Florida Workers Compensation Rates Drop

 Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty ordered a decrease in state workers compensation rates by a total of 18.6% for policies incepting Jan. 1.

This decrease is the largest one-year decrease on record following the two previous year decreases of 18.4 percent in 2008 and 15.7 percent in 2007. This approval marks the sixth since the Florida Legislature passed sweeping reforms to the state's workers' compensation system in 2003. The cumulative overall statewide average rate decrease since 2003 total more than 60 percent.

Prior to the 2003 reforms, the state of Florida consistently ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the country for the highest workers' compensation rates; however, post-reform, Florida has dropped out of the top 10 rankings.

Member News and Announcements

On October 18, the north-county based Cancer Alliance of Help and Hope will hold its annual fund-raising ball with the theme "Jewels and Jeans" at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. This is the major fund-raiser for the Alliance, which assists cancer patients and their families who live in or receive treatment in Palm Beach County.  Individual tickets to the ball are $200. For more information about the ball, contact Executive Director Jean Fischer at 748-7227 or cahelpandhope@aol.com, or visit www.cahh.org.

Jupiter Medical Center Foundation is hosting its 2008 Key to the Cure- a charity shopping event to benefit the Ella Milbank Foshay Cancer Center at Jupiter Medical Center. Only two days remain-Sat. and Sun., October 18-19. The event will be at the Saks Fifth Avenue, Palm Beach Gardens, Gardens Mall. The cost is $40 per person, $75 per couple. For more information, contact the Jupiter Medical Center Foundation at 561-745-5728 or visit www.jupitermed.com.

Three Hots and a Cot, a photographic documentary of the homeless opened at the Lighthouse Center for the Arts.  Also on exhibition is the inaugural CANstruction exhibition where hundreds of cans of food have been built into sculptures to create awareness and aid in the fight against hunger.  All canned goods will be donated to the Treasure Coast Food Bank.  For more information call Shannon Scott at 561-746-3101 or email shannon@lighthousearts.org.

RosettaStone Fine Art Gallery has moved to Palm Beach Gardens. The new gallery is located at PGA Commons Central, 5080 PGA Boulevard, Suite 101, Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. 33418. RosettaStone Fine Art Gallery was previously located in Juno Beach. On Tues., Nov. 11, RosettaStone Fine Art Gallery presents the exhibit "The Art of Politics."  This exhibit offers an unmatched visual perspective of the nation's politics.For more information please visit www.rosettastonefineart.com.

Kekki Chiropractic is hosting its Patient Appreciation Day Nov. 12th.  From 5:30pm-7:30pm will be an open house mixer to celebrate the first year anniversary in Jupiter. There will be food, refreshments and gifts available, not to mention drawings for several prizes. For more information and/or to RSVP, please call Dr. Kekki and staff at (561) 575-2075.

Taste of the Palm Beaches is Nov. 12th, from 5:30-9pm at PGA Commons. Taste of the Palm Beaches™ is a gathering of the area's most popular and respected dining establishments. To enhance the Taste experience there is live music and displays from the Palm Beach Gardens Police and Fire Departments.  Last year the Taste attracted over 1,600 people with more than $23,000 raised for Big Heart Brigade's Thanksgiving Dinner Drive. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the PGA Commons Web site at www.pgacommons.com.

E-Quality of Life's Foundation will host its Second Annual Fundraising Gala Dinner. Event will be Nov. 30th from 4-7pm at PGA National Resort and Spa. Tickets are $75 and event is cocktail attire. For more information please call 561-747-9703.

Palm Beach Capital, a South Florida based private equity firm and majority owner of Stainsafe, together with Uniters,  are pleased to announce the merger of Stainsafe and Multimaster and the subsequent formation of a new joint venture, Global Care Solutions, LLC. Global Care Solutions will be based in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and effective immediately, Karen Gough, former EVP of Stainsafe, will assume the role of President and CEO of Global Care Solutions, with Gordian Tork as Chairman.

Look for your membership invoices coming early next week!