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IN THIS ISSUE

·        Residents Attend 20^th Annual Criminal Justice Academy

·        Public Affairs Welcomes New Director

·        Business Leaders Attend the 2007 Palm Beach Partners Matchmaker Conference & Expo

·        Palm Beach County Library Hosts “Water Watch” series

·        Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities

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Residents Attend 20^th Annual Criminal Justice Academy

Thirty-five Palm Beach County residents have enrolled in 20^th annual Citizen’s Criminal Justice Academy.

The 11-week course kicked off on September 11^th at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office where students gathered to attend the first class of the program organized by the Criminal Justice Commission.

During the three-hour session, Executive Director Michael Rodriguez welcomed students to the class and gave them a brief overview of what they would be learning throughout the course.

The purpose of the academy is to educate residents, businesses and government leaders about the criminal justice system and provide a good general knowledge of the system from local criminal justice professionals.

Students in the class ranged in age from teenagers to seniors. During introductions, each student had to give their name and a reason for signing up for the course. Most students said they were interested in finding out how the criminal justice system works.

While attending the academy, students will learn all facets of the criminal justice system, including local and state law enforcement, adult criminal courts, state and local corrections, juvenile justice, the medical examiner and special programs and investigations. The academy includes tours of several criminal justice facilities throughout Palm Beach County, such as the Highridge Family Center, the Juvenile Assessment Center, the Main County Courthouse, the Medical Examiner’s Office and the Main County Detention Center.

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Public Affairs Welcomes New Director

When Lisa Sherwood was a high school student at Rosarian Academy in West Palm Beach, she decided to do a senior project at Palm Beach International Airport.  Little did she know that this opportunity would change her life, both professionally and personally. 
 A summer internship at the airport put her on track to becoming a permanent employee there in 1981 where she worked until becoming the County’s Public Affairs Director just a few weeks ago. 
 Her interest in flying steered her to taking pilot training at Palm Beach Community College where she met her husband, Guillermo and later became Lisa De La Rionda. 
 De La Rionda’s career path started with a position as a clerk/typist, and after several years of administrative and technical work in communications, she became the Airports Noise Abatement Officer in 1999.  As a working mom, De La Rionda realized that
to get promoted, finishing her college education was a must. The County’s tuition reimbursement program was certainly a motivator.  Subsequently, she was promoted to the position of manager and eventually director. 
 Working at the Department of Airports, De La Rionda forged great relationships with airport employees and the community.  She is grateful for the support and encouragement she received over the years from so many, especially Airports Director Bruce Pelly, for whom she worked for 21 years.  Her husband and son Jonathan have also been supportive as they observed her professional growth over the years. 
 De La Rionda feels fortunate to join an award-winning team. “Public Affairs has been nationally recognized as a department putting forth the County’s message in multiple formats including video, the Web and printed materials,” she said.  “I’m looking forward to working with such an accomplished group of employees.”
 She has always found it exciting to work for the County.  To fellow employees she recommends, “Embrace your work; it’s a good part of you.” 

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Business Leaders Attend the 2007 Palm Beach Partners Matchmaker Conference & Expo

More than 600 local business professionals attended the first 2007 Palm Beach Partners Matchmaker Conference & Expo. The daylong event took place at the Palm Beach County Convention Center where participants attended a series of workshops regarding how to do business in the County.

Palm B--+each County sponsored the event, along with the City of West Palm Beach, the South Florida Water Management District, the School District of Palm Beach County and the TED Center.

Participants attended a luncheon, which featured keynote speaker Tony Brown, who is founding dean and professor at the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications at Hampton University. Brown is also a best-selling author and host and executive producer of PBS series Tony Brown’s Journal.

Some topics of the workshops included, Doing Business with SFWMD, Quick Books for Government Contractors, Computer Basics and Business Grants, Loan Documentation and How to Write and Execute a Business Plan.

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Palm Beach County Library Hosts “Water Watch” series

Explore the rich water resources of Florida, and then learn about conservation practices for your own garden in this three-part series presented by the Palm Beach County Library System in partnership with the Palm Beach County Extension Service.

October 10, 2007

Water Watch: Exploring the Value of Florida’s Water Resources

Water is one of Florida’s most precious resources. The quantity and quality of water is directly linked to our environment, economy, and overall quality of life. Join Alyssa Dodd, Agricultural and Natural Resources Extension Agent with Palm Beach County Extension Service, to learn more about Florida’s water resources, water use, and conservation.

October 17, 2007

Water Watch: Xeriscaping^TM For Water Conservation

Xeriscaping^TM was coined by the Denver, CO Water Department in 1978 for a program to help the community conserve water in the landscape.  Join Christine Rainbolt, Master Gardener Coordinator with Palm Beach County Extension Service, to learn how to use the same principles to design a Florida Friendly landscape.  It’s not just cactus!

October 24, 2007

Water Watch: Capturing and Conserving Water in the Landscape

Conserving water in the landscape can make a big difference in overall home water use. Join Keith Patton, Florida Yards and Neighbors Coordinator with Palm Beach County Extension Service, to learn how to take advantage of rainwater for landscape use, utilize low volume and direct temporary irrigation systems, and select the right plant for the right place. 

Preregistration is requested for each session. The event will be held at the Main Library, 3650 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach 33406. For more information, call 561-233-2600

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More Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities

·        If you would like to donate some pet toys, please drop them off at the Animal Care & Control  Shelter, 7100 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach. The toys can be new or in good, clean condition. Hard chew toys are preferred for dogs and all kinds of cat toys are appreciated. The shelter needs blankets and bath towels. For more information, call 233-1200.

·        Join the park naturalist at Riverbend Park for a “Four-Winged Hunt” where you can walk in search of the local butterflies and their native plants. The event is set for Saturday, October 6^th from 9 to 10:30 a.m.. The program is free and does not require reservations. Riverbend Park is located at 9060 Indiantown Rd. in Jupiter. For more information, call (561)748-2028

·        Head to Green Cay Nature Center every Saturday for free, guided half-mile, 45-minute boardwalk tours at 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm. Additional tours are offered on Tuesday at 4:00 pm. No reservations required. All participants are required to sign a Program Participation Form for every program or tour. Green Cay Nature Center is operated by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department and is located at 12800 Hagen Ranch Road in Boynton Beach.

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