Boynton Forum

The city of Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Department is attempting to make the streets a little safer for children walking or riding their bikes in the area.
The city is expanding its greenways/bikeways as outlined in the department’s strategic plan to provide added livability to Boynton Beach.
Jody Rivers, the city's parks superintendent, said the expansion is also part of making the city "green."
The expansion of the Palmetto Greenway and the Barton Greenway are now under design.
The greenways/bikeways network advances the protection of resource lands, encourages transportation alternatives and expands recreation opportunities for the city.
Rivers said the greenways/bikeways system is an 8-foot-wide asphalt path that allows for transportation so that children do not have to ride their bikes or walk on the streets.
“It is also so that people can walk with out driving and adding gas fumes,” Rivers said. “There will also be benches for people to rest and enjoy the environment.”
The first greenway starts with Palmetto Greens, a linear park located between Seacrest Boulevard and Federal Highway along the C-16 canal.
Rivers said the first expansion runs from the west side of Seacrest Boulevard, near Palmetto Greens Park, west to Interstate 95.
The second greenway, the Barton Greenway, will continue westward to Barton Park and then south, on the east side of I-95, toward Galaxy Park and Galaxy Elementary School.
The expanded greenway will also enable children to walk or bike to local elementary schools, including Poinciana and Galaxy.
“I’m definitely in favor of anything that helps keep kids safe, especially riding and walking to school,” said Peter Slack, principal at Poinciana. “We do have quite a bit of students who walk and ride their bikes here.”
Slack said the greenway posed a double benefit because it also helps the environment.
Rivers said one of the best things about the new greenways is that it is all funded through grants from the Florida Department of Transportation and no city funds are used.
The Palmetto Greenway is budgeted at $440,000, with the Barton counterpart budgeted at $116,000.
The two are only under design right now and are waiting on approval from the FDOT. Rivers said to expect them sometime in 2010.
Sally Foreman lives in Boynton Beach and has a daughter, Lindsay, who will soon be old enough to go to elementary school.
“When she starts school, no matter what school, I don’t want to have to worry if she is safe walking with her friends,” Foreman said. “If this helps alleviate those worries, then I am all for it.”

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

Vanessa Waked wanted to get her mother, Doris, the perfect 56th birthday gift.
Doris Waked lives in West Boynton and is a bridge enthusiast. She plays every Sunday afternoon with other senior women living in her community.
“I was thinking about just getting her a card and taking her to dinner, but I’m open to suggestions,” Vanessa Waked said.
And one of those suggestions brought her to Tastefully Yours, 7410 W. Boynton Beach Blvd., a candy/gift shop that has a wide selection of items.
Owner Lee Purchio said the idea behind the shop is to add a little upscale feel like in the Hamptons to Boynton Beach.
“We are known for our wrapping, which fits the item you are buying perfectly,” Purchio said.
For example, Tastefully Yours sells playing cards, like the ones used in bridge, that when wrapped to be given as a gift, will be wrapped in ribbons that have little cards on them.
“We have people come back and tell us that they don’t even want to open the package because it is so beautiful,” Purchio said.

Read more about this story and see photos in the March 18 issue of the Boynton Forum

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

The Boynton Beach Youth Empowerment Center’s Art of Filmmaking class is premiering movies made by local teens at 7 p.m. March 9 at the Boynton Cinema, 9765 S. Military Trail.
The teens in the program have acted, filmed and edited short films.
Stephanie Slater, Boynton Beach Police Department spokeswoman, said the Art of Filmmaking program helps teens to work together in teams to create, edit and finalize original movies, commercials and service announcements.
The program runs year-round at the Boynton Beach Youth Empowerment Center at the new Sims Center, 225 NW 12th Ave.
The free classes are from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays.

For information, call 561-742-6643.

