Residents in Boynton Beach can take a 1950s-style stroll down memory lane, while getting their hair cut and styled.
The Stylish Beauty Parlor at 4953 Le Chalet Blvd. in West Boynton has a '50s theme with a jukebox playing music in the background, free cookies and cake, and a relaxation area for people to mingle while catching up.
Tina Baca, the salon's owner, said the idea is to bring back old-fashioned hospitality and service to West Boynton.
“It is great. We serve ice cream in the summer and strawberries during Valentine’s Day,” she said. “We want this to be a place were customers get their hair done but stay after to reminisce and talk to each other.”
Haircuts for women are $15 and $10 for men. Coloring is $22.
Customer Marcella Chilcote grew up in the '50s and said the parlor is a throwback that makes her feel young again.
“I just love the atmosphere and come here all the time to get highlights and the total package,” she said.
For information, call Stylish Beauty Parlor at 561-742-5322.
Read more about this story in the March 4 issue of the Boynton Forum.

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

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Michele Monahan of Boynton Beach High School recently was named the Florida High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
Monahan, 48, began her teaching career 24 years ago with the School District of Palm Beach County as a physical education teacher at the elementary level.
She earned her master's in Physical Education and worked as an adjunct instructor at Florida Atlantic and Nova Southeastern universities.
At Boynton Beach High School, she currently serves as the Physical Education Department chairwoman and teaches Health Options for Physical Education, Adaptive Physical Education and Personal Fitness for the Florida Virtual School. 


Q: What does this honor mean to her?
Monahan: “It is a great honor for me and especially the school. It is more about the people I work with and the great group of teachers around me.”

Q: How did you get into your line of work?

Monahan: “When I was a little girl, I always wanted to be a teacher. Teaching and fitness are my passions.”

Q: What is something people don’t know about you?

Monahan: “My brother, Gene, is head trainer for the New York Yankees and has been with them for 36 years. If you can work for them, you can work for anyone.”

Read more about Michele Monahan in our new feature "On the Spot" in the March 4 issue of the Boynton Forum.

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

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Because of the Target Corporate, 250 students from Sunset Palms Elementary School in 
Boynton Beach are going on a field trip to the South Florida Science 
Museum.
The Target Field Trip Grants Program awarded $800 to Sunset 
Palms Elementary for the field trip set for 9:30 a.m. Feb. 27.
Part of Target’s commitment to education is the creation of the grant program.
So far, Target has awarded 7,400 Target Field Trip Grants-totaling more than $2 million-to educators in all 50 states, helping more than 300,000 students see the world outside the classroom.
Sunset Palms Elementary was selected from more than 25,000 applicants from across the country to receive the grant.

“Target has been doing work in the community and with schools for quite some time. They do great things,” said Sunset Palms Elementary Assistant Principal Cory Zigler.
Zigler said the trip to the museum would be good because it is hard to strictly learn science out of textbooks.
“This way they can see science up close,” he said.
For information, call Sunset Palms Elementary Assistant Principal Cory Zigler at 561-752-1100.

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

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Two victims, Patrick Hovsepian, 27, and Tara Reardon, 35, remain at the Delray Medical Center after being shot in the face Sunday night.
Police on Monday continue to investigate the home invasion robbery that occurred Sunday resulting in the shooting, said Stephanie Slater, Boynton Beach Police spokeswoman.
The shooting took place at around 8:30 p.m. at Hovsepian’s apartment in the Mirabella community located along South Federal Highway in Boynton Beach.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call Detective Alex Moreno at 561-742-6138 or Sgt. Paul Sheridan at 561-742-6133.
Tips can also be left anonymously at www.bbpd.org.

