New homes to help revitalize Lake Worth community

More positive press about the CRA and the NSP2 program.  This is from a new home dedication from yesterday.  Click title for link to article.  Video below:

The story in pictures | Lake Worth every minute

Pics from our bike ride last night with fellow Lake Worthians - click title for link.

National Circles Campaign - Palm Beach County Poverty Simulation

Imagine living on $1,921 per month for a family of four. This is the average salary for a person living at the federal poverty level. In Palm Beach County, 12.2% (161,056) of the population--a large percentage of them school-aged children--live at or below the federal poverty level.

On September 12, you have a unique opportunity to become involved with the local start-up of an exciting national initiative--The National Circles Campaign, designed to empower the community to eliminate poverty--by participating in a Poverty Simulation. The Center for Family Services is co-sponsoring this inaugural event and they invite you and other decision makers from your organization to participate.
  

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Gaines Park
1505 North Australian Avenue
West Palm Beach

Although the activity uses "play" money and other props, fictional scenarios, and time limits, the Poverty Simulation is NOT a game. It is a tool that enables participants to view the real world of poverty, leading to maximum understanding and future positive action.

A certificate of participation will be awarded to those who are present for the entire event. 

The event is free, but pre-registration by September 5th is required. 

Contact Hilda Alexander

National Circles Campaign-Palm Beach County
The Center for Family Services
Halexander@ctrfam.org
561.616.1252

Partial view of City Hall with its window protection...

A few more pics of the Mars rover...

More good news from the CRA and the NSP2 Program!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Joan C. Oliva
August 31, 2012  9:30am	561-493-2250

MEDIA AVAILABILITY

LOCAL OFFICIALS- MEDIA- AND SUPPORTERS 

JOIN PAM TRIOLO, MAYOR CITY LAKE WORTH

SHELLY VANA, COMMISSIONER PALM BEACH COUNTY

MR. ARMANDO FANA, HUD DIRECTOR of MIAMI FIELD OFFICE

(Coconut Walk 219 North L Street -Lake Worth, FL) The Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is the lead entity of the Lake Worth NSP2 Consortium, a $23.3M grantee of Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) stimulus funds authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).The Consortium continues to successfully acquire and rehabilitate or construct over 100 properties in a targeted area of the CRA district, disproportionately affected by the foreclosure crisis and economic downturn. The goals of the program include helping to stem the free fall in property values, putting residential properties back on the tax rolls, reconnecting neighborhoods and providing safe, energy-efficient homes for program-eligible families. The program provides for down-payment and closing cost assistance to low and moderate income households.

Cary Sabol, LW-CRA Chair will introduce local officials tomorrow, and together the consortium will celebrate the "Re-Birth Of Lake Worth" and dedicate multiple homes to families, delivering their dream of owning a home. These new homes will add to the collection of new homes in this revitalized community. 

Family Bio’s Coconut Walk Home Dedication 219 North L Street

Friday, August 31^st 9:30 am

 Jose Diaz 20 South D Street

"My name is Jose Ramon Diaz II. I am 23 years old. I was born at Brooklyn Hospital in New York, but I was raised here in Florida for 21 years of my life. I have one sibling, my little brother Matthew Joseph who is 5 years younger than me. My mother, Milady Joseph is currently staying with me. I have always strived to be good at anything that I put my mind to. When I was 15 years old, I started college at PBSC to start my regular credits, which I applied to when I was 16 to my college credits at New England Tech. I graduated 2nd in my class at 18 years old with a full associates degree in automotive technology. I was invited to the BMW STEP program in the German training facility after my graduation because they saw the level that I was learning at. After graduating, I worked for almost 5 years at a super car company called Mosler Automotive. Currently I am working as a service advisor/technician level 2 at Sears Auto Center. I am really impressed thus far with the CRA program and all the help they have been able to provide for my family and I in getting a beautiful home as quickly as possible and with utter flexibility. Bringing life back to Lake Worth means a lot to me because I see the potential of life in Lake Worth, and the close knit community that it holds. My new home is in Lake Worth and I am proud to say that I am a Lake Worth resident."  

Jill Karlin 219 North L Street #100

Jill Karlin is born in Boston, but found her home in Florida in the mid 1980s.  A Renaissance woman, Jill is an artist, yoga instructor, cookie maker, and sales woman.  Her art works have been shown and are in collections the world over, including an exhibition in New Delhi, India hosted by patron Biki Oberoi and The Oberoi Hotel. 

Darryl Sturrup 219 North L Street #110

Darryl Sturrup was born in Florida and raised in Seminole Circle, a housing project in Lantana.  He was raised by his mother and began developing a love for music at a very young age.  Darryl moved to Canada in his early twenties and recorded his first studio single “Forever” which sold over 10,000 copies.  Darryl continues to capture hearts with his song writing capabilities. 

