Liz Balmaseda's drive-by restaurant review in Lake Worth, stops long enough for hamburger entrée at CWS Bar & Kitchen

Balmaseda's review finally made the print edition today (9/9) with this banner on the front page:

DRINKS TAKE CENTER STAGE AT LAKE WORTH PUB

Very creative. Anyhow, continue reading about CWS (hours and contact information below) and maybe we'll get another drive-by food review again in the future, like about fries or the mozzarella sticks.

Once every year or so Liz Balmaseda stops in Lake Worth long enough to have a meal and write a review. She does restaurant reviews for The Palm Beach Post. This time it was the new CWS Bar & Kitchen on Lucerne Ave. She gave our new venue a solid "B", however, ". . . the burger itself was slightly overcooked." She doesn't tell what kind of burger she ordered, medium rare, medium, well-done.

Apparently she didn't spot any condiments on the table either because her "hearty" fried rice bowl "seemed to be missing a flavor kick." Here's one paragraph from the review:

The main menu offers a mix of bites (from grilled octopus to burrata), salads (including an ancient grain salad), “grazing” items (such as charcuterie, edamame, fish dip and pork belly sliders), pub fare (wings, tacos, The Burger) and larger plates (filet mignon, chicken paillard).

Then there's this charming little musing about our City:

In a seaside city that too often fails to grasp its shining potential, a little glimmer is a welcome thing

The owners of CWS Bar & Kitchen are from Broward County. They grasped the "shining potential" of Lake Worth. That's why they invested in our City. There's another thing Balmaseda doesn't know:

The front door of CWS was barely open long enough and they were already involved in our little community of Lake Worth.

In the short time CWS Bar & Kitchen has been here in Lake Worth they've done everything they can to be a good business neighbor, going above and beyond to show their support for our City, including sponsoring the Little Free Libraries.

You see, the Post made a business decision and they shut down their printing presses and all those jobs went to Broward County. The Sun Sentinel prints their newspaper for them and then ships all those papers back north in big trucks. Palm Beach County took a huge hit when the Post closed down their presses and in many ways you can still see the damage up and down South Dixie Hwy. in West Palm Beach and Lake Worth too.

So it's nice to see some people with big ideas from Broward County picking up the slack.

Anyhow, hope your next burger is cooked to perfection in Palm Beach or Jupiter or Wellington and look forward to your next review some time next year. And hope your time in Lake Worth was enjoyable. More information from the food review about CWS:

Address: 522 Lucerne Ave., Lake Worth, 561-318-5637
Price range: Inexpensive to moderate
Noise level: Depends on the time. Dining room is good for conversation early in the evening; noise and lively factor picks up later.
Bar: Yes, a full liquor bar; separate bar area. Outside, the beer garden doubles as an adult playground, with ping-pong, Jenga and putt putt golf.
Hours: Open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for coffee, and 4 p.m. to midnight for dinner; open Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for coffee, and 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. for dinner. Open Saturdays for lunch and college football. Sunday brunch is served starting at 11 a.m.
Reservations: Accepted and can be made online; walk-ins welcome.

Not going to comment for a few days about the article [link below] where I'm quoted several times, except to say. . .

Yes, it's true. I am a Liberal Democrat and proud of it. With all due respect, of course, to all my friends on the other side.

And, yes, I still believe Nan Rich was the better candidate to challenge Governor Rick Scott.

The reporter, Rachel Monroe, interviewed me earlier in the year and the article was recently published in the Oxford American:

The Oxford American is an American quarterly literary magazine "dedicated to featuring the very best in Southern writing while documenting the complexity and vitality of the American South."

This was about the events leading up to the elections last March. The article is about the Anarchists as well. A musical. A toilet. Rats. And a whole lot of other things too.

I think it's best you read the article for yourself and draw your own conclusions: use this link. And please stop calling me about this. The phone ringing all the time is upsetting the dogs.

The latest news: "The Cottages of Lake Worth" hardcover book filled with top-notch photographs, about our Cottages, and creatively designed as well

The latest news: "Look what we got in the mail the other day! This is the UNBOUND book -- all 240+ color pages of it. The printer is binding it right now after getting the thumbs up from us! We expect the sample book to arrive within two weeks. After inspection and provided all is well, the next step is for them to ship the books to us! Get your book through Sept. 15th for $5 off."

