Boynton Forum

To belly dance is a term originated here in the West for an Arab dance technically called raqs sharqi, which means, “dance of the Orient.”

Most of the unique movements in belly dancing involve only certain parts of the body, including the hips and stomach, while other parts remain somewhat still.

Residents can satisfy their belly dancing crave and learn all about the art form Nov. 13 through 15 at the first International Belly Dance Festival at the German Club Lake Worth, 5111 Lantana Road.

Boynton resident Daniela Adriaenssens has been studying the dance for more than seven years and has brought in instructors from all around the globe for the weekend’s festivities.

“This is a chance for woman to study from different teachers that aren’t readily available to them,” she said. “We have teachers coming in from Holland, Miami and San Francisco.”

Adriaenssens said one of the main aspects of belly dancing is the help empower women and make them feel comfortable in their own skin.

For the past five years, she has been instructing classes. She currently teaches from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at Avenue Pilates, 430 NE 5th Ave., in Delray Beach.

“My mom [Chris] got me lessons for my 18th birthday and I was hooked,” she said. “I was always too tall for ballet.”

She said the three-day workshop would start 9:30 Nov. 13 and would run each of the three days until all the classes and workshops were finished.

Some of the activities include fire dancers, a drum circle and dancing on the beach.

In addition to the three-day festival, free tickets and funds from a raffle will be donated to Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse.

Adriaenssens said the owner of Avenue Pilates, Jean Magrella, already has a strong relationship with AVDA and even applied to be on its board.

Magrella said the drive to help AVDA stems from knowing someone who needed the group’s help.

“They have a hotline and even transition housing for women up to two years,” she said. “Just knowing what they do for people, I just have a big heart for them.”

As for the three-day festival, Magrella said anything Adriaenssens does with her dance is exciting and should be enjoyed by he entire community.

One such resident who plans to attend the festival is Boynton Beach’s Ashlee Privan, who said she has always wanted to know more about the art of belly dancing.

“I am just hearing about this festival now but you can count me in,” she said. “I have always wanted to take classes but never had the time. For a three-day event, I will make time.”

For information about the festival, visit www.TheSharqiExperiment.com

 or www.bellydancebydaniela.com, or call 561-302-6174.

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

With November as National Diabetes Month, the Caridad Center, 8645 W. Boynton Beach Blvd., is amping up its Prevention Education and Treatment Program to help out at-risk residents who can’t afford treatment otherwise.

The PET Program is designed to reduce patient's risk of developing a chronic disease or to help patients reduce complications if already diagnosed.

The program goals include early detection and education for patients, the monitoring of the newly diagnosed and the reduction of complications with the disease.

Megan Doney, special events and marketing coordinator for the Caridad Center, said the PET Program also offers diabetes nutrition classes and exercise education.

Doney said a health fair in the center’s parking lot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 14 will also be available to help those in need screen for diabetes and other diseases. The fair will provide free lab testing for blood sugar, hepatitis, blood pressure, cholesterol, HIV, vision tests and urinalysis.

The Caridad Center provides free medical and dental care, and education programs for more than 7,000 who live and work in Palm Beach County but can’t afford healthcare. The center sees mostly children and families of agricultural workers, laborers and the underserved.

Carmen Nieves, clinic director, said the PET Program started with diabetes but that it was so effective that it expanded to cover other diseases such as hypertension and obesity.

Nieves said anywhere up to 60 percent of the clinic’s patients are at-risk of diabetes due to ethnicity and family history. The Caridad Center’s clinic population is 90 percent Hispanic.

“We have a high number here,” Nieves said. “We don’t just work with already diagnosed people but highly at-risk people referred to us by doctors.”

Patients are screened for diabetes risk factors through appropriate measures such as laboratory tests, BMI calculations, and risk factor assessment surveys, which include questions regarding age, physical activity, family history, and other illnesses.

Nieves said it is crucial to diagnose diabetes early because it is a gateway disease that leads to cardio-vascular disease and kidney failure.

For information, call the Caridad Center at 561-737-6336.

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

I laughed when I got the e-mail invite on Nov. 3.

“The concept is very simple BYO, in other words, everyone is bringing a little treat or favorite beverage to the gathering,” said Jay DePalma, a local artist who opened what he called an upscale, arts and entertainment establishment in Pineapple Grove in Delray Beach, 245 NE 2nd Ave.

