Boat Tour along the Intracoastal.

Have you ever heard of the Palm Beach County Planning Congress? Learn more and consider becoming a member using this link. For example, here is an upcoming event:

When: Saturday, March 11th from 7:30 to noon.
Where: Sailfish Marina, 98 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Shores

The Planning Congress is chartering the Palm Beach Water Taxi, leaving from Sailfish Marina, for a tour of the Intracoastal. We will travel south towards downtown West Palm Beach, while hearing from Palm Beach County Environmental Analyst Jennifer Baez, as she discusses the County's efforts to improve water quality in the region.
     We will also be stopping at the newly redeveloped Riviera Beach Marina. This project, funded in part by the city CRA includes a new community building and amphitheater. Riviera Beach CRA Director Scott Evans will give a brief tour providing insight regarding the project's impact and future plans.

A light breakfast will be provided.
2.0 AICP credits.
Event is $30 for members. One additional guest for $35.

You may recall a very well-attended conference last year hosted by the Palm Beach County Planning Congress, City of West Palm Beach, West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority, and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC). Lake Worth’s Director of Community Sustainability, William Waters, gave a presentation about our little City:

Remember CBS12 TV news reporter Jonathan Beaton?

Every now and then will get a question like, “Whatever happened to that reporter who sounded like Orson Welles?” Jonathan Beaton is doing quite well. More on that below.

Beaton was once a radio broadcaster and if you’ve ever heard his voice you can understand why. He decided to transition to TV news and joined CBS12 in early 2015 I think. At the time that station was just plain terrible and reporting about Lake Worth was horrid for the most part. Remember the “Holy War” leading up to the 2015 March elections? No. Beaton had nothing to do with that nonsense.

Anyhow, later in 2015 Beaton cut loose with CBS12, read about that using this link. One of his last news segments was an excellent one on sober homes in Lake Worth (the link to this story at CBS12 no longer works). Here’s a screen grab from that segment:

One of Beaton’s final news segments was on the issue of sober homes, the subsequent neighborhood disruption and resulting crime in our City.

So where is Beaton now? He has his own PR firm called Inside Advantage PR and one of his specialties is media relations:

Inside Advantage PR works tirelessly to get our clients the press they deserve. Whether it’s through radio, television, magazines or nationally read newspapers we understand how media attention can positively affect your business. . . . In the fast paced 24/7 news cycle, you can’t afford not to have a savvy agency handling your media relations. “If I was down to my last dollar, I’d spend it on public relations.” —Bill Gates

To contact Mr. Beaton use this link.

If you’ve been following some of the ‘news’ from CBS12 you can understand why his move to start his own PR firm was a good idea. And still, NBC5/WPTV remains the most accurate of all the TV news networks in Palm Beach County. You can say they remain “the 1 you really need to turn 2” for news about your community.

BREAKING: News about politics in City of Greenacres makes front page, local section, in Post print edition today!

Feast your eyes! Here’s the news about Greenacres that was actually published in today’s (3/4) print edition, on page B1, above the fold.

However, in the online edition of the story comes this correction:

A previous version of this story incorrectly said Jonathan Pearce was active in the county Republican Party and that he had resigned his council seat to run. He’s running as a “no party affiliation” candidate and is registered to vote as a Democrat. His resignation is effective after the election.

Before today, other than crime news or vehicle crashes, does anyone remember the last time there was any news in the Post print edition about politics in Greenacres? Kevin Thompson is the beat reporter for the cities of Lake Worth, Greenacres, and the Lake Worth Corridor. And did you know, by area and population, Greenacres is nearly the same size as Lake Worth? It’s true.

But of course, for reasons unknown, the focus in almost totally on the City of Lake Worth.

For example, each and every Monday is the Post’s Lake Worth Very Very Special Monday Collector Print Edition (LWVVSMCPE), a weekly print edition special report. That’s right. Each and every Monday about the little City of Lake Worth.
 

Remember this “IN FOCUS: LAKE WORTH” in the LWVVSMCPE? This RaceTrac isn’t in Lake Worth. It’s located in Palm Springs.

News from the City of Lake Worth:

“We are now accepting applications for special events held on public property for 2017. Applications will be reviewed by Special Events staff and if approved the event will be placed on our master calendar. Event promoters will be notified of approval status by phone or email. If your event is approved you will receive a confirmation letter detailing all items required and due dates. All applications will be reviewed and approved on a first come first serve basis. Only completed applications, including site maps and application fees will be reviewed.”

