ROYAL PALM MAY/JUNE 2021
Bringing You The Best Of Royal Palm Beach
THE MAGAZINE
Michelle O’Boyle
Dedicated To Supporting Local Families
Plus
Neighborhood Kids Preschool Expanding Into RPB Davis & Associates Focuses On Local Government Law Asador Patagonia Grills Up Argentinian Delights Royal Palm Beach Plans Exciting Summer Activities
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May/June 2021
contents
volume 1, number 2 MAY/JUNE 2021
executive editor Joshua I. Manning
Features
publisher
Dawn Rivera
senior graphic designer
from the
O’BOYLE AND THE 14 MICHELLE KIDS CANCER FOUNDATION SUPPORT LOCAL FAMILIES
Stephanie Rodriguez
The Kids Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit with a mission to provide hope and support to local children and families battling childhood cancer. Based in Royal Palm Beach, it was founded in 2001 by Michelle O’Boyle. BY DEBORAH WELKY
graphic designers Nancy Pobiak Yolanda Cernicky
account managers Betty Buglio Evie Edwards Joetta Palumbo
KIDS 21 NEIGHBORHOOD OPENS NEW PRESCHOOL IN ROYAL PALM BEACH
bookkeeping
Neighborhood Kids, which already operates two preschool locations in Wellington, recently announced the opening of its new Royal Palm Beach location. BY DEBORAH WELKY
Jill Kaskel Carol Lieberman
photography Abner Pedraza
Departments
contributors
PALM HEALTH 27 ROYAL Great Ophthalmology Resources
Meredith Burow Erin Davisson Denise Fleischman Melanie Kopacz Mike May Callie Sharkey M. Dennis Taylor Deborah Welky
Available Close to Home at the Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute. BY MIKE MAY
PALM BUSINESS 31 ROYAL Keith Davis Leads a Legal Firm
ROYAL PALM
Specializing in Local Government Law. BY M. DENNIS TAYLOR
Bringing You The Best Of Royal Palm Beach
PALM TABLE 35 ROYAL Asador Patagonia Grills Up a Traditional Argentinian Asado Experience in RPB.
THE MAGAZINE
12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 33 Wellington, FL 33414 Phone: (561) 793-7606 Fax: (561) 793-1470 www.royalpalmthemagazine.com
BY MEREDITH BUROW
PALM TODAY 39 ROYAL Recreation Resumption:
chairman/ceo
Barry S. Manning Royal Palm The Magazine is published six times a year in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. Copyright 2021, all rights reserved by Royal Palm The Magazine Inc. Contents may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising. The publisher accepts no responsibility for advertisement errors beyond the cost of the portion of the advertisement occupied by the error within the advertisement itself. The publisher accepts no responsibility for submitted materials. All submitted materials subject to editing.
We want to thank the Village of Royal Palm Beach, residents and businesses for such a warm welcome to the launch of Royal Palm The Magazine! This issue, we bring you the latest happening in and around Royal Palm Beach, including information on the village’s traditional Fourth of July celebration, which will look a bit different this year, but will still be a fun, exciting and friendly outing for the entire family.Also this issue, we sat down with Michelle O’Boyle, founder of the Royal Palm Beach-based Kids Cancer Foundation; learned about the new Royal Palm Beach location of Neighborhood Kids preschool; visited with Keith Davis of Davis & Associates; sampled the terrific Argentinian fare at Asador Patagonia; and learned about the services available at the Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute. Now that our village has a magazine voice of its own, we would love to hear from you.Visit our web site, drop us a line and let us know what you think about a publication you can call your own. We look forward to bringing you our first Health & Wellness issue with our July/August edition. Watch for it throughout the community, or visit us online to subscribe today and have it delivered right to your mailbox.
Dawn Rivera
Royal Palm Beach Gears Up for a Safe Return to Summer Fun
published by
Royal Palm The Magazine Inc.
publisher
Dawn Rivera, Publisher
Social Scene ROYAL PALM SOCIAL SCENE 6 8 10
Royal Palm Beach Hosts Vaccination Pop-Up At Cultural Center Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club Rededicates Clock At Veterans Park LifeSpring Church Hosts Easter Event At RPB’s Todd Robiner Park
on the cover
Kids Cancer Foundation founder and Executive Director Michelle O’Boyle. PHOTO BY ABNER PEDRAZA
royal palm the magazine | may/june 2021 5
royal palm | social scene
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN
Royal Palm Beach Hosts Vaccination Pop-Up At Cultural Center
On Wednesday,April 21, the Village of Royal Palm Beach hosted a free COVID-19 pop-up vaccination event at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center.That day, the Pfizer vaccine was being provided to those who attended the event. Future vaccination pop-ups are planned. For more info., visit www.royalpalmbeach.com/coronavirus.
