Safety as Floridians Expect Chairman Jim Smith scolds Anne Richmond from using her cell phone in a light-hearted moment pointing out the unsafe practices of cell phone use in a vehicle during an interview with reporters.
The Florida Legislature begins their second of a 60-day legislative session Feb. 27 including three state house bill proposals, and five senate bills that plan to prohibit use of cell phone use while operating motor vehicles except when usinga headset or hands-free devices. Safety As Floridian’s Expect Chairman Jim Smith, a Delray Beach resident, said he is championing the bills and asking his 15,000-plus member alliance to do the same in supporting local congress representatives who have interest in the bills.
“I’m hoping for a full cell phone bill banning the use of cellular telephones while driving will pass. We’ll know in a bout two months,” Smith said.
The exception would be hands-free devices.
Smith said even if the ban doesn’t take place this year, just getting the bills heard means safety is on the right track. He cites ongoing SAFE research that began in 2002. That research points out that many countries have banned cell phones and currently levy fines. Norway is at the top of that list with fines of up to the equivalent of more than $600.
“Many bills do not become law until several years after they are first proposed - the seat belt law is a good example of such a bill. The same, slow path is likely for a ban on driver used cell phones. It should be noted that 48 countries ban driver cell phone use,” Smith said.

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S.D. Spady Cultural Heritage Museum continues the 2009 "Connecting Community Lecture Series" with a presentation by Dr. Sika Dagbovie titled "Flavor of Love Chicks, Nappy Headed Ho's and R. Kelly's underage Hook-Ups: Where have all the black girls gone?"

“Dr. Dagbovie has given presentations in the past including 'Loving Nappy as Resistance: Bell Hooks, Neo-Soul and the Politics of Black Hair.' She is an assistant professor in the Department of English at Florida Atlantic University where she specializes in 20th Century African American Literature. Her current book is "Black/White Mixed Race Identity in American Racial Discourse of the Past and Present." Her current book project examines representations mixed-race identity in 20th century American literature and popular culture, said S.D. Spady Museum Educational Programs Director Charlene F. Jones.
The event starts at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the S.D. Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, 170 NW Fifth Ave. in Delray Beach.

For more information call 561-279-8883

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The Delray Beach International Championships has served some fast changes in regular business in downtown Delray Beach.
There will be no City Commission workshop Feb. 25 (normally held the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month). The City Hall parking lot is being used for media and player parking at 100 NW First St.
Delray Beach Advisory Board meetings through Feb. 27 will continue with a Parking Management Advisory Board meeting at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Environmental Services Administration Building and at 5 p.m. Feb. 26 the Community Redevelopment Agency workshop/meeting will also take place at the Environmental Services Administration Building, 434 S. Swinton Ave.
To counter the backhand that the tournament has caused to city residents, free tickets to the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships will be offered through the city. The ITC matches are through March 1. One hundred complimentary tickets will be given away daily for each session, including the semi-final and final matches (tickets are not required for free qualifying matches) in the lobby of Delray Beach City Hall, 100 NW First Ave. All tickets will be distributed from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday throughout the event. The limit is two tickets per person, per day.
Also, the Downtown Roundabout Shuttle Bus will have a modified schedule and route during International Tennis Championships until March 1.
Route 1, consisting of two buses will have no change in operation.
Bus #1A will provide roundtrip service between Tri-Rail and the beach from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Bus #1B provides roundtrip service between Tri-Rail and the beach from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. During the event, Bus #1B will modify its route to pick up passengers at the Tennis Center via Northwest First Avenue before continuing on to Tri-Rail.

Bus #2, providing roundtrip service between the Delray Beach Public Library and the beach, will extend its hours of service from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. or one hour past the end of the last evening tennis match (whichever is later) through Feb. 28. The bus will modify its route to pick up passengers at Old School Square Parking Garage (on the Northeast First Street side) and proceed to the Tennis Center via Northwest First Avenue.
On March 1, Bus #1B and Bus #2 will continue on the modified routes from noon until one hour after the end of the tennis matches and then resume their normal routes and schedules until 8 p.m. Should the matches continue past 8 p.m. the buses will run until one hour past the final match.
For more information on the buses, call 561-243-7000, or for any more information call the Public Information Office at 561-243-7190.

