“Appreciating the Dream” In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The City of Riviera Beach, Riviera Beach Parks & Recreation, Youth Empowerment, and Riviera Beach CRA are uniting in planning activities to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The year 2020 can be best summarized by one of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” The past year has certainly been a challenge with the uncertainty of COVID, many businesses struggling or closing, and families managing remote learning.
This is the perfect time to appreciate each other and reflect on all that Martin Luther King, Jr. did through his lifetime. One of the things we have witnessed in our city is the desire to answer this question posed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?" So with that in mind, we want to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the following activities around the City of Riviera Beach:
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 @ 6pm-7pm - Virtual Viewing of the film, Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/788394741
United States: (571) 317-3122
Access Code: 788-394-741
Presented by the City of Riviera Beach Library.
Thursday, January 21, 2021 - A Virtual Book Discussion on book titled, "Dear Martin," by Nic Stone. (Session 1) https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/160302917
United States: (872) 240-3212
Access Code: 160-302-917
Narrated by Rodney Freeman
Presented by the City of Riviera Beach Library.
Saturday, January 23, 2021 @ 6:00pm-8:30pm (Gates open at 5pm) - Community Drive-in Movie Night: @UPS Lot on Blue Heron Blvd. (CDC Guidelines enforced) (Family event: Disney Pixar's Soul) Presented by City of Riviera Beach Parks and Recreation Department.
Thursday, January 28, 2021 - A Virtual Book Discussion on book titled, "Dear Martin," by Nic Stone. (Session 2) https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/864003757
United States: (872) 240-3311
Access Code: 864-003-757
Narrated by Author Nic Stone
Presented by the City of Riviera Beach Library.
Friday, January 29, 2021 @ 6:00pm-8:30pm (Gates open at 5pm) - Community Drive-in Movie Night: @UPS Lot on Blue Heron Blvd. (CDC Guidelines enforced) (Family event: Selma) Presented by City of Riviera Beach Parks and Recreation Department.
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The Riviera Beach CRA Clean and Safe Free Smart Home Tool Kit Program delivers a package to enhance safety for community. |
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The Riviera Beach CRA's Clean and Safe Program brings to you for free the Smart Home ToolKit. Smart Home coordinates and delivers items in a package that enhances the safety for families in the community. One of the Clean and Safe strategies in neighborhoods is to encourage the community to work together as a team. The goal for this project is to increase safety and security, reduce and prevent crime, and enhance the Neighborhood Watch Program experience.
The residents or homeowner that applies for this program must live in the Riviera Beach CRA District, have internet service and a smartphone, willing to be an active participate in the installation of the service, and an active member of the Neighborhood Watch Program. Once the resident has completed the application and deemed eligible for the tool kit, they will receive free:
- Exterior Motion Sensor Lights – Strategically placed lighting makes your home more secure against burglars.
- Smoke Detector – Provided by our partnership with the Red Cross to supply the smoke detectors and the Riviera Beach Fire Department to help with installation.
- SmartWater – A traceable liquid applied to deter theft and identify offenders for prosecution.
- Ring Doorbell – Detects motion when people come to your home and notifies you on your smartphone
- Uniform Address Numbers – Code-compliant house numbers to enhance visibility for safety personnel.
- Yard/Window Signage – Visible deterrent to discourage burglars.
We are happy to partner with the American Red Cross for this program as they have donated over 100 smoke alarms to the Riviera Beach CRA residents, plus fire escape planning materials, home fire checklists and more. These items will be given to each household when all items are installed. The Riviera Beach Fire Department has also donated their time to this project as they will be assisting with installation of all smoke alarms and testing them to make sure they are ready to be used.
We will be accepting new applications for this program online at www.rbcra.com. You can also pick up a paper copy at the Riviera Beach CRA office at 2001 Broadway, Suite 300 Riviera Beach, FL 33404.
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Calling all Commercial Property Owners in the Riviera Beach CRA District
The CRA Property Improvement and Beautification Grant Programs provides commercial property owners with financial assistance (grant) to improve their external appearance of their properties along the major right-of-way corridors in the CRA.
The Property Improvement Grant Program has grants for applicants up to $40,000 based on $1 private for every $4 in public funds match criteria. Funding can be used for exterior renovation, restoration and rehabilitation as well as landscaping improvements. The Property Beautification Grant Program allows the CRA to fund 100% of the cost to paint landscape, and/or pressure clean an existing building in the Riviera Beach CRA, up to $4,000. Labor and materials may be contributed by the CRA in lieu of all or a portion of the grant award.
Virtual session will be held on January 21, 2021 through Go To Meeting. Applications are due to the Riviera Beach CRA at 2001 Broadway, Suite 300 Riviera Beach, FL 33404 by February 25, 2021. If you have any questions on the program, please call the Riviera Beach CRA office at 561-844-3408 and ask to speak with Andre Lewis, Senior Project Manager.
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Riviera Beach Homebuyer’s Club
The Riviera Beach CRA and RBCDC will host a Homebuyers Club to encourage homeownership. The purpose of the Homebuyers Club is to help you navigate the home buying process and partner with you to ensure that you have the tools needed to purchase your first home.
Each meeting provides helpful information about the following:
- Home loans
- Credit reports and scores
- Debt reduction
- Down payment assistance
- Title services
Don’t miss the next Homebuyers Club Meeting, which is held on the second Thursday of each month. This is your opportunity to learn more about our housing programs and submit your intake application.
