Winston Churchill

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

The EF! crowd has some competition in the anarchist publishing field

Click title for link to an article in Black Seed about the reduced sentence given in Michigan for someone found guilty of arson. The crime was committed in an attempt to protest urban sprawl. The subject was involved in other similar crimes, but is now naming names.

Create Art

The CRA announces some details and dates regarding the opening of the Armory Art Center at the former Shuffleboard Court building. Click title for link. Here are some of the details.

The Armory Art Center will open its second location called the Armory Art Center Annex in downtown Lake Worth. Formally the shuffleboard center, this 5,000 square foot building, is located at 1121 Lucerne Avenue.  The year-long lease was awarded to the Armory by the Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency. It allows the art center the opportunity to enhance to the growing Lake Worth art community already in place. The role out of programming will be incremental starting in late May. The Full schedule of exhibitions, events, workshops, and classes will be in place by June 23rd.

The Armory Art Center Annex will serve the local community in the following ways:
- focus on and feature local artists through exhibitions and teaching opportunities
- provide outreach programs for youth and adults
- offer classes and workshops during the day, at night, and on weekends
- serve an audience from Lake Worth and the surrounding west and southern areas
- make available studio space for 2D artists
The schedule will include exhibitions, one-time Art on the Go! classes and eight week classes. Armory instructors will teach classes in drawing, mixed media painting, oil painting and photography for adults and drawing and BAK and Dreyfoos prep classes for youth. Exhibitions by local artists will include Bob Vail and MeiWei Goethe, Lisette Cedeno, Kenneth Gryzmala, Nune Asatryan and Lisa Solon.

FORMER NATIONAL CNU CHAIR SPEAKS ON THE ART OF STREET DESIGN IN WEST PALM BEACH

Click here for link to an announcement of the event at WalkableWPB.

From the Great White North comes this ad...

Remember, the rest of the world measures temperature in Celsius.

Editorial: Paranoia about All Aboard Florida train service... | www.mypalmbeachpost.com

The Palm Beach Post editorial board weighs in and supports the concept behind All Aboard Florida. In the process, they debunk some of the myths. These are the sorts of myths we've become used to hearing in Lake Worth. Usually built by stacking dark, conspiracy theories on top of others, they can take a life of their own if they aren't addressed early and often. This article does that. Click title for link.

"It is very possible that All Aboard Florida, which will include stations in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, will not be profitable for years or even decades. Even so, it still may be a wise investment for FEC because the service will vastly boost the value of the property it owns around the service’s planned stops, including 9 acres in downtown Miami and land near Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach. “I don’t know that they have to make a profit (on the rail service) for the project to be successful overall,” said Charles Banks, an Arlington, Va.-based railroad consultant.

Despite growing opposition in northern Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, there is little that can be done to prevent the company from running passenger trains along its own tracks if it wishes to. And in fact, there is no good reason to oppose it.

If All Aboard is successful, it will be a boon to South Florida – a mass-transit alternative in an urbanizing region, established at no direct cost to the public. The plan’s novelty calls for skepticism. It does not call for paranoia."

Gulfstream Hotel to be renovated after escaping foreclosure - South Florida Business Journal

Here we have an article from the South Florida Business Journal about the sale of the hotel. Some of the financing details are released. Here is what Jeff Perlman, former Mayor of Delray Beach and someone who works for Carl DeSantis, says this. Click title for link to full article.

"Perlman said the details of the renovations to the hotel haven’t been worked out, but they won’t change its historic façade. Its first goals are bringing in a top-notch restaurateur and finding a brand to manage the hotel. He also plans to upgrade the rooms and the interior, but they have yet to select an architect to hammer out the details.
“The hotel is a gem, and we want to polish the gem and bring out the historic charm in it,” Perlman said.
The deal also included two vacant acres. Perlman said they haven’t determined what to build on that land."

Lake Worth 2020 Plan Commission Work Session from 5/13/14

A series of three videos related to the City of Lake Worth's 2020 infrastructure improvement plan. The first video consists of City Manager Michael Bornstein walking through the plan and narrating a PowerPoint that is out of view. A similar presentation is currently available on the city's website, The second video includes public comment and responses by Commissioner Maxwell (11:43 mark) and Commissioner Szerdi at the 20:45 mark. I especially recommend listening to all of Commissioner Szerdi's comments, which go to the end of the second video. The third video includes Commissioner Amoroso's comments and then Mayor Triolo's at the 2:15 mark.

Here's a notice from the City, dated May 1st, on Vegetation Amnesty Week.

Check out the first paragraph for Zone/District dates. They are:

• Zone 1 - May 26th
• Zone 2 - May 29th
• Zone 3 - May 30th
• Zone 4 - May 27th

2 women robbed man they lured into a Lake Worth house, PBSO says - WPEC-TV CBS12 News :: News - Top Stories

This happened on Dixie Hwy. and then 11th Avenue North in broad daylight. Click title for link.

'A cowboy, a curmudgeon, a biker or a normal guy': Hilarious GOP Idaho governor debate makes comic history as human caricatures spar about racist jokes, 'spiritual warfare' and killing endangered species | Mail Online

These contemporary Republican primaries are becoming more like a Saturday Night Live skit than actual campaigns. If you have some time, I would encourage you to watch parts of this actual "debate" for comic relief, but remember, it is real. You might want to start at the 20 minute mark. Click title for a link to the article that highlights some of the lowlights of the conversation.