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

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Lantana Community Middle School is attempting to help groom students toward a career in child development.
The school’s career academy is one of the first schools in Florida to have the pilot program for the Pre-Teacher Education Career Academy.
Ian Adair, program coordinator at the middle school, said 61 students from sixth, seventh and eighth grades are enrolled in the program that teaches students how a child develops and what careers are available in that field.
The middle school program complements a similar high school program.
“The idea is to get the student interested in any career in teaching, child development, day care and others,” Adair said.
Adair said it can help students who graduate high school and don’t go to college get a job in day care or can also help students going to college to focus on what type of child development they want to study.
The students study with state-of-the-art equipment, including life-like dolls that teach them about fetal alcohol syndrome and what drug use by a mother can do to the baby.
Heather Baptiste, an eighth-grader at Lantana Middle, said she has been interested in children since she was 5.
“I have always wanted to be around children,” she said. “I used to ask if I could change diapers.”
Baptiste is living with her niece, Ja’liyah, an infant and she said with the use of the program, she has learned when and why her niece cries.
“It means she either wants food, to be changed or just needs attention,” the 13-year- old said. “I want to be a doctor one day and maybe a pediatrician. This program helps me make that choice”
Krystal Jimenez, another eighth-grader in the program, wants to be a teacher one day, maybe kindergarten.
“I joined the program because I wanted to learn what opportunities there were in this field,” she said. “I just like kids and like being around them.”
Adair said the students go in-depth on brain development and physical development of infants and children through the program. The program even has a room set up to teach students about infant toys and games.
In addition to class work, the students have done off-campus work.
By dressing up as superheroes and collecting money during lunch time the Pre-Teacher Education Career Academy raised more than $200 to purchase toys for the charitable group Kids In Distress, which operates out of Fort Lauderdale.
The Pre-Teacher Education Career Academy also participated in a holiday letter writing campaign and a toys/clothes drive to a needy family in partnership with Transplant Buddies and Donate Life Endeavors a charitable group that works with families who are undergoing or waiting for organ transplants.
Adair said the idea is to simply test the waters and see that there are many options for a career with child development.
With this new program, students can be choosing their future career at the ripe young age of 13.

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

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Cascades resident Donald Kneller’s wife, Barbara, was sick just more than two years ago and he had to call on the local emergency service personnel more than once.
“They were always there in minutes and were just fantastic,” Kneller said. “Unfortunately, she eventually passed away from the illness.”
To honor his wife’s memory and the work that Fire Station No. 44 does for his community of the Cascades, Kneller recently raised money to buy the station a new television.
“I went in there to say thanks and they had this little 27-inch TV,” he said. “I told them, 'I’m going to get the money and get you guys a bigger one.'”
Kneller raised $600 through his community’s men's, women's and choral clubs to buy the TV. He also put some of his own money in to buy a 42-inch television for the station in West Boynton, which opened in October.
Kneller plans to drop off the new television to the station Feb. 20.
Station No. 44 is under the umbrella of District 4, which is responsible for eight fire- rescue stations in South Palm Beach County and the staff of 192 staff members it takes to run the 21 vehicles in those stations.
District 4 covers the general area from Lantana Road, south to Clint Moore Road, west to U. S. Highway 441 and back north to Lantana Road. The eastern borders are the cities of Boynton Beach and Delray Beach.
Kneller’s efforts were not done for recognition or fanfare. District 4 Chief William Rowley said he was not even aware of the new TV.
“Of course we appreciate the citizen’s generosity and know the men at that station will enjoy it,” Rowley said.
As for what Kneller said about medical care from District 4, 76 percent of calls are medical with 24 percent for extinguishing fires.

In District 4, each of the eight stations has a rescue engine and a rescue ambulance with paramedics in every unit.
“There is not a day when I don’t see one of their trucks along my streets and I just wanted to say thank you for their help,” Kneller said.
The addition of Fire Station 44, between Jog and Hagen Ranch roads, helped to reduce response times from other stations nearby that are loaded with calls.

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

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The Neighborhood Art Gallery, 422 W Industrial Ave., is having an opening reception from 3 to 8 p.m. Feb. 22.
Rick Beau Lieu, gallery owner, said wine and light refreshments would be served.
Beau Lieu said the opening would feature metal sculptures, oil and acrylic paintings, original drawings, ceramics, papier-mache and a bronze equestrian sculpture.
“We have separated the gallery in different sections to feature the different artists,” he said. “We have Dale Rogers in from Boston and Ralph Papa has a new series of work.”
Beau Lieu has work of his own in the opening, along with local artist Steve Nussdorf.
“I'll have a number of works in it plus some new ones,” Nussdorf said. “Might be a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon, relax, chat and hang.”
For information, call 561-736-8181, or visit www.neighborhoodgallery.com.

