Interview with aGuyOnClematis, Blogger Aaron Wormus

guy on clematis

Today in Soso News we have an interview with neighborhood blogger Aaron Wormus. Aaron’s blog, aGuyOnClematis, is dedicated to all things ‘West Palm Beach’ and was voted the ‘Best Overall Blog’ in the Sun Sentinel, 2011. Continue reading

FHA Loan Limit Lowered for Buyers

The FHA, Federal Housing Administration, recently raised the required down payment on a home in order to qualify for an FHA loan from 3.5% to 5%. Now, homeowners will need to be able to pay a down payment of at least 5% of the cost of a home in order to qualify for an FHA mortgage.

As a result, these changes will affect the price of house buyers can purchase in the Southend. The maximum loan amount has been reduced from $423,000 to $345,000, around an $80,000 difference.

With an estimated median home value of $149,280 in the Southend, buyers interested in purchasing a home around this price range will now need to be able to pay a down payment of around $7,464, as compared to the previous $5,225, in order to secure a loan from the FHA.

History of The Southend: The Belair Historic Distric

Between Plymouth Road and Pilgrim Road lies the Historic District of Belair. Originally the area was a land grant to James Wood Davidson from President Chester Arthur in 1885. In 1886, it was sold to John Huntington Jones. In 1895 the tract of land served as the dowry of Mary Jones who married an Englishman named Richard Hone. Together they turned the area into a pineapple and citrus plantation. Their house was considered to be the finest in the area and it still stands today at 211 Plymouth Rd.

During a severe thunderstorm in 1902, as Richard Hone sat in his dining room writing a letter to his sister in England, his wife reading beside him, an assassin approached the dining room window on horseback and shot Richard Hone, fatally wounding him.

The house was later sold to Mr. George Currie in 1906. Currie was one of the first real estate developers of the area and created the Currie Development Company. In 1923, William and Sophie Ohlhaber bought the property, allegedly to provide dockage for Mr. Olhaber’s 90 ft. yacht. The same year, Mr. Ohlhaber, an architect, constructed the mission style home at 205 Pilgrim.

In the mid 20’s members of the Ohlhaber family created a coconut palm and fern nursery. The Belair area was further developed between 1925 and 1935. In 1947 Hone’s house was bought by Mr. Max Brombacher, Henry Flagler’s chief engineer, and it remains in the family today.

Most of the historic buildings such as the John Stephens home (1927), the Eric Shroeder home (1926), John Sirich home (1927), and B.V Zeigler home (1926), epitomize the architecture style of the  Florida Land Boom era. This beautiful Historic District consists of Mediterranean Revival, Mission Revival, Frame Vernacular, and Masonry Vernacular style homes.

Valentine’s Day on the Waterfront: Free Screening of Titanic at 7:30 PM

The city of West Palm Beach will be showing the movie Titanic on the big screen by the waterfront on Friday February 14th, Valentine’s Day. The movie will begin at 7:30 and end around 11 PM. The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium will be there with chances to win free tickets to the real-life Titanic exhibit at the Science Museum. (post about that here.) Continue reading

Check Out the Titanic Exhibit at South Florida Science Center and Museum!

The South Florida Science Center and Museum will be featuring ‘Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition’ until April 20th, 2014. The exhibit contains artifacts from the tragic sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Upon arrival, visitors are given a ‘boarding pass’ with the name of a real passenger and what class they were in.

Continue reading

Don’t Forget to Wear Pink February 26th – National Anti-Bullying Day

February 26th is National ‘Pink Shirt Day’ to raise awareness about bullying. Palm Beach County will be filled with pink shirts all day to announce that we will no longer stand for bullying in our schools and that there are ways we can prevent it.

After-school programs at the South Olive Community Center will be anti-bullying themed to provide education and coping techniques for children. Make sure you wear a pink shirt to show your support for this cause and make a stand against bullying. Continue reading

Youth Fitness Training at Phipps Park Baseball!

phipps park baseball training

Phipps Park Baseball is offering a fitness training event for all players aged 9-15 who are registered to play this spring. The event will be on Tuesday February 11th, from 6:00-7:15 at Field #3.

Players will be trained on warm-up systems for athletes and will participate in fitness drills for strength, cardio, power, and stretching. This will be a free event for all players registered in their youth baseball program. Come and give your child a head-start for the upcoming baseball season!

The Southend: Home to the Least Expensive Ocean Access Home in West Palm Beach

arlington rd

Listed at $585,000 by Kiely Real Estate, this beautiful home on 300 Arlington Road is the cheapest home in West Palm Beach that has ocean access. Built in 1963, this spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is approximately 1,644 square feet. Continue reading

Phipps Skate Park is Hosting a Valentine’s Day Lock-in!

Looking to have a night off from the kids? Phipps Skate Park is hosting a lock in from 9 PM – 9 AM on Valentine’s day, Friday February 14th.

Kids ages 9-17 are welcome to come to the park for a night of fun and skating. The event will provide participants the opportunity to win free skate products with games, contests, and giveaways! The kids can skate until midnight and then continue having fun for the rest of the night.

The cost is $35 and parents can call Phipps Skate Park at (561) 835-7170 to register their kids for the event.

Keep in Shape on the Cheap at the South Olive Community Center

The South Olive Community Center, located on 345 Summa St,  offers residents the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of well-priced fitness classes for adults and children. Community fitness classes are a great way to get in shape and meet people in your neighborhood! Continue reading