The South Florida IBM Quarter Century Club and Alumni Association enjoyed a docent-led adventure through the downtown area. Members, their spouses and friends visited Old School Square, the Colony Hotel & Cabana Club and the beach followed by lunch at Ocean One Bar and Grille in Atlantic Plaza. The organization was formed in 2011 to promote social activities for former IBM employees with 25 or more years of service as well as for current employees with at least five years of service. ABOVE: The group tours Old School Square. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

The event that kicked off the DownRight ExtraOrdinary Walk for Down Syndrome (formerly the Buddy Walk) raised more than $3,500. The money will support expenses for the Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization’s resource center, which offers programs for children with Down syndrome. The walk is seet for Oct. 14. ABOVE: Anne Dichele, executive director of the organization, with Gail Marino. Photo provided

The YMCA of South Palm Beach County’s board of trustees invited more than 100 supporters to the lunchtime event where summer campers, including several served by the Caridad Center, greeted guests upon their arrival. On display were the artwork and science projects the youths completed. Also featured were the donors and funders of the Summer Education Enrichment program, who received well-deserved recognition. ABOVE: (l-r) Boynton Beach Mayor Steven Grant, Bradley Hurlburt, president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Daryl Houston, community investment officer at the foundation, and Kimberley Trombly-Burmeister, director of development at the YMCA. Photo provided

Driftwood moved into the space previously occupied by Scully’s on South Federal Highway.  Photo provided

By Jan Norris

Boynton Beach is seeing a mini boom in restaurants — with many locally owned choices — signaling a shot at becoming a destination for area diners.

Driftwood is one of the prominent ones gaining critical attention. Husband and wife owners Jimmy Everett and Ilia Gonzalez took over Scully’s five months ago after its owner retired. They turned the concept 180 degrees to fresh and locally sourced foods in a modern American setting.

“Our focus is on the quality of the food, drinks and service,” said Everett, who’s also the chef. “We’re particular about sustainable sources. We work with farmers and seafood providers who have respect for their product and who handle them well.”

He admits it’s a struggle — a new restaurant trying to make it in the dead of summer while trying to attract a following, especially one that appreciates the type of foods he’s doing — not exactly the Scully’s crowd, he said.

“They don’t understand why a dish costs $2 or $4 more than what they were paying before. They don’t always understand the fresh aspect and sustainable foods.

Everett, who grew up in Lake Worth, worked in New York City, Nantucket, Hong Kong and Los Angeles before moving back to Florida.

Most recently he was at the noted Valentino’s Cucina Italiano in Fort Lauderdale, but was looking for a restaurant of his own when a friend told him that Scully’s was for sale.

“The opportunity to buy the land was a plus, and the location has good visibility,” he said.

The couple had a hand from the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency.

“The CRA was very helpful and we probably wouldn’t have made it through all the delays if we didn’t have their help,” he said.  His contractor pulled out early, leaving him with a half-done restaurant. He finished it himself, throwing all his savings into it.  Grants offered to him as a Tier 1 business — a full-service restaurant with more than 50 seats — gave him money to remodel the interior, landscape the exterior and get new signs and an awning.

It’s part of an extensive grant program offered to restaurants small and large and other businesses as incentive to locate to the downtown CRA area.

Boynton’s CRA awarded  $305,524.50 in economic development grants to restaurants in 2017-18.

Restaurants “create foot traffic and incentives to having a thriving downtown,” said Thuy Shutt, assistant director of Boynton Beach’s CRA.

Growing number of choices

Sweetwater has drawn a lively crowd for a few years. The Twisted Fish, a seafood spot opened in the former Backyard Bar by the owners of the Fish Depot on Federal Highway, is gaining a following as well.

Several other new or revitalized restaurants have received grants in the last two years, Shutt said, which can be as much as 50 percent matching money for renovations, with other grants able to be layered for plumbing and hood and fire equipment or rent reimbursement.

Restaurants must adhere to a number of conditions to qualify, including a specific longevity clause to keep them around.

A diverse group of large and small restaurants, bakeries, ice cream shops and cafes with a variety of cuisines have sought to be in the CRA district.

Among those granted money is Boss Taco, which expanded to a new location to add air conditioning and restrooms at its spot along Federal Highway.

That’s Amore, a casual Italian spot on North Federal, was opened in 2016 with a CRA grant’s help.

Troy Davis built a sit-down restaurant for his popular Troy’s BBQ, once available only from a take-out shack along the railroad tracks. Longtime waterfront hotspot Banana Boat renovated extensively with help from a grant.

Marina Cafe opened this spring in the city’s marina with a rent reimbursement grant to help kick it off. Wakey Wakey Eggs and Bakey is slated to open in the fall at 126 W. Boynton Beach Blvd. with another grant involved.

Others include the Del Sol Bakery and Jamerican Cuisine, both already open on North Federal.

Two potential restaurants in historic properties are in flux, Shutt said. The Oscar Magnuson property, once slated to become a restaurant, was recently given back to the city in lieu of repayment for the sale by the developer. A lawsuit was imminent from the CRA, which spurred the resolution. Now, however, it’s in limbo again.

The former Little House tavern and cafe property, the Ruth Jones cottage, was planned as a tapas restaurant when sold at the same time as the Magnuson house and land.

“It’s no longer our property; it’s in the hands of a private developer,” Shutt said. “We don’t know as to the timeline, or for getting a new tenant for that space. ...  (The staff) are reviewing the reimbursement of the grant funds.”

Shutt, who has been here for about a year, is impressed with the number of restaurants popping up, however. It shows growth and potential, adding to those staples like Hurricane Alley, Frankie’s and Two Georges.

Prime Catch — the big seafood spot on the waterway that draws from the oceanside condos especially — is still going strong.

Josie’s, which now boasts a James Beard award-winning chef, and Sushi Simon in the same plaza are typically packed, especially on weekends.

Marketing tips included

The businesses in the program also benefit from the CRA’s help with social media to promote the area and themselves.

As grantees, they’re tied into the CRA’s websites and get marketing tips on platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, Shutt said.

“We find that mom and pop places don’t have the marketing dollars the big restaurants and chains do,” Shutt said. “We provide a training module to help them manage all the social platforms and a website. They also can cross-promote with other businesses.

“It’s what’s unique about downtown — we have local businesses that are unique.”

Internet-savvy diners use Google and Yelp to find restaurants and other businesses; the CRA is giving them a hand-up to draw those diners to Boynton.

In brief

Boca Restaurant Month is in full swing till the 30th. Diners who visit the listed restaurants (bocarestaurantmonth.com) get a choice of three-course meals from $36 to $40. Lunches are between $21 and $25. …

Taylor Morgan’s Quisine Club, a $9.99 monthly subscription loaded onto a card, gets diners 20 percent off checks — alcohol included, but before tax and tip. For details, go to quisineclub.com. …

Through September, Flavor Palm Beach offers diners discounted prix fixe menus at more than 50 restaurants in the county. Three-course lunches are priced at $20, and dinners start at $30. Reservations are suggested and can be made at FlavorPB.com’s OpenTable link. The program benefits the Palm Beach County Food Bank. For venues and menus, visit FlavorPB.com.

