Raising over $32,000, the West Palm Beach Library Foundation and their Giving Society sailed away during their inaugural Sunset Yacht Cruise and Dream Auction fundraiser on Saturday, April 9 at North Palm Beach Marina to support their mission of ensuring that the life-changing programs and services offered by the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach are available for free to everyone in their community! The Foundation’s vision is to create an inspired community where children excel, and adults thrive.
Guests enjoyed a beautiful evening on the water featuring hors d’oeuvres and an auction of unique experiences including a Four Night Stay at Casa de Campo Resorts & Villas in the Dominican Republic, a lunch with the Honorable Ann Brown, Commodore for a day on The Mariner III and more!
HANLEY FOUNDATION SALUTES BOYNTON BEACH WINNER OF THE 12th ANNUAL SCHOOL BUS DRUG PREVENTION POSTER CONTEST
Katherine Ledsome, a senior from South Tech Academy was awarded a $1,000 scholarship
(West Palm Beach, Fla.) – Leadership at Hanley Foundation, the nonprofit statewide leader in adolescent substance use prevention and education, has announced that Boynton Beach resident Katherine Ledsome won the 12th Annual School Bus Drug Prevention Poster Contest. Ledsome, a senior at South Tech Academy, was award $1,000 at the Palm Beach County Behavioral Health Coalition award ceremony on April 12. She plans to attend Palm Beach State College in the fall.
The theme for this year’s contest was “Adventure with Me Alcohol Free.Adventure with Me Vape Free.” As part of Ledsome’s award, her poster will be displayed inside up to 1,000 of the school district’s buses and will also be displayed in schools.
“Katherine’s poster used key statistics to show that most of her peers are not engaging in underage drinking,” said Kathryn Grace, Director of Prevention for Hanley Foundation. “We felt her ‘Adventure’ poster fit the theme perfectly and would grab students’ attention with the bright colors. The goal of this contest is to show that despite what some teens think, most of their friends aren’t drinking alcohol and this poster drives that message home.”
Ledsome created a graphic that featured a woman on a rainforest adventure. The poster noted an important statistic from the 2020 Florida Youth Substance Survey: 86 percent of Palm Beach County teens are alcohol free.
“Hanley Foundation offers an array of research-based substance abuse prevention programs for parents, caregivers and students,” continued Grace. “We recognize that understanding the disease of addiction empowers people to develop healthy coping skills and lifestyles, which, in turn, helps to prevent its onset. One of Hanley Foundation’s key prevention programs is the Alcohol Literacy Challenge, which reflects Ledsome’s poster message and is offered free to schools, churches and youth groups.”
The annual School Bus Drug Prevention Poster Contest was held by the Palm Beach County Behavioral Health Coalition in partnership with the School District of Palm Beach County, Florida Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD), Florida Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Art Synergy. Sponsors included Hanley Foundation, the Judith Carreras Scholarship, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the Rotary Club of Wellington, the South Florida Fairgrounds and the Michael Joseph Brink Foundation.
Hanley Foundation envisions a world free of addiction, leading the way as the largest provider of educational programs that prevent underage drinking in the State of Florida. In addition to offering treatment scholarships to those in need and facilitating trainings to identify the signs of substance misuse, the Foundation works to reduce stigma and change policy through its advocacy efforts. The Foundation’s mission is to eliminate addiction through prevention, advocacy, treatment, and recovery support.
Proudly Celebrates its 30th Anniversary Season with Kravis On Broadway’s 2022/2023 Series
Featuring Seven Spectacular Shows including
Multiple Tony Award®-Winning Blockbuster Hits
and Kravis Center Premieres of
Disney’s ALADDIN and WICKED
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL
(November 15 – 20, 2022)
Disney’s ALADDIN
(December 14 – 23, 2022)
HADESTOWN
(January 3 – 8, 2023)
TOOTSIE
(February 7 – 12, 2023)
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL
(March 7 – 12, 2023)
WICKED
(March 29 – April 9, 2023)
AIN’T TOO PROUD –
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS
(April 26 – 30, 2023)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL (April 18, 2022) The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts celebrates thirty years of the best of Broadway in South Florida through its Kravis On Broadway series, bringing a phenomenal line-up of seven Broadway shows that include multiple Tony Award winners, and the Kravis Center premieres of the beloved smash hits, Disney’s ALADDIN and WICKED.
