Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Internal Auditor, Mr. Oakes, accepts proclamation for International Internal Audit Awareness Month
This is after the proclamation below was read by the Mayor:
New Business Item 12 B was to be his report to the City Commission on some of his recent findings and investigations. The item was taken off the agenda and postponed to a time uncertain.
James A. Michener
"The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he's always doing both."
Juno Beach luxury house development nearing completion
Meanwhile, development of high priced homes steams ahead in norther parts of Palm Beach County. Click title for link.
Houses are being finished at The Preserve, a 29-home development on the west side of U.S. 1 just north of Juno Isles.
Prices for the single-family homes by Toll Brothers start around $1 million.
The 12-acre property, across from Palm Beach County Fire Station 15, was formerly owned by Seminole Golf Club. The private golf course used the marshy property as a water collection area to irrigate the 18-hole oceanfront course located nearby on the east side of State Road A1A.
Another luxury housing development in Juno Beach could break ground later this year.
Deeper study needed of All Aboard’s Palm Beach County impact | www.mypalmbeachpost.com
From the front page of the Palm Beach Post comes this article which shows the proximity of the FEC railroad right-of-way to lower income and minority neighbors. Check out the map which accompanies the article. All Aboard Florida says that they are studying these conditions. Click title for link.
But the Federal Railroad Administration said All Aboard Florida must do a higher-level analysis to meet federal environmental justice requirements that seek to limit damage to neighborhoods that are disproportionately minority, poor or elderly.Looking at the map, you can see the poverty level of the neighborhoods in Lake Worth that hug the eastern tracks.
All Aboard Florida has committed to paying for wayside horns, but some elected officials say noise isn’t the only concern. Traffic congestion and speeding trains could also cause problems in communities near the tracks, especially in Palm Beach County, which has 64 percent of the crossings in the tri-county area and more large neighborhoods in “severe impact” zones.
Florida – DEP Issues Permit for Herbert Hoover Dike Repair | Coastal Engineering News
One of the more important issues to the future of our region is the condition of the 143 mile long Herbert Hoover Dike along the edge of Lake Okeechobee. It was never designed to be a dam, but that is essentially what its function has become. Repair projects like these help balance the need for water control and the structural integrity of the dike. Click title for link to an official press release.
“The residents of South Florida are dependant upon a stable dike around Lake Okeechobee,” said DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. “DEP was able to streamline its permitting process for critical dike rehabilitation projects to alleviate flooding and environmental concerns for residents in the communities impacted by Lake Okeechobee.”
The HHD R&R Project is intended to reduce the risk of flooding, piping and seepage as a result of higher lake levels. The dike, which was constructed in the early to mid-1900s, is comprised of gravel, rock, limestone, sand and shell and does not currently meet the rigorous standards for dams and levees that exist today; limiting the flexibility of water managers with regard to lake operations. Enhancements to the HHD are critical to the restoration of the Everglades, and last year, the state urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) to expedite work on this dike system.
All Aboard Florida agrees to longer public comment period after input from Gov. Scott
All Aboard Florida agrees to a 75 day comment period in preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement. According to Kim Delaney of Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council during her presentation last night (5/6) at the City Commission meeting, the company was being asked to agree to a 90 day comment period, rather than what would be a 45 day period. This is a compromise position. Click title for link to the Palm Beach Post blog that summarizes some of the latest developments in the project. Look for Ms. Delaney's presentation later today on video right here on this blog.
Here is some of what the Post talks about in the article:
All Aboard Florida will tell the Federal Railroad Association that it is amenable to extending the public comment period from 45 days to 75 days following the release of the environmental impact statement.
The statement, which is expected in the next several weeks, will discuss the effect the express passenger rail service will have on areas north of West Palm Beach, including bridges and water traffic.
A notice released last night by All Aboard Florida said it was contacted Tuesday by Gov. Rick Scott to discuss the timeframes surrounding the solicitation of public input for the project and that he emphasized the need to give ample time and opportunity to the public to express their views.
College Park Neighborhood: Please be advised...
