Kel Thompson wrote, “Should, Could, and Would,” a new children’s book scheduled for release on Nov. 24.

Thompson used the help of his mother, Charlotte, and his sister, Casey, for the book.

“Should, Could, and Would” is the story of three short gnomes. After taking a long walk to visit the All-Knowing Gnome, they learn "action, not inaction" will solve their problems

Thompson works in Boca Raton and recently had a special event in Boynton Beach on Nov. 14 for the Nurturing Naturally Moms Group at West Boynton Park.

Book can be ordered at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore or by visiting barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com or target.com

Heroes – “I’m not really into idols.”
Activities – Works a lot but family comes first.
Hang gliding and boating are also passions
Age – 35
Born – Houston
Lives – Highland Beach
Also working on a pilot television show for possibly the Travel Channel

Aside from writing, what do you do full-time?

“I am a freelance HD videographer and work in video production. I just got my studio, 95 NW 11th St., Boca Raton, about a year ago.”

How did you get into that line of work?

“I have always wanted to work my own business. I started targeting businesses in Houston to help the Spanish employees. I made posters and banners that taught the English language. I was not enjoying it so I found a job as a helicopter videographer.”

What is your favorite aspect of what you do?

“My job is really exciting. For the Fortune 500 companies I work with, they bring in motivational speakers. I enjoy listening to them and the public speaking aspect of that.”

How did you even begin to think of writing a book?

“It is about how action will help you get what you want in life as opposed to inaction. My son was born three years ago and he started reading books, so I had a poem that I wrote that was the concept. My mom and sister really pushed it through.”

How did the event with the Nurturing Naturally Moms Group go?

“It went well. There was reading to kids and my wife Brandi is involved in a lot of moms’ groups.”

Any more books that you are working on?

“There are a couple we have written. My favorite is “To be or not to be a bee in a tree,” that teaches children about the to be verb. We are going to see how this one does first before releasing any more.”

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After hours of presentations from four developers and fierce debates over them, it looks like the Boynton Beach Police Department is moving west, much to the chagrin of residents in the east.
The Boynton Beach City Commission voted 3-2 at its Nov. 17 meeting to consider the lowest bidder’s proposal to move the department into Renaissance Commons at Gateway Boulevard and Congress Avenue. The vote granted the redevelopment deal to the Boynton Beach-based developer Compson Associates.
Commissioners Woodrow Hay and Jose Rodriguez were strongly against the decision.
“I’m just very disappointed,” Rodriguez said. “We have an obligation to redevelop the blighted areas in our city and stick with the master plan, and that all went out the window last night.”
He said he had a hard time with a plan that would put the police department in a retail business building.
“Congress Avenue is already fantastic,” he said. “The east part of the city is hurting and we have an obligation to it.”
A group of about 20 residents voiced their concerns about moving the police department west.
“It just seems foolish to plan redevelopment along Congress where they do not need it,” said Barbara Ready, Boynton Arts Commission chairwoman. “More than 20 people stood up and said they wanted the department kept downtown. They just ignored them.”
Ready said the plan calls for the department to be moved into an office building on the third floor, with retail downstairs.
“How are you going to transport prisoners when you are parking police cars next to John Q. Citizen?” Ready said. “Also, the traffic on Gateway and Congress is terrible. What, are police going to get called out for an emergency and get stuck in traffic?”
Of the developers’ four proposals, only one of them, the Patrinely Group, ? came back with ideas to keep the civic buildings and the police department downtown, and it also was the only one that included ideas for the old Boynton Beach High School building off Ocean Avenue and Seacrest Boulevard, which is of key interest to Ready. The Patrinely Group proposal also called for a donation to refurbish the early 20th century school.
Despite that plan being voted down, Ready said her cohorts would continue to work to keep the historic building alive and kicking.
“We’re not going anywhere,” she said. “We are working on a concept plan and forming a nonprofit looking for funding opportunities for the old school.”
On the other side of the debate, CRA executive director Lisa Bright said she thinks the relocation of the police department is actually good for creating opportunity for redevelopment in the east.
“I’m extremely excited that they made a decision,” she said. “It is a nice, central location and the current site doesn’t even have an office. Also, it allows us to look at the old high school and City Hall.”
She said with the police department relocation, the downtown master plan might be able to be put into motion, creating a civic campus with a possible amphitheater.
“Of course, we have to get the public to vote for it,” Bright said.

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The young professional demographic that can’t attend morning meetings will get a chance to speak their mind about unincorporated West Boynton and participate in community meetings.

After 30 years of only having morning meetings, the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations will have a meeting at night to cater to the younger crowd that would like to participate in meetings but simply cannot.

The meeting, featuring Palm Beach County School Board member Frank Barbieri, will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at the West Boynton Library, 9451 Jog Road. The library has a capacity of 80 people.

Almost half of COBWRA’s 88 communities with more than 100,000 West Boynton residents are ones where most people work and have young families to keep in mind.

Carol Lindsey, the association manager at the Villas of Pine Tree since 1989, said she is the delegate for her community with COBWRA but has not been able to attend meetings because, like others, she is working.

