The Shores Of Jupiter Baby-Sitting List

This isn't a referral service, so please ask for references or recommendations from neighbors if the sitter is new to your family.

Board Meetings Lasting Three To Four Hours: Helpful Hints to Shorten Meetings

by Steve Inglis, PCAM

Because getting qualified people to serve is difficult, having marathon meetings is the best way to chase them off. The board of directors should receive a meeting package approximately three to four days before the date and time of the meeting. The board president and the manager should set the meeting agenda. Other board members should call in items they would like on the agenda. If not on the agenda, unless it's an emergency, the item should not be discussed but put on the agenda for the following meeting date. This allows everyone to give some thought and research. I often see new boards pass the same resolution that previous boards have passed in prior years. It also does not give the management company time to make solid recommendations that have worked in other communities that have proven successful.

The meeting packet should be prepared in the same chronological order as the agenda. The manager should have at least one meeting with the president before the board meeting to understand the issues and meeting priorities. Board members should set policy, not the day-to-day implementation.

Board meetings should be held in an environment that enhances productivity. The manager helps to maintain a business-like atmosphere. Having meetings at someone's home or having food and drink, especially alcohol, can be disruptive. Plus, residents could later say the board member was intoxicated.

Directors who are perpetually late or don't show at all can stifle a board's productivity. The board president, not the manager, should address this.

Most associations can be just as effective with less than one meeting a month. If a meeting is run efficiently and effectively, board members will be happier and they will need to schedule fewer meetings.

Keep the meeting tied to the agenda. It is the president's job to determine the flow of the meeting.

1. Discuss only one subject at a time.
2. Give each board member a chance to speak.
3. Speak only on the issues being discussed.
4. Address questions and comments to the chair.
5. Decide issues through motions, seconds and votes of the board.

Sometimes owners who attend the board meetings are not familiar with the meeting procedures. At the beginning of the meeting, the president should explain the meeting process and state when the board will accept comments from the homeowners. The policy of when homeowners may comment must be followed consistently, not just with the gadfly. The gadfly is an "expert" at criticizing, cajoling and pinpointing the error of others. This person demands change but rarely devotes the time or effort needed to create positive change. The gadfly often emerges at association meetings and tries to create an atmosphere of chaos and paralysis.

Taming the gadfly is difficult. Don't respond in anger; instead, ask for their recommendations. They usually don't have any. Or ask them to volunteer, which usually frightens them off. Once they see you want them to do some work, they become less involved.

At the end of every meeting, thank everyone for attending and set the time and place for the next meeting.

Steve Inglis, PCAM, is president of Bristol Management Services Inc. in Jupiter, past president of the Community Association Institute and has earned the PCAM designation through extensive association management training.

Crime Watch

Neighbors helping neighbors. No one knows the community better than the residents that live there. Please look around you and if you see anything suspicious, you can call the Jupiter police department's non-emergency number at 746-6201. You can remain anonymous. Please remember to lock your car doors, keep the garage door closed when not in use and lock the doors and windows at your home.

Cultural Organizations Promote Anniversary Seasons

National Campaign Promotes Palm Beach County Culture

Eight of Palm Beach County's premiere cultural organizations have joined together to promote their anniversary seasons in a national publicity campaign. The campaign, targeting national tour and travel, art and women's publications as well as the top national daily newspapers, launched in late August with hopes of garnering national attention in October and November - the beginning of the cultural season in Palm Beach County. Included in the national campaign is a call to action to visit the anniversary groups' newly created web site www.pbccc.org/anniversary.

The eight Palm Beach County cultural institutions that are celebrating anniversaries in the 2001-2002 season are: the magnificent Henry Morrison Flagler Museum mansion celebrates 100 years; South Florida Science Museum, 40 years; Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 25 years; SunFest 2002, Florida's largest music, art and waterfront festival, 20 years; Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center, 20 years; Florida Stage, 15 years; Watson B. Duncan III Theatre, 15 years; and the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 10 years. With Palm Beach County's numerous exciting and colorful attractions, visitors and residents will find many things to satisfy their cultural and artistic taste.

The Flagler Museum in Palm Beach celebrates the 100th anniversary of Whitehall, the winter home of Standard Oil founding partner Henry Morrison Flagler. This National Historic Landmark, a marvel of America's Gilded Age, recently underwent over $5 million in restoration and will celebrate its centennial with special tours, exhibits, programs and commemorative merchandise. For more information, contact public affairs director Nicole Shuey at 561-655-2833, or visit www.flagler.org.

