It's part of a weekly meeting of teens in Delray Beach titled “Teen Tuesdays: August” and at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 11, the Hagen Ranch Road Library at 14350 Hagen Ranch Road will host “Ready? Aim You’re… Hired!” – a program on interviewing skills geared towards teen looking to get a competitive edge in the present job market.

The event is free, 90-minutes long and the Hagen Ranch Road Library asks that teens preregister at the library.

“This is the first year we’re offering this program to teens in Palm Beach County. We have a performer’s showcase and this program grew out of that showcase,” Cilla Jacobson, Palm Beach County Library System Youth Services Coordinator said.

The event will focus on how to battle nerves before and during a job interview, how to dress, what to say to prospective employers, the proper way to answering tough interview questions, and how to build confidence leading up to the interview.

Terri Karst, host of the performer’s showcase put on by the Palm Beach County Library System, will be running the event.

“We’re offering this program at seven Palm Beach County Library System branches countywide. We ant teens to get ready for that job, go after the job, and nail down that job interview,” Jacobson said.

A lot of adults attended a similar teen job seminar taught by Karst for the Broward County Library System earlier this summer, Jacobson added.
“Adults showed up and filled that program. We want to get the message out that this program is geared towards teens,” Jacobson said.

Currently, the Hagen Ranch Road Library has a Teen Advisory Board in place and receives teen materials from the Palm Beach County Library System Youth Services.
Jacobson said she provided the library with board games, a Wii video game console, popular Wii video games and now a teen job seminar.
“This fits with what’s happening with the economy,” Jacobson said of the program.

Call Mary Burns, Head, Youth Services at Hagen Ranch Road for the Palm Beach County Library System at 561-894-7554 or e-mail: burnsm@pbclibrary.org

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Churches in Delray Beach continue to help give recession relief to residents. At St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 188 S. Swinton Ave., they have a food pantry on-site open from 12 to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.

St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, 840 George Bush Blvd., has a special volunteer group that aims to help out Delray Beach residents with recession relief. The group is known as the St. Vincent Depaul's Society Assistance. The focus of this group is the needy primarily in Delray Beach. They also focus on residents who recently lost jobs, were hurt in an accident, illness or unexpected emergency. Residents inquiring about help from the St. Vincent Depaul's Society Assistance should call 561-272-7580 and leave a name, telephone number, address and a short description of information on why they need relief.

At Cason United Methodist Church, 342 N. Swinton Ave., residents can find recession relief meals on the weekends. The Weekend Meal/Brown Bag Lunch Program is available every Saturday mornings from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Also, two bag lunches (one for Saturday and one for Sunday) are available to homeless and near homeless individuals and families, people with low incomes, senior citizens and needy children in the community. Cason United Methodist Church is asking for volunteers to help pack and distribute bag lunches.
Call Sister Mary Ann Caulfied at 561-278-0918, or e-mail at: mccros@bellsouth.net

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Andres Rodriguez's good attitude wasn't enough to welcome recession weary customers. So he introduced three new recession relief deals.

Gizzi’s Coffee owner Andres Rodriguez’s warm smile, loud voice, attentive ear and attitude combined with freshly ground specialty blend and organic coffees, weren’t enough to keep customer’s coming back early in the 2009 recession.

Rodriguez has introduced a recession relief deal for local residents of Delray Beach and afar that he hopes to help his early-morning-coffee-and-organic-tea-sipping clientele. Come before 8 a.m. and buy a specialty or regular coffee, keep the receipt and come back for a free coffee from 3 to 6 p.m. the same day.

“That’s just a small thing we’re doing. We’re down a bit and if I have to offer specials in terms of recession relief to keep the people coming back, I will. When I opened this business we were in an economic boom. I believe by 2011 the economy will bounce back,” Rodriguez said.

Gizzi’s Coffee is also offering two breakfast deals under $4 available everyday until 4 p.m. everyday.
“I took advantage of the breakfast deal one day this week and I will take advantage of the free coffee deal in the afternoons. I always hit a wall energy wise mid-afternoon and normally end up spending going out and spending money going out to get food or a drink,” Gizzi’s Coffee customer and a financial analyst by trade, Anthony Cumo said.

Those breakfast deals include a 12-ounce coffee and muffin for $2.99 or 12-ounce coffee and breakfast sandwich for $3.99.