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

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Boynton Beach Police charged Douglas Livingston with grand theft on Feb. 17 for scamming four Boynton Beach homeowners out of more than $100,000.
Police spokeswoman Stephanie Slater said the homeowners paid Livingston’s company, Home Team Advantage, for remodeling projects that were never completed. Some were never even started.
Livingston is currently in the Palm Beach County Stockade. Delray Beach police charged him with fraud in November.
Boynton Beach Police have charged Livingston, 42, with grand theft over $100,000, organized scheme to defraud over $50,000 and four counts of contracting without certification.

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

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The Boynton Beach Tennis Center announced that it has upgraded its team of tennis professionals with the additions of professionals Christine Ennis and Robert Howell.
Since joining the staff in early February, Ennis and Howell have conducted adult group lessons and private lessons at the tennis center, 3111 S. Congress Ave.
Nicole Cangelosi, Recreation and Parks Department spokeswoman, said long-time Boynton Beach Tennis Center pro Susan Goodman would continue to offer weekday and weekend private lessons and clinics for adults.
Ennis will provide clinics for youth ages 5 and 6, 7 to 9 and 10 to 15. The youth clinics will start in March.
Howell’s expertise as a teaching pro will go toward the adult weeknight activities with the addition of clinics and private lessons.
Anyone who is interested in registering for group clinics and private lessons can call 561-742-6575.

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

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The Boynton Beach Oceanfront Concert Series continues in February with a mix of oldies, rock ‘n' roll and disco performed by Cricklewood.
Kathy Biscuiti, special events director for the city's Community Redevelopment Agency, said residents can bring their folding chairs for this free concert from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 20.
“Cricklewood is a popular group that has played in the area before,” she said. “When I announce them at the meetings, people get excited about them performing.”
A free shuttle from Bank of America on Federal Highway and Ocean Avenue will run to the site at Oceanfront Park, 6415 N. Ocean Blvd. The shuttle runs from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Biscuiti said the point of the event is to get the community together and the concert is open to all ages.
For information, call 561-742-6246, or visit www.boyntonbeachcra.com/newsevents.php.

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

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With selling gold through venues like Cash4Gold.com the current trend to make quick cash, the JCC Hochman Branch is presenting such an opportunity.
Residents can bring in broken jewelry, old class rings and gold earring backs, or anything made of gold, sterling silver or platinum.
A local jewelry dealer will be at the JCC, 8500 Jog Road, to buy the old jewelry from 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 9 p.m. March 25.
Cheryl Green, JCC spokeswoman, said the event is free to both JCC members and nonmembers.
Participants must register to reserve a time and that walk-ins will have to wait.
For reservations, call 561-740-9000, ext. 266.

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

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The Boynton Beach City Library, 208 S. Seacrest Blvd., is set to close for a move Feb. 16 to March 6.
The library will have a grand opening at 9 a.m. March 7.
Program events will continue at the library. The northeast doors of the library will open for access to the library's program room only for scheduled events.
Normal library hours are 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
For information, call 561-742-6390.

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

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In honor of Black History Month the Heart of Boynton Community Association wants to introduce the first Boynton Beach Heritage Celebration.
The all-day event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 21 on Martin Luther King Blvd, just east of Seacrest Boulevard.
There will be live entertainment from various genres of music and talents such as r&b, pop, gospel, spoken word, Haitian music, dance and Brazilian martial arts. The Kid’s Zone area will be filled activities for the youth. There will also be food from around the globe.
The event will serve as a way to showcase the many cultures within the area. The association said it is proud of how diverse the city has become and wants to embrace the changes with open arms.
Cheryl Skinner, committee member and volunteer, said with the recent economic troubles, many cultural events were cut from budget.
“If you do not celebrate culture, it stops a city from growing,” she said. “This celebration should bring the city together, with a little history education along the way.”
The organization came to the conclusion that instead of having the event focus solely on the black community all other cultures will be welcome to participate in the activities.
“We wanted to include all the cultures of Boynton in the event,” Skinner said.
The Heart of Boynton Community Association was formed to showcase the Heart of Boynton Beach.
The group wants to revive the spirits of the community and the Heart of Boynton, an impoverished area in the city.
Skinner said the celebration is mainly a reminder and something that will bring awareness to the community about the Heart of Boynton, which she feels the city has forgotten about.
For information, e-mail urbanrelations@gmail.com.

