Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Home Blog Page 477

Are You Losing It?

0

Health and Fitness

Are You Losing It?

By Sherri Mraz 

Ultimately our bodies know best, so why are we fighting so hard to not listen to them?

Do you rely on a wearable device?

Although there may be a time or place to be monitored, especially if you need an EKG or to monitor blood sugar, but do we need to be told when to go to bed, to rise, to drink water, to exercise, to eat…etc? I think we have an app for everything these days.

The danger, as I see it, is that we are losing our ability to read our own inner computer, the ultimate wisdom. Our body, from the beginning of time, has been designed to heal itself.

All day you are receiving messages from your body; you’re tired, thirsty, hungry, anxious, or have great energy. What if we actually listened?

When you’re tired, you could benefit from a nap or from simply drinking water, but instead we drink caffeine. 

Not only are we not listening to our inner messages, but we are almost speaking another language. When you are hungry you would feel it in your stomach, if you have a headache or are bored that is not hunger speaking, but yet you make a trip to the fridge.

A hundred years ago it was more common for people to die from contagious diseases, and while pharmaceuticals have decreased this number vastly, we may have taken it too far.

More people today die from lifestyle diseases than contagious diseases. Most of these diseases are caused from over-consumption.

It seems nowadays people are taking a pill for everything. Never has it been truer that too much of a good thing is actually not a good thing at all.

Between the medications, foods flavored with chemicals and the use of monitoring devices, we are losing touch with our inner wisdom. The body is a perfectly working human computer; it knows when to breath, swallow, digest, etc, without being told. Why do we believe it needs help from technology?

We begin to override our inner computers and instead walk around like sheep following the latest trend.

When was the last time you felt real joy? Even in your work?

In the same way that we ignore our inner signals of our health, we ignore our inner whispers leading to our purpose.

Do you punch a time clock everyday only to wait for Friday? What if you actually worked at a job that you loved? What if you felt such a deep sense of purpose that you looked forward to doing your work every day?

That is what my life looks like. I feel so blessed to be able to work in a field that helps people connect to their highest and best.

Slow down and listen to your inner guide, it may be better than any device you could buy.

If you are ready to start listening to your calling and would like more information on how you can work in the field of helping people, reach out to me to schedule a chat.

September Mayor’s Column

0

Mayor’s Column

September

By Mayor Anne Gerwig

September brings with it many changes to our Great Hometown.  It’s the month when summer ends, fall begins, and temperatures start to cool slowly. It seems as though the summer season just began and now it’s almost over. The children are back in school and Labor Day is here.

On Monday, September 4, Americans across the country will celebrate Labor Day. While many of us will relax, travel, and spend time with our families, it is also important for us to reflect on the historical significance of this holiday. I hope that you and your family take advantage of the last long weekend of summer and have a safe and pleasant Labor Day.

September is a time for remembrance in our Great Hometown, as we gather in solidarity at the 911 Memorial on Forest Hill Blvd., paying tribute to those who lost their lives during the September 11, 2001 attacks. Join Village Council at 5:00 p.m. for this special remembrance ceremony.

The peak of the 2017 Hurricane Season is also approaching, and this is the time to make sure you and your family are Hurricane ready. The Village urges residents to postpone all tree trimming projects until the end of the hurricane season. Once the National Weather Service has named a storm and identified that Palm Beach County could be in the path, the following steps should be taken to minimize waste:

  • Do not place bulk trash at the curb. Services may be suspended and facilities may close early to prepare for the storm.
  • Do not cut down any trees or begin major work.
  • Do not begin construction projects that could produce debris.
  • Once a watch or warning has been issued, do not trim vegetation of any kind.

Mass cutting places a tremendous burden on the normal collection process and there is not enough equipment or manpower to collect the additional material before the storm makes landfall. Avoid putting you and your property in harm’s way.

I encourage you to sign up for our CodeRED Emergency Notification System. This system allows the Village to call residents in the event of an emergency. Register now at https://wellingtonfl.gov/codered

This month, we are also focused on finalizing the Fiscal Year 2017/2018 Budget.  We are committed to maintaining our services, programs, and infrastructure.  To accomplish this, the proposed budget includes:

  • a slightly decreased millage rate of 2.43 mills (down .01 mill from 2017)
  • no change in the Acme assessment rate of $230
  • no change in the Solid Waste Curbside/Containerized rates of $135/100
  • the annual indexing of 2.5% for our Utilities, which is an approximate $.46 increase the Base Rates for Water and Wastewater

Our Budget continues Council’s commitment to INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY by including these Council‐priority funded initiatives:

  1. Widen intersection, align lanes, improve stacking and install larger drainage infrastructure at South Shore Blvd., and Pierson Road
  2. Forest Hill Drainage and C-13 Conveyance Improvements
  3. Major Utility System Upgrades including renewal and replacement of both the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants, Force Main Improvements, Gravity Collection System Improvements, and Life Station Upgrades
  4. Entrance Signage Replacements and Renovations
  5. Big Blue Trace Bike Lanes and Striping Improvements
  6. Dorchester Park Facility Improvements
  7. Completion of Equestrian Brown Trail Connector, the Binks Point Multiuse pathway and canal crossing, the White Trail crossing and footing, and the Yellow Trail from South Shore to Southfields
  8. Rebuilding of Fields #6, #7, and #21
  9. Expanded Tennis Center Parking
  10. Community Park renovation and baseball field improvements, spectator areas, and restrooms
  11. Addition of open space play areas at Greenbriar Dog Park
  12. Addition of two Deputies with PBSO service contract renewal
  13. Home Repair Program and CDBG Housing Rehab Program grants
  14. Keely Spinelli Grants of $400,000 in reading and mathematics to local schools
  15. Senior Transportation Program and Senior Club contribution
  16. Upgraded Enterprise Resource Planning System (the computer system for the entire Village)
  17. Telemetry Systems Upgrades
  18. Additional personnel and supplies for Zika Prevention

Finally, I encourage you to sign up for our monthly newsletter, where we keep you up to date on matters that affect our community.  Click on the following link to begin receiving updates: http://wellingtonfl.gov/living/wellington-newsletter/signup

I look forward to seeing you around our Great Hometown this month.

