Frank McKinney based his young reader's fantasy novel on more than 1,100 walks to school he made with his daughter Laura, a student at St. Vincent's Ferrer School in Delray Beach.

Frank McKinney used the same dedication in writing a bestselling young reader’s fantasy novel from his tree house office high above North Ocean Boulevard in Delray Beach as he did becoming the rock star of real estate. McKinney, a self-made real estate mogul and Delray Beach resident since 1989, put the same passion he put in selling the Acqua Liana “green mansion” in Manalapan into his book "Dead Fred, Flying Lunchboxes and the Good Luck Circle." McKinney wrote from 4 to 7 a.m. daily, long before the sun arose about what happened on more than 1,100 trips when he walked his daughter Laura, 10, an aspiring actress, to her school at St. Vincent’s Ferrer School on George Bush Boulevard in Delray Beach.
“The strangler fig plant that grows through the tree house is big part of the story. Locals will notice other aspects and we have this wooded pathway, it’s kind of eerie that my daughter and I would walk back on that’s in the story as well,” McKinney said.
The book also includes a 50-foot prehistoric shark. McKinney’s daughter Laura is the protagonist trying to save a 3-inch shiner fish named Dead Fred from the mean underworld of Megaldon, the evil antagonist.
“Ppeekk, pronounced peekie is my character’s name. Peekie was my nickname when I was a young girl,” Laura said.
In the book manatees talk, starfish sing, clownfish tell jokes and students trying to get to school battle the underworld led by Megaldon by tossing lunchboxes in defense off the George Bush Boulevard drawbridge to the evil down below. Exploding coconut bombs and strangler fig lassos fight the terrifying beast and his rogue army.

McKinney has five book titles under his belt as an author.

McKinney awakes early each morning often before 4 a.m. to begin writing in his tree house. He walks down the wooden drawbridge to the treehouse each morning.

The tree house sits high above the sea grape plants on North Ocean Boulevard.

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Lynna Blessing, of Wellington, lifts her capri pants to show the NESS L300 from Bioness that allows her to live a normal, confident life.

In mid-February, Wellington resident Lynna Blessing tried an advanced functional electrical stimulation system introduced to her left knee and foot by physical therapist Kristin Polyak, the lead therapist at Pinecrest Rehabilitation Hospital in Delray Beach. Blessing, the mother of two 13-year-old twin daughters, went to bed in January of 2007 to awake with her left leg paralyzed. She soon developed a walking pattern where she would continuously drag her left foot, which wouldn’t lift the proper height off the ground to take a step so many others take for granted walking every day. On Feb. 20, Blessing was fitted with the Bioness Ness L300 Foot Drop System that sends low-level electrical impulses to the common peroneal nerve in the leg, stimulating muscles to lift the foot.
“The first day I walked with it on for 15 minutes. I began making gradual accomplishments. When I walk my foot drags. When I have it on now… I can walk like everyone else,” Blessing said.
She’s now renting the device and wears it eight hours a day plus a mandatory exercise mode of 15 minutes.
“My daughters are 13; they want to go to the mall. Now I’m confident enough in my walking ability with the device on that I can take them to the mall,” Blessing said.

Cost of the NESS L300 is $500 per month for rental or $6,200 new. Reeber is on-site at Pinecrest Rehabilitation Hospital with a list of seven possible funding sources if a patient’s insurance doesn’t cover the device.

Pinecrest Rehabilitation Services is located on the grounds of the Delray Medical Center at 5360 Linton Blvd. in Delray Beach. For information, call 561-495-3636. For more information on the NESS L300 visit www.bioness.com or call Keith Reeber at 661-714-3917

Blessing shows off the Bioness NESS L300, and the way it straps around her left knee similar to a knee brace.

The Bioness NESS L300 is easliy controlled from a device shown here that goes around the patient's neck.

A monitor is also placed on the patient's shoe.

Kristin Polyak, (left) is the lead therapist at Pinecrest. She has worked with Blessing (right) since Feb. 20 with the NESS L300 medical device.

Keith Reeber, a physical therapist, and clinical specialist for Bioness takes questions as he holds the NESS L300.

Lu Fendig, drove from Brunswick, Ga., to try out the device. Lead therapist Kristin Polyak helps support Fendig.

Physical therapist Reeber demonstrates walking with the NESS L300.

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The day the music died. Club 101 was raided by FBI agents last night.

The front door is locked and the music on the turntables has scratched to a halt at Club 101, 101 SE Fourth Ave., in Delray Beach. The popular club formerly known as Fitzy's and recently sold to new owners was raided by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday, May 27.

