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PALM BEACH COUNTY FOOD BANK TO EXPAND WEEKEND “FOOD FOR KIDS” PROGRAM WITH $1.6 MILLION DONATION FROM STEPHEN AND CHRISTINE SCHWARZMAN

Azwad Ahmed
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PALM BEACH COUNTY FOOD BANK TO EXPAND WEEKEND “FOOD FOR KIDS” PROGRAM WITH $1.6 MILLION DONATION FROM STEPHEN AND CHRISTINE SCHWARZMAN


Governor Ron DeSantis Helps Announce Gift, Tours Newly Completed Warehouse

(Lake Worth Beach, Fla.) – During a press conference led by Gov. Ron DeSantis today, the Palm Beach County Food Bank announced it will expand its “Food For Kids” program providing weekend meals for Palm Beach County School students and their families thanks to a $1.6 million gift from part-time Palm Beach residents Stephen and Christine Schwarzman. The Schwarzman’s gift alone will provide at least 1.5 million meals to students and their families over two years. Palm Beach County operates the 10th largest school district in the U.S., with more than 60 percent of school-age children eligible for free or reduced-price meals. The Food For Kids program is designed to help these students and their families fill nutritional gaps when they leave the classroom for the weekend.

This gift is in addition to a recent $500,000 donation from the Schwarzmans to close out the Food Bank’s capital campaign which doubled the capacity of its warehouse and distribution center. Gov. DeSantis, along with other local VIPs, toured the newly completed Food Bank facility.

“We’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact of the Palm Beach County Food Bank and are pleased to help expand this important program for schoolchildren and their families,” said Stephen Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO and Co-founder of Blackstone. “I believe that education is the passport to a better life, and I would not be where I am today without my own public school education. But students can only experience these benefits if basic needs like access to nutritional meals are met.”

“I was grateful to help announce a $1.6 million donation to the Palm Beach County Food Bank by Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman and his wife Christine,” said Gov. DeSantis. “This donation will provide over 1.5 million meals to Palm Beach County students so they receive the nutrition they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.”

Carrie Bradburn/CAPEHART

This expanded weekend food program builds on the Food Bank’s current Lois’ Food 4 Kids program, already in place at more than a dozen schools across Palm Beach County. Philanthropist Lois Pope donated $1 million in April 2020 to support the initiative that was renamed in recognition of her generosity. This new gift will expand the program to more schools in a graduated process. If the Food Bank’s full $3 million fundraising goal is met, it will make it possible to provide meals in every elementary school in the county.

“This incredibly generous seed gift positions us well on our way to meet our $3 million fundraising goal to ensure the program is in every Palm Beach County Title 1 school and that it has sustainability to serve as a safety net for years to come,” said James Greco, Vice Chair of the Palm Beach County Food Bank. “We are grateful to Stephen and Christine for their generosity, and we hope other members of our community are able to support our efforts so we can provide this service to every student in need. This gift highlights the impact that private donations can have on charitable organizations, especially during a time of tight government budgets.”

“COVID-19 has impacted families in Palm Beach County in numerous ways, and the need for food assistance is now greater than ever before.” said Jamie Kendall, CEO of the Food Bank. Children are often the most impacted from food insecurity. For some of them, the breakfast and lunch they receive at school may be the only meals they are eating each day. Weekends are especially hard without access to enough food and thousands of children go to bed hungry.” “We have analyzed the schools with the most urgent need and will start ramping up the program in these schools first. We call upon the community to grow the Schwarzman’s seed gift to help us sustain this program and meet our goal of $3.0 million.”

“We know that hungry children have a more difficult time learning and reaching their full potential, and for that reason the District created the Hunger Relief Collaboration Team (HRCT),” said Allison Monbleau, Director School Food Service Department. “These efforts truly support the District’s Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) culture and we thank those organizations such as the Palm Beach County Food Bank who provide these much-needed programs.” 

Palm Beach County Food Bank provided access to nutritious food for more than 200,000 hungry Palm Beach County residents. Since COVID-19 disrupted the county’s economy, the demand for the Food Bank’s services has tripled. While pre-COVID 19 distributions averaged close to 5 million pounds per year, the Food Bank is now distributing close to 1.5 million pounds of food per month.

