(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.
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.
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
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 For Innovative Efforts to Create a Thriving CommunityRobert Wood Johnson Foundation Recognizes Palm Beach County for Taking Residents’ Lead in Creating a Healthier CommunityWest 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.
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.
“[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.”
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, 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.
Delicious and delectable. That’s the best way to describe the taste of the 28 types of pies which are created, baked, and sold by Lisa’s Pie Shop, a free-standing retail outlet in Atlanta, Indiana, a small town located about an hour’s drive north Indianapolis. If you like pie for dessert, then you will be spoiled and delighted by the wide range of pies on sale at Lisa’s Pie Shop. Some of the 28 types of pies include apple, cherry, blueberry, raspberry, black raspberry, strawberry, rhubarb, peach, pumpkin, pecan, chocolate cream, coconut cream, and sugar cream, which is Indiana’s official state pie.
For more than 30 years, the husband-and-wife team of Jim and Lisa Sparks have been working side by side in order to meet the dessert demands of their ever-expanding and forever-loyal list of clients and customers. They have been married for nearly 40 years. Clearly, a couple that makes pies together, stays together.
Truth be told, Lisa is in charge of making the pies, but Jim helps by ordering the supplies, picking up the supplies, selling the pies, collecting the money, and being the face of the ‘franchise.’ Clearly, everybody knows about Lisa, but everybody knows Jim, who also helps get the ball rolling, so to speak, every day by helping with the foundation of every pie.
“Jim makes the dough for every crust and helps pour the cream,” said Lisa. “He does a great job.”
When asked what is the favorite pie of their clients, Lisa answers that question by checking the calendar.
“Our favorite pie is always based on which fruits are freshest and in season,” said Lisa. “Naturally, pumpkin, pecan, and sugar cream pies are the top sellers during the holidays – Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
And, according to Lisa, some of the more popular pies are the combination pies such as strawberry-rhubarb and blueberry-peach.
Simply put, the key to the success of Lisa’s Pie Shop is the never-ending attention to detail by the ownership.
“We make every pie from scratch and we pay attention to the quality of every pie,” said Lisa. “Paying attention to details pays off for us.”
One of those important details has to do with Lisa’s artistic abilities.
Just before a pie is placed in the oven, Lisa draws an outline of the shape of the fruit which is inside the pie, on the crust. This allows Jim to properly identify the pie when it’s ready to be removed from the oven and placed on the sales shelf.
While Lisa’s Pie Shop is located about an hour’s drive north of Indianapolis, just off U.S. 31, one can easily feel that this storefront is located in the middle of nowhere, but Lisa disagrees.
“I think we are in the middle of everywhere,” countered Lisa. “We have regular customers from all over the country.”
And, she has a good point, as customers come from far and wide to buy a pie at Lisa’s Pie Shop. These pies are especially popular for football fans in the fall who go tailgating prior to high school, college (Notre Dame, Purdue, Indiana, Ball State, among others) and pro football (Indianapolis Colts) games.
“On some Saturdays in the fall, we’ll open up early to accommodate fans who want to get a head start on their tailgating festivities,” added Lisa. “For many Notre Dame fans heading north for home games, they travel along U.S. 31 up to South Bend, so we right along the way.”
It’s worth noting that when Colts fans want a pie for their Sunday tailgating experience, they have to buy the pie in advance since Lisa’s Pie Shop is closed on Sundays.
“The Colts fans will call ahead and pick up the pie early, on a Friday or a Saturday, so they’ll have it on Sunday,” noted Lisa.
It’s no surprise that the pies from Lisa’s Pie Shop have won many awards and been featured in the press.
According to Lisa, USA Today has included Lisa’s Pie Shop in a story on the top ten pie shops in the U.S. The Food Channel and the Travel Channel have also produced stories on Lisa’s Pie Shop.
“Over the years, we’ve also won numerous state awards and many ribbons,” added Lisa.
