The following is the road closure schedule for the “Clematis by Night Holiday Lighting and Mayor’s Parade” on Thursday, November 29, 2007:

Clematis Street will be closed from Rosemary Avenue west through the Sapodilla Avenue intersection beginning at 1:00 p.m. for parade setup.

Clematis Street will be closed from Flagler Drive to Olive Avenue beginning at 3:00 p.m.

Clematis Street will be closed from Olive Avenue to Rosemary Avenue beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Clematis Street will remain closed between Flagler Drive and Olive Avenue until approximately 10:00 p.m.  The remainder of Clematis Street will reopen to traffic upon the conclusion of the parade, at approximately 6:30 p.m.

(11/28/07)  Due to maintenance being done by the FEC Railway company on the railroad tracks just west of Quadrille Boulevard, Okeechobee Boulevard westbound will be closed to traffic just west of Quadrille Boulevard beginning Monday, December 3, 2007 at 6:00 a.m.  The road is expected to reopen on Thursday, December 6, 2007 at 6:00 a.m.

This project only affects westbound traffic on Okeechobee Boulevard.  Eastbound traffic on Okeechobee Boulevard will not be detoured or rerouted.

Westbound traffic will be detoured north on Quadrille Boulevard, west on Banyan Boulevard and then south on Tamarind Avenue back to Okeechobee Boulevard.

 Motorists and homeowners should be aware of the following roads closures due to the Marathon of the Palm Beaches:

Friday, November 30TH by 6:00 a.m.
Hibiscus Street in CityPlace between Rosemary and just west of parking garage entrance to close

Friday, November 30th to begin at 9:00 a.m. (for Event Setup)
Southbound Flagler between Datura and Fern will close, and Northbound Flagler becomes 2-way
Evernia between Flagler & Post Park parking lot entrances will close

Saturday, December 1st to begin at 6:00 a.m. (before the 5K)
Flagler Drive closed between Lakeview & Banyan Blvd.
South Clematis at Narcissus closed until 6:00 p.m. Sunday 12/2

Saturday, December 1st to begin at 7:00 a.m. (for the 5K)
Northbound and Southbound Flagler will close completely from Lakeview to 26th Street
Flagler between Lakeview and 5th Street will remain closed until 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, December 1st to begin at 12:00 p.m. (after the 5K)
Southbound Flagler becomes closed between Banyan and Fern
Northbound Flagler becomes 2-way for north and south traffic flow between Banyan & Fern
Evernia between Flagler and Post Park will remain closed (no access to Post Park parking lot)

Sunday, December 2nd to begin at 12:00 a.m. – midnight
Flagler will close completely between Banyan and Lakeview

Sunday, December 2nd from 4:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Noon (for Marathon)
City roads outside the downtown will be closed for the Marathon Route

Sunday, December 2nd by 12:00 p.m. Noon
Roads outside downtown to open

Sunday, December 2nd to begin at 12:00 p.m. Noon (after Marathon for breakdown)
Northbound and Southbound Flagler to close between Banyan and Lakeview

Sunday, December 2nd at 6:00 p.m. (after Marathon)
Flagler between Banyan and Lakeview will completely reopen by 6:00 p.m. in the downtown section of Flagler

On Thursday, November 29, Clematis by Night will officially kick off the holiday season and light up downtown West Palm Beach with its annual Holiday Lighting.  The City of West Palm Beach has partnered with the Downtown Development Authority and KOOL 105.5 fm to create a special evening filled with lots of holiday wonder and enchantment.  The Holiday Lighting event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the 100 to 500 blocks of Clematis Street. Some special features at the Holiday Spot to Chill will include the following: 

PARADE at 5:30 PM
This year’s holiday celebrations will include the 2nd annual West Palm Beach Mayor’s Parade presented by KOOL 105.5 fm.  This magical parade will start at 5:30 p.m. in the 500 block of Clematis Street and will travel east on Clematis Street under a bright canopy of lights to Flagler Drive.  The parade will feature lots of excitement and surprises including the Shriners of Palm Beach County with an amusing array of entertainment, cheerleaders and dancers from the Treasure Coast Dancers, the Lake Worth High School marching band, the Forest Hill High School marching band, and the West Palm Beach Fire and Police Departments.  Other participants include the Diva Duck, Gracie Street with a Girl Scouts hayride, Roxy’s special mini cart, and Santa’s Trolley filled with elves.

