You and your kids get away for a much-deserved one week vacation before the new school year starts up.

While you are gone, 20 people in their mid-teens invade your house and have a wild, all-night party during the weekend while you are gone. They eat your food, drink your alcoholic beverages, and even have sex in your master bedroom. The next morning, they cook a big breakfast for all those who are still partying in your home.

Even though you’ve lived in that house long enough to know all your neighbors, some of whom knew you were out of town, no one calls the police despite considerable noise and steady foot and car traffic all night long.

You come home to a filthy house and an empty fridge. The only thing left to quench your thirst is tap water – every other beverage was consumed by those who came to party while you were gone.

This is not a dream I had last night, or a dramatization for TV. It really happened. Right here in West Boca!

Unfortunately for the revelers, they posted photos of their caper on the Internet, which enabled the police to ID some of them. The host of this home invasion party turned out to be a 16 year-old who lives in the house next door.

This story is being posted as a cautionary tale.

Next time you leave town, make sure you tell your neighbors and ask them to keep an eye on your property. If they see anything even a little suspicious, tell them to CALL THE POLICE!

> Discuss this entry

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

Many of you have probably noticed the attractive building being erected on the west side of 441 just north of Yamato Road. This eye-catching structure is the new 20,000 square foot South West Palm Beach County Library.

According to John Callahan, the Director of the Palm Beach County Library System, the new library is slated to open on December 20, 2008. The building will have taken 16 months to complete at an estimated total cost of $11,500,000.

The new library will feature a meeting room with a 100-person capacity that will be available for use by local civic and non-profit groups. A special teen room will offer age- related book collections and computer access. Another separate room will be designated for younger children and will include popular story-time events.

This modern structure offers aesthetically pleasing natural lighting, comfortable seating, handicap accessibility, and parking for 136 cars, including 7 handicapped spaces. For those on a tight schedule, time-saving features abound, such as a drive-up book return and an express checkout station to allow for fast, efficient service.

There will be 30 Internet word processing computers and laptop computers available for meetings and training purposes. Free wireless access will also be available for those wishing to bring their own laptop computer to the facility. Several computer classes will be offered to the public, ranging from beginning e-mail training to hot topics such as MP3.

The old library located on Glades and 95th Street will close for refurbishing for six months, at which time its staff will be reassigned temporarily to the new library on 441. When the refurbishment is completed, its current staff will return to their original Glades and 95th Street location, and a new staff will be hired to operate the new library.

Please visit www.pbclibrary.org for additional information and services provided by your Palm Beach County Library System.

> Discuss this entry

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

Perhaps overshadowed by all the hoopla this year surrounding the opening of the Sunset Cove Amphitheater and the Canine Cove dog park in nearby South County Regional Park, there’s another new attraction there worthy of mention.

The County also recently opened an accessible playground, a unique concept that enables children with disabilities to play alongside those without such disabilities. It is located next to the new amphitheater and dog park.

The new playground was inspired by the highly successful Picower Super Park in Lake Worth, which features one of over 100 Boundless Playgrounds™ that have opened throughout the United States over the last decade.

Many children have disabilities that make it difficult for them to enjoy traditional playgrounds. These children often do not get to experience what most other children take for granted.

The new barrier-free playground has ramps that allow children in wheelchairs to experience elevated areas safely. Balance beams and stepping pods support children with Down Syndrome and help to improve their equilibrium.

Rigorous and challenging activities will allow all children to play at their highest potential. This new playground provides an opportunity for all children – with and without disabilities – to play together side-by-side.

A shaded gazebo with benches is included in the playground, as well as 19 additional benches and a drinking fountain.

To get to the accessible playground, the dog park or the amphitheater for the next six to eight months, go west on Glades 2.5 miles from 441 to the park’s new southern entrance just past the fire station, then follow the signs.

By April of next year, the road that now ends at Coconut Cove Waterpark will be extended to these newest attractions, making it a much shorter trip for those of us who live in northwest West Boca.

> Discuss this entry

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