This kapok tree in Boynton Beach is slated to be removed. Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

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By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley

The first phase of the $250 million Boynton Beach Town Square redevelopment project is underway. And by 2021, residents should be enjoying a cultural center in the renovated historic Boynton Beach High School, as well as a new fire station, City Hall with library, residential and retail spaces, hotel, playground, amphitheater, parking garage and open spaces.
But progress never seems to come without some losses: in this case, the planned removal of an 80-year-old kapok tree.
“That tree has served our town as a meeting place for clubs and school groups,” says Janet DeVries Naughton, archivist and webmaster for the Boynton Beach Historical Society.
“It has sheltered those picnicking and playing games under its massive branches. And it has greeted new families to town as it’s welcomed those returning from war or winter residences up North,” she adds.
As the square’s master plan indicates, the kapok near the historic Boynton Beach High School will be showcased in its own space, where it will continue to provide shade and a place to relax.
The removal of the other, smaller tree, at the corner of Ocean Avenue and First Street, was approved by the city to make way for apartments and a restaurant.
As a memorial to that departing giant, we’ve decided to delve into what makes the kapok or ceiba tree so special, no matter where it’s planted.
Joe Meisel, vice president of the Wisconsin-based Ceiba Foundation, works mostly with people in South America to protect threatened habitat, including the rainforest where kapok or ceiba (SAY-ba) trees thrive.
Meisel, with a touch of whimsy, likens the look of these trees to Buck Rogers’ spaceship. The buttress roots look like fins projecting partway up the trunk, which widens in the middle like a cigar.
These roots, which help support this massive tree, develop after the tree is about 30 years old and can reach 40 feet up the trunk, according to horticulturist Gene Joyner of West Palm Beach.

This kapok at Chase Bank on South Federal, one of the largest in Boynton Beach, shows the characteristic fissured bark and canopy that offer protection and food to a variety of birds.

In thick forest areas such as the rainforest, the trees can grow up to 250 feet high, with their umbrella-shaped canopies at the top of the trunks towering above the rest of the foliage. The trunk itself can grow to 90 feet in diameter.
In their native habitat, these trees have reached 800 years in age, and are revered by those of Mayan ancestry. They believe that the ceiba tree stood at the center of the universe connecting those of us on Earth to the spirit world, says Meisel.
In this country, the trees tend to be planted from seeds or seedlings. Joyner knows because he has a ceiba at his Unbelievable Acres Botanic Garden that he planted from a 3-gallon pot in the early 1980s.
“Over the years, I’ve given away many seedlings that have sprouted under the mother tree,” he says.
Joyner remembers when ceiba trees were quite common in Palm Beach County, with many nurseries selling their seeds or trees in pots. But because these trees require so much area to spread their roots and limbs, many were lost to developers who needed the space for building. Boynton Beach is fortunate that quite a few remain in the city, including the one that will continue to stand in Town Square.

The kapok on the west side of the old high school will be preserved.

Easy to grow and maintain, ceibas are often planted as specimen or novelty trees that grow quickly — up to 13 feet per year, according to the Rainforest Alliance website.
A deciduous tree, the ceiba blooms in white to pink flowers after its leaves fall. This is nature’s way of aiding the flowers’ pollination, done by wind and bats that like to sup on the tree’s sugar-laden blossoms, which open only at night.
The bats, reaching into the blossoms for sugary nectar, are covered in pollen that they transfer to other blooms on the same tree.
With time, these flowers are replaced by up to 4,000 fruits per tree, which become seed pods. Meisel describes them as looking like small footballs. As each pod ripens, it hardens and cracks open, exposing kapok — silk cotton that resembles cotton fiber with 200 dark seeds embedded in it.
The kapok is very light so that when the wind blows, it helps disperse the seeds. If the seeds land in water, they float long distances; the kapok can support 30 times its weight in water and loses only 10 percent of its buoyancy in 30 days, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica website.
These sculptural trees are not only beloved by humans but are important to the flora and fauna that call them home.
Epiphytes such as bromeliads find their way onto its limbs, creating homes for frogs, snakes and insects. Then birds flock to eat those insects.
“There are always birds in my kapok that offers protection from hawks and other predators. It gets pretty noisy depending on the time of year,” says Joyner.
Besides being important to nature, these trees are important to man, who has found many uses for them over the years.
Indigenous groups have long coveted the light wood of these trees to make canoes large enough to carry 40 people. And in the early 1900s, kapok was prized for stuffing toys, seat cushions, mattresses, pillows, saddles and life preservers.
In fact, the life preservers on the Titanic were likely stuffed with kapok, says Meisel.
But the popularity of kapok waned when synthetics came to market. And although today you can still purchase kapok bed pillows, the trees are more often sought for their wood, used to make things such as pulpwood, plywood and coffins.
With that in mind, we return to Boynton’s new Town Square — soon to be minus one of its amazing specimens. In memoriam, historian DeVries Naughton says, “As with many of the town’s old-timers who are no longer with us, that kapok tree will be missed and fondly remembered.”

Nancy Zarcadoolas and her husband, Paul, will receive the Connie Berry Award this month, recognizing their support of the Caridad Center. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By Rich Pollack

Nancy Zarcadoolas was driving along State Road A1A a short distance from her Ocean Ridge home when she reached out to a higher power for guidance.
A longtime financial supporter of the Caridad Center west of Boynton Beach — the largest free health-care clinic in Florida — Zarcadoolas was ready to step up her community involvement as her three school-aged daughters demanded slightly less of her time.
“I said to God, whatever you have for me, let me know,” she remembers.
The very next day, she received a call from Connie Berry, Caridad co-founder and board chairwoman, inviting her to be on the board.
It has been three years since Zarcadoolas joined the board, and Berry says she has been a godsend ever since.
“Her heart is with us completely,” Berry said. “Sitting at a board meeting, it’s important to have someone who really understands the people we serve — and she does. She understands what they’re going through.”
This month during the Caridad Center’s annual Call to Heart Ball, Zarcadoolas and her husband, Paul, will receive the Connie Berry Award in recognition of their outstanding financial and hands-on support.
Nancy, 40, and Paul, a business owner and entrepreneur, have been supporting Caridad since soon after they moved to South Florida 17 years ago from Costa Rica. They met while Paul ran a business there.
It was during a tour of the clinic that Nancy Zarcadoolas found herself drawn to the organization. “It was an amazing place full of love,” she said. “I just felt I belonged there.”
Her sense of belonging drove her to go beyond writing a check. You’ll find her at many of the events the center holds for clients — from Christmas parties to Mother’s Day celebrations — where she helps with whatever needs to be done and gets to know the families being served.
“What I care about is getting to be hands on and getting to know the people,” she said. “I sit there like one of them.”
Born in Costa Rica, Zarcadoolas can speak the language of many of the Caridad Center’s clients — literally and figuratively.
“Every time I go into a room and see the mothers, I know what they’re going through,” she said.
Zarcadoolas was 12 when her father’s business in Costa Rica failed. Hoping to raise enough money for a fresh start, he moved the family to New Jersey, where young Nancy knew no one.
“We had nothing when we came,” she said. They relied on the community for health care, just like the families at Caridad.
“I know what it’s like to have Caridad there to offer free dental and medical care,” she said.
After a few years, Zarcadoolas’ father brought the family back to Costa Rica, where Nancy earned a degree from Universidad Latina in 2001, the same year she and Paul got married and moved to Florida.
Zarcadoolas will listen to the clients she meets at events at Caridad, hearing their stories and sharing her own.
“I talk to them and want to be involved with them,” she said. “I want to help them understand that this is just a phase in their lives, that this will pass and that they’re going to grow.”
It’s that connection with the clients, Berry says, that makes Zarcadoolas’ volunteer contributions special. “She attends all the programs and when she’s there, she’s working.”
During the holidays, it’s not unusual to find Nancy’s three daughters — Dorothea, 14, Athena, 12, and Paulina, 7 — joining her at the party for the families served by the center.
If there was ever any doubt that Zarcadoolas was meant to be at Caridad, it may have disappeared a few years ago when she adopted a family for the holidays, which includes providing gifts for the children.
Her mother was visiting from Costa Rica at the time and when Zarcadoolas opened up one of the folders, she saw that one of the children in the family had the same name she had before she was married and was the same age when she first came to the United States.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said.
While Zarcadoolas gives a lot to Caridad, she will tell you that she gets much in return.
“I feel like Caridad came into my life for a purpose,” she said.

If You Go

What: Call to Heart Ball, celebrating the Caridad Center’s 30 years of service in Palm Beach County
When: 5:30 p.m. Jan. 26
Where: Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, 100 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan
Honorary chairs: Christine and Bob Stiller
Tickets: $500 per person
Info: 853-1638 or caridad.org.

The landowner plans to build a home where his contractor knocked down trees, including a beloved old live oak, on heavily wooded parcels. Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

