Clematis by Night Summer Schedule Announced

(May 22, 2008 – West Palm Beach, FL)  Looking for the area’s Hot Spot to Chill?  Clematis by Night is it!  Join us every Thursday night at the coolest hangout in downtown West Palm Beach from 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. in Centennial Square.  This FREE weekly event features the area’s best rock, r&b, reggae, Latin, blues, soul and swing music.  Clematis by Night is the place to be every Thursday for great music, a taste of mouth-watering foods, sidewalk shopping for the trendiest items around, and fun in the fountain.  (more…)

When: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Currie Park; corner of Flagler Drive and 23rd Street, WPB

(05/20/08) The City of West Palm Beach will be hosting more than one hundred third grade students at a hands-on celebration of Public Works Week on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at Currie Park.

The event includes visual, hands-on activities for the kids, including demonstrations of the heavy equipment typically used by Public Works employees.

The Department of Public Works provides valuable services to City residents, including road repair, street sign maintenance, hurricane recovery assistance, garbage collection, yard waste removal, and more.

When:  Continuing through Friday, May 23, 2008
Affected Area:  Near Convention Center, Okeechobee Blvd.

(05/20/08)  Residents and commuters should be aware that heavy traffic volumes are expected in the area near the Palm Beach County Convention Center and west of the Convention Center along Okeechobee Boulevard throughout the rest of the week due to ongoing high school graduation ceremonies at the Convention Center.  The graduations conclude on Friday, May 23, 2008.

West Palm Beach Police are assisting with traffic flow, but commuters should consider seeking alternate routes during morning rush hour and be prepared for possible delays along Okeechobee Boulevard near the Convention Center.

FREE Event on Memorial Day Weekend
Save Alotta Money when you spend Sunday At the Meyer

(May 19, 2008 – West Palm Beach, FL) – Regular patrons to The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer concert series affectionately refer to these wonderful, family-friendly events as “SAM.”  This year, while residents are concerned about their spending and watching every dollar, SAM will not only signify the typical good times and great entertainment, but this popular nickname will also stand for “Save Alotta Money!” 

Ways to “Save Alotta Money” when you spend “Sunday At the Meyer”:
FREE Concert featuring great entertainment
FREE Parking at all City parking lots, meters and garages
FREE Kid’s Activities with lots of fun including hoola hoops, sidewalk chalk, etc.
FREE Treats from the Mayor as she passes out fresh baked cookies to the crowd
FREE Chance to Win a $250 CityPlace gift Certificate & an NYC getaway with $1000 shopping spree!

Residents do not need to pinch their pennies any more!  They can come and enjoy Sunday afternoons at the Meyer with with Fab Tunes, A Cool Scene and Good Vibes along the picturesque Flagler Drive waterfront in downtown West Palm Beach - all for FREE!  Guests are also welcome to bring their own blankets, lawn chairs and coolers, or they can also purchase food and beverages at the concert for reasonable prices.     

This Memorial Day weekend, The City of West Palm Beach is kicking off its 2008 SAM concert series with southern rock legends, the Atlanta Rhythm Section:

PERFORMER: ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION
www.atlantarhythmsection.com
DATE:  Sunday, May 25, 2008
TIME:  4:30 PM to 7:30 PM
LOCATION: Meyer Amphitheatre in Downtown West Palm Beach

This band has been part of the Southern Rock scene for more than 30 years and is usually paired with contemporaries Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers. Their biggest hits include So Into You, Champagne Jam, Imaginary Lover, and Spooky.  But there’s so much more musical diversity to these accomplished studio musicians that include comparisons to the Eagles, Steely Dan and Fleetwood Mac.  With 15 albums of outstanding songwriting and performances, The Atlanta Rhythm Section represents all the good things the phrase “classic rock” implies.  Opening for ARS is Florida’s favorite party band, The Fabulons, with covers of classic tunes.

