The Boca Raton Tribune ED 513

The Boca Raton Tribune Yo u r C l o s e s t N e i g h b o r

Number 513 • Year XI COMMUNITY see page 4

East /West Boca Raton, Highland Beach, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, FL

May 21 - May 27, 2021

New Boca Helping Hands warehouse doubles its capacity to feed the needy By: Dale King

A popular former restaurant on the edge of Boca Raton’s warehouse district is back in the business of helping to feed people.

At noon on Tuesday, May 18, Boca Helping Hands, the organization that provides food for the needy, among other services, unloaded the first delivery from a refrigerated truck into its newly renovated warehouse across from its main headquarters on First Court off Glades Road.

The group’s new 4,437 square-foot food storage warehouse created in the building that once housed the Warehouse Pub enables BHH to double its capacity to feed the community over the next 10 years, officials said at a ceremony marking the arrival of the first delivery.

Caruso recalls 2021 legislative session: Bills, budget – and weekly COVID tests

COMMUNITY see page 9

Continued on Page 12 $1.4 Million in Grants to Lcal Children’s Charities

COMMUNITY see page 14

Cure stigma with green ribbons: Support mental health awareness month By: Lauren Do Nascimento

Desmond Howard inspires YMCA breakfast audience

COMMUNITY see page 21

Mental health is a topic that’s seldom talked about, although many professionals can agree that it is a serious one.

It’s typically seen as attentionseeking, a nonexistent problem or not important enough to be addressed, however, this is not the case. It is very important to create conversations about mental health, especially during May’s mental health awareness month. Mental health is important for a person’s overall health and should be a priority, however many underestimate its significance.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, one in five adults experience mental illness in the United States every year and 17% of teens experience a form of mental disorder. The NAMI also states that 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses start by age 14 and 75% of these lifetime mental illnesses appear by age 24. The global pandemic has only increased these numbers around the country.

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Kappeler Recognized to C-USA AllAcademic Team

AVDA honors Boca benefactor, anti-abuse student group at ‘Heart of a Woman’ luncheon

Former Owl Griffith Tabbed to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Former Florida Atlantic University women’s basketball player (1992-93) Yolanda Griffith was announced to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021. She is one of 16 inductees and the first former FAU basketball player to be voted into the Naismith Hall of Fame.

Griffith made her mark on the FAU program from 1992-93. She earned All-America honors and was tabbed as the Division II Kodak Player of the Year. Still to this day, Griffith holds FAU school records in single-game rebounds (33), single-game points (46), single-game field goals (21), single-season rebounding average (16.0), singleseason points (621) and single-season rebounds (352). In 2006, Griffith was enshrined into the FAU Hall of Fame.

“Heart of a Woman” luncheon held Wednesday, both in-person and virtually, at Boca’s Royal Palm Yacht Club.

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2 - Edition 513 The Boca Raton Tribune COMMUNITY NEWS East/West Boca Raton, FL

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The Boca Raton Museum of Art announced their new exhibit, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru that will open October 16, bringing the arts and culture of Peru to South Florida.

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• AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse) honored a longtime Boca Raton philanthropist and a newly formed student group whose purpose is to halt abusive behavior during its 14th annual “Heart of a Woman” luncheon held Wednesday, both in-person and virtually, at Boca’s Royal Palm Yacht Club.

• The Boca Raton Museum of Art announced their new exhibit, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru that will open October 16, bringing the arts and culture of Peru to South Florida. This fall, the international exhibit will make its world premiere at the Boca Raton Museum of Art. Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru will bring tourists from all over the world that admire ancient Peruvian history and Machu Picchu.

• Florida’s 2021 session of the state legislature is now in the history books. But state Rep. Michael “Mike” Caruso, the Republican who represents Boca Raton, Delray Beach and parts of Boynton Beach and Singer Island, said the term stands out as “a session like nothing else.”

• Florida has distributed roughly $100 million to Medicaid providers that ultimately did not demonstrate they used electronic health records (EHR) in a meaningful way after collecting first-year financial incentives, according to a study by researchers at Florida Atlantic University.

• Mental health is a topic that’s seldom talked about, although many professionals can agree that it is a serious one. It’s typically seen as attention-seeking, a nonexistent problem or not important enough to be addressed, however, this is not the case. It is very important to create conversations about mental health, especially during May’s mental health awareness month. Mental health is important for a person’s overall health and should be a priority, however many underestimate its significance.

last week in the latest round of grants.

• Coming off of a year unlike any other, Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, Inc. is thrilled to announce their 9th Annual Better Ball Invitational raised over $200,000.

The event safely returned to the awardwinning Jack Nicklaus designed Banyan Cay Resort & Golf Club in West Palm Beach on Friday, May 7, 2021, and raised funds to support the agency’s efforts in strengthening the safety and stability of vulnerable families in Palm Beach County.

• Superintendent Dr. Donald Fennoy announced that face masks will be optional for Palm Beach County students next school year. The decision was made in response to the downward trend in COVID positivity rates and the increased vaccination rates.

The county also made the choice to make face masks optional after Gov. Ron DeSantis recommended to end mask mandates in schools.

• The senior rabbi of B’nai Torah Congregation, David Steinhart, says that the pandemic has greatly affected his congregation.

As reported by WPTV News, senior rabbi Steinhart is working with Michele Scher to help those who are struggling.

• A popular former restaurant on the edge of Boca Raton’s warehouse district is back in the business of helping to feed people.

At noon on Tuesday, May 18, Boca Helping Hands, the organization that provides food for the needy, among other services, unloaded the first delivery from a refrigerated truck into its newly renovated warehouse across from its main headquarters on First Court off Glades Road.

• The Tri-County Animal Rescue in Boca Raton revealed their “American Military Hero Dog Monument” on Saturday, according to WPTV. The statue was donated by Lois Pope and is meant to honor the “service and sacrifice made by these courageous canines”.

• A record-breaking $1.4 million was granted to local children’s charities during the 2020-2021 fiscal year by Boca West Children’s Foundation, with $500,000 awarded May 21 - May 27, 2021

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Edition 513 - 3

The Boca Raton Tribune

COMMUNITY AVDA honors Boca benefactor, anti-abuse student group at ‘Heart of a Woman’ luncheon By: Dale King AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse) honored a longtime Boca Raton philanthropist and a newly formed student group whose purpose is to halt abusive behavior during its 14th annual “Heart of a Woman” luncheon held Wednesday, both in-person and virtually, at Boca’s Royal Palm Yacht Club.

The organization that provides temporary shelter and a spate of other services to abused women and children celebrates “the strength, courage and determination of women” at the annual event.

This year’s occasion was a “hybrid,” AVDA speakers said, a combination of in-person attendance and remote broadcast to avoid coronavirus infection. Tables in the Yacht Club dining hall were spaced out more than usual, and the silent auction was conducted in a covered concourse outside. Participants made bids using cell phones to scan QR codes.

All money raised at the luncheon, silent auction and raffle “directly benefits AVDA’s 24-hour hotline, the Casa Vegso Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing as well as outreach services and education/ prevention programs offered throughout Palm Beach County,” said the event’s co-chairs, Anne Vegso and Dr. Heidi Schaeffer, the latter a former abuse victim who said that at one time, she sought shelter and assistance through AVDA. Speaking to the audience in the dining hall, the co-chairs noted that the local aid group for abuse victims remained fully operational during the COVID-19 pandemic “and during this time implemented a secure texting and web chat feature to make it easier for victims to discreetly contact the hotline.”

Both women noted that demand for AVDA services increased during the past year. “Since July 2020, AVDA’s Outreach Advocates are serving 16% more survivors each month while maintaining all other services, including presenting education sessions to youth in our community.”

Last year, they said, AVDA’s Violence Prevention Educators offered 463 educational sessions to 7,246 young people.

In addition to the luncheon and presentation of honors, AVDA invited Dr. Jackson Katz, an anti-gender violence educator and author, to address the audience watching locally and virtually.

His address followed the presentation of accolades to Heart of a Woman honoree Helen Babione, a resident of Boca Raton since 1960 whose beneficence to the city has touched such organizations as Boca Regional Hospital, Lynn University, Florida Atlantic University and Palm Beach State College, among others.

She has been a member of the Women’s Club for 50 years and created the Honor Your Doctor luncheon.