To All the Grandchildren in the World

Cantankerously Yours

To All the Grandchildren in the World

By Wendell Abern

Dear Grandchildren Everywhere,

          Today, I am writing to apologize to all of you.

          Usually, I try to write humor. But sixteen years ago, terrorists killed thousands of Americans by flying airplanes into buildings. And this month, memorials and other reminders of that horrendous day make it impossible to write anything funny.      

          Instead, today, I want to apologize to everyone in your generation from everyone in mine. 

As presumptuous as that sounds, consider:  my generation inherited one world war and lived through another. Millions of people were killed.

We should have learned something from those two terrible wars. We should have made the world a better place for you. 

We didn’t.

More than 150 years ago, a man by the name of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel said, “What we learn from history … is that we never learn from history.” 

My generation, like all of those that preceded it, confirms the truth of that statement.

We never learned, for example, the one thing that every human being on earth has in common:  none of us asked to be here. We had no say in the matter at all.

Personally, I believe that once given the gift of life, no one should have the right to take it away. I sometimes wonder how many concur with that, since human beings kill other human beings every day. Every hour. Every place on earth. 

And in wars, we kill each other by the millions, almost always in the name of some –ism, -ology, or –ocracy.

One reason we keep warring is because of another lesson no generation has ever learned: how to tell The Good Guys from The Bad Guys.

That is just as dumb as it sounds. But it keeps happening.  Every century.  And it happens because we never understand how badly we want to believe in our leaders: our presidents, our prime ministers, our priests, our rabbis — any of our leaders. We want them to be smart, to be fair, to be honest, and always to be right. We forget that our leaders are simply human beings, capable of making mistakes and being wrong. And because we want so badly to believe in what they tell us, we seemingly do anything they ask. 

Too often, our leaders convince us our -ism is the only true and righteous one, rendering us easily manipulated … and exploited. We become wary of others. Cautious. Suspicious. Too often, our judgment of “those others” leads to mistrust and outright hatred.

Hatred. A much underrated and overlooked emotion. It’s what our leaders use to galvanize us in a common cause.

Ergo, war.

Millions of Americans protested our country’s involvement in Viet Nam because we didn’t understand who hated us. Conversely, if President Carter had declared war after Iranian zealots kidnapped 52 Americans, we would have responded with fervent jingoism.

                                                *

One thing the human race has  learned — but sadly, ignored — is that history is written by the winners. So how can we ever be sure the Good Guys won and the Bad Guys lost?

Many centuries ago, a man named Alexander led an army that conquered other countries. Some history books still refer to him as Alexander The Great. It is unlikely he was called “great” by the thousands of widows and orphans his marauding armies left in their wake.

          If Germany had won World War II, the madman Adolph Hitler – arguably the most evil human being who ever lived – would be portrayed in today’s history books as a dynamic, charismatic leader.

                                                          *

 Some 10,000 years ago, the human race discovered agriculture, creating a gigantic sea of change in our evolution. We no longer had to hunt for food. We could grow our own. We settled down. We grew into little communities. We created villages. And towns. And cities.

And boundaries.

We have been at war ever since.  

                                                *

Personally, my strongest belief is that nothing is as sacred or as beautiful as a human life. Any human life.

I doubt many leaders would agree with that. At some point in the history of our civilization, our leaders determined that our beliefs were more important than our lives. That has never changed.

          About seven thousand years ago, there were almost 27 million of us listening to a few leaders, telling us to go kill each other in the name of some -isms.

          About five hundred years ago, there were now 450 million of us, still listening to a few leaders, still telling us to go kill each other in the name of some new

-isms.

          Today, there are approximately eight billion of us, still listening to a few leaders, still telling us to go kill each other, still in the name of some –isms.

          When does it stop? When do we stop using our beliefs as license to kill each other?   

Today, more than 70 years after the unspeakable atrocity known as The Holocaust … after a weary world swore, “Never again” … after a United Nations was created to bring peace to the whole planet … genocides continue to flourish. 

Ethnic cleansing occurs every decade or so. As I write this, the slaughter of innocent people continues in Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia, all in the name of some –isms. 

Leaders of these slaughters, of course, invoke hatred as a motivator. And why not? It always works.

Some have tried to unite people by other means.

For a while, Mahatma Gandhi brought people together with love instead of hatred. So did Martin Luther King. So have a precious few others. 

Unfortunately, too many leaders have discovered that hatred works better. 

And finally, here is a lesson we all should have learned in kindergarten:  there is only one planet that supports life. This is where we all have to live. We should be taking care of this planet. And I must admit, your generation is doing a much better job of it than mine did. Or any generation, for that matter.

          I hope you can start to turn other things around also.

          Most of all, I hope you can start … to stop … the killing.  

It will take many, many future generations to overcome cycles of hatreds generating hatreds; of killings spawning revenge; of broken alliances, shattered truces and unconscionable genocides.

