A Special League
Joe De Braga was adamant that his kids grew up knowing they had no boundaries, that they could do anything. For his son, who has Down syndrome, Parkland Buddy Sports sets that message. In the early 2000s, the city of Parkland recognized the need for an athletic program where children of varying ability could play
A Stocked Pantry
Stephanie Silverman Houser has a spiel. As director of The Cupboard, a new kosher food pantry in Davie, she’s responsible for its day-to-day operations. She efficiently gives the breakdown, explaining how the pilot program has been helping 100 families struggling with food insecurity. But when asked why there’s a kosher—adhering to Jewish religious dietary laws—food
Reaching Out to Help
“The first thing you see is, it’s a beautiful place,” Isabella Damacena says, recalling the fog rising each morning to reveal the mountains in the South African village of Thubelisha. Despite its natural beauty, however, many in the region are living in extreme poverty. Damacena was one of 11 visitors to Thubelisha from Coastal Community
Campus Memories
In the late 1960s and early ’70s, the young city of Coconut Creek saw an explosion of growth in education. Coconut Creek Elementary debuted in 1968, Coconut Creek High School opened its doors in 1972, and Atlantic Technical College followed one year later. Another higher-education entity planted roots during this era—Broward College’s North Campus, then
Immersive Learning
For a little more than 10 years, North Broward Preparatory School quite literally has been a home away from home for international and national students alike—and all homes need some upgrading once in a while. As a boarding school with a focus on inclusivity and diversity, NBPS plans to expand by building new housing, due
In the Beginning
Doug and Kelly Young recall the early days of Creek’s first neighborhood Doug Young has a sign in his office that reads, “I wasn’t born in Florida, but I got here as quick I as I could.” For Doug and Kelly, his wife of 50 years, that sign might as well read, “born in Coconut
Lending a Healing Hand
A Coconut Creek high schooler saves local wildlife It began with an abandoned baby opossum. In time, the list of wildlife Ella Dotan rescued grew to include injured squirrels, turtles and baby birds that had fallen out of their nest. The Coconut Creek resident has earned herself a reputation as champion of the neighborhood creatures,
Recycle in Style
Couture fashion shows typically feature cutting-edge designs that are daring and innovative. But how often do such original style creations incorporate bottle caps, egg cartons and plastic bags? For more than a decade, it’s been a yearly staple of the Recycled Fashion Show. On Nov. 17, the 12th annual event will feature couture designs made
Dress for Success
Disadvantaged students interview in style, thanks to a Creek professor Atlantic Technical College professor Debra Oistacher looks forward to her Nov. 11 birthday party each year. On the invitation, she includes the requisite details: when, where and a reminder not to bring gifts. No gifts? Instead, the self-styled “professional do-gooder” asks party attendees to bring
Rock on
A Creek mom spreads positivity with painted rocks When her 8-year-old son picked up a colorfully painted rock on the way to his weekly tennis lesson in Coral Springs, she told him to put it back. Less than an hour later, the boy found another rock with the words “Coral Springs Rocks” and a link
Nature Takes Its Course
To describe John Coburn’s garden, a friend recently said, “You could charge $5 admission.” It’s lush and beautifully manicured, with Zen fixtures and butterflies fluttering about. The design came to him and his girlfriend, Dori Brenes, after a therapeutic day at Butterfly World. They turned the space, which a year ago had not one plant,
Lessons from the Board
Nora Rupert has an office, but as the Broward County School Board representative for District 7, she’s more likely to be somewhere in Coconut Creek, Deerfield Beach and parts of Pompano Beach and Margate. While traveling around the community, she holds panels, meets students and parents, and speaks to local clubs, PTAs and civic groups.