(Left to right) Paramedic Hector Mosqueda with nurses Sayri Gourrie, Malvina Alzamora and Nathalie Jimenez of CDR Maguire Health & Medical; Glenis Bailey gets a vaccination from nurse Malvina Alzamora; Javier Ballestas, Maria Covena and Nataly Hurtado at the check-in desk; and nurse Malvina Alzamora gives a vaccination to Emimaris Nunez Jones.
(Left to right) Michael Brennan is happy to be vaccinated; nurse Malvina Alzamora gives Carol Fratti her vaccination; John Staton gets a vaccination from nurse Sayri Gourrie; and Melvina Suker Daddio shows off her vaccination site.
Articles | Artwork | Brochures | Design Works Digital Marketing | Newsletters | Press Releases
Selena Samios, Creative Mastermind Selena@QuadSSolutions.com | www.QuadSSolutions.com
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may/june 2021 | royal palm the magazine
Leading Attorneys In Local Government Law And Ethics
Davis & Associates, P.A. is a boutique law firm that focuses its practice on local government and special district law. Our attorneys are exceptionally familiar with legal issues that impact both local government and the citizens that local government serves.
We have unparalleled experience dealing with the following issues:
Keith W. Davis
Ethics for public officials, including Sunshine Law meeting requirements Public records and records requests Local government contracts, finance and procurement Land use, zoning and planning law, including variances and special exceptions Elections law Code compliance and special magistrate services Reasonable accommodation requests under the Fair Housing and Americans with Disabilities Acts Utilities Regulation of rights-of-way and use of rights-of-way by utility and communications service providers Environmental issues General local government operations
Since local government and special district law is the focus of our practice, Davis & Associates, P.A. clients, whether government entities or citizens, receive the finest legal services available to them.
701 Northpoint Parkway, Suite 205 West Palm Beach, Florida 33407 Phone: (561) 586-7116 Fax: (561) 586-9611 www.davislawteam.com
royal palm | social scene
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN
Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club Rededicates Clock At Veterans Park The Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club rededicated the commemorative clock at Veterans Park in Royal Palm Beach on Thursday,April 15. The clock, honoring veterans and now first responders as well, was originally donated to the village by the club on Veterans Day in 2004.The clock stopped functioning several years ago, and a group of Rotary leaders, including Mike Gauger, Selena Samios and Lynn Balch, led the effort to refurbish the clock.
(Left to right) Rotarians gather with village officials at the clock; Mayor Fred Pinto addresses the gathering; RPB Rotary President Pastor Mike Rose with Dan Splain; and Councilwoman Selena Samios and Pastor Mike Rose.
(Left to right) Rotarians in front of the newly rededicated clock; Rotary President Pastor Mike Rose with PBSO Capt. Ulrich Naujoks; Councilman Jeff Hmara with RPB Rotary President Pastor Mike Rose; and Ginella, Stephen Jr., Giada and Stephen Gazzillo Sr. with Dan Splain.
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may/june 2021 | royal palm the magazine
Employment Law Business Law Estate Planning Contracts
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Ryan Homes | Lennar D.R. Horton | Kenco Communities Materials are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. All rights in these materials are reserved. Products and company names marked as trademarked (™) or registered (®) are trademarks of their respective holders. Copying, reproduction and distribution of materials without prior written consent of Freehold Communities is strictly prohibited. All information, plans, and pricing are subject to change without notice. This information does not represent a specific offer of sale or solicitation to purchase property within Arden. Models do not reflect racial preference.
royal palm | social scene
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN
LifeSpring Church Hosts Easter Event At RPB’s Todd Robiner Park LifeSpring Church held an Easter in the Park event on Saturday, April 3 at Todd A. Robiner Park in Royal Palm Beach. The event included an Easter egg hunt, free food, games for kids and adults, prizes and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Learn more about LifeSpring Church at www.golifespring.church.
(Left to right) The egg hunt gets underway; kids participate in the egg toss; Joanna and Pastor Dan Grittner give a brief Easter message; and musical chairs winner Deven Martinez.
(Left to right) Zayn Taheri with an Easter egg; Victoria Stein with Tinkerbelle; Isabelle Heredia and Sallie Grittner enjoy coloring; Sai and Zairean Sanders and Kara Choban with Dobby; and Levi Banks visits with the Easter Bunny.
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Kids Cancer Foundation Executive Director Michelle O’Boyle created the nonprofit in 2001.
