lake worth - News - The Coastal Star2024-03-29T12:34:02Zhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/lake+worthAlong the Coast: Burglar spotted in baby’s room in one of two beach break-inshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/along-the-coast-burglar-spotted-in-baby-s-room-in-one-of-two-beac2022-05-04T15:56:05.000Z2022-05-04T15:56:05.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p><strong>By Larry Barszewski</strong></p>
<p>A pair of oceanfront homes were burglarized in April: <br /> • A family residence in Ocean Ridge where the suspect stole at least $2,000 and made his way upstairs to a bedroom where a baby was sleeping;<br /> • A vacant house in Manalapan on an ocean-to-Intracoastal Waterway lot, where one of the suspects told police he brought in a bed and had been squatting there for days.<br /> Police made arrests in both the cases, including of a suspect in Manalapan who ran into the ocean and swam away. It took a few days to catch the Ocean Ridge suspect, who made a mostly clean getaway, but then returned to the area the following night — setting in motion the events that would lead police to his doorstep.<br /> “This is very unusual,” Ocean Ridge Police Chief Richard Jones said of a burglary of an oceanfront home in his town. “It does not happen very often. I can only think of two or three in the last nine years.”<br /> There were no known connections between the two break-ins, Jones said. “Every homeowner should take personal security seriously and lock their doors, set their alarm and call the police immediately when something suspicious occurs,” he said.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Family fright in Ocean Ridge</span><br /> Ocean Ridge police arrested Zachary Jarod Herring, 20, of Boynton Beach, charging him with unarmed burglary of an occupied dwelling and larceny grand theft in the April 20 break-in shortly after midnight of the home with an address in the 6000s of North Ocean Boulevard, court documents show.<br /> The homeowners were asleep in the house with three grandchildren, ages 6 and 3 years old, and 8 months old, unaware of the burglar. It was another family member, who was in Miami at the time, who received an alert and video triggered by a security camera that had been set up in the baby’s bedroom.<br /> The video showed the burglar near the baby’s crib, while other house security video a short while later captured him fleeing out a side door, running across the back of the property and jumping off a 6-foot-high sea wall toward the beach to make his escape. <br /> He appeared to be wearing a white hoodie, face mask and gloves. He had taken credit cards and cash from a purse in the butler’s pantry near the side door, police said.<br /> A Boynton Beach police K-9 unit was unsuccessful in finding the suspect around the house and a Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office helicopter crew wasn’t able to spot him.<br /> But the next night, a security guard stopped Herring for walking on the sea wall of the house next door to the burglarized home. <br /> Ocean Ridge police came and conducted a field interview, with Herring telling them he had come to the beach on his bike to clear his head. He showed police where he had left his bike near the Edith Street crossover and they allowed him to leave after taking down his personal information.<br /> The detective working the burglary case later determined that, after the burglary, the suspect had dragged a bicycle from behind the house to the Corrine Street beach crossover. A woman the next day found some dumped credit cards from the burglary near the crossover. The detective also realized the suspect and Herring had similar physiques.<br /> With that information, the detective determined Herring was a suspect and went to his home to talk with him, only later finding him at his job. Herring was arrested after confessing to the crime, police said. <br /> The report said he “went on to explain how he comes to this area a lot to admire the homes and he got the idea he might be able to go inside one. He stated he went into the home and when he saw children in the home he left.”<br /> The family estimated $3,000 was taken. Herring told police he had taken about $2,000 and that he hadn’t spent the money. Police recovered $1,400 that Herring had on him and $615 he turned over to them at his home.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Manalapan squatter charged</span><br /> Manalapan police were alerted to suspicious activity April 13 at a vacant house on the ocean and determined a burglary was in progress, Police Chief Carmen Mattox said in a report to town commissioners.<br /> Two women were taken into custody in front of the house with an address in the 3000s of South Ocean Boulevard, a five-bedroom, 6.5-bath house that sold for $9.85 million last year and is slated for redevelopment. <br /> Two male suspects fled and were apprehended with help from the Sheriff’s Office and police from Ocean Ridge and Lantana, with one of the men trying a water escape.<br /> “Dispatch supervisor [Michelle] Mackey was monitoring the cameras during the event and observed one of the suspects on the beach,” Mattox wrote in his report to commissioners. “She notified the units on scene of the location and that the subject was in the ocean. The Sheriff’s Office helicopter located the suspect and followed him until he swam ashore and was taken into custody.” <br /> The two men arrested were Reinaldo Chirino, 30, of Lake Worth, and Yoannes Aleman Jimenez, 45, of Palm Beach Gardens. Chirino told police he went into the house and had been living there for about three days, according to a copy of the police report filed in criminal court.<br /> “During questioning, Chirino admitted to entering the residence through an unlocked door approximately three days prior,” the police report says. “Chirino stated he had smoked marijuana laced with cocaine inside the residence. Chirino stated he brought two box springs and mattress into the residence to sleep on.”<br /> Police said the house’s northwest window had been forced open.<br /> Chirino was charged with unarmed burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, possession of cocaine and resisting an officer without violence. Jimenez was charged with unarmed burglary of an unoccupied dwelling.<br /> The women in front of the house, ages 35 and 33, were arrested on outstanding failure to appear charges, according to Sheriff’s Office jail<br /> information.</p></div>Lantana: Council agrees after residents object again to marijuana dispensarieshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/lantana-council-agrees-after-residents-object-again-to-marijuana-2022-02-02T17:07:54.000Z2022-02-02T17:07:54.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p><strong>By Mary Thurwachter</strong></p>
<p>After hearing comments from dozens of residents, the Lantana Town Council voted unanimously on Jan. 24 not to allow medical marijuana dispensaries. <br /> Lantana has prohibited them since December 2017, but the issue resurfaced last summer when a local businessman asked the Town Council to reconsider and enact an ordinance allowing the pharmacies. At that time, the town voted down the ordinance.<br /> Last October, Mayor Robert Hagerty asked that the issue be brought back for consideration, saying he wanted to look at the matter from a different perspective.<br /> Frustrated residents who had attended multiple meetings to protest the ordinance returned en masse on Jan. 24, bringing reinforcements — including a retired professor from Wharton School of Business, a drug intervention therapist and others.<br /> Opponents maintained the dispensaries weren’t needed here, brought in no tax revenue, and did not present the image they wanted for the town.<br /> “This is really like Groundhog Day,” said Media Beverly, one of many Hypoluxo Island residents who oppose allowing the dispensaries. “This is the seventh time I’ve been here and provided verifiable statistics from months of research.”<br /> Beverly said no matter how many times the issue resurfaced, she and others would return. “Let’s stop wasting time and money on this issue and let’s get to work on the master plan.” <br /> A few residents did speak in favor of the ordinance. Most notable was Dave Arm, president of the Lantana Chamber of Commerce and owner of Lantana Fitness at 700 W. Lantana Road. He wants to have a dispensary in his building and said the issue was about “attracting 21st century vendors in a town that desperately needs good retailers.”<br /> Arm said medical marijuana treatment centers are well-capitalized by major national corporations, are attractive and provide good jobs in the community. He said they do not cause an increase in crime.<br /> “Our building, Lantana Fitness building, is 25 years old and we’re the newest building between Broadway and KFC. It’s time we get some responsible development in here and development begets development, as anyone in commercial real estate knows. <br /> “This place is deteriorating and if we have someone who is willing to spend $75,000 to a million dollars to redo a building, to put in landscaping, we should be encouraging that.”<br /> Opponents argued that there were plenty of dispensaries in neighboring cities. <br /> Joni Epstein-Feld of Hypoluxo Island said she is a marijuana user and has no problem going to Lake Worth or Boynton Beach, or having it delivered if she needs it.<br /> “I am certainly not against medical marijuana,” Epstein-Feld said. “I am against medical marijuana in this town. I want restaurants. I want a nice little downtown area … and I think you should consider the fact that 9 out of 10 people have gotten up here and did not want to have it here.”<br /> Ted Cook, who lives in the Moorings, said allowing dispensaries was not good for the town. <br />“We’ve got 3 square miles. We need to change our image. And this doesn’t help it,” he said.<br /> John Brune, a drug and alcohol interventionist and a semi-retired commercial real estate developer who lives in the Moorings, said putting medical marijuana dispensaries on Lantana Road wasn’t a good idea.<br /> “If this is going to be the entrance to Lantana, I think it deserves a higher and better use,” he said.<br /> A proponent of the ordinance, Vice Mayor Pro Tem Karen Lythgoe, said she was pro-business and anti-blight.<br /> “I’m tired of the run-down businesses I see on the south side of Lantana Road, and I didn’t want to see the gym, which is one of the nicest buildings on that side of the road, go to some other company that’s not going to put money into it.”<br /> However, “based on how things are going tonight, I’m not going to vote for it, but I’d like to leave it open for our town vision meeting if we’re going to have a master plan.”<br /> Council member Lynn Moorhouse said he agreed with Erica Wold, a member of the planning and zoning board, who said this wasn’t about denying people the medication they need. <br />“It is readily available,” Moorhouse said. “If I called at the beginning of the meeting, we’d have had a delivery by now.” <br /> Moorhouse said he didn’t think people were scared, as someone alleged. “They just don’t want it here. I get it. I don’t care if you don’t want it because you think it’ll bring insects into the town. It doesn’t matter your reason. … On the other side, I totally understand that. You do want it, but I don’t think it has to be here.” <br /> Moorhouse wanted to put in a contingency where the matter couldn’t come back anytime soon. But Town Attorney Max Lohman said it would be difficult to “bind the hand of a legislative body.”<br /> <strong>In other action</strong>, the council:<br /> • Voted to hire the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council to create a master plan for the town for $169,800.<br /> • Approved spending $26,849 to lease a 2022 Ford Explorer from Enterprise Fleet Management for the town manager.<br /> • Heard from former Mayor Dave Stewart, who said his bank account was fraudulently charged $17,000 because someone got his account number, routing number and signature off checks the town had published in its meeting backup materials. The materials were available online and not removed when Stewart asked. <br /> The checks were connected to a sexual harassment suit. After Stewart was exonerated by the Florida Commission on Ethics in 2019, the town agreed to reimburse him for legal fees. </p></div>Along the Coast: Tourism boomhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/along-the-coast-tourism-boom2021-12-29T18:36:40.000Z2021-12-29T18:36:40.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9966301070,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9966301070,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="9966301070?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span style="font-size:10pt;"><em>International tourism took off in November after the U.S. reopened borders to fully vaccinated travelers. Leonardo Sanchez sips a mate tea on Delray Beach’s municipal beach while soaking up the sun among a group of family and friends from Argentina. One of them, Alberto Palmetta (left), is a professional boxer. </em><strong>Photos by Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star</strong></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:14pt;">Best summer on record, early-season surge signal sunny outlook for 2022</span></p>
<p><strong>By Jan Norris</strong></p>
<p>They’re back — the flocks of tourists that give the state its reputation as a winter habitat for snowbirds.<br /> But this year, they might be known as the early migrators. They showed up at least six months ahead of the traditional schedule.<br /> “We had the strongest summer on record since recorded time,” said Troy McLellan, president and CEO of the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce.<br /> He was near giddy about the positive numbers coming from all the agencies and industry watchers who count occupied beds, restaurant reservations and train riders. Tickets to events and venues also figure in.<br /> Those numbers translate into much-needed tourism dollars — a large part of the county economy, with more than $7 billion in play annually from visitors in pre-pandemic years, according to the county’s Tourist Development Council.<br /> “Commerce continues to happen. The GM of Town Center mall reports stores are bustling. Restaurants are on waits [for seating]. But the flip side is having workers,” McLellan said. The challenge remains finding the labor to service the tourists, he said.<br /> The problem started early in the pandemic, he said, as hospitality industry workers and hourly laborers started assessing their careers after their bosses closed the doors to the public. Many who were let go decided to go back to school or to switch careers for less demanding hours and the uncertain pay of tip-based earnings.<br /> Cooks, servers and hotel housekeepers are still in big demand. Restaurants have adjusted with shorter hours or fewer tables seated. Pay scales have increased for retail and hotel workers, and often companies have thrown in hiring bonuses.<br /> But, McLellan said, “The business of hotel, restaurants and retail is doing well.”<br /> After shutting down completely in March 2020, Florida became one of the first states to reopen its hotels, restaurants and transportation. Once airlines got back up to speed, and later cruises began sailing, South Florida became the “at last we can travel” resort destination.<br /> “We had the highest bed tax collections in August on record,” McLellan said. “It means people are traveling again.” <br /> Discover The Palm Beaches, the marketing agency that collects data on visitors to the county, provided statistics showing spring and summer had record numbers of leisure travelers in April, May, June and July — surpassing 2019’s boom year. <br /> In November, after a year and a half of restrictions, the U.S. opened its borders again, allowing in international tourists who showed proof of vaccination.<br /> Europeans came back, sometimes to reunite with families; Canadian tourists and snowbirds arrived, and some from South America came north for their annual holiday shopping, with favorable exchange rates in place.<br /> The year ended with the county hosting about 7.8 million visitors, just shy of the pre-pandemic record-breaking 2019 year, according to Discover The Palm Beaches. <br /> Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, the beachfront resort in Manalapan, is experiencing a strong demand for bookings, both suite and premium rooms, according to Michelle Phillips, marketing director.<br /> “Indicators suggest that we could return to pre-pandemic levels sometime in late 2022 once the corporate group and social/wedding business bounces back entirely,” she said.<br /> Group functions, including large conventions and big weddings, were canceled because of the pandemic. Smaller gatherings, most outdoors, have taken their place.<br /> Phillips noted that Florida’s open spaces and warm weather conducive to outdoor events are drawing customers.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9966303096,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9966303096,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="9966303096?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><em>Brazilian tourists Gabriel Da Luz and Mathias Rocha volley a soccer ball at South Beach Park in Boca Raton.</em></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Season started early</span><br /> The county’s marketing program, touting 39 unique cities and towns plus 47 miles of “unspoiled beachfront,” reaches the Northeast U.S. and spreads throughout eastern Canada. Now that borders have reopened, Canadians are coming down by car and in motor homes, or renting favorite efficiency hotels for lengthy stays.<br /> At the Del-Raton RV Park in Delray Beach, owner Art Parsons says his spots have been booked out for months. “We’re very busy. We have our seasonal regulars, but a lot of newcomers. There are a lot of RVs on the road.”<br /> He’s owned the park for 48 years, and many people who rent space for months at a time reserve the same spot each year. His visitors include those from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Georgia, but none in 2021 from Canada. “Canadians got a late start,” he said. “We were all booked up by the time they hit the road. A lot of them are going to Pompano and Hollywood.”<br /> At Benny’s on the Beach on the Lake Worth pier, the Canadians are back full force, according to chef/partner Jeremy Hanlon. “Oh yeah, as of mid-December, it’s like a ship pulled up to Palm Beach County. All the Quebec tags. We have several regulars and they were really pumped to be back. They’re so happy to be able to travel.” <br /> A lot of new residents are filling seats too, he said. “It’s the mainstay of conversation: ‘I just moved down and I’ve never been here before.’”<br /> But finding help to run the dining room is a challenge, Hanlon said. “We get people who are looking for a job, but who don’t want to work. We’ll interview and welcome them, then they don’t show up. That’s when management steps up” to do extra work.<br /> John Calormis of the Dune Deck Cafe in Lantana says his seasonal Canadian regulars as well as newcomers have been coming in for “a while.”<br />Diners still appear to prefer outdoor seating as safer, so the Dune Deck, which is entirely al fresco, has a built-in edge on restaurants that don’t have as much outdoors. <br /> The business is a godsend after the beach was closed and the restaurant completely out of service for months in 2020. “It was tough,” Calormis said. <br /> The increased number of visitors so early has been obvious to people trying to get into restaurants and finding out they have to wait.<br /> Jeremy Bearman, chef/owner of Oceano Kitchen on Ocean Avenue in Lantana, says he’s seeing really big numbers. “Season doesn’t usually start for us till January. This year, it began in September and hasn’t stopped.”<br /> Several factors contributed, he said, with “Florida being open” the main one. “Obviously, you see it on the roads. Traffic has never been worse.”<br /> He’s also seeing a lot of new residents — ones who came to visit and decided to stay. “We hear it every day in the restaurant: ‘Yeah, I just bought a house down here.’ I don’t know if it’s their primary residence or a second home. But a lot of people are talking about moving here.”<br /> His small casual eatery is doing so much business, he said, he’s working on expanding to accommodate more diners. “We really need a bar, and more seating. In season, we’re on a 11/2- to 2-hour wait. Our regulars who support us year-round can’t get in. It’s frustrating.”<br /> He is trying to work things out with his landlord and the town, which he said “has been very supportive and helpful.”<br /> “We want to stay on the Avenue.” <br /> Overall, he said, “We’re very thankful to have all good opportunities. Being a small restaurant, we were able to pivot and stay open and do well.”<br /> Many restaurants changed because of COVID, especially adding outdoor seating to assuage diners who did not want to be in confined spaces with strangers. Dozens added patios, and cities loosened restrictions on sidewalk seating and allowed canopies. The Kapow Noodle Bar in Mizner Park was among restaurants that took advantage of this and moved more outdoors.