Delray Beach Police Department Public Information Officer Jeff Messer has confirmed an armed robbery that occurred March 26 at the Dollar Saver Store, 2200 Lake Ida Road, in Delray Beach. The suspect took an undetermined amount of cash and numerous rolls of coins. Based on a witness statement it is believed the suspect fled the area in a beige/tan large sedan Ford Crown Victoria or Lincoln Continental type of vehicle.
“Although the suspect is wearing a mask, it is possible he may be recognized based on his voice, size or mannerisms,” Messer said.
Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call Det.
Gene Sapino at 561-243-7828, DBPD's anonymous tips line at 561-243-7839 or Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County.

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Delray Beach artist Patricia Macguire to debut "Light Reflections" show at the Delray Beach Public Library's 2nd Floor Gallery. Maguire will meet library patrons and residents at an April 5 meet and greet at the library.

Award-winning artist Patricia W. Maguire of Delray Beach will exhibit original work in a new art exhibit titled “Light Reflections” on display at the Delray Beach Library’s 2nd Floor Gallery from April 1 through May 13.
The Delray Beach Public Library is located at 100 W. Atlantic Ave.
“We’re proud to present this stunning new art exhibit,” said Bonnie Stelzer, the library's director of community relations.
Maguire was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and received her bachelor's in Studio Arts at Skidmore College and a graduate studies degree in Art and Animation from Syracuse University. Ms. Maguire has won numerous awards for her work in acrylics, pastel and enamels,” Stelzer said.
According to Stelzer, Maguire draws her inspiration from the play of light on color and form. She said each of her paintings shows a spot of nature or a person with whom she has temporarily fallen in love.
Residents can meet the artist at a reception with refreshments from 3to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 5 in the library’s Cookbook Café on the northeast corner of the first floor facing Atlantic Avenue.

For information, visit www.delraylibrary.org or call at 561-266-9490.

"Walking In Sunshine" by Patricia Maguire.

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Bravo Media and AT&T have teamed up to bring the “Top Chef: The Tour 2,” a nationwide 21-city promotional tour featuring a state-of-the-art, customized traveling 18-wheeler semi-truck, with an expansive space to accommodate more fans for each on-site demonstration to the new AT&T Store at 520 Linton Blvd. in the new Century Commons plaza on Monday, April 6, with four live interactive shows at
10:30–11:30 a.m.; noon–1 p.m.; 1:30–2:30 p.m.; and 3- 4 p.m.
“Top Chef” season five contestant Jeff McInnis, and season four’s Nikki Cascone will serve it up at the store.
The event is the second city stop on the tour.
The “Top Chef” semi-truck is a 44-foot, self-sufficient moving vehicle equipped with power and water, state-of-the-art kitchen and a stage demonstration area with 60 seats, all under an enclosed canopy. Additional guests will be able to view demonstrations from outside of the seating area, or from the 50-inch plasma television in the activity area.
To learn more about “Top Chef: The Tour 2” visit www.bravotv.com/thetour or for more information 561-272-3811.

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The Palm Beach County Sherriff’s Office District 4 Office reports crime is drastically down west of Jog Road in West Delray.
District 4 Capt. Jeff Calise gave an update that there has been 3,584 calls in West Delray so far this year. Also 544 case numbers issued, and officers have conducted more than 2,000 traffic stops, according to police reports Calise released to the Alliance of Delray Residential Association.
“We had a 48 percent decrease in residential burglaries and a 32 percent decrease in auto burglaries. Our officers conducted over 2,000 traffic stops. Compared to last month we’re seeing a decrease in crime in West Delray Beach,” Calise said.
He said the decrease is because of detective work and stakeouts by his officers and vigilant residents. He also said that 54 percent of the vehicle burglaries involved unlocked cars and that a sheriff’s substation in West Delray Beach, namely the former West Atlantic Avenue Library site at 7777 W. Atlantic Ave., that sits unused could be a strategic staging ground for sheriff's efforts.
Mitch Krychshitski had his unlocked car broken into and his wallet, personal items and his smoke pipe stolen.
“I ran inside for a few minutes one night in a hurry to get to the bathroom and in a matter of 20 minutes everything was gone. A security guard did find the remnants of my wallet the next morning and the teenagers were caught,” he said.

