The Florida Department of Education’s Office of Environmental Education, along with the Florida Green School Network’s partners, recognized 15 — out of a pool of more than 100 — honorees for their green initiatives. Among them: Saint Joseph’s Episcopal School’s Live Green Campaign eighth-grader Erin Donahue (with check). Erin, 13, earned the award for developing and launching the K-Cup Crusade, which used the coffee and tea packets to rebuild community gardens lost during Hurricane Sandy. ‘It’s amazing what we kids can do when we have adults and teachers who listen and encourage us,’ she said. Photo provided

Members of the Boca Raton Woman’s Club were thrilled to be able to share proceeds totaling $28,000 raised at the 2013 Honor Your Doctor event. Colleges receiving funds to assist students studying in the medical field included Florida Atlantic University, Lynn University and Palm Beach State College. ABOVE: Marlaine Smith, Helen Babione, club President Gwen Herb and luncheon chairwoman Janice Williams. Photo provided by Barbara McCormick

The Friends of Gumbo Limbo raised more than $10,000 during an evening of food, drinks, music and auctions, with all proceeds going to Gumbo Limbo Nature Center’s educational and conservation programs. The Friends recognized Jim Abernethy, a conservationist whose  educational efforts aim to change public views of the ocean’s largest fish. ABOVE: Sea Coast Toast committee members Brandon Canute, Robyn Morigerato, Judy Gire, Connie Thoms-Mazur, Diane Valentini, Sue Comoglio, Diane Bilodeau, Mary Lacorazza and Karin Marques. Photo provided

The Delray Beach Public Library thanked its donors and sponsors at a mixer that took place following the lighting ceremony for the 100-foot Christmas tree on Atlantic Avenue. Guests, who had a birds-eye view of the tree lighting and the fireworks from the library’s terrace, were treated to refreshments and holiday cheer that included cookie decorating, gospel songs and storytelling. LEFT: Library supporters Amy and John Crompton. Photo provided by Ira Rosenthal

The Naoma Donnelley Haggin Boys & Girls Club saw more than 250 guests attend the 11th annual fundraiser that featured 30-plus specialty vendors and a variety of gift items. The more than $80,000 raised will help support programming for the 300 local children who use the club.
LEFT: Co-chairwomen Susan Mullin and Kari Shipley and a handful of little girls have fun at the Holiday Trunk Show. Photo provided

Parents, board members, supporters and students gathered to dedicate an expanded wing of Gulf Stream School.  The Crocker Family Pavilion, Julien Family Classrooms and Davies Family Kitchen were celebrated with a ribbon cutting and the serving of snacks.
LEFT: Penny Kosinski, Lisa Morgan, Bobby and Dr. Joanne Julien, Hilary Lynch, Head of School Joe Zaluski and Gregory Young snipped the ribbon while members of the student body looked on.
Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

Wendy Steele, who believes philanthropy should be a party to which everyone is invited, was the featured guest at an event for the organization the Cincinnati woman founded 12 years ago. More than 100 members of Impact 100 and their guests gathered to learn about ‘The Power of Women Giving as One.’ Tandy Robinson, one of the founders of the Palm Beach County chapter, introduced Steele and shared how the group has awarded $300,000-plus in grants to nonprofit organizations serving south Palm Beach County.
ABOVE: Lisa Mulhall, Wendy Steele, Cindy Krebsbach and Sue Diener. Photo provided by Sherry Ferrante Photography

The Plate: Grilled Portobello Salad
The Place: The Little House, 480 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach; 420-0573 or thelittlehousebb.com.
The Price: $9.
The Skinny: The aroma alone of this salad could have sold it for us, the dressing was so intoxicating.
The recipe goes something like this:
Take thick slices of creamy mozzarella, stack them with grilled portobello mushroom slices and fresh tomatoes, then drizzle with capers, balsamic vinaigrette and pesto. Then enjoy!
Also noteworthy during our recent lunch visit: a hearty white bean chili ($9.50) that was filled with confit chicken, a tangy Chinois salad ($10.95) that packed a plate with plenty of fresh cabbage, peanuts and chicken, and fresh ceviche ($9) that was perfect for sharing as an appetizer or eating as a main course.
— Scott Simmons

