services - News - The Coastal Star2024-03-28T08:21:57Zhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/servicesHighland Beach: Delray chief: Ending fire deal would hurt townhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/highland-beach-delray-chief-ending-fire-deal-would-hurt-town2021-03-31T16:42:06.000Z2021-03-31T16:42:06.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Commission likes partnership but wants to cut costs</strong></span></p>
<p><strong>By Rich Pollack</strong></p>
<p>After listening to Delray Beach’s fire chief spell out a lengthy list of benefits Highland Beach receives under its fire-rescue contract and warning that canceling the agreement could be detrimental to residents, most town leaders agreed keeping Delray is the preference — if only it were affordable. <br />With the current price tag hovering above $5 million a year and projected to reach north of $6.5 million by 2027, however, town leaders say the agreement is unsustainable and are strongly considering the possibility of starting a town-operated fire- rescue department.<br />“It appears we’re looking at three strategies,” Mayor Doug Hillman said. “First in my opinion would be to stay right where we are, but it’s a finance issue.” <br />During a presentation in March, Delray Beach Fire Chief Keith Tomey reminded town commissioners that their residents are receiving what he called the “gold standard” of care from his department under a 10-year contract extension that expires in 2026. The fire-rescue partnership between the municipalities dates to 1993. <br />“For Delray Beach firefighters there is no line separating Delray Beach and Highland Beach and I urge you, I actually beg you, do not create one,” he said. “Doing so would be to the detriment of your residents and at their expense. You’re asking them to accept a lower standard of care and service.<br /> “I know it’s cliché but as fire chief for the residents of Highland Beach, that worries me greatly to the point where it keeps me up at night.” <br />Hillman and other commissioners agree that the service the town receives is top- notch but they are still seriously investigating other options.<br />One would be for the town to create its own public safety department, with the possibility of a chief overseeing both the police department and a fire-rescue department operating out of the station next to Town Hall. <br />A third option, listed in a consultant’s report, would be to use a hybrid solution with the town contracting out emergency medical service, but that appears to be a long shot due to stringent restrictions and regulations established by Palm Beach County officials. <br />“The bombshell is what I heard about a county ordinance that only government agencies can respond to 911 calls,” Commissioner John Shoemaker said. <br />Town Manager Marshall Labadie clarified that there don’t seem to be actual legal restrictions preventing the town from outsourcing rescue services but there are other obstacles.<br /> “It appears the practicality of implementing it may not be feasible,” he said.<br />Under the contract between the two municipalities, Delray Beach provides service to Highland Beach by staffing the station there with the town covering the cost of 22.5 firefighters and paramedics. The agreement also provides Highland Beach with all the resources of the Delray Beach department, from backup apparatus to maintenance and fire inspection services, since Delray considers Highland Beach to be part of its overall service area. <br />As it moves forward, the town appears to be focused on dissecting the current contract and looking for areas that could be adjusted should both sides agree to renegotiate. <br />“Of course we’d still like to work something out with our partners,” Hillman said. <br />Delray Beach might also see benefits in retaining an agreement with the smaller coastal community. <br />If Highland Beach started its own station, Delray Beach would lose the $5 million to $6 million in annual revenue and the ability to use the apparatus and staff working out of the town’s station for calls within its city limits. <br />The study from Matrix Consulting showed that the station, Station 116, responded to calls within Highland Beach an average of 678 times per year and responded to calls outside of the town 677 times per year. <br />Apparatus from Delray Beach responded into the town about 139 times per year. <br />Asked by Shoemaker if Delray Beach would provide mutual aid to Highland Beach if the town had its own fire department, Tomey said that is uncertain. <br />“We would have no obligation to provide mutual aid to the town,” he said, adding that other neighboring fire departments might feel the same way. “You would have to be able to reciprocate what we provide you.” <br />The Matrix report showed that after startup costs of about $4 million over three years, Highland Beach would be able to operate its own station for about $2 million less than what it would pay Delray — in part by having four fewer people assigned to the station than are there now.