Wellington will host a Virtual COVID-19 Panel Discussion on Thursday, July 29, 2021, starting at 3:00 PM. Doctors from Wellington Regional Medical Center & Dr. Alina Alonso from the Florida Department of Health Palm Beach County will share updates on the latest surge in COVID cases.
Participants will hear directly from Doctors on the front lines of the pandemic, and PBC Health Department Director Dr. Alina Alonso, as they discuss vaccines and other ways residents can protect themselves and their families. An interactive question and answer session will follow the panel discussion.
WHAT: Wellington COVID-19 Panel Discussion: Wellington Regional Medical Center & Department of Health Share Updates on Latest Surge in Cases
WHEN: Thursday, July 29, 2021, from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
As another way to stay informed on the latest news and updates from the Village, residents are invited to sign up for Wellington information and updates at www.wellingtonfl.gov/Newsletter.
Wellington Hosts Iguana and Nile Monitor Awareness Seminar Wednesday, August 11th
As another way to stay informed on the latest news and updates from the Village, residents are invited to sign up for Wellington information and updates at www.wellingtonfl.gov/Newsletter.
via Pexels.com
Wellington’s Neighborhood Watch team, in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, invites residents to an Iguana & Nile Monitor Awareness Seminar on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at 5:00 PM. This educational seminar is FREE to attend and will take place via the Zoom platform. REGISTER HERE.
Participants will learn about each species, what to do if they come in contact with them, and how to report Nile monitor lizard and iguana sightings.
The Village’s Neighborhood Watch Program provides members with tools that support the safety of the community and opens communication with the Village of Wellington and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Neighborhood Watch also creates a sense of community, encourages involvement and observation, and advocates improved home security and personal safety. Block captains serve as leaders, encouraging neighborhood and business involvement.
As another way to stay informed on the latest news and updates from the Village, residents are invited to sign up for Wellington information and updates at www.wellingtonfl.gov/Newsletter.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA, JULY 2 ND – 3 RD : Jared Lee and Faith Moreno, both students and assistant instructors from Genbu-Kai Karate, traveled to Orlando to compete in the annual ISKA (International Sport Karate Association) U.S. Open tournament.
Jared placed 1st in kata (forms), kumite (sparring), and Kobudo (weapon forms), while Faith placed 1 st in kata and 2 nd in kumite. This was Faith’s first tournament. Congratulations to both on your achievements and THANK YOU for representing of our Dojo!
Faith currently trains in the karate program at Genbu-Kai, while Jared trains in all three disciplines offered at the school: karate, Okinawan Kobudo (weapons) and Batto-Do (the Japanese art of drawing and cutting with the katana).
Pictured (L. to R.) – Jared Lee, Sensei Keith Moore, Faith Moreno.
Genbu-Kai Karate is conveniently located in the Wellington Market Place Mall, for more information on the classes, please call 561.804.1002 or visit our website at www.floridagenbukai.com
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP FROM THE MELVIN J. & CLAIRE LEVINE LIFEPLANNING® PROGRAM ON AUGUST 19, 2021
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – July 22, 2021 – Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service’s Melvin J. & Claire Levine LifePlanning® program invites people with disabilities, and their parents, siblings and caregivers to attend a free virtual workshop, “Being the Best Advocate for you and Your Family,” on Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 2 p.m. via Zoom.
The workshop, featuring Lisa Math, Director of Family STAR: Support, Training, Assistance, Resources at Family Network on Disabilities, will cover laws that protect you and your family, understanding the Mental Health Parity act, effective strategies to document your loved one’s system involvement, creating the story that works for you, and recognizing your role in reducing stigma.
Lisa Math
“Being an advocate for a loved one with special needs requires perseverance, patience and passion,” said Math. ‘This presentation will include information and strategies to make you the best advocate that you can be.”
“No one understands your family better than you. Juggling doctor appointments, evaluations, assessments and more, it is important to be able to advocate, ensuring your loved one has the best quality of life possible,” said Alpert JFS LifePlanning® Director Tami Lustig, MSW. “Our goal is to help simplify things by providing community members with knowledge and tools to assist in best planning for the future.”
Tami Lustig
To register for the workshop, visit alpertjfs.org/lifeplanning/ by Tuesday, August 17, 2021. To request reasonable accommodations for a disability, phone Lustig at 561-713-1917 or email Tami.Lustig@AlpertJFS.org at least five [5] business days prior to the Zoom session. She is also available to answer questions and provide additional information.