This letter from the City is dated May 8th...

And I just saw it today. It details what will be going on during the 4th of July and encourages businesses to participate. Apparently there was an introductory meeting yesterday at the Casino building. The city still has some issues with communication it would seem. Click image for better readability.

Judge: “Chapel” developer may intervene in court action | West Palm Beat

The fight continues with the Chapel-on-the-Lake property. Click title for link. Note the last line of the section of the article below.

G.A.K. Partners, developers of the West Palm Beach waterfront condominium planned for the Chapel-by-the-Lake site on Flagler Drive, may intervene in theactions filed by Citizens for Thoughtful Growth to try to block construction, Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Catherine M. Brunson has ruled.
But her May 7 order said G.A.K. cannot file any motions or counterclaims or take part in the gathering of facts in the case.
She said the city “is a ‘responsible governmental entity’ that is well-able to protect the interests of G.A.K.”

Sunrise Commission Approves Metropica, a Billion-Dollar Shopping Mall You Can Live In | New Times Broward-Palm Beach

Mega development approved near other mega development properties in Sunrise - twice the size of already gigantic Sawgrass Mills mall at 2 million square feet. And, for those who are fans of tall buildings, some will be 30 stories. This right on the edge of the Everglades. It's worth noting that when it was approved, there were very few people at the commission meeting. Interesting read about the early development of the area, which included an Upside-Down House as an attraction. Click title for link.

Starting in the '90s, the golf community started morphing into a giant tourist attraction. The mall was built in 1990, and the BB&T Center was erected in 1998. Metropica will just be a second giant mall, except you can live in it. It's unclear if that idea disturbs very many Sunrise residents, because the commission meeting was as poorly attended by the public as a Panthers game.
"We can't just stop every single development that comes to this city because of a few people," Commissioner Joey Scuotto said during the meeting. "We're all believers in this project. The residents aren't here tonight because obviously they don't see it as a burden to the city."

Dalai Lama

"Change in the world comes from individuals, from the inner peace in individual hearts. Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects."

Gov. Scott, Cabinet Approve New FPL Nuke Plants, Power Lines In South Dade

FPL is getting two new, nuclear, beating hearts of development at Turkey Point. Many communities surrounding the area where new, large transmission lines, are objecting to their placement along U.S. 1. This does keep the lines out of the Everglades National Park, however. Click title for link to article and video. At least one group, other than FPL, appears satisfied with the ruling.

The National Parks Conservation Association, however, was able to achieve a victory.
In a statement released Tuesday, the parks association wrote that “FPL has agreed to new Conditions of Certification that would require it to build its western transmission lines wholly outside of the park, subject to landowner approvals.”
“The National Parks Conservation Association supports a low-impact alternative that keeps the FPL transmission lines completely out of the Everglades National Park. We are pleased by today’s decision by Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet to support the minimal impact, common sense solution that protects the ecological significance of America’s Everglades and ensures Florida’s future power supply needs are met,” according to the statement.

The project still needs approval by the federal government.

Head Out Angled Parking - this has been talked about before in downtown Lake Worth

Reality comes to ROLO

Morganti left their mark on our beach

Themorganti Group Inc http://goo.gl/maps/Nz6MS

This is the digital equivalent to marking your territory. There is now embedded on our beach property, through Google Maps, a dot that says "Themorganti Group Inc." How's that punch-list coming?

“June is Bustin' Out All Over” in Downtown Lake Worth Get Ready for Summer

Lake Worth, Downtown, becomes so accessible in June. As the crowds of snowbirds flock North, the city relaxes, as the cafes and restaurants overflow with locals and local color. Parking is still free throughout the town, luring lots of lingering visitors to the quaint streets, art galleries and shops. Fridays and Saturdays are packed with street sales, music, great art and an amazing variety of foods. New restaurants are opening in June. Street performers spring up throughout the town. Shows are busy and buzzing, Time to come down and soak up the atmosphere.

J Street in Downtown Lake Worth is rapidly becoming South Florida's Greenwich Village. On South J Street, The Bamboo Room is one of the regions most prestigious music venues. Coastars coffee shop has regular “open mics” and emerging artist art shows. Propaganda presents cutting edge bands on a regular basis. Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery can be counted on for some of the areas finest musicians at their art openings every first and third Friday. Top Five Records, a real record store and a rare and special find in any community, has the wonderful and collectible vinyls so many prefer to today CD’s and MP3s. Callaros, one of Lake Worth's finest bistros, is located at the corner of J Street and Lake Avenue. Joining the growing scene on South J Street is Excelsior!, Lake Worth's first comic book and toy emporium. Located at 16 1/2 South J Street, they hold role playing games and collectable card playing tournaments every Friday at 5:30 and all day Saturday. Nerd Trivia and game board nights are being planned. Look for mini comic book and gaming conventions held on a regular basis. You name it and they will create it for you.

Across Lake Avenue on North J Street, visit the re-invented Rhum Shak with its lively crowd and great bands. Stroll on down the street to Rudy's Wine Bar, an intimate setting with wonderful music. Coming soon will be an artist studio and gallery.

