It was Galentine’s Day, and instead of flowers for my closest lady friends, I bought them small succulents and decorated them with small hearts and googly eyes on the leaves. Of all the plants I could have picked, I chose these two. Why? The author and artist SARK wrote a book I enjoyed reading at the tender age of twenty. My copy of Wild Succulent Women sits on my bookshelf next to my other prized, favorite books. To say it was formative and inspiring is an understatement. I distinctly remember reading each section about the women in SARK’s life, how they met, and how they knew they would always be friends. She relished in seeing these women – her succulent wild women. They lifted one another, validated and helped each other become better versions of themselves. When I was finished reading that book, I hugged it to my chest and looked forward to one day having my own band of Succulent Wild Women. And now I do.
March is Women’s History Month and also National Reading Month. See where I’m going with this? Take a moment and think about the books you’ve read that inspired you or helped you during a rough time. Books have been so many things to me: entertainment, comfort, help, and encouragement. Are we sharing those books with the next generation? We should at least try. I’m not sure my daughter would enjoy the playfulness of Succulent Wild Women, but I’m pretty sure Maya Angelou’s “Phenomenal Woman” (another formative piece of literature) would strike a chord in her, especially right now. A Woman’s Worth by Marianne Williamson would be an excellent choice as well.
And it’s not just women’s studies that get all of my attention, although I do enjoy empowering books. What kind of a writer would I be if I hadn’t read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, any Judy Bloom book, or Swampland by Katherine Russell? These women and their books shifted my history and made me want to write. Can an author ask for more? Is there a greater compliment? Nope.
This March, I challenge you to think about your top ten formative books. What books shaped you personally and professionally? Share those with your kids. Bonus points if they are women authors… because… well… we’re phenomenal. At least, that’s what Maya Angelou told us, and she’s right.
Place shrimp in a bowl. You may either coarsely chop the shrimp, or leave them whole, depending on your preference. Add lemon juice, covering shrimp completely. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until opaque and slightly firm.
Add onions, tomato, cucumber, radishes, and garlic; toss to combine. Gradually add jalapeño and cilantro to desired taste (jalapeño will grow stronger while marinating).
Stir in tomato and clam juice cocktail to desired consistency.
Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve chilled with tortilla chips.
The CV Whitney Cup. Photo by Alan Fabricant.$500,000 FEI5* Lugano Grand Prix. Photo by Alan Fabricant.The Lake Worth Street Painting Festival. Photo by Alan Fabricant.Celebrating 19 years of Aroundwellington.com at Village Music in Feb. 2025
Join the excitement of the Nations Cup, a family-friendly event featuring thrilling showjumping, live music, delicious food, and entertainment for all ages!
Wellington, FL – The highly anticipated Nations Cup competition is returning to Wellington International this Saturday, March 1, 2025, as part of the Saturday Night Lights series at the Winter Equestrian Festival. This premier event invites fans to cheer for their favorite country as international teams battle it out in a breathtaking showjumping competition.
Nations Cup is an iconic event where top showjumping teams from around the world compete for national pride and victory. This year, expect an electrifying atmosphere, with teams representing Ireland, Brazil, Great Britain, the USA, Israel, Canada, Mexico, Belgium, and Venezuela taking the reins. The competition will be fierce, and the energy will be off the charts! Fans are encouraged to bring their country flags, join in the celebration, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the Saturday Night Lights event. General admission is free, making it a perfect outing for the whole family. This year’s festival promises an unforgettable experience with an array of exciting activities, including:
Delicious food from an updated Tiki Hut menu and new food vendors
Live music and entertainment with magicians, stilt walkers, and more
Fun-filled attractions like a carousel, bounce houses, pony rides, a petting zoo, and face painting
High-level showjumping featuring some of the world’s best riders
For those looking to elevate their experience, exclusive hospitality options are available, such as the Tiki Hut and the Blue Ribbon Club, offering gourmet buffets, open bars, and stunning views of the action.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Event: $150,000 CSIO4* Nations Cup presented by Florida Coast Equipment
Round 1: Starts at 4:30 PM
Round 2: Starts at 7:30 PM
General Admission: FREE
Parking: $22 per car (On-site parking)
Free Parking & Shuttles: Available from Equestrian Village, 13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, FL 33414
In 2024, the Nations Cup saw Ireland take first place, followed by Canada in second and the United States in third. Who will take home the trophy this year? Come out and see for yourself!
A packed stadium along with a standing room only crowd witnessed thirty-nine pairs of riders and horses take to the field for this $500,000 FEI5* event.
Following the first round seven of the thirty-nine went clear, no knockdowns or time penalties.
Of the seven in the jump-off three made it around with no errors.
