Governor Charlie Christ's announcement that Steve Abrams will fill the County Commission seat vacated by Mary McCarty is welcome news. Steve has served honorably as Mayor of Boca Raton and will bring the same dignity to the County Commission. His comprehensive disclosure of financial benefits, which consisted primarily of attending charitable events in his elected capacity, highlights the thoroughness and ethical seriousness he brings to the position.

All four of Governor Christ's final choices, Susan Haynie, Jose Rodriguez, and Patrick Halperin were good candidates. While it would have been nice to see at least one Democratic on the list for this non-partisan position, overall Governor Christ made a good decision.

With the resignation of Commissioner Addie Greene effective the end of April, the Governor will have the opportunity to fill another seat on the County Commission. Hopefully this will be handled in the same efficient manner so that the County Commission can move forward.

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

The 2009 Book of Hope Luncheon took place at the Boca Raton Resort and Club on Monday, February 23rd. The luncheon raised over $100,000 for the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America.

Scott Yablon, the honoree, spoke about how he got involved with the organization after his daughter was diagnosed with this chronic disease. Aaron Scharf, a fifteen year old Pine Crest student, gave an impassioned speech about the difficulties of living with the illness. Each speaker stressed the need to raise funds to continue research to help cure this difficult disease.

The luncheon was attended by over 300 people and featured a fashion show by Mayda Cisneros. It was an enjoyable afternoon that benefited a serious illness.

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

If you want to see the future of electric cars, be sure to check out this weekend's event at FAU in Jupiter. The Florida Electric Auto Association (FLEAA) is hosting “Battery Beach Burnout”, an alternative fuel / electric vehicle competition on February 21st and 22nd. The free event consists of multiple competitions involving electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.

The action starts at 9:00 a.m. Saturday and attendees will be able to ride in several of the cars on display and vote for their favorite car. Autocross will be held on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and the competition will conclude at 3:30 PM with a raffle drawing and award ceremony.

One hundred vehicles are expected to be on display throughout the weekend. The stated purpose of Battery Beach Burnout is to raise public and media awareness of the current state of electric and hybrid vehicles and to educate people about green alternative fuel vehicles.

It should be a beautiful weekend and this is a great way to spend time learning about alternative energy technologies that can help solve our transportation, energy and air quality problems.

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

Nestled away in the Publix at Polo Club Shoppes is a true community gem, Apron's Cooking School. The school, which is run by Publix, offers classes or events every night of the week but Sunday. There are special guests such as Michelle Bernstein, owner and executive chef of Michy's, and renowned wineries that offer demonstrations showing what foods to pair with what wines.

The classes are categorized as either hands on, demonstration, kid's topic or teen topic. Recent hands on classes include classic chicken recipes, sauces demystified and couples cooking... beer not just for drinking. Upcoming demonstrations include northern italian dinner party, shellfish exposed and big, bad bold reds. For the children, past classes have consisted of a father daughter valentine class and a teens' survivor camp.

The hands on classes are limited to 12 people and fill up very quickly. In the demonstration style classes participants watch as the chef prepares the menu, enjoy tastings of all dishes prepared and get written recipes so the results can be duplicated at home.

For more information and to register for classes go to http://www.publix.com/cooking schools. Bon appetite!

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

Charities are always on the lookout for ways to entice people to support their causes and two local organizations have found a novel approach. The Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces ("IDF") and the Boca Raton Community Hospital Go Pink Challenge are both hosting events that feature game playing.

The IDF event takes place on Thursday, February 12th at Woodfield Country Club and features an evening of mah jongg. For more information call Betsy Horowitz at 561 483-2771.

The Go Pink Challenge offers scrabble, bridge, mah jongg, cribbage and canasta and takes place on different days throughout March at various local country club. The Play Dates are open to everyone so you can use this as a chance to visit some of our local country clubs. Contact the BRCH Foundation at 561 955-4142 for further details.

Playing games and supporting charities sounds like a great idea. Put your game face on and let the good times roll.

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

The news that Palm Beach County Commissioner Mary McCarty has resigned and will probably face a jail term is disheartening at best. Ms. McCarty is the fifth politician in Palm Beach County to resign in disgrace in three years. Her removal raises the question of how widespread is corruption in Palm Beach County and does power corrupt?

There are jokes that the Commission can now have a quorum in jail. Rumors are circulating that the investigation is still on-going with other potential targets will be revealed. To answer the question about the scope of the corruption, it appears that we may not have yet seen the full extent of the frauds perpetrated on the citizenry of Palm Beach County.

The question of why appears to have been answered by Lord Acton (1834–1902), a historian and moralist, who wrote in 1887 that "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." It is sad that his words still ring true over 120 years later. It is even more upsetting that these Palm Beach County politicians have not learned any lessons from the past.

Once the investigation is complete and the replacement politicians are appointed and elected, let us hope that the new officials will live up to our public trust.

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

With the holiday season in full force and the economy in shambles, there is a concern that desperation could led to an increase in crime. Two recent emails circulating around town discuss purported robberies which everyone should be aware of.

In the first situation, a woman's purse was taken from the back of her chair at a restaurant in the mall. The woman was preoccupied with taking care of her child and the thief brazenly grabbed the bag and sauntered out of the restaurant. Witnesses tried to alert the woman and in the commotion that ensued the robber got away.

