The West Palm Beach GreenMarket Returns on Saturday, October 18

 (September 29, 2008) – The West Palm Beach GreenMarket will mark the opening of its fourteenth season on Saturday, October 18 with lots of locally farmed, fresh products in a friendly environment.  Guests are invited to come and enjoy pleasant outdoor shopping of fresh fruits, produce, plants, flowers, specialty foods and much more.  With a great variety of specialty products and foods, market goers can get pick up everything they need for a superb dinner party including just harvested heirloom tomatoes, organic leafy greens, fresh guacamole or hummus, artisan breads, assorted pastas, homemade desserts, and even fresh-cut flowers for the table.  Patrons can also shop for the week and stock their pantries with plenty of locally grown, just harvested fruits and vegetables.  In addition to shopping at their favorite local vendors, guests can also eat breakfast or lunch at the GreenMarket Café, enjoy live music and say hello to their neighbors.  The West Palm Beach GreenMarket is the local neighborhood shopping place.

CALENDAR LISTING:
WEST PALM BEACH GREENMARKET
Saturdays (October 18, 2008 – April 18, 2009)
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
2nd Street and Narcissus Avenue, just outside of City Hall, one block north of Clematis Street
Downtown West Palm Beach
Free parking in the Banyan Street Garage during market hours
For more information, call 561-822-1515 or visit www.wpb.org/greenmarket
Sponsors:  The Palm Beach Post, The Palm Beach Daily News, WIRK 107.9 fm, & Sunny 104.3 fm

The West Palm Beach GreenMarket is the area’s original and most popular greenmarket.  This traditional European-style farmers market has become a Saturday morning staple that welcomes city residents and visitors alike.  Each Saturday vendors bring an abundant selection of locally grown and just harvested produce, plants and specialty items to downtown West Palm Beach including a variety of farm fresh fruits and vegetables, tropical and native plants, fresh-cut flowers, artisan foods, and much more.  Guests can also sit and enjoy their made-to-order breakfast or lunch at the GreenMarket Café.  The West Palm Beach GreenMarket is dog-friendly and offers free parking in the Banyan Street Garage during market hours.  The West Palm Beach GreenMarket is produced by the City of West Palm Beach, Mayor’s Office - Division of Community Events and is located on along 2nd Street and Narcissus Avenue just outside of City Hall in Downtown West Palm Beach.  For more information about the West Palm Beach GreenMarket or other City-produced events, please call 561-822-1515 or visit www.wpb.org.

When:  Wednesday, October 1, 2008 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where:  Vickers House South, 3801 Georgia Avenue, WPB

In partnership with the Palm Beach County Health Department, the Area Agency on Aging and West Palm Beach Fire Rescue, the City of West Palm Beach’s Vickers House will be offering flu shots at no cost at a Flu Shot Clinic on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  The clinic will be held at Vickers House South, located at 3801 Georgia Avenue.

The flu shots are available at no cost to anyone 19 years of age or older.  You do not need to have health insurance to receive the vaccination.

Anyone interested in learning more about flu shots, common misconceptions about the vaccine or who should get a flu shot can listen to a free podcast about the topic by going to wpb.org and clicking on the “CityCast” link.

City of West Palm Beach residents and businesses will be able to save up to 20% on their flood insurance costs thanks to efforts by the City to reduce the negative impacts of flooding.

“In this economy, any news that saves our residents money is welcome,” said Mayor Lois J. Frankel.  “I commend City staff for their work to mitigate the effects of flooding and save our families money.”

The City participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which offers relatively low-cost flood insurance to the City’s residents and businesses.  The City also voluntarily participates in a rating system which provides the City the opportunity to earn discounts on flood insurance premiums.

As a result of projects to reduce the severity, frequency and negative impacts of flooding, NFIP policy holders in the City are eligible for up to a 20% discount on their premiums.

The City was awarded the discount because of improvements to the drainage system in areas that have been prone to flooding, upgrades in the planned emergency response to flooding, and overall improvements to the City’s Flood Management Plan.

