7 a.m.; Marlins Park; free; tinyurl.com/DRIWalk

Mizner Park Amphitheater and the Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center; Tickets from $9.99; festivalboca.org

The president called a press conference. The room was filled with reporters, but when the president walked in, they all walked out. Surprised, he turned to his press secretary, but the man had left. When he tried to find out from the Secret Service what was going on, he found they had all gone to bed. He went out to the presidential limo, just in time to hear the driver say he was quitting. 

The street was crowded, attracted by the presidential limousine, but when the people saw the president, they quickly disappeared—into doorways, up alleys, around corners, up chimneys. There was a restaurant nearby, but when the president went in, all of the people got up and left. He asked for coffee, but the waiter refused to serve him. In fact, he walked out. The president went to complain to the manager, but the manager locked his office door. When he walked into the kitchen, all the cooks raced out the back door. 

The president walked to the White House. The crowded street emptied out; all the cars sped off. The president saw a figure peeking out a window, but as he came near, a curtain was drawn. When he got to the White House, no one was there. The staff had quit.  The guards were gone. The door was locked. An airplane was overhead. But when the president waved to get attention, the plane made a sudden bank and disappeared. The president attempted to tweet, but his phone was dead. Some knave had hacked it.

In case you hadn’t guessed, this is a boycott. Or, to be historically precise, Boycott with a capital“B.” These are times when organizations threaten to boycott anything associated with President Trump, and Democrats boycott some hearings, and people threaten to boycott Starbucks because its CEO said he would hire refugees from the Muslim countries. Politics aside, some people weary of the traffic jams caused by cars lined up to enter busy Starbucks stores, may welcome that idea. In any event, it may be useful to recall where the term boycott comes from. 

Like all great ideas, it began in Ireland. In the year 1880, as the Irish were making their annual attempt to escape English rule. A retired British military man, Capt. Charles Boycott, had the unenviable job of collecting rents, for an absentee landlord, from poor Irish tenant farmers in County Mayo on Ireland’s rugged west coast. He wasn’t a beloved figure to start with, and when a bad harvest made it tough for the tenants to pay, and farmers faced eviction, resentment against Boycott grew.

Instead of killing him, as the Irish sometimes handled such touchy problems, the people took the advice of the Irish politician/patriot Charles Stewart Parnell. He suggested they “shun” Boycott. That they did. Nobody would work for him or serve him in a restaurant, or even talk to him. They turned from him on the streets. And some people actually drew curtains when they saw him walking by.

The situation quickly drew national and eventually, worldwide attention. Boycott could not stand it and was forced to leave Mayo. And even then, no carriage driver would accept the job of taking him to his train. He actually rode in an army ambulance. 

When he arrived in Dublin, the situation was little better. People threatened the hotel where he stayed, and he soon left for England.

By then his name had provided a new noun and verb for the English language. Within months, boycott became a term for, well, boycott. The history of Capt. Boycott seems ironically applicable to the current political climate.
If what we read in the lying media is true, that psychologists suspect President Trump suffers from a narcissistic personality disorder bordering on mental illness, the idea of an Irish-style boycott would make him even crazier.

Imagine if a man who has an incurable craving for approval were to suffer the same fate as Capt. Boycott. Suppose nobody would talk to him, or do TV interviews, or even mention him in stupid columns like this. Suppose nobody whispered his name or made fun of him on “Saturday Night Live.” Suppose not even Fox News, which is a public relations arm of the Republican Party, would give him airtime. Suppose he could not get a room at his own hotels. And imagine if even his press secretary, Sean Spicer, stopped destroying his own reputation by his bumbling, petulant defense of every wacky thing the president tweets in the dead of night.

Does anyone doubt that the president would become completely unhinged and, like the original Capt. Boycott, flee to some country where people actually would talk to him?

But what sane country would take an illegal immigrant? Russia comes to mind. 

Like a lot of police work,this story is about shades of gray. 

It started when a 24-year-old took a seat on the back of a car at an apartment complex in Pompano Beach. It was just after 1 p.m. in late January last year—a pretty day, not even in the 80s. Watching nearby, a deputy began counting the minutes. 

Now, because the accused hasn’t been convicted and maybe, some would argue, shouldn’t be, we’ll call him by just his first name, Deonté. And in fairness to the deputy, we’ll do the same. 

After 30 minutes ticked by, Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputy Peter rolled up in his patrol car. He asked Deonté why he was loitering. 

It should be said that loitering is a strange law: You can’t be convicted of loitering for simply standing around, as long as you get lost when a cop asks you to move. Refuse to leave or flee, and it’s a second-degree misdemeanor. Deonté ran for it. 

It wasn’t Deonté’s first time facing arrest. His name appears 11 times in criminal court records, including a charge of distributing cocaine that landed him on probation for three years. 

But then, Deputy Peter has also found himself in trouble. The deputy admitted he was drunk when in 2013 he flipped an unmarked patrol car in a swale, according to BSO records. He could have faced prison time for a felony DUI. Instead, he served a 20-day suspension.

Deputy Peter ran after Deonté. They sprinted behind an apartment building, and Deputy Peter claimed Deonté dropped something. He caught Deonté shortly after and found a “bud of weed” in his pocket, according to an arrest affidavit. Deputy Peter then charged Deonté with four crimes: resisting an officer, loitering, marijuana possession and crack possession, for a baggie that was allegedly dropped along the way. 

Now perhaps you think because Deputy Peter said he found those drugs this whole incident is justified. Or maybe you think it’s OK because Deonté ran after a cop told him to stop. 

But there’s something far more complicated here. It’s unlikely that a white man sitting on a car for 30 minutes in a white neighborhood would earn attention from the police. And for every time cops find drugs in this type of scenario, how many others end with the harassment of a guy who was just looking for a place to enjoy a beautiful January day?

This might be one of today’s fundamental questions, whether it’s OK to occupy a neighborhood with police to stop the spread of drugs. We live in a time when President Donald Trump has said he supports stop-and-frisk policies that have been considered unconstitutional, and when Black Lives Matter protesters have put a spotlight on police shootings, and when it seems cops and the communities they protect appear more divided than ever. This is an era when cops and attorneys and politicians in South Florida are arguing about the line between protecting black communities, while also trying not to seem racist. 

So, how do you pull that off? Below, a few experts on this subject weigh in on how cops can keep civilians safe without unfairly targeting one community over another. 

The first time Gordon Weekes walked into a courtroom was while he was a student at Nova Southeastern University’s law school. As a black kid growing up in North Miami, he had plenty of tense times with police. But this changed him. “The first time I walk into court, I was just blown away,” Weekes recalls. “Law school never prepared you for the disparity.”

Before him were lawyers, court employees and a judge—all white. And there, in jailhouse orange, was a sea of nearly all black faces. It has been like that nearly every day since. Now, as chief assistant public defender in Broward County, and Deonté’s attorney, Weekes is working to change the broken system.

The problem, according to Weekes’ boss, Public Defender Howard Finkelstein, is that police have become an armed, occupying force in black neighborhoods. Officers arrest and harass children in minority communities for any minor infraction they can find, Finkelstein says. It’s the stuff that teenagers in the suburbs get away with, simply because there aren’t as many cops around, he notes. 

To back up this assertion, Weekes and Finkelstein set out to find statistics that show a bias against minority communities. They requested records from the Fort Lauderdale Police of all the times cops have stopped people for minor offenses. They honed in on a couple city ordinances: one that requires pedestrians to walk on the sidewalk and another that mandates bicyclists to register with the city. Of those busted for walking in the street, 96 percent were black. Of unregistered bicyclists, 94 percent were black.

The pattern continues behind the wheel of a car, where 70 percent of drivers cited for failing to wear a seat belt were black, Finkelstein says.

And it also happens when someone is simply standing still. In the Deonté arrest, Deputy Peter justified his loitering charge because of the Broward Sheriff’s Office’s “trespass program.” The program encourages apartment and business owners to put up official BSO no trespass signs, which essentially give police the power to question anyone who’s been in one place for too long. 

The numbers not only show a racial inequality that exists in policing, but they show just how bad it has become, Finkelstein contends. Arresting only black people 96 out of 100 times for one law is a statistic so skewed that it would be challenging to achieve that imbalance in a county where black people make up less than a third of the population, he says.​ It’s not that white people aren’t also breaking these ordinances and statutes, the public defenders argue, it’s just that police are using the law as an excuse to harass black people. 

“If you are black, it’s likely you are going to get stopped for walking, riding a bike or driving a car,” Finkelstein says. 

The police use these minor ordinances to justify searching people in the hopes that they might find drugs or that they’re wanted on a warrant, Weekes says. 

“You have these cases where [police] find drugs on someone after racially profiling them, but how many hundreds of other times are there that they don’t?” Weekes wonders. “They’re sending this message that it’s us against them, and they’re going to shake you down at their will, no matter what you’re doing.”

