Christa McAuliffe Middle School's animal rescue club is planning its first fundraiser of the new school year, “Paws For Pups.”

Donations of $1 or more will be marked on a paper paw with the donor's name and donation amount. The paws will then be displayed in the windows of selected classrooms at the school, 6500 Le Chalet Blvd.

Dana Silbersweig, a math teacher at the school, said the club raised more than $2,300 during a similar fundraiser last year called Dollars For Dogs.

Silbersweig said donations will go to area animal rescue shelters and organizations to help homeless cats and dogs.

The fundraiser runs through Friday, Oct. 17.

For information call 561-374-6600.

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Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, a local nonprofit organization sending care packages to troops overseas, is hosting a packing event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 4.

Sue Beard is organizing the event at the group's warehouse, 1114 N Federal Highway. She said she wants people to register to pack with an e-mail to hsaucier@bellsouth.net or by calling 561-369-2933.

Beard said because of past responses to packing events, Forgotten Soldiers Outreach has to limit the number of participants to 26.

Positions needed to be filled include three box makers, two pre-packers, one labeler, 10 packers, four tapers, three custom form writers and two re-stockers.

Beard said the organization also needs clear packing tape.

For information call 561-369-2933.

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The Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Department’s Sims Center, 225 NW 12th Ave., has a new program “Tool Box: Tools for Teaching,” where strategies and methods are designed to assist families who have chosen to home school children.

Debra Young of Literacy through Art will teach the program.

Families will learn new teaching tips and ideas that can show how to motivate children of all ages.

Classes take place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays beginning Nov. 3.

Nicole Cangelosi, Recreation and Parks Department spokeswoman, said costs for the program are $90 for nonresidents and $72 for residents plus a $10 supplies fee.

She said participants are required to register for the class at Intracoastal Park Clubhouse, 2240 N. Federal Highway.

For information about programs and services offered at Sims Center, call supervisor Brenton Rolle at 561-742-6641.

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

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To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, the PROCER Organization, is putting on a play “El Amor y las Estacas,” or About Love and Stakes, a three-part comedy written by Manuel Fernandez-Juncos and adapted for stage by María E. Villanueva.

The play will take place at the West Boynton Library, 9451 Jog Road, at 3 p.m. Oct. 4.

Even PROCER President Israel Pabon is getting involved and is set to play Juan de la Mata-Colon in the play.

“I'm playing the old guy in the play because we could not find someone to do so,” he said. “Not saying that I’m old or anything.”

Pabon said the play is centered on an old Puerto Rican tradition where young men would leave stakes in the yards of women they wanted to court.

If the young woman put the stake by her window, it meant she was interested.

“Every year the library system puts on a cultural show like a dance or arts and crafts,” Pabon said. “This year we decided to put on a full play.”

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

Pabon said he is excited about the play because he gets to act as the jealous father.

For information, call 561 -734-5556.
Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.

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Janet DeVries during a book signing event Sept. 10 at the Boynton Beach City Library for her newest book, "Sport Fishing in Palm Beach County."

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Delray Beach resident Patricia Kittredge was one of the first patients to have a procedure done in the new Walter S. and Lucienne Driskill Endovascular Center at Bethesda Memorial Hospital, which opened Aug. 5.

Kittredge suffered from leg pain and had difficulty walking long distances.

She said she kept putting the pain aside thinking the symptoms would one day disappear.

Kiswana Russell, the hospital's spokeswoman, said the leg pain remained persistent so she sought medical attention from Bethesda physician Dr. George Mueller, who recommended that she undergo a minimally invasive procedure.

Surgeons performed an aortogram, three angioplasties and three stent placements in the arteries of both of Kittredge’s legs.

Kittredge said she had no problems with the procedure and now has no trouble walking.

The Walter S. and Lucienne Driskill Endovascular Center is a new center that allows surgeons to care for patients with vascular problems, using minimally invasive procedures.

With new minimally invasive techniques, patients will be able to receive a superior level of care, with less discomfort and shorter recovery times.

Russell said the goal of the center is to shift from conventional open operations to catheter-based surgical interventions.

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

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Ever wonder what two 6-foot-tall metal sculptures of horses were doing at the new Boynton Beach Town Center along Congress Avenue, across from the Boynton Beach Mall?

Mark Fuller, local public artist, spent more than a year creating his three public pieces, two horse sculptures and “Eight Horses,” multiple paintings of horses hung on the outer walls of Linens 'N Things, 800 N. Congress Ave.

He said he was commissioned to do the art by the developer of the Boynton Town Center.

“Most progressive cities now have a certain percentage developers have to spend on public art if they are going to build on the city’s land,” Fuller said.

The two sculptures are titled “The Last Pasture” and “Waterhole #3.”

“It is a way of memorializing what used to be just a pasture,” Fuller said speaking of the area that the Boynton Town Center is built on, along Congress Avenue, south of Gateway Boulevard.

Debby Coles-Dobay, 
the city's public art administrator
, said the developer of Town Center, Sembler, spent a one percent public art ordinance fee on Fuller’s and other artists’ pieces.

