Please consider this news from Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation, Inc. for your society, community and business coverage. Attached are (2) images of the WILA Awards reception guest speaker Sylvie Légère.
Call or email with any questions,
Michelle Brown
Kaliah Communications, Inc.
561-308-3382
Save the Date! Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation Announces 2023 Women in Leadership Awards
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL – January 14, 2023 – The Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation, Inc. (EWPBF) will hold its 40th Annual Women in Leadership Award (WILA) on April 19, 2023, at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
Women will be honored for their outstanding accomplishments within the realms of volunteer, private, non-profit and public sector service, and an Emerging Leader will also be recognized.
Guest speaker will beSylvie Légère, an internationally recognized social entrepreneur, philanthropist and investor committed to civic engagement. Légère believes everyone is responsible for operating authentically and building strong, welcoming, and thriving communities. As someone who has overcome fears to expand her comfort zone, Légère understands the importance of leveraging your influence to positively impact society.
2023 WILA Honorary Chair is Marti Latour, and 2023 WILA Chair is Vicki Pugh. Nominations for the WILA awards are open, and sponsorship details are available at https://ewpb.org/WOMEN-IN-LEADERSHIP-AWARDS-(WILA)
The highly distinguished Women in Leadership Awards are presented by EWPB, in recognition of local women who have sustained outstanding accomplishments and displayed generosity of spirit, commitment to integrity and diversity, and genuine connectedness with others in the community. Proceeds benefit the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation.
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Michelle Brown Kaliah Communications, Inc. 561-308-3382; kaliahpr@gmail.com
+ Beginner Watercolor with Carl Stoveland – February 2, 9, 16, 23
+ Honey Bee Inspirations – February 4
+ Lunch & Learn Series on Tropical Permaculture – February 4, 8, 15, 22
+ Tu Bishvat Walking Seder – February 5
+ Heart Opening Cacao Ceremony – February 5, 19
+ For the Love of Succulents – February 7
+ Watercolor at the Garden – February 7, 14, 21, 28
+ Composting 101 – February 8
+ Winter Plant-a-Palooza Plant Sale – February 11-12
+ Start a Hydroponic Garden at Home – February 14
+ Year of the Orchid Series: Orchid Care – February 17
+ Introduction to Worms – February 21
+ Newcomer’s Guide for Gardening in Florida – February 22
+ Tai Chi at Mounts – February 24
+ Creating Garden Ecosystems – February 28
+ Patrick Dougherty’s Stickwork – Through 2023
(West Palm Beach, FL – January 10, 2023) Celebrating new life and new growth with a horticultural flourish, Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden will be hosting 33happy and healthy, fun-in-the-sun workshops, classes and special events in February.
“This is the perfect time for people of all ages to come out and enjoy some of the healthy, artsy and horticultural events at our 20-acre paradise just minutes from downtown West Palm Beach,” invites Mounts Curator-Director RochelleWolberg.
February 1, 8, 15, 22
Qi Gong
With Roxanne Cumberland
Wednesdays, 10 am to 11 am
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission). Classes are nonrefundable.
Registration is required; size of “inside” classes is limited to 20 adults.
Relieve stress and increase metabolism, flexibility, and strength. Qi Gong (pronounced chee-gong) is an ancient Chinese exercise and healing technique. The exercises include simple, slow movements (which mimic nature), meditation, and focused breathing—similar to Tai Chi but less structured.
Registration is required; all classes are non-refundable; tour size is limited to 15 adults. Join us on these early morning Garden walks to reconnect and recharge with nature. Walk for fitness and for fun, stopping along the way to enjoy the early morning quiet. Experience the beauty of the Garden before the crowds arrive. Mounts Special Projects Manager and garden lover April Krebs will have a different subject to focus on each week noting the various horticultural changes.
Thursdays, 10 am to 12:30 pm $15 for members; $20 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission). Classes are nonrefundable. Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults.
If you have always wanted to try watercolor but been overwhelmed by it then this is the class for you. Start with the basics, focusing on a new technique and a simple painting each week. Join artist Carl Stoveland and share your love of art and nature with fellow art enthusiasts. Begin each class with a Nature Walk through the Garden led by the artist. The purpose of the walk is to inspire and give participants an opportunity to capture photos with their phone or tablet along the way. The group will then move indoors, where the instructor will start with a quick demo topic then assist people in choosing a subject and getting started on his/her watercolors. This class is for adults only. Bring pencils, pens, paints sketchpad or watercolor pad, (or journal) and your favorite photographic device (i.e., cell phone camera or tablet).
The Captivating World of Honey Bees and Beekeeping
With Joanna Diamond
Saturday, 10 am to Noon
$20 for members; $25 for nonmembers(includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 35 adults; all classes are non-refundable; classes held inside.
