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LIGHTHOUSE ARTCENTER RECEIVES A $42K GRANT TO EXPAND FREE ART CLASSES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

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LIGHTHOUSE ARTCENTER RECEIVES A $42K GRANT TO EXPAND FREE ART CLASSES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Tequesta, Fla. (September 30, 2024)—Lighthouse ArtCenter (LAC) received a $42,000 grant to expand free art classes for youth and adults with special needs. Awarded through the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County’s Arts & Cultural Education Fund, this two-year grant spans through May 2026, allowing LAC to increase its support for this important community initiative. Registration is currently open at lighthousearts.org/our-classes/special-needs-classes/.

“We are thrilled to expand our special needs art classes thanks to the generous support of the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County and the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation,” said Jeni Licata, Executive Director at Lighthouse ArtCenter. “These classes play a crucial role in our Art For All outreach programs, which aim to make art accessible to underserved populations and contribute to their education, skill development, and overall well-being.”

Since 2009, Lighthouse ArtCenter (LAC) has offered free monthly art classes to individuals with special needs through the Olivia Palumbo Special Needs Art Classes. These classes were made possible by the generosity and vision of Doctors Vince and Anne Palumbo, who were inspired by their granddaughter. With new funding, LAC is thrilled to announce that these classes will now be held weekly, providing participants with more consistent opportunities for artistic expression and significant personal growth.

“It has always been our long-term goal to offer weekly rather than once-a-month classes. This grant will make this dream come true,” Anne Palumbo explained. “It is especially meaningful because those we serve flourish most readily with familiar environments and routine. It is also a boon to their caregivers, who can count on a few hours off each week, knowing their loved ones are enjoying a safe and enriching experience.”

Participants in the youth classes engage in various art projects using pencils, crayons, colored pencils, markers, watercolor paints, and tempera paints. Similarly, adult students explore these mediums while working on projects tailored to their interests and abilities. Research shows that weekly art classes for individuals with special needs improve social skills, self-expression, and self-esteem and reduce stress. They also foster community and enhance well-being through creative expression.

The special needs art classes are part of LAC’s art outreach initiative, Art For All, which provides free art instruction to underserved populations, including Veterans, individuals with special needs, at-risk children and adolescents, seniors, and economically disadvantaged individuals. LAC runs sixteen art outreach programs in partnership with ten local organizations.

For more information about Lighthouse ArtCenter’s special needs programs and how to get involved, visit https://lighthousearts.org/our-classes/special-needs-classes/.

About Lighthouse ArtCenter:

Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery & School of Art is a 501c(3) not-for-profit founded in 1964 by eight artists and Christopher Norton. The ArtCenter is dedicated to the visual arts, whose mission is to inspire, engage, and connect our community through a vibrant school of art, unique exhibitions, and diverse special events. The center has become a three-building campus with multiple galleries, eight studios, and an ArtShop. Supported by memberships, tuition, grants, and donations, Lighthouse ArtCenter serves over 20,000 visitors, 3000 students, 45 faculty members, 400 summer art campers, and a comprehensive outreach program to benefit under-served populations. For more information, visit https://www.lighthousearts.org.

Facebook: @lighthousearts.org

Instagram: @lighthousearts

LIGHTHOUSE ARTCENTER

GALLERY AND 2D STUDIO

373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469

561-746-3101

3D STUDIO

395 Seabrook Road, Tequesta, FL 33469

561-746-3101

STUDIO 385

Jewelry and Textiles

385 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469

561-746-3101

Halloween Experiences for the Bold and the Brave

Terri Marshall
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Halloween Experiences for the Bold and the Brave

Tis the season for jack-o-lanterns on the front porch, skeletons dancing across manicured lawns, and kids of all ages donning their spookiest wardrobe choices. This year, consider raising the bar on your Halloween experiences with these intriguing yet somewhat terrifying experiences across the country.

