donation - News - The Coastal Star2024-03-29T08:22:15Zhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/donationBoca Raton: Med school receives major gifthttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/boca-raton-med-school-receives-major-gift2022-06-29T14:55:36.000Z2022-06-29T14:55:36.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10604871299,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10604871299,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="10604871299?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>FAU College of Medicine benefactor Ann Wood and previous Wood scholarship recipients attend a May event announcing a $28 million gift from Ann and her husband, John, the largest scholarship gift in FAU history. One current recipient is Ivan Grela, fourth from left, a second-year medical student. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:14pt;">Couple pledges $28 million for FAU scholarships</span></p>
<p><strong>By Mary Hladky</strong></p>
<p>Ivan Grela’s career goal is to become a physician, but he faced a major hurdle. By his calculations, four years of medical school would cost him $245,000.<br />“That is way too much,” he said. “My family could not help me with tuition or rent.”<br />That left him with one unpalatable option: take out loans that would saddle him with debt for years to come.<br />“I was disheartened,” said Grela, a University of Florida graduate who was born in Argentina and moved with his family to Miami when he was 9 years old. “I really didn’t want to do this. It did make me think twice.”<br />Even so, he applied to medical schools and was accepted by both the University of Central Florida and Florida Atlantic University.<br />UCF offered a $6,000 scholarship. FAU, his preferred choice, offered him one established by Boca Raton philanthropists John and Ann Wood that covered his entire first-year tuition and provided $10,000 for each of the next three years.<br />That decided the matter: Grela would be attending FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, where he is now in his second year.<br />He and the other students who received the scholarships are “extremely thankful,” Grela said. “We are so much more relieved that at least we got some sort of aid.”<br />Even so, Grela estimates he will graduate with $180,000 in loan debt.<br />His problem is widely shared. Seventy-three percent of medical school graduates had debt, with the median amount at $200,000 in 2019, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.<br /><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10604878075,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10604878075,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="223" alt="10604878075?profile=RESIZE_400x" /></a>John and Ann Wood are well aware of this dilemma. That is why they stepped forward again in May with a $28 million estate pledge to support scholarships for medical college students — the largest scholarship gift in FAU’s history.<br />This gift allows the college to launch an initiative to move toward providing a debt-free medical education, following in the footsteps of a handful of prestigious medical colleges. They include Cornell University, Columbia University, University of California, Los Angeles, and New York University.<br />“That was our goal,” John Wood said. “We are fully aware of the debt load.”<br />Wood, who moved with his wife to Boca Raton in 1983, knows that FAU’s annual medical college in-state tuition and fees is $35,000.<br />“There is no way an ordinary kid coming from a middle-class home can afford that,” he said. <br />The couple, who owned a prestressed concrete business that built bridges, piers and cruise ship terminals throughout the Caribbean that they sold in 2005, hopes that news of their gift will inspire other philanthropists so that all of FAU’s medical college students can graduate debt-free.<br />“We are hoping that will be a catalyst to get more people in the community to do the same thing,” Wood said.<br />The couple has helped students for years. After the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland that claimed 17 lives, they began providing 10 four-year scholarships each year to graduates.<br />Their first gift to FAU’s medical college in 2021 originally supported 10 medical students through four years of medical school, and was expanded earlier this year to support an additional 20 students each year.<br />Two of their charitable efforts are named in the memory of their sons, Bruce and Robert.<br />While the amount of the Woods’ latest gift is extremely generous, it will help about 10% to 15% of FAU’s medical students, said Dr. Julie Pilitsis, dean and vice president for medical affairs.<br />She shares the Woods’ goal that the donation inspires others to join the cause.<br />“We hope the community rallies behind this to realize the vision of doctors without debt,” she said. <br />This isn’t just about helping students afford medical education. It is vital to providing adequate medical care to South Florida residents, Pilitsis said. Florida is expected to be short nearly 18,000 physicians by 2035, according to the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida and the Florida Hospital Association.<br />“It is really important … we provide the health care workforce we need today and tomorrow,” she said. “In order to do that, we need to attract doctors from the community who want to stay in the community and serve their neighbors.”<br />With debt-free tuition, “I think we can attract the best and brightest and retain our local talent,” Pilitsis said. “Taking this burden off is one way to compete.” <br />Joining other trailblazing universities “would really elevate our institution,” she said.<br />Reducing the cost of medical education also will help FAU attract a diverse group of medical students who are more likely to meet the needs of underserved populations. And it relieves pressure on students to become highly paid specialists rather than badly needed but lower paid primary care physicians.<br />Grela hasn’t decided yet what type of medicine he will practice. But he said he probably would choose primary care or emergency medicine if he didn’t have to worry about money.<br />Since he does, “this makes me reconsider which field I want to go into. I am concerned with the loans piling up, interest rates, how long it will take me to pay this off,” he said.<br />As it aims for debt-free medical education, FAU’s medical college, launched in 2010, already is able to point to successes in diversifying its student body and aligning graduates with the most-needed practice areas.<br />The 64 members of the class of 2022 are 46% female and 54% male; 20% are underrepresented minorities in medicine. Twenty will specialize in primary care, including family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics.<br />About 30% of FAU’s 2022 medical college graduates will conduct their residencies in Florida, and 50% of those residency graduates will stay in the state, Pilitsis said. </p></div>Boca Raton: Sculptures with coastal pizzazz picked for rebuilt parkshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/boca-raton-sculptures-with-coastal-pizzazz-picked-for-rebuilt-par2021-12-01T15:53:31.000Z2021-12-01T15:53:31.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p> </p>
