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December, 