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Aesop’s Tables Artist to Give Lesson

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Aesop’s Tables Artist to Give Lesson

Aesop’s Tables artist to give lesson to art students from Seagull Services

 

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. Aug. 1, 2017 – A very special art lesson will take place on Monday, Aug. 7th at Aesop’s Tables on the waterfront. That morning, local artist Mayling Pao will give a lesson to adult art students from Seagull Services at the table she painted to benefit Seagull, a non-profit that provides advocacy and training to youth and adults with developmental disabilities.

“We’re very excited to be a part of Aesop’s Tables and grateful that Mayling will be donating her time to work with a group of our program participants who enjoy art classes,” said Barbara Nurenberg, President and CEO of Seagull Services. “Art is a regular part of skill-building at Seagull Services, and we believe this is the kind of community engagement the City of West Palm Beach envisioned when they created Aesop’s Tables.”

The group will gather at 10:30 a.m. to tour all 25 of the tables and have their art lesson at “The Raven and the Swan,” the table Pao painted to benefit Seagull. It is one of 25 colorful tables painted by local professional artists with a depiction of Aesop’s Fables for West Palm Beach’s third annual Summer In Paradise event. On Aug. 31, the tables will be auctioned on the waterfront, and the proceeds from each will go to its non-profit partner.

“I love the idea of an art lesson at Aesop’s Tables,” Pao said. “I teach art classes regularly, and I’m looking forward to seeing how my art influences Seagull’s art students,”

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ABOUT SEAGULL SERVICES

Seagull Services is a not-for-profit organization that assists individuals with life challenges affecting their self-sufficiency to live in dignity and realize their full potential. It provides services to children and adults with disabilities and their families living in Palm Beach and Martin counties. Among its services are education, training, employment, residential services, community integration, and support services. For more information about Seagull Services, contact 561-842-5814 or visit www.seagull.org.

 

ABOUT AESOP’S TABLES              

Presented by the City of West Palm Beach Art in Public Places, Aesop’s Tables celebrates the talents of our local art community and features 25 painted picnic tables illustrating a timeless Aesop fable (think The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Tortoise and the Hare, and more). Just as Aesop’s fables have reached across centuries, continents and cultures, Aesop’s Tables will bring together a diverse community for light- hearted lessons, laughter and conversations on the beautiful West Palm Beach Waterfront. Enjoy the art, have a cup of coffee, share a meal and even make new friends! The summer long outdoor art installation will include nightly music, pop up performances, storytelling, games and activities.

Tasty Turkey Meatloaf

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Tasty Turkey Meatloaf

Tasty Turkey Meatloaf

 

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1/2 cup skim milk
  • 1 medium onion, peeled
  • 2 pounds ground turkey breast
  • 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small bowl, stir together the oats and milk. Thinly slice 1/4 of the onion and set aside for later. Finely chop the remaining onion. In a large bowl combine the turkey, oat mixture, chopped onion, bell pepper, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, salt and a few dashes of pepper. Mix just until well combined.

Transfer the mixture to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and shape into a loaf about 5 inches wide and 2 1/2 inches high. Pour the tomato sauce over the meatloaf and sprinkle with the sliced onions. Bake for about 1 hour or until an instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees.F.

Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 to15 minutes before slicing.  Enjoy! 

For more great recipes, visit The Food Network’s site.

 

The Brad Gene

Wendell Abern
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The Brad Gene

Cantankerously Yours

The Brad Gene

By Wendell Abern

Dear Readers,

          As I wrote several years ago, I believe that scientists have yet to discover many “special” genes in our DNA profiles – particularly “exclusive-type” genes that go to only certain people.

          For example, while most of us were learning how to read at the age of five, Mozart was composing etudes. There has to be a special musical gene that gives birth to and nurtures talent such as Mozart’s, and I’m hoping that some day a geneticist will explain to me why Mozart got one and I didn’t.

          Now I was born and grew up Jewish, and I am convinced that certain genes eluded our race almost entirely.

          We definitely did not get the “handy man” gene.

          I mean, as I grew up, to me, the two most terrifying words in the English language were “mechanical” and “engineering.” To this day, of all my Jewish friends, I know of only one who has a toolbox.