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may/june 2021 | royal palm the magazine
Michelle O’Boyle And The Kids Cancer Foundation Support Local Families In Their Time Of Need STORY BY DEBORAH WELKY | PHOTOS BY ABNER PEDRAZA
The Kids Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit with a mission to provide hope and support to local children and families battling childhood cancer. Based in Royal Palm Beach, it was founded in 2001 by Michelle O’Boyle. O’Boyle is one of those rare people who not only recognizes a problem but works to solve it. A pediatric oncology nurse for more than 30 years, O’Boyle saw how a child’s diagnosis of cancer affects not only the child, but the whole family. “The only thing a parent hears is the word ‘cancer,’ and for them to try to get resources — it’s devastating. Assistance is out there — financial, emotional, educational — but it’s about 14 hours of paperwork to even get that assistance,” O’Boyle said.“My local charity, the Kids Cancer Foundation of South Florida, tries to make the journey as easy as possible so that the parents can do what the doctor says and focus on their child getting well. We want them to know they are not alone, and that helps ease the fear and anxiety of going through a diagnosis. Our mission is to provide hope and support. We accomplish this by providing compassionate, easily accessible, supportive care services.” O’Boyle began her nursing career in Massachusetts.
“I was born and raised in Katonah, N.Y., in Westchester County, attended nursing school at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. I got my first nursing job at the Tufts University floating hospital, where I did a lot of oncology work,” O’Boyle recalled. “I’ve had family in Wellington since 1976 — an aunt, uncle, grandparents — and moved down in 1993 to work at St. Mary’s Medical Center.” Back then, there were few cancer services for children locally. “At the time, children with cancer had to go to Gainesville or Miami,” O’Boyle said. One day, while speaking with a pediatric oncologist, they discussed the need for more support services for young cancer patients and their families. He was trying to start a foundation to do just that, and O’Boyle was intrigued. She established her foundation in 2001, and left St. Mary’s in 2007 to train nurses at Palms West Hospital. “Doctors and nurses work hard to cure the cancer, but families need more than just medical help
to get through this stressful and fearful time in their lives.This is where the Kids Cancer Foundation steps in to fill the void. There is a great need for support services for local children and their families,” O’Boyle said. “We have a staff of four that works with us, and then a handful of volunteers who work as tutors or as office help.Then we have many more volunteers who help with various events and activities, like our monthly kids’ night out and quarterly family socials.”
royal palm the magazine | may/june 2021 15
Executive Director Michelle O’Boyle at her desk at the foundation’s offices in Royal Palm Beach.
O’Boyle also credits her teacher husband Frank O’Boyle, as well as Sandy Erb, the mother of one of O’Boyle’s former patients, for helping her build a successful organization. O’Boyle and her husband started the foundation in 2001 with the money they got from their tax refund checks. In the early years, they worked from her car, when she wasn’t on duty as a nurse. Erb came on board in 2007, and by 2009, O’Boyle had to leave her nursing job to focus on the ever-growing foundation full time. In 2011, the Kids Cancer Foundation finally found a permanent home, located in the Royal Plaza at 246 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. “This takes all my time,” O’Boyle said. “The foundation came about to meet all the needs of the parents. When a child is diagnosed with cancer, their child16
may/june 2021 | royal palm the magazine
“When a child is diagnosed, their childhood days quickly change to be filled with chemo and endless doctor and hospital visits. Life not only changes for the child, but for the entire family. We utilize local, state and national resources, and then the foundation itself fills in the gaps.” — Michelle O’Boyle hood days quickly change to be filled with chemo and endless doctor and hospital visits. Life not only changes for the child, but for the entire family. We utilize local, state and national resources, and then the foundation itself fills in the gaps if there is a need that nobody else is addressing. We treat the entire family. For instance, the patient may not even be of school age yet, but his or her sibling may need tutoring because the parents aren’t there as much to help out. We’ve done SAT reviews and even
helped a father get his GED.Things like that make this journey just a little bit easier.” Although primarily focused on the western communities, the Kids Cancer Foundation helps families across a wide area — throughout Palm Beach County and up into the Treasure Coast. “It doesn’t matter where the child is being treated. If the family lives within one of the counties we serve, we provide services — even if the child is out-of-state,” O’Boyle said.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, those services have even included providing basic needs like food and toilet paper, so high-risk families didn’t have to leave the house. Plus, many parents found themselves suddenly out of work. “Some good came out of COVID-19, though,” O’Boyle said. “We learned how to use Zoom to up our tutoring, and now we can provide for kids we wouldn’t normally be able to reach, geographically.” In short, the foundation’s goal is to be there to assist in any way it can. “Ideally, we will meet with a family when the child is first diagnosed and follow them all the way through treatment and beyond,” O’Boyle said. “The most common childhood cancer is leukemia, which requires two and a half years of chemo, and then we follow them for five years. Basically, we watch them grow up.” If you or anyone you know could benefit from services provided by the Kids Cancer Foundation, or want to become a volunteer or supporter, visit www.kidscancersf.org or call (561) 333-8116. 18
may/june 2021 | royal palm the magazine
The foundation’s offices in the Royal Plaza provides a sanctuary for both patients and their parents.