Under the direction of bee expert Joanna Diamond from the Honey Bee Rescue Center, this class will cover topics ranging from little known but intriguing facts about honey bees, why honey bees in particular are so important as pollinators, do we need to be afraid of bees or should bees be afraid of us, and dispelling myths and misconceptions about bees. Why are honey bee populations declining and the facts behind swarms and swarming, what to do if spotting a swarm, how to help bees, and behind the scenes of live bee removals. What does it take to become a beekeeper and, in particular, can you even do so if you’re afraid of bees? After a short overview of Orchid Bees, attendees will be introduced to the fascinating world of honey, including how and why bees make honey, which honey is best, and ending with a honey tasting session. Raw wildflower honey will be available to buy after class, as well as Orchid Bee feeders and Honey Bee Revival Kits.
Introduction to Tropical Permaculture; Lunch and Learn Series
With Megan Kelly
+ Saturday, February 4 at Mounts Botanical Garden, Noon to 1:30 pm
+ Wednesdays, February 8, 15, 22 on Zoom, Noon to 1:30 pm
$100 for members; $125 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
(Note: This is a 4-part package only; classes not sold separately.)
Registration is required; class size limited to 45 adults; all classes are non-refundable.
This series is designed so people can participate through Zoom from wherever they happen to be. In this four-week course, learn the foundations of permaculture and how to design and create ecological landscapes filled with edible, medicinal, and native plants while gaining skills to recognize patterns in nature, regenerate soil, and reconnect with the living world. Permaculture is a whole systems design philosophy that works with nature to create a healthy, productive, regenerative garden. The first session will be in-person at Mounts, followed by three classes on Zoom. After registering for the course, participants will receive an email with links for the zoom classes as well as additional resources. This is a truly unique way to garden in the tropics.
+ Saturday, February 4 at Mounts Botanical Garden, Noon to 1:30 pm
At this Lunch and Learn workshop live at Mounts, participants will gain a strong foundation in the ethics and principles that define permaculture design. This course will be led by Megan Kelly of New River Gardens. She is a regenerative gardener, whole systems educator, and permaculture design specialist native to South Florida.
+ Wednesdays on Zoom, Noon to 1:30 pm
February 8: The Tropical Food Forest Garden
Winter is the perfect time to begin a tropical food forest garden. This class we’ll cover the basics of forest gardening, getting to know essential plants that make up the foundation of a tropical food forest garden, and gaining skills to feed friends and family from our backyards in the tropical urban environment. Learn how to create balanced, regenerative ecosystems by harnessing the energy of the elements coming into your sight like sunlight, wind, and perhaps the most important sector for a person living in our coastal community–water.
February 15: Regenerative Soil Building
The foundation of all life in the garden lies in the soil. Learn the basics of building soil by using regenerative practices like composting and growing your own fertilizer. This zoom workshop will provide practical skills to reduce local waste stream, clean up waterways, provide self-renewing fertility, and create abundance.
February 22: Holistic Garden Care
In the final Lunch and Learn class, learn the essentials of holistic garden care. From “pests” like iguanas to plant disease, how to take a whole systems approach to work with nature rather than against it when challenges arise? Leave this class with a strong foundation in whole systems garden care that will bring peace of mind and a new outlook on growing and life.
With Cantor Gastón Bogomolni & Marcela Gómez-Bogomolni
Sunday 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
$18 for members; $20 for nonmembers; $5 ages 6-17; free for ages 5 and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult. (Includes full Garden admission).
Registration isrequired; walk is limited to 30 guests; all classes are non-refundable.
When was the last time you wished a tree Happy New Year? The 15th day of the month of Shevat on the Hebrew calendar is a great opportunity. It is also called Rosh HaShanah La’Ilanot, literally “New Year of the Trees.” In contemporary Israel and around the world, the day is celebrated as an ecological awareness day, and trees are planted in celebration, fruits are eaten, poetry is recited, songs are sung in combination with a few contemplative moments of meditation.
$25 for members; $35 for nonmembers(includes full Garden admission).
Registration isrequired; class size is limited to 30 adults; all classes are non-refundable.
Upon arrival, attendees will receive a ceremonial smudging and blessing, helping to release any burdens from day-to day life. Guided by instructors Marit Tuisk andDavid Lepp, they will be given a cup of the highest quality Ceremonial Cacao to take part in this sacred heart-opening Cacao Ceremony. The Cacao works to relax, open the heart chakra, and increase receptivity to healing. Finally, they’ll relax into Yoga Nidra mediation and deep sound healing during which participants will be immersed in the healing energies of the Gong, crystal singing bowls, and other high-frequency instruments.
Notes:
+ Please bring your yoga mat and blanket.
+ Please no alcohol on the day of the ceremony and no caffeine 3 hours before and after the event.
