(PRESS RELEASE)_Today Brightline, the nation’s only privately owned, operated and maintained express intercity passenger rail system, announced its expansion to the West Coast with the acquisition of XpressWest, a high-speed passenger rail project with rights to develop a federally approved corridor connecting Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada.  This project would be only the second privately funded express intercity passenger rail in the United States, following Brightline’s Florida rail corridor. 

“Brightline is changing transportation in our country by connecting heavily trafficked corridors that are too long to drive and too short to fly,” said Wes Edens, co-founder and co-chief executive officer of Fortress Investment Group. “Our experience in Florida is proving that private-sector investment has a meaningful role to play in developing transportation infrastructure. We’re excited to bring Brightline’s world-class and convenient travel experience to Southern California and Las Vegas.”

“The introduction of high-speed rail between Las Vegas to Southern California will bring significant economic and environmental benefits to our state and support increased tourism,” said Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval.  “Brightline has built a proven model for privately funded high-speed rail service in Florida and we are excited to welcome them to Nevada.” 

Brightline will link one of the most traveled routes in the country, connecting more than 22 million people living in Southern California with Las Vegas, one of the most visited cities in the U.S. According to ridership studies, travelers make more than 50 million annual trips between Las Vegas and Southern California.  Today those travelers are limited to traveling by air or car, and Brightline expects to offer a convenient alternative that will make the trip in less than two hours.

As a result of the XpressWest acquisition, Brightline will take over the development, construction and operation of the project and work with federal and local transportation officials to connect Las Vegas with Victorville, California, with future plans to expand into the Los Angeles area. 

The first phase of the corridor is expected to be built on a right of way within and adjacent to Interstate 15, traversing 185 miles with no at-grade or pedestrian crossings. Construction is expected to begin next year and Brightline is planning to begin initial service in 2022.

“Brightline’s model is setting a new standard for train travel in America,” said Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline. “Today’s announcement is an important milestone for our company as we reimagine transportation between these major metropolitan areas. We look forward to working with the region’s stakeholders to make this vision a reality.”

“The XpressWest team has done an incredible job bringing this project together and we’re confident that Brightline will fulfill our mission and promise to the region,” said Tony Marnell, founder and chief executive officer of Marnell Companies. “We’ve been impressed with what Brightline has accomplished in Florida and are excited to be part of the team that is working to deliver privately funded high-speed rail to improve mobility in America.”

The planned Las Vegas Station is expected to be located within the resort corridor and will be a major intermodal hub with access to taxis, buses, shuttles, and limousines.  As part of the project, Brightline is acquiring approximately 38 acres of land adjacent to the Las Vegas strip for construction of the station and mixed-used development.

The first planned Southern California station is expected to be located in Victorville within a 30- to 45-minute drive of the approximately four to five million people who live in the Inland Empire and eastern Los Angeles County, and within close proximity to Southern California’s remaining 17 to 18 million residents. Planning for additional stations and connectivity to California Metrolink and eventually California High-Speed Rail is underway.

“California has a vision for a modernized rail network that is fast, clean, and convenient for travelers, and the introduction of Brightline service linking Southern California to Las Vegas will help us achieve that vision” said California State Transportation Agency Secretary Brian Annis. “Brightline will be beneficial for our economy and our transportation system.”

Similar to Brightline’s operations in Florida, the corridor between Southern California and Las Vegas is expected to generate major regional economic benefits, including construction and permanent job opportunities and local and state tax revenue.

In addition to Brightline’s Florida development and operations and its anticipated development and operations between Las Vegas and Southern California announced today, Brightline continues to explore intercity rail opportunities across North America.

(PRESS RELEASE)_(Palm Beach Gardens, FL ) – Gyro lovers and falafel fans rejoice - The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is about to start serving up all your authentic Mediterranean-inspired favorites on September 21st with a Grand Opening Celebration of fresh flavor from salad to souvlaki skewers and everything in between. Located at 11300 Legacy Ave, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410, The Great Greek Palm Beach Gardens will welcome excited guests starting at 4:00 p.m. The first 50 guests to arrive will receive a delicious baklava dessert.

“We are very pleased to bring super fresh, high-quality ingredients and made-to-order preparation here to our friends and neighbors in Palm Beach Gardens,” said Nick Anthony Della Penna and Trent Jones for The Great Greek. “Not only are these bold, satisfying tastes everyone is sure to love, but our comfortable contemporary environment is an inviting place to enjoy a casual meal any time of day.” 