UPCOMING SAM CONCERTS:
JUNE 22  HOT BRASS MONKEY
JULY 27  CARLOS OLIVA & LOS SOBRINOS DEL JUEZ
AUGUST 24  THE LANDSHARKS
SEPTEMBER 28  THE AUSTRALIAN BEE GEES SHOW
OCTOBER 26  LEGENDS OF DOO-WOP  

**ENTER TO WIN CITYPLACE SHOPPING & A NEW YORK CITY GETAWAY**
Guests to The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer can enter to win a $250 gift certificate at each concert good for shopping at CityPlace in downtown West Palm Beach.  Guests can also enter for a grand prize New York City getaway that includes a $1000 shopping spree in the Big Apple courtesy of CityPlace.   KOOL 105.5 listeners will also have an opportunity to win $50 CityPlace gift certificates during the week of the concert.   

TREATS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Lois Frankel will continue her tradition of passing out cookies to the crowd during the band breaks.  This crowd pleaser allows guests to introduce themselves and become familiar with the Mayor in a casual and friendly atmosphere. 

CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT
There will be lots of fun, interactive games and activities for children at each concert including hoola hoops, sidewalk chalk, limbo contests, coloring books, and bubbles – all for FREE. 

SPONSORS
The Palm Beach Post, La Palma, The Palm Beach Daily News, Florida PennySaver, KOOL 105.5 FM, West Palm Beach Marriott, Newsradio 1290 WJNO, Coca-Cola, MIA 92.1 FM, WPBF TV 25, CityPlace, and National City.

The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer is bringing Fab Tunes, A Cool Scene and Good Vibes to downtown West Palm Beach.  This FREE family-friendly concert series is held from May through October on the 4th Sunday of each month, and features a variety of national and regional recording artists.  Located along the picturesque Flagler Drive waterfront in the Meyer Amphitheater, The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer provides an ideal setting for good times and great entertainment.  Guests are welcome to bring their own blankets, lawn chairs, and coolers, or they can also purchase food and beverages at the concert.  The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer is produced by the City of West Palm Beach, Mayor’s Office – Division of Community Events.  For more information, please call 561-822-1515 or visit www.wpb.org.
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For Additional Information:
Amaryvis “Ryvis” Sierra
Marketing Coordinator
Mayor’s Office, Community Events Division
Office:  (561) 822-1522
E-mail:  asierra@wpb.org

(Friday, May 16, 2008)  As a temporary measure intended to supplement existing water supplies and help reduce the impact of dry weather on protected species at Grassy Waters Preserve, the City of West Palm Beach will be accessing water stored in the L-8 reservoir beginning the week of May 19, 2008.  The move is being made with the full support and cooperation of the South Florida Water Management District.

The L-8 reservoir water will be blended with water from other sources and will be treated in accordance with strict standards.  It is expected that West Palm Beach water customers WILL NOT notice any change in the quality or taste of their drinking water as a result of the L-8 water use.

This temporary measure will help support the Everglades snail kite bird population in Grassy Waters Preserve.  This protected species relies on apple snails as a primary source of food, and sufficient water levels in the preserve are critical to apple snails.

It is expected that the City will cease accessing water from the L-8 reservoir once the South Florida dry season comes to a close.

50 Flags will Salute Our Troops & Raise Funds for Soldiers Overseas

(May 12, 2008 – West Palm Beach, FL)  The City of West Palm Beach is getting ready to show its Stars and Stripes along Flagler Drive as it launches the “Salute Our Troops” flag program for a second year.  Due to the popularity of the program last year, the City will once again honor the US Armed Forces with 50 American flags waving proudly over the Flagler Drive waterfront during its 4th on Flagler celebration.  The Salute Our Troops flag program allows the public to honor and remember those who have served our country and also helps raise needed funds for Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc. (FSO), a non-profit organization that supports our troops currently serving overseas.

The public is invited to commemorate a flag in honor of a veteran or those currently serving in the Armed Forces.  For a minimum suggested $50 donation, anyone can dedicate a flag to a loved one currently serving in the military, a veteran, a specific troop, or even pay tribute to all who have served our county.  Each person that dedicates a flag will have an opportunity to commemorate the flag with a special sign that includes a personal message and will receive a certificate to represent their commemoration.  Those who are interested in commemorating a flag can register or download an application on the Forgotten Soldiers Outreach website at www.forgottensoldiers.org.  Registration deadline is Friday, June 20th at 5:00 p.m.

All proceeds from the 4th on Flagler Salute Our Troops flag program will be donated to Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc. (FSO), a Palm Beach County-based 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization which continually encourages and inspires our armed forces serving overseas by sending monthly care packages and letters of encouragement for as long as they are deployed.  Since its inception in October 2003, FSO has grown to be a nationally recognized organization and has sent over 20,000 care packages.  The military personnel who have been recipients of these packages know that they are definitely not “forgotten.”

