As of December 31, the Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 is set to expire. Unless Congress acts, all of the remaining debt relief to be provided in 2013 will likely be considered taxable income. A good portion of our business at FLAstay.com involves short sales. Short sales are a very viable option for many underwater homeowners. Many Realtors who do short sales are concerned about the future of short sales. So, Ken, you ask, “Is this the end of short sales?”No.First, let me explain the Mortgage Debt Relief Act: The Act contains a provision that relieves some sellers of federal income tax liability when a lender forgives the difference between the amounts owed on the mortgage vs. that recovered by the lender in the short sale. In short, when a lender waives this deficiency, the debt is forgiven and the lender issues a 1099-C. According to IRS rules, this forgiven debt is considered income and is, therefore, subject to federal tax. Currently, the Act provides protection for owners who short sell a home which qualifies as their primary residence. Thus, there is a fear in the real estate industry that if this provision were to sunset on Dec. 31, 2012, short sales would no longer be a viable option for homeowners.The concern is unwarranted.

Here’s the reality:

1. Many homeowners don’t qualify for protection under the Act now, especially in our Disney-area market where, by definition, primary residences are the exception not the                    rule.

2. There are significant benefits to a short sale with or without the Act. I find, for example, that full deficiency waivers have become relatively commonplace.

3. Lastly, I honestly wonder how much tax sellers actually end up paying with or without the Act.

Reasons to do a Short Sale with or without the Act

If you are an owner of an  investment property or vacation home, you enjoy the potential benefits of   a) getting a deficiency waiver,   b) avoiding foreclosure, and   c) fast-tracking the restoration of your credit to where you could qualify for another mortgage in as little as two years. Let’s face it; a waiver of the deficiency is a much bigger deal than the amount of any tax   consequence. Remember, the deficiency is what you owe the bank whereas the tax liability is what you owe the IRS on the amount of the deficiency. Recently amended       guidelines of Government Servicing Entities or ‘GSE’s,’ including behemoths Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, provide for a full waiver of the deficiency for most sellers. The ability to complete a short sale with a high degree of certainty of a full release from the debt obligation is the biggest reason I see for short sales to continue as an attractive  option for underwater owners. The advice of a good accountant or tax attorney will continue to be valuable to the short sale owner. When the seller’s lender issues a 1099  upon completion of the short sale, there are options that the seller should ask their tax professional to explore to mitigate the tax liability. If the selling price of the house is   less than the original purchase price, as is most often the case in a short sale, this loss can be used to offset reported income. Alternatively, debts forgiven in a short sale may  qualify under an IRS insolvency exclusion. See IRS Form 982 for details. So, if you are upside-down on your mortgage – whether it is on your primary residence, vacation   home or investment property – your opportunity for relief does not sunset on Dec. 31, 2012. I encourage you to proceed. Contact an experienced real estate short sale professional and qualified tax professional.Read more about the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act and Debt Cancellation at:http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/The-Mortgage-Forgiveness-Debt-Relief-Act-and-Debt-Cancellation-http://www.irs.gov/uac/Publication-4681,-Canceled-Debts,-Foreclosures,-Repossessions,-and-Abandonments

That’s the sober warning REALTORS® received from one of the country’s most widely respected political commentators, Charlie Cook of the Cook Political Report. At the Legislative and Political Forum during the 2012 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Orlando, Cook joined National Journal White House correspondent Major Garrett for a look at why the national elections earlier this week went the way they did—and what to expect now that President Barack Obama has been reelected and the House and Senate remain split.

“I don’t think MID will be targeted” for cuts by itself to help address the country’s deficit, but “it’s going to get affected, it’s going to change,” Cook told thousands of REALTORS®.

Cook thinks the cap on itemized deductions that Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney talked about in the last stage of his campaign could very well be the template Congress looks at—likely in the next six months—to help cut the deficit. Whether it’s based on a dollar limit or a percentage limit, itemized deductions, including MID, will be affected, “no doubt about it,” Cook said. “The world is different.”

Garrett pointed to the response on Wall Street, where the stock market lost 400 points the day after the election, as a sign the federal government must come to grips with the deficit. Lawmakers must start by avoiding the fiscal cliff the country faces at the end of the year, when hundreds of billions of dollars in tax cuts expire, Garrett said. Failure to do that could take three percentage points off U.S. GDP and send the country back into recession. “Congress will have to answer [for that],” he said. “Will the political leadership make a premeditated decision to put the economy back into recession?”