          And with the current technology exploding exponentially every week, living in today’s world has become a nightmare to those of us who haven’t adapted. We haven’t kept up with modern new discoveries, let alone the language that accompanies them. Ask us what a cloud is, and we’ll say it’s a white fluffy thing in the sky.

          My ineptitude revealed itself last week when my printer died. I called Brad, my printer guru. Brad is not only a whiz with a computer, he is also honest.

          “It’s cheaper to just go buy a new one than to have me come to your place,” he said. “You can probably find one for around sixty bucks.”

          I went to Best Buy and found a printer for around sixty bucks. A very pleasant young lady named Sasha (clearly younger than my granddaughter) helped me.

          “Do you have wi-fi?” she asked.

          Busted already.

          What the hell is wi-fi anyway? Wireless something? What? Recovering as quickly as I could, I cleverly answered her question with a question.

          “Who doesn’t have wi-fi?” I asked.

          “The people who don’t have wi-fi don’t have wi-fi,” she said.

          Deftly, I changed the subject as I hefted a printer choice off the shelf, “The box says this one is wireless,” I said.

          “Yes,” Sasha said, “many of them are.”

          “You mean it doesn’t have any wires?”

          “Um, no. That means you can print in the kitchen while your computer is in another room altogether and you don’t need wires to connect them.”

          “Oh,” I said, pretending to understand, and thinking to myself that I am now living in Harry Potter’s world.

          I made a mental note to call my son that evening.

          I paid Sasha, thanked her and went home.

          As I unpacked my new printer, I thought this would work like buying a new toaster: you simply unplug the old one, then plug in the new one and turn it on.

          My new printer came with an illustrated instruction page bigger than a baby elephant, printing cartridges and a CD instruction disc. As I lifted each piece out of the box, I began to tremble. I called Brad.

          “Help!” I yelled.

          “Wendell. What’s wrong?”

          “Help!” I repeated. “I just took my new printer out of its box and it comes with – it comes with – there’s a – a sheet and a CD, a CD, Brad! It comes with a CD, for God’s sake!” I started to babble.“Bradbradinstructionscouldcoverawall-”

          “Wait, wait,” Brad said. “Just slow down. Breathe. Breathe slowly.” Brad has dealt with me many times.

          “Brad,” I rasped. “Quick. I need a gentile!”

          “Just slow down, okay? I’ll be there tomorrow, okay? Tomorrow.”

          I started breathing more slowly. I relaxed.

          That night I called my son, who lives far enough away (a Chicago suburb) that he can’t check me out personally for creeping senility.

          “How do I know if I have wi-fi?” I asked.

          “You have wi-fi because you have a router.”

          “What does a router do?”

          “It routs.”

          “You remind me of Sasha,” I said.

          “Who’s that?”

          “Never mind. How do I know if I have a router?”

          “Because you paid for it.”

          “I did?”

          “Da-ad!

          “I have a new printer,” I said. I have become very deft at changing subjects when threatened with technological tidbits.

          “You didn’t put it together yourself, did you?”

          “I managed to get it out of the box.”

          “Then you called someone, I hope.”

          My kids know me too well. Both my son and daughter put together new printers. All by themselves! I often wonder if it’s because they grew up with today’s technology (computers, apps, and all that), or if there has been some kind of worldwide genetic mutation that includes even Jewish DNA.

          “I just talked to my computer guy,” I said.

          “Dad, don’t touch anything. Wait ‘til he comes.”

          “Okay,” I agreed.

          However, the instructions were mostly pictures. I should be able to follow that! I assured myself. Piece of cake! I’ll just whip this together, then call Brad and tell him I don’t need him! Walk in the park!

          I had already completed Step Number One on my own, which consisted of taking all of the elements out of the box. Step Number Two included opening a little drawer into the printer. I started to tremble. Then I looked ahead to Step Number Three, which consisted of ominous-looking arrows and a written instruction that included the dreaded words, “USB Cable.”

          I was shivering all over by the time I turned off the light and went to bed.

          Brad came the next morning, looked at the instruction sheet for about four seconds, then put my printer together in four minutes.