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By Mary Thurwachter

To many Hypoluxo Island residents, large old trees are sacred and often played a big part in why they moved there in the first place. When they see an ancient oak tree being cut down to make way for construction, aggravation levels soar.
That’s what happened in early December when trees were bulldozed at 420 and 430 S. Atlantic Drive.
Michelle Donahue saw it happening as she walked her dog one morning.
“I am beyond frustrated,” Donahue, president of the Hypoluxo Island Property Owners Association, wrote on the island’s Facebook page and in an email to residents.
“The properties at 420 and 430 S. Atlantic were sold this year (2018) to Dr. Mujahed Ahmed, who lives at 509 N. Atlantic,” she wrote. Ahmed is building large homes on both properties. One had a small house on it, and the other had been vacant.
“He has cleared native and protected trees by special permit, but the worst of his actions is currently taking place as I write this. The town has granted him a permit to cut down large old trees that are the last reminders of a time when our island was a jungle-like maze of beautiful oak, pine, banyan and sable palms.”
The Coastal Star was unable to reach Ahmed for comment by press time.
Donahue said what she first thought was a cluster of three trees at 430 S. Atlantic, was actually one tree with triple trunks. “I obtained a copy of the tree survey from the town, which indicates it was one tree with a base diameter of 60 inches,” she said. “I estimate the tree was 200 years old, which predates even the pioneers’ arrival.”
Donahue rallied neighbors who appeared at the Dec. 10 Lantana Town Council meeting to ask what could be done to minimize tree loss. Council members were receptive and agreed to investigate measures that could fortify the town’s tree preservation ordinance.
Lantana’s law says that if protected trees must be removed for new construction — and cannot be moved to another location — developers and property owners are required to mitigate the loss by planting specimen trees that number one and a half times the total diameter of the trees being removed. The new plantings should be located on the property where the protected trees were removed.
If trees are removed without town approval, homeowners are fined — although some say the fines, which can amount to thousands of dollars, should be higher.
Media Beverly was one of the islanders who spoke at the council meeting.
“I’m extremely saddened and upset by the lack of interest the town seems to have in helping the residents of Hypoluxo Island preserve our town’s historic gem by allowing some of the oldest and most beautiful canopy trees to be destroyed without a second thought,” she said. “These trees provided shade, kept our streets cooler, filtered pollutants, cut carbon emissions and provided a habitat for many animals that delivered an ongoing and necessary ecological balance to the island.”
Beverly asked council members to read a 2017 story in The Coastal Star that summarizes Delray Beach’s comprehensive ordinance changes and includes trees.
“I’ve lived in Lantana for almost 30 years and on Hypoluxo Island for almost 27 of those,” Beverly said. “Back then, the Audubon Society visited regularly, but I haven’t seen them in years.
“What’s happening here in Lantana, formerly known as a Tree City, is shameful. We simply must find a balanced solution between construction and destruction.”
Town records show that Lantana is and has been a Tree City for 27 consecutive years, as designated by the Arbor Day Foundation.
Council member Lynn Moorhouse expressed his unhappiness with the lack of teeth in the landscape ordinance.
“Everybody knows if you want to get rid of a bunch of large trees, you cut them down on Saturday or Sunday when none of us are around,” he said. “Then you pay the fine, which is nothing. If you really want to clear land, it’s just a little slap on the hand.”
He wanted to know if the town could stop contractors who had repeatedly cut down protected trees by denying them future work in the town. “Can we pull their license for, let’s say, a year?” Moorhouse asked.
Town Attorney Max Lohman said pulling licenses probably wouldn’t work, but there may be other solutions to investigate.
“We can look at code amendments with regard to tree removal and fines can be up to $5,000 per tree,” Lohman said.
Council member Malcolm Balfour, former president of the Lantana Nature Preserve, said some large trees had been moved to make way for construction in the past and were doing pretty well.
“So, it can be done,” he said. “I’m on the tree hugger side of things. I miss the birders.”
Mayor Dave Stewart said the tree situation was a tough one. “You’re looking at two different issues,” he said. “One is about people that live there that are just over-trimming or taking out one or two trees. What has come out tonight is about clearing a lot to put a piece of real estate on the lot that will fit in a better manner. But don’t they have to go back with like or better material? They can’t just plant palm trees.”
David Thatcher, the town’s director of development services, said the mayor was right. “You can’t put in palms for an oak tree,” he said. “You do have to mitigate one and a half times the diameter total of all the trees (removed). One (tree) on one lot was 92 inches total. So, they’re putting in a lot of oak and gumbo limbo. Sometimes they have to choose from specimen trees that we protect. You’ve got to replant those kind of trees.”
Stewart said he didn’t think anyone in the room wanted to see specimen trees go away. “It’s disturbing to hear that a 100-year-old tree ended up being removed,” he said. “But also, I don’t want us to get into a problem with people’s personal property rights. Do we have the right to tell them they can’t remove the tree and can’t build the house they want to build?”
Lohman said the town couldn’t implement a tree protection ordinance that renders a lot unbuildable.
“They have a right to build and that’s why we have the mitigation,” Lohman explained.
Town Manager Deborah Manzo, after a quick read of the story about Delray Beach’s tree ordinance, said it seemed like Delray Beach doesn’t prohibit trees from being removed.
“They put a fee in for removing one of the protected trees. I’m looking for guidance: Is your preference to have a fee put into a town pot of money and then put trees elsewhere? Or should we go ahead similar to what our ordinance has and require them to mitigate on the lot that the tree came out of?”
Council members said they preferred mitigation on the property where the tree or trees were removed.
Donahue, an alternate on the town’s Planning and Zoning Board, said she was pleased with the discussion, but pointed out that, based on the large size of homes being built, there won’t always be enough room on the lot to put in the required number of mitigated trees.
She had another concern, as well.
“It’s not only the ordinances and codes that make a difference, but the passion of the people who execute these policies,” she said. “Bringing people together in a collaborative manner to discuss, educate, and enlighten one another on the impact of such decisions goes a long way.”
She is advocating that the plan review committee consist of citizens from all sectors of the town, as well as having Planning and Zoning Commission members weigh in and participate.
But with all the talk of trees coming down, Donahue offered news of the opposite. She said islanders and other town residents working toward Ocean Avenue beautification would plant 15 oak trees on the avenue on Dec. 17, and they did.
The $5,000 cost of the project was picked up by the presenting sponsor, the Old Key Lime House. Daily watering will be done by the town until roots are established and then an irrigation system will be installed, Donahue said.

Lantana residents and volunteers joined last month with Community Greening to plant live oaks along Ocean Avenue.

Sure, I use a digital calendar to track meetings and schedules and deadlines.
Call me old-fashioned, but I also hang a paper calendar on the wall in my kitchen. It has pretty photographs, and I can write notes in the empty squares, clip appointment cards to the edges and see at a glance when the moon will be full each month. I’d be lost without it.
With the start of the new year, I’ll take down the months of 2018 and put them aside. In the past I’ve kept these old calendars so I could look back and see when certain events occurred: the cat’s trip to the vet, our vacation to Ireland, the passing of a friend.
Now in my effort to reduce clutter, I discard them. It’s tough to say goodbye to the past year and all the hand-scribbled notes and memories — some happily forgotten, others recalled with fondness. But waiting on the counter is a shiny new calendar ready for its turn on the wall. It has photos of lovely faraway places to inspire dreams of travel, charted moon phases and scheduled holidays. It has blank spaces beckoning with both possibility and trepidation.
No one can know what the new year will bring, of course, but today the unspoiled pages of that 2019 calendar await. It’s time to hang it on the wall.
Happy New Year.

— Mary Kate Leming,
Editor

The Meet Your Neighbor profile in the December edition gave the incorrect age for Bob Ganger. He is 82 years old.

An incorrect monthly rental fee being asked for the former Little House restaurant space in Boynton Beach was published in the December edition. The correct rental fee is $7,500 per month.

By Mary Hladky

More than two years after Boca Raton City Council members started mulling a new downtown government campus that would replace the old and outdated City Hall, Police Department and community center, a consultant has created two renderings of what that campus could look like.
They are based on what residents, who were surveyed in 2017, wanted included and excluded in the campus. For example, a majority wanted existing ballfields and a tennis center moved out of the 30-acre, city-owned site.
Both plans locate a new City Hall on the western edge along Crawford Boulevard. The building would face east and would be fronted by a public plaza.
Both plans call for two 600-space parking garages. In the two versions, one would be on Northwest Second Street just north of where City Hall now stands.
The location of the second garage differs, as do the locations of the Police Department and community center.
The Downtown Library would remain where it is in both versions, as would the Boca Raton Children’s Museum.
Both have large open space areas north and south of the new City Hall. The GreenMarket, which recently moved from Royal Palm Plaza to the City Hall north parking lot, would stay in the campus.
Not included at this point is a performing arts center. About half of those surveyed wanted one in the campus and it is still possible that could happen.
But a cultural group has come forward with an ambitious plan to build a performing arts complex on city-owned land east of the Spanish River Library, and City Council members might support that if the Boca Raton Arts District Association demonstrates a financially sound plan to build it and keep it running without city subsidies.
Mayor Scott Singer voiced no preference when consultant Song + Associates outlined the options on Dec. 10, but the other four council members said they preferred the first one.
“I think it looks more like a campus,” said council member Monica Mayotte.
The advantages of the second option are that City Hall would be clearly visible from Palmetto Park Road and it has about one-third more green space, which would keep more land available for future development.
Singer voiced two concerns about the first option, including the new City Hall’s lack of clear visibility from Palmetto Park Road and its cost.
“Option A will be considerably more expensive and will take longer” to build, Singer said.
Jill Lanigan, director of business development for Song + Associates, did not present cost figures, which still must be calculated.
But the new buildings would be significantly larger than the existing ones, which the city outgrew long ago.
Song + Associates proposes that the City Hall would be 109,000 square feet, up from the current 74,000 square feet; the Police Department would be 66,000 square feet, up from 38,000 square feet; and the community center would jump to 55,000 square feet, up from 13,000 square feet.
Final decisions on the downtown government campus are well into the future.
The City Council and Song + Associates must settle on a final plan, which won’t be a simple task. Council members suggested at the meeting adding in structures not now included, such a playground, and talked of swapping building locations.
Project cost and a schedule for phased building construction must be decided before a final plan is ready for City Council consideration.

Highland Beach residents meet at a workshop to see proposed improvements along State Road A1A and to provide input. The ambitious plan would cost the town as much as $45 million. Voters must approve the expenditure. Photo provided