Jan Norris is a food writer who can be reached at nativefla@gmail.com. Thom Smith is on vacation and can be reached at thomsmith@ymail.com.

The Soroptimist International of Boca Raton/Deerfield Beach chapter celebrated a year of making a difference for women at an affair chaired by Brandi Abrahams. Officers were installed by Kathi Pease, president of the Palm Beaches chapter. They include President Marybeth Keenan and honorary director Helen Babione, who was honored for 52 years of membership. Dr. Heidi Schaeffer, who is stepping down as co-president to become district director, received a plaque of recognition. ABOVE: Babione and Schaeffer. Photo provided by Barbara McCormick

The Plate: Diavola di Alessandro pizza

The Place: That’s Amore, 308 N. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach; 536-4100 or www.pizzeriathatsamore.com.

The Price: $13.95

The Skinny: This dish is all about the crust, which was lighter than air and crisp.

It was well done, too, and kissed by the flames of the wood-burning oven that was imported from Naples, Italy.

Its flavor packed a bit of heat courtesy of the spicy salami that was included among toppings of slightly piquant tomato sauce, healthy dollops of mozzarella, plus parmesan cheese, olive oil and basil.

It was nicely done.

We visited on a Sunday evening, when a tenor belted out classic Italian melodies, making conversation a bit difficult.

But with pizza like this, no one was complaining.

And that, my friends, is amore.

— Scott Simmons

Stories by Mary Thurwachter

No stone unturned: A jeweler’s family tradition continues

The Maldonado family during a Christmas party in 2017 includes Marco waving in the front, with (l-r) Sofia, Alex, Pedro, Max, Shannon and Kathryn. Photo provided by the family

Pedro Maldonado is not a flashy man, but his jewelry dazzles. He opened his store, Jewelry Artisans, in Plaza del Mar in the late 1980s after having a jewelry business in Palm Beach for seven years.

“We came here because they were going to build the hotel across the street,” Maldonado said of the Ritz-Carlton. He thought the luxury resort, which opened in 1991 and transitioned into Eau Palm Beach five years ago, would be good for business — and it has.

      His customers have included actor Christopher Plummer, Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts and singers Shirley Bassey and Billy Joel. Elton John bought a Maldonado-made ring in Palm Beach.

From a family of master jewelers in Cuenca, Ecuador — a city known for its artisans —  came crowns, church artifacts and unique jewelry of the highest quality. Maldonado started working in his father’s shop when he was 7.

When he was 16, Maldonado moved to New Jersey to live with his sister and brother-in-law. He studied at the Spanish-American Institute in Manhattan and got a job in the jewelry district on 47th Street. He worked with the renowned jeweler Louis Tamis, whose clients included Cartier, Tiffany and Bulgari.

Eager to succeed in his craft, Maldonado traveled throughout Europe to research and learn the skills of the old masters and learn the techniques of Russian, Greek and Italian jewelers.

His experience in New York, he says, “was really sort of magical.” While he missed his family in Ecuador, having his sister and her family there helped him feel at home.

Because he already knew the basics of the trade, he found work in the jewelry business immediately. The company that employed him was run by a Russian immigrant who proved to be an excellent teacher for Maldonado.

“It was really my luck that I landed that job,” he says. The company did work for Cartier, Tiffany and all the best jewelry retailers in New York at the time.

“I learned how to make handbags out of gold for Tiffany,” he said. “Each handbag at the time was $12,000 or $13,000. We used to make cigarette boxes, gold pens, cigarette holders and lipstick cases, as well.”

His art, he says, is designed for those who prefer their jewelry custom made with the mark of distinction.

His first store in Plaza del Mar was in a building that was razed as part of the shopping center’s renovations to make room for the new Publix. In what Maldonado calls “a miracle,” space for his shop —  about 2,100 square feet — became available alongside Evelyn & Arthur Clothing & Gifts. Evelyn & Arthur downsized by half and turned over the eastern side of the unit to the jewelry store, which is now more than double the size of its former spot.

Plaza del Mar has been good for more than Maldonado’s business. Not long after he moved to the plaza, he met and married his wife, Shannon, there. He was having coffee at Café del Mar, next to his shop, when he met her. She was a college student and part-time waitress and, like him, a karate devotee. Both have black belts.

They were married at the now defunct Assembly restaurant in Plaza del Mar. Maldonado made the wedding rings with gold mined in his home town in Ecuador. For his wife’s engagement ring, he set a treasured cornflower blue sapphire, cut in Sri Lanka, in a six prong mounting with two satellite diamonds.

    The couple lives in North Palm Beach with their five children, three boys and two girls. Two sons, Max and Alex, work with their dad at Jewelry Artisans. Both are surfers, so when weather and time permit, they run across the street to the Atlantic to catch some waves.

The boys gave their dad a paddleboard for Father’s Day, which Pedro Maldonado is trying to master. In the meantime, he relieves stress by swimming about two miles from Lantana Beach to the Lake Worth Pier, then runs back on the shoreline.

Then he’s back to mentoring his sons on the fine art of jewelry making. And so the Maldonado family tradition continues.

A clothing store that has run the gamut at Plaza del Mar

New Yorkers Evelyn and Arthur Lewis launched their flagship clothing store, Evelyn & Arthur, in 1985 after moving to Palm Beach a year earlier. Evelyn, as their story goes, needed clothing that reflected her new location, lifestyle and sensibilities.

Arthur, who had been in the garment business in New York, thought how hard could it be, according to his son-in-law, Fred Weissman, the company’s chief financial officer and husband of the Lewises’ daughter, Adrianne. Fred and Adrianne Weissman had worked in Macy’s in New York. They married and moved to Florida in 1986 to join the family business. That year, they opened another store in Plaza del Mar.

“The original store at Plaza del Mar was a swimwear store called Evelyn & Arthur’s Beach House,” Fred Weissman said. “That’s where Lang Realty is currently. Over the course of years, we’ve had lots of different stores in the plaza.”

A year later, Evelyn & Arthur expanded next door to what is currently Jewelry Artisans. “That became a little bit of a sportswear store,” Weissman  said. “The year after that, we expanded again and turned that store into a men’s store. So, at one point we had a swimwear store, a card and gift store, a men’s store, and at one point, over in the building that’s now demolished, we had a large-sized outlet store. We’ve done the outlet store there in three different locations over time. So, we’ve really run the gamut at Plaza de Mar.”

The original owner’s landlord, John J. Hoecker of Draper & Kramer, was very accommodating, Weissman said. “He gave us the opportunity to try experiments in the center, which is why we kept trying and opening up stores there,” he said.  “Over the course of time, with the changes in the plaza, as the plaza was very strong in terms of its tenant base, we were able to support all those businesses there. But at this point, we’re really focusing on our women’s apparel. The gift store, which is really not a strong business anymore, we let that go.”  Jewelry Artisans occupies that space.

“We’re very, very enthusiastic about what’s going on in the plaza now with Publix coming in and the refurbishing of the center, and of course, the painting and the parking lot,” he said. “It’s always been a great little center. It just requires TLC and the current owner seems to be putting it in there. We’re expecting good things.”