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

More than 300 residents of the Boynton Beach community Platina walked for pancreatic cancer research on March 1.
The walk was sponsored by the community’s health and fitness club under the leadership of Norm Sachs.
Sylvia Hunt, a retired nurse, was the overall chairwoman.
“Pancreatic cancer needs more intensive research to have an early diagnosis and treatment to save lives,” Hunt said.
She said the organization consisted of many enthusiastic volunteers, with 16 captains who led 20 walkers each time out on the 2.3-mile walk within Platina.
The walkers, mostly seniors, were monitored during the walk.
“The response by our community was something to see,” Hunt said. “We raised over $4,500, which was wonderful.”
Florence Miller, a participant, said she felt secure walking in the event with CERT monitors looking on for support and health reasons.
“It was for a worthy cause, so I did it,” she said. “This walk made me feel that I was doing something worthy and I was impressed.”
Cynthia Beberman, another resident and walker, said it was a privilege and pleasure to walk for pancreatic cancer research.
“The committee headed by Sylvia Hunt was outstanding,” she said.
Hunt said the youngest participant was 2 and the oldest was 88.

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

Sometimes in the right circumstances, a group, community or even a high school can come together to help one of its own.
Kaiya Castillo, a freshman at Boynton Beach Community High School, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at 5 months old.
Cystic Fibrosis is a hereditary disease affecting the mucus glands of the lungs, liver, pancreas and intestines, causing progressive disability due to multisystem failure. The predicted median age of survival for a person with the disease is 37.
Brandi Girtman, teacher and advisor to the student council at the school, heard of Castillo’s illness last December.
From that point, the students and parents have come together to raise $1,494 for Castillo, who is in need of a double lung transplant in order to survive. The transplant costs in excess of $500,000.
The school’s Student Council has organized the “Support Kaiya Committee” to fundraise for the 14 year old.
The students had a car wash March 7, where they earned more than $800. Girtman said one girl even brought in $72 from her church for a donation.
“The students are working so hard and are really trying to help Kaiya,” said Pam Whigham, the high school’s director of choice programs. “We just want more people to know about Kaiya.”
Another fundraising event is a Student vs. Teacher Dodge Ball Tournament from 6 to 8 p.m. March 20. The cost is $5.

For information on the dodge ball game, call 561-752-1200.

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

More than 185 walkers gathered on Feb. 23 and raised almost $20,000 at the 2009 Walk-A-Thon for The Pap Corps for Cancer Research at Hunters Run.
All proceeds went directly to the University of Miami/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Sylvester opened in 1992 to provide comprehensive cancer services, and today, serves as the hub for cancer-related research, diagnosis, and treatment at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.
Sylvester handles more than 1,500 inpatient admissions annually, performs more than 2,400 surgical procedures, and treats nearly 4,000 new cancer patients.
The walk went through the Hunters Run community, and after arriving back at the Hunters Run clubhouse, participants were treated to a breakfast donated by a local business.
Cathy Davis Kaufman, president of the Paps Corps, said she was thankful for all the support and was grateful for the money raised for a worthy cause.

Name - Yetta Holmes

age – 95

Formed an over 90s club for seniors age 90 and older

Lives - Banyan Springs in Boynton Beach

Lived in New Jersey for 38 years

Retired insurance broker

Walks around community giving out candy

Walks multiple miles a day

135 people attended her birthday party Nov. 9

Tell Boynton Beach a little about yourself?

“I’m a retired insurance broker and until about 10 years ago I used to fly up to New Jersey and still work.”

Why the over 90s club for seniors?

“Well first I began a laughter is the best medicine club and had so many members. Then I started asking is people would join a club for over 90 seniors. I have 18 men and eight women.”

What does the future hold for Yetta?

“I’m just happy right now. Every morning when I wake up I sing “I Will Survive.”

What is your favorite part of the day?

“At night when I get into the bath tub and get to relax.”

What are you most proud of in your long life?

“Just because you are 90 doesn’t mean you can’t do what you want. Don’t be afraid, just do it.”