The one percent is designated to the construction value of what is build on the land, not the land itself.

“This was a collaborative effort between all of us, the developer, Mark and the city,” she said. “Mark’s art celebrates what the land used to be. We all remember the pasture.”

Fuller will be available to speak about his public art from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Boynton City Library, 208 S. Seacrest Blvd.

He said he would talk about the ideas behind the sculptures and paintings, and talk about some of his other public art.

For information, call 561-742-6026.

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

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The Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Department is offering new cheerleading classes beginning Oct. 1 and running for nine weeks.

Nicole Cangelosi, Recreation and Parks Department spokeswoman, said there are three new classes available.

Peanut Cheerleading, for ages 3 and 4, takes place 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays at The Civic Center, 128 E. Ocean Ave.

Small Fry Cheerleading, for ages 5 and 6, takes place 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays a the center.

Finally, Cheer Divas, for ages 7 and 8, runs from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays at the center.

Cangelosi said all levels would learn cheers, chants, stunts, pom-pom routines and the emphasis would be on safety and having fun.

Each level will perform a show at the end of the program.

Cangelosi said the cost for the programs is $100 for residents and $125 for nonresidents.

For information, call 561-742-6240, or register for the program at 2240 N. Federal Highway.

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

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NASA-certified instructor Erich Landstrom is back Oct. 8 at the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum, 129 E Ocean Ave., leading an exploration of the universe by shrinking it in four steps.

At each step, an image that represents that cosmic object will be scaled down to 2 inches in diameter.

In addition, Kelsey Harris said she would tell stories of pioneers to the planets, and offer youth arts and crafts projects.

The program is a split program that starts at 7 p.m. at the Boynton City Library, 208 S. Seacrest Blvd.

At 8 p.m., attendees will walk across the street to the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum and look at Jupiter and its moons through the museum’s CPC 800 XLT Telescope.

The astronomy program is monthly and Harris said in November, Professor Wifpic and the cadets of the Hubble Academy would count, classify and analyze objects from the Hubble Deep Field, almost 12 billion light years away.

For information, call the museum at 561-742-6780.

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

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When Santaluces High School’s football team plays Southfork High School at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26, one of the school’s former players will have his jersey number retired.

Vince Wilfork, a starting defensive tackle for the New England Patriots and a former Santaluces Chiefs defensive lineman, will be at the game when the school retires his No. 75.

Wilfork, who played in the 2005 Super Bowl for the Patriots, earned letters in both football and track and field events when he attended Santaluces High School.

Debi Stewart, the school's spokeswoman, said Wilfork is set to give personal remarks about the jersey retirement during the half time festivities.

Athletic Director Bill Bretherick said the retirement of his jersey is something that is long overdue.

"Even when he was drafted into the NFL, he didn't forget his background and always kept in touch," he said. "This is something we should have done sooner."

Bretherick said Wilfork is one of the only players he has seen come through the high school that started varsity all four years and played almost every game.

For information, call Santaluces High Athletic Director Bill Bretherick at 561-642-6214.

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

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The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, 10216 Lee Road, is inviting volunteers and visitors to celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 27.

National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands. Admission is free.

Those who wish to volunteer will weed and plant at the refuge between 7:30 a.m. and noon.

Lunch immediately follows, leaving the remainder of the day for volunteers to celebrate the day with visitors.

Visitors are invited to explore the refuge between 6 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.

The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is a 221-square-mile Everglades habitat, home to the American alligator and the Everglades snail kite.

Trails by foot, canoe and bike offer up close experiences.

The public also has access to boat ramps, fishing platform and observations towers.

To volunteer for National Public Lands Day, call David Underwood at 561-735-6030.

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

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Janet DeVries, archivist for the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum and Boynton Beach City Library, said the museum often gets approached by residents who want to donate collections of memorabilia for the museum’s revolving exhibit.

This voluntary action by local residents has spawned the newest exhibit at the museum, 129 E. Ocean Ave.

“Connections Through Collection” is a mix of various collections from residents including vintage playbills, old advertisements, model cars, Marilyn Monroe memorabilia and Chinese dragons.

The exhibit runs through Jan. 3 and is one of three exhibits DeVries does for the museum every year.

“Her exhibits are especially nice because they bring people to the museum that normally might not come through our doors,” said Michael Hall, the museum's executive director.

DeVries said the exhibit is a nice mix of unique items of which her favorites is the Chinese dragons.

“Well, our sister city is in China, so the dragons are really cute and give me a chance to tell the children about our sister city,” DeVries said.

Education is important with all of her exhibits, she said.

“Hopefully it will make the kids think about what’s important to them and what they might want to collect,” DeVries said. “It was just about time to let the community display their items here at the museum.”

Admission to the exhibit is free with paid admission to the museum.

Admission to the museum is $3 for children ages 2 through 17; $4 for grandparents; $5 for adults and $6 for the combination of grandparent and grandchild.

For information, call the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum at 561-742-6780.