Shevrin Jones was driving to a friend’s house in Parkland when a police officer rolled up next to him. They made eye contact, and then the cop dropped back, following close behind. Jones, a state representative, is black. The officer was white. Jones wasn’t speeding and hadn’t done anything wrong. But he got himself ready for what might be coming.

“Right now, we live in a very racially charged time,” Jones says. “When you do see a cop, you have to stop and think, ‘OK, what do I say and how do I act if he pulls me over?’”

That time, the cop kept going. But he says there are plenty of times for others when it goes far worse. That’s why in 2014 he authored a bill that would have required all police officers in Florida to wear body cameras. The bill was a reaction to the police shootings that have made so many headlines in the past few years and that have polarized so many—some into thinking that cops are too harsh, to young black men especially, and others into thinking that too often police officers aren’t given the respect they deserve.

Jones’ bill was met quickly with criticism. Some feared the invasion of privacy of police officers wearing cameras while responding to someone’s home. Others feared it would be too easy for cops to turn off the cameras when they’re most needed. And many said it would be too costly for police departments to maintain the cameras, let alone keep the footage, as required by records laws.

While the bill was debated, a police officer in Palm Beach Gardens shot Corey Jones to death in October 2015 while Jones stood next to his broken-down Hyundai. The officer, Nouman K. Raja, now faces charges of manslaughter and attempted murder. 

The shooting inspired Shevrin Jones, no relation to Corey Jones, to keep working on his bill. Gov. Rick Scott signed a version of it into law last year. It requires police departments that use body cameras to develop written policies for when and how they’re used. It’s no doubt a watered-down version of the first bill, but Jones says it’s simply a first step. 

“We knew this was the start of the solution to a much bigger issue,” Jones says. “It’s a complicated issue, and hopefully now we’re headed in the
right direction.”

Frank Adderley, former Fort Lauderdale Police chief, takes it a bit personally when someone asks him about the issue of racial profiling. He grew up in a historically black northwest neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale, along Sistrunk Boulevard. Of African-American decent himself, Adderley started as a beat cop, here in his hometown, and as police chief, he lived in the same home where he grew up. So for someone to question his motives, he sees that as something of a personal attack. 

In December, Adderley took a job at BSO as colonel in charge of community affairs. During the 36 years he spent in the same police department as chief, he says he improved the policing of the neighborhood where he was raised. He says people have often complained to him that cops are harassing his neighbors, but Adderley contends they don’t know the truth. “You’ve got to realize, we have two very different sides to this story,” he says. 

For his side, Adderley says neighbors and people he’s known all his life have asked him to make his neighborhood safe. That means, he says, increased police presence. That means identifying the people who may be causing the trouble and trying to stop them from committing crimes again, he adds. 

As far as complaints about his officers cracking down on people not walking on the sidewalk or bicycling without a permit, Adderley says he has support for his actions. “This is basically a response to the African-American community, which has asked for our support,” Adderley says. “The people in my community, they want a safe place to live. They want us to enforce certain laws so that they can sleep safely at night.”

This approach has not always made him popular, and Adderley regularly found himself defending the way his department was run. A few months ago, Adderley says he was in a townhall-style meeting when someone got up and said that police in Fort Lauderdale need to do more outreach. “I said, ‘There are 20 projects we’re doing. Can you name one?’ He couldn’t name one of them,” Adderley recalls. 

One project, Adderley says, is the Neighborhood Action Teams, or NAT, whose job is to work on “crime suppression” in District 3, Adderley’s neighborhood. The organization hosts an event called “Seasons of Change,” which celebrates Black History Month and the strides the police department has made in racial equality. Adderley says whether the program prevents crime is unknown, but he does claim it’s efforts like these that create a better relationship between cops and the people they serve. 

Still, though, there are bad apples, Adderley admits. In March 2015, his department got international media attention after three police officers passed around racist texts. The messages included the N-word, a homemade video with former President Barack Obama in gold tooth caps, an “escaped slave” wanted poster and a police dog attacking a black man. The whole thing became public when an ex-fiancée to one of the officers sent the texts to Adderley. 

Overall, though, Adderley believes he has made things better. “We made some differences here that were very positive,” he says, especially in relationships the department built with leaders in his neighborhood. “You’ve got to realize one thing. I live in the black community. I have to face my neighbors.”

There was a time, early in his career, when Kevin Shults became disillusioned. It’s something a lot of officers face at some point—a feeling that everyone they encounter is doing something wrong, he says. 

Now, Shults is a major with BSO and in charge of the training program at one of the nation’s largest law enforcement agencies. It’s his job to make sure deputies are prepared for that moment of disillusionment he faced—and learn how to spot it in others. 

“You go to them and you say, ‘Hey, you need to decompress,’” Shults says. “You might have to walk in a field of crap all day, but it doesn’t mean you need to think it smells good.”

This problem occurs when cops can no longer see anyone as anything but a bad guy. It’s the reason people think there are racists in law enforcement, Shults says. 

When cops become disillusioned like that, they treat everyone like a suspect, like everyone they encounter needs to be searched for contraband, even without reason to do so. Because many law enforcement agencies concentrate on black neighborhoods, it’s more likely that there will be disillusioned officers who people think are racists, Shults says. 

“There’s usually a version to the left and a version to the right, and then there’s the reality somewhere in the middle,” Shults says. 

What makes things worse, Shults says, is that too often the people police serve “get their agenda off social networking.” They have no clear understanding of how law enforcement works and what’s allowed under the law, he says. Shults also notes that the most misunderstood law is when a cop can search someone. 

“Stop-and-frisk is not illegal,” Shults says. “And a lot of people think it is.”

Actually, the Supreme Court found it constitutional in the 1968 decision Terry vs. Ohio. The decision allows a cop to stop someone if the officer has reasonable suspicion—that means that the officer thinks a suspect has, or will soon, commit a crime. One thing to note, however: “The stop has to be based on articulable facts,” Shults says. 

He tells his deputies this boils down to a simple test: another reasonable officer ought to be able to come to the same conclusion that the person has been involved in or is about to commit a crime. With that burden, a stop of a suspect should never be an issue of race, Shults says.

“What we profile are behaviors,” Shults says. “Whether you’re in a white neighborhood or black neighborhood or Hispanic neighborhood, it doesn’t matter. The question is, ‘Is what you’re doing suspicious?’”

When cops become disillusioned, it shouldn’t take much to pull them out of the mindset, Shults says. For him, it was simply having a buddy tell him he wasn’t thinking clearly. He came to realize that when you’re digesting society’s problems day after day, it’s a natural reaction to become jaded. “It’s a human dynamic that’s tough to control,” he says. 

“Facts before acts,” he likes to say to himself. And if officers keep that in mind, he believes they can follow the law—and avoid, hopefully, appearing like they’re making decisions based on race.

Pantone’s Color of the Year is Greenery—a fresh, multi-seasonal color that symbolizes new beginnings. Revitalize your wardrobe with these style picks.

For a quick getaway to gourmet food and gorgeous beaches, take a two-hour drive to the other coast.

After learning Naples was recently voted the nation’s happiest and healthiest city, I thought I would put the west coast metropolis—just two hours from Boca, an easy stretch across Alligator Alley—to the test. LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort fit my tall order for accommodations: low-key, quiet and comfortable with a congenial staff eager to please.

Since biking has been my latest choice of exercise, I was in luck; LaPlaya was hosting a charitable spinning event on the beach with local studio Cycle Guroo and Bikes for Tykes. The setting was spectacular—bikes arranged on the lush lawn directly facing the white sand and stunning turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. With no worries of flat tires or other “mechanicals,” how could I not give this popular workout a try? For me, it was slightly more challenging than the routine I complete at my own pace (well, yes, perhaps much more difficult because the fact is I’m a slow rider). After the workout, LaPlaya’s friendly staff passed around Sunday brunch bites—blueberry-banana smoothies served in shooter glasses, chilled mimosas and more delectable choices—to participants who had clearly worked up an appetite. 

Following the event, I chatted with David Martorana, LaPlaya’s director of sales and marketing. He shared that maintaining health and wellness is the resort’s new focus. This celebratory cycling event was the launch of the LaPlaya Living wellness program, which offers guests a multitude of new health-focused initiatives, including yoga on the beach, fitness classes, healthy menu items, enriching activities and experiences to promote positivity. “Happiness and satisfaction of our guests is what it’s all about,” Martorana says.  

Few getaways are “ultimate,” as we say in the industry, but LaPlaya exceeded expectations. Imagine stepping onto the beach from your private guestroom and relaxing in your beach chair. Reach over the arm, and pull up your flag, letting your beach butler know you’re thirsty. After your mango mojito, you might decide it’s time for that warmed Himalayan salt stone massage, which can only be described by one adjective: exquisite. The property’s award-winning Spa Terre is a full service 4,500-square-foot spa incorporating global rituals, body indulgences and natural facial enhancements. The beach house guestrooms just had a $6 million renovation.

