Priscille Schettini is a $1,000 Blum Scholarship winner.
Schettini 18, graduated in May from Park Vista Community High School.
She will attend Duke University in the fall and plans to major in psychology with a pre-medicine emphasis at Duke University.
Her high school GPA was a 4.0 and she finished fourth in her class.
Her favorite activities are volunteering with her friends.
Her hero growing up was her mother Nadia, who came over from Haiti.
She volunteered at Bethesda Memorial Hospital, where her mother works, in 2007 in the pediatric department.
She said she loved to feed the newborn babies in the department.
Schettini was a member of Key Club and National Honor Society.

Q: How will the $1,000 scholarship help you at Duke?
A: It will definitely help with the economy today. Private school is so expensive these days.

Q: What are your plans for college?
A:I am going into it to study psychology with a pre-medical emphasis, but I am keeping my options open just in case.

Q: Why do you want to study psychology?
A: I took AP psychology in high school and fell in love with studying the mind.

Q: When you volunteered at Bethesda, what was your favorite part?
A: I remember one instance. I got to feed a newborn baby and see its little face smile.

Q: Are you excited to get out of Boynton and off to North Carolina?
A: I am excited but also sad because my mom is my best friend.”

Q: Why did you choose Duke?
A: I went to see the campus and fell in love. It was the first time I had been to North Carolina.

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About three years ago, Mike Magi was working as a technical consultant and one of his client’s needed to go paperless and have all his documents scanned onto a computer.

One thing led to another and soon Magi started to convert all his friends and neighbors’ documents to computer images through scanning.

Six months ago, he and his wife Susan Magi opened Scans On Site, at 112 S. Federal Highway.

Scans On Site will scan everything from medical records and pictures to reports cards for children who are in school.

“We started with documents. The scanning of photos happened by accident,” Susan Magi said. “We brought our scanners to an event and people wanted us to convert their scrapbooks.”

Susan Magi said they also scan a lot of medical documents because of privacy regulations. Insurance forms are also popular because people tend to file claims as long as a decade after they take out a policy.

“Older photos are also popular before the digital age because people have boxes laying around, and want to protect their photos from storms and fires,” she said.

The average cost for a photo to be scanned is $.45 to $.55, but is 50 percent off on Wednesdays.

Drop off the items to scan between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to receive the special "While-You-Wait" Wednesday rate.

Scans On Site also scans photos by the inch. An inch of photos runs $25, of which Susan Magi said is 30 percent cheaper than anywhere.

As for documents, they run at $.05 a piece or if a whole box is getting scanned at about $.04 to $.07 a piece on average.

Molly Ayers has been looking for a place to scan her old, ripped report cards when she was a child growing up in Tennessee.

“My grandchildren don’t believe that I got good grades when I was in school,” she said. “I’ll have to show them the proof before the report cards disintegrate into nothing.”

Mike Magi said a lot of people don’t want to scan their documents because it can get costly if they have boxes and boxes.

“We can do a little at a time, say $100 here and there, so at least you are converting some of your documents,” he said.

Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For information, call 561-860-8013.

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

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Rothman Family Chiropractic, 1871 W. Woolbright Road, celebrated its 11th anniversary with a Christmas in July School Supply Fundraiser, benefiting The Caridad Center, that began July 1 and continued throughout the entire month.

Nicole Rothman offered a complete initial evaluation for $11 all month long for all new patients in exchange for three new school supply items.

This visit is typically valued up to $275, Rothman said.

In addition to the discount, Rothman said on July 15 she offered free chiropractic adjustments to people of any age who live in the local community in exchange for five new school supply items or an $11 donation.

Rothman said about 100 total people stopped in during the month and that she filled a backroom at the facility with supplies collected, including pens, pencils, backpacks and glue.

In addition, she said the business received $375 in checks from residents who just wanted to donate money, not supplies.

The Caridad Center is in desperate need of school supplies for the upcoming school year, she said.

The Caridad Center, 8645 W. Boynton Beach Blvd., provides free medical and dental care to a large population of agricultural workers, laborers and the working poor of Palm Beach County through volunteer work. The center also provides school supplies to children who cannot otherwise afford them.

Megan Doney, special events director for the Caridad, said with the economy, more and more people are coming into the Caridad looking for financial or medical help.

The supply drive will go to help the center help more than 1,000 children who otherwise would no school supplies.

Rothman Family Chiropractic will also have free backpack safety tips for anyone who comes in during the month of August.

Rothman said the idea behind the backpack tips are to prevent children from hurting themselves by overloading backpacks or carrying them the wrong way.

For information, call 561-740-2340 or visit www.DrNicole.com.

Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com. He is not in any way related to the subject in this story.

