Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives - HD Audio - Kicking off Christmas music season

A well known ear worm.   am now passing it on to you.

Enjoy.  Merry Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving 2025 - and remember - the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line is ready to assist with that holiday mean questions.

The holiday season is officially upon us!  Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

There is much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. Alexandra, Katherine, Meredith and I wish you and your family the happiest of holidays.

Like millions of others across this great country, we will celebrate Thanksgiving, honoring a tradition older than the nation itself. The Continental Congress proclaimed that the "inhabitants of these states" observe a day of Thanksgiving back in 1782.  Ever since then we set this day aside to give thanks for all our blessings, and this year we have many things for which to be thankful.

Please also take the time to remember and help the less fortunate.  Many families and children are doing with less, Take the time to become involved in a local charity, with time, if not a donation. There are many ongoing charities that are looking for donations and volunteers.

Thanksgiving is the busiest traveling season of the year.  Please be aware and be safe.

One of my personal favorite quotes about a holiday:

On Thanksgiving Day all over America, families sit down to dinner at the same moment - halftime.

- (author unknown) 

Need last minute help with the holiday meal? The Butterball Turkey Talk-Line is ready to assist with that holiday mean questions.

• Phone: 1-800-BUTTERBALL (1-800-288-8372)
• Text: 844-877-3456
• Butterball’s Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Pinterest channels
• Visit Butterball.com to e-mail or chat live with the Turkey Talk-Line experts plus find trusted recipes, how-to videos and other resources.The backstory:

Every November and December since 1981, the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line’s professionally trained turkey experts have assisted millions of holiday cooks.

Your vote matters! Fat Bear week 2025 is underway. Do not miss out! Voting opens at 12 PM, Tuesday, 9/23/2025

We have reached that time of the year - FAT BEAR WEEK. This is an environmental education event.  Some of the largest brown bears on Earth make their home at Brooks River in Katmai National Park, Alaska. Brown bears get fat to survive, and Fat Bear Week is an annual tournament celebrating their success in preparation for winter hibernation. 

 An annual favorite - (Information below lifted from https://explore.org/fat-bear-week):

Vote for the fattest bear of the year! Some of the largest brown bears on Earth make their home at Brooks River in Katmai National Park, Alaska. Brown bears get fat to survive and Fat Bear Week is an annual tournament celebrating their success in preparation for winter hibernation. Matchups are open for voting September 23-30 between 12 - 9  p.m. Eastern / 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Pacific.

This is a single elimination tournament. For each match-up, vote for the bear you believe best exemplifies fatness and success in brown bears. The bear with the most votes advances to the next round. Only one will be crowned Fat Bear Week champion. Meet the bears, fill out your bracket, predict your fat bear winner, and campaign for your candidate. 

SDU NOTE: The contest is held by Katmai National Park & Preserve to promote public awareness about the wild brown bears of Alaska. Like scenic drives to see the changing leaves, it’s become a popular fall ritual in the United States and around the world.

The 2025 Fat Bear Week bracket:

CLICK HERE to view this official bracket online.

May the fattest bear win!

New litigation against Palmetto Bay. What now? Waiting for the relevant documents to go public.

 A lawsuit was fled by resident Alan Farquharson against the Village of Palmetto Bay. This suit was filed on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.  I am posting the docket to date.  The case has been assigned case number 2025-017648-CA-01 and has been assigned to Circuit Judge Mavel Ruiz.

I am waiting to see the specifics.  The public docket to date merely lists "Other Civil Complaint" as case type.  It also appears that Mr. Farquharson has filed this case pro se, acting as his own attorney (at least for now).

The filings should be posted online for public view sometime Thursday, September 11, 2025.

Working remote. Hudson River Chestertown NY 8 25 2025

Another beautiful day in the Adirondacks. 

Vice Mayor Merwitzer - working to bring back a resident-centric local government - Join him at Coral Reef Park - this Thurs 8-28 5:45 PM

Remember when our local government held actual community workshops on the budget? Too few still remember.

Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer invites you to your park - Coral Reef Park - for the only up close and personal community conversation.

Per Vice Mayor Merwitzer: He is hosting a community conversation THIS THURSDAY and he needs YOU there.

Thursday, August 28th

5:45 PM - Sunset

Coral Reef Park Gazebo (near 77th Avenue)

Our village is bringing in more money than ever before, yet we're being told we can't afford police patrols and park hours that families depend on.

Meanwhile, the budget includes:

40% pay raises for council members

$3 million for a private pickleball facility

Guaranteed health insurance for council after we leave office

Does this make sense to you? It doesn't to me.

Come share your thoughts. Bring your neighbors.

Mark wants to work together with you, the residents, on solutions that put families first, because when residents like you show up and stay engaged, we protect the Palmetto Bay we all love.

The budget gets finalized in September. That's when we need you most.

See you Thursday at the park!

Call Mark directly at 786-309-6743

August 7 - Purple Heart Day. Remembering America's Veterans - special recognition for Purple Heart recipients

Palmetto Bay became the first South Florida "Purple Heart City" in 2016 - as per resolution 2016-40 that I was proud to sponsor as Mayor of Palmetto Bay.  It remains important to continue this recognition.

This is a national day of recognition. Purple Heart Day is observed on August 7 each year and is a time for Americans to pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield or paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

See Channel 10 News online: Palmetto Bay becomes first Purple Heart city in South Florida - Flag-raising ceremony held to commemorate honor, By Peter Burke - Local 10.com Managing Editor, posted: 1:22 PM, August 10, 2016.

