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

Boca Festival days was started by the Chamber of Commerce as a way to attract business during the off season month of August. It has evolved into an annual party/fundraiser/ activitysession and this year is no exception.

On tap this week are acting classes for students at the Caldwell Theatre, dueling pianos at FunKey Nutz to benefit Kids in Distress, an American Songbook contest to benefit Hospice of Palm Beach County and the Morikami Bon Festival on Saturday, August 9th from 5 - 9.

The signature event of the festival is the wine tasting, this year to be held on August 16th at the Boca Raton Resort and Club. " Wine and All That Jazz ....and More" will feature over 100 wines for sampling. Other interesting programming include a tennis tournament benefiting Ruth Rales Jewish Family Services, a ballroom dance battle featuring local politicians to benefit the George Snow Scholarship Fund and a Tropical Nights Martini Party at Bova.

Events vary in price and information about all activities can be found at www.bocaratonchamber.com.

> Discuss this entry

Traditional July 4th fireworks will be launched in Boca Raton, West Boca, Delray Beach and Deerfield Beach. The schedule is as follows.

FAU - Fabulous Fourth from 6-9:30 p.m. Family Activities start at 6 p.m. and the Florida Wind Symphony will perform at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks go off at 9 p.m.

Sunset Cove Amphitheater - An opening ceremony at 6:30 p.m. with music hits from the 40's to the present. At 9 p.m. the twenty-five minute fireworks extravaganza will be synchronized to patriotic music.

AIA and Atlantic in Delray - The annual sand sculpting contest is from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. on the beach with live music from 2:30 - 8 p.m. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. on the beach.

Hillsborough and AIA in Deerfield Beach - An oceanfront concert by Jay and the Americans is at 7:30 p.m. and The Mad Bomber fireworks begin at 9 p.m.

Rain is in the forecast but should hopefully clear by the 9 p.m. start time. Bring a blanket and your favorite drink and enjoy the show. Have a safe and happy 4th!

> Discuss this entry

1. Enjoy every minute of your graduation festivities. Live in the moment. There are very few opportunities in life for closure, which makes graduation a unique experience. Enjoy this chance to savor completing a significant task. Do not focus on what is coming next; there will be plenty of opportunities for that later.

2. Resolve to respect the principles of karma. Even if you think the Golden Rule is trite, remember that your actions lead to reactions that could adversely affect you later. Try not to do anything spiteful, malicious or inadvertently stupid as what goes around does eventually come back around.

3. Do not smoke. If you do smoke, quit immediately. There is no question that smoking is one of the most harmful things you can do to your body.

4. Even if you think you are invincible, take care of yourself. Watch your weight and try and exercise. Try not to do anything that has irreversible deleterious effects.

5. Register to vote. Be part of the civic process and go willingly when called for jury duty. Serving on a jury is a great honor and one that you may actually find that you enjoy. Be an active member of whatever community you live in wherever you live.

6. Always remember to give back. Serve as a volunteer or donate money to your favorite cause. You will receive much more than you give once you discover the benefits of helping others.

7. Remember that no one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes, including you. Do not beat yourself up over the past and instead learn from it and move forward. Forgive others for their errors.

Congratulations to you and your family on this wonderful occasion! Now go party - SAFELY.

> Discuss this entry

Special thanks to Delray blogger Mary Kay for the following information.

Kids in Distress, is holding their largest fund-raiser of the year. This non-profit organization helps prevent child abuse through parental education programs so children don’t have to suffer the trauma of being taken away from their homes.

When it’s not possible for them to remain at home, Kids has a main campus in Wilton Manors. There they live in a safe environment until loving foster homes can be found for them. An ancillary office in Delray Beach is located at 601 No. Congress Ave, #413.

All profits from the Apr. 18 Gala go to Kids in Distress.