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

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The city of Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Department will have its annual Halloween Spook-tacular event from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Ezell Hester Jr. Community Center, 1901 N. Seacrest Blvd.

Nicole Cangelosi, Recreation and Parks Department spokeswoman, said children between the ages of 5 and 12 are invited to attend this free event.

The traditional costume contest will highlight the event, and prizes will be awarded to the participants wearing the most creative outfits.

Prizes will be awarded to contestants according to their age group.

A variety of music will be played and candy will be given away.

For information, call 561-742-6550.

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

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The Jewish Community Center Hochman Branch, 8500 Jog Road, is having a garage sale from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 5.

Items available for sale include clothing, children’s toys and household items at reduced bargain prices. The sale is free and open to everyone.

Vendor spaces are also available for $40.

For information, call Cheryl Green at 561-736-4751.

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

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Bethesda Comprehensive Cancer Center has introduced one of Florida's first RapidArc radiation therapy treatment system for cancer patients.

Hospital spokeswoman Lisa Kronhaus said the treatment is regarded as the next generation of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy.

The RapidArc system, by Varian Medical Systems, offers a new and faster means of radiation therapy while both enhancing patient comfort and minimizing the radiation delivered to healthy tissue.

Kronhaus said the revolutionary aspect of RapidArc is that the system’s radiation beam can now cover the entire tumor site in a single rotation, decreasing both the treatment time and amount of radiation delivered to healthy, surrounding tissue.

The daily treatment can be two to eight times shorter than conventional treatments.
A patient receiving a treatment that used to take 10 to 15 minutes can now be treated in less than 2 minutes.

The new RapidArc treatment system is located at the Bethesda Comprehensive Cancer Center at Bethesda Health City, 10301 Hagen Ranch Road.

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

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The Sand Sifters, a local beach cleanup group, is having a “Be Green, Halloween Clean!” from 8 to 11 a.m. Oct. 4 at Oceanfront Park, 6415 N. Ocean Blvd.

The morning’s activities include the cleanup, goody bags, prizes, face painting and Halloween cookies.

Gary Solomon, organizer of the Sand Sifters, said costumes are optional and free surf lessons are offered to the first 20 people who register.

For information, call 561-743-9128.

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

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When the new Sunset Palms Elementary School, 8650 Boynton Beach Blvd., opened in August in West Boynton, the school could only afford funding for three computers in each classroom.

When GL Homes donated $5,000 to the school, it can now afford to have four computers in each class.

Sunset Palms Principal Karen Riddle said the school would purchase five Dell computers with the money from GL Homes.

Riddle said the dedication GL Homes showed should only inspire others to do the same for their community.

Kevin Ratterree, vice president of GL Homes, said with the growth of West Boynton, Sunset Palms would only play a large role in educating the future there.

The donation of $5,000 to the elementary school is another example of GL Homes’ commitment to its surrounding community, said Barbara Katz, president of the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Association.

The school is located near the Canyon Springs neighborhoods that GL Homes is developing in West Boynton.

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

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Raw Bliss, owned and operated by Lauren Golen, had its official introduction to the Boynton Beach community Sept. 18 with a special dinner at the Ocean Avenue Café, 400 E. Boynton Beach Blvd.

Golen, one of the newest vendors at the Ocean Avenue Green Market, decided to use what the market offers, including a kitchen and place to sell products, for her new business before she plans to open up her own space.

That transition from a fledgling business working out of the green market’s kitchen to a thriving business with its own space is the essence of what the green market is trying to bring to the city.

Golen served a salad with a pizza, all made from raw materials including fruits, vegetables and seeds at the Sept. 18 dinner. No wheat or sugars were involved.

“I think what the market is doing is phenomenal,” Golen said. “I definitely want to stay here and support it for as long as I can before I get my own business space.”

The second season of the Ocean Avenue Green Market begins 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1 and runs every Saturday after that until early May.

The market takes place at the campus of the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum, 129 E. Ocean Ave.

“That campus is the most beautiful sites for a green market in all of Palm Beach County,” said Sherry Johnson, the market's organizer.

The goal of the market is to showcase local businesses as vendors that will eventually become business owners.

Those who need a kitchen to cook in can use the café for free at 400 E Boynton Beach Blvd. Johnson wants to create a business incubator for fledgling vendors using the café and the market.

Johnson said she learned how a business works through the market’s first year.

Some of the lessons include problems with occupational licenses. Johnson said fees could be more than $200 for some vendors while other places like Delray Beach charge only $15.

Of the 211 vendors involved last year, many have dropped out because the fees were so steep. Johnson said she is in the process of correcting that.

“The city has been so supportive and I’m sure they will do something to correct this,” she said.

Johnson is still looking for new vendors to join in the market including baked goods, fruits, coffee, flowers and specialty foods.

For information, call the market at 561-752-8598.

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

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Saint Joseph’s Episcopal Church, 3300 S. Seacrest Blvd., invites the community to bring pets, family and friends to the annual Blessing of the Animals ceremony at 4 p.m. Sept. 28.