Visit www.pbso.org/district4/ or the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s District 4 Office, 345 S. Congress Ave., Delray Beach. Call 561-274-1075 or e-mail: DelrayBeach@pbso.org. Capt. Jeffrey Calise 561-274-1074 or Lt. Sean Murray 561-274-1045.

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Krystal McGrady (left) with her sister plans to walk in Saturday's South Florida Chapter of the Lymphoma Research Foundation Lymphomathon at Anchor Park, 340 S. Ocean Blvd.
Krystle McGrady, a 17-year-old survivor of Hodgkin lymphoma and lifetime resident of Delray Beach, will be celebrating her first Saturday of spring break and her 18th birthday with a focus on the South Florida Chapter of the Lymphoma Research Foundation.
McGrady, a senior at the Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts in downtown West Palm Beach, will get up early March 28 to register at 7:30 a.m. to participate in the South Florida Chapter of the Lymphoma Research Foundation Lymphomathon from Anchor Park, 340 S. Ocean Blvd. north to George Bush Blvd. on A1A and back to Anchor Park in an effort to raise money and awareness for Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and blood cancers.
“Two years ago, on my birthday I found a lump on the left side of my neck. I went to the doctor and my lymphnode proved to be swollen in a X-ray,” McGrady said.
McGrady said she didn’t waste time. She researched, worked with doctors, and last October had a ground-breaking medical procedure done to help fight her blood cancer. Although she’s been home-schooled since the procedure, her spirits are up.
“I had a stem cell transplant. Last October, a year ago, they thought they’d killed the cancer. This recent process started with chemotherapy, then doctors removed 3.2 million stem cells from my body, I went back to chemotherapy and then they replaced the 3.2 million stem cells back into my body. The intention was to shock my body,” McGrady said.
She said it was scary, but that she found the process interesting. On Saturday she will walk with more than 200 lymphoma cancer survivors, friends, volunteers and family.

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A special Thursday night city commission organizational meeting will take place March 26 at the Delray Beach City Hall, 100 NW First Ave. The meeting is open to the public and will confirm the selection of vice mayor, deputy vice mayor and a roll call for the newly sworn-in Delray Beach City Commission.
New commissioner Adam Frankel will take his seat on the dais along with new mayor Nelson "Woodie" McDuffie, commissioners Gary Eliopoulos, Mackenson Bernard and commissioner Fred Fetzer who faces re-election in March 2010.
Once the ceremonial issues end, the commission will discuss the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, look at a request to extend time for quasi-judicial procedures for Atlantic Plaza II (a redevelopment project in just northeast of Atlantic Avenue and Southeast Sixth Ave./U.S. Highway 1 in downtown Delray Beach), and will consider an agreement with Coastal Commercial Group, LLC.
Commissioners will also review scheduled city commission dates through April 2010, establish a date for the 2010 "Goal Setting Session" and review city commission liaison appointments to various advisory boards and outside agencies.
The meeting will last two hours.
For more information call the city at 561-243-7000.

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It was music to their ears. Stanley and Beatrice Kronstat, a married couple and residents of Delray Beach for the past 12 years, went over to the new AT&T at 520 Linton Blvd. to check out new cell phones.
“We entered a drawing for 'American Idol' tickets and we left with an 'American Idol' trip for two to Los Angeles,” Stanley Kronstat said.
He said the travel company was still negotiating which show the retirees would be attending. But, all expenses will be paid, airfare and hotel included. AT&T foots the bill.
“We went to the grand opening and we left with 'American Idol' tickets. It’s amazing,” Beatrice Kronstat said.
AT&T has about 330 retail locations in South Florida, including company-owned stores, agents and national retailers.

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Police are looking for this man for impersonating a law enforcement officer.

The Delray Beach Police Department released new information on a man who impersonated a police officer on March 12 around 4 p.m. on Southwest Fourth Avenue.
The suspect is between 20 and 25, 6-foot-tall, light skinned with light brown eyes, and weighs between 180 to 200 pounds and is clean cut.
"This is an interesting case in that the victim, an electrician who just
left work in his pickup, was pulled over by a black Dodge Charger with
blue strobe lights in the grill. The driver of the Charger chirped a
siren twice and then told the victim to pull over to the curb using a PA
system," said Jeff Messer, Delray Beach Police Department public information officer.
According to Messer, the victim pulled over and retrieved his insurance and paperwork
from his glove box when he saw a black male wearing a white polo shirt
and black pants standing at his window. The black male had a Glock
handgun pointed at the victim's head and told the victim to hand over
all of his money. The victim explained that he was an electrician and
just got off work and didn't have any money on him.
Messer said the suspect than returned to the Dodge Charger, where a passenger was waiting and continued east on Southridge Boulevard.
Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call Det.
Gene Sapino at 561-243-7828, DBPD's anonymous tips line at 561-243-7839 or Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County.

