Palm Beach County – Palm Beach County traffic will be affected this week by ongoing construction projects and maintenance work, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officials report. Weather permitting; closures will be in effect on I-95, Southern Blvd. (SR80) and in other areas throughout Palm Beach County for construction activities. Click here to view the report

For around-the-clock, real-time traffic information within the tri-county area (Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties), travelers should call 511. For I-95 Palm Beach County traffic reports just say “I-95 or Interstate 95.

Information is also available on-line at www.511southflorida.com.

To view real-time video of I-95 in Palm Beach County, visit the FDOT I-95 Interim Traffic Management System (ITMS) website at www.palmbeachcotraffic.org. These free services are provided by FDOT and the SunGuide™ Partners. For updated lane closure information, please refer to www.pbfdot.com.

When:  Monday, July 21, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.
Where:  City Hall Commission Chambers, 200 2nd Street, WPB

(07/18/08)  City commissioners will hold a “taste test” as part of their evaluation of potential operators for the new library café at a special meeting on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in City Hall Commission Chambers.

The café will be located on a portion of the ground floor of the new City library, which is part of the City Center project.  The parties wishing to operate the library café will create samples from their menu for the commissioners to taste.

When:  Saturday, July 19, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where:  Gaines Park, 1501 North Australian Blvd., WPB

Families dealing with increasing prices for everything from gasoline to groceries will be able to get FREE school supplies and services at an upcoming event.

The City of West Palm Beach is proud to support the Urban Youth Impact “Back 2 School Blast” which is being held on Saturday, July 19, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Gaines Park, which is located at 1501 North Australian Avenue in West Palm Beach.

The Back 2 School Blast will offer school physicals, health screenings, groceries, school supplies, children’s haircuts and immunizations, ALL FREE OF CHARGE.  All services and supplies are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis, while supplies last.  Event parking will be at Redemptive Life Church just north of Gaines Park on Australian Avenue.

What:  Two new businesses come to Rosemary Avenue
When:  Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 5:30 p.m.
Where:  411 and 413 North Rosemary Avenue, West Palm Beach

The City of West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is helping welcome two new businesses to North Rosemary Avenue at a special grand opening ceremony.  The ceremony will be held on Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in front of the two businesses, which are located at 411 North Rosemary Avenue and 413 North Rosemary Avenue.

“Hairdo U Salon” will be opening at 413 North Rosemary, and “Bethy Beauty Supply” will be opening at 411 North Rosemary.  Both shops are locally owned and will be offering special deals to customers as part of their grand opening celebrations.

When:  Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 2:45 p.m.
Where:  City Commission Chambers, 200 2nd Street, WPB City Hall

(07/08/08)  Newly-elected City Commissioner Kimberly Mitchell (District 3) will be sworn into office at a special ceremony on Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 2:45 p.m.  The ceremony will take place in West Palm Beach City Hall Commission Chambers located at 200 2nd Street.

Commissioner Mitchell will take the City’s oath of office, and begins serving her term immediately thereafter.  The ceremony will be carried live by West Palm TV (Comcast Cable Channel 18) and can also be seen live by logging onto wpbtv.org.

Learn how to save money on gas, save your home from foreclosure and more… all on your iPod

(Tuesday, July 8, 2008)  West Palm Beach residents and visitors will now be able to learn about their City government’s programs, projects and happenings… all on their iPod.

The City of West Palm Beach has unveiled “CityCast,” the City’s own podcasting service.  Anyone with internet access will be able to listen to CityCast for free at anytime.  You can also download CityCast through wpb.org or through iTunes to an iPod or MP3 player.

The City of West Palm Beach is the FIRST municipality in Palm Beach County, and one of the first in the State of Florida, to offer podcasting.  A podcast is a digital audio or video recording made available over the internet.  CityCast is similar in some ways to a radio show, but it is hosted exclusively on the internet and is available on-demand and free of charge.

