Dear Friend, Independence Day is always a wonderful celebration of the founding of this great nation and an opportunity to spend time with friends and family. There will be various Independence Day celebrations throughout Palm Beach county on July 4th, and I thought the events listed below would be of particular interest to everyone who lives in District 90 or nearby.

Each event will have several activities planned throughout the day, ending with an exciting display of fireworks. Click on the website links below for additional details. Be sure to arrive early and don’t forget to bring a blanket or lawn chair. Happy Independence Day!

Boca Raton Fabulous 4th Celebration: Time: 6:00 - 9:30 p.m. (fireworks at 9 p.m.), Location: Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, southwest corner of the university. Parking on location. Contact: (561) 393-7806 selection 2.

West Boca Raton Celebration: Time: 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. (fireworks at 9 p.m.).Location: Cove Amphitheater, 12551 Glades Road, 2.5 miles west of State Road 7, Boca Raton. Parking on location. Contact: 561-488-8069

Delray Beach Celebration: Time: 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. (fireworks at 9 p.m.). Location: Ocean and Atlantic avenues and downtown area along Atlantic Avenue. Free parking at Robert Federspiel Parking Garage (22 SE 1st Avenue) and the Old School Square Parking Garage (95 NE 1st Avenue) which may be accessed by traveling eastbound or westbound on NE 1st Street or southbound on NE 1st Avenue. Contact: 561-279-1380 ext. 3.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff if you have any questions or concerns. Our district office number is (561) 470-6593. Have a safe and happy Independence Day! All the best,
Kelly Skidmore, State Representative, District 90

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Consumer Traps & Tips--A weekly service of the Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division
Topic: Renters Insurance

Trap: Brittany finally completed decorating her apartment. She purchased new designer accessories which enhanced the antique furniture she inherited from her mother. That night, a pipe burst in the wall and flooded her apartment. Brittany’s living room furniture was ruined and her big screen TV was damaged beyond repair. She thought her landlord’s insurance would cover the replacement of her property. Later, she found out she was wrong.
Tips: Aside from broken pipes and fire damage, powerful tropical storms pose the same type of concerns for area renters. Thousands of dollars in damages can occur and your landlord’s insurance policy won’t cover the tenant’s losses.
• Renters insurance will cover your household items including furniture, clothing, electronics, and appliances if they are damaged or destroyed.
• Liability coverage is also available if the insured is sued by someone who claims they were injured while in the apartment.
• Natural disasters like floods are typically not included. Coverage can be purchased separately through your insurance agent or company.
• You may receive a discount on your policy if your apartment contains safety features like fire extinguishers, alarm systems, or sprinklers.
• Take an inventory of appliances, electronics, jewelry, collectables and other valuable possessions. Shop around before you buy to get the best price. Talk to your agent about deductibles and coverage available.
• Check with the Florida Department of Finance for insurance company ratings (www.fldfs.com).

Get more information at our website www.pbcgov.com/consumer or give us a call at 561-712-6600 (Boca/Delray/Glades call toll free at 888-852-7362).

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Dear Friend, The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) held public hearings this week in Broward and Palm Beach counties to consider a petition from Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) for a permanent base rate increase of about $12.40 more per month per household. According to the PSC, FPL is requesting this increase of about 12 percent “to earn a fair rate of return on its investment and to cover increasing operating costs.”
The PSC, which consists of five members appointed by the Governor with the power to regulate utilities, will vote on the proposed rate increase November 13, 2009. Click here to visit the PSC website and click on the link for the June 2009 Florida Power & Light Company Special Report for more details on FPL’s petition.
Anyone who wants to comment on the proposal and was not able to attend the public hearings can email the PSC at contact@psc.state.fl.us or send a letter to:
Florida Public Service Commission, Office of Commission Clerk, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850
Please be sure to include the docket number, 080677-EI.
Our office attended the hearings this week and I will be paying close attention to this issue as the PSC continues reviewing FPL’s petition.

Unemployment Benefits Extension: The Florida Legislature passed legislation this session authorizing the Agency for Workforce Innovation to begin paying Extended Unemployment Compensation Benefits to people who have been out of work and have exhausted all unemployment benefits. Payments will begin in early July and will be made retroactive to February 22, 2009 for those who are eligible. For more information visit www.floridajobs.org and click on the link for “Extended Benefits” or call 1-888-896-0091.

Palm Beach County Offering Free Summer Food Program for Children: Palm Beach County Division of Human Services is offering free meals and snacks to low-income, school-age children on weekdays between June 8 and August 14. Children who are age 18 and under are eligible. Sites are located throughout Palm Beach County in low-income neighborhoods. Click here to visit the Summer Food Service Program website for a list of locations, or call Georgiana Devine at (561) 355-4775 for more information.

