Thursday, December 6, 2012

Virginia woman is sued for $750,000 over her Yelp review | Mail Online

Bloggers beware!  Not telling the truth could come back to haunt you - eh hem.  Click title for link.

Today at Compass Community Center...


Here is another video from Tuesday night (12 04 12) - Second part of public participation...

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Lake Worth votes to approve commissioners’ travel without... | www.palmbeachpost.com

This became such an issue after Commissioner Mulvehill's two week trip to Bonn, Germany for the ICLEI conference.  Can we all just behave like adults and get on with the city's business?  This from the article, click title for link.
Following that discussion, City Manager Michael Bornstein developed a policy that allows him to approve trips, noting that politically charged debates over travel were not worth the commission’s time.
“It turned into a political fracas every time,” Bornstein told commissioners. “The money is budgeted. You should be allowed to travel.”
Note that foreign travel is still to be brought before the public at a Commission meeting.

More surveillance cameras going up in Lake Worth | www.palmbeachpost.com

Willie's on a tear - two articles in a 24 hour period.  Click title for link.

Glimpses from last night's City Commission meeting 12 04 12

Commentary to follow.



Lake Worth Library gets $10,000 anonymous donation | www.palmbeachpost.com

This was mentioned by City Manager Bornstein during the WPBR program where he took the Mayor's regular place on her show and chatted with John Szerdi.  Worth a listen (previous post) if you haven't heard it yet.  Click title for link to PBP article.

America's 50 Worst State Legislatures | Mother Jones

Worth a read...Florida is identified as the sixth worst state legislature in the nation - for some rather good reasons.  Also interesting is North Carolina's attempt to outlaw sea level rise.  Click title for link.  I guess we get the government(s) we ask for.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Today's Lake Worth Adventure - A happy story!

For a while now, we have been noticing water bubbling up along my southern property line.  We had already checked with the neighboring property to see if it was part of their sprinkler system that was leaking - turned out not to be.  I checked my property survey and it did show a 5 foot utility easement that straddled the property line.  I thought that it could be part of an old water line.  The water feed to the house comes off Pennsylvania Avenue to the west.

Today, while walking Mars, I looked into the backyard and lo and behold I saw what looked like a sprinkler head going off by the fence.   See below:

So, I called water utilities.  Someone answered right away.  I told them my address and what was happening and they said that it was probably an old water line and that this happens quite often.  I asked if they would have to remove the fence or anything major and he answered that most times that was not the case.  He asked if I was home or going to be home to let someone in the backyard - I said yes.  He said that they would send someone out in 10 minutes.
Ten minutes later, two trucks showed up.  The first guy there looked over the situation, stuck his hand down into the ground where the leak was coming from and said that it was a 2" line that had broken.  It turns out they were able to do all the work all by hand and within about an hour, they left having fixed the leak.  I went in the backyard and you couldn't even tell they had been there.  So, the moral to the story is that if you notice something like this, do not be afraid to call it in.  The city has professional people that can respond quickly and get the job done.

Thank you City of Lake Worth!

Keeping Out the Kardashians

Zoning meets reality television - some interesting theories discussed in this article.  They apparently found a place to "live" in a north Miami area neighborhood.  Click title for link.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Lake Worth gift certificates for the Holidays?

This is Bay City, Michigan's way of getting a little extra money in their coffers.  I wonder if any go unspent?  This was posted originally on FaceBook.

What Helsinki looks like today...


Click here for nice article which appeared in the Palm Beach Post over the weekend regarding the Finnish community in our area and mention of Lake Worth.  If you are on FaceBook, please "like" their page "Embassy of Finland in Washington."

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Snook Islands growing in Lake Worth Lagoon - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

Nice article on the Snook Islands project - County funded.  Don't let anyone else tell you different.  Click title for link.

Truly a city plagued by over-development...

Bill was able to take a few pictures from the roof of the EcoCentre building yesterday during the event.  They include the area immediately surrounding the building and of the downtown area in general.  It is important to note that the Comprehensive Plan - when passed earlier this year - actually lowered allowable heights between Federal and Dixie Highways to 45 feet from 65 feet.  The area that allows 65 foot buildings is east of Federal - that is the subject of the referendum in March.







A little bit about yesterday...

I must say it was a lot of fun at the "Art & Wine at the Eco" event.  Here are some pictures taken during the time that we were there.  This was the third year that I attempted to dress up as the Cat-in-the-Hat, as best as I could, and do an interpretive reading of How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss.  It was part of the afternoon program that included a children's choir from Sacred Heart, a reading by John Cutrone of the Jaffe Center for Book Arts.  Later on in the afternoon, John Szerdi, architect of the Eco Centre building - and new City Commissioner - led a tour through the building.  The event concluded with a wine tasting in the evening.
 A few strange things happened on my way to the Eco Centre building.  Right across the street, in the parking area for 1000 Lake Avenue (where the 9 Arches mural project is going on) there seemed to be some sort of "sale" going on, although it was unclear if anything was really for sale or not.  Above is a "blow up" mannequin, if that's what you want to call her.  She was directing people to this parking area being used for this impromptu flea market of sorts.  I couldn't pass up the photo opportunity.  She was a person of few words, but if you click on the picture you might be able to see a Seventh Day Adventist Tract in her right hand.  She was tied to the Foxtail Palm tree behind her.  Who knows?  She might still be welcoming people to our downtown today so you may want to check it out.
 Of the items distributed through the parking area, of all things, was a slightly soiled Grinch doll.  Overwhelmed by the serendipity of the Cat-in-the-Hat meeting the Grinch, the person running this "sale" gave the doll to me as a gift and I was able to use it as a prop during my appearance.  I will try to wash it today to see if some of the stains can come out.
 Here I am - definitely standing out in the crowd - checking out the art and artists that were assembled in the biolarium of the EcoCentre.


 Here I am with AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt picking out tickets for the children's raffle after my reading.

It was a fun afternoon and the building turned out to be a great venue for it!

The 9 arches project in process...

Most of the panels are complete, but a few are still being worked on.  This is a nice addition to the core of our downtown.  These pictures were taken yesterday. The building is at 1000 Lake Avenue and the project is part of the LULA program run by the Lake Worth CRA.












Saturday, December 1, 2012

“Art & Wine at the Eco” To be Hosted in Downtown Lake Worth Holiday gift show and wine tasting at the “Green” building


(Lake Worth, FL, November 12, 2012) -- Mango Groves Neighborhood Association will host  “Art &Wine at the Eco”, a Holiday Gift Show and Wine Tasting at the EcoCentre in downtown Lake Worth on Saturday, December 1, 2012, from 2 pm.-7 p.m. (Wine tasting is from 6-7 p.m.)

The event will feature area artists whose works will be on display for purchase as one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, music and holiday entertainment, and a selection of wines for tasting.  Admission to the gift show is free.  Admission to the wine tasting is $10.00.

The EcoCentre, also known as the “green building,” is located at 1005 Lake Avenue.  Designed by Lake Worth architect John Szerdi, the building opened in 2008.  With 33,000 square feet of space, it boasts a large atrium, rooftop garden, and a host of green features including countertops made from recycled glass, carpet made from recycled plastic, and bricks from a Chicago building that was torn down.

To purchase tickets for the wine tasting online, go to www.mangogroves.org,  To purchase by phone, or for more information, please call (561) 921-1962.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Mango Groves Neighborhood Association, a nonprofit organization located near downtown Lake Worth.

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Media contact:
Annamaria Windisch-Hunt
(561) 921-1962