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Volunteer Paula Coco works the radio from the volunteer command post at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships.
A lot happens at the Delray Beach International Championships besides 100 mph serves, autographs, food, music and family fun. For instance, there are more than 200 volunteers and a 450-member team that handle logistics from answering phones to ushering fans to their seats and everything in-between. The Delray Beach ITC, an Association of Tennis Professionals Pro event, is a labor of love for those involved.
Delray Beach resident Paula Coco is known to her 200-plus volunteer member team as the “Queen Volunteer.” Coco oversees a staff that works office jobs, hospitality tents, provides information and collects tickets as ushers.
“We do a little bit of everything to help out,” Coco said. “Otherwise they [organizers] couldn’t run the tournament.”
Coco has been volunteering at the tournament for 17 years.
“I love the atmosphere… I love tennis! This staff has been tremendous over the years. I guess you can call it a labor of love,” she said.

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Delray Beach Police have found a missing 8-year-old child, David Lamont Noble.
Officer Jeffrey Messer, Delray Beach Police Department public information officer, said an 8-year-old boy missing since Feb. 19 has been found in West Palm Beach.
“He was last seen yesterday around 5:30 p.m. and was reported missing today at about 8:30 a.m.” Messer said.
Messer said the boy is doing fine.

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Beware criminals! Big Brother is watching...
The Delray Beach Public Library, 100 W. Atlantic Ave., in downtown Delray Beach has installed a security camera at a high crime and traffic area on the north facade of the large, two-story building.
A camera is installed 10 feet above the library walkway, which includes benches, bike racks and tends to be a gathering place for children, the homeless and people passing by.
"We have over 2,000 people enter the library on a daily basis," said Library Director of Communications Bonnie Stelzer.
Library Director Alan Kornblau confirmed the security camera was put up by the library because of "thefts."
"We don't monitor the camera, but if something happens out front there we'll definitely take a look and hand it over to authorities."
Kornblau did not say how the camera was funded.

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Trinity Lutheran will offer the first of a three-part series “Financial Solutions during the troubled economy” at 7 p.m. Feb. 23.
“The seminars are open to the public,” said Tony Durante, the director of discipleship at Trinity Lutheran Church & School in Delray Beach.
The event will take place in the Ministry Center at 400 N. Swinton Ave.
Other seminar dates include March 2 and 9.
“Mortgage expert Darrell Fatzinger and others will be leading these financial seminars that will offer information on mortgage modification, credit and small business options,” Durante said.
The series is free but registration is recommended. Call Tony Durante at 561-278-1737, ext. 219.

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An annual statewide Preservation Conference poster contest is calling out to elementary, middle and high school artists, to celebrate this year’s theme, “Palm Beach County: A Century of Dynamic Preservation,” celebrating the centennial of Palm Beach County.
The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation sponsors the 31st annual Florida Trust Statewide Preservation Conference from May 14 to 16 at the Palm Beach Colony Hotel. To commemorate the historic event, the Florida Trust has issued a call to artists for the annual statewide Preservation Conference poster contest and encourages Palm Beach County students in grades four to 12 to participate.
According to Delray Beach historic planner Amy Alvarez, poster designs should reflect the conference theme by illustrating Palm Beach County’s cultural heritage and historic places such as the 1916 County Courthouse in West Palm Beach, the Jupiter Lighthouse or Delray Beach's Old School Square. Entries may concentrate on historical land and streetscapes, historic districts, archaeological sites, architecture or places of cultural importance.
Alvarez stresses that all posters must be original work by the contestant, and graphics can be developed in any medium but must be in color. The submitted entries must also be a minimum of 11’’x 17” and no larger than 24” x 36”. Alvarez also said the following text must also be incorporated into the design: “Florida Trust for Historic Preservation”, “Palm Beach County: A Century of Dynamic Preservation”, and “2009 Annual Conference.” She said only one entry per student will be accepted.
Submitted artwork must be received by end of business day March 2.
For additional information on the conference, visit www.floridatrust.org. Information on poster submittal requirements and criteria can also be found by contacting Amy Alvarez at 561-243-7284 or alvarez@mydelraybeach.com.

