Uncategorized – Northern Palm Beach County

Jupiter’s Burt Reynolds Park West open, but ribbon cutting delayed

The public boat ramps at Burt Reynolds Park West in Jupiter are busy, especially on weekends (File Photo)

Bad weather is blamed for the postponement of Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony to open Burt Reynolds Park West in Jupiter.

About two dozen boat-trailer parking spaces have been added to the 39 spaces at the park, one of the busiest for boaters in the county.

A lighted walkway underpass allows pedestrians to walk under U.S. 1 to get to and from the east and west sides of Burt Reynolds Park, which straddles U.S. 1 north of Indiantown Road.

Before, pedestrians had to walk across busy U.S. 1.

Watch video of new walkway under US 1 at Burt Reynolds Park West.

The number of parking spaces for vehicles without trailers was reduced from 26 to 10.

No changes were made to the public boat ramps.

Total cost for the the project, funded with county and state dollars, is about $1.1 million.

The former building that was the home of the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce was demolished.

The new chamber, now located on PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens, is called Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce.

The building was replaced with a public restroom.

Park operating hours are sunrise to sunset, with the exception of the boat ramps that have 24-hour access and parking available (24-hour period maximum).

Boaters requiring more extended stay periods must utilize alternate parking location. A boat trailer parking permit is required.

Annual permits may be purchased online at www.pbcparks.com. Daily permits are available using the onsite pay station.

Visit www.pbcparks.com for more information through the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department.

Former north Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce building at Burt Reynolds Park West in Jupiter was demolished, replaced with public restroom (File Photo)

Postponed: Saturday’s Hang 20 Surf Dog Classic in Jupiter

sam 1Bruce-Bennett

The Hang 20 Surf Dog Classic, the dog surfing event that was expected to draw up to 3,000 people Saturday to Jupiter, has been postponed due to the recent health advisory issued for Carlin Park by the Florida Department of Health.

“The safety and wellness of our furry friends and the people in our community is our first priority,” said Pat Deshong, president of Furry Friends Adoption, Clinic & Ranch of Jupiter.

The non-profit organization organizes the event and receives part of the proceeds.

The event is expected to be held in the fall. No date has been set.

dogg

» Get the latest breaking news at PalmBeachPost.com

For information on The Hang 20 Surf Dog Classic, call 561-277-3701 or visit furryfriendsadoption.org.

Videos of the event from previous years:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRRj25sVJWY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFPl9EVe5Jc&feature=share

The health advisory posted at four Palm Beach County beaches showed elevated levels of bacteria in the water, state health officials said.

Jupiter Beach Park, Carlin Park, Palm Beach and Lake Worth Beach all showed bacterial levels greater than 71 colonies per 100 milliliters of marine water, putting those beaches in the “poor” category.

Contact with water exhibiting containing high bacteria rates may pose increased risk of infectious disease, especially for susceptible individuals, the health deparment said.

The causes for the elevated bacteria levels that forced the advisory are unknown, but are likely related to wildlife, heavy recreational usage, high surf from high winds and high tides or runoff following heavy rains, health officials said.

The health department recommends that swimmers always rinse off with fresh water after using a natural body of water.

What’s nitrogen-frozen ice cream? Get a free taste in Gardens

Deb Terzi watches as Soldiah Jean mixes made-to-order yogurt frozen with liquid nitrogen at Dr. Freeze, a new dessert shop at 4773 PGA Blvd. in the Mainstreet at Midtown complex in Palm Beach Gardens. (Sarah Peters/The Palm Beach Post)

A Palm Beach Gardens treat shop specializing in liquid-frozen ice cream and fancy desserts will celebrate National Ice Cream Day Sunday with free samples and an eating contest.

Dr. Freeze had a soft opening at 4773 PGA Blvd. in the Midtown Plaza in April. In addition to the free samples and eating contest, the celebration 12 to 4 p.m. will feature a dessert decorating contest and giveaways every hour, according to a news release. One of prize is an ice cream party for 10 people.

The ice cream frozen on the spot with liquid nitrogen contains less air than traditional ice cream, which means it has better flavor and melts faster, owner Jorge Belem said in April.

Jorge and Helena Belem pose for a photo at their Dr. Freeze dessert shop, 4773 PGA Blvd., in Main Street at Midtown in Palm Beach Gardens. The first shop is in Brazil, and the Belem’s franchise is the first in the United States. Dr. Freeze sells ice cream frozen with nitrogen, artisanal desserts and milk shakes. (Sarah Peters/The Palm Beach Post)

Jorge and Helena Belem, Dr. Freeze franchise co-owner and Jorge’s wife, are originally from Curitiba in the state of Paraná in the mountains of Brazil, south of São Paulo. They moved to the United States in 2014.