$30 Members; $35 Nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 30 adults
Who needs a diamond necklace for Valentine’s day when you can give your loved one an arrangement of succulent gems you arranged yourself! Come learn how to design a succulent arrangement to gift or keep as a gift to yourself. Horticulture specialist Michael Spencerwill answer questions about how to nurture, propagate, and create an environment where these stylish, gorgeous plants can thrive. All materials, including plants are included with the class. Snacks will be provided.
Tuesdays, 10 am to 12:30 pm $15 for members; $20 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission). Classes are nonrefundable. Registration is required; class size is limited to 25 adults.
Join artist Carl Stoveland and share the love of art and nature with fellow art enthusiasts. This class is for adults only. Bring your pencils, pens, paints sketchpad or watercolor pad, (or journal) and your favorite photographic device (i.e., cell phone camera or tablet). Some experience preferred. True beginners should consider the Thursday beginners class.Begin each class with a Nature Walk through the Garden led by Stoveland. The purpose of the walk is to inspire participants and give them an opportunity to capture photos with their phone or tablet along the way. The group will then move indoors, where the instructor will start with a quick demo topic then assist students in choosing a subject and getting started on a watercolor.
$15 for members; $20 for nonmembers(includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 40 adults; all classes are non-refundable.
Do you know how many ways there are to compost? Thermophilic, cold, aerated, static, in-vessel, in field, vermicomposting, bokashi, etc. This class will share various composting techniques and the pros and cons of each, plus tips on how to best utilize and benefit from composting at home. Even an experienced composter may learn something new. Instructor Mel Corichi is a certified Safe Compost Operator who has been featured on WPTV and The Weather Channel and is considered an expert in her field of vermiculture and waste reduction in application to sustainable farming and gardening.
+ Saturday, 8 am to 9 am Members-Only Preview; 9 am to 4 pm open to public (last entry at 3:30 pm)
+ Sunday, 9 am to 3 pm open to public (last entry at 2:30 pm)
FREE for Mounts members, children 5 and under, and AHS Reciprocal Admission Program members; $15 for nonmember adults; $12 for seniors 65+, active military, and college students with ID; $7 for ages, 6-17.
The Mounts Winter Plant Sale returns with dozens of vendors in select Garden areas, offering a great selection of plants, shrubs, trees, and garden accessories. For a complete list of vendors, please visit the free mobile garden guide on Bloomberg Connects at (https://www.mounts.org/mobile-garden-guide/). The Mounts Botanical Nursery and Garden Thrift Shop will be open with a variety of colorful plants and unique treasures for the home and garden.
Notes:
+ Admission is by credit card/debit card only, no cash. Tickets are nonrefundable.
+ Dogs’ Day in the Garden and Palm Beach County Residents Day will not take place in February during the Plant Sale.
February 14
Start a Hydroponic Garden at Home
With Soleil Aniero
Tuesday, 10 am to 11:30 pm
$15 members; $20 nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 35 adults; all classes are non-refundable.
All beginners are welcome at this class on what it means to grow hydroponically and what is needed to get started. InstructorSoleil Aneiro will go through the key nutrients needed for healthy plants, the light requirements, and the many different types of set-ups one can utilize to successfully grow a garden of food hydroponically.
Orchid Care: Using Natural Pesticides, Fungicides, and Fertilizers with Mike Sands
Friday, 10 am to 11:00 pm
$15 members $20 nonmembers (includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 35 adults; all classes are non-refundable.
Mike Sands, president of the Tropical Orchid Society, will discuss when, how, and why to fertilize orchids. Learn key steps to prevent pests and what to do if you find them. Learn how to diagnose problems without going to Facebook, also the differences between organic oils, and soaps, and other safe-to-use insecticides and pesticides to help care for plants.Orchids will be available for sale after class.
$15 for members; $20 for nonmembers(includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 20 adults; all classes are non-refundable.
Interesting fact: Charles Darwin’s last book was about worms (or Annelids), which are some of the oldest creatures unchanged by time. They have no bones and are 90% water, however they shape the entire environment. In this class, participants will get to meet some squirmy companions while discussing vermiculture, or the raising of worms. Known as “The Worm Queen,” instructor Mel Corichi will discuss how to keep worms as domestic livestock, some techniques for composting with worms, or breeding worms for bait and soil maintenance. Worms and worm bins will be available for purchase after the class.
$15 for members; $20 for nonmembers(includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 20 adults; all classes are non-refundable. Classes held inside.
In this informative class and walking tour through Mounts, instructor Nada Vergiliwill discuss which plants thrive in a sub-tropical climate, how to improve soil quality, what to plant in sun/shade (or a little bit of both), and how to avoid common mistakes people make when moving to South Florida. Learn how to garden the South Florida way. Vergili is a Mounts Botanical Garden docent, holistic landscape designer, and UF/IFAS Florida Friendly Landscape Award winner in the 2021 Before and After category.
