AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt writes a lovely article on my presentation at Suri (Jan. 15)

Here from AnnaMaria's blog:

Recently I attended a presentation by Wes Blackman at Suri and there he gave this very informative talk. Why do I share this? It’s come to my attention that I have a readership that is interested in Lake Worth. Checking I found that it is being followed by approx 95 regular daily readers but most interesting was that going back a month 30 some foreign countries are also listed having checked in and obviously interest in my subject matter. Well not my blog per say but in our City of Lake Worth. For them, who do not daily read my blog, here is what we are all about in the City of Lake Worth.

The special part about AnnaMaria's blog post isn't so much my presentation, but the wonderful pictures she added to the story. Thank you so much, AnnaMaria.

You can see these great pictures and the text of my presentation on The Cottages of Lake Worth at AnnaMaria's blog here.

An idea from Ryan Maier (candidate for Lake Worth commissioner) that needs to stay in the coop...

Imagine walking out your back door and seeing this in the neighbor's yard...

Image from the Lake Worth Chickens facebook page, 3/16/2013

In 2009, Lake Worth came very close to allowing chickens, ducks, and bees to be farmed for 'personal' use IN THE CITY. Lake Worth even had a mayoral candidate (Rachel Waterman) who thought the Park of Commerce would be great for a large chicken breeding/egg production facility. Besides chickens needing much maintenance and coop cleaning, chickens spread viruses/bacteria and also attract predators. Raising poultry in an urban environment is a public health issue. In a city that is plagued with blighted properties, it doesn't need one more thing to regulate. And, in fact, the chickens are out of the hen house already as many readers can attest by sightings in their neighborhoods. And then there are the roosters...

For some historical perspective, here is a blog post from Tom McGow on April 18, 2009 titled, tongue-in-cheek, Farm Living Is The Life For Me. . . 

In the image below from Mr. McGow's blog, notice item 'C' from the Lake Worth Commission agenda back then:

Then-commissioner Cara Jennings was a big proponent of raising chickens within the municipal boundaries of Lake Worth. Below is one of Tom McGow's classic photoshops, note the image of Cara Jennings (top right).

So why the big deal about the raising of chickens in Lake Worth? One of the District 4 candidates challenging Commissioner John Szerdi is Ryan Maier. Mr. Maier founded the Facebook site Lake Worth Chickens. You can read the article here about Ryan Maier where Cara Jennings is quoted saying:

"There's a whole clandestine chicken army out there," said former City Commissioner Cara Jennings, who mother-henned the 2009 effort but is lying low this time.

On election day in Lake Worth this coming March there are 2 commission seats and 5 candidates seeking election. One candidate, Ryan Maier, is a reminder of an era in Lake Worth we would all rather forget. Onto the important business in front of us as a city, like fixing our infrastructure and streets. 

Journalists and Wannabe Journalists Must Watch - Paging Ms. Menge

Here's the story about these high school students that put together this video.

Cottages of Lake Worth Paella Party Fundraiser tonight: a ticket or two MAY BE AVAILABLE

Call 561-310-5290 for ticket availability. If you have ten minutes please listen to Allan Mason and me on radio station WBZT talking about The Cottages of Lake Worth. Here is information on the event tonight:

Recently, I was asked to give a historical presentation on The Cottages of Lake Worth. You can read the text of that here. Progress is being made on the book about the Cottages also. See you at the Paella Party Dinner!

Margaret Menge and Yellow Journalism: Defined

Per Wikipedia:

Yellow Journalism is: 

exaggerations of news events, scandal-mongering, or sensationalism. By extension, the term yellow journalism is used today as a pejorative to decry any journalism that treats news in an unprofessional or unethical fashion.

Look at what Margaret Menge (self-proclaimed editor, reporter, journalist extraordinaire and raconteur) did on the front page of her FREE (for now?) newspaper delivered to innocent and unsuspecting households in Lake Worth:

Note A where Margaret Menge opens a quote by Nadine Burns responding to a charge of "theft" and the important part of the quote by Nadine Burns is....GONE. Note B. What happened to Nadine Burns' quote? This is an old, dirty journalism trick called MY FRIEND THE PRINTER. The My Friend the Printer trick protects the publisher/editor so Margaret Menge can say, "Gosh, Gee Wiz, I tried to publish what Nadine wrote but the printer screwed up." This is Dirty Trick #1 by Margaret Menge. Clearly, the editor is trying to suppress the rights to freedom of speech and expression owed to Ms. Burns.