The Palm Beach County Food Bank procures food from grocery stores, farmers, food distributors, wholesalers and other sources and provides it to almost 200 local community partners, including food pantries, soup kitchens and residential housing programs. Palm Beach County Food Bank programs reach families, school children and seniors, and connect those in need to available benefits and resources, including culturally appropriate food and necessities like paper towels and diapers. This process ensures families have access to food when they need it most. For more information or to donate to the Palm Beach County Food Bank, visit pbcfoodbank.org.

Upcoming events at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Azwad Ahmed
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Upcoming events at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Morikami Member Exclusive Event –

“Painting Enlightenment: Healing Visions of the Heart Sutra – The Buddhist Art of Iwasaki Tsuneo”

Friday, May 7

1 p.m.

Morikami Theater

Free for museum members

Enjoy a Morikami Member Exclusive event, a live virtual lecture in our theater on our new exhibition Painting Enlightenment: Experiencing Wisdom and Compassion through Art and Science with Curator, Paula Arai. 

Animated by stories about the biologist and visionary artist Iwasaki Tsuneo (1917-2002), this immersive presentation brings to life his motivations and the resonances he observed between scientific and Buddhist views of reality­­: interdependence, impermanence, and the fluid nature of phenomena. Ranging from classical Buddhist iconography to ephemeral beauties of nature and microscopic and telescopic wonders, he embedded his paintings with insights into the healing power of wisdom of compassion.

Morikami Film Series –

Kubo and the Two Strings

Sunday, May 9, 2021

11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

(English, 102 min., PG rating)

Morikami Theater

$5 with paid museum admission

From the acclaimed animation studio LAIKA (Coraline) comes an epic original action adventure featuring the voice talents of Academy Award winners Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey.

Kubo mesmerizes the people in his village with his magical gift for spinning wild tales with origami. When he accidentally summons an evil spirit seeking vengeance, Kubo is forced to go on a quest to solve the mystery of his fallen samurai father and his mystical weapons, as well as discover his own magical powers. 

The Way of Tea: SadoDemonstration

Saturday, May 15

12 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m.

Morikami Theater

$5 with paid admission

Observe Japanese sado, an ever-changing demonstration rich in tradition and seasonal subtleties. Involvement in the true spirit of sado — harmony (wa), reverence (kei), purity (sei), and tranquility (jaku) will bring a zen, calming perspective into one’s busy life.

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

Wellington Community Center Set to Reopen in May, Resume in-person Classes & Programs

Azwad Ahmed
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Wellington Community Center Set to Reopen in May, Resume in-person Classes & Programs

Wellington Community Center Set to Reopen in May,
Resume in-person Classes & Programs
 

The Wellington Community Center (12150 Forest Hill Boulevard) will officially reopen for programming, events, and rentals beginning on Monday, May 3rd.  Business hours for the center will be as follows:

  • Monday through Thursday                8:00 AM  to 8:00 PM
  • Friday                                                8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Saturday                                            8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Sunday                                              Closed

Community Classes & Programs
Programs at the facility will resume in May with a variety of classes for youth, adults, and seniors. Offerings include art classes, enrichment classes, fitness classes, and more. Class sizes will be limited and rooms will be cleaned and sanitized between uses. Select programs will offer both in-person and virtual options. Upcoming classes include:

  • Art Workshops (Shibori, Polymer Clay Mosaic, Wire Wrapping)
  • Balance, Strength, Core & More*
  • Bingo*
  • Pilates*
  • Senior Aerobics*
  • TuneTots
  • Yoga*, Yogilates*
  • Zumba AM*, Zumba Toning*, Zumba Gold*, Zumba Gold Chair*

*Virtual and in-person options available.
 
For information on classes, and to register, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/CivicRec, or call 561-753-2484.
 
Room Rentals

Rooms are available to rent (first come, first served) by submitting an online “Room Rental Information Request” form, available at www.wellingtonfl.gov/CommunityCenter. The center has implemented a variety of safety protocols for room reservations including mask requirements, reduced room capacities, spacing of tables and chairs, and increased sanitation efforts. For additional information call 561-753-2484 or email communitycenter@wellingtonfl.gov.

