(Pahokee, FL.) –Gulfstream Goodwill Industries (GGI), in partnership with Palm Beach County, is pleased to announce the dedication of a new plaque at Melissa’s Place at the Village at the Glades in honor of former District 6 Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay. The dedication ceremony was held on March 21, 2023, at the Pahokee transitional housing facility at 1749 E. Main Street.
“The three things a person needs to survive are food, water and shelter – and that shelter must be safe,” said Commissioner McKinley. “Melissa’s Place provides this necessity for the Glades area. Long overdue, families now have a helping hand they can hold when life throws them a curveball. As a single Mom, I know this fear. It is such a heartfelt honor to have this life saving facility bear my name. It really should read #TeamPalmBeach because it was a team effort to get this done. To leave this kind of public service legacy is exactly why I got into public service – helping people, especially our children.”
The plaque is a symbol of gratitude for McKinlay’s unwavering support for the western communities of Palm Beach County. Throughout her two terms as county commissioner, she has been a vocal advocate for those in need, and her tireless efforts have made a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals and families. She petitioned the commission for $5 million to renovate the foreclosed senior living facility that was in deplorable condition into a homeless shelter. The two-year-old facility operates on a referral basis and after an assessment, qualified Glades residents can stay in an apartment while GGI staff helps them find a job and new home. The facility is operated in partnership with GGI and Palm Beach County.
“When people walk through these doors, magic happens – magic in the form of transformation,” said Laura Contrera, Vice President of Programs and Services at Gulfstream Goodwill Industries. “We’re transforming lives here, and it’s all thanks to Melissa for her vision and getting this all started. Her vision has enabled Gulfstream Goodwill Industries to serve over 700 homeless people in this community, 300 of which are children and 90 of which are seniors 60 and older. We’ve not only provided much needed services to the homeless population in this community, but we’ve also provided employment where 95% of staff are local residents.”
The transitional housing complex was renamed in honor of Commissioner McKinlay during her last official county meeting on November 22, 2022. It was presented by County Commissioner Mack Bernard on behalf of the county commission. The plaque is prominently displayed on the exterior of Melissa’s Place at the Village at the Glade, where it will serve as a daily reminder of McKinlay’s contributions and the ongoing work that remains to be done to address the issue of homelessness in our community.
Commissioner McKinlay was first elected in 2014 to represent residents from Wellington, Royal Palm Beach and west to the edges of Lake Okeechobee. During her time in office, she focused on improving housing conditions, women’s services and drug addiction programs in the district.
Goodwill relies heavily on donations to make a significant impact and assist with residents’ move-out expenses. Providing a family of four with the means to transition from a shelter to an apartment typically requires around $5,000. This amount covers initial fees such as the first month’s rent, security deposit, basic furnishings, school uniforms, and other basic needs to get a solid start.
Gulfstream Goodwill Industries is a private, non-profit agency that has been serving Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties for over 50 years. It is the largest health and human services organization in its five-county region as well as the largest homelessness provider in its region. Last year, GGI served 1,500 homeless individuals, helping to get them off the streets and into a safe environment. The organization’s homeless prevention services include temporary shelters as well as permanent supportive housing that is safe, comfortable and affordable for single adults and families who are homeless and/or at risk for homelessness. GGI changes lives through employment, training, and housing while assisting people with disabilities and other barriers to employment to become self-sufficient, working members of the South Florida community. For more information, visit goggi.org or call 561-848-7200.
TALLAHASSEE, FL. –The Florida Prepaid College Foundation (FPCF) today announced it is partnering with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) to award $4.2 million in college scholarships to students living in the most poverty-stricken zip codes in the state, providing 2-Year College Scholarships to 1,000 students over the next four years.
FPL’s donation of $2.1 million, matched dollar-for-dollar by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, is the largest contribution to date since the Path to Prosperity Scholarship Program launched two years ago.
The Path to Prosperity Scholarship Program is a partnership with the Florida Chamber Foundation, to reduce childhood poverty in our state by providing a pathway to college for Florida students.
“Lack of educational opportunity is one of the root causes of generational poverty,” said Florida Prepaid College Foundation Chairman John Rood. “This generous donation from FPL will provide significant opportunities in some of the poorest areas of our state, providing a path to higher education for deserving students.”
Right now, more than 700,000 Florida children are living in poverty. Half of these children are concentrated in just 15 percent of Florida’s zip codes – resulting in extremely impoverished communities where children face a much greater likelihood of academic challenges, health risks and other obstacles.
