Roll The Dice For A Roaring Good Time At Boca Helping Hands’ 2025 MONOPOLY & Casino Night Gala
Get ready to don your finest flapper dresses, feathered headbands and dapper pinstripes as supporters of Boca Helping Hands (BHH) are transported to the dazzling world of the Roaring ’20s at the 2025 MONOPOLY® & Casino Night gala. This glamorous soirée will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 6 p.m., at The Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club, 2425 West Maya Palm Drive, Boca Raton.
At this year’s event guests will be immersed in the excitement of a Gatsby-inspired evening. They’ll enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres and a sumptuous dinner while partaking in a Chance Wall, thrilling auctions and spirited casino games. As the night goes on, attendees can kick up their heels to lively tunes and dance the night away in true Jazz Age fashion.
Event cochairs Yvette and Chris Palermo and Jessica and Alex Price are leading an esteemed committee of community advocates, including Kathy Adkins, Ronnie Bidder, Yolanda Brennan, Andrea Chang, Robin Deyo, Justin Ely, Binky Fash, Christie Galeano-DeMott, Nikki Gentile, Al Goldberg, Jonie Goldberg, Phoebe Kolesar, Mark Malis, Michelle Martin, Wendy Sadusky, Joanna Thomson, Bob Tucker, Trisha Vaca, and Yasmine Zyne-Coleman.
“We’re absolutely jazzed to be the first couple cochairs for our 1920s-themed MONOPOLY® & Casino Night! After two fabulous years on the committee, we’re stepping into the spotlight alongside our husbands—who are bringing their
Achievement Center For Children & Families Announces First Annual Partnership With City Of Delray Beach On Teen Hacktivate
The Achievement Centers for Children & Families (ACCF) which has served the Delray Beach and southern Palm Beach County communities since 1969, announced that it is partnering with the City of Delray Beach on Teen Hacktivate at Northern Trust, 770 East Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach on April 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hacktivate Delray Beach is a new initiative that will engage local youth from ACCF’s teen program in solving citywide issues. During the process, each student will use data, research and civic engagement to form solutions to problems plaguing the community.
Hacktivate was started after ACCF students participated in Youth In Government Day, which gave the students the
Hanley Foundation on page 3
Junior League Of Boca Raton To Honor Title 1 Teachers
The Junior League of Boca Raton (JLBR) will honor a group of teachers nominated from Palm Beach County Title 1 schools for their work in fostering a culture of reading in their classrooms. Each teacher will receive a refreshed classroom library and will be recognized on Tuesday, April 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Kendra Scott, 411 Plaza Real, Boca Raton in Mizner Park. The community is invited to sign up and attend.
Speakers will include a representative from the City of Boca Raton and one from the Literacy Coalition. Each
teacher will receive 100 books for his or her classroom and will enjoy refreshments and appetizers. The event is hosted by the Junior League’s Raising Readers Committee, chaired by Christina Seamster and Christa Siciliano. Twenty percent of all jewelry purchases during the event at Kendra Scott will be donated to the Junior League and a raffle will be held.
“We are delighted to recognize the important work that teachers do in our Title 1 schools,” said Nikki Stelzer, president of the Junior League of Boca Raton. “And we’re thrilled to be able to provide additional books as a resource for each teacher’s classroom!”
Raising Readers Committee members include Nicole Arbucci,
Alex and Jessica Price, Yvette and Chris Palermo
Raising Readers Committee members
From Venice To Boca Museum Of Art, “Glasstress 2025” Exhibit Opens April 23rd
The Boca Raton Museum of Art’s popular Glasstress exhibition series, the 2025 edition of which runs from April 23rd through October 26th, brings together internationally renowned artists with master glassmakers of Venice to push the boundaries of glass art.
This is the museum’s third iteration of the exhibition. Contributions from artists such as Ai Weiwei, Sean Scully, and María Magdalena Campos-Pons are among a diverse range of glass art on display, from small and delicate to monumental.
The Glasstress project was launched in 2009 as a collateral event at the Venice Biennale, an international cultural exhibition hosted annually in Venice. Glasstress brings contemporary artists from around the globe to collaborate with its master glassmakers, many of whom are exploring glass as a medium for the first time. By blending centuries-old techniques with contemporary artistic visions, the project highlights the enduring prestige of glass as a fine art and integrates Murano’s rich traditions into the modern art world.
own ace skills to the table—to create an event inspired by Gatsby glamour. Get ready to roll the dice, dance the Charleston and support an amazing organization in true Roaring Twenties style!” – Jessica Price and Yvette Palermo.
The unique theme of the gala was inspired by Boca Helping Hands’ Board President Gary Peters, a two-time National MONOPOLY ® Champion. When Peters joined the Board, he envisioned hosting a MONOPOLY tournament as a fun and creative way to raise funds for the organization. Over the years, this event has grown into a sophisticated affair while continuing to honor its original concept. The MONOPOLY Championship is played at this gala event on April 26 with MONOPOLY qualifiers playing at the VIP event on April 2 where they will vie for the chance to become this year’s winner.
Boca Helping Hands is proud to recognize JM Family Enterprises as the event’s overall sponsor, whose generosity and commitment to the community help make this extraordinary evening possible.
Proceeds from the event will provide vital assistance to 35,000 people in the South Florida community through BHH’s programs, including hunger relief, job training, healthcare, emergency financial assistance, childcare and weekend meals for Palm Beach County school children.
This year’s gala promises an evening of glitz, glamour and giving back—all while embracing the charm and exuberance of the Roaring Twenties.
Irish artist Sean Scully, known for lush abstract paintings, turned to sculpture as an artist-in-residence at the Berengo studio. His Venice Stack is a totemic tower consisting of handmade glass slabs of vibrant colors measuring nearly eight feet tall. The German artist Thomas Schütte, whose work was the subject of a 2024 retrospective at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, contributes an installation of similarly vividly colored urns.
Afro-Cuban artist and MacArthur Fellow María Magdalena Campos-Pons’ interest in the forms and colors of butterflies is reflected in two works: a mobile dedicated to the memory of Breonna Taylor and a more recent work, a stabile titled Reservoir for Love that evokes both human tears and insect wings. Laure Prouvost, winner of the prestigious Turner Prize, represented France in the 2019 Venice Biennale and has since collaborated regularly with Berengo’s artisans in Murano. Her installation of aquatic birds situated in a tropical landscape is her homage to our endangered natural environment.
Another spectacular work in the exhibition is a monumental chandelier by internationally renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, as well as his mock-heroic self-portrait bust. Fiona Banner also addresses scale. Her scaffold—a piece of equipment common to construction sites as well as museums, where Banner often creates wall murals—is made of fragile glass instead of metal, foretelling catastrophe if climbed. Another large work is an 8 × 8 ft. brilliantly colored glass mural with tarot characters and occult symbols by Mexican Surrealist Pedro Friedeberg.
As a special feature of this iteration of Glasstress, the Boca Raton Museum of Art has commissioned Florida
Jose Alvarez (D.O.P.A) to create his first work in glass with Berengo’s glass experts especially for this exhibition. It is a radiantly colored mirror, titled Echoes of Silence in the Galactic Garden , featuring complex floral patterns and spectacular gold embellishments. The exhibition will be accompanied by a catalogue and is curated by Kathleen Goncharov, Senior Curator of the Boca Raton Museum of Art.
About Adriano Berengo. Adriano Berengo is a passionate and visionary Venetian whose mission is to revitalize the ancient tradition of Murano glass, encourage technical innovation and encourage cutting-edge contemporary artists to experiment with a new medium. In 1989 Berengo acquired an abandoned glass furnace in Murano, and a few years later established Fondazione Berengo and his Glasstress project, an innovative program whose mission is to encourage the medium of glass within the world of contemporary art. This project continues a tradition begun by Peggy Guggenheim and artist and master glassmaker Egidio Constantino who invited artists such as Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall to work with glass in Venice in the 1960s.
Roll The Dice from page 1
artist
Boca Teen Twins To Collect Thousands Of Pounds Of Cereal
For Boca Helping Hands During Annual Cereal Drive
Cereal4All, which runs an annual cereal drive organized by twin brothers Jett and Luke Justin, hopes to collect more than 4,000 pounds during its annual cereal drive this spring and donate it to Boca Helping Hands (BHH).
This donation means that Boca Helping Hands will be able to provide clients with approximately 40,000 bowls of cereal. The Justins, 17-year-old twin brothers and Boca Raton residents, are 11th graders at American Heritage School in Delray Beach.
Cereal4All teams up with students, schools, and businesses across the country to provide breakfast food to families in need and to get more young people actively engaged in the fight against hunger. The organization focuses on the special connection young people have with cereal to help them think about the hunger struggles of others in a more relatable, personal way.
