Spot a Scam:

• Scams can include social media posts, texts and websites meant to take your personal information and money and infect computers.
• Think twice before investing in companies who say they are working on a coronavirus cure. Check official sources like the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission before being lured into a scam.
• Be aware of fake fundraising. Verify the charity is legitimate. If someone wants donations in cash, gift card or by wiring money, don’t do it.
• Watch out for online marketing of vaccinations or products claiming to treat the virus.
• Do not click on unfamiliar links or emails. Phishing emails may mention the coronavirus, medical supplies or claim to be from government, national or local health organizations in order to get users to open the message that unleashes malware.
• Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus.
• Be aware of entering personal information into websites.

Protect Your Health:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home if you feel ill.
• Call your healthcare professional if you feel sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing and have been in close contact with a person known to have confirmed coronavirus.
• Stay informed and up to date with information directly from the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html) and the Florida Department of Health (http://www.floridahealth.gov/ websites.
• Per Florida Department of Health in Broward County, if you think that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, especially through travel in the last 14 days, particularly to countries such as China, Iran, South Korea, Italy and Japan, or close contact with someone known to have COVID-19, please immediately self-isolate. Please call your health care provider and the Florida Department of Health in Broward County COVID-19 Call Center at 954-412-7300 before travelling to any healthcare facility.

By Rachel Galvin

Did you hear the music as you drove down Federal Highway in Deerfield Beach? The rockin’ tunes were probably from St. Ambrose Catholic Church & School where the annual carnival was held Feb. 27 to March 1. 

“We had fabulous bands,” said Carol Schottenfeld, who volunteers at the event yearly. “Every year gets better and better.”

This year, said fellow volunteer Kathy Capobianco, they added Mexican Corn to the food court, which was a big hit. Their usual Polish dinner was sold-out. 

Something else new … The DoubleTree by Hilton had their employee appreciation party there. 

“Every year, it gets better and better,” added Schottenfeld, who thanked all the volunteers who support the event year after year. 

There were plenty of carnival rides and games again and plenty to eat, including carnival faves like funnel cakes. 

Rena Varoli, a volunteer selling baked goods while wearing this year’s new tie-dyed t-shirt for the carnival, added, “We had beautiful weather. We couldn’t have asked for a nicer weekend.”

Proceeds from the event go back to the students at the school.

Carol Schottenfeld & Kathy Capobianco volunteer at the event every year.

Next is the annual Fish Fry, in time for Lent, on March 13. For more information, call 954-427-2226. St. Ambrose is located at 363 SE 12 Ave. in Deerfield Beach.

Don’t forget to Spring Forward tonight… turn your clocks ahead. It is Daylight Savings Time again!

UPDATE: This event has been canceled. Stay tuned for possible new date…

On Friday, March 13, from 6 to 9 p.m., join the members of the Deerfield Historical Society for an evening of food and fun at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, at 100 Fairway Drive, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. The very popular Wildfire Band will be there, including the fantastic violinist Randi Fishenfeld and local fave Frank Beaton on the Bagpipes with the Drake School of Irish Dancers. There will also be a silent auction and hors d’ oeuvres. Proceeds benefit the Historical Society’s programs. 

Tickets are $60 for those wearing green and $75 without. Cash bar. Order online at www.deerfield-history.org or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-and-minglecelebrate-the-green-tickets-94554473977?aff=ebdssbdestsearch. RSVP By March 9. elilly707@aol.com or call 561-299-8684.

By Rachel Galvin

Bubbles & Burgers is just one of the events leading up to one of the hottest culinary events of the year in our area — the Boca Bacchanal Grand Tasting, which is this Saturday, March 7 (more on that later). The events began with Bacchus Beckons and then, there also are the Vintner Dinners coming up in private homes on March 6.

Bubbles & Burgers was held on Feb. 20 at the Boca Beach Club. Guests could try a variety of burgers, including the 24 Hour Braised Short Rib Burger, Moroccan Lamb Burger, The Last King Scotland, made with salmon and spinach slaw, an All American Slider or a Latin Veggie Burger, so there was something for everyone. There was also a “French Fry Bar,” which had different types of fries, and other items like tater tots and chips. Of course, there can’t be Burgers without Bubbles and that is where the various spirit stations came in pouring a bit of the bubbly. In addition, there was dessert! ALINA Residences sponsored the unique photo booth so everyone could leave with a memory, or have it emailed to them.

As was mentioned, the next event is the six different Vintner Dinners at private homes on March 6 from 7 to 11 p.m., followed by the very popular Grand Tasting on March 7 from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Great Hall at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. Here guests can try tasty tidbits from over 25 local restaurants and select from over 130 champagnes and wines from around the world. There also will be a silent auction, a a pop-up jewelry shop by Yvel; a pop-up shop by Crown Wine & Spirits; luxury items from select vendors, including Park Luxury Sporting Accessories; and a pop-up art gallery by Thomas Arvid, the nation’s pre-eminent painter of wine, who will be painting a piece of artwork during the Grand Tasting. He also donated a piece of artwork to the silent auction. Guests can also get a touch up from Bloomingdale’s professional makeup artists at the Bloomingdale’s Red-Carpet Cosmetic Touch-Up Station throughout the evening. There will also be a range of products for sale.

Restaurants who will be serving up their specialties include Benihana, the Boca Raton Resort & Club, Bolay, Bonefish Grill, Burton’s Grill & Bar, City Fish Market, Chops Lobster Bar, J&D Cakes, Just Salad, Loch Bar, M.E.A.T. Eatery & Taproom, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Potions in Motion, Raw Juce, Rebel House, Rex Baron, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Sommer’s Cupcakes, The Capital Grille, The Melting Pot, and THE POKÉ COMPANY.

Featured Vintners include Cakebread Cellars, Flora Springs Winery, Montes Wines, Silver Oaks & Twomey Cellars, and Truchard Vineyards. Participating wineries include A to Z Wineworks, Balletto Vineyards, Brady Vineyards, Blanc de Bleu, Bocelli Family Vineyards, Bodegas Callia, Boneshaker, Cass Winery, Castello di Verrazzano, Chateau de Berne Estate, Francis Tannahill, Gravel Bar Winery, Hahn Family Wines, Invivo Wines, Island Grove Wine Company, Jam Jar Wines, JP Chenet France, Mercer, Moillard, Picket Fence Vineyards, Relax Wines, Rex Hill, Santa Margherita, Santa Rita, Smith and Hook, Taittinger, Torbreck Barossa Valley, and Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery.

Tickets, for the Grand Tasting, are $125 per person. Vintner Dinners are $350 each. All proceeds benefit the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum (www.bocahistory.org). For more information or to www.bocabacchanal.com or call 561-395-6766, Ext. 101.

Ready for some bubbly?	Serving up burgers.	Macarons that look like mini burgers.
Boca Raton Historical Society’s Executive Director Mary Csar welcomes guests.	Silent auction!	The DJ pumped out great tunes.
Serving up some wine.	ALINA crew was on-hand to talk about ALINA Residences.	Enjoying the event!