The parade will also feature a number of floats presented by Good Samaritan Medical Center, the International Polo Club Palm Beach complete with polo players, the South Florida Fair with an animal and fair themed float, and Ballet Florida with a Nutcracker themed float.  The parade would not be complete, however, without a visit from everyone’s favorite North Pole resident – SANTA, who’ll be riding on the United States Marines Corps’ Toys for Tots float.  Also featured in the parade will be local television personalities from WPTV NewsChannel 5 and radio listeners’ favorite personalities from KOOL 105.5 fm, Wild 95.5 fm, Gater 98.7 fm, Classy 92.1 and WJNO Newsradio 1290 am.  The grand marshals for this year’s parade are Mo & Sally from KOOL 105.5 fm and West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel. 

TREE LIGHTING at 7:00 PM
Mayor Frankel and Mo & Sally from KOOL 105.5 fm will flip the switch immediately following the parade to officially light up downtown West Palm Beach.  This year they will light up a real 38-foot Norway spruce from Beech Mountain, North Carolina, the tallest real tree to be displayed in Palm Beach County, as well as a menorah and a kinara in Centennial Square.

COOKIE DECORATING WITH FLORIDA CULINARY
Kids can get into the spirit and have some fun decorating their own holiday cookies with the help of student chefs from the Florida Culinary Institute.  Kids at Clematis by Night can make and take their very own holiday cookie treats for FREE at the Florida Culinary booth in Centennial Square while supplies last.

VISIT SANTA’S TROLLEY
After the parade, kids can make their way to Santa’s Trolley in the 200 block of Clematis Street and visit with Santa and his helpers.  Kids will have the opportunity to go over their wish list with Santa and take their own photo with Santa or have their photo taken by the Children’s Coalition to download from the Clematis by Night website.

TOYS FOR TOTS
The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program will be at the event collecting new, unwrapped toys to distribute as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community.  Guests to Clematis by Night can help needy children experience the joy of Christmas and deliver a message of hope by dropping off their new, unwrapped toys off at the USMC tent in Centennial Square.

CLEMATIS STREET ACTIVITIES
Clematis Street will also become festive with lots of holiday cheer and activities.  Kids can enjoy lots of FREE holiday games and activities including Santa hat decorating, face painting, and a game master with lots of fun diversions. After the parade, kids can stop by the Resource Deport booth in the 200 block to make and take their own unique Santa hat while supplies last.  The street will also feature stilt walkers dressed in costume and free holiday cookies next to Santa’s Trolley!

CLEMATIS BY NIGHT – HOLIDAY LIGHTING
Clematis by Night is the Holiday Spot to Chill this season!  This year’s holiday celebrations in downtown West Palm Beach will include a magical parade down Clematis Street under a canopy of lights that covers five blocks.  Then guests can watch as Mayor Frankel flips the switch and officially lights up a real holiday tree as well as a menorah and a kinara in Centennial Square.  There will be plenty of cool winter fun and excitement with kid’s activities, live entertainment, a visit from Santa’s and many more holiday surprises. 

The Clematis by Night Holiday Lighting is produced by the City of West Palm Beach in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority and KOOL 105.5 fm and brought to you by The Palm Beach Post, Wachovia, Clear Channel Radio, WPTV NewsChannel 5, Schumacher Automotive, the Corvette Club of the Palm Beaches, Coca-Cola, Coors Light, Heineken, Samuel Adams, the West Palm Beach Marriott, and many others.  For more information, please contact the City of West Palm Beach, Community Events Division at 561-822-1515

Tree Arrives for Clematis by Night Holiday Lighting in Downtown West Palm Beach

The holidays are coming to town!  Join us as the City’s real holiday tree rolls into downtown West Palm Beach in the early morning hours on Monday, November 26.  This 38-ft Norway spruce from Beech Mountain, North Carolina is the tallest real holiday tree to be displayed in Palm Beach County.  

