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Mother’s Day Dining: Brunch and Spa Day at the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa

Singer Island, Fla. (April 19, 2023) – Stay by the sea this Mother’s Day with a brunch and spa day at Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa. Treat mom to a delicious brunch buffet at 3800 Ocean Restaurant & Lounge and sumptuous spa treatments at the award-winning SiSpa. 

From noon to 5 p.m., meet for an exquisite brunch featuring an array of flavorful displays and decadent stations. The Raw Bar Station features Chili Con Limon Poached Shrimp, Local Oysters on the Half Shell, and Snow Crab Claws dressed in a Smoked Corn Remoulade. The Chef’s Carving Station serves a Roasted Garlic and Cherrywood Smoked Sea Salt-Encrusted Prime Rib, accompanied by a local IPA demi-glace with grain mustard and tarragon. The Artisanal Cheese and Charcuterie display is decorated with a selection of Roasted Nuts, Dried Fruit, and a Spring Vegetable Crudité. The omelet and waffle stations will satisfy all your breakfast cravings. Pastry Chef Kursten Restivo’s dessert station offers mom-approved sweet treats and delights. Brunch costs $115 for adults and $45 for children age 12 and under. 

After brunch, locals can indulge in a mother-daughter spa day at SiSpa and enjoy access to the resort’s amenities,including the infinity pool, the lagoon pool, and the private beach, along with complimentary valet parking. Try SiSpa’s new Si-Of-Youth oxygen facial, available throughout the month of May. Starting at $268 per person, the facial uses a state-of-the-art Intraceuticals Topical Hyperbaric Oxygen System that produces therapeutic oxygen under hyperbaric pressure, and infuses a special serum of modified hyaluronic acid, essential vitamins, botanicals, antioxidants, and amino peptides into the skin. In less than an hour, mom will be left glowing with rehydrated, lifted, and plumped up skin! 

The resort’s Journey to SiSpa package gifts moms and moms-to-be a memorable day of rest and relaxation. The experience begins with a welcome glass of champagne and a SiSpa teddy bear memento. It also features two signature 50-minute treatments per stay, including the Signature Swedish Massage, Aromatherapy Massage, a Hand, Foot, and Scalp Massage, a Prenatal Massage, a Signature Facial, a Transformation Facial, and a Resurfacing Pedicure. Guests are given an additional 20% discount on any regularly priced spa services. 

Reservations for brunch at 3800 Ocean are required by calling (561) 340-1795. To book an appointment for SiSpa treatments, call (561) 340-1755. SiSpa prices exclude 20% gratuity. 

Make it a memorable Mother’s Day on Singer Island! 

Click the link below for a Word version of this press release and high resolution photos, courtesy of Michael Albanese. 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GAN2GH5M1jNoj6HqhRW9XsZWnyXq_URx?usp=share_link

About Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa

Rising 21 stories above a beautiful stretch of palm-fringed sand, Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa is the only all-suite beachfront property in Palm Beach County. Each of its 190 suites offers spacious and stylish condo-style living in surroundings that are equally ideal for family vacations, romantic getaways, and business travel. The décor is sleek and contemporary, with modern furnishings and a palette that evokes the sand, sea, and sky. Dining choices range from exceptional American regional cuisine to casual Caribbean fare. The resort’s award-winning SiSpa offers sea-inspired pampering and wellness therapies, while its boutique-style meeting space beautifully accommodates high-powered conferences, exquisite beach weddings, and sophisticated social events. Comfortably furnished outdoor spaces make the most of the Florida sun and sea breezes, inviting guests to relax poolside or gather for an evening of drinks and conversation by a fire pit. Operated by U.H. S.I., LLC under license from Marriott International, Inc. or one of its affiliates. For more information, visit palmbeachmarriottresort.com or connect online via Facebook and Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACT

Chelsea Casagrande

Venue Marketing Group

(561) 844-1778, ext. 120

chelsea@venueadv.com

The Symphonia’s Final Concert of Their 2022 – 2023 Season Gets “Deep”

Boca Raton, FL (April 19, 2023)— The fourth and final concert of ‘Inspired, Naturally,’ the element-themed season of The SYMPHONIA, is Sunday, April 30 at 3 p.m. at Roberts Theater at Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton. Each concert within the series is inspired by one of the earth’s natural elements, with ‘WATER’ serving as the theme for this performance. The Symphonia’s  Principal Conductor Alastair Willis will be closing out the season.