<p><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9868150857,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9868150857,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="9868150857?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>By Mary Hladky</strong></p>
<p>With construction of Silver Palm Park in the downtown finally underway and work at the adjacent Wildflower Park slated to start soon, the parks’ art components have been selected.<br />Two sculptures will be loaned to the city by the Boca Raton Museum of Art and will be placed along the waterfront in each park. The artists are Jane Manus of West Palm Beach and Jeff Whyman of Delray Beach.<br /><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9868150881,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9868150881,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="250" alt="9868150881?profile=RESIZE_400x" /></a>The city is commissioning two other works by artists with May + Watkins Design of Athens, New York, that will be located at the corners of each park closest to the intersection of Palmetto Park Road and Fifth Avenue. They will be similar and are intended to thematically connect the two parks while representing nature and the coast.<br />The aluminum works, both over 10 feet tall, depict leaves and flowers in pastel shades of green, yellow and blue with accents of bright coral. The one destined for Silver Palm Park will incorporate that tree. Both will be illuminated, Jennifer Bistyga, the city’s coastal program manager, told the council on Nov. 22.<br />Other art that doubles as an interactive play area will be located in Wildflower Park. Children will be able to climb on it to play and explore.<br />Council members were thrilled by what they saw and gave city staff the go-ahead to finalize agreements with the museum and May + Watkins Design that likely will be approved in December.<br />The cost of the May + Watkins pieces will be finalized by then. The approved budget for art at the two parks, which total 6.4 acres, is $125,000. <br />“I love the idea of having flowers and trees being the signature pieces at these two parks,” said council member Andy Thomson.<br />“I am very pleased,” said council member Monica Mayotte.<br />“Yes, yes, yes. As quickly as you can,” Deputy Mayor Andrea O’Rourke said about finalizing the agreements.<br />Museum of Art Executive Director Irvin Lippman offered to loan the city four sculptures one year ago. Council members liked some of the artwork, including the pieces by Manus and Whyman, but gave poor reviews to others, even after Lippman returned to the council offering additional choices.<br />Even so, they thanked Lippman for his generosity.<br />While council members weren’t quite sure what they wanted, they indicated the art should reflect the waterfront and nature.<br /> O’Rourke and Mayotte suggested works that inspired “selfie moments” and were “Instagram-able.” </p></div>Groundbreaking ceremony: Boca Raton Regional Hospital — April 23https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/groundbreaking-ceremony-boca-raton-regional-hospital-april-232021-04-29T17:55:03.000Z2021-04-29T17:55:03.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8872043300,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8872043300,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="8872043300?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><em>Philanthropists Leon and Toby Cooperman stand in front of a rendering that provided a backdrop for a ceremonial groundbreaking on the campus of Boca Raton Regional Hospital, part of Baptist Health. The Coopermans are donating $25 million to build a freestanding facility to house medical specialty clinics and physician offices along with an ambulatory surgery center and orthopedics program. Part of the ‘Keeping the Promise’ campaign, the donation brings the total raised to nearly $200 million in the past few years. <strong>Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star</strong></em></p></div>Editor's Note: Challenges of 2020 have us looking forward to 2021https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/editor-s-note-challenges-of-2020-have-us-looking-forward-to-20212020-12-30T17:04:44.000Z2020-12-30T17:04:44.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p><strong>By Mary Kate Leming, Editor</strong></p>
<p>Most years at this time we’d be planning our annual Coastal Star holiday party. We like to kick off the new year by getting everyone who works for the newspaper together for an afternoon of socializing. </p>
<p>Many have worked together in years past at other publications, but now seldom see each other in our distributed work environment. </p>
<p>Missing this annual gathering is difficult. Zoom is good for many things, but can’t replace chatting one-on-one with people you like and respect.</p>
<p>And 2020 was a difficult year for everyone at <em>The Coastal Star</em>. </p>
<p>Beyond basic COVID-19 fears have come cancer and hospitalizations and loss. Siblings, parents, children and grandchildren are far away. The additional freelance work on which our employees depend has dwindled, leaving those not on pensions struggling with finances.</p>
<p>When people miss deadlines, or file lifeless stories or break down in tears during the editing process, I reach into my management toolkit for extra patience. I realize everyone is struggling.</p>
<p>The process of reporting — never easy — became far more difficult in 2020.</p>
<p>None of us is immune from the stress we lived through this past year. And now, covering remote meetings is proving to be a new, difficult challenge. Reporters are often stuck streaming bad audio or relying on town hall recordings acquired days after an in-person meeting; I can’t safely require anyone who works for me to attend an indoor gathering. </p>
<p>So instead of a holiday party (at least until much later in the year), I’d like to use this space to recognize everyone who works to pull together this newspaper each month: You are an amazing and talented team. Thank you for your commitment to providing the best news and information to our coastal communities, both in print and online. </p>
<p>And thank you to our readers for your words of encouragement, and our advertisers for financially supporting the paper this past year. </p>
<p>Here’s to better times in 2021. Happy New Year!</p>
<p>If you’d like to support our journalism efforts with a tax-free donation, please visit <a href="https://fpf.column.us/the-coastal-star">https://fpf.column.us/the-coastal-star</a>.</p></div>Boca Raton: Council quickly accepts 'most generous' gift of golf coursehttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/boca-raton-council-quickly-accepts-most-generous-gift-of-golf-cou2020-10-15T17:24:35.000Z2020-10-15T17:24:35.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p><strong>By Mary Hladky</strong></p>
<p>Moving at lightning speed, the City Council unanimously accepted the donation of the 167-acre Boca Golf and Tennis Country Club to the city just eight days after the gift was announced.</p>
<p>Council members brushed aside pleas from country club neighbors at their Oct. 14 meeting to postpone the vote.</p>
<p>Speakers complained they were never consulted or even told that the new owners of the Boca Raton Resort & Club were offering the country club to the city, and voiced concerns about increases in traffic, possible decreases in their property values and whether the city had done adequate due diligence.</p>
<p>Many asked, “What’s the rush?”</p>
<p>But council members said the deal was simply too good to pass up.</p>