Cereal4All has expanded nationally, partnering with over 80 schools, 70 food banks, and students in 16 states—plus Toronto and the Bahamas with their Oatmeal Airlift flights (personally flown by Jett and Luke). Their efforts have provided the equivalent of over 500,000 bowls of cereal to people in need—more than $200,000 worth of breakfast food, or 50,000 boxes—and have guided students across the country to their first volunteer experiences at food banks.
As of now, 20 Palm Beach County schools will be participating in this year’s spring Cereal4All Drive. To
chance to learn about all of the city’s major departments. During this event, students urged elected officials and city staff to address community disparities.
During Teen Hacktivate, students will be grouped into teams that will address issues such as quality education, access to healthcare and mental health services, substance abuse, climate change and sustainability and more. Each team will be facilitated by a leader from the City of Delray Beach. Students will use citywide and national data to
further incentivize participation, there will be a drawing for participating schools, featuring prizes such as gift cards and tickets to local attractions, including Top Golf, Xtreme Action Park, Palm Beach Zoo, Lion Country Safari, Rapids Water Park, First Watch, and Yard House.
Cereal4All Founders Luke Justin and Jett Justin
Besides their successful partnerships with schools and food banks, Cereal4All has also partnered with Whole Foods, Wawa, Target, and First Watch Restaurants. Target donated gift cards for participating schools to buy school supplies, and Publix will provide cereal parties for K-5 schools’ topdonating classrooms. In addition, First Watch has partnered with Cereal4All by donating breakfast food for a recent “Oatmeal Airlift” that Jett and Luke piloted to different islands in the Bahamas.
“We created Cereal4All to fight hunger around America’s breakfast tables because millions of American families suffer from food insecurity, which means they can’t always afford enough meals for everyone in their homes,” Luke Justin
understand critical issues and draft conclusions. City staff members will serve as mentors and provide knowledge, insight and feedback on the student decision making process. Each student group will present their solutions and proposed policies at a culminating event.
Sponsorships for Hacktivate are available by contacting Jalesa Worthen at jworthen@delraychild.org.
“We are excited to partner with the City of Delray Beach and bring this exciting opportunity to our students,” said Stephanie Seibel, CEO for the Achievement Centers.
said. “Those families depend on food banks to help ease their hunger issues. Since breakfast food is one of the least donated items to food banks, pantry bags of meals distributed to families in need are often missing breakfast food.” “My brother and I learned about the breakfast food shortage in 2016 while volunteering in the warehouse at Boca Helping Hands, and it had a big effect on us because, like most young people, we love cereal,” Jett Justin said. “Cereal is about breakfast, but it’s also about happiness, so we were bothered by the reality that millions of families and kids might not have daily access to breakfast and that moment of happiness in their day.”
Jett and Luke were recently recognized for their nonprofit work by U.S. Congressman Jared Moskowitz in the House of Representatives. They also received a commendation from the Mayor of Boca Raton, Scott Singer, for their work on Cereal4All.
To donate to the cereal drive, contact Suzan Javizian at suzan@bocahelpinghands.org or call (561) 417-0913.
Lulis Camarena, Kristin Cardoso, Kimberly Chapman, Shayna Franco, Linda Golian-Lui, Debra Haym, Amy Phillips and Bing Hwa Tai.
The Raising Readers Committee aims to create a culture of reading that helps improve children’s literacy development. Our objective is to inspire children to become avid readers by providing books to Title 1 schools through local book drives, utilizing the Junior League of Boca Raton’s voluntarism network and working with key community partners.
To attend the event, sign up at the Junior League’s website at www.JLBR.org/. To shop online, on April 29, use the code GIVEBACK-HIOWR.
To learn more about the JLBR, please contact the JLBR office at (561) 620-2553 or visit www.JLBR. org. Connect on Facebook or Instagram.
Hanley Foundation from page 1
Junior League from page 1
Future Theatre Star In Your Family?
Delray Announces Theatre Summer Camp
Arts Garage, a Visual & Performing Arts Venue located in Delray Beach that connects the community to the world through the arts, has announced an interesting new youth summer program: PLACES! A Summer Theatre Camp at Arts Garage
Building on the success of its Set the Stage youth program over the past five years, this immersive day camp offers four weeks of intensive theatre training for aspiring performers ages 8 to 15. Running Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the program provides young artists with hands-on instruction from industry professionals, culminating in a showcase performance for friends and family each Friday. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged. Families can enroll for one week at $500 per session or select multiple weeks with no minimum requirement. Those who register for all four weeks will receive one week free, bringing the total cost to $1,500. To learn more and register for the camp, visit https://artsgarage.org/events/category/places/. Summer 2025 Schedule:
Week 1 (Monday, July 7th to Friday, July 11th) –Technical Theatre and Playwriting: Campers will learn the basics of stage design, lighting/sound design and costume/ props design. They will also learn about creating a script and get to showcase their original scenes and monologues for friends and family.
Week 2 (Monday, July 14 to Friday, July 18) –Improvisation : Campers will have fun while building teamwork through improvisation exercises and games. They will learn different forms of improv and perform a showcase for friends and family.
Week 3 (Monday, July 21 to Friday, July 25) – Musical Theatre: Campers will take group singing and dancing lessons, learn how to tell a story through song, and choreograph a group number from a Broadway musical. The number will be presented to friends and family.
Week 4 (Monday, July 28 to Friday, August 1) – Acting: Campers will learn the craft of acting for the stage while having fun playing games and building confidence. They will work together as an ensemble to rehearse a short play and present it to friends and family at the end of the week.
“PLACES! A Summer Theatre Camp is an exciting evolution of our commitment to nurturing young artists,” said Marjorie Waldo, CEO & President of Arts Garage. “By
Tom English, Margo Williams, Laura Berrio
Bret McCormick, Miranda Ledbeter
Alyssa Debban, Corey
offering a focused, in-depth exploration of theatre—from technical design to improvisation, musical theatre and acting—we are giving campers the opportunity to develop their craft under the guidance of industry professionals. Each week is designed to build skills, confidence and creativity, ensuring that every participant leaves with a deeper love for the performing arts.”
Arts Garage continues to add new programming and events to its schedule and is renowned for offering thought-provoking, community-driven and socially relevant productions from professional, cutting-edge performers, playwrights and artists.
About Arts Garage. Arts Garage is a Visual & Performing Arts Center in Downtown Delray Beach that delivers innovative, diverse and accessible arts
experiences to the South Florida community. From Grammy Award-winning musicians to renowned regional talent, Arts Garage showcases performers representing a wide variety of cultures. The Marshall Family Foundation Gallery at Arts Garage features exhibitions by emerging visual artists from South Florida and provides educational programs for adults and children to grow their talents and knowledge of the arts. Located at 94 NE 2nd Avenue in Delray Beach’s Pineapple Grove Arts District, Arts Garage is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported in part by the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, the City of Delray Beach and the Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs. For more information, call (561) 450-6357 or visit artsgarage.org.
Scott Cohen is Here to Help!
Do You Have an
Stephen Miller • Elizabeth Miller Sales
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office
Dear Taxpayer:
Happy Spring!
My office continues to work on the 2025 tax roll and make preparations for the release of the estimated 2025 taxable property values to the Palm Beach County taxing authorities at the end of May.
These preliminary estimates assist the county, municipalities, and other taxing authorities in projecting their budgets and tax rates and also provide a benchmark as to what revenue they can expect to receive from property taxes in the coming year.
After the taxing authorities have determined their budgets and proposed tax rates based on the preliminary estimates, my office will mail the TRIM notice, or Truth in Millage, to every property owner in August. This is the notice of proposed taxes that will detail the assessed value of your property, your proposed tax rates, and an estimate of your tax bill. Stay tuned.
Also, as “Snowbird Season” comes to a close, we’ve included important information on short-term rental of a homesteaded property for those property owners who benefit from the homestead exemption and are considering renting all or a portion of their homesteaded property.
I hope you find this information beneficial and interesting. Respectfully, Dorothy Jacks, CFA, FIAAO, AAS, Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office Service Centers
While a vast array of services and information are available online 24/7 at pbcpao.gov, my office maintains five service centers, conveniently located throughout Palm Beach County and staffed by qualified professionals. They administer the homestead exemption, additional property tax exemptions, mailing address and ownership changes, portability applications and more.
2024 customer service by the numbers:
• Phone calls: 86,167, down 3% from 2023
• Counter visits: 27,232, down 4% from 2023
• E files: 15,835, nearly flat from 2023
• Total new homestead exemptions: 25,256, up 2% from 2023
• Portability applications: 6,401, down 7% from 2023
Main Office & Downtown Service Center
County Governmental Center
Main Office – 5th Floor
Downtown Service Center (Exemptions) – 1st Floor
301 North Olive Avenue, 5th Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 355-2866
South County Service Center 14925 Cumberland Drive Delray Beach, FL 33446 (561) 276-1250
North County Service Center 3188 PGA Boulevard, 2nd Floor Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 (561) 624-6521
Short-Term Rental Of A Homesteaded Property
A provision in state law allows you to rent your home for a short time without affecting your homestead exemption. Florida law allows the following:
• Rental for 30 days or less per calendar year.
