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The 5th Annual Wellington Film Festival

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The 5th Annual Wellington Film Festival

The 5th Annual Wellington Film Festival

An Interview with Festival Director Jean Michel Millien

By Krista Martinelli

With the Wellington Film Festival coming up November 5-7 and November 12-14, I had the opportunity to sit down with Film Festival Director Jean Michel Millien.  With 35 films and 12 hours of programming, Millien has quite an offering of independent films this year, the 5th year of the Wellington Film Festival.

“It’s diverse from the standpoint of different genres of film.  Also we received films from a 9th grader at Wellington High School, a film student from Brooklyn, NY and several others – both students and experienced film makers.  We have films that bring to light the issue of violence against women in a few of the films this year.  In addition to local entries, the festival has managed to be quite international.  We have had entries from many far-away places including Germany, Iran, U.K., Australia and Syria.”  He also says that the festival is diverse in the help he’s received and he’s very thankful for that support. 

According to Millien, some of the highlights include a film called “Irumbu,” a Title Nine story and a film called “April 10th.”  the fact that there are so many new people coming in, the excitement that builds around that.  He says, “Irumbu reminds me of Slum Dog Millionaire in the way that it’s raw, but it also introduces us to people who are trying to find fairness for women in their indigenous society.  It’s all about opposing the mistreatment of women.”

With three sisters, Millien considers himself a feminist.  “Anything that furthers the cause of women, I’m all for it.”  He also points out that a film about Title Nine is very enlightening.

And the film April 10th is “an amazing film about a little girl who’s taking care of a neighbor who has Covid. Without really any words, it’s such a nice expression of love.” 

In addition there are a few films dealing with suicide prevention and the ability to help those in need with a simple phone call.  “We are our brothers’ keepers.  There’s so much good we can do,” says Millien.  One particular film on this subject is called “The Call for Help” by 9th grade Wellington High School film maker Ellie Symons. 

Another local highlight is “The Blob Blob Fish: A Journey Through Obesity” by Wellington film director Andrew Mossop, featuring the wellness work of local doctors Dr. Vincent Apicella and Dr. Mariaclara Bago and their work with three patients.

On a lighter note, there’s a film about stickball in Wellington, “The Wycliffe Stiffs” by film maker Monica Kallas.  These self-proclaimed “geezer jocks” have an amazing camaraderie as they play their childhood sport. 

The film festival has a couple of well-known honorary judges, who might not necessarily be on the premises of the festival but are rating the films from afar.  One is Edwidge Danticat, best-selling author and Haitian-American novelist.  The other is comedian and actor Sarah J. Halstead. 

The shortest film is 41 seconds, titled “Again and Again.”  The longest films are Irumbu (from India) and Map of Latin American (from Argentina), both about 90 minutes, so feature length films.

At least 5 of the 35 films are produced by students. 

A ticket for one night of the film festival is just $6.  “I’d like children to be able to take out their parents,” says Millien.  A pass for the whole 6 nights of the festival is $30. 

Millien says they are planning two different Meet and Greet events for the film makers, the first night at the Movies of Lake Worth and the first night at the Movies at Wellington. 

Additionally, there will be two awards ceremonies, one each weekend. 

I asked why he chose Wellington for the film festival. 

“It’s very diverse.  It seems like it is a natural for it to exist.  So many different families here from different nations.  Each with a distinct and different story, all pulling together to make this a great place.”

I was surprised to find that Jean Michel Millien is a great fan of films, but not a film maker himself.  He laughs, “My background in film is just sitting in the audience appreciating it and being bedazzled by the many talents of writers, directors and film makers.” 

Millien is a Palm Beach Lakes High School science teacher.  The whole idea for a film festival originally came from a desire for his students to use their cell phones for something productive, instead of hiding them under their desks. 

In the upcoming years, he would like students to take a more active role as content providers and really express themselves through film. 

“I’m very thankful to all who helped us this year, including SharpShooter Marketing Group, AroundWellington.com, our major sponsors Mark & Son Construction and Trustbridge and sponsors Premier Family Health and Fix It Pros.” 

See below for the schedule of films.

For more information about the event, call (561) 250-2764 or visit WellingtonFilmFestival.com. 

Wellington Film Festival Schedule of Films*

FRIDAY NOV. 5th 7:30PM

  • Movies of Lake Worth
  • 7:40PM    The Wycliffe Stiffs                       USA (FL)          8 min 37 sec
  • 7:50PM     The Page Turner                        Germany        2 min 11 sec 
  • 7:53PM    The Right Words                         USA (FL)         4 min 55 sec 
  • 7:58PM    On the Sidelines                          USA (FL)         8 min 04 sec 
  • 8:06PM    Transformation                           AUS                1 min 57 sec 
  • 8:10PM    Story of the G.O.T.S. Seed         Belgium          7 min 01 sec 
  • 8:17PM    Heroes for Change  MSD           USA (FL)          3 min 07 sec 
  • 8:20PM    The Call for Help                         USA (FL)           2 min 34 sec 
  • 8:25PM    Blob Blob Fish                              USA (FL)   1 h 12 Feature Film 

