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Insider Newsletter for February 18, 2023

Published on February 18, 2023

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Announcing the New 'Highlighting Heritage' Initiative

Mayor Keith A. James is proud to announce his new Highlighting Heritage initiative. He and City Commissioners will each choose a resident to honor who is playing a vital role in serving and improving West Palm Beach. The new initiative will be held during Black History month in February and Hispanic Heritage month in September.

As February is Black History Month, each City Commissioner will select and honor one African American (non-city employee) who will be recognized at the City Commission meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023.

Click here to read more.

Take Me Out to Clematis by Night

Join us at the waterfront this Thursday, Feb. 23 to celebrate the 2022 World Series Champion Houston Astros. This extra-special Clematis by Night will include baseball-themed activities, including a photo opportunity with the World Series Trophy, appearances by team players, Astros mascot, Orbit, and the Astros Shooting Stars promotional team and more.

Click here to read more.

Fire Station 8 Open House

On Saturday, Feb. 11, we celebrated the full staffing of the newly built Fire Station 8 with an Open House. Residents had the opportunity to meet the fire chief and firefighters, take photos with a fire truck, take a tour of the station, and check their blood pressure during the celebration.

Click here to read more.

Click the image above to watch the video!

Do You Know a Student that is Interested in Agricultural Science?

FAMU AgDiscovery would be a perfect summer program for them.

AgDiscovery at Florida A&M University (FAMU) is a TUITION-FREE two-week summer outreach program for rising 9th - 12th grade students. Students gain experiential learning through workshops, laboratory and field exercises, and various cultural and teambuilding activities. The program gives students many experiences in animal science to help them better understand and refine their career paths and the opportunity to apply for early admission to FAMU.

The FAMU AgDiscovery 2023 program will be from Sunday, Jun. 11 - Saturday, Jun. 24. in Tallahassee at the FAMU campus.

Application deadline is Friday, Mar. 31, 2023.

Click here to learn more about the program.

Click here to apply now.

Salento: Colombian Coffee and Culture in

Downtown West Palm Beach

A small, locally-owned coffee shop is making a splash in downtown West Palm Beach, while sharing the owners' love of Colombian coffee and culture. Salento, which weathered the Covid-19 business slowdown with the help of a microloan from the City, is now thriving

Click the image above to watch the video!

IMPORTANT ALERT:

Smoke Testing Sewers on Bunker Road

The City will be smoke testing the sewers on the 600 to 800 block of Bunker Road from Tuesday, Feb. 21 to Friday, Mar. 3, 2023, between 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This test is performed periodically to locate sources of sewer odors, leaks and pinpoint potential breaks in sewer lines. Please be aware.

Click here to read more.

Presidents Day Closures

City Hall and the Mandel Public Library will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 in observance of Presidents Day. On Tuesday, Feb. 21, City Hall will reopen at 8 a.m., and the library will reopen at 9:30 a.m. Regular trash services will be provided.

Free Tree Giveaway on 2/24

Help us reach our goal of planting 10,000 trees by 2025! This program, an initiative of the City's Office of Sustainability, reflects our partnership with residents and businesses to beautify our neighborhoods, sustain the health of existing trees, and increase the City's shade canopy. Tree registration form is required, you must be a resident or business within City limits.

Click here for more information.

Click here to access the registration form.

Apply Today: Summer Camp Scholarship Program

The City's Parks and Recreation Department invites residents to apply for Palm Beach County’s Summer Camp Scholarship Program. These scholarships can be applied to the City's summer camp programs. Applications will be accepted through April 14, or until funds run out.

Click here for more information.

City Events & Activities

Grassy Waters Preserve Activities

Reservations are required for all programs. Please call the Nature Center at

(561) 804-4985 (TTY: 800-955-8771) to RSVP.

Boardwalk Tour
Canoe Cruise
Hike and Craft: Birds and Binoculars
Marsh Critters Dipnetting
Swamp Tromp
And, more!

Click here to access the Grassy Waters Preserve event calendar.

Community Events

Clematis by Night (Great Lawn, 100 N. Clematis Street) - Thursday, Feb. 23, 6 -9 p.m.: Spred the Dub (Reggae, Ska)
Take Me Out to Clematis by Night (Great Lawn, 100 N. Clematis Street) - Thursday, Feb. 23, 6-9 p.m.: Astros Ceremony with Honorees at 7 p.m.
GreenMarket (Great Lawn, 100 N. Clematis Street)- Saturday, Feb. 25, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Community event admission is free. Click here for the event calendar.

Mandel Public Library Events & Programs

Here's a snapshot of some of the February programs offered by the Mandel Public Library, 411 Clematis Street

Dungeons & Dragons
Sit 'n' Stitch
Meet with a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Babywear Workout Club
Tax Preparation Services
And, more!

Click here for the library's calendar of programming!

Recent Policy Actions, Next City Commission Meeting

The next City Commission meeting will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at City Hall, 401 Clematis Street. Commission meetings are held every other Monday, except for holidays, and the public is encouraged to attend.