Here is the second trick by Ms. Menge:

When you proceed to page 7 to read the balance of the story? It is not there. You have to search through the entire issue to find the REST OF THE STORY buried on PAGE 5 at the bottom below the fold. The interesting thing about the balance of the story is this: no 'theft' occurred at all but Margaret Menge tricked the readers. How many people couldn't find the rest of the story and didn't bother to look for it? How many took the time to search for THE WHOLE STORY by Ms. Menge, the Yellow Journalist? A small percentage of the supervoters for which this "publication" is targeted, I would think. 

Some questions for Ms. Menge?

- Why are you suppressing what Nadine Burns wrote?
- What did Nadine Burns say that frightened you enough to obfuscate?
- What, Ms. Menge, are you hiding from your readers?
- Were Nadine Burns' words too dangerous to your 'narrative'?
- How can someone STEAL a free newspaper? (This might go all the way to the Supreme Court)
- Where is the listed/suggested price for your newspaper, Ms. Menge? Is it $.50 when convenient and free other times? What is the business model for your paper? Who pays your light bill?

And lastly, Nadine Burns is a respected member of our community. Call Margaret Menge at 561-586-6643 or 561-891-4161 and tell her just one story about what Nadine did for you and our community over the years. 

Must watch: James Wieland from Channel 5 (WPTV) at Benzaiten Center

James Wieland did this report during installation and construction of the new Benzaiten Center here in Lake Worth. President Joanne Berkow, Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts Founder, is interviewed. Read about James Wieland here; other TV stations covering Palm Beach County can learn a lot from stories like this, especially as it relates to the 'gloom-and-doom' stories on Channel 12 (WPEC).

Glass Blowing from last night at the Benzaiten Center...

From the Post's Eliot Kleinberg about a major project in downtown West Palm

A huge transportation hub coming to West Palm Beach? Read more from Eliot Kleinberg:

The latest vision to turn 6 acres in downtown West Palm Beach into a “transit village” will feature a staggering 1.1 million square feet of hotel, retail and dining, developer Michael Masanoff revealed Friday.

Masanoff detailed his plans to The Palm Beach Post just after the board that runs Tri-Rail voted unanimously to bless his site plans. He also will need approval from West Palm Beach and filed the plans with city planners this week.

Masanoff is president of a group of investors selected by Palm Beach County commissioners to develop the $300 million retail, dining and entertainment hub surrounding the station at the CSX Railroad track, that houses Tri-Rail, Amtrak and buses. The station is on the west side of Tamarind Avenue, just south of Banyan Street.

Can two expert foodies be wrong?

First it was Liz Balmaseda advising you to go to Mama Gizzi's today for their Grand Opening and now it's "That Girl", Leslie Gray Streeter telling you to go to Mama Gizzi's too!

From the article:

“So there’s a new place called Mama Gizzi’s,” The Mister says to me the other day. “I’ve taken the liberty of doing the grocery shopping.”

Mama Gizzi’s isn’t exactly new — it is well-known for its Greenacres emporium of fresh-made pastas, other Italian specialities and decadent desserts — but its moved to Lake Worth.

It’s open now, but Saturday [TODAY] is the grand opening. And my fridge is indeed now full of full-bodied sauce and shells and ziti so fresh it’s like you made it yourself. Except you don’t have to!

IF YOU GO:
Mama Gizzi’s Gourmet Pasta: 2212 N. Dixie Highway, Lake Worth. If you know where World Thrift is (and who doesn't!), Mama Gizzi's is just South (about a 1/4 mile) on the opposite side of Dixie Hwy. Call 561-642-9996 for more information. This is an easy walk from anywhere on the west side of College Park and from the Worthmore area, west of Dixie Hwy.

From Lake Worth Dame Dee...

Ladylike random thoughts on our Palm Beach Post and more thoughtful musings from a Lady here:

From today's opening of the Benzaiten Center...

Social progress in Lake Worth or elitism on display?

