Ed Ostrowski, 77, President of SeniorNet provides history: “IBM was one of the original sponsors of the SeniorNet Learning Center of Boynton Beach. It is a non-profit, 501 © 3 corporation run by 35 to 40 volunteers. Our motto is “seniors teaching seniors.”

Oftentimes seniors receive a computer as a gift from their adult children. SeniorNet teaches seniors to use the computer—not fear it so they have the ability to communicate with their children and grandchildren on a regular basis. SeniorNet began in 1995 with three students in a basement classroom. In 2003, ‘04 and ‘05 we taught 1,000 students each year. In 2008 our attendance went down to 500, that is why we are putting more emphasis on digital photography—to attract a wider group of students.”

No more than 15 students per class are enrolled for the regular classes. Each student has their own Dell laptop computer to work on. Each class has an instructor and two or more coaches working as a team to assist in the learning process. Classes are one, two or three sessions in duration, meeting for two hours each session. Reasonably priced computer instruction is offered due to generous sponsor contributions and the all volunteer staff.

Due to limited number of seats, a no-cancellation, no reschedule policy is in place. Once a person signs up for a class no refunds or reschedules are permitted. For current information and class schedules, visit their website at www.SeniornetBoyntonBeach.org.

The nine man volunteer board of directors of SeniorNet is chaired by Ed Ostrowski, who has flown a long way since graduating from Brooklyn Tech High School, then Pratt Institute with a degree in electrical engineering. 6’ 2” Ostrowski worked and traveled internationally for IBM for 32 years. In 1988 he was recruited by Asian Technology Co. (Astec) to become President. He and his wife moved to company headquarters in Hong Kong where he was responsible for ten companies with 13,000 employees at plants throughout the world including Malaysia, Singapore, U. S. and Great Britain. This company manufactured power conversion products for computers.

Ostrowski retired from Astec in 1993 after five years of world wide travel more times than he can remember. Today, he resides in Delray Beach with wife Alexandria. They have been married 54 years, raised two daughters and a son and enjoy four grandsons.

He has become an expert at teaching digital photography and photo editing using Adobe Photo Shop Elements 7.0. “I enjoy teaching,” says Ostrowski. “Imparting knowledge, whether on computers or digital photography to people who want to learn provides me with great satisfaction.”

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As in our past a man appears, who was born to answer the call.
And on this day we can all rejoice, for united we will not fall.
As the years progress and we heal our wounds, we can take pride in our insightful choice For our people were led by a man of vision who spoke in just one voice.

-- David Rogers, Delray Beach, Florida

The complete article can be viewed at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-090119poems-htmlstory,0,3879630.htmlstory

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My special birds By Doris Brown

Several years ago I read a book about a Rabbi who had died in the Holacaust. The rabbi came back as a crow. I do not know why but his coming back as crow always stayed with me.

Seven years ago my husband had a serious bout with depression. We were sitting on our porch and my husband said to me “The birds are not eating from the bird feeders because of me".
I said, “That’s not true, they are just not hungry.”

When he was well again, each morning he would go to the back window and watch the birds eat. Then my husband died. After the burial in our religion we sit Shivah for a week--a week set aside during which we withdraw from the world and face our loss. In traditional communities members of the community come to the home of the mourner whether or not they were personally involved with the mourner. The reason for a week is because the world was made in a week and each person is a world; a world that was never before and never will be again.

During this week while I was on the porch a male and female cardinal appeared at the bird feeder. It was so emotional for me. My first thought was about the Rabbi that came back as a Crow. Since then these cardinals have had babies and I have enjoyed watching them. Birds are free to fly wherever they want to go but these birds choose to come to my bird feeders within my view and allow me to think of you my beloved.

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To read my article that appeared in yesterday's Sun-Sentinel CLICK HERE.

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Palm Beach County – Palm Beach County traffic will be affected this week by ongoing construction projects and maintenance work, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officials report. Weather permitting; closures will be in effect on I-95, Southern Boulevard (S.R.80) and in other areas throughout Palm Beach County for construction activities.
For around-the-clock, real-time, traffic information within the tri-county area (Palm Beach, Broward and Miami Dade counties), travelers should call 511. For I-95 Palm Beach County traffic reports just say "I-95” or “Interstate 95". Information is also available on-line at www.511southflorida.com.

