Café Aroma opens its Boca flagship
A New Jersey roastery brings cafecitos to Town Center Road as summer service and weekend events fill the calendar.
Café Aroma opens its Boca flagship
Café Aroma, a New Jersey-based Cuban espresso roastery, has opened its flagship brick-and-mortar location in Boca Raton at 5355 Town Center Road, Suite 100. The 440-square-foot, Havana-inspired café serves cafecitos, cappuccinos, café bon bons, and pastries from Vicky Bakery, along with seasonal banana and dulce de leche lattes. A small market inside stocks the roastery's own espresso bricks plus bomba paella rice, Bonilla potato chips, El Norteño pork rinds, and other packaged goods. Whether you're after a quick cafecito or a bag of imported staples, the new spot puts both under one roof in Boca. (Boca Raton Magazine)
Extra speed enforcement statewide through July 18
Operation Southern Slow Down runs July 13-18, with Florida joining Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee in a five-state effort that pairs heightened speed enforcement with public education. State transportation officials point to the 2024 Florida Traffic Crash Facts report, which found speeding was a factor in about six percent of the state's traffic fatalities. The campaign is statewide, so drivers across Florida can expect more attention to speed through the weekend. (Florida Department of Transportation)
Beach shuttle expands summer service
The BocaConnect summer pilot has expanded on the barrier island south of the Boca Raton Inlet, running July 1 through September 30. The on-demand shuttle operates Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Rides that start and end inside the red base service area are free, while trips that begin or end in the blue/green zone cost $2 for the first rider plus $1 per additional rider, capped at $5 one way, and must connect back to the red area. The city says a requested shuttle should arrive in 10 minutes or less. (City of Boca Raton)
Committee weighs Memorial Park plan bidders
A city staff evaluation committee meets Thursday, July 16 at 1 p.m. in the Downtown Library Community Room, 400 NW 2nd Avenue, to review Statements of Qualifications submitted under RFQ 2026-035-IG for the Downtown Civic Area Master Plan, the process guiding the Memorial Park Master Plan. The public may attend, though there is no public-comment period. The committee's role is limited to reviewing qualifications and recommending a shortlist; it does not negotiate contracts, review pricing, or make the final consultant selection. Shortlisted firms are scheduled to present their approach and community-engagement vision at the Tuesday, July 28 City Council meeting. (City of Boca Raton)
Free water and energy workshop tonight
The Water Energy Learning and Behavior (WE-LAB) workshop runs Thursday, July 16 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Boca Raton Downtown Library, 400 NW 2nd Avenue. Led by the City Office of Sustainability and Dream in Green, the free session covers how household water and energy use connect and which behavior changes can lower bills and environmental impact. The first 50 registered attendees receive a free water- and energy-saving toolkit valued at $50. (City of Boca Raton Office of Sustainability)
Family Fun Snorkel at Gumbo Limbo
Intracoastal Adventures: Family Fun Snorkel takes place Saturday, July 18 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, 1801 North Ocean Boulevard. It is open to adults and children ages 10 and older, with a parent or guardian required to register and participate alongside any minors, and it costs $15 for residents and $19 for nonresidents. Participants bring their own snorkel, mask, and water shoes; fins are not allowed, and reef-friendly sunscreen is recommended. Advance reservations are required, and sessions may be canceled for weather or low registration. (City of Boca Raton / Gumbo Limbo Nature Center)
First Dive-In Movie Night, July 24
Boca Raton Recreation Services hosts its first Dive-In Movie Night on Friday, July 24 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Meadows Park Pool, 1300 NW 8th Street. Admission is free, and Luca (2021), rated PG, begins at dusk. Guests can watch from the pool or the deck while food trucks sell food. For safety, floats are not permitted, though lifejackets are allowed. (City of Boca Raton Recreation Services)
Summer sustainability challenge runs to Aug. 31
The city's Turn the T.I.D.E. Summer Sustainability Challenge is open to residents and visitors of all ages. Participants complete one activity in each of four categories—Think Green, Inspire others, Discover Boca's natural resources, and Engage in community action—then email their photos, logs, and descriptions to the City Office of Sustainability in a single submission. Entries are due August 31, and finishers receive instructions to pick up a sustainable prize pack at City Hall while supplies last, with prizes claimed by September 18. (City of Boca Raton Office of Sustainability)