<p>“I think this is a slam dunk for the city,” said council member Andy Thomson.</p>
<p>Other cities would “salivate” over such a donation, said Mayor Scott Singer, who described it as “the most generous donation” ever made to the city. Answering residents' questions about the quick vote, City Manager Leif Ahnell said, “The donation is available now. … I am not under the impression it is available at a later date. This would be a fantastic opportunity.”</p>
<p>City officials expect to break even on operating the golf course, or possibly make a small profit.</p>
<p>Residents’ concerns can be addressed before the city takes over operation of the country club, council members said. The Boca Raton Resort & Club will continue operating the country club through Sept. 30, 2021.</p>
<p>MSD Partners, formed by billionaire Michael S. Dell, and Northview Hotel Group, acquired the country club as part of their purchase of the resort for $875 million in 2019. In announcing the donation, the owners said they want to concentrate on an ongoing massive, $150 million renovation of the resort. They said the country club had been underutilized for over a decade.</p>
<p>The country club is located outside the city limits on Congress Avenue north of Clint Moore Road, about 7 miles from the resort. It includes an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts, clubhouse and pool.</p></div>Boca Raton: Boca Resort to give championship golf course to cityhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/boca-raton-boca-resort-to-give-championship-golf-course-to-city2020-10-08T00:00:00.000Z2020-10-08T00:00:00.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p class="Body"><strong>By Mary Hladky</strong></p>
<p class="Body">The new owners of the Boca Raton Resort & Club plan to donate the 130-acre Boca Country Club to the city, which would take over the operation of the 18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts, clubhouse and pool, the city announced on Oct. 7.</p>
<p class="Body">The plans call for MSD Partners, formed by billionaire Michael S. Dell’s private investment firm, and Northview Hotel Group to convey the property to the city this month. But the resort will operate it as a private club through Sept. 30, 2021, after which the city would take over.</p>
<p class="Body">“This incredible opportunity will enable us to deliver world-class recreation to more residents, including championship golf on a beautiful course,” Mayor Scott Singer said.</p>
<p class="Body">MSD Partners and Northview acquired the Boca Country Club when it bought the resort in 2019 for $875 million in Palm Beach County’s biggest-ever property deal.</p>
<p class="Body">They now have embarked on a massive, $150 million makeover of the luxury resort and want to concentrate on that project, according to Coburn Packard, partner and co-head of real estate at MSD Partners.</p>
<p class="Body">“The Boca Country Club is an excellent facility, but as a private club, it has been underutilized for well over a decade,” he said. “We will be pleased to see it achieve its full potential while supporting the greater Boca Raton community.”</p>
<p class="Body">The Boca Country Club is located on Congress Avenue north of Clint Moore Road, in unincorporated Palm Beach County just north of the city limits and 7 miles from the resort property.</p>
<p class="Body">It was not immediately clear how the gift will affect the state of public golf in Boca Raton. An affiliate of developer GL Homes is under contract to buy the city’s municipal golf course, off Glades Road west of Florida’s Turnpike, for $65.5 million on April 30, 2021. But the city has an option to delay the sale until Oct. 30, 2021.</p>
<p class="Body">Meanwhile, the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District has submitted plans to the city to build a new 18-hole golf course on the site of the defunct Ocean Breeze golf course on Northwest Second Avenue north of Yamato Road. The district bought the site in 2018 for $24 million with financial help from the city.</p></div>Boca Raton: A towering memorial to lover of oceanhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/boca-raton-a-towering-memorial-to-lover-of-ocean2019-10-30T15:19:33.000Z2019-10-30T15:19:33.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960894871,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960894871,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960894871?profile=original" /></a></strong><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960894871,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"></a>Jacob Kosowsky, shown here just shy of his 18th birthday in 2015, was an outdoorsman who loved the ocean. He died in a car accident last year.</em><strong><br /></strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Couple’s $250,000 gift for Gumbo Limbo overlook reflects son’s sunny spirit</strong></span></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>By Margie Plunkett</strong></p>
<p>When you someday find yourself atop the new observation tower at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, and the Intracoastal-to-ocean view inspires in you joy, the sensation of being alive and awe at the beauty of nature, you will be experiencing Jacob’s Outlook.<br />This is how Jacob Kosowsky’s parents hope to memorialize and share the spirit of their exuberant 21-year-old son, who was killed in a traffic accident a year ago last month. “We like to think that Jake would be helping people to think about conservation, beauty and the ocean,” said his father, Stephen Kosowsky. <br />Kosowsky and his wife, Sharilyn Jones, have pledged $250,000, half the sum needed to pay for an inclined elevator, or funicular, that will be part of the 40-foot tower once it’s been restored. A plaque with the name Jacob’s Outlook will be placed at the site in their son’s honor.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960895099,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960895099,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960895099?profile=original" /></a><em>Jacob Kosowsky’s parents, Stephen Kosowsky and Sharilyn Jones, donated $250,000 to Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in memory of their son, Jacob. <strong>Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star</strong></em></p>
<p><br />The donation kicked off an Oct. 1 campaign by Friends of Gumbo Limbo to raise $500,000 to Bring Back the Tower, according to Michele Peel, president of the Friends. The tower was closed to the public in 2015 and demolished after being deemed unsafe. <br />The funicular is essential to make the tower, which had stood for 30 years, compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.<br />The city of Boca Raton is proceeding on the design and anticipates getting something back by early this month, with construction possibly starting on the tower in early 2020, said Briann Harms, executive director of the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District.<br />The funicular will mean “everybody can go up even if they can’t walk up it,” Jones said.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960894896,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960894896,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960894896?profile=original" /></a><em>The Kosowsky family often visited Gumbo Limbo Nature Center when the children were small. A 6-year-old Jacob, far left, accompanied his aunt, uncle and cousins from San Diego. <strong>Family photos</strong></em></p>