To view real-time video of I-95 in Palm Beach County, visit the FDOT I-95 Interim Traffic Management System (ITMS) website at www.palmbeachcotraffic.org. These free services are provided by FDOT and the SunGuide™ Partners. For updated lane closure information, please refer to www.pbfdot.com.

Southern Palm Beach County
Avenue (S.R. 806) from Via Flora to McNab Avenue
This $3.6 million, 2.7 mile construction project began on December 1, 2008, between Via Flora and McNab Avenue in Delray Beach. The work to be performed during this project includes: milling and resurfacing the roadway; replacing sidewalk curb ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards; and signalization, widening, and storm water drainage improvements at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Congress Avenue. The project is being built by Weekley Asphalt Paving, Inc. and is expected to be complete in fall 2009.

Restriction: Two lanes on Atlantic Avenue will be closed nightly, Sunday through Friday from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m., between Via Flora and McNab Avenue for paving operations. Daytime lane closures will also occur, between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., at various locations, Monday through Friday for other project-related work. At least one lane will remain open in each direction at all times. Paving is a rolling operation that requires shifting lane closures. Workers and heavy machinery will be moving in and around the work zone. Motorists should use caution and anticipate delays when traveling through this area.

Atlantic Avenue (S.R. 806) from NW/SW 12th Avenue to A1A
This $4.2 million construction project began January 5, 2009, from just east of I-95 to just west of A1A in Delray Beach. The work to be performed during this project includes: milling and resurfacing the roadway; replacing sidewalk curb ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards; and signalization, widening, and landscaping. The project is being built by Weekley Asphalt Paving, Inc. and is expected to be complete in late 2009.

Restriction: There will be intermittent single lane closures between SW/NW 12th Avenue and Swinton Avenue from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Motorists could experience delays traveling through this area.

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Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) Background and Summary
On December 23, 2008, President Bush sgned into law the Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act. The Act states that no RMD is required for 2009. As you are aware, the current global economic conditions have caused sharp declines in many contract values. This Act is designed to provide relief to contract owners who would otherwise be forced to take a distribution in 2009. The goal is to not force contract owners to take a distribution when their contract value is at a low point and instead allow those funds to stay invested in the contract and participate in any economic recovery.

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To read my article that appeared in yesterday's Sun-Sentinel CLICK HERE.

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"Kolya"--A confirmed bachelor is surprised when a get-rich-quick scheme backfires, leaving him with a pint-sized new roommate. In Czech with English subtitles. (105 mins.)

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Legislative Update from Kelly Skidmore, State Representative, District 90

Florida is facing some of the toughest economic challenges of any state in the country. During the last two weeks, the state legislature held a special session to address a $2.3 billion budget shortfall caused partly by a precipitous drop in state sales tax revenue.

To make up the deficit, House and Senate Leadership proposed a $700 million raid of the Lawton Chiles Endowment Fund, which is a trust fund that provides health services to children and the elderly, about $500 million in cuts to public schools for K-12 education, a $100 million cut to the State University System, a loss of $170 million from a housing trust fund, higher fines for traffic offenders and an assessment on nursing homes.

I voted against this special session budget because I feel it takes from the people who need it the most, and while I truly believe that the men and women of the Florida Legislature from both the minority and majority parties are gravely concerned about how these decisions affect those in need, we did not roll up our sleeves and go through the department level budgets to find inefficiencies, eliminate duplications, eliminate funding for programs that are not mission critical and reduce administration before we reduce services.

We did not take the time or put in the effort to analyze and evaluate our entire revenue structure. We handcuffed ourselves by stubbornly refusing to admit that the tax policies of the past decade have made it impossible for government to continue to meet the very real needs of the people of this state.

During the upcoming regular session, we still must address an estimated budget deficit of $3.5 billion for the next fiscal year, and I hope we do not fall into the same trap of making simple, short-sighted, across-the-board spending cuts in lieu of very difficult, deliberative and courageous decisions that put our state back on the right track.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff if you have any questions or concerns. Our district office number is (561) 470-6593.