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Grand Opening of a New Small Business in Riviera Beach: Smoothie Me Please
Smoothie Me Please is opening in the former Dairy Belle Location in Riviera Beach, thanks to the partnership with Riviera Beach CRA. The Riviera Beach CRA formulated an RFP to award a deserving emerging business with an opportunity to operate a 500 square foot storefront space. This process was started in 2018. The Riviera Beach CRA’s partnership comes with financial support for renovation of the previous iconic Dairy Belle Ice Cream Shop storefront space and an affordable monthly rental fee for three years. The program was designed to give small businesses a fighting chance to grow and be successful in the Riviera Beach community.
“This is especially special to me that I was given the opportunity to have this space to open Smoothie Me Please, as I grew up in Riviera Beach and frequently visited this building when it was an old ice cream shop.” said Ashley Walker, owner of Smoothie Me Please.
Ashley is honored to lead the city with its health and wellness initiatives by providing healthier food and beverage options. One of the items on the menu is called “The Monroe,” affectionately named after the Monroe Heights community in Riviera Beach. It’s an açaí berry smoothie bowl, topped with granola, peanut butter, sunflower kernels and fresh fruit. It is finished with a honey drizzle and coconut flakes. The colorful presentation of our food and drinks speak to the energy and creativity housed in the spirit of the neighborhoods of Riviera Beach.
The Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2021 from 10am-2pm for the City of Riviera Beach residents to experience the newest small business in this iconic spot.
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Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Named Winner for Best Annual Report in the 2020 FRA Awards
We are proud to announce that our project, Riviera Beach “The Year of Transformations and Growth,” is the 2020 winner of the Annual Reports category in the annual Florida Redevelopment Association Awards. We are incredibly grateful for this honor, and appreciate everyone whose dedication and hard work made this possible.
Focused on revitalization and redevelopment, the Riviera Beach CRA created initiatives such as commercial grant programs and small business workshops. Riviera Beach has identified their Annual Report as “The Year of Transformation and Growth” with the iconic 2600 Building at the main commercial intersection as a symbol of this revitalization.
We were also the proud recipients of the 2019 Florida Redevelopment Association Award for Cultural Enhancement to our Small City. The murals, huge, public canvases, created to enthrall the community, assume long-lasting and encouraging effects on local businesses, visitors and residents. Securing a sense of belonging, they showcase a feeling of ownership and pride in the community. Furthermore, they serve as aspirational economic engines that empower innovation to transform the City of Riviera Beach.
Each year, FRA accepts entries for the annual awards from its members in a variety of categories, ranging from annual reports to cultural enhancement. The entries are examined for effectiveness and completeness – including the narrative, supplemental material and compliance with the submittal instructions. A cross section of Florida redevelopment professionals, individuals and business organizations judge and rank all of the entries and select the winners.
The FRA recently spotlighted our organization in their newsletter. We are so honored that they took the time to highlight us this month.
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TikiMarket is every Sunday! |
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Island Eats, Exotic Treats, Calypso Beats, and “Fresh & Green Morning” Caribbean-Style Farmers Market
The TikiMarket at Marina Village in Riviera Beach is open and awaiting your arrival. Sunday mornings 10am to 3pm, this weekly family-friendly outdoor destination of live music, vendors, fresh food, and fresh seaside air has added a morning farmers market—Caribbean style.
Each week, experience farm-fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, exotic plants, creatively prepared vegan dishes, fresh-squeezed juices, coffee, mimosas, fresh coconut milk, and more. TikiMarket favorites include an array of breakfast cuisines, conch fritters, jerk chicken, and barbecue to go, and don’t forget to peruse the island-style fashions, t-shirts, jewelry, hats, and totes.
Thank you for wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing.
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Black History Month Artists Gallery at the Riviera Beach Marina Village Event Center
The Artists Showcase of the Palm Beaches and the Riviera Beach CRA are excited to partner together to bring you a Black History Month Artists Gallery at the Riviera Beach Marina Village Event Center starting February 1, 2021. Dr. Catherine Lowe, from Artists Showcase of the Palm Beaches, will have a virtual showcase through Zoom during the month and the artwork will be on display.
Dr. Catherine Lowe, who recognized the need for venues to showcase multicultural artists of color and their talents, founded "Artists Showcase of the Palm Beaches" in 1989. Artists Showcase has since emerged as one of South Florida's leading supporters, promoters, and exhibitors of emerging, multicultural, diverse artists throughout the country and abroad.
Serving an annual audience of more than 10,000 adults and children, Artists Showcase programs have become an intricate part of South Florida's art community.
In keeping with its tradition, Artists Showcase plans to continue to serve as as a catalyst for the promotion of multicultural and ethnic artists and the appreciation of visual and performing art.
To see the art gallery in person, please make an appointment by calling 561-881-7439. The artwork is for sale and information will be posted about each painting.
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Other CRA Items of Interest
Do you need an Ocean Walk Walking Buddy? Call: 561-707-9602
Do you need a Marina Village Walking Buddy? Call: 961-707-9015
Do you see something unsafe or unsightly in the District? Call: 561-693-1171
The Regular CRA Board Meeting this month will be held Wednesday, January 13, 2021, at 6pm at the Riviera Beach Marina Village Event Center.
Join our social media by click on the links below:
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