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By Tim Pallesen

The Caron Foundation wants coastal Delray Beach residents to testify how they blocked Caron’s attempt to house recovering addicts and alcoholics near the ocean.
Caron attorney Jim Green told a federal judge in April that trial testimony will reveal a “a hostile and organized community reaction to our attempt to locate in an affluent area near the ocean.”
    Court papers show Caron has listed 72 potential witnesses in its federal discrimination lawsuit against the city. Many of the witnesses live near a Seaspray Avenue house where Caron wants to house seven patients in recovery.
Green wants to know the role that one particular neighbor — former County Commissioner Mary McCarty — played in organizing opposition to sober houses.
Green said he discovered McCarty’s involvement when examining emails between neighbors and city officials.
“Mary McCarty is a smart lady who has not always been on the right side of truth, justice and the law,” Green said.
McCarty has avoided the spotlight since her release from federal prison last year. She was sentenced in 2009 to 3½ years in prison after she pleaded guilty to a federal felony count of honest services fraud.
Ray Jones, an opposition leader who lives across the street from Caron’s controversial Seaspray Avenue house, said he’s ready to testify.
“It doesn’t bother me,” Jones said when informed that he is on Caron’s witness list. “It’s all about getting to the truth.”
Jones said McCarty hasn’t actively opposed Caron.
“She is on our email list and might have made a comment or two,” he said. “But she hasn’t been actively involved in this.”
Green traces McCarty’s opposition to sober houses back to 2007 when, as a county commissioner, she opposed giving $9.5 million in health care revenue bonds to Caron to build treatment facilities and offices in Delray Beach and Boca Raton.
“She has a long history of agitating against people in recovery,” Green said.
Green sued the county on Caron’s behalf after the 2007 denial, quoting McCarty in that lawsuit as saying she didn’t want Delray Beach to be known as “the drug rehab capital of the world.”
McCarty didn’t respond to phone messages seeking comment.
Caron filed its federal lawsuit in February after Delray Beach commissioners approved ordinances to make it more difficult for treatment providers to operate in residential neighborhoods.
Caron’s legal team has reviewed 50,000 documents so far to prepare for its trial against the city, Green said.
Caron also spent $27,788 to get 200,000 emails that have been sent or received by 16 city officials since 2007 to learn who has said what to whom to restrict sober housing.
“We’re trying to uncover backroom communications between the political machine and elected officials to determine the true intent of the city’s ordinances,” Caron executive vice president Andrew Rothermel said in March.
Caron also notified 40 coastal residents on May 11 that their communications will be sought as evidence for trial.
“These people have been vocal opponents of my client and its patients and appear to be willing to do anything and say anything,” Green said.
The Caron witness list includes 45 families who live near planned sober houses at 1232 Seaspray Ave. and 740 N. Ocean Blvd.
Also named as witnesses are Beach Property Owners Association officers Mary Renaud, Andy Katz, Anne Bright, Virginia Courtney and three others.
Kristine de Haseth, chairwoman of the Florida Coalition for Preservation, also will be a witness along with seven current and former city commissioners and five planning and zoning board members.
The store manager for Tiffany’s on Worth Avenue will testify that Delray coastal residents asked him to “steer clear” of sponsoring Caron’s annual fund-raising gala in Palm Beach, court papers say.
Mayor Woodie McDuffie and Planning and Zoning Board chairman Cary Glickstein are expected to be key Caron witnesses after federal Judge William Dimitrouleas criticized them in an April order for making comments against recovering addicts and alcoholics.
Dimitrouleas said then that Caron has shown “a substantial likelihood of success at trial in demonstrating that the city has discriminated.”
Federal laws prohibits housing discrimination against recovering addicts and alcoholics.
Caron plans to charge $55,000 a month to each of the seven recovering addicts who it hopes will occupy each of Caron’s two high-end sober houses near the ocean.
Attorneys defending the city against Caron’s lawsuit in court papers named seven planning and zoning board members, five city employees, seven Caron employees and a Jupiter private planner as their trial witnesses.
Dimitrouleas has not set a trial date.                               

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Leatherback Turtle Facts


Named for its smooth, rubbery skin.
Status: Critically endangered
Size: The largest and deepest-diving of the sea turtles, ranging 4 to 8 feet long and weighing 700 to 1,500 pounds.
Range: Lives in the open water of the temperate and tropical Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Nests in tropical and subtropical regions, including beaches from Melbourne to Fort Lauderdale, from March to July.
Food: Jellyfish and other soft invertebrates.
Life span: 45 years, estimated. Believed to be sexually mature at 16.

Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife; Loggerhead Marinelife Center

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By Steve Plunkett

Town police, who monitor a 20 mph speed limit throughout Gulf Stream, will install six stop signs and establish a school zone on Gulfstream Road to slow motorists even more.
Delivery trucks and construction vehicles combine with the town’s lack of sidewalks to create a dangerous situation for pedestrians, Police Chief Garrett Ward said.
The stop signs, both northbound and southbound, will go up on Gulfstream Road and Polo Drive at Middle Road and also on Polo at Lakeview Drive.
“That will clearly slow traffic and it will also address some of the blank corners,” Ward said.
The speed limit would drop to 15 mph in the new school zone on Gulfstream Road between County Road and Lakeview. Non-flashing signs would warn drivers to go slower for three hour-long periods starting at 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.
“I think when people see a school zone sign they’re going to slow down immediately regardless of the time frame,” Ward said. “We have no sidewalks, so children walking to school are constantly in the street.”
Parents of students at the Gulf Stream School had sought the zone. Parent Scott Fogarty said 45 children from town now walk to school.
“It’s tripled in the last three years.”
“I think we can expect that demographic to continue to grow,” Ward said.                

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By Margie Plunkett
    
A tsunami of visitors has boosted attendance at Delray Beach’s beach to record highs.
    The surging number of beach-goers grew by more than 200,000 last year alone, a “phenomenal” performance that brought the total to 1.7 million in 2011, according to Ocean Rescue Superintendent James Scala. Three quarters into fiscal year 2012, attendance has reached 1.4 million.
A count is done twice per day at lifeguard stands along the city beach.        

“Our beach attendance has been growing exponentially,” Scala said.         

The onslaught of sunbathers has nearly doubled in the last decade. In 2001, a total 973,651 people frequented the beach, dipping from about 1.1 million in 1999.  Delray Beach Parks and Recreation staff estimates the total will reach 1.9 million in 2012 and 2.1 million by 2013.
    New hotels that have sprung up in Delray Beach have aided some of the swell. And the city’s overall gains in popularity in recent years have contributed to the beach crowds as well, Scala said.
    The fallen economy and tepid recovery get some credit, too, in Scala’s estimation. As residents and tourists tightened their financial belts, they sought more free and inexpensive pastimes, like going to the beach, he said.
    The sprawl of sun worshippers also poses challenges for the city, with a growing number spilling into unguarded sand space. In 2011, about 45,172 people spent their beach time in areas without lifeguard supervision, compared to 18,001 people a decade earlier.
    Ocean Rescue would like to start guarding those areas, but supervising the new areas would involve more expenses than adding a couple of new lifeguards, Scala pointed out, noting that rescue stands and other equipment also would be necessary.
An expansion into unguarded space would stand more of a chance “in better economic times”, said Linda Karch, Parks and Recreation Director. “We’re lucky we’re not losing lifeguards.”
Booming beach attendance also means a growing number of rescues and public assists. So far this fiscal year, Delray Beach already counts 36 rescues, compared with 40 for the full year of 2011. It has responded to 23 medical emergencies, compared with 25 for all of 2011.
Public assistance in 2012-to-date — 59,815 — has already surpassed the 59,531 for the full 2011.
Parks and Recreation is requesting $1.4 million for Ocean Rescue this year, an increase of $70,000 over last year. The only change to staff is to bring back part-time hours that were formerly cut.
Delray Beach currently has about 21 ocean rescue staffers.
    Despite the beach’s growing attraction, “staffing has pretty much stayed the same,” Scala said.                             

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By Steve Plunkett
    
Proposals to have sheriff’s deputies patrol Manalapan and Ocean Ridge crept ahead in June while a similar offer in Boynton Beach screeched to a halt.
    Boynton Beach commissioners directed city staff June 19 to not move forward with a plan by the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office to provide police services. The proposal would have meant a $5 million savings in each of the first two years while cutting almost a third of the city’s 165 police positions.
    “I want my Police Department, period. I don’t want any sheriffs, I don’t want any outsiders into my boundaries,” said Herb Suss, one of a handful of residents who spoke, all in support of keeping the city’s officers.
    Commissioners embraced the citizens’ point of view.
    “My position on it has not changed since day one — I don’t want to go with PBSO,” Mayor Woodrow Hay said.
Boynton Beach’s city manager is still working on a proposal to patrol Ocean Ridge and Briny Breezes.
    In Ocean Ridge, former Mayor Ken Kaleel is analyzing what services the town should demand from the Sheriff’s Office. Kaleel was the one who first suggested asking how much the sheriff would charge to patrol Ocean Ridge.
Town leaders chose him to report on what the town needs and what alternatives it might have after Commissioner Zoanne Hennigan said she did not think Town Manager Ken Schenck or Police Chief Chris Yannuzzi could gather the information comprehensively and without bias.
    “Many of you thought that this was just a financial issue. It’s far more than that,” Hennigan said. “From what I’ve seen there’s serious relationship issues between the officers and the chief, between the chief and the town manager and between some of the commissioners and residents with the town manager.”
    The decision to continue discussions with the Sheriff’s Office came June 4 after commissioners heard nearly two hours of comments from the public.
    “To throw out the proposal completely and stop doing anything to me is a little, is a lot shortsighted,” Mayor Geoff Pugh said.
    The sheriff offers to put two deputies on patrol 24 hours a day and a third deputy from 3 to 11 p.m., or a total of 10 officers, for $1.15 million for each of the first two years. Yannuzzi would become the supervising lieutenant; dispatchers would have to apply for vacancies in the sheriff’s communications center.
    Schenck said the proposal means a $544,000 savings for Ocean Ridge taxpayers, about $410 a year for a $500,000 home.
    “It’s not worth a couple of hundred bucks on my tax bill,” former Commissioner Terry Brown said.
    The town’s Police Department now has eight officers on the road, four sergeants, a lieutenant and the chief.  Commissioners told Yannuzzi to go ahead and hire an additional officer they authorized in March as well as fill a vacant dispatch position.
    The sheriff’s proposal would give Ocean Ridge officers higher salaries, cheaper medical insurance and a take-home car. Their union reopened contract negotiations with the town June 20.
Kaleel said he would report back in August or September. He has gathered input from eight or nine other citizens so far, he said.
Manalapan commissioners, meanwhile, held a workshop on its sheriff’s proposal June 25, only to schedule another one for 9 a.m. July 18. Town Manager Linda Stumpf is to develop a comparison of enhancements Manalapan could make to its Police Department vs. possible partnerships with other agencies vs. the sheriff’s offer.
    Mayor Basil Diamond lamented the waves of letters and emails circulating through town in which residents “cherry-pick facts” to back up their positions.
    “This has to be an objective decision. It should not be swayed by emotion,” Diamond said.
    Commissior David Cheifetz said he researched surveillance drones and found cameras could be mounted on affordable balloons, mini-blimps and even tiny helicopters.
“You can have an air force,” he told Police Chief Carmen Mattox.
    The town hired one full-time officer and one part-timer, Stumpf reported.“It will help  us a lot with overtime. It will help us [patrol] on the beach,”  she said.                                           

