Visiting Kennedy Space Center exceeded our expectations!
If you’re looking for a fun-filled family day within driving distance to Wellington, then The Kennedy Space Center Visitor complex is the perfect place!
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has always been on our family’s travel bucket list since the day our 8-year-old son was born! Although he and my husband are both Star Wars fanatics, most recently our little guy has had an affinity for space and the world beyond. After seeing some rocket launches and doing a virtual visit with an astronaut this past year, we knew we had to jump on the opportunity to get to Cape Canaveral. We had quite the incredible experience at America’s spaceport from start to finish and the best part was, it’s fun for ALL ages! With our 5-year-old daughter in tow and a celebration for my mom’s birthday, we chartered a journey to the Space Coast!
We started off the day by taking the obligatory photo in front of the NASA meatball and it was the most gorgeous day! Something really awesome is the visitor complex is on an island, so the cross breeze is absolutely glorious! We made our way to the very back of the park to get things started off on the right foot…our journey to “Atlantis.” This larger than life exhibit was at the top of our must-see things to explore while at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, so we wanted to make sure we started off with a bang! After watching a quick and inspirational movie, we did a self-guided walking tour of the ship, complete with interactive exhibits to keep the kids fully engaged and learned all about NASA’s Space Shuttle program. From sitting in a cockpit to an interactive space simulation activity and even a slide that boosts you to another dimension, we were able to play astronaut for the day and see what it was like to eat, sleep and live in outer space.
We then made our way over to Planet Play. This new interactive play space is a glow in the dark, 3 story behemoth of a playground, where the kids can let loose and just be kids! Next stop was lunch! From a variety of salads and sandwiches to choose from and not just your typical pizza and chicken tenders lunch, it was great! We had a Cobb salad and a Beyond burger from the Orbit Cafe. We were lucky enough to dine in the courtyard otherwise known as “NASA Central,” where we snapped a quick photo op with a spaceperson! We ducked into where we learned all about space moving rovers and how they travel around Mars!
Next stop was “The Space Shop.” Whether signed memorabilia or space food is your thing, there’s something for everyone in this two story shop, which might I say, was very well done! After grabbing a few mementos to remember what was already such an incredible day, we grabbed some “Space Dots,” ice cream and boarded a bus for our next mission on the other side of the compound. *Best bet is to book your bus tour upon arrival, so you get to pick the best time for you and your family to explore.
The “Space Bus,” dropped us off behind NASA’s pearly gates, where some of the most famous spaceships in our nation’s history have prepared for launch! We drove past the Vehicle Assembly Building, one of the largest buildings in the world by volume, where rockets like the Saturn V moon rocket was assembled and arrived at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. We were able to see the Saturn V…the largest rocket ever flown! *Fun fact: Every human who has stepped foot on the moon, launched from Kennedy Space Center aboard a Saturn V rocket! It was completely breathtaking and larger than life and we are already planning an overnight trip to stay there at the facilities! Yes, you can do that! After learning about man’s first trip to the moon and honoring the three heroes, whose lives were lost in Apollo 1, we prepared for lift off, back to base camp just in time to catch a 3D IMAX movie about asteroids, which totally blew our minds!
On our way out we explored the “Rocket Garden,” home to incredible and famous rockets from NASA programs like the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo…a place where you literally feel like an ant in a sea of giant space vehicles.
We had such an incredible day and can’t wait to visit again soon! Highly recommend paying a trip to the Space Coast! For more information or to book a trip to visit Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
*This is a paid sponsored post with Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. All opinions are true and that of Briana D’Andrea from momgirlblog. Follow Briana D’Andrea to see more photos from our trip and follow her family adventures on her lifestyle blog momgirlblog.com. #kennedyspacecenter #momgirlblog #lookup
Check out our fun day in under an IG reel under a minute here!
Featuring the New Film – The Blob Blob Fish: A Journey Through Obesity
By Krista Martinelli
AW: Tell us about your most recent project, as Film Director for The Blob Blob Fish.
AM: America is the most obese country in the world. It’s getting worse every year. My hopes are that this documentary will give people a wakeup call and get their bodies healthier. Covid came in and took away many loved ones who had underlying health issues, many of those people were obese. This is truly a health epidemic.