New Orleans: Step Into The Mortuary – If You Dare

Halloween Experiences in New Orleans
Welcome to The Mortuary Photo: The Mortuary

Located at the very dead end of Canal Street in New Orleans, horrors await at The Mortuary. Built in 1872, New Orleans’ famed Grand Victorian Mansion, known as The Mortuary, celebrates its 152nd anniversary this year. Themed for 2024 as a Hellection, brave guests are encouraged to “Choose Thy Fate!”

This former funeral parlor and crematorium sits among more than a million graves within a one-square-mile radius. Between 1930 and 2003,  over 20,000 funerals took place within its walls. Imagine all the blood and bodily fluids of the dead swirling into a drain in the embalming room deep in the basement catacombs.

A New Orleans Halloween tradition, if this self-guided tour of darkness doesn’t just get the adrenaline-pumping, nothing will. It also induces nail-biting, screaming, and nightmares. Enter if you dare. And don’t be surprised if you encounter the works of the twisted mortician frightfully known as Ravencroft. www.themortuary.net

The Ghosts of Charleston

Haunted Charleston
Cemetery in Charleston Photo: Shutterstock

With much of the city built atop gravesites, it’s no wonder Charleston, South Carolina earned the designation as one of the most haunted cities in the South. Reports of ghost sightings are commonplace here, and there are plenty of tours that highlight Charleston’s dark side. I booked the Cemetery and Dungeon experience with Bulldog Tours. The guide led us through the historic streets, cemeteries, back alleys, and churches as we took in all the ghostly details. Chilling stories of sightings, haunted houses, voodoo, and Low Country superstitions kept things spooky along the way.

The tour concludes with a goosebump-inducing visit to the Provost Dungeon in the Old Exchange Building, which housed hundreds of prisoners during the Revolutionary War. Jailed for either treason or sedition, many of them spent their final days in this dreadful dungeon.

The faint of heart may want to skip this tour and opt for the Ghosts and Spirits tour. At least the liquid spirits will help you ward off the supernatural ones. www.bulldogtours.com/tours/ghost

The Missouri State Penitentiary

Halloween Experiences
The Missouri State Penitentiary Gas Chamber Photo: Shutterstock

A hundred years older than Alcatraz and infinitely creepier, the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City housed some of the most notorious criminals in US history including Martin Luther King, Jr’s assassin, James Earl Ray. Tour guides lead you through Housing Unit 1, A-Hall—the oldest building still standing—where you’ll see the art left in the cells by former inmates. You’ll also learn about the history of the site and all the strange and unusual events that have occurred within the prison’s foreboding walls.

Particularly disturbing, the tours include a visit to the Dungeon Cells used for solitary confinement and a visit to the Gas Chamber where 40 inmates took their last breaths. You’re welcome to sit in the gas chamber during your visit if you dare. You do you!

If ghost hunting is on your must-do list, join one of the paranormal tours and learn how to use paranormal equipment to recognize paranormal activity. For those with nerves of steel, overnight paranormal investigations should shake you up a bit. Bring a flashlight to illuminate those dark corners. www.missouripentours.com/tours/

The Haunted Road and a Haunted Field of Screams

Halloween Experiences
Haunted Field of Screams

Legendary stories of burnings, hangings, and deadly roadside accidents haunt an 11-mile stretch of Riverside Road in Thornton, Colorado. Here, lost souls and decrepit creatures continue to roam—and so can you. Scare the hell out of yourself and your passengers with a drive on the state’s most haunted road that regularly shows up as a hot spot for ghost hunters. Legend tells us the hauntings began after a man went mad burning down his home with his family trapped inside. Only the iron gates of the former mansion remain–now dreadfully known as the Gates to Hell.