• Rental for more than 30 days and less than six months in one year. If you rent again the following year for more than 30 days, you will lose your homestead exemption.
• Rental on any day except January 1. If your home is rented on January 1, you will lose the homestead exemption.
Rental for more than six months constitutes abandonment of a homestead exemption. Property owners are required to notify the Property Appraiser’s Office when their property no longer qualifies for exemption. Failure to do so could result in a homestead tax lien with substantial penalty and interest.
Be aware of the law before deciding to rent your property. For more information, visit pbcpao.gov or contact Exemption Services at (561) 355-2866.
Florida Statute 196.061 Florida Statute 196.011 (9) (a)
Why I Drive For Road To Recovery For The American Cancer Society
By Joseph B. Ludwig
I consider myself to be the luckiest person that I know.
In May 2010, I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma and treated at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston. The melanoma was surgically removed. After, I was given infusions of interferon and then self-injected doses of the same drug. I was declared in remission after the treatments.
In April 2012, I was diagnosed with a malignant neoplasm of the tongue. Again, I was treated at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston. The surgical ear nose and throat specialist said that he would cut out part of the underside of my tongue. He also informed me that the surgery might be quite extensive and could require plastic surgery as a result. The surgery that might have lasted four to six hours was completed in about 45 minutes. The surgeon said that the margins were very clear and he was quite confident that he had removed all of the cancerous lesion. Again, I was declared in remission.
In January 2021, I was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This time I was treated at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. I had six rounds of R-Chop chemotherapy. Two years after the treatments I was again declared in remission. I was now a three-time cancer survivor and had a weighty question. How could I repay my good fortune to others? I decided that one way that I could do this was to drive for the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery. Through its “Road to Recovery” program, the American Cancer Society provides free rides to treatment for people with cancer. With this program I would be able to repay my good fortune to others. Because I had been through various treatments, I could share my experiences with others who were new to the process. When I was diagnosed in each of my three cases, as most patients do, I had much stress and many concerns. Since I had been through it, I might be able to ease their minds somewhat and give them hope.
Delray Beach Brings Pop Culture To Life
The fact that tickets are going on sale now, in mid-April, for an event that begins on July 5th says a great deal about the anticipated demand for the “Pop Culture” celebration planned by the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority. The event will feature a bold new exhibition at the Cornell Art Museum and an electrifying POP 2000 Tour Concert at The Amphitheatre at Old School Square.
Opening Saturday, July 5th, the “Pop Culture” exhibition will take over the Lower NE and SE galleries of the Cornell Art Museum through September 28th. Admission is free (donations welcome), inviting visitors to explore vibrant works by talented regional artists, including: Gwak – a Sarasota-based artist whose 15-year journey in the arts reflects a fascination with the unconventional.
Ashleigh Walters – A Palm Beach County painter and sculptor known for her whimsical, oddly scaled creations.
Annina Rüst – A Jupiter-based artist-technologist pushing the boundaries of electronics and software-based media art.
The July 5th exhibition opening will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. The “Pop Culture” exhibition will remain on view in the Lower NE and SE galleries of the Cornell Art Museum through September 28th. Hours at the Cornell Art Museum are Wednesday 12 to 5 p.m.; Thursday and Friday 12 to 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 to 5 p.m. Parking is available in Old School Square garage. Concert Entrance: Please enter the concert area at NE 2nd Avenue / Pineapple Grove Way.
POP 2000 Tour Concert – A Boy Band Blast from the Past!
That same night, Saturday, July 5th, The Amphitheatre at Old School Square will come alive with the POP 2000 Tour Concert. Hosted by Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC, the show will feature performances by O-Town, BBMak, LFO and Ryan Cabrera—a dream lineup for any 2000s pop fan. General admission and VIP tickets are available for purchase. The Concert will take place from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Gates will open at 6 p.m. Tickets for the Concert can be purchased beginning mid-April at: tickets.delrayoldschoolsquare.com. Ticket options General Admission: $27 per ticket (kids 5 and under are free). Bring your own seat. VIP Tickets: $65 per ticket. Enjoy our VIP experience with access to our exclusive VIP lounge area with seating, a dedicated bar and free specialty cocktail.
The first person that I drove was Gay Snider, a senior citizen like myself, who lived in Boynton Beach. She had many maladies, cancer being only one of them. Gay and I got along famously and bonded over many things including the fact that her son and my daughter attended Syracuse University at the same time, although they did not know each other. I have since driven Gay many times and have even taken her to lunch once. Although she thinks of herself as a “foodie” and has eaten at almost every restaurant in South Palm Beach County, I was able to take her to a place of which she was unaware.
The American Cancer Society is on a mission to free the world from cancer. It invests in lifesaving research, provides 24/7 information and support, and works to ensure that individuals in every community have access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. Part of this mission is
• Oil Paintings
• Oriental Rugs
• Tapestries
• Fine Furniture
• Service Plates
to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through patient support.
Driving patients to lifesaving treatment is one of the most meaningful volunteer experiences you can have with the American Cancer Society. Last year, more than 3,600 volunteers gave about 77,000 rides to more than 4,000 patients across the country through Road to Recovery.
The American Cancer Society is actively working to recruit more volunteers across Southeast Florida and serve the needs of people with cancer near you. You can change someone’s life in as little as one hour a week by ensuring a ride is available, so care isn’t stopped or delayed. Connect with them at cancer.org/drive or call them at (800) 227-2345 to learn more about Road to Recovery volunteer opportunities in your area.
• Sterling Silver
• Objects of Art
• Sculptures
• Bronzes
• Porcelain
• Collectibles
• Fine Crystal
• Orientalia
• Tiffany Items
• Clocks
Igor Alterman Appointed President And CEO Of Jewish Federation Of South Palm Beach County
The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County has appointed Igor Alterman president and CEO of the organization. He leads a dynamic organization that serves as the central address for Jewish life in the greater Boca Raton, Fla., area.
“I accepted the leadership role to not only harness the youthful vibrancy and growing numbers of Jewish families who have recently relocated to the region, but also to build upon the charitable foundation established by long-standing members of Boca Raton’s diverse Jewish community,” said Alterman.
Previously, as president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, he spearheaded recordbreaking annual campaigns, full-scale organizational digital transformation, and unified the community in the aftermath of October 7.
With dual master’s degrees in nonprofit management and religious education and experience spanning philanthropy, higher education and Jewish communal leadership, he has a proven track record of advancing mission-driven organizations.
Prior to his Federation leadership, he served as chief executive officer of the University of Miami Hillel, where he oversaw a multimillion-dollar capital campaign, facility expansion, and strategic partnerships with private foundations and international organizations. He also served at Hillel organizations at Cornell University and Ithaca College.
A Wexner Fellow and ROI Schusterman Community member, his professional journey reflects a steadfast commitment to strengthening Jewish life through strong nonprofit leadership.
The Singles Scene Column©
Keepsake Love Notes from Your Matchmakers
By Kelly Leary, M.S. & Miranda Capparelli
“It’s important for people to remember that we are the creators of our lives instead of the victims of it.” ~ Dr. Joe Dispenza Happy Spring from our Revolution Family to yours. This month--we are gifting you some extra love because we are so thankful to you all. Keepsake love notes are special because they hold sentimental value. These love notes are designed specifically for our loyal readers, Single or Taken. The annotations below physically represent the care and research we put into our work. You can hold on to these love notes or pass them along to someone who may need to hear them. Read to the end to discover the most vital note--guaranteed to elevate your mindset this month.
♥Practice kindness. If you don’t practice kindness in life, love, work and play, you will reap what you sow. One of the biggest turnoffs is coming into the gate – or date, or room, or party – with a bad attitude.
♥First impressions matter. We have learned that your impression of a person usually forms in the first 60 seconds. So make sure that your “hello” is a good one.
♥Age is just a number! It’s never too late, but don’t get stuck on the bench. You are not getting any younger.
♥Love begets love. Our office rule is: “Only Love is Spoken Here!” Go on a date with this in mind, and you will get a second date! No one likes a grouch.
♥ Successful Dating requires Time, Money, and Emotion: Dating is a “Relationship Investment” of all three, so get used to it. With our pre-screened clients, relationships move along quickly and yield a higher ROI. If you don’t invest, you won’t progress.
♥Inner beauty trumps exterior beauty every day of the week. Looks don’t mean a thing when it comes to success in date-land. Exterior beauty might get you in the door, but can you get a second date? Inner beauty is key.