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Alan Glueckert’s life has been surrounded by art and photography. His latest show features 58 photographs in the upstairs wall gallery at the Delray Beach Public Library, 100 W. Atlantic Ave., in downtown Delray Beach.
“These photographs were taken on recent visits to France and Mexico,” Glueckert said.
He began taking photos at an early age; his father was an American Air Force photographer during World War II and brought him photographs from Africa, Egypt and Europe.
“On my seventh birthday my father brought me home a Kodak Brownie box camera. It was an invitation to share in his art,” Glueckert said.
It opened the door to five decades of love with the art of photography. As an art educator, Glueckert said he spent 31 years “teaching students the essential roles that art and creativity play in the process of enriching our lives.” He taught at Long Island University and in the Dix Hills, N.Y. school system.
“I just recently retired almost five years ago and dedicated my new time to photography work as an artist,” Glueckert said.
But, don’t expect Glueckert to spend all year in southern Palm Beach County. He said he plans to visit South America and Canada, and has an upcoming show in Tennessee.
“My photographic work is focused primarily on three categories: nature, landscape and travel.”
Glueckert’s 58 art photography pieces are categorized in series including: Arizona, Paris, Wildlife, Entryway, Pop, Patriot, Sky, Light and People series. Prices start at $250. A portion of each photograph purchased goes to the Delray Beach Public Library.
For more information call Alan Glueckert at 561-716-8349 or www.alanglueckertphotography.com.

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Seated from left: Honoree Juanita Bryant-Goode, honoree Rev. Marcia Beam, honorary co-chairwoman Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler, committee co-chairwoman Gladys Whigham, committee co-chairman Robbie Alexander, committee co-chairwoman Joycelyn Patrick.
Standing from left: Honoree Curtis Jones; honorary co-chairman Richard A. Ryles, Esq.; honoree Maj. Joseph Bernadel; honoree Roy Simon; and honoree Charlie Simon.

The S.D. Spady Cultural Heritage Museum will be keeping “Rhythm in Paradise” while honoring a prestigious list of local heroes at its annual gala on April 4. “Rhythm in Paradise” will be held at the Delray Beach Marriott, 10 N. Ocean Blvd., and benefit the Kids’ Cultural Club of the S.D. Spady Cultural Heritage Museum.
At the “Rhythm in Paradise” gala awards for community service and leadership will be given to Maj. Joseph Bernadel, the founder of Toussaint L’Ouverture High School; Juanita Bryant-Goode of The Caring Kitchen and South County Coordinator for C.R.O.S. Ministries; Rev. Marcia Beam of St. Matthews Episcopal Church; Roy, Sandy, Ernie and Charlie Simon, Delray Beach natives and city civic leaders; and West Delray farmers Tim Farrington, Ted Winsberg, Henry Williams, Curtis Jones and Jimmy Walker.
The gala’s event planning committee is currently seeking sponsorships at various levels. For more information on event sponsorship, call the museum at 561-279-8883 or visit the web site at www.spadymuseum.com

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The Young Professionals of Delray is kicking off this year's festivities with live painting by Delray Beach resident and local artist Kristy Garloff.
The Young Professionals of Delray is planning an event to kick off its second year of existence. The event “YPOD REMIX” will take place at 7 p.m. March 25 and features live painting by Delray Beach resident and local artist Kristy Garloff. Her work was recently showcased on the BET show “College Hill.”
The event will take place at the Delray Beach Public Library,100 W. Atlantic Ave.
YPOD orgainizer Christopher Leary said he remixed the successful YPOD, and this year the program will offer much more to young professionals. The event is free to all new members. Existing members are asked to make a $5 donation at the event, which goes toward the Delray Beach Public Library.
“Come out to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and wine while hearing about how much we remixed YPOD. Plenty of great music remixes to keep the party going too,” Leary said.Visit www.delraylibrary.org/YPODlatest.asp or call Christopher Leary at 561-819-6406 or e-mail him at Christopher.leary@delraylibrary.org