           The end of these mass murders has to start sometime. I hope it starts with you. 

I hope you can make the world a tiny bit better. And a little bit cleaner. And much safer.

          I hope when you are my age, you never have to write a letter of apology to all the grandchildren in the world.

          Sincerely,    

          Wendell Abern

A Novice Traveler

Teen Talk

A Novice Traveler

By Mikayla Carroll

If I could change one thing about myself, I would immediately change my lack of travel experience. There’s something so intriguing about someone who has traveled across the country or across the world. They have experiences I have yet to encounter, photos taken in foreign places I have yet to see, and stories set in destinations I have yet to even hear of.

One of the most frustrating aspects of applying to college is deciding where you want to spend the next 4+ years of life. I dreamed, for years, of traveling out-of-state to further my education, yet in the back of my mind, I know the most realistic choice is to stay in Florida. It’s all I’ve ever known.

Countless people tell me I should stay put, that I’m at a good place. If I stay in Florida, I know I’ll save money, I’ll be close to my family and friends, I won’t have to deal with the shock of brand new surroundings or the process that is a move across the country. Yet I actually long for new surroundings, to make new friends, to become more familiar with a place I only once vacationed to.

The issue is, I feel as though I have little experience to draw upon. The list of places I’ve been to is relatively short and any move I might make to a different state will essentially feel like starting over – which is what makes the decision so difficult. I am drawn to the appeal of being in a new place, with new people, but I also want to be sure that I am not making the wrong choice; a common fear for someone as indecisive as myself.

I realize that college tours present a good solution for this dilemma, however, the summer slipped away all too quickly and the school year is already seeming to breeze by, so time to travel to another state doesn’t seem doable at the moment. Time doesn’t stop, and applications are due soon, and I already feel behind. I feel as though I should be doing more, researching more, yet all the reviews and articles in the world about a school doesn’t come close to experiencing the campus yourself. It is one thing to dream about going to your dream school, but to be there in person, visualizing your future self there, is another. There are some things you can’t describe in words, and the feel of a campus is one of them.

I long to be well-traveled so I have more of a knowledge base on a decision as big as where to attend college for the next few years of my life. Though I wish I had the personal experience, I still see the allure of going somewhere that initially seems far out of my comfort zone. I always want to find new ways to challenge myself, and moving somewhere completely new may be one way to do it.

Tales of a “Threenager”

0

Mommy Moments

Tales of a “Threenager”

By Samantha G. Clark

                I always thought “Terrible Twos” meant just that, kids were horrible from two years of age until three, and then miraculously returned to their cute, chubby former self. I couldn’t have been more naïve. Let me introduce you to my three-year-old dictator, who we affectionately call, Vivienne. The entire house runs around her moods and her wants. We literally walk on egg shells around her, most often because she insists on “helping” me cook breakfast. I never thought I would allow a tiny tyrant to rule my life, but I do, and after this one story, you will understand why.

My children eat their way through Publix. Hopefully I am not the only one. We start with the cookies, then we head over to the deli for popcorn chicken and finally, we finish with some pretzels. (Or Cheetos, or goldfish or all of the above.) I was braving the grocery store with all four of my children, so I let them choose any snack. A child who is eating, isn’t talking.

Unfortunately for me, today Publix was out of popcorn chicken and it would be at least 15 minutes for them to cook some more. Apparently, the deli manager didn’t realize how long 15 minutes is in the mind of a 3-year-old. Vivienne was appalled that there wasn’t any chicken ready, and decided to silently protest by kicking her shoes off, unbeknownst to me. I was able to distract her about the chicken debacle and coax her into eating some cheese. As we are walking down a different aisle, I noticed the missing shoes and quickly told Viv to put them back on. I felt the rage in her glare and saw her eyes begin to well and my oldest daughter quickly said, “Mommy, don’t poke the bear,” (a frequently used phrase in our house).

I agreed with my eldest’s assessment and decided to let Viv walk around barefoot. Yes, you heard that correctly, I let me three-year-old walk around Publix without any shoes on. In truth, she wasn’t wearing any underwear and wearing her Moana costume for the 3rd day in a row because those weren’t battles I felt like fighting that morning. At the same moment, a manager politely said to me, “Ma’am, your daughter needs to wear shoes in the store.” I replied, “By all means try your best to get her shoes back on.” The manager turned around to hear the shrill, high-pitched scream of my daughter who was definitely finished with her silent protest.

The manager quickly decided to let us keep going and just told Viv to sit in the cart. She turned around, shot him a dirty look, and kept walking.  Luckily, our popcorn chicken was finished cooking so we made our way back over to the deli counter, amidst dirty looks and stares of patrons who witnessed the temper tantrum. I quickly gave Viv the chicken to silence her, and then as I was handing her the container, my youngest mistakenly hit Viv’s hand and knocked the chicken to the floor, spilling its contents. As you can imagine, this was followed by even more screaming and crying and now a barefoot, hysterical Moana was laying on the ground trying to eat the chicken off the floor. I did what most wouldn’t and I LET HER! I still had to make it to the frozen foods section and that chicken was going to get me through it.

I made it to the checkout lane, almost unscathed. The manager who asked me to put Viv’s shoes on earlier, graciously told us we could go in the express lane even though we had a full cart. He even jumped on the register and checked us out. He gave me a knowing look as he glanced at her bare feet and handed her another container of popcorn chicken. This gave her the biggest smile I had seen all day. We gave our thanks and headed out the door, we almost made it and then, “Boom!” The cart wiggled over the threshold and Vivienne’s new container of popcorn chicken crashed to the floor.  The screaming and crying came back full force and I quickly ran out of the store before anyone heard her again. The caring manager told me, “Just go,” as he swept up the second round of popcorn chicken we spilled.

