A video posted on Instagram by Wavy Boats claimed to show boaters dumping trash into the ocean during Boca Bash. Photo provided

By Mary Haldky

Boca Bash lived up to its wild reputation this year as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission made 18 arrests for boating under the influence or drug possession during the April 28 bacchanal on Lake Boca.

The commission also is investigating a possible instance of illegal trash dumping after a video circulated on social media showing a group of young people on a boat throwing trash from two large garbage cans into the ocean near Lake Boca. The video was shot by Wavy Boats, a popular Instagram account. The video shows the boat’s name as Halcyon out of Gulf Stream.

“We cannot be more angered or disturbed by these actions,” Boca Bash organizers said on their Facebook page. They said they immediately began trying to identify who was on the vessel.

“By no means do we believe this is a representation of the gathering,” they added. “We implore and expect boaters to keep the waterways clean, uphold proper boating etiquette and follow state laws on the water.”

In a statement and video released on April 30, the FWC said several trash-dumping “subjects” have been identified and the agency is working with the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office to determine appropriate charges.

An agency spokesman said that anyone involved who wants to come forward can call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office posted 18 arrests made by FWC on April 28 and early April 29 on its booking blotter.

During last year’s Boca Bash, the same number of people were arrested and five calls were received from people needing medical help.

Boca Bash, always held on the last Sunday in April, is loosely organized online and is not sponsored or endorsed by the city.

FWC takes the law enforcement lead because Lake Boca, actually a wide section of the Intracoastal Waterway, falls under state jurisdiction. Boca Raton police assist its officers.
This year’s crowd size was not immediately known, but in past years as many as 10,000 have attended the event that draws hundreds of boats.

FWC’s enforcement targets anyone boating under the influence.

As it has in the past, the city closed Wildflower and Silver Palm parks and limited access to Spanish River Park Marina in advance of Boca Bash.

They serve as staging areas for fire rescue and law enforcement. Limiting public access is intended to prevent people from coming to the parks to try to hitch rides on boats.

American Sign Language interpreters worked the March 29 production of ‘Merrily We Roll Along‘ at the Delray Beach Playhouse. Jessica Reiling (above) signed the second act and Kate Robertson (below) the first. Robertson says body language is important in conveying the music and mood. Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

Delray Playhouse enlists ASL interpreters for first time so deaf girl can enjoy playwright’s Broadway musical

By Ron Hayes

Not once in its 77 years had the Delray Beach Playhouse been asked. Not even once.

And then it decided to put on Merrily We Roll Along, Stephen Sondheim’s 1981 musical.

“Devra Seidel, who plays Mary Flynn in the show, has a niece who’s deaf and wanted to come,” recalled Andre Lancaster, the show’s director. “So she asked me if I knew anyone who could sign the show for her.”

Of course, he thought of Vera Follain-Grisell.

For 25 years, she had taught special education administration at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the world’s first school for the education of people who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Nowadays Follain-Grisell ushers at the playhouse and volunteers backstage on the lighting and curtains.

“That’s beyond my scope,” she told the director.

You see the challenge.

How do you bring American Sign Language to a Broadway musical? Translating a conversation is one thing, but how do you help a deaf person hear a melody? A mood? A rhyme?

How do you sign Sondheim?

Lancaster began looking up interpreters in Palm Beach County, which led him to Signs of Excellence LLC, which led him to Kate Robertson, which brought her to a rehearsal as opening night neared.

“Tonight, I’m going to watch the rehearsal, get a feel for the style,” she said. “I’ll listen to the score and read the script.”

In addition to her work with Signs of Excellence, Robertson is one of six ASL interpreters at John I. Leonard High School in Greenacres, where she works with 15-20 deaf students each year.

“I interpret Broadway shows all the time,” said Robertson, who’s been signing for 15 years. She’s done Evita and Wicked and The Book of Mormon for high school and regional productions.

“My favorite is Hamilton,” she said, “but all the songs are challenging because there’s no dialogue. I’ve done it four times.”

Now she was going to tackle Sondheim.

“The deaf can’t hear music,” Robertson explained, “but I try to communicate the spirit and context of the music. Melody can’t be interpreted, but if you interpret the words with feeling, you can show the message roughly equivalent to what they’re singing.”

She complements her signing by calling on her body and face.

“Just as we have a tone of voice in English speech, in ASL you have body and facial expression,” she said. “If it’s a sad song, I would show emotion on my face and body. I try to convey the spirit and context.”

Kate Robertson says body language is important in conveying the music and mood.

Also, she noted, interpreters are expected to wear clothing that contrasts with their skin tone, to keep the focus on the sign language, not the flashy, multicolored dress. She is white, so she dresses in black.

“I had one person complain that my maroon sweater was distracting,” she remembered.

Follain-Grisell nodded. “I wore black once to sign at a wedding,” she said, “and someone thought it was disrespectful.”

For the 8 p.m. performance on March 29, Robertson arrived along with a colleague, Jessica Reiling. Robertson would interpret the first act and Reiling the second.

Robertson took her place under a soft light stage right, ready to begin.

But first the director had to do some interpreting of his own, to help the audience understand what it would see.

Merrily We Roll Along tells the story of a Broadway songwriting team, Frank and Charley, from 1957 to 1976. But it tells the story backward in time. The show begins in 1976 and ends in 1957.

Early on, Lancaster figured out that a large part of the audience wasn’t figuring it out.

“People were coming to me confused,” he said later. “I had a number of old men who wondered why he was kissing the girl in the second part of the show when they were getting divorced in the first.”

Now, before the overture, he stepped in front of the curtain to explain this to the audience.

When he also announced that the night’s performance would include sign language interpreters, the sold-out crowd applauded enthusiastically.

The curtain rose, and Robertson went to work.

She used her hands. She used her eyes, her smile, her shoulders. Here and there she conducted the music a little. Sometimes she swayed a bit, almost dancing to the rhythm.

At intermission, audience members stopped to offer congratulations, thanks and praise.

