December 30, 2008

IN THIS ISSUE

• Park Ridge Golf Course Wins Award for Environmental Engineering
• Circuit Sound Spreads Holiday Cheer
• PBC Extension Hosts Florida Master Naturalist Training
• Gym Memberships: A Consumer Trap and Tip from the Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division
• Volunteer Basketball Coaches Needed

For more information about Palm Beach County’s programs and services, visit us online at www.pbcgov.com. During hurricanes or other activation events, Public Affairs will email releases to Count-e-News subscribers. If you have any questions or to provide feedback, you can email us at countenews@pbcgov.com or call (561) 355-2754. To unsubscribe from Count-e-News, click here. 

Park Ridge Golf Course Wins Award for Environmental Engineering

The engineering firm for the county’s Park Ridge Golf Course, Camp Dresser and McGee, has been recognized by the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers (FICE) as a 2009 Grand Award Winner for excellence in environmental engineering.

Park Ridge Golf Course, developed by the Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, opened to the public in March 2007.  The facility, a landfill redevelopment project, has received enthusiastic reviews by the public.  

The FICE Engineering Excellence Awards program is designed to recognize outstanding contributions to the consulting engineering profession through comprehensive evaluation of projects by a distinguished panel of experts in related fields.  In addition, the top winners at the state level proceed to the national competition administered by the American Council of Engineering Companies where they will compete for, among other awards, the coveted Grand Conceptor Award.

The Grand Award winners will be recognized throughout the year. Recognition includes articles in the January 2009 Florida Engineering Society (FES) journal and FICE Update, postings on the FES and FICE Web sites, the FICE banquet, the 2009 FICE display, and the 2010 FICE directory and guide.

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Circuit Sound Spreads Holiday Cheer

Since 1992, the Clerk & Comptroller’s traveling carolers, Circuit Sound, have been performing delightful holiday melodies for county employees.  The performances not only cheer everyone up but also raise money for charities.  So, far more than $5,000 has been raised for charitable organizations.

On Dec. 16, 2008, the group visited the Governmental Center in West Palm Beach to spread some holiday cheer.  According to tradition, employees lined up on all the atrium levels to drop their donations down to the lobby.  The bills came down over the heads of the singers as airplanes, attached to balloons or bells and some were gently lowered on string.  The annual performance is enjoyed by many and is especially favored by those who think of new ways to send their donations from the floors above.

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PBC Extension Hosts Florida Master Naturalist Training

The Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension is sponsoring the Florida Master Naturalist Training program on Florida’s ecosystems. The Freshwater Wetlands course is being offered in West Palm Beach, on Saturdays, Jan. 10 to Feb. 21, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No class will be held on Feb. 14 The goal of the training is to promote increased awareness and appreciation of Florida’s environmental resources.  The training will include classroom instruction, field trips and practical interpretive experience related to the general ecology, habitats, vegetation types, wildlife and conservation issues of wetland habitats in Florida.

This course is for adults interested in learning more about Florida’s environment, those in an eco-tourism business, volunteers or staff of environmental facilities, and teachers. Enthusiasm and registration are the only requirements to participate.

Registration for this course closes Jan. 1.  The course outline and registration are online at www.masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu. 

The cost for the course is $225 which includes more than 40 contact hours of instruction, a two-volume comprehensive student reference workbook, registration in the University of Florida’s Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) database as a Freshwater Wetlands Naturalist, a certificate of achievement, an embroidered FMNP patch and an FMNP Uplands lapel pin.

For more information, contact Melissa Allman at (561) 233-1792 at the Palm Beach County Extension Service, 559 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33415 or at MAllman@pbcgov.org. 

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Gym Memberships: A Consumer Trap and Tip from the Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division

Trap
Debbie called Consumer Affairs for help in resolving a problem with the gym ten minutes from her home.  For the new year, Debbie planned to become a lean, muscle machine. When she visited the gym and toured the facility, her salesperson promised she would have her own personal trainer and the club would be open 15 hours a day.  Now the gym is always crowded, trainers are rarely available, and the facility is only open 10 hours each day.  Debbie wants her money back!

Tips
If you are considering joining a gym/health club for the new year, here are some tips:

·     Check with your doctor first.  Some medical problems (i.e., back issues) may limit use of the gym’s equipment or classes.

·     Many consumers don’t read the contract before signing. The contract should clearly show the duration of the agreement, monthly/total costs, payment plan and the renewal terms. (Some are automatically renewed.)

·     If the services of personal trainers are provided, ask when they are available, how often will they work with you, and if their services are charged separately from the contract price.  Make sure all “promises” are written in the contract.

·     If you change your mind, the contract can be cancelled within three business days after signing the contract.  Send the written cancellation by certified mail. 

·     Even though gyms may reduce their hours or move their location, you may not be eligible for a refund.  Read your contract carefully.   

Gyms are regulated by Florida statute.  If you have a dispute involving one of the 150 health studios licensed in Palm Beach County, Consumer Affairs may be able to assist with mediating a settlement or link you to the proper state agency. Check consumer complaints filed against gyms on the Consumer Affairs Web site, www.pbcgov.com/consumer or for more information call 561-712-6600 (Boca/Delray: 1-888-852-7362).  

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Volunteer Basketball Coaches Needed

Are you a sports enthusiast and enjoy working with children? Westgate Recreation center is in need of positive role models to help teach basketball fundamentals to Westgate community youth.

Consider coaching in the Youth Basketball League for ages 8-11 or Teen Basketball League for ages 12-15. The Westgate Recreation staff will provide training and support throughout the season. The children will greatly benefit from your time and energy.  NAYS (National Alliance for Youth Sports) coaches training is scheduled for Thursday, February 5, 2009. Volunteer registration is required.

Games will be played on Saturdays from February 21 through April 18, 2009.  Youth games are held from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., and Teen games are held from 1:30 - 4:30 pm.

For more information, please contact Carlos Morales at (561) 694-5455.

Westgate Park and Recreation Center is operated by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department and is located at 3691 Oswego Avenue in West Palm Beach.
 
For more information on this and other programs available through the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.pbcparks.com.

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