You all can imagine what happened next, it was an epic battle of strength trying to get my crying child in the car seat with the seatbelt buckled. I threw my groceries in the trunk and headed straight to Total – I mean home. That is when I decided that I would take a two-year-old over my “threenager,” any day.

Moana made an appearance at the bowling alley.

Canine Influenza – What is it and what should we do?

0

Paws-itive Press

Canine Influenza – What is it and what should we do?

Dr. Jean M. Oberg MS,DVM

Canine influenza is the dog flu and is a highly contagious infection affecting mostly dogs and some cats.   There are two strains of the virus, H3N8 and H3N2.    Canine H3N8 was first identified in Florida in 2004 in racing greyhounds and this strain was thought to have started in horses and it was thought to have jumped from horses to dogs.   Canine H3N2 was first identified in the United States in March 2015 following an outbreak of respiratory illness of dogs in the Chicago Area.  May 30, 2017 the Department of Agriculture and Consumer services learned from University of Florida that multiple cases of H3N2 influenza, a respiratory disease, entered our state of Florida.   As of June 16, 2017 the college confirmed that 21 dogs, in its care, tested positive for the dog flu.  

These cases originated in Perry, GA and Deland, Florida.   This sent chilling alarms to all veterinarians in the state of Florida because we were all well aware what the last two outbreaks caused in 2004 and 2015 and wanted to prevent this.  However, with dogs going everywhere with us and everyone traveling and going all over the state, this article will inform you of the dangers. It will also show you that transmission is pretty easy and outbreak may be imminent.  Florida and Georgia was first to diagnose cases and to date, we can add several other states to the list:  North and South Carolina, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Louisiana, and Illinois

Since we as veterinarians are not required to report cases, and there is no central database, it is possible that this disease is underestimated.  Therefore, there might be many cases out there that we simply are unaware of.   Since this is a highly contagious disease, it is highly recommended that pets get vaccinated as soon as possible.  

To date, there is no evidence of transmission from dogs to humans.  There has not been one case reported of human infection with a canine influenza virus.  However, in dogs, the signs of illness are very similar to “our” flu-like symptoms which include cough, runny nose, fever, lethargy, eye discharge and reduced appetite.  But, not all dogs show signs of illness and can be active “carriers.”   However, as mild as this sounds, some pets can develop secondary bacterial infections which lead to more serious illness and pneumonia and as high as 8% might die due to these secondary infections.  

This outbreak was believed to have started from dogs showing in two locations.  First in Perry, Georgia and then followed by a dog show in Deland, Florida. Transmission was spread by respiratory secretions like coughing and sneezing from infected dogs.   You also can come in contact with the disease through contaminated objects and the virus is believed to be viable on surfaces up to 48 hours and clothing for 24 hours and hands for 12 hours, so you can see this disease can spread easily between dogs.  This disease can also have a very long incubation period, of up to 21 days and therefore your dogs can be at risk going to dog shows, kennels, dog parks, day care, groomers and even your vet. Because a “healthy pet” can sometimes be incubating the disease and helping spread disease before showing symptoms, preventative measures are our best medicine.

If your dog shows any signs and you are wondering if your pet might have the disease, your veterinarian can send in a test that can be done very easily from your dog’s nasal secretions. He or she can also test for several respiratory viruses for around $205.00.  However, this disease can easily be prevented with a simple 2 part vaccination.   The first vaccine is given and then again two weeks later. In about 3-4 weeks your pet will be protected from both the H3N8 and H3N2 infection.   The cost of the vaccine varies from hospital to hospital but our vaccination cost is $45.00 each.  

If your dog gets this disease the patient will be treated mostly by supportive care.  The milder form includes broad spectrum antibiotics and must include the pet being well hydrated.   Some may require IV fluids because they will not eat or drink.  Those that acquire the more severe form of the disease like secondary pneumonia may have to be hospitalized in an isolation area for an extended duration of time.   Some may also die due to complications.

Rather than wait for a crisis to happen, let’s prevent it from spreading.  It will take upwards of three weeks for your pet to be protected therefore it would be important to schedule an appointment with a veterinarian, and they can recommend if the vaccine is appropriate for your pet.  

 

This article was written by Jean M. Oberg MS,DVM

Past president of the Palm Beach Veterinary Society, LLC

My animal Vet Mobile Service, LLC

11320 Fortune Circle  G-2

Wellington, Florida   33414

561-254-8471 

www.MyAnimalVetMobileService.com

Radio Loves Chopin

0

Cultural Corner

Radio Loves Chopin

By Lori Hope Baumel

A personal message from my buddy “Fred” on Facebook!

Frédéric François Chopin and I go way back.
Mr. Chopin was born in Poland as Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin on March 1, 1810, and died at the young age of 39 on October 17, 1849. He was a composer and extraordinary pianist during what is known as the Romantic era. Chopin wrote primarily for solo piano. His writing style for the keyboard is unique and often technically demanding. Reviews of his own performances noted his keen sensitivity and attention to nuance.

Most of the general public does not realize how often they are listening to Chopin. As a matter of fact, this week alone, I recognized his work as soundtracks for radio podcasts, TV shows and films. To this day, his music remains a phenomenon because his often haunting melodies and lush harmonies evoke a great deal of emotion. His genius has the ability to pivot from one key change to another, and his style is highly recognizable to those in the classical music world.