When it comes to paying for your pie at Lisa’s Pie Shop, there are two forms of payment: cash or check. That’s the way it always has been and always will be.
And, it’s worth noting that Jim and Lisa Sparks acquire their fruit from many different locations. For instance, the strawberries come from California, the apples are grown in Washington and Indiana, the black raspberries are harvested in Oregon, the cherries are sourced in Michigan, and the peaches come from Georgia, South Carolina, and Michigan.
Even though Jim and Lisa operate their business like a well-oiled machine, there are often issues with getting what they need when they need it.
“Every year, there are supply issues with fruits,” said Jim.
In addition to making sure every pie is made to the highest possible quality, Jim and Lisa also monitor the shelf life of every pie.
“We don’t keep a pie on the shelf for more than 24 hours,” said Jim.
But, he also admits that no pies go unsold.
Those pies which are not sold within a 24-hour time period are then repackaged and sold in another form. Lisa is able to transfer pies into 16-ounce Mason jars. They are referred to as Pies in a Jar, but every jar is only big enough to hold half of a pie.
“It’s great to sell a day-old pie,” said Lisa. “You just heat and eat.”
As you would expect of a small business like Lisa’s Pie Shop, Jim and Lisa rely on their customers to help promote their existence and their pies.
“We let word of mouth promote us,” adds Jim.
And, Lisa Sparks is thankful for her regular customers.
“We would be nothing without our loyal customers from both inside and outside the state of Indiana,” notes Lisa.
And, it’s fair to say that Jim and Lisa Sparks’ customers also have a mutual appreciation for the wide variety of pies prepared for them to buy and try throughout the year.
If, for some reason, you don’t like pies, then Lisa’s Pie Shop does make three types of cookies (chocolate chip, Snicker doodles, and M & M), Mexican wedding cakes, four types of bread (pumpkin, banana, blueberry/zucchini, and pineapple/zucchini), pumpkins rolls, Bundt cakes, and four varieties of quiche (ham & cheese, spinach, bacon, and Western).
But, if you have never tried one of Lisa’s pies, I encourage you to do so. When you try it, you will like it. I did and I know you will, too. By the way, I had the cherry pie and I’m headed back for more! I’ll see you at Lisa’s Pie Shop.
This place won’t be difficult to find because as Lisa says, “We’re in the middle of everywhere.”
Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County to Host 13 Healthy, Fun, & Informative Events in November, Including Plant-a-Palooza Fall Plant Sale, Qi Gong, Watercolor Classes, and Monthly Dogs’ Day in the Garden
+ Watercolor at the Garden – Nov. 2, 9, 16,
+ Wednesday Walk & Plant Talk – Nov. 3, 10, 17
+ Qi Gong – Nov. 3, 10, 17
+ Plant-a-Palooza Fall Plant Sale – Nov. 6-7
+ Moai Tour with Artist Dennis MacDonald – Nov. 12, 19
+ Dogs’ Day in the Garden – Nov. 14
(West Palm Beach, FL – October 21, 2021) Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden will be hosting 13 family-friendly open-air events in November, including the always popular Plant-a-Palooza Fall Plant Sale, watercolor classes, Wednesday Walk & Plant Talks, Qi Gong, and the monthly Dogs’ Day in the Garden.
“Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden is inviting garden enthusiasts, plant lovers, and proud ‘green-thumbers’ of all ages to come out and enjoy some of our many safe, healthy and happy horticultural activities in November, and visit our exciting new permanent exhibition, Moai at Mounts Botanical Garden,” says Curator-Director RochelleWolberg.
November 2, 9, 16
Watercolor at the Garden
Tuesday, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm $20 for members; $25 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission) Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults.