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers(includes full Garden admission) Classes are nonrefundable. Registration is required; class size is limited to 25 adults.
Tai Chi features flowing and gentle, but profoundly powerful movements. The main objective of the practice of Tai Chi is to magnify, strengthen and encourage the flow of the internal energy, the “chi”. When the “chi” flows throughout the body, one experiences over-all health, rejuvenation, and internal joy. This Tai Chi class is based on Sun Style Tai Chi which combines Qi Gong and Tai Chi.
Note: Wear sneakers or closed comfortable shoes and loose top and pants. Please bring a towel and water.
$15 for members; $20 for nonmembers(includes full Garden admission).
Registration is required; class size is limited to 20 adults; all classes are non-refundable. Classes held inside.
All of nature is interconnected and urban gardens are no exception. To create a healthy garden ecosystem, one needs to make sure all the components are working with, not against, natural processes. This class will share the components that can make a garden layered and lush. Learn how to create a natural ecosystem community to attract pollinators and birds that will support plantings while providing a peaceful healthy environment. Learn to build a garden that works as a balanced system where there is a place for every plant and a plant for every place.
Tuesdays through Sundays, 9 am to 4 pm (last entry at 3 pm)
FREE for MBG members and children under 6; $15 for nonmember adults; $12 for seniors 65+, college students, and military with ID; $7 for children 6-17. Ticket includes full Garden admission.
Internationally acclaimed environmental artist Patrick Dougherty recently returned to Mounts to construct the final large-scaleStickwork installation of his illustrious art career using 30,000 pounds of live willow branches.
Mounts Botanical Garden & Bloomberg Connects
Explore Anytime, Anywhere with New Mobile Garden Guide
Visitors can now explore Mounts Botanical Garden anytime from anywhere across the globe with the new Mobile Garden Guide. Recently launched in partnership with Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and cultural app created by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the guide is designed to elevate and enrich the visitor experience by making it easy to discover more of what people love before, during, and after their visit to the Garden. Multi-media content includes maps and information on Mounts Botanical’s 25 display gardens, art in the garden, and current and upcoming exhibitions, as well as an ever-growing spectrum of new photo, audio, and video content available exclusively via the app. To learn more and download the app, visit www.mounts.org/mobile-garden-guide/ [mounts.org].
About Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County:
With a mission to inspire and educate through nature, Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden. Visitors to this 20-acre tropical oasis will see an acclaimed collection of 25 unique garden areas containing more than 6,500 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants, including Florida natives, exotic and tropical fruit trees, herbs, palms, roses, cactus, bromeliads and much more. Mounts Botanical Garden is part of the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Department, in partnership with the University of Florida and the non-profit Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden. This project is sponsored in part by The Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council, and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. Mounts Botanical is located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach. For more information, please visit www.mounts.org.
CANVAS is a South Florida rock band, with a heart for veterans. They just finished their 8th concert supporting various wounded veteran charities, most recently for “The Fisher House”, and their mission to help injured vets heal by bringing their families from any distance to stay with their veteran during recovery. The members of this patriotic rock group include a USMC Vietnam vet, a Fireman-paramedic, a Federal law enforcement agent, and a civilian instructor to four branches of the US Military. The music of CANVAS is “classic rock”, the best of the 60’s and 70’s. Canvas members are the core behind RockinRedWhiteAndBlues.comwhich covers expenses for the concerts, allowing an astounding 100% of the “gate” to go directly to the charity.
Anger is a response to pain and fear. It is, what we call in psychology, a secondary emotion, meaning it is a response to a primary emotion. Anger is the emotional response that energizes our actions taken in response to pain and fear. Among our earliest experiences of emotional pain are events or treatment that are perceived as unfair.
IT’S NOT FAIR! . . . The most common experiences that cause people pain and result in anger, whether expressed or repressed, are those that ultimately lead to the refrain, “It’s not fair!” It’s not fair when we are neglected or abused in childhood. It’s not fair when our siblings or peers are treated better than we are by our parents or teachers.
Since societal anger is escalating, we can infer that the pain of living in society has been escalating. This pain is the source of political unrest, which is escalating in our country and in the world due to treatment or conditions that are perceived as unfair. This pain fuels the anger that energizes political protest and sometimes political violence. When people have outsized angry reactions, that reaction can be best understood as a present moment triggering through the brain’s synaptic connections what I like to call emotional echoes from the past. The fact is that our brain stores the emotional memories of events both remembered, forgotten, and that were forged before we had the capacity for language and narrative creation. Remembered memory is called extrinsic memory, and the well-spring of other emotional memories is called intrinsic memory.