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State Rep. Maria Sachs (District 86) said she is busy representing Delray Beach residents on a long list of bills that could impact the community directly. In Sachs's e-mail newsletter, "The Sachs-Sentinel," the congresswoman said she’s “working hard to ensure we make the changes necessary to assist Floridians hold steadfast in these tough economic times” during the early stages of the 60-day legislative session that began a few weeks ago.
On the forefront is education and budget cuts that have hurt a laundry list of programs in terms of state funding.
“Education funding and budget cuts have been an issue at the forefront of Floridians’ concern. I have promised to take steps to open up avenues of opportunity for schools to find additional sources of revenue for schools, ensuring that children receive all of the educational prospects available to them,” Sachs said
House Bill 1021, Section 35 allows schools in Palm Beach County to publicly display the name and recognitions of businesses that support them.
Sachs, 59, is the lead Democrat on the Roads, Bridges & Ports Policy Committee and member of the Economic Development and Community Affairs Policy Council, Energy and Utilities Policy Committee, and Joint Legislative Committee on Everglades Oversight.
“I voted for this [HB1021] in my Roads, Bridges & Ports Committee to encourage local establishment to support our future, and I will continue to follow this issue through,” Sachs said.
She is sponsoring six bills and co-sponsoring four bills during the session. Of those, three concern property foreclosure, including House Bill 653: Homestead Property Foreclosure Actions.
“Cited as the 'Foreclosure Bill of Rights,' this bill would provide protection for homeowners against foreclosure of a homestead property. Through this bill, homeowners going into foreclosure have the option to have their home appraised for the actual current market value,” Sachs said.
For more information about Maria Sachs call 561-266–6645 or e-mail Maria.Sachs@myfloridahouse.gov.

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The Atlantic Avenue Bridge (pictured here) will be closed westbound from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 20. Use Linton or George Bush boulevards as alternate routes.

Routine maintenance is scheduled for the Atlantic Avenue Bridge on Friday, March 20. The Florida Department of Transportation has advised Delray Beach that the westbound outside lane on the Atlantic Avenue Bridge will be closed from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m for routine bridge maintenance.

For more information, call 954-325-8022 or the Delray Beach
Public Information Office at 561-243-7190.

Traffic piled up during a mid-day bridge opening. This photo was taken during the 11:15 a.m. Atlantic Avenue Bridge opening.

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City Clerk Chevelle Nubin has released the official results for the Delray Beach Municipal Election. Nubin received the results from the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office. A motion will be made tonight at a 6 p.m. special city commission meeting to recognize the results. The meeting is at City Hall 100 NW First Ave.
Forty-five precincts received votes in Delray Beach.
Woodie McDuffie won the mayoral race by receiving 2,947 votes or 57.04 percent of the votes cast for mayor. Chuck Halberg was close with 2,220 or 42.96 percent of the vote for mayor.
The race for commission seat 3 was the closest with Adam Frankel receiving 2,870 votes or 56.61 percent to edge out Joe Ferrer, who got 2,200 votes or 43.49 percent.
Gary Eliopoulos won commission seat 1 with 3,128 votes or 61.26 percent of the vote. Challenger Shelly Petrolia, the only woman running for a commission seat, garnered 1,978 votes or 38.74 percent.
Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office reported Palm Beach County had 185 precincts open for municipal elections with 25,011 votes cast and 4,209 absentee ballots cast throughout the county's municipal elections.

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The National Active & Retired Federal Employee organization chapter 1979 is planning its next scheduled meeting for Friday, March 20 at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, in Delray Beach.
"Our speaker is Mr. Tony T. of N.A.R.F.E. headquarters. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. to socialize; meeting starts at l0 a.m. Always free, and we welcome the public to join us," said Anne F. Gold, publicity chairwoman of N.A.R.F.E. chapter 1979.

For more information call Gold at 561-498-0249.