LifePlanning® offers a number of relevant workshops with diverse subjects annually. Earlier this year, participants enjoyed learning about government benefits, assistive technology tools, the importance of legal planning, ABLE accounts and special needs trusts, relationships, boundaries and online safety, and the service and supports offered by APD: Agency for Persons with Disabilities. “Mental Health First Aid Training” is scheduled to be presented in October.
The Melvin J. & Claire Levine LifePlanning® program offers education, advocacy, confidential consultation, and emotional support to people of all faiths and ethnicities who have, or care for someone with a disability. Free workshops encourage and assist with planning for the future, providing information on education, recreation, building independence skills and vocational opportunities.
Established in 1974, Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service is a nationally accredited service provider for children, adults, seniors, and Holocaust survivors. The non-profit, non-sectarian organization is a trusted leader, with a team of nearly 200 highly skilled professionals delivering high-quality care to community members. Alpert JFS works to ensure the well-being of children and families, independence of older adults and quality-of-life for individuals with disabilities. For more information, visit AlpertJFS.org or phone 561-684-1991.
An Interview with Jim Barnes, Village Manager of Wellington, FL
By Krista Martinelli for AroundWellington.com
Jim Barnes, Village Manager, Wellington, FL
AW: What does being a public servant mean to you?
JB: Ultimately being a public servant means being able at some point to put the greater good above what my personal agenda is and what my personal point of view is. Our decisions all have to be based on that premise. It’s putting the needs of the group above the needs of one person.
AW: You have worn “many hats” leading up to Village Manager. What was your favorite role, other than your current role?
JB: Parks and Recreation Director was the best job I ever had. Your job is simply to make people happy. You’re providing a service when people are there on their off time. They attend your programs because they want to be there. It’s one of the few jobs where you actually have time to play.
AW: What makes Wellington so special?
JB: My wife and I (with our two children) moved to Wellington in 2005. Since 1977, I have lived in Palm Beach County. You might ask…Why would I want to move to an incorporated area when I could live in an unincorporated area – without paying additional taxes? I can see the benefit that you get living in a municipality – there’s that level of service. Wellington (and other cities) are most responsive to your needs. The other part of it is (unique to the Village of Wellington) at the time of incorporation in 1995/96, we had about 22,000 people – when I first started working for Wellington in 2003, we were at about 40,000 people. A lot of major growth happened (from about 2003 to 2009 before the economic downturn) – and today Wellington is home to about 65,000 people. In 25 years, we grew by over 40,000 people. In spite of that growth, you still have a sense of community. I still think that the Village of Wellington (VOW) has a feel of being a close-knit, small community.
AW: Tell us about a few things that are unique to Wellington.
JB: Everybody can find something for themselves here. Perhaps the best example is … we were able to accommodate a group of folks who play stickball. The Wycliffe Stiffs have a place to play stickball at Village Park, and we even created street signs for them, so they’d feel like they were back in the good old days in New York. I believe “The Commish” Marty Ross has a fake manhole cover that they use as home plate. We love working with Marty Ross and Harry Klaff. And that’s just one example.
We have great schools, 11 great schools to be exact. All are A-Rated schools. Even though we’re not a gated community as a whole, you still have that personalized feel and attention that you would have in a gated community or a much smaller neighborhood. We offer great recreation from toddlers to seniors. For the little ones, we offer TumbleTots with Miss Muriel, a very popular program for toddlers.
AW: Tell us about the equestrian side of Wellington. How do equestrians contribute to and shape Wellington?
JB: It’s interesting…until I started working and living in Wellington, I didn’t know the extent to which equestrians were a part of Wellington. They are a part of the Wellington “brand.” It didn’t start out as an equestrian community by design; yet it’s evolved into an equestrian community. As a part of that evolution, the brand developed as well. The equestrians affect a lot of different parts of Wellington – the real estate, the commercial side, increase in traffic in stores (roughly from Thanksgiving to Easter each year). We have many seasonal residents like farriers, people who take care of horses, people who take care of equestrian property, and they travel back and forth. There are the actual competitors and the service side of the equestrian business too. The bottom line is that the equestrians also contribute to the local economy. Based on anecdotal and empirical information the equestrian industry generates significant economic benefits to the Village, and is unique for its size, scale, and breadth of businesses, activities and services with some sectors reporting over 30% increase in business during the equestrian season. The equestrians provide a special brand identity, and the equestrian developments drive a portion how the Village also looks. In the past 5 to 10 years, there has been more overlap between the equestrian and the non-equestrian worlds within Wellington.