See below how to order the book. The $5 discount for pre-ordering ends next Thursday.

Meanwhile, until the book is available, please consider one of the smart ways to tour our charming "Cottages of Lake Worth":

See link below for ways to tour The Cottages of Lake Worth. Also below is more news on the upcoming book and how to contact Janice Snearer to pre-order.

On Nov. 10, 2013, reporter Lona O'Connor (now retired), wrote a wonderful article about the Cottages of Lake Worth giving this effort a huge boost. To learn more about the Cottages use this link and for ways to tour these historic structures (walking, biking, driving) use this link.

From the article:

     A small group of residents, led by Roger Hendrix, is working on a plan to catalog, publicize and organize tours of the cottages.
     “The idea came to me in 2009 when I moved here from Tennessee,” said Hendrix, who still retains his Volunteer State accent. “I wanted to feature one of our best assets.”

Later this fall the hardcover book about the Cottages with many wonderful photographs will be available. To learn more use this link or look in the right-hand column for this image:

Call Janice at 561-586-6617 to pre-order the book and save $5. Or send an email to: TheCottagesOfLakeWorthBook@gmail.com

[UPDATE] November 8th referendum and the tactic critics will use to try and defeat it. For the second time.

First, the rumor being spread the City of Lake Worth has two referendums on November 8th IS COMPLETELY FALSE. With only 59 days to go these attempts to confuse the public will only increase. I'm being told the mood in City Hall is a positive one despite all the silly rumors to scuttle this bond for a second time.

Second, use this link to the City's website with the latest information. Please share this with your friends and neighbors. Continue reading for more tactics the critics will use this time to try and defeat the referendum coming up:

Excerpts from a Post editorial leading up to the 2014 bond vote that failed by 25 votes. Excellent points. However, by that time their beat reporter/intern had confused so many people it didn't matter what the editorial board wrote.

It will be a simple tactic: try to create jealousy, envy, and sow discontent within and between neighborhoods. What the opposition to the bond will do is saturate areas with high voter turnout and do this:

Knock Knock
Voter: "Hello?"
Door knocker: "Did you know that neighborhood west of Dixie is getting their streets fixed and you're not?"

In a Post article by Kevin Thompson he fueled the speculation prior to the City's Workshop last August 25th. Use this link to see what happened at that meeting. Why even publish speculation? Undoubtedly this 'news', which wasn't news, was spread throughout the City to get people riled up. Here are two excerpts from the article:

The city is hosting a second workshop on Thursday [held on 8/25] at City Hall to go over updated road data compiled by A.D.A. Engineering of West Palm Beach. City Commissioners are expected to reveal the list of streets that will be fixed if the $40 million road repair bond referendum passes in November.

[and. . .]

Some of the roads on the list include: North K Street, North J Street, North M street, North B Street and roads in the College Park neighborhood. [emphasis added] Amoroso [Commissioner Andy Amoroso] said he didn’t know how many streets were on the list.

The critics of November's referendum are going to have a very easy job. All they have to do is raise questions. For the referendum to pass will take a tremendous amount of work by supporters.

It's easy to say "No" to a bond. And it's not easy to convince some people that fixing a street on the other side of town will benefit them. But it will in the long run. The bond is an investment in the community. 

So, do I think the bond will pass? It will if all of us who support it work very hard. And when we talk about the bond to voters we have answers instead of just "raising the question" like the critics will do.

News from the Lake Worth Public Library: September Program Schedule

Use this link to learn more about the Lake Worth Library located at 15 North M Street next to the Cultural Plaza. The phone number is 561-533-7354 and email: lwlibrary@lakeworth.org

Vickie Joslin, Library Services Supervisor: vjoslin@lakeworth.org

Hours: Closed Sunday and Monday; Tuesday and Wednesday 10:00–7:00; Thursday 10:00–6:00; Friday and Saturday 10:00–5:00.

Click on image to enlarge.

News from BocaMag about the Tropical Triathlon coming up soon in Lake Worth

The Tropical Triathlon is September 18th. For more information call Nadine Burns at 561-358-8501.

To read the entire article by Lisette Hilton in BocaMag use this link. Excerpts from the article:

     This is the 19th year for the Bill Bone Tropical Triathlon in Lake Worth. The sprint distance triathlon, which is a quarter-mile swim, 13-mile bike and 5K (3.1-mile) run, starts at 7 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 18 at Lake Worth beach (10 S. Ocean Blvd., at A1A and Lake Ave.).