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Road construction takes over a lane of Atlantic Avenue in downtown Delray Beach.
Atlantic Avenue just west of Interstate 95 is undergoing the most construction road work in three years but the problem is the project comes at the busiest time for the thoroughfare. The Florida Department of Transportation has announced the following restrictions related to the Atlantic Avenue roadway projects through fall.
A $3.6 million, 2.7 mile-construction project, which began on Dec. 1 between Via Flora and McNab Avenue, consists of milling and resurfacing the roadway, replacing sidewalk curb ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act standards, signalization, widening and storm water drainage improvements at the intersection of Atlantic and Congress avenues. The project is being built by Weekley Asphalt Paving, Inc. and is expected to be completed in the fall.
According to Rosanne DeChicchio, administrative assistant for the public information office, restrictions include two lanes on Atlantic Avenue to be closed nightly from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Friday between Via Flora and McNab Avenue for paving operations. Daytime lane closures will also occur from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Congress and Atlantic avenues and other areas within project limits as necessary Monday through Friday. At least one lane will remain open in each direction at all times. Motorists might encounter severe delays through the intersection of Congress and Atlantic Avenues during nonpeak daytime hours because of project-related work.

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The busy Linton Boulevard bridge will be shut down late next week.
f Delray Beach released information on the Linton Boulevard Bridge closure scheduled for 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26.
According to Roseanne DeChicchio, the administrative assistant for the Public Information Office, West Construction Inc. has announced that it will be closing the Linton Boulevard Bridge for construction to take place on the bridge tender building.
“A crane will be on site to bring construction materials to the construction site. In addition, Palm Beach County will also be performing work at the site while the bridge is closed down for construction,” DeChicchio said.
For more information, contact the Chris Caprio, project manager - West Construction Inc. at 561-588-2027 or Roseanne DeChicchio at 561-243-7190 or dechicchio@ci.delray-beach.fl.us

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Harvey Starin and his Portugese Water Dog, Max, want a dog-friendly beach even if it is only two hours a day.
Dog owner and 11-year Delray Beach resident Harvey Starin wants a place near the water where he can bring his dog Max, a three-year-old Portuguese Water Dog. The only dog park within city limits is Lake Ida Park, 1455 Lake Ida Road. Starin, 62, a resident of Pelican Harbor on Ocean Boulevard, wants a portion of the city's Municipal Beach to allow dogs during low traffic times, between 5 p.m. and sunset. But, commissioners don’t want to hear Starin’s request.
“I’m asking for a few hours at sunset… Come and go as you please, and I’ll even pay for a permit if that was decided. A permit payment could boost a strapped city of Delray Beach budget,” he said.
“The problem is I know the current mayor and City Commissioners are against a dog- friendly portion of the beach.”
A brown picket fence on Ocean Boulevard allows dog owners west of the fence, but animals are not permitted east of the fence that leads down to the jewel of Delray Beach, the Atlantic Ocean beach.
Starin has set up a Web site, spent $6.99 on a GoDaddy.com domain name and set up a public forum at www.delraydogbeach.com. He’s had 253 hits on the site in just a few weeks.
City Commissioner Gary Eliopoulos is a dog lover but doesn’t support Starin’s idea for a dog-friendly beach.
“There is no bigger dog lover then me. I have had dogs my whole life and realize how they are part of the family. Unfortunately, for me our beach is one of the jewels of Delray and a lot of people have a hard time cleaning up after their dogs. For that reason I could not support a portion of our beach for dogs,” Eliopoulos said.

Bring your animal on the beach and risk a fine.

The city of Delray Beach dog ordinance.

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The Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce and The Office Depot Foundation will present the "State of the City" Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Delray Beach Golf Club & Restaurant, 2200 Highland Ave., with keynote speaker Mayor Rita Ellis.
According to Beth Johnson of the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, a special lecture and presentation will be given by Delray Beach's Community Improvement Director Lula Butler. Johnson said she will talk about the development in Delray Beach and the public will be able to view future development renderings concerning projects 5th Avenue at Delray, Worthing Place, Atlantic Plaza and
the former library site -- all are proposed new developments along the popular Atlantic Avenue corridor.
Cost is $25 for members of the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce and $45 for non-members.
For information call 561-278-0424.

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By MIKE ROTHMAN
With a struggling economy, money is on the minds of residents everywhere.
Norma Kane, library spokeswoman, said the Delray Beach Public Library, 100 W. Atlantic Ave., is trying to offer some help with the current economic issues.
Boynton Beach attorney Michelle Hofkin will present a program “Estate Planning, Long Term Care & Reverse Mortgages,” at 2 p.m. March 9.
Hofkin concentrated on taxation matters while pursing her law degree and is admitted to practice in Florida, New York, New Jersey and in the Federal Court.
Kathy Kiley of Consumer Credit Management Service, Inc. will also present a program “Money Matters – Budgeting – How to Keep Track of Your Money,” at 6:30 p.m. March 30.
CCMS is a nonprofit agency that is nationally accredited with Certified Credit Counselors.
Kane said the programs are free and open to the public, and registration is not required.
For information, call 561-266-9490.