The tree will be officially lit at the Clematis by Night Holiday Lighting event on Thursday, November 29 at 7:00 pm along with a menorah and kinara.  This year’s holiday celebrations will also include the 2nd Annual West Palm Beach Mayor’s Parade down Clematis Street under an illuminated light canopy, great live entertainment, lots of kid’s activities, a visit from Santa and much more!  

Come catch all the action as the City and holiday crews set up and decorate the tree for the annual Clematis by Night Holiday Lighting on Thursday, November 29, 2007.

Centennial Square - 100 Block of Clematis Street, Downtown West Palm Beach

SPONSORS:        The Clematis by Night Holiday Lighting is produced by the City of West Palm Beach in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority and features the 2nd Annual West Palm Beach Mayor’s Parade presented by KOOL 105.5 fm.  Additional sponsors included The Palm Beach Post, Wachovia, Clear Channel Radio, Schumacher Automotive, WPTV NewsChannel 5, Coca-Cola, Coors Light, Heineken, Samuel Adams, the West Palm Beach Marriott, and many others.  For more information, please contact the City of West Palm Beach, Community Events Division at 561-822-1515

Residents of Andros Isle, Baywinds and RiverWalk who had been concerned about a string of burglaries along Okeechobee Boulevard can rest a bit easier. West Palm Beach Police have arrested a man who they say is responsible for more than 20 burglaries in western West Palm Beach neighborhoods. On November 5th, police on a stakeout spotted the suspect entering RiverWalk wearing black clothing and carrying a screwdriver and a jewelry box.

Police say the suspect, Alvara Valdez, confessed to at least one burglary and is a suspect in many others. They say Valdez had recently been released from prison after serving ten years in connection with more than 100 burglaries. “I commend our officers for making this significant arrest and getting this suspect off the street,” said Police Chief Delsa Bush. “We believe this suspect is a career criminal who would have continued to commit crimes if we hadn’t apprehended him.”

The police investigation is ongoing, and residents are asked to help with further burglary prevention by keeping all doors and windows locked and reporting all suspicious activity.

West Palm Beach Water System Questions and Answers

Q: Is the water in West Palm Beach safe to drink?

A: Yes. According to the Palm Beach County Health Department, with the exception of the 9 day contamination event of September 2007, West Palm Beach water has historically met and continues to meet acceptable standards for drinking.

Q: What are city officials doing about improving our 100 year old water plant?

A: Two years ago the Mayor and City Commissioners ordered a complete review of the water system. Since that time, a twenty year plan has been recommended and phase one improvements have been designed and are ready for bid. The proposal, which is about to undergo further review, includes $53 million for direct improvements to the water treatment plant.

Q: Is the City spending money on downtown projects like City Center instead of improving the water system?

A: Both downtown revitalization and water plant improvements have been among top priorities of this administration and those projects do not compete for funding. Money for improvements to our water system comes from two primary areas, an enterprise fund that is supported by customers paying water bills and grants from outside agencies. Downtown projects like the new library and waterfront park are being funded by the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency. Under state law, those dollars must be spent on downtown redevelopment projects and cannot legally be spent on water plant issues. The new city hall is being built using bonds being paid for by assorted general revenues of the city, not including property taxes, and should eventually pay for itself once the current city hall site is sold and redeveloped.

Q: What was the reason for the recent boil water notices?

A: The September boil water order was most likely the result of bacteriological contamination primarily attributable to the short-circuiting of the disinfection system through an old pipe thought to be abandoned or removed during water plant construction modifications in 1994. The pipe is now disconnected. The more recent two day boil water order in the south end of the city was due to a drop in water pressure when a valve was inadvertently closed during maintenance at the water plant. No contamination was found during the second event however state law required a boil water precaution a following drop in water pressure.

