What: Mayor and Business Leaders begins tour of area businesses to formulate economic survival plan
When: Thursday, January 29, 2009  11:00 AM
Where: SV Microwave, 2400 Centrepark West Drive, Suite 100 , West Palm Beach

Join Mayor Lois Frankel and area business leaders for this important media moment on issue # 1, the economy.

The City of West Palm Beach is joining with Area Business Organizations in an effort to help secure local companies during these tough economic times.  Over the coming months a group including Mayor Lois Frankel or city staff, President and CEO of the Business Development Board Kelly Smallridge, Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches CEO Dennis Grady, and Workforce Alliance President and CEO Kathryn Schmidt, will tour many area businesses to learn the concerns and ideas of their owners and to formulate economic survival plans with them based on the following goals:

To help them survive economic difficulties
To keep them in our community
To provide an environment that encourages expansion
To increase the businesses competitiveness in the marketplace

By using the combined resources of these organizations businesses can gain access to a variety of enhancements including labor resources and worker training, assistance in applying for state and local business incentives for nonretail companies, identification of area vendors and suppliers, networking with corporate executives and government leaders, access to research and statistics, and much more.

The first of these tours will take place Thursday January 29 at SV Microwave, a local company that designs and produces electronics for the aerospace, defense, and medical industries.

Watching your City’s government in action and learning about how the City works is easier than ever thanks to new technologies and services being embraced by the City’s government access station, West Palm TV 18.”I’m pleased that West Palm TV 18 is using new resources to reach more people than ever before,” said West Palm Beach Mayor Lois J. Frankel.  “The station continues to be a top-quality window into City government for residents, visitors and anyone interested in West Palm Beach news and happenings.”

The station recently launched its own YouTube channel, giving viewers access to on-demand programming at all times.  “YouTube has become a favorite destination for those looking for on-demand content,” said West Palm TV 18 station manager Jim Clark.  “By launching our own channel there, we’re giving the public access to our programming on their terms and around the clock.” The YouTube channel address is http://www.youtube.com/user/westpalmtv.

The station also has a channel dedicated entirely to “CityNews,” which airs segments on City events, programs and happenings.  This channel runs 24-hours a day in a continuous loop at http://mogulus.com/WestPalmTV.

You can still watch the channel on Comcast Cable channel 18 within the City limits, and via our website (www.westpalmtv.com) from anywhere you have internet access.

West Palm TV 18 is the City of West Palm Beach’s government access TV channel.  Its mission is to offer an opportunity for people to see city government at work, to better understand the services the city provides and to see some of the events going on around West Palm Beach.  People with programming questions or suggestions should contact Station Manager Jim Clark at 561-822-1867.

The City of West Palm Beach proudly announces the inaugural e4 Sustainability Summit 2009; a public forum uniting residents, businesses and government in a community challenge to become a carbon neutral city. This is a grassroots effort that depends on you.

Please join us February 25, 10am-5pm at The Harriet Himmel Theater at CityPlace.
Go to wpb.org/e4 to register for this FREE summit and help us make the City a more sustainable community.

Need hurricane shutters?  You may be able to get them FREE OF CHARGE!
If you meet certain income guidelines, the City of West Palm Beach can help you get your home ready for hurricane season.  We may be able to help you with free shutters and other protection from strong winds.  Call 561-822-1250.

What:  Race for the Cure Road Closings
When:  Saturday, January 31, 2009
Affected Area:  Flagler Drive, downtown WPB

Due to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Flagler Drive will be closed to traffic from Lakeview Avenue to 25th Street on Saturday, January 31st, 2009 between 6:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Motorists should also be aware of these additional closings:  Banyan Boulevard, Evernia Street and Fern Street will be closed from Olive Avenue to Flagler Drive; and, North Clematis Street, South Clematis Street and Datura Street will be closed from Narcissus Street to Flagler Drive.

Participants should visit http://www.komensouthflorida.org/ for parking and shuttle information.