The character of the plaza was very different back in 1986, Weissman said. “There was a very successful children’s store. There were a couple of art galleries, one of which was Brenner’s Art Gallery. There was a pharmacy and a couple of brokers in there and a different real estate office. There was a housewares store and a dry cleaner.”

The plaza had a different feel, he said.  “It was very much serving South Ocean Boulevard, in particular, when the condos were really at their peak. That was really the place people were moving to.”

Little by little, things have changed, Weissman said. “We’ve gone through two or three attempts at markets there, people that obviously didn’t have Publix’s expertise. I expect Publix knows their business and will do just fine.”

Weissman has always viewed Plaza del Mar as a little gem.

“With John G’s in there now and Basil moving over to another spot in the plaza, and of course with Publix, it should have an opportunity to fill back up. It’s just very convenient.”

Some of the folks from across the bridge seem to be back, he said. “We used to do a big business from Atlantis and Boynton Beach and I don’t know if people have traveled over as much as they used to, but I’m hoping with the center filling in we’ll see that traffic coming back again.”

The scoop on Plaza del Mar’s first tenant

In 1981, three college pals at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign — Rich Draper, Tom Jackson and John J. Hoecker — fled chilly Chicago and landed in Manalapan, where they founded an ice cream store. That shop, the Ice Cream Club, opened Jan. 8, 1982, as the first tenant of Plaza del Mar at the corner of East Ocean Avenue and State Road A1A.

      Hoecker, who like Draper worked commercial leasing for the shopping center’s developer, Draper & Kramer, eventually sold his interest in the ice cream store to Draper (no relation to the developer) and Jackson. The two still own it and have expanded the business to include an 18,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Boynton Beach, where a staff of 60 produces about a million gallons of ice cream annually.

“When we decided to open, we thought we would buy ice cream, but there weren’t a lot of choices, not someone like us now to buy from,” Draper said. “We looked around and ended up going to a restaurant show in Chicago where we found a guy selling a little ice cream machine and bought it on the spot.”

   Back in Florida, Draper and his buddies played around with some recipes and got the store open.

“A lot of the flavors we first started marketing were from customer requests,” Draper said. “People coming in from the Northeast would say, ‘Hey, we tried this at this store or that store’ and we’d make it.”

The partners continued making ice cream in the store for three or four years before acquiring additional space in the plaza to make more ice cream. “This was all in the ’80s and then we went to a bigger building in Boynton Beach where our factory is now. We’ve been here (Boynton) for 25-plus years,” Draper said.

There are other stores that license the Ice Cream Club name, Draper said, but they are all independently owned.

“We love having the retail store, but that’s our only retail store,” he said. “We had to make a choice along the line and picked the production and the distribution. We have over 100 flavors in stock all the time, so we’re kind of a one-stop shop for independent ice cream stores.”

When Plaza del Mar opened in 1982, La Coquille Club across the street was past its heyday, but still operational, Draper said. “It was demolished (in 1986) and for a while we had an ocean view from our front door. The Ritz came in the early ’90s. There was a period where there was just a big dirt field out there.”

A lot of things have changed but a lot have stayed the same, he said. “A1A is still A1A. People kind of cruise along. I remember when I first looked at this site for opening a store. It was in the fall. That’s the slowest time of the year and I was kind of wondering how many people are going to stop here. But I just thought A1A is a road people want to stop on. So, I kind of made the leap there.”

With a five-star hotel across the street (the Ritz-Carlton that became Eau Palm Beach five years ago), the Ice Cream Shop has hosted many famous folks, including Martin Sheen, Steven Tyler, Richard Petty, Kevin James, the Jonas Brothers and Gwen Stefani.

“We don’t take pictures of them and put them on the wall,” Draper said. “It’s nice for people to come in with family and have a relaxed time like everybody else.”

He likes hanging out there, too. “My wife, Heather, and I just live up the road (Palm Beach). It’s just a fun store. I’m proud to have the store, proud to be part of the community. We have community support and the hotel folks are great. The police and fire department, everybody has been real supportive.”  

Sophie and Sabrina Ginsburg with Bailey (left) and Prince, who left service dog training after he developed Addison’s disease. Photo provided

By Arden Moore

Meet the tail-wagging, always happy Prince, who reigns as a prince among pups. And credit sisters Sophie and Sabrina Ginsburg of Boynton Beach for chronicling the actions and antics of their special dog in a real page-turning, inspiring book.

They assembled 14 stories about Prince and put them in a 146-page book called Dear Mr. Albert … It’s Me, Prince! that is fast becoming a go-to book for elementary classrooms and beyond. It is the first book collaboration by Sophie, 17, and Sabrina, 19.

“All of these are real stories about real things that have happened to Prince,” says Sophie, a senior at Somerset Academy Canyons High School in Boynton Beach.

Adds Sabrina, a sophomore at the University of Miami, “My sister and I began writing down stories about Prince and one day we said, we have so many stories we might as well write a book. Everything in the book is a real story and every character is a real character.”

The characters include Suzy the squirrel — Prince’s “girlfriend” as depicted with playful illustrations by Elena Jacobson in the book.

“Every day in our backyard, Prince would bark at the same squirrel and one day, he picked up the squirrel in his mouth and carried her around,” recalls Sophie. “Prince didn’t hurt the squirrel at all — he just wanted to play.”

The book, aimed at children ages 9 to 12, is told through Prince’s point of view in a series of letters he writes to his service dog trainer, a former prison inmate named Eddie Albert. The Dogs 4 Disabled Veterans runs a service dog program with screened inmates like Albert at Martin Correctional Institution. The mission of this Pompano Beach-based nonprofit is to pair rehabilitated, rescue dogs with military veterans with disabilities.

Prince was making steady progress toward his service dog certification, but then developed Addison’s disease, a hormonal condition in which the body does not produce enough adrenal gland hormones to combat stress.

Suddenly, Prince found himself as a service dog dropout in need of a Plan B. The Ginsburg family learned about this special King Charles cavalier spaniel-poodle mix and were approved to adopt him a few years ago.

“Prince is a big sweetheart, a cuddle buddy and a jock who likes to play ball,” Sabrina says. “Once he became sick with Addison’s disease and was taken out of the program, he never got to see Mr. Albert, so that is what prompted the idea for our book title.

“The whole book is written in a letter style that chronicles Prince’s travels, how we take care of his Addison’s disease and the need for service dogs for disabled veterans.”

The book also documents the introductions between Prince and the family’s resident dog, Bailey, a Maltipoo (Maltese-poodle mix). At two years older, Bailey immediately let Prince know that he would be top dog in the household.

“Bailey is smaller than Prince, but he has an ego much bigger than Prince,” laughs Sophie. “Prince views him as his older brother and now they love each other and snuggle together at night.”

The sisters are winning over elementary schoolteachers, and some are including this book as a learning tool after the sisters gave presentations and read portions of the book to students. One of their stops this year included Freedom Shores Elementary in Boynton Beach, which the sisters both attended.