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A Delray Beach Police Department cruiser was in a crash March 11 at the intersection of Southeast FIfth Avenue (U.S. Highway 1 southbound) and Southeast 10th Street. The early morning accident shut down traffic on Southeast 10th Street and caused major damage to water pipes and two FPL power poles on Southeast 10th Street.
Delray Beach Police Officer Michael Brown was the officer involved in the early morning crash, according police department spokesman Jeff Messer.
Brown and others were responding to a call of a burglary in progress when he collided with a 2000 Toyota Corolla driven by a 55-year-old Palm Beach County resident.

Officer Brown has been a police officer in Delray Beach since August of 2007.
Initially DBPD reported that Brown had been traveling with his emergency equipment (lights and siren) activated.
After physically inspecting the police car and talking to people who did not actually see, but heard the collision, it has been determined that Brown was not utilizing his emergency equipment when he entered this intersection and struck the Toyota.
Messer said the DBPD will review its emergency vehicle operation policy to see if Brown was adhering to department standards.

The police cruiser destroyed water pipes at the intersection.

The intersection looking east at Southeast 10th Street and Southeast Fifth Avenue (U.S. 1). The police cruiser veered off U.S. 1 and onto Southeast 10th Street before colliding with water pipes.

Busted water pipes at the scene.

The FPL pole on westbound Southeast 10th Street is leaning to the north possibly due to the accident.

Also, the eastbound power pole on eastbound Southeast 10th Street is leaning.

Road debris from the accident.

A street sweeper was on the road just minutes later to clean up the debris.

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Debbie Hill and son Keely campaign for Woodie McDuffie at the corner of Atlantic and Swinton avenues.
Mayoral candidates and their supporters waved at motorists in downtown Delray Beach hoping to sway voters to make "one vote that counts."
"It could only take one vote and that could be you," Debbie Hill, a Woodie McDuffie supporter.
She asked for motorists support at the busy downtown intersection of Atlantic and Swinton avenues.
Candidate Chuck Halberg waved his campaign sign and said he was hoping for the absentee ballots would pile up in his favor and that he hoped for a "large turnout."
"I'm hoping for 5,000," he said.

Halberg and his wife campaigning on election day.

Halberg campaigned with his wife and other supporters.

He didn't pass up the chance to do some last minute campaigning against his rival.

"Woodie says he's been focused on transparency in government. His campaign fund records sure aren't transparent. I can tell you where I spent every penny. There's discrepancies in his numbers," Halberg said.

Halberg said even if he doesn't win, he made his best effort and drummed up local support.

Woodie McDuffie did not return a request for an election day interview.

Members of Cindy McDuffie's fifth and sixth grade Montessori class at S.D. Spady Elementary School came out in full support of their teacher's husband, City Commissioner Woodie McDuffie.

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The Delray Beach Code Enforcement Board is holding a meeting to decide action on six violations by the Boys Market Inc., 14378 Military Trail, in Delray Beach.
On Nov.12, 2008, at a code enforcement hearing, board members voted 4-1 in favor of a motion to give Boys Market Inc. a chance to produce a site plan that will gain approval from city staff, compliance with three building and zoning requirements, and two building permit violations.The Boys Market Inc. was given 90 days to comply with the city of Delray Beach Code Enforcement Board on the five violations.
According to Mark Behar, a code enforcement hearing board member, "a new formal case" drafted early this year will be introduced by the board.
At the Nov. 12 hearing, code enforcement officer Darcy Tyson said she wanted to see the Boys Market Inc. pay a fine of $250 a day and said "if Boys Market Inc. doesn't comply within 90 days, it will likely face fines."
Board member Kelli Freeman voted against the motion Nov. 12, saying Boys Market Inc. should start paying fines today. “This seems backwards to me,” Freeman said during the meeting.
Beril Krueger, who was a member of the Code Enforcement Board when Boys Market Inc. first came before the board with six violations in 2004, now works as a consultant for the defendant.
For more information on the city of Delray Beach Code Enforcement Board, call Danise Cleckley at 561-243-7213.

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Rep. Maria Sachs (District 86-Delray Beach) is the 59-year-old congresswoman representing local residents.

