We are pleased to have Real-Life married sweethearts Frannie and Dani, who are also Dessert Critics appropriately called ‘The Sweethearts’, add a little sweetness to Around Wellington with their playful, yummy weekly 3-5 minute dessert video reviews.
Their online dessert critiques have been transformed into a Reality Food Show/Sitcom called ‘SWEETHEARTS’, now in development with 2-A-Listers attached. More info viewable at https://www.franniesheridan.com/ Frannie and Dani can currently be seen in several TV commercials in which they play themselves as Dessert Critics for Aztil air conditioning.
JPMorgan Chase Invests $100,000 in Housing Leadership Council
for Affordable Housing Feasibility Study
West Palm Beach, FL – Palm Beach County may soon be able to attract and retain more teachers with the help of a feasibility grant awarded to the Housing Leadership Council (HLC) of Palm Beach County, Inc. The $100,000 investment from JPMorgan Chase & Co. will help identify strategies to reduce the cost of housing for educators throughout the county, and will allow the HLC to explore opportunities that will provide Palm Beach County School District (PBCSD) employees with affordable housing options.
Educators, builders, residents and all interested parties are encouraged to participate in activities funded by the grant by attending focus groups and completing online surveys. Focus groups will be held throughout Palm Beach County on school campuses and other locations to be announced in the fourth quarter. Participants will be asked for their opinions on housing options, incentive programs, rental assistance, preferences for housing options, and school safety issues. The HLC will work in collaboration with the PBCSD, the Housing Summit Regional Steering Committee, Palm Beach County, PBCSD Police Department, local colleges and universities, and others to explore and potentially implement employer-assisted housing options.
Palm Beach is the largest county east of the Mississippi River and home to one of our nation’s most diverse populations. The PBCSD is the 10th largest in the nation and educates students speaking 150 languages. With more than 190,000 students and 22,000 employees, it is the largest educational employer in the county. Gonzalo La Cava, the PBCSD Chief of Human Resources, finds the high cost of living in the community continues to be a significant barrier in recruiting new teachers and keeping existing teachers. “Teachers want to be able to own a home and start a family in the communities they work in, and, unfortunately, many of our teachers and employees are unable to do this with the rising cost of homes in Palm Beach County,” said La Cava.
Superintendent Dr. Donald Fennoy has been outspoken about this issue since taking the helm in March, noting that, “A world-class education does not happen without great teachers, and great teachers stay in communities where they can afford to live.”
“It is critical that teachers are part of the process so we can understand the barriers they face and work with them to develop more affordable housing options in our community,” said Juan Tagle, head of Chase Middle Market Banking in Palm Beach, Florida.
The HLC is a coalition of business, civic and community leaders who strive to provide affordable housing for all income levels. Originally envisioned by the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, Inc., and other business leaders, the HLC works to sustain economic viability and address a disconnection between affordable housing and attracting new businesses to the county. The availability of high quality education and educators is imperative to attract out of state business leaders to strengthen our Palm Beach County communities. The HLC Board of Directors is comprised of community leaders from organizations such as the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, Career Source of Palm Beach County, PBCSD, West Palm Beach Housing Authority and Community Redevelopment Agencies. Elected officials, realtors, attorneys, developers and key financial leaders also serve on the HLC Board. HLC is led by Suzanne Cabrera, who has created and been awarded grants in excess of $50 million for the important community causes that she has championed. “The nexus between a fully employed, successful community and affordable housing is undeniable. We will solve this challenge,” said Cabrera. For more information, please contact Suzanne Cabrera at the Housing Leadership Council at (561) 653-4107 or scabrera@hlcpbc.com.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.6 trillion and operations worldwide. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of customers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.
FoundCare Inc. invites guests to toast À Votre Santé (To Your Health)
Dinner Party To Benefit Those Most in Need of Healthcare Services in Palm Beach County
(PALM BEACH, Fla.) – FoundCare, Inc., will host its 2019 Island dinner party, À Votre Santé (To Your Health), on Sunday, March 24, at 6 p.m. at Club Colette in Palm Beach. Guests will toast to their health alongside live island music and fabulous live and silent auctions, all while supporting FoundCare, a federally qualified health center in Palm Beach County. Attendees will include key medical and community leaders who support FoundCare’s mission. Guests are encouraged to dress in tropical resort wear.
