Happy May! And Happy Mother’s Day! I’m excited to bring you another edition of Around Wellington Magazine online. For a lovely Mother’s Day poem, just visit our Poem of the Month page.
You’ll now find a better way of looking at recent event photos, a slideshow that you can control. Just take a look at some of the photos on our home page at www.aroundwellington.com or visit the Photo Galleries link at the top. We have photos from a couple of recent events, the Wellington High School Young Democrats’ Club meeting and Leadership Palm Beach County’s 25th Anniversary event. More photos coming soon! Also, we bring you just a few photos of things going on “Around Wellington” when you go to Around Wellington in Pictures. This month you’ll find a cartoon by Rollin McGrail, a photo from a Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club benefit for a great organization called P.A.N.D.A. and a couple of photos from the Binks Forest Science and Math Fair.
A Make-Over…already? Yes, it’s true! After launching the site on April 1st, we continued to search for a more user-friendly, interactive format for the website. So it’s been another busy month of transferring the website to a new format (with a few things still in progress). However, in the future, the website will now offer MORE for you, our dear readers and be more interactive too. We bring a lot of local stories and information together in a way that you do not always find on the web (focused on the Wellington/Royal Palm Beach area), adding that personal touch that you previously may have enjoyed in the print version of the magazine. Please also check out the bottom section of the left menu for TODAY’S local Wellington headlines, thanks to the Sun-Sentinel. THANKS so much to my husband Joe for figuring out how to update the website into this new format and the countless hours he’s spent in “web design” mode.
In this month’s online issue, we have a few great stories found under the AW Stories of the Month heading on the left menu. We hear about another side of The Goodwill, the programs offered to those suffering from head injuries. We all know about their retail stores for used goods, but very few know about their life-changing programs.Gulfstream Goodwill Industries aims to assist persons with disabilities to become self-sufficient working members of the community. As a sidenote, I believe that a Goodwill donation box saved my life as a toddler. I think I was five and my brother was three, when we were accidentally left alone by our mother in a parked car at the top of a hill in Waltham, Massachusetts. We got into the front seat and played around with the emergency brake, suddenly whizzing backward toward a busy intersection at the bottom of the hill. Instead of going right into the intersection, the car hit one of those blue Goodwill boxes (the size of a dumpster) and we were saved. A police officer came to our rescue and returned us to our mom. So here’s to Goodwill! Changing lives and saving lives!
By going to AW Stories of the Month, you will also get a little preview of just a few of the terrific events coming up soon in our area: Flavors 2009 on May 8th, a My Gym Family Wellness Fair and Fundraiser for the Children’s Coalition on May 22nd and Taste of the West coming up on June 4th. Don’t forget to check our Calendar for some wonderful events going on in May Around Wellington.
We continue bringing you an insider’s view of a local neighborhood with Neighborhood Scoop, focused on Olympia this month. THANKS to Linda Bassitt for writing about her neighborhood! Please let me know if you’re ready and willing to write about your own neighborhood too. Just call us at (561) 965-6617.
Our monthly columnists continue, as usual, with their wit and wisdom! You can click on the left “Columns” menu and find your favorite writers and topics! Just a few of the writers took a break this month, but will return next month. I took a turn with the column Mommy Moments this month, writing about my first week of being a stay-at-home mom. By the way, I made it to a Mom’s Morning Escape over at Whole Foods Market this past week. Coffee, a muffin and a brief massage, all for free. Pre-registration is recommended. I heard one mom, walking away from the massage chair and saying, “That was the best ten minutes of my life!” So here’s a hot tip for mothers…especially those with young children in need of a break, check out the “Mom’s Morning Escape” with Mimosas on Friday, May 8th. Call Whole Foods at 904-4000 for details.
It was truly a pleasure to interview Dr. Randy Laurich of The Wellness Experience in Wellington for this month’s AW Spotlight story. It’s refreshing to talk with a chiropractor who is so open-minded and willing to, literally, join forces with the medical world to bring patients the best possible care. The Wellness Experience recently welcomed a medical doctor, Dr. Kristin Kerr, to their staff. Also, Dr. Laurich (with his office in Kobosko’s Crossing) offers the very latest in chiropractic technology and has helped patients recover from chronic pain.
