Driftwood closes, ending a Boynton restaurant built around local producers and fishermen
Voters renew the school levy and approve park and library bonds, plus a Boynton teen's recovery after a lightning strike.
"Driftwood was never perfect, but it was real," chef Jimmy Everett wrote in his farewell to the restaurant. He thanked the guests who celebrated milestones there and supported his team.
Driftwood's last dinner service closed a Boynton Beach restaurant that chef Ilia Gonzalez and chef Jimmy Everett built together as co-owners. The couple, who got engaged on a beach in Tulum, rooted it in local producers and fishermen.
Gonzalez died on Oct. 14. In a post on the restaurant's social media, Everett, her husband, said running Driftwood without her had become increasingly difficult and continuing was no longer possible. He called closing an incredibly difficult decision, but one he had to make.
A GoFundMe supports Everett, his family and the Driftwood staff. Swank Specialty Produce will host a dinner benefiting the Everett family on Nov. 12, and tickets are on sale.
Oceanfront Park reopens to swimmers after a weeklong bacteria advisory
Boynton Beach's Oceanfront Park in Ocean Ridge reopened to swimming and other water activities on Nov. 3 after a week under a no-swim advisory. Beaches in Lantana, Delray Beach and Boca Raton reopened the same day. In all, eight south Palm Beach County beaches had closed, on top of rainy, windy weather and October king tides.
The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County issued the advisory on Oct. 28. Tests found Enterococcus bacteria above state guidelines, a warning sign of fecal contamination. The advisory was lifted after testing on Nov. 2.
Officials did not directly link the readings to the weather and tides. They said causes are unknown but generally tied to wildlife, heavy use, high surf and runoff after heavy rain. Samples are collected every Monday, and swimmers can always check lifeguard chalkboards or the Florida Healthy Beaches website.
Boynton teen struck by lightning while playing soccer thanks the crews who helped him
Kevin Sosa, now 14, was struck by lightning on Aug. 23 while playing soccer with a group in a field at Sea and Sand Mobile Home Park in Boynton Beach.
His father, Roberto Sosa, turned him over and found he was not breathing. Unable to hear a heartbeat, he began chest compressions he had learned from TV shows. Kevin's pulse returned before medical responders arrived.
Paul Leser, an EMS captain with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, credits that CPR for the teen's survival. Leser had responded to five or six lightning-strike incidents before, and none of those victims lived.
The family went back to Delray Medical Center to thank the fire rescue, EMS and medical teams. Two months after the strike, Kevin is on his way to recovery. He goes to physical therapy three days a week and is homeschooled for now.
County voters renew the school tax and approve park and library bonds
The School District's existing 1-mill property tax won renewal with 77% of the vote. It continues from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2031. The money goes to school safety and school police, mental-health services, arts, music and physical education teachers, career and choice-program teachers and teacher pay. The vote continues the levy rather than creating a new one.
The county parks bond passed with 66%. It lets the county borrow up to $280 million to buy, build and improve parks and recreation facilities, repaid through property taxes over no more than 20 years.
The Library District bond passed with 64%. It authorizes up to $175 million in bonds to build, expand and renovate libraries, repaid through property taxes within the Library District over no more than 20 years.
Habitat's Veterans Build takes on projects for Boynton veteran households Nov. 6
- When
- Friday, Nov. 6
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County holds its Veterans Build on Friday, Nov. 6. Veterans, corporate sponsors and community partners will work side by side to complete projects benefiting local veteran households in Boynton Beach.
This year's build marks nine years of presenting sponsorship by Vertical Bridge. Co-chairs include Army veteran Carey Clarke and Air Force veteran Joel Villahermosa.
Build spots come with team sponsorships. Separately, event volunteers help with set-up, break-down, registration and hospitality. Donations help fund home repairs and housing support for veterans and active-duty service members. Volunteer, sponsor and donation options are on Habitat's Veterans Build page.
Bedazzled Books craft session at the library is full, with a waitlist open
- When
- Thursday, Nov. 5 · 5 to 7 p.m.
- Where
- Florida Room, 2nd Floor of City Hall
No seats are available for Crafting in the Library: Bedazzled Books, but a waiting list is open. Registration is required, and the adult program is limited to 10 participants.
The session runs 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, in the Florida Room on the second floor of City Hall, and begins promptly at 5. Back by popular demand, it has participants decorate a book cover with rhinestones and gems. They can bring their own book, buy one from the Friends of the Library Bookstore with cash only, or choose from a limited selection of free books. Library staff provide all materials and instruction.