For Additional Information:
Peter Robbins
West Palm Beach Public Information Officer
(561) 822-1433

(Monday, January 26, 2009)  Children from Pleasant City and the neighborhood’s Multi-Cultural Center will be learning new skills and helping improve their neighborhood in the process at a new Children’s Community Garden.  The children will grow fruits, vegetables, flowers and more at a site that was previously a vacant lot.

“The Community Garden is a perfect fit for this neighborhood and will help give our young people something positive to do with their spare time,” said Mayor Lois J. Frankel.  “The kids will learn about everything from sustainability to teamwork, while at the same time improving their neighborhood.”

The garden will be good for the local environment, give kids in the area positive activities and bring together a diverse group of people to work on a common project.  The garden will also help remove blight in the area by transforming a vacant lot in to a vibrant place of community learning.  The community garden is an initiative of District One City Commissioner Molly Douglas and is supported by the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency and the Quantum Foundation.

Quantum Foundation funding was allocated through the Quantum Neighborhood Initiative (QNI), launched in 2008 to support a variety of economic development and community improvement projects in the area of West Palm Beach north of Palm Beach Lakes, south of 45th Street, and east of Australian.  To date, Quantum has granted over $500,000 to neighborhood improvement projects as part of the QNI.

Quantum President Paul Gionfriddo said, “Commissioner Douglas, Mayor Frankel and the entire leadership of the City are to be commended for their neighborhood improvement efforts.  The Foundation is pleased to make this contribution in support of those efforts, and on behalf of the children of Pleasant City.”

When:  Monday, January 26, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.
Where:  Corner of 21st Street and Spruce Avenue, WPB

(01/23/09)  City of West Palm Beach Mayor Lois J. Frankel will help dedicate a new Children’s Community Garden at a ceremony on Monday, January 26, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the corner of 21st Street and Spruce Avenue in West Palm Beach.

With the assistance of the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Quantum Foundation, the City will transform the vacant lot at this intersection into a vibrant garden, turning it into a place where kids can learn and grow.  Children from the Pleasant City Community Center will grow fruits, vegetables, flowers and more, helping beautify their neighborhood in the process.

Latin Jazz Sensation Nestor Torres to Perform at this Celebration of Many Cultures

Kaleidoscope 2009 is celebrating cultural diversity with a huge variety of multicultural entertainment and TWO remarkable headliners this year – all for FREE!  Grammy-nominated jazz flautist, Nestor Torres, has been added to the already spectacular entertainment line-up.  This international Latin jazz sensation will perform on the SWS Green Stage (in the Palm Beach Post Park at the intersection of Flagler Drive and Fern Street) at 2:00 p.m., and then popular Celtic rock band, the Young Dubliners, will perform at the Meyer Amphitheatre at 3:00 p.m.

Nestor Torres’ newest CD, Nouveau Latino, has been nominated as Best Latin Jazz Album for the upcoming 51st Annual Grammy Awards.  In this album, Torres returns to his Latin roots with a fresh approach, impeccable musicianship, and irresistible improvisations while interpreting songs from stars like Celia Cruz and Ruben Blades.

Guests to Kaleidoscope 2009 will not only enjoy Torres’ remarkable music, but they can also experience two stages filled with lots of unique ethnic performers such as a Japanese drum group, a Brazilian dance group, a Mariachi band, and even Native American dancers.  Event guests are sure to sample music and dance from around the world at this wonderfully colorful event.  For a complete entertainment schedule, please visit www.wpb.org/kaleidoscope.

CALENDAR LISTING:
Kaleidoscope 2009 – Go back 100!
Featuring villages from around the world, an interactive kid’s area, ethnic foods and refreshments, an international bazaar and multicultural entertainment with Grammy-nominated NESTOR TORRES at 2:00 p.m., and Celtic rock band the YOUNG DUBLINERS at 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
**New Event Location – Meyer Amphitheatre and the Palm Beach Post Park**
Downtown West Palm Beach
FREE!
Produced by the City of West Palm Beach in partnership with the School District of Palm Beach County
For more information:  561-822-1515 or www.wpb.org/kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope 2009 is a family-friendly celebration of many cultures produced by the City of West Palm Beach in partnership with the School District of Palm Beach County.  Kaleidoscope is an interactive multicultural festival that showcases the cultural diversity in our community, where guests can tour villages created by Palm Beach County students and local cultural organizations.  Kaleidoscope 2009 will “Go Back 100,” a new event theme that will celebrate 100 years of the many cultures and rich history of Palm Beach County to mark the Palm Beach County and School District of Palm Beach County Centennials.  This year’s event will be held on Sunday, January 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Meyer Amphitheatre in Downtown West Palm Beach.  Features include multicultural entertainment, villages from around the world, kid’s interactive activities, ethnic foods and refreshments, and an international bazaar.  Participating sponsors include National City, Palm Beach County, The Palm Beach Post, La Palma, 97.9 fm WRMF, WPTV NewsChannel 5, Comcast, the West Palm Beach Marriott, the Children’s Services Council, Coca-Cola, Southern Waste Systems and Panera Bread. The event is free and open to the public. For more info, call (561) 822-1515 or visit www.wpb.org/kaleidoscope.

When:  Beginning Friday, January 23, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.
Affected Area:  Flagler Drive and some adjacent roads, downtown WPB

(01/21/09)  Motorists should be aware that several downtown WPB roads will be closed to traffic this weekend due to three events:  Kaleidoscope 2009, Supercar Weekend and the Dr. Feelgood’s One Year Anniversary party.

For Supercar Weekend, Flagler Drive will be closed to traffic from Fern Street to Lakeview Avenue beginning on Friday, January 23, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.  Flagler will reopen no later than midnight on Sunday, January 25, 2009.

The following are the road closures for Kaleidoscope 2009:
Beginning Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.:  Flagler Drive will be closed from Banyan Boulevard to Fern Street; South Clematis Street and North Clematis Street will be closed from Narcissus Avenue to Flagler Drive; Narcissus Avenue will be closed from Datura Street to Evernia Street; and Fern Street and Evernia Street will be closed from Olive Avenue to Flagler Drive.  Datura Street will be open to local traffic only between Olive Avenue and Flagler Drive.

All the roads closed for Kaleidoscope will reopen no later than midnight on Sunday, January 25, 2009.

Clematis Street will be closed from Olive Avenue to Narcissus Avenue on Saturday, January 24, 2009 from 7:00 p.m. to midnight for the Dr. Feelgood’s One Year Anniversary.

(Wednesday, January 21, 2009)  Watching your City’s government in action and learning about how the City works is easier than ever thanks to new technologies and services being embraced by the City’s government access station, West Palm TV 18.

“I’m pleased that West Palm TV 18 is using new resources to reach more people than ever before,” said West Palm Beach Mayor Lois J. Frankel.  “The station continues to be a top-quality window into City government for residents, visitors and anyone interested in West Palm Beach news and happenings.”

The station recently launched its own YouTube channel, giving viewers access to on-demand programming at all times.  “YouTube has become a favorite destination for those looking for on-demand content,” said West Palm TV 18 station manager Jim Clark.  “By launching our own channel there, we’re giving the public access to our programming on their terms and around the clock.”  The YouTube channel address is http://www.youtube.com/user/westpalmtv.  

The station also has a channel dedicated entirely to “CityNews,” which airs segments on City events, programs and happenings.  This channel runs 24-hours a day in a continuous loop at http://mogulus.com/WestPalmTV.

You can still watch the channel on Comcast Cable channel 18 within the City limits, and via our website (www.westpalmtv.com) from anywhere you have internet access.

West Palm TV 18 is the City of West Palm Beach’s government access TV channel.  Its mission is to offer an opportunity for people to see city government at work, to better understand the services the city provides and to see some of the events going on around West Palm Beach.  People with programming questions or suggestions should contact Station Manager Jim Clark at 561-822-1867.