Delray Beach Police Department spokesman Jeff Messer confirmed the information.
"F.B.I. case," Messer said in an email.

While no Delray Beach Police officers participated in the raid, a dozen FBI field agents and half a dozen Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office personnel participated and several people were taken away in handcuffs.

Longtime Fitzy's owner John Fitzpatrick recently sold the club located in Southeast Downtown Delray Beach to Kenia Reyes and Gerard Bellafiore.

No information on the names of individuals involved in the arrests has been given.

Club 101 is at the intersection of Southeast First Street and Southeast Fourth Avenue.

The lineup may be bare tonight thanks to an FBI raid at Club 101.

The club has been a haven for South Florida djs and household names in the South Florida Music scene for years.

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Spodak Dental Group's Craig Spodak DMD, PA and Myles S. Spodak DDS, PA, plan to rebuild their 32-year dentistry, the oldest dentistry in Delray Beach, into the first building in Delray Beach to possess the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED certification.

Spodak Dental Group has already began their own green movement in dentistry by taking pride in a paperless office.

"We don't use paper, don't use carbons and certain chemicals. We do use ultraviolet sterilization of our air system and energy-saving lighting," Craig Spodak said.

At Spodak Dental Group the amenities are far past state of the art. As a patient sits in the dentist chair Craig Spodak displays the patient's tooth display on a 30-inch video monitor. If the patient needs a filling or any dental replacement, the design, production and implementation are done on-site thanks to two employees working a ceramic lab on the premises. A oral surgeon, anesthesiologist and medical doctor also work daily shifts at the dentistry.
"We have a ceramic lab which makes it easy to do porcelain covers, or make our own teeth on-site. There's no need for us to send people to a specialist... Here we can do it the same day," Craig Spodak said.

The staff at Spodak Dental Group monitors patient's teeth on the big screen.

Lab technicians look at ceramic teeth on a video monitor.

The ceramic tooth maker located in the ceramic lab at Spodak Dental Group.

A ceramic lab specialist works in the Spodak Dental Group Lab.

Craig Spodak in the sterilization area.

Spodak answers questions about ceramic teeth exhibited in his hand.

At Spodak Dental Group the dentist's get a close look at patient's teeth.

Just some of the 2,500 patients on the Spodak Dental Group's yearly schedule.

"

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Emma Mahon, 9, shows the result of getting involved in building a student garden at Banyan Creek Elementary School in Delray Beach.

The Wellness Committee at Banyan Creek Elementary School is dedicated to making sure students develop healthy lifestyles. Comprising a group of mother’s led by president Sheri Hillman and co-vice president Lisa Lothian, they’re introducing ways students can create habits that are beneficial to their bodies. Lothian, a parent of a second-grader at the school, Marissa Lothian, discovered the Lowe’s Toolbox for Education for an Organic Teaching Garden while researching grants last November. In December she began the grant writing process and now some seven months later her plan has been funded to build a teaching garden and the formation of the Banyan Creek Garden Club.
“The grant application was based on the goal of sharing the joys and health benefits of gardening as well as the concepts of sustainability and green living. I was searching specifically for school gardens and began writing it in December,” Lothian said.
Lothian and her husband, an architect at JHL Design Group, designed the project with help of the Banyan Creek Elementary School Wellness Committee. The family even designed a worm composter.
“It’s a composter with worms. Put in your veggie scraps, the worms eat it, and then 'cast' the best compost ever,” Lothian said.
The garden will be free of pesticides, and will be grown as a food supply for students to experiment and used in math curriculum and science teaching exercises.

Banyan Creek Elementary School parent and Wellness Committee member Lisa Lothian poses with students and the grant award.

Lothian asks for volunteers to begin the garden work.

Lothian instructs the gardeners.

Then, more students come to help out and listen to teachers' instructions.

Step right up!

Organic Answers, a Delray Beach based company, donated the paving bricks that will outline paths in the gardens.

The plot of land for the garden.

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Turn of the century Model-T Ford's were a big hit at a recent Delray Beach Historical Society event.

The Delray Beach Historical Society hosted a "Celebration of Generations" event honoring the 1964 Founding Board and dedicated the Ethel Sterling Williams History Learning Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with city history of the early 1900s as the theme.

(Left to right) Cathy McClure, Janet Clevenger and husband Daniel Clevenger dressed in 1920s garb for the "Celebration of Generations" event.

Sylvio Cote, a member of the Sunny T's of South Florida, shows off his 1909 Couplet Model T-Ford.