     Maybe I had a little too much eggnog over the holidays, but as I contemplate a new year of covering our coastal communities, I’m going out on a limb with my Coastal Star wishes for 2014. Here goes:    

    Boca Raton: I wish the city would regain a sense of community. Boca must find a way to get residents out from behind their gated communities and involved in the future of their city. With a March election on the horizon, I hope Boca is able to bring out residents who seldom vote. Let’s make 2014 the year to get residents involved in the future of Boca Raton.
    Boynton Beach: OK, The Coastal Star doesn’t really cover Boynton, but as an Ocean Ridge resident, I care what happens just over our bridges. So, I wish that instead of building more towers downtown, city leaders would embrace the city’s unique working marina and “Everyman’s” inlet and attempt to attract a major downtown anchor built around fishing and recreation. If Delray has the car dealerships on Federal Highway, couldn’t Boynton have the boat dealers? And a complex like the Worldwide Sportsman in Islamorada along with a small hotel would fit perfectly on a couple of those empty parcels downtown.
    Briny Breezes: Now that the town has laid the groundwork for evolving the mobile home park into something more storm-worthy, my wish is that they find leadership willing to begin calm, adult discussions on their future. And forget waiting around to sell the park. If someone comes along who wants to buy Briny, they’ll make an offer.  In the meantime, move forward and make Briny Breezes the kind of place you’d want to leave for your children and grandchildren.
Delray Beach: Isn’t it time to revisit all of the parking and traffic studies that have been done over the past several years? My wish is for the city and the CRA to put a temporary moratorium on new downtown development until there is a long-term plan for parking and traffic.  I love Delray, but have been staying away lately due to the growing amount of traffic and lack of convenient parking.
    Gulf Stream: Everyone has rights as a private citizen. Far be it from a newspaper to advocate against the pursuit of individual rights. Unfortunately, in Gulf Stream, the one who takes the brunt of these legal disputes is long-time Town Clerk Rita Taylor. She deserves better.  Is there really no better way to resolve disputes? I wish there were.
    Highland Beach and South Palm Beach: Yes, I know the two towns are different, but there are similarities. Both towns have an amazing sense of community and civic involvement and both are proud of their individuality. And, both have eroding beaches in front of private condominiums. My wish is that these two towns stay involved with regional beach management planning. Sand doesn’t know boundaries,  and I don’t ever want to write about a condo falling into the Atlantic.
    Lantana/Hypoluxo Island: Congratulations on your new bridge! My wish is that you’ll work to help the merchants on both sides bring new life to your charming downtown.
    Manalapan: My wish is that everyone on the Town Commission (and town staff) stop sending town business-related emails.  Not only are you treading the shallow waters of Florida’s Government in the Sunshine Laws, but you’re chumming for trouble. Bring your issues to the meetings. Present them at the appropriate time, listen to each other and discuss disputes with a calm demeanor. Government in the sunshine may not be simple, but it works to build the transparency required for a working democracy.
    Ocean Ridge: Public beaches get public funding for maintenance renourishment and storm repair. Private beaches do not. If you don’t like people coming across the bridge to use “your “ beach, talk to Boynton Beach. Work something out. Boynton’s downtown master plan includes a lot more Las Ventanas (and larger) developments. My wish is that Ocean Ridge work with Boynton now to find solutions before little problems become serious problems.

Mary Kate Leming,
Editor

The Coastal Star 2014 Calendar: Enjoy the beauty of the coast all year long...

Only $10 (including tax)... Available at these fine locations:

Boynton Postal & Gift Center

526 E. Woolbright Road

Boynton Beach

The Coastal Star

5011 N. Ocean Blvd.

Ocean Ridge

Gulfstream Pharmacy

4998 N. Ocean Blvd.

Briny Breezes

And don't forget to pick up a copy of "Rosie's Song" for all the little ones your list!