Barefoot dining? Yes, the property has that, too. Shoes are optional at the toes-in-the-sand dining experience at Baleens. While casual dress is accepted, the restaurant still offers a true gourmet experience. Choose between indoor and outdoor seating—overlooking the Gulf—complete with a Tiki Bar and beach fire pits.

Beyond the resort property—and probably the only reason to leave—is golf. LaPlaya Golf Course is known as the “crème de la crème of Naples golf courses” and boasts meticulously manicured greens winding around 14 lakes and water features. Although I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit, I never left the resort—my golf report will be a summer goal. I was a happy camper and perfectly content to experience this west coast paradise as my reality, at least for a few days.

Baleens: Artfully created by executive chef John Sexton and chef de cuisine Robert Solis

Must taste lunch: The Crunchy Grouper Tacos include chipotle lime crema covered grouper and charred corn and black bean salsa with a side of truffle fries.

Appetizer: The Gulf Coast Ceviche & Lobster Wedge Salad—think candied bacon lobster. Can it get any yummier?

Last but not least, the entrée: Blackened Gulf Grouper prepared with a delicious king crab and charred corn truffle risotto cake (hidden message: to die for!).

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, 9891 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples / 239.597.3123 / laplayaresort.com

So you have the boat you always wanted. You love to take your friends aboard and cruise the deep oceans, either showing off your seamanship by driving the boat yourself, or, if you dropped a few mil for a serious yacht,  by hiring a skilled crew to pilot it so you and your guests can enjoy the kind of food they’d expect from a high-end restaurant.

You soon find, however, that sailing from port to port and enjoying time ashore isn’t quite enough. You want additional diversions. Inevitably you seek to add amenities, or “toys” as they call them in the marine industry. Dave Carmichael, who with his brother, Robert, owns three Brownie’s dive shops on the Gold Coast, describes the most common purchases.

“General all round scuba gear is our best-seller,” he says. “Snorkeling gear. Seabobs are very popular, and most boats have paddleboards.” Seabobs, which start around $9,000, are those little water scooters that can glide across the surface and take a rider for shallow underwater trips. Those items, of course, are only used when a boat is docked in calm water.

For the extreme high-end yacht—boats whose sizes rival military vessels—the toys get much bigger and vastly more expensive. You see helicopters on large yachts, giving owners and guests quick ways to come aboard and depart. And for the truly adventurous, there are submersibles (a redefined name for submarines) for people who want to do some serious underwater exploring.

More common are boat tenders and smaller crafts, designed to take people where the larger yacht can’t safely venture. Sometimes those are towed behind the larger ship, but when there is room, they are found aboard.

STOCKING UP

Paul Flannery, director of sales at SYS Yachts Sales Palm Beach, says paddleboards are one of the most popular amenities.

“They’re not expensive, [they’re] easy to store and they provide healthy exercise,” he says. “Underwater seabobs are really popular. Dinghies  are always popular. And rigid bottom inflatables. They’re an important way to create activity, like taking the dog to the beach.” Often, these “toys” convey with the sale of a yacht. “When a guy buys a boat he gets some pretty nice gifts for the kids,” Flannery says.

Flannery has not had much experience with super expensive toys, such as submersibles. They only go on the most expensive yachts. He adds: “But if you have a guy who has a submersible and wants to buy a yacht to put it on, don’t forget my phone number.”

Not everybody is enamored of the more expensive toys. A veteran yacht broker who deals primarily in high-end vessels and did not wish to be named has little time for submersibles.

“They’re a pain in the butt,” he says, “for all the space they take up for how little they’re used. And using them is about a six-hour job, all the work of launching them and bringing them back on board. And there’s insurance costs. You need somebody trained to operate them. And I’ll tell you, if you take some billionaire’s grandchildren down in one of those, you sure as hell better bring them back up.”

Actually, safety has not been a problem for the personal subs. The topic is prominently addressed in the brochure for a leading builder of personal submersibles, Triton Submarines. It says in the last year one million people have enjoyed dives on civilian submersibles, adding “In the three-decade operating history of the industry, ABS and DNV-GL classed submersibles have retained a perfect safety record. Civilian submersibles are, statistically, the safest form of transportation in the world today.”

Not surprisingly in a state surrounded by seas, several of the leading manufacturers of “toys” are located in Florida. In fact, two of the more interesting companies are in one town. Triton Submarines and Dragonfly Boatworks are both in Vero Beach.

THE RISE OF TRITON

When Patrick Lahey introduced the idea of a personal submarine at boat shows, few paid attention. Most just strolled past his booth with a tolerant chuckle.

“Actually, we were ridiculed,” Lehay says. “People said nobody would want to have a submarine on a yacht. They thought they were dangerous and massively complicated. Actually, they’re neither. They’re fun to operate and easy to maintain.”

That was in 2007, a year before his company, Triton Submarines, made its first sale. It was to a West Palm Beach man who owned a 50-meter Trinity yacht. But as word of the product spread, so did acceptance. It wasn’t exactly a gold rush, mostly because it takes a lot of gold to afford a personal submarine. And one has to already own a yacht large enough to accommodate the vessel. Unless a boat is expressly built to carry a sub (and one is being built right now), you need a sizeable craft, say around 50 meters, to stow even the smallest of Triton’s products.

The company is located in Florida because Lahey knew the territory. He had worked at the FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce, a pioneer in underwater research. (In fact, his company’s first employees came from the Institute.) Vero Beach was chosen because Triton’s co-founder and financial partner, L. Bruce Jones, has a residence there.

Calling a Triton submarine a “toy” is somewhat deceptive, unless you are in the habit of spending at least $1.8 million for a toy. The company offers 14 models, with a $30 million price tag for the top-end subs, but none in that range have been sold. The capacity and capability of each model varies, with the maximum diving depth of 7 miles. But most of Triton’s subs go to 7,500 feet.

Lahey became fascinated with submarines as a scuba diver years ago. He began diving at 18. “My father wanted me to go to a university, but I told him I wanted to go to dive school,” he says. Lahey first boarded a sub when he was 21, working for a company in Santa Barbara, California. He realized that they eliminated the need for lengthy decompression after a dive.

“I found it very liberating,” he says. “It was transformative to go down thousands of feet and then come up and step outside.”

His career over three decades has never been far from underwater vehicles. He worked in the offshore gas and oil industry. He built his first sub working for a Canadian company in the 1990s. It took another decade for the idea of personal subs aboard yachts to catch on. By 2007, Lahey and Jones sensed the market was ready for their idea.

“We have built 13,” Lahey says. “We sell between four and six a year. It takes a long time to build one, almost a year. There are 14,000 parts in our 3300 series. The parts come from all over the world. The acrylic spheres are made in Germany.” The 3300 name, like Triton’s other subs, comes from the depth to which they can dive. Ironically, Triton also has 33 employees, including several in Europe.

Although varying in size, Triton’s submersibles have a distinct family resemblance. They may be the strangest-looking marine vessels since the Civil War Monitor—the “cheesebox on a raft.” Triton’s modern designs look more like a fish bowl on a well-fed sled. And the users of these subs feel like they are indeed in a fish bowl, except the fish are on the outside. The acrylic compartment virtually disappears when the vessel goes underwater.

Lahey explains: “People in it for the first time invariably do the same thing. First, they tend to lean back in defense, then they reach out to make sure the glass is still there.”

Although submersibles have a variety of uses, including scientific work, ocean exploration and salvage operations, Lahey found Triton’s niche in mega yachts, whose owners can afford the vessels to entertain themselves and guests.

The subs offer a remarkable opportunity for adventure, viewing a sector of our planet previously unavailable to anyone except highly placed scientists. The ocean is a vast place, with only a tiny amount of it ever seen by human eyes. Thus, the charm of his subs. And you don’t have to go that deep to make history.

“You can be 200 feet underwater and be in a place no one has ever been before,” Lahey says.

NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION

Mark Castlow’s path to entrepreneurship resembles that of Patrick Lahey’s.

“I grew up in Miami, and as a kid, I began making surfboards,” Castlow says. “My father had wanted me to be an architect, and he said I had to make up my mind if I wanted to study architecture or build surfboards. I said I wanted to build surfboards.”

And that he did, and still does, but boards today are a minor part of his Dragonfly Boatworks production. His plant (actually several connected buildings) across from the Vero Beach Airport, and by Dodgertown, specializes in shallow water fishing craft—small boats that have developed a following among yacht owners who take the boats aboard to fish in shallow waters where the yachts cannot venture.