The Ethel Sterling Williams Learning Center is located in the 1908 Hunt House, a historic residence saved, then moved to 3 NE First St. where Morning Thunder Construction restored the home to its original luster.
"It's our newest education and research center and a permanent home of the archives of Delray Beach," Delray Beach Historical Society Executive Director Stephanie Shipley said.

William Sterling Williams (center) the grandson of Ethel Sterling Williams speaks to the crowd about his grandmother's accomplishments. City Commissioner Fred Fetzer (right) and Delray Beach Historical Society President Robert Ganger (right) reflect.

The event was well attended by community leaders and residents.

The Clevengers pause for a photo moment in front of their Model T-Ford.

Delray Beach Historical Society Executive Director Stephanie Shipley thanks all of those in attendance.

Alan McClure (left) and Daniel Clevenger (right) pose in their historic 1920s garb.

For more information visit www.db-hs.org or call 561-243-2577.

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A variety of events are planned this weekend in Delray Beach this Memorial Day weekend. The city was recognized as an All-America City in 1993 and 2001, and this weekend hosts a variety of family friendly, historical informative and heritage events.
Start out with free admission at the Howard Alan Craft Show, May 23-24, featuring 100 craft booths in the Delray Beach Tennis Center parking lot from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 201 W. Atlantic Ave.
Over at the Delray Beach Historical Society Archivist Dottie Patterson is hosting a tour of Old School Square’s Cornell Museum of Art & American Culture on Saturday May 23 at 9:30 a.m. where the city historian will host a walking lecture on “Save Our Cottages: The Plein Air Cottage Artists” with award-winning works celebrating and promoting the preservation of Florida’s historic cottages by artists, Helen Tilston, Mary Rose Holmes and Violetta. The tour will continue to the Historical Society located at 3 NE First St.
Also on Saturday, May 23, a Family Fun Program involving sea turtle art will take place at The Morikami Japanese Museum and Gardens. Children can explore the culture through hands-on arts and crafts, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., free with paid admission to museum at 4000 Morikami Park Road. The Narrated Bus Tour of Historic Delray Beach will also be conducting a trip on Saturday. Sponsored by the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History, the tour is 1 hour and 45 minutes and visits 10 historic sites. Cost is $10 per adult/senior; free for children/teens younger than 18, and departure is at 11 a.m.
On Sunday, May 24, at 2 p.m., Our Lady of Perpetual Church in Delray Beach sponsors the Haitian Flag Day Festival Parade. Delray Beach has the largest Haitian population in Palm Beach County and it will observe the island’s heritage with a special flag parade. The parade begins at 510 SW Eighth Ave. and travels six city blocks to Merritt Park, 316 SW Second Ave. The parade makes it way to Merritt Park and the festivities continue there.

Call Howard Alan Craft Show at 561-279-1380, ext. 3. For booth information call 954-472-3755 or www.artfestival.com.

Call the Delray Beach Historical Society at 561-243-2577, Old School Square’s Cornell Museum of Art & American Culture at 561-243-7922, the
Morikami Japanese Museum and Gardens at 561-495-0233. For Haitian Flag Day, call Jackson Destine at 561-503-9222

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Police are still looking for two male suspects who robbed the Burger King at 1820 S. Federal Highway in Delray Beach. The armed robbery occurred on May 21 around 7 a.m. Both male suspects had dark black masks on and one had black clothing while the other wore a white T-shirt, blue denim shorts and brown gloves. According to a police report both males entered the store brandishing handguns and one of the men pistol-whipped a male employee of Burger King.
“They ordered employees to open the safe, when this was done they emptied the safe of its contents and fled westbound towards the area of Dixie Highway. No vehicle was seen in this incident and an undetermined amount of currency was stolen,” Delray Beach Police Public Information Officer Jeff Messer said.

Anyone with information on this or any other crime is encouraged 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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Establishing standard green office practices in all city offices may become reality thanks to the work of Delray Beach’s Green Task Force made up of dedicated residents. The Green Task Force dropped off a 32-page report and directed city staff to a wealth of Green Task Force researched information produced on a Web site late last year, giving the policies created by Green Task Force Members a chance to develop. The city will now adopt a set of 10 objectives as part of a Ten-Point Green Plan to adapt, track and annually report a set of economic and environmental metrics using an economic and environmental scorecard created by the task force, and create a permanent Green Advisory Board by June.
“The commission had been sent detailed staff feedback to the Green Task Force's Report, which they had reviewed. Staff recommended adoption of over 90 percent of the recommendations,” Green Task Force Member Dan Sloan said.
Delray Beach took its first step in embracing the Green Building movement and analyzing city consumption and energy savings by appointing the Green Task Force in 2007. But, the group was only a trial run and in mid-2008, sunset had fallen on the Green Task Force with an uncertainty of being renewed. However, city staff looked at the work closely and began applauding the vast amount of detail and research the Green Task Force did in such a short time and decided even in the budget-strapped days of city commission funding to make the Green Task Force a permanent city board. City staff is also looking to create a job post, a sustainability officer.
For more information or to see the Green Task Force Report visit www.sustainabledelray.org
The Green Task Force meets in the Environmental Services Building at 434 S. Swinton Ave.

