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August 11, 2008

IN THIS ISSUE

·       Palm Tran to Launch Two New Links

·         Boat Ramps at Stub Canal Park to Close for Renovation

·         Learn How to Harvest Rainwater at Mounts Botanical Garden

·         The Office of Small Business Assistance Will Offer Free Business Training

·        Cooperative Extension Service Offers Money Tip: Keep Check on Your Household Spending

·        Florida Kid Care Hosts Back-to-School Rally

For more information about Palm Beach County’s programs and services, visit us online at www.pbcgov.com. If you have any questions or to provide feedback, you can e-mail us at countenews@pbcgov.com or call 355-2754. To unsubscribe to Count-e-News, click here.

Palm Tran to Launch Two New Links 

Palm Tran’s route deviation service, The Link, will soon provide access to public transportation in two new areas of Palm Beach County. New Links will be launched during the month of August to serve the following areas:

-The Turquoise Link will provide service to the Greenacres area. The Turquoise Link will operate each Monday beginning August 11.

-The Brown Link will operate in the East Boynton Beach area via Seacrest Blvd., Woolbright Road, Jog Road and Boynton Beach Blvd. to the Caridad Center. The Brown Link will operate each Thursday beginning August 14.

The new Coral Link is off to a great start. The Coral Link operates each Wednesday, serving Hypoluxo Road to Lake Worth Road via U.S. 1 and A1A. For complete routing information about The Link, please call 561-649-9848 and select option 5.

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Boat Ramps at Stub Canal Park to Close for Renovation

Two boat ramps located in Stub Canal Park are currently under renovation. One ramp will remain open while the other is being renovated. The anticipated completion date of the project is August 29.

Stub Canal is located at 2140 Oglethorpe Road in West Palm Beach. For more information about this project, contact the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department at (561) 966-6655.

For additional locations of county-operated boat ramps, visit www.pbcparks.com.

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 Learn How to Harvest Rainwater at Mounts Botanical Garden

Learn how to save water and money by harvesting rainwater. Alyssa Dodd, Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension Agent with UF/IFAS Palm Beach County Extension will explain the value of water, Florida’s water budget and discuss the amount of water used in Palm Beach County.

Learn how individual actions fit into the “bigger picture” of protecting and conserving our water resources. A rain barrel and instruction will be given to each participant.

The supply of barrels is limited; advance registration is required. Cost is $50 for members; $60 for non-members. The event will be held on Saturday August 23, 2008 in Exhibit Hall A in Mounts’ Hutcheson Complex, which is located at 559 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach. For more information, call 561-233-1757.

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The Office of Small Business Assistance Will Offer Free Business Training

The Office of Small Business Assistance has developed a workshop series for small businesses seeking information on “How to Do Business with Palm Beach County.” The Small Business Development Center provides an overview of the bidding process with a focus on the different instruments used in bidding that includes RFPs, RFSs, RFQs and IFBs.

County staff will discuss interacting with the following departments: Purchasing, Engineering, Water Utilities and Facilities Development & Operations. A representative from the Risk Management Department will also discuss insurance requirements on contracts awarded by Palm Beach County.

The next event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, September 17 at the Pam Beach County Purchasing Conference Room 109 at 50 South Military Trail. For more information on how to register, contact the Office of Small Business Assistance Office at 561-616-6840.

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Cooperative Extension Service Offers this Money Tip: Keep a Check from Your Household Spending

Nearly 32 cents of every dollar spent by American families is for groceries and household items. Individuals make an average of three trips per week to the grocery store, and one or more stops at a drug or discount store. In many instances, people are spending money they could otherwise be saving for the future because they fail to compare, and get the most, for their money. Stores cleverly display merchandise in locations that do not escape the eyes – all designed to get the shoppers to spend. Given the “growing scarcity” of the dollar, what steps can the consumer take to reduce spending and get the most for their hard earned dollar? The keys are to spend smarter, compare quality, price and value, and buy the bigger items without borrowing. The Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service offers some tips to guide you as you go to the grocery store:

• Use a list when shopping. Write everything you want on the list and do not add any items once you get to the store. Avoid impulse buying. If you shop while you’re hungry, the temptation to buy items you would not normally buy is greater and you end up spending more.

• Watch for store ads. Check for sale prices on items you normally buy. Look for “two-for-one” buys. Compare prices with other stores, especially those you don’t normally visit. Use coupons whenever possible. Pay special attention to the days of the week when the sale prices are in effect.

• Try to use cash instead of using a debit card or writing a check. Using cash makes a great impact on the mind. It causes you to think ahead and spend only what’s in your wallet.

• Always shop by the unit price of the items. Check various brands, including the store brand, of the same size item for the price per ounce, per item, etc.

• Plan meals in advance. Be mindful of using leftovers or freezing for later use when purchasing meats and making pasta dishes. Consider buying meat items you regularly use in bigger quantities, as long as you have adequate freezer space.

• Be cautious about adding non-food items to the grocery list. Items such as health and beauty products, paper and plastic goods, and utensils cost more when purchased at the grocery store. Consider purchasing these at a discount store.

• Stick to the list. When shopping, stick to the list you made. Remember to make the list before, not while or after you have shopped.

• Check the checker. Note the prices as you select the item and make sure the same price is charged at check-out. Check the register tape after you have paid. Unintentional errors can occur, especially if you have bought a number of items.

For more information from the Cooperative Extension Service’s Family and Consumer Science Division, visit http://www.pbcgov.com/coopext/FACS/.

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Florida KidCare Hosts Back-to-School Rally

The Palm Beach County Florida KidCare Coalition brought together community and business leaders representing the Palm Beach County area on Sunday, August 3 at the Shoppes of Cresthaven in West Palm Beach. Community leaders discussed the need to provide health insurance to Palm Beach County’s kids whose parents are either not offered health insurance through their jobs or cannot afford health insurance coverage for their child.

Over 500,000 Florida children are eligible to receive low-cost or free health care coverage through Florida KidCare, but are not enrolled. The enrollment fair took place with staff on hand to assist families in applying for Florida KidCare.

Free school supplies were distributed to families attending the event. Claudia Tuck, Palm Beach County’s Director of Human Services, also presented a proclamation from Palm Beach County at the rally. For more information about Florida KidCare, visit http://www.floridakidcare.org/.

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