The Boca Raton Tribune Yo u r C l o s e s t N e i g h b o r
Number 544 • Year XI COMMUNITY see page 8
Boynton Beach to Flush Water Lines with Chlorine
COMMUNITY see page 10
Boca Raton Library Presents “A Walk though Cuba” until 2022
SPORTS see page 15
Ayuso Wins SSC Defensive Player of the Week Honors
East /West Boca Raton, Highland Beach, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, FL
December 31 - January 6, 2022
Palm Beach Food Bank Unveils 53-Foot Truck as Part of its Lois’ Food4Kids Program During the holidays, the Hess Toy commercials are ubiquitous on TV with their iconic jungle: “The Hess Truck’s Back and it’s Better than Ever.” To Palm Beach County’s children in need, a new truck is indeed here, but it’s not a toy. It is, however, better than ever. That’s because it is a lifesaver for the many thousands of underserved schoolchildren who don’t always have access to healthy, nutritious meals. T hanks to a g enerous $250,000 donation from the Manalapan-based philanthropist and humanitarian Lois Pope, the Palm Beach County Food Bank now has a 53-foot refrigerated semi-trailer, which will greatly enhance the Bank’s ability to deliver meals and pick up food for families facing food insecurity. Continued on Page 3
Novel FAU Tech for Self-Driving Car earns Second U.S. Patent New technology for autonomous systems for self-driving cars based on machine-learning and artificial intelligence to mimic human driving behavior has earned a second competitive utility patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The earlier patent, “Adaptive Mood Control in Semi or Fully Autonomous Vehicles,” allows an autonomous vehicle to be responsive to its passenger’s emotional state. Developed by FAU’s Mehrdad Nojoumian, Ph.D., inventor, associate professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science within the College of Engineering and Computer Science, “Adaptive Driving Mode in Semi or Full Autonomous Vehicles” provides a convenient, pleasant and more importantly, trustworthy experience for humans who interact with autonomous vehicles. “Although semi or fully autonomous vehicles are becoming a reality in our life, many people still like to drive and be able to switch back and forth between self-driving and human-driving modes. People feel more comfortable if they observe that the car has a driving style similar to their own driving style or a specific person’s driving style when it is in the self-driving,” said Nojoumian. Continued on Page 13
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2 - Edition 544 The Boca Raton Tribune COMMUNITY NEWS East/West Boca Raton, FL
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Children in need in Palm Beach now ahve a new truck that is a lifesaver for the many thousands of underserved schoolchildren who don’t always have access to healthy, nutritious meals.
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• On Thursday, December 9, Impact 100 Palm Beach County (Impact 100 PBC) announced its 2022 semi-finalist nonprofit organizations. The 21 groups, all with projects based in south Palm Beach County, have the opportunity to now submit full applications for one of multiple $100,000 high-impact grants. • The Annual Boating & Beach Bash for People with Disabilities – the nation’s largest, free,one-day event for people with disabilities, both seen and unseen – will welcome its audience back to an in-person event at Spanish River Park. Presented by the American Disabilities Foundation, the event became an inclusive Spring Break event, drawing people from across the country. • Identical twins Keren and Kerline Geffrard are among 62 classmates who will become nurses today during Florida Atlantic University ‘s commencement ceremony at 1 p.m. They are in the second cohort of graduates of FAU’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing’s new second-degree part-time track in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N .) program designed to address the critical nursing shortage and accommodate working professionals. • Boca West Country Club has been named a 2022 Platinum Award winner by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM), recognizing the Club’s Golf Shoppe as one of the premier golf retail operations in the world. Boca West Country Club was judged by an impartial panel, and they were graded on new ideas, creativity, adaptability, and revenue-generating initiatives. • Boca West Children’s Foundation (BWCF), the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, and volunteers from Boca West Country Club held the 12th annual Adopt a Family/Home for the Holidays Project at Old Navy on December 18 for 150 local kids age 6 to 13 in Boca Raton.
today,” said award-winning Editor-in-Chief of Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), Jonathan Tobin. Tobin kicked off Jewish National Fund-USA’s (JNF-USA) VIP event for its Eretz Society and Chai Society members (annual donors of $1,800 minimum) in Palm Beach County on Thursday, December 2, 2021, with a captivating keynote speech about the rise of antisemitism, antizionism, how hate speech and violence against Jews must never be rationalized or excused, and how the Jewish community must continue to have the courage to speak up so they can serve as role models for future generations. • Florida Atlantic University will confer more than 2,770 degrees today and tomorrow for the fall 2021 semester during five in-person commencement ceremonies in the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton campus. The new graduates will join more than 187,000 alumni who have graduated from FAU since the University opened its doors in 1964. • B’nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton celebrated the scribing of its new L’Chaim (to life) Torah – that is being created to recognize and honor those who we have lost over the past two years and celebrate new beginnings. The ceremony was attended by congregants, South Florida interfaith leaders, local dignitaries and VIPS, including Florida Senator Lori Berman, Palm Beach County Mayor Bob Weinroth and Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer.
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• Palm Beach Atlantic nursing graduates heard from one of their own Thursday evening: Air Force captain and nurse practitioner Dr. Junique Henry, who dared them “to be different,” not satisfied with the status quo in healthcare.
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• Wesley Lowe, Jr., Director of Instrumental Arts at The Kings Academy, has been named the Palm Beach Symphony Instrumental Music Teacher of the Year.
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• “There are lots of great Jewish and Zionist causes, but JNF-USA is the crown jewel of Zionism and one of the great success stories in all of Jewish history and Israel December 31 - January 6, 2022
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Edition 544 - 3
The Boca Raton Tribune
COMMUNITY Town Center at Boca Raton Dished Palm Beach Food Bank Unveils 53Holiday Cheer at Annual “Give Foot Semi-Truck as Part of its Lois’ Back” Christmas Feast Food4Kids Program
For the sixth year in a row, Town Center at Boca Raton joined Boca Helping Hands to make the holidays brighter for the community’s underserved. The shopping center and the nonprofit organization hosted this year’s Christmas Day Feast at Town Center at Boca Raton’s Cafes. T he feast welcomed community nonprofits including 4KIDS of South Florida, the Achievement Centers for Children & Families, Boys & Girls Club of Boca Rat o n , Fa m ily Promise of South Palm Beach C o u n t y, Florence Fuller Child Development Center, For The Children, Inc., HomeSafe, Jim & Jan Moran Boys & Girls Club, Propel, The Salvation Army Boca Raton, and Unicorn Village Academy.