How do I recognize his work? For many years, Chopin’s preludes, nocturnes, and waltzes were a daily part of my piano practice. When performing in competitions or recitals, several of the pieces I tackled were by Chopin. In music composition class at the University of Miami, we had to extensively analyze his works. I, literally, examined the way he constructed his pieces both backward and forwards. My favorite piano solo is his Etude in E Major (Op. 10, No. 3) which I practiced for nearly a year and continue to perform to this day. Commercially, in my opinion, his most well-known piece is the Valse in Db (Op. 64, No. 1) a.k.a. The Minute Waltz.

         My recital piece – page 1

At one of my earliest recitals, I enjoyed playing the Valse in C# Minor (Op. 69, No. 2) quite a bit – so much so that I accidentally took the “repeats” a few extra times. Was it nerves or did I want to play the piece longer? I am not sure. Either way, the audience heard at least an extra two minutes of the waltz.

Our friend, Fred, whom I feel rather close to at this point, even has his own IMDB profile listing the soundtracks that his music has enhanced. The entry includes silent films released in 1928 to those yet to be released in 2017- 2018. The IMDB listing is mind-blowing. You must see it! Go to: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006004/

Television makes great use of Chopin’s music; most recently on Westworld, Halt and Catch Fire, Smallville, The Simpsons, Hannibal, Mad Men, Bones, The Office, American Horror Story, Orphan Black and even Nip/Tuck (Although, I don’t think he would have appreciated that last one).

Chopin’s personal life was rather intriguing. He traveled the world and was romantically involved with the French novelist Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin. Dupin was a notable woman who chose the male pen name, George Sand. Their romance was portrayed in the films Impromptu, 1991 and Desire for Love, 2002. Perhaps his respect for a woman’s right to have a writing career is another reason I am fond of his legacy. I have no doubt that the music of Frédéric Chopin will live on for many generations to come.

Live… Go… Do!

Top 5 for September 2017

1) Listen to the music of Frédéric François Chopin.

You can click on the links below or (if you have the Amazon Echo or Apple Music) ask Alexa or Siri, “Play the music of Frederick Chopin” (pronounced show’- pan). For a quick tutorial on the pronunciation of the composer’s name go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt2BfAqaOTQ

Popular pieces… Etude in E Major (Op. 10 No. 3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmQBFLJAIcY

Valse in C# Minor (Op. 64, No.2) (This the 3-minute piece that ran about 5 minutes at one of my first recitals) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJD1spS-uEs

Prelude No. 20 in C minor This prelude, modified slightly, is also heard in Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Variations on a Theme of Chopin, Ferruccio Busoni’s Variations on a Theme of Chopin and Barry Manilow’s introduction to Could it be Magic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zQYuhR-TUQ

Another version of Prelude No. 20 in C minor: Could it be Magic by Barry Manilow (Introduction) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52-EkZRnG2E

Valse in Db (Op. 64, No 1) a.k.a. The Minute Waltz This piece actually takes close to two minutes, but who’s counting… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TQSbXCaRG4

The Minute Waltz Here’s a lyrical version of the same piece sung by Barbra Streisand. For those of you familiar with Streisand’s music, you might recognize the album cover. https://youtu.be/d0FQRq9qef8

Nocturne (Op.9 No.2)

This piece is widely used in many TV shows and films. Examples: Bad Santa (2003), Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Waking Life (2001) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E6b3swbnWg

For a more complete list of the use of Chopin’s music in films see: https://www.naxos.com/musicinmoviescomplist.asp?letter=C

2) Watch:

Minimalism: A Documentary

How might your life be better with less? This film examines the many flavors of minimalism by taking the audience inside the lives of minimalists from all walks of life. – minimalist.com

I absolutely LOVED this film. After viewing it on Netflix, I cleaned out a few closets and gave a great deal of reusable items to charitable organizations. Most importantly, I learned about how different people approach a minimalistic lifestyle… from living in tiny houses to minimizing their worries mindfully.

The film is also available on Amazon Prime and other streaming formats. To see the trailer, go to: https://vimeo.com/153518223

Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus help over 20 million people live meaningful lives with less through their website, books, podcast, and documentary. The Minimalists have been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, Forbes, TIME, ABC, CBS, NBC, BBC, CBC, and NPR.

For much more information go to: http://www.theminimalists.comhttp://www.theminimalists.com

3) September and October 2017 – Happenings at The Norton Museum:

Summer is over and the new exhibits begin. The Norton Museum of Art’s 2017-2018 exhibition season opens on Sept. 5, 2017 with the world premiere of a timely exhibition that depicts how humans are directly and indirectly impacting the planet.

Justin Brice Guariglia, JAKOBSHAVN I, 2015 / 2016. Photo: Courtesy of the artist. © 2017

Earth Works: Mapping the Anthropocene*

Premiering Sept. 5, 2017 – Jan. 14, 2018

Organized by Tim B. Wride, William and Sarah Ross Soter, Curator of Photography in 2015 and 2016, the “trans-disciplinary” artist and photographer Justin Brice Guariglia flew with NASA scientists over Greenland to study how melting glaciers affect sea level rise. Guariglia’s photographs from this experience have been used to create works of art that spark an emotional connection to the science and inspire curiosity in the public. The images he took during these flights, paired with the creative and ground-breaking manner in which he presents them, serve to map with visual evidence, and through metaphor, the complexity of human impact on the planet. Ranging in scale to as large as 12 x 16 feet, these images illustrate Greenland’s melting and deteriorating glacial ice sheets and sea ice in stunning detail and on a monumental scale. Other images reflect the impact of agriculture and mining on the Earth’s surface. Guariglia will discuss his work at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 7, 2017 at the Museum during Art After Dark.