          Before scientists do completely unravel the DNA structure, I’m going to write them and suggest they name one of their discoveries the “Brad Gene.”

Cantankerously Yours,

Wendell Abern

Christie’s Critters Fundraiser at Oak Bistro

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Christie’s Critters Fundraiser at Oak Bistro

Christie’s Critters Fundraiser

Young Singers 15th Anniversary Season Preview

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Young Singers 15th Anniversary Season Preview

YOUNG SINGERS 15th ANNIVERSARY SEASON PREVIEW

The 2017/2018 arts season is going to be a CELEBRATION SEASON for Young Singers of the Palm Beaches, as it is our 15th ANNIVERSARY!

 

15 amazing years of enriching the lives of children and enriching our community through song! 

 

One of our young singers came up with our anniversary slogan: “Singing takes you places!” Indeed, it does. We are so proud of all that we can do to help children reach their full potential, and proud of all that our young members achieve as well.

 

We hope that you will consider running a feature on our organization to celebrate our anniversary season. We have so many wonderful things happening this season, including:

 

  • Two new choirs: Lyric and Encore. These new ensembles will be featured out in the community as well as in our season concerts.
  • Two new conductors: Welcome Terrion Nelson and Will Lopes.
  • Our artistic director, Shawn Berry, just published two pieces of music with Santa Barbara Music Publishing.
  • Our conductor, Will Lopes, is also having original music published.
  • The annual Winter Concert is scheduled for December 9, 2017 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
  • The annual Spring Concert is scheduled for May 20, 2018 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
  • February 3, 2018 will see our 5th Annual Mary Murray Scholarship 5K Family Walk/Run at Okeeheelee Park. We make the run more fun ‘cause we serve pancakes, have live entertainment, giveaways, and more.
  • Our satellite program, Choir in the Glades, has expanded to include a middle school choir at Lake Shore Middle School, serving students in Belle Glade.
  • Our upper-level choirs are preparing for a tour to Denver, Colorado where they will participate in Sing A Mile High International Children’s Choral Festival.

 

In addition to all the exciting things that will be happening within our organization this season, focus should also be brought to our young singers themselves. We have an amazing group of children, ages 8 to 18, that support each other and their community through many service projects and sharing of their talents. We are also expecting a many of our alumni to make their appearance this season to celebrate our anniversary with us. Annually, alum come back to YSPB to mentor current members, assist backstage during concerts, and we have a team of alum working as interns for us as well.

 

And… speaking of coming back, we are expecting to get our founders on stage together  again. Two of them, Shawn Berry and Connie Drosakis are still conducting our choirs, but our third founder, Michael Yannette, is now teaching in North Carolina. We are hopin that he will make it back to Florida to celebrate with us.

Why I Joined Beautycounter

Briana D'Andrea
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Why I Joined Beautycounter

Why I Joined Beautycounter

By Briana D’Andrea

Many people have asked me why I’ve joined Beautycounter and my “why” is pretty simple. Making healthy choices and living a health conscious lifestyle was something my husband and I were already doing. All of our shopping has been done at Whole Foods Market (right down to our toilet paper), for more than half our lives. Over the years, I made it a point to swap out cosmetics and skincare I grew up using, to household products I felt I needed to be cleaner. After a sort of product trial and error personal experiment and making way too many trips to the customer service counter (they knew me by first name…ha!) I thought “Ok, I have finally taken the majority of the toxins in and around my home and replaced them with better brands.”

Fast forward a couple years and two beautiful kids later and believe it or not, I felt like I wanted to do more! I wasn’t really sure what I was going to do or how I would achieve that so-called goal, but there was this need for purpose. I knew being mama to my beautiful baby boy and girl was my number one priority and there was no way I was giving up being able to be home and raise them. Enter Beautycounter…it wasn’t so much about the products the company was selling as it was about the mission. It was what the company stood for that drew me to the brand. “To get safer products into the hands of everyone.” 

This resonated with me. This was my “aha” moment! For years I worked in the media business, as an On-Air talent. As many know in the industry, your face is your brand, I know mine was. So, when I managed to put the pieces of the puzzle together, it all fit. As a reporter and producer, you have this thirst for knowledge, thirst for getting information out to the public immediately, thirst to make a difference in the world. Beautycounter would give me the opportunity to do just that. I would join these empowering women, with my same beliefs, who are pushing legislation to enact stricter laws when it comes to cosmetics. 