The 11300 Legacy Avenue location for The Great Greek has a total of 1,650 square feet, capable of serving up to 36 guests in house. Bistro and patio style seating, crisp white and blue coastal décor, walk-up ordering, and table-side service with ceramic dinnerware and stainless-steel flatware offer a refreshing mix of sit down restaurant quality with quick-service convenience. Guests may also take advantage of self-service seating and beverages as part of the friendly-not-fussy dining experience. But perhaps the most memorable part of The Great Greek is its wide variety of delicious, freshly made menu items, many of which deliver smart, health-conscious nutrition in addition to great flavor: 

(PRESS RELEASE)_Trading combat fatigues for colorful cotton shirts (“my Palm Beach camo pattern”), Colonel Dick Baumer may take his wardrobe selection lightly, but make no mistake, this retired Army man and father of one son and two granddaughters enjoys giving back to the West Palm Beach community where he lives and thrives. 

From commanding combat trackers and dog teams in Vietnam to being called up to serve in the Army Operations Center during Operation Desert Storm, Col. Baumer’s distinguished, 32-year military career has been nothing short of remarkable. It is this commitment for helping others that makes him the YMCA of the Palm Beaches' nominee for National Volunteer Day on September 21. 

Philanthropy began at home and Baumer has never wavered from that path, which recently led him to the YMCA of the Palm Beaches. As a YMCA board member, his new mission is to help the Y promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility by spearheading funds for the Annual Campaign, which provides life-enhancing services to families and seniors. Each year, the nonprofit organization provides more than $200,000 in scholarships for its local youth and family programs.

Col. Baumer also serves as First Vice President of the Military Working Dog Team Support Association.

About Real Men Wear Pink
Real Men Wear Pink gives men a leadership role in the fight against breast cancer. Community leaders around the nation use the power of pink to raise awareness and money for the American Cancer Society's breast cancer initiatives, including innovative research, patient services, and education around screenings and risk reduction. It's one important way we're attacking cancer from every angle.

About John Parkinson
John L. Parkinson is an area general manager overseeing Hilton West Palm Beach and five Hilton hotels in Fort Lauderdale. A native Orlando resident, John began his career with Wyndham Hotels and held various operational positions at Marriott before his tenure with Hilton began in 2003. He ran the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista and Embassy Suites Orlando International Drive South Convention Center as general manager prior to relocating to West Palm Beach in 2015. During his fifteen years with Hilton, his hotels have received numerous awards achieving top goals at his Orlando hotels in 2010, 2011 and 2014, as well as Food & Beverage and Marketing Excellence awards in 2016 and 2017 for Hilton West Palm Beach.

(PRESS RELEASE)_(West Palm Beach, FL – September 10, 2018) Marcie Gorman, Executive Producer & Artistic Director for the award-winning MNM Theatre Company, today announced their next show at the Kravis Center’s Rinker Playhouse will be a finger-snapping, ring-a-ding-ding sentimental favorite:

My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra
September 28 to October 14

Directed by Dominick Ruggiero with musical direction by Caryl Fantel, this delightful musical revue features 56 songs recorded by “Ol’ Blue Eyes,” including All of Me, All the Way, Chicago, Fly Me to the Moon, High Hopes, It Was a Very Good Year, Love and Marriage, That’s Life, the title song and more. The 4-person cast includes:

+ Clay Cartland

This is Clay Cartland’s fourth show with MNM following, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, as well as La Cage Aux Folles, Company and The World Goes ‘Round (Carbonell Award: Best Ensemble). He is a South Florida native and a proud recipient of a Carbonell and three Silver Palm Awards. Other recent credits include Rock of Ages, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Disaster! (Slow Burn Theatre Company); Gloria, and The Legend of Georgia McBride (Gablestage); Emperor  of the Moon and Straight White Men (Thinking Cap Theatre); 1776 and  Domestic Animals (Palm Beach Dramaworks); First Date, Godspell, and The Toxic Avenger (Actors' Playhouse); Passion, Assassins and Clark Gable Slept Here (Zoetic Stage); and The Trouble with Doug (Arts Garage). Cartland also works as a voiceover talent and teaches improv comedy. 

(PRESS RELEASE)_(West Palm Beach, FL – September 10, 2018) The Palm Beach Chapter of the Rare Fruit Council International, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and further cultivation and use of tropical and rare fruit in South Florida and around the world, is hosting its annual Tropical Fruit Tree & Edible Plant Sale on Saturday, October 6. The popular event will be held from 9 am to 2 pm in the Community Exhibit Buildings 8, 9 & 10 on the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach.