If the drive down this horrifying road doesn’t make your skin crawl enough, venturing into the 40-acre corn fields just off the road for the Haunted Field of Screams attraction. Your journey begins with a hayride to the Gates of Hell. Then, collect more goosebumps as you wander through multiple haunted houses. Keep an eye on any scarecrows you encounter. Reports reveal evil gatherers seeking their next victims often appear in disguise. Will you survive the Gates to Hell? www.hauntedfieldofscreams.com/

Happy Halloween!

American Humane Rescue Team Deploys to Support Animal Rescue and Sheltering in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene

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American Humane Rescue Team Deploys to Support Animal Rescue and Sheltering in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene

PALM BEACH, FL (October 2, 2024) — American Humane, the United States’ first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare practices, announced that its Rescue Team has deployed to Georgia to support rescuing and sheltering efforts for animals affected by Hurricane Helene.

The American Humane Rescue Team consistently monitors natural disasters and deploys first response units with state-of-the-art rescue vehicles to help animals in danger. Currently, the Rescue Team is deployed to South Georgia and will likely travel to North Carolina in the coming days to provide support for local officials working to rescue animals in flood waters.

“When our help is needed, the American Humane Rescue Team immediately responds,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane. “We are constantly monitoring for natural disasters, especially during hurricane season, and our expert team is dedicated to providing support and helping heal the community and the animals that call it home.”

American Humane’s Rescue Team was able to proactively prepare for the 2024 hurricane season thanks to a $125,000 grant from the PEDIGREE Foundation, which has worked closely with American Humane for the past several years in support of the organization’s animal rescue programs.

American Humane carefully monitors disaster situations around the country and works with local officials for requests for assistance before deploying resources in the most effective and efficient way possible. Providing care for stranded, injured, and lost animals in the wake of a natural disaster requires around-the-clock attention to the physical and mental well-being of each individual animal.

The American Humane Rescue Team was founded more than 100 years ago during World War I, when the U.S. Secretary of War requested assistance caring for injured horses in war-torn Europe. Since then, American Humane’s animal first responders have been on the ground for several disasters throughout our nation’s history, from Pearl Harbor, to 9/11, to the historic eastern Kentucky flooding of 2022 and beyond.

To learn more about the grant, or to support American Humane’s lifesaving work, visit americanhumane.org/program/animal-rescue.

ABOUT AMERICAN HUMANE 

With offices in Palm Beach and Washington, D.C., American Humane is the United States’ first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare, helping to verify the humane treatment of more than one billion animals across the globe each year. Founded in 1877, American Humane has been First to Serve™ the cause of animals and for over 145 years has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in the humane movement. For more information or to support our lifesaving work,  visit AmericanHumane.org, and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram and subscribe to our channel on YouTube for the latest breaking news and features about the animals with whom we share our Earth. 

American Humane Launches Supplies Drive

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American Humane Launches Supplies Drive

to Help Pets Affected by Hurricane Helene

PALM BEACH, FL (October 2, 2024) – American Humane—the country’s first national animal welfare organization—will host a food and supplies drive for animals affected by Hurricane Helene.

The nonprofit’s Executive Office in Palm Beach is spearheading a critical effort to support animals affected by the recent natural disasters. On October 3 and 4, American Humane will collect pet food and supplies, which will be transported directly to devastated areas in urgent need of assistance.

As communities rebuild and recover, countless pets remain vulnerable, lacking necessities such as food and bedding. American Humane calls on the community to come together to help provide relief to these animals in distress.

American Humane is collecting the following items:

  • Dry and wet pet food (for dogs, cats, and other small animals)
  • Pet beds, blankets, and towels
  • Collars, leashes, and harnesses
  • Pet-safe cleaning supplies
  • Veterinary supplies

American Humane’s donation drop off-site site is located on the first floor at 251 Royal Palm Way, Palm Beach. Collection hours are Thursday, October 3 and Friday, October 4, from 10am to 4pm.

“Now more than ever, it’s vital that we extend our compassion beyond our own homes and help those animals who are facing uncertain futures due to recent disasters,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane. “Every donation, no matter the size, will make a significant impact in the lives of these animals.”