Cook said he expects lawmakers to forge a deal before the end of the year on avoiding sequestration—the round of automatic spending cuts that will impact defense and other discretionary spending categories—and take up some type of tax reform in 2013.

Both commentators said Republicans woke up to a new country the day after the election, because it was the strength of the demographic shift sweeping the United States that enabled the President to win despite the tepid economic recovery after his four years in office, something that historically has sunk previous incumbents seeking reelection.

Garrett pointed out that Obama managed to win significantly more electoral votes as Romney—332 to 206—even though he lost the white vote “by a landslide,” or about 20 percent.

Against this demographic shift, Garrett said, Republicans can’t stay competitive at the presidential level if they don’t find a new way to talk about issues that are important to the up-and-coming demographics of the country—minorities, young people, singles—or at least, as Cook suggested, not talk about subjects that distract from their core economic message, like the rape issue that was attributed to the losses of two Republican Senate candidates who were otherwise expected to win.

I woke up this morning. The sun rose on a crystal clear, beautiful day. I took the dog for a walk. It was breezy and there was a nice crisp snap in the air. I saw a few other people going about their business – just like any other day.

Liz said, “I don’t want to talk about politics today.” She’s right. The nation’s fiscal crisis and the deep philosophical divide among its political leaders – yes, these will be topics for debate and discussion, but not today.

Thomas Jefferson called this “The Great American Experiment.” And 236 years later, that’s what it still is. In fact, the experiment is still in its infancy. We continue to hit bumps and potholes in the road and deal with the surprises that forever lie around the next bend. A friend told me recently that the church he attended where he lived previously was built in 812. So 236 years, by comparison, is the blink of an eye. There’s so much more history in front of us than behind us.

So the jury is still out on Jefferson’s great experiment. Each year, though, the day after an election day – with its peace and tranquility and uneventful ‘normalcy’ – is a striking reminder that we must be doing something right. It is a day to reflect on the fact that we are blessed to be living in this place and time. That we live in a country, despite the nay-sayers among us, that is the envy of the planet. That we enjoy a freedom that is without parallel in the history of man. That we are a nation of immigrants and of diversity — today is a day to remind ourselves that our diversity is the source of our great strength and our proud identity.

The great experiment continues. Now go enjoy the day.

Ken

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON —

Copyright The Associated Press

Happy Halloween

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort

The Third Annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic is this October 12-13. Each evening from 5:30 to 9 p.m., you will be able to stroll the Swan/Dolphin causeway on Crescent Lake sampling tastes from the resort’s award-winning restaurants and lounges. Celebrity chef Todd English of bluezoo and a host of other award-winning chefs will be on hand. You’ll also have the chance to attend hour-long beverage seminars led by certified experts. This year’s beverage seminars include Riesling Rendezvous; Beer, Please!; Spanish Wines; Modern Mixology; Wine Blending, All Things Sake; and Base to Bubbles. For ticket details and vacation package information, visit:

http://www.swandolphinfoodandwineclassic.com/ears.html

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

The 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, which starts on September 28, has been extended by one day (to 46 days) and will now end on November 12 (not the 11th, as previously announced). New this year will be a Vegan Marketplace called “Terra,” which will feature dishes such as Trick’n Chick’n Curry with Basmati Rice and Chili Colorado with House-Made Chips and Cashew Cheese. Also new this year: Marketplace Chef Tours every Wednesday, during which festival chefs will host a walking-and-tasting tour around World Showcase with stops at several international marketplaces. Guests will taste five marketplace dishes and five beverage items to include beer, wine and cocktails. Beginning August 14, guests can make reservations for Party for the Senses and other special wine and culinary programs. Party for the Senses grand tasting events will take place October 6, 13, 20, 27 and November 3. Additional programs, also requiring separate admission, feature a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs and speakers participating in elegant dinners, luncheons, seminars and wine schools.

Create family memories during SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular, the ultimate family-friendly event featuring an ocean of Halloween fun where children can trick-or-treat, dance with whimsical sea creatures, catch silly and spooky shows and create sea-themed arts and crafts. 