“Florida is our home, and we are dedicated to creating a brighter future for all who live here,” said FPL Vice President of External Affairs and Economic Development Pam Rauch. “Through this partnership, we are proud to open doors to a more hopeful future for students who have so much promise and potential – and perhaps welcome them one day to the FPL team. I encourage other Florida corporations and organizations to join us in this effort to nurture talent and skill among our future workforce.”
Scholarships will be awarded in phases, with the first 250 scholarships being allocated to FPL service areas that align with the 150 highest-poverty zip codes. Eligible high school students must meet scholarship criteria including staying crime-free and drug-free.
The Florida Prepaid College Foundation and Florida Chamber Foundation have partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida, Take Stock in Children, and the Florida Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs to identify students and provide mentoring as part of the scholarship award. The scholarships can be used at Florida public colleges and universities as well as technical and vocational schools.
“The Path to Prosperity Scholarship Program is built on the foundational truth that college education can open the door to a more prosperous future while building the talent our state needs to grow and thrive,” said Mark Wilson, Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. “We are grateful to Florida Power & Light Company and their commitment to helping Florida students.”
Learn more about the Path to Prosperity Scholarship Program and the Florida Prepaid College Foundation at www.pathtoprosperityscholarship.com.
About the Florida Prepaid College Foundation
Since its founding in 1990, the Foundation has committed to giving aspiring students the opportunity to build a better future for themselves and our state by providing college scholarships funded through partnerships with individuals, businesses, educational foundations and the Florida Legislature. The Foundation administers several innovative scholarship programs, including Project STARS and the new Challenge Match Scholarship Programs, designed to help students achieve their dream of earning a college education. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than 57,000 Florida Prepaid College Plan scholarships, and more than 33,000 Foundation scholarship recipients have gone to college using their benefits. The Foundation is the 501(c)(3) direct support organization for the Florida Prepaid College Board. To learn more about the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, visit here.
About Florida Power & Light Company
As America’s largest electric utility, Florida Power & Light Company serves more customers and sells more power than any other utility, providing clean, affordable, reliable electricity to approximately 5.8 million accounts, or more than 12 million people. FPL operates one of the most fuel efficient and cleanest power generation fleets in the U.S and in 2022 won the ReliabilityOne® National Reliability Award for the seventh time in the last eight years. The company was also recognized by Escalent in 2022 as one of the most trusted U.S. electric utilities for the ninth consecutive year. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, corporate responsibility, ethics and compliance, and diversity. NextEra Energy is ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry in Fortune’s 2023 list of “World’s Most Admired Companies” and recognized on Fortune’s 2021 list of companies that “Change the World.” NextEra Energy is also the parent company of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.
The Wellington Art Society will feature commercial and fine art photographer, Barry Seidman, for their April 12, 2023 meeting.
The meeting and presentation will take place at the Wellington Community Center, 12150 Forest Hill Blvd, Wellington. The meeting will open with a meet and greet at 5:30 p.m., followed by the member spotlight and a brief meeting. The event will conclude with a presentation by Barry Seidman called “From There to Here” in which he will discuss his life’s work and the transition from commercial to fine art photography. For more information contact: Laura Jaffe, [email protected].
Originally from New York, Barry Seidman is a renowned member of the international photographic community. He was educated at Pratt Institute in New York and has established himself as one of the top advertising print media photographers in the country. He specialized in still-life photography and worked for top major brands in the world, eventually expanding his work to include celebrity photography and directing television commercials. He has contributed to numerous award-winning national and local advertising campaigns. Recognition for his work includes every possible industry award including Clios, Tellys, Addys and the Art Directors Club Award.
After a distinguished career in advertising, Seidman started to devote more of his time to fine art photography, using his vast techniques and knowledge of lighting and design as a foundation. This led to various solo and group exhibitions, all while still connected to the advertising business.
Seventeen years ago, Seidman, and long-time business partner and wife, Mary Ann Kurasz, relocated to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida where he built a studio to focus on his fine art work. He also maintains a studio presence in New York where he continues to shoot for advertising clients. Seidman has exhibited in solo, and group shows both in New York City and Florida. In 2012, Seidman published a photobiography titled New Eyes, a spectacular collection of his fine-art photography. Beginning in April, his work will be on display at the Palm Beach International Airport at their “Journeys” exhibition. His work is held in many public and private collections worldwide.