In true Town Center at Boca Raton style, attendees experienced five-star treatment, complete with festive table linens, full table service and fresh flowers on the table for the Christmas Day Feast. Entertainment included tableside magic, holiday crafts, jugglers, stilt walkers, visits with Santa and a toy for every child. All leftover food was donated to Boca Helping Hands. Generous Christmas Day Feast food donors included The Capital Grille, True Food Kitchen, Joseph’s Classic Market, Pummarola, Mariposa at Neiman Marcus, California Pizza Kitchen, Forty Carrots at Bloomingdale’s, The Blue Dog Cookhouse & Bar, Chick-fil-A, La Boulangerie Boul’Mich, Oceans 234 and Maggiano’s Little Italy.
During the holidays, the Hess Toy commercials are ubiquitous on TV with their iconic jungle: “The Hess Truck’s Back and it’s Better than Ever.” To Palm Beach County’s children in need, a new truck is indeed here, but it’s not a toy. It is, however, better than ever. That’s because it is a lifesaver for the many thousands of underserved schoolchildren who don’t always have access to healthy, nutritious meals. Thanks to a generous $250,000 donation from the Manalapan-based philanthropist and humanitarian Lois Pope, the Palm Beach County Food Bank now has a 53-foot refrigerated semi-trailer, which will greatly enhance the Bank’s ability to deliver meals and pick up food for families facing food insecurity. The new truck was christened on Monday, December 13, in a way that was most appropriate and meaningful to Mrs. Pope, the PBCFB, and local families in need: it was filled with holiday turkeys and food bags that were distributed to 150 children at the Florence De George Boys & Girls Club. The eye-catching, photo-wrapped truck features Mrs. Pope and several children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County who receive assistance from Lois’ Food4Kids program. “No child should ever have to wish for food as a Christmas or holiday present,” said Mrs. Pope. In fact, it’s hard to imagine in Palm Beach County that there are
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families who dread the holidays because they mean time away from school when children do not have access to free and reduced lunches. So, I couldn’t think of a better present to give these families than a truck that will greatly increase the PBCFB’s ability to make sure children have access to meals at the holidays and all year round.” Lois’ Food4Kids is a year-round program serving thousands of children at schools, camps, libraries and local Boys and Girls Clubs. It was endowed through a $1 million donation from Mrs. Pope in 2020 in response to the tremendous increase in families facing hunger and food insecurity because of the pandemic and virtual schooling. “The excitement and joy that came from this reveal was just so contagious,” said Jamie Kendall, PBCFB CEO. “The generosity from Mrs. Pope completely brought these children the holiday spirit that they deserve. I know the addition of this truck will elevate our distribution and have a positive impact on reaching our hungry neighbors. Please make sure to wave when you see this truck on local roads!” To help Mrs. Pope and the PBCFB continue to provide such meals, visit Lois’ Food4Kids at www.life-edu.org or pbcfoodbank.org/programs or contact pbcfoodbank.org.
December 31 - January 6, 2022
4 - Edition 544
FAU Harbor Branch Announces 50 Years of Ocean Science for a Better World® Ocean Science Lecture Series Schedule Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce will kick off the “50 Years of Ocean Science for a Better World Ocean Science Lecture Series” on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 at 4 p.m., with weekly lectures continuing each Wednesday through April 6, 2022. The 4 p.m. lectures are reserved for FAU Harbor Branch Benefactors Society Members only. The 7 p.m. lectures are open to all season pass holders. Advanced registration is required. The 2022 Celebrating 50 Years of Ocean Science for a Better World® Lecture Series provides a forum for the community to learn about FAU Harbor Branch’s most recent discoveries, featuring the scientists and engineers who make them. Lectures will take place in-person in the Johnson Education Center, 5600 U.S. Highway 1 North, Harbor Branch campus, and include: · Jan. 12, “Celebrating 50 Years of Ocean Science for a Better World!” a panel discussion moderated by journalist Anthony Westbury with M. Dennis Hanisak, Ph.D., Brian Lapointe, Ph.D., Shirley Pomponi, Ph.D., and Jim Sullivan, Ph.D., FAU Harbor Branch · Jan. 19, “Calling all Ocean Lovers: Sharing Science and Engaging our Community,” presented by Gabby Barbarite, Ph.D., director of outreach and engagement, FAU Harbor Branch
December 31 - January 6, 2022
· Jan. 26, “From Clams to Corals: It’s a Long Story!” presented by Dave Vaughan, Ph.D., Plant a Million Corals Foundation · Feb. 2, “Ensuring a Steady Supply of Warm Water Marine Finfish Seed Stock to Support the Development of the US Aquaculture Industry,” presented by Sahar Mejri, Ph.D., FAU Harbor Branch · Feb. 9, “Looking Deeply – Cool Clips
from the Johnson-Sea-Link Submersibles,” presented by Shirley Pomponi, Ph.D., Amy Wright, Ph.D., John Reed, M.Sc., Don Liberatore, and M. Dennis Hanisak, Ph.D., FAU Harbor Branch · Feb. 16, “The Past, Present, and Future of our Coral Reef Ecosystems,” Presented by Joshua Voss, Ph.D., FAU Harbor Branch.
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· Feb. 23, “The Return of Florida’s Great Goliath Grouper – New Opportunities and Challenges,” presented by Matt Ajemian, Ph.D., FAU Harbor Branch · March 2, “Harbor Branch’s Biomedical Marine Research: Highlights, Past and Present,” presented by Amy Wright, Ph.D., FAU Harbor Branch · March 9, “Zephyrus, Poseidon and Charybdis: An Ocean Tale,” presented by Laurent Chérubin, Ph.D., FAU Harbor Branch · March 16, “Getting to the (Muddy) Bottom of It: The Harmful Algal Bloom Assessment of Lake Okeechobee (HALO),” presented by Jordon Beckler, Ph.D., FAU Harbor Branch · March 23, “The Indian River Coastal Zone Study (1973-1976): The Indian River Lagoon’s (IRL’s) First Biodiversity Baseline,” presented by M. Dennis Hanisak, Ph.D., FAU Harbor Branch · March 30, “The ONR CubeSat,” presented by Mike Twardowski, Ph.D., FAU Harbor Branch · April 6, “Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute: Where We Are and What’s Next,” presented by Jim Sullivan, Ph.D., FAU Harbor Branch For more information on the speakers and topics, visit www.fau.edu/hboi/discover-fau-harbor-branch/ocean-science-lecture-series/.