Don’t forget to print out our “AW Coupons,” which offer some terrific discounts on local services! In times like these, it’s important to support your local businesses!!
By the way, keep sending in your kids’ Birthday Photos! Please email them by May 15th for the June issue.
Our online Contest will continue June 1st! We will return to finding the hidden “AW Contest” inside one of the ads. THANKS to all who participated in this month’s contest!
THANKS so much to our wonderful advertisers! To our readers, thanks for sticking with us in our new online format. I was happy to see that many readers spent an hour or more reading the articles when we launched www.aroundwellington.com last month. THANKS so much!
How do you “subscribe?” Simply go to the “Subscribe” link and provide a bit of information, including your email address. If you’re receiving Around Wellington emails, then you are already subscribed. We do not share our email list with any other entity!
Events are held at 2635 State Road 7, in the Lifestyle Center and are free of charge unless otherwise noted. Register by phone at 561.904.4000 or at the customer service desk. Refunds, credits, or transfer of classes will not be honored for no-shows or cancellations made fewer than 24 hours before event. All events are subject to change. Classes with low registration may be cancelled. Any classes cancelled by Whole Foods Market will be refunded. Space is limited.
Tuesday May 12th, 19th, 26th
6:00-7:00pm Green Block Party!
Taste your way from one department to the next! Each department will have a different dish for you to taste made from a selection of organic, local and natural products. No registration required, just come on in!
Friday, May 1st
Lifestyle center closed for a private event
Tuesday, May 5th 5:00pm & 6:30pmCinco De Mayo!
Join us in the Lifestyle Center to learn how to make Chipotle’s famous guacamole and corn salsa! We will have two demonstrations of the recipes and lots for you to try. Registration Required.
Announcement:
Thursday, May 7th
Teacher Appreciation Day! Give your teacher an organic apple or beautiful herb plant! Whole Foods Market will be giving gifts to all teachers who attend the Palms West Chamber Teacher Appreciation Event.
Friday, May 8th 9:00-11:00amMom’s Morning Escape with Mimosas!
In honor of Mothers Day we will be having a special Mom’s Morning Escape. Mimosas and French toast samples will be given to moms in addition to our customary coffee or tea and muffin breakfast! You are invited to enjoy a free coffee or tea, and muffin from the coffee bar and bakery. Pick up your Mom’s Morning Escape voucher from customer service, then, make your way to the coffee bar for breakfast. Also enjoy a relaxing five minute chair massage in the cafe! Registration Required.
Saturday, May 9th Kids Club for Ages 5 and up
11:30am Cookie Decorating!
Join our Bakery Team Leader in decorating cookies. You will learn how to make your cookies look like professionals just in time for Mother’s Day! Registration Required.
Saturday, May 9th
12:00-3:00pm Sparkling Wine Tasting
Stroll through our Specialty Department to try an assortment of our sparkling wines! No registration necessary.
Sunday, May 10th
Happy Mother’s Day
Thursday, May 14th 6:30pm Gluten Free Cooking
Chef Joe will be teaching us how to make a Gluten Free dinner that tastes great and is easy for anyone to put together. Bring your appetite and your gluten free questions. Registration Required.
Saturday, May 16th 11:30amSavvy Shopper Tour
Join us for a taste-filled tour sure to please your family and your wallet! Our experts will show you how to shop our private label, weekly specials and our new family sized savings. Meet at customer service on the day of the event. Registration Required.
Monday, May 18th
6:30pm Dr. Tim’s Un-Diet
Whether you need to lose that last 5 pounds, or 100 pounds this is the workshop for you. Learn what food groups to add and or remove from your daily meals and drop off the pounds permanently. Dr. Tim DeCanio is a board certified chiropractic neurologist, author and renowned speaker. Registration Required.
Tuesday, May 19th
Lifestyle Center is closed for a private Event
Wednesday, May 20th
Lifestyle Center is closed for a private Event
Thursday, May 21st
Whole Foods Market welcomes the Palms West Chamber of Commerce! The back of the café and the Lifestyle Center will be closed.
Friday, May 22nd
6:30pm Vietnamese cooking! $5 per person
Join team member Kim Nguien and Chef Joe as they bring you into the world of authentic Vietnamese food and culture. Registration Required.
Saturday, May 23rd
12:00- 4:00pm Beer Tasting
Enjoy sampling different beers from are large selection in our Specialty Department. No registration necessary, just stop by our Specialty Department.