The South Florida Science Museum celebrates 40 years in Palm Beach County with many exciting exhibits planned for 2001-2002, including "Airplay" (an interactive exhibit about the forces of nature) through Dec. 2, "Monsters of the Deep" opening Dec. 22, and "Bugs" opening June 2002. The museum is located in West Palm Beach just off Interstate 95. For more information, contact public relations and media coordinator Elizabeth Dashiell at 561-832-1988, or visit www.sfsm.org.

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens offers visitors a rare experience combining the tranquil beauty of exquisite gardens with world-class galleries of Japanese art and culture featuring exhibits on a unique chapter of Florida history, as well as festivals and year-round educational programs. The museum's 25th anniversary season will feature artists and writers from Japan and special performances, including 60 Okinawan dancers for the annual Hatsume Festival in February. The museum is located in suburban Delray Beach. For more information, contact director of marketing Rose Allen at 561-495-0233, extension 221, or visit www.morikami.org.

SunFest 2002 celebrates 20 years as Florida's largest music, art and waterfront festival. SunFest takes place along the Intracoastal Waterway in downtown West Palm Beach and features over 50 diverse cultural performances from national, regional and local musicians on four stages; more than 250 fine artists and crafters, fireworks, youth activities; and much more. For more information, contact communications coordinator Susan Grubbs at 561-837-8066, or visit www.sunfest.com.

The Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center at Palm Beach Community College in Belle Glade celebrates its 20th anniversary with "Hats Off!" to 20 fabulous years! The 2001-2002 series opens Nov. 8 with Honky Tonk Angels and concludes April 9 with a 20th anniversary gala celebration, including performances of the Tony Award-winning Big River. Other highlights of the season include the St. Petersburg State Ballet on Ice and the Caribbean Dance Company of the Virgin Islands. For information, contact the center's manager Leigh Woodham at 561-992-6160, or visit www.pbcc.cc.fl.us/arts.

The Watson B. Duncan III Theatre in Lake Worth celebrates its 15th anniversary season with performers from Spain, England, Africa, Mexico and across the United States. A sampling of the theater's stellar international season: London's Aquila Theatre Company will perform Shakespeare's The Tempest; the Friday Night Dance Series will include drummers and dancers from West Guinea; and the Osiris Piano Trio from Amsterdam will kick off the afternoon chamber music series. For more information, contact College Relations and Marketing, Palm Beach Community College, at 561-439-8076, or visit www.pbcc.cc.fl.us.

Florida Stage, Palm Beach County's only theater dedicated to the production of new American plays and located in Manalapan, is proud to celebrate its 15th anniversary. The 2001-2002 season will be highlighted by the back-to-back presentation of two plays by renowned playwright Lee Blessing - Thief River and the world premiere of Black Sheep. For more information, contact director of communications Caroline Breder-Watts at 561-585-3404, or visit www.floridastage.org.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts celebrates 10 years of artistic excellence and commitment to the community. As one of the premier performing arts centers in America, the Kravis Center has a reputation for promoting new works and emerging artists, as well as offering an exciting schedule of world-class performers and an extensive arts education program. For more information, contact public relations director Allison Malcoln at 561-651-4257, or visit www.kravis.org.

With so many exciting cultural events taking place all within the same year - plan now to visit all eight!

Dealing With Angry People

by Jon Connelly, LCSW, BCD

It might be someone you just met. Perhaps you have a job in which you need to interact with the public and someone is enraged at you because they feel the company you represent has done them wrong. Perhaps it will be a coworker, a supervisor or subordinate who becomes enraged at you. Maybe it will be someone you live with. It may be someone you love. And yet it could be someone in another automobile that all of a sudden seems to hate you. Maybe it is because of something you have done, or something you have not done. Maybe it has to do with someone else or something else and you are just around at the wrong time and place, so that the rage gets directed at you rather than who or what has been the actual source of trouble. No matter how it happens, sooner or later someone will confront you who is very angry and who is directing that anger at you.

You probably have a natural built-in response to being verbally attacked. You want to defend yourself, and the most natural way to defend is to attack back. This might be your normal response. It might be your automatic response, but I believe that it is absolutely the wrong response.

When you are angry it is not just in your mind. It is also in your body. When an animal becomes angry its body changes and the changes are designed for only one purpose, that is, to make the animal more able to violently attack. People are animals. Our culture may be more advanced, but we still have bodies that function just like the bodies of other mammals. When one is angry, the body prepares to attack: to kick harder, to punch harder and to bite harder. Think of an angry person as a bomb. The person who is enraged is both dangerous and unpredictable.

