Repeat Offender Recklessly Injures Deputy on 441

Traffic on US-441 was blocked from Glades to Yamato this morning after a serious accident near Kimberly Road. Hector Mauricio Mazariegos (age 31, Coral Springs) was arrested and charged with several offenses.
According to the Sheriff’s report:

P-1 (the deputy) was working a traffic enforcement operation on State Road 7 just south of Kimberly Blvd with several other deputies. P-1 obtained a speed reading of 97 mph on V-1 (Mazariegos on the motorcycle) in a 45 mph zone.
P-1 stepped into the center lane, faced southbound and was waving V-1 over. According to witnesses the deputy had been out in the roadway for more than enough time for the rider to see him and stop. The deputy was wearing a neon green reflective vest at the time. V-1 slowed and tried to drive around P-1, but at the same time P-1 feared V-1 was going to run him over and moved slightly to his right.
V-1 impacted with the deputy, then made a heavy brake applicated (leaving a lengthy skid mark) and overturned. V-1 slid to final rest at Kimberly Blvd.

Mr. Mazariegos has quite a history in the courts, as explained below the scene photos.

By our count, Mazariegos has had 9 traffic cases (7 of them criminal) in Broward County dating back to 2007:

He also was arrested in 2015 in Palm Beach County for driving without a valid license. Despite his lengthy history, that charge was resolved with a fine and “adjudication withheld.”
Similar to a case we reported last year, the prosecutors and courts in Palm Beach and Broward County seem to have a policy of going easy on serious repeat traffic offenders. In the previous incident three young males were badly injured. Now it’s a deputy taking the hit.
State Attorney Dave Aronberg is running unopposed in this year’s election so we can expect another four years of lax enforcement. Mr. Mazariegos has probably run out of luck.
PBSO reports the charges against Mazariegos as:

  • Reckless Driving resulting in serious bodily injury
  • No Driver’s License causing serious bodily injury
  • Driving without a motorcycle endorsement
  • Driving an unregistered vehicle
  • Attaching an unassigned tag to a vehicle

Mazariegos’ Facebook page indicates he works (or worked) for Fit Foodz Cafe, which is on Clint Moore near 441.

New Habitat Store Opening on Yamato

Former CVS building on northwest corner of 441 and Yamato; image by Google.
Former CVS building on northwest corner of 441 and Yamato; image by Google.

The Sun-Sentinel‘s Marci Shatzman reports that a new store from Habitat for Humanity will be opening in the small plaza on the north side of Yamato just west of 441.

The plaza currently has a Sherwin-Williams paint store along with a pre-school that is also one of the locations for the Quality Swimming school.

Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price.

ReStores are already in our area, with one on Dixie Highway in East Boca and another on Federal Highway in Delray. The new store on Yamato will be, like those two, owned and operated by the Habitat affiliate for South Palm Beach County.
The store is expected to open August 22nd though it may not yet be fully stocked. Hours will be from 10 to 6, 6 days a week (closed on Monday).

La Ferme: New Chef and Ownership

Since it opened La Ferme (originally Bistro Gastronomie) has been one of our favorite restaurants in West Boca. From a business perspective it has been a bumpy ride. The original owners under Bistro Gastronomie sold to the Shapiros who renamed it La Ferme. They originally stuck with Chef Walden but later switched to one new chef and maybe another. It’s our understanding the Shapiros did a good job of building up the business and this made it an attractive purchase for the new owner, Alan Luckner.
farid-oualidiFarid Oualidi is the new chef. He has been working there for about a year under the previous chef. Here’s an interview with him from back in 2009.
With the latest changes in mind they invited us to visit. Disclosure: Our meal was free.
La Ferme is on the north side of Yamato between 441 and Lyons Road, in the same plaza as Doris Market.