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By Steve Plunkett

    The Lake Wyman restoration project, dropped with a 4-1 vote by the Boca Raton City Council, could still be brought back to life.
    “It’s never actually dead,” said Daniel Bates, the county’s deputy director of Environmental Resources Management. “If the city changes its position then we’ll do whatever we can to build it as quickly as we can.”
    The council’s action, reversing an earlier decision and coming the same night the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District agreed to pay half the capital costs, surprised County Commissioner Steven Abrams. Abrams led the county entourage that first presented the Lake Wyman proposal last July.
    “It’s disappointing,” Abrams said, noting that no one from the city told him the funding would be reconsidered. “This was a perfect opportunity for Boca Raton to get back its tax dollars from the county and the state.”
    Dave Roach, executive director of the Florida Inland Navigation District, which approved $2.1 million in grants for the work, had looked forward to restoring the canoe trail in Rutherford Park and building a six-slip boat dock.
    “Unfortunately it doesn’t appear any of these public improvements are going to happen,” he said.
    The council agreed May 8 to partner with FIND and the county if the Beach and Park District matched the city’s costs. The Beach and Park District received its staff evaluation June 18 and approved a $225,000 grant to Boca Raton on June 26.
    But the city was simultaneously withdrawing its support.
    “What’s been good about the project all along is that there’s free money,” Mayor Susan Whelchel said. “What has troubled me about the project all along is that it really has not been in our control.”
    The restoration would scoop out a spoil island FIND owns just east of Lake Wyman Park and create a 3.3-acre basin for seagrass to offset possible seagrass damage when the Intracoastal is dredged. Reopening Rutherford Park’s silted-in canoe trail would increase mangrove flushing and make the trail passable at low tide.
    Eleven acres of Australian pines and Brazilian pepper would be removed from the spoil island and two smaller islands FIND owns.
A boardwalk would be lengthened and picnic and beach areas added along with an observation platform.
    “Rutherford Park was a treasure when it was built, and it’s been allowed to fall apart,” resident Arlene Owens said before the council vote. “I’m highly in support of it for my kids, my grandkids and everybody else’s kids.”
    Steve Reiss, who lives across the 14th Street canal from the park, said trucks hauling fill would at some points be only 15 feet from the water.
    “There’s real liability if those truck drivers take a wrong turn because they’re going to be right on the edge,” Reiss said.
    Bates said the county will continue to pursue a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers, which will be valid for five years.
Roach said that would enable FIND to construct the seagrass basin by itself, though the agency has no immediate plans to do so.
    “When we need to build it, we will build it,” he said, adding that his agency will need seagrass mitigation credits in the next five years to dredge the Intracoastal in northern Delray Beach.
    Deputy Mayor Susan Haynie said the navigation district benefits the most from the restoration plan but would not cooperate with city requests to move an access road, dredge the 14th Street canal and pay for an independent study of tidal flushing.
    “I’m hopeful that FIND will understand that the conditions that we asked for were not egregious,” she said.
    Roach said the current grant can be extended to September 2014, but Bates said the extra year was included in the county’s self-imposed June 30 deadline.
    While that date has passed, Bates said his department could look for other grants and even reapply to FIND in the next grant cycle if the city decides it wants the restoration.
    “We’d certainly like to do the project,” he said.
    Abrams recalled paddling in Rutherford Park in 1990 and said there was not much demand for the canoe trail at first. Since then, he said, city-owned shuffleboard courts have given way to skateboard areas as Boca Raton became more family-oriented.
    “There’d be a lot of use for it now,” Abrams said.               

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By Angie Francalancia
    
The burglars use rental cars, rented in someone else’s name. They often come up from Broward County, and have the cars’ windows tinted extra dark. Their target: Boca Raton.
    But after seeing home and auto burglaries spike in the spring, Boca Raton police devised a plan called “Operation Neighborhood Watch,” which included the Police Department’s adding extra patrols, undercover assignments and daily briefings. And it included a small army of additional crime fighters — the residents.
 “The result has been an increase in arrests, not only for burglaries but for loitering and prowling,” said Mark Economou, spokesman for the Police Services Department. “It’s somewhat of an organized crime ring. The guys all know each other, pass information on, and work the areas right off the I-95 corridor,” he said. “Since that crackdown, have we seen residential burglaries stop? No. But we have seen a significant drop.”
 The spike occurred in March and April when the number of burglaries jumped over the same period the year before by more than 100 percent. The numbers have eased since then.
 In the nearly six months between Jan. 1 and June 19 when the last report was run, Boca Raton has had 203 burglaries reported. During the same period last year, it was 141, a 44 percent increase, Economou said.
As the year continues, he expects the department’s efforts will whittle away at that increase, he said.
Police have arrested almost the same number of loiterers and prowlers in the first six months – 18 – as they did in the whole of 2011 – 21.  They believe that has helped reduce the burglaries, Economou said.        But one of the biggest factors has been the residents in Boca Raton’s Citizens Crime Watch. They work under an umbrella volunteer organization that helps distribute crime information and publishes a quarterly newsletter. When their June newsletter revealed the spike in burglaries, the residents went on alert.
    Several recent arrests involved neighbors alerting police, including the arrests of two teens trying to break into a car on June 25, and another arrest of an individual for burglary of a dwelling and grand theft on June 21. In the first couple weeks of “Operation Neighborhood Watch,” which began May 1, police made more than a dozen arrests.
    Boca Raton Police Chief Dan Alexander credits their efforts with helping the department make several arrests. “The recent cases demonstrate that neighbors are paying attention and calling us when they see something suspicious,” he said.
    Economou said officers would prefer finding a false alarm over the residents not calling. “We started using the website, social media and the neighborhood alert email system,” he said.  
“We’re out there, but we can’t see everything. We’ve had incredible response. A whole bunch of arrests came in response to residents.”   

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7960396282?profile=originalBy Ron Hayes

Every week or so, a gold, 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass pulls up to the Helping Hands food center on Northwest First Court, where the driver unloads a box of papayas gathered from the trees in his yard.
    The Oldsmobile Cutlass has 169,000 miles on the odometer, and it’s still going strong.
    Rick Reid, the driver, has 96 years on him, and he’s still going strong, too.
    Sit on his left side, please. The hearing’s fading in his right ear. Otherwise, this enviably lean and limber man is alert, articulate, opinionated and, best of all, a living lesson in how to reach 96.
    Keep busy.
    He starts each day with a swim in the ocean.
    “It varies with the sun, of course, but I like to get down there by 8 a.m.,” he says. “It’s the best exercise there is.”
    And he ends most nights pecking away at a Hewlett-Packard laptop.
    “I’m on my third computer,” he will tell you. “I seem to fill them up.”
    After the swim, he reads The Wall Street Journal, has some breakfast and tends those papayas.
    “I planted the first tree three years ago,” he says. “I counted 230 papayas the first year with a total weight of 1,000 pounds, and I gave about 90 percent of them to Helping Hands.”
    Now there are 23 trees in his yard on Wavecrest Court.
    Most Mondays, he volunteers at the Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s Debbie-Rand Thrift Shop, repairing donations.
    “If we get coffee makers or lamps or different kitchen items, he’ll fix them,” says Jo Ulferts, one of the shop’s managers. “He’s very patient and everyone likes him.”
    Enrique Reid was born on March 12, 1916, in Montevideo, Uruguay, the son of a mother from Ohio and a Scottish father from Valparaiso, Chile.
    He was a buck private in the U.S. Army Air Corps when he met Celia Zalduondo.
    “She wouldn’t marry me until I had a commission,” he remembers. “I was made a second lieutenant on Sept. 30, 1944, and we were married on Oct. 1.” They had two children, Juanin and Arthur, and were married 66 years at the time of her death in 2010.
    “The secret to a happy marriage shouldn’t be a secret,” he says. “My wife had a gift for seeing through situations and coming out with the right answer.”
    After the war, he earned a degree in political science and economics from the University of Southern California and began a career in international trade. The couple came to Boca Raton in 1986 after nearly 25 years in Mexico City.
    “I’d been at 7,500 feet in Mexico City,” he says with a laugh. “I wanted humidity.”
    Two years later, he bought that gold 1971 Cutlass.
    “I have strong feelings about the fact that cars with steel bumpers welded to the frame pay the same insurance premiums as cars without bumpers,” he says.
    He also has strong feelings about the prevalence of parking meters in Boca Raton, but his letters to City Hall have gone unanswered.
    “Most Americans no longer feel abused by having to pay for their parking,” he says.
    Ask him a question, you’ll get a straight answer.
    The secret to reaching 96?
    “Well, finances probably have a greater influence on it than a lot of things,” he says. “It allows you to sleep at night.”
    He eats simply, a lot of fruits and vegetables, and enjoys a glass of red wine with dinner, but stays away from liquor and carbonated beverages.
    “A short nap after lunch is nice,” he adds, “and if it doesn’t interfere with something good, have one after breakfast, too.”
    His television is on for the BBC News at 5:30 p.m. and PBS at 6. Otherwise, it’s usually off.
    And he works on his car. Rick Reid knows how to keep a car, and a life, running smoothly.
    “In 1946,” he says, “I bought a Chevy Fleetline for $1,266 cash, and I sold it 40 years later for $1,200.”
    He sighs. “I lost money on it.”
    Not long ago, he renewed his driver’s license for another six years.
    “I won’t be disappointed if I reach 100,” he says with a laugh. “But I’m not making any
plans.”                            