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

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The city of Delray Beach released information Feb. 11 concerning
street closures and the new Downtown Roundabout extended hours during Garlic Fest.
According to Rosanne DeChicchio, the city's public information assistant, beginning at 5 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, Swinton Avenue will be closed from Atlantic Avenue north to Northeast/Northwest First Street. This section of Swinton Avenue will reopen at 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16.
Downtown Roundabout extended hours of service will provide free public transportation on Atlantic Avenue between Tri-Rail and A1A from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14 and noon to 9 p.m.. Sunday, Feb. 15.
For more information on the Garlic Fest, call 561-279-0907 or visit www.dbgarlicfest.com and for more information on the Downtown Roundabout, call 561-243-7190 or visit www.mydelraybeach.com.

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The American Volunteer Corps located at Heritage Park West, 5859 Via Flora in Delray Beach, will be packing Teddy Bears, dolls and stuffed animals from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 21.
The program has shipped more than 1.2 million "peace-paks" to our troops in both war fronts and has garnered the National Distinguished Community Service Medal, the Bronze Medal of Honor and service other distinguished service ditations from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. Soldiers give these items away to the children,
victims of war and the widowed mothers in building the peace effort and building relationships for the surge effort.
It is the largest campaign of its kind with more than 37,000 volunteers and different corporations partaking in the effort.
Local Girl Scouts will be volunteering to write "Teddy Beargrams" as part of the effort bridging the gap between the children of South Florida and those of Baghdad.
The American Volunteer Corps is part of the American Health Association.
Those wishing to volunteer and help with this Teddy Bear Crusade to help American troops at war should call 561-361-9091 to register.
For more information visit www.orphansofwarcampaign.org

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Delray Beach resident Austin Harris, 89, works on the new mural inside the Cornell Museum of Art & American Culture.
“The Lost Tribe / Everglades Mural” was completed Feb. 10 at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave. Delray Beach mural artist Sharon Koskoff and volunteer artists Austin Harris, Lisa Sandri, Shannon Adams, James Borsos and Jan Shumsher worked together over the past two days to complete an Everglades and chickee hut murals that make up the “The Lost Tribe / Everglades Mural” upstairs in the Cornell Museum of Art & American Culture’s Jeanette Marshall Dewitt Children’s Interactive Gallery.
Sandri made the trip up from Miami. Everyone else is from Delray Beach, including Austin Harris, 89, who gives 12 hours per week volunteering his time at the museum.
“I do a little of everything,” Sandri said as she cut cardboard paper used as texture on the chickee hut.
The mural stands 10-feet-tall, 24-feet-wide and exists on two walls inside the Interactive Gallery.
Artists painted the final details on the Everglades mural in conjunction with the upcoming exhibit “The Lost Tribe/ Seminole Indians” on the second floor.
The Everglades mural features water birds such as the great blue heron, flamingos and egrets on one wall, and the chickee hut with palm trees on the opposite wall. The mural will be on display for several months.
Museum Director Gloria Rejune Adams said she is awaiting artwork from three local schools to complete the project.

For more information call 561-243-7922.

Miami resident Lisa Sandri came north to Delray Beach to work on the chickee hut portion of the mural. Sandri is seen here ruffling cardboard paper to make the thatch hut style of the chickee hut.

Delray Beach resident and Site Plan & Review Board member James Borsos works on a flamingo featured in the mural.

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From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 11, and Thursday, Feb. 12, an Adaptive Driving Program sponsored by the city of Delray Beach Parks & Recreation Department will help seniors “better” their driving skills.
Alberta Gaum-Rickard, Parks & Recreation project coordinator, met with the Elder Affairs Department of the State of Florida to come up with a way to help Delray Beach’s growing senior population.
“I went to a meeting and they offered this great program,,” she said.
On Wednesday the seniors will be trained and on Thursday a professional will check their cars.
“We’re not taking away licenses… We’re making people feel comfortable driving, checking their seat belts, seat heights, how to look out the windshield properly,” Gaum-Rickard said. “It’s about being comfortable. We’re going to straighten them out.”
The Adaptive Driving Program will take place at the Delray Beach Community Center, 50 NW First Ave. in Delray Beach.
For more information or to volunteer, Alberta Gaum-Rickard at 561-243-7136 or Danielle Beardsley at 561-243-7277.