By Rich Pollack

Voters in Highland Beach will have a chance in March to allow town leaders to spend up to $45 million on a series of long-term renovations along State Road A1A, barring last-minute changes this month.
At a special meeting in December, commissioners agreed to ask voters if they were willing to spend as much as $45 million over 20 or 30 years to fund a wide-ranging project that could include drainage improvements along A1A, installation of underground utilities and significant roadway and walking path improvements.
“This is an opportunity for residents to approve a large public project that will transform the landscape of Highland Beach,” Town Manager Marshall Labadie said.
Commissioners agreed to bring the funding for the major renovations along A1A to voters after hearing presentations from a representative of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, which is coordinating the project with the town, and the owner of an engineering firm, Captec, that provided cost estimates for the project.
The firm estimated costs that include $16.55 million for the drainage portion of the project, $17.2 million for underground utilities and $11.25 million for improvements — including beautification, resurfacing and landscaping — to the town’s 3-mile walking path. The $11.25 million would also include improvements along A1A such as lighted crosswalks and designated bike lanes.
The plan presented to the commission last month included eight pocket parks along the walking path — now called Ocean Walk — and widening it from 6 feet to 10 feet. The proposal included using colored, water-permeable surfacing with embedded lighting. Other elements, including entry monuments and possibly gazebos, are also included.
While Labadie said there might be limited flexibility in the cost of the underground utilities and the drainage project, commissioners could decide to scale back — or make other changes — to the Ocean Walk project.
“The final project will be a partnership between residents and the commission,” he said.
On Jan. 9, residents will gather with commissioners and planners to again share thoughts on the scope of the project. The workshop will provide planners with public input about possible design alternatives to those already presented to the commission.
In early December, a few dozen residents shared their thoughts on what they saw as priorities for renovations to A1A. Those suggestions were incorporated into the plan presented to commissioners later in the month.
Some residents who participated in the workshop complained they were “blindsided” because they were told not to worry about costs during the course of their discussions.
Labadie said the project likely would be financed through either a 20- or 30-year bond issue and provided commissioners with estimates on what that would mean to taxpayers.
Were the town to finance the project for 30 years, the owner of property with a taxable value of $500,000 would pay approximately $576 a year or about $48 a month for improvements, according to town projections. Over 30 years, that taxpayer would pay about $17,280 for the project, assuming the taxable value and interest rate remained the same.
If the project were financed over 20 years, the owner of property with a taxable value of $500,000 would pay $713.04 a year or $59.42 a month, according to the town. Over 20 years, the property owner would pay $14,260, assuming the taxable value and interest rate remain the same.
Were the homeowner to sell the property, the new owner would be responsible for paying the remaining debt through annual taxes.
Labadie, however, cautioned that the $45 million figure — and the estimated cost to taxpayers — is the “not to exceed” number and does not include any funding for the project from grants or from other agencies, including the Florida Department of Transportation.
Because the road is owned by the state transportation department, most if not all elements of the project must receive FDOT approval.
FDOT is repaving A1A as part of a “Three R” project (replace, repair and refurbish), which is driving the town’s schedule since much of the work can be done in conjunction with the state project.
The Three R project is a five-year process and is done only once every 20 years.
As FDOT replaces, repairs and refurbishes the road, the town hopes it can piggyback onto the project and make improvements while A1A is already being upgraded.
The town is under a tight deadline to get things done.
To have a say in the work during the project, the town is required to make a financial commitment prior to the middle of March.
To make that financial commitment, however, the town needs voter approval. To get the question on the ballot for the March 12 election, town officials must submit ballot language to the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections by the middle of this month.
“One of the challenges of this whole project has been competing timelines,” Labadie said.
Members of the Town Commission voted 4-0, with then-Mayor Carl Feldman absent, to bring approval of the bond issue to the voters.
“We’re giving this to the public,” Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker said. “Let the people decide.”
Vice Mayor Alysen A. Nila agreed, saying she thinks there are many residents in town who favor the project.
“This is a once-in-20-year chance to get something done,” she said. “If you don’t want to spend $48 a month, then don’t vote for it. But I know a lot of people who do.”

By Mary Hladky

After the developer of the luxury Alina Residences Boca Raton condo and nearby residents reached a compromise in November, it appeared as if the developer’s request to build the project in two phases was on a glide path to approval.
But another snag developed on Dec. 10, when Boca Raton City Council members, sitting as Community Redevelopment Agency commissioners, were set to vote on developer El-Ad National Properties’ phasing plan.
CRA chair Andrea O’Rourke suggested delaying the vote because some of the parties to the compromise had not delivered information to city staffers in time for them to review it and make a recommendation to the CRA.
“I am not prepared to vote for or against something the staff has not reviewed,” she said.
El-Ad attorney Bonnie Miskel insisted she and downtown property owner Investments Limited met the deadline. Development Services Director Brandon Schaad disagreed.
Miskel pressed for a quick city decision because El-Ad has been waiting for 10 months.
After much back and forth, Schaad seemed willing to accept assurances that what Robert Eisen of Investments Limited submitted to the city already had been reviewed by staff and would not require a lengthy additional analysis.
By a 4-1 tally, with only Andy Thomson dissenting, council members postponed the vote. But they will take up the matter at their Jan. 7 meeting to avoid a long delay.
Miskel and Noam Ziv, El-Ad’s executive director of development, declined to comment immediately after the meeting.
El-Ad plans to build its three-tower, 384-unit project on nearly 9 acres along Southeast Mizner Boulevard, replacing the run-down Mizner on the Green townhouses.
Alina Residences, formerly known as Mizner 200, is one of the most contentious projects in the city’s history. Downtown residents complained that it was too massive and a symbol of downtown overdevelopment.
El-Ad made concessions on building design, landscaping and setbacks that eventually won over critics, and the project was approved in 2017.
But when El-Ad returned to the city in late 2018 asking to build the project in phases, residents of neighboring Townsend Place condominium cried foul. They said they had a deal with El-Ad and the developer was reneging.
In the compromise, Townsend Place residents dropped their initial objections to phasing but got a promise that El-Ad would enhance landscaping in the southern portion of a pedestrian promenade along Mizner Boulevard right away, rather than when construction begins on Phase 2, with further improvements made as Phase 2 is completed as was promised in 2017.
Additional enhanced landscaping would be planted between Alina Residences and Townsend Place.
Miskel said the new landscaping plan would cost the developer $500,000.
Investments Limited was assured that Alina Residences’ design cannot be changed when Phase 2 is built and will maintain spaces between the three condo towers that allow for eastward views to the ocean.
Investments Limited wants to redevelop its Royal Palm Place across the street from Alina Residences.
Townsend Place residents got their chance to sound off about Alina Residences at the meeting. Even though they dropped their opposition to phasing, they don’t like it.
They will face the noise and disruption of construction for far longer if the project is not built all at once. And they worry that Phase 2 will not be built if market conditions change or the condos don’t sell. If that happens, and the land is sold, they won’t know what a future owner will want to build.
“We will be left with an area that has dilapidated townhouses. We don’t know what will happen with them. We don’t know what will happen if there is a sale,” said Norman Waxman, a Townsend Place condo board member.

By Sallie James

The beloved community hospital once known as “The Miracle on Meadows Road” is another step closer to a merger with Baptist Health South Florida.
Boca Raton Regional Hospital and Baptist Health South Florida agreed in December on a letter of intent regarding a strategic partnership between the two health care organizations.
“This is an important first step. There is lot to be done yet,” said Thomas Chakurda, vice president of marketing for Boca Regional. “The partnership will provide substantial and positive changes in terms of clinical depth, facilities and other beneficial advances for the hospital and those it serves.”
A letter of intent clarifies key points in the relationship and is considered an announcement that the sides are moving toward a definitive agreement. That agreement should be hammered out early this year and officials expect to finalize the affiliation by summer.
Boca Regional, at 800 Meadows Road, began discussions with Baptist more than a year ago with the hope of elevating the hospital’s position as an academic referral center in South Florida. Baptist is headquartered in Coral Gables.
Baptist is the largest not-for-profit health care organization in the region, with 10 hospitals and more than 100 physician and outpatient locations from Palm Beach County to the Florida Keys.
“We are most pleased to have achieved this milestone in our discussions with such a prestigious and high-quality health care organization,” said Jerry Fedele, president and CEO of Boca Raton Regional Hospital. “It is an exciting development for our hospital and our community and reflects the hard work and thoughtful interactions of our ad hoc partnership steering committee, our board and Baptist Health leadership.”
The pending merger is a huge marker of change for a community-minded hospital born out of tragedy in 1967.
The horrific poisoning deaths of two young children and the absence of a local medical center became the impetus for its construction. The town had about 10,000 residents and a group of volunteers with a mission.
Volunteer Joan Wargo, 88, who has been volunteering at Boca Regional since 1962, was delighted to hear of the forward progress.
“I think it’s great for our community with all the changes in the health care field. I think we have to go forward, and I think that Baptist South is a very good choice,” said Wargo, a member of the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation. “[Baptist] is well organized and forward thinking, as we are. I think it will be great for the people in this community. We are well-established and highly ranked, and they are too.”
Today, this hospital has grown into a regional treatment complex with about 2,800 employees, 1,200 volunteers and approximately 800 doctors on staff. The Debbie-Rand Memorial Service League has provided more than $31 million to the hospital since the league’s formation in 1962.
“Both organizations are not-for-profit with a culture of compassion and putting the patient first,” Chakurda said. “Our cultures and missions are aligned, as are our philosophies of care and excellence. Baptist has great respect for our history, its commitment to our community that was at the heart of our founding, and our extraordinary volunteerism and philanthropic support.”
Pat Thomas, a member of the Boca Regional Hospital Board, a volunteer for 35 years for the Debbie-Rand Memorial Service League, a member of the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation and a member of the ad hoc committee, said the merger is necessary to position the hospital for success in the future.
“I think it is not only a good thing but it’s a necessary thing,” Thomas said. “We are in a very good position right now, we are finally stable, and we have a good credit rating. We figured before something happened with Medicare/Medicaid we better position ourselves to be strong like we are now.”
She said Baptist agreed not to change the structure Boca Regional has with its doctors — some are private practice, some on staff — and will allow any money raised by the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation to remain with Boca Regional, even though it will be part of the larger Baptist network.
“The community has received the news very well,” Thomas said. “They understand we are doing this because we need to be part of a strong organization for bargaining power and insurance rates. There is strength in numbers.”
The proposed merger would place the 400-bed Boca Raton Regional Hospital in partnership with the neighboring 400-bed Bethesda Hospital East in Boynton Beach — once a rival of sorts. Bethesda Hospital, with medical centers in east and west Boynton Beach, merged with Baptist over a 24-month period after officials signed an agreement in 2015.
Fedele, who planned to retire in 2018, has agreed to stay on through August 2019 to assist with the transition. Fedele has served as CEO of Boca Regional for 10 years.
“Our goal was to use our success in recent years to attract other providers and establish a partnership that would enhance our capabilities and mitigate the challenges of a stand-alone hospital in a complex and evolving health care industry,” Fedele said.
The merger, when complete, is not expected to affect jobs, Chakurda noted.
“It is not expected to have any immediate changes. In fact, with the partnership’s intent to accelerate and elevate our position as the preeminent academic referral center in the region with a resultant increase in utilization, employment opportunities could increase,” Chakurda said.
Boca Regional narrowed its list of potential suitors to five in spring 2018 and then selected Baptist Health South Florida for further discussions.
“We have now advanced closer to a most important evolution for our hospital, one that will accelerate and elevate our position as a preeminent academic regional medical referral center,” said Christine E. Lynn, chairman of the hospital board. “It will serve to both secure our goals and objectives and those of Baptist Health South Florida.”
Added Chakurda, “By any metric, Boca Regional has evolved into one of the outstanding health care providers in the state of Florida. Yet there is another level to which we aspire, and this partnership will most certainly facilitate our ability to reach our full potential. It certainly is an exciting opportunity for us and importantly, the  patients that turn to us for care.”
A 2018 report to Baptist’s bondholders showed that the nonprofit health care system earned $405.6 million for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, up from $244.3 million in the prior fiscal year. The 2018 total included a non-operating gain of $254 million from its merger with Bethesda Health.