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

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The Delray Beach Public Library, 100 W Atlantic Ave., is continuing its Author Series in March.
Among other authors, the library is having a Boynton Beach resident come out to speak and present.
Bonnie Stelzer, library spokeswoman, said author Barbara E. Joe would speak about her book, “Triumph & Hope: Golden Years with the Peace Corps in Honduras,” at 2 p.m. March 5.
The book offers a look inside Peace Corps service.
In addition, Boynton Beach author Don E. Finegold will present a program titled: “Mystery Writing – Revenge,” at 2 p.m. March 11.
“Revenge,” is Finegold’s fifth mystery novel and continues his fondness for mystery and intrigue.
Finally, Delray Beach history buff and author Alexander “Sandy” Simon will present his program on the history of “Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach & Highland Beach,” at 2 p.m. March 30.
Stelzer said the programs are free and open to the public and books will be available for purchase and autographing.
For information, call 561-266-9490.

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

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Wayne Segal, Boynton Beach City spokesman, said applications are now available at www.boynton-beach.org for residents wishing to serve on the Green Community Alliance.
Segal said the deadline to return applications is March 17 and that alliance members would work closely with Boynton staff over a six-month period to help create policies and programs that will promote environmental sustainability.
He said inclusion of community input is crucial to completing the formulation of the city’s Climate Action Plan, which will take the assessment of the city’s current environmental situation and address long-term solutions to reducing carbon emissions.
Last year, the City Commission adopted a resolution establishing a Green Task Force to oversee the process of improving and sustaining the environmental needs of the community.
Consisting of City staff, the task force made a number of recommendations to the commission.
The commission approved these recommendations in order to facilitate further research and proposals for implementation that will be brought back to the commission for approval on a case-by-case, project-by-project basis.
Among staff’s recommendations was to incorporate public participation through community alliances.
For information on the Green community Alliance, call 561-742-6010.

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

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Wayne Segal, spokesman for Boynton Beach, said the city's new attempts in Twitter, the city blog and other networking media have been a success.
In January, the blog received 743 views, with an average of 24 a day.
The YouTube site received 280 views and has sic subscribers. Twitter has 53 followers and Segal said he gets one or two new followers a day.
Segal said he would like the numbers to continue to grow, and invites residents to try the new media to learn and interact with the City and its staff.
LINKS:
blog ˆ http://boyntoncityblog.wordpress.com/

Twitter ˆ http://twitter.com/cityofboynton

YouTube ˆ www.youtube.com/cityofboynton

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Victoria Miller noticed early in December that her daughter Zoe, 6, wasn’t breathing right.
“I just thought she was sick or had a cold,” Miller said. “Then on Dec. 7, we found out she had a huge mass in her lung crushing her left lung.”
The mass was Ewing’s Sarcoma, a type of bone cancer. For the past two months with surgeries and chemotherapy, Zoe has seen her tumor shrink.
The bills, on the other hand, have piled up.
To help with the ailing child, Neil Miller, assistant principal, and others at Citrus Cove Elementary School have gotten together to put on a car show, where all the proceeds will go to the Farrell family.
“A parent approached me and asked if I knew of Zoe’s condition,” Miller said. “Then I asked around and found out how really sick she was. I’m in a car club called East Coast Street Stangs, an all-Mustangs group, so Stacey Madden suggested I have a car show to raise money."
The car show is set for 10 to 4 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Faith United Methodist Church, 6340 W Boynton Beach Blvd. The cost is $15 to enter a car and everyone else can come for free.
Harold Hendren, pastor at Faith United, said all his children have gone to Citrus Cove and that he is just happy to help.
“We are just jazzed up to be able to help the little girl’s family by providing our campus for the event,” Hendren said.
There will also be raffles and other games to raise money.
Miller said the fundraiser has no monetary goal in sight, just to raise as much as possible for the Farrell family.
Victoria Farrell said she has insurance but that each time she has to take Zoe to the doctor it results in a $200 co-pay.
“It is up in the thousands,” she said. “I mean we travel to Miami and West Palm too, and we are home for two weeks then in Miami for a week.”
She said that cycle just keeps continuing.
As for Miller, he is just happy the community is stepping up to help Zoe.
“I wish the fundraiser was my idea alone but it is not,” Miller said. “There are just so many people coming out and helping, and donating their money and time.”
For information, call 561-292-7000.

