– For the past 26 years, the responsibility for our county roads was squarely on the shoulders of County Engineer, George T. Webb. Say what you will about our transportation infrastructure, it is clear without Webb’s steady hand and foresight, the incredible growth we have seen in Palm Beach County during his tenure would have ground traffic to a screeching halt. According to the 1990 census, Palm Beach County, which ranks as Florida’s third most populous, had 863,000 residents. Fast-forward to 2017 and it is now estimated there are over 1.4 million people calling Palm Beach County home. Webb has retired and the county and its residents owe him a debt of gratitude for being able to prioritize the limited highway funding in an effective manner.
– Two decades ago, a horrific accident occurred on Palmetto Park Rd killing 5 teenagers including the twin sister of Rep. Emily Slosberg, who herself was seriously injured. Like her father, former Rep. Irv Slosberg, Emily has made it her mission to make our roads safer. She is currently championing two initiatives. The first, to give police the ability to address texting while driving as a primary offense to help combat distracted driving (responsible for a 45% increase in automobile accident injuries within Palm Beach County in 2016). She also would like to see the legislature consider reducing the amount of time it is legal to leave an unattended child in a parked vehicle. The law currently allows a child to be left in a vehicle for 15 minutes. In South Florida, it doesn’t take very long for the interior temperature to become life threatening. Slosberg stopped by city hall to update the Council on her efforts.
– Speaking of transportation (seems like a common theme so far), during a meeting of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (responsible for making regional planning decisions impacting Boca Raton), US House Member Brian Mast (R-FL-18) promised, as a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to see that South Florida gets the funding needed to continue the match our population growth with infrastructure improvements.
– A big thank you to the corporate staff of the Hair Club, based in Boca Raton. They recently spent the day cleaning up several miles of beaches at the South Inlet Park. The enthusiastic group was participating in the company’s growing Pay It Forward program, which was launched two years ago. Throughout the day, nearly 40 employees logged close to 50 volunteer hours in support of the initiative.
– You can tell it’s summer with a celebration of National Vanilla Ice Cream Day and National Carousel Day. Each year, in July 25th, carousel aficionados unite across the country for National Carousel Day and National Carousel Day during the same week. I suppose the best way to celebrate would be to eat a vanilla ice cream cone on the Sugar Sand Park Carousel (that is, if food is allowed on the ride).
– The City of Boca Raton is, again, proud to be part of the National Backpack Program (in its 17th year), sponsored by Office Depot Foundation. The beginning of a new school year is full of excitement and hope. But for families who can’t afford to provide the bare necessities to their children, it’s often a time for stress and concern.
– Under the direction of ODF president, Mary Wong, the program helps deserving kids by donating sturdy and colorful backpacks containing essential school supplies across the country. When families have to make a choice purchasing school supplies and putting food on the table, it’s obvious how meaningful this program can be.
– Sackpack recipients include nonprofit organizations, schools, government officials and others who are dedicated to helping children start the school year with dignity and hope. In some cases, the backpacks are used by ODF partner, Boca Helping hands, for weekend feeding programs – giving children another measure of security.
– As our city continues to grow (96,000 and counting) our community police force must too. Members of the City Council joined community members in welcoming 9 new sworn officers to the Boca Raton Police Services Department. Our city is fortunate at the caliber of the candidates they are able to attract for these important positions. We thank all of our first responders (police and fire) for all they do to protect and serve our community.
– Boca Chamber Festival Days is just around the corner. The lead off event on August 1st will be the Boca Raton Bowl Idol contest. Eight competitors, selected by an online voting competition, will appear at the Tilted Kilt. From the eight, 3 finalists will be selected and those three finalists will compete for the opportunity to perform the National anthem prior to the playing of the 2017 Boca Raton Bowl on December 19th at FAU Stadium. Admission is a $10.00 donation to support Spirit of Giving‘s Back to School Bash 2017. For a complete list of the BCFD events (throughout the month of August where profit and non-profit members pare up to create a fund event to raise awareness and funding for many important causes) go to http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/boca-raton/fl-brf-festival-0726-20170725-story.html
– The community is invited to support FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine through the 7th annual “White Coats-4-Care” donor appreciation and fund raising reception on Thursday, August 3rd from 5:30 – 7:30 PM at FAU Stadium in the Delray Acura Club (777 Glades Rd Boca Raton FL). The “thank you” reception is hosted for those who underwrite white coats for the 2017 class and donate scholarship funds to equip students with the tools they need to begin their medical education and launch their careers. The reception is by invitation-only for supporters who pledge or donate a minimum per-person gift of $200 to dedicate a white coat for a new medical student or a choice of other contribution opportunities. Contact Jon or Bonnie Kaye (Kaye Communications) at 561.392.5166.
– The City of Boca Raton’s Summer in the City series at Mizner Park Amphitheatre continues on Friday, August 4th with a tribute to Fleetwood Mac by Dreams: Crystal Visions. The School of Rock will open for them at 7:30 PM and the music of Fleetwood Mac will begin around 8 PM. The following week (Friday, August 11th) it will be a tribute to Bob Marley by Ruffhouse. Same schedule as the previous week. Finally, the series ends, as it began, with The Symphonia of Boca Raton on Saturday, August 12th at 8 PM. They will be performing the music from 2001, A Space Odyssey.
– Do you have an event (past or future) you’d like mentioned, drop me a note at RobertWeinroth@gmail.com — and we are posting events in and around our city on twitter at @BocaCalendar – follow us!