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Kravis Center Board of Directors Taps New CEO

Summer Wadleigh
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Kravis Center Board of Directors Taps New CEO

KRAVIS CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS TAPS NEW CEO

Terrence Dwyer to serve as Kravis Center’s second CEO since its opening in 1992

(WEST PALM BEACH) After an extensive national search, the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Board of Directors announced Terrence W. Dwyer will take the helm of Palm Beach County’s cultural crown jewel, starting on January 11 as CEO. When the Kravis Center’s first and only CEO, Judith Mitchell, announced her retirement earlier this year, the stage was set for the first time in nearly 30 years for new leadership.

Terrence W. Dwyer

“We are thrilled to welcome Terry Dwyer as the next CEO of the Kravis Center,” stated Jeff Stoops, Chairman of the Board of the Kravis Center. “When our beloved Judy Mitchell announced her retirement, we knew that her successor would need to be a person with extraordinary vision, experience and ability to lead us into the future, and we found that person in Terry. His accomplishments at the Segerstrom Center during his tenure as CEO were remarkable in an area, Orange County, CA, that shares many similarities with the geographic market served by the Kravis Center. Terry brings not only a history of, but a current passion for, excellence, community engagement, creativity and continuous improvement that has us all very excited and energized. Combining Terry’s leadership with our stellar management team makes for a very bright future for the Kravis Center.”

Dwyer arrives at the Kravis Center via Palm Desert, CA, as the former president of Orange County’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts, a 13-year role that he left with a strong legacy of artistic achievement,   community engagement  and financial stability. Known as that county’s most prominent cultural institution, the internationally acclaimed Segerstrom Center boasts a more than $60 million budget; 47 Board members; industry-leading community programs; successful capital projects; three resident companies; and acclaimed Broadway, jazz, cabaret, international dance, classical music, contemporary theater and other ambitious performance series.

From 2006-2019 Dwyer oversaw the Segerstrom Center’s performance, community engagement and education programs, strategic planning and financial results – with the Center notably raising more than $140 million as part of its capital and endowment campaigns. Under his leadership, the Segerstrom Center’s relationship to its community was transformed  through such projects as the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza — a community gathering place for all of Orange County with free events, performances and community projects; The Center Without Boundaries – which featured art-based community partnerships to support the goals of such partner organizations as Alzheimer’s OC, CHOC Children’s Hospital, Central Culture de Mexico and Camp Pendleton among others; and the Center for Dance and Innovation – which helped develop world premieres and was home to a variety of audience development initiatives as well as the School of Dance and Music for Children with Disabilities, and the American Ballet Theater/William J. Gillespie School of Ballet, both featuring robust scholarship programs to ensure access by the entire community.

In addition to his tenure at the Segerstrom Center, Dwyer has also held leadership roles with such notable venues as the La Jolla Playhouse, The Alley Theatre, The McCallum Theatre, and the Circle Repertory Company.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Kravis Center as its new CEO,” said Dwyer. “The excellence of the Center’s artistic and community programs, and the strength of the organization developed under Judy’s leadership, is widely acknowledged. There is an undeniable hunger in these challenging times for the entertainment, inspiration and community connections provided by those programs. I am excited for the opportunity to help ensure the Kravis Center’s continued artistic success and ever-increasing impact throughout its diverse county.”

Despite the challenge of the pandemic, the Kravis Center continues to reach the community through its Kravis @ Home and Kravis Classroom Connection programming. The Kravis Center’s smaller Rinker Playhouse venue has also just begun offering socially distant performances and upcoming community events are scheduled in the ballroom.

“With programs that already reach throughout Palm Beach County,” continued Dwyer, “the Kravis Center is well positioned to respond to the changing needs of its community. As we look toward emerging from the pandemic, it will be wonderful to again share the Kravis Center’s many exciting artistic and education programs with such a supportive community. The new year will also be the perfect time to tell a new story about the evolving role the Kravis Center will play in the future of Palm Beach County.”

Dwyer holds an MFA in Theater Management from Yale’s School of Drama, a MA in directing from University of Missouri and his BA from University of Notre Dame. He moves to Palm Beach County with his wife, Amy, and says he and his family are eager to become actively involved in the community.