My first thought was BYO, as in bring your own? Is this high school and are we going to a kegger with BYOB (bring your own beer) after the football game at Josh’s house?
Did you hear that Courtney cheated on Brad, the team quarterback, and kissed his best friend Jeremy, the team’s running back?

I kept an open mind and arrived to find out that DePalma was a flamboyant Cuban with two earrings and red Elton John sunglasses. He was an art diva and I liked it. Where is Jason Parsley when you need him?

I opened the front door and there was so much fine art in the gallery, I felt like I was walking into my grandmother’s antique apartment.

There were drawings of all the ancient celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner and Liz Taylor. It was like a 1950s U.S. Weekly magazine. Plus, every section of the gallery was different. One part would have large decorative Asian vases, while another part looked out of a cabin during Thanksgiving, with harvest décor.

A couple couch areas were set up with floral designs. Tea and crumpets anyone?

Toward the back of the gallery was a country-style wooden table with two large roosters as decorations and a bowl of salty nuts. Now, you all know what I am going to say so I don’t even have to.

There were also some Cheez-It crackers and grapes, but I’m solely focusing on the two cocks aka roosters and the cashews.

The gallery also has a nice Sony 40-inch TV for viewing of vintage movies while drinking wine and creating art.

The next dialog I couldn’t make up if I tried. A young woman had brought honey garlic meatballs to the opening. You know where this is going.

“These are magic balls, you can’t eat just one,” she said.

“All balls should be eaten in pairs of twos,” I quickly quipped.

To be honest, they were delicious. You know what? As the evening wore on, I started to feel at home like I was at a Hanukkah dinner party. There were lots of red wine and plenty of tasty treats.

Then someone brought a special edition bottle of Absolut Vodka. This really is starting to be like a Rothman family party.

The BYO concept was a little different but interesting. Next time, I’m bringing Jager Bombs.

For information about the gallery, call 561-860-7748.

Both doctors Ben Naar and Tina Schechter have family members that they saw at a young age helped tremendously by chiropractors.

“My dad, Howard, was a basketball player back in the day and got thrown into the bleachers,” Schechter said. “I saw how chiropractors helped him and I always had a passion for it.”

As for Naar, it was his mother Gladys that was helped by his current profession.

“She would faint from her lower back pain,” Naar said.

In addition to their family histories rooted deep in chiropractic help, Naar and Schechter started their own family history at New York Chiropractic College, where they met and got married.

“He threw me a line and I fell for it,” Schechter said.

The husband-wife combo is now celebrating their 18th year in Boynton at the Bentin Chiropractic Wellness Center, 3379 Woolbright Road.

The center treats an array of problems in multiple ways including chiropractic adjustments, electrical muscle stimulation, trigger point therapy, massage therapy and computerized spinal analysis.

“The technology we have here is great and ables us to treat patients in a non-forced manor,” Schechter said.

Naar said the facility is 2,863 square feet and has new instruments like the proadjuster and the powerplate.

The proadjuster is a NASA creation that Naar said only 4,000 offices in the country have access to.

The powerplate produces vibrations to the body that create 60 minutes worth of training in only 10 minutes, Naar said.

The office is open 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 2 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. It is also open 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday and for emergencies Thursday.

Naar said they take insurance including Cigna, Medicare and even Blue Cross Blue Shield.

“We also have four massage therapists with 60 years of combined experience,” he said.

Brita Gerx, a Delray Beach resident, has been dealing with lower back pain for more than 10 years.

“I’ve tried everything, maybe it is time to finally try a chiropractor,” she said. “If they can help in a noninvasive way, I’m all for it.”

For information, visit www.boyntonbeachchiropractor.com or call 561-736-9355.

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

Despite recent lawsuits against cities installing red light cameras, Boynton Beach has plans to move forward with the concept.

Stephanie Slater, spokeswoman for the Boynton Police Department, said there is no time table for the installation of these cameras that take pictures of red-light runners, then send a $125 fine for the violation.

“Everything is still just in the planning stage at this time,” Slater said.

Sgt. Michael Kelley, who supervises Boynton’s Traffic Unit, said the plan, when it comes to fruition, is to have cameras at five intersections within the city’s limits.

He said at this time, the corners of Southeast 23rd Avenue and Federal Highway, and Boynton Beach Boulevard and Congress Avenue are scheduled to have cameras installed, among others.