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Edition 544 - 5
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Boca Raton Airport Authority Helps Spread Holiday Cheer with 5th Annual Toys for Tots Drive For the fifth year in a row, the Boca Raton Airport Authority, along with Airport Tenants including Atlantic Aviation, Boca Aircraft Maintenance, Boomers, Cinemark Palace, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot, Privaira, Reliable Jet Maintenance, and Signature Flight Support made a difference by collecting about 3,750 toys for the annual US Marine Toys for Tots toy drive. Several organizations and individuals throughout Boca Raton also dropped off toys at these Airport locations. “This year, we were able to fill over 76 boxes with toys plus 35 bicycles and two dozen scooters, which is significantly more than in the previous four years,” said Boca Raton Airport Authority Executive Director Clara Bennett. “The Boca Raton Airport Authority, our tenants, and people throughout Boca Raton wanted to make sure as many children in Palm Beach County can have a special holiday by helping the Marine Corps in achieving this goal,” said Bennett. The Boca Raton Airport Authority would like to thank its tenants and the local community for their amazing participation this year. A special thank you goes to our three tenants who went above and beyond this year, Reliable Jet Maintenance, who collected 25 bicycles, 25 helmets, and two boxes filled with toys, Atlantic Aviation who filled eight boxes and donated 4 Community
bicycles, and Boca Aircraft Maintenance (BAM), who filled seven boxes and donated a bicycle. Another special thank you goes to Fantasy Cares, which is an organization founded by Scott Fish. Their mission is to push people to bring a charitable element to their fantasy leagues and to help raise money each year through the fantasy sports community for various charities. Most of the money raised is to be used to buy toys for kids at Christmas, with those toys being donated to Toys for Tots. Over the past 11 years, the group has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Toys for Tots and other organizations. In Palm Beach County, the group has donated over $20,000 in toys over the past four years. This year, Kenny Tevelowitz of Rotowear and Heath Cummings of CBS Fantasy, along with family and friends, delivered nearly $10,000 worth of toys and purchased with the proceeds of Rotowear’s Scott Fish Bowl t-shirts. The Scott Fish Bowl is a Fantasy Football tournament that Fish has run for 11 years and is the primary driver of Fantasy Cares donations. Lennar Homes, UBS Financial Service, SBAA Communications, Eagles Landing Middle School, Redcon 1, 4 Media Central, Service Finance Company, LLC are other participating organizations who donated over hundreds of toys. www.bocaratontribune.com
December 31 - January 6, 2022
6 - Edition 544 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
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EDITORIAL By: C. Ron Allen
Counting their Blessings She lost her mother, sister, and brother when their house collapsed from the massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010. Jude Saincyr and her cousin, the only survivors in their home, were stuck under a bed, which shielded them from the rubble. “The bricks fell on the bed and one side of the bed broke,” Saincyr, a graduating senior at Atlantic High School, recalled this week. “We were under the other side until they found us about four hours later.” As we enter the season of giving, Saincyr has so much for which to be grateful: a new lease on life and the opportunity to get a college education, thanks to a local nonprofit organization. After the disaster, her father sent her to Tallahassee, but the teenager did not attend school for a year. It was not until she came to live with her grandparents in Delray Beach and enrolled in high school that a teacher introduced her to Bound for College, an organization that helps at-risk students in south Palm Beach County enter and complete college. That opportunity was priceless, she said, adding that the organization, formerly known as Delray Students First, prepared her through practice to get better scores on the SAT and
ACT tests. “They made me a better test taker through lots of practice every week,” said Saincyr, who plans to pursue her nursing degree at Florida Atlantic University in the Fall. “We don’t get our motivations unless there is someone there to motivate you. We don’t know what we want unless someone tells us about it.” Like Saincyr, a handful of students who were enrolled in Bound for College, shared their stories to a roomful of people at Delray Marketplace. They are grateful for the life skills, career planning, mental health counseling, college tours and educational field trips that the program provides. “Our motivation doesn’t come from home but from teachers. Teachers were a big impact in my life. They motivated me to do so much,” said Hadelle Estimphile, an Atlantic High alum and now a sophomore at FAU. College was not in her reach for various reasons, she said, until she was introduced to Bound for College. “I didn’t know how I was going to pay for college, but they helped me with my essays and helped me improve my SAT and ACT scores, so I could get 75 percent Bright Future Scholarship. Now, I don’t have to worry
about money.” Through the affiliation, the students were awarded the prestigious Eda and Cliff Viner Community Scholarship, a four-year award to a state university or college for academically deserving students in Boca Raton and Delray Beach who have financial needs and are community service driven. Despite last year’s challenges, many of us are still thankful, and although we have the chance for a more normal Thanksgiving this year, many, such as Anna Marie Valdez, will still connect virtually. The mother of three, who lost a sister, a neighbor and a brother-in-law to COVID-19, has not mustered the courage to venture out. “I am still not comfortable getting around crowds and I can’t say if and when I will be,” she said. Upon returning to school, Aiden hit the jackpot when his elementary school teacher handpicked him to be in Star Makers, a STEMcentered afterschool program on campus. “We have a lot of fun,” said Aiden, who is thankful for being back in school after being cooped up in his home. “We learn about airplanes, and we learn how to take pictures and how to wash clothes and cook.”
Samuel is grateful for loving parents. “I’m most thankful for my family and that they love me, and they take care of me every time I need care, or when I need help with homework,” the fourth grader at Orchard View Elementary said. “Some other kids might get money, but I get love. Some kids may get gifts, but I get hugs.” Like many of you, I am grateful for so many things: the essential workers - doctors, nurses and other medical workers who have braved the virus to attend to patients in nursing homes, hospitals and clinics, and saved many lives - law enforcement and fire personnel, postal employees, delivery workers and those who work at supermarkets, pet stores and pharmacies, farms and processing plants, factories and distribution centers. Let’s not forget the teachers, custodians, and sanitation workers. Finally, I’m thankful for this opportunity to opine on the important issues of the day – exhorting, explaining, deploring and applauding. I am also grateful for you, our readers who have continued to support this newspaper, since our inception. Happy Thanksgiving. C. Ron Allen can be reached at crallen@ Delraybeachtribune.com or 561-665-0151.