Monday, May 25th Dine With The Doc!
5:30-6:30pm– Complementary Massage and Health Screening (first come first serve)
6:30pm Dr. Tim DeCanio Begins!
Eat Well, Move Well, Live Well… Learn the secrets to living the life you always dreamed of, without medications or surgery! Come share an evening of fun, good food, and learning with renowned speaker, Dr. Tim DeCanio, a board certified chiropractic neurologist. This event is for first time attendees only. If you have attended a previous dine with the doc and wish to continue on your pursuit of a healthy and vigorous life, many other FREE workshops are available. Please contact the office of Dr. Tim DeCanio for more information (561) 422-1819. Registration at Customer Service Required.
Thursday, May 28th 6:30pm Chicken Basics $5 per person
Chef Joe will be bringing back the basics by teaching you how to work with chicken in many different ways. This class is for all who want to learn the best techniques to make fantastic chicken dishes. Registration Required.
Saturday, May 30th 12:00- 4:00pm Whole Body Fair!
Join us in the Whole Body Department to meet vendors, sample products, and to ask questions. Also sign up for one of our free classes:
1:00pm- Yoga for Kids Ages 9-12
Join yoga teacher Tracy, from Moksha Yoga Studio as she leads kids through playful yoga movements that are fun and easy. Classes will improve children’s strength, flexibility, and coordination using traditional and animal yoga poses. Yoga mats will be provided but feel free to bring your own. Registration Required.
3:00pm- Three Supplements You Must Take to Survive
Renowned speaker, Dr. Tim DeCanio will discuss the 3 necessities of life: oxygen, nutrition (food/water) & nerve supply. Registration Required.
4:00pm-Weight Loss “Hunger Free Forever “
Join Jeff Owen from Natural Factors as he discusses a new effortless approach to reaching your ideal body weight and keeping excess weight off for life. Please pre-register with customer service as space is limited.
Need space for a meeting, lecture or birthday party? Contact Lauren Belinsky at [email protected] for more information.
About Whole Foods Market® Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com), a leader in the natural and organic foods industry and America’s first national certified organic grocer, was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” in 2008 by Health magazine. The Whole Foods Market motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures the company’s mission to find success in customer satisfaction and wellness, employee excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to its 53,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 11 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2008, the company had sales of $8 billion and currently has more than 275 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market, Fresh & WildTM, and Harry’s Farmers Market® are trademarks owned by Whole Foods Market IP, LP. Wild Oats® and Capers Community MarketTM are trademarks owned by Wild Marks, Inc.
│2635 State Road 7│ Wellington│ Florida │33414 │561.904.4000 │wholefoodsmarket.com │
Local children’s fitness center teams with non-profit to deliver toys and necessities to underprivileged youth.
Tommy and Jenny of My Gym in Royal Palm Beach collect toys to donate to the Children's Coalition for their May 22nd event.
My Gym Children’s Fitness Center of Royal Palm Beach will host a toy and cash donation drive and raffle to benefit the Children’s Coalition, a non-profit dedicated to providing media arts and technology to at-risk youth in West Palm Beach.
TCCI Student Tarre Johnson-Mack with then Presidential candidate Barack Obama. TCCI provides at-risk youth with resources and opportunities that shape positive, lifelong influences.
Donations are being accepted between now and Friday, May 22nd, when My Gym will host a Family Wellness Fair between 10 am and 2pm at 518 N. State Road 7.
“Hosting this drive for the Children’s Coalition, who are in need of support is the least we could do,” said Tom Copeland, Director of My Gym Royal Palm Beach. “My Gym is more than just a fitness facility for children-it’s a place to empower them by helping to develop the skills, confidence and positive self-image they need to become healthy young adults. The Children’s Coalition shares this compassion as they shape the lives of at-risk teens to become healthy, productive adults.”
We asked Tom Copeland of My Gym a few questions about this terrific fundraiser and about the activities planned for May 22nd.
Who are some of the presenters planned for the Wellness Fair?
Activities will include a bounce house, Fire Trucks For Fun offering fire truck display and teddy bear stuffing activities, car seat safety checks, kids cooking class with Fun Chefs, and a Whole Foods Market tasting activity. Free to the public and anyone interested in signing up for classes with My Gym.