The concert repertoire includes: 

ETHEL SMITH               Overture to “The Wreckers” (arr Mark Buller)

DILORENZO                 Jabberwocky

BEETHOVEN                Pastoral Symphony     

Willis closes the season with Ethel Smyth’s overture to The Wreckers – a wildly romantic, stirring image of the sea and pirates; DiLorenzo’s Jabberwocky which is based on the nonsensical poem by Lewis Carroll and Beethoven’s glorious Pastoral Symphony.  As one of The Symphonia’s most beloved conductors, Willis is noted for his strong podium presence, and engaging and attractive personality.  

‘Inspired Naturally’ is the theme of The Symponia’s 2022-2023 concert season, featuring classic works that embody four natural elements, Fire, Earth, Wind and Water.

Information on flex-subscriptions and single concert tickets and programs is available at thesymphonia.org, by calling 561-376-3848, or by emailing tickets@thesymphonia.org

Pre-Concert Conversation:

A Pre-Concert Conversation hosted by David Kim will take place from 2-2:30 p.m., giving ticket holders an opportunity to learn more about the works to be performed that afternoon. Free for concert ticket holders.

About The SYMPHONIA 

The mission of The Symphonia is to inspire, educate and engage the lives of our diverse South Florida community through extraordinary musical experiences. Founded in 2004 and recognized as the region’s premier chamber orchestra, The Symphonia’s annual concert series features a repertoire blending classic and contemporary works, showcasing compositions from diverse composers that can best be brought to life by a chamber-size ensemble.

The Symphonia takes great pride in its longstanding community partnerships, including its ‘Building a String Orchestra and Self-Esteem’ children’s program at the Boys & Girls Club in Delray Beach, and with the City of Boca Raton. Additional outreach programs include ‘Meet the Orchestra’ for kids 12 and under, and ‘Box Lunch It,’ a program that allows adult patrons to meet and learn from The Symphonia’s featured soloists and conductors in an intimate, casual environment. This past year, The Symphonia also launched a program to provide complimentary tickets to service organizations such as Boca Helping Hands, Lighthouse for the Blind, Wounded Veterans Relief Fund, and Schwedelson Special Need Department of the Jewish Community Center. 

For more information, visit thesymphonia.org; follow on Instagram @TheSymphonia and on Facebook @SymphoniaBoca.

$146,000 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix CSI3*

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Story and photos by Alan Fabricant of Alfabphoto.com

On a warm sunny Sunday morning on the Derby grass field in Wellington 36 pairs of riders and horses participated in the $146,000 Bainbridge Companies Grand Prix CSI3* competition.

Eight went through the first round clear (within the time limit and no knockdowns).

During the jump off four went through clear.

Conor Swail of Ireland riding Casturano edged out his nearest competitor by less than one second.  

For his first place finish he collected a check for $48,180.

Second place went to Kent Farrington of the USA aboard Orafina and received $29,200 for his efforts.

Ireland’s Jordan Coyle riding For Gold finished third and took home $21,900.

“Express Yourself” Fashion Art Ball Shines a Light
on Mental Health Through Art and Design and Music

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Multimedia arts celebration will honor May’s Mental Health Month through art, fashion and entertainment

West Palm Beach, FL–On the evening of May 5th, 2021, one hundred guests safely gathered at Delray Beach’s Arts Warehouse to celebrate the first “Express Yourself” Fashion Art Ball created by artist, journalist, and designer Deon C. Jefferson. The multimedia art and fashion evening showcased artwork inspired by mental health/behavioral health with a special concentration on COVID-19. The event was made possible through a grant from BeWellPBC, a countywide behavioral health initiative engaging residents, providers and systems to advance behavioral health and wellness. 