“I want to be among the first to welcome Terry Dwyer to the Kravis Center. I could not have been happier when I heard the news that Terry would be succeeding me”, said Judy Mitchell, the current CEO of the Kravis Center. “I have known Terry professionally for many years and watched him achieve great success in a number of performing arts venues. I will rest easy in retirement knowing that the Kravis Center will have excellent leadership not only with Terry but with the amazing senior leadership team he will inherit. I am looking forward to being a very active patron”.

“The CEO Search Committee is very pleased with the results of our national search to replace our outstanding retiring CEO”, commented Mike Bracci, Chairman of the CEO Search Committee and Kravis Board member. “In spite of the challenging COVID-19 environment, we were able to meet a number of incredibly talented candidates from across the country.  We think having the opportunity to bring in the next Kravis CEO with the depth of experience and talent of a Terry Dwyer is an amazing result.”

The Kravis Center is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach, FL. The Center’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County by presenting a diverse schedule of national and international artists and companies of the highest quality, by offering comprehensive arts education programs – serving nearly 3 million students since its inception; by providing a Palm Beach County home for local and regional arts organizations to showcase their work; and by providing an economic catalyst and community leadership in West Palm Beach, supporting efforts to increase travel and tourism to Palm Beach County. For general information about the Kravis Center, please visit kravis.org.

30th Annual Susan G. Komen South Florida Race for the Cure® Names Sabine Millen Felix Chair

Summer Wadleigh
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30th Annual Susan G. Komen South Florida Race for the Cure® Names Sabine Millen Felix Chair

30th Annual Susan G. Komen South Florida Race for the Cure® Names Sabine Millen Felix Chair

Virtual event goes bi-coastal and remains committed to its pursuit of a world without breast cancer.

South Florida – Demonstrating its commitment to never give up in the fight against breast cancer, Susan G. Komen is going virtual for its 30th Anniversary Komen South Florida Race for the Cure on Saturday, January 30, 2021. The decision to transform the live event to an engaging online and personal experience in homes and neighborhoods across South Florida was made to protect the health and safety of participants in the COVID-19 era.

Event chair Sabine Millen Felix is excited and shared that this provides a unique and exciting opportunity for family and friends from outside of South Florida to form teams and support their loved ones for this important annual event in our community. “I have friends and family across the country who are going to be able to join me at this event for the first time ever. I hope others will do as my family and friends have done and register to make this event the best one yet!”

Millien-Felix, a survivor and former Warrior in Pink, is an attorney who has been practicing law for over 30 years. She credits her close network of friends and family for getting her through her battle and is excited to be in this role as Race Chair to spread even more love and hope in the fight against the disease that affects 1 in 8 women and a countless number of men.

The event will take place with a Facebook live opening ceremony on race day recognizing the 2021 Warriors in Pink and bringing together breast cancer advocates, event partners, survivors, thrivers and their loved ones for a morning of inspiration and meaningful remembrance. Immediately following the virtual opening ceremony participants will take to their sidewalks, parks or treadmills for a safely distanced walk or run in their own communities to raise funds for the organization. Funds raised will support Komen’s work in research, care, community, and action, vital focus areas to find a cure, provide comfort and support those living with breast cancer, and advocate for access to care for all.  

“Our thirtieth anniversary is coinciding with a time when we need local support for our community more than ever,” said Sean Gross, Executive Director Florida, Susan G. Komen.  “Even though our event is virtual, we are united in raising funds to provide vital financial assistance through our expanded Treatment Assistance Program to pay for expenses associated with going through breast cancer treatment, including medications, psychosocial support, child/elder care, food, transportation, mortgage and rent payments and utilities—the things so many more breast cancer patients are going without as a result of the pandemic.”

Millien-Felix added, “The Race for the Cure raises funds for our local community and to support Susan G. Komen’s unmatched reach, leadership and comprehensive approach to fighting this disease. Our thirtieth anniversary is the time to come together safely, but with purpose to never let up in our fight for a cure even when there are challenges.  All breast cancer survivors know that challenges only make us stronger!”

If You Participate:

What: 30th Anniversary Susan G. Komen Virtual South Florida Race for the Cure

When: Saturday, January 30, 2021, 9:00 a.m. 

