Disaster Supply Kit - Be prepared!

Basic Disaster Supply Kit Items

Water – You will need water for drinking, cooking and sanitation purposes. Pack a minimum of 1 gallon daily per person for 7 days.

Food – You will need enough for a minimum of 7 days:

• Non-perishable packaged or canned food and juices
  
  • Manual can opener
  
  


• Foods for individuals with dietary restrictions (i.e. infants, elderly, etc.)


• Snack foods


• Cooking tools and fuel


• Paper plates and plastic utensils

Flashlight and Extra Batteries

Pillows, Blankets and/or Sleeping Bags

Clothing – Include a complete change of clothes suitable for your areas climate. Be sure to include sturdy shoes to protect you from debris or other sharp objects you may encounter outdoors post-storm.

First Aid Kit, Prescription Medication and Other Medicines

Radio – Battery operated and NOAA weather radio

Toiletries

Cleaning Supplies – Include garbage bags, moisture wipes and other items you may need to sanitize your home or surrounding post-disaster.

Special Items – Assess all family member needs. Consider other items needed for infants, elderly and individuals with access and functional needs (i.e. medical items, baby bottles, etc.)

Cash – Banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended periods following a disaster.

Toys, Books and Games

Important Documents – Consider storing all critical documents in a waterproof container, as well as, saving them electronically. These items can include but are not limited to insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.

Tools

Pet Care Items

• Proper identification / immunization records


• Ample supply of food and water


• Carrier or cage


• Medications


• Muzzle and leash


• Photo of you and your pet(s) – in the event you are separated from your pet, having an updated photo with your pet will help validate pet ownership.

Source: Disaster Supply Kit

633 Divers Just Set the World Record for Largest Ocean Cleanup After Collecting 1,600 Pounds of Trash

 

It took the group of divers only two hours to collect all of the trash and fishing line from the ocean floor of the Florida beach shoreline.

A massive group of eco-friendly scuba divers have just set the Guinness World Record for the largest underwater cleanup.

Over 633 divers donned their wetsuits and masks last week at the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier in Florida so they could pick up all the fishing gear and plastic waste from the ocean floor.

Though the total amount of recovered garbage is still being calculated with experts expecting the number to grow, officials say that the cleanup resulted in at least 1,626 pounds of trash and 60 pounds of fishing line being recovered from the ocean floor – and city officials say that they will be recycling and disposing of all of the collected ocean waste accordingly.

Source: 633 Divers Just Set the World Record for Largest Ocean Cleanup After Collecting 1,600 Pounds of Trash

Shipwrecked Adult Party, Leisure Square Day, Toga Party top things to do this weekend

 

Here are the best events in Hobe Sound, Stuart, Jensen Beach, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie.

Summer is winding down, but the weekend is picking up on the Treasure Coast. Check out the best events and things to do during the next few days in Martin, Indian River and St. Lucie counties. Here’s What To Do in 772.

Martin County

Dixie’s Tupperware Party adult comedy show to benefit Nala’s New Life Rescue starts at 7 p.m. Friday at the Cambridge Clubhouse at Heritage Ridge South, 8201 S.E. Constitution Blvd., Hobe Sound. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 each. Ages 21 and older only. Wine, beer, soda and light refreshments are provided. For more information, call 772-485-3799 or go to nalasrescue.org.

 

Celebrate Gilbert’s First Anniversary from 6-11 p.m. Saturday at Gilbert’s Coffee Bar, 615 S.W. Anchorage Way, Stuart. The coffee bar opened last year at Sunset Bay Marina & Anchorage. Enjoy live music by three different artists starting at 7 p.m. The celebration also includes drink specials, a raffle and the Sunset Sliders food truck. For more information, go to facebook.com/gilbertscoffeebar.

 

The Shipwrecked Adult Party to celebrate The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast’s 11th birthday is 6-9 p.m. Saturday at 1707 N.E. Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach. Pirate, mermaid or castaway costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $45 each at the door and include two drinks and appetizers. Ages 21 and older only. The official after-party begins at 9 p.m. at Carsons Tavern, 2883 S.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart. To get tickets, go to childrensmuseumtc.org. (After Sensory Friendly Day from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, the museum is closed for exhibit installations until Sept. 2.)

The Snakes Alive hike at Jonathan Dickinson State Park is 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday at 16450 S.E. Federal Highway, Hobe Sound. Meet at the Hobe Mountain parking lot. To register, call 561-745-5551. For more information, go to facebook.com/friendsofjonathandickinsonstatepark.