Well, this year is the return of the Fashion Art Ball. This year’s event will be the signature event for the county-wide Get Your Green On Campaign. The GYGO campaign aims to raise awareness by creating visible support and fostering safe spaces to talk openly about mental health and trauma. Our sponsors for the Fashion Art Ball are BeWellPBC, NAMI of PBC, Healthier Delray Beach, Birth to 22, Palm Beach County Youth Services Department, United Way of PBC, and Children’s Services Council, just to name a few. 

In 2021, mental health clothing brand Psyche Signature showcased their designs and sold them fresh off the runway after the show. Psyche Signature will be back to display their latest collection, along with creations from Deon C. Jefferson. One of the highlights of the event will be the artwork. For the last event, over 120 artists’ submissions were narrowed down to twenty-seven.  This year’s sub-theme is SUPER – power, -hero, -visor, -ficial, -star, -supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,  –or whatever it means to the artist. The art exhibition will be on view in the Back Room Gallery from May 5th – June 30th, 2023.  There will also be various PBC organizations specializing in mental and behavioral health present with tables and information on their services. 

Attendees can look forward to special performances from The Young Singers of The Palm Beaches, along with poetry from local artist Matthew Gibson. And so much more! There will also be special giveaways and a live DJ for dancing. Since the theme is Super, we are encouraging guests to wear their favorite superhero costume or create a new mental health superhero. Make sure to do your best, because the person who is “Best Expressed” will receive a special award. Each guest will pay no admission to attend. The event is free and open to the public.

“My vision was to marry fashion and the arts with mental health to see how we could be effective in raising awareness and open conversations,” said Jefferson. “It was beautiful to see so many people coming together to learn from one another and feel open and understood.”

Wellington Art Society Announces Art Scholarship Recipients

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The Wellington Art Society is thrilled to present Art Scholarships to three deserving young artists at their May 10, 2023 meeting. The meeting and presentation will take place at the Wellington Community Center, 12150 Forest Hill Blvd, Wellington. They will open with a meet and greet at 5:30 pm, followed by the member spotlight and a brief meeting. The meeting will conclude with the presentation of scholarships to three very talented high school seniors. The public is invited to attend. For more information contact: Laura Jaffe, presidentofwas@gmail.com. 

Little Red by Isabella Mayman

The students who will be receiving scholarships this year are Isabella Mayman of Fusion Academy, Stella Martinelli of G-Star School of the Arts, and Jakira Julbe of Royal Palm Beach High School. The scholarships will be presented by WAS Scholarship Chair, Barry Stefan. Each scholarship recipient will display their artwork and share their process, as well as their future plans. 

Biodiversity by Stella Martinelli

The Wellington Art Society (WAS) has been supporting the advancement of the arts in the Palm Beach County community since 1981 with the intent to encourage young artists to pursue careers in the fine arts, provide programming that expands art in public places, and make art accessible within the community daily. 

The Foreteller by Jakira Julbe

The WAS Scholarship Program was established in 2001 to provide scholarships to talented young artists for art related College and University expenses and tuition costs.  Over the past twenty-two years, WAS has awarded over $120,000 in scholarships to some of the brightest and most creative students within our community. Past recipients of the WAS Scholarship have gone on to become educators, illustrators, authors, curators, artistic directors, professional artists and art advocates.

To support the Scholarship Program, WAS relies solely upon money raised from donations, membership dues, monthly raffles, artist exhibitions, municipal art shows, and commissions. Help support the WAS Scholarship Program with a tax deductible donation on its website: www.WellingtonArtSociety.org.   

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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.  

Wycliffe Stiffs present Award to Parks & Rec Department

Stickball Blvd South, located in Village Park, Wellington, Florida, and 1321 miles from Brooklyn, is the most unique and nostalgic stickball field in the southeast. Yesterday, the Stiffs Mgt. of Harry Klaff,  Arthur Spector, Allen Lebowitz and Philip Strassler presented the Village of Wellington, Parks and Recreation a special award.

