Saturday, July 8, 2017

Daily Progress Report. Gulfstream Hotel, Lake Worth, Florida.

Saturday, July 8th, 2017.


“Architecture is a visual art, and the buildings speak for themselves.”
Julia Morgan, American architect, 18721957.


The video below is from early last year, following all the initial excitement our Gulfstream Hotel was to shortly begin its renovation and spring back to life:



“Maybe it’s our Gulfstream Hotel, still an eyesore in our Downtown following all that excitement in January 2016, that stands a constant reminder what historic preservation cannot do. What needs to happen is not happening.”

Why are there no press releases, community, or neighborhood updates about what’s happening with the Gulfstream Hotel? Do you want to know?

Contact Hudson Holdings, a company specializing in “adaptive reuse of premier historic structures”, using this link or call 561-768-7621. For the Gulfstream Hotel’s Facebook page use this link. Email: info@hudsonholdings.com

Stay tuned for another “Progress Report” tomorrow.

Daily Progress Reports:

  • Friday, July 7th: Email from Hudson Holdings dated March 31st, 2017, “More good news from Hudson Holdings. The Gulfstream Hotel is a GO!”, following District Court of Appeals ruling.
  • Thursday, July 6th: “This sidewalk is nearly impassable due to all the unkempt vegetation and weeds.”
  • Wednesday, July 5th: “I do not believe anything Hudson Holdings says,” one resident posted on the Facebook page Lake Worth Local. “Look at how they let the property deteriorate.”
  • Tuesday, July 4th: “Once referred to as the ‘Jewell of Lake Worth’ . . . this elegant property is undergoing a multi-million dollar face lift.”
  • Monday, July 3rd: “A tree growing out of the structure cannot be good for this ‘elegant’ structure. Simple pruning shears would help this ‘multi-million dollar facelift.’ ”
  • Sunday, July 2nd: Special treat, “Preserving Tomorrow”. Watch this video, Hudson Holdings “is a national historic property developer”.
  • Saturday, July 1st: “[T]his elegant property is undergoing a multi-million dollar face lift”, according to Hudson Holdings’ website.
  • Friday, June 30th: “5 Star Luxury - Coming Winter 2015”.
  • Thursday, June 29th: “Grand Reopening of Lake Worth’s Historic Landmark”.
  • Wednesday, June 28th (windows left open all the time and plywood for security of the structure).

“This city is what it is because our citizens are what they are.”
—Plato.

“PHOTOS: Testa’s Restaurant through the years”

Use this link to see the photo gallery in the Palm Beach Daily News, aka The Shiny Sheet:

Testa’s “opened in December 1921 and settled in 1946 in its current digs at 221 Royal Poinciana Way. The Palm Beach restaurant began staying open year round in 1990 after operating seasonally between Palm Beach and Bar Harbor for about 60 years.”

From the Testa’s Restaurant website:

“Mike [Testa] moved to Palm Beach, Florida 1921. He opened a small soda fountain in the old Garden Theater from December 1921 until November 1929. Testa’s Palm Beach began with seven seats, one table for four and a small table for two.”

“CORRECTION” in The Palm Beach Post today. This one is a whopper.


“Because of a reporting error, a story in Friday’s Palm Beach Post [link added] incorrectly stated that Virginia Giuffre claimed that she had sex with former President Bill Clinton. [emphasis added] While Giuffre claimed Palm Beach billionaire Jeffrey Epstein allowed his famous friends to use her for sex when she was a teen, she said only that Clinton was at Epstein’s estate in the Virgin Islands when she was there. The error appeared in a story about an upcoming civil trial on Page 4 of the Local & Business section.”

It would be nice to get a “CORRECTION” or “CLARIFICATION” for this item published last Thursday in the Local section, page B3; but that will never happen:

Lake Worth

Grouper workshop scheduled for July 31st

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has scheduled a public workshop to be held July 31 in Lake Worth to gather input on Goliath grouper management, including the possibility of a limited harvest in Florida state waters.

This workshop IS NOT “in Lake Worth”.

It’s being held at the Lantana Road Branch Library west of Lantana in suburban Lake Worth. The address is 4020 Lantana Rd., 33462. To learn more about Zip Codes in Central Palm Beach County use this link.

Lake Worth pioneers assembled for a group portrait in 1919

Photo credit: State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory collection.

Drew Martin at the TCRPC and the next environmental crisis: Sunscreen?

The latest from Drew Martin* at public comment is a little later.

First, below are some very interesting excerpts from the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC) meeting held on June 16th from “Council Member Update” and the Legislative Update from Senator Bill Nelson’s office. Here’s another big reason why the Herbert Hoover Dike is so important to Palm Beach County:
He [Martin County Commissioner Smith] stated one of the concerns is Palm Beach County getting their National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) accreditation, because the dike is not fixed. [emphasis added]
Read more about the Herbert Hoover Dike below and also about a recent article in The Palm Beach Post that left out a crucial piece of information for the public.

To download the minutes from the meeting on June 16th and to read the “Preliminary Agenda” for the upcoming meeting on July 21st use this link.

Here is the latest from Drew Martin:

He [Martin] indicated he attended an Oceans Forum presentation by the Nature Conservancy that showed the value of the reefs off Palm Beach County are particularly significant, because of their huge economic value. He noted another thing that is damaging the reefs is the use of sunscreen.

Did Martin just signal the next big environment crisis?

Anyhow. Here are some very interesting excerpts from the “Council Member Update”:

Councilmember [Michael] Houston, Gubernatorial Appointee from Martin County, indicated the City of Stuart is using a grant from FDOT to provide an on-demand tram service in their downtown, which will have an App to show where the tram is located and call to arrange a pickup. He also noted the City now allows legalized golf carts to be driven in the downtown, which is useful because the downtown is very constrained. Commissioner [Mitch] Katz indicated the City of Delray Beach is also considering allowing golf carts.

and. . .

Mayor [Anne] Gerwig with the Village of Wellington stated she will be watching the City of Stuart and how using golf carts for transportation will work. She stated the Village is interested in more community engagement, like that done by Mayor Glickstein in the City of Delray Beach, in order to get community input on issues such as performing arts, expanded park areas, and entertainment districts.

From the “Legislative Update 2017 U.S. Senator Bill Nelson’s Office, Michelle Oyola McGovern, Director of Outreach”:

She [Ms. McGovern] noted he [Sen. Nelson] has also written to the President to speed up the work being done on the Herbert Hoover Dike, and along with Senator Rubio and a bi-partisan group of the congressional delegation, sent an invitation to Interior Secretary Zinke to visit the Florida Everglades. She indicated the Senator has also introduced a bipartisan bill that will require NOAA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to create a plan to address algal blooms. She stated at the urging of St. Lucie County and members of Council, Senators Nelson and Rubio have co-sponsored a foreign sand bill which will authorize the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) to consider both domestic and non domestic sources of sand.

and. . .

Councilmember [Douglas] Bournique stated in the 1970s he was present when they raised the level of Lake Okeechobee to 17 feet. He stated he remembers standing on the dike watching the boils come up and wondering when it would blow. He indicated the levy system around the lake is so important to protect the citizens, and it is getting older and more decomposed every day. Ms. McGovern stated it is unfortunate that work on the dike is not happening fast enough. She noted when funding was first passed, it was predicted the work would get done by 2020. She stated it is obvious they are behind schedule, but work is progressing and the Senator is doing all he can to expedite that work.
     [Martin County] Commissioner Fielding stated the dike is essential for safety, but strategically it is not going to be a major salvation for the estuaries. He stated it will be a point of accumulation which will increase the probabilities of evaporation, but it also increases the probabilities of major discharges because we do not have significant ways of conveyance, and the estuaries become the recipients.

and. . .

He [Chairman Smith] noted there was a nine county coalition meeting about the lake [Lake Okeechobee] two weeks ago that addressed construction time. He stated one of the concerns is Palm Beach County getting their National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) accreditation, because the dike is not fixed. He stated the focus needs to be on the section between the Cities of Pahokee and Lake Port, because that will alleviate the accreditation issue for Palm Beach County and Hendry County on the west side. Ms. McGovern stated they remain in touch with FEMA and the ACOE to make sure the moment the dike can be certified it will get done.

Once again, a reminder for all my blog readers:

What happens at the TCRPC is VERY IMPORTANT.

So. What do you think?

Should the focus be on fortifying the Herbert Hoover Dike or spending $2B± on a new reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee?
Use this link for a recent article in The Palm Beach Post. Are readers just left to guess who wrote, “Herbert Hoover [Dike] poses a grave and imminent danger”?

*Drew Martin is the media spokesperson for the Loxahatchee Sierra Club and also a very prolific letter writer and media source for The Palm Beach Post and the Sun Sentinel. He is a frequent presence at government meetings vis-à-vis environmental issues.
     It came as quite the surprise last year when Mr. Martin did not make the Broward/Palm Beach New Times’ “19 Best Environmentalists is South Florida”; he certainly earned a top spot on the list.

Play BINGO! tonight, Kiwanis meets Tuesday, the Rotary Club on Wednesday and so much more information.


Free listing for service clubs’ and charitable organizations schedules and special events open to the public:
Send information to 1313 Central Terrace, Lake Worth, FL 33460, fax 561-585-5434 or email lwheraldje@gmail.com

Just a few items in the Herald:

TONIGHT: BINGO! BINGO! BINGO! Sponsored by Gray Mockingbird Community Garden this Saturday night, 6–9 p.m at Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 2000 North “D” Street. Bring your stamper and let’s have some fun! For more information call Brian Kirsch at 561-246-0148.

LAKE WORTH KIWANIS is always looking for new members. Come join us every Tuesday, 8 a.m. at TooJays in downtown Lake Worth.

FREE ADULT ENGLISH CLASSES. Tuesdays 6–8 p.m. Compass Community Center, 201 N Dixie Hwy, Lake Worth. To register call 561-863-5778. Everyone is welcome. 

LAKE WORTH ROTARY CLUB meeting every Wednesday at Brogues Down Under, 621 Lake Ave., downtown Lake Worth. Noon. Come visit, become a member! For info call Ron Leeds at 561-969-9600.

Friday, July 7, 2017

Daily Progress Report. Gulfstream Hotel, Lake Worth, Florida.

Friday, July 7th, 2017.

More good news from Hudson Holdings. The Gulfstream Hotel is a GO!
     We are pleased to announce that the final stumbling block to our proceeding with the restoration of the historic Gulfstream Hotel in Lake Worth has been overcome and we are ready to proceed with the $70 million-dollar project.”

—Email from Hudson Holdings following the 4th District Court of Appeals ruling on March 31st, 2017.

A photo taken shortly after the court ruling last March:
See below for a link to the Gulfstream Hotel’s Facebook page.

The next two photos were taken last Friday, June 30th:

“This city is what it is because our citizens are what they are.” —Plato.

“Buildings should serve people, not the other way around.” —John Calvin Portman.

Have questions or seek additional information?

Contact Hudson Holdings, a company specializing in “adaptive reuse of premier historic structures”, using this link or call 561-768-7621. For the Gulfstream Hotel’s Facebook page use this link. Email: info@hudsonholdings.com

Daily Progress Reports:

  • Tuesday, June 27th, 2017, use this link.
  • Wednesday, June 28th (windows left open all the time and plywood for security of the structure).
  • Thursday, June 29th: “Grand Reopening of Lake Worth’s Historic Landmark”.
  • Friday, June 30th: “5 Star Luxury - Coming Winter 2015”.
  • Saturday, July 1st: “[T]his elegant property is undergoing a multi-million dollar face lift”, according to Hudson Holdings’ website.
  • Sunday, July 2nd: Special treat, “Preserving Tomorrow”. Watch this video, Hudson Holdings “is a national historic property developer”.
  • Monday, July 3rd: “A tree growing out of the structure cannot be good for this ‘elegant’ structure. Simple pruning shears would help this ‘multi-million dollar facelift.’ ”
  • Tuesday, July 4th: “Once referred to as the ‘Jewell of Lake Worth’ . . . this elegant property is undergoing a multi-million dollar face lift.”
  • Wednesday, July 5th: “I do not believe anything Hudson Holdings says,” one resident posted on the Facebook page Lake Worth Local. “Look at how they let the property deteriorate.”
  • Thursday, July 6th: “This sidewalk is nearly impassable due to all the unkempt vegetation and weeds.”

Headline: “South Florida’s hotel industry mostly rebounds in April with higher occupancy, rates”

Another reason why the little City of Lake Worth needs a hotel in our Downtown.

From Sun Sentinel reporter Arlene Satchell, here are two excerpts:

     In Palm Beach County, hotel occupancy climbed to 76.6 percent, while daily rates and revenue per room rose to $191.18 and $146.39 respectively, data from STR revealed. That compared with 75.1 percent, $181.27 and $136.21 respectively in April 2016.
    “A later-than-normal Easter that coincided with Passover were major factors for The Palm Beaches’ strong hotel performance in April,” said Jorge Pesquera, president and CEO for Discover The Palm Beaches, the county’s official tourism marketer.

and. . .

     Overall the county is off to solid start this year with a record 2.3 million tourists arriving in the first quarter, up 7 percent from the same period in 2016, Discover The Palm Beaches, the county’s tourism marketer announced recently.

Jupiter has a Sister City in Guatemala. The City of Lake Worth doesn’t — but we need one — and a Sister City in Finland and Haiti too.


There are many good reasons for our City to create a board to initiate, plan, sponsor, organize and promote cultural exchanges.
Remember the “Midnight Sun Festival”? The Haitian flag raising ceremony? Find out more about these events below.

I learned about the Town of Jupiter’s Sister City reading a very good article by Post reporter Bill DiPaolo about the exhibit at the Cultural Council in Downtown Lake Worth.

The story about the Lake Worth Sister City Board is a long and sad one. The sadness and neglect continues: when you go the City’s website a former commissioner, Ryan Maier, is still listed as the board liaison. Meetings are the second Monday of the month but nobody cares any more. They don’t even bother creating agendas any more. The last agenda was in April.

Our Sister City Board’s demise began in early 2015 when then-citizen Ryan Maier used the board as his springboard (pardon the pun) to get elected to the City Commission. The editor at the Post duly noted this experience and then endorsed Maier; he went on to get elected in District 4. Just one little problem though:

Mr. Maier was removed from the Sister City Board for not participating in the mandatory ethics training and his membership was declared vacant due to excessive absenteeism on March 19, 2012.

Ever since that kerfuffle the board went quickly downhill. Anyhow, here is what the board was tasked with doing:

Board initiates, plans, sponsors, organizes and promotes cultural exchanges for the City of Lake Worth. Members also act as the City’s official hosts for international guests.

The Town of Jupiter, according to the Post reporter Bill DiPaolo in the article cited above, “has a sister-city relationship with Jacaltenango, Guatemala.” And also in the article: “Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales has visited El Sol and other locations in Palm Beach County.”

Guess what one of those “other locations in Palm Beach County” was?

Remember the news last April from Peter Haden at WLRN?

“Guatemala Opens Consulate In Lake Worth”

Mayor Pam Triolo and several City commissioners were there at the opening of the Guatemalan Consulate:

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales cut the ribbon at Palm Beach County’s new Guatemalan consulate.

and. . .

     “We’re going to see cultural, commercial, economic affairs — in order to have a more intense and big link with Palm Beach County,” said De Mora [Miami Consul General Rosa Maria Merida De Mora].
     Lake Worth is the first of four new Guatemalan Consulates in the U.S. The others are opening in Seattle, Oklahoma City, and Raleigh, North Carolina.

So you can see why it’s important to either re-establish the City’s Sister City Board or get the Lake Worth CRA to take over. Or maybe even have the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County do this function for us. The City of Lake Worth is on the “Diplomatic Map” so to speak. And it’s very important we have a way to consistently plan, sponsor, organize and promote cultural exchanges.

Remember. The Midnight Sun Festival is coming up next March. Our City of Lake Worth has a lot of very good friends in Finland. And we have a lot of good friends in Haiti too. The 2018 Haitian flag ceremony will be next May. There’s a lot to do and little time to waste.

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Daily Progress Report.* Gulfstream Hotel, Lake Worth, Florida.

Thursday, July 6th, 2017.

“We’re bringing back that vibrancy to the hotel, which in turn brings back vibrancy to the downtown district,” said Michael [Steven Michael, principal of developer Hudson Holdings.”
—Quote in the Sun Sentinel datelined April 14th, 2017.


Eighty-three (83) days later there’s still not any “vibrancy” going on.
It would help our Downtown look more appealing to have a tree trimming crew show up now and then.

5 Star Luxury - Coming Winter 2015”?
Hudson Holdings “is a national historic property developer.Use this link to watch a short video, “Gulfsteam Hotel Progress Report”.

This sidewalk is nearly impassable due to all the unkempt vegetation and weeds:
From Hudson Holdings’ website: “[T]he Gulfstream Hotel is a glimpse into the past . . . undergoing a multi-million dollar face lift.”

Daily Progress Reports:

  • Tuesday, June 27th, 2017, use this link.
  • Wednesday, June 28th (windows left open all the time and plywood for security of the structure).
  • Thursday, June 29th: “Grand Reopening of Lake Worth’s Historic Landmark”.
  • Friday, June 30th: “5 Star Luxury - Coming Winter 2015”.
  • Saturday, July 1st: “[T]his elegant property is undergoing a multi-million dollar face lift”, according to Hudson Holdings’ website.
  • Sunday, July 2nd: Special treat, “Preserving Tomorrow”. Watch this video, Hudson Holdings “is a national historic property developer”.
  • Monday, July 3rd: “A tree growing out of the structure cannot be good for this ‘elegant’ structure. Simple pruning shears would help this ‘multi-million dollar facelift.’ ”
  • Tuesday, July 4th: “Once referred to as the ‘Jewell of Lake Worth’ . . . this elegant property is undergoing a multi-million dollar face lift.”
  • Wednesday, July 5th: “I do not believe anything Hudson Holdings says,” one resident posted on the Facebook page Lake Worth Local. “Look at how they let the property deteriorate.”

*To contact Hudson Holdings, a company specializing in “adaptive reuse of premier historic structures”, use this link or call 561-768-7621. For the Gulfstream Hotel’s Facebook page use this link. Email: info@hudsonholdings.com

News from PBSO District 14, the City of Lake Worth. And a video that “hits hard” is below.

The sad news from Cpt. Todd Baer:

“Unfortunately, the upward trend [of heroin overdose cases] has continued and June 2017 set a new record for total overdoses within Lake Worth. We will continue to do what we have been doing to combat this epidemic.”

Click on image to enlarge:
Average deaths per month  =  7; average revives per month  =  44; average total cases per month  =  50; total cases past 12 months  =  592.

August 17th, 2016:

“Lake Worth Mayor Pam Triolo didn’t hold back last August (video below) following the proclamation: ‘Item 5B: Proclamation declaring August 31, 2016 as Overdose Awareness Day’. At the 1:50 mark she finishes reading the prepared words, pauses, and then has her thoughts. To say it hits hard is an understatement.
     I was there taking this video and you could feel the emotion in the room.
     Please share this video with your friends, family, and neighbors. Send the video to people up North who may believe they’re sending family members to Florida for treatment of addictions. It’s not always the case. Many of them will never return home.




“Stop sending your children and your loved ones to South Florida because we’re sending them back in body bags.”
 —Lake Worth Commissioner Andy Amoroso quoted in radio interview by WLRN reporter Peter Haden, June 1st, 2017.

Press Release [UPDATE]: Temporary closure, City of Lake Worth Public Library.


July 6th, 2017.

Lake Worth, Florida — The City of Lake Worth Public Library will be closed again today due to an AC fault. It is expected to reopen tomorrow.
     For those looking for a book today please use this link to discover your nearest Little Free Library.

Don’t forget! “Take a Book  ~  Leave a Book”.
To learn more about Lake Worth’s Little Free Libraries use this link. For more information call 561-585-6035 or email: LakeWorthLFL@gmail.com

News from Tony Doris at the Post: Free cat surgeries entire month of July.

Limited spaces available; use this link for more information. From the article by the reporter:

Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, 3100-3200 N. Military Trail, will offer free cat surgeries for the entire month of July, for domestic cats belonging to residents of Palm Beach County and free roaming cats.

and. . .

     Domestic cats are by appointment only and strays must be brought in a covered trap, one cat per trap, and be delivered between 8 and 9 a.m. For additional information, visit PeggyAdams.org or call 561-686-3663.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Remember last April when “derelict structures” were demolished on the Gulfstream Hotel property?


Remember this article in The Palm Beach Post?

“Demolishing the derelict structures on the neighboring property began Thursday [March 30], said Jeff Mustard, a Hudson Holdings spokesman.”

Interestingly, what’s missing from the news article is one important piece of information. Who paid for the demolitions?

Was it Hudson Holdings, a company with “a specialized focus on the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of premier historic structures

Daily Progress Report.* Gulfstream Hotel, Lake Worth, Florida.

Wednesday, July 5th, 2017.

See below for links to the Daily Progress Reports for Tuesday, June 27th–Tuesday, July 4th.

Another July 4th in the City of Lake Worth.
Another year the Gulfstream Hotel remains shuttered.
Is it time to stop using the word “vibrancy”?
January 22nd, 2017: “ ‘This [hotel renovation] is something that would lead to more vibrancy [emphasis added] and investment in the city,Steven Michaels, Hudson Holdings co-founder, told The Palm Beach Post.

And another quote from the same article. . .
“I do not believe anything Hudson Holdings says,” one resident posted on the Facebook page Lake Worth Local. “Look at how they let the property deteriorate.”

Another line from the article. . .
In the eyes of many, Hudson Holdings has little — if any — credibility left.

Daily Progress Reports:

  • Tuesday, June 27th, 2017, use this link.
  • Wednesday, June 28th (windows left open all the time and plywood for security of the structure).
  • Thursday, June 29th: “Grand Reopening of Lake Worth’s Historic Landmark”.
  • Friday, June 30th: “5 Star Luxury - Coming Winter 2015”.
  • Saturday, July 1st: “[T]his elegant property is undergoing a multi-million dollar face lift”, according to Hudson Holdings’ website.
  • Sunday, July 2nd: Special treat, “Preserving Tomorrow”. Watch this video, Hudson Holdings “is a national historic property developer”.
  • Monday, July 3rd: “A tree growing out of the structure cannot be good for this ‘elegant’ structure. Simple pruning shears would help this ‘multi-million dollar facelift.’ ”
  • Tuesday, July 4th: “Once referred to as the ‘Jewell of Lake Worth’ . . . this elegant property is undergoing a multi-million dollar face lift.”

*To contact Hudson Holdings, a company specializing in “adaptive reuse of premier historic structures”, use this link or call 561-768-7621. For the Gulfstream Hotel’s Facebook page use this link. Email: info@hudsonholdings.com

Rolling out the videos (see below): The Final Heat for bragging rights until July 4th, 2018 is. . .

. . . Parrot Cove Neighborhood Assoc.!

Thank You to the announcers Mr. Greg Rice (Mango Groves Neighborhood) and NAPC President Jon Faust (Downtown Jewel Neighborhood) for another fun and exciting Great American Raft Race, themed “Under the Big Top” this year.

The official results will be announced at the next City Commission meeting on July 18th.

Commissioner Herman C. Robinson was duly praised for organizing the first Raft Race “100 years ago”, and thanks to all of the electeds who participated in the July 4th events and festivities: Mayor Pam Triolo, Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell, and commissioners Andy Amoroso and Omari Jamal-Hatchett Hardy.

Of course, a special thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy all the fun and outrageous excitement.

Hope you enjoy the video:

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Daily Progress Report.* Gulfstream Hotel, Lake Worth, Florida.

Tuesday, July 4th, 2017.

Below are the Daily Progress Reports for Tuesday, June 27th–Monday, July 3rd.

From Hudson Holdings’ website: “Once referred to as the ‘Jewell of Lake Worth’ . . . this elegant property is undergoing a multi-million dollar face lift.”

The landscaping isn’t looking so “elegant” at our Downtown landmark.
“Situated at the foot of the Intracoastal Waterway”, shouldn’t better care be taken of the landscaping in such a high-profile location?

The sidewalks don’t look much better either.
One of the sidewalks. Not very “vibrant” or charming, is it?

Daily Progress Reports:

  • Tuesday, June 27th, 2017, use this link.
  • Wednesday, June 28th (windows left open all the time and plywood for security of the structure).
  • Thursday, June 29th (“Grand Reopening of Lake Worth’s Historic Landmark”).
  • Friday, June 30th (“5 Star Luxury - Coming Winter 2015”).
  • Saturday, July 1st (“[T]his elegant property is undergoing a multi-million dollar face lift”, according to Hudson Holdings’ website).
  • Sunday, July 2nd (Special treat, “Preserving Tomorrow”. Watch this video: Hudson Holdings “is a national historic property developer”.)
  • Monday, July 3rd (A tree growing out of the structure cannot be good for this “elegant” structure. Simple pruning shears would help this “multi-million dollar facelift”.)

*To contact Hudson Holdings, a company specializing in “adaptive reuse of premier historic structures”, use this link or call 561-768-7621. For the Gulfstream Hotel’s Facebook page use this link. Email: info@hudsonholdings.com

Walked into a shop in our Downtown the other day. . .


Here is City of Lake Worth Commissioner Andy Amoroso at his newsstand located at 600 Lake Ave. with a poster from the recently held Stonewall Black & White Ball:
“Hmmm. What clubs, meetings, and events are in Lake Worth this week?” Pick up the Herald at Andy’s newsstand. It’s still just ¢50!

Each week the Herald has free listings for service clubs’ and charitable organizations schedules and special events open to the public:
Send information to 1313 Central Terrace, Lake Worth, FL 33460, fax 561-585-5434 or email lwheraldje@gmail.com

Just a few items in this week’s Herald:

LAKE WORTH KIWANIS is always looking for new members. Come join us every Tuesday, 8 a.m. at TooJays in downtown Lake Worth.

BINGO! BINGO! BINGO! Sponsored by Gray Mockingbird Community Garden this Saturday night, 6–9 p.m at Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 2000 North “D” Street. Bring your stamper and let’s have some fun! For more information call Brian Kirsch at 561-246-0148.

LAKE WORTH ROTARY CLUB meeting every Wednesday at Brogues Down Under, 621 Lake Ave., downtown Lake Worth. Noon. Come visit, become a member! For info call Ron Leeds at 561-969-9600.

Which reporter from the Post do you think would be a good fit to cover our City beat?


Reporters that cover the same beat — week after week, year after year — get stale, repetitive, dull and bored. The editor(s) at The Palm Beach Post understand this as does their readership as well.

Prior to the current Post beat reporter there was Chris Persaud who won a prestigious journalism award for election reporting (he covered the 2013–2014 Lake Worth elections), Lona O’Connor known for first reporting about The Cottages of Lake Worth, and the iconic Willie Howard (now at The Coastal Star). Even Eliot Kleinberg did a brief stint. To read more about the history of beat reporters in our City use this link.

So. As we await the change in beat reporters, the question is this:

Should we get someone entirely new covering our City’s news or a beat reporter from another city? If we get new blood it could be any one of an exciting field of candidates: Corvaya Jeffries has done great work and so has Alexa Silverman and Eddie Ritz. Another rising star is Michael Readling who has already established his credibility covering the City of Lake Worth and our international and business news.

Could next Monday be the day? A new reporter and face for our Lake Worth Very Very Special Monday Collector Print Edition (LWVVSMCPE):
Following that “egregious” and “incompetent” incident last year, no doubt our elected leaders, city manager and staff will welcome a change as well.

However, if the editor decides to switch out beat reporters here are our choices:
  • Sarah Peters: now covering the Town of Jupiter and City of Palm Beach Gardens.
  • Lulu Ramadan: City of Delray Beach.
  • Matt Morgan: Village of Wellington and City of Greenacres.
  • Alexandra Seltzer: City of Boynton Beach.
  • Bill DiPaolo: Palm Beach Gardens.
  • Tony Doris: City of West Palm Beach.
Don’t forget: Delray Beach IS NOT a Special City! Why? Because that city is not featured in the Post every week like the City of Lake Worth in the LWVVSMCPE:
Maybe a new Monday feature soon by Alexa Silverman some day? Michael Readling? Stay tuned as they say.

Tomorrow at 6:00: A very interesting advisory board meeting.


Check out some of the highlighted agenda items below. Possibly the Electric Utility Advisory Board (EUAB) will reconsider having this meeting in the conference room — hold this in the City Commission chambers instead — for everyone who is interested to watch on the City’s YouTube channel.

Electric Utility Advisory Board meeting.
City Hall Conference Room.
Wednesday, July 5th, 6:00.
  1. Roll Call.
  2. Pledge of Allegiance.
  3. Agenda: Additions, deletions, reordering.
  4. Presentations.
  5. Public participation of non-agendaed items.
  6. Approval of minutes: June 7th.
  7. Unfinished Business: A) Electric Utility Director. B) Electric Utility Business Plan Request for Qualification (RFQ) Update (Rebuilding the Power Plant?). C) Electric Utility Purchase Power Request for Proposal (RFP). D) South Eastern National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SEMREC) - Ocean Current Project. E) Siemen's Solar Field Project Update. F) Electric Utility Long Range Plan Update. G) Update on the City of Lake Worth Electric Utility Distribution System Upgrade from 4.6kV to 26.4kV. H) System Outage Alert Notification. I) Radio One, Motorola digital two way Radio System Upgrade. J) Utility Truck Replacement Update. K) Vero Beach Update. L) Stanton and Port Saint Lucie Purchase Power. M) Purchase Order to AT&T Southeast for relocation of aerial facilities to underground facilities along Boutwell Road from 4th Avenue North to 10th Avenue North. N) Purchase Order to Comcast for relocation of aerial facilities to underground facilities along Boutwell Road from 4th Avenue North to 10th Avenue North.
  8. New Business.
  9. Board Comments.
  10. Board Liaison Reports and Comments.
  11. Adjournment.
Note: One or more members of any board or members of the City Commission may attend and speak.

TODAY: What to expect at the Great American July 4th Raft Race Parade on Lake Ave.

The line-up begins at 11:00 on ‘J’ Street and Lucerne Ave.

The parade begins at 11:30 down Lake Ave. to Bryant Park.

The pre-parade antics are something to behold if you’ve never seen it before!

Monday, July 3, 2017

Daily Progress Report.* Gulfstream Hotel, Lake Worth, Florida.

Monday, July 3rd, 2017.

Below are the Daily Progress Reports for Tuesday, June 27th–Sunday July 2nd.

From Hudson Holdings’ website:

“[T]he Gulfstream Hotel is a glimpse into the past . . . undergoing a multi-million dollar face lift.”


Click on images to enlarge:
A tree growing out of the structure cannot be good for this “elegant” structure. Simple pruning shears would help this facelift.

More plywood but still plenty of access for small animals, rodents, and birds.

Main north patio. Charming, isn’t it? Just wait til tomorrow when you see all the overgrowth of weeds and invasive trees impeding public sidewalks along S. Lakeside Drive and 1st Ave. South.

Daily Progress Reports:


*To contact Hudson Holdings, a company specializing in “adaptive reuse of premier historic structures”, use this link or call 561-768-7621. For the Gulfstream Hotel’s Facebook page use this link. Email: info@hudsonholdings.com

January 5th, 2016: Ms. Ariana Peters addresses the City Commission.


I believe the Gulfstream project is not only the right step but also a very crucial step in the right direction. I thank the board for their consideration of this project and I’m looking forward to the re-opening of this great landmark bringing people to Lake Worth who have always been hesitant and to finally showing off our town’s incredible Downtown and one of the best assets Lake Worth has to offer. Thank you.” [standing applause follows]



Use this link for the “Daily Progress Report. Gulfstream Hotel” from yesterday:

Are readers of The Palm Beach Post just left to guess who wrote, “Herbert Hoover [Dike] poses a grave and imminent danger”?

UPDATE: This article makes the print edition of today’s Post and a very important piece of information is still missing.

This article posted online by reporter Joel Engelhardt on June 30th does not cite a crucial report (see below) but just makes an oblique reference to it:

The $1.7 billion dike project’s intent has not been to turn Lake Okeechobee into a giant reservoir but to safeguard the lake communities from a 1930s-era earthen dam condemned as recently as 2006 as a “grave and imminent danger.”

Question: Why doesn’t the Post reporter cite this report from January 2006?

Or are readers of the Post just left to guess who called the Herbert Hoover Dike in “grave and imminent danger”?
“The current condition of Herbert Hoover poses a grave and imminent danger… … [The dyke] needs to be fixed. We can only add that it needs to be fixed now, and it needs to be fixed right. We firmly believe that the region’s future depends on it.

At the end of this blog post is a question about a very serious topic: our water here in Palm Beach County. And the issue is also about science and what exactly is science?

If you’ve been following the debate about whether or not to construct another reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee, former Lake Worth City Commissioner Chris McVoy, PhD (an expert on Everglades restoration) said, “this whole thing is part science and part what you can get politically.”

On this very subject, State Senator Jeff Clemens wrote, “the push for southern storage has become more political than science-driven.” The editor(s) at The Palm Beach Post have their fingers in the air — checking which way the political winds are blowing — and reminding us we should all trust science (but just the scientists the Post thinks are believable).

This would all be a silly sideshow were it not for TWO BILLION DOLLARS at stake, give or take a few million. 

Warning. Prepare yourself. Below is a fictional story. Not for the faint of heart.

There was a real Hurricane Otto in 2016. But the story below is from August 2013 about a fictional hurricane named “Otto” and what’s called a “Black Swan event”.

“The Day the Dike Breaks” by Dan Reynolds in Risk & Insurance.

“A Cat 5 hurricane strike of Lake Okeechobee would inundate much of South Florida.”

Use this link to read the entire “Black Swan” story by Dan Reynolds. Here are the opening paragraphs:

Hurricane Otto, a Category 5 hurricane, makes landfall at 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2014, just north of Fort Lauderdale. The storm travels northwestward across the state, maintaining Category 4 strength as it touches the southwest reaches of Lake Okeechobee, the 10th largest lake in the United States and the largest lake in the South. The driving rains cause the water levels on the lake to rise, which creates a breach in the lake’s protective barrier, the Herbert Hoover Dike, in the vicinity of Clewiston. Tornados spawned by the hurricane also touch down on the dike, causing two more breaches, near the towns of Pahokee and Belle Glade.
     The lake, at 730 square miles and an average depth of only 10 feet, begins to flood the surrounding communities.
     Eventually, much of South Florida will be inundated.
     U.S. highways 441 and 98, and state roads 715 and 80 are destroyed by the slow-moving water.
     Geographically, there is nothing to stop the wall of water as it spreads out from Lake Okeechobee toward the Atlantic Ocean. It will be weeks before the flood waters recede.
     Evacuations began in heavily populated Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties when the hurricane’s landfall became a certainty.
     But there wasn’t much time.
     Once the dike is breached, the more than 640,000 evacuees in Broward have less than 14 hours to move. Miami-Dade’s more than 936,000 evacuees have less than 13 hours to get out. In Palm Beach County, the window is less than 16 hours and more than 448,000 people need to leave.

What do you think?

Should the focus be on fortifying the Herbert Hoover Dike or spending $2B± on a new reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee?

The “Black Swan” story above is not a theory and it’s not “part science” either. It’s historical record. It happened before.

Did you know there is a mass grave in West Palm Beach?

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Daily Progress Report. Gulfsteam Hotel, Lake Worth, Florida: SPECIAL TREAT! VIDEO WITH MUSIC (see below).

Sunday, July 2nd, 2017.

For more information and to contact Hudson Holdings, a company specializing in “adaptive reuse of premier historic structures.”:

  • Use this link to contact the company spokesperson with your questions and/or concerns.
  • Address: 20 S. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33444
  • Email: info@hudsonholdings.com
  • 561-768-7621
  • Use the Gulfstream Hotel’s Facebook page.

