Wellington’s Village Park Gym, Aquatics Complex, and Community Center will be closed on Monday, January 18, 2021, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
Wellington’s Tennis Center will be open for normal hours, from 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM For information on the tennis facility or programs, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/Tennis.
The following parks will be open from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM—Tiger Shark Cove (playground and ballfields); Scott’s Place; the Environmental Preserve at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat (Section 24); Olympia Park; Community Park; Village Park (walking path and playground); and the Wellington Green Park (10-acre site). For additional information on Wellington Parks and Facilities, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/Parks.
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 Continues Partnership with Feeding South Florida for Weekly Food Distributions
Wellington continues to collaborate with Feeding South Florida to distribute meals at The Mall at Wellington Green on Tuesdays this January. The FREE food distribution is on a first-come, first-serve basis, while supplies last.
Wellington staff and volunteers distribute fresh produce and perishable food items, provided by Feeding South Florida, to those in need.
WHAT: Wellington & Feeding South Florida Food Distribution
WHEN: Every Tuesday from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
WHERE: The Mall at Wellington Green 10300 Forest Hill Blvd, Wellington, FL 33414 (Nordstrom’s Parking lot between Dillard’s and Macy’s)
Wellington is proud to support Feeding South Florida’s mission to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and the rapidly evolving and increased food needs of those who are food insecure in our community. For a complete list of other local food distribution sites, visit Feeding South Florida’s COVID-19 web page.
To ensure the health and safety of volunteers and community members, we must adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 guidelines. Drivers and their passengers must remain in their vehicles and open their trunk or window when it is their turn in line.
A special thanks to The Mall at Wellington Green and Starwood Retail Partners for providing the space to accommodate this distribution. Wellington is grateful for their continued support during this difficult time.
For information and additional community resources during the COVID-19 Pandemic, please visit the Village’s Coronavirus Information web page.
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.
For information about other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visit www.wellingtonfl.gov or watch WellingtonTV for the latest happenings.
THE HISTORY WITHIN – TOUR THE WESTERN WALL TUNNELS WITH HADASSAH January 28, 2021
BOYNTON BEACH, FL – The Hadassah Florida Atlantic Region invites all Adventurers – to see the history within – by taking a virtual tour of the Western Wall Tunnels in Jerusalem, Israel on Thursday, January 28 at 7:00pm (ET). Presented by The Western Wall Heritage Foundation, this 360 LIVE moving 3D tour is with a guide who takes us to see hidden underground treasures.
Hadassah believes that each of us has the power to heal our world, to connect with others, to be inspired, to create change. Act now to register for this uniquely meaningful tour at the cost of $36.00 per attendee. Visit to register https://bit.ly/3nAA78s. Important note: participation limited to the first 50 people who register for the tour as suggested by thekotel.org. Upon registration, you will receive an emailed confirmation with the link to the virtual tour.
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. Hadassah Florida Atlantic is part of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA). HWZOA is a leader in medical research and development evolving out of its hospitals in Israel that is shared with the world and is a strong proponent of domestic advocacy initiatives. Visit Hadassah website to learn more: www.hadassah.org.
Photograph from The Western Wall Heritage Foundation – thekotel.org Photographer unknown
A sincere Happy New Year to you and your families. We hope you enjoyed our festive lights and activities held around our Great Hometown throughout the holiday season. The beginning of the New Year is a perfect time for us to reflect on the previous one and to determine our resolutions for the upcoming year. 2020 will be long remembered as an unprecedented year of uncertainty and hardship, which tested our community’s strength. As we look ahead, let us focus not on trials but the triumphs of the past year. During this time of social distancing, our community has managed to come together in heart-warming ways. Whether through food distribution events, drive-by parades and birthday parties, and numerous virtual community celebrations. As we look ahead, let us focus on joy, happiness, hope, friends, and family.
This January we will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day and pay tribute to his belief that a person’s worth should not be measured by the color of their skin, culture, or class, but rather by their commitment to creating a better life for all and dedication to servicing others.
I encourage everyone to help promote Dr. King’s legacy by searching for opportunities to help others in the community. Remember, no good deed or kind gesture is too large, or too small. To learn about volunteer opportunities in Wellington, visit Wellingtonfl.gov/Volunteer.