Zicam Health Warning: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently warned consumers to stop using and discard or return three zinc-containing Zicam intranasal products that may cause a loss of sense of smell. The FDA has received more than 130 reports from consumers who used the following products to treat the common cold and lost their sense of smell:
• Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel (15mL, NDC 62750-003-10)
• Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs (20 swabs, NDC 67250-003-20)
• Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size (20 swabs, NDC 67250-003-21)
To find more information online, click here, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff if you have any questions or concerns. Our district office number is (561) 470-6593.
Kelly Skidmore, State Representative, District 90

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To read my article in the Sunday, June 28 Delray Community News Section of the Sun-Sentinel
CLICK HERE.

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--A weekly service of the Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division

Topic: Dating Services

Trap: Roger in Jupiter felt his life was in a rut. He was working full time and wanted to meet new people. Roger received a flyer in the mail inviting him to join other singles and meet new people. He went to the agency, signed a contract for 15 introductions and paid $2,500. During the first six months of the contract, the agency arranged only one introduction and two dinner dances. Roger didn’t meet anyone he was interested in dating and wanted a refund. The agency denied his refund request.

Tips: Dating services are not licensed by a government agency. It is important to read and understand the terms of any dating contract and to know exactly what you are purchasing.
• Does the contract allow refunds? Some agencies deduct an initiation fee on the day the contract is signed. Sometimes this fee is not refundable once an introduction has been arranged by the company.
• The agency may promise they have many clients who fit your profile. Find out how many active members are in the database. Ask about the percentage of members in your age group, profession, etc.
• Understand that an introduction to another member does not guarantee compatibility. Lack of “chemistry” or “connection” with other clients does not necessarily mean the business failed to meet its contractual obligations.
• There are many ways to meet new people and get out of a rut. Along with dating services, consider joining special interest clubs or service organizations or taking a class at a community college or adult education center. You can also pursue hobbies that enable you to meet people of similar interests.

It is always very important to thoroughly read a contract. Also, make sure all verbal promises are put in writing. Check with Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs at 561-712-6600 (Boca/Delray 1-888-852-7362) or visit http://www.pbcgov.com/consumer to see if other consumers have filed a dispute against the company being considered.

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To read my article in the Sunday, June 28 Delray Community News Section of the Sun-Sentinel
CLICK HERE.

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The bigger and better Second Annual July 4th Celebration will take place on Saturday night, July 4th at the Sunset Cove Amphitheater in South County Regional Park.

Festivities start at 6:30 with a live dance band. There will be vendors on site same as last year, but this year you can bring your own picnic basket too.

The new road extension connecting the Amphitheater with Coconut Cove Waterpark will be open for this event, which will substantially reduce traffic congestion. This means that those in North Boca Raton can get to the Amphitheater directly from the park entrances on Yamato and Cain Boulevard rather than going all the way around to the Glades entrance.

Please note the road extension will otherwise not open until this fall.

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To read my Sunday, June 28 article in Delray Community News Section of Sun-Sentinel
CLICK HERE.

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Please do not turn on A/C on immediately as soon as you enter the car.
Open the windows after you enter your car and turn ON the air-
conditioning after a couple of minutes.

Here's why: According to a research, the car dashboard, sofa, air
freshener emit Benzene, a Cancer causing toxin (carcinogen - take
time to observe the smell of heated plastic in your car). In addition
to causing cancer, Benzene poisons your bones, causes anemia and
reduces white blood cells. Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia,
increasing the risk of cancer. May also cause miscarriage. Acceptable
Benzene level indoors is 50 mg per sq. Ft. A car parked indoors with
windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene. If parked outdoors
under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F., the Benzene level
goes up to 2000-4000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level... People who
get into the car, keeping Windows closed will inevitably inhale, in
quick succession excessive amounts of the toxin. Benzene is a toxin
that affects your kidney and liver. What's worse, it is extremely difficult
for your body to expel this toxic stuff.

So friends, please open the windows and door of your car -
give time for interior to air out -dispel the deadly stuff -
before you enter.

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Siroco Café, Greek Restaurant

This past Saturday night we dined with another couple at Siroco Café in the SE corner of Jog Road and Atlantic Ave. in the Home Depot Shopping Center, Delray Beach.

Both couples ordered a $24.95 “Dinner for Two” Special, which was a large platter with two lamb chops, two pork souvlaki, two chicken souvlaki and two bistekia (large meatballs), stringbeans, rice and roast potato. Soup or salad, dessert and coffee were included. The food was delicious, prepared to perfection with savory seasonings. The portions were immense. We had enough to take home for another meal.

In addition, a belly dancer entertains twice a night, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7 P.M. She is a charming young lady, graduate of the University of Wyoming. You really can’t beat the combination of wholesome food and an attractive belly dancer can you?

Siroco, run by the Droulias family (husband is in the kitchen cooking away and the Mrs. is the hostess) is open 7 days from 8 A.M. to 10 P.M., serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Call 561-498-8800 for reservations.