 
Stay up to date on events and activities coming up in Wellington by signing up for the monthly Play Wellington Newsletter at www.wellingtonfl.gov/PlayWellington.

 
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.

BOCA HELPING HANDS EXPANDS SERVICES IN BOYNTON BEACH

Azwad Ahmed
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BOCA HELPING HANDS EXPANDS SERVICES IN BOYNTON BEACH

BOCA HELPING HANDS EXPANDS SERVICES IN BOYNTON BEACH

Boca Raton, FL (APRIL 26, 2021)— Boca Helping Hands (BHH) has just expanded its services in Boynton Beach as part of the organization’s extended strategic plan to help more people across Palm Beach County over the next 3 years. This includes emergency financial assistance and childcare funding becoming available to Boynton Beach residents, as well as an expansion of BHH’s Boynton Beach Pantry Bag Program.


Previously limited to Boca Raton residents, BHH is making available financial assistance to Boynton Beach residents in crisis to assist with rent, utilities, and childcare expenses through its Resource Center. Following Boynton Beach, the goal is to expand the program to Lantana/Lake Worth residents and then, eventually, to the other zip codes in Palm Beach County that BHH serves.


Since the inception of the BHH Resource Center in 2003, BHH has helped over 3,800 Boca Raton families by distributing nearly $1.1 million to help with rent and utilities. As federally funded pandemic assistance and moratoriums expire, Boca Helping Hands aims to expand its financial services through Palm Beach County to serve families in crisis. Boca Helping Hands also has a strong partnership with Spanish River Church and Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services to provide emergency financial support to clients by combining resources and funds.  


The Boca Helping Hands Children’s Assistance Program (CAP) was started in 2006 out of the need to help working families pay for safe, reliable childcare so that they could maintain full-time employment. Since then, BHH has assisted nearly 700 kids and their families with over $460,000 to help cover the cost of daycare, summer camp and afterschool care, enabling parents like Daniella DiVentura to continue to work. Last year, Daniella received financial assistance for both rent and childcare costs. At the time, she was a single mom struggling to make ends meet.

“I felt so humbled – I’d never received financial assistance before in my life, so it was a weird feeling to accept help,” she said. “But at the same time, I felt so grateful, and it allowed me to continue to work. If I can’t work, I can’t do anything, so it really means a lot that people donate to Boca Helping Hands.”

 “The establishment of Boca Helping Hands’ footprint to the north prompted the decision to expand the financial assistance program for utilities, rent and the Children’s Assistance Program,” said Trina Chin Cheong, Director of Programs. “As we address the needs of various communities, the intention is to serve more areas in North Palm Beach County.”

To apply for help, documentation must be submitted to Boca Helping Hands and is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Requirements and additional information about how to apply for financial assistance can be found on the website at BocaHelpingHands.org/ResourceCenter.

Starting on April 21, Boca Helping Hands will also be expanding its food distribution schedule in Boynton Beach from four days a week to five. The Boynton Beach satellite distribution site first opened in November of 2017 and currently distributes pantry bags four days a week at the First Baptist Church of Boynton Beach (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am-12pm). Demand has steadily increased since then, growing from 355 pantry bags of groceries distributed in that first month to 1,531 bags distributed in March of 2021. As a response to the growing need within this community, BHH is adding a distribution on Wednesdays at St. John Missionary Baptist Church from 1:00pm-2:30pm starting on April 21.

Information on how to register for the Pantry Bag Program, hours, and distribution locations can be found on BHH’s website at BocaHelpingHands.org/PantryBagProgram.

In addition to receiving pantry bags in Boynton Beach, uninsured clients can also receive medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare vouchers to be redeemed at Genesis Community Health. In an effort to provide healthcare services to the economically disadvantaged, Boca Helping Hands distributed 522 vouchers in 2020 and has given out 198 vouchers to date in 2021. Currently, there is a dedicated volunteer who distributes vouchers at the Boynton Beach location; however, because we’re actively recruiting more volunteers to assist, please visit the website to confirm distribution availability at our satellite locations in Boynton Beach, West Boca, and Lantana. Vouchers are also available at the Boca Helping Hands main facility in East Boca Raton Monday-Friday from 9:00am-12:30pm.