“I’m cutting prices and taking in less and less money. When I opened this business three years ago, I intended on making money on the third year, not struggling to make rent,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said he’s confident in the local economy and an economic rebound. He spent 20 years as Food and Beverage Manager for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines before settling down in 2005 to buy a Delray Beach home and build Gizzi’s Coffee at 2275 S. Federal Hwy. He said he’s going to continue to smile and be warm with customers while providing recession relief for as long as financially responsible.

“We’re hosting an open-mic night on July 30 and Aug. 5, we have comedy nights, story telling nights, sober coffee house nights and live music once in awhile. I’m doing everything I can to provide recession relief for local residents and I’m confident we’ll all pull through this economic storm.

For more information on Gizzi’s Coffee Recession Relief call 561-266-9797.

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Rick Consolo is home away from Pineapple Grove in his new storefront, Gelato at Collado's. Consolo said he’s begun a grass oots effort to save his livelihood, Gelato at Collado’s.

With recent news that Atlantic Avenue business is flourishing, just one block away at Pineapple Grove on Northeast Second Avenue business was disappearing for Gelato store owner Rick Consolo. The radio disc jockey from Cleveland moved to Delray Beach less than a decade ago destined to make gelato in Delray Beach just like they did in his ancestral land of Italy.
He chose Pineapple Grove in the heart of Downtown Delray Beach.

The Cannery Row development just one block away from Consolo unexpectedly stopped development after constructing one building, leaving a void in Pineapple Grove. The large grocery tenant expected for the 500-plus Old School Square Parking Garage backed out and the upscale Astor Development at Northeast Second Avenue and Northeast First Street has also failed to attract tenants, according to Consolo.
“I had to give up on the Pineapple Grove Arts District as a viable business location for an Italian Gelato shop. Three months ago, I packed up my two gelato machines made in Italy, and virtually everything at the business and moved into an established business at Collado's Gourmet Market at 3416 S. Federal Highway in Delray Beach,” Consolo said.

He said numbers have risen at his new store and he’s optimistic about his move and leaving Pineapple Grove.

Read more about this story in the special recession relief issue of the Delray Forum July 29.
Consolo has more than $50,000 invested in his business.

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The line begins to form an hour before the Caring Kitchen opens for lunch. Caring Kitchen feeds the homeless in Delray Beach.

Hit hard from the recession, lifelong Delray Beach resident Leroy Johnson has called his daytime home the wooden bench in front of the city library or sometimes a concrete slab at Old School Square that’s in the shade and out of the summer heat. Johnson said the only real meaning in his day is a weekday trip to the Caring Kitchen at 196 NW Eighth Ave. where Johnson can get a hot meal, clothing and even a loaf of bread.
“The city should be focusing on a homeless shelter. I’ve lived here all my life and fell on tough times. No one will even talk to me about a job,” he said.
But for the time being it’s volunteers like Juan Francisco Paco helping Johnson with bread, and Caring Kitchen program coordinator April Hazamy providing a place for Johnson to rest his feet.
“We’re serving about 240 lunches on average per weekday. Last year we served an average of about 170. We’re doing about 30 breakfasts a day. We feel this is the best way to help out with recession relief deep in the community that needs it most,” Hazamy says.
She also says that more homeless and hard luck individuals are coming from Boynton Beach and Boca Raton.
“New faces everyday… We feel we’re blessed every day and this is a path we choose by helping the needy through these tough times,” Hazamy said.
Read more about this story in the special Recession Relief issue of the Delray Forum July 29.
For more information on the Caring Kitchen call 561-278-0918 or call C.R.O.S. Ministries at 561-233-9009.

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The Delray Beach Police Department wants to get the word out on hyperthermia after it was announced Florida leads the nation with five deaths.

One-degree per minute. That's how fast the mercury rose in a thermometer placed inside a vehicle with doors closed and windows up at the Delray Beach Police Department.

Florida leads the nation in 2009, with five deaths attributed to hyperthermia deaths of children in vehicles. That includes the June 20 death of 3-month-old John Gavin McDonald when according to the Department of Geosciences at San Francisco State University, the academic body that conducted the study and research, the boy was left in a 92-degree vehicle. The other 2009 hyperthermia deaths of children in vehicles occurred in Jacksonville on June 24, St. Augustine on June 14, Fellsmere on June 13, and Sweetwater on May 21.

"Hypothermia... in cold weather is always mentioned by mainstream media. It's now time for the focus to be on hyperthermia caused by heat," said Delray Beach Mayor Nelson "Woodie" McDuffie says.

On July 21, a 90-degree day at the Delray Beach Police Department, a late model Chevrolet Sedan reached 130-degrees on the exterior and 112 degrees in the interior where a baby dummy was placed in the vehicle by the Delray Beach Fire Department.