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Delray Beach Police have released photos of armed robbery/attempted murder suspect Terry Lang.
The photo is from Florida Department of Corrections database the other photo is from DBPD’s arrest database.
"There you will find this photo and a violent criminal history showing three different state prison terms for Mr. Lang based on convictions for burglary, grand theft and two separate armed robberies. Both robberies were committed in Delray Beach," said Officer Jeffrey T. Messer.
"Mr. Lang has a criminal history that includes 14 felony arrests and eight felony convictions. Since 1989 Mr. Lang has spent a total of 12 years behind bars for these offenses yet he was out today to commit this crime and shoot this innocent small business owner."
Detective Gene Sapino is assigned to investigate this case. Anyone with information related to this or any other crime is asked to call DBPD at 561-243-7800, or the anonymous tips line at 561-243-7839.

Lang is a career criminal who easily changes his look.

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Spred the Dub performs at the 2008 Delray Beach ITC.
Local bands will be “Making a Racquet” at this year's Delray Beach International Tennis Championships from Feb. 23 to March 1.
The ITC’s “Making a Racquet” Local Music Search will be rocking the Beck’s Main Stage only a hundred yards away from 140 mph serves by professional tennis players on the blue tennis court.
According to Aimee Adler, ITC spokeswoman, the local bands playing this year won entry Jan. 23 to 31 with the winning bands from each event garnering a spot to play their original music live on the Beck’s Main Stage.
The Beck’s Main Stage schedule: Monday, Feb. 23, Stonefox, Indie/Alternative, presented by The BUZZ 103.1 FM
Tuesday, Feb. 24, Spred the Dub Psychedelic Reggae presented by The BUZZ 103.1 FM
Wednesday, Feb. 25, SOSOS Jam & Folk, presented by Gater 98.7 FM
Thursday, Feb. 26, Trip Don’t Fall, Rock/Reggae presented by The BUZZ 103.1 FM,
Friday, Feb. 27, Spred the Dub Psychedelic Reggae, presented by The BUZZ 103.1 FM, all those shows are 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Feb. 28, from noon – 4:30 p.m. The Flyers, Classic Rock and Blues are presented by Gater 98.7 FM, and from
6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Stonefox an Indie/Alternative band presented by The BUZZ 103.1 FM, hits the stage once again, and on Sunday, Feb. 28, from 11:30a.m. – 2 p.m. SOSOS, Jam & Folk is presented by Gater 98.7 FM.
According to Adler, additionally, the bands’ music will be featured during the live national and international TV broadcast of the semifinals and championship matches.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.YellowTennisBall.com or call 561-330-6000.

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An educational program sponsored by the American Society on Aging, developed in collaboration with the American Association of Retired People, American Automobile Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association will be coming to Delray Beach as part of the Senior Health Fair and Expo from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Delray Beach Community Center, 50 NW First Ave. in Delray Beach.
According to Danielle Beardsley, marketing/special events coordinator for Delray Beach Parks & Recreation, CarFit is a community-based program that helps older drivers improve the "fit" of their vehicles for safety and comfort, promote conversation among older adults and families about driving safety, helps residents understand the need for mobility options to keep people participating in their communities, and links adults with relevant, local resources that help ensure they drive safer longer.
Beardsley said CarFit uses a trained team of volunteers, including an occupational therapist, to assist senior drivers with items such as a clear line of sight over the steering wheel, adequate space between the front airbag/steering wheel and the driver's breastbone, properly adjusted head restraints, proper positioning of foot on gas and brake pedals, and the proper seat belt use and safe positioning of mirrors to help minimize blind spots.
For more information or to volunteer for CarFit, call Alberta Gaum at 561-243-7136 or Danielle Beardsley at 561-243-7277.