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Boca Raton Computer Society Monthly Meeting: Wednesday January 21, 2009, 7:30 P.M. at South County Civic Center, Jog Road, opposite Morikami Gardens.

Featured Speaker: Gene Barlow. Topic: "Backing Up Your Hard Drive Using Acronis True Image!"

Special Interest Group sessions on Internet, MS Vista and Paint Shop Pro begin at 6:15 P.M.
There is no charge. The public is welcome.

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The Swing & Jazz Preservation Society presents the dynamic female vocalist Terry Blaine, with Mark Shane on piano and five sidemen providing musical accompaniment on Tuesday January 20, 2009 at 7:30 pm at the Spanish River Performing Arts Center.

All Swing & Jazz Preservation Society performances take place the third Tuesday of each month through April 21, 2009 in the 1500 seat venue at Spanish River Performing Arts Center located at 2400 Yamato Road, corner of St. Andrews Blvd. in Boca Raton beginning at 7:30 P. M. Tickets are $18 for members and $26 for non-members.

Membership applications for a full 12-month period are available in the lobby at concert night, or by calling (561) 499-9976.

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Southern Palm Beach County Road Projects:

Atlantic Avenue (S.R. 806) from Via Flora to McNab Avenue
This $3.6 million, 2.7 mile construction project began on December 1, 2008, between Via Flora and McNab Avenue in Delray Beach. The work to be performed during this project includes: milling and resurfacing the roadway; replacing sidewalk curb ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards; and signalization, widening, and storm water drainage improvements at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Congress Avenue. The project is being built by Weekley Asphalt Paving, Inc. and is expected to be complete in fall 2009.

Restriction: The eastbound right-turn lane and outside through lane will be closed between Congress Avenue and Atlantic High School nightly, Sunday through Thursday, from 7:30 p.m. until 6 a.m., for drainage work. Daytime lane closures will also occur, between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., at various locations, Monday through Friday for roadway paving and other project-related work. At least one lane will remain open in each direction at all times. Paving is a rolling operation that requires shifting lane closures. Workers and heavy machinery will be moving in and around the work zone. Motorists should use caution and anticipate delays when traveling through this area.

Atlantic Avenue (S.R. 806) from NW/SW 12th Avenue to A1A
This $4.2 million construction project began January 5, 2009, from just east of I-95 to just west of A1A in Delray Beach. The work to be performed during this project includes: milling and resurfacing the roadway; replacing sidewalk curb ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards; and signalization, widening, and landscaping. The project is being built by Weekley Asphalt Paving, Inc. and is expected to be complete in late 2009.

Restriction: Work will be suspended on Monday, January 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. There will be intermittent single lane closures between SW/NW 12th Avenue and Swinton Avenue during non-peak daytime hours. Motorists could experience delays traveling through this area.

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The Sheriff’s Department has issued an alert for all citizens. There have been recent instances of a white male calling on elderly persons, in the West Delray area, pretending he has to add chemicals to the water in their home. He then “accidentally” spills water on the elderly person’s hands, which allegedly contains acid or lye. He feigns excited concern, telling the person they must clean their hands immediately. He also tells them to take off their rings. When they do so, he picks up the rings and runs out of the premises.

Rule #1: Do not allow strangers into your residence.
Rule #2: If you have been victimized call 911 immediately.

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Consumer Traps & Tips: A weekly service of the Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division Topic: Collection Agencies

Trap: Ed from Lake Worth found himself overwhelmed with unexpected medical bills that caused him to fall behind on his credit card payments. His unpaid balances were then sent to collection, and he found himself bombarded by letters and calls from various collection agencies. Some were even calling his employer and his neighbors in an effort to contact him. Ed said the situation was causing him a lot of stress and affecting his ability to work.

Tips: The Federal Fair Debt Collection Act prohibits collection agencies from harassing you at home or at work. Debt collectors are not permitted to:
• contact you before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. • contact you at work when your employer disapproves. • use threats of violence or harm against your reputation. • publish your name or contact friends and neighbors about your debt. • use obscene or abusive language. • threaten to have you arrested.

