The City of Deerfield Beach announced a 10-year lease agreement with Bezos Academy to open a tuition-free, Montessori-inspired preschool in 2024, pending completion of construction.  The Bezos Academy preschool will be located in the Center for Active Aging’s newly built childcare center.

“I am incredibly excited about this partnership and what it will mean to our community in the coming years. As a parent, I understand firsthand how education costs can impact the choices we make for our children. This partnership is a game changer for Deerfield Beach families who will now be able to give their little ones an early educational start without the financial burden,” said Mayor Bill Ganz.  “Our City Commission made a commitment to the redevelopment of the Center for Active Aging because we know this special place serves our community in many critical ways. I am thrilled that the Bezos Academy also recognizes the possibilities of what can be accomplished.” 

“We are thrilled to partner with the City of Deerfield Beach to offer an early learning solution at no cost to families in the community,” said Mike George, president of Bezos Academy. “Their Center for Active Aging shares our commitment to service and will foster the added benefits of intergenerational learning.” 

The school, Bezos Academy – Deerfield Beach, will be located at 227 NW 2 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. The school will feature two classrooms, follow a full-day, year-round schedule and is slated to open in 2024 after construction is complete. Updates to the opening date will be shared on the city’s website.

Families earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level with children aged 3-4 are eligible to apply. Once the school opening date is set, more information and an application for the lottery-based selection process will be posted at www.bezosacademy.org.

Rendering of the soon-to-come Center for Active Aging. The childcare facility is located to the left. Plans for that facility will be expanded to accommodate more children. Courtesy of the City of Deerfield Beach,

The Youth Automotive Training Center (YATC), a unique nine-month automotive training program that provides intensive instruction and hands-on training in automotive theory and practical skills, recently hosted a virtual commencement ceremony to recognize the Class of 2022. The hybrid celebration, which was livestreamed by family and friends, honored the dedication and accomplishments of the graduates.

The 19 graduates in this year’s class remained committed to the program, enhancing their automotive and academic skills, despite many obstacles they faced during the pandemic. They studied technical automotive principles along with foundational academic and life skills classes. This year’s class size was reduced to accommodate the need to space students for safety.

“The YATC Commencement Ceremony is always a special occasion,” said Terry Routley, executive director of YATC. “Our students know what it feels like to face adversity and significant challenges. But today, they also know the feeling of hope and new opportunity. They are armed with the skills and knowledge they need to take the next steps toward a better future for themselves and their families. We are proud to have helped them on their journey.”

YATC was established by automotive legend and founder of JM Family Enterprises Jim Moran in 1984 with a mission to train and educate at-risk youth in basic automotive repair skills, academic remediation, job readiness and life management skills. The goal of this program is to prepare at-risk young adults to become self-sufficient, productive, law-abiding citizens. Equally valuable to life skills, academic education and automotive training, the school provides emotional support from the caring staff — three of whom are YATC graduates – with an aim of helping students re-route their paths.

“YATC taught me to be persistent and be on top of any task to get the best results in anything I do in life,” said Christian Gaviria, YATC Class of 2022 graduate.

Guided by YATC’s dedicated educators, 11 of this year’s graduates earned their high school diplomas and one graduate is continuing to pursue his diploma following graduation. During the commencement ceremony, 12 graduates were awarded scholarships for continuing education, five of whom received special recognition for notable achievements.

Akeem Edwards, 21, received the Bruce Rossmeyer Memorial Kick Start Scholarship Award. Established in 2009 by Jan Moran in memory of Bruce Rossmeyer, this recognition includes a full-tuition scholarship to attend a technical/vocational school. Rossmeyer, founder of Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Harley-Davidson and Daytona Toyota, was a devoted friend and generous supporter of YATC. Edwards also was awarded a Volunteer Service Award, given in remembrance of longtime YATC volunteer Luz E (Lucy) Torrance.

Other 2022 special awards include:

• Dylan Correll, 20, was presented with the Jump Start Award for excellence in automotive knowledge and repairs. He also received an Outstanding Attendance Award and a Volunteer Service Award.
• Rolando Suero, 22, was honored with the Turnabout Award for making significant changes in all areas of his life and received an Outstanding Attendance Award.
• Kristopher Smith, 18, received an Outstanding Attendance Award.
• Caron Sanders, 19, was selected for a Volunteer Service Award.
• Vidal Villca-Turcios, 20, was acknowledged with an Outstanding Attendance Award.

YATC also awarded Clark Ballard the annual Jim Moran Award. Ballard received this prestigious award in recognition of more than 30 years of extraordinary dedication to the school and its students.

“I learned early in my career at JM Family how important YATC was to Mr. Moran, and I’m honored to receive this award,” Ballard said. “It’s been great seeing young people’s lives impacted by their time at the school. Any small part I’ve been able to play in helping accomplish that is something I’m very proud of.”

Applicants to the program are referred to YATC through multiple avenues, including the departments of Juvenile Justice and Children and Families, as well as by other YATC graduates, local clergy and word of mouth. Many of these young people have experienced poverty, crime, abuse and addiction even before reaching their teen years. There is no cost to attend as the program is sustained solely by generous donors and the school’s annual fundraiser. Graduates remain part of the “YATC family” and continue to receive assistance as they pursue their dreams.

YATC is proud to host its annual fundraiser and community gathering on November 12, 2022. More information on the YATC Classis is available at www.yatc.com/events.

