Boynton Forum

When Haley Smith was born, doctors said her chances of living past her first birthday were slim at best.

Smith’s stepmother Elisa Smith said this dearth of hope stemmed from a chromosome deletion at birth that affects her mentally and physically.

“Her chromosomes didn’t form properly and it causes respiratory issues and eating issues,” she said.

It was no April Fool’s joke when on the first of the month after 100 days of construction; FPL, Black Diamond Construction and Zachry Holdings finished a 330 square-foot, custom-designed addition to the Smith home in Lake Worth, which included a special shower and bathroom for Haley.

The home addition will give Haley, 6, wheelchair accessibility so she can do normal activities like shower without having to worry about her safety.

“Now she will finally be able to take a shower and actually enjoy it,” Elisa Smith said. “She loves water but used to have to be in and out. She can also continue potty training.”

FPL spokeswoman Sharon Bennett said one of the palpable benefits from the addition is the energy efficiency of the new room.

The room is built to LEED standards and all electrical aspects light bulbs and showerheads are installed to conserve.

“One of our core goals is to be a good neighbor in the communities we work in,” Bennett said.

In addition, Black Diamond superintendent Chuck Dilley said the ceiling insulation is R-30 instead of the normal R-19 and the glass exposure in the room is brought down to a minimum.

The aesthetics of the room included purple walls and extra tile on the bathroom walls to help prevent decay and deterioration.

It was truly a group effort as Janet Jackson, manager for Zachry, said her company donated close to $40,000 for the munificent project.

“We [Zachry] are based out of San Antonio, so when we enter a new community, we look to make a difference,” she said. “This all started when one of Haley’s nurses saw another one of our efforts and said ‘let’s see what happens’ and contacted us.”

Now, after three months of construction and a dogged effort from three different companies, things are looking up for Haley and her family couldn’t be happier that those doctors who predicted he early demise were wrong.

“It is good to see what partnering can do,” Jackson said.

For the fourth consecutive year, Temple Shaarei Shalom is holding a Spring Boutique to benefit the temple’s religious school.

The event, with casual shopping including jewelry, handbags, clothing and accessories will be from 2 to 4 p.m. April 25 at 9085 Hagen Ranch Road in Boynton Beach.

Joanne Garroway, spokeswoman for the event, said it has gotten so big that now there is one boutique in the fall and one in the spring.

“There is jewelry, handbags, children’s items, even a travel agent onsite,” she said. “The vendors also have skin care items to support the more than 300 children in the religious school.”

Garroway said tuition alone does not cover all religious school costs, including teacher’s salary and learning materials, thus the need for the boutique.

Lisa Kronhaus, one of the boutique organizers, said the expectation is for 75 to 100 vendors at the event.

“Some of the products will be handmade and one of a kind,” she said. “I guess you could say the goal is to get $5,000 to $7,000 from the boutique.”

Kronhaus said past events have brought in as many as 1,000 people through the doors looking for a place to one-stop shop.

Julie Goldfine, boutique organizer, said some vendors at the boutique include My Lily’s Closet, displaying children’s apparel, Siltada Designs, a jewelry company, Say it with a Smile, a stationary distributor, and Passionate Journey Soap.

Goldfine said the large selection of vendors who offer everything from practical items to the fun items at many different prices is what makes the event so popular.

The event is open to the public and free. In addition to the vendors, the Spring Boutique will offer refreshments and raffle prizes. All proceeds raised from the day go to support the temple’s religious school.

Temple Shaarei Shalom, a member of the Union of Reform Synagogues, is a Reform synagogue that was founded in 1992 and is comprised of 585 families. The Religious School has more than 300 students from ages 5 through 17.

For information, call Joanne Garroway at 561-967-4646 or Lisa Kronhaus at 561-767-0242.