A reminder to our College Park Neighbors that as the work to replace the natural gas lines in our neighborhood is wrapping up, the final step will be to connect the new gas lines to the individual homes. This step requires an in home inspection of existing gas appliances by one of the technicians from Mears Group, Inc., the contractor hired by FPU. A sample of the ID card issued to all technicians has been kindly provided by Mears so that residents may check to verify before allowing anyone in their home. Questions, comments or concerns may be directed toGRIPconstruction@mears.net or by calling Supervisor Mike Pence at his office number (561) 623-7087 or his cell number (407) 495-7756.
Sample ID:
Sample ID:
State Representative Lori Berman, District 90 reports to the City Commission (5/6)
Sobering news on sober homes. There is now more leeway in regulating short term rentals. City Attorney Torcivia complimented Rep. Berman on her work in the legislature regarding financing for Spring Training facilities. Her district includes John Prince Park.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Major League Spring Baseball
To help the struggling communities in central Palm Beach County, revive/reinvent a county park, and increase potential and opportunities for our citizens and business owners...it's that simple. Please call the PB County Commissioners and tell them YES on John Price Park as a site for national baseball teams.
Steve Abrams - sabrams@pbcgov.org - (561) 355-2204
Priscilla Taylor - ptaylor@pbcgov.org - (561) 355-2207
Shelley Vana - svana@pbcgov.org - (561) 355-2203
Paulette Burdick - pburdick@pbcgov.org - (561) 355-2202
Jess Santamaria - JSantama@pbcgov.org - (561) 355-6300
Mary Lou Berger - MBerger@pbcgov.org - (561) 355-2205
Hal Valeche - hvaleche@pbcgov.org - (561) 355-2201
Steve Abrams - sabrams@pbcgov.org - (561) 355-2204
Priscilla Taylor - ptaylor@pbcgov.org - (561) 355-2207
Shelley Vana - svana@pbcgov.org - (561) 355-2203
Paulette Burdick - pburdick@pbcgov.org - (561) 355-2202
Jess Santamaria - JSantama@pbcgov.org - (561) 355-6300
Mary Lou Berger - MBerger@pbcgov.org - (561) 355-2205
Hal Valeche - hvaleche@pbcgov.org - (561) 355-2201
Town of Palm Beach - Traffic Advisory - North Bridge
Potential Extended Bridge Openings
Please be advised that crews will be surveying the Flagler Memorial (North)Bridge tomorrow, May 7th, during the 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. bridge openings. Surveyors will be underneath the bridge surveying while the spans are in the “open” position. This may result in extended bridge openings during these timeframes. Please feel free to contact Tish Burgher directly should you have any questions regarding this work.
Tish Burgher
Public Information Officer
Flagler Memorial Bridge Replacement Project
Quest Corporation of America, Inc.
Office: 561-655-0655
Please be advised that crews will be surveying the Flagler Memorial (North)Bridge tomorrow, May 7th, during the 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. bridge openings. Surveyors will be underneath the bridge surveying while the spans are in the “open” position. This may result in extended bridge openings during these timeframes. Please feel free to contact Tish Burgher directly should you have any questions regarding this work.
Tish Burgher
Public Information Officer
Flagler Memorial Bridge Replacement Project
Quest Corporation of America, Inc.
Office: 561-655-0655
It's good to know these things...
From the City park and recreational facility regulations being heard tonight on First Reading. I think we are covered and then some. The following applies to our beach property and other parks:
Why does this come to mind?
Why does this come to mind?
The Internal Auditor is giving a report at tonight's (5/6) City Commission Meeting - Item 12 (b)
Starting at page 215 of the back-up material, there is a new series of reports from the Internal Auditor. One regarding operations and policies of the Human Resources Department. This starts on page 248. Here is a bit about background checks and other hiring procedures.
I think that we are getting our money's worth with this position. Remember, this position went unfilled under previous City Commissions. Our former City Manager fired the one that was here when she started saying that "We don't need anyone else pointing out problems."
I think that we are getting our money's worth with this position. Remember, this position went unfilled under previous City Commissions. Our former City Manager fired the one that was here when she started saying that "We don't need anyone else pointing out problems."