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Transit bouncing back</span><br /> Another indicator of the comeback is public transportation. Steven Abrams, executive director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, which operates Tri-Rail, said ridership on the commuter railway is booming.<br /> “We are second in the nation behind Denver for commuter rails coming back to ridership,” he said. “We’re at approximately 70% of pre-COVID figures.” The rail is transporting about 15,000 riders a day, he said.<br /> In contrast, he said, ridership on commuter trains in New York and New Jersey is at just 20% of pre-COVID numbers.<br /> Tri-Rail connects to all three airports in South Florida, giving tourists inexpensive rides to and from their destinations. Connecting rides via free coaches in Fort Lauderdale and city buses in Miami and West Palm Beach, as well as cars for hire, make it easier to get around the area without a car.<br /> “West Palm is now the highest ridership station in the county,” Abrams said. Boca Raton used to be, but that was when offices there were full of on-site staffers who now work remotely. <br /> Visitors also take Tri-Rail to visit attractions and shop in other cities; with its proximity to the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach and the downtown area, tourists who want to see a performance can take the train back and forth.<br /> Sports venues in Miami are accessible via rail, eliminating long car trips and parking costs, Abrams said.<br /> Tourists and residents alike are finding plenty of attractions open as well, and the Boca Museum of Art has record-breaking figures in the books for November, according to Jim May, deputy director of communications.<br /> He points to the international premiere of the exhibit <em>Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru</em> as one of the biggest draws for the museum. It opened in October and runs through early March. <br /> “A year ago, there were 750 visitors for the month of November. We had 10,000 this year. The year before COVID, we did 2,600 in November,” May said.<br /> The county’s Tourist Development Council is a sponsor of the exhibit, which has drawn visitors from other parts of Florida, particularly Miami-Dade and Broward counties. It was planned to open after hurricane season and on the cusp of the traditional tourist season opening; it exceeded expectations.<br /> “Our membership is breaking records, and while most of that is local, we’re getting a lot of new people from all over. Sales in the museum shop are up significantly as well,” May said.<br /> While there are no guarantees with the coronavirus surging again and the especially contagious omicron variant taking hold, Discover The Palm Beaches is bullish on 2022.<br /> Figures on bookings for the new year have the experts predicting record-breaking numbers in high season — January through March — and overall to be 10% to 11% higher than 2021. That translates to 8.5 million tourists visiting Palm Beach County. </p></div>Dining: Restaurants again serving up private rooms for holiday partieshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/dining-restaurants-again-serving-up-private-rooms-for-holiday-par2021-11-30T16:44:48.000Z2021-11-30T16:44:48.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9865227468,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9865227468,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9865227468?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="710" /></a></strong><em>Have a big party planned? You can book the entire Pavilion Grille in Boca Raton. </em><strong>Photo provided</strong></p>
<p><strong>By Jan Norris</strong></p>
<p>Parties and events in Palm Beach County are back in force, with bookings filling restaurants throughout the holiday season and into 2022. Diners are also comfortable with indoor dining again, the hospitality managers say.<br /> “People are coming back inside,” said Giulia Merklein, manager of Arturo’s Ristorante in Boca Raton. “We don’t have as many requests for outside as before. I’d say the numbers are higher than before the pandemic.”<br /> “We’re booking the whole patio,” said Bonnie Beer, manager of Caffe Luna Rosa in Delray Beach. “A lot of parties are inside, too; we don’t have a private room. But our numbers are up over 2019 already.”<br /> There are a number of venues for private rooms and spaces throughout the area, including in hotels and restaurants, but also bars, clubhouses and even yachts.<br /> Prices at each depend on number of guests, food and drink. The event planners say to have three dates and times in mind before booking — many venues are booked well into 2022. Lunches or early-bird parties may be easier to sign up for, or a brunch instead. Some offer after-hour parties; ask, if interested.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">Here’s a look at some</span><br /> <strong>Dada,</strong> 52 N. Swinton, Delray Beach, is an iconic American eatery with indoor and outdoor dining under huge banyan trees. The chef offers a prix fixe menu or a la carte in the 20-person private room. Info at sub-culture.org/dada/ or call 561-330-3232.<br /> <strong>Arturo’s,</strong> 6750 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, always shows up on the list of romantic restaurants in the area. It’s an Italian menu; a prix fixe is available in each of its three private rooms. The largest is upstairs and can accommodate 60; a midsize room for 20 is on the main level, and the exclusive wine cellar can fit 12. For more information visit <a href="http://www.arturosrestaurant.com">www.arturosrestaurant.com</a>, or call 561-997-7373.<br /> <strong>Casa D’Angelo,</strong> 171 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, has a full Italian menu available in its private wine room. It accommodates up to 30 people. A semiprivate room that opens to the patio can fit up to 50 people. The patio also is available for parties of up to 30. Prix fixe menus are available as well. Info at <a href="http://www.casa-d-angelo.com">www.casa-d-angelo.com</a>, or call 561-996-1234.<br /> <strong>The Wine Room Kitchen & Bar,</strong> 411 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, is a lively setting for parties centered on vino. Its private room accommodates 14, and a full menu is available as well as shared plates — charcuterie, for instance. More information is at <a href="http://www.thewineroomonline.com">www.thewineroomonline.com</a>, or at 561-243-9463.<br /> Booking for a crowd? You can rent the entire restaurant at <strong>The Pavilion Grille,</strong> 301 Yamato Road, Boca Raton. Its bright, window-lined rooms are popular for daytime events as well as nighttime parties. Information at <a href="https://paviliongrille.com">https://paviliongrille.com</a>, or at 561-912-0000.<br /> More than one area and a private room are available for booking at <strong>The Farmer’s Table,</strong> 1901 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton. The emphasis is on healthier foods here, with nods to vegetarians and gluten-free diners, among others. Patio dining is available. Contact the restaurant at <a href="https://dinefarmerstable.com">https://dinefarmerstable.com</a>, or 561-417-5836.<br /> The back patio is available for parties at <strong>The Grove,</strong> 187 NE Second Ave., Delray Beach. The bar can also be included, to accommodate 20-60 people. The cozy restaurant is a locals’ favorite for cocktails and dinner. Information at thegrovedelray.com or 561-266-3750.<br /> <strong>Chops Lobster Bar,</strong> 101 Plaza Real South, Boca Raton, bustles during the season. Steaks and lobster make for upscale dinner parties. One of its private rooms holds 15 people, while the other has room for up to 60. A number of menus can be designed or an a la carte can be served. Information at <a href="https://buckheadrestaurants.com">https://buckheadrestaurants.com</a>, or 561-395-2675.<br /> <strong>Elisabetta’s,</strong> 32 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, serves up an Italian menu with a specialized cocktail program. Elisabetta’s private room can accommodate 12, and it has a special menu just for those diners. Information at <a href="http://www.elisabettas.com">www.elisabettas.com</a>, or 561-560-6699.<br /> Another locals’ favorite is <strong>La Cigale,</strong> 253 SE Fifth Ave., Delray Beach. A mix of French, Italian and some Greek cuisine is on the menu here. A few rooms are available, with movable walls that can create rooms for 18 to 60 people. Partiers are allowed to bring in live music or entertainment for their events. For information, visit <a href="http://www.lacigaledelray.com">www.lacigaledelray.com</a> or call 561-265-0600.<br /> The <strong>Delray Beach Market,</strong> the giant food court at 33 SE Third Ave., has a mezzanine available for rent. Large crowds may want to look here: It can fit 250 for cocktails, or 177 for a seated dinner. Foods come from vendors below, who each provide a separate catering menu for events — a wealth of choices. Information at <a href="http://www.delraybeachmarket.com">www.delraybeachmarket.com</a>, or contact events coordinator Justin Rivas at 561-461-1385.<br /> Looking for something different? Book a two-hour cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway through <strong>Delray Yacht Cruises.</strong> The cruise leaves from north of Atlantic Avenue at the west side of the Intracoastal bridge and goes south. It’s particularly scenic during holiday nights when the houses are all decked out in lights. Information at <a href="http://www.delraybeachcruises.com">www.delraybeachcruises.com</a>, or 561-243-0686.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;">In brief</span><br /> The old Anchor Inn, off Hypoluxo Road on Lake Osborne, is now <strong>The Hive Waterfront Restaurant and Tiki.</strong> It’s run by the same people who took over Pearl’s Diner a few years back. The Hive Waterfront is a mix of a huge tiki bar, sports bar and family dining. Emphasis is still on seafood, but more landlubber fare appears on the menu. The address is 2412 Floral Road, Lake Worth. ...<br /> <strong>Polpo</strong> is the new Italian seafood restaurant opening in the <strong>Eau Palm Beach.</strong> It’s a sister to the restaurant of the same name, theme and owner in Greenwich, Connecticut. The beachfront resort in Manalapan is undergoing a massive renovation, and Polpo is just part of it. It replaces Temple Orange, the restaurant that lasted longest there. Its scheduled opening is winter 2022.</p>
<p><em>Jan Norris is a food writer who can be reached at nativefla@gmail.com</em></p></div>Summer Campshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/summer-camps-22021-03-30T17:25:13.000Z2021-03-30T17:25:13.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p><em>NOTE: Not all summer camp schedules have been set and some are tentative due to COVID. Please check thecoastalstar.com for additional information as it becomes available. Also, refer to listed websites for missing information such as pricing. If your organization offers a camp not listed, please send details to thecoastalstarcalendar@gmail.com</em></p>
<p><strong>ARTS</strong><br /> <strong>Armory Art Center Summer Art Experience:</strong> 811 Park Place, West Palm Beach. Age 6-18. Art education in various media. 9 am-4:30 pm M-F 6/21-8/6 (no camp 7/5). Junior Camp: Age 6-12 M-F 8:30 am-4:30 pm $265/week in person, $240/week virtual; Teen Camp: Age 13-18 M-F 8:30 am-4:30 pm $315/week in person, $290/week virtual. Pre-care 7:45-8:30 am $7/day, $35/week; after-care 5-5:30 pm $7/day, $35/week; Morning & afternoon extended care combo $14/day, $70/week. 832-1776; armoryart.org/youthartcamps</p>
<p><strong>Summer Art Camp:</strong> Boca Museum of Art School, 801 W Palmetto Park Rd, Boca Raton. Age 6-18. Explore artistic skills, expand connections to the natural world. Weekly themed camps. 9 am-noon & 1-4 pm M-F 6/21-7/30. $190/weekly per 3 hour camp. 392-2503; bocamuseum.org/artschool</p>
<p><strong>CHURCH</strong></p>
<p><strong>Bible Week 2021: Vatican Express</strong> at St. Vincent Ferrer Family Life Center, 840 George Bush Blv, Delray Beach. Rising K-rising 5th grade; age 4-10. 9 am-noon 6/21-25. $50/child. 276-6892; stvincentferrer.com</p>
<p><strong>Camp Keshet:</strong> Taubman Early Childhood Center at B’nai Torah Congregation, 6261 SW 18th St, Boca Raton. Age 2-6. Trained specialists lead activities designed to develop physical, social, creative skills. Sports, swimming, Shabbat, arts, crafts, yoga, cooking, more. M-F 6/14-7/9, 7/12-8/6 (closed 7/5) 9 am-3 pm (half days available for age 2-4) two 4-week sessions. Before-/after-care available at additional cost. Registration fee, deposit, & security due 6/1. $980-$5,282. 750-9665; bnaitorahecc.org/camp-keshet</p>
<p><strong>Camp Mece:</strong> First United Methodist Church of Boca Raton, 625 NE Mizner Blvd. Age 2½ (potty trained) to 6. Arts & crafts, music, dance, computers, storytelling, dramatic play, explorations, sports, Bible time, field games, water play. 2-week minimum. Bring snack, lunch. 9 am-2 pm M-F 6/21-25, 6/28-7/2, 7/12-16 & 7/19-23. $175/week + $50 registration fee. 368-1215; meceboca.org/summer-camp</p>
<p><strong>Camp Shalom:</strong> Mandel JCC, 8500 Jog Rd, Boynton Beach. Age 2 to 10th grade. 9 am-4 pm M-F 6/1-8/6 (closed 7/3) Camp Shalom $290/week. Specialty Camps $330-$660. Special Needs Camps $415. Yeladim Preschool Camp (561-732-7620) 6/1-7/31 age 2-4. M-F, 9 am-4 pm ($305-$335). $50 non-refundable registration fee. Before-/after-care available at additional fee. Payment in full is due 5/5. 259-3000; campshalom.org <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8733398680,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8733398680,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="8733398680?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="190" height="189" /></a></p>
<p><strong>CROS Camp:</strong> Sunlight Community Church, 1325 N A St, Lake Worth or First Presbyterian Church, 235 SW 6th Ave, Boynton Beach. Grades K-8. Non-denominational Christian camp. 7:30 am-5 pm M-F 6/21-8/6. $30-$40/week, $210-$280/entire summer; sibling discounts; $25 application process fee/child. 233-9009, x102; crosministries.org</p>
<p><strong>First United Methodist Boca Overnight Camp:</strong> Warren Willis United Methodist Summer Camp in Leesburg. Grades 4-12. Beautiful camp on Lake Griffin divided into age-specific areas. Worship, small groups, ropes course, archery, swimming, arts/crafts, more. Accredited by American Camping Association; staffed with trained/certified college students. FUMC Boca week 7/26-31. $430. 395-1244; fumcbocaraton.org/category/summer-programs/ </p>
<p><strong>Seacrest Presbyterian School:</strong> 2703 N Seacrest Blvd, Delray Beach. Age 2-8. Arts, crafts, science. 8:30 am-3:30 pm M-F 6/7-8/6. 5 Half day (8:30-11:30 am), 5 full days (8:30 am-3:30 pm) or 3 full days (M/W/F 8:30 am-3:30 pm). After-care 3:30-5:30 pm $5/hour. Call for pricing. 276-5552; seacrestchurch.com</p>
<p><strong>St. Paul Lutheran School Summer Camp:</strong> 701 W Palmetto Park Rd, Boca Raton. Chapel, devotions, physical activities, arts and crafts, computer time, free play and field trips. Age 3 (potty trained) through grade 6 (entering in the fall). M-F 6/7-8/6. Daily and weekly fees include cost of hot lunch, am & pm snacks, field trips, materials and supplies. Half day: 7:30 am-12:30 pm; 12:30-5:30 pm; or 8:30 am-1:30 pm. Full day: 7:30 am-5:30 pm. Weekly half day: $170/child; weekly full day: $225; daily rate: $50. Sibling discounts available. Registration fee: $50 plus 2 full weeks of camp. 395-8548; cyberfalcon.com/Summer-Camp</p>
<p><strong>Vacation Bible School </strong>at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 188 S Swinton Ave, Delray Beach. 8:45 am-noon 6/21-24. Free. 276-4541; stpaulsdelray.org</p>
<p><strong>West Park Baptist Summer Day Camp:</strong> 4004 Lake Ida Rd, Delray Beach. Age 5-15. Sports, daily chapel, games, crafts, etiquette, life-skills training, self-defense training, swimming. Before/after care available. 8 am-5:30 pm M-F 6/21-8/6. $125/week + $50/registration per camper. 495-2107; westpark-baptist.com</p>
<p><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8733389061,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8733389061,RESIZE_584x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="8733389061?profile=RESIZE_584x" width="126" height="268" /></a>DANCE</strong><br /> <strong>Summer Dance Classes & Dance Intensives:</strong> Southern Dance Theatre, 1203 Knuth Rd, Boynton Beach. Super Hero Dance Camp age 3-5 ballet, tap, jazz, groovement 5:30-6:30 pm T/Th 6/29-7/29 $180. Rising Stars Dance Camp age 6-8 ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop 9 am-3 pm M-F 6/28-7/9 $675/2 weeks. Summer Fun Dance Camp age 9-12 ballet, tap, jazz, modern, musical theater, hip hop 9 am-3 pm M-F 6/28-7/9 $675/2 weeks. Summer Intensive Program: Intensive 1, 2 & 3 for intermediate & advanced dancers by application & teacher placement only 9 am-3 pm M-F: 3-week program 6/12-7/30 $950/3 weeks; Intensive 4: by invitation only 4-8:30 pm M-F 7/19-8/6 $795/3 weeks. $20 registration fee. Family discounts available. Free before-care 8:30-9 am; after-care 3-5 pm $35/week. Registration: 736-9097; southerndancetheatre.com </p>
<p><strong>Ballet Palm Beach:</strong> 10357 Ironwood Rd, Palm Beach Gardens. Fairy Tale Ballet workshop: Dancers will learn about the great ballets plus help create their own costumes. Age 3-7 Levels Pre I-III 9:30 am-noon M-F 6/21-25 & 6/28-7/2. $185/week; Junior Ballet Intensive Beginning-Intermediate Workshop: Age 7+ Levels IV-VI 9:30 am-1 pm M-F 6/21-7/2 $485/2 weeks or $250/week; Senior Ballet Intensive - Intermediate-Advanced Workshop: Ages 11+ Levels VII-Trainee 9:30 am-4:30 pm M-F 7/5-30 $1350/4 weeks or $500/week. 630-8235; balletpalmbeach.org</p>
<p><strong>GENERAL</strong><br /> <strong>ACCF Summer Camp at three locations:</strong> Achievement Centers for Children & Families, 555 NW 4th St, Delray Beach; Village Academy Center, 400 SW 12th Ave, Delray Beach; Pine Grove Elementary School, 400 SW 10th St, Delray Beach. Age 5-12. 7:30 am-5:30 pm M-F 6/21-8/6. $130/week. 276-0520; achievementcentersfl.org </p>
<p><strong>American Heritage Summer Day Camp:</strong> 6200 Linton Blvd, Delray Beach. Age 3-14 Day Camp age 3-14 eight one-week sessions 6/21-8/6 $525/week. Art Camp grades K-9 eight 1-week sessions 6/21-8/6 $525/week. Robotics Camp grades 2-9 four 2-week sessions 6/14-8/6 8:30 am-3:15 pm $1,050/2 weeks. Science Adventure Camp grades 2-9 eight one-week sessions 6/21-8/6 $525/week. Musical Theatre Camp grades K-9 eight one-week sessions 6/21-8/6 8:30 am-3:15 pm $525/week. Tuition includes lunch & snacks. Transportation/extended care available for a fee. Free morning care 7:45-9 am; Afternoon care 3:30-5:30 pm $75/week. 888-490-7467; ahsummerprograms.com</p>
<p><strong>Boynton Beach Recreation & Parks Department Summer Camps:</strong> Age 5-12. Themed camps w/age-appropriate activities meet at various locations; Ezell Hester Community Center, 1901 N Seacrest Blvd 742-6550 & Carolyn Sims Center, 225 NW 12th Ave, 742-6641. 7:30 am-5:30 pm M-F 6/21-8/6. $575/resident; $715/non-resident. 742-6649; boynton-beach.org/camp</p>
<p><strong>DeVos-Blum Family YMCA Camp:</strong> 9600 S Military Tr, Boynton Beach. Field trips, entertainment, arts & crafts, swimming, sports, games. One-week sessions 7:30 am-6 pm M-F 6/21-8/6. Registration fee $25. Traditional camp age 5-11 M-F 7:30 am-6 pm 6/21-8/6 $200-$300/week. Teen camp age 12-15 M-F 7:30 am-6 pm 6/21-8/6 $245-$345/week session. L.I.T. Camp for Teens/Leaders in Training age 12-15 M-F 7:30 am-6 pm 6/21-8/6 $500-$600/per session. Specialty Sports Camp age 7-12 M-F 9 am-2 pm 6/21-7/30, $200-$300/week. Aqua Mania camp age 7-11 M-F 7:30 am-6 pm 6/21-8/6 $225-$325/week. Mermaid Camp age 5-17 M-F 9 am-2 pm 6/28-7/2 & 7/19-23 $250-$350. Junior lifeguard camp age 12-16 M-F 9 am-2 pm 7/26-30 $200-$300/week. Youth/Teen Fitness Camp age 9-15 M-F 9 am-2 pm 6/21-8/6 $200-$285/week. Preschool full-day camp age 3-5 M-F 7:30 am-6 pm 6/1-7/30 $650-$750/3-week session. Preschool part-time camp age 4-5 M-F 9 am-1 pm 6/1-11, 6/14-25, 7/6-16 & 7/19-30 $330-$390/2-week session. Sibling discount available. Virtual parent orientation 6:30 pm 6/16. 738-9622; ymcaspbc.org/summercamp</p>
<p><strong>Florence Fuller Summer Camp:</strong> East Campus, 200 NE 14th St, Boca Raton & West Campus, 10130 185th St S, Boca Raton. Age 5-12. Outdoor sports, swimming, field trips, arts/crafts, nature activities, academic enrichment, computer classes and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 7:30 am-5:30 pm M-F 6/21-8/6. $140/week. Includes breakfast, lunch, snack. East Campus 391-7274; West Campus 482-3006; ffcdc.org <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8733390471,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8733390471,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="8733390471?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="253" height="192" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Kids Choice Sports, Dance and Fitness Camp:</strong> 6500 W Rogers Circle, Boca Raton. Gymnastics, karate, cheer, dance, circus arts, sports conditioning, arts & crafts, more. M-F 6/21-8/9. Drop off begins 8:30 am. Age 5+ ½ day (9am-noon or 12:30-3:30 pm) ¾ day 9 am-3 pm or full day 9 am-5 pm. Monthly rate (1 to 4 weeks) $454.84-$1256.24, Per week $244.54-$337.70; per day $57.54-$79.46. Extended care 7:30-8:30 am & 5-6 pm $10/day. Registration fees: $3/day to $60/annual family. 998-4225; gokidschoice.com</p>