Are there preferred donations…when it comes to toys, clothing or cash?
Lightly-used toys and cash. Prizes and donations from local business will also be raffled away.All donations are appreciated.
Is this the first time My Gym has done this benefit? Will it be an annual event?
This is the first annual Spring Health Fair.
How did you get the idea to do this Wellness Fair/Benefit?
We change the lives of the children we see everyday through our classes, but it’s the children we don’t see that are just as important. Establishing a trusted partnership with the Children’s Coalition is a great way to enhance the lives of unfortunate children, spread some awareness of the importance of health and fitness, and give the community a change to give back with us. My Gym is personally donating nearly 25 brand new Playskool toys and some free classes.
How old is the Children’s Coalition? Where are they based out of?
Founder Carlton Cartwright received 501(c) clearance in 1994 while based in West Palm Beach, FL.
How can local people get involved in this event…how can parents of My Gym students get more involved?
Although we’re hosting the Health Fair and Donation Drive, it’s the parents, students, and attendees who will make the difference – the cash and toys we receive will go directly to TCCI. The worldwide recession has left small businesses battered, and non-profit charitable giving has sharply declined. This is a chance to give to those who deserve giving so that, despite all adversity, we can put a smile on our face and theirs.
For more information about My Gym Royal Palm Beach’s Family Wellness Fair, or to register your children for information on where and how to donate toys, clothes, or cash, please contact Tom Copeland at (561) 860-3231.
West Palm Beach, Fla.(April 23, 2009) – The Mid-East Region of The Arthritis Foundation will offer Tai Chi classes beginning on Monday, May 20th, for people affected by rheumatoid arthritis or other rheumatic diseases. Tai Chi is a fun, safe means of increasing joint activity to help alleviate pain from arthritis. Beginner classes are at 9:30 a.m. every Monday and Wednesday, while Intermediate classes (for those who have completed Part 1) are at 10:30 a.m.Cost for the 5-week session is $66 per personand pre-registration is required due to limited class sizes. Adele Gold, who has taught Tai Chi for over seven years, will lead the classes, which will be held at The Arthritis Foundation, 400 Hibiscus Street, located at the corner of Dixie Highway and Hibiscus Street in downtown West Palm Beach..Gold first began taking Tai Chi classes to help alleviate her own pain from arthritis.
Tai Chi from the Arthritis Foundation® is designed to improve the quality of life for people with arthritis using Sun style Tai Chi, one of the four major recognized styles of Tai Chi. This style includes agile steps and exercises that may improve mobility, breathing and relaxation. The movements don’t require deep bending or squatting, which makes it easier and more comfortable to learn.
The program itself consists of 12 movements — 6 basic and 6 advanced — a warm up and a cool down. Once becoming familiar with the 12 movements, the program is designed to provide continual challenge by reversing the direction of the movements.This program was derived and adapted from the Tai Chi for Arthritis program and includes copyrighted materials belonging to Dr. Paul Lam and Tai Chi Productions.
For more information, contact Susie Rhodes, Community Development Director for The Arthritis Foundation Mid-East Region, at (561) 833-1133.
by Lydia Patterson and Cal Miller
Lydia Patterson, who was helped by the Goodwill's head injury program, and has gone on to better her community.
The Goodwill’s Programs
What You Might Not Know about the Goodwill
Imagine you have a successful career on Wall Street for one of the largest financial institutions in the world. You have received awards and recognition not only from your business peers but also from your community. You are also fortunate to have a beautiful home and a loving family. Image on a cold day in January 1990, you leave work, begin to drive home and are struck in a head-on collision by another car that has run the stop sign. This one event has changed your life forever.
This actually happened to Lydia Patterson. If you see Lydia today, she is a confident, attractive, vibrant woman who always has a kind word to say and a warm smile on her face. The struggle to get back to this point has taken great determination and drive. Due to Lydia’s accident, she suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury, even though she was wearing her seat belt. Due to her brain injury, Lydia experienced disorientation, depression, attention problems and chronic frustration.
Lydia soon lost her job and her personal life changed dramatically. Lydia struggled with these symptoms for almost four years. In 1992, Lydia and her husband Berman, decided to move to Wellington, Florida. It was in Florida that Lydia was introduced to Gulfstream Goodwill Industries and its Traumatic Brain Injury program. “It wasn’t until I entered the Goodwill program that all the pieces of the puzzle of my condition began to come together,” says Lydia.
