LEBOW AWARD OFFERS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS A CHANCE TO “BE NOT AFRAID OF GREATNESS”
Kravis Center sets the stage for annual Shakespearean performances and award presentation
(WEST PALM BEACH, FL) — Celebrating its 12th year of awarding local Title 1 high schoolers for their excellence in Shakespearean performances, the Lebow Awards were presented on January 22 where participating students and teachers also attended the evening’s performance of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Cash prizes totaling $5,000 were bestowed on six Palm Beach County students from two local high schools following an adjudication process.
Photo courtesy of Mary Stucchi
“This award at the Kravis Center is a fitting tribute to Alan Lebow, a man whose passion in life involved theater, film, art and literature,” said Tracy Butler, Director of Education at the Kravis Center. “We are pleased to honor the accomplishments of the 2022 Lebow Award recipients as well as the commitment of their teachers. The students all gave outstanding performances and this program would not be possible without the support of the Lebow family’s Kids’ Dreams, Inc. foundation.”
Sponsored by Kids’ Dreams, Inc., in memory of its co-founder, Alan Lebow, the Kravis Center award program engages students from Title I high schools and provides the opportunity for them to perform short selections from William Shakespeare’s works before a panel of distinguished judges. In 2015, Kids’ Dreams made a gift to the Kravis Center to permanently endow the Lebow Award.
The student adjudication took place on December 11, where the participants performed their selected works and were evaluated and scored by three judges in five categories of performance: concentration, emotional commitment, energy, evidence of understanding, and overall performance. The Lebow Award Judges included Desmond Gallant, Courtney Poston and Karen Stephens.
The two top winners were seniors from Forest Hill Community High School, Madison McCalla, a Kravis Center DeGeorge Academy alumna, and Curran Stinchcomb. Each won a prize of $1,000. Diani Galarza-Alvarez, and Katelyn Daunais both seniors at Forest Hill Community High; Sophia Madden, a junior at Royal Palm Beach Community High School; and Anne-Marie Gousse, a junior at Forest Hill Community High School were awarded $750 as an Honorable Mention.
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 students 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.
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.
For more information on the Kravis Center Education programs, please visit the website at www.Kravis.org.
SUNFEST ANNOUNCES 2022 MUSICAL LINEUP AND TICKET DEALS Buy tickets early and save more!
(WEST PALM BEACH, FLA.) – SunFest, Florida’s largest music, art and waterfront festival, announces the lineup for the highly anticipated 2022 event. The festival that has provided a springtime soundtrack along its outdoor, palm-lined ¾ mile setting for nearly 40 years – is striking a chord for its variety of performers and upbeat, more-than-just-music offerings for sunseekers to reunite with friends. The national headliners scheduled to perform on the Ford, Ideal Nutrition and LaBovick Law Group stages include:
“We are excited to bring music back to the waterfront and be in person with our friends at a festival that is at the center of so many people’s stories and memories,” said Executive Director Paul Jamieson. “In 2022, we’re presenting national and local artists who appeal across generations and musical tastes. SunFest has become a very unique time of year that brings people from all walks of life and all ages together in a perfect setting. For many people SunFest is more than an event, it’s a state of mind.”
In addition, SunFest is partnering with 1909 to highlight the Fresh Local Artists that will be performing at the festival this year. Area artists scheduled to perform at SunFest 2022 include the following performers:
“There is a very vibrant local music scene in Palm Beach County, and we are proud to be able to offer our neighbors the opportunity to perform at SunFest 2022,” said Jamieson. “Make time in your festival plans to check out at these groups and support their efforts to create original music.”
Festival tickets are currently at the lowest price and are set to increase at least twice before the festival. Current pricing starts at $45 for a 1-day pass, $70 for a 2-day pass, and $90 for a 4-day pass.
This year, the 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! The full breakdown of ticket prices is below.