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The Gyro and Greek Salad are already a lunchtime hit at Atlantique Cafe in downtown Delray Beach.

The grand opening of Atlantique Cafe reminds patrons of a French-style cafe. With its outdoor covered seating, walk-up salad window, bakery, back bar and large dining room, it's much more.

Owner Francis Toubol of the renowned La Cigale Restaurant has opened a new breakfast, lunch and bakery in the Atlantic Plaza at 777 E. Atlantic Ave.

Atlantique Cafe serves breakfast all day with menu items like the Atlantique Omelettes, Texas French Toast, Waffles and fresh breads. The breakfast menu ranges from $2.50 to $8.95.

Then at lunch, which is also served all-day, sandwiches like the French Dip, Gyro, Turkey Melt, Rachel or Reuben, which range from $6.25-$7.95 are on the menu. There also are salads and platters, like the Atlantique Cafe Spinach Salad with spinach, strawberries, blue cheese, red onions, walnuts, parmesan crusted chicken breast and raspberry dressing from $6-$9.95.

Free Wi-Fi is available and coffees, wines, full bar and pastries are available.

"Imagine walking in a french cafe, the pastries, smell of fresh breads and bottles of wine. Your sense of smell will be tickled and the cafe is visually appealing. I brought the sous chef over from La Cigale, the food is great. It's a 150 seats and truly a gem combination of French and American cuisine," Toubol said.

For more information call Atlantique Cafe at 561-272-1170.

Atlantique Cafe offers a dining room with smooth ambiance.

Walk-up Bakery.

And, the walk-up salad bar.

The wine cask is starting to fill up.

Friendly walk-up coffee design...

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The original switchboard of the Seacrest Hotel (now Colony Hotel) at the new Ethel Sterling Williams Learning Center.

May is National Preservation Month and the Delray Beach Historical Society has planned festivities including new historic markers for each of Delray Beach’s Historic District, a volunteer and sponsor drive, and opened their new digs in the heart of downtown. Since 1988, the Cason Cottage House Museum has been the center of the Delray Beach Historical Society’s efforts. The 1915 home has been updated with items to construct the Florida Lifestyle from 1915-1935. On May 20, the DBHS will unveil the new Ethel Sterling Williams History Learning Center & Archives.
“It’s a celebration of generations. Past generations and current generations coming together,” said DBHS Executive Director Stephanie Shipley.
Shipley said it’s a way for the historical society to celebrate National Preservation Month with residents, all the while generating interest for volunteerism and fund drives. As with other local attractions depending on donations and philanthropy, funds are down.
“We had a celebration and brunch a year ago at the Colony Hotel. This year we expanded our events and included an emphasis on generating new volunteers, members and future attractions,” Shipley said.
One of the attractions is the Ethel Sterling Williams History Learning Center.
“She was very involved; her father gave a lot of property to the city, actually the plot of land the police department now sits on was Sterling Square. Ethel Sterling Williams was also instrumental in the early years of the historical society starting in 1964,” Shipley said.
The 1926 bungalow where the Ethel Sterling Williams Learning Center resides was completely gutted and restored by local historic builders Morning Thunder Construction under the direction of Ken Blair. Inside the rooms are filled with history from the first half century of Delray Beach. On the east end of the building is the new category 5 hurricane proof archive building where archivist Dottie Patterson archives historical items and documents for the city in a climate controlled room.
“It’s a gem. Definitely worth a day to come and explore,” Delray Beach resident Blaire Jones said.
The dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony, which starts at 5:30 p.m. May 20 at 3 NE First St., includes live entertainment, guest speakers and refreshments.

To obtain a map of the historic markers or for more information call the Delray Beach Historical Society at 561- 274-9578 or 561-243-2577.

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National Nursing Home Week Celebration May 10-16, 2009 carried the Theme: "Nurturing A Love that Lasts."

At Liberty Inn at Heritage Park of West Delray, four renewals of wedding vows echoed that theme.

Harry and Mildred Russell were married in 1944 and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with their daughter Judy Berkowitz, a nurse at Liberty Inn.

Edwin and Rhona Klein were married in 1953 and are 13-year Delray Beach residents.