[and. . .]

     Nadine Burns, who is the contact for the race, tells BocaMag.com that proceeds from the Tropical Triathlon help to buy road bikes for local high school triathlon clubs. Two high schools are on board so far: Lake Worth High School and Santaluces High in Lantana. [emphasis added] Each school has a six-to-eight member tri club. Thanks to the not-for-profit Friends of Lake Worth High School organization, each school got six road bikes, which each cost thousands of dollars to buy retail. Burns helped lead the program to give schools incentive to start tri clubs.

[and. . .]

     “It’s real simple. These bikes are expensive, so in order for the kids to have them the easiest way around that is to get a sponsor. Our organization sponsors it. We raise money and … get them six road bikes. We donate them to the school, to the tri club. That way the bikes are always secure there and available to the students, so they can train and compete,” Burns says.
     Schools can reach Burns by calling 561/358-8501 or emailing her at tropicaltriathlon@gmail.com to get the tri club ball rolling.

[and. . .]

     “Our goal is to have a tri club at every Palm Beach County School …,” Burns says.
     To register for the Bill Bone Tropical Triathlon use this link. 

Thank you, BocaMag, for helping to get the word out!

The Lake Worth Herald: "Campaign Violation Fines Remain Unpaid" by sitting City commissioner

This news from the August 25th edition was brought up at public comment by a City resident at the Commission last night (9/6). Stay tuned as they say. Below are two excerpts from the Herald:

     "In the March 2015 election cycle in the City of Lake Worth, District 2 incumbent Christopher McVoy and District 2 challenger Sergio [sic, s/b "Serge"] Jerome were both issued fines for the late submission of campaign financial reports."

[and. . .]

     "According to city records, both have been sent several notices and signed for receipt and reportedly there has been verbal reminders. Neither has paid the fine. McVoy is a sitting commissioner and could face action by the commission."
 

To subscribe to the Herald use this link. The online edition comes out on Thursday, print edition on Friday.

[UPDATE] Palm Beach Post debunked: "Lake Worth Bans Balloons"? No.

Check out my YouTube channel over the next few days for videos from the City Commission meeting last night (9/6). A lot of very good news. Use this link and click the red "Subscribe" button to get an email when new videos are uploaded.

Reason prevailed. The "balloon ordinance" and "balloon police" are no more. Now it's just going to be reworked by staff as policy when a City facility is rented and the focus will be on education. The penalty for releasing balloons, after the City spends hundred's of dollars proving the misdeed, will be keeping the $150 or so from the rental deposit. And, mind you, there is already a state law with penalties for releasing balloons.

But. . . because of false information in the Post the public all over Palm Beach County was left scratching their heads wondering why Lake Worth, a City with so many pressing issues to address (potholes come to mind), is spending so much time and effort to ban balloons. Here is part of an eye-catching headline in the Post print edition on August 18th, page B1 above the fold:

LAKE WORTH BANS BALLOONS

The Lake Worth Herald published an accurate article about what happened at the Commission meeting on August 16th. Use this link to see excerpts from the Herald article.

In the Herald: The Loggerhead Marine Center "offers three levels for municipality participation." Was this reported in the Post? No.

That's why I take these videos of Lake Worth City Commission meetings. Were you curious why the City hired a media specialist? Now you can understand why.

Sigh.

The Poynter Institute, "A global leader in journalism"

You may be interested to learn there are resources available at the Poynter Institute that offer training. The following is from their website:

"Without effective, modern training opportunities journalists are doomed to become the candlestick makers of the 21st century. Training for the digital age is crucial, not only for the journalist, but for the future of journalism and an engaged, educated democracy."
—Will Sullivan, University of Missouri

     "The Poynter Institute is the world's leading instructor, innovator, convener and resource for anyone who aspires to engage and inform citizens in 21st century democracies.
     In all we teach, in all we do, we act as a transformative bridge between journalism's core values and the technology-driven and audience-centered journalism of today. [emphasis added] Poynter's efforts and initiatives extend from the digital space to newsrooms and classrooms all over the world. We train reporters, broadcasters, documentarians, educators, teachers and writers looking for strategies, tips and tools to tell their stories better."