À Votre Santé will benefit those most in need of healthcare services throughout Palm Beach County, and this year’s event will honor Dr. and Mrs. David Dodson, Mr. and Mrs. Ken Druskin and Hermé de Wyman Miro. FoundCare supporters Jeffrey and Trisha Cole are the chairs of this year’s event.
“My wife and I believe that FoundCare has great merit in this difficult healthcare climate,” said Jeffrey Cole. “We believe in affordable healthcare for all. We were impressed by the quality and dedication of the caregivers at FoundCare after we toured the facility. Trisha and I believe in the validity of the FoundCare concept where any patient can get medical care they can afford. FoundCare serves the needs of the community, and its overall financial and economic benefit to the Palm Beach County community in 2017 was close to $30 million.”
Tickets to the event are $325 and underwriting opportunities are still available. For information about the event, please call 561-472-9160, ext. 220.
“À Votre Santé helps us fund our vital services here in Palm Beach County, and we are so grateful to our supporters and event leadership,” said Yolette Bonnet, CEO of FoundCare. “We are thrilled to honor Dr. and Mrs. David Dodson, Mr. and Mrs. Ken Druskin and Hermé de Wyman Miro for their tireless work to create greater access to health services for the uninsured. We want to invite everyone to join us as we toast to health March 24!”
FoundCare, Inc. is a nonprofit federally qualified health center that offers pediatric and adult primary care, chronic disease management, behavioral health services, laboratory work, x-rays, and dentistry, as well as an onsite pharmacy. FoundCare accepts most insurance plans, Medicaid, Medicare, and self-pay on a sliding-fee scale that is based on family size and income.
For more information about FoundCare, please visit www.foundcare.org.
SOUTH FLORIDA SCIENCE CENTER PRESENTS THE STEM INNOVATION AWARDS
Prizes Awarded to Those Promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in Palm Beach County
(WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.) – The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, in partnership with the Stiles-Nicholson Foundation, recognized local leadership and innovation in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math with the recent STEM Innovation Awards. The first annual event was held on-site at the Palm Beach Science Center and guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, dinner, music, unique science demonstrations and an awards ceremony to celebrate the honorees.
“I am grateful to our sponsors, the Stiles-Nicholson Foundation, PNC Bank and FPL for being STEM champions,” said Kate Arrizza, CEO of the Science Center. “My job is to open every mind to science, and I couldn’t be prouder of the work being done promoting STEM both at the Science Center and throughout our region, and that’s why it’s important to honor those who are inspiring others and setting examples to support STEM education. Each of the honorees are doing their part to increase STEM and Arts initiatives and make STEM a national priority.”
The STEM Innovation Award winners in the six categories were:
• Aerojet Rocketdyne: “Corporate Innovator” award – Aerojet Rocketdyne was recognized for their unique approach to business through the integration of creative ideas, enhancements, outreach, and concepts incorporating STEM into products and ideas that improve quality and/or operations.
• Dr. Becky Mercer, Palm Beach State College: “Individual Leader” award– Dr. Mercer was recognized for demonstrating leadership in developing STEM teams, providing guidance and leading STEM events and programs. This award recognizes achievement in prominent strategic STEM initiatives, inspiring others to follow, and implementing methods to improve STEM education.
• Brett Hannan, The Green School: “Business Visionary” award – The Green School was recognized for making extraordinary contributions to the creation, facilitation or continuation of a STEM program directly impacting early childhood education.
• Scott Lehman, Crosspointe Elementary: “Educator/Collaborator” award – Scott Lehman was recognized for developing strategic partners that further STEM education and awareness to advance quality STEM education by creating and facilitating STEM programs.
• Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens: “STEAM/Arts Partner” award – Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens was recognized as being a champion for the inclusion of the arts in STEAM education. (STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math – is a variation of STEM education that uses a variety of arts mediums to help teach STEM principles.)
• Stiles-Nicholson Foundation: “Lifetime Achievement” award – Stiles-Nicholson Foundation was recognized for showing an extraordinary commitment to science, education, youth, and the Science Center’s mission throughout its history.
“Innovation has been the key to all of mankind’s progress since the beginning of time.” said Dr. David Nicholson, BSc., LLD, CFA, chairman and founder of the Stiles-Nicholson Foundation. “According to the U. S. Department of Commerce, STEM occupations are growing at 17%, while other occupations are growing at 10%. STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators. To compete in a global economy, STEM education and careers must be a local and national priority.”
Other sponsors of the STEM Innovation Awards event included the Palm Beach Post, RGF Environmental and Christina’s Catering.
