Category: Kids

Relay for Life West Boca Update: Get Your Gifts Wrapped!

        As the holidays are among us, the efforts of the teams supporting West Boca’s Relay for Life are no where near taking a holiday. Relay for Life is an event by the American Cancer Society that takes place all around the nation to raise funds and awareness for cancer research. West Boca’s Relay for Life is fast-approaching: the event is planned to take place on February 23rd, 2013 at Loggers’ Run Middle School.
 The teams are gathering together to raise funds for the big day by “Wrapping for a Cure.” They have four dates in December and three locations to choose from, and are offering their gift-wrapping services in exchange for a donation to the cause. Come by, donate, and let the teams take care of all of the holiday gift-wrapping.

The West Boca Relay for Life teams are offering their gift-wrapping services in exchange for a donation to support cancer research and awareness.

The first gift-wrapping date is this Saturday, December 15th, at the Shadowood Square Starbucks (located at the intersection of US-441 and Glades Road). The teams will be out front of Starbucks from 10 AM-3 PM, which is next to the Boston Market in the shopping center.
The second gift-wrapping date is Saturday, December 22nd, at Mizner Park.  The teams will be at the Starbucks from 10 AM- 3 PM. The Starbucks is located next to Robb & Stucky.
The Relay teams will also be wrapping at the Walgreens  on 441 & Palmetto Park Road and the Walgreens in Shadowood Square (the shopping center at the intersection of 441 and Glades Road) on December 22nd, 23rd, and 24th from 12 noon until 9 PM. For those last-minute gifts in need of wrapping, these locations are the perfect fit.
Keep checking back to West Boca News for further Relay for Life Updates. If you would like to learn more information or make a donation, please visit Relay for Life West Boca .
 

Omni Middle School FCCLA

Mrs. Carolyn Zaremba and Ms. Phyllis Fimiani, who teach at Omni Middle School, sponsor an after school club called FCCLA. FCCLA is a national organization that stands for Family, Career, and Community, Leaders of America. FCCLA is made up of middle and high school students. Omni is one of only a few middle schools that have an FCCLA club in Palm Beach County.

Pictured: Several of the Omni FCCLA winners, from left to right: Victoria Gonzalez, Valerie Kwong, Rebecca Tesmond, Annie Coen, and Maya Portal.

On November 7, 2012, Omni Middle School’s FCCLA chapter attended the 2012-2013 FCCLA Palm Beach County District 8 meeting. At this meeting Omni eighth grader, Shelby Black-Smith, was elected as the district secretary. While at the meeting, Omni was successful in winning first place in each of the following categories they competed in:

  • Themed Poster – Donja Dewberry and Abigail Taylor
  • Hand Constructed Themed Banner – Shelby Black-Smith
  • Machine Constructed Themed Banner – Victoria Gonzalez, Valerie Kwong, Maya Portal, Annie Coen, and Rebecca Tesmond
  • Hand Constructed Themed T-Shirt – Alana Bruckenstein, Serena
    Gibbs, Alexandra Lopez, and Olivia Lopez
  • Machine Constructed Themed T-Shirt – Alexina Chasin, Isabella Ellingsworth, Seina Koolik and Molly Schiller

For more information visit the FCCLA website.

Farmer Jay: Keeping South Florida Food Fresh, Pure, and Local

It isn’t rare to walk through the local supermarket and see products stamped with an “organic” or “all natural” sticker. The amount of recyclable bags is increasing, and being “eco-friendly” has become a lifestyle statement. While “going green” may seem like a fad, healthy eating and living in a sustainable fashion is not.

Jason McCobb, owner of Farmer Jay Pure Organics, is s Delray Beach grower who knows that “going green” begins with the basics: Know what you eat.

Farmer Jay can implement custom gardens and raised beds for the beginner or expert gardener. All are made of rot-resistant cedar that is certifiably sustainable. Image courtesy of Farmer Jay’s Facebook page.