Laura and Sydney Don celebrated their 61st.

Nursing administrator Dosha Peter and husband Bonifiace celebrated their 24th anniversary.

All were part of "Will You Marry Me?" Wedding Vows Renewed with Chaplain Deborah of Hospice of Palm Beach County. The wedding reception entertainment was provided by Mr. Music-man and attire included wedding garments.

More than 50 residents of Liberty Inn, family members and friends attended.

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The Delray Beach Police Department released information on the murder of 30-year-old Delray Beach resident Mark Scott Harriss.

Harriss was shot to death Monday evening at 8:30 p.m. at 412 NE Seventh Ave. after he exited his truck after a dinner run to a nearby Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant.

Harriss was shot multiple times and Detective Troy Baer of the Delray Beach Police Department said more than a dozen shell casings were found on site.

"All we know is that we're looking for a white vehicle. We have witnesses, and we're developing a motive.

Harriss worked as a Best Western hotel manager in East Boca Raton.

Call Detective Troy Baer at 561-243-7868 with any leads on the case.

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Delray Beach Police officers gather just after a memorial for two fallen officers the department's history.

The Delray Beach Police Department hosted a police memorial today for two of their officers lost over the department’s existence. John Daniel Kennedy died Aug. 10, 1974 while on duty as a Delray Beach Police officer. According to The Officer Down Memorial Page Inc., Kennedy was shot and killed when he was ambushed as he sat in his patrol car. He was writing a report while parked a gas station. His body was located after he failed to respond to radio transmissions.
One of two suspects was arrested and convicted of second-degree murder. Kennedy had served with the department for 13 years and was survived by his pregnant wife and five children.
Officer Johnny Pun died Sept. 10, 2005 at age 37 in an accident on Okeechobee Boulevard.
Today more than 50 police officers and the families of the two paid homage to the officers. City Commissioner Gary Eliopoulos attended the procession.

Officer John Daniel Kennedy was brutally murdered while on duty, Aug. 10, 1974.

This memorial remembers that fateful day.

A wreath stands at the memorial today.

Officer Pun was killed on his personal motorcycle off duty. This police motorcycle was parked in observance of Pun.

Delray Beach Police Department logo.

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Catherine Strong Splash Park is hosting “Family Night in the Park” every Wednesday during the spring and upcoming summer months. The festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. and run until 6:30 p.m.

“Families can participate in games, group discussion, home work assistance, arts and crafts, gardening and more. This free program is open to all ages,” said Recreation Supervisor II Abby Murrell.

Catherine Strong Splash Park is located at 1500 SW Sixth St.

For more information, call Catherine Strong Park at 561-243-7194 or e-mail Abby Murrell at murrell@ci.delray-beach.fl.us

At Catherine Strong Splash Park, kids and parent enjoy themselves as afternoon temperatures begin to rise.

Abby Murrell shows off the new spot for a community garden, the center of the park's new family night.

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New historic marker in front of the 105-year-old Cason United Methodist Church on North Swinton Avenue in Delray Beach.

Delray Beach Historic Preservation Planner Amy Alvarez has spent much of the past two years obtaining half a dozen new historic markers for the city. Alvarez recently invited a group of city staff, local dignitaries and residents on a bus trip to view the historical markers. The Community Redevelopment Agency, Delray Beach Historical Society and several historic neighborhoods made the placement of historic markers a reality.
“The first marker is at Cason United Methodist Church, which marks the Old School Square Historic District,” Alvarez said. "The goal was to place two historic markers in each historic district.”

To obtain a map of the historic markers or for more information call the Delray Beach Historical Society at 561- 274-9578 or 561-243-2577, visit 5 Northeast First Street or online at www.mydelraybeach.com

Nassau Park historic district marker.

Alvarez recently invited a group of city staff, local dignitaries and residents on a bus trip to view the historical markers.

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Tony Durante, head bowed, observes National Day of Prayer at Trinity Lutheran School as he listens to a student-led prayer.

Trinity Lutheran School took part in the National Day of Prayer by hosting a prayer service led by Director of Discipleship Tony Durante who coordinated the event at the school.
Every year since the American troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, the U.S. has observed the National Day of Prayer. The National Day of Prayer began when President Franklin Roosevelt called for the nation to unite in prayer. He offered a prayer to prepare each citizen for the tough road after the war ahead when he said: "Let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be. And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee."
“We said prayers for the government, environment, economy, military, police, fire, lifeguards and teacher appreciation,” Durante said.
“Students from second through fifth grades wrote the prayers.”
According to the National Day of Prayer official Web site www.ndptf.org, the first Thursday in May is normally “observed for prayer with conviction that God would continue to shed His grace on thee.”