For more information or to schedule large drop-off donations, contact Georgia Boyer at georgiab@americanhumane.org.

About American Humane 

American Humane is the United States’ first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare, helping to verify the humane treatment of more than one billion animals across the globe each year. Founded in 1877, American Humane has been First to Serve™ the cause of animals and for over 145 years has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in the humane movement. For more information or to support our lifesaving work, please visit AmericanHumane.org, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram and subscribe to our channel on YouTube for the latest breaking news and features about the animals with whom we share our Earth. 

The Mall at Wellington Green Appoints Marketing Manager

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The Mall at Wellington Green Appoints Marketing Manager

Wellington, FL (September 30, 2024)— is pleased to announce the addition of Julie Schalm to its leadership team. In her new role, Schalm will serve as Marketing Manager. 

Schalm brings nearly a decade of experience in the marketing industry, as well as a passion for brand growth, to her new role. She has previously served as Marketing Director at Digital Resource and most recently as Director of Marketing at AP Restaurant Group, where she successfully managed multiple brands, drove revenue increases and elevated the group’s visibility. Having grown up in Wellington, Schalm is excited to contribute to her local community and promote one of the landmarks of her childhood—The Mall at Wellington Green. 

“We are elated to add a talented and experienced marketing professional like Julie to our team,” said Asad Sadiq, General Manager at The Mall at Wellington Green. “We are confident her contributions will have a positive impact.”

About The Mall at Wellington Green

The Mall at Wellington Green in Wellington, FL is a 1.2 million-square-foot, two-level regional shopping destination, and it features over 160 stores. Retail and restaurant favorites include Macy’s, Dillard’s, Apple, Pandora, Brighton, Chico’s, Forever 21, H&M, Helzberg Diamonds, Zales, Tommy Bahama, City Furniture, Lemongrass, and The Palm Beach Museum of Natural History. For more information, visit shopwellingtongreen.com

A Mini Series of Flower Classes at Cugini

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A Mini Series of Flower Classes at Cugini

Prevalence of Rotator Cuff Injury for the Aging Athlete 

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Prevalence of Rotator Cuff Injury for the Aging Athlete 

John Hinson M.D. of Palm Beach Orthopedic Institute Emphasizes the Prevalence of Rotator Cuff Injury for the Aging Athlete

Wellington, FL (October 1, 2024) – John Hinson M.D., from the Palm Beach Orthopedic Institute has been educating the community on recognizing the physical signs of aging, athletic injury prevention, chronic shoulder injuries, and treatment options when necessary. Hinson spoke as a guest speaker during a luncheon at The Wanderers Club in Wellington to teach Rotary Club members about the aging athlete and the prevalence of rotator cuff injury and repair.

Hinson informs that rotator cuff tears are the most common injury encountered by the aging athlete. Patients will relate an onset of symptoms without a specific event occurring. The patient will express pain while playing that is oftentimes sharp with swinging a club or paddle.  Sometimes the pain will occur after engaging in the sport and will often lead to night pains, causing a limit in the ability to play. 

Hinson teaches that treatment for most patients begins with conservative measures that can include anti-inflammatory medication, ice and head, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injection (cortisone shot). A modification in activity such as decreasing or the need to stop engaging in sports for a period of time.

The prevalence of this, is that if symptoms persist there may be a concern for significant injury and an MRI may be ordered. The surgery is reserved for those who do not improve with conservative treatment or others with severe injury. A rotator cuff repair is when the tendon is reattached to the bone using anchors and sutures and often requires a lengthy recovery period. Hinson emphasizes that other chronic soft tissue injuries include injuries to the proximal biceps tendon and labrum. 

Also specializing in degenerative shoulder conditions, Hinson informs others on what the common degenerative shoulder conditions are, the symptoms and when it is appropriate to seek treatment. Degenerative shoulder conditions involve an injury to the biceps tendon as it attaches into the shoulder and the symptoms in these conditions overlap closely.