The Lake Worth Playhouse presents Willy Wonka Jr., a summer camp program culminating in a theater production. Camp runs from June 9-28^th , Monday-Friday, 9-3. Performance dates are June 26-28.

The Stonzek Movie Theater shows independent and rare films seen nowhere else in the county. Call 561-586-6410 for listings and schedules.

Across the street from the Lake Worth Playhouse, Palm Beach Home Interiors at 716 Lake Avenue, will be adding Art and Design to its name, under new ownership.

Third Eye Production brings TOGAFEST to Lake Worth on Saturday, June 21. Get your tickets at South Shore Tavern, and tour 4 amazing stops in your favorite bed sheet. Friends, Food, Fun and Togas. $8 for pre-event tickets. $12 at the door. 

Stanley Switkes will be featured artists at Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery, 15 South J Street on Friday, June 6^th. “Everybody Must Get Stoned,” features the stone carvings of this “Young at Art,” 90 year old stone carver.  Stanley will be demonstrating the stages of stone carving, and will have an array of new works to present.

Kathleen Kirschner will be the featured artist on Friday, June 20th.  Many of Kathleen’s works are created with the exotic fronds, woods and grasses of our native environment. She adds paintings and exquisitely crafted pillows to her exhibits, as well.  Music and good food are a part of every opening at the gallery.  Events run from 6-10PM and are free to the public.

Lake Worth Food Truck Invasion Monday, June 9 on the PNC Bank parking lot next to South Shores Tavern. 

Lake Worth is planning its major 4th of July Extravaganza. Start off next month with an Old Fashioned Celebration in an Old Fashioned Town.  Join Lake Worth for:

Lake Worth Annual Raft Race: Art on the Water sponsored by the Presidents' Council of Neighborhood Associations

A water extravaganza in the Intracoastal Waterway

Lake Avenue of the Americas Showcase

Fireworks at 9PM

Lazer Light Show at 9:45 PM

Children’s attractions- wet and dry

Music in the Cultural Plaza til 11:00 PM

And lots more

The Merchants of Downtown is a group that meets weekly to make Downtown Lake Worth a welcoming destination for neighbors and visitors alike.  The MOD Squad, as they fondly refer to themselves, organizes block by block bringing activity, unity and camaraderie to the Downtown corridor.  For additional information contact JClay6@aol.com . 

All Aboard Florida Presentation to the City Commission (5/6/14)

Kim Delaney, planner, gives a presentation to the City Commission about the review process for All Aboard Florida. It's really everything you ever wanted to know about the project. For the current status and review of many related documents, click here for a link to the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC) website. She is with this governmental agency that is acting as a clearinghouse for information on the project.

All Aboard Florida is the fast train that will have stops in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando. Ms. Delaney answers questions from the Commission and also talks about the Tri-Rail Coastal Link, freight traffic and how this all fits together with our region's future. Remember that All Aboard Florida is is a private venture and is only going through this process since it is asking for a loan from the Federal Railway Administration. You can see the various links of the TCRPC website.

Check out these odd "bikes"

Beach Bike Polo - money-maker at our beach?

Mango Groves will not be having meeting tonight (5/15)

Hello All-
Mango Groves Neighborhood Association will not be having a monthly meeting tonight and will suspend for the summer months. We will resume meeting in September. We will be arranging Grunge Cup Raft Race Building Decorating sessions and most likely a Social Meeting during the summer, and will continue to keep you posted on any special events!
Thanks all!
Mango Groves Neighborhood Association

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

They pay taxes. This is what we have come to expect from the other blogger.

Delray Beach city manager refuses to “come clean,” suspended... | www.prod.mypalmbeachpost.com

Looks like an administrative upheaval is happening in Delray Beach. The current City Manager has been there just one year. There has also been a lot of turnover in their Planning Department and another long term, high level employee is leaving according to this article. Click title for link.

Vice Mayor Shelly Petrolia said she has no reservations about firing Chapman. She was particularly incensed at his continued denial of any wrongdoing.
When asked to “come clean” by commission members, Chapman said he had nothing to come clean about.
“With that I just had to throw my hands up,” Petrolia said.

enjoy a Lake Worth weekend | Lake Worth every minute

The latest from AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt on what is happening this weekend in Lake Worth. Click title for link.

Is nothing sacred?

More rip currents today

731 AM EDT THU MAY 15 2014

...MODERATE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ATLANTIC BEACHES...
...ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WITH GUSTY WINDS POSSIBLE...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTH FLORIDA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

RIP CURRENTS: THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS FOR THE ATLANTIC BEACHES TODAY.

THUNDERSTORMS: ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE DAY...ESPECIALLY THIS AFTERNOON. THE MAIN THREATS WILL BE CLOUD-TO-GROUND LIGHTNING...BUT GUSTY WINDS AND LOCALIZED URBAN FLOODING ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.

WIND: WIND GUSTS OF 45-50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS TODAY.

