More people than you know suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) … caused by the lack of sunlight that accompanies fall’s short days and winter’s long nights. Oddly, that lack of light can play havoc with you physically and emotionally. According to the Mayo Clinic, it can trigger feelings of depression, lethargy, fatigue, anxiety, social withdrawal, weight gain, even difficulty concentrating. No doubt about it … the winter blues can severely impact your daily life.

That said, treatment is really quite simple. You can spend hours a day sitting in front of a full spectrum light box. Or you can simply up and move to Jupiter, Florida, where sunlight is a cure-all … and the only blues you see are the cloudless sky and white capped water.

Is it any wonder so many New Englanders, Midwesterners and Northeasterners flock here every winter. And many never fly back. Especially now, because the only thing you’ll find depressed in South Florida this winter is real estate. So there’s more reason than ever to come buy, and stay to smile:)

In an area as upscale as Abacoa in Jupiter, FL., you’d expect child’s play to encompass something a bit more sophisticated. And indeed it does. No, I’m not talking about a swimming pool or home theater. I’m talking about real theater run by real thespians.

Craig Wich Studio for the Performing Arts

This nonprofit studio offers truly professional dance, voice, theatre and film acting classes for ages four on up. Tucked away in nearby Tequesta, it is quite literally a cradle of talent … nurturing students who share a true desire to learn, grow and perform. And are they ever in good hands!

Craig Wich, the Artistic Director, has taught and directed opera, musical theater and dramatic arts in hundreds of venues across the country… including the Boston Conservatory, The Boston Lyric Opera, and, more locally, the Maltz Theater. His School Director, Judy Gelman, and Acting Coach, Marc Durso, have taught students who have gone on to perform on Broadway, in touring companies, regional theatre, film, TV, and commercials.

All kids act out. But some would rather just act!

For those budding talents, this is an extraordinary opportunity. There is instruction in musical theater, choreography, you name it. And lest their parents get bored waiting in the wings, there are also acting classes and workshops for adults.

You’d expect to find this level of creative education in New York or LA. But to find it in Jupiter, FL is rather like finding the proverbial pearl in the oyster.

Performing arts are just one example.

There is, in fact, a wealth of artistic, educational and recreational opportunities for children, in the Jupiter area … where play is the thing. But don’t take my word for it. Check it out and see for yourself!

Where the sky’s so dark, the stars don’t just twinkle. They pop. And the moon seems to hang in mid-air, almost close enough to touch. So oversized, you expect to see the Dreamworks® logo… And the waves keep rolling gently in.

If all that sounds just a bit too picturesque, you haven’t explored the Jupiter atmosphere. Where you can live your life in flip-flops. Dine alfresco nearly every night. Sip a martini or a brew. Sail the intercoastal or bike along the beach. Scout the local art fairs that spring up on weekends. Alternate between the Food Shack and Kee Grille, depending on your mood.

Jupiter is a small town with a sophisticated soul. At any given time or place you’re just as likely to see a family outing, a retired couple, singles of any particular age. It’s easy living. Close proximity. Great shopping. Fine dining. Live music. Excellent education. And as Scripps® will attest, a smart place to do business.

And right now, thanks to factors well outside its sphere, Jupiter is a great place to buy property. The real estate market here has never been better or more accessible for all kinds of buyers, all kinds of homes. Condos. Townhouses. Estates. Gated communities. Vacation homes. Rental properties.

You can take my word for it. I’ve lived here for the past 6 years. And the only way to explore the atmosphere in Jupiter is to move here. An hour from Miami. A million miles from everything you want to leave behind. 

   

Tuscany is all about family

Picture it…a long table heaped with food, bottles of wine and la familia. That’s Under the Tuscan Sun. Under the Florida sun the picture is a bit different, but the net effect is the same.

Emphasis on family. A fneighborhood filled with Mediterranean-style homes, built safe and soundproof by DiVosta. Ranging in price from $275,000 or thereabouts (depending on today’s market) to about $650,000 … from townhouses to 5-bedroom single family in a variety of sizes and shapes.

Fresh wide streets lined with trees, front porches, bike lanes, friendly neighbors. Dads throwing baseballs, kids playing catch, mom’s walking dogs. Families headed toward the park, the clubhouse, the pool, the ice cream parlor in downtown Abacoa.

Now if all that sounds a bit more Pollyanna than Anna Maria, so be it. But the prevailing, overarching, unmistakable theme is still the same. When you talk about Tuscany, you talk about family. No better place to raise one than Tuscany at Abacoa in Jupiter, FL.

Some believe in the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I believe in the rainbow itself. Particularly when it’s perched outside my window, overlooking palm trees and pool. It’s one of the perks of a Florida summer…the calm after the tropical storm. I believe a view like this is pure gold…and could make anyone a Florida convert. Complain about the humid summers all you like. But I’ll take all the sun-drenched rainbows and balmy Jupiter nights I can get! That’s my view. But then, I’m partial.

For the past two nights, the Maltz Theatre’s Conservatory for the Performing Arts (COPA) in Jupiter has performed J.M. Barrie’s classic children’s tale, Peter Pan. Ironically, this was a children’s tale performed by children to appeal to the child in all of us. This two-day production featured 82 kids who had attended a 3-week acting camp sponsored by COPA. And the play was their season’s denouement.The children were, of course, adorable. But what was so remarkable was the level of quality of the production, in view of the prep time and age levels involved. Naturally, the sets were utterly professional and completely delightful, as was the music. But so, too, were the casting, acting, choreography and direction.

Christina Reagan, a would-be thespian since the age of 5, played Peter with confidence, stage presence and a rather remarkable singing voice for an 11-year-old. She hit every note with skill few adults could match. Her archenemy, Captain Hook, played by Spencer Ballantyne, showcased his burgeoning talent with several singing numbers of his own. And Sydney Carbo, as Wendy, was a remarkably skilled young actress with a surprisingly mature singing voice. And the rest of the cast, ages 10-12, followed suite. Read the rest of this entry

Yesterday, May 31^st, the neighborhoods of Abacoa came together in quite a remarkable way. Their residents competed at tennis, golf and track in a 5K run. The contests began at 8 am and by 3 pm Valencia was pronounced the Grand Champion…the neighborhood that had swept in almost all categories. And in the process, my husband, Dane, and I managed to snag a second place for Valencia at golf. Second overall was the New Haven neighborhood, followed closely by Charleston Court. Plaques were awarded in Downtown Abacoa amid live music and delicious munchies (served up as a Taste of Abacoa). Clearly a good time was had by all in this first annual Battle of the Neighborhoods. Possibly the only battle in history to foster a real sense of community!

In many parts of Florida, busy season ends with the flight of tourists and snowbirds. But Jupiter is a  ‘year-round town for most of its residents. And with summer comes a whole raft of new things to do. Why, the Jupiter Community Center Newsletter alone has a jam-packed schedule. You’ll find everything from sports for adults and camps for kids, to bridge games, shopping excursions, weekend getaways and casino night at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. There’s live theater, movies galore, outdoor dining, AAA baseball, bass fishing, surfboarding…the list goes on and on. In fact, you’ll find locations for all that and more right on my website. And while you’re there, check out what’s going on with Jupiter housing this summer. Whether it’s a gated community, condo, horse acre or a home in Abacoa…this summer is a great time to make your move. So come explore Life in Jupiter…where busy happens all year round!