http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/ A Get Local community blog from the residents of West Delray. en Copyright 2008 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:00:56 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Child Safety Seat Check-Ups for Local Families The Palm Beach County Sherriff’s Office is holding several child safety check-up events across the area over the coming weeks. The program’s intent is to help families ensure the safety of their children on our community’s roadways. The next scheduled check-ups are on Saturday, October 11th at the Pediatric Associates of Boynton Beach (10301 Hagen Ranch Road) and Saturday, October 25th at the Home Depot (9820 Glades Road) in Boca Raton. Both events will last from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information, please call (561) 688-4194. *********************************************************************************************** Message from Representative Sachs: The Sachs - Sentinel Rep. Maria Sachs Newsletter October 3, 2008 Dear Friends, I am proud to report that the H.O.P.E for Palm Beach County Task Force’s first workshop was a major success! Now it is time to bring our team of experts to the homeowners of central Palm Beach County. On Saturday, October 18, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m, our team of experts will be at the Odyssey Middle School in Boynton Beach (6161 Woolbright Road; West of I-95 between Military Trail and Jog Road). Our second workshop will available to any homeowner who is need of help. With over 100 homeowners in attendance at the first workshop, we are looking forward to bringing HOPE to as many who live in the central part of Palm Beach County. The Task Force works like this: distressed homeowners fill out an application and if their home is already in foreclosure, they will have to bring the appropriate legal documents to the workshop. After an initial consultation with a counselor, they are invited to sit down personally with a bank officer, mortgage broker, or attorney to discuss ways to save their home. The only requirement that the homeowner be a resident of Palm Beach County and the mortgage in question concerns a primary residence. Attorneys from the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County have graciously volunteered to help alongside our bankers, brokers, realtors, and other specialists. All information received at the workshop is completely confidential and all services are free. There is absolutely no cost to anyone. If you or anyone you know needs help, please refer to www.mariasachs.com. On my website, you can download the application and receive further information about the workshop. The mission of the Task Force is to assist the citizens of Palm Beach County to maintain homeownership by bringing together banking and mortgage industry representatives, lawyers specializing in home and condominium real estate, city officials, and real estate policy advocates to find practical solutions to the growing foreclosure problem. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact my office at (561) 266-6645. -------------------------------- Katerina I. Draganova Legislative Assistant Office of Representative Maria Sachs (561) 266 - 6645 office (888) 544 - 9121 fax Katerina.Draganova@myfloridahouse.gov ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/10/message_from_representative_ke.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/10/message_from_representative_ke.html Community Service Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:00:56 -0500 www.pbso.org. ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/10/sheriffs_narcotics_department.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/10/sheriffs_narcotics_department.html Government Fri, 03 Oct 2008 07:59:55 -0500 for Chapter Members on Tuesday October 7, 1:30 PM at Emmanuel Catholic Church. Register with Merry at 561-738-5630. The next monthly meeting of the Chapter will be Friday, October 17 at 10 A.M. Guest Speakers will be Fred Schott of the Deaf Service Center; Ed Kissel of Mobile Source Oscar Segal, President will tell you all you need to know about Telecoils ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/10/hearing_loss_association_of_am_1.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/10/hearing_loss_association_of_am_1.html Hearing Loss Assistance Thu, 02 Oct 2008 07:44:21 -0500 Our offices are preparing for our property tax season, which launches next month. Please read the information below which will help our office serve you better. Not Updating Your Address Could Cost You Florida Statutes place the burden on the taxpayer to know when taxes are collectable, even if a Tax Notice is not received. During the past two years approximately 50,000 Tax Notices were returned undeliverable to the Palm Beach Tax Collector due to incorrect mailing addresses. Whenever a taxpayer’s mailing address is changed, in addition to notifying the United States Postal Service the taxpayer must also notify the Property Appraiser, in writing with a signature. Contact the Property Appraiser’s Office to update the correct