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Celebrate with the Grinch in Downtown Boynton Beach

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CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH THE GRINCH IN DOWNTOWN BOYNTON BEACH

‘Friday Flicks’ family night features a free movie, food trucks, kid’s activities and Ugly Sweater Contest on December 17 at 5pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Boynton Beach, Fla. — (December 10, 2021) On Friday, Dec. 17, beginning at 5:00 pm, the City of Boynton Beach will host Friday Flicks, a free outdoor movie at Centennial Park in Downtown Boynton. The featured film, The Grinch, will be shown on a large screen under the City’s historic banyan tree. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets.

Come hungry, as a variety of food trucks, including TMI, Chicago Me Up, Zhixiang, Moops Pops, The Boardwalk Italian Ice & Creamery will be on site, offering up a delicious range of fare such as craft sliders, loaded tots, mini donuts, hot dogs, sandwiches, bowls, pizza puffs, chicken tenders, corn dogs, fries, onion rings, Italian ice, tacos, wings, pot stickers, egg rolls, fried rice, lo mein, orange chicken, soup ramen, bao buns, gelato, popsicles, and fresh movie theater style popcorn.

Children’s activities will be offered before the movie begins, including Hula Hoops, Giants Legos and more. Take part in a wear your “Ugly Sweater Contest” for a chance to receive a $25 gift card to a Downtown Boynton restaurant of your choice.  

The movie will include closed captioning. ADA accommodation requests can be made by calling 561-742-6241 or Florida Relay 711 or by emailing ada@bbfl.us.

Free parking is available on the corner of Boynton Beach Blvd. and Seacrest Blvd. Entrance is located off of Boynton Beach Blvd. behind the Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center and adjacent to the Children’s Schoolhouse Museum. Accessible parking will be available.  Rideshare is encouraged. Please note – the following roads will close at 3 pm – approx. 10 pm to accommodate the event: SE 1st Ave. between SE 1st St. & Seacrest Blvd. and E Ocean Ave. between Seacrest Blvd. & SE 1st St.

 For more information visit, boynton-beach.org/flicks, email events@bbfl.us, or call 561-742-6010.

Morikami January 2022 Events

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JANUARY HAPPENINGS:

Mori Stories,

Senryu: Haiku’s Cousin Workshopand

Kimono Culture at

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Kimono Culture at Morikami

January workshops, classes, and demonstrations:

Sundays, January 2, 16, 23, 30, February 6

The Art of Bonsai (Class)
Time: Beginners – 12:30pm – 4pm

           Intermediate – 9am – 12pm
Cost: $100 (Morikami Members $90). Advance Registration Required.
Bonsai means “a tree in a tray.” The art of bonsai creates the illusion of age and maturity of a tree, which has developed and sustained the effects of nature for many years. Students of bonsai learn to artfully trim and train a tree in a container.

Sundays, January 2, 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27
Nihongo: Introduction to Japanese – Part 2 (In-person class)

Time: Level I – 10:15am – 11:15am
Cost: $110 (Morikami Members $100). Advance Registration Required.
Nihongo: Introduction to Japanese is a beginner and lower intermediate program teaching Japanese speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students are introduced to Japanese culture and lifestyles through lessons and conversation. Levels I and II use Japanese for Busy People I (JBP I) and levels III and IV use Japanese for Busy People II (JBP II). Fall, winter, and spring sessions of each level should be taken sequentially as a series.

Sundays, January 2, 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27

Nihongo: Introduction to Japanese – Part 2 (Virtual class)
Time: Level I – 1pm – 2pm
            Level II – 2:10pm – 3:10pm
            Level III – 3:20pm – 4:20pm
            Level IV – 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Cost: $110 (Morikami Members $100). Advance Registration Required.
Nihongo: Introduction to Japanese is a beginner and lower intermediate program teaching Japanese speaking,

listening, reading, and writing. Students are introduced to Japanese culture and lifestyles through lessons and conversation. Levels I and II use Japanese for Busy People I (JBP I) and levels III and IV use Japanese for Busy People II (JBP II). Fall, winter, and spring sessions of each level should be taken sequentially as a series.

Tuesdays, January 4, 11, 18, 25

Ikebana Flower Arrangement- Ikenobo School (Class)
Time: Beginners – 11am – 1pm

           Intermediate – 1pm – 3pm*

Cost: $80 (Morikami Members $70). Advance Registration Required.
*Intermediate courses are for students with prior experience or have taken at least three sessions of Ikebana classes.

Flower arranging, ikebana, is a traditional Japanese art form spanning centuries. Ikebana has various different schools of study, each with unique philosophies and aesthetics. Dating back to the 15th century, the Ikenobo School is the oldest and most traditional. Students in this course learn the basic principles and style of Ikenobo, creating fresh flower arrangements each week to take home and enjoy.

Wednesdays, January 5, 12, 19, 26

Ikebana Flower Arrangement: Sogetsu School (Class)

Time: Beginners – 10:30am – 12:30pm

           Intermediate – 1:30pm – 3:30pm*

Cost: $80 (Morikami Members $70). Advance Registration Required.

*Intermediate courses are for students with prior experience.
Flower arranging, ikebana, is a traditional Japanese art form spanning centuries. Ikebana has various different schools of study, each with unique philosophies and aesthetics. The Sogetsu School is a contemporary school which, focuses on the creativity and individuality of ikebana. The idea is that ikebana can be done by anyone, anywhere, with almost anything. Students will learn the basics of Sogetsu and create pieces each week to take home and enjoy.

Thursday, January 6
Mori Stories: Hats for the Jizos
Time: 1pm
Cost: FREE

A poor old man and his wife are mysteriously rewarded for their unselfish generosity on New Year’s Eve.

Thursdays, January 6, 13, 20, 27

Sumi-e Ink Painting (Floral Beginner Class)
Time: Floral – 10:30am – 12:30pm

Cost: $70 (Morikami Members $65). Advance Registration Required.

Sumi-e is a form of Japanese ink painting brought from China in the 12th century. Primarily done in black ink, the name literally means “charcoal drawing” in Japanese. Students grind their own ink using an ink stick and a grinding stone and learn to hold and utilize brushes to create the primary sumi-e brushstrokes. Floral and landscape classes will start with a review of the basic techniques before moving on to the main subject.

Fridays, January 7, 14, 21, 28

Sumi-e Ink Painting (Class)
Time: Floral – 10:30am – 12:30pm

           Landscape – 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Cost: $70 (Morikami Members $65). Advance Registration Required.

Sumi-e is a form of Japanese ink painting brought from China in the 12th century. Primarily done in black ink, the name literally means, “charcoal drawing” in Japanese. Students grind their own ink using an ink stick and a grinding stone and learn to hold and utilize brushes to create the primary sumi-e brushstrokes. Floral and

landscape classes will start with a review of the basic techniques before moving on to the main subject.

Saturday, January 8

Shibori Indigo Scarves (Workshop)

Time: 10am – 3pm
Cost: $65. Advance Registration Required.

The use of indigo dye, or aizome, has a long and cherished history in Japan. The deep blue colors for which Japanese textiles are celebrated come from the leaves of the tade ai, a plant introduced to Japan from China in the sixth century. Shibori is a Japanese technique of manual resist dyeing used to make patterns on fabrics. Learn various shibori techniques and make a shibori scarf for your wardrobe or for a special someone.

Saturdays, Jan 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5
Japanese Traditional Music: Koto (Class)
Time: Beginners – 10:15am – 12:15pm
           Intermediate – 1pm-3pm

Cost: $155 (Morikami Members $150). Advance Registration Required.

Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument first introduced to Japan from China in the 7th-8th centuries. Learn about the history, culture and techniques in how to play this exquisite instrument in this 5-week course. Instruments will be provided for participants to use in the class.

Saturdays, January 8, January 22, February 5

Nihongo Intensive I – B (Virtual Workshop)

Time: 1pm – 4pm
Cost: $100 (3-day Workshop). Advance Registration Required.

This workshop is an introduction to the Japanese language. It covers the basics, an introduction to hiragana, and Unit 1 of the required text. There are no prerequisites for this workshop. Students who take workshop 1-B must continue to Nihongo Intensive Workshop II, as it overlaps with the Nihongo Level I Session 2 class.

Wednesdays January 12, February 2, March 2 or Saturdays January 15, February 5, March 5

Stroll for Well-Being

Time: 11am – 12:30pm or 1:30pm – 3pm

Cost: Free to qualified applicants

Immerse yourself in Morikami’s natural beauty, peace and serenity through our therapeutic garden- walking program. During three sessions, a qualified facilitator will lead participants through themed walks and journal writing to encourage reflection, and ultimately, personal well being.

Thursday, January 13

Senryu: Haiku’s Cousin Workshop (13th Annual Collaboration with the Palm Beach Poetry Festival)
Time: 11am – 1pm

Cost: FREE with paid museum admission

In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of the Japanese literary form of senryu. Consisting of only three lines, and approximately 17 syllables, senryu is the lighthearted cousin of haiku. Unlike haiku, which focuses on the natural world, senryu approaches humans and human emotions, the good and the bad, from a humorous perspective. Workshop participants will learn the history of senryu and haiku, and immerse themselves in the Morikami’s beautiful gardens to generate their own poetry.  

Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more. For group reservations and additional information, please call (561) 233-1367.

Saturday, January 15

Calligraphy (Adult Workshop)

Time: 11:30am – 1pm or 2pm – 3:30pm

Cost: $35 (Cost does not include museum admission). Advance Registration Required.

Learn brush strokes using sumi ink and a brush to write Japanese characters. After practicing on paper you will create a final calligraphy on shikishi board to take home.

Saturday, January 15

Sado Tea Ceremony (Workshop)
Time: 1pm – 3pm
Cost: $50. Advance Registration Required.

The workshop teaches the basics of sadō – The Way of Tea – necessary to understand the aesthetics of sadō and to fully enjoy the tea ceremony itself. Participants will become familiar with cultural expectations of being a guest, how to make a bowl of tea, and serve it. 

Saturday, January 22

Kimono Culture (Demonstration)
Time: 11am, 1:30pm or 3pm
Cost: $5 with paid admission to the museum

Not all kimono are created equal!  Learn about the traditional iconic kimono, with its rich culture, seasonal subtleties, and symbolic nuances. Observe a demonstration on how to properly wear and put on a kimono. Learn about the elegance of the formal kimono with its exquisite designs and finery worn to attend weddings, parties, special celebrations, and holidays.

Sundays, January 23, 30 or Thursdays, January 6, 20

Sado Tea Ceremony (Beginner Class)
Time: 10:15am – 12:15pm

Cost: $60 (Morikami Members $55). Advance Registration Required.

Expand upon your knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Students are introduced to the history of the tea ceremony, as well as the etiquette on how to prepare, serve, and drink tea. Classes take place in the museum’s authentic Seishin-an Tea House under the guidance of instructor Yoshiko Hardick.

Sundays, January 23, 30

Sado Tea Ceremony (Intermediate Class)
Time: 1pm – 4pm

Cost: $60 (Morikami Members $55). Advance Registration Required.

Expand upon your knowledge of the Japanese Sado tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Perform a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in the museum’s authentic Seishin-an Tea House under the guidance of instructor Yoshiko Hardick. Intermediate course requires approval by the instructor before registering.

Sunday, January 30

The Way of Taiko: The Heartbeat of Japan (Workshop) – SOLD OUT
Time: 11am – 1pm or 2pm – 4pm

Cost: $60. Advance Registration Required.

This workshop introduces participants to the history and practice of taiko drumming. Participants are taught how to understand sounds and movements, i.e., how to connect nature and the meaning of body movement. They will become familiar with the way of taiko and its drumming techniques. Top performers from South Florida’s Fushu Daiko will conduct the workshop. The group is recognized by Seiichi Tanaka, the master of San Francisco Taiko Dojo, who brought taiko to the United States and who trained senior members of the Fushu Daiko group. 

Masks are mandatory indoors, including the theater.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach. For more information, call (561) 495-0233 or visit morikami.org. 

Kravis on Broadway Youth Initiative

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THE KRAVIS ON BROADWAY YOUTH INITIATIVE EMPOWERS STUDENTS TO DISCOVER THE ARTS

(West Palm Beach, FL.) – In conjunction with the opening night of Come From Away, The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts hosted youth from Urban Youth Impact to attend the Broadway musical as part of its latest education and engagement program, the Kravis on Broadway Youth Initiative. In connection with four of the Kravis on Broadway productions, Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen, Summer and Anastasia, the new program will engage and immerse middle and high school students in the arts.

(Photo credit: Mary Stucchi).

Kravis On Broadway Youth Initiative is part of an ongoing program  to give students in Palm Beach County the opportunity to engage with  the performing arts through live and virtual performances, workshops and field-trips,” said Georgianna Young, Senior Director of Programming at the Kravis Center.

As part of each performance, students will participate in a pre-performance workshop led by a local teaching artist and a virtual post-performance workshop led by a cast member. All of the pre-performance workshops will introduce the students to the content and themes of each production and have an arts activity component. Sonja Kelly, a Kravis Center Community Relations Committee member and dance teaching artist, led the first workshop which included a facilitated discussion and movement activity in connection with Come From Away. Students in attendance will also receive an item of show merchandise to commemorate the experience.

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 www.kravis.org/healthsafety.

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.

For more information about the Kravis Center and the Kravis on Broadway Youth Initiative, please visit www.kravis.org/education-community

Ancient Summit & Magical Machu Picchu

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Time to check this off of your bucket list? 

Ever dreamed of visiting magical Machu Picchu? It is easy with your Wellington/ Royal Palm Beach neighbor Nina Fogelman and her Peruvian Specialty Travel Company, Ancient Summit, Inc. “In 1983, I accepted a one-year job in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (near Machu Picchu) and quickly fell in love with the place and its people, culture, food and oh……Everything! After the contract ended, I stayed on for another 5 years straight and then started going back and forth and calling our neighborhood my other home. I wanted to share what I call My Peru and so in 2005, I started Ancient Summit to offer private customized tours to what I consider the most fabulous country on the planet. I sincerely want to reach out to my local neighbors and help make your desire to come to Peru a reality.

Nina Fogelman of Ancient Summit

During my first year living in the Andes, I managed to ‘love adopt’ four beautiful Andean children who have since grown into extraordinary adults with children, lives and careers of their own. Today, I am the proud grandmother of 15 and great granny to 1, who are all in Cusco so you can imagine my desire to be there. I can’t believe my good fortune. All my years living there also allowed for me to travel and explore so much of the magic and wonders. Living just below Machu Picchu was certainly amazing.”

Ancient Summit.  Unique. Personalized Travel. 

Nina’s status as the ultimate Peruvian travel maven, has been achieved from her many years of immersing in  Peru, discovering the country’s multiple dimensions and crafting the itineraries around her own personal experiences that mean the most to her. The itineraries she creates are called PeruMyWay and are  thoughtfully planned journeys all hand crafted and  based on each guest’s travel personality and preferences and most importantly, Nina’s knowledge and incredible Team on the ground in Peru who works closely with you every step of the way. Since she is considered a local and knows so many people, she is able to create and follow through with very unique experiences.  She wants to reach out to our community and design the perfect customized trip for you.

Here are a couple of testimonials including one from Wellington residents Jim Ogorek and Linda Webb about their time in Peru with us. 

From Wellington to Machu Picchu.

“Ancient Summit and Nina put together a fabulous trip to Peru and the Galapagos for us. It far exceeded our expectations. From the time we arrived to when we departed three weeks later, we were treated like royalty. The hotels, the Galapagos boat, the cars, and restaurants and the people we met made the trip even more special. Our hats are tipped to Nina,and all her staff at Ancient Summit. We recommend this adventure to everyone. Again, thanks Nina.”                                 

– Linda Webb and Jim Ogorek, Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

***

Nina and a few of her grandkids

“Nina’s years of living in and visiting Peru put us in touch with local people.”

“My husband and I booked a trip to Peru including Arequipa/Colca Canyon, Machu Picchu and the South Coast of Lima through Ancient Summit Travel. I had been loyal to another travel agency for many years but Nina’s connection to Peru was so compelling I had to go with her. My hopes and expectations for this trip were met and exceeded. Every detail was considered and planned in advance.

The hotels she booked were well located, quiet and within walking distance of nearly every restaurant we chose. Nina’s years of living in and visiting Peru put us in touch with local people to interact in ways we may not have with another company’s itinerary.  Read on . . . “

Susan and Jimmy Shulman

West Newton, MA

***

Visit the Ancient Summit website for more info on booking your customized trip. Or call Ancient Summit at (561) 228-1729.

SunFest Gives Back to Community

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SUNFEST SHINES AS EVENT GIVES BACK TO COMMUNITY 

Nonprofit is gearing up for springtime event with focus on community throughout the year 

(WEST PALM BEACH) — After a two-year hiatus, SunFest organizers are finalizing plans to bring back the festival from April 29 through May 1, 2022 along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach. As the 38th SunFest comes together, organizers say that while the event has undergone changes and additions throughout the years, its focus on community remains consistent – more important this year than ever. 

