Community and Philanthropy

“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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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,

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.

Harlene Zweig remembers the special gifts her son Jacob possessed. One of his favorite pastimes was volunteering with Parkland Buddy Sports, helping special needs children. “He always treated everyone equally regardless of ability, or whether they were wealthy or not,” she says. “Whoever they were, whatever their status, he always made everyone feel like they

As a music teacher at Arch Creek Elementary School in North Miami, Jimmy Michel witnessed firsthand the needy children who weren’t able to pay for music lessons outside of school. Over his 11 years as a music teacher, the Florida Memorial University graduate met talented children whose parents couldn’t afford to pay $50 or more