mailing address on record by calling (561) 355-2866 or visit online at http://www.pbcgov.com/papa/AddressChange.htm. If an address change is not submitted to the Property Appraiser’s Office by the first week of October contact the Tax Collector’s Office at www.taxcollectorpbc.com to ensure receipt of a tax notice. Property Tax Notices to be Mailed October 31 The Tax Collector’s office will mail 2008 property tax notices on October 31. Property taxes are collectable November 1 - March 31. Discounts for early payment are allowed as follows: • 4% in November • 3% in December • 2% in January • 1% in February No discounts are allowed in March. Taxes become delinquent on April 1st. The discount is determined by postmark of payment. However, the amount due on a delinquent payment is determined by the date received by our office, not by postmark. The Tax Collector’s website offers a new and improved fast payment system to process property tax payments at www.taxcollectorpbc.com. http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/10/from_the_desk_of_anne_m_gannon.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/10/from_the_desk_of_anne_m_gannon.html Community Service Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:50:16 -0500 Message from State Representative Kelly Skidmore: Broward County Offering Low-Cost Rabies Clinic The Broward County Animal Care and Regulation Division will offer one-year rabies vaccinations and licenses to pets on October 4th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mary Sunders Park (4750 SW 21st Street) in West Park. For more information, call (954) 358-1010 in Broward County. You can also find information online at http://www.pbcgov.com/pubsafety/animal and http://www.broward.org/animal. http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/10/broward_and_palm_beach_countie.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/10/broward_and_palm_beach_countie.html Community Service Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:37:10 -0500 At Thursday, September 25 Sheriff’s Citizen Academy Class at District 6 Headquarters off Jog Road in Boynton Beach, we formed an auto caravan behind Captain Martin Bechtel and drove up to Sheriff’s Headquarters off Gun Club Road in West Palm Beach. Our first lesson occurred in the Communications Department, a large area where there are cubicles with civilian employees manning four computer screen consoles. A young lady and her male supervisor were our guides through this important area where all 911 calls come in throughout the county and action dispatches are made. Each employee in the console area handles a specific bit of geography in the county. Each computer screen shows important information such as location of an accident, location of sheriff’s deputy patrol cars, records of licensed drivers, and much more. These operators work long hours in a very stressful occupation. Leaving one stressful occupation for another, our group of nineteen Academy classmates followed Capt. Bechtel next door to the second lesson of the evening: The County Jail. Here we were given a tour by a prison guard Sheriff’s Deputy and his Sergeant. At each door we had to go through our guides had to shout the count of how many were in our group to the deputy guard in charge so the doors could be unlocked. By this time two more of our classmates joined us. We were shown the “intake area” where prisoners are first brought in, frisked and processed. One such event happened before our eyes, as a hapless male went through the process. We walked by the first floor cells the prisoners occupy temporarily when they are first arrested before they are transferred to the upper floors. This jail holds about 1,500 prisoners. We were then whisked upstairs in two large elevators to the sixth floor to see where the prisoners live, eat and take their exercise. After a fifteen minute break at the open air area on the 12 floor of the building which is the staff break area that offers a splendid view of the surrounding area, and the planes going in and out of PBI, we returned to the exit lobby for a demonstration of the weapons used to maintain order, demonstrated by our host deputies. One was a paintball type of gun, the other a Tommy-gun looking weapon that holds six heavy projectiles that can be shot at an unruly prisoner. “If someone gets hit in the chest with one of these heavy projectiles,” said the ex-Marine deputy who was demonstrating the gun, “it’s like getting hit with a cinder block.” Their weapon of choice is the stun gun which they carry as a sidearm. They said the other two weapons rarely have to be used. We ended our three hour visit, leaving this sad, drab building packed with unhappy people. An interesting place to visit once—and never have to see it again. ************************************************************************************************** *************************************************************************************************** September 26 through October 3, 2008 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. **************************************************************************************************** Best Wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year for people of my faith, and all mankind. ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/last_thursday_sheriffs_citizen.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/last_thursday_sheriffs_citizen.html Community Service Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:10:39 -0500 Dear Concerned Citizens, As the declining economy continues to cause reductions in funding for social service programs, the Partnership for Aging of Palm Beach County (PFA) is sending you this letter to request your help. PFA has been approached by several local congressmen who have requested written testimonials regarding the impact of the reduction in funding for social service programs. This is an opportunity for your voice to be heard and to join with PFA in its campaign to ensure continued funding for these vital programs. This letter is a call for action. PFA is seeking written testimonials from both seniors who have been wait listed or denied services, and from organizations who have been impacted by recent budgetary restrictions. A single page letter citing the impact of reduced funding may be submitted to PFA via email to: dawnarom@yahoo.com , or by mail to the address listed below. All letters received will also be included in the PFA Legislative Binder that will be going to Tallahassee this fall. Again, we ask that you assist PFA with this important cause. Deadline for submissions is November 17, 2008. Mail to: Steve Delach Cresthaven East ALF 5100 Cresthaven Blvd WPB FL 33415 http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/testimonials_needed_re_reducti.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/testimonials_needed_re_reducti.html Community Service Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:00:24 -0500 http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/lsc/documents/candidate_certification_form.pdf The new law requires an individual who wishes to run for the board to certify, in advance of the election, that he or she has read and understands to the best of their ability the association's governing documents, the Florida condominium law and the administrative code. The form must be sent out with the First Notice of Election. Please make sure to discuss this new form with your association attorney and property manager to ensure that your annual meeting package is correct. ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/the_following_information_pert.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/the_following_information_pert.html Community Service Thu, 25 Sep 2008 07:49:16 -0500 Head Start Program of Palm Beach County in Search of Volunteers The Palm Beach County Head Start program is in search of individuals willing to participate in the Godparent Volunteer Program. Participants will be asked to interact with children involved with the program through various educational and social activities. Head Start of Palm Beach County emphasizes education, social services, medical, dental, nutrition, counseling services, and parental involvement to aid in the development of our community’s children. For information, please call 561-233-1600. Voter Registration Deadline Approaching for the 2008 Presidential Election With less than 60 days remaining before November 4th, the Broward and Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections offices are finalizing preparations for the 2008 General Election. Here is some important information residents should be aware of regarding the election. • All residents who are eligible to vote must be registered prior to the October 6th deadline in order to participate in the 2008 General Election. • Early voting will begin on October 20th and last until November 2nd. Specific locations and times will be announced in the coming weeks. • The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 29th. For instructions on how to do so, please contact your supervisor of elections office. For more information, please call 954-357-7050 in Broward County or 561-656-6200 in Palm Beach County. Additional information is also available online at http://www.BrowardSOE.org and http://www.PBCElections.org. Health Tip of the Week With more than 2.2 million people diagnosed with the disease, Glaucoma is one of the most prevalent eye related maladies in the nation. Although the cause of the disease is largely unknown to our scientific community, many things can be done to help reduce your risk of developing Glaucoma as well as other eye-related problems. 1. Consume plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially those that are high in beta carotene. 2. If you are a contact lens user, be sure to follow the proper wear and care recommendations by your medical provider. 3. Protect your eyes from Ultra-Violet radiation by wearing polarized lenses to prevent harm to your eyesight. 4. Be sure to balance time watching television and staring at a computer screen with other activities that allow your eyes to focus on objects at a farther distance. 