At the ecumenical service, each pet will receive a blessing from Father Martin Zlatic and receive an individualized certificate commemorating the day.

There is also a children’s petting zoo, along with the blessing of some of the Boynton Beach police dogs and a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office horse.

Free refreshments are served after the event. The event is free and open to everyone.

Last year, more than 200 animals, ranging from cats and dogs to horses and iguanas, were blessed. More than 400 people from Loxahatchee to Boca Raton attended.

For information, call 561-732-3060 or visit www.stjoesweb.org.

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

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The Boynton Beach Senior Center, 1021 S. Federal Highway, will be providing flu and pneumonia shots through A Plus Health Home Care from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 15 and Nov. 5.

Nicole Cangelosi, Recreation and Parks Department spokeswoman, said shots are free for those with Medicare Part B.

A cash payment is required for $25 flu shots and $40 pneumonia shots for those without Medicare Part B.

For information, call 561-742-6570.

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

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Before Clem McAuley opened Slainte Irish Pub in Boynton Beach, for years he had the idea of celebrating the halfway point to St. Patrick’s Day at his own bar.

“I just want people to celebrate what’s going on in life,” he said. “I also just wanted to bring a little Irish culture into Boynton Beach.”

On Sept. 17, Slainte Irish Pub, 1500 Gateway Blvd., celebrated “Halfway To St. Patrick's Day” with traditional Irish dancers, a half-decorated leprechaun and bag pipers to honor the fallen firefighters from 9-11.

“I came here to America 15 years ago and always dreamed of having my own bar,” McAuley said.

McAuley said his first six months in Boynton Beach has exceeded expectations and that all the people, along with neighboring business owners have been very accepting.

“We have brought something different to the area,” he said. “A little Celtic feeling.”

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

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Delroy Cole, 42, has a side business where he takes photos of Pop Warner football players so the childrens' parents can see their pictures.

He considers photography a little more than a hobby.

He also has been a Miami Dolphins season ticket holder for a number of years.

“I was looking on the Dolphin Web site and saw a contest where you got a chance to shoot pictures of the actual game alongside professional photographers,” he said.

He filled out the entry form for Canon’s “Shoot Like a Pro” sweepstakes.

Two days after filling out the questionnaire, Cole got a call saying he had won the contest.

Cole was given a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi camera kit and was embedded with the photographers on the field for the season’s first game against the New York Jets.

“I got a picture of Brett Favre’s first touchdown with the Jets,” he said.

Cole also said he received expert advice from the other photographers on how to shoot the game.

Miami Dolphins team photographer Denis Bancroft was by Cole’s side throughout the game, offering advice, suggestions and tips on how to shoot action sports photographs, said Ramzi Bautista, Canon spokesman.

“I definitely realized how hard their job is,” Cole said. “It was just a great experience and I can’t say enough about it.”

Bautista said throughout the season, Canon would be selecting nearly 80 winners from 10 NFL teams. Each team will host a winner at each of their eight home games throughout the season

For information, visit www.usa.canon.com/pressroom.

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

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Some of Boynton Beach’s firefighters are volunteering to raise funds for the American Heart Association.

The firefighters will act as hosts, hostesses, waiters and waitresses from 5 to 11 p.m. Sept. 24 at the seventh annual Fire Department Takeover at Bru’s Room, 1333 N. Congress Ave.

Proceeds from tip money and various contests will go to the American Heart Association as part of the city of Boynton Beach’s continued support of the annual Start! Heart Walk. 

Activities include a dunk tank, rock climbing wall, special guest Sparky “The Fire Dog” and the 1923 REO Speedwagon vintage fire engine.

A Firefighter Auction is also set for 9 p.m., where winning bidders claim a dinner date and evening out with their favorite firefighter. 

Fire Chief William L. Bingham said the event is especially rewarding since it is fun but still gives back to the community.

The city of Boynton Beach has established itself as a leading fundraising team each year with the Bru’s Room event alone raising anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000.

Funds go toward research, education and community programs.

For information, call 561-615-3888.

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Boynton Beach lost an active member of the community Sept. 13 when Patti Hammer, 76, died of lung cancer after a yearlong battle against the disease.

Hammer, who was diagnosed with cancer in March, was known as a community activist and served on several boards within Boynton Beach, said city spokesman Wayne Segal.

Hammer was on the Recreation & Parks Board, as well as having served with Code and Compliance.

“She also really focused on getting Mayor Jerry Taylor reelected to office,” said Betsy Radin, Hammer’s daughter.

Hammer was also involved with the Democratic Party of Palm Beach County.

Radin, who lived with her mother for eight years before getting remarried, said Hammer became most active in the community after living with City Commissioner Sidney Rosen in 1990.

Before that, she married Joseph Goldman in 1968. Radin said he was close with former Vice President Hubert Humphrey.

This also helped to fuel Hammer’s political activism, Radin said.

Hammer, a Connecticut native, attended Syracuse University.

Radin said the family is accepting condolences from 1 to 8 p.m. Sept. 18 at the family house at 52 G Stratford Lane.