SATURDAY NOV. 6th 7:30PM 

Movies at Wellington

  • Breadfight (anim. student)                          USA (ID)        3 min 40 sec
  • Breakfast in Northport    (doc)                    USA (FL)        2 min 21 sec
  • Brave by Edris (music)                                  CAN (BC)       5 min 20 sec
  • Meaning of My Love (music video)              USA (FL)       3 min 40 sec
  • Rever – Nath Wilburm Director                     USA (CA)      2 min 30 sec
  • Turbulence – Nath Wilburm Director           USA (CA)      4 min 04 sec
  • April 10th                                                          USA/HAI       4 min 47 sec
  • The Wycliffe Stiffs                                             USA (FL)       8 min 37 sec
  • Forbidden to see us scream                           IRAN             7 min 57 sec
  • Yongoan Ballad (Musical)                                CHINA       15 min 08 sec
  • Lamont’s Lament                                              USA (NY)      4 min 13 sec

SUNDAY NOV. 7th 7:00PM 

Movies at Wellington

  • G-D Doesn’t Play Dice                                   FRANCE      13 min 31 sec 
  • Brave by Edris (music)                                  CAN (BC)        5 min 20 sec
  • Mustard Seed                                                USA (FL)        8 min 33 sec
  • Rotten Mangoes                                            USA (CA)      30 min 01 sec
  • Blob Blob Fish                                                USA (FL)   1h 12 min (feat.) 
  • Gus’s Diesel Garage Door Opener              USA (FL)         3 min 59 sec

FRIDAY NOV. 12th 7:00PM

Movies at Wellington

  • Breadfight (anim. student)                          USA (ID)       3 min 40 sec
  • Breakfast in Northport    (doc)                    USA (FL)       2 min 21 sec
  • Brave by Edris (music)                                  CAN (BC)     5 min 20 sec
  • Meaning of My Love (music video)             USA (FL)     3 min 40 sec
  • Rever – Nath Wilburm Director                   USA (CA)     2 min 30 sec
  • Turbulence – Nath Wilburm Director         USA (CA)     4 min 04 sec
  • April 10th                                                        USA/HAI     4 min 47 sec
  • The Page Turner                                            Germany       2 min 11 sec 
  • On the Sidelines                                             USA (FL)      8 min 04 sec
  • The Call for Help                                            USA (FL)      2 min 34 sec
  • Map of Latin America                                    Argentina 1H 30 Min 00 sec
     
     

SATURDAY NOV. 13th 8:00pm

Movies of Lake Worth

  • 8:00PM    Nights in Greenwich                                        1 min 37 sec
  • 8:02PM    Pieter Kohnstam: A Holocaust story             5 min 05 sec
  • 8:08PM    Colonia        (English subtitles)                        9 min 22 sec 
  • 8:18PM    Forbidden to See Us Scream in Tehran      17 min 57 sec 
  • 8:36PM    Maria                                                                   5 min 38 sec 
  • 8:42PM    April 10th                                                            4 min 47 sec
  • 8:47PM    G-D Doesn’t Play Dice                                      13 min 31 sec 
  • 9:00PM    Irumbu         (Full Feature Film)                         1 hour 20 min 17 sec 

​

SUNDAY NOV. 14th 7:00PM

Movies at Wellington

  • The Page Turner                             GERMANY               2 min 53 sec
  • Colonia        (English subtitles)        FRANCE                  9 min 22 sec 
  • Irumbu                                          INDIA                    1 H  20 min 40 sec
  • The Story of Cuba                           USA                         2 min 14 sec
  • The End                                         HUNGARY               1 min 31 sec
  • * Film Festival schedule subject to slight changes/ possible additions. Check back daily.

FOUR INGREDIENT MOMGIRLBLOG LYNORA’S PASTA

Briana D'Andrea
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FOUR INGREDIENT MOMGIRLBLOG LYNORA’S PASTA

This easy pasta dish with just 4 ingredients is sure to be a weekly household staple.

With the holidays just around the corner, things can get a little questionable in the kitchen when it comes to easy weeknight meals! With this four ingredient pasta recipe, you’ll have a house of full tummies and hearts!

Have you ever had a dish you felt was just good for your soul?! For me it’s always a heaping bowl of pasta and I don’t discriminate. Whether it’s fusili, tagliatelle, bucatini, lasagna, parpadelle or penne…I LOVE THEM ALL! The thing that makes it the ultimate treat, is I don’t have it too often, so when I do, I go ALL IN!

When Lynora’s and I decided to partner up and share with the world our affinity for family and food, we were mutually ecstatic! It didn’t hurt that the kids and hubby were on board too! As they like to say, “Take me to Lynora’s” and that’s exactly what my family did! I had been a huge fan from the little squares I was swooning over on Instagram and couldn’t wait to dine at their fast casual establishment in West Palm Beach in what used to be a gas station! How retro is that?!