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Longtime Gulf Stream mayor dies

7960387293?profile=originalBy Steve Plunkett

Mayor William Koch Jr., who served as Gulf Stream’s top elected official for more than half his life, has died. He was 91.

Despite being a very public servant, Mayor Koch was a “very private and humble man,” the town said about his June 16 death, noting he was a decorated pilot-bombardier in World War II, a successful real estate broker and a founding member of Bethesda Memorial Hospital.

 “There are many accolades which can be said about Bill, but it was his desire to pass respectfully without fanfare,” the town’s notice continued. The Gulf Stream Civic Association planned to email the notice to its members.

Mayor Koch was thanked again by state Rep. Bill Hager at the Town Commission’s June 8 meeting. Hager last year gave the mayor an official tribute in the Florida House congratulating “his ongoing and longstanding dedication” to Gulf Stream.

Commissioner Fred Devitt III said Mayor Koch was dedicated to making sure Gulf Stream maintained its unique character but never sought recognition.
 
"He will be greatly missed but his contributions will never be forgotten," said Devitt, a commissioner for the past 15 years.

Mayor Koch was appointed a town commissioner in 1956, the same year he opened his real estate firm, and first became mayor in 1966. He was also a mosquito commissioner and one of the first paid lifeguards for Delray Beach.

In February WPBT presented Mayor Koch a Lifetime Service Award for his commitment to public broadcasting. The mayor was on Channel 2’s board of directors more than 30 years.

He is survived by his wife and Rollins College sweetheart, Freddie; son, William III, and daughter-in-law, Laura, of Gulf Stream; daughter, Claudia, and son-in-law, Scott Burns, of Phoenix; and grandchildren Lauren and Scott.

The family planned a private service and asked that instead of flowers, donations be made to the Bethesda Memorial Hospital Foundation or WPBT.

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By Steve Plunkett

Former Mayor Ken Kaleel, who first suggested asking how much the sheriff would charge to patrol the town, will analyze exactly what police services Ocean Ridge should demand.

Town leaders chose Kaleel to report on what the town needs and what alternatives it might have after Commissioner Zoanne Hennigan said she did not think the town manager or its police chief could gather the information in a comprehensive and unbiased fashion.

 “Many of you thought that this was just a financial issue. It’s far more than that,” Hennigan said. “From what I’ve seen there’s serious relationship issues between the officers and the chief, between the chief and the town manager and between some of the commissioners and residents with the town manager.”

The decision to continue discussions with the Sheriff’s Office came June 4 after commissioners heard nearly two hours of comments from the public.

“To throw out the proposal completely and stop doing anything to me is a little, is a lot shortsighted,” Mayor Geoff Pugh said.

The Sheriff’s Office offers to put two deputies on patrol 24 hours a day and a third deputy from 3 to 11 p.m., or a total of 10 officers, for $1.15 million for each of the first two years. Chief Chris Yannuzzi would become the supervising lieutenant; dispatchers would have to apply for vacancies in the sheriff’s communications center.

Town Manager Ken Schenck has said the proposal equals a $544,000 savings for Ocean Ridge taxpayers.

The town’s Police Department now has eight officers on the road, four sergeants, a lieutenant and the chief.  Commissioners told Yannuzzi to go ahead and hire an additional officer they authorized in March as well as fill a vacant dispatch position.

Schenck said this year’s negotiations with the police union would begin June 20.

Under the Sheriff’s Office proposal, officers would receive higher salaries, cheaper medical insurance and a take-home car.

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Blue & White Tradition

7960385693?profile=originalAlex Kaleel, daughter of Ken and Rema Kaleel of Ocean Ridge, celebrates as her team wins the tug of war and the competition for the day at Gulf Stream School.  This long- time tradition pits team blue against team white (school colors) in outdoor events that include all members of the student body. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

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Letter from Caron to neighbors

By Tim Pallesen

A federal judge has granted a temporary injunction to stop Delray Beach from enforcing its stringent transient housing ordinance against the Caron Foundation.
    U.S. District Judge William Dimitrouleas stopped short of ordering the city to grant Caron’s request to open a sober house for seven patients at 1232 Seaspray Ave.
    But he said Delray Beach must continue to process Caron’s request for reasonable accommodations there without violating federal laws that prohibit discrimination against recovering alcoholics and drug addicts.
    As Caron’s lawsuit heads for trial, the treatment provider shocked residents in the Seaspray neighborhood on May 11 by hand-delivering a letter notifying 40 neighbors that their communications will be sought as evidence for the trial.
    “We intend to examine all of your records, yard signs, notes, surveillance tapes, telephone and cell phone records, letters, emails, documents and writings concerning the Caron Foundation and its attempts to provide community housing to people in recovery,” Caron attorney Jim Green wrote.
    Responding to outrage over sober houses near the ocean, commissioners approved the transient housing ordinance on Feb. 21, one day before rejecting Caron’s request for the Seaspray house.
    “This sequence is highly suspect and strongly suggests that the city acted with an improper discriminatory motive,” Dimitrouleas wrote May 4.
    The transient housing ordinance lowers the number of times that bedrooms can be rented to three times per year. The city’s previous ordinance allowed six rentals per year.
    “The turnover rule would prevent Caron from effectively running its program,” the judge wrote in his 29-page ruling. “The house would essentially be inoperable.”
    The preliminary injunction will remain in effect until Caron’s lawsuit goes to trial to determine whether a permanent injunction should be granted and the city ordered to pay damages.
Dimitrouleas wrote that Caron has shown “a substantial likelihood of success in demonstrating that the city has discriminated” when the case goes to trial.
    The drug and alcohol treatment provider moved its first three clients into its Seaspray Avenue house under the watchful eyes of security guards one day after distributing the letter to neighbors.
    “The letter’s timing a day before Caron moved people into the Seaspray home was suspect and the manner in which it was delivered — by bouncer-type goons trespassing over people’s private property — was repugnant,” neighbor Cary Glickstein said. “Residents are furious.”
    Mindy Farber, a lawyer who lives in the neighborhood, said Caron has no right to the communications because neighbors who oppose the sober house aren’t defendants in the lawsuit against the city.
    “It’s a frightening letter. What he’s done is bizarre,” Farber said. “I don’t think what he’s asking for is anything they have. I would just ignore him.”
“These people have been vocal opponents of my client and its patients and appear to be willing to do anything and say anything to stop my client and its patients,” Green said. “I certainly have a right as a party in a federal discrimination lawsuit to obtain their records. While they are certainly free to speak, it’s clear that what they intend to do is highly relevant to the federal court.” He noted that the judge already quoted several residents in his written order granting the preliminary injunction.
     Glickstein, who chairs the city’s planning and zoning board, said Green’s intent in sending the letter has backfired.
    “Residents now are more galvanized than ever to continue this fight,” he said.
 Dimitrouleas quoted Glickstein and another board member in his ruling, saying they “made blatantly discriminatory statements” to pressure city commissioners to legislate against sober houses.
    Glickstein had called the sober house movement “a cancer in this town” that “denigrates the neighborhood.”
    Two federal laws, the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, prohibit housing discrimination against recovering alcoholics and drug addicts.
    “I’m disappointed by some of the comments made by city residents,” city commissioner Adam Frankel said after the judge issued his order. “They cannot make comments or have demonstrations that are discriminatory in nature.”
    Dimitrouleas agreed with the city’s argument that Caron hadn’t provided enough medical justification to allow seven patients at its Seaspray sober house.
    Caron responded with lengthy written reports from two experts to provide that justification.
    “Seven is the clinically necessary number to foster a positive group dynamic and minimize the feelings of loneliness and isolation that are an addict’s biggest enemies and barriers to recovery,” wrote Dr. Riley Regan, who has served as the primary government official for alcoholism and drug addiction in three states.
“If the program is limited to only three residents, it will be a wasted effort,” Regan wrote.
    Green offered Delray Beach one last opportunity after the May 4 ruling to settle the lawsuit and avoid a trial. “I know emotions have been running high, but I hope the city and the portion of the community that’s been hostile will reconsider now and work toward an amicable resolution of this controversy,” he said.
    City officials have refused to back off.
    “The judge didn’t strike down everything we’ve done,” Mayor Woodie McDuffie said. “We will continue to work toward defending our single-family neighborhoods.”  