Castlow gained experience working as a partner for 15 years at Maverick Boat Group in Fort Pierce. He and his wife, Mary, produced a show to promote fishing before they opened Dragonfly nine years ago. In that short time, Dragonfly has built a sterling reputation for innovation and quality. Andrew Cilla, president of Luke Brown Yachts in Fort Lauderdale, is an enthusiast for Dragonfly’s products.

“They have a land exhibit in front of the yachts at the Palm Beach Show,” Cilla says. “There’s always a group of boat owners hanging around his display.  I keep a16-footer on a boat in the Keys. Every other boat owner likes to see it. It’s just cool.”

“Last year we built 56 boats,” Castlow says. “It’s not huge volume. We want quality. We like to work with the customer. They contact us here. We don’t have dealers. There is a certain amount of hand-holding. It’s very relaxed. We want to spend time with people. We want to know how they want to use it. We are part of their lifestyle.”

Dragonfly’s 16 employees also turn out a fair number of stand-up paddleboards, one of the most common amenities on yachts.

“We married the attributes of small boats to paddleboards,” Castlow says, proud of the uniqueness of his work. It often involves customizing its designs for special needs.

“One customer had a problem. He had a 65-foot Rybovich Walkaround. It wasn’t big enough to stow the boat forward; he had to put it on the transom. There wasn’t room even for our smallest boat, which is 16 feet. I said, ‘What do you want me to do to make it fit? Fold it?’ He said, ‘Yes, fold it,’” Castlow remembers. Dragonfly did. The first 4 feet of the boat folds up like the wings of an airplane on an aircraft carrier. Castlow is confident it is the first of its kind ever built.

Another innovation the company developed is what appears to be a wooden boat that is actually made of fiberglass. The owner has the satisfaction of the wooden boat look without the maintenance problems. For Dragonfly, and the many other local companies supplying the yacht toys industry, innovation is its own reward.

Find more yacht trends at the Palm Beach International boat show

It is commonly agreed in the boating community that when it comes to major Florida winter boat shows, they save the best for last. That would be the 32nd annual Palm Beach International Boat Show, coming up this month from March 23 to 26. The venue is not only exceptional on Lake Worth in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, but the show has a reputation for serious buyers, as opposed to gawkers just there for the fun.

Where: Show entrances will be located at Evernia Street and North Clematis Street

When: March 23 to 26, times vary

Tickets: $22/adults; $12/ages 6 to 15; free/ages 6 and younger

Visit: showmanagement.com

Interior design talent abounds in South Florida, this is clear. But when our local designers aren't accessorizing an oceanfront condo or mapping plans for an Intracoastal-facing villa, have you ever wondered how they design for themselves? We did. So we asked for a peek inside six local designers' favorite rooms in their own homes.

Angela Reynolds

Owner/lead designer at Angela Reynolds Designs, on her kitchen

“A kitchen always has to have both storage and functionality in mind, though I admit that I sometimes let Aesthetics win out over function.”

With clients including Céline Dion and Kid Rock, it goes without saying that Angela Reynolds, 46, is an authority on interior design in Jupiter. Her career started across the Atlantic Ocean after studying at the Inchbald School of Design in London—the first interior design school in Europe. Upon graduation, Reynolds opened a decorative antique shop on New King's Road before launching her design career and moving to South Florida.

Why the kitchen?

The kitchen is always the heart of any home, and mine is no exception. The original kitchen in my house was small and inconveniently located in the center of the house with no windows. When I remodeled, I took down the walls of a family room and an office to create a large kitchen with lots of windows and natural light. The kitchen now opens up to the family room and dining room so it's well-integrated into my casual living style. If you stand at my island you have natural light streaming in from the windows of the north, south, east and west. I love the natural light and openness.

From where did you draw inspiration?

I've been designing and remodeling kitchens for over 20 years, and when I decided to do mine, I stuck to the classic design elements that make a kitchen timeless. Soft white cabinets, polished nickel hardware and plumbing, open shelving for decorative elements that can be changed out with the holidays or seasons.

What are your three favorite elements or pieces in the room?

The large kitchen island where friends and family gather around. The windows letting in all that natural light, especially the one behind the range, which looks out on my garden and acts in lieu of a decorative backsplash. And the wide-bodied porcelain I used for my countertops and backsplash. Porcelain is such a versatile material, and in recent years it's been developed in large formats and printed to resemble marble.

What are the most important things to consider when designing a room like this?

A kitchen always has to have both storage and functionality in mind, though I admit that I sometimes let aesthetics win out over function. I can't help it, I always want it pretty over practical! That said, function did prevail somewhat. Adding a second sink in the kitchen island was ideal since the kitchen is so long, it's helpful to have sinks at both ends of the space. And I made sure to have tons of storage (some hidden and some open) so I could display my fine china but still have spots for bakeware and pots and pans.

What is your best advice for creating a favorite space in a home?

Follow your design heart, but keep it simple! I think a mistake some people make is to try to have too many ideas crammed into one space. It can be helpful to create a Pinterest board and gather imagines that speak to you. Then assess what common traits they have and use that as your guideline for creating your space. That way you're sure it's personal but streamlined to one design-friendly concept.

Eloise Kubli

President at Collective Construction & Design Inc., on her guest bedroom/relaxation room

“Think about what makes you happy. Color? Collectibles? Family or vacation photos?”

Growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Eloise Kubli remembers being inspired by local museums and mansions—like Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. After moving to South Florida and spending some time with other design firms, the Plantation resident opened her own company alongside her husband, Arthur, a general contractor. With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, Kubli says the best part of her job is “getting to know the client, hearing their vision and taking that far beyond the expected outcome on installation.”

Why the guest bedroom/relaxation room?

It was a mostly unused space that receives beautiful afternoon sun. I decided to have a custom sofa with a chaise and under the stylish frame, it holds a queen sleeper. The walls have a shimmer, lusterstone finish and the chest is antique mirror with gold accents. I love texture, details and mixing finishes.

Later in the day, away from my main business office, I can make final business calls with my feet up and perhaps a glass of wine! [The room also includes] an original mixed media painting by Brian Poli-Dixon called “Unlocked.”

From where did you draw inspiration?

Going to the furniture shows in North Carolina and Las Vegas.

What are your three favorite elements or pieces in the room?

My grandmother Ella's chair, along with her large brass floor candlestick from her Morocco trip; the custom sofa with the small contrast white welting, gray-silver legs, with the luxe tufted back upholstered in blue chenille; the flexible three-piece marble cocktail table that's easy to move, and [I] love the various shapes.

What are the most important things to consider when designing a room like this?

Style with durability, scale and flexibility.

What is your best advice for creating a favorite space in a home?

Think about what makes you happy. Color? Collectibles? Family or vacation photos? To me it's about a space where I can use colors, various finishes and family pieces that work together in my very personal room.

Gil Walsh

Principal of Gil Walsh Interiors, on her living room

“I'm passionate about art and in all of our homes, the paintings have always ruled the roost.“

According to Gil Walsh, interior design is a lot like cooking. “There is a singular moment between ‘it needs salt' and ‘this is really good,'” says the Jupiter resident who boasts more than 40 years in the industry. Walsh credits her parents' and grandparents' appreciation for “beautiful, gracious, hospitable” homes for influencing the Pittsburgh native to study costume and stage design at Chatham College, and later interior design and architecture at the Art Institute. After some time heading the interior design department for a large architectural firm, Walsh opened her own company and bought a home in Florida with her late husband during the '80s. “I began working on it right away,” she says. “I'm still at it. For me, a house is never done. It simply evolves.”

Why the living room?

It's like a three-dimensional album of my life.

From where did you draw inspiration?

Definitely from our art collection. I'm passionate about art and in all of our homes, the paintings have always ruled the roost.

What are your three favorite elements or pieces in the room?

My miniature chair collection; my art; my accessories.

What are the most important things to consider when designing a room like this?

How is it going to function? This is a rather formal room for before- and after-dinner gathering, so it needs to accommodate either a lot of people standing and chatting or several small groups of people sitting and having coffee or a nightcap.

What is your best advice for creating a favorite space in a home?

Think about how you live your life. How many people typically surround your table? Do you enjoy having weekend guests? Do you even like to entertain or [do you] loathe the thought of it? Then, pick a favorite object—a painting, a piece of porcelain—just one little thing that you love, or a place or even a flower. Let that thing inform you. It's the intersection of form and function that turns a house into a home.

Scott Robertson

President of Scott Robertson Interiors Inc., on his living room

“It is a work in progress—always a problem for a designer. When is a room ever done?“

Feeling fatigued from climbing ladders and scaffolds day in and day out, Scott Robertson decided to quit his job as the head of a decorative painting firm and return to school to study design. “I wanted to be more involved in the total look of the environments I was working on,” he says. The 64-year-old Lake Worth resident has since worked with top designers to create beautiful homes in South Florida.

Why the living room?

It is where we entertain guests; it has comfortable furniture, our favorite pieces of art and a really great view out to the golf course and the Intracoastal.