Share your love of art and nature with fellow art enthusiasts. Each class begins with an instructor-led Nature Walk for inspiration and to capture reference photos to use in class. The group will then move indoors, where Carl Stoveland will start with a quick demo topic then assist participants in choosing a subject and getting started on a watercolor. Bring pencils, pens, paints sketchpad or watercolor pad, (or journal) and your favorite photographic device (i.e., cell phone camera or tablet). Classes are open to adults only at all levels, from novice to experienced artist, and will be tailored to each student.
Note: The previously announced Watercolor classes scheduled for Thursday, November 4 and 18, have been canceled.
$5 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; tour size is limited to 15 adults.
Come early to enjoy the morning quite while reconnecting and recharging with nature. Experience the beauty of the Garden and note the changes each week. Walk for fitness and for fun, stopping along the way to admire the plants or enjoy a stretch or two.
$10 for members; $15 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 15 adults.
Relieve stress and increase your metabolism, flexibility, and strength. Qi Gong (pronounced chee-gong) is an ancient Chinese exercise and healing technique. The exercises include simple, slow movements (which mimic nature), meditation, and focused breathing—similar to Tai Chi. Each class is limited to the first 10-15 people to register. Classes will be inside, led by Roxanne Cumberland.
FREE for Mounts members and children 5 and under; $15 for nonmember adults; $12 for seniors, active military, and college students with ID; $7 for children, 6-17
Reconnect with Gardening as an estimated 60 vendors, spread throughout the Garden, offer a wide range of plants, shrubs, trees, garden furniture, accessories, baskets, and fine crafts. Visitors can stroll and shop in a relaxed environment, while looking for Bonsai, bamboo, bromeliads, butterfly plants, citrus, ferns, Florida natives, flowering trees, ginger, heliconia, orchids & supplies, pitcher plants, plumeria, roses, succulents, vines and more. The Mounts Botanical Nursery and Vintage Thrift Shop will also be open with a great variety of plants and unique treasures for the home and garden.
November 12, 19
Moai Tour with Artist Dennis MacDonald
Friday, 10 am to 11 am
FREE for Mounts members; $12 for nonmember adults
Registration is required; group size is limited to 20 adults.
Experience the awe and wonder of Moai at Mounts Botanical Garden. Artist Dennis MacDonald will offer an insider’s tour of the moai project, its background and the processes used to create the statues as an artistic tribute to the Rapa Nui (Easter Island) culture.
FREE for members and children 5 and under; $12 for nonmember adults; $10 for seniors, active military, and college students with ID; $5 for children 6-1. Ticket includes full Garden admission.
This dog-and-family-friendly monthly event is held throughout the Garden. Bring your beloved pooch to enjoy a relaxed garden stroll. There are many great spots to capture family photos for posting online with #mountsbotanicalgarden.
Guidelines:
+ Non-retractable leashes only; retractable leashes are not permitted.
+ No more than one dog per adult will be admitted.
+ Rabies vaccination must be current.
+ Visitors should bring their own and water treats for the puppies.
Bringing the awe and wonder of Easter Island to West Palm Beach is this new permanent installation of three imposing moai statues, replicas of the iconic monolithic, human figures located on Rapa Nui, Chile. Designed by artist Dennis MacDonald with great attention to authenticity and detail, each of the statues is made of solid, reinforced, poured concrete and has been stained to create a weathered appearance. The larger moai stands 20 feet tall and wears a “hat” known as pukao, two additional pukao rest on the ground.
The Moai at Mounts Botanical Garden installation is included with regular Garden admission:
+ FREE for Mounts members and children 5 and under; $12 for adults; $10 for seniors, college students and military with ID; $5 for ages 6-17
+ Tickets available for purchase at the gate.
Garden hours in November are Tuesday-Sunday, 9 am to 4 pm.
About Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County:
With a mission to inspire and educate through nature, Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden. Visitors to this 16-acre tropical oasis will see an acclaimed collection of 25 unique garden areas containing more than 5,000 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants, including Florida natives, exotic and tropical fruit trees, herbs, palms, roses, cactus, bromeliads and much more. Mounts Botanical Garden is part of the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Department, in partnership with the University of Florida and the non-profit Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden. This project is sponsored in part by The Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council, and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. Mounts Botanical is located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach. For more information, please visit www.mounts.org.
