A Message from Commissioner Burt Aaronson

March is one of the most pleasant months here in South Florida.  It is time to remind ourselves that District 5 has some of the best parks and recreational facilities in the County.  There are a number of events scheduled for this month that I would like to share with you.

The Hatsume Fair at the Morikami Museum, located on Jog Road south of Linton Blvd., is scheduled for March 20-21 from 11:00am to 6:00pm.  Hatsume celebrates the first bud of spring and features three stages of continuous entertainment, including taiko drumming, martial art demonstrations, and children’s activities.  There are avenues of artisan booths, plant sales, anime dealers, Asian and American food vendors and The Kirin Beer Garden.  Tickets are available online at www.pbcgov.com/parks or at the gate.

South County Regional Park, with main entrances on Yamato Rd. and Glades Rd. offers several choices for your enjoyment.  Coconut Cove Waterpark will re-open for Spring Break March 27-April 4.  Hours of operation are 10:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Saturday and Sundays from noon to 5:00pm.  After Spring Break, the waterpark will be open on weekends only from April 5-June 3.  Sunset Cove Amphitheater has scheduled Palm Beach County Movie Night for March 12 at 7:30pm.  This month’s movie is Monsters vs. Aliens rated PG.  Admission is free.  Picnic baskets and lawn chairs are welcome.  Also, children ages 9-12 can explore the unique and diverse environments and animals of Florida by attending Spring Break Camp at the Daggerwing Nature Center Monday-Friday, March 29-April 2 from 9:00am to 4:00pm.  Registration is now through March 13.  Contact the Center at 561-629-8760.

Canyon Town Center Amphitheater on Boynton Beach Blvd. west of the Turnpike  is offering two events this month:  A Concert for Children by the Rotary Club of Boynton Beach and Lantana on March 13 at 3:00pm and Karaoke with Alex Under the Stars on March 27 at 6:00pm.

Finally, I want to share an event being held at the West Boynton Recreation Center located on Jog Rd. north of Gateway.  This is actually in District 3 but many of you may be interested in attending.  The County’s Animal Care & Control Department is holding a Pet Adoption Day on March 6 from 9:00am to 1:00pm.  You will be able to visit with adoptable dogs and cats.  In addition, you can register for the Center’s Hurricane Pet Shelter.  Although I hope the County will not have to utilize this shelter, I am pleased that we have it available to those residents that need to have a place to shelter their pets in the event of a hurricane.

As always, I invite your comments on any issue of interest to you.  As your Commissioner, I am here to help you.  You may write me at 301 N. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach, 33401 or call my staff at 276-1310 or toll free at 877-930-2205.  My email address is:  baaronso@pbcgov.org.