The 30th AnniversaryKravis Center’sKravis On Broadway season is packed with Tony® Award winners and nominees including the magical carpet ride of Disney’s ALADDIN, Broadway’s biggest blockbuster WICKED,andthe Tony® Award and Grammy® Award-winning Best Musical HADESTOWN. The 80’s rule the stage on and off Broadway, and the Kravis Center is bringing it to South Florida, starting withthe hilarious, hijinks-filled 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL, followed by the brand–new, uproarious comedy, TOOTSIE. then, fall in love all over again with one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time, PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL. Finally, the season wraps up with the electrifying tale of brotherhood, family, loyalty and betrayal in AIN’T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS.
“As we enter our 30th season this fall, the Kravis Center continues to be at the heart of the cultural community in Palm Beach County – providing an exceptional schedule of great live performances, community collaborations, education initiatives and more,” said Diane Quinn, Kravis Center CEO. “This season’s Kravis On Broadway lineup is certain to introduce new audiences to the Kravis Center and bring Broadway fans back for more!
Remember: the best place to get information or tickets is through the Kravis Center’s official website at www.kravis.org.
The 2022/2023 Kravis On Broadway series includes:
November 15 – 20, 2022
9 to 5 THE MUSICAL
Tumble outta’ bed and stumble in to Dolly Parton’s rip-roaring musical comedy! The smash-hit musical of9 TO 5 features a book by the iconic movie’s original screenwriter Patricia Resnick and an Oscar, Grammy and Tony nominated score by the Queen of Country herself, Dolly Parton.
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL tells the story of three co-workers pushed to the boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the ladies manage to reform their office – or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit? Inspired by the iconic 80’s film and brought to you by Dolly herself, this hilarious new production is about teaming up, standing up and taking care of business!
December 14 – 23, 2022
Disney’s ALADDIN
Discover a whole new world at Disney’s ALADDIN, the hit Broadway musical. From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of ALADDIN, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite. See why audiences and critics agree, ALADDIN is “Exactly What You Wish For!” (NBC-TV).
January 3 – 8, 2023
HADESTOWN
Come see how the world could be. Welcome to HADESTOWN, where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony® Awards, including Best Musical, and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and innovative director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today… and always. Intertwining two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — HADESTOWN is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.
February 7 – 12, 2023
TOOTSIE
Call it “musical comedy heaven” (Rolling Stone). Call it “the most uproarious new musical in years!” (The Hollywood Reporter). Call it TOOTSIE! This laugh-out-loud love letter to the theater tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime. Featuring a hilarious, Tony®-winning book by Robert Horn and an outrageously clever score by 2018 Tony®-winner David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), this New York Times Critic’s Pick is “a joyful delight” (The Washington Post) that’s “so packed with punchlines, it should be called a jokebox musical!” (Bloomberg). “In these turbulent times, when the world seems out of balance, we need a place to let the good times roll,” raves Rolling Stone. “TOOTSIE is it!”
March 7 – 12, 2023
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL
Based on one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time, PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL, springs to life with a powerhouse creative team led by two-time Tony® Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde). Brought to the stage by lead producer Paula Wagner, PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL features an original score by Grammy® winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance (“Summer of ’69”, “Heaven”), and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J. F. Lawton. PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL will lift your spirits and light up your heart. “If you love the movie, you’ll love the musical!” (BuzzFeed News). Are you ready to fall in love all over again?
March 29 – April 9, 2023
WICKED
The long-awaited Kravis Center premiere is here! WICKED the Broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz…but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin—smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.” From the first electrifying note to the final breathtaking moment, WICKED—the untold true story of the Witches of Oz—transfixes audiences with its wildly inventive story that USA Today cheers is “a complete triumph! An original musical that will make you laugh, cry, and think.”
April 26 – 30, 2023
AIN’T TOO PROUD –
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS
is the electrifying new smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Nominated for 12 Tony® Awards and the winner of the 2019 Tony® Award for Best Choreography, it’s a thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal during a decade of civil unrest in America. Set to the beat of the group’s treasured hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” AIN’T TOO PROUD tells the unforgettable story of the legendary quintet that Billboard Magazine named the greatest R&B group of all time.