POSITIVE LIVING By: Dr. Synesio Lyra, Jr
Hospitable Hearts By: Dr. Synesio Lyra, Jr. One of the great imperatives Holy Scripture prescribes to God’s Covenant People pertains to the practice of hospitality. In the New Testament it appears as one of the qualifications for those who would be shepherds of God’s flock, though its implementation is also extended to the entire community of faith. Among biblical illustrations and commands regarding hospitality, perhaps one of the best known and most quoted is found in Hebrews 13:2, following in the injunction: “Let mutual love continue” (v.1). The second verse, then, goes on to challenge: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” In the 16th December 31 - January 6, 2022
verse of the same chapter the author also adds: “Do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”Hospitality needs not be limited to the opening of homes for people to visit, or to inviting persons for a meal. Those things may happen but, more importantly, it is the opening of our hearts to others that truly counts. After all, caring is not something one does by assignment; it is an attitude originating in the heart.To function in this regard, we need to develop the ability to offer someone a shoulder to cry, an undistracted ear to listen, and a hospitable heart. People, quite often, will be far more impacted by the personal touch than by what they hear in eloquent speeches or learn in a classroom. It is in those more intimate moments when one
allows face to face encounters with other people that will make a more profound, indelible and impacting impression on them.It has been my experience to see affirmed in real life, the much quoted statement of Henry David Thoreau’s, to the effect that “most men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Behind the smiles and the exuberant, bubbly way several individuals conduct themselves, there may be a broken, bleeding heart, a troubled soul, a deeply hurt individual. As caring individuals we need to anticipate these realities as we talk with people, especially when we are so prone to pay inadequate attention to what they may be willing to reveal.Apart from any physical hospitality, which is most appropriate and may significantly satisfy a need, we can also develop hospitable
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hearts toward those with whom we come in contact. Genuine caring becomes authentic when it is not limited to oral affirmations only; rather, it becomes incarnate in personal deeds such as our undivided attention, phone calls we make, personal notes we send, our taking extra time with a person, even our remembering sometime later to inquire about a condition or situation earlier made known to us by an individual or family. In contemporary society, few are the agencies where automation and anonymity have not yet taken over.The personal touch is being lost in today’s society, though it is still quite real among a few. True caring must transcend all your good intentions. Are you just filling a role, or do you truly exhibit a hospitable heart?
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Edition 544 - 7
The Boca Raton Tribune
COLUMNISTS FAITH
ROBERT’S COMMUNITY REPORT
By: Rick Boxx
By: Robert Weinroth
Holiday Recycling and Waste Tips for Palm Beach County Residents Walking You Through a Waste Wonderland County Commissioner Robert S Weinroth’s office reminds you the holidays are here, and with them gifts, good times and … garbage! Here is everything you need to know about your recycling opportunities and weird winter wastes. Holiday Collection There is no garbage, yard waste and recycling collection services in unincorporated Palm Beach County and all SWA facilities are closed on Christmas Day (Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021). There is no make-up collection day. However, under the new collection service contract using standardized garbage carts, garbage will be collected outside of the cart from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. The garbage must be properly secured in plastic bags weighing less than 50 pounds when filled. Residents should place all waste normally collected on these days curbside by 6AM. New Year’s Day (Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022) will not affect your scheduled garbage, recycling, yard waste and bulk waste collection services in unincorporated Palm Beach County. All material should be at the curb on New Year’s Day by 6AM as collection service may be much earlier than normal. Residents in unincorporated Palm Beach County can always see their updated collection schedule, set reminders, and sign up for collection information by clicking the “My Pick-Up Days” button at SWA.org. County residents living in one of Palm Beach County’s 39 municipalities should contact their municipality directly for their holiday collection schedule. A list of municipal contacts can be found online. Resolve to Recycle Many of us celebrate the values we hold most dear at this time of year. Thank you for making Recycling Right a part of your holidays. Many food and drink containers can be recycled in your blue recycling bin, including: Plastic Bottles and Containers –
Lids on; 2 gallons or less Cans, Food and Beverage Glass Bottles and Jars – Lids off Cartons, Milk and Juice – Lids on Drink Boxes – No pouches or straws The yellow recycling bin is the place for all fiber, including: Cardboard – Flattened with packaging removed. Palm Beach County residents can also take oversized cardboard to one of more than 250 community cardboard drop-off locations. Newspapers and Inserts – No plastic bags Office and School Paper Mail Magazines Dry Food Boxes – No food stains Paper Bags Cardboard Paper Rolls Pizza Boxes – No food stains; tear the stained side off Thank you for not placing these items in your blue or yellow recycling bins: Plastic Bags Foam Products Aluminum Foil or Pans Shredded Paper Plastic Eating Utensils or Straws Paper Plates Paper Towels or Napkins Coat Hangers Light Bulbs Needles For more information about Recycling Right, or to order new recycling bins, call 866-NEW-BINS (866-6392467) or visit SWA.org/RecycleRight. Electronics Recycling and Home Chemical Disposal Are you upgrading your electronics or cleaning out the garage after setting up the decorations? Palm Beach County residents can bring outdated devices and wastes such as holiday lights, used cooking oil, old paint, fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, automotive fluids, and more to any of the seven Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County Home Chemical and Recycling Centers. Watch the SWA’s fun parody video on disposing of home chemicals.
To Have an Impact, Tell your Story While attending a national conference some years ago, I enjoyed listening to a variety of excellent keynote speakers. Some of them, however, seemed particularly memorable. I wondered what had made them stand out in my mind. I knew it was not just their levels of expertise. Then I realized the business owners who shared their personal stories were the ones that had impressed me the most. These were not professional speakers, but rather, entrepreneurs who are making a difference. Some are having an impact on the world through their products or services; others are changing their communities and the world through their generosity. Their information was excellent, but their stories – accounts on what is happening through their enterprises – were what touched the hearts of people in the audience. As I scanned the meeting room, it occurred to me that many of the leaders in attendance were becoming highly motivated through the stories they heard. I suspected that the following year, there would likely be a fresh crop of stories to be told, including some from those who were being inspired. Why are stories so effective? One reason is that they provide a picture, what you might call a “verbal image,” of the principles and practices we are trying to convey. It is one thing to have strong enthusiasm for a product, service or even ideas. But it is better to show – through the power of stories – why they are important. Stories create images in our minds, giving flesh and bones to otherwise intangible concepts. This story-telling strategy is hardly new. Even the Bible, written thousands of years ago, uses stories extensively to communicate its timeless truths. In fact, one passage says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
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his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story” (Psalm 107:1-2). When Jesus Christ was conducting His earthly ministry, He recognized the impact of stories. Why do you think that of all His teachings included in the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, what many of us remember most are His stories, which He also called parables? For instance, even in today’s increasingly secularized world, we often hear references to “the good Samaritan,” recounted in the 10th chapter of Luke. The biblical account is about a Jewish man beaten up along a highway by robbers and left to die. Two religious leaders saw him, but rather than stopping to assist, they moved to the other side of the road and passed him by. It was a Samaritan, a race of people hated by Jews, who stopped to help, not only binding the injured man’s wounds but also paying for a place where he could rest and recuperate. To this day, we often hear news reports about some “good Samaritan” who selflessly – maybe even sacrificially – stops to provide aid for someone in desperate need. Jesus used this story to illustrate what He called the two greatest commandments, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind,’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself ’” (Luke 10:27). At the end of the story, Jesus asked, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” (Luke 10:36). He presented many other memorable parables, but we can see the enduring power of stories from this single example. What can we learn from this? It is simple: If you desire to inspire others to even greater heights, share your story.