♥If you are striking out, look in the mirror and soul search. Are you doing the work to be your best self? Or are you expecting your matchmaker to deliver love to your doorstep like a pizza? Matchmaking is a collaboration. Connect, bond, show your good side, listen to feedback, cooperate, and be open to advice. If you go to your doctor and don’t listen to one word of his advice, fail to take your medicine and remain sick, is it your doctor’s fault? No.
♥ Don’t be too picky. We have a female client who won’t date a man under 6’4”. If your criteria is strict, be prepared to wait longer than someone more open-minded. High standards are acceptable if you understand the other person must like YOU back. Dating is a combat sport. Be realistic and self-aware.
♥Men bear the brunt of dating. So ladies, don’t abuse this love note or use them for a free meal. Always be courteous and say “thank you!”
♥Maintain an attitude of gratitude. This applies to your love life and far beyond.
♥ More good than bad. If your date is relatively reasonable and only a bit questionable, give it the green light and continue to the next date.
♥50:50. This is about talking too much--not paying the tab! While dating, keep an eye on your conversation and your listening skills. Take turns. Your discussion should
be shared equally. If someone is doing 90% of the talking, there is a problem. You won’t get the second date.
♥When you break up, do it with class. Don’t break up through an email or text. Be forthright but humble.
♥Grieving is brutal but essential. Everyone has their own timeline. You will know when you are ready to get back in the game. In this day and age, seniors are dating after losing a spouse, and they are finding a new companion. Avoid comparisons. Give yourself permission to start a new chapter with new actors and a new plot.
♥Join the love movement just for YOU. Stand up for something that you want in your life moving forward. Be part of your own solution, not your own problem. Get out of your own way.
♥ Cowards never start, winners never quit, and quitters never win. Don’t ever quit on love. Remember, fear is the opposite of love.
♥Dating is a journey. There will be highs and lows. Focus on the destination.
♥Online dating is a horror story. You could lose it all--the same way people can lose themselves in Las Vegas! Stop rolling the dice. If you stay too long, you may never come back emotionally or physically. Turn on any streaming service, and you will see the reality of online dating. The following stories are based on true life events.
Here is a list made just for you by your matchmakers:
-Lover, Stalker, Killer
-Love, Janessa (Podcast Series)
-The Tinder Swindler
-Dirty John
-Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare
-Fake Profile
-Why Did You Kill Me?
-Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist
Thank you so much for following the real matchmakers for over three decades! This month, we are celebrating 34 years in the love industry and eleven years of Revolution Dating (a brick-and-mortar powerhouse of a business). We invite you to join us in our LOVE movement. You have arrived.
Much Love & Gratitude,
Kelly & Miranda
#34YearsOfExperience #WhyWaitJustDate #LoveOffline #MatchmakingRoyalty #TellYourFriends #ComeAliveIn2025
Kelly Leary© has 34 years in the dating industry and a master’s degree in clinical psychology. She has been written about in Modern Luxury Magazine Palm Beach and Modern Luxury Manhattan, The Palm Beach Post, The Shiny Sheet, Stuart News, Jupiter Magazine, and many more.
Revolution Dating clients are pre-screened in person, including background checks and ID verification. Professional photos are taken by the staff. Revolution Dating is NOT online dating or blind dating. In addition to providing matchmaking services that make singles “UN-single” through their exclusive club memberships, Kelly and her A-List Team also provide feedback from dates when appropriate. Mock Dates are available by request. Single Coaching Sessions and Evaluations are also available by request for non-members or as an addon to some memberships. *All inquiries are confidential *Specializing in representing jet-setting clients with a second home in the Northeast/Tri-State Area. Do call the central hotline at 561-630-9696 (XOXO) or scan the QR code below to hold your place in the club. Time flies!
Born in Russia and having lived and studied in Israel, Igor is deeply connected to the global
He resides in South Florida with his
two children, David and Alice, and their dog, Quentin, named after a renowned film director.
Spinal Stenosis FAQs
Spinal stenosis is fairly common. Degenerative spinal changes affect up to 95 percent of people by the age of 50, and spinal stenosis is one of these changes. For people over 65 undergoing spine surgery, lumbar spinal stenosis is the most common diagnosis. An estimated 200,000 Americans suffer from lumbar spinal stenosis. It’s more prevalent in the elderly population but can also affect younger individuals.
J. Manuel Sarmiento, M.D.
J. Manuel Sarmiento, M.D., an experienced neurosurgeon at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital, answers frequently asked questions about spinal stenosis.
Q: What is spinal stenosis?
A: Spinal stenosis is narrowing around the spinal cord and/or nerves. Lumbar stenosis is narrowing of the nerves in the lower back. This may produce leg pain (sciatica), leg numbness, or possibly leg weakness. Cervical stenosis is pressure on the spinal cord or nerves in the neck. This may result in arm pain, numbness, weakness, difficulty writing, and even walking abnormalities.
Q: What causes spinal stenosis?
• Aging
• Genetics
• Congenitally narrow spinal canal
• Smoking
• Osteoarthritis
Q: How is spinal stenosis treated?
A: There are many treatments for spinal stenosis, both surgical and non-surgical. Every patient is unique and therefore treatment needs to be unique as well. When considering surgery, there are many factors that need to be taken into account. It is important to meet with a spinal neurosurgeon for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment recommendations.
Non-surgical treatments include:
• Medicine to reduce swelling
• Spinal injections to decrease inflammation
• Medicine to relieve pain
• Activity modification
• Exercises and/or physical therapy
Surgical treatments for cervical spinal stenosis include:
• Microsurgical decompression of nerves
• Spinal laminoplasty – non-fusion spinal restoration
• Posterior spinal fusion using 3-D computer assisted technology
• Anterior cervical fusion
• Artificial disc replacement
Surgical treatments for lumbar spinal stenosis include:
• Microsurgical decompression of nerves
• Spinal fusion for stabilization using several various approaches
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Sarmiento or another Cleveland Clinic neurosurgeon in Florida, call (877) 463-2010. Visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/neuro for more information.
Jewish community.
wife, Olga, their
Photo by 4th Avenue Photography, 2025
Igor Alterman
Mayor’s Update:
Scott Singer is the 35th Mayor of Boca Raton and was re-elected in 2023.
A South Florida native, attorney and small business owner, Scott and his wife Bella live in Broken Sound with their two children.
Happy birthday, Boca Raton! In case you haven’t heard, our city is celebrating its 100th birthday in May.
In honor of this milestone occasion we have hosted and will continue to offer a series of events that honor our past, embrace our present and get us excited for our bright future.
We hope you are enjoying the throwback Welcome to Boca Raton sign at Sanborn Square and have had a chance to check out one of our Centennial-themed events, such as January’s Boca Street Fest, our State of the City and Community Celebration, or the Centennial activation “100th hole” station at the James Hardie Invitational Golf Tournament.
If you missed out on the fun so far, the month of May is when we will commemorate our big day! Save Memorial Day weekend for a birthday bash. We have plans for a headline concert on Saturday, May 24th and a drone show on Sunday, May 25th.
Community Effort Helps Close Diaper Gap
For Struggling County Families
When parents can’t afford the diapers required for daycare or preschool they may be forced to miss work, putting their entire family’s well-being at risk. Yet one in two U.S. families cannot afford enough diapers, according to the National Diaper Bank Network. This urgent need sparked a massive diaper drive across 12 Palm Beach County neighborhoods and organizations over the winter months. Organized by Boca West Children’s Foundation, the collaboration resulted in over 435,000 diapers being donated to The Diaper Bank covering South Florida.
“No parent should have to choose between diapers and other essentials for their baby,” says Pamela Weinroth, executive director of Boca West Children’s Foundation.
“Thanks to the generosity of our community, thousands of families now have the diapers they need to provide a healthier, more stable start for their babies. We are so grateful to everyone who contributed.”
The following groups participated in the 2025 Diaper Drive Challenge: Broken Sound Club, St. Andrews Country Club, Boca Grove Boca West Country Club, Boca Woods Country Club, Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County/PJ Library in South Palm Beach County Club, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Polo Club of Boca Raton, Polo Trace Philanthropy Club, Spanish River Church, The Cottone Foundation, and Woodfield Community Foundation.
“Diapers are a necessity, not a luxury, but for many families they are simply out of reach. Without them, parents often have to choose between buying diapers and paying for food, rent, or medical care,” said Dre Garcia, president of The Diaper Bank Covering South Florida.
“Thanks to this incredible effort, thousands of babies will have a healthier start, and parents will have one less impossible decision to make.”
For those who missed the chance to donate, monetary contributions are still welcome at www. bocawestfoundation.org/2025-diaper-drive/.
About Boca West Children’s Foundation. Since its inception in 2010, Boca West Children’s Foundation has been committed to supporting at-risk children and their families in Palm Beach and Broward counties. The Foundation collaborates with 36 vetted, local nonprofit organizations to address the critical needs of children facing challenges such as abuse, neglect, hunger and more. Through the generosity of donors, the Foundation has impacted tens of thousands of lives, raising over $20 million for local nonprofits. Learn more at www. bocawestfoundation.org.