What makes red light cameras legal is the fact that the speeding tickets are issued as a code violation rather than traffic one, where state law comes into play. With these code violations, no points are added to a resident’s license for poor driving.

The contractor with Boynton Beach installing the cameras is American Traffic Solutions.

ATS serves more than 170 municipalities and government agencies with red-light programs using their cameras.

Despite what seems like a way to stop reckless drivers, some local lawyers would like to and are trying to eliminate the cameras by suing the communities installing them.

South Florida attorney Jason Weisser has filed 16 lawsuits in the area in seven or eight different counties, including Miami-Dade.

He said the new red light cameras are completely unconstitutional for two main reasons.

First, Weisser said the cameras ticket the owner of the car and not the driver.

“My kid could take my car, blow past a red light and I’ll get the ticket,” he said.

Next, the burden of proof is switched in these cases.

“Usually, the state has the burden to prove me guilty if a cop pulls me over,” he said. “With this, the burden is switched, and you have the burden to prove yourself innocent.”

He said the cameras eliminate the innocent till proven guilty principle.

The one thing that both sides, lawyers and the local governments, can agree on is that the new cameras might be a new source of revenue.

Weisser said Orlando made $2.5 million in the ticket issuances last year and the City of Aventura makes $175,000 each month.

“With Aventura, the first offense is $125, the second is $250 and the third is $500,” he said. “There is no other law I can think of that has a graduating penalty. It’s all about the money.”

He said he does not think the spread of these red light cameras will stop until the courts decide it is illegal.

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

Boynton Beach has become a Commit 2B Fit community and residents can expect to see more fitness-related activities within city limits.

Commit 2B Fit is a nonprofit organization out of Boca Raton working against childhood obesity by promoting health and wellness. The program was founded in 2005 by Elly Zanin and Michelle Schecht.

The program has helped children become physically active, eat healthier foods, receive rewards for progress and learn how to avoid obesity. But the program is not just for the children.

Mayor Jerry Taylor said the program's intention is to reach children as well as their families to promote better health and more activity throughout the city.

City spokesman Wayne Segal said the program will use the services of the Chamber of Commerce, schools and recreational programs to reach residents.

Segal also said that the program is one in which Commissioner Jose Rodriguez has put a lot of time and effort.

“As far as I know, it is a project the city has been talking about for quite a while and a pet project of Jose’s,” Segal said.

Rodriguez said as part of the Leadership of Palm Beach County year-long program in which he is taking part, he was given the option of numerous projects and thought the Commit 2B Fit was perfect.

“As chair of the Youth Violence Prevention Program, I think it is a great fit,” he said. “It promotes ideas such as having at least 60 minutes a day of exercise and five servings of vegetables a day.”

For information, visit www.icommit2bfit.org.

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

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

Imagine Schools, a charter-school program, is the largest national alternative to public schools with 3,500 teachers, 73 schools and more than 37,000 students.

The program just made the first step to becoming even bigger by breaking ground Nov. 9 on a new building at 3333 High Ridge Road.

The new site for a 54,000 square-foot school will house the Imagine Schools-Chancellor Campus, formerly of Lantana, and will be open by August.

Chancellor Principal Laura Mardyks said there was a long waiting list to get into the Lantana school for students in kindergarten through fifth grade and that the new school will almost double capacity. It will also add middle school grades sixth, seventh and eighth with the new space.

The old building at 600 S. East Coast Ave. could max out at 600 students, while the new building in Boynton Beach will have the ability to have almost 1,000, Mardyks said.

“Parents have been asking for us to expand since 2007,” she said.

Imagine Schools-Chancellor Campus opened in 2001. In 2008-09 it was again an A-rated school.

Mardyks said the success comes from the creativity of the founders. Dennis and Eileen Bakke founded Imagine Schools with the intent on making them decentralized.

“Everything is bottom up and leadership driven,” Mardyks said.

Charter means contract but Dennis Bakke opened the schools with the intent on giving parents an alternative.

Mardyks said it would be a bittersweet move into the new building, leaving what she calls a “charming” place after eight years.

“It is a place for technology-infused learning,” she said. “This building used to be the bunker for the old township of Lantana.”

For information, call 561-585-1189.