Nestled in the City Commission's Consent Agenda (Item 9F)
Among other changes is this item:
It looks like we are able to pay back part of the loan for the new Casino building, with interest. Things are looking up?
It looks like we are able to pay back part of the loan for the new Casino building, with interest. Things are looking up?
Lake Worth Library presents “Navigating Social Security & Healthcare Before Retiring”
The Lake Worth Public Library will be presenting a FREE seminar entitled “Navigating Social Security & Healthcare Before Retiring” on Wednesday May 14th at 6:30 pm in the City Hall Annex Building located at 414 Lake Ave.
Mr. Kevin DeMayo, retirement financial advisor from Wealth Group, Inc. will talk about Social Security and out-of -pocket healthcare costs for pre-retirees who often don’t take healthcare future expenses into account. Upon retiring many face a large cash flow crunch in the later years of retirement.
He will discuss out-of-pocket as well as part "B' expense, Social Security claiming strategies and survivor benefits, the collection requirement for divorced men and women and widows, the optimum retirement considerations , working while collecting social security and explain original Medicare: A,B,D and Medigap as well as the different costs.
His presentation is designed to make the connection between Social Security optimum collection strategies and the out-of-pocket long term healthcare costs. Attendees will be well equipped to decide if they should retire at the earliest possible age or wait until the full retirement age based on facts from my presentation.
No registration is required for this free seminar, all are welcome. For more information please call the Lake Worth Public Library at 561-533-7354.
Teams seeking stadium ready to talk dollars with county officials | www.mypalmbeachpost.com
Negotiations keep on going behind the scenes. The parties are more certain of the financing parameters now that state legislation has been altered to allow a faster payout of money for a two team stadium. Mark Foley, lobbyist for the Nationals, is quoted throughout the article. Click title for link. It seems like the conversation revolves around two Palm Beach County sites. The one in West Palm Beach at 4th Street and Haverhill (landfill) or John Prince Park are getting the most attention. From the article:
Until last week, the financing was a problem because of a requirement that the state money be paid out over 37 years. That restriction was eased Friday when lawmakers approved a measure that changed the payout period for a two-team stadium to 25 years.Don't forget to show your support for Spring baseball in Lake Worth by clicking here and signing the "YES" petition.
“What it means is it solidifies and makes usable the state contribution to a cost-sharing plan to keep the teams here,’’ Weisman said.
“Now the terms actually allow that financing should be feasible at $50 million. It’s money that can actually be used as compared to previously when we didn’t think it was practical to actually use the state money.’’
Gov. Rick Scott is expected to sign the legislation.
Boynton Beach: Marina work starts despite legal challenge - The Coastal Star
The Boynton Beach CRA is being sued by Lake Worth-based West Construction over the award of a contract to construct a Harbor Master project, just north of the Two Georges restaurant. They were the low bidder on the project but are claiming that the award to the second lowest bidder was arbitrary, among other claims. Click title for link to the Coastal Star article:
The latest renovation project at Boynton Harbor Marina, the Harbor Master building, was under construction in mid April despite a lawsuit filed by West Construction that seeks to stop the work.
Attorneys for Lake Worth-based West, the lowest bidder on the Harbor Master project, filed suit against the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency on March 13, less than a week after Lake Mary-based Collage Design and Construction Group broke ground on the building.
Collage was the second-lowest bidder on the contract. The complaint against the CRA, which owns the marina and awarded the construction contract to Collage, asks a judge to stop the work and award the contract to West.
The lawsuit claims that stipulations in the invitation to bid on the marina project — including a requirement that the bidders had not been a party to litigation or arbitration arising from a public project within the past two years — violate Florida law.
Everglades restoration plan a waste of money, green group says
From Florida Watchdog, click title for a link reviewing some of the missed opportunities and the details in getting water from Lake Okeechobee to go south, not east and west. The current conditions send polluted water to estuaries on both coasts, but not south to the water-starved Everglades. The price tag to do it right is a big one.