FLOODING: LOCALIZED URBAN FLOODING IS POSSIBLE...ESPECIALLY IN PALM BEACH COUNTY.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

THERE MAY BE A SLIGHT TO MODERATE RISK OF RIP CURRENTS FOR THE
ATLANTIC BEACHES THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

NO OTHER HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WIDESPREAD SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED, HOWEVER INDIVIDUAL SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT HIGH WIND OR FLOODING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE IN MIAMI.

FOR MORE INFORMATION...VISIT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MIAMI WEBSITE AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/MIAMI. 

News from the Residences of Lake Osborne - from Facebook

Philadelphia's Newest Art Venue: The Amtrak Corridor - Stephanie Garlock - The Atlantic Cities

Art and mass transit meet in Philadelphia. Click title for link. Caution to those who are challenged by paint on trees and grasses.

The ravages of time and weather on a vacant, un-maintained building are real.

Click title for link showing what happens when the elements are left unchecked and entropy takes its course.

For first time, minor and no-party registrations eclipse Republicans in Palm Beach County

These numbers tell a lot. It seems as though there is a fracturing of the Republican party, locally and nationally. What these portends for the mid-terms is up for debate. Click title for link.

For the first time ever, more Palm Beach County voters are registered with no party or minor parties than with the GOP, according to today’s voter statistics from the county elections office.
As of this afternoon, there were 235,487 registered Republicans in the county and 235,508 voters registered with no party affiliation or with minor parties, according to the county elections website, which updates daily. There are also 366,450 registered Democrats in the county.
[And later...]
The percentage of Republicans in the county has fallen from 40.2 percent in January 1994 to 33.2 percent in January 2004 to 28.1 percent today. The percentage of registered Democrats has slipped as well, but the drop hasn’t been as steep. Dems were 48.2 percent of all county voters in 1994 and are 43.8 percent today.
“It’s not a big shock,” county GOP Chairwoman Anita Mitchellsaid today. “I think the country is moving in that direction. It makes it more important that we articulate our message and make it clear why those people should vote Republican.”

The past makes an appearance at the podium last night...

Houston Astros owner talks baseball with Palm Beach County | www.mypalmbeachpost.com

Here's the latest on negotiations over a site for a spring training stadium in Palm Beach County. This article says that John Prince Park is out since it is deemed too small for a two team stadium. This article focuses on the site at 45th and Haverhill in West Palm Beach, but there seem to be a lot of moving parts with that arrangement. Click title for link to the Joe Capozzi article. Here is a bit from this one:

The Houston Astros and Washington Nationals are focusing their pursuit of a shared spring training baseball complex on 160 acres in West Palm Beach south of 45th Street between Haverhill Road and Military Trail.
The teams indicated that an 84-acre site in John Prince Park west of Lake Worth “is too small for the two-team facility that they currently envision,’’ County Administrator Bob Weisman said after a meeting Tuesday between the teams, the county and the city of West Palm Beach.

You can go back to this article from April 1st and read where things were then. John Prince Park was not being considered. Then, on April 26th, John Prince Park is again on the table. Right now, it is anyone's guess what is really going on.

Rip Current Statement for Palm Beach County, Florida

COASTAL PALM BEACH-COASTAL BROWARD-COASTAL MIAMI DADE-328 PM EDT TUE MAY 13 2014

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...

* TIMING...THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING.

* IMPACTS...MIAMI BEACH PATROL REPORTED THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE BEEN RESCUED FROM RIP CURRENTS. HAZARDOUS SWIMMING CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE ALONG THE EAST COAST BEACHES OF SOUTH FLORIDA THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING... ESPECIALLY AROUND PIERS OR JETTIES WHERE CURRENTS CAN BE STRONGER.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THERE IS A HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS.

RIP CURRENTS ARE POWERFUL CHANNELS OF WATER FLOWING QUICKLY AWAY FROM SHORE...WHICH OCCUR MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPOTS OR BREAKS IN THE SANDBAR AND IN THE VICINITY OF STRUCTURES SUCH AS JETTIES AND PIERS. HEED THE ADVICE OF LIFEGUARDS AND THE BEACH PATROL. PAY ATTENTION TO FLAGS AND POSTED SIGNS.

IF YOU BECOME CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT...DO NOT PANIC. REMAIN CALM AND BEGIN TO SWIM PARALLEL TO SHORE. ONCE YOU ARE AWAY FROM THE FORCE OF THE RIP CURRENT...BEGIN TO SWIM BACK TO THE BEACH. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SWIM DIRECTLY AGAINST A RIP CURRENT. EVEN A STRONG SWIMMER CAN BECOME EXHAUSTED QUICKLY.

Here it is...the Gulfstream Renovation Announcement

Gulfstream Announcement - Video Coming!

Lake Worth Properties

From the company's (Hudson Holdings) website, click title for link. They have their eyes on other Lake Worth properties, including ones along Federal Hwy.