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

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

By JASON PARSLEY

WELLINGTON - In honor of Veterans Day Motor City Car Wash, 135 State Road 7, is giving away free car washes to veterans at all three of its Palm Beach County locations.

Any retired or current member of the U.S. Armed Forces who visits Motor City Car Wash will receive a complimentary car wash on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Veterans only need to inform the staff verbally that they are veterans in order to receive a free wash.

The Grace for Vets program was started by a car wash company in Pennsylvania six years ago to show support for veterans and thank them for their service. Since then the Grace for Vets has grown into a national program sponsored by participating car wash companies.

Motor City's other two locations are in Boynton Beach off of Hypoluxo Road between Military Trail and Congress Avenue and in West Palm Beach off of Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard and Tamarind Avenue, north of the Kravis Center.

After three months in Pembroke Pines, Kimura Japanese Steak and Seafood restaurant is opening another location in Boynton Beach at 545 N. Congress Ave.

Lisa Cheng, the manager of the restaurant, said the anticipated opening is Nov. 19.

“We are excited about the opening because it is right around December, which is restaurant season,” she said.

Cheng said customers have been a little slow but picking up at the Pembroke Pines location, 11555 Pine Blvd., mainly because it opened in June, far from season.

“The number of customers are slowly growing,” she said.

The Hibachi-style restaurant, where the chefs cook right in front of guests, is open 4:30 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Eight chefs at 16 stations serve up dishes such as Filet Mignon for $24.95, California Rolls for $5.95, and a full bar of wines, sake and Japanese beer.

The menu includes 13 appetizers and kitchen entrees ranging from chicken katsu, sesame chicken to salmon steak.

Cheng said the company Kimura has other restaurants in Miami, Virginia and other location but finally decided to open restaurants with the company name.

“It’s a $1.5 million investment for each location,” she said.

Gregg Gibbs lives in Pembroke Pines and said he noticed the new restaurant about one month ago driving home from work.

“I decided to go with my wife and was glad I did,” he said. “Everyone in the restaurant was involved and excited to see the chefs entertain us.”

Gibbs said after ordering several items on the menu, he still left with some money in his wallet.

“I like variety,” he said. “We ordered a lot and it still wasn’t half bad when the bill came.”

For information, call 561-704-2500.

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

Margaret Oathout, a 12-year breast cancer survivor, lives in Boynton Beach.
Age 74
She is also a participant of the South Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, named eight Warriors in Pink.
The race, set for Jan. 30, is the largest fundraiser for the Komen South Florida Affiliate.
Singing is her all-time favorite activity.
Her hero is her mother, Margery.
Oathout retired in 1992 from the New York State Office of Developmental Disabilities after 22 years of service.
She has volunteered with Komen since 2000.

What was you cancer experience like?

“In 1997, I didn’t know very much about breast cancer or anyone who had to deal with it. Since my work with Komen, I describe my experience as a garden variety, post-menopause breast cancer. I was freaked out but after hearing some of the stories, some people had it much worse.”

Why is it important to spread the word about breast cancer?

“The young people especially need to know. They have to deal with the mutated cancer genes and their tumors are incredibly aggressive. Also the younger women have young families.”

What has your experience with the Komen Pink Warriors been like?

“It has been wonderful. In 1998 and 1999, I participated in the race. After 2001, I started to organize the team participation process and chaired it for five years.”

What is in your immediate future?

“I still handle registration at the Boynton mall. Komen just has some of the greatest people who decide to volunteer.”

What is the future of breast cancer?

“The old mission for Komen used to be eliminating breast cancer as a life-threatening illness. Now the mission is a world without breast cancer but it is not going to happen overnight.”

What will help to stop breast cancer?

“The research. For us, the Race for the Cure is our major fundraiser. About 25 percent of that goes to the national office for basic research.”

Residents who want to get involved in their city will have the opportunity to apply to serve on city boards until Nov. 16.

Applications are being accepted for more than 50 seats on 11 city advisory boards.

City Commissioners will make their appointments Dec. 1. The deadline for the applications is Nov. 16.

The openings are on the Arts Commission, Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals, Cemetery Board, Code Compliance Board, Community Relations Board, Education and Youth Advisory Board, Library Board, Planning and Development Board, Recreation and Parks Board, Senior Advisory Board and Veterans Commission.

Applicants must be registered voters and most boards require residency in Boynton Beach.

