THIS WEEK IN PALM BEACH
April 7, 2017 Edition - The News Palm Beachers Need to Know 
Civic Association
Annual Meeting &
End-of-Season Celebration

CALL TODAY TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION!
 
State of Palm Beach Address
 
Mayor Gail Coniglio

Monday April 24, 2017 
10:00 AM

Henry Morrison Flagler Museum
One Whitehall Way

Community Invited
Everyone Welcome

Directly following the Annual Meeting join us for the End of Season Celebration
- A Champagne & Mimosa Party -

Please RSVP 561-655-0820 
or register online at

CIVIC ASSOCIATION
Thanks Our Partners
Good Samaritan Medical Center
Scripps Florida
The Everglades Foundation
Thanks Our Sponsors 
Henry Morrison Flagler Museum
Hospital for Special Surgery 
Linda R. Olsson, Inc., Realtor
 
PRESIDENTIAL VISITS
UPDATE 4-7-2017 - 9:00 AM
Visit by Presidents Will Snarl Traffic &
Close Parking Areas
Mar-a-Lago Roadblock
Traffic delays and closures are expected on April 6 and 7 due to a visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping and According to the press secretary's office, President Trump will lead an "expanded bilateral meeting" with President Xi Jinping of China at 10:30 a.m. At noon, the two presidents are scheduled to have a working luncheon. Both meetings will take place at Mar-a-Lago. 
Arrivals of Trump, Xi Draw Fans, Traffic, Protests, 5 Arrests
As Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived Thursday afternoon for meetings with President Donald Trump, three people were arrested on obstruction charges when they tried to run into, or in front of, the motorcade bringing Xi from Palm Beach International Airport to the Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa in Manalapan, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said. 
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
Trump, Chinese President's Palm Beach Visit to Get Security Help from Broward Sheriff's Office
Broward Sheriff
Broward County reinforcements are being called in to help Palm Beach County with increased security demands expected from President Donald Trump's visit Thursday and Friday with the president of China.
Read More (Sun-Sentinel)
Falun Gong protesters hope to make statement at Bingham Island today
Iris Lu Protest
Courtesy Tony Marrero /Times
Tampa resident Yuanquin "Iris" Lu has one goal for when she comes to Bingham Island today: Convince Chinese President Xi Jinping to let her mother out of jail.
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
Tourism Execs Hope President Xi Jinping's Visit Raises County Profile
Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa
When Chinese President Xi Jinping comes to town this week to meet with President Donald Trump, he'll be staying at one of South Florida's most luxurious and award-winning vacation spots - the beachfront Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan.
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
NEW: Trump Won't Pay for Mar-a-Lago Trips Out of Pocket, Spokesman Said
Mar-a-Lago
Don't expect President Donald Trump to pay for travel to and security costs at Mar-a-Lago from his own pocket. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Monday President Donald Trump has essentially given at the office.
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
These popular Parks Will Close as China's President Visits Trump
Phipps Ocean Park
Two popular local beachfront parks will close for two days as Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach this week.

Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
Worth Avenue Expects Shoppers with Chinese Presidential Visit
The Worth Avenue Association is hoping for a bump in business this week during a visit from President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
UNDERGROUNDING
CIVIC ASSOCIATION 
UN DERGROUNDING FORUM
2017 Undergrounding Meeting
By Michele Dargan, Special for the Civic Association 

[SEE VIDEO] More than 50 people filled the Palm Beach Civic Association's Community Room Wednesday to get the latest information and hear responses to their questions regarding the estimated $98.6 million project to bury the town's utility lines.  
Decisions Due Soon on First Phase of Utilities Project in Palm Beach
After years of study, the clock is ticking toward decision time for the first phase of a town-wide conversion to underground utilities.

Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
Undergrounding Forum Sparks Concerns Over Transformers
utility box transformer
Many questions remain about the town-wide undergrounding project, as two forums on the project showed this week.
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
CIVIC ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP SERIES
Fiji Water Founder David H. Gilmour 
Talks About His Life to Civic Association Directors & Members
David Gilmour Luncheon
Bob Wright & David Gilmour
By Michele Dargan, Special for the Civic Association 

[SEE VIDEO] Canadian-born entrepreneur David H. Gilmour says Americans need to "wake up" in the areas of education and health. "We need to pull together and get our priorities straight and realize that education is the future of this country," he said. "The second thing is health...Within two or three years, one out of three Americans will have diabetes.

In 1990, obesity was 10 percent. This year it's 35 percent. It's the processed food we're getting."
TOWN of PALM BEACH
Summer Public Works Forecast: Fewer Projects Should Ease Traffic
After several summers of heavy construction, this summer's work load will be much lighter, a town official said Friday.
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
Private Beach-Access Points May Fall Under Town's Purview
For a long time, if residents wanted to spruce up a public beach access, they could, and with very little oversight from the town. That may change.

Read More (Palm Beach Daily News) 
State Legislative Alerts Available on Town Website
Town Website
The Town of Palm Beach is closely tracking several bills being considered by the Florida State Legislature that would negatively impact "home rule", which is the ability for cities and towns to govern at the local level.  
Read More (Town of Palm Beach)
Neighborhood Act Taken Out of 
Comprehensive Plan  
Comprehensive Plan
 