The company founded by an old school Italian couple, started the Lynora’s brand back in 1974. Raffaele and Maria Abbenante migrated from a small island in Italy called Ponza to share their love for Italian culture and food. They started by selling pizza by the slice right here in Lake Worth, FL and the rest is as they say “storia.” 35 years later, the Abbenante’s have 4 locations throughout the South Florida area with a cult following who crave the culinary traditions and old school recipes handed down by Maria’s mom. 2 restaurants are in West Palm Beach, 1 in Jupiter, another in Palm Beach Gardens. With Boca Raton set to open fall of 2021 and Fort Lauderdale in winter of 2021 and I can’t wait to pay them a visit!

Full disclosure, I’m not Italian, but my husband Michael is. (I think my love for spaghetti inspired my choice to marry him!) lol I do however remember visiting places throughout Brooklyn growing up, sampling some of the best pasta and pizza that New York had to offer. Now that we have little ones with ancestors from Naples & Sicily, eating and cooking Italian is a right of passage for me. Ladies and gentlemen Lynora’s is as good as it gets and I’m pretty sure we’ve only scratched the surface.

We were greeted by some of the most friendliest staff, who were so attentive and helpful every step of the way. Ana especially made our visit extra special. It felt like we were dining at our grandma’s house! It was sort of ironic how she even had my grandmother’s name!

We sampled the housemade meatballs, Arugula Stem Salad with shaved parmesan, cherry tomatoes, artichokes & a truffle mustard vinaigrette, the Burrata e Prosciutto Pizza with Bufala mozzarella, arugula, cherry tomatoes, prosciutto & the Rigatoni Alla Funghi, served with cream, porcini mushrooms, shaved parmesan and truffle oil. The kids had the Margherita Pizza, that was just as cheesy as it was tasty! Every single dish was perfection. You could tell that the recipes were well thought out and not something that was just slapped together. We enjoyed a glass of their house Cabernet Sauvignon, which paired nicely with our meal.

After dinner were were able to shop for all of the ingredients we needed to make dinner for the following week, right on site! There’s something to be said about supporting local. It just feels right.

Once we devoured our leftovers we went in for seconds. This time in our kitchen! The kids helped me choose the menu and chop the veggies for our very own Lynora’s homemade pasta dish. Hopefully this post will inspire you to try the recipe out and share such an incredible restaurant right here in our backyard.

You can purchase a bunch of the products on site at any of the Lynora’s restaurants in South Florida and for those of you who aren’t local, but are interested in trying out the brand, head on over to Lynoras.com/store to get the deliciousness delivered to your door!

*Some items are available for purchase at your local Whole Foods Market too.

As they say at Lynora’s with a little bit of flour, water, salt and ton of passion you’ll have the perfect dish!

Four Ingredient Momgirlblog Lynora’s Pasta

Ingredients:

Lynora’s Penne

Lynora’s Roasted Garlic Sauce

Lynora’s EVOO

Lynora’s Cabernet Sauvignon

1/2 red onion diced

1 cup baby bella mushrooms diced

Pinch of salt & pepper for taste

Pinch of 365 Whole Foods Parmesan Cheese

Optional: 1 basil leaf

Method:

Bring pot of water to boil

Add a pinch of salt to the water

Chop red onion & mushroom

Add 1 tbsp Lynora’s evoo

Saute onion & add mushrooms once onions are soft

Toss the Lynora’s roasted garlic marinara to the veggies and simmer on low

Add Lynora’s penne pasta to boiling water cook on medium heat for 8 minutes

Add 1 tbsp of Lynora’s cabernet sauvignon to sauce and let reduce for a few minutes until pasta is done

Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste

Drain the pasta and a tbsp of Lynora’s evoo to the pasta to keep moist

Scoop some of that yummy sauce goodness onto the pasta and sprinkle with some freshly grated 365 Whole Foods Parmesan Cheese

Top with a fresh basil leaf and enjoy!

Watch my children and I make the dish here!

*This is a paid sponsored post with Lynoras Kitchen. All opinions are true and that of Briana D’Andrea from momgirlblog. Follow Briana @brianadandrea to see a video of the recipe in action and follow her family adventures on her lifestyle blog momgirlblog.com. You can follow Lynoras @lynorasrestaurant, @lynoraskitchen or @shoplynoras #takemetolynoras #momgirlblog

Palm Health Foundation Opens Scholarship Application for Nursing and Mental/Behavioral Health Professions

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Palm Health Foundation Opens Scholarship Application for Nursing and Mental/Behavioral Health Professions

Palm Health Foundation Opens Scholarship Application
for Nursing and Mental/Behavioral Health Professions

Foundation dedicated to growing health workforce in Palm Beach County as state shortages loom.

West Palm Beach, Fla.– Palm Health Foundation, Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health, will open applications for nursing and mental/behavioral health scholarships on November 1, 2021. The scholarships are administered by the George Snow Scholarship Fund and encourage individuals with financial need to enter and advance in the nursing and mental/behavioral health professions. Applicants must be residents of Palm Beach, Broward or Martin County, Florida, and apply by the February 1, 2022 deadline. The application, eligibility criteria and instructions are available on the George Snow Scholarship Fund website at www.scholarship.org.