Lhisa Almashy, Park Vista Community High School, winner of the Hispanic Teacher of the Year Award given out April 6.
The three finalists were selected based on personal accomplishments, leadership skills, community involvement, letters of recommendation and essay.
The Hispanic Human Resource Council of Palm Beach County presented the award
As the winner, she received a $1,000 cash award, and $500 will be given to the school. 



How did you get into teaching?

“My stepfather pushed me into it when he kept saying I would be a teacher. I went to college and there was nothing else I wanted to be.”

Favorite aspect of teaching?

“Getting to know the kids. The connection you form with them.”

What was it like to win the award?

“It was exhilarating. It was a big honor and I am proud to represent the school.”

How important is your Hispanic heritage to you?

“It makes all the difference in my life. It explains all my challenges and my benefits in my life. It made me realize my potential.”

What’s in your future?

“I want to stay here at Park Vista. I love it here and it has a very diverse ESOL population.”

Something people don’t know about you?

“After I finished my master’s degree, I went backpacking through Europe for eight months.”

The days are numbered for invasive plants at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded a $1.25 million contract for removal of the threatening plants at the refuge, 10216 Lee Road, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The removal process started the beginning of February.


Salazar said the plants could disrupt the ecological balance of the Everglades and eliminating them would enhance the refuge area for visitors and the surrounding wildlife in the years to come.

The contract was awarded to Aquatic Vegetation Control, Inc., of Riviera Beach. Aquatic was one of seven companies to put in a bid for removal.

Aquatic has worked on the refuge before and has worked on similar projects, so it was a natural fit to award them the contract.

“Having that experience and knowing the history of the property is a great help to us,” said Salvador Medina, operations manager at Aquatic.

Medina said depending on the size of the invasive plant or tree, the method of removal is different.

“For smaller Melaleuca, we would cut the tree and then apply the herbicide,” he said. “For larger ones, we would cut the outer layers first then apply the chemical.”

Aquatic will be removing invasive plant species from about 8,929 acres of the refuge, including Melaleuca, Old World climbing fern, Brazilian pepper and Australian pine.

 

Saplings will also be hand pulled before they burgeon to maturity.

Melaleuca, a nonnative species brought over to America from Australia at the turn of the century, is the primary target of the removal project, said Lisa Jameson, invasive species biologist at Loxahatchee.

Jameson said the main problem with Melaleuca is that is grows well in wet environments and produces millions of seeds with nothing natural to contain it.

“It is sucking up hundreds of gallons of water and out-competing natural vegetation,” she said. “Plus it actually changes the water quality too.”

Jameson said the contract to Aquatic Vegetation is a fixed-price contract, meaning the company has one year from the start to complete.

With more than 221 square miles of Everglades habitat, the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee Refuge is home to the American alligator and the endangered Everglade snail kite. The local wildlife can be hurt when invasive plants out compete native vegetation.

“It all starts in parks” is the Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Department’s slogan.

The department is trying to augment that motto by increasing the quality of area parks for residents to enjoy.

Recreation and Parks, along with the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency are getting together to design plans for the future redevelopment of Sara Sims Park.

Jody Rivers, parks superintendent, said the park, located at 209 NW Ninth Court, is a 4-acre site that was developed in 1979.

Rivers said residents are invited to review three conceptual plans for the site and to offer comments at a public planning meeting set for 6 p.m. April 21 at the Carolyn Sims Center, 225 NW 12th Ave.

Modernizing the park and unifying it is the idea behind the meeting. 



“We want the public in on the design,” said Lisa Bright, executive director of the CRA. “There are about five different entrances to the park right now and it is very confusing.”

Bright said one of the goals of the master planning stage is to create one, defined grand entrance to the park.

She also said the public and representatives from the city have to decide what to close off to make this happen, including different roads.

“We want to make it one, seamless area,” she said.

The park site also contains Sara Sims Cemetery, which is included in the redevelopment plans. The City and CRA’s design consultants will be on site to explain the plans and listen to the public’s feedback. 
 


“Whenever we develop a park, it is important to get feedback from the people who will be using it,” said Wally Majors, director of Recreation and Parks. “We are excited to give that park some much needed TLC.”