What about explaining to the person that he is not seeing things accurately? This is another natural but generally useless response. If someone is very angry this is not a good time to educate him. It is very unlikely that he will be open and responsive to your point of view. Instead, he will think you are telling him that you are right and he is wrong. This can increase the anger even more.

You might be frightened and want to get away from the situation as quickly as possible. Who wants to be insulted and criticized by an angry person? It could very well be your instinct to say something like "I don't want to hear it" and walk away. Once again, it's a bad idea.

When you are angry, what is it you really want? Think about it. Don't you want to be understood? Don't you want someone to really listen to you and to pay attention to what you are saying? That is exactly what the angry person you are dealing with wants. Paying attention and listening help diffuse the situation, reducing the anger. Saying something that shows understanding is especially helpful.

On the other hand, you may be wondering why should you have to pay close attention to someone who is screaming at you and saying things that you consider disrespectful, mean, insulting and degrading? Think of it this way. A person who is angry with you is potentially your enemy. Maybe you care about the person. Maybe you even love him or her, but at that particular moment the person is either an actual enemy or at least a potential enemy. If we have learned anything from recent tragic events it is this. If someone is an enemy it is good to learn as much as we can about him. You want to know what he thinks, how he feels, and what he is planning. Therefore, if an angry person is talking or even yelling, you have the advantage in that you are learning about him.

If the angry person is like a bomb ready to explode, consider yourself to be on the bomb squad. The more you know the better off you are. If you are on the bomb squad, what are you supposed to do when there is a bomb? Learn as much as you can about it and then defuse it.

Do not show anger. Doesn't it make you even angrier when someone responds to your anger with a spiteful, revengeful, sarcastic or hostile remark or demeanor? If someone is already angry, showing anger toward him or her will only increase the anger.

Don't show fear. Showing fear demonstrates to the person that you consider him a threat. People are influenced by our expectations. To treat someone like he is a threat may create a still greater threat.

The problem is that if you feel angry you will probably show anger and if you feel fear you will probably show fear. This takes place even if you remain silent. When someone is angry the senses are very acute. It is like powerful radar is aimed at you. Even though it might seem like she isn't listening to what you are saying, she is probably acutely sensitive to what you are feeling. She can sense fear or anger in your body posture. She can see it in your eyes.

Remaining calm while handling angry people is a learned skill. Don't take her anger personally - detach from it and distance yourself emotionally. Observe it as if you are watching a movie. Remember that the person's anger is about him or her and not you. You are not responsible for it but you are responsible for your responses and reactions. Remaining calm can help resolve an annoying situation or avert a dangerous or even life-threatening one. Be prepared in advance so that, when these skills are needed, the best possible responses kick in automatically.

Jon Connelly, LCSW, has more than 25 years experience utilizing clinical hypnosis. His advanced and innovative training seminars in clinical hypnosis have been attended by thousands of health and mental health professionals. His methods have enabled thousands of people to lose weight, stop smoking, and overcome anxiety, sexual difficulties and other emotional or behavioral problems. He works with individuals who want to develop skill in dealing with others who are angry as well as those wishing to eliminate anger and resentment with themselves.

In addition to training health and mental health professionals both nationally and internationally, he sees patients at the Mind/Body Institute of Jupiter Medical Center. You can attend a free group workshop, schedule a free private consultation or arrange for Jon to speak to your group or organization. Call the Mind/Body Institute at 561-745-5665 or visit his Web page at www.Jonconnelly.com.

'Don't Skimp On Our Future'

by Gena Baldwin

Do you notice that when financial cuts need to be made, it is our schools that suffer? Music, art and vocational programs are always thrown up for sacrifice. No one dare consider cutting English out of a school curriculum. I've always held on to the fact that music and art are two of the most important subjects offered in school. How many opportunities exist for you to get together with a group of your peers and sing? How may times are you invited to paint a mural with a group of friends? These are opportunities that schools provide that many other settings don't or can't.

We can no longer afford these types of cutbacks within our schools. Cutting the fine art portion of a curriculum will not come without a price. We are skimping on the leaders of tomorrow. If you want the next generation to take care of us, we have to take care of them. Some of you may be thinking, "Hey, I never had band or art appreciation in school, and I turned out just fine." Kids today are growing up differently. They have different pressures placed upon them, competition within schools is much greater and they are exposed to much more. The extras in a curriculum are an outlet for such stresses and need to be taught.