Lead actress Devra Seidel, her niece Sarah Clark and Delray Beach Playhouse volunteer Vera Follain-Grisell (l-r) use sign language to discuss the performance afterward.

Devra Seidel’s niece, 13-year-old Sarah Clark from Maryland, attended the performance but declined to be interviewed.

And days later, Lancaster was still thrilled with having hosted the first ASL interpreters in the theater’s 77 years.

“They were amazing,” he said. “Those two ladies handled it like champs. We’d never had a request for this, so I don’t think I would have thought of it if there hadn’t been a need for it.

“We’ll do it again on a show-by-show basis. People can request it, and maybe we could do other specialized shows for people who need lower volumes or more muted scenery.”

May 17: Tri-County Animal Rescue’s Dinner at Dusk fundraiser will include an exquisite barbecue meal, live music, shopping at pop-up boutiques, pet photos and exclusive silent-auction items. Time is 6 p.m. Cost is $275. Call 561-482-8110 or visit tricountyanimalrescue.com. ABOVE: Event Co-Chairwoman Diana Maune with Lucy.
Photo provided

Baptist Health Foundation received a $5 million gift from the owners of Ocean Properties Hotels and Resorts/OPAL Collection in support of the construction of the medical arts building in the Middle Keys. The gift will result in the naming of the Walsh Family Medical Arts Building. ‘We are very grateful to the Walsh family for this generous gift,’ said Alex Villoch, CEO of the foundation. ‘Their support is helping to expand access to high-quality health care and expert physicians in the Middle Keys so patients won’t have to travel far to get care.’ ABOVE: (l-r) Barbara James, Mark Walsh, Linda Walsh, Dr. Jack Ziffer, Michael Walsh, Drew Grossman, Jay Hershoff and Villoch. Photo provided

South County philanthropists Rocco and Mary Abessinio will be acknowledged in the naming of the new energy plant on the campus of Boca Raton Regional Hospital.

The couple’s $5 million donation to “Keeping the Promise — the Campaign for Boca Raton Regional Hospital” is “most impactful,” CEO Lincoln Mendez said.

“Our Keeping the Promise campaign has been both a revelation and a testament to the commitment this community has always had to Boca Regional,” Mendez said. “One reason that emerges regularly is the enormous generosity of those in our service area who have partnered with us as we move health care forward in Boca Raton and the region.”

Rocco Abessinio founded Applied Card Systems and Applied Bank, among several other successful business forays. Together with his wife, they formed the Rocco A. and Mary Abessinio Foundation.

“We moved to the Boca Raton area 24 years ago and were immediately impressed by the distinction of the hospital and the importance of it to so many who live here,” he said.

“We wanted to be part of this spectacular vision, leave a family legacy and play a role in the health of the community.”

For more information, call 561-955-4142 or visit donate.brrh.com

300,000 diapers donated by Children’s Foundation
The ninth annual Diaper Drive sponsored by Boca West Children’s Foundation collected 300,000 diapers, surpassing last year’s record of 280,000 thanks to the efforts of foundation members.

Other groups also contributed to the drive — which supports the Diaper Bank, Covering South Florida — helping families that struggle with diaper needs.

“Clean diapers are as essential as food to eat and a place to live for a baby,” said Pamela Weinroth, executive director of the foundation. “Whether or not a child has enough clean diapers impacts not only the child’s health, but their parents’ ability to work. We were thrilled to surpass last year’s total, especially given the 20% increase in the cost of diapers from last year.”

For more information on the foundation, call 561-488-6980 or visit bocawestfoundation.org

FAU athletes part of ‘Baskets for Babies’
The law firm Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas, a supporter of Florida Atlantic University, raised $2,240 for Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County.

Relying on the sharpshooting FAU men’s and women’s basketball teams, SSRGA committed to donating $10 for each three-point shot made during this season’s home games. The initiative was part of a campaign called “Baskets for Babies.”

“We are very proud to partner with FAU and Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies,” SSRGA partner Joel Feldman said. “This nonprofit organization does a wonderful job providing programming and services to expectant mothers and their families and doing all it can to promote healthy births.”

Firm representatives presented a $1,000 check to the nonprofit during halftime of a women’s game late in the season. On March 9, they presented a check for $1,200 during the men’s game, an amount that grew as the game progressed.

“A big part of our law firm’s culture is to give back to the community, and through Baskets for Babies, we were able to do it in a fun and creative way,” said Robin Bresky, managing partner of SSRGA’s Boca Raton office.

For more information about Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, call 561-665-4500 or visit hmhbpbc.org

Palm Beach Symphony’s posh production lived up to its glittering golden description and generated proceeds in excess of $1 million. More than 500 well-dressed invitees enjoyed cocktails and a performance by the symphony under the baton of music director Gerard Schwarz. ‘Tonight, we thank our generous sponsors who have elevated Palm Beach Symphony from a small group of local musicians to a leading orchestra on the national stage,’ CEO David McClymont said. ‘Just as important, our members, underwriters and donors are committed to ensuring the symphony’s future.’ ABOVE: Don and Mary Thompson. BELOW: Carol and Joseph Hays. Photos provided by Capehart

The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, an agency that leads partnerships with donors and nonprofits, saw a crowd of almost 600 at the 11th annual benefit. Highlighting ‘Hope for Early Education,‘ it celebrated the powerful philanthropic and charitable connections making a difference locally. George Elmore was the event’s guest of honor and the McIntosh Award recipient. ABOVE: Marti LaTour and Elmore. BELOW: (l-r) Dan Stoops, Lauren Stoops, Aggie Stoops and Jeffrey Stoops. Photos provided by Tracey Benson Photography

Caron Treatment Centers, a nonprofit behavioral health care leader, welcomed rock ’n’ roller Ricky Byrd to the inspirational evening, which celebrated recovery. Byrd, a member of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, performed songs such as ‘I Come Back Stronger’ that lifted spirits. Nearly 200 attended, helping to raise almost $300,000 for treatment programs and scholarships.