To further support the Boynton Beach community, Boca Helping Hands has also joined the Heart of Boynton Social Service Alliance, a group of agencies that will coordinate resources to provide a safety net for Heart of Boynton residents as they navigate the road to COVID-19 recovery. The brainchild of Sherry Johnson-Frew, Program Director at the Boynton Beach Faith-Based Community Development Corporation, the Alliance will work to prevent evictions and foreclosures, provide emergency and flexible financial aid, identify resources for mental health education and family caregiving, and provide job training classes and assistance with job placement. BHH will provide job training resources to area families. BHH has already helped cover a portion of the cost of one person’s training to become an Emergency Medical Technician.



 “Building productive partnerships – like with the Boynton Alliance – is part of our strategy to maximize our impact in the communities we serve,” said Boca Helping Hands Executive Director Greg Hazle.

About Boca Helping Hands
Boca Helping Hands (BHH) is a community-based nonprofit that provides food, medical and financial assistance to meet basic human needs as well as education, job training, and guidance to create self-sufficiency. Through its various assistance programs, BHH supports over 27,000 people annually.

BHH distributes more than 80,000 pantry bags each year at four Palm Beach County locations and serves over 90,000 hot meals annually, six days per week. The organization expands access to affordable medical, dental and behavioral care through its partnership with Genesis Community Health, serving clients at clinics in Boca Raton and Boynton Beach. BHH sends weekend meals home with food-insecure elementary school students via the BHH Backpacks Program and assists working families with the rising cost of childcare through the Children’s Assistance Program (CAP).

With an increased focus on client self-sufficiency, BHH awards scholarships for qualified candidates to attend accredited vocational training classes that prepare them for careers in the healthcare, information technology, and transportation industries. BHH also offers free English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes and courses in nutrition and other life skills. Staff and volunteer mentors counsel the unemployed and underemployed in basic workplace skills and help them polish resumes and search for jobs.

Boca Helping Hands is a partner agency of The Town of Palm Beach United Way. Since 1945, the Town of Palm Beach United Way has been committed to improving lives and building strong communities throughout Palm Beach County by focusing on programs and priorities that promote education, health, and financial stability.

Charity Navigator named Boca Helping Hands a Four-Star Charity for the 14th consecutive year in April 2020. Boca Helping Hands is located at 1500 NW 1st Court, Boca Raton, FL 33432. For more information, please visit BocaHelpingHands.org.

Plant a Tree for a Mango State-of-Mind

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Plant a Tree for a Mango State-of-Mind

Plant a Tree for a Mango State-of-Mind

By Tripp and Carmen Eldridge

Are you a mango lover? Planting your own tree is easier than you think. These gorgeous tropical fruit trees produce mangoes in about five years, so if you have spot in your yard, get your shovel and get started on a fruity new adventure.

When it comes to tropical fruit, Florida is a grower’s fantasyland, and if you want to grow the king of fruits, there are many varieties to consider. Sweet, delicious, and sinfully juicy, the mango’s tantalizing flesh is the stuff of growers’ dreams. Backyard tree farmers love to compare notes on tree blooms, fruit yields, and fruit quality.

Best of all, you don’t have to be a skilled gardener to grow a winner. Mango trees are pretty self-sufficient, requiring the most attention only the first few months after planting. Once the young tree is established, it requires little care.

Did you know that South Floridians have pirates to thank for the luscious mangoes that they love so much? Mangoes arrived here about 200 years ago and have been going strong ever since. The fruit originated in Southeast Asia where it was cultivated by Buddhist monks who considered it sacred. It first appeared in India about 5,000 years ago.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the many of the modern-day connoisseurs of this decadently delightful fruit feel the same worshipful way today. Not just anyone can grow a mango tree. It needs the warmth of a tropical climate. In fact, commercial production is limited to Florida, California, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, due to climate requirements.