Most of us can recall painful moments from childhood, either from interactions with our parents, siblings, teachers, other kids or adults when we hurt because we suffered something which we felt was unfair. Most of these times the pain suffered then was not processed with the assistance of a nurturing adult. As a result, the pain of the moment got stored in our limbic brain together with the pains of other similar experiences. This builds up over the years into an emotional memory reservoir. When we experience unfairness in our adult lives, the connectivity of our brains recalls into the present moment painful feelings from that reservoir. Hence our anger response appears inexplicitly much bigger than the circumstances would appear to warrant. When people relate some big angry reaction, they will often say, “It seems so silly now.”
This individual human experience is very important to understand in our current time of political unrest. The relationship between political unrest and emotion is well-known but rarely discussed even in academic circles. There is much discussion of and advocacy for economic or social justice. Much of the discussion, though, seems to miss the point of the nexus to human emotion. What is important is not equality of wealth or other measurable criteria, but rather the perception of fairness.
When any portion of our population experiences that something about the social, political, or economic systems in our country, or for that matter, the world, is unfair to them, it triggers the reservoir of psychic pain carried in the recesses of their minds.
This reservoir of pain and fear of more pain can be understood as the “it’s not fair” wound. As already pointed out, the human response to pain and fear is anger. This perspective explains all political upheavals from the Boston Tea Party to the Vietnam antiwar movement; from the Black Lives Matter Movement to the January 6, 2021, attack on Capitol Hill.
The violence, injustice, and myopia of so many in power in the world, leaves my heart in despair. As Machiavelli in his classic work “The Prince” made clear, it is in the interest of the prince to avoid fomenting rebellion among the governed. Just as individuals overreact to perceived unfairness in our personal lives, as a society we will likely overreact to perceived unfairness in our systems of government and social organization. Putting on my social psychologist hat for a moment, I suggest that the best place to start correcting our social and political unease is by reforming our tax system to one that is fair.
Since taxes are the primary way that the costs of government and its programs and services are financed, my soon to be published book looks primarily at the unfairness of our systems of taxation, and through that lens, the unfairness in our society. And I propose a solution, that I believe we can all get behind because it is rooted in fairness as that is understood and has been reflected in all of the great religious traditions of the world.
The book reveals how we in the great middle-class can lower our total tax burden and pay off the national debt at the same time by more fairly distributing the necessary burden of paying for the type of society we would choose to have. What type of society do we wish to have? That is the legitimate question for the political process to answer. How to pay for our government and its programs must meet the test of fairness. Everyone would like to eliminate homelessness, for instance, but how, at what cost, and who is going to pay?
My book, “A TAXING PROBLEM” proposes that the only fair approach to paying the cost of government and government sponsored programs is to distribute the cost to those who benefit from our social and political organization in direct portion to the benefit enjoyed measured in economic terms. My hope is that people of good will take themselves through my chapters, bringing honesty and openness to the ideas presented. And if you see the light that I see, the promise of a better present and a better future for all, I ask one thing more. I ask that you find the willingness to play an active role in transmitting these ideas to others and transmuting them into reality in our lives.
***
Mitch is in his second career and entering his third. He has been a practicing lawyer and law professor, he left the law to become a psychotherapist with a doctorate in clinical psychology, and with his book, A Taxing Problem, he has become a published author with more books in the works. Mitch is married, lives and works in Boynton Beach, attends synagogue in Wellington, and has two adult children and two grandchildren. As he is writing the final chapters of his life he is motivated by his deep concerns about the future for the younger generations.
An interview with Donna Barron-Willey, co-owner of Village Music and Café, about the upcoming musical fundraiser and Block party extravaganza on Feb. 4th!
Steve and Donna Willey, Owners of Village Music & Cafe
In celebration of Wellington’s Village Music and Café’s 10-year anniversary event I am reminded of the theme song from “Cheers,” “…Where everybody knows your name”. Although it has been about 5 years since I “happened” upon Village Music, those years have been nothing short of transformational. Village was the first place for me to share my poetry at open mic, listen to amazing local musicians, and form wonderful, lasting friendships.
Just recently my son was welcomed into this musical ”family” and is currently taking keyboard lessons there. Upon entering the establishment my son commented, “I always feel good when I come to this place,” and that is PRECISELY the vibe that I continue to feel at this venue. But it gets better…Here’s YOUR chance to “get your music on” by attending this upcoming, spectacular event. If you have never been to Village then this is your opportunity! Let’s hear more about this event from one of the proud co-owners, Donna Barron-Willey.
Key Notes
AW: Happy 10-year anniversary to Village Music and Café! We have all been seeing the “get excited” promotional advertising on Facebook and venue banner for this milestone Block party and ALL-DAY event on Saturday, February 4th. What can the public expect? Get us even more excited!