In the second instance, a woman withdrew money from an ATM and was then followed to a grocery store. The perpetrator reached into her car right after she parked and stole the woman's purse as it sat on the passenger seat. The email states that this crime of following and then robbing individuals after they have withdrawn cash from an ATM is fairly common.

Regardless of whether these emails are true or urban legends, it is important to take measures to assure the safety of persons and property. It is just over a year since the unsolved heinous murders of Joey and Nancy Bochicchio. Make sure as you do holiday shopping and errands this season that you are aware of your surroundings and stay safe. Don't park in dark areas, ask for assistance if you have any hesitation, and keep your cell phone readily available to call for help.

Remember you are ultimately responsible for your own safety. Enjoy the holiday season but make sure to act safely at all times.

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

What better way is there to catch the holiday spirit than by attending a holiday concert? Our very own Boca Raton Singers, a local not for profit group, present three holiday concerts to help you capture the spirit of the season.

The concerts are Thursday, December 11th at 8 p.m. at the Crest Theatre, Saturday, December 13th at 8 p.m. at Olympic Heights High School and Sunday, December 14th at 2:00 p.m. at the Willow Theatre. The singers will perform Christmas and Chanukah songs including a musical presentation of the Night Before Christmas and Joy to the World. Tickets are $16 in advance and $18 at the door.

For more information and to purchase tickets go to http://www.bocaratonsingers.org. Good luck to all the performers and a special shout out to singer Debbie Kestenberg.

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

The holiday season is rapidly approaching the Thanksgiving Day kick off. Stores, restaurants and neighborhoods are being decorated and the atmosphere is starting to have that festive holiday feel.

Unfortunately, this year's economic woes are greater than ever. Long term businesses are closing, people are being laid off and establishments that remain open have seen business declines. Individuals who were once charitable donors have now had to turn to the same social service agencies for aid for themselves and their families.

This holiday season is the perfect time for all of us to remember and assist our neighbors. By participating in programs offered by Food for Families, Meals on Wheels, churches, synagogues and other social service agencies, we can make a difference in people's lives.

There is an abundance of need and we all should do our share so that people do not go hungry in our community. Offer your time and resources so that you can enjoy the season knowing that you have helped others enjoy their holidays.

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

The Veterans Coalition of South Florida will present their annual Veterans Day Program beginning at 9:30 am on Tuesday, November 11 at Veteran¢s Park, west of Boca Raton.
This event honors veterans of our armed services and will feature a procession of colors, guest speakers, and patriotic music. The public is invited to attend and encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
This event is sponsored by Palm Beach County¢s Recreation Assistance Program/District V and is coordinated jointly by the Veterans Coalition and Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation/Special Events Section.
Veteran¢s Park is located at 9400 West Palmetto Park Road, between Lyons Road and US Hwy. 441 in west of Boca Raton.
For more information about Veteran¢s Park and other parks or programs available through the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department, online at HYPERLINK "http://www.pbcgov.com/parks/" www.pbcparks.com.
Palm Beach County Veterans Day events
Sunday, November 9, 2008: Memorial service, 10 a.m., Delray Beach Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 700 SW Eighth Ave. American Legion Post 65 and Post 188 will honor veterans. Flags will be placed at the graves of soldiers, the ceremony will conclude with a rifle squad salute. Free lunch immediately following service at Post 65, 263 NE Fifth Ave., Delray Beach. Donations accepted. Call 561-330-6905.

Concert, 1 p.m., Veterans Plaza, 10500 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens. Featuring the Palm Beach Gardens Band. Call 561-630-1100.

Parade, ceremony and entertainment. 2 p.m., in West Palm Beach along Clematis Street from Sapodilla Avenue to Centennial Fountain. 51 veterans groups, color guards, community service organizations, and municipal and county services will march. U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, will speak. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Call 561-703-6998.

Monday, Nov. 10, 2008
Celebration and Vet Center open house, noon to 6 p.m., Vet Center, 2311 10th Avenue North, Lake Worth. Information and representatives for outreach services will be available. Call 561-585-0441.

Tuesday Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2008
Parade, 8:45 a.m. beginning at the Wellington Community Center, 12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd. and ending at the Veterans Memorial at Forest Hill and Southshore boulevards. Ceremony begins at 9 a.m. Call 561-791-4733.

Ceremony, 10 a.m. Boca Raton Cemetery, 449 SW Fourth Ave. Call 561-393-7806.

Celebration, 10 a.m., Bicentennial Park, 300 N. Federal Highway, Boynton Beach. Commemorates the completion of the Veterans Memorial. Call 561-276-1976.

Commemoration, 10:30 a.m., Coral Lakes Clubhouse, Flavor Pict and Jog roads, Boynton Beach. Call 561-496-4004.

Open House, 3-6 p.m. with a program of recognition at 6:30 p.m., Salvation Army Center of Hope, 1577 Military Trail, West Palm Beach. Call 561-682-1118.

Ceremony, 4 p.m. South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 U.S. 441, west of Lake Worth. Brig. Gen. Gary Beard will speak. Call 561-684-2844.

Concert, 7 p.m. Mizner Park Amphitheater, Boca Raton. Free. Patriotic music by the New Gardens Band and Masterworks Chorus of the Palm Beaches. Call 561-393-7806.

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share: