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Governor Crist Signs Revised Budget

Governor Charlie Crist signed the revised 2008-09 budget passed during a special legislative session earlier this month. Governor Crist also exercised his authority to veto line-item budget items, restoring $90.9 million in general revenue funding to preserve Florida's investment in many critical areas including economic development.  In doing so, he fully restored the $9.9 million cut to VISIT FLORIDA.

In his letter to Secretary of State Kurt Browning Governor Crist said, "Maintaining VISIT FLORIDA's funding will serve to invigorate Florida's travel industry and protect the vital state tax revenue generated by our visitors.  Being a catalyst for the state's tourism industry, VISIT FLORIDA matches every $1 in state funding with $2 in private sector investment in cooperative marketing, sales, promotions and public relations efforts.  In 2007, tourism comprised 19 percent of Florida's total taxable sales, returning $3.9 billion to the state in the form of sales taxes and generating $65.5 billion in direct economic impact.  We cannot afford to forgo an existing revenue source at a time when Florida depends on every dollar."

Source - VISIT FLORIDA

Max Planck Society's Science Tunnel Exhibit Opens

The world-renowned Max Planck Society's Science Tunnel exhibition recently opened at the South Florida Science Museum. The exhibit has traveled the world and is making its U.S. debut in Palm Beach County.

The Science Tunnel offers visitors a fascinating view into the world of scientific discoveries and includes several video stations and hands-on stations.  The exhibit took 12 days to install and includes 16 video projectors, 13 monitors, 26 DVD units, eight AMX media control units and 14 sound systems.

You can visit the Science Tunnel until March 29 at the South Florida Science Museum in West Palm Beach.

Art Walk to Benefit ArtiGras Art Education Fund!

On Wednesday, February 4, the three galleries at PGA Commons - Onessimo Fine Art, Studio E Gallery and RosettaStone Fine Art - invite everyone to come stroll the Art Walk to benefit the ArtiGras Art Education Fund. Each gallery is paring up with one of the local restaurants to have their chef present an interpretation of one of the gallery's featured artists.

RosettaStone will be pairing up with two restaurants -- Metronome and Sushi Jo. Metronome will be interpreting RosettaStone's upcoming French Posters show while Sushi Jo will be emulating the style of artist Barry Seidman. Studio E Gallery will be working with Oakwood Grill to present a tasty work of beauty while Vic & Angelos will be joined with Onessimo Fine Art to interpret the works of artist Jamali.

The event is free and 10% of the outside bar sales will go to benefit the ArtiGras Art Education Fund, which distribute money to local Palm Beach County schools to assist them in buying the supplies needed to run a successful art program. In addition, each restaurant will also be offering a special dinner menu featuring a variation of their interpretive art work.

PGA Commons is located on the south side of PGA Boulevard between I-95 and the Turnpike.