The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is located at 4801 Dreher Trail North in West Palm Beach and is open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Admission to the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium during Dinosaur Invasion is $17.95 for adults, $13.95 for children ages 3 to 12 and $15.95 for seniors aged 60 and older. Science Center members and children under 3 are free. Planetarium shows and mini golf are not included in general admission pricing. For more information, call 561-832-1988 or visit www.sfsciencecenter.org.
Like the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram @SFScienceCenter.
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FoundCare Inc. Hosts Open House for Insurance Sign-Up Free event on November 28 to offer special activities geared to seniors
(WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.) – FoundCare, Inc. is hosting an open house to help get everyone enrolled in an insurance plan before the December 15 deadline. The open house is scheduled for Wednesday, November 28 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the community health center’s West Palm Beach office located at 2330 South Congress Avenue and will offer special services and activities geared to seniors ages 65 and over.
Licensed agents will help people sign up for the insurance plan that best fits their needs. In addition, experts will provide a class on Medicare, host health talks and offer refreshments, prizes and a facility tour. Language services will be offered as well.
FoundCare, Inc. is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center that offers pediatric and adult primary care, chronic disease management, behavioral health services, laboratory work, x-rays, and dentistry, as well as an onsite pharmacy. FoundCare accepts most insurance plans, Medicaid, Medicare, and self-pay on a sliding-fee scale that is based on family size and income.
“This open house is free and open to the public because we want to make sure everyone, especially seniors, has what they need to be prepared for the new year with their health plan,” said FoundCare CEO Yolette Bonnet. “We treat everyone in the family, from parents to grandparents to children, and we want to invite everyone to participate.”
FoundCare also hosts senior birthday parties each month with complimentary cake and refreshments, games, music, prizes and a short presentation. FoundCare has partnered with the YMCA of the Palm Beaches for activities to encourage seniors to come to FoundCare not only for their health needs but also to gather with their peers for monthly activities. During Coffee & Conversation once a month, seniors can come together for a light breakfast and coffee with a chance to win prizes. Lunch & Learn events are also on the calendar once a month where seniors can come for a meal and listen to a health talk on topics such as stress management.
FoundCare accepts most insurance plans, Medicaid, Medicare and self-pay on a sliding fee scale that is based on income and family size. For more information about FoundCare, please call 561-HEALTHY (561) 432-5849 or visit http://foundcare.org.
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Wellington Gears Up for the Holidays and Encourages Community Participation
‘Tis the season to give and support those in need. In the spirit of the holidays, join the Village of Wellington along with our community partners: Wellington InterFaith Council, The Christopher Aguirre Foundation, The Mall at Wellington Green, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Don Chepo’s Taco Shop, Oli’s Fashion Cuisine, Wellington Regional Hospital, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for the 10th Annual Hometown Holiday Toy Drive.
“The holidays are about giving and helping those in need,” said Mayor Anne Gerwig. “Our residents have always been generous in assisting those less fortunate and ensuring every child has a magical holiday. Your participation again this year is greatly appreciated as we celebrate this holiday season.”
In addition to toy donations, this year, we are also looking to provide basic necessities such as socks and underwear for children of all ages.
Community members are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys by Tuesday, December 18th to any of the following locations:
Village Hall
12300 Forest Hill Boulevard
Community Services Office
1092 Wellington Trace
Village Park
11700 Pierson Road
Lake Wellington Professional Centre
12133 Ken Adams Way
Ultima Fitness
12799 West Forest Hill Boulevard
All Wellington locations Fire Rescue Stations
Monetary donations are also accepted and are tax-deductible; please contact Morgan Cintron, Senior Programs Coordinator at 561-791-4102 for more information.
Residents looking for assistance may contact Wellington’s Community Services Department at (561)753-2476 or their local house of worship.
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 atwww.wellingtonfl.gov/enews.
For information about other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visitwww.wellingtonfl.gov or watch WellingtonTV for the latest happenings.
‘Tis the season to give and support those in need. In the spirit of the holidays, join the Village of Wellington along with our community partners: Wellington InterFaith Council, The Christopher Aguirre Foundation, The Mall at Wellington Green, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Don Chepo’s Taco Shop, Oli’s Fashion Cuisine, Wellington Regional Hospital, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for the 10th Annual Hometown Holiday Toy Drive.