She helped organize the Arthritis Foundation locally and is a founding member of the Society for the Disabled, from which sprung the Twin Palms Center for

the Disabled and the Habitation Center of Boca Raton.

“AVDA’s Board of Directors and staff thank Helen for her years of dedicated support throughout the entire community and for being a valuable member of AVDA’s Community of Hope,” acknowledged Babione’s dedication page in the program book.

Also receiving honors were members of the SAVE (Stop Abuse and Violence Everywhere) Club, which was started by local students at the onset of the COVID pandemic last year when it appeared that domestic violence was on the rise.

“The club works to educate all teens in schools to develop violencefree, healthy relationships,” said the program book.

Most recently, club members helped raise funds to beautify the playground at AVDA’s Casa Vegso Emergency Shelter and Transition Housing campus as part of a larger project that will bring a new sunshade to provide UV protection to those using the play site.

Also on hand in the audience Wednesday were members of the Sassy Sisters and Band of Brothers, groups who are committed to supporting abuse survivors and AVDA’s overall aid mission.

Mistress of ceremonies was Liz Quirantes, news anchor at CBS12 and a member of the AVDA Advisory Board.

Pam O’Brien, AVDA president and CEO, emphasized the need for the group’s services, pointing out that the agency’s hotline received 2,300 calls last year. The help line can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week, she said.

Also, O’Brien noted that shelter residents are staying an average of 30% longer. On May 1, AVDA added an additional office for new staff who are coming on board to help meet increased demand.

During his address which concluded the program, Dr. Katz said that women created and have long led the anti-domestic violence effort, but “more men need to be involved.” He said they should not be deterred by possible pushback from detractors.

He also faulted the phrase, “children who witness” to describe youngsters who see domestic violence happening before their eyes. “If you were there when it happened, then you are a participant.” He said boys who view abuse “are 10 times more likely to become abusers themselves.”

Katz also disputed use of the term “awareness,” referring to abuse. “We have had awareness for 50 years.

If awareness isn’t the first step to action, then it’s empty rhetoric.” He lauded SAVE Club members but added: “When 50% of the club is male, and no one says anything, then we will have arrived.”

Falling back on law enforcement to deal with abusive situations should not be a first resort, he said. “Contacting law enforcement is an indication we have failed.”

Dr. Katz is the co-founder of the multi-racial, mixed-gender Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) program, an influential gender violence prevention program used throughout North America.

Machu Picchu comes to Boca Raton By: Kathryn Hubbard The Boca Raton Museum of Art announced their new exhibit, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru that will open October 16, bringing the arts and culture of Peru to South Florida.

This fall, the international exhibit will make its world premiere at the Boca Raton Museum of Art. Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru will bring tourists from all over the world that admire ancient Peruvian history and Machu Picchu.

“Arts and cultural exchanges lead to a greater understanding of promoting peace among several nations,” said Laurel M. Lee, Florida Secretary of State. “This exhibit will build the economy by bringing in money to local businesses.” Machu Picchu is where the Incas originated over 3,000 years ago. When the Spaniards arrived in the new world, they wrote about Machu Picchu and Europeans wanted to know more about the evolution of Machu Picchu.

“If you ask me which is the most important moment of ancient Peru, it would be the

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Inca’s creation of Machu Picchu,” said Andres Alvarez, exhibition leader. “Peru is one of only six places in the world where civilization was created.”

Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru are 3,000 years in the making. The new exhibit featuring one of the seven wonders of the world will include 192 priceless artifacts, some of which have never been seen outside of Peru.

“This is not your typical museum exhibition,” said Alvarez. “It’s designed to be an immersion of Peruvian culture. You’ll be able to see, smell and hear what’s around you.”

One gallery in the exhibit will position museum goers above the clouds, looking down at Machu Picchu. This will give visitors an aerial view of Machu Picchu, similar to what they might see after hiking to the top of the landmark in Peru.

This exhibit is the most ambitious project that the museum has ever produced and is expected to educate visitors on the rich Peruivan history.

To pre-register for tickets, visit www.bocamuseum.org/golden.

May 21 - May 27, 2021

4 - Edition 513

Caruso recalls 2021 legislative session: Bills, budget – and weekly COVID tests By: Dale King Florida’s 2021 session of the state legislature is now in the history books.

But state Rep. Michael “Mike” Caruso, the Republican who represents Boca Raton, Delray Beach and parts of Boynton Beach and Singer Island, said the term stands out as “a session like nothing else.”

For one thing, he recently told members of the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce during a “virtual” address, lawmakers took office with the specter of a major budget deficit hanging over their heads.

“Initially, we heard the budget would have a $5 billion shortfall,” he said. “Then, in December, it was reported to be a $2 billion deficit, then, a billion dollars by January.” But when the final totals arrived, Florida tallied a budget surplus thanks to an infusion of federal COVID relief dollars.

“The final state budget of $101 billion was up 10%,” he told the Chamber’s Government Affairs committee via computer connection. “We applied $6 billion of federal money to the operating budget and put $3 billion into reserves. We now have $6 billion in reserves. I hope we don’t ever have to touch it.”

Re-elected in November 2020 to a second term as state rep from District 89, Caruso and his wife, Tracy, have seven children and three grandchildren. She took her first foray into politics herself last year, challenging Delray Beach Mayor Shelly Petrolia, who won re-election in a close race.

The coronavirus pandemic caused some of the most unusual things in the state capital. “The Statehouse was closed.

We didn’t see your faces in Tallahassee on what is usually Palm Beach County Day.” And every week, legislators had to be tested for COVID. Caruso summed up the session as “bold. We took bold action. We ruffled a lot of feathers.”

Of particular note to the state and nation was Florida’s own HR-1, devised by Gov. Ron DeSantis as “an anti-riot bill. We won’t put up with people coming to town looting and burning. I was happy to get behind that.”

“It doesn’t halt peaceful protesting,” he said. “In fact, it encourages peaceful protests.”

Of the $3 billion allocated to the environment, $150 million goes to beach renourishment, a task needed by all cities with a shoreline, particularly Singer Island, he said. “The money will work its way through the whole district.”

May 21 - May 27, 2021

Funding for education is up 4%, he said, with $22 billion earmarked for elementary grades and $8.7 billion to higher grades. That raises the amount Florida spends per student to $9,346.

The biggest financial outlay in the budget is for Medicaid, he said, which will cost $33 billion.

He also touched on spending within the 89th District, which includes $25 million to rebuild the A.D. Henderson School at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Another $4 million is heading for Jewish day schools in the county.

The Wayne Barton Study Center in the Pearl City section of Boca Raton is scheduled to receive about $300,000 for its programs.

“The kids come in to play sports.

Then, the teachers come in to get homework done and help the kids study for exams the next day. Students are also fed and receive food to take home to their siblings.”

“It’s just amazing,” Caruso commented.

Other budget allotments to the South County area include: $250,000 for the Boca Habilitation Center, which teaches job skills to people with Down Syndrome. They get paid for their work and earn self-esteem.” $350,000 to JARC, the Jewish Association for Residential Care.

$319,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association ‘Brain Bus.” This year, Caruso said, the state will provide three sales tax-free holiday weekends – one for hurricane preparation, one for back-to-school purchases and another – new this year – to encourage residents to get out of their house and go to movies, entertainment, ballgames “and take advantage of other activities” that they were prevented from doing during the COVID pandemic.

To level the sales tax playing field, the legislature adopted a law that online businesses that sell more than $100,000 worth of goods per year must pay sales tax to the state. The new levy, he said, should bring in about $1.3 billion.

A new Senate bill that should take effect this year will offer immunity to institutions that could be targeted with lawsuits stemming from coronavirus. “This applies to universities, hospitals and other businesses that are vulnerable. While this doesn’t provide 100% immunity, it will stop frivolous litigation from people simply saying, ‘I went to a university and that’s where I caught COVID.”

FAU Study Finds Federal Program Encouraging Move to Electronic Medical Records Fails to Motivate Many Medicaid Providers

Florida has distributed roughly $100 million to Medicaid providers that ultimately did not demonstrate they used electronic health records (EHR) in a meaningful way after collecting first-year financial incentives, according to a study by researchers at Florida Atlantic University.