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Poinciana Elementary School, 1203 N. Seacrest Blvd., has announced the release of a new book “Poetry at Poinciana,” written by former students.

The work is an attempt on word play created by fourth graders from Poinciana Elementary School almost two years ago. The project originally came together as an attempt to prepare the students for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

“It all started with some fourth graders, a volunteer parent Frank Ireland and Fran Ehrens, our SAIT teacher trying to help the children prepare for the FCAT,” said Peter Slack, the school’s principal. “It took a while, almost two years, to get the poems published.”

The SAIT is a supplemental academic instruction teacher and is used for children who are struggling to read.

Parent volunteer and author, Ireland, said a great deal can be learned about the promise of tomorrow from the poetry book and that after writing the book, all the children working in the group passed the FCAT exam.

Ireland had two children, Eryn, 12, and Frank Jr., 13, at Poinciana at the time the poetry book was written. He said he used to come in 9 to 10:45 a.m. Tuesdays to help the SAIT open doors to reading for the students preparing for the test.

“Because I am a local author with a couple of published books, I thought maybe this could be something the kids could show their peers,” Ireland said.

Ireland has published children’s and inspirational books, including “It’s Jake” and “My Son, a New Beginning.”

It wasn’t easy at first getting the children to write poetry, Ireland said. At first, the children would write only a couple of sentences. After a few weeks, he said they were writing four to five poems per sitting.

Companies such as Asset Foundry, Juvenile Transition Center, Pyramid Book Store, Shayla Perry Copywriter & Editor and Boynton Beach Police Athletic League were key contributors in making the book a reality.

The book is $9.20 for a paperback version and is full of off the wall poetry that Ireland said can either make you laugh or even cry.

All proceeds will be reinvested directly into the educational needs of Poinciana Elementary. To purchase a copy, call 888-519-5121, or visit http://www.authorhouse.com/bookstore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=61467.

The children took to poetry so well through writing the book, that Ireland’s daughter, Eryn Ireland, is publishing a book of her own, “The Magical World of Bubbles.”

“The writing really opened doors academically for all the kids involved,” Ireland said.

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

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Edwin Arrieta is heading home.

Arrieta, who formally coordinated Global Studies and World Languages for the Palm Beach County School District, has been selected to head The Falcon International School in Herradura Beach, Costa Rica.

Employed by the School District of Palm Beach County since 1998, the Costa Rican native has also been a foreign language teacher and a department chair at Boynton Beach High School. 
 


“I worked in the Global Studies office for three years and saw the opening for the Falcon International. They were looking for someone to come up with the direction for the new global student,” Arrieta said.

Falcon International School is located on Herradura road just outside the gates of Los Suenos Resort. Falcon International follows the North American school calendar where children attend from September through to the end of June.

This private, bilingual elementary school opened a brand new facility in August 2006. Currently there are about 50 elementary and pre-kinder aged children attending the school, however the facility will also have buildings for high school children.

Arrieta said children from two years old to 12th grade could attend Falcon International.

“My new philosophy here is to help students to be competitive in the world market and care for other citizens of the world,” he said. “I also want to do exchanges and teach students from different countries about people from other areas.”

When he gets settled after starting his new position June 29, Arrieta said he would be looking for ways to partner with schools and organizations in Palm Beach County and Boynton Beach.

Debbie Stewart, spokeswoman for the School District of Palm Beach County, said Arrieta previously played a role in the formation and execution of numerous partnerships between the school board and other countries, including Mexico, China and Spain when he worked in Palm Beach County for the district.

One such partnership was the International Spanish Academy, a program that attempts to teach all children a language other than their native tongue. This includes domestic children who want to learn a foreign language like Spanish.

“I think there are some 20 schools in the county that are part of the program,” she said. “The interaction of teachers in Spain and the U.S. are real time and instantaneous with today’s technology.”

As for his new position with the Falcon International, the school itself has a global orientation with students enrolled from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and other areas of the world.

Multicultural Education Executive Director Dr. Margarita Pinkos says she is not surprised by Arrieta’s appointment.

She said Arrieta is skilled in dealing with people from different cultures, as he once did for the Palm Beach County School District.

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

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Meryl Preston, a reading teacher from Boynton Beach Community High School, is the recipient of a Margot Stern Strom Teaching Award.

The award comes at a good time, considering Preston is officially retired as of Aug. 1, after 31 years teaching. Her last three years were in Boynton.

The $350 grant will be used to purchase Facing History and Ourselves materials for her students.

Eileen Shapiro, coordinator of the Holocaust Studies of Palm Beach County, said the Facing History program teaches students about the past.