DW: The community can expect a full day celebration of music with ten of the most popular bands in South Florida playing as well as a headliner who is a five-time Grammy winner. We met Bakithi Kumalo (Paul Simon’s bass player) through our work with our common charity, A Spring of Hope, and he has become a friend. Regarded as one of the top bass players in the world, it’s an honor to have Bakithi entertain the community at our festival, and to support a cause that we both strongly believe in. There will also be a variety of food offerings, vendors, FREE mini music lessons, ukulele circles, a Songwriting Workshop, a silent auction, raffles and more.
AW: Please provide the details. What time is the event? Will parking be accessible? Will it be child-friendly? Who will be performing? What special eats and drinks will be available? Is there a schedule for the events?
DW:
The event starts at noon on February 4th and will continue until approximately 10:00 pm
There will be many child-friendly activities including music lessons and games.
The food offering will include freshly baked pizza, grilled specialties, paella, BBQ and Chef Brandee’s menu.
We encourage parking at the Wellington Green Mall. There will be NO parking available at the Village Music facility that day.
A detailed schedule will be published shortly.
AW:Tell us more about “A Spring for Hope”,the charity that is dear to you and your husband Steve. I understand that ALL of the proceeds from the block party event will be donated to this charity.
DW: Yes, the proceeds go to A Spring of Hope – that is why Bakithi agreed to travel from Philadelphia with his band to play.
A Spring of Hope was founded by Joanne Young and her daughter Brittany after they travelled to South Africa in the early 90’s and experienced the destitute situation for children there. I travelled to South Africa at about the same time myself and was also very moved by what I saw. The children in the townships tend to not attend school because there is no access to water, food, or sanitation at most schools. To improve Africa’s economic situation, education is the key. Children need to go to school. Lack of clean water is the underlying issue, so that needs to be addressed. Together with Bakithi, we are trying to build a well, outside of Johannesburg, as well as an after-school music center for displaced children.
AW: What is the price for admission and where can you purchase tickets for the event?
General Admission: $20 charitable donation in advance or
$25 on the day of the festival.
VIP Table (for six people) $500 charitable donation; includes dedicated service, 2 bottles of wine, and 1 bottle of champagne.
Meet & Greet with Kumalo on Sunday, February 5th at 6:00pm: $50 charitable donation. This will be an intimate storytelling/musical evening with Bakithi in the Village Music Café.
AW: Please tell us more about you’re “Special Guest.”
DW: Ranked among the top 50 bass players in the world by Bass PlayerMagazine, Bakithi Kamalo is a five-time Grammy Award-winning multi-instrumentalist. Born and raised in Soweto, South Africa, he has spent a career touring the world and performing alongside artists including the Grateful Dead, Sting, and Stevie Wonder. From Paul Simon’s Graceland to Disney’s The Lion King, Bakithi’s bass playing can be found in the heart and soul of the modern-day anthems that have shaped our sense of music and culture as we know it. Bakithi has spent the past several years supporting ASoH in improving the living conditions, particularly for children, in his native South Africa.
AW: Will this particular event also be available for streaming for a virtual audience?
DW: As of now, no.
AW: Will the ENTIRE event be outside?
DW: The main stage will be outside but there will also be events going on inside all day as well, including the music lessons, ukulele circles, songwriter workshop and silent auction.
AW: What are your future plans for Village Music? Give us a sneak peek… after all, you were voted as the “favorite hangout for Wellington.”
DW: We plan to develop Village Music’s vision of fulfilling a great local demand for involvement in the arts by providing a well-rounded and holistic performing arts program for the Wellington community and beyond.
This includes continuing to train and grow aspiring musicians and performingartists, providing a vital service to all musicians from novices to advance with our full-service music retail business and supporting the vital tradition of live music by consistently providing top-notch local, national and international acts in our live music venue, which has become a hub of community for Palm Beach County. Further, we’ve recently expanded our offering to include a Mini Black Box audition space where we currently train students for auditions to performing arts programs for middle school, high school, and college as well as for individual performances. We work with numerous students from performing arts focused schools including King’s Academy, Dreyfoos and G-Star under the direction of our Director Harry Bayron. Building musical theater/theater training into our repertoire creates a more holistic artistic offering and allows us to support Palm Beach County as a key player in the performing arts.
Mark Your Calendar
There is nothing left to say except: Will I see you for this outstanding event? Save the date (February 4th) and treat yourself to one of life’s absolute necessities: Music.
Played New Year’s Day at the newly renamed National Polo Center.
This came about since the US Polo Association has taken over and will be running the entire IPC Complex.
Led by 15 year old Rufino Merlos, the game’s MVP and his team mates Fran Elizalde, Louis Devaleix and Robi Bilboa, LaFe jumped out to a quick start and held off a young Patagones team.
The team was made up of Carlitos Gracida, Joaquin Avendano and two replacement players Michel Dorignac and Wesley Finlayson.
A strong second half comeback came up short with LaFe taking home the winners trophy with a final score of 12-10.