Lake Worth’s Gulfstream Hotel sold to Delray developer | www.palmbeachpost.com

Finally, movement on one of the most important properties in Lake Worth. Click here for information on the company that purchased the property. No firm indication what the plans are, but they say that the vacant land could accommodate another 150 hotel units. They are seeking more investors. Click title for link. From the article:

It’s not yet clear what Hudson paid for the Gulfstream, or what it plans to do with it.
But it seems as if Hudson is looking to bring in additional investors to redevelop the property, which it calls a “history landmark redevelopment hotel project” on its website. In 1983, the Gulfstream was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
On the website, Hudson notes that more than 70 percent of the rooms have water views. The rest have golf and city views. Other details: 4,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and a 100-seat restaurant, plus 96 designated outdoor parking spaces in parcel adjacent to the hotel.
The website said that the “offering includes additional land for future development. The website notes that the property is three-quarters of an acre, and a Phase II adjacent parcel for future development is 1.24 acres, suitable for “150 units Hotel Style Living Apartments.”
According to Hudson’s website, the company owns more than 150 units spread out over multiple properties in Lake Worth. Plans are to acquire multi-residential buildings in the East Lake Worth area to create a portfolio of more than 500 units over a two-year period.
A Hudson Holdings official said he would discuss details of the Gulfstream shortly.

This is what Mayor Pam is saying on Facebook:

LWP Library program cancelled - Navigating Social Security & Healthcare Before Retiring

Dear Friends,

Mr. Kevin Demayo has had to cancel the Wednesday evening program “Navigating Social Security & Healthcare Before Retiring” due to a really bad cold. In case anyone has questions about the topic, Kevin asked me to pass along his email address so you can contact him directly.

Kevin Demayo

Wealth Group inc.

wealthgroup@bellsouth.net

Vickie Joslin

Library Services Supervisor

Lake Worth Public Library

Glimpses of Reality...

Spencer Johnson

"Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people."

District Meetings re Lake Worth 2020 Plan

Free Hurricane Seminar - Casino Ballroom - May 21st - 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Post by Lake Worth CRA.

Hands Across the Sand/Land Coming to Lake Worth Beach on May 17th at noon

Local citizens to say “No” to dirty fuels and “Yes” to clean energy

WHAT: A crowd will join hands forming a line across the beach in a local "Hands Across the Sand/Land" gathering, one of hundreds of synchronized events globally, to raise awareness about the dangers of dirty fuels and the need to speed the transition to available, affordable clean energy solutions. The events are particularly important this year as plans are afoot to do seismic blasting to explore the Atlantic’s coast for oil and gas.  This year’s protest against offshore and nearshore drilling, the fifth to take place at Lake Worth Beach, is also being called “Hands Across the Land”, as the Florida Everglades are under increased threats from the proliferation of fracking for carbon fuels, jeopardizing our clean water, environment and endangered species including the Florida Panther.

WHO: Concerned Citizens from Palm Beach County and tourists visiting our beaches, members of Surfrider Foundation.

WHEN:   Saturday, May 17th at 12:00 noon (Media Check In at 11:30 am)

WHERE:  LAKE WORTH BEACH AT LAKE WORTH PIER

***VISUALS WILL INCLUDE A LARGE GROUP OF CITIZENS JOINING HANDS AT THE WATERLINE NEXT TO LAKE WORTH PIER

**EXCELLENT INTERVIEW AND PHOTO/ VIDEO OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE**

Good news story that could have been tragic taking place at our beach...

Click title for link. Someone nearly drowned while fighting a rip current and is saved by a stranger. The beach was unguarded at the time. Don't miss the video.

EXCLUSIVE — Riviera Beach Police Chief: CBS12 is Like Donald Sterling!

Channel 12 is being called out for going to the home of the Riviera Beach Police Chief about a recent Amber Alert. All sorts of accusations are flying. The PIO (Public Information Officer) is the official spokesperson for Riviera Beach. She notes that no other media outlet went directly to the Police Chief about this matter. Click title for Jose Lambiet's original article. This is his later follow-up opinion about how it might not have reflected racism and was just an effort to cover the story. From the first story:

“The chief has designated me as his spokesperson, so there’s no reason for a camera crew to show up at his house,” Brown said. “I agree with the chief in the sense that certain reporters show a general lack of respect when it comes with Riviera Beach officials.
“I fielded 30 calls from press people from Miami to Vero Beach about this amber alert. No other TV station demanded that someone go on camera to explain the criteria for issuing an amber alert.
“And no one else went to the chief’s house.”

In wake of Nazi salute, Wellington to beef up oversight of... | www.mypalmbeachpost.com

Wellington is tweaking their ordinances to make it easier to dismiss an appointed board member by the council person who appointed them, if it is not an at large seat. This story got a lot of attention at the time. Click title for link. From the article:

Current village ordinance states an appointed board member can be removed only by a majority vote of council.
By comparison, the proposal going before council Tuesday would allow a council member to remove their own appointee “without cause” and “no vote by the Wellington Council shall be required for such removal.” Members appointed at-large by the council would still require a majority vote to be removed.
Vice-Mayor John Greene said he also supports the ordinance change because board appointees are supposed to be “a reflection of an individual council member.”
“We like to think we have a like-minded view when we appoint somebody,” Greene said. “Should there be some break in that mindset, a council member should have the opportunity to make a change in that appointment.”

From the National Weather Service; rip tides

403 AM EDT TUE MAY 13 2014

...HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ATLANTIC BEACHES...SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTH FLORIDA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

RIP CURRENTS: THERE IS A HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ALONG THE ATLANTIC COAST BEACHES.