Did you know that the U.S. has not changed any regulation on this issue since 1938 and has banned only 30 chemicals to date, as compared to the 1,300 banned by the European Union? Those numbers are startling!! According to FDA.gov The Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act, “ Does not require cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, to have FDA approval before they go on the market.” What I loved most, was that Beautycounter wasn’t going to stand for it, and instead, they chose to ban more than 1,500 harmful chemicals from products we put on our largest organ, our skin, no matter the cost.

When I was pregnant with our children, I had some mild allergies to some of the products I was already using that claimed to be natural and then when my daughter was born with a mild case of eczema, I was back to the trial and error drawing board. I refused to use brands recommended by doctors, that apparently would help cure her skin issues. I too started to feel like the makeup I was using was making me itch around my eyes, the products I had grown to love and swear by were somehow letting me down. I did extensive research on Beautycounter and one thing I found and respected about the brand was that they were a BCorp. Ever heard of Toms shoes? These companies are required to meet strict standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency in order to qualify. Not to mention they have a partnership with EWG.org., a company devoted to the research and education of what is in our foods and products. This was the icing on the cake for me!

Now I’ll be able to surround myself with like-minded individuals who get it, to raise my babies how my husband and I see fit and to continue my career as a voice in the community and a liaison for change. My dream is to live in a world where my children, family and friends don’t have to worry about watching their loved ones become ill, for them to be able to go to the grocery store and put items in their cart they don’t have to second guess. To grow old enough to live fulfilled lives without dealing with infertility issues, organ failure and cancer. Enough is enough. The time for change is now, even if it is one lip gloss at a time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you can understand the need for change in both our country and our government regulations. Changes you’ve made to your diet should influence the changes you can make around your homes and what you put on your bodies. You can reach out to me anytime to discuss ways to make progress towards your family’s health. I’d be glad to help in any way I can. Visit my website at www.Beautycounter.com/brianadandrea to learn more about Beautycounter and how you can change your health and financial footprint. Feel free to give me a call or connect with me on Facebook.

I’m incredibly passionate about this mission, the company and the products. If you feel like this interests you and would like to learn more about the ground floor business opportunity of putting safe products in the hands of everyone, please
CLICK HERE.

I plan to keep you on my contact list for informational purposes, giveaways, product sales, etc. but if at any time you want to be removed, simply unsubscribe using the link below.

With love, happiness and health,

-Briana Xo

August Mayor’s Column

Anne Gerwig
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August Mayor’s Column

Mayor’s Column

August

By Mayor Anne Gerwig

August! The heat is on!  We are also in the midst of our rainy season. Make sure to protect yourself from mosquitos and eliminate standing water on your property. Our Environmental Services Department is stepping up their defenses throughout the summer months, with regular mosquito spraying, application of larvicides to standing water, and responding to resident requests. If you are outside at dusk, wear clothing and repellant, just to be on the safe side.

This month, we continue to focus on the safety of our residents and our businesses. Through Business Safety Walk & Talks, outreach through our social media channels, and participation in local community and chamber meetings, we’re reminding everyone to avoid becoming a victim of crimes of opportunity. Whether at the grocery store or in your driveway, remember to always lock your car door, and put valuables out of sight. Take a look at this message by Councilwoman Tanya Siskind; it includes simple steps we can all take to stay safe: http://bit.ly/2tHPm3X

Get involved in keeping your community safe by joining a Neighborhood Watch and coming out to our monthly Walk & Talk events. Take a look at our web calendar for upcoming dates.  From working with our communities, residents, businesses, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, we appreciate everyone’s efforts to improve safety awareness.

Our safety focus continues as school starts again on August 14th.  Take extra care in the mornings and afternoons. School zones are strictly enforced and we want to make sure that our kids are safe and ready to learn. Vice Mayor John McGovern offers school drop-off and pick-up tips for busy parents in this Public Service Announcement: http://bit.ly/2uDJcWE.

