This letter is in response to a "cease and desist" letter issued by West Orange, N.J. concerning the use of its name on a non-Township website that uses West Orange as part of its domain name. The letter is worth a read and is very amusing. Click here for the Huffington Post article where I found it. Note that this blog uses the City of Lake Worth in its title. There are also many people and entities on FaceBook that use "Lake Worth" in the title to their pages and identities. The city has never made an issue of this, but has talked about unapproved use of the city seal before. To my knowledge, the city's seal (the one seen behind the dais and other places around town and on stationary) is not copyrighted.
Anyway, enjoy the letter! Hit the icon in the lower right-hand corner for a full page view.
Stephen Kaplitt: Cease and Desist Response Letter by Staci Zaretsky
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Girl's lemonade stand near Westboro Baptist Church raises thousands, controversy Seriously, For Real?
Psalm 8:2 (NIV) - "Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."
Click title for link - a good reminder on the rights of free speech and that they apply equally to all.
Palm Beach County makes pitch for Amazon warehouse | www.mypalmbeachpost.com
The Lake Worth Park of Commerce, unfortunately, does not fall into the category of "shovel ready." Click title for link. From the article:
“We have made it very clear that Palm Beach County has affordable, available sites that are shovel-ready and can have an expedited process,” said Kelly Smallridge, president of the Palm Beach County Business Development Board.And here is another article on how Hillsborough County is going after Amazon. From the article:
Amazon goods can come in through any of the South Florida airports and ports to a warehouse in Palm Beach County, possibly at the inland port, and be distributed down highways or rail lines, Port of Palm Beach Director Manuel Almira said.
“Miami-Dade and Broward County are built out. Palm Beach becomes South Florida,” Almira said. “We have so much land that can be developed for a huge commercial company such as Amazon.”
Gov. Rick Scott and Amazon announced a deal last week in which Amazon would create a total of 3,000 new jobs in Florida by 2016. With a physical presence in the state, Florida residents would have to start paying a 6 percent sales tax on items bought through the website. Crist said that could mean hundreds of millions of dollars for state and local governments.Crist above refers to a Hillsborough County Commissioner.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
COMPASS HOSTS EXHIBIT ON MARRIAGE INEQUALITY
Lake Worth, FL. Compass, the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of the Palm Beaches, is hosting an exhibit on Florida’s marriage inequality entitled, “We Do Too.” An opening reception, hosted by ArtsUnited, on Thursday, June 20th from 6-8pm, will include many of the newlywed same-sex couples, entertainment and a wedding cake to share with community members and guests.
ArtsUnited’s board member Jane Kreinberg created this exhibit inspired by the photograph she took of her niece’s same-sex wedding. The inspirational first portrait, showing two women in wedding gowns holding their bouquets in celebration, speaks to the LGBT community of self-acceptance and pride. Each photo includes a written story, as told by the couple, about what getting married meant to them.
“As Compass celebrates its 25th Anniversary celebration, and the nation waits to hear the Supreme Court’s decision on DOMA,” said Compass’ CEO Tony Plakas, “we are proud to be the first gay and lesbian community center to host this exhibit during this historical time.”
About Compass: Established 25 years ago, Compass Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Palm Beach County is the largest of its kind in the southeast United States and the fifth largest in the nation. Compass will be hosting their 25th Anniversary Stonewall Celebration at the Harriet Himmel Theater on June 29th at 8pm. For tickets and more information about Compass , please visit www.compassglcc.com.
Lake Worth retailer Shanon Materio is named the 2013 Florida Retailer of the Year
TALLAHASSEE – Shanon Materio, president and owner of McMow Art Glass in Lake Worth, FL, has been named the 2013 Florida Retailer of the Year by the Florida Retail Federation. She will be presented with the FRF Retailer of the Year Award at a special luncheon on June 20 at the Peabody Orlando during the FRF Summer Meeting, held in conjunction with the University of Florida’s Retail Smarter Conference.