Florida State Rep. Maria Sachs (District 86-Delray Beach) is supporting 12 bills as a sponsor and co-sponsor during the current Florida State Legislative Session in Tallahassee. Among the bills Sachs, a 59-year-old attorney with a strong voice in the Democratic Party, solo sponsored is House Bill 553: “Credit Card Rates.” The passing of this bill prohibits credit card issuers from including a “universal default” clause in their contracts.
“The “universal default” clause enables credit card issuers to increase interest rates of a cardholder if the cardholder is late with payment with another credit card issuer or if the cardholder has incurred additional debt pursuant to home equity line of credit or home equity loan but has otherwise continued to make timely payments to issuer of the credit card,” Sachs said.
Sachs, a mother of three, wants local constituents to voice their opinion about the credit card rates matter.
“ I’m interested to know their views,” Sachs said.
“As the lead Democrat on the Roads, Bridges & Ports Policy Committee and member of the Economic Development & Community Affairs Policy Council, Energy & Utilities Policy Committee, and Joint Legislative Committee on Everglades Oversight, I look forward to the developments we will see this session."
She wants Floridians to have a better life for their families, children and friends.
“My involvement with these councils and committees, as well as my sponsored and co-sponsored bills this session are geared towards a better home for Florida residents. I look forward to updating you on progress here in Tallahassee,” Sachs said.
For more information on Sachs visit www.myfloridahouse.gov click on representatives then click on Maria Lorts Sachs or call 561-266-6645.

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Carver Middle School student Yazmin Gonzalez helped to plant the seed to "Carver Paradise," a butterfly garden at the A-rated school located at 101 Barwick Road in Delray Beach.
Every morning the Carver Middle School Morning Program keeps kids active until the school day starts at 9:30 a.m.
"We had kids being dropped off extremely early. Sometimes as early as 6 a.m. Carver Middle School partnered with the city of Delray Beach and through a few grants we've been able to create a morning program with athletics and events," said Carver Middle Principal Lena Roundtree-Wallace.
Lately students have been working with city of Delray Beach Parks & Recreation staff in the implementation of "Carver Paradise," a butterfly garden in the central corridor of the school.
According to Dr. Debbie Kaiser, chairwoman of the Delray Beach Education Board, the money for the plants in the garden, a revamping of the sprinkler system, mulch, dirt and books that students read in conjunction with "Carver Paradise" was made possible by an $8,000 donation by Jardin Foundation, the charitable arm of Jardin Solutions Inc.
Jennifer Buce, the litter prevention coordinator, also worked hard to make the garden a reality. She rescued 20 ceramic tiles being thrown away in the the city and recycled them. The students had a "graffiti contest" and now the tiles border the garden.
"My tile has the word truth," Carver Middle School student Yazmin Gonzalez said.
"Truth is a big part of strength we're trying to build here at the garden. Kids and work make things work at Carver's Paradise."

Carver Middle School students work in the garden.

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Tony Newbold, FPL's external affairs area manager, talks with residents about issues brought up by the Delray Beach community.
Delray Beach resident Audrey Eisenstein wanted to know why her microwave clock is always flickering with the wrong time due to momentary lapses in the power grid. Other residents wanted to know if they could cash in on electric savings if the solar panels on their houses generate more power than they use. Those and 50 or so other questions on power and the Florida Power & Light Company were answered by Tony Newbold, external affairs area manager, with the power provider.
“The one-second fluctuation power is called a momentary. It’s a nuisance to older appliances, may knock out the time or flicker the settings. It’s a nuisance… We see it as a nuisance. But, it is necessary. Those momentary events prevent us from a hard outage,” Newbold said.
More than 100 people attended the meeting sponsored by the Alliance of Residential Associations Inc. at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, in Delray Beach.
According to Alliance President Robert Schulbaum, the organization is made up of more than 68 residential communities and has an e-mail list with more than 70,000 members.
One resident asked about if he could generate savings from extra solar power he generates on a regular basis.
“That’s an interesting question. FPL actually has an employee in Tallahassee today lobbying for that type of program,” Newbold said.

For more information call 800-581-3990.