Available at the above locations, plus:

Cornell Museum of Art & American Culture

Old School Square

51 N. Swinton Ave.

Delray Beach

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

1801 N. Ocean Blvd.

Boca Raton

and

Sandoway House Nature Center

142 S. Ocean Blvd.

Delray Beach

Plus a large assortment of "Coastal Star" t-shirts and hats in our Ocean Ridge office! Please drop by.

(we will be closed 12/25 & 26)

Happy New Year!

Mary Kate

Parents and children are invited to a story reading and book signing at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at Sandoway House Nature Center, 142 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach. Meet the creators of Rosie's Song following the 10:30 a.m. shark feeding. The regular $4 museum admission will apply. Hope to see you there (with the kiddos!)

Join us at Delray Beach Center for the Arts on Sat. 12/14 for a book signing of Rosie's Song along with live music and tons of children's activities!

By Tim Pallesen

    Everyone wants it clear that Delray Beach loves dogs — but city officials will continue to outlaw them on the municipal beach.
    “We all love our dogs, but we just can’t police it,” city manager Louie Chapman Jr. told city commissioners, who voted to reject the latest push to designate a dog beach where dogs could splash in the surf.
    The Beach Property Owners Association applauded their decision at a Nov. 12 workshop. “We all love our dogs but we’re not in support,” BPOA board member Mary Renaud told commissioners.
    The unanimous vote against a dog beach comes before local dog lover Mary Yuhas could begin a petition drive to put the issue on the city’s March ballot. Yuhas missed the Nov. 12 discussion because she was recovering from surgery.
    “We’re still going to scour the city to get signatures,” Yuhas vowed after the meeting. “I don’t know how long it will take us, but we will do it.”
    City police and parks and recreation officials recommended against allowing dogs on the beach because of cost and liability concerns. They fear Delray Beach could be sued if a dog bites a beach-goer.
    “The revenue would not equal the cost,” Chapman said. “We recommend that we don’t do it at all.”
    Only one resident, Anita Casey, spoke in favor of a dog beach at the Nov. 12 meeting. “I’ve yet to see a dog bite anyone on the beach,” Casey said. “If other cities can do it, why can’t we?”
    Four residents spoke to oppose it. Commissioners voted 4-0 against the proposal, with Commissioner Al Jacquet absent.
    “It’s just not the time,” said Mayor Cary Glickstein, who explained that the city cannot afford to hire a park ranger to enforce the city leash law on the beach.
    Commissioner Angeleta Gray suggested dog owners take their pets to the dog park included in the county park at Lake Ida.

By Cheryl Blackerby

    Storm fronts with 30-plus mph winds throughout November stalled four beach renourishment projects.
    The dredge was originally scheduled to start work on the south Boca Raton beach Nov. 5. But the dredge was forced to return to the Port of Palm Beach Nov. 29 for the second time because of high winds and rough seas. The new start date was Dec. 2.
    The dredge, owned by Marinex Construction based in Charleston, S.C., is small compared to the one that pumped sand on Delray Beach early this year and can’t work in high waves.
    South Boca Raton beach is the first in line for beach renourishment, with Ocean Ridge next, then Delray Beach and finally north Boca Raton beach.
    “If there is no bad weather and we can keep going, it will take about 10 days for the south Boca Raton beach, and it will be finished about the middle of December,” said Jennifer Bistyga, engineer with the city of Boca Raton.
    Ocean Ridge, Delray Beach and north Boca Raton beach are U.S. Army Corps of Engineers renourishment projects. The Army Corps deadline for those projects is April 30, 2014, and even with the bad weather in November, the work should be finished before deadline if seas remain calm, said Bistyga.  
    The south Boca Raton beach renourishment is not an Army Corps project, but is using the same contractor to save money, she said. The south Boca Raton beach renourishment covers nine-tenths miles of beach, starting just south of South Inlet Park and ending at the Deerfield Beach city border. Sand will be pumped onto 1.45 miles of the north Boca Raton beach.
    In Ocean Ridge, sand from borrow areas about 1,800 feet offshore will be pumped on to 1.1 miles of beach, said Tracy Logue, coastal geologist for Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management.
    “We estimate 34 dredging days in Ocean Ridge, unless we have to stop for weather,” said Logue.  Sand will be put on the beach starting at the Ocean Club just south of the southernmost groin and end at Edith Street, she said.
    When the dredge is finished in Ocean Ridge, it will move to Delray Beach. There is no definite start date, but if the dredge is on schedule in Ocean Ridge, work in Delray Beach should start around the first week of January.
    Another factor in the beach renourishment deadline is the official start of turtle season March 1.
“They can go past that date but they have to have a permit, and they have to set up turtle monitoring and protection,” said Logue.
    Meanwhile, cities can only cross their fingers hoping good weather is around the corner.
    “The projects will depend on the weather,” said Bistyga. “In November, we had front after front, almost continuous winds. And there’s nothing you can do.” 