The city was officially incorporated in May 1925, and the Boca Raton back then was a much different city than the one we now relish. With our land located below areas prone to frost in the winter, we were a haven to farmers who wanted to grow pineapples, strawberries, peppers and many other crops.
One hundred years ago our city was a farming community of a few hundred people Today, we are 100,000 people strong and growing, with many industries and companies proudly calling Boca Raton their home.
Thanks to world-renowned architect Addison Mizner, Boca Raton was elevated from its rustic roots as he envisioned creating a premiere resort town.
As Mizner set out to create his dream city it soon became a reality as more people called our subtropical paradise home. Our population began to boom, and that growth continued as we became a haven for innovation.
The land that now houses Florida Atlantic University is
Upscale Resale Experience
where the Army trained its airmen on top-secret radar technology to help win World War II.
A few decades later, Boca Raton welcomed IBM, which transformed our world with the first mass-market personal computer.
Now we are attracting billions of dollars of investment throughout our city. The former IBM site is poised to undergo a massive transformation. Known as BRiC, the Boca Raton Innovation Campus has bold plans to become a “micro-city” where residents can live, work and enjoy amenities all on-site.
The city is pursuing a rebirth of our downtown government campus. Rather than just replace our outdated and failing city hall and community center, we are planning for our future by investing in workspaces and homes for our growing base of talent.
We have much to be proud of this year as we embrace 100 years of history. I hope you can join us over Memorial Day weekend for our birthday events. Please visit myboca. us for more information.
Nanci Smith, CEO
Council Corner: Boca Raton’s 100th Spring – Embracing Boca’s Centennial
By
Boca Raton City Councilman Marc Wigder. Councilman Wigder, a 15+ year resident of Boca Raton, is a business attorney, investor and Adjunct Professor of Business Law at Florida Atlantic University. His innovative startup, Greenhouse Offices, is headquartered in Boca Raton and infuses sustainability into small business commercial real estate. He is a former chair of the Boca Raton Community Development Agency, Chair of the Boca Raton Affordable Housing Committee, Chair of the Boca Raton Audit Committee, past Vice Chair of the Boca Raton Community Advisory Panel and past Vice-Chair of the Citizens’ Pedestrian and Bikeway Advisory Board. He lives in Woodfield Country Club with his wife, Fran, and three children who are in high school and college. He is always out walking neighborhoods, so please call to schedule a walk in yours.
One hundred years ago the Town of Boca Raton was incorporated. With the arrival and vision of Addison Mizner in the 1920s and his Cloister Inn, now The Boca Raton resort; the Army Air Force Base and secret Radar installation during World War II, now FAU; the original IBM Campus in the 1960s and ’70s, now BRiC, and planned developments of Arthur Vining Davis in the ’80s–Arvida, now including the Park at Broken Sound, Boca has grown and evolved, but perhaps more spectacularly excelled as a world-class destination we all love to call home.
Serving the people of Boca Raton over the past several years as your City Councilman, and together with Mayor Singer, my Council colleagues and many talented and dedicated staff members, we continue to keep our success story going as we complete 100 years as a city and begin the next chapter of Boca’s amazing story. As Florida Atlantic University’s new President Adam Hasner is fond of saying, “Boca Raton is on the move!”
Our second century dawns with a focus on world class services, responsible growth and public safety as key priorities. Boca Raton’s dedicated police force and fire department continue to provide award-winning public service to our people, for which we are thankful. Likewise, the City Council has approved planning and construction of a new centrally located state-of-the-art police station to improve efficiency and response time, with a substation in our downtown to serve that area.
Reimagining how and where the city provides its services is a critical component of our next chapter as well, as Council is working with the Terra/Frisbee group to responsibly reimagine our government campus in an innovative public/private partnership. By allowing the private sector to participate in this important project the taxpayers will significantly benefit from literally hundreds of millions of dollars in direct revenue.
At the same time our collaborative and combined planning resources allow the city to complete these community-oriented infrastructure, civic and recreational facilities with higher quality–and more quickly!
To that end we have entered into an Interim Agreement to protect the interests of Boca Raton with clear timelines and deliverables, during which we will engage on comprehensive due diligence and planning to make the project even better for all our residents for generations to come. Public input has been, and continues to be, an important part of the process, so please attend any meeting we have or go online to find a lot of information about it and register on the city’s website at Myboca.us for updates. And while you are there, leave a comment or idea.
As the city celebrates this Centennial year there are so many reasons to celebrate, and many events to enjoy. It can all be found at Boca100.com, dedicated to all things Centennial. With a list of events, a gallery, Boca 100 merch and Boca history, it has a wealth of information. So please check it out and stay up to date on the incredible events scheduled for Memorial Day weekend in late May, and more throughout this historic year.
As always, we are available and interested to hear your ideas to make Boca Raton even better than it already is. Please contact me at mwigder@myboca.us or call at (561) 334-9709.
Tax Talk
Dear Friends:
The arrival of April means that the 2024 property tax season is a done deal, so hopefully everyone paid their taxes before the March 31 deadline. In addition, before the onslaught of the summer heat, we have a flurry of community events around this time that we look forward to participating in each year – one of which was the Jupiter Jubilee, which you will read more about in this issue.
This time of year also means our staff is embarking on our annual Journey to Good Health program that provides them with an opportunity to learn more about their individual health profile. We then help them, through one-on-one sessions with a licensed nutritionist, to set personal health goals to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Over the years, a good number of our employees, who have participated in the program have achieved amazing results. And the program is designed to reward those employees who meet standards for good health or who make progress toward their goals. I am very proud that we are able to offer this program to our employees and that we are committed to promoting good healthy lifestyles.
In closing, I want to take this time to wish you a Happy Easter and Happy Passover as you celebrate with friends and family.
Anne M. Gannon, Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach County
To Our Citizens …
Publishing our organization’s annual report is a huge undertaking each year.
Data for the report is gathered from many of our departments in order to accurately and fully detail our performance during the previous fiscal year. As you can imagine, this can be tedious when working with dollar amounts in the billions and servicing numbers in the hundreds of thousands. My team did a fantastic job pulling this together and I am pleased to present our “Report to Our Citizens” for fiscal year 2023-24.
This year’s report has been thoughtfully designed to present the data and information in an organized fashion to highlight the efforts and initiatives undertaken by my office. Among our areas of focus this past fiscal year were improving communication, continuing to enhance our online service, and expanding the convenience and availability of the vehicle registration renewal kiosks throughout the county.
There is a great deal of valuable information in this 16-page report and I encourage you to review it by visiting www.pbctax.gov/annual-report where you can also request a copy be mailed to you.
Faces Of The TCO: Joe Sverak
Title: Chief Information Officer
Hometown: Plantation, Florida
Favorite Activity: Four-wheeling
Favorite Food: Steak and Potatoes
Favorite Movie: Star Wars
Joe tells us that his approach to tackling challenges or problems is “taking the time to come together to understand the issue and make sure everyone is on the same page.” He emphasizes that computer security and improving staff experience are among his department’s top priorities.
When the topic of artificial intelligence arose, Joe had this to say, “AI can’t replace what our people do, but can accelerate our processes” noting that “the benefits outweigh the potential consequences with the proper policies and managed approach.”
With 13 years at the TCO and extensive experience, Joe was asked what career he would choose if he had not chosen IT, and he quickly answered, “an automotive mechanic.” Joe, we are glad that you chose IT and we value the integral part you and your team play for our organization’s success.
TCO In The Community
The Town of Jupiter is celebrating its 100th birthday this year and our organization took part in the Centennial Celebration by participating in the Jupiter Jubilee. This event is Jupiter’s biggest hometown celebration and the Town’s official birthday party! It was a great day of celebrating with our neighbors in the North County. TCO employees were on hand to answer questions about TCO services and distribute informational materials.
Thank you to our staff for volunteering their time to share their expertise with attendees. We all look forward to this event to provide outreach to our North County residents.
If you missed us at the Jubilee, visit us at these upcoming community events: Palm Beach Pride, March 29 and 30 at Bryant Park in Downtown Lake Worth Beach and the Black Gold Jubilee, April 12 at Torrey Island Campground in Belle Glade.
Whether you transact with us in person, by mail or online, you are interacting with systems that have been put in place by our dedicated Information Technology (IT) team, a department that often goes unnoticed. Joe Sverak, Chief Information Officer, oversees our IT department of 16 team members who manage and safeguard the stability of our equipment and technology, which includes everything from computers and software to the servers that keep everything afloat. They are part of the fabric that binds the organization together. When asked about the role that he and his team play at the tax collector’s office (TCO) he said, “There is more to IT than just computers; there are a lot of moving parts behind the scenes, which means there are often several ways to do something, and I give my team the latitude to explore those options.”