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Neighborhood Kids Opens New Preschool Campus In Royal Palm Beach STORY BY DEBORAH WELKY | PHOTOS BY ABNER PEDRAZA
Neighborhood Kids, which already operates two preschool locations in Wellington, recently announced the opening of its new Royal Palm Beach location, effective June 1. The new preschool’s owner Frank Toral is pleased to be expanding into the neighboring community after taking over the oldest preschool locations in Wellington in 2019. “Many of our parents used to be students themselves,” Toral explained. “It’s a real multi-generational community. The children become friends and stay lifelong friends. This faith-based preschool, once operated under another name, is the longest-running, continuously open preschool in Palm Beach County at 43 years. So many of the parents were once students themselves — their relatives and neighbors went here.” Four decades ago, Royal Palm Beach was still struggling to shake off the perception that it was only a golf community for retirees. But “family” is now the name of the game — not only in Royal Palm Beach but throughout the western communities. “We have waiting lists at both of our Wellington campuses,” Toral said. “So, this location, inside the longstanding Connect Church on Okeechobee Blvd., will offer additional space.” Following the June 1 opening of Neighborhood Kids in Royal Palm Beach, Toral, together with his wife Olivia, will soon open a fourth location in Boynton Beach.
Neighborhood Kids owners Olivia and Frank Toral.
royal palm the magazine | may/june 2021 21
The Torals already run two Neighborhood Kids locations in Wellington. Aside from Royal Palm Beach, another is planned in Boynton Beach.
“It’s a Christian preschool that we’re continuing to expand throughout Palm Beach County,” Toral said. “We get a lot of feedback on the faith-based aspect of the school from our children’s parents. Many of their children will be going directly from our pre-kindergarten to public school, so this will be the only faith-based schooling they will get. We appreciate that the families recognize the value that our pre-K gives their kids for the short time we have them.” Toral said that one thing that distinguishes Neighborhood Kids from other preschool and pre-K programs in the area is that it’s not attached to another elementary, middle or high school. Yet there’s the same neighborhood feeling throughout all Neighborhood Kids campuses. “For example, we had a little girl in our three-year-old program. She comes home and tells her mom and dad about her friends, that she wants them to 22
may/june 2021 | royal palm the magazine
“Many of our parents used to be students themselves. It’s a real multi-generational community. The children become friends and stay lifelong friends. This faithbased preschool, once operated under another name, is the longestrunning, continuously open preschool in Palm Beach County at 43 years.” — Frank Toral come to her birthday party and that she wants to go to their birthday parties. The point is, the kids form a community.And this has been happening for 40 years,”Toral said.
The two Neighborhood Kids standalone locations in Wellington currently serve more than 250 children combined, with 150 at the Greenbriar campus and 112 at the Wellington Trace campus. “The Royal Palm Beach campus will be a smaller, a more intimate setting for the kids,”Toral said.“We will be able to host 83 children there.” Just like in Wellington, the new Neighborhood Kids will be accepting students starting at eight weeks old and continuing up to the VPK classes at age four. Meanwhile, Toral hopes that the waiting lists in Wellington will grow shorter with the opening of the Royal Palm Beach location. There are about 15 families whose children currently attend at a Wellington campus who are planning to transfer their children to Royal Palm Beach, which will immediately create a few openings at the original two locations.
There will also be a few spots opening up at the Greenbriar campus, as visiting equestrian families from across the United States and beyond generally leave by the end of April. “My wife and I are Wellington residents, so we’re invested in these communities,”Toral said.“We live and work here, and we want to give families this educational and spiritual foundation for their children. It’s going to be the same uniform program throughout and the same curriculum in all four schools — the same mission and the same values.” Some of the Neighborhood Kids teachers have been with the school for more than 20 years, teaching the internationally implemented Abeka and Creative curriculums, together with the Amazing Athletes fitness program and Go Picasso painting classes, all in a Christian, faith-based environment. “We’ve heard from multiple parents that they get really emotional when
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they’re sitting at the dinner table and begin to eat, and their child tells them, ‘We need to pray before we eat dinner,’” Toral said. “We hear this over and over. We have gotten so many positive responses. It’s the joy of their hearts that their child is part of that gratitude of thanking God in a world that doesn’t always value that.” The schools’ mission statement is to “partner with families to empower their child to discover and realize their potential in a nurturing and supportive environment.” “To sum up what we do,” Toral said. “We provide an educational and spiritual foundation for your child’s future. In a world that values success, Neighborhood Kids distinguishes itself by teaching your child the value of character, without which, no success can be sustained. That’s the core of who we are.” Toral also plans an active camp program for this summer.