“They learn about the past so they can promote a better present and greater tomorrow,” Shapiro said. “Preston has done a wonderful job for many years and promotes the lessons by teaching them.”

Preston promoted tolerance and acceptance in her students by integrating literature circles in her intensive reading classes that she had at Boynton Beach Community High School.

She said she hopes to promote a love of literature through the study of human rights in various areas of the world.


Preston said she used the $350 to purchase a class set of Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario, a book about an immigrant from Honduras and his journey in the United States.

Even with her retirement, the books will be read in other reading classes at Boynton High to keep the Facing History program continuing.

“When we read Enrique’s Journey, the kids kept journals of their own journey,” Preston said. “They learned about others and got a better understanding of other cultures.”

Preston said the program has been around for decades, since she started using it in Lake Worth 12 years ago. She said she actually flew to Boston with others to learn about the backbone of the program.

The program uses the Holocaust as a jumping off point for education about the past.

“With the Holocaust, the kids can relate to the information,” she said.

For more information, call Eileen Shapiro in Holocaust Studies at 561-434-8169.

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

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Eleven students were selected as the recipients of the 2009 Blum Family Scholarship at Bethesda Memorial Hospital on July 20.

Each of the students will receive $5,000 toward a four-year college degree. The students were all children of employees of the hospital.

Peter Blum founder of Blum’s Furniture established the Blum Scholarship for Bethesda Healthcare System in 2000 with two $5,000 scholarships. In its 10th year, the program has grown with eleven scholarships awarded this year.

Cynthia Forkner, spokeswoman for the hospital, said the program also awarded the remaining eleven candidates with a $1,000 scholarship for their academic and community achievements.

Blum said the program is a way to thank the many dedicated employees of the hospital and help their children reach their potential.

Scholarship applicants are required to meet established academic and community service criteria.

The 2009 recipients include:

• Shakiyla K. Campbell, of Riviera Beach, is a 2009 graduate of Suncoast Community High School’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. This fall, she will attend Valencia Community College in Orlando and plans to transfer to University of Central Florida in the spring to study business administration and psychology.

• Miranda R. Coleman, of Lake Worth, is a 2008 graduate of Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the Arts. She is currently attending Palm Beach Community College with a goal to enter the field of broadcast journalism.

• Jaclyn I. Diaz, of Wellington, is a recent graduate of Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a minor in Psychology. She plans to attend the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Biomedical Certificate Program.

• Crystal A. Hoayun, of Lake Worth, is a recent graduate of Atlantic Community High School. She plans to attend Florida Atlantic University to study music.

• Christopher R. Jensen, of Boynton Beach, is a 2008 graduate of Lake Worth Christian School. He is currently attending Palm Beach Atlantic University majoring in English.

• Rachel Lafontant, of Boynton Beach, is a 2008 graduate and is currently attending Palm Beach Community College to study nursing.

• Elyse B. Lautenschlager, of Boynton Beach, is a recent graduate of Park Vista High School and is currently attending the University of Central Florida where she hopes to enter the Radio and Television Program.

• Kacey J. Mahler, of Boynton Beach, is a 2009 graduate of Park Vista High School. This fall, she will attend Florida State University to major in hospitality management.

• Vincent W. Martincavage, of Boynton Beach, is a 2009 graduate of Atlantic Community High School. This fall, he will attend Palm Beach Community College to major in pharmacy.

• Lucy A. Morisset, of Lake Worth, is a 2009 graduate of Inlet Grove Community High School. She will attend Nova Southeastern University this fall to major in pharmacy.

• Ryan A. Ruark, of Boynton Beach, is a 2008 graduate of the Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the Arts. He is currently attending Palm Beach Atlantic University seeking a double major in nursing and music.

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The economy has hit all facets of Boynton Beach and Palm Beach County, leaving various agencies and organizations having to reorganize and figure out ways to function more efficiently.

Whether it is private citizens donation $1,000 checks to the local soup kitchen, the Boynton CRA promoting businesses in its district or staff from City Hall working one less day per week to save money, absolutely everyone in Boynton is determined to work through the recession.

* The Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is having local business owners seeking survival strategies during the down economy may attend the “Downtown Merchant Mingle,” 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 30 at the Boynton Beach Woman’s Club, 1010 S. Federal Highway.

Margee Walsh, CRA spokeswoman, said the event is free hosted by the CRA, the Greater Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce and the city.

The event will showcase economic resources available to assist businesses located in the downtown area, such as free marketing programs, discounted advertising and funding opportunities.

Information will also be available on how to sign up for the CRA’s new Downtown Economic Marketing Program, free to all businesses located within the CRA district, developed to assist merchants in promoting their products and services.