Q: What about the laundry?

A: A local laundry still remains under investigation as a potential contributing source of contamination to the water. Illegal cross connections that could cause contamination were found and now are disconnected.

Q: What is the City doing to assure the public that water service will be reliable?

A: City has hired US Water Systems Corporation, a highly regarded professional team to temporarily take over the operation of the water plant. They are reviewing all aspects of the water system, including maintenance, operational procedures, engineering, training and staffing. This evaluation is being done with full oversight and approval of the Palm Beach County Health Department.

Q: What is the next step?

A: The City is taking corrective actions as recommended including needed repairs, maintenance, training, and new staffing at the water plant.

Q: Are more boil water notices possible?

A: As the intense and comprehensive review and upgrade of the water system takes place, disruptions to water service are possible. The city is doing everything possible to avoid service interruptions.

Q: How can I stay informed about the water situation?

A: If there is an urgent situation regarding the water, the City will continue to immediately and accurately inform residents through reverse-911 phone calls. Water customers with questions or concerns can also call the City’s 24-hour hotline at 561-822-2222. Information regarding water is also available on wpb.org and by watching West Palm TV (Comcast Cable channel 18). You are also encouraged to sign-up for our city connect e-mail newsletter (at wpb.org) which provides accurate information on a variety of issues and events occurring within your hometown.

The City of West Palm Beach strives to be an open government, accountable to residents and taxpayers. There are several ways to make sure you’re connected to city government and kept informed of the exciting things that are happening here:

-Our more than 1,700 employees are always available to help you with your needs. The five City Commissioners and Mayor Lois J. Frankel also make sure they’re available to hear your concerns and address your problems.

-Our City television station, West Palm TV, is available on Comcast Channel 18 and online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can watch public meetings, get updates on City programs and learn more about the wide range of events happening in WPB.

-Our award-winning website, wpb.org, is always at your fingertips. You can pay bills, get permit information, access our library and much more. Our CityConnect e-newsletter is also a great way to stay informed.

-Our emergency service hotline is available around the clock by calling (561) 822-2222. You can also call the Mayor’s Response Team to report problems at (561) 822-1402.

Our government is stronger and more efficient when our citizens are active, engaged and informed.

If you’re looking for a convenient way to stay informed about what’s happening in West Palm Beach, CityConnect is for you.  This free bi-weekly e-newsletter will bring you all the latest information about news and events in the City of West Palm Beach.  We’ll tell you about the latest issues coming before the City Commission, give you updates on City programs and also tell you about upcoming events and happenings.

 Best of all, CityConnect is free!  And by sending out this newsletter in an electronic format only, we’re not usings any of the paper and ink it would take to print a newsletter like this.  That not only saves us money, but also helps us conserve resources.

 We hope you enjoy being kept informed through CityConnect, and want you to know that we’ll strive to improve it and make sure it meets your needs.  In the meantime, recommend the newsletter to a friend by forwarding this newsletter to someone on your contacts list.  If they’d like to sign up, just direct them to wpb.org.

(11/20/07) In accordance with a program recommended by the Palm Beach County Health Department, the City’s water chlorination methods will be extended from November 20, 2007 to December 4, 2007. The City is taking this measure to ensure our water supply remains free of bacteria.

Continuing on November 20, 2007, a “free chlorine” water treatment will be used to provide a somewhat stronger disinfection process than the “combined chlorine” treatment which is normally used. The City will revert back to the “combined chlorine” method on December 4, 2007.

West Palm Beach, Palm Beach and South Palm Beach Utility customers may notice a slight chlorine taste or odor in the tap water during this period; however, these temporary conditions will not cause adverse health effects. Tropical fish tank owners, hospitals and residents with pools should be aware of the chlorination changes and make adjustments accordingly. Any questions should be directed to the City of West Palm Beach Central Operations Center, (561) 822-2222.