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By Steve Plunkett

Boca Raton plans to create a special assessment district on the barrier island to guarantee it has money for future beach renourishment.
Municipal Services Director Bob DiChristopher gave preliminary figures at the City Council’s goal-setting sessions May 2, 3 and 15, noting that beach properties are valued at $2.2 billion so a special assessment of $1 per $1,000 would raise $2.2 million a year.
 “We’re trying to amortize it over a 10-year period, you know, trying to smooth out the cost,” DiChristopher said. “So it would be around 1 mill if it’s an annual charge or if it’s based on front foot ownership then it’s $150 a front foot.”
The city and the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District, which both own parks on the island, would pay an equivalent share, he said. “So all the residents are participating,” he said.
The first step will be hiring a consultant to determine an assessment methodology, or who gets how much of a special benefit from the beach, DiChristopher said.  “You can probably show a benefit to everybody east of the Intracoastal,” he said. “So everybody on the barrier island, you could prorate them differently, like 0.75 mills if you own beachfront, 0.25 if you don’t.”
“The beach is used by anyone who wants to use it,” said Jerry Silver, president of the condo association Ocean Reef Towers on A1A.
Owners of his building’s 54 units already pay to keep the beach clean, and many of the older residents forsake the surf in favor of the condo pool, Silver said.
“It would be unfair just because we live adjacent to the beach to pay an assessment,” he said.
Council members also told staff to consider concessions such as umbrella and chair rentals at the beach, as well as installing parking meters to raise revenues.
The city is still smarting over an Army Corps of Engineers refusal to pay $4.5 million it promised for the 2010 north beach renourishment.
The Beach and Park District gave $2 million last year to help cover the shortfall; the city is asking the district to provide another $2 million as part of negotiations for a new athletic complex on Spanish River Boulevard. Boca Raton also wants the district to earmark $2 million each year for beach renourishment.
The special assessment plan was one of eight “high” priorities the council established during its goal-setting for the coming year. Six items were ranked “top” priorities and will be tackled first: what to do with the Wildflower and Spanish River Boulevard properties, annexing neighborhoods just north and west of the city, changing land-use rules at the Arvida Park of Commerce, land development regulations for the comprehensive plan, creating an overlay district on 20th Street, and resurrecting the Sister Cities program.
Studying the city’s pension plans again did not make the list of important goals, prompting residents Betty Grinnan and Judith Teller Kaye to form Boca Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility. The group’s e-mail campaign urges the City Council “to address the ever-increasing growth of firefighter compensation and pension costs NOW.”                            


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2012 Summer Camp Guide

NOTE: With so many summer camps offered in our area, we selected those located between the Boca Raton Inlet and the Port of Palm Beach. We tried to keep our listing east of I-95. Not all summer camp schedules have been set. Please check back online at http://www.thecoastalstar.ning.com we will be adding information as it becomes available. If your organization offers a camp not listed, please send your information to thecoastalstartcalendar@gmail.com.


Advent Camp ADVENTure, 300 E. Yamato Road, Boca Raton. Grade K-8. Christ-centered arts, sports, science, cooking, nature and field trips. 7:30 am-6 pm, M-F, 6/4-8/17. Registration $50 plus 2 weeks ($420/child). Children must attend a minimum of two weeks. $185/week. PRINCESS CAMP: Girls entering grades K-3. 7:30 am-6 pm. M-F. 7/9-13. $200/week. 395-5322 or www.adventsschoolboca.org
Adventure in the Arts Summer Camp: Boca Raton Children’s Museum, 498 Crawford Blvd., Boca Raton. Age 6-10.         9 am-3 pm, M-F, 7/2-8/10. Campers learn to work with clay, paint, create multicultural crafts and 3-dimensional art. Dance and theater workshops culminate with a performance 10:30 am on Fridays. Bring bag lunch and snacks -- water available throughout the day. $180/week plus $30/week materials fee. 368-6875 or www.cmboca.org
Aqua-Kids Summer Camp: St. Andrew’s School, 3900 Jog Road, Boca Raton. Ages 3-12. Swimming, pool games and indoor activities. Lunch, snacks and drinks provided. 9 am-3 pm, M-F, 6/4-8/10. $299/week. Extended care available. 445-7454 or www.flswimschool.com
Armory Art Center Summer Camp, 1700 Parker Ave., West Palm Beach. Ages 5-17. Nine weekly sessions focusing on artistic development and fun. 9 am-4:30 pm, M-F, 6/11-8/10. Drop-off 8:30-9 am, pickup 4:30-5 pm. Extended drop off and pickup (8 am & 5:30 pm): $60/week. Ages 5-10: $225/week; Ages 11-17: $275/week. 832-1776 or www.armoryart.org
ArtsCamp: Cohen Pavilion, Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Ages 9-11. Dramatic composition and performance. Interviews will be held 2:30-5 pm 4/12. 9 am-4 pm, M-F, 6/11-6/29. $575/3-week session. Aftercare available for an additional fee. Enrollment limited. 651-4366 or www.kravis.org/artscamp
Arts Camp at Dreyfoos School of the Arts, 501 S. Sapodilla Ave., West Palm Beach. Ages 6-11. Dance, music, theater, communications and visual arts. 8 am-4 pm, M-Th., 6/6-9. Lottery registration at noon-2 pm May 7. $65. 802-6029 or www.awdsoa.org
Art-Sea Living Gallery & Studio: 640 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach. Ten different one-week art classes, 6/12-8/17. Ages 4 1/2-10: T-F, 10:30 am-1:30 pm, $145/session or $40 daily; ages 10-16: T-F, 2-5 pm, $165/session or $45 daily. Includes supplies; children must bring lunch and wear old clothes. Sibling discounts. 737-2600 or www.artsealiving.com
Beach Volleyball: South Beach Park Pavilion, 400 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton. Ages 12-18. 8:30-11:30 am. M-Th. 6/11-6/28. $100-$120/week. 393-7888 or www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us
Boca Ballet Theatre Summer Workshop: 7630 NW 6th Ave., Boca Raton. Acceptance determined by auditions (4/14). Four workshops or weekly sessions available. Performing Workshop: 7/2-8/5 (two years pointe required), 10 am-6 pm M-S, $1,295. Workshop III: 6/25-7/13 (pre-pointe & pointe), 10:30 am-5 pm M-F, $750. Workshop II: 6/11-6/29 (no pointe required), 10 am-3 pm M-F, $700. Workshop I: 6/11-6/22 (no pointe required), 10 am-3 pm M-F, $500. Weekly Performing Workshop 10 am-4 pm 7/2-7/28, $325/week; Weekly Workshop I: For anyone currently enrolled in Level 1a and 1b. 10 am-3 pm, M-F, 6/11-7/2. $275/week. Weekly Workshop II: For anyone currently enrolled in Level 2a and 2b (No pointe required). 10 am-3 pm, M-F,  6/11-29. $275/week. Weekly Workshop III:  For anyone currently enrolled in Level 3 (Pre-pointe & pointe). 10:30 am-5 pm, M-F, 6/25-7/13. $285/week. All workshops: evaluation/application fee: $20. 995-0709 or www.bocaballet.org
Boca Raton Recreation Services Summer Camps: 7:30 am-5:30 pm, M-F. Traditional, Traditional Plus and Tween camps 6/18-7/27, $731-$1,307 (week-to-week available). Extended camp 7/30-8/17, $153-$225/week. $10/application fee, $10/school usages fee. Themed camps with age-appropriate activities meet at various locations: Calusa Elementary School, 2051 Clint Moore Road; Boca Raton Community Center, 150 Crawford Blvd.; Boca Raton Community Middle School, 1251 NW Eighth St.; James A. Rutherford Community Center, Patch Reef Park, 2000 NW 51st St.; J.C. Mitchell Elementary School, 2401 NW Third Ave. 393-7888 or www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us
7960385700?profile=originalBoca Surf Camp: Red Reef Park, 1400 N. State Road A1A, Boca Raton. 9 am-3 pm. M-F, 6/11-8/17. $350/week with sibling/multiple week discounts available. One-week sessions for ages 6-13. 561-367-7081 or www.bocasurfcamp.com
Boynton Beach Recreation & Parks Department Summer Camps: 7:30 am-5:30 pm, M-F, 6/18-8/10 (closed 7/4). $475-$595. Ages 5-12. Themed camps with age-appropriate activities meet at various locations: Art Center, 125 SE Second Ave., 742-6237; Harvey E. Oyer Jr. Park, 2010 N. Federal Highway, 742-6243; Civic Center, 128 E. Ocean Ave., 742-6243; Intracoastal Park Clubhouse, 2240 N Federal Highway, 742-6237; Ezell Hester Community Center, 1901 N. Seacrest Boulevard, 742-6550; Carolyn Sims Center, 225 NW 11 Ave., 742-6641. Art Camp fees are $550/residents, $688/non-residents for eight weeks. Registration begins 4/7 for residents and 4/21 for non-residents. www.boynton-beach.org
The Breakers Jr. Golf & Tennis Camp: 2 South County Road, Palm Beach. Tennis Camp: Ages 6-18. 6/6-8/12. Full day 9 am-4 pm, M-F.  $425/week. $95 registration. Half-day 9 am-1:30 pm, M-F. $325/week; $95 registration. Golf Camp: Ages 9-16. 9 am-3 pm, W-F, 6/8-8/12. $350/week; $50 registration. Both camps offer discounts for siblings and multiple weeks. 659-8474 or www.thebreakers.com/golf/academy/juniors/
Bucky Dent’s Baseball School: 490 Dotterel Road, Delray Beach. Ages 7-18. 9 am-3 pm, M-F. Baseball games, batting practice, pitching. Sessions start 6/11. Training Camp: Ages 8-18, 9 am-3 pm, M-F, includes lunch, $325/week; Rookie Camp: Ages 5-7, 9 am-noon, M-F, includes lunch, $225/week. Camp runs through 8/17. Discounts available. Extended day program available. 265-0280 or www.buckydentbaseballschool.com.
Camp Explorations- X-Treme Summer: JFK Medical Center Charter School, 4696 Davis Road, Lake Worth. Ages 6-13. Weekly themes with an x-treme twist -- academic adventures. Sports, field trips, crafts, cooking, swimming and more. 6:30 am-6 pm. M-F, 6/11-8/17. $170/week. $45 registrations fee. 868-6104 or www.jfkcharterschool.com  

