With Mother’s Day approaching, residents are looking for a unique and different way to celebrate the holiday.

Sweet Surrender, 870 N. Congress Ave., opened April 28 and will have a soft opening for the next few weeks, including fromMother’s Day, which is Sunday. The cafe's hours are from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

The soft opening is a way to feel out what times Sweet Surrender should be open in the future.

The cupcake and cookie café came from the idea of owner Mickey Tynski, that times are tough currently with the economy and a gourmet cupcake is an affordable treat.

“You don’t have to go to an expensive dinner to unwind or treat yourself,” Tynski said.

The new café offers cupcakes, cookies, coffees and teas.

“We have Republic of Tea, with flavors including Earl Grey, mango, lemon herb and peach,” Tynski said.

The cupcakes are $2.75 for a large and $1.25 for a mini. Different kinds of homemade cupcakes include red velvet, carrot cake made with nuts and real carrots, and chocolate banana.

Tynski said there are no trans fats in the cupcakes and all the food is made from natural ingredients.

As for the cookies, Sweet Surrender has all the classic favorites like chocolate chip and chocolate crumble.

“You have to eat them to really understand how good they are,” Tynski said.

Mary Steen, a Boynton Beach resident, has been looking for a place to take her mother for Mother’s Day.

“She is 79 as of last week,” Steen said. “I just don’t know how much time we have left together.”

Steen said a nice cup of tea and a cookie sounds like the perfect way to spend a day thanking her mother for bringing her into this world.

“I’ll also have to get my kids in college a box of cupcakes,” she said. “They love it when I send them care packages.”

Tynski said Boynton Beach was the perfect spot and that Sweet Surrender is the type of place that would satisfy all the varying age groups in Palm Beach.

“Come by, share a pot of tea with a friend or loved one, and have a cupcake,” Tynski said.

For information, call Sweet Surrender at 561-733-2881.

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

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The Sand Sifters are having a DigBeach cleanup and third annual Turtle Talk from 8 to 10:30 a.m. May 2 at Oceanfront Park, 6415 N. Ocean Blvd.
Gary Solomon, organizer and founder of the Sand Sifters, a local nonprofit beach cleanup group, said participants can meet at the pavilion in the lower parking lot.
Jacey Biery, an environment analyst with Palm Beach County, will help residents learn about lighting and other types of pollution and its effect on sea turtles.
All participants will view a sea turtle nest.
Community service hours awarded to students who need them.

To register, call 561-734-9128.

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



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Profile – Karen Abramson, public relations for the Boynton City Library

Age – 21+, “Aged to perfection.”

Born – Pittsburgh, Pa

Lives now – Atlantis

Activities – Makes jewelry from stones

Heroes – Dad, William Stanko, taught her plumbing and electricity

Favorite book – “It is a huge book about beads."

She celebrates her fifth year at the library in June.

She has lived in Florida since 1986.

Fun fact – She lived on a 53-foot boat for five years.

What is your favorite part of working in the library?

“I like the job I do with marketing and public relations. I really can sit down and talk to almost anyone, and I enjoy supporting the Friends of the Library.”

How did you get into this line of work?

“All of my past jobs have had marketing in them. I got this opportunity and my job just grew from there.”

What did you do before working at the library?

“I ran an international sporting goods store with my husband. It was located in seven states.”

How did you end up in Boynton Beach?

“We wanted to get a dog and we were living in a condo. So we shopped around and found a place in Atlantis. I have a White Havanese name 2K, because we got it Dec. 31, 1999.”

What is the most rewarding part of you job?

“Helping to contribute and inform people of all the great services we offer here. With the economy the way it is, we offer computers to help people out to get jobs, file for unemployment and food stamps.”

What does your future hold?

“I would like to retire and move to Italy.”

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The bigwigs up in corporate thought we were burning the midnight oil and working too hard, so they sent us to check out N Spa at the Delray Beach Marriott.
We were given a guided tour from the very knowledgeable Celeste Gregorio, now that sounds like the name of a woman who is a spa guru.
We started with the bottom floor, which consisted of makeup stations and rooms for pedicures and manicures.
Dave stopped and stared at the makeup station. See, it was a hot afternoon and his favorite color, fawn, was starting to run down his face because he was sweating.
And people think he is the tough one out of the two of us.
There were four manicure stations, where Dave was dying to get a set of acrylic nails put on.
“Can I still write my column with acrylics on?” he asked Celeste.
The pedicure stations had two flat-screen televisions hung on the walls. For some odd reason, I don’t think ESPN was playing but maybe the Soap Network.
Next, we ventured upstairs and Dave had a hard time climbing all of 10 stairs.
There was a fabulous relaxing waiting area with a tea bar when you first reach the upstairs area. It overlooks the ocean.
Each of the massage rooms upstairs were call “clouds” and were painted with murals on the ceilings for relaxation and meditation.
Celeste told us there were even couples massage rooms, where champagne and strawberries could be brought to the couple.
Dave looked at me as if we would do it.
“Absolutely not!” I told him. “Dude, we are not a couple.”
Finally, we checked out the men’s locker room. No we did not go into the women’s room. We are gentlemen and do not partake in that sort of thing.
The locker room had a steam area and other amenities for after your relaxing spa experience.
If you are in the area or just have a kink in your neck, come out to N Spa and they will send you out feeling like a wet noodle, a good wet noodle that is.

*** stars out of five.

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Palm Beach County came into existence July 1, 1909.
The School District of Palm Beach County was then formed and had its first meeting on July 6, 1909.
The Schoolhouse Children's Museum, 129 E. Ocean Ave., is celebrating the school district's and the county's centennial from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 2.
Janet DeVries, archivist for the local library and the museum, said local schools will showcase their own interpretations of the history of Palm Beach County through essay, art and drama contests. Prizes will be awarded.
The event is free.
Also showing in the Community Archives Gallery at the Schoolhouse Children's Museum is an exhibit of local school histories.
DeVries said the School Bell is Ringing features vintage class photographs, school yearbooks, pennants, trophies and other school history and memorabilia.
For information, call 561-742-6780.

