Palm Beach Civic Association Newsletter

This Week In Palm Beach

January 8, 2020

2020 Global Speakers Series

Kicks off January 13th

Migration Policy: A Global Crisis

Palm Beach Civic Association Director

Austin Fragomen

Gwen Robosson

On Monday January 13 we will kick off the series with Migration Policy: A Global Crisis. Attorneys Austin Fragomen and Gwen Robosson will address immigration issues and policies impacting us internationally. Click here to learn more.

The event is sponsored by The Stanley M. Rumbough, Jr. Legacy Society Fund.

The Palm Beach Civic Association offers our members the benefit of hearing from dynamic speakers - many who are our members, directors, and residents of Palm Beach. In past years, ambassadors, authors, and significant leaders have enriched us all with their experiences and insights.

This year's Global Speaker Series will focus on issues impacting our world. Immigration - National Security and Intelligence - Our Ocean and Environment - and Finance and Philanthropy. For information on the 2020 Global Speaker Series please visit our website or click here.

The Speaker Series Luncheons are a benefit of membership at the Supporting Benefactor ($2500) level and above. To learn more about Palm Beach Civic Association membership, click here.

"A Nose For Trouble"

Palm Beach Civic Association Treasurer, Michael Ainslie will share insights from his new Book, A Nose for Trouble, on January 27th, at Club Colette. The book talk and reception are sponsored by Scripps Research.

A Nose for Trouble is about accepting a challenge, redefining misfortune, and rising above.

In A Nose for Trouble, Ainslie describes his personal experience with several high profile events, including the 2008 bankruptcy filing of Lehman Brothers. He offers readers a former CEO’s view of the situation surrounding the price-fixing scandal between Sotheby’s and Christie’s, a scandal that rocked the art world and sent the ex-chair of Sotheby’s to prison.

Ainslie also shares about his early beginnings in life; his career as president, CEO, and board member across numerous companies and institutions; and his work to transform kids’ lives through the Posse Foundation.

By invitation to members at the Leadership Level ($1000 and above).

Reservations Required: Please call Dana at 561-655-0820

PBCA Director Profile

Diana Barrett

Diana Barrett wants to change the world.

Whether it's in her role on the PBCA Healthcare Committee, or through her Fledging Fund developed to support socially conscious films, Barrett is on the move to improve the lives of citizens of Palm Beach, and people all over the globe.

Click here to meet the very dynamic Diana Barrett.

Packing Heat on Our Middle Bridge

They came carrying signs, pushing baby carriages and packing weapons of war.

Small in number, polite to a fault, and well versed on their second amendment rights, the members of ‘Florida Carry’ continue to flaunt a loophole in a Florida law that allows them to carry semi-automatic weapons if they are camping or fishing or hunting.

Thus the fishing poles and holstered Glocks, and thus, the discomfort law enforcement had with them walking through the green market in West Palm Beach while hundreds gathered with kids and dogs on a peaceful Saturday morning.

There were no incidents and the ‘Florida Carry’ members broke no laws.

Palm Beach Mayor Gail Coniglio and Police Chief Nick Caristo want no part of ‘Florida Carry’ on the Island and hope to pass a resolution that would prohibit display of the weapons within 1500 feet of schools, lifeguarded beaches and places of worship.

‘Florida Carry’ has sued municipalities that have challenged what they deem their Second Amendment right to bear arms.

Artificial Turf

Eco-Friendly or Not?

With the Town's Green Initiative in place, and many residents opting to go pesticide free in their gardens... lawns become less toxic, but also, less visually 'perfect'.

So one would think artificial turf might offer an aesthetically pleasing, chemical-free alternative, right? Maybe not.

Turns out there is a growing body of research showing 'off-gassing', bacterial and mold growth, and other undesirable, unhealthy side effects from installing the fake grass.

Town Council members will explore the pros and cons of replacing real grass with fake, at their next meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, January 14th at 9:30 am, in Council Chambers.

Undergrounding Delays

Phase 3 Stalled Out

The Town-wide undergrounding project has ground to a halt in the Phase Three South section.

20 percent of the property owners along what is called the Estate section from Worth Avenue south to where S. County Road meets Ocean Blvd., have refused to grant easements to allow the heavy construction needed to bury the power lines.

Members of the Town Underground Utilities Task Force are scratching their heads as to how to motivate these homeowners to grant the easements, so phase three, which is already a year behind schedule, can move forward.

Task Force members, trying to put a positive spin on a challenging situation, discussed giving public recognition to the community oriented, cooperative spirit of the 80 percent of property owners who have granted easements.

If the holdout property owners continue to refuse construction easement access, Town Manager Kirk Blouin says they will have no other choice but to skip Phase Three South for now, moving forward to Phase 4 (of 8). The consequence of that option would be that homeowners in Phase Three South would not see their power lines buried underground until 2025.

Click here to learn more, as PBCA has "Coffee with the Crew".

Your 'Eyes in the Sky

The Palm Beach Civic Association is about to provide all residents, wherever they are in the world, a live panoramic view of the Town of Palm Beach, 24 hours a day.

The Civic Association is installing two cameras on top of the South Tower of the historic Biltmore Condominium building.

These cameras will be live, 24/7. One camera will face the north bridge and the Intracoastal. The other will point toward the ocean and The Breakers.

Whether it's a hurricane, or a bridge closure... you'll be able to pull up our live camera on our website, www.palmbeachcivic.org, and click on either camera for your own, first-hand view of your Town. Coming soon!

New Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center Kicks off

Wellness Wednesdays Speaker Series

Information provided by the Town of Palm Beach:

Wellness Wednesdays will begin January 8, with speakers presenting from 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. followed by a community lunch (bring your favorite dish to share). The following speakers are scheduled to appear in January.

January 15 - Jill Merrell: Mindfulness or Mindlessness? That is the question.

J anuary 22- Rabbi Zalman Levitin, Chabad House of Palm Beach.

Rabbi Levitin begins our series of monthly discussions with spiritual leaders within our community.

January 29 - Dr. Michael Klaper presents: What I wish I learned in medical school.

Residents: $100/month or $31/drop-in Nonresident: $125/month or $39/drop-in

New Years Wishes for 2020

From PBCA Members

Maybe you made a New Years resolution. Maybe you set a few goals for 2020.

Click here to listen to members of the Palm Beach Civic Association express their hopes for the Town of Palm Beach in the new year, new decade,

SAVE THE DATE!

'A Nose for Trouble'

Book Talk with Michael Ainslie

January 27th at Club Colette