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular takes place every weekend in October: 6-7, 13-14, 19-21, and 26-28. This daytime event runs from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

October 20th – Orlando Dragon Boat Festival   

8:00am—4:30pm

The upcoming events in Walt Disney World for 2012 are moving on a swift pace as it comes closer and closer. Many bystanders, old and new, are on the lookout for memorable events to treasure. Another set of amazing activities will mark this year to illustrate how remarkable Disney is! Approaching on the list is the much awaited Orlando Dragon Boat Festival which will hit the 20th of October this year in the Disney’s west side lake. New batch of Dragon boat teams are getting ready for this passionate experience. The event will be filled with local and foreign spectators, event organizers and exhibitors.

Dragon Boat is marked as one of the fastest growing water sport of the day. It stemmed from the clever works of Ancient Chinese that lured a lot water sport enthusiasts from the time of its being. This sport emphasizes teamwork and endurance. It is composed of team of paddlers, a drummer who played as the heartbeat of the dragon boat and a steersman who sweeps the oar and controls the boat. The dragon boat magnificently shows how the crew shift their way up to their goal moving in sync.

This year, Walgreen’s Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival returns to Walt Disney World, to create another grandiose event. Loud applause from the audience will resonate around to combine with the dragon boats drumbeats which altogether make an atmosphere of pressure and excitement.

It flows with other Walt Disney World’s series of activities as well. This show will be an absolute thrill for all Orlando Vacationers. There are several merchandises and children’s play areas too. Kids and adults will surely be entertained.

What Walt Disney World Theme Park rides and attractions will be closed in

October 2012?

Magic Kingdom: The Country Bear J?amboree with be closed from August 22 – October 16, 2012. 

Epcot - Honey, I Shrunk The Audience 3D has been replaced by Captain EO, featuring Michael Jackson.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – No Fantasmic! on October 23.

Downtown Disney – Happy Haunting Trick-or-Treating in Downtown Disney has been discontinued due to crowds exceeding the space available.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort – The Spa is closed but the fitness center is open. Gasparilla Grill & Games (food court) is closed from August 24 – December 16, 2012. The Courtyard Pool is closed from August 24 – December 2012 but the Beach Pool will be open.

Disney’s Magical Express (Airport Shuttle Service) – New luggage procedure for late night arrivals. Luggage service will no longer be available for arrivals to Orlando International Airport after 10:00PM. Collect your luggage at baggage claim and take with you to the Disney’s Magical Express check-in desk.

Tips For You

1. October 1, 2012 – Epcot’s 30th Anniversary. Epcot will be busy . If you go to Epcot today, go because you’ll enjoy being among so many sentimental Disney fans. If you don’t really care about the anniversary, you might prefer Epcot on a less crowded day.

 

2. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Disney’s Magic Kingdom)- 7:00PM to Midnight – September 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28, 30, October 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, November 2, 2012. This special event is a lot of fun for families, with rides, trick-or-treating, and fun party type events. These nights require a special event ticket – you cannot enter using your Magic Your Way or Park Hopper tickets. Ticket prices vary with an advance purchase discount offered on select nights. There are a limited TIP: A lot of children dress up for this event but select costumes that will let your kids comfortably enjoy the rides and attractions – remember that October can still be quite warm in Orlando. Warning: The Magic Kingdom will close to the public at 7:00PM on party nights. Magic Kingdom resort area restaurants (Chef Mickey’s, 1900 Park Fare, Whispering Canyon, etc.) will fill their reservations early as people look for something nearby to enjoy after the early park closing.

 

3. Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival (Downtown Disney) – October 20, 2012 – Races will run from approximately 8:00AM – 4:30PM.

 

4. Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival ~ September 28 – November 12, 2012. This event is included with regular theme park admission; there a few special events related to this festival that have a separate admission fee. The Epcot Food & Wine Festival is very popular as chefs and winemakers from around the world set up booths where you can savor the wonderful flavors offered. You typically can use your Disney Dining Plan meal and snack credits at this event – in fact, many people “hoard” their snack credits just for this event. Warning: This event is very, very popular. Expect Epcot to be busier than usual on weekends as locals and annual passholders come to enjoy the festival.

 

5. The Eat to the Beat concert series (included with admission) is always a fun part of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. Concerts are in the America Gardens Theatre nightly at 5:15. 6:30. & 7:45PM.