“We hope students use our book to learn about disabilities and about veterans,” says Sabrina. “And, we have key words at the bottom of each page with definitions. We want young readers to also learn about living with pets.”

Sabrina and Sophie have big aspirations. Sabrina is a pre-medicine major with sights on becoming an astronaut/physician, performing medical research in space. Sophie is  interested in medicine as well as law.

But in between their academic pursuits, the Ginsburg sisters have not ruled out collaborating on a second Prince book.

“We have a lot more stories about Prince to share and he is as funny as ever,” says Sabrina.

And Sophie’s message to children and teenagers?

“It doesn’t matter what age you are, you can write a book if you put your mind to it. You can make a difference.” 

How to buy book

Dear Mr. Albert … It’s Me, Prince! is available in paperback and Kindle versions on Amazon.com at $6.99. Net proceeds will be donated to the Dogs 4 Disabled Veterans (dogs4disabledveterans.org) to cover training costs for service dogs. Learn more at princethedog.com.

Arden Moore, founder of FourLeggedLife.com, is an animal behavior consultant, editor, author, professional speaker and master certified pet first-aid instructor.  Learn more by visiting  www.ardenmoore.com.

Harbour’s Edge resident Nancy Flynn is working with a trainer as part of author Roger Landry’s program. She sits with his book and her French bulldog Jazz. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By Lona O'Connor

All the evidence was that the residents of the Harbour’s Edge senior community were more than ready to Live Long, Die Short, as in the title of the book whose author, Roger Landry, was about to pitch his program for a vital old age. Every seat in the large banquet room was filled, with walkers and other devices parked in all the remaining available space. Those who could stand, mostly staff members, lined the walls.

And if there were any skeptics, Walter Krueger, from Abbey Delray, another Lifespace retirement community in Delray Beach, gave them an endorsement.

“We’ve been involved in the program for two years at Abbey Delray,” he said. “It’s so important in life to have a plan. People say, ‘Oh, I’m through.’ I had a bucket list when I retired, three pages on a legal pad. I cross off one and added two more on the bottom. By keeping active, you’re the boss and CEO. You’re running things. You’re directing all your energies for the first time in your life.”

Nancy Flynn, part of the team that brought the Masterpiece Living program to Harbour’s Edge, is using the program and has begun to work with a trainer.

“I’ve been here less than two years,” she told the group. “I’m in my mid-70s, I lost my husband and came to Harbour’s Edge to expand my connection with people. The point is that the programs are available here to maintain your health while you age.”

Landry was a flight surgeon for 22 years before joining his brother Larry in forming the Masterpiece Living program and to write Live Long, Die Short. The core of the program is that living a healthy lifestyle allows people to age with less pain and more joy and purpose, and to die “short,” without years of illness and pain.

He teased his audience about the perennial failure of New Year’s resolutions. 

“Why do we fail?” Landry said. “Because we take on too much.” He offered the Japanese idea known as kaizen, or incremental improvement.

“You take small tiny baby steps towards wherever you want to go.”

He described his client Tony, who for a couple of years promised himself he would get more active, but never seemed to follow through.

“I told him just to stand during TV commercials,” Landry said. “After a week, I said, ‘Now I want you to walk in place.’”

Tony continued to progress. Using incremental change, said Landry, “we cannot fail and change will be durable.”

Landry asked the audience a series of questions based on a self-assessment in the Masterpiece program. The answers would be the basis of a program tailored to each person’s needs.

“First question: Are you using it? Sitting is the new smoking,” said Landry, comparing the risk factors of a sedentary lifestyle with those from using cigarettes. “Our ancestors were hunter-gatherers. Our brains, muscles, heart, everything works better when we move.”

More good news, said Landry, is that brain science now suggests that you can teach an old dog new tricks. 

“Neuroplasticity is now the lifelong ability of the brain to rewire itself in response to what we ask it to do,” said Landry. For example, his client Nola was considering studying for a master’s degree at age 98, after fully recovering from a stroke.

“There’s a real benefit that comes from learning new things,” said Landry. “When they scan brains of people learning a new language, they see the brain getting heavier and thicker as it makes new connections. If you don’t want to learn a new language, how about you eat with the opposite hand? How about you get lost? Challenge yourself. Get out of your comfort zone.”

All those changes are enhanced by connection with other people, Landry said.

“We are not solo creatures. People can be annoying, but we still need them.”

Speaking of the social context of health, Landry added the need for a sense of value. 

“Don’t let others put you at risk,” he advised. “People have low expectations of what aging is all about. They don’t see you as human capital. You need purpose and society needs you.”

And then there are the children.

“Don’t ever plan to live with your kids,” he said. “They love you too much to let you age in the best way possible.”

When Landry met Chuck Yeager, the pilot who broke the sound barrier and was immortalized in the book and film The Right Stuff, Yeager said he planned to do it again on the 50th anniversary of the feat. “But you’ll be 70!” Landry protested.

“What’s your point?” said Yeager.

The message, said Landry, is this: “Is your spirit or your age in charge? Never act your age. Shock people. Be out there experimenting. Life expands or contracts in proportion to our courage.” 

Lona O’Connor has a lifelong interest in health and healthy living. Send column ideas to Lona13@bellsouth.net.

South Florida PBS and Baptist Health South Florida have joined forces to launch a new health channel, “All Health, All the Time,” which is on the air 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The channel, launched in August, offers quick and easy access to Baptist Health medical experts, who can answer questions on health and wellness concerns. Issues addressed include child psychology, care for the aging, health insurance, breast cancer, orthopedic and sports injuries, medical breakthroughs and heart health.

“Nationwide, there is increasing concern about access to medical experts and information,” said Dolores Sukhdeo, CEO and president of South Florida PBS. “Our diverse and growing South Florida communities are particularly impacted by this concern. As a community-supported nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve the interests and needs of South Florida, we are dedicating an entire digital TV channel to offer credible and trustworthy information about health, medicine and wellness.”

The health channel may be found on over-the-air (free TV) Channel 2.3 and Comcast Cable Channel 205 or 1193 in Palm Beach County.

Lawrence Toll, Ph.D., a professor of biomedical science in Florida Atlantic University’s College of Medicine and a member of the college’s Brain Institute, secured a $1.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health for the project “Mixed NOP/MU Compounds and the Involvement of Their Receptors in Analgesia.”

Toll, the principal investigator for the grant, has focused his research on the management of pain and drug addiction through pharmacology and new drug discovery. He is recognized as the co-discoverer of the endogenous neuropeptide nociception, which is involved in regulating reward and motivation pathways related to substance misuse, and regulating pain pathways from the spinal cord to the brain.

Melissa Durbin, vice president and chief nursing officer at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, was appointed president of the Nursing Consortium of South Florida.

She will lead the organization in uniting community leaders to address the region’s shortage of qualified nursing staff.

Her responsibilities include increasing interest in nursing among middle and high school students, improving the public perception of nursing, and advocating for greater funding for nursing education.

After graduating from  nursing programs in Florida, candidates to be registered nurses and licensed practical nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination.

Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing placed in the No. 1 spot in Florida because all 71 graduates of its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program passed the licensure examination, performing above the national average passage rate of 90.05 percent.

“Achieving a 100 percent passage rate by our graduates is a testament to our innovative and rigorous program, as well as our highly accomplished faculty and scholars who are instrumental in ensuring that the next generation of nurses in Florida succeed,” said Marlaine Smith, Ph.D., dean of FAU’s College of Nursing.

          Joshua Chalkley, D.O., M.S., and Timothy Miller Jr., M.D., M.S., have been appointed to the medical staff of the Marcus Neuroscience Institute and BocaCare Physician Network. Chalkley is board certified in psychiatry and neurology. His special areas of interest include autoimmune diseases of the nervous system, infusion therapies, multiple sclerosis, neurological infections and neuromyelitis optica. Miller is board eligible in neurosurgery. His specialties include brain surgery, functional neurosurgery and spine surgery.

Boca Raton Regional Hospital appointed Dr. Brian M. Snelling to the medical staff of the Marcus Neuroscience Institute and BocaCare  Physician Network. Snelling is board-eligible in neurosurgery and endovascular neurosurgery with special areas of interest in cerebrovascular neurosurgery, cranial neurosurgery and endovascular neurosurgery.

The medical center was also recognized as a top-ranked regional hospital in U.S. News & World Report’s 2018–2019 annual review of its Best Hospitals. It is currently ranked 13th out of approximately 300 hospitals in Florida. The annual Best Hospitals rankings aim to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care. Its methodologies are based on risk-adjusted survival and readmission rates, volume, patient experience, patient safety and quality of nursing, among other care-related indicators.

HJ Sims, a privately held investment bank and wealth management firm headquartered in Fairfield, Conn., has announced its 2018 partnership with Boca Raton-based Gift of Life Marrow Registry, marking the inaugural year of Sims’ corporate social responsibility program.

As part of the firm’s effort to support Gift of Life, Sims held its first Virtual Swab event for its employees on July 25. The company connected via VIDYO technology, along with the Gift of Life team, to learn more about the donor process and to hear CEO and founder Jay Feinberg’s story.

After Feinberg was diagnosed with leukemia almost 30 years ago, he and his parents launched a years-long drive to find a marrow match; the very last and 60,000th donor was the person who saved his life. This process inspired him to start Gift of Life.

“All it takes is one person to perform a painless, life-saving swab to discover a potential match for someone suffering from blood cancer — and a cure,” Feinberg said. The Gift of Life Marrow Registry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.giftoflife.org.

Delray Medical Center is a five-star recipient for hysterectomies from Healthgrades, an online resource for information about doctors and hospitals.

“With more options than ever on where to receive care, consumers need to do their homework,” said Dr. Brad Bowman, chief medical officer for Healthgrades.

“Hospitals that have received a five-star rating have shown dedication and expertise, resulting in high-quality outcomes for patients.”

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

County environmental officials dropped 530 tons of boulders into the ocean northeast of the Boca Raton Inlet to create an artificial reef that intends to help fish moving to the open sea. All four county inlets now have such reefs. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By Willie Howard

Palm Beach County environmental officials dropped 530 tons of boulders into the ocean northeast of Boca Raton Inlet on Aug. 1 to create an artificial “step” reef.

The Boca Step Reef comprises two piles of boulders placed in 35 feet of water about a quarter mile north of the inlet.

The reef is intended to create an intermediate shelter, or steppingstone, for fish moving from inshore habitats to the open ocean, said Carman Vare, environmental program supervisor for Palm Beach County’s Department of Environmental Resources Management.

The installation of the Boca Step Reef completes a county plan to create shallow reefs near each of the county’s four inlets.

Vare said the newly placed boulders should attract small baitfish for anglers and are far enough away from the beach to have no impact on the survival of sea turtle hatchlings that must elude predators to reach the open ocean.

The approximate coordinates for the Step Reef are 26/20.519 N and 80/03.884 W.

A grant from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission covered half of the $120,000 cost of the reef. County funds were used to match the FWC grant.

 Kelsi Jensen and Paul Cardone of Boca Raton, diving with Don Skinner on Julie’s Ring in waters off Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale, caught the most lionfish in REEF’s Palm Beach County derby, with 83. The Julie’s Ring team won $1,000.

 The non-native lionfish fill a cooler after divers in the Lionfish Derby brought them in. Lionfish eat the young of native fish and compete with them for food.

 Chef Sebastian Babas of Tastyfying Catering in North Miami cooks sweet-and-sour lionfish during the derby's weigh-in. Photos by Willie Howard/The Coastal Star

Boca divers capture most lionfish in roundup

Despite choppy seas in early August, eight teams of divers bagged 179 invasive lionfish during the Palm Beach County Lionfish Derby organized by the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, better known as REEF.

The nonprofit organization’s eighth annual lionfish roundup in Palm Beach County is one of several held throughout Florida to help control populations of lionfish — a small, colorful fish with 18 venomous spines that is native to the Indian and South Pacific oceans.   

The prized aquarium fish began multiplying in Florida waters in the early 2000s. Lionfish are living on reefs, wrecks and other locations where they eat the young of native fish and compete with them for food.

In the Palm Beach County Lionfish Derby, team Julie’s Ring — Paul Cardone and Kelsi Jensen of Boca Raton and Don Skinner of Fort Pierce — scoured reefs in 70 to 90 feet of water off Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale to harvest 83 lionfish and win the $1,000 top prize for bringing in the most lionfish.

Several other cash prizes were awarded, including those for the largest and smallest lionfish.

Chefs at the Aug. 5 weigh-in and awards event used the fresh lionfish to create tasty ceviche, sushi, dumplings and sweet-and-sour lionfish. Promoting consumption of lionfish, which is sold at stores such as Whole Foods Market, is part of the effort to control the species.

The next REEF lionfish derby is scheduled for Sept. 14-16 based at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo.

The event begins with late registration and a mandatory captains meeting the evening of Sept. 14. The entry fee is $120 per team. Cash prizes will be awarded.

For details, call REEF at 305-852-0030 or visit reef.org/lionfish/derbies.

Spiny lobster season open

The regular spiny lobster harvest season opened Aug. 6 and remains open through March 31.

A Florida saltwater fishing license and lobster permit are required unless you’re exempt. The lobster’s carapace, or head section, must measure more than 3 inches to be legal to harvest.

Lobsters must be measured in the water and landed whole. No egg-bearing lobster may be taken. Daily bag limit: six lobster per person. For details, call 625-5122 or go to myfwc.com.

Snook season open

Snook season opens Sept. 1 and will remain open through Dec. 14.

Snook caught on Florida’s east coast must measure between 28 and 32 inches (total length) to be legal to keep. Other snook should be handled carefully, left in the water as much as possible and released gently. The daily bag limit is one snook.

A Florida saltwater fishing license and snook permit are required unless you’re exempt.

Call 625-5122 or go to myfwc.com for more information.