Applications are available in the City Clerk’s office, 100 E. Boynton Beach Blvd., and online at www.boynton-beach.org/government/elected_officials/advisory_boards.

For more information, call 561-742-6060.

After moving to Seattle in 1980 to become a full-time artist, Suzette Urs disliked how galleries there were not catering to artists.

“So what I did was set up a business there selling fine art to corporations,” she said.

Urs made her way to Boynton Beach 15 years ago and started a local gallery that has since stood the test of time.

The Urs Art Studio Gallery, 802 N. Federal Highway, attempts to cater to the artist, showing only six at a time.

“This way we can have eight pieces on display from each artist and give them a plump showing,” Urs said.

Urs said the shows at the gallery are in a state of change all the time, usually every six weeks.

The current exhibit features a Pembroke Pines clay artist Dianne Lublinski and a retired optometrist George Cheskes.

Urs said with the struggling economy and the melancholy times, she wants to keep the pieces on display at the gallery whimsical and upbeat.

Lublinski’s clay pieces use tinker toys because the people are out of proportion and some have no feet.

She said she has been an artist for 16 years and worked with clay for the past 13 years.

“I took a class at Broward Community College learning to use the wheel and have always been attracted to sculpture,” Lublinski said.

Her inspiration for her detailed clay faces comes from everything throughout her day.

“I think about them when I wake up in the morning and when I go to bed at night,” she said.

As for the Urs Gallery, this is the first time Lublinski and Urs have worked together.

“It’s a very cozy gallery and she has lovely work up in there,” Lublinski said.

Cheskes’ work consists of detailed doodles, as Urs calls them.

“These are amazing doodles that take days to complete,” she said. “You can tell he used to be an optometrist because the man who made these must have great eyesight.”

The gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m. daily with special appointment times on request.

For information, call 561-734-6926.

The young professional demographic that can’t attend morning meetings will get a chance to speak their mind about unincorporated West Boynton and participate in community meetings.

After 30 years of only having morning meetings, the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations will have a meeting at night to cater to the younger crowd that would like to participate in meetings but simply cannot.

The meeting, featuring Palm Beach County School Board member Frank Barbieri, will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at the West Boynton Library, 9451 Jog Road. The library has a capacity of 80 people.

Almost half of COBWRA’s 88 communities with more than 100,000 West Boynton residents are ones where most people work and have young families to keep in mind.

Carol Lindsey, the association manager at the Villas of Pine Tree since 1989, said she is the delegate for her community with COBWRA but has not been able to attend meetings because, like others, she is working.

“It is hard to even find someone to volunteer to go in my place at 10 a.m.,” she said. “A later meeting will make it easier to attend.”

Lindsey said the late meeting is at the least a good effort.

“We’ll see what happens,” she said.

COBWRA President Ken Lassiter said that more than 200 people now attend the morning meetings but there are so many more who cannot.

Lassiter said this new night meeting is only the beginning.

“This is something we have talked about for years,” he said. “When I was elected last year, it was one of my goals to make this happen.”

He said the new night meeting was something that could possibly happen three to four times a year in addition to the regular morning ones.

“I haven’t heard anyone say it is a bad idea,” he said.

Stuart Hershman is a COBWRA delegate from Bella Verde who has had trouble getting residents to come out to his own community’s meetings.

“I don’t know if it is they think we are doing a good job or are just apathetic,” he said. “As for the night meetings, I think it is really something they have to do. It is a way to get the younger members involved.”

For information, call 561740-9835 or e-mail familymeeting@cobwra.org.



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

After hours of presentations from four developers and fierce debates over them, it looks like the Boynton Beach Police Department is moving west, much to the chagrin of residents in the east.
The Boynton Beach City Commission voted 3-2 at its Nov. 17 meeting to consider the lowest bidder’s proposal to move the department into Renaissance Commons at Gateway Boulevard and Congress Avenue. The vote granted the redevelopment deal to the Boynton Beach-based developer Compson Associates.
Commissioners Woodrow Hay and Jose Rodriguez were strongly against the decision.
“I’m just very disappointed,” Rodriguez said. “We have an obligation to redevelop the blighted areas in our city and stick with the master plan, and that all went out the window last night.”
He said he had a hard time with a plan that would put the police department in a retail business building.
“Congress Avenue is already fantastic,” he said. “The east part of the city is hurting and we have an obligation to it.”
A group of about 20 residents voiced their concerns about moving the police department west.
“It just seems foolish to plan redevelopment along Congress where they do not need it,” said Barbara Ready, Boynton Arts Commission chairwoman. “More than 20 people stood up and said they wanted the department kept downtown. They just ignored them.”
Ready said the plan calls for the department to be moved into an office building on the third floor, with retail downstairs.
“How are you going to transport prisoners when you are parking police cars next to John Q. Citizen?” Ready said. “Also, the traffic on Gateway and Congress is terrible. What, are police going to get called out for an emergency and get stuck in traffic?”
Of the developers’ four proposals, only one of them, the Patrinely Group, ? came back with ideas to keep the civic buildings and the police department downtown, and it also was the only one that included ideas for the old Boynton Beach High School building off Ocean Avenue and Seacrest Boulevard, which is of key interest to Ready. The Patrinely Group proposal also called for a donation to refurbish the early 20th century school.
Despite that plan being voted down, Ready said her cohorts would continue to work to keep the historic building alive and kicking.
“We’re not going anywhere,” she said. “We are working on a concept plan and forming a nonprofit looking for funding opportunities for the old school.”
On the other side of the debate, CRA executive director Lisa Bright said she thinks the relocation of the police department is actually good for creating opportunity for redevelopment in the east.
“I’m extremely excited that they made a decision,” she said. “It is a nice, central location and the current site doesn’t even have an office. Also, it allows us to look at the old high school and City Hall.”
She said with the police department relocation, the downtown master plan might be able to be put into motion, creating a civic campus with a possible amphitheater.
“Of course, we have to get the public to vote for it,” Bright said.

Kel Thompson wrote, “Should, Could, and Would,” a new children’s book scheduled for release on Nov. 24.

Thompson used the help of his mother, Charlotte, and his sister, Casey, for the book.

“Should, Could, and Would” is the story of three short gnomes. After taking a long walk to visit the All-Knowing Gnome, they learn "action, not inaction" will solve their problems

Thompson works in Boca Raton and recently had a special event in Boynton Beach on Nov. 14 for the Nurturing Naturally Moms Group at West Boynton Park.

Book can be ordered at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore or by visiting barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com or target.com

Heroes – “I’m not really into idols.”
Activities – Works a lot but family comes first.
Hang gliding and boating are also passions
Age – 35
Born – Houston
Lives – Highland Beach
Also working on a pilot television show for possibly the Travel Channel

Aside from writing, what do you do full-time?

“I am a freelance HD videographer and work in video production. I just got my studio, 95 NW 11th St., Boca Raton, about a year ago.”

How did you get into that line of work?

“I have always wanted to work my own business. I started targeting businesses in Houston to help the Spanish employees. I made posters and banners that taught the English language. I was not enjoying it so I found a job as a helicopter videographer.”

What is your favorite aspect of what you do?

“My job is really exciting. For the Fortune 500 companies I work with, they bring in motivational speakers. I enjoy listening to them and the public speaking aspect of that.”

How did you even begin to think of writing a book?

“It is about how action will help you get what you want in life as opposed to inaction. My son was born three years ago and he started reading books, so I had a poem that I wrote that was the concept. My mom and sister really pushed it through.”

How did the event with the Nurturing Naturally Moms Group go?

“It went well. There was reading to kids and my wife Brandi is involved in a lot of moms’ groups.”

Any more books that you are working on?

“There are a couple we have written. My favorite is “To be or not to be a bee in a tree,” that teaches children about the to be verb. We are going to see how this one does first before releasing any more.”

Local middle school students are getting an opportunity to work on a college-level project.

Students from St. Mark Catholic School, 730 NE Sixth Ave., are teaming up with climatologists from Florida International University to research the mangrove park located behind the middle school.

Dr. Steve Oberbauer and PHD candidate Paulo Olivas brought research instruments for the project, including dendrometers, a weather station and an open top chamber.

Elizabeth Eubanks, a science teacher at the school, said the research fits into her students’ recent studies of the Mangrove Park’s ecosystem.

Eubanks went to Alaska with Oberbauer a few years back for a study she participated in and found out he was a botanist by nature.

“The best part is that this is real science not just from a book,” she said. “It is just wonderful to get them involved with Boynton Beach, and this is their ecosystem that they live in.”