Palm Health Foundation’s scholarships come at a time when the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida is predicting a catastrophic nursing shortage in the state by 2035 and data from Kaiser Family Foundation shows the current supply of Florida’s working mental health professionals meets only 16.9% of the state’s need.

“There is a perfect storm brewing across Florida as our nursing and behavioral health workforce shrinks while our population and behavioral health needs increase,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “The pandemic has only added to the crisis with nurses leaving the field and both children and adults experiencing increased levels of stress and anxiety but unable to find professional care.”

One of the nursing workforce solutions cited by the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida is to increase the number of nurse faculty opportunities. Palm Health Foundation’s scholarships address a range of shortages, including faculty, by providing needs-based scholarships to nurses in undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs.

Behavioral health professions scholarships address a range of needs as well by providing financial support to those seeking bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, psychology, clinical mental health counseling, school counseling and other focus areas. The foundation’s investment in the behavioral health workforce is aligned with the goals of its Brain Health Innovation Fund to advance brain health in Palm Beach County.

“Our community of donors has recognized the importance of advancing our health professions workforce in Palm Beach County by joining with us to support dedicated students with the desire to serve,” said McNamara. “We are grateful for their support and encourage others to advance health for all by contributing to our Nursing Advancement Fund or creating their own personal donor advised fund in support of nursing, behavioral health, or any health-related cause to benefit Palm Beach County. 

Palm Health Foundation has granted more than $3 million in nursing scholarships to over 1,000 nursing students for advanced education since its founding in 2001 due to the generosity of donors and the foundation’s commitment to nursing advancement in Palm Beach County. For more information about Palm Health Foundation scholarships, please contact Leslie Cornwell at lcornwell@scholarship.org, 561-347-6799, or Channon Ellwood at cellwood@scholarship.org, 561-347-6799 at the George Snow Scholarship Fund.

About Palm Health Foundation 
Palm Health Foundation is Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. With the support of donors and a focus on results, the foundation builds strong community partnerships, respects diverse opinions, advocates for its most vulnerable neighbors and inspires innovative solutions to lead change for better health now and for generations to come. The foundation supports health equity for Palm Beach County residents of all backgrounds, heritage, education, incomes and states of well-being. Palm Health Foundation has invested more than $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

South Florida Fair announces 2022 theme and Gold Pass promotion

Azwad Ahmed
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South Florida Fair announces 2022 theme and Gold Pass promotion

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The 2022 South Florida Fair will be “Rockin’ Robots” for 17 days January 14-30, offering its full-fledged traditional event that its guests have come to enjoy at the fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd.

Theme-related happenings that will be showcased throughout the 110th annual fair will include educational, robotic activities; interactive, strolling robots; BattleBots (as seen on TV), where competitors will operate their own custom-designed remote-controlled machines in a 40 x 60 foot rink; and robotics in agriculture, manufacturing and science. Guests also will see larger-than-life robots up to nine feet tall.

To kick off the excitement for the 2022 fair, guests can take advantage of “The Power of Gold Flash Sale” during the weekend of November 5, 6 and 7 only. Those who purchase a $20 ride voucher online at www.southfloridafair.com will receive a free Gold Access Pass, which allows them to move to the front of the ride lines. The value of pass is $12 Monday-Thursday and $20 Friday-Sunday.

The online sale of advance discount tickets also will begin that weekend at www.southfloridafair.com. Admission is $10 in advance for ages 11 and older and may be used on any day. The gate admission is $15 Monday-Friday and $20 Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free for 10 and younger.

A Megasaver Package, which includes four any day admissions, two ride vouchers and four $5 food tickets for $89 ($150 value), is available only in advance and only at Publix through January 13, 2022.

New attractions will include the Rockin’ Robots Ice Skating Show in the Ford Theatre, an educational Robot Zoo exhibit, and a moving sand sculpture featuring 3-D mapping with full color projections featuring vintage robot toys. Guests also can expect to enjoy all of the usual fair attractions, including racing pigs, livestock shows, live entertainment, exhibits and shopping. More activities will be announced closer to the fair’s opening.

About the South Florida Fair: The South Florida Fair is produced by the South Florida Fair & Palm Beach County Expositions, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Located at 9067 Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach, the 2022 South Florida Fair will kick off with a Ride-A-Thon on January 13 and the full fair will be held January 14-20, 2022. For more information, call 561-793-0333 or visit the website, http://www.southfloridafair.com.

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Prominence Health and Big Dog Ranch Bring “Seniors for Seniors” Program to Wellington

Azwad Ahmed
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Prominence Health and Big Dog Ranch Bring “Seniors for Seniors” Program to Wellington
Big Dog Ranch Rescue and Prominence Health Plan Seniors for Seniors program at the Wellington Community Center Tuesday, October 12, 2021.

Senior Dogs Greeted Seniors at Wellington Community Center

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (October 27, 2021) – Seniors attending an open enrollment event at Wellington Community Center were treated to the opportunity to meet senior dogs from Big Dog Ranch Rescue. Sponsored by Prominence Health Plan, the event was part of the company’s ongoing mission to promote healthy living to individuals age 65 and older. The partnership also benefited the rescue organization’s Seniors for Seniors program, created to address one of the most at-risk categories of canine populations – senior dogs.

“Our Senior dogs once again brought smiles to so many people,” said Amanda Atwater, Fundraising Officer for Big Dog Ranch Rescue, who attended the event. “Anytime we can match an older dog with a senior ready to provide a loving home, both find so many benefits, from increased health to more joy every day.”

According to Staci Martin, Prominence Florida Director of Sales, this event is one of several the company sponsors throughout the Palm Beach County to promote healthy living to seniors. “We organize such fun gatherings as laughter therapy workshops, painting classes and more, all with the goal to help seniors enjoy long and healthy lives,” she said.

For more information about Prominence Health Plan, contact 561-396-9968 (TTY: 711) or visit ProminencePalmBeach.com.

League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County to Host Two FREE Virtual Events in November

Azwad Ahmed
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League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County to Host Two FREE Virtual Events in November

Redistricting – November 4

The Disability Poverty Trap – November 17

(West Palm Beach, FL – October 25, 2021) The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County (LWVPBC)today invited concerned adults to tw0 timely, informative, and FREE Zoom events in November:

Thursday, November 4 at 10 am

Spotlight on Redistricting

This Zoom event will offer an update on the current redistricting process in both Palm Beach County and the State of Florida.

Guest Speakers:

+ Ellen Freidin is CEO and General Counsel of Fair Districts Now, Inc. She has been the leader of the FairDistricts movement since 2006 and led Fair Districts Florida in its successful 2010 citizens’ initiative to outlaw gerrymandering. The Florida Constitution now prohibits drawing districts with intent to favor a political party or incumbent and requires that districts be compact, contiguous, equal in population, and follow existing boundaries while expressly protecting the rights of minority voters.

+ Patrick Rutter is an Assistant County Administrator and has been appointed head of the redistricting effort for Palm Beach County. He joined the county in 2003 and was appointed to his current position in 2018. He oversees Planning, Zoning and Building; Engineering and Public Works; Environmental Resource Management; Water Resources; and Resilience and Community Revitalization.

Moderator:

Tony Doris is Editorial Page Editor of The Palm Beach Post. He started at the daily newspaper in 2004 and has worked as a reporter covering West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, government editor, and as a member of the Post’s Investigative Team.

Link to Connect:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cmYsVd85TByKGgddqrZ62w

Wednesday, November 17 at Noon

Hot Topic Discussion:

THE DISABILITY POVERTY TRAP

People with disabilities rely on durable medical equipment and Home and Community Based Supports (HCBS), services that may not be covered by employer-sponsored or private insurance pans, in order to live independently, work, and participate in their communities. Access to services through Medicaid waiver programs is subject to strict income and asset limits causing recipients to lose access to the vital serviced that enabled them to enter the workforce in the first place. Reforms are necessary so that people with disabilities can be productive members of their communities without losing the vital services they need.

Guest Speaker:

Olivia Babis was born with a physical disability and has worked toward building a more equitable society for most of her life. Currently the Senior Public Policy Analyst at Disability Rights Florida, she was previously the Peer Mentor at the Suncoast Center for Independent Living where she assisted others with disabilities achieve independence. Babis also was a Community Organizer for the Florida Consumer Action Network, a multi-issue advocacy non-profit, where she worked on a multitude of issues including disability rights, healthcare expansion, wage issues, and transit. A veteran of numerous political campaigns, Babis was a candidate for the Florida Senate in 2018.

Topic:

How to Connect:

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TOLdxY7PSD2J-Hrdau8Ttg

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.

Annual Farm City Luncheon

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Annual Farm City Luncheon

ANNUAL FARM CITY LUNCHEON TO TAKE PLACE AT SOUTH FLORIDA FAIRGROUNDS

An update on Palm Beach County’s Agribusiness.

CENTRAL PALM BEACH (October 26, 2021)— The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau, will be hosting the annual Farm City luncheon, presented by Baptist Health South Florida, on Wednesday, November 17th at the South Florida Fairgrounds. The Annual Farm City luncheon was created to highlight the important economic contribution of the agricultural industry in Palm Beach County. It will feature speakers: Stephen Basore, of Bengard Farms, LLC, Paul Allen, of R.C. Hatton Farms, and Alleigh Reitz, of Everglades Farm Equipment. A special recognition will take place to honor State Representative Rick Roth for being name 2020-2021 Florida Farmer of the Year by the Florida Farm Bureau Federation.

This favorite annual event always provides an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the agricultural community and the positive impact they have on Palm Beach County. In addition, all attendees receive a complimentary box of locally grown vegetables courtesy of local farmers and Farm City.

This event would not be possible without the support of our partners: Baptist Health South Florida, Discover the Palm Beaches, Eastern Palm Beach County Farm Bureau, Florida Crystals, Florida Public Utilities, FNGLA Palm Beach, Florida Power & Light, Keiser University, Palm Beach County Farm Bureau, South Florida Fair, U.S. Sugar, Wellington Regional Medical Center, Wells Fargo, and Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau.           

The Farm City Economic Luncheon will take place at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo West, located at 9067 Southern Blvd. from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Individual entry tickets are $40 and tables are $650.

For more information on this luncheon and future events, please visit the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce website at www.cpbchamber.com, or call at (561) 790-6200.

Palm Beach County Receives RWJF Culture of Health Prize

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Palm Beach County Receives RWJF Culture of Health Prize

Palm Beach County Receives RWJF Culture of Health Prize

For Innovative Efforts to Create a Thriving Community   Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Recognizes Palm Beach County for Taking Residents’ Lead in Creating a Healthier Community   West Palm Beach, Fla. (October 26, 2021) – Palm Beach County is one of 10 winners of the 2020-2021 RWJF Culture of Health Prize awarded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Prize honors and elevates communities for working at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity. 
 
Palm Beach County is being nationally recognized for pursuing innovative ideas and bringing partners together to rally around a shared vision of health. Palm Beach County’s award-winning efforts recognized for building a culture of health include:


  Expanding equitable access to behavioral health. Greater reach and equity is being attained through countywide initiatives like BeWellPBC bringing together residents, providers and systems around solutions, and hyper-local efforts such as residents of “The Set,” Delray Beach’s historic Black community, creating partnerships with the faith community to overcome mental health stigma while respecting culture in the Haitian community. Focusing on youth and being accountable for their success. Through Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures, Palm Beach County is promoting trauma informed care, honoring youth resident voices in its collaborative work, and encouraging a new generation of advocates to shape an even brighter future for the community. Elevating resident leadership. Maximizing the power of residents to make a direct impact on their own communities is creating change through grassroots organizations like the EJS Project in Delray Beach, which is dedicated to empowering youth. Another example is Lake Worth Beach’s Wall of Unity, a resident-led transformation of a wall that once represented segregation to a new symbol of people of all races and cultures coming together to break down barriers of hate and injustice.  


Palm Health Foundation, Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County and Palm Beach County Youth Services Department collaborated on the application process for the prize that shared the county’s collective commitment to the social determinants of health, including Birth to 22: United for Brighter Futures, an alliance of over 300 organizations supporting the healthy growth, development and education for children prenatally through young adulthood.
 
“We are honored to receive this nationally recognized award,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation. “We know that one of Palm Beach County’s greatest strengths is how our health organizations, funders, nonprofits, and community residents collaborate and support one another in advancing health, opportunity, and equity for all.”
 
Palm Beach County will receive a $25,000 prize, join a network of Prize-winning communities, and have its inspiring accomplishments shared throughout the nation. The other nine winning communities are: Addison, Ill.; Alamosa County, Colo.; Chickaloon Native Village; Drew, Miss.; Howard County, Md.; National City, Calif.; Rocky Mount, N.C.; Thunder Valley Community—Oglala Lakota Nation (Oceti Sakowin Territory), and Worcester, Mass.
 
Palm Beach County now joins Broward County, Eatonville, and Miami-Dade County as the fourth Florida community to win the distinguished Prize.
 
“The 2020-2021 RWJF Culture of Health Prize winners are striving to make good health and well-being achievable for all their residents,” said Richard Besser, MD, president and CEO of RWJF. “They understand the clear connection between the opportunity for health and education, jobs, and housing. They are leaning into community-led solutions that break down barriers caused by structural racism and other forms of discrimination.”
 
To become an RWJF Culture of Health Prize winner, Palm Beach County had to demonstrate how it excelled in the following six criteria: Defining health in the broadest possible terms. Committing to sustainable systems changes and policy-oriented long-term solutions. Creating conditions that give everyone a fair and just opportunity to reach their best possible health.  Maximizing the collective power of leaders, partners, and community members. Securing and making the most of available resources. Measuring and sharing progress and results.  “We credit this honor to our community’s commitment to co-creating health solutions with residents,” said Lisa Williams-Taylor, CEO of Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County. “We’re working together to remove barriers and build a culture of health for all who call Palm Beach County home.”
 
Tammy Fields, Director of the Palm Beach County Youth Services Department added, “Recognizing that health starts in families with our young people, and creates the foundation of health for a lifetime, is so important to the work we do as a community.” 

The Foundation will honor this year’s winners, November 9-10, during a virtual RWJF Culture of Health Prize Celebration and Learning Event. During the event, representatives from the Prize communities will talk through the different ways they are leveraging their strengths and bringing partners together to expand opportunity. The 10 new winners will also connect with their 44 fellow Prize Alumni communities. 