“It is hard to even find someone to volunteer to go in my place at 10 a.m.,” she said. “A later meeting will make it easier to attend.”

Lindsey said the late meeting is at the least a good effort.

“We’ll see what happens,” she said.

COBWRA President Ken Lassiter said that more than 200 people now attend the morning meetings but there are so many more who cannot.

Lassiter said this new night meeting is only the beginning.

“This is something we have talked about for years,” he said. “When I was elected last year, it was one of my goals to make this happen.”

He said the new night meeting was something that could possibly happen three to four times a year in addition to the regular morning ones.

“I haven’t heard anyone say it is a bad idea,” he said.

Stuart Hershman is a COBWRA delegate from Bella Verde who has had trouble getting residents to come out to his own community’s meetings.

“I don’t know if it is they think we are doing a good job or are just apathetic,” he said. “As for the night meetings, I think it is really something they have to do. It is a way to get the younger members involved.”

For information, call 561740-9835 or e-mail familymeeting@cobwra.org.



Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.

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After moving to Seattle in 1980 to become a full-time artist, Suzette Urs disliked how galleries there were not catering to artists.

“So what I did was set up a business there selling fine art to corporations,” she said.

Urs made her way to Boynton Beach 15 years ago and started a local gallery that has since stood the test of time.

The Urs Art Studio Gallery, 802 N. Federal Highway, attempts to cater to the artist, showing only six at a time.

“This way we can have eight pieces on display from each artist and give them a plump showing,” Urs said.

Urs said the shows at the gallery are in a state of change all the time, usually every six weeks.

The current exhibit features a Pembroke Pines clay artist Dianne Lublinski and a retired optometrist George Cheskes.

Urs said with the struggling economy and the melancholy times, she wants to keep the pieces on display at the gallery whimsical and upbeat.

Lublinski’s clay pieces use tinker toys because the people are out of proportion and some have no feet.

She said she has been an artist for 16 years and worked with clay for the past 13 years.

“I took a class at Broward Community College learning to use the wheel and have always been attracted to sculpture,” Lublinski said.

Her inspiration for her detailed clay faces comes from everything throughout her day.

“I think about them when I wake up in the morning and when I go to bed at night,” she said.

As for the Urs Gallery, this is the first time Lublinski and Urs have worked together.

“It’s a very cozy gallery and she has lovely work up in there,” Lublinski said.

Cheskes’ work consists of detailed doodles, as Urs calls them.

“These are amazing doodles that take days to complete,” she said. “You can tell he used to be an optometrist because the man who made these must have great eyesight.”

The gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m. daily with special appointment times on request.

For information, call 561-734-6926.

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Residents who want to get involved in their city will have the opportunity to apply to serve on city boards until Nov. 16.

Applications are being accepted for more than 50 seats on 11 city advisory boards.

City Commissioners will make their appointments Dec. 1. The deadline for the applications is Nov. 16.

The openings are on the Arts Commission, Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals, Cemetery Board, Code Compliance Board, Community Relations Board, Education and Youth Advisory Board, Library Board, Planning and Development Board, Recreation and Parks Board, Senior Advisory Board and Veterans Commission.

Applicants must be registered voters and most boards require residency in Boynton Beach.

Applications are available in the City Clerk’s office, 100 E. Boynton Beach Blvd., and online at www.boynton-beach.org/government/elected_officials/advisory_boards.

For more information, call 561-742-6060.

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Margaret Oathout, a 12-year breast cancer survivor, lives in Boynton Beach.
Age 74
She is also a participant of the South Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, named eight Warriors in Pink.
The race, set for Jan. 30, is the largest fundraiser for the Komen South Florida Affiliate.
Singing is her all-time favorite activity.
Her hero is her mother, Margery.
Oathout retired in 1992 from the New York State Office of Developmental Disabilities after 22 years of service.
She has volunteered with Komen since 2000.

What was you cancer experience like?

“In 1997, I didn’t know very much about breast cancer or anyone who had to deal with it. Since my work with Komen, I describe my experience as a garden variety, post-menopause breast cancer. I was freaked out but after hearing some of the stories, some people had it much worse.”

Why is it important to spread the word about breast cancer?

“The young people especially need to know. They have to deal with the mutated cancer genes and their tumors are incredibly aggressive. Also the younger women have young families.”

What has your experience with the Komen Pink Warriors been like?

“It has been wonderful. In 1998 and 1999, I participated in the race. After 2001, I started to organize the team participation process and chaired it for five years.”

What is in your immediate future?

“I still handle registration at the Boynton mall. Komen just has some of the greatest people who decide to volunteer.”

What is the future of breast cancer?

“The old mission for Komen used to be eliminating breast cancer as a life-threatening illness. Now the mission is a world without breast cancer but it is not going to happen overnight.”

What will help to stop breast cancer?

“The research. For us, the Race for the Cure is our major fundraiser. About 25 percent of that goes to the national office for basic research.”