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

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The United Way of Palm Beach County, 2600 Quantum Blvd., announced Charles Anderson has accepted the position as the organization’s new chief executive officer and president.
The board of directors unanimously approved the hiring of Anderson at its board meeting last week.
Anderson comes to the local United Way from United Way of America where he is the senior consultant for system design.

 Chris Oberlink, board chair for the United Way of Palm Beach County, said Anderson is a dynamic leader with a proven background.
Oberlink pointed out Anderson’s fundraising ability.
Anderson’s professional career includes 28 years experience as a CEO within the United Way system.
He served in the CEO position at five different United Ways, most recently as president and CEO at United Way of the National Capital Area and United Way of Delaware. 

Anderson will begin at United Way of Palm Beach County on June 1.



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Valencia Reserve in West Boynton, off Lyons Road and Boynton Beach Boulevard, had an official groundbreaking April 24.
Valencia Reserve will be a 1,061-unit, active-adult community ranging in price from $250,000.
Leading the groundbreaking was GL Homes founder Itchko Ezratti who broke ground in front of hundreds of spectators.
GL Homes has had 90 sales in its Valencia communities on the East Coast, which translates to $30 million in sales from the first quarter of 2009.
For information, call GL Homes division president Marcie Deplaza at 561-436-3300.

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

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Robert Hill, CEO of Bethesda Memorial Hospital in Boynton, announced April 23 that the Bethesda West Hospital can officially move forward in West Boynton.
The announcement comes after the 4th District Court of Appeal of the State of Florida denied the appeal efforts of HCA (JFK Medical Center) and Tenet Healthcare Corporation (Delray Medical Center) for a rehearing or for certification of their appeals to the Florida Supreme Court.
Hill said Bethesda Healthcare Systems’ Bethesda West Hospital will be on a 58-acre site at the northeast corner of West Boynton Beach Boulevard and U.S. Highway 441.
Also located on the property will be a new medical office building and a lake to relax visitors.
Lisa Kronhaus, hospital spokeswoman, said initial plans for Bethesda West Hospital include building an acute care hospital with general medical, surgical and intensive care services, and outpatient services.
There will also be a 24-hour emergency department and a full complement of diagnostic services including MRI, CT, general radiography and mammography.

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

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The Boynton Beach CRA and Palm Beach International Film Festival present "Sing Along Under the Stars."
The event at 7:30 p.m. April 26 is a free screening of the film, “Mamma Mia!” at Intracoastal Park, 2240 N. Federal Highway.
With this event, residents can bring folding chairs, and food and drink vendors will be available. Pets will not be allowed.
For information, call 561-742-6246 or visit www.boyntonbeachcra.com.

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

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For Vicki.

I’ve spent the last few months watching up close how cancer can affect not only the patient but the family, as well.

My mother, Vicki Rothman, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer late last year.

Since that diagnosis, I’ve witnessed the surgeries, the pain, the treatment and my mom shaving her head because she was ashamed of all the hair that was coming out in clumps.

I have been covering cancer events and writing survivor stories for almost three years but just now have my eyes been opened with a behind-the-scenes look.

Before my mother, some of these stories were just that, just stories. Now they are something much more.

Through my recent experiences, I have been awakened to the hope that comes with the tragedy.

One story involves a mother, Kathy Pacheco, and her son, Kyle Pacheco, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia on March 21, 2002. He was 14.

Kathy and Kyle Pacheco are a shining example of what I only hope to oneday emulate with my own mother.

In honor of her son and his battle with leukemia, Kathy Pacheco of Lake Worth has been participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training program since 2007.

Lacy Kreamer, spokeswoman for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, said Team In Training prepares participants to run or walk a marathon, half marathon, triathlon or 100-mile bike ride.

Kreamer said the participants then raise money to help find cures for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

Kathy will start training in Lake Worth with her team May 9 for her 13.1 mile walk in San Francisco set for Oct. 18. She said she needs to raise $4,200 from donations to get to San Fran, but her goal is $10,000.

Kyle is serving as the team’s Honored Hero for the second year. Kathy is also volunteering as one of the team’s mentors. She will support new participants to help them reach their fundraising and fitness goals.

This will be Kathy’s third time completing the Nike Women’s Marathon with Team In Training. She has raised more than $13,000 thus far.

“It’s all worth it,” she said. “One moment that I wake up to thinking about everyday is when I finished the San Francisco marathon and fell right into Kyle’s arms, who was waiting for me at the finish line.”

Treatment for Kyle has been a constant struggle and up-and-down battle.

The first year of treatment was tough on Kyle, but he said it was worse the second year when he relapsed in his spinal fluid.

He began another round of chemotherapy and radiation but that did not stop the disease. Cancer then returned yet again December 2006. It was found in his left eye.

Kyle’s only hope for survival was a Bone Marrow Transplant. His sister, Colette was a match. On February 7, 2006, Kyle underwent his Bone Marrow Transplant at Duke University Hospital.

Even with the transplant, Kyle’s recovery is still an ongoing battle. In 2007, Kyle took a serious turn for the worse and spent nine months in the hospital suffering from Spinal Meningitis and had a stroke.

A decision was made to have his femurs shaved where they connect with the hips, which has left him without the ability to walk.

Kathy Pacheco said Kyle is dealing with cellulitis right now and is getting oral treatment to get it under control.

“The next step, if he is up to it, is to return to Duke in the future to have his hips replaced,” she said. “As far as walking goes, that will put him back in the game and he can go to physical therapy.”

Over the next few months, while raising money and helping to mentor her group, Kathy Pacheco will continue to wake up at 4 a.m. every morning to train.