December 31 - January 6, 2022
8 - Edition 544
13-Year-Old Dies During Attempted Traffic Stop by Boynton Beach Police Boynton Beach police have confirmed that a 13-year-old boy died Sunday afternoon during an attempted traffic stop. According to BBPD, the boy was observed recklessly driving a dirt bike on Boynton Beach Boulevard just before 1 p.m. According to the police report, officers attempted to make a traffic stop, and the teen lost control of the dirt bike and collided with a median curb in the 800 block of North Federal Highway. The teen — who was wearing a helmet — was thrown from the bike and slammed
into a sign in the median. The 13-year-old was later pronounced dead at the scene. “Our hearts go out to the family members of this young person, and they can trust that we and our law enforcement partners will be conducting a series of thorough and meticulous investigations into the circumstances of what occurred,” Boynton Beach Police Chief Michael G. Gregory said in a release. “Can’t say how difficult it is to think of the loss of somebody as young as 13 years old. Such a bright future ahead of them. I know our community is upset.”
Boynton Beach to Flush Water Lines with Chlorine The City of Boynton Beach will temporarily modify the disinfection process utilized to treat its drinking water from Thursday, January 6 through Wednesday, January 26, 2022. Customers may notice a slight chlorine taste, or odor, in their tap water. These temporary conditions will not cause adverse health effects. Those sensitive to the taste, or odor, of chlorine, can place an open container of drinking water in the refrigerator for a few hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate.
Users of home dialysis machines, owners of tropical fish and managers of stores, and restaurants with fish and shellfish holding tanks are advised to seek professional advice as the method for removing chlorine residuals differs from removing chloramine residuals from tap water. This is an annual preventative maintenance process in order to maintain the City’s high standard of clean water distribution. Please call 561-742-6964 for further information.
HSBC Plaza To Be Upgraded, Renamed To The Shoppes At Yamato Corner CenterSquare Investment Management (CenterSquare) today announced its investment in HSBC Plaza, a 46,000 square foot service property located at the well-trafficked corner of Yamato Road and U.S. Highway 441 in Boca Raton, FL. As part of its investment, CenterSquare intends to upgrade the facility and dramatically improve its presence in the market. Planned renovations, which will take place over the next six months, include new signage, painting, and landscaping. The enhanced property will be rebranded as the Shoppes at Yamato Corner. “We are extremely excited for the opportunity to further upscale a well-regarded neighborhood property that serves the Boca Raton community in so many essential ways,” said CenterSquare’s Senior Vice President Robert Holuba. “Customers should expect an experience that combines significant visual appeal with the December 31 - January 6, 2022
utmost convenience they have come to expect from today’s service providers. We look forward to growing our relationships with existing tenants and welcoming new businesses to the Shoppes at Yamato Corner.” Existing tenants operate across the food and beverage, beauty, and health/medical sectors and include CVS Pharmacy, MedExpress Urgent Care, Sage Dental, West Boca Veterinarian Center, Studio Salon Bar, The Studio Massage Bar, Dunkin Donuts, Jimmy Brooklyn’s Pizza Parlor and Gary Woo Express. Douglas K. Mandel, executive Managing Director with Marcus & Millichap facilitated the sale on behalf of the owner, a private investor based in Montreal, Canada. Businesses interested in future tenancy should contact Nicole Fontaine (561.869.4350) or Leandro Pereira (561.869.4340) at Katz & Associates.
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Edition 544 - 9
Your Last-Minute Survival Shopping Guide (StatePoint) Did you realize your friend’s birthday is tomorrow? Forgot someone on your holiday shopping list? Delayed getting a gift because you had no clue what to buy? When it comes to last-minute shopping, it can be stressful to find that perfect gift in such a time crunch. Here are a few shopping tips to save you from showing up empty-handed. Skip The Line and Shop Online. The internet can be your best friend. When it’s as easy as a click of a button, why not eliminate time spent driving to stores and aimlessly wandering down aisles when you aren’t positive on what you’re seeking? Instead, head online and look at your loved ones’ favorite places to shop for curbside pick-up or quick delivery options. This helps narrow down your decision making and cuts out the overwhelming nature of in-person shopping during the busiest season of the year.
Make It Personal. Nothing says “I care” more than adding a personalized touch to a present. In fact, you can combine personal with the gift receiver’s favorite celebrities or fun characters to create the ultimate celebratory message. If you’ve forgotten someone on your gift list during holiday shop-
ping, surprise them with a SmashUp from American Greetings. There’s even a personalized SmashUp from Santa! You can personalize his greeting with the person’s name, location and whether they’re on the naughty or nice list and why. A bonus is you can add an e-gift card to your Smash-
Up; making it a stress-free holiday gift that they’ll remember forever. Gifts That Keep on Giving. Gift of the month club memberships are gifts that keep on giving. Whether it’s food like fruit or cheese, or boozy gifts like wine and whiskey, there’s sure to be a subscription that will excite most anyone in your life. In fact, there’s even a sock of the month club, if you have someone who needs a footwear refresh. Plan a Future Outing to Celebrate. While a physical gift is exciting to open, sometimes quality time is the way to go! Ask yourself what your recipient has always wanted to do or where you both have always talked about going. Then use that to plan an entertaining day or night to celebrate together soon. These days we’re all rushed, but thankfully there’s plenty of quick and thoughtful gift ideas for last-minute gifting that will leave a lasting impression.
