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Latest property tax reform proposal

FAR - News & Events - Senate Democrats offer wide-ranging tax reform proposal

The Democratic proposal would flesh out [portability]. It would exempt homeowners from taxes on the difference between the values of the old and new homes – up to a maximum of $250,000 – if they move to a more expensive house. If they go to a cheaper one, they would pay no more than they did on their old house.

The portability provision would be linked to reducing Save Our Homes benefits. The annual tax limit would go to 3 percent plus inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index, but no more than 6 percent total. The result would be higher taxes for homesteads.

‘Irresponsible’ Mortgages Have Opened Doors to Many of the Excluded - New York Times

‘Irresponsible’ Mortgages Have Opened Doors to Many of the Excluded - New York Times

Article is more balanced than you would expect of the NYT.

Almost every new form of mortgage lending — from adjustable-rate mortgages to home equity lines of credit to no-money-down mortgages — has tended to expand the pool of people who qualify but has also been greeted by a large number of people saying that it harms consumers and will fool people into thinking they can afford homes that they cannot.

Congress is contemplating a serious tightening of regulations to make the new forms of lending more difficult. New research from some of the leading housing economists in the country, however, examines the long history of mortgage market innovations and suggests that regulators should be mindful of the potential downside in tightening too much.

M. Crichton Interview on Global Warming

The Daily Ablution: Seven Answers From ...

Any departure from environmental orthodoxy is marked by ad hominem attack, vigorous spread of false information, claims of criminality and mental derangement, and general nastiness. Apparently this is one area where reasonable people cannot disagree.

It's interesting that any entity as complex, changing and difficult to comprehend as the environment should be guarded by organizations that allow no deviation from a single point of view toward what needs to be done. One might have predicted a rather broad range of environmental viewpoints, promoted by an equally broad range of institutions and activist organizations. There is some variation among organizations, of course. But on the subject of global warming, no deviation. That is to say, I am aware of no environmental organization that does not claim global warming is a major threat that must be dealt with now.

I leave it to your readers to explain that puzzle. Complex subject, simplistic response.

Jobs, News and Views for All of Higher Education - Inside Higher Ed :: Fooling the College Board

Jobs, News and Views for All of Higher Education - Inside Higher Ed :: Fooling the College Board

Prius Outdoes Hummer in Environmental Damage

The Recorder

The Toyota Prius has become the flagship car for those in our society so environmentally conscious that they are willing to spend a premium to show the world how much they care. Unfortunately for them, their ultimate ‘green car’ is the source of some of the worst pollution in North America . . .

Official National Park Service Site

Dry Tortugas National Park - Dry Tortugas National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

The Dry Tortugas are an isolated outpost set apart from the mainland by the expansive waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Though it requires a bit of planning, visitors to the park are rewarded with memorable experiences amidst a truly unique landscape.

Dry Tortugas National Park Visitors Guide

Dry Tortugas National Park Visitors Guide: "Boating

Private boaters have a prime opportunity to visit the fort. Nautical charts for the route can be purchased at marinas and boating supply outlets in Key West. Information can be obtained in Key West from the U.S. Coast Guard station, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Charter Boat Association. Boaters should be aware of the possibility of extreme rough seas.

If you visit using your personal boat, please bring at least two anchors and NOAA chart 11438. Overnight anchoring is limited to within one mile of Garden Key; there are no overnight anchoring buoys. Dockage at Garden Key is limited to two hours daily, sunrise to sunset.

Docking facilities are provided for park visitors and park operations. Load, unload, and moor vessels only where designated on the public dock. Moor private vessels no more than 2 hours between sunrise and sundown; overnight mooring to docks or piers is prohibited. The park superientendent may waive these regulations in emergencies that threaten life or property.

Seaplane approaches, landings, and takeoffs are limited to within 1 mile of the fort. Moor seaplanes only in the designated area at Garden Key.

Dumping or throwing overboard bottles, cans, paper, or other trash on park grounds or in the water is prohibited. It is illegal to pump holding tanks into park waters. Warning: Park waters over shallow coral heads and reefs are protected and may cause severe damage to boats and equipment if stuck. Use caution in all park areas.

An experiment that hints we are wrong on climate change-News-UK-TimesOnline

An experiment that hints we are wrong on climate change-News-UK-TimesOnline

When politicians and journalists declare that the science of global warming is settled, they show a regrettable ignorance about how science works.

Twenty years ago, climate research became politicised in favour of one particular hypothesis, which redefined the subject as the study of the effect of greenhouse gases. As a result, the rebellious spirits essential for innovative and trustworthy science are greeted with impediments to their research careers.

So one awkward question you can ask, when you’re forking out those extra taxes for climate change, is “Why is east Antarctica getting colder?” It makes no sense at all if carbon dioxide is driving global warming. While you’re at it, you might inquire whether Gordon Brown will give you a refund if it’s confirmed that global warming has stopped. The best measurements of global air temperatures come from American weather satellites, and they show wobbles but no overall change since 1999.

Animal Planet :: Puppy Bowl :: puppies, dogs, pet adoption

Animal Planet :: Puppy Bowl :: puppies, dogs, pet adoption

Charter out of Canada?

Sailboat Power Boat Charters BC San Juan Islands Vancouver Island

This company has a Bavaria 50 in its fleet, which looks like a good contender along with the Beneteau 51.

General Info

San Juan Islands, Bareboat Charters

Moorings - The Best Sailing In The World!

Moorings - The Best Sailing In The World!

The Moorings is a well-known Caribbean charter, but has some boats in the Pacific NW. This Beneteau seems to have a great floorplan.