Ocean Ridge Police Department officer Nubia Savino looks through books inside the Palm Beach County Bookmobile as it is parked outside of Ocean Ridge Town Hall.  Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By Ron Hayes

    The Palm Beach County Bookmobile arrived promptly at 1 p.m. Nov. 8, for its debut appearance at Ocean Ridge Town Hall.
    Police Chief Chris Yannuzzi himself came outside to guide the snorting behemoth around the traffic circle to a comfortable spot beyond the parking spaces.
    Outreach Librarian Ron Glass set up the orange traffic cones.
    Library Associate Patricia Lane booted up her circulation laptop.
    And they waited.
“I always target the municipalities that pay the county library tax but don’t have a physical branch facility,” Glass explained. “Usually that’s the smaller towns along the coast or inland.”
    Lake Clarke Shores is a stop. Palm Beach Shores Town Hall. Juno Beach Town Hall.
    Of the bookmobile’s 43 stops, South Palm Beach Town Hall is the busiest.
    And now, Ocean Ridge.
    Every other Friday for at least the next year, the bookmobile will stop by from 1-1:45 p.m.
    “Every six months, we evaluate the schedule by the number of visitors and items checked out. We need an average of 15 checkouts per visit to continue after a year,” Glass said while he waited for a first visitor.
    One stop that didn’t make the cut was Ocean Cay Park in Juno Beach.
    “I sent about 100 fliers out to all the local housing associations and condos, but it just never took off,” he said.
    The collection totals about 3,000 items, of which half are onboard the 44-foot bookmobile at any one time: books, both regular and large-print, plus audio books, music CDs and DVDs.
    The selection is not voluminous, but it’s varied. Glass can order up to 800 items a month, and as the librarians become familiar with borrowers’ tastes, they try to provide more personalized service.
    “Our clients tend to like romance, mysteries and biography,” he said. “I have no idea why, but Stephen King doesn’t do well on the bookmobile. People like John Grisham, Danielle Steel and, of course, James Patterson.”
    To have an item delivered to the bookmobile, simply call 649-5476 or go online at pbclibrary.org and order using your library card PIN. If you don’t have a card, bring your driver license, voter registration or utility bill and they’ll give you one.
    “Most items arrive within two weeks at the latest,” Glass said, “as long as it’s not a new book that a lot of people have reserved.”
    Anyone with a county library card can drop by and check out items.
    “I have a woman who orders nothing but audio books,” he said. “She lives in Pahokee and commutes to work in South Palm Beach.”
    And they waited.
    After perhaps 15 minutes, an older gentleman stuck his head in the door.
    “How long you going to be here?” he asked.
    “Until 1:45.”
    “I’ll be back.”
    He didn’t come back, and no one else showed up, either.
    Glass and Lane waited until 1:50 p.m., then put the traffic cones and laptop away.
    They left with the same 1,500 items on board when they arrived. But they were not discouraged.
    “Our goal is to promote this service,” Glass said, “so we’re not going to just sit here. We’ll put a sandwich board out by the road next time, and I’ll send out some fliers.
    “It’ll pick up in season.”
    In fact, it picked up the next time the bookmobile was in town.
    On Nov. 22, Deputy Clerk Jean Hallahan slipped away from her desk long enough to check out Eight Days To Live, a thriller, and The Man From Stone Creek, a Western romance.
    And then Officer Nubia Savino from the Police Department showed up.
“Do you have any vampire books?” she asked as she skimmed the shelves. “I like vampires, werewolves and romance.”
    She settled on a fantasy called The Gate Thief, by Orson Scott Card. 