AM: Tony Nelson, President at Premier Family Health and Wellness, used to be my neighbor in Wellington, and I bumped into him in the elevator. Dr. Apicella and Dr. Bago wanted to promote their brand. My wife and our team did an initial project with Dr. A and B which was approximately a 15-minute educational spot about toxins and the benefits of going to their Wellness Center.
I’m 55 years old, and unfortunately, there are a number of individuals that don’t realize how serious their health is. We talked about doing a reality show on Dr. A and Dr. B (the married couple and owners of Premier Family Health & Wellness Dr. Apicella and Dr. Bago). I was blown away by their intelligence and knowledge of their craft. We decided not to do this as a reality show but to do this as a documentary, which would be about them going into people’s homes and changing their lives. I’ve worked on reality shows in the past, and we felt that a documentary was the best way to present this story.
We followed three individuals journeys from obesity to health: The three main characters are Jack – who was a diabetic (54 at the time); Sinead, (43) who had breast cancer and teenager James Allen (13), who had low self-esteem, which was tied to his obesity. At first, James was a concern for me in the documentary – he wasn’t opening up at first. I told James that he was one of the heroes in the story and he could empower other kids who have the same struggle. Over time he started speaking up more often. James’ parents Keith and Melissa are also key characters in this film, as his relationships with them change over time too.
After a couple months of shooting Dr. A, Dr. B and myself came to a realization that James was stuck on a plateau, and that he needed more exercise. We brought in gym owner “Rock” of Rock Fitness and his team to train him. I spoke to James’ parents about James being trained by a professional boxing coach. Rock told James about his own self-hatred and low self esteem as a young boy. They made an instant connection. James looked up to Rock; it was great seeing that process and filming them.
The whole project was a process. All of the participants were slowly getting comfortable with my being in their homes and filming them.
All the patients needed an equally shared amount of time when it came to filming. I think everyone can relate to one of the 3 people in these journeys. Working on a reality show in the past taught me to stay quiet and not intervene. At times I battle with this, due to being a retired firefighter – my instinct is to jump in and help.
I don’t want to give the movie away but because of Jack’s journey, he ended up making a surprisingly major change in his whole household that I did not expect. Sinead’s issue was that she was extremely hard on herself and fighting cancer. Although she’s very jovial in person, I’m not sure how she was when she got home behind closed doors. She lives on a farm with 3 dogs, 7 cats along with foster cats, 1 horse, 2 ponies, 2 pigs, 2 geese, 1 duck and 25 chickens to take care of. She learned something – through this journey, and has become more uplifting and positive about herself. As for Jack, Sinead and young James, they each had their own struggles.
Andrew Mossop in action
AW: What are some highlights of the film? Some of its challenges?
See the Blob Blob Fish trailer (below).
AM: Covid was a big challenge. It extended the production time and created a bunch of challenges. We were social distancing, and the fear factor appeared to be a level 10 throughout the world. With Covid, people stayed home, they were not exercising and were stuffing their faces, major adjustments had to be made. As it turned out, production was extended way longer than originally planned. In the end, lives were changed for the better.
As for highlights, the transformation of James was tremendous – he started to look you in the eye, went from no confidence to confidence. You have to watch the movie to see what really happened to James. There is a very heart felt moment in the documentary that anyone can relate to. This movie is really about hope and uplifting each other. The hope is to change people’s lives.
AW: Were there any real surprises while the camera was rolling while working on The Blob Blob Fish?
AM: James had a very unexpected reaction with his mother in the gym as they were speaking with Dr. Apicella and Dr. Bago. I almost dropped the camera. You have to watch the movie to see what happens.
AW: What’s it like following Dr. Apicella and Dr. Bago around with a video camera?
L to R: Dr. Bago, Andrew Mossop and Dr. Apicella
It was extremely educational for me. I wonder how on Earth do they have so much information stuffed into their heads. They’ve really been successful with Premier Family Health and Wellness and today have 30,000 patients. They’re a really dynamic couple and they are incredibly effective in helping patients. They are terrific even with their workout ethics. They practice what they preach. Plus, they have four kids and manage a busy household. This documentary focuses on the unsung heroes. Meanwhile, the media usually focuses on whatever sells a product or what celebrities think or do. This documentary focuses on regular folks, people who are relatable. Dr. A and Dr. B are just regular folks at the end of the day.