1-Day Adult: 13+ Thur or Fri $45 Sat or Sun $50
1-Day Youth: 6-12 Thur or Fri $30 Sat or Sun $35
2-Day Adult: $70
2-Day Youth: $60
4-Day Adult: $90
4-Day Youth: $70
Tickets for SunFest 2022 are on sale now. The advance ticket prices are the same as the 2019 gate price. Buy before the special lineup pricing sells out! Purchases can be made online at www.sunfest.com/tickets, or by calling 1-800-SUNFEST. 1-Day and 4-Day Advance tickets will also sold at Palm Beach and Martin County Publix Super Market locations between April 10 through April 23.
Youth tickets Kids 5 and under are FREE. Reduced price tickets are available for youth 6-12. Advance tickets for youth start at $30 for a one-day ticket.
SunFest is more than a place to see a concert. Sunfestivities and amenities include:
Art District – Open Friday through Sunday, the Art District curated by the Armory Art Center is a hub of artistic expression and activity. Add a personal touch on the massive chalkboard and Mobile Murals creations or leave it to the professionals who include world-class graffiti artists live painting massive canvases. Patrons become art with henna tattoo artists, pixie hair stylists and so much more.
The Art District also features an eclectic marketplace of dozens of Artist Vendors offering amazing works of art, Boho apparel & jewelry, upcycled handbags, functional art pieces, and everything in between.
Fireworks – The fireworks sponsored by Related Companies are back too! In honor of this year’s festival, the fireworks will take place over the intracoastal on Sunday, May 1 after the final acts at 9pm.
Floating Bars – SunFest’s most famous dancing spots will return once again in 2022. Captain Morgan is working on an updated atmosphere and specialty libations for these iconic SunFest venues. (The Floating Bars are only for guests ages 21 and over)
Great Eats – With more than 115 items available even the most ardent foodie will be satisfied. There are three Eateries located across the festival that are supported by KOOL 105.5.
VIP Options – For those who want to do SunFest with more style, a host of VIP options are available. Gold and Silver Pass offer the highest level of amenities with access to all our VIP areas while The Palm and The Cove allow you to escape the crowds in two different areas of the festival. Get close to your favorite act in The Stand which goes on sale Wednesday, February 23 at 10 a.m. For more information about VIP programs visit www.sunfest.com/tickets.
The TGi5K – Getting the weekend off on an active note, the festival’s 5K race ends where the party begins inside the festival. Runners receive Friday festival admission, a t-shirt, medals, and a post-race beer for $60. Register at www.sunfest.com/tgi5k.
2022 FESTIVAL DAYS/HOURS
Thursday, April 28: 5-10 pm
Friday, April 29: 5-11 pm
Saturday, April 30: Noon-11 pm
Sunday, May 1: Noon- 9 pm
*The Art District will close at 9 p.m. each day.
For more information about SunFest, visit www.sunfest.com or call (561)-659-5980 or 1-800-SUNFEST.
JUPITER, Fla. (Feb. 14, 2022) – Florida Atlantic University’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute will kick off “Brainy Days 2022: a Celebration of Neuroscience,” on Monday, Feb. 28, at 4 p.m., with events continuing through March 31.
The 2022 Brainy Days event series provides a monthlong celebration of neuroscience to engage, empower and educate the public about the importance of brain research, brain wellness and reducing the stigma associated with brain disorders.
“We are excited to announce, ‘Brainy Days 2022’ events and celebrations, as we continue our commitment bringing comprehensive and engaging neuroscience education to our community” said Nicole Baganz, Ph.D., director of community engagement and programming, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute and research assistant professor of biomedical science with FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine. “This year’s Brainy Days celebration of neuroscience offers attendees access to engaging brain science information and activities, relative to, and enjoyable for everyone.”