Harry Klaff of the Wyclifffe Stiffs with Bruce Wagner of Wellington’s Parks & Rec Department
Mayor Anne Gerwig enjoys an egg creme
The award presented to The Village of Wellington’s Parks & Rec Department by the Wycliffe Stiffs at the Stiffs’ 21st season luncheon

Wellington Takes First Place In The 2023 Let’s Move Challenge

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Wellington has once again secured the title of “Top Team” in the Let’s Move: Commit to Change Physical Activity Challenge for the third year running. This year,  the Village logged a record-breaking 36,022,563 minutes of physical activity during the month-long campaign in March. In addition to the top team prize, Wellington sub-teams also placed 3rd, 4th, and 5th in the challenge.
 
The Let’s Move Challenge, presented by Digital Vibez Inc. in partnership with the Palm Health Foundation, encourages individuals and teams to commit to exercising for at least 30 minutes every day. The competition is highly competitive, with teams from municipalities, county organizations, and other groups all vying for the top prizes.
 
This year’s challenge saw more than 80 teams from across Palm Beach County logging an incredible 103,487,227 minutes of walking, running, dancing, and various other physical activities.
 
Wellington’s Village Manager, Jim Barnes,  expressed his pride in the community for their dedication to the challenge, saying “We are thrilled to win the Let’s Move Challenge for the third year in a row. This achievement shows that our community is committed to prioritizing physical activity and taking control of their health. It’s inspiring to see so many people coming together to create a healthy and active community.”
 
The Let’s Move Challenge was first launched in 2012 by the Palm Health Foundation to improve a range of health issues through regular physical activity. The challenge promotes daily exercise as a way to combat illnesses like diabetes and heart disease, and strengthen brain health and life expectancy, among other benefits.
 
Wellington’s continued success in the Let’s Move Challenge is a testament to the Village’s commitment to promoting health and well-being. Congratulations to all the participants on this remarkable achievement!

As another way to stay informed on the latest news and updates from the Village, residents are invited to sign up for Wellington information and updates at www.wellingtonfl.gov/Newsletter.

Florida Circuit 16-Goal Super-Series Championship

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Story and photos by Alan Fabricant of alfabphoto.com

By winning one of four qualifiers, the Joe Barry Cup, Ylvisaker Cup, Iglehart Cup and Continental Cup, those teams would then playoff to see who would participate in the first Florida Circuit 16-Goal Super-Series Championship.

As it turned out, a strong Iconica team won the first three events, automatically qualifying for the final to play against La Fe, winner of the final event.

On an overcast day on Sunday, April 9th at the National Polo Center these two teams took to the field.

The Iconica team jumped out to a lead in the second chukker and never looked back for a 14-11 victory.

During all of these tournaments Iconica won 16 of the 17 games it played.

The team was made up of Maureen Brennan, Mariano ‘Peke’ Gonzalez, Lucas ‘Luckitas” Criado and Santos Merlos.  

During the final Peke Gonzalez scored five goals and was awarded Most Valuable Player honors.

Rufino Merlos, Robi Bilbao, Francisco Elizalde and Louis Devaleix were the players on the La Fe team.

La Fe’s Francisco Elizalde, riding Lavinia Magia was presented with the Best Playing Pony award.

Solar Schools for the Sunshine State… Let’s Start in Wellington

By Ana Cristina Maldonado

Nico Narvaez, 4th grader at New Horizons Elementary

“Hey, Mom!  That school has solar panels on it!” My son, Nicolas Narvaez, who is in 4th grade at New Horizons Elementary School, pointed out the car window as we drove past Galaxy Elementary School in Boynton Beach.  

We had put solar panels and an electric car charger on our house through Goldin Solar, a contractor, through a Solar United Neighbors Co-op, organized by the Palm Beach County League of Women Voters.  But … solar on schools?! What an idea!

That was the beginning of Nico’s science fair project, calculating how much money his school would save if it switched to solar energy.  The answer?  A jaw dropping 5 million dollars in savings over 25 years from just one school.  Multiplied by the number of schools in our District (236), that is $1.18 billion in savings over 25 years.  That’s billion with a “B.”  Imagine what educators could do with that money.  

