Who: The City of West Palm Beach
When: Thursday, December 4, 2008 7:00 p.m.
Where: Centennial Square - 100 block of Clematis Street

(December 2, 2008 – West Palm Beach)  The City of West Palm Beach will cheer on the Achilles FREEDOM TEAM of Wounded Vets at Clematis by Night this Thursday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m. with a pep rally in front of the stage.

The Achilles FREEDOM TEAM of Wounded Vets is preparing to compete in the Marathon of the Palm Beaches on Sunday, December 7 with twenty-nine athletes.  The wounded veterans, most who are amputees, will line up early on Marathon Day to show their strength, courage and perseverance as they participate in this long-distance running event.  Five of the veterans joining the Freedom Team this year are from the local VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach.

The City is inviting everyone to come out to Clematis by Night and support the FREEDOM TEAM by wishing them well and cheering them on.  The FREEDOM TEAM Pep Rally will begin at 7:00 p.m. in front of the Clematis by Night Stage:
- The Achilles Team members will be introduced and announced to the crowd.
- Cheerleaders from Palm Beach Atlantic University will help the crowd and team get in the spirit by performing a two-minute routine.
- The City will issue a proclamation to the Achilles FREEDOM TEAM honoring these role models who show extreme courage and inspiration as they face their challenges and victories.

CLEMATIS BY NIGHT
Clematis by Night is a FREE weekly event that features great live music, mouth-watering foods, sidewalk shopping, and fun in the fountain every Thursday night from 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. in Centennial Square, downtown West Palm Beach.  Clematis by Night is produced by the City of West Palm Beach and brought to you by Clear Channel Radio, Wachovia, The Palm Beach Post, La Palma, WPTV NewsChannel 5, Coca-Cola, Coors Light, Heineken, Samuel Adams, the West Palm Beach Marriott, and many others.  For more information, please call the City of West Palm Beach Community Events Division at 561-822-1515 or visit the website at www.clematisbynight.net.

ABOUT ACHILLES
Achilles International is dedicated to enabling people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics, thereby promoting personal achievement, enhanced self-esteem, and the lowering of barriers between able-bodied and disabled people. Founded in 1983 as a running club, this worldwide organization is represented in over 70 countries.  The Achilles FREEDOM TEAM of Wounded Veterans introduces recently wounded soldiers from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan to running.  Founded in early 2004 by Achilles VP Mary Bryant, the program provides motivation, training, and the opportunity to rebuild strength and endurance while healing through distance running events. Their rehabilitation is enhanced through physical activity, goal setting, and personal achievement alongside Achilles athletes who are peer mentors.  For more information, please visit www.achillestrackclub.org/freedom_team.

Palm Beach County – Palm Beach County traffic will be affected this week by ongoing construction projects and maintenance work, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officials report. Weather permitting; closures will be in effect on I-95, Southern Blvd. (SR80) and in other areas throughout Palm Beach County for construction activities. Click here to view the report

For around-the-clock, real-time, traffic information within the tri-county area (Palm Beach, Broward and Miami Dade counties), travelers should call 511. For I-95 Palm Beach County traffic reports just say “I-95” or “Interstate 95″. Information is also available on-line at www.511southflorida.com.

To view real-time video of I-95 in Palm Beach County, visit the FDOT I-95 Interim Traffic Management System (ITMS) website at www.palmbeachcotraffic.org. These free services are provided by FDOT and the SunGuide™ Partners. For updated lane closure information, please refer to www.pbfdot.com.

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

WHO:      The City of West Palm Beach, Community Events Division

WHAT:    The City of West Palm Beach is getting ready to rock around the holiday tree!  The City’s real holiday tree will roll into downtown West Palm Beach on Monday, December 1.  This 40-ft blue spruce from Beech Mountain, North Carolina is the largest 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, December 11 at 7:30 p.m. along with a menorah and kinara.  The holiday celebrations will also include the 3rd Annual West Palm Beach Mayor’s Parade down Clematis Street at 6:30 p.m., an illuminated light canopy, great live entertainment, lots of kid’s activities, a visit from Santa and much more!

WHEN:    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.