What if I told you a new Charter School was opening in Lake Worth. A school teaching trades such as carpentry, masonry, or plumbing to name only a few? Good idea you might say. Or how about a new Charter School teaching recent immigrants to Lake Worth, Guatemalans and Mayans the English language and how to integrate into modern American society? That also seems to be a good idea. Most of us in our little City of Lake Worth know the issues facing us and how it's possible that Charter Schools could help fill that void. Charter Schools for those of you unaware are subsidized with taxpayer money. 

Here is an idea for a Charter School in Lake Worth that failed and it is very easy to see why. Here is an idea from 2012 by Margaret Menge (Ms. Menge is editor of the Lake Worth Tribune and moved to Lake Worth from Key West in 2010): 

How is it possible to instill a sense of community teaching young children the languages French, Latin and Greek? French is understandable but Latin and Greek? In twenty years we will we not need an abundance of antiquities scholars. And 18 children per class; no doubt well outside the affordability of most Lake Worth residents. 

I would encourage you to read Ms. Menge's blog on her proposed Charter School and also her musings in 2012 on starting a new print newspaper in Lake Worth. Here we find her in the grip of putting the school of schools together. Notice the reference to "bank account."

According to the latest issue of the Tribune, she is looking for reporters. Perhaps I should apply? I wonder what it pays? I wonder what it costs to publish this free paper with free advertisements? I wonder who is paying the rent for the paper's office space? I just wonder about a lot of things.

Joy of Joys! Look what was delivered to my front door this morning...

The new edition of the Lake Worth Tribune. And I'm not even a paid subscriber. Really flattered here. It caught Mars' interest too.

I also understand that advertisers in the "Premiere Edition" weren't charged. Ms Menge must have some deep pockets!

According to this second issue, this is being delivered to 3,000 homes around Lake Worth in addition to piles being left for the taking around town. I am sure it is just a coincidence that happens to be just about the number of supervoters, those that don't miss any election, in Lake Worth. I happen to be on that list. Hmmmmm...

Mama Gizzi! Mama Gizzi! Get your spectacular pasta at Mama Gizzi's

Last week I was invited to the "soft opening" of Mama Gizzi's here in the College Park neighborhood, Lake Worth, and here is a short video that I took that evening. It was a very well attended event with many notables. The food was spectacular.

The GRAND OPENING is tomorrow (Saturday) from 4 pm to 9 pm. Liz Balmaseda, the food reviewer from the Palm Beach Post wrote a lovely piece about Mama Gizzi's today. From the article:

Leah “Mama” Gizzi, who for years made her popular pasta by hand in a Greenacres storefront, has moved her pasta shop to the College Park area of Lake Worth.

“It seems like the perfect location for my foodies and the business,” Gizzi said in an email.

The new Mama Gizzi’s Gourmet Pasta shop, which opened quietly earlier this month, will celebrate its grand opening Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. Expect live music, a buffet (for purchase) and Mama’s usual selection of stellar pastas.

IF YOU GO:

Mama Gizzi’s Gourmet Pasta: 2212 N. Dixie Highway, Lake Worth. If you know where World Thrift is (and who doesn't!), Mama Gizzi's is just South (about a 1/4 mile) on the opposite side of Dixie Hwy. Call 561-642-9996 for more information. 

And Thank You Liz Balmaseda for giving my neighborhood, College Park, a shout-out!

Our very own Lake Worth resident Lisa Maxwell made history

Jane Musgrave at the Palm Beach Post has a must read article about our Lake Worth residents Lisa Maxwell and Christine Stephens-Maxwell. Lisa and Christine are officially parents! Last year I was honored to attend the baby shower for Lisa and Christine's child. The Post article today has a large, above-the-fold photo of them and their baby in the local section. From the article:

By most definitions, Lisa Maxwell and Christine Stephens-Maxwell are married.

They have a bonafide license from the state of New York and albums bursting with photos of their 2012 nuptials in Central Park. They own a house together in the College Park section of Lake Worth. They love each other deeply.

But when Stephens-Maxwell gave birth to their daughter, Satori, last month at Good Samaritan Medical Center, hospital officials refused to put Maxwell’s name on her birth certificate.

“They said they were following the law,” Maxwell said.

All that changed this week.

In a decision that several legal experts agreed could have reverberations throughout the state, Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Lisa Small replaced “husband” with “spouse” in two Florida laws. The simple — but, some say, ground-breaking — action allows Maxwell to get legal recognition as the parent of the child she and her spouse brought into the world through in vitro fertilization.