This Year’s Performers:
–October 1-3: Sugar Ray
— October 4-7: STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas
— October 8-10: Boyz II Men
— October 11-12: Smash Mouth
— October 13-14: Javier Colon, winner of “The Voice”
— October 15-17: Air Supply
— October 18-19: Gin Blossoms
— October 20-21: Survivor
— October 22-23: Hanson
— October 24-25: The Pointer Sisters
— October 26-28: Sister Hazel
— October 29-31: Billy Ocean
— November 1-2: .38 Special
— November 3-4: Howard Jones LIVE
— November 5-6: Blues Traveler
— November 7-8: Dennis DeYoung, original member of the group STYX
— November 9-11: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Oktoberfest at Celebration
OCT 05 – OCT 06

This weekend event will feature falling leaves of the season each night while you relax by the lakeside or rock your troubles away during live musical performances celebrating old-world German traditions with everything from yodeling to crowd sing-alongs. Enjoy hayrides, pumpkin painting and other festive activities, or just enjoy the live music!  

Leaves fall daily 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Entertainment begins at 5:30.

Admission is free.

Celebrate the fall season and honor old-world German traditions .

Biketoberfest at Daytona Beach           

OCT 18 – OCT 21

Mark your calendar now for October 18-21, 2012 for the 20th anniversary of Biketoberfest® in Daytona Beach, FL, an international award-winning motorcycle festival that offers participants an extended weekend get-away brimming with plenty of sun, beaches, bikes and fun! Thousands of bikes will roar into and all around town – no two alike! Popular annual activities include motorcycle shows and rallies that showcase new, vintage and custom bikes; demonstration rides on the newest machines from top manufacturers; and on-track motorcycle action at the world-famous Daytona International Speedway. You’ll also enjoy endless-delicious food choices, live music and plenty of people-watching. With a variety of events and activities planned at venues all across the county, you’re sure to find the best places to play and stay during your visit.

FLAstay.com is your one source for the purchase, sale and renovation of Disney area real estate and vacation rental properties. Since 1990, we at FLAstay.com have honed our skill, expertise and knowledge in the unique Disney-area resort market. If you are a buyer or investor, our agents are here to represent you through the entire transaction. Visit us at FLAstay.com; we look forward to working with you!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN     

RISMEDIA, Monday, August 27, 2012— (MCT)—Sales of existing homes are strengthening and prices continue to rise, stoking confidence in the housing market’s recovery. 

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, resales of single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums and co-ops grew 2.3 percent in July from June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.47 million. The measure took an unexpected fall in June.

Resales jumped 10.4 percent compared with the same month last year. Economists at the association believe sales could reach 5 million next year.

Nationwide, prices were on a tear, with the median rising 9.4 percent from a year ago to $187,300 last month. The increase is the largest since a 10.2 percent boost in January 2006.

Demand is stronger due to low mortgage interest rates and rising rents, according to Lawrence Yun, the group’s chief economist.

But “the market is constrained by unnecessarily tight lending standards and shrinking inventory supplies, so housing could easily be much stronger without these abnormal frictions,” Yun said in a statement.

Though first-time buyers made up more than a third of resale clients, in normal housing conditions they’d constitute 40 percent. Many are still being pushed out by investors making all-cash offers, even though the ranks of such buyers are shrinking .

Distressed homes, which include foreclosures and short sales, made up 24 percent of sales in July, down from a quarter the previous month and nearly 30 percent a year earlier.

The median price of a single-family home was $188,100, up 9.6 percent from the same period in 2011. Sales of such properties rose 9.9 percent over the same period to an annual rate of 3.98 million.

©2012 Los Angeles Times

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween begins in September!!!!!!!

Dates: Select Nights September 11–November 2, 2012
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a Halloween-themed special event held on select dates in Magic Kingdom theme park. Purchase of an additional event admission ticket is required to attend Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Dress up in your favorite costume and get ready to treat-or-treat.

Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival

Celebrating Culinary Adventures from September 28 to November 12, 2012
A food and wine lover’s paradise awaits you at Epcot with the 17th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival!

From tasty tapas and refreshing beverages to celebrity chef demonstrations and rock star performances, there’s something to satisfy every taste and interest.

Upon arrival, visit the Festival Welcome Center to pick up your Marketplace Discovery Passport and plan your day. Then, dine your way around the world, attend a cooking demonstration, savor satisfying wines and tap your toes at an exciting outdoor concert.