From The Desk Of Commissioner Marci Woodward:
A Message From Marci
Commissioner Woodward, a 20-year resident of Boca Raton, was elected in November 2023 as Palm Beach County District 4 Commissioner. She serves on the following boards of directors as a representative of the county commission: Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency; South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (TriRail); Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council; CareerSource Palm Beach County; Palm Beach Cultural Council and Value Adjustment Board. Ms. Woodward graduated from the University of South Carolina-Aiken with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts.
I proudly represented District 4 in two packed days with our state legislators and leaders in Tallahassee for PBC Day! Traffic improvements and transit were high on the list and we had constructive discussions with FDOT Secretary Perdue. I have dual roles when representing PBC on transportation issues as a county commissioner but also as the county’s representative on the SFRTA (TriRail) board.
As the current chair and rep for the county I had a thorough discussion on the future of our partnership with the state and the future of commuter rail in South Florida. It was a good start, but only the beginning; much more is to come. We also had meetings with Senator Calatayud and Representative Tendrich about the Mid-Lease Rent Increase Bill. This is a local bill request for something we were unaware of until a local resident brought it to our attention. Our workforce/affordable housing tenants have been surprised with rental increases, some only a month after signing a yearlong lease. The federal government, through HUD, releases the AMI numbers every April. AMI stands for Area Medium Income, and it is based on a formula the Federal Government uses to determine the local income of residents in a county.
We are a large county, and with the influx of many highwage earners our AMI has risen to $104,000, expected to be adjusted again next month. This number is important because it is what we must use to determine rental rates for affordable housing. The request of the bill is to prohibit landlords from increasing the rates with the release of new AMI numbers in April and, instead, only at the time of lease renewal. Regular rental agreements do not allow for an increase until renewal; we are asking the same for tenants in workforce housing. Our Intergovernmental Affairs and Community Engagement Division Director, Ed Chase, also got us a meeting with Senator Burgess’s staff to begin the discussion for a Veterans’ initiative I am working on with the Hanley Foundation, No Fallen Heroes, and the Grey Team. Thank you, Ed, for helping me plant the seed. I can’t wait to tell you more once we are on stronger footing. My advocacy extended to key areas of our legislative agenda, including vital infrastructure and water resource protections
with appropriation chairs. Our meeting with Environmental Resources Management (ERM) Director Deb Drum and AEG Chair Jason Brodeur on the Loxahatchee River and Lake Worth Lagoon projects provides hope to continue the amazing work of restoration and protection of these vital natural resources.
Other Palm Beach County initiatives I supported include:
• Australian Avenue Road and Drainage Improvements ($2,500,000);
• Fire Rescue Water Vessels for Hazard Mitigation ($200,000);
• Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens Bridge to Heaven Design ($500,000);
• Peanut Island Historic Restoration ($2,000,000);
• Palm Beach County Affordable Housing Initiative ($2,550,000);
• Palm Tran Patriot Passes Pilot Program ($150,000);
• RESTORE Re-Entry Program ($500,000);
• Lake Worth Lagoon System Assessment ($154,500);
• 9th Avenue South Outfall Restoration–City of Lake Worth Beach ($371,250);
• Daniels Way Water Quality Improvements–Town of Jupiter ($103,500);
• Loxahatchee River Headwaters Easement Mapping ($75,000);
• Loxahatchee Slough Habitat Restoration Phase II ($180,000).
It was great to meet with so many key leaders this past week, including FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue, Senator Alexis Calatayud, Secretary of State Cord Byrd and Senator Danny Burgess. I also had the opportunity to connect with Representative Debra Tendrich, Representative Jervonte Edmonds, Department of Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly, Department of Economic Development Secretary Jason Mahon, Appropriations Chair Senator Ed Hooper, Natural Resources Appropriations Chair Tiffany Esposito, Appropriations Chair Representative Lawrence McClure, Attorney General James Uthmeier and Chief of Staff for Governor Ron DeSantis, Cody Farrill. It was an incredibly productive few days, and I look forward to continuing our collaboration to achieve our shared goals.
As always, we are grateful to our state partners for their time and effort. As session continues throughout the month, a team of county lobbyists will remain in Tallahassee to monitor appropriations that are important to our residents. A big thank you to TEAM PBC and my escorts, PBC Firefighter Craig Gerlach and Kayla West, for keeping me on schedule and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Recently Approved Agenda Items. Each month the Board of County Commissioners approves a wide range of important agenda items that impact areas such as engineering, facilities, housing, airports, and more. Here are some key items approved this month:
• A resolution encouraging collaboration among municipalities, stakeholders, state agencies and taxing authorities for the successful development and adoption of a Countywide Transportation Master Plan.
• A 12-month agreement extension with FDEP to share costs for the Singer Island Dune Nourishment project.
• Direction to staff to return with a resolution amending the Boards Rules and Procedures, adding a Board Direction section to the agenda.
• A 360-degree survey to evaluate the County Auditors, County Administrators and County Attorneys performance.
• $11.6 million for Transit Signal Priority and Emergency Vehicle Preemption hardware and software for Fire Rescue and Palm Tran.
• $34 million in bonds approved for Calusa Pointe II in Belle Glade, providing 168 affordable units for 30 years.
• $4.65 million HIP award to One North Lake, LLC for 54 affordable units in Pahokee, capped at 70% AMI for 50 years.
• $3.15 million HIP award for Westgate Terrace Apartments, with 37 affordable units capped at 120% AMI for 50 years.
• $4.3 million HBLP award to Village of Valor in Palm Springs, providing 54 affordable units for veterans and their families for 50 years.
• $2.25 million grant for Davis Commons, a 20-unit affordable townhome project in Lake Worth Beach.
Over $1 Million Saved in Insurance Coverage. Palm Beach County is making smart financial decisions while protecting public buildings and infrastructure. The latest insurance renewal reduces costs by 5.7%, saving over $1 million, and increases coverage in key areas.
Significant improvements include stronger hurricane protection, with named wind coverage rising from $145 million to $155 million per storm, and the hurricane deductible dropping from $33.25 million to $25 million per occurrence.
Non-hurricane property coverage has increased from $200 million to $215 million, and the total insured value of municipal and utility properties has grown to $3.1 billion. Cyber liability premiums have decreased by 2.42%, expanding coverage limits, while workers’ compensation excess insurance rose 4.6% due to payroll growth. This renewal strengthens our coverage while saving taxpayer dollars.
The county’s Risk Management team played a key role in securing these benefits and maintaining strong insurance relationships, ensuring the County’s financial security.
Nonprofit Spotlight:
Boca Helping Hands (BHH) is a local nonprofit dedicated to serving South Florida by providing food, financial assistance and job training to individuals, children and families. Their Resource Center offers emergency financial help for rent, utilities and childcare, while partnerships with Genesis Community Health and FAU provide affordable medical, dental and behavioral care.
I recently secured support from the Board of County Commissioners to add BHH’s Job Training Program request for $427,700 to the county’s appropriations list this legislative session. The program offers scholarships for vocational training in healthcare, IT, construction and transportation. BHH always needs volunteers, donations and food for their pantry. For more information, call (561) 317-0913.
If you require assistance, please contact our office at (561) 355-2204 or email Mwoodward@pbcgov.org.
Boca Raton Promotes James Zervis To Deputy City Manager Following Awards For Boca’s Financial Excellence
The City of Boca Raton has announced the promotion of James Zervis to Deputy City Manager/Chief Financial Officer, effective March 3rd. In addition to continuing his role as the City’s Chief Financial Officer, Zervis will now also serve as Deputy City Manager, expanding his responsibilities to include overseeing Public Works and Engineering, Information Technology, and playing a key role in the government campus redevelopment initiative. With over 24 years of experience in municipal leadership, financial management and executive oversight, Zervis brings extensive expertise to his expanded role.
Prior to joining the city as Chief Financial Officer, Zervis served as the Chief Administrative Officer for the County of Kern, California, where he managed county-wide strategic planning, capital improvement planning and funding, and was responsible for the preparation and ongoing management of the county’s $3.5 billion budget, financial planning, new financings and debt management. Through his tenure he has served in various roles from City Manager to Finance Director of
Do I Need A Measles Booster?
By Steven E. Reznick, M.D., FACP – Boca Raton
There is an outbreak of measles in several counties in Texas and bordering areas in New Mexico. The outbreak began in the Mennonite community which historically has a low vaccination rate compared to the general population. Cases in New Jersey have been reported, as well as one in a high school in Dade County, Fla. If you were born before 1957 you obtained immunity by surviving measles. Vaccinations and administered beginning in 1957. If you were 1957 and 1968 you will need to check your immunity levels (rubeola IgG titers) by obtaining a blood option is to take an MMRII booster available at and at many clinics and physician offices. If you 1968 and received two doses of the measles, mumps (MMR) vaccine you should be protected.