The first-of-its-kind study, published in the ScienceDirect journal, was designed to quantify the rate of provider participation beyond the initial incentive of up to $21,250.

To improve the quality of care and reduce health imbalances in patients receiving Medicaid, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act began in 2009, encouraging healthcare providers to convert their medical records to an electronic version. The program provides incentive payments for certain providers to use the technology.

After the first-year incentive, providers can earn up to $8,500 annually in the subsequent five years if they attest to Meaningful Use (MU) status, which is using certified EHR or software to boost efficiency, safety and quality of care.

Providers are not required to participate in consecutive years and are not penalized if they do not achieve MU even after collecting the first-year incentive. Many Medicaid providers (57 percent) discontinued participation after collecting their first payment, conservatively totaling approximately $100 million, the researchers said.

“So about six out of 10 Florida Medicaid providers have basic EHR systems that cannot function in ways that can positively impact patient care,” said Judith P. Monestime, D.B.A., an instructor in FAU’s College of Business and the lead author of the study. “This is concerning because advanced EHR functions – such as Mean-

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ingful Use – are necessary precursors to address unmet socioeconomic needs to reduce health disparities. Not meeting these needs leads to higher healthcare costs fueled by a cycle of emergency room readmissions.”

In conducting the study, Monestime, Katherine Freeman, Ph.D., and Pierre K. Alexandre, Ph.D., used 2011-2018 records from the Florida Medicaid Promoting Interoperability program, formerly the Electronic Health Record Incentive program.

“The study was significant for many reasons,” said Alexandre, an associate professor and director of management programs in the College of Business’ Health Administration department. “It tells you that the incentive program, although it had the best of intentions, may not have done enough for certain providers to make it worth continuing in the program.”

Providers often did not continue with the program because the incentive dropped by 40 percent after the first year, and they were not able to continue receiving necessary technical assistance, the researchers said.

The study found that pediatricians accounted for the largest percentage of providers achieving MU (65 percent) while dentists had the lowest rate (7 percent).

The researchers also noted that 58 percent of providers practicing in rural areas achieved MU compared with 42 percent in urban areas.

“Ultimately, efforts to improve health outcomes, reduce costs, and increase health equity for underserved populations through advanced EHR functions have stalled,” the study stated. “These results may provide timely information on the merits of further legislative efforts to increase MU and promote health information exchange.”

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Edition 513 - 5

Cure stigma with green ribbons: Support mental health awareness month By: Lauren Do Nascimento Mental health is a topic that’s seldom talked about, although many professionals can agree that it is a serious one. It’s typically seen as attention-seeking, a nonexistent problem or not important enough to be addressed, however, this is not the case. It is very important to create conversations about mental health, especially during May’s mental health awareness month.

Mental health is important for a person’s overall health and should be a priority, however many underestimate its significance.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, one in five adults experience mental illness in the United States every year and 17% of teens experience a form of mental disorder.

The NAMI also states that 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses start by age 14 and 75% of these lifetime mental illnesses appear by age 24. The global pandemic has only increased these numbers around the country.

“The pandemic definitely made things worse across the board and I’ve definitely seen the fallout from that. Starting with the drawbacks of it you have the elements of the isolation, the quarantine, that in and of itself,” says Dr. Raul Rodriguez, founder of Delray Center for Healing. “It’s also natural for couples and families who were normally either at school or at work and have to spend the whole day and night together now and get on each other’s nerves.”

The pandemic has negatively impacted the public’s mental health. For some, they now suffer from anxiety, isolation, stress and depression

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from the uncertainty of the virus and the enforced social distance. For others with pre-existing conditions, the pandemic has only worsened symptoms and disorders. However, there are still people who prefer not to discuss mental health and mental illness.

Dr. Rodiguez suggests that this is because, “you have other people who have not asked for help because they’re not at that point of acceptance yet, or they can’t afford it, or they don’t know what to do, or how to act.”

Many don’t know how to act because they hardly know about mental health, mental illness or what can be done to protect oneself from anxieties and disorders.

“I think that there’s never enough general awareness of what mental health is. It’s just a basic concept of the borders of the brain, just like the arteries of the heart, and the kidneys and the lungs exist as well,” Dr. Rodriguez added.

Even though the first part of mental health awareness is knowing about the topic, there is still a stigma to it. Taking care of one’s mental health and mental illness, in general, is often judged by those who don’t understand it or have not suffered from mental illness or disorders. This causes the topic of mental health to have a stigma over it, prevents others from talking about it and prevents those who are suffering from getting professional help.

When asked, Dr. Rodiguiz stated that fear is one of the main sources of mental health stigma. “They fear that their partner is going to treat them differently, they fear that they will lose their ability, function and their adult roles as a professional, or mother, or father.”

He also stated how fear and a lack of understanding can often be based on a person’s culture or society. If a person’s country doesn’t make mental health a priority, then there’s a high chance of that person being undiagnosed and not receiving any help when they are struggling.

It’s a long process, but sometimes there are simple steps that each individual can take on their own to improve their mental health.

Dr. Rodiguez informed that cutting out drugs and alcohol, getting more sleep, exercising and cutting down on caffeine are some things that can help. He stated that doing something as small as sleeping a few more hours can improve a person’s anxiety or help boost one’s mood.

“By itself may not be the treatment for extreme conditions, but it will certainly help somebody get better sooner. I would also say something as simple as less caffeine,” Dr. Rodiguez informs. “Caffeine is often overused by people who are trying to do more and trying to accomplish more for themselves and their families. But caffeine is often overlooked. It’s not stigmatized because it’s normal. It can increase stress on the body by being much more on edge and it can hurt sleep.”

Sometimes completing these simple tasks is enough to ensure a healthier mental state, but sometimes it’s necessary to pursue professional help. Admitting to needing outside help is not always easy because of emotional, financial or other challenges, but is highly recommended. A person whose mental health is suffering is also physically suffering. Dr. Rodriugez confirms that certain studies show the effect that depression has on a person’s brain. The brain of someone with depression for long periods shrinks over time and shows just how much your physical body is affected by one’s mental health.

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Dr. Roduieguez suggests that “ if there is a problem it’s better to address it sooner than later. Because it’s not good for you to be in a state where you’re very depressed and really anxious.

It’s not good for you emotionally, it’s not good for you psychologically, it’s not good for you to be in that state.”

On top of seeking help, the best way to improve one’s mental health and break the stigma is to educate others about it. Helping others around you understand mental health, the difficulties of dealing with mental illness and how to help others is a great start. Teaching adults and children alike helps reduce the judgments around taking care of mental health.

When asked, Dr. Rodiuez stated that “going as far as incorporating into education, into schools, and having children learn,” can help people take care of themselves earlier. “Children learn about parts of the body like the heart and different organs in a science class, having them start to learn about the concept of mental health is also very important.”

Mental health isn’t ignorable, it’s just as important as getting a bit of exercise every day.

Mental illness isn’t dismissable, it affects the victim and everyone around them. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and suicidal thoughts aren’t calls for attention, they are a cry for help. Taking care of one’s mental health should be a part of daily life just like brushing your teeth in the morning.

Mental health awareness doesn’t end in May either. It should become a daily habit and be continually learned. Sometimes, the best way to help someone who’s suffering is to raise awareness and show support. So break the stigma by putting your judgments aside, becoming more informed and taking care of your mental health.

May 21 - May 27, 2021

6 - Edition 513

May 21 - May 27, 2021

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Edition 513 - 7 The Boca Raton Tribune EDITORIALS & LETTERS East/West Boca Raton, FL

The Boca Raton Tribune Founded January 15, 2010

DOUGLAS HEIZER, Publisher Editorial C. RON ALLEN PEDRO HEIZER MICHAEL DEMYAN

Our Writers/Reporters and Columnists MICHAEL DEMYAN CHARLOTTE BEASLEY PAMALA WEINROTH

SYNESIO LYRA ROBERT WEINROTH BRYANNA BASILLO

JAY VAN VECHTEN JESSICA DEL VECCHIO KENNY SPAHN

Online Edition PEDRO HEIZER DINI HEIZER

Business DOUGLAS HEIZER GABRIELA HEIZER

EDITORIAL By: C. Ron Allen

Delray man Helps Generations as School Crossing Guard for More than 30 Years For more than three decades Herman Lockett has guided school children to safety, crossing the streets that intersect S.D. Spady and Plumosa elementary schools in the city’s northwest neighborhood. His faded orange hat, the sixth one, in fact, is as recognizable as the blaring red stop sign he carries through blazing heat, humidity, rain and an occasional, unscheduled early morning frost during cooler weather.