<br />Tomey, however, listed a series of equipment and operational costs not included in the consultant’s estimates, ranging from costs of training and testing to costs of cardiac monitors and extrication equipment. <br />Moving forward, Highland Beach commissioners will look at issues such as whether Delray Beach has billed the town correctly in the past, whether the city had not met parts of the contract, and whether it had returned the proper amount of medical transport fees to the town.<br />In addition, Shoemaker will work with Matrix to identify what items should be included should a new contract be negotiated. <br />“We very much look forward to sitting down with your folks and working something out,” Hillman said. <br />While Tomey did not address revisiting the contract, he did say that he would meet individually with the five Delray Beach city commissioners to discuss the Highland Beach agreement. </p></div>Finding Faith: Virtual services prove valuable but not preferablehttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/finding-faith-virtual-services-prove-valuable-but-not-preferable2020-05-20T13:30:00.000Z2020-05-20T13:30:00.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960954058,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960954058,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960954058?profile=original" /></a>ABOVE: Recovered COVID-19 patient Alan Levy, right, with his wife, Lynne, and son Joshua Levy cheer from the balcony of their home in Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club during the Lag BaOmer parade on the May 12 holiday.</em><br /> <em>BELOW: Jeff Wasserman, front, and Jeff Bilfeld show support for Levy, a fellow Chabad of East Boca member. The Chabad celebrated the holiday by saluting health care heroes. The parade through Boca Raton ended with a ceremony featuring video footage of the team at Boca Regional Hospital, where Levy spent more than a month.</em> <br /> <strong><em>Photos by Tim Stepien/</em><em>The Coastal Star</em></strong></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960954467,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960954467,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960954467?profile=original" /></a></em></strong></p>
<p><strong>By Janis Fontaine</strong></p>
<p>How about some good news? <br /> People are showing up at virtual church and temple in increasing numbers. While there are few (if any) places practicing public worship in Palm Beach County, many more people are seeking out a virtual spiritual connection.<br /> When “coronavirus” was just a whisper, Rabbi Shmuel Biston, co-director of Chabad of East Delray Beach, closed the doors of his newly opened facility on First Avenue “almost immediately.” But Biston, an Apple watch-wearing millennial, made a seamless transition to virtual worship, which was easier for groups that already had a strong online presence through Facebook or YouTube. <br /> Others scrambled. <br /> St. Joseph’s Episcopal in Boynton Beach amassed every tool it could find, Father Marty Zlatic says. “We started a church Facebook page, we instituted a YouTube channel for the church, and we bought a subscription to Zoom. We’re investigating the cost of installing a permanent video broadcasting system so we can more easily offer livestreaming of our services even after the quarantine is over.” <br /> Father Brian Horgan at St. Lucy Catholic Church in Highland Beach celebrates Mass every day, but he’s leaving the streaming to others. “So many others are doing it, and we don’t want to send out something that’s not as effective,” he says. He keeps in touch with the congregation through daily emails and he answers his cellphone. “We want the parish to know they’re not forgotten.”<br /> Still, reopening is the goal. <br /> Paul J. Kane, rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal in Delray, says, “I can’t imagine online becoming the normal means of worship. The church is a community. Being together in prayer, fellowship and service is at the heart of who we are. So, in that sense, I don’t think online church can ever become the norm. But this pandemic has certainly demonstrated the importance of the church having a strong, accessible presence on the internet.”<br /> The quantity and content are changing too, local clergy said, along with its audience. <br /> Zlatic says, “Since the day the quarantine started, we started posting a worship experience of some sort every day on our social media pages to give the congregation a touch from the church. It’s been a ray of hope to our congregation, especially those who are quarantined alone.”<br /> Rabbi Ruvi New of Chabad of East Boca Raton says he’s seen a significant spike in participation in the daily prayers he offers, with as many as 1,000 viewers showing up from around the world.