“La Bamba”
4285 W. Atlantic Ave.
Delray Beach, Fl.
499-7996

If you enjoy Mexican food, this is the place to go. For our Saturday night out recently, our friends the Lazarus’s and my wife and I sat down in uncomfortable hard wooden chairs about 7 o’clock in one of the large, high ceilinged dining rooms to enjoy some authentic Mexican fare at La Bamba.

The restaurant is divided into a grill room with limited seating, where all the exciting drinks are prepared, like margaritas and daiquiris; then there are two other large areas for dining. I’m guessing that grill room is the best place to enjoy your meal. It has to be much quieter than the larger rooms.

As soon as we were seated a bowl of corn chips with three salsa dips were served. Nibbling away at the chips and spicy salsa put us in the mood for the dishes to come.
Our waiter Dan was courteous and helpful in responding to our questions about the various dishes. Our friends both ordered the La Bamba Combination plate consisting of one chicken enchilada, one Chile relleno and a beef taco served with yellow rice and refried beans.

I tried the taco dinner with two corn taco shells filled with chicken, lettuce, tomato, cheese and sauce. Refried beans and melted cheese surrounded the shells.

My wife is not a Mexican food aficionado. She ordered Pollo Sonora, a juicy boneless breast of chicken marinated and charbroiled.

We each enjoyed our treat. The Mrs. praised the flavor and tenderness of the chicken breast and our friends had a sampling of traditional south of the border food.

Unfortunately the noise level in the room made conversation at the table almost impossible. But, then again there are very few quiet restaurants in South Florida, isn’t that true?

> Discuss this entry

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

At the Wednesday evening November 21 meeting of the Boca Raton Computer Society, Vice President of the Society Dr. Gerald Dinerman presented a comparative review of the capabilities for performing a “quick fix” of digital photographs using three different software programs: Picasa2 vs. Photoshop Elements Version 6 vs. Paint Shop Pro version 12. Gerald demonstrated that each of these programs fulfilled a purpose dependant on the need and degree of ability of the user. Picasa2, the easiest to use, is a freeware program available from Google, while the other two must be purchased. Picasa2 does not have the capability to alter individual sections of a photograph which the other two programs can do.

Gerald serves as the Digital Photography Special Interest Group (SIG) leader for BRCS.
All BRCS meetings begin at 6:15 PM at the South County Civic Center the third Wednesday of each. The computer interested public is always welcome.

Gerald, a retired periodontist, serves as President of the Cascade Lakes community computer club since 2004. When you speak to Gerry for just a few minutes you learn he is well organized, earns the respect of his peers and completes projects that he begins. For 32 years he earned the respect of his patients.

He and his wife Phyllis retired to Florida in 1998, moving to Cascade Lakes in 2000.
“I regret that I did not retire earlier to enjoy the wonderful life we have in Florida,” says Gerry.
Gerry and Phyllis have two sons, Dr. Michael an M.D, and Dr. Bradley a computer network security expert, and three grandchildren.

Gerry’s hobbies include digital photography and editing as well as building computers. A few years ago he built a new computer from scratch to take with him when he goes north for several months.

Dr. Gerald was born in Swampscott, MA. 69 years ago. He went to dental school at University of Pennsylvania and completed his post graduate periodontal training at Boston University. In 1963 Gerry was president of the Univ. of Pennsylvania chapter of Alpha Omega, the national dental fraternity. Between 1960 and 1964 the chapters throughout the United States raised funds to found a Hadassah dental School in Israel—an achievement he is most proud to have been a part of.

In his spare time when he needs to unwind Gerry enjoys fishing and reading.

> Discuss this entry

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

The 16 piece Latin Jazz “Orquesta Nostalgia” led by Anselmo Vidal, Jr. produced a grand opening for the ninth season of the Society at the Spanish River Performing Arts Center, Boca Raton Tuesday evening November 20.

Playing a wide variety of Cuban/Puerto Rican standards from the late 1950 heydays of Tito Puente’s band, and utilizing many of the arrangements of that group, the audience applauded and cheered their appreciation for the verve and drive exhibited in their repertoire beginning with the first set opening number Mama Guela and continuing to Donde Estabas Tu which closed out the first half of the concert.

Lead vocalist Dennis Rivera helped produce the true Latin flavor of the evening with his superb singing. Leader, Vidal, Jr., Ramon Aponte and Willie Suarez provided the back up chorus to Rivera.