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Mayor Rita Ellis puts a brick into place on the new $5 million Fine Arts Building at American Heritage School. The mayor gave the project her "thumbs up" salute.
Despite the economic downturn, a local school isn’t afraid to expand programs to its students.
American Heritage School, 6200 Linton Blvd., welcomed Phase II of its $20 million expansion with a speech by Mayor Rita Ellis and a program celebrated by more than 500 students, faculty, parents, dignitaries and friends of the community.
“I’m looking towards this school’s universal success. American Heritage School focuses on character, knowledge and local responsibility,” Ellis said.
Phase II construction includes a 50,000-square-foot, three-story, Fine Arts Building that Fine Arts Director Brad Tremper calls “incredible.”
American Heritage School Vice President Doug Laurie showed dignitaries the new science labs, mock court room, new library and classrooms already finished in Phase I.
“In our library we have 30 new Macintosh computers monitored by library personnel that students can use until 6 p.m. daily. We also have Technology Integration Laboratories that teachers can check out to conduct class activities,” Laurie said.
“The mock court room is part of out pre-law program taught by attorney instructors.”
Phase II and III are currently under construction and will feature a new cafeteria, 1,000-seat indoor theater, 250 seat black box theater and multimedia lab in the Fine Arts Building.
For more information call American Heritage School at 561-495-7272

Dignitaries salute the project.

Students toast, "Right back at you!"

American Heritage School students braved the bitter cold to listen to Mayor Ellis speak.

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The National Active Retired Federal Employees are meeting at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, in Delray Beach. Publicity Chairwoman Ann Gold said the meeting will feature a speaker from Florida Power & Light Company, who will lecture about conserving energy.
The event is free and open to everyone.
Gold encourages South Palm Beach County residents to attend this meeting.
“I live in Boynton Beach and I attend these meetings. We meet once a month, until May and then break until October. It’s at the same place, same time, the third Friday of every month. The only thing that changes is the speaker,”she said.
For more information call 561-499-3213 or Ann Gold at 561-498-0249.

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Florida Department of Transportation picked the busiest time of the year to finish resurfacing work on Atlantic Avenue’s downtown corridor. The work is being done to cover water pipe work done just feet under Atlantic Avenue.
“I’ve asked FDOT for a detailed timeline. I will publish that information to the public as soon as I receive it,” said city engineer Randal Krejcarek.
The work is occurring from Southwest and Northwest 12th avenues to Southwest and Northwest 4th avenues, east and west on Atlantic Avenue.
Periodic lane closures have backed traffic up from 9 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A lane of traffic dissappears today on Atlantic Avenue.

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A review of the city-initiated ordinance concerning adult entertainment in the Delray Beach city limits, making it tougher to open retail adult-oriented stores in prohibited areas of the city, was passed unanimously Feb. 3 by the City Commission.
The ordinance will amend Ordinance no. 43-03 in order to include a new study as defense whenever a company attempts to open within city limits of adult-oriented prohibited areas.
Assistant City Attorney Terrill Pyburn presented the ordinance to the commission during the third public hearing of the meeting. No member of the public spoke during the public hearing.
“We wanted to take another look at the legislative history of the ordinance,” Pyburn said.
She said it strengthened their stance in areas of the city that prohibit adult entertainment on downtown Atlantic Avenue and the downtown corridor of Federal Highway. But, according to Pyburn, other areas in the city do exist for companies to try their hand in this lucrative business.
Cosmic Kiss, an adult novelty store at 7100 Okeechobee Road in Fort Pierce has sales of more than $150,000 per month, on average, over the course of a year. Other establishments like Adult Video Warehouse with two locations in South Florida are enjoying heightened sales as the public stays home during this recent economic downturn.
“We needed to add this additional study about retail-oriented issues. This ordinance is up to date,” Pyburn said.
The ordinance has a long title: “Survey of Texas Appraisers and Crime Related Secondary Effects: an analysis of secondary effects of sexually oriented businesses on market values and the secondary effects of off site sexually oriented businesses.”
Pyburn says it has been used throughout the country and was prepared by a certified retail estate appraiser and two men with doctorate degrees. Connie B. Cooper, Eric Damian Kelly and Richard McCleary created the report.
"The original ordinance passed in June of last year,” Pyburn said. “It contains information about adult entertainment stores in neighborhoods and the rise in crime in those areas near the store.”
According to Pyburn, the study points to research that shows when an adult item is brought into a home, the chance of crime in and around that home increases.

For more information call the City Clerk's office at 561-243-7050 or City Clerk Chevelle D. Nubin at 561-243-7051.