Entertain for Less This Holiday Season (StatePoint) The holiday season brings an abundance of feelings that may include joy, comfort, gratitude, and unfortunately, stress. Don’t let the task of entertaining friends and family break the bank or your back. Instead, create memorable gatherings with loved ones while saving time and money in the process using these hosting tips from the experts at Dollar General: Delicate Décor Creating the right ambiance in your
Plus
space is key to holiday decorating success. Begin by decluttering the areas of your home where you plan to entertain. Fill the extra spaces with seasonal decorations. Remember, elaborate, expensive items aren’t always needed to make a home look amazing. Decorations like small figurines, bowls filled with holiday candy or simple wreaths and garlands can do the trick of transforming your home into a winter wonderland! Fruitful Food With more guests comes more food,
but it doesn’t have to mean spending more money. Shopping at discount retailers for essentials such as milk, eggs, bread and cheese can help stretch your budget. You can also make the switch to private brand items and save even more when buying foods for overnight guests, such as granola bars, cereal and snacks. Consider purchasing these household basics from a local Dollar General store, which also provides digital coupons to help you save even more.
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Supplies Stock-Up Of course, to entertain, you will need supplies. Stocking up on cleaning essentials, everyday cooking ingredients and entertaining basics early in the season is a great way to have everything needed before the party begins. Consider adding items such as trash bags, cutlery, paper products, other decorations and even small gifts. By using smart shopping strategies, you can entertain during the holidays with ease instead of stress.
December 31 - January 6, 2022
10 - Edition 544
Boca Raton Library Presents “A Walk though Cuba” by Brian and Lorie Bibbee until February 14, 2022 The Boca Raton Public Library presents a new photography exhibit, “A Walk Through Cuba” by Brian and Lorie Bibbee. This exhibit captures the local feel of Havana and several outlying small towns. From the back streets of Havana to the tobacco fields in the mountains, Brian and Lorie Bibbee capture a diverse view of Cuba off the beaten path. T he metal prints shown in the exhibit are made by infusing dyes directly into specially coated aluminum sheets for a magical luminescence, which creates a durable, waterproof, and brilliant print. Brian, a Florida native, has been photographing Florida and international locations for the past forty years. From Australia to Switzerland, he has traveled the world to capture the local scenery, people, and beautiful landscapes. Recently,
the Palm Beach Photographic Institute displayed his work in a juried photography competition in their West Palm Beach gallery. Lorie is recognized widely for her astute “eye” for the perfect photo. She has had experience in darkroom techniques and photojournalism and contributed several photos for this exhibition. “A Walk Through Cuba,” a free exhibit, will run from December 20, 2021– February 14, 2022, at the Art in Public Places area of the Downtown Library, 400 NW 2nd Avenue. It is open during regular library hours. The Boca Raton Public Library provides outstanding library services, resources, and programs that meet the educational, recreational, cultural, and informational needs of the Boca Raton community.
SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical Premieres at the Kravis Center on January 5 – 9 Summer is coming to West Palm Beach this winter with SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical, making its premiere engagement at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on January 5-9. Tickets are available online at kravis.org or by phone at 561.832.7469. She was a girl from Boston with a voice from heaven, who shot through the stars from gospel choir to dance floor diva. But what the world didn’t know was how Donna Summer risked it all to break through barriers, becoming the icon of an era and the inspiration for every music diva who followed. With a score featuring more than 20 of Summer’s classic hits including “Love to Love You Baby,” “Bad Girls” and “Hot Stuff,” this electric experience is a moving tribute to the voice of a generation. The three actresses that share the role of musical icon Donna Summer are Brittny Smith as “Diva Donna,” Charis Gullage as “Disco Donna” and Amahri Edwards-Jones as “Duckling Donna.” The cast of SUMMER also includes Porter Lee Anderson III as “Andrew Gaines,” John Guaragna as “Bruce Sudano,” and Christopher Lewis as “Neil Bogart.” The ensemble is comprised of Rob-
ert Peter Ayala, Layla Brent-Tompkins, Sy Chounchaisit, Mia Davidson, Kayleigh Hegarty, Ciara Jones, Lily Kren, Marisel Lopez, Francisco Risso, Lathan A. Roberts, Nissi Shalome, David Tanciar, Meridien Terrell, Emilee Theno, Stephen Vaught, Lamont Whitaker and Aubrey Young. SUMMER features a book by Tony Award® nominee Colman Domingo, Robert Cary and Tony Award® winner Des McAnuff, with songs by Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, Paul Jabara and others. This new touring production is directed by Lauren L. Sobon and choreographed by Natalie Caruncho, based on the original direction by Tony Award® winner Des McAnuff and original choreography by Tony Award® winner Sergio Trujillo. Associate choreographer is Angelica Beliard. Musical Supervision is by JP Meyer, Music Director is Erika R. Gamez, tour scenic design by Robert Andrew Kovach, based on the original scenic design by Tony Award® nominee Robert Brill, costumes by Tony Award® winner Paul Tazewell, lighting by Russell A. Thompson, sound by David Temby, projections by Chris McCleary. This tour is produced by APEX Touring.