While most of the instrumentalists are long time experienced sidemen, youth graced each end of the stage. Young marrieds Eddy and Lisa Rodriguez and Daniela Vega and Christian Tabois provided graceful, sensuous dancing to the accompaniment of many of the numbers.

The second half of the program included familiar standards Tea for Two Cha Cha and Mambo with Me from the movie “Mambo King.”

A rousing finish to the exciting musical evening was Cochise providing stellar performances by the young dancers and solo instrumental turns by Marty Fried on sax; Al Lilianstein on trombone; Willie Suarez on bass guitar; Arty Azenza on piano. Throughout the evening, the percussion artistry of Joe Glavez on Timbales, Joe T. on bongo drum, Milt Rodriguez on Congo drum and Anselmo Vidal, Jr. on the small Timbales pushed the band forward with a driving beat.

The next concert in the series takes place Tuesday December 18, starring singer/comedian Damian and featuring showman Duffy Jackson on drums and his 7 piece instrumental group playing traditional jazz. For reservation information call (561) 499-9976.

Photos Above: Anselmo Vidal, Jr.; Eddy and Lisa Rodriguez

Caring Kitchen in Delray Cares for Needy

Here in West Delray I’ve been active in a community organization, the Alliance of Delray Residential Associations for the past seven years. Wanting to make a special charitable contribution to a worthy cause we saw that Office Depot had contributed backpacks for underprivileged school children to the Caring Kitchen in downtown Delray. Surely they would need school supplies to go into those backpacks.

Alliance President Bob Schulbaum and I spoke to Ms. April Hazamy, the Program Coordinator at the Caring Kitchen. She was delighted with our offer and provided a list of supplies needed to outfit the backpacks. The order was placed with Office Depot and shipped directly to the Caring Kitchen, located in a donated American Legion Post building at 196 N.W. 8th Avenue in Delray.
Since then our Board authorized a donation of a check for every quarter for the next year to the Caring Kitchen folks to purchase food.

In a recent month, Caring Kitchen provided 1,105 individuals, of which 467 were children with a 4 day supply of emergency food. They also provided 5, 748 meals at breakfast; lunch and supper to the homeless, as well as persons with low incomes and shut-ins. 1,182 bag lunches were given out recently at Cason United Methodist Church –one for Saturday and another for Sunday.

Caring Kitchen is an interfaith community based program, counting many churches and synagogues in the area as Sponsors.

Anyone wishing to donate food, money and/or clothing can contact April Hazamy at (561) 278-0918—a charming young lady who, with other dedicated volunteer workers,
do good things for people in desperate need,

> Discuss this entry

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

A busy week ahead: Tuesday November 20—Swing & Jazz Preservation Society Opening Season Concert with 16 piece Latin Jazz “Orquesta Nostalgia,” led by Anselmo Vidal, Jr. 7:30 P.M. at Spanish River Performing Arts Center, corner of Yamato Rd. and St. Andrews Blvd. Call for ticket information (561) 499-9976.

Wednesday November 21—Boca Raton Computer Society monthly meeting at South County Civic Center, 6:15 P.M. Featured speaker, Dr. Gerald Dinerman will provide a comparative review of performing a quick fix of digital photographs by various available software programs.
The Alliance of Delray recently added a final flu shot location available to the public:
December 5, 2007 1 PM to 4 PM WALGREENS 6458 Linton Blvd. Tel. (561)638-3406.

Neighborly News:Jerry Lazarus,my friend and neighbor here in the Vizcaya community couldn’t wait to tell me good news about his grandson, Noah Babin. The twenty-three year old Palm Beach Gardens native and graduate of Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business, was signed by the Carolina Hurricanes major league hockey team with a lucrative signing bonus and a two year contract. The six foot, 195 pound defenseman becomes the first born and raised Florida athlete to sign a professional hockey contract.

After congratulating him, I said: “I have some good news about my 34 year old grandson Arthur. On October 1st he started a new job in the Boston area as Senior Vice President of Product Management and Marketing at a major corporation in the area. Early in November he relocated his wife and five and a half year old daughter from Marietta, GA. to Southborough, MA.”

“Jerry,” I continued with a brilliant flash of inspiration, “that makes us charter members of the new club we just formed: The Delray Beach Proud Grandparents Club, which will be known by its acronym DBPGC from now on.”

If you’re a proud grandparent in Delray, let us hear from you. Send us a few lines about your grand offspring. We’ll let the world know right here in our blog space, and make you a member of DBPGC.

