Mary Kate Leming's Blog (4,096)

By Rich Pollack

Highland Beach property owners are likely to see a very slight increase in their municipal taxes as town commissioners move closer to finalizing their fiscal 2020 budget.

During an Aug. 29 meeting, commissioners agreed to tentatively set the final rate for the year beginning Oct. 1 at $3.79 per $1,000 of taxable property value, up 8 cents or about 2.2 percent from this year’s $3.71 per $1,000 and 21…

By Mary Hladky

A cultural group has scaled back its ambitious proposal to build a performing arts complex on city-owned land east of the Spanish River Library and instead wants to locate it on two city-owned parcels next to the Mizner Park amphitheater.

The idea quickly garnered “conceptual support” from City Council members on Aug. 26, although the resolution they unanimously approved makes clear the city is not…

Beach-goers use the town’s new crosswalk flags to safely cross State Road A1A. Signs posted by the flags tell walkers to ‘Be cautious. Be seen. Be safe’ and to ‘Look left and right before crossing’ and ‘Be sure all vehicles have stopped.’ ABOVE: (l-r) Steve, who chose not to give…

By Steve Plunkett

The City Council is poised to take over building the 18-hole golf course at the proposed Boca National site if the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District agrees and promises not to raise taxes.

“Details would need to be worked out in a new interlocal agreement after joint deliberations,” City Manager Leif Ahnell said in a follow-up letter to the district Aug. 28.

The…

Grace Gensheimer and Brandon Martindale walk Bella, a 6-month-old mini golden, as the first group of pedestrians crosses the Camino Real bridge when it reopened to land traffic Aug. 6 after a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Motor vehicles were allowed to cross soon after. Photos by Tim Stepien/The Coastal…

Tim Quinn’s mother, Christine, laughs as Quinn and Sayra Vazquez Brann prepare for Boca’s Ballroom Battle at Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Boca Raton. The annual contest is Sept. 20 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. Photos by Tim Stepien/The Coastal…

Guests enjoyed a film screening of ‘Goldfinger’ al fresco style that featured special offers by plaza restaurants as well as a few surprises like beach blankets branded with The Royal logo and sips and snacks. Courtyard seating for the movie opened at 8 p.m., with showtime at 8:30 p.m. The event marked the second in the monthly…

The Plate: Lemon meringue tart

The Place: Oceano Kitchen, 201 E. Ocean Ave., Lantana. Open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday. CASH ONLY.…

Former Gulf Stream School student Tori Wheat (center foreground) sings during a performance at the Kravis Center.

By Janis Fontaine

Tori Wheat would love to see her name in a Broadway Playbill one day, so she’s taking…

Getting ready to celebrate: (l-r) Mary Csar, Dawn Zook, Hank Jawhari, Kathy Qualman, Violette Fairman and Michelle Essaye make a toast in front of one of the trolleys at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. Photo provided

By Amy…

Campers showcased their artwork from the summer, which included creating sunsets using black glue and water color on canvas, creating animals in their natural habitats using shaving cream and construction paper, and creating miniature papier-mache hot-air balloons. The purpose of the STEAM program is to prevent the…

The Wine Room Kitchen & Bar has two full bars to go with wine-tasting areas and a kitchen that lets the business ‘stand alone as a restaurant,’ says John Bates, the general manager. Photo provided

By Jan Norris

It’s old home week…

By Janis Fontaine

As the Jewish High Holy Days approach, we offer four places to commemorate the somber day and five things you may not know about Rosh Hashana.

• The name Rosh Hashana isn’t in the Torah. The Torah calls it “a day of shofar blowing.” The name Rosh Hashana appeared in the second century. Rosh Hashana literally means “the head of the year,” but the notable day is also called The Day of Sounding, The Day of…

Angler Doug Sarmousakis holds what remains of a kingfish that was mostly eaten by a shark during the Aug. 10 Mark Gerretson Memorial Fishing Tournament. Photo provided by John Miller

By Willie Howard

Sharks are lingering around…

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Delray Beach is inviting people who love music to join one of its musical programs. Opportunities are available for young people and adults, and participation is open to people of all faiths who share a love of music. Rehearsals begin soon. Programs include:

The chorister program includes the Cherub Choir, Jubilate Youth Choir, and Chancel Choir. The Cherub Choir is a pre-reading choir for children ages 4 through 6. Kids must be…

Justin Bartlett Animal Rescue plans a fundraising dinner comedy show Oct. 4 in Boca Raton and a beachside blessing service for your pets Oct. 6 at Lake Worth. Photo provided

By Arden Moore

Sure, some dogs fetch the TV remote. And some…

Bright, happy colors can have a cooling effect, Kathie Orrico says. ‘It's hard to feel miserable when you're smiling.’ Photo provided

By Joyce Reingold

Fans twirl on the sidelines and from ceilings, supporting the work of A-list air…