"Children are being left in cars accidentally. Others are being trapped during play. We have safety recommendations for the public," Delray Beach Police Chief Anthony Strianese said.

Any legal guardian could be responsible for leaving a child in a hot car for 15 minutes, which is punishible by up to $500 fine and other possible charges.

But, as the Delray Beach Police Department showed, degrees rise in just a few minutes during the summer months putting children in extreme danger of hyperthermia death.

Delray Beach Police Department Chief Anthony Strianese tells a group of people at the police headquarters that 42 people died last year of hyperthermia in the U.S. Virtually all of those who died were younger than 4.

D.B.P.D. public information officer Jeffrey Messer shows an accurate thermometer reading placed in the vehicle to prove the quick danger of hyperthermia children face.

A baby dummy was placed in the vehicle by the Delray Beach Fire Department.

After 20 minuted the baby dummy was scorching.

Chief David James of the D.B.F.D. suggested that parents take a teddy bear on every road trip their child goes on with them so that each parent remembers that each time they stop they have to take the child and teddy bear out of the vehicle in an effort to remember to take children out of hot vehicles.

Mayor McDuffie says "children are at serious risk for heat stroke. Residents should never leave a child unattended."

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Once a year, the city's Neighborhood Services Division provides three awards of $1,200 each for the Neighborhood Identification Sign Program. Delray Beach Neighborhood Planner Jennifer Costello and four members of the Neighborhood Advisory Council look over the submissions by residents and decide who will receive a grant check of up to $1,200 used to support the development of neighborhood identification signs.
“We do this on a yearly basis. This is not federal stimulus money but part of a Neighborhood Pride Grant. Criteria to be considered is areas that are in the public right of way,” Costello said.
The deadline for local neighborhoods to submit an application is July 31. Costello said the signs should include tangible neighborhood benefit, funding, neighborhood vision and creativity, community involvement and maintenance.
“It’s up to the neighborhood to design the sign and put creativity in process. Really it’s: What you feel describes the neighborhood? If awarded one of neighborhood pride grants, they can take the sign design to the sign company of that neighborhood’s choice,” Costello said.
Grant guidelines and applications are available in the Community Improvement Department - City Hall, 100 NW First Ave.; the Neighborhood Resource Center, 141 SW 12th Ave.; and on www.mydelraybeach.com. Costello said completed application packages must be received by the City of Delray Beach’s Neighborhood Advisory Council, c/o Jennifer Costello, Neighborhood Planner, 100 NW First Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33444, no later than 5 p.m. than July 31. Award recipients will be announced on Aug. 17.
Call Jennifer Costello at 561-243-7228 or e-mail Costello@ci.delray-beach.fl.us for more information.

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Almost as mysterious as his death, a huge graffiti memorial to Michael Jackson has been spray painted under the Hypoluxo Road overpass of Interstate 95 in central Palm Beach County.

The King of Pop's name and an image of his famous black hat tilted over his eyes with wavy black hair is painted in between the singer's first and last name in black and silver spray paint. The graffiti appears to pay homage to Jackson while he performs one of his signature dance moves.

Barbara Kelleher, spokeswoman for District Four of the Florida Department of Transportation, the governing body of Interstate 95 and the overpass for five counties including Palm Beach County, said she had not heard of the memorial.

"Once graffiti is reported a work order goes out and the message is covered up quickly," Kelleher said.

She said that images in obscene or offensive nature are normally covered up first.

The graffiti is located on the southbound Interstate I-95 overpass of Hypuluxo Road. Motorists will only notice the graffiti if they look immediately west while passing under the overpass.

One of Michael Jackson's signature dance moves is depicted in the graffiti.

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The Delray Beach Police Department plans to offer a Haitian Citizens Police Academy focusing on training sessions, lectures by officers in uniform and other opportunities, free of charge to Haitian residents. The city has one of the largest Haitian populations in Palm Beach County, and DBPD officer Andy Arena, hopes the program continues to build a bridge of knowledge between the local Haitian community and the police department. But, for the first year in a decade enrollment is low and openings remain.

"This is the 14th year the Delray Beach Police Department has offered this program. I'm a bit surprised this year's classes haven't filled up. In year's past the academy was almost filled by now," Arena said.

Classes start at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday July 15 for 12 consecutive weeks. Classes are located at the Delray Beach Police Department, 300 W. Atlantic Ave. The academy is free and open to residents 18 or older.