AW: Describe the new recreation facility at Wellington High School. How did that project come together?
JB: It’s a great facility – it’s a win/win for the Village of Wellington residents. Plans were started at for the Greenbriar Park facility, but before that design was completed, we thought of other opportunities that were outside of the box. We decided to look at Wellington High School, seeing as their practice fields were existing but not in great shape. Next, we sat down with the Palm Beach County School District staff. We developed fields that are both available for the school and for the community. There are 4 multi-purpose fields (the super pitch), 3 outdoor basketball courts, and 8 tennis courts. Fun fact: the super pitch is the biggest synthetic turf field in Florida. We also renovated the school’s stadium field. From 6pm to close in the evenings, the Village of Wellington can use the facilities except the stadium field.
AW: How do you work with the Village Council?
JB: The Village Council is like a corporate Board of Directors; they oversee the big picture and set policy. The Village Manager is like the CEO of the day-to-day operations and implements the Council’s vision. The Council only has two employees that report directly to them – the Village Manager (me) and the Village Attorney, Laurie Cohen. We have meetings open to the public on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at 7pm. These meetings are listed on our Village of Wellington website – and you can watch past Village meetings on the website too. We also have agenda review meetings which are on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month.
In addition, I try to meet with them (the Village Council members) individually on a regular basis. Part of the Sunshine Law is that two or more council members cannot meet unless it’s held as a noticed public meeting.
AW: How is the Village of Wellington prioritizing diversity?
JB: It’s always been something that we’ve done. It’s part of the Village’s DNA. That doesn’t mean we always could not do better and always improve. In the last year, inclusion, equity and diversity have become more commonplace in workplace discussions. We’re not the epicenter of a lot of things happening in the rest of the state or the country. We held Juneteenth/ Redteenth at the Wellington Amphitheater on June 19, 2021, for the first time. That term–Redteenth–refers to the melding of World Sickle Cell Day and Juneteenth into one event. The point: to raise awareness and support for those affected by Sickle Cell Anemia and also commemorate Juneteenth, which is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. The whole event was very well-received, and it will grow each year.
We need to look through an equity lens when we look at different things, our workplace practices, hiring, and programs in the community. We need to be better about providing programs for everyone in Wellington. It’s a continuous process for us. It isn’t a one and done, it’s an evolving work in progress.
AW: Tell us about your family.
JB: I’ve been married to my lovely wife Kim going on 31 years with our anniversary coming up on July 28th. We make it really easy for people – “we’re Kim and Jim.” Our kids are Kyle (23) and Devyn (21). Kyle is in graduate school at the University of Michigan studying conservation/marine biology. Devyn is at UCF studying advertising and PR. We also have a short hair dachshund named Tucker.
AW: What was your experience prior to your roles for the Village of Wellington?
JB: I worked both in the public and the private sector. I worked as a planner and project manager for an engineering consulting firm. At the County level, I also worked as a project manager and planner for permitting, planning and development of public facilities.
AW: What was it like growing up in the Philippines?
JB: I was born and raised there and moved to the US when I was 11. Largely it’s the same climate-wise Lots of humidity, sunshine and rain. I think this background gives me an interesting perspective. I still have family in Philippines, Spain and here in the U.S and fortunately still speak Tagalog and also speak Spanish. Living in another country broadens your perspective in general. I have fond memories growing up there as we lived right next door to my grandmother and her family. Surprisingly, my mom was 47 and my dad was 56 when they were blessed with me. Being the youngest child and a late-in-life child of older parents also benefitted me with a different perspective on things.
A Final Note from Jim Barnes:
I appreciate the opportunity to be Wellington’s next Village Manager. It has been an honor to serve our community for the last 17 years in various capacities and I look forward to serving in this new capacity. I’m fortunate to stand on the shoulders of those who came before me and alongside of an experienced and solid team of staff members. Together, we will work in partnership with Village Council to serve the residents and our dynamic business community of Wellington.