Residents with questions about their flood insurance or their eligibility for the deduction should contact their insurance agent.

In Danger of Losing Your Home?

Learn how the City can help in this edition of CityConnect.

Click here to view the September 24th edition of CityConnect.

City’s Windsor Avenue Improvements to Make Area Safer, Encourage Business Investment

Mayor Lois J. Frankel joined local business owners and area residents in kicking off the Windsor Avenue improvement project today.  The $1.2 million dollar project will improve the area’s safety, encourage new business investment and beautify the street.  The project is funded by the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

“This project continues our commitment to revitalizing our City and improving local communities,” said Mayor Frankel.  “The improvements will make this area more attractive for businesses and safer for our nearby residents.”

The improvements will be along Windsor Avenue between 25th Street and 29th Street.  New sidewalks will be added, greatly improving safety for pedestrians, including school children.  New overhead lighting will also improve the area’s safety.  New curbs will be put in place, the area will be landscaped and the CRA will replace aging infrastructure, including underground drainage pipes.  Work on the project is expected to be finished in the spring of 2009.

The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer 2008 Concert Series
Meyer Catches Sunday Night Fever with a Bee Gees Tribute

 (September 22, 2008 – West Palm Beach, FL) – On Sunday, September 28, guests to the Meyer Amphitheatre will catch Sunday Night Fever as this month’s Sunday at the Meyer concert pays tribute to the Bee Gees & other great 70’s disco music.  Guests should grab their platform shoes and polyester threads, and get ready for some jive talking and disco dancing to the fun-loving music of the mirrored-ball era in downtown West Palm Beach.

PERFORMER:  STAYIN’ ALIVE - A Tribute to the Bee Gees & 70’s Disco Show, www.suncoastentertainment.biz
DATE:   Sunday, September 28, 2008
TIME:   4:30 PM to 7:30 PM
LOCATION:  Meyer Amphitheatre in Downtown West Palm Beach

STAYIN’ ALIVE is a class-act show with songs and costuming recreating the Bee Gees of the 60’s to the Saturday Night Fever white suits of the 70’s.  STAYN’ ALIVE captures the look, the sound, the energy, the personality and the magic that defines one of the most successful and adored acts in musical history – the Brothers Gibb.  Performing to worldwide audiences, STAYIN’ ALIVE is also a powerhouse disco dance band covering various disco dance hits of the 70’s complete with choreography and a costume change that includes lots of flash and glitter. 

Patrons to The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer concerts can also enjoy a number of FREE features this season while enjoying great entertainment:

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 card & an NYC getaway with $1000 shopping spree!

Residents and visitors do not need to pinch their pennies any more!  Guests can come and enjoy Sunday afternoons at the Meyer 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.     

UPCOMING SAM CONCERTS:
PLEASE NOTE:  THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE TO THE 2008 ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE
OCTOBER 26 PERCY SLEDGE – The golden voice from the #1 hit single “When A Man Loves A Woman” 

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 card 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 cards 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 & 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  / Cell: (561) 644-7639
E-mail:  asierra@wpb.org

 What:  City Upgrading, Improving Local Neighborhood
 When:  Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.
 Where:  Corner of Windsor Avenue and Service Road, WPB

(09/19/08)  The City of West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will continue its commitment to revitalizing neighborhoods and blighted areas with the kickoff of the $1.2 million Windsor Avenue improvement project.  A kickoff ceremony will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the corner of Windsor Avenue and Service Road in West Palm Beach.

The CRA is investing $1.2 million along Windsor Avenue between 25th Street and 29th Street.  The City will replace aging infrastructure (including drainage pipes), install new sidewalks and new curbs, install new overhead street lighting to improve visibility and safety, and landscape the area.