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Esther Mazor, international dancing instructor at Pompey Park, teaches steps during a morning class attended by more than 30 seniors.
Pompey Park’s Recreation Supervisor IV David Ricks calls the new work completed at the community center a “revitalization revolution.” With new programs like senior bingo, free Mae Volen Senior Center-sponsored free lunches, folk, Israeli and soul line dancing, Pompey Park, 1101 NW Second St., isn’t just a traditional hit with children’s sports, but it also is a new place to find senior programs.
“We aim to take advantage of the community that’s right here,” Ricks said.
The new focus includes a computer lab with four extra computers for seniors complete with a computer instructor on-site from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday.
“We added four new Dell computers, a TV room for those waiting for loved ones in classes and a large meeting room that can be subdivided,” Ricks said.
That room has a maximum occupancy of 50 people and is available for rental, with the money going back to the city.
Annie Holliday, Madeline Morris and Earlene Bassie volunteer regularly to serve Mae Volen lunches to the elderly in the community. A Mae Volen Center bus picks up a group of about 30 everyday for the free lunch.
“I’d rather be here meeting and enjoying each other than at home during the day,” Bassie said as she paid bills and rolled silverware.
Ricks said “another hit” at the revitalized center is the dancing classes. On Tuesdays and Thursdays just after 10 a.m. the Pompey Park wooden gym floor hosts Senior Group Dancing by instructor Esther Mazor.
Dan Weiss, 84, a snowbird visitor from Long Island, enjoys coming to Pompey Park to dance weekly while he’s in South Florida for the season.
“It’s Balkan to Greek, Bulgarian to Armenian… My wife and I’ve been dancing for 32 years. This is a great class and one that I enjoy,” Weiss said.
Ricks said he’s seen a lot of changes since he took the job as recreation supervisor five years ago.
“We’ve had new construction, recent renovations and have geared Pompey Park programs toward all races and ages. I’m really happy with the way things are going here at Pompey Park,” Ricks said.

International Dance Classes take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays Traditional Israeli Dancing Class is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays at a cost of $5 per session until May 28.

For information, call David Ricks at 561-243-7356 or e-mail Ricks@ci.delray-beach.fl.us

Mae Volen Senior Center unloads passengers for a free lunch at Pompey Park.

The beautifully landscaped east entrance to Pompey Park Community Center.

A bust of C. Spencer Pompey, a pioneer black educator in Delray Beach, watches over the new senior computer center at Pompey Park.

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During a Spring Training game in Jupiter, the Florida Marlins right fielder Jeremy Hermida looks at a fastball down the middle as Washington Nationals catcher Brian Schneider prepares to glove it as a Major League Baseball National League umpire looks on.
The city of Delray Beach in conjunction with the Delray Beach Parks & Recreation Department is offering a spring training baseball day bus trip to see the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies play the Florida Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter on Thursday, March 19.
“The day will be spent at the stadium, so be sure to dress for the weather. Concessions are available at the stadium for lunch and participants will be provided a $10 food voucher to use while at the ballpark. Come with us and enjoy an all-American spring baseball experience,” said Melissa Backus, recreation supervisor III/Veterans Park.
Cost for the trip is $45 per person, which includes bus transportation, admission and lunch. The bus will leave Veterans Park at 11:30 a.m. and return at 5 p.m.
“Advanced reservations and payments are required. Space is limited,” Backus said.
For more information, call Melissa Backus at 561-243-7350 or e-mail Backus@ci.delray-beach.fl.us

Veterans Park is located at 802 NE First St. in downtown Delray Beach.

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According to Jayne King, member of the Steering Committee for the Delray Beach chapter of the Sierra Club, a forum involving all Delray Beach City Commission candidates will focus on “green” issues.
“The informative evening will inform the public of the candidates proposed green policies,” King said.
“Are they going to implement green initiatives? The public will find out where each candidate stands on a variety of green issues.”
The event is free and open to the public.
The forum will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5 at the Colony Hotel, 525 E. Atlantic Ave.
King said to submit potential questions in advance to her e-mail jaynenote@yahoo.com or call 561-865-7512.
King also said to consider car sharing, biking or walking to the event.

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Sachs speaks to constituents earlier this year.
According to Christina J. Hajj, the district assistant for State Rep. Maria Lorts Sachs representing Delray Beach for Florida House District 86, Sachs is co-sponsoring a Florida Senate bill with Rep. Kelly Skidmore, District 90 (Boca Raton), titled Prohibited Discrimination.
Both Sachs and Skidmore said in phone interviews late last week that the bill prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, familial status and marital status.
The bill is available at the official State of Florida House of Representives Web site: www.myfloridahouse.gov
Twenty-one other members of the Florida House besides Sachs and Skidmore support the bill.
The 60-day legislative session for the Florida Senate begins Tuesday, March 3.

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