Where: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2617129385270988

Registration:  www.komenflorida.org/race

Sponsorships: National Presenting Sponsor for the Race for the Cure is Bank of America and National Series Sponsor is Walgreens. As of the date of this press release local sponsors include Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center/University of Miami Health System, Good Samaritan Breast Institute, WPTV, Hubbard Media, Comcast, Office Depot, South Florida Ford Dealers, LGW Media Works, and Palm Tran. For information about supporting Susan G. Komen’s South Florida Race for the Cure, please contact Denise Mariani, Development Director Florida, [email protected] or (561) 805-3780.

About Susan G. Komen®

Susan G. Komen® is the world’s leading nonprofit breast cancer organization, working to save lives and end breast cancer forever. Komen has an unmatched, comprehensive 360-degree approach to fighting this disease across all fronts and supporting millions of people in the U.S. and in countries worldwide.  We advocate for patients, drive research breakthroughs, improve access to high-quality care, offer direct patient support and empower people with trustworthy information.  Born out of a promise between two sisters, Susan G. Komen remains committed to supporting those affected by breast cancer today, while tirelessly searching for tomorrow’s cures.

Frances Fisher and the Merrell Family Foundation Establish Mental/Behavioral Health Professions Scholarship Funds at Palm Health Foundation

Summer Wadleigh
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A close up of a sign Description generated with very high confidence

Frances Fisher and the Merrell Family Foundation Establish Mental/Behavioral Health Professions Scholarship Funds at Palm Health Foundation

Students and community to benefit from advancing professionals
to close the mental/behavioral health access gap

West Palm Beach, Fla.– Palm Health Foundation, Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health, announced the establishment of two new donor scholarship funds to encourage individuals to enter and advance their education in the mental/behavioral health professions. The Frances Fisher Scholarship Fund and John T. Merrell Scholarship Fund support Palm Health Foundation’s new initiative to advance brain health in Palm Beach County by providing needs-based financial support to those seeking bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, psychology, clinical mental health counseling, school counseling and other focus areas.

According to Mental Health America’s 2021 report, “The State of Mental Health In America,” Florida ranks 48th in the nation for access to mental health care, which includes measures such as access to treatment and workforce availability. The National Alliance on Mental Illness approximates that 70% of the people who need mental-health treatment in Florida can’t get it.

Studies have shown that mental and behavioral health professional shortages impact suicide deaths. In Palm Beach County, as in all of Florida, suicide rates are higher than homicides, according to a 2019 report from the Florida Behavioral Health Association—a statistic on the rise due to COVID-19. The devastating effects of suicide are especially meaningful to Jill Merrell of West Palm Beach, who lost her husband, John, to mental illness. She and her family are channeling their grief into purpose in a meaningful way to honor John’s memory and develop more professional services for the prevention and treatment of mental illness through the establishment of the John T. Merrell Scholarship Fund at Palm Health Foundation.

“Our hope is to fund students who will become leaders in their fields, serving our community and society, and advancing new technologies and innovations in the prevention and treatment of mental illness,” said Merrell. “We are confident Palm Health Foundation will steward our fund to accomplish our goals.”

For Frances Fisher of Palm Beach, FL, she sees the new focus on advancing education in mental/behavioral health fields as an imperative of the Brain Health Innovation Fund at Palm Health Foundation where she serves as a trustee. “I am proud to support the creation of a new and needed resource to build our community’s mental and behavioral health workforce,” said Fisher. “My hope is to inspire students to embark or advance on a career helping those with mental and behavioral health challenges, especially students of color as there is a deep need for more diversity in the field.”

Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation is grateful to Fisher and Merrell for becoming the first to create funds for the new scholarships. “We are thankful to Frances and Jill for the opportunity to help them realize their philanthropic goals and address a deep need in our community for the residents who are affected the most by a shortage of healthcare professionals— people of color, the elderly, and low income residents,” said McNamara. “We welcome more donors to help us do the same.”

Individuals wishing to apply for mental/behavioral health scholarships may visit the George Snow Scholarship Fund website at www.scholarship.org. Applicants must be residents of Palm Beach, Broward or Martin County, Florida, and apply by the February 1, 2021 deadline. Needs-based nursing scholarships are also available to nurses in undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs to aid in building a highly skilled healthcare workforce. For more information, please contact Leslie Cornwell at [email protected], 561-347-6799, or Channon Ellwood at [email protected], 561-347-6799 at the George Snow Scholarship Fund.