<p><br />The donation came about when the family was looking for a way to honor Jacob’s memory and his love of the sea. His parents and sister, Mia, liked the idea of Gumbo Limbo. <br />“All his friends — every kid that grows up in Boca — goes to Gumbo Limbo,” Jones said. “Our kids grew up going there, too.<br />“It was great for the community and it was more accessible to everyone who knew and loved Jake — because everybody can’t swim out to a coral reef. But they can go to Gumbo Limbo, and they can bring their family and friends,” Jones said.<br />Jacob Kosowsky grew up in Boca Raton, graduated from Boca Raton High in 2016 and was a student at Vanderbilt University — his sister started at Vanderbilt a year after he did. <br />His parents described him as demonstrative and generous of spirit. He was an outdoorsman who loved spearfishing, boating and all things about the ocean — he even had a turtle collection started when he was a boy. He was a high achiever, excelled in academics and pursued debate and Youth Court, among other activities.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960895669,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960895669,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960895669?profile=original" /></a>Stephen, Jacob, Sharilyn and daughter Mia on New Year’s Eve 2017 in downtown Park City, Utah. <strong>Family photo</strong></em></p>
<p><br />In the Kosowsky children’s younger years, they spent summers with their parents’ families in Hawaii, California and Utah — where Jacob learned to love skiing and hiking in the mountains as well. His family also regularly spent time in the Bahamas. He was returning from a fall-break hiking trip to Arches National Park in Utah when the traffic accident took his life. <br />Jacob had a special way of bringing people together who might not have otherwise gotten together — as does Mia, their mother said. At his celebration of life, Jones recalled, one of the speakers said, if you think of yourself as Jake’s best friend, please come up. <br />“Like 100 kids came, from elementary, middle school, high school, that he didn’t go to high school with, from college, some of his fraternity brothers, friends from school came down,” Jones said. “I think that speaks a lot about a young person when so many of their peers can say he’s my best friend.”<br />His legacy at Gumbo Limbo will allow him to touch many more people. At Jacob’s Outlook, he’ll just be “reminding us to slow down and enjoy it all — because he definitely did that,” said Jones. “To always remember what’s most important in life: family, nature and ultimately, love. That’s who he was.”</p>
<p><br /><em>To donate, visit <a href="http://www.gumbolimbo.org/Bring-Back-The-Tower">www.gumbolimbo.org/Bring-Back-The-Tower</a>.</em></p></div>Boca Raton: Generous gift will allow new, improved Gumbo Limbo tower to risehttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/boca-raton-generous-gift-will-allow-new-improved-gumbo-limbo-towe2019-05-29T14:30:00.000Z2019-05-29T14:30:00.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960875690,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960875690,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960875690?profile=original" /></a></b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>By Steve Plunkett</b></span></p>
<p class="p2">An unnamed benefactor will pay a substantial part of the $450,000 cost to make Gumbo Limbo Nature Center’s three-story observation tower ADA-compliant.</p>
<p class="p3">Michele Peel, president of the Friends of Gumbo Limbo, announced the gift at the May 6 meeting of the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District.</p>
<p class="p3">“We have a wonderful private donor who has offered to contribute a significant amount of money toward this ADA solution to honor the memory of a beloved family member from our Boca community,” Peel said.</p>
<p class="p3">The gift will not only make the tower accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act, but also ensure the tower itself is built. The city, which owns the nature center and surrounding Red Reef Park, had recommended scrapping the tower entirely and building an educational pavilion instead.</p>
<p class="p3">“It looks like a perfect solution to the ADA issue that we struggled with for so long,” Beach and Park District Commissioner Robert Rollins said.</p>
<p class="p3">In early May the tower was only six 40-foot-tall wooden posts embedded in 3-foot concrete bases. The contractor was scheduled to leave around June 7.</p>
<p class="p3">“We know there is positive support in our community for keeping the tower in the hammock at Gumbo Limbo,” Peel said.</p>
<p class="p3">The model for Peel’s solution is a funicular, or incline, built at the Patuxent River Park in Maryland, between Washington, D.C., and Chesapeake Bay. Built by Hill Hiker Inc., the incline won 2019 Project of the Year accolades from industry trade publisher <i>Elevator World</i>.</p>
<p class="p3">“Aesthetically, it seems to blend in well with the location,” Peel said. “This one happens to feature a good-looking, custom-etched plexiglass cab.”</p>
<p class="p3">The cab can withstand four hours of 200-mph winds and accommodate a wheelchair and one or two individuals, Peel said the manufacturer told her. It does not require an operator; access can be limited by a key code, she said.</p>
<p class="p3">She said the Friends will launch a “Save the Tower” campaign to raise additional funds and provide a total of $500,000 for the incline. She estimated the equipment and installation would cost $400,000 to $450,000 with the rest going to the district for future maintenance. The district will pay for the incline to be built and will be repaid by the Friends.</p>
<p class="p3">The hugely popular observation tower and boardwalk were closed to the public in early 2015 after engineers warned they were near collapse. The replacement tower is being built with composite wood decking rather than natural timber, but otherwise will be a replica of the original.</p>
<p class="p3">Work on the first phase of the boardwalk started in May 2016 and was finished the following December. It cost almost $631,000. Custom Marine Construction Inc. won the remaining $1.1 million contract, which included demolishing and rebuilding the south loop of the boardwalk.</p>
<p class="p3">The south loop has been rerouted to not intrude into the mangroves on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway. The original boardwalk never got environmental permits, officials have said.</p>
<p class="p3">While the city owns Red Reef Park, the Beach and Park District reimbursed it for buying the land and pays for all operations and capital improvements there. </p></div>Philanthropy Notes: SouthTech Academy programs to benefit from Kimmel Family Fund donationhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/philanthropy-notes-southtech-academy-programs-to-benefit-from-kim2019-04-02T22:27:44.000Z2019-04-02T22:27:44.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p class="p1">A $150,000 gift to the SouthTech Academy in Boynton Beach from the Virginia and Harvey Kimmel Family Fund of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties will benefit three school programs — the culinary arts, the Virginia and Harvey Kimmel Family STEM Lab and the Boynton Beach Short Film Festival. “We believe in supporting effective programs and organizations that change young lives for the better,” Harvey Kimmel said.</p>