“The past four months have just been really difficult,” Radin said of the cancer treatments.

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

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New fitness classes are available at the Intracoastal Park Clubhouse, 2240 N. Federal Highway, including Stretch and Tone, and Kick it to the Core.

Nicole Cangelosi, the city's Recreation and Parks Department spokeswoman, said the Stretch and Tone classes are designed to increase flexibility, strength and overall toning.

She said the Kick it to the Core classes would focus on developing the core, building strength, stability, and the abdominal region.

The Stretch and Tone classes will meet from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Mondays and Fridays, while the Kick it to the Core classes will meet from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. Mondays and Fridays.

Fees are $81 per nonresident and $65 per resident for each program and session.
The sessions offered this fall are Oct. 13 to Nov. 7 and Nov. 10 to Dec. 12.

For information, call 561-742-6650.

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

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There are many areas for volunteers to come out and help collect trash during the International Coastal Cleanup from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 20 in Boynton Beach.

The International Coastal Cleanup is the world’s largest volunteer event of its kind. Last year, 378,000 volunteers from 76 countries and 45 states cleared 6 million pounds of trash from oceans and waterways, and recorded every piece of trash collected.

Event T-shirts, bags and all the necessary items to clean up the areas will be given at all sites.

Volunteers who work the Boynton Inlet, 6990 N. Ocean Blvd., are meeting at the picnic tables.

Coordinator Cindy Williams said this was the third year people have cleaned up the inlet.

After cleaning up the area, Williams will send data on collected trash to Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful for examination.

“We provide drinks, breakfast and collect deep-rooted debris from the area,” she said.

Williams said it is important for people to come out and help clean up the area for the benefit of future generations.

“We need to go green or there will be no environment for future generations,” she said.

To volunteer at the Boynton Inlet, call 561-789-5818.

Bill Wilsher is coordinating the meet at Intracoastal Park, 2240 N. Federal Highway.

He said most of the people should meet at the memorial statue at the front of the park. From there he will dispatch volunteers to various areas around the park to clean.

“It is amazing what you can pick up in just one day,” he said. “The most important aspect of this particular clean up is data collection to see where the garbage is coming from.”

He said it is important to find out if the garbage is from fisherman, fast food trash or other debris.

To volunteer at Intracoastal Park, call 561-966-6636.

Neighborhoods are also getting involved in the cleanup.

The Homes at Lawrence Neighborhood are meeting at the lake off Glenwood Drive and Willow Springs Circle.

Easemera Brown-Augustus, coordinator of the local cleanup, said her community has been doing this for about four years.

“We just get together to clean up the lake and the surrounding area,” she said.

For information about the cleanup at the Lawrence Neighborhood Lake, call 561-433-8638
.

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

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The Schoolhouse Children’s Museum is participating in Family Health & Fitness Day at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 26.

Mario Aguilar, the museum's director of education, said the museum is going to feature booths with a chiropractor, nutritionist, massage therapist and a licensed personal trainer to inform families about health and fitness.

“The personal trainer will have a warm-up session and a light jog around the block,” he said. “There will also be a wellness vitamin group that will prepare free smoothie samples.”

The event’s purpose is to promote family involvement in physical activity.

For information, call 561-742-6780.

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

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The Schoolhouse Children’s Museum capped off its gala fundraiser Sept. 6 by handing out the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum Board Scholarship for $1,500 scholarship to Brianna Frank, 18.

Frank graduated from Boynton Beach High School in May and is attending Florida State University, where she studies political science and musical theater.

Michael Hall, the museum's executive director, said he wanted to stress the board aspect of the scholarship because it includes those who donated the money for the award.

“We are also taking further donations for the award next year,” he said. “The board does not have to be the only one donating.”

This is the second year the museum has handed out a scholarship to a Boynton Beach high school senior.

Hall said he would like to make this award an annual event.

“Our goal for the scholarship is to help some senior in high school here who needs a little support,” he said.

The crucial part of the application process focuses on an essay about leadership in the community.

“She volunteered at various places,” Hall said about Frank. “She was her class president, president of the drama club and honor society chair.”

For information, call 561-742-6780.

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

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The Boynton Beach Firefighter Benevolent Association and local sponsors are having the 10th Anniversary Golf Tournament for Charity on Oct. 18 at the links of Cypress Creek Country Club, 9400 S. Military Trail.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the association’s scholarship fund.

Steve Lewis, Boynton Fire Department spokesman, said the format for the tournament would be four-person best-ball with a shotgun tee-off at 12:30 p.m.

Cost is $90 per person, which includes green fees, cart, refreshments, games, raffle prizes and a buffet dinner.

Trophies and other prizes are to be awarded. A pitching contest and putting contest will take place before play.

Lewis said he urges prospective players to register early. Last year, more than 50 golfers were turned away.

Oct. 10 is the deadline to register.

For information, call 561-742-6342.

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

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Crack cocaine distribution in Boynton Beach took a big hit after an 18-month investigation ended Sept. 9 in multiple arrests.

