GRAND OLE' GULFSTREAM HOTEL IN LAKE WORTH GETTING A NEW LIFE

A historic building on the National Register of Historic Places has been involved in a long-running foreclosure lawsuit.  Sitting at the west end of the Lake Worth Bridge, the hotel looks forlorn when you drive by, with memories of wonderful meals there. 

The 106-room hotel, built in 1923, reportedly defaulted on a loan for $16.7MM.This is the only remaining Grand Hotel of Palm Beach’s “Roaring 20’s” era.

New owners say that the historic façade will remain as is.  They are looking for a top-notch restauranteur and a brand to manage the hotel.  Rooms and the interior will be upgraded but no architect has been selected yet.  The deal included two vacant acres, and plans have not yet been made for what to build on that land.  How about a theatre on the style of the Kravis and Broward Centers?  Plenty of room for a parking garage.  That would make it a fine destination for weekend or week long visitors, and the dining room would overflow.

Intracoastal views are spectacular.  80% of it rooms face the water.  Other features include

• 7.5 miles to Palm Beach, FL
• 13 miles to Delray Beach, FL
• 5 minutes walking to Lake Worth Beach
• Private parking in the same building
• Roof top bar
  Looking forward to their reopening and this may just give Lake Worth a shot-in-the-arm for more cultural venues to buy into the area.  Good news indeed!

PROPERTY APPRAISERS OFFICE SAYS PROPERTY VALUES ARE UP AND GOING HIGHER

… early estimates show property-value increases enjoyed by the county’s cities ranged from 32.3 percent for Riviera Beach to 1.2 percent for the tiny town of Glen Ridge.  The average growth for all cities is 9.4 percent, and most of the large cities are close to that number: Jupiter, Boynton Beach and Wellington all above 9 percent; Palm Beach Gardens at 7.3 percent; Royal Palm Beach at 10.7 percent and West Palm Beach at 11.5 percent.

“The overwhelming majority of the increase in Riviera Beach was from the power plant,” the Property Appraiser said. “Factor out the power plant, and their increase is probably around 9 to 10 percent.”

The county is poised, in the next year or two, to regain all of the property value losses of the Great Recession.  “If things continue as they have the past two years, that would be true,” Nikolits (Property Appraiser) said, “and I’m not seeing anything to indicate a substantial slowdown in the next year or so.”

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/property-value-increase-is-palm-beach-countys-bigg/nmLwD/

PATRIOTIC MUSIC at SUMMER CONCERT IN MIZNER PARK, 7 PM MAY 25TH

 

Memorial Day concert "An American Tribute"

Monday, May 25th at 7:00pm

And a schedule of our Summer Series 2015
 Free music and movies under the stars

 

As part of the City of Boca Raton's Memorial Day observances

Monday, May 25th at 7:00 pm

"An American Tribute"

Full concert band of patriotic music

For information: 561.393.7995 or Click Here

 

 

PRESERVATION FOUNDATION PRESENTS PROPOSED RENOVATIONS FOR ROYAL POINCIANA PLAZA IN PALM BEACH

Plans for renovations were presented at the Preservation Foundation’s April 7^th meeting.  Plans include restoring all existing stucco trim, unite in design all decorative transom grilles and metal work, new aluminum impact-resistant windows will replace all windows, central courtyard will have new patios and gathering areas; new driveways, landscape enhancements with addition of seaonl flower and citrus trees in parking lots and courtyards.  John L. Volk was the Palm Beach master architect who designed the property in 1957, and it was landmarked in 2007.  Some changes were made and renderings of Volk’s design, the interim changes, and the new plan were shown.  Smith & Moore are the Architects, Nievera Williams is the landscape architecture company on the project.   An informal presentation will be made shortly to the Landscape Preservation Commission, then a formal presentation, then a vote to proceed or not. 

Royal Poinciana Plaza has been written up as “a leading lifestyle destination in Palm Beach”, a town where art and culture thrive, beautiful white sandy beaches, world-class restaurants, internationally known golf courses, world-famous designer boutiques, and the renowned Breakers Hotel whose golf course is across the street from Royal Poinciana Plaza. Palm Beach is the home to celebrities and many international “rich and famous” folks, members of many charitable causes.

 

RELIVE THE MAGIC OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND

BALLET PALM BEACH presents WONDERLAND at the Palm Beach Gardens Eissey Campus, April 10 and 11.  This is a new, fresh interpretation of an old favorite tale.

Director Colleen Smith contrasts Victorian reality with the fantasy of Wonderland using the music of three English composers, Britten, Holst, and Walton. The music weaves the action of Alice, the White Rabbit and a myriad of characters through an intriguing, whimsical and often funny journey.

Call 561-207-5900 for more information. Tickets are $15 - $35.  Performances are:
Apr 10, 2015: 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm (Fri)
Apr 11, 2015: 4 pm - 6 pm (Sat)

Don't miss this interpretation of a charming tale!