For more information contact the Department of Leisure Services at 561-533-7395, Lauren Bennett, Special Events Manager (email: lbennett@lakeworth.org), or Emeric Jeancome, Assistant Event Coordinator (email: ejeancome@lakeworth.org).

City Press Release: Exotic Pest Plant Removal on March 18th.

For more information contact David McGrew, the City’s horticulturist at 561-586-1677; email: dmcgrew@lakeworth.org

General media/press inquiries contact Communications Specialist, Ben Kerr, at 561-586-1631; email: bkerr@lakeworth@org

Press Release dated March 3rd:

The Lake Worth City Tree Board will hold an Exotic Pest Plant Removal at the 17th Avenue North Natural Area (1759 17th Avenue North) on Saturday morning, March 18th, from 8:00 to 11:00.

[and. . .]

     The Lake Worth City Tree Board is a volunteer advisory board comprised of city residents appointed by the Mayor and City Commissioners. The Tree Board is one of a number of advisory boards, which assists the City Commission with policy. Members of the public are encouraged to attend Tree Board meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 5:30 in the City Hall Conference Room.

To learn more about volunteering your time use this link. The City’s Volunteer Coordinator is Silvina Donaldson, email: sdonaldson@lakeworth.org

Small Business Loan Program by Lake Worth’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

“The CRA’s Small Business Loan program encourages new or existing businesses to locate or expand in our City’s downtown core. We welcome all for-profit businesses to apply and seek this funding. It is limited.
     Funding eligibility requirements for the loans include permanent working capital, equipment, acquisition, business expansion and bridge loans.
     Applicants who are eligible for the loan program may also receive Technical Assistance in marketing, management, finance and strategic planning.”

To learn more about this program contact the Lake Worth CRA:

• Call 561-493-2550
• Fax: 561-493-2549
• Manager Marc Schlags, Business Development, email mschlags@lakeworth.org

To learn more about the history of our Lake Worth CRA use this link.

“Corrections & Clarifications” in The Palm Beach Post.

There are more corrections in the Post today (3/3), page A2, below the fold (as opposed to prominently displayed items “above the fold”). Don’t get the print edition? Too bad. Because corrections can only be read in the print edition of the Post and are not available for their online readers.

FYI. Some newspapers such as The New York Times have what’s called a “public editor” or an ombudsman to get the news correct for their readers. Below is what appeared in last Wednesday’s (3/1) Palm Beach Post. Is this really a “reporting error” of an error by the news editor?

Isn’t it the job of the news editor to verify information prior to publication?

Courtesy of this week’s Lake Worth Herald: Ballot for the election in Palm Springs.

Did you know that besides the little City of Lake Worth, other nearby cities are also having elections on March 14th?

They would be the cities of Greenacres, Atlantis, Boynton Beach, Lantana, West Palm Beach, and Palm Springs. Use this link to see all the candidates. Here are the choices in Palm Springs:
 

Douglas Gunther is the incumbent in City of Palm Springs.

Official Ballot (Boleta Oficial)

• Village of Palm Springs: General Village Council Election (Elecciiones Generales del Consejo de la Comunidad de Palm Springs)
• Palm Beach County, Florida (Condado de Palm Beach, Florida)
• March 14, 2017 (14 de Marzo de 2017)

How to get a refund for unused visits to the City’s municipal pool at the Beach.

If you haven’t heard the news, the pool at the Beach is shut down for possibly many years to come due to structural and safety issues:

An alternative to Lake Worth’s pool (image above) is the County pool at Lake Lytal. A very well-maintained facility not very far away. News from the City: 

“To receive a refund, please bring your laminated pool pass to the Leisure Services Aquatics office located on the second floor of the Casino Building, above Mulligan’s. We will also need the address for where you would like your refund check sent. If it is easier to mail your pass, please send it to the address below.”

• 10 S. Ocean Blvd., Lake Worth, FL 33460
• 561-493-2538
• Questions? Contact Lynn Sexton at Leisure Services.

Headline: “Solar Generation Now a Reality in Lake Worth”, news in this week’s Herald.

Please note. The “Ocean Current Generation research project” cited below is still being ignored in The Palm Beach Post, news that first broke on Feb. 13th and later reported in the Herald on Feb. 16th.

