Eleventh Annual Admiral Eycleshimer’s Cardboard Boat Races
Saturday, April 3, at 10:45 AM – 1:00 PM at Lake Silver, Winter Haven

Celebrate the Chain of Lakes at the Annual Admiral Eycleshimer’s Cardboard Boat Race at Lake Silver, Martin Luther King Park in Winter Haven. Teams assemble at 10:45 a.m., boat construction begins at 11:00 a.m. and races begin at 12:00 p.m. $25 registration fee per team. Advance registration required. Please call the Winter Haven Chamber at 863-293-2138 for more information. For Rules & Entry form, email Chamber1@winterhavenfl.com. Family / student teams require adult supervision. Complete details are here.

LEGOLAND^® Florida will be the biggest LEGOLAND^® Park ever opened and will offer a unique mix of more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, including spectacular LEGO^® models and other interactive elements for the whole family to enjoy together.

LEGOLAND^®

Arts Ensemble Healing Arts Center                          

Contact: Jane Waters   

 863-293-2700, Gallery

 863-528-1440, Direct

 Winter Haven, FL:  Quiet Creativity an open studio and gallery tours program for seniors will be held at Arts Ensemble International – Healing Arts Center every Monday from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

 Every Monday beginning December 7, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, Arts Ensemble International will open for a brand new program just for seniors titled, Quiet Creativity. The program includes gallery tours and open studio space to paint, scrapbook, or journal. Refreshments are served in the studio and are included as part of the program. As available, Resident Artists will be on site to answer technique and application questions.

 There is no entry fee to participate, although donations are accepted to assist with the cost of supplies.

 For more information or to RSVP please contact Jennifer at 863.293.2700.

 ~Beauty and understanding through creativity~

The U.S. Department of Labor announced earlier today that the national employment rate reached 10.2% in October, the highest level in over 26 years.  Florida has certainly been affected by the downturn of the economy.  Our State’s economy is stabilized largely by tourism, agriculture, and construction, and large spikes in unemployment – as well as a downturn in our nation’s housing market – have sent ripples that have virtually affected all segments of our economy, in every corner of our State.  While Florida’s October unemployment rates will not be released until later this month, our current rate is already well above the national rate at 11%, and some counties are much higher.  These rates, which have gradually increased, are of great concern and I am focused on supporting policies that will help to reduce unemployment and stimulate the economy.

I am pleased to share that yesterday the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3548, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009, as amended by the Senate, with my support. The President is expected to sign the legislation as early as today.

This important legislation extends the $8,000 first-time homebuyers tax credit for an additional five months, from November 30, 2009, to April 30, 2010.  In addition, the bill provides a $6,500 tax credit for homebuyers that are not first time buyers, but have owned a primary residence at least five consecutive years in the last eight years. 

The legislation caps the credit eligibility on homes that cost $800,000 or more and raises the current income limit from $75,000 to $125,000 for individuals, and $150,000 to $225,000 in the case of a joint return.  In addition, H.R. 3548 waives provisions to recapture the credit for military, intelligence, and Foreign Service personnel who are on qualified official duty and extends the tax credit for an additional year for those on qualified extended duty overseas for 90 days or more since 2008.

Other important provisions of the legislation include:

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS:  extending unemployment benefits for 14 weeks in all 50 states, with an additional six weeks in 27 states with unemployment higher than 8.5% (this would include Florida).

NET OPERATING LOSSES:  extending the temporary five-year carryback of NOLs (net operating losses) created under the stimulus to provide an additional benefit for all struggling businesses, regardless of size.  Ordinarily these companies can carry back these losses for only two years to qualify for a tax refund.  The provision makes this process extend the carry-back to five years for either 2008 or 2009. The tax break will now apply to losses in either 2008 or 2009, and the income cap will come off.

As always, if you are experiencing difficulties with a federal agency, are interested in legislation that is pending before Congress or merely wish to express your opinions, please visit my website at www.adamputnam.house.gov.  If you would like additional updates on this and other issues please signup for my e-newsletter at http://adamputnam.house.gov/signup.shtml.   

Sincerely,

Adam Putnam
Member of Congress 

Lakeland, Polk to Get Funds for Houses

HUD to release $16.5 mil. to buy, renovate, sell homes.

Do Something Funny for Money…

 ITSANOSETHING…

Do Something Funny for Money
Our First Annual Red Nose Day Event
Benefits The Arts Ensemble Healing Arts Center

Gin- Gin’s Secret Project
A Healing Arts Program

About Red Nose Day – Red Nose Day is, quite simply, a day like no other! We take some fantastic fundraising in schools, businesses, offices and homes across the community, getting up to all kinds of mischief, sprinkle Red Noses across the entire community and add a cracking night of comedy in two of our local bars to make Red Nose Day the phenomenon it is. All this funny business unites the community in trying to make a difference to the lives of others.
 
Do Something Funny for Money…

To be part of Red Nose Day 2009, you just need to do something Funny for Money!

Raising cash for Red Nose Day doesn’t have to take weeks on end. In fact, it can take hardly any time at all with these fast and furious fundraising ideas. Just take your pick and raise a few dollars – even a small amount of cash can make the world of difference!

We are hosting a stand-up comedy evening downtown at Jessie’s and Tanner’s. Crack a few jokes and get your audience chuckling. People will pay good money for a good giggle! Sell Red Noses! Stay Tuned for details of this event.

Spend the day in your pajamas, dress as your favorite comedy character or put your clothes on back to front. Get sponsored to do it on your own or do it en masse with colleagues or classmates and charge everyone to join in. Sell Red Noses!

Hold a Nose Sale
It couldn’t be simpler!
Buy a box of 50 Noses from
Arts Ensemble International
And sell them to your friends,
Students and colleagues to get
Them all geared up
For the big day.

Every dollar raised will go to: Arts Ensemble Education Foundation
CALL 863-293-2700 FOR YOUR BOX OF RED NOSES
& LET THE LAUGHTER BEGIN!

Celebrations start from 9am to 5 pm

For more info visit www.boksanctuary.org

In Lake Wales, you’ll experience why philanthropist Edward Bok, chose to build a Gothic Revival “singing” carillon bell tower in this location. Historic Bok Tower rests serenely and proudly on Iron Mountain. It is the highest point in Florida at 298 feet above sea level. Dedicated in 1929 by President Calvin Coolidge, it leaves a legacy. The gardens and musical concerts are just part of what makes Lake Wales different. Bok’s grandmother told him, “Make the world a bit better and more beautiful because you have lived in it”. Bok did it. You can continue in his vision for a peaceful community.

America Votes

www.polkelections.com

(863) 534-5888

Polls are open from 7am – 7pm

Happy Halloween from Michael & Dee Norris

Trick-or-treating

 The Norris Family

REMINDER…. all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies tomorrow and you will start to receive sale calls. …. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you wantto have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number.
HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS..It takes about 20 seconds.