More than 450 law enforcement officers from 12 agencies dismantled a crack cocaine distribution ring Sept. 9 that had been affecting residents in the Heart of Boynton neighborhoods, said Stephanie Slater, Boynton Beach Police Department spokeswoman.

The year-and-a-half long investigation ended with more than
eight dozen federal and state arrest warrants for conspiracy to distribute powder and crack cocaine, distribution of powder and crack cocaine and sale of cocaine.

Boynton Beach Police Chief Matt Immler said the operation was a community policing success.

He was referring to the fact that the operation was initiated and advanced through tips from residents.

The investigation identified seven high-ranking suppliers and distributors within the criminal organization that was moving and processing kilos of powdered cocaine into crack cocaine.

The crack was then supplied to dozens of people who sold it on the streets of Boynton Beach.

Throughout the investigation, agents from the Boynton Beach, Lake Worth and Delray Beach police departments and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration seized more than a pound of powder cocaine with a street value of $16,000 and more than a pound of crack cocaine with a street value of $20,000.

In a multi-agency operation, hundreds of law enforcement officers simultaneously executed dozens of search and arrest warrants at locations throughout the city,
targeting every level of the criminal enterprise, including suppliers, distributors and street-level dealers.

The investigation was spawned out of the Community Action Team.

In early 2006, after years of disconnect between residents and the police department, Boynton Beach formed its Community Action Team as a means of implementing community policing concepts and philosophies, Immler said.

Officers were given the freedom and responsibility to determine the cause of neighborhood problems and seek long-term solutions.

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Janet DeVries, archivist for the Boynton City Library and Schoolhouse Children’s Museum, will have a book signing for her newest book, “Sport Fishing in Palm Beach County,” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10.

The book has a photo history of the sport fishing industry and tales of legendary captains, devoted weekend anglers and wealthy sportsmen.

The book has more than 200 vintage, unpublished photos that bring to life the sailfish tournaments, fish fries, beauty pageants and parades of the fishing era.

Profits from the book will be donated to the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum to promote the history of fishing in Palm Beach County and to enhance marine conservation education through the museum.

Light refreshments will be served.

For information, call 561-742-6390.

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

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Some residents who receive Medicaid may only have 10 days to appeal a state decision that could cut their funding by as much as $40,000.

United Way of Palm Beach County, 2600 Quantum Blvd., is urging those who receive a letter from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to file an immediate appeal.

Those affected by the cuts have received, or will receive, a letter notifying them that they have been placed in one of four tiers that places a financial limit on the services they can receive.

Someone placed in Tier One has no cap, while those placed in Tier Two, Three or Four will receive $55,000, $34,000 or $15,000, respectively.

Scott Badesch, United Way of Palm Beach County's president and CEO, said the letter is extremely confusing, even to him.

“I have a master’s degree and 30 years of experience, and I don’t fully understand the letter,” he said.

Badesch said the most important thing for a resident to do is to file that appeal within the 10 days because if that is done, the Medicaid will not be affected until after the appeals process in late October.

He said if filed after the 10 days, he does not know what could happen.

The new funding tiers are scheduled to take place Oct. 15.



He also pointed out the fact that the criteria for the four tiers is not being shared with clients. He even said there have been some inconsistencies with tiers.

For example, there are cases occurring where individuals with similar needs are being placed in different tier levels. In many cases, health and safety are comprised.



The state legislature mandated the APD to implement a Medicaid waiver called tiers. The four tiers establish financial limits on the services that a person with disabilities can receive.

In many cases, these amounts will not cover the tremendous costs for medical and residential care.

United Way has heard from some clients who used to receive $55,000 a year, and have been notified they will now receive just under $15,000 for services.



Badesch said the change in funding has put some families into a tailspin.

“Some families have to adjust how they care for their loved ones and this does not happen overnight,” he said.

For many the reduction in funding may mean a loss of nursing care, medical equipment, day care or socialization programs and therapies, said Linda Roman, community impact director for the United Way.

For information about the tiers, visit http://www.apd.myflorida.com/.


For information about the United Way of Palm Beach County, call 561-375-6600.

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

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The Boynton Beach Recreation & Parks Department is seeking an experienced and qualified tennis professional to provide adult and youth lessons at the Boynton Beach Tennis Center, 3111 S. Congress Ave., said Nicole Cangelosi, Recreation & Parks Department spokeswoman.

Qualified instructors will be under the direction of the center’s on-site tennis pro.

Classes at the facility take place during morning and evening hours, and the facility is open seven days a week.

All individuals who are interested in filling the position are required to have USPTA or USPTR certification.

Cangelosi said the tennis professional would teach classes for youth between the ages of 5 through 15, women’s team lessons, private lessons and group lessons.

For information about the position, call Todd Johnson at 561-742-6230.

Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com or 954-871-1233.

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What kind of people would have 25 locations of banks from Miami west to Naples north to Boynton Beach saved in their car GPS system?

The kind that plan on ATM skimming, said Det. Frank Ranzie with the Boynton Beach Police Department.

