Things We Liked In June

Delray’s Coco Gauff makes her Wimbledon debut today.

Things We Liked n June

 

After reading a stellar review, we checked out the Driftwood restaurant on U.S. 1 in Boynton Beach.

It’s fabulous.

 

Located in the former location of Sculley’s, the Driftwood offers craft cocktails and farm fresh food inventively prepared from local farms.

We recommend the Yuca tots, the calamari (the presentation is very different), the deviled eggs and the pita and hummus.

Great happy hour from 3-6 daily.

We skipped the lion fish, but they offer it.

 

 

We went back to La Vie, a Middle Eastern restaurant in Pompano. It did not disappoint. Great food. Entertainment and a really cool atmosphere. Highly recommend.

 

We enjoyed Maya Flavors of India in Boca and Oli’s Fashion Cuisine in Wellington. Recommend both.

 

Johnny Mango’s on North Federal Highway is a local treasure. Just a fun place to stroll through and admire the orchids, plants and eclectic decorations. These are the type of unique local businesses you hope to see last and flourish.

 

A special thank you shout out to Elise and Charles Johnson for hosting a tropical cocktail party at their beautiful home.

The goal was to bring Old School Square board members and donors together for a fun evening of bonding. Mission accomplished. The Johnson’s are a special couple who quietly do a lot for Delray.

 

Congratulations to Two Fat Cookies on their new location right next to Salt 7 in the SoFA district. The new store is larger than their previous location in Pineapple Grove. We wish them well.

 

It’s also good to see the new Aloft Hotel at 202 Southeast Fifth Avenue nearing their grand opening. The hotel held a job fair in June. We look forward to seeing the new hotel and WXYZ lounge.

 

Impact 100 For Men awarded $50,000 to the Florence Fuller Child Development Center and $4,500 each to the Milagro Center and First Serve West Palm Beach at their annual meeting in June.

I’ve been a member of this terrific group since its inception two years ago. We need more members so we can give away more money to important non-profits serving our community.

Please consider joining. Visit https://unitedwaypbc.org/impact100-men/ for more information.

 

The Dish on Dishes

 

The chicken lemon picatta at Grand Luxe is awfully good.

 

It’s hard to beat the chips and salsa at Senor Burrito.

 

The Chicken and dumplings at the aforementioned Driftwood—very good.

The pasta dishes at La Villetta are outstanding.

 

Summer Movies

 

Don’t miss Rocket Man on the big screen. Elton John music, great acting and unique storytelling.

Yesterday is a feel good movie and features a slew of Beatles songs. We loved it.

Lean on Pete is streaming on Amazon. It’s a sad, but exceedingly well done movie featuring a boy and his horse.

 

Chocolate Everywhere

We finally made it to The Chocolate Factory in Delray.

Beautiful facility, friendly staff and delicious chocolate all made right here in Delray. Add it to your list of places to scope out.

 

 

Congratulations to Delray’s Gary Woodland who shot 13 under to win the U.S. Open golf tournament.

 

Yes, he lives here. In a Marc Julien home. Pretty cool.

 

 

 

 

On a sad note, Delray lost a great friend in June with the passing of Charlie Gwynn.

The long time business and civic leader was born in Delray in 1931.

He was a business owner, coach, volunteer and just a wonderful gentleman.

He was also a regular at the old Green Owl where he met daily with several other long time leaders to eat breakfast, sip coffee and hold court on all things.

That’s how I will remember Charlie. Meeting with his friends and greeting everyone with a warm smile.

 

On another sad note, Delray lost a wonderful benefactor with the loss of Sara Jo Kobacher this month. I had the pleasure of spending time with Sara Jo and her late husband Art as they worked toward their dream of establishing The Village Academy in Delray.

Opened in 2000, The Village Academy School on the Art & Sara Jo Kobacker Campus serves students from low income homes from birth (Head Start) through 12th Grade. Following Sara Jo’s wishes, the United Way of PBC will be the beneficiary of donations in her honor. Condolences may be sent to the family at https://www.schoedinger.com.

 

Recognition

Congratulations to the fabulous Crane’s Beach House on earning a place in the TripAdvisors’ Hall of Fame.

Crane’s received TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence for the fifth year in a row.

In order to be eligible for the Certificate of Excellence, properties must maintain an overall rating of 4 out of 5 on TripAdvisor.

Only 10 percent of properties worldwide are in the Hall of Fame so this is a special and deserved honor indeed.

GM Cathy Balestiere and her team have been great assets to Delray for a very long time. So cool to see the property recognized.

 

It’s also heartwarming to see another deserving local business win national recognition.

 

Boca’s Farmer’s Table was named one of the “100 Best Al Fresco Restaurants” in America in 2019 by Open Table.

 

Farmer’s Table—which is wonderful—was selected from the reviews of more than 30,000 restaurants submitted by Open Table diners.

 

Congrats to Delray’s Joseph Gianuzzi on this well deserved honor.

 

Congratulations also goes to the Sandoway House.