As part of our annual preparation for going back to school, our Community Services Team joined local non-profit organizations to collect school supplies during our Back to School Supply Drive. These supplies will be given to students during our Back to School Block Party on Saturday, August 5th at Tiger Shark Cove Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.   We thank these organizations for empowering our students with the tools they need for a successful school year. 

Finally, work is well underway on our Fiscal Year 2018 Budget.  Stop by Village Hall or tune in and watch the Council Workshop on WellingtonTV on Monday, August 7th from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Council also has another Directions Workshop on Wednesday, August 9th, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to consider changes and development of the Lake Wellington waterfront area and a village-wide signage program.  You can also let us know your thoughts by taking the FY 2017-2018 Budget Challenge on our website. The budget is adopted in September so this is your chance to let us know how you want your money spent!

The total proposed FY 2018 Budget is $110.4 million as compared to the FY 2017 Budget of $89.5 million, including Interfund Transfers.  The $20.8 million increase from prior year is primarily due to specific multi-year capital improvement projects. The major projects include $3.5 million in projects funded by the voter approved sales surtax last November and $9.6 million to renew the Water Reclamation and Water Treatment Facilities, some of our most critical infrastructure. Additionally, Wellington’s operating costs are projected to increase by $4.5 million due to increases in operating costs and personnel.  A reduced TRIM millage rate of 2.43 mills was approved along with no change to the ACME assessment rate ($230 per unit) and no change in the Solid Waste curbside and containerized rates ($135/$100).  The base rates for Water and Wastewater includes the 2.5% annual indexing which will be an approximate $1.48 increase on a monthly basis. 

Food trucks and entertainment continue on Thursday afternoons starting at 5:00 p.m. as part of our Food Truck Invasion.  Come out and enjoy some trendy foods and local talent. Other August events include:

  • Foreigner tribute band on August 3rd
  • Power Rangers Free Movie Night August 4th
  • Steely Dan tribute on August 5th
  • Chain Reaction / Forever Styx band August 10th
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul, Free Movie Night August 11th
  • Gypsy Lane band, August 17th
  • The Flyers band, August 24th
  • Rough Shot band, August 31st

Concerts and movies are free but you need to bring your own seating. There are vendors at the events too and the sales help to provide funding for the events.  We encourage you to enjoy some food too.  Check the amphitheater calendar to keep up to date.

For information about our Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visit www.wellingtonfl.gov, watch Wellington TV for the latest happenings, and register at http://www.wellingtonfl.gov/discover-us/signup for Enews deliveries. 

TooJay’s Gives Parents a Break during Back-to-School Shopping Month Kids eat free every day in August

Mikayla Carroll
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TooJay’s Gives Parents a Break during Back-to-School Shopping Month Kids eat free every day in August

TooJay’s Gives Parents a Break during Back-to-School Shopping Month
Kids eat free every day in August

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (July 31, 2017) – TooJay’s is making life a little bit easier and more economical for busy families during back-to-school shopping time with a month-long Kids Eat Free offer with the purchase of one adult entrée, seven days a week in August.

“Helping young families save money during back-to-school month is one way for us to thank them for their loyalty to TooJay’s, welcome our next generation of guests, while enjoying great deli food,” said Chris Artinian, President and CEO of TooJay’s, the restaurant known for its generous servings of homemade, New York deli favorites.

“We hope that taking a break to enjoy our Simply Great Food and Simply Great Experiences will help alleviate some of the stress of back-to-school shopping, especially when kids eat free,” Artinian added.

Children age 12 and under must order from the Kid’s Menu of popular breakfast, lunch and dinner items.

Breakfast favorites include French toast, half a Belgian waffle and bacon strips, among other popular choices. For lunch and dinner, kids can enjoy a hamburger, Jr. Tuna Melt, Chicken Salad Chop Chop, Mac & Cheese and more. All lunch and dinner meals offer a choice of two sides, including carrot sticks with Ranch dressing, Mandarin oranges, chocolate pudding, red grapes, French fries and apple sauce, plus a famous TooJay’s mini black & white cookie. This special offer does not include beverages and cannot be combined with any other offers.