<br /> “I’m inspired and humbled by it,” he says. “We’re embracing this disruption of life as we knew it. It’s about how we utilize the opportunities and make the most of it that matters.” <br /> Kane says daily emails to parishioners (“spreading God’s love, not the virus”) have “become a sort of lifeline in the midst of a lot of loneliness and isolation.” <br /> For a successful reopening, everyone agrees the key is to act responsibility and safely with new protocols in place. <br /> Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito of the Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach spoke to his flock and acknowledged that all want to reopen as soon as possible, but everyone must respect social distancing and follow policies in a “careful and thoughtful way.” <br /> Horgan says that St. Lucy’s will follow the diocese’s lead. The church has taped off pews to enforce social distancing and removed all the books and hymnals. It is working on safe ways to offer the sign of peace, formerly a handshake or embrace, and Holy Communion. <br /> “People need human touch,” Horgan says. “Our people are so willing to make changes, which is a tremendous blessing, but it’s been extremely hard. I can’t be a priest without people. But I’m optimistic about the future.”<br /> Biston says, “We have to be cautious. We have a lot of seniors so even when it’s safe, we’ll keep attendance in check and take it one day at a time.”<br /> No one is sure how places of worship will decide who comes. Reservations only? Maybe a lottery? Kane says that St. Paul’s will follow the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida, which plans to take a phased approach to reopening. <br /> “The next phase,” Kane says, “will likely involve having congregants wear PPEs, sitting at least 6 feet apart and not receiving Communion from the common cup.” <br /> The biggest factor in determining what worship will look like six months from now will be the development of a vaccine, Biston says. But whether we’re asked to wear masks, check our temperatures at the door, provide proof of vaccination or other mandates, Biston says, “We’re humans. We adapt. We forge on.”<br /> New says he expects a new appreciation for relationships and a lot of excitement around the communal nature of worship.<br /> “That feeling of pooled energy, a greater sense of connection from sharing space,” are what we’re missing, he says. He expects people to be almost giddy. Right now, the feelings aren’t so positive. <br /> But New says not to lose faith. <br /> “My message is to relieve yourself of the burden of worry. God’s divine orchestrations cannot be understood by man. We are on the cusp of a better, brighter world,” New says.</p></div>Religion Notes: Sunrise and other services set for Easterhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/religion-notes-sunrise-and-other-services-set-for-easter2019-04-02T18:30:00.000Z2019-04-02T18:30:00.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p class="p1" style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960859271,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960859271,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960859271?profile=original" /></a><em>Lake Worth Beach will be the site of a sunrise service April 21.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <b>Jane Smith/The Coastal Star</b></em></p>
<p class="p1"></p>
<p class="p1">At Easter sunrise services, Christians hear the word of God as they watch the day bloom. It reminds worshippers that Jesus’ sacrifice allows them to begin again, like a new dawn, free from sin. Christians rejoice in the new day, and thank Jesus Christ, in whose death they received eternal life.</p>
<p class="p3">Here’s a list of sunrise and some other services, plus a couple of other fun things to do. </p>
<p class="p3"><b>Community Sunrise Service</b> — 6:30 a.m. April 21 at Oceanfront Park, 6415 N. Ocean Blvd., Boynton Beach. Hosted by First United Methodist Church. fumcbb.com.</p>
<p class="p3"><b>Sunrise Easter Service</b> — 6:30-7:30 a.m. April 21, South Beach Park, 400 S. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton. Hosted by St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church. Additional services at St. Gregory’s are at 7:30, 9 and 11:15 a.m. and 6 p.m. A special Easter vigil is planned from 7:30 p.m. April 20 through 7 p.m. April 21. For more details, call 395-8285 or visit stgregorysepiscopal.org.</p>
<p class="p3"><b>Easter Sunday Sunrise Service</b> — 6:30 a.m. April 21 at the Beach Pavilion, Atlantic Avenue at A1A, Delray Beach. Bring a lawn chair. Easter hymns and music. Hosted by Delray Beach Clergy Association. 276-4541; stpaulsdelray.org.</p>
<p class="p3"><b>St. Jude Easter Sunrise Service</b> — 7 a.m. April 21, South Inlet Park Beach, 1298 S. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton. Mass on the beach open to people of all faiths and parishes. 392-8172 or stjudeboca.org.</p>
<p class="p3">The Boca Raton Kiwanis Club’s <b>Nondenominational Easter Sunrise Service</b> — 7 a.m. April 21, Red Reef Park, 1400 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton. The Rev. Ray Wehrenberg, regional chaplain of Acts Retirement Life Committees, will speak, with music by local singers Pamela Martyna and Poppie Marcier. Free coffee, juice, doughnuts. Bring a beach chair.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> kiwanisclubofbocaraton.com.</p>
<p class="p3"><b>Sunrise Easter Service</b> — 7:30 a.m. April 21 on the soccer field at Spanish River Church, 2400 Yamato Road, Boca Raton. Additional services at 9, 10:30 a.m. and noon. 994-5000; spanishriver.com.</p>