Here are some actions you can take: • Send a letter asking for proof of the debt. Carefully review the documentation to determine if it is your debt. • If you feel you are being harassed, consider sending a certified letter to the collection agency asking them to stop contacting you. Then the collector can only contact you again if it is their decision to take some form of legal action. • Consider negotiating a settlement with the collector. Often they are willing to accept a reduced amount to settle the matter. • Contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP, call Consumer Affairs at 561-712-6600 (Boca/Delray 1-888-852-7362) or visit www.pbcgov.com/consumer.

Dennis Moore, Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division, 561-712-6600, Boca/Delray/Glades toll free: 1-888-852-7362. Fax: 561-712-6610. 50 So. Military Trail, Suite 201, West Palm Beach, FL 33415. Check out our website at:http://www.pbcgov.com/consumer

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Tallahassee Report from Sen. Ted Deutch:
This past week, the Legislature met in a Special Session to address the $2.8 billion shortfall in this year’s budget.

We faced many difficult decisions, and unfortunately, without the consideration of new revenue sources, the Legislature was forced to cut spending and dip into state reserves. Despite my efforts to ensure that vital programs and services in the areas of healthcare and education would not be harmed, the state’s budget will shrink by another $1.2 billion. The rest of the $1.6 billion will come from savings accounts and trust funds that cannot afford further reductions.

My colleagues and I offered proposals to generate revenue by eliminating special interest tax breaks, but we were not successful. We will continue to push for tax fairness in the coming months. Public education was cut by $480 million more. In an attempt to ensure strong community colleges and universities, I proposed taking $124 million dollars of transportation money, specifically set aside for projects to increase capacity on our roads, and put it toward increasing capacity in our higher learning institutions.

Thankfully, we were able to spare some of the deepest cuts from nursing homes, hospitals and affordable housing. About $700 million will be taken from the Lawton Chiles Fund, which was specifically designed to pay for healthcare programs for seniors and low-income children. While I oppose this approach, I am hopeful that Florida will receive federal stimulus money to help sustain the Chiles Fund. As I did last session, I will again sponsor legislation to increase the cigarette tax by one dollar. This increase will generate nearly one billion dollars in revenue which will be used to fund cancer research efforts to stimulate Florida’s economy, as well as to offset cuts to healthcare programs.

The 2009 Legislative Session commences on March 3. I ask for your support in identifying ways to raise revenue and to save the state money. Please email me your suggestions at Deutch.Ted.Web@flsenate.gov.

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Hearing Loss Association of America Delray/Boynton/Boca Chapter Meeting Friday Jan. 16
The public is invited to attend the January 16 meeting at 10 A.M. at the South County Civic Center, where Doctor of Audiology Steven D. Sederholm, Au.D, will be the principal speaker to tell the audience about “What’s new in hearing aid technology - audiologic advancements in restoring speech comprehension in hearing aids.”

For further information call Oscar Segal at 561-499-9873, or e-mail: ohsegal@comcast.net.

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Road Constructioin
Atlantic Avenue (S.R. 806) from Via Flora to McNab Avenue

This $3.6 million, 2.7 mile construction project began on December 1, 2008, between Via Flora and McNab Avenue in Delray Beach. The work to be performed during this project includes: milling and resurfacing the roadway; replacing sidewalk curb ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards; and signalization, widening, and storm water drainage improvements at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Congress Avenue. The project is being built by Weekley Asphalt Paving, Inc. and is expected to be complete in fall 2009.

Restriction: Travel lanes between Congress Avenue and Atlantic High School will be closed nightly, Sunday through Thursday, from 7:30 p.m. until 6 a.m., for drainage work. Daytime lane closures will also occur, between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., at various locations, Monday through Friday for roadway paving and other project-related work. At least one lane will remain open in each direction at all times. Paving is a rolling operation that requires shifting lane closures. Workers and heavy machinery will be moving in and around the work zone. Motorists should use caution and anticipate delays when traveling through this area.
Atlantic Avenue (S.R. 806) from NW/SW 12th Avenue to A1A
This $4.2 million construction project began January 5, 2009, from just east of I-95 to just west of A1A in Delray Beach. The work to be performed during this project includes: milling and resurfacing the roadway; replacing sidewalk curb ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards; and signalization, widening, and landscaping. The project is being built by Weekley Asphalt Paving, Inc. and is expected to be complete in late 2009.

