- The Acreage and Loxahatchee - West Palm Beach - Royal Palm Beach Multi use Land for Sale

Loxahatchee Land for Sale - West Palm Beach - Royal Palm Beach

I came across a video that  just seems like the perfect mix
of fun and helping others.

As the video states, the event is held every year in memory of a lost brother and doubles to help underprivileged families with food during the holidays and to establish scholarship funds.

I'm glad to hear that the event is bigger than ever before..!

How great is that!!  the event is the 2007 TOMMY TANT MEMORIAL SURF CLASSIC

Take the time to watch this video which is less than 5 minutes in length. (you have to wait 15 seconds or so for it to start,. be patient!!!)

I must say I enjoyed hearing about their new division called the 'tadpole' division. This is for kids that are so young that they surf with their parents pushing them into waves.  It's the cutest thing and I must say I can't wait to get my future kid(s) in the water at the earliest age possible.

Do you have kids and live near the ocean? Have you taught them to surf.. you know, surfing keeps your inner child alive forever.. just ask or look at any surfer. :)

Take a look when you have a chance..

I could get into doing events like this....

what? what did you say Mr Destiny, the head shaving thing was just the beginning.?.. hhmmm, well, I'm listening..!

(what adventures are in store for this new beginning in life,..  in the mid, a-hem, 30's.. >gulp<  :o)

now, who wants to go surfing? :)

#10. I am now more hydrodynamic!! I'm able to duck waves with ease :)

#9. I can shower is less time and dry my head with one stroke of the a towel.. this equals more time to blog!

#8. 1 bottle of shampoo lasts the entire year.. this equals more $$ for HUGS for Kids! :)

#7.  -=(click here for more.......................--->>>)=-

Shave your head Charity update!!

Hi folks.. I just want to update the people that are interested in the fund-raiser and also Thank the kind hearted people that have sent in checks and written posts.  (I'll be sending out post cards at the end of the event to thank each of you individually)

Today is the day!! ok, so it WAS the day to do the head shaving. It's been postponed, since we are no where near the goal. Yes, I'm still going to do it, but next week on Saturday night. (Sept 22, 2007 8pm at Rips Co Surf Shop)

The blogging world has only taken this fund raiser so far (and I'm thankful for the support).. and being the person who I am, I won't settle to put my arms down and give up. I'm going out with a fight. These kids and parents are fighting everyday.. so will I.

If you have a minute of your blogging time to forward this link (www.ShaveYourHeadforCharity.com) to all the people in your contact book and ask them to do the same, we can potentially reach a few thousand people, if at least 10 of us do it..? Can I ask for that??
(I know we'va all forwarded less important things)

Here's how it went at the car show last night..  >> Read more about the experience and CHANGE OF GAME PLAN here <<.. 
comment to show support if you like. Hopefully many people from the car show will see the page also..

at Rips Co. Surf Shop.. map to royal palm beach surf shop..

later gators..

EDIT:  all done!!! http://shaveyourheadforcharity.com/2007/09/23/the-day-to-shave-head-for-charity-has-come/

EDIT: 10-9-2007  -for those of you requesting a closer shave.. :)  

        'no-clip Nick'

PALM BEACH BOATING ON PEANUT ISLAND - FUN FOR LABOR DAY IN THE SUN

Palm Beach Boating Awareness during the Labor Day weekend..

The Labor Day weekend is approaching and all the locals know what that means. Long weekends here make it a perfect time for lots of boating in Palm Beach!! Yes, this extended weekend that is coming up is sure to offer lots of fun in the sun at Peanut Island and other popular boating areas, like the sandbar in Jupiter.

I'd like to preface this by saying that I've been to Peanut Island on many occasions and have never had a bad time, a problem or seen an incident. Then again, I like to stick to the south east side on the beach, just south of the docks. Any shenanigans are more likely to happen on the north side and the sandbar.

Drinking and hot weather just don't mix.. 