Irini Lygnos and Macy Foley

Craig Robinson and Alan Shurr

Douglas and Laura Dick

Terry Shapiro and Jonathan Saltzburg. Photos provided

Members of Men Giving Back South Palm Beach County, an organization that has donated nearly $1.5 million to local charities since 2020, kicked off its fourth annual fundraiser with more than 100 guests. The night of fun, philanthropy and friendly competition included air hockey, ax throwing and putting. ‘This is such a great way to raise awareness for our unique organization,’ said Eddie Ventrice, a founding member. ‘Keeping it simple and fun while fostering camaraderie really appeals to our members, and the success of the Backyard Battle is a testament to that.’ ABOVE: Ventrice and Ary Khatchikian try their hand at air hockey. Photo provided

A total of 130 physicians nominated by the community were recognized at the 26th annual affair sponsored by Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton. The gathering, which took place just prior to National Doctors Day, was attended by more than 250 guests who watched as each doctor received a crystal blue star atop a pedestal engraved with his or her name. The 2024 Doctor of Distinction — the one who earned the most votes — is Dr. Eli Cohen. ABOVE: (l-r) Holli Rockwell Trubinsky, Pat Thomas, Christine Lynn, Marilyn Weinberg and Terry Fedele. Photo provided by Gina Fontana

The gathering of the Florida chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters was a magnificent success that honored Yaacov Heller and raised funds for scholarships and competitions for young talent. Heller, a renowned sculptor and silversmith, received the Lifetime Achievement Award during the evening. ‘The Star Maker Awards Gala is a stellar gathering of the area’s foremost arts advocates,’ said Kirsten Stephenson, chapter president. ‘Each year, we are delighted to witness the incredible young talent that our fundraisers support while paying homage to a cultural icon.’ ABOVE: (l-r) A’Keyah Williams, Alyce Erickson, Shari Upbin and T.J. Pursley. Photo provided by Amy Pasquantonio

The performing arts center’s third Business Speaker Series event of the season featured the Frisbie Group, a private family real-estate investment firm. Kravis Center Vice Chairman Paul Leone interviewed Frisbie executives Rob Frisbie Jr. and Cody Crowell. The two spoke about placemaking and the future of West Palm Beach. ABOVE: Diane Quinn and Jeffrey Stoops. Photo provided

Cameron Falls with some of the offerings at his Beauregard’s Fine Meats and Butchery in Boca Raton. Photo provided

By Jan Norris

A choice between moving from Monterey, California, to Seattle or South Florida came down to weather and cost of living for Cameron Falls. He, his spouse and two kids decided on South Florida, and as a result, Boca Raton is home to Falls’ first butcher shop.

Beauregard’s Fine Meats and Butchery opened in mid-April on Northeast 20th Street at Federal Highway. It’s the result of a culinary student-turned-chef’s journey into butchery.

A graduate of New York’s Culinary Institute of America, Falls had a successful career in fine dining restaurants in New York City.

“We had the best animals from area farms, and they came in whole to the restaurants, so I was used to working with whole animals. I fell in love with butchery,” he said.

He had a knack for it, too, and after moving to California and getting experience in a butcher shop when restaurants closed during the coronavirus pandemic, he was encouraged by customers to open his own place.

“The hours were better for a family life and kids,” he said.

He packed up his family to be with his in-laws in South Florida, and decided to open a butcher shop in Boca Raton.

Falls had help with the interior design from his wife, Gillian Generoso, a primary care physician, making the shop a family affair.

Meat in Florida is “wonderful,” Falls said, contrary to some perceptions.

“There’s a plethora of beautiful, pasture-raised cattle here,” Falls said. “Heritage, grain-finished beef we get from Quincey Cattle Co. in Chiefland. It’s some of the best anywhere.

Fort McCoy cattle is grass-fed and grain-finished as well. There are many great Florida cattle farms, and I’m proud to carry their beef.”

It’s poultry that’s impossible for him to get in Florida from the farmers.

“The small farms aren’t allowed to sell to me for retail, yet they are able to sell direct to the consumer, to farmers’ markets and to restaurants,” Falls said. “It’s a very strange code they have for selling to retailers.”

The Florida Department of Agriculture has a law governing small poultry farmers. The farmers are offered a limited license to sell processed chickens to consumers, farmers’ markets and restaurants, but not to retail outlets. The chickens are not USDA inspected, so they must be able to be traced from the farmer to the consumer.

Falls can buy chickens and other birds such as pheasant and duck, but they must be cooked to sell as a retail product. For that reason, rotisserie chickens from Florida may be in the shop.

To buy from a small poultry farmer, Falls has gone to South Carolina, where he’s found chickens he likes at a farm selling heritage breeds that taste like chicken should.

He’ll source from Florida whenever possible, but knows some things are best outside the state. “I want to get in the best meats,” Falls said. “I’ll be getting in wagyu, lamb and other top meats. ...

“It’s the pork I’m most proud of. We get pork from heritage hogs from a farm in the Panhandle. I couldn’t find a good pork chop down here anywhere. These are the best chops I’ve ever had.”

He’ll cure and smoke his own products as well.

“We have very good bacon. It’s cured for seven days then smoked, then sliced to order,” Falls said.

He reverts to his chef days in producing charcuterie: pork rillette, duck confit, patés, sausages and specialties such as coppa di testa, or head cheese.

House-made pastrami is coming soon, using old recipes.

“I’m going to use brisket and navel plate. It’s the traditional meat used for pastrami. Hardly anyone uses it anymore,” Falls said. “Also, house-made ham. We cure a whole leg for one week, then smoke it eight to 10 hours. It’s delicious.”

The shop will be stocked with specialty products such as Spanish anchovies and sardines, a selection of olive oils, condiments and artisan breads. The bread will come from Sullivan Street Bakery in New York.

“I tried to get Zak the Baker in but it hasn’t worked out so far. Maybe later,” Falls said. Zak is a premier baker in Miami.

Falls will offer sandwiches cut to order for lunch, and prepared foods in a grab-and-go case. Eventually, he’ll add things such as meatballs, Bolognese sauce and stocks to the cases.