Below are two excerpts from The Lake Worth Herald datelined March 1st:

Situated on top of a closed landfill, the Lake Worth Solar Field is now ready to feed the local power grid with two megawatts of energy. The field is situated on five acres of the 26 acre landfill site, leaving room for expansion of the field to enable the potential of ten megawatts in the future.
     Lake Worth Mayor Pam Triolo said this solar field, and the City’s partnership with Florida Atlantic University on their Ocean Current Generation research project make it an exciting time to be in Lake Worth.
     There are a few other Florida cities who purchase solar energy but Lake Worth is the first municipality in the state to own and operate a solar field to generate part of its electricity needs.

[and. . .]

     If the solar farm is expanded to 10 megawatts, there will be enough energy to supply about 25 percent of the electricity needs in Lake Worth.

Pick up the Herald print edition (still ¢50!) at our City’s Downtown newsstand every Friday (600 Lake Ave.) located across the street from the PBC Cultural Council.

A special report by reporter Michael Readling at the Post: “Midnight Sun Festival: by Finns, for everybody”.

Children under 4′ tall are FREE. Everyone else, including our City’s one and only iconic, respected, and adult little person, Mr. Greg Rice, will be charged $5 for admittance.

The festival begins this Friday. To read the entire article use this link. More from Michael Readling:

What: An annual festival organized by local Finnish-Americans to celebrate the traditions and heritage of Finland. Lake Worth [including unincorporated] has the highest concentration of people of Finnish descent than anywhere else in America, a history that goes back more than 100 years.
Where: Bryant Park, Lake Worth.
When: Friday, 3 to 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What to Expect: Music by Finland Idol 2004 winner Hanna Pakarinen, and Finland Idol 2012 winner Diandra Flores, as well as several other local bands. There will be traditional Finnish food, as well as food from around the world. Guests can relax in the beer garden and kids will have a large play area in which to enjoy themselves.
Wife Carrying: The headline activity will be the Wife Carrying Contest, with the winner earning a trip to the World Championships in Finland. The contest is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m.
Admission: $5, children under 4 feet tall are free.
For more information: Use this link or call 561-629-3194.

Spotted yesterday in Downtown Lake Worth:

Mr. Omari Hardy is challenging Comm. McVoy. Are you tired of all the false promises from McVoy? Like his promise to “pivot” and focus on “at-risk neighborhoods”?

What Commissioner Chris McVoy said about children, families, and “at-risk neighborhoods” at a City Commission meeting in May 2015 will surprise a lot of people. McVoy has a PhD. He reminds people all the time about that. He also is proud of his critical thinking skills as well.

But when McVoy’s critical thinking is most sorely needed he becomes the obstructionist instead. Following his re-election in 2015 this is what he said:

“It’s not an option for everybody to simply move. So we can’t walk away from things . . . I would like us to really focus on what are ways that we can change our neighborhoods, particularly the more at-risk ones in ways that people who continue to live in them, those kids growing up will do better.”

Back then we all welcomed McVoy’s “pivot” to this very important debate but in the 21+ months following his words from May of 2015 have not matched his actions.

Election day is just 13 days away, the day the public finally gets to be heard. Is it about time to pivot as a City and elect new representation for District 2?

SIXTEEN (16) DAYS LATER: Very big news from the little City of Lake Worth goes unreported, ignored in The Palm Beach Post.

On Feb. 13th news about the high-level meeting the previous day at the Casino was posted on this blog and on Feb. 16th reported in The Lake Worth Herald. Since then no reporter at the Post has shown any interest whatsoever informing the public in Palm Beach County about this:

The prospect of the City of Lake Worth becoming the research and development “epicenter” of Ocean Wave Energy Generation worldwide is a very real one:

Mayor Pam Triolo: “[W]e are no longer the ‘old’ Lake Worth.” Since this news first broke on Feb. 13th it’s gone unreported in the Post.* An excerpt from this blog:

“The topic of the Southeastern National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SNMREC) and the Dept. of Energy was discussed last night [Commission meeting, Feb. 21st] by Mayor Pam Triolo and Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell. The reason why Maxwell missed the Commission meeting on February 7th was because he was in Washington, D.C. discussing this crucial topic with Federal officials.

How big is this news? Real big. County Commissioner Dave Kerner talked about this at his recent neighborhood meeting [Feb. 20th] in the City. When it’s great news about the City of Lake Worth and The Palm Beach Post is ignoring it you know it’s big (note: this news was reported in The Lake Worth Herald on Feb. 16th ).”