Festival Highlights
Throughout the festival, delight in outstanding food, fun and entertainment. Festival highlights include:

• Nearly 30 international food and beverage Marketplaces
• Signature dining experiences with celebrated chefs
• Party for the Senses—a spectacular tribute to the sensory arts
• Culinary demonstrations and wine seminars
• The Eat to the Beat concert series, with nightly musical performances from popular hit-makers

With all this—and so much more—you can look forward to tasting your way around the world!

September’s Cheddar Cheese Soup

Makes 6 cups

Ingredients:
1/2 pound of bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 medium red onion, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
3 celery ribs, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups chicken stock
4 cups milk
1 pound sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup pale ale, room temperature
Chopped scallions or chives, for garnish

Directions:
1. Cook bacon in a 4- or 5-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
2. Add onion, celery and butter; sauté until the onion softens, about 5 minutes.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Add flour and stir constantly for about 4 minutes.
4. Whisk in chicken stock and bring to a boil for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add milk and continue to simmer for another 15 minutes. Do not boil after adding milk.
6. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese, Tabasco, Worcestershire, salt and pepper until cheese is melted and soup is smooth. Stir in ale. If soup is too thick, thin to desired consistency with warm milk.
7. Serve hot, garnished with scallions or chives.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 10-Miler Weekend      

September 28–29, 2012

We double-dare you to brave dark and ghostly streets haunted by Disney villains. Your commemorative medal announces your towering triumph as you ride thrilling Disney’s Hollywood Studios attractions till 4:00 a.m.!

Registration is now open for The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 10-Miler Weekend and Disney Villains Hollywood Bash!

Weekend events will include:

• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 10-Miler – Sold Out
• Disney Happy Haunted 5K Trail Run – 69% Full
• runDisney Kids’ Races – 64% Full
• Disney Villains Hollywood Bash – 65% Full

The Twilight Zone® is a registered trademark of CBS, Inc. and is used pursuant to a license with CBS, Inc.
©Disney/CBS, Inc.

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September Cherry Cheesecake Brownies

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon cherry liqueur
• 1/4 cup sugar $
• 6 ounces 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon matzo cake meal
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten $
• Brownies:
• Cooking spray
• 1 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa
• 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely  chopped $
• 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
• 6 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 large egg
• 3 19/50 ounces all-purpose flour (about 3/4 cup)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. 2. To prepare cheesecake, place cherries and liqueur in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 45 seconds or until boiling; let stand 20 minutes. Place 1/4 cup sugar and cream cheese in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed 1 minute or until smooth. Add matzo meal, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 egg; beat just until blended. Stir in cherry mixture.
3. 3. To prepare brownies, coat a 9-inch square metal baking pan with cooking spray; dust with cocoa. Combine chocolates and butter in a microwave-safe dish; microwave at HIGH for 1 minute, stirring every 20 seconds. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, egg whites, and 1 egg. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Stir the chocolate mixture into flour mixture.
4. 4. Scrape half of the brownie batter into prepared pan. Dot half of cheesecake batter on top. Top with remaining brownie batter. Dot with the remaining cheesecake batter. Swirl batters using the tip of a knife. Bake at 325° for 50 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs clinging. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into squares.

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Florida Ranch Rodeo Finals & Cowboy Heritage Festival
SEP 28 – SEP 29

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios                          
SEP 27 – SEP 30

Kissimmee Sports Arena Rodeo SEP 29

The Orlando Home & Garden Show                                

• September 07, 2012 – September 09, 2012

• Location: Orange County Convention Center North Hall B

• Address: 9400 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL 32821

• Time:10:00 am to 8:00 pm Friday and Saturday; 10:00 pm to 6:00 pm Sunday

• Admission: $8, general; $4, seniors; Free, 16 and younger

One of Central Florida’s largest home and garden shows returns with hundreds of exhibitors, home improvement seminars and a special guest appearance by Dan Faires of HGTV.