At this year’s Tropical Fruit Tree & Edible Plant Sale, vendors from all over the state will offer a wide variety of delightful and delicious fruit trees, including Avocado, Banana, Barbados Cherry, Black Sapote, Canistel, Carambola, Citrus, Dragon Fruit, Figs, Guava, Grumichama, Jackfruit, Jaboticaba, Longan, Lychee, Macadamia, Mamey Sapote, Mango, Miracle Fruit, Mulberry, Papaya, Peach, Persimmon, Soursop, Sugar Apple, Star Apple, Tamarind, herbs and spices, plus the Rare Fruit Council’s proprietary formulization for tropical fruits.

Also available will be educational information on the planting and growing of fruit trees, along with knowledgeable volunteers and vendors to answer any questions.

Tree and plant fans should enter the South Florida Fairgrounds through Gate 8 on Fair Grounds Road. Both admission and parking are FREE.

About The Palm Beach Chapter of the Rare Fruit Council International, Inc.:

Established in 1970, the Palm Beach Chapter of the Rare Fruit Council (RFC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting and furthering the cultivation and use of tropical and rare fruit in south Florida and throughout the world. The organization includes several hundred members interested in learning about, growing and enjoying tropical fruits.

Monthly meetings are the second Friday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at Mounts Botanical Garden, 531 N. Military Trail in West Palm Beach, directly across from the west side of Palm Beach International Airport. Each meeting has an educational lecture by a speaker in the field of fruit science or related field, a fruit tree auction, a seed & plant exchange, and the chapter’s famous “tasting table” – a chance to taste various tropical fruits grown by members.

Membership is $25 yearly, and benefits include:

+  Monthly newsletter - filled with informative articles about growing rare fruits and related topics.
+ Propagation classes - members learn how to graft & air-layer tropical fruit trees. 
+ Annual Ice Cream Social - for members and their guests only; the ice cream is handmade with fruits grown by members.
+ Plant Sales - members can bring fruit trees and edible plants to sell to the general public.
+ Organized field trips to regional fruit tree collections and plantings.
+ Periodic field trips to member yards and local orchards.
+ Volunteer opportunities for many interesting & exciting committees and events.

In addition, specially formulated fertilizer and pruning/grafting tools are offered at a discount for RFC members.

For more information about the Palm Beach Chapter of the Rare Fruit Council International, Inc., please visit www.pbrarefruitcouncil.org.

(PRESS RELEASE)_(Lake Worth, FL – September 7, 2018) The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County today announced the 2018-2019 season of the popular series CULTURE & COCKTAILS. For the 14th season in a row, from November 2018 through April 2019, five fascinating conversations will be held at The Colony Hotel Pavilion, located at 155 Hammon Avenue in Palm Beach.
 
The theme of the 2018-2019 season of CULTURE & COCKTAILS At The Colony is Legends, as the series spotlights some truly legendary figures from the worlds of art, cinema and music.
 
November 5
BEHIND THE SCENES
A Conversation with filmmaker Doug Liman
Doug Liman is the successful film director and producer behind a long line of box office hits, including Swingers with Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn, The Bourne Identity with Matt Damon, Mr. & Mrs. Smith with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Edge of Tomorrow and American Made with Tom Cruise, and Fair Game with Naomi Watts and Sean Penn. For TV and the Internet, his productions include Suits with Megan Markle, The Wall, The O.C. Impulse, and other series and commercials.
Interviewed by Ellen Liman, painter and owner of the Liman Gallery, Palm Beach
 
January 7
COLLAGE MIRAGE
A Conversation with artist Bruce Helander
An arts critic and writer, curator and creative talent, Bruce Helander has been hailed as “the most recognized and successful collage artist in the country.” A former White House Fellow for the National Endowment of the Arts and winner of the South Florida Cultural Consortium fellowship for professional achievement in the visual arts, he was inducted into the Florida Artist Hall of Fame in 2014. His work is in over 50 museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, the Smithsonian, the Art Institute of Chicago, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and other prestigious institutions.
Interviewed by Deborah C. Pollack, art historian, gallery owner, and author of several books including Palm Beach Visual Arts

(VILLAGE NEWS)_ Reminder: Our Code Update Workshop is tomorrow (Friday). See what our consultant is recommending for the future of the Village. It starts at 6 p.m. in the Community Center on Prosperity Farms Road. Our focus will be on U.S. Highway 1 and on Northlake Boulevard to determine what residents want those corridors to be in the coming years. Review the consultant's 135-page plan here: www.villagecodeupdate.org. -- Ed Cunningham, Communications Manager.