“While SunFest started as a way to bring tourists to the downtown waterfront during South Florida’s shoulder season,” said Paul Jamieson, SunFest executive director, “our focus as a nonprofit has always been on building community. As longtime residents and community members, our board and staff are really proud to be able to offer our neighbors the opportunity to be involved with SunFest 2022 and to give back to our community throughout the year.” 

Founded in 1982, SunFest is Florida’s largest waterfront music and art festival. The event is produced by SunFest of Palm Beach County, Inc., a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. SunFest of Palm Beach County, Inc. consists of a 23-member board of directors; 25 committees; more than 2,800 volunteers; a full-time, year-round staff of 4; and approximately 80 corporate sponsors. SunFest is funded in part by the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council through the Palm Beach County Cultural Council. SunFest is also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. 

With origins as the 10-day Royal Palm Festival, SunFest has morphed from a jazz, art and water festival to a more concentrated four-day celebration of music, art and friendship. That said, SunFest 365 serves the community year-round. The mission of SunFest 365 is to reach out to the community with projects that promote or enhance culture and the arts, youth education, assistance for other nonprofit organizations and the environment. Whether providing college scholarship money to a musically gifted teen, or an opportunity for nonprofit organizations to use their volunteer time at SunFest as a fundraiser for their group, SunFest is ready to give back. 

“As a nonprofit,” continued Jamieson, “SunFest’s financial goal is to break even each year. If any proceeds are realized, the money goes toward improvements for the following year’s festival, replenishment of any depleted rain funds and community outreach programs.” 

Many of the SunFest 365 programs are made possible through grants from the Florida Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture. One of its most popular with area nonprofits is the “Helping Neighbors” program. Each year, SunFest contributes complimentary tickets to area charities for distribution to individuals who otherwise might not be able to attend the festival. Since the inception of the Helping Neighbors program, SunFest has given away thousands of tickets to underserved populations. The program is underwritten by Florida Power and Light Company and applications are currently available at SunFest.com/sunfest-365. Deadline to apply for the limited number of tickets is March 11, 2022. 

In addition, SunFest is calling for volunteers to join the team of more than 2,000 who make the event happen not only on April 28-May 1, but also at events and activities throughout the year. Volunteers receive such benefits as free admission and free parking on their volunteer date; free food and drink before or after their event shift, and an official Team SunFest t-shirt. Volunteers working Thursday or Friday also enjoy one complimentary day at SunFest any day after the day of their shift. 

“Team SunFest is the heart of our event,” said Jamieson. “At a recent Clematis by Night Countdown to SunFest we honored our volunteers and asked them to come in a t-shirt from a past event. It was great to see their enthusiasm and how many years they have been part of our family. We hope we’ll connect with both new and old team members as we head into 2022. We couldn’t do the event without them.” 

To learn more about SunFest 2022, volunteer opportunities and application guidelines for the Helping Neighbors program, visit www.SunFest.com or call 561-659-5980. 

Beyond Roe

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League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County to Host FREE Virtual Event on America’s Hottest Topic

BEYOND ROE:

Reproductive Rights in Florida

Wednesday, January 19, at Noon on Zoom

(West Palm Beach, FL – December 9, 2021) The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County (LWVPBC)today invited concerned adults to a timely, informative, and FREE Zoom event on the nation’s hottest topic.:

Wednesday, January 19 at Noon

Hot Topic Discussion:

BEYOND ROE:

Reproductive Rights in Florida

Guest Speaker:

Amy Weintraub, the Reproductive Rights Program Director for Progress Florida who chairs the Reproductive  Rights Task Force for Florida NOW. A seasoned organizer, Weintraub has worked most of her adult life identifying, educating, and activating citizens toward social justice. She lives in St. Petersburg with her husband, and they have two children in college.

Link to Connect:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_s27fi_VCSQO2PTyHLPUUEw?mc_cid=af6eeaab1e&mc_eid=bae9214653

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 

www.facebook.com/lwvpbc.

The Art of Laughter

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Arts Garage in Delray Beach is Launching

The Art of Laughter

An Hysterical New Comedy Series Featuring

Jimmie ‘JJ’ Walker

Thursday, January 6, at 8 pm

(Delray Beach, FL – December 7, 2021) Marjorie Waldo, President & CEO of Arts Garage, today announced an hysterical new comedy series, The Art of Laughter, launching on January 6 with TV, Film and Comedy Club superstar Jimmie “JJ” Walker. The new series will run quarterly on First Thursdays and will feature some of the best touring comedians from South Florida and beyond.