Here is the Moorings site on the Pacific Northwest destination.

Another charter option

Ship Harbor Yacht Charters - Fleet - Sienne

Possible San Juan Charter

Anacortes Yacht Charters - Pacific Northwest Charters - Bareboat Power and Sail



Anacortes has up to 51' sailboats, which sleep up to 10 - bareboat charter.

Mortgage demand rises as rates fall, refinancing surges - USATODAY.com

Mortgage demand rises as rates fall, refinancing surges - USATODAY.com

NEW YORK — Mortgage applications rose sharply last week, as the lowest interest rates in more than a year prompted a surge in demand for refinancing, an industry trade group said Wednesday.

The Mortgage Bankers Association said its seasonally adjusted index of mortgage application activity, including refinancing and home-purchase loans, rose 8.1% to 647.6 the week ended Dec. 1 from the previous week's 599.

Borrowing costs on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, excluding fees, averaged 5.98%, down 0.15 percentage point from the previous week, lowest since the week ended Oct. 7, 2005, when it stood at the same level. Interest rates were also below year-ago levels of 6.32%.

Dean Maki, chief U.S. economist at Barclays Capital in New York, said the mortgage bankers' indexes tend to be volatile but lower rates have enticed consumers, which will benefit the U.S. housing market.

"The decline in mortgage rates and the slowing in home price appreciation, along with the buildup in inventories, has led to a much better situation for home buyers through increased affordability as well as more inventory to choose from," he said. "Households are saying on surveys that home buying conditions have improved notably, and that has coincided with the stabilization in home sales."

Snow !

Snow Reported In Central Florida - Weather - WFTV.com | WFTV

We need to move downisland.

From Advocates for Self-Government

World's Smallest Political Quiz

Red Auerbach, RIP

by Roland Lazenby: The Eulogies Are Nice, But Red Was Far From Loved And He Liked It That Way

Best of all the tributes written about Red Auerbach.

At Auerbach's retirement dinner, Russell addressed the gathering: "When I took this job, somebody said, 'What did you take it for? You have nothing to gain. You got to follow Red Auerbach.'

"I don't think I'm going to be another Red Auerbach," Russell continued, then turned to his former coach. "Personally, I think you're the greatest basketball coach that ever lived. You know, over the years... I heard a lot of coaches and writers say the only thing that made you a great coach was Bill Russell. It helped. But that's not what did it.

"Now this is kind of embarrassing, but I'll go so far, Red, as to say this: I like you. And I'll admit there aren't very many men that I like. But you I do. For a number of reasons. First of all, I've always been able to respect you. I don't think you're a genius, just an extraordinarily intelligent man. We'll be friends until one of us dies. And I don't want too many friends, Red."

Cruising Around Charlotte Harbor

Cruising Around Charlotte Harbor

This sweet stretch of Southwest Florida features freshwater rivers that converge with the Gulf of Mexico, forming a 270-square-mile horn of plenty. Throw in 219 miles of natural shoreline, barrier islands and mangrove forests, and Charlotte Harbor shines brightly as an aquatic paradise.

We will be keeping Pelican at Burnt Store Marina

Nice article titled Gunkholing the barrier islands off Florida's West Coast by Doran Cushing includes this passage:

The menu was simple enough: gather some friends and work associates for a mid-December cruise from Charlotte Harbor to the protected waters along the Intracoastal Waterway to the south. Our starting point was the Burnt Store Marina and Country Club, home of the Southwest Florida Yachts sailing fleet. The modern, full-service marina is tucked deep inside the gated community and provides immediate access to Charlotte Harbor and easy access to the Intracoastal Waterway, coastal West Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico.

It would be hard to imagine a more boater-friendly starting point with so many destination options within three hours sailing time from the marina docks. By land,the resort is situated in an undeveloped rural area 30 minutes south of Punta Gorda. When I queried cruising guide author Claiborne Young about the region, his answer was unqualified: "If I had to pick only one portion of the Western Florida coastline to cruise, it would be the Charlotte Harbor-Pine Island Sound region. You could spend months and not exhaust all them any varied cruising possibilities."

Cruising in Southwest Florida offers sailors the best of both worlds, coastal cruising and open sailing in the Gulf. There are lots of anchorages along the Intracoastal Waterway, protected by the chain of barrier islands that guard the mainland of Florida from Everglades north to Tarpon Springs. Two cruising guides are Claiborne Young's Cruising Guide to Western Florida and Tom Lenfestey's A Cruising Guide to Florida's West Coast. Another invaluable reference is A Guide to Anchorages in Southwest Florida, published by Boaters' Action and Information League, Inc, which provides aerial views and details on the approach route.

Baby Name Finder

Baby Name Finder - Betsy: "Betsy, a 2-syllable girl's name of Hebrew/Anglo-Saxon origin, means: Gods oath."

David, a 2-syllable boy's name of Hebrew origin, means: Beloved one.

Eric, a 2-syllable boy's name of Germanic/Norse origin, means: Ever-kingly; powerful ruler.

No slips available

Poynter Online - Displacement by dockominium

Rosanne Cash Tour Dates

Black Cadillac Tour Dates:

February 23 Sarasota, FL Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
February 24 Tallahassee, FL Florida State University
February 25 Jacksonville, FL Florida Theater

Aptitude Quiz

Born to Search and Rescue?

This is a 14 question quiz on aptitude/personality traits. (Hoover makes a good family pet)

Lab Friendly Lodging in St James City

Two Fish Vacation Rentals