“The dollar is on sale,” said Susan Wachter, a professor of real estate at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She points to the declining value of the dollar against the euro—the currency of 13 European countries: Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia and Finland. Today, a foreign buyer would need only 34,100 euros to make a $50,000 downpayment on a house, compared to 37,920 euros to make the same downpayment at the beginning of the year. This sheds some light on the large amount of interest from international buyers in Vero Beach Real Estate 12/29/2007

                          Vero Beach City Marina3611 Rio Vista BoulevardVero Beach, FL  32963772-231-2819marina@covb.org                                   "VERO BEACH CITY MARINA" VERO BEACH FLORIDA  32963 It is a great view going over the Barber Bridge and seeing all the boats at ourVero Beach City Marina.  Our "Season" is in full swing in January and theVero Beach City Marina is full of wonderful boats.                     Timothy E. GrabenbauerMarina Director/Harbormaster Kelvin W. TaylorAssistant Marina Director                            MARINA RATES EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 2007 DRY STORAGE    -   Annual Lease RateInside:   $300.00 Per month, includes washdown and motor flush, security deposit appliesOutside:  $250.00 per month, includes wash down and motor flush, security deposit applie... 12/26/2007

                      Melody InnInside the Seminole CourtyardCorner of 14th Avenue & Route 60Vero Beach, FL770-2071 Formerly of Coral Gables   Swiss - French Restaurant The Melody Inn is a charming restaurant with crisp white tablecloths,gourmet dining with excellent service. It is located in the SeminoleCourtyard in Historic Downtown Vero Beach. I love their Swiss Cheeses Fondue and Swiss Raclette Cheese!  The Swissand German wines that they offer are a fine addition to their meals. Tuesday's Wine Selections are Half Price. My recommendations are the Swiss Bratwurst & Rosti and the Veal withdelectable Morel Mushrooms in Champagne Sauce.  I would recommend this restaurant to you it is a nice addition to the Vero Beach dining scene.  Reservations are appreciated. Barbara Martino-Sliva is... 12/26/2007

  We have some wonderful visitors here in Vero Beach, Florida! They are "Egyptian Geese"! I was finally able to get a few pictures of them.  They did notwant me near them and they hissed and finally flew away intothe pond.                         The handsome large geese have patches of chestnut-brown feathers around eacheye, which give them a spectacled appearance. Some have gray-brown body colorsand others have red-brown combinations. They also have black tails and yellow eyesand their bills, legs, and feet are pink. They are a wonderful sight around hereand they stop traffic with cars stopping to take a look and other trying to get apicture.  I read where the males hiss and females make a cackling noise.The male must be on the left, he is the one that was hissing at me and the oneon ... 12/26/2007

                                          Sandfly LaneOld RiomarVero Beach, FL  32963 The Old Riomar area is one of my favorite communities.  This is where the Live Oaksform canopies over the streets.  The streets and driveways are unpaved creatinga magical oasis.  You will find some spectacular homes here. Barbara Martino-Sliva is a Realtor in Indian River County. Please contact if you are interested in the prestigious community of Old Riomar. Barbara Martino-Sliva, Realtor, TRC, e-PROWatermark PropertiesBARBARA@martino-sliva.com Please visit me on my website;   www.VeroPremierProperties.com CAPTURING THE LIFESTYLE THAT IS VERO BEACH! 12/19/2007

The Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate by one-quarter of a percentage point Tuesday, trying to keep the country out of recession. The reduction in the federal funds rate to 4.25 percent marked the third rate cut in the past three months. Fed officials signaled that further cuts were possible if a severe downturn in housing and a crisis in mortgage lending get worse. Commercial banks were expected to quickly match the latest reduction by trimming their prime lending rate, which would reduce this benchmark rate for millions of consumer and business loans to 7.25 percent. The Fed started cutting rates in September with a bolder-than-expected half-point move and then reduced the funds rate by a quarter-point at its Oct. 31 meeting. The central bank was trying to make sure that a sever... 12/15/2007

Rates on 30-year mortgages fell sharply again this week, dropping to the lowest level in more than two years. Freddie Mac, the mortgage company, reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 5.96 percent. That was down from 6.10 percent last week and was the lowest rate since the week of Sept. 29, 2005, when they averaged 5.91 percent. Analysts attributed the decline to worries about what a severe slump in housing and a lingering credit crunch could do to consumer confidence and the overall economy. “With lower consumer spending and personal income gains in October, interest rates on U.S. Treasury securities fell lower this week and mortgage rates followed,” said Frank Nothaft, chief economist at Freddie Mac. Rates on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, a popular choice for r... 12/15/2007