On Sept. 5, two men in a 2002 silver Ford van were arrested for ATM skimming, in which a device is built to fit over the ATM card slot area, along with a portable debit card reader and miniature camera.

The card reader captures the cardholder's account information and the camera records the PIN numbers.

“This is the most advanced technological way of identity theft,” Ranzie said. “There is no way to detect if an ATM has been tampered with by just using the human eye.”

Ranzie said the criminals with this technology, perfected in Romania and overseas, use the stolen information to make fake cards and sell them overseas.

He said this new scam has reached across 19 countries.

The two men arrested, Mihai Arnauta and George Puflene, are both Romanian.

They both also refuse to talk at this time.

Is this new almost undetectable way of identity theft a backlash of the further advancement of technology? Ranzie said he thinks it is.

“The more we get ahead with technology, the more advanced crime gets,” he said.

Ranzie said the best way to avoid becoming a victim of ATM skimming is to use the same ATM all the time.

If anything seems to be changed on the machine, notify the bank and do not use the machine, he said.

“It may also sound childish, but cover up your pin numbers too,” he said.

Putting a hand over the pin number can stop the camera from obtaining that information.

Ranzie said some of the key items to look for include hanging speakers that should not be there or any items that hang that look out of place.

Another sign of ATM tampering can be a white glue residue on the machine, signaling that the card reader used to be glued on top of the ATM face plate.

ATM skimming accounts for almost $4 million of thefts each year.

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

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Massage Envy is now taking appointments for its free massage day Monday, Sept. 15. In return for a free massage the company is asking for donations that it will send to the breast cancer research foundation, Susan G. Komen for Cure of Miami/Fort Lauderdale.
"We've been a very successful franchise organization and this is our way of giving back," said Mark Sturman, the event's South Florida spokesperson.
For Sturman this year's event is personal. His sister died May 3 from breast cancer. He said within 15 minutes after her death he called the company and asked to spear head the event.
"I wanted to make sure we did this right so that we are making a difference," he said.
In the past three years the company has raised more than $350,000 for the organization.
This is the first year the company is implementing a free day of massages company wide. It is hoping to raise about $10,000 per store. The company will have 800 stores nationwide by the end of the year with 23 in South Florida 11 of which are in Palm Beach County.

Locations include:

Boynton Beach
1000 N. Congress Ave. Suite 140
Boynton Beach, FL 33426
561-374-7979

Royal Palm Beach
129 State Road 7, Suite 403
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33414
561-422-8889

Lake Worth
6169 Jog Road Unit 4C
Lake Worth, FL 33467
561-964-3689

West Palm Beach
8983 Okeechobee Blvd. Suite 210
West Palm Beach, FL 33411
561-333-3323

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Great Florida Bank, 741 W. Boynton Beach Blvd., recently awarded Hagen Road Elementary School in Boynton Beach a check for $2,500 on Sept. 2 as part of a community outreach campaign.

The principal of the school, Richard Hughes, was at the ceremony, a grand opening of the Great Florida Bank in West Boynton, to accept the check, said Christine Bucan, Great Florida Bank spokeswoman.

Bucan said Hughes is planning on using the money to implement a recycling program at the school, as well as create signage to identify plants and trees on the school’s campus.

The funding is part of the bank’s “Building 7 Great Communities Campaign” in which it is entering seven communities in South Florida including, Boca Raton, Miami and Boynton Beach.

Terrence Brown, the bank's chief marketing officer, said his bank considers itself a local community bank - one which wants to fully know each community it enters.

“We wanted to come up with an idea that would get to the heart of the neighborhood,” he said. “Especially now with budgets cuts, we wanted to do something to help.”

The winning school and community project was voted on by the public through the Internet. Great Florida Bank announced its plan to donate a $2,500 check and gave the public five options on its Web Site.

Great Florida Bank is headquartered in Coral Gables, and was established on June 30, 2004 as a state-charted commercial bank.

Brown said Boynton Beach was a high traffic spot and good market for deposits that would add liquidity to the bank.

“It is a high-producing location,” he said.

For information, visit www.greatfloridabank.com or call 866-514-6900.

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

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A Boynton teen was charged with felony burglary, grand theft and dealing in stolen property after admitting to nine home burglaries in the months of March, August and September.

Several hours after breaking into a house on Northeast First Street on Sept. 4, the juvenile then walked into the Boynton Beach Police Department and told detectives what he had done, said Stephanie Slater, police department spokeswoman.

Detectives then tied the 17-year-old to eight other residential burglaries, most in his own neighborhood.

Laptops, jewelry and DVD players were stolen during the burglaries, and the suspect got into the home by forcing open sliding glass doors and smashing windows.

Slater said during his latest Sept. 4 burglary, an 18-year-old girl saw the suspect - whom she knew by name - go behind a home at Northeast 16th Avenue and toss a laptop into bushes and then run away.

Another witness told police he saw the same thing.

The teen is in custody in a Juvenile Assessment Center.