<p class="p2"></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>Entrepreneur grant for FAU</b></span></p>
<p class="p1">The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation awarded Florida Atlantic University’s Adams Center for Entrepreneurship a two-year, $110,000 grant to expand its Entrepreneur Boot Camp, Business Plan Competition and other activities that will contribute to Palm Beach County’s economic development.</p>
<p class="p2"></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>Youth tennis group grant</b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s2">I</span>n March, the United States Tennis Association Foundation awarded a $37,500 grant to the Delray Beach Youth Tennis Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 2015 that aims to improve the lives of underserved students living in the city.</p>
<p class="p1">The program started with 24 children, 150 have gone through it, and 200 are enrolled this year.</p>
<p class="p4"></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>Jewish Federation turns 40</b></span></p>
<p class="p5">The hub of the Jewish community for Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Highland Beach is celebrating 40 years since its incorporation in November 1979.</p>
<p class="p1">The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County has engaged partners and supporters in addressing and planning for the current and future needs of those it serves.</p>
<p class="p1">“Celebrating 40 years is not simply an anniversary but rather a commemoration of how far we have come,” said Matt Levin, the federation’s president and CEO.</p>
<p class="p1">“We are a Jewish community that has matured and evolved into a multigenerational community where boards are populated by young and old, residents live east and west, and children who grew up here are raising their own families.”</p>
<p class="p2"></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>Successful food, wine event</b></span></p>
<p class="p1">The Junior League of Boca Raton celebrated its annual food-and-wine extravaganza Flavors by showcasing 30-plus restaurants, an art exhibit by Kourosh Keynejad and celebrity emcee Samantha DeBianchi.</p>
<p class="p1">Patrons — 700 in all — bid in a silent auction offering gourmet dinners, wine tastings, sports tickets and jewelry. </p>
<p class="p1">“We will gratefully use the proceeds from this year’s event to continue the mission of the Junior League of Boca Raton and its programs that serve the nonprofit community,”said Cristy Stewart-Harfmann, the league’s acting president.</p>
<p class="p2"></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>Pickleball with a purpose</b></span></p>
<p class="p5">The Delray Beach Pickleball Club joined forces with the Valencia Palms Gift of Life Club to sponsor the third annual Round Robin Pickleball Tournament to benefit the Gift of Life Marrow Registry.</p>
<p class="p1">Sixty-plus players, in addition to numerous volunteers and spectators, lined the courts at the Delray Beach Tennis Center to help those battling blood diseases find a cure through marrow and stem-cell donation. One of them, Barbara Cohen, spoke to a hushed crowd prior to being presented with a $1,000 check.</p>
<p class="p2"></p>
<p class="p6"><i>Send news and notes to Amy Woods at flamywoods@bellsouth.net</i></p></div>Boynton Beach: Permit filed with federal agency as mangrove donation proceedshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/boynton-beach-permit-filed-with-federal-agency-as-mangrove-donati2018-05-02T15:14:56.000Z2018-05-02T15:14:56.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960781090,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960781090,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="414" alt="7960781090?profile=original" /></a><strong>By Jane Smith</strong><br /> <br />The Riverwalk Plaza owner is going through the approval process to donate 5.7 acres of mangroves, promised in March 2017, to Boynton Beach.<br /> To make the donation, Isram Realty of Hallandale submitted a permit application in December to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a federal agency that regulates land fronting the Intracoastal Waterway. The stated purpose of the permit was for “construction of a waterfront multifamily residence.”<br /> The Corps mailed notices about the application to six nearby property owners in late January. Isram Realty is one of the six. But four of the remaining five said they never received the notice.<br /> The lack of information has increased the tension between waterfront residents and Isram. <br /> “We had to state the highest and best use of the land, that’s why it says ‘waterfront multifamily residence’ on the permit application,” said Shaul Rikman, Isram founder. “Maybe in 50 years, it could be developed.”<br /> The mangrove parcel carries a multifamily zoning with a height limit of four stories or 45 feet, according to Michael Rumpf, the city’s planning and zoning director. He also said the city has not received any plans for the site.<br /> “Nothing has changed [about the donated mangroves] since March 21, 2017,” said Rikman. “We are giving the city exactly what we promised.”<br /> Isram plans to hold onto an adjacent interior 3.2-acre parcel along Federal Highway for construction staging of its proposed 10-story apartment complex in Riverwalk Plaza. <br /> The Corps technically ended public comment for the application on Feb. 16, said Nakeir Nobles, Corps spokeswoman in Jacksonville. But the Corps can accept comments up until the time it makes a decision on the permit application, she said. <br /> That date is not known, she said. The Corps is waiting on responses from the National Marine Fisheries, the Habitat Conservation Division, the Environmental Protection Agency and possibly the Corps’ regulatory archaeologist for potential historic property concerns, Nobles said. <br /> “We are also awaiting the applicant’s response to a request for additional information,” she said.<br /> Luke Therien, whose family owns the Prime Catch restaurant in Riverwalk Plaza, was on the notice list, but his company did not receive the notice. After reviewing Isram’s permit application on the Corps website, Therien said, “It seems reasonable to me. This is private property and Isram paid to get this property. <br /> “I guess that the only thing one could argue is to work within the existing zoning codes.”<br /> The mangrove donation was orchestrated by Commissioner Justin Katz as a way to make the project more palatable to the residents of the Seagate of Gulfstream condominiums. The 55-and-older community sits south of the mangroves.<br /> Katz envisioned a boardwalk through the mangroves, ending at the northern border of Seagate.<br />But its residents don’t want a walkway, even if it is gated, because they can’t control who comes through, said Terry Owens, president of the Seagate condo board. They’re concerned about liability of their two waterfront swimming pools and break-ins, he said.<br /> Seagate used to have an entrance into the mangroves to allow residents to go bird-watching, Owens said. But it is now locked because the condo community experienced break-ins, he said.