                                       I was out in my little courtyard doing some maintenance on my plants.I saw something looking at me from my Garden Girl.                             I had to take out my little step-ladder to get a closer look, and this is what I saw.It appears to be a frog of some sort.  I will have to take the picture into theEnvironmental Center to see if someone can give me a name and type.  Younever know what you might run into, right out your front door.  Barbara Martino-Sliva is a Realtor in Indian River County and an avid photographer.  Contact me if you are interested in purchasing or selling properties in Vero Beach,Grand Harbor, Oak Harbor, Indian River Shores, Orchid Island, John's Islandand Windsor.  LIST WITH ME AND I WILL EXPOSE YOUR HOME TO THE WORLD... 12/15/2007

GRAND HARBOR IS A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY INF COURTYARD HOMES:  The villa  located on the golf course offers private garden courtyard with heated pool and guest cabana suite.Enter through the trellised courtyard.Living area under air conditioning 1,867 sf.   Cabana 260 sf.Enjoy custom maple cabinets in the kitchen with wrap around bar and desk area.Wet bar in the living room with wine cooler. Upgraded hard wood floors,high ceilings with crown moulding.Architectural features: columns, art niches, and rounded corners.Surround sound speaker system.Master suite with his and her walk in closets.Master bath with upgraded shower, jacuzzi tub, and double vanity.Screened porch overlooking the fairways.Two car garage with attic storage.Priced at sell at $639,000.00 If you would like to know more abou... 12/10/2007

                                                                                                                                                                               Key West style townhomes on one of our many canals.  Vero Beach, Florida is a small charming seaside town on the Atlantic Ocean.  We havebeen blessed with waterfront living options.  We have magnificent homes, condominiumsand townhomes on the Ocean, many choices on the Indian River Lagoon, we also havecanals and coves with homes, townhomes and condominiums. If you are interestedin living on the water, I have many choices for you.  These charming townhomes haveprivate docks with direct access to the Indian River Lagoon. Please contact me if you are intersted in purchasing or selling properties in Vero Beach,Grand Ha... 12/07/2007

                                                                                      Ocean GrillVero Beach, FL  32963 Ocean Grill is a landmark in Vero Beach.  I love the way the red and white stripes pop out againstthe blue sky and water.  Barbara Martino-Sliva is a Realtor in Indian River County, an avid photographer and foodie. Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing or selling properties in Vero Beach, OrchidIsland, Grand Harbor, Indian River Shores, John's Island and Windsor. Barbara Martino-Sliva, Realtor, TRC, e-PROTHORPE/SOTHBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTYBARBARA@martino-sliva.com LIST WITH ME AND I WILL EXPOSE YOUR HOME TO THE WORLD! YOUR LUXURY WATERFRONT SPECIALIST! Please visit me on my website;     www.VeroPremierProperties.com CAPTURING THE LIFESTYLE THAT IS VERO ... 12/06/2007

                                                                                                                                                                                                             WHERE VERO SHOPS FOR THE                                            GOOD LIFE                                                    Chelsea's                                       3201 Cardinal Drive                                   Vero Beach, FL   32963                                         772-234-8300                                 www.Chelseasoncardinal.com       For a foodie, like me, this is Heaven on Cardinal Street. CHELSEA'S is a fabulous experience.                                                                                  Chelsea's has a Bistro Like ambiance.It remin... 12/06/2007

                                                                                                                                                      COUNTRYSIDE CITRUS6325 81ST STREETWABASSO, FLOPEN DURING "SEASON"    MONDAY THRU SATURDAY     8AM - 5 PM772-581-0999www.countrysidecitrus.com                                                                    We still have some fabulous family operated citrus groves here in Indian River County.Countryside Citrus is one of them.  I stopped by today to purchase some of theirfabulous Nova Tangelos and some fresh squeezed orange juice.  In their store youare able to see a small part of their operation.  The best thing is when they hand youa carton of their just squeezed orange juice. Of course they have the Indian RiverGrapefruit which is out ... 12/06/2007

                                                                                                       (Courtesy of Mr. Manatee's) Mr. Manatee'sA Casual Grille30 Royal Palm PointeVero Beach, FL   32960772-569-9151 Mr. Manatee's is indeed a casual grille perfect for the family and the kids. I like Wednesdays at Mr. Manatee's!! It is Wing night!! Chicken wings are.25  and you can have them as spicy as you want.  Happy hour is from 4-7,half price beers and pitchers.  They have the best Bud Light on Draft here.I like my wings spicy, so spicy that they bring tears to my eyes.  They arebig and meaty. You can have also have celery with blue cheese dressing on the side. They have 2 to 3 TV's on with the current sports and a friendlycrowd at the bar.  You can have conversations with locals as we... 12/03/2007