Monday, May 5, 2014
West Palm Beach's "C'est La Via" Weekend
A partnership between the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority and the Florida Atlantic University Urban and Regional Planning Department came together for this transformation of a utilitarian alley for a weekend. Raphael Clemente, previous guest on High Noon in Lake Worth is featured.
Telling...
I received an e-mail from the WPTV Channel 5 News Department today. Not because I am special or anything, it was just series of questions like: "What do you think will be the main issues pressing on Palm Beach County in the future?" They are probably going to use it to focus and target stories based upon the responses from a wide number of people.
Here is the e-mail:
When you click on the survey they ask what gender you are and your age range. Then it goes on to location. Check this out:
See any missing set of numbers? How about 33460? For that matter, Palm Beach's 33480 doesn't show up either. Perhaps these were the numbers that people had already entered when taking the survey. I thought it was an odd exclusion. But maybe not? When you hit "Other", it did offer the opportunity to input your zip-code.
Here is the e-mail:
When you click on the survey they ask what gender you are and your age range. Then it goes on to location. Check this out:
See any missing set of numbers? How about 33460? For that matter, Palm Beach's 33480 doesn't show up either. Perhaps these were the numbers that people had already entered when taking the survey. I thought it was an odd exclusion. But maybe not? When you hit "Other", it did offer the opportunity to input your zip-code.
Editorial: City will benefit from massive waterfront village... | www.mypalmbeachpost.com
The Palm Beach Post editorial board is finally seeing the light. If you do not want 6,000 plus new residential on the outside of the urbanized area in former orange groves, you need to direct growth east. They also note that doing so takes advantage of existing infrastructure and helps make mass transit more viable. I am not saying that we need 25 story towers in Lake Worth, but we do have to do a better job at promoting Lake Worth as an "in-fill" redevelopment area. Click title for link. Here are some of their conclusions:
But developers’ urge to put tall buildings along the city’s waterfront is not a bad one. The areas in and around coastal West Palm Beach are arguably the best places in Palm Beach County for intense development. They create the critical mass that allows for walkable neighborhoods and make mass transit more viable. They are vastly preferable to the sprawled bedroom communities endlessly being planned in the county’s undeveloped western reaches. In the case of this village, the draw of waterfront restaurants and shops should attract people and money from across the area while opening up a large stretch of waterfront currently off-limits to the public.
As the county continues growing, the demand for residences in West Palm Beach will increase. The city needs to keep up with demand by permitting well-planned projects to move forward. Otherwise, the limited supply of homes and condos will grow more expensive, making the city’s most attractive areas exclusively the domain of the wealthy. To do so in a way that doesn’t compromise its own growth rules, it may need to consider liberalizing those rules.
Lake Worth could ask voters to OK $60 million bond to fix... | www.mypalmbeachpost.com
What we have been hearing as the Lake Worth 2020 plan is gathering momentum and a general obligation bond question may make it to the ballot as early as August of this year. Click title for link to Eliot Kleinberg's article. An additional $14 million of bond monies would be directed towards replacing the city's network of 2" water lines with 4" plastic pipes. From the article:
The money would pay to replace or improve miles of roadways as well as the city’s water, sewer and stormwater pipe networks. And it would pay for improvements in and around the Lake Worth Park of Commerce, an industrial park west of Interstate 95 which the city says never has reached its potential.Here is Larry Johnson, the City's Director of Water Utilities at a recent College Park Neighborhood Association meeting telling residents about the condition of our water delivery infrastructure. Much of his talk concerns the pilot program underway to install radio-read water meters, which is outside the general infrastructure improvement project.
The work also includes $13.8 million during three years just for resurfacing roadways, eliminating most of the city’s infamous potholes. And $3.2 million during the next five years would be spent on traffic bumps, landscaped islands, neighborhood entryways, street lighting, and new signs, posts, art pieces, benches and trash cans.
The city would tack the bond costs onto residents’ property tax bills: an extra $1.80 per $1,000 of a home’s taxable value for each of the first two years, $2.51 in years three and four, and $3.33 in year five.