The new program includes on-camera interviews of store owners, videoed by CRA staff, edited and linked, along with still photos, contact information and description of the business, and uploaded to the “CRA District Google Map,” web pages, which are currently under development and scheduled to go live in the next few months.

Lisa Bright, CRA Executive director, said she is well aware of how many businesses are struggling to stay afloat, with approximately 500 registered in the CRA’s 1,650-acre district.

* City Hall, 100 E. Boynton Beach Blvd., moved to a four-day workweek June 12 because of the struggling economy.

Employees work four, 10-hour days and City Hall will be open an additional hour each day Monday to Thursday, under the new schedule.

City Manager Kurt Bressner cited that Coconut Creek, Margate and North Miami have all gone to the four-day week already, and moving to the four-day week could save more than $100,000 a year in utility, custodial and fuel costs.

Wayne Segal, city spokesman, said after the first month, the employees and residents seem to like the shorter week with longer days.

“It is too early to see how much we will save, but we have an extra day off work and residents can come in before or after work to pay bills,” Segal said.

*The Boynton Beach City Library, 208 S Seacrest Blvd., and Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Department have seen an increase in activity as residents look for cheaper alternatives to entertainment.

Karen Abramson, library spokeswoman, said the library’s increase is up dramatically.

“It is remarkable the number of people out of work and our computers are always swamped. We had a program for finding a job recently that was very well received,” she said. “I mean people are just always in here using our computers trying to find jobs.”

Library executive director Craig Clark said with the unemployment rate above 10 percent in Florida, the library has seen 6,666 computer hours used in June with Fridays off.

“We have also seen 30,000 people come into the library in June, which is a 14 percent increase from last year,” he said.

The library also had 35,000 items checked out in June, which Clark said was an 18 percent increase from last year.

* The Soup Kitchen at 8645 W. Boynton Beach Blvd., feeding 400 to 500 empty stomachs a day has also seen a dramatic increase in people coming in.

Enrique Zuanetto, the kitchen’s executive director, said last year he had 182,379 people come in for meals. That was 24 percent up from 2007 and 49 percent up from 2006. This year, in only seven months, he has had 110,000 people come in for meals.

In addition, he said the community has come out in full force, donating $1,000 and $2,000 sometimes out of pocket.

* The Schoolhouse Children’s Museum, 129 E Ocean Ave., has seen a very busy summer, maybe the busiest in years, said Kelsey Harris, director of operations.

“I think it might be because people are finding out how accommodating and affordable we are to groups,” she said. “Children are only $3 per person and we advise one adult to come with six children, and that adult is free per six.”

She said the museum is also starting to get its name out there as affordable entertainment.

The museum also gives reduced rates to help groups like Kids in Distress and other organizations in the area that want to bring children out to learn about Florida History.

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

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Famed Highwaymen artist R.A. Roy McLendon, one of the founding members of the group, will visit Lake Worth this weekend. McLendon and his artist sons Roy Jr. and Ray will be at Art Link International, 809 Lucerne Ave., from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 24; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 25; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 26. A variety of vintage Highwaymen paintings from the mid-1950s to the '70s will be for sale. Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
Call 561-493-1162 or visit www.artlinkinternational.com.

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To meet the growing need for affordable, educational family experiences, the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum, 129 E Ocean Ave., now offers a monthly Free Family Night.

Kelsey Harris, director of operations at the museum, said children of all ages can play on the interactive exhibits while learning about Florida’s past in the historic schoolhouse building.

She also said it is an opportunity for children and parents to start learning how to answers today’s tough questions together.

This month, from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 7, the museum will be hosting Primerica’s “How Money Works….for Kids” during Free Family Night.

Marisa Guida, program director at the museum, said the Primerica program would start at 7 p.m. for children ages 6 through 10 and their parents.

“We are usually never open in the evening, so this is just a chance to help out people who want to come for free after work, especially in the economy,” she said.

Guida said the special nights have been packed and getting diverse crowds.

For information, call 561-742-6780.

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

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Enrique Zuanetto, executive director of The Soup Kitchen in Boynton Beach
The Soup Kitchen is located at 8645 W. Boynton Beach Blvd.
Age – 64
Born – Argentina
Heroes – Father, Enrique

How did you get into this line of work?

“In Argentina, I did something like this and also when I moved to New Jersey, I also did something like this. When I moved here in 1997, I started as a volunteer.”

Why did you start to work here?

“This is my passion. I do this because it is the right thing to do.”

How has the economy affected your operations?

“Last year we had 182,379 people come in for meals. That was 24 percent up from 2007 and 49 percent up from 2006. This year we are already at 110,000 meals.”

How has the community stepped up to help in the current economy?