5. Be sure to wear goggles or other protective eye wear when working with chemicals or any place with harmful airborne particulates. Following these tips will help to reduce your risk for developing Glaucoma and other eye-related problems. However, these recommendations should never be used in place of direct care and treatment from your physician. Be sure to consult your doctor or medical professional before making any changes to your healthcare regimen. 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. All the best Kelly Skidmore State Representative, District 90 ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/message_from_state_rep_kelly_s_1.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/message_from_state_rep_kelly_s_1.html Community Service Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:49:30 -0500 The 2,094 yard, 18 hole Kings Point Par 3 Golf Course is open to the public for the new season beginning September 22. Located in the heart of West Delray, just west of Jog Road off W. Atlantic Avenue, enter through the Kings Point main entrance, bear right to the Par 3 Pro Shop and sign up for a round to improve your short iron game and putting prowess. Reservations for daily golf at the Par 3 or the Kings Point Executive Golf Course can be made by calling Kings Point Tee time number, 561-638-2719. Green fees are attractively moderate. http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/the_sporty_2094_yard_kings.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/the_sporty_2094_yard_kings.html Golf Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:33:00 -0500 Board Member Merry Rubinstein will begin her Lip Reading classes for Chapter Members on Tuesday October 7, 1:30 PM at Emmanuel Catholic Church. Register with Merry at 561-738-5630. http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/delrayboynton_chapter_hearing_1.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/delrayboynton_chapter_hearing_1.html Hearing Loss Assistance Mon, 22 Sep 2008 08:02:33 -0500 Shown examining one of the newly grown greens is Bill Guimond, Director of Golf operations at Kings Point. Champion Turf Farms, Bay City, Texas is unique in the industry in that they are the breeders, producers, and installers of their grasses. This reputation, combined with their decades of experience led them to develop their own support network. No one else in the industry can claim to have a knowledge base developed from 40 years of traveling the country planting and studying grass. All of this experience is available to golf course superintendents who have Champion turf. In addition the company has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on research as a part of developing the best turf management practices for their grasses. They continually revisit courses they have planted every month of the year. Among the many courses in Palm Beach County that have grown improved greens by installing Champion sprigs are: Boca Raton Country Club, Boca Raton Resort & Club, Emerald Dunes, Gleneagles C. C., Hamlet C. C., Ibis C. C., the five PGA courses in North Palm Beach and the Royal Palm Golf & Yacht Club in Boca Raton. Guimond stated, “Prior to the Par 3 greens renovation project a state-of-the-art new irrigation system was installed on the course in May. This was a prerequisite to insure the proper growth of the Champion sprigs. We also put in a new drainage system on numerous fairways. The tee boxes which were re-done in 2007 have been fertilized and re-groomed and are in perfect condition.” Some of the regular patrons have said, “Don’t be fooled into thinking just because it’s a Par 3 course it’s too easy. This course provides a true test for your short iron game and putting skills.” Kings Point resident Ray Prendergast has been playing the course three times a week for the past twelve years. “I look forward to getting back on the course again. The staff is helpful and friendly. I walk the course, so it’s a great source of exercise for me.” Gloria Levine, a senior golfer and the unofficial captain of ‘Les Girls,’ her group of two foursomes who play every week says: “I can’t wait to get back on the course. I had a disappointing summer because I couldn’t play golf on the Par 3.” Reservations for daily golf at the Par 3 or the Kings Point Executive Golf Course can be made by calling Kings Point Tee time number, 561-638-2719. Green fees are attractively moderate. An assortment of membership plans is available, including morning and afternoon League/Community Group plans and Multi-play tickets. Call 499-3335, Ext. 156 for details. “We look forward to welcoming back all our players to the newly renovated Par 3 Course,” says Bill Guimond. “And to the folks that never played here, join us. It’s a hidden gem of a course in the heart of West Delray.” ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/kings_point_par_3_opens_to_the.