At 93, Lockett, possibly one of the oldest crossing guards in South Florida, may retire this year.

“I enjoy the children and it gets me out of the house,” said Lockett, who is in his 31st year on the job. He works the morning and afternoon shifts—7 to 8 a.m. and 2 to 3.pm. at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Northwest 10th Street. He really could not see himself doing anything else, which is why it’s going to be hard for him to step away from his post where he has helped generations of youngsters cross the road, grow up, and later trust their own to him.

“They come by every day and holla at me,” Lockett said. “Parents, grandparents they bring the grands, and they talk to me.”

He credits the “good master” for keeping him going and sees retirement as possibly the best solution for him to better assist his wife of 70 years, on May 23, who has Alzheimer’s.

“I think he took three days off from work and we had to make him take those days off,” his daughter Artensie Wade said.

When Lockett started in 1990, he was at the corner of SW 10th Street and SW 4th Avenue — near Pine Grove Elementary School — and after one term, he was assigned to his current location.

Over the years he has seen dramatic changes in fashion, street clothes to uniforms; vehicles upsized from sedans to SUVs, and attitudes change from close lipped to free expression. Speeders are a serious problem, however, most notable is cell phone use, both from students and parents. Talking on the phone distracts from stopping before the crosswalk, he

noted.

“I talk to them sometimes but they [his supervisors] say, ‘Don’t argue with them. Don’t be the police,’” he said.

A former chef, Lockett worked at Ernie’s, a longtime Delray Beach staple, for 36 years until it went out of business. He also worked at the restaurant Patio Delray until it was sold.

His former son-in-law, Chris Blake, who has since a Community Service Officer who also served as a crossing guard at the time, who has since retired, encouraged Lockett to pursue a crossing guard job.

On a recent morning, several motorists either tooted their horns or waved at him as they passed through the intersection. With every toot, there is a story.

One he recalls was when he assisted a fellow crossing guard who was afflicted with Alzheimer’s.

“After he was done taking the kids across, he was still standing up in the middle of the street and cars were speeding by,” Lockett recalled.

That scenario was personal for him, considering he cares for his wife, who also is battling the disease, which robs one of their memory.

When Lockett is not piloting students at the crosswalk or cooking for his wife, he stays busy working in the yard. “My heart doctor tells me, ‘Don’t go home and sit down. Be active’ so that’s why I do things around the yard,” he said.

He also serves as an usher and cooks in the kitchen at his church, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist.

Jackie Brown who is in her 34th year as a CSO at the Delray Beach Police Department, praised Lockett’s ability.

“I always saw him out there, rain or shine. Sometimes, he would ride his bicycle, drive his Volkswagen or the other car,” said Brown, who also ser ves as a crossing guard at Banyan C r e e k E l e m e n t a r y. “ H i s ( f o r m e r ) super visor had g ood things to say about him. He said he was one of the most reliable crossing guards.”

POSITIVE LIVING By: Dr. Synesio Lyra

Finding Alternatives There is hardly any situation or challenge you face in life which does not offer you an alternative or more, to accomplish what requires your attention. If you are truly attentive, and prepared to employ discernment, you can succeed.

That’s why it’s always wise for people to have different plans for the accomplishment of most tasks.

If plan A fails one can turn to plan B, then C, and so on! Someone went as far as to suggest that “when everything is falling part, it is a good sign that everything is about to come together.”

Sadly, many individuals are so calcified in following procedures by doing them in just one way that

they cannot think of taking any unknown path, or tackling anything differently from what they’ve been accustomed to do.

Yet, even in occasions when you can still achieve your purposes with what you have and know, you may also find more creative and efficient ways of getting to where you need to go, or desire to arrive!

As I read somewhere, “anything worth doing is worth doing, period.” In other words, whatever legitimate way you can find to achieve your objectives, just follow it; don’t limit yourself to what has been a common practice in the past. Improvements are invented everyday and whatever may have functioned

so well in times past now has novel and more efficient manners of achieving the same in record time, and often with better results!

There is an old, true story about a couple of generations of housewives in the same family which, every time they had a fish fry for the family, they would remove a chunk of the fish and throw it out. That procedure one day was finally questioned by a young female member of the third generation. She asked her mother why did they do it that way? The mother simply responded that they had always done it that way.

The girl then posed the same inquiry to her grandmother who was able to explain the reason sought. She

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said, “The only reason we did that was because the frying pan was not large enough to accommodate the entire fish.” Yet, all along they could have utilized other alternatives, either by buying a larger frying pan or cutting the fish into several portions which would fit the frying utensil!

There’s hardly any situation in life which leaves us without additional paths to follow; you can find better alternatives to embrace. Be sure you never become passive to just one way of doing things, when several others are equally available, and some are far more effi cient!

You need not be a slave to a sole manner of doing things, especially when it makes no sense at all!

May 21 - May 27, 2021

8 - Edition 513

The Boca Raton Tribune

COLUMNISTS FAITH

ROBERT’S COMMUNITY REPORT

By: Rick Boxx

By: Robert Weinroth

Health Care District of Palm Beach County to Close Mass Vaccination Sites at End of May As more of our residents have been vaccinated, the demand for vaccinations has begun to recede and securing appointments has become less frustrating.

With reduced demand, the county has announced it will redirect its efforts to mobile vaccination sites beginning in June. Mass vaccination sites, now located in Palm Beach Gardens at the Burns Road Community Center, suburban West Palm Beach at the South florida Fair Grounds and in south county at the South County Civic Center, will cease operations at the end of May. The Health Care District of Palm Beach County encourages all residents, 16 years and older, to self-schedule their first-dose appointments for the Pfizer vaccine online at vaccine.hcdpbc.org.

The Healthcare District’s website (vaccine.hcdpbc.org) lists the available dates, times, locations and eligibility requirements at each of the Health Care District’s three mass vaccination sites.

Individuals need to follow the state eligibility guidelines when scheduling to avoid being turned away at the sites.

A parent or guardian must be present at the appointment of those who are 16 and 17 years old.

For those without Internet access, the Health Care District’s helpline at 561.804.4115 is available to assist in English, Spanish and Creole.

All appointments are based on vaccine availability. As additional vaccine is received and appointments are opened, the community will be notified that the self-scheduler is open.

VACCINES FOR HOMEBOUND SENIORS The Florida Division of Emergency Management is providing vaccine appointments for homebound seniors.

The state encourages homebound individuals to sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at their home by filling out the survey available here, emailing HomeboundVaccine@em.myflorida. com or by calling 866.779.6121.

Someone from the Florida Division of Emergency Management will contact you within 72 hours to collect more information and schedule your appointment. To date, more than 7,000 vaccines have been administered through the statewide homebound vaccination May 21 - May 27, 2021

program.

Testing continues to be available at the following sites: Ballpark of the Palm Beaches (5100 N Haverhill Rd West Palm Beach 33407) Drive-through site – Tuesday through Saturday 8AM – 4PM. Any age; with or without symptoms. Testing in the order of arrival; no appointment needed (PCR/Molecular and Rapid Antigen Testing).

To preregister with your information for testing go to: https://ops.patientportalfl.com/s/?language=en_US Health Care District of PBC C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinic at Lakeside Medical Center (39200 Hooker Hwy Belle Glade, 33430). Walk-up site, appointments recommended; Monday through Friday; 8AM – Noon. Any age; with or without symptoms. Call 561.642.1000 for an appointment. (PCR Molecular and Rapid Antigen Testing).

HCD C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinic (411 W Indiantown Rd Jupiter 33458). Appointments only; Monday through Friday; 8AM – 11AM. Any age; with or without symptoms. Call 561.642.1000 for an appointment. (PCR Molecular and Rapid Antigen Testing).

HCD C. L. Brumback Primary Care Clinic (225 S Congress Ave Delray Beach, 33445). Appointments only; Monday through Friday; 8:30AM – 4PM. Any age; with or without symptoms. Call 561.642.1000 for an appointment. (PCR Molecular and Rapid Antigen Testing).