Founded in 1981, TooJay’s has grown to 27 restaurants throughout Florida and currently serves guests in Palm Beach and Broward counties, the Treasure Coast, the West Coast of Florida, the Orlando area, The Villages, the Space Coast and Polk County.

TooJay’s received the 2016 Best of South Florida Award for Best Deli from the Sun Sentinel, 2017 Dining Award for Best Deli from Orlando Magazine, two Foodie Awards for Best Deli and Best Take-Out from the Orlando Sentinel and is ranked eighth in the country for Family Dining by Consumer Reports.

For more information about TooJay’s, visit TooJays.com. Follow TooJay’s at twitter.com/therealTooJays and instagram.com/toojaysdeli or visit the Facebook fan page, which has over 84 thousand fans, and become a fan at facebook.com/TooJaysDeli.

PGA National Resort & Spa to Host 2017 Craft Beer Bash Weekend

Mikayla Carroll
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PGA National Resort & Spa to Host 2017 Craft Beer Bash Weekend

PGA National Resort & Spa to Host 2017 Craft Beer Bash Weekend
A Roster of Fun including a festival featuring Unlimited Craft Beer Samplings, an After Party and specialty Hangover Brunch the Morning After Benefitting Bluewater Babes Fish for a Cure
(PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL) – PGA National Resort & Spa, the creator of the Craft Beer Festival & Burger Bash, will host its third annual Craft Beer Bash, an indoor event on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 1pm to 4pm.

General Admission tickets are $39 in advance and $49 at the door with registration starting at noon and admission starting at 1 p.m.

PGA National will showcase the world’s most impressive portfolio of an estimated 150 craft beer and cider brands. The roster of fun also includes live entertainment by Sweet Justice and DJ/Electric Violinist Timothee Lovelock of Lovelock Music Group, timed release tastings, cider area, and a vendor village with specialty retail goods and food concessions (for purchase). Immediately following the event, the party continues at 4pm at the iBar After Party and an unlimited “hair of the dog” add-on to Sunday Brunch at Palm Terrace for an additional charge the following morning.

Participating breweries will have booths with unlimited samples for tasting. Bash-goers will have the opportunity to vote on the “People’s Choice Awards” for Best Craft Brewery and Best Hard Cider Mill. Timed release tastings will be offered from select breweries.

The Homebrewers Contest, judged by an expert panel, is open to all beer categories in the 2017 BJCP style guidelines. To enter the competition, homebrewers should register via Eventbrite, purchasing a minimum of one General Admission ticket to enter the event, and an additional Home Brew Competition Entry for a processing fee of $5. The judge-chosen “King of All Home Brewers” will receive a commemorative beer mug trophy along with a PGA National golf getaway including three days and two nights luxury accommodations, a golf twosome and dinner for two at the resort’s signature restaurant, Ironwood Steak & Seafood. (Total prize value of $1200). The second runner-up will be awarded a commemorative beer mug trophy and dinner for two at Ironwood Steak & Seafood, while the third runner up will receive a beer mug trophy plus a $50 iBar gift certificate.

Guests will want to take advantage of The Craft Beer Bash Room Package from just $149, which includes two General Admission tickets with luxury accommodations at PGA National for the night. To reserve a Craft Beer Bash Room Package, call resort reservations at 855.896.4762.

“Our loyal festival fans have come back annually for the chance to relax in a serene, resort environment while tasting a tremendous selection of craft beers and ciders, many originating from our local neighborhood microbreweries,” said Greg Saunders, VP and Managing Director. “We encourage festival goers to take the elevator home with the room package in order to drink responsibly and extend the fun into an experiential weekend versus just a day at a festival’”

For more PGA National Resort & Spa information: visit www.pgaresort.com or call 855.896.4762.

About PGA National Resort & Spa

Fresh off its multimillion-dollar revitalization, PGA National Resort & Spa is a world-class golf, spa, vacation and meetings destination, as well as a premier semi-private membership club offering golf, tennis, sports and social offerings. The South Florida locale offers 90 holes of championship golf on five courses including the famed Champion Course, home to the popular PGA TOUR Honda Classic and legendary “Bear Trap.”

