Kim and I both grew up in the Pittsburgh area and were both struck today when the news was announced that former Steeler's Broadcaster Myron Cope died today.

We both remember back in the good old days when we would turn down the NBC guys on the tube to hear Myron and Jack Fleming announce the games.

For those of you who may not know, Myron developed the Terrible Town and gave the profits to charity.  We missed him already on the broadcasts and hope he's off to a better place...

Full story at http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-obit-cope&prov=ap&type=lgns

Cary in Margate

Having my coffee this morning and reading the local Sun-Sentinel I was floored by the article on the front page of Section B.  You can read it here http://www.sun-sentinel.com/.  71% of the voters in this county and 64% state wide voted for Amendment 1, yet here we go with more tax requests.  I fired off the following letter to the editor and I'd like your ideas:

I just finished reading Juan Ortega's Tuesday front page article Some cities considering tax increases.  I can not believe the audacity of these politicians. Three quarters of the voter told them by approving Amendment 1 that taxes in Florida are TOO HIGH, yet here they are back at the well looking for more.  We worked very hard to ensure the passage of Amendment 1, and we're making a claim right now that we'll work very hard to oppose any local tax increases!  The voters have spoken - LISTEN!  We understand that every budget has "Have tos" and "Want Tos" included.  We're telling you there is no money for "Want tos" and you should get the spending on "Have tos" in line. The South Florida version of the Boston Tea Party has commenced, but we won't throw any tea overboard - we'll just work to throw unenlightened politicians out of office!

Cary Johnson,  

Margate, Florida

We want to offer our hearty congratulations to the Coral Springs Middle School Math Club Team who won the 2008 Broward County Math Counts Competition sponsored by the Florida Engineering Society on Saturday February 9, 2008.

The team, headed by Mrs Alexandra Bayuk is the first to beat the team from the Nova Magnet Program in over five years.

Team members practiced weekly in preparation for the contest and expect to compete in the Statewide Competition.  I just wish I would have taken their picture this morning, but this proud papa was a little slow Saturday morning......  OH WELL GOOD JOB GANG!!!

You gotta hand it to a bunch of kids who stay after school on Fridays and get up early on a Saturday morning to voluntarily take math tests.... but we sure are proud of our Mathletes.

Cary in Margate

I know your weekends get crazy so I'm trying to give you some heads up on these open houses for a super deal in Coral Springs.  Do you remember when you told customers - sorry no 3 bedroom houses under $350K. Why not look at a condo?  Here is the solution for those buyers.
This is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage located in Ramblewood South.  It's just south of Royal Palm Blvd. between University and Riverside.  On a small canal, with the house set way back from the street so there's tons of parking in the long driveway.

 Check out all the details by clicking here 8793nw21ct.buysellcoralsprings.com

Please come visit me - I don't want to be lonely!

Cary from The Johnson Team specializing in affordable South Florida Real Estate

Well, the polls are closed.  I just came in from working the poll 7-7 and to be honest, I don't have a feeling one way or the other.  I heard tons of oh yes I'm for that" and very many "I'm a teacher, fireman, cop, city employee etc that just can't support that".

I sure hope it passes, we did our share to get the word out, but take it or leave it, it's time for the fence sitters to get off the fence.  We either have tax reform or we don't.  Adjust one way or the other, find the home you love and let's go make you the best deal possible.

Cary in Margate.

Boy, did I mess up today.  Last night I posted a family favorite recipe for dinner that I was putting in the crockpot this morning.  But I got so caught up with the voting thing this morning and I forgot to put dinner on.  Here's a great standby recipe (that we're now having tonight) when you're out of time and you want something better than take-out!  (I double the following recipe for the 4 of us)

 Barbeque Chicken Pizza

1 Large Boboli Pizza Crust

1 Boneless Skinnless Chicken Breast (or if you want to cheat....1 large can of cooked chicken)

1 Cup Shredded Kraft Mexican Style Four Cheese

3/4 Cup  (divided) of your favorite barbeque sauce (ours is Sonnys)

1/4 Cup of Green Onions, chopped

1/4 of Red Peppers, chopped

Preheat oven to 450.  Saute the chopped chicken in 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil until done or juices run clear. Then mix chicken with 1/4 Cup of bbq sauce.   Spread the remaining 1/2 Cup bbq sauce on the pizza crust, then layer your cooked chicken,  peppers, cheese and green onions.  Bake for 10 -15 minutes or until golden brown.

(Optional:  Sprinkle with crushed red pepper for a little kick)

Serve with a tossed salad and enjoy!!

Hi all,

 I've been standing at Precinct G002 and G023 all morning and the vote is pretty heavy in Margate.  Tough to tell how the Amendment 1 vote is going.  Younger homeowners are almost all a YES while the 55 and over Condo crowd is a NO.

This is going to be extremely close.  If you haven't voted yourself please get out there and cast your vote yes on 1 -- and take a friend with you -- and tell ten people to vote yes on your way !!

Going to grab a sandwich and head back outside - more updates later in the day.

Cary in Margate