For more information contact Tony Durante at Trinity Lutheran School at 400 N. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach at 561-276-8458.

One member from the U.S Army, two U.S. Marines, two City of Delray Beach Police Officers, and City of Delray Beach Fire Rescue staff attended the ceremony.

In observation.

Durante listens to the student led prayers.

Second through fifth grade students at Trinity Lutheran School participated.

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Executive Director of the Delray Beach Historical Society, Stephanie Shipley is leading a painting campaign to paint pods like the ones that fall from this Royal Poinciana tree.

Delray Beach Historical Society Executive Director Stephanie Shipley came up with an idea with what to do with all the pods falling from Royal Poinciana trees in downtown Delray Beach.

She paints them with a tropical theme and now invites community residents to become creative as well.

"The pods have seeds in them that when you shake them they sound like maracas," Shipley said.

Shipley plans to have a painting party today, and Wednesday, May 13 at the Delray Beach Historical Society, 3 NE First St.

From 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, May 8 and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, they will be painting the pods.

"I got the idea from my friend Blaire Jones. She came back from the islands with one of these pods... She collects maracas that's why she originally got it. I always wanted to paint one and found it was easy, fun and entirely creative," Shipley said.

Shipley encourages neighborhood residents to collect the pods and bring them to the DBHS.

"We're also looking for volunteers to run some events. Be creative and partake in volunteerism," she.

For more information call Stephanie Shipley, Executive Director of the Delray Beach Historical Society at 3 NE First St., Delray Beach, FL 33444 by phone at 561- 243-2577 or fax at 561-243-6884.

The end result, a painted pod.

Pods are hard wood seed packets that fall from the trees.

This tree faces Old School Square.

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J. Robert Gordon, a Boca Raton resident, is collecting toothbrushes and toothpaste at Heritage Park of West Delray, until he has 1 million to send to Baghdad war orphans.

After returning from Baghdad, Boca Raton resident J. Robert Gordon saw the need that Iraqi children crave and hopes to collect goods at Heritage Park of West Delray, an assisted living community that has volunteered two apartments to house the goods.

"Since 2003, the Orphans of War Campaign has sent 1.3 million teddy bears, stuffed animals, volleyballs, Beanie Babies and soccer balls to Iraq. But, I just visited Baghdad for 10 days in late April and the need is for toothbrushes and toothpaste," Gordon said.

At 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 11, Gordon, 70, plans to start collecting toothpaste and toothbrushes at an organizational meeting he's hosting at Ruth Chris Steakhouse, 225 NE Mizner Blvd., in Boca Raton.

"That will be the kickoff for the International Victims of War Campaign: "Clean Up Your Mouth," he said.

Gordon will house the goods at Heritage Park of West Delray until he has 1 million, which then he will coordinate a flight to Baghdad for the goods.

For more information or for reservations, call J. Robert Gordon at 561-361-9091.

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Mia Hoover, 4, and father David Hoover, a Palm Beach County Fire Rescue employee, check out Mooney, a Canadian Warmblood Horse.

Mooney, a 20-year-old Canadian Warmblood Horse and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brian Daly make a heck of a team. Daly’s partner, Deputy Sheriff Denise Frazier, and Momo, a Dutch Warmblood do the same. Together they make up one-half of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Patrol.
“The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Patrol consists of four deputy sheriff’s and a sergeant,” Daly said.
Half of that staff visited the Hagen Ranch Road Branch Library as part of “Mounted Patrol Day” where children, parents and library staff learned about the equestrians that protect all unincorporated areas of Palm Beach County from Jupiter west to Loxahatchee, West Palm Beach to the Glades, and from Boca Raton to Wellington.
“We patrol a huge area. You generally won’t see us. We do surveillance patrols, search for missing individuals and high-crime rural areas,” Daly said.
But, their recent trip to the Hagen Ranch Road Library at 14350 Hagen Ranch Road was more a good-willed public relations endeavor, then hot-trail hunts for criminals.
“They like to eat carrots, apples and other fruits and vegetables. The favorite snack for these horse is round mints,” Daly told a crowd of 20 children.
Mooney, the oldest on the patrol at 20, loves to show his affection by doing a quick circle. Momo is docile and friendly.
“The biggest horse we have is a Clydesdale named Arthur, but he gets bored after 30 minutes of meeting people so we bring these two,” Daly said.
Daly’s shift starts at 7 a.m., but he’s often out to the stables by 5:30 a.m. to start caring for the horse.
“Both Denise and I grew up on farms so we really appreciate taking care of these animals. They're deputies, too.” Daly said.
As for the children, they absolutely adore horses.
“I like petting his nose as long as he doesn’t sneeze on me,” Mia Hoover, 4, said as she continuously petted Mooney.