To learn more about Barry Seidman, visit his website at https://barry2130.wixsite.com/seidman-2.
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The Wellington Art Society is a non-profit charitable organization in its 41st year. It is open to artists of all mediums and patrons of the arts, allowing both local and regional artists to display their artwork in local galleries, interact with other artists and serve the community through their art. For further information about the Wellington Art Society, please visit www.wellingtonartsociety.org.
The 2023 US Open Women’s Polo Championship played between La Fe and Dundas on paper should have been a very close game. Each team had an identical 10, 8, 5 and 1 goal players.
However, the game is played on the field, not paper.
La Fe won handily 12-6 under cloudy, windy conditions before an almost capacity crowd at the National Polo Center.
La Fe led by 10 goaler Hazel Jackson, the game’s MVP, Wellington’s own Hope Arellano who scored six goals, Winifred Branscum and Pamela Flanagan jumped out to a quick lead and never looked back.
The previously undefeated Dundas was made up of 10 goaler Nina Clarkin, Ana de La Fuente, Erica Gandomcar-Sachs and Mia Cambiaso. Team Patron Sarah Siegel-Magness looked on from the sidelines with a broken leg sustained in an earlier game in the tournament.
This was the first time that this game was played in prime time on a Sunday in the main stadium.
La Fe won $30,000 for their win while Dundas collected $10,000.
In addition to the prize money provided by Eastern Hay, the US Polo Association gave both teams $2,500 to donate to their charity of choice.
La Fe’s charity was Replay Polo while Dundas donated to Work To Ride.
Free festival for kids and young adults featuring twenty-eight award-winning authors & illustrators
West Palm Beach, Fla. (March 24, 2023) The BAM Festival returns on April 15 from 10 am – 3 pm to the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach and the 400 block of Clematis Street with twenty-eight award-winning authors and illustrators. The free, family-friendly festival celebrates books, art, and music with a day filled with author readings, writing workshops, illustrator demonstrations, competitions, street chalk drawing, and more. For more information, visit https://www.bamwpb.org.
BAM is a non-profit organization dedicated to children’s literacy. Its mission is to provide a county-wide literary experience that brings together authors, teachers, students, families, and the community to share their love of books. BAM promotes literacy, encourages fellowship through education, exercises young minds with discussion, and inspires youth to reach high.
“BAM is a free community event that allows children and young adults to meet and learn from some of the best children’s authors and illustrators in the country,” said Claire Salmon, BAM Director. “The event promotes children’s literacy and a love of reading and writing with authors and illustrators interacting with the attendees through creative activities and workshops.”
A festival highlight is the one-hour workshops facilitated by authors and illustrators. These interactive sessions run from 10 am – 3 pm and provide one-of-a-kind opportunities for all ages. Workshops tailored to young readers include the Illustrator Smackdown, where authors and illustrators compete in a kid-judged, live-action drawing competition. Other workshops are tailored to young adults who want to take their writing to the next level. Themes relevant to our world today include Matters of the Mind, which focuses on mental health, and Finding your Voice which teaches how to use art and language to speak out against injustice. ¡Celebremos! celebrates Latin history and culture. Another workshop titled BAM Flash Fiction Challenge initiates a free writing contest where the winner works with author Steven Kozan to write, edit, and publish a book.
The festival also features street art. The public is invited to participate in the street art by emailing [email protected]. The A. W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts Visual Arts and Digital Media will also present an Artist Market in collaboration with BAM, which includes over 50 students selling their original art to the public.
2023 guest authors and presenters include Kalynn Bayron, Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond, Pablo Cartaya, Tami Charles, Eric Elfman, Tatiana Gardel, Donna Gephart, Kathleen Glasgow, Joya Goffney, S. Isabelle, Gladys Jose, Fred Koehler, Stephen Kozan, Lily Lamotte, Francie Latour, Sarah McGuire, Jenin Mohammed, Maika and Maritza Moulite, Carmen Oliver, Baptiste Paul, Miranda Paul, Aixa Pérez-Prado, Randi Pink, Jess Redman, Neal Shusterman, Ana Siqueira, Padma Venkatraman.