September’s Belgian Waffles with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream

Serves 4 (makes 8 4×4-inch waffles)

Belgian Waffles
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon dry active yeast
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons beer
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 stick butter, melted

Berry Compote
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon red wine
1/2 cup apple, orange, or cranberry juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh blackberries
1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
1 cup fresh raspberries

For Belgian waffles:
1. Sift flour into a large bowl. Add sugar and yeast. Create a well in the center of mixture.
2. Add water, milk, beer, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until mixture is just blended. (Don’t worry if there are lumps; they will dissolve as the batter rests overnight.) Add melted butter, and stir until just incorporated.
3. Refrigerate batter overnight.
4. Bring mixture to room temperature. Ladle waffle batter into a Belgian waffle maker; cook according to manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Serve warm with berry compote and whipped cream

For berry compote:
1. Combine cornstarch and red wine in a small bowl, stirring until cornstarch is dissolved. Set aside.
2. Combine fruit juice, sugar, and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer. Add cornstarch mixture, blueberries, and blackberries.
3. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, until berries are softened and mixture is thickened. Add strawberries, stirring to combine. Remove from heat, and gently fold in raspberries. Serve warm over Belgian waffles.

Celebrity Birthdays in September             

The trend shows that the median — the midpoint between the highest and the lowest price of a home sold — is an imperfect measure of home prices. It can be skewed by shift in the mix of properties sold — a greater number of expensive properties sold in any given period means a higher median.

That said, the numbers coming out of the National Association of Realtors on Thursday were another bit of encouraging news for home owners and sellers, and for the broader economy.

The trade group said home prices posted the strongest quarterly increase in more than six years in the second quarter of the year. They actually rose in 75% of local markets.

Nationwide, the median price for single-family homes sold in the April-June quarter was $181,500, up 7.3% from the same quarter a year earlier, the Realtors’ group said. It was the biggest increase since the first quarter of 2006.

The improvement was seen around the country. Prices rose compared with last year in 110 out of 147 metro areas tracked by the Realtors’ group. Prices fell in 34 metro areas and were unchanged in three. In the first quarter, median prices rose in 74 cities.

Lawrence Yun, the trade group’s top economist, acknowledged that part of the price increase has resulted from fewer sales of lower-priced homes, where there is less inventory available. Nevertheless, Mr. Yun said it is “most encouraging to see a growing number of metro areas with rising median prices” because it is helps homeowners who owe more on their properties than their homes are worth to rebuild equity.

In the second quarter, however, home sales declined slightly, dipping 0.7% on a quarterly basis. They were up 8.6% from the same quarter a year earlier.

The metro areas showing the biggest increase in median prices from a year earlier were Detroit (29.2%), Phoenix (29%) and Boise, Idaho (21.7%). Areas showing big price declines were Bridgeport, Conn. (-12.9%), Edison, N.J (-9.5%) and Gulfport, Miss. (-9.4%).

Nationwide, “distressed property,” including foreclosures and homes at risk of foreclosure, accounted for 26% of second-quarter transactions, down from 33% a year earlier, the Realtors’ group estimated.

Realtors want to keep the market’s recovery going and are hoping banks will loosen their standards so that more potential buyers can get credit. “With gains apparent in all of the price measures, banks also should have more confidence in expanding mortgage credit to home buyers using safe but sensible standards,” said the group’s president Moe Veissi, owner of Veissi & Associates Inc., in Miami.

Star Wars Celebration VI – August 23-26, 2012

Starting at 12:01 a.m. on August 3rd until midnight on August 5, 2012, the Florida                              

Department of Revenue is offering a three day, tax free shopping spree on

selected articles of clothing, wallets, backpacks and much more.

Included in the list:

• Clothing and related items with a sales price of $75 or less,

• School supplies with a sales price of $15 or less. Books are not exempt from tax during the 2012 Sales Tax Holiday.

• The tax savings is only for individual exempt items priced $75 or less. This means that a jacket priced at $80 is not tax exempt, but the purchase of 2 jackets priced at $70 each, are tax exempt. Selected school supplies priced $15 or less are tax exempt. There are no restrictions on the number of eligible items

you purchase at one time or during the tax exemption period. This year, books are NOT exempt

from tax during the 2011 sales tax holiday.

Anime Festival Orlando

August 3-5, 2012Wyndham Orlando Resort Orlando, FL Florida’s Favorite Anime Convention is back for a 13th year, celebrating all things Otaku! Anime, Power Rangers, Kaiju, and Japanese Superheroes are the things we all love, that bring us together for a wildly fun weekend!