Gulfstream Goodwill Industries was established in 1966. The mission of the agency is to assist persons with disabilities to become self-sufficient working members of the community. The non-profit has grown tremendously over a period of more than 40 years of serving the community. It has four rehabilitation centers that serve its five- county area. Last year alone, Goodwill helped almost 5,000 people like Lydia.
Goodwill not only has a traumatic brain injury program but it also offers job evaluation, training and placement. It has four homeless programs and has recently begun working with non-violent offenders who have been released from prison. These are just some of the programs that Goodwill offers.
When people hear the name Goodwill, many automatically think of the Goodwill retail stores. Gulfstream Goodwill operates 25 retail stores in its territory and the money raised by the donated items are sold to generate money to run its rehabilitation programs. Due to the downturn in the economy and steep cuts in government spending, last year was especially difficult for the organization. Sales have begun to increase this year, but the organization now finds itself in desperate need of donations of housewares, furniture and clothing.
Lydia was so impressed with the service she received at Goodwill that she decided to join its board of directors to help spread the agency’s message.” This community needs the quality programs that Goodwill offers. After one’s external wounds heal, there is a long and difficult journey to heal internally and emotionally.”
Lydia went to work with the Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach County after leaving the Traumatic Brain Injury Program. Following her two years with the Foundation, she managed several consulting projects, and became fully retired in 2005. Lydia continues her work with the Goodwill Board, and her membership in the Palms West Chamber of Commerce, The Executive Women of the Palm Beaches and Leadership Palm Beach County.
Lydia is grateful for all of the opportunities that coming to Gulfstream Goodwill has given her. “I would just like to say, ‘Thank you, Gulfstream Goodwill.’”
For more information on Gulfstream Goodwill programs: Cal Miller (561) 848-7200 X3250; or visit www.gulfstreamgoodwill.com.
An Interview with Michela Perillo-Green, Executive Director of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce
Tell us about Flavors 2009. What’s new for this year?
On Friday, May 8th, at the elite International Polo Club Palm Beach, twenty plus of Wellington’s finest dining establishments will offer up their most tasty samplings. This fifth year tasting event is honored as the Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s “Signature Event” and will take place from 6:30-9:30 PM.
Celebrity judges to date are Roxanne Stein, WPTV Newschannel 5, Mayor of Wellington Darrell Bowen and Carmine Priore III. FPL West County Energy Center’s John Wash, International Polo Club Palm Beach’s Julie Pickens, International Polo Club Palm Beach’s Chef Gonzalez and International Polo Club Palm Beach. This is a JURIED COMPETITION!
Who are some of the participating restaurants/ caterers?
To date, the list includes: White Horse Tavern, Binks Forest Golf Club, International Polo Club Palm Beach, Aarons Catering, Costco, Christy’s NY Style Cheesecake and Bakery, Starbucks, Pizza Fusion, The Gypsy’s Horse, Strathmore Bagel, Mississippi Sweets, Earl of Sandwich. And there are many, many more to come!
As one of the people who coordinate the event, what is YOUR favorite part of the event?
Music Masters International 20-Piece Stage Band 4! Over 600 people from all over Palm Beach County attend!
“This is our biggest social event of the season and we are proud to boast this will be our sixth year hosting this event.Each year this event gets bigger and better well attended, with the announcement of Alec Domb and John Mercer as our chairman, this year will no doubt exceed all our expectations.”
How much are tickets? What’s the phone number to call for tickets in advance?
It’s $ 25.00 Advance Ticket Sales and $ 30.00 at the Door. Also you can reserve a VIP Table for $500. Call the Wellington Chamber at 561- 792-6525 for tickets. It’s a family-friendly event! Children are welcome!!
God has blessed me from that event,
When people hear the name Goodwill, many automatically think of the Goodwill retail stores. Gulfstream Goodwill operates 25 retail stores in its territory and the money raised by the donated items are sold to generate money to run its rehabilitation programs. Due to the downturn in the economy and steep cuts in government spending, last year was especially difficult for the organization. Sales have begun to increase this year, but the organization now finds itself in desperate need of donations of housewares, furniture and clothing. 