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

Three Santaluces High School seniors went to jail March 16 after they admitted to arson and vandalism at a house in Nautica Sound, said Stephanie Slater, Boynton Beach Police spokeswoman.
Matthew Press, 18, of Boynton Beach; Gary Lee Harper Jr., 19, of Lantana; and Patrick Machen, 18, of Lake Worth are charged with burglary, felony vandalism and residential arson.
Slater said the damage is estimated at $50,000.

At 2:45 p.m., police received a call of a possible residential fire in the 7100 block of Chesapeake Circle in Nautica Sound.
The house was believed to be empty and the fire was found behind the house in an in-ground pool.
The interior of the house was vandalized with spray painting on the walls, holes in the walls, smashed chairs and furniture, a broken TV and pool chemicals spilled throughout the house.

Harper told police that they skipped out of school early Monday and went Press's house in the 7100 block of Chesapeake Circle in Nautica Sound.
Press lives next door to the house they vandalized.
Harper said they were bored so they went next door and vandalized the empty house.
Machen said he defecated in the residence because he had to go to the bathroom and didn't feel like walking back to Press's house.
In addition, the threesome said they kicked holes in the walls, smashed furniture and broke a TV before throwing other things from the house into the empty pool and starting a fire.
Slater said they then went back to Press's house and played video games until they saw the fire growing and attempted to spray a garden hose from his backyard over the fence.
The three filmed the damage with a camera phone, which is now evidence.

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

Freedom Shores Elementary School students are simulating life conditions of the world’s poorest children and women, especially from East Asia, to teach them what these people go through every day.
The school, 3400 Hypoluxo Road, has organized a March-a-thon all day starting about 8 a.m. on March 26 to give the students a glimpse into poverty in the world.
The walk is supposed to show the students how each day people from the area struggle just to get water.
During the walk, students will take turns carrying jugs filled with water around the school’s front parking lot to raise funds to be donated to East Asia’s poorest areas.
Rosilis Cuevas, guidance counselor at the school and organizer of the walk, said she watched the "Oprah" show last year and that the walk is part of the O Ambassadors program, a joint project of Oprah's Angel Network and Kids Can Free The Children.
The school-based program is part of the curriculum developed to inspire youth all over North America to become active, compassionate and knowledgeable global citizens.
“Money raised will depend on how many miles or laps the students walk,” she said.
Residents can sponsor a student by pledging money for each lap they walk or make a flat donation to this entire walk.

For information on the program, visit www.oambassadors.org.

To reach the school, call 561-804-3100.
Read more about this story in the March 25 issue of the Boynton Forum.

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

Walter Clarke - resident of The Carlisle Palm Beach in Lantana

Age – 91
Grew Up – Northern New York
Favorite Activity – Nintendo Wii Bowling
Retired – He was in the Military for 41 years.
Hero – Gen. George Patton
Children – five, one boy and four girls
Walter was a medic during World War II and save 6,000 lives
Also trained as surgeon
Commander of Carlisle Veterans Club

Tell me about the Nintendo Wii bowling team you are a part of?

“We have a terrific team. We are mostly us older people and just had a tournament last month.”

What is your day like?

“I take care of all the activities the Carlisle has here. There are two movies a day. I also organize all the Veterans Club activities. I just became the commander of it.”

You were in the military for 41 years, how did you get into the armed forces?

“I went in straight out of high school. I joined one year before Pearl Harbor.”

What is something people don’t know about you?

“I was trained as a medic and saved 6,000 lives during WWII. I would step in for surgeons during the war.”

Read more about this story in the On The Spot feature in the March 25 issue of the Boynton Forum.