Call Officer Andy Arena at 561-243-7873.

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The District 8 Power Squadron armada has cruised into Delray Beach's Intracoastal Waterway for a weekend of festivities at the Yacht Club at Delray Beach.
"The U.S. Sail and Power Squadrons are a part of a national organization teaching boating courses to the general public at virtually no charge. We're in Delray Beach from as far south as Key West and north to Sebastian for our commander's meetings," Ronald Friedman said while aboard Makana, a boat docked at Yacht Club at Delray Beach.

A fleet of boats, or almost an armada of 18 large yachts and sailing vessels and 85 members of the District 8 Power Squadron will be meeting at Yacht Club at Delray Beach and staying at the Colony Hotel & Cabana Club at 425 E. Atlantic Ave.

The District 8 Power Squadron sponsored a happy hour at the Yacht Club at Delray Beach.

"We have members from Coral Ridge, Sebastain, Homestead, Pompano Beach... It's really a great organization active at the local, state and national level," Delray Beach resident and squadron member Doris Shadd said.

For more information on the District 8 Power Squadron and stay in Delray Beach until July 12, call Ronald Friedman at 954-540-3780.

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A petition to save the Aqua Crest pool in Delray Beach already has been signed by 77 residents.

The Aqua Crest pool in Delray Beach could be closed indefinitely or remain open seasonally as its fate is in the vote of Palm Beach County commissioners later this month.

"I am a swimmer there. Apparently it's in the proposed 2010 budget for the Palm Beach County Commission," said Delray Beach resident Ja'el Mitten.

Mitten signed the petition, which began circulating June 6.

"After all... close a swimming pool or raise property taxes? This is a wonderful outdoor swimming pool that is always busy. I love swimming laps there a few times a week on my lunch hour, and was so saddened to hear that they may close for half the year," Mitten said.

The Aqua Crest Pool at 2503 Seacrest Blvd. in Delray Beach has been serving residents swimming needs since 1979.

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Susan Ruby (left) has passed the city attorney torch to Brian Shutt (right).

City Attorney Susan Ruby has retired after 20 years of service in the city. The city has announced Brian Shutt, the former assistant city attorney as the new city attorney.

According to the city, Shutt received his law degree from Nova Southeastern University and has served as Delray Beach’s assistant city attorney for the past 15 years.

Shutt is married to Thuy Shutt, a community activist and assistant director of the Westgate Community Redevelopment Agency in West Palm Beach. They have two children and have lived in Delray Beach since 1991.

For more information, call 561-243-7190.

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Rare Fruit Council Plant Sale buyers last year with their choices at checkout.

Delray Beach resident Lori Vinkoor is active in her Tivoli Isles neighborhood association and as vice president of the Alliance of Delray Residential Associations Inc., a resident watchdog group 71,000 strong. But, this weekend Vinkoor will don her gardening gloves, as she is involved with her passion, the Tropical Fruit Tree and Plant Sale 9-2 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the South Florida Fairgrounds Agriplex in West Palm Beach.
The Palm Beach Chapter of the Rare Fruit Council International sponsors the semi-annual Tropical Fruit Tree and Plant Sale.
“There is no other plant sale like this on the planet. With hundreds of varieties of fruit and spice plants to choose from there will be something available for every taste and every space,” Vinkoor said.
If you’re looking for a specific type of banana or an early producing mango, or even that elusive jaboticaba, Vinkoor said you’ll probably find it at this event.
“The growers and members of the Rare Fruit Council will also be present to answer questions related to care and propagation of tropical fruits,” Vinkoor said.
The Rare Fruit Council’s own “Fruitilizer,” a fertilizer specifically formulated to Rare Fruit Council specifications, will be available for sale. “Fruitilizer” provides the proper nutrients and minerals for optimum tropical fruit crop production. The Rare Fruit Council Meets the second friday of every month 7:30 PM at the Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach.
“We’re dedicated to promoting and furthering the cultivation and use of tropical and rare fruit both in South Florida and throughout the world,” Vinkoor said.
To get to the The Palm Beach Chapter of the Rare Fruit Council International semi-annual Tropical Fruit Tree and Plant Sale, take Interstate I-95 to Southern Bouleavard then west to Fairgrounds Road and head north to Gate 8, which will be on the right. Directions from State Road 7 (U.S. Highway 441): take Southern Boulevard east to Fairgrounds Road north. Gate 8 will be on the right.
For more information call Lori Vinkoor at 561-495-4694 or e-mail at vinikoor@bellsouth.net

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