 

Sandoway Discovery Center received a two-year grant totaling $90,000 from The Jim Moran Foundation. The funds will be used to support Sandoway’s Education and Animal Care Program which allows students and visitors to learn environmental education through hands-on activities and live-animal encounters. The Jim Moran Foundation grant will also allow for the purchase of a new environmental education book to be sent home with every student participating in Sandoway’s Junior Naturalist Program from a Title I school.

 

 

This from CNN and it’s not fake news.

 

(CNN) – “American tennis prodigy Cori “Coco” Gauff just became the youngest player in the Open Era to advance through qualifying to reach Wimbledon’s main draw.”

The 15 year old Delray native has often been compared to Serena Williams. It’s not an unfair comparison. Stay tuned. She’s special.

Coco plays Venus Williams today at Wimbledon. She grew up idolizing the Williams sisters, who also trained in Delray.

No less a legend than Roger Federer calls the match-up “fascinating.”

Have a wonderful July and a safe Independence Day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weekend Best Bets: Summer Specials

The DBMC shares some summer ideas, including Sandoway House options for kids of all ages.

The DBMC shares some summer ideas, including Sandoway House options for kids of all ages.

The Legendary Johnny Cash

The Arts Garage’s production of “Ring of Fire” has been a huge critical and commercial hit with sold out shows and rave reviews.

A few tickets remain for matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.

The show features the music of the legendary Johnny Cash.

Visit www.artsgarage.org for tickets and more information, but hurry tickets are selling.

 Oh What A Night

While we’re talking about music legends, walk like a man (sorry we couldn’t resist) and make sure to see Jersey Boys at a theater near you this weekend.

Don’t believe the reviews, the movie is terrific and the music of the Four Seasons is sublime.

It’s also just a great story of four guys from Newark who made it in a very tough business with a unique sound and infectious songs.

Word of warning: the music will stick in your head. The movie includes most of the hits including killer versions of “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.”

 

Summer Happenings courtesy of the DBMC

 

The From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Paper as Art exhibition at the Cornell Museum in the Delray Beach Center for the Arts showcases a world where ordinary paper has been transformed into extraordinary works of art. The exhibit runs until Aug. 24. There’s a $5 admission fee. Nearby, there’s Art Cinema at The Crest every Wednesday, with screenings at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. followed by a group discussion. There’s a $10 fee.

 

At the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Sushi & Stroll is back for three more Fridays:  July 11, Aug. 8 and Sept. 12. Events are from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and include Taiko drumming performances. Tickets are $7.

 

Visitors can take a “Ride & Remember” Trolley Tour, hosted by the Spady Museum on July 12, Aug. 9 and Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon at a cost of $20.

 

Summer at the Sandoway House Nature Center is when people will find the Jurassic Parts exhibit, featuring hundreds of shark parts through Aug. 31 for $4. Don’t miss daily shark feedings while you’re there.

 

Art Walk in Downtown Delray, offering visitors a chance to view special artist showings at galleries and studios in the Pineapple Grove Art District, is back on the first Friday of every month.

 

Great Things to Do and Summer Specials

Residents and tourists will find no place cooler than Delray Beach for water sports and for summer discounts at golf courses, tennis centers and most hotels and attractions. For example, if a full day of golf is too much, they can head over to Putt’n Around Delray Beach for a round of mini golf.

 

Delray Yacht Cruises is offering special rates for its two-hour daily narrated Intracoastal cruises and on brunch and dinner cruises.

Along with a great beach, you’ll find cool things under the sea when scuba diving, or snorkeling. Scuba Center Delray can get you set up. For fun on the water try paddle boarding, sailing and surfing. Delray Beach Watersports and newcomers The Salt Fly specialize in these kind of activities.

 

For wine and art connoisseurs, Vino Van Gogh Wine and Art Bar in Pineapple Grove offers a summer special of two classes and two glasses of wine – one each for you and a friend, or two for you – for $50.

 

Sandoway House Nature Center-Delray’s Seaside Gem

Delray's Sandoway House is charming and educational

Delray’s Sandoway House is charming and educational

The Sandoway House Nature Center, 142 S. Ocean Blvd., is located in a historic 1936 beachfront home in Delray Beach.

The house is on the National Register of Historic Places and preserved as a unique Nature Center now home to native plants, live animals, and a world class shell collection.

The Center offers a glimpse into South Florida’s fragile marine and freshwater environments through educational exhibits and programs.

Educational programs are offered to the public at Sandoway House including: Shark Feedings, Guided Historic Tours, Nature Walks, Astronomy Nights, Summer Camp and special events such as Earth Day.

The Center hosts guest speakers on environmental topics and teaches exciting nature programs suitable for all ages.  Admission is $4 per-person everyone three years of age and above, Palm Beach Zoo, and ASTC members are free.

The Sandoway House is an ideal spot for people of all ages. Kids love the shark feedings and adults rave about the sea shell collection.

Hours: Closed Mondays, Tuesdays through Saturdays 10-4, Sundays noon-4.