This Week In Palm Beach
October 16, 2019 Edition - The News Palm Beachers Need to Know
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Palm Beach Salutes a Remarkable Man
Morton Mandel
1921-2019
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Morton Mandel with Olivia Debbs on the Oakley Debbs Field at the Rec Center
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Morton Mandel, the benefactor and namesake of the new Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach, has passed away at the age of 98.
Born in 1921, Mandel, was the chairman and CEO of Parkwood Corporation, an investment firm in Cleveland. A generous philanthropist, he received 12 honorary degrees and the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy, among many other honors.
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Land Lease Assures Money In The Coffers
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The financial health of the Town of Palm Beach has just gotten the equivalent of a b-12 shot! 28 acres of land owned by the Town, and up to this point just sitting dormant, is about to go under lease, to the tune of many millions in rent to Palm Beach.
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Town Council Sees Fit To Drop
Sea Street Study
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A proposed study of the ‘Sea Streets’ by the Landmarks Preservation Commission has been stopped dead in its tracks by homeowners. The proposal to consider the Midtown streets for landmark designation would have frozen renovations, demolitions, or additions for up to a year, for all intents and purposes giving homes on Seaview,Seaspray and Seabreeze temporary landmark status. The reaction was broad-based, immediate, and forceful. The Town Council, bombarded by e-mails, letters, and phone messages, unanimously voted to scrap the study.
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Council Putting Brakes On Tennis Fees
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The Town Council, accused of double faulting by substantially raising fees
on courts at both Phipps Ocean Tennis Center and Seaview Park, has reversed course.
Hourly rates, which are currently $9.50, would have lept to $15 dollars and annual passes for non residents from $660 dollars to a whopping $1998. The fee conversation will be served up again in Town Council in November.
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Ficus Collection and Disposal for Free?
Stay Tuned.
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We know that ficus hedges are common on Palm Beach. We are learning that the plant attracts the dreaded white fly, so aggressive spraying with pesticides is needed to hold them back. You’re likely aware of the Town’s Green Initiative, which seeks to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. But it’s expensive to take out the ficus hedges and replace them. Acknowledging this, the Town of Palm Beach is considering adding a little financial incentive.
The Town Council has requested cost estimates from the Public Works Department for collecting, transporting, and disposing of your old ficus hedges. The goal is to offer this service to residents free of charge. Early estimates show it would cost the Town about $100,000 to provide this free service. We’ll keep you posted as to whether the Town Council moves ahead on this incentive plan or not.
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As if White Fly swarming your ficus hedge wasn’t enough, the Town Arborist says there’s another pest on the attack. At last week’s Public Works Committee meeting Arborist, Richard Maxwell informed Council members and staff that Phomopsis Canker has also been found on some ficus plants on the island. This fungus is a known and always unwelcome intruder. Maxwell mentioned this secondary attacker to ficus benjamina as fodder to persuade those on the fence about removing their ficus hedges. They now have one more reason to do it.
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New Rec Center Landscaping
Will Be Non-Toxic
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In keeping with the Town of Palm Beach Green Initiative, much of the landscaping surrounding the new Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center will be native plants and trees, requiring no pesticides or fertilizers. In fact, the Town goal for native landscape materials is 25%. Yet 38% of the plantings surrounding the new Mandel Rec Center will be native. Landscape Architect Mario Nievera says exceeding the 25% goal was achievable with the use of some eye-popping natives, such as firebush, Cocoa Plum and Pigeon Plum. Even the sod or lawn to be laid surrounding the new structure will be a low maintenance variety requiring no chemicals or spraying. Look for lots of activity over the next few weeks at the site, located at 340 Seaview Avenue, as landscaping and final touches come together for the December 7 opening.