Most Florida beaches do not allow drinking on the beach, but Peanut Island does. This means a lot of sun, heat, people having fun and beer. This translates into people getting a little too loopy with plenty of alcohol which doesn't mix well with a sun that wont quit beating below 90 degrees. Did I mention that a few weeks ago a boat full of stripper showed up on the sandbar and the local guys were going nuts and getting a little to riled up. There was mention of a girl being found face down in the water after getting alcohol poisoning. Sadly enough, no one around her even noticed. She was rushed to the hospital once the police noticed.

Be Safe when you're boating in Palm Beach..

Safety is an issue whenever there is a lot of water traffic. Turns out that June and July normally see the most boating accidents due to congestion and inexperienced boaters. When Peanut Island gets packed, it gets really packed. Consider that normally, 1,000 to 2,000 people will visit Peanut Island on any given weekend day. With the festive weekend, you could probably bet that it will be many many more.

Starting August 12, 2007, Operation Zero tolerance is in effect..

Sadly enough, there have been some situations recently on the 86 acre recreational park.Well, the police just are not having it. We are talking about police boats from 4 nearby cities, the County police and the Coast Guard. If you're boating, you may get stopped more than once. This is a place where people can bring their families and the enforcement to keep it this way is in full effect. Even the water taxis that take you from SailFish Marina on Singer Island are being enforced by police with ID checkpoints.

Beginning on August 12, the police have been cracking down and busted 19 kids for underage drinking and 23 boaters for other violations. Drinking and boating just don't mix, as changing tides rush in and out of the nearby inlet, causing current changes in the channel near the island. Today is a full moon, so watch those tides!! 

More on Peanut Island..
Jet Ski vids around Peanut Island in Palm Beach, Jumping Waves and playing in the Surf

Check out some other Peanut Island videos including video from the Jet Ski Cam below!!

Attention Florida homeowners! 

• Were your neighbors foreclosed on in the past few months?
• Are there houses in the area that are obviously vacant?
• Do these vacant home have pools?

Chances are that this could affect your family's health..!!  How so? you may ask..

Truthfully, I never considered the idea of a vacant home nearby being a problem or a health issue for myself or my family. After finding some information online, it seems that there are possible dangers lurking nearby.

Vacant homes with pools that are not cleaned, filtered and turning green create an ideal environment & breeding ground for mosquitoes and other arthropods that can carry, amongst other things, the West Nile Virus. It doesn't mean that every mosquito out there has it, but potentially, they can carry it.

quoting The Florida Department of Health's website:

"Arboviral diseases are those that are caused by an arthropod (insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, mites, and midges). These include West Nile virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus, and St. Louis Encephalitis virus, which are all mosquito-borne diseases found in Florida."

So it a major issue in Florida? I'm not sure, but I don't think so. I only see one county in Northern Florida with an alert. (see PDF map)
-Would I buy a few extra cans of 'OFF' next time I go to the supermarket if there are vacant homes in the area? -Yes, it couldn't hurt to have some extra repellent to be on the safe side.

Anywhere there is standing water, there is a potential for mosquito breeding. Abandoned or empty homes can have multiple areas in the backyard that can hold standing water. These include car tires, flooded plant pots and old plastic/decorative ponds jsut to name a few.

How does that saying go? -An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

Florida Department of Health Information

Florida Department of Health Website Homepage

Information for Kids from the Center For Disease Control

Center for Disease Control - Frequently Asked Questions about the West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus Prevention - Fact Sheet

So here we are, almost halfway to that special date when my head gets a trimming. Its been quite an experience so far and i can't wait to ride this out and see what else pops up, whether its a thought in my head or an opportunity or experience in real life.

Some things can be explained and others you just have to feel to understand. I can tell you what its like to surf a 6 foot wave, but it won't compare at all to you experiencing it first hand. ok, maybe something you folks can relate to a little better....