Please be advised that Wellington is a public entity subject to Florida’s broad public records law under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. Most written communications, including email addresses, to or from Wellington employees and elected officials regarding city business are public records and are available to the public and the media upon request. Your email communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure. If you do not want your email address to be subject to disclosure as a public record, please do not send electronic mail to Wellington. Instead, contact the city by telephone at (561) 791-4000.
Editor’s Note:As the Village of Wellington is 25 years old this year, Village Manager Jim Barnes tells us that there may be a celebration later in the year. They were waiting to get beyond Covid-19 to celebrate. Thanks to Jim Barnes for being such a pleasure to interview.
Lynora’s Celebrates National Lasagna Day 2021 With Half-Priced Lasagna
Palm Beach County, Florida – The origins of National Lasagna Day layer deliciously with over four historical decades of the Abbenante family serving new generations of South Floridians their authentic dishes. On Thursday, July 29th, the family invites everyone to celebrate with their version of lasagna, Pasticcio, half-priced for only $12 during lunch and dinner service.
The ancient Greek word “lasagna” originated from the word “laganon,” the earliest form of pasta — wide and flat. Ancient Romans crafted a similar dish called “lasanum,” which was Latin for “a container or pot.” The dish we all love today got its name more from its cooking method rather than its ingredients. Most Americans visualize the lasagna style that first showed up in the Middle Ages in Naples, Italy, with recipes arriving via our Italian immigrants.
Keeping true to its old-world traditions, Lynora’s lasagna has a Greek name: “Pasticcio.” The wildly craved dish offers a lighter twist on the classic Italian recipe. It features crepe lasagna layers, classic meat-based Bolognese sauce, and fresh mozzarella, topped with a creamy white béchamel sauce.
“This was one of my great-grandmother Lynora’s favorites,” shared co-owner Angelo Abbenante. “Her Pasticcio recipe substitutes thin crepes for pasta, resulting in a lighter dish without compromising flavor,” he said. “She’d love knowing families will enjoy it together.”
Reservations for National Lasagna Day at Lynora’s are encouraged and can be made via Lynoras.com.
Want to visit another time? At Lynora’s, every day is a reason to celebrate. “Meatball Mondays” feature $2 meatballs, $5 classic martinis, and $8 Margherita pizzas. Daily Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m. offers special pricing on select menu items and half-off drinks (7 p.m. at the bar). “Wine Wednesday” offers half-off select bottles of wine. And weekend brunch boasts bottomless cocktails, Sangria by the pitcher or Veuve Clicquot by the bottle.
Lynora’s, one of South Florida’s most iconic restaurants, first graced Palm Beach County in 1974 with homemade, hand-crafted Italian items like hearty meatballs made daily with fresh mozzarella made on-site and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Maria Abbenante, the family’s matriarch, spent her childhood cooking alongside her mother Clementina and grandmother, Lynora. Owner Angelo Abbenante credits his mother for the business’s inspiration and growth and conceptualizing new menu items. Visit Lynora’s in Tequesta, Palm Beach Gardens, and West Palm Beach, or check out lynoras.com to shop their pasta, sauces, and oils. Follow @lynorasrestaurant for news on upcoming openings in Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale.
An Interview with Rolando Chang Barrero of the Box Gallery
An Interview with Meredith Ockman of the PBC Human Rights Council
By Krista Martinelli for AroundWellington.com
Artist and Owner of the Box Gallery Rolando Chang Barrero in front of the Pajaro Pride Wall
AW: Rolando, what was your inspiration behind the Pajaro Pride Wall Project?
RCB: I try to do something unique every year for Gay Pride. This year I was given the opportunity to work with the Mexican Consulate in Miami, and it was for their first indoor pride exhibition in a Latin American country’s space, at their embassy here in Florida. I wanted to create a whole wall of birds (pajaros). I didn’t want to do it by myself, so I asked my friends from the LGBTQ community to participate. Over 100 different artists from all around the world took part, including Europe, Mexico, but mostly from right here in West Palm Beach. The pajaros will be auctioned off in a silent auction on Saturday night (7/24/21) at 7pm at the Box Gallery in West Palm Beach. Starting bid for each one is $100.
AW: Tell us about the pajaros. What do they mean to you?