How to Subscribe to Kravis On Broadway:
Subscribers for the Kravis On Broadway series will receive their renewals in early May. Information on new subscriptions for Kravis Center donors will be available in late May. Kravis On Broadway subscriptions for the public on-sale will be announced later this season. For information on becoming a Kravis Center donor, please visit kravis.org/membership or call 561.651.4320. Individual tickets are currently not available. Please always visit kravis.org for the latest updates on shows and their
on-sale dates.
About the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts: The Kravis Center is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach, FL. The Center’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County by presenting a diverse schedule of national and international artists and companies of the highest quality, by offering comprehensive arts education programs—serving nearly 3 million schoolchildren since its inception; by providing a Palm Beach County home for local and regional arts organizations to showcase their work; and by providing an economic catalyst and community leadership in West Palm Beach, supporting efforts to increase travel and tourism to Palm Beach County. For information, please visit kravis.org.
Last Sunday in April to feature 22 nd annual Sweet Corn Fiesta Who/What: South Florida Sweet Corn Fiesta, presented by the Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau, celebrates Palm Beach County’s heritage as the “Sweet Corn Capital of the World.” Palm Beach County grows more sweet corn than any other county in the U.S. Local farmers cultivate more than 27,000 acres yearly. When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, April 24. Major League Eating contest: 3 p.m. Where: Yesteryear Village, South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd. Highlights of this affordable family fun day: • Freshly harvested corn, grown locally and prepared hot and buttery, along with other summertime foods. • Children’s games and all-day ride wristbands for the Kid Zone • Green market, live music and contests in corn shucking and corn eating. • National Sweet Corn Eating Championship, presented and sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eaters, Inc. (IFOCE). During this demanding competition, Major League Eaters from across the country will challenge themselves by consuming ears of Florida sweet corn for 12 minutes. At last year’s event, Gideon Oji was the grand winner by eating 57 ears, which tied his 2019 winning total. He and the other competitors will attempt to top Carmen Cincotti’s world record of 61.75 ears in 12 minutes. The total prize purse is $6,100. 1st – $2,500, 2nd – $1,500, 3rd – $1000, 4th – $600, 5th – $300, 6th – $200. The IFOCE also hosts the Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York on July 4. Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12, and free to kids 5 years old and younger. Parking is free. Proceeds benefit agriculture education/advocacy and Glades area food banks. Public Information: Call (561) 996-0343 or go to http://www.sweetcornfiesta.com.
Corn eating contests among both amateur and professional eaters are part of the fun at the Sweet Corn Fiesta.
Photos from the hottest events Around Wellington from the week of 4.10.22. Please send 3-4 photos of your social event, print-ready, with names in order from left to right to connect@khannaconnections.com to be considered for publishing.
Doug Marty, Anthony Colelli, Michael McDermott, Louie Bartoletti, and Dan Navarette attending Palm Beach Symphony Swings For Strings
By: Capehart PhotographyMike Melim and Audrey Carbone attending Palm Beach Symphony Swings For Strings
By: Capehart PhotographyNathan Frank, Homer Marshman, Elizabeth Marshman, and Adam Wolek attending Palm Beach Symphony Swings For Strings
By: Capehart PhotographyCharlie Rollo, Suzy Foody, Jeff Wright, Tanya Siskind, Shelly Albright, Lauren Blinder Light, Stacy Frankel, and Nicky Rogers attending polo at the International Polo Club.Attending Gay Polo League Polotini’s Wigstock presented by BaccaratAttending Gay Polo League Polotini’s Wigstock presented by BaccaratAttending Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament 2022 presented by Douglas Elliman at the International Polo Club Palm Beach
By: Alden Corrigan MediaAttending Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament 2022 presented by Douglas Elliman at the International Polo Club Palm Beach Attending Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament 2022 presented by Douglas Elliman at the International Polo Club Palm Beach Attending Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament 2022 presented by Douglas Elliman at the International Polo Club Palm Beach
Palm Beach Symphony CEO David McClymont and Nancy Stone attending Palm Beach Symphony Swings For Strings
By: Capehart PhotographySabra Ingeman and Tyler Moynihan attending Palm Beach Symphony Swings For Strings
By: Capehart PhotographyAttending Gay Polo League Polotini’s Wigstock presented by BaccaratAttending Gay Polo League Polotini’s Wigstock presented by BaccaratAttending Gay Polo League Polotini’s Wigstock presented by BaccaratAttending Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament 2022 presented by Douglas Elliman at the International Polo Club Palm Beach Attending Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament 2022 presented by Douglas Elliman at the International Polo Club Palm Beach Attending Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament 2022 presented by Douglas Elliman at the International Polo Club Palm Beach
The Sanctuary For Mind, Body & Spirit is commemorating its one year anniversary and celebrating a new location that is in a quiet and Zen-like space inside the Wellington Reserve Office Suites.
