THIS WEEK IN PALM BEACH
January 26, 2018 Edition - The News Palm Beachers Need to Know 
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SEE THIS WEEK'S VIDEO
This Week's video includes highlights, an interview with the Frisbie Group, images, and videos of the news shown here.
Palm Beach to Reap Savings on 
Utility Conversion Project
Undergrounding 1-24-18
A change in how the cost of conversion from overhead to underground power lines is calculated will save Palm Beach, Palm Beach Shores and four other municipalities an estimated $14 million. Palm Beach expects its share of the savings to fall between $3.3 million and $6 million, Town Manager Tom Bradford said.
Judge Throws Out Motion to 
Dismiss Utilities Lawsuit
Circuit Judge Cymonie Rowe
Judge Cymonie Rowe
A judge has thrown out Palm Beach's request to dismiss a lawsuit that challenges the town's process leading up to its undergrounding decision. Residents Carol Kosberg and Michael Scharf filed the class-action suit over the summer complaining that the information behind the undergrounding was misleading and based on a consultant's "arbitrary assessment methodology."
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
TOWN of PALM BEACH
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging New Palm Beach Recreation Center
A judge has dismissed a lawsuit that has stalled construction of a new recreation center. In a decision released Tuesday, Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Donald Hafele found that residents Christine Watkins and Anne Pepper lacked legal standing, which means they didn't demonstrate sufficient connection to, and harm from, the action they were challenging.
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
Midtown Beach Erosion Plan 
in the Works
Beach Erosion Midtown
We've been reporting about the extreme erosion at the southern end of Midtown Beach that has the beach access closed and waves coming over the seawall. At the Town's Shore Protection Board meeting this week a plan was presented by Publc Works.
Read More (Civic Association News)
Palm Beach Rolls Out New Website, Working on Mobile App
town website
When Palm Beach town officials decided to update their website, they made sure not to change it too much. Sprucing up a website that has been successful is a good idea, Deputy Town Manager Jay Boodheshwar said. 
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
Town Council Actions
Town of Palm Beach logo
To view the summary of actions taken at this month's Town Council meetings, please click on the applicable link below.
January 9, 2018
community forum 2018








March 1, 2018

10 A.M.

A Conversation with New Palm Beach
Town Manager Kirk Blouin 

Hear the Candidates for Town Council
Lew Crampton and Harris Fried 

Councilmembers
Share their Vision for the Future of 
Palm Beach
Bobbie Lindsay & Maggie Zeidman 

Learn the latest on Palm Beach Issues
Meet town leaders and candidates
Get your questions answered

Location:
Bethesda-by-the-Sea

Free and Open to the Public, Valet Parking

or Call
561-655-0820

BRIGHTLINE
Brightline Outlines Safety Campaign After 4 People Killed by Trains
Brightline crossing
Officials with Brightline held a Friday news conference to address recent safety concerns following multiple deaths from the high-speed trains. Brightline officials said at a 10 a.m. news conference in Boca Raton that they want to bring awareness and enhance education about rail safety.
Read More (WPTV)
Mast Wants Brightline Shut Down for Safety Review; Nelson Calls for 
Federal Investigation
Mast & Nelson
U.S. Rep. Brian Mast on Thursday called for Brightline to shut down its passenger railroad until its "safety flaws" are fixed. On Wednesday, just hours after the death of Jeffrey D. King, 51, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, called on U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to launch an investigation into the safety of higher-speed railroad crossings.  
PRESIDENTIAL VISITS
Hundreds of Anti-Donald Trump Protesters March in Palm Beach
 Greg Lovett  The Palm Beach Post
(Greg Lovett / The Palm Beach Post)
By noon, on the one-year anniversary of President Trump's inauguration, about 750 protesters had gathered for what they called The Inaugural Impeachment March to Mar-a-Lago.
Protesters Didn't Hurt 
Worth Avenue Business
A customer called business owner Marley Herring on Saturday because she was worried that the roughly 750 people at the nearby protest against President Donald Trump would cause too much traffic to get into Marley's Palm Beach Collection to shop.
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
CIVIC ASSOCIATION
DIRECTORS IN THE NEWS
Bob & Susan Wright Host Civic Association Major Donor Reception
Susan & Bob Wright