                                                                                                      (Courtesy of Melbourne Airport) USA 3000 Reservations;   877-USA3000www.USA3000.com Departing Melbourne at 8:30 PM arriving Baltimore at 10:45 PMDeparting Baltimore at 5:15 PM arriving Melbourne at 7:30 PM   USA 3000 Airlines begins nonstop service from Melbourne (MLB) toBaltimore (BWI) on December 20, 2007.                                                                                                   (Courtesty of USA 3000) USA 3000 operates Airbus equipment.  Melbourne Airport is a 45 minute drive to Vero Beach, Florida.   The Melbourne Airport is agreat facility!  Quick and easy departure and arrival and convenient parking.  We hope thatthis brings more people from the Baltimore a... 12/03/2007

The city of Vero Beach is located in Indian River County. Major industries are citrus fruit packing  and tourism.The city is divided by the Indian River into the mainland on one side and the oceanfront barrier island on the other-side.Normal temperatures are 74 F in January to maximum  91 F in August.The city  holds some of Florida's most exclusive golf  private clubs, vacation houses, a Disney resort ( my kid's favorite)  and big register of historic places . Vero Beach was the site of a major archaeological discovery by local resident Frank Ayers in 1915 "The 'Vero Man" find . This created an international controversy for it provided the first evidence that human beings had inhabited the 'new world' prior to the end of the Wisconsin glaciation.Recently, the Stefan's acquired the 107-r... 11/30/2007

Village By The SeaVero Beach, FL  32963 Spectacular community with a Mediterranean Mood and a Tropical Flair! Impressive Villas with Private Elevators, Ocean Views and Intimate Pools! You will be impressed with this luxurious courtyard community!  Great South Beachlocation!! Walk  for dinner and cocktails!  Private beach access.  Village By The Sea Villas are priced from $995,000. Please contact me fora private showing and information. Barbara Martino-Sliva is a Realtor in Indian River County.Barbara Martino-Sliva, Realtor, TRC, e-PROWatemark Properties"BARBARA@martino-sliva.comVisit me at;   www.VeroPremierProperties.comCAPTURING THE LIFESTYLE THAT IS VERO BEACH!  11/29/2007

                                                                                     The Nutcracker                    featuring                       the              St. Peterburg Ballet                Russia's Finest            (Courtesty Of Riverside Theatre) The NutcrackerRiverside TheatreStark Mainstage3280 Riverside Park DriveVero Beach, FL   32963772-234-8052www,riversidetheatre.com December 15, 2007Time:  3:00 PMTicket Prices:  Adults $50, $45, $40                     Children $24, $22.50, $20                                                                                         (Courtesy of Riverside Theatre) This Riverside Theatre tradition returns with the St. Petersburgh Ballet Companyof Russia performing.  This magnificent dance company will be joined by ourown Vero Beach... 11/29/2007

Piper Aircraft, Inc.Business Line: Light AircraftNumber of Employees..................................................... 1,100John's IslandBusiness Line: ResortNumber of Employees..................................................... 475Visiting Nurse AssociationBusiness Line: Health CareNumber of Employees..................................................... 297SunAg, Inc.Business Line: Citrus, AgricultureNumber of Employees..................................................... 270Macho Products/MDIBusiness Line: Martial Arts Protective GearNumber of Employees..................................................... 200Parker-HannifinBusiness Line: Industrial HosesNumber of Employees..................................................... 80NovaraniaBusiness Line: Yacht TendersNumber of Employ... 11/29/2007

Vero Beach and Indian River County EmploymentIndian River County, on Florida's Treasure Coast, enjoys an international reputation among vacationers and business executives alike. With a quality of life unique even to Florida, Indian River County is where lifestyle and work style unite to create a highly productive and profitable environment. Indian River County is currently ranked 5th in the state for Per Capita Income.The County is centrally located 75 miles south of the Kennedy Space Center and 135 miles north of Miami. It encompasses 543 square miles with approximately 100 miles of waterfront land including 23 miles of unspoiled Atlantic beaches and immaculate ocean. Indian River County also contains endless groves of renowned Indian River oranges and grapefruit.There are over 112,00... 11/29/2007