Sponsors include the Florida Humanities, National Endowment for the Humanities, PNC Foundation, Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, FP&L, Itto A. Willits Charitable Foundation, Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County Library Association, Palm Beach County Library System, Palm Beach County School District, Florida Department of State – Division of Art and Culture, Palm Beach County, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Foundation, Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, Rohi’s Readery, Farm Credit, Cloud Software Group, West Palm Beach Library Foundation, and WebAuthor,
Funding for this program was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Participants can pre-register to begin receiving information and updates and view a complete schedule of activities and author/illustrator workshops at bamwpb.org.
About BAM Festival of Palm Beach County:
BAM Festival brings together authors, artists, musicians, teachers, students, and the community to share their love of books, art, and music. Founded in 2011, BAM is a non-profit organization dedicated to children’s literacy that has served over 166,000 local youth and families. All proceeds support children’s literacy, fund author visits to schools, provide Title I schools with books, and provide scholarship opportunities for writers. BAM’s mission is to provide a county-wide literary experience that brings together authors, teachers, students, families, and the community to share their love of books which will, in turn, promote literacy, encourage fellowship through education, exercise young minds with discussion, and inspire youth to reach high. Originally titled “April is for Authors,” the event was re-branded as “BAM Festival” in 2018 to include books, art, and music. The festival is free, and the organization provides buses to families from under-served areas. For more information, visit https://www.bamwpb.org.
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Calendar Listing:
10 am – 3 pm, Saturday, April 15, 2023 – BAM Festival 2023 is a free day-long festival celebrating books, art, and music by bringing award-winning authors and illustrators to interact directly with the community. The festival takes place in downtown West Palm Beach at the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach and the 400 block of Clematis Street. BAM provides a literary experience for all ages to share their love of books with twenty-eight bestselling authors and illustrators. Activities include book signings, author readings, literary workshops, illustrator demonstrations and activities, live music, street chalk drawing, and more. For more information, visit https://www.bamwpb.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Jennifer Sardone-Shiner, JSS Marketing & PR
Young Readers Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Studio 411
Learn about the different phases of water as Miranda Paul reads her book, Water Is Water, then create your own water cycle in a bottle, in a fun, hands-on experiment.
llustrator Smackdown with Fred Koehler, Gladys Jose, Jenin Mohammed, Aixa Pérez-Prado
Young Readers Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Auditorium
Cheer on some of your favorite authors/illustrators as they compete in a kid-judged, live-action drawing competition where you help decide what masterpieces our experts create. Bonus–learn more about their most recent books and what makes them tick! At the end, get your own bag of drawing utensils and create your art!
Get Published: The BAM Flash Fiction Challenge with Stephen Kozan
Workshop Miscellaneous Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Hibiscus Room
Enter this free writing contest and come back to BAM 2024 as a published author! Author Stephen Kozan will get you started with a few writing warm-ups to get you on your way to enter the flash fiction challenge. One piece will be selected, and the winner will receive the opportunity to craft a book, edit, and publish it with Mr. Kozan’s own publishing company
Ask Me Anything – Craft and Getting Published with Joya Goffney, Carmen Oliver, Neal Shusterman, Eric Elfman, Donna Gephart, Randi Pink, Lily LaMotte
Workshop Miscellaneous City Hall- Commission Chambers
“So you want to be an author?” Authors talk about craft, themes, getting published, and achieving your literary dreams.
11:00 AM
Animation Toolbox with Tatiana Gardel
Workshop Miscellaneous Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Studio 411
Have you ever wanted to create your own cartoon or anime? Well, this workshop will help you start that journey! (Age 11+)
Books That Change the World with Padma Venkatraman, Donna Gephart, Francie Latour, Maika and Maritza Moulite, Baptiste Paul
All Ages City Hall – Flagler Gallery
These are books that we see on shelves and go, “Finally!” Stories that make us and our experiences feel seen. Stories that make us think. Stories that inform and change minds. Whether in big ways or in the little details, these authors make their characters and their worlds authentic through love and experience.
Ready, Set, Draw! With Fred Koehler, Gladys Jose, Jenin Mohammed
Young Readers Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Auditorium
Each illustrator will walk the audience through how to draw one of their characters while the illustrators that aren’t presenting at the time do their own take on each character in their own style. At the end, everyone shows off their work! Each child will have their own paper and pencil and will follow the directions of the illustrator/author.
Happily Ever After…or Not with S. Isabelle, Kalynn Bayron, Sarah McGuire, Jess Redman, Maritza and Maika Moulite, Chloe Gong
Young Adult City Hall- Commission Chambers
For much of history, fantasies began with a damsel in distress. These authors will discuss what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, how we’ve pioneered a new standard throughout history, and the work yet to be done.