AW: How can people view the film?
AM: The film “The Blob Blob Fish” comes out August 31st. You can view it on iTunes, Dish Network, Sling TV, Vubiquity, Swank, Vudu, Xbox, GooglePlay, YouTube Movies and Hoopla. After the first 90 days, it will hopefully end up on Netflix or Hulu. The more pre-orders on iTunes that we can get would be extremely helpful.
AW: Who edited the film?
AM: Allan Holzman 5-time Emmy award winner edited the film. He took the story and put it in a form that I wouldn’t have been able to do. He’s edited for Spielberg along with a number of incredible directors. He did a fantastic job. We had a finished product, and the next question was, now what do we do as far as distribution? The movie won three film festival awards. We did not enter the movie into too many festivals since distribution offers came in quickly. We ended up going with Freestyle Digital Media to debut the film – across all the distribution platforms that I mentioned earlier.
AW: Tell us about your background as a film maker. Describe some of your key projects.
AM: I was producing freestyle and hip hop music in the 80s and 90s. I co-produced and wrote on a track with Def Jam (and the album went triple platinum). I found myself always around music videos. Early on I had an idea for a music video and got the opportunity to direct a music video. My wife Stacey helped me get the right people involved. I was truly clueless on the first one video. I did it a couple more times and became frustrated. I felt very limited on the set, due to my lack of knowledge of the technical side of it. I bought a Canon XL1. I taught myself how to shoot, thanks to some online courses and friends in the industry. I also learned a lot by always asking questions on set, I must have been a pin in the butt. One of the biggest lessons for me was being able to work on a season as a camera operator for Love & Hip Hop (in Atlanta). This experience set me up to know how to capture moments uninterrupted (as Love & Hip Hop was a reality TV Show).
On a project that I created called “The Cipha,” I partnered with Will Smith and James Lassiter. Mona Scott Young was a partner as well. We sold the show to MTV and then it went to BET. This was a great animation project.
I also worked on Shark Tales. This was a “Behind the scenes, making of” project for DreamWorks.
My most recent music video was for my daughter Nadege Nightingale. She has the music bug in her. She’s made several music videos and songs and I’m so proud of her. She’s in California now going to Bible college.
Andrew Mossop with one of his recycled art works
When have time I also do artwork. I work with recycled motherboards and broken computers, creating art. I still go into the recording studio and bang out a track here and there. I’m in the zone when I’m creating, hours can easily fly by unnoticed.
AW: What was it like to work with Dreamworks, BET, MTV, VH1 and other platforms? Do you have a favorite?
AM: As I had mentioned earlier I learned a lot on “Love and HipHop” which is on VH1, it was months of production at least 5 days a week. DreamWorks, the Shark Tales project, was also amazing. I went to Jamaica as well for that project. MTV was almost surreal for me. I was a firefighter at the time and getting a deal with MTV was a defining moment. My favorite projects of all are when I’m doing projects for my kids.
AW: You wear many hats, including Director, Producer, Writer, Fundraiser. What’s your favorite “hat” to wear?
AM: Depends on the project. The brainstorming, creative process is always exciting. I like all the hats except for editing.
AW: What did you do before being a film maker?
AM: Before this I was a firefighter/ paramedic. I did 25 years in Hollywood as a firefighter. There’s was a lot of laughter and joy and a lot of heartache. As a firefighter, you walk into a tragic situation, you’re there to help – be logical, you can’t be emotional, however you still have to be compassionate and empathetic. This yields the best results for the patient.
When it comes to film making, I’m always aware that there’s nothing life threatening about it. It helps me stay calm. My mindset on set, if I’m the director or whatever position I’m in, is that the respect needs to be equal for everyone. When it comes to eating, I always eat last on the set. If the crew is not happy, your whole vision gets flushed down the toilet. Keep your crew happy and thank them. I want to take the opportunity again to thank everyone from cast to crew for helping make Blob Blob Fish.
AW: How do you like living in Wellington? What’s special about Wellington?
AM: It’s a small-town vibe with a big city population. We have the convenience of everything around us. My wife wanted to move here from Fort Lauderdale because of the education system. We’ve built great friendships here. Wellington has been a phenomenal place for us.