To read the entire blog post use this link.

*This is not unusual. The news about Commissioner Ryan Maier dropping out of his race for re-election on December 27th went unreported in the Post for 34 days.

Question: For some, why is it so crucially important to keep a pool open at the Beach? At any cost?

Or is a pool at the Beach “a white elephant whose time has passed”? A City resident back in 2010 had some thoughts about the pool:

Another question: Would the kerfuffle about the pool just be a wedge issue (distraction) from other crucial issues, e.g., our crumbling streets and potholes? Something to think about.

Remember, to keep the pool open will require spending 2–4M+ of taxpayer money that could be used for sidewalks, potholes, and public safety.

Question: If it’s true a pool at the Beach is absolutely necessary then why did a previous administration in Lake Worth close it down in 2010 and put all their focus on a shiny new Casino right next door while ignoring the pool all along?


In 2010 the “precious pool” at the Beach was shut down. JoAnn Golden was a commissioner in the City then and so was current Commissioner Chris McVoy, PhD. Our precious pool, you see, wasn’t making enough money to stay open!

Ironically, after the new majority was swept into office in 2012,* Commissioner McVoy and the former elected’s who closed the pool back in 2010 then said the pool was so important to the community it had to reopen, and stay open, at any cost.

What changed other than a new City Commission majority taking over in 2012? Which begs the question: If the pool was such a precious amenity why was it closed in 2010?

*The present City Commission majority swept into office in 2012 is Mayor Pam Triolo, Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell, and Commissioner Andy Amorsoso.

What to do if your political yard sign was stolen or vandalized.

Stealing and vandalizing political yard signs in the dark of night is someone who is infringing on your right to Free Speech:

In March 2015, these two were spotted stealing political signs around the Lucerne building in Downtown Lake Worth. If your sign was stolen or vandalized:

Call the PBSO non-emergency number and report it: 561-688-3400. Whoever stole your political sign trespassed on your property and is disrespecting your right to Free Speech. Contact the campaign you are supporting and request another sign.


Other tactics the Anarchists use is bolt cutters to cut one of the metal supports to make the sign dangle awkwardly. That also forces the targeted campaign to order more stakes. Curiously, the Anarchists are the ones who always say “listen to the people” but they’re the ones out stealing other “people’s” right to Free Speech? Ironic, isn’t it?

Also note their various methods anchoring the sign to the stake demonstrates the value they place on their own preferred signs (made of #5 plastic non-recyclable chloroplast). Commissioner Ryan Maier went the extra step last year:

Maier affixed his political sign supporting the Anarchist Ryan Hartman on the inside of his shop windows leading up to the March elections in 2016. 

Commissioner McVoy’s broken promise to “pivot” and focus on at-risk neighborhoods: TALKING THE TALK but not WALKING THE WALK.

Just two weeks away, March 14th, is the day the public gets to be heard. Is it about time to pivot as a City and elect new representation for District 2?

What Commissioner Chris McVoy said about children, families, and “at-risk neighborhoods” at a City Commission meeting in May 2015 will surprise a lot of people.

McVoy has a PhD. He reminds people all the time about that. He also is proud of his critical thinking skills as well. But when McVoy’s critical thinking is most sorely needed he becomes the obstructionist instead. However, following his re-election in 2015 this is what he said:

“It’s not an option for everybody to simply move. So we can’t walk away from things . . . I would like us to really focus on what are ways that we can change our neighborhoods, particularly the more at-risk ones in ways that people who continue to live in them, those kids growing up will do better.”

Following that statement many in the City were excited to hear that McVoy was (or claimed to be) on board with the process of helping many of our too-long-neglected neighborhoods in the City of Lake Worth. Inadequate street lighting back then, missing fire hydrants, broken sidewalks, and potholes are a few issues that come to mind. It’s these substandard conditions that increase the crime rate, emergency calls to PBSO, and create all sorts of havoc and disruption for the community.

Back then we all welcomed McVoy’s “pivot” to this very important debate but in the 21+ months following his words from May of 2015 have not matched his actions. For instance, only a few months later the City’s residents were given this news:

Think about who would be affected most by a spike in electric rates (Commissioner Ryan Maier has opted not to run for re-election on March 14th).