<p><strong>Gulf Stream School Summer Camp:</strong> 3600 Gulf Stream Rd. Grades Pre-K through 8. Academics, sports, technology, field trips, reading, more. Call school for brochure/schedules/costs. 276-5225; gulfstreamschool.org</p>
<p><strong>Levis JCC Marleen Forkas Summer Camps:</strong> 9801 Donna Klein Blvd, Boca Raton. Age 2-16. Themes vary by age: early childhood, theater, upper, counselor in training. M-F 9 am-4 pm 6/14-7/9 (closed 7/5) & 7/12-8/6. Call for fee schedule; before- and after-care available at additional cost. 852-5090; levisjcc.org</p>
<p><strong>Levis JCC Marleen Forkas Camp Kavod for Special Needs:</strong> 9801 Donna Klein Blvd, Boca Raton. Grades pre-K-12. Designed to enhance social, motor, language, other life skills to promote greater independence. All backgrounds/religious affiliations welcome; intake meeting w/Camp Director required. 2-week sessions M-F 9 am-4 pm 6/21-7/30 (closed 7/5). $850/2-week session; before- or after-care/$50-$130. 852-3269; levisjcc.org</p>
<p><strong>Music, Dance & Drama Camps:</strong> Boynton Beach School of Music, Dance & Drama, 9804 S Military Tr, Ste. E2.7-9, Boynton Beach. Age 5-11. Music, dance & drama. Full day 9 am-4 pm M-F 6/21-25, 6/28-7/2, 7/26-30 & 8/2-6 $260/week. 2-week camp - Seussical The Musical 9 am-4 pm M-F 7/12-23 $598/session. 877-2435; boyntonmusicdance.com</p>
<p><strong>Peter Blum Family YMCA Camp:</strong> 6631 Palmetto Cr S, Boca Raton. Traditional camp age 5-11 M-F 6/21-8/6 7:30 am-6 pm $200-$300/week. Teen camp age 12-15 M-F 6/21-8/6 8 am-5:30 pm $240-$340/week. Leaders in Training Camp age 13-17 6/21-8/6 7:30 am-6 pm $390-$490/7-week session. Aqua Mania age 5-11 M-F 6/21-8/6 9 am-2 pm $205-$305/week. Jr. Lifeguard age 8-14 M-F 6/28-7/2 & 7/26-30 9 am-2 pm $205-$305/week. Jr. Adventure Camp age 8-11 M-F 6/28-7/30 9 am-2 pm $240-$340/week. Chef Camp age 7-11 M-F 6/28-7/2 & 7/12-16 9 am-2 pm $205-$305/week. Dance Camp age 7-11 M-F 7/5-16 9 am-2 pm $410-$510/session. Art Camp age 5-11 M-F 7/5-9, 7/19-23, 9 am-2 pm $205-$305/week. Sports of All Sorts Camp age 5-11 M-F 6/21-8/6 9 am-2 pm $205-$305/week. Basketball camp age 5-11 M-F 9 am-2 pm 6/28-7/2, 7/12-16, 7/26-30 $205-$305/week. Karate camp age 5-11 M-F 9 am-2 pm 6/28-7/2, 7/26-30 $205-$305/week. Chase Donoff Special Needs Day Camp age 5-22 M-F 6/21-8/6 7:30 am-6 pm $200-$300/week. Fun Club extended care 7:30-9 am $25-$50/week; 2-6 pm $30-$55/week. $25 registration fee. Virtual parent orientation 6:30 pm 6/3. 395-9622; ymcaspbc.org/summercamp </p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8733399689,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8733399689,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="8733399689?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="166" height="179" /></a><strong>Pine Tree Summer Camps:</strong> Lynn University, 3601 N Military Tr, Boca Raton. Age 5-14. Half-day, full-day, overnight, specialty programs. Sports, arts & crafts, computer science, & more. 9 am-3 pm M-F 6/21-7/9 & 7/12-30. $1160-$2,445/session includes hot lunch + instructional swim daily. Campers required to wear camp uniforms (available in LU campus store & online). After-care: until 4 pm $175; until 5:30 pm $350/session. Multiple session discounts available. 237-7310; pinetreecamp.com </p>
<p><strong>Saint Andrew’s School Day and Sports Camps:</strong> Saint Andrew’s School, 3900 Jog Rd, Boca Raton. Age 3-15. 8:40 am to 3:30 pm M-F 6/21-7/16 & 7/19-8/6 (choose 3, 4 or 7 weeks). Day Camp age 3-9 $425-$450/week; Sports & Sports Travel Camps age 6-13 $425-$450/week; Young Inventors age 5-8 6/7-11 $475-$500; Calling All Doctors Camp age 5-10 6/7-11 $475-$500; Little Veterinarian Camp age 5-10 6/14-18 $475-$500; Roblox Studio - Minecraft Camp age 7-12 6/14-18 $475-$500. Before-/after-care available at additional cost. 210-2100; saintandrews.net/summercamp </p>
<p><strong>Space of Mind Summer Camp:</strong> 102 N Swinton Ave, Delray Beach. Age 6-19. Campers explore their passions, discover new ones through the arts, music, movement, cooking, more. Experienced coaches create fun, personalized/exciting learning experiences for each child. Three available programs: Summer Discovery Camp and Summer Study Hall. Held 6/14-8/13. Age 5-14: Full day M-F 9 am-3 pm $80/day, $350/week. Ages 6-9: Half-day M-F 9 am-noon or Noon-3 pm $225/week; Full day M-F 9 am-3 pm $400/week. 877-407-1122; findspaceofmind.com/summer-camp</p>
<p><strong>Summer Adventure Camp 2021:</strong> Beth El Early Learning Center, 9800 Yamato Rd, Boca Raton. Age 2-5. Weekly nurturing program explores adventure, sports, water & outdoor play, music & movement, arts & crafts, gardening, yoga, Hip Hop, music and more. 6 day/time options each session: 3-week session 3 days 9 am-1 pm, 9 am-3 pm, 7:30 am-6 pm $714-$1,050; 5 days 9 am-1 pm, 9 am-3 pm, 7 am-6 pm $1,130-$1,490. Session 1 6/1-18; Session 2 6/21-7/9; Session 3 7/12-7/30. Hot lunch, mid-morning/afternoon snacks included. $100/child registration fee to hold a spot. 391-9091; tbeboca.org/early-learning-center</p>
<p><strong>TASC Enrichment Camp: </strong>St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 900 N Seacrest Blvd, Boynton Beach. Arts and crafts, dance fitness, social activities, Exer gaming, expressive writing, more. Breakfast, lunch, snack provided. 6/21-/6- M-F 8 am-6 pm; 7:30 am early drop-off. $30/camper. 847-4521; digitalvibez.org</p>
<p>Virtual<strong> Criminal Justice Summer Camp:</strong> Florida Atlantic University School of Criminology & Criminal Justice, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton. Age 14-17 (must be entering 9th-12th grade by fall 2020). Observe/participate in virtual crime lab, mock criminal trial, justice simulation lab and much more. Limited enrollment; first-come/first-served. 7/11-16. $500. 321-754-8112; fau.edu/sccj</p>
<p><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8733395089,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8733395089,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="8733395089?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="174" height="223" /></a></strong><strong>MUSIC</strong><br /> <strong>School of Rock Summer Camps/Boca Raton:</strong> 141 NW 20th St, Ste F1 & F2, Boca Raton. Themed camps w/live performance finales. 9 am-3 pm M-F age 7-18 $380/week. Singer/Songwriter Performance Camp 6/7-11; Battle of the Bands Music Camp 6/14-18; Music Video Camp 6/21-25; Rock the Decades Camp 6/28-7/2; Radio Rewind Music Camp 7/5-9; BBQ Rocks Camp 7/12-16; Indie Palooza Camp 7/19-23. 430-2411; locations.schoolofrock.com/bocaraton</p>
<p><strong>School of Rock Summer Camps/South Palm Beach:</strong> 7433 S Military Tr, Lake Worth. Themed camps w/live performance finales. 9 am-3 pm M-F age 7-18 $395/week. New Wave Camp 7/5-9; Planes, Trains, and Automobiles! Camp 7/19-23; AC/DC Camp 8/2-6. 855-2646; southpalmbeach.schoolofrock.com</p>
<p><strong>Youth Summer Music & Culture Camp:</strong> at Morikami Japanese Museum and Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Rd, Delray Beach. Instruments and sheet music will be provided for participants to use in the class. Recommended companion Koto instructional book available for $35 from instructor Joseph Amato. Grades 3-12. 9 am-4 pm M-F 6/21-25. $250/week. 495-0233; morikami.org</p>
<p><strong>SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY</strong><br /> <strong>Digi-Camp Boca Raton:</strong> Grandview Prep School, 336 Spanish River Blvd, Boca Raton. Age 6-12. Digital media technology, photography, film production, video game programming, maker camp, fabrication, engineering, coding, web building, robotics, drones. 9 am-3 pm M-F 6/21-7/23. $197-$295/week. 236-0938; digicamp.com</p>
<p><strong>The Science Academy Summer Camp:</strong> Morikami Park Elementary School, 6201 Morikami Park Rd, Delray Beach. Productive, hands-on learning environment. Early, sibling, friend registration discounts available. Grades K-8. 8 am-5 pm M-F 6/21-7/30. $230/week, 2-week minimum; $50 registration. After-care $60/week. 285-7522; thescienceacademyinc.com</p>
<p><strong>South Florida Science Museum Summer Camp:</strong> 4801 Dreher Tr N, West Palm Beach. Themed weeks: engineering, space science, dinosaurs, marine biology, grossology, sports science, a variety of tech camps and more. 9 am-4 pm M-F. Science Ventures: Age 7-12 6/21-8/6 $250-$275/week. Tech Ventures: Age 7-12 6/21-25, 7/5-9, 7/19-23 & 8/2-6 $300-$325/week. Extended hours 7:30 am-5:30 pm available for a fee. 832-2026; sfsciencecenter.org</p>
<p><strong>SPORTS</strong><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8733400298,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8733400298,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="8733400298?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="209" height="164" /></a></strong><br /> <strong>Evert Tennis Academy Summer Camp:</strong> 10334 Diego Dr S, Boca Raton. Age 8-18. Students who aspire to play professionally, earn a college scholarship, or simply improve their game. 5/31-8/20 (12 weeks). Boarders’ program 7 am-10 pm Sun-Sat, $1,595-$2,095/week. Non-boarders 8:45 am-3:30 pm M-F lunch included $1,095-$1,595/week. Half-day (mornings) $695/week. Multi-week discounts available. 488-2001; evertacademy.com </p>
<p><strong>Fishing Camp: </strong>meets at west side of Spanish River Library, 1501 NW Spanish River Blvd, Boca Raton. Age 6-13. Tie different knots, bait a hook, identify different Florida fresh and salt water fish, water safety. Fishing equipment provided. T-shirt, daily snack, prizes, rod/reel to keep included. 9 am-noon M-F 6/21-25 & 7/26-30. Per week $100/resident; $125/non-resident. Register: 347-3900; sugarsandpark.org</p>
<p><strong>Lil Sluggers Baseball: </strong>Sugar Sand Park, 300 S Military Tr, Boca Raton. Age 2-5, Every Sat or Sun 7/10 through 8/29. Designed to introduce children to baseball; time slots specific to age group. $144/resident; $180/non-resident</p>
<p><strong>Ocean Adventure Camp:</strong> South Inlet Park, 1100 S Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton. Age 5-15. Fun/adventure through education/exploration of Florida’s waters. 9 am-3 pm M-F 6/14-8/13 $325/week, $79/day. Registration: 715-0499; underbluewaters.com</p>
<p><strong>Summer Golf Camp:</strong> Boca Raton Municipal Golf Course, 8111 Golf Course Rd. Age 7-17. Games, competitions, awards. Lunch/snacks included. Weekly M-F; 6/14-7/2 & 7/12-30. $272/resident; 4320/non-resident. 777-8219; bacigolf.com</p>
<p><strong>Surf Adventures Camp:</strong> Atlantic Dunes, 1605 S Ocean Blvd, Delray Beach. Age 5-15. Fun/adventure through education/exploration of Florida’s waters. 9 am-3 pm M-F 6/7-8/13 $325/week, $79/day. 715-0499; underbluewaters.com</p>
<p><strong>THEATER</strong><br /> <strong>Mizner Park Cultural Center Broadway Camp:</strong> 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. <em>The Lion King Jr.</em> age 7+ 6/21-7/31, M-F 9 am-4 pm $99/registration deposit, $249/week, $1494/6 week session. Sibling discounts, pre-care (8-9) and after-care (4-6) packages available. 844-672-2849; miznerparkculturalcenter.com/summer-camp</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8733401873,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8733401873,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="8733401873?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="155" height="162" /></a><strong>Broadway Artists Intensive:</strong> Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach. Age 14-22 by audition only. 2-week immersion in acting, voice, dance; taught by all-Broadway faculty including special guest artists. Intensive 7/12-23. 10 am-5 pm. $1,100. Optional housing & meals available. 855-554-2929; thebroadwayartistsintensive.com <br /> Broadway Artists Intensive Junior Program: Palm Beach Atlantic University, 901 S Flagler Dr, West Palm Beach. Ages 9-13. Introductory session for all areas of performing arts: ballet, jazz, tap, vocal technique, acting, improvisation. No audition necessary. 6/28-7/2 9 am-4 pm. $450 + $55 meal plan. 651-4376; thebroadwayartistsintensive.com</p>
<p><strong>Delray Beach Playhouse Summer Camp:</strong> 950 NW 9th St. Age 6-16. Check audition/rehearsal schedule for times. Broadway Camp: <em>Elf The</em> <em>Musical Jr.</em> age 6-12 6/21-7/17, M-F 9 am-5 pm $99/registration deposit, $249/week, $996/4 week session. Summer Fun Camp: age 6+ 6/21-8/6, M-F 9 am-5 pm $99/registration deposit, $175/week, $750/7 week session. 272-1281; delraybeachplayhouse.com</p>
<p><strong>Standing Ovation Performing Arts:</strong> 7429 S Military Tr, Lake Worth. Age 6-16. Weekly themes: acting, pantomime, improvisation, playwriting, crafts. Shrek age 5-17 M-F 9 am-3 pm 6/21-7/9 $675/3-week session, $225/non refundable deposit due at registration. 734-0187; standingoh.com </p>
<p><strong>Theatre Jamboree Camp: </strong>Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave. Different theme each week. Build props, play games, crafts, talent shows, more. Weekly camp 6/21-7/30 M-F 9 am-4 pm. $150/week. 586-6410; lakeworthplayhouse.org</p>
<p><strong>Virtual Youth Summer Theater Camp:</strong> Bob Carter’s Actor’s Workshop & Repertory Company & Youth Actors Guild, 1000 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach. Virtual Theatre Camp: age 7-11, M/W/F through 7/16, Noon-2 pm, $135/6 days; Virtual Teen Summer Camp: age 12-17, T/Th through 7/15, Noon-2 pm, $90/4 days. 392-2503; bocamuseum.org/artschool</p></div>The Plate: Poultry with Mediterranean flairhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/the-plate-poultry-with-mediterranean-flair-12019-04-30T16:06:11.000Z2019-04-30T16:06:11.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p class="p1" style="text-align:center;"><span class="s1"><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960861074,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960861074,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960861074?profile=original" /></a>The Plate:</b></span> Chicken kebab</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align:center;"><span class="s1"><b>The Place:</b></span> Sofra, 821 Lake Ave., downtown Lake Worth; 557-2917.</p>
<p class="p2" style="text-align:center;"><span class="s1"><b>The Price:</b></span> <span class="s2">$15</span></p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align:center;"><span class="s1"><b>The Skinny:</b></span> Mediterranean cuisine is gaining popularity across South Florida.</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align:center;">Chris’ Taverna has been packing customers into its two locations for years.</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align:center;">And Sofra, at the corner of Dixie Highway and Lake Avenue in downtown Lake Worth, is gaining a steady base of diners hungry for lemon chicken soup, fresh, creamy tzatziki and earthy falafel.</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align:center;">The restaurant opened a few months ago in a space that once was home to The French House.</p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align:center;">This order of chicken kebabs was marinated, then grilled until fork-tender. It came with a starter of soup (I chose the excellent lemon chicken soup), a small, crisp salad and bulgur wheat and some grilled peppers. Next time, I want to try the octopus.</p>
<p class="p3" style="text-align:center;"><i>— Scott Simmons</i></p></div>Secret Garden: Designers merge indoor, outdoor spaces with creative use of nativeshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/secret-garden-designers-merge-indoor-outdoor-spaces-with-creative2018-01-03T17:30:36.000Z2018-01-03T17:30:36.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960768670,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960768670,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="600" alt="7960768670?profile=original" /></a><em><strong>ABOVE:</strong> Silver saw palmetto and a single thatch palm define the sidewalk area in front of the Lake Worth studio of Debra Yates and her son Benjamin Burle. <strong>BELOW:</strong> Staghorn ferns and a large mirror adorn the back patio. <strong>Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star</strong></em></p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960769064,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960769064,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="600" alt="7960769064?profile=original" /></a></p>
<p><strong>By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley</strong></p>
<p>Since 2016, when Debra Yates and her son Benjamin Burle moved into Lake Worth’s Old Lucerne Historic District, they have reworked their 1945 coastal cottage — both inside and out.<br /> This mother/son team is the creative force behind Burle Yates Design. Their signature work begins with interior design that flows seamlessly into outdoor living spaces. <br /> Like a fine wine exhibits terroir, their designs provide a “sense of place” and time accomplished by the use of natural groupings of native plants.<br /> “Because we use natives, not one power tool is required to care for this garden,” said Burle.<br /> For example, instead of St. Augustine grass that needs mowing, he incorporates areas of gray granite gravel and coquina sand maintained by raking and the pulling of a weed or two. <br /> Instead of using things such as podocarpus or trinette trimmed into hedges that require constant pruning and often become stick-filled cubes, Burle created privacy by planting a native hammock. <br /> At their home, which was built in 1945, the hammock includes easy-to-maintain natives such as a crabwood that has grown only a foot in the year and a half it’s been there. The hammock also showcases native myrsines, Spanish stoppers and white indigo berry trees. <br /> Besides little pruning, these also require little irrigation after the trees are established.<br /> The field-grown sea grape on the north side of the front yard balances a towering lychee tree on the south with help from the ornamental Bahama strong bark planted in the middle. <br /> For planting, Burle likes to use field-grown trees that often are healthier because they are grown in the ground at the nursery instead of in plastic buckets. <br /> The towering lychee was one of the trees on the property when Yates and Burle arrived. “Otherwise it was a lot of red mulch and bad grass,” said Burle. <br /> Because natives are known for being distinctive but not particularly showy, he adds color with a bougainvillea sporting hard-to-find coral blooms, gaillardia with red and yellow flowers and potted pink-edged bromeliads. The pot on the roof of the front porch adds a touch of whimsy.<br /> Along the street, silver saw palmettos act as “a bold native ground cover” set in front of a cedar fence. Its 5-foot setback from the curb creates the illusion of depth in this small area.<br /> If you are lucky enough to be a guest or take a house tour (1,000 visitors were welcomed here during last year’s Mounts Connoisseur’s Garden Tour), you may be invited into the backyard, which includes a comfortable wooden deck with bench seating. Here, two large staghorn ferns are mounted next to a mirror as wall art.<br /> A few steps down are a patio with table seating under an umbrella and, farther back, a carport that’s been transformed into Yates’ painting studio. <br /> When they took over the property, the backyard had a sabal palm and two mangoes. Today it’s filled with arresting natives, including the slow-growing silver palm that has green fans showing silver underneath.<br /> You’ll also find Queen Emma’s purple crinum lilies, a yellow-flowering necklace pod tree, with seed pods that look like strung beads, and a sea plum. That’s a hybrid between a sea grape and a pigeon plum, explained Burle, who first saw one in Palm Beach. <br /> For privacy, the backyard is surrounded by a fence fashioned from a creative mix of painted plywood, corrugated iron that was part of a water silo in Key West, a wooden gate repositioned from the alleyway, black mesh and vines.<br /> But tour or no, feel free to visit the back alleyway. “It’s almost like a country lane,” said Yates. Although most people ignore their back entrances, Burle and Yates once again use native plantings to ensure that arriving here instills the same sense of calm, natural beauty and balance as the rest of their landscape. And, once again, it’s easy to maintain. <br /> “We wanted to show people that no matter how big your yard, you can do amazing things,” said Yates.</p>
<p><em>Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley can be reached at debhartz@att.net.</em></p>
<p><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>If You Go</strong></span> <br />The Burle Yates Design studio and home is at 128 N. O St., Lake Worth. For information, contact Debra Yates at 305-304-8965 or debra@debrayates.com; or Benjamin Burle at 305-304-1554 or benburledesign@gmail.com. <br />For a look at the private backyard, keep an eye out for garden tours on which this historical home is often included.</p>