The 4th on Flagler Salute Our Troops flags will be installed along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach and will be on display July 3 and 4, 2008.  In an effort to maximize funds for FSO, more than one commemoration will be accepted for each flag.  For more information about payment or about the Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc., please call 561-369-2933 or visit www.forgottensoldiers.org.  For more information about the Salute Our Troops flag program, please call the City of West Palm Beach Community Events Division at 561-822-1515.  

4th on Flagler is celebrating two decades of fun!  This free event is the area’s biggest and best 4th of July celebration featuring two stages of non-stop entertainment, a kid’s area, food and refreshments, the unfurling of a giant American Flag, the Firefighters’ Splash & Dash, and a spectacular fireworks extravaganza.  Residents and visitors can enjoy the fireworks, food, concerts and fun along our City’s stunning waterfront.  4th on Flagler will be held on Friday, July 4th from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. along Flagler Drive in Downtown West Palm Beach, with the National City Fireworks Show taking place at 9:00 p.m.  This event is produced by the City of West Palm Beach Mayor’s Office, Division of Community Events and is sponsored by National City, Wild 95.5 fm, Kool 105.5 fm, Mia 92.1 fm, The Gater 98.7 fm, WJNO 1290 am, The Palm Beach Post, La Palma, Florida PennySaver, WPTV NewsChannel 5, Palm Beach County, The Town of Palm Beach, Jimmy John’s, Budweiser, Coca-Cola and the West Palm Beach Marriott.  4th on Flagler is a FREE event that is open to the public.  For more information, please call (561) 822-1515.

When: Friday, May 9, 2008 beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Sunset Bar and Grill, 2500 Broadway, WPB.

(05/09/08) The City of West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency will help Sunset Bar and Grill celebrate six years in Northwood Village at a special event on Friday, May 9, 2008 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at 2500 Broadway.

Sunset Bar and Grill’s event will serve at the meeting place for this month’s Northwood Village Neighborhood Ambassadors gathering. The gathering is a monthly event that brings together business owners, residents and guests to celebrate Northwood Village’s emerging revitalization.

When:  Beginning Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 7:00 a.m.
Where:  Flagler Drive between N. Clematis St. and S. Clematis St.

(05/07/08)  Motorists should be aware that Flagler Drive will be reduced to two lanes (one lane of traffic in each direction) between North Clematis Street and South Clematis Street beginning Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 7:00 a.m.

The lane reductions are due to maintenance work being performed in the area.  Traffic patterns on Flagler Drive will return to normal no later than Friday, May 9, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.

When:  Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 3:30 p.m.
Where:  Grassy Waters Preserve, 8264 Northlake Boulevard, WPB

(05/06/08)  The City of West Palm Beach’s City Green Task Force will tour Grassy Waters Preserve on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 3:30 p.m.  Grassy Waters is located at 8264 Northlake Boulevard.  The group will meet at the boat ramp on the south side of Northlake Boulevard.

The City Green Task Force is a citizen group that is making recommendations to Mayor Lois Frankel on how to reduce the City’s carbon footprint.

Grassy Waters Preserve is the primary source of the City’s drinking water and is also an environmentally-sensitive area.

Under the direction of Mayor Lois J. Frankel, the City of West Palm Beach has formed a committee to make recommendations to the Mayor on sustainability and environmental issues.  The recommendations will be intended to help the City reduce its carbon footprint.  The group is called the City Green Task Force, and has already begun analyzing sustainability issues within City government.

“I’d like to thank the citizens on this task force for volunteering their time and taking on the crucial task of making our City more environmentally friendly,” said Mayor Frankel.

The task force is made up of private citizens with backgrounds ranging from energy management to engineering.  The group has held several meetings, all of which have been open to the public.  West Palm Beach City Commission President Jeri Muoio has been selected to be the City Commission’s liaison to the task force.

The City Green Task Force plans to meet with various City departments and leaders to better understand how the City operates, to analyze current “green” efforts and to make recommendations for improvements and changes.  The task force plans to examine a wide range of issues including the City’s vehicle fleet, office waste reduction and energy conservation.