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TEMPLE BETH TORAH WILL CELEBRATE 2022 GALA SERVICE AWARD WINNERS

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Wellington, FL (February 24, 2022) – Temple Beth Torah, in recognition of the remarkable contributions of two of its esteemed members, Todd and Debra Barron, will host their annual gala on March 19, 2022.  The Temple Beth Torah 2022 Gala Service Award will be presented to Todd and Debra for their dedicated time and service to both the temple and preschool.  

The gala will be held at the Village of Wellington Community Center Lake Promenade in Wellington. This outdoor event will feature a silent auction, dancing, casino games as well as food, wine, and cocktails. Join us for a fabulous evening honoring Todd & Debra and raising money for Temple Beth Torah, a family of families! More information can be found on the Gala’s website: https://templebethtorah.net/2022gala/. Tickets can be purchased online or by contacting the Temple directly at: 561.793.2700. 

The theme of Temple Beth Torah’s gala this year is Denim & Diamonds, to honor the outdoor venue and the diamond-level service Todd and Debra have provided TBT.  Guests will enjoy festive entertainment, a variety of wines and specialty cocktails, and delicious and diverse cuisine provided by various food trucks. This is a unique opportunity for temple members, preschool parents, and friends from the local community to come together for a night of fun and fundraising. 

Todd and Debra Barron

Todd and Debra Barron served as the Temple Beth Torah Gala committee chairpersons for four years. They are the reason we have this wonderful event today! Temple member attendance increased considerably each year the Barons were at the helm.  Their work is celebrated and honored as it has impacted our Temple immensely!

Todd Barron graduated from the University of Florida with a B.A. in business administration in 1996. He has worked as a financial advisor since that time. Todd has always been passionate about giving back to the community through volunteerism and philanthropy. He has served as President of the board of the Boys and Girls Club of Wellington and was the founder and former President of the board of the Young Friends of the Palm Beach Symphony. He volunteers his time to numerous event committees, and his unique skills as an auctioneer to many charity organizations in the area including Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Boys and Girls Club, Transplant Foundation, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation and Habitat for Humanity. In 2015, Todd was honored with the Community Impact Award from the Young Professionals of Wellington. Todd loves to travel with his wife Debra and their two daughters, Sarah and Lilah. Todd and Debra were married in 2006 and have been members of the Temple Beth Torah congregation since they moved to Wellington in 2007. 

Debra graduated from the University of Florida with a B.M. in Music Education in 2001. She was an elementary music teacher in downtown Lake Worth for the ten years following her graduation. During her time as a music educator, she became passionate about grant writing and raising money to provide underprivileged children with a comprehensive instrumental music education program. She received a grant from VH1 Save the Music Foundation to start an elementary band program and wrote additional grants to create a band camp at Florida Atlantic University that was free to her students. Her work with underprivileged students inspired her to pursue an M.S. in School Counseling, which she attained in 2007. Debra worked as a middle school guidance counselor prior to having her two daughters, Sarah and Lilah. When she returned to work in 2016, she took on the role of high school guidance counselor. In this position she dedicated herself to creating programs that promoted college awareness to first generation American students and scholarship opportunities for all students in Wellington and the surrounding areas.  Debra’s greatest joy has been watching her daughter’s Sarah and Lilah grow up. She especially cherished the many years the girls spent at the Temple Beth Torah Pre-School.

The event will be made possible by the generosity of Presenting Sponsor: Irene and Joel Levine

Diamond Sponsors: Hightower, Stratton, Novigrod, Kantor 

Ruby Sponsors: Micheal and Brenna Barron, Todd and Debra Barrom

Topaz Sponsor: Ellen and Steve Shapiro

In- Kind Sponsors: Agliolio

Additional sponsorship opportunities are available for those interested in underwriting this worthwhile event.

The Gala committee looks forward to a night of celebration and fundraising on March 19, 2022.  Todd and Debra will be enthusiastically highlighted for their dedication to TBT both past and present.  The Temple community will have the opportunity to recognize and thank them all for their contributions to its continued success.