<p class="p3"><b>Easter Services</b> — at Calvary Chapel Boca, 1551 W. Camino Real, offers services at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and noon April 21. It also has a Saturday night service at 6:15 p.m. and Good Friday services at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. 869-5775; calvaryftl.org/boca</p>
<p class="p3"><b>Victory Church Easter Service</b> — 10 a.m. April 21, Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium at FAU, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton. Child care available. An egg hunt with prizes for the kids follows the service. A Good Friday service is offered at 7 p.m. April 19 at the Kaye Auditorium. There is no child care for this service. 391-2800; victory.org.</p>
<p class="p3"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <b>Our Savior Lutheran Easter Sunrise Service</b> — 6:30 a.m. April 21 at R.G. Kreusler Park on the north side of Lake Worth Beach. Following the service, a traditional Easter breakfast is planned at the church, 1615 Lake Ave., Lake Worth. 582-4430.</p>
<p class="p3"><b>Good Friday Service</b> — 7 p.m. April 19, Unity of Delray Beach, 101 NW 22nd St. The Rev. Greg Barrette will speak about the seven last words of Jesus. “Good Friday is the second part of the three-step process of Holy Week,” Barrette said. “It begins with the vision of Palm Sunday and ends with the power of Easter. We’ll explore the seven last words of Jesus to find clues on how to release this awesome power into our lives.”</p>
<p class="p3">Call 276-5796 or visit unityofdelraybeach.org.</p>
<p class="p4"><span class="s2"><b>Just for fun</b></span></p>
<p class="p3"><b>Easter Family Festival</b> — 6-9 p.m. April 19, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1530 W. Camino Real, Boca Raton. A live DJ, bounce houses, face painting. Free. Everyone welcome. 395-8957; lds.org.</p>
<p class="p3"><b>Easter Brunch</b> — 10 a.m. April 21, The Addison, 2 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton. Brunch buffet is back, with live music, kids activities and mimosas and Bellinis. $89.95, plus tax and gratuity; $44.99 for children younger than 12. Reservations required at 372-0568.</p>
<p class="p3"><b>The Delray Beach Green Market’s Easter Bonnet Pet Parade</b> — 9-11:30 a.m. April 7, Old School Square, Delray Beach. This annual favorite features pets and bonnets, pets in bonnets, pets with owners in bonnets, you get the idea. Prizes for these top dog- and cat-egories: most traditional bonnet, original, funniest, most tropical, most frou-frou, owner-doggie look-alike. Age categories are for adults, kids 12 and younger, and teens 13 and older.</p>
<p class="p3">Register at 10:15 a.m. at the center of the great lawn ($5, which benefits Dezzy’s Second Chance Animal Rescue).</p>
<p class="p3">Talluia the mini-pony will lead the parade, which begins at 11 a.m. and travels south on Northeast First Street to Atlantic Avenue, then goes west to the Cornell Museum of Art for judging and awards.</p>
<p class="p3">Dezzy’s Second Chance at 954-588-7045; delraycra.org/greenmarket. </p>
<p class="p6"><i>— Janis Fontaine</i></p></div>Boynton Beach: City services settle into temporary homeshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/boynton-beach-city-services-settle-into-temporary-homes2018-10-03T14:50:28.000Z2018-10-03T14:50:28.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>By Jane Smith</b></span></p>
<p class="p3">Boynton Beach city employees are working in temporary spaces for the next 18 to 24 months while new buildings are constructed in Town Square. City meetings have moved to the Intracoastal Park clubhouse on their regularly scheduled days and hours.</p>
<p class="p3">City Hall staffers are working out of a temporary site at 3301 Quantum Blvd., Suite 100. Phone numbers and office hours will be the same for all departments, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.</p>
<p class="p3">Customer service, where residents pay utility bills and buy beach passes, is open at 209 N. Seacrest Blvd., just south of the U.S. Postal Service branch at the southwest corner of Seacrest and Boynton Beach boulevards.</p>
<p class="p3">The city library opened in its temporary location at 115 N. Federal Highway. The library has a smaller space, but books and other items in storage can be requested.</p>
<p class="p3">The Police Department moved to 2045 High Ridge Road in late September. Its public records and internal affairs also moved to 209 N. Seacrest Blvd.</p>
<p class="p3">The Fire-Rescue Department was the last to leave the area.</p>
<p class="p3">Staff at Station 1, which also serves Ocean Ridge and Briny Breezes, has been split between Fire Station 4 on South Federal Highway and Fire Station 5 on High Ridge Road. One lieutenant and two firefighter/paramedics with a rescue vehicle will work out of the South Federal Highway station, with a similar-size contingent working out of the High Ridge Road station.</p>
<p class="p3">Fire Chief Glenn Joseph said he will monitor the response times and make adjustments if they rise more than one minute. Then, city staff will look for space east of the Interstate 95. Joseph knows it won’t be easy to find a building big enough to house a fire truck.</p>