* All That Jazz
* Fri., Apr. 18, 7p.m. through midnight
* Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach, 100 South Ocean Ave.
* Tickets $350
* Black Tie Optional
* Information, Call 954.390.7654

> Discuss this entry

Here is one program that I promise you will not snooze through. Dr. James Maas, Cornell University professor and author of Power Sleep, will speak on Monday, April 7th at 11:00 a.m. at the Boca Raton Marriot at Boca Center. Dr Maas will provide a one hour presentation entitled the "Golden Rules of Sleep." Having heard him speak at Cornell, I can assure you that he is extremely entertaining and informative.

The lecture is presented by the Boca Raton Community Hospital Foundation and the Institute for Quality Aging. The speech is open to the public but RSVP's to 561 955-4142 are required. As noted in the invitation, Dr. Maas is one of the nation's most sought after speakers and his presentations consistently receive standing ovations and high accolades. Don't miss this opportunity to hear an amazing lecturer.

> Discuss this entry

When I grew up in South Florida in the early 1970's, a cultured evening consisted of a night out at the famed Elbo Room on Fort Lauderdale beach. Since than theatres, art museums and performance venues have opened and expanded in cities from Miami through Palm Beach. The vast cultural wasteland of my youth has been transformed into an arts banquet and this winter season presents a smorgasbord of offerings.

The Boca Raton Museum of Art, located in Mizner Park, supplements its permanent collections with two special exhibitions. Degas in Bronze: The Complete Sculptures presents 73 Degas sculptures including ballet dancers, horses and women bathing. Tiffany Studios: Holtzman Collection showcases 50 stained glass pieces created by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Both exhibitions are a visual delight and run through April 27, 2008. For information about museum hours, curator tours and special events check out the museum website at http://www.bocamuseum.org.

The Festival of the Arts, also at Mizner Park, runs from February 29th through March 16th. The festival is a celebration of music, literature, film, art, food and wine. Some of the highlights of the program include literary events with Doris Kearns Godwin, Joyce Carol Oates and Ann Patchett and musical performances by the Pat Metheny Trio, Chick Corea, and the Russian National Orchestra with Joshua Bell, violin and Renee Fleming, soprano. This is the second year of the festival and if last years performances are an indication, this will be one of the outstanding pieces of the cultural season. Performance schedules and event tickets are available at http://www.festivaloftheartsboca.org.

The American Ballet Theatre will be performing its new production of Sleeping Beauty March 13 through 16 at the Carnival Center in Miami. This is the ABT's only Florida appearance this season and the ballet features 90 dancers, world-renowned principals and a full symphony orchestra. The Kravis and Broward Center both have numerous offerings including touring companies of such Broadway productions as Spamalot and Wicked.

For something a little unconventional, check out the Botero, Chihuly and Lichtenstein exhibit at Fairchild Tropical Gardens in Miami. The exhibit runs through May 31 and one of the highlights is the lighting of the sculptures on Thursday evenings from 6 until 9. You can walk through the gardens and take in the beauty of Botero's unique pieces, Dale Chihuly's glass, Lichtenstein's sculptures and the beautiful silhouettes. For more information the website is http://www.fairchildgarden.org.

These are the main events on my cultural calendar and I would love to hear any other suggestions. Write a comment with your personal favorite so that everyone can share in the South Florida arts experience.

> Discuss this entry

Hot chocolate from the Boca Raton Hotel and Resort slides down my throat, the velvety taste lingering on my tongue. I pick up and devour a piece of Boca Trash from So Sweet It Is, relishing the sweet salty combination. Next comes the piece de resistance, a warm chocolate souffle topped with vanilla ice cream from Royal Palm Country Club. I follow it up with a chocolate martini and even I, an affirmed chocoholic, am satiated.

The seventh annual Junior League of Boca Raton's Chocolate Decadence fundraiser took place on Thursday February 7 at the Shops at Boca Center. Hundreds of people came to sip, imbibe, nibble, munch and devour unlimited samples from multiple stands for the $30 admission fee. In addition to chocolate and its derivatives, several stalls offered real food, including sandwiches, soup, and sushi, to counteract the overdose on the glycemic index. For those truly suffering from food overload, there was live music and vendors offering everything from purses, shoes, stationary and soaps for sale.