Students, residents and business owners will be “greening” Northwood Village as part of the City of West Palm Beach’s celebration of National Park(ing) Day this Friday, September 19, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Northwood Village is part of the Northwood Pleasant City Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) district.  Visitors will be able to stroll through more than a dozen temporary “parks” designed by local students from Dreyfoos High School of the Arts, visit an open-air “no house” and celebrate Northwood Village’s resurgence at the area’s many shops and restaurants.

As part of the celebration, the students will turn parking spaces in to temporary green space.  They will create more than a dozen parking spot art installations showcasing Park(ing) Day themes, all designed by architecture and sculpture students from Dreyfoos High School of the Arts.  The parks will occupy street and parking lot spaces throughout Northwood Village.  The students will begin building the “parks” at approximately 4:00 p.m. Also, the windows of Eg2, an art gallery at the entrance to the Northwood Village district, will feature environmentally-themed banners by Bak Middle School of the Arts students.

“Transforming parking spaces into vibrant green space reminds us all about the importance of open space and sustainability,” said Mayor Lois J. Frankel.

Commissioner Molly Douglas said, “I am so pleased with the citizen participation in the north end. It shows clearly that the revitalization is well on its way. I encourage everyone to join us for the party at 6:00.”

Northwood Village’s businesses and Old Northwood residents will showcase their “Great Green Transitions” park(ing) space featuring native plants and an open air “no house” furnished creatively with items from local Northwood Village shops and will also host a cocktail party from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the corner of Spruce Street and 25th Street. The space mirrors a pocket park that will soon be a part of Northwood Village and the Old Northwood Neighborhood, bridging the business district and the residential area with green space.

National Park(ing) day is a nation-wide event sponsored by the Trust for Public Land.  The goals of the event are to celebrate parks and promote the needs for parks in America’s cities.  For further information, contact Mary Jo Aagerstoun (561-881-5658) and David Setaro (561-650-8139).

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For Additional Information:
Peter Robbins, West Palm Beach Public Information Officer
Office:  (561) 822-1433 or probbins@wpb.org

When: Tuesday, September 16, 2008   10 AM
Where: South West Corner of 25th Street And Tamarind Ave., West Palm Beach

On the afternoon of September 16, 1928 after a murderous journey through the Caribbean and the Bahamas a Category 4 Hurricane made landfall in Palm Beach, Florida and would leave in its wake between 2,500 and 3,000 people dead that day, making it the second-deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, behind the Galveston, Texas hurricane of 1900.  The vast majority of those who died were migrant workers.

674 people were dumped, unceremoniously and without a sign to mark the spot, in a 20-foot hole in the West Palm Beach pauper cemetery, forgotten for more than seven decades.

That long-neglected West Palm Beach cemetery is finally getting its memorial marker after so many years passed without notice. The storm’s 80th anniversary will be honored with a remembrance ceremony at the new renovation of the site on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 10 AM by the City of West Palm Beach.

The ceremony will feature a survivor of the storm ( just a child at the time), dedication for the newly renovated memorial site, placement of a time capsule and singing. Mayor Frankel and other local dignitaries will attend.

For Additional Information:
West Palm Beach Public Information Office
(561)822-1411 Chase Scott

(Tuesday, September 3, 2008)  With hurricane season proving to be active and several named storms currently in the Atlantic basin, the City of West Palm Beach is reminding residents that once a storm has been named, homeowners should NOT cut back trees, bushes or shrubs.  Placing yard waste and vegetative debris at the curb as a storm approaches can lead to clogged storm drains and potentially serious flooding issues.

“Our crews do their best to pick up yard waste, but people should not be placing large piles of debris on the street as storms approach,” said Mayor Lois J. Frankel.  “Once a storm is named, there should not be any major cutting back of trees, plants or shrubs.”

For information about hurricanes and how debris can block water from running off into storm drains, you can listen to a podcast with Director of Public Works John Alford by going to “CityCast”.

At the start of each hurricane season, the City offers an “Amnesty” period.  During this period, the City picks up all vegetative debris free of charge, which encourages residents to cut back trees and shrubs before hurricane season begins.