 

Indian River County

The End of Summer Luau at Heaton’s Reef is 6-9 p.m. Friday at Cobalt Restaurant and Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, 3500 Ocean Drive. It includes drink specials, an extensive cookout buffet, a complimentary beverage and live music by the beach. The cost is $40 for adults and $25 for ages 12 and younger. For more information, go to facebook.com/cobaltrestaurant.

The free Leisure Square Day is 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the City of Vero Beach Recreation Department’s outdoor activity center at 3705 16th St. It features Starbucks coffee at 7 p.m., water aerobics at 9:30 a.m., yoga at 10 a.m., the Aerial Antics Youth Circus performers at 10:30 a.m., a turkey shoot basketball contest at 11 a.m., hot dogs and drinks from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and an ice cream social from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information, call 772-770-6500 or go to covb.org.

The Guided Forest Bathing Walk at Round Island Riverside Park is 8:45-11:45 a.m. Saturday, 2200 S. State Road A1A, at the Indian River-St. Lucie County line. Join Kelly Bruce, an Association of Nature and Forest Therapy certified guide, for a relaxing stroll through the mangroves. The practice of forest bathing helps people slow down, relax and reconnect with nature by quieting the mind and awakening the senses. Donations accepted. Bring sunscreen, bug repellent and water. To RSVP, go to facebook.com/naturalwanders.us.

Laurie’s Stories: Kayak, paddle, hike or fish at Round Island Riverside Park

Gainesville’s Less Than Jake performs a live show along with openers from 6-11 p.m. Sunday at Capt Hiram’s Sand Bar, 1606 Indian River Drive, Sebastian. It also features Florida craft beer for sale. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. To get tickets, go to hirams.com/reggae.

The Fresh Market’s 10-Year Anniversary Celebration is noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 526 21st St., Vero Beach. It includes free samples throughout the store, celebration cupcakes, samples from the grill, a raffle and giveaways, such as reusable bags. For more information, go to thefreshmarket.com/your-market/store-locator.

 

St. Lucie County

The Porkers 4-H Club’s Pie Auction and Barbecue is 6-10 p.m. Saturday at the St. Lucie County Fairgrounds, 15601 W. Midway Road, west of Fort Pierce. Doors open at 5 p.m. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. The pie auction starts at 7 p.m. The dance is from 8-10 p.m. Tickets are $15, but ages 5 and younger get in free. For more information, go to facebook.com/porkers4hclub.

The Toga Party at Bottom’s Up Public House is 9 a.m. Saturday to midnight at 208 Avenue A, Fort Pierce. Party “Animal House” style with live music, a toga costume contest, a chugging contest and wood-fired pizza for sale. For more information, go to facebook.com/bottomsuppublichouse.

Laurie’s Stories: Bottom’s Up Public House late-night music venue opens with quality cocktails, craft beer

The fourth annual ALS Awareness Day at First Data Field is noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at 525 N.W. Peacock Blvd., Port St. Lucie. Game tickets bought through the ALS Awareness group benefit ALwayS for ALS. The game is followed by the ice bucket challenge. The goal is to break last year’s record of more than 100 people participating. For more information, go to facebook.com/stluciemets.

The Fall Hunting Classic Kids Weekend at Bass Pro Shops is noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at 2250 Gatlin Blvd., Port St. Lucie. It features a children’s archery challenge, a fall bear craft and a free photo download. The first 100 kids to complete the archery challenge get tin raccoon boxes. For more information, go to facebook.com/bassproshopsportstluciefl.

Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm’s entertainment reporter and columnist dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Read her weekly column, Laurie’s Stories, on TCPalm.com. Follow her on Twitter at @TCPalmLaurie or Facebook at faceboook.com/TCPalmLaurie.

 

Source: Shipwrecked Adult Party, Leisure Square Day, Toga Party top things to do this weekend

New Condo Rules Will Open More Doors for Buyers

 

The association says changes to FHA financing qualifications will bring more entry-level homes to the market, helping to meet buyer demand.

The National Association of REALTORS®, after reviewing the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s new condominium financing rules, says the guidance affords property owners greater flexibility in the qualification process for loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration. Lenders will be able to issue FHA loans for single condo units, and buildings with a greater number of investor-owned units or greater percentage of commercial space can qualify for FHA financing, among other changes HUD released Wednesday. NAR expects the new rules, which will go into effect Oct. 15, to revive a condo market that has been stifled since the Great Recession.