HCD “Scout” & “Hero” Mobile Clinic Outreach (Walk-up site, any age; with or without symptoms). Varying locations and hours as scheduled. (PCR Molecular and Rapid Antigen Testing).

FAU Tech Runway at FAU (901 NW 35th Str Boca Raton 33431) Walk up site, Tuesday through Saturday from 8AM – 2PM. Any age, with or without symptoms. (PCR/Molecular and Rapid Antigen Testing).

Tow n C e n t e r a t B o c a R a t o n Mall (6000 Glades Rd Boca Raton 33431 – in the Sears parking lot). Walk up site; ever y day from 9AM – 5PM. Any age; with or without symptoms. (PCR/Molecular and Rapid Antig en Testing).

Trusting in God’s Direction, No Matter What When Larry was CEO of an information systems company, someone filed an unwarranted lawsuit against the company. Along the way, even though Larry’s company was innocent of any wrongdoing, many people urged him to settle the lawsuit. The cost of mounting a defense, even if unjustified, as well as the time defending the case would require, made an out of court settlement the most reasonable course of action, they contended.

Rather than conceding to those recommendations, Larry prayed for wisdom and direction. As he did that, God impressed upon Larry that rather than settling, he should defend the company because it was innocent. The prolonged legal process did cost millions of dollars in legal fees, but the company was ultimately vindicated and cleared of the wrongful claims.

In the meantime, God blessed and prospered the business so much that the legal fees became insignificant in size.

Reflecting back on that troublesome and stressful time, Larry concluded that the fact his company had thrived in the midst of great adversity was a reflection of God’s favor for obedience.

Repeatedly in the Scriptures we read that we should seek God-inspired counsel when confronted with difficult decisions. For instance, Proverbs 15:22 states, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”

However, that does not guarantee that all the advice we receive is necessarily correct. We need to consult the Lord directly, and when He leads us in ways contrary to the counsel we have received, we still must do as He instructs.

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Close, trusted friends are an asset, without question. But they can never replace and should not supplant the counsel of the One we should trust the most.

Jesus spoke to His followers and admonished them about the importance of remaining close to Him: If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you” John 15:7). The Bible often underscores the importance of having complete trust in God: Trust even when we don’t understand. Sometimes God calls us to act in counterintuitive ways, as Larry did in rejecting the recommendation to settle the unwarranted suit. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight”(Proverbs 3:5-6).

Trust even when we fear disaster.

Emotions may cause us to seek the fastest, seemingly easiest solutions to pressing problems. However, belief that God has our best interests at heart should encourage us to look to Him, rather than at our circumstances. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Tr ust even when God’s way doesn’t seem practical. If God is leading you to take a stand, tr ust in Him, even when others disagree.

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun” (Psalm 37:4-5).

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Edition 513 - 9

$1.4 Million in Grants to Lcal Children’s Charities A record-breaking $1.4 million was granted to local children’s charities during the 2020-2021 fiscal year by Boca West Children’s Foundation, with $500,000 awarded last week in the latest round of grants.

The Foundation established new fundraising initiatives to support its partner charities during the pandemic, resulting in a record fiscal year for the 11-year-old non-profit organization. New initiatives included the “Partnership,” which raised $280,000 for 11 local charities, and the “Bike for Tikes” initiative which provided hundreds of bikes to local kids for the holidays.

The Foundation also held its annual raffle program and a socially distanced golf challenge.

The funds granted help local children and their families with food, medical care, education, counseling, aftercare, college preparedness, college scholarships, computers, school supplies, diapers, music camp, sleep away camp, beds on which to sleep, and safe homes for displaced kids.

“The pandemic presented such a challenge to our charity partners as well as to the families they serve. The Foundation’s supporters rallied to support these charities resulting in our best year ever in terms

of fundraising,” said Pamela Weinroth, Executive Director and COO for the Boca West Children’s Foundation. “We have exciting plans for the year ahead, including a partnership with the Palm Beach Marathon, ‘Walk the Walk” on December 11, and our annual Golf Challenge on November 1.”

The most recent round of grants were awarded to: Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center, American Association of Caregiving Youth, Best Foot Forward Foundation, Boca Helping Hands, Bound For College, Boys & Girls Clubs All Stars, Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, Caridad Center, Eda & Cliff Viner Community Scholars Foundation, Inc., Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, Faulk Center for Counseling, the Fuller Center, HomeSafe, JAFCO – Jewish Adoption & Foster Care Options, JAFCO – Children’s Ability Center, Place of Hope – The Leighan, and David Rinker Campus, Roots & Wings, Rotary Club of Boca Raton, SOS Children’s Village – Florida, Spirit of Giving, Sweet Dream Makers, Take Stock in Children Palm Beach County, Unicorn Children’s Foundation, YMCA of South Palm Beach County, YMCA of the Palm Beaches, and the Youth Activity Center.

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Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches 9th Annual Better Ball Tournament Most Successful to Date Coming off of a year unlike any other, Adopt-AFamily of the Palm Beaches, Inc. is thrilled to announce their 9th Annual Better Ball Invitational raised over $200,000. The event safely returned to the award-winning Jack Nicklaus designed Banyan Cay Resort & Golf Club in West Palm Beach on Friday, May 7, 2021, and raised funds to support the agency’s efforts in strengthening the safety and stability of vulnerable families in Palm Beach County.

The sold-out event featured 24 foursomes, all vying for the top prize, which Alan Somerstein and Eric Boritz took home with a score of 54. Second place, with a score of 58, went to Gerry Greenspoon and Ira Marcus. Bill Johnson and Chris Schmitz took third place, and fourth place went to Jeff Preston and Hampton Beebe.

Participants were treated to an al fresco lunch, a Halfway House treat on the course catered by The Kitchen, and an awards reception and dinner on the open-air Banyan Cay terrace.

Tournament sponsors included: Steve & Andrea Wynn, North American Development Group, Frank & Sean Bresnan, Michele & Howard Kessler, and David Lambert.

“The past twelve months presented challenges no one expected,” shared Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches CEO Matt Constantine. “The number of calls we reCommunity

ceived increased significantly but Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches, Inc. remained a constant source of support for families in need. Our golf committee also remained focused and dedicated–this tournament’s success is because of them. They stepped up and raised more money than ever to help fund our programs that serve a growing number of families in our community. We are fortunate to have their unwavering support”.

Committee members for this event include: Frank Bresnan, Sean Bresnan, Joe Carron, Matt Constantine, Tom Frankel, Ned Grace, Joe LaRocca Jr, Gary Pohrer, and Jeff Preston.

Last year, Adopt-A-Family worked with 1,516 households and ended or prevented an episode of homelessness for 728 families and their 1,418 children. The agency’s Project Grow afterschool program had a success rate of 98% of students promoted to the next grade level–far exceeding the local and national average, despite schools moving to all virtual instruction in 2020. The highlight of the year was the opening of Julian Place, Adopt-A-Family’s new 14-unit townhome community for at-risk families with children attending Highland Elementary. This new development is now nearing capacity, with 10 families already moved in. Additionally, in 2020, Adopt-A-Family achieved its 14th consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, a distinction less than 1% of nonprofits rated nationally.

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May 21 - May 27, 2021

10 - Edition 513

Palm Beach County school system ends mask mandate By: Kathryn Hubbard Superintendent Dr. Donald Fennoy announced that face masks will be optional for Palm Beach County students next school year.

The decision was made in response to the downward trend in COVID positivity rates and the increased vaccination rates.

The county also made the choice to make face masks optional after Gov. Ron DeSantis recommended to end mask mandates in schools.

“It is important to note that if health conditions deteriorate, I reserve the authority to change course,” said Superintendent Fennoy in a letter. “I cannot overstate that the health and safety of our students and staff is the School Board’s top priority.”

While face masks will be optional for the 2021-2022 school year, the mandate will remain in place for the rest of the current school year, which ends June 18.

Currently, the school district requires students to wear face coverings inside district buildings and school buses. Students are not required to wear face masks during outdoor physical education classes if maintaining a distance of six feet.

Parents in Palm Beach County have

May 21 - May 27, 2021

started the petition “Unmask Palm Beach County Kids” and has collected 7,000 signatures from parents urging the district to end its mask mandate.