Majors said the potential concepts include a possible butterfly theme along with other art additions.

“There are a lot of burials there and we want to make that area a part of the city that we can all be proud of,” he said.

For information about the Sara Sims Park master planning process, call 561-742-6226.
 


Biltmore Terrace resident Nancy Byrne started living green when she first moved into the neighborhood more than 10 years ago.

“One of our neighbors was into butterflies and she got me into ecology,” she said. “Then in 2008, I went to a conference where ex-President Bill Clinton spoke about sustainability and it changed my life.”

One decade after moving into her yellow and green home, the place is filled with sustainable attributes that give back instead of taking from the environment.

“To start, my air conditioning is high efficiency, it has a 19 seasonal energy-efficiency rating,” she said, citing that the norm is a 13 rating. “It cost me upwards of $8,000 but will pay for itself in five years.”

All Byrne’s landscape lighting is LED and for her Koi pond, a two-phase, high- efficiency pump is a must, she said.

“That way, the pump is not on high all the time,” Byrne said. “I also have two rain barrels and do water harvesting.”

If her determination to use efficient products is not enough, Byrne has a certified wildlife habitat in her back yard, “full of veggies,” she said.

“We get possums, tree frogs, snakes, wood rats, mice and all kinds of birds back there,” she said. “The mulch in the back is a synthetic that lasts forever. Does this past the green test?”

Byrne said saving a few bucks is also a nice byproduct of being green and helping out the environment.

“We try to grow as much as we can in the backyard instead of buying elsewhere,” she said.

Wayne Segal, city spokesman, said as a city employee, Byrne brings her “green” outlook with her into the office.

“She has been very active with the city’s Sustainability Team and involved with all issues that are green,” he said. “She was actually one of the leaders of the initiative when we started back in 2008.”

Wally Majors, director of Recreation and Parks Department for the City of Boynton
Age – 49
There are 27 parks, 180 acres and seven recreational facilities in Boynton Beach.
Majors also oversees two cemeteries within the city.

What is something people don’t know about you? “I just found out I have two more brothers and a sister that I didn’t know about.”

How did you get into working for Recreation and Parks?

“I was actually contemplating becoming a PE teacher. Recreation just seemed like more fun to me. I like the flexibility with people’s free time.”

What is the best part of what you do?

“By far, the ability to engage people by bringing enjoyment to their lives. What we do, we leave with a sense of satisfaction.”

What makes Recreation and Parks so special?

“It reaches everybody, young and old. No matter what your ability. I am so proud that we are at the forefront of helping people with limited ability.”

Any future projects?

“The beach. Oceanfront Park is an icon and we are replacing the boardwalk there. To be a part of that is really exciting and will be there for years to come.”

What is in your future?

“I enjoy my job and will be here for a long time. Despite the recent economic challenges, very few people can say they do something they enjoy.”

What is the future of Boynton Beach?

“There is still a lot of growth to be had. Once the economy turns around, I can’t wait. There is a 13.5-acre park along Congress that I am excited about.”

Avenue of the Arts, an outdoor, on-loan exhibit based throughout 11 sites in Boynton Beach decided to focus on the environment with the 40th Earth Day quickly approaching.

Debby Coles-Dobay, the city's public art administrator, said every year around September, they switch out the outdoor art and last year it was decided that environment was a suitable theme.

“The art on display was either made from recycled materials or calls attention to the environmental issues facing us today,” Coles-Dobay said of the exhibit.

One such piece made from recycled materials is “197,” a red mild steel creation from Weston artist Michael Hibbard located on the corner of City Hall, 100 E. Boynton Beach Blvd.

Hibbard, who grew up in New York, said all of his pieces are just numbers, not names. For “197,” he used recycled tire chips stored in a cage on top of the steel to symbolize that scraps don’t always have to be thrown away.

“We can turn something you would usually discard into something beautiful,” he said.