Wellington’s Parks and Recreation Department will offer several exciting and activities for the entire family this year. While our events may look a little different this month, as we continue to work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we look forward to getting our community back on track after a long year of social distancing. Visit our website Wellingtonfl.gov for a complete list of events and happenings around Wellington this month.
If one of your resolutions is to get outside, stay active, and have some fun, spending more time at our wonderful local parks will keep you on the right track. Nature lovers can enjoy seeing dozens of animal and plant species by exploring the trails at The Wellington Environmental Preserve at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat (Section 24) located on Flying COW Road. Don’t forget to stop by the many learning centers at the Preserve, as well as the six-story observation tower.
Open Gym at Village Park is available to residents and non-residents. Make sure you register at Village Park (561-791-4000) to participate. There are also numerous athletic programs for our younger residents including basketball, softball, soccer, Taekwondo, and many more. You can find more information and register for many programs on the Village’s website.
On behalf of Council and staff, I wish everyone the best for 2021. There is so much to look forward to as we kick off this New Year; I encourage you to participate in our quality, fun, family-friendly events, and to stay active this year. It is an honor to serve and work with you, and I can’t wait to see everyone around the Village this year and at all our upcoming events.
As the Dalai Lama said, “Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” I wholeheartedly agree, however, COVID continues to mess up my travel plans. While the recent vaccine release provides some hope, it’s likely to take a several months for the world to open up again. But all is not lost for those of us suffering from acute wanderlust. New travel trends emerged in 2020 that continue to entice anxious travelers as we move into 2021. Let’s take a look.
Staying Close to Home
Currently, experts tell us to stay at home—and we should listen. But as things begin to ease, staying close to home is an excellent way to dip your toes into travel again. You may be surprised at the unique experiences you discover in your own backyard.
Travelers who typically venture thousands of miles from home are booking stays at nearby resorts and luxury properties for a change of scenery. After sheltering at home for months, even a brief escape provides restoration. As a New York City resident, I’ve spent time exploring the Hudson River Valley. Stretching 150 miles north of the city to Albany, this bucolic region offers elegant country estates, farm-to-table dining, art galleries, fascinating historic sites and miles and miles of hiking trails. In fact, I lost count at the number of miles we hiked at about 150!
Nature Tourism
Speaking of hiking, convening with nature has become one of the hottest travel trends and for good reason. The mental and physical benefits are well-documented. Limited to domestic travel, Americans are rediscovering the beauty of our national parks. With sixty-two from which to choose, that’s plenty of nature to go around. Whether it’s the mist-shrouded Great Smoky Mountains, the brightly colored hoodoos of Bryce Canyon or the towering peaks of Mount Rainier, spending a few days exploring any of the national parks is not only healthy but therapeutic
Alternatively, consider a less-populated state park or our national monuments which often draw fewer visitors. At the Organ Pipe National Monument in Arizona, 500 square miles of stunning desert landscape displays an incredible variety of cacti. For more of the nature escapes I’ve discovered during COVID restrictions, check out my nature escape post here.
Road Trips
As American as apple pie and baseball, road trips have risen to the top of the travel trends. Whether you choose a route close to home or decide to tackle Route 66, great scenery comes as a guarantee. So, start loading up the car and hit the road.
If you want to stay close to home, head out on the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys. Stretching 124-miles, it connects Miami to infamous Key West. Straddling a vast expanse of turquoise sea, this iconic roadway leads to historic shipwrecks, quirky eateries and some of the best fishing holes in the country. Or check out some of the other Florida road trips in my previous column here.
On the opposite side of the US, California’s Pacific Coast Highway tops the list for scenic drives. Spanning almost the entire length of California’s coastline, the iconic PCH meanders along precipitous cliffs, over dramatic bridges and up and down snaky inclines hugging the Pacific as waves crash the rocks in the distance. Along the way, fertile farmland gives way to charming seaside villages much like a road trip sampler. Don’t miss Monterey’s 17-mile drive through Pebble Beach and Carmel and the iconic Bixby Bridge in Big Sur. Make the most of your adventure by renting a zippy convertible.
Make the Most of Whatever You Choose to Do
As someone who typically takes several international trips a year, I’ll admit these limitations haven’t been easy to swallow. Whether you’re an extensive traveler or just like the idea of being able to go wherever you want, it’s tough. But, despite the limitations currently in effect, there’s plenty to discover no matter where we wander. So, embrace your inner adventurer and start exploring. Remember, you can go somewhere you’ve never been before even if it’s not far from home.