By Steve Plunkett

The city is spending upwards of $465,000 to improve pedestrian safety downtown.
Projects include installing a low pedestrian fence to keep people from cutting across Palmetto Park Road to get to Mizner Boulevard, putting in-road lights on Palmetto Park west of Southeast Third Avenue, adding a hybrid walk signal that flashes double red lights on Palmetto Park at Southeast Fourth Avenue, installing dedicated lighting to crosswalks, taking away the right-turn lane onto Mizner Boulevard from northbound Federal Highway, and adding a sidewalk and lights to Northwest Second Street between Northwest Second Avenue and Mizner.
“Many of these are already in the works, so unless the direction is to not do some of these, we’re proceeding to do them,” City Manager Leif Ahnell told the Community Redevelopment Agency Dec. 10.
Consultant Jim Sumislaski of Kimley-Horn and Associates told CRA members that 10 crashes involving pedestrians downtown were reported between 2015 and 2017.
“No particular location was repeated. We had one nighttime crash; we had two that actually occurred at dawn,” Sumislaski said. Most of the crashes happened during clear weather.
“There were injuries but thankfully no fatalities,” he said.
The No. 1 concern of residents’ reports to city officials concerning walking downtown was not having enough lighting, followed by speeding vehicles, difficulty using mid-block crossings, jaywalking and the desire for a walkable downtown, Sumislaski said. But the county Transportation Planning Agency considers Boca Raton’s mid-block crossings a good example for others to follow, he added. “They’re safe, they’re well-defined, they provide median refuge, and generally they’re very well-located.”
Sumislaski recommended more public outreach to pedestrians, restricting unsafe movements, minor improvements balanced with traffic calming, and improved lighting and wayfinding.
“I’m excited about moving forward and seeing things happen,” said City Council member Andrea O’Rourke, who chairs the CRA.

By Steve Plunkett

The Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District started the new year with an interim executive director and was set to advertise for a replacement.
District commissioners reassigned Executive Director Art Koski to be construction manager of the district’s soon-to-be-built Boca National public golf course; Assistant Director Briann Harms was elevated to interim director.
Commissioner Erin Wright, who pushed for a formal job description of the executive director, motioned to change the job duties and conduct a nationwide search for the new director at the district’s Dec. 17 meeting while commissioners discussed Boca National.
“It’s a bombshell,” a surprised Commission Chairman Robert Rollins said as Wright coupled her motion with one appointing Koski as the architects’ go-to person at the district.
Commissioner Craig Ehrnst quickly seconded the idea.
“I’m not interested in adding another role,” he said. “The executive director role has a lot of things going on just on all the regular stuff.”
The job shuffle came as golf course architects asked commissioners to pick a person to coordinate with them as plans for Boca National develop.
Wayne Branthwaite of the Nick Price/Tom Fazio design team said he will have course plans by the end of February and hopes to begin construction by August. The course would open to golfers in October 2020.
Koski and Branthwaite were still computing the new course’s price. The course, which will include a championship 18-hole layout, a nine-hole short course, a giant putting green and a full-length driving range, will cost about $10.5 million. A cart tunnel under Northwest Second Avenue may cost $1 million.
The district bought a third of the land for $5 million cash and borrowed $19 million via bonds from the city for the rest. A 15,000-square-foot clubhouse/community center will be built after the course opens.
City Council members have not committed to paying for any of the project, saying they want to know what the final cost will be. The city expects to close its $65 million sale of the municipal course west of Boca Raton in May.
Koski in July shed his role as the district’s legal adviser, a position he had held since 1978, to focus more on the golf course project. He had received $150,000 a year for his legal work.
He was being paid $120,000 a year as executive director. His salary as construction manager was to be negotiated.

Mayor served town he loved

By Rich Pollack

For Highland Beach Mayor Carl Feldman, serving as the leader of the commission was the culmination of a love for the town that started when he moved here in 2000.

He died Dec. 24, following an illness, while holding the title that meant so much to him. He was 79.

A dedicated elected official, Mr. Feldman was in his second year of a three-year term as mayor. He had previously served for four years as a town commissioner and had worked on campaigns for other elected officials, including former Mayor Bernard Featherman.

“Carl was an outstanding man who was very intelligent and very fair-minded,” Featherman said. “He was involved because he cared very much about the citizens of Highland Beach.”

Mr. Feldman also was the vice president of the Beach Condominium Association of Boca Raton and Highland Beach, and he served on the board of the Villa Costa Condominium, where Mr. Feldman was president for several years and Featherman was secretary.

He was dedicated to the residents of Highland Beach and to working in local government.

“It became his passion,” said his wife, Lois, to whom he’d been married for almost 53 years. “He had a passion for making things better and doing it in a kind way, the right way, so everyone would benefit.”

Born in Boston, Mr. Feldman was a successful businessman who held a degree in manufacturing engineering from Northeastern University. He formed three companies, including one focused on importing and distributing Spanish cutting tools. He was an Eagle Scout and a Mason.

Prior to running for a three-year commission seat in 2013, Mr. Feldman served as a member of the town’s planning board and volunteered at community events.

“He went out of his way to help others,” Featherman said. “He wasn’t the type of man who wanted credit for things. He wanted to give that credit to other people.”

During a private celebration of Mr. Feldman’s life on Dec. 30, he was remembered by those who served with him in various organizations as someone who was honorable, trusting, and always a gentleman.

“He was modest, practical, down to earth and cherished the things that were important to him,” said former Vice Mayor Bill Weitz, who spoke at the gathering. “He was also tough in a warm and loving way.”

Mr. Feldman was also described as a generous man, willing to jump in and lend a hand to whoever needed it.

“Carl was always willing to help you out,” said Emily Gentile, president of the Beach Condominium Association of Boca Raton and Highland Beach.

Commissioner Peggy Gossett-Seidman, who served with Mr. Feldman since March, remembered him as a public official who took the time to meet with residents and listen to their concerns.

“Mayor Feldman was a gentle man who devoted many years of service to Highland Beach,” Gossett-Seidman said. “He tried earnestly to do the right thing for the town and viewed issues with a conservative and fair approach.”

In addition to his wife, Mr. Feldman is survived by two daughters, Jill Smith and her husband, Frank; and Michelle Rieck and her husband, Tom; his brother, Dr. Howard Feldman, and sister-in-law, Roberta Feldman, and four grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor can be made to the National Arthritis Research Foundation, curearthritis.org/donation.

The Boca Raton Inlet bridge was briefly closed six times in late November because of electrical problems. The closures caused traffic delays for thousands of drivers.

By Henry Fitzgerald

They’re often called arteries — the streets and roads that carry drivers and their vehicles back and forth. And as with human arteries, any blockage can cause a problem.
As recent issues with the Boca Raton Inlet bridge have shown, when one bridge is closed, traffic becomes a headache for thousands of drivers. When a second one is closed, traffic becomes a nightmare.
But South County drivers shouldn’t look at the recent traffic jams as something that will happen constantly due to problems with the area’s bridges.
“These bridges don’t have structural problems,” said Barry Meve, Palm Beach County bridge superintendent. “They’re well maintained and there aren’t any major problems. These bridges are designed to operate over a 75-year life.”
South Palm Beach County residents largely use six bridges to move to and from and about the barrier island on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway: the Linton Boulevard bridge, the Spanish River Boulevard bridge, the Palmetto Park Road bridge, the Boca Inlet bridge on State Road A1A, the Camino Real bridge and the Hillsboro Boulevard bridge in Broward County.
Three of the bridges are younger than 50: the Linton Boulevard bridge, built in 1981 (37), the Spanish River Boulevard bridge in 1971 (47), and the Palmetto Park Road bridge in 1987 (31). The Boca Inlet bridge was built in 1963 (55), the Camino Real bridge in 1939 (79), and the Hillsboro Boulevard bridge in 1957 (61).
The Camino Real bridge, which closed in April for a yearlong rehabilitation project, is now expected to remain closed until July, according to engineers.

The Camino Real bridge closed in April for rehab work. When the Boca Inlet bridge had problems, traffic backed up because this bridge was already closed.

People who used that bridge could travel north to the Palmetto Park Road bridge, then take the Boca Inlet bridge if they need to head south. Or they could head south to the Hillsboro Boulevard bridge to get across the Intracoastal.
Things got complicated when the Boca Inlet bridge shut down six times in the last two weeks of November because of an electrical problem.
“These bridges are separate as far as their operations go, but there is coordination each time one of them opens,” Meve said. “All of that is interlocked, so if one thing happens to a second bridge, the entire operation stops. We try to coordinate so two bridges aren’t closed at once. Only when there is a problem does anyone notice.”
Florida Power & Light officials installed a “line monitor” to track power surges at the Boca Inlet bridge, said Guillermo Canedo, a Florida Department of Transportation spokesman. FDOT is responsible for maintaining the Boca Inlet, Spanish River Boulevard and Hillsboro Boulevard bridges.
Palm Beach County is responsible for the Camino Real, Linton Boulevard and Palmetto Park Road bridges.
“Over the last few weeks we haven’t had any power surges that affected the [Boca Inlet] bridge,” Canedo said. “We’re continuing to work with FPL to isolate and resolve the problem.”
Meve said the 306 fixed bridges the county is responsible for are inspected every 24 months, while its eight drawbridges are inspected every 12 months.
“We have a mechanical engineer and an electrical engineer on the inspection team,” he said. “We also go underwater to inspect the pilings.”
Meve said the Linton bridge is not structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. The Palmetto Park Road bridge is not structurally deficient, but it is functionally obsolete because of narrow lanes, absence of bike lanes and the existence of sight hazards.
“That doesn’t mean it’s not safe,” Meve said. “Nor is the designation an indication that there is something wrong with the structure of the bridge.”
However, there are no immediate plans to rehab the bridge, he said.
The Camino Real bridge was deemed structurally deficient, forcing the county to plan the $8.9 million rehab project.
Kiewit Infrastructure South, of Broward County, will widen the bridge, renovate and replace the fender system, install new mechanical equipment, reconstruct the approaches and sidewalks, make minor drainage improvements and move the bridge tender’s house from the southeast corner to the northeast corner.
“It’s going to be functionally improved from what it was originally,” said Kristine Frazell-Smith, manager of the county’s Local Roads Section.
FDOT says none of its three bridges is considered structurally deficient nor functionally obsolete.

