Deborah Hartz-Seeley's Blog – January 2012 Archive (25)

We’re keeping it Coastal this holiday season. 

That’s right — Coastal. For our fourth holiday gift guide, we’re looking at objects inspired by our lives along the shore. 

What better time to reflect on life in paradise? 

With the sand and the surf, who needs snow?…

By Margie Plunkett

and Tim Pallesen

Delray Beach coastal residents rallied in December in protest of planned luxury beach-side sober houses, filling commission chambers at two meetings and spurring city leaders to scour law in search of changes that will protect  single-family residential neighborhoods.

The controversy is a familiar one in Boca Raton, which, following an outcry from residents, passed ordinances in 2002…

By Steve Plunkett

County officials have put an accountant’s touch on the local match needed for grants to convert Lake Wyman spoil islands into thriving mangrove canoe trails and a manatee stopover.

“Sharpening the pencil, we can move $36,000 from local share into county share. That leaves county at $455,457 and local at $383,177,” Rob Robbins, deputy director of the county’s Environmental Resources Management Department, emailed County Commissioner…

Peter Leonard and Jacqui Wyatt

By Ron Hayes

The talk of the town is “The Talk of The Town.”

But don’t expect it to be all happy…

The Debbie-Rand Memorial Service League Board of Trustees includes

front row, from left: Debbie Leising, Diana Rivellino, Marci Nowak. Back

row: Mildred Schwartz, Barbara Gideon, Eileen Carlins, Diana Bubb, Marty…

Plans to replace the 1939 Camino Real Bridge were thwarted

after engineers discovered the structure is protected as a historic

treasure. Photo by Tim Stepien…

By Mary Thurwachter,

Managing Editor

Some of us didn’t make it through 2011 to celebrate the New Year, but we continue to celebrate their lives. 

Gloria Drummond, for one, was a shining example of what one person can do to make the world better place. This remarkable woman took a…

Delray Beach police are investigating the reported disappearance of more than $1 million held in escrow accounts for Mizner Grande Realty clients, police said.

Mizner Grande owner Ari Albinder said he was called by a client whose escrow money, held by a Boca Raton attorney, had been disbursed without proper authority.

“I was shocked,” Albinder said. “He said the escrow money was disbursed a long time before.” Albinder said he filed a report with Delray Beach…

By Steve Plunkett

The Boca Raton City Council may act as soon as this month to designate the controversial Ocean Strand property public land instead of zoned for residential use.

With little discussion, the city’s Planning and Zoning Board endorsed the change for the 14.9 oceanfront acres on Dec. 8. 

City Planning and Zoning Manager Jim Bell said the new designation would allow structures totaling roughly 51,000 square feet to be built as long…

An artist’s rendering shows the proposed apartment building

and new boat dock space that could be built where the Wildflower

Resturant once stood at the base of the Palmetto…

Howard and Beverlee  Schnellenberger will serve as

ambassadors at large for Florida Atlantic University. Photo by Thom Smith

By Thom Smith

“You gon’ retire?” former University of…

Glen Torcivia is Highland Beach's new town attorney.

By Steve Plunkett

Glen Torcivia, who represents Sewall’s Point in coastal Martin County as well as…

Piano man Reggie Asberry is pretty much the "house band"

at the Highland Beach Holiday Inn and also performs

at the Delray Beach Marriott. Photos by Tim…

Gloria Drummond was motivated to help found Boca Raton Regional

Hospital after two of her children were poisoned in 1962 and they died

en route to the hospital. Photo provided…

By Steve Plunkett

Coming soon to a shopping mall near you — a decidedly 21st century movie theater with “premium-plus” leather recliners, pillows and blankets, and someone to take your food and cocktail order at the start of the show.…

Mari Suarez, a book and art collector, surrounds herself

in her office with photos and sketches from grandchildren.

Photo by Jerry Lower

Mari Suarez has a corner office with a lovely view of the Intracoastal…

The Pet QR Tag offers pet information via a matrix bar code designed

to be read by smart phones. Photo by Arden Moore

By Arden Moore

Our dogs may not be yapping about smartphone apps and our cats might not be purring about…

National Society of Arts and Letters Season Opener

Dorinda and Bob Spahr home, Highland Beach

A festive dinner party with musical entertainment opened the social season for members and friends of the National Society of Arts and Letters…

Seymour Strauss was a staunch supporter of the

Lyric Chamber Orchestra at Highland Beach.

By Deborah S.…

Mike Trinley, head golf pro at the Boca Raton Resort & Club.  

Photo provided

By Steve…