When was it designed?

It is a work in progress—always a problem for a designer. When is a room ever done? The next piece of art to come home or the next piece of furniture to catch my eye could change it all. My husband, Jim, lives in fear of waking up one Saturday to discover that the room is being painted again.

From where did you draw inspiration?

Functionality is always key to me. Living with two dogs (I joke that I spent a long time looking for fabric the color of dirt) and wanting a place to share with our friends, we enjoy entertaining.

What are your three favorite elements or pieces in the room?

The artwork; the sofa fabric, which is from Lee Jofa; the stippled, striped wall painting is something I still take pleasure in every day.

What are the most important things to consider when designing a room like this?

Who is going to live in it, and how do they want the room to function? Who cares what the room looks like if no one uses it? Get the lighting right and make sure there are comfortable places to sit and put a drink.

What is your best advice for creating a favorite space in a home?

Live with what you love—after all, it's your home. Surround yourself with your favorite things, and you will be comfortable. What could be more important?

Krista Watterworth-Alterman

Creative director at Krista Watterworth Design Studio, on her master bedroom

“My master bedroom is very special. I had the lyrics of our wedding song put in the songwriter's handwriting and printed on a wallpaper mural.“

Krista Watterworth-Alterman became a designer by accident. Plan A was an acting career. (Fun fact: Watterworth-Alterman says she was close to landing the part of Debra on the Showtime series “Dexter.”) While studying at The New School in New York City, the Palm Beach Gardens resident auditioned for an HGTV show, booked the role and realized she needed to learn about design. “It was more of a return to self than an accident, actually,” she says of her studies at Parsons School of Design. “I remember as far back as 7 years old drawing elevations and dissections of homes and apartment buildings,” says the now 46-year-old. “I loved to show people ‘living' in their spaces. That's why design is such a personal process for me.”

Why the master bedroom?

It's a room where we dream, connect, cry, love and escape. ... My master bedroom is very special. I had the lyrics of our wedding song put in the songwriter's handwriting and printed on a wallpaper mural. It's called “Valentine's Day” by Bruce Springsteen. Our home was in shambles, and there was dust, dirt, no flooring, windows missing. ... It was a renovation war zone. The mural was the first moment when we started to see the light toward a finished product. I walked my husband in with his eyes closed and revealed my special project. He loved it, thank God!

From where did you draw inspiration?

Inspiration for this room comes from a need to feel grounded as well as a newly found love for open space. Moving from Manhattan was a big leap for us—the world is quite different in Palm Beach Gardens. As a family, we needed a zen-type of comfort to help us adjust to our new environment. Plus, we had so much space (something foreign to a Manhattanite), so my approach to design had to be adjusted. The creativity and talent of a Manhattan designer is based in part on how well she can utilize space. Now, the options were endless. It was a real adjustment to my view on the creative process.

What are your three favorite elements or pieces in the room?

The elements that mean the most to me in this room are things that touch my heart.

I love my husband's guitars. Instruments show up in a lot of my work for that reason. Music is very important to our lives. There is always either jazz, classical, reggae, pop or classic rock providing our daily soundtrack.

I also love our nightstands mostly because I love dressing a nightstand. It's an intimate experience. The nightstand is an altar to display objects reflecting a true piece of who we are. I spend painstaking moments accessorizing—mostly because it has to be perfect. That requires thought. My husband's glasses, his favorite book, a hugs and kisses mug, and a succulent all make for a perfect visual montage of who he is.

The mural is my first and only “can't do without” element. It is the pure definition of who we are as a couple and how we define our roles in life. Our connection comes before all else.

What are the most important things to consider when designing a room like this?

Research and thought. Research the inhabitants, and once you've collected all the data, really think about how to put the pieces of the design puzzle together. In the end, it is solely and uniquely their one-of-a-kind canvas. It should be like no other.

Susan Lachance

Owner and president of Susan Lachance Interior Design, on her great room

“Traveling throughout Europe and being born in England has given me an appreciation for tradition.“

Susan Lachance was groomed at a young age to become an interior designer. Growing up, her dad taught her about construction and in high school, she even worked for an architectural firm. When Lachance was 22 years old she was offered a job working for an interior design firm in Miami, and just three years later—in 1974—she launched Susan Lachance Interior Design. Based in Boca Raton, the 68-year-old says the best part of her job is “conceptualization, drawing it on paper and watching my dreams become a reality.”

Why the great room?

I love my great room because it serves as a living room, family room [and] breakfast room all rolled into one. The space is not only a social gathering place, but [it] has ambiance derived by a fireplace, TV media, 150-gallon salt water fish tank, lots of lit trophy cases and beautiful views of the lake and golf course.

When was it designed?

I designed our empty nester home in 2004, and we moved into it a year and a half later.

From where did you draw inspiration?

I have always been an admirer of Frank Lloyd Wright—symmetry and well-designed spaces that are easily understood. Traveling throughout Europe and being born in England has given me an appreciation for tradition. That being said, I still like to add a twist of the unexpected.

What is your best advice for creating a favorite space in a home?

Most importantly, a room must feel comfortable. The proper orientation of the furniture, the lighting, color scheme, good seating and beautiful art all contribute to the overall visual effect making for a favorite spot in the house.

It’s no secret that chiropractors are specialists in the detection, reduction and prevention of nervous system interferences. Defined by Dr. Gary Burns of Boca Raton Chiropractic Center, chiropractic is “a philosophy, science and art, and is also a way of living that allows the inner self to heal without any drugs or surgery.”

Most patients seek care for neck and back pain or injury, but there’s a lot more that can improve through chiropractic adjustments—carefully directed, controlled pressure applied to bones in order to help the body return to proper motion and position. Dr. Burns gives us more on the benefits of visiting a chiropractor below. 

Pain

Aside from obvious injury from a fall or accident, a chiropractor can aid in other forms of discomfort.“The body can be helped with an adjustment by balancing the nervous system,” Burns says. “An example of that would be adjusting levels to affect specific organs of the body like the digestive system.” Cervical and thoracic adjustments may help with acid reflux and constipation to help digestive organs work properly again. 

Posture

If sitting in the office for hours on end, hunched over a keyboard, is causing what chiropractors explain as “forward head posture,” (think of a turtle’s neck sticking out from its shell) then it’s time to make some changes. “With the increased use of screens whether they are televisions, personal computers or cellphones, our posture is affected, and we are becoming less mobile,” Burns explains. “By adjusting the spine, we can offset this and become more aware of positive lifestyle changes.” For some, forward head posture may also be the cause of tension headaches.

Performance 

There’s a reason why professional athletes visit a chiropractor daily. Chiropractors can help prevent injuries and improve the body’s balance and coordination. So for those training for a half marathon, or someone just getting into fitness, a chiropractor can help relieve the body’s stress by manipulating a bone to remove neurological interference to areas such as the spine, shoulder, knee or ankle. 

Prevention

“With chiropractic, we can help prevent illness by helping with posture, performance and mobility. Everything is improved if we stay mobile for a lifetime,” Burns says. And while Burns is licensed in adjustments, physical therapy, laser therapy, nutrition, exercise rehabilitative therapies and more, he says he will not assist a patient if life-threatening problems such as symptoms of heart attack or stroke are present, which calls for a visit to a primary care physician or hospital. 

Need Help Finding A Chiropractor?

Lauderdale Chiropractic Clinic; 1140 SE Third Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954.764.8505; drrickbruns.com

Broward Spine and Injury Center; 3020 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954. 351.5565; browardinjurychiropractor.com

Boca Raton Chiropractic Center; 4331 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton; 561.391.2221; bocaratonchiropracticcenter.com

Power Chiropractic; 324 Datura St., Ste. 145, West Palm Beach; 561.659.6636; chiropracticwestpalmbeach.com

Healthier U Jupiter; 240 W. Indiantown Road, Ste. 107, Jupiter; 561.203.7945; provider.kareo.com/healthier-u-jupiter

Simpson Advanced Chiropractic & Medical Center; 464 SW St. Lucie Blvd., Ste. 114, Port St. Lucie; 772.343.8511 / 104 SE Lonita St., Stuart; 772.463.2344; simpsonmedical.com 

Get clean. but first, get dirty with activated charcoal—a natural ingredient that absorbs dirt and oil.

The overarching trend in home furnishings and design is to personify comfortable elegance. Luxurious textiles, detailed furnishings, exotic accessories and artful lighting converge in complex colors and metals to create inviting yet sophisticated interiors. 

1. Barely There

Just a drop of color will do to nudge interiors from neutral to nuanced. 

2. Bling it On

At risk of appearing too demure, finish with jewels of crystal, anything of acrylic and trims of metal.

3. Art Appreciation

Art is in the details, as in beautifully shaped legs, sculptural chandeliers, the graceful curves of a chair and the intricate design of a rug.