Farmer Jay offers fresh, chemical-free vegetables to local restaurants. Other than providing the freshest local ingredients to restaurants, Farmer Jay brings a sustainable lifestyle to the community by helping other gardeners (from the beginner to the expert) create successful gardens to be proud of. He offers the service of building custom-made raised beds for gardens, all made of rot-resistant cedar that is certifiably sustainable, and can have a self-watering system. Local restaurants, such as Tanzy of Boca Raton’s iPic theaters, already boast beautiful gardens from Farmer Jay.
Farmer Jay also offers lectures and events that educate the community on topics such as  how to have a garden in your own backyard to understanding soil. The upcoming event, called ‘Farm Anywhere– Size Does Not Matter!’ will be held on Saturday, November 19th from 1-2:30 at the Ellenville Garden Center (220 NE 11th Street, Boca Raton) The cost of the workshop is $25. This is the second workshop of a series of workshops that will run through December, each with a different theme (check the line-up here!) 
[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&channel=np&q=220+NE+11th+Street,+Boca+Raton&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=220+NE+11th+St,+Delray+Beach,+Palm+Beach,+Florida+33444&gl=us&t=m&z=14&ll=26.360133,-80.082098&output=embed&w=425&h=350]
Farmer Jay offers classes and workshops throughout the community to schools, events, and birthday parties. Photograph courtesy of Farmer Jay’s Facebook page.

Farmer Jay can also be contacted to speak at events ranging from community events to schools and birthday parties, where kids decorate pots, plant herbs, and plant seeds for plant anatomy garden that explores the six different parts of the plant we eat.
Whether it be tossing out the junk food, taking shorter showers, or keeping that New Year’s Resolution to recycle more, the Boca Raton area has plenty of alternatives to commercialized food and unhealthy lifestyles that also supports local land and farms.
Like Farmer Jay on Facebook  to get the most up-to-date information on their offerings and upcoming events in the community for healthy living.

Early Results in West Boca: The Middle School Vote

We heard that Loggers Run Middle School had its own presidential election Monday, with President Obama winning in a 600-300 landslide. It’s unlikely that this is much of a predictor for the overall national outcome, but we also heard that they had a simplified ballot with only the presidential race and only two candidates on the ballot, plus a line for write-ins. No word yet on the write-in count.

Relay for Life Has Hit The West Boca Ground Running

The American Cancer Society knows that the road to end cancer cannot be done overnight. However, the organization knows that for a single night all over the country, residents can come together to fight to end cancer, remember those who have lost their battle to the disease, and honor those who are still fighting.  That is what Relay for Life is all about: a night of celebration and honor, where participants raise money in teams for the American Cancer Society and come together with others of the community.
While Relay for Life of West Boca may not be until February, teams are already in place and beginning their fundraising. This year, the theme is Destination: Cure! The Relay will be held on February 23rd, 2012 starting at 12:00 PM at Logger’s Run Middle School.
How can you get involved?

  •  Step 1: Know your cause. Relay for Life and American Cancer Society information can be found here: Learn about Relay for Life
  • Step 2: Create a team! Anyone can create a team and raise money for the cause. Contact West Boca Relay for Life event chair, Elissa Goldstein, at 561-859-5792 for more information and team meeting dates. Visit the West Boca Relay for Life Page
    Elissa Goldstein
  • Step 3: Be creative and active in your fundraising. West Boca Relay for Life teams up with local restaurants and vendors to provide fundraising nights, where proceeds go to fundraising teams to be given to the American Cancer Society.
    Upcoming fundraisers
  • Step 4: Spread the word. Using social media and good ole fliers can go a long way. The American Cancer Society even has a generic e-mail that can be sent out with a direct link for donations, so don’t think your long distance family can’t contribute!
  • Step 5: Get excited. Though fundraising takes months, the event itself is the culmination of everyone’s fundraising efforts.

On Monday, November 12th from 11am-11pm, Chili’s is partnering with local Relay teams to donate funds during Chili’s Give Back Night event. The flyer will soon be available here
Keep checking West Boca News for the most recent Relay for Life information.