Why does she do this?

“For Kyle, he supports me 100 percent,” she said with no hesitation.

Kathy Pacheco gives me hope that one day I can do for my mother what she is doing for her son and build the type of unbreakable bond they obviously had, even before cancer.

For more information on the Teams in Training, including sign up dates and event schedules, call (888) 478-8550or visit www.teamintraining.org/pb.

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

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Sometimes the only people that can reach and inspire children are other children.
Boynton Beach High School students have been engaging in a variety of programs to teach and mentor area youth.
Last week, the Teen Leadership class went to Christa McAuliffe Middle School to teach violence prevention lessons through non-violent conflict resolution, self-esteem building and healthy relationship building.
The visit was part of three weeks of visits to local elementary and middle schools. Before Christa McAuliffe, students from the class went to Forest Park Elementary.
The class and Aid To Victims of Domestic Abuse joined forces to promote violence prevention. AVDA presented a nine-week curriculum to the Teen Leadership Class from October through January.
Since January, AVDA has worked with the students to help them build workshops for younger youth that they will present to address the foundations of preventing intimate partner violence.
“The students wrote the lessons themselves and picked a grade they wanted to go and teach it to,” said Geri Grocki, the leadership teacher.
Students are working in groups of three and they have chosen the grade level they would most like to make an impact on.
In addition to the violence prevention program, the leadership students also make trips to Poinciana Elementary on Wednesdays to pair up with third-graders and read to them.
“They each chose a third-grader, and then get to mentor them and spend time with them,” Grocki said. “These kids are really working so hard and trying to make a difference in the community.”

Read more about this story in the April 29 issue of the Boynton Forum.
Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.

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Ken Lassiter, president of the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations, had at least two friends throw away credit card courtesy checks, only to have them used by identity thieves.
With that in mind, COBWRA is having an onsite shredder free to the public at the group’s latest security committee meeting, usually the last Wednesday of the month.
MicroShred, a Miami shredding company, will come out from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 29 to the District 6 Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office Station, 7894 S Jog Road.
“This is an especially pertinent time to shred unwanted documents with tax season just coming to a close,” Lassiter said.
Lassiter said he had multiple friends throw away and not shred the credit cards checks that come with statements. A few months later, his friends saw the checks were cashed or used in other areas by what had to be trash thieves.
Orly Ciechanowiecki, spokeswoman for MicroShred, said the thieves are called Dumpster divers.
“With the market the way it is and the economy struggling, people are more inclined now than ever to turn to crimes like identity theft,” she said.
She said the thieves sift through people’s trash and look for items with personal information on them including checks and credit card applications.
She made it clear that Micro Shred does not recommend what to shred because the company does not know what is important for people to keep and get rid of.
The company does recommend that if residents are already throwing documents away with personal information on them, that they should be shredded.
The onsite trucks that will be shredding at the PBSO office can shred up to 6,000 pounds of paper an hour.
If items such as utility and other household bills, credit card receipts, paycheck stubs and bank records are already going into the trash, they can be shredded at the event.
Some paperwork that is recommended to keep in a file includes credit card statements and tax records, other financial paperwork, such as IRA, retirement statements and house deeds.
Lassiter said in addition to the document shredding, proper disposal of prescription drugs would also take place at the event.
“Just don’t bring something that would get you in trouble,” he joked.

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

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Bill Wood, finalist for the 2009 Holy Cross Hospital’s Senior Idol
Born – Long Island, N.Y.
Residence – Boynton Beach
Age – 65
Retired Cantor
Says he looks like Kenny Rogers
Heroes – Two cantors that he has worked with, Efrain Sapir and Irvin Bell
There were 155 Senior Idol candidates.
He is one of 12 finalists vying for the $1,000 prize.
Participants had to be 65 and solo singers
The finale takes place 7 p.m. May 12 at the Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale, 707 NE Eighth St.
Tickets for finals are $10 and can be purchased at the Parker Playhouse box office, www.parkerplayhouse.com or by calling 954-462-0222.

Other Palm Beach County Finalists:
Victor Keiser, Delray Beach
Eileen Lampert, Boynton Beach
Evelyn Orbach, Delray Beach
Michael Wolfman, Boca Raton

How long have you been singing for?
“Ever since I was 6 years old.”

How did you get started singing?
“My mother Frances got me into it. She was a singer and played the piano too.”

How do you feel to be one of the 12 finalists?
“I am very excited. It is quite an honor. I didn’t know until they called me back that 155 people auditioned.”

What was the song you sang for your audition?
“I sang ‘If Ever I Would Leave You’ from Camelot.”

What would you do if you won the $1,000?
“To be honest, I haven’t much thought about winning the whole thing, lots of competition.”

What do you think of the whole Senior Idol experience?
“It is great. They have a lot of talented, lovely people that are vying to win.”

Holy Cross Hospital, 4725 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, puts on the Senior Idol competition every year.

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Saint Joseph’s Episcopal School, 3300 S. Seacrest Blvd., has an annual fundraiser to help raise funds for the school and its programs.
Janet Page, spokeswoman for the school said this year the school dedicated its auction to the “Sprit of America.”
As part of the event, each class was asked to create an art project to auction off. Fifth- graders were asked to paint a canvas of what the “Spirit of America” meant to them.
While the auction raised more than $100,000 back in March, something more grew out of it.
The art from one fifth-grade class was submitted for consideration by the White House and other government offices.
The class concentrated a significant portion of the academic year learning about the electoral process, citizenship and civic duty.
Fifth-grade teacher Kyle Aubrey used the election year as an opportunity to teach his students the importance of government, what specific issues are at the heart of the American experience and how each student can make a difference in their country.
Aubrey held debates and an election in which the students studied the issues poised by each candidate, selected candidates to represent each party and held a presidential election. 
To round out the learning process, fifth-graders will be heading to Washington, D.C. April 30 to witness government in action as their official annual class trip. 