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/kings_point_par_3_opens_to_the.html Community Service Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:47:36 -0500 Delray/Boynton Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America first monthly meeting of the new season will take place Friday, September 19, 2008 from 9:45 A.M. to 12 Noon at the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach (opposite Morikami Park.) Coffee “and” served. We meet the third Friday of every month through June 2009. Season Opener; Oscar Segal, President of HLAA presents: “Living with Hearing Loss; Learn How to Keep Up with The Crowd.” Our 2008-2009 Season is a must for anyone with hearing loss even if you only are suffering a small loss. Learn about new techniques, procedures, aids and Assistive Hearing devices that can enhance your ability to hear in different situations. This is the first meeting of our new season’s dedication to improving the quality of your life. Question and Answer period will follow. Board Member Merry Rubinstein will begin her Lip Reading classes for Chapter Members on Tuesday October 7, 1:30 PM at Emmanuel Catholic Church. Register with Merry at 561-738-5630. http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/delrayboynton_chapter_of_the_h_2.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/delrayboynton_chapter_of_the_h_2.html Hearing Loss Assistance Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:59:54 -0500 Monday, September 15 at 2:15 P.M. as part of the Sheriff’s Citizen’s Academy course it was my turn to spend an hour in the car with Road Patrol Deputy in Boynton Beach’s District 6. This District extends from Lantana Rd to Pipers Glen and from the ocean to State Road 7. I was partnered with a friendly and pleasant Deputy Exzabrion Barton who looked to be about 6’ 2” and weigh 220 pounds. He’s been a deputy for the past four years. He’s married and the proud father of two little girls. His father before him had been in law enforcement for 22 years. Each day’s shift covers 11½ hours. We left District 6 Headquarters off Jog Road near Park Vista H.S. Our first stop was a development in East Boynton called “Homes at Lawrence.” This is a mostly African-American community of several hundred homes. In some of the abandoned homes people hang out and use them for drug dealing. Deputy Barton pointed out spots of interest: “The Sheriff’s Department erected this chain link fence in this vacant lot adjacent to a canal to stop stolen cars from being dumped.” A little further on our drive he added, “A guy was shot right here not long ago. From here we’ll go over to the Sandcastle development, which is the toughest area around; lots of drug activity there.” Sandcastle is the community three deputies spoke to us about at last Thursday night’s academy session. These deputies, including Sergeant Thomas Euell, are part of District 6’s special Community Policing Squad. They work at low-income communities to try and establish a positive relationship with residents by taking a proactive approach establishing a problem solving partnership with community leaders. They attempt to bond with the children by taking them on “Shop with a Cop” ventures occasionally. On the way, Deputy Barton spots a homeless man near the grounds of Freedom Shores Elementary School. He’s in a canal just outside the school splashing water on his face and arms. “He’s not supposed to be anywhere near the school,” explained the Deputy. “I know who he is. I have to pick him up again and arrest him.” He turns the car around, pulls up to this man who looked to be about 55 years old, puts handcuffs on him and sits him in back of our patrol car. This guy starts an all out cursing war. The deputy had to contact the Safety Officer of the school. It took 30 minutes to fill out paper work. By the time we return with “the prisoner” to District 6 headquarters my tour was over. “We never got to Sandcastle,” I said to Deputy Barton. He looked at me with a rueful smile as if to say, “You didn’t miss anything, man.” http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/a_patrol_car_ride_with_a_sheri.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/a_patrol_car_ride_with_a_sheri.html Community Service Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:05:40 -0500 The next general meeting of the Boca Raton Computer Society will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 beginning at 7:30 PM. Guest Speaker: Jerry Naditch, Vice President BRCS “Everything you ever wanted to know about Google.” Question and Answer sessions on Internet, Windows XP & Vista and Paint Shop ProX2 will begin at 6:30 PM. All meetings take place at the South County Civic Center, Jog Road, Delray Beach and are open to the public. Since 1983, members of the Boca Raton Computer Society, Inc. have been helping one another use and learn about computers. There are now close to 1,000 members in the society, including computer professionals, business owners, home users and novices. BRCS has provided its members with these services during the past 25 years: BOCA BITS - the monthly magazine…NUMEROUS SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP CLASSES… TECH SUPPORT and MORE. http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/sept_17_meeting_of_boca_raton.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/community/westdelray/2008/09/sept_17_meeting_of_boca_raton.html Computer News Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:32:58 -0500