2020-2021 RWJF Culture of Health Prize Award Ceremony                                     
1:15 p.m.-2:30 p.m. ET
Prize winners will be presented their certificates and offer acceptance remarks.
Please note: Event will be broadcast live at http://rwjf.org/prize
 
Prize Winner Conversations                             
2:45-3:30 p.m. ET & 3:45-4:30 p.m. ET
The 2020-2021 Prize winners will discuss how they are cultivating a shared commitment to equity and working to address the full spectrum of factors that influence health and well-being. They will reflect on how they are incorporating the wisdom, voice, experience, and leadership of community residents in their efforts.
Please note: Event will be broadcast live at http://rwjf.org/prize
 
Learn about the Prize-winning work underway in Palm Beach County through a collection of videos, written profiles, and photos at www.rwjf.org/prize.
 
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About Palm Health Foundation
Palm Health Foundation is Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. With the support of donors and a focus on results, the foundation builds strong community partnerships, respects diverse opinions, advocates for its most vulnerable neighbors and inspires innovative solutions to lead change for better health now and for generations to come. The foundation supports health equity for Palm Beach County residents of all backgrounds, heritage, education, incomes and states of well-being. Palm Health Foundation has invested more than $85 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001.

About Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County
The Council is a local, special-purpose government created by Palm Beach County voters in 1986 and reauthorized in 2014. For 35 years, it has provided leadership, funding, services and research on behalf of the county’s children so they grow up healthy, safe and strong. If you have questions related to Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County and/or media inquiries, please contact Shana Cooper, Public Information Officer, by clicking here.
 
About Palm Beach County Youth Services Department
Palm Beach County Youth Services Department is a department of the Palm Beach County government established by the Board of County Commissioners in 2015 to empower youth and families to realize their full potential and be the driving force of a thriving community.  The Department provides direct behavioral health services in addition to providing funding for families and community agencies serving the needs of youth and families in the community.
 

Nutcracker at Eissey Campus Theatre

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Nutcracker at Eissey Campus Theatre

KICK OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH
PARIS BALLET AND DANCE’S
THE NUTCRACKER
AT THE EISSEY CAMPUS THEATRE

Experience the magic of Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet classic with four spectacular full-length performances November 20 and 21

Photo by Julie Luxton

October 21, 2021 (Jupiter, Fla.) — Just in time for the holidays, Paris Ballet and Dance is bringing the spellbinding magic of The Nutcracker to the Eissey Campus Theatre!

With performances slated for Saturday, November 20 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 21 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., tickets are $35 and selling fast.

Set to Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s lasting and memorable score, the full-length production will feature thrilling choreography by the school’s founder and director Jean-Hugues Feray (a former principal dancer with many international companies, including Ballet Florida and National Ballet de Marseille), and showcase the talents of 75 young dancers, ranging in age from 3 to 18.

“Paris Ballet and Dance’s production of The Nutcracker is the perfect show to enthrall, inspire and kick off the holiday season,” Feray said. “It’s a beautiful story and it is truly a must-see show for all ages.”

Now in its 11th year, the annual production has become a beloved family holiday tradition for many locals, featuring dazzling costumes, extraordinary sets (including a growing Christmas tree that triples in height onstage) and phenomenal special effects. Audiences will be transported to an enchanting winter wonderland of sparkling snowfall, colorful flowers and splendid sweets.

The production will feature pre-professional dancers from both Paris Ballet and Dance and the school’s prestigious not-for-profit Paris Ballet Conservatory, an elite training program for students preparing for dance careers.

Celebrating the school’s graduating students, dancers include Jupiter resident Devon Luxton (Sugar Plum Cavalier/Arabian Pas de Deux), 17, who has been a finalist for the esteemed Youth America Grand Prix international ballet competition four years in a row, as well as Jupiter resident Crina Ciolacu (Sugar Plum Fairy/Arabian Pas de Deux), 17, Palm Beach Gardens resident Andrea Medina, 17 (Snow Queen/Dew Drop Fairy), and Jupiter resident Clare Keavy (Sugar Plum Fairy/Arabian Pas de Deux), 16. All are graduating this year and are in the process of either auditioning for professional dance companies or major colleges with dance programs.

“This is a unique chance to see many of these dancers perform before they launch their professional dance careers or continue their training in college,” Feray said. “I am very proud of the hard work that all of our talented and dedicated students continue to put into their craft. I can’t wait for audience members to see how exceptional our young dancers are.”

This is the company’s first year performing The Nutcracker at the 750-seat Eissey Campus Theatre in Palm Beach Gardens, which offers a professional stage, unmatched lighting, a state-of-the-art sound system, ample parking and spacious seating.

Based on the Alexandre Dumas adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 tale The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, the timeless ballet tells the story of a young girl named Clara who is given a magical Nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. After encountering and defeating the Rat King, her beloved Nutcracker comes to life as a real, handsome prince who guides her on an astounding journey through the incredibly bright and fantastic Land of Snow and Kingdom of Sweets. Since the ‘40s, the ballet has grown exponentially in popularity and now serves as an iconic holiday tradition throughout the world.