Energy is the second largest budget item for school districts after salaries.  This year, our School District spent $40 million dollars.  Here in the Sunshine State, most of our energy comes from natural gas (methane).  Thanks to war and inflation, the cost of school electricity is already set to increase 67% over the next two years.  (Florida Utilities Commission).  This year’s $40 million dollars will be $66 million dollars in 2024-2025. 

Solar schools can insulate the School District against these shocks… and even make us money.  A school district in Arkansas installed 1,400 solar panels and turned a $250,000 deficit into a $1.8 million dollar surplus, resulting in a teacher pay raise of $2,000 to $3,000 per educator.  https://energynews.us/2020/10/16/this-arkansas-school-turned-solar-savings-into-better-teacher-pay/

Yes, solar costs money up front.  However, even if existing funds are accounted for, there are new opportunities and incentives that make solar more affordable than ever.  The Inflation Reduction Act now allows schools to get a 30% to 50% direct cash payment for solar installation.  This money is also available for churches and nonprofits – and this is new as of January 1, 2023.    

A roof can last 25 years, but with incentives, rooftop solar can be paid off in under ten.   New Horizons Elementary needs a new roof.  Not adding rooftop solar is throwing money away. 

Palm Beach County legislators Lori Berman and Joe Casello are sponsoring the “Emergency Shelters Preparedness Act” in Tallahassee.  This bill needs our URGENT support.  It will bring money for rooftop solar to schools that serve as hurricane shelters.  Solar can guard against loss of power.  https://capitalsoup.com/2023/01/19/senator-berman-and-representative-casello-reintroduce-emergency-shelters-preparedness-act-to-harden-shelters-against-extreme-weather-events-and-expand-solar-power/

Check out this link about how a solar community kept the lights on in Ft. Myers even after Category 5 Hurricane Ian.  https://www.insider.com/babcock-ranch-florida-solar-power-town-survived-hurricane-ian-2023-2#:~:text=In%20September%2C%20Babcock%20Ranch%20survived,during%20the%20Category%204%20storm.

L to R Pamela Maldonado (grandma), Rocio Amador (New Horizons teacher), Nico Narvaez, Ana Cristina Maldonado, David Narvaez by the school board

Palm Beach County School District believes in sustainability.  We built the first LEED schools in Florida.  My goal in speaking to the School District was to ask them to set an even more ambitious goal:  Adopt a resolution like the one passed by Miami Dade Schools, committing to 100% Clean Energy by 2030.  Check out Miami Dade County Public Schools’ Clean Energy Plan:  https://api.dadeschools.net/WMSFiles/160/Clean%20Energy%20Report/Final%20clean%20energy%20report%20outline.docx%20-%20Google%20Docs.pdf

Why 2030?  The United Nations Panel on Climate Change establishes that by 2030, we need to cut emissions by 45% to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Centigrade… (that’s 2.7 Farenheit, for us Americans.) 

I remember seeing the “hockey stick” climate emissions graph in eleventh grade.  2030 was an abstract concept to me then.  This is not abstract to me now.  My ten-year-old son is Class of 2031. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hockey_stick_graph_(global_temperature)

Seven years is not a lot of time.  What if we miss that target?  These are fears and fears bring paralysis.  We have to overcome that.  When you miss your exit on I-95, you refocus on your destination, check your map, and get off at the next exit. 

If my 4th grader can do the math, so can everyone else. 

Nico with Joseph Sanches, COO of PBCSD

Nico and I spoke to the School District in our presentation, but also, we were speaking to all of you:  individuals, consumers, homeowners, the Village of Wellington, businesses, religious organizations, schools and municipalities in Palm Beach and across Florida. 

Miami Dade County Public Schools has given us a great institutional model.  If we set an ambitious goal, make a good plan to get there, staff it properly and act with urgency, we can do it. 

This is the Sunshine State, and we are in it together. 

My contact information: 

Ana Cristina Maldonado

Maldonado.ac@gmail.com

561-301-5174

Video of the School Board Meeting.  Nico at 1h52min, I’m right afterwards.    

https://www.palmbeachschools.org/Page/2090

Great link on electrification:

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Nicolas (Nico) Narvaez is 10 years old. He is in 4th grade dual language Choice program at New Horizons. He loves math and the environment and video games.  