ARTS GARAGE in Delray Beach Highlights Four Fascinating Shows & Presentations in March & April

Gospel Artist Helen Miller – March 20

Garage Queens  March 25, April 29

Authors Speak with Dr. Ralina L. Joseph, PhD 

& Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith, PhD – April 21

(Delray Beach, FL – February 28, 2022) Marjorie Waldo, President & CEO of Arts Garage, today promoted four upcoming shows and special presentations in March and April:

Sunday, March 20, at 7 pm

Helen Miller Live

Nationally known gospel recording artist and ordained minister, Helen Miller-­Best, transports listeners back to the way church “used to be”, with hand-­clapping, foot-­tapping praise. Backed by a band and singers, she will play songs presented with brief testimonies and quotes from the Bible inserted between and during songs to encourage listeners. This live concert presentation is very energetic and includes clapping, stomping, and dancing to the music as singers give praise to God. Hailed as “The Gospel Whirlwind,” Miller was raised in a Boynton Beach family of gospel singers and started singing in church at the age of four, She is now a devoted mother, grandmother, and is the ordained co-pastor of both El Bethel Church in North Carolina and the Bible Teachers International Ministries in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Tickets: $30 & $35

Fridays, March 25 & April 29, at 8 pm

Garage Queens

Back by Delicious and Divine Demand, the Fierce, Fabulous and Fascinating Garage Queens on the last Friday of every month in 2022. These jaw-dropping, crowd-tickling, glitter-glowing shows will be hosted by the inimitably exquisite “Diva, Icon and Legend” Ariel Rimm, and will feature some of South Florida’s most electrifying drag entertainers, such asRianna Petrone on March 25 and Sasha Lords on April 29, along with special surprise guests, all stunningly coiffed and bedecked.

Tickets: $35 & $40

ThursdayApril 21 at 7 pm

Dr. Ralina L. Joseph, PhD & Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith, PhD

Generation Mixed Goes to School:

Radically Listening to Multiracial Kids

As part of its popular Authors Speak Series 2022Arts Garage is presenting Dr. Ralina L. Joseph, a scholar, teacher, and facilitator of race and communication, who is also Presidential Term Professor of Communication, founding and acting Director of the Center for Communication, Difference, and Equity, and Associate Dean of Equity and Justice in Graduate Programs at the University of Washington, Seattle. In addition to two previous works, last year she co-authored with Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith the book Generation Mixed Goes to School: Radically Listening to Multiracial Kids.This book weaves together stories of mixed-race children and youth, teachers, and caregivers and investigates how implicit bias affects multiracial kids in unforeseen ways. In addition, it breaks out of the Black/White binary to include the perspective of mixed-race children from Asian American, Latinx, and Native American backgrounds and provides stories, academic research, and tangible exercises that together create the opportunity for meaningful anti-racist change. Dr. Briscoe-Smith is currently the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, California where she is a professor. To RSVP for this free Authors Speak event, please register at https://artsgarage.org/event/authors-speak-the-impact-of-race-on-american-society-3/

How to Get Tickets to Helen Miller Live and Garage Queens:

Tickets are available by calling Arts Garage at 561.450.6357 or by going online to www.ArtsGarage.org.

About Arts Garage:

Arts Garage delivers innovative, diverse, meaningful and accessible visual and performing arts experiences to Delray Beach and South Florida. “Connecting our community to the world through the Arts”—this vision drives all decision-making at Arts Garage, which brings local, emerging artists and established global performers into the local multi-cultural community (students and adults, locals and tourists, people of all ages, income levels, backgrounds) who share a love of the arts.

Diversity is a hallmark of Arts Garage, which provides multicultural programming that promotes inclusion in the arts. #DiscoverDiversity isn’t just a tagline—it is the cornerstone of our outreach programs, staffing, and marketing. Arts Garage is located at 94 NE 2nd Avenue in Delray Beach’s popular Pineapple Grove (33444). For more information, please call 561.450.6357 or visit www.artsgarage.org.

