to get a vaccination.”


In addition to a lack of information from the county, Tubeck said, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has been less than helpful. Neither Tubeck nor his wife drives, but that’s not stopping the nonagenarians from seeking vaccinations outside St. Lucie.


“We have to get a driver, but we’ll make arrangements,” Tubeck said. “If I can get an appointment … Indian River would be fine if I could get there.”


Elsewhere in Fort Pierce, Cliff Clonan, 68, was just as frustrated Friday morning. The Indian River County Fairgrounds clinic, which the governor visited Thursday, seemed to be running smoothly, he said.


“We’re just not having that kind of cooperation and luck here in St. Lucie County,” he said. “We’re having a terrible time being able to get the vaccine. It’s just crazy.”


By late Friday afternoon, Clonan said he finally was able to reserve a vaccination appointment through the health department’s St. Lucie office next week.


https://infogram.com/covid-19-cases-per-capita-by-age-1h0r6rpl1mj8l2e


Ongoing battle


Through Thursday, over 4,100 St. Lucie residents had been inoculated, more than any other Treasure Coast county. Yet its inoculations per 100,000 residents ranked lowest.


Since Christmas, the area’s most populous county has seen new daily COVID-19 cases exceed 200 on four days, and over 300 one day.


► Online registration:  Cleveland Clinic vaccine appointments full


Nearly 1,100 St. Lucie residents have been hospitalized with the virus since March 2020, and its hospital bed capacity consistently has been below that of Martin and Indian River.


“We are, by far, seeing the highest number of cases that we have seen since the start of this pandemic,” County Administrator Howard Tipton said Friday. “We’re all anxious to see the vaccine rollout. … However, we have to remember that this battle with the virus is still going on. It is still in front of us, and will be for several months yet to come.”


Lindsey Leake is TCPalm’s explanatory and health reporter. She has a master’s in journalism and digital storytelling from American University and a bachelor’s from Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @NewsyLindsey, Facebook @LindseyMLeake and Instagram @newsylindsey. Call her at 772-529-5378 or email her at lindsey.leake@tcpalm.com.  Article Link



Friday, January 8, 2021

Port St. Lucie Unveils Its Newest Neighborhood Park



City unveils its newest neighborhood park in a grand opening ceremony


 


PORT ST. LUCIE – City residents, and especially those who live in the Torino neighborhood, will soon have a new place to play when the new Winterlakes Neighborhood Park will officially open to the public on Saturday, January 23.


This 28-acre park is set to become the City’s largest neighborhood park and is located at 5241 NW Jannebo Street in the Torino neighborhood in northern Port St. Lucie. The community is invited to the grand opening celebration with local dignitaries on January 23 at 10 a.m. at the park.


Public meetings were held during July and August of 2017 to engage public opinion about the future development of the 28-acre parcel located within the northern sector of the City. The consensus of the public was to develop the site as an unmanned neighborhood park.


“On behalf of the Department, we are excited at this opportunity to provide a large, open green space, in the northern section of the City, for our residents to enjoy various recreational and leisure opportunities,” said Sherman Conrad, Director, Port St. Lucie Parks & Recreation. “Winterlakes Park has been in our plans for several years and the opening of the park will provide a true landmark for our guests and the City.”


This non-lighted park offers residents several amenities that include an airnasium with a basketball court, two restrooms, a playground with shade sails, a dog park with separate compounds for large, medium and small sized dogs, a large group, picnic area pavilion with tables and grills and a family pavilion, two open space practice fields, two tennis and four pickleball courts, and ten fitness stations placed along a paved walking/jogging trail.


Other elements of the park have been funded for Phase II in fiscal year 2020-21 via the Parks Impact Fee Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget. This CIP funding, along with a recently awarded Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program Grant funding, will construct a new maintenance building, additional sidewalk trails, a fishing pier, volleyball courts, bike racks, a gazebo and several more picnic pavilions. Construction of Phase II is under the procurement process and it is anticipated to begin development in late 2021 or early 2022.


Join the Port St. Lucie Parks & Recreation group on Facebook. With more than 2,000 members, this Facebook group is growing quickly and provides residents a place to talk about parks, fitness recreation and special events that are happening in the City of Port St. Lucie.



Thursday, January 7, 2021

FLORIDA IS ROLLING OUT EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS



Officials say website updates are underway. Under the latest law, PUA unemployment benefits were extended until April 5 for independent contractors and other claimants.


 


The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced Monday that benefits included in the latest pandemic relief bill authorized by Congress and signed by Pres. Trump will soon be reflected on the state’s website.


Florida DEO spokeswoman Paige Landrum said Monday that the agency started to implement benefit extensions while “working diligently to fully implement program updates.”


Under the latest law, PUA unemployment benefits were extended for independent contractors and other claimants.


The bill extends:





      • The maximum number of weeks individuals may receive unemployment benefits from 39 weeks to 50 weeks.




