(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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

(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.

(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.

CALENDAR LISTING:
CLEMATIS BY NIGHT HOLIDAY LIGHTING
Thursday, December 11, 2008¼br> 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
100 – 500 blocks of Clematis Street, Downtown West Palm Beach
6:30 p.m.  3rd Annual WEST PALM BEACH MAYOR’S PARADE down Clematis Street, presented by Good Samaritan Medical Center
7:30 p.m.  TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY in Centennial Square
FREE!
Produced by the City of West Palm Beach in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority
For more information:  561-822-1515 or www.clematisbynight.net

Clematis by Night is the Holiday Spot to Chill this season!  This year’s holiday celebrations in downtown West Palm Beach will include a magical parade down Clematis Street under a canopy of lights that covers five blocks.  The 3rd Annual West Palm Beach Mayor’s Parade, presented by Good Samaritan Medical Center, has become a popular holiday tradition in downtown West Palm Beach.  Then guests can watch as Mayor Frankel flips the switch and officially lights up a real holiday tree as well as a menorah and a kinara in Centennial Square.  There will be plenty of cool winter fun and excitement with kid’s activities, live entertainment, Santa’s Trolley and much more. 

The Clematis by Night Holiday Lighting is produced by the City of West Palm Beach in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority and brought to you by KOOL 105.5 fm, The Palm Beach Post, WPTV NewsChannel 5, Wachovia, Coca-Cola, Coors Light, Samuel Adams, Heineken, the West Palm Beach Marriott and many others.  For more information about this event, please contact the City of West Palm Beach, Community Events Division at 561-822-1515 or visit www.clematisbynight.net
###

Media Contact:
Amaryvis “Ryvis” Sierra
Marketing Coordinator
Phone: 561-822-1522
Cell : 561-644-7639
E-mail: asierra@wpb.org

Clematis by Night is produced by the City of West Palm Beach and brought to you by Wachovia, Clear Channel Radio, 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.

Clematis by Night Featured Entertainment
DECEMBER 2008 - FEBRUARY 2009

DECEMBER 4 - VALERIE TYSON
www.valerietysonband.com

Known as South Florida’s R&B Diva, Valerie Tyson has developed a style that fuses Jazz, R&B, Funk and Soul into a unique and delightful perfection.  Her smooth and sultry voice can be described as a cross between Anita Baker and Aretha Franklin.  Come and enjoy Valerie Tyson share her magic at Clematis by Night.  A portion of this evening’s proceeds will benefit the Achilles Track Club.

DECEMBER 11 -
HOLIDAY LIGHTING & MAYOR’S PARADE
Featuring RAQUEL WILLIAMS
www.raquelwilliamssings.com

Clematis by Night is the Holiday Spot To Chill this season as Mayor Frankel flips the magic switch and officially lights up Downtown West Palm Beach for the holidays.  Our holiday celebrations will include the 3rd Annual Mayor’s Parade presented by Good Samaritan Medical Center at 6:30 p.m. down Clematis Street, an overhead lighted canopy covering 5 blocks of Clematis Street, and the lighting of a real Holiday Tree at 7:30 p.m. in Centennial Square.  Come downtown and enjoy plenty of cool winter fun and excitement with kid’s activities, live entertainment, Santa’s Trolley and much more.  Raquel Williams, one of the area’s best known jazz singers, will get everyone into the spirit at Centennial Square with all of your holiday favorites!  A portion of this evening’s proceeds will benefit the Women of Note Chorus.

DECEMBER 18 -
VANILLA MONK
www.vanillamonk.com

Vanilla Monk is a four-piece band from Ft. Lauderdale that has morphed into a very soulful, funky, rock group.  The band has made South Florida home, frequenting numerous venues in the area and even being selected to perform at SunFest.  Departing from the norm, and bringing a new sound and a new vibe that reaches out to a wide variety of music fans, Vanilla Monk will create a true festival vibe at Clematis by Night, with lively tunes crossing the boundaries of rock, jam, jazz, and funk.  A portion of this evening’s proceeds will benefit the West Palm Beach Downtown Neighborhood Association.

DECEMBER 25 -
No CbN – HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

JANUARY 1 -
No CbN – HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

JANUARY 8 -
DEE DEE WILDE BAND
www.tropicsentertainment.com

Dee Dee Wilde is one of South Florida’s most dynamic and captivating entertainers known for her talent to sing low and sweet like Sade, tempestuous like Chaka, or dramatic like Whitney.  Dee Dee has performed as a soloist on the LP’s of some impressive artists including James Brown, Phyliss Hyman, Howard Hewitt, INXS, Gerald Albright and Gerald Alston.  Dee Dee has also had two of her own hits from her two albums, “No Way Out” and “Getaway”.   Don’t miss her group’s tight and versatile performance on the Clematis by Night stage full of warmth and good cheer.