Pajaros, each created by different artists from the LGBTQ+ community
RCB: I started making them during the Aids pandemic. The word “Pajaro” started out as derogatory term for a gay person – like “fairy.” Later it was reclaimed and made into a positive word.
Many of my friends became disenfranchised from their families and ended up dying alone. A lot of my friends got cremated. We were left with a memory and a name, and that was it. I made wood cut outs and epitaphs on a bird. I was in my twenties when this was happening in the mid-80s. In my first piece titled “Morbid Morbidity,” you’ll notice that the eyes of the pajaro (bird) are crying blood.
Morbid Morbidity by Rolando Chang Barrero, Rolando’s first painting depicting his iconic pajaros.
My next piece was titled “Til the Cows Come Home” and it was about all the amendments. After that, my next piece was a political one titled “Jessie Helms in the Garden of Adam & Steve.” It was created on the bedsheets of my ex who died. Actually, all three of these pieces were done on bedsheets, adding an intimacy to the pieces.
You’re heard of Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?”
In the gay community, we sing, “Nobody has power over my joy.”
Visit PajaroPride.com for more information on the pajaros and the project.
AW: Tell us about the Silent Auction. Who benefits? What kinds of items will be auctioned off?
RCB: I knew I wanted to support the PBC Human Rights Council because of their amazing work in really looking carefully at how laws adversely affect the LGBTQ+ community and how other laws need to be put in place. The Board Members are all very astute and intelligent people. They respond as things come up, but also have the foresight to comb through laws that exist, laws that have the potential of being detrimental to our gay community. And they correct them to be inclusive, to be fair. A lot of laws in the past weren’t necessarily aimed to deny us, but they didn’t take us into account either. They’ve tackled a lot of work and made the language inclusive of a broader community today.
Then the organization SAVE LGBT came into play – it’s located in Miami. I wanted to raise their name. I asked Rand Hoch, President of the PBC Human Rights Council, who the best recipient in Miami and who the best choice would be, and he didn’t hesitate to mention them.
The Silent Auction will include over 100 pajaros. These were created in collaboration with myself and stylists, designers and others.
AW: What are the details of the event? Date? Time? Place? Timing of auction? Other aspects of the event? Free to attend? Website?
RCB: The preview of the event has already begun. The Pajaro Pride Wall can be seen from 7pm to 9pm, in conjunction with Arts United of Broward County. During the week people can come from 1pm to 4pm to preview the art or by appointment. All of the pajaros are on Instagram and also on PajaroPride.com – all bids all start at $100. The Final (Silent Auction) takes place July 24th from 7pm to 10pm. Then at 10pm the silent auction closes both online and at the Box Gallery. The 12-year-old singer (who won the AW singing contest recently) Carly Cantor will be performing “I Am What I Am,” as well as one other special song. Our guest bartender Avion Goordeen – a young Trinidadian philanthropist and scientist – will be on board, serving up drinks. Goordeen is a huge help in raising funds for the LGBTQ+ community. Our MC will be Ab Fab, otherwise known as Chris Rhoades. There will be a suggested donation at the door of $10, which gets you 2 drink tickets.
12-year-old singer Carly Cantor to perform on July 24th at the Pajaro Pride Wall Project event, also the winner of our recent AroundWellington singing contest
AW: How long have you owned the Box Gallery? What makes it unique? What is your next exhibit after this event?
RCB: The Box Gallery is 7 years old. Our next exhibit deals with Crispr and Molecular ethics in the arts, the science of genetic modification. It deals with people who are genetically modified and genetic biotechnology. We will feature 3 artists. We will be inviting ethics speaker Peter Cruise, who will be our guest of honor. Cruise has PhD in Ethics and is the Executive Director of FAU (Lee Collins), Chair of Palm Beach County commission on ethics and on the inspector general committee.
When it comes to our exhibits, if it’s critical, and it’s academic, and quite possibly volatile, I make a point of finding artists or creating art that addresses these issues in a way that people can contemplate them without feeling that they need to make a choice or pass judgement on the pieces (right, wrong, good or bad). The Box Gallery serves as a Think Tank for visual communications.
AW: Tell us about your background as an artist.