So, let’s get started on your tree-planting journey:

  1. Figure out where you are going to plant and make sure you have room for the tree to grow. Mature mango trees can reach heights of 100 feet with 35 foot canopies so you want to make sure you choose a variety that will fit in your space.

Mango trees are more manageable if you keep them pruned so they are kept much smaller. Dwarf mango trees are also available and are often grown in containers.

Mangos take about five years to reach maturity. Be patient. The fruit you will harvest will be well worth the wait.

Tip: If you have a pool, plant the tree somewhere else. Mangos are divine but a pool full of leaves is a disaster.

  • Choose a variety of mango that best suits your needs: Rosigold, Angie and Manilita are early-fruiting varieties and should be ready by April. Fairchild, Mallika and Cogshall produce fruit during summer. Neelum produces mangoes by the end of September.
  • Plant your mango tree in June or July. Select a small but healthy tree and choose a sunny location.
  • Keep the tree pruned, shaping it as it grows. A properly pruned mango tree should be about 15-feet in height with a complex structure of branches.
  • Don’t overwater these lovely trees. Soggy roots can be harmful.

Growing your own fruit trees is one of the perks of living in Florida, so take advantage of our tropical climate and get ready to plant!

***

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.

FIVE WAYS TO BURN FAT & TONE MUSCLE WITHOUT WEIGHT TRAINING

Cheryl Alker
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FIVE WAYS TO BURN FAT & TONE MUSCLE WITHOUT WEIGHT TRAINING

FIVE WAYS TO BURN FAT & TONE MUSCLE WITHOUT WEIGHT TRAINING

By Cheryl Alker

Many people have the impression that the only benefit of weight training is to build muscle mass and get big. The truth is however, that weight training in its various forms is also great for burning fat and toning muscle.

Even if you’ve never been to a gym or are opposed to the idea of lifting heavy weights amongst a crowd of sweaty guys please shelve your skepticism and read on.

Let’s take a look at five ways weight training can help you get to where you want to go when it comes to fitness:

1) Cardio & Resistance Training. Most people try to burn fat by cardiovascular workout alone. They may do aerobics, power-walk, play a sport or hit the treadmill. Cardio is an indispensible part of any fat burning regimen, though better results will be achieved when some kind of resistance training is included. Consider arm and ankle weights for example. Any power walking session will increase in intensity and in turn burn more calories with the addition of strap on weights at your extremities.

2) Burn fat while you sleep. Weight training burns fat by stressing out your muscles. This minor “damage” results in the ache you feel post workout. While your body is repairing the damage it’s consuming calories and as such burning fat. Hence, your workout continues even while you sleep!

3) Light weights & high reps: This is a great way to tone the muscle you already have. When you use lighter dumbbells for example to perform curls and a host of other exercises, you help stop the natural atrophy of your muscles that occurs as you get older. Not only will you experience the benefit of burning fat by consuming more energy, you will also start to look more toned and defined.

4) Heavy weights & low reps. Lifting heavy weights less often is the key to muscle growth. Body builders want to stress their muscles to the point of failure, so they achieve the greatest increase in size during the recovery period. They are in a constant cycle of “tear & repair” as their bodies respond to the increased demands put on them. Heavy weight training can help those wanting to burn fat also, when used as part of a complete training regimen. By stressing your muscles out in this way even once a week, you’re aiding in the growth, toning and fat loss processes.

5) Keep your muscles confused. The human body is extremely good at adapting itself to new conditions and physical demands. If you jog every day, your body rebuilds itself to perform that task. So too if you swim or do weight training. It’s common knowledge though that a good swimmer is not necessarily a good runner. We have to train for the specific task we want to perform. When you lift weights, your body will be stressed out initially, though grow accustomed to the practice over time. This adaptation leads to great efficiency and less energy consumption during the exercise.

By mixing up your weight training routine with different exercises, you can trick your body into thinking you’re starting something new each time you train. This keeps energy consumption at a maximum and burns more fat.

To conclude, there are many ways to achieve your fitness goals. By incorporating resistance training and weights into your regimen, you can get where you’re going faster and look a little more toned in the process.