Eubanks said the students helped researchers measure tree girth as well as assemble and place 30 dendrometers on the trees to measure tree trunk growth.

“They are also making Vod Casts, with topics about birds and the history of the park,” she said.

She said the research could continue for years, even after she leaves St. Mark's.

Students also took photos and notes so they would be sure to know how to read the Vernier scale as they will assume the important responsibility of data collection over the next several years.

The students can collect weather data, including wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, temperature and rain fall of the area.

The Open Top Chamber simulates what it would be like if the earth were just a little bit warmer. This allows students to study climate change.

Nicole Bilotta, 12, had never used the Vernier scale and did not know it was possible to measure the trees without hurting them.

“I just like going out in the morning, feeling the breeze and listening to the birds,” she said.

Another student Daniel Mayer, 12, said the project changed his outlook on science for the better.

“I definitely enjoy science more,” he said. “I also like leaning about what we can do to help the environment.”

Oberbauer said scientific research is branching into a direction of accepting and encouraging community-collected data.

“The main goal is to get kids involved with a project that is valuable but easy to understand,” Oberbauer said. “Also, we don’t have much data on mangrove tree growth. I don’t even know if they grow all year.”

He also said that when he was a child, he wanted to be an ornithologist, and hopes the children can see what he does and learn from him.

“When I was a kid, there was no chance that I could meet an ornithologist and learn from him what he does,” he said.

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

This column will be devoid of David Daniel DiPino for the simple fact that he had something much more important to do on a Friday night than play in a poker tournament fundraiser for the benefit of autistic children.
Dave called to tell me he couldn't make it a few hours before the first hand was dealt Nov. 20 at Finz Raw Bar and Grille in Delray Beach.

Surfers For Autism, a local grassroots organization, put together a $60 entry fee poker tournament ala the World Series of Poker to raise money for their operations.

The winner of the tournament would earn a $500 Visa gift card, second place would get a three-day stay in a hotel in Aventura and third place was a $200 card.

The second place prize came with massages included.

More than 30 compassionate people came out to play in the tournament where five blue felt tables provided by Royal Casino Events sat outside the bar, surrounded by Survivor-style tiki torches and a crowd of more than 100 looking to cheer me on. OK, maybe they came for the free burger sliders, chicken filled potato skins and pasta.

It was time to get my p p p p p poker face on Lady Gaga-style, without the one-piece leotard of course. You got me, I wore the leotard also.

Professional dealers, black bow ties and all, added to this haute, classy event for a commendable cause.

About 30 minutes in, I had a crucial decision to make. I had trip 10s and a queen sat on the board. A fellow spikey-haired gentleman to my left put me all in. I was sure he had me beat with trip queens but I had to call. Luckily I was wrong.

A frisson rushed through me, then I realized there was a lot of poker to be played and everyone was buying back in for $20. Good for the cause but bad for me.

Another hour went by, where I spilled my Dos Equis, which did not make me “The Most Interesting Man in the World.” It made me look like a fool. My next move made me look and feel even worse.

I was bleeding chips when I was dealt pocket kings and promptly went all in. One after the other, everyone folded except for Michael Winters, who was sitting to my right and the last to call. Like Matt Damon in Rounders, I knew what he had before the cards were even turned over; Pocket aces. My night was over.

All the maximum-hold Nexxus hairspray in the world couldn’t help me in this game. My hair looked great but I had still lost.

I drowned my sorrows of losing in a chocolate fudge cake that was so rich I needed to go to the doctor after to treat my new case of diabetes.

My pain of losing was also mollified when I looked at Surfers For Autism President Don Ryan, whose motivation and drive to help autistic children with his events brought out almost 100 people to watch and play in this tourney. I finished 32 out of 33 players by the way. Just a bit out of the money.

My pain was also transformed into laughter when I thought about the curly-haired Latin girl to my left who lost before I did because she thought she had a four-card flush.

“I had two diamonds and there are two on the board,” she attacked the dealer. “I won that hand.”

I have no response.

***** Five stars out of five.

Residents who step up and donate some canned food or old clothes will be rewarded with a free appetizer from a local bar and hot spot.

Bar Louie, 1500 Gateway Blvd, is having a food drive this month and everyone who donates canned food, old clothes or blankets will get an appetizer card for a free small plate with the purchase of an entrée.