      • All unemployment assistance, including the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, from Dec. 26, 2020 to March 14, 2021.




      • Eligibility to receive PUA benefits to April 5, 2021, as long as an individual hasn’t reached their maximum number of weeks of unemployment.





 


Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) is $300 per week. This provides supplemental unemployment benefits for individuals receiving PUA or regular unemployment compensation for weeks after Dec. 26, 2020, until March 14, 2021.


In short, Realtor members already claiming unemployment benefits (PUA) can continue to claim benefits for a total of 50 weeks. The benefit can include $300 from the federal government and $125 in state benefits that they have already been receiving.


 


Source: Florida Realtors®



Wednesday, January 6, 2021

A Rare Triple Conjunction Of Planets Will Crown the Night Skies This Weekend



Look up at the night sky on January 10 to see a rare ‘triple conjunction’ of planets, as Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury form a tight triangle in the sky.


The best time to see this phenomenon will be around 45 minutes after sunset on Sunday, by looking low in the sky toward the southwest horizon.


While you won’t need to borrow star-watching equipment from the Mauna Kea Observatories to see the triple conjunction, a pair of home binoculars will definitely help you to see these planets form a tight bud just 1.6° apart.


To have something to compare the conjunction to, it’s a good idea to look up in the evenings before and after January 10 too. That way, you’ll be able to track this planetary trio as they move in close together, and then apart.


According to Space, Mercury will appear around 2.5 times dimmer than Jupiter, and four times brighter than Saturn.



Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Researchers Pull Carbon Out of the Sky And Convert it to Instant Jet Fuel



A simple, yet world-altering method of sucking CO2 from the air into airplanes where it is converted directly to jet fuel is described in a new paper published in Nature.


With the importance of removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere at the front and center of so many economic and policy decisions, the invention of an onboard system for carbon-neutral flight would represent a massive step towards addressing the climate crisis.


Some estimates puts the aviation industry’s primarily-CO2 footprint of global emissions at just under 1 billion metric tons, or around 2.4% of all human activities.


Converting atmospheric CO2 into useable hydrocarbon fuel is difficult, and as until recently, expensive both in terms of capital and electricity. Using a molecule that is fully oxidized and thermodynamically stable, there are few keys that can cheaply or efficiently ‘unlock it’ for reuse.


Some catalysts, compounds that can attract and force a change in molecules, can convert CO2 into hydrocarbon molecules of a desirable configuration for jet fuels, but their use is limited because they are expensive or require huge amounts of electricity. They’re also inconsistent with producing hydrocarbon chains with the number of atoms ideal for aviation fuels.


The University of Oxford’s Peter Edwards, Tiancun Xiao, Benzhen Yao, and colleagues designed a new iron-based catalyst that represents an inexpensive way of directly capturing atmospheric CO2 and converting it into a jet fuel-range of hydrocarbons.


The basic catalyst is iron-based, and includes other simple chemicals like potassium nitrate, citric acid, and manganese, and when activated, would only need to climb to about 300°C (572°F) to work.


The authors were also able to collect other important raw materials for the petrochemical industry during the conversion process, which are currently only available from crude oil. Essentially, what Edwards and the other researchers discovered was a method for “mining” CO2, which far from being the blanket-term used in climate change studies, represents a wealth of volatile natural resources that can produce all manner for petrochemical products on the ground.


“The advances reported here offer a route out of the current, worldwide [lifecycle] for jet fuels, based on the (present) Production-Consumption- Disposal/Emission structure,” write the authors of the invention whose paper was published in Nature


“This, then, is the vision for the route to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from aviation; a fulcrum of a future global zero-carbon aviation sector.”



Monday, January 4, 2021

2020 And What Real Estate Has To Be Grateful For



It’s hard to look at 2020 in a positive light, but the real estate industry was uniquely and unexpectedly a beacon of hope for a nation battered by the COVID-19 virus. Home sales boomed, mortgage rates repeatedly hit record lows and rising values bolstered homeowners’ equity.


 


No doubt, 2020 has been a uniquely challenging year. With unemployment still above pre-pandemic levels, the country coming to terms with longstanding racial inequities, Americans worrying about natural disasters, a contentious national election and the COVID-19 pandemic still raging, people are searching for reasons to feel gratitude as the year draws to a close.


The housing market has emerged as an economic bright spot. While the nation continues to feel widespread effects from 2020’s turmoil, here are a few things the real estate industry can be grateful for this year.


Booming home sales


Overall, real estate professionals have been busy – home buying activity is at its highest level since 2006. The housing market defied high unemployment and an economic recession, and it surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Existing-home sales in October were 27% higher than a year ago, new-home sales were 32% higher, and pending home sales or contract signings in September jumped 20.5% annually.