4. Mirror Image 

Mirrors of extraordinary artistry return in a featured design role as coordinates with furnishings or as statement pieces.

5. Velvet Touch 

There is simply nothing more decadent than luxurious velvet, now appearing in furnishings across the design spectrum.

6. Brass Ensemble 

From accessories and mirror frames to intricate inlays and ferrules, brass is a solid hit, however, more pianissimo, hand-rubbed silver leaf and gold leaf are also trending.

7. Well Suited 

Menswear inspired fabrics trend forward and upholstered furnishings stay guest-ready in sophisticated new indoor/outdoor fabric collaborations.

8. Mod Squad  

Mid-century modern influences permeate, elevate and refine contemporary design aesthetics. Look for acrylic, exotic woods, tapered legs and angular silhouettes.

9. Divide and Conquer 

Interesting curios, étagères and cabinets re-emerge to subtly define spaces in open plan homes and draw interest to cozy nooks.

The Home Issue appeals to my personal hobby of decorating and the feeling of satisfaction that greets me each time I walk into my own house. Through the years, my style choices have evolved with the times. From South Beach chic to Art Deco, New York loft to Boca contemporary, I’ve arrived at a comfortable, aesthetically pleasing balance of color and texture that feels just right within the walls of my contemporary abode. 

All sorts of styles are combined to create the home I feel proud to own and one that never ceases to receive compliments from my guests when they see the bold lines and bright colors. I am surrounded by the things I have chosen to reflect my lifestyle and tastes. That expertise from a professional is a gift worth giving to yourself if you are not quite sure how to express the feeling you want your home to exude.

Frank McKinney is a real estate “artist” who resides in Delray Beach and is known for his oceanfront mega mansions. Recently, he caught onto the trend of homeowners wanting to downsize and created his first “micro mansion” in Boynton Beach. Take a look and see that no matter the size of the home, it’s the interior that speaks volumes.

The magnificent homes in the Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club in Boca Raton are as versatile as they are upscale. Open your eyes to one fabulous residence that offered us a sensational show-and-tell.

Plus, meet six local designers who take us inside their favorite rooms of their homes. From great rooms to kitchens, learn what makes each special, and gain inspiration on how to design your own favorite space. 

And speaking of favorites—you know the expression about how boys love their toys? Well, for yachts lovers who are growing bored of their usual fun on the water, they’re in luck, as even the smallest yacht toys are hitting the water with pride. Everything from fold-up boats to recreational submarines are all the rage.  

I hope you feel inspired to take a fresh look at your surroundings and think about a subtle new change or crazy new color you’d like to incorporate. Spring is in the air, and it’s the perfect time to kick it up a notch, and kick back and enjoy, with a copy of Boca Life in hand, of course!

Are you as pumped for this year's Festival of the Arts as we are? Well, in addition to all the concerts, lectures and performances, now you can pair your cultural experience with an artful Italian dinner in Mizner Park.

For a limited time, during the span of the festival from March 2-12, Tanzy Restaurant will be offering a three-course tasting menu featuring spicy coppa with gruyere croquettes or lobster cakes, along with a choice of entree and duo of dessert.

The artisanal menu will be available for $49 per person.

Foodie Corner is a regular feature in our Boca Agenda newsletter of events around Boca Raton. The mini section highlights new restaurants, menus, deals and more. Need help planning your week? Sign up to receive our newsletter right in your inbox.

Your stomach and your schedule will thank you for eating at this convenient, yet health-conscious, build-your-own-bowl restaurant coming to Boca’s Park Place shopping plaza.

Hailing from Tampa’s Soho district, Fresh Kitchen, a Ciccio Restaurant Group (CRG) quick-service brand, will be making its debut on Florida's east coast on March 23.

No stranger to the trendy build-your-own-bowl concept, CRG has featured fresh bowls on its menus for nearly 20 years. All bowl options are 100 percent gluten-free, and include seasonal vegetables, protein-packed grains or noodles, hormone and antibiotic-free meats, and homemade sauces. Vegan options are also available.

Bowls range in price from $6.45 for a kid’s bowl—which includes one base, one veggie, one protein and one sauce—up to $9.95 for a six-bowl, which include two bases, two veggies, two proteins and one sauce.

Bases include brown rice, sweet potato mash, and the popular sweet potato noodles, with toppings like parmesan broccoli, roasted mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, baked almond chicken and herb-grilled steak. Customers can then finish off their personalized bowls with a must-have sauce, such as creamy white ginger, coconut sriracha or cucumber jalapeño.

Fresh Kitchen's Boca Raton location will feature contemporary, vibrant decor, along with “street art”-style murals, both on the inside and outside of the storefront, courtesy of the brand's personal art director, Bianca Burrows.

And although speed and convenience are cornerstones of Fresh Kitchen locations, Marketing Director Nikki Wallen said CRG's full-service restaurant background is the reason customers still receive quality care.

“Even though it’s minimal how long you’re interacting with our staff because you’re walking through a line, we still expect it to be quality customer service as much as it is quality ingredients,” she said.

Fresh Kitchen also hopes to become more involved in Boca’s thriving community. In fact, Wallen says one of Fresh Kitchen’s co-owners and a chef moved to town from Tampa about a month ago in hopes of learning more about the community and creating ties with local charities, schools and even the Chamber of Commerce. 

She hopes this will give the Boca location an authentic Fresh Kitchen feel, while still offering close-knit ties within the community.

During its opening day on March 23, Fresh Kitchen will be teaming up with the Junior League of Boca Raton, and donating 100 percent of the day's proceeds. 

Following the grand opening, Fresh Kitchen will continue to partner with local charities during select weeks to donate 100 percent of proceeds collected from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

“[Boca Raton] seems to be a very community-focused type of area, where they really support local businesses," Wallen said. "People like to get involved, and there’s a lot of charity presence. It’s very much our style."

Guests can visit Fresh Kitchen from 11 a.m. to 9:35 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9:05 p.m. on Sundays.

Fresh Kitchen; 5550 N. Military Trail, Bay 214, Boca Raton

(Images via Facebook/Fresh Kitchen Boca)

Spring is in the air, and Delray's newest seasonally inspired, health-conscious restaurant is about to roll out its latest menu update. 

When Harvest Seasonal Grill's Spring menu debuts March 21, expect fresh new items like lemon thyme chicken, spring sea scallops, and falafel salad. Until then, be sure to snag the last bites of warm wintery dishes like butternut squash soup and coq au vin chicken, or try one of our personal favorites—the grass-fed bison burger.

The best part? Most of the items on the menu are under 500 calories.

Foodie Corner is a regular feature in our Boca Agenda newsletter of events around Boca Raton. The mini section highlights new restaurants, menus, deals and more. Need help planning your week? Sign up to receive our newsletter right in your inbox.

South Florida abounds with culinary creativity, proving when it comes to food, the sky is the limit. Discover 12 gluttonous, creative and exotic dishes that will wow your eyes and your taste buds.

Decadent Dog

At B Square, the “Bs” stand for burgers and booze. But the elevated-casual American eatery that joined the east end of Las Olas Boulevard in fall serves up more than your average sandwich. Take, for example, the Decadent Dog, a foot-long American Kobe beef hot dog with sautéed lobster, truffle oil, garlic butter and slaw, served with Parmigiano-truffle fries and homemade chips. “We’re all about elevating and creating unique twists on the classics,” says Thomas Febbraio, the restaurant co-founder, developer, restaurateur and principal. Round of applause.

$38.95; B Square Burgers & Booze, 1021 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale / 954.999.5216 / 
bsquareburger.com

Caramel Kitchen Sink

Are you ready for a list of just some of the treats that are piled on top of these chocolate chip cookies? Marshmallows, chocolate chips, toffee crunch pieces, Edward Marc Chocolatier’s snappers milk chocolate and caramel, Little Debbie Star Crunch, Ghirardelli caramel chocolate square, and seven more items we’d list if there were more room. The dessert was first crafted through Little Gilbert’s Cookie Company and sold at Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill out of necessity. Due to an illness, owners Lenore and Robert Gilbert took a hiatus from the family business, leaving their daughter Beth Gilbert in charge. Unsuccessful at making her mother’s notable Key lime pies and cheesecakes, she improvised, building tall cookies so they took up space in the display case. Now, there are 10 versions of the kitchen sink cookie.

$7.95, Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill, 1821 Cordova Road, Fort Lauderdale / 954.768.8990 / gilberts17thstgrill.com

Death Before Chocolate CakeShake

Davie’s Cupcake Galleria takes cake and ice cream to a whole new level. Boutique “cupcakery” co-founder Charli Flanders says she created the cupcake-set-atop-a-milkshake combo for “all of the chocolate lovers around the world.” We’re glad she did. Flanders left her job in law enforcement to open the storefront two years ago where she’s also known for whipping up delicious cupcakes (sans milkshakes) and cake pops.