Application Deadline is February 6 for Theater/Journalism Students in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties
(South Florida – January 11, 2023) Gary Schweikhart, board president of the Carbonell Awards, South Florida’s Theatre & Arts Honors, today reminded college-bound high school students that the nonprofit organization is now accepting applications for its 2023 Jack Zink Memorial Student Scholarships. The deadline to apply is Monday, February 6, 2023. Since 1978, the Carbonell Awards has given out more than $120,000 in scholarships to winning applicants.
The selection of scholarship recipients is based on talent, experience and demonstrated commitment to theater and/or journalism, with one winner from each of the three area counties (Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach) receiving a $2,000 scholarship.
The selection process is chaired by Carbonell Vice President Javier Siut, a member of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs.
Applicant must be a graduating high school senior with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Applicant must be a resident of Broward, Miami-Dade or Palm Beach County.
Applicant must be nominated by a mentor from school or theatre (no parents and no self-nominations).
If selected, the applicant must be accepted into College to pursue a degree in theatre or journalism.
Timeline:
Completed application must be submitted no later than February 6, 2023.
The interview/audition for scholarship finalists will be held in mid-March. Date and location will be announced soon.
The three winning scholarship winners will be honored at the annual Carbonell Awards Celebration in late November 2023.
About the Jack Zink Memorial Scholarships:
The scholarship is named for Jack Zink (1947-2008) who was a major voice in South Florida entertainment coverage for more than three decades. During his long career, he was employed as entertainment editor, columnist, critic and reporter at each of South Florida’s major newspapers: The South Florida Sun-Sentinel, The Miami Herald, The Palm Beach Post & Evening Times, and The Fort Lauderdale News. Mr. Zink was the founder and a past president of the Carbonell Awards, a past president of The American Theatre Critics Association, and was a recipient of both the Sun-Sentinel’s Fred Pettijohn Award, which is given annually to the newspaper’s top reporters, and South Florida’s prestigious George Abbott Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts.
About The Carbonell Awards:
The Carbonell Awards fosters the artistic growth of professional theater in South Florida by celebrating the diversity of our theater artists, providing educational scholarships, and building audience appreciation and civic pride by highlighting achievements of our theater community. More than 20 professional theater companies in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties participate in the annual awards process. The Carbonell Awards also celebrate the accomplishments of local artistic leaders by presenting several Special Awards.
Along with New York’s Drama Desk and Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Awards, the Carbonell Awards are among the nation’s senior regional arts awards and predate others, including Washington, D.C.’s Helen Hayes Awards. The Carbonell Awards are named after Manuel Carbonell, an internationally-renowned sculptor, who designed the original solid bronze and marble award in 1976, the signature trophy that is still given annually to Carbonell Award winners. Over the last 45 years, the Carbonell family has donated more than $250,000 in awards. For more information, please visit www.carbonellawards.org.
Martin Luther King Day events are marching forward this year with determination to continue progress toward Dr. King’s dream of the Beloved Community. Looking over news events of the last few years, who can doubt that much yet needs to be done to bring our various ethnic groups together as a united people? MLK Day provides an opportunity to remind ourselves of Dr. King’s nonviolent call for social change: “Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.”
This 29th annual Lake Worth Beach MLK Commemoration will begin with a musical theater program on Friday, January 13th at 7pm at St. Andrews Episcopal Church. The presentation, entitled, Of Ebony Embers, showcases artists from the Harlem Renaissance. A collection will be taken for Lake Worth’s MLK Scholarship Fund.
New in 2023 will be zoom small group discussion hosted by Partners in Racial Justice on Saturday, January 14th, 4 pm, “Connecting Hearts Towards the Elimination of Racism.” Pre-register at oneness.chat.
The annual MLK Unity Interfaith Breakfast will be held at Peniel Haitian Baptist Church (the former Scottish Rite building, 2000 N. D Street) on Monday, January 16 from 7 – 9 am. The program will feature youth performers, from pre-school to high school, along with music and inspiration from interfaith leaders in the tradition of Dr. King, gathering blacks and white, Catholics and Protestants, Jews and Gentiles as one human family.
Later that afternoon, at 4:30 pm, the public will gather near the steps of City Hall for a Civil Rights sings-along with Mel & Vinnie, followed by the highlight of the day, the Candlelight March through downtown Lake Worth. The procession will terminate at the MLK “Ball” Memorial in the Cultural Plaza, M Street and Lake Ave. A brief commemorative program will be held there recognizing the accomplishments and unfinished business of Dr. King’s legacy.
And there is more to come in February. An exciting series of events will mark the third annual 28-Days of Anti-Racism to correspond with Black History Month. This project of the Lake Worth Interfaith Network will feature a walking tour of segregation era sites, visits to historic black churches, support of Black owned businesses, as well as daily readings on racial justice. See Facebook: LWIN’s 28 Days of Anti-Racism for further details.