Meet acclaimed writer, lecturer and storyteller Harvey E. Oyer III at Wellington Historical Society’s upcoming Lunch & Learn. The event takes place at 11:45 a.m. on Thursday Nov. 18th at Wellington National Golf Club.
Oyer will share stories of Palm Beach County’s history, including some insight about how Wellington and the surrounding western communities came into being.
A fifth-generation native Floridian, Oyer is as much a part of local history as he is a lecturer on the topic. He is a descendant of pioneer settler Captain Hannibal Dillingham Pierce, one of the first non-native Americans to settle in Southeast Florida, arriving in 1872. His great-grand uncle, Charles William Pierce, homesteaded a portion of Hypoluxo Island, worked as a lighthouse keeper at the Jupiter lighthouse, and served for years as a one of the famed “Barefoot Mailmen.” He wrote a manuscript that, years after his death, was the basis for “Pioneer Life in South Florida,” considered an authoritative work on the area’s pioneer history.
Oyer himself has written or contributed to numerous books and articles on Florida and Florida’s history. His children’s book series, “The Adventures of Charlie Pierce,” is based on his great-grand uncle’s life. He is a noted writer and lecturer on topics ranging from law, history and archaeology to international laws regarding antiquities trafficking.
Oyer was born in Boynton Beach. He attended the University of Florida where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He won a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship and studied graduate economics at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. He graduated with a Master of Philosophy in Archaeology from the University of Cambridge in England and a Juris Doctorate with honors from the University of Florida College of Law. He is a partner with the law firm of Shutts & Bowen LLP.
Tickets for the event are $30 for members and $40 for non-members, and include lunch. Get tickets at Wellington Historical Society’s website, www.wellingtonhistoricalsociety.org.
My State MLS Welcomes New Vice President of Marketing & Communications
R. Michael Brown brings communications, public relations and marketing innovation at major businesses and non-profits to My State MLS
Jupiter, FL ― October 20, 2021 ― My State MLS is happy to announce that R. Michael Brown has joined the organization as Vice President of Marketing & Communications.
He was most recently a consultant at R. Michael Brown LLC with clients including My State MLS, South Florida Agent Magazine, French Wine Merchant in the Town of Palm Beach, iCOM, Minto Communities and more.
Brown was the director of communication for the prestigious Town of Palm Beach Civic Association where he founded and led the newsroom of the popular “This Week in Palm Beach” e-news and video newscast known as Palm Beach TV. That content marketing program led to record views and membership levels for the organization.
A resident of Wellington, FL, Brown enjoys road cycling, surfing and spending time with his wife and children. Brown previously cycled competitively and is a former certified volunteer U.S. Olympic cycling coach.
“We are very happy to have Mike onboard,” said Dawn Pfaff, president and CEO of My State MLS. “His proven leadership in helping organizations innovate in multimedia communications to attract viewers, increase leads and sales and launch products and services into markets adds a fresh new dimension to My State MLS.”
Brown has marketing and communications experience in multiple industries that include the director of marketing and public relations at DiVosta, Del Webb and Pulte Homes for the state of Florida, where his leadership led to over 4,200 home sales per year in 80 communities. As marketing and communications manager at Motorola Solutions he launched Nextel and steered it to win Product of the Decade from Business Week Magazine. Plus, he was a pioneer in Internet and multimedia communications at the IBM Personal Computer Division.
“My State MLS is a disruptor in the real estate market,” said Brown. “We offer a nationwide multiple listing service for real estate pros that want to list properties at competitive rates, increase their territory or need to market properties across boundaries to get more leads and sales. Our service is perfect for today’s agent and broker in the current and future environment, and I’m thrilled to be a part of this awesome team to grow market share. Plus, we have been working on a content platform that will be in an announcement that I can’t wait for you to see.”