THUNDERSTORMS: THERE IS A SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON INTO THIS EVENING. THE PRIMARY RISK WILL BE AN OCCASIONAL LIGHTNING STRIKE ALONG WITH BRIEF HEAVY RAINFALL.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

A HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS WILL LINGER ACROSS THE ATLANTIC COAST BEACHES THROUGH THE MIDDLE PART OF THE WEEK.

A CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS THE REGION THROUGH FRIDAY.

Tropical Ridge Neighborhood Association - Very important happenings

Greetings friends and neighbors,

I wanted to let you know about two very important 'happenings' in our neighborhood this month. 

This Wednesday - May 14th -  6:00pm  - at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center  -  2000 N. D street  -   20/20 City Reconstruction Workshop. Though this is labelled as a District 2 meeting, all are welcome.

Thursday  -  May 22nd  -  5:30-7:30pm  -  at the Tropical Ridge Fitness Park  -  300 block of N. H street  -  park and neighborhood cleanup  - children's bike helmet raffle (for all children involved) at end  -  again although this is a neighborhood cleanup, ALL, ARE VERY WELCOME.   

Carolyn   

Mayor Pam doing all she can to get the word out...this from Facebook

City Commission Special Meeting - Work Session - May 13, 2014 6 p.m. Lake Worth 2020 Plan

This should be a preview of the presentations to be made at the upcoming district meetings.

Ancient Chinese Proverb:

Gov. Scott to sign hurricane sales-tax holiday bill today - SaintPetersBlog

Worthwhile idea contained in new legislative about the state's various "sales-tax holidays", including a new one on hurricane related supplies. Here is what is covered:

 "During the holiday, to be held from Saturday May 31 to Sunday, June 8, a list of items are exempt from both state sales tax and county discretionary sales surtaxes:

Portable generator priced $750 or less
Reusable ice priced $10 or less.
Portable self-powered light sources priced $20 or less
Portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or weather band radio selling for $50 or less
Tarps or other flexible waterproof sheeting selling for $50 or less
Self-contained first-aid kits priced under $30
Ground anchor systems or tie-down kits selling for $50 or less, gas or diesel fuel tanks selling for $25 or less
Packages of AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, not including automobile and boat batteries, selling for $30 or less
Non-electric food storage coolers priced $30 or less"

Point of View: Spring-training deal would have helped Gardens | www.mypalmbeachpost.com

One Palm Beach Gardens' resident (who probably lives in a residence there) comes out swinging on how the baseball stadium was handled, or bungled, in that community. He points to an outside PR brought in by people in moneyed neighborhoods to stir up trouble so they could still meet their tee times without excess traffic. Maybe so. But it is a lesson not to be swayed by those that veer from the truth and refuse to see the longer term economic benefit a stadium such as this would have. Click title for link.

"Shame on Palm Beach Gardens councilors for being so tragically shortsighted. Losing a chance to bring a clean business to town that would have created financial ripple effects through the community.

With the new All Aboard Florida train starting, and proposed enhancements to the Tri-Rail system, many more visitors will have access to the area’s stadiums — bringing in yet more dollars.

I wonder which state legislators, especially gubernatorial hopefuls, will weigh in on saving Florida East Coast spring training come election time.

If the new stadium deal dies, there should be signs prominently listing the legislators and town officials who voted to kill the deal, and erect the signs on the site of the proposed stadiums!"

Editorial: Lake Worth can’t wait any longer to rebuild itself | www.mypalmbeachpost.com

Well, it seems that the Palm Beach Post is firmly on the side of the infrastructure investment plan known as Lake Worth 2020. This editorial is worth reading at least three times. And, after that, head to one of the district meetings that will be taking place on the project over the next few weeks. Click title for link.

"The stakes are these: Lake Worth, despite its considerable amenities and rising reputation, is mired in poverty. Among Palm Beach County’s 38 cities, only Belle Glade’s residents are poorer. Years of neglect and mismanagement have left this city of 35,000 behind as its neighbors prospered.

The city is so underdeveloped that miles of streets in its poorest neighborhoods have never been paved. Children grow up in houses several blocks from the nearest fire hydrants or sidewalks. The city’s industrial zone, the Lake Worth Park of Commerce, has too few roads and utilities and, consequently, virtually no industry. Even streets around the city’s downtown center are so corrupted by potholes and cracks that they present hazards to cars and pedestrians evocative of the Third World."

[CPNA] Town Hall Meetings Schedule for the LW 2020 Infrastructure Plan

Friends and Neighbors in Lake Worth who may be curious about how the 2020 Infrastructure Plan may affect them personally are urged to attend any one of the following Town Hall Meetings. A funding proposal for the plan may come before Lake Worth voters in August. If it does, it's important that residents have as much information as possible. Each presentation will be facilitated by the Commissioner from that district and City Staff members. Questions, comments and concerns from the public are welcome at all these presentations. Anyone from any District may attend any (or all) of these meetings. (map attached)

Wednesday, May 14th at 6 PM:
District 2, Commissioner Chris McVoy
Scottish Rites Masonic Center
2000 North D Street

Monday, May 19th at 7 PM
District 4, Commissioner John Szerdi
"The Glass House"
1st Avenue South & Golfview Rd.