AW: Tell us about your family.
AM: 4 daughters, 24, 23, 17 and 13. Stacey, my wife, has been my co-pilot in daily life and in the production world as well. She’s an amazing mother, all the credit goes to her. Our girls are so strong and they all have a piece of my wife in them. Stacey and I work together with our production company. She was a co-producer on Blob Blob Fish.
AW: Where are you originally from?
AM: I was born in England. We went to Canada when I was 4 years old. I’ve been in FL since 1980. I truly believe this is the greatest country on the planet, full of opportunities.
AW: What’s next for you?
AM: I’m shooting a couple of commercials and I’m in talks for another documentary and a feature film.
***
The Blob Blob Fish – A Journey Through Obesity
Film Release Date: August 31st, 2021
View it on: iTunes, Dish Network, Sling TV, Vubiquity, Swank, Vudu, Xbox, GooglePlay, YouTube Movies and Hoopla.
West Palm Beach, FL (August 25, 2021) — The West Palm Beach Kiwanis Club, a service organization founded in August 1925 turned 100 years old this Saturday, August 21. To celebrate, The City of West Palm Beach declared ‘August 21’ Kiwanis Day. The proclamation was presented on the 100th anniversary of the club, founded in 1921. The Kiwanis Club has spent the last century improving the lives of children in West Palm Beach.
The West Palm Beach Kiwanis Club offers one of the largest scholarship programs in Florida, awarding over $200,000 per year. The Foundation has distributed more than $3.4 million in scholarships since 1966. The club has awarded 80 scholarships to students from Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, and Loxahatchee. “Without the Kiwanis Club, my dreams of becoming a nurse wouldn’t be able to come true. My scholarship has taken away obstacles that would have hindered my performance if I would have done it alone. I know I have a support system that knows my dreams are attainable,” says Katia Mejia, a junior at Palm Beach Atlantic University, and a member of the Kiwanis collegiate program, Circle K International (CKI). Other Kiwanis projects include reading at elementary schools, providing school uniforms for low-income students, and feeding the homeless at St. George’s Soup Kitchen.
“The West Palm Beach Kiwanis Club is honored to receive this Proclamation from the City of West Palm Beach on the occasion of our 100th Anniversary. This is a wonderful recognition of our Club’s long and distinguished record of dedication to serving the children of our community. While the work itself is its own reward, we thank Mayor James for this token of appreciation and look forward to continuing our legacy of service and caring into the West Palm Beach Kiwanis Club’s second century,” said club president, Scott Holtz. The club currently has 65 members and meets every other Wednesday at noon.
The club will be celebrating its 100th anniversary later this month at the National Croquet Club. To be part of the West Palm Beach Kiwanis Club’s next 100 years please email wpbkiwanis@gmail.com or visit wpbkiwanis.org.
### Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. Kiwanis stands with more than 550,000 members from K-Kids to Key Club to Kiwanis and many ages in between in 80 countries and geographic areas. Kiwanis clubs host nearly 150,000 service projects each year. The Kiwanis Club of West Palm Beach is dedicated to serving the local community through various service and fundraising projects. For more information please visit wpbkiwanis.com or kiwanis.org.
Palm Beach Chapter of the Rare Fruit Council International Invites the Public to Annual
TROPICAL FRUIT TREE & EDIBLE PLANT SALE
At the South Florida Fairgrounds – October 16, 2021
Both Admission & Parking are FREE;
Visitors are Encouraged to Bring a Plant Wagon
(West Palm Beach, FL – August 24, 2021) The Palm Beach Chapter of the Rare Fruit Council International, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and further cultivation and use of tropical and rare fruit in South Florida and around the world, is hosting its annual Tropical Fruit Tree & Edible Plant Sale on Saturday, October 16, 2021. The popular event will be held from 9 am to 2 pm in the Agriplex Building on the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. Both admission and parking are FREE.
At this year’s Tropical Fruit Tree & Edible Plant Sale, vendors from all over the state will offer a wide variety of delightful and delicious fruit trees, including Avocado, Banana, Barbados Cherry, Black Sapote, Canistel, Dragon Fruit, Fig, Guava, Grumichama, Jackfruit, Jaboticaba, Longan, Lychee, Macadamia, Mamey Sapote, Mango, Miracle Fruit, Mulberry, Papaya, Peach, Persimmon, Soursop, Sugar Apple, Star Apple, Tamarind, herbs and spices, plus specially formulated fertilizer, and more.