Palm Beach Civic Association's Major Donors were celebrated for their support on January 23, 2018 at a spirited cocktail reception at the Palm Beach home of Susan and Bob Wright, Chairman and CEO of the Civic Association.
Nearly 120 guests enjoyed conversation, cocktails, and hors d'oeuvres at the Fourth Annual Major Donors Reception.

The Burger Diplomat
George Coohon Jewish Review Cover
Few of the hundreds of thousands of families eagerly lining the downtown route for Toronto's annual "original" Santa Clause parade will know how much they have to thank a plucky Jewish kid from Chicago's south side for this cherished tradition of holiday fun. Today, a distinguished octogenarian, Civic Association Director George Cohon, the founder of McDonald's in Canada and Russia, is a businessperson and philanthropist of legendary success. 
Read More (Jewish Review)
Bob Wright Guest Speaker at Town Public Safety Leadership Series 
Bob Wright Leadership Public Safety
Bob Wright, CEO of the Palm Beach Civic Association, spoke about his career and his philanthropic endeavors to members of the Palm Beach Police and Fire-Rescue departments Wednesday in the Civic Association's conference room.
The discussion was part of the Town of Palm Beach Public Safety Leadership Series, which is designed to have community leaders share their success stories with public safety employees in an effort to help develop future department leaders.
Hernandez Case Called the Most Surprising Murder Story in 25 Years
James Patterson
James Patterson
James Patterson was crying. He had talked with police officers, interviewed football coaches and stood in the prison cell where Aaron Hernandez hung himself. But what broke him, Patterson said, was talking to the mother of Odin Lloyd, the man who Hernandez was convicted of shooting to death in 2013.
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
ENVIRONMENT
West Palm Beach Achieves Favorable Legal Outcome in Fight to Protect Grassy Water Preserve
The City of West Palm Beach has achieved a favorable legal outcome in its effort to protect the environmental quality of Grassy Waters Preserve, a 23-square mile remnant of the Everglades, home to protected and endangered species, an Aquatic Resource of National Importance and the source of drinking water for the City of West Palm Beach, the Town of Palm Beach and the Town of South Palm Beach.
Read More (West Palm Beach)

MEETINGS & EVENTS
    
February 2, 2018, 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
A Cup of Joe with Bo - Undergrounding Phase 1 - South
South Fire Rescue Station

February 2, 2018, Noon
Civic Association Ambassador Series Luncheon
By Invitation Only
Café L'Europe

February 5, 2018, 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Coffee with the Crew - Undergrounding Phase 1 - North
Annie's Dock
 
February 6, 2018, 9:00 AM
Underground Utility Task Force Meeting
Town Council Chambers
 
Thursday, February 8, 10:30 AM
Private Tour and Reception
Demonstration Gardens of The Society of the Four Arts
 
Monday, February 12, 2018, 11:00 AM - 2 PM
2018 Civic Association Annual Awards Luncheon & VIP Reception
The Breakers

February 13, 2018, 9:30 AM
Town Council Meeting-Regular Business
Town Council Chambers
 
February 14, 2018, 9:30 AM
Town Council Meeting-Development Review Matters
Town Council Chambers

IN MEMORIAM
Civic Association Director Edward McLaughlin
Edward McLaughlin
Edward F. McLaughlin
1926- 2018
The Palm Beach Civic Association acknowledges with deep appreciation the exceptional life and service of Civic Association Director Edward F. McLaughlin who died on January 18, 2018 in Palm Beach. He was 91.
Read More (Civic Association News)
HEALTHCARE
Florida flu: Increases Observed in All Regions
Flu Cases
Forty-nine out of 50 states are reporting widespread influenza.
Read More (Outbreak News Today)
The Palm Beach Civic Association
and the Palm Beach Garden Club
  
invite you to join us 
for a
   
Private Tour and Reception

Signature Events are a benefit of Civic Association membership.
 