Working as a butcher and a chef, Falls says, is “the best of both worlds.”

Beauregard’s Fine Meats and Butchery, 497 NE 20th St., Boca Raton. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Phone 561-409-4783; online at beauregardsfinemeats.com.

Where’s the beef?
Looking for other choices for picking up meats for a Memorial Day picnic or a special occasion meal? Here are some in the area.

The Butcher Shop at The Butcher and the Bar (510 E. Ocean Ave., 101 Suite B, Boynton Beach; butcherandbar.com): The shop sources “clean meats and produce” from Florida farms. The butcher cuts of beef, pork and lamb, as well as chicken, smoked meats, sausages and condiments, are produced on-site.

Chef Dan Ramos cooks meatballs, bone broth, side dishes and ready-to-cook takeout foods and makes craft sandwiches. Vegetarian options are available. For lunch and dinner, a small dining area and bar are open, as well as an outdoor patio.

Nicholson Muir (480 E Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach; nicholsonmuir.com): A modern steakhouse which grew out of a gourmet meat market. Chef/owner James Muir named the place after his grandfather from Argentina, where grilling steaks is a tradition. A range of prime Angus, American wagyu and Japanese wagyu cuts are cooked on a Japanese konro grill. The shop sells high-end retail items to accompany the steaks — prepared foods, salads, grab-and-go spices, and wine. Meats are cut to the customers’ preferences and come with cooking instructions.

The Meating Place (277 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton; facebook.com/meatingplaceboca): This is a family-owned butcher shop combined with a specialty grocery store. It specializes in prime grade meats, wagyu and Australian lamb. The shop is filled with specialty items to complement the meats, and it sells a variety of prepared foods.

The Meat Dealer Market (106 NE Second St., Boca Raton; themeatdealershop.com): This is both high-end butcher and international market. The family-owned boutique butcher carries Japanese Hokkaido and Miyazaki A5 beef, Australian wagyu, wild caught salmon, heritage poultry and more. Groceries, too.

Sugar Factory replaces Lionfish on Atlantic Avenue

Lionfish’s closing on Atlantic Avenue last month was big news to locals, but bigger news may be the chain brasserie replacing it. Sugar Factory, a popular themed restaurant centered on sweets, has established branches in Miami Beach, Tampa and Orlando.

Craig Menin, owner and landlord at Menin Development, sold the lease that Lionfish Delray held to the owners of Sugar Factory in mid-April in a deal that came as a surprise to diners, but had been in the works for months.

In a statement, Menin said Lionfish was the first new restaurant to open in Delray Beach during COVID, adding, “Lionfish has led the way for the introduction of the latest group of restaurants now open and opening in Delray Beach from across the country.”

The owners of Sugar Factory chose Delray Beach as the chain’s fourth outlet for strategic reasons and for the energy of Atlantic Avenue, which blends “local flavor and tourist buzz,” company spokeswoman Bonnie Taylor said.

Sugar Factory is a social hot spot in its other locations. The bold colors and candy-themed decor are created especially for social media clicks. Special backdrops for selfies are positioned in key areas.

The menu starts at brunch with a waffle-burger, and heads through dinner and afterward with salads, sandwiches, more burgers and desserts.

Sugar Factory is famous for Rainbow Sliders, over-the-top milkshakes and oversize Goblets drink creations.

A retail area has more than 100 varieties of candies and party accessories. The indoor-outdoor restaurant has become a destination spot for celebrations.

In brief
A new concept by celebrity chef Todd English is rumored to be opening in the former Mexican restaurant at 717 Lake Avenue in Lake Worth Beach. The Bostonian’s most recent eatery in the county was at EmKo in West Palm Beach; the pandemic hit at its opening and it never made a full recovery. English is known for modern American cuisine that’s earned him four James Beard awards. ...Delray Beach is becoming a magnet for French bakeries. The latest is Paris Baguette at 1911 S. Federal Highway. Pastries, breads and signature cakes, including by the slice, are on the menu. ... Closed: Fish Depot, in downtown Boynton Beach. No word on whether it will reopen elsewhere.

By Janis Fontaine

In April, four monks from Gaden Shartse Monastic University in southern India visited Atha Yoga Shala in Delray Beach, which supports the community with yoga, meditation and healing programs. The Tibetan Buddhist monks participated in a weeklong stay that featured tea ceremonies, personal blessings, lectures, demonstrations and a butter-sculpting workshop for adults and children.

The tour is a way for the monks to be of service to the world community by nurturing peace, harmony, compassion and tolerance, their website says. Bringing ground-breaking programs like this to Atha Yoga Shala is Nicole Acacio’s way.

Acacio, the shala’s chief operating officer, started her association with Atha Yoga as a student in 2021.

“The owner and I connected,” Acacio said. “I came on as a consultant in 2023 to produce larger events, and then just recently came on full time.”

It wasn’t that Acacio, 54, was looking for work. As a successful content producer, Acacio had already achieved financial success but not fulfilment. “Production work gives you a paycheck, but I kept asking, ‘How am I giving back?’”

Like some other intensely creative and deeply driven people, Acacio turned to yoga, meditation and thoughtful walks along the beach to find answers. And like the Type A person she is, Acacio worked hard and became a certified instructor.

Since 2021, Atha Yoga Shala has expanded from a yoga studio to include a full-service spa and an adjacent 3-bedroom retreat house that sleeps 10 guests. It’s located on 4 acres in northern Delray Beach, tucked in just south of Plumosa Elementary School. The studio has heated and non-heated yoga rooms, and the full-service Atha Spa has five saunas.

Outside, pathways meander through native plant gardens, past bubbling water features, across stone steps and wooden bridges. There’s a large presentation space and an outdoor stage for yoga and performances. The yoga studio offers a wide variety of classes each week, from vinyasa to raja to kundalini.

Yoga isn’t a religion — although some people argue that it is. For most people, yoga is a way to improve the mind-body connection and to deepen their personal spirituality, whether that is Hindu or Buddhist, Christian or Jewish, agnostic or atheist.