Mooney is 20 and the friendliest of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Mounted Patrol. "Think of horse years times three, so Mooney's about 60 years old in human years," Daly says.

Step right up and meet the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Mounted Patrol.

Deputy Daly sports an "I love horses" sticker given to him from Mia Hoover.

Mia Hoover enjoys the attention given by Mooney. "I just want to pet him again," Hoover, 4 said.

Mooney's a strong horse, but very friendly.

Deputy Sheriff Frazier prepares to put away Momo.

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Abby Murrell, the recreation supervisor at the Catherine Strong Splash Park, came up with an idea to make the park "greener." With city staff, residents, families, and day campers Murrell plans to turn this unused plot of land into a garden to grow edible vegetables, fruits, and to provide flowers to seniors in the area.

Abby Murrell had an idea to make the city park she watches over “greener.” Murrell, recreation supervisor II at Catherine Strong Splash Park, brought up an idea to her supervisors that will allow city residents learn how to grow vegetables and plants.
Sixteen above ground plots will be built by Delray Beach Parks & Recreation staff just behind the staff office on the west side of Catherine Strong Splash Park at 1500 SW Sixth St. Residents will meet Murrell and Betsy Pickup, a Boca Raton Garden Club member currently enrolled in the University of Florida’s Master Gardening Course, every Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
“We want it to be an edible garden that will also grow flowers to be transferred to local senior citizens homes,” Murrell said.
The Pineapple Community Garden on Swinton Avenue inspired her.
“I thought how wonderful… now this would work at Catherine Strong Park.”
The park was named after the first woman mayor of Delray Beach, Catherine Strong, who served half a century ago.
“We’re planning family nights, we have worked with the Litter Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Buce on possible recycling at the site and we plan to have a summer camp ages 6 to 13 take care of the garden,” Murrell said.

For information, call Abby Murrell at 561-243-7194.

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The Temple Sinai Sister Story Tellers (l to r) Rosanne Popkin, Elisa Eisenman, K. C. Lewis, Vicki Bandel, Marian Baum, Susan Christopoulos, Barbara Weinberg and Sharon Loew.

A recent Temple Sinai Sisterhood event has provided two scholarships for two students in Gondar, Ethiopia. With 150 women in attendance, the Temple Sinai Sisterhood, a group celebrating the achievements of women in Judaism, raised $700.

“It’s for two students in Gondar. That money covers bus transportation, school books; it’s $350 a year for each high school student to make it through the year. If children don’t have the money many are sent to a boarding school away from their families. Public schools are better, so we’re keeping them closer to home near their families where they’re more productive,” Temple Sinai Sisterhood member Sheila Firestone said.

According to Firestone, Helping Ethiopians waiting to make Aliyah is a priority of the Temple Sinai Rosh Chodesh group. Each month, $72 is sent to feed a pregnant mother or small child in Gondar. Temple Sinai Sunday School children also send their Tsdakkah monies to the feeding program in Gondar.

As for the money the Temple Sinai Sisterhood just raised, it was made possible by donated tapestry made by Ethiopian men.

“We obtained several through our donations and raffled them off. Ladies [were] very excited and generous and opened their hearts,” Firestone said.

Firestone said the $700 supports two Ethiopian Israeli high school students through the NACOEJ (North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry) High School Sponsorship Program. Because high schools in Israel are not free, sponsorships are necessary to cover a portion of the costs for worthy Ethiopian Israeli students to attend the schools.

Next up for the busy women of the Temple Sinai Sisterhood is the
“Day of Beauty and Contemplation.”

"This Saturday, May 9, we’ll have services in the morning followed by Torah telling at 12:30 p.m., after that a social action meeting, then Women of the Torah will meet in a Discussion of Mothers, followed by a Men’s Discussion Group and a creative discussion on symbolism and creating,” Firestone said.
For more information, call Sheila Firestone at 561-926-0905. Temple Sinai is located in Delray Beach at 2475 W. Atlantic Ave.

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Michael F. McAuliffe, State Attorney of the Fifteenth Judicial Court in Palm Beach County, has issued a letter to the Alliance of Delray Residential Association Inc. reviewing his first 100 days in office. He said the new structure and leadership of his office “better reflects the current challenges facing investigative and prosecutive law enforcement in our community.”

“Specifically, I have established a Gang & Gun Unit to work closely with local, state and federal investigators in dismantling gangs in our area,” McAuliffe said.