Ping Pong Teams Attention
Milton Shapiro of Huntington Lakes throws down a paddle and challenges other teams in the area to a match at the Recreation Room with a couple of brand new table tennis tables in the spacious Huntington Lakes Clubhouse. Call Milt at 637-0159 to have your team take his team on. When I asked him if he just started the club he said they’ve been playing for 20 years. That’s a lot of practice time.

At the Delray/Boynton Chapter Hearing Loss Association meeting Friday morning Nov. 16 at the South County Civic Center, Chapter President Oscar Segal opened the meeting with a slide presentation about a hearing aid technology called the Telecoil. The telecoil, also called the “t-switch” or “t-coil,” is a small, coiled wire inserted into a hearing aid that will allow a person to hear better on the telephone. A hearing aid with a telecoil can make a dramatic difference in a person’s ability to hear clearly on the telephone in a noisy kitchen, at an outdoor phone booth with cars zooming by, or on the white courtesy phone in an airport terminal because it cuts out all background noise – only the sound coming from the telephone is heard.

Featured guest speaker was Cori Walker, AuD., a board certified Doctor of Audiology. Her training gives her expertise to determine the exact nature of an individual’s hearing problems and provide appropriate treatment options. She can be reached in Delray at 638-5156.

The next meeting of the chapter will be Friday, December 21 at 9:45 AM at the Civic Center where Ed Kissel of Mobile Source will discuss cell phones for the hearing impaired. The public is welcome.

Scroll Down to read past blog posts.

> Discuss this entry

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

The Swing & Jazz Society’s opening season concert begins next Tuesday evening, November 20, 2007 at the Spanish River Performing Art Center, 2400 Yamato Road, corner of St. Andrews Blvd., Boca Raton.

Anselmo Vidal, Jr. leads his 16 piece Latin jazz band playing rumba, mambo and cha-cha music. From the moment Anselmo kicks off the beat you’ll know you’re in for a lively, toe tapping evening. An extra treat: Two couples will demonstrate Latin dances.

Anselmo arrived in New York City from Aquadilla, Puerto Rico with his parents when he was 9 years old. He attended Metropolitan High School in the city. During these formative years he honed his talents as a Latin percussion musician, playing drums, timbale’s (bongo drums) and timbalito’s (small timbale’s).

The Tito Puente band inspired Anselmo to some day form a band that played exciting Latin music that included Mambo, Cha-Cha, Bolero and Meringue.

In 1992 Anselmo and his wife Miriam moved to south Florida. In 2003 with the help of a New York musician, Carlos Castillo who transcribed arrangements, Anslemo was able to realize his life long dream, putting together his 16 piece “Orquesta Nostalgia” with the help of Willie Suarez, bassist; Joe Tumminello, percussion; Jack Bragin, and Dr. Tim Walters, trumpet players. Among the other key musicians in the band are Jimmy Sedler, lead trumpeter; Marty Freed, sax; and lead vocalist, Dennis Rivera.

Anselmo, at 72 years young demonstrates his tall talent even though he only stands 5’ 2” and is slightly built at 130 pounds, by leading the band, playing the music he loves and slapping out the rhythm on his timbale’s and timbalito’s.

“Putting this big band together is a labor of love,” states Anselmo. “I look for musicians that have a passion for playing Latin music and who are dedicated to the same strong work ethic that I have for the success of the band by playing lively Latin music most people enjoy.”

For ticket information call (561) 499-9976, or purchase at box office the evening of the concert at the Arts Center.

> Discuss this entry

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

This month's meeting of the Delray/Boynton Chapter of the HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA will take place Friday November 16, 2007 from 9:45 A.M. to 12 Noon at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach (opposite Morikami Park.)

Guest Speaker: Cori Walker, Doctor of Audiology. She will discuss the new innovative Canal Receiver Technology and its benefits; reviewing what it is and who would be a candidate for this technology, followed by a question and answer session.

Meeting open to the public at no charge. Complimentary coffee and bagels.

> Discuss this entry

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

Bob Schulbaum, the President of the Alliance has been a community activist going back to his service as a member of the board of governors and subsequent president of Gleneagles Country Club. Schulbaum is a pragmatic, no-nonsense realist who sees a problem and sets out to resolve it in a creative and efficient manner.

After serving in World War II when he enlisted in the Merchant Marine at age 16, and then was called to active duty in the U. S. Army during the Korean War, Schulbaum became an entrepreneur, developing several corporate entities as C.E.O. and eventually retiring in the late 1980’s when his company was bought by a public company.

