A bipartisan Senate Bill 1840 "Protecting Florida's Health Act," by State Senator Deutch (D) and Senator Altman (R), was passed by the Legislature. It imposes a $1.00
surcharge per pack of cigarettes and an increased surcharge on all tobacco
products.
The purposes of this Bill include:
1) generating funds for Medicaid reimbursement rates
2) preventing youth from starting to smoke
3) Florida would no longer have the lowest tobacco tax in the U.S.

More historic anti-smoking legislation hopes to save the lives of thousands of
smokers and hopes to prevent countless new young people from ever starting.
President Barack Obama admits to having a nicotine habit that he is trying to
end, with difficulty.

Finally the FDA will have authority to regulate the ingredients of tobacco
products, including the addition of warning labels to cover 50% of the front
and back of cigarette packs. In addition, this bill give the federal government the authority to regulate the sale and marketing of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
The use of words, such as: "light," "low tar," and "mild," will be banned from
cigarette packs and cartons and advertising.

Philip Morris USA is the only cigarette manugacturing company, so far, that
has supported fair tobacco regulations.

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It's really bathing suit time. I mean, everyone else is in the water or dipping
their toes into the pool (which is finally warm). The pool aerobics class is
so full, I have to go into the deep water - and I am NOT tall.

Oh, I remember those cookies and birthday cakes and delicious rolls I ate
this winter. Why do my hips have to remember them, too?
So, it's bathing suit time and my friends have come out of their homes
to socialize in the shallow end of the pool to talk about their upcoming
trips. Visits to grandchildren and places far and wide are discussed, while
walking or standing in the pool.

My mom used to walk into the pool very slowly, in the shallow end, and splash
water into the front of her bathing suit. I can't believe I do the same thing! I
must be getting old - but, here I am in the water.
Will you be putting on your suit and dipping into your community pool?

Are you young? Do you have kids? A fun place to go is the new fountain
splash area at Canyon Lakes. Enjoy watching the children try to catch the
water spouts.

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We live in a wonderful area of Florida where there are so many outdoor
activities for children of all ages. Have you been to Daggerwing Nature Center in
Boca Raton? It is located at 11200 Park Access Road, 561 488-9953. There
are boardwalks, nature trails and lots of birds and animals to see.

Visit the Green Cay Nature Center at 12800 Hagen Ranch Road, Boynton Beach,
561 966-7000. Enjoy the boardwalk and visit the exhibits inside. There is
a lovely gift shop, too.

Don't forget the Okeeheelee Nature Center at 7715 Forest Hill Boulevard,
W.Palm Beach 561 233-1400. During the summer there is lots to see and do.

Call the numbers provided for hours and special events.

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Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations (COBWRA)
next meeting will be on Wed., June 17, 2009, 9:30 A.M.
Majestic Isles.
Located on the north side of Woolbright Rd.., just east of El Clair Ranch Rd..

Program: Area Agency for Aging
Open to the public. No tickets or reservations required.
Contact Eric Malkin at (561) 731-1765 for more information.
Please bring non perishable food items to this meeting

COWBRA is now an organization of 88 communities, which represents
over 100,000 residents of West Boynton. COWBRA works closely with
the West Boca Community Council and the Alliance of Delray Residential
Association. COWBRA worked with Lake Worth communities to establish
an organization similar to COWBRA, which has been recognized by PBC
Commissioners as the Lake Worth Coalition.

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Green Cay Wetlands and Nature Center is located at 12800 Hagen Ranch Road,
west of Boynton Beach between Boynton Beach Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue.
The wetlands are open seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset.

Nature center hours are 1:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. Tuesday through Friday;
8:15 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
Saturdays and 1:00 to 4:30 P.M. on Sundays.

On Tuesdays at 4:00 P.M., and on Saturdays at 9:00 and 11:00 A.M.
and 1:00 and 3:00 P.M., free guided half-mile tours are offered to visitors.
There are no reservations required.

For more information, call 561 966-7000. OR www.pbcparks.com/nature

If you are looking for a lovely morning or afternoon walk with visiting
relatives or if you need a destination to take your grandchildren, Green Cay
Nature Center is a great refuge for the eyes and the soul. Bring your camera
and your binoculars. There is a lot to see!

The Nature Center has indoor exhibits, restrooms, and a lovely gift shop.
Volunteers are friendly and knowledgeable.
Hint: The alligators are often found by taking the path to the LEFT of
the Visitor's Center.

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Driving Safety Tips: Keep your car in good running condition Be sure to
have enough fuel to get to your destination, round-trip.
Roll up the windows and lock all of your car doors, even if you are only
parking in your driveway.
Always keep your car keys in your hand, when approaching your parked car.
Park in well-lit, busy locations and be especially alert in parking garages and
at covered mall parking lots.
"BUMP and ROB" has become popular in our area, recently. It works like this:
A car, usually a driver and at least one passenger (sometimes children are
inside car) rear-ends or bumps you in traffic. You quickly get out of your
to assess the damage and to exchange information. One of the passengers
or the driver jumps into your car and drives off.
If you have car trouble, raise the hood of your car and turn on the emergency
flashers. Stay inside your car and lock the doors. Call 911 on your cell phone.
ALWAYS CARRY YOUR CELLPHONE!
If you think you are being followed by another car, do NOT go home. Drive
to the nearest police or sheriff's office.