We have to find ways to invest in students. What can you do? Here are some tips: Volunteer! A parent volunteer in a school brings so much value to our educational system. Volunteer to tutor some kids that are behind in math. Volunteer to work with a teacher that has 30 kids in a science lab and finds it stressful to keep everyone safe. Go in and help out your art teacher . . . 20 kids with paint and glue can make quite a mess. Join PTA and attend the meetings.

When you need to discuss your child with their teacher, please make an appointment. Many of us don't have "just a minute" before the bell rings. You wouldn't stop by your doctor's office without an appointment, would you? Be kind to the teachers in your life. Realize that much of their hard earned salary goes to buying "cool" supplies for your child to use in the classroom. Realize that teachers teach more than their subject area. I am a math teacher by trade but math is not all that I teach. I teach kids that it is OK to laugh at yourself. It is OK to make a mistake. An apology does not mean that you are weak. What's easy for you can be incredibly difficult for someone else and that someday you will be the "someone else." The list goes on. I know that I teach a lot of math. It's not the only thing that I teach, it is just my vehicle.

Educating our youth has to be a priority for everyone, no matter what your occupation or age is. The students of today are not just my future, they are everyone's future. If you have an educational concern or question, or are interested in the math seminars that I hold for students of all ages, please e-mail me at: gbaldwin@weissinc.com. Thank you.

How To Make Parent-Teacher Conferences Work For Your Child

by Georgette Hugger

You've been asked to attend a regularly scheduled "report card" conference with your child's teacher. Or you've gotten a special note from your child's teacher asking to see you. In either case, you might be a little nervous. Relax ... teachers don't want to put parents on the spot. They just like to meet with parents from time to time to discuss how to help students do their best in school

All children learn in different ways. They have their own individual personalities and their own preference in how to learn. Teachers want to know as much about your student and no one has more influence over your child than you.

That's why teachers need your help to do a first-class job. Working together, you and the teacher can help your child have a successful school year.

After you have scheduled the conference, sit down with your student and prepare questions you both have for the teacher. Suggestions for questions include:

• Is my child in different groups for different subjects? Why?
• What are my child's best and worst subjects?
• Is my child working up to his or her ability?
• How often is homework assigned and how long should it take to complete?
• Does my child participate in class discussions and activities?
• Has my child missed any classes other than ones I contacted the school about?
• Have you noticed any sudden changes in the way my student acts? For example, have you noticed any squinting, tiredness or moodiness that might be a sign of physical or other problems?
• What kinds of tests are given? What do the tests tell about my child's progress? How does my child handle taking tests?

For middle school and older, it is recommended that they attend the school conference. This way they can hear the information firsthand and can substantiate or refute the facts. Students are often surprised that the teacher has positive comments. By having your student attend the conference, it eliminates the "he said-she said" controversy that often occurs.

Talk to your child before the conference. Find out what they think are the best subjects and what subjects they like the least. Find out why. Also, ask your child if there is anything they would like to talk about with their teachers. Make sure your children don't worry about the meeting. Help them understand that you and their teacher(s) are meeting together in order to help them.

It's a good idea to ask your most important questions first, just in case time runs out before you and the teacher have a chance to discuss them all. Be sure to ask the teacher for specific suggestions on ways to help your child do better. This is the most important part of the meeting. It will become your action plan. If the teacher says something you don't quite understand, don't be shy about asking for an explanation. It's a good idea to end the conference by summarizing decisions you've made together. If needed, ask to meet again.

After the conference, start immediately on the action plan you and the teacher have worked out together. Discuss the plan with your child. Make sure he or she knows that you and the teacher care. To see if the action plan is working, watch your child's behavior and check your child's classwork and homework.

Stay in touch with the teacher to discuss the progress your child is making. Meeting with your child's teachers should help build strong parent-teacher partnerships - partnerships that are needed if you and your child's teachers are to reach your common goal of helping your child receive the best education possible.

Georgette Hugger is the director of the Sylvan Learning Center in Jupiter.

How To Report A FPL Light Pole That Is Not Working

There is a brass plate on the pole with a six or seven digit number. Call Bristol Management's customer service department at 575-3551 with the pole number and location. FPL will repair the pole in 10 working days.

Letter To The Editor

by Daniel J. Amero, Jupiter, Fla.

Recent terrorists attacks have sparked a national resurgence in patriotism, something that seemed to be lost in our nation for one reason or another for far too long. The singing of America the Beautiful and the national anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, flag-waving, wearing of the red, white and blue and people volunteering time for their fellowmen, all seem to be popular again. I don't know why they ever became unpopular.