<p><br /><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Gardening Tip</strong></span> <br />After Hurricane Irma, I immediately started watering all the plantings. People asked me why I was adding water after so much rainfall. But it wasn’t for irrigation that I was watering. I wanted to wash the salt spray off the foliage. The salt causes it to brown. So, if you want to save your trees after a storm, you need to water, water, water.<br /> <em>— Benjamin Burle</em></p></div>Finding Faith: Palm Beach Quakers looking for new Friendshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/finding-faith-palm-beach-quakers-looking-for-new-friends2018-01-03T17:12:40.000Z2018-01-03T17:12:40.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p><strong>By Janis Fontaine</strong></p>
<p>How often do you stop to listen? <br />And even if you do, how often do you encounter silence? <br /> If you don’t, how will you ever hear the “still small voice” of God? <br /> Silent worship is one of the hallmarks of the Quakers’ beliefs, and the Palm Beach Quakers invite you to learn about this topic and more during a “Meeting for Learning” each Sunday this month.<br />The Palm Beach Religious Society of Friends, as the local Quakers are known, will serve coffee and pastries at 9 a.m. and have the meetings at 9:30 at the Meeting House in Lake Worth.<br /> John Palozzi of Lake Worth has been a Palm Beach Quaker for about 10 years. The local Friends formed in the 1950s and most of the founders have died.<br /> “We’re looking to attract some new members,” Palozzi said. “We’re never going to be a megachurch, but five or six new members would be great.”<br /> The Quakers believe that in silence you’re more likely to hear God speak to you. They put the Psalm that says “Be still and know that I am God” into practice. <br />No intermediary is necessary for worship or to live one’s life. No priest or preacher, minister or book, rabbi, guru, shaman or doctor of theology is required for one to have a relationship with God.<br /> If Palozzi had to tell you just one thing about the Quakers it would be this: “We have no dogma. We believe you can go within yourself and find God.”<br /> Palozzi says the Friends are looking for people who have been searching for a spiritual home. It doesn’t matter what road people took to get there.<br /> The Friends find inspiration in all religions and all religious texts, but they believe most firmly in the six testimonies, which are basically tenets on how to live your life. How you live your life is a testimony to your ideals and the kind of person you are. <br /> The testimonies — simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and stewardship — are universal.<br /> Stewardship was the last testimony to be added, Palozzi said, to focus on environmental issues like climate change and habitat and species loss. <br /> In addition to the learning session that morning, the Palm Beach Friends will host a special presentation, “Questions & Answers by Quakers,” at 1 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Meeting House, 823 N. A St., Lake Worth.<br /> Members will address what it means to live a Quaker life in the 21st century. The meeting is free. <br /> For more information about the Palm Beach Friends, visit <a href="http://www.palmbeachquakers.org">www.palmbeachquakers.org</a> or email pbquakers@gmail.com.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Gift baskets for charity</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960762280,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960762280,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="600" alt="7960762280?profile=original" /></a><em>The Council of Catholic Women and Birthline Volunteers are raising money for Belle Glade mothers and babies in need via various events at St. Lucy Catholic Church in Highland Beach. These gift baskets were auctioned off Nov. 14 to raise funds. <strong>ABOVE:</strong> (l-r) Jeanette Schmitz, Peggy Brown, Anne Mongon, Ronnie Svenstrup, Connie Thuesen and Rose Marie Amat. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Pastor Barbour retires</strong></span><br /> After almost 40 years as a pastor — the past 11 with Boca Raton’s Advent Lutheran Church — Pastor Richard Barbour retired in late 2017. <br /><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960762497,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960762497,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" width="105" alt="7960762497?profile=original" /></a>Barbour made many contributions to the church and the local community, and he loved and appreciated that 300 people came to say goodbye to him at his retirement celebration. <br /> Through his tenure, Barbour did everything he could to promote Advent Lutheran’s many ministries. He held Bible study groups, headed “Church Without Walls” projects, led chapels for Advent School, taught religion to middle schoolers and was involved in all aspects of Advent Life ministries. <br /> Barbour started the Stephen Ministry group at Advent. Stephen ministers are lay people specially trained to help people navigate through grief and other life tsunamis.<br /> Stephen ministers provide one-on-one care to people in need, and Barbour says their dedication inspired him. <br /> Barbour also served outside the church as a board member for Family Promise, a multifaith group providing support for homeless families, and for Boca Helping Hands, which provides food, medical and financial assistance, as well as education, job training and guidance to create self-sufficiency.<br /> Barbour, in partnership with Pastor Andrew Hagen, worked to blend traditional Lutheran values with modern innovations.<br /> Hagen said of Barbour: “God makes each of us like tools for a specific time and purpose, and Pastor Rich has been exactly the right instrument of God’s love for the past 11 years.”<br /> Barbour plans to stay local. He and his wife, Avis, are ballroom dancers who look forward to staying out late on Saturday nights now.<br /> “We’ve been taking lessons for 15 years and have met some wonderful people,” Barbour said. The couple also loves Latin dancing, and Barbour says the Argentine tango is their favorite. <br /> For some people, retirement is an adjustment, but Barbour says, “I haven’t had any trouble. It’s been fully enjoyable.”<br /> A runner for years, he has discovered the joys of a morning run and covers about 3 miles before breakfast. <br /> He and his wife have four children, in Washington state, Manhattan, Jacksonville and Buffalo, so they have travel plans to make and fulfill and three grandchildren who need spoiling. Barbour makes each child a special Bible, with his favorite passages highlighted and special notes in the margin.<br /> And of course, Barbour has lots of little projects to do around the house that seem like fun now that he has more time. And the family just passed another milestone: For the first time in 40 years, Barbour didn’t work on Christmas Eve. <br /> Being a pastor is a 24/7 job, one lived at the emotional poles. The pastor is there at the peaks and valleys: your baby’s baptisms and your parents’ funerals, your daughter’s wedding and when you’re about to die. <br />So even though he has retired, Barbour hasn’t left the ministry behind. He has become the informal chaplain for his dance group. He’s already officiated a wedding and helped with a funeral. <br /> To someone with the calling to be a pastor, it’s not really work, Barbour said. “It’s a privilege.”</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Beach baptisms</strong></span><br /> The Avenue Church will hold beach baptisms at 9 a.m. Jan. 13 at Anchor Park, 390 S. Ocean Ave., Delray Beach. A class is required before baptism. The Avenue Church is at 2455 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Call John at 927-4000 or email John@theavechurch.com.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Spiritual discussions</strong></span> <br /> Join the Interfaith Café’s theological discussion from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 18 at South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach.<br /> Light refreshments are served. The meeting is free, but donations are appreciated. The Interfaith Café meets the third Thursday of the month, and volunteers are needed to assist with a variety of duties to keep this program going. <br /> For information or to volunteer, email Jane@Aurorasvoice.org.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Brahms program</strong></span><br /> “Music at St. Paul’s” continues with a concert by the Klotz/Calloway/Strezeva Trio at 3 p.m. Jan. 21 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 188 S. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. <br /> The program is all Brahms, and featured works include <em>Scherzo in C minor (F-A-E Sonata)</em>; the <em>Trio in C Major, Op. 87</em>; and the <em>Trio in A minor, Op. 114</em>. The trio has violist Michael Klotz, cellist Jason Calloway and pianist Milana Strezeva. <br /> Arrive early at 2:30 p.m. for a special lecture by music director Dr. Paul Cienniwa.<br /> Tickets are $20. Admission is free for ages 18 and younger.<br /> For more information, call 278-6003 or visit <a href="http://www.music.stpaulsdelray.org">www.music.stpaulsdelray.org</a>.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Distinguished Preachers</strong></span><br /> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960762297,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960762297,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-left" width="103" alt="7960762297?profile=original" /></a><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960763256,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960763256,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-right" width="101" alt="7960763256?profile=original" /></a>First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach will continue its Distinguished Preacher Series with Dr. Michael Brown leading worship Jan. 28 and Dr. Steven Eason speaking Feb. 18. <br />Brown, the senior minister of Marble Collegiate Church in New York City since 2009, is the author of six books and a contributing author to 11 others. He uses humor and personal anecdotes to illuminate his stories. <br /> Brown will also speak at First Presbyterian’s annual Congregational Dinner on Jan. 26 at Benvenuto restaurant in Boynton Beach. The evening features a social hour at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30. Dinner is $30 and reservations are recommended. Call the church office at 276-6338. <br />Eason, a graduate of Duke Divinity School, has 40 years of experience in the ministry from solo pastor to senior pastor, but may be best known as an authority on team building. His book, Making Disciples, Making Leaders: A Manual for Developing Church Officers, was published in 2016. It drew on 24 years of building, training and nurturing leadership teams. <br /> First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach is at 33 Gleason St. Visit <a href="http://www.firstdelray.com">www.firstdelray.com</a></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Coming up at St. Mark’s</strong></span> <br /> St. Mark Catholic Church has several events coming up in January. Get more information at the church, at 643 St. Mark Place, Boynton Beach, or by calling 734-9330 or visiting <a href="http://www.stmarkboynton.com">www.stmarkboynton.com</a>.<br /> • Bereavement Ministry Training: Sister Mary Joan has started her 12-week class to prepare parishioners to serve as Core Bereavement Ministers. Ministers help church members cope with their losses by visiting them after the death of a loved one, helping to plan a funeral and Mass, and providing support and help in the months following a death. For more information about the program, call the church. <br /> • Ministry Fair: From 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 21 in the parish center, learn about the parish ministries that need help. There’s also a special Taste of Germany lunch with bratwurst, frikadeller and sauerkraut, and for the children, chicken fingers. <br /> • Prime Rib Dinner: The St. Mark Council of Catholic Women will hold its annual prime rib dinner on Jan. 26. Tickets are $27, for sale in the church after Mass Jan. 13-14 and Jan. 20-21. Music will be provided by the Doo Wop Kids. Call Ann Albano with questions at 274-9553.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Induction ceremony</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960763073,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960763073,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="600" alt="7960763073?profile=original" /></a><em>The Palm Beaches Commandery of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller, inducted 16 aspirants at a formal investiture. The Nov. 4 ceremony at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Palm Beach Gardens was followed by a reception and black-tie gala at PGA National Resort & Spa. The Palm Beaches Commandery has more than 65 active members who do volunteer work and raise money for charities. <strong>ABOVE:</strong> (l-r, in front) Elaine Meier, Claire Clarke, Eloise Witham, Julie Bird Winchester, Douglas Blanz, Jay Owen, (middle) Marie Ryan, Candace Tamposi, Heath Black, Chelneca Templeton, Gary Templeton, (in back) Matthew Piotrowski, Monique McCall, Walter Jones Jr., David Barninger and Ken Nunnenkamp. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Sexual harassment lecture</strong></span> <br /> The Jewish Business Network will host a lecture by relationship expert Rabbi Manis Friedman, author of Doesn’t Anyone Blush Anymore?, at 6 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Boca Raton Library, 400 NW Second Ave., Boca Raton. The topic is “Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Exposed.” Tickets are $25 and include a light supper at 5. Make reservations at 394-9770 or bocabeachchabad.com/JBN</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Communications course</strong></span> <br /> Chabad of Delray Beach will offer a six-week class, “Communication: Its Art and Soul,” from 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Jan. 24, at 7495 W. Atlantic Ave.<br /> The fee for the course is $79, which includes the textbook. Bring a friend and save $20. If you want to check it out first, you can join the first class for free with no obligation to continue. For more information, call 496-6228 or email info@Chabaddelray.com.</p>
<p><em>Janis Fontaine writes about people of faith, their congregations, causes and community events. Contact her at janisfontaine@outlook.com.</em></p></div>FINNISH CENTENNIAL: Independence celebration puts nation’s long heritage in county on spirited displayhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/finnish-centennial-independence-celebration-puts-nation-s-long-he2018-01-03T15:30:00.000Z2018-01-03T15:30:00.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960763265,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960763265,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" class="align-center" alt="7960763265?profile=original" /></a><em>Arlene Tervakoski (in apron), Jean Lindblad, Anja Laurik and Anja Vikkila attend ceremonies at Finland House to mark the centennial of Finland’s independence from Russia. Finland House’s location in Lantana merits a special street sign. <b>Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star</b></em></p>
<p></p>
<p><span><b>By Ron Hayes</b></span></p>
<p>In May 1913, a young man sailed past the Statue of Liberty with $50 in his pocket and a name that was bound to cause trouble.</p>
<p>Kustaa Eemeli Hosiokoski was a native of Turku, Finland, and had come to America to seek his fortune.</p>
<p>At the customs table on Ellis Island, an inspector studied his identification and wrote on a piece of paper, “Gus Emil Koski.”</p>
<p>On that day in 1913, Gus Koski was 21 years old, and the independent country of Finland had not yet been born.</p>
<p>On Dec. 6, 1917, four years after young Koski had settled in Duluth, Minn., Finland’s parliament voted to break from Russian rule in the wake of the Bolshevik Revolution. An independent Finland was born.</p>
<p>On Dec. 6, 2017, the Finnish-Americans of Palm Beach County celebrated the 100th birthday of their homeland’s independence with flag-raisings, speeches, folk songs, banquets, and a cardamom flavored coffee cake called <i>pulla</i>.</p>
<p>“Gus Koski was my great-uncle,” Peter Makila said proudly, a few days before the festivities. “My mother’s uncle.”</p>
<p><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960763476,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960763476,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="253" class="align-center" alt="7960763476?profile=original" /></a></em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>Peter Makila, honorary consul of Finland. <b>Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star</b></em></p>
<p>Makila, 72, is the honorary consul of Finland, a part-time liaison with the Finnish government and full-time Allstate agent in Lake Worth. On Independence Day, he would be busy, speaking at the 10 a.m. flag-raising ceremony at the American Finnish Tourist Club’s Finland House in Lantana, then at the Finnish-American Village, a rest home off High Ridge Road, and then again at the smaller American Finnish Club in suburban Lake Worth. That night there would be banquets at both clubs.</p>
<p>“Gus Koski began wintering in Lake Worth in 1957,” Makila added, “and he died at JFK Medical Center in 1986 at 94.</p>
<p>Koski’s journey from Finland to Florida was replicated thousands of times.</p>
<p>Modern Finnish immigration began with the California gold rush of 1849 and peaked in 1902, when more than 23,000 Finns left for America. By 1930, when the Great Depression ended the mass migration, about 300,000 Finns had arrived in the U.S.</p>
<p>Like Koski, many settled in the Midwest. Some farmed, then headed to Florida. Others worked as servants up North and followed their wealthy employers to Palm Beach estates. In the early 1930s, only about 1,000 Finns called Palm Beach County home, but they spread the word, and by 2000 the number had grown fivefold.</p>
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<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960763288,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960763288,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" class="align-center" alt="7960763288?profile=original" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>A crowd gathers for a movie at Finland House in Lantana in the late 1950s. <b>Photos provided</b></em></p>
<p>The 2000 census found 623,500 Americans who claimed Finnish ancestry, including 25,723 in Florida, 4,879 in Palm Beach County and 1,026 in Lake Worth.</p>
<p>But that was a 10 percent drop from the county census of 1990, and a 24 percent decrease in Lake Worth.</p>
<p>In 2010, the U.S. Census began using survey estimates rather than a strict “real count,” so more recent comparisons are both problematic and further complicated because the numbers are so small the margin of error is large.</p>
<p>Still, all agree the county’s Finnish-Americans are dwindling in number.</p>
<p>Makila is generous. He believes seasonal residents and those with green cards put the county’s population at about 10,000 full-time residents of Finnish descent in the county, and another 3,000 seasonal. But even he agrees the population is shrinking.</p>
<p>“The elderly are passing away,” he said. “My late uncle died in 2002 at 82, and Great Aunt Helen earlier this year at 96. And the young are moving away.”</p>
<p>Today, Makila has 28 family members in the U.S. and Canada, including six in Palm Beach County. His son and daughter-in-law, Miike and Sanna Makila, live in Atlantis with their children, Ville, 7, and Anniina, 6.</p>
<p>“They’re Finnish,” he says. “They spend a lot of time with us, and the country is in our hearts. They look forward to visiting Finland at Christmas.”</p>
<p>When Makila came to Lake Worth at 19 in 1965, the area’s Finnish population was about 20,000. Motels catering to Finns were common on Federal Highway, and it was not uncommon to hear the language spoken in stores and restaurants.</p>
<p>“We were the dominant ethnic group from the 1950s to the 1980s,” he said “In those days, all the alphabet streets in Lake Worth were Finnish. And then the Haitians and Guatemalans began to arrive.”</p>
<p>The local Finnish population has indeed dwindled since the 1980s, but you wouldn’t have thought so outside Finland House on Independence Day morning.</p>
<p>“We’re always prompt,” Makila promised, and they were.</p>
<p>Shortly before 10 a.m., a crowd of about 250 had gathered in front of Finland House. Some are dressed in traditional Finnish garb. Up front, the 24-member Finnish Male Choir of Florida is assembling on the porch, framed by a flag pole to either side, beneath a sign above the door that says: <i>Tervetuloa</i> — Welcome.</p>
<p>But Peter Makila was not there.</p>
<p>“He’s had an illness,” Dr. Sirpa Aho, the club’s president, confided. “I don’t know. It’s not like him not to be here.”</p>
<p>Promptly at 10 a.m., they began.</p>
<p>The choir sang <i>The Star-Spangled Banner</i> as an American flag was raised to the left of the porch. Then they sang, <i>Maamme — Our Land</i> —as the blue cross on a white field rose on the right.</p>