Restriction: There will be intermittent single lane closures between SW/NW 12th Avenue and Swinton Avenue during non-peak daytime hours (9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.). Motorists could experience delays traveling through this area.

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Oscar Segal, President of the Delray/Boynton Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America ( formerly called SHHH-Self Help for Hard of Hearing), and Geraldine Young, President of the Boca Chapter announce a merger of the two chapters which will now be known as the South Palm Beach County Chapter—Delray/Boynton/Boca.

The first meeting of the newly combined chapter will take place Friday, January 16, 2009 at the South County Civic Center; Jog Road, Delray Beach at 10 A.M. Future meetings will take place the third Friday of each month at this location through May 2009. These meetings are free of charge, open to the public. Membership in the chapter for a nominal annual fee is encouraged.

The Delray/Boynton Chapter is a local chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America, founded 19 years ago. It is the largest chapter in South Florida, dedicated to helping people cope with hearing loss. The chapter has guest speakers who are professional audiologists, hearing doctors and surgeons, manufacturers of hearing aids and displays a variety of assistive hearing devices that can help the hard of hearing communicate better in a hearing world. Professionals from police, sheriff’s, fire departments and emergency services also speak at meetings about how hearing impaired people can best communicate with law enforcement, and fire responders in emergency situations.

Board member Merry Rubenstein provides a free lip reading course to chapter members at the Emmanuel Catholic Church, Military Trail, north of Linton Blvd. the first Tuesday of each month at 1:00 PM. Register with Merry at (561) 738-5630.

Geraldine Young, known to all as Geri, founded the Boca Raton chapter in 1993 when she first moved to Boca. Present board members include: Anita Morse, Janice Pickron, Joe and Hilda Kriteman, Regina Weiss, Irv and Millye Cohen, Rachel Landau, Etta Lampner, Rhoda Rabson, Irving Glass and Harriet Harris.

The public is invited to attend the January 16 meeting at 10 A.M. at the South County Civic Center, where Doctor of Audiology Steven D. Sederholm, Au.D, will be the principal speaker to tell the audience about “What’s new in hearing aid technology - audiologic advancements in restoring speech comprehension in hearing aids.”

For further information call Oscar Segal at 561-499-9873, or e-mail: ohsegal@comcast.net.

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“My goals as a State Representative cover several areas,” says freshman State Representative Kevin Rader, District 78: “I want to help with insurance issues. We have to replenish the CAT fund. We should bring more insurance companies back into the Florida market. More competition will mean lower rates for consumers on their property insurance. I am also interested in Public Education and Health Care issues. Looking at the broader picture, the State budget is $66 billion. We are facing huge shortfalls for 2009 and 2010.* I support adding a $1 tax on cigarettes. We haven’t raised our cigarette tax in fifteen years. I would also like to see a sales tax on all items sold through the internet. This can help reduce our deficit.”
In the November 2008 election, Rader was elected as State Representative to fill the spot vacated by Richard Machek who completed eight years of service. Rader has kept Machek’s staff and relocated his office to the Ansca building, Suite 100 at the corner of Boynton Beach Blvd., and Hagen Ranch Road.
At age 40, State Representative Kevin Rader is a man of many accomplishments. Most important he and his wife Rabbi Amy Rader (Temple B’Nai Torah, 18th Street, Boca Raton), whom he married in 1994, are the parents of four children: boys Caleb, 12 and Ezra, 7; girls Ruby, 10 and Yael, 8.
“I believe I am the first elected official in the United States who is the husband of a Rabbi—known as a Rabbitzen,” says Rader with a grin.
After working four years at Advanced Insurance Underwriters, Rader was made a partner in January 2006 at this 188 employee insurance company, which has offices throughout the state. “We help people save money by seeking the best rates and improving their coverage,” says Rader. “In addition, as our company grows, we create job opportunities. In these tenuous times, being able to hire people provides great satisfaction. The most difficult part of the business is handling claims. When an insurance company denies a client’s claim explaining this to a client is not a pleasant task.”
Rader, born in Detroit, MI., earned a B.S., B.A. in Accounting at Boston University, Class of 1990. He lived in New York in 1993-1994, moved to Israel from 1995 to 1996 and returned to New York in 1996 until 1999 when he relocated to Boca Raton. He is an expert distance runner, having completed two New York City marathons in 1994 and 1998. He currently participates in Palm Beach County marathons.
“Our most serious family challenge,” says Rader “was putting my wife through rabbinical school and caring for the children as they were born. With hard work, love and persistence we established a stable home. Now, we enjoy hobbies of genealogy and running. I make time to have fun with the children and support my wife’s work as a Rabbi.”
Kevin Rader, State Representative will utilize his diverse talents to benefit his constituents in District 78; a wide and broadly diversified gerrymandered territory that zigzags from Boynton Beach north to St. Lucie and Ft. Pierce. He’ll join the outnumbered 43 other Democrats, who will work with 76 Republicans in the House to do the peoples business in Tallahassee. That’s a tall challenge.