Monday, December 1, 2008
9:00 am            Tree Arrives in Centennial Square
9:00 am – 10:30 am    Hoisting and Anchoring of Holiday Tree

Tuesday, December  2 & Wednesday, December 3, 2008
9:00 am – noon        Decorating of Holiday Tree

WHERE:    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 3rd Annual West Palm Beach Mayor’s Parade presented by Good Samaritan Medical Center.  Additional sponsors included The Palm Beach Post, KOOL 105.5 fm, WPTV NewsChannel 5, Wachovia, 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.

WPB Shares Free Holiday Meal & Cheer with Less Fortunate Neighbors

WHO: The City of West Palm Beach
WHAT: SHARE-A-SUPPER THANKSGIVING FEAST
The City of West Palm Beach will present its annual Share-A-Supper Thanksgiving feast for its less fortunate neighbors.  During the season of giving, the City is honored to host this special dinner that helps spread some cheer to its residents in need.  

For the 17th consecutive year, the City will once again serve up over 1,000 complimentary Thanksgiving meals with a little joy and holiday cheer on the side.  This festive occasion includes gospel singing and dancing along with turkey and all the trimmings prepared by the Florida Culinary Institute.  Dinner will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Mayor Lois Frankel, City Commissioners, and Department Directors will all be on hand dishing out this free buffet dinner.  This heart-warming event is made possible by the commitment of all the volunteers who generously donate their time and resources to help bring Thanksgiving to the less fortunate in our community.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Pleasant City Multicultural Center Gym, 500 22nd Street, West Palm Beach - (561) 835-7050

SPONSORS: Thanksgiving dinner is prepared by the Florida Culinary Institute. Turkeys provided by CBS 12’s Project Thanksgiving and the United Way. Additional sponsors include Cheney Brothers, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Publix, Sysco, Rachel’s, Melanie Barnum of Mac Fabrics, “4 Ever Praise” Dance Group, Margaret Hawkins, Cynthia Sanders, “The Dream Builders,” Blum Foundation, and all the supporters of the Pleasant City Multicultural Community Center.

(Monday, November 24, 2008)  City of West Palm Beach Mayor Lois J. Frankel is encouraging shoppers to support our City’s merchants and throw a lifeline to locally-owned businesses by making sure they “Buy Local” this holiday season.

“When we support our local merchants, we’re supporting our community and helping put food on the table of our neighbors,” said Mayor Frankel.  “We should all do what we can to support the local economy, and spending our holiday shopping money right here in West Palm Beach is a great way to do that.”

Throughout the holiday shopping season and beyond, the City of West Palm Beach, joined by private-sector partners, will encourage shoppers to “Buy Local,” keeping their dollars in the local economy as much as possible by buying gifts and goods in local stores and from neighborhood merchants.  Local stores are also being encouraged through the Downtown Development Authority to offer discounts to holiday shoppers.

West Palm Beach is home to a wide range of unique shopping districts, from Antique Row to Clematis Street, from Northwood Village to CityPlace.  Shoppers are sure to find anything they need or the special people on their holiday shopping list at the dozens of interesting stores located throughout the City.

The City is distributing thousands of “Buy Local” stickers to support this campaign and will continue to remind shoppers to “Buy Local” in the coming months.

(11/24/08)  All City of West Palm Beach offices, including City Hall, will be closed on Thursday, November 27, 2008, and Friday, November 28, 2008, in observance of Thanksgiving.

Thursday’s residential and commercial garbage routes will be collected Friday, November 28, 2008 and Friday’s routes will be collected on Saturday, November 29, 2008.  Saturday’s routes will be collected on Saturday.

Yard Waste for Thursday will be collected Friday, November 28, 2008 and Friday’s route will be collected on Saturday, November 29, 2008.  

There will be no recycling pick up on Thursday, November 28, 2008.  Recycling will be picked up on the following Thursday, December 4, 2008.