Katelyn Harris and Chris Miller with the 26-pound kingfish Miller caught using live bait north of Boynton Inlet. The fish won $2,600 as heaviest in the Mark Gerretson Memorial event. Harris and Chris Miller fished with Capt. Carl Miller of Miller Time Charters in Boynton Beach. Photo provided by Miller Time Charters

Miller Time wins Gerretson fishing tournament

     Capt. Carl Miller and his team on Miller Time won heaviest fish in the Mark Gerretson Memorial Fishing Tournament with a 26-pound kingfish caught on live bait north of Boynton Inlet.

   Miller was fishing with his son, Chris Miller, and Katelyn Harris in the 24th annual tournament, held Aug. 11 and based at Veterans Park in Delray Beach.

    The annual fishing tournament was started as the Delray Beach Jaycees Fishing Tournament by the late Mark Gerretson to raise money for youth causes in Delray Beach.

     The tournament committee said the event has raised more than $150,000 to benefit young people and families in Delray Beach over the years.

     Committee members said they’re planning to make the 25th annual tournament a special event next year. It’s scheduled for the second Saturday in August.

Coming events

Sept. 4: Boynton Beach Fishing Club meets, 7 p.m. in the clubhouse next to the boat ramps, Harvey E. Oyer Jr. Park, 2010 N. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach. bifc.org.

Sept. 22: X-Generation Anglers for Soldiers fishing tournament for kingfish, dolphin and wahoo. Captains meeting and final registration 5-8 p.m. Sept. 21 at Sailfish Marina, Palm Beach Shores. Weigh-in is Sept. 22 at Sailfish Marina. Benefits Forgotten Soldiers Outreach. Awards lunch Sept. 23. Entry fee $250 per boat. Call 577-0706.

Sept. 22: Basic boating safety class offered by Coast Guard Auxiliary, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the classroom building next to the boat ramps, Harvey E. Oyer Jr. Park, 2010 N. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach. Fee $25/door. Call 704-7440.

Tip of the month

As we enter the peak of the hurricane season, boat owners might want to brush up on methods for securing boats, both in the water and on land. BoatUS, the boat owners’ group, makes available pre-storm and post-storm checklists, mooring tips and suggestions for finding a “hurricane hole,” or place to move a boat to ride out a storm.

The BoatUS tips can be found at boatus.com/hurricanes/boaterprep.asp. 

Willie Howard is a freelance writer and licensed boat captain. Reach him at tiowillie@bellsouth.net.

(This is the last in a series of stories about how different cultures mark the New Year.)

By Janis Fontaine

In our look at New Year’s celebrations from around the world, we’ve included holidays recognized by millions — and others celebrated by just a few. We found some celebrations to be symbolic, some whimsical and some poignant. But few of the commemorations merit the reverence of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, which takes place from Sept. 9 to 11.

Rosh Hashanah is one of the most solemn and important holidays for Jews. It marks the anniversary of the birth of creation, the six days in which God created the Earth. It also recognizes the birth of Adam and Eve, but it was man’s first sin that started the clock ticking on humanity.

But Rosh Hashanah is more than a New Year’s commemoration; it’s also judgment day. Judaism teaches that during the period from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, which is Sept. 18-19 this year, everyone and everything will pass before God to be judged. The faithful ruminate on their lives and both give and ask for forgiveness for wrongs during the past year.

“Getting judged is scary,” said Rabbi Shmuel Biston of Chabad of Delray Beach. “We want to help you achieve the right mindset so you can make a positive step forward.”

The rabbi’s job is to facilitate this deep personal analysis and to make it meaningful and to explain the teachings and rituals.

Rosh Hashanah isn’t the only New Year’s commemoration that takes place in the fall.

Al-Hijra, also known as Arabic New Year, is celebrated by Muslims around the world in September. In the lunar-based Islamic calendar, days begin at sunset instead of at midnight, and nightfall Sept. 11 will mark the first day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year.

The historic significance is that in the year 622, Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina (the hegira), two of the holiest sites in Islam, during Muharram. He was in search of a place where Muslims would be free to practice their religion. The suffix AH seen on the Muslim calendar means “after hegira.”

People use the day to reflect on the year that has passed and ponder the coming year. These days, it’s more of a public, cultural holiday than a religious one. The festivals that mark the end of hajj (the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca) and Ramadan are considered the most important events on the Islamic calendar. Traditions and customs vary, but those who celebrate will go to prayer sessions and spend time with family. Religious scholars say the focus of the day should be on reflection and gratitude.

A world away in Ethiopia, people will celebrate Enkutatash, also called Gift of Jewels, on Sept. 11. This national holiday marks the first day of the Ethiopian New Year, and Ethiopia stands alone as the only country to use the 13-month Coptic calendar. In it there are 12 months of 30 days and one month with five days, or six days in leap years. The year begins with the first of day of Meskerem.

In late October, when many folks are putting up Halloween decorations and getting ready to binge on candy, in Western Australian, a few people will celebrate the New Year in the manner of the aboriginal tribe Murador, now extinct. Oct. 30 is an important day to the tribe and people still gather to commemorate it by recalling the tribe’s culture via artifacts and texts. Murador celebrates friendship, reconciliation and appreciation.

Finally, in November, millions of Hindus will celebrate Di Wali, or the Festival of Lights. Sometimes called Deepavali or Deepawali, it’s celebrated with great enthusiasm nationwide. The main festive night — Diwali Night falls on Nov.  7 this year — coincides with the darkest moonless night of the new moon. The theme is light conquering darkness, and it’s a celebration of love.

People decorate their houses with lights and candles and offer prayers to goddess Lakshmi for wealth and abundance. Gifts are exchanged, sweets are eaten and fireworks cap this celebration of family and friends, which includes plenty of non-Hindus celebrating alongside them.

Most cultures have some sort of New Year’s celebration or commemoration, and in many cultures it’s an important time for self-assessment, personal growth, reconciliation, atonement and new beginnings, while for others it’s just another party. 

By Janis Fontaine

The best asset in your children’s “Do Better in School” toolkits might be a little card you can get for free. September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and a library card unlocks access to a world of information.

Before you say, “Who wants to drive there when I have Google right here?” consider this: Your library card works outside the library.

“Many of the programs and tools are available online, so kids can access them from home or take them on trips,” said Ellen Randolph, the acting library manager for the Boca Raton Library.

Thanks to a donation from the Friends of the Boca Raton Library, students have free access to professional tutors from the Tutor.com Learning Suite, an online service from The Princeton Review. Free online homework help for grades K-12 is available daily from 3 to 10 p.m.

“It’s a live tutor, and you can actually develop a relationship with the tutor and work with them over time,” Randolph said.

Every afternoon, the library is full of students and tutors, digital librarian Vicky Fitzsimmons said. “But there are a lot of kids who can’t afford the cost of a tutor. This allows us to level the playing field.”

Whatever the subject matter, Tutor.com has an expert who specializes in that subject. Kids can use a Skype-like system, for face-to-face sessions, or they can do audio sessions.

Either way, the duo shares a computer screen, which is especially helpful for math and science studies. “Sessions are recorded so kids can watch them again, plus they get a written transcript,” Fitzsimmons said.

For research papers, a virtual drop-off service enables students to have their papers critiqued, with a maximum turnaround time of 24 hours.