“This winter may be one of the best winters for sales activity,” says Lawrence Yun, the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) chief economist. “It won’t match summer or spring sales numbers, but on a winter-to-winter comparison, this could be one of the best breakout years just based on the fact that pending contracts are at such a higher level.”


Mortgage applications, up 20% year over year, reflect buyers in the pipeline, ready to buy. The downside: Buyers are in a frenzy to compete for the limited housing stock, and 72% of homes that sold in October were on the market for less than a month, NAR’s data shows.


Record low mortgage rates


Homebuyers are locking in some of the lowest mortgage rates in recorded history. Last week, for the 15th time this year, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage set a record low, averaging 2.67%, according to Freddie Mac. Yun predicts that mortgage rates will stay low into 2021, averaging 3.1% for all of next year.


“These ultra-low mortgage rates significantly lower mortgage payments, making housing more affordable than a year earlier in many areas,” even with prices rising, writes Nadia Evangelou, a research economist, on NAR’s Economists’ Outlook blog. In the Washington, D.C., metro area, for example, home prices have jumped nearly 12% compared to a year earlier, Evangelou notes. However, the monthly payment on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is lower than a year ago, averaging $1,820.


Seller equity


Home sellers got a financial boost from housing appreciation. The median existing-home price for all housing types was $313,000 in October – a 16% increase from a year ago. Sixty-five percent of 181 metro areas NAR recently tracked have reported double-digit price gains compared to a year ago.


That means home owners who haven’t taken a financial hit from the pandemic feel richer. In the third quarter, 16.7 million residential properties in the U.S. – 28.3% overall – were considered “equity rich,” according to a report from ATTOM Data Solutions, a real estate research data firm. A property is considered equity rich when the property owner has at least 50% equity in the home.


“Homeowner equity in the third quarter added another pebble to the pile of markers showing that the U.S. housing market continues to defy the broad downturn in the economy this year,” says Todd Teta, chief product and technology officer for ATTOM Data Solutions. “Home prices keep rising, boosting the balance sheets of homeowners throughout most of the country. … The market is strong and homeowners remain in a position to benefit.”


Technology


With people forced to keep their distance during the pandemic, technology became real estate pros’ ally in keeping transactions moving. Nick Bailey, chief customer officer at RE/MAX LLC, says that the average real estate transaction takes 181 steps from beginning to end, and technology has increasingly responded to those steps.


During state shutdowns earlier this year, real estate professionals increasingly relied on virtual and 3D tours, videoconferencing, augmented reality, automation, artificial intelligence and remote online notarizations, says Jeb Griffin, NAR’s director of strategy and innovation.


“Technology is playing a more active role through the buying and selling cycle, and agents are playing an even bigger role to consumers who [have] less access to homes in person [due to the pandemic],” Griffin says.


The future now requires “taking the traditional way of doing business and augmenting it with new ways that will allow you to serve customers in a variety of ways – and on their terms,” adds Andy Ambrose, DocuSign practice lead director at DocuSign Notary.


New priorities


“The coronavirus without a doubt led homebuyers to reassess their housing situations and even reconsider home sizes and destinations,” says Jessica Lautz, vice president of demographics and behavioral insights for NAR. “Buyers sought housing with more rooms, more square footage, and more yard space, as they may have desired a home office or home gym. They also shopped for larger homes because extra space would allow households to better accommodate older adult relatives or young adults that are now living within the residence.”


Affirmation of a Realtor®’s value


As Americans reevaluated what they wanted from a home, they increasingly relied on real estate agents to guide them through purchase and sales transactions. According to NAR’s latest survey, 88% of buyers reported using an agent to purchase their home, and 89% of sellers used an agent to help with their sale.


“We are all in unknown territory with this pandemic, so it’s no surprise that more buyers than ever turned to agents to help them navigate through some of the uncertainties and one of the most complex, competitive markets any of us have ever seen,” says NAR’s immediate past president Vince Malta.


The sanctity of home


“Nothing feels more precious this year than the safety of our homes,”  says Shannon McGahn, NAR’s chief advocacy officer, “and we believe all Americans should have equal opportunity to a home of their own.”


 


Source: Florida Realtors® & National Association of Realtors®



Friday, January 1, 2021

2nd Annual Art Show at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens



The Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens are holding their 2nd Annual Art Show in The Gardens, which will be held at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens on Saturday, January 2, 2021 and Sunday, January 3, 2021 from 9am to 4pm each day (rain or shine).


The Art Show highlights local, regional and renowned artists in the mediums of Original – 2D, 3D, Jewelry & Fine Crafts. The show will also include Music, Dancing, Food Trucks and more.   A variety of food, snack and beverage vendors will be on hand for your culinary pleasure as well as Art Raffles and local Non-Profit Agencies.


Come check it out, join in the fun and support your local artists and businesses.


Graphic showing the entertainment for the 2nd Annual Art Show in the Gardens, January 2 and 3, 2021 at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens.