Wednesday, November 4, 2015

From Vox: Where did the "soul patch" come from?

Here is the definition of a "soul patch" from Wikipedia. If you're not already aware, were under a rock or in outer space, the iconic Bamboo Room in Lake Worth has reopened and you can expect to see more than a few soul patches around town. To "Follow" the Bamboo Room on Twitter click on the Follow icon below:
In this short 2-minute video Vox explains the history of that facial hair style which is a lot more interesting than you might expect:

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Worth Noting, the City of Lake Worth's Newsletter: How Does the Code Enforcement Process Work?

First, to subscribe to the City's newsletter use this link.
This latest newsletter from the City is an excellent piece of work and explains how the code enforcement process works from the beginning to the end and is required reading for those who have an interest in this subject. Here is the opening paragraph from the article:
Over the years, Lake Worth residents have had many questions regarding the code compliance program. Mark Woods, Code Compliance Manager for the City, laid out each step of the code process so that residents may better understand the process and what takes place when a violation is reported or violation notice is issued. The process is governed by state law (Fl. Statute 162). Although there may be minor differences from city to city, most of the steps in the code violation process are the same statewide.
Here is one the the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) in the article:
Doesn’t the [code enforcement] hearing always side with the City?
     Not at all. According to Woods, there is no silver bullet. Many times, depending on the evidence presented, the specific law used in the violation, and the property owner’s actions, the hearing ends in the property owner’s favor.
     “We’re in this together,” said Woods. "Residents (property owners) and code compliance officials must work together to improve the City of Lake Worth by following the state process, one property at a time."
Please share this information with your neighbors and help get the word out.

The entry below appeared on the "Common Ground" (no 's') church's Facebook page: "Jesus hates religion" in Lake Worth

The entry above is from October 31st.
In case you haven't heard the 'Common Ground' church now holds service each Sunday at a bar/night club in the City. You can read all about that curious development here.

Here is another charming message from the 'Common Ground' church:
Remember the "War on Jesus"?
So what are all the other churches and people of faith in Lake Worth to think about the 'Common Ground' church's claim that "Jesus hates religion" in the City? A sign of things to come from 'pastor' Mike Olive and his flock?

Raphael Clemente: Okeechobee Blvd.'s wide lanes are "begging you to go 50"

Tony Doris at the Post has this news which also appears on the front page of today's paper (11/3) above the fold. Jesse Bailey at Walkable West Palm, Jeff Speck, and many others will not be happy to learn that narrowing of the lanes on Okeechobee Blvd ARE NOT being considered by FDOT which, in my opinion, negates many of the changes being proposed in the first place.

Following Jeff Speck's presentation before the West Palm Beach city commission on walkability/bikeability and the inherent danger of 12' lanes in cities I met briefly with Mr. Speck and thanked him for all the work he had done. Also spoke with Raphael Clemente who was still recovering from his bicycle crash when he was hit by a car on Okeechobee Blvd as you'll read about in the excerpt from Tony Doris below.

The interesting thing is FDOT sees the obvious need to narrow lanes on a bridge for safety but doesn't see the same advantages on one of West Palm Beach's main arterial roads. So how do pedestrians and bicyclists benefit from 12' lanes on Okeechobee Blvd.? Lowering the speed limit from 40 to 35 is an improvement but doesn't solve the problem. Wide lanes encourage higher speeds; lowering the speed limit by 5 mph seems like FDOT is pandering to the 'Complete Streets' movement. The underlying message: the car is still "king".

Here is the excerpt from Raphael Clemente in the Post:   
     Clemente, with his 7-year-old daughter Kaia on the back of his bicycle, was hit by a car in 2013, while heading to a performance of “Mary Poppins” at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. A car making an illegal U-turn struck them. She broke her left arm and he needed knee surgery.
     Clemente points to a federal chart showing that pedestrians have an 85 percent chance of dying if a car hits them going 40 mph, 45 percent at 30 mph but just 5 percent at 20 mph.
     “Look at the difference between speeds and likelihood of fatality,” he says. “This does not account for what is termed ‘incapacitating’ injury, which skyrockets as speeds go up.”
     Keeping lanes almost as wide as on an interstate highway only encourages speeding, Clemente adds. That’s a well-studied phenomenon and it’s why there’s a move on nationally to narrow lanes, add shade trees and create a sense of scale in road design, he says. When the lanes are wide and clear, he says, “it’s begging you to go 50.” [emphasis added]
And the work continues. . .