“The holidays are about giving and helping those in need,” said Mayor Anne Gerwig. “Our residents have always been generous in assisting those less fortunate and ensuring every child has a magical holiday. Your participation again this year is greatly appreciated as we celebrate this holiday season.”
In addition to toy donations, this year, we are also looking to provide basic necessities such as socks and underwear for children of all ages.
Community members are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys by Tuesday, December 18th to any of the following locations:
Village Hall
12300 Forest Hill Boulevard
Community Services Office
1092 Wellington Trace
Village Park
11700 Pierson Road
Lake Wellington Professional Centre
12133 Ken Adams Way
Ultima Fitness
12799 West Forest Hill Boulevard
All Wellington locations Fire Rescue Stations
Monetary donations are also accepted and are tax-deductible; please contact Morgan Cintron, Senior Programs Coordinator at 561-791-4102 for more information.
Residents looking for assistance may contact Wellington’s Community Services Department at (561)753-2476 or their local house of worship.
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 atwww.wellingtonfl.gov/enews.
For information about other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visitwww.wellingtonfl.gov or watch WellingtonTV for the latest happenings.
Kravis Center’s Education Committee Hosts Speakers’ Series
Visit by Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Donald Fennoy Highlights Series Showcasing Kravis Center’s Commitment to Supporting Education Through the Arts
(West Palm Beach, FL) – The Education Committee of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, a standing committee of the Kravis Center’s Board of Directors, recently hosted Dr. Donald Fennoy, Superintendent of the School District of Palm Beach County, during the first of four meetings the committee will hold in the 2018-2019 season.
Dr. Fennoy shared highlights from the district’s 2016-2021 Strategic 5-Year Plan, including how the district met its goal to increase the county’s high school graduation rate from 88.3 to 90 percent three years ahead of schedule. He also noted the district’s commitment to arts education through grant-writing and long-range capital planning.
Fennoy also touched on how his personal experiences as a young student reflect research showing that providing for arts education in schools enhances learning. Growing up with a father in the military, Fennoy spent his early years in England, where drama classes were a mandatory part of the curriculum.
“I realized that level of training – memorizing lines, collaborating with others – helped me in school,” he said. “And I firmly believe my participation in the fine arts, as well as sports, helped prepare me to be superintendent.”
There will be three other meetings of the Education Committee. In January, David Kilpatrick, Director of the Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences on Tour will give a pre-performance talk about Me … Jane: The Dreams & Adventures of Young Jane Goodall, which chronicles the early life of the famous primate scientist through her interactions with her toy chimpanzee, Jubilee.
In February, Dr. Susan Gay Wemette, Program Evaluator, and Niki Fridh, De George Academy Acting Instructor will discuss the Kravis Center’s De George Academy for the Performing Arts, which since 2012 has supported Palm Beach County’s economically-disadvantaged third- through eighth-grade students’ efforts to attend Bak Middle School of the Arts, Dreyfoos School of the Arts or a performing arts college, or to embark on a career in the performing arts.
In March, Maureen Gardella, Kravis Center Director of Guest Services and Tracy Butler, Director of Education will give a presentation about the many ways in which the Center serves our students with disabilities throughout the season. The Education Committee’s events will conclude in April with a focus group meeting to review Kravis Center arts education programs.
For more than 26 seasons, the Kravis Center has helped students of all ages fuel their imaginations and expand their lives through comprehensive arts education programs. Since 1992, 2.5 million schoolchildren from Palm Beach, Broward, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties have visited the Kravis Center, attending performances through the S*T*A*RSeries and participating in a wide variety of educational programming. To learn more, please visit kravis.org/education.
South Florida Fair announces 2019 national concert lineup
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. –– The 2019 edition of the South Florida Fair will feature concerts by bands representing everything from Christian, Southern rock and Latin to good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll and country music. In addition, multiple versions of Elvis will be in the house at next year’s fair, which will kick off with its Ride-A-Thon at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17. The full fair will be held Jan. 18 – Feb. 3 at the South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach.
Christian rock band Building 429 will kick off the concert schedule at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20. The band’s name was inspired by the passage in Ephesians 4:29 and got its start in North Carolina when Jason Roy and Scotty Beshears met at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church. The band was named the Gospel Music Association 2005 New Artist of the Year and continues to be dedicated to sharing messages of God through their songs and concerts.