If the submitted art is accepted, students at Saint Joseph’s Episcopal School will be able to see their art piece amidst the nation’s Capitol.

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

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Boynton Beach is inviting residents to join in for a weeklong celebration of Earth Day.
City Hall, 100 E. Boynton Beach Blvd., is having a Greening Your Life workshop from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 23.
Nancy Byrne, assistant director of development, said the purpose of the workshop is to educate the public on efforts they can make to create efficiency in living.
“We also want to promote public awareness of what the government is doing that is green,” she said.
Byrne said the city has already pursued green ideas on the developments and communities level, and now wants to hit the individual homeowner level.
The presentation Thursday will feature money-saving ways for residents to reduce costs while helping the environment.
Featured speakers will discuss home improvements, recycling, water conservation, green cleaning and green living.
Through 10- to 15-minute intervals different topics will be covered including public art with the difference between Eco art and environmental art.
Environmental art reuses, re-purposes or recycles materials and engages the view in environmental issues. Eco art is a project that employees or collaborates with an artist to create an inventive strategy to physically transform a local ecology.
The workshop concludes with a tour of the Art Center’s National Wildlife Certified Wildlife Habitat at 11:15 a.m.
The Boynton City Library, 208 S. Seacrest Blvd., is also getting involved in the weeklong action.
Cheryl Fishman, children’s librarian, said the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 54 is coming out 4 p.m. Wednesday to play environmental awareness games for children kindergarten through fifth grade.
“Part of our job that most people don’t know about is that we watch and educate people about the environment,” said Betty Underwood, spokeswoman for the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Underwood said the volunteers would come out to the library and bring a stuffed turtle with trash stuffed inside to show the damage when animals eat trash.
In addition, they will quiz the children on how long certain trash takes to decompose.
For example, a disposable diaper takes 450 years to decompose, Underwood said.
In addition to the Coast Guard’s presentation, the library will have a puppet show on how to be kind to animal friends at 2 p.m. Thursday.
The puppet show is also for children in grades kindergarten through fifth.
“I think it is important to educate the youth at a young age because it will force them to be more aware later in life as adults and be more proactive to save the planet,” Fishman said.

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

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With this being the “green” issue and all, we decided it be best to tie that theme into our column.
I had the perfect idea.
There is a Starbucks located right next to a Vitamin Shoppe on the corner of Boynton Beach Boulevard and Congress Avenue.
So I picked up a delicious green tea from Starbucks, less than $2, and we headed over to the Vitamin Shoppe.
The green tea was chilled and delightful. It gave me just the right boost of energy to handle walking through the vitamin store.
The first thing I saw was called Green Tea Energy Fusion, which was a $25 box of individual powders to pour into water bottles.
The energy fusion is supposed to recharge you and help you through your day.
Dave and I walked a little further down the herb aisle and saw a variety of green tea bags. For around $5.99, prices may vary, you can look classy and boil some green tea.
If you want to sound smart, call green tea sencha. That is what all the celebrities call it.
We wandered further into this beacon of health and found Organic Green Tea for $7.99. A little more pricey but with all natural ingredients, it might be worth it.
Dave wandered off and started looking at other somewhat green supplements, including Cat’s Claw and Ginseng.
“Dave! This is the green issue, not the ginseng issue,” I yelled at him.
Victory! My quest was over when I found Liquid Green Tea Max for $17.99.
It is a bottle in which you put a couple drops into a bottle of water to rev it up a bit. We had found the Max, where do we go from here?
I decided on what to buy and we ventured on to the check out counter. Drum roll please.
“Would you like anything else with your protein bar?” the Vitamin Shoppe clerk with curly black hair asked.
“No, I’m fine.”
What? So I decided against green tea. I was hungry.
By the way, we left the store and I finished my green tea from Starbucks and the weirdest thing happened; I was tired.

*** stars out of five.

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

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After months of rehearsals and memorizing lines the drama students at Lantana Middle School, 1225 W. Drew St., will have the opportunity to showcase their theatrical skills to the public. The classic musical "Fame" takes place at the New York School of the Performing Arts right after the movie "Fame” was released. They will follow several characters through their four years of high school and watch how they transform and grow in their academic and performance lives as well as their personal lives.
The students have put in more than 150 hours of rehearsal time with cast members ranging in age from 12 to 15. Teacher, sponsor and producer of FAME, Judy Licata said, “The kids gave up participating in school sports, clubs and activities, and hours of time with their friends and family. In addition to rehearsal time they assisted with set design, costumes, and lighting. I have never witnessed students with such tremendous commitment to both a show and their fellow cast members. I am so proud of them.”
Performances are 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 16 and Saturday, April 18. There will be a 15 minute intermission. Admission is free

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Environmental Dynamics Inc. opened as the first “green” office in Boynton Beach on Dec. 8 at 100 NE Sixth St. in the Marina Village and was fully operational in late January.
For the past handful of months, the green architecture firm has been working with businesses in central and southern Florida.
The mission of EDI, founded by Stace McGee in 1998, is to design sustainable businesses that will last from one generation to the next and impact the environment the least, McGee said.
One of the Florida businesses EDI has worked with in the past year is First Green Bank, located in Central Florida.
According to the bank, it is the first of its kind to promote positive environmental and social responsibility while operating as a traditional bank providing service to investors and clients.
Some of the aspects that make the bank green include self-recycling and employees driving efficient cars to work.
Wayne Segal, Boynton Beach spokesman, said the opening of EDI was part of an initiative to attract more “green” businesses to Boynton Beach.
Segal said heating, cooling and powering of office space were responsible for almost 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the country, and account for more than 70 percent of annual United States electricity usage.
In its new Boynton Beach office, EDI has incorporated design, construction and operational practices that will significantly reduce negative impacts on the environment and company employees, Segal said.
Mayor Jerry Taylor recognized EDI for being the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified office in the city.
To be LEED-certified, a business must lower operating costs and increased asset value, reduce waste sent to landfills, conserve energy, conserve water, make the business healthier for occupants, reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, and demonstrate an owner's commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
The qualifications to be certified go along with the fact that “green” businesses operate in ways that solve, rather than cause, both environmental and social problems.
As part of the plan, Boynton Beach is trying to identify opportunities where a demand for a “green” business exists and use an economic incentive program to attract these types of businesses to the city.
McGee said he was very impressed by the enthusiasm of Taylor and the Boynton staff to go and develop a “green” city.
McGee wants to take things a step further from sustainable business that impact the environment the least to designing regenerative architecture in the future.
With regenerative architecture, the designs will help to reverse negative environmental effects.
“I think they [Boynton Beach] want to make it part of a long-term goal to be more efficient and even save money by helping the environment,” McGee said.
McGee said he has not seen other green businesses enter the area as of yet but that he is optimistic more will join soon.