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Work relationship. Norman and Michelle Epps met at orientation and married one year later. They will be celebrating their first Valentine's Day as a married couple next week.
Relationships take work. Norman and Michelle Epps met at a Delray Medical Center employee orientation on Nov. 25, 2007. Norman, 42, is the hospital's plant operations manager, and Michelle, also 42, is the director of trauma. The couple married one year after they met and this Valentine’s Day are thankful they are together.
“I knew when I walked into the meeting… laid eyes on him… I knew,” Michelle said.
“Our first date lasted three hours… it was fantastic!”
A few months later Norm asked Michelle to marry him as the two snuck away for a quick lunch at Chaiyo Thai Bistro at 14800 Military Trail in Delray Beach.
“I cried over my fried rice!” Michelle said.
The two lovebirds kept their relationship secret -- only they knew when they went home after a long day dealing with two strenuous jobs at Delray Medical Center.
“It was very well-kept secret,” said Shelly Weiss, the hospital's director of marketing.
Norman is a retired Air Force major sergeant and Michelle spent 20 years as a trauma nurse in Central Florida. Norman has three kids and Michelle has two. The newlyweds live in Boca Raton with Norman’s 15-year-old daughter and Michelle’s 15-year-old son.
The two are planning a honeymoon for this summer to St. Lucia in the Caribbean.
“This is the absolute perfect marriage! We’re going to be best friends until the day we die,” Michelle said.
Who says work hurts marriage?

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An appointment to the Neighborhood Advisory Council, Parking Management Advisory Board and a review of a city-initiated concerning adult entertainment in the Delray Beach city limits are all on the docket for the Feb. 3 City Commission meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 100 NW First St.
The adult entertainment ordinance will amend another ordinance in order to include a new study regarding retail-only adult entertainment establishments in the legislative history of the ordinance.
Assistant City Attorney Terrill Pyburn will present the ordinance to the city commission during the third public hearing, a portion of the meeting that will take place after 7 p.m.
Also, a proclamation recognizing Black History Month will be made just after 6 p.m.
For more information call the City Clerk's office at 561-243-7050, or City Clerk Chevelle D. Nubin at 561-243-7051.

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Steven A. Weaver has been arrested and charged with sexual battery and robbery related to an incident that occurred on Jan. 19 in Delray Beach.
Delray Beach Police have arrested 34-year-old Steven A. Weaver in the Jan. 19 sexual battery and robbery of a 17-year-old girl in the 100 block of Southeast Seventh Avenue just a few blocks from downtown and the shopping district of Atlantic Avenue.
“The victim, who is eight months pregnant, was walking northbound on the sidewalk when she was approached from behind by a then unknown black male. This male grabbed her by her wrist and pulled her into a row of hedges. When she tried to resist and pull away the male suspect poised himself as if he was going to strike the pregnant victim with his fists. Fearing for her life as well as the life of her unborn child, she then complied with his commands,” said police spokesman Jeff Messer.
“Within minutes of the attack the victim was able to summon police. In the next day detectives developed Mr. Weaver as a suspect. He was positively identified by the victim through the use of a photo lineup. As a search for Mr. Weaver began; it was learned that he had fled to his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio less than 24 hours after the attack. A warrant for Mr. Weaver’s arrest was issued and on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, Mr. Weaver was arrested in Cleveland,” Messer said.
According to Messer, detectives flew to Cleveland on Feb. 1 and interviewed Weaver. During this interview he confessed to his involvement in the crime. When asked by detectives why he was in South Florida, Weaver’s response was that he came here to “get away” from Ohio for awhile.
He is currently jailed in Ohio and is awaiting extradition to Florida.

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The S.D. Spady Cultural Heritage Museum is hosting a series of events honoring Black History Month. This is a photo from last year's lecture series.
The S.D. Spady Cultural Heritage Museum will kick off a six-part Community and Culture Lecture Series with “Silver Wings & Civil Rights: The Fight To Fly” featuring Lt. Col. Leo Gray, a World War II pilot, fighting for the U.S. 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Member Group at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Delray Beach Public Library, 100 W. Atlantic Ave.
“This project is unique in that the entire Tuskegee Airman experience is told first hand by those who lived it,” said Charlene F. Jones, the museum's educational programs director.
For more information on the lecture series or the event call the S.D. Spady Cultural Heritage Museum at 561-279-8883 or the Delray Beach Public Library at 561-266-0194.

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