As a relapsed chocoholic, this event has become a tradition in my family. I love the kitschy fountain filled with plastic flamingos and soap bubbles, the strange human statues and of course the food. My only complaint is that there is a VIP tent for which you have to pay $70 to enter and that Morton's, which also has a great chocolate souffle, has moved into the VIP tent.

The event always coincides with Valentine's Day and is one you should be sure to attend if you like chocolate. It is a true Willy Wonka experience in Boca and one that kids and adults can both appreciate.

> Discuss this entry

“NBC and the RNC both had a concern about Boca Raton because it sounded snooty, was not a real city, like holding a debate in Beverly Hills.” This was the opening line of my first blog posted in October, 2007. Well, here we are two days from the Republican Presidential debate taking place at Florida Atlantic University ("FAU") and specious criticism of our town, rightfully so, is not an issue.

FAU and Leadership Florida have acted professionally in organizing Florida's only presidential debate. While the Democratic debate does not appear to be taking place because of party politics, the Republican campaign is in full swing. With 57 delegates at stake and the possibility for a front runner to emerge, the Republican debate has became even more significant, giving Boca Raton a greater opportunity to be in the national spotlight.

It certainly helps our tourism industry to have an event in balmy South Florida when the rest of the country is in the grip of winter. It is also an opportunity to debunk some of the myths about Palm Beach County. After the 2000 election butterfly ballot fiasco, it is good for the nation to see that there are intelligent, well informed citizens in Palm Beach County and that the snotty caricature is just that, a caricature.

Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, John McCain and Mitt Romney have been crisscrossing Florida to gain votes for the January 29th primary. The FAU debate presents a chance to see all the candidates in one place. The debate should provide a forum for each of the candidates to discuss important issues on the national agenda and for Boca Raton to shine.

> Discuss this entry

Over 25,000 people jammed Flagler Boulevard in West Palm Beach on Saturday, January 19th for the Susan G. Komen South Florida Race for the Cure. Young and old, men and women, children and pets, including one dyed pink standard poodle, all joined together to run or walk 5 kilometers to help find a cure for breast cancer.

As in past years, I participated in the Race for the Cure and once again saw the strength of our communities' efforts to fight this horrible disease. Groups carried banners representing churches, synagogues, schools, businesses, counties, and civic organizations. People wore the event t-shirt or donned one of the own and adorned themselves with pink parasols, hats, necklaces and boas.

Especially moving were the tribute signs worn by many of the participants. Pinned on their backs were lists either in memory of deceased family members and friends or in honor of those who had breast cancer. The number of names was overwhelming, highlighting the need to find a cure for this disease.

The event is in its 17th year and is part of a nationwide effort started by Palm Beacher Nancy Brinker after her sister died of breast cancer. This year organizers anticipated revenues of $1.5 million for the West Palm Beach walk.

The walk itself took less than an hour and I can't think of a better or more meaningful way to have spent my Saturday morning.

*******************************************************************************************
Upcoming events:
Thursday, January 24 at 9 p.m. - Republican Presidential Debate at FAU
Saturday, January 26 at 10 a.m. - Opening of the City of Boca Raton Library on Spanish River Boulevard
Thursday, February 7 at 6 p.m. - Junior League of Boca Raton Chocolate Decadence, Shops at Boca Center on Military Trail 561-620-2553 or visit www.JLBR.org.

> Discuss this entry

Now that the holidays are over and the snowbirds have taken up residence, the social season is starting in full force. Mail boxes are starting to overflow with invitations for multiple charitable balls.

If you have a deep wallet, you can take advantage of events and parties at some very cool venues. Even if your philanthropic budget is limited, it's fun to pick one event and hobnob with the rich and almost famous.