Camp Grandview with Coach Roudy: 336 Spanish River Blvd. N.W., Boca Raton. 8:45 am-3:20 pm. Age 3-14. M-F. Four two-week sessions 6/11-8/3. $600/two-week session or $2160/full summer (eight weeks). $30 sibling discount. Before care (7:30-8:45 am): $20/week or $5/day; After care (3:20 pm-6 pm): $50/week or $15/day. Structured, health-centered day camp experience for children. The typical day experience begins with a Morning Wake-Up Shake-Up Workout for all ages. Campers then spend the day with a rotation of classes including music, zumba, tae kwon do, arts & crafts, sports, skating, swimming and much more. 561-416-9737 or www.grandviewprep.net.
Children’s Science Explorium Science Camp: Sugar Sand Park Community Center, 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton. 9 am-1 pm, M-F, 6/18-8/10 for ages 6-10; 9 am-noon, M-F 8/6-10 for age 5. Kindergartners will discover the wonders of water in our bodies, in the ground and in the air. Older campers will experience the science of their daily lives, including physics, engineering, chemistry, biology and environmental science. Open house will be 10 am-noon 6/11. Limit one session per camper per summer. $91-$123 per week. 347-3912 or www.scienceexplorium.org
CROS Camp: Calvary United Methodist Church, 301 1st Ave. South, Lake Worth. 8:30 am-5 pm. Grades K-5. M-F. Weekly sessions: 6/11-7/27. Christian camp but non-denominational. Lunch and snack provided. Before and aftercare available. The cost for the summer is $25. Application online as of 4/15. 233-9009 ext. 102 or www.crosministries.org
Delray Beach Summer Camp: Delray Beach Parks & Recreation Dept. is currently holding registration for two camp sites (Community Center, 50 NW 1st Ave.; and Pompey Park, 1101 NW Second St.). Parents should bring completed registration application, a headshot of the child(ren) & a copy of the child(ren)’s birth certificate(s). Camp will be held 6/18-8/10, 7:30 am-5:30 pm M-F.  $500/residents, $525/non-residents. Fee includes T-shirts, camp bag, lunch, snacks and field trips. 243-7249 or  www.mydelraybeach.com
Delray Water Sports Surf Camp, 500 S. Ocean Blvd./1100 Casuarina Road, Delray Beach. Ages 6-15. Surfing, skimboarding, boogiebording, kayaking, snorkeling, stand up paddling. 8:30 am-noon M-T, 8:30 am-12:30 pm F. 6/11-8/24. $325/week for new students; $70/day; discounts available for returning students/siblings. (561) 703-7210. www.delraywatersports.com
DeVos-Blum Family YMCA Camp: 9600 S. Military Trail, Boynton Beach. Grades K-5. Field trips, entertainment, arts & crafts, swimming, sports, games. Parent Orientation, 6:30 pm. 5/22 & 5/29. Various one-week sessions offered 7:30 am-6 pm M-F, 6/11-8/17. Traditional Camp: ages 5-11, $170/members, $270/non-members per week. Teen Camp: ages 12-15, $225-$300/members, $310-$410/non-members per week. Sports Camps: ages 5-15, 9 am-3 pm & 7:30 am-6 pm, $180/members, $280/non-members per week; ages 3-5, 9 am-1 pm, $100/members, $170/non-members per week. Aquatic Camp: ages 5-15, 9 am-2 pm, $195-$200/members, $250-$295/non-members per week. Camp of the Arts Camp: ages 6-14, 9 am-2 pm, $180-$225/members, $280-$325/non-members per week. Extended care for specialty camps: 7:30-9 am & 2-6 pm, $25/members, $50/non-members per week. 237-0949 or  www.ymcaspbc.org
Digi-Camp: Don Estridge High Tech Middle School, 1798 NW Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton. Ages 8-15. Learn about the use of digital media technology, including photography, PhotoShop, video and film production and television production. 6/11-8/3. 9 am-3 pm M-F. $220/week. Free am & pm extended care (8-9 am & 3-5 pm). $50 registration fee. 236-0938 or www.digicamp.com
Dragons Fastpitch Softball Camp: Don Estridge High Tech Middle School, 1798 NW Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton. Ages 7-15. Includes individual instruction in fielding, throwing, fly balls, bunting, hitting, slapping, base running, pitching, catching, teamwork and more. 9 am-3 pm, 8/6-10. $150. Free am & pm extended care (8-9 am & 3-5 pm). 236-0938 or                             www.thefastpitchcoach.com
East West Karate Kid Academy: 125-H Hypoluxo Road, Hypoluxo. Ages 5-12. Karate, field trips and more. 7:30 am-6 pm, M-F, 6/6-8/19. $179 per week. Students should bring lunch; snacks will be provided. 493-0082 or www.ewkarate.com
Environmental Camp: Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex, 1801 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton. Grades 1-6: 8:30 am-12:30 pm, M-F, 6/18-8/3; Grades 7-9: 8:30 am-2:30 pm, M-F, 7/2-6. $74-$100 per week plus $5 supply fee. Children and teens learn the importance of conservation through exciting outdoor activities and hands-on lessons. Limit one session per camper per summer. 338-1473 or www.gumbolimbo.org7960386065?profile=original
Evert Tennis Academy Summer Camp: 10334 Diego Dr. S., Boca Raton. Junior to Professional students (ages 8-18) who aspire to play professionally, earn a college scholarship or simply improve their game at any level. Programs for Boarders (5.5-day week, Sun. arrival - Sat. departure. $1,295-$1,795/week. Check-in after 3 pm Sun., check-out before noon Sat. Daily activities 7 am-10 pm.); Non-Boarders (5-day week, M-F, lunch included. $895-$1,395/week. 8:30 am-3:30 pm); and half day ($595-$795/week. am only). 6/3-8/18. 488-2001 or www.evertacademy.com
Equestrian Connections Horse Camp: 16668 Winners Circle Drive, Delray Beach. Ages 5 and up. 9 am-2 pm, M-F weekly sessions: 6/11-29, 7/9-13, 7/23-27, 8/6-17. $60/day, $250/week. Discounts for siblings and multiple weeks. Before and after care available. No experience necessary. Campers ride horses twice daily, plus participate in all areas of horse care such as grooming, saddling, bathing, feeding and more.  305-2855 or www.equestrian-connection.com
Exploring the World Through Art: Boca Raton Museum of Art School, 801 W. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton. Ages 5-12. 9 am-4 pm, M-F, 6/11-8/3. No classes on 7/4. $265/week. Extended care 8-9am ($50/week) and 4-5:15pm ($75/week). Discounts available for multiple kids and members. 392-2503 or www.bocamuseum.org

Fine Arts Camp: United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches, 900 Brandywine Road, West Palm Beach. For children entering 2nd-6th grades. 9 am-2 pm. M-F. 6/18-22 and 6/25-29. $100/week. This is a Christian-based camp where campers learn an entire musical in one week, complete with solos, chorus numbers, choreography and drama, plus the children will be creating the backdrop and props. Camp concludes with a free performance open to the general public the Friday evening of each camp week. 687-5411 ext. 17 or www.umcpb.org.

First Presbyterian Vacation Bible School: 33 Gleason St., Delray Beach. 9 am-noon, 6/11-15. For ages 3 - incoming fifth graders. Children will participate in arts & crafts and recreational activities. Suggested donation of $30/child. Learning is fun with Bible stories, games, art, music and refreshments. 276-6338 or www.firstdelray.com
Flagler Museum Summer Camps: One Whitehall Way, Palm Beach. Grades 6-8. Crime Investigation During the Gilded Ages: 9 am-4 pm, M-F, 6/11-15. Bring lunch & snacks. $200-$225. Extended hours until 5 pm, $50. Registration deadline 5/25. 655-2833 or www.flaglermuseum.us
Florence Fuller Summer Camp: 200 NE 14th St., Boca Raton. Ages 5-12. Campers participate in outdoor sports, swimming, field trips, arts and crafts and nature activities. Features an end of summer talent show.  7:30 am-5:30 pm, M-F, 6/11-8/16. $70-$120/week plus $30 registration fee. Includes breakfast, lunch & snack. 391-7274 or www.ffcdc.org
7960386086?profile=originalFAU - Goal To Goal Boys Soccer Camps: 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton. Foundations for beginners and skill enhancement for the competitive/travel team player. Camp activities offered in afternoon. Half-day: 9 am-noon, full day 9 am-3 pm. M-F, 6/11-6/29 & 7/9-8/10. $125/week half-day, $225/week full-day. No camp on 7/4. Lunch included for half & full days, pool time included for full-day campers only. Ages 5-14. Also offered: Advanced Training Camps, ages 10-19, $420-450. Free early drop-off 8-9 am. After-care until 5 pm for $20/day. 297-3711 or www.goaltogoalsoccercamps.com
FAU TOPS Summer Arts Camps: 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton. Piano and creative writing. Camps divided by ages, K-12. Grades 6-12: 6/11-22; Grades K-5, 6/25-7/20. Auditions required for piano camp: auditions held 5/13, email topspianocamp@gmail.comto schedule. 9 am-4 pm. $275/week. $10 registration. 297-3821 or  www.fau.edu/tops
Florida Fishing Academy Summer Camp: at the Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 NW Ninth St., Delray Beach. Ages 8-16. 9 am-4 pm. Three weekly sessions offered: Boating Camp at the Delray Beach Playhouse: 6/11-15, $175/week; Deep Sea Fishing and Exploration Camp, 728 Casa Loma Blvd., at the docks near Two Georges, Boynton Beach: 7/23-27 & 8/6-10, $300/week. Multiple week discount available. One-time registration fee of $25/family. 740-7227 or www floridafishingacademy.com.
FOTOcamp: Palm Beach Photographic Centre, 415 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Focus on all areas of photography, from basics to state-of-the-art digital imaging. FOTOcamp for Kids: ages 9-17. 9 am-3 pm, M-F. 6/11-22, 7/9-20 & 7/23-8/3. $695-$745/two-week session. FOTOfun Minicamp: ages 6-8, 9 am-noon, M-F. 6/25-29. $345-$375. Fees include the use of cameras, some supplies, field-trip transportation and admissions. 253-2600 or www.workshop.org

4-H Nature Camp: Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service, 559 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach. Age 7-11. This camp is perfect for children who like to explore nature, gardening, science and art. Fun, hands-on activities, experiments and field trips will help kids learn about Florida’s wildlife, oceans, wetlands, plants, and much more. Campers will visit MacArthur Beach State Park and the Arthur R. Marshall National Wildlife Refuge in addition to exploring Mounts Botanical Garden. 9 am-4 pm. M-F. 7/23-27. $95. 233-1731 or www.pbcgov.com/coextension/4h/programs/camps.htm.

Girls e-soccercamps: Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton. Ages 6-14. Soccer for all ability levels. Day camp: 9 am-3 pm. Half-day camp: 9 am-noon. M-F. 6/11-7/20. $125/half day, $225/full day. Residential & commuter programs: 7/22-26 (ages 9-17), $395-$495. 954-648-7498 or www.e-soccercamps.com7960385892?profile=original
Gold Coast Summer Gymnastics: 1420 Rupp Lane, Lake Worth. Ages 3-12. Two camps offered based on ages. Tumble Dragon Camp: Ages 3-5. 9 am-noon, M-F. Four one-week sessions 6/13-8/5. $135/week. Early drop off $25/week. Summer Gymnastics Camp: Ages 5-12. 9 am-4 pm full-day or 9 am-noon half-day, M-F. Nine one-week sessions 6/6-8/5. $135-$175/week. Early drop off  8-8:45 am. $25/week. Late pick up 4-5 pm $25/week. Daily and 3-day rates available for both camps. $15 registration fee. 585-2700 or www.gcgym.com
Gulf Stream School Summer Camp: Gulf Stream School, 3600 Gulf Stream Road, Gulf Stream. Only available for current Gulf Stream School students. School offers summer programs for children Pre-k through fifth grade. 6/11-7/6 (closed 7/4), 7/23-8/3, and 8/13-8/24. Lower School camp combines a variety of both on-campus and off-campus activities. A camp for pre-kindergarten students provides educational play. 276-5225 or www.gulfstreamschool.org
Hula Surf and Paddle Summer Camp: Oceanfront Park, 6415 N. Ocean Blvd., Ocean Ridge. Ages 6 and up. Presented in conjunction with Boynton Beach Recreation & Parks Department. Surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, ocean safety and beach cleanups. 8:30 am-1 pm. M-F, 6/13-21 & 7/11-29. $175/residents, $225/non-residents. 877-321-4852 or                      www.hulasurfschool.com
7960386462?profile=originalJohnson’s Folly Horse Farm: 14052 53rd  Ave. S., Delray Beach. Ages 4-16. 9:30 am-2 pm  M-F. Weekly sessions: 6/11-15, 6/25-29, 7/9-13, 7/23-27 & 8/6-10. $85/day or $400/week. Beginner- through intermediate-level ability. Activities include grooming, tacking, riding, swimming, movies and educational horse discussions. 499-6383 or www.johnsonfolly.com/horse-camp

Junior Lifeguard Program: Anchor Park/Ocean Rescue Headquarters, 340 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach. Age 11-17. M-F (no class on Wednesdays). 9-10:30 am. Participants are introduced to ocean lifesaving methods and equipment. They learn skills for competency in the marine environment by swimming, paddling, and performing mock rescues. 6/11-22. $85/residents, $90/non-residents. 243-7352 or www.mydelraybeach.com.

Kickin’ Arts Camp: Crest Theatre, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. Ages 6-12. A variety of visual, performing and literary arts activities will be presented in keeping with each week’s theme, and visiting artists and mentors will enhance the program. 9 am-5:30 pm. M-F. Four one-week sessions, 7/9-8/3. $250/week plus $13/week materials fee. Bring bag lunch and snack. 243-7922, ext. 309 or www.oldschool.org
Lake Worth Playhouse Summer Performance Camp: 713 Lake Ave., Lake Worth. Ages 8-14. Summer Session 1: 101 Dalmatians, Kids: Three-week camp includes performance classes, cast rehearsals, and participation in a full-scale musical production. Ages 8+.  9 am-3 pm, M-F, 6/11-29. Performances: 6/28-30; Summer Session 2: Fame Jr.: Three-week camp.  Ages 11+. 9 am-3 pm, M-F,  7/16-8/4. Performances: 8/2-4. Two One Week Wonder Sessions: Ages 8-14. 9 am-3 pm, M-F, 7/9-13 & 8/6-10. $600/per three-week session, $200/per one-week session. Fees must be paid in full by 6/1. Includes camp T-shirts, materials, costumes and performance meals (meals apply to days where campers have two performances scheduled during the regularly scheduled camp day). 586-6410 or  www.lakeworthplayhouse.org
The Learning Place Summer Camp: 1400 SW 3rd St., Boynton Beach & 8518 Lawrence Road, Boynton Beach. Activities and field trips. 6:45 am-6 pm. Ages 5-12. M-F. 6/11-8/17. $155/week includes meals. $25 registration. 742-3236 or                  www.thelearningplacepreschool.com
Levis JCC Marleen Forkas Summer Camp: 9801 Donna Klein Blvd., Boca Raton. Ages 2-14. 9 am-4 pm, M-F. Two- and four-week sessions 6/18-8/10. Themes vary by age. $550-$3,250/session. 852-5090 or www.levisjcc.org
Lynn University Rootes Soccer Camp: 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton. Full-day: Ages 6-14. 6/11-15. 9 am-4 pm, M-F. $250; Half-day: Ages 4-7. 6/11-14. 9 am-noon, M-F. $150. $25 registration fee. 912-257-5146 or www.rootescamp.com
Ocean Adventure Camp: Red Reef Park, 1400 N. State Road A1A, Boca Raton and Silver Palms Boat Ramp, SE corner of Palmetto & Mizner Boulevards. Fun and adventure through education and exploration of Florida’s waters. Ages 8-15. 9 am-3 pm, M-Th or M-F.. 6/11-8/17 (no camp 7/4). $310-$469/week. PADI skin diver certification additional $10. Early registration (before 5/1) and multiple week discounts available. Registration at the Boca Raton Community Center. 715-0499 or www.underbluewaters.com

Oxbridge Athletics Camp: 3151 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach. Age 11-16. Led by the school’s coaching staff, camp will focus on developing skills in sports such as lacrosse, basketball and softball, while instilling the values of teamwork and sportsmanship. Healthy lunches and snacks will be provided daily. Lacrosse Camp: M-R: 9 am-4 pm, F: 9 am-noon. 6/25-29 and 7/30-8/3. $340/week. Basketball Camp: M-F, 9 am-5 pm, $275/week. Girls camp: 6/25-29.; Boys camp: 7/9-13. Softball camp: M-F, 9 am-5 pm. 7/16-20. $275/week. 972-9600 or www.oapb.org.