“The entrée can be a sandwich or salad,” said Renee Sapienza, general manager of Bar Louie.

Some of the appetizers Good Samaritans can take advantage of with the card include Bavarian Pretzel Sticks ($6.99), Tempura Shrimp ($9.99) and Mini Kobe Hot Dogs ($7.99).

The collected food is to be donated to a local soup kitchen and the clothes will be donated to the Salvation Army.

“Social services needs are so high right now,” said Tara Bennett, development and public relation director for the Salvation Army in Boynton Beach. “We need any support we can get.”

Bennett said it is crucial for any individual or organization in the community to step up and help those in need, especially in the current times.

Sapienza said the drive originated from the corporate Bar Louie in Chicago, where they have a coat drive.

“We figured in Florida, we should mix it up and get food also,” she said.

Last year with the drive, Sapienza said someone brought in a huge box of food anyway, even though they were not having a food drive.

“This year has been a little slower with the tough times,” she said.

Bar Louie patron and Boynton Beach resident Jim Phatoug said even with the economy, people need to look inside themselves and realize others are worse off.

“I got laid off from my job but others can’t even afford to eat a decent meal,” he said. “This forces me to donate at least one item to help another person.”

Bar Louie is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Saturday.

For information, call 561-853-0090.

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

Cynthia Kallan, one of 21 artists on display at the Palm Beach International Airport, 1000 Turnage Blvd.
Her piece is “Galaxy,” a 24-inch by 18-inch acrylic on canvas.
Exhibit “Solar Abstractions” runs through Dec. 17 on the second level of the airport, across from the traveler’s lounge.
The exhibit has photography, art and mixed media.
To purchase art in the exhibit or for information, call 561-233-0235.
Born – New York
Lives – Boynton Beach
Age – 83
Activities – Does art lectures on art history
Has been an artist for 20 years
Inspiration for art – Landscapes up north
Husband – Harold
Past full-time job – Learning disability specialist

How and why did you start painting?

“My husband was teaching night classes, so I decided I had to do something. I went to a couple local art lessons. I just loved it.”

Is this your full-time job?

“No, I am a learning disability specialist. It is the hardest teaching job in the world but I love seeing progress in the children.”

How did you hear about the exhibit at the airport?

“I used to get notices from time to time but could not submit because I am bad with the computer. This time, I was able to submit a jpeg.”

What are your future plans in art?

“I think I am going to start taking some formal art lessons because I haven’t in years.”

What is your favorite aspect of art and painting?

“When I see landscape, I feel like I have to put it down on canvas. It gives me great pleasure.”

More than $50,000 of free eye surgery was given to the less fortunate Nov. 24 during the second annual Gift of Sight Program at the Eye Associates of Boca Raton, 950 NW 13th St.

In partnership with the Caridad Center in West Boynton, 15 people desperately in need of eye surgery but uninsured or unable to afford it were able to receive eye surgery and have their vision restored free of charge.

Ralph Simone, spokesman for the Eye Associates, said the 15 surgeries were to help cataract conditions, as well as cornea pterygium.

He said regularly, the cataract surgery costs $5,000, while the pterygium surgery is $3,500.

Simone said during the year, all eye doctors in the area send patients who cannot afford surgery to the Caridad Center, where these 15 people were chosen.

Dr. Howard Goldman and Howard Doyle started the program last year. Doyle is a former partner at Eye Associates, who now volunteers at the Caridad Center.

“I worked there for 32 years and retired in 2007,” he said. “I started to volunteer at the Caridad Center but had a lot for patients come in the needed surgery, which the facility there couldn’t handle.”

Doyle said he and Goldman had the idea to have the special day with free surgery right before Thanksgiving.

He said all the equipment is donated and anesthesiologists also donate their time for the day.

Leslie Llanza is one fortunate Boynton Beach resident who had surgery on his right eye for his cataract - a procedure he could otherwise not afford.

Llanza works as manual staff and a cashier at a parking lot but found it hard to grab things because of his failing sight.

“I just couldn’t get a grip on thing I couldn’t see,” he said.

He said driving was also difficult.

“With the surgery, I can finally get a good job to support my family,” he said.

Doyle said the Caridad Center and Eye Associates also sees patients gratis during the year but that Nov. 24 was just a special day where they could give a large group of patients something to be thankful for during the upcoming holidays.

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