The Observer is sad to announce the memorial of Jim Lusk, who ran the Observer office for many years. Jim passed away at home. He was 62. Jim always loved Deerfield Beach and was very dedicated to the community, taking time to help get people in the Founders Day float for many years as well as build floats, in addition to hosting the Deerfield Little Leaguers. He made sure the Deerfield High cross country team got tickets to Dunn’s Run every year. He covered many local events along with me, Rachel Galvin, with ObserverTV, in addition to holding down the fort at The Observer or running out and covering breaking news. He helped to close down a pill mill and was always keeping his eye on the neighborhood. He was good friends with BSO and loved attending Night Out Against Crime and other BSO events. He also enjoyed being a member of the Chamber of Commerce. These are just a few mentions about Jim. I am enclosing the Obit that was also shared with the Sentinel with information about his upcoming memorial next Saturday, July 23rd at the Old Schoolhouse in Deerfield from 10 a.m. to noon. LINK: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sunsentinel/name/james-lusk-obituary?id=35765049

UPDATE: THE BOIL WATER ORDER HAS BEEN LIFTED

Previous Info:

Issued July 7, 2022–The City is issuing a Boil Water Alert to residents who live within the zip codes 33441, 33442, and ONLY north of SW 15th Street within zip code 33064.

A water sample from an untreated raw water well tested positive for trace amounts of bacteria. The sample was from raw water before it was treated at the water treatment plant.

Therefore, as a precaution, we advise that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used.

This precautionary boil water notice is effective immediately and will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink. The City will inform residents when the notice has been lifted which usually takes 48 to 72 hours.

If you have any questions, you may contact Adrian Mocanu at 954-480-4370.

Area affected by boil water order.

Kiwanis gives scholarships to deserving kids. Photo provided.

On May 25, the Kiwanis Club of Deerfield Beach had its Scholarship Awards Dinner at the Woman’s Club to present $12,000 worth of scholarships to local kids, in addition to three smaller scholarships also presented by Deerfield Kiwanis West.

Congrats, students!

Don’t drink & drive. 

Tow to Go!

Call 1-855-2-Tow-2-Go 

AAA will be working to keep impaired drivers off the road for Memorial Day weekend. The Auto Club Group is reactivating its Tow to Go program for the holiday period, providing safe transportation for impaired drivers and their vehicles.

• Tow to Go is active from 6 p.m. Friday, May 27^th – 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 31^st
• It’s available in selects states/locations (see below)
• Should be treated as a last resort

AAA Tow to Go has removed more than 25,000 impaired drivers from the road. When called, a tow truck transports the would-be impaired driver and their vehicle to a safe location within a 10 mile radius. The service is free, yet AAA asks that it be treated as a backup plan.

Approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes every day – that’s one person every 52 minutes.

“Driving impaired is not worth the risk. It endangers you and the lives of everyone else on the roadway,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “AAA urges people to identify a safe ride home before they party, but know that Tow to Go is available as a last resort.”

TOW TO GO GUIDELINES

• Free and available to AAA members and non-members.
• Confidential local ride for one person and their vehicle to a safe location within a 10 mile radius.
• AAA service vehicles are limiting passengers to one (1) per vehicle, in accordance with established COVID-19 safety protocols.  Additional passengers need to make other arrangements.
• Appointments cannot be scheduled in advance to use Tow to Go. It is designed as a safety net for those that did not plan ahead. Always choose a designated driver before celebrating.
• In some situations, AAA may need to make other arrangements to get an impaired individual a safe ride home.
• Tow to Go may not be available in rural areas or during severe weather conditions.

Funding Arts Broward (FAB) is pleased to announce that it has raised and awarded $282,000 in grants to sustain and cultivate arts programming in the region. The non-profit volunteer-based organization awarded 27 grants of $249,300 (ranging from $3,000 – $15,000) for 2023 for performances and programs to nonprofit organizations. FAB awarded an additional $32,700 in Education Grants to seven organizations to foster art appreciation and skill acquisition for grades K-12. With this grant cycle, FAB’s total monetary distribution to the local arts community exceeds $4.2 million.

“As an avid supporter of the arts, we’re committed to cultivating the growing creative momentum in Broward County,” said Ed Hashek, president of FAB. “As our diverse cultural grantees are getting back to the business of programming in-person events, we’re looking forward to uniting the community to help make 2023 performances and educational initiatives even more meaningful. We’re thankful for our members and corporate patrons who fully support our mission.”

This year’s FAB’s 2023 grantees and award amounts were:

Each grant allocation was awarded for a unique upcoming program. Upcoming funded programs include Gold Coast Jazz Society’s 2023 Jazz Project which will feature four concerts of internationally recognized jazz artists and one free community jazz performance, Island City Stage’s theatrical production of “Tracy Jones” by Stephen Kaplan, Old Dillard Foundation’s “Influencers” exhibit that capture the rich history and contributions of African Americans who have made an indelible impact on our county, South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s Masterworks V concert featuring Svetlana Smolina and Miami City Ballet’s Masters of Modern Ballet program.

For the second year, FAB also awarded Education Grants dedicated to art appreciation and skill acquisition for grades K-12. Recipient organizations and amounts were:

FAB is supported by membership whose dues go toward grants that preserve and cultivate the arts in Broward County. FAB is also supported by its corporate partners BBX Capital, New River Fine Arts, Northern Trust, Atlass Insurance, PNC Bank, Weston Jewelers, Pallant Insurance Agency, Casa D’Angelo, Tim Singer Realty and Twig, Trade & Tribunal.

To learn more about FAB including how to become a member or support the arts, visit www.fundingartsbroward.org or email fundingartsbroward@gmail.com.