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Fitness Memberships Now Available
for Morton and Barbara Mandel Rec Center
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Coming soon on December 7 will be the unveiling of the brand-new Mandel Recreation Center at 340 Seaview Avenue. Get ready for shining new cardio equipment and weight machines, personal training, and wellness programs. All will be available at the Fitness Center to members, who can now sign up. Monthly, 3-month, 6-month, and annual memberships are being offered. If you are among the first 50 people to sign up as an annual member, you’ll become part of the Founding Fifty, making you eligible for a gift and a fixed rate through September 2021. Got questions? Call the Recreation Department at (561)838-5485
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Car Carrier ‘Do’s and Don’ts’
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It’s that time of year. The car carriers are rolling into town with the seasonal owners of these vehicles soon to follow. Or perhaps you are a seasonal resident who’s already arrived and you’re anxiously awaiting the delivery of your ‘ride’. Be advised, the Town of Palm Beach is welcoming car carriers, but ONLY in 3 spots. Residents need to direct their carrier to one of the three approved off-loading locations on the island:
• 300 Blk. N. County Rd. – west side of N. County Rd., between south of the firehouse and north of Atlantic Ave. in areas designated for on-street parking.
• 300 Blk. S. Lake Dr. – between Brazilian Ave., and Australian Ave., allowing both sides of traffic to flow (not in a lane of traffic).
• Phipps Ocean Park – in the parking lot.
Fair warning - Fines start at $125 and go up for repeat offenders.
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Directors In Action:
Nancy Brinker Takes It To The Next Level
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It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Komen Foundation founder Nancy Brinker is predictably busy. But this Civic Association Director and Healthcare Committee member is taking her charitable efforts a step beyond breast cancer awareness and treatment.
Her latest venture is called the “Promise Fund”. Its mission is to improve access to healthcare for the medically disenfranchised. Brinker and the Promise Fund are focusing on finding healthcare advocates from the communities they are trying to serve. The goal is to help people who don’t have access to healthcare to get into the system and get help. The next step for the Promise Fund is to establish relationships with doctors and hospitals who will join in the effort and provide needed medical services at an affordable cost.
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What Are Your Safety Concerns?
The Town Wants To Know
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As more and more seasonal residents return to palm Beach for the winter season, the Police Department wants to get ahead of any concerns about safety on the island. bring your questions to a Public Safety Forum, set for November 19, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Town Hall. Police Chief Nicholas Caristo will deliver a short 'State of the Town' address.
Then the floor will be opened for residents to voice to any and all concerns. Questions on car break-ins, phone scams, identity theft, and more are anticipated topics for the evening.
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Meet Palm Beach Day Academy's New Headmaster
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It is one of the prestigious positions in education, and the new headmaster of Palm Beach Day Academy knows that the education students get here will be cultivated not only in the classroom, but outside the walls of the school as well.
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Save The Date!
Palm Beach Civic Association Annual Holiday Party
Monday, December 16, 2019
To Be Held at the New
Morton And Barbara Mandel Recreation Center
Formal invitations will be mailed to all current members in November
Your Palm Beach Civic Association membership is valid for one year, and renewal requests are mailed prior to the anniversary of your last membership donation.
You may join or renew at any time by clicking
Here
.
Membership Matters
– your donations support our mission and we are grateful for your dedication!
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Thursday, October 24, 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Ordinances, Rules, and Standards Committee Meeting
Town Council Chambers
Wednesday, October 30, 9:00 AM
Architectural
Commission Meeting
Town Council Chambers
Friday, November 1, 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Cup of Joe with Bo: South Undergrounding Utilities Community Update Meeting
South Fire Rescue: Meeting Room
Monday, November 4, 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Coffee with The Crew: North Undergrounding Utilities Update Meeting
Palmo Way Park: Near the Pump Station
Tuesday, November 5, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Community Shredding & Electronics Recycling, Destruction
Identity Theft Prevention Event
Phipps Park
Wednesday,November 6, 9:00 AM
Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
Town Council Chambers
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Pumpkin, apple, mince? Get your pie and help feed a senior this Thanksgiving… we’ll tell you how, in next week’s PBCA Newsletter
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The Communications Department of the Palm Beach Civic Association proudly presents original content, on an ongoing basis, to the residents of Palm Beach. These stories and videos, like all of our initiatives, are made possible in part by our sponsors and members.
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