RCB: I was the first-born child of exiled parents from Cuba. I grew up aware of a conundrum and was caught in it. On the one hand, we were raised to be grateful and patriotic and thankful to have been given a home in the US. And at the same time, we were aware that while it was a gift, it was a result of very complex policy. A policy that this country reneged on, forced us to leave the dead on the beach in the Day of Pigs and run here for safety. So, it’s always been a very challenging and tumultuous relationship emotionally. I am mostly a child of the 60’s amidst our reality and the reality of this country’s race, where there were riots between black and white. And, as a Cuban American, I felt different, knowing we had no place in these conversations. Yet, even as 3rd class citizens, we could never be less than grateful. We were given the gift of safety.
To this day, I will fight for this country tooth and nail, understanding all the complexities that come along with it. I am the first-born American patriot of this country. I wanted to be a Navy Seal when I was a kid. I grew up very pro-USA. In general, first generation of children of exile tend to be hyper-patriotic, most likely because of the safety net that was thrown at our families at a pivotal point in our lives.
As an artist, I didn’t know I could write as a kid, so I relied on visual language. English was a 2nd language to me, and I never thought I would master it. I fully relied on visual communications. By the time I got to college, I was writing for the Windy City Times in Chicago and had mastered visual communications and understood the press, because I wrote for the press. I bring to the table an understanding in the arts; you could write the most beautiful poem, create the most beautiful image, but unless it gets ink, it never happened. I have been able to master both. My talent is to create work that makes a difference, exhibit work by others that makes a difference and get it in print, so it matters.
Every sale is as cathartic as a death- the experience was beautiful while it was yours, the making, the creating, the relationship you have with the piece. You bare your soul. You are vulnerable. You’re 100% vested. And then it dies. And it’s in someone else’s hands. And then you get to sit around at the funeral parlor and listen to everybody’s version with your loved one. Interestingly enough, you find out more about them than the person you loved.
Although I’m aware of making many mistakes in my life, I am currently considering running for public office. I would need someone to carry on my work as an activist if I were to take that step though.
AW: On the date of the Pajaro Pride Wall Project (July 24th), 12-year-old Carly Cantor will be singing “I Am What I Am” by Shirley Bassey. Why did you choose this song? What does it mean to you?
See the video below.
AW: Rolando, how are you politically active? In what ways are you making a difference?
RCB: I am the person who notices where a “t” needs to be crossed and an “I” needs to be dotted. I am a political underwriter. I make sure the messaging is correct and has the correct social justice grammar. I’m always aiming for the biggest impact and the biggest benefit. I abhor focus groups and separatist groups. Every one that succeeds in this makes it that much more difficult for others to have to cross over. I try to assure that the voice of the intersectional community is considered if not amplified. I serve as President the Palm Beach County Democratic Hispanic Caucus. I’m a delegate also for the Democratic party in my district. I’m also the district representative of the FL LGBTQ+ Democratic caucus. I was appointed District 5 SWA’s Small Business Advisory Committee (SBAC). I was invited as Juror of The Congressional Art Competition for Florida’s District 21. I was elected as VP of the West Palm Beach Democratic Club. I was honored with an invitation to the 46th Presidential Inauguration.
Aside from all of that, I’m just a human being representing other human beings.
AW: Anything else you’d like to add about the event?
RCB: For less than the price of a few cocktails, you can make a difference by supporting the PBC Human Rights Council and walk away with a fabulous work of art… by artists who make a difference in this world.
An Interview with Meredith Ockman of the PBC Human Rights Council
AW: Meredith, tell us about the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council. How did you get involved?
MO: The PBCHRC was founded by Rand Hoch in 1988 and has achieved getting over 160 laws changed to support LGBT people in our communities. When I came out of the closet in 1997, I got kicked out of my family. I didn’t want others to have the same experience, so I put my love and effort into helping the community.
In 2003, I was working for Compass when we partnered with PBCHRC to change the Palm Beach County School Board policy to support students against harassment based on actual or perceived sexual orientation.
Meredith Ockman of the PBC Human Rights Council
AW: Why are LGBTQIA issues important to you? How does this event support that community?
MO: I believe we should have freedoms to love the people we love and do the things that make us happy, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else. I believe that people should have the freedom to express themselves and celebrate their individuality. I believe our families and friends should be protected, legally and emotionally as much as possible.
Rolando is taking this opportunity to change hearts and minds through public and financial support for the work and efforts of PBCHRC.
AW: How long have you known Rolando?