Preserving Tomorrow” the sign says at the Gulfstream Hotel: Hudson Holdings “is a national historic property developer and a leader in urban development and management”.

Enjoy the video:


Daily Progress Reports:

Hanging out with West Palm Beach Commissioner and Lake Worth business owner Shanon Materio.

Events hosted by Commissioner Shanon Materio are always fun and lively, like the one last Thursday at the Palm Beach Zoo.

Recognize anyone?
Hey! Is that Lake Worth Commissioner Herman Robinson? Yes, it most certainly is.

A year later: Brightline and “exaggerated” Letters to the Editor in The Palm Beach Post, “laced with not too subtle fear-mongering.”

Response to Frank Cerabino, the ‘satirist’ at the Post.

Below is a “Point of View” by Tequesta resident Dennis Myers titled, “Yes, Frank [Cerabino], it is all about freight!” that was published in July of last year:

Recent weeks have seen letters to The Palm Beach Post voicing renewed outrage over the potential damage expanding the local railway system will bring to the quality of our lives. Sentiments range from exaggerated speculation countered by point-of-fact responses to earnest opposition laced with not too subtle fear-mongering. [emphasis added] For me, however, all the hand-wringing comments miss several key points in the argument.
     I think the potential for local economic impact of railway system expansion means two things: 1) Despite the assurances of local politicians’ shared concerns from north Palm Beach County through the Treasure Coast, there will be no common political will for intervention, only continued support from every branch of our state government; and 2) Yes, Frank Cerabino, despite the frequent official denials, since All Aboard Florida (AAF) is the vehicle for our local railway expansion, it surely is “All About Freight.”

and. . .

     First option is to mitigate and adapt. Mitigate by ensuring that our local officials plan and support the installation and maintenance of “quiet zones” at all the rail crossings where the onerous sounds of train horns 24/7 can be silenced to the benefit of all. Adapt our fire-rescue resources through the use of substations on either side of the rail corridor to ensure continued rapid emergency response capabilities.
     Second option is to move and adjust. Relocate to the west where we can trade the train horns and traffic waits at crossings for the car horns and traffic congestion at stoplights that plague the quality of life there.

“Second option is to move and adjust.” Excellent point, Mr. Myers, and your use of the word “plague” was brilliant.

A very well-written and thoughtful letter with perfect use of satire to hammer the point home. Thank you for taking the time and effort.

Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell: “Is there a doctor in the house?”

The one-year anniversary of THE RANT at City Hall!

June 7th, 2016: “WE might go for a smaller bond if you ask US!”

And in the video below a former commissioner, Chris McVoy, PhD, makes a cameo!

It was McVoy’s actions — or rather his lack of any action — that cost him the election in March of this year. The editor at The Palm Beach Post said McVoy was an “ineffective gadfly” and endorsed now-District 2 Commissioner Omari Hardy.

“Is there a doctor in the house?”



For more background on this topic use this link.

It was at this City Commission workshop we learned because Katie McGiveron’s CAUT PAC scuttled the LW2020 bond to fix the roads and potholes BY JUST 25 VOTES in 2014 it would cost $9 million more to fix the City’s roads.

“Is there a doctor in the house?”

“Comprehensive Guide To Lake Worth 4th of July”

Written by Darien Davies at The Atlantic Current.

Use this link to read the entire article and send this to your friends and neighbors. From the article:

“Be prepared, Lake Worth is going to be bringing in some of the hottest local and national bands for your auditory pleasure. The City has partnered with The Nine Society to bring back a more concentrated arts and entertainment district, and they’re starting hard with the music scene.
     Part of the revitalization of music is to secure better bands, expanding Lake Worth’s musical horizons, and 4th of July is one of the avenues with which they’re shining a spotlight on Lake Worth. Do yourself a favor and gather the friends, dance and repeat.”

The reporter’s entertaining article has everything you need to know from the Star Spangled Band Showcase (July 3rd, 5:00–10:00), the July 4th Parade and Raft Race (parade at 11:30; race starts at 1:00), and all the days festivities and bands.
     Then at 7:00 is “the ridiculously talented Matthew Curry plays for the first time in Lake Worth.” At 9:00 is the Fireworks and following the show is “Gettin’ Local”:

“The fireworks should be over by roughly 9:30 p.m. so if you’re still in the party mode, head back downtown.”

or. . .

     “If you prefer a more relaxed, post-party scene, head back to (or stay at) the beach. Enjoy some cocktails and food at Benny’s on the Beach or Mulligan’s Beach House, or grab a slice of pizza at Mamma Mia’s on the Beach. If you want to get really down and local, head to the Beach Club Lake Worth at the Lake Worth Golf Course where they host a 4th of July BBQ.”

Reporter Darien Davies on parking in the City of Lake Worth:

“Parking is flexible and you can either park anywhere downtown on the main streets or side streets. If you feel like walking, you are welcome to park at the beach and walk across the bridge to be a part of all the action.
     Every event is free to attend so feel welcome to join in the fun at every corner. Make sure you enjoy the parade as it is a showcase of the different neighborhoods and is a fun way to get a flavor of Lake Worth.”