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INFORMATION EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW........................
Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue

STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters....S.T.R.

A nurse friend sent this and encouraged me to post it and spread the word.
I agree.

If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks.

Please read:

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics). she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening

Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die, they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this...

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke, totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STRO KE

Remember the '3' steps, S T R Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today.)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke: Ask the person to 'stick out’ his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

A cardiologist says if everyone passes this information on through e-mail and sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

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Palm Beach County's Office of Community Revitalization (OCR) is proud to once again offer, the Resident Education to Action Program (REAP), a six-week, hands-on educational program providing community revitalization and civic leadership development!

This educational program helps residents who are interested in improving their neighborhoods. The theme this year is "Unity in the Community!" Resident Education to Action Program (REAP) supports the formation of neighborhood associations and empowers residents to seek a better quality of life. Through this course, residents gain knowledge of innovative ways to solve neighborhood issues.

Course topics are: Successful Neighborhood Revitalization; Approaches to Community Organizing and Strengthening; Sustaining Neighborhood Economics; Project Safe Neighborhood; Building Healthy Neighborhoods; Civic Engagement: A Call to Action. Residents are provided an overview on OCR's programs and initiatives as well as learn more about County government, community resources and services that are available for neighborhood improvements.

Participants will be given the opportunity to apply for a neighborhood improvement grant through the America's Next Top Neighborhood Award Grant Program. Participants will also complete a community service project. The course and all materials are free but participants are required to commit for the entire six-week course.

To register for REAP or for additional information regarding the program, please visit www.pbcgov.com/ocr or contact LaToya Ricketts, REAP Coordinator at (561) 233-5239 or lrickett@pbcgov.org.

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A weekly service of the Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division--

Topic: Gym Memberships

Trap: Debbie called Consumer Affairs for help in resolving a problem with the gym ten minutes from her home. For the new year, Debbie planned to become a lean, muscle machine. When she visited the gym and toured the facility, her salesperson promised she would have her own personal trainer and the club would be open 15 hours a day. Now the gym is always crowded, trainers are rarely available, and the facility is only open 10 hours each day. Debbie wants her money back!
Tips: If you are considering joining a gym/health club for the new year, here are some tips: • Check with your doctor first. Some medical problems (i.e., back issues) may limit use of the gym’s equipment or classes.
• Many consumers don’t read the contract before signing. The contract should clearly show the duration of the agreement, monthly/total costs, payment plan and the renewal terms. (Some are automatically renewed.)
• If the services of personal trainers are provided, ask when they are available, how often will they work with you, and if their services are charged separately from the contract price. Make sure all “promises” are written in the contract.
• If you change your mind, the contract can be cancelled within three business days after signing the contract. Send the written cancellation by certified mail.
• Even though gyms may reduce their hours or move their location, you may not be eligible for a refund. Read your contract carefully.

Gyms are regulated by Florida statute. If you have a dispute involving one of the 150 health studios licensed in Palm Beach County, Consumer Affairs may be able to assist with mediating a settlement or link you to the proper state agency. Check consumer complaints filed against gyms on the Consumer Affairs Web site, www.pbcgov.com/consumer, or for more information call 561-712-6600 (Boca/Delray: 1-888-852-7362).

