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:

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!

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:

• 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: (a special treat, “Preserving Tomorrow”. Watch this video: Hudson Holdings “is a national historic property developer”.)

*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?

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:

• 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).

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.”

We need more young people and Millennials to become activists, help our City’s historic preservation.

There is nothing left at our Lake Worth Beach that’s historic any more.

However, there is plenty of very important history elsewhere in the little City of Lake Worth.

There was a time the Gulfstream Hotel stood tall in our Downtown. One of many was the New Year’s Gala on January 1st, 1942.

“Everything Florida Has — We Have”

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. We need more young people to get actively involved.

We need activists. Young people with the energy and the passion to carry the fight forward.

We need activists to take on the mis- and disinformation in the press that damages historic preservation efforts. The editor at The Palm Beach Post published this nonsense in a letter recently:

Real News Starts Here? “The Gulfstream Hotel should be taken back by the city. . .”.

The City cannot take over this historic hotel. It’s private property. But thanks to the editor at The Palm Beach Post how many believe our City can just take it back now?

You can better understand now the headwinds historic preservation faces. Going forward not only does the public need to be educated about historic preservation, but all the while mis- and disinformation is being fed the public at the same time.

The City is doing everything it possibly can like this new program, the “Historic Structure Marker Program”. There are volunteer groups getting involved and The Cottages of Lake Worth books and tours have been wildly successful bringing more attention to our City’s history. Maybe more media attention is needed, like what West Palm Beach’s historic planner Friederike Mittner did, going on the radio explaining why historic preservation is so beneficial.

Because despite all that’s been done thus far, the big problem remains:

The City of Lake Worth needs more young people to get involved, especially the Millennials.

This City is ever-evolving and a very unique place. I’m beginning to see new faces but it’s just not enough of an “emerging engagement” as a preservation expert is quoted later in this blog post:

It’s at the city level that you make decisions affecting preservation.

“But what about the Gulfstream Hotel?”

Picture taken in 2016, just prior to the City’s Street Painting Festival that year.

YOU HAVE A VOICE. Contact your elected officials and say, “What can we do as citizens to get our historic hotel open again?”

What will it take to create an “emerging engagement” here in our City?

“Closer to home, he [historic preservation consultant Donovan Rypkema] said, research indicates U.S. young people are showing an ‘emerging engagement’ in preservation efforts. He also noted a trend among leaders in ‘knowledge industries,’ including digital entrepreneurs, who are eager to house their companies in restored buildings. [emphasis added]
     Early in his talk, he emphasized how the success of preservation efforts often hinges on local activists working within their communities to influence policy-makers.
     ‘It’s at the city level that you make decisions affecting preservation,’ he said.”

—Quote from this article in the Palm Beach Daily News (aka, The Shiny Sheet) dated January 14th, 2017 by reporter Darrell Hofheinz.


Have you considered becoming an activist? “[T]he success of preservation efforts often hinges on local activists working within their communities to influence policy-makers.”