Longtime Internal Medicine Specialist Will Now Offer Extended and Weekend Office Hours
West Palm Beach, FL – After practicing internal medicine locally for almost 20 years before working exclusively as a hospitalist, Ravi Pandey, MD, is back to brick-and-mortar offices and couldn’t be happier. Now he’ll be able to both treat his beloved patients with the personalized, accessible care and attention they deserve AND follow them to the hospital if they are admitted.
The board-certified internal medicine physician who has always practiced in the U.S. is also thrilled that he will now be able to offer extended and weekend hours to better serve his patients. This convenience is yet another unique way Dr. Pandey enhances patients’ continuum of care.
“The days of evaluating and then personally following patients throughout their entire plan of care are nearly over for primary care physicians. My practice is better than many because I am able to care for my patients in the office setting as well as in the hospital, so patients are not being treated by someone they only meet for the first time at hospitalization,” he says.
Dr. Pandey’s bedside manner makes his patients comfortable because he can explain their conditions and treatment plans in simple, non-medical terms. “Since I’ve also been involved in hospital medicine, I have a very good grasp of multiple medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, heart failure and pulmonary conditions, most of which I am adept at taking care of myself while utilizing the best specialists whenever the need arises,” he says.
Another essential characteristic that makes Dr. Pandey different as a physician is his ability to connect and relate emotionally to his patients. His gift for personal connection meets the high expectations patients have for their medical provider and helps them achieve their healthcare goals. His practice now accepts Prominence Health Plan, in addition to most other major health plans, and offers preventive care, annual wellness visits, physicals, and immunizations, including those just in time for flu season. He also offers tips to manage their chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, along with smoking cessation and weight loss tips.
Relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Pandey acknowledges that effective treatment strategies are present and that more are coming, but that we must all do our part in preventing further propagation of the virus. “Maintaining social distancing measures, wearing masks, and continuing practices like hand hygiene and sanitizing high-touch surfaces is essential,” he says.
Dr. Pandey says that right now, patients should be thinking about improving their physical health through preventive and screening measures. “It’s also critical to give your mental health equal importance in these stressful times. Do whatever things work for you, whether it is relaxation techniques, meditation, or prayer,” he says. And as there may be changes in health plans going forward in the next year, he says patients need to find the most suitable plan for their needs.
About Ravi Pandey, MD
Dr. Ravi Pandey is a Board-Certified Internal Medicine Specialist who has practiced in South Florida since 1997. With diverse experience in private practice, outpatient, and hospital settings, Dr. Pandey is on staff at Palms West Hospital, JFK Medical Center, Select Specialty Hospital, and Wellington Regional Medical Center. Dr. Pandey is fluent in both English and Hindi. He completed his education at Grant Medical College of the University of Bombay and performed his residency and fellowship at Jersey Shore Medical Center. Call 561.867.0000 today to schedule your visit at either of his new offices at 2326 S Congress Ave, Suite 1A, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 or 11000 Prosperity Farms Road, Suite 206, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410.
Palm Beach Photographic Centre & Cultural Council for Palm Beach County Issue ‘Call for Photographers’ Seeking Images of Life In Palm Beach County
Deadline for Submissions is January 17 for Exhibition at Cultural Council, Feb 27—March 27, 2021
(West Palm Beach, FL – January 4, 2021) The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County and the Palm Beach Photographic Centre announce an open call to Palm Beach County photographers to submit an image of life in Palm Beach County to be considered for an exhibition at the Cultural Council in Lake Worth Beach, running February 27 through March 27, 2021.
“We are very excited about collaborating with the Cultural Council to celebrate both local photographers and the beauty around us,” says Fatima NeJame, president and chief executive officer of the world famous Photo Centre, located in downtown West Palm Beach.
“This is a great opportunity for the Cultural Council to collaborate with the Photo Center, particularly during FOTOfusion, while also spotlighting some very talented photographers,” agrees Jessica Ransom, artist services coordinator at the Cultural Council.
“We are seeking professional artists who live or work in Palm Beach County to submit an image that epitomizes some aspect of life in the Palm Beaches. The Call is open to all residents who live or work in Palm Beach County,” Ransom adds. “Each artist may submit one to five images, but the final selection will be limited to one image per artist. Judging will be based upon overall quality, creativity and vision of each work.”