Some of the art throughout the city is actually usable and serves a non-aesthetic purpose.

A rain barrel outside the Art Center, 125 SE Second Ave., has a Florida Panther painted on the side and is used for harvesting water.

Coles-Dobay said the barrel’s harvested water is used to feed the garden at the center and was painted by Kathy Pietro, a Lake Worth wetland biologist.

“I work for the South Florida Water Management District, so it is nice to show people what I see through my art,” Pietro said.

Pietro, a part-time artist for the past eight years, chose the Florida Panther because it is one of the most endangered and revered creatures in the state.

“We have been going through a drought and people have been conserving water, so this was a representation of that,” she said.

Another piece located near City Hall on the Seacrest Boulevard side is “Alien Robot,” made from recycled foam packing.

Coles-Dobay said the look of the piece is simple.

“It looks like an alien,” she laughed.

A simple stroll on the beach six years ago has spawned a countywide effort to keep the beaches clean.

Gary Solomon had been looking for volunteer work back in 2004 and noticed how trashed the beachfront was.

“I tried to call someone to volunteer but there was no group to volunteer with,” he said.

Through that lack of a beach cleanup effort came the Sand Sifters, Solomon’s brainchild and the solution to the inert movement to care for the beaches.

Oceanfront Park, 6415 N. Ocean Blvd., became the group’s home and quickly the cleanup area burgeoned into a 6.5-mile range, also covering other beaches like Ocean Ridge Hammock.

The group has blossomed into almost 950 on Solomon’s mailing list and in appreciation, May will be recognized as Sand Sifters Appreciation Month in Palm Beach County.

From 8 to 10:30 a.m. May 1 at the very same home base of Oceanfront Park, the group will have its usual monthly cleanup with a few major extras.

A special presentation by County Commissioner Steven Abrams to the Sand Sifters is also planned to signify the appreciation month.

“Because of all the budget cutbacks, we are that much more important to the area and maintaining our beaches,” Solomon said.

Robyn Halasz was the first and only person to answer Solomon’s online post six years ago and said the group only cleans the beach because it wants to, not for recognition.

“Gary and I had the same idea. I was also looking for a group to clean the beach with and couldn’t find it,” she said. “This just fell in my lap.”

Halasz said she was surprised to see the exponential growth of the group through the years.

“I honestly didn’t think people cared,” she said. “This is flattering and humbling at the same time.”

The May 1 event will feature a beach cleanup, children's activities, free T-shirts and a food drive. Participants can donate to the Community Caring Center of Boynton Beach by bringing non-perishable food items, including peanut butter, jelly, rice and pasta.

After picking up tires, cigarette butts, cans and beer bottles for almost six years, founding member Soraya Figueiredo said she does not foresee the group stopping the cleanups any time soon.

Figueiredo said when she joined the group, she had already been picking up trash off the beach on her own free time.

“With the amount of trash left on the beach from people, it is an ongoing thing that I don’t see ending,” she said.

Residents can register in advance by e-mailing GSolomon@SandSifters.org or visiting www.SandSifters.org.

A health fair at the Caridad Center parking lot, 8645 W. Boynton Beach Blvd., is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 17.

There will be entertainment for children, including music, raffles and gifts.

More importantly, the event will offer a number of free screenings for glucose, hepatitis, blood pressure, HIV, cholesterol, and other possible illnesses.

Guests can also learn their Body Mass Index and have vision, eye or hearing tests conducted to see how those functions are doing.

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

Two teams comprising fourth- and fifth-graders will get a shot to compete at the “world level,” that is if they can come up with the proper funding.

On April 10, two of the three teams from Poinciana Elementary School that competed in Orlando at the state level for Odyssey of the Mind advanced to the next level, which is world.

The “world” level will include 50 teams on May 26 to 30 at Michigan State University but the travel expenses are an estimated $15,000, said Gloria Gibson, a teacher at the elementary school and team leader.