See prior related post of August 12, 2016, Recognizing our Purple Heart Awardees. Palmetto Bay is now a Purple Heart City! where there are additional photos from this 2016 event

CLICK HERE to view other related posts recognizing our Veterans for their service.

Just for fun - Palmetto Bay Bird Feeder Cam - common grackles - bullies at the feeder cam

Just for fun.  No politics - just watching birds with elbows - looking to dominate at the feeder cam.

Follow up. Helllloooo, McFly? Bueller,... Bueller? Anyone hear the real reason for canceling Palmetto Bay's annual Independence Day celebration yet?

The drama continues to build - release the Shores files! Helllloooo, McFly? Bueller,... Bueller? Great movies and fun to quote - but running government is important business to be taken seriously and fair questions have been asked as to the real reason for canceling Palmetto Bay's annual Independence Day celebration. Any updates yet?

Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer has been following up for residents - he asked the important question to staff - in this case whether the Shores at Palmetto Bay has even been issued a building permit. This question was asked at the Village Council meeting held July 21, 2025. See the video excerpt below - the full meeting is available on the village website.

The answer given was that the Shores property has not received a building permit; that the Shores has not yet paid the impact fees.

So then - construction was not imminent, not before July 4th or even now, after this event should have taken place - so how is this alleged planned construction a viable excuse to cancel a major beloved beloved community event? 

SEE PRIOR RELATED POST OF Thursday, July 10, 2025, Full disclosure requested - what was the real reason for canceling Palmetto Bay's annual Independence Day celebration?

You have questions.  We'd like real answers.

Crying fowl - roosters and hens are continuing to populate Palmetto Bay - coming home to roost.

More updates on how Palmetto Bay is rapidly becoming home to more non-native wildlife.  This well-meaning resident is doing the right thing - posting on Next Door and looking for someone to adopt - let's hope this Rooster is not targeted for elimination like the Coral Reef Parks ducks (and geese) suffered in recent history.

PRIOR RELATED POST: August 14, 2024, Reader submissions - Chickens & Roosters multiplying at Coral Reef Park - non-native species appear to be thriving.

Please - rescue and find a home for this guy!

🚨 Friendly Rooster Abandoned at Coral Reef Park — Needs a Safe Home 🐓

Hi neighbors — I walk through Coral Reef Park regularly and noticed that someone appears to have abandoned a white rooster there recently. He’s clearly domesticated — friendly, a little confused, and walked right up to me making soft sounds, like he’s scared or lonely.

There are a lot of birds and ducks in the park, and while people do feed them, this rooster is not equipped to live outdoors without proper shelter. He’s vulnerable to stray cats, raccoons, dogs, and the weather — especially at night when chickens can’t see well. Roosters also crow early in the morning, which might put him at risk of being removed.

I’d really like to help him find a safe, permanent home. If anyone has a coop, farm, or safe yard with hens, or knows someone who does, please reach out.

He seems sweet and healthy, and I’m happy to help cover his initial expenses (food, supplies, vet check if needed) to ensure he’s cared for.

Please message me if you can help or have any leads. Thank you 🙏

Full disclosure requested - what was the real reason for canceling Palmetto Bay's annual Independence Day celebration?

Really, why? Anticipated construction at the Shore property appeared to have been the excuse - but I received photographs that challenge this narrative.  I went out and looked for myself and yes - there's no construction.  No site prep - nothing looks imminent at that property so then how could this property force a cancellation of the community event.  For background - see PRIOR RELATED POST of Friday, June 27, 2025, Thank you Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer - the facts - Commissioner DCH picks up where Palmetto Bay dropped our very popular Independence Day community celebration

Residents have noticed that the current conditions of the related properties and some have brought this to my attention.  The community review of the properties appear to dispute the stated reason (excuses?) to support cancelation of the Palmetto Bay Independence Day celebration.  I will let the photos tell the story (photos taken after July 5, 2025):

The photo above is taken from county property website and documents the involved vacant properties.  The top area is a 5 acre area owned by the Children's Hospital. The Shores Property is approximately 3 acres that is located directly east of the Municipal Center The property marked by the yellow boundary is owned by Palmetto Bay and is the panned home for the $3+ million for profit Diadem Pickleball Facility.

The photos:

Note photo above: Franjo Road landscaped median appears in the foreground 

Above: The Shores property shows no sign of construction - no fencing is up and the property is properly maintained (mowed) and appears free of any fencing or pre-construction preparation.

The Children's Hospital property has a vacant 5 acre component that has been part of Village events in the past.  Photos:

Finally - I am posting photos of the property owned by the Village of Palmetto Bay. Note that it is the only property with any debris.  There are piles of rock and overgrown, cars and trucks are parked on the property, but no fencing or other items staged on the property that would indicate that any construction is imminent:

Is Palmetto Bay's property maintained to code? I bet this property would be subject to Code Enforcement if it was privately owned.  I can't imagine that the condition of this property is anything but an eyesore for those who live nearby.

What is the real reason for the cancelation? I wonder if the owner of the Shores At Palmetto Bay simply doesn't want to work with Palmetto Bay officials. But what about other surrounding properties? 

The most important question is whether we have suffered the end of Palmetto Bay's Downtown Independence Day celebration, most of which was held on the municipal center property and a closed off Franjo Road.