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Southern Palm Beach County Projects:

Atlantic Avenue / S.R. 806, from Via Flora to McNab Avenue
This $3.6 million, 2.7 mile construction project began on December 1, 2008, between Via Flora and McNab Avenue in Delray Beach. The work to be performed during this project includes: milling and resurfacing the roadway; replacing sidewalk curb ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards; and signalization, widening, and storm water drainage improvements at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Congress Avenue. The project is being built by Weekley Asphalt Paving, Inc. and is expected to be complete in fall 2009.

Restrictions: Daytime lane closures will occur, 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at various locations within project limits. Motorists might encounter delays during these hours. One lane will remain open in each direction at all times.

Atlantic Avenue / S.R. 806, from NW/SW 12th Avenue to A1A
This $4.2 million construction project began January 5, 2009, from just east of I-95 to just west of A1A in Delray Beach. The work to be performed during this project includes: milling and resurfacing the roadway; replacing sidewalk curb ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards; and signalization, widening, and landscaping. The project is being built by Weekley Asphalt Paving, Inc. and is expected to be complete in late 2009.

Restrictions: Daytime lane closures will occur, 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, between SW/NW12th Avenue and Swinton Avenue and from Federal Highway to A1A, for project-related work. One lane will remain open in each direction at all times. However, on-street parking and access to side streets might be temporarily restricted. Detours will be established when necessary. Access to local businesses will be maintained at all times. Motorists might experience delays.

S.R. 7 / U.S. 441 from the Broward County Line to Glades Road
Construction on this 2.9 mile project began February 9, 2009. Work consists of milling and resurfacing, curb ramp replacement, guardrail, and signalization. The project will cost an estimated $4.7 million and is expected to last until late 2009. Work is being performed by Hardrives of Delray, Inc.

Restrictions: North and southbound single lane closures will occur between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., at various locations between Glades Road and the Broward County Line, Monday through Saturday, for minor widening and other project-related work. At least two lanes will remain open in each direction at all times. Motorists should anticipate delays traveling through the area.

Powerline Road / S.R. 845 from the Broward County Line to Glades Road
Construction on this 3 mile project began Tuesday, May 26, 2009. Work consists of milling and resurfacing, minor widening and reconstruction, signalization, lighting, drainage, bridge replacement, irrigation and landscaping. The project will cost an estimated $9.7 million and is expected to last until summer 2011. Work is being performed by Ranger Construction Industries.

Restrictions: Travel lanes will be closed at various locations between Glades Road and the Broward County Line, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, for project-related work. The contractor has installed temporary barrier wall and established continuous lane closures at various locations for drainage work in the median area. At least one lane will remain open at all times. Motorists should anticipate delays.

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June 19, 2009

Dear Friend, Governor Crist signed Senate Bill 462 yesterday, which authorizes the creation of a prescription drug monitoring system in the Florida Department of Health. I’m proud to have been among the sponsors of this legislation that will help end the prescription drug abuse epidemic that has devastated many Florida families and given our state a reputation as the nation’s pill mill. I appreciate Governor Crist’s positive action on this legislation. Florida’s lack of a monitoring system has made our state a target for criminals looking to buy prescription drugs easily and sell them illegally here and elsewhere. I am pleased that we are now equipping physicians and law enforcement personnel with the tools they need to stop the abuse, misuse, and illegal sale of prescription drugs.

We would not have been able to get this bill signed into law without the help of the many people who called and e-mailed the Governor, and I thank you for your support.

Broward County Website Provides Access to Economic Recovery Money--Broward County has launched a new website that allows citizens to track how Broward County is using its share of the federal economic recovery money. The site also includes links to federal and state recovery websites, and information on economic assistance programs available to local residents and businesses. Visit http://www.broward.org/recovery, or for more information, call the Stimulus Grants Coordination Office at 954-357-5358 or 954-357-5338.

Palm Beach Water Utilities Department to Flush Lines with Chlorine--Starting June 15 through July 15, the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department will temporarily change the disinfection process used to treat our drinking water in order to maintain high water quality in the county’s distribution system. The county will be using a slightly stronger process that produces chlorine residual instead of a chloramine residual. These temporary changes will not cause adverse health effects. If you use a home dialysis machine, or you are an owner of tropical fish or a manager of stores and restaurants with fish and shellfish holding tanks, you should seek professional advice for removing chlorine residuals from tap water. For more information, call the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department at (561) 740-4600, option #3.
As always, I appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff if you have any questions or concerns. Our district office number is (561) 470-6593.

Kelly Skidmore, State Representative, District 90.

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Sound off about Florida Power & Light’s proposed base rate increase at the Florida Public Service Commission’s customer service hearings in South Florida

WEDNESDAY, June 24 4:00 p.m. in West Palm Beach Palm Beach County Governmental Center Jane Thompson Memorial Chambers, 6th Floor 301 N. Olive Avenue.

cnc.videochannels.com

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