“We’re looking forward to a robust summer ‘Fun Camp’ in June,”Toral said. “Last year, because of COVID-19, we were extremely limited in what we could offer the children. But this year, field trips are back on the schedule. We’re going to bring Lion Country Safari in.We’re going to have a lot of fun.” The summer camp program is also open to older children. The summer camp is geared toward ages 5 to 12, Toral said. Registration is open now. For parents of older children — or those just looking to see what Neighborhood Kids has to offer — Toral recommends they contact the school or visit the web site to register. And for former Neighborhood Kids students who have graduated, it might be fun to see your former teachers in a camp setting. Neighborhood Kids Royal Palm Beach is located at Connect Church at 10701 Okeechobee Blvd. For more information, call (561) 790-0808 or visit www.neighborhoodkids.net.
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royal palm | health
Great Ophthalmology Resources Available Close To Home At The Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute BY MIKE MAY
The Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute offers specialized eyecare services for the entire family. The list of services provided by the institute — which has offices in Wellington, Boynton Beach and Boca Raton — includes just about every possible ophthalmological service, diagnosis and treatment. The Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute offers a full range of comprehensive ophthalmological care, from routine eye exams to advanced surgical procedures. Services include cataract surgery, cornea surgery, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, eyelid tumors, eyelid conditions, pediatric and adult strabismus, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and detached and torn retina treatments, along with general eye care. At the Wellington office, which
“The Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute is a multispecialty practice that covers a very wide range of ophthalmic pathology. There are not many other ophthalmology practices in South Florida that do that.” — Dr. Jason Gorscak opened in 2015, Dr. Jason Gorscak specializes in cataract reflective surgery, medical glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration screening. Dr. Randy Katz treats advanced
retinal disease, while Dr. Lee Friedman is the pediatric and adult strabismus specialist. While the range of services provided by the Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute runs the gamut of eyecare needs, some eyecare issues are more common than others. “As a comprehensive ophthalmologist, I see a wide range of pathology,” Gorscak said. “I see mostly cataracts and glaucoma, as well as diabetics, who are routinely screened for diabetic retinopathy.” While diagnosing an issue or a problem is always the primary mission, the staff at the Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute also feel that it is important to create a positive and warm environment for every patient. royal palm the magazine | may/june 2021 27
royal palm | health
Dr. Lee Friedman “Our staff always strives to create a friendly and relaxing atmosphere where patients can be comfortable,” Gorscak said. While the institute works in a competitive industry, there are few other outlets, if any, that provide such an array of services at such a high standard of professional excellence. “The Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute is a multispecialty practice that covers a very wide range of ophthalmic pathology,” Gorscak said. “There are not many other ophthalmology practices in South Florida that do that.” The institute’s doctors include some of the most experienced experts in the field, and residents of the western communities are fortunate to have access to such high-quality, one-stop shopping for eyecare services, procedures and treatments. Originally from New Jersey, Dr. Jason Gorscak attended Johns Hopkins University and then obtained his medical degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine. He then completed his ophthalmologic residency at the University of Medicine & Dentistry 28
may/june 2021 | royal palm the magazine
Dr. Jason Gorscak “As a comprehensive ophthalmologist, I see a wide range of pathology. I see mostly cataracts and glaucoma, as well as diabetics, who are routinely screened for diabetic retinopathy.” — Dr. Jason Gorscak of New Jersey before joining Florida Eye in 2008. Originally from New York, Dr. Randy Katz grew up in New Jersey and earned his medical degree at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. He completed both his internship and his residency at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey before earning his fellowship in medical and surgical diseases of the retina and vitreous at the prestigious Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He has been practicing in Florida for most of his career.
Dr. Randy Katz Originally from Miami Beach, Dr. Lee Friedman earned his medical degree from the Chicago Medical School in Illinois. He completed his internship and residency at Tampa General Hospital, and his fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. The Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute offices are located in Wellington at 2575 State Road 7 near the Mall at Wellington Green behind Whole Foods and TooJay’s. Additional offices are at 1717 Woolbright Road in Boynton Beach and 9980 Central Park Blvd., Suite 204, in Boca Raton. The Wellington office is open to serve patients Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phones are live Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and lunch is from noon to 1 p.m. For more information, call the Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute at (561) 737-5500, or contact the Wellington office directly at (561) 7921205. Learn more at www.fleyedocs. com.