Wednesday, May 21st at 6 PM
District 3, Commissioner Andy Amoroso
First Congregational Church
1415 North K Street

Thursday, May 22nd at 6 PM
District 1, Vice Mayor/Commissioner Scott Maxwell
Osborne Community Center
1699 Wingfield Street

Questions may be directed to the City Clerk's office at 586-1662 Monday thru Friday 8 AM to 5 PM

Please share this information with our friends and neighbors who may not be on the College Park email distribution list.

New Pool Information - Summer passes coming up on the 27th of May

The cost is going to be $125.00 for Lake Worth city residents and $175.00 for non-residents. If you would like to add a family member or loved one, it is an additional $5.00. The pass will be valid from May 27th until September 1st 2014.  It can be used on any day in which the pool is open to the public (Thursday-Monday 8am-12pm on the week days and 9am-4pm on the weekends) The baby pool will be open for the summer season, starting memorial day weekend. Passes will be available to the pool check-in area.

Lake Osborne - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Click title for link. From Wikipedia:

Lake Osborne is a 378-acre lake that is part of a system of once natural freshwater lakes lying along the western slope of the coastal ridge in Palm Beach County just west of the Florida Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean. This lake system has been greatly impacted from human activities. It has been extensively modified and reduced in size by dredge and fill activities from urban/residential development; several lakes were completely filled and built upon. The lakes were probably dredged contemporaneous with canal construction in the 1920s or earlier. It is likely that filling of the adjacent wetlands for residential construction occurred at the same time or later. Square Lake and its oxbow were dredged for fill in the 1960s and additional dredging occurred in the north lobe of Lake Osborne in the 1970s.

Some South Florida homeless risk everything to live in storage units - Sun Sentinel

Very sad reality for some and all too many in our community. Click title for link to article. Make sure to watch the video.

After two years of homelessness, of spending most of his time hiding out in the dense woods of nearby John Prince Park, the rainy, cold nights got the better of him.
So a little more than a year ago, he started sleeping in his indoor, climate-controlled unit a short walk away. He stayed only when temperatures dropped to uncomfortably cold degrees, he said, and he knew how to melt into the background.
"I watched for the manager to leave," said Tortorella, 58, an unemployed machinist. "I knew to shut the light, keep the door closed, not to peek out, to stay out of the view of the cameras. I'd go in late and leave early."
Though hardly ideal, sharing space with his Harley, his radio and family mementos was oddly comforting.
"In desperation, you want to [be close to] your possessions," he said.
His jacket sufficed as a pillow. His sleeping bag kept out the chill of the air conditioning, and he was able to make a bed out of an old futon cushion someone had discarded.
"All the guys only stay on cold nights," said another homeless man at John Prince Park who asked to remain anonymous. "I slept in the hallway because my unit wasn't big enough to sleep in."

More on the "World Class Diversity" claim by the Residents of the Residences of Lake Osborne...

I'm still drilling down on the 2010 Census data from the area in question. But there are certain conclusions that we can make about the demographics of this area in general and how it relates to the overall characteristics of the entire city of Lake Worth.

The above map shows census tract 50 in Palm Beach County which includes the area bounded by Lantana Road on the south, Congress Avenue on the west, Lake Worth Road to the north and I-95 to the east. The shaded area in the upper right hand part of the map are those properties within the incorporated area of the city of Lake Worth. The area also includes most of Lake Osborne (the water body), John Prince Park, Palm Beach State College and the Lantana Airport. All of those areas are unpopulated. The area shown in white on the map is unincorporated Palm Beach County, which accounts for a little less than half of the populated area. There is a small portion of the Town of Lantana in the lower right hand corner of the tract.

This is the racial breakdown for the entire City of Lake Worth:
Population 2010: 34,190
Percent breakdown by race and ethnicity:
White: 60% (Florida 75%)
Black or African/American: 19.8% (Florida 16%)
Hispanic or Latino: 39.6% (Florida 22.5%)

This the racial breakdown for census tract 50 is:
Population: 4,894
Percent breakdown by race and ethnicity:
White: 75.3%
Black or African/American: 9.1%
Hispanic or Latino: 29.4%

Conclusion: This area is less diverse than the city of Lake Worth as a whole.

More to come. (Source: 2010 U.S. Census)

"Now, here's Lynn Anderson!"

Residual Revisionism re the representations of the Residents of the Residences of Lake Osborne Heights.

What follows is the actual spoken words by Residences of Lake Osborne President Robert Waples on Tuesday, 5/6/14, before the Lake Worth City Commission in their neighborhood association update. Mr. Waples actual words will be in bold below and Ms. Anderson's interpretation will be highlighted thus. Differences are further highlighted in bold red. Where Ms. Anderson deletes what was actually said, that appears in bold red in Mr. Waples' remarks.

Mr. Waples: “My name is Robert Waples, President of the Residences of Lake Osborne, a little name change. I am also joined by our Vice President Katie Mcgiveron, Secretary Ricardo Rojas, and a few of our neighbors here in the audience tonight.”

Ms. Anderson: "My name is Robert Waples, President of the Residences of Lake Osborne. I’m also joined by our Vice President Katie McGiveron, Secretary Ricardo Rojas, along with many of our neighbors and friends of Rolo."