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December 31 - January 6, 2022
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Edition 544 - 11
Gregory Outstanding Graduate Maintains 4.0 GPA While Serving Others
Travis Miller, an academically excel- vis Miller, recipient of the Gregory Outlent student and a dedicated middle school standing Graduate Award. Miller is a stuyouth leader, has earned the Gregory Out- dent in the Doctor of Pharmacy/Master of Business Administration program.Miller standing Graduate Award. Last week, Dr. John M. Gregory, joined has become a peer tutor to other students by brother Jeff, presented Miller with his in cardiovascular pharmacotherapy and inaward, which comes with a $10,000 scholar- fectious disease pharmacotherapy. For the ship. Given annually, the award recognizes a past two years, he has participated in Leggraduate in the top 10 percent of the class islative Days at the Florida State Capitol, who has demonstrated a continual devo- speaking to lawmakers about legislation to advance pharmacy tion to faith and the practice in Florida. desire to integrate In his capacfaith in the practice ity with CPFI, he of pharmacy for the helped org anize glory of God. During his time in Operation ChristDuring his the Lloyd L. Gregory mas Child, packtime in the Lloyd ing shoeboxes full L. Gregory School School of Pharmacy, of toys and clothes of Pharmacy, MillMiller maintained a for children in need er maintained a 4.0 around the world. pharmacy GPA and 4.0 pharmacy GPA CPFI also hosted a 3.98 cumulative and a 3.98 cumulative events throughout Doctor of Pharmathe year where stucy/Master of BusiDoctor of Pharmacy/ dents could interact ness AdministraMaster of Business and discuss the diffition GPA, making culties of pharmacy the Dean’s List evAdministration GPA school and life. ery semester. He is a In his free member of the Rho time, Miller volunChi Honor Society, teered with Youth serving as chapter for Christ, serving president this year. Along with two of his classmates, Mill- as a group leader for local middle school er won the American College of Clinical students. He taught sixth to eighth gradPharmacy (ACCP) clinical skills competi- ers about the Bible and Christian faith, led tion and represented GSOP in the nation- small group discussions and coordinated games and activities. As a volunteer with the al competition. He also served as the American Society Gregory School of Pharmacy’s health fair, of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) li- he shared about spiritual well-being. Miller aison and treasurer and Christian Pharma- also spoke in pharmacy chapel. He attends a Friday morning Bible cists Fellowship International (CPFI) charitable works liaison and treasurer. He will study and is a member of Family Church present two posters at the ASHP midyear West. Upon graduation, he plans to pursue a residency showcase. Dr. Jeff Gregory and brother Dr. John residency in a hospital or administration/ Gregory, right, pose for a photo with Tra- leadership. Community
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December 31 - January 6, 2022
12 - Edition 544
Gunfire or Plastic Bag Popping? Trained Computer Knows the Difference By: Gisele Galoustian According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 296 mass shootings in the United States this year. Sadly, 2021 is on pace to be America’s deadliest year of gun violence in the last two decades. Discerning between a dangerous audio event like a gun firing and a non-life-threatening event, such as a plastic bag bursting, can mean the difference between life and death. Additionally, it also can determine whether or not to deploy public safety workers. Humans, as well as computers, often confuse the sounds of a plastic bag popping and real gunshot sounds. Over the past few years, there has been a degree of hesitation over the implementation of some of the well-known available acoustic gunshot detector systems since they can be costly and often unreliable. In an experimental study, researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science focused on addressing the reliability of these detection systems as it relates to the false positive rate. The ability of a model to correctly discern sounds, even in the subtlest of scenarios, will differentiate a well-trained model from one that is not very efficient. With the daunting task of accounting for all sounds that are similar to a gunshot sound, the researchers created a new dataset comprised of audio recordings of plastic bag explosions collected over a variety of environments and conditions, such as plastic bag size and distance from the recording microphones. Recordings from the audio clips ranged from 400 to 600 milliseconds in duration. Researchers also developed a classification algorithm based on a convolutional neural network (CNN), as a baseline, to illustrate the relevance of this data collection effort. The data was then used, together with a gunshot sound dataset, to train a classification model based on a CNN to differentiate life-threatening gunshot events from non-life-threatening plastic bag explosion events. Results of the study, published in the journal Sensors, demonstrate how fake gunshot sounds can easily confuse a gunshot sound detection system. Seventy-five percent of the plastic bag pop sounds were misclassified as gunshot sounds. The deep learningbased classification model trained with a popular urban sound dataset containing gunshot sounds could not distinguish plastic bag pop sounds from gunshot sounds. However, once the plastic bag pop sounds were injected into model training, researchers discovered that the CNN classification model performed well in distinguishing actual gunshot sounds from plastic bag sounds. “As humans, we use additional sensory inputs and past experiences to identify sounds. Computers, on the other hand, are trained to decipher information that is often irrelevant or imperceptible to human ears,” said Hanqi December 31 - January 6, 2022
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Zhuang, Ph.D., senior author, professor and chair, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science. “Similar to how bats swoop around objects as they transmit highpitched sound waves that will bounce back to them at different time intervals, we used different environments to give the machine learning algorithm a better perception sense of the differentiation of the closely related sounds.” For the study, gunshot-like sounds were recorded in locations where there was a likelihood of guns being fired, which included a total of eight indoor and outdoor locations. The data collection process started with experimentation of various types of bags, with trash can liners selected as the most suitable. Most of the audio clips were captured using six recording devices. To check on the extent of which a sound classification model could be confused by fake gunshots, researchers trained the model without exposing it to plastic bag pop sounds. There were 374 gunshot samples initially used to train the model, which were obtained from the urban sound database. Researchers used 10 classes from the database (gun shot, dog barking, children playing, car horn, air conditioner, street music, siren, engine idling, jackhammer, and drilling). After training, the model was then used to test its ability to reject plastic bag pop sounds as true gunshot sounds. “The high percentage of misclassification indicates that it is very difficult for a classification model to discern gunshot-like sounds such as those from plastic bag pop sounds, and real gunshot sounds,” said Rajesh Baliram Singh, first author and a Ph.D. student in FAU’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. “This warrants the process of developing a dataset containing sounds that are similar to real gunshot sounds.” In gunshot detection, having a database of a particular sound that can be confused with gunshot sound yet is rich in diversity can lead to a more effective gunshot detection system. This concept motivated the researchers to create a database of plastic bag explosion sounds. The higher the diversity of the same sound the higher the likelihood that the machine learning algorithm will correctly detect that specific sound. “Improving the performance of a gunshot detection algorithm, in particular, to reduce its false positive rate, will reduce the chances of treating innocuous audio trigger events as perilous audio events involving firearms,” said Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean, College of Engineering and Computers Science. “This dataset developed by our researchers, along with the classification model they trained for gunshot and gunshot-like sounds is an important step leading to much fewer false positives and in improving overall public safety by deploying critical personnel only when necessary.” Study co-author is Jeet Kiran Pawani, M.S., who conducted the study while at Georgia Tech. Community
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Edition 544 - 13
Novel FAU Tech for Self-Driving Car earns Second U.S. Patent sor Nojoumian highlights the necessity and urgency of developing new technologies by which a semi or fully autonomous vehicle first learns and then mimics the way that a specific driver controls the same vehicle in a non-autonomous mode,” said Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean, College of Engineering and Computer Science. “This cuttingedge technology can lead to a convenient,
By: Gisele Galoustian A new technology for autonomous systems for self-driving cars based on machine-learning and artificial intelligence to mimic human driving behavior has earned a second competitive utility patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The earlier patent, titled “Adaptive Mood Control in Semi or Fully Autonomous Vehicles,” allows an autonomous vehicle to be responsive to its passenger’s emotional state. Developed by Florida Atlantic University’s Mehrdad Nojoumian, Ph.D., inventor, associate professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science , and director of the Privacy, Security and Trust in Autonomy Lab within the College of Engineering and Computer Science, “Adaptive Driving Mode in Semi or Full Autonomous Vehicles” provides a convenient, pleasant and more importantly, trustworthy experience for humans who interact with autonomous vehicles. “Although semi or fully autonomous vehicles are becoming a reality in our life, many people still like to drive and be able to switch back and forth between self-driving and human-driving modes. In addition, people feel more comfortable if they observe that the car has a driving style similar to their own driving style or a specific person’s driving style when it is in the self-driving mode,” said Nojoumian. “What makes
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this invention so unique is the ability for a car or a set of vehicles to collaboratively learn the driving style of each individual by using machine learning and artificial intelligence and then replicating that driving behavior when it’s in the autonomous driving mode. Passengers will be able to select their own driving style or that of another person such as their partner, in the autonomous mode.” Adaptive Driving Mode can be used in a wide range of autonomous systems, including self-driving cars, autonomous military vehicles, and autonomous public transport systems.