Creature from the Black Lagoon
From the State Archives of Florida, this picture is of the actor Ricou Browning who performed most of the underwater scenes of 1954's Creature from the Black Lagoon. It was filmed in Wakulla Springs in northern Florida. The head's resemblance to anyone, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
A car cataclysm on Boutwell Road and Second Avenue North - Larry the Lenz is there!
All that I can say is to be careful when you go west of I-95. Pack a lunch and bring your emergency preparedness gear. Grab a CERT. Anything can and will happen. Something about Boutwell Road; it's almost like a karmic vortex.
PBSO is still investigating the particulars, but it's looks like the guy driving the car with the Spanishish Mexican hat was at fault. A little too much Cinco de Mayo? No one is saying.
Larry always squeezes in a selfie - he's got a real long reach. |
This is the Pharrell Williams "Happy" WPB video put together by Aaron Wormus
Aaron Wormus is known on social media as AGuyonClematis. This was done over the weekend of April 11. Fun stuff! Tall buildings would seem not to prevent people from being happy, just sayin'.
New York City to turn phone booths into Wi-Fi hot spots | Al Jazeera America
Re-inventing part what used to be a standard part of any urban setting: the telephone booth. This sounds like an interesting program. I think that most of Lake Worth's pay telephones have been removed long ago. There are still some odd ones along Dixie Hwy, usually near convenience stores. But there is a need for wi-fi and charging stations in urban locations - maybe we can find an alternative. Click title for link to article.
These telephone booths caught my eye from the lower right corner of a picture of the Municipal Auditorium (current City Hall), probably from the early to mid 60s.
They were at the SW corner of Dixie Hwy. and Lucerne.
These telephone booths caught my eye from the lower right corner of a picture of the Municipal Auditorium (current City Hall), probably from the early to mid 60s.
They were at the SW corner of Dixie Hwy. and Lucerne.
Editorial: Find right site to keep spring training stadium in... | www.mypalmbeachpost.com
On again and off again. This editorial from the Palm Beach Post makes it seem like John Prince Park is not being considered as a feasible location for the two MLB teams. So we can all simmer down a little bit. However, the editorial does go on to affirm this important set of facts:
The fact that John Prince Park has been largely ruled out is unfortunate in many respects. Proposing a baseball stadium on parkland was politically perilous. But given the potential benefits for one of the county’s poorest regions, it was worth consideration. County Commissioner Shelley Vana, who represents the area, pushed for the site to be considered because “the Lake Worth corridor really needs a lot of help.”That really is what I have been saying all long. At least Lake Worth is at the table and being discussed in the same sentence as Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and West Palm Beach. This how the piece begins. Click title for link.
But the main goal should be bringing the two teams to the most viable site in the county, wherever that may be. The economic benefit of using public money to build spring training stadiums is debatable, but the county has a substantial interest in preserving Southeast Florida’s spring training tradition, both for financial and quality-of-life reasons.
Year after year, Lake Worth and its neighbors to the west — Greenacres, Palm Springs and large unincorporated neighborhoods — are passed over as progress lifts Palm Beach County’s other major regions. When corporations move into the county, they usually look north to Palm Beach Gardens or south to the Boca Raton area. High-status retailers looking to expand — Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, H&M — scarcely give the Lake Worth area a passing glance.
Rising rates, more visitors spurs hotel construction boom | www.mypalmbeachpost.com
Palm Beach County has 2000 less hotel rooms than it had in the year 2000. Now, more than 1000 rooms are under-construction and another 800 rooms are in the development review process. This is to replace the supply that was lost during the hurricanes, conversions to condos on Singer Island and the loss of our own historic Gulfstream from being out of operation. The market is responding so you would think that Lake Worth would show up on someone's map as the perfect place for a new hotel, or two, or three...
Click title for link to a revealing article. This is where Lake Worth gets mentioned.