<br /> The board did not receive a written notice of the application, according to Owens. “Rikman came in late February to the Seagate clubhouse and talked generally about his plans to the Boynton Intracoastal Group meeting,” he said. <br /> Deborah Corvey, co-owner of Boynton Billiards, and Steve Marouf, owner of the Troy’s Bar-Be-Que building on Federal Highway, said they also did not receive notices. Both properties are west of the parcels. The owner of the adjacent McDonald’s branch could not be reached.<br /> After the mangroves are donated, Boynton Beach would maintain them, said Andrew Mack, the city’s development director. “This is similar to the existing mangrove park the city currently maintains,” he said. That park is along the Intracoastal Waterway just north of Boynton Beach Boulevard.<br /> The Riverwalk project secured six extra stories after the city created transit-oriented development nodes at certain intersections along Federal Highway. City planners want to have the density to prepare for an anticipated Tri-Rail Coastal Link commuter line stop on the Florida East Coast train tracks. The Brightline express passenger rail uses the tracks but does not have a stop in the city. <br /> Nearby residents had wanted only four stories for the former Winn-Dixie parcel. That was what had been allowed in the original zoning. Riverwalk Plaza sits at the southwestern base of the Woolbright Road bridge to the barrier island.</p></div>ATV donation: St. Andrews Club, Delray Beach — April 12https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/atv-donation-st-andrews-club-delray-beach-april-122018-05-02T14:03:49.000Z2018-05-02T14:03:49.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960785859,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960785859,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" class="align-center" alt="7960785859?profile=original" /></a><em>Club members, sea turtle volunteers and their families toast the St. Andrews Club’s donation toward the purchase of an all-terrain vehicle for Sea Turtle Adventures. The local nonprofit monitors turtle nests and organizes beach cleanups. Major sponsors of the ATV purchase, in addition to the St. Andrews Club, included Save the Sea Turtle Foundation and the Briny Breezes Charity Bazaar.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em><b>Photo provided</b></em></p></div>Tots & Teens: Back to Basics Angels Programhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/tots-teens-back-to-basics-angels-program2018-01-03T16:18:29.000Z2018-01-03T16:18:29.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960768094,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960768094,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="600" alt="7960768094?profile=original" /></a><em>Students of St. John Paul II Academy in Boca Raton donated clothing and other essentials for more than 200 angels on Dec. 13. The donations included sneakers, socks and underwear, plus small toys for holiday gifts. <strong>ABOVE:</strong> (l-r) Anthony Pecoraro, Christina Wayt, Francesca Bastos, Ian Carr, David Curlee, Roman Desmond, Travis Tritsch, Fabrice Blanchet and (standing in truck) Peter Verna. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p></div>Hope for the Future: The Coastal Star, Ocean Ridge – Sept. 27https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/hope-for-the-future-the-coastal-star-ocean-ridge-sept-272017-11-29T14:56:19.000Z2017-11-29T14:56:19.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960752301,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960752301,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="600" alt="7960752301?profile=original" /></a><em>Mary Kate Leming, editor of</em> The Coastal Star<em>, has donated 45 copies of her children’s picture book, Rosie’s Song, to the Hope for the Future program. In partnership with the Delray Beach Public Library, the program collects new books to give to at-risk kids before the winter school holiday. The book drive runs until Dec. 22. New book donations will be accepted in Delray Beach at The Love Shack, The Snappy Turtle, American Heritage School and the Delray Beach Public Library. ABOVE: Hope Sargeant, book drive co-founder, accepts a book from Leming. <strong>Photo provided by Christian Strasz</strong></em></p></div>Delray Beach: Donation to pay for new beach gazeboshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/delray-beach-donation-to-pay-for-new-beach-gazebos2017-08-30T15:44:04.000Z2017-08-30T15:44:04.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p><strong>By Jane Smith</strong><br /><br /> New gazebos on the north and south ends of Delray Beach’s municipal beach will soon be constructed with a $40,000 donation from the Lattner Family Foundation. <br /> The promenade contractor will build them for the city, Project Manager Missie Barletto said. The gazebos will use the same footprint as the current structures, she said. <br /> The beach promenade work is progressing, Barletto said, moving north of Thomas Street to Beach Road. The anticipated completion date for the $3.1 million project is mid-October. New synthetic turf will be installed by the main pavilion.<br /> For safety reasons, the city asks residents and visitors to enter the beach at the designated entrances: across from the Sandoway parking lot on the south end, at the main pavilion at Atlantic Avenue and at the Thomas Street entrance on the north end. <br /> Solar-powered smart meters have been installed on the southern portion of the beach, along with a tricolored sidewalk with new benches, showers, water fountains, bike and surfboard racks, and trash containers. <br /> The city added a third Downtown Trolley route for those choosing to park in the city garages. For questions about parking during the construction, call Jorge Alarcon at 243-7000, ext. 4112. <br /> The promenade contractor has removed all of the benches with plaques and the city is storing them for the original buyers. They will each receive a free inscribed brick near the flagpole at Atlantic Avenue. <br /> For questions about the benches and plaques, call Isaac Kovner at 243-7000, ext. 4119.<br /><br /></p></div>Health Notes: FAU nursing college gets $2 million granthttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/health-notes-fau-nursing-college-gets-2-million-grant2016-09-28T22:39:16.000Z2016-09-28T22:39:16.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p>The<strong> Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing </strong>at Florida Atlantic University received a three-year, $2 million grant from the <strong>Health Resources & Services Administration</strong> of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for an advanced nursing education program. It’s called the “Caring-based Academic Partnerships to Enhance Nurse Practitioner Readiness and Willingness to Practice in Rural and Underserved Communities.” These grants are intended to grow the primary-care workforce.<br /> ***<br />In August, <strong>Harrigan Foundation</strong> presented <strong>Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network</strong> with an $8,000 check from its inaugural Run to the Rescue 5K Run/1 Mile Walk Fundraiser in February. The money will help offset co-pays for counseling and treatment for first responders such as firefighters, police officers, EMTs, nurses, lifeguards and veterans. For information, visit <a href="http://www.harriganfoundation.com">www.harriganfoundation.com</a>.<br /><em>Send health news to Christine Davis at cdavis9797@gmail.com</em><br /><br /></p></div>Donation ceremony: Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce – June 7https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/donation-ceremony-delray-beach-chamber-of-commerce-june-72016-08-02T22:22:04.000Z2016-08-02T22:22:04.