Anthony Cancigllia 219 North L Street #111

 Anthony Christopher Canciglia was born in Florida and has lived here for most of his life. His family did move to Tennessee, where he resided for about a year, but decided that he missed Florida too much and moved back.  Anthony graduated from Seminole Ridge High School, which is in Loxahatchee. Mr. Canciglia enjoys living in Lake Worth because it is a great area with proximity to the beach, shops and delicious restaurants.

Nancy Jack 219 North L Street #104

Ms. Nancy Jack wanted to buy in Lake Worth because she loves Lake Worth's casual, funky personality and its affordability. Ms. Jack moved here from Los Angeles and found many of the same attributes like - beach, sun and diversity - without the high prices. Lake Worth offers affordable living within walking distance of a beautiful beach,  shops and restaurants . Ms. Jack was a writer in L.A. but now practices law in Florida. Ms. Jack states “Lake Worth helps me keep in touch with my creative side.”

Anthony Reindel 111 Lake Avenue #1

Anthony just recently graduated school in Ohio with a fine arts degree.  Mr. Reindel wanted to thank everybody at the Lake Worth CRA for helping to put a roof over his head and giving  him the opportunity to own a beautiful home in these tough times… A gift that is greatly appreciated by him… and his parents.

Mr. Diaz is a Lake Worth local who works as automotive mechanic.  He would like to become more involved with his neighborhood association and work closely with his neighbors to decrease crime in the South end of Lake Worth. 

Lake Worth's Director of Sustainability William Waters 08/31 by High Noon in Lake Worth | Blog Talk Radio

Click title for link to another "High Noon in Lake Worth" - Internet radio talk show.  Tomorrow's guest is William Waters - Director of Community Sustainability for the city.   We will talk about all sorts of planning, zoning, preservation and permitting issues facing Lake Worth.  Post your questions in advance of the show in the comments section below.  You can also call in during the show - the number will be on the screen after you click the link.  The show begins at 12:00 p.m.

For your information, the last two shows have had 400 archived "listens" each.  The first show on the PACE program exceeds 1,600 archived "listens."  The link above will also take you to the archived show if you can't hear it live.

Jim Stafford on tackling blight and attracting jobs to Lake Worth:

A parallel situation?

Vero Beach is negotiating with FPL on the takeover of its municipal electric system - this has been going a while and it seems to be fraught with some similarities to Lake Worth's situation.  Apparently, there has been a breakthrough recently.  Click here for link to a TCPalm.com article..

PBSO Case Vs Blogger to be Dropped!

Click title for link to PBP article.

Isaac at Landfall

Interesting Post from County Commissioner Steven Abrams on TS Isaac

"I met with the Governor, along with other commissioners and emergency officials, at the EOC this morning. Palm Beach County was the hardest hit of all of Florida’s 67 counties from TS Isaac, although thankfully the impact was minor in my coastal district. As of last night, a total of $8.79 million in damages have been reported. Officials explained that the State needs to hit a threshold of $20 million to be eligible for certain FEMA grants, so if you have any damage to report, please contact the EOC at 561-712-6400, so we can maximize assistance to our fellow citizens in the western communities. For all my District 4 coastal residents, this means that if you had any beach erosion, you can report that, and it will count toward the $20 million."  - FaceBook post made on 8/29

Bank of America is target of early RNC protests in Tampa | WCNC.com Charlotte

More of our former two-term City Commissioner - this time on her knees, writing on pavement.  Click title for link.

Here is a fond memory - the time when, as Commissioner, she protested in front of the Israeli consulate in Miami:

Former Lake Worth commissioner and SEIU-backed hecklers disrupt Rubio speech to Florida delegates | Post on Politics

The best part of this headline is the word "former" - click title for link to PBP political blog post.

Marco Rubio Breakfast - Disrupted by Protesters

Video rights itself after 10 seconds. Check out a familiar face around the 1:30 mark.  The protesters are being called "liberal agitators."

lakeworthdeemcnamara

Someone found her way to the keyboard again.  Click title for link.  Translation services unavailable at this time.

Anniversary of Hurricane Cleo hitting area in 1964...

Notice that Lake Worth is getting "kudos" for having power restored first among neighboring communities.  It was really the first storm to hit this area since 1949.

Click here for link to PBP edition published the day after the storm.

Lake Worth to discuss selling 25 city-owned properties

Click title for link to PBP article.  We learned from William Waters at the last City Commission meeting that the city has about 200 houses that it can foreclose on - but doesn't have the money to do so.  These are the results of code fines turning to liens.  Usually other liens exist on properties such as these and all need a clean title to be sold or returned to private ownership.  I am not sure about the legality of requiring resident home-ownership.

Lake Worth City Hall will be OPEN tomorrow.

In case anyone asks. Also per CBS12 News, all Palm Beach County Courthouses will be open and fully operational on Monday, August 27, 2012. Contact the Court's Emergency Hotline at (561) 355-6744 for additional updates.

Mars, Isaac and Spillway Park