While growing up just north of Boston, Mass., I was always surrounded by a patriotic presence that has continued to exist in that area for over two centuries. Having the "freedom trail" close to home, created a patriotic influence over me that has never faded away. But above all, having a diehard patriotic parent has had a lifelong impact.

My mother instilled in each of her five children a responsibility to be a patriot. At 73-years old and of ill health, she still stands at attention, doesn't talk and she places her right hand over her heart when the national anthem or the Pledge of Allegiance are played or recited. It doesn't matter if she is at home alone with no one watching or with others at a live event. She is a true patriot.

I don't mean to be critical but I guess it bothers me, to say the least, when I watch on television or while I'm in a crowded stadium, people talking, laughing, drinking, eating or just not paying attention while the national anthem is being played or the Pledge of Allegiance is being recited. Shouldn't we show more respect? Would the patriots that have fought and died for our country over our short history be pleased with the lack of respect shown by some Americans today?

Today, I went to my daughter's school to watch her sing the national anthem on camera for school television. While she sang, I watched the other children stand tall, cover their hearts and sing along with her. This leads me to believe that somehow, as we get older, we lose respect we were taught. Why? Each one of us will have our own excuse.

I'm a patriot and I love America. I have served my country as a marine and am proud to be a Vietnam Veteran. I stand tall and proud when our national anthem is played or Pledge of Allegiance is recited. This is the way I was taught in school, in the marines and the way it was enforced by my mother at home.

Let us not forget the sacrifices made by so many. It's not only about displaying the red, white and blue but also for showing respect. Show respect for all who have fought for our flag. Stand tall, place your hand over your heart and sing along. Let us teach our children why they should be proud to be Americans. Teach them to be patriots.

Managing The Budget Crisis

by Commissioner Karen T. Marcus, District 1, Palm Beach Board of County Commissioners

Florida's tourism dependent economy has been slowing in recent months. This slowdown was exacerbated by the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 and the more recent Anthrax scare in Boca Raton. The state is anticipating a budget deficit of around $1.4 billion in the current fiscal year. State lawmakers will convene in a special session to discuss the budget deficit. Currently about 70 percent of the state's general fund budget comes from sales taxes, along with locally collected gasoline taxes and hotel bed taxes, which are the hardest hit by a drop in tourism.

It's unclear what impact the state's budget woes will have on counties or municipalities across the state. In Palm Beach County a significant portion of our budget goes to pay for state required programs for which the state provides little or no funding. These unfunded mandates include the state court system, known as Article V, Medicaid match payments, emergency management, the medical examiner's office, veterans services, indigent burials and revision of the county's comprehensive land use plan. During the current fiscal year, unfunded state mandates comprised $69 million of the county's overall budget of $2.688 billion.

For the past several years, the Palm Beach County commission has complained to the state that imposing these programs without paying for them was unfair. In addition, we've let the members of the Palm Beach County legislative delegation know that these unfunded mandates cause a tremendous strain on our budget. While we don't yet know the full impact the sagging economy will have on the state's budget, it is possible that Palm Beach County may have to pick up costs the state can no longer afford. If these costs cannot be absorbed within our current budget, we could be forced to raise property taxes, which we have not done for the past several years. It's imperative that the state look at all avenues to address this crisis and not look to shifting more costs and responsibilities to counties. I would encourage you to ask your local legislators about imposing unfunded state mandates on local governments.

The primary reason the state is having this shortfall is because of its tax structure. The state budget is too heavily dependent on sales tax revenue. I believe it is time for the state legislators and the governor to reform and simplify the state tax system that results in a long-term sustainable tax structure. The state needs to diversify the tax base and provide adequate funding for state mandated local programs.

As an example, education is sorely underfunded. Currently, Florida ranks 47th in the nation in school funding. On average, there are 45 students in a classroom.

As president of the Florida Association of Counties, tax reform is an issue I will be following during the upcoming special session of the Florida legislature. I would encourage each property owner to stay abreast of this issue since the impacts will affect all of us.

Hey! Your Mortgage . . . Fix It!

by Daniel Poulos, President, Home Loan Funding Corp.

Just when you thought rates couldn't get lower, here we go again. Contrary to popular belief, 30-year fixed rates have been only mildly affected by the last few Fed rate cuts. The real impact has been on short-term rates. Somewhere in the middle, the 15-year fixed rate has gained new popularity, especially in the refinance market.

Typically, the difference between a 30-year rate and a 15-year rate is about .25 percent. Current economic and market conditions have resulted in today's 15-year rate bettering the 30-year rate by twice that, or .50 percent. This spread reduces the payment advantage of a 30-year mortgage.