Helen Miller  (March 20)

Calendar Event – The Butterfly Project – Temple Beth Tikvah, Greenacres

The Butterfly Project – Remembrance and Hope – Sundays, March 27 & April 24 at Temple Beth Tikvah, 4550 Jog Rd, Greenacres. Remember the children lost in the Holocaust. Purchase a butterfly kit at $10 per kit. Teach the next generation about the children who perished by painting together butterflies on March 27, 10:30am – 12:30pm. Finished butterflies will be placed in The Remembrance Garden at Temple Beth Tikvah at a special dedication on Sunday, April 24 at 12:00pm. Kits will be available on April 3 & can be ordered through the Temple office -561-967-3600.  

Habitat for Humanity of PBC Launched Women Build 2022 with event in WPB

WEST PALM BEACH, FL (March 2, 2022) Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County (HFHPBC) recently hosted Outdoor Cocktails & Conversation on February 22, at the Hilton West Palm Beach to thank its partners from Over the Edge presented by Related Companies and launch Women Build 2022.

Kelly Smallridge, President and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County is Honorary Chair of HFHPBC Women Build 2022. Kelly met with supporters and Women Build 2022 team captains at the event to share her vision of the campaign and took questions before the teams started to fundraise and build homes in Belle Glade for two women-led families.  

Guests of the event also heard from Shaquashia Lane, one of Habitat’s future homeowners. Shaquashia thanked all the Women Build supporters who are helping her achieve her dream of homeownership. This home will create a more stable life for her young children and a place they can call their forever home.

Women Build is an annual, worldwide event engaging women to support affordable, quality housing. Starting with International Women’s Day on March 8, 2022, teams will come together to build homes, communities, and hope in Palm Beach County.

“I am thrilled to be involved with Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County’s Women Build 2022,” said Smallridge. “As we continue to see a need for quality and affordable housing in our area, it is important to support and be involved in organizations like Habitat that provide families the resources and opportunity to afford and achieve home ownership. To be able to participate in this event that builds two homes for single mothers is a privilege.” 

To learn more about Women Build 2022, visit HabitatPBC.org or contact Mitchell Fratrik at 561.536.5872, email fratrik@habitatpbc.org.

Confirmed partners include Bank of America, FPL/NextEra Energy, Humana, UNITY, Florida Crystals and New Day USA. AmFund was onsite during the kick-off event and provided a silent auction of travel experiences from their Trips of a Lifetime collection.

About Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County

Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County, founded in 1986, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Each Habitat partner family is required to invest a minimum of 400 sweat equity hours of their own labor into the construction of homes before being eligible to purchase their home utilizing a 30-year, no-profit, no-interest loan. The affiliate’s service area extends from Hypoluxo Road in the south to the Martin County line in the north and from Palm Beach to Lake Okeechobee. For more information, visit www.habitatpbc.org or call 561.253.2080.

Downtown Palm Beach Gardens Celebrates International Women’s Day with Free Event on 3/6

WHAT: EmpowHER! Celebration of International Women’s Day

Get EmpowHERed at Downtown Palm Beach Gardens! Join us on Sunday, March 6, down The Strand for a day full of FREE female-powered activities in celebration of International Women’s Day. 

Downtown Palm Beach Gardens has 10 female-owned businesses including Blessed Boutique, Clay Haus, Craft Haus, Lickstein Plastic Medical Surgery Spa, Lola Chiq, Pineapple Kidz, Style So Chic, Tipsy Salonbar, Vagabond Apparel Boutique and What’s Cooking Kids. 

In addition, Downtown Palm Beach Gardens will be accepting donations for Dress for Success of the Palm Beaches. Donations requested include gently used shoes, purses, jewelry, scarves and belts. 