Mr. Waples: “We represent a stable, single family neighborhood that has been so for over fifty years. And here we are before the City Commission giving our neighborhood update. Less just get the negatives out of the way first. Because of the political interests that district lines for our county, state, and even federal levels were shifted a few years ago. And we no longer share a voice with our sister neighborhoods which is the rest of the City of Lake Worth. We're divided. And we'd like to see that changed whenever we can. Our issues should be your issues. Let's talk about the issues:”

Ms. Anderson “We represent a stable, single family neighborhood that has been so for over 50 years. Now here we are before the City of Lake Worth Commission giving our neighborhood update. Let's get the negative out of the way first: Because of political interests, the district lines for our county, state and even federal levels where [sic] shifted and we no longer share a voice with our sister neighborhoods which IS (emphasis hers) the rest of the City of Lake Worth. OUR ISSUES SHOULD BE YOUR ISSUES! (emphasis hers) Let’s talk about the issues:

The rest is about the same. By the way, some people make better friends than enemies.

Crime doesn't rest in Greenfield, California

Has Wonder Woman lost her super powers?

Assault with Deadly Weapon
05/08/2014
200 Block RENFRO PL & 12TH ST

Theft
05/09/2014
200 Block LARSON LN

Theft of Vehicle
05/09/2014
400 Block 12TH ST & GAVILAN DR

Assault with Deadly Weapon
05/09/2014
1000 Block CHALONE DR & 12TH ST

Assault with Deadly Weapon
05/10/2014
700 Block APPLE AV

Twin towers planned for West Palm Beach | www.mypalmbeachpost.com

Palm Beach real estate investor Jeff Greene has more plans for downtown West Palm Beach. This time it is north of the courthouse and will include 2, thirty story highrises. To think that we argued about the difference between 45 and 65 feet. Really. Anyway, here are more details from the article. Click title for link.

For Greene, height is important for his West Palm Beach project: “At that height, you still get some (water) views.”
Plus, Greene thinks building a taller but skinner building will be less objectionable than a shorter complex that blocks the vistas.
Greene acknowledged the West Palm Beach complex is a a huge project, but he said he’s already working to obtain financing. He knows he has to have a certain amount of office space pre-leased to tenants to obtain a construction loan and start building.But he’s excited about the amenities he plans for the complex. Not only will the office tower be a “state of the art architectural office building,” Greene said, but the second tower will consist of a five-story hotel downstairs, condos upstairs, a health club, a restaurant, and outdoor and indoor tennis courts.

Businesses prepare for bridge closure | www.palmbeachdailynews.com

Palm Beach prepares for the closing of the Flagler Memorial or north bridge to the island. Of course this bridge is just one of a system that gets people on and off the barrier island. As we saw with the closure of the Lantana Bridge for an extensive rebuild, we may see an increase in traffic through downtown Lake Worth again. Click title for link. From the article:

“FedEx has been requested to reschedule their daily pickup times so they can depart prior to the afternoon peak of traffic.”
Saks, which has more than 100 employees at its island branch, is encouraging staff members to car pool and to use the Lantana and Lake Worth bridges if they live south of the Southern Boulevard Bridge. Sales associates, whose work hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:10 p.m., generally arrive and depart the island after the morning and evening rush hours, Schuette said.
Just across Worth Avenue, Neiman Marcus expects few changes during the bridge closure.
“We already observe non-peak hours for deliveries, along with the scheduling of our associates arriving and departing work,” said Beth Pine, vice president and general manager of the island’s Neiman Marcus branch, which employs about 75 people. “We plan to monitor and be sensitive to the situation now through the completion of the Flagler Bridge.”

How to make downtown retail work? Lessons from Robert Gibbs | Walkable West Palm Beach

Nice write-up from WalkableWPB on Robert Gibbs who is a real estate planning guru. Mr. Gibbs gave the last talk as part of Delray Beach's Town Hall speaker series. I attended the last one with Donald Shoup and have that on video if you are interested. You need to read all of the review, click title for link. It turns out that Mr. Gibbs is not a fan of the parking kiosk (the kind Lake Worth defaults to) and prefers the standard parking meter. He is also not a fan of parking tickets. Here is the comment left at the end of WalkableWPB's post about my experiences with Mr. Gibbs.

Thanks. We really do have to meet up sometime. I took one of those executive short courses at Harvard about 10 years ago and Gibbs taught the course. I remember asking him about the threat of on line retail to brick-and-mortar stores. His answer then was that people will always want to see, sample, try on the goods they are buying. Now some stores are merely showrooms for on-line buyers. I am sorry I missed this talk and wonder how he would answer the same question today. He was also brought in by Treasure Coast (TCRPC) for a visioning exercise here in Lake Worth a few years ago and had an opportunity to talk to him then as well. He liked Lake Worth’s potential (I sometimes say we kill ourselves with our potential) but pointed to an area between the two RR tracks. He thought that with Palm Beach County’s strong demographics and the fact that area will be sandwiched between two transit stations eventually made that the place smart money should be put in Lake Worth. Looking at that area today still makes that difficult to envision.
And, as far as downtown Lake Worth is concerned, for better or worse we have become an entertainment district more than a shopping area. I hope his other predictions about areas of that type do not come to fruition.
Nice write-up.