Dr. King’s legacy encompasses the hopes and dreams of all Americans. Members of every racial, religious, and ethnic group in Palm Beach County are invited to join Lake Worth Beach residents in their celebration of the diversity of our communities. All events are free of charge to the public, sponsored by the Lake Worth MLK Committee, the City of Lake Worth Beach, Lake Worth Interfaith Network, For the Children, Inc, Healthier Lake Worth, PNC Bank and Kiwanis Club.
TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s more than 400 cities, towns and villages provide a diverse array of services and experiences that contribute to residents’ quality of life; that’s the message of a new series of PSAs launched this week by the Florida League of Cities (FLC). And Florida residents agree: 90% who have used a city amenity say it enhanced their life.
Even among those who didn’t personally use a specific service in the past year, 54% of those surveyed said that just knowing those amenities exist enhances their quality of life.
The PSA series “Your Quality of Life – Brought to You by Your City” will air on TV and local access channels, on social media and in city halls around the state. The series showcases the wide range of services, experiences and events provided by cities that help residents feel inspired and safe and keep them active and going.
“City services are so woven into the fabric of our lives that it’s easy to take them for granted. But, in fact, they are a big part of what makes our lives work and allows us to enjoy life,” said Jolien Caraballo, President of the League and Vice Mayor of the City of Port St. Lucie. “And those amenities vary greatly from city to city to meet the unique needs of their residents.”
Florida’s cities, towns and villages run the gamut from communities of more than 970,000 residents in Jacksonville to less than 20 in Marineland.
Cities often provide EMS and other services to keep residents safe. More than half offer firefighting services, and more than 60% provide police.
According to a survey of Florida voters conducted by Sachs Media for FLC in September, nine of 10 surveyed said they felt confident in their local government when it comes to emergency communications and preparedness. The PSA “Your City Keeps You Safe” showcases an assortment of emergency and safety services, ranging from police, firefighting and ambulance to water testing and hurricane preparedness.
While most Florida cities maintain roads, 167 also have city-sponsored hiking, biking or jogging trails, and 30 even maintain airports. These are just some of the modes of city-sponsored transportation featured in the PSA “Your City Keeps You Going.”
In the state, 298 cities operate parks, 267 maintain outdoor playing fields, 90 have pools, 77 offer beach access, 42 provide golf courses, and 38 maintain marinas. A sampling of those amenities is featured in the PSA “Your City Keeps You Active.”
In other survey findings, more than three of four Florida residents say they have used a recreational or cultural amenity or service provided by their city in the past year. The PSA “Your City Keeps You Inspired” depicts residents using city services such as public parks, concerts and art exhibits, libraries and sporting facilities.
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The Sachs Media survey of 350 Florida voters is representative by age, race, gender and political affiliation, with a margin of error of +/- 5.5% at the 95% confidence level.
Municipal service figures were collected through a member survey by the Florida League of Cities with 84% of Florida cities responding.
About Florida League of Cities
The Florida League of Cities has been the united voice for Florida’s municipalities for more than 100 years. The League represents more than 400 cities, towns and villages in the Sunshine State. Learn more: flcities.com. Watch the PSA series at psa.flcities.com.
On Friday, January 27th at 7:00 p.m., equestrians won’t need to stamp their passports to go globe-trotting! Simply book a ticket to Belle Herbe Farm in Grand Prix Village to journey around the world in 20 years with JustWorld—all in one magical night.
The 20th Annual JustWorld Gala presented by Caryl Philips and Frank Zeiss is a monumental milestone in our global campaign against poverty. Donning your best global traveler attire, join us for one of the first social events of the Wellington Equestrian Festival season where positive change takes flight.
Evening celebrations will match the magnificence of the occasion. When you arrive, grab a Tito’s designed cocktail from our open bar and toast to the nearly 10,000 children who we support together in Guatemala, Cambodia, Honduras and the United States. After perusing the brimming silent auction table, feed the soul with a dinner generously catered by Maxwell’s Plum which pays homage to the four project sites. Finish your meal on a sweet note with a delicious dessert crafted by Christy’s Bakery.
The Gala’s energy will then reach a crescendo with a thrilling live auction, exciting entertainment and special guest speakers before leading onto the floor to dance the night away with the invigorating beats of international DJ Crazibiza.
We are thrilled to share how far JustWorld has come in 20 years, and our goals of where we’ll go. It is a limited capacity event and tables will sell fast. So, RSVP and jump on board for a truly unforgettable experience where you’ll return home with lifelong memories and the knowledge that you’ve truly made a difference.
For more information regarding The 20th Annual JustWorld Gala, corporate sponsorship opportunities or auction donations, please contact jwinfo@justworldinternational.org.