A person borrowing $150,000 at today's 30-year rate would have a mortgage payment of $960. The same borrower would be paying $1,276 if the loan was amortized for only 15 years and would save over $115,000 over the life of the loan!

Still, the most important factor in choosing the right mortgage program for you is choosing the payment that's right for you. You can listen to all the financial yada-yada-yada in the world but nothing matters more than your comfort level when you write the check each month.

The real impact of the 15-year loan is easily evidenced when calculating the advantages of refinancing. I've seen borrowers who have been in their house for 10 years and still have 30 years left on their mortgage because they keep refinancing to reduce their monthly payment. Sometimes lowering your payment can cost you a lot of money over the long run. The drop in mid-term rates has unveiled a new opportunity for saving lots of money without putting a strain on your monthly budget.

Example:
The Frugals have been in their home for five years and owe $100,000 at 7.875 percent for 25 more years. The principal plus interest payment is $765 and they are comfortable with that. Their plans are to stay in this home for at least 10 more years until all their children can be legally evicted.

If they do nothing but continue to make the required payment in a timely manner, over the next 10 years they will make $91,680 in payments and will owe $80,505 on their original mortgage.

Now consider if the Frugals refinance their mortgage and closing costs for 15 years at 6.125 percent. Their new payment would be $872, which is only $108 more than their current payment. In the next 10 years the Frugals would make payments totaling $104,640 but their mortgage balance will be only $44,964.

Frugality has saved them over $22,000, or $188 for each month.

Now is the time to reevaluate your 30-year fixed or adjustable mortgage. Make an appointment with a mortgage professional and see if your mortgage is working best for you and if not . . . fix it.

Additional information and assistance with any home financing questions are available free at Home Loan Funding Corp., 561-575-5626, with a convenient office in Jupiter's Driftwood Plaza. Web site: www.HomeLoanFundingCorp.com.

Pets

Please remember to leash and pick up after your pets.

Nautical Notebook

by Harvey Rosenfeld

Nov. 10.

Marinelife Center of Juno Beach open house features guided tours of its sea turtle tanks, saltwater aquariums and shell exhibits. Children welcome. The free event is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Loggerhead Park, 14200 U.S. 1. Turtle feeding is at 2 p.m. Call 627-8280.

Nov. 10.

West Marine sponsors a flea market of nautical gear and equipment between 8 a.m. and noon at 1401 Old Dixie Highway, Lake Park. Free admission for buyers and $10 for sellers. The event includes free fishing seminars starting at 10 a.m. Call 863-1440.

Nov. 13.

Ocean Watch Foundation president Julie Ciucevich discusses its role in South Florida marine conservation and the proposed Marine Protected Areas off Broward County. The free presentation before the Palm Beach County Reef Research Team is at 7 p.m. at Building 509, Fifth Street a quarter mile north of Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach. Call 842-8624 or 640-4810.

Nov. 14.

Sailing writer Roger Mummah discusses cruising the Exumas Islands in the Bahamas at 6:30 p.m. at BOAT/U.S. Marine Center, 1900 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Free. Call 684-4900

Nov. 17.

Tackle expert Mac Longman presents a free program on fishing knots and rigging at 2 p.m. at Murray Brothers, 884 U.S. 1, North Palm Beach. Reservations suggested. Call 626-7840, ext. 2.

Nov. 17.

Larry Smith Electronics presents a free clinic on GPS navigation, chart plotters and fish finders at 9 a.m. at 1619 Broadway, Riviera Beach. Reservations suggested. Call 844-3592.

Nov. 18.

Kayaks Etc. leads a leisurely six-mile kayaking trip from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the St. Lucie River and Evans Creek in Port St. Lucie. Beginners welcome. The $40 cost includes kayak and lunch. Reservations required. Call 888-652-9257.

Nov. 24.

The Nature Conservancy's Blowing Rocks Preserve invites volunteers for a survey of beach debris from 9 a.m. to noon at 574 South Beach Road, Hobe Sound. Reservations required. Call 744-6668.

Nov. 25.

Naturalist Courtney Achord leads beach walk to look for shells, sea beans and other beach treasures at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. Meet at 2 p.m. at the nature center, A1A at the north end of Singer Island. Cost is $3.25 per car. Reservations suggested. Call 624-6952.

Nov. 28.

Fishing with circle hooks is the topic at 7 p.m. at the West Palm Beach Fishing Club, North Flagler Drive at Fifth Street. Free. Call 832-6780.