NAR says the new condo rules, which will help more would-be buyers access affordable housing, satisfy many of the changes the association has backed for more than a decade. Specifically, the new rules will:

Extend FHA certifications on condo developments from two years to three years, with an additional six-month grace period to meet requirements. This will alleviate some of the cost and time burdens on condominium associations that intend to maintain FHA approval. Condo associations also may continue submitting updated recertification packages, rather than the full certification package each time. The National Association of REALTORS® expects the change to prompt more condominium properties to apply for FHA eligibility, making more affordable housing more accessible.

Allow for single-unit mortgage approvals—often known as spot approvals—that will enable FHA insurance of individual condo units, even if the entire property does not have FHA approval. The condo building in which the FHA buyer wants to purchase must meet certain requirements: The property must have at least five units, a limited concentration of FHA-insured units, at least 50% owner-occupancy, and a maximum of 35% commercial space.

Secure additional flexibility in the ratio of investors to owner-occupants allowed for FHA financing in a condo building. While the current owner-occupancy requirement is 50%, HUD may approve an owner-occupancy level as low as 35% for older properties with less than 10% of units in arrears. Individual investors can purchase no more than 10% of units in a property with more than 20 units and no more than one unit in properties with less than 20 units.

FHA approvals for condos prior to these changes have been heavily restricted. For example, the National Association of REALTORS® pointed to data earlier this year showing that in Florida’s Miami-Dade County, there were 5,683 condo projects—but only seven had FHA approval. NAR sent out an all-member email about the new condo rules Wednesday morning.

“It goes without saying that condominiums are often the most affordable option for first-time home buyers, small families, and those in urban areas,” NAR President John Smaby said in a statement. “This ruling, which culminates years of collaboration between HUD and NAR, will help reverse recent declines in condo sales and ensure the FHA is fulfilling its primary mission to the American people.”

The association’s most recent existing-home sales report, released in July, showed that sales of condos and co-ops dropped 6.5% year over year. Further, with more than 8.7 million condo units nationwide, only 17,792 FHA condo loans were originated in the past year. Down payments for single-family homes also have grown significantly more expensive in recent years in the absence of widely accessible FHA condo financing, NAR argues.

FHA restricted its condo approval process in 2009, which limited the number of properties that could receive FHA loans. In 2016, it moved to lift several of those restrictions, but the proposed rules were never finalized.

Source: NAR: New Condo Rules Will Open More Doors for Buyers

PSL #10! - Best Cities for Retirement (and Worst)

 

Best Life’s editors crunched the numbers to figure out the best and worst U.S. cities for retirement. (Short version: head to Florida!)

Choosing a place to retire to can be a challenge. Of course you want the option of being able to get those tennis matches and golf games going daily, but you also crave the convenience of living in a bustling locale with restaurants, shops, and tons of cultural events at your doorstop. The good news is, you don’t have to choose. There are tons of cities that can give you everything a recent retiree could dream of—and some that you should steer clear of, too.

To that end, Best Life’s editors crunched the numbers on the country’s 250 most populous cities to figure out the best and worst places for retirement in America. Using wide-ranging data—including figures sourced from the U.S. Census, the technology firm Niche, the tax compliance experts at Avalara, and official U.S. climate data—we pinpointed the following factors to determine the final list:

The percentage of the population ages 65 and older

Costs for those earning $50,000-$75,000 that goes to housing

The number of cultural institutions per 100,000 people in the city

The city’s violent crime rate

The local tax rate

Average annual precipitation

From there, we weighed the numbers to come up with a Retirement Index for each city. (Some factors, like the percentage of the population of retirement age, had added weight.)

Read on for the best and worst U.S. cities for retirement. Sure, there are plenty of Floridian towns in there, but other results will surprise you (including one West Coast city with a zero-percent tax rate)!

Source: The Worst and Best U.S. Cities for Retirement | Best Life

Woodstock Days, Winestock, Groovestock top things to do this weekend with live music

 

Here are the best events in Stuart, Jensen Beach, Port Salerno, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach and Sebastian.

Get ready for a groovy weekend on the Treasure Coast. Some of the best events and things to do in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties celebrate the 50th anniversary of Woodstock. Here’s What To Do in 772.

Martin County

The Beach 2 Beach 5K starts at 7 p.m. Friday at Stuart Beach, 825 N.E. Ocean Blvd. Parking is available at the finish line at Jensen Sea Turtle Beach, 4191 N.E. Ocean Blvd. Transportation shuttles are available until 6:35 p.m. Walkers and strollers are welcome but should use the sidewalk. Awards begin at 8 p.m. or when most of the runners have finished. The cost is $40 each. For more information, go to facebook.com/beach2beach5k.