GIBBS RULES - A GUIDE TO NCIS

THE COMPLETE LIST: Leroy Jethro Gibbs has rules that he enforces with everyone on his team, in 3x05 "Switch" he told Ziva that there are approximately fifty rules. However, not all of the rules have been revealed and some numbers have two different rules. Here are the rules that have been revealed so far:

Rule #1: Never let suspects stay together. (Franks) 1x01 'Yankee White'

Rule #1: Never screw over your partner. 4x14 'Blowback'

Rule #2: Always wear gloves at a crime scene.  (Franks) 1x01 'Yankee White'

Rule #3: Don't believe what you're told. Double check. (Franks) 1x01 'Yankee White'

Rule #3: Never be unreachable. 3x13 'Deception'

Rule #4: The best way to keep a secret? Keep it to yourself .Second best? Tell one other person - if you must. There is no third best. 4x11 'Blowback'

Rule #5: You don't waste good. (…"You're Good" Gibbs says to DiNozzo) 8x22 'Baltimore'

Rule #6: Never apologize — It’s a sign of weakness.  A rule used more often than the others, but finally given a number in 7x12 'Flesh and Blood' during a great Gibbs/DiNozzo moment. The first person to use that phrase was John Wayne in, "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon." "Never apologize, mister, it. It's a sign of weakness." — In the episode 3x23 'Hiatus Part-1' DiNozzo explains to NCIS Director, Jenny Shepard, that Gibbs took this one from "The Duke himself."

Rule #7: Always be specific when you lie. 1x23 'Reveille'

Rule #8: Never take anything for granted. 3x10 'Probie'

Rule #9: Never go anywhere without a knife. 1x13 'One Shot, One Kill' & 1x20 'Missing'

Rule #10: Never get personally involved on a case. (Said by Tony, agreed on by Gibbs) 7x21 'Obsession'

Rule #11: When the job is done, walk away. 6x24 'Semper Fidelis'

Rule #12: Never date a coworker. 1x15 'Enigma'

Rule #13: Never, ever involve a lawyer. 6x07 'Collateral Damage' & 7x24 'Rule Fifty-One'

Rule #14: Bend the line, don't break it. And Gibbs said human smuggling breaks it.

Rule #15: Always work as a team. 5x05 'Leap of Faith'

Rule #16: If someone thinks they have the upper-hand, …break it! (DiNozzo) 8x24 'Pyramid'

Rule #18: It's better to seek forgiveness than ask permission. 3x04 'Silver War'

Rule #22: Never, ever bother Gibbs in interrogation. 4x10 'Smoked'

Rule #23: Never mess with a Marine's coffee if you want to live. 2x09 'Forced Entry'

Rule #27: Two ways to follow: First way, they never notice you, — second way, they only notice you. 7x15 'Jack Knife' & 7x24 'Rule Fifty-One'

Rule #35: Always watch the watchers. 8x22 'Baltimore'

Rule #36: If you think you're being played, you are

Rule #38: Your case, your lead. 6x16 'Bounce'

Rule #39: There is no such thing as coincidence. 7x21 'Obsession'

"The 40's are for Emergency Use Only!" (Mentioned by Abby) 7x24 'Rule Fifty-One'

Rule #40: If it seems someone is out to get you, they are. (Said by Abby, agreed on by Gibbs) 7x22 'Borderland' & 7x24 'Rule Fifty-One'

Rule #42: Don't ever accept an apology from someone who just sucker-punched you

Rule #44: First things first. Hide the women and children. 7x23 'Patriot Down'

Rule #45: Clean up your own mess. (Gibbs Said, "Left a mess I've got to clean up." — DiNozzo commented that's basically Rule #45) 7x24 'Rule Fifty-One' (See Below)

Rule #51: Sometimes — You're Wrong! 7x24 'Rule Fifty-One'

Rule #62: Always give people space when they get off the elevator. Season 11, episode 13. Quoted by Abby to Gibbs.

Rule #69: Never trust a woman who doesn't trust her mom. 

Rule #69: "Always carry a lighter (Marine Corps Zippo)." I believe the Quote attributed to #69 above was said to Tobias by Gibbs during the episode involving former wife Diane and the disappearance of her current husband. It was "Never trust a woman who doesn't trust her man."

I believe Gibbs lives by an unwritten rule #1,as I do. Don't start no shit and there won't be none.

Gibbs says to Tony that a rule was “You may only break 2 rules”.

Rule #70: McGee created a new one:. Keep digging long enough and you'll hit bottom.

Should be a rule number 71: you don't have to be Gibbs or an NCIS agent to live by these rules.

 

HISTORIC HOMES TOUR MARCH 29th IN WEST PALM BEACH, MEET NEIGHBORS, EAT, BE ENTERTAINED

On the National Register of Historic Places, Grandview Heights in West Palm Beach, established in 1910, includes twelve homes in Craftsman, Florida Bungalow, Spanish Mission, Dutch Colonial Revival, Art Deco and Mediterranean Revival-style homes to view.  Their Annual Grandview Historic Home Tour will be held Sunday, March 29^th from 3-7 pm.  Tours began in 1995.  There are 13 Historic Districts in West Palm Beach.

Connect with early Florida lifestyles and view historical Florida art as early as 1890 at Grandview Gardens Bed & Breakfast.  Paintings are by Highwaymen, the itinerant African-American artists whose work reflects Florida pastoral scenes. 

A block party is included with entertainment by Lotsa Papas and food, a plated meal, from the restaurant Aioli.  Meet and mingle with creative homeowners.

 

Grandview Heights is located between Parker Avenue and the FEC railroad tracks, just south of Okeechobee Blvd.  Boundaries are Park Place, Alabama Avenue, M Street and Lake Avenue.  Residents with 2-story homes can see the Atlantic Ocean over the island of Palm Beach from 2^nd story windows.  Hence, the area name evolved, Grandview Heights.  This is a successful urban neighborhood with great diversity. 

For further information call 561-877-1221.  Tour Admission is $35 with volume and early bird discounts.  A souvenir booklet with a self-guided walking tour and map will be provided.