<p>Then Dr. Sirpa Aho stepped forward, speaking first in Finnish, then translating.</p>
<p>“The big day has dawned,” she said, “as beautiful as always here in Florida. Our independence was a big miracle. Our fathers and mothers and grandfathers and grandmothers helped us get through the hard times after the war, and today Finland is a modern country with a high standard of living after 100 years.”</p>
<p>Pastor Mia Hagman of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Lake Worth read Peter Makila’s brief remarks and asked for prayers.</p>
<p>Later, Makila called to say he was fine, and on Dec. 14, he and his family flew home to Turku, the city his great uncle Gus Koski had left in 1913 and he in 1965, for Christmas.</p>
<p>Lantana Mayor David Stewart said, “Thank you on behalf of all our citizens for your great involvement and contributions to our community.”</p>
<p>And finally, a representative from the old country spoke.</p>
<p>Kari Kallonen is a journalist and military historian, the author most recently of <i>The Star-Spangled Banner</i> in the Winter War, an account of the 450 Finnish Americans and Canadians who volunteered to fight for Finland during World War II.</p>
<p>“I bring you greetings from the Finnish government,” Kallonen told them as smartphones recorded him. “We fought and worked hard to build our nation, and we’re thankful for the support we got from America.</p>
<p>“We like Mickey Mouse, and we have McDonald’s and Burger King. Finland is America’s most eastern state.”</p>
<p>And so they went inside the clubhouse, to chat in both English and Finnish while snacking on coffee and <i>pulla</i>, the traditional coffee cake.</p>
<p>Before long, the club will mark another anniversary. In February 1948, the original clubhouse was dedicated. In February 2018, they will celebrate its 70th birthday.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, as the six-member Finnish Accordion Club serenaded the crowd with <i>My Roots In Finland</i>, a man named Harry Manner, 80, waited on the floor above to greet visitors to his Price of Freedom Museum, an impressively large collection of Finnish military memorabilia. </p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960763678,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960763678,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" class="align-center" alt="7960763678?profile=original" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>Harry Manner holds a knife that belonged to his father at his Price of Freedom Museum, a collection of Finnish military memorabilia. <strong>Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star</strong></em></p>
<p>The small room is full of carefully displayed cases full of badges and ribbons, mannequins modeling army uniforms, patriotic posters and wartime newspapers, a Wall of Honor and a 9mm Suomi machine pistol.</p>
<p>“That’s the pistol that saved Finland in World War II because it was so accurate,” Manner boasted.</p>
<p>The collection, which opened in 2005, had once belonged to a fellow named Dwyer Wedvick in Connecticut. Wedvick was ready to offer it for sale on eBay when Manner bought it.</p>
<p>“I came to the United States aboard the RMS Mauritania,” Manner said. “We came to New York and I saw the Statue of Liberty. I was 14, and it was Dec. 6, 1951. So this is the 100th anniversary of Finnish independence, and the 66th anniversary of my arrival in America.” </p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960763868,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960763868,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" class="align-center" alt="7960763868?profile=original" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>Finland House’s location in Lantana merits a special street sign. <strong>Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star</strong></em></p>
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<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960763868,original{{/staticFileLink}}"></a></p></div>Lake Worth: Partners in renovation vie for ownership of historic Gulfstream Hotelhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/lake-worth-partners-in-renovation-vie-for-ownership-of-historic-g2017-11-01T19:38:34.000Z2017-11-01T19:38:34.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960750280,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960750280,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="600" alt="7960750280?profile=original" /></a></strong><em>The Gulfstream Hotel in Lake Worth has been closed for more than 10 years. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>By Jane Smith</strong><br /> <br /> Two partners are vying for control of the historic Gulfstream Hotel in Lake Worth as an April expiration nears on the city’s approvals of a proposed $70 million renovation.<br /> Steven Michael, a principal of Delray Beach-based Hudson Holdings, said his firm on Oct. 20 offered to buy out Carl DeSantis from his stake in the Gulfstream Hotel. The offer is good for 60 days, Michael said. He declined to offer details.<br /> “We have no comment on any proposed transaction involving the Gulfstream Hotel,” Jeff Perlman replied via email on Oct. 24. He is executive vice president of DeSantis’ CDS International Holdings in Boca Raton. “CDS Gulfstream remains the managing member of the property.”<br /> Over the summer, CDS moved to gain control of the six-story, Mediterranean-style Gulfstream, long considered a crown jewel in Lake Worth. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, the Gulfstream Hotel has been closed for more than 10 years. <br /> “Recently, we have become managers of the project,” Perlman said via email in early October. “We immediately started to work with the city to clean up the property and work through code enforcement issues.”<br /> William Waters, community sustainability director for Lake Worth, confirmed that the city placed a notice on the hotel this summer about code violations including high grass and broken windows. The code issues have since been addressed, he said. <br />To date, the only portion of the project completed has been the razing of two historic houses on the 1.8-acre site near the foot of the Lake Worth Bridge. Perlman declined to answer specific questions about when CDS Holdings took control of the hotel from Hudson Holdings and why the change occurred.<br /> On June 16, state corporate records were changed to have William Milmoe, CDS Holdings president, listed as the property’s registered agent. <br /> He replaced Hudson Holdings principal Andrew Greenbaum as the registered agent.<br /> Hudson Holdings is also the developer of the proposed Midtown Delray Beach project along Swinton Avenue in the Old School Square Historic District, which includes the historic Sundy House. The project of retail, condo, office and hotel rooms was rejected by the city’s Historic Preservation Board in June, but a revised version is under review by city planners. <br /> In February, Terry Woods, a Delray Beach real estate investor, sued Hudson Holdings Gulfstream, the division involved with the hotel, for nonpayment of a $1 million balloon loan that carried a 9 percent annual interest rate. HH Gulfstream missed the interest payment due in November 2016 and the months following, according to the lawsuit.<br /> Woods filed a voluntary notice of dismissal in July, indicating that he was paid. <br /> DeSantis, a billionaire who founded Rexall Sundown vitamins, personally guaranteed a $5 million Hudson Holdings loan from Florida Community Bank in Winter Park that made up the bulk of the $7.2 million Gulfstream purchase in 2014. Greenbaum signed the mortgage for Hudson Holdings, according to property records. The mortgage remains on the hotel.<br /> Michael met DeSantis around 2006, when DeSantis owned the two-square-block property on Atlantic Avenue and the Intracoastal Waterway in Delray Beach now known as Atlantic Crossing. Perlman was the city’s mayor at the time. Michael tried to take the mixed-use project through the Delray Beach approval process but was unsuccessful. <br /> “The city turned him down because we thought it was just too much development for that property,” Perlman said.<br /> Michael’s team did take the Gulfstream through Lake Worth’s historic review process, receiving approval in March 2016. The current development order is good through April 2018 due to hurricane-related development extensions.<br /> The renovation is planned in phases with the hotel finished first, according to Lake Worth Historic Resources Preservation Board approvals. <br /> Amenities will include a champagne room and a rooftop bar. Restoring the hotel to its 1925 grandeur will result in 18 fewer rooms, for a total of 87. <br /> The approvals also included demolition of the two historic houses to make way for a 6,500-square-foot, one-story building on the southeast side to provide kitchen facilities for the Gulfstream Hotel.<br /> A 65-foot-tall, five-story hotel annex and a two-story parking garage with rooftop parking on the hotel’s west side are also in the plans.</p></div>Along the Coast: Delray, Boca ban medical marijuana sales; Boynton, Lake Worth don’thttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/along-the-coast-delray-boca-ban-medical-marijuana-sales-boynton-l2017-10-04T18:35:01.000Z2017-10-04T18:35:01.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p>By Jane Smith<br /> <br /> Medical marijuana dispensaries are banned from opening in the city limits, Delray Beach city commissioners decided at the end of September.<br /> Acknowledging Florida voters who overwhelmingly approved the state ballot question on medical marijuana last November, Commissioner Mitch Katz persuaded his fellow commissioners to revisit the decision in one year. They unanimously agreed. <br /> A majority of Delray Beach voters also voted in favor of medical marijuana sales.<br /> State legislators tied the city’s hands when they said local governments could regulate the dispensaries with only the same rules placed on pharmacies, City Attorney Max Lohman said. That means no limits on the number or where they can operate.<br /> Marijuana sales are still illegal on the federal level, making all dispensary sales cash-based, he said. “They can’t accept credit or debit cards,” he said. Lohman also pointed out issues with the unregulated dosage strength of medical marijuana.<br /> The city’s two public safety chiefs spoke out against the dispensaries when asked their opinion by the mayor.<br /> “They harden the buildings to avoid robberies, which makes it harder for us to enter,” Police Chief Jeff Goldman said. “It adds another issue to our being able to protect the public.”<br /> Acting Fire Chief Keith Tomey said the dispensaries would likely lead to an increase in calls for fire-rescue staff.<br /> “We are the poster child for irresponsible prescribing of opioids,” Mayor Cary Glickstein said. “Will there be irresponsible prescribing of medical marijuana?”<br /> Delray Beach staff will watch to see how nearby cities of Boynton Beach and Lake Worth handle the dispensaries, along with the county. <br /> Boynton Beach tried to regulate the location of the dispensaries before the state Legislature determined its rules in June. Then, in August, the City Commission on a 3-2 vote decided not to ban the dispensaries. <br /> Lake Worth did not try to regulate the dispensaries, and two have plans to open there along Dixie Highway.<br /> Boca Raton in late September tentatively passed an ordinance that permanently bans medical marijuana dispensaries from operating in the city. </p>
<p> The tentative ban passed just weeks before a yearlong moratorium on medical marijuana treatment centers and dispensing organizations expires in November. The moratorium was instituted in November 2016 for the second time in two years so City Council members could review related land development regulations. <br /> The county waited for the state to issue its rules and is working on an ordinance that would allow the dispensaries to operate in the areas outside city limits.<br /> Delray Beach is taking a watch-and-wait approach.<br /> “The commission can always adopt it at a later point when it sees the problems with it,” Glickstein said. Ú<br /><br /> Sallie James contributed to this story.</p></div>Lantana/Lake Worth: MPO workshop July 22 to study Federal Highwayhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/lantana-lake-worth-mpo-workshop-july-22-to-study-federal-highway2017-06-28T16:11:07.000Z2017-06-28T16:11:07.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p> A public outreach campaign for the Palm Beach County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s multimodal study of the U.S.-1 corridor from Boca Raton to Jupiter continues with a workshop from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 22 at the Lake Worth Art Center. The study focuses on potential improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and transit along the 42-mile stretch of U.S. 1, including Hypoluxo, Lantana and Lake Worth.<br /> The Saturday workshop, one of several held throughout the county, includes an introductory presentation, a walking tour to audit existing facilities and needs, followed by group discussion on observed problems and potential solutions. <br /> The purpose is to develop a comprehensive plan to implement continuous multimodal facilities that connect the communities along the corridor, including upgraded Palm Tran bus service.<br /> Open studio/charrettes will follow July 24-26 at Lake Worth Art Center, 1121 Lucerne Ave., Lake Worth. For more information, see <a href="http://www.palmbeachmpo.org">www.palmbeachmpo.org</a>.<br /><br /><em>—Mary Thurwachter</em><br /><br /></p></div>Along the Coast: Cocoanut dreamshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/along-the-coast-cocoanut-dreams2017-05-31T17:00:00.000Z2017-05-31T17:00:00.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;" class="font-size-5">Exhibit sprouts from fortunate photo find</span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;" class="font-size-5"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960721869,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="600" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960721869,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960721869?profile=original" /></a></span></strong><em>Nancy, Leila and Dorothy Pierson (l-r) display decorated coconuts at their roadside ‘Cocoanut Stand,’</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>possibly to raise money for the Red Cross during World War I.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960722061,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960722061,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960722061?profile=original" /></a><br /><em>A hand-tinted photograph of what is now State Road A1A.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><br /><strong>Photos courtesy of Janet DeVries</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', times;" class="font-size-2"><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960722301,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="600" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960722301,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960722301?profile=original" /></a></strong><em>Leila Pierson leans against a cocoanut palm in this early 20th-century image.</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', times;" class="font-size-2"><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960722090,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="600" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960722090,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960722090?profile=original" /></a></em></span><span style="font-family:'times new roman', times;" class="font-size-2"><em>Her husband, Romeyn Pierson Sr., stands near the boat named for his wife.</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', times;" class="font-size-2"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960722676,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="600" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960722676,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960722676?profile=original" /></a><em>Romeyn Pierson Jr. poses with his rifle.</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', times;" class="font-size-2"><strong>Photos courtesy of Janet DeVries</strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"></p>
<p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman', times;" class="font-size-2"><strong>By Ron Hayes<br /> <br /></strong> You say “coconut.” They say “cocoanut.”<br /> The Oxford English Dictionary says cocoanut-with-an-a is the “old-fashioned spelling.”<br /> That’s why local historians Janet DeVries and Ginger Pedersen call their exhibit of old-fashioned Florida photographs, “Cocoanut Dreams.”<br /> “We spelled it that way on purpose,” says DeVries, without apology. “I actually had one person correct a press release and want to spell it without the ‘a.’”<br /> “Cocoanut Dreams,” on display through Sept. 14 on the second floor of the Boynton Beach City Library, features 30 historic photographs of Ocean Ridge, Manalapan, Hypoluxo Island, Lantana and Lake Worth, taken between 1912 and 1925, when cocoanut palms were more common than condos and air conditioning was only a dream.<br /> For DeVries, a librarian at Palm Beach State College and immediate past president of the Boynton Beach Historical Society, finding a crumbling photo album on eBay in 2014 was a dream come true.<br /> The owner was asking $200 but let her have it for $150. Inside, she found 108 photographs annotated with titles like “Boynton Hotel Cottages,” “Along Lake Worth” and “Manalapan.”<br /> Three years later, she has identified the photographer as A. Romeyn Pierson Jr., whose family owned a house on the dunes built in 1894 by Elnathan T. Field of Manalapan, N.J. <br /> Based on the ages of his children and other records, DeVries was able to date the pictures as having been made between 1912, when the family bought “Manalapan Cottage,” and 1925.<br /> “For the exhibit, I chose the ones that were really idyllic and depicted the area at that time, and also several of those he had hand-tinted,” she explains.<br /> Here’s Ocean Boulevard when it was only an unpaved road, a Red Cross volunteer selling cocoanut milk for 10 cents a serving, a Naval seaman in his “Cracker Jack” uniform.<br /> Here’s Leila, the boat Pierson’s father named after his wife, and here’s Leila herself, leaning against a palm tree.<br /> And there are cocoanut palms, of course. Lots and lots of cocoanut palms.<br /> “These people were planting cocoanut palms and trying to make money off them,” DeVries says, “and now we have coconut milk and coconut oil and people are touting the health benefits.”<br /> At 5:30 p.m. June 7, the library will host a reception during which DeVries will discuss her discovery, the Piersons, the photographs and the area as it was a century ago.<br /> The exhibit is sponsored by the city’s Art in Public Places program, whose manager, Debby Coles-Dobay, promises gifts for some who attend.<br /> “We’ve got 20 cocoanut palms sprouting in plastic pots that we’re going to give away,” Coles-Dobay said. “We’ll put names in a pot and draw 20, and those winners will take home their own cocoanut palm to plant. We’re sharing the dream.”<br /> But dreams die in time.<br /> Romeyn Pierson Sr. and his daughter, Dorothy, died in the flu epidemic of 1919, and his son, the photographer, succumbed to alcoholism in 1929.<br /> Their granddaughter, Nancy Tilton, inherited Manalapan Cottage, and after her death the house was razed in 2000.<br /> “It was a dream,” DeVries says, “but sometimes life gets in the way and the dream doesn’t survive the four D’s — divorce, disease, death and developers.”</span></p></div>On the Water: Peace... calm... naturehttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/on-the-water-peace-calm-nature2017-05-03T14:25:36.000Z2017-05-03T14:25:36.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><span class="font-size-6"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;">Paddling the habitats of Lake Worth Lagoon</span></strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960720501,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960720501,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960720501?profile=original" /></a></strong><span class="font-size-2"><em>Mangrove islands and breakwaters of the Snook Islands Natural Area —</em></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><span class="font-size-2"><em>islands built by Palm Beach County to improve water quality and wildlife habitat.</em></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><span class="font-size-2"><em>Lake Worth Municipal Golf Course is at left.</em></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><strong><span class="font-size-2">Photo by Palm Beach County</span></strong></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><span class="font-size-2"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960721069,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960721069,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960721069?profile=original" /></a></span></span><em><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><span class="font-size-2">A kayaker paddles around the Snook Islands Natural Area.</span></span></em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><span class="font-size-2">Willie Howard/The Coastal Star</span></span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align:left;"><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><span class="font-size-2"><strong>By Willie Howard</strong> <br /><br /> Paddling a kayak quietly around Worth Lagoon between Palm Beach and Lake Worth offers paddlers a refreshing dose of nature, despite occasional distractions from the surrounding urban jungle.<br /> Mullet jump. Osprey peep-peep-peep overhead. American oystercatchers strut around sandy beaches on the restoration islands, created by Palm Beach County to improve water quality, promote seagrass growth and create habitat for fish and wildlife in the Lake Worth Lagoon.<br /></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align:left;"><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><span class="font-size-2"> “You hear people say all the time that they had no idea this was out here,” said Bryce Billings, owner of Kayak Lake Worth, which offers guided paddling tours departing from The Beach Club restaurant at the Lake Worth golf course.</span></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><span class="font-size-2"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960720872,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960720872,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960720872?profile=original" /></a><em>Bryce Billings of Kayak Lake Worth paddles over one of the sandy spits near the south end</em></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><span class="font-size-2"><em>of the Snook Islands Natural Area. Billings rents kayaks and offers guided tours of the area.</em></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><span class="font-size-2"><em><strong>BELOW:</strong> Least terns started nesting on the Grassy Flats restoration islands when the islands</em></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><span class="font-size-2"><em>were completed in 2015, marking the first time the terns were found nesting on the ground in Palm Beach County.</em></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><span class="font-size-2">Photos by Willie Howard and David Carson</span></span></strong></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><span class="font-size-2"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960721086,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960721086,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960721086?profile=original" /></a></span></span></strong></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2"><span class="font-size-2"> Billings says his paddling groups sometimes encounter manatees and cownose rays. Great blue herons, ospreys, oystercatchers, pelicans and least terns are common sights around the islands.</span></span><br /></p>