Hinson educates his patients facing these challenges on how to treat these conditions. First is the common sense approach, which can help prevent both lower and upper extremity injuries. Avoiding falls that may cause acute injuries by playing a sport on a clean and dry court or field and being aware of surroundings for possible hazards. Secondly, there may be specific tools to help prevent shoulder injuries such as appropriate braces for wearing.

For the aging athlete, preparation can help prevent chronic injuries such as stretching. Regular shoulder stretching and strengthening exercises can help prevent injury from developing. Hinson advises that home shoulder stretching and strengthening exercises performed on a regular basis will help to maintain shoulder conditioning and prevent injury.

John Hinson M.D. and the Palm Beach Orthopedic Institute has been educating not only seen patients, but also around the Palm Beach community through different speaking engagements, teaching to recognize the physical signs of aging, how to prevent an athletic injury through stretches and common sense, the awareness of chronic shoulder injuries including how to cope, and when to seek treatment.
To learn more about John Hinson, M.D. and the Palm Beach Orthopedic Institute, please visit https://www.pboi.com/

Heidi Schaeffer MD announced as Honorary Chair!

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Heidi Schaeffer MD announced as Honorary Chair!

Heidi Schaeffer MD announced as Honorary Chair!

Joan O’Connell and Toni O’Brien, Co-Chairs of the 9th Annual Grandma’s Angels Holiday Luncheon are thrilled to announce Heidi Schaeffer MD as the Honorary Chair.  Dr. Schaeffer has graciously been a Presenting Sponsor of the luncheon since before 2021 and serves as one again this year. There is no one more deserving of this honor and recognition!

Dr. Schaeffer is a nationally recognized human trafficking awareness and intervention expert and is passionate about supporting causes that serve abused, neglected and abandoned youth. She earned her Bachelor Degrees in Biology and Psychology at Barry University (Miami, FL, 1994) and was Valedictorian of both majors. In 1998, she graduated with her Doctorate of Medicine Degree from the University Of Miami School Of Medicine. Dr. Schaeffer trained in Internal Medicine  at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Licensed to practice medicine in Florida since 1999, Dr. Schaeffer has worked with private and public healthcare organizations (including the Department of Health). She is President-Emeritus of the Human Trafficking Coalition  of the Palm Beaches and serves as an Executive Board member of ChildNet and the FLITE Center. She was awarded the State of Florida’s Human Trafficking Advocate of the Year by the Attorney General in 2017.

The luncheon starts at 11:30 am with a wine reception and a fabulous silent auction. During lunch there will be a small live auction while local CBS12 News Anchor Liz Quirantes has once again graciously agreed to serve as the celebrity emcee.  

The auction proceeds benefit Grandma’s Place, which provides shelter and loving care to children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect and also provides respite care for young children with disabilities while offering support to their parents/caregivers to maximize each child’s safety and success. 


Tickets are $225 per person or tables for $2,250.  To receive an invitation, donate an auction item, purchase a ticket, place an ad in the event program, or sponsor the event, please call Roxanne Jacobs at 561-376-0488, e-mail at roxanne@grandmasplacepb.org or visit www.granhttps://www.grandmasplacepb.org/grandmas-angels-holiday-luncheon/dmasplacepb.org .

Ken’s Krew

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Ken’s Krew

KEN’S KREW, A NONPROFIT DEDICATED TO ENSURING THAT INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM AND OTHER NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE, EARN A FAIR WAGE, AND REACH THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL!

Palm Beach County, FL – Ken’s Krew, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities find meaningful employment, continues to transform lives through career coaching, job placement, and ongoing support. The organization’s mission is to ensure that individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities can enter the workforce, earn a fair wage, and maximize their potential.