*The Anthropocene defines Earth’s most recent geologic time period as being human-influenced, or anthropogenic, based on overwhelming global evidence that atmospheric, geologic, hydrologic, biospheric, and other earth system processes are now altered by humans.

Julie Mehretu: Epigraph, Damascus

Sept. 5 – Oct. 22, 2017

Organized by the Norton Museum of Art

Julie Mehretu (born 1970, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia), incorporated a series of deconstructed architectural renderings of Damascus, Syria, as the basis for this remarkable, six-panel print. This Spotlight exhibition features this newly acquired 2016 work by an artist known for gestural abstract compositions that can be interpreted as a poignant and a deeply expressive commentary on current events.

BRILLIANT: Recent Acquisitions

Oct. 26 – Dec. 10, 2017

Organized by the Norton Museum of Art

BRILLIANT highlights new acquisitions that emphasize a bold and dramatic use of color. Vivid and intense colors saturate the compositions of the works on paper, glass and photography featured in this exhibition. BRILLIANT includes artworks by Dale Chihuly (American, born 1941) and Michael Craig-Martin (Irish, born 1941), among other contemporary artists.

Currently under renovation, The Norton Museum is located at

1451 S. Olive Ave. in West Palm Beach

During construction through December 2018:

Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Noon to 5 p.m.

Thursday, Noon to 9 p.m.

Admission is currently free to the public.

Free parking and shuttle service is available at 1501 S. Dixie Highway. The Museum is closed on Mondays and major holidays. For additional information, please call (561) 832-5196, or visit www.norton.org.

4) You MUST See:

DUNKIRK

I highly recommend the film Dunkirk. It is not gory, it is suspenseful. The cinematography, editing, acting and musical score combined is unlike anything I have ever witnessed on screen. Yet, Dunkirk is not for the meek. Based on a true story, it is a portrait of war over a week, a day, and an hour. It weaves and reveals the plight of a country fallen to the enemy, 400,000 soldiers, and one man’s struggle to survive.

The film’s editing, music and cinematography collectively demonstrate the term “War is Hell.” The narrative depicts the opposite of the D-Day scenario. Instead of storming the beach, as they did in Normandy, British soldiers are shown at the beginning of the war, trying to withdraw from the beach in Dunkirk, France. The enemy has them cornered between bullets and the sea. The marvelous story includes the manner in which the brave captains of the local trolling boats managed to cross the English Channel and save a majority of the stranded soldiers. This story is also lightly touched upon in the film Mrs. Miniver, 1942.

Cinematically, Dunkirk was shot on large format 70-millimeter film. One of the last of its kind. Nowadays, the movie industry rarely uses film as it is extremely expensive. Most cinematographers use digital cameras and thereafter make their movies look “cinematic” in post-production. Director Christopher Nolan chose to shoot with film in order to take footage from high in the sky. As a result, those high wide shots do not look pixelated. Large format film produces a large negative, thereby creating extraordinarily clear visuals. Ultimately, the producers saved money by transferring the film to a digital format prior to editing. They spared no other expense as this movie was of epic proportions.

If, at the time of this article’s release, Dunkirk is no longer available in cinemas – try to download or stream the film in the near future. It is most likely going to be nominated for many Academy Awards.

To view the Dunkirk trailer, go to:

http://www.dunkirkmovie.com

The NY Times review of the film hits the nail on the head! See:

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/07/20/movies/dunkirk-review-christopher-nolan.html

Here’s another absolutely fascinating article from the NY Times about composer Hans Zimmer and the method he used to compose the score for Dunkirk:

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/07/26/movies/the-secrets-of-the-dunkirk-score-christopher-nolan.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fmovies&action=click&contentCollection=movies&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=64&pgtype=sectionfront&referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fsection%2Fmovies

5) Frustrated by Politics?

The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County is inviting the public to two issues-oriented, thought-provoking events this month:

Nancy Abudu; Photo: Courtesy League of Women Voters, PBC

Hot Topics Luncheon

Wednesday, September 20 in Atlantis

WHY COURTS MATTER

The Impact Federal Court Decisions Have on Daily Lives

Guest Speaker: Nancy Abudu

Director of Legal Operation for ACLU of Florida.

The luncheon will be held from 11 am to 1 p.m. at

Atlantis Country Club,

190 Atlantis Boulevard, Lake Worth

Cost: $25 before September 10 and $35 afterwards

Register online at http://lwvpbc.org or call Estelle Friedman 561.968.4123.

Cool Topics Discussion

Wednesday, September 27 in West Palm Beach

CONSTITUTIONAL CRISES (de jour)

Guaranteed to Keep You ‘Up at Night’

Guest Speaker: Irving Labovitz, J.D.

Adjunct Professor of Business Law at Florida Atlantic University.

  • Is Emolument Clause on the Menu?
  • Is Treason Only Eaten Rare?
  • What’s the Difference Between Collusion and Conspiracy?
  • Is the Mythical Shangri-La the Only True ‘Sanctuary City?’
  • At What Constitutional Temperature Does One Bake a High Crime or   Misdemeanor?
  • Is Gerrymandering Still a Delectable Political Dish
  • Is There a Recipe for ‘Cooking the Goose’ of the Special Counsel?