<p style="text-align:left;"><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><span class="font-size-2"> Anglers fishing around the islands of the central lagoon can catch snook, mangrove snapper, barracuda, sheepshead and small bait fish along with the occasional redfish and spotted sea trout. <br /> Restoration islands near the Lake Avenue Bridge include the Snook Islands project, completed in 2005 (and later expanded); the two Grassy Flats islands on the east side of the lagoon near the Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course; Bryant Park Wetlands islands south of the bridge near Lake Worth’s Bryant Park; and the Jewel Cove project southeast of the bridge across from Lake Worth Beach.<br /> To date, the county has overseen 49 environmental restoration projects in the Lake Worth Lagoon, the 20-mile-long estuary that stretches from Ocean Ridge to North Palm Beach. <br /> The goals: improve water quality, promote the growth of seagrass by filling mucky holes with sand so sunlight can reach a stable bottom, and create habitat for fish and wildlife by planting vegetation such as mangroves and Spartina grass.<br /> Creating a place for paddling, fishing and nature observation is a side benefit of the restoration work. The Snook Islands Natural Area features a boardwalk and gazebo overlooking the mangrove islands, educational kiosks, day-use boat docks, a fishing pier and a kayak launch on the northwest side of the Lake Avenue Bridge.<br /> During a paddling trip in March, Billings and I shoved off from the shoreline near The Beach Club restaurant at the Lake Worth golf course, then paddled south along the south end of Snook Islands Natural Area and under the bridge to the Bryant Park islands. <br /> American oystercatchers, beautiful with their black heads and long bright-orange bills, let us drift up close in our kayaks before they moved or flew away. <br /> Paddling east across the Intracoastal channel, we found a sheltered spot east of the Grassy Flats islands, which are just south of Palm Beach’s Ibis Isle community. <br /> For a moment, all we could hear were birds and breeze as we drifted by a sandy beach planted with Spartina grass, also known as cordgrass. Our quiet moment was interrupted by the sound of a helicopter overhead.<br /> Least terns nest on the Grassy Flats islands.<br /> That’s significant because least terns had never been found nesting on the ground in Palm Beach County until the Grassy Flats islands were completed in 2015. Previously, the threatened terns nested on the flat roofs of department stores and warehouses, where the nests were not likely to be disturbed.<br /> Ten pairs of least terns nested on the beach at Grassy Flats in 2015; another 31 pairs nested there last year. Because of bird nesting, paddlers and other boaters are not allowed to stop and walk around on the restoration islands. <br /> Paddling back toward the launch spot at the Lake Worth golf course, we paused around mature mangroves at Snook Islands. <br />A tiny common yellowthroat foraged around the arching prop roots of the red mangroves as the raspy call of a great blue heron came from the shoreline.<br /><br /> For information on renting a kayak to paddle the restoration islands or taking a guided paddling tour, contact Kayak Lake Worth at 225-8250 or <a href="http://www.kayaklakeworth.com">www.kayaklakeworth.com</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;" class="font-size-3"><strong>Lake Worth Lagoon Fishing Challenge</strong></span><br /> The second annual Lake Worth Lagoon Fishing Challenge, a free fishing tournament that helps researchers gather information on estuarine fish and offers the chance to win prizes, begins May 26 and continues through July 9.<br /> Prizes include Engel coolers and Penn rod-and-reel combinations. An awards ceremony is planned following the tournament at the West Palm Beach Fishing Club. <br /> Participating anglers can sign up by downloading the iAnglerTournament app on their cellphones, registering for the challenge through the app and following guidelines.<br /> The challenge is open to anglers ages 5 and older. It’s free. <br /> Prizes will be awarded in several age categories. A separate sport fish prize category covers snook, redfish, sea trout, tarpon and bonefish.<br /> Fishing will be in the Lake Worth Lagoon, which stretches from Ocean Ridge to North Palm Beach.<br /> Fish can be photographed and released — or kept if they are of legal size and in season. <br /> Participating anglers must have valid Florida saltwater fishing licenses, unless exempt, and must submit information about the fish they catch through the tournament app, including the location of the catch, the length of the fish, the species and the date.<br /> For more details, go to <a href="http://www.lwli.org/fishingchallenge">www.lwli.org/fishingchallenge</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;" class="font-size-3"><strong>STAR tournament</strong></span> <br /> CCA/Florida’s STAR fishing tournament begins May 27 and continues through Sept. 4.<br /> More than $500,000 worth of prizes are being offered in several divisions in the statewide tournament for members of CCA/Florida who have registered for the 2017 event.<br /> Caught fish can be photographed against a 2017 tournament measuring device and released. Catch photos are submitted through the STAR smartphone app.<br /> Eligible fish include snook, sea trout, redfish, cobia, kingfish, mahi mahi, sheepshead and lionfish. Participants must be members of CCA/Florida. The adult entry fee is $35.<br /> For details, call 844-387-7827 or visit <a href="http://www.ccaflstar.com">www.ccaflstar.com</a> to register online.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;" class="font-size-3"><strong>Coming events</strong></span><br /> May 6: Basic boating safety class offered by Coast Guard Auxiliary, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the headquarters building at Spanish River Park, 3939 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton. Fee is $35 for adults ($20 ages 12 to 19). Register at the door. Bring lunch. Call 391-3600 or email fso-pe@cgauxboca.org.<br /> May 24: Capt. Don Dingman shares tips for catching large “smoker” kingfish, 7 p.m. at the West Palm Beach Fishing Club, 201 Fifth St., West Palm Beach. Free. Call 832-6780 or visit <a href="http://www.westpalmbeachfishingclub.org">www.westpalmbeachfishingclub.org</a>.<br /> May 27: Boating safety class offered by Coast Guard Auxiliary, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the classroom building next to the boat ramps, Harvey E. Oyer Jr. Park, 2010 N. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach. Fee is $20. For ages 14-18, $10. Family rate for three or more people: $50. Younger that 14 free with a paid adult. Register at the door. Call 704-7440.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia, palatino;" class="font-size-3"><strong>Tip of the month</strong></span><br /> If you’re doing your part to remove invasive lionfish from Florida waters and happen to be hit by one of the lionfish’s venomous spines, don’t panic — but do notify your dive partner immediately.<br /> Those two tips for treating lionfish stings are from the Divers Alert Network, best known as DAN. <br /> DAN suggests that divers stung by lionfish leave the water as soon as possible. Remove any obvious foreign material (such as spines) from the wound and rinse it with clean water.<br /> Then soak the wound for 30 minutes in hot, non-scalding water (about 110 degrees).<br /> Monitor the person who is stung and take him/her to the nearest emergency room if needed.<br />When in doubt, contact the DAN emergency hotline at 919- 684-9111. <br /><br /><em>Willie Howard is a freelance writer and licensed boat captain. Reach him at tiowillie@bellsouth.net.</em><br /></span></span></p></div>Secret Gardens: Farmer plants box gardens to help chefs offer fresh, seasonal menushttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/secret-gardens-farmer-plants-box-gardens-to-help-chefs-offer-fres2017-03-29T14:17:38.000Z2017-03-29T14:17:38.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960709881,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960709881,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960709881?profile=original" /></a><em>Jason McCobb, his wife, Denia, and daughter, Reese, in a sunflower field on their farm.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960710653,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960710653,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960710653?profile=original" /></a><em>Blooming nasturtiums in the raised bed gardens at the Farmer’s Table in Boca Raton are not only pretty but edible.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"></p>
<p style="text-align:left;"><strong>By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley</strong></p>
<p> At the Farmer’s Table restaurant in Boca Raton, you’ll see a small patch of land between the parking lot and the restaurant building that’s now a kitchen garden.<br /> Here, cedar boxes filled with rich dirt support stems of fragrant rosemary, rattlesnake pole beans grow toward the sky and the frilly tops of fennel bulbs blow in the breeze.<br /> This isn’t just the handiwork but the mission of Jason McCobb (also known as Farmer Jay), who is out to fill any empty space he can with a vegetable patch. <br /> “The food system begins in your back yard. A vegetable patch should be as common at restaurants and homes as bathrooms,” he said.<br /> It doesn’t matter whether you plant a fruit tree out front, a tomato patch in a corner of the yard or a full kitchen garden instead of a lawn, as long as you participate.<br /> “Everybody can do their part and grow something,” he said.<br /> And that’s why since about 2010 McCobb has worked with restaurants, schools and homeowners to create and plant box gardens. You can see his handiwork at Tanzy in Mizner Park as well as the Farmer’s Table, where we talked to him.<br /> He builds the cedar boxes in a wood shop on his 2 ½-acre farm in Lake Worth. He fills them with his own mixture of soil and fertilizes them with his private recipe of chicken manure, worm castings, volcanic rock dust and coral calcium. Then he installs an irrigation system that uses micro-sprayer heads.<br /> Of course, this 1,200-square-foot garden with its 17 boxes can’t supply all the produce for the Farmer’s Table. “I could plant the whole thing in romaine and it still wouldn’t be enough,” he said.<br /> Instead, he views his restaurant garden patches as an opportunity to educate the public about what can be achieved in small spaces and how food looks in the field. <br /> And it gives the chef a chance to try new things. For example, this garden contains such uncommon offerings as moluccan spinach, Japanese parsley and Italian red-stemmed dandelions.<br /> Also, the chef can harvest the produce when he needs it to assure freshness, and he can select the vegetables at the maturity he desires. For example, the turnips growing here can be taken when they are young or as they grow larger. And the chef not only gets the turnip itself but also the greens.<br /> “Nothing goes to waste here,” Farmer Jay said, even if some of the spent plants he pulled out today are fed to the chickens on his farm. <br /> As the seasons turn and the crops are used up, new ones must be planted. Farmer Jay works with the chef to decide what to grow. During the growing season from September to May, you might find frisee, romaine, mizuna, onions, oregano, thyme and mint.<br /> He also likes to grow edible flowers such as pansies, marigolds and nasturtiums, not only to eat but to add color and attract pollinators. <br /> In the heat of the summer, he grows native Everglades tomatoes the size of marbles, some varieties of romaine lettuce, amaranth greens and okra, among other things.<br /> On this day, he did maintenance at the garden, a service he offers only to restaurants. He cleared out beds of marigolds that had gone to seed as well as Japanese parsley and heirloom broccoli to be replaced by rows of mint and basil. <br /> As he worked, a couple leaving the restaurant stopped to admire his handiwork.<br /> “I love this,” said Angela Vernon, who with her husband, Tim, was visiting her mother-in-law in Boca Raton. “My dad was a real gardener and we were just talking about getting started growing vegetables this summer at our house.” <br /> Little did Farmer Jay know that the seed of an idea he sowed here will bloom halfway across the country when this couple returns home and plants their garden in Chicago.<strong><br /> <br /></strong><em>Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley is a certified master gardener who can be reached at debhartz@att.net when she’s not digging in her garden.</em></p></div>Loop for Literacy: John Prince Park, Lake Worth – Feb. 4https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/loop-for-literacy-john-prince-park-lake-worth-feb-42017-03-01T14:01:40.000Z2017-03-01T14:01:40.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960702458,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960702458,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960702458?profile=original" /></a><em>More than 350 cyclists, runners and walkers -- including (l-r) Kendall Apte, Susan Tusting</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>and Margaret Blume -- turned out for the annual fundraiser that had cyclists pedaling 40 miles</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>and runners and walkers doing 3.1 miles. There also was a 1-mile Family Fun Walk & Ride.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>The event benefited the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County, whose mission is to ensure</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>every child and adult in the area can read.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Photo provided</strong></p></div>Books: Cottage industry - Volunteers’ legwork culminates in book on Lake Worth’s wee houseshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/books-cottage-industry-volunteers-legwork-culminates-in-book-on-l2016-11-30T16:30:00.000Z2016-11-30T16:30:00.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960681294,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960681294,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="600" alt="7960681294?profile=original" /></a></strong><em>Photographer Taylor Jones with Janice Snearer, book coordinator of The Cottages of Lake Worth. <strong>Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star</strong></em></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>By Ron Hayes</strong><br /> <br /> They began arriving in the 1920s, humble and unpretentious, and by the end of World War II about 1,000 called Lake Worth home.<br /> Cottages. Small, wood-frame, single-family dwellings. From the Middle English cot, and the Old Norse kut, as in “hut.”<br /> Then came the gentrification, the renovation and the corporation. <br /> In 2013, the cottages of Lake Worth begat The Cottages of Lake Worth Inc., a nonprofit community organization that sponsors bike and walking tours to celebrate its colorful namesakes.<br /> And now, the book.<br /> <em>Living Large in Small Spaces: The Cottages of Lake Worth</em> is a beautifully photographed, lovingly researched history, a coffee table tome highlighting 60 of the city’s 200 renovated cottages.<br /> Naturally, the book was born in a cottage.<br /> “We were having a committee meeting and somebody said, ‘Who would like to do a coffee table book?’” Janice Snearer recalls. “And I looked and my hand was up.”<br /> Snearer, an artist and former gallery owner, became the coordinator, hosting meetings in her 1931 home on Lakeside Drive.<br /> Now the eight-member book committee had to select the 60 homes to be included in the book.<br /> “Joan Appel drove the getaway car,” Snearer recalls with a laugh. “I’d go to the door and have to talk very fast to explain what we were doing. One woman had that what-are-you-selling pose, arms crossed, but slowly she relaxed.”<br /> In the end, only one man politely declined to have his cottage included.<br /> In November 2014, Taylor Jones, an award-winning Palm Beach County photographer, joined the project.<br /> “I shot for one year and then spent another year editing pictures,” she explained. “Every cottage was different, and the creativity of the individual owners was amazing.”<br /> In March, the project was darkened by tragedy when Dean Sherwin, who wrote the book’s extensive text, succumbed to pancreatic cancer as the book was being prepared for the printer.<br /> “He worked all throughout his treatments to finish the writing and was able to see a mock-up of the finished book,” Snearer said.<br /> A GoFundMe campaign and donations from local businesses raised the $19,000 needed to produce the books, and on Nov. 3 they arrived, a print run of 1,000 copies, of which about 250 were already presold.<br /> The book is as beautiful as the cottages it honors — 240 pages, 200 color photographs, with Sherwin’s detailed histories and descriptive odes to the front porches and vaulted ceilings, the Chicago brick patios and tropical gardens that have made large dreams come true on small lots.<br /> “If it makes money, fine,” Snearer says, “but our purpose was to tell people what a great seaside town this is. Hurricanes didn’t take these cottages away. Construction didn’t take them. Decay didn’t take them.<br /> “Every cottage was an adventure, and the people who live in them are an asset to this town.”</p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960681491,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960681491,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="600" alt="7960681491?profile=original" /></a><br /> Living Large in Small Spaces: The Cottages of Lake Worth <em>is available for $32.95 at the Lake Worth Farmers Market, Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. A book signing will be held from 3 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, 601 Lake Ave., in Lake Worth.</em></p></div>Read for the Record: Sacred Heart School, Lake Worth – Oct. 27https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/read-for-the-record-sacred-heart-school-lake-worth-oct-272016-11-30T14:26:47.000Z2016-11-30T14:26:47.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960691290,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960691290,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960691290?profile=original" /></a><em>The private school joined Jumpstart’s literacy initiative to help break a world record for the most students</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>reading the same book the same day. The book at hand was ‘The Bear Ate Your Sandwich’ by Julia Sarcone-Roach.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>'Our children love to read,’ said Milka Santos, the school’s advancement director. ‘They often get to school early</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>to visit our Richard J. Schmeelk Family Library and check out books.’ A total of 200 readers participated</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>and were read to by WPTV-TV’s Ashley Hinson and Lake Worth Mayor Pam Triolo. Above are students,</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>administrators and board members (l-r): Nathaniel Sasser, 12, Cristina Balestrieri, Cynthia Ansel,</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>Denis Coleman, Frankie Stevens, Triolo, Isabella Walker, 11, Carla Cove, Hinson, Tomaxa Nazier, 12,</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>William Finneran, Samantha Gilles, 11, Candace Tamposi and Colleen Fitzgerald.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Photo provided</strong></p></div>Paws Up for Pets: Cat sanctuary is her ‘Mount Everest’ missionhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/paws-up-for-pets-cat-sanctuary-is-her-mount-everest-mission2016-06-29T13:06:09.000Z2016-06-29T13:06:09.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960661066,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960661066,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7960661066?profile=original" /></a><em>A group of felines greets visitors near the entrance of the cat sanctuary.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960660875,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960660875,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7960660875?profile=original" /></a><em>(L-R) Ariel Milrad, Ulla Oest, Thomas Raabe and Benilda Milrad at God’s Creatures</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>Great and Small Sanctuary in rural Lake Worth.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Photos by Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"></p>