Criteria for the Call are as follows:
+ Photographers who are eligible to apply must live or work in Palm Beach County.
+ Work must have been created within the past two years, with the theme of life in Palm Beach County.
+ The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County is looking to feature artists that have not exhibited at the Cultural Council previously.
+ All images must include artist name, title, date, medium, print size.
+ Images submitted must be at least 2400 pixels but no more than 3000 pixels on the longest side.
Deadline for Entries:
Images must be submitted by January 17, 2021. A maximum of five images may be entered for consideration by the judge and possible inclusion in the exhibit.
Chosen photographs will be featured at the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County from February 27 – March 27, 2021.
About the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County:
The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County is the only organization solely dedicated to supporting arts and culture in The Palm Beaches, Florida’s Cultural Capital®. In its sustaining effort to foster growth of the cultural sector, the Council provides support services to cultural organizations and creative professionals, administers public and private grant programs, advocates for cultural funding, enhances local arts education, and promotes cultural tourism.
The Council serves as a venue highlighting works by Palm Beach County visual and performing artists at its headquarters in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. Building in Downtown Lake Worth Beach. The building is also home to the Roe Green Uniquely Palm Beach Store featuring items by local artisans; the Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Visitor Information Center; and the outdoor Project Space, offering the best view of the building’s iconic Martin Luther King Jr. mural by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra.
The Cultural Council’s galleries are now open to the public with reduced days/hours (Tuesday-Fridays, noon-5 pm) and limited capacity, but is closed for the holidays through December 28.
About the Palm Beach Photographic Centre:
The Photo Centre is located at the downtown City Center municipal complex at 415 Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach. Hours are 10 am to 5 pm. Monday through Saturday. For more information, please call 561.253.2600 or visit www.workshop.org or www.fotofusion.org.
The Palm Beach Photographic Centre is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching life through the photographic arts. All donations are greatly appreciated at www.workshop.org/contrib.
Anna Preston has been dancing almost her entire life.
Highpoints of her career include having danced with a professional modern company that received the industry-acclaimed Bessie nomination, and represented the state of Florida, with concert dance in France. She took her own company to Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, when it was chosen to perform at the Festival for Modern Dance and was showcased in-residence across the state.
Her experience in dance, is diverse and remarkable, with commercial dance, performance and choreography work for a host of musical theatres, churches, and community events. At Walt Disneyworld, Preston worked as a staging specialist and performer. She holds advanced level education certifications and has enjoyed teaching at Palm Beach State and Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Her accolades span years, and are many, but for Preston, artistry is more about giving than receiving. Her company, Preston Contemporary Dance Theatre, based in Stuart, offers students of every level and ability from beginner to professional, a Resident professional contemporary company and pre-school to professional training in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Modern, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Tumbling, and Aerial Arts. At the core is Preston’s leadership and innovative approach to events that exemplify the company’s tagline: Connecting passion to purpose.
“It’s exciting to be in a place where I can now be someone who is building and mentoring in the community,” said Preston, who has lived in the Treasure Coast area since 2004.
A staple in carrying out her mission, involves collaborating with members of the artist-community from the Downtown Fort Pierce corridor, Port St. Lucie, and Stuart to host events that for example ask patrons to bring food donations, in lieu of an admission charge.
“I try to create events that show how diverse and rich our art community is and can be,” she said. “People can be part of the art landscape in a way that it should be. It’s not about competitions…it’s a conversation with your audience when you are putting out artistic work.”
More area events with Preston’s ideas at work, have included bringing her company to perform at the Causes Event Festival, in the Faerie Forrest Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens. Inspiring participation was Greg Hold’s wire faerie sculptures and Mark Barnes’ musical composition that set the ambience.
“When we hear about projects that we find interesting, we reach out, network and apply to see how we can contribute, be a part,” she said.
“Points in my career that I most proud of are the collaboration’s that have provided outreach to the community either in terms of awareness, or critical needs.”
One example includes participating in the Dance for Food Event with Terry Barber – internationally acclaimed Countertenor, and founder of the nonprofit organization – Artists for a Cause.
Preston is proud that her company represents dance educators, people who have chosen to work, live and contribute to this community. It’s one of the reasons she joined the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance.