MO: I’ve known Rolando for about 4 or 5 years. We have worked on different parts of the same organizations. He’s a good person with a huge heart and a dedication to the community that I love.
AW: Meredith, what other organizations have you been involved in and what role have you played?
MO: I served on the board of National Organization for Women for 10 years, was a member of Palm Beach County Commission on Women Advisory Board and the other organizations can be found on my “About” section of the PBCHRC website: http://www.pbchrc.org/about-us
AW: How old is PBCHRC and what is its main mission? What kinds of projects do they do?
MO: PBCHRC was founded in 1988 by Rand Hoch (the current President). Their list of accomplishments is amazing. Just visit their website for all of the information: Palm Beach County Human Rights Council (pbchrc.org)
AW: Meredith, anything you’d like to add?
PBCHRC is an all-volunteer organization and depends on the support of the community to continue having the impact to change the community for the better. I would like to thank Rolando for his continued friendship and support.
***
Shop Limited Edition artwork by Rolando Chang Barrero.
Writer Krista Martinelli is also the Founder/Editor of AroundWellington.com, the online magazine, bringing you “good news” and “a journalistic breath of fresh air.” She is an active mother of two teenagers and enjoys visiting the Box Gallery and hanging out at Village Music to see live music on the weekends. See AroundWellington.com’s “Mission Statement.” And best of all, “Subscribe” so that you can receive a weekly newsletter with stories like this one.
Celebrate the High Holidays in prayer and with the delicious healthy High Holiday dishes you learned to prepare from Chef Jenn Louis at the virtual cooking demo offered by the Hadassah Florida Atlantic Region on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 7:00pm EST.
Join renowned Chef Jenn Louis – cook, author, teacher and advocate for the homeless as she shows participants how to make recipes from her cookbooks: “Pasta By Hand,” “The Book of Greens,” and The Chicken Soup Manifesto.”
Chef Jenn, a competitor in Bravo’s Top Chef Masters, awarded the “Best New Chef Award” by Wine & Food Magazine 2011, and two-time nominee for the James Beard Foundation Award of Best Chef: Northwest, provides homemade meals to homeless tent camps in the Portland, Oregon area. If this wasn’t enough, when cooking demo participants order cookbooks available through her website www.jennlouis.com, Chef Louis will donate 10% of sales back to Hadassah!
Be a part of the Healthy High Holiday cooking demo at the cost of $36.00 per person. To register, please visit: https://hadassahflorida.networkforgood.com/events/30084-far-chef-jenn Upon registration you will receive an email confirmation with the link to the virtual Healthy High Holiday cooking with Chef Jenn Louis. Funds earmarked for Operating Room – Round Building at Hadassah Hospital – Ein Kerem. Additional levels of Giving available. The Hadassah Florida Atlantic Region serves 50 chapters in Palm Beach, Martin & St Lucie Counties. Its office is located at 1325 S. Congress Ave., Suite 209, Boynton Beach, FL 33426, 561-498-1012, florida@hadassah.org.
Hadassah Florida Atlantic is part of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA). Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA), is the largest Jewish women’s organization in the United States. With nearly 300,000 members, Associates and supporters, Hadassah brings women together to effect change and advocate on such critical issues as ensuring the security of Israel, combating antisemitism and promoting women’s health. Through the Hadassah Medical Organization’s (HMO) two hospitals in Jerusalem, Hadassah delivers exemplary patient care to over a million people every year and supports world-renowned medical research. HMO serves without regard to race, religion or nationality.For more information, visit www.hadassah.org.
Get ready to shout “Salud Saturday!” Here are five day-or-night drinking destinations to celebrate National Tequila Day, July 24, in Palm Beach County.
Barrio (InHouse Creative)
Barrio in West Palm Beach will be pouring salud-worthy sips like the Spicy Pineapple Margarita($11), a boozy señorita brimming with jalapeño tequila, blue curaçao, pineapple purée, and fresh lime.
Barrio is located at 700 S. Rosemary Ave., Second Floor, West Palm Beach. For more information, visit barriowpb.com or call (561) 366-0071.
Barrio’s sister restaurant, City Cellar will feature the sophisticated Golden Margarita ($14) and Flora Del Sol ($14.50), a sophisticated summer brew loaded with Casamigos Blanco Tequila, St-Germain liqueur, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Enjoy daily happy hour from 4-7 p.m. featuring half priced drinks ($2 off), appetizers, and pizzas.