Dennis Moore, Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs Division, 561-712-6600. Boca/Delray/Glades toll free: 1-888-852-7362. Fax: 561-712-6610. 50 So. Military Trail, Suite 201, West Palm Beach, FL 33415. Check out our website at: http://www.pbcgov.com/consumer

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Hannah Klingsberg, Director of Community Outreach & Volunteer Development of Mae Volen Senior Center will be the guest speaker at the January 7, 2009 Alliance of Delray monthly meeting at the South County Civic Center, Jog Road, Delray Beach which begins at 9:30 A.M. The public is always welcome.

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U.S. 1 from the C-15 Canal just north of Hidden Valley Boulevard, north to Linton Boulevard
Construction began on March 24, 2008 on U.S. 1 from the C-15 Canal which is just north of Hidden Valley Boulevard in Boca Raton, north to Linton Boulevard in Delray Beach. This $3.3 million construction project consists of milling and resurfacing, roadway widening to add designated bike lanes, bridge widening over the C15 Canal to add a 3 ft. shoulder and 6 ft. sidewalks on both sides of the bridge, sidewalk improvements to construct a 5 ft. concrete sidewalk throughout the project, landscaping and drainage improvements and new signage and pavement markings. The project is being built by Weekley Asphalt Paving, Inc. and is expected to be complete by the end of December 2008.

Restriction: None. This project was completed and final accepted by the Florida Department of Transportation on December 23, 2008.

Atlantic Avenue (S.R. 806) from Via Flora to McNab Avenue
This $3.6 million, 2.7 mile construction project began on December 1, 2008, between Via Flora and McNab Avenue in Delray Beach. The work to be performed during this project includes: milling and resurfacing the roadway; replacing sidewalk curb ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards; and signalization, widening, and storm water drainage improvements at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Congress Avenue. The project is being built by Weekley Asphalt Paving, Inc. and is expected to be complete in fall 2009.

Restriction: Single lane closures will occur at various locations from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday for roadway resurfacing and other project-related work. Paving is a rolling operation that requires shifting lane closures. Workers and heavy machinery will be moving in and around the work zone. Motorists should use caution and anticipate delays when traveling through this area. (M.M. Note: You can get badly backed up in this area. Avoid if possible.)

Atlantic Avenue (S.R. 806) from NW/SW 12th Avenue to A1A
This $4.2 million construction project will begin on January 5, 2009, from just east of I-95 to just west of A1A in Delray Beach. The work to be performed during this project includes: milling and resurfacing the roadway; replacing sidewalk curb ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards; and signalization, widening, and landscaping. The project is being built by Weekley Asphalt Paving, Inc. and is expected to be complete in late 2009.

Restriction: There will be intermittent single lane closures between SW/NW 12th Avenue and Swinton Avenue during non-peak daytime hours (9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.). Motorists could experience delays traveling through this area.

Spanish River Boulevard / S.R. 800 Bridge Rehabilitation
Construction began on this $3.5 million project, Thursday, May 8, 2008. The Spanish River Bridge is located over the Intracoastal Waterway in Boca Raton. This project consists of routine maintenance and rehabilitation of mechanical and electrical components that operate the bridge spans to extend the life of the bridge and sustain functional operations of the spans, removal of old paint and repainting the movable bridge's structural steel and aesthetic enhancements including painting the bridge decks and the tender house. The project is being performed by Coastal Marine Construction and is expected to be complete February 2009. This work will not affect marine traffic and the contractor will clear the roadway and open all travel lanes in the event of a weather-related evacuation.

Restriction: There will be intermittent daytime lane closures between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. for project-related work. At least one lane will remain open in each direction at all times.

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Beginning Monday, January 5, 2009 and each Monday thereafter through March 23 I will once again conduct two classes at Kings Point, off W. Atlantic Ave. that are open to the public: From 1:30 to 3:00 PM the class will be on “How to Write The Story of Your Life,” for those that want to leave a record of their life for their family and friends. From 3:30 to 5 PM on that same day we give a “Creative Writing” course for more experienced writers.

You can sign up for either course by going to the Kings Point main clubhouse. Tell the guard you want to see Daun who is at a booth to the left of the front entrance. Daun will enroll you and give you directions to where we meet, the Sewing Room. You can call Kings Point's Diane Bruens for further details at 499-3335, Ext. 126.

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