“We are honored to recognize Shanon Materio as the Retailer of the Year. She exemplifies in so many ways the creativity and passion that motivates great retailers,” said Rick McAllister, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation. “Good retailers make money, but great retailers also make a positive impact on their customers and their communities. Shanon and the team at McMow Art Glass have earned a place among Florida’s great retailers.”
With $200 and a dream, Materio and her husband, Phil, founded McMow Art glass in 1976. Over the years, the family-owned-and-operated business has grown from a 700-square-foot garage to occupy 10,000 square feet of studio, retail, and manufacturing space on Dixie Highway. Fueled by a passion for what they do, Materio and her team have earned respect in their community and throughout the art glass world.
Both Materio and her husband have served on numerous boards, including the Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency, the West Palm Beach South End Neighborhood Association, and West Palm Beach Arts in Public Places. McMow Art Glass and its employees support a wide variety of charitable organizations, with ongoing commitments to Adopt-a-Family for each holiday, and to the Quantum House for families whose children are receiving treatment in Palm Beach County for serious medical conditions.
The Florida Retailer of the Year Award, presented by FRF since 1999, honors retailers who blend sound business practices with commitments to their communities, customers and employees. The award is open to both members and non-members of the non-profit trade association. A selection panel made up of small business owners and other retail experts ranks nominees based on their scores in several categories measuring community service and business acumen.
From fusing or melting glass to mosaics and bead making, all 16 McMow Art Glass employees are dedicated to passing these art forms on to future generations. The diversity of McMow’s customers has helped the business grow, and people of all ages and from all walks of life take classes at the shop. Others come for group tours, and McMow hosts customer field trips to galleries and museums to promote the glass arts and further clients’ education. Customers shop for products and supplies, or buy finished pieces. Employees and students are allowed to sell their creations at the studio.
“We don’t see dollar signs when a person walks through the door,” said Materio. “We see a person who is going to ask questions and need help with something. Our customers have really responded to this level of care and attention.”
While classes help drive retail sales, the company is well-known for creating custom art glass for places of worship, as well as individuals. Among the clientele was the late Italian designer Gianni Versace, with whom Materio worked closely to create art glass installations for his famous South Beach mansion.
Materio was nominated by her daughter, Taylor, who works at McMow along with her brother, P.J. Through social media and various unique marketing strategies, Materio credits Taylor with introducing McMow and the glass arts to a new generation and “taking us to the next level.”
http://www.frf.org/
“We are honored to recognize Shanon Materio as the Retailer of the Year. She exemplifies in so many ways the creativity and passion that motivates great retailers,” said Rick McAllister, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation. “Good retailers make money, but great retailers also make a positive impact on their customers and their communities. Shanon and the team at McMow Art Glass have earned a place among Florida’s great retailers.”
With $200 and a dream, Materio and her husband, Phil, founded McMow Art glass in 1976. Over the years, the family-owned-and-operated business has grown from a 700-square-foot garage to occupy 10,000 square feet of studio, retail, and manufacturing space on Dixie Highway. Fueled by a passion for what they do, Materio and her team have earned respect in their community and throughout the art glass world.
Both Materio and her husband have served on numerous boards, including the Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency, the West Palm Beach South End Neighborhood Association, and West Palm Beach Arts in Public Places. McMow Art Glass and its employees support a wide variety of charitable organizations, with ongoing commitments to Adopt-a-Family for each holiday, and to the Quantum House for families whose children are receiving treatment in Palm Beach County for serious medical conditions.
The Florida Retailer of the Year Award, presented by FRF since 1999, honors retailers who blend sound business practices with commitments to their communities, customers and employees. The award is open to both members and non-members of the non-profit trade association. A selection panel made up of small business owners and other retail experts ranks nominees based on their scores in several categories measuring community service and business acumen.