Based in Wellington, the energy healing company provides much needed calm and relaxation to stressed out and overwhelmed people in the local community and remotely across the United States.
“I started this practice after self-healing from my own battle with depression, anxiety, and insomnia,” said Founder and Reiki Master Sheila Zayas. “I’m thrilled about this first year of witnessing people improve their emotional turmoil, frustration, and unforgiveness to reveal an empowered part of themselves that was hiding underneath drama, distractions and pain.”
Today more than ever, it is extremely important to find any means to access peace, relieve high-level stress, and heal emotionally and physically. Life is full of distractions with social media, chiming phones, 24-hour news cycle, and endless emails. The Sanctuary provides one form of self-care that allows people to disconnect from the pressures of life. In the process, they learn to reconnect with themselves and tap into their inner guidance for purpose, meaning, joy, love and abundance.
As more people search for ways to balance themselves and cope with the modern hectic lifestyle, The Sanctuary offers an all-natural and safe complement to traditional mental health and medical healing. Services include: • Reiki – Laying on of the hands to transfer universal life force energy to promote the recipient’s self-healing abilities. • Crystal Therapy – Gemstones are placed on the body for relaxation and realignment of negative energy blocks. • Guided Meditation – Calming the mind and slowing down the nervous system so that we become aware of our thoughts and body. • Breathwork – Conscious connected breathing induces peace and releases tension and stuck emotions. • Events – A line up of events promote stillness, self-awareness, and spiritual healing.
“For many people, when they first engage with energy healing, usually a storm is raging inside of them. They’re stressed out, have relationship problems, or persistent physical ailments,” said Zayas. “It’s such an honor to hold space for them to love themselves again and make healthier decisions with their body, thoughts and boundaries.”
Energy healing is not a new concept. It has existed for thousands of years and is practiced by many cultures around the world for well-being and vitality. According to a past survey conducted by the National Institutes of Health, 1.2 million adults and 161,000 children in the United States had received energy healing therapy in the previous year.
Learn more about The Sanctuary For Mind, Body & Spirit at www.mbssanctuary.com.
TGi5K finishes in the heart of SunFest where you can stay and enjoy the Friday night fun!
(West Palm Beach, Fla.) – Kickoff the weekend of SunFestivities with your band by running in the 12th annual TGi5K Race on Friday, April 29! Come experience the good time run and start the weekend of Florida’s largest music festival on the right foot.
“The TGi5K is such a fun way to kickoff the weekend of SunFest and we are so happy to bring it back for our fans,” said Paul Jamieson, Executive Director of SunFest. “The K2 Road Sports team has done a great job of preparing this 5K and we are proud to have them as partners.”
The start line is located just south of Palm Beach Atlantic University on South Olive Avenue and goes south until turning on Flagler Drive to run into SunFest to enjoy the evening. Runners will receive a race tech t-shirt or tank top, a custom finishers medal, post-run beverage and snacks and admission to Friday night of SunFest. The TGi5K is sponsored by KOOL 105.5.
“SunFest is Palm Beach County’s iconic music festival and we’re thrilled to partner with them on the management of this great race,” said Ken Kennerly, CEO K2 Road Sports. “Running and music are well aligned and we look forward to having hundreds of runners enjoy the views of the intracoastal while supporting SunFest!”