Of the four monks present at Atha, only one spoke a bit of English, which he said he taught himself. He was 10 when he voluntarily left his family to join the monks. Now 42, he was chosen by his teacher for this experience.

He said he found the experience “scary” but “an honor.”

Of America, he said, “It’s very clean.”

The monks are Tibetan, but their monastery, Gaden Shartse Phukhang, is in a jungle in southern India.

In 1969, a small group of monks and 15 young boys escaped the destruction in Tibet and were given land by the Indian government in Mundgod, an agricultural town a few hundred miles south of Mumbai.

Today, the area where the temple is located is often called “Mini Tibet.”

Gaden Shartse Monastic University has more than 1,600 resident students, teachers, scholars and spiritual practitioners. About three-quarters are males between the ages of 10 and 25 who were born in Tibet and arrive as refugees at Gaden Shartse because of its reputation as a leader in Buddhist and Tibetan studies.

But people in India and Tibet can’t spare much to support the school. The tour raises money to maintain the university temples, classrooms, library, texts, kitchens and grounds and to build new space for the expanding college. Teachers, if they are paid, earn about $4 a month. It costs $2 a day to support a monk in his studies and that includes a small weekly stipend for necessities.

Bringing programs like this to Atha Yoga Shala is important and fulfilling to Acacio.

“I like problem-solving, and I like working for the underdog,” she said. “I want to look in the mirror and know I gave the best Nicole to the world today.

“There’s really only one goal: Universal love.”

A quick history of butter-sculpting

When the Monks of Gaden Shartse visited Atha Yoga Shala in Delray Beach, one of the things they shared was their sculpting skill.

But the butter-sculpting the monks demonstrated is quite different from the original art. For one thing, these transplanted monks live in southern India, not in the mountains of Tibet — and as we know, butter melts, so they used a wax-based mixture.

When the art of butter-sculpting originated, it was practical to use butter. During the winter months, the monks had no flowers or decorations to adorn their offerings to Buddha.

What they did have was an abundance of butter.

So they colored the butter with dye and sculpted it into flowers and animals, which they called tormas. These were used to decorate offerings to Buddha beginning about 800 years ago.

The custom grew so popular that today there are butter-sculpting contests, especially at the Great Prayer Festival in Tibet, with vignettes of Buddha measuring 12 feet tall.

The monks at Atha used wax mixed with oat flour (instead of the traditional yak butter and barley, which is pricey) to make the bases of their tormas. This tougher material can hold the weight of the added flowers and adornments, which are made with a combination of ghee, pastry margarine and wax that holds up better in hot weather. (Still, in

Florida’s humidity, the monks used bowls of ice water to keep the material solid.)

Most tormas are deity tormas, presented to a particular deity at a shrine, or food tormas, which are used to decorate cakes for feasts. Food tormas are partially consumed by the practitioners at the feast and the leftovers remain to feed birds and wildlife.

Various lineages and communities use different coloring agents and designs, which become part of their local traditions and are a source of great pride. — Janis Fontaine

Janis Fontaine writes about people of faith, their congregations, causes and events. Contact her at fontaine423 @outlook.com.

Most of the seminarians were ordained as a group at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Boca Raton on April 13. Photo provided

St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach announced the ordination of 10 seminarians as deacons by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito of the Diocese of Palm Beach with a Mass on April 13 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Boca Raton.

The men are Jude Okeke from the Diocese of Palm Beach; Jakub Bereza from the Archdiocese of Miami; Charles Bemis from the Diocese of St. Augustine; William Burns and John Triolo from the Diocese of Orlando; Jacob Gwynn and William Long from the Diocese of Venice; and William Gibson, Peter Jutras and Grant Sennott from the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee.

Four St. Vincent de Paul seminarians have been or will be ordained as deacons in their own diocese: Johan Restrepo on April 6 and Christopher Holcomb on April 20, and Benedict Maria will be ordained May 3 and Ziemek Janaszek on June 15.

Their ordination as deacons means the seminarians are in the final stage of their preparation for ordination to the priesthood. This is a significant occasion for them, because as newly ordained deacons, they will be assigned to serve in parishes to finish their final year of formation. They will preach and baptize, marry and bury parishioners. Visit www.svdp.edu/deaconordination

CROS Ministries volunteers celebrate their executive director, Ruth Mageria (holding a symbolic check). Photo provided

CROS volunteers tallied 34,000 hours in 2023
In April, CROS Ministries celebrated its volunteers at a joyous event at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach. Part of the celebration included presenting Executive Director Ruth Mageria with a symbolic check for $1,094,777, to represent the value of the more than 34,000 hours volunteers worked in 2023.

CROS volunteers work at the seven community food pantries serving 15 locations, in the gleaning and produce recovery program, and serving people at the Caring Kitchen, a hot meal program.

Volunteers are always needed. Visit www.crosministries.org

Alpert JFS celebrates fundraising record
The Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service of Palm Beach County, commonly called the Alpert JFS, hosted its 20th annual No Excuse for Abuse evening and 50th anniversary celebration on Feb. 25 at the Kravis Center. The event drew more than 500 guests. It featured comedian, actor and author Gary Gulman and raised more than $750,000 — a record for the organization.
For more information about Alpert JFS and No Excuse for Abuse, visit www.alpertjfs.org/2024noexcuse.

Cinco De Mayo Fun Day
Join the deacons at First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach in celebrating Cinco De Mayo with a Family Fun Day on May 5 following the 10 a.m. service. Family members of all ages and guests are invited for games, food and fellowship. The event is free. Food trucks will be on site for snacks and refreshments. RSVP at 561-276-6338. The church is at 33 Gleason St.

Dementia lecture
Temple Beth El of Boca Raton hosts a lecture by Dr. James Galvin from 7 to 9 p.m. May 9. “Understanding Dementia: New Ideas For Prevention and Treatment” is your chance to learn about the cutting-edge science around dementia and brain health with one of the foremost experts in the field.

