What does Valentine's Day have to do with lobsters, you ask? Maybe you have heard the old axiom that lobsters -- those romantic devils -- mate for life. Sorry to play Cupid spoiler, but not so it seems, According to the website Mental Floss, "Lobsters actually mate by a weird system of 'serial monogamy.' It’s not exactly a one-night stand, but it's certainly not mating for life. Instead, a bunch of females take turns with a locale’s dominant male, each having a fling that lasts a week or two before moving on and, if they’re not happy with the amount of genetic material he’s provided, seeking a little extra action."
Doesn't sound like male lobsters need to worry about candy and flowers. -- Gerry Gretchen Lowery, visiting from Minneapolis, basks in the 70-degree
Florida sunshine at Coral Cove Park on Friday. She enjoyed sending some snaps back to her family, where the temperature was minus-11. Yes, we love our Florida winters! (NPBL Photo) Today is Fat Tuesday! While we may not be joining the party in New Orleans, there's no reason not to celebrate Mardi Gras right here. At Sandpiper's Cove Restaurant and Bar at Old Port Cove Marina they are serving up a New Orleans-style menu and pairing that with jazz soloist, Erni Merlot, performing in The Sand Bar from 5:30 - 8:30 pm. Let's get this party started!
If you're a fan of ballet (we are!), Ballet Palm Beach is staging the premiere of "Gatsby," an original ballet interpreting the F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, "The Great Gatsby." Artistic Director Colleen Smith discusses the production in this video from the ballet company. Performances are at the Eissey Campus Theatre at Palm Beach State College, March 19 at 7:30 p.m. and March 20 at 4:00 p.m. Tickets begin at $17 and can be purchased online at balletpalmbeach.org or by calling the Eissey Campus Theatre box office at 561.207.5900. More info here.
OPINION - By GERRY BARKER
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Village of North Palm Beach. Along with celebrating a milestone, city officials have wisely chosen this time to ask, "Where do we go from here?" That's the question that last year initiated an eight-month process with the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and involved Village leaders, dozens of architects, urban designers, economists, numerous state and local organizations and ultimately, hundreds of Village residents. The result of that effort was presented over the course of a week to the Village and the public in a series of hearings and presentations that concluded last Friday evening at the Conservatory School. As a relative newcomer to the Village, I found the whole process fascinating, informative and praiseworthy. After all, whether you have lived in the Village 60 years, or one year, we all have a stake in its future. So what did we learn? First, the not-so-good news: Growth for the most part has been stagnant -- for quite a while. Neighboring cities, like Jupiter and the Gardens, have seen a population explosion, averaging 1,000 or more a year, while the Village has averaged less than 10 a year over the same period. Business tells a similar story, with office space vacancies at over 50 percent. And the good news? People want to live here, evidenced by the success of the Water Club condo development on the north end of town. Pre-sales have spurred the addition of a third tower. With 2.2 square miles of water, great schools and city services, and established, stable neighborhoods, we are a desireable place to be. Yes, we have challenges. Lots. But there are also ideas to meet them. Lots. Some are big (like a traffic tunnel under the IntraCoastal to replace the Parker drawbridge); some are small (easy fixes to beautify Prosperity Farms Rd.). Some will be contentious -- like whether US 1 should be six lanes or four. But as Dana Little, Urban Design Director for the TCRPC, noted at the Friday night presentation, the draft plan is a "work in progress." A starting point. Something we can use to produce a roadmap for the next 10 years. The Village is already working on changes to the out-of-date zoning code to make it more "business-friendly." Residents are doing their part by showing up and contributing their ideas and feedback. It's a big task, and it will take all of us to make it happen. But I for one am encouraged by what I have seen and heard over this past week. And as so many others have voiced, kudos to city leaders and the TCRPC for their forward-thinking and commitment. One thing I'm confident we won't have to change if we do this right -- the city motto: "The best place to live under the sun." Are you having a Super Bowl party, or going to one? Here are some party snack ideas, courtesy of Publix, part of their "Simple Meals" recipe videos: JFK and Jackie loved to cruise the Palm Beaches in the Presidential yacht, Honey Fitz (pictured above). That same yacht will be at the Palm Beach Regatta on Feb. 20, and will host a special, five-course "Presidential Dinner" on Friday, Feb. 19. You can dine where the Kennedys once did for $200 a person. Find out more about that, and the Regatta, on this page.
Urban planning and design expert Robert Gibbs has been in North Palm Beach this week as part of the Master Plan initiative. Gibbs, who teaches an executive course in urban design at Harvard, made a presentation on future trends at the North Palm Beach Country Club on Tuesday (details here). In his talk he stressed the importance of "walkability" to the Millennial generation. In a followup interview, I asked Gibbs how important it is for cities and retail to be pet-friendly. "It's very important," Gibbs said. "Dog parks are a must" in any urban plan these days. Not only parks, but accommodating pets is a growing trend in retail. More stores are allowing pets on a leash, he said. Even Class A office space has moved from marble floors in the lobby to concrete in difference to dogs with muddy feet. Gibbs said the demographics of North Palm Beach are ideally suited for pet ownership, citing:
"That's not a dog," he laughed. Need more evidence of a trend? Amtrak just announced: "Amtrak Expands Pet Program Across the Country." Maybe time for a slight modification of the Village motto -- "The best, and most pet-friendly, place to live under the sun." Speaking of pets, don't forget the "Puppy Love" event coming up Feb. 13 at Anchorage Park: Puppy LoveSaturday, Feb. 13 at 10:00 am. You and your “best friend” can enjoy a morning of contests and fun by the Bark Park at Anchorage Park, 603 Anchorage Dr. Examples of contests may include: Best Valentine Attire, Best Tail Wagger, Best Trick, Best Singing Dog, Smallest Dog, Largest Dog, and Best Kisser. A fun-filled afternoon for all! You don’t need a dog to attend this event! Several organizations will have adoptable dogs on hand! For more information, please call 841-3386. Host Stefanie Bressan welcomes guests to a wine and food tasting at the French Gourmand in Crystal Tree Plaza in North Palm Beach last Friday night. Read more about the French Gourmand and owners Stefanie and Laurent here. (NPBL Photo)
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ABOUTExploring what to see and do in North Palm Beach and the South Florida area. Your hosts are Pam and Gerry Barker. GERRY PRONOUNCED GARYArchives
April 2024
YouTube ChannelCategoriesListen to Chapter One of "Panama Palmer"
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