Awards will be given to the top three overall, masters and grandmasters winners as well as to first, second and third places winners in each age group. To purchase tickets for the TGi5K or for more information on the race, please visit www.sunfest.com/tgi5k. 2022 TICKET INFORMATION
This year, tickets for SunFest are going to be different than years past. When fans purchase a 1 or 2-day ticket, they will need to select the day(s) that they plan to attend. Since tickets are day-specific, whichever day is selected, that is the only day the ticket will be good for. Ticket prices are set to increase the closer we get to the event, so make sure to purchase any tickets sooner rather than later!
Advance discount prices all end on April 23 at which time price will increase to gate price of $65 for a Thursday or Friday ticket and $70 for a Saturday or Sunday ticket.
Purchases can be made online at www.sunfest.com, or by calling 1-800-SUNFEST. 1-Day and 4-Day Advance tickets will also be sold at Palm Beach and Martin County Publix Super Market locations between April 10 through April 23 offering a no service fee option. All ticket information can be found online at www.sunfest.com/tickets.
SunFest®, Florida’s largest waterfront music and art festival, is held annually in Downtown West Palm Beach along the scenic Intracoastal Waterway. Four days, three stages of music, and dozens of national and local artists help create a multicultural, multigenerational and multifaceted experience. SunFest of Palm Beach County, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in West Palm Beach, is a Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council Funded Project and is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. For more information about SunFest, visit www.sunfest.com or call 1-800-SUNFEST.
(West Palm Beach, FL – April 7, 2022) Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden will be hosting 21 fun, healthy, educational, and always awesome open-air events in May.
“Mounts is focused on flowers in May, numerous varieties of colorful flowers throughout Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden. That’s why we are inviting flower lovers and proud ‘green-thumbers’ of all ages to come out and enjoy some of our many safe, informative, and happy horticultural activities throughout the merry month of May,” says Curator-Director RochelleWolberg. “And everybody with a determination to ‘get healthier’ will find a series of events to nurture both the body and soul.”
May 7, 14, 21, 28
Tai Chi Classes
Saturdays, 10 am to 11 am
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission) Registration is required; class size is limited to 25 adults.
Originally from ancient China, Tai Chi is an art form as well as an exercise. The movements are flowing and gentle, but profoundly powerful. 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. Led by Josefina McMahon, this class is based on Sun Style Tai Chi which combines Qigong and Tai Chi. Wear sneakers or closed comfortable shoes and loose top and pants. Bring a towel and water.
FREE for MBG members and children under 6; $12 for nonmember adults; $10 for seniors 65+, college students, and military with ID; $5 for children 6-17. Ticket includes full Garden admission.
This dog-and-family-friendly monthly event is held throughout the Garden. Bring both your beloved mom and favorite pooch to enjoy a relaxed garden stroll. There are many great spots to capture family photos for posting online with #mountsbotanicalgarden.
Guidelines:
+ Non-retractable leashes only; retractable leashes are not permitted.
+ No more than one dog per adult will be admitted.
+ Rabies vaccination must be current.
+ Visitors should bring their own and water treats for the puppies.
Tuesdays, 10 am to 12:30 pm $10 for members; $20 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission) Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults.
Artist Carl Stoveland returns with his popular watercolor classes. Each class begins with a nature walk through the Garden led by your instructor, artist Carl Stoveland. The purpose of the walk is to inspire you and give you an opportunity to capture photos with your phone or tablet along the way. The group will then move indoors, where Carl will start with a quick demo topic then assist you choosing a subject and getting started on your watercolor. 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). These classes are open to all levels from novice to artist and will be tailored to each student.
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults.
Artist and naturalist Autumn Kioti will lead a special Garden walk where participants will explore, reconnect with nature, and note their observations. A fun and therapeutic nature journaling project will follow, where participants will learn simple techniques for creatively recording observations. Materials will be provided, but participants may bring their own journal and media.
$5 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; tour size is limited to 15 adults Come early to enjoy the quietness of the morning while reconnecting and recharging with nature. Walk for fitness and for fun, stopping along the way for a few stretching exercises. Experience the beauty of the Garden and note the changes each week.
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size 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. Classes will be inside, led by Roxanne Cumberland.