Galvin has written three textbooks and authored more than 300 articles on healthy brain aging, cognitive health, Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. He is a professor of neurology and psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, founding director of the Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, and director and principal investigator of the Lewy Body Dementia Research Center of Excellence.

The lecture takes place at Temple Beth El’s Schaefer Family Campus at 333 SW Fourth Ave., Boca Raton. Register at tbeboca.org/event or 561-391-8900.

Fundraiser to fight hunger
Raise Your Glass to End Hunger, a fundraiser for CROS Ministries, takes place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. May 16 at Hyatt Place Delray Beach, 104 NE Second Ave.
The evening features appetizers, two drinks, and a live and silent auction with emcee Matt Lincoln of CBS12. Tickets are $70. Parking is available at the Old School Square garage and is free to those arriving before 4 p.m.

All proceeds support CROS Ministries’ hunger programs. Call 561-344-4910 or visit www.crosministries.org/events.

A Taste of Judaism
Temple Beth El’s rabbis are presenting “A Taste of Judaism,” a fun three-session program that is “all about showing people what is delicious about Judaism, our faith, our customs and our community,” again this year.

It is designed for beginners from any religious background, and no previous knowledge of Judaism is required to participate. Interfaith couples, in-laws of Jews, unaffiliated Jews, individuals exploring conversion, and anyone seeking more knowledge about Judaism are invited to this course.

The course will be offered from 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 22, 29 and June 5 at the Schaefer Family Campus, 333 SW Fourth Ave., Boca Raton. A virtual option is also offered. The course is free but registration is requested with Aileen Spilka at ASpilka@tbeboca.org. For more information, visit tbeboca.org/event/taste-of-judaism-2024/2024-05-22/ or call 561-391-8900.

Bible School registrations
First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach plans Vacation Bible School from 9 a.m. to noon June 10-14. Register in person at 33 Gleason St. or by calling 561-276-6338.

First United Methodist Church Boca Raton holds Bible School on its east campus from 9 a.m. to noon June 10-14 for all potty-trained children 3 years old through those who just completed fifth grade. On June 16, the children will sing at the 9:30 a.m. worship service. $50 per child. 625 NE Mizner Blvd. Deadline to register is May 24. 561-395-1244 or fumcbocaraton.org/vbs/

Christ Fellowship adds to real estate holdings
When Christ Fellowship Church acquired the Macy’s Furniture and Mattress Gallery property west of Boca Raton, 5.3 acres with a 50,000-square-foot retail store on Glades Road, for $23.5 million in January, it meant the church now owns at least 20 properties in Palm Beach County. Last May it purchased Jupiter Fitness Center for $8 million.

Christ Fellowship is a nondenominational evangelical church with multiple campuses, including in Boynton Beach, west Boca Raton and online. It is led by senior pastors Todd and Julie Mullins.

— Janis Fontaine

Julian Gershaw, 75, of Delray Beach is a frequent and accomplished player but even he has been injured before. Photo provided

Related: Along the Coast: Pickleball popularity is reshaping recreational offerings

By Jan Engoren

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States, growing 51.8% from 2022 to 2023 and 223.5% since 2020, according to the 2024 Sports & Fitness Industry Association Topline Participation Report. Last year, approximately 13.6 million players enjoyed the game that takes its inspiration from tennis, badminton and table tennis.

However, with growing popularity comes an increase in injuries.

The most common are fractures, sprained ankles and injuries to the knees, Achilles and rotator cuff.

In 2019, the Journal of Emergency Medicine estimated there were about 19,000 pickleball injuries per year, with 90% of them in people 50 and older.

USA Pickleball, the governing body, says the sport is less taxing on the body than some others, but still carries risk of injury — especially in older adults.

Snowbird and retired special education teacher Janet Arnowitz, 69, hit herself around the eye while returning a lob, resulting in a large bump on her brow and discoloration.

Retired Delray Beach resident Julian Gershaw, 75, a former tennis player, has been playing pickleball for 10 years and has a wall filled with medals from tournaments in places such as Michigan, Jacksonville, Tampa and Naples. At home he plays indoors at Pick a Ball in Deerfield Beach and outside in Boynton Beach, competing almost every day.

Yet five years ago, while playing indoors at the Delray Beach Community Center, Gershaw tripped over his feet, fell and hit his face. He injured his nose, broke a tooth and injured a finger when he landed on his paddle.

Although he says his injuries were accidental, he attributes other types of injuries to players not being in shape.

“Many people don’t realize they need to be in shape to play,” he says. “While the sport may not seem strenuous, you can’t go from the couch to the court.”

Ava Sloane, 69, a retired human resource manager from Delray Beach, and Bill Edelman, 68, a retired chairman of a medical device company, play together at Patch Reef Park in Boca Raton.

“I love the social aspect of the game,” says Sloane, a former tennis and racquetball player who has been playing pickleball for a year. “It’s a godsend — it’s addictive and keeps me moving.”

Edelman, a part-time Boynton Beach resident, says he’s trying to be healthier and spend more time outdoors since coming from Massachusetts.

“Florida is the perfect antidote to 45 years of constant working,” he jokes.

Sloane and Edelman have both sustained injuries from the sport.

Running for a shot, Sloane suffered a sprained knee and was out of commission for weeks. She usually does other cardio such as riding a bike.

“I feel lucky that it was nothing worse,” she says.

Edelman tripped on his shoelaces and hit his knee on the concrete court, tearing his meniscus. “Mostly, I was embarrassed,” he says.

His rehab included physical therapy and a goal to rally with his 7-year-old grandson.

“I’m now more mindful of where I put my feet, instead of playing like a crazy person,” he says.

Glenn Chapman, 54, medical director of Surfside Orthopedics in Ocean Ridge, says he often sees patients with pickleball injuries.

“Pickleball has a silly name, but it’s not a silly sport,” he says. “People think it’s easy, are unprepared and don’t take precautions.”

Pickleball players in Florida tend to be older, he says, and may already have arthritis, osteoporosis or balance or coordination issues.