Saying it needs to learn more before making a decision, the Town Council has struck all references to the Safe Neighborhoods Act from proposed amendments to the comprehensive plan.
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
PORT of PALM BEACH
U.S. Ports Forge Alliances to Keep Their Spots on Trade Map
U.S. seaports are joining forces, setting aside decades of regional competition over cargo as a wave of consolidation in the shipping industry threatens to cut some cities out of global trade routes.
Read More (Wall Street Journal)
Mexico's Largest Railroad to Buy FEC Railway for $2.1 Billion
FEC
FEC serves the entire East Coast of the state.  It is the exclusive provider of rail service to South Florida's ports -- Port Miami, Port Everglades and the Port of Palm Beach.
Read More (News 4 Jax)
HURRICANE
Update: No Models Forecast Hurricane Matthew's Cat 5 Power
Hurricane Matthew's incredible rapid intensification to a Category 5 storm was not predicted by any of the forecast models used by National Hurricane Center experts, taking meteorologists by surprise when its winds reached 165 mph in a 24-hour period.
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)

MEETINGS & EVENTS
Wednesday, April 12, 9:30 AM
Town Council Meeting-Development Review
Town Council Chambers
 
Thursday, April 13, 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Town Council Meeting-Regular Business
Town Council Chambers
 
Tuesday, April 18, 9:30 AM
Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Town Council Chambers
 
Wednesday, April 19, 9:30 AM
Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) Meeting
Town Council Chambers
 
Thursday, April 20, 2:00 PM
Code Enforcement Board Meeting
Town Council Chambers
 
Monday, April 24, 10:00 AM
Annual Meeting and End-of-Season Celebration
Followed by Board of Directors Meeting at 11:15 AM
Henry Morrison Flagler Museum
 
Wednesday, April 26, 9:00 AM
Architectural Commission (ARCOM) Meeting
Town Council Chambers

Thursday, April 27, 2017, 9:00 AM
Shore Protection Board Meeting
Town Council Chambers
LIGHT IT UP BLUE FOR AUTISM AWARENESS
White House Goes Blue for Suzanne Wright
White House
Courtesy Lincoln Photography
Fulfilling a promise made in 2016 by Donald Trump to the late Suzanne Wright, co-founder of Autism Speaks, the White House joined hundreds of iconic landmarks around the globe to Light It Up Blue on April 2, 2017 in honor of World Autism Awareness Day.  Bob Wright, Civic Association CEO and co-founder of Autism Speaks said, "Thank you to President Trump for a beautiful tribute to Suzanne and the entire Autism community."
Read More (Autism Speaks)
Civic Association Lights Up the Paramount Theater Building
Paramount Blue
Watch for the "Light It Up Blue" campaign! The Civic Association and Paramount Theater Building in the Town of Palm Beach have lit up the building with blue light. Drive by tonight!
CIVIC
 ASSOCIATION
DIRECTORS IN THE NEWS
Leo & Kathryn Vecellio Named Community Leaders of the Year
Leo, a Civic Association director, and Kathryn Vecellio are the recipients of the 2017 Community Leaders of the Year Award, sponsored by Bill Bone of Larmoyeux & Bone and Awarded by the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches
Read More (Palm Beach Post)
Christine Aylward Helping 
Chinese Media
Christine & Bill Aylward
Christine Aylward, who was born and raised in China and is a Civic Association director, is the local go-to person for Chinese media.
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
DROUGHT
Lake Okeechobee's Water Level Drops Below Targeted Range, Raising Water Supply Concerns
Lake Okeechobee
Lingering dry weather has dropped Lake O's water level below the minimum range targeted to back up South Florida's drinking water supply. 
Read More (Sun Sentinel)
Officials: Lack of Rain Poses
Wildfire Threat
Florida wildfire
A prolonged dry spell in South Florida has state officials warning residents that wildfire activity is at its highest level since 2011 and more than double what was experienced in 2016.
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
ZIKA VIRUS
Zika Poses Even Greater Risk for Birth Defects Than Previously Known, CDC Reports
About 1 in 10 pregnant women infected with Zika in the United States last year had a baby or fetus with serious birth defects, according to a study released Tuesday that represents the largest and most comprehensive study of Zika's consequences for pregnant women.
Read More (Sun Sentinel)
PUBLIC SAFETY
Town of Palm Beach Alerts Residents To Be Aware of "Can You Hear Me" Scams
The Town is alerting residents to be aware of "Can You Hear Me" scams which is being perpetrated by callers seeking to get victims to say the word "yes" during a call and later use a recording of the response to authorize unwanted charges on the victim's utility or credit card account. 
Read More (Town of Palm Beach)
Palm Beach Police Department Adding Bike and Segway Patrols
police
The Palm Beach Police Department's Parking Enforcement Unit is getting new faces and new wheels this month.
Read More (Palm Beach Daily News)
GOOD SAMARITAN MEDICAL CENTER
From Breast Cancer Tumor Removal to the Dance Floor in Three Days
Recently retired first grade teacher, Renee Drake, has always stayed on top of her health.  At 69 years old, she makes sure to eat right, exercise, and every year like clockwork, she makes an appointment for her annual mammogram.
Read More (Good Samaritan)
SCRIPPS FLORIDA
Scientists Discover New Class of Anti-Diabetes Compounds that Reduce Liver Glucose Production
Pat Griffin
Pat Griffin
Scientists may have found a new tool for studying-and maybe even treating-Type 2 diabetes, the form of diabetes considered responsible for close to 95 percent of cases in the United States.
Read More (Scripps Florida)
EVERGLADES FOUNDATION
Negron Offers Compromise Plan to Build Everglades Reservoir - State-Owned and Leased Land
Joe Negron
Joe Negron
Senate President Joe Negron on Tuesday filed a sweeping rewrite to his top priority legislation to build a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee by abandoning plans to buy up to 60,000 acres of agriculture land and rely instead on state-owned and state-leased sugar fields to store and clean water to be sent into Florida Bay.
Read More (Bradenton Herald)
Palm Beach Recreation Department
To Visit
Recreation 
Department
Site
Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce 
To See 
Chamber Events 
Palm Beach Civic Association | 561-655-0820 | mikebrown@palmbeachcivic.org | http://www.palmbeachcivic.org

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