The inaugural The Art of Laughter event will be hosted by and feature comedian Mariza Brussolo, along with guest comedian Mark Christopher.

“We are so excited to add this series to our successful monthly First Tuesday Comedy Open Mics,” says Waldo. “I can’t imagine needing more laughter more than we do after the last year and a half.  I grew up watching JJ Walker, so having him headline the first event in this series is fantastic!”

Tickets to these general admission comedy shows are only $30 and are available for purchase by calling the Arts Garage Box Office at 561.450.6357 or going online to www.ArtsGarage.org.

Jimmie “JJ” Walker

Rising from the streets of New York’s ghettos to television superstardom, Jimmie Walker personifies the great American success story. His catch phrase “Dyn-o-mite!” is part of the modern vernacular, and he became such a major celebrity in the 1970s that Time Magazine named him “Comedian of the Decade.”

Along with working as the main attraction in all of the top comedy clubs at the time, Walker landed the role of the broadly strutting, wisecracking J.J. Evans in the hit television series, Good Times. Enjoying a six year run, Walker’s fame grew exponentially. He was the first winner of the NAACP Image Award, and won a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He appeared on The Mac Davis Show, Donny and Marie, The John Davidson Show, The Merv Griffin Show, Dinah, The Mike Douglas Show, The Hollywood Squares, and the Match Game. Clothing, tee-shirts and even a talking doll that blurted out his signature catch phrase were soon on store shelves everywhere.

Even with his demanding schedule, Jimmie continued to appear as the headliner at top comedy clubs, including the world famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles. His joke writing team included a young David Letterman, Jay Leno and Byron Allen.

Walker’s television work would lead to movie roles, like boxer Bootney Farnsworth in Let’s Do It Again, co-starring with entertainment luminaries Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby. Jimmie also released a smash comedy album, Dyn-o-mite! that went gold. When Good Times ended in 1979, Aaron Spelling offered Walker a starring role in the short-lived B.A.D. Cats, and returned to cast him again in 1983 in At Ease, an ABC series about a bunch of United States Army misfits. He also landed choice roles in films like Airplane! and Airport ’79, and was a regular on television shows like The Love Boat and Fantasy Island. In recent years he’s made scene-stealing appearances on The George Lopez Show, Everybody Hates Chris with Chris Rock, and Scrubs. In his spare time, Walker writes scripts for TV and movies, and continues to enjoy a comedy career now approaching five decades.

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 (33483). For more information, please call 561.450.6357 or visit www.artsgarage.org.

New Antique Row Art Gallery breathes new life into old and damaged paintings

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Have you ever looked at that old heirloom painting on your wall and imagined how vibrant it must have looked in its original splendor?

Or stared longingly at a painting damaged during a cross-country move and tried to imagine it restored?

With professional art conservation services offered by a new art gallery in the heart of West Palm Beach’s legendary South Dixie Antique Row Art and Design District, those dreams are finally within reach.

Nick Vahlkamp, co-owner of Chicago Fine Art Company, offers state-of-the-art painting restoration and cleaning services, including restoring paintings defaced by water, dirt, canvas rips and more. Trained as an art conservator with 40 years of experience, Vahlkamp is one of the nation’s leading experts in museum-quality art conservation and offers a careful, skilled approach to restoration of both historic and contemporary paintings.

“Antique Row is made up of 40 small businesses whose owners are all specialists in their field, and it’s thrilling to welcome a professional conservator to our design family,” said Faustina Pace, president of the South Dixie Antique Row Association and owner of Faustina Pace Antiques and Interiors. “Chicago Fine Art Company is a wonderful addition to our walkable neighborhood of shops and galleries.”

With clients that include private collectors, university museums and other galleries, art owners from across the world have sought Vahlkamp’s expertise for everything from restoring an Old Master painting’s original brilliance to uncovering hidden layers from an eighteenth-century Enlightenment-era painting or whisking away water damage from contemporary paintings that have weathered hurricanes or floods.
It’s always the perfect season to think about investing in a restoration project. While many projects can be successfully completed in as little as four weeks, others may take longer — but that is often because the extent of the damage necessitates a more comprehensive repair and consultation with other conservators. Costs, too, vary with the time required. A few hundred dollars can result in a remarkable transformation, but for badly damaged paintings, the costs can run into the thousands.