On Wednesday, Jan. 23, Southern rock legends, The Outlaws, will take the stage at 8 p.m. during the first of two Bike Nights. Through its over 40 years of performing, The Outlaws became one of the most influential and best-loved bands of the genre. The band established itself in Tampa in 1972 and became known for its triple-guitar rock attack and three-part country harmonies. The band has returned to the road with new music and is enjoying its second life.
Country-blues-rocker Frankie Ballard will perform at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24. He released his latest album, “El Rio,” to critical acclaim and was selected by “Rolling Stone” as one of the 25 Best Country and Americana albums of 2016 and “The Tennessean” as one of the best 16 Nashville albums of 2016. The singer-songwriter has had three No. 1 country hits to date and boasts Spotify streams in excess of 2.2 million.
There will be a whole lotta shakin’, rattlin’, and rollin’ happening in the fair’s Party Pavilion when the Elvis Extravaganza Impersonator Contest begins with the preliminaries on Monday, Jan. 28, and continues on Tuesday, Jan. 29, with the finals. The contest will feature a variety of Elvis impersonators competing for cash, prizes and title of “The World’s Finest Elvis Impersonator.” The winners will go to the national competition in Las Vegas. The show is backed by the Extravaganza Show Band, horns and singers. For 30 years, The Elvis Extravaganza appeared on stages internationally while entertaining more than a million people. Any impersonator who would like to compete during open round one may visitwww.elviscontest.com to sign up.
On the second Bike Night at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30, The Pat Travers Band will perform. Canadian-born Pat Travers is a rock guitarist, keyboardist and singer who began his recording career in the mid-1970s. Considered a “guitar hero” by many musicians, Kirk Hammett of Metallica cited him as one of his favorite guitar players. He has led numerous successful tours with different band members and the current Pat Travers Band consists of Travers on guitars, vocals and keyboards, Tommy Craig on drums and David Pastorius on bass and vocals.
The sounds of country music will return to the Party Pavilion on Thursday, Jan. 31, with Jordan Davis. A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Davis graduated from LSU and briefly pursued the path of his degree working as an environmental consultant, however, his passion for music and songwriting eventually compelled him to move to Nashville in 2012. His Platinum-certified debut single, “Singles You Up,” recently hit No.1 on the country airplay charts and ranks as the most played song at country radio this year.
The national entertainment will conclude on Friday, Feb. 1, with Latin Grammy nominee and salsa legend Charlie Aponte. For more than 40 years, the Puerto Rican salsa singer was the lead vocalist for the nation’s legendary El Gran Combo. He became one of the most well known soneros, not only in Puerto Rico, but internationally. Aponte left the spotlight at age 62 when he retired from El Gran Combo in late 2014 but that didn’t last long. He released his debut solo album, “Una Nueva Historia,” on Top Stop Music in 2015.
All concerts are free with a fair admission ticket. Advance discount fair tickets are on sale now at all Palm Beach County Publix locations and will continue through Jan. 17. General seating is free with a fair admission ticket (which is required). Reserved seating also is available for purchase online starting Dec. 3 at www.southfloridafair.com for $10, which is in addition to the fair admission ticket. A single admission for ages 12-59 is $10 in advance, $15 at the gate Monday-Friday and $20 Saturday and Sunday. Senior admission for 60 years of age and older pay $7 in advance and $9 at the gate. A child’s admission, under 12, is $5 in advance, $8 at the gate (5 years and younger are free). For more information, call (561) 793-0333 or visit the website, http://www.southfloridafair.com.
AT A GLANCE – National Bands Schedule – South Florida Fair 2019
Sunday, Jan. 20 – Building 429
Wednesday, Jan. 23 – The Outlaws
Thursday, Jan. 24 – Frankie Ballard
Monday, Jan. 28 – Elvis Extravaganza Impersonator Contest preliminaries
Tuesday, Jan. 29 – Elvis Extravaganza Impersonator Contest finals
Wednesday, Jan. 30 – The Pat Travers Band
Thursday, Jan. 31 – Jordan Davis
Friday, Feb. 1 – Charlie Aponte
The sponsors of the Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball League.Wycliffe Stiff Harry Klaff proudly displays a Yoohoo and some Bazooka bubble gum.Commish of the Wycliffe Stiffs Marty Ross and Mel Viner.The start of the NAMI Walk at John Prince Park, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.Andrea Enterlain and her brother-in-law sharing a moment at the 2nd Annual Beacon of Hope 5K.The start of the 2nd Annual Beacon of Hope 5K race at Tiger Shark Cove Park in Wellington, held in memory of Kevin P. Enterlain.