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

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With a struggling economy, money is on the minds of residents everywhere.
Norma Kane, library spokeswoman, said the Delray Beach Public Library, 100 W. Atlantic Ave., is trying to offer some help with the current economic issues.
Boynton Beach attorney Michelle Hofkin will present a program “Estate Planning, Long Term Care & Reverse Mortgages,” at 2 p.m. March 9.
Hofkin concentrated on taxation matters while pursing her law degree and is admitted to practice in Florida, New York, New Jersey and in the Federal Court.
Kathy Kiley of Consumer Credit Management Service, Inc. will also present a program “Money Matters – Budgeting – How to Keep Track of Your Money,” at 6:30 p.m. March 30.
CCMS is a nonprofit agency that is nationally accredited with Certified Credit Counselors.
Kane said the programs are free and open to the public, and registration is not required.
For information, call 561-266-9490.

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

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Photo/David DiPino
Wally “Famous” Amos made a special trip to Freedom Shores Elementary, 3400 Hypoluxo Road, to meet Victoria Konsavage, who wrote a report on Amos for Black History Month.
Also Konsavage, 10, just lost her mother Mary Jane last month to heart failure.
Victoria’s father, Rick, a member of the YMCA, called because he heard Amos was coming to Boca Raton to speak at a breakfast for the YMCA.
“One young lady is the reason I’m here today and her name is Victoria,” Amos said as he hugged the 10-year-old.
Amos stayed for more than an hour and read “Green Eggs and Ham” and other children’s books to Konsavage’s third grade class.
“I’m just blown away,” Rick Konsavage said. “This is the happiest I have seen Victoria in quite a while.”

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

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It is not smart to waste the police’s time.
A caller, Jean Fortune, called 911 on Feb. 7 while at the local Burger King, 1521 W. Boynton Beach Blvd.
Jeffrey Katz, spokesman for the Boynton Beach Police Department, said the man called and said he was unhappy with his order and that it was taking too long.
The call from the man was proceeded by an argument with the cashier, when the cashier told the man that the Burger King was out of lemonade.
Fortune became irate when he realized they had no lemonade and the man caused a disturbance.
Fortune was charged with misuse of the 911 system and received a notice to appear in court.

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

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Children from the Boynton Beach Art Center Kids Club program are learning the importance of keeping the earth clean and free of litter.
The children’s learning will take place in the classroom, as well as out on the beach.
In conjunction with the Sand Sifters, students will be getting their hands dirty to make Boynton’s beach clean from 3 to 4 p.m. Feb. 12, Feb. 19 and March 5.
The Sand Sifters are a local nonprofit beach cleanup group that started in conjunction with the Boynton Beach Recreation & Parks Department almost two years ago.
The group, led by Gary Solomon, cleans up Oceanfront Park and its surrounding beaches, 6415 N Ocean Blvd., once a month.
Heather Spillane, Art Center supervisor, said since the Sand Sifters works with the Recreation Department on the monthly cleanups, she thought it would be educational for the children to get involved with this group.
“The kids can learn about how to keep the environment clean in addition to their in-class studies,” she said.
The activity will prelude their studies dedicated to the environmental health of our planet and celebrating Earth Day in April.
For information, call 561-742-6237.