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960661293,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960661293,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="360" alt="7960661293?profile=original" /></a><em>The Woman’s Club of Delray Beach once again distributed more than $10,000 to city-based organizations that serve women and children, high-school and college students and organizations supporting the arts. During a ceremony, club members distributed each monetary donation to the recipient. The 100-year-old nonprofit’s mission is to improve the community by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. ABOVE: (l-r) Rob Steele, Old School Square; Shellie Labell, Delray Beach Historical Society; Juanita Bryant Goode, CROS Ministries; Emma-Jane Ramsey, Achievement Centers for Children & Families; Trish Jacobson and Joann Haros, Woman’s Club; Ana Neira and Nicole Rodriquez, Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County; Glenn Mueller, Milagro Center; and Alan Kornblau, Delray Beach Public Library. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p></div>Check presentation: Delray Beach Public Library – June 17https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/check-presentation-delray-beach-public-library-june-172015-07-29T01:09:40.000Z2015-07-29T01:09:40.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960588274,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960588274,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="480" alt="7960588274?profile=original" /></a><em>A gift of $20,000 was received from the Lions Club of Delray Beach to establish an endowment to assist visually impaired patrons. John Parke, club treasurer, along with other members presented the check to Nancy Dockerty, library board president, and Alan Kornblau, library director. Parke requested the money be used to purchase large-print books and books on tape. ABOVE: (l-r) Kornblau, Dockerty, club members Stanley Gavlick and Frank Pickett, Parke and Jan Kucera, library board member. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p></div>Check presentation: Colony Hotel & Cabana Club, Delray Beach – June 17https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/check-presentation-colony-hotel-cabana-club-delray-beach-june-172015-07-01T15:19:24.000Z2015-07-01T15:19:24.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960584462,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960584462,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="360" alt="7960584462?profile=original" /></a><em>Jestena Boughton, owner of the landmark downtown hotel, continued a family tradition that began more than eight decades ago by giving back – this year, to the Delray Beach Historical Society. Boughton presented a $10,000 gift that will help the society in its mission to educate the community about the city’s history and ensure maintenance of archives. ‘This gift and those we’ve received in the past are really gifts to our town and future generations who, through our exhibits and our archives, will gain a better understanding of how Delray Beach came to be what it is today,’ society President Leslie Callaway said. ABOVE: (l-r) Hotel Managing Director Hilary Roche, Boughton, Callaway and society Treasurer Howard Ellingsworth. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p></div>Pets: ‘Afternoon Tea with America’s Animal Stars’ The Chesterfield Palm Beach – Jan. 22https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/pets-afternoon-tea-with-america-s-animal-stars-the-chesterfield-p2015-02-04T16:38:13.000Z2015-02-04T16:38:13.000ZChris Felkerhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/ChrisFelker<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960553664,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960553664,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="180" alt="7960553664?profile=original" /></a><em>Philanthropist Lois Pope sponsored an event organized by the American Humane Association</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>to honor Hollywood animal ‘actors’ Crystal and Hudson. Tova Leidesdorf made</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>a surprise donation of $50,000. Photo: Hudson, Pope,</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>American Humane Association President and CEO Robin Ganzert and Crystal.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Capehart Photography</strong></p></div>Civic Association Donation: Police Department, Gulf Stream – May 15https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/civic-association-donation-police-department-gulf-stream-may-152013-05-29T15:12:30.000Z2013-05-29T15:12:30.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p></p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960446498,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960446498,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="359" alt="7960446498?profile=original" /></a><em>Gulf Stream Civic Association Board Member Dan Lounsbury presents a check for $15,000 to Gulf Stream Police Chief Gary Ward. The donation will be used to purchase three video systems and digital video recorders for police vehicles used by the Police Department. ‘The installation of this equipment will not only assist us with our work, but it will help us improve the overall safety of the entire community,’ Ward said. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p></div>Pay it Forward: Giving ‘old’ bike, getting happy feeling completes the Circlehttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/pay-it-forward-giving-old-bike-getting-happy-feeling-completes-th2013-01-03T16:43:46.000Z2013-01-03T16:43:46.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960419458,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960419458,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="480" alt="7960419458?profile=original" /></a></em><em>Maculeuse St. Amie, left, thanks siblings Tori and Colin Wheat for their donation of Colin’s old bicycle, which will go to St. Amie’s grandson. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>By Emily J. Minor</strong><br /> <br />It’s nice being a grandma, especially this time of year. And it’s especially nice when your grandson is sweet and kind, like Colin Wheat, who is all of age 5.<br /> “I was just so moved by it,” says Peggy Martin, aka “Gammy,” who lives in Delray Beach. “It was so sweet.”<br /> Rewind, if you will, to the beginning of December when Colin, who has a big sister, Tori, 7, was about to celebrate his birthday. Doting grandparents Martin and her husband, Joe, got their grandson a new bike, even though the old one was practically as good as new.<br /> “He walked in and he saw it and he said, ‘Oh, is that mine?’” she remembers.<br /> And indeed it was, new horn and all.<br /> But it wasn’t too long until Colin had an idea, and it was an idea prompted by the life lessons he’s already been taught. “They have been introduced to the volunteer aspects of life,” says Martin, who is heavily involved with a charity called Women’s Circle, which trains illiterate and unskilled women so they’re self-sufficient. “It’s also very much instilled in them by their parents.”<br /> The old bike, it was decided by a certain birthday boy, should be given to someone who might otherwise be without.