“The good heart of the community has helped us so much. People come in and donate $1,000 and $2,000 out of their pocket.”

Read more about this story in the special Recession Relief issue of the Boynton Forum July 29.

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I am a man who loves variety, so I felt it was time to cover the Taste of Boynton for the column, which took place last week at the Westchester Country Club in Boynton Beach.

No I did not wear a pink polo with a light blue sweater over my shoulders to the country club but I did wear a nice three-button black suit.

Fellow Forum reporter Jason Parsley decided to fill in for Dave, who was out of town covering the war in Iraq. OK, maybe he just took the night off but I wanted to make him look good. Impossible I know.

The venue was perfect. The ballroom was set up with more vendors than I have ever seen. More than 16 of the finest local restaurants came out in full force.

Moe’s Southwest Grill, Shane’s Rib Shack and Slainte Irish Pub were only a few of the favorites. Yeah I know it sounds like I am describing a mall food court, but the food and wine were delicious.

I first tried some pulled pork from Shane’s and washed it down with a glass of Brunello di Montalcino from Tuscany. The wine was sweet, light and had no aftertaste. So I had two glasses.

By this time, Jason was on his third serving of tacos from Moe’s. He took his title as food critic and really ran with it.

I was about to get another glass of wine, when Clem, the owner of Slainte brought me over a pint of Guinness.

“We aren’t supposed to have beer in here but I snuck it in,” he said, or so I think. He is Irish, love the guy but sometimes you can’t understand him.

Jip Jip Rocks, a tangy little Shiraz, sounded like it would cap off the evening nicely. I might have also caved and finally gotten a taco from Moe’s, but don’t think I am any less sophisticated.

The night concluded with a little slow dancing to Cricklewood, a local band playing all the classics like the “Twist.”

I would set the scene of me bringing my funky moves to the sounds of Chubby Checker singing “Lets Twist Again,” but I don’t want to torment you. Plus you might be reading this while eating lunch and I am not trying to get anyone sick.

**** Four stars out of five.

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Plato’s Closet started in 1998 in Ohio when the Blum family decided to open up a store to buy and sell gently used teen clothes.

The name Plato’s Closet is for the philosopher, who was a proponent of recycling.

More than a decade later, the store has landed in Boynton Beach, 701 N. Congress Ave., and it couldn’t come at a better time, as the stock market sinks below 9,000 and the unemployment rate is just more than 9 percent.

Plato’s Closet is currently only buying clothes until Aug. 6, its grand opening, said Heather Kay, store manage and part owner.

Plato’s buys and sells all brands from Abercrombie, American Eagle and Express, to Bebe, Gap and Lucky Jeans.

Kay said they buy dresses, skirts, jeans, shirts, belts, shoes and sneakers.
She said with most people trying just to scrape together a few bucks, she sees about 50 people come in every day to sell items.

Kay said the store sells most clothes at almost 70 percent less than retail and that sellers get 33 percent of that.

“In simple terms, you get back about 1/10 or what you paid for your items but it is better then donating them,” she said.

For information, call 561-369-3550.

Read more about this story in the special Recession Relief issue of the Boynton Forum on July 29.

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

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Local seniors struggling in the down economy or seniors just wanting to socialize while having a complete meal have the Boynton Senior Center as an option.

The city of Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Department’s Senior Center, 1021 S. Federal Highway, has a Congregate Meal program for seniors 60 or older each week.

The program takes place from 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, and is sponsored by the Mae Volen Senior Center, State of Florida, Department of Elder Affairs and the Area Agency on Aging. 
 


Steve Lulkin, Senior Center supervisor, said they see around 50 to 60 people stop in during the summer months, or the slow season as he calls it.

“That number doubles during the fall and winter,” he said.

Registration at the Senior Center the day before residents receive a meal is required. Donations are accepted at the time each meal is served.

For information, call 561-742-6570. 

Read more about this story in the special Recession Relief issue of the Boynton Forum on July 29.

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

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The boat operator unexpectedly becomes incapacitated and you are suddenly in command. Are you prepared for this emergency? The women of U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 54 Boynton Beach/Delray Beach are presenting a free, three-hour hands-on course from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, July 21 for women boaters who are generally not at the helm. Information presented will be emergency assessment, first aid, how to use a marine radio and how to operate a boat. The class is at Boynton Boat Park, 2010 N. Federal Highway. Teens also welcome. Call 561-317-3719.