The patent utilizes sensors and electronic devices to learn the driving styles of the drivers when the car is in the semi-autonomous mode or human-driving mode. Additionally, the adaptive driving mode system contains real-time machine-learning mechanisms that can continue to learn the driver’s driving style over time and even exchange this information with other vehicles that a specific person drives. The profiles of the driving styles can then be used in the car allowing the vehicle to mimic different driving styles when the car is in the semi or fully autonomous mode. “This important discovery by profes-
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“Although semi or fully autonomous vehicles are becoming a reality in our life, many people still like to drive and be able to switch back and forth between self-driving and human-driving modes. pleasant and trustworthy experience, when it is in the self-driving mode, for the driver and passengers who get used to that specific driving style and addresses many issues and concerns related to semi or fully autonomous vehicles.”
December 31 - January 6, 2022
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Edition 544 - 15
The Boca Raton Tribune
SPORTS Sailfish Come Up Short at the Buzzer
The Palm Beach Atlantic men’s basket- en minutes remaining in the first half, but ball team played its last home game of 2021 the ‘Fish rallied with a 10-0 run including on Sunday against Walsh. Today’s match- a 3-minute scoring drought for the visitors. up was the first time the two schools have A bucket from Jasmin tied the game at 26 faced off in men’s basketball in PBA’s DII- with four minutes to play in the first. Walsh took advantage of some missed PBA free era. After playing behind for most of the throws to take a 38-32 lead at the half. PBA kept the game close throughout ball game, PBA almost completed its comeback down the stretch against the Cavaliers. the second half but was missing the large The ‘Fish trailed by two with nine seconds run to take a lead of its own. Every time left in the contest and had to go the length the Sailfish closed the gap to one possesof the court. PBA (4-8, 2-2 SSC) broke the sion, Walsh answered with a small run of Walsh (7-3, 3-1 GMAC) press and got a its own to keep the ‘Fish at arm’s length. Things looked bleak for PBA as a pair good look for Marcus Montalvo, but his of free throws by jumper fell short as Walsh gave the vistime expired. The itors an eight-point Sailfish came up lead with a minute short against the and a half remainCavaliers, 67-65. After playing behind ing. The Sailfish Jules Jasmin led for most of the ball kept fighting, goPBA with 20 points, ing on a 6-0 run, inshooting 7-for-13 game, PBA almost cluding a step-back from the field with 3-pointer and free four rebounds. Jacompleted its throws from Lee, in kob Hester fincomeback down the less than a minute to ished with 15 points make it 67-65. The shooting 4-for-5 stretch against the ‘Fish got the stop from the field and Cavaliers. they needed on the 7-for-9 from the defensive end but free-throw line with came one basket two blocks. Will Lee short of completadded 14 points and ing the comeback. a team-high seven rebounds and three assists. Montalvo tal- Walsh held on to win, 67-65. The Sailfish did a good job of taking lied nine points off the bench with three care of the ball, totaling eight turnovers in 3-pointers. The Sailfish got off to a slow start in the game while forcing Walsh into turning the game. Walsh started the game on a 10- it over 10 times. The Cavaliers came out on 2 run. PBA didn’t have its best shooting top of the rebounding battle, 41-31. PBA performance but did most of its damage shot 20-for-30 at the free-throw line, finat the line. Free throws helped get the of- ishing at 67 percent. PBA takes the week off for Christmas fense going for the ‘Fish in the first half. A layup from Nate Ward made it 17-14 Walsh and does not compete again until New through the first 10 minutes of play. The Year’s Eve. The game on Dec. 31 against Cavaliers took a 10-point lead with sev- Saint Leo takes place at 2 p.m.
Ayuso Wins SSC Defensive Player of the Week Honors
The Palm Beach Atlantic women’s basketball team received individual honors after closing out the week with two straight wins over St. Thomas and Shaw. Starting guard Kash Ayuso was recognized as the Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Week today from the conference office. Ayuso was active in the passing lanes this week to earn the Defensive POW award in the conference. She recorded ten steals over the last three games played for the Sailfish, three against Flagler, four against St. Thomas, and three against Shaw. Every extra possession was important for the ‘Fish as they took down St. Thomas by one point and Shaw by two points. PBA pulled out each game with a defensive stop as time was expiring, holding the Bobcats and the
Bears without a shot attempt late. Ayuso is currently third in the SSC in steals with 26. While Ayuso has been active defensively for the Sailfish, she is also the team’s leading scorer on the other end of the floor. This week she scored ten points against Flagler while scoring 11 and 18 in wins over the Bobcats and Bears. The West Palm Beach native was efficient in her scoring also as she shot over 50 percent in each game going 15-28 from the field. She is averaging 13.4 points per game with a season-high of 22 points when PBA took down Flagler at home earlier this season. The Sailfish went into their Christmas break on a two-game winning streak and will hope to carry that momentum over when they return to action at Saint Leo on Dec. 31.
Kane Named FAU Senior Associate AD Florida Atlantic University athletics has named Caroline Kane as its senior associate athletics director for business and finance, announced Brian White, FAU’s vice president and director of athletics, on Wednesday. “We are excited to welcome Caroline to FAU,” said White. “We were ver y impressed with her throughout the search process. Caroline is a great addition to our leadership team and her many years of experience will be of great benefit to FAU Athletics.”
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Kane comes to the Owls with nearly 15 years of experience at the NCAA Division I level, most recently serving the last two at UCF. “I am thrilled to be joining the FAU team! In talking with Brian and his staff it was obvious that this is a place of support and collaboration,” said Kane. “There is clear direction, and it is truly a team effort here. FAU has incredible potential. I look forward to building on our momentum, and I cannot wait to get to work.” December 31 - January 6, 2022
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