Brainy Days 2022 lectures and events will take place in-person, with a virtual attendance option offered for the lectures, and include:
· Feb. 28, “Never Enough: Personal and Research Experiences of Drug Addiction,” presented by Judith Grisel, Ph.D., at FAU Jupiter campus
· March 6, Palm Beach Autism Speaks Walk, hosted by Autism Speaks at Meyer Ampitheatre in West Palm Beach
· March 15, “Gifts of the Crow,” presented by John Marzluff, Ph.D. at Spanish River Library in Boca Raton
· March 19, Brain Blitz: Neuroscience Fun for Kids, presented by FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute’s NeuroSquad at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach
· March 23, “COVID– In it for the Lon Haul? How Immune Responses Impact the Brain and Mind,” presented by Ning Quan, Ph.D., at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at FAU Jupiter
· March 25, Diversity in Science Festival, hosted by NeuroSquad and Neuroscience Student Organization (NSO) at FAU Boca campus
· March 31, “The Past, Present, and Future of Alzheimer’s Prevention,” presented by Richard Isaacson, M.D., at the Spanish River Library in Boca Raton
For more information on “Brainy Days,” contact Nicole Baganz, Ph.D., director of community engagement and programming for FAU’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, at BI-outreach@fau.edu or 561-799-8100.
-FAU-
About Florida Atlantic University:
Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Through the coexistence of access and excellence, FAU embodies an innovative model where traditional achievement gaps vanish. FAU is designated a Hispanic-serving institution, ranked as a top public university by U.S. News & World Report and a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For more information, visit www.fau.edu.
About the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute:
Inaugurated in 2016 on the John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter, Fla., the newly named FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, supports research, education and community outreach among more than 100 faculty level researchers at FAU and its affiliate research centers. One of FAU’s four pillars that guide the University’s goals and strategic actions, the Institute seeks to unlock the secrets of brain development, function and plasticity and how the mechanisms uncovered can be compromised to drive devastating brain disorders. From the study of neuronal development and signaling to investigations of brain diseases including addiction, autism, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, researchers from FAU’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute seek to generate knowledge that benefits society. For more information about the Institute and its members, visit http://fau.edu/ibrain/.
The Art of the Display with Joel Crippen – March 3
The Art of the Exhibit with Sean Kenney – March 3
+ Invigorating Chair Yoga – March 4, 18, 25
+ Discover Moai at Mounts Tour & Art Class – March 4, 18
+ Tai Chi at Mounts – March 5, 12, 19, 26
+ Nature Explorers with Professor Screech – March 6
+ Creative Nature Journaling – March 6
+ Wednesday Walk and Talk – March 9, 16, 23, 30
+ Qi Gong – March 9. 16, 23, 30
+ Kids Nature POP! Color Tour – March 10, 24
+ Succulents for Spring – March 12
+ Dogs’ Day in the Garden – March 13
+ Awe & Wonder of Monarch Migration to Mexico – March 19
+ Your Herbal Questions Answered – March 24
+ Yoga Nidra – March 26
+ The Art of Herbal Tea Making – March 31
(West Palm Beach, FL – February 14, 2022) Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden will be hosting 30 fun, healthy, educational, and always awesome open-air events in March.
“Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden is inviting garden enthusiasts, plant lovers, and proud ‘green-thumbers’ of all ages to come out and enjoy some of our many safe, informative and happy horticultural activities throughout February,” 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.”
Through May 1
Sean Kenney’s Nature POP!
Tuesday-Sunday, 9 am to 4 pm (last entry at 3 p.m.)
$15 adults; $12 seniors 65+, college students and military with ID; $7 ages 6-17; FREE for MBG members and children under 6. Ticket includes full Garden admission.
Tickets available for purchase at www.mounts.org or at the gate.
Reconnect with your Inner Child. This exciting exhibition from acclaimed artist Sean Kenney made its Florida premiere at Mounts. It features over 40 sculptures made from more than 800,000 LEGO® pieces and explores the beauty of nature through highly stylized, colorful displays that stand in striking contrast with their surroundings. Produced by Imagine Exhibitions,Nature POP!blends art, science, and innovation in the display of these sculptures.
March 3
The Art of theDisplay with Horticulturist Joel Crippen
Thursday, 9 am to 10:30 am
$10 Members; $25 nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; tour size is limited to 25 adults.