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

Kravis Center Hosts “Five Days with Step Afrika” Presentation through Kravis Classroom Connection

Summer Wadleigh
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Kravis Center Hosts “Five Days with Step Afrika” Presentation through Kravis Classroom Connection

KRAVIS CLASSROOM CONNECTION HOSTS “FIVE DAYS WITH STEP AFRIKA” PRESENTATION
Local students learned about the history of stepping from 14 performing artists of Step Afrika!

(West Palm Beach, FL.) – Recently, The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts hosted the Five Days with Step Afrika! virtual presentation as part of the Kravis Classroom Connection. The five online performances highlight the history of stepping, two acts of the full performance, a stepping tutorial and a chance to learn more about the cast members of Step Afrika!

Step Afrika!

Step Afrika! is a dance company dedicated to the African-American tradition of stepping. It is a non-profit organization that tours nationally and internationally, presents residencies and workshops worldwide and uses stepping as an educational tool.

Students were asked to identify the unique qualities in the dances that Step Afrika! performs by looking and listening to their everyday surroundings. They were also encouraged to choreograph their own dance routine using repeating movements, patterns or steps to make music with their bodies similar to how the Step Afrika! performers create their routines. This curriculum introduced the students to communicating through art and without words.

“For over 25 years, the company has performed and taught stepping in over 40 countries across the globe and Step Afrika! is one of the largest African-American dance companies in the world today,” said Tracy Butler, Director of Education for the Kravis Center. “In light of the pandemic, we designed our online offerings to provide adults and children with additional learning opportunities through virtual platforms.”

Launched virtually during the pandemic, Kravis Classroom Connection helps students and teachers bring the arts into their classrooms in a fun and engaging way. The performances follow topics in math, science, technology, arts, history and social studies and range from grades K to 12. This innovative virtual series offers prerecorded presentations for teachers and students to view from a designated district-approved streaming platform.

“The Kravis Center is exploring new ways to keep the arts in our homes and employing virtual programs is an effective way to reach this goal,” continued Butler. “Since 1992, the Kravis Center has welcomed nearly 3 million students served by a multitude of different arts education programs that take place at the Kravis Center and throughout our local schools.”  

Through the Kravis Classroom Connection program, the Kravis Center is taking the opportunity to celebrate Black History by featuring multiple presentations each month to help educate younger generations by offering diverse perspectives to spark meaningful conversations.

Performances for Kravis Classroom Connection will be available to view for one week with two live Q&A sessions with a member of the company at the end of each week, running through the school year. Additional performance dates and details can be found on the Kravis website at www.kravis.org/classroomconnection.

The Kravis Center is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach, FL. The Center’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County by presenting a diverse schedule of national and international artists and companies of the highest quality, by offering comprehensive arts education programs – serving nearly 3 million students since its inception; by providing a Palm Beach County home for local and regional arts organizations to showcase their work; and by providing an economic catalyst and community leadership in West Palm Beach, supporting efforts to increase travel and tourism to Palm Beach County.

A Thank You to Mayor Gerwig from the Wycliffe Stiffs

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A Thank You to Mayor Gerwig from the Wycliffe Stiffs

A speech by Arthur Spector of the Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball League

Good afternoon, Mayor Gerwig and other dignitaries. My name is Arthur Spector, and I am one of three members of the Management of the Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball League. With me is our Director of Publicity, Phil Strassler, Allen Lebowitz, and Harry Klaff.

Eighteen years ago, two Wellington area retirees at Wycliffe Golf & Country Club — Marty Ross, formerly from The Bronx, and Harry Klaff, formerly from Brooklyn — organized a bunch of old men and got them to play a game they hadn’t played in 40 or more years, if they had ever played it at all. The game is known as “Stickball.” It was so popular, they made a league to accommodate the 75 players. And thus, the Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball League was born.

Marty, known by all as “The Commish,” and his trusty right-hand man, jack of all trades, utility everything, Director of Operations, Harry “the Blade” Klaff, needed an appropriate home to host the games. Stickball, although a derivative of baseball, is a creature of the players’ geography. You see, the inner big cities lack those fields of dreams you see in the movies. So the very streets, with traffic and all, are the ball fields for stickball. However, our sexagenarians, septuagenarians, octogenarians, and even nonagenarians — yes, we have had players in their 90s — are not nimble enough to dodge South Florida traffic — so Marty and Harry needed a place that could sufficiently duplicate the narrow streets of our respective yoots.

