Starting in August when the new school year begins, Spanish River Community High School will begin enforcing a new school dress code. Students violating the dress code policy will be required to change clothes. Students with continuous or flagrant violations of the dress policy are subject to detentions or suspension. The dress code is as follows:

• No visible underwear on either boys or girls at any time or the lack of it.
• Head covers are out- includes any form of hat, scarf, do rags, stocking, bandanas or towels.
• Girls may not wear low exposing tops or shirts exposing any cleavage or midriffs. Midriffs must fall below the waistline rather than just meeting the top of the garment.
• Students must not wear tube or strapless, halter, spaghetti straps or any tank tops. Carrying a sweater on top or wearing a jacket over it is not adequate.
• Tops must be high enough to eliminate any exposure of cleavage and long enough to prevent any exposure of midriff.
• Many students know what they are wearing is inappropriate. If we see parts of the body exposed as a result of midriff tops or low cut tops, students will be required to change.
• Girls must wear shirts that have sleeves. If they choose to wear a sleeveless shirt when the weather is warm, the shirt must have a collar.
• Short shorts and short skirts have no place in school. They must be just above the knee.

This new dress code represents a significant departure from existing policies. Female students can only wear sleeveless shirts if they have a collar and tank tops are prohibited. I support our educators and believe that a dress code is warranted. The sleeveless shirt policy, however, is possibly sexist, rather strict given South Florida's hot weather, and one that will surely be controversial when school returns.

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The Boca bashing continues. On Thursday, June 26th Steven Colbert had Congressman Robert Wexler as a guest on The Colbert Report. Colbert noted that Congressman Wexler's district is comprised of Boca Raton and that it was therefore safe to say that no one from the district was awake watching the show at its 10:30 p.m. airtime. Colbert further unsuccessfully attempted to coerce the Congressman into saying that people in the district look like lizards.

While we certainly have our share of elderly residents and I enjoy a joke as much as the next person, the problem is that the ageism stereotype has become accepted nationwide. People who do not know that Boca has a vibrant multigenerational community just assume because of the publicity that it is composed of old retirees.

In fact, Boca Raton is a wonderful community made up of all ages, races, religions and ethnicities. It would be nice if instead of using the old person characterization, the media would recognize Boca for what it actually is - a suburban South Florida community that is a great place to live in.

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The news that an 18 year old boy was stabbed in the back by a 17 year old at a party in Timbercreek is shocking. The fact that it happened in suburban Boca Raton highlights the fact that this summer is not starting well for teens.

The bad economy this year has rippled down to the teen group. Teens searching for jobs are finding that the pickings are very slim. Businesses are not hiring at all or are hiring at reduced hours. In addition, many parents can no longer afford the luxury of paying for their children to attend daytime or out of town summer programs. The end result is a volatile mix of too many teens with nothing to do.

The summer has just started and the problems will only worsen unless action is taken quickly. Parents need to organize and be aware of their children's activities. The stabbing occurred at 1 a.m. and not much good happens when teenagers are out at late hours. Parents need to take responsibility for their children.

City officials also need to address the issue. City officials should examine existing summer programs and determine how they can keep kids busy and out of trouble. More programming may be needed and should be added immediately.

This stabbing is a wake up call and is the time for everyone to take action to avoid future problems. It will be a hot summer in the city if this issue is not resolved.

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No more teachers, no more rules. . . . . . . Palm Beach County public schools ended Friday, June 6th and it is time to play. Homework, tutors and extra-curricular activities are on hold until fall and it is time to enjoy South Florida. Even though it's an understatement to stay it is a little warm, this is an ideal time to be a tourist in your own town. Her are some suggestions for things to do.

1. Go to the beach. It is so easy to forget that we have the magnificent ocean right in our backyard. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy swimming and the scenery.

2. Visit a water park. There are both public (Coconut Cove) and private water parks nearby and they are especially fun for the younger set.

3. Check out the local museums. Lunch at Mizner Park and a trip to the Boca Museum are always a good way to fill a day.

4. Engage in your sport of choice. Public golf and tennis courts have greater availability. Rent a sailboat at the Delray beach. Visit a local gym or just do laps in the nearest swimming pool.

5. Hit your favorite restaurants. Catch the summer specials and chat up the host so that you can get in when winter comes.

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy the lazy days of summer.

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If you love the organic items at Whole Foods and the prepared meals at Fresh Market, rush over to the new Publix Greenwise market located right behind Town Center Mall. Designed by Publix to apparently compete in the organic and prepared foods categories, Greenwise is poised to be a huge success.

As you walk in, you enter the produce area, a veritable cornucopia. There are organic and nonorganic fruits and vegetables in all shades of the rainbow and all permutations from heirloom to downright exotic. The prices are higher than Publix but still reasonable for the offerings.

A trip to the back of the store reveals a fish and sushi counter. With the loss of Kings Market, fresh fish at non usurious rates is a welcome addition to Boca. The adjacent meat and poultry is offered for sale in the traditional butcher case. There are a variety of prepared dishes in the case that just need to be popped into the oven for a gourmet dinner.

Next there is a wine area that could be a free standing wine store. A corresponding cheese area with ongoing free samples butts up to the bread and bakery areas. Everything looks magnificent and is artfully displayed down to the chocolate fountain near the dipped bananas, marshmallows and pretzels.

The offerings are rounded out with already cooked items, individually prepared pasta and pizza and a gelato bar. The store is well thought out with a grab and go area in the front, tables indoors and out for dining, and even special flower holders for your shopping cart.

In addition to all the specialty areas, there are center aisles with regular and organic items that are found in a normal Publix. The Greenwise team has really thought of everything, making it a true one stop shopping venue. It remains to be seen how parking will be once people learn about the market, but for now rush over to take advantage of this new phenomenon.

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