For information on Environmental Dynamics, Inc., call 561-531-4704.

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

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Vicki Robertson
Age – 33
Administrative Secretary for the Arts Center
Born - Mt. Clemens, Michigan
Lives in Unincorporated Boynton
Favorite animal – Likes them all, can’t pick just one
Pets – Two cats and one parrot
Heroes – Mother, Kathy, and mother-in-law, Sarah
Also admires – Gertrude Maxwell – started a Save-a-Pet foundation and is 98 years old
Activities – Hangs out with 12 nieces and nephews
Was a swimmer and when she was 8; she broke the record in Florida for backstrokes
Mom once sold her car to send her to summer camp.
Turned outside of the Arts Center into a National Wildlife Federation Certified Habitat
Tell me more about the certified habitat outside the Arts Center.
“We worked on it for six months and it was one of my goals. To be certified, you have to have native plants, shelter for animals, housing, food and other qualifications.”
Why embark on turning the Arts Center into a habitat for squirrels and other animals to feed?
“I’m a tree hugger and I am not afraid to say it. It is a balance of life, like anything else. It is not the animals’ fault we take away their homes.”
What is your favorite part of your job?
“Working with the kids. I take a major interest in them and care about them.”
Some of the children at the center’s after school helped with the habitat. What did they learn?
“This gives hem ownership of the habitat. I got a note on my desk from one child who said there were no peanuts left in the squirrel feeder.”
Is the city following your lead with other habitats?
“The city is making the new Congress Avenue Park a habitat also. It is nice to see that.”
Anything else?
“Just that I really believe in what we do here with the Recreation and Parks Department in Boynton.”

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Instead of throwing away old books, the Friends of the Boynton City Library want residents to donate their used books to the new Friends Bookstore.
Profits from the sale of donated books go toward children's programs and activities, and to adult brown bag programs, bringing in authors to speak.
Books from 2005-09 are $2, before 2005 are $1 and paperbacks are 50 cents.
The store, located near the entrance of the library at 208 S. Seacrest Blvd., also sells magazines for $50 cents and videos for $1.
Judy Barnett, president of the Friends, said the volunteer-driven organization has been collecting funds to help the library for more than 30 years.
For the past 10 years, the Friends collected $100,000 to buy new furniture for the new 63,000-square-foot library expansion and renovation.
Karen Abramson said the donating of books rather than tossing them is a no brainer.
To tie into the theme of recycling, the store is also having a Campbell’s soup label drive to collect points to buy more items for the library.
Abramson hopes to get enough points to get a small aquarium for the children who visit the library. When people come into the bookstore, there is a small Campbell’s box with a slit in it for donations of the soup labels.
“We are in dire need of more volunteers and more books to be donated,” Abramson also said.
The store opened officially April 13 and sold more than $100 on that first day. Also on the first day, more than 5,500 people came into the store.
“Books are just flying out of here,” she said.
The bookstore will be open from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The Friends are looking for gently used books to sell in their store. Only items in good condition will be accepted.
The store also needs more volunteers because of the long hours it is open.
Blanche Rhodes has been a volunteer for the Friends for more than 12 years.
“I just get such a feeling of satisfaction when I see the smiles on the kids faces and know I am helping out,” she said.

To donate or volunteer, call the library at 561-742-6390.

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

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A large shipping truck overturned along Interstate 95 around 12:30 p.m. April 14 near Woolbright Road exit 56.
Robert Parrish was shipping tomatoes to Connecticut when a blue Chevrolet Silverado with a trailer came into the left lane from the emergency right lane.
Instead of hitting the overpass south of Woolbright Road, the Silverado swerved left, causing Parrish to swerve right.
“All I know is something hit me,” Parrish said.
Parrish said he hit his breaks and swerved to the right, taking out the guard rail and flipping his truck.
Detective Andrew Cardarelli of the Broward Sheriff’s Office was heading southbound on I-95 and saw the smoke. The truck was on fire.
“I just knew I had to get him out of there,” Cardarelli said.
He stopped his car and took a sledgehammer to the window of the truck, pulling Parrish out.
Parrish said he does not he think he is severely injured.
“I’m just shaken up right now is all,” he said.

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

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More than seven months after the traffic death on an 87-year-old woman, Boynton Beach police April 13 charged a local woman with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide for the September incident.
The 87-year-old woman, Priscilla Servant, was crossing the 2600 block of South Federal Highway on Sept. 17 when Michele Ammirato, 48, struck her with her Kia, said Stephanie Slater, Boynton Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
Ammirato kept driving and left the scene.
She would later tell police that she knew she had hit someone but that traffic was too heavy for her to stop her car.
Slater said the toxicology report detected cocaine in her blood at the time of the crash.
Police arrested Ammirato 9 a.m. April 13 at her home on Southeast 28th Circle. She is also being charged with driving with a suspended license and leaving the scene of a crash.