<p class="p4"><span class="s2"><b>Demolition underway</b></span></p>
<p class="p3">Demolition of the city buildings began in mid-September with the Civic Center. The city’s total demolition cost is estimated at $2.4 million, said Colin Groff, assistant city manager in charge of Town Square.</p>
<p class="p3">“The project would be transformational for downtown Boynton Beach,” said City Manager Lori LaVerriere. “It will bring a whole new life to the area.”</p>
<p class="p3">A few days later, city commissioners approved a modified site plan for Town Square that calls for increased setbacks from Seacrest Boulevard and Ocean Avenue for the City Center complex.</p>
<p class="p3">The current zoning requires no setbacks, unless the plan calls for public spaces, including sidewalks, fountains or outdoor seating areas.</p>
<p class="p3">On Seacrest, the enlarged setback of more than 82 feet will accommodate surface parking for the commission chambers. A walkway with a trellis that supports vines and other plants will be used along Seacrest to shield the surface parking lot from the street.</p>
<p class="p3">Commissioners unanimously approved the changes.</p>
<p class="p3">On Oct. 2, Northeast First Avenue was abandoned to the project by a unanimous commission vote. The road will still be usable by fire-rescue vehicles.</p>
<p class="p3">The $250 million Town Square is a public-private partnership between Boynton Beach and E2L Real Estate Solutions. The city’s estimated share is $118 million.</p>
<p class="p3">The 16-acre area, bounded by Boynton Beach Boulevard on the north and Southeast Second Avenue on the south, will create a downtown for Boynton Beach.</p>
<p class="p3">When the project is complete by the end of 2020, the city will have a renovated historic high school that can be used for recreation classes on the first floor and a ballroom that can be rented on the second floor, a City Center building that will house City Hall and the library, new Fire Station 1, parks, garages and an amphitheater.</p>
<p class="p3">E2L will develop a hotel, office buildings with stores and restaurants on the ground floor, and apartment buildings. </p></div>Boynton Beach: Moving of city services expected to finish this monthhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/boynton-beach-moving-of-city-services-expected-to-finish-this-mon2018-08-29T05:05:46.000Z2018-08-29T05:05:46.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>By Jane Smith</b></span></p>
<p class="p3">Boynton Beach plans to finish moving city services in September to make way for the 16-acre Town Square project.</p>
<p class="p3">City Hall staff moved in the last two weeks of August to a temporary site at 3301 Quantum Blvd., Suite 100. Phone numbers and office hours will be the same for all departments, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, said Eleanor Krusell, city spokeswoman.</p>
<p class="p3">Customer service staff moved to 209 N. Seacrest Blvd., just south of the Post Office branch at the southwest corner of Seacrest and Boynton Beach boulevards.</p>
<p class="p3">The City Library opened in its temporary location at 115 N. Federal Highway.</p>
<p class="p3">In mid-August, the City Commission approved a lease for extra storage space for the library of 8,700 square feet in the same Quantum Park building as the temporary police headquarters.</p>
<p class="p3">Starting Sept. 6, City Commission, city board and Community Redevelopment Agency meetings will take place at the Intracoastal Park Clubhouse at 2240 N. Federal Highway.</p>
<p class="p3">The Police Department is moving to 2045 High Ridge Road over the third weekend in September. Its public records and internal affairs also will move that weekend and reopen Sept. 24 at 209 N. Seacrest Blvd.</p>
<p class="p3">The Fire-Rescue Department will be the last to leave the area. Plans call for the staff at Station 1, which serves Ocean Ridge and Briny Breezes, to be split between Fire Station 4 on South Federal Highway and Fire Station 5 on High Ridge Road.</p>
<p class="p3">Krusell cautioned people against digging up plants around the vacant city buildings because they could disturb utility lines.</p>
<p class="p3">The plants will be evaluated for their ability to thrive if transplanted to medians and parks and the costs of transplanting them.</p>
<p class="p3">The $250 million Town Square is a public-private partnership between Boynton Beach and E2L Real Estate Solutions. The area, bounded by Boynton Beach Boulevard on the north and Southeast Second Avenue on the south, will create a downtown for Boynton Beach.</p>
<p class="p3">When the project is complete in about 18 months, the city will have a renovated historic high school building that can be used for recreation classes on the first floor and a ballroom that can be rented on the second floor, a City Center building that will house city hall and the library, new Fire Station 1, parks, garages and an amphitheater.</p>
<p class="p3">E2L will develop a hotel, office buildings with stores and restaurants on the ground floor, and apartment buildings.</p>