Palm Beach Atlantic University Summer Camps: Greene Complex for Sports & Recreation, 1100 S. Dixie Hwy., West Palm Beach. Ages 6-17. Boys Basketball, grades 3-8, 9 am-4 pm, 6/11-14 &  7/23-7/26. $200-375, includes lunch; Little Sailfish Boy’s Basketball, grades K-5, 9 am-noon, 7/23-26, $110; High School Elite Boys Basketball, 9 am-4 pm 6/11-14, $200-375, includes lunch; Girls Basketball, ages 7-12, 10 am-4 pm, 6/23-24, $100-150; Elite Girls Basketball, ages 13-17, 9 am-8 pm Th-Sat., 9 am-4 pm Sun., $225-325; Evening Girls Basketball, ages 6-17, 4:30-8 pm, 6/14-15, $100; Girls Volleyball (Individuals, includes lunch), grades 7-12, 9 am-3 pm, 6/18-21 and 7/9-12. $265-$350; Girls Volleyball (team camp), grades 7-12, 9 am-3 pm, 7/16-19, $265-$350; Girls Volleyball (Team), 9 am-3 pm. 7/18-21. $225-$325. 803-2333 or www.pbasailfish.com7960386876?profile=original
Palm Beach Suzuki School of Music: 2405 Mercer Ave., Ste. 10, West Palm Beach. Ages 2 1/2-6. Violin, cello, and piano. Explore music through song and movement. 6/6-17. M-F. 8 am-12:30 pm. $396/2 weeks. (561) 308-7954 or www.pbssm.com
Performing Arts Summer Camp: Sol Children’s Theatre at Olympic Heights Community High School, 20101 Lyons Road, Boca Raton. Vocal music, acting, dance, theater. Ages 7 and older. Two sessions: Guys and Dolls, 9 am-3 pm. M-F, 6/11-7/6. $1200/4 week session and Legally Blonde the Musical, 9 am-3 pm. M-F, 7/9-8/3. $1,200/4 week session. Full eight weeks (both sessions) $2,160. Lunch, snacks, show T-shirt & DVD are included. Before care beginning at 7:30 am. $25/week; after care until 5:30 pm $45/week. 447-8829 or  www.solchildren.org
Peter Blum Family YMCA Camp: 6631 Palmetto Circle South, Boca Raton. Various one-week sessions 6/6-8/19. Camps offered: Traditional Camp: 7:30 am-6 pm (Ages 5-11), $185/members, $285/non-members per week; Aquatic Camps: ages 5-15, 9 am-2 pm, $195-$200/members, $250-$295/non-members per week; Camp Sprouts: ages 3-5, 9 am-1 pm, $115/members, $215/non-members per week; The Volen Center Preschool Camp part time & full time available (Contact Beth Ryer 395-8920 ext. 296), ages 3-5, $75-$695/members, $175-$805/non-members; Camp of the Arts Camp: ages 6-14, 9 am-2 pm, $195-$225/members, $295-$325/non-members per week; Sports camps: ages 5-15, 9 am-3 pm, $195/members, $295/non members per week; Ages 3-5, 9 am-1 pm, $115/members, $200/non members per week; Teen Camps: ages 12-15, $225-$300/members, $310-410/non members per week. Extended care for Specialty camps: 7:30-9 am and 2-6 pm, $25/members, $50/non-members per week. Parent Orientation 6:30 pm 5/21 & 5/28. 237-0949 or www.ymcaspbc.org
Pine Crest School Summer Camp: 2700 St. Andrews Blvd., Boca Raton. Age 4-15. M-F. 6/4-7/27. $340-560/week. 9:30 am-3 pm. Before/after care available $85-$175/week. Various camps include band, digital storytelling, fine arts, KidVenture, sports, swim, tennis and combo camps. Fees due by 5/15. 852-2800 or www.pinecrest.edu/bocasummer
Pine Tree Camps: Lynn University, 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton. Age 3-14. Day programs for campers age 3-14 and overnight programs for campers age 6-13. Activities include sports, arts & crafts, circus acts, science experiments, computer skills, video production and more. Includes daily lunch. Three sessions: 6/11-29, 7/2-20, 7/23-8/10. $590-1020/session. 237-7310 or www.pinetreecamp.com
Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Conservatory: 262 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan. Ages 7-14. 9 am-4 pm,  M-F, 7/23-8/10. $200-$250/week. 588-1820 or www.theplazatheatre.net
Progressive Arts & Theatre Camps: St. Ann School, 324 N. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach. An introduction to musical theater. Ages pre-K-3 to 8th grade. 8:30 am-4 pm, M-F. Four two-week sessions: 6/11-6/22, 6/25-7/6, 7/9-20, 7/23-8/3. $275/two week session. $80 registration. 792-0448 or 602-0730.
Saint Andrew’s School Day and Sports Camps: Saint Andrew’s School, 3900 Jog Road, Boca Raton. Ages 3-14. Four, two-week sessions from 6/11-8/3 and one one-week session (8/6-10).  8:40 am-3:10 pm M-F. Before-care, 7:45-8:20 am and after camp care 3:45-5:45 pm available. Day Camp, Adventure Camp, Sports Camp,
Sports Travel Camp, Overnight Camp (3 weeks, 6/11-29, $2,425), Dance Camp (3 weeks, 6/11-29, $1,050), Golf Camp (one-week session, 6/4-8 & 6/11-15, $375/week), Softball Camp (one-week session (6/18-22, $285/week), and Counselor in Training Program Camp. $800-$900 per two week-session, $300-$400 for Week 9 one-week session. All program/registration fees must be paid in full by 5/18. 210-2100 or www.saintandrewsschool.net
St. Joseph’s Episcopal School Camps: 3300 S. Seacrest Blvd., Boynton Beach. Pre-Camp: Ages 5 & up, 8 am-4 pm, 6/4-8; Arts & Athletic Summer Camp: Ages 5-12. $225-$250/week.  8 am-4 pm, aftercare 4-6 pm, 6/18-8/10. $225-$250/week; Mr. Aubrey’s Scholastic Studies Camp: Ages 5 & up. Noon-4 pm, 6/11-15, $125/week; 8 am-4 pm, 8/13-17 & 8/20-24, $200-225/week. Aftercare: $10 per hour. $30 registration fee (waived for SJES Families). 732-2045 or www.sjsonline.org
St. Paul Lutheran Summer Camp: 701 W. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton. Ages 3-grade 6. 7:30 am-5:30 pm, M-F. 6/4-8/10. (half-days available). Two week minimum. $185/week full day, $135/week half-day. Fees include hot lunch, snacks, field trips, materials and supplies. Sibling discounts. $50 registration. Late pick up fee $5/15 minutes. Registration deadline is 5/18. 395-8548, Ext. 152 or www.cyberfalcon.com
The Salvation Army: 300 SW 2nd Ave. Boca Raton. Elementary school ages. Themed camp programs and trips. Ages 5-12. 8 am-5 pm. M-F. 6/6-7/29. $100/week. $25 registration. 391-1344. www.salvationarmypalmbeachcounty.org
The Salvation Army (West Palm Beach): 600 N. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach. Ages 6-14. Sports, arts and crafts and outdoor activities. 8:30 am-5 pm, M-F. 6/18-8/10. $100/week. 833-6767 or www.salvationarmypalmbeachcounty.org
Sandoway House Ocean View Summer Camp: Sandoway House Nature Center, 142 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach. Ages 7-12. Scavenger hunts, nature crafts, games and more. Two weeks offered: 6/18-22 & 6/25-29. $200/members, $225/non-members per week. 9 am-4 pm M- F. 274-7263 or www.sandowayhouse.org
School of Rock -- Rockin’ Through the Summer: 7433 S. Military Trail, Lake Worth. Ages 8-18. Rock & Roll music camp. Live performance finale. 9 am-3 pm, M-F. One week camps: 6/18-22 & 8/13-17, $350-$395/week. Two week camps: 7/9-20 & 7/23-8/3, $695-$795/two weeks. 855-2625 or www.southpalmbeach.schoolofrock.com
The Science Academy Inc.: Don Estridge High Tech Middle School, 1798 NW Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton. Ages 7-13. 9 am-3:30 pm. M-F, 6/11-8/6.   $195/week. Students enjoy a productive, hands-on learning environment. Early and after care available. Discounts for siblings and early registration. $50 registration fee. 285-7522 or www.thescienceacademyinc.com
SCUBA Camp: The Scuba Club Inc., 4708 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach. Ages 12-18. Open Water class: Open water certification, including all equipment, and five open-water dives. 9 am-4 pm. M-F, 6/11-15, 6/25-29, 7/9-13, 7/23-27 and 8/6-10, $300; Certified Diver class: Earn Nitrox Certification and dive Nitrox on all dives, including equipment and nine open-water dives. 9 am-4:30 pm, M-F, 6/19-22, 7/3-6, 7/17-20 and 7/31-8/3, $300-$450. 844-2466 or www.TheScubaClub.com
Seacrest Christian School: 2703 N. Seacrest Blvd., Delray Beach. Ages 2-8. Arts, crafts and science. Sessions offered as half day (8:30-11:30 am), three full days (8:30 am-3:30 pm), or full day (8:30 am-3:30 pm) with free morning care 7:45-8:30 am. After care 3:30-5:30 pm for $3/hour. 6/6-8/10. 7:45 am-3:30 pm, M-F. $80-$185/week plus $15/week activity fee. 276-5552 or www.seacrestchurch.com
Showtime Performing Arts Theatre Summer Camp: 503 SE Mizner Blvd., Ste. 73, Boca Raton. Ages 5-17. 9 am-3 pm, M-F. Campers will be grouped by ages, experience and ability. Each camper will rotate between acting, voice/music and dance class. After lunch, all campers will work together in rehearsal for the camp performances. Each four-week session ends with a full length musical performance. Session I: Cinderella Camp (ages 5-10); Legally Blonde The Musical (middle & high school ages). Session II: Godspell (ages 5-17). One Week Workshops: Glee “Pop Rock” workshop camp (ages 5-17), 8/6-10. Glee “Broadway” workshop camp (ages 5-17), 8/13-17. Four week camps: $900; one-week workshop camps: $250. Extended session 8-9 am and 3-6 pm available for $5/hour. Lunch program - $7/day catered lunch (paid in advance), snacks $1. 394-2626 or www.ShowtimeBoca.com
South Florida Science Museum Summer Camp: 4801 Dreher Trail N., West Palm Beach. Ages 4-12. Science lessons, laboratories, crafts and outside activities. 9 am-4 pm, M-F, 6/11-8/17. Extended hours 7:30 am-5:30 pm for $35/week, which includes breakfast and afternoon snack. Registration fee $25. $210-$235/week. 832-2026 or www.sfsm.org
Sports Stars Summer Camp: 1798 NW Spanish River Blvd. (Don Estridge Middle School), Boca Raton. Organized sports, physical activities and ages appropriate games plus field trips. Ages 7-14. 6/11-8/10. 8 am-4 pm, M-F. $195/week (minimum two weeks required). Extended camp 4-6 pm for $20/week. Includes three camp t-shirts, transportation, adult supervised pre- and post camp, and hot lunch on Fridays. $50 application fee. $95 non-refundable deposit; balance due in full by 5/16. 251-7578 or www.SportsStarsCamp.com
Standing Ovation Performing Arts, 4953 Le Chalet Blvd., No. 4, Boynton Beach. Ages 5-14. 9 am-4 pm; M-Th; 9 am-5:30 pm F, 6/11-8/17. $180-$250/week. Acting, pantomime, improvisation, play writing and crafts with professional workshops in film, vocal performance, circus skills, magic, stages combat, puppetry, percussion. Performances 5 pm every Friday. Before- and after-care (7-9 am and 4-6 pm) available $5/hour. Lunch option: $25/week or $6/day. 734-0187 or www.standingoh.com
Summer Art Camp: Talin’s Tropical Studio, 990 S. Rogers Circle, Boca Raton. Ages 6-12. Painting, crafts, mosaic art, ceramics, sculpture, paper art and more. Students should bring their lunch. 6/11-8/17. 11 am-3 pm M-F. $25/per child per day or $100/per child per week. 573-0123 or www.talintropic.com
7960386687?profile=originalSummer Dance & Musical Theatre Camps: Boynton Beach Civic Center, 128 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach. Princess Dance Camp (ages 4-10). Focus on different Disney princess each day. 9 am-3 pm. M-F. 6/11-15 & 8/6-10; $175-$220. 742-6240 or       www.boynton-beach.org
Summer Sail Camp: Palm Beach Sailing Club, 4600 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach. Ages 7-15. Water safety, boat handling, teamwork, sportsmanship and sailing basics. Classes by ages, weight, and skill level. Class size is limited. Basic swimming skills required. Half days 9 am-12 pm, or full day 9 am-4 pm. M-F, 6/11-6/29 & 7/9-8/17. Half Day camp $195. Full Day camp $325. $20 registration. Free pre camp (8-9 am) and post camp (4-5:30 pm). Discounts available for members and multi-siblings or multi-sessions. Free registration before May 1. 881-0809 or www.pbsail.org
Summer Youth Arts Program: Palm Beach State College, 4200 Congress Ave., Lake Worth. Ages 10-14. Students pick classes and enjoy a unique college experience. 8 am-4 pm, M-Th., 6/11-7/12. $109/week ($89/July 4th week). Classes must be paid by 6/11. 967-7222 or www.palmbeachstate.edu/SYC.xml