“It’s easy to fall and break a wrist,” he says. “Or, get tennis elbow, or sprain your Achilles tendon.”

The quick movement required in pickleball is not designed for older adults, he says. “It’s easy to misstep, twist and tear.”

A former tennis player, Chapman runs, swims, surfs and plays soccer, but admits he hasn’t tried pickleball.

To avoid injury, he suggests stretching and warming up, wearing appropriate gear, including court shoes for ankle support, learning proper technique and playing to your level of conditioning.

“Don’t go crazy,” he says.

David Alboukrek, 66, a rheumatologist from Boynton Beach, was wearing running shoes — and not court shoes — when he ruptured his Achilles tendon.

Out of commission for 10 months, Alboukrek wore a boot and cast and needed a scooter. He chose nonsurgical therapy and is now back to playing two or three times each week.

Wanting to share his story so others may avoid his mistakes, Alboukrek reiterates the importance of wearing proper court shoes, warming up and investing in lessons to learn proper technique.

A squash and U.S. amateur table tennis tournament player, Alboukrek recently participated in a pickleball tournament in Naples.

“It’s addictive,” he says. “I lost, but had the best time ever.”

Jan Engoren writes about health and healthy living. Send column ideas to jengoren@hotmail.com.

Delray Medical Center has a new tool to treat heart arrythmia. The Farapulse Pulsed Field Ablation System treats atrial fibrillation, a common arrhythmia.

This system uses special electric fields that are gentle on tissues and don’t produce heat to remove unwanted heart tissue. This helps prevent harm to nearby structures.

The first procedure using the system was performed April 2 at the hospital by Dr. Yoel Vivas. The system is manufactured by Boston Scientific and received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval in January.

Hanley, sheriff partner to help prevent suicide
The Hanley Foundation and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office are partnering to train new deputies and staff on suicide prevention, as part of Hanley Foundation’s Zero Suicide Initiative. The program provides an in-depth QPR — question, persuade, refer — Gatekeeper Training geared toward first responders and law enforcement, teaching them how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis. 

Two HCA hospitals rated tops in patient safety
HCA Florida Palms West Hospital and HCA Florida JFK Hospital were honored with the Patient Safety Excellence Award 2024 by Healthgrades.

This award places JFK Hospital in the top 5% of hospitals in the nation and Palms West Hospital in the top 10% for patient safety. JFK Hospital also received this distinction in 2023 and Palms West Hospital was previously named in 2022.

Patients treated in these two hospitals, in Atlantis and Loxahatchee, have substantially lower risks of issues such as in-hospital falls resulting in fractures, collapsed lungs, pressure sores, and catheter-related bloodstream infections.

Volunteers sought to assemble Narcan kits
On May 7, National Fentanyl Awareness Day, the community is invited to join the Hanley Foundation’s team and help prepare 300 Narcan kits that will be distributed throughout the county. The event includes Narcan training sessions and a complimentary light lunch.

Fentanyl is a significant contributor to the opioid epidemic, causing more than 70,000 Americans to overdose in 2023. Narcan, also known by its generic name naloxone, is used to rapidly reverse opioid overdose.

By equipping individuals with these kits, Hanley aims to empower people to offer assistance in overdose situations and potentially save lives. 

The event will take place from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Hanley Resource Center, 933 45th St., West Palm Beach. Space is limited and registration is required. RSVP at Hanley.info/nfad.

Send health news to Christine Davis at cdavis9797@gmail.com.

The CTeen Lounge at the Chabad of Lake Worth provides a safe space for young Jews to gather. Photo provided

By Faran Fagen

The sheer surface of the pingpong table contains a circle with white letters that proclaim, “The Power of Youth.” In the corner of the room, above a card table, is a quote about the importance of generosity. A dart board reads, “Keep your eyes on the goal.”

Positive messaging is at the heart of the new Jewish teen center at the Chabad in Lake Worth Beach. Dubbed the CTeen Lounge and initiated by local teens and supported by the community, it aims to provide a safe space where Jewish identity is celebrated and nurtured.

Teens felt such a safe space was especially necessary in these challenging times for Jewish youth.

“I’ve benefited so much from CTeen and Jewish Learning Institute,” said Kaci McKean, 17, of Boynton Beach. “I’ve made numerous friends and learned so much about Judaism.”

McKean enjoys learning Torah and gathering with friends she met through Jewish Learning Institute. They have a unique bond and see each other almost every weekend, hanging out, learning about Judaism and praying together on Shabbat.

“After services, we go into the teen lounge and play ping-pong, eight-ball, chess, or just sit on the couches and talk,” McKean said. “It’s very special to me to be able to bond with people about Judaism.”

Against the backdrop of rising antisemitic rhetoric online and in school, the CTeen Lounge offers a teen-centric community center for relaxation, bonding and education.

In addition to the curated programs and activities, teens now have a space to meet up with like-minded individuals in their demographic in a safe and enjoyable location.

“Now more than ever, it’s vital to create spaces where Jewish identity can be nurtured and celebrated,” said Leah Rosenfeld, who directs CTeen Lake Worth with her husband,

Rabbi Mendy Rosenfeld. “At a time when many are being attacked for who they are, it’s even more important to learn about your heritage, embrace it, and be proud.”

The March 27 ribbon-cutting event featured donors, politicians, alumni from other CTeen programs and teen leaders sharing experiences and insights, offering a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of modern Jewish youth.

Plans for the center began before the Oct. 7 Israeli-Hamas war erupted. But after Oct. 7, the teen haven became even more necessary.

“It magnified the need,” said Leah Rosenfeld, who has directed the Chabad of Lake Worth with her husband since 2006. “Us creating this safe space for them is telling them loud and clear how valuable they are to the community.”

The CTeen Loungers, ranging from the eighth to 12th grades, have reciprocated. They’ve attended holiday events on their own, without parents. They’ve taken part in a plethora of community events such as Cookies for Cops and Better Together, which pairs teens with senior citizens to assist them and hear their life stories.