“We are pleased to offer something fun and unique for the residents and contribute to the community as small business owners,” Jorge Belem said in a news release.

Dr. Freeze operates seven stores in Brazil. This store is the first Dr. Freeze franchise in the United States. Another store is being built in San Diego, according to the news release.

Syracuse pizza joint opening new spot in Gardens

Twin Trees III, a popular pizza and wings restaurant in North Syracuse, New York, is putting down roots in Palm Beach Gardens.

Twin Trees will open a Syracuse-style pizza restaurant in Promenade Plaza in the former Slice of Palm Beach Gardens north of Publix. (Sarah Peters/The Palm Beach Post)

The new Italian casual restaurant is expected to open this month in Promenade Plaza on Alternate A1A and Lighthouse Drive, according to a post on the company’s Facebook page. It replaces the former Slice of Palm Beach Gardens next to Publix, on the north side.

Bonnie and Lou Rescignano own Twin Trees III in North Syracuse and Twin Trees Cicero. The Palm Beach Gardens restaurant to be run by their daughter will be their third, according to Syracuse.com. The menu will include Utica greens, lasagna, wings, salads and sandwiches, Bonnie Rescignano told Syracuse.com.

READ: How NBA great LeBron James is connected to pizza joint coming to Palm Beach Gardens

Their pizza with a thick crust cooked in a pan is a favorite in the hometown, with customers ranking it in the “Elite Eight” and reviewers raving about its perfectly melted cheese and blended flavor. They’re consistent, using the same type of mozzarella cheese, sauce and meat for 20 years, they said.

The pizza is cut into strips rather than triangles.

Venus Williams wipes away tears at Wimbledon over fatal crash

Venus Williams shook her head and wiped away tears at a news conference at Wimbledon Monday when asked about a fatal crash police said was her fault.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 03: Venus Williams of the United States plays a backhand during the Ladies Singles first round match against Elise Mertens of Belgium on day one of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 3, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Williams was on hand to field questions about her 6-4 win over Elise Mertens in the opening round at Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships in London, when a reporter asked about the crash.

“There really are no words to describe, like, how devastating…” Williams trailed off. “I’m completely speechless.”

She shook her head and wiped away tears before leaving the media room, the video posted by ESPN shows.

"There are really no words…" Venus Williams breaks down in tears at Wimbledon over deadly crash https://t.co/HOUPCM8ndb pic.twitter.com/8Uy8wqgDQF

— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 3, 2017

Palm Beach Gardens police say Williams, 37, was at-fault in the crash at the intersection of Northlake Boulevard and BallenIsles Drive on the afternoon of June 9. Williams told police she was leaving the Steeplechase community and crossing Northlake to go to BallenIsles, where she has a home, when traffic forced her to stop and block a lane.

Linda Barson, then 67, was driving west on Northlake Boulevard and told police she proceeded through a green light. She said Williams cut in front of her, and she was unable to avoid crashing into Williams’ 2010 Toyota Sequoia, according to the crash report.

Barson’s husband Jerome suffered head injuries and was rushed to St. Mary’s Medical Center, where he died on June 22.

Firefighters and police respond to a June 9, 2017, crash involving tennis star Venus Williams at Northlake Boulevard and BallenIsles Drive in Palm Beach Gardens. Linda and Jerome Barson, who were in a Hyundai Accent, were involved in the crash. Jerome Barson died two weeks later. Photo Provided By Barson Family

Williams, who was uninjured, and the Barsons were all wearing seat belts, according to police. The news of the crash emerged on the gossip website TMZ last week.

This is Williams’ 20th Wimbledon. Her next match is Wednesday against Wang Qiang.

Palm Beach County students bring hope to struggling families in NOLA

Joshua Berkowitz, Spencer Linkhorst and Andrew Taylor collect and sort canned goods at Second Harvest Food Bank in New Orleans. The second annual community service opportunity for Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s Project Tikvah (Hebrew for “hope”), is aimed at making a lasting impact by serving those in need. Submitted photo

Twenty-one Jewish teens from Palm Beach County rolled up their sleeves to serve as they were immersed in the culture of New Orleans this week.

Beignets were on the menu, but so too was packing food for the 1 in 6 hungry families in the area served by the Second Harvest Food Bank. The teens sorted donated Mardi Gras beads that will be sold by the Arc of Greater New Orleans to benefit its programs for people with intellectual disabilities. They worked on a building a house.