The presentation, followed by Q&A, will be held at 6 pm at

The Palm Beach Post Auditorium

2751 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach

(the southwest corner of Dixie and Belvedere Road).

While there is no cost to attend this event, you are encouraged to register in advance online at www.lwvpbc.org

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.

7 Common Summer Plumbing Problems

0

Living Green

7 Common Summer Plumbing Problems

By Jathy Garcia

Down in South Florida summer means rain, rain, and more rain. With our unique weather patterns come some specific summer plumbing problems. We put together a list of some of the most common issues we see and how to avoid them. However, if they do become problematic, Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air has some of the best in the biz with the best rates and quickest service in town.

1.     SPRINKLER ISSUES

Although we tend to use our sprinklers year-round in Florida, summer is a great time to get them inspected to ensure there’s no leaks. Even the smallest leak can wreak havoc on your water bill, and lawn mowers can be especially unforgiving.

2.     SEWER LINE BACKUPS

Although we need the rain, it can cause some major problems when it comes to your sewer lines. During the summer, tree roots grow and reach out grasping for water, but in doing so, they can damage underground pipes. All the rain can also cause loose dirt and gravel to find its way into small cracks in your pipes, causing even more problems.

3.     TOILET TROUBLES

Schools out, and as great as it is to have the kids home and spend more time with the family, that means more people in the house and using the toilet every day. With your toilet working double time all summer long, it’s important to teach children to use only as much toilet paper as necessary and that toilet paper and nothing else goes down there. Keep a plunger on hand, but if all else fails give us a call and one of our experienced technicians will be there in no time to save the day.

4.     DISPOSAL CLOGS

What’s summer without a few BBQ’s? Garbage disposals are wondrous devices that can help make our lives easier and help the planet. However, certain summer foods aren’t great for your disposal and can cause clogs or damage. A stinky sink is no way to spend your summer cooking!

5.     WASHING MACHINE LEAKS

With the kids being home, the sweltering Florida summer heat and humidity, pool runs, and beach days, there’s bound to be an abundance of laundry to be done. Excessive laundry loads can be hard on your machine; along with normal wear and tear and age, your machine can start to break down on you. Water leaks and vent clogs are some common problems that can really drain your pockets and be hazardous to your family. Leakage ups your water bills and clogged dryers are major fire hazards.

6.     SHOWER CLOGS

Between beach days, playground playdates, and the summer sweats, your shower gets used twice as much over the summer. We often see clogged showers due to excess sand, gravel, and dirt. To avoid this issue, consider rinsing off with the hose outside before jumping in the shower.

7.     WATER HEATER OVERLOAD

More showers and washing mean more hot water. This can exponentially pump up your energy bill or even cause some water tank problems. To avoid these money-wasters, consider going tankless or speak with one of our knowledgeable technicians about the best solution for your family.

Summer should be all about fun and spending time with loved ones, not worrying about all the plumbing problems that come with this damp, humid season. At Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air, we value your time and want you to spend as much time enjoying the season as possible. If you’re unfortunate enough to encounter one of the above situations this summer, be sure to give us a call at 561-790-6966 and we’ll get you back to your regularly scheduled summer celebrations in no time!

The King and I

0

 

Kravis Center Announces Public Ticket Sales for

Kravis On Broadway 10th Anniversary Season Productions of

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I

and FINDING NEVERLAND

Tony Award® and Audience Choice Award winning shows both on sale to the public beginning September 1 at 10 am

WEST PALM BEACH (August 21, 2017) – The public is invited to join in the celebration of a decade of smash hit shows from the Great White Way during the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts’ 2017/2018 season of Kravis On Broadway.  Tickets go on sale to the public Friday, September 1 at 10 am for the November 7 – 12 production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I and the January 2 – 7 production of FINDING NEVERLAND.

Two worlds collide in the Lincoln Center Theater production of this “breathtaking and exquisite” (The New York Times) musical, directed by Bartlett Sher. One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s finest works, THE KING AND I boasts a score that features such beloved classics as “Getting to Know You,” “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Hello Young Lovers,” “Shall We Dance” and “Something Wonderful.” Set in 1860’s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children. Winner of the 2015 Tony Award® for Best Musical Revival, THE KING AND I is “too beautiful to miss” (New York Magazine).

The winner of Broadway.com’s Audience Choice Award for Best Musical, this breathtaking smash hit “captures the kid-at-heart,” says TIME Magazine. Vogue cheers, “It’s a must-see you’ll remember for years to come!” Directed by visionary Tony®-winner Diane Paulus and based on the critically-acclaimed Academy Award® winning film, FINDING NEVERLAND tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland, where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever. The magic of Barrie’s classic tale springs spectacularly to life in this heartwarming theatrical event. FINDING NEVERLAND is “far and away the best musical of the year!” (NPR).

Kravis On Broadway is sponsored by Jim and Judy Harpel and Diann and Thomas Mann. Tickets for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I and FINDING NEVERLAND start at $28 and may be purchased beginning Friday, September 1 at 10 am at the Kravis Center Box Office located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach, on-line at the Official Kravis Center website www.kravis.org, or by calling the Box Office at 561-832-7469. For Group Sales, please call 561-651-4438 or 561-651-4304.

About the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts

The Kravis Center for is a not-for-profit performing arts center whose 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; by providing a Palm Beach County home in which local and regional arts organizations can 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. The Kravis Center is located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach, FL. For more information, please call 561-832-7469 or visit the official website at http://www.kravis.org/.