<p class="p3">In early August, the City Commission approved borrowing $6.85 million from Dougherty Funding to finish renovating the high school instead of using money from its share of the penny sales tax proceeds. The three-year loan carries a 4.85 percent interest rate and has a prepayment penalty if repaid in the first<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> year.</p>
<p class="p4"></p>
<p class="p5"><span class="s2"><b>Meeting dates altered </b></span><span class="s2"><b>to allow budget hearings</b></span></p>
<p class="p3">Boynton Beach commission meetings will be held on Thursdays instead of Tuesdays in September to meet the county budget requirements. The first budget hearing will be 6:30 p.m. Sept. 6 and the second budget hearing will be 6:30 p.m. Sept. 20.</p>
<p class="p3">The city’s fire-rescue assessment rate resolution will be heard at 6 p.m. Sept. 11, just prior to the city’s CRA meeting at 6:30 p.m.</p>
<p class="p3">Other public meetings will keep their same days and times. </p></div>Services set for former Boca Raton Police Chief Charles A. McCutcheonhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/services-set-for-former-boca-raton-police-chief-charles-a-mccutch2012-06-20T20:56:49.000Z2012-06-20T20:56:49.000ZMary Thurwachterhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryThurwachter<div><p>Funeral services for former Palm Beach County Sheriff Charles A. McCutcheon have been scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 23, with a Mass at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Boca Raton. On Friday, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., there will be visiting hours at Glick Funeral Home in Boca Raton. A burial service, with military and police honors will take place at Boca Raton Cemetery.</p>
<p>McCutcheon, 83, died at home on Tuesday morning, June 19. He had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement beginning in 1954 as a patrol officer in Delray Beach. He joined the Boca Raton police department in 1956 and was promoted to Chief of Police in 1970. In 1995, he was appointed the 13<sup>th</sup> Sheriff of Palm Beach County. </p>
<p>He was born in Washington, PA on Sept. 4, 1928. After serving in the U.S. Army, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida Atlantic University and his Master’s degree from John Jay College in New York City. He was a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the U.S. Secret Service School. </p>
<p>Sheriff McCutcheon was the 1<sup>st</sup> president of the FAU Alumni Association; past president of the PBC Police Chief’s Association; he also served as adjunct professor in the Criminal Justice Departments of Palm Beach Community College and FAU. </p>
<p>He was preceded in death by Joan, his wife and life partner. He is survived by his sons Michael (Page) McCutcheon and Patrick (Clara) McCutcheon; grandchildren: Katie, Sean, Barre (Jonis), Chris, Karlie, and Michael; and great-grandchildren: Skyler and Bo Michael. </p>
<p>The family has suggested in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boca Raton Police Athletic League (PAL) in memory of Charles A. McCutcheon. <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960387682,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960387682,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="216" class="align-full" alt="7960387682?profile=original" /></a></p></div>Lake Worth offers opportunities for shopping, dininghttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/lake-worth-offers-opportunities-for-shopping-dining2012-02-01T21:30:00.000Z2012-02-01T21:30:00.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p><strong>By Jan Norris</strong><br /> In our quest to help coastal residents replace businesses that will be cut off once the Ocean Avenue bridge in Lantana closes next month, here are those that can fill in for customers using the Lake Worth bridge. <br /> These are just a few of the restaurants on this strip, so venture across and explore all the businesses just across the lake.</p>
<p><br /> <strong>Eats</strong><br /> For a bakery replacement, there are several options in and around downtown Lake Worth. <br /> The <strong>J Street Bakery</strong> (9 N. J St.) offers breads, quick-breads, scones, cakes, cookies and other mainstream treats as well as those suitable for those on restricted diets. <br /> <strong>La Bonne Bouche</strong> (516 Lucerne Ave.) is the French bakery/café for croissants and pastries, as well as lunch and dinner.<br /> <strong>TooJay’s</strong> (419 Lake Ave.) also has a take-out bakery and a deli, as well as an eat-in café serving three meals daily.<br /> For your morning macchiato or espresso, there’s the indie coffeehouse, <strong>Mother Earth Coffee and Gifts</strong> (410 Second Ave. N.), or <strong>Starbucks</strong> (514 Lake Ave.).<br /> Another breakfast-lunch casual is the diner-like <strong>Pelican Restaurant</strong> (610 Lake Ave.), with an almost-secret Indian dinner offered by reservation on Friday nights only. Bring money; it’s cash-only here.