EmpowHER schedule of events:

  • 10 am -1 pm: Caffeination Station (near the Interactive Water Feature in The Strand)

Enjoy floral lattes and get caffeinated for a day of entrepreneurship and entertainment

  • 10:30 am – 11 am: Self-Care Hour (Downtown Park )
    • Bring your own mat or towel and join us for an hour of reflection and relation
  • 11:45 am – 12:30 pm: The Breakdown: Panel Discussion with Local Boss Babes (in front of Lola Chiq)
    • Lola Chiq and special guest influencer give you the skinny on being a successful female-prenuer. 
  • 1 pm – 2 pm: The Breakdown 2.0: Panel Discussion with Local Boss Babes (in front of Vagabond Apparel Boutique)
    • Vagabond Apparel and special guest influencer give you the skinny on being a successful female-prenuer. 
  • 2 pm – 3pm: Headshots for Her (near the Interactive Water Feature in The Strand )
    • Come get creative shots for your brand with our guest photographer. Bring your laptop, props and coffee for a curated mini shoot!
  • 3:30pm – 4 pm: The Power of Community: Building a Brand Powered by Community (near the Interactive Water Feature in The Strand )
    • Join special guests Holland Smith, The Social Hummingbird, Berkley Sweetapple and more as they share how they built their community-powered brand. 

ADMISSION: FREE

WHERE: Downtown Palm Beach Gardens – various locations (see locations next to times above) 

WHEN: Sunday, March 6 – 11am to 4pm

WHY: “At ShopCore Properties and Downtown Palm Beach Gardens we are proud of our women-owned businesses,” said Alexis Brock, Regional Marketing Manager. “We value diversity, inclusion and equality and respect our tenants in the same manner as our employees – not only on International Women’s Day, but 365 days of the year.”

5 Stress-Free Family Photography Tips!

By Briana D’Andrea of momgirlblog

Does the idea of taking photos with your family stress you out? Well, with these 5 tips from momgirlblog you can stay ahead of an disasters and make taking pics a memorable time. 

Picture this. 

You and your people in your favorite place…all smiles, hugs and good vibes. 

Making memories that last you a lifetime. 

Taking photos with your family should be a fun and engaging time. 

If I’m being honest, I know it can be tough to rally the troops and get the look you were hoping for, but with these top 5 tips you’ll be sure to stay ahead of the game when it comes time to snapping those pics that leave lasting memories!

The D’Andrea Family
  1. Plan Ahead!
    Discuss with your photographer when and where you want to shoot!
    Golden hour (sunset) makes for the best pics, so keep that in mind.
    Remind your family of your expectations! Is it one location? 3? Map out your day so everyone is on the same page. Communication is key!
    Don’t make any other plans for the day. Coming straight from a birthday party or event can make for some overtired kiddos!
  1. Simplicity is key!

Don’t overcomplicate your outfits. Yes, you want to look fabulous, but let’s try to keep everyone comfortable too! Try to color coordinate…the less busy the better!

  1. Come prepared!

Snacks, iPads, perhaps or a special treat? Give the kids something to look forward to, so they know once they’re done they get to reward themselves for cooperating!

  1. Learn to pivot!

Yes, it might rain, kids might break down, but be open to shifting your expectations of what the perfect shoot should look like and manage your ability to realize there might be some obstacles and it will be just fine!

  1. Have fun!

You will look back at these precious photos for years to come and be so glad you took the time to make your family feel so important!

Read on . . .

Shoe Drive to Benefit In Jacob’s Shoes Foundation

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The Council of Dads in conjunction with the Wellington Wolves Travel Basketball Association is conducting a shoe drive to benefit the In Jacob’s Shoes Foundation.  We had partnered with them two years ago and the collection was a huge success that helped thousands of local children and families in need.  Since inception in 2009, In Jacob’s Shoes has provided 200,000 pairs of shoes to children and families in need.  Most of these kids live in poverty.  Some live in foster care, are homeless or live in shelters and even special needs facilities.  With your support we can change lives by giving those in need the opportunity to walk tall and jump high.  Please join us at our drop off location this coming Saturday March 5th from 9am-3pm at Village Park (front entrance) 11700 Pierson Rd Wellington, Fl 33414.