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Boynton Beach Police Officer Bill Tome
Age – 50
Born – New York
Lives – Boca Raton
Heroes – High school football coach, Tom Dinuovo
Activities – Sports, martial arts
Favorite sports – Basketball and football
Tome has been the director of the Boynton Beach Police Department’s Police Athletic League program for 17 years
Tome plans to retire in Oct. 2010
The Ezell Hester Center’s football field and scoreboard was renamed the Bill Tome Sports Complex, 1901 N. Seacrest Blvd.
Tome began his career with the Boynton Beach Police Department in 1987, serving five years as a road patrol officer.

How did you get into this line of work?

“After working under cover for five years, the City wanted an officer at the Hester Center full time to work with the kids. I pretty much opened the doors to the Hester Center when it opened.”

What is your favorite part of your job?

“It is definitely interacting with the kids. The volunteers here are the backbone of the program and some of their kids grow up and become volunteers.”

What was your reaction to the field being named after you?

“Aside from being surprised, it was unbelievable. It is a testimate to the police department and the community working together.”

Read more in the July 22 issue of the Boynton Forum.

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Boynton Beach Police are looking for help in identifying a man who stole a $4,000 engagement ring from a Sears saleswoman’s hand last week.

The saleswoman told police that just after noon July 6, a man asked if he could look at a princess-cut diamond ring that was on sale. She said the man was nervous.

When she took the ring out of the case, the unidentified man grabbed the ring and ran out of the store.

The man is black, 25 to 30 years old, 5’9 and has short, black hair.

Anyone with information should call Detective Brian Anderson at 561-742-6115, Sgt. Paul Sheridan at 561-742-6133 or submit a tip at www.bbpd.org.

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In 2007, Kathleen Frascona started substitute teaching in Palm Beach County and saw how little help teachers were getting based on the minimums they needed to run their classrooms.

“Each year they spend $3,000 to $5,000 on supplies out of their own pocket just to run the class,” she said. “We are human. We spend money but don’t get reimbursed.”

After researching the idea throughout 2008, Frascona started Treats4teachers.org in the beginning of 2009.

The Web site attempts to connect local businesses from Martin, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties to local teachers to give them relief.

With the use of a teacher’s ID badge or pay stub, Toyota gives teachers a discount from $40 to $19 for oil changes, Ria’s Salon and Spa in Boynton Beach gives 10 percent off and Saturn of Palm Beach gives each teachers $250 in school supplies for each car bought.

“The teachers need this help,” Frascona said. “We want businesses to adopt classrooms. Teachers are running out of copy paper and told there is nothing that can be done.

For information, call 954-415-9273 or visit Treats4teachers.org.

Read more about this story in the Boynton Forum's Recession Relief Guide on July 29.

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

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The best golf courses in Florida aren’t just the private, expensive courses.

The Links at Boynton Beach has been named the best municipal golf course in the state of Florida by Golf Digest magazine.

Wayne Segal, Boynton Beach City spokesman, said using a combination of star ratings from Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play and their Best in State rankings, the magazine selected the best municipal golf course in each state.

Scott Wahlin, course manager, said one of the goals of the Links has always been to be the best maintained golf course in Florida.

The Links, 8020 Jog Road, is a complete golf facility featuring an 18 Hole Par 71 Championship Course and a 9 Hole Par 30 executive length Family Golf Course.

“It is a great honor,” Wahlin said. “We put a lot of money back into the course and have never taken a nickel of taxpayers dollars.”

Wahlin said the pace of play, along with course condition are some of the factors that brought the Links the honor.

For information, call 561-742-6500.

Read more about this story in the July 22 issue of the Boynton Forum.

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

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Almost as mysterious as his death, a huge graffiti memorial to Michael Jackson has been spray painted under the Hypoluxo Road overpass of Interstate 95 in central Palm Beach County.

BY DAVID DIPINO
The King of Pop's name and an image of his famous black hat tilted over his eyes with wavy black hair is painted in between the singer's first and last name in black and silver spray paint. The graffiti appears to pay homage to Jackson while he performs one of his signature dance moves.

Barbara Kelleher, spokeswoman for District Four of the Florida Department of Transportation, the governing body of Interstate 95 and the overpass for five counties including Palm Beach County, said she had not heard of the memorial.

"Once graffiti is reported a work order goes out and the message is covered up quickly," Kelleher said.

She said that images in obscene or offensive nature are normally covered up first.

The graffiti is located on the southbound Interstate I-95 overpass of Hypuluxo Road. Motorists will only notice the graffiti if they look immediately west while passing under the overpass.

One of Michael Jackson's signature dance moves is depicted in the graffiti.

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The JCC announced the formation of its new People of the Book…Club. The club is open to age 21 and older, and will meet to discuss books of all genres, including Jewish fiction, non-fiction, comedy and short stories.

Scott Benarde, JCC spokesman, said the inaugural meeting is set for 7 p.m. July 21 at the Hochman JCC, 8500 Jog Rd. There is no cost to join the club.