Places like Singer Island lost hundreds of rooms in the conversion and more after the hurricanes hit in 2004 and 2005. Only one hotel, the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island, has opened since 1990, and the number of rooms is down from more than 2,000 to fewer than 700. Lake Worth’s small hotels also were devastated by hurricanes and the recession. The city has seen no new hotels built since 1990 and has lost nearly half of its rooms.They must be referring to the mothballed Gulfstream and the Hummingbird. The later had community bathrooms. One former Commissioner, you know the one if you think about it real hard, referred to the Hummingbird as Lake Worth's European-style hostel. This probably to reflect the fact that it was served by community restrooms.
Here is some more from the article:
“I like to develop hotels in areas that I myself like to visit,” Finvarb Group Principal Ronny Finvarb, developer of the Abacoa Courtyard by Marriott that has been under construction for the past year, said in an email.The Marriot at Abacoa is being built near the Roger Dean Stadium, Spring baseball home of the Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals. Hmmmm...
He’s not the only one visiting.
Palm Beach County has been steadily increasing in visitors — up to 5.5 million in 2012. Hoteliers set records last year for tourism tax collections, known as bed taxes, and Florida has brought in an ever higher number of visitors for the past three years with goals to reach 100 million in the next year or two.
Developers want to build more hotels because occupancy and rates are climbing. Part of that increase is the 2,000 fewer rooms that it had a decade ago.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Part of my presentation last night...
...included information on the current City Hall building
c. mid 1960s - Notice the telephone booths and ample number of park benches |
These are two images of the building, probably taken soon after its construction, in 1935.
Here is some information from the Division of Historic Resources, State Historic Preservation Office master site file on the building. Click image to read.
I would like to see the building returned to its original use as an auditorium some day and find a place for a new City Hall.
Florida Legislature urges Obama administration action on Keystone XL « Watchdog.org
Click title for link. From the article:
The measure expresses a consensus view by the Florida Legislature that President Obama should approve Keystone XL. By executive order, only the president can issue a permit for proposed oil pipelines that cross U.S. borders — the executive order came by way of George W. Bush.
“The Legislature is adding to the voice of others that have expressed the same view, including labor unions,” Robert Sanchez, policy director for the Tallahassee-based James Madison Institute, told Watchdog.org.
“The speculation is that the president is concerned about offending environmental activists — an important constituency — even though environmental studies have shown that the pipeline will cause minimal damage. In fact, more damage is caused by refusing to build the pipeline because it’s a more energy efficient way of transporting petroleum products than trucks and trains,” Sanchez said.
Deputy, “in fear of his life,” shoots suspect in Lake Worth... | www.palmbeachpost.com
This happened around 1:30 a.m. at 6th Avenue South and Dixie Hwy. Click title for link.
From last night's Lake Worth Museum's Open House Presentation...
I put a "then and now" presentation together from my Lake Worth postcard collection and other historical memorabilia. It took place in the former Commission Chambers that is in the City Hall Annex, which happens to be on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum was open upstairs. Hours for the Museum are Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m. Nice to see everyone who came out and the exchange of memories. Look for similar events coming up in the Fall.
Palm Beach County gets funding concessions it wanted from... | www.mypalmbeachpost.com
Looks like we got a seventh inning stretch here. The state legislature has made some changes to its "sports facilities incentive program" and better aligning financing with the realities of the real world. This was in response to Palm Beach County's lobbying efforts during this year's legislative session which ended. Of note, this article is by Christine Stapleton. Click title for link. Perhaps Mr. Ostrowski was sent to the bullpen for a bit. From the article:
Palm Beach County’s effort to build a new two-team baseball stadium got a boost Friday when Florida lawmakers approved a bill that sweetens financing options for building spring-training stadiums that the Legislature just created in 2013.Remember to click here to support Spring baseball in Palm Beach County!
“We’ve been working on this for such a long time,” said County Commissioner Shelley Vana. “This is another step in the right direction.”
The county already has Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter for the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals, but county officials have been in discussions with the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals about building a spring training facility that could house them both somewhere in the county. Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and John Prince Park west of Lake Worth have been some of the locations most recently discussed.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Marriott Hotel to open in about a month near Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter’s Abacoa
This is an example of part of the positive economic spin-off from Spring baseball. Do you know of another community that could use some quality hotel rooms? I do. Click title for link.