<p style="text-align:left;"><strong>By Arden Moore</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:left;"> Entering her retirement years in 2004, Ulla Oest enjoyed the financial security of having savings in the bank and a home with a paid-off mortgage. <br /> But then she learned of a cat sanctuary in Lake Worth that was about to be closed, with the dozens of cats residing on this five-acre property facing eviction — or worse, euthanasia. Feeling a strong desire to help, she persuaded her husband, Ronald, to sell their home in Pompano Beach and take out a mortgage to obtain what she calls God’s Creatures Great and Small Sanctuary in rural Lake Worth near U.S. 441. <br /> A dozen years later, Oest, now 75, and her husband, who just turned 80, lack the same financial security, but feel blessed and enriched as they live on the property. <br /> “When I heard that 150 cats were about to lose their lives, I had to do something,” Oest says. “This is my Mount Everest mission. We applied the $390,000 from the sale of our place in Pompano Beach toward this property that cost $600,000. So yes, now at our ages, we have a mortgage again.” <br /> Born in 1941 in Nazi Germany, Oest spent her first four years living in bomb shelters to keep safe. When her father, a firefighter, befriended a Jewish neighbor, he was deemed a traitor to the “fatherland” and shipped to the Russian front. He survived the war, but struggled to get jobs to feed his family. <br /> “He was 20 pounds underweight with his ribs showing and then he managed to reach out to an uncle living in New Jersey, and in 1954, that uncle sponsored us to come to the United States,” recalls Oest. <br /> She did not speak a word of English when she stepped onto American soil, but by age 19, she had obtained American citizenship and felt pride for her adopted nation. <br /> “I love America and, for the first time in my life, I was not hungry anymore,” says Oest, who worked as a telephone operator, a gymnastics teacher and at other jobs throughout her life. <br /> Being saved — and saving others — has become Oest’s lifelong mantra. <br /> In 1989, she and her husband adopted a 10-year-old orphan from the Philippines. Their daughter, Benilda Milrad, is now married, with two children, Noah and Ariel, and lives in Coral Springs. <br /> The mother-daughter connection between Ulla and Benilda has been strong and solid since that adoption day. <br /> “She is my miracle, my absolute joy,” describes Oest. “A Fallopian tube burst when I was seven weeks pregnant and I was never able to give birth. We were able to later on adopt Benilda and she has been such a blessing in so many ways.” <br /> For a dozen years, Oest has quietly championed the cause of strays and feral cats living safely at her animal sanctuary. Currently, there are about 60 cats on the property. Sitting on the table next to her is Morris, a big-headed orange tabby rescued from living under a car. Morris is missing some teeth and drools, but Oest loves his sweet disposition. <br /> There is Bunny, a cat who spent her first four months of life trapped in a crate; Seummilla, a laid-back cat with a crippled tail; and Sidney, a handsome, all-black cat named in honor of actor Sidney Poitier. <br /> Assisting the Oests in the care of the cats is Thomas Raabe, who lives on the property, and their daughter, who ensures the sanctuary’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status remains current. <br /> “I do not have email or use the internet, but my daughter does those duties and Thomas is a good cook and a nice, kind man,” says Oest. “We cannot afford to pay him, but we provide him with free rent and utilities. We are fortunate.” <br /> The sanctuary features many feeding stations and enclosures with a special type of nylon netting to keep the cats from wandering outside the property. Oest transports cats in need of vaccinations, spaying, neutering and other medical attention to the Animal Medical Clinic of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach. <br /> “Oh, yes, she has been bringing cats here for care for about 12 years,” notes Lisa Anselmo, the main receptionist. “Ulla is a nice person and any time her cats need help, like dental problems, abscesses or anything else, she comes here.” <br /> Oest candidly acknowledges that money is tight, but she has never regretted her decision to leave a paid-for home to run this cat sanctuary. <br /> “I had a very hard childhood and then I lost my baby seven weeks into my pregnancy,” she says. “But I have a T-shirt that features the words, ‘Pursuing a dream heals a broken heart.’ This sanctuary, caring for these cats, has done much to heal my heart as has adopting our daughter. I feel lucky to pursue my purpose in life.”<strong><br /><br /></strong><em> Arden Moore, founder of <a href="http://www.FourLeggedLife.com">www.FourLeggedLife.com</a>, is an animal behavior consultant, editor, author, professional speaker and master certified pet first aid instructor. Each week, she hosts the popular Oh Behave! show on <a href="http://www.PetLifeRadio.com">www.PetLifeRadio.com</a>. Learn more by visiting <a href="http://www.fourleggedlife.com">www.fourleggedlife.com</a>.</em></p></div>St. Baldrick’s celebration: Brogues Downunder, Lake Worth – March 17https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/st-baldrick-s-celebration-brogues-downunder-lake-worth-march-172016-03-29T20:42:17.000Z2016-03-29T20:42:17.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960644873,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960644873,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7960644873?profile=original" /></a><em>The crowd cheers and records the proceedings at Brogues Downunder in support of the St. Baldrick’s</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>Foundation, which raises money for childhood cancer research.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960645270,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="600" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960645270,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7960645270?profile=original" /></a></em><em>Lake Worth resident Brian Lasure, 25, gets his head shaved during the fundraiser.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>He had been growing his dreadlocks for more than eight years.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Photos by Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star</strong></p></div>Along the Coast: Public offers a wide range of proposals to protect South Florida reefshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/along-the-coast-public-offers-a-wide-range-of-proposals-to-protec2016-02-04T14:53:17.000Z2016-02-04T14:53:17.000ZChris Felkerhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/ChrisFelker<div><p style="text-align:center;"><span class="font-size-5" style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong>Three areas between Lake Worth and Boca Raton proposed as no-take zones where fishing, lobstering could be banned.</strong></span></p>
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<p style="text-align:left;"><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><strong>By Willie Howard<br /><br /> </strong>Divers, anglers, boaters and others who enjoy South Florida’s coral reefs came to the Delray Beach Public Library Jan. 29 to comment on dozens of proposals intended to protect the reefs from threats such as pollution, anchor damage and high water temperatures.<br /> Recommendations for protecting South Florida’s coral reefs range from improving education to creating marine protected areas along the four-county area where fishing, lobstering and other consumptive uses could be prohibited.<br /><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960630865,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960630865,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="156" alt="7960630865?profile=original" /></a> High water temperatures, pollution, silt from beach restoration work, vessel groundings and anchor damage all threaten the delicate coral colonies that build the reefs.<br /> “It’s really death by a million cuts,” said Francisco Pagan, manager of the state’s Coral Reef Conservation Program.<br /> Although reefs in the Florida Keys are protected by a national marine sanctuary, including several no-take areas, there are no special regulations in place to protect the northern section of the Florida Reef Tract, which extends 105 miles from the north end of Biscayne National Park to St. Lucie Inlet near Stuart.<br /> The recommended management actions, or RMAs, were developed by a working group of about 50 volunteers who have been discussing South Florida’s reef problems and possible solutions since March 2014.<br /> If they become policy, the proposals could reduce sources of reef-damaging pollution; improve coral reef education for students, boaters and anglers; boost law enforcement on the water; create coral reef gardens; halt plans to expand Lake Worth Inlet for port traffic; and reduce the harvest of herbivorous fish that remove algae from the reefs.<br /> About 25 people came to each of the two Jan. 29 workshops to ask questions and submit comments about plans to protect South Florida’s reefs.<br /> Seasonal Delray Beach residents George and Gigi Mankoff said they would like to see more coral reef education in schools as well as hands-on educational opportunities for children.<br /> “If you’re a Floridian, you need to be concerned about the reefs because they’re such a beautiful resource,” Gigi Mankoff said.<br /> Among the proposals drawing public interest during the Delray Beach workshops were the 13 “areas of interest” selected for possible marine protected areas, or MPAs. <br /> One of the group’s recommendations: Protect 20 percent to 30 percent of the reef tract from “extractive use,” meaning no-take areas.<br /> Seven areas of interest for MPAs are being proposed along the coast of Palm Beach County, including five south of the Lake Worth Pier. They are:<br /> • The Lake Worth to Manalapan area, proposed as an MPA but not a no-take area. It would stretch from just south of Lake Worth Pier to Manalapan and extend from the beach to the outer edge of the reef. It covers popular dive destinations, such as Horseshoe Reef.<br /> • The Gulf Stream Reef, a proposed no-take zone along the reef tract with its center off the Boynton Beach water tower.<br /> • The MV Castor wreck, an artificial reef off Gulf Stream known as a Goliath grouper spawning area. It’s being proposed as a location for seasonal fish-spawning closures.<br /> • Fink’s Delray, a proposed no-take zone stretching from the beach to the outer edge of the reef tract. It extends from George Bush Boulevard in Delray Beach south to Toscana Towers in Highland Beach. The area is known for good hard coral cover and sites with relatively large numbers of fish.<br /> • Fink’s Grouper Hole, a proposed no-take zone known for its ledges and areas with large numbers of fish. Unlike Fink’s Delray, this proposed MPA would not cover the area between the reefs and the beach. Its approximate location is from Jasmine Drive in Delray Beach south to the north end of Lake Wyman in Boca Raton. <br /> The possibility of closing 20 to 30 percent of the South Florida reef tract to fishing and other consumptive uses has drawn strong reaction from fishing organizations.<br /> The recreational fishing group CCA/Florida sent an email to its members expressing concern over the proposed MPAs and urging them to attend the Our Florida Reefs workshops.<br /> CCA/Florida said it does not support MPAs unless they are scientifically justified, have stated goals and are used as a last resort.<br /> The recreational fishing group also disagreed with a proposal to create a national marine sanctuary along the coast of the four-county area, noting that would be an unneeded delegation of state authority to a federal agency.<br /> “The state has an excellent record of managing its fisheries and resources,” said Trip Aukeman, CCA/Florida’s director of advocacy. <br /> No-take zones should be considered “only when recreational fishing poses a clear and demonstrated threat to the sustainability of fisheries resources,” the American Sportfishing Association said in response to the Our Florida Reefs proposals.<br /> “The main threats to our coral reefs in Florida come from increased water temperatures, water quality and sedimentation — not fishing activities,” an ASA memo said.<br /> But the Our Florida Reefs working group memo says the possible MPAs — including no-take zones, no-anchor areas, restoration areas and areas closed to fishing during fish spawning seasons — would improve the condition of the region’s coral reefs. <br /> “There are user conflicts, unsustainable uses of the resource, direct impact to reefs from ships, boats, debris and anchors and disruptions to spawning (fish) aggregations,” the memo says.<br /> “We need areas that are completely set aside that don’t have any consumptive uses,” said Dave Gilliam, a coral reef ecologist and assistant professor of marine biology at Nova Southeastern University.<br /> Selling no-take areas to the public is likely to be difficult, said Tom Campbell, a Lighthouse Point diver who attended one of the Delray Beach workshops. Nonetheless, Campbell believes limited no-take areas could boost fish populations. “The fish have to have a place to go and spawn,” Campbell said.<br /> No-take areas, the working group says, could create better fishing outside the closed areas and could attract divers who want to see abundant marine life. <br /><strong> </strong>But the working group’s memo also notes that maintaining no-take areas would require “a large amount of enforcement effort.”</span></p>
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<p style="text-align:left;"><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family:'times new roman', times;"><br /><span class="font-size-4" style="font-family:georgia, palatino;"><strong>It’s not too late to comment</strong></span> <br /> The public is invited to comment on proposed management actions, even if they don’t attend one of the workshops. <br /> Comments must be received by March 1. They can be submitted online through the Our Florida Reefs website, <a href="http://www.ourfloridareefs.org">www.ourfloridareefs.org</a> (Click on “get involved” and pull down to “comment on management recommendations.”).<br /> Hard-copy comments, including comment cards from the workshop meetings, can be mailed to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 1277 NE 79th St. Causeway, Miami, FL 33138.<br /> A report containing final recommendations, expected this summer, will be presented to agencies that would be charged with reviewing the reef-protecting measures.<br /> Any recommendation that requires a rule or policy change would have to undergo its own separate review process before it could be implemented.</span></p></div>The Plate: Shrimp and grits (and jalapeños, too!)https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/dining-shrimp-and-grits-and-jalapenos-too2015-12-29T21:30:00.000Z2015-12-29T21:30:00.000ZChris Felkerhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/ChrisFelker<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960613700,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960613700,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7960613700?profile=original" /></a><strong> The Plate:</strong> Shrimp & Grits <br /> <strong> The Place:</strong> Benny’s on the Beach, Lake Worth Pier, 10 S. Ocean Blvd., Lake Worth; 582-9001 or <a href="http://www.bennys">www.bennys</a><br /> onthebeach.com.<br /> <strong> Cost:</strong> $14.99<br /> <strong> The Skinny:</strong> At Benny’s, they call the shrimp and grits the chef’s favorite.<br /> We won’t disagree because the dish now is one of our favorites.<br /> The creamy grits support a ring of roasted shrimp, cooked perfectly until tender. <br /> Another ring, of pickled jalapeños, offers a bit of subtle tang. And crumbled bacon and hot sauce make it sing on your palate. <br /> <em>— Scott Simmons</em><br /></p></div>Angel Tree Dinner for the Homeless: Holy Redeemer Episcopal Church and Outreach Center, Lake Worth – Dec. 11https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/angel-tree-dinner-for-the-homeless-holy-redeemer-episcopal-church2015-12-29T21:20:59.000Z2015-12-29T21:20:59.000ZChris Felkerhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/ChrisFelker<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960623700,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960623700,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="360" alt="7960623700?profile=original" /></a><em>Saint Joseph’s Episcopal School eighth-graders, along with their parents and faculty</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>and staff members, served a Christmas meal for nearly 50 underprivileged families.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>In addition to collecting and cooking the food, the school donated new work shoes</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>for men in need. There were gifts, as well, for the children.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em><strong>ABOVE:</strong> (l-r) Kate Lowry, Ryan Flynn, Susan and Jeff Beebe and Lynne Jones, school chaplain.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Photo provided</strong><br /><br /></p></div>Lake Worth: City rejects partnership with Delray Beach firmhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/lake-worth-city-rejects-partnership-with-delray-beach-firm2015-11-04T17:59:51.000Z2015-11-04T17:59:51.000ZChris Felkerhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/ChrisFelker<div><p> A public-private partnership at the Lake Worth Casino complex, proposed by one of the owners of the historic Sundy House in Delray Beach, has been rejected by the City Commission.<br /> “We are not going to accept any more proposals until we can identify what the financial, operational and physical issues are” at the casino complex, Commissioner Scott Maxwell proposed on Oct. 20. The other four commissioners agreed.<br /> Steven Michael, principal of Delray Beach-based Hudson Holdings, said he wanted the city to act on the latest offer. His company is still moving forward with renovation plans for the historic Gulfstream Hotel in Lake Worth. <br /> The city’s Historic Resources Preservation Board will hear a rezoning request Nov. 18 to tie together the parcels that contain the Gulfstream Hotel and another proposed hotel. The proposal would then go before the City Commission in December for a first reading and then in January for a second reading. <br /> Michael hopes the city will ask soon for proposals for the casino complex.<br /><em>— Jane Smith</em></p></div>Back to school bash: Sacred Heart School, Lake Worth – Sept. 14https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/back-to-school-bash-sacred-heart-school-lake-worth-sept-142015-09-30T16:02:16.000Z2015-09-30T16:02:16.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960597294,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960597294,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="503" class="align-center" alt="7960597294?profile=original" /></a><em>Members of Atlantis Golf Club delivered backpacks full of supplies for schoolchildren returning to class. ‘The children of Sacred Heart School are eager to learn,’ Principal Candace Tamposi said. ‘Unfortunately, school supplies can’t be a priority for some of our families.’ <b>ABOVE:</b> (l-r) Tom McEniff, Janet Leininger, Tamposi and Len Leininger. <b>Photo provided</b></em></p>