“We are going to put pressure forward and we are not going to stop until these school board members and the superintendent understand who they work for,” said parent Jessi Melton to WPTV. While some parents are eager to see the mandate end, 68.9% of educators in a survey indicated that the mandate should remain in effect at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. A letter sent by the T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society urged the superintendent to keep the mask mandate.

“Attending indoor public events not only increases the risk for COVID-19 transmission between students and staff but increases the risk of spreading the infection to high-risk family members and friends,” the letter stated.

While the Palm Beach County school system will cease the mask mandate, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing facial coverings indoors for those who are not fully vaccinated to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Boca Raton synagogue offers mental health support By: Lauren Do Nascimento The senior rabbi of B’nai Torah Congregation, David Steinhart, says that the pandemic has greatly affected his congregation. As reported by WPTV News, senior rabbi Steinhart is working with Michele Scher to help those who are struggling.

“The greatest challenge people were facing wasn’t the challenge of physical health, but it was the challenge of mental health because of the pain loneliness can cause,” says rabbi Steinhart.

Michele Scher is a licensed social worker who has worked in the congregation for

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the last four years. Scher’s role has recently expanded especially after revealing that five congregation members have been impacted by suicide in the last year.

“The pandemic has really exacerbated the mental health needs of everyone,” Scher says. “To be able to bring me on to assist was really wonderful.”

The congregation recently started support groups to help those in need. The support groups are geared to those struggling with their mental health, especially during the pandemic. Senior rabbi Steinhart also wants people to know that it’s fine and ok to look for help beyond spiritual council.

Community

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Edition 513 - 11

Tips for a Safer, More Enjoyable Summer at the Pool As summer approaches, pools are great for play, exercise and therapy. However, it is critical that while enjoying ourselves, we take appropriate safety precautions.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 275 children nationwide under the age of 5 drown in swimming pools annually, and more than 4,100 children receive medical treatment for pool-related accidents, the majority of which occur in backyard pools. Luckily, building codes and standards can help.

“Building codes are life savers and as the leading building codes and standards developer, we are accounting for every facet of the home, which includes specific provisions to make pools and spas safer,” says Dominic Sims, CEO of the International Code Council.

Emphasizing the importance of water safety, the Code Council has dedicated a week (May 17-23) during its annual Building Safety Month to the topic. To ensure individuals are having safe pool fun, the Code Council shares the follow-

ing tips: • Install fences and protective gates: To ensure the pool area is inaccessible to unauthorized swimmers and children when there is no supervisor, install a fence at least 4-feet high around pool and spa areas with a self-closing, self-latching gate or door. Move all chairs, tables, large toys or other objects away from the perimeter that would allow a child to climb up to reach the gate latch or enable someone to climb over the fence.

• Keep safety devices nearby: Always keep basic lifesaving equipment handy (pole, rope and personal flotation devices) and know how to use them. These aids should be kept on both sides of the pool and should remain stationary – not

be misplaced through play activities.

• Install alarms: Install alarms on all doors and windows to detect unauthorized access from the home into the pool area. You can also install a pool alarm to detect accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water. While the alarm provides an immediate warning, it is not a substitute for the barrier fences, door and window alarms or safety covers.

• Remember safety covers: Install an approved safety cover on any pool. For the safety of all individuals, do not allow anyone to stand or play on it.

• Be code-compliant with drain covers and grates: To help identify compliance with current standards, all pool and hot tub drains must have a cover or grate marked with the appropriate product marking, including the service life in years and an information label that is provided to the pool owner. Not having a compliant cover could result in some part of a swimmer’s body being entrapped in the drain – a dangerous situation that could result in injury or drowning. If a cov-

er is broken, missing or noncompliant, the pool should be closed immediately, and a replacement should be performed by pool professionals.

• Ensure an existing pool has safe suction outlets: Pools and spas with a single drain – other than an unblockable outlet – must have a certified blockable suction outlet and one of the following: a safety vacuum release system; a suctionlimiting vent system; a gravity drainage system; or other safety features that comply with industry standards.

• Secure the proper permits for a pool installation: If you’re installing a pool, it will be important to contact your local building department first to determine what permits are needed and what requirements you must follow.

“With the weather warming and families spending more time at home, a pool offers hours of fun for everyone,” says Sims. “In addition to adult supervision, safety code compliance helps ensure a safer, more enjoyable pool experience.”

For more building safety resources, visit iccsafe.org.

How to Run a Remote Meeting With many offices continuing to function remotely or hybrid style, video conferencing will remain a mainstay of the American workforce for the foreseeable future.

Here’s how to ensure your meetings stay professional and productive: Be Mindful of Limitations Miscommunication can occur during an in-person meeting, however, there is a larger margin for error in a video call. Be mindful of the limitations of remote meetings and encourage participants to address who they are speaking to by name to avoid confusion. Consider assigning a moderator to help prevent interruptions, as well as someone to take minutes. This can ensure key takeaways are understood by all, particularly if tasks are assigned during the call.

Embrace its Benefits While video calls do have their limitations, they also have a number of key benefits too. Features like screensharing make it easy to share presentations, data and analysis. Meetings can be also recorded for future reference or shared with colleagues who were unable to attend. And, while the mute/unmute button should never be abused, having this feature does give moderators the ability to make it clear who has the floor at any given time so that meetings stay structured.

Employ New Tech The right technology can help ensure your staff is not overwhelmed with calls and video conferences. For example, Motiv, a mobile dashboard powered by Eturi that tracks productivity metrics for team Plus

leaders, now has a new Google Meets feature offering deeper insights specifically into meetings and calls. Is the time allocated for reoccurring meeting being used effectively or can it be optimized? Are the right team members using ad hoc meetings to brainstorm and collaborate? Who is meeting with who, when? Using this feature, CEOs, managers and team leaders can have these questions answered so they can make informed decisions. To learn more, visit motivapp.com.

Your team may be decentralized, but collaboration is just as important as ever.

With the right habits and tools, you can run more effective meetings, and work productively together from afar. www.bocaratontribune.com

May 21 - May 27, 2021

12 - Edition 513

New Boca Helping Hands warehouse doubles its capacity to feed the needy By: Dale King A popular former restaurant on the edge of Boca Raton’s warehouse district is back in the business of helping to feed people.

At noon on Tuesday, May 18, Boca Helping Hands, the organization that provides food for the needy, among other services, unloaded the first delivery from a refrigerated truck into its newly renovated warehouse across from its main headquarters on First Court off Glades Road.

The group’s new 4,437 square-foot food storage warehouse created in the building that once housed the Warehouse Pub enables BHH to double its capacity to feed the community over the next 10 years, officials said at a ceremony marking the arrival of the first delivery.

A portion of the 4,437 square feet is for refrigerated storage.

Until now, they said, due to lack of storage space, overflow perishable food was stored in refrigerated trucks that needed to run overnight. And then the food had to be distributed the next day, limiting the number of people that it could feed.

Present for the first delivery were officials and volunteers for Boca Helping Hand along with Ascend Properties’ principal and Boca Helping Hands board member Dean Borg, who donated his time and oversaw

the project for the last eight months.

Borg said he collaborated on the project with two firms, Holt-Lee Co. and Slattery Architects, with whom he has had a working relationship for 25 years.

The restored building on First Court housed the Warehouse Pub for about 30 years, he said. The restaurant was a favorite spot for workers in the warehouses, auto repair businesses and other shops in the

area to stop in for a burger, chili or other lunch item.

When it appeared the owners were preparing to retire, Borg and Gary Peters, chairman of the board of Boca Helping Hands, visited frequently and spoke to them about selling the building to BHH. Eventually, they did.

“They supported our mission to convert the building to a warehouse,” said Borg.

Greg Hazle, executive director of BHH, said “this is obviously a significant project,” as he stood outside the renovated warehouse building Tuesday. “We can extend our reach to serve more people.”

In addition to the storage space in the Boca Helping Hands main facility, Hazle said, the new warehouse triples the organization’s capacity to keep frozen items.

Boca Helping Hands is a communitybased nonprofit that provides food, medical and financial assistance to meet basic human needs as well as education, job training and guidance to create self-sufficiency.

Through its various assistance programs, BHH supports more than 27,000 people annually.