For additional information, contact us: 561-655-0820
Four Arts Garden
Demonstration Gardens of 
The Society of the Four Arts
   
Thursday, February 8th
10:30am
   
Kindly respond on or before February 5th
561.655.0820

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
WEST PALM DEVELOPS
No More
Flagler Shore? Local Forms Group to Oppose WPB
Fix Flagler!
A local businessman has organized a group to kick sand in the West Palm Beach Flagler Shore project. Robert Garvy, formerly chairman of Intech Investments, has created a non-profit group, Fix Flagler! and a website, fixflagler.org, to rally citizen opposition to the urban experiment.
Read More (Palm Beach Post)
State of the City: Mayor Touts
West Palm
Mayor Jeri Muoio
Term-limited Mayor Jeri Muoio on Wednesday described West Palm Beach as on the base path to transformative change in the face of skepticism, a world class city in the making.
Read More (Palm Beach Post)
State OKs Making S. Dixie Highway a Two-Lane Road Leading into Core of West Palm
South Dixie After changes
A redesigned South Dixie Highway, with fewer travel lanes but a central turn lane, on-street parking for businesses, more landscaping and room for pedestrians and bicyclists, has won approval from the state's district transportation office.
Read More (Palm Beach Post)
ROYAL POINCIANA WAY
Construction in Full Swing on Former Testa Land
Testas construction 1-24-18
The Frisbie Group is hard at work on the former Testa land. See the video and photos.
Read More (Civic Association News)
Maven Now Open
Maven
Maven's opened on Royal Poinciana Way for lunch and dinner in the old Nick & Johnnie's restaurant space.
Read More (Civic Association News)
Business Openings Continue at Royal Poinciana Plaza
royal poinciana
The Royal Poinciana Plaza continues to round into form as there are now only about a half dozen businesses still to open their doors and complete the plaza's reinvention. 
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
PORT of PALM BEACH
Enright Elected Port of Palm Beach Chair
Dr. Jean Enright
Jean Enright
Jean Enright was elected Thursday as the new chair of the Port of Palm Beach Commission. Enright joined the commission in 2005. She was re-elected in 2008, 2012 and 2016. 
Read More (Palm Beach Post)
HIH Lecture:
A Road Map to a Happy Heart
    
HIH
  
February 5th
10:30 and 2:00
 
Refreshments will be served.
561-270-4000 or

TRAFFIC
You Can Turn Left Now at
Flagler Drive
   
Lakeview Avenue and Flagler Drive
Government officials reinstated the southbound left turn at the intersection of Lakeview Avenue and Flagler Drive Monday, January 22.
Read More (Town of Palm Beach)
Self-Driving Cars Will Alter South Florida's Roads. Here's How.    
Autonomous Vehicles
In the next decade or so, your commute is going to look a lot different as self-driving cars hit South Florida's roads. Among the changes you can expect: narrower lanes, flyover ramps at intersections, fewer public parking lots and more shortcuts through neighborhoods, say local traffic managers.
Read More (Sun Sentinel)
Red-Light Cameras Could Go Dark in Florida Under Proposed Bill
Red Light Camera
If lawmakers agree, you might never have to worry about red-light cameras again. But a controversial plan to ban them is far from a sure thing. A bill by state Reps. Bryan Avila, R-Hialeah, and Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, calls for pulling the plug on the devices by July 2021. 
Read More (Sun Sentinel)
SCRIPPS FLORIDA
Scripps Florida Making Headway with New Companies and Potential Drugs
Scripps Florida, the research institute that began operating in Jupiter about a decade ago, is finally making headway in spinning off or internally growing companies that are developing new drugs.
Read More (Sun Sentinel)
Palm Beach Recreation Center
Palm Beach Recreation Department
To Visit
Recreation 
Department
Site
Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce 
To See 
Chamber Events