Fresh honey from the Palm Beach County Beekeepers Association will also be available for purchase, promises group president Kevin Easton.
Visitors are encouraged to bring a wagon to help carry purchased plants. Also available will be educational information on the planting and growing of fruit trees, along with knowledgeable volunteers and vendors to answer any questions.
About ThePalm Beach Chapter of the Rare Fruit Council International, Inc.:
Established in 1970, the Palm Beach Chapter of the Rare Fruit Council (RFC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting and furthering the cultivation and use of tropical and rare fruit in south Florida and throughout the world. RFC members are interested in learning about, growing and enjoying tropical fruits, and is holding meetings at Mounts Botanical Garden on the second Friday of each month at 7:30 p.m.
Membership is $30 yearly, and benefits include:
+ Monthly newsletter – filled with informative articles about growing rare fruits and related topics.
+ Propagation classes – members learn how to graft & air-layer tropical fruit trees.
+ Annual Ice Cream Social – for members and their guests only; the ice cream is handmade with fruits grown by members.
+ Plant Sales – members can bring fruit trees and edible plants to sell to the general public.
+ Organized field trips to regional fruit tree collections and plantings.
+ Periodic field trips to member yards and local orchards.
+ Volunteer opportunities for many interesting & exciting committees and events.
In addition, specially formulated fertilizer is offered at a discount for RFC members.
For more information about the Palm Beach Chapter of the Rare Fruit Council International, Inc., please call 855.732.7273 or visit www.pbrarefruitcouncil.org.
CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH ANNOUNCES‘I HAVE A DREAM’ EVENT
Boynton Beach, Fla. — (August 20, 2021) The City of Boynton Beach will celebrate the anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s iconic “I HAVE A DREAM” speech with a FREE, family-friendly event. The event will take place on Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 12 pm – 4 pm at the Boynton Beach Amphitheater at Centennial Park (120 East Ocean Avenue). The event will feature food trucks, non-profit organizations, games and kids’ activities, music and entertainment, and a Student Art Showcase at the Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center (125 E. Ocean Ave.). Miami Sound-Byte will be the headliner. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. The Health Care District of Palm Beach County will offer free Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines to attendees 18+. For more information, visit boynton-beach.org/dream, email MLK@bbfl.us, or call 561-742-6010.
Approximately twenty nonprofit organizations will be showcased, offering attendees information and fun interactive experiences. A variety of food trucks will be serving up food and beverages available for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles to utilize the City’s Sustainable AquaFill Station. The whole family will be entertained with music, Map dance performances and historical presentations.
A highlight of the event is an MLK Student Art Showcase that includes creative art expressions inspired by UMOJA (Swahili for unity). Local students submitted artwork that will be displayed for two weeks at the Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center, with an opening scheduled for Friday, August 27 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
While at the event, “Take a Selfie” and tag Facebook: @boyntonbeachcity, Instagram: @cityofboyntonbeach and include #BoyntonMLK when posting for a chance to receive a $25 Gift Card to a Boynton Beach restaurant.
Parking/Transportation:
· Free Public Parking Lot located at the corner of Seacrest Blvd. and Boynton Beach Blvd.(Enter off East Boynton Beach Blvd.)
· Accessible parking will be available.
· Free, continuous, round-trip transportation will be provided from the parking lot at Sara Sims Park.
· East Ocean Avenue and 1st Avenue will be closed.
An ASL interpreter will be provided. ADA accommodation requests can be made by calling 561-742-6241 or Florida Relay 711.
Attendance at City events is at your own risk. Per CDC guidelines, facial coverings and social distancing is recommended.
Wanted: Independent films for local film festival. The Wellington Film Festival would like to feature you and the great things you do in our great hometown. Go to WellingtonFilmFestival.com to submit your masterpiece!
Looking for short films and full-length films from student and independent film makers. Local and international films will be welcomed. Deadline is October 1st.
Save the dates for the Wellington Film Festival, November 5-7 and November 12-14. Venues will include the Movies at Wellington, the Movies of Lake Worth and St. Regis Café in Lake Worth.
