Like many other people we know in our area, we moved to West Boca because of its excellent public schools.

We arrived here just in time for our daughter to begin middle school. It’s now eight years later, and we are rapidly approaching sunset as the parents of a teenager.

We were quite satisfied with the schools in West Boca, especially Eagles Landing. But in one respect, our area is not such a great place for teens and pre-teens. Simply put, they have no place to go that is specifically for them, at least not until they have night-time driving privileges.

The younger ones head for Shadow Wood on Friday night to hang out in and around the parking lots. It’s a fragile co-existence of shared space with adults who flock to the movies or Borders, all under the watchful eye of a considerable security presence.

If their parents are accommodating, maybe some kids can make it to the Boca mall instead, or even Muvico near FAU. But it’s still an uneasy sharing of space with adults, as well as likely tension and conflict with merchants.

Is this the best we can do for the 10,000 kids in our area aged 11 to 17?

The more we’ve thought about it, the more we say NO! Other communities have dedicated youth centers for this age group, whether it be East Boca, Wellington, Jupiter, Coconut Creek or Coral Springs. True, these are all city facilities, and West Boca is not a city.

But our local government is Palm Beach County, some of whose officials we help elect. Why can’t we lobby the county for a dedicated facility for teens and pre-teens just like some of us pushed for the new amphitheater, the new golf course at the edge of the Everglades, the Daggerwing Nature Center, and the state-of-the-art county library going up on 441?

What about enlisting the support of the private sector?

We’d like to start a dialogue on this blog about getting a first class youth center for West Boca. What’s YOUR opinion?

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The Grand Opening of Canine Cove – the new dog park for West Boca – is set for Saturday morning, July 26 from 8:30 am to 11:00 am.

Your dog(s) can run and play to their heart’s content in the fenced-in areas designed especially for off-leash recreation.

Canine Cove has two large dog sections and one for small ones. Only one of the large dog sections will be open at any given time while the other one undergoes maintenance. The facility will have three gazebos, three pet drinking fountains, 34 shaded benches, 15 Dogipot stations, and one pet washing station large enough to wash two dogs at a time.

The park will be open from dawn to dusk seven days a week, except on Wednesdays, when it will be closed from noon to 3:00 pm for maintenance.

Canine Cove is located close to the newly opened Sunset Cove Amphitheater, the venue for West Boca’s first annual 4th of July fireworks extravaganza.

To get there, go west on Glades 2.5 miles from 441. Just before you get to the fire station and can see West Boca High School in the distance, turn right into the park and follow the signs.

By early 2009, this road will be extended through to Coconut Cove Waterpark, which will make the trip to Canine Cove considerably shorter for some. But for now, this new dog park is still a lot closer than the city of Boca Raton’s Mizner Bark. And unlike Mizner, Canine Cove will be free for the residents of West Boca!

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There’s no more need to battle traffic jams en route to the beach for 4th of July fireworks!

For the first time ever, West Boca will have its own dazzling fireworks extravaganza on July 4 – and it’s practically in our own back yards.

The event will be held in nearby South County Regional Park at the brand new Sunset Cove Amphitheater starting at 6:30 (gates open at 5:00). The Private Stock Band will perform hits from 1940 to today in a non-stop, two hour set.

Fireworks will light up the sky for half an hour starting at 8:30, sponsored by FP&L.

Vendors will be on site for food and beverages. Just bring a lawn chair or blanket and
enjoy the show!

To get to the Amphitheater, go 2.5 miles west from 441 on Glades Road, then turn right onto the new road into the park, which is about half a mile northeast from the new high school. This road will be the only route to the Amphitheater until the end of the year, by which time it will connect up with the road that currently ends just past Coconut Cove Waterpark and the Daggerwing Nature Center.

Please note that the Parks Department will not permit personal fireworks or pets at this event, nor food and beverages not purchased from on site vendors.

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In a bow to the superior information made possible by the ongoing Internet revolution, here’s a link to the best website we’ve seen for helping South Florida prepare for the worst.

The site is well-organized, easily searchable and offers a wealth of practical information for all possible contingencies. You can download a copy of Palm Beach County’s Official 2008 Hurricane Survival Guide, which is also available at the county library on Glades and 95th Avenue or in the South County Regional Park from the Coconut Water Park and the Daggerwing Nature Center.

In addition to the obvious reminder about what to stock up on, the website provides hurricane advice about such matters as the special needs of seniors, how to get your yard hurricane-ready, pet concerns, where to buy gas or food in the wake of a serious storm that leaves us powerless, and much, much more.

This website is provided courtesy of Palm Beach County’s Emergency Management, which reminds all of us that more injuries and deaths occur in the hours FOLLOWING a hurricane than during it.

The website's address is: http://www.pbcgov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement

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The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District-7, West Boca Raton, would like to make you aware of a current crime trend in the West Boca Raton area. Law enforcement has investigated a number of “distraction” type thefts.

The scenario may go something like this: At least two people will approach your home and tell you that they are there to investigate a (water-gas or other type) leak. However, this is not the only guise they will use. Remember, their scheme is to get into your home. Once inside, a member of the “team” will distract you to another room while the other steals your valuables. Incidents have been reported in which the “distraction teams” are made up of both males and females. So beware!

If persons representing a utility company request access to your house, make sure they have proper identification or call and verify with the company. All true utility employees will be glad to prove their identity.

Don’t be a crime victim!

Immediately report any suspicious activity to your local law enforcement agency.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Detective Sergeant John Sluth at 561-558-2715.

Captain Matt Eisenberg
Palm Beach Sheriff's Office
Commander, District-7
West Boca Raton

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