Join this informative tour with Display Garden Horticulturist Joel Crippen, who will discuss the landscape designs he created to help bring to life these fantastic Nature POP! sculptures made with LEGO bricks. His innovative designs surrounding each piece allow visitors to connect to the sculpture displays.
$30 Members; $45 nonmembers (includes individual boxed hors d’oeurves to go and full Garden admission)
Registration is required; tour size is limited to 25 participants.
World-renowned artist Sean Kenney will lead a one of a kind tour of his award-winning exhibit, Nature POP! Come experience the joy and wonder of these colorful sculptures and reconnect with your inner child as the artist shares his creative process while touring these beautiful, thought-provoking sculptures created with over 800,000 LEGO pieces.Nature POP! illustrates the connection between all living things and the environment as well as the beauty of nature in a contemporary way.
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 20 adults. Certified fitness/yoga instructor Hegina Rodrigues leads this series of classes designed for all abilities. Gentle movements help to increase energy, improve balance, and strengthen muscles. Instructor will be using chairs for supported sitting and standing balance positions.
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; tour size is limited to 20 adults.
Take an informative guided tour of the new permanent exhibit, Moai at Mounts Botanical Garden. Discover the spiritual meaning behind these powerful statues and how connecting with the past can develop deeper connections within families, the community, and each individual. In this special class for adults, artist Hegina Rodrigues will guide participants in creating meaningful personal talismans. Refreshments will be provided.
$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.
$7 for MBG member youth (ages 6-17); $10 for nonmember youth (ages 6-17); free for children ages 0-5 (includes full Garden admission)
Adults accompanying youth can receive up to 2 free tickets.
Children under 8 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, who will take participants on a special journey through the natural world inside the Garden, inspired by Sean Kenney’s Nature POP! exhibit, featuring sculptures created with 800,000 LEGO® bricks. Learn fun facts about the Garden’s insects, animals, and plants, and create your own nature art project. This tour is designed for youth from 8 to 13, but all ages are welcome.
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 20 adults
Nature Journaling is the act of recording your experiences on this planet: your observations, perceptions, questions, facts, and phenomena. It is citizen science, it is art, it is creative, therapeutic, and fun. This workshop will be led by artist Autumn Kioti. Materials are provided, participants should feel free to 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); $10 for nonmember youth (ages 6-17); free for children ages 0-5. (Includes full Garden admission)
Adults accompanying youth can receive up to 2 free tickets.
Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
All attendees are required to register. Tour size is limited to 25 people.
Enjoy this fun, guided tour of Sean Kenney’s Nature POP! featuring 40+ sculptures made with 800,000 LEGO® bricks. Learn how animals use color in their everyday lives and how color affects humans, too. Create a colorful art project to take home. The tour and art project will be led by local artist Hegina Rodrigues.
$30 Members; $35 Nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 30 adults
In this introductory class, learn how to grow succulent gems. Michael Spencer will answer questions about how to nurture, propagate, and create an environment where these stylish, gorgeous plants can thrive. Students will be able to design their own succulent arrangement to take home. All materials, including plants are included with the class.
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.
This dog-and-family-friendly monthly event is held throughout the Garden. Bring your beloved 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.
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 30 adults
This travelogue with Ruth & Dan O’Connell will interest lifelong learners…and anyone who loves Butterflies. Come listen and learn about the monarch butterfly’s migration to Mexico—what a monumental and amazing journey this is for a tiny butterfly. The O’Connells will discuss their visit to Mexico during the migration and share some fascinating butterfly facts. Refreshments will be served.
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.
Registration is required; class size is limited to 20 adults
Who doesn’t love chocolate? Did you know eating chocolate can increase overall happiness? Walk to the Herb Garden of Wellbeing, see the Cacao Tree, and discover why chocolate makes people feel better. Also, find out which plant can make bitter food taste sweet, which herbs make the best teas and more. Herb expert Ingrid Menz will lead this informative tour of the Herb Garden and answer all herb related questions. Find out what’s happening in one of Mounts’ favorite Gardens. Class meets at the entrance.