There is a regular menu which is expensive – but worth it, and there is also a “Dining to Dusk” menu. That’s available to 7 pm on most days but only until 6 pm on Friday and Saturday. On that deal you get three courses for $32, though some items may increase that price.
The interior has not changed since our last review.
As usual we enjoyed our meal. We started with the Gougeres appetizer, pieces of bread with Gruyère cheese in the middle, almost like a pastry. It came with so much we didn’t come close to finishing it.
gougeres
They also brought us out their regular bread basket. We normally don’t mention that but the raisin bread that was included is delicious. The other bread in the basket might have been sourdough.
bread
We also had a Caesar Salad, which was very good. Note that it came with some anchovy on top. If you don’t like that be sure to let them know when you order.
caesar
One of the best items we had was the Vichysoisse, a cold soup. It was brilliant. As I ate it I noticed both the creamy texture and hints of various flavors, all going well together. When you order off the regular menu it is topped with some smoked salmon that was very high quality. As we understand it that is not included if you order it off the Dining to Dusk menu.
vichysoisse
It’s worth mentioning that the service was excellent. There were multiple staff members coming to our table, refilling water glasses, straightening napkins if someone left the table, clearing plates (and very politely), etc. We were provided fresh silverware for every course. We never had to ask for anything.
We had two entrees. The short ribs is a great dish. The meat is so tender you don’t need a knife. It’s also beautiful to look at:
shortribs
The filet mignon was wonderful. There was a choice of three sauces and we went with a “spicy” peppercorn. It wasn’t so spicy as to need a warning and it was a great sauce. If there was one weakness that night it was how the steak was cooked. We ordered it medium rare and it was somewhere between medium and medium well. Regardless, it was delicious. I ordered a glass of a French Pinot Noir with the meal and it paired perfectly with the steak.
filet
The filet comes with fries. They’re good but we’d like to see other options for sides with a $42 entree.
We also tried a few desserts. First up was the apple tart with vanilla ice cream. We’ve had this one before and still like it.

Apple Tart with ice cream
Apple Tart with ice cream

Next was the Mousse Cake, and we loved it. The berries it came with were fresh and juicy.
Mousse Cake
Mousse Cake

Last was the Double Chocolate Fudge which came with chocolate “barts” on the side. This was also very good.
Double Chocolate Fudge with chocolate "barts"
Double Chocolate Fudge with chocolate “barts”

Overall La Ferme is still one of our favorite restaurants in West Boca. If you’re going out for a special dinner and you’re ready to spend for it, you really can’t do better anywhere nearby. Their only real competition at this level are Armadillo Cafe on Glades and Butcher Block Grill on Powerline, but their menus are so different that it’s hard to compare them.

Home Sales in Boca West, Santa Barbara, Fox Landing & Woodfield Hunt Club

33434
The 33434 zip code includes homes between 441 and St. Andrews Blvd, North of Glades Road to Yamato Road. Neighborhoods in this area include Boca West Country Club, Hamptons at Boca Raton, Woodfield Hunt Club, Santa Barbara and Century Village.
Boca West

Boca West from Glades Road; Image Google
Boca West from Glades Road; Image Google

Boca West Country Club is a top rated country club with four championship golf courses and 31 tennis courts. The Aquatics Center has lots of activities and a sprawling free form pool. The Sports Center has a fitness center and aerobics studio. The community has six restaurants. All homeowners must pay an initial $70,000 membership fee. Close to Town Center Mall, the Club has entrances on Glades Road and Yamato Road.
6753 Woodbridge; Image and Map Data by Google
6753 Woodbridge; Image and Map Data by Google

This villa at 6753 Woodbridge Drive in the Boca West Country Club sold for $775,000. The villa has 2688 sq. feet of living space, 3 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms. Built in 1984, it has views of the golf course and lake and a heated pool. The kitchen was recently updated to include granite counters, new cabinets and appliances. It was previously puchased in 1995 for $520,000.
7356 Mahogany Court; Image and Map Data from Google
7356 Mahogany Court; Image and Map Data from Google