That’s where the convivial, virtuous, visionary villagers of the venerable, vibrant Village of Wellington stepped up to the plate and provided us venerable fogies with the otherwise vacant yet vital Village Park parking lot as our very own Ebbets Field, or Yankee Stadium, depending on your viewpoint, of course. The League and all of its by-now hundreds of players owe you a debt of gratitude.

Our warm feelings for the Village itself are felt just as strongly for your magnificent mayor. Mayor Gerwig has honored us over the past few years by throwing out the first pitch of the game — sometimes the actual first pitch of the season — and by visiting us when she can at other times as well. To Mayor Gerwig, a product of rural Indiana and really rural Western Palm Beach County, our form of stickball was probably initially viewed as a rather strange affair — there being no running involved in this so-called “sport.” Yet she has been a true friend of the game, the League and all of us who are privileged to be allowed to enjoy our younger days by playing this kids’ game for 90 minutes a week for a few months a year. 

At the end of each season in April the League has a luncheon where we hand out awards and other honors, enjoy some hokey entertainment, and partake in our favorite beverage — no, not beer. Egg creams. The team that wins the playoffs is crowned the champion and receives the coveted Egg Cream trophy. This year, due to Covid-19, the playoffs were discontinued midstream so we had no playoffs winner. The Covid catastrophe also caused us to cancel the luncheon. So, since there was no way for Mayor Gerwig to attend our end-of-season luncheon, we had to find a way to properly honor her for her support and for being the all around good sport she is.

I am aware that Mayor Gerwig has been bestowed many a prestigious award for her service to the community at large. Recently, I recall, she received the 2020 Home Rule Hero Award. Well, although we can’t claim to top that one, your friends at the Wycliffe Stiffs wish to present you with our own 2020 Hero Award.

It is my great pleasure to present you with this plaque commemorating you, Mayor Anne Gerwig as a Wycliffe Stiffs’ Hero. The plaque reads:

THE WYCLIFFE STIFFS STICKBALL LEAGUE HEREBY EXPRESSES ITS DEEP APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE TO MAYOR ANNE GERWIG OF THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON FOR HER FRIENDSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO OUR LEAGUE. WE ARE DEEPLY INDEBTED TO YOU AND THE PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR MAKING THE WYCLIFFE STIFFS AN INTEGRAL PART OF WELLINGTON’S EXTRAORDINARY LIFESTYLE.

The Best Read – Temple Beth Tikvah Launches 2021 Read and Discussion Season

Iris Sandberg
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The Best Read – Temple Beth Tikvah Launches 2021 Read and Discussion Season

For Immediate Release: December 28, 2020

Media Contact: Iris Sandberg, Marketing Consultant
Mobile Phone: 561-965-0216
E-mail: [email protected]

THE BEST READ – TEMPLE BETH TIKVAH LAUNCHES A STIMULATING 2021 READ AND DISCUSSION SEASON
Sunday, January 10, 2021

GREENACRES – Temple Beth Tikvah, 4550 Jog Road is launching its 2021 Read and Discussion Group on Sunday, January 10 at 10:30am with a virtual Zoom program featuring noted author Cherise Wolas discussing her critically acclaimed novel “ The Family Tabor.”

The New York Times Book Review stated that in “The Family Tabor,” “Wolas illuminates the rich, complex histories of the older Tabor generations, when they were Tabornikovs, and the sense of loyalty to one’s family history is so vivid in the novel it is practically its own character.”

Join us for an intriguing discussion with Cherise Wolas – who started writing stories as a child, later graduated the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, then became an Attorney turned Novelist is the best way to start the New Year!

The community is welcome to participate in the Temple’s Read and Discussion group facilitated by Helen Shub by calling the Temple office at (561) 967-3600 and requesting the Zoom link for the program. The Read and Discussion group is part of the Temple’s Gladys Lillian Education Programs.
Temple Beth Tikvah is a modern, egalitarian and conservative Synagogue.