About My State MLS
In 2009, Dawn Pfaff foundedNY State MLS, a full multiple listings service (MLS) serving all 62 New York counties. Born from a desire to create a common-sense MLS solution, New York’s statewide Multiple Listing Service quickly garnered agents across the state, as well as nationwide attention and demand for the company’s services. In 2015,My State MLS, the first nationwide Multiple Listing Service of its kind, was created and today it has agents in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. LA State MLS debuted in October 2020. In December 2020, Pfaff and My State MLS launched MHAuthority.com, a premier website for manufactured housing listings. In addition to its MLSs, My State MLS’s services and products have expanded to include direct feeds to all major sites (Zillow, Trulia, Homes.com, Realtor.com and ListHub), international syndication, IDX feed, branded virtual tours, access to Professional Search, website design, private MLS administration and much more. For more information visit, www.mystatemls.com.
Palm Beach Photographic Centre Announces Winners of 25th Annual MEMBERS’ SHOW
Juried Exhibition Runs Through Nov. 30
Best in Show: John Edwards of Singer Island, FL
1st Place: Elizabeth Bush of Glendale, CA
2nd Place: Craig Dietrich of Hobe Sound, FL
Honorable Mention: Louis Mark of Palm Beach Gardens
West Palm Beach, FL – October 19, 2021) Fatima NeJame, president and chief executive officer of the world renowned Palm Beach Photographic Centre (PBPC), today announced the prize winners of its current presentation:
25th Annual MEMBERS’ SHOW
Juried Exhibition Runs Through Nov. 30
The MEMBERS’ SHOW 2021 exhibition displays 99 stunning images from 38 member photographers, including 24 from Palm Beach County.
The Best In Show Award went to John Edwards from Singer Island, FL for his photograph Horsing Around. He received a cash prize of $950.
The First Place winner was Elizabeth Bush of Glendale, California for her untitled photo, Teddy’s Transit; while Second Place went to Craig Dietrich of Hobe Sound for his photo, I.C.U. Honorable mention goes to Louis Mark of Palm Beach Gardens for his photo, Sienna, Running to Her Dad.
1. Best In Show: John Edwards – Horsing Around2nd Place: Craig Dietrich – I.C.U.Honorable Mention: Louis Mark – Sienna, Running to Her Dad
Palm Beach Photographic Centre’s 25th Annual MEMBERS’ SHOW is a juried exhibition that showcases the work of its members, both inside the Photo Centre and on its Web site, www.workshop.org.
The Juror for the 25th Annual MEMBERS’ SHOW was Scott Mc Kiernan, a photojournalist who became a media industry pioneer and leader. Leadership of ZUMA Press, as well as decades of wide-ranging experience in photography, has proven to be instrumental in establishing the world’s largest independent editorial photo agency. In 1993, he launched the net’s first online downloadable database for editorial pictures. A quarter-century later, ZUMA is the agent to the world’s most respected photographers (3,000+), newspapers (300+), photo agencies (90+) and national wire services (30+) and over 50+ million images online moving 30K important images daily to every country in the world. 2016 Mc Kiernan won NPPA’s prestigious Jim Gordon Editor of the Year Award, for DOUBLEtruck Magazine and zReportage.com. Most recently, Mc Kiernan awarded a Society of Professional Journalists Picture Editor award and was a Communication Arts 2019 winner for his stellar photography of the 2018 Winter Olympics. He is a proud member of the Board of the Palm Beach Photographic Centre.
About the Palm Beach Photographic Centre:
The Photo Centre is located at the downtown City Center municipal complex at 415 Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach. Hours are 10 am to 5 pm. Monday through Saturday. For more information, please call 561.253.2600 or visit www.workshop.org or www.fotofusion.org.
The Palm Beach Photographic Centre is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching life through the photographic arts. All donations are greatly appreciated at www.workshop.org/contrib.