The Spanish River Boulevard bridge is one of six that drivers in South Palm Beach County use to get across the Intracoastal Waterway. Work on the bridge is tentatively scheduled for 2019.

Our bridges

Linton Boulevard
(Palm Beach County)
Year built: 1981
Average daily traffic: 19,276
Structurally deficient: No
Functionally obsolete: No
Next project: No projects scheduled.

Spanish River Blvd.
(FDOT)
Year built: 1971
Average daily traffic: 8,950 (as of 2017)
Structurally deficient: No
Functionally obsolete: No
Next project (tentative): 2019; substructure, painting, span locks

Palmetto Park Road (PBC)
Year built: 1987
Average daily traffic: 14,315
Structurally deficient: No
Functionally obsolete: Yes (narrow lanes, no bike lanes, sight hazards)
Next project: No projects scheduled.

Boca Inlet on A1A
(FDOT)
Year built: 1963
Average daily traffic: 11,100
Structurally deficient: No
Functionally obsolete: No
Next project: 2020; bridge painting

Camino Real
(PBC)
Year built: 1939
Average daily traffic: 8,351 (measured February 2018)
Project in progress: Major repairs and overhaul began in April 2018, and bridge is expected to reopen in July.

Hillsboro Boulevard
(FDOT)
Year built: 1957
Average daily traffic: 20,500
Structurally deficient: No
Functionally obsolete: No
Next project: No projects scheduled.

Sources: FDOT; Palm Beach County Engineering and Public Works, Bridge Section

Jan Mosley of Boca Raton buys orchids from Estela’s at the Boca Raton GreenMarket last month at its new spot north of City Hall. Alfonso Funkhouser, owner Maria Estela’s grandson, gives help. Mosley says she’s a 20-year customer of Estela’s. Photos by Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

Boca Raton resident Esteud Salas and her grandson, Mario Garcia, select greens from Miss Greg’s produce (right).

By Steve Plunkett

The Boca Raton GreenMarket has ended its 22-year run at Royal Palm Place and taken up new digs in the parking lot north of City Hall.
Growing resentment over scarce parking downtown led to the move away from the shopping strip on Southeast Mizner Boulevard.
“Some of the businesses there suggested that while it’s a great event, it really does kind of mess up their parking on Saturdays,” Assistant City Manager Mike Woika said.
The City Hall lot has “plenty of room, plenty of parking,” Woika said. “We can use the Community Center for facilities.”
Shoppers can park in the lots west of City Hall and the Community Center. Overflow parking is available across Northwest Second Avenue at the Building Administration building and the Downtown Library.
Downtown residents who used to walk to Royal Palm Place can catch a ride to City Hall on the free Round the Town electric shuttles.
Mayor Scott Singer said the green market’s new location could change parking patterns in Boca Raton.
“It actually might get people in the habit of parking over at City Hall and then frequenting other downtown businesses,” Singer said.
The green market relocated the first weekend in December, catching some customers by surprise. But the reaction from shoppers and vendors since then has been enthusiastic, market founder and manager Emily Lilly said.
“It’s like we just picked up from one place and plopped it down in another place,” Lilly said. “It’s the parking that makes the difference.”
The market’s more than 40 vendors offer locally grown foods, plants, specialty items, prepared foods, seafood, bakery products, orchids, fresh flowers, coffee and teas, soaps and lotions, fresh juices, shells and live music. It’s open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through May 11. City Hall is at 201 W. Palmetto Park Road.

FAU honored Barbara and Richard Schmidt, whose 1998 gift helped launch the Schmidt College of Medicine. Barbara Schmidt stands between her husband and her daughter, Michelle Maros. Also (l-r): Phillip Boiselle, college dean; FAU President John Kelly; Garner and Michael Dennis, college advisory board chairman. Photo provided

By Christine Davis

Stephen Garner began serving as Delray Medical Center’s chief operating officer this month. He will also be the group COO for Tenet Health’s Palm Beach County hospitals, managing the daily operations and overseeing the development and implementation of long-range objectives for Delray Medical Center, Good Samaritan Medical Center, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, St. Mary’s Medical Center and West Boca Medical Center.
Previously, Garner served in Tenet Healthcare’s executive development program at Abrazo Arrowhead in Arizona. Projects he completed there included a $4 million operating room expansion, a $2 million interventional radiology suite renovation, plus multiple da Vinci robot purchases and installations for surgery. 

Florida Atlantic University recently commemorated the 20th anniversary of the $15 million gift from the Boca Raton-based Schmidt Family Foundation. Matched by the state of Florida, the donation created the Charles E. Schmidt Department of Biomedical Science in 1998 and launched the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine.
At a special dedication ceremony, benefactors Barbara and Richard Schmidt were honored along with philanthropists Lisa and Michael Kaufman and Dr. Charles H. Hennekens, the first Sir Richard Doll professor and senior academic adviser in the university’s medical school.
The Kaufmans’ gift of $250,000 will name the “Lisa and Michael Kaufman College of Medicine Lounge” on the first floor of the medical school’s main building.
Hennekens’ $200,000 gift will name the “Hennekens Library and Technology Hub in Honor of  Sarah K. Wood, M.D.” Hennekens served as a mentor to Wood, who is now the senior associate dean for medical education in the university’s Schmidt College of Medicine.

Lab research scientist Nishant Visavadiya, Ph.D. (back), and students Gabriel Pena and Jessica Halle, from FAU’s Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion, were part of a study that showed high-intensity interval exercise can combat cognitive dysfunction in obese people. Photo provided

An efficient way to exercise could also be an effective strategy to prevent and combat cognitive dysfunction in obese individuals, according to a new study from Florida Atlantic University.
FAU researchers are the first to use high-intensity interval exercise, which consists of short bursts of intense exercise with rest intervals, in both obese and normal-weight individuals, to test its effect on a particular protein in the brain.
Obesity lowers that protein and the underlying mechanisms are not well-understood. Lower levels of this protein are associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s as well as obesity.
Results show that with high-intensity interval exercise, this protein was turned up in obese subjects when compared to normal-weight subjects.
The researchers note that this relatively simple and effective form of exercise supports its use as a preventive measure and as an intervention to combat obesity and other chronic conditions.

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

Enrique Zuanetto, executive director of the Soup Kitchen of Boynton Beach, and his team of volunteers feed needy people. The Coastal Star file photo

By Janis Fontaine

You’ll never hear Enrique Zuanetto sound like the Seinfeld character known for spouting the words “No soup for you!”

Zuanetto is more Oprah-like: “You get a meal, and you get a meal …”

As the executive director of the Soup Kitchen of Boynton Beach, Zuanetto and his cadre of more than 300 volunteers feed about 400 people and deliver 140 meals to homebound people every day.

And while he sings the praises of unpaid workers, he says when he was a volunteer, he didn’t do it because he was special. “I did not do it for recognition but because it was the right thing to do.” Zuanetto started at the Soup Kitchen as a volunteer more than 20 years ago. Today, he is the only full-time employee.

One way or another, he has always given back to his community — in his native Argentina, then in New Jersey, where he lived before moving to South Florida.

Feeding hungry people healthy meals looks simple enough, but it’s a job that is never finished. The “food insecure” people Zuanetto and his team feed today will be hungry again tomorrow. It’s an unrelenting tide of people living on the edge of poverty, struggling to survive.

At the Soup Kitchen, they get a hearty meal and a hefty snack for later. And each meal is served with a side of goodwill and hope.

The Coastal Star every month features volunteers, but for our readers looking to make resolutions for the new year, we’ve put together an extensive list of volunteer opportunities. The value of people willing to work for free is staggering. The Independent Sector, a national nonprofit that serves as a resource for information on volunteerism, estimated that one hour of volunteer work was worth almost $25 in 2018.

The Points of Life Foundation estimates the economic impact of the Soup Kitchen at more than $1.3 million.

The number Zuanetto is most proud of is 81. For 81 cents, he provides a meal. For less than a McDonald’s Big Mac meal, he can feed more than six people.

But volunteers don’t think about that. Many of the rewards of volunteer work are invisible. And some things you can’t put a price on. How much is compassion worth?

Experts say that in many cases, people say their volunteer work is more fulfilling and rewarding than their day jobs. It might not pay the bills, but volunteering reduces stress, improves social skills, builds self-esteem and improves physical, mental and emotional health. The goal is to find a good match. When it works, it’s like magic straight from the heart.

“People always ask, ‘Why is your food so good?’ And I say, ‘It’s because it is cooked with love,’ ” Zuanetto said.

Volunteer commitments range from a few hours to several days a week. Look around and maybe you’ll find a match.

ANIMALS
Community Cats Coalition of Boca Raton Inc., Boca Raton. 251-6862; bocacatcoalition.org; info@bocacatcoalition.org
Needs: Cat lovers to help with feral cats in east Boca Raton. Duties could include feeding one cat colony, trapping and transporting cats for sterilization, animal care, event planning, helping with grant applications and social media or fostering kittens.
Requirements: Commit to two hours a week, age 16 and older, driver’s license, attend training or orientation.

Daggerwing Nature Center, South County Regional Park, 11435 Park Access Road, Boca Raton. 629-8760; discover.pbcgov.org/parks (search “Daggerwing”)
Needs: Animal care assistants to care for the live educational collection.
Requirements: Commit two hours per week for six months, age 15 and older, pass a background check.
Other opportunities: Docents to lead boardwalk tours and assist staff with teaching and community programs; Butterfly gardeners and groundskeepers; greeters and gift shop cashiers.

Dezzy’s Second Chance Animal Rescue, 8470 92nd Place S., Boynton Beach. 954-588-7045; dezzyssecondchance.com
Needs: Animal care assistance (vet techs), administrative and clerical help, adoption counselors.
Requirements: Age 15 and older, driver’s license and proof of medical insurance. Some dogs require medical care and rehabilitation and are not for the tender-hearted dog lover.

Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, 3200 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach. 686-3663;
peggyadams.org
Needs: Foster families who can care for underage kittens and puppies and ill and aging dogs and cats in their homes.
Requirements: Age 17 and older, commit from one to six weeks at a time, and attend required training and orientation.
Other opportunities: Drivers to transport cats to adoption sites at PetSupermarket; greeters to work in the lobby and help manage traffic on Saturdays, a two- to four-hour weekly commitment; Flexible volunteers to fill the gaps, working in customer service, retail sales, computer work and animal care and handling.