How to watch City Commission Live Streaming plus excerpts, highlights, and one low-light* at today's (9/6) meeting

To watch Lake Worth Commission meetings Live Streaming use this link at 6:00. Look on the right side of the page for "Video of Public Meetings" and click. If the video doesn't appear wait a few minutes and try again. Sometimes City meetings start a little late.

Expect a lecture about turtles tonight and a clever line for a pull quote in tomorrow's paper. Hopefully this won't take too much time. You'll be happy to know there's no attempt this week to sneak any kind of 'Resolution' about Lake Okeechobee or "Send The Water South!". Read about that embarrassment using this link. Here are excerpts from the agenda tonight:

City Commission Meeting
City Hall Commission Chamber
Tuesday, September 6, 6:00 p.m.
1. Roll Call
2. Invocation or Moment of Silence: On behalf of Commissioner Andy Amoroso
3. Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell
4. Agenda - Additions/Deletions/Reordering
5. Presentations: There is no public comment on Presentation items
A. International Talk Like a Pirate Day Proclamation
B. Recognize four retiring former Lake Worth Fire-Rescue employees for their years of service
C. Presentation by Chris Reisinger of Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management regarding mosquito control efforts
D. Board of Trustees Employees Retirement System update
E. College Park Neighborhood Association update
6. Commission liaison reports and comments

[and. . .]

9. Consent Agenda: Public comment (2 minute limit)
A. Resolution No. 41-2016 - Amendment No. 001 to an agreement with the County for the Community Development Block Grant Osborne Pavilion Improvement project
B. Contract with West Construction, Inc. for Osborne Pavilion Improvements project

[and. . .]

P. Ratify the appointment of board members to various advisory boards
10. Public Hearing
*A. Ordinance No. 2016-24 - Second Reading and Public Hearing - regulate balloons and sky lanterns on City property

[and. . .]

14. City Attorney's Report
A. Request for a closed executive session pursuant to section 768.28(16)(b), Florida Statutes, to discuss several risk management claims (pre-suit)

Looks to be a relatively short meeting but then again. . .

Any meeting can go well into the night if any commissioner (use this link) decides to lecture "at great length" and "raise the question" as often as possible.

A classic, historic Lake Worth Herald and a City Tweet about our Downtown Library's 75th Anniversary

To subscribe to the Herald use this link. This newspaper is the City's oldest business, publishing since 1913.

Wind it back Wednesday! LW Library under construction,1940, 75th anniv open house, tours, 9.24, 3-5PM #LakeWorthicon pic.twitter.com/BQvVRi6DgU

— Lake Worth (@LakeWorthPBC) August 31, 2016

Spread the word: Our municipal pool at the BEACH! is open today, Labor Day

Sally, the pool manager (contact information below), wants everyone to know the pool is open on Labor Day from 9:00–4:00:

Image by former malcontent who's since seen the light, from the file, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em."

Below is recent news published in the Lake Worth Herald.

Support your local community newspapers.

Below are excerpts from the article:

     The month of June, Lake Worth Casino pool had over 4,700 persons swimming in the pool! Camps, swim teams, swim lessons, public usage parties and rentals.

[and. . .]

     The city pool is offering a “Lunch Hour Workout” lap swim, deep water jogging with a belt, walk or run in waist deep water. The aquatic pass will be used for weekday swim activity: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Locker rooms are available.
     The city is also offering private “one on one” water therapy/exercise for special needs, stroke, heart attack, hip, knee replacements; 20 to 30 minute sessions by appointment only. Call Sally for appointments.

To contact Sally:
Office: 561-585-6858
Cell: 561-951-7037
Pool office is closed Tuesday and Friday. Please leave a message.
Email: SChapela@lakeworth.org

Another Delray Beach festival is looking for a new home. Any dates available in John Prince Park?

Recently the 18th Annual Garlic Fest left Delray for John Prince Park located just outside the City limits of Lake Worth. That event is February 10–12, just two weeks prior to Lake Worth's 23rd Annual Street Painting Festival on Feb. 25th and 26th.