Zicky Simon, class of 1942, shares a light-hearted moment with Rose Machek Sloan, who came from a flower-growing family and whose father was a beloved scoutmaster.   Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By Rich Pollack

    It was a virtual who’s who of “Old Delray,” a collection of folks with last names linking them back to the earliest families who settled what was then a small town.
    There’s was Dr. Fred Love, whose family owned the drug stores in town. There was Rose Machek Sloan, whose family grew flowers and whose father was a beloved scoutmaster. There were McMurrians and Simons, family names that bring back memories of general stores and of the days when the community was a major producer of winter vegetables.  

Love

    All gathered last month for what was billed as Delray-Seacrest High Reunion XIII, an event that takes place every three years and brings together students who attended Delray Beach Elementary School or Delray Beach High School during or before 1949.
    The more than 85 former students who attended the reunion had a chance to catch up a bit and reminisce about the old days, when the buildings that now make up the Delray Beach Center for the Arts at Old School Square were actually functioning schools — filled with kids who were not above a little mischief that today seems tame.
    “Those buildings hold thousands and thousands of memories for all of us who are here,” says Sloan, class of 1957, who was a student at Delray Beach Elementary School in the 1940s. “It was the most wonderful time.”
    It was a time, Sloan recalls, when it wasn’t unusual for teachers to come to dinner at one of their students’ homes or when students with good grades could earn a chance to work in what was essentially Delray Beach’s first community garden — an area on the school campus where each room had a patch of soil to cultivate.
    It was also a time when a prank or two was tolerated.
    Love, now in his 90s, graduated back in 1938 and remembers the Halloween when a bunch of students took the small imported car belonging to the principal, Mr. Landers, and carried it up the steps to the second floor of the high-school building.
    “He figured out pretty quickly who did it and made them bring it back down,” Love recalls.

    Back then it wasn’t unusual for students to climb into the rafters of the old gymnasium and write their names on a wooden beam. Some are still visible if you look carefully.
    Ernie Simon, who leads the committee that organizes the reunions, says he never climbed to the rafters but one of his friends, Pete Cole, did and wrote Ernie’s name on a beam.
    “But he spelled my name wrong,” Simon said. “He wrote Erny instead of Ernie. At least my mother could see that I didn’t climb up there.”
    While many of the faces at the reunion are familiar ones, the event itself has evolved.
This year, for the first time in a while, the event was held on a Sunday, rather than over two days, and it took place mainly in the daytime, since driving at night can be a challenge for some of the visitors.
    Also this year, the entire event was held on the grounds of the Delray Beach Center for the Arts at Old School Square, giving the visitors a chance to wander through the restored buildings that once held their classrooms.
    For former students like Love, the trip down memory lane is one that has been changed ever so slightly by time.
    “It’s nostalgic,” he says about the reunion. “You remember the good things and can forget the bad.” 

Jerry Hughson, class of 1958, poses with his yearbook photo, taken when he sported a flat top.

Alcohol can now be sold on Sunday mornings at Delray Beach grocery and convenience stores.
City commissioners approved an ordinance change on Dec. 3, making Delray the last city in Palm Beach County to allow alcohol sales between 7 a.m. and noon on Sundays.
Commissioner Angeleta Gray said she had received complaints from residents who had to drive to Boca Raton to buy beer and wine for their Sunday parties.
 “I’m happy that our business owners now can receive those revenues,” Gray said.
— Tim Pallesen