Palm Beach County high school students volunteer at the Second Harvest Food Bank in New Orleans as part of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. Submitted photo

Hope Lerman, a 16-year-old junior at Dwyer High School, was inspired by meeting a woman who was helped by the home-building organization and told the group about the suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina, even 12 years later.

“It made our work very meaningful,” Lerman said.

The experience taught her to be content with what she has and make the most of it, she said.

It’s the second year for Project Tikvah, a hands-on service program named after the Hebrew word for “hope.” The teens’ trip was organized by the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s Jewish Teen Initiative and new Jewish Volunteer Center, according to a news release.

Evan Josza, a 16-year-old junior at The Benjamin School, said he enjoyed sorting the thousands of pounds of donated Mardi Gras beads. The Arc also pay people with disabilities minimum wage or more for their work sorting and reselling the beads.

“I thought that was really impactful, because not only did it give those people jobs, it benefited their organization. All the money just keeps coming right back,” Josza said. “It helps them grow.”

The group ate at Cafe Reconcile, which helps young adults ages 16 to 24 learn hospitality skills. The fried oyster po’boy with spinach artichoke aioli, fries and bread pudding were a hit with Zachary Jacobson, a 16-year-old junior at Wellington High School.

Sorting the food at the food bank was Jacobson’s favorite service project. He proudly sported a sticker with the words, “I fed someone today.”

“I’ve learned not to take things for granted,” he said. “It really puts things into perspective.”

Didn’t Harbourside and Shoppes of Jupiter just do this dance?

big

Signs at Shoppes of Jupiter (Photo/Bill DiPaolo)

The owners of Harbourside Place and the Shoppes of Jupiter are at it again — arguing over parking on U.S. 1.

Shoppes of Jupiter is located across U.S. 1 from Harbourside Place.

A battle started in the summer of 2015 when the owner of the The Shoppes of Jupiter shopping plaza charged Harbourside Place patrons snatching parking spaces from his lot.

Orange signs with black lettering reading “No Harbourside Parking” were placed.

Friday night, the signs were back.

Is there a parking problem? It depends on who you ask.

No, said one Shoppes of Jupiter store owner. Harbourside Place patrons spend money in my store.

Yes, said another. Harbourside Place patrons take my customers parking spaces, he said.

Two years ago, detente was reached after Jupiter Police Chief Frank Kitzerow met with the Shoppes of Jupiter general manager.

The signs came down.

“(Jupiter Police) will be working on a parking plan to protect (Shoppes of Jupiter) spaces for his customers during special events at Harbourside,” according to an e-mail from then-Town Manager Andy Lukasik.

Shrimp, lobster and music this weekend in Stuart

poster

The Martin County Shrimp and Lobster Festival is planned this weekend at Memorial Park in downtown Stuart.

Tickets for the event are $10 per day and can be purchased at ShrimpandLobsterFest.com.

VIP tickets are also available for $38. Doors open at 5pm on Friday, May 12th.

For sponsorship or vendor information, contact Felice Firestone at (248) 943-2626 or e-mail Felice@goldengatecompanies.com.

The festival features artisans and crafters in categories including clay, digital art, drawing and pastels, fiber, glass, leather, mixed media, photography, sculpture and wood.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a pair of gently used sneakers of any size. For every pair donated, those who donate receive a free bottle of water.

The Max Cure Foundation will receive money from a recycler of affordable used clothing allowing MCF to donate towards advancing the fight against pediatric cancer.

To volunteer for the Shrimp and Lobster Festival, please call 248-943-2626 or email felice@goldengatecompanies.com.

For all other information, go to www.shrimpandlobsterfest.com.

Music

Jupiter: Heroin-related deaths increasing

The latest news and numbers about heroin-related overdoses is bad in Jupiter — and getting worse, according to a report released from the Jupiter Police Department:

– Seventeen Jupiter residents died since 2014, including three this year.

Read the full story in the Palm Beach Post.

deaths

Last chance: Stone crab season closes May 16

crab

(File photos)

The commercial and recreational harvest of stone crab claws in Florida closes on May 16, with the last day of harvest on May 15.

Stone crab season will reopen on Oct. 15.

This five-month closure occurs each year during the peak spawning season to help conserve and sustain Florida’s valuable stone crab resource.

Commercially harvested stone crab claws may be possessed and sold during the closed season, but only if they have been placed in inventory prior to May 16 by a licensed wholesale or retail dealer.

Stone crab traps must be removed from the water within five days after the close of the stone crab season unless a special extension is granted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Stone crab claws cannot be harvested from traps pulled after the season closes.

Learn more about the season by visiting MyFWC.com/Fishing and clicking on “Saltwater Fishing,” and then either “Recreational Regulations” or “Commercial.”

The crab