“[The Nutcracker] has become an American institution,” wrote Alastair Macaulay in The New York Times. “It’s amalgam of children, parents, toys, a Christmas tree, snow, sweets and Tchaikovsky’s astounding score is integral to the season of good will that runs from Thanksgiving to New Year.”

The Nutcracker will take place Saturday, November 20, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 21 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Eissey Campus Theatre, located at 11051 Campus Drive in Palm Beach Gardens. All tickets are $35. For tickets, call (561) 207-5900 or visit the Eissey Campus Theatre Box Office.

About Paris Ballet and Dance
Paris Ballet and Dance was founded in 2010 by Jean-Hugues Feray, a native of France and former principal dancer with many international companies, including Ballet Florida and National Ballet de Marseille. Located in Jupiter, Fla., the school offers world-class dance training for students starting at age three. With a stellar reputation for quality, exceptional master classes and top-notch training in ballet, jazz, tap and modern, the school draws 100 students per year from as far as Vero Beach, Lake Worth Beach and Wellington. The school is also home to the prestigious not-for-profit Paris Ballet Conservatory, an elite accelerated training program for students preparing for professional dance careers. For more about Paris Ballet and Dance and its Conservatory, call (561) 308-8377 or visit www.parisballetanddance.com.

The 2022 Great Charity Challenge

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The 2022 Great Charity Challenge

Non-Profit Organizations Invited to Join

the 2022 Great Charity Challenge, Presented by Fidelity Investments®

What are some of the key takeaways from living over a year through a pandemic?

Photo: Equestrian Sport Productions

For the 2021 Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments® (GCC), an event founded by the father/daughter team of Mark and Paige Bellissimo in 2009, COVID-19 highlighted that non-profit organizations and civil society stood at the core of our community’s resilience.

To respond to the devastating effects of COVID-19, the last edition of the GCC in February 2021 shifted a majority of its funding priorities towards local non-profits who were directly supporting and assisting the most vulnerable and affected populations in Palm Beach County. Thanks to the support of 64 donors and countless brave riders, 49 charities were able to put $1.1 million to work directly in our backyards, ensuring that many children, families, and seniors were able to be fed, keep a roof over their heads, and have access to the most basic services during the pandemic.

Through the generous support of the equestrian industry and the local community, the GCC has acted as a catalyst for charitable giving over the last 12 years, distributing $15.9 million to 276 Palm Beach County non-profit organizations.

The event will return for its 13th year on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), home of the Winter Equestrian Festival, with the goal to distribute an additional $1+ million dollar purse to local charities.

If you know of a deserving Palm Beach County-based charity, please invite them to visit https://gcc.coth.com/page/participate-as-a-non-profit for additional information regarding application requirements and the event’s unique selection process. 

The application process for the 2022 GCC is exclusively open from Monday, October 25, 2021 through 5:00 PM on Monday, November 15, 2021. 

At stake? A chance to win up to $100,000!

“We are extremely grateful for the continued support of our generous donors and sponsors,” commented Executive Director, Anne Caroline Valtin. “In addition to fund disbursements, the GCC’s strategy involves capacity building and enabling invaluable partnerships, as well as concentrating on amplifying the event’s impact. The pandemic has taught us that moving forward, we must focus on supporting those who provide immediate needs in the community, but also those who work towards long-term, sustainable change.”

Following the format of previous years and to guarantee transparency, up to twenty pre-vetted organizations will be randomly selected via the event’s famous lottery style drawings during the months of December and January. Additional smaller grants will also be awarded via a random selection process to non-profits who pass the GCC’s vetting. These grants will range between $1,000 and $10,000.

To be eligible to participate, applicants must, at a minimum, demonstrate that they are a 501c3, serve residents of Palm Beach County, have a physical presence, commit to spending a minimum of 75% of funding received in the County, and have a non-discrimination statement and/or policy.

For additional event information, including information about the application process, donations, and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.greatcharitychallenge.com. We also invite you to join us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with our latest news and happenings via Facebook and Instagram. 

About Fidelity Investments

Fidelity’s mission is to inspire better futures and deliver better outcomes for the customers and businesses we serve. With assets under administration of $11.2 trillion, including discretionary assets of $4.3 trillion as of August 31, 2021, we focus on meeting the unique needs of a diverse set of customers: helping more than 38 million people invest their own life savings, 22,000 businesses manage employee benefit programs, as well as providing more than 13,500 wealth management firms and institutions with investment and technology solutions to drive growth. Privately held for more than 75 years, Fidelity employs more than 52,000 associates who are focused on the long-term success of our customers. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit http://www.fidelity.com/about-fidelity/our-company.

About the Winter Equestrian Festival

The Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), known as the “Winter Equestrian Capital of the World,” is the world’s largest and longest running equestrian festival in the world, located in Wellington, Florida. The equestrian industry adds more than $100 million to Palm Beach County’s economy each year and provides more 900 jobs for the area. WEF is the proving ground for the Olympic Equestrian sports of show jumping and dressage. WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, which also operates the International Polo Club. For more information on WEF, please visit http://pbiec.coth.com.

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