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After three months in Pembroke Pines, Kimura Japanese Steak and Seafood restaurant is opening another location in Boynton Beach at 545 N. Congress Ave.

Lisa Cheng, the manager of the restaurant, said the anticipated opening is Nov. 19.

“We are excited about the opening because it is right around December, which is restaurant season,” she said.

Cheng said customers have been a little slow but picking up at the Pembroke Pines location, 11555 Pine Blvd., mainly because it opened in June, far from season.

“The number of customers are slowly growing,” she said.

The Hibachi-style restaurant, where the chefs cook right in front of guests, is open 4:30 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Eight chefs at 16 stations serve up dishes such as Filet Mignon for $24.95, California Rolls for $5.95, and a full bar of wines, sake and Japanese beer.

The menu includes 13 appetizers and kitchen entrees ranging from chicken katsu, sesame chicken to salmon steak.

Cheng said the company Kimura has other restaurants in Miami, Virginia and other location but finally decided to open restaurants with the company name.

“It’s a $1.5 million investment for each location,” she said.

Gregg Gibbs lives in Pembroke Pines and said he noticed the new restaurant about one month ago driving home from work.

“I decided to go with my wife and was glad I did,” he said. “Everyone in the restaurant was involved and excited to see the chefs entertain us.”

Gibbs said after ordering several items on the menu, he still left with some money in his wallet.

“I like variety,” he said. “We ordered a lot and it still wasn’t half bad when the bill came.”

For information, call 561-704-2500.

Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.

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By JASON PARSLEY

WELLINGTON - In honor of Veterans Day Motor City Car Wash, 135 State Road 7, is giving away free car washes to veterans at all three of its Palm Beach County locations.

Any retired or current member of the U.S. Armed Forces who visits Motor City Car Wash will receive a complimentary car wash on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Veterans only need to inform the staff verbally that they are veterans in order to receive a free wash.

The Grace for Vets program was started by a car wash company in Pennsylvania six years ago to show support for veterans and thank them for their service. Since then the Grace for Vets has grown into a national program sponsored by participating car wash companies.

Motor City's other two locations are in Boynton Beach off of Hypoluxo Road between Military Trail and Congress Avenue and in West Palm Beach off of Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard and Tamarind Avenue, north of the Kravis Center.

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Imagine Schools, a charter-school program, is the largest national alternative to public schools with 3,500 teachers, 73 schools and more than 37,000 students.

The program just made the first step to becoming even bigger by breaking ground Nov. 9 on a new building at 3333 High Ridge Road.

The new site for a 54,000 square-foot school will house the Imagine Schools-Chancellor Campus, formerly of Lantana, and will be open by August.

Chancellor Principal Laura Mardyks said there was a long waiting list to get into the Lantana school for students in kindergarten through fifth grade and that the new school will almost double capacity. It will also add middle school grades sixth, seventh and eighth with the new space.

The old building at 600 S. East Coast Ave. could max out at 600 students, while the new building in Boynton Beach will have the ability to have almost 1,000, Mardyks said.

“Parents have been asking for us to expand since 2007,” she said.

Imagine Schools-Chancellor Campus opened in 2001. In 2008-09 it was again an A-rated school.

Mardyks said the success comes from the creativity of the founders. Dennis and Eileen Bakke founded Imagine Schools with the intent on making them decentralized.

“Everything is bottom up and leadership driven,” Mardyks said.

Charter means contract but Dennis Bakke opened the schools with the intent on giving parents an alternative.

Mardyks said it would be a bittersweet move into the new building, leaving what she calls a “charming” place after eight years.

“It is a place for technology-infused learning,” she said. “This building used to be the bunker for the old township of Lantana.”

For information, call 561-585-1189.

Read more about this story in the Nov. 18 issue of the Boynton Forum.

Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.

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Boynton Beach has become a Commit 2B Fit community and residents can expect to see more fitness-related activities within city limits.

Commit 2B Fit is a nonprofit organization out of Boca Raton working against childhood obesity by promoting health and wellness. The program was founded in 2005 by Elly Zanin and Michelle Schecht.

The program has helped children become physically active, eat healthier foods, receive rewards for progress and learn how to avoid obesity. But the program is not just for the children.

Mayor Jerry Taylor said the program's intention is to reach children as well as their families to promote better health and more activity throughout the city.

City spokesman Wayne Segal said the program will use the services of the Chamber of Commerce, schools and recreational programs to reach residents.

Segal also said that the program is one in which Commissioner Jose Rodriguez has put a lot of time and effort.

“As far as I know, it is a project the city has been talking about for quite a while and a pet project of Jose’s,” Segal said.

Rodriguez said as part of the Leadership of Palm Beach County year-long program in which he is taking part, he was given the option of numerous projects and thought the Commit 2B Fit was perfect.

“As chair of the Youth Violence Prevention Program, I think it is a great fit,” he said. “It promotes ideas such as having at least 60 minutes a day of exercise and five servings of vegetables a day.”

For information, visit www.icommit2bfit.org.

Read more about this story in the Nov. 18 issue of the Boynton Forum.

Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.

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