Nov. 29 and Dec. 6.

Palm Beach Sail and Power Squadron meets for lunch at 11 a.m. at Roadhouse Grill, U.S. 1 at Yacht Club Drive, North Palm Beach. Call 863-1461 or 746-9622.

Nov. 30.

Palm Beach Sailing Club hosts a mixer at its waterfront headquarters, 4600 North Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach. Bring finger food for the free informal social. Call 848-9508

Dec. 1.

Holiday Boat Parade of the Palm Beaches features some 50 decorated and lighted boats in procession on the Intracoastal Waterway from Peanut Island north to Jupiter. The 10-mile parade is between 6 and 9:30 p.m. and includes a traveling fireworks display and Toys for Tots drive. Prime viewing sites include Blue Heron Bridge, Phil Foster Park, Kelsey Park, North Palm Beach Country Club, Juno Park, Bert Winters Park and waterfront restaurants. Presented by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County. Entry fee is $30 for private boats and $100 for corporate. Call 845-9010 or view www.pbboatparade.com.

Dec. 2.

Palm Beach Sailing Club presents the Fred Thomas Memorial Regatta. The offshore race begins at 11 a.m. near the Palm Beach Inlet and goes to Juno Beach Pier and back. Entry fee is $25. Call 881-0809 or 954-429-2080.

Dec. 3.

Palm Beach Post reporter Eliot Kleinberg discusses the history of Florida's hurricanes at meeting of the Florida Trail Association. The free program is at 7:30 p.m. at Okeeheelee Nature Center, 7715 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach. Call 968-4864.

Dec. 4.

Hobe Sound Nature Center biologist Peter Quincy discusses beach ecology while leading beach stroll at 10 a.m. at Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge on U.S. 1. Reservations are required for the free outing. Call 546-2067.

Dec. 5.

Fishing guide Enrico Puglisi discusses fly fishing and techniques for catching striper bass at 7 p.m. at the West Palm Beach Fishing Club, North Flagler Drive at Fifth Street. A fly-tying workshop precedes the meeting at 5:30 p.m. Free. Call 832-6780.

Dec. 6.

Hobe Sound Nature Center naturalist Tracy Boothy shows video of Florida's endangered manatees at 7:30 p.m. at Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge on U.S. 1. Free. Call 546-2067.

Dec. 8.

Ocean Impact Foundation presents Christmas for the Animals. Bring a gift such as laundry detergent, bleach or paper towels and take a free guided tour of its hospital for native Florida wildlife. Children welcome. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 7100 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach. Call 471-3403.

Dec. 8.

Okeeheelee Nature Center presents a program on marine invertebrates of nearby waters. It includes the chance to touch a variety of creatures such as starfish, horseshoe crabs and urchins. The free event is at 1 p.m. at 7715 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach. Reservations required. Call 233-1400.

Dec. 10.

Palm Beach Countywide Beaches and Shores Council meets at 1:30 p.m. at the Planning, Zoning and Building Department in Airport Centre, Southern Boulevard just west of I-95 in West Palm Beach. Public input welcome. Call 233-2433.

Put your maritime organization and events aboard the Nautical Notebook. Activities must be open to the public. Call Harvey Rosenfeld at 640-4810.

Pizzazz Aids Disaster Relief

Pizzazz Hair Salon raised $3,012 for Disaster Relief.

Renaming Riverbend Park

by Richard J. Procyk, Palm Beach County Historic Resources Review Board

In the January issue (Vol. 12, 1), Commissioner Karen Marcus wrote an article "Riverbend Park: Planning With Care." This is a follow-up to that article in which Marcus begins . . . "Palm Beach County is home to many historic sites, but none are more sacred than its battlefields from the Seminole War era located in the heart of Jupiter's Riverbend Park."

In April, the Palm Beach County Historic Resources Review Board unanimously recommended renaming Riverbend Park to reflect the significance of its history. The original name came from the trailer park that was established there in the 1960s - Riverbend Trailer Park.

Avocational archaeologists discovered the two battles of the Loxahatchee River in the early 1990s; turned this information over to the Palm Beach County officials who confirmed this information through two professional archaeologists, Robert S. Carr and Jerald Wm. Kennedy of Florida Atlantic University.

The process of selecting a name that encompassed the park's vast history was difficult. Professor Kennedy called the park "a historic gem" and Bob Carr said "the site has great significance . . . and provides a direct link to events that shaped Florida 163 years ago." There is evidence in the park of a continual time line of use of the area by prehistoric and historic people as far back as the Archaic Period more than several millenniums ago.