Remember what McVoy said in 2015. Remember all the potholes and the poor roads you avoid going about your day in this City. And also remember McVoy was first elected in 2010. Then ask yourself this question: Is this the right person to be representing District 2 in Lake Worth going forward?

Remember. Election day is March 14th. Just 2 weeks away now.

TODAY at 2:00. News about the City of Lake Worth from Post reporter Alexa Silverman: Ribbon cutting.

The item below was in yesterday’s Palm Beach Post print edition, on page B3, below the fold:

Sadly, also in yesterday’s Post was a front page article by Susan Salisbury titled, “Solar power at last gets its time in the sun”—the City of Lake Worth was not cited in the article.

Remember this previous “IN FOCUS: LAKE WORTH” about “Artsy Fartsy”?

Every Monday is Lake Worth’s Very Very Special Monday Collector Print Edition (LWVVSMCPE). Sadly as well, there was another article about the pool (4 thus far). Not mentioned in the LWVVSMCPE yesterday? An important upcoming meeting about fixing our potholes:

For more information about this meeting on Thursday at 1121 Lucerne Ave., beginning at 6:30, please contact:

• Ben Kerr, City’s Communications Specialist at 561-586-1631 or email: bkerr@lakeworth.org
• Jamie Brown, Public Services Director at 561-586-1720 or email: jbrown@lakeworth.org

Is it about time to focus on our roads and potholes? Is a pool at the Beach more important?

Do you think spending $2–4M+ on a pool at the Beach is OK—at a Casino property with other public safety issues to address as well—and have to dodge potholes and  deteriorating streets along the way to that shiny new City pool? Most residents of Lake Worth have never been to the pool and have no plans to any time in the foreseeable future.

For those living with substandard infrastructure, a topic like a City pool at the Beach is esoteric, mundane, and irrelevant. For many residents access to the municipal pool has always been an obstacle, the cost: each visit $4 to park and entry into facility another $4 per adult and $2 for each child (for a family of 4: $16 every visit). So. . .

An important meeting about the future of our City is next week (City Press Release below): a public meeting concerning potholes and our deteriorating streets. How important is this to the community? So important the editor at The Palm Beach Post wrote last November:

“Lake Worth is poised for some major upgrades following residents’ approval — by a whopping 69 percent — of a $40 million road repair bond . . .”.

Last November “a whopping 69 percent” of voters said our roads and infrastructure were a priority. We need to honor that vote:

The County’s Lake Lytal facility has a very nice pool, is not far from the City, and has FREE parking. Learn more about the Lake Lytal pool using this link. The latest City Press Release follows:

Public Engagement Meeting
2nd Ave. South project: Dixie Highway to Federal Highway
Where: 1121 Lucerne Ave.
When: Next Thursday, March 2nd at 6:30

The City of Lake Worth is hosting a public engagement meeting on March 2nd regarding the 2nd Ave South Project. The segment of 2nd Ave South from Dixie to Federal Highway is in severe structural disrepair. [and. . .] The March 2nd meeting will allow members of the community to engage with City personnel and the project engineers to address community needs/concerns that may be incorporated into the project’s design.

Who to contact for more information:

• Ben Kerr, City’s Communications Specialist at 561-586-1631 or email: bkerr@lakeworth.org
• Jamie Brown, Public Services Director at 561-586-1720 or email: jbrown@lakeworth.org

Do you have ideas for traffic calming or do you like your pothole just the way it is, “HANDS OFF MY POTHOLE!”.* Or would you prefer to have your neighborhood roads fixed? If so, these meetings are a chance to speak your mind.

• When will the program begin?
• Will traffic safety be a priority during construction?
• Will any streets be converted back to two-way or will that happen later?
• How and when will residents be notified when their street is next?

Write down your questions and concerns and bring them with you to the Community Involvement Meeting next week.

*Have you seen any red & white “Hands Off Our Beach/Pool” signs around town? The original version of these signs was in opposition to the any future pothole repairs and road improvements. The signs read, “HANDS OFF MY POTHOLE!” Needless to say, that message didn’t go over very well with the public.

Welcome changes at Lake Worth City Hall: the Commission chambers has a new, modern appeal.

Next Tuesday is a City Commission Work Session. Either experience these changes on your laptop/mobile device and watch this meeting Live Streaming (details below) or attend this Workshop in person:

Agenda: City Commission Work Session
City Hall Commission Chambers
Tuesday, Feb. 28th, 6:00

• Roll Call
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Presentations. A) Discussion about crime and crime prevention in Lake Worth and presentation by PBSO Captain Todd Baer. B) Palm Beach Fire Rescue perspective by Fire Captain Houston Park.