12:00 PM
Books and Bites with Ana Siqueira, Lily Lamotte, Miranda Paul
Young Readers Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Auditorium
These authors not only love to write about food – they love to eat it as much as you do! Dish about books and decorate a cookie.
You Matter with Tami Charles, Fred Koehler, Aixa Pérez-Prado, Baptiste Paul
Young Readers Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Hibiscus Room
In this panel and activity, you get to tell your own story with words and pictures. With the help of BAM’s treasure trove of found objects and collaging, this is a child-friendly way to explore found art styles and storytelling for kids.
Neurodivergent–Thinking Outside the Box with Neal Shusterman, Pablo Cartaya, Kathleen Glasgow, Donna Gephart, Jess Redman
All Ages City Hall- Commission Chambers
These authors write about characters that are considered neurodivergent. This panel celebrates our unique ways of thinking and interacting with the world and others.
Finding Your Voice with Maika and Maritza Moulite, Padma Venkatraman, Randi Pink, Nana Bre-Hammond
Young Adult City Hall – Flagler Gallery
How to use art and language to speak out against injustice.
1:00 PM
First Annual Picture Book Game with Ana Siqueira, Carmen Oliver, Francie Latour, Miranda Paul
Young Readers Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Auditorium
In this competition, we play theater-game-style contests about these authors’ books by pulling prompts out of a hat! Listen to them tell inside jokes, do interpretive dances, and share literary secrets to be voted the Crayola King, Queen, or Monarch. Only one can be awarded our crown of crayons! Storytime with Chad and Dad Richardson
The Evolution of AI in Books with Neal Shusterman, Eric Elfman
All Ages City Hall – Flagler Gallery
Join these science-fiction and tech-loving authors for a conversation about technology catching up to humanity and the arts in literature, and help them celebrate the launch of their latest book.
Matters of the Mind with Tami Charles, Kathleen Glasgow, Padma Venkatraman, Randi Pink, Nana Brew-Hammond, Joya Goffney
Young Adult City Hall – Commission Chambers
You’re not alone if you or someone you know has been struggling with mental health. Let these authors and characters shed some light on these internal struggles.
AniMake: An Intro to Animation with Jenin Mohammad
All Ages Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Studio 411
Have you ever wanted to create your own cartoon or anime? Well, this workshop will help you start that journey! (Age 11+)
2:00 PM
Murder, Mystery, & Mayhem with Kathleen Glasgow, Chloe Gong, Neal Shusterman, S. Isabelle, Maika & Maritza Moulite, Kalynn Bayron
Young Adult City Hall- Commission Chamber
As chaotic as it sounds, we’re diving into the dark side of YA books in this wacky whodunnit-style panel.
Truth or Dare with Jess Redman, Sarah McGuire, Tami Charles
Young Readers Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Auditorium
Ever wanted to invite your favorite character to your slumber party? Well, we can’t do that, but at this panel, kids get to ask questions! The consequences if they don’t answer: they must showcase a weird talent! Find out everything you want to know about these writers and their books.
¡Celebremos! With Ana Siqueira, Gladys Jose, Pablo Cartaya, Tatiana Gardel, Aixa Pérez-Prado
All Ages City Hall – Flagler Gallery
A Celebration of Latin History and Culture
Climb On! with Baptiste Paul
Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach- Courtyard
Join author Baptiste Paul for fun; interactive book walk as he reads his story, Climb On!
LANTANA, FL/MARCH 27, 2023 – The multi award-winning Palm Beach author Susan Goldfein gave a reading and book signing with her latest collection of humorous essays, ‘Laughing My Way Through the Third Stage,’ to a crowd of close to 50 people at Vi at Lakeside Village. Susan’s previous book, ‘How to Complain When There’s Nothing to Complain About,’ took the Gold for Humor in the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards as well as winning the 2019 International Book Award for Humor. Those two awards are in addition to the Bronze Independent Publisher Book (IPPY) Award for Humor. Susan’s first book, ‘How Old Am I in Dog Years,’ published in 2015, also won three awards for humor. To purchase any of Susan Goldfein’s award-winning books, please visit Amazon https://amzn.to/2Rq915N or www.UnfilteredWit.com.