The number 3 rider in the world rankings, Kent Farrington of the USA aboard Greya in round one as well as the jump-off had the fastest times and finished first.
For their victory, the winner’s share was $165,000.
Second place along with a check for $100,000 went to Ireland’s Darragh Kenny riding Eddy Blue.
USA’s Lillie Keenan placed third riding Argan de Beliard and received $75,000 for her efforts.
Broadway Reach program for students enrolled in local underserved schools wraps up for 2025
(West Palm Beach, FL.)—For more than a decade, The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts’ Broadway Reach program has been opening the curtain to unforgettable arts experiences for local students—this year, they soared to new heights with “Peter Pan.”
Made possible by a grant from the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation Arts & Culture Fund of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties with support from Cheryl Korth, the students’ performances and art exhibition for 2025 focused on the recent Kravis on Broadway production, “Peter Pan.” The grant supported a 10-week arts residency providing over 140 underserved students from four Palm Beach County public schools with sequential arts education instruction and performance experiences.
“Broadway Reach immerses economically-disadvantaged students in the art of musical theater,” said Tracy C. Butler, Senior Director of Education at the Kravis Center. “We’re proud to inspire thousands of young people each year through the wide range of educational programs available at the Kravis Center.”
This season, students from U.B. Kinsey/Palmview Elementary, The Conservatory School @ North Palm Beach, Palm Springs Community Middle School and Spanish River Community High School participated in Broadway Reach. Prior to the Saturday matinee, they presented choral and dance performances and exhibited their mixed media artwork inspired by the storyin Dreyfoos Lobby. Throughout the residency, students participated in hands-on workshops leading up to the Kravis On Broadway performance of “Peter Pan” and joined in a post-show talk with members of the company, including indigenous actress Bailey Frankenberg as Tiger Lily, Cody Garcia as Captain Hook/Mr. Darling and Kurt Perry as Mr. Smee.
The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is one of South Florida’s premier performing arts centers located in Downtown West Palm Beach. Since 1992 the Kravis Center has hosted the very best in live entertainment featuring world-class artists in music, comedy, dance, Broadway and more. Since opening its doors, the Kravis Center has welcomed millions of students to its comprehensive arts education programs. Students of all ages can participate in a variety of workshops, classes and special events, as well as free and reduced-price tickets to those who might not otherwise have the chance to experience live performances. For information, please visit kravis.org. For more information on the Kravis Center or the Broadway Reach program, please visit the website atwww.Kravis.org.
Local arts agency activates community to restore and sustain cultural funding in Florida
Feb. 26, 2025(Lake Worth Beach, Fla.) —When 640 Florida cultural organizations experienced drastic cuts to critical funds last year, leaders at the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County rolled up their sleeves and got to work.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s historic 2024 veto of $32 million in arts and cultural grants shocked organizations that rely on this annual funding from the state’s Division of Arts & Culture (DAC). These vetted, dollar-for-dollar matching grants—which organizations often leverage to garner support from private donors—cover vital expenses including salaries, rent and utilities, and community and educational programs. In Palm Beach County, the veto had a $3.1 million impact on 50 organizations, including large institutions like the Norton Museum of Art, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, and Cox Science Center, as well as smaller groups such as Ballet Palm Beach, The Symphonia in Boca Raton, and the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival.
“Palm Beach County’s cultural sector generates $335.3 million in economic impact and attracts four million annual tourists,” saidDave Lawrence, president & CEO of the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. “The veto was devastating, but it provided us with an opportunity to share more broadly the impact of the cultural sector on our county and all of Florida, and its importance to education, to tourism, and to our economy. We will continue to advocate and educate legislators about the importance of state and public funding for a healthy and thriving arts sector.”
The sector’s economic impact in Palm Beach County—$189 million by nonprofit cultural organizations and an additional $146.3 million in event-related spending by their audiences—supports 4,360 jobs, generates $198.5 million in household income for residents, and delivers $57.2 million in tax revenues to local, state, and federal governments, according to Americans for the Arts’ recent Arts and Economic Prosperity 6 study. The national report, which is published every five years, shows that the nonprofit arts and culture industry is formidable, and demonstrates that supporting the arts is an investment in Palm Beach County’s economic and community well-being.
After the veto was announced, Council leaders crafted an expanded advocacy plan, bolstering efforts to support the sector during this season of uncertainty. Strategies included a dedicated landing page on its website with a Q&A about the state funding history and a list of organizations impacted by the Governor’s veto; educational signage and collateral available at its headquarters in Lake Worth Beach; targeted communications; and other activities designed to restore the DAC grant funding in the 2025-2026 state budget.