“Restoring a beloved painting is the perfect gift for the person who has everything,” Vahlkamp said. “It’s timeless and it means getting back something invaluable by recovering its lost beauty.”

And restoration is just one component of Chicago Fine Art Company’s new Antique Row location. A vibrant, expansive gallery owned and managed by Vahlkamp and his wife, Barbara (veteran art dealers and longtime owners of the famed Kamp Gallery of Chicago), the 1,100-square-foot gallery offers hundreds of unique paintings in an array of styles, including period, modern and contemporary fine art. Experienced art dealers for more than four decades, the Vahlkamps have multiple options for any style and size a customer or designer is looking for, including works by Austrian romantic landscape painter Alois Arnegger, French scenographic artist Pierre Möri and Russian contemporary painter Evgeny Kuznetsov.

“We help many people who tell us they’ve just bought an old home and want to furnish it in a certain period style, or someone who needs something in a particular size, or even new artwork for their yacht,” Vahlkamp said. “In addition to the paintings on display in the gallery, we have many paintings in storage and others we can get. We have long-standing relationships with artists’ agents and other dealers so we can procure just about anything a customer is looking for.”

Known for their renowned gallery in Chicago (which they owned and operated for 40 years), the Vahlkamps sold their gallery several years ago and decided to relocate to West Palm Beach. But old habits die hard, and they found themselves missing gallery work. They fell in love with Antique Row and decided to use their breadth of experience and connections to open a new art gallery on South Dixie Highway.

A charming collection of specialty shops and galleries located just south of downtown West Palm Beach, Antique Row is easily accessible by foot and complimented by several award-winning restaurants. Architectural Digest, The New York Times, Art & Antiques and House Beautiful have all heralded Antique Row as one of the east coast’s premier antique shopping districts, with readers of Condé Nast Traveler ranking it as their No. 4 choice for best shopping in the U.S. The district has served as a top shopping destination for the world’s top interior designers for more than 30 years, specializing in vintage, antique and modern home décor shops.

“It’s beyond exciting for West Palm Beach to have two highly-experienced art dealers like Barbara and Nick Vahlkamp choose Antique Row as their location to open a new gallery,” said Christina Lambert, West Palm Beach city commissioner. “In addition to the beautiful artwork showcased in their gallery, Chicago Fine Art Company’s painting restoration services fill a unique niche for a downtown district like Antique Row.”

Vahlkamp said he enjoys both aspects of the business, and that his conservation work continues to benefit them in selecting paintings to sell in their gallery.

“My conservation background has given me a great advantage in identifying quality in composition by way of color, shape and form,” he said. “As a conservator, I look for more than aesthetics. I can tell if a painting has been damaged previously and how it has been restored. Having this background has served as a vital skill throughout all of our years of owning galleries.”

Chicago Fine Art Company is located at 3727 South Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach’s historic Antique Row. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Designers and groups welcome. For additional information, visit www.chicagofineart.org or call (847) 910-6173 or (847) 778-6328.

Wellington, FL: 5 Great Schools

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Wellington, Florida: 5 Great Schools

Wellington, Florida is not only a great place to live, but also a great place to take your children to school. For the best education, Wellington has what your child needs, since it’s home to some of the best magnet schools in the US.

Live in the Wellington area, and want to learn more? You’ve come to the right place!

These are 5 of the top-rated public schools in Wellington based on academic performance and equity.

  1. Binks Forest Elementary

“Binks Forest Elementary School is one of the most top-rated schools in Wellington by far, ranking in the top 5%,” says Joanna Wales, a mom blogger at Revieweal and Essay Services. “The school serves almost a thousand students in grades kindergarten to the fifth grade. Binks is proud to have proficient overall test scores in math and reading. In math, Binks holds the top 1%; and in reading, is top 5%. In just the 2018-2019 school year alone, students at Binks achieve a 93% proficiency in math, as well as an 87% proficiency in reading and language arts. These outstanding achievements surpass Florida’s average proficiencies of 59% in math and 56% in reading and language arts.”

2. Equestrian Trails Elementary

Equestrian Trails is another magnet school that sits in the top 5% of all schools in the state of Florida. This elementary School currently serves over 800 students from grades Pre-K to the fifth grade. The school’s test scores are also something to behold, with students performing significantly well in both math and reading.