From fusing or melting glass to mosaics and bead making, all 16 McMow Art Glass employees are dedicated to passing these art forms on to future generations. The diversity of McMow’s customers has helped the business grow, and people of all ages and from all walks of life take classes at the shop. Others come for group tours, and McMow hosts customer field trips to galleries and museums to promote the glass arts and further clients’ education. Customers shop for products and supplies, or buy finished pieces. Employees and students are allowed to sell their creations at the studio.
“We don’t see dollar signs when a person walks through the door,” said Materio. “We see a person who is going to ask questions and need help with something. Our customers have really responded to this level of care and attention.”
While classes help drive retail sales, the company is well-known for creating custom art glass for places of worship, as well as individuals. Among the clientele was the late Italian designer Gianni Versace, with whom Materio worked closely to create art glass installations for his famous South Beach mansion.
Materio was nominated by her daughter, Taylor, who works at McMow along with her brother, P.J. Through social media and various unique marketing strategies, Materio credits Taylor with introducing McMow and the glass arts to a new generation and “taking us to the next level.”
http://www.frf.org/
Frustration
Well, after trying out a new piece of technology at last night's City Commission meeting, I met with disappointment upon my return to find that nothing I recorded last night ended up on my memory card. But, the memories are still vivid in my mind. Busy day today so I thought I would get these thoughts out quickly for your information.
The green pool. Put away your conspiracy theories. An $8,000 pool pump broke and the city has found a replacement pump. Help is on the way and life will go on. All efforts are being made to get the pool back up and operational as was discussed at the last City Commission meeting.
And how about a public information request by none other than Mary Lindsey, over a period of four months, on the current franchise agreement for Lake Worth to provide electricity to about a third of the village of Palm Springs? And then we find out that Palm Springs Village Council approved a franchise agreement, on first and second readings within the past two months - but what are the terms of that agreement? And we were greeted by "cow eyes" on the dais in reaction to these revelations.
Commissioner McVoy admitted that the city should be using the "new website" to get out information on the pool as rumor control. If someone wants me to come by with my point-and-shot digital camera and take a 3 minute video to put on YouTube and start a city YouTube channel, let me know. I am donating my services. I won't charge $20,000.
The residential development at Boutwell and Lake Worth Roads was approved, but only after hearing from Commissioner McVoy how he has some problems with this being rushed forward. He voted "for it" on first reading, by the way. We heard the unbelievable questions about "Who are these people? What is their track record? Is the city giving away the store here? The always charming Ms. Anderson wanted a complete vetting of the company. What are their other projects? Where's the "D and D?"
THE CITY DOESN'T OWN THIS PROPERTY.
IT IS NEVER GOOD ENOUGH FOR SOME PEOPLE. HERE WE HAVE A PROJECT THAT HAS GONE THROUGH THE ALL THE REQUIRED PROCEDURES. THE APPLICATION WAS FILED IN NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR AND IS ONLY NOW BEING APPROVED AND WE ARE SOMEHOW RUSHING THIS THROUGH. THE PROJECT IS NOT USING ANY LOCAL, COUNTY, STATE OR FEDERAL MONEY AND WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LOOKING AT THE FINANCIALS OF A PRIVATE ENTITY LOOKING TO BUILD A PROJECT IN OUR CITY THAT TAKES ADVANTAGE OF TRANSIT AND PROXIMITY TO THE PARK OF COMMERCE - WHO HAS SUPPLIED OVER A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN "PUBLIC BENEFITS" AND STILL THE SAME PEOPLE ARE NOT SATISFIED??? I PROCLAIM THEY WOULDN'T KNOW HAPPINESS IF IT BIT THEM IN THE FACE.
The good news is that is was approved 4-1, but the speech made by Commissioner McVoy was nothing more than an Annabeth Karson/Lynn Anderson rant. It's the same kind of thinking that has held back the city for EIGHT LONG YEARS IN GETTING ITS LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPROVED. MONKEY-WRENCHING AT ITS FINEST.
