Serving Highland Beach and Coastal Boca Raton
December 2020
Volume 13 Issue 9
Along the Coast
Highland Beach
Canadian regulars: Sorry, we won’t visit Vaccines, cabin fever offer hope for gloomy tourism forecast By Mary Hladky
The town of Highland Beach used a drone to take photos and invited residents to the planned Milani Park near high tide Nov. 18 in an effort to convince the county that 42 parking spaces would be enough. The parking area is in the upper left. Photo provided
Event shows capacity crowd, town says
106 people turn out in argument against more parking in Milani Park plans By Rich Pollack
Some came from the south concerned that a county park with parking for 100 cars would create traffic problems.
Others came from the north concerned that a packed beach at the planned Milani Park in Highland Beach would lead to trespassing on neighboring private beaches. In all 106 people came to a townsponsored “sit-in” Nov. 18 designed to convince county officials that there isn’t enough room for all the people that a second phase of development — from 42 parking spaces to 100 — would allow. The idea worked to the satisfaction of
town leaders. While aerial photos show the beach could handle the 100 visitors that town leaders expect would come with phase I, they say the photos also show the beach couldn’t hold the additional 145 visitors who would come with 58 more parking spots proposed for a second phase. “We saw that with 106 people — without umbrellas and without coolers and without children — there’s barely See PARK on page 9
Along the Coast
Rescue highlights danger of Boynton Inlet By Rich Pollack Bernard Micalizzi had a splitsecond life-or-death decision to make. A veteran surfer, Micalizzi was on his multicolored board in the water just north of the Boynton Inlet waiting to catch a wave when he heard shouting and saw a commotion among fishermen gathered near the
ocean end of the jetty. As he peered down to the water’s surface, Micalizzi saw two teenage swimmers struggling to stay afloat while being pushed out to sea by a ferociously fast stream of water. One of the boys was grasping part of a fishing line, which was of little help. A strong swimmer who’s See INLET on page 8
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST PALM BCH FL PERMIT NO 4595
Surfer Bernard Micalizzi recently helped save two boys from drowning at the Boynton Inlet. Lt. Brian McManus (left) of Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue calls Boynton ‘the most dangerous inlet in the universe.’ Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star Delivery of this month’s edition is sponsored by our friends at
Crabby sensation HERbert an internet star. Page 10
PLUS: Little free food pantries. Page 24
Canadian Carol Baker and her husband, Ralph, have wintered in Briny Breezes for more than 20 years. But not this year. “I think we will wait until next fall when we have the vaccine and everything seems to be settled down,” said the Ottawa resident. “We are sorry to miss it this year. You have to weigh the pros and cons. There are too many cons this year.” Lanny and Beth Farr of Ontario, who have come to Briny Breezes each winter for 10 years, also will be no-shows. They wanted to come. “We decided no,” Lanny Farr said. Since they were stuck in Canada, Beth underwent a hip replacement and Lanny had a knee replacement. The situation is unfortunate for both Canadians and Americans, Lanny said. “You need our money, we need the warmth.” These two couples and other Canadians interviewed by The Coastal Star cited varying reasons for their reluctance to travel to Florida during a pandemic. The U.S./Canadian border is closed to nonessential travel until Dec. 21, and the closure could be extended. That makes it impossible to drive down. Oddly, Canadians are still allowed to fly into the United States. But it is far more expensive to fly to South Florida from Canada than it is if people cross the border and take a flight down from a U.S. See TOURISM on page 26
Holidays A socially distanced season. Page AT1
The art of shorthand. Page AT9