More programs and apps are being developed for kids with special needs, Fitzsimmons said. The library has special equipment such as tracking balls and magnification readers to assist students with physical disabilities. The library also has programs and apps that help students with learning disabilities.

“Libby” is an app that converts text to a dyslexia-friendly font characterized by bottom-heavy type and wider spacing between letters and words. Programs that read text aloud to kids who favor auditory learning are available, as are computers equipped with a screen-masking program that highlights small blocks of type, an aid to students with dyslexia.

Some activities do require a trip to the library, like the Tail Waggin’ Tutor program that pairs kids with dogs to practice reading aloud, working in the recording studio or with the 3D printer, or taking one of the coding classes.  Also available are language learning options and career development, book clubs, cultural events and lectures.

The Downtown Library is at 400 NW Second Ave. The Spanish River Library is at 1501 NW Spanish River Blvd.

The Delray Beach Library (100 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray) offers Brainfuse, a collection of online academic services, to support many learning needs. HelpNow offers live homework help, a writing lab, and an adult learning center, and all you need to log in is your library card.

At the Highland Beach Library (3618 S. Ocean Blvd.) students can get books, DVDs, audio CDs and music. The Children’s Room has two computers with educational games and software. 

By Janis Fontaine

To Rabbi Shmuel “Shmuli” Biston of Chabad of East Delray Beach, offering free services this month for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the holiest days of the year in Judaism, is the right thing to do.

“Unfortunately, the world revolves around money,” Biston said, “but we’ve found sponsors and people to help defray the cost of renting the hotel.”

Biston said space at the Seagate Hotel in Delray Beach will accommodate up to 70 people. The Chabad continues to look for its own space in an effort to hold regular services.

Some Jews aren’t affiliated with a synagogue and others don’t feel comfortable in a synagogue setting. So Chabad of East Delray, a local branch of one of the largest Jewish outreach organizations in the world, offers the hotel as a relaxed alternative for worshippers.

“Even if you’ve never picked up a prayer book in your life, you’ll feel comfortable,” Biston said. “Our goal is to lower the barriers of entry and encourage everyone to actively participate in these most holy and introspective days.”

Rabbi Josh Broide of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County cites two important messages to the High Holidays: “One is sweet, apples and honey, and the other dark — Judgment Day.”

For a rabbi, the High Holidays are the Super Bowl, and getting into shape requires work. “We take it very seriously and start preparing months before, and delivering sermons dedicated to relationships — between family members, between people, and between us and God. But it all comes back to the person, the individual,” said Broide. 

Biston agrees: “The High Holidays are very personal. My goal is to make a connection, to offer a meaningful sermon, that will bring people closer to each other and God.”

Broide, who joined the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County as its first director of community engagement in 2014, is a bit like the shepherd out searching for his lost sheep while the rest of the flock grazes safely closer to home. Like Christmas Catholics and Easter Christians, some Jews come to the synagogue just twice a year.

It’s not ideal, said Broide, who also leads services at Boca Raton Synagogue, “but we’ll take what we can get.”

Attending synagogue is important, but “you don’t become a better person by attending a service,” Broide said. It takes work. “I try to find ordinary people whose example can inspire others to believe that change is possible, that show you can become a better person.”

A week after Rosh Hashanah is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Jews will have spent the week looking back at their behavior, repenting and making amends. On Yom Kippur, Jews atone for their individual and communal sins and God “closes the book,” sealing their fate for the coming year.

All this talk of judgment is terrifying, but Yom Kippur also is a time of hope, compassion and love, Biston says.

Taking responsibility in today’s society is hard. Apologizing is agony. Admitting you’re wrong, gut-wrenching. So even though using technology during the holidays is generally discouraged, Biston says you can text your apology if you must. But you must!

“Man up!” Biston says. “You have a choice! How do you want this next year to be? Filled with anger or with love?” 

If you go

Chabad of East Delray will hold free services for Rosh Hashanah on Sept. 10-11 and Yom Kippur on Sept. 18-19 at the Seagate Hotel, 1000 E. Atlantic Ave. To register, go to jewisheastdelray.com/high-holidays or call 954-283-7261.

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

The Rev. Gregory Barrette is returning to Unity of Delray Beach Church as its new senior minister and chief executive officer. Since the Rev. Nancy Norman retired last August, guest ministers have filled the role.

It’s not Barrette’s first time in Delray Beach. He served the church from 1989 to 1996, but his most recent post was as senior minister at Unity Northwest in Des Plaines, Ill. Barrette has 38 years of leadership experience as a minister and administrator. Though you may see him around the church now, Barrette will begin his role permanently in October.

Unity of Delray Beach, a nondenominational church that welcomes visitors and guests of all faiths, is at 101 NW 22nd St., at Swinton Avenue. Info: 276-5796.

‘Believe’ series begins

Beginning in September, First United Methodist Church, 625 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton, will offer a new series, “Believe,” on Sunday mornings supplemented by small group meetings during the week. The course will use the curriculum and follow the teachings in Randy Frazee’s book Believe, which encourages spiritual growth by asking three questions:  What do I believe? What should I do? Who am I becoming?

Anyone interested in joining a small group should contact Pastor Rachel DeLaune at racheld@fumcbocaraton.org. For more information or to purchase the book, contact Jill Haire at jhaire@fumcbocaraton.org or call 395-1244.

Wedding gowns displayed

Cason United Methodist Church will host “Portrait of a Bride, An Evolving Silhouette,” a display of 25 to 30 antique, vintage and contemporary wedding gowns by Leigh Anne Brown at 11 a.m. Oct. 6. The fundraiser will be at Benvenuto Restaurant, 1730 N. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach.

Those who attend can learn the history of this important garment, from the evolution of textiles and construction methods to how its design was influenced by economic boom times and crises to the ever-changing notion of the “modern bride.”

The day begins with a reception and silent auction, followed by lunch and the program at noon. Tickets are $60. For reservations, call 271-3168 or visit casonumc.org. 

­— Janis Fontaine

Metal poles brace a six-story garage under construction in downtown Delray Beach. The garage will serve the nearby iPic movie theater and office space on its top floors. The bracing is part of the normal construction process. The garage will be finished in November. The theater and office building should be complete in early January. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

Candidate, headhunter withdraw from search; job interviews delayed

By Rich Pollack

It’s back to the drawing board for Highland Beach commissioners in their quest to find a new town manager following a raucous meeting that included the abrupt resignation of a consultant, a shouting match between a former vice mayor and the current commission and complaints about an ineffective search process.

With the clock ticking and interim Town Manager Bill Thrasher set to leave as early as Aug. 21, the head of the executive search firm hired in June to find candidates for the job abruptly withdrew during the July 30 meeting after facing criticism for not providing a more extensive list of qualified candidates.

The special meeting, scheduled so commissioners could interview three potential candidates for the town’s top administrative position, started with news that one of the candidates had withdrawn, apparently put off by what he perceived as a lack of civility.

That was followed by a fiery exchange between former Vice Mayor Bill Weitz and members of the commission, who complained that Weitz’s stinging criticism of the elected officials during public comments was out of place.