Also located in Boca West, the home at 7356 Mahogany Court sold for $650,000. The home has 3 bedrooms and 4.1 bathrooms in 3582 sq. feet of living space. This custom home has marble floors, a newly renovated pool and updated bathrooms. Many of the appliances are also new. The last transaction before this was back in 1999 for $700K.
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Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara from St. Andrews; Image Google
Santa Barbara from St. Andrews; Image Google

Santa Barbara is a gated community with a clubhouse, a newly refurbished fitness room, tennis courts and resort style pool and spa. It is located close to the Town Center Mall between St. Andrews and Jog Road just north of Glades Road.
6173 (right) and 6269 (left) NW 23rd Road; Image and map data from Google
6173 (right) and 6269 (left) NW 23rd Road; Image and map data from Google

This beautiful courtyard home at 6269 NW 23rd Road sold for $650,000. Located in the Santa Barbara community, students attend Omni Middle School and Spanish River Community High School. The home has 3062 sq feet of living space, 4 bedrooms and 3.1 bathrooms. It was built in 1992, it was purchased in 2005 for $630,000. There are lake views and the kitchen was recently renovated.
Twelve houses away on the same street, 6173 NW 23rd sold for $550,000. The ranch has 3 bedrooms and 2 and a half bathrooms in 2521 square feet. It is on the same lake and has an in-ground pool. The kitchen has granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Built in 1994, it was sold in 2007 for $660,000. Before that it was purchased in 2001 for $484,000.
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Two other neighborhoods abut Boca West: Fox Landing on Yamato and the larger Woodfield Hunt Club, also on Yamato and also Jog Road.
19081 Fox Landing Drive; Image by Google
19081 Fox Landing Drive; Image and Map Data by Google

This special home in Fox Landing, located at 19081 Fox Landing Drive, sold for $700,000. Fox Landing is a small gated community off Yamato Road and just west of Jog Road. Students go to Omni Middle School and Spanish River Community High School. The 3363 sq. feet home has 4 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms. The home has an open floor plan, an updated kitchen and beautiful backyard with expansive pool and patio. It was built in 1989 and last purchased in 1992 for $330,000.
3730 Kings Way; Image and map data from Google
3730 Kings Way; Image and map data from Google

Our last home at 3730 Kings Way and located in Woodfield Hunt Club, sold for $635,000. The home has 2886 sq. feet, 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms. This ranch was built in 1982 and has a 3 car garage. It was last purchased in 1997 for $315,500. The kitchen and bathrooms were recently updated. Students in this community go to Omni Middle School and Spanish River Community High School. Woodfield Hunt Club is a gated community located on Jog Road just south of Yamato Road. The community has two parks, 5 tennis courts and basketball courts as well as a clubhouse.

Roadwork Coming on Cain and Glades

The County Commission recently approved two road projects west of US-441. First up, they’re spending $322K to mill and resurface Cain Blvd from Glades to Yamato. Cain runs parallel to 441, north-south between Boca Isles and Boca Greens.

Cain Blvd between Glades and Yamato. Map data Google Maps.
Cain Blvd between Glades and Yamato. Map data Google Maps.

Next up they will spend $517K milling and resurfacing Glades between Ponderosa and State Road 7 (aka US-441).
Glades Road between Ponderosa and 441. Map data Google Maps.
Glades Road between Ponderosa and 441. Map data Google Maps.

From what we can see in the documents, each project should take no more than 30 days. We haven’t heard of a start date yet for either of them.
Once these start we anticipate significant traffic impact, though fortunately both sections of roadway are not as heavily traveled as busier roads like 441 and Glades east of 441. Drivers may divert from these creating more traffic on Palmetto Park Road, Yamato, and 441.
The documents for each are below. First for Cain:
[gview file=”https://westbocanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/cain-glades-yamato.pdf”]
And next for Glades:
[gview file=”https://westbocanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/glades-ponderosa-7.pdf”]