Cooler days are coming but you can keep enjoying refreshing cocktails long after summer ends. South Florida’s year-long warm weather provides the perfect environment for you to join the newest trend in gardening: cocktail gardens. Making your favorite drinks from home has never been easier and we have tips on how to spice up your bar and your backyard.
What is a cocktail garden? It is the best way to make fresh, garden-to-glass drinks right in your backyard that go beyond the lime on the side of your glass, or the mint muddled in your mojito. With the right fruits, vegetables, and herbs the possibilities for creative cocktails are endless. Better yet, all of the ingredients you need are ready to be picked right in your backyard when you need them.
Cocktail gardens are changing the happy hour game – so much so that restaurants and bars across the country are jumping in on this trend too. But with a cocktail garden right in your own backyard, you won’t need to go out to enjoy your favorite drinks. Whether you are making a drink for yourself after a long day, or entertaining a crowd, you will have the versatility to make a drink without relying on sugary mixers and artificial flavors. Why should you when you have fresh produce growing right in your backyard?
The first step to any garden is to decide where to start growing. All you need is a space with sunlight and some water – that means your backyard plot, planters on the balcony, or even pots by the window can become home to your ingredients.
Fruits
If you like fruity drinks, you can start with strawberries. They’re easy to grow in hanging pots or small garden plots outside your home. If you have more space to plant a tree, Everbearing Mulberries do great in South Florida. You can muddle them in the bottom of your glass or blend to make fresh juices and purees. Pair fruits with vodka and soda water, and you have a refreshing cocktail that will make you feel like it’s summer all year long.
Vegetables
For any vegetables you are thinking of adding to your cocktail garden, you will need a larger container or garden plot and a vessel that has plenty of drainage holes. You can grow cucumbers or jalapeños, put them in a jar with your favorite liquor, and let it sit for infused drinks that pack a flavorful punch. For a jalapeño-infused margarita, cut up the peppers (with the seeds) and place it in a jar with your favorite tequila for a few days. When the tequila is slightly spicy, strain it and mix it with triple sec and lime juice for a unique twist on a classic drink.
Herbs
Herbs are key components in many of your favorite classic drinks. There’s nothing quite like fresh mint in a mojito or a julep, but there are other herbs that can take your cocktail creations to the next level. Try a sprig of rosemary in a gin fizz, sage in a gin and tonic, or thyme in a martini. Keep small pots by your windowsill or on your balcony to easily pick and muddle into your glass or throw in your shaker.
It has never been easier to save the trip to the grocery store and grow your own drink ingredients. Whether you’re hosting happy hour or looking to add to your bar cart, a cocktail garden is the best way to freshen up both the outside of your home and the inside of your glass.
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About the Authors
Carmen and Tripp Eldridge are small-scale farming experts and the current Farm Directors at Arden, an award-winning residential agrihood in Palm Beach County, FL. Managing the community’s five-acre farm, Tripp and Carmen are pioneering innovative farm-to-table living in South Florida.
About twelve years ago, I took a trip to Rome with intention of visiting relatives in Sicily and possibly stopping by to say hello to the Pope Benedict XVI at his summer home. At that time, I published the Lighthouse Point Magazine and thought interviewing the Pope would be of great interest, especially with the negative press the church had been receiving. Having a little spare time, I took a train from Rome’s Termini Station that took me about 15 miles to Frascati, a little town in grape-growing country, known for their famous white wine.
After arriving, I thought a little lunch and a sampling of Frascati wine would be a good way to start the day. I learned that it would be necessary for me to take a short bumpy bus ride to the small town of Lazio that would bring me close to the Pope’s summer home, Castel Gandolfo, located just above beautiful Lake Albano. Lately, there had been a great amount of negative press regarding the lifestyles of church hierarchy, and I was anxious to see the Pope, so we could discuss the problem he was facing with Bishops and Cardinals, who were “straying from the flock” and, of course, I would have some suggestions.
After an extremely bumpy bus ride, I was dropped off quite a distance below the Pope’s property, so it was a long trudging journey up a long driveway to the Castel. I had not made an appointment, so I was trying to think of some excuse for being so brazen. I’m sure God would forgive me for a small indiscretion this once.