SFWMD: Moving water south from Lake Okeechobee (2014–2015)

Here is an amazing interactive map released by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). A description of the map:
Since Nov. 1, 2014, through June 1, 2015, South Florida Water Management District operations moved approximately 308.13 billion gallons of water from Lake Okeechobee – that's the same as 716,382 football fields filled with 1 foot of water.
An image from the map produced by the SFWMD demonstrating where water was moved to from Lake Okeechobee.
[Here is more about the enormously successful efforts by the SFWMD and farmers to reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the Florida Everglades.]

From AFNS: Who is Rand Paul?

Here are some things you probably didn't know about Rand Paul from America's Finest News Service:
  • Effect Of Campaign Bumper Sticker On Car’s Resale Value: -11.5%
  • Political Vision: Supports bipartisanship between the Tea Party and GOP
  • Piercings: 12
  • Crossover Voter Appeal: Reaches fans as young as 18 and as old as 20
  • Number Of Friends’ Status Updates You’ll Have To Scroll Past Regarding His Vision For Country Over Next Year: 131
  • Campaign Strategy: Hoping college-aged white males come to comprise over half of U.S. population
  • Platform: Heavy focus on abolishing and repealing, with lesser focus on dismantling, rescinding, and abrogating

Monday, November 2, 2015

One of many ways code enforcement has improved neighborhoods in the City of Lake Worth: The Tropical Ridge example

Every now and then there will be a feeble attempt at revisionism concerning code enforcement in Lake Worth from 4 years ago and prior—an effort that falls flat when the facts are presented. The department was gutted by a previous city manager and the City's neighborhoods suffered as a result. 

 It's taken a huge effort by many to improve the code department and the City is getting the word out to the community via their Worth Noting newsletter. Below is another example how much things have improved, a video of the president of the Tropical Ridge Neighborhood Assoc. before the City Commission on October 20th. 

 There are three parts of this 8:00 minute video you should pay particular attention to:
  • 1:30–3:00: Community crime watch in Tropical Ridge and assignment of block captains; teaming up with City's code enforcement.
  • 4:15–6:00: A clever way to teach the community how the City's bulk trash pickup works; partnership with PBSO to help resolve issues.
  • 7:10 to end: Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell is impressed with the creative ways Tropical Ridge has gone about solving problems.
This is all good news that the local media, for the most part, isn't interested in reporting. Share this link with your friends and neighbors (copy & paste into an email).

Another message of hate (one of many from that blogger) from the outskirts of town

Thankfully, this hateful blogger lives on the outskirts of town and doesn't get involved in community betterment efforts. Is it any wonder why? She's in a very small minority of people that are trying to drive wedges between communities and foment discontent. 
The Obtuse Blogger (TOB) could use an intervention by her 'pastor', don't you think?
The mantra of peace and non-violence is the stronger of the messages in all of Palm Beach County following recent events, including right here in the little City of Lake Worth. However, that doesn't mean the haters will stop trying—they'll get more shrill and unhinged until the time when they flame out—like they always do.

It's times like this when the community and religious leaders do their best work and most of that hard work you'll never hear about. They're not looking around for news vans and hamming for a camera shot; they're more concerned about making the city and community a better place to live. They're all owed a debt of gratitude. 

There are so many good things happening in Lake Worth and that's the real story. Don't get distracted by the haters.

Catherine Tate and "the offensive translator"—yes, it's OK to laugh sometimes

In this comedy sketch by Catherine Tate she manages to offend just about everyone. Warning: do not watch this video if you've been completely indoctrinated into the political correctness culture. Over 2 million have viewed this video and you'll see why, it's hilariously funny:

[UPDATE2] [UPDATE1] The Post giveth and the Post taketh away

[UPDATE 2: The Post article about Bud Greene finally made the print edition and my prediction was wrong as you'll discover below. He appears below the fold in Monday's paper under an article about a trash plant. An appropriate place for his story if there ever was one (learn the difference between above and below the fold here)]

[UPDATE 1: The Post article about a Lake Worth code enforcement issue is available to read as digital content. The subject of the article, Bud Greene, was never a City code enforcement official—he sat for a time on the defunct Code Enforcement Board that was disbanded about ten years ago or so because it became too political. In its place now is a Special Magistrate which is much more impartial and professional. This article will likely appear in Sunday's print edition above the fold. FYI, did you know the Post's newspapers are printed by the Sun Sentinel? It's true and you can read about that here.]

There's been so much good news about Lake Worth of late, from all kinds of sources, including The Palm Beach Post. From the Little Free Libraries, to the re-opening of the Bamboo Room and the City's beefed-up code enforcement department it's been a steady stream of positive news.