A remarkable example of Ken’s Krew’s impact is the story of Alejandro Hernandez (pictured above), a 24-year-old from Westlake, FL. Diagnosed with autism at the age of 3, Alejandro was non-verbal until the age of 7. This journey has been marked by many challenges, both emotionally and financially, for him and his family. Despite these obstacles, Alejandro has grown into an amazing young man who is nearly independent and currently employed at Home Depot.

“We are incredibly proud of Alejandro and others like him, who show immense strength and perseverance,” said Ilana Solomon, Palm Beach County Vocational Coordinator of Ken’s Krew. “Our mission is to provide the necessary resources and support to help individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities succeed in their careers and lives.”

Denise Negron and Felix Hernandez, parents of Alejandro, are spearheading a new fundraising effort to support Ken’s Krew’s expansion. “We are deeply grateful for the support received from Ken’s Krew and Home Depot,” said Negron and Hernandez. “This is a critical opportunity to provide hope and resources to a community with limited options. By joining forces, we aim to raise the necessary funds to help Ken’s Krew expand its services and reach more individuals in need.”

The fundraising campaign invites community members to join our Florida Team and to contribute to this vital cause by visiting https://givebutter.com/GreatStateChallenge/florida-fundraisers/denisenegronhernandez. Every donation helps Ken’s Krew continue its mission and support individuals like Alejandro in achieving their career goals.

About Ken’s Krew Ken’s Krew was founded in 1997 by a group of parents concerned about the employment challenges their children with neurodevelopmental disabilities would face. Their search for solutions led them to Home Depot  Co-Founder Ken Langone, who offered job opportunities at Home Depot in Philadelphia, inspiring the launch of the pilot program, “Ken’s Kids,” which provided assessment, training, and support to ensure job placement success. With financial backing from Langone and other donors, full-time vocational coordinators  were hired to guide participants through their employment journey. Over the past 26 years, Ken’s Krew has helped more than 900 individuals transition from students to productive employees, supported by their families, coaches, and workplace teams. Today, the program operates in 10 states and over 186 Home Depot stores, with continued expansion through new employment partners.  For more information, please visit www.kenskrew.org or call us at (212) 290-8999.

Not Being There

Heidi Hess
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Not Being There

By Heidi Hess

“What do you mean you don’t want me to go?” 

I was crushed. My son was honest and I had to respect him. “Mom, I just want to work through this by myself.” This was his response to telling me he wanted to go to a friend’s funeral by himself. 

What an odd feeling. My kids have always wanted me there, even if it was to be “quiet support”. But now… he was telling me that he didn’t want me there. I was dumbfounded. I never expected this but then again, we never expected his friend to pass.

The news came in dribs and drabs. A news report, a friend guessing, and then confirmation. It still breaks my heart. How could this happen? How could someone so young and full of life not be here anymore? My heart breaks for the family. We’ve known them since elementary school and I am in disbelief. And if I’m having a hard time with it, my son must be too right?

Mom’s worry. Are we handling this right? Am I paying enough attention to him, to this situation… am I worrying too much? Sigh. But there comes a time when our kids are old enough to ask for/ tell us what they want. Isn’t that what we encourage their whole lives? And now, I’m staring down the truth barrel, feeling like I’ve been left with a large emotional gaping hole left in my midsection but I’m glad. My son felt comfortable telling me what he wanted and (to my dismay) what he didn’t want. He didn’t want me at the funeral. 

I didn’t say much. Instead, I slinked away to my bedroom to lick my wounds and work this out in a mature way. And it got me thinking about how hard it is to be there for everything but even harder to not be there. The kids get older. His not needing me there and wanting to work out his feelings with his friends is a very mature thing to do. It’s a testament that we, as parents, did something right. The future holds lots of opportunities when I won’t be there. I have to get used to it but boy, is it hard. 

My thoughts and prayers go out to my son’s friend and his family. Please know that we (my son included) think of him often and will always remember him. 

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