ABOUT SUSAN GOLDFEIN & SUSAN’S UNFILTERED WIT
Susan Goldfein holds a doctorate in Communication Disorders from Teachers College, Columbia University, which, while affording her success as a clinician, teacher, and consultant, has done absolutely nothing to prepare her for creating her books.
Nevertheless, she has plunged into a second career writing humorous essays about life with wit, wisdom, and a touch of irony. Hailing originally from New York City, she currently lives in Florida with her husband and the world’s cutest dog, Sam, a rough-coat Russell Terrier.
Her first book, “How Old Am I in Dog Years,” was a winner in the 2016 Delray Beach Library’s Authors’ Showcase, a Silver Medalist in the 2016 Independent Publishers (IPPY) Book Awards in the humor category, and won the prize for humor in the 2017 NYC Big Book Awards.
Her essays have appeared in the Palm Beach Post, and Hearst newspapers, and have been featured on the Florida Arts Radio Network and the Kravis Center’s Showcase The Writing. She is a speaker and author of the blog, Susan’s Unfiltered Wit (www.SusansUnfilteredWit.com). She has written a monthly humor column for “Lifestyles After 50,” a Florida publication, and is a syndicated columnist with Senior Wire.
Vi at Lakeside Village is a senior living community on 46 acres in Lantana, FL and features 250 Independent Living apartment homes and villas as well as a Care Center offering Assisted Living, Memory Care and Skilled Nursing Care. For more info, please visit www.viliving.com.
Thursday, March 23, 2023 – (Jupiter, FL) – The 5thAnnual Cajun Crawfish & Music Festival, sponsored by Good Greek Moving & Storage, returns to Abacoa on Saturday from 10 am – 10 pmand Sunday from 10 am-8 pm. This premier Cajun Crawfish and Music Festival will celebrate the culture and traditions of Louisiana through food, music, and dance! Virginia Sinicki from The KVJ Show will serve as the Master of Ceremonies throughout the weekend and bring her personal flair as a local who grew up in New Orleans.
The streets of Abacoa will be filled with Mardi Gras-themed decorations and banners, with lots of purple, green, and gold. You will be transported to Bourbon Street when you arrive as the aroma of the Cajun food will be in the air. Come get a taste of “N’awlins” with authentic Cajun food featuring a crawfish boil, jambalaya, gumbo, po’boys, Crawfish Monica, muffulettas, red beans and rice, and the famous beignets, and more. There will be a crawfish eating contest again this year on Saturday at 1 pm.
Experience free cooking demonstrations featuring local chefs as they create their personal Cajun food and specialty drinks. Enjoy the Bourbon Street atmosphere with all the classic cocktails such as Hurricanes, Grenades, and a champagne hurricane. Atoll Vodka will be giving away samples throughout the festival.
Headlining the two-day festival is the 2022 winner-Jazz Fest, a New Orleans Story Grammy Winner for Best Music Film 2022, and 2018 two-time Grammy nominee Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers. Dwayne Dopsie grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana, and he will be performing Saturday at 8 pm. Dwayne taught himself how to play the accordion by watching videos of his father and Clifton Chenier. The knowledge of Dwayne’s musical ability, along with his zydeco Hellraisers band members, have over 100 years of combined experience playing Zydeco music, and it shows in every performance. The energy and true talent that Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers emit from the stage makes it obvious that there is no competition for this band.
Adding to the lineup: Performing Saturday: Snack Pack (from KVJ Show) at 4 pm, The Rockin’ Jake Band at 6 pm. Performing Sunday: new this year, Black Water Sound- a local Southern Rock Band at noon, folk rock band Hot Sauce Moon at 1 pm, the return of The Porch Dogs at 3:30 pm, and local favorite, Making Faces with a Mardi Gras themed show to end the fun weekend.
Two amazing charities will be on site all weekend at The Cajun Crawfish and Music Festival. First, we have Maddie’s Fight foundation. They are incredible at helping families dealing with childhood cancer. Second, our beloved Little Smiles helps children going through a personal or medical crisis. Visit their booths to learn more about these children’s charities. They will be on-site, creating awareness of their cause and raising money.
“This festival is the best of what New Orleans is famous for amazing food, incredible live music, and the most delicious party libations on earth. I love helping Jerry Somma host this party every year! (Nobody knows how to host a party like a crazy girl from New Orleans!) Jerry and I love that we can give back to amazing charities like Little Smiles and Maddie‘s fight foundation. There’s no party like a party with a purpose!” said Virginia Sinicki, Master of Ceremonies.