End of rant. I hope you all have a productive and prosperous day.
The green pool. Put away your conspiracy theories. An $8,000 pool pump broke and the city has found a replacement pump. Help is on the way and life will go on. All efforts are being made to get the pool back up and operational as was discussed at the last City Commission meeting.
And how about a public information request by none other than Mary Lindsey, over a period of four months, on the current franchise agreement for Lake Worth to provide electricity to about a third of the village of Palm Springs? And then we find out that Palm Springs Village Council approved a franchise agreement, on first and second readings within the past two months - but what are the terms of that agreement? And we were greeted by "cow eyes" on the dais in reaction to these revelations.
Commissioner McVoy admitted that the city should be using the "new website" to get out information on the pool as rumor control. If someone wants me to come by with my point-and-shot digital camera and take a 3 minute video to put on YouTube and start a city YouTube channel, let me know. I am donating my services. I won't charge $20,000.
The residential development at Boutwell and Lake Worth Roads was approved, but only after hearing from Commissioner McVoy how he has some problems with this being rushed forward. He voted "for it" on first reading, by the way. We heard the unbelievable questions about "Who are these people? What is their track record? Is the city giving away the store here? The always charming Ms. Anderson wanted a complete vetting of the company. What are their other projects? Where's the "D and D?"
THE CITY DOESN'T OWN THIS PROPERTY.
IT IS NEVER GOOD ENOUGH FOR SOME PEOPLE. HERE WE HAVE A PROJECT THAT HAS GONE THROUGH THE ALL THE REQUIRED PROCEDURES. THE APPLICATION WAS FILED IN NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR AND IS ONLY NOW BEING APPROVED AND WE ARE SOMEHOW RUSHING THIS THROUGH. THE PROJECT IS NOT USING ANY LOCAL, COUNTY, STATE OR FEDERAL MONEY AND WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LOOKING AT THE FINANCIALS OF A PRIVATE ENTITY LOOKING TO BUILD A PROJECT IN OUR CITY THAT TAKES ADVANTAGE OF TRANSIT AND PROXIMITY TO THE PARK OF COMMERCE - WHO HAS SUPPLIED OVER A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN "PUBLIC BENEFITS" AND STILL THE SAME PEOPLE ARE NOT SATISFIED??? I PROCLAIM THEY WOULDN'T KNOW HAPPINESS IF IT BIT THEM IN THE FACE.
The good news is that is was approved 4-1, but the speech made by Commissioner McVoy was nothing more than an Annabeth Karson/Lynn Anderson rant. It's the same kind of thinking that has held back the city for EIGHT LONG YEARS IN GETTING ITS LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN APPROVED. MONKEY-WRENCHING AT ITS FINEST.
End of rant. I hope you all have a productive and prosperous day.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
The Other Mar Lago Beach Club - Boynton Beach Historical Society
This I did not know. Click title for link.
Florida State Senator Jeff Clemens 06/21 by High Noon in Lake Worth | Blog Talk Radio
Join your host Wes Blackman as he welcomes Senator Jeff Clemens to the High Noon in Lake Worth studios. Senator Clemens, a former Mayor of Lake Worth, will bring us news from the recently completed 2013 legislative session, what we can expect in the future and how the legislature operates. A former state representative, Senator Clemens will also talk about the differences between the two chambers of state government.
Click title for link to the live show between 12 and 1 p.m. this coming Friday or for the archived show after it airs. Leave questions and comments below to be asked during the live show.
We'll hear a lot about this tonight (6/18) at the City Commission meeting...
We took these pictures yesterday of the "green" pool. Is there a connection between the pigeons and the condition of the water? I can hear the conspiracy theories now.
Here is a link to tonight's agenda.
A while ago...
I posted about my visit to Cain's Barber Shop and my chat with Malcolm Cain while he cut my hair - what's left of it anyway. Someone left a message last night that I thought would be good to share separately here this morning, since it would probably go unseen otherwise. It is from "Ed."