A highlight at PGA National is its 33,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Sports & Racquet Club (SRC). The impressive facility features the latest exercise equipment, indoor racquetball court, three aerobics studios with new sound systems, five-lane saltwater lap pool, spin room with video roadmapping, indoor volleyball court, two Pickleball / POP tennis courts, and19 Har-Tru tennis courts (11 lit for night play).

PGA National offers customized suites ideal for weddings, golf “buddy trips” and spa aficionados. Its numerous multi-use settings include a permanent, lakeside wedding venue with stunning vistas; scenic Lakeside Lawn perfect for receptions; iDeck – a new 3,000-square-foot terrace ideal for indoor / outdoor dining and entertaining; “Bar 91” 19th hole bar and grill; 40,000 square feet of self-contained conference and event space; and seven on-site restaurants and lounges including its acclaimed chef-driven Ironwood Steak & Seafood.

The Spa at PGA National is a 40,000-square-foot oasis of tranquility featuring 32 treatment rooms and areas with 100 various therapies, the exclusive “Waters of the World” outdoor mineral pools, full-service salon and relaxing lounge areas.

Conveniently located within an easy driving distance of major Florida population centers, the AAA Four Diamond resort is 15 minutes from Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), one hour from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and 90 minutes from Miami International Airport (MIA).

About Bluewater Babes

Bluewater Babes Charitable Trust is a nonprofit public charity committed to providing financial assistance to local breast and ovarian cancer patients in financial need! Medical bills often leave patients strapped to pay for the basic essentials: car payments, electric and water bills, or even rent. Worry abounds during treatment and these bills shouldn’t add to that.

Born out of a love for fishing, the courage to fight and an understanding of the powerful nature of women working together, Bluewater Babes Fish for a Cure is Palm Beach County’s first all-female fishing tournament.

Since its founding in 2009, more than 1,000 boats and 4,000 female anglers have joined together to celebrate loved ones, often themselves, who have bravely fought and won the battle against these diseases and to remember and honor those whom they have lost.

Bluewater Babes has grown steadily year after year and in 2013 tournament organizers decided to convert the event into a much greater entity – its own non-profit organization – Bluewater Babes.

Bluewater Babes proudly supports and has donated over $465,000 to long-standing local charities Cancer Alliance for Help and Hope, Hearing the Ovarian Cancer Whisper–(H.O.W.) and the Kristin Hoke Breast Health Program at Jupiter Medical Center. As its own 501(c)3, Bluewater Babes Charitable Trust provides direct support to those in need through its “Out of the Blue” financial assistance fund. Proceeds from both the annual Fish for a Cure events and ongoing fundraising efforts increase and extend Bluewater Babes’ reach to provide help for those in need in our own community.

What’s New at the Palm Beach Zoo?

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What’s New at the Palm Beach Zoo?

AW Spotlight

 

What’s New at the Palm Beach Zoo?

 

An Interview with Ron Brooks, Events Manager

Fiona the jaguar

AW: What’s new at the Zoo?

 

RB: This past Memorial Day weekend we introduced Fiona, an amazing jaguar, who was rescued in 2014 in Panama after her mother was killed by hunters.  Thanks to great diplomatic work by the APPC (Pan-American Association of Conservation) and other organizations, we now have Fiona here at the Palm Beach Zoo. 

 

This fall we will be opening a new Lorikeet Loft, where you can walk through and feed nectar to the lorikeets.  Lorikeets are Australian parrots.  This fall we will also be opening our Monkey Mania exhibit, featuring the squirrel monkeys. 

 

In the winter, we will open Ocelot Overlook, which will be a nice, large habitat for the ocelot, a South and Central American cat.  We will also open the Baum Entry Plaza, which will be our new grand entry way – very modern, assisting a high-capacity of visitors with more guest services available. 

AW: Tell us about Safari Nights.

 

RB: Safari Nights happens every Friday night throughout the summer. We have a unique theme each week like pirates, superheroes, dinosaurs and other themes.  We encourage everyone to dress up to match the theme.  There’s a DJ who plays kid-friendly music and themed crafts.  Safari Nights go on from 4:30pm to 9pm.  They also include up-close animal encounters, where zoo visitors get to visit with a snake, an armadillo, a tortoise, a sloth or another animal.  Safari Nights are free for members of the Palm Beach Zoo. 