Experience Louisiana in style; reserve a stage pod with four seats and a table or a private VIP Chalets with eight seats and a table under a tent, including waiter/waitress service. These are available for purchase on Eventbrite. Children ages twelve and younger get in for free. General lawn seating will also be available for those who would like to bring their own chair/blanket to enjoy the all-day entertainment.
About Little Smiles:
This fun-filled cultural event benefits Little Smiles. Little Smiles is a volunteer-driven, non-profit 501(c)3 children’s charity. Their mission is to help heal hearts and create little smiles by providing gifts and fun activities to children impacted by serious illness, homelessness, or tragedy. With the guidance of local professionals such as doctors, nurses, child life specialists, and social workers, they strive to help kids escape their unfortunate circumstances, even if only for a brief period of time. For more information, visit www.littlesmilesfl.org.
About Maddie’s Fight Foundation:
Founded in 2017, Maddie’s Fight Foundation is a fully licensed 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to families of children with cancer and to supporting research for Osteosarcoma treatment. Visit www.maddiesfight.org.
Calendar Listing:
The 5th Annual Cajun Crawfish & Music Festival (benefiting Little Smiles and Maddie’s Fight Foundation) is Saturday, April 22, from 10 am – 10 pm and Sunday, April 23, from 10 am – 8 pm at Abacoa Amphitheater in Jupiter. The event is $5, and children 12 and under are free. VIP stage pod seating and Creole Cottages are available. The event will be filled with authentic Cajun food featuring a crawfish boil, jambalaya, gumbo, shrimp po’boys, and live New Orleans and Cajun zydeco music. For more information, visit cajuncrawfishmusicfestival.com.
(Palm Beach County, FL – March 22, 2023) The Loxahatchee Group of the Sierra Club Florida Chapter is inviting the public to a special Earth Day presentation TIPS & TRICKS TO HELP MOTHER EARTH on Saturday, April 22, 1 to 2 pm. The FREE event will be held in the Mandel Library Auditorium, 411 Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach (33401).
The forward-thinking topics to be covered include:
• The industrial and commercial use of Hemp as a sustainable and environmentally desirable alternative to petroleum-based products.
• Initiatives to curtail single use plastics in the marketplace.
• The integration, concerns, and tricks of integrating Solar Energy into the Power Grid.
Moderator & Speaker:
Samuel Cintrón has served nonprofit organizations as accountant, consultant, treasurer, and controller; was a community college adjunct professor; an executive consultant through API (Accountants for Public Interest); a local environmental journalist; and an award-winning activist with the Sierra Club.
The other Earth Day speakers will be:
+ Drew Martin, Conservation Chair of the Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group who was elected countywide as a Supervisor of the Palm Beach County Soil and Water Conservation District (2008-2016) and has served on the Palm Beach County Solid Waste Advisory Board, Lake Worth Tree Board, and the Lake Worth Climate Change Task Force. In addition, he has served on the Palm Beach County Land Advisory Board and was Co-Chair of the Everglades Coalition, consisting of 60 environmental groups nationwide dedicated to restoring and preserving the Everglades.
+ Mike Fitzpatrick, an environmental activist since the 1970s, has served in various leadership capacities within the Sierra Club including on the Forests and Public Lands Committee. Among his many awards, he received the Florida Chapter Panther Award for conservation efforts in saving what is now the 97-acre Hypoluxo Scrub Natural Area. In 2013 he was elected Boynton Beach City Commissioner, District 3. In 2020 he successfully organized activists to prevent the City of Boynton Beach from selling 14 acres of “surplus land” which contains threatened gopher tortoises, and an important forested area. In addition, he has served as president of a nonprofit Sustainable Cities Initiative PAC.
About the Sierra Club Florida Chapter Loxahatchee Group:
One of 17 local Sierra Club groups in Florida, itserves members in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee counties in Southeast Florida. Our group offers members and prospective members opportunities to explore, enjoy, and protect the environment by volunteering, going on outings and becoming environmental activists.
Sierra Club mission statement is “to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment, and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.”
The primary duty of the Sierra Club is to maintain the stability of the environment by combating all elements of destruction. This organization has been championing such issues through its advocates, community of volunteers, and other supporters. Sierra Club understands the essentiality of nature to the survival of humanity. It, therefore, commits all its resources to rally like-minded individuals to join its course and create a world where people can flourish and achieve their potential.