<p><b> </b></p></div>Lake Worth: Casino plans get 2nd airing, in more controlled settinghttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/lake-worth-casino-plans-get-2nd-airing-in-more-controlled-setting2015-09-02T16:25:46.000Z2015-09-02T16:25:46.000ZChris Felkerhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/ChrisFelker<div><p><strong>By Jane Smith</strong><br /><br /> The aroma of fried chicken wafted through the casino ballroom as Lake Worth residents checked in to a “courteous conversation” about future plans for the Lake Worth Casino complex.<br /> A partner in the historic Sundy House in Delray Beach who also co-owns the historic Gulfstream Hotel in downtown Lake Worth paid for the spread. Fresh fruits, crudités and dip, slices of wrap sandwiches, cheeses and bottled water were served during the Aug. 24 dinner hours. String music played on the sound system while the residents were processed. Three Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office deputies stood guard. <br /> Residents had to submit questions in advance and show their driver licenses before they could enter the ballroom. Then they received wrist bands. Nearly 200 residents were seated by 5:20 p.m. Renting the ballroom cost at least $168, which also includes the tables and 200 chairs.<br /> “We are here to listen,” said Steve Michael, a principal of Hudson Holdings, sponsor of the event. “We do have a large vested interest in the Gulfstream Hotel, but we are not here to present our project but to let the community talk.”<br /> Michael told the residents that the code issues the company had in Lake Worth were cleared up, which was verified by city staff. To quell questions about the Gulfstream Hotel, which was purchased in May 2014 but remains closed, he said Hudson Holdings submitted preliminary plans that day. The city has a rezoning application asking for permission to tie the Gulfstream and six other parcels together. <br /> About half of the residents there said they wanted improvements at the beach complex. Their ideas included: Build a new, deeper swimming pool without a wall so that when you are at the pool you can view the ocean; remove the parking from atop the complex and build a parking garage below that has green touches; and create a shuttle service from the downtown.<br /> The civil discourse of that session contrasted with the one held July 30 when Hudson Holdings and Anderson & Carr first presented their plans to an overflow crowd at a City Commission meeting. <br /> Hudson Holdings proposed a 22,000-square-foot addition that would include a mix of retail and restaurants on the first floor, 7,000-square-foot ballroom on the second floor, a new public pool and pool deck, covered valet drop-off and a two-story parking garage on the lower level.<br /> Paul Snitkin, of Anderson & Carr’s West Palm Beach office, said his client wanted to create a high-end Mediterranean restaurant in the unfinished space, take over the banquet hall and sell soups and sandwiches at the top of the stairs. The romantic restaurant would feature a “public table” section where people could sit together and with Lake Worth memorabilia on the walls. <br /> The meeting was so divisive that the mayor took a break from the dais and even the level headed City Manager Michael Bornstein said he was disappointed in his 3½ years in Lake Worth that he described as a “city that lacks trust.”<br /> On Aug. 25, city commissioners held a budget workshop. No one mentioned the plans for the beach complex. <br /> Commissioners reached a consensus to hire more lifeguards to staff the beach additional hours, add two part-time custodians, make the parking technician full-time, add $100,000 to its annual renewal and replacement fund, create a two-tier system for parking with summer and winter rates, and lengthen the utility bond repayment to 14 years.<br /> </p></div>Meet Your Neighbor: Candace Tamposihttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/meet-your-neighbor-candace-tamposi2015-09-02T16:17:27.000Z2015-09-02T16:17:27.000ZChris Felkerhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/ChrisFelker<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960590494,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960590494,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="276" alt="7960590494?profile=original" /></a><em>Candace Tamposi, principal at Sacred Heart School in Lake Worth,</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>surrounded by students. Previously, she was development director</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>at Rosarian Academy, then principal at St. Ann Catholic School in West Palm Beach.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star</strong><br /><br /></p>
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<p style="text-align:left;"><strong> </strong> Candace Tamposi, principal of Sacred Heart School in Lake Worth, knew she was going to be a principal when she was in high school.<br /> “My grandmother and her sister and brother were educators,” she said. “And my mother was an educator. I just followed in their footsteps.”<br /> Tamposi hails from Nashua, N.H., and now lives in Ocean Ridge. She began her career teaching kindergarten and third grade in Sun Valley, Idaho. She moved to Crystal River in 1981 with her family and took up a career in real estate development from 1981 to 1992. She returned to education after receiving her master’s in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Her first principal’s position came at St. Ann Catholic School in West Palm Beach in 1992. She moved to Sacred Heart School in 2001, where she became principal two years later.<br /> Sacred Heart’s student population is around 250 and accommodates grades pre-K to eight. It has a benefactor-funded Montessori Academy.<br /> “Grades one through eight are co-ed,” Tamposi said. “The school has been here since 1944. The parish was founded by the Jesuits 100 years ago. Sacred Heart has set the bar very high in terms of technology. We’re an older school, but we’re completely renovated, top to bottom. And with that, we want to give the children a leading edge by using state-of-the-art technology from the ground up.”<br /> Most of the school’s textbooks are electronic, she said, yet it retains the essence of “a true Catholic school blended education,” combining the latest in technology with the hands-on care of a traditional school.<br /> “We have everything from a recording studio that includes the technology needed to write and record music with live instruments, to a TV station, to iPads in all grades,” Tamposi said. “This year we’re going to build a basketball, sports and music pavilion. We break ground on that in September.”<br /> One might think a school such as this would enroll only financially privileged students. <br /> Not so, Tamposi said. <br /> “Many of our children are low income and can get in through various scholarships,” she said. “And we have a whole program for children with learning differences. We look at Lake Worth and the community and have created a very special environment and a very inclusive environment. We also have a program for gifted children. Our graduates go to some of the area’s very best high schools ... then on to the best colleges, studying to be attorneys, engineers, doctors. We look at Sacred Heart as the school of the future.”<strong><br /></strong><em>— Steven J. Smith</em></p>
<p style="text-align:left;"><strong><br /> Q.</strong> Where did you grow up and go to school? How do you think that has influenced you?<strong><br /> A.</strong> I grew up in Nashua, N.H., and went to Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, then on to the University of New Hampshire. My Catholic education had a huge impact on my goals, and it was always my dream to be a school principal.<strong><br /><br /> Q.</strong> What professions have you worked in? What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?<strong><br /> A.</strong> I was in real estate development for a while, but education is my home. Sacred Heart School almost failed six years ago, when the economy fell. We were close to closing our doors and were given only six weeks to turn things around. My pastor, Joseph Papes, and I made an appeal to the community and redesigned our vision for the school to be inclusive of children with learning differences and to allow children from low income and multicultural environments to come to a good school. We partnered with the state of Florida to step up McCabe Scholarships and we renovated our classrooms and started our campaign to build our new pavilion. It was the largest commitment I ever made and we turned the school around.<strong><br /><br /> Q.</strong> How did you choose to make your home in Ocean Ridge?<strong><br /> A.</strong> I used to live on the island of Palm Beach. I was so impressed driving down the coast along A1A and saw this little tiny community where you could get a beautiful home on the water that you could never afford in Palm Beach.<br /><strong><br /> Q.</strong> What is your favorite part about living in Ocean Ridge? <br /> <strong>A.</strong> I live a block from the beach. It’s a pristine, beautiful community, with no commercial development. It’s a spectacular, best-kept secret. And I’ve watched it grow. I’ve enjoyed raising my children here, and my husband and I recently moved into the Yacht Club, which we love.<strong><br /><br /> Q.</strong> Did you ever get called to the principal’s office when you were in school? And what did you learn from it? <strong><br /> A.</strong> I was a hellion in school. I went to an all-girl Catholic school. My biggest offense was I didn’t like to wear my skirts below my knee, so I would roll them up. The sisters were opposed to uniform violations, so I got in trouble for that. I was on a four-year academic scholarship, so they always reminded me I needed to walk the line — or else!<strong><br /><br /> Q.</strong> What book are you reading now?<strong><br /> A.</strong> I just started <em>The Girl on the Train</em>, by Paula Hawkins. I hope it’s good! My daughter, who lives in Los Angeles, and I are reading it at the same time. I recently finished <em>The Goldfinch</em>, by Donna Tartt, which I couldn’t put down.<strong><br /><br /> Q.</strong> What music do you listen to when you need inspiration? When you want to relax? <strong><br /> A.</strong> I love all kinds of music. My daughter, Ali Tamposi, is a songwriter. She co-wrote <em>What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger)</em> for Kelly Clarkson and got a Grammy nomination for that. So I’ve been a huge fan of music forever. Everything from Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young to rap to contemporary to jazz to symphonic. Even marching bands!<strong><br /><br /> Q.</strong> Do you have a favorite quote that inspires your decisions? <strong><br /> A.</strong> “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela<strong><br /><br /> Q.</strong> Have you had mentors in your life? Individuals who have inspired your life decisions?<strong><br /> A.</strong> When I first came to St. Ann, I met a woman named Sister Carolyn Dowd, who is now celebrating 55 years of teaching and recently celebrated her 78th birthday. She’s still working with me. We’ve worked together for 25 years. She keeps me in check and doesn’t let me get away with murder! She makes sure I stay focused and on track.<br /><strong><br /> Q.</strong> If your life story were made into a movie, who would you want to play you?<strong><br /> A.</strong> How about Meryl Streep? I think she can do anything.</p></div>ALL ABOARD FLORIDA AND FLORIDA EAST COAST RAILWAY TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE GRADE CROSSINGS IN BOYNTON BEACH AND LAKE WORTHhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/all-aboard-florida-and-florida-east-coast-railway-to-temporarily-2015-08-07T15:30:21.000Z2015-08-07T15:30:21.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>What:</strong> Crews working for All Aboard Florida and the Florida East Coast Railway will<br />temporarily close the following intersections to perform routine maintenance work and<br />construction improvements necessary for the introduction of the passenger rail service.<br /><strong>Where & When:</strong> Lucerne Avenue and the Florida East Coast Railway, Lake WorthSaturday, Aug. 8, 7 a.m. through Monday, Aug.10, 7 p.m.<br />SE 36th Avenue and the Florida East Coast Railway, Boynton Beach<br />Tuesday, Aug. 11, 7 a.m. through Thursday, Aug. 13, noon<br />For more information on the future road closures and a map of traffic detours in the area, please visit<br /><a href="http://www.AllAboardFlorida.com">www.AllAboardFlorida.com</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><br />ABOUT ALL ABOARD FLORIDA<br />All Aboard Florida is an intercity passenger rail project being developed by Florida East Coast Industries,<br />Inc. (FECI) — owner of Florida’s premier passenger rail corridor — that will connect Miami to Orlando<br />with intermediate stations in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. This rail service will give Floridians<br />and visitors a viable transportation alternative to congested highways and airport terminals. All Aboard<br />Florida will provide a high‐quality experience for passengers and will be the only privately owned,<br />operated, and maintained passenger rail system in the United States. For more information, visit<br /><a href="http://www.AllAboardFlorida.com">www.AllAboardFlorida.com</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><br />ABOUT FLORIDA EAST COAST RAILWAY<br />The Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) is a 351-mile freight rail system located along the east coast of<br />Florida. It is the exclusive rail provider for PortMiami, Port Everglades, and Port of Palm Beach. FECR<br />connects to the national railway system in Jacksonville, Florida, to move cargo originating or terminating<br />there. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, FECR provides end-to-end intermodal and carload solutions to<br />customers who demand cost-</p></div>Graduation ceremony: Sacred Heart School, Lake Worth – June 4https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/graduation-ceremony-sacred-heart-school-lake-worth-june-42015-07-29T03:30:58.000Z2015-07-29T03:30:58.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960589679,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960589679,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="247" alt="7960589679?profile=original" /></a><em>With jubilant family members and friends filling Madonna Hall, the eighth-grade class of 2015 celebrated its commencement. Speaking at the 70th such graduation ceremony was William Finneran, longtime supporter of the school. Finneran urged parents to be vigilant of their children and continue to teach the school’s values of serving and respecting those most in need. To the students, he encouraged them to follow their dreams. ABOVE: (l-r) Lake Worth Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell, Principal Candace Tamposi and Lake Worth Mayor Pam Triolo. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p></div>Along the Coast: Lake Worth hopes to regulate plastic shopping bagshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/along-the-coast-lake-worth-hopes-to-regulate-plastic-shopping-bag2015-07-01T17:04:43.000Z2015-07-01T17:04:43.000ZChris Felkerhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/ChrisFelker<div><p><strong>By Willie Howard</strong><br /><br /> Lake Worth officials want the right to regulate disposable plastic shopping bags — an avoidable convenience that can blow into waterways, harm marine life and clog recycling systems and storm drains.<br /> On June 16, Lake Worth city commissioners unanimously approved a resolution supporting state legislation that would allow coastal cities with fewer than 100,000 residents to regulate or ban disposable plastic bags.<br /> Bills introduced during the spring legislative session — Senate Bill 966 by Sen. Dwight Bullard and a companion bill in the House — would have authorized small coastal cities to regulate or ban plastic bags through a pilot program. <br /> The legislation didn’t pass but is expected to come up again during the 2016 session.<br /> Representatives from the Surfrider Foundation’s Palm Beach County chapter supported Lake Worth’s mid-June resolution calling for local regulation of plastic bags.<br /> The Surfrider chapter has been working to steer consumers away from disposable plastic products of many kinds, including bags, bottles and eating utensils, through its Rise Above Plastics campaign, partly because plastics can harm marine life.<br /> “It’s all about education,” said Tracy Conklin, Surfrider Foundation’s Palm Beach County chairwoman, adding that consumers can help by developing a habit of carrying reusable food, drink and shopping containers.<br /> A 2008 state law forbids state agencies and local governments from establishing regulations on plastic bags, containers or wrappers — at least until legislators adopt the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s recommendations on their regulation. So far, legislators have not acted on the DEP’s 2010 recommendations.<br /> The idea of giving some municipalities the home rule power to regulate or ban plastic bags within their boundaries seems to be gaining traction in Tallahassee after coming up several times in recent years, said Ryan Matthews, associate legislative director for the Florida League of Cities.<br /> “If a community believes it’s in their best interest to ban or regulate plastic bags, we believe they should have the right to do so,” Matthews said.<br /> The Florida Retail Federation, which represents retail stores, opposes giving local governments control over plastic bags.<br /> The retail group’s members prefer to keep disposable plastic bags as an option for their customers while looking for ways to offer them more recycling opportunities, spokesman James Miller said. <br /> Plastic bags can be recycled, but they shouldn’t be tossed into bins with recyclables such as aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Even with Lake Worth’s single-stream recycling system, which allows paper, plastic and other recyclables to be placed in the same container, plastic bags “clog up the recycling plant and blow away,” Public Services Director Jamie Brown said. <br /> Lake Worth City Commissioner Andy Amoroso, who operates a newsstand and gift shop on Lake Avenue, said he gives customers previously used plastic bags at his store. He said some customers complain if they’re not given a new plastic bag to carry their newspaper.<br /> The plastic bag debate has come up before in Lake Worth, where city commissioners voting in 2009 on zoning changes for the Publix on Dixie Highway tried, unsuccessfully, to ban the use of plastic bags at the grocery store. <br /> Amoroso sided with Publix at the time, adding that he does not favor a complete ban on plastic bags. He said a fee on disposable plastic bags could help raise awareness about the practice of carrying reusable bags for transporting groceries and other goods.<br /> State Rep. Bill Hager, R-Boca Raton, whose District 89 covers the coastline of southern and central Palm Beach County, said he would consider giving cities the right to regulate plastic bags if the legislation comes up again as expected during the 2016 legislative session.<br /> “I know it is important to a lot of our coastal community towns,” Hager said. “A lot of those bags end up on our beaches and in our waterways. “<br /> Plastic bags and other forms of plastic debris in the ocean contribute to the deaths of sea turtles, according to the Gainesville-based Sea Turtle Conservancy.<br /> Floating plastic bags (or pieces of plastic bags) resemble jellyfish, a food source for sea turtles. They are especially susceptible to the effects of consuming plastics because downward-facing spines in their throats trap the debris, preventing them from property swallowing food.<br /> “Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible for a turtle to break down synthetic material once it’s ingested, and very often it will cause an intestinal blockage,” said Gary Appelson, policy coordinator for the Sea Turtle Conservancy.<br /> Appelson said the Sea Turtle Conservancy is working with the Surfrider Foundation to support the push to allow Florida municipalities to regulate plastic bags at the local level instead of waiting for legislators to adopt a statewide policy in Tallahassee.</p></div>