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The Boynton Beach City Library, 208 S. Seacrest Blvd., and the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum, 129 E. Ocean Ave., are collaborating on a new summer exhibit called “Living by the Launch” in honor of the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11.
Community members are able to participate by sharing their memories and memorabilia with the museum.
Janet DeVries, archivist for the library and the museum, said in addition to the community events, the library will show space-themed movies, have a design a space patch activity and a display of real moon rocks.
DeVries said the exhibit is planned for June 2 through Aug. 29.
The museum has put in a request to NASA for loan of a scale model-sized Saturn V, a Mercury Redstone rocket, Space Shuttle and Skylab.
DeVries said an astronaut visit is also planned sometime in the summer.
For information on the “Living by the Launch” exhibit or to share memories and memorabilia, call 561 742-6397 by May 1.
For memories, DeVries said she has put together a special card for residents to fill out and share.
Steve Anton of Boynton Beach already filled out one of those cards.
“I was a member of Boy Scout troop 236 of the South Florida Council. We had gone to Cape Kennedy and stayed at Patrick Air Force base in some old barracks. We went to the beach to watch the launch. That is when I heard the powerful sound, of the largest engine on the planet and felt the earth move, as Apollo 11 lifted off,” Anton said of his memory 40 years ago.

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

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Lamar Thomas has come full circle.
As a freshman more than 20 years ago at Buchholz High School in Gainesville, a young coach Rick Swain approached Thomas and told him he saw potential in the young man.
“He pulled me aside and said he saw something in me,” said Thomas, a former NFL player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins. “He said he would do anything to help me succeed.”
From that point on, the two stayed close and Swain kept an eye on Thomas’s career in the NFL, which ended in 1998, then his career in broadcasting.
After controversial comments made by Thomas during a Miami Hurricanes-Florida International game in 2006, Thomas then found redemption.
He wanted to go back to the purity of the game at the high school level and help young athletes just like his old coach Swain did.
“This man helped me and made that difference for me,” Thomas said.
Swain, now the head coach of the Boynton Beach Community High School Tigers, took Thomas on as an assistant coach. Thomas is also the head coach of the basketball team.
“The fact that you can make a difference in someone’s life and in the life of a young child shows me how and why Rick has done this for so long,” Thomas said.
Thomas has taken his dedication to his students one step further. He is playing Coach Bolton in the upcoming production of "High School Musical" at Boynton High, 4975 Park Ridge Blvd.
The production gets underway 7 p.m. April 16, 17 and 18 at the school’s auditorium. Cost for tickets is $5 for students and $10 for adults.
“He’s done some television commentating and has been interviewed before, and he is actually pretty good in the role,” said Joe Ametrano, the school’s drama teacher and director of "High School Musical."
Thomas is just glad he doesn’t have to sing.
“I’ve been interviewed on ESPN many times, have had a show or two but this is probably the most nerve-wracking experience,” Thomas said laughing.
"'High School Musical" is a play Ametrano said is about finding one’s place in the world of high school clicks. The musical is based on the Disney movie.
“It has a great, positive message to stick to your dreams,” Ametrano said.
Byron Lee, a school staff member, plays the lead of Troy, and Taelor May, a junior at the school, plays the lead of Gabriella.
May, 16, said she is excited to sing, act and dance all at the same time.
“My favorite part has to be the beginning of the second act, when Troy and Gabriella start to open up to each,” May said.
May said the nerves are in overdrive as she approaches acting in front of her first large audience.
The musical also stars students from Boynton Beach High School Performing Arts Academy including many performers from the award winning Dimensional Harmony Chorus.
It also features assistant principal Blake Bennett will play the role of Ms. Darbus. Music is under the direction of Sterling Frederick, choreography is created by Liz Gonzalez and Lori Morales, and technical director is Thomas Bruckner.
Thomas said he would one day like the next step in his career to be coaching college but for now, he just wants to touch the lives of a few teens and hopefully make it through the musical.

For information about High School Musical or for tickets, call 561-752-1295.

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

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Cassie O’Connor, 9, has raised more than $2,000 for Forgotten Soldiers Outreach over the last year. Now she has a chance to raise a whole lot more.
Forgotten Soldiers is a Boynton Beach-based nonprofit that sends monthly care packages to soldiers overseas. The packages are costly to ship.
For the past few months, Cassie has been collecting money and donations of supplies from outside a Winn-Dixie shopping center on the corner of Hypoluxo and Jog roads.
“The soldiers are fighting for us and we all need to give back to them,” Cassie said.
Cassie’s mother Barbara O’Connor took her to a Neil Zirconia concert a few weeks ago. Zirconia is a Neil Diamond tribute singer.
Cassie asked Zirconia if he would perform his Tribute to Neil Diamond at a benefit for the cause of Forgotten Soldiers.
“She has a big heart and actually loved the concert,” Barbara O’Connor said. “Neil got a second to talk to her, said he loved her and that he would absolutely do the concert.”
The benefit will take place at the Cypress Creek Country Club, 9400 Military Trail. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. April 17 and 18.
Tickets are $20 with $10 of each ticket going directly to The Forgotten Soldiers organization. A $10 food/drink minimum purchase also is required.
Cassie’s mother went out and bought her daughter all of Neil Diamond's albums. Cassie said her favorite song is “Sweet Caroline.”
“He is the best singer in the whole world,” Cassie said.
Chuck LaPaglia, aka Neil Zirconia, said he had always wanted to do something to help out the soldiers but he didn’t know how.
“This little girl came to one of my concerts, looked me in the eyes and asked me,” he said. “I couldn’t say no. I said absolutely.”
Zirconia started a little more than one year ago on New Year’s Eve. He was discovered by an Elvis Presley impersonator.
“We met at a store called Marathon Music and I played for him,” LaPaglia said. “He freaked out and told me I sounded just like Neil Diamond. He really started me on my way from that point on.”
For information on Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, visit Forgottensoldiers.org.
For tickets to the benefit, call 561-732-4202, ext. 4. The maximum capacity for both days is 150.

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

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Jaycee Park was renovated and opened in 2008.
Jody Rivers, Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Department superintendent, said in 2009, the city would be working towards completing the second phase of the project.
Phase 2 will include the addition of an observation deck/boardwalk that will allow park visitors access to the Intracoastal Waterway.
The deck, located at the far east end of the park, will be a place from which to observe the scenery and wildlife that live in and adjacent to the waterway.
Phase 2 will also include access to the water for canoe and kayak enthusiasts for launching the non-motorized craft.
Rivers said access to the waterway for residents is an important part of their quality of life in Boynton Beach.
She also said the new deck would provide opportunities for environmental education and active and passive leisure pursuits.
Construction is slated to begin in the summer. Completion of the project is expected to be early next year.
In addition to Jaycee Park, the city will be renovating the boardwalk at Oceanfront Park again, replacing the plastic with Ipe Wood.
Ipe is known by many names, including Ironwood and Brazilian Walnut. It typically grows in South-Central America in a wide variety of sites and is similar to teak wood.
It naturally resists rot, decay, insects and mold. It is naturally fire resistant and has been awarded an "A1" rating.
Rivers said Ipe is an incredibly strong, dense wood, with high wear durability in daily use, and is resistant to splintering and checking.
Construction is expected to begin in the summer. During boardwalk construction, the park will remain open to the public with the construction completed in phases to allow beach access to patrons.

For information about park renovations, call Jody Rivers at 561-742-6226.

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

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Deborah Sunset, teacher at Santaluces High School In Lantana
Finalist for Dwyer Awards for teaching excellence
Dwyer Category – High School
Age 48
She was born in Boulder, Colo.
She lives in Lake Worth.
She has been teaching for 10 year.
Her hero is Joe Namath.
She loves to read.
She teaches AP Geography for ninth grade.
She loves to travel with her students.
She grew up watching football with her family.

Why did you get into teaching?

“When we moved down here 10 years ago, my kids were of the age where they could take care of themselves and I wanted to get back into it. A principal actually called me and heard I was looking for a job.”

What do the Dwyer Awards mean to you?

“I feel truly honored because I still feel like I have so much to learn and to grow. I have only taught high school for five years and want to keep getting better.”

What is you favorite memory about teaching?

“A trip to France two years ago, our guide told us to have our cameras ready. We turned the corner and there was the Eiffel Tower. I will remember the look on the kids’ faces.”

What is your favorite thing about teaching?

“Working with freshman and just seeing their progress.”

What does the future hold for you?

“I am traveling with my students to England and Ireland next year. I also just plan to keep learning to be a better teacher.”

What is something we probably don’t know about you?

“I love football and grew up watching it with my family.”

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Carlo Avolio had his 1970 two-door Chevelle and a 1989 trailer stolen from his property earlier last week in Boynton Beach.
David Povio was looking for a shell of the 1970 car, no engine, and found one that matched on Craigslist.com.
Povio called the owner of the shell, Avolio, only to find out the car on the Internet had been stolen from him.
Stephanie Slater, Boynton Beach Police Department spokeswoman, said Avolio pretended to be a buyer and called the man selling Avolio's car.
The man and the thief met at 64 Baytree Circle on Monday night, then Avolio called the police.
Slater said officers arrested William Jones and charged him with grand theft auto, burglary and dealing in stolen property.
After telling police he thought the car was abandoned, Jones later admitted to police he stole the car.
He also admitted to stealing other car parts, alternators, a power steering box and a dashboard.
The advertisement on the Internet is no longer up.

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

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Boris Wainstock started studying hair and coloring when he lived in Israel and Paris as a young adult.
He owned his first salon in Israel before bringing his talents to America.
Some 10 years ago, he had salons in North Miami, when many of his clients began to move north to Boynton Beach and Palm Beach County.
Since 2000, Wainstock has owned Salon de Soleil, 3691 Woolbright Road, in Boynton Beach.
“We are like a family here and all the staff is very personal,” Wainstock said. “That’s the difference.”
His idea of family was taken one step further as he plans to donate 50 percent of proceeds from the last two weeks of April, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, to the American Heart Association.
“I’m going to mail them a check,” he said.
Wainstock decided to make this contribution after his grandson, Nathaniel Brent, was diagnosed with a serious heart condition at birth.
Brent, now 3, is better and is on special medication after doctors had thought he would need a heart transplant.
“I want to donate a check to say thank you to them and help other sick kids,” he said.
Lisa Brent, Wainstock’s daughter and Nathaniel’s mother, said her son was one of the first newborns diagnosed with cardiomyopathy.
“Basically they cut the cord when he was born, and he turned blue and his heart stopped pumping,” she said.
With new medicines at the Joe DiMaggio Hospital in Hollywood, Nathaniel is doing better and living a normal life, Brent said.
“My dad is always doing this type of fundraising,” she said. “We just want to help other sick children like this hospital helped my son.”
Wainstock’s salon is also known for its economy-related prices.
“We wanted to keep the prices low since a lot of people are struggling these days,” he said.
For example a cut and dry is $45, a price Wainstock said he kept the same to help people afford it.
“We have great prices and the latest in coloring and in style,” he said.
Salon de Soleil is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and open till 9 p.m. on Thursdays.
For information, call 561-734-7562.