Kids Take Part in Preparations for 17th Annual Share-A-Supper Thanksgiving Dinner

WHO:      Kids from the Pleasant City Community Center along with Chef David Pantone and Students at the Florida Culinary Institute and Mayor Lois Frankel

WHAT:    Cupcake Making Lesson - Florida Culinary Institute will be hosting kids from the Pleasant City Community Center for a lesson in cupcake making.  It’s no cake walk making desserts from scratch, but these kids are learning from the best.  The kids will also be helping Chef Pantone decorate a dessert centerpiece that will be presented at the Share-A-Supper Thanksgiving feast on Tuesday, November 25.

WHEN:    Kids Cupcake Making Lesson on: Monday, November 24, 2008 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

100 Turkeys will be cooked on Monday, November 24, 2008 from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Side Dishes for 1000 people will be cooked on Tuesday, November 25 from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.

WHERE:    Florida Culinary Institute, 2410 Metrocentre Blvd., West Palm Beach, 33407
Phone: 561-688-2001

SPONSORS:    Turkeys are provided by WPEC News 12’s Project Thanksgiving and the United Way.  Thanksgiving dinner is prepared by the Florida Culinary Institute.  Additional sponsors include Cheney Brothers, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Publix, Sysco, Rachel’s, Melanie Barnum of Mac Fabrics, “4 Ever Praise” Dance Group, Margaret Hawkins, Cynthia Sanders, “The Dream Builders,” Blum Foundation, and all the supporters of the Pleasant City Multicultural Community Center.

FUN FACTS:    Over 500 Florida Culinary students help prepare the Share-A-Supper meal.
The students fit this community outreach program into their regular curriculum.
The entire meal for over 1000 people is prepared in two days.
The bake shop turns into a mashed potato station for an entire day.
In 17 years, over 1700 turkeys have been served to over 17,000 people.

What:  Mayor, Business Leaders Announce New Campaign to Support Local Economy, Businesses
When:  Monday, November 24, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.
Where:  J. C. Harris Company, 333 Clematis Street, WPB

(11/21/08)  City of West Palm Beach Mayor Lois J. Frankel will be joined by local business leaders in announcing a new campaign to help support the local economy during the holiday shopping season and beyond.  The campaign will be announced at a press conference on Monday, November 24, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. at J.C. Harris Company, 333 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach.

The new campaign is designed to get shoppers to support local merchants, helping to save jobs and stimulate the local economy.  On Monday the 24th, the City will be distributing more than 2,000 stickers for shoppers and merchants to wear in support of the campaign.

Clematis by Night Lights Up Downtown WPB for the Holidays
Good Samaritan Medical Center Presents the 3rd Annual Mayor’s Parade down Clematis Street

(November 14, 2008 – West Palm Beach)  The City of West Palm Beach is teaming up with the Downtown Development Authority to light up downtown West Palm Beach this holiday season.  The annual Clematis by Night Holiday Lighting event will take place on Thursday, December 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with a parade down Clematis Street beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the lighting of a real holiday tree at 7:30 p.m. in Centennial Square. (more…)

City of West Palm Beach Mayor Lois J. Frankel and the City Commission are joining area residents and nearby municipalities in fighting for the quality of life in West Palm Beach neighborhoods by encouraging the Federal Aviation Administration to re-evaluate and seek alternatives to the proposed expansion of Palm Beach International Airport.

“We appreciate the airport’s value to our City and our economy, but expanding it unnecessarily will create more noise, decrease air quality and impact property values for thousands of West Palm Beach residents,” said Mayor Frankel.  “We’re proud to stand by our residents and make our voice heard.”

The City is taking issue with several of the major findings in a Federal Aviation Administration study of the proposed expansion.  It is the City’s position that:

• The expansion is unnecessary, as PBIA traffic has been steadily decreasing over the past few decades
• The expansion would lower property values in the City’s south-end neighborhoods
• The noise and pollution generated by additional planes would decrease the overall quality of life for neighbors

As most of the activity at PBIA is general aviation (private planes that do not carry commercial passenger traffic) the City believes that there are several strategies that would reduce aviation traffic and eliminate the need for any expansion.  These include pricing and fee changes which would help the airport better manage demand and potentially shift general aviation activity to near-by airports.

The City of West Palm Beach is also being joined by Mar-a-Lago and the Town of Palm Beach in supporting alternatives to the airport expansion.

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