So just want to prepare you for the upcoming news from the Post's Kevin Thompson that will probably appear in the Sunday edition, front page, above the fold. Mr. Thompson met one of our long-time residents in our revitalizing downtown:
It will be interesting to read the pitch in the Post. Stay tuned as they say.

If you have an upcoming event or positive City news you want to share with the Post from the City of Lake Worth, suburban Lake Worth (including Palm Beach State College) and Greenacres here is how you contact the Post reporter:
Email: kthompson@pbpost.com
561-820-4573
Twitter: @kevindthompson1

Sunday, November 1, 2015

The famous or infamous and always popular food review by the elusive (and reclusive?) Joseph Thompson III

Some hilarity is in order: this post from last January continues to be one of the most viewed ever on this blog. The food reviewer 'Joseph Thompson III' did a review of our spectacular restaurant Benny's on the Beach and was never heard from again. He simply appeared and then disappeared like he vanished into thin air.

Since then there have been many glowing food reviews by Liz Balmaseda and Staci Sturrock at the Post and many others including the much-sought-after food reviewer Nicole Danna at the Broward New Times.

Anyhow, if your looking for something to do on Saturday the 14th, here's an idea:
Lee Lipton, the owner of Benny's took the restaurant from about twenty employees to over 70 now. A job well done.

Anthony Noto

“Great leaders of organizations run after problems, make their footprint bigger than their foot, and always strive to find the truth — because you have to get to the truth to be excellent.”

From the Shiny Sheet: "Scripps Florida to now sponsor Palm Beach Civic Association"

Jane Fetterly at the Palm Beach Daily News (aka the Shiny Sheet) has this business item:
     Scripps Florida is strengthening ties to the island with the announcement it will be the corporate sponsor for the Palm Beach Civic Association.
     Steve Kay, president-elect of The Scripps Research Institute, said the organization wants “to solidify bonds between our scientists and the physicians, patients and public who will benefit from our biomedical research.” [emphasis added]
     The Jupiter facility, which employs 600 people, focuses on new approaches to diseases such as diabetes and addiction.
Learn more about Scripps' community outreach programs in Florida:
The mission of The Scripps Research Institute's education outreach programs on the Jupiter campus is to advance bioscience education and awareness throughout the state of Florida. Scripps faculty, graduate students, and staff are committed to working for the betterment of local and regional communities.

Crime in Wellington: And will this lesson ever be learned?

Here is a crime that occurred in Wellington and see if anything jumps out at you, particularly if you live in Lake Worth:
OCT. 22 — Deputies from the Wellington substation of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office were called to two homes on Doubletree Circle in the Pinewood community last Thursday morning regarding vehicle burglaries. According to one PBSO report, sometime between 10 p.m. last Wednesday and 7 a.m. last Thursday, someone entered the victim’s 2013 Ford Taurus, moved a hair clip and stole a radar detector. According to a second PBSO report, sometime between 10 p.m. last Wednesday and 12:28 p.m. last Thursday, someone entered the victim’s unlocked 2014 Toyota 4Runner and stole an Apple iPad mini, valued at $300, and a lottery ticket.
When you read through the list of crimes listed here in the Town-Crier many of them are burglaries of unlocked vehicles. Which begs the question, is this a burglary or an invitation?

As we've recently learned from PBSO in Lake Worth (District 14) unlocked vehicles and bicycles are one of the big reasons crime in the City remains statistically higher than it should be. In September angered some people with this post titled, "Newsflash: PBSO can't fix stupid and they can't fix lazy either".
It's true that some car owners keep their vehicles unlocked so the window won't get smashed or the lock jimmied. In that case it would be wise not to leave anything in the vehicle—even a lottery ticket.
Strongly suggest you read this City newsletter on ways to reduce crime and volunteer you're time to help in the effort; and as always:
There is more information on crime fighting at the NAPC website and how to contact your neighborhood association in Lake Worth.

Lake Worth Commissioner Andy Amoroso running for re-election and what you can do to help

You can Follow Commissioner Amoroso on Twitter by clicking on the 'Follow' icon below (here he is at the Florida Senate):
If you are available to help in any of the below ways please email Commissioner Amoroso:
  • Donate to Commissioner Amoroso's campaign
  • Put up a yard sign and/or sign waving
  • Use your name as a supporter
  • Volunteer at or host events
  • Fundraising
  • Door-to-door precinct walking
  • Phone banking
  • Help on election day
Commissioner Amoroso looks forward to hearing from you!
Political Advertisement Paid For and Approved By Andy Amoroso for City Commission
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