Students participating in the fun at CTeen pose for a selfie. Photo provided

The teens have even become self-governing — they created a charity box in the lounge for tzedakah (Hebrew for philanthropy). Anytime people use foul language, they put money in the box.

“It’s more than a lounge,” Rosenfeld said. “They’re showing up in ways that’s so much more than just a physical space. They understand that they can make the world a better place.”

The center is one of 20 such spaces built across the United States throughout the past year, with 10 more scheduled to open in the coming months.

“Despite all odds, Jewish teens like those of CTeen Lake Worth are stepping up to create positive change in their communities and online,” says Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, of Chabad World Headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. “We’re seeing these safe spaces serve as the incubators of that change.” 

As for McKean, the CTeen Lounge has heightened her Jewish learning and made her feel more comfortable with herself.

“I get to know myself more when I am learning Torah, and many of the topics we discuss are very relatable to many people my age,” McKean said. “Chabad is where many Jewish teens are able to express themselves and be proud of being Jewish.”

If You Go
CTeen Lounge at Chabad of Lake Worth, 5801 Colbright Road, Lake Worth Beach
Info: Call 561-649-8468 for hours and other details

Ken Udell of Boca Raton shows off a big black grouper in his right hand and a hogfish in his left hand that he shot while diving with Jim ‘Chiefy’ Mathie. Steve Waters/The Coastal Star

By Steve Waters

This is an exciting month for South Florida anglers and divers because the seasons for grouper and hogfish opened on May 1.

The grouper season in Atlantic waters had been closed since Jan. 1 and the hogfish season closed on Nov. 1 in local waters.

April was a difficult month for scuba divers like Jim “Chiefy” Mathie, a retired Deerfield Beach fire chief, because the lobster season closed on April 1. So he and his buddies focused on spearfishing for lionfish while also taking note of where hogfish and grouper were hanging out.

That scouting definitely pays off. Mathie said that on opening day a year ago, each of the divers on his boat shot a black grouper.

It’s essential for divers and anglers to know that grouper and hogfish have restrictive bag and size limits. Black and gag grouper must measure at least 24 inches and red grouper must be 20 inches. Anglers and divers can keep a total of three grouper per day, but only one can be a black or a gag. The other two, or all three, can be reds.

The limit on hogfish is one per person per day, a minimum of 16 inches long from the tip of the nose to the fork of the tail. Previously, the season was open all year, the daily bag limit was five fish and the size limit was 12 inches. Mathie has seen an improvement in the hogfish population since the regulations took effect in 2017.

“We definitely are seeing a lot of big males,” Mathie said, explaining that a male hogfish big enough to shoot has a long snoot with a dark stripe down the forehead.

Mathie is the author of Catching the Spear-it! The ABCs of Spearfishing, which is sold by most area dive shops as well as at chiefy.net and other online retailers.

Among the tips in the book is to always keep in mind the three R’s — recognition, regulation and range. In other words, be able to identify the fish, know the size limit and be close enough to shoot it with your speargun.

Spearfishers must check off the three R’s relatively quickly with black and gag grouper. Unlike hogfish and red grouper, which often try to hide behind a sea fan when a diver approaches, blacks and gags don’t usually stick around.

When they head out of Boca Inlet in May, Mathie and his dive buddies concentrate on hunting the west-facing side of the third reef. The top of the reef is about 50 feet below the surface and the bottom is 60-65 feet. The reef holds a lot of fish, including keeper-sized grouper and hogfish.

Wrecks in 65 feet also are good spots to shoot big grouper and hogfish.

There have been years when Mathie and his friends hunted those spots for the entire month of May. Then they move on to wrecks in 110-120 feet.

Capt. Skip Dana of the Fish City Pride drift boat in Pompano Beach fishes wrecks from 75-240 feet for grouper. The GPS coordinates for Florida’s artificial reefs are available at myfwc.com/media/19397/ artificialreefdeploymentlocations.pdf.

He noted that wrecks in 75-120 feet are good for gag grouper. Blacks are on the same wrecks as well as deeper ones. Reds can be as shallow as 30-40 feet around rockpiles, ledges and grass patches, and on wrecks.

Grouper will bite live baits such as pinfish and pilchards, but dead sardines also work. Hogfish will bite live shrimp, but so will everything else in the ocean, so they are rarely caught on hook and line.

Coast Guard celebration
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 54 will celebrate National Safe Boating Week from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18 at Harvey E. Oyer Jr. Park in Boynton Beach. Call 561-331-2429 for more information.

Outdoors writer Steve Waters can be reached at steve33324@aol.com.

In the coveted Rio Delray Shores neighborhood on a quiet cul-de-sac, this home is a boater’s dream with 55 feet on a deepwater canal off the Intracoastal. The newly completed dock runs the length of the property and will accommodate up to 16,000 pounds. High-end appointments include handsome walnut millwork, classic moldings, intricate designer ceiling details and gracious archways supported by decorative stone columns.

The living room is spectacularly enhanced with two-story, floor-to-ceiling impact windows. The gas fireplace features a carved stone mantel.

The informal areas are organized within an open floor plan, centered on the attractive family room, where banks of glass sliding doors open to the pool deck. The adjacent breakfast niche is set within a bay, and the adjoining cook-island kitchen is finished with professional-grade appliances, antiqued wood cabinetry, granite countertops and a pantry.

Upstairs, the primary bedroom opens to a balcony offering incredible, wide water views. The suite features a morning bar, two large custom-fitted closets and a spa-inspired granite-appointed bathroom with dual sinks, separate water closet, glass-enclosed walk-in shower, spa tub, and a gas fireplace. Also on the second floor are five guest bedrooms, with one opening to a private balcony.

A covered loggia with cypress ceiling features a summer kitchen and barbecue area. The auto-fill pool with overflow spa has a view of the water.

Offered at $4,995,000. Contact the Pascal Liguori Estate Group, 561-789-8300. Premier Estate Properties, 900 E. Atlantic Ave., #4, Delray Beach; pascal@premierestateproperties.com