Page 1 - PGA Community News - July '21
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VOL. 31 NO. 7 FAX 561-624-9088 • E-MAIL canpga@yahoo.com JULY 2021
Commissioner’s Update
Libraries Enrich Our Lives of Juno Beach, Jupiter, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Palm Beach information, social services applications and technology
Gardens, Palm Beach Shores, and Tequesta. training, as well as an extensive adult education program
By County Commissioner The library system offers in-person and online services is available. The library system hosts naturalization
Maria Marino at 17 locations, bookmobile stops, and lends educational kits ceremonies for permanent residents to become U.S.
Andrew Carnegie, to childcare facilities. Millions of physical items, including citizens, and provides opportunities for community
an industrialist and books, DVDs, audiobooks, music CDs, and read-aloud story members and organizations to become involved with the
philanthropist who led the times and book discussions are available to library members library through volunteer efforts and partnerships. They
expansion of the American of all ages. The Summer Reading Program, held virtually have also begun to process passport applications as of
steel industry in the late this year, helps students maintain their reading progress as January this year.
19th century, said, “A they approach the next school year. For the 12th year in a row, the library system has
library outranks any other Despite disruptions due to COVID-19, the library presented a balanced budget at the current millage rate of
one thing a community can system provided continuous service throughout the year .5491, which they have maintained for 12 years. Reserves
do to benefit its people. It is and transitioned services to meet community needs. There of 10 percent will be set aside to cover costs associated
a never failing spring in the are no longer late fees charged on overdue materials, and with emergencies and unforeseen events, including
desert.” According to the American Library Association enhanced remote access, in-person service and curbside disasters. The capital improvements fund is planning for
(ALA), libraries in America are cornerstones of the pickup have been available to residents. More than 9,500 $12.6 million in anticipated renovations due to age and
communities they serve. The ALA states that free access to people registered for temporary e-cards during March, use of buildings, and reserves for future large projects. As
the books, ideas, resources, and information in America’s April and May of 2020, and 2.35 million people visited the county continues to grow, the library system will plan
libraries is imperative for education, employment, the library last year. Palm Beach County’s Library System for additional expansion projects.
enjoyment and self-government. also garnered Hoopla’s No. 1 library in Florida for users With so many resources, courses, and activities free for
In Palm Beach County, the mission of the library and loans, and No. 5 in the United States. the asking, I encourage you to become a library member.
system is to connect communities, inspire thought, and Resources include the Small Business Reference It will enrich your life.
enrich lives. This special taxing district provides library Center, and access to job information, interviewing tips If I can be of assistance to you, please let me know by
services to unincorporated areas of the county and 24 and resumé writing, financial publications, demographics calling (561) 355-2201 or send an email to mmarino@
municipalities including the North County communities and legal codes, cases and forms. Consumer health pbcgov.org.
Northern Notes
Hurricane Tips And detached shed or garage, at least 50 feet away from ignition
sources such as pilot lights or a furnace. Store gasoline at room
Reminders temperature and keep it away from potential heat sources such
as the sun, or the trunk of a car that’s in direct sun. Heating the
By Katie Roundtree, gasoline will build pressure in the container. Gas can be stored
Finance Director, Northern up to three to six months, so be sure to use and replace the
Palm Beach County gas in your containers with fresh gasoline every few months.
Improvement District Another priority for hurricane prep is to check your
June 1 began t he “window plan.” Some options are to board up your house
official Atlantic hurricane with plywood, install shutters or hurricane impact windows.
season. The National These precautions prevent flying debris from damaging the
Oceanic and Atmospheric windows in your house. Having a window plan before an
Administration (NOAA) impending hurricane means that the supplies will be more
is predicting another busy plentiful. Metal shutters and plywood are just as difficult to
year. Now is the time to Source: express.co.uk find as water before a storm hits. Purchasing these materials
prepare and make sure you and cutting them to fit your windows beforehand will only
and your family are ready, just in case our area is affected you from leaving your house for a while. A stock of ease hurricane season anxiety and protect yourself as best
this year. When a hurricane threatens, there is one thing nonperishable goods such as water, cereal, dry milk and as possible.
that can be predicted year after year and hurricane after canned foods is also useful in case of electric outages. Other hurricane necessities according to the Red Cross:
hurricane: panic and chaos. Gasoline stations, hardware A good method is to create an assigned bin to be used • Battery powered radio to access the NOAA Weather
stores and grocery stores become inundated with people during a hurricane to store your “hurricane stock.” This Channel
panic buying since they waited until the last minute to hurricane stock should be replenished after each storm and • Flashlights
prepare. The first step to prepare for hurricane season maintained throughout the year, checking for expiration • Extra batteries
and avoid the chaotic shopping spree is to build your dates each time. A stock of water to last at least three days • First-aid kit
“hurricane stock” now. A “hurricane stock” is essential per person is essential, but one lasting up to two weeks • Maps of the area (in case you can’t access your cell
for post landfall, because flooding and debris may prevent is ideal. phone or GPS)
Investing in gasoline While hurricane season can be a stressful and uncertain
containers and keeping them time, being prepared is the best thing you can do to ease that
filled up during hurricane stress. Being prepared allows you to be in control, not the
season is also helpful in storm. Happy hurricane season Floridians, be safe, aware
case a hurricane causes a and prepared!
large-scale evacuation, as NPDES tip: Planting a rain garden with native plants
with Hurricane Irma. These around your home helps lock rainwater in the ground,
spare gas containers may be reducing the flow of pollutants and poisons into the drains.
your only source of gas while Using organic fertilizers and pesticides in your garden
evacuating the area. Store further protects and brings health to your yard and all the
gasoline in a well-ventilated species living there.