Photos: Cherise Wolas
Photographers unknown

Happy Holidays from Dr. Randy Laurich

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Happy Holidays from Dr. Randy Laurich

FREE VIRTUAL WORKSHOP TO BETTER UNDERSTAND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY FROM MELVIN J. & CLAIRE LEVINE LIFEPLANNING PROGRAM ON JANUARY 20, 2021

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FREE VIRTUAL WORKSHOP TO BETTER UNDERSTAND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY FROM MELVIN J. & CLAIRE LEVINE LIFEPLANNING PROGRAM ON JANUARY 20, 2021
                                                                                                                                         WEST PALM BEACH, FL – December 17, 2020 – Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service (Alpert JFS) invites community members to attend a free virtual workshop about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for individuals with disabilities on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. The Zoom presentation is part of the Melvin J. & Claire Levine LifePlanningTM program.   Mr. Richard L. Friedkin, of Friedkin Associates will be featured. Participants will learn about eligibility benefits, how employment affects benefits, the Medicare Savings Program and ABLE Act.   “SSI is financial assistance for persons with disabilities that have limited income, while SSDI is for those that worked prior to the onset of a disability,” said Alpert JFS Director of LifePlanningTM Tami Lustig. “It can be very confusing and we’re happy to help educate members of our community on how to attain benefits that can help improve the quality of their lives.”   “We are looking forward to explaining the Social Security disability system and clearing up some of the mysteries and misunderstandings,” said Friedkin.   To register for the workshop, visit alpertjfs.org/lifeplanning/ by Monday January 18, 2021. To request reasonable accommodations for a disability, phone Lustig at 561-713-1917 or email [email protected]  at least five [5] business days prior to the Zoom session. She is also available to answer questions and provide additional information.   A number of relevant LifePlanningTM Workshops will be featured online in the coming year, with diverse topics ranging from Assistive Technology Tools Across the Lifespan to Including School, Work and Home; The Importance of Legal Planning; The ABLE Act and Special Needs Trusts; Relationships, Boundaries and Online Safety; and Being the Best Advocate for you and Your Family.   The Melvin J. & Claire Levine LifePlanningTM program offers education, advocacy, confidential consultation, and emotional support to people of all faiths and ethnicities who are caring for a loved one 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.     ###

Local League of Women Voters Partners with Solar United Neighbors to Virtually Launch Palm Beach County Solar Co-op on Jan. 14

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Local League of Women Voters Partners with Solar United Neighbors to Virtually Launch Palm Beach County Solar Co-op on Jan. 14

New Co-Op Offers Affordable Rooftop Solar

Want to Go Solar?

(West Palm Beach, FL – December 22, 2020) The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County (LWVPBC)is partnering with Solar United Neighbors (SUN) to launch the Palm Beach County Solar Co-op on January 14 to help Palm Beach County residents go solar.

Other nonprofit partners on the co-op include the City of Boca Raton, City of Boynton Beach, Climate Reality Project Boca Raton Chapter, City of Delray Beach, Elders Climate Action, Sierra Club, Southeast Alliance for Clean Energy and South Florida Regional Planning Council Clean Cities Coalition

“The co-op will enable Palm Beach County homeowners and business owners to join the growing community of people saving money by harnessing solar power,” said Laura Tellez, South Florida program coordinator for SUN. “Together, we’re building a movement to transform our electricity system into one that is cleaner, fairer, and shares its benefits more broadly.”

The co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and business owners in Palm Beach County. Together, co-op members will learn about solar energy and leverage bulk purchasing to ensure competitive pricing and quality solar installations.

After a competitive bidding process facilitated by Solar United Neighbors, co-op members will select a single solar company to complete the installations. Joining the co-op does not obligate members to purchase solar. Instead, members will have the option to individually purchase panels and electric vehicle chargers based on the installer’s group rate.

Solar United Neighbors has hosted 60 solar co-ops in Florida since 2015. According to the group’s estimates, the 1,800 homes and businesses that now have solar panels because of co-ops represent: 17+ MW of solar power, $39.2 million in local solar spending, and more than 585 million lbs. of lifetime carbon offsets.

Solar United Neighbors will host several free information sessions to educate community members about solar energy and the co-op. Individuals interested in going solar can sign up for the co-op or one of the upcoming information sessions by visiting the co-op web page at  SolarUnitedNeighbors.org/PalmBeach.