...you have a child and your love for that child is all encompassing and it has no end. Your love can extend from one end of this universe to another.. and it will be clear to you. I may think i understand, by relating to the love for my parents or my dog,. but do i really feel what you're feeling.? Now you can tell me about this deepness of love and explain it until you're blue in the face, and the day I have a child it will become clear.. almost instantly.

So getting back on track.. this experience is great for the families and the organization. There is no doubt about that. Nothing makes me happier to hear that they are benefiting from this fundraiser. To give without expecting anything in return in a big thing. You have to give to experience it.. i just can transmit the feeling through words on this blog.. or in person.

So here is the bonus out of all this... Feelings, emotions and thoughts that I had not experienced before, the perspective has changed. Yes, a shift in perspective because of the experience. I've always been grateful, as my first post on AR shows. I've always have compassion for others, without a desire to hurt anyone. But now the experience has taught me something.. well a few things. And i'm sure it will teach me more things as the date approaches, as the hair comes out and then as i'm walking around with a new look. Other people's reactions, my ego and other factors will influence my thinking and cause me to grow, as situations arise.

So it seems that this is a WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN.  WIN for the families.. first and foremost. WIN for the non-profit agency helping these families. WIN for the people who donated and got that love buzz.. and WIN for me, as little Nicky grows a bit more (figuratively speaking of course;)

Look at these posts below that the AR members have written.. it shows how much they care and want to help.
There has got to be something in there.. and there is.. the feeling of giving, helping and doing something good or great for another human being without expecting something in return.

aahhh... gotta love it!  but you gotta DO it to experience it..!!!  You can find a way to give if you really want to!

Ruth & Jim Jacobs - Nicolas, Our Hero, Shaving His Head for "Hugs for Kids" 
Rick & Ines - Shave your head for charity - Let's help Nick's fund raiser 
Fran White - Bald in the Rain 
Maggie Dokic - Will You Give Up 1 Dinner Out To Help A Child? 
Sarah Cooper - Time to Strap On Your Wings!   
Sarah Cooper - Is That All You Got?! 
Celeste 'Sally' Cheeseman - A Broader Look at Our Active Rain Community: Support and Aid for those in Need
Shane Leady - Apella's Friday Community Connection - Active Rain Members Support Their Communities

I'm looking for guest writers at the ShaveyourHeadforCharity blog.. got any feelings or thoughts related to donating or charity that you want to share? Just register and I'll grant you author access within the day.

** I also want to mention that Karen George can use your help too.. **
Contributions For Karen George: Response To What You Can Do To Help
The Outpouring Of Love for Karen George
We Have The Power To Raise Over $400K For Karen George
Calie Waterhouse's Post - PLEASE PRAY FOR KAREN GEORGE
the compassion of Active Rain, a few kind words would mean so much

Karen gave of her knowledge in a selfless manner. I think she knows the feeling i'm talking about. Time to help her out as well. I know i cut two checks this month, one for Karen and one for HUGS for Kids.

is this a great community or what?  come on, group hug!!    ;^)

Just a quick note to remind everyone that Hurricane Dean is tearing through the Carribean.

Dean became a category 4 storm overnight, after being anounced as a Tropical Storm a few days ago. Seems like as soon as he hit the Carribean Sea, the warm waters gave him the fuel to become strong.

Having been throught numerous hurricanes, as my collegues who have lived in Florida for a while have also have, I can really relate to this experience. A cat 2 storm is enough to make me nervous, a 3 might even make me leave the area.. but a 4 is a monster.

Consider the limited resources in these countries that are in the path of Dean and how the impact of a storm can cause so much more devastation due to weaker building types and varying construction materials. The ability to bounce back after a storm like this is quite different from being in the States. Food, shelter and dry clothes suddenly are not readily available.

Good news is that Dean is traveling at 18mph, which is pretty quick for a Hurricane. This means the storm will not linger and Frances did here a few back.. (we were locked up for 22 hours on that one.. she just stalled right over us!)