In addition to his leadership of the Alliance, he is First Vice President of the Vizcaya community board of directors where he resides with his wife Shirley. He is also a board member of the South County Mental Health facility in Delray Beach, serving as corporate secretary and chairman of the Finance Committee.

> Discuss this entry

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

The Alliance meets the first Wednesday of each month, September through June at the South County Civic Center. Meetings start at 9:30 A.M. and conclude by 11 A.M. The public is always welcome.
President Schulbaum welcomed new community, Tivoli Isle to the membership.

State representative Maria Sachs spoke briefly. To see how the proposed new tax law would affect you individually, go to www.pbcgov.com and click on property appraiser and enter your home address. Specific figures should come up for your personal apartment or home. If you need help call her office 266-6645. She urged the use of alternate sources of fuel, such as solar energy—the wave of the future.

State representative Kelly Skidmore is working on a program to get young people involved in government problems. High schoolers will be asked to submit legislative bill ideas.

Commissioner Aaronson: The proposed tax law we will vote on January 29 will not see taxes drop like a rock, more like a pebble. Palm Beach County will lose 53 million dollars. The county will have to cut services, among them, 145 firefighters.

Schulbaum announced at the December 5 meeting the Alliance all our state representatives and Commissioner Aaronson will participte in a panel discussion to examine this tax bill and offer their opinions on how to vote for or against.

Executive Vice President Larry Zalkin introduced guest speakers at the Nov. 7 meeting: Robert Krieger, CEO of Delray Medical Center and Fire Battalion Chief Michael Wells.
Mr. Krieger spoke about the past, present and future of the Medical Center. It opened October 4, 1982 and has grown since then. Recently 15,600 sq. ft. of space has been added. The institution has a payroll of $6 million annually. The ER treats 35,000 patients a year. Pinecrest Rehab Center treats stroke, brain and spinal cord injury patients. They offer Hospice services at Pinecrest. The Trauma Hawk division makes about 1,400 trips each year.
In 2006 the hospital admitted 19,384 patients and performed 6,944 surgeries.They have 1,697 employees and 600 doctors.

The company pays $1,778,385 in taxes to Palm Beach County each year.
In 2007 they invested $20 million in capital projects. Included is the latest technology including ARM computerized surgical assistant machinery and 3Testa MRI CAT scan equipment. The new Emergency Room has private rooms with flat screen TV’s. There private suites and concierge services available for patients who request that type of service. Future plans include a redesign of the entire physical plant.

Fire Battalion Chief Michael Wells reported there are 6 battalions of Fire Rescue in Palm Beach County with a total of 45 stations that serve a total population of 745,000. He is responsible for Battalion 4 which covers the general area from Military Rd./Lantana south to Clint Moore Road, west to 441 and back north to Lantana Rd. The eastern border is the cities of Boynton Beach and Delray Beach.

Station 42 at Hagen Ranch Rd. and Atlantic and Station 45 (Jog and Atlantic) are the two primary stations that serve the Alliance of Delray area. Neighboring stations come in as needed, dependant on type of call. 76% of our calls are medical in nature. In Battalion 4 every station has a Rescue Engine and a Rescue ambulance with paramedics in every unit. This time of year, as you can imagine, begins our busiest period with seasonal citizens returning. Some units are running almost all day on calls and hardly have time to get back to the station.
It is important when you dial 911 for emergency help that you remain calm and answer the dispatcher’s questions clearly as to medical history, medicines taken and heart condition. Pay attention to the ABC’s: Airway, Breathing and Circulation of the patient you are calling about. If your emergency occurs at 2 or 3 in the morning, do not wait until 7 A.M. to call it in. “We are on duty 24/7 ready to help at any time day or night. Turn on your outside lights after you call 911, open your front door and let the emergency crew do what they are trained for,” said Wells.

Chief Wells showed an Automatic External Defibrillator. The price has come way down from $3,000 to $1,700 each. These units guide you through an emergency procedure when someone has heart failure in your clubhouse or anywhere in the community that can save their life. Communities should have one or more available for emergency treatment until paramedics arrive.

When calling in a fire, give a good description of what you see. Make sure everyone is out and accounted for. Advise the fire crew when they arrive if there is anyone inside or if there is a person who may need help. People die from smoke inhalation during fires. Make sure you have smoke detectors in your home. If you wake up to the alarm, and see smoke, stay low and crawl outside. It is important to also have a carbon monoxide alarm inside your home near your garage.