The Gang & Gun Unit will work the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crime Task Force and law enforcement municipalities.

“We want to prosecute the leadership of local gangs,” McAuliffe said.

The news to the Alliance of Delray Residential Associations Inc. comes just a week and one day after the gang killing of Windy DuPont in the 200 block of Northwest 15th Avenue. DuPont was shot in the back by Chris Durham of Boynton Beach. Durham is wanted on a murder charge. DuPont left behind a girlfriend and children, and he was working on his GED. DuPont was shot in a drive-by shooting in the late 1990s.

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A restaurant auction will take place on Tuesday, May 5,starting at 11 a.m. at Louie Louie Too Restaurant - Pizzeria - Bistro & Lounge at 201 E. Atlantic Ave. in Delray Beach. The 175-seat, fully-equipped indoor and outdoor seating restaurant has hired the J. Sugarman Auction Corp. to sell the entire contents of Louie Louie Too.
Equipment such as Double Stack Bakers Pride Pizza Ovensl four pizza prep tables and bain marie prep tables; three, six-burner stoves, various tables, sinks and an ice maker.
Also, a Hobart 60 Quart Mixer with all attachments, fryers, glass and coolers, freezers, bottle coolers, slicers and espresso machines. The seating package offers both indoor and outdoor seating for more than 150. Top shelf wines and liquors will also be available for sale.

For more information visit: www.jaysugarman.com

A convection oven will go to the highest bidder. Convection ovens are superior because they cook food from all four sides rather than just top and bottom.

The grill is also up for grabs.

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Taishi, the Morikami Museum’s professional peer group for ages 20 to 40, is hosting the Taste of the East: A Culinary Passport to Asia, from 6 to 9 p.m. May 6 at The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Road, in Delray Beach.
“ This is a unique Asian food and cocktail event where guests are provided a passport to visit numerous food stations presented by local restaurants and caterers,” said museum spokeswoman Jodi Ziskin.
That passport, a piece of paper, is stamped at each culinary or sake station.
“At each station, guests can sample a delicious creation specifically designed for the event. Asian-inspired cocktails will complement the cuisine, served alongside musical entertainment and performances by Ronin Taiko. Last year’s event attracted nearly 200 guests from Palm Beach and Broward counties who couldn’t get enough of the fantastic cuisine, fun crowd, hip music and of course, the unbeatable atmosphere of The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens,” Ziskin said.
According to Ziskin, Taishi, which means “ambassador” in Japanese, is an auxiliary group of The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens geared toward local 20- to 40-year-old professionals. She said Taishi’s goals are to establish “friend-raising” and fundraising activities, provide volunteers for Morikami festivals and programs and create opportunities for young adults to engage in leadership roles in the museum.
Cost is $20 in advance for Taishi members and $30 for non-members in advance. At the door, Taishi members are $35 and non-members are $45.
To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit www.morikami.org or call 561-495-0233, ext. 214.

The scenic Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens provide a perfect backdrop of beauty for Taishi's Taste of the East: A Culinary Passport to Asia.

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Joe Snider, a Delray Beach resident and owner of Building Green Generations Inc., is doing all he can to be "green."

Snider, an AIA, LEED AP green architect, works with colleague Jeffrey Conley as green building consultants.
"We have projects all over the state making buildings more energy efficient and bringing them up to LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) U.S. Green Building rating," Snider said.

He’s concerned about how Delray Beach is doing in LEED certification, but continues with projects in Miami, St. Petersburg, Punta Gorda, Cape Canaveral (NASA project) and Martahon, a Coast Guard building.

“Unfortunately we’re way behind locally and the rest of the country. Delray Beach has no LEED-certified buildings… Boca Raton has eight. I’m dying to do a project like that in Delray.”

He has brought the “green issues” topic to local government.

“I was a member of the Green Task Force in Delray Beach. We presented our six-month study of Delray Beach to the city commission. I’m also a member of the 15-member Palm Beach County Green Task Force.”

And, new developments are arising for “green” in Delray Beach.

“I just helped the city with an Energy Conservation Block Grant, which will allocate $638,000 in federal funds to the city of Delray Beach over the next year.”

His office, which is in the Huber Drugs building downtown on Atlantic Avenue right across from the popular Green Owl Restaurant, is becoming "green."

He's not sure the office building is Art Deco, but he's making it "green" anyways.

“I’m not sure… I know it was built in the '50s and is a great office that overlooks Atlantic Avenue. We currently just obtained the former gymnasium hardwood floor from Cocoa Beach Middle School and are refurbishing it as green flooring.”

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