 

AW: Give us a few fun facts that people might not know about the Palm Beach Zoo.

 

Back in the late 50’s, it was Bacon Park and Paul Dreher was commissioned to create a botanical garden. That’s why the Palm Beach Zoo has such lush landscaping and such a diversity of plants and trees throughout.  In the late 60’s, the first bear at the zoo was used in the TV show “Gentle Ben.”  (See an intro to “Gentle Ben.”)

 

AW: What are some of the best things about Zoo Camp?

 

Zoo Camp offers different weekly themes.  Kids can learn about zoo keeping and other zoo jobs that they may be interested in for the future.  It’s also a chance to get behind the scenes at the zoo and see some things the average visitor doesn’t see.  And of course, everyone loves the interactive fountain.  Zoo Camp continues until the week of August 7th.  Check the Palm Beach Zoo website for details. 

AW: Tell us about some of the Palm Beach Zoo’s conservation efforts.

 

RB: We do a lot of internal things like our carbon fuel reduction initiative, where zoo staff carpools to work.  We also have a zero waste initiative.  There’s recycling receptacle on one side of each trash can.  We compost our food waste from the zoo café, as well as from our offices.  Meanwhile, the café has a heavy focus on local products and reducing packaging. 

 

The zoo aims to help endangered species and to give them a healthy, comfortable place to live.  We educate the public about various threats to wildlife, like the use of palm oil in foods and shampoos.  The harvesting of palm oil is a threat to the habitat of Malayan tigers and other species in Southeast Asia. 

 

The Palm Beach Zoo belongs to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), an organization that manages a number of species survival plans.  It’s kind of a Match.com for animals, finding the best match for breeding to sustain an endangered species.  This organization has helped the Malayan tiger, the Mexican spider monkey, the jaguar and many other species. 

 

AW: How many animals do you have? How many attractions?

 

RB: We have approximately 500 animals.  That number changes all the time, depending on species survival plans needs and other factors.  As for attractions, we have the wildlife carousel, the Tropics Café, the safari train and the interactive fountain plaza. 

AW: What are some of the benefits of Zoo membership?

 

RB: You get unlimited day time visits, unlimited Safari Nights, 10% off at the café, gift shop and special events.  A family membership pays for itself with approximately two visits with a family of four.  It’s a great deal!

 

AW: How is the Zoo a “cool” place to visit in the summer?

 

RB: Thanks to its origins as a botanical garden, there are very shady paths to walk along. Also there are a few old South Florida style chickee huts, providing further shade.  There’s the fountain to cool off and play in.  It also helps that we offer evening hours on Fridays and select Saturdays throughout the summer.

 

AW: What are some of your upcoming events?

 

RB: There’s still another month left of Safari Nights, fun for the whole family.  On August 12th, we have a “Roar & Pour” event with a tribute band playing Styx and Journey favorites.  On August 26th, it’s a Food Truck Safari night, with many food trucks to sample from.

                                                                              

On September 2nd, it’s the 3rd Annual Save the Jaguar 5K.  A portion of proceeds go to the Wildlife Conservation Society and the work they are doing in Bolivia. 

 

On September 16th, we present Brew 2 at the Zoo, a craft beer festival, featuring South Florida breweries. 

 

As we approach Halloween, we offer Boo at the Zoo, a not so scary Halloween event that happens the last two weekends of October.  There are opportunities to trick or treat throughout the zoo.  There’s a DJ and special characters to visit with, and approximately 250,000 pieces of candy.

 

Then as the holidays approach, we offer Breakfast with Santa in December, a popular tradition at the zoo.

 

AW: Anything else?

 

Watch our Facebook page for more events and some new animals’ arrivals coming soon.  https://www.facebook.com/palmbeachzoo/ 

Sloth experienc

You can have up-close animal experiences for an additional charge and get close to a koala, a sloth, flamingoes and a few other animals.  Just ask about this or book in advance online. 

 

The Palm Beach Zoo

PalmBeachZoo.org

1301 Summit Boulevard
West Palm Beach, Florida 33405

(561) 547-9453 (WILD)

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