Here is the latest from Delray Newspaper about another festival looking for another venue:

Delray Beach will not have a Bacon & Bourbon Fest in 2017.
     Event producer Nancy Stewart-Franczak said she has decided to withdraw her event application.
     “After careful evaluation of our budget and trying to figure out how to make it work financially, we weren’t comfortable that we could make it work,” she said in an email to the Delray Newspaper. “Based on proposed city costs of over $31,000 ($21,000 over last year) it just wasn’t feasible.”
     To cover city costs alone, she said it she would have to charge event attendees $30 to enter.

POINT OF VIEW: "Like lionfish, invasive feral cats should be eliminated"

Note that Mr. Weix, who penned the "Point Of View" published in the Palm Beach Post, left a comment (see below).

The roaming pet and feral cat issue in not going away any time soon. Recently, this was a major topic at a Lake Worth Neighborhood Assoc. meeting and Paul Bates from Peggy Adams Animal Rescue was the speaker. He clarified the situation vis-à-vis TNVR (trap, neuter, vaccinate, release) and ways for the community to try and solve this problem.

The Post began this kerfuffle on May 27th, 2015, with an editorial critical of Palm Beach County's duplicitous approach to environmentalism, of cats and the devastation to our native bird populations here in South Florida; an excerpt from that editorial:

In 1999, Palm Beach County voters endorsed buying environmentally sensitive land. The first property on the list was a 97-acre patch of sand pines and scrub oak on Hypoluxo Road, near railroad tracks. The county paid $4.5 million for it. What made the site so special? It was home to the southernmost population of Florida scrub jays, an endangered species that lives only here, and is unique for its intelligence and family bonding. We say “was,” because there are no more scrub jays on the Hypoluxo Scrub. [emphasis added] County environmental managers believe that the last eight birds were hunted and killed years ago — by stray house cats. Because the birds nest in low bushes, they were easy prey for the feline predators. It is a stark reminder of how much damage free-roaming cats can do to native wildlife, not just birds but small mammals and reptiles as well.

A short time later, on June 7th, Jim Weix chimed in and he pulled no punches. He makes probably the most logical case for eliminating feral cats to date with this analogy:

     If someone were to suggest a trap, neuter, vaccinate and release (TNVR) program for lionfish and pythons, they would be labeled delusional. [emphasis added] Why is it different for people who advocate the TNVR program for feral cats?
     The reason is that feral cats are cuter than other non-native invasive species. They also have become the “poster child” for many animal rights groups, as “poor kitties” are a great source of donation revenues.
     Many of these animal rights groups would have the public believe that hunting is a serious threat to wildlife. Yet they think nothing of protecting a non-native, invasive, feral cat population that is wiping out native bird populations.

Mr. Weix makes an excellent logical case. Cats get special treatment due to the "Bambi syndrome", more formally called anthropomorphism. Hopefully the public will come to their senses before it's too late.

The Florida Scrub Jay; image from Wikipedia.

Next Tuesday's "International Talk Like A Pirate Day" (ITLAPD) proclamation and. . . do you remember Willy Howard?

Next Tuesday's (9/6) proclamation (see below) at the City Commission for ITLAPD was also the subject of a hilariously funny article by Willy Howard back in September 2012. Read about that using this link. This quite humorous few minutes on Tuesday is to highlight ITLAPD day which is September 19th:

Whereas, the City of Lake Worth is known to possess a spirit of independence, high spirits, and swashbuckling, all traits of a good pirate; and
Whereas, old pirate culture from the Caribbean is popular in TV shows, movies, literature, products, and rafting; and
Whereas, pirates are colorful, adventurous, mischievous and flamboyant; and
Whereas, two re-enactors, John Bauer and Mark Summers instituted International Talk Like A Pirate Day in 1995; and
Whereas, humorist Dave Barry liked the idea so much he promoted it in his nationally syndicated column in 2002, igniting a powder keg of followers worldwide; and
Whereas, it is fun to talk like a pirate by using words like Arrrrr, ye and bilge rat; and
Whereas, everyone would like to think they have a little bit of pirate spirit inside of themselves.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Pam Triolo, Mayor of the City of Lake Worth, Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me, do hereby proclaim:
SEPTEMBER 19, 2016 as INTERNATIONAL TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY and urge all citizens of Lake Worth as well as all the less worthy sailors and scalawags in other communities to celebrate in a hearty and fun loving way on September 19th!
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Lake Worth, Florida to be affixed this 6th day of September, 2016.
Pam Triolo, Mayor