The Surfrider Foundation Treasure Coast Chapter’s Beach Cleanup at Jensen Sea Turtle Beach is 6-8 p.m. Friday at 4191 N.E. Ocean Blvd. Buckets for trash pickup are provided, as well as drinks. Bring bug spray. Play volleyball with other volunteers after the cleanup. For more information, go to facebook.com/surfridertreasurecoast.

The seventh annual Treasure Coast Bonito Blast is this weekend at Pirate’s Cove Resort & Marina, 4307 S.E. Bayview St., Port Salerno. The captain’s meeting starts at 6 p.m. Friday. The weigh-in on the dock is noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, followed by the awards party at 5 p.m. The event includes $2,500 in prize money, dinners, live music, auction items and a raffle for a paddleboard. Raffle entry is $5 per ticket, or $20 for 5 tickets, and benefits the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund. Registration is $125-$150, but anglers younger than 12 fish for free. For more information, go to treasurecoastbonitoblast.com.

Woodstock Days, celebrating the music festival’s 50th anniversary, are this weekend at Terra Fermata Tiki Bar, 26 S.E. Sixth St., Stuart. It features songs from Woodstock and that era, including Carlos Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone, Joe Cocker, The Who, Janis Joplin and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Live music starts at 7 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 each day. Ages 21 and older only. For more information, call 772-286-5252 or go to facebook.com/terrafermata.

The Wave 92.7 Country Throwdown kicks off with preliminary rounds starting at 8 p.m. Saturday at Manatee Island Bar and Grill, 4817 S.E. Dixie Highway, Port Salerno. It continues Sept. 5 at Manatee Island’s location in Fort Pierce. The top 12 contestants from preliminary rounds move to the final round Sept. 21. For more information, go to facebook.com/wave927.

Elements of the Elliott Museum’s Summer of 1969 exhibit featuring the Woodstock Art & Music Festival, Apollo 11 walking on the moon, our Vietnam veterans, and the New York Mets Worlds Series win. The exhibit opens Thursday July 11 through September

Elements of the Elliott Museum’s Summer of 1969 exhibit featuring the Woodstock Art & Music Festival, Apollo 11 walking on the moon, our Vietnam veterans, and the New York Mets Worlds Series win. The exhibit opens Thursday July 11 through September 29. (Photo: ERIC HASERT/TCPALM)

 

St. Lucie County

The Operation Kidsafe Safety Event is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Bev Smith Toyota, 3350 U.S. 1, Fort Pierce. The event includes local first responders, a cookout, face painting and free backpacks while supplies last. Admission is free. For more information, call 772-464-8440 or go to bevsmithtoyota.com.

The Inshore Fishing Tournament to benefit Mission 22, which fights veteran suicide, has its weigh-in at 2 p.m. Saturday at Little Jim Bait & Tackle, 601 N. Causeway, Fort Pierce. The cost is $100 per boat. For more information, call 772-801-1530 or go to mission22.com.

The Italian American Club of the Treasure Coast’s Tombola Night, or Italian Bingo Night, is 6-9 p.m. Saturday at the local Disabled American Veterans chapter, 1150 S.W. California Blvd., Port St. Lucie. The cost, which includes dinner and dessert, is $12 for club members and $15 for guests. To get tickets, call 772-361-8603 or go to italianamericanclubtc.com.

Winestock: A Day of Peace, Music and Wine is 1-5 p.m. Sunday at Summer Crush Vineyard & Winery, 4200 Johnston Road, Fort Pierce. Enjoy live music, wear hippie clothes and eat at a Taco Dive food truck. Proceeds benefit Angels of Hope. For more information, call 772-460-0500 or go to summercrushwine.com.

 

Indian River County

The Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce’s ninth annual Grill Out Night is 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday. The community-wide open house event with a 1960s theme features businesses staying open late with sales, activities, prizes and refreshments. To see a map of participating businesses, go to sebastianchamber.com.

The Coastal Cleanup at South Beach Park is 9-11 a.m. Saturday at 1706 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach. Meet under the pavilion by the beach access. Supplies are provided. For more information, go to facebook.com/coastalconnectionsinc.