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

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The Delray Beach Public Library, 100 W Atlantic Ave., has two upcoming art programs for March, one will feature a Boynton Beach resident.
Boca Raton jewelry designer and artist Phyllis Annunziato will present a program “Jewelry As Status: Through the Centuries of Change,” at 2 p.m. March 2.
Her discussion will include slides illustrating how the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries made jewelry more accessible to the public through many inventions showing samples of each invention and jewelry style.
Then Boynton Beach artist Ann Schwartz will present a program “The Art & Treasures of King Tutankhamen,” at 2 p.m. March 24.
Schwartz is an award-winning artist, curator and lecturer whose slide show will explain the discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamen and the golden treasures found there.
Bonnie Stelzer, director of community relations at the library, said the programs are free and open to the public, and that registration is not required.
For information, call 561-266-9490.

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

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With the economy struggling, Boynton Beach residents will not have to let their health suffer as a result.
Nicole Cangelosi, spokeswoman for the Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Department, said the department is having a health fair at the Hester Community Center, 1901 N. Seacrest Blvd., on Feb. 24.
Cangelosi said the fair is for people of all ages.
The Health Fair will take place in the center’s gymnasium, and will feature blood pressure checks, back massages, cholesterol, glucose and PSA screening, and vision and hearing tests.
Vendors will be on site, including Caregiver Services, Inc., Easy Living Lifeline, HearX, 211, MCCI Medical Group, Veteran’s Advisory Benefits, Sickle Cell Foundations, JFK medical Center, After Care Medical Equipment, Area Agency on Aging, MetLife, Wachovia, and Corner Stone Health Care Chiropractic.
For information about the Health Fair, call Frank Ireland at 742- 742-6550.

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

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Elvis Alonzo Barrett, 46, of Lake Worth, fled from police attempting a traffic stop the morning of Feb. 5 on West Boynton Beach Boulevard.
Stephanie Slater, spokeswoman for the Boynton Beach Police Department, said police did not pursue Barrett’s blue Dodge Durango as it failed to yield and fled south on Congress Avenue.
Slater said it was reported that he went south into Delray Beach, where police there attempted to stop it. Barrett fled from Delray Beach police and returned to Boynton Beach, recklessly running red lights, cutting across all lanes of travel and failing to yield to other traffic.
Barrett then headed the wrong way against traffic onto the northbound exit ramp to Interstate 95. He made an illegal u-turn and headed north on I-95. He exited at Gateway Boulevard and headed east.
After crashing into a car at the intersection of Gateway Boulevard and Seacrest Boulevard, Barrett lost control of the Durango, which hit a curb and flipped over before striking a fence at 2220 N. Seacrest Blvd. Barrett was then taken into custody and was not injured. Police found crack cocaine and a crack pipe in his car.
Barrett is charged with fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, possession of cocaine and leaving the scene of a crash involving damage. He faces additional charges from Delray Beach police.
He was also issued more than 50 traffic citations and has a lengthy criminal history and his driver license was suspended indefinitely.

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

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The Delray Beach Public Library, 100 W. Atlantic Ave., will present historical programs in March with the help of some Boynton Beach residents.
To help celebrate Women’s History Month, Boynton Beach resident Marilyn Brand will present a program “Women Who Dared in the Bible” at 2 p.m. March 16.
Bonnie Stelzer, director of community relations for the library, said the program explores some of the women from the Old Testament who made inroads for the equality of women during biblical times. 
 
In addition, Boynton Beach resident Ed Lewis will present the second part of a two-part series on the Civil War, “Abraham Lincoln,” at 6:30 p.m. March 18.
Lewis has had a lifelong interest in the Civil War and is a member of the Palm Beach Civil War Roundtable. He writes book reviews for the “Civil War News” and is a facilitator of the book club at the Norton Museum of Art.
The programs are free and open to the public, and registration is not required.
For information on the programs at the Delray Beach Public Library, visit www.delraylibrary.org or call 561-266-9490.