During hurricanes have a plan to stay or leave. Category 1-3 stay. Category 4-5 evacuate. Have supplies for 7 days. Be self sufficient. If you have a generator, get fuel early. Chief Wells concluded by informing the audience his department has a Community Education hotline. You can call 616-7033 with any questions regarding Fire Rescue.

Please scroll down to view all previous posts.

> Discuss this entry

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

At the invitation of Alliance President Bob Schulbaum, we went on a tour of the South County Regional Park off Glades Road in Boca Raton, Thursday November 1. Also included in this group were Sheri Scarborough, President of West Boca Community Council; Harriet Helfman, Vice President of Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations; Kimberly McNeeley, Director of Recreation Services of the County Parks and Recreation Department and others. The tour was led by Dennis Eshleman, Director of Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department and Commissioner Burt Aaronson and his two staff members Mary Lou Berger and Vivian Leiva.

We first drove round the lush 950 acre park that stretches from Yamato to Glades Road west of State Rd. 7 to get an overview of its vastness. The Glades Road section which includes the Sunset Cove Amphitheater is scheduled to open sometime in 2008. This will be an outstanding outdoor venue for all kinds of performances including orchestra and choir concerts, stage plays, and motion picture presentations with space for 3,000 Festival seating (“bring your own” seats). A state of the art sound system will be installed.

This theatre will present a great opportunity for businesses to advertise and sponsor events in the future. Major corporations and local businesses will be able to put their name in front of the large Palm Beach County audiences who will attend events here. Contact Ms. Ann Butler, Amphitheater Manager at (561) 966-7057 for further information.

The nearby Osprey Point Golf Course with three 9 hole championship layouts is anticipated to be ready in 2009.

We next swung over to the Yamato Rd. entrance to the park which has been open for several years now, providing athletic fields, tennis and racquetball courts and the Coconut Cove Water Park to residents.

We assembled in a Coconut Cove Water Park classroom to learn about the nearby Daggerwing Nature Center expansion. Ms. Kelli Kirchoffer, Manager of Daggerwing described with a series of large color renderings the new wing additions being made to Daggerwing, scheduled to open spring of 2008. The new wing will focus on entertaining children as they walk through to view live animals and use new interactive exhibits.

These spectacular new additions to the County Parks and Recreation system will provide wide open space and leisure activity facilities for residents for years and generations to come thanks to the foresight and planning of Commissioner Aaronson and Dennis Eshleman and their staffs.

Continue to scroll down to see past blog entries.

> Discuss this entry

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

A great night of fun is planned for you on Friday, November 9th
at FunKey Nutz in Royal Palm Place, Boca Raton by the Stand Among Friends organization.

Stop in for food and drinks at 6:30pm and then enjoy the hilarious "Nutz Brothers" on their dueling pianos.

!!! FUNKEYNUTZ !!! This ain't your grandfather's piano bar. This is a full-throttle, high octane act and features two very talented performers -The Nutz Brothers- who play popular songs, to encourage sing-alongs, hand-clapping, knee-slapping, good time!
A high-energy show where the audience is a major part of the entertainment.
You will hear funny lyrics, customers being roasted, a high-energy mix of
music and comedy!

Call Stand Among Friends for reservations: 561-297-4400.

FACT: 1 in 5 Americans will face the devastating effects of a neurological disability in their lifetime like: Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS, MS, Spinal Cord or Brain Injury. At Stand Among Friends Center for the Study of Neurological Disabilities on the campus of Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, we are working diligently to help all those affected so that they can live a Life Without Limits.

> Discuss this entry

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

The Alliance of Delray Residential Associations 9:30 A.M. Wednesday November 7 monthly meeting at the South County Civic Center will feature guest speaker Robert Krieger, CEO Delray Medical Center. He will speak about past, present and future plans.

Mr. Krieger is a respected and talented health care executive in Florida with over 20 years diverse management experience with multi-unit health care systems. He is known for his breadth of experience, integrity and dedication to quality and excellence. Most recently, he was with HCA and served as CEO of Orange Park Medical Center in Orange Park, Florida. As CEO, he led a financial turnaround resulting from increased admissions, surgeries and outpatient development. He is also committed to patient satisfaction and his hospital consistently scored in the mid-to-high ninety percentile for inpatient services, day surgery and outpatient treatment.

Michael Wells, Battalion Chief, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue is the other featured speaker. He will describe the state of the art emergency services that we have access to.

Status reports from elected officials, and the sheriff’s office will also be presented.

Doors open at 9 A.M.

The Public is Welcome
Robert Schulbaum, President
Visit Our Website at: www.allianceofdelray.com

> Discuss this entry

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