JANUARY 15 -
MARIJAH & THE REGGAE ALLSTARS
www.marijahmusic.com

Move your feet, and your soul, to the stirring island sounds of Marijah and the Reggae Allstars.  This local artist will perform your favorite reggae tunes as well as some original songs.  Marijah will get you movin’ as she brings the groove to Reggae Night at Clematis by Night. 

JANUARY 22 -
MITCH WOODS & HIS ROCKET 88’s
www.mitchwoods.com

Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88’s are the torch bearers of the great swing American musical heritage.  Taking inspiration from the great jump n’ boogie outfits and swingin’ little big bands of the 40’s, they breathe fresh life into jump and swing with “Rock-a-boogie,” their trademark mix of jump blues, boogie woogie and rockabilly. 

JANUARY 29 -
BISCUIT MILLER & THE MIX
www.biscuitmiller.com

Biscuit Miller is a born entertainer who is loaded with persona and charisma.  Biscuit, named so after eating a whole pan of his grandma’s biscuits, has pulled out a recipe from the past, and stirred in a brand new flavorful mix of funk, blues, and old style rock-n-roll soul.  Biscuit is a world-class bassist and entertainer, with a unique, fun and funky R&B soul sound that is guaranteed to satisfy your cravings for a good time.  Biscuit Miller and The Mix are ready to bring a smorgasbord of fun to Clematis by Night.

FEBRUARY 5 -
RICO MONACO & SOL SONS
www.ricomonaco.com

Rico Monaco & Sol Sons (RMSS) is an multi-award-winning Latin rock band from Orlando.  RMSS mixes Latin rhythms, rock, pop, jazz and world influences to create a unique crossover sound.  They have shared the stage with Tito Puente, Sammy Hagar, Bob Marley’s legendary Wailers, Marc Anthony and many more.  Come check out this red hot band when they showcase their Latin grooves, pop styles, and superb musicianship at Clematis by Night.

FEBRUARY 12 -
JUSTIN ENCO BAND
www.myspace.com/justinencoband

According to Justin Enco, a good song moves you, tells a story, belies a truth, leaves you vulnerable, and makes you dance.  When Justin combines these qualities with good beats, guitar mixes both electric and acoustic, poetic percussions and engaging stories the result is amazing.  This creative evolution from an open-mic night newbie to a professional musician is apparent on his album Long Drive Home, where you can hear the changes and growth Justin experienced. 

FEBRUARY 19 -
MARIO LaCASSE
www.myspace.com/themariolacasseband

This four-piece blues band describes their sound as “A Cluster Funk of Blues & Rock.”  Mario is a veteran musician known for his ability to play the right note at the right time with the right feel.   The undeniable charisma in his playing has led to comments from his peers as being THE REAL DEAL.  Come check out one of the most respected and liked guitar players in our area play his Jazzy Swamp Funk Boogie Soul Music.  A portion of this evening’s proceeds will benefit the.

FEBRUARY 26 -
SWEET JUSTICE
www.sweetjusticeband.com

It’s Reggae Night and we are feelin’ alright!  So come and check out the tropical reggae rhythms of Sweet Justice, a band on the cutting edge of reggae with an energizing sound.  This Clematis by Night favorite will bring you to your feet with their Caribbean sounds and just make you wanna move to the groove and dance the night away.  A portion of this evening’s proceeds will benefit the.

Directions to Clematis by Night
From I-95 exit east onto Okeechobee Boulevard.  Travel east on Okeechobee until you reach Quadrille Boulevard.  Turn left (north) onto Quadrille Boulevard and proceed north until you arrive at Clematis Street.  At Clematis Street make a right (east) and continue east past Olive Avenue to Centennial Square.  Centennial Square is located in the 100 block of Clematis Street between Narcissus Avenue and Flagler Drive. 

Parking
Ample public parking is available at the following City garages and surface lots at reasonable rates:

• The NEW Clematis Street Garage, located on the corner of Clematis Street and Quadrille Avenue.
• The Banyan Street Garage, located at Banyan Boulevard and Olive Avenue, just one block North of Clematis Street
• The City Hall surface parking lot, located East of City Hall at Olive Avenue and Banyan Street, just one block North of Clematis Street
• The Evernia Street Garage, located at Evernia Street and Olive Avenue, just two blocks South of Clematis Street

Numerous private parking lots in the downtown area are also available for parking and a free trolley runs round-trip from Clematis Street to CityPlace.

For more information about Clematis by Night, please call the City of West Palm Beach Community Events Division at 561-822-1515 or visit the website at www.clematisbynight.net.

Amaryvis “Ryvis” Sierra
Marketing Coordinator
Mayor’s Office, Community Events Division
City of West Palm Beach
Phone: (561) 822-1522
Cell: (561) 644-7639
Fax: (561) 822-1525
E-mail: asierra@wpb.org