Weitz left the meeting while Police Chief Craig Hartmann walked alongside him.

“This is probably why one of the candidates didn’t show up,” Mayor Carl Feldman said. “Because he watched the tapes and saw this dissension.”

Weitz  accused commissioners of micromanaging and being power hungry.

“They just demonstrated why you’ll never be able to stay in the job,” he told Thomas Bradford and Barry Feldman, the two remaining candidates in the audience.

The meeting ended after less than an hour, with Colin Baenziger of the search firm Colin Baenziger and Associates resigning and commissioners agreeing to call off interviews of the two candidates. 

“I feel we wasted an entire month and didn’t get the candidates we were looking for,” said Commissioner Elyse Riesa. “Our whole goal is to get the best candidates every way we can, and we can’t do that with just two people.”

Feldman and Vice Mayor Alysen Africano Nila also were concerned with the search.

“I think this whole system is screwed up,” Feldman said. “It’s not being handled properly.”

Baenziger, recognizing waning support, decided it would be best for his firm to withdraw.

“When you lose the confidence of two commissioners it makes it difficult to go forward,” he said. “It’s better for them to pick a new firm and proceed.”

Baenziger, whose firm had a $26,500 agreement with Highland Beach, said he would work with the town on payment.

He said his firm has withdrawn from agreements only twice before during its 20 years in business and it has negotiated to get paid for the phases of the process it has completed. Baenziger said the firm completed three of five phases outlined in the agreement.

The withdrawal of the search firm and the decision not to meet with Bradford and Feldman, who came prepared for interviews, left commissioners scrambling.

The day after Baenziger’s withdrawal, commissioners agreed to each provide Thrasher with the names of two candidates, either from the list the search firm provided or elsewhere.

Thrasher will contact each to see if they’re interested in the position and the town’s Police Department will do a preliminary background check. Candidates will then be invited for an interview.

Both Bradford and Feldman said they are still interested in the job. The two were among five finalists the search firm recommended from an initial list of more than 70.

Bradford served as town manager in Palm Beach for three years and was the village manager of Tequesta.

Barry Feldman, no relation to the mayor, served as town manager of West Hartford, Conn., for more than 20 years before serving as chief operating officer at the University of Connecticut for seven years.

Two other finalists selected by the search firm were eliminated by a commission vote, while the third, Ryan Fabbri — the former town administrator in Pawleys Island, S.C. — withdrew the day before the scheduled interviews.

Baenziger said Fabbri was in town during the weekend before the meeting and met with the vice mayor during his visit.

That surprised other commissioners, who said they weren’t given the chance to meet with Fabbri over the weekend.

“I think all five of us should have been given the opportunity to meet candidates,” Commissioner Peggy Gossett-Seidman said.

The town has been without a permanent manager since May 1, when commissioners unexpectedly and without explanation voted 3-2 to fire Valerie Oakes. Thrasher, a former Gulf Stream manager, was hired May 21 on an interim basis for 90 days. 

Baenziger said time constraints limited his ability to provide more candidates. He said his contract provided him with direction, but he began hearing conflicting requests from commissioners.

“We felt we didn’t know what to do,” he said. 

A story in the July edition about small business owners in downtown Boca Raton said Glenn Gromann’s recommendations for streamlining the city’s project review process included allowing site plans to be reviewed and approved by city staff and the city manager. That recommendation was to allow city staff and the city manager to approve amendments to site plans.

By Mary Hladky

In a surprising defeat for a well-regarded Boca Raton-based developer, City Council members on July 23 rejected its plan to build a luxury adult living facility in the downtown.

Council members, sitting as Community Redevelopment Agency commissioners, rejected the Concierge by a 3-1 vote, with only Deputy Mayor Jeremy Rodgers in support of the nine-story project that would have included 53 independent living, 37 assisted living and 20 memory care units.

Plans for the $75 million facility had the support of city staff and the city’s urban design consultant and had been unanimously approved by the Community Appearance Board and by a 5-2 vote of the Planning and Zoning Board.

But council members torpedoed the Concierge over concerns that the facility would overburden the city’s fire-rescue services and lacked adequate parking.

“I am very concerned about the fire-rescue issue and the added burden it will have on our fire-rescue system,” council member Monica Mayotte said.

Council member Andrea O’Rourke said the council needs to address how to pay for fire-rescue costs before it approves any more adult living facilities.

City staff highlighted those costs, saying adult living facilities have 15 times as many calls for service per bed as does a typical multifamily development. The annual cost of a rescue unit, including the vehicle, equipment and staff, is about $2 million.

Fire Chief Tom Wood said his department is on the verge of not meeting time standards for responding to emergency calls and is asking for an additional rescue unit.

“We are in desperate need of additional EMS services as we speak now,” Wood said.

City code requires the facility to have 127 parking spaces, but only 88 would have been provided. City staff concluded that was not a problem since many of the facility’s residents would not have cars.

But council members repeatedly asked if the 88 spaces would be enough for residents, staff and visitors.

The Concierge’s representatives pushed back against both criticisms.

The American Seniors Housing Association, a nonprofit trade organization, found that senior housing facilities have less need for ambulance services since medical staff are on duty 24 hours a day who can resolve many issues without needing to call an ambulance, said attorney Ele Zachariades.

The Concierge would have had nurses on duty round the clock, representatives said.

On the issue of parking, Ignacio Diaz, co-owner of developer Group P6, said only about 25 percent of independent living residents would need parking. Many would have used the Concierge’s shuttle service to get around town.

“We believe [the Concierge] is greatly overparked,” he said.

The city’s rejection of the Concierge raises the possibility of yet another lawsuit against the city. Developer Crocker Partners sued the city in May after the City Council delayed adopting ordinances that would have allowed it to proceed with plans to redevelop Midtown near the Town Center mall.

The city’s action was unexpected for several reasons.

Group P6 is known for strictly adhering to the city’s rules, and its previous luxury condo projects downtown sailed to easy approval.

And the City Council approved two other senior living projects last year even though staff had raised the issue of the cost of ambulance services.

In unanimously approving a 193-unit luxury assisted living facility at 375 E. Royal Palm Road proposed by Boca Raton-based Penn-Florida Cos., council members agreed with the developer that such a facility is badly needed and would be a welcome addition to the downtown.

At the time, Wood said Penn-Florida’s facility alone wouldn’t create a need for a new rescue unit, but 10 such facilities would.

Council members said the city needed to develop a policy or rules that would make all adult living facilities bear some of the cost of increased city services. City staffers said at the July 23 meeting that they hadn’t worked on that yet.

The cost issue is not clear-cut. Even if adult living facilities do create a need for more rescue services, they don’t generate a need for more schools, and it’s unlikely police would be called to quell disturbances. Elderly people living in a home may call 911 when they fall, but senior living facilities have nurses and other staff on hand to help them.

Adult living facilities traditionally have been located in suburban areas, but now are popping up in downtowns because today’s retirees want to be near shopping, restaurants and cultural venues. Downtown adult living facilities are an extension of the urban renaissance that has attracted empty nesters and young professionals.