In 1971, at 11 years old, my family and I moved to Lake Worth and I soon found my young self in Mr. Cain's barber chair. He cut my hair throughout those formative years, until my graduation from Lake Worth High in '78. My departure for the Army brought those haircuts to an abrupt end - but not quite, as I still paid him a visit every time I came back on leave for the next 23 years. My advice to youngsters today is to go there and make sure there are a few people customers ahead of you so you can pick up useful tidbits from Mr. Cain as he talks with the customers. You'll learn what's going on in the Pony Leagues, pick up some golf tips, and even hear that TV is not all that bad. Most of all, however, what you'll carry away with you is his optimistic attitude. He epitomizes what I consider "Old Lake Worth" - the Lake Worth of my youth.Unfortunately, Mr. Cain's wife of many years died recently. The Mayor mentioned it before a City Commission meeting a few weeks ago. When you are downtown, stop in and say "Hi" to Mr. Cain and, by all means, leave his shop looking spiffy after he gives you a trim.
Monday, June 17, 2013
These pictures are representative of the sidewalk's condition...
...running along 5th Avenue North and 309 (the property highlighted below)
Due to the extent of the renovation on this property, the owner will be improving the public sidewalk as a requirement of the city.
309 5th Avenue North
While a certain other blog seems to focus on the blight in Lake Worth, I thought I would do a series on things that are moving in the right direction here in the city. Three things that were on the agenda at last Wednesday's Historic Resource Preservation Board meeting (6/12) - click here for video - are of particular note. One I have already mentioned and that is the house which may contain the remains of one of the James family associated with the founding of Lake Worth, then Jewel. I will have more on that after Wednesday morning when I plan to take a camera to that property while they use some sophisticated equipment to check for remains or evidence of a burial site on or near the property.
The one that I will focus on here is 309 5th Avenue North. Click here for the section of the agenda dealing with this project which contains the staff report. Below are some pictures that I took after the meeting showing the existing building on the property. It is being incorporated into the new design of the property in what I think is a "cool" and historically sensitive manner.
Apparently a couple who have horses in Wellington and are here for the winter months will be living here during the horse season. The changes they propose will not only allow them to live very comfortably in our tropical environment; the changes will also compliment and contribute to the surrounding neighborhood.
Here are some of the plans and renderings showing what is now approved. A variance was needed since the code says that you cannot have a pool between the main structure and the street. That was approved separately. The board's decision was unanimous.
You can see the floor plans in the staff report and application link if you want to see more details.
The current owners picked up this property for $87,000 in October of 2012. Good things are coming to Lake Worth and this Wellington/Lake Worth connection seems to be a trend.
The one that I will focus on here is 309 5th Avenue North. Click here for the section of the agenda dealing with this project which contains the staff report. Below are some pictures that I took after the meeting showing the existing building on the property. It is being incorporated into the new design of the property in what I think is a "cool" and historically sensitive manner.
 |
| Looking southeast, the only building on the property is this two-story frame garage structure with 1 bedroom and 1 bath |
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| This is the rest of the existing yard area. There is no record of a house ever being built on this portion of the property. |
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| This is looking west towards the east elevation from the sidewalk on North O Street. Parrot Cove townhouses are seen in the background. |
Here are some of the plans and renderings showing what is now approved. A variance was needed since the code says that you cannot have a pool between the main structure and the street. That was approved separately. The board's decision was unanimous.