August 25, 2012

Red Chair Affair

Your ticket to sample some of Central Florida’s 2012-2013 cultural season offerings; this annual event has something for everyone. Held at Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, Red Chair Affair includes performances from a variety of genres and organizations.

The Red Chair Project is a public service designed to increase participation in the Orlando/Central Florida arts and cultural community by building awareness. As a collaborative campaign involving arts and cultural organizations from Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties, Red Chair Project is the ultimate resource for learning what to do and where to go for everything cultural. A nonprofit service, the Red Chair Project strives to increase participation by providing methods to increase ticket sales, increase arts education opportunities and promote arts and cultural philanthropy.

Orlando Watersports Complex
8615 Florida Rock Road
Orlando, FL 32824

Flex those biceps and stretch those hamstrings, then get ready to hit the water. At Orlando Watersports, you can sign yourself and grandchildren up for an afternoon of wet fun that includes skiing, wake skating, and wakeboarding. You don’t have to be a pro, but you should have decent muscle tone to take the water sports challenge at this 7-acre water sports park. This is the only facility of its kind in the country with two cableways, with a Beginner/Intermediate Park and the advanced Slider Park. Cables at the first park run at 18 mph for beginners and can be sped up to 36 mph for better skiers. The Slider Park is for wakeboarding and wake skating only, and helmets are required.

Info:1-hour cable pass: Adults $22, children 16 and younger $20, rates vary by activity

Hours:May to September: Monday to Friday 10am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 9pm, December to February: Daily 11am to 6pm; March to April and October to November: Daily 11am to 8pm

The Wiggles

When: August 4, 10:30 a.m.

Venue: Hard Rock Live

Address: 6050 Universal Blvd.

Phone: (407) 351-5483

Price: $21.50-$77.50

Canopy Cycle Adventure in Central Florida    

Price From: $48.15

Must be ages 10 and up to participate, and within the weight range of 70 to 275 lbs.Operation
7 days a week, 9am – 5pm; last departure at 3pm. Canopy cycle adventure generally takes guests 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete, including instruction.

The First Canopy Cycle Adventure in the US – Now Open!
Introducing the newest eco-adventure at Forever Florida! The Cypress Canopy Cycle takes guests peddling through the treetops of the Forever Florida Wildlife Conservation Area on board specially designed Canopy Cycle vehicles. Suspended from a network of high tension steel cables, you’ll easily pedal your way through the Pine Flatwoods and over densely forested wetlands on this one-of-a-kind journey. Keep an eye out for Forever Florida’s natural residents and unique foliage as you explore all levels of the conservation lands from ground level to treetop heights up to 25 feet! You’ll even make your way over a pond that’s home to George, a 13-foot alligator that calls Forever Florida home. Have your cameras ready for amazing photo opportunities along the way. This is a first of its kind adventure for the USA, so you’ve never experienced anything like this!

Requirements
1.  Must have the time of your life
2.  Must be ages 10 and up
3.  Must be within the weight range of 70 to 275 lbs.
4.  All guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian
5.  Guests should be in good health and free from neck or back injuries
6.  If you bring your camera on the canopy cycle, you must have a shoulder strap for it. We mustn’t be held liable if the camera falls and an alligator happens to eat it.
7.  Did I mention you must have the time of your life?

What the *Blank* is a Canopy Cycle?
Sit back and relax in your own custom Canopy Cycle vehicle. Think of it like a reclined bicycle safely suspended from steel cables. Those cables serve as your track on a one hour round trip journey through some gorgeous parts of the Forever Florida Wildlife Conservation Area. The Cypress Canopy Cycle can be enjoyed by guests ages 10 and up who weigh up to 275lbs. It’s as easy as peddling a bicycle but requires no steering at all! Multiple safety connections, fastened by an expert guide, serve to keep you secure throughout the entire journey. Once you begin your journey, there are no additional connections to make, just sit back and relax as you pedal through this one hour adventure!

About Forever Florida Wildlife Conservation Area
Eco-tourism should be about giving back. 30% of proceeds from canopy cycle adventures go towards the acquisition of new land to be protected. Alligators, black bears, nearly 300 species of birds and the endangered Florida panther are just some of the creatures that inhabit the natural streams, forests, wetlands and pastures of Forever Florida. Be assured that your visit will have a positive impact on the environment.

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