$10 members; $15 nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 20 adults
Yoga Nidra (also known as yogic sleep) is a powerful healing relaxation practice of self-care for mind, body, and spirit. Practicing Yoga Nidra can improve sleep, reduce anxiety, release tension, and deepen awareness; allowing people to connect with their authentic selves. This is a deeply centering experience and a perfect way to start a busy day. This class will be held inside of the Exhibit Hall. No physical yoga or meditation experience is necessary. Certified Yoga and Meditation Teacher Heather Berg will instruct. Here are some tips before taking this class:
+ Come a bit early, so you are relaxed and not frazzled from the drive.
+ Wear comfortable clothes and bring a pair of socks or a light shirt to keep warm
+ Bring a towel or small pillow to support the neck or back if you have trouble lying on a mat.
$7 members; $15 nonmembers(includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults
In The Herb Garden of Wellbeing at Mounts, herb expert Ingrid Menz will teach about using herbs, flowers, roots, seeds, and barks to make healthy herbal teas. Learn about the origins of the common teas and their many benefits. Ms. Menz will advise on how to source, dry, and store herbs, and Special Projects Manager April Krebs will assist in blending unique herbal teas using dried herbs, citrus peels, and flowers to take home. Class meets at the entrance.
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; $15 for nonmember adults; $12 for seniors 65+, college students, and military with ID; $7 for children 6-17. Ticket includes full Garden admission.
+ Tickets available for purchase at the gate.
Garden hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 9 am to 4 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.
Sean Kenney’s Nature POP! Art with LEGO® Bricks at Mounts – Zebra (Through May 8)
The Great Charity Challenge took place on February 5, 2022, resulting in 1.7 million dollars in prize money for over 30 local charities. Photo by Lois Spatz.Mindfulness coach Akai Jackson will speak at the Mandel Public Library on February 20th. CK Polo and LaFe Polo played for the 2022 Ylvisaker Cup championship on the stadium field. Photo by Alan Fabricant.Happening February 26th from 11am to 6pm.
Read It Write It Festival Announces Inaugural date in Boynton Beach, FL
Boynton Beach, FL – We are excited to announce the inaugural Read It Write It Book and Writing Festival is taking place on Saturday, February 26th, 2022 at the Boynton Beach Mall.
This one-day event aims to bring local authors of all ages together to celebrate their love of literacy and the craft of the written word. Authors of all ages are encouraged to participate. We intend to help bring more attention to locally established authors, as well as new budding authors.
This is a family-friendly book festival that is free for the public to attend. It’s an all-day event, starting at 11 a.m. that will include: writing workshops/panels, poetry readings and conclude at 6 p.m. with a literary costume contest. Writing panels will feature participating authors talking about the writing process, writing certain genres, and all things writing-related. Our poetry reading is open to new and experienced poets.
The literary character costume contest will encourage people to dress as their favorite character from their favorite book and prizes will be awarded.
Author tables are $60 for Adult Authors including an eight-foot table, chair, and table cloth. If you have any questions or are interested in getting an Author or Vendor Table, please contact Heidi Hess at heidicreates01@gmail.com
Hadassah Florida is proud to offer Florida residents, the exciting opportunity to purchase prize drawing tickets to win a flight to Israel (up to $2500 value) and a 3-night stay at Jerusalem’s Inbal Hotel. Prize drawing tickets are $100 per ticket. Only 400 tickets are available for purchase until May 2, 2022. Sponsored by Israel’s fashion designer ALEMBIKA and Boca Express Travel.
Please click on this link to purchase prize drawing tickets:
League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County to Host Four Free Zoom Events in February & March
Penny Sales Tax Update – February 16
Environmental Pollutants vs. Human Health:
And the winner is… – February 24
New Member Online Orientation – March 12
Gun Crisis in Florida & America – March 29
(West Palm Beach, FL – February 11, 2022) The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County (LWVPBC)today invited concerned adults to four timely, informative, and FREE Zoom events in February and March:
Wednesday, February 16 at Noon
Hot Topic Discussion:
Penny Sales Tax Update
Guest Speaker:
Sherry Brown, Director of Palm Beach County’s Office of Financial Management and Budget, who will discuss the impact of the penny sales tax increase, both now and going forward. She has worked in Governmental Finance since 1996, including 16 years for the City of West Palm Beach and, since 2012, for Palm Beach County, where she is responsible for the County’s $6 billion budget, fixed assets, debt management, collections, contract development, etc.