In just the 2018-2019 school year alone, Equestrian Trails was able to hold a 92% proficiency in math, while holding an 86% proficiency in reading and language arts. Like Binks Forest Elementary, Equestrian Trails shows great promise in the math and reading subjects, when it comes to testing. In addition, this school surpasses the average math and reading test scores of the Florida state.

3. Elbridge Gale Elementary

Another predominant magnet school in Wellington, Elbridge Gale Elementary School also excels in math and reading. Serves over a thousand students in grades Pre-K to the fifth grade, Elbridge Gale ensures that its students are getting the best education possible from Day One.

The school is currently placed in the top 10% of all schools in Florida for their overall test scores in math and reading. For math, the school is in the top 20%, and in the top 10% in reading. The percentage of students excelling in math is 81%; whereas, in reading, 80% of students achieve proficiency in reading and language arts.

4. Wellington Elementary

“Wellington Elementary School is a suitable place to bring your children, if you wish to see them excel in their learning,” says Emma Carter, a writer at Best essay writing service and Resumention. “With almost 900 students currently attending, Wellington Elementary teaches grade levels Pre-K all the way to the fifth grade. As a magnet school, this school has placed in the top 20% of all schools in Florida for their overall test scores. In both math and reading, they’re in the top 20%, as of the 2018-19 school year. However, their most prestigious subject is math, where they hold a 79% proficiency, while reading is 73%.”

5. Emerald Cove Middle School

Finally, Emerald Cove Middle School is a great school for your middle-schooler. Currently serving over 1,200 students in the sixth to the eighth grade, Emerald Cove excels in both math and reading.

Ranked in the top 30% of all schools in Florida, Emerald Cove has much to offer, when it comes to giving your child high-quality education. In math, students score in the top 20%. In reading, they score in the top 30%. 74% of students do very well in math, while 67% do exceptional in reading.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many schools to consider when in Wellington, Florida. With magnet school now made more important than ever, it’s no surprise that Wellington has become home to some of the best schools in the country. Since math and reading are gateways to promising careers and futures, it’s essential for your child to get into the best school possible.

So, if you live in the Wellington area in Florida (or plan to move here), consider one of these 5 schools for your child, as you make their future brighter through high-quality education.

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Emily Henry, a Wellington resident, is a writer at Writing Services Reviews and Coursework Writing Services. She is also a contributing writer and tutor for Subjecto. As a content writer, she writes articles about parenting, education, and family activities.

The Arc Receives Grant for Community Inclusion Program

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The Arc Receives Grant for Community Inclusion Program

Riviera Beach, Fla. (December 7, 2021) – The Arc of Palm Beach County aims to help all children feel included and to thrive. Thanks to a renewed partnership between The Arc and Prime Time Palm Beach County, children with disabilities will continue to receive inclusive, high-quality experiences during the hours after the school bell rings.

The Arc’s Community Inclusion Program ensures that youth with disabilities can participate in out-of-school time (OST) programs alongside their peers. By providing training and support for OST practitioners, The Arc helps them implement interactive activities that encourage communication, emotional awareness, and social interaction. Improved access to afterschool and summer programs emphasizes each child’s strengths and abilities.

“The Community Inclusion Program provides great advice and wonderful ideas for engaging students of all abilities that we can implement in our programs the right away,” said Kimberly Sheehan, afterschool director at Palm Beach Gardens Elementary School. “All of our students benefit from the inclusive activities we learn through the program, helping to promote acceptance between children with disabilities and their classmates.”

The Community Inclusion Program is made possible with support from Prime Time Palm Beach County, which receives significant funding from the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County. Prime Time has supported The Arc for more than 15 years.

About The Arc of Palm Beach County

The Arc is changing the conversation around disabilities by defying definitions, inspiring possibilities, and improving the lives of the people we serve, their families, and our community. Since 1958, The Arc has envisioned a community where every person feels welcome, connected, and accepted.

About Prime Time Palm Beach County

Prime Time Palm Beach County is a nonprofit organization that provides resources and support for out-of-school time professionals to develop programs that inspire children to be their best and allow them to thrive socially and academically. Prime Time’s integrated model of services is one of the strongest, most comprehensive and well-respected systems for measuring and improving out-of-school time program quality in the nation. To learn more about Prime Time Palm Beach County, visit www.primetimepbc.org.

About Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County

Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, a special district created by Palm Beach County voters, provides leadership, funding, and research on behalf of the county’s children, so they grow up healthy, safe, and strong. www.cscpbc.org www.everyparentpbc.org