Tri County Animal Rescue, 21287 Boca Rio Road, Boca Raton. 482-8110; tricountyanimalrescue.com.
Needs: Animal companions, dog walkers and bathers, front desk personnel, adoption counselors, fundraisers, plumbers, painters and carpenters.
Requirements: Must be 18 years of age or older.
Contact: Shelly Franco.

THE ARTS
Boca Raton Children’s Museum, 498 Crawford Blvd., Boca Raton. 368-6875; cmboca.org
Needs: People who enjoy working with children and people to work behind the scenes.
Requirements: Commit for a few hours each week, or just work during special events.
Contact: Sandy Manning.

Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum, 71 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton. 395-6766;
bocahistory.org
Needs: Conductors and interpreters to help third-, fourth- and fifth-graders navigate through the “Ticket to Ride” program at the Boca Express Train Museum and assist the teacher before and after the event.
Requirements: Complete an application online, be a BRHS member, be available weekdays, attend training and orientation, pay a nominal fee for training materials and badge, and attend annual updates.
Contact: Volunteer program at 395-6766, Ext. 107.

Children’s Science Explorium, Sugar Sand Park, 300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton. 347-3912; ScienceExplorium.org
Needs: Museum guides to explain exhibits and lead or assist with programs.
Requirements: Make a significant time commitment, age 14 or older, pass a background check, provide a Social Security number or tax ID, and attend orientation or training.
Other opportunities: A butterfly gardener.

Delray Beach Chorale, FAU Boca Raton campus, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton. 419-4878; delraybeachchorale.org
Needs: People to serve on the board of directors or committees, especially to help with financial planning, accounting, fundraising and program administration.
Requirements: Commit 10 hours each month, driver’s license, pass background check, age 25 and older, attend orientation and training.

Delray Beach Playhouse , 950 NW Ninth St., Delray Beach. 272-1281, Ext.4; delraybeachplayhouse.com
Needs: Adults interested in working backstage and behind the scenes, build sets and scenery, install and run lighting or sound equipment, help with costumes, props and equipment, work with the technical and artistic director.

Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. 243-7922; oldschoolsquare.org
Needs: People who love the arts and enjoy engaging with others.
Requirements: Must take the Historical Site Tour given by a volunteer docent at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month in the Cornell Museum, be a member of OSS, register online and be available for training.
Contact: Leanne Griffith, 404-1886 or lgriffith@oldschool.org.

Outre Theatre Company, 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. 954-300-2149; outretheatrecompany.com
Needs: Passionate people to build sets, arrange costumes and props, run concessions, usher at performances, help with social media, legal and accounting, and a volunteer coordinator.
Contact: nori@outretheatrecompany.com.

CHILDREN
The American Association of Caregiving Youth, 1515 N. Federal Highway, Suite 218, Boca Raton. 391-7401; aacy.org
Needs: Mentors for kids in sixth to 12th grade who need extra support because they are caregivers for a sick or disabled parent, guardian, sibling or relative.
Requirements: Age 21 and older, driver’s license, pass background check, available to participate in training.
Other opportunities: People with office skills are needed as are volunteer drivers.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, Inc., 300 Newcastle St., Boca Raton. 994-7551; bgcpbc.org. (Administrative office is at 800 Northpoint Parkway, Suite 204, West Palm Beach.)
Needs: Mentors who love kids to share their knowledge, life skills and area of expertise, including dance, music, art, sports, theater, nature, solving puzzles, teaching, just about anything.
Requirements: Attend a pre-volunteer introduction, complete an application and screening which includes a level two background check.
Other opportunities: The after-school mentoring program at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Delray Beach helps low income adolescents attending the lowest performing schools. The program uses the mentor’s personal and professional background to provide enrichment, which improves self-esteem and academic performance.
Contact: volunteercoordinator@bgcpbc.org or 683-3287, Ext. 1117.

Florence Fuller Child Development Center, 200 N.E. 14 St., Boca Raton. 391-9379; ffcdc.org
Needs: People to nurture economically-challenged children and families, promote early education. Duties could include rocking infants, aiding teachers in the classroom, reading to children, teaching hobbies, tutoring and homework help.
Requirements: Any time commitment no matter how small is welcomed.
Other opportunities: Gardening, fundraising, special events, facility upkeep, administrative tasks, infant care and assisting in the preschool classrooms during the school day by playing games, songs, reading, art projects, playtime and lunch.
Contact: 391-7274, Ext. 136 or volunteers@ffcdc.org 

Guardian ad Litem, Speak Up for Children, 205 N. Dixie Hwy, Suite 2.2100, West Palm Beach. 223-9646; fosterpalmbeach.org.
Needs: Volunteer child advocates to represent children in court who have experienced abuse, neglect or abandonment.
Requirements: Must pass background check. Training provided.
Contact: 233-9646.

The Milagro Center, 695 Auburn Ave., Delray Beach. 279-2970; milagrocenter.org.
Needs: Adults for the Mentoring Miracles program, which matches an adult volunteer one-on-one with a child or teen.
Requirements: Age 18 and older and willing to make a one-year commitment to meet with a child once a week at the center.
Other opportunities: Provide homework help and educational support, assist with fundraising and promoting special events.
Contact: Barbara Stark at bstark@milagrocenter.org

Schoolhouse Children’s Museum & Learning Center, 129 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach. 742-6780; schoolhousemuseum.org
Needs: Teens who want to gain leadership skills and work experience and fulfill community service hours. Duties include helping with birthday parties and special events.
Requirements: Age 15-17, pass an interview.

EDUCATION/LEARNING
Bound for College (formerly Delray Students First), 100 E. Linton Blvd., 301 B, Delray Beach. 819-9907; weareboundforcollege.org
Needs: Adult library chaperones for the middle schoolers and chaperones to accompany kids on college tours.
Other opportunities: Guest speakers, website, office and social media support, party planners.

The Eda and Cliff Viner Community Scholars Foundation, 777 Yamato Road, Suite 300,
Boca Raton. 544-4436; vinerscholars.org
Needs: Mentors for college students dealing with the personal and social pressures.
Requirements: Age 21 and older, pass background check, commit to weekly discussions and a structured mentor relationship. This is a long-term commitment.

Delray Beach Public Library, 100 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. 266-9490; delraylibrary.org
Needs: Volunteers for event planning, program facilitation and computer help.
Contact: Isabella Rowan at isabella.rowan@delraylibrary.org
Other libraries: The Delray Beach Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which depends on its volunteers to keep the books on the shelves. But civic libraries rely on volunteers too. These libraries also need volunteers: Boca Raton Public Library, Highland Beach Library, Boynton Beach City Library, Lantana Public Library, J. Turner Moore Memorial Library in Manalapan

Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County, 3651 Quantum Blvd., Boynton Beach. 279-9103; literacypbc.org
Needs: Tutors for adults to improve reading and speaking English or prepare for the GED.
Requirements: Must be at least 18 years old and attend training.
Other opportunities: Tutors for first or second graders in reading comprehension at their elementary schools during the school day or after school at the Literary Coalition; Promote and participate in special events including Read Together Palm Beach County, the Love of Literacy Luncheon and Read for the Record; Literacy ambassadors to join book discussions and encouraging participation.
Contact:  Jeanne Heavilin at 767-3366 or jheavilin@literacypbc.org

Palm Beach County School District VIPS, Regional Office South, 1790 N.W. Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton. 982-0919; sro.palmbeachschools.org.
Needs: Mentors for students.
Requirements: Complete an application, pass a background check, attend orientation and training, and follow school procedures and policies. A teaching background is not needed.
Other opportunities: Volunteers to read to students, make copies, shelve library books, help in the classrooms, assist with sports activities and field trips, attend career days, judge competitions, help in the cafeteria. There are also remote positions volunteers can do at home.
Contact: Call the volunteer coordinator at the school where you’d like to volunteer, or the district volunteer coordinator Debi Elfen at 434-8789.

P.R.O.P.E.L People Reaching Out to Provide Education and Leadership, 499 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton. 955-8553; propelyourfuture.org
Needs: People to teach life skills and lessons on character, personal finance, avoiding drugs and risky behaviors, staying in school, to at risk youth and their families in South Palm Beach County.
Requirements: Pass a background check, interview and drug test, participate in orientation and training,
Other opportunities: Teach healthy cooking classes, tutor students or help them do research, make a motivational speech, transport students in the nonprofit’s van, or aid the organization in grant research and writing.

Volunteers plant mango trees for Community Greening at Catherine Strong Park in Delray Beach. Photo provided

ENVIRONMENT
Community Greening Corp., 610 SW 15th Ave., Suite #4, Delray Beach. communitygreening.org.
Needs: People to plant trees, create and maintain green spaces, clean up litter and educate the public. 
Contact: Matt Shipley at 789-2005, mshipley@communitygreening.org.

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, 1801 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton.; gumbolimbo.org
Needs: Welcome desk/guest services staff, marine aquarium guide, aquarist assistant, school program assistant, sea turtle rehabilitation educators and husbandry, exhibit crew, office assistants.
Requirements: Age 16 and older. $35 fee for training includes a volunteer shirt, name badge, and training manual.
Contact: Rebecca Mannen, 544-8538

Sandoway Discovery Center, 142 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach. 274-7263; sandoway.org
Needs: Docents to speak about the environment.
Requirements: Age 15 and older, willing to make a minimum commitment of two hours per week for six months, pass a background check you pay for ($24).
Contact: Amanda, 274-7263 or amanda.sandoway@gmail.com

Sea Angels, Ocean Inlet Park, 6990 N. Ocean Blvd, Ocean Ridge; seaangels.org.
Needs: People to clean the beach at Ocean Inlet Park the last Saturday of the month from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Supplies are provided. Free parking.
Requirements: Love the beach, able to walk the beach for two hours and carry about 20 pounds of litter.
Contact: Robyn Halasz at robyn@seaangels.org

HEALTH & THE DISABLED
Debbie-Rand Memorial Service League, Boca Raton Regional Hospital, 800 Meadows Road, Boca Raton. 955-4098; brrh.com
Needs: People to act as hospital ambassadors. Duties could include assisting patients and staff on a nursing unit, raising funds for equipment and services, serving on an event planning committee, organizing children’s tours, helping with the pet therapy program or delivering flowers.
Requirements: No special skills are required; training is required.

Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation, 800 Yamato Road, Suite 101, Boca Raton. 982-2943; giftoflife.org.
Needs: Save lives by recruiting donors, hosting donor drives, mentoring donors, speaking to the public about bone marrow donations, fundraising, organizing social events and helping with branding and social media.
Requirements: A desire to help spread the message that bone marrow donations save lives.
Other opportunities: Register and fundraise at the Steps for Life 5k Run/Walk on Jan. 13.
Contact: Jody Greenspon at 561-982-2900, Ext. 2926, or stepsforlife@giftoflife.org.

Hospice by the Sea Inc., 1531 W. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton. 395-5031; hbts.org
Needs: People to provide companionship and respite for patients and families in homes and facilities in Boca Raton.
Requirements: Age 18 or older, able to commit two to four hours each week, pass a background check and attend orientation and training.
Other opportunities: People are also needed for clerical/office support, pet visitation, helping out in Jack’s Café, the Sea Chest Thrift Shop and Camp Good Grief. Volunteers able to provide therapies like Reiki and massage are always in demand.
Contact: Michelle Williams, 416-5040 or volunteer@hbts.org.

JARC Florida, 21160 95th Ave. S., Boca Raton. 558-2550; jarcfl.org/volunteers
Needs: The Jewish Association for Residential Care is looking for an art instructor to teach adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Requirements: Age 21 and older, able to commit one hour a week on Monday or Tuesday and pass a background check.
Other opportunities: People to teach enrichment activities like arts and crafts, cooking and gardening, sewing and knitting, foreign language, music teachers and song leaders, and people to supervise nature walks.

The Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center, On FAU’s Boca Raton campus, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton. 297-6261; fau.edu/memorywellnesscenter
Needs: Volunteers for its day center providing socialization and mentally stimulating programs for people with mild to moderate dementia. Duties include meeting and greeting participants, one-on-one socializing, leading group activities, sharing musical abilities and assisting with programming.
Requirements: Be available during the center’s hours Monday through Friday.
Contact: Krista Landells, 297-0103.

Joe and Toni Mastrullo, part of the Care Ministry at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, take food to Pahokee and Belle Glade. The Coastal Star file photo

HOMELESS & HUNGRY
Boca Helping Hands, Remillard Family Resource Center, 1500 N.W. First Court, Boca Raton. 417-0913; bocahelpinghands.org
Needs: Front desk assistant, meal prep people, meal delivery drivers, staff for the food pantry and an ESOL instructor.
Requirements: Age 16 and older, able to attend volunteer orientations.
Contact: Email Melissa Keklik at 417-0913, ext. 206 or Melissa@bocahelpinghands.org.  

CROS Ministries, 3677 23rd Ave. S., #B-101, Lake Worth. 233-9009; crosministries.org
Needs: People to deliver meals to homebound.
Requirements: Time commitment of two hours one day per week, background check and clean driving record.
Other opportunities: Servers and prep help in weekday hot meal program at three sites; stocking and sorting help in its food pantries; weekday van drivers for pickups and deliveries; sorting/lifting/bending at Lake Worth warehouse; computer-savvy volunteers for check-in on Tuesdays and Fridays at food pantry in Lake Worth; gleaning volunteers are needed to comb the fields for usable produce. Times vary.
Contact: Shona Castillo, 278-0918, scastillo@crosminstries.org.

Family Promise of South Palm Beach County, 840 George Bush Blvd., Building D, Delray Beach. 265-3370; familypromisespbc.org.
Needs: People to join the 1,200 volunteers who provide emergency shelter, meals and other assistance to homeless families. Duties include providing personal support, sharing job search tips, resume-writing.

Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County, 181 S.E. Fifth Ave., Delray Beach. 819-6070; habitatsouthpalmbeach.org
Needs: Volunteers to pound nails or paint, work alongside the construction staff, join in the Neighborhood Revitalization Program making repairs and improvements, help with family selection, provide clerical support or work in Habitat ReStores in Boca Raton and Delray Beach.
Requirements: Age 16 or older to work on the build site, 18 and older to use power tools or work on the roof. Volunteers age 14 and older can work with the Neighborhood Revitalization Program.
Contact: 819-6070, ext. 104; volunteer@hfhboca.org

The Lord’s Place Men’s Campus Boynton Beach, 1750 NE Fourth St., Boynton Beach. 494-0125; thelordsplace.org
Needs: Tutors for the job training program. Duties include participating in mock interviews and assistance with reading, writing, computer or other skills.
Requirements: Age 18 and older, submit an online application, pass an interview, and attend volunteer orientation.
Contact: David Rogers, 537-4676; volunteers@thelordsplace.org

The Palm Beach County Food Bank, 525 Gator Drive, Lantana. 670-2586; pbcfoodbank.org. 
Needs: People to pack and sort food donations. Other options: Host a food drive or support special annual events like “Canstruction” and “Empty Bowls.”
Requirements: Available to work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon or 1-4 p.m. Age 14 and older, but kids 14-16 must be accompanied by an adult; one adult may supervise up to five kids.
Other opportunities: Church and civic groups and clubs are welcomed. 
Contact: pam@pbcfoodbank.org

The Soup Kitchen, 8645 W. Boynton Beach Blvd., Boynton Beach. 732-7595; thesoupkitchen.org
Needs: People to prepare and serve meals.
Requirements: People who will show up consistently.
Other opportunities: Collecting donations of food and clothing, working with children, speaking to community and civic groups and assisting at special events.

SVF Care Ministry — St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, 840 George Bush Blvd. Delray Beach. 561-276-6892; stvincentferrer.com
Needs: People to join the church’s Care Ministry by answering incoming phone calls, and collecting clothes, food and household items for churches in Belle Glade and Pahokee.
Requirements: A driver’s license and a desire to help.
Other opportunities: The church has other ministries working with children, the elderly, in the lending library, ministering to people who are ill or grieving.
Contact: If you have items to donate to the needy people in western Palm Beach County, call Joe Mastrullo at 445-1558. To volunteer, call the church.

SENIORS
ACTS Retirement-WillowBrooke Court, 6152 Verde Trail N., Boca Raton. 487-5200, ext. 51411
Needs: People who can sing or play an instrument to lead music sessions in a group setting or one-on-one with seniors.
Requirements: Age 15 and older.
Other opportunities: People to take residents outdoors for fresh air, card players, guest speakers, book reviewers or technology teachers.

Area Agency on Aging S.H.I.N.E. Program, 4400 N. Congress Ave., West Palm Beach. 684-5585; floridashine.org; youragingresourcecenter.org
Needs: Counselors to speak with seniors and caregivers about Medicare and Medicaid services at its six locations in Boca Raton and Delray Beach or from home by phone.
Requirements: Age 21 and older, able to commit 16 hours per month, pass a background check, attend orientation or training, and not be affiliated with certain businesses.
Contact: Jennifer Vander May, 684-5885, ext. 249.

Community Caring Center of Palm Beach County, 145 N.E. Fourth Ave., Boynton Beach. 364-9501; cccpbc.org
Needs: People to join the Senior Care Program which helps people by shopping, delivering meals, picking up medications, providing respite care or taking someone to the doctor.
Requirements: Driver’s license, pass background check.
Other opportunities: Join the 2019 Spring Hunger Walk and 5K Run on March 9. Registration fee is $35.

Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services, 21300 Coleman Blvd., Boca Raton. 852-3333; ralesjfs.org
Needs: Friendly people to visit lonely seniors in Boca Raton and Delray Beach.
Requirements: Age 21 and older, able to commit one hour a week or two hours twice a month, driver’s license, pass background check.
Other opportunities: Administrative and clerical support; drivers to take seniors to appointments; mentors for high school seniors, help with job skills. Training provided.
Contact: Nadine Greenberg, 852-3357; nadineg@ralesjfs.org

Sunshine Telephone Reassurance Callers, 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast, 415 Gator Drive, Lantana. 383-1112; 211palmbeach.org.
Needs: People to make friendly, cheerful phone calls to check on the well-being of homebound, disabled and seniors age 60 and older.
Requirements: Be available between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and able to travel to the Lantana facility to make calls.
Other opportunities: Community awareness volunteers to help out at outreach events in the community; Administrative and data input personnel with basic computer skills for light clerical tasks; Disaster volunteers who work during natural and man-made disasters.
Contact: Visit 211palmbeach.org/sunshine-daily-telephone-reassurance or Karen.Woodley@211pbtc.org.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, 4040 Esplanade Way, Suite 380, Tallahassee. 888-831-0404; ombudsman.myflorida.com.
Needs: People to improve the quality of life for long-term care residents by advocating for and protecting their health, safety, welfare and rights. Duties include visiting with residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family-care homes to ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.
Requirements: A desire to work with seniors and people with disabilities, be available 20 hours each month, pass a background check paid for by the program, complete certification training, communicate well and attend a monthly meeting. Employees of long-term care facilities are excluded.

SPORTS
2019 Boca Raton Championship, The Old Course at Broken Sound, 1401 NW 51st St., Boca Raton. 241-4653; oasischampionship.com/volunteer-information/
Needs: Golf lovers who want to walk inside the ropes with the PGA Tour.
Requirements: Age 11 and older, available Feb. 4-10, able to work and walk for four to six hours, able to pay a volunteer fee of $65 for two golf shirts, hat or visor, volunteer badge, parking pass, four Good-Any-Day grounds tickets, lunch on the days you work and access to the volunteer party.
Contact: Ali Naugle.

Boca Raton Police Athletic League, 160 NW 24th St., Bay 17, Boca Raton. 302-0848; bocapal.org
Needs: Coaches and mentors for at-risk youth age 9-18, teaching alongside police officers.
Requirements: Age 16 and older, Able to coach/mentor between 2 and 8 p.m. for at least one hour per week. A one-year commitment is requested.
Other opportunities: Mentors to teach computer training and arts and crafts, to chaperone field trips and provide homework assistance.