Summer Skate Camp: Hobbit Skate Park, 505 S.E. 5th Ave., Delray Beach. Nine-week full day skate camp. Age 5-15. 9 am-4 pm. M-F. Early drop-off (7:30-9 am) and late pickup (4-5:30 pm) available. Combination of skate instruction, skate park field trips, arts/crafts, trips to movies, bowling, zoo, ice skating, and more. Participants will learn all aspects of skateboarding including board set-up, safety tips, history of skateboarding and skateboard graphic design. Each Friday there will be contests, prizes, and goodie bags. Each student must provide their own skateboard, helmet and knee/elbow pads. 6/11-8/10 (no camp 7/4). Per week: $120/residents, $130/non-residents. No single day payments accepted. 243-7158.
Summer Youth College: Palm Beach State College, 3000 St. Lucie Ave., Boca Raton. Ages 8-14. Students pick classes and enjoy a unique college experience.  9 am-4 pm, M-Th, 6/25-8/2. Most classes $69/class (each class meets once a week for 6 weeks and lasts 2 hours). Before care (8-9 am) is $12/six weeks and after care (4-5:30 pm) is $18/six weeks. Classes must be paid for by 6/20.  862-4730 or www.palmbeachstate.edu/SYC.xml
Summer Zoo Camp: Palm Beach Zoo, 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach. Unique wildlife themes with zookeeping experience and zoo activities including animal encounters, exhibit visits, crafts and games. 8:30 am-4 pm, M-F. Zoo Camps for ages 5-10: 6/11-8/17, $200-225/week. Jr. Zookeepers for ages 11-14: 6/18–22, 7/9–13, 8/6–10. $250-$275/week. Wildlife Conservation Academy for ages 15-17: 7/16-20 & 7/23-27, $300-325/week. Before care (7:45-8:30 am) $20/week; after care (4-5:30 pm) $50/week. Lunch (optional) $37.50/week.  533-0887, Ext. 229, or www.palmbeachzoo.org
SUNFUN Summer Camp & Sports Camps: Trinity Lutheran School,  400 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. SUNFUN: Ages 2-11. Christian environment with field trips. 8 am-3:30 pm (aftercare until 5:30 pm.) M-F. 6/11-8/3. $150/week. $20/aftercare. SPORTS CAMPS: Ages 7-14. 8 am-3:15 pm (aftercare until 5:30 pm.) M-F. 6/4-8/17. $150/week (sibling discount). $20/aftercare. ART CAMP: Ages 3-10. 9 am-noon. M-F. 6/11-15 & 7/16-20. $90/week. COOKING CAMP: Ages 6-11. M-F. 7/30-8/3. $90/week. DRAMA CAMP: Ages 7-11. 9 am-noon. M-F. 6/18-6/29. $180/week. TINY TIGERS GYM CAMP: Ages 3-5. 9 am-noon. M-F. 6/25-29 and 7/23-27. $90/week. 276-8458 or www.trinitydelray.org.
Taylored Athletes “Next Level” Basketball Camp: Wayne Barton Study Center Gymnasium, 269 NW 14th St., Boca Raton. Ages 5-17. 6/11-8/10. 9 am-3 pm, M-F. Pre and post care available.     $200-$250/week. 888-816-0721 or    www.tayloredathletes.com

Top Flight Fundamental Youth Basketball Camp:  Atlantic Community High School, 2455 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Age 6-14. M-F. 8 am-3 pm. $80/week residents, $90/week non-residents. This camp is designed for young athletes that desire to learn every aspect of the game of basketball and to improve their fundamentals progressively. Five sessions: 6/11-15, 6/18-22, 6/25-29, 7/9-13, 7/16-20. 243-7255 or 703-4051 or www.mydelraybeach.com.

Vacation Bible School: First United Methodist Church of Boca Raton, 625 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton. Ages 3 to fourth grade. 9 am-12:15 pm, 6/18-22. $35/child. 395-1244 or www.fumcbocaraton.org/vbs
West Park Baptist Summer Day Camp: 4004 W. Lake Ida Road, Delray Beach. Age 5-15. Junior Camp (age 5-12) and Teen Camp (13-15). Sports, daily chapel, games, crafts, etiquette and life-skills training, self-defense training and swimming. 8 am-5:30 pm. M-F. 6/6-8/12. $98/week. $30/one day (to try the camp before committing to a full week). $50 registration fee. Discounts available for multiple children. Extended care available. 495-2107 or www.westpark-baptist.com  
Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County, Inc. Summer Camp: Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. M-F. 8:30 am-4:30 pm. 6/18-22 & 6/25-29. $250-$275/week. Extended care 4:30-5:30 pm. $25/week. Discounts for multiple weeks. All instruments, all levels. Students with no experience can get a free loaner instrument at camp. Guest professional musicians perform each week. Weekly camper concerts. Fees due by 6/3. 281-8600 or www.yopbc.com

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By Steve Plunkett

Ocean Ridge town commissioners can still decide to contract with the Sheriff’s Office for police services, despite news reports that Sheriff Ric Bradshaw has pulled the proposal.

“It’s not off the table,” Town Manager Ken Schenck said May 16.

Schenck said sheriff’s officials told him they would not actively pursue a contract after Ocean Ridge residents voiced strong support for keeping the town’s police force at a standing-room-only workshop May 8.

Schenck estimates transferring police services to the Sheriff’s Office would save the town $544,000 the first year or about $410 in town taxes for the owner of a home valued at $500,000.

Commissioners will decide whether to continue negotiations at their June 4 meeting.

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Letter delivered to Seaspray neighbors: Green_Letter%282%29.pdf

(Note: To protect privacy, the name and address has been removed by The Coastal Star)


By Tim Pallesen

                  The Caron Foundation has notified neighbors near its Seaspray Avenue sober house that their communications will be sought as evidence in its lawsuit against Delray Beach.
                  “We intend to examine all of your records, yard signs, notes, surveillance tapes, telephone and cell phone records, letters, emails, documents and writings concerning the Caron Foundation and its attempts to provide community housing to people in recovery,” Caron attorney Jim Green wrote in a letter that was hand-delivered to neighbors and subsequently made available to The Coastal Star.
                  According to neighbors, the drug and alcohol treatment provider moved its first three clients into its house at 1232 Seaspray Ave. under the watchful eyes of security guards one day after distributing the letter.
                  “The letter’s timing a day before Caron moved people into the Seaspray home was suspect and the manner in which it was delivered — by bouncer-type goons trespassing over people’s private property — was repugnant,” neighbor Cary Glickstein said. “Residents are furious.”
                  Caron wants seven recovering alcoholics and drug addicts in the house. City law currently allows three unrelated people in a single-family home.
                  Caron sued Delray Beach on Feb. 23 after the city denied its request for seven clients by saying Caron hadn’t provided sufficient justification for the request. A federal judge on May 4 ordered the city to continue processing Caron’s request without violating federal laws that prohibit discrimination against recovering alcoholics and drug addicts.
                  The judge also granted Caron a temporary injunction to stop the city from enforcing a transient housing ordinance that makes it difficult for treatment providers to operate.
                  Green is seeking the communications among residents as he prepares for a trial on both matters.
                  “We consider all of this information to be important evidence that should be preserved,” he wrote the neighbors. “Therefore, please do not destroy, erase or over-write any writings or documents.”
                  Residents called Green’s letter an attempt to intimidate them.
                  “It’s a frightening letter. What he’s done is bizarre,” said Mindy Farber, an attorney who lives in the neighborhood but did not receive the letter, “I don’t think what he’s asking for is anything they have. I would just ignore him.”
                  Glickstein, who chairs the city’s planning and zoning board, said Green’s intent in sending the letter has backfired.
                  “Residents now are more galvanized than ever to continue this fight,” he said.

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By Tim Pallesen

     A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction to stop Delray Beach from enforcing its controversial transient housing ordinance against the Caron Foundation.
    U.S. District Judge William Dimitrouleas stopped short of ordering the city to grant Caron’s request to open a sober house at 1232 Seaspray Ave.
  But he said Delray Beach must continue to process Caron’s request for a reasonable accommodation there without violating federal laws that prohibit discrimination against recovering alcoholics and drug addicts.
  Responding to outrage over sober houses near the ocean, city commissioners approved the transient housing ordinance on Feb. 21, one day before rejecting Caron’s request for the Seaspray house.
  “This sequence is highly suspect and strongly suggests that the city acted with an improper discriminatory motive,” Dimitrouleas wrote in his 29-page ruling.
    The transient housing ordinance lowers the number of times that bedrooms can be rented to three times per year. The city’s previous ordinance allowed six rentals per year.
    “The turnover rule would prevent Caron from effectively running its program,” the judge wrote. “The house would essentially be inoperable.”
    The preliminary injunction will remain in effect until Caron’s lawsuit goes to trial to determine whether a permanent injunction should be granted and the city ordered to pay damages. Dimitrouleas wrote that Caron has shown “a substantial likelihood of success in demonstrating that the city has discriminated” when the case goes to trial.
    Caron attorney Jim Green offered Delray Beach one last opportunity to settle the lawsuit and avoid a trial.
  “I know emotions have been running high but I hope the city and the portion of the community that’s been hostile will reconsider now and work toward an amicable resolution of this controversy,” Green said.
  Delray Beach City Attorney Brian Shutt declined comment. Other city officials could not be reached late Friday.
  Dimitrouleas agreed with the city’s argument that Caron hasn’t provided enough medical and financial justification as yet for its request to house seven patients at its Seaspray sober house.
  But Green and Caron vice president Andrew Rothermel expressed confidence that Caron can provide the additional information that the city wants.
    “I don’t think the judge wants to see us come back after the city puts us through a lot on nonsense on that,” Rothermel said.

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Boca Delray Music Society Luncheon: Delray Beach Club

Celebration of Old Delray: The Colony Cabana Club

Closet Couture Luncheon: Benvenuto’s, Boynton Beach

Heading to College: Brianna Ritota, Ocean Ridge

Impact 100 Palm Beach County: $100,000 grant awarded to the Parent-Child Center

Sacred Heart Flowers Afternoon Tea: St. Andrew's Club, Delray Beach

St. Paul's Garden Seasonal Closing: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Delray Beach

Sandoway House Nature Center Gala: Oceanfront, Ocean Ridge

Wayside House Spring Boutique: The Colony Hotel, Delray Beach

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