$7 for MBG member youth (ages 6-17), siblings 0-5 are FREE; $10 for nonmember youth (ages 6-17), siblings 0-5 are FREE. Ticket includes full Garden admission)
Adults accompanying youth can receive up to 1 free ticket.
Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult.
All attendees are required to register. Tour size is limited to 20 people
Come explore the Garden with Professor Screech (a/k/a Autumn Kioti). Explorers will embark on a guided tour through the natural world. Learn fun facts about the Garden’s insects, animals, and plants, and create their own nature art project. This tour is designed for youth ages 6 to 12.
Botanical Photography: Flower and Foliage Workshop
Saturdays, 10 am to 11:30 am
$40 for members; $60 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission) Registration is required; class size is limited to 25 adults.
Learn how to become a better flower photographer in this two-part workshop. Photographer Art Silverglate willteach about camera equipment and the key concepts of macro photography. Flower photography is becoming extremely popular for camera enthusiasts and learning how to choose your composition, your lens, and how to find the right light, makes this art even more fun!
Session I: Saturday, May 14, 10 am to 11:30 am
A short classroom presentation will share basic concepts and tips on how to use macro photography to zoom in on subjects to create stunning photos. The remainder of Session I will be in the garden, practicing the techniques.
Session II: Saturday, May 21: 10 am to 11:30 am
Please bring a flash drive or photo stick with your photos. This session of the workshop focuses on editing, and Art Silverglate will talk about ways to take a flower photo from drab to fab using Photoshop and Lightroom techniques.
Note: Participants are encouraged to bring the following materials:
+ Pad, tablet, or preferred note-taking material
+ Hat for sun protection
+ Water bottle
+ Camera, tripod, cable release or switch, zoom lens
The Birds and the Bees: Create a Pollinator Friendly Garden
Wednesday, 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; Tour size is limited. 20 adults
Tour the Garden with Nada Vergili as she discusses the essential role pollinator’s play in our food supply. Learn which plants can help feed and support them as well as some Florida-friendly landscaping practices that will turn your backyard into a butterfly’s favorite hangout, adding grace and beauty to your property. Even if you only have a balcony, learn which potted plants will attract butterflies to create a Zen retreat for yourself and nature.
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 20 adults. Class held inside.
Expert beekeeper, Chris von Dahm will discuss what is needed to keep honeybees. Learn how and why a beehive functions, how to manage a colony, and how to begin producing honey. The beekeeper will also discuss the different types of local honey and identifying which beehives go to which flowers to produce the different flavors. Honey has been used for both food and medicine for centuries, come explore the ways to can incorporate more sweetness and health into life. Honey will be available to taste test and for purchase after the class.
Bringing the awe and wonder of Easter Island to West Palm Beach is this new permanent installation of three imposing moai statues, replicas of the iconic monolithic, human figures located on Rapa Nui, Chile. Designed by artist Dennis MacDonald with great attention to authenticity and detail, each of the statues is made of solid, reinforced, poured concrete and has been stained to create a weathered appearance. The larger moai stands 20 feet tall and wears a “hat” known as pukao, two additional pukao rest on the ground.
The Moai at Mounts Botanical Garden installation is included with Garden admission:
FREE for MBG members and children under 6; $12 for nonmember adults; $10 for seniors 65+, college students, and military with ID; $5 for children 6-17. Ticket includes full Garden admission.
+ Tickets available for purchase at the gate.
Garden hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 9 am to 3 pm.
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 16-acre tropical oasis will see an acclaimed collection of 25 unique garden areas containing more than 5,000 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.
FREE Event will Feature Presentation on Palm Beach County Wildflowers, Book Signing, Native Plant Drawing, and More
(West Palm Beach, FL – April 11, 2022) The Palm Beach Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, today announced that it will be hosting Roger L. Hammer, the popular south Florida author, naturalist, photographer and TV personality for a photography-filled presentation on wildflowers in Palm Beach County.
The FREE event will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 in the auditorium at UF/IFAS Mounts Botanical Garden, located at 531 N. Military Trail in West Palm Beach – across from the Palm Beach International Airport. The doors will open at 7 pm, with the program starting at 7:30 pm.