The first book up for discussion is Naomi Ragen’s most recent novel, "The Saturday Wife,
about a self-centered, social climbing rebbetzin with the engaging name of Delilah Goldgrab.

Ragen is the author of seven novels which include "The Sacrifice of Tamar," "Sotah," "The Ghost of Hannah Mendes" and "Chains Around the Grass."

Subsequent meetings for 2009 are scheduled for Sept. 15 and Nov. 17 at the JCC.

For information, call 561-712-5257.

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

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Officer Bill Tome has been the director of the Boynton Beach Police Department’s Police Athletic League program for more than 22 years, coaching children in basketball and football.

Tome has planned to retire next May.

Last week, during the PAL Football Camp with the Pros, the Ezell Hester Center’s football field and scoreboard was renamed the Bill Tome Sports Complex, 1901 N. Seacrest Blvd.

Boynton Beach Police Officer Rick Lauture initiated and sought approval from the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission for the dedication.

Lauture said Tome went into the community, took children off of the streets and put them in a place that allowed them to grow and develop.

Tome began his career with the Boynton Beach Police Department in 1987, serving five years as a road patrol officer before being assigned the task of creating Recreation Athletics and Police, which later became the Police Athletic League.

Mike Rumph a retired NFL defensive back played on PAL’s inaugural football team and started a camp seven years ago as a way of giving back to the program that helped him achieve his dream of playing in the pros.

Rumph said that Tome was more than a friend but that he showed him there were more to life than what they saw on the streets.

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

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Flakowitz of Boynton Beach tried to kill us with food… in a good way.

After coming out to the restaurant, we got a full tour of the kitchen and huge storage area full of thousands of bagels.

Dominick LoCastro, manager, said Flakowitz sells 120 dozen bagels every day. With the last name Rothman, you can see how that makes me smile.

Out of thousands of applicants, Flakowitz, 7410 W Boynton Beach Blvd., was selected and was on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” hosted by Guy Fieri on May 4.

The show featured all of Flakowitz’s signature dishes, including chicken soup, knishes and stuffed cabbage.

Fieri wanted Dave and me on the show but we are so famous we had a prior engagement. I sent Guy a basket of mini muffins to apologize.

Owner Karl Pechter came over and sat with us for lunch. After speaking with him, I really felt like I was with family. That is how the restaurant makes you feel, like you are part of the Flakowitz family.

They get around 600 people for breakfast every morning, all of whom I guess must enjoy the soothing maroon walls.

**** Four stars out of five.

Read more Hometown/Downtown in the July 15 issue of the Boynton Forum.

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

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Aaron Kaplan, new Cantor at Temple Shaarei Shalom, 9085 Hagen Ranch Road
Age – 31
Born – North Carolina
Activities – New York Yankees fan
Wife - Elizabeth
Began his music studies at the age of 2 playing piano.
Started his position July 1

How did you get into this line of work?

“I always was very entrenched in the Jewish life. I wanted to find a job that would combine my love for Judaism with my musical talents.”

What is your favorite part of the your position?

“It really has to be the relationships that are formed and developed with the congregation.”

What do you plan to implement while you are part of the temple?

“First I just want to get to know the customs and traditions at the temple. Then, maybe have some more concerts or musical-themed worships.”

Read more about this story in the July 15 issue of the Boynton Forum.

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Not providing the minimum home upkeep required by the city can costs homeowners thousands of dollars and even their home.

A few properties were forced to foreclose after accruing hundreds of thousands of dollars for code compliance violations through the city of Boynton Beach.

The City Attorney’s Office was authorized last week at a City Commission meeting to file a lawsuit to foreclose on
 code enforcement liens totaling $508,336.48 as of June 15 held by the
 city on property owned by Gail and Andrew Luchey at 124
 NW 10th Ave. and 118 NW 10th Ave.

Scott Blasie, Boynton’s code compliance administrator, said the next step of foreclosure is litigation by the city against the owners.

“They will get a chance to defend themselves in court and the city will have to decide whether it wants to take over the property,” Blasie said.

He also said the area of which the homes are located is the Heart of Boynton, where drug activity and crime is high.

“The City Commission approved 5-0 for the legal department to move forward with the foreclosure,” Blasie said. “It is in the heart of our redevelopment area, so it is for the public good to do this.”

For past two years, the violations have accrued on the two properties under the Florida Building Code of $200 and $500 per day for general condition of property.

Read more about this story in the July 15 issue of the Boynton Forum.

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

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After almost 10 years, the Taste of Boynton event continues to bring local restaurants together to get the word out about their cuisine.