City Cellar (InHouse Creative)
City Cellar is located at 700 S. Rosemary Ave., Second Floor, West Palm Beach. For more information, visit citycellarwpb.com or call (561) 366-0071.
Enjoy en plein air cocktails and a conga line of people watching at City Oyster in Delray Beach. The Atlantic Avenue hotspot will be serving its Tequila Basil Smash($12.50), the perfect sip to enjoy during an afternoon of Olympic power shopping. Happy hour aficionados can toss back 2-for-1 cocktails along with beer and select wines daily from 4-7 p.m.
City Oyster is located at 213 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. For more information, visit cityoysterdelray.com or call (561) 272-0220.
Happy Hour is the perfect time to celebrate a national drink holiday with convivial sips at Josie’s Ristorante in Boynton Beach. The family-owned Italian hotspot caters to a loyal craft cocktail crowd and the La Paloma ($8.50) is a popular, tequila-drenched favorite. Grab a seat at the bar and tuck into happy hour bites and drinks from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to Close daily.
Josie’s Ristorante is located at 1602 S. Federal Hwy, Boynton Beach. For more information, visit josiesristorante.com or call (561) 364-9601.
Tucked in Palm Beach Gardens, the celebrated III Forks Prime Steakhouse will be pouring creative tipples like the Spicy Strawberry Margarita ($13) with Casamigos Blanco Tequila, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, Strawberry Reál, and Monin jalapeño syrup. Or try the flirty Tangarita ($12), loaded with Herradura Reposado Tequila, Cointreau Orange Liqueur, Mango Reàl, fresh lime juice, and tamarind nectar.
III Forks is located at 4645 PGA Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens. For more information, visit 3forks.com or call (561) 630-3660.
FoundCare, Inc. Hosts Free Back-to-School Vaccine Event Students to receive COVID vaccines and free backpacks filled with school supplies
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – FoundCare, Inc., a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center, is hosting a Back-to-School Vaccine Event on Saturday, July 31 from 8 a.m. to noon at its FoundCare Pediatric North office. Located at 5205 Greenwood Avenue, Suite 150 in West Palm Beach, the free event is open to all vaccine-eligible children aged 12-years old and older. Parents are invited and encouraged to get vaccinated with their children.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been authorized for use in children ages 12 to 18 by the CDC and will be administered on-site. Parents are asked to bring their children’s COVID vaccine records, as well as their own, if they have received the first shot. Second doses will be scheduled at the same location on August 21. Students who receive a vaccine will get a backpack filled with school supplies while supplies last. Children must be present to receive a free backpack.
Pre-registration is now open for the Back-to-School Vaccine Event. Parents are strongly encouraged to pre-register all vaccine-eligible children online at https://foundcare.org/B2SVaccine. Pre-registration will close on Thursday, July 29. Although pre-registration is strongly encouraged, on-site registration will also be available.
“We want to make sure students are prepared for the new school year,” said FoundCare CEO Yolette Bonnet. “We especially want to be sure they are vaccinated against COVID and are able to start the first day of school with the supplies they need. FoundCare was the first drive-through testing site in Palm Beach County at the start of the pandemic and we have been a trusted provider throughout. We hope families will use this opportunity to ensure their students are best positioned for success and good health in this pivotal academic year.”
Sponsors for the event include Sullivan Benefits/OneDigital, Palm Health Foundation and the Merrill G. and Emita E. Hastings Foundation.
To help further its mission of fulfilling unmet healthcare and social service needs of individuals and families in Palm Beach County, FoundCare offers pediatric and adult primary care, chronic disease management, behavioral health services, dentistry, laboratory services, women’s health (including screening mammography), X-rays, and an on-site pharmacy. FoundCare’s services are accessible throughout their locations in Palm Beach County, with their Palm Springs center conveniently offering all services in one location. By providing quality healthcare to the Palm Beach County community, FoundCare serves as a healthcare home to patients of all ages.
FoundCare accepts most insurance plans, Medicaid, Medicare and self-pay on a sliding fee scale based on household size and income. For more information about the free vaccine event and general information about FoundCare’s services, please call 561-HEALTHY (561) 432-5849 or visit http://foundcare.org.