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Keith Davis Of Davis & Associates Leads A Legal Firm Specializing In Local Government Law STORY BY M. DENNIS TAYLOR | PHOTOS BY ABNER PEDRAZA
Keith Davis of Davis & Associates runs a boutique law firm that focuses its practice on local government law. Davis leads a team of four attorneys with expertise in legal issues that impact local government. The firm provides legal services to the Village of Royal Palm Beach, as well as several other Palm Beach County communities. Originally from Pittsburgh and moving to Tequesta with his family in the late 1970s, Davis graduated from Jupiter High School. He loved the area, but he felt the need to leave Florida for his college years, bypassing in-state schools and opting for the College of William & Mary in Virginia. “I love Colonial America and chose the Colonial Williamsburg area. I always said, ‘If it was good enough for Thomas Jefferson, it is good enough for me,’” Davis smiled. Earning his law degree in 1985, by 1992, Davis was back in South Florida. He took a job with the Public Defender’s Office in the 19th Judicial Circuit, which covers the Treasure Coast counties. He then flipped sides and served a decade with the State Attorney’s Office. Davis’ next move was toward his growing interest in local government law. He joined a team providing legal guidance to local municipalities. “Most areas of law, such as tax or estate planning or personal injury, specialize in just that type of law,” Davis said. “Everyone has a niche.”
He has been specializing in local governmental law for the past 20 years, and that includes a wide array of issues that governments face. The work includes First Amendment issues, general government, public policy, ethics, local government contracts, finance and procurement, administration, criminal law, planning and zoning, land use, prosecuting code enforcement and more — often all at the same time. Davis has been board certified in city, county and government law since 2007. “You have to Attorney Keith Davis of Davis & Associates at his office. know about so many areas,” Davis said. our day, and the other one knows what “I love it. I can’t imagine doing any- they’re talking about,” he said. thing else.” The family also includes his two chilDavis and his wife, Jennifer, who is dren from a previous marriage. Davis’ in local government in Port St. Lucie, daughter is the office manager for his have two English bulldogs who keep firm. His younger son is still in college them busy. Davis explained that it is and is a member of the Marching Chiefs nice that he and his wife are both in at Florida State University. “It is fun to local government. “We can talk about see them perform,” Davis said. royal palm the magazine | may/june 2021 31
Keith Davis’ law firm provides legal services to several municipalities, including Royal Palm Beach.
Davis and his wife collect original Florida Highwaymen art and have seven of the first-generation pieces in their collection. “We also collect first edition books,” he said. The law firm dates back to 1987,
which was before Davis’ time. After several permutations in its history with different partners, Davis is now the first name on the door at Davis & Associates, which handles the legal work of seven area municipalities. That in-
cludes Royal Palm Beach, where attendees in the council chambers or viewers of the telecast meetings often see Amity “Mitty” Barnard, his senior associate. “We haven’t been on the dais for a while, we’ve been remote from the office, but now that is starting to shift back,” Davis said. Barnard will be there at Royal Palm Beach council meetings, representing the firm and often fielding questions that come up during meetings, swearing in witnesses, verifying neutrality after any ex parte communications, and generally keeping the governmental body on track and clear of deviations from law or policy. Behind the scenes, the attorneys handle the many types of legal issues that the municipalities face. Despite this wide range of situations, Davis prefers the steadier pace of practicing local governmental law. While that is a lot of night work, he
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royal palm | business doesn’t miss his old courtroom days working with the public defender or state attorney, where each attorney had a caseload that can be staggering. “Those people are in court every day,” Davis said, adding that he enjoys being able to spend some time truly getting to know a new issue when it comes up. Like most of his clients, Royal Palm Beach is in a position where the workload doesn’t make sense to have an inhouse attorney, he said. “Royal Palm Beach is truly a pleasure to serve,” Davis said. “Everyone is a consummate professional. The village has a fantastic staff. Everyone knows their job and knows what they are doing.” He especially noted the village’s in-house expertise in planning, zoning and land use review. Davis also remarked that his firm’s work included being part of the council’s recent weeklong strategic planning session to de-
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“Royal Palm Beach is truly a pleasure to serve. Everyone is a consummate professional. The village has a fantastic staff. Everyone knows their job and knows what they are doing.” — Keith Davis velop short-range and long-range goals for the community going forward. Davis said that the Tuttle Royale project on Southern Blvd. just west of State Road 7 has been in progress for several years with land use, zoning and development, and required a lot of legal work from his team. “Signage codes are a focus of the work we do for all our clients,” Davis explained. “Each municipality has different issues, and we work with their core concepts.” He expects that code enforcement
is going to be a much bigger issue this year, since much of that work didn’t get done in 2020 due to COVID-19 protocols. “Royal Palm Beach is an extremely important client to us,” Davis said, noting that it is the largest community that his firm represents. “It has the biggest geographical area and the biggest population.” For more information about Keith Davis and Davis & Associates, visit www.davislawteam.com or call (561) 586-7116.