The Taste of Boynton returns to Westchester Country Club, 12250 Westchester Club Drive, from 7 to 11 p.m. July 17. The evening includes food, wine, local entertainment and the raffling off of some large prizes.

The Greater Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce is bringing together 16 of Boynton Beach’s local eateries for an evening of menu items and wine tasting sponsored by Total Wine & More, in Boynton Town Center.

Cricklewood will provide live music for those who wish to dance after trying a variety of different foods.

Some of the restaurants for the evening include Boynton Village Tavern,
Cypress Creek Country Club,
Ellie's 50’s Diner & Catering,
Ocean Avenue Green Market Café,
Lemon Grass Asian Bistro,
Longhorn Steakhouse,
Moe's Southwest Grill,
Sláinte Irish Pub & Restaurant
and Westchester Country Club.

Tickets are $40 per person purchased in advance, and will be available soon at the Chamber. If available, tickets can be purchased at the door for $50 per person. No one under the age of 21 will be admitted.

In addition to the wine, food and dancing, four raffles are set with prizes including a wine tasting for 24 from Total Wine and a dinner round for 10 from Bonefish Grill.

For information, call Connie Galdós at the Greater Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce, 561-732-9501.

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

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The Ezell Hester, Jr. Community Center, 1901 N. Seacrest Blvd., will be running an Old School Basketball League from Aug. 11 through Sept. 24.

Frank Ireland, Hester Center supervisor, said participants, age 35 and older, would be able to build endurance, muscle and burn calories in the league.

Ireland said basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world and is a fast moving game, thus the calorie burning.

He advised possible participants to check with a doctor before starting any exercise routine and be aware that this league is fast action with lots of running, jumping, pivoting and twisting.

Time will be provided for warm-ups and stretching before hitting the court.

The League is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Fees are $35 for residents and $44 for non-residents. Proof of residency is required at registration.

Registration takes place at Intracoastal Park Clubhouse, 2240 N. Federal Highway.
For information, call 561-742-6550.

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

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The city of Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Department recently announced the arrival of a new concessionaire at the city’s beach, Oceanfront Park, 6415 N. Ocean Blvd.



The owners of Ellie’s Diner in Delray Beach have won a three-year contract to manage the Sand Dollar Cafe at the park.

Wally Majors, director of the Recreation and Parks Department, said there was a formal process in which the new vendors were chosen.

“Ellie’s is a fixture in the community for some time now,” Majors said. “We are always looking for ways to improve and since the lease agreement with the previous vendor was up, we decided to bring in a new one.”

He said the new vendors have been running the Sand Dollar Café since the beginning of the year.

“There really is nothing else around there,” he said. “They always have fresh coffee and cookies, and everything you could want.”

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week. Different lunch specials are offered every day.

For information, call 561-742-6226.

Read more about this story in the July 8 issue of the Boynton Forum.
Mike Rothman can be reached at mkrothman@tribune.com.

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Matthew Vicari, a recent South Tech Academy graduate and winner of the Pat Oliphant award, was Florida’s representative in the National SkillsUSA Internetworking Competition in Kansas City last week.

The SkillsUSA Internetworking competition is considered one of the most challenging competitions conducted by Cisco Systems, Inc.

The secondary-high school competition had 34 states competing over a three-day period. Each competitor was scored in nine areas of skill, including structured cabling, network troubleshooting & monitoring, basic router configuration, advanced router configuration and LAN/WAN design.

Vicari received the highest score in six out of the nine skilled areas.

Clarence Vaughn, program instructor for South Tech, said that Vicari is a South Tech success story and a prime example of what his program produces.

The First Place Industry award consist of an expense-paid trip for two to Cisco corporate headquarters in San Jose, Calif.

South Tech Academy President Jim Kidd said Vicari is another example of the level of commitment his students achieve in the academy.

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

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Jeanette L. Jimenez, new principal at South Tech Academy, a conversion charter school in Boynton Beach
Recent doctoral graduate at Nova Southeastern University-Fischler School of Education and Human Services
Age 48
She was born in New York.
She lives in Lake Worth.
She has been working in education for 26 years.
She has served as South Tech’s ESE coordinator, compliance administrator and vice principal.
She has been with South Tech since 2001.

How did you get into this line of work?

“Ever since I was the age of 4 or 5, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I used to play school as a kid.”

What is a normal day like for you?

“July 1 was my official day and in the summer we work four-day weeks for 10 hours. I spend the day principal training and trying to raise student achievement for next year.”

What is your favorite part of the job?

“I like working with people. It can be the students, teachers or even parents.”

How has your first month gone?

“It has been good. I have been here since 2001 and kind of moved positions every year, so the transition has been smooth.”

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

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