With this aggressive public health vaccination measles was eradicated from the United States. vaccinating 95 percent of the school-age population. the numbers fall below 95 percent the disease the mid 1980s, with measles eradicated, public reduced the required measles vaccines to one months of age. Those individuals with only one can either get a booster now or have their antibody rubeola evaluated to see if they are still immune. shot, the protection is supposed to be about 93 With two shots it rises to 97 percent effective Measles virus is spread airborne and may contagious virus known to man. It is believed York City prior to the development of the vaccine, responsible for killing 30 to 40 percent of children old. Those that survived had their immune systems the virus, making them susceptible to other infectious and malignancies.
Patients become symptomatic about 10 exposure. Symptoms include fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and body aches. Treatment is supportive known medication working. In previous years, 2 percent survivors developed a degenerative and fatal neurological called post measle encephalitis within a month –developing in one to two decades later. In a recent outbreak in Northern California, that figure jumped to Measles is preventable with vaccination against vaccinate your children and grandparents, encourage children to vaccinate your grandchildren.
various municipalities and counties. Additionally, he holds certifications as a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Public Finance Officer.
Zervis’s promotion comes on the heels of Boca Raton’s continued success in earning top-tier financial awards. The city has recently received three prestigious recognitions for its commitment to financial excellence. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) honored the City with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, a distinction that reflects the City’s adherence to the highest standards in transparency and accountability. Boca Raton is among the few entities nationwide to have maintained this distinction for more than 44 years.
In addition, the city’s Office of Management & Budget has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 42nd consecutive year, with special recognition in Performance Measures and Strategic Goals. The city also received the Award of Excellence in Procurement from the Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, underscoring its dedication to responsible and efficient financial practices.
“I am honored to take on the role of Deputy City Manager while continuing to oversee the city’s financial operations,” said Zervis. “Boca Raton has a long-standing tradition of financial excellence, and I look forward to expanding my responsibilities to support the city’s strategic initiatives, infrastructure improvements and continued fiscal stewardship.”
For more information on the city’s financial reports, budget and procurement processes, visit the City’s Financial Services and Office of Management & Budget webpages.
This is not a civil liberties issue. It’s a public Write your local elected officials and Congressional and demand that all children be vaccinated against the illnesses with failure to do so being a violation of considered child abuse.
Steven E. Reznick, M.D., FACP, is board certified medicine with added qualifications in geriatrics. He has in the Boca Raton area since 1979 and is currently accepting a limited number of new patients. To request a complimentary meeting with Dr. Reznick to discuss your health needs, and learn about his concierge medicine practice, call (561) 3680191 or for more information, visit www.bocaconciergedoc.com.
Healthy Answers – A Guide To Healthy Living: ‘What Are Friends For?’
By Dale Brown, B.S., M.A.,
C.E.C. Dale is a motivational speaker who has spent many years as a Certified Life Coach and has written numerous articles and e-books relating to selfimprovement and ways to build a high-performance team. She is the author of the book, “Small Steps...
Big Changes: The Personal Stories of a Life Coach,” from which this month’s column is adapted. Her education and years of experience in physical fitness and training of elite athletes has enabled her to sharpen her knowledge in many health-related areas. The following introduces a new approach to Ms. Brown’s series of columns devoted to many topics that deal with the mind/body connection and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Dale, a Bocaire resident, can be reached at dalebrown@ lovingmondays.com.
If I were to ask you how many friends you think you have, what would your answer be? Most of us who live in communities feel like we have lots of friends. We play golf, tennis, engage in like activities and surround ourselves at a table of “friends” for dinner. We make small talk, laugh and enjoy the comradery of being together, but it is rare to pinpoint any one you might describe as a “true” friend.
As humans, we have an innate capacity and a need for close, emotional connections with others. It’s a known fact that positive social experiences impact a person’s physical and mental health. The more social you are the more likely you are to be less stressed. On the flip side, loneliness and social isolation have been linked to a higher risk of illness.
We tend to use the word “friend” when referring to many people in our social circle. In reality, there may be very few “true” friends and many more acquaintances.
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram and X are good examples of how social media inflates the idea of the importance of having hundreds, even thousands, of “friends” or followers.
While social media helps people stay in touch across distances it often prevents relationships from growing deeper because it replaces face-to-face interactions with quick, digital check-ins. Many times, people post happy moments in their lives, making their friendships appear more vibrant and fulfilling than they may actually be. Just because someone likes your post doesn’t mean they’d be there for you in the long run.
Friendship itself is a complex subject. It comes and goes, and changes throughout your life depending on your age and gender. The way in which men handle friendship is much different than that of women. Men seem to address conflict more directly or, in my husband’s case, use humor to resolve an issue. I admire the way he’s able to “let things go” after having a difference of opinion with a buddy. Men are more apt to keep friendship over time, even with less contact in between, and are able to pick up where they left off.
Women differ from men because they become emotionally involved, getting hurt more easily when trust is broken. It’s not unusual to see open gestures of hugging, holding hands or telling a friend, “I love you” or, “I appreciate you.” Having a group of close-knit girlfriends who support one another is one of the joys of womanhood. I speak for myself when I say, “There’s nothing better than carrying on with a gaggle of ladies after a couple glasses of champagne!”
How we kindle friendship and keep the flame burning in every phase of our life is the essence of not being lonely. Things evolve as you get older and you may not connect with the same people you once did, nor do you have the same things in common. You may drift away from just acquaintances and focus on deeper, more meaningful relationships. At times you may ask yourself, “What happened? We used to be such good friends and now we barely pick up the phone or try to meet.”
As you age it becomes harder to make new friends and you may find you are no longer included in the circle of friends you once knew. This is the time when it is most important to make an effort to reach out, do the asking, make the call, send a text. Don’t depend on other people to know you’re feeling left out and need some company. The key to keeping meaningful relationships during life’s transitions is to be pro-active by joining a club, networking with members of your community or reconnecting with old acquaintances. What does it mean to be a “true” friend verses an acquaintance? This is someone who genuinely cares and is honest with you, even when what is being said is hard to hear. They show up when it matters, whether it’s celebrating your success or supporting you in tough times. True friendship is not always about you; both people have to invest time, energy and care. It goes both ways.
With a “true” friend there is no jealousy or competition, just happiness for your success without feeling envious of your achievements. If a disagreement happens it doesn’t have to end the friendship. The best thing you can do is talk things out and make an effort to apologize and forgive when unfortunate situations happen. My husband and I often say, “We don’t need filters when we’re with “true friends.” This means we are comfortable, accepted and loved by them for who we are and vice versa. You don’t have to hold back words for fear you’ll be criticized or judged.
Friendship isn’t just about socializing. It’s one of the most valuable relationships in life – bringing happiness, strength and a sense of belonging. It’s a lifeline for better mental, emotional and physical health. Investing in strong, meaningful connections can truly add years to your life and life to your years!
‘Monkey King: A Kung Fu Musical’ New Live Musical For Families At Delray Beach’s
Arts Garage, a Visual & Performing Arts Venue located in Delray Beach that connects the community to the world through the arts, is celebrating the success of its Family Series, which launched in October 2024. Designed for children ages 3 to 12 and their families, the series features live theatre and music performances that spark imagination and creativity.
On Saturday, May 3rd, from 1 to 2 p.m. The Monkey King: A Kung Fu Musical will be on stage, an original show for the whole family. It is based on the legendary mythical figure from the beloved 16th-century Chinese novel, “Journey to the West,” by Wu Cheng’en. Heartfelt music and an inspiring storyline tell the adventures of the first-ever female Monkey King as she battles against Heaven and Earth’s most treacherous foes to save her tribe and achieve immortality. With a cast of memorable characters, a mix of classical and rock music, and kung-fu style choreography – this is an action adventure come to life. Tickets are $18.
Arts Garage May 3rd
“Introducing children to live theatre and music ignites their imagination, fosters creativity, and builds a lifelong appreciation for the arts,” said Marjorie Waldo, President & CEO of Arts Garage. “For families, these shared experiences create lasting memories and deepen connections, planting the seeds of empathy and cultural awareness in the hearts of our youngest audiences. We’re especially excited to welcome those families and kids who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the magic of live performance.”
Advance ticket purchases are recommended. Prices may vary for same-day walk-up tickets. The Arts Garage Family Series is sponsored by the Virginia and Harvey Kimmel Family Fund of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. Arts Garage continues to add new programming and events to its schedule and is renowned for offering thought-provoking, community-driven, and socially relevant productions from professional, cutting-edge performers, playwrights and artists.
Dining Out: I’m No Don Quixote But This One Deserves Attention!
