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 The email states that this crime of following and then robbing individuals after they have withdrawn cash from an ATM is fairly common.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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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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Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 11th and brunch is an ideal way to start the day. Pick your favorite spot or enjoy brunch at one of the following establishments.

Carmen's Top of the Bridge - Open from 11:00 until 3:00 in the Bridge Hotel this is Boca's most picturesque spot for a traditional Sunday brunch. While enjoying views of Lake Boca Raton, you can gorge on the buffet which includes shrimp, oysters, omelets, antipasto, a carving station and deserts. The price is $36.95 per person and includes a champagne cocktail or mimosa.

Max's Grill - Check out the street life in Mizner Park and enjoy the brunch menu from 11:30 until 3:00. Max's serves the regular lunch menu and supplements it with a la carte items such as smoked salmon, omelets, quiche, french toast, corned beef hash and crab benedict. Max's describes itself as a modern American bistro and is well situated for post brunch window shopping.

Abe and Louie's - As befits this well known steak house, several of its Sunday brunch selections include the house specialty. Steak and eggs and even steak benedict are offered. Rounding out the a la carte menu are the tradition omelets, pancakes and french toast. Served from 11:30 through 3:30, lunch items including salads and steaks are also available.

Grand Lux Cafe - Conveniently located in the Town Center Mall this restaurant offers a weekend breakfast from 11:00 until 2:00. The menu features omelets, egg dishes, pancakes, french toast and waffles. Try the fried chicken and waffles for a southern breakfast option.

If you prefer a traditional breakfast restaurant, check out Tom Sawyer's or First Watch. Bagel Works, Toojays and Flakowitz are great for bagels and lox as well as eggs. Alternatively, breakfast in bed is always a welcome treat. Whatever choice you make, take the time to tell your mother how much she means to you and have a Happy Mother's Day.

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How can you not love an Irish pub that advertises itself with Oscar Wilde's quotation, "I can resist everything except temptation?" Or that has emblazoned Wilde's famous quote "nothing succeeds like excess" into its pub logo?

The Dubliner in Mizner Park has been open for only a year but is clearly the most happening Irish pub in town. The pub is open daily from 4 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. and is an ongoing party. There's live music, traditional Irish fare, including corned beef, shepherd's pie and fish and chips, and some not so traditional food including mcmac and cheese, irish sliders and schroom durgers. As befits an Irish pub, there are beers on tap, 70 varieties of bottled beer, wine and mixed drinks.

In honor of St. Paddy's day, the Dubliner has a full weekend celebration. On Friday and Saturday nights starting at 10 p.m. there will be live music by 5th Gear and Diesel, respectively. On Sunday Michael Patrick and the Uproot Hootenany will perform live at 7 p.m. On Monday, St. Paddy's day, there is something for everyone. Starting at noon there will be corned beef and irish banger stations. Walter Rooney will perform Irish folk music, bagpipers will play and the U2 tribute band, Someday Radio, will be rocking in the evening.

Everyone gets a chance to be Irish on St. Patrick's Day and the Dubliner is a great place to be part of the celebration. Slainte!

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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.

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I love Boca Raton and I would not want to live anywhere else in South Florida. Even though I am a strong advocate for our city, I believe that we need to continue to strive to make Boca the best it can be. As we start 2008, I propose the following resolutions:

1. Safety first. All crime, including purse snatching, robbery, carjacking and even sadly murder, needs to be addressed and stopped now. Everyone - police, elected officials, judges, businesses, ordinary citizens - should act in concert to show that there is a zero tolerance for any type of crime in Boca.

2. Open the Spanish River Boulevard library. The slow pace of building is starting to rival Gaudi's famous church, La Sagrada Familia, as the library was approved by public referendum in 2003 with construction started in 2004. It looks beautiful from the outside and now is the time to finish the project and let everyone enjoy this new public facility.

3. Build an ice rink. Recreational activities benefit both locals and visitors, making it a big plus for our city.

4. Bring back the boat parade. Traditions are what make the most lasting memories. We need to continue and support all city wide events to create a strong sense of community.

5. Plan for the future. Give the voters proposals as to long range plans for developing a downtown that links Royal Palm Plaza and Mizner Park and address road congestion, water purification safety and hurricane preparedness.

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While I have no special credentials in the gift giving department, as a giver and receiver of holiday presents, I offer the following pointers:

1. For everyone but your true love, cash is king. Although it might be viewed as impersonal, everyone is happy to receive money to spend as they please.

2. Gift cards are second best. Try and pick a store that the recipient enjoys shopping in and watch out for hidden charges and expiration dates. The Simon gift card at Town Center at Boca Raton costs $2.00 to purchase and if the recipient has not used it up at the end of 12 months, there is a $2.50 service charge per month.

3. Food and drink gifts are okay if done tastefully. Bringing a salami from Publix doesn't cut it, but a nice thoughtfully put together gift basket is always appreciated.

4. Unless you are 100% certain that you really know the recipient, do not give a gift that can not be returned. Be especially careful of holiday boutiques. Although you might love that unique one of a kind item, it could end up sitting unused in a drawer or closet.

5. Always ask for and place a gift receipt in your present. By the time the receiver goes to exchange the item, it will probably be on sale. Unless you want to charitably support your local department store, a gift receipt assures that you get full credit for the item.

6. The best gift that you receive may actually be one that you give. Instead of giving presents to each other, the employees of the Florida Institute for Periodontics and Dental Implants in Boca Raton each purchased a gift for a child for $25. The gifts were donated to the children in the oncology and cystic fibrosis wards at St. Mary's Medical Center. The children loved the gifts and the joy of making them happy was much more meaningful than the receipt of a $25 present.

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