Gibson said the two Poinciana teams that competed in the Nature Trail’r and Gift of Flight divisions April 10 need the trip funding to give the children a shot at this unique experience.

“In the vehicle division [Nature Trail’r], the kids had to build a human driven vehicle that could pull a trailer and overcome an obstacle,” Gibson said. “The kids used a bicycle and pretended to be in the Everglades.”

Gibson said the students had to use proper engineering to make it to the next level and perform a short skit describing the scene.

For the other group that moved on in the Gift of Flight division, six different successful flights had to be completed.

“That group used a pitching machine and fan to show air flow and how the machine worked,” she said.

The 15 children in both groups used a $145 budget for the skits.

Jack Lundy, 11, was part of the Nature Trail’r team and said the competition taught him how to use tools, while infusing him with skills for proper teamwork.

“I also got to meet new people,” he said.

Sarah Inderbitzen, 9, narrated the Nature Trail’r group’s skit and wasn’t sure her team would fair as well as it did at state.

“I didn’t think we get to world because we were so inexperienced but we got there,” she said. “I was telling the audience the problems my team was overcoming. It was awesome.”

As for the Gift of Flight group, its narrator Emma Bedding said her team’s success could be attributed to hitting the targets and producing proper flight length.

The group had raised finds all year but those were used to get to state.

Odyssey of the Mind is a problem-solving competition that enables students to use creativity and critical thinking skills. The children are required to interpret a problem and present the solution to judges.

Gibson said the competition also taught the children how to recycle and conserve, using old chopsticks as building blocks for some of the props.

The future of the two advancing teams will have to rely on the munificence of possible donors who can help 15 burgeoning children get to “world.”

For information or to donate, contact Emily Greene or Gloria Gibson, 561-739-5700 or e-mail greenee@palmbeach.k12.fl.us or gibsong@palmbeach.k12.fl.us.

Beachcomber Art
212 S. Federal Highway
561-315-5717

Boynton Beach almost lost a unique business.

Debbie Brooks, owner of Beachcomber Art, always wanted a larger space for her business and after three years at 112 S. Federal Highway, she was tempted to move to Lake Worth in search of a larger work space.

Under the circumstances, the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency stepped in with its Commercial Rent Subsidy program and got her a 1,500-square-foot space at 212 S. Federal Highway, which is where Beachcomber reopened April 1.

Through the Commercial Rent Subsidy program, recipients receive assistance with rent for the first year for a new or expanding business. It will pay one-half or up to $600 a month to the landlord for qualifying businesses.

Brooks said the business has to be in the CRA’s district for three years and be augmenting its space at least 50 percent.

“I do a bit of everything here,” Brooks said. “I make seashell chandeliers, jewelry, furniture and even lamps.”

With her workspace so small at 112 S Federal Highway, Brooks said she really was considering moving to Lake Worth, an area she said is actively recruiting artists.

“With the CRA, I think I was the first person to apply for this program and kind of the guinea pig,” she said.

For information on Beachcomber Art, call 561-315-5717.

Boynton Beach continues to be one of the most progressive cities in Palm Beach County and that forward thinking is garnering the city some acclaim.

Boynton was named one of the most advanced digital cities in 2009 by the Center for Digital Government and Digital Communities magazine.

Laserfiche spokeswoman Francine Marlenee said Boynton as one of its customers was named one of the top cities based on different categories. Boynton was in the category for 30,000 to 74,999 residents.

The cities were chosen from the results of a Digital Cities Survey, which focuses on how those cities use technology, including Laserfiche, to improve service.

Phyllis Koch, ITS director for Boynton, said the top 10 in each size category were named and Boynton finished fifth in its size.

Laserfiche has helped Boynton become an advanced city by helping it put various data on the Internet, including City Commission agendas on the website.

“We work smarter, not harder,” Koch said. “Using items like Laserfiche to put up the agenda, we are helping to help citizens connect with the city without the need to leave their home.”

Koch said most public records are put up on the Internet using Laserfiche.