Award-Winning Jazz Vocalist Deborah Silver & 12X Grammy Nominee Dennis Lambert Release Celebrity-Packed Remix of COVID-19 BLUES To Benefit Both The Actors Fund & Jazz Foundation of America

Azwad Ahmed
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Award-Winning Jazz Vocalist Deborah Silver & 12X Grammy Nominee Dennis Lambert Release Celebrity-Packed Remix of COVID-19 BLUES To Benefit Both The Actors Fund & Jazz Foundation of America

Featured Artists Include Tony Orlando, Melissa Manchester, Tom Wopat, Billy Gilman, Susan Anton & More!

(Boca Raton, FL – April 23, 2021) With the whole world battling the current pandemic, two extraordinary musicians from Boca Raton have come together to write and record the inspirational COVID-19 BLUES. Deborah Silver, #1 Billboard jazz vocalist, and Dennis Lambert, the 12-time GRAMMY nominated songwriter, are today releasing a celebrity-packed remix of the recording with 100 percent of all sales going to The Actors Fund (https://actorsfund.org) and Jazz Foundation of America (https://jazzfoundation.org).

“The music community has been hit particularly hard by this pandemic, and both charitable organizations are currently helping those in our industry who are struggling with COVID, so this is our way to support fellow artists and many others during this difficult time,” says Silver, who came up with this concept during her 58 days of isolation while recovering from the virus. Hailed by Quincy Jones for her “strong and sultry vocals (that) are seductive and soul-soothing,” Silver is the 2020 Broadway World Best Commercial Recording Award Winner, whose best-selling albums include Glitter and Grits, The Gold Standards and Pure Silver.

“Our goal is to have musicians and performers across all genres record the COVID-19 BLUES for distribution on all music platforms with an accompanying video,” adds Lambert, who has helmed hit records for The Four Tops, Dusty Springfield, Glen Campbell, and more.

Photo of Dennis Lambert

Among the artists who have donated their time and talent to perform on the remix are Tony Orlando, Melissa Manchester, Tom Wopat, Billy Gilman, Susan Anton, Casey Abrams, Siedah Garrett, Lisa Fisher, Allan Harris, Melissa Errico, the Sharpe Family Singers, Bernard Fowler, Daniel Emmet, Nita Whitaker, Luba Mason, Tony Tavares, Chubby Tavares, J.D. Nicholas, N’Kenge, and Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr.

In addition, many members of the general public—especially healthcare workers—contributed video segments to this remix of COVID-19 BLUES, with clips coming from Key West to India. Also heard on the recording are drummer Steve Jordan, Alan Palanker on keyboards, guitarist Ray Parker Jr., bass player Leland Sklar, Tom Scott on horns, and Mickey Raphael, who has been Willie Nelson’s harmonica player for nearly a half-century.

Photo of Deborah Silver

This new remix of COVID-19 BLUES is now accessible through such streaming services as Spotify, Apple Music, deezer, and Tidal by visiting

https://orcd.co/covid19bluesremix. The new video version will be out next week.

How to Donate:

+ Online:

Visit www.jazzfoundation.org.

Please designate your gift for “COVID-19 BLUES/Deborah Silver and Dennis Lambert.”

+ By Mail:

Send a check payable to “Jazz Foundation of America” to:

Jazz Foundation of America

247 West 37th Street, Suite 201

New York, NY 20018

Memo:  “COVID-19 BLUES/Deborah Silver and Dennis Lambert.”

Do You Really Know Who You’re Talking To?

Jon Frangipane
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Do You Really Know Who You’re Talking To?

PEELING BACK THE ONION

A Continuing Series by Jon Frangipane

Do You Really Know Who You’re Talking To?

For years you may speak to friends, or just someone you know, and think you both share common ground; that your likes and dislikes are fairly similar. Then one day, your entire conception changes when that person you thought you knew says something from left field (or right field), and suddenly your whole relationship crashes to an end.