Last fall, the Council hosted an immersive cultural tour for Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation members, as well as City of West Palm Beach and Tourist Development Council of Palm Beach County representatives. Over 30 elected officials and staff got a behind-the-scenes tour of the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Palm Beach Dramaworks’ costume and rehearsal space, the Norton Museum of Art, and Palm Beach Opera’s new headquarters in Northwood. The tours and special performances were a way to show firsthand how state funding supports a diverse lineup of programs and services for community members, students, and tourists.
Cultural tour of Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens for Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation, City of West Palm Beach officials, and Palm Beach County representatives
“Advocating for the arts is essential to not only preserving the cultural landscape of our community, but also to make sure it thrives and continues to grow,” said Frances Fisher, board chairwoman for Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. “The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County is a shining example for economic development, tourism and education. They support impactful cultural programming for South Florida that brings in visitors worldwide.”
The Cultural Council also deployed an electronic survey to all candidates running for Florida House of Representatives seats ahead of the election. Questions gauged the candidates’ levels of support for the DAC grant program, as well as how they have personally participated in the arts, enabling the Council to better understand how to engage them in conversations and connect them with cultural institutions. The results were shared with the Palm Beach County Cultural Advocacy Alliance, a group of cultural leaders that convene to find practical solutions to sector challenges, discuss strategies for the state grants, and share information.
Leading up to the 2025 Florida Legislative Session, the Cultural Council worked with local chambers of commerce to include arts funding as a priority in their legislative agendas. Council leadership spoke at a Delegation meeting at Keiser University, and will travel to Tallahassee in March for Palm Beach County Days to meet with local delegation members and chairs or co-chairs of key appropriation committees. The Council will also sponsor a Palm Beach County-based band to perform at one of the opening receptions hosted by the county’s public affairs department.
The Cultural Council invites community members to write or call their House and Senate representatives about the importance of arts and cultural funding. For resources, talking points, important dates, and details on the Cultural Council’s efforts, visit www.palmbeachculture.com/advocacy.
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About the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County
The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County is the official support agency for arts and culture in The Palm Beaches, Florida’s Cultural Capital®. Headquartered in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. building in Downtown Lake Worth Beach, the Council presents exciting year-round exhibitions and performances featuring artists who live or work in Palm Beach County. The Council features spectacular work by Palm Beach County-based professional artisans in its Roe Green Uniquely Palm Beach Store and offers complimentary resources for visitors in its Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Visitor Information Center. The Council is open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information and a comprehensive calendar of cultural events in The Palm Beaches, visit palmbeachculture.com.
Unveiling the newest location of IV hydration and vitamin therapy
Royal Palm Beach, FL – The DRIPBaR Royal Palm Beach is excited to announce its opening on March 10, 2025, at 11965 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach, FL, adding a new wellness center to the western communities. This location is ready to accept new members and offers prospective clients private tours. The community is invited to partake in private tours and see firsthand the services designed to enhance vitality, reduce brain fog, and even slow the signs of aging.
At the heart of these benefits is vitamin therapy, or intravenous vitamin therapy, which is the administration of nutrients and hydration directly into the bloodstream for immediate absorption. Some common treatments of IV vitamin therapies include boosted energy levels, a stronger immune system, quick hydration, headache recovery, improved mental clarity, reduced anxiety symptoms, alternative treatments for cancer through high doses of Vitamin C, anti-aging capabilities, and overall feeling of well-being.
Those who visit the DRIPBaR Royal Palm Beach before the opening date will be eligible for a Founder’s Day discount that offers clients 40% off of the DRIPBaR’s “Maintain” and “Improve” membership programs. Take advantage of this special, learn about the many drips and services available to support wellness from the cellular level, and get to know the leadership behind the DRIPBaR Royal Palm Beach. The DRIPBaR Royal Palm Beach team, including Healthcare Executive and CEO Charlotte Leonard, will be available to answer any questions.
“Thank you to all of those in the community who have shown The DRIPBaR Royal Palm Beach their support during the expansion,” expressed Charlotte Leonard, Healthcare Executive of The DRIPBaR Royal Palm Beach. “We are looking forward to showing everyone our newest facility and enhancing your health and wellness journey!”
With over 35 years of extensive experience in healthcare operations, Charlotte is a distinguished healthcare executive known for her strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and cost management experience. Her career has been marked by her strong leadership skills and hands-on approach, making her an effective and inspiring leader. Charlotte’s commitment to excellence and her passion for healthcare make her a respected and trusted advisor in the industry.
Driven by a core commitment to promoting optimal health for every client, each service at the DRIPBaR Royal Palm Beach is personalized to meet individual needs. For more information on The DRIPBaR, subscribe to the newsletter by visiting httpshttps://thedripbar.com/royal-palm-beach-fl/.