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Asador Patagonia Grills Up A Traditional Argentinian Asado Experience In RPB BY MEREDITH BUROW
Argentinian steakhouse Asador Patagonia brings an authentic taste of South America here to Royal Palm Beach. “We wanted to try something different,” said owner Natalia Ayala, explaining why she and her husband, Juan, left Argentina and moved to the United States nearly two decades ago. Eighteen years, two children, a restaurant and tiki bar later, and “different” is still the family’s mantra. Bringing a taste of their home country to central Palm Beach County, the couple opened Asador Patagonia, a restaurant nestled quietly in the Royal Inn Hotel plaza at the northwest corner of Royal Palm Beach and Southern boulevards, about 10 years ago. The establishment includes a large dining area, a private events space, an indoor bar, an outdoor tiki hut and a patio overlooking the lake. The Ayalas wear many hats at the restaurant, cooking, cleaning, managing and serving. It’s a big job, but it is a dream that became a reality. “You think of something, and God gives you the resources,” Ayala said. “We don’t know exactly why, but it happened.” But what makes it so different? Unlike other restaurants, Asador Patagonia implements a traditional, Argentinian grilling method: charcoal. While a typical cooking technique in the food service industry elicits a gas grill, the Ayalas wanted the community to enjoy the rich, unique flavor brought out when grilling with charcoal. Prior
(Clockwise from top left) Asador Patagonia’s lakeside patio; grilled dishes are placed on patrons’ tables; charcoal grill dishes can include different cuts of steak, chicken breast, sausage, blood sausage, shrimp and more; customers can choose from a variety of specialty drinks; and Asador Patagonia bartender Tatiana Romero.
to being seared on the grill, the meat is flavored with salt alone, and according to customer reviews, it does not disappoint. “Nobody knows about Argentinian food, and it’s a different kind of
food. At a lot of restaurants, it’s all the same,” Ayala said. “Argentinian food is so different — it’s a lot of meat, but we cook the meat on the charcoal. That’s the difference. It’s a different steak house.” royal palm the magazine | may/june 2021 35
Hailed by some as “the best Argentinian steakhouse in Florida,” Asador Patagonia is known for both its great food and excellent customer service. Its menu is a collection of meat choices for the asado, the term used for a traditional Argentinian barbecue. Guests can choose from a traditional Argentinian Grill, including flank steak, skirt steak, short ribs, chicken, sausage and more, or choose their own meat selection from a variety of steaks, as well as filet mignon, chicken and shrimp skewers. There’s also an array of appetizers and side dishes. If the food alone wasn’t enough to attract patrons, the weekend live music, lakeside view and laidback atmo-
Claudia Diesti
sphere helps to keep the customers coming back. “It’s always a really nice spot just to hang out,” said Nicole Elizabeth as she sat under the shady tiki bar on the back patio. “Everyone’s always very nice and welcoming.” After long days at work, Elizabeth said she likes to come to the lakeside tiki bar to relax. “I enjoy coming here because it’s outside, so with COVID-19 and everything, it gives me kind of a little at-ease feeling, which is nice, and everyone’s always friendly,” she said. “It’s the view, also. Got to love the view.” First-time guests Syd and Arlene Zudekoff enjoyed their experience eat-
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Monica Diesti
ing out on the patio. The couple had been to the location about 15 years ago, before the space became Asador Patagonia. “We knew that the view was nice, and we knew this area was nice, and we’re looking for different places to go,” Syd explained. They enjoyed the experience and plan to return with others. “It’s a lovely local restaurant,” Arlene said. “And it’s not in the middle of a shopping center,” her husband continued. “You’ve got a nice lake view, and it’s very nice.” The Ayalas have worked hard to cultivate the relaxing environment. Ayala
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even recalled with amusement a time when they first opened the restaurant, and their two boys, Matias and Lorenzo, were still very young. “Lorenzo grew up in the restaurant, and sometimes they’d go to the table and take bread, and take the food for the customers, also,” she said. “They’d run through all the restaurant.” Fortunately, the customers were amused, too. Like the children, Asador Patagonia knows how to have fun. With a capacity for 250 people, guests can reserve the space for weddings, birthday parties and more. That being said, patrons wishing to use the space cannot bring in outside catering and must use the
“Nobody knows about Argentinian food, and it’s a different kind of food. At a lot of restaurants, it’s all the same. Argentinian food is so different — it’s a lot of meat, but we cook the meat on the charcoal. That’s the difference. It’s a different steak house.” — Natalia Ayala restaurant’s food and drinks only. Karaoke lovers can also show up and show off on weekend nights. Customers are encouraged to reserve seats beforehand, however, as these tend to be the busiest times at Asador Patagonia. Asador Patagonia is located at
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royal palm | today
Recreation Resumption
Royal Palm Beach Gears Up For A Safe Return To Summer Fun After an unprecedented year, the Village of Royal Palm Beach is putting forward a strong slate of safe summer fun events. As the full effects of COVID-19 began in early 2020, few Royal Palm Beach services were impacted as severely as its award-winning parks and recreation programs. For a department with a mission to bring the community together, the worst possible situation is a pandemic that requires everyone to stay far apart. In what seemed faster than a pickleball volley, everything stopped. On March 12, 2020, Gov. Ron DeSantis urged everyone to “strongly consider limiting or postponing mass gatherings.” Within hours, a special meeting was held by the Royal Palm Beach Village Council, during which the first decision was made to postpone an event in the village. The annual Seafood Festival, which was to kick off just 48 hours
The focus will be on outdoor summer fun as the Village of Royal Palm Beach plans an array of safe, fun activities for the entire family.