A recent incident in my life that literally shocked me was a phone conversation with a businesswoman I had befriended and known for years. And for some reason, we began discussing the huge increase in racial unrest. Out of the blue, she asked me what my family heritage was. I told her that my mother’s family originated in Genoa in Northern Italy and my father’s family was from Sicily, on the Southern tip of Italy.

My friend was quiet for a moment and then exclaimed, “But you’re so white!”

This so-called friend of mine immediately identified herself as a racist, to my utter surprise and disappointment. At that moment, I just wondered what was going on in this highly educated women’s twisted brain. Oh my God, have I just slipped in the ratings on her Race Relations Chart? Maybe I haven’t ingested enough olive oil?

Those four words, “But you’re so white,” were all it took to open up my eyes as to who I was really talking to. As a musician, my life experiences have included meeting people of all ages, all religions and all races, many of which I’ve performed with on stages, traveling around the country. They have all remained my friends. See photos below – with Duke Ellington and Count Basie.

Duke Ellington and Jon Frangipane back “in the day”

I personally have five children. The mother of three was born to a family of German extraction and two other children born of Japanese extraction. None have experienced any racial threats. And their skin is as white as the driven snow.

Jon Frangipane with Count Basie, another jazz great

By the middle of this very century, the skin color of everyone on our planet will begin to turn a shade or two darker whether we like it or not. In the meantime, the complete global acceptance of equal rights for people of color must be uppermost in the minds of every individual living person, at the risk of the destruction of our entire planet.    

Celebrating Nat’l Women’s Health Week – Explore Hadassah’s Women’s Health & Grassroots Advocacy

Iris Sandberg
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Celebrating Nat’l Women’s Health Week – Explore Hadassah’s Women’s Health & Grassroots Advocacy

Celebrate Nat’l Women’s Health Week – Explore Hadassah’s Women’s Health and Grassroots Advocacy with Lauren Katz, Director of Grassroots Advocacy on Thursday, May 13, 7:00pm. There is no charge for this program. To register please visit:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/Hadassah3/faradvocacyhour
Upon registration you will receive an email confirmation and Zoom link.
Questions: florida@hadassah.org or call 561-498-1012.

Food Trucks & Concerts Return to the Wellington Amphitheater

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Food Trucks & Concerts Return to the Wellington Amphitheater

Food Trucks & Concerts Return to Wellington Amphitheater
in May
 

Wellington Parks & Recreation is excited to announce the highly anticipated return of food trucks and concerts to the Wellington Amphitheater (12100 Forest Hill Boulevard).
 
The popular Thursday night Food Truck & Music Series is set to return with local bands and artists accompanying approximately 15 food trucks each week. Food trucks will be on-site from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM and live music performances begin on stage at 6:30 PM. May’s performances include:

  • May 6th – Singer/Songwriter Bobby G.
  • May 13th – The Flyers Rock Band
  • May 20th – Neil Diamond Tribute by Neil Zirconia “The Ultimate Faux Diamond”
  • May 27th – Sinatra, Martin, Darin & Vail Tribute by Johnny T.

Tribute concerts are also coming back in May, with some modifications. While tribute concerts are FREE to attend, ticket registration will be required through Eventbrite. Instead of a single night, concerts will be scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM. Gates will open for entry at 6:30 PM. The same band will perform each night in order to provide more opportunities for community members to attend a particular show. May’s concerts include:

  • May 7th & 8th – Blues Brothers Soul Band
  • May 21st & 22nd – Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute by Green River

Concert registration – Tickets will become available for registration beginning on the Monday prior to each scheduled concert. Space is limited, and one ticket is required per attendee (including children, toddlers, and babies). For additional information, and to register, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/Eventbrite.
 
Masks are required for all Amphitheater events (except while eating or drinking), and guests are encouraged to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs for seating. All attendees are expected to follow all recommended social distancing and CDC guidelines.
 
To view the schedule of free events coming up at the Wellington Amphitheater, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/Amphitheater. For more family-friendly events coming up in Wellington, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/Events. 
 
Stay up to date on events and activities coming up in Wellington by signing up for the monthly Play Wellington Newsletter at www.wellingtonfl.gov/PlayWellington.

 
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.

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