Special Olympics Florida, 2728 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth. 966-7072; specialolympicsflorida.org/palm-beach/volunteers/
Needs: Assistants to help with Palm Beach County Softball Invitational on Aug. 10 and the 2019 Area 10 Softball Tournament Sept. 28 at Countess de Hoernle Park aka Spanish River Athletic Facility, 1000 Spanish River Blvd., Boca Raton. Duties could include scorekeeping, escorting athletes, organizing awards.
Requirements: Age 15 and older or accompanied by an adult, complete volunteer form, provide a photo ID, and be available from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contact: Dan Fawcett, 966-7017 or dfawcett@sofl.org

More opportunities
If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, consider volunteering for an organization you already support financially, or ask your friends what they do. It’s always nice to have a buddy. And there are lots of online resources. Here are a few to check: The Community Angel Network of Palm Beach County — pbccan.org; Create the Good, community service, volunteering & charity work — createthegood.org; GiveGab nonprofit giving platform —givegab.com; United Way of Palm Beach County —
unitedwaypbc.org; VolunteerMatch — volunteermatch.org

Editor’s note: In most cases, these opportunities are for volunteers, and not for individuals seeking to fulfill court-ordered service hours, which have different restrictions.

By Rich Pollack

Highland Beach residents will once again get a chance to tell elected officials what’s on their minds without having to wait hours at a public meeting — at least for about 60 days.
During the summer, commissioners voted 3-2 to cut public comments from five minutes to three minutes and to move them toward the end of the meeting.
Now, after several months of long meetings and some push-back from residents, the commission is partially reversing course and bringing public comments back to the beginning of the meeting on a trial basis. The comments, however, will still be limited to three minutes.
“People should always have a chance to speak their mind,” said Commissioner Elyse Riesa, who along with then-Mayor Carl Feldman voted in August against moving public comment to the end of the meeting. “The commission needs to know what residents have to say before we vote on an issue.”
The decision to reduce the time the public had to speak — and move public comments from the beginning of the meeting — came after former Vice Mayor Bill Weitz used his then five minutes of public comment time to lash out at current commissioners. After speaking, Weitz would immediately leave.
During one meeting Weitz was asked to leave, but commissioners thought moving the public comments to the end of the meeting would be the best way to solve the problem.
That led some residents to complain that many people were being punished because of the actions of a few.
“A minor issue with a verbose citizen should not change the entire procedure,” resident John Boden said at the time.
With some meetings lasting four or five hours, few residents remained to the end to express their concerns.
In agreeing to allow public comments at the beginning of meetings, as well as at the end of meetings on agenda items only, commissioners continued to stress the need for civility.
“Decorum needs to be observed,” Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker said.
To that end, Vice Mayor Alysen A. Nila suggested the commission adopt an ordinance, similar to one passed by elected officials in St. Augustine, that would in essence legislate civility.
The St. Augustine ordinance gives the commission the authority to have a person who violates rules of decorum removed from the public meeting.
“The speaker may present his or her viewpoint in this limited public forum without using terminology or gestures that cause a disruptive environment for public officials in the discharge of their duties or cause a disruptive environment hostile to the participation of other members of the public,” the ordinance states.
The St. Augustine ordinance lists seven rules that speakers before the elected body must comply with, including one that addresses content.
“The speaker must avoid making irrelevant, repetitive, personal, impertinent or slanderous comment,” the ordinance says.
Town Manager Marshall Labadie said commissioners will discuss the need for a similar ordinance during the next few months, while evaluating the success of returning public comment to the beginning of meetings.

Rockin’ Jake, a professional harmonica player, was recruited to teach the class at Quail Ridge. Photo provided

By Craig Dolch

There are a lot of ways for older adults to stay in shape. They can play golf or tennis, do yoga, ride a bike, walk, play the harmonica …
Wait, what?
How can playing the harmonica help?
It’s an overlooked way for people to exercise their lungs. That’s why once a week, residents of Quail Ridge Country Club in Boynton Beach gather around a table and develop their harmonica skills.
The notes might be a little off key, but nobody cares. It’s music to their ears — and, more important, a workout for their lungs.
Medical experts say people start losing some of their lung capacity by age 30 and may have only 50 percent of their previous capacity by age 50. Harmonica therapy is especially helpful for people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and even lung transplants.
Unlike other devices built to exercise the lungs, a harmonica requires a person to inhale and exhale deeply. The two-way effort is vital: It’s like lifting weights for your lungs.
Playing the harmonica for as little as 20 seconds can be the equivalent of walking a tenth of a mile.
“The harmonica classes definitely helped my breathing,” said Quail Ridge resident Claire Leone. “And they were fun.”
Leone read a Wall Street Journal story about the positive effect playing a harmonica had on seniors, so she asked Lisa Haggas, Quail Ridge’s director of spa and fitness, if they could start a class. Haggas found Rockin’ Jake, a Delray Beach-based harmonica player who has had his own band since 1990, to come in and teach.
“I thought harmonica therapy would be perfect for our residents,” Haggas said. “We figured 12 harmonicas would be enough, but we had to get more. The residents loved it.”
Rockin’ Jake grew up in New London, Conn., and moved in 1990 to New Orleans, where he lived and performed until Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. He has been on the road for more than a quarter century — he once teamed up with Maria Muldaur of Midnight at the Oasis fame — but this is the first time he taught seniors. It was a learning process for both.     
“When we first started, most of them had never held a harmonica,” Jake says. “At the end of the classes, they could all play four songs.”
Jake says he picked songs such as Happy Birthday, When the Saints Go Marching In, Oh! Susanna and You Are My Sunshine because the Quail Ridge residents could use them often and they required deeper breathing rhythms.
“This was a whole new thing for me, but it was so incredibly rewarding,” Jake said. “They were so excited with the program, it brought me great happiness.”
More hospitals and rehabilitation centers around the United States are using harmonica therapy to help patients. The key is keeping their lungs strong so patients don’t have to be admitted.
Haggas offers the usual fitness programs for Quail Ridge residents such as yoga, spin classes and more. But she sees something different when they do harmonica therapy.
Smiles. And laughter.
“They have so much more fun doing this,” Haggas said. “They are giggling, but they’re also concentrating because they’re doing something that’s hard.”
Jake says the ultimate progress depends on how much a person practices with the harmonica away from the classes. Jake hopes to expand his teaching into South Florida hospitals and rehab centers.
Besides the breathing benefits, playing the harmonica helps with strengthening abdominal muscles (for a more effective cough), relieves stress, boosts self-confidence and helps with focus, according to the COPD Foundation. It all leads to a better quality of life.
“I hadn’t played a harmonica since I was a child,” Leone said. “Now I don’t want to stop.”

By Rich Pollack

Three candidates, including the incumbent, will run for a single open Highland Beach commission seat in the March election.
However, with the death of Mayor Carl Feldman, two seats may be open.
Commissioner Elyse Riesa, who was elected two years ago to fill the unexpired term of Feldman after he resigned to run for mayor, will be challenged by newcomers Evalyn David and Rose Zammataro.
Town commissioners, at their Jan. 8 regular meeting, will discuss filling the mayor’s seat.
Commissioners may appoint someone to fill the position for the one year remaining in Feldman’s term but could decide to add the position to the March 12 municipal election ballot.
That option, however, would present challenges since the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections’ deadline to make changes to the ballot is Jan. 15.
David, 69, a retired attorney specializing in trust and estate work, lives in the Braemar Isle section of the Boca Highland Beach Club and Marina Complex. She has owned property in Highland Beach since 2008 and moved here full time in 2010.
Riesa, 66, is a retired executive who served as a managing director and global vice president for a Fortune 500 company. She lives in the Boca Cove community and is a 12-year, full-time resident of Highland Beach.
Zammataro, 72, who works part time as a travel consultant with Unique Travel in Delray Beach, lives in The Villa Aurora small condominium. She has lived in Highland Beach since 1982.
The top vote-getter in the March 12 election will serve a three-year term.

By Rich Pollack

HIGHLAND BEACH ­— Arlin Voress was a former Highland Beach mayor who used his business acumen along with his engineering and mechanical skills to leave an indelible mark as he guided the town through some of its most turbulent times.
A town commissioner and later mayor for three terms in the mid-1990s, Mr. Voress died Dec. 22 after a short illness. He was 93.
“He did an excellent job as mayor,” said John Rand, vice mayor during Mr. Voress’ time in office. “He always provided leadership and did what had to be done.”
In addition to being credited with saving the town more than $30 million by negotiating a legal settlement that led to the development of what is now Toscana, Mr. Voress is known as one of the driving forces behind the building of the town’s reverse osmosis water plant and overseeing the expansion of the Town Hall complex.
“He was very much involved in the affairs of the town,” Rand said.
Born in Charleston, W.Va., Mr. Voress attended West Virginia University, where he received a degree in chemical engineering. During World War II, Mr. Voress served in the U.S. Navy, where he taught radar and sonar while stationed in Newport News, Va.
Following his time in the service, Mr. Voress began a 40-year career with Union Carbide, where he had various roles, including managing plants, before leaving as vice president of environment, health and safety. In the 1980s, Mr. Voress and his wife, Cary Lou, came to Highland Beach, where he soon became involved in town government, first serving on the Water Advisory Board and later running for office. Described by his daughters, Mary Wild, of Colorado, and Louise Voress, of Virginia, as a determined leader in family, government and life, Mr. Voress was known as someone who would listen and absorb information, analyze it, come to a conclusion and then announce his decision.
“He was definite about the things he thought,” Mary Wild said. “He would change his mind but only on his terms.”
Louise Voress remembers her father as someone who was always willing to share his knowledge.
“I think of him as a great teacher but also a great student,” she said. “He was always the source of information but he also recognized there were things he wanted to know.”
The daughters tell of how their father made them prove they knew how to change a tire before he would allow them to take a car to college.
Drawn to South Florida so he and his family could enjoy boating, fishing and the beach, Mr. Voress is also remembered for his love of string ties.
As mayor, Mr. Voress was thrust into the middle of several land-use legal battles that led to a $30 million judgment against the town. Working with a team of lawyers in South Florida and Washington, D.C., Mr. Voress oversaw a compromise that led to the town’s permitting development of a project with only half of the units originally sought in return for the judgment’s dismissal.
“Arlin was very dedicated to the town,” said his longtime next-door neighbor Mayde Weiner. “He was a visionary who was able to foresee the growth that was coming.”
Weiner said that Mr. Voress and Cary Lou were outstanding neighbors, with Mr. Voress always willing to share his expertise.
“He was very wise and fair- minded,” she said.
Mr. Voress is survived by his wife of 68 years, Cary Louise Edgar Voress; daughters, Elisabeth Louise Voress and Mary Ann Voress Wild; grandchildren, Matthew Claude Wild, Taylor Gray Wild, and Laura Elisabeth Wild; brother, Hugh Ellison Voress; sister, Shirley Lee Voress Martin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held in Charleston at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mr. Voress’ name to the Friends of the Highland Beach Library, 3618 S. Ocean Blvd., Highland Beach.