<br /> For casual fare, albeit not waterside, there are a number of possibilities, including <strong>Dave’s Last Resort</strong> (632 Lake Ave.), a community watering hole/sports bar with its sibling open-air bar, <strong>Igots Martiki Bar</strong> (702 Lake Ave.) across the street. <br /> Tacos and a few other Latin-inspired foods are on the limited menu at <strong>Havana Hideout</strong> (509 Lake Ave.). Patio seating is the draw here for enjoying a drink outside behind a green screen of tropical plants.<br /> For a true Caribbean/Jamaican menu, try <strong>Jerome’s Caribbean Restaurant</strong> (1412 Lucerne Ave.).<br /> Steak and seafood is at the newly opened <strong>Callaro’s</strong> (717 Lake Ave.). The menu is familiar with some changes. It took over the old <strong>L’Anjou</strong> spot after moving from Manalapan.<br /> Want a water view? You’ll need to stay on the ocean side and choose the <strong>Bistro at the Four Seasons</strong> (2800 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach) out by the pool, or <strong>Michelle Bernstein’s MB</strong> at the Omphoy (2842 S. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach).<br /> Next to City Hall find <strong>Bizarre Ave Café</strong> (921 Lake Ave.), a tapas and wine bar where the interior furnishings are for sale. Upstairs, they hold wine dinners and offer live entertainment occasionally.<br /> There’s pizza and upscale-casual Italian at <strong>Couco Pazzo</strong> (915 N. Lake Ave.), with two sides of the restaurant — a dining room and the more casual bar room with TVs — serving nightly.<br /> Upscale Italian is found at <strong>Paradiso</strong> (625 Lucerne Ave.) with chef <strong>Angelo Romano</strong>; a separate wine room is available.<br /> Traditional Italian meals are at <strong>Rustico Italiano</strong> (701 Lucerne Ave.), with “Chef Nino” dishing up familiar family favorites.</p>
<p><br /> <strong>Groceries</strong><br /> A new <strong>Publix</strong> serves this area (214 N. Dixie Highway), with food, wines and pharmacy.<br /> The weekly <strong>Lake Worth Farmers Market</strong> is Saturdays (through April) 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the park along the water on the northeast side of the Lake Worth bridge, where fresh produce, meats, seafood, pickles, baked goods and more are sold.</p>
<p><br /> <strong>Sports and fishing</strong><br /> The <strong>Lake Worth Pier</strong> (10 Ocean Blvd.) and <strong>Lake Worth Bridge</strong> side areas are places to throw in a line, and there’s surf casting from the beach. <br /> Bait’s available on the pier at <strong>Lake Worth Pier Bait and Tackle</strong>. <br /> Another option is <strong>Perk’s Bait and Tackle</strong> shop (307 N. Fourth St. in Lantana).<br /> For personalized diving trips, or diving courses, contact <strong>Dive In Adventures</strong> (290-0303); they recommend several reefs nearby.</p>
<p><br /> <strong>Services</strong><br /> Need flowers? Try the <strong>Lake Worth Villager</strong> (1616 S. Dixie Highway). <br /> To send packages, the <strong>U.S. Post Office</strong> at 720 Lucerne Ave. is your best bet.<br /> The <strong>Chevron</strong> at 602 S. Dixie Highway or <strong>Hammer Petroleum</strong> at 102 N. Federal Highway provide fill-ups. For oil changes and such, try the <strong>Lake Worth Auto House</strong> at 1106 Fourth Ave. S., or <strong>General Auto Repair</strong> at 514 S. H St.<br /> Get the car washed at the colorful <strong>Tropical Car Wash</strong>, 828 N. Dixie Highway.<br /> The <strong>Lake Worth Library</strong> is at 15 N. M St., across from a nice park for reading in the sunshine.<br /> As for drug stores, there’s the <strong>CVS</strong> at 101 N. Dixie Highway, or <strong>Tru-Valu Drugs</strong> at 101 N. Federal Highway (or the aforementioned Publix). <strong>Walgreens</strong> is at 531 S. Dixie Highway.<br /> Professional photography services are found at <strong>Tazzy Vue Photography</strong>, 829 N. Federal Highway. </p></div>Ocean Ridge/Boynton Beach: When time won’t allow a visit to old favorites, try new services to the southhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/ocean-ave-bridge2012-01-04T21:30:00.000Z2012-01-04T21:30:00.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p> Once Lantana’s Ocean Avenue Bridge closes in March, island dwellers will be looking to other businesses and restaurants for some of the same services and foods. Some favorite Lantana spots will be worth the drive (of course) and many favorite restaurants and essential services can be found in Plaza del Mar in Manalapan, but for some foods and services residents will need to venture across either the Ocean Avenue bridge between Ocean Ridge and Boynton Beach, or the Lake Worth bridge.<br /> Here’s a guide to some of those across the Ocean Avenue bridge that may be a substitute while the Lantana bridge is out of commission. <br /> <br /> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960355055,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960355055,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="150" alt="7960355055?profile=original" /></a><strong>Eats</strong><br /> If you like <strong>Sushi Bon</strong>, give the intimate <strong>Sushi Jo</strong> (640 E. Ocean Ave.) — a local chain — a try. Also worth noting is <strong>Sushi Simon</strong> (1614 S. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach). Their fresh hand rolls and sashimi also have a fan base.<br /> There are no bakeries near Boynton’s bridge to replace <strong>Palm Beach Bakery and Café</strong>, but you can get espresso at <strong>Café Frankie’s</strong> (640 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach), and maybe a sweet bite. Frankie’s also might become your go-to spot for pizza, though their traditional pies aren’t quite the same as Lantana’s <strong>Pizzeria Oceano</strong>.<br /> Another traditional-style pizza to try might be the one at <strong>Josie’s Restaurante and Pizzaria</strong> (1602 S. Federal Highway) a little farther away near the Woolbright Bridge. <br /> For a waterfront dining experience starring seafood like the <strong>Old Key Lime House</strong>, give <strong>Prime Catch</strong> (700 E. Woolbright Road) a try. Every seat in the house has a water view, and it’s open for lunch and early dinners. You can also arrive by boat. Prime Catch has lobster dinners, too, so if you can’t get to the famed <strong>Station House</strong>, check out the crustaceans.<br /> More casual fare, like that at the tiki hut on the deck at the Old Key Lime House can be found at <strong>Two Georges Waterfront Grille</strong>, or the <strong>Banana Boat</strong> — both are on the water at the northwest side of Boynton’s Ocean Avenue Bridge. Or tuck into the raw bar offerings at <strong>Hurricane Alley</strong> (529 E. Ocean Ave.).<br /> Jamaican fare and some Caribbean flavors are found along with American favorites at the <strong>Secret Garden Café</strong> in the Boynton Greenmarket (410 E. Boynton Beach Blvd.). Open Thursday to Saturday for breakfast lunch and dinner, through Sunday (brunch only), it’s a hidden find — thus its name.<br /> <br /> <strong>Sports</strong><br /> For fishing, diving and boat charters like those at the <strong>Old Key Lime House Marina</strong>, head to <strong>Two Georges Marina</strong> (728 Casa Loma Blvd.), where a number of boat captains and dive masters are available for hire. <br /> You can drift on the <strong>Sea Mist III</strong>, or hire <strong>Geno IV Charters</strong>, <strong>Miller Time Fishing Charters</strong> and <strong>Florida Fishing Academy</strong>. <strong>Underwater Explorers</strong>, <strong>Splashdown Divers</strong> and <strong>Starfish Enterprise</strong> handle SCUBA trips. You’ll find a small marina store (<strong>Waypoint Marine</strong>) and boat ramps here, too.<br /> For your rods and reels as well as bait, head to <strong>Boynton’s Fisherman’s Supply</strong> (618 N. Federal Highway).<br /> Maybe you’re a spectator and just want to catch a game on the tube with your buds. Meet up at the <strong>Sweetwater Bar and Grill</strong>, a bit further down the road (1507 S. Federal Highway). Craft beer and cocktails are the specialty and the diverse menu will please the non-sports fan in your group.<br /> <br /> <strong>Services</strong><br /> You’ll need to gas up, and maybe a tune up to do all that driving around the bridge; <strong>Boynton Chevron</strong> is at 217 N. Federal Highway. It has bait and tackle (free ice for bait) and quick foods. <br /> For that tune-up, try <strong>Pioneer Auto Care</strong> (401 N. Railroad Ave.) or <strong>Boynton Auto Clinic</strong> (409 N. Railroad Ave.). <br /> Get your car washed and waxed at <strong>Main Street Car Wash (</strong>201 E. Boynton Beach Blvd.) and <strong>Sunshine Car Wash</strong> (1310 N. Federal Highway).<br /> If you don’t want to leave the island, just head farther south to <strong>Gulfstream Texaco</strong> near Briny Breezes at 5002 N. Ocean Blvd. They also do repairs.<br /> Miss the <strong>Lantana Post Office</strong>? The <strong>Boynton Beach Post Office</strong> is at 217 N. Seacrest Blvd.<br /> There also is the <strong>Boynton Beach Postal and Gift Center</strong> (562 E. Woolbright Road) where you can pick up coastal-inspired gifts and mail them out here.<br /> For a pharmacy, there’s <strong>CVS</strong> (301 N. Federal Highway) and a little farther south, <strong>Gulfstream Pharmacy</strong> near Briny Breezes at 4998 N. Ocean Blvd.<br /> Several florists in east Boynton provide bouquets or wired gifts of blooms. <strong>Blossom Shoppe Florist</strong> (402 E. Ocean Ave.), <strong>Maddie’s Flowers by the Sea</strong> (112 S. Federal Highway), <strong>Flowers by Biana</strong> (625 S. Federal Highway), <strong>Florist Design by Rele</strong> (312 E. Boynton Beach Blvd.), the <strong>Boynton Flower Pot</strong> (402 E. Ocean Ave.) and <strong>Boynton Beach Florist</strong> (640 E. Ocean Ave.) are all near the Ocean Avenue bridge.<br /> Looking for a bottle of wine or your favorite vodka? <strong>A1A Discount Beverage</strong> (109 E. Boynton Beach Blvd.) would have the vodka, but try <strong>Crown Wine & Spirits</strong> (532 E. Woolbright Road) for the vino. <br /> For dry cleaning and alterations, there’s <strong>Fran’s Sew and Sew</strong> (640 E. Ocean Ave.), or the <strong>Boynton Beach Laundry</strong> (417 E. Boynton Beach Blvd.). <strong>One Price Dry Cleaners</strong> (407 S. Federal Highway) is a chain of discount dry cleaners.<br /> <em>— Compiled by Jan Norris</em></p></div>