(Delray Beach, FL – March 23, 2023) In an effort to celebrate and promote black cultural awareness, three of the most respected nonprofit organizations in Delray Beach are again collaborating to present Authors Speak Series 2023, according toCharlene Farrington, Director of Spady Cultural Heritage Museum; Marjorie Waldo, President & CEO of Arts Garage; and Renee Jadusingh, Executive Director of the Community Redevelopment Agency of Delray Beach.
The timely topic of this “free to see” series is The Impact of Race on American Society, offering “interesting and enlightening conversations with three writers who have cultivated a perspective on black cultural awareness through their research and personal experiences.” The first Authors Speak presentation was by Dr. Jasmine Cobb on February 23, and two more events are upcoming.
“Making a difference in the lives of others can be as simple as being aware of your differences and being able to talk from a compassionate perspective,” says Farrington, while Waldo declares, “Arts Garage is proud to continue our third year of collaboration with the CRA and the Spady Museum. Authors Speak is one of the most community events that we produce.”
Jadusingh agrees: “There are many conditions that lead to the development and spread of slum and blight, including lack of understanding of the needs of others. Through this series we hope to share information about the Delray Beach CRAs projects and programs, while shedding light on what others in our community may be experiencing.”
Dr. Traci Baxley
Social Justice Parenting
Thursday, April 27 at 6:00 pm
Bio: Dr. Traci Baxley is an author, professor, DEIB consultant, parenting coach, speaker, mother to five children. She is the creator of Social Justice Parenting™ and the author of Social Justice Parenting: How to Raise Compassionate, Anti-Racist, Justice-minded Kids in an Unjust World. As an educator for over 30 years, with degrees in child development, elementary education, and curriculum and instruction, she specializes in diversity and inclusion, racial identity, critical literacy, anti-bias curriculum, and social justice education.
Book: Social Justice Parenting
In Social Justice Parenting, Dr. Traci Baxley—a professor of education who has spent 30 years teaching diversity and inclusion—will offer the essential guidance and curriculum parents have been searching for. Dr. Baxley, a mother of five herself, suggests that parenting is a form of activism, and encourages parents to acknowledge their influence in developing compassionate, socially conscious kids. Importantly, Dr. Baxley also guides parents to do the work of recognizing and reconciling their own biases. So often, she suggests, parents make choices based on what’s best for their children, versus what’s best for all children in their community. Dr. Baxley helps readers take inventory of their actions and beliefs, develop self-awareness and accountability, and become role models. Poised to become essential reading for all parents committed to social change, Social Justice Parenting will offer parents everywhere the opportunity to nurture a future generation of humane, compassionate individuals.
Bio: Dr. Marquis Bey is a professor of African American Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, and English at Northwestern University. Their work focuses on black feminism, transgender and nonbinary identities, abolition, and philosophy. Most recently the author of two books—Black Trans Feminism and Cistem Failure: Essays on Blackness and Cisgender (Duke University Press, 2022)—they continue to work at the intersections of race, gender, and radical politics.
Book: Black Trans Feminism
Black Trans Feminism retools what we mean by blackness, transness, and feminism. No longer simply identities that people are, Bey thinks about these terms as ways of being in other words, blackness, transness, and feminism are politics, they are things one does—radically, subversively. Black Trans Feminism, then, is a book that asks readers to think about what is possible when blackness, transness, and feminism mean radical change instead of simply who or what someone is.
* Books are available in limited quantities for all attendees on the evening of the event.
* Enjoy plant based bites by Chef Samuel Woods, The Rabbit Hole – Elevated Vegan Comfort Cuisine.
*All attendees must register before the event.
About Arts Garage:
Arts Garage delivers innovative, diverse, meaningful and accessible visual and performing arts experiences to Delray Beach and South Florida. “Connecting our community to the world through the Arts”—this vision drives all decision-making at Arts Garage, which brings local, emerging artists and established global performers into the local multi-cultural community (students and adults, locals and tourists, people of all ages, income levels, backgrounds) who share a love of the arts.
Diversity is a hallmark of Arts Garage, which provides multicultural programming that promotes inclusion in the arts. #DiscoverDiversity isn’t just a tagline—it is the cornerstone of our outreach programs, staffing, and marketing. Arts Garage is located at 94 NE 2nd Avenue in DelrayBeach’s popular Pineapple Grove (33444). For more information, please call 561.450.6357 or visit www.artsgarage.org.