We are in need of men, women and children’s slightly worn or new footwear of all kinds:  sneakers, shoes, sandals, cleats, slippers, high heels.

God Bless and looking forward to seeing members of the public at our drop off location this Saturday March 5th 9am-3pm

John Sitomer  954-242-1333  The Council of Dads

KRAVIS CENTER to Present Lunch & Learn with Dancer/Photographer STEVEN CARAS on March 21

Survival Instinct: A Dancer’s Story of Self-Reinvention

with Steven Caras

Monday, March 21, at 11:30 am

(West Palm Beach, FL – February 25, 2022) The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is hosting a soul-stirring ArtSmart Lunch & Learn event next month focused on Palm Beach County’s favorite dancer, dance photographer and juicy backstage raconteur.


March 21 at 11:30 am (Monday)
Lunch & Learn:
Survival Instinct:

A Dancer’s Story of Self-Reinvention

with Steven Caras

(A Kravis Center Cultural Society Event) 
(ArtSmart Continuing Arts Education)
The Emmy Award-winning public television documentary Steven Caras: See Them Dance recounted a boy’s daring journey at a time when men pursuing dance rarely escaped unscathed. Filmmaker Deborah Novak touches on this, leading to Caras’ extraordinary transition from being the youngest male dancer in Balanchine’s New York City Ballet tobecoming its ultimate image maker as one of the leading dance photographers of all time. In fact, the 2012 documentary was named “Best Television Film” of the year at the Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival.

In Survival InstinctSteven Caras boldly picks up where the documentary leaves off—revealing in even more intimate detail his glorious milestones, occasional setbacks, and personal struggles with sexuality. Inspiring, profoundly moving, and wickedly funny, Caras will also share stunning images of some of the greatest dancers the world has ever known.
Gimelstob Ballroom in the Cohen Pavilion
Tickets: $100
Note: Admission includes lunch prepared by Catering by The Breakers at the Kravis Center.
Sponsored by 
Susan Bloom

How to Purchase Tickets for this Lunch & Learn:

Tickets are now available for purchase either online at kravis.org or by phone at 561.832.7469.

Health and Safety:
The Kravis Center remains committed to the health and safety of our artists, staff, audience, volunteers, and guests. Like many other performing arts centers throughout the country, we have implemented new health and safety protocols to ensure the comfort and enjoyment for everyone visiting the Center. To learn more about our current health and safety protocols visit kravis.org/healthsafety.

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.

Photo Credit: David White

Week Of 1.24.22 in Wellington, FL

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Photos from the hottest event Around Wellington from the week of 1.24.22. 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.

Alan and Shelby Ripka, Gillian Lieberman, Scott Diament
Devi Ramprasad and David Koulakov attending polo at the International Polo Club
At Provident Jewelers benefitting Boys and Girls Club of Palm Beach County

By: Tracey Benson Photography
Crystal Famouz at the new Maxwell’s Plum for Boyz Night Out
Ki-Juan and Courtney Minors at the new Maxwell’s Plum
At Provident Jewelers benefitting Boys and Girls Club of Palm Beach County

By: Tracey Benson Photography
DJ Adam Lipson and friends at the new Maxwell’s Plum
At Provident Jewelers benefitting Boys and Girls Club of Palm Beach County

By: Tracey Benson Photography
A group of diners at Maxwell’s Plum
Julie Khanna,Linsey Desich,Laurie Jobson,Dierdre,L…ome,Elena Corsano,Tanya Siskind,Tara Blanick 
Maggie Portela, Tanya Sisknd, Norman Gitzen, Julie… Barron, Jay Zeager, Todd Barron, Akai Jackson
At Provident Jewelers benefitting Boys and Girls Club of Palm Beach County

By: Tracey Benson Photography
Sophia Stone