Bike Valet | SunFest | April 30 – May 4, 2014
Click title for link to the Sunfest website. Check out this unique and FREE program:
Take advantage of Florida’s beautiful weather and the financial benefits that come along with riding your bicycle to SunFest. Ride your bike to SunFest and park it for free in a secure area near the festival gates! Valet bike parking is like a coat check for bicycles. Patrons are issued claim checks in exchange for their bikes and staff members guard them in a secure corral. When you are ready to leave, present your claim check to get your bike back. The bike valet service is located on North Clematis Street at Centennial Square and the fountain, near SunFest’s Clematis Street gate. The service is available Wednesday through Sunday during regular SunFest hours.
Tropical Ridge Neighborhood Association - Up-coming Meeting
Greetings to friends and neighbors of Tropical Ridge Neighborhood Association,
We will be conducting our monthly meeting next Monday, May 5th, 7:00pm in the First Church of Nazarine hall on N. D street and 2nd Ave North.
Hope to see you all there.
Carolyn
We will be conducting our monthly meeting next Monday, May 5th, 7:00pm in the First Church of Nazarine hall on N. D street and 2nd Ave North.
Hope to see you all there.
Carolyn
Combination giant pothole and sinkhole...
Actually a retaining wall collapses in the Baltimore area this past Wednesday. Wait for the last 15 seconds.
How strong is our seawall? Just asking.
How strong is our seawall? Just asking.
Delray Beach: City moves toward county beach-light law - The Coastal Star
I wonder if Lake Worth is opting in or creating its own ordinance. Interesting to note that this also affects the placement of beach furniture and having to remove it at night. In the morning, it needs to be replaced in the company of a turtle nest inspector to determine if any nests were made the previous night. Click title for link. From the article:
“We will work with them the best we can for a solution,” Biery said. “But lights can’t be visible from the beach either directly or indirectly by causing illumination.”
Some violators may be given the opportunity to retrofit existing lighting fixtures by adding sheet metal shields so stray light doesn’t reach to the beach. Amber LED lightbulbs also may be substituted at some locations to reduce glare.
The law also requires that all beach furniture be removed each night to make movement easier for sea turtles. A turtle surveyor must give approval each morning before the furniture can be returned to the municipal beach.
Coastal municipalities have the option to either let the county enforce its turtle protection law on their beaches or to adopt a municipal law that is equally strict.
Manalapan opted into the county law and Ocean Ridge is working to do the same. Boca Raton chose to adopt and enforce its own law.
Conservative group sues to strip manatee of "endangered" status - Sun Sentinel
Downgrading the species from "endangered" to "threatened" is largely symbolic, as the same protections would remain. Many do not want to see the change as it signals a longer term change of policy. Manatee deaths were up last year from a number of causes, both natural and man made. Click title for link. From the article:
The California-based foundation said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's own study recommended the change in 2007 because of the manatee's improving prospects. This year, a single-day count found 4,834 manatees in Florida, well above the minimum stated by the federal government, the foundation said.
"It has been seven years since the federal government's own scientific review signaled that the manatee should be removed from 'endangered' status," said Christina M. Martin, an attorney in the foundation's Palm Beach Gardens office. "But no action has been taken. Everyone who values responsible environmental management should be concerned by this foot-dragging and failure to follow scientific findings."
Undocumented immigrants win big with in-state tuition, law... | www.mypalmbeachpost.com
We'll hear of more laws being passed as today is the last day of session in the state legislature. This is a big one, that still needs some attention in the House since the Senate made some changes to it. Governor Scott campaigned with a hard line towards immigration and this is seen as his attempt to woo Hispanic voters this November. Click title for link.
“We’ve tried to get this bill passed because it’s something we truly believe in,” Thurston [House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston] said. “It’s not something that we’re doing because it’s politically expedient.”
The Senate voted 26-13 in favor of the tuition bill after an hour of impassioned speeches for and against the measure.