Ana Cristina Maldonado is Nico’s proud mama. She is an attorney mediator with Upchurch Watson White and Max. 

Side-by-Side Concert Will Bring Together Musicians From The Symphonia & Student Musicians from YOPBC, April 30, 2023

(Palm Beach, April 18, 2023 ) –  A Side-by-Side Concert will bring together world-class professional musicians from The Symphonia and student musicians from Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County’s highest-level orchestra, the Philharmonic on April 30, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. This free-to-the-public concert will take place at the Mizner Park Amphitheater.  

Side-by-Side concerts that bring professional musicians in direct contact with student musicians is a well-established practice in the world of music. For student musicians in youth orchestras, it is a hands-on opportunity to grow artistically. For professional musicians in symphonic orchestras, it is a way of helping to prepare the next generation of classical musicians and music appreciators. 

According to Michael Fraley, executive director of Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County (YOPBC), “Side-by-Side concerts give student musicians the chance to learn from example. For a young musician eager to improve, getting the chance to play with someone at the peak of his/her professional career is invaluable.” 

Dr. Kyle Prescott, conductor of YOPBC’s Philharmonic Orchestra, is excited at the prospect of his student musicians having direct contact with professional musicians. “For a student musician just starting out, to sit next to a master musician and hear that rich mature sound quality, to observe somebody who has complete control of his/her instrument cannot be matched. And for the professionals, the gains are indisputable – there is nothing quite as rewarding as seeing your younger self in the student you are nurturing.” 

“Side-by-Side concerts inspire students and professional musicians alike,” says Alastair Willis, The Symphonia’s principal conductor and artistic advisor. “I recall my own experience as a 13-year-old music student playing trumpet side-by-side with my teacher and remember how life-changing the experience was for me. Years later, when I was a conductor with the Cincinnati Symphony’s youth orchestra, I got to appreciate that the side-by-side experience is just as rewarding for the professional musicians who in this setting get to give back. The glorious sound of the two groups playing in tandem is simply inspirational.”   

Spearheaded by The Symphonia’s executive director Annabel Russell, and Maestro Willis, the Side-by-Side Concert is an equal partnership between the two groups. “This project is being designed to be more than just a concert,” says Russell. “It is intended to be the beginning of an ongoing and enriching collaboration that will build positive and creative relationships between students and professionals. It is also a wonderful way of reaching out to the public through the arts.”  

The concert itself will engage approximately 40 Symphonia musicians paired with Philharmonic student musicians. Conducting will be shared between Maestro Willis and Maestro Prescott. “Our objective is to make this concert an annual event,” says Willis, “I feel that community interest will be strong – especially from parents of orchestra members, and The Symphonia’s regular subscribers.”  

About The SYMPHONIA 

The mission of The Symphonia is to inspire, educate and engage the lives of our diverse South Florida community through extraordinary musical experiences. Founded in 2004 and recognized as the region’s premier chamber orchestra, The Symphonia’s annual concert series features a repertoire blending classic and contemporary works, showcasing compositions from diverse composers that can best be brought to life by a chamber-size ensemble.

The Symphonia takes great pride in its longstanding community partnerships, including its ‘Building a String Orchestra and Self-Esteem’ children’s program at the Boys & Girls Club in Delray Beach, and with the City of Boca Raton. Additional outreach programs include ‘Meet the Orchestra’ for kids 12 and under, and ‘Box Lunch It,’ a program that allows adult patrons to meet and learn from The Symphonia’s featured soloists and conductors in an intimate, casual environment. This past year, The Symphonia also launched a program to provide complimentary tickets to service organizations such as Boca Helping Hands, Lighthouse for the Blind, Wounded Veterans Relief Fund, and Schwedelson Special Need Department of the Jewish Community Center. 

For more information, visit thesymphonia.org; follow on Instagram @TheSymphonia and on Facebook @SymphoniaBoca.