The Soup Kitchen, an independent volunteer organization relying entirely on the donations of the community, unveiled its new 1,000-square-foot storage addition March 20.
For the past 23 years, the kitchen at 8645 W. Boynton Beach Blvd., has consistently grown and serves on average 500 meals every day to the needy and poor from the area.
With the Soup Kitchen being a private facility receiving no state funding, a donation was needed to make the extra storage space a reality.
Jemstone Construction Group, Inc. of Boynton Beach offered to play the role of general contractor for the addition.
The addition of the extra space will be used to better manage food for the extra people coming through the doors looking for a meal.
Enrique Zuanetto, who runs the Soup Kitchen, said last year the facility served 182,379 meals, a 49 percent increase from 2006.
John Burke, spokesman for the kitchen, said the addition would more than double the total size of the facility.
He said the addition, which took around three months to construct, would also make way for a small office in the back for volunteers and staff.
“They needed this extra space,” he said. “They are just seeing more people than ever walk through their doors.”

For information, call the Soup Kitchen at 561-732-7595.

Read more about this story in the March 25 issue of the Boynton Forum.

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

With residents struggling to find and make extra cash, the JCC of Boynton Beach and a local Lake Worth business are getting together from 9 a.m. to noon March 25 to buy some old, unused gold.
Jessica Weingard, owner of JS Jewelry, holds three to four gold and platinum parties a week.
During the parties, the host makes a percentage of the gold and platinum bought, while friends and neighbors bring in their old jewelry to be bought by Weingard.
In this case, the Hochman Jewish Community Center, 8500 Jog Road, is the host and will receive a percentage of the jewelry that is bought.
If there is enough demand, a late afternoon session will also take place.
Weingard is a member of the JCC and a woman’s group, and has been throwing the parties since June.
“People who bring in enough gold and platinum average $300 to $400, with some getting as much as a $1,000,” she said.
Andrea Gralnick, a program director at the JCC, said it is rare that the gold parties ever take place in support of a nonprofit like the JCC.
With expansion on the horizon of the community center, funding is more important than ever.
“There are lots of places we want to expand with in Boynton,” Gralnick said.
She said with the economic situation the gold parties benefit sellers, buyers and the host, the JCC.

For information, call 561-740-9000.

Read more about this story in the April 1 issue of the Boynton Forum.

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

Boynton Beach is currently going through a transformation when it comes to area parks.
Over the last several years, the city's Recreation and Parks Department has been upgrading play equipment at multiple area parks.
The last of the upgrades will occur over the next several months at Boat Club, Palmetto Greens and Oceanfront parks.
Oceanfront Park, 6415 N. Ocean Blvd., is having the boardwalk replaced that was constructed in the 1990s.
Wally Majors, executive director of the Recreation and Parks Department, said the boardwalk would be rebuilt using a stronger, eco-friendly wood.
At Boat Club Park, 2010 N. Federal Highway, the city expects bids that were sent out in March to be received back in April and awarded in May for reconstruction of the restroom facility and park pavilions.
The project is expected to be completed eight months from the construction start date, slated for next February.
Another park making a transformation is Pence Park, the oldest park in the city's parks system.
Neighborhood residents use the basketball courts and new play equipment frequently, but the softball field is rarely used for area softball games.
“We plan to convert the softball field to a multi-purpose field, which makes the area more useful,” Majors said.

Read more about this story in the April 1 issue of the Boynton Forum.
Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.

Sandy May – kindergarten teacher at Poinciana Elementary School
Finalist for the William T. Dwyer Awards for academic excellence in Palm Beach County
The awards will be announced April 28 in West Palm Beach.
Age – 56
Favorite thing about teaching – The kids
She has been teaching for 20 years.
The Dwyer Awards are co-presented by the Economic Council of Palm Beach County and the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County.

What does being a finalist for the Dwyer Awards mean to you?

“It is a huge honor. There are more than 60 faculty here and all are very talented. This is my fourth nomination and third time being a finalist.”

What is your favorite part of teaching?

“When I get to see the kids finally understand something or finally get a concept. Watching them learn and change.”

How did you get into teaching?

“From the time I was little me and my siblings used to play school.”

What are your future plans?

“I plan to work here till I retire, then I would like to start infant care for teachers.”

Read more about Sandy May in the April 1 issue of the Boynton Forum.