<br /> Gammy knew just the place: Women’s Circle.<br /> So she packed up the grandkids and she headed over to the offices in Boynton Beach, at which time one of those lovely Reader Digest conversations ensued.<br /> In the car, Colin was chatting with his sister — and he said: “Are they going to give me something?”<br /> Martin, who was driving, was silent for a moment, and it was a good thing. Because big sister Tori did not miss a beat.<br /> “She said, ‘Yes, Colin. They’re going to give you something. They’re going to give you happiness.’ ”<br /> And Gammy just about cried. (Well, actually, maybe she did, just a little.)<br /> And so there they were. The little boy wasn’t there, but his caretaker was. And Maculeuse St. Amie thanked Colin and thanked his sister and thanked Gammy.<br /> Colin was shy from all the attention, but Tori stepped up to the plate, chatting up a storm. Tori and Colin are the children of Christina and Troy Wheat, also of Delray Beach. Christina is Peggy and Joe’s daughter, and she teaches at Gulf Stream School, which the children attend.<br /> And on the way home, the bike now headed to a young, unsuspecting owner, Colin was quiet. So Gammy stormed in.<br /> “I told him how wonderful he was and how giving he was and how his heart has to be very happy because he made someone else happy,” she said.<br /> Happy, indeed. A sweet little stranger, two loving parents, and a very special woman named Gammy. <br /><br /><em>For information about the Women’s Circle, call 244-7627, or visit womenscircle.org. The organization is a 501(c) charity.</em><br /><br /></p></div>Ocean Ridge: Donors fuel police car purchase previously cut from budgethttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/ocean-ridge-donors-fuel-police-car-purchase-previously-cut-from-b2013-01-02T19:53:57.000Z2013-01-02T19:53:57.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p><strong>By Margie Plunkett</strong><br /> <br />Thanks to anonymous donations, the Ocean Ridge Police Department is getting a new police car that had previously been cut from the budget.<br />The commission in December accepted the donation of $30,000 from the Ocean Ridge Support Group, which was made by the anonymous donors, for the purchase of a 2013 Ford Explorer for the police force.<br />“We have a terrific opportunity for the Ocean Ridge residents,” Chief Chris Yannuzzi said at the Dec. 3 meeting in announcing the donations earmarked for the police car.<br />Up to $5,000 would be taken from the contingency fund to cover any additional money needed for the car.<br />When asked by Commissioner Zoanne Hennigan the identification of the donors, Yannuzzi said, “The folks wish to remain anonymous,” although he indicated it was multiple people.<br />He also pointed out that purchases made possible by the support group become the property of the town.<br />Yannuzzi’s request for two new police cars outfitted with laptops — to the tune of $68,000 — was not financed as commissioners worked to balance what’s been an ever-tightening budget.<br />“We’ve had the opportunity to drive the car,” Yannuzzi said, “and it handles unbelievably.”<br />Gulf Stream has also ordered one of the SUVs but hasn’t gotten it on the road yet, he said.<br />When resident and former Commissioner Betty Bingham suggested that any cash left over after the purchase could be put in a separate fund, Dr. Lynn Allisson, who was acting as mayor for the evening, pointed out the money was designated only for the car.<br /> The two police cars were proposed for purchase in the last budget season and survived a couple of rounds of cuts. By the end of September, however, they became casualties of budget-cutting.<br /><strong>In separate business</strong>, Town Attorney Ken Spillias noted that in a letter to the commission, former Mayor Ken Kaleel indicated that he had been asked by Ocean Breezes LLC — which was before the commission several years ago — to represent the group on a site plan.<br /> Spillias said because of the time that has lapsed, he did not view it as detrimental to the town. Commissioners directed the staff to prepare a letter of informed consent allowing the representation. </p></div>$5 million gift for Boca hospitalhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/5-million-gift-for-boca2011-06-29T16:42:11.000Z2011-06-29T16:42:11.000ZDeborah Hartz-Seeleyhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/DeborahHartzSeeley<div><p>Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s foundation received a $5 million donation from Elaine J. Wold and the family of the late Dr. Keith C. Wold to start the Wold Family Center for Emergency Medicine.</p>
<p>The new program will enhance the hospital’s emergency department with expedited emergency care and an emphasis on clinical excellence, efficiency and privacy, according to Jan Savarick, president of Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation.</p>
<p>Keith Wold was a board member at the hospital for many years. Elaine Wold, his widow, served on hospital support committees. </p></div>Boca Raton: Friends’ hefty donation contingent on a bigger libraryhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/boca-raton-friends-hefty2011-05-04T17:38:56.000Z2011-05-04T17:38:56.000ZDeborah Hartz-Seeleyhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/DeborahHartzSeeley<div><p><span><b>By Margie Plunkett</b></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Friends of the Library in Boca Raton want a bigger footprint for the new public library than initially proposed and are willing to give the city a $250,000 gift to do it.</p>
<p>The gift will support 1,250 more gross square feet — 800 net after space for walls, mechanical and restrooms are factored in — and the Friends want it to be used to increase the used-book store in the planned facility to 1,600 square feet from 1,200. The balance of the added space would be used to enlarge the library’s multipurpose room.</p>
<p>“It has always been our intent to buy additional space and not to provide an additional burden to the city of Boca Raton,” said Judith Teller-Kaye, the Friends’ liaison to City Council.</p>
<p>Teller-Kaye made it clear that if the library wasn’t made bigger, the Friends wouldn’t donate the money. </p>
<p>“It is a gift contingent on enlarging the footprint of the library, to increase the size,” she said, explaining the money came to the Friends as a bequest. “We believe the city of Boca Raton is entitled to a larger library.”</p>
<p>Ian Nestler of architect design firm PGAL gave an overview of the library, showing off a 40,000-square-foot proposal that sits on the corner of Second Avenue and Fourth Street to give it a more urban setting . </p>
<p>Cost of the building is about $200 per gross square foot.</p>
<p>The library, which houses children’s, youth and adult book collections, will have parking for 200 cars, a covered front entry with a drive-up book drop and a community park on the east side. </p>
<p>The building takes advantage of the “wonderful light to the north,” Nestler said. The facility is organized on a diagonal that cuts from end to end to bring in the light, he added. </p>
<p>The area with the bookstore and multipurpose room is in the vicinity of an entrance and can remain open even when the rest of the library is closed.</p>
<p>The Friends are working with the city to provide an operating agreement that would protect the city on providing income from the bookstore on an ongoing basis. </p>
<p> <span>Ú</span></p></div>