Wayne Segal, city spokesman, said Alan Karjalainen, the webmaster for the city, was one of the main reasons why it was chosen.

“I think he is the best webmaster in the world,” he said. “I ask him to put something up and it is up later that afternoon.”

Karjalainen had a different take on why Boynton was chosen.

“It all starts at the top with Kurt Bressner, the city manager,” he said. “He helps us improve our services so that people don’t need to come to City Hall anymore.”

Since 1987, more than 28,000 organizations worldwide have used Laserfiche software to streamline document, records and business process management.

Koch said even in the down economic situation in Florida, the IT Department would continue to have a dogged drive to innovate, and make the government process cheaper and easier for Boynton residents.

Amy Crane of Boynton Beach is a cash manager at NCCI Holdings.
Crane is a three-time participant in the MS Bike Ride that took place April 17-18.
The ride benefits the National MS Society and was a 150-mile journey from the Homestead-Miami Speedway to Key Largo and back, with an overnight stop.
In addition to her work with the MS Society, Crane also Volunteers with the PACE Center for Girls on a regular basis.
Age 40

How did the MS bike ride go?

“We had a great ride Saturday but Sunday got rained out. Some of my team members are going to try and finish the ride this weekend.”

How did you get into volunteering for them?

“A friend of mine, Alan Kurtz, was a team captain in 2002 and told me about how his friend was struggling with MS. I asked how I could help.”

How did you come to work at NCCI?

“When I graduated from FAU, I did a project on NCCI for my business proposal class.”

Favorite aspect of job?

“I get to deal with all of our money and get people paid.”

Why do you live in Boynton?

“I went to FAU in Boca and my roommate from college and I moved to Boynton after. I have been here ever since.”

What is your favorite part of Boynton?

“It is near the beach. I love the beach.”

Soon after the first week of May, residents will get the chance to intermingle with their neighbors while taking care of their health and wellbeing.

On May 8, Boynton Beach will have the 2010 Mayor’s Challenge Commit2BFit 3K Walk.

Mayor Jose Rodriguez, who will lead the walk, said the goal is to make Boynton Beach a healthier community, while thrusting residents into a social setting.

“There are a lot of common threads in our community but people live far away, so this give them an opportunity to be in one place,” he said.

The 3K, or 1.87 mile, walk will begin at 8 a.m. May 8 at the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum, 129 E. Ocean Ave., and participants will head east to Federal Highway before turning north to Boynton Beach Boulevard. The participants will then walk east to the Boynton Harbor Marina and return to the museum.

“It is going to be fun, we will have a breakfast after and the main aspect is it will showcase our city, our downtown and bring excitement to Boynton,” Rodriguez said.

Some visual aids during the walk include the Fire Department’s 1923 REO Speed Wagon and auditory chants from the Boynton Beach Cheerleaders.

The Commit2BFit program out of Boca Raton is part of a community service project Rodriguez participated in through the 2009 Leadership Palm Beach County program.

Rodriguez said his leadership group created a template for other communities to follow to becoming Commit2BFit dedicated areas.

“For us, staff has been biking to work and we have had programs every other week. It has been great,” the mayor said.

Commit2BFit started in 2005 when Elly Zanin and Michelle Schecht saw the children in schools not plan their nutrition or be active.

“I came from Broward County schools and I saw the kids getting heavier and heavier,” Zanin said. “We are trying to start a movement from a simple thing where the youth and adults plan their fitness and nutrition.”

Zanin said daily journals are a key aspect to the fitness planning. What started out for the schools moved into cities when Boynton became a Commit2BFit community last year.

As a Commit2BFit city, employees and the children in the City’s Kids Club after-school programs signed on to commit themselves to fitness and healthy nutrition during a nine-week program.

“The walk will be fun because it is a group of people and there will be festivities. But do this everyday,” Zanin warned. “It will make you feel better. Just don’t go home and sit down.”

Participants must register in advance online at www.boynton-beach.org.

For information, call 561-742-6025.