 

CULTURE & COCKTAILS

0

Cultural Council of Palm Beach County

Announces 2017-2018 Season of

CULTURE & COCKTAILS

At The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach

(Lake Worth, FL – August 23, 2017) Rena Blades, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, today announced the 2017-2018 season of the popular series CULTURE & COCKTAILS. From November 2017 through April 2018, five fascinating Conversations will be held at The Colony Hotel Pavilion, located at 155 Hammon Avenue in Palm Beach.

November 6

PUTTING IT TOGETHER

A Conversation about the Birth & Growth of the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the Cultural Council, two of our founders and earliest supporters will share behind-the-scene stories and amusing anecdotes about how it all began.

+ Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Entrepreneur, Inventor, Photographer and Cultural Philanthropist

+ George T. Elmore, Founder & President of Hardrives, Inc. & Former Board Chair of the Cultural Council

Interviewed by Bill Bone, Trial Lawyer & Partner at Larmoyeux & Bone, P.L.

January 8

HEAVY PERSPECTIVES

From Metallica to Modern Art

A Conversation with Musician & Artist Jason Newsted

The talented bass guitarist was in the heavy metal band Metallica from 1986 to 2001, and played with them again when the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. He also played with Ozzy Osbourne, Voivod and the self-titled Newsted, for which he provided lead vocals as well as bass. Beginning in 2006, he went “from making crazy and colorful music to crazy and colorful art,” and had his first gallery show in San Francisco in 2010.

Interviewed by Leslie Streeter, Pop Culture Reporter for the Palm Beach Post

February 5

BEHIND THE EMBASSY DOOR

A Conversation with Edward Elson, U.S. Ambassador to Denmark (1993-1998)

In 2001, an article in the Palm Beach Daily News declared, “Since he served for six years as the U.S. ambassador to Denmark and helped create National Public Radio two decades earlier, it’s hardly a surprise that Edward Elson is a rich source of wild and woolly political tales.” A member of the Council of American Ambassadors, he has served on the boards for numerous businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Interviewed by Dr. David Breneman, President & CEO of The Society of Four Arts

March 5

SHINING BRIGHT

The Eternal Allure of Silver

A Conversation with Michael James, Owner & Founder of The Silver Fund

The Silver Fund is the largest dealer worldwide in estate Georg Jensen silver, having sold more than $40-million since 1996 to private clients around the world. It has helped to build multiple large collections and exhibits at exclusive art and antique fairs in the US including New York, Los Angeles, Palm Beach, Dallas, Chicago and San Francisco, as well as in London, Germany, Switzerland, France and Italy.

Interviewed by Daphne Nikolopoulos, Author & Editor-in-Chief of Palm Beach Illustrated

April 2

LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU

A Conversation with:

+ Daniel Biaggi, General Director of Palm Beach Opera

+ Beth Clark, CEO of the Young Singers of the Palm Beaches

CULTURE & COCKTAILS will end the season with our traditional musical finale, featuring both conversations with cultural leaders and stirring live performances by some extraordinary singers.

Moderated by Sharon McDaniel, Programming associate of the Kravis Center’s Regional Arts Series and former music critic for The Palm Beach Post

CULTURE & COCKTAILS is generously sponsored by The Roe Green Foundation, Roe Green, Founder and The Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation. Additional support for the series is provided by the Palm Beach Daily News, First Republic Bank, and PR-BS, a Boca-based public relations firm.

Please Note:

Admission to each CULTURE & COCKTAILS event is $65 for advance RSVPs, $85 at the door, and FREE for members of the Cultural Council ($250 level and above). All proceeds go to support artist programs of the nonprofit Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. For membership information, please contact Debbie Calabria at (561) 472-3330.

Each event will run from 5 to 7 pm, with registration and cocktails from 5 to 5:45 p.m., and the “Conversation” from 5:45 to 7 pm, including audience Q&A. The Colony will serve complimentary beverages and an array of specially prepared hors d’oeuvres before each CULTURE & COCKTAILS conversation.

People interested in attending CULTURE & COCKTAILS can RSVP before each event by calling the Cultural Council at (561) 472-3330.

Also:

Topics and speakers are subject to change depending upon the availability of scheduled participants.

About the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County:

The Cultural Council is the official support agency for arts and culture in The Palm Beaches, serving non-profit organizations, individual artists and arts districts. The Cultural Council administers $4.5 million in grants annually, supports arts and cultural education, provides capacity-building training and advocates for arts funding and arts-friendly policies in Palm Beach County, Florida’s Cultural Capital®. The Council promotes Palm Beach County’s cultural experiences to visitors and residents through multi-platform marketing and public information programs, including its one-of-a-kind Cultural Concierge service.

The Cultural Council presents exhibitions featuring Palm Beach County artists and provides additional programming at its headquarters in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. Building, an iconic Streamline Moderne former movie theater in Downtown Lake Worth. Also at the Cultural Council headquarters are the Roe Green Uniquely Palm Beach Store featuring products by Palm Beach County artists and the Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf VisitorInformation Center, a VISIT FLORIDA designated Florida Certified Tourism Information Center.

The Cultural Council galleries, visitor information center and store are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For a complete calendar of cultural activities in The Palm Beaches, connect with the Council at palmbeachculture.com or (561) 471-2901. To plan a personalized cultural itinerary, connect with the Cultural Concierge at palmbeachculture.com/concierge. To learn about the benefits of individual, business, artist or musician membership to the Council, please contact dcalabria@palmbeachculture.com.