Co-hosted by the Sierra Club Loxahatchee Group and the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County, this panel presentation will include:
+ Ankush Bansal, MD is a traveling hospitalist board certified in Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine and is currently Voluntary Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Florida International University in Miami. The Governor-Elect of the Florida Chapter of the American College of Physicians. Dr. Bansal is the -founder and co-chair of Florida Clinicians for Climate Action, co-founder of Climate Reality Project Palm Beach (now part of the Boca chapter), a board member of the Florida Physicians for Social Responsibility, a COP participant with the Global Climate & Health Alliance, and a Climate for Health Ambassador. His professional interests are preventive medicine through lifestyle change and climate change. Based in Delray Beach, he is the 2021 Physician “Hero” for the Palm Beach County Medical Society.
+ Patrick Ferguson, Esq. has been the Organizing Representative for Sierra Club’s Stop Sugar Field Burning Campaign since June 2016. An attorney who received his law degree from Nova Southeastern University School of Law in 2015, he was engaged in private general practice and local activism for numerous environmental and progressive causes in the Broward County area prior to joining the Sierra Club.
+ Anthony L. Pearson-Shaver, MD is the Director of the Pediatric Residency Program at The Children’s Hospital at Palms West and Chair and Clinical Professor at Nova Southeastern University’s Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine. He received his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, trained as a Pediatric Critical Care Fellow at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and spent 26 years at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University where he served in several senior positions in Pediatric Medicine. He was the Thomas B. and Doris E. Black Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at Mercer University School of Medicine, Medical Director of the Children’s Hospital Navicent Health in Macon, Georgia, and has authored scholarly articles for various publications.
+ Howard Simon, Ph.D. is a Board member of the Florida Policy Institute and was formerly the longest serving state director for the American Civil Liberties Union. A CCNY graduate, he earned a Ph.D. in legal and political philosophy from the University of Minnesota. At the ACLU, he helped draft the constitutional amendment to restore the right to vote, challenged restrictions on voter registration and efforts to restrict early and Sunday voting, and helped secure passage of the Fair Districts Amendments curbing partisan Gerrymandering. Following his retirement from the ACLU, Dr. Simon created the Clean Okeechobee Waters Foundation to work with biomedical scientists and physicians who have linked toxins produced by harmful algae blooms to neurological diseases, including ALS and Alzheimer’s.
Moderated by Brent Schillinger, MD, co-chair of LWVPBC’s Health Committee. A past president of the Palm Beach County Medical Society who currently chairs the society’s Opioid Healthcare Response Initiative, he received his MD at Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. He has chaired the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs for both the Palm Beach County Medical Society and the Florida Medical Association, represents the medical community on the Palm Beach Ethics Coalition and serves as vice chair of the Florida Policy Institute a nonpartisan think tank that focuses on the fiscal impact of education, affordable housing, food supply, and health care issues. He holds clinical academic appointments at Nova Southeastern University, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Miami.
Targeted to both new LWVPBC members and those thinking about joining, this Zoom event is for anyone interested in knowing more about the League’s work on such critical issues as the environment, civics education, voting rights, gun safety, voter services, education, health care, and the national popular vote. There will also be special presentations on the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization’s ongoing efforts on behalf of voter protection, as well as diversity and equity.
Tom Gabor is an internationally recognized criminologist and sociologist will discuss the myths and misunderstandings about guns and gun violence. Through his books, articles, and presentations, he makes the gun crisis easy to comprehend while offering positive action steps that concerned people can take.
