When: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Where: 726 Lytle Street, West Palm Beach

Dozens of teenagers who are part of a local volunteer program will be donating their time to make improvements to an elderly woman’s house and yard on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at 726 Lytle Street in West Palm Beach.

The teenagers are part of a summer mission camp designed for grade 7 through college. The program encourages students to put their faith into action through events that include volunteering. West Palm Beach’s Vickers House helps coordinate local activities for the M-Fuge volunteers.

You Can Still Help WPB Salute Our Troops
Deadline to Dedicate a Flag and Salute Our Troops is Extended
(June 20, 2008 – West Palm Beach, FL)  The City of West Palm Beach is extending the deadline to dedicate an American flag in honor of a loved one through the “Salute Our Troops” flag program.  There is still time to dedicate one of the flags that will wave proudly over the Flagler Drive waterfront and honor the US Armed Forces during the 4th on Flagler celebration.  The opportunity to participate in this unique and memorable dedication will now end on Friday June, 27th at 5:00 p.m.

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.  

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) nonprofit 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 or visit www.wpb.org/4th.

When:  Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.
Where:  WPB Library, 100 Clematis Street
(06/19/08)  The West Palm Beach Public Library invites you to “Be Anything” by participating in the 2008 summer reading program.  The library will kick off the summer reading program with a special appearance by author Holly Cleeland on Saturday, June 21, 2008, beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the West Palm Beach library located at 100 Clematis Street.

The theme of the summer reading program is “Be Anything at your City Library,” since you can be anything, travel anywhere and do anything just by opening a book and reading.  Author Holly Cleeland will talk about her book “Glue and Go Costumes for Kids,” and three costumes will be given away at the event.

More information can be found at www.mycitylibrary.org.

Florida’s top government management association has elected City of West Palm Beach City Administrator Ed Mitchell Board of Directors President.

The Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA) elected Mitchell president at the organizaion’s annual conference in Marco Island, Florida.  Mitchell gave his welcoming address at the conference’s awards and business luncheon, emphasizing his priority of working on the John Scott Dailey Florida Institute of Government at Florida State University.  The institute focuses on improving local government and public service academics, professional development and creating a forum for local government issues and challenges in Florida.

The Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA), is one of the largest state local government management associations nationally. It works closely with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). The FCCMA has over 500 members and has the largest number of ICMA-credentialed managers in the world, with over 110 credentialed. The FCCMA was created in 1946.

Keeping your car safe is as easy a practicing a little T-L-C.

To keep your car safe and prevent yourself from becoming a victim of auto burglaries, be sure to:

1. “T”ake out valuables
2. “L”ock your doors
3. “C”lose your windows

The easiest way to prevent thieves from stealing valuables out of your car is to not leave valuables in your car in the first place.  Keeping your car safe helps you save money on insurance rates, prevents you from losing irreplaceable items and helps stop identity theft.

So far in 2008, the City of West Palm Beach has seen a significant drop in the overall crime rate in all areas of the City, including the downtown.  Stopping crimes like auto burglaries helps bolster this great trend.  When we work together to prevent crime, we all help keep our City safe.

For more information on crime prevention, click here:  http://www.wpbpolice.org/crime-prevention.php

From gas prices to groceries, it seems like everything costs more these days.  But the City of West Palm Beach’s award-winning events are all still FREE, and offer great ways for your family to have fun while saving money.

Join us on Sunday, June 22, as it gets “hot” at Sunday at the Meyer (pictured above).  “Hot Brass Monkey” will bring smoking, dancing, laughing, brilliant musical fun to the Meyer Amphitheatre in downtown West Palm Beach.  Enjoy a free show, free children’s activities, and free treats from the Mayor, all at Sunday at the Meyer.

Every Thurday, we turn Centennial Square in to the hot spot to chill with Clematis by Night, a FREE concert series in downtown West Palm Beach.  Just visit wpb.org to check out our entertainment, and bring the kids to play in the fountain by the library.  We’ll see you at the next Clematis by Night.

And don’t forget to join us on July 4th for as Fourth on Flagler celebrates two decades of festivities, fun and fireworks.  You can also help us support our troops through our “Salute our Troops” program.  Visit http://www.wpb.org/4th/ for full details.

The City of West Palm Beach will continue bringing you top-notch events, all family friendly and all free of charge.

From water conservation to putting out City news on-line, West Palm Beach is leading the charge when it comes to innovation.  And now, some outstanding City projects are getting noticed.

The Florida League of Cities has honored the City of West Palm Beach for several innovative projects in the 2008 City Innovations Showcase.  The publication focuses on cutting-edge ways that cities enhance services, save taxpayer money, promote civic pride and volunteerism, and meet local needs.

The League of Cities recognized the following innovative projects:  CityGreen, a sustainability program; “Promote yourself first” and “Supervisory Management Resource Training,” two new training opportunities from our Human Resources Department; “Elders on the Edge” and “Homeward Bound,” two Vickers House programs that help the less fortunate in our community; the Police Department’s automatic license plate readers, which have helped contribute to a significant decrease in crime City-wide; a new integrated library system at the City’s downtown library; City Video to Go, a West Palm TV program that enables tapeless video sharing with the media; the Virtual Newsroom, an on-line collection of press releases and news; Digital Recordings, a City Clerk’s effort to record meeting audio digitally; the City Clerk’s office posting elections information on the web; electronic document management; internet recruitment for job openings; and our successful Pay-by-cellphone parking meter system.

If that list seems long to you, that’s because the City of West Palm Beach strives to be among the most innovative and efficient in the state of Florida.  We’ll continue to look for new approaches to make our government even more efficient, customer-friendly and accessible.

When:  Friday, June 13, 2008 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Where:  West end of Northwood Road near Broadway

The City of West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency and Northwood Village will welcome three new businesses to the neighborhood with a ribbon cutting and block party on Friday, June 13, 2008 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the west end of Northwood Road near Broadway.

Northwood Village will welcome three new shops: “etc.;” “Beauty Supply and More;” and “Northwood Cell Phones.”

The event will feature a live oldies band, dance demonstrations, food and beverages and more.  It is part of a monthly series of Northwood Village Ambassador block parties that typically draw more than 300 people.

When: 2nd Friday of the month – June 13, July 11, August 8
Time: 5:30-7:30 pm
Where:  100 Clematis Street West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Are you looking for something special to do on Friday nights?  We have just the thing for you! Enjoy cool jazz and fine wine “after hours” at the waterfront West Palm Beach Public Library— the cool one by the fountain! Start your Friday night on the town with wine and live jazz, a perfect prelude to a lovely dinner downtown.  Gourmet Galaxy will be providing the wine and hors d’ oeuvres and JAMS (Jazz Arts Music Society) will provide the music.  This month we will feature the Adriana Samargia Jazz Combo Band!  Savor the tropical waterfront view as you sip wine and soak up the tunes.  See you there!

· FREE PARKING (2 hours free at municipal garages)
· Wine-tasting @ $5 per glass
· Live Jazz music FREE!

Sponsored by The Palm Beach Post, WJNO, Gourmet Galaxy, JAMS, and Regency Party Rentals.