There have been upgrades to the audio/video equipment in the Commission Chambers. There are now three sleek “pan & zoom” cameras suspended from the ceiling: two mounted towards the back facing forward and one in the front of the Chambers towards the public podium and crowd in attendance. The camera feed can be seen on wall-mounted flat screens (2) to the right and the left of the dais.

Each screen is easily seen throughout the room. Gone are the days when you had to sit on the right side of the room in order to follow a PowerPoint presentation. The ancient projector is gone! About time.

One camera can be seen above Mayor Pam Triolo showing speakers at the podium along with the audience (see image below):

These improvements really do make the experience attending a City Commission meeting, or any City meeting in the Chambers, more enjoyable and informative. Thank you!

Improvements go beyond this room as well. The City now has its own YouTube channel. This is where one can watch meetings Live Streaming, or archived videos later, and I understand this corrects the issue with Apple devices: another step in the right direction.

A reader of my blog sent the following pictures from last Tuesday’s Commission meeting, scarcely believing the view upon entering the room:

The City now can track how many Live viewers there are. At one point, Commissioner Maier claimed there were “thousands” watching. The number was closer to 10 at the time; these changes are very new for the public.

The camera view changes during the meeting and generally follows who is speaking.

Politics Schmolitics! Kick back some time today and watch Yours Truly on the BBC.

Hope you enjoy the video below. Many thanks to the host and staff at Briny Breezes Channel 8 (BBC) for the invitation. Besides being an honor to be invited it was a lot of fun as well.

A few days after my appearance on the BBC received the most wonderful gift. A book about the history of Briny Breezes called “Looking Back in Time” by Dorothy Mann McNeice, published in March 2012 with the help of Valerie McNeice. The historical images in the book are spectacular.

That’s right. Wes Blackman was a guest on the BBC. Host Nancy Greenblatt interviewed me about “The Cottages” Home Tour last Sunday and “The Cottages of Lake Worth” hardcover book which is selling fast.

Would you like to pick up a book? Here are some convenient options:

• Pick one up at the City’s newsstand located at 600 Lake Ave. in the Downtown.
• At Awe Flowers around the corner at 5 North ‘L’ Street.
• The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County located at 601 Lake Ave. (closed Sunday and Monday)
• Or. . . go online.

And a Special Thank You to Mayor Pam Triolo for the shout-out about “The Cottages of Lake Worth” at the State of the City Address on January 31st at the Casino:

“There is also confidence in our housing stock and the efforts by our citizen initiated groups like the Cottages of Lake Worth reflects that trend. The unique small cottages that are concentrated in our City are an asset and an integral part of our identity. Their renovation and refurbishment is adding value and strengthening our neighborhoods. I want to recognize the Cottages folks here tonight. Thank you, you have helped us believe in ourselves and given us reason to believe we are in a new and exciting time of our history.”

Visiting the Street Painting Festival? Check out Lake Worth’s renowned Beach this weekend.

Besides the Beach in the City of Lake Worth there is a gift shop as well (Beach Tee Shirt Company) and wonderful restaurants for every taste:

• Mama Mia’s by the Beach
• Mulligan’s Beach House Bar & Grill
• And the famously iconic Benny’s on the Beach is located in Lake Worth too (read the review of Benny’s in USA Today using this link).

Below is what restaurant reviewer Joseph Thompson, III, had to say about Benny’s on the Beach after the “old Benny’s” closed down in 2014 (click on image to enlarge):

Thompson wrote the chef, Jeremy Hanlon, was once “a Saucier* at Daniel in New York City . . . I’m impressed. I have to go back and give it another try.” And there’s more from Joseph Thompson, III:

“Upstairs at Benny’s is heavenly. It’s a screened-in porch, with a 280-degree view of blue-green ocean and sky and Beach.”

“The menu is ambitious, colorful. Everything pops out at you.”

And on breakfast at Benny’s: “I got the Surfer, which is two eggs, two sausage links, two pieces of bacon and two pancakes [includes coffee] . . . the bacon was light and crispy. The sausage was excellent. Big. A little spicy but not too.”

*To learn the duties and requirements of a Saucier Chef use this link.