It’s not everyday that someone invents a new card game. It’s even more unusual to find a local young person who’s developed a new card game and is selling it at Mom & Pop stores. But that’s exactly the story of Mom’s Bluff, a fun, easy-to-learn card game, invented by David Lewis of Boynton Beach.
With all of the video game options available today, I wondered what makes a card game stand apart from the rest of all of the entertainment. “It brings the family together, brings the competitiveness out with the players at the table. You need to be strategic with interactions between the other players, because you can see the effect of a bluff, can turn players against each other, or even against themselves. Additionally, you need to filter what you say when your opponent is within arms reach of you,” says Lewis.
My friend Jeannine and I did just that with David Lewis and his brother Michael. We sat around his coffee table, played Mom’s Bluff and enjoyed each other’s company. We played several rounds of the game, while drinking some beer and having some popcorn, and truly enjoyed it. The game is fast-paced and not difficult to learn. And yes, there was some smack talking involved.
“I created Mom’s Bluff, so it would bring people together. You enjoy each other’s company while giving light jibs and jests to bring out the fun” says Lewis. He categorizes the game as a family game that can also be transformed into a drinking game.
I asked how he got the game produced. While he was teaching English in China for a year, he secured a place to get the game manufactured. He enlisted the help of a young Chinese artist for the artwork on each playing card. The cards are not so different from a regular deck of cards. However, the cards go only from 0 to 10 – no Jacks, Queens, Kings or Aces. Tip: For a family of four, it’s highly recommended that you use two decks of cards.
“It was challenging to produce this game because I came into the industry as an unknown,” explains Lewis. “I had no background knowledge of running a game business. After a lot of trial & error, frustration and exuberance, I walked away about a half a dozen times.But something kept drawing me back to it.”
He says it was quite an experience developing the game, and he felt like a juggler. There was a lot to learn about import and export laws, tax laws and marketing. “It’s been one heck of a ride as far as the learning process goes.”
Where can you purchase Mom’s Bluff, the card game? It’s sold at: Past, Present, Future Comics in West Palm Beach, The Girls’ Strawberry Patch in Delray, Medication Station in Boynton Beach, Hans Office and Art Supply in Delray and Postal Suites in Boca Raton. In the stores, it’s $5 per deck. He adds, “The best deal is from me directly. Special for AroundWellington.com patrons – $2 OFF on a single deck.” His contact information is at the bottom of this article.
When Lewis created the game, he was playing cards and drinking. His friends liked the new game, so he took it around his neighborhood and had families try it out. He determined that it worked both as a family game and as a drinking game. Some of the comments he’s received are that the game is “engaging, enraging, fantastic, easy to learn and fun ”
What’s the most challenging part of the game? “Staying in your turn order,” says Lewis. “You have to be patient and conceal your card.” On each round, you decide if you’re playing or folding. It’s tempting to put your card down right away, if you have a good card.
I asked why he named the game “Mom’s Bluff.” It’s in the spirit of his own mother, Lewis says. “She’s a character. Sometimes she’s bluffing and sometimes she’s not…read into that what you may, but I don’t challenger her often” Also, he thought Mom’s Bluff would indicate that it’s a family type of game.
As stated on the back of the box of cards, 50% of the profit gained by Mom’s Bluff goes to charity. The organizations include SETI, Mars One and Xprize, all space exploration organizations. Here’s a short video with David Lewis, explaining what each organization does.
Try playing Mom’s Bluff. You will find that it’s fast-paced and quite addictive. In a world infiltrated with videos games, you’ll find that it’s worth gathering your family & friends around a table again.
David Lewis loves to be creative, to teach and to learn. He loves to develop both card games and board games. He truly enjoys hiking, snorkeling and biking and seems to engage in these activities more often than your typical Florida resident. His interests are outer space and dinosaurs. As a professor for most of his career so far, Lewis has taught at Lynn University and the Digital Media Arts College.
David Lewis has other board games that he is in the process of developing. Currently, he has a Lord of the Rings Adventure game that is completed and needs a few polishing aspects before production. This might be an opportunity to those Lord of the Rings fans out there; he is looking for investors. In addition to that is a fantasy chess video game that is different than your typical game of chess, with a new piece, different terrain and maps to defeat your opponents. He’s also working on a game called Strength in Sorcery, a turn based strategy game that involves fantasy, magic and heroes.
