By Dennis Glade Palm Beach Post Staff Writer PALM BEACH GARDENS — Some see oats as a simple ingredient, but Mika Manninen and Helena Lumme saw a business opportunity.Eleven months ago, Manninen and Lumme founded Palm Beach Gardens-based Simpli, a company that produces and imports oat shakes and oatmeal, and they have seen quick success.Simpli has capitalized on a growing market of organic customers by offering dairy-free natural products.Originally from Finland, Manninen and Lumme have served as consultants for Fortune 50 companies bringing products from the United Kingdom to the United States and vice versa."We really specialize in fast-moving consumer goods, which is anything you find in a grocery store," Manninen said. "At the same time we wanted to find a product of our own ... Continue reading →
Bruce R. Bennett/The Palm Beach Post Nick Scafidi, owner of Nick’s Creative Marine, is backup driver for this rare, turbine-powered unlimited class race boat. He is trying to bring a powerboat race to Palm Beach County for the first time since 1999. By Bill DiPaolo Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Updated: 9:26 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012 Posted: 6:49 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 JUPITER — Four dozen powerboats racing up to 180 mph between the Juno Beach Pier and Carlin Park in October is just what the local economy needs, said race promoter Jim Hauser."It would be a colorful, incredible event. I figure we could attract 20,000 people," said Hauser, 65, a Jupiter resident and lifelong boater. The Palm Beach World Championship would be ... Continue reading →
By Bill DiPaolo Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Updated: 12:23 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012 Posted: 12:10 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012 JUPITER — Removing 109 mangroves from their property on the Loxahatchee River without proper permits will cost Roger and Myrna Byrd $1.6 million, according to a magistrate's ruling."The bottom line is, you are not allowed to whack mangroves, and if caught, you shouldn't get away with it," Magistrate Paul Nicolletti said in his ruling.The Byrds must pay the town of Jupiter $15,000 per tree. The Byrds must also pay the town legal fees, according to the ruling."We'll appeal. That amount is certainly excessive. About 75 percent of the trees were only six-foot high hedges. I am disappointed but confident we can win an ... Continue reading →
By Bill DiPaolo Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Updated: 5:02 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, 2012 Posted: 4:57 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, 2012 Want to buy a 12-foot-high fountain that features water coming out of three lions' mouths that was owned by Elin Nordegren, the ex-wife of Tiger Woods? The concrete fountain -14 feet in diameter - is among the hundreds of items Nordegren donated to Habitat for Humanity in Martin County before her 17,000-square-foot mansion in Seminole Landing was torn down. Habitat workers removed cabinets, brick driveway pavers, five sub-zero refrigerators, chandeliers, 14 vanities, controlled-temperature wine coolers called EuroCaves, dozens of doors and one gas range, said Bobbi Blodgett, the director of deconstruction for the non-profit organization that builds homes for the needy. "What a ... Continue reading →
By Bill DiPaolo Palm Beach Post Staff Writer JUPITER — Despite fears an expanded Walmart may clog traffic on Indiantown Road, the council Tuesday narrowly approved allowing the store to expand by 37,000 square feet."If we approve gridlock, our residents will be screaming at us," said Mayor Karen Golonka, who along with Councilman Jim Kuretski dissented in the 3-2 vote to allow a full-service grocery store addition at the busy intersection with Center Street.About 45,000 vehicles daily travel on Indiantown Road through the intersection, according to county records.The vote requires Walmart to pay for a study to determine if the expansion meets the town's traffic standards. Any changes that are needed, such as modifying turn lanes or changing traffic light timing, would be paid for ... Continue reading →
By Bill DiPaolo Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Updated: 4:44 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 Posted: 4:12 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 JUPITER — Bubba Gump Shrimp Company is expected to open its seventh Florida restaurant next year in the now-vacant former Crab House restaurant on A1A near the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.Preliminary plans to remodel the single-story structure have been submitted to the town by Houston-based Landry's Inc., which owns the seafood chain where waiters and waitresses quiz patrons about Forrest Gump, the movie starring Tom Hanks.Plans must be approved by the town's building department and town council before construction can begin. No date is available for when plans will be submitted."Major alterations are not needed because the building was already a restaurant. We're changing ... Continue reading →