BHH distributes more than 80,000 pantry bags each year at four Palm Beach County locations and serves more than 90,000 hot meals annually, six days per week. The organization also expands access to affordable medical, dental and behavioral care through its partnership with Genesis Community Health, serving clients at clinics in Boca Raton and Boynton Beach.

The agency also sends weekend meals home with food-insecure elementary school students via the BHH Backpacks Program and assists working families with the rising cost of childcare through the Children’s Assistance Program.

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May 21 - May 27, 2021

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Statue for “American Military Hero Dog” Revealed in Boca Raton By: Megan Mandatta The Tri-County Animal Rescue in Boca Raton revealed their “American Military Hero Dog Monument” on Saturday, according to WPTV. The statue was donated by Lois Pope and is meant to honor the “service and sacrifice made by these courageous canines”.

“So thankful for what our veterans have done and, especially, also our military dogs,” Suzi Goldsmith, owner of Tri-County Animal Rescue, said to WPTV. “If it wasn’t for them, many of our veterans might not be here today.”

“There are 4.2 million living American veterans who have permanent physical and/ or psychological disabilities, and they now have a memorial in Washington, D.C. to recognize their service and sacrifice,” Pope said to CBS12.

“But dogs have also served and sacrificed alongside our troops in wars and conflicts around the globe for more than a century. While a handful of these animals have been decorated, I felt it was time that they, too, had a permanent monument to honor them for their heroism.”

Community

Edition 513 - 13

Delray Beach Residents Launch Swinton Pickleball Brand for Fun Parents Just Like Them With terms like “dink,” “kitchen,” “paddle,” and “punch,” it’s no wonder pickleball has become one of America’s fastest growing sports (and most fun for that matter). According to the Sport and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), pickleball participation grew by a whopping 21.3% from 2019 to 2020 alone. And while the pandemic gave a bump to the growth, pickleball has been trending up in popularity for the last five years. Leading the way is the growth of pickleball among younger age demographics. In fact, according to the 2020 Pickleball Participation Report, the average age of the 3.46 million pickleball players in the U.S is 43.5 years old, with 49% of all players falling into the 18-54 age range.

And that’s the market that Delray Beach residents and business professionals Carly Bellis and Courtney Campbell are focusing on with Swinton. The two moms were first introduced to the game of pickleball in mid-2020, mid-pandemic, each with two kids at home, and quickly saw the appeal of the activity and how much fun it could be.

“With all the tennis courts taken one afternoon, we decided to borrow some paddles and give pickleball a try,” Bellis said.

“We had a great time, and our Thursday evenings became synonymous with pickleball with friends, followed by cocktails, beers, wine and cheese, and tons of fun.”

Bellis and Campbell quickly realized that pickleball products, e.g., the paddles, wiffle balls, and gear available for pur-

chase, didn’t match their trendy, laidback and fun vibe. Instead, the products seemed unchanged since the sport’s birth in 1965, and truly in need of an update.

“It became one of those situations where you want something, you look for it, and when you can’t find it, you make it,” Campbell said. “That’s pretty much how it happened for us. Carly and I wanted to create a brand that was as fun as the game itself – and that’s how Swinton came to be.”

Bellis, a former lawyer and entrepreneur with numerous digital and e-commerce businesses on her plate, and Campbell, the owner

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and creative director of Delray Beach-based branding agency Campbell Creative, were the perfect team when it came to creating the brand. Tailored to the young and young-atheart, Swinton is designed for people who can play a competitive game of pickleball and have a great time, while not taking themselves too seriously.

“We are looking to disrupt the industry,” Campbell added. “Swinton is for those, just like us, who love getting out there on the court, playing with friends or strangers, and then celebrating after with a beer or glass of wine.

May 21 - May 27, 2021

14 - Edition 513

What’s Next After Being Fully Vaccinated against COVID-19 By: Megan Mandatta Once you’re fully vaccinated from COVID-19, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report you can return to life before the pandemic- no masks or social distancing required, depending on local rules and regulations.

Fully vaccinated people are only considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna and two weeks after one dose of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine.

According to the CDC, local business and workplace regulations should still be followed and this normalcy is only in reference to “daily activities”.

Fully vaccinated international travelers in the U.S. are still required to be tested within three days of their flight and are supposed to be tested 3-5 days after traveling.

When traveling, quarantine is not required upon entering the U.S. because a negative test result is required prior to boarding

May 21 - May 27, 2021

your flight. But, international destinations may have different rules pertaining to this and should be checked prior to departure.

“If you have a condition or are taking medications that weaken your immune system, you may NOT be fully protected even if you are fully vaccinated,” reports The CDC. “Talk to your healthcare provider. Even after vaccination, you may need to continue taking all precautions.”

The vaccine is proven to be “effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death” and the vaccines “reduce the risk of people spreading COVID-19,” according to the CDC. But, the efficiency against other variants of COVID-19, protection for those with weakened immune systems, and length of the vaccines’ effect on those who are fully vaccinated is still being studied.

More information can be found here https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html.

Desmond Howard inspires YMCA breakfast audience By: Kathryn Hubbard On May 19, the YMCA in South County hosted the 19th Annual Inspiration Breakfast featuring keynote speaker and Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard.

The event began with Howard signing footballs and engaging in a meet and greet with attendees. The meet and greet followed a reception breakfast with Howard talking about his upbringing in sports and how he became a college football analyst with ESPN. “I grew up going to the YMCA and that’s where I learned to swim,” says Howard.

“Once I got older I started playing football.”

Howard earned All-American and AllOhio honors during his senior year in high school and was recruited to play at the University of Michigan. Howard won the Heisman Trophy after leading the Big Ten Conference in scoring.

“I came in as a freshman and the student-athlete coach told me that I would help

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the team out by becoming a tailback,” says Howard.

Howard ended up being the fourth overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft and played in the NFL for eleven seasons. Howard credits his success to playing multiple sports growing up.

“I would tell parents that if their children are interested, to participate in multiple sports,” says Howard. “This will help grow their athletic ability and contribute to a healthy lifestyle.”

Howard had a specific message for kids and teens attending the YMCA. He advised them to listen to their mentors at the Y and to find their unique sense of purpose.

“Be yourself and don’t imitate someone else,” says Howard. “The best gift that you have is your originality.”

With the mentors that Desmond Howard has encountered throughout his career, youth and adults can feel inspired to be the best version of themselves.

Community

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Edition 513 - 15

Grad Walk brings smiles, tears of Local Coconut Creek Student Wins $10k Community Scholarship joy for graduates In lieu of a traditional commencement ceremony, Palm Beach State College held Grad Walk May 13 to celebrate the achievements of its spring 2021 graduates.

For eight hours, graduates donning caps and gowns arrived in groups of 40 during 15-minute prearranged time slots to hear their names called, walk across the stage, be greeted

by President Ava L. Parker, J.D. and be photographed.

T h e f a m i l i e s, some teary eyed, watched and chanted from the audience in the Duncan Theatre as their graduate crossed the stage. Then they moved to the outdoor portion of the event, which included a DJ, photo backdrops and a variety of food trucks.

Grad Walk provided a safe opportunity for students and their families to celebrate. It is the second such event the College has held since the start of the pandemic.

Sharon Braden Francois, who earned

an Associate in Science degree and College Credit Certificate in Human Services, and her daughter, Kaisha Francois, who received Associate in Arts degree and an Associate in Science degree in Marketing Management, were among the graduates who participated in Grad Walk.

S h a r o n Braden Francois said she felt like giving up on school when her father died on her birthday in 2019.

But she said being able to complete school and graduate with her daughter “is a dream come true.”

“I’m so proud of her. She has inspired me so much,’’ she said.

“With both of us being non-traditional students, I never imagined that we would get amazing grades like that,’’ Kaisha Francois said, noting that they both are Phi Theta Kappa honor society members and both graduated with high honors.

Palm Beach State awarded more than 2,600 associate and bachelor’s degrees and certificates this spring.

Local Coconut Creek student and high school Senior Damian Richter has won a $10,000 scholarship as part of the 2021 winners of H&R Block’s the Children of Associates Premier Scholarship (CAPS) program.

Damian was selected because of his willingness and ability to drive change, connect people, and create impact in his community.

Damian is also among fifteen other high-achieving high school student winners from across the country, representing

scholars, student government leaders, scientists and engineers, as well as artists and musicians. Beyond their academics, they have dedicated themselves to making their communities better in innovative ways and pursuing projects that bring people together.