Mimi Paris, author
Her second novel, “One Man’s Revenge,” was published a few months ago and is written as a thriller.

The back cover says - "THEY'RE HERE! Terrorists are in southeastern Florida. The plan is to blow up certain bridges along the Intracoastal Waterway from Jacksonville to Miami. Their goal is to arouse fear in every person in the United States.”

Age 76
She is involved with the National League of American Pen Women.
Her hero is Eleanor Roosevelt.
She has lived in Valencia Shores for seven years.
She was born in New York.

How did you come up with the idea for your second book?
My first book came from that I knew two work camp survivors. My son told me to get on a topic for today for this book. I took it from there. Everyone in the world is concerned about terrorist attacks.

How did you get into writing?
I think it is something that you either have or not. I used to keep journals of my travels. I did work for Newsday and always had love of writing.

What is your favorite part of writing? It's the writing, not so much the editing. I write without an end.

Moms love to shop.

With this in mind, the Boynton Beach Mall is attempting to reciprocate by having the 2nd Annual “National Mom’s Nite Out” event 6 to 8 p.m. May 6.

The night out will be a national event involving multiple Simon malls to give women a break from the rat race that is life.
 


As part of the festivities, Boynton Beach Mall, 801 N. Congress Ave., will be providing special discount offers from retailers, including Lane Bryant, the Disney Store and Bath & Body Works.

In addition, Weight Watchers International and Mary Kay Cosmetics will advise women on beauty, nutrition and lifestyle.

The Museum of Lifestyle and Fashion History is added a unique flare to the event. The museum will extend its hours until 9 p.m. providing free hand spa treatments by BeautiControl and jazz from saxophonist Michael Kennedy.

Free food items from Subway, Auntie Anne’s, Mrs. Fields Cookies and Shane’s Rib Shack will also be offered. PRP Wine International will provide tastings to help the women relax.

The overall event is being organized by Maria Bailey, host of Mom Talk Radio and author of “The Ultimate Mom Book.”

Bailey said more than 80 Simon malls around the country are participating in the evening.

“The reason we created this was that as a mother of four, I realized that Mother’s Day is not really about you,” she said. “You worry about your mother and your mother-in-law and you lose focus.”

She said the night out is for mothers, who might drift apart through work and taking care of children, to get together for just one time and celebrate.

Pamela Kluge-Rada, director of marketing and business development at Boynton Beach Mall, said this is the first year Boynton got involved, mainly because she saw how successful the other malls were with the night.

“We like to give back to the community,” she said. “Some of the stores will be putting on fashion shows, so that will be exciting. This should be pretty big.”

For information on the event, visit www.momsniteout.com. 


The youth of Boynton Beach now have a place to meet and participate in activities instead of roaming the streets, getting into trouble.

The city of Boynton Beach Recreation and Parks Department Youth Empowerment Center is geared toward ages 12 to 21.

All programs and services are provided 3:30 to 8 p.m. at the Carolyn Sims Center, 225 NW 12th Ave., at no cost to the participant. 


“We have about 125 kids in two to six programs each week,” said Vickie Henderson, coordinator at the Sims Center. “The center runs fives days a week and there are two to three programs each night.”

Programs offered through Youth Empowerment Center include, Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs, Steppin’ Out 2 Step In, Employment & Life Skills, Youth Teen Council and the Art of Filmmaking.

Henderson said the creation of the youth center came from a study from Florida State University that targeted high crime areas, where the teens were most vulnerable.

She also said that the teens actually pick their own programs through the 15-member Teen Advisory Council.

“New programs come up each year and get pitched to the council,” she said.

Low said the nine-week program in the summer teaches the children to be on time and how to dress for work.

“They go out with various groups and get ideas for careers,” he said. “We had five kids last summer and are targeting seven this summer.”

Low said he is impressed with how the children in the program use the stipend.

“One kid got his check, went home and paid the family water bill,” he said.

For information on any Youth Empowerment program, call 561-742-6643.