I was hot and sweaty when I finally reached a courtyard and asked a guard, slowly in English, if he would direct me to the Pope. The guard thought I was joking because he began laughing, uncontrollably. I told him I was from a nationally known publication, and I would praise him for his kindness in my magazine. My kindness was completely ignored, as I was led off the property by three guards yelling, “stupido! stupido!”
Well, unfortunately, my suggestion to have the guilty Bishops and Cardinals turn in their robes for straight jackets never reached the Pope, so the improprieties in the church just seem to continue. That evening I drank a little more Frascati than I should have.
Mounts Botanical Garden Congratulates Winners of 2021 Green Schools Recognition Program
+ Boca Raton Elementary School
+ H.L. Johnson Elementary School in Royal Palm Beach
(West Palm Beach, FL – August 19, 2021) Rochelle Wolberg, Curator-Director of Mounts Botanical Garden, today congratulated the winners of this year’s Green Schools Recognition Program, sponsored by FAU’s Pine Jog Environmental Education Center. Two local schools recently received $500 each by winning the Judge’s Choice Award from Mounts for Best Vegetable Garden.
On behalf of the school, the check from Mounts Botanical Garden was accepted by fourth grade teacher Rachel Bennett.
H.L. Johnson Elementary School
1000 Crestwood Blvd. N in Royal Palm Beach (33411)
On behalf of the school, the check from Mounts Botanical Garden was accepted by PTO President Julie Highsmith.
Pine Jog Environmental Education Center’s Green Schools Recognition Program honors public and private schools in Palm Beach and Martin counties that use ongoing “green” programs, projects, and practices to instill a culture of environmental stewardship and sustainability in their classrooms, on their school grounds, and throughout their communities. Established in 2008, the GSRP has recognized over 190 schools. For more information, please visit http://www.pinejog.fau.edu/ourgreenschools/.
Mounts Botanical Garden is one of more than 20 community partners in the Green Schools Recognition Program, and Mounts board member Molly Sims participated as a Green Schools ambassador, judge, and advisor.
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 14-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.
(West Palm Beach, FL – August 19, 2021) The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County (LWVPBC)today invited concerned adults to four timely, informative, and FREE Zoom events in September and October:
Wednesday, September 1 at 6 pm
Conversations with the League:
ENSURING THAT EVERY STUDENT CAN SUCCEED
Guest Speakers:
+ Keith Oswald, Chief of Equity and Wellness for the School District of Palm Beach County, working to ensure excellence and equity in education for all children.
+ Mary Claire Mucenic, Ph.D., Director of Behavioral and Mental Health for the Palm Beach County School District, and a nationally certified and licensed school psychologist whose professional focus is mental health and wellness, positive psychology, and mindfulness.
Topic: The variety of mental health related resources offered in Palm Beach County schools. Also, an overview of efforts undertaken during September as part of National Suicide Prevention Month.
How to Connect:
To register for this Zoom Discussion, please visit:
Michael Burke, Interim Superintendent of Schools for the School District of Palm Beach County
Topic: The School District’s next five-year Strategic Plan, and how it used community input and lessons learned to inform where resources should be focused in the years ahead. Also, how revenue generated by the 2018 Referendum continues to be used in schools to benefit students, families, and the community.
Bio: Michael Burke, who was named Interim Superintendent last month, was formerly the School District’s Chief Financial Officer overseeing its $3.8 billion annual budget. As the longest-serving member of the Executive Leadership Team, he led the District’s financial and information technology divisions and worked closely with academic leadership. Burke is well regarded on the national level through his involvement with the Council of Great City Schools.
How to Connect:
To register for this Zoom Discussion, please visit:
For any concerned adults interested in joining the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County, this is the perfect opportunity to learn about this nonpartisan organization’s work in areas such as voting rights, health care, education, gun safety, national popular vote, and the environment. There also will be presentations on redistricting and revised election laws.
+ Kim Cascio-Palangio, Program Managing Director of the Cybercrime Support Network, who’s careerincludes 20 years of government service at the city, state, and federal levels.
Topic: Ways to prevent becoming a victim of cyberattack through email and other unsuspected methods.
How to Connect:
To register for this Zoom Discussion, please visit:
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