The survivalist instructor for the Discovery Channel’s reality TV show Naked and Afraid, Hammer is the author of numerous books including Everglades Wildflowers, Florida Keys Wildflowers, Central Florida Wildflowers, Complete Guide to Florida Wildflowers, Attracting Hummingbirds and Butterflies in Tropical Florida, Exploring Everglades National Park and the Surrounding Area, Paddling Everglades and Biscayne National Parks, Florida Icons: 50 Classic Views of the Sunshine State, and Attracting Hummingbirds and Butterflies in Tropical Florida. Many of his books will be available for sale and signing at Mounts.
During Hammer’s extensive career, he managed the 120-acre Castellow Hammock Nature Center for the Miami-Dade County Parks Department (1977-2010) and received the first Marjory Stoneman Douglas Award presented by the Dade Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society in 1982. The Tropical Audubon Society honored him with the prestigious Charles Brookfield Medal in 1996, and in 2003 he received the Green Palmetto Award in Education from the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS). He has given keynote speeches at FNPS state conferences, the 2008 World Orchid Conference, and the 2016 Florida Wildflower Foundation symposium. He was also the opening speaker at the American Orchid Society’s 100-year anniversary celebration held in Miami’s historic Biltmore Hotel in 2022. In 2012, Hammer received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Florida International University.
About The Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society:
The Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting the preservation, conservation and restoration of native plants and native plant communities of Florida.
Educational meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7 pm at Mounts Botanical Garden. Each meeting has an educational program related to Florida native plants and a native plant raffle. For more information, call 561.247.3677 or visit http://www.palmbeach.fnpschapters.org.
Roger L. Hammer (Photo Credit: Paul Marcellini)Dancing lady orchid (Tolumnia bahamensis)
West Palm Beach, FL (April 11, 2022) – The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking an experienced restaurant/lounge operator to manage programming and operations for the historic Sunset Lounge venue in the City of West Palm Beach’s burgeoning Northwest District. Interested parties have until May 11, 2022 to submit proposals.
The Sunset Lounge was one of the premier African American entertainment venues in the South during the 1940s and 1950s and featured such notable artists as Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Ike and Tina Turner, Duke Ellington, and Nat King Cole.
The City, through the CRA, has invested $12.5 million to renovate the Sunset Lounge, which is located at 609 8th Street. The CRA is anticipated to complete its historic restoration of the venue by this winter. The renovated lounge will feature a 150-seat bar, restaurant/supper club, state-of-the-art entertainment venue, and a rooftop bar and patio, among other amenities. The CRA is seeking an operator that will develop and implement programming and events at the entertainment venue and manage food and beverage operations for the restaurant/supper club and bars.
“The renovated Sunset Lounge will honor and celebrate the rich African American and music histories of our city,” said Mayor Keith A. James. “As a future cultural destination, it will add to the vibrancy of the Historic Northwest. With completion of the project now in its final phases, I couldn’t be more excited about the future of the Sunset Lounge and our city.”
The CRA has tapped award-winning and West Palm Beach-based design firm V Starr led by principal and CEO world-renowned tennis player Venus Williams. A full-service commercial and residential design firm, V Starr will lead the interior restoration of the Sunset Lounge. V Starr will look to historic images and artifacts as a reference to maintain the character of the establishment, while incorporating a modern, contemporary flair to match its elevated quality.
When complete, the renovated Sunset Lounge will include the following:
· A complete rehabilitation of the existing 12,308 square foot building
· A renovated bar and a new full-service restaurant on the first floor
· A second floor of ballroom with a large elevated/floating stage and third floor mezzanine
· The addition of a new, two-story 7,200 sq. ft. building on the east side of Sunset Lounge featuring a roof garden, the restaurant kitchen, restrooms, dressing rooms for performers, lobby, office space, box office, and a broadcast facility
· A new parking lot will also be added to the rear of the Lounge, with valet in front, along with a gathering plaza, and a rooftop bar and patio
About the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency
The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is a local government agency that works in collaboration with residents, property owners, businesses, developers and other community organizations to foster redevelopment within the CRA Districts. Among our priorities include public safety, beautification, streetscape and infrastructure improvements, economic development, affordable housing, business incentives, marketing and special events, and historic preservation. Nationally known as one of the most innovative and effective Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) in the country, the West Palm Beach CRA is setting the standard for redevelopment.