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

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The Jewish Community Center Hochman Branch, 8500 Jog Road, began its first year having a green market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 30.
The market included organic vegetables, fruits, bakery items, plants, flowers and a doggy bakery.
The weather was a little cold Jan. 30, but Lenore Glickman, the market's organizer, said people still showed up.
“The doggy bakery and the café with breakfast items still did rather well,” she said.
The market will run every Friday at the same time.
Glickman said the idea for the market came from JCC corporate and that she had been recruiting vendors for months.
“I went around and got everyone’s card and suddenly everyone started calling me back,” she said.
Glickman said she is especially impressed by the different plants and trees, including bonsai, at the market.
For information, call 561-740-9000.

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

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Numerous activities will be taking place at Temple Shaarei Shalom’s Mitzvah Day, 9085 Hagen Ranch Road.
Ivy Ramallo, temple spokeswoman, said the event is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 8 and would include a pet mobile taking donations, Community Blood Centers of South Florida taking blood, stylist Adam Gray cutting hair for Locks of Love and letter writing to Israeli soldiers.
Participants will also be assembling goodie bags for needy people at the Caridad Center, a free clinic in West Boynton.
If possible, the temple would like participants to bring sample-sized shampoos, soaps, lotions and tabs from soda cans for Ronald McDonald charities. Also, clothing donations and non-perishable food items will be accepted.
For information, call Roberta Sturm at 561-735-8616.

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

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The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, together with the Audubon Society of the Everglades, will have the 10th annual Everglades Day Festival 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 7.
The refuge, located at 10216 Lee Road, is having the event for free with activities including canoeing, kayaking, wildlife presentations, live music and fishing demos.
Visitors can also go on nature walks to see some of the wildlife.
Spanish interpreters will also be on-site for information and presentations.
The refuge is a home to the American alligator and the Everglades snail kite. The refuge allows visitors an opportunity to experience the Everglades' natural resources through trails, fishing platforms and observations towers.

For information, call 561-734-8303.

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

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The Neighborhood Gallery of Boynton Beach, 422 W. Industrial Ave., announced a Sunday exhibit from 3 to 8 p.m. Feb. 22.
National and local artists will be featured at the exhibit, including Tom Brewitz, Richard Beaulieu, Claudia Jane Klein, Ralph Papa and Stan Sternbach.
Beaulieu said a variety of works from metal sculpture, oil and acrylic paintings, original sketches, ceramics, paper mache art, bronze sculptures, jewelry and kinetic sculptures would be on display.
He said he wanted residents to come out and meet some of the artists, and that admission is free.

For information, call 561-736-8181.

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

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The Boynton Beach Police Department recently announced its employees of the year for 2008.
Scott Spruill was named 2008 Uniform Services Officer of the Year, Troy Raines was named Detective of the Year and Stephanie Slater was named Civilian of the Year.
Spruill, a member of the department’s Community Action Team, initiated an investigation that led to the dismantling of a well-structured crack cocaine ring in Boynton Beach.
The ring included street dealers, middlemen and sources of supply. The investigation led to the arrests of more than 100 individuals.
The investigation included the DEA, FBI and departments from all around the state.
Spruill also was a full-time student at Barry University and recently graduated um laude.
Raines is assigned to the Violent Crimes Task Force with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department.
He has worked in the suppression of gang activity, especially with violence by the Top 6 gang.
The Top 6 gang is responsible for more than 140 shootings and 12 homicides. Raines has made several arrests associated with the Top 6 gang.
Sgt. Paul Sheridan, Raines’s supervisor, said Raines upholds the highest tradition of the department and displays leadership, courage and devotion to duty.
Slater started with the department in April 2007. In the past year, Slater expanded the department’s Internet initiatives, making Boynton the first department in Florida to have a profile on Facebook.
In addition, the department was the first in the county to post videos on YouTube and have a MySpace profile.
Slater has never shied away from doing what is necessary to connect the department with its residents, now putting the department on Twitter.
“Well, my role is to get the word out to the public and we have to follow the trends,” she said. “The police through social media can reach out to broader audiences to promote the department.”
Through Facebook and MySpace, Slater has alerted residents of any emergency activity and created a way for residents to send the department tips.
In addition to her Web-based initiatives, Slater worked with the detective bureau to create a public service announcement reminding women to keep their purses on them at all times while shopping, which was a problem lately at local stores.

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

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