Virtual information meetings are planned for:

+ Wednesday, January 27 at 6pm

+ Tuesday, March 16 at 6pm

+ Wednesday, April 7 at 6pm

About Solar United Neighbors:

Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that works in Florida and nationwide to represent the needs and interests of solar owners and supporters. Solar co-ops are part of the organization’s mission to create a new energy system with rooftop solar at the cornerstone. Solar United Neighbors holds events and education programs to help people become informed solar consumers, maximize the value of their solar investment, and advocate for fair solar policies.

About the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County:

The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County is a nonpartisan political organization of women and men of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging informed and active participation in government through education and advocacy. The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that voting is a fundamental citizen right that must be guaranteed. For more information, please visit www.lwvpbc.org or www.facebook.com/lwvpbc.

Legacy Foundation of Palm Beach County Awards $22,050 in Scholarships to 15 Promising Young Musicians

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Legacy Foundation of Palm Beach County Awards $22,050 in Scholarships to 15 Promising Young Musicians

Over $232,000 in Scholarships for Music Lessons, Orchestra Dues,  Camps, Instruments and More Awarded Over Last Four Years

(West Palm Beach, FL – December 23, 2020) Despite the audition challenges posed this year by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Legacy Foundation of Palm Beach County, an extension of the outreach programs of The Palm Beach Pops, is pleased to announce the newest winners of Legacy Scholarships to help them continue music education.

“A total of $22,050 was awarded to 15 promising young musicians, ranging in age from 9 to 18, who auditioned virtually before a distinguished albeit socially-distanced review committee of business and cultural leaders,” says Jon Lappin, founder, president and executive director of the Legacy Foundation. “This year’s list of young recipients are all previous  scholarship winners, who will use the funds to pay for instruments, lessons, music school tuition or other performing needs.”

The 2020 Legacy Foundation scholarship recipients are:

+ Asyncritus Alfons (9) The pianist is a student at U.B. Kinsey/Palmview Elementary School in West Palm Beach.

+ Theobestus Alfons (8) A piano playing student at U.B. Kinsey/Palmview Elementary School in West Palm Beach.

+ Adrian Carchi (17) A violinist who attends the Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach.

+ Joseph Cuenco (17) A violinist who attends the Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach.

+ Kasieq David (11) A violinist who attends Don Estridge High Tech Middle School in Boca Raton

+ Julitza Geiger (15) A viola player who attends Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach.

+ Taylor Hamilton (10) A pianist who is homeschooled.

+ Aiden Ketcham (13)A student at Bak Middle School of the Arts in West Palm Beach who plays the flute.

+ Joshua Porter (16) A pianist who is homeschooled.

+ Noah Porter (15)A homeschooled piano student.

+ Danny Prieto (9) A violinist who attends West Palm Beach Junior Academy.

+ Nicholas Signo (15) A student at Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach who plays the violin.

+ Briana Ulysse (14) A violinist who attends William T. Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens.

+ Olivia Varnum (10) A violin player at the Palm Beach Public Elementary School.

+ Sarah Zarazua (1) A violinist who attends Bak Middle School of the Arts in West Palm Beach.

“I am very proud that over our first four years, we have awarded more than 115 scholarships for music lessons, orchestra dues, camps, musical instruments, and more, with a total value of over $232,000, all going to talented young people who probably couldn’t continue their personal music education without this assistance,” Lappin adds. “Previous scholarship recipients have used their funding money to continue to grow their musical abilities and excel on their chosen instrument through graduation.”

About The Palm Beach Pops and the Legacy Foundation of Palm Beach County:

Founded in 1991 by the late Music Director and Conductor Bob Lappin, The Palm Beach Pops quickly distinguished itself as a world-class pops orchestra, dedicated to preserving the American Songbook. Additionally, The Palm Beach Pops had a long history of serving the children in its community by presenting quality music education programs. Lappin’s cultural impact lives on through the Legacy Foundation of Palm Beach County, founded and led by his son Jon Lappin. For more information on the foundation, please visit www.pbclegacy.org or email [email protected].

Note: The Legacy Foundation gratefully accepts donations of funds, musical  instruments, and sponsored/named scholarships, and it seeks volunteers.

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