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Boynton Beach schools - nice, new and colorful

This year, several new school buildings were completed to accommodate the
need for newer, updated facilities. In West Boynton, Sunset Palms Elementary School,
at the corner of Boynton Beach Boulevard and Acme Dairy Road opened in
August, 2008. Today, over 700 students and teachers enjoy the 123,000
square-foot technologically advanced building. The building has a Mediterranean
look which is bright and light and very colorful, including beautiful murals.

The old Hagen Ranch Road Elementary School, originally built in 1966 as
a model "open classroom" school, has finally been demolished. In its place
stands a beautiful new 129,656-square-foot, two-story school, sitting on
13 acres. This school can accommodate 889 students. Unfortunately, although
the students and staff have been in the building for a complete school year,
the grounds and fencing are still incomplete.

Forest Park Elementary School, on SW Third Street underwent a $23 million
modernization. The 40+ year-old school, on 11 acres has a new cafeteria,
media center, administrative offices and classrooms. There is a new parking lot,
bus loop, playgrounds and a covered pavilion for P.E. classes. This school offers
the prestigious International Baccalaureate program.

Boynton Beach High School is an $8.9 million project built with students
of the performing arts in mind. There are 23,000-square-feet added to the
school that includes: lobby, green room, costume shop, recording studio,
two dance studios and a chorus suite.

Target and Bethesda Medical facilities.

Forest Paark Elementary School, on SW Third Street underwent a $23 million
modernization. The 40+ year-old school, on 11 acres has a new cafeteria,
media center, administrative offices and classrooms. There is a new parking lot, bus loop, playgrounds and a covered pavilion for P.E. classes. This school offers
the prestigious International Baccalaureate program.

Boynton Beach High School. This $8.9 million project was built with students
of the performing arts in mind. There are 23,000-square-feet added to the school
that includes: lobby, green room, costume shop, recording studio, two dance studios and a chorus suite.

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Want to save money and get lots of free coupons? Do you want
to print coupons at home and double values to save even more
when you check out at the supermarket? Then log on to this site:
nicolesnickels.blogspot.com/
Or, you can hear Nicole's Nickels on the radio on her weekly radio segment from the Jennifer & Danny Show on 97.9 WRMF. If you're local to the West Palm Beach, Florida
area you can catch her live every Thursday morning between 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.

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A new book, Twinkie, Deconstructed, My Journey to Discover
How the Ingredients Found in Processed Foods Are Grown,
Mined (Yes, Mined), and Manipulated Into What America Eats.
written by Steve Ettlinger (Hudson Street Press/Penguin), 2007,
is a fascinating read.
My husband, Abe, took a sandwich lunch to work every day for more
than 20 years. In every paper bag, a Twinkie, Devil Dog, Yodel, or
Drakes Cakes would always be included. In fact, his colleagues
would remark, "If you want to find Abe, he's hiding behind his
lunch bag."
Why are these snack products so popular with adults and children?
Well, they are sweet and they taste good! But, asks the author,
Steve Ettlinger, what about those ingredients? What exactly is:
mono and diglycerides or calcium sulfate or cellulose gum?
This book has been called a "delightful romp through the food processing
industry," by Publishers Weekly and "the latest in a recent boom of food
investigation books," by The Wall Street Journal.
This is a fun book; easy to read; well-written. So, if you want to know
what Twinkies are made of, here are some of the ingredients:
wheat flour, bleach, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, lecithin, eggs,
cellulose gum, sodium acid pyrophosphate, monocalcium phosphate,
polysorbate 60, calcium sulfate, sorbid acid, FD&C Yellow No. 5 and
Red. No. 40. AND MORE.........too much more to list! All of these
ingredients, he insists, are included to increase the shelf-life of
the snacks.
What ever happened to including an apple, banana, or home-made
cookies into lunch boxes?

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CANYON TOWN CENTER AMPHITHEATER
From Florida's Turnpike, exit west at Boynton Beach Blvd.
The Amphitheater is on the left in Canyon Town Center.
That is the S.E. corner of Boynton Beach Blvd. and Lyons Road.
GRAND OPENING & DEDICATION
Sunday, May 17, 12:00 noon
Featuring The Fabulons
Bring your blanket or lawn chair and enjoy affordable family entertainment
at this outdoor amphitheater located at 8802 Boynton Beach Blvd.
in the Canyon Town Center.
A sampling of upcoming events to watch for...
Concerts
Karaoke
Classic Car Shows
Fall Festival - pumpkin patch & more
Event Hotline:
(561) 488-8069

GL Homes’ constructed the town center and also built the Canyon Town Center Amphitheater and adjacent soccer field for Palm Beach County. At the dedication
GL Homes will hand over those properties to the County.

Most of the new tenants of Canyon Town Center will be participating in the festivities, including:
• Hot Dogs and soda provided by Publix
• Kids safety fingerprinting provided by Bank of America
• Panera Bread will be hosting a cookie decorating contest and food samples
• Face painting

http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/parks/amphitheaters/canyontowncenter

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