Please, stop and give a little prayer for the people bracing for this storm today, Sunday 8-19-2007.

and then you can give thanks for not being in the storm today ! :)

here is a link to see where Dean is..

ok folks, here we go again with another hair post. This one is a little different. The last one was to donate the hair for wigs for children with diseases that cause hair loss. That is Locks for Love based out of Lake Worth in Palm Beach. >here is that old post, man my hair was long!!<

Today I am asking for your donations to help another non profit agency, Hugs for Kids. A non-profit agency that  works to prevent child abuse and neglect by teaching expectant mothers how to care for their babies and provide a safe environment with support and aid.  Their mission statement is on their site, just click the link above.

Here what i'm willing to do. I will shave my head down to almost nothing with a #1 clip, film it, post it so you can have a blast watching it, over and over.

MY GOAL IS TO RAISE $5,000. I'm asking for a $20 donation per person, but will accept anything you can or are willing to give. With the amount of people here, a $5,000 goal is very feasible. That's 250 people at $20 and seems very realistic considering the number of people we have on AR.

100% of the proceeds will go to Hugs for Kids, and specifically the Healthy Families Program. The money is for basic necessities to help support these families. We are talking about diapers, formula, high chairs, new car seats, bus passes for medical checkups, thermometers (which there is a great lack of), baby clothes and whatever else is needed.

A wish List will be put up on www.shaveyourheadforcharity.com (soon) along with the running total of how much money is donated (done!) and hopefully some pictures,if the agency will permit it.
Also, donors will get their name and business info on the site with a link back to their site if they wish.

I'm open to ideas for things to put up on the site to make it a success. It's a wordpress blog so that people can leave comments and it can be more interactive. email me your ideas via my profile.

This is my first time doing something like this at this level, but I am confident with your support and others near me, that it can be done and make a BIG difference in the lives of MANY families.

-->> **EDIT** We are accepting checks at the address below, made out to Hugs for Kids... and hope to turn in the first batch of checks on Friday of THIS week!!!!  <<--

Reason for this is to make sure the cash goes to the correct program within Hugs for Kids, which is Healthy Families. If you are set on claiming your donation as a deduction, becuase you're going to donate a HUGE amount ;), then you can freely donate directly to the company and MAKE SURE to put HEALTHY FAMILIES PROGRAM on the memo section of the check. If not, it may go into any of their programs!! Here is their donation form.

Any takers willing to donate and/or blog about it and point back to this post or the website? please say yes!
if you're still undecided, check this out, single mother with a child with cancer... and two more children.
(i actually donated time and my truck to take donated furniture to this young lady)

date for head shaving is Saturday, September 15th, 2007 :)
location is unknown, but likely to be private.

FOR DONATIONS:

Make checks out to: Hugs for Kids

in the memo put:  Healthy Families - client's incentive

MAIL TO:
ATTN: Nick the Appraiser
Quantum One Realty
3307 Northlake Blvd, Suite #103
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33403

A SUPER BIG THANK YOU to some bloggers on AR that are creating awareness..

Ruth & Jim Jacobs Nicolas, Our Hero, Shaving His Head for "Hugs for Kids"  -big hearts and great people, can't say enough good about them.
Rick & Ines Shave your head for charity - Let's help Nick's fund raiser  -solid people, good hearted. gotta love their attitudes and friendliness.
Fran White Bald in the Rain -Gotta love Fran!! She's always been fun to chat with.
Maggie Dokic - Will You Give Up 1 Dinner Out To Help A Child?   -Maggie is offering to raffle a weekend at her cabin if you donate $50 or more!! wow Maggie.!
Sarah Cooper - Time to Strap On Your Wings!    >get ready to sniffle<
Sarah Cooper- Is That All You Got?!  -a big heart in a little lady.. has shown us how to be real and open.

feel free to post about it and link to this post and the above links :)

We also appreciate your support with comments on the public blog that was created for this.
www.shaveyourheadforcharity.com
email the links to your sites and I'll put them on the blog roll :)

Here is the beginning of my diary on this entire ordeal..