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

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United Way of Palm Beach County in Boynton Beach recently announced a $15,000 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation to support United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.
The VITA Program provides free, income-tax preparation for individuals and residents whose household income is $42,000 or less.
Dianne Laubert, United Way spokeswoman, said the Wal-Mart Foundation donated $2.1 million to United Way of America to fund VITA Programs around the country.
The local United Way was one of 90 chosen to receive money from the grant.
This is the sixth year United Way of Palm Beach County has offered the free tax-preparation services to local residents, Laubert said.
Anyone who meets the income qualifications can go to any of United Way’s 20 VITA sites located throughout the county to have their taxes prepared for free.
The sites are staffed by volunteers who have been trained and certified by the IRS to prepare taxes using the VITA Program.
United Way reports so far this year more than 7,291 households have utilized the VITA Program and have received more than $13 million in refunds, including more than $5 million in Earned Income Tax Credit.
To find a VITA site, residents can call 211, the county’s information and referral line. United Way of Palm Beach County also has an updated list of VITA sites on its Web site www.unitedwaypbc.org. Look for the “Taxes Done Free” icon on the right side of the home page.
For information, call United Way of Palm Beach County at 561-375-6600 or visit www.unitedwaypbc.org.

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

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The Community Caring Center and other local food banks are receiving donations and help from some unlikely sources.
Due to the ongoing need of nonperishable food items for the local food banks, the JCC of the Greater Palm Beaches has extended its food drive indefinitely.
Scott Benarde, spokesman for the JCC, said the drive started in December when the JCC saw media reports on serious food shortages at South Florida food banks.
“Food is a key component to us and our holidays, so we though this was something we could help with,” he said. “This is what the JCC does to build community. We are required to tikkun olam, or help rebuild the world.”
Benarde said on March 17, a pick-up truck carried hundreds of pounds of food collected by the JCC food drive to the pantry of the Community Caring Center of Boynton Beach.
The food drive was supposed to end April 16, four months after it began.
Because food bank inventories remain perilously low, The JCC Food Drive is being extended indefinitely.
The JCC is also asking the public to continue dropping off food at its numerous collection points.
The Hochman JCC in Boynton, 8500 Jog Road serves as a drop-off point for nonperishable foods.
For information or to find the nearest food drop-off points call Andrea at 561-736-4753, or visit www.JCConline.com.
Read more about this story in the April 8 issue of the Boynton Forum

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

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Located in downtown Delray Beach, the Bethesda Bargain Box, 12 NE 5th Ave., is a thrift store full of items from the vintage to contemporary.
The Bethesda Bargain Box opened in 1958 and is run by the Auxiliary of Bethesda Memorial Hospital, 2815 S. Seacrest Blvd.
Proceeds from the store help buy equipment for the hospital, provide local students with medical scholarships and support many community service projects.
The Bethesda Bargain Box is currently undergoing renovations and will have its grand re-opening April 5. The store will be closed April 2-4.
Bethesda Bargain Box manager, Michelle Esposito, said she is grateful for the volunteers who dedicate their time to the store.
Esposito said the volunteers are special people and are what drives the Bargain Box.
Kiswana Russell, Bethesda Hospital spokeswoman, said all items at the Bargain Box are marked down, including brand-name apparel, portraits and appliances. The store thrives on donations from the community.
The Bethesda Bargain Box accepts a wide variety of donations including clothing, electronics, appliances and bedding.
For information or to make a donation of furniture and appliances, call 561-278-2401.

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Jerry Pollock, Boynton Beach author
Age – 67
Born – Toronto, Canada
Lives in West Boynton Beach
Heroes – Brother Norman, who died 20 years ago from leukemia
Has a doctor of philosophy degree in Biophysics
Has a master’s degree in pharmacy
Has written two books
Favorite activities – Taking a walk
Former professor at Stony Brook University
Retired from teaching in 2006
First Book – "Divinely Inspired"
Second Book – "Messiah Interviews"

Tell me a little about your latest book.

“The 'Messiah Interviews' is really about the Third Temple here on Earth and information I really didn’t find anywhere in the public domain. The first part is biographical, and then there are interviews with biblical personalities about the possible End of Days.”

What do you cherish most about sitting down and writing a book? What is the worst part?

“I love the writing part. It took me just about four months to write the 'Messiah Interviews' after 10 years of research. The worst part is the marketing. Michael J' Fox just wrote his memoirs, now that is going to sell. My memoirs I have to market and I just don’t know.”

What does the future hold for Jerry Pollock?

“My editor Pam said the 'Messiah Interviews' would be a great stage play. So, that adaptation is what we are working on now. Hopefully in a year’s time, that will be done.”

Read more about Jerry Pollock in the April 8 issue of the Boynton Forum.

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Cesar Chavez was the son of California farm workers, and saw how his family struggled working to make due with minimal wages and long hours in the fields.
Chavez, a Mexican-American, became a labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association.
In 1965, he led a 300-mile walk, or strike, across California to Sacramento to protest for higher wages and for the first National Farm Workers Association.
By the time Chavez reached the state’s capital, he had 10,000 strong who joined him in boycotting grapes in California. Grapes rotted and the workers got their first association.
His birthday has become Cesar Chavez Day, and Palm Beach County residents came out March 31 at 2300 High Ridge Road in Boynton Beach to watch “Fight in the Fields,” a documentary on his life by Ray Telles and Rick Tejada Flores.
Manuel Allende, executive director of the Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County, said he wanted employees and residents to see where the work his organization does started with Chavez.
The council, based in Lake Worth and Belle Glade, provides certain services to farm workers in Palm Beach, including support groups, food, clothing, vocational training, scholarships and literacy workshops.
“We just wanted to commemorate his [Chavez] birthday,” Allende said. “This is a day to just share with each other. He just did so much for our cause.”
Roxana Sanchez, a vocational specialist for the council out of the Belle Glade office, comes from parents who were migrant workers.
“I worked a couple seasons myself, and all we do here is to help these people better themselves,” she said.
Sanchez said she learned a lot from the documentary about who was involved in the forming of the very first farm workers association.
For information on the Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County, call the Lake Worth office at 561-533-7227 or the Belle Glade office at 561-992-0603.

Read more about this story in the April 8 issue of the Boynton and Lake Worth Forums.

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

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