Some of the upcoming galas are listed below. Enjoy the season and feel free to add your own favorites as a comment to this entry.

Saturday, January 19th - Imagination Ball, Boca Raton Community Hospital, Boca Raton Resort and Club (561) 955-4142

Sunday, January 20th - State of Israel Bonds Prime Minister's Club Dinner, Boca West County Club (800) 229-6950 ext. 5829

Thursday, February 7 - Torch of Learning Award Dinner, American Friends of Hebrew University, Woodfield Country Club (561) 750-8585

Saturday, February 9 - American Heart Association's 26th Annual Boca Raton Heart Ball, Avitat Aviation (561) 394-0170

Sunday, February 17th - Donna Summer Concert and Disco Party, Stand Among Friends, Bank Atlantic Center (561) 297-4402

Tuesday, February 26 - Focus on the Future, Weizmann Institute of Science, Four Seasons Resort (561) 210-8440

Sunday, March 2 - Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Annual Gala, Mar-A-Lago Club (561) 483-2771

> Discuss this entry

Ready, set, go ....... ever since Black Friday, it feels as if we are in a race with the holiday season. There's the rush to buy presents and the hurry to get ready for and attend holiday parties. The pace gets so hectic it's an accomplishment just to make it through each day and complete some of your to do list.

Other than the standard platitudes, about starting early, staying on budget and keeping organized, there really is no answer to this annual holiday dilemma. The only thing you can do is to focus on what is important to you. As they say, don't sweat the small stuff.

Try and spend some time each day living in the present and not always planning for the next event. Enjoy being with your family and friends and take time to savor the special moments. Keep up with family traditions because they are truly what everyone will remember and cherish.

If it's not already part of your family tradition, the Boca holiday parade which takes place on Federal Highway on December 5th is always a fun event. The parade is a real mom and pop affair with lots of homemade floats. It brings out the true community spirit of Boca and is one of those activities that make wonderful memories.

> Discuss this entry

Boca has its own version of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. For the first time in over thirty years, there will be no holiday boat parade in Boca Raton.

Apparently, the boat parade is a victim of economic difficulties and is a casualty of our City's belt tightening.

Previously, the parade was sponsored by the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce. In 2003, the Chamber of Commerce pulled out and the City of Boca Raton along with the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County and Sea Tow, groups that run the boat parade in North Palm Beach, saved the parade.

This year because of state mandated budget cuts, the City was not able to contribute the almost $20,000 that it had given to support the event. Marine Industries, a not-for-profit organization created to promote and protect the sound growth of the marine industry in Palm Beach County, stated that it could not continue this year without the City's support.

Many people on the parade route plan their holiday parties to coincide with the event. Hotels and restaurants on or near the route also have benefited from the increased traffic of the parade. Estimates of the number of watchers have been as high as 10,000 people.

As a city that is fairly new and lacking in historical tradition, the loss of one of our few annual events is a sad occasion. If you feel the same way, let me or one of your City Councilmen hear your opinion. Although it might be too late for this year, maybe we can have an impact on next year.

> Discuss this entry

Stop Iran is an organization newly created by the Jewish Community Relations Council for the purpose of opposing Iran's efforts to obtain nuclear weapons. The group hopes to partner with other community and religious groups and held its first event in Boca Raton at Zinman Hall in the Jewish Federation Campus on Thursday, November 15.

The special briefing entitled "National Security and the Threat of a Nuclear Iran" featured R. James Woolsey and Ofer Bavly. Mr. Woolsey, a former CIA director and Co-chair of the Committee of Present Danger, spoke about the historical, political and religious situation in Iran. He stated that the Iranian government is working hard on developing nuclear weapons and that the United States should do everything in its power to prevent a nuclear Iran. He said that he does not favor using force, but that if the alternative would be to allow Iran such weapons, then U.S. air power should be used. Mr. Woolsey explained that because of the ideological differences a nuclear Iran is not comparable to a nuclear Soviet Union. He concluded that Iran must be stopped before it reaches the point where it has the technology to produce a nuclear weapon.