$6.85; Cupcake Galleria, 6947 Stirling Road, Davie / 844.522.5379 / thecupcakegalleria.com

Thai I-CE Tea

Flying under the radar has been this up-and-coming food trend: Thai ice cream rolls. Delray Beach’s Eathai makes the dessert by pouring a cream base on a surface that’s roughly 10 F, flattening it and then rolling it into five sections using a spatula. (Pro tip: Order the true Philippines version that isn’t on the menu called Egg Yolk I-CE Halo, which uses a coconut milk base with a raw yolk on top.) Ice cream is only one facet of Eathai’s authentic experience. With offerings from spicy salads, to curry, to fried rice, owner Sopanut Sopochana says, “If you want a real Thai food you have to come here.”

$8; Eathai, 1832 S. Federal Highway, Delray Beach / 561.270.3156 / eathaiflorida.com

Goma Panna Cotta

If someone were to take a giant spoon, scoop up a portion of the ocean floor and offer you a bite, chances are you’d decline. But you don’t want to miss the opportunity to taste the black sesame panna cotta during a visit to Kuro at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. The dessert was created by chef Ross Evans who pulled inspiration from the sea. “There is a clear divide between those who love the panna cotta and those who don’t understand it,” Evans says. That’s unsurprising, considering the combination of black sesame, ginger, cucumber and seaweed does stray from a traditional chocolate cake or bowl of ice cream that often concludes a meal.

$12; Kuro, 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood / 866.502.7529 / seminolehardrockhollywood.com

Sushi Burrito

What started as a Cinco de Mayo promotion is now one of Phat Boy Sushi & Kitchen in Fort Lauderdale’s best-kept secrets. Co-owners Thuan Lam and John Maser first tried a sushi burrito while visiting California. They decided to create their own during their restaurant’s opening last May, and while the dish isn’t a permanent fixture on the menu, for any customer who asks, Lam or Maser will turn a roll into a burrito—for a few additional dollars. Our call: It’s worth the extra change.

From $16; Phat Boy Sushi & Kitchen, 4391 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale / 954.533.4218 / phatboysushi.com

Manhattan Mac + Cheese Melt

What’s better than a scoop of mac and cheese? A scoop of mac and cheese stuffed between two slices of toasted, buttery country bread. The Manhattan Mac + Cheese Melt is one of the most popular dishes at New York Grilled Cheese Co. in Wilton Manors and Boca Raton. Founder and CEO Leor Barak suggests pairing it with the BaconDog Lollipops—100-percent Angus beef franks that are dipped in a rich maple glaze, wrapped in premium apple wood-smoked bacon strips and presented on sticks.

$10.75; New York Grilled Cheese Co., 2207 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors; 954.564.6887 / 493 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton; 561.277.0777 / newyorkgrilledcheese.com

The Forman Burger

Who can eat three sandwiches in one sitting? (Best to not answer that question.) When you order yet another hidden-menu hit—The Forman Burger—at Pincho Factory in Pembroke Pines, that’s basically what you get. The burger is topped with a tomato slice, three pickles and a drizzle of Carolina BBQ sauce, and it arrives between two grilled cheese sandwiches. “I wanted to maximize the amount of cheese I can put in a burger and find the right balance of bread, meat and cheese,” says CEO Nedal Ahmad. He notes that customers sometimes order the sandwich as a challenge, requesting to triple the patties and add toppings like bacon, queso frito and an egg. “It [is] quite a sight to see,” he says.

$9.99; Pincho Factory, 155 N. Hiatus Road, Pembroke Pines / 754.888.9746 / pinchofactory.com

The Hangover Bloody Mary

A true rallier’s best friend, The Hangover Bloody Mary at Tarpon Bend Food & Tackle is a fire-red blend of vodka and bloody mary mix with layers of pickled okra, asparagus, tomatoes, celery and olives. Adornments include a cheeseburger slider, jumbo shrimp and bacon. “[I was] just playing around with some concepts, trying to come up with a unique, boozy brunch item when it came to me,” says Peter Boulukos, executive chef and co-founder of The Restaurant People. With a solution to overconsumption consequences, guests can feel less bad about also enjoying Tarpon’s legendary happy hour paired with live entertainment.

$12; Tarpon Bend Food & Tackle, 200 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale / 954.523.3233 / tarponbend.com

The Crabster

We’ve all heard of, or maybe even indulged in, Turducken—chicken stuffed with duck stuffed with turkey. Well, as executive chef Ralph Pagano set out to develop the menu at Naked Crab Seafood Kitchen & Cocktail Bar, which arrived in B Ocean Resort along Fort Lauderdale beach two months ago, he created a seafood dish that uses the same concept. His result is called The Crabster, and it’s a 2-pound Dutch Harbor red king crab stuffed with shrimp, crab and lobster.

$100 (serves up to three people); Naked Crab Seafood Kitchen & Cocktail Bar, 1140 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale / 954.727.7090 / nakedcrabfl.com

Bud Light and Popcorn Gelato

At La Gelateria della Musica, you can have a beer and eat it, too. In addition to Bud Light-flavored gelato, ice cream versions of popcorn, bread and red wine can be found at the Boca Raton shop. Originally from Milan, Italy, the concept opened its first U.S. location in South Florida in January. Escape the heat with one of La Gelateria’s 140 traditional to (highly) creative gelato flavors.

$4.99/small, $5.99/medium, $7.50/large; La Gelateria della Musica, 177 SE Mizner Blvd., Ste. 36, Boca Raton / facebook.com/pg/LaGelateriaDellaMusicaUSA

The Doghouse Special

Not your average hot dog joint, Gourmet Killer Dogs in Delray Beach takes 100-percent all-natural beef links and marries them with atypical to customer-selected toppings. Take, for example, The Doghouse Special, a jumbo “killer” dog with sautéed peppers and onions, cheddar cheese, a fried egg and fried cubed potatoes with the option to add candied bacon. It will satisfy a breakfast craving during any time of the day, but if the yearning is for a p.m. plate, try the restaurant’s famous Maine Lobster Rolls, or its newest creation, the Ipswich Clam Rolls.

$10.99; Gourmet Killer Dogs, 4057 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach / 917.656.3664 / facebook.com/pg/killerhotdogs

After a long week there’s no better way to decompress than hitting up a great happy hour. Whether you want your cocktail with a side of water views, a side of truffle fries or simply a side of cash saved from a great deal, these local spots will keep you feeling happy all evening.

With a list of more than 30 core drafts, curated beer flights and seasonal cocktails, Tap 42 is a go-to no matter which night you choose.

Max’s Grille

A staple in the Boca Raton community for more than 20 years, Max’s Grille is a hot spot at any time, but especially during happy hour (4 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily except for Saturday). Take a break from the heat inside, or snag an umbrella-clad table outside, and enjoy a rotating list of live music—from Latin guitar player Alex Fox on Wednesdays to a DJ from Y100 on Fridays. Specials happen at brunch, too. During the restaurant’s “Recovery Weekends,” enjoy endless bloody marys, mimosas or Bellinis for $15 with an entrée purchase—live music and ultimate brunch vibes included. Mizner Park, 404 Plaza Real, Boca Raton / 561.368.0080 / maxsgrille.com

Cut 432

Looking for a classy way to start the evening? Cut 432 has been given a variety of accolades, often praised as one of the best restaurants in Delray Beach. Its “Social Hour” is offered every day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and encourages diners to unwind with $5 specialty cocktails and light bites (think pancetta Brussels sprouts and mini burgers), $4 house spirits and drafts, and $3 house wine. After happy hour ends, you may want to stay for dinner, and with a menu full of items like Florida stone crab claws, ceviche and prime cuts, you’ll be glad you did. 432 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach / 561.272.9898 / cut432.com

Rack’s Downtown Eatery + Tavern

It’s all about the food during happy hour at this modern American spot. Ranging from $1 (for oysters) to $13 (for shrimp or jumbo lump crab cocktail), all items are held to the restaurant’s high standard for freshness, using locally grown produce and sustainable seafood. Not a fish aficionado? Don’t worry, the menu is also full of items like cheesecake tacos and mac and cheese, available daily from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the bar and outside high-tops. Mizner Park, 402 Plaza Real, Boca Raton / 561.395.1662 / racksboca.com

Kapow Noodle Bar

Three of South Florida’s favorite restaurateurs came together to bring a bit of flair to Mizner Park. Their different backgrounds led to Kapow Noodle Bar, a fun spot serving a mix of Asian-fusion and French Vietnamese cuisine. Try a bit of everything during the daily happy hour (available 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.), which includes food favorites like Vietnamese chicken wings, ahi tuna poke and crispy spicy beef wontons. Wash it all down with half-price wines, $4 Sapporo, $5 drafts and more, or go big with one of the punch bowls—a rotating mix of flavors—available for just $6 during happy hour. Mizner Park, 431 Plaza Real, Boca Raton / 561.347.7322 / kapownoodlebar.com