Note: After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
About the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County:
The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County is a nonpartisan political organization of women and men of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging informed and active participation in government through education and advocacy. The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that voting is a fundamental citizen right that must be guaranteed. For more information, please visit www.lwvpbc.org or
Costumes are encouraged but not mandatory at the Buck Off
From youngsters to adults, the Buck Off is a fun and family-friendly competition
Wellington, FL (February 9, 2022) – Southeast Florida Honor Flight is ready to fly again. Helping the non-profit group get back into the air is the popular AmberWay Equine Buck Off Challenge, a family-friendly, mechanical bull-riding competition on Friday, March 18 on the boardwalk at the original Wellington Community Center. Four-person teams compete in the AmberWay Equine Buck Off Challenge, where individual rides are scored by a panel of celebrity judges and totaled to determine the winning team. Riders are scored on their ability to stay on the bull while keeping one hand in the air at all times and the style of the ride. Higher scores may be achieved for character, team “spirit” and costumes. Prizes are awarded to the top three teams. The entry fee is $100 per team. A limited number of individual VIP reserved seats are available for $75 per person or $750 per table. VIP tickets includes dinner and a cash bar. General admission/unreserved seating tickets are $15 each. To register a team or purchase tickets, visit www.honorflightsefl.org/events. The AmberWay Equine Buck Off Challenge benefits the Stuart-based Southeast Florida Honor Flight, an all-volunteer, 501c3 non-profit organization that flies World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans from Palm Beach International to Washington, D.C. four times a year free of charge to visit the memorials built to honor their service and sacrifices.
Each flight costs about $120,000, according to chairman Janet Hoose. The next flights are scheduled for April 9 and May 21. The AmberWay Equine Buck Off Challenge is being co-sponsored by the Village of Wellington. Other major sponsors include philanthropists Sanjiv Sharma and Nadine Allen of Highland Beach, Madison Sport Horses, Peninsula Trucking, Vitas Healthcare, IDA Development, Bolay, IDA Farm, Carl Schachter with Northwestern Mutual and Professional Bank. “Wellington is honored to co-sponsor the 2022 Buck Off Challenge,” said Wellington Assistant Village Manager Ed De La Vega. “Wellington supports community-based programs and events that enrich the lives of youth, adults and seniors. This unique event, in particular, is a great way to bring the community together to bring awareness of the Honor Flight of Southeast Florida and all they do for our veterans.”
The Southeast Florida Honor Flight is a day devoted to honoring the local men and women who served our country in conflicts around the globe. For the veterans, it is a day to reflect on those heroes that never came home, on connecting with fellow military compatriots, on the fact that America has not forgotten them. For everyone else, it is day focused on thanking these courageous men and women for serving our nation, for stepping up when the world needed them most and for helping to preserve our freedom and way of life. AmberWay Equine is a well-respected and full-service equestrian business that supplies top-quality products, construction management and owner’s representation for private facilities, show barns, and competition venues throughout the United States. A key component to the company’s success is their superior customer service and ability to provide clients with assistance from conception to installation. The AmberWay Equine Buck Off Challenge is a fundraising event started by Wellington’s Bobbi Rottman of Eques Solutions, which primarily specializes in bringing the equestrian community and businesses together. Rottman and her team started this event almost 10 years ago and the last four years Southeast
Florida Honor Flight has been the beneficiary. They spend months going over every detail to make sure Southeast Florida Honor Flight receives enormous support from the community. “This is one of my favorite events because it combines a fun atmosphere with such an important cause,” said Rottman. “The support from the community continues to grow and the veterans who attend are treated like the heroes they are.” For more information about Southeast Florida Honor Flight, visit www.honorflightsefl.org or www.facebook.com/honorflight or call 1-855-FLYAVET (1-855-359-2838)
American Humane has launched its annual Hero Dog Awards® campaign, and the public are encouraged to nominate and vote for their favorite furry friends in a handful of categories (Law Enforcement and Detection; Military; Therapy; Service; Shelter; Search and Rescue; Guide and Hearing). Nominations are being accepted now through March 16.
American Humane has offices in Palm Beach, FL and Washington, DC.
Photo credit: Boone, 2021 Winner of the Hero Dog Awards (American Humane)