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

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Steven Nussdorf grew up in New York and became an artist at a very young age.
“Somewhere along the way I lost my direction and became a normal person, giving up art,” he said.
It was then that Nussdorf said he experienced life and all the daily pressures that come with it.
“When I came back to art, I had a perspective,” he said.
The Boynton Beach City Library, 208 S. Seacrest Blvd., is set to examine Nussdorf’s perspective from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 15 through an Art Connections presentation by Nussdorf titled "Breakthroughs."
Nussdorf will showcase his work and detail how he came up with the ideas for his drawings.
He said his work is snapshots of everyday life and the grinding pressure average people feel everyday.
One of his works is titled “Not able to face the day.”
“On that particular day, I had a root canal that wasn’t healing, my computer was down and I had car trouble,” he said. “It was just one of those days when I just wanted to stay in bed.”
Nussdorf says everyone goes through these types of days but does not always talk about them.
“I want to break this wide open,” he said.
For information, call 561-742-6026.

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

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Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, a local nonprofit sending care packages to troops overseas, has an abundant inventory of supplies to place in packages but not the necessary funds to send those packages abroad.

Lynelle Zelnar, executive director of Forgotten Soldiers, said the group continues to receive more names to add to the main list of recipients.

Zelnar said the group’s commitment to soldiers overseas for the fourth or even fifth time is as strong as ever.

She said the recent turn in the economy and the active hurricane season has put the group in dire need of funding.

As the organization grows, so does the need for more funds.

She said costs could reach about $10,000 a month.

The men and woman putting their lives at risk should not suffer because of funding needs, Zelnar said.

She said with donations, tax deductible, the group can continue to operate.

“Please help us let our soldiers know they are not forgotten,” she said.

Monetary donations can be mailed to Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc. at 
9770 S. Military Trail, Suite B7-249, Boynton Beach, Florida, 33436.

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

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The Woolbright Road Bridge, located off Federal Highway and Woolbright Road, is set to reopen Sept. 12, after more than three months of repairs, said Wayne Segal, Boynton Beach spokesman.

The bridge underwent steel deck grading, sidewalk fixing and repainting.

Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians had to detour north to the Ocean Avenue Bridge while the Woolbright Bridge was closed. Boat traffic was unaffected.

For information, call 561-742-6000.

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

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The Schoolhouse Children’s Museum, 129 E Ocean Ave., has scheduled its second Spooky Schoolhouse Carnival for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 18 and 19.
Kelsey Harris, director of operations, said the museum would transform into an old-fashioned carnival, complete with ponies, music, crafts, games, face painting, concessions and baked goods.
The Ocean Avenue Green Market will bring its pumpkin patch, and each evening will feature a special live dance performance by a member of the local Hip-notic Dance Company.
Clowns, music, story times, a bounce house and carnival games are some of festivities Harris said would be on display at the carnival.
She said everyone was invited to dress up for the costume parades each day, and treats would be given to every participant.
Admission is $3 per person for age 2 and older. Activity tickets are available for purchase for 50 cents each, and two free tickets will be given to every guest in costume.
The Spooky Schoolhouse Carnival is a fundraiser for the museum, which depends on community support for its educational and cultural programs.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available by calling Marisa Guida-Santiago at 561- 742-6783.

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

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Clematis by Night is set to have a Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 at Centennial Square, 100 block of Clematis Street, to pay tribute to the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the attacks seven years ago.
A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, a Boynton Beach nonprofit organization that sends monthly care packages and letters of encouragement to soldiers overseas.
Lynelle Zelnar, executive director of Forgotten Soldiers, said some features of the event include Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Pipes & Drums and a combined West Palm Beach Police and Fire Department Honor Guard.
The fire and police chiefs are also scheduled to lay wreaths to remember the fallen officers and firefighters.
The finale will have the fire department raising an American flag from a ladder truck while local vocalist Lou Galterio sings the National Anthem. 



Clematis by Night is a free weekly event that features music, food and sidewalk shopping every Thursday night from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in Centennial Square.
For information, call the City of West Palm Beach Community Events Division at 561-822-1515 or visit www.clematisbynight.net.

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

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The Internet Safety for Youth program scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23 has been canceled and is set to be rescheduled in October.
Karen Abramson, library spokeswoman, said children of all ages who use the Internet could learn how to safely view Web sites without problems such as identity theft.

For information, call the library at 561-742-6390.

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

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Forgotten Soldiers of Boynton Beach, a nonprofit organization that sends care packages to soldiers overseas, is having a “Helicopter Career Day” to raise funds for its operations.
Palm Beach Helicopters, 2615 Lantana Road, will have the first “Helicopter Career Day” at the Palm Beach County Park Airport from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 20.
The theme of the event is how the helicopter industry directly impacts infrastructure, said Lynelle Zelnar, FSO executive director.
Several segments represented include law enforcement, military, emergency medical
services, electronic news gathering, agriculture, tourism and flight training.
Zelnar said people could talk to the pilots, flight crews and take a helicopter ride.
Admission is free but donations are encouraged, Zelnar said.
For information, call 561-304-1491, or visit www.palmbeachhelicopters.com.

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

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