later at Royal Palm Beach Commons Park, was canceled. “Our focus should be on taking actions that we believe are in the best interest of our citizens, and in the best interest of trying to do what we can,” Mayor Fred Pinto said during the March 12 emergency meeting. It was the first, but certainly not the last of the Parks & Recreation Depart-
ment’s events to be canceled over the ensuing 12 months. Almost immediately, the dominos began to fall. The Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center was closed to the public. Outdoor parks were off limits. The usually busy schedule of events and activities, which included several signature annual events, was wiped clean. royal palm the magazine | may/june 2021 39
“As painful as it was for all of us, we knew we had to do it,” Parks & Recreation Director Lou Recchio said. “No one knew exactly how dangerous it really would be. Our entire purpose is to help unite the community, bring people together, and make connections with their neighbors. How could that possibly happen when we couldn’t even tell you if touching a slide in one of our parks was safe?”
It would be almost seven months before another live event would be planned at Commons Park. The department’s triumphant return to outdoor concerts was set for Oct. 2, 2020 at the Commons Park Amphitheater. It felt like a little resumption of normalcy as the village’s Facebook page was once again filled with graphics announcing the upcoming show. Yet, closer scrutiny would reveal how life had changed. The familiar concert flyers now included the logo from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and a directive for all attendees to “properly social distance.” Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans that day and the concert was called off due to weather. Nevertheless, a previously dormant Parks & Recreation Department calendar slowly began to come back to life. The village now has several months of masked and socially distanced
events behind it. With infection rates dropping and vaccination rates climbing, the Parks & Recreation Department is gearing up for a full slate of summer events. “What we know now as compared to a year ago when we shut everything down is immeasurable,” Recchio said. “Our entire industry has spent the past year focused on how to resume events and activities while protecting the health and safety of our residents and visitors.” On April 26 of this year, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Disease and chief medical advisor to the Biden Administration specifically spoke to the latest guidance regarding being outdoors. “The risk of infection outside is really minimum,” Fauci said. “If you’re vaccinated, and you’re outside, it’s even less.”
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may/june 2021 | royal palm the magazine
royal palm | today The following day, the CDC announced new guidance for vaccinated people attending outdoor events. Given that guidance, and the increasing number of people receiving a vaccination, the Parks & Recreation Department is poised for a comeback, and village officials are hoping that residents are also ready to “come back.” The village’s Summer Concert Nights in the Park Series is packed, with a different tribute band taking to the stage every Friday evening in May, June and July. Check the village’s Facebook page for details @VillageOfRoyalPalmBeach. Meanwhile, Independence Day will be the first large, signature, annual event to return to Commons Park. It will feature an entire day of activities, beginning with the return of the annual Fourth of July Fishing Tournament. What follows will be volleyball and
“What we know now as compared to a year ago when we shut everything down is immeasurable. Our entire industry has spent the past year focused on how to resume events and activities while protecting the health and safety of our residents and visitors.” — Lou Recchio cornhole tournaments, laser tag, live music and more. Don’t worry about packing a basket, there will be plenty of food and beverage vendors on hand. There is, however, one major postpandemic change to the itinerary. There will be no fireworks at the end of the night. While maintaining six feet of separation is feasible for structured activities such as cornhole, fishing or socially distanced lawn chairs for a concert, it would be much more
difficult if large, walk-up crowds suddenly converged on the park at dusk to watch the show. While Recchio and his team are not yet ready to restart every activity, both indoors and outdoors, that was halted a year ago, the summer of 2021 is poised to look a lot more “normal,” and look a lot less like the shutdown of the summer of 2020. Visit www.royalpalmbeach.com/ parksrec to learn more.
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