Pareidolia Brewing Company’s Groovestock is 5-9 p.m. Saturday at 712 Cleveland St., Sebastian. More than a dozen musicians perform classic songs from Woodstock on an outdoor stage. Bring chairs. Plus, there are food and drink specials at the brewery. Admission is free, but donations are accepted for musicians. For more information, call 772-571-5693 or go to facebook.com/pareidoliabrewing.

The Modern-Day Pinup Magazine Release Party with The Parisian Hostess starts at 6 p.m. Saturday at American Icon Brewery, 1133 19th Place, Vero Beach. The party includes classic cars and pinup girls. Dress up in 1940s or ‘50s attire and walk the red carpet for photo opportunities. Admission is free. For more information, go to facebook.com/theparisianhostess.

Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm’s entertainment reporter and columnist dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Read her weekly column, Laurie’s Stories, on TCPalm.com. Follow her on Twitter at @TCPalmLaurie or Facebook at faceboook.com/TCPalmLaurie.

Source: Woodstock Days, Winestock, Groovestock top things to do this weekend with live music

How to Buy a New Home if Your Current Home Hasn't Sold Yet

 

Buying a new home doesn’t have to wait until you’ve sold your current house. You can move forward when a sale takes longer than you’d like.

Buying a new home while simultaneously selling your current home is like a well thought out, choreographed dance. Because many homeowners often have to use the sale proceeds from their current home to afford their new home, attempting a new home buy before your current one sells can leave you in financial limbo. And you may risk missing out on the new home you want to buy if the timing doesn’t line up just right.

In addition to financial concerns, timing is a challenge when trying to buy and sell at the same time. Relocating for work is a common reason why a homeowner would need to buy and sell at the same time, and when that’s the case, you often don’t have much time to get settled before your job starts. You might also have children or be in a situation where moving into temporary housing before settling into your new home might not be the most comfortable option.

Ideally, to avoid extra costs, timeline challenges, and carrying two mortgage payments, it’s often best to wait until your current home sells before buying a new one. But life can be complicated, and buying and selling concurrently may be your only option. If it is, here are a few ways you can get through it.

Buying with a sale and settlement contingency

Depending on the current market conditions where you’re selling and buying, you may opt to make an offer with a sale and settlement contingency. This means that your offer on a new home is contingent on selling and completing closing on your existing home.

With a contingent offer, you won’t have to worry about carrying two mortgages at once. That monthly debt will be gone by the time you close on your new mortgage.

However, contingent offers do have drawbacks for buyers. For starters, they aren’t as attractive to sellers as traditional, non-contingent offers, which many sellers see as more likely to close.

Some sellers won’t accept a contingent offer because other buyers might decide not to make a non-contingent offer on a home that’s “under contract” — costing the seller a backup buyer if the contingent offer falls through.

Even if a seller does accept your contingent offer, they can still consider other offers. If they get a new offer that they like, you’ll have a specified amount of time (generally 24-48 hours) to drop your contingency and agree to buy the home without conditions.

Bridge loans

If you’re looking for an option that’s specifically designed to help bridge the gap between the time it takes to sell and the time it takes to buy, you might want to consider exactly that: a bridge loan.

Bridge loans are short-term loans designed to temporarily finance your down payment while you’re waiting for your home to sell. This loan type is secured with your current home as collateral.

While bridge loans do offer flexibility for sellers, they do come with some risk. Not all lenders offer these types of loans, but if you do manage to get one, you’ll need to be prepared to repay it fairly quickly. Bridge loans are typically designed to be repaid in six months — quicker than many other traditional loan types. Lenders can extend it to about three years, though it’s not very common.

Plus, the repayment period can be further complicated by uncertainty around the loan terms. Depending on the bridge loan you get, the repayment terms can vary. You might have to make more traditional monthly payments or pay lump sum interest payments up front.

Perhaps what makes this loan type one of the riskiest are the potential repercussions if your home doesn’t sell. If the sale goes sour or the buyer backs out, you’ll still have to pay off the bridge loan according to its terms, and if you’re unable, the lender could foreclose on your home.

Aside from the risks associated with bridge loans, simply qualifying for one is a challenge. When comparing bridge loans vs. home equity loans as options for short-term borrowing, bridge loans generally have higher interest rates and fees than home equity loans. Lenders also want to see higher credit scores for applicants looking to get bridge loans, due to its high risk level.

And with bridge loans, you’ll have to qualify for the second mortgage and make both payments — plus the interest on the bridge loan. This can be a significant financial burden, especially if the home you’re selling isn’t getting offers.

Source: How to Buy a New Home if Your Current Home Hasn’t Sold Yet – Zillow