Mr. Ofer Bavley, the new Consul General of Israel for Florida, agreed with Mr. Woolsey's comments and recommended economic sanctions as a viable alternative for stopping Iran's nuclear program. He noted that the State of Florida has divested from companies that do business with Iran. He explained that if there was worldwide support of economic sanctions, Iran would have the dilemma of deciding between a nuclear program or feeding its people.

As made clear by the speakers, the threat of a nuclear Iran is a frightening proposition. This group is certainly in the forefront of addressing this issue and will hopefully continue to put the spotlight on this very important issue.

For additional information about this group, email jcrc@jewishboca.org.

> Discuss this entry

Irving R. Levine's guest introductions are worth the price of admission alone to the Lynn University Dively Frontiers in Globalization Luncheon Lecture Series. Having Carl Hiaasen as the principal speaker on November 13th, turned the event into a double hitter.

Mr. Levine, Dean Emeritus of International Studies at Lynn University, always introduces the guest lecturer with a well thought out and humor filled speech, this time being no exception. In keeping with Carl Hiassen's theme of Florida as the axis of weirdness, Mr. Levine explained that part of the problem in Florida is that people understandably would rather be an auto thief in Miami as opposed to Detroit. He joked that any South Florida politician without handcuff marks on his or her wrists is an elder statesman.

Mr. Levine also used the platform to talk about the presidential candidates. Quoting other sources throughout, he noted that Fred Thompson has the empathy of Donald Trump and the charm of Dick Cheney and that Hillary Clinton's laugh has the spontaneity of an alarm clock. He explained that Rudy Giuliani decision to follow Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment and not speak ill of his opponents needs to be consistent with the 7th commandment, to not commit adultery.

Although a tough act to follow, Carl Hiassen, noted author and columnist for the Miami Herald, did a more than admirable job and was also quite humorous. He explained that he often writes books with outrageous characters and events but that there is nothing that he can write that isn't surpassed by true stories found in the newspaper. For example, he stated that he thought his book Skin Tight was about the worst plastic surgeon, someone who accidentally killed a patient during a nose job. Then he read about Dr. Lips, a surgeon in Miami, who accidentally killed a patient while performing a combined face lift, liposuction and genitalia enhancement. As Mr. Hiassen noted, this true case made his fictional account look like a Disney story.

Mr. Hiassen also spoke about the fact that Florida is a state where bad behavior is so rampant that nitwits are not noticed. He explained that because of this many of the 9/11 terrorists resided in Florida. He noted that we also attract more than our fair share of notoriety from people like O.J. Simpson, Anna Nicole Smith and events like the hanging chad debacle. He concluded that even though we live in a community of weirdness, we are all in it together.

The next and final luncheon of the year is on Friday, February 8th and will feature Doris Kearns Goodwin, author and presidential historian. For more information and to purchase tickets go to www.lynn.edu/dively. You can be sure that Irving R. Levine's introduction will be a highlight of the event.

> Discuss this entry

It used to be that after October 15, you could let your guard down and breathe a sigh of relief that another hurricane season had elapsed. Now for the second time in three years, we are facing late season storms. Instead of Halloweens marred by snow like our northern neighbors, tropical systems are ruining one of the best childhood nights of the year.

Two years ago, Wilma struck the week before Halloween. People were still cleaning up the mess and trying to get power restored on October 31. This year Noel and its wind and rain are threatening to make this a soggy disaster.

Some communities have already cancelled planned outdoor events. Trick or treating, if it does take place, will be mother nature's trick and certainly not a treat in this weather.

One option is to take the activites indoors. The Town Center at Boca Raton mall will be hosting trick or treaters from 6:00 through 7:30. Masks are only allowed on children ten years of age and younger and toy weapons are prohibited. Although it's not the same as going door to door in your neighborhood, at least its one way to salvage a little joy.

> Discuss this entry