GREEN CAY NATURE CENTER ACTIVITES FOR THE CHILDREN

TERRIFIC TURTLES
Saturday, May 24, 2:00 pm, All ages, $3 per person (Children 4 & under free)
Meet some of our shelled friends, and learn about the different varieties of turtles and their lifestyles! Reservations required.

STORY and CRAFT TIME
Saturday, May 31, 10:00 am, Ages 3-5, $1 per child
Join us monthly as we read stories, have learning time, and make crafts about animals and other nature-related themes! Topics will vary each month. Reservations required.

All participants are required to sign a Program Participation Form for every program or tour.

Green Cay Nature Center is operated by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department and is located at 12800 Hagen Ranch Road in Boynton Beach.

FOR BEST GAS PRICES

http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx

DELRAY BEACH SELLS 4.85 ACRES IN LAKE IDA PARK AREA

Development plans of the new owner, a site plan for which has been submitted to the City of Boynton Beach propose a single-family residential community. Owner National Land Company (NLC) owns an adjacent property, currently part of Lake Ida Park, with a canal separating the two properties. NCL was the only bidder for the property, “as is” with no contingencies, which sold for $1.6-MM. NCL must however maintain shoreline enhancement and the “littoral zone” (the area of land between the high and low water marks). The county retains mineral and petroleum rights, but does not retain rights of entry and exploration.

MORTGAGE CRISIS AFFECTS 2 MILLION AMERICAN CHILDREN

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: Analysis shows a negative impact on the health, education, and well-being of children A new report released today reveals that an estimated 2 million children will be directly impacted by the sub-prime mortgage crisis as their families lose their homes due to foreclosures. As the first comprehensive analysis of how the crisis will impact kids, the report explains that this number will rise even higher when accounting for other populations, such as children being evicted from rental units that are going into default and those children whose parents default on conventional loans. These foreclosures will happen primarily during 2008 and 2009. The report, which includes state-by-state estimates of the number of children that are directly impacted by this crisis, indicates that foreclosures often result in disruptions to a child's education, as well as issues relating to their physical and mental health. Moreover, behavioral problems are more likely to arise in children who lose their homes, as positive peer relationships disintegrate when children are forced from their neighborhoods. The report, entitled "The Impact of the Mortgage Crisis on Children" can be found at http://www.firstfocus.net/pages/3401/. In addition, the report finds that the physical and mental health of displaced children can be severely compromised, as families losing their homes are less likely to have money available for items such as health care and health insurance. Children impacted by the mortgage crisis are likely to experience excessive mobility and as a result are only half as likely to be proficient in reading as their peers. And, they are much more likely to be held back and eventually drop out of school. Children forced from their homes experience behavioral problems, such as increases in violence. Due to the increasing number of foreclosures, school districts across the country are experiencing increases in the number of homeless children entering their classrooms, many of which can be attributed to the mortgage crisis.

HOUSING PRICES PREDICTED TO GO UP 20-30% IN 5 YEARS

Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun recently said of an area that was hard hit by the housing downturn, that “the worst conditions in the Tampa market may have already passed… I think the second half of 2008 will be better. But if I look at the long-term perspective, five years from now, comfortably, one can say home prices in this region will be 20-30% higher.” He also said that while sub prime mortgages made up only 9% of all mortgages in the US, they made up 53% of US housing foreclosures, dragging down the housing market. Yun noted, “There’s a change in the mood over the last couple of weeks,” and that mortgage rates are at near historic lows, business spending is strong and corporate profits are up, all good economic signs. No doubt this is good news for Florida’s east coast too. According to an article in Realty Times, Palm Beach County buyers have purchased 30 percent more single-family homes from February to March.