The Boynton Beach Police Department is having its first Teen Police Academy, a week-long summer camp for the purpose of increasing understanding between police and area youth.
Stephanie Slater, police spokeswoman, said the youth camp is similar to the adult academy in that classes include SWAT, K-9, defensive tactics, dangers of traffic stops, firearm safety and safe Internet usage.
Slater said two academies are offered this summer, with the first from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 13 to 17 and the second Aug. 10 to 14.
In contrast to the adult classes, participants must be ages 14 to 16, live in Boynton Beach and attend school.
Cost for the program is $60, which includes a T-shirt, ball cap, sports bag and lunch.
The maximum for class size is 20.
Applications can be found at City Hall and the Boynton Beach Police Department, 100 E. Boynton Beach Blvd.
They can also be found at www.bbpd.org and must be filled out by May 20.

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

The Bethesda Memorial Hospital Auxiliary donated a new, $9,800 Phillips Medical System HeartStart MRx Monitor/Defibrillator to the Emergency Department at Bethesda Memorial Hospital.
Kiswana Russell, hospital spokeswoman, said the portable, lightweight, monitor/defibrillator has various capabilities including EKG, manual defibrillation and automatic external defibrillation.
Russell said the HeartStart MRx is different in that it has the ability to monitor rhythms and immediately notify the clinical staff of any changes.
The auxiliary raised money for the HeartStart MRx through its annual Season of Caring holiday program.
The Bethesda Memorial Hospital Auxiliary supports the work of Bethesda Memorial Hospital through fundraising and volunteerism.

To give or donate to the auxiliary, call 561-737-7733, ext. 4467.

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

Dave and I were feeling artsy, so we decided to be like Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh and go absinthe tasting at Morton’s Steakhouse in Boca Raton.
Before I continue, let me answer your question as you are jumping off the couch reading this in delight. Yes, we are expanding the column into Boca Raton. Next we plan to take over the world, or at least the rest of Palm Beach County.
Morton’s had a tasting in a classy, secluded back room of four beverages featuring Pernod Absinthe, the first brand of absinthe. The restaurant plans to feature the drinks on their menu.
After the experience we had, I am sure Absinthe will make its reemergence back into restaurants.
That’s the thing with Absinthe, it is all about the experience. The liquor is 136 proof and green, so you do not want to chug the stuff.
For the straight absinthe, the bartender pours a measure of absinthe into a glass and places a sugar cube onto a flat perforated surface above the glass.
Then a fountain slowly, very slowly drips water onto the sugar cube to dissolve it. The sugar balances the alcohol. Louche is the clouding of the alcohol when the sugar hits the absinthe. Repeat that to your friends when you are out if you want to sound smart.
This was just the event that Palm Beach County needs more of, a classy environment with an incredibly unique drink.

***** five stars out of five.

Read more about this story in the April 8 issue of the Boynton Forum.

A Massachusetts-style knish is a flaky pastry with brisket, potatoes and onions stuffed inside.
And according to Cindy Rafey, owner of Cindy’s Corner Market, 7020 Charleston Shores Blvd., these pastries are hard to find.
“No one else makes them,” she said. “We are even starting to ship them to Massachusetts and California.”
Rafey said the knishes are what her store in Boynton Beach is known for.
Cindy’s Corner Market opened last September after six weeks of transformation from a convenience store into a home-style deli.
With Passover starting sunset of April 8, Rafey is making special kosher-style knishes with no flour and no cake meal.
During Passover, the celebration of the freedom of the Jewish people from ancient Egypt, unleavened bread and kosher meals must be eaten.
Cindy’s Corner Market also carries more than the rare Massachusetts Knish, including pre-made meals, lunch meats made onsite, salads, homemade salad dressings and chicken cutlets already fried.
The market is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

For information, call Cindy’s Corner Market at 561-968-1855.
Read more about this story in the April 8 issue of the Boynton Forum.
Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.