As part of H&R Block’s Make Every Block Better community impact platform, CAPS scholarship applicants were asked to share how they give back and address unmet needs in their communities.

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May 21 - May 27, 2021

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Community

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Edition 513 - 19 The Boca Boca Raton Raton Tribune Tribune CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS East/West East/West Boca Boca Raton, Raton, FL FL The

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May 21 - May 27, 2021

20 - Edition 513

The Boca Raton Tribune

SPORTS Former Owl Griffith Tabbed to D2CCA Names Busby and Milam to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame All-Region Teams For mer Florida Atlantic University women’s basketball player (199293) Yolanda Griffith was announced to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021. She is one of 16 inductees and the first former FAU basketball player to be voted into the Naismith Hall of Fame.

Griffith made her mark on the FAU program from 1992-93. She earned All-America honors and was tabbed as the Division II Kodak Player of the Year. Still to this day, Griffith holds FAU school records in single-game rebounds (33), single-game points (46), single-game field goals (21), single-season rebounding average (16.0), singleseason points (621) and single-season rebounds (352). In 2006, Griffith was enshrined into the FAU Hall of Fame.

Continuing her career after college, Griffith played 11 seasons in the WNBA, earning seven All-Star nods, while being named league MVP in 1999 for the Sacramento Monarchs in 1999. She was the second overall pick in the 1999

draft, and in 2005, led the way for the Monarchs to win the 2005 WNBA title, while being named Finals MVP. Griffith tallied 4,238 points, 2,444 rebounds and 323 blocks in her WNBA career.

Griffith is a two-time Olympian and gold medalist. She received her medals while playing for the U.S. Women’s National team in 2000 (Sydney, Australia) and 2004 (Athens, Greece).. The team also went 16-0 during her two stints representing the U.S. This marks Griffith’s third induction into a Hall of Fame, as she was enshrined in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014, the first year she was eligible for it.

The Class of 2021 enshrinement ceremony is set for Sept. 11, 2021 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Griffith is one of two from the women’s committee to be inducted with Lauren Jackson being the other. She will be enshrined with Chris Webber, Paul Pierce, Chris Bosh and Val Ackerman, among others.

The Palm Beach Atlantic softball team continues to add to its repertoire of postseason awards with Abbey Busby and Meredith Milam earning D2CCA All-South Region honors on Tuesday.

Busby, who earned NFCA All-Region honors and was named SSC Pitcher of the Year last week, earned a spot on the D2CCA All-Region first team. Busby is just the second Sailfish and first pitcher in PBA history to earn first team honors from the D2CCA. This season, she posted the lowest season ERA in PBA’s DII history with a stingy 0.42 ERA, the third best in NCAA DII while earning SSC Pitcher of the Week honors three times.

She leaves PBA with her holding the lowest career ERA in PBA’s DII-era (1.27).

She also is second in the DII-era in opponents’ batting average (.219), wins (57), strikeouts (375), shutouts (14), innings pitched (554.2) and complete games (49).

Milam was named to the All-SSC first team and NFCA All-Region second team last week. She becomes the third player in PBA history to earn D2CCA second team honors. She was second on the team with a .352 batting average and tied for first with 13 RBIs. She finished with a .835 OPS with 32 hits, four doubles, one triple and a home run in 29 games played.

D e f e n s ive l y, Milam posted a .960 fielding percentage while handling responsibilities at shortstop. She earned SSC Player of the Week honors for the first time in her career, earlier this season.

The Sailfish finished their season with a 17-12 overall record and a 13-9 record in conference g ames. PBA finished fourth in the conference standings and was r a n k e d N o. 7 i n l a s t w e e k ’s South Region rankings.

Fabelo and Morrison Named to All-SSC Teams The Palm Beach Atlantic baseball team had two players earn individual honors today as Robert Fabelo and Landen Morrison were named to AllSunshine State Conference teams.

Fabelo becomes the first Sailfish player to be named to the All-SSC first team after hitting .297 during the 23 games he appeared in for the Sailfish. The PBA catcher finished with a .982 fielding percentage with 24 assists.

The Miami native recorded 27 hits with two home runs and 12 RBI’s while scoring nine runs. Fabelo’s had his best game of the season in PBA’s win over Saint Leo as he had a 5-for-5 performance at the May 21 - May 27, 2021

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plate with four RBI’s. Fabelo finished third on the team in batting average and hits.

Morrison was named to the All-SSC honorable mention team after his first season as a Sailfish. The freshman outfielder hit .312 on the year hitting primarily out of the leadoff spot for the ‘Fish. Morrison finished tied for fifth in the conference with 23 RBI’s and tied for second with 19 walks. The Bradenton, Fla. native added three home runs, scored 18 runs, and stole ten bases. Eight of his 29 hits went for extra bases as the right fielder finished with a .914 OPS.

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Edition 513 - 21

Kappeler Recognized to C-USA All- Student-Athletes Maintain 3.0+ Academic Team GPA For Sixth Consecutive Year Florida Atlantic University distance runner Madlen Kappeler has been named to the 2021 Conference USA Track & Field All-Academic Team, as announced by the league on Wednesday. This marks Kappeler’s third All-Academic recognition from the league in just her second year competing.

“I’m so thrilled for Madlen [Kappeler]!” said head coach Alex Smolka.

“She works tirelessly on her academic and athletic endeavors. She has lofty goals, and continues to make the important choices to work toward achieving them. As much success as she has already had, the future looks even brighter! We are super excited for what’s to come!”

Kappeler boasts a nearly perfect 3.96 GPA as an exercise science and health promotion major. The redshirt sophomore is a three-time C-USA Commissioner’s Academic Medal recipient for posting above a cumulative 3.75 GPA, while also being a three-time C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll member and three-time Dean’s List and President’s List honoree. Kappeler is coming off this past semester having achieved a 4.0 GPA, while competing in nine meets between the indoor and outdoor season.

Sports

The Germany product competed in all of the Owls’ meets during the indoor season, capturing five top-10 finishes. She started out the indoor season with a third-place finish in the 3000 meters (10:06.29) at the UAB Blazer Invitational and ended the regular slate by winning the 5000 meters with the fourth best time in program history of 17:30.13 at the Clemson Bob Pollock Invitational. At the C-USA Indoor Track & Field Championships, Kappeler earned the Owls points by finishing in seventh place in the 3000 meters (10:02.37) and 5000 meters (17:35.74).

Kappeler is coming off the 2021 C-USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships having broken the school record in the 10000 meters with a time of 35:07.59. Her time was good for fifth place and an important four points for the team.

During the regular season, Kappeler won the 10000 meters at the Vertklasse Meeting at High Point University by breaking a six-year meet record (36:23.42). She also achieved the third fastest program time in 5000 meters at the UNF Invite (17:15.28) and fourth fastest mark in the 3000 meters at the Hurricane Invitational with 10:17.99.

Final grades have been submitted and once again Florida Atlantic University student-athletes have proven education is a mainstay. The Owls posted a departmentwide 3.136 grade-point averag e (GPA) and rounded out six consecutive years with a departmental GPA above a 3.0.

“We’re very proud of the academic culture that continues to grow within FAU Athletics,” said Brian White, FAU’s vice president and director of athletics. “This kind of sustained excellence is a testament to the hard work our student-athletes put forth in and out of the classroom.

Our student-athletes, coaches and academics staff all play a part in this success and should be commended for it.”

FAU ended the spring 2021 semester with 17 of 19 varsity teams posting a 3.0 or above, while beach volleyball, which ended its season

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as CCSA Champions and ranked No. 12 nationally, posted the highest GPA among women’s teams with a 3.735. Each student-athlete seeking an undergraduate degree posted a GPA of 3.0 or greater with three scoring a perfect 4.0.

Among men’s teams, the men’s tennis squad led the way with a 3.578 GPA, with all active members of the squad posting above a 3.08 GPA. “I can’t say enough about our student-athletes, coaches and staff,” said Eric Coleman, FAU’s senior associate AD/academic and student development. “With the academic standard and culture established over the last seven years, the student-athletes are arriving on campus knowing the expectations, and are meeting and exceeding those. The virtual learning obstacles and staffing adjustments we’ve made are well-documented, but no one has missed a beat.”

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