By Alan Serinsky of Bocaire
Country Club. Hungry Al’s love for food started very young. Never satisfied with his Mom’s dishes, he started to cook his way through her “Betty Crocker Cookbook.”
During the years to follow he spent many hours working in restaurants, both as server and cook, attending cooking classes and traveling the world in an effort to expand his palette. As a professional writer, Hungry Al offers his perspective on current food trends and guides you through your local restaurant options.
La Terraza Tapas & Bar
21770 St. Andrews Blvd. Boca Raton, FL 33433 (561) 576-3040 laterrazatapas.com
Food For Thought: Having been to Spain recently I can’t tell you how excited I was to finally have an authentic Spanish restaurant so close to home. I’m not referring to those crossovers of Mexican/Spanish local spots, but one that can deliver exactly what one would experience if they visited Spain.
I often reminisce the nights of tapas (not pronounced “topless”) bar hopping in Barcelona, quenching our parched sightseeing-days with quality Cava wine and finger-tasting our way through various tooth-picked Spanish appetizers. I also remember how we two very drunken Americans, lost at midnight, eventually made it back to our hotel only to discover I was pickpocketed (from my front pocket!).
When we arrived at La Terraza and started to immerse into the environment we started to realize how much it resembled our night out in that amazing Spanish city. Tapas dining is about allowing yourself to transport to another culture. It’s about letting go of how much one appetizer cost or how tight the tables are located to each other. It’s time to accept the noise of the stomping feet of the Flamenco guitarist and the excitement of something different than the ordinary, that made us and everyone feel the spirit of Spanish dining.
First Impressions: La Terraza is located where you’ll find the United Nations of dining. Here at Boca Village Square you’ll find a Publix store, a sports bar, a Greek restaurant, a breakfast joint, an Indian restaurant and a pizza parlor. The narrow layout of the restaurant lends itself to the Tapas theme with an expansive bar facing an open kitchen window and various high tops and table seating. Yes, you can dine outside if you want to join the countless people standing about waiting for pizzas at the Sicilian Oven.
Thankfully, La Terraza is a family-owned business. Two brothers in the kitchen overseeing every dish that goes out and another family member running the front of the house. No chain restaurant mentality operating this one, and everyone works hard to stay afloat and keep happy patrons coming back. The night we visited, a Spanish classical guitarist was playing. Unfortunately, he’s squeezed into a small spot near the bar and high-top tables, playing much too loud for us trying to carry on a conversation.
Tapas Tonight: Tapas is about sharing. Regardless of what region of Spain you visit, there’s always a tapas bar close by. Tapas, sometimes referred to as snacks or appetizers, were designed to encourage conversation. In bar situations most folks usually find themselves standing or moving while devouring these Spanish delicacies. Interestingly, tapas are
sometimes called pincho (toothpick). Not only do they serve the purpose of selection from a bar plate but also to keep your snack securely perched upon a piece of bread. While in Barcelona I discovered too late that these toothpicks served a second function. When I asked for the check, after consuming over a dozen tapas, the bartender asked for my toothpicks. I pointed to the floor as a result of picking my teeth clean and assumed that he was upset for my
About Arts Garage. Arts Garage is a Visual & Performing Arts Center in Downtown Delray Beach, Florida that delivers innovative, diverse, and accessible arts experiences to the South Florida community. From Grammy Awardwinning musicians to renowned regional talent, Arts Garage showcases performers representing a wide variety of cultures. The Marshall Family Foundation Gallery at Arts Garage features exhibitions by emerging visual artists from South Florida and provides educational programs for adults and children to grow their talents and knowledge of the arts. Located at 94 N.E. 2nd Avenue in Delray Beach’s Pineapple Grove Arts District (33444), Arts Garage is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported in part by the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, the City of Delray Beach, and the Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs. For more information, call (561) 450-6357 or visit artsgarage.org.
littering. Instead, it came to my awareness that the number of different shapes and colors indicated the price of my dinner! He estimated my cost and I embarrassingly picked up my trash. Hungry D without hesitation stopped my Cava drinking! Again, that was in Barcelona. Happily, this doesn’t happen here at La Terraza!
Dining Out on page 15
Film Review: The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry
By Nils A. Shapiro
There are two reasons for my having selected this film to review in this month’s column, neither of which is my certainty that you will fully enjoy it.
The first is that the writer of the screenplay, Gabrielle Zevin, was born and raised in Boca Raton and graduated from Spanish River Community High School in 1996. She graduated from Harvard University in 2000, having concentrated on American Literature, then adapted the screenplay from her own 2014 national bestseller of the same title and has become an award-winning author of several bestselling books.
The second reason I enjoyed The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry is its subject matter—the story of a bookseller and his world—and anyone who is a regular reader of Boca Club News and my monthly Book Review column knows that says it all!
My one hesitation is that the film received mixed reviews when released in 2022, so I will inform you of that
Dining Out from page 14
Let’s talk Tapas! To simplify this review, I’m going to offer my brief comments on some of the numerous selections of Tapas you’ll find at La Terraza.
Empanadas de Carne ($15.95) I haven’t found too many empanadas that I don’t like and these certainly aren’t among them. Nice portions with meat fillings that won’t disappoint.
Camarones Ajillo ($19.95) This is a great small plate with perfectly cooked shrimp all blended in a preparation of hot peppers, garlic, olive oil and white wine.
Berenjena con Queso de Cabra e Iberico ($16.95) Hungry D and I loved this one. How can you not enjoy a stuffed eggplant with goat cheese and quality Iberico ham?
Chueltas de Cordero ($24.95) These four non-fatty well-seasoned Grilled Lamb chops are similar to Greek style ones and will have you coming back soon for more.
up front and leave to you the decision of whether or not to view this film now streaming on Netflix.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry was directed by Hans Canosa, who has since become married to the author/screenwriter.
Kunal Nayyar stars in the role of A.J. Fikry, owner of a bookstore in the lovely, scenic town of Alice Island on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Bearded and kind of scruffy looking, when we first meet him he is being visited by a young woman, Amelia “Amy” Loman, the new sales representative of a book publishing company. She is there to present the new season’s titles but is treated rather rudely by the impatient Fikry, who complains that business is slow and ignores her suggestions about the potential of certain of her favorite new titles.
Tablas Y Ensalada: We didn’t indulge on these tapas because there is a limit to what we can eat! But for a group of three or more these charcuteries cheese and meat boards are fantastic. As an example of items, you can have Jamon Iberico ham cured for 48-months, Manchego cheese, Spanish Chorizo or a Spanish salad.
Let’s Talk Paellas: The big show of the night is Spaniard’s Paellas! Having eaten this in Spain and making it several times at home in a proper paella pan, I have to give them accolades on delivering a near perfect dish. The only improvement would have been the texture. Traditionally, you cook the rice with a limited amount of stirring to allow the bottom rice to develop a crust finish. To avoid complaints of overcooked rice it was cooked “Boca style,” a bit softer. But the flavors of saffron, the fresh seafood and spicy Chorizo of their Paella Valenciana ($38.95) was spot on Note: Similar to a soufflé, this dish needs time. The chefs are requesting you give them 30 minutes heads-up so they can execute the dish properly.
It soon becomes clear that the bookstore is in disarray, the shelves overcrowded and a mess, the owner himself drowning in alcohol and in the process losing a rare, valuable copy of “Tamerlane” he had been saving for a future financial need. (We learn later the truth about what happened to that book.)
But there is more on Alice Island that is in disarray than just the bookstore and A.J. Fikry’s life; the film explores these others as well: how his life changes when a 2-year-old girl, Maya, is abandoned in his bookstore and the mother is found dead; his sister-in-law, Ismay’s, husband dies in a car crash; the pregnant wife of an author learns that her husband has been cheating on her; Fikry’s relationship with the young book sales rep he treated poorly takes a dramatic turn toward feelings he had not expected…and much more that if described more fully here would act as “spoilers.” For me, the seven years covered in the film—and the emotional ending—brought forth enough involving moments to make this very much a worthwhile experience. I believe many of you will feel the same and I shall consider this review an homage to a Boca Raton Spanish River Community High School graduate who has made us all proud.
From the dessert tray: The dessert menu is simple and not overly creative. There is what’s expected – Flan ($12); Crema Catalana ($12) a Spanish version of Crème Brule; a Homemade Almond Cake and, of course, Spanish Churros (no difference from Mexican ones). And if all else fails, go with a scoop or two of ice cream.
Check please: If you want to save yourself a trip to Spain just to eat Spanish food I suggest you give them a try. As in the Don Quixote novel, the conclusion brings us to its meaning. With a strong identity and some perseverance, you can differentiate yourself from the rest of the crowd. La Terraza has certainly done this. So, as with the running of the bulls, both Hungry D and I will be returning soon. With our feet stomping and our hands clapping like Flamenco dancers we give La Terraza three golden toothpicks!