“CityCast is just one more innovative way we can communicate with the public,” said Mayor Lois J. Frankel.  “From offering on-demand video of City Commission meetings through our award-winning website, wpb.org, to our free e-newsletter “CityConnect” and now to our free podcasts, the City of West Palm Beach continues to embrace new technologies and get information to the public in user-friendly, cost-effective ways.”

Episodes of CityCast are available by going to wpb.org. and clicking on the “CityCast” link.  Current episodes include tips on how to save money on gasoline, an update on the City’s Foreclosure Assistance Center and a history of the City’s 4th on Flagler event.

People can subscribe for free to CityCast through iTunes so that new episodes are automatically downloaded to their computer, iPod or MP3 player.

What:  South Flagler Drive/Granada Road Intersection Closed
When:  Beginning Monday, July 7, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.
Affected Area:  South Flagler Drive and Granada Road, WPB

(07/01/08)  Motorists should be aware that the intersection of South Flagler Drive and Granada Road will be closed from Monday, July 7, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. through Friday, July 11, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.  The intersection will be closed while crews perform underground stormwater pipe removal and repairs.

The detour for northbound traffic is Avila Road to Olive Avenue to Diana Place.  The detour for southbound traffic is Actaeon Place to Olive Avenue to Avila Road.

What:  4th on Flagler Road Closings
When:  Beginning Thursday, July 3, 2008
Affected Area:  Flagler Drive, downtown WPB

(07/01/08)  The following roads will be closed for “4th on Flagler” in downtown West Palm Beach, which will be held Friday, July 4, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.:

Beginning Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.:
Flagler Drive will be closed from Banyan Boulevard to Lakeview Avenue.
North Clematis Street will be closed from Lantana Avenue to Flagler Drive.
South Clematis Street will be closed from Narcissus Avenue to Flagler Drive.
Datura Street will be closed from Narcissus Avenue to Flagler Drive.
Evernia Street will be closed from Narcissus Avenue to Flagler Drive.
Narcissus Avenue will be closed from Datura Street to Evernia Street.
All  the above roads will reopen no later than Saturday, July 5, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.

Beginning Friday, July 4, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.:
Clematis Street, Datura Street, Evernia Street and Fern Street will all be closed from Olive Avenue to Flagler Drive.
Access for resident parking will be maintained on Evernia Street and Fern Street.
All roads will reopen no later than Saturday, July 5, 2008 at 12:00 p.m.

HELP US SALUTE OUR TROOPS THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY !

This is your Last Chance to dedicate a flag! We have 34 flags left to commemorate for the 4th of July. 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the troops currently serving overseas through care packages from Forgotten Soldiers Outreach. Please let our military personnel know that they are not forgotten!

This 4th of July you can commemorate an American Flag in honor of a veteran or someone currently serving in the United States Armed Forces and help raise needed funds to support our troops overseas.

Salute Our Troops Flag Program Highlights:
50 American Flags will wave proudly on Flagler Drive for the 4th on Flagler celebration.
For a minimum suggested $50 donation, you can dedicate one of these flags with a special sign that will include your own message.
All proceeds will directly benefit Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc., a nonprofit that sends monthly care packages and letters of encouragement to our US Troops that are stationed overseas.
This year’s 4th on Flagler event will kick off with a stirring opening ceremony at 5:00 pm to honor all of the brave men and women currently serving overseas.
Registration deadline to dedicate a flag is FRIDAY, JUNE 27 at 5:00 PM.

Click on the link below to register on-line or download an application:
http://www.forgottensoldiers.org/

When: Tuesday, June 24, 2008 beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Where: 726 Lytle Street, West Palm Beach

Dozens of teenagers who are part of a local volunteer program will be donating their time to make improvements to an elderly woman’s house and yard on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at 726 Lytle Street in West Palm Beach.

The teenagers are part of a summer mission camp designed for grade 7 through college. The program encourages students to put their faith into action through events that include volunteering. West Palm Beach’s Vickers House helps coordinate local activities for the M-Fuge volunteers.