“When you bring artists together, great things happen!”
To learn more about the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance and the benefits of membership, please visit ArtStLucie.org, email: info@artstlucie.org or call 772-462-2783
To learn more about the Preston Contemporary Dance Theatre, visit: www.pcdancetheatre.org
This mom wants laughter, thriving children, a busy house and a prize. This is a fantastic and perhaps lofty list for 2021. However, it is a new year, new day and new possibilities. It reminds me of the kids getting ready for camp in the summer. They look forward to seeing their cabin mates, the fun trips, activities, challenges and obstacles overcome. It seems like an appropriate metaphor after having hunkered down without social connections outside of the virtual world. If you braved the world as an essential worker providing meals, healthcare or groceries, we are forever in your debt.
Mom wants the heaviness to lift, not just the scale variety. Irma Bombeck would say something like that. She nailed the wit and humor of a family. She said,” If you can’t make it better, you can laugh at it.” Moms need to listen and try to capture them. It’s like trying to catch a butterfly. At dinner I was telling everyone that I drove by the Christmas tree lot that day. There were only a few scraggly short trees and a couple of the really tall trees that are usually very expensive. All I had to do was say the expensive trees and my youngest said, ”The $500 ones?” Yes. I laughed and that was the greatest gift of the day and I thanked him for the smile.
The kids are doing well in their classes. I however get the feeling that we parents are holding our collective breath. We are waiting for the end of COVID. However, we are on a continuum and need to live every day, albeit in a different mode. This is where my kids have outperformed me. They are going about their days with zoom classes, home science experiments and homework without skipping a beat. It’s true that the young are more resilient than we think. . I use the medium most familiar to them. Texting. I love sending them funny memes, Youtube dash cam videos to teach the hazards of bad driving, song clips and funny photos I take while out and about. Today there was this license plate, “& beyond”, on an Infinity.
With everyone on the computer in their respective corners, the house is lackluster. Libraries are filled with more verve. The cat sleeps all day except to occasionally meow for a treat. I am busy with cleaning, shopping and cooking with an occasional Reliv supplement inquiry or attending to someone’s dog. And it’s all gotten to be dull work, except for the dogcare, bit! I’d rather be headed to the mall for sightshopping, or drinking coffee at Starbucks for a reading date with the kids.
No mothering prizes have been awarded – I may get a pat on the head from my towering teens. And I don’t see any taking place outside the house. Since I have done all I can to make it better, I better laugh about it today and try again tomorrow. “When humor goes, there goes civilization.” ― Erma Bombeck
Hands up if you have ever chosen organic raspberries over regular raspberries? What about organic milk? Chocolate? Apples?
Pretty much most of us will have raised our hand to this question. Let’s face it all of us will probably have made this choice at one time or another. But what are we actually paying the extra for? Is the product healthier because it is labeled organic? And what about that higher price tag, is it worth it?
Sorry to say as with most things in life …….It depends.
What Does Organic Actually Mean?
By definition, organic means that there has been an approved method of farming and production of a food or food product. Companies that label their products as organic cannot use synthetic additives or preservatives in production, nor can they use antibiotics or hormones.
It is the USDA who actually approves the above mentioned methods; and if 95 percent or more of the product is organically made, then it is worthy of the USDA Certified Organic Seal.
Research is inconsistent in it’s results with regard to the nutrient density of organic foods to conventional foods. There have actually been no conclusive long-term studies on the subject so the truth is, we don’t really know if organic food is healthier than conventional, non-organic food.
So have we actually all fallen into a clever marketing ploy by believing organic food is healthier than non-organic food?
I have always found it interesting when I study the nutritional facts on a box of organic chocolate chip cookies. I must admit I have noticed that they are just as high, if not higher, in saturated fat, added sugar and calories than conventional cookies. Not only is this against what I would have expected to find because of my belief that the word organic should mean it is better for me, but I am often paying twice as much for less cookies!
My other thought on the matter is that a cookie is a cookie no matter how it is dressed up. They really are not healthy no matter whether they are organic or not.
So whilst the jury seems to be still out on this matter, it’s up to you I guess but one thing is for sure: eating whole foods is the way to go. Limiting as much processed food from your diet as you can and consuming whole foods is the path to overall good nutrition and superior health in general.