Tap 42

The popular craft beer bar and eatery offers locals the chance to experience an extensive beer list, bottomless brunch and loaded burgers. Head on over Monday through Friday for $3 off all drinks from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. If the food is more your forte, treat yourself on Monday nights when the Prohibition Burger and Veggie Burger are offered for just $5 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. And on Wednesdays, gather the ladies and enjoy late-night specials starting at 9 p.m. With a list of more than 30 core drafts, curated beer flights and seasonal cocktails, Tap 42 is a go-to no matter which night you choose. 5050 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton / 561.235.5819 / tap42.com

Brickyard Restaurant & Microbrewery

Brickyard does happy hour a bit differently. Hint: it never ends. From open to close every day, this restaurant and microbrewery offers 44 of its 50 drafts for less, plus half-off wines and well drinks, and cocktails for $4 to $5. And even though you won’t see any food on the happy hour menu, most regular-priced items are under $10. Find daily specials like “Burger & A Craft Beer” night on Tuesdays, “Prime Rib Night” on Sundays and rotating specials on the weekends. 7050 W. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton / 561.544.0001 / brickyardbocaraton.com

Uncle Julio’s

Take taco Tuesday to the next level at this Tex-Mex spot in Mizner Park. Known for swirled margaritas and mesquite-grilled entrees like fish tacos, carne asada and bacon wrapped camarones, stopping here for happy hour is a great way to spruce up an otherwise mundane week. Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., diners are transported to Mexico underneath hacienda-style décor while getting a taste of appetizers like $5 chicken quesadillas and nachos, $5 margaritas (or upgrade to a Patron margarita for an extra $2), $6 mojitos, $4 house wines and $3 select bottled beer. After a margarita or two, you might just forget you’re still in Boca. Mizner Park, 499 Plaza Real, Boca Raton / 561.300.3530 / unclejulios.com

DaVinci’s of Boca

Grab a seat at the bar or out on the patio, and feed your soul with rich Italian dishes like penne Bolognese and ravioli with porcini and butternut squash, all for just $7, every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. And while DaVinci’s is known for Southern Italian dishes, it’s the cocktail program during happy hour that is praised as one of the best in the area. Find specialty drinks like the Espresso Martini, made from a secret family recipe, and the Italiano Sour, mixed with Old Forester bourbon, lemon juice and cherry, plus wines by the glass, sangrias and a variety of domestic, imported, craft and draft beers. As an added bonus, order a bottle of wine under $100 during happy hour and get 25-percent off. We’ll have a glass (or two) of the red. Town Center at Boca Raton, 6000 Glades Road, Boca Raton / 561.362.8466 / davinciofboca.com

Piñon Grill

After a day of shopping, you deserve a pick-me-up. Located in Town Center at Boca Raton, this spot is popular with locals and visitors for its affordable, yet classic Southwestern fare, all made with organic and locally grown ingredients. During happy hour, grab a friend: all cocktails (we suggest the Savoy with strawberry-infused Grey Goose vodka, fresh lime, strawberry nectar and Sprite), and beer and wine by the glass are buy-one-get-one-free, plus 50-percent off appetizers. Just note, these specials are only available at the bar, so get there early to snag a stool. Town Center at Boca Raton, 6000 Glades Road, Ste. 1390, Boca Raton / 561.391.7770 / pinongrill.com

Waterstone Hotel

Enjoy your evening lakeside at Waterstone Hotel’s Rum Bar & Grill. The tranquil outdoor space is ideal for a casual night spent unloading from a hard week. Daily from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., guests can choose from an array of appetizers like Parmesan truffle fries, buffalo chicken spring rolls or fried calamari, and half-off wines by Vista Point Vineyards, select draft beer and well spirits. After you’ve had your fill, continue the night taking a swing on a nearby hammock and watching the sun set over Lake Boca. Relaxation achieved. 999 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton / 561.368.9500 / waterstoneboca.com

Life after 50 with Carmel Baronoff

Life doesn’t slow down at 50, according to Carmel Baronoff, a Boca-based chef and fitness expert. As the star of “Living Well with Carmel,” Baronoff acts as viewers’ personal cheerleader, promoting aging gracefully and turning a mid-life crisis into a mid-life opportunity. “It’s our moment to blossom,” she says. “The children are out of the house, and there is a lot more living to do. ... After all these years, we are in tune with ourselves and finally know what we still want to do in our second chapter of life.” Baronoff shares the key to staying motivated, passionate and healthy with the use of four tactics.

Stay Interested: I am always inspired when I learn of the 85-year-old fitness instructor, the 90-year-old ballroom dancer, or the senior who took up sky diving on his or her 100th birthday. These are individuals who know that staying active is the key to longevity. More importantly, they understand that being keenly interested later in life is one of the secrets to staying young. 

Whether it’s a hobby that introduces you to new skills, a sport that keeps you limber and in shape, or a social activity that enables you to make new friends, there are countless beneficial factors that can keep you sharp, happy and healthy for a lifetime.

Reduce Stress: Certainly a hobby is ideal for learning new skills, but it also takes your mind off of the stresses and strains in your life as you are forced to concentrate on the task at hand. Some ideas include gardening, cooking or playing a musical instrument.

Increase Memory: Any activity that requires rote memory or problem solving is an excellent exercise for the mind. If you want a brain tune-up, be sure to try any of the following: card games such as Bridge, crossword puzzles and even memorizing lines of a play.

Improve Flexibility: I always say, ‘Keep moving!’ There are so many easy and fun-to-do activities that involve stretching and improving your muscles strength. The added benefits to some of these activities are the possibility of meeting a new group of people while enjoying some healthy competition. Some of my favorites include playing golf, dancing, yoga, swimming and walking.

Superfoods

Healthy eating habits are important for every stage of life. As we grow older, our aging bodies require more nutrition from the foods we eat in order to remain fit and energetic. Infusing “superfoods” into a daily diet is one way to make sure the meals we enjoy are full of nutritional value. Superfoods are named such because they are fortified with vitamins and health benefits that will provide energy, bolster the immune system and help the body lose weight. 

Some superfoods include beets, lemons, beans, sardines, berries, hot peppers, grapes and dark chocolate. Here’s a salad recipe that’s rich in vitamins and minerals:

Carmel’s SuperFood Salad

Dressing:

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon maple syrup

Salt and pepper

Combine ingredients in a lidded container and shake.

Salad:

Romaine lettuce blended with a spring mix

1/4 cup the following:

Sardines (skinless and boneless packed in olive oil)

Dates (with stems chopped off)

Seedless red grapes (sliced in two)

Chopped celery

Tuscan beans

Chickpeas

Walnuts

Diced green onions

3 tablespoons of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional)

Lay out the bed of lettuce in a bowl and drizzle prepared dressing over the greens. Top with remaining ingredients and finish off with the shaved cheese. 

To learn more about Baronoff and to watch “Living Well with Carmel,” visit lwwc.tv.

Get naturally beautiful skin with products picked from produce.

Skin health should always be top-of-mind for Floridians. Associate Editor Melissa Puppo shares the importance of a microdermabrasion facial.

Of all the things people can do to be the best, healthiest versions of themselves, there’s one thing I’ve neglected: my skin. I’ve let visiting a dermatologist fall by the wayside for too long, often accepting my adult acne over making time to do something about it. So when Dr. Jason Green of Green Dermatology & Cosmetic Center invited me to his new office in Deerfield Beach, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. 

After settling in, aesthetician Jamie Denneau asked me some basic skincare questions and examined my skin to determine what treatments would work best. I checked off all the boxes as a perfect candidate to receive a microdermabrasion facial and a salicylic acid peel. Microdermabrasion is great for those looking to help smooth acne scars, brighten dark spots, shrink pores and improve the surface of the skin by using micronized crystal particles to “sand down” the face, Dr. Green says. The peel works by penetrating the skin to kill bacteria. It also increases cell turnover, and aids with hyperpigmentation issues like sun damage, acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, large oil glands and more.  

When I left Dr. Green’s office, my face was powder white in certain areas, which is also known as “frosting,” caused by the acid’s interaction with my skin—aka a good sign that magic was happening. The white went away after applying a moisturizer from Dr. Green’s skincare line, which also features cleansers, shampoos, sunscreen and more. 

My skin began to peel a few days later, allowing new skin to regenerate. The end result was smoother skin with a natural glow, and my dark spots became less apparent. Dr. Green recommends a facial and peel every two to four weeks for the best results. Microdermabrasion and peels cost from $150 a session.

Green Dermatology & Cosmetic Center; 260 SW Natura Ave., Ste. 101, Deerfield Beach; 954.481.0650; drgreenderm.com