Speaking against the bill, Sen. Aaron Beach, R-Jacksonville, asked the same question he posed during earlier debates: “Does being an American matter any more?”
The Deadliest Animal in the World | Bill Gates
Forget about sharks - look at the lowly mosquito for being the animal causing the most human death over history. Click title for link to a graphic showing the lethal qualities of various species. You will be surprised. Check out this video too.
Henry David Thoreau
“If one advances confidently in the direction of one's dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”
Thursday, May 1, 2014
The application deadline for the Snyder Scholarship has been extended to May 9, 2014
The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach is proud to offer the Deborah Snyder Scholarship.
The Deborah Snyder Scholarship Fund provides an ongoing scholarship opportunity for high school seniors in Palm Beach County. Seniors who wish to pursue a collegiate course of study in Architectural Design, Interior Design or Landscape Design will benefit from a financial award of $5,000.
Applications are available from the Foundation’s website www.palmbeachpreservation.org/ deborahsnyder.htm or please contact the Foundation’s Director of Education Amanda Skier at561.832.0731 ext. 104 or via email at askier@palmbeachpreservation. org
Applications are due May 9, 2014.
This scholarship is named to honor the sister of longtime Preservation Foundation trustee Scott Snyder. Deborah, Scott’s beloved sister, passed away suddenly on June 21, 2010.
Announcement regarding the future of the Gulfstream Hotel coming May 11th...
According to William Waters, Director of Community Sustainability, there will be an announcement about the Gulfstream Hotel on May 11th. This comment was made during the joint work session of the Planning and Zoning and Historic Resource Preservation Boards' meeting last night.
NextEra, FPL, earnings up for first quarter | www.mypalmbeachpost.com
FPL's financial performance is evidence of Florida's increased economic activity. Click title for link. From the article:
“NextEra Energy delivered very strong operational performance and financial results during the first quarter,” said Jim Robo, chairman and chief executive officer of NextEra Energy.This FPL advertisement is about the Indiantown solar - natural gas hybrid plant. I've been there for a tour and the nearby Barley Barber Swamp, home to some of the oldest cypress trees in Florida.
“FPL’s customer metrics reflect a strengthening of Florida’s economy and business climate, and we are executing on our major capital projects that will enhance a customer value proposition that already includes excellent reliability, award-winning customer service and the lowest typical residential bill in the state,” Robo said.
Commentary: All Aboard committed solely to passenger rail travel | www.mypalmbeachpost.com
All Aboard Florida President and Chief Development Officer Michael Reininger does a smack down of the Palm Beach Post's Frank Cerabino. He points out that Florida East Coast Railway, and Florida East Coast Industries are two distinct companies, complete with independent ownership and management. The railway company will always be about freight and the FECI portion will be about passenger service. Click title for link. From the op-ed:
What is missing in Cerabino’s fictional tale is any understanding of the reality that FECR cannot operate any passenger service on its property; and conversely, All Aboard Florida cannot operate freight. The owners and investors of All Aboard Florida won’t spend their money for improvements to a business they have nothing to do with and from which they receive no benefit. And why would they? If FECR desires to expand its infrastructure to accommodate growth, it has the unencumbered right and ability to do so.
[And later]
Rather than get distracted by the tales of conspiracy and intrigue conjured up by Cerabino, we remain focused on doing once again what this railroad has done in the past — building a backbone upon which Florida can grow and compete with other places in the country that are committed to a better, smarter tomorrow.
From the 1920s Florida Boom Period "Success Is the Born Child of Progress"
Early advertisement for the "new" College Park" subdivision from the Palm Beach Post, April 19, 1925. Notice who this particular home belongs to: John Prince. I will do more research, but this might have been the namesake of John Prince Park's home at one time.
Pre-dawn tavern fire out in Lake Worth; investigation underway | www.palmbeachpost.com
South Shores - corner of M and Lucerne. I just walked by there yesterday afternoon. This fire is considered suspicious since the burglar alarm in the building went off earlier in the morning. It was extinguished quickly, but there is much apparent damage. Click title for link and pictures. Check out Lake Worth Voice on Facebook for more information.
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