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| This is the guest house being added on the North O Street side of the property. It will have a center hallway, with a gate and one bedroom and a recreation room split by the walkway. |
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| This is the north elevation view showing the new guest house on the left (east) and the existing two story structure which will gain a covered second floor porch over a patio area.The garage doors will remain to retain the look of the original structure. |
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| This is a view looking west which shows the new guest house in front with the existing two story structure to the rear along the alley. |
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| This an elevation showing just the existing building, with the addition of the second floor porch. It will overlook a pool and patio area that will take up the center part of the property. |
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| South elevation showing the area between the two buildings and representative landscaping. The board was concerned about privacy and security due to the pool and that was translated to the applicant. |
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| An aerial perspective looking towards the southwest, with the changes to the existing building, the addition of the pool and patio and then the guest house to the east. |
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| An overhead rendering. This shows the new guest house a little too close to North O Street and the applicant agreed to move it more to the west. It was an initial misunderstanding. |
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| Jose Jaramillo represented the owner as the project architect. |
Finland has its priorities in order...
Click title for link to a BBC article on their infant care policies.
For 75 years, Finland's expectant mothers have been given a box by the state. It's like a starter kit of clothes, sheets and toys that can even be used as a bed. And some say it helped Finland achieve one of the world's lowest infant mortality rates.And this...
Expectant parents all over the world considered moving to Finland last week after the BBC’s report Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes (title link) went viral. What new mother wouldn’t want this care package: A cardboard box that doubles as a bassinet, and comes packed with bodysuits, a sleeping bag, outdoor gear, bathing products, diapers, and bedding — all care of the Finnish government. And that’s not all Finnish mothers get. Perks of having a pikkuvauva (little baby, in Finnish) include 105 days of paid maternity leave, 158 days of parental leave that can be shared between new parents, and then shortened hours until the child is two. Plus, paid child-care leave and free daycare. OK, sure, Finns pay pretty high taxes that can reach beyond 50% in some instances. It’s still little wonder Finland is the 9th happiest country in the world.At one time, Lake Worth had the largest concentration of Finns living outside of Finland.
— By Barbara Kollmeyer, Jonnelle Marte and Quentin Fottrell
Free Admission to the Norton Museum
Thursday June 20th at Art After Dark!
FREE admission for all Florida Residents!
5 - 9 p.m. / Exhibition Opening
Block by Block: Inventing Amazing Architecture and Architecture in Detail: Works from the Museum Collection open to the public
5 - 9 p.m. / Music
Acoustic solo artist BJ Parks performs / Atrium
5 - 7:30 p.m. / Music
A pop-reggae performance by Future Prezidents / Theater
5:30 p.m. / Tour
Architecture in Art sponsored by pbpulse.com
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. / DIY Art Project
Be a LEGO Architect / Reynolds Classroom
6 - 8 p.m. / Sketchbook Thursday
Life on the Edge: Contour Lines, featuring a live model
6:30 p.m. / Curator's Conversation
Block by Block: Inventing Amazing Architecture, led by Maggie Edwards, Curatorial Assistant
FREE admission for all Florida Residents!
5 - 9 p.m. / Exhibition Opening
Block by Block: Inventing Amazing Architecture and Architecture in Detail: Works from the Museum Collection open to the public
5 - 9 p.m. / Music
Acoustic solo artist BJ Parks performs / Atrium
5 - 7:30 p.m. / Music
A pop-reggae performance by Future Prezidents / Theater
5:30 p.m. / Tour
Architecture in Art sponsored by pbpulse.com
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. / DIY Art Project
Be a LEGO Architect / Reynolds Classroom
6 - 8 p.m. / Sketchbook Thursday
Life on the Edge: Contour Lines, featuring a live model
6:30 p.m. / Curator's Conversation
Block by Block: Inventing Amazing Architecture, led by Maggie Edwards, Curatorial Assistant
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![Dr. W. H. Cotton’s ode: “Oh, My Lake Worth, Florida!” [circa 1920].](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUL75cv6zJQFjX15ojOIIz9AjnbqH4asHJTYSDhnGnYr7rJZRha1NcNTirj2xPcId158vkz5Hw-wXgOfrlztj8Zr8jLFFCfuEN6PyV44ZlpMRmJ68xbtFL9vzxNiG7xDs_HJvm/s1600/LakeWorthPioneers.JPG)