Besides being a treasure-trove of ancient habitation, the park had 50 important prehistoric and historic sites including Seminole village sites, two battlefields from the Seminole Wars and 100 years of pioneer history including some of the earliest citrus groves in the region.

Because of its importance and multileveled history, the park should have a name that measures its past and suggests, to those unaware, the depth of the history that is contained there. The county Board offered the following names to be considered: "Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park," "Riverbend Battlefield Park" or "Battle of the Loxahatchee Historic Park."

In any case, let the name honor the men who fought and died there and reflect one of the most historic places in Palm Beach County.

El Colonial Cuban Restaurant

353 U.S. Highway 1, Jupiter, FL
Telephone: 747-9144

Olé! Let's go Cuban!

And a great place to try Cuban cuisine is the El Colonial Restaurante on U.S. 1, just south of Indiantown Road in Jupiter. With so many Latins in the United States, it's foolish for gringos not to become acquainted with their ethnic foods. Many of us have preconceived ideas that Latin food is too spicy or too bland. So a visit to a good Latin restaurant and aided by a helpful waitress or maitre d' could open ones mind to a new appreciation of a different way of food preparation.

El Colonial is perhaps the only Cuban restaurant in the Jupiter area. It is run by the Gomez family who are also the proprietors of a similarly named restaurant in Lake Park. Located in the Jupiter Bay Resort area, the El Colonial occupies the premises which formerly housed Teatro and before that, La Caravella.

The menu at El Colonial, as its name implies, is Cuban cuisine. Before one is frightened off by one's unfamiliarity with Cuban food, let me say I have been to El Colonial three times and my only disappointment is that I have never been able to clean my plate! Servings at El Colonial are humongous, the dish with your side accompaniments is larger than the plate with your entree!

But what is on the menu? Like every other restaurant, the menu features beef and pork, chicken and fish, soups and salads. These entrees are prepared grilled or fried or roasted. The way they are prepared is what makes El Colonial cooking truly Cuban.

Because on my first visit I was unsure of what I was going to order, I passed over the appetizers, and I suggest unless you have a gargantuan appetite that you do the same. On my first visit to El Colonial, I asked the waitress about the pork selection listed on the menu. She said it was "pulled" - sort of stringy. I was scared off and settled for the all-American dish, pot roast. Now I must tell you that with any entree, you also have a selection of three side dishes. And this is where Cuban cuisine differs from American cuisine. With your entree in an American restaurant, one might expect potatoes as an accompaniment plus a vegetable dish such as peas or green beans. With your entree at El Colonial, you are offered a choice of white or yellow rice, or mixed rice and black beans, sweet plantains, yucca or tostones. Confused by these names? Even turned off a little? Well, dining out is supposed to be a pleasant adventure so enter into the spirit of the occasion. Ask about these different sides and approach them with interest rather than skepticism.

Getting back to the entrees. As I said, on my first visit I ordered the pot roast. Tender, melt-in-your-mouth and generous in portion size. It was distinguishable from my grandmother's only in the flavor of the rich brown gravy over it.

On my second visit, I ordered the roast pork that I had eschewed on my first visit. Again, cooked to perfection, so tender that it could be cut with a fork. On my third visit, I had the grouper filet which was deep-fried but had no batter. There was no oil or grease taste to mar the delicate flavor of the fish. This same comment was made by my dining companion who had on two different occasions ordered the chicken Milanese and then the shrimp on the grill.

The side dishes are the evening's surprises to those unfamiliar with Cuban cooking. Yes, black beans and rice are fast becoming a Florida staple. But yucca? It is a root vegetable and tastes like boiled potatoes. At El Colonial, the yucca is served with lightly sauteed onions and garnished with parsley. Sweet plantains are yellow bananas fried and caramelized with brown sugar - could almost serve as a dessert. And tostones. Tostones are green plantains, boiled and mashed.

A few more notes. All meals are preceded with a basket of Cuban bread - thin sliced, pressed flat on a grill, buttered and crispy. And for those of you that enjoy espresso, by all means have a Cuban coffee. You can almost chew the beans! There is a small menu for children and a full bar for grown-up children. The sangria is the most pleasant I have enjoyed - almost like soda pop. For dessert there is a three milk cake, large enough to share. And a rice pudding which, despite the cinnamon, is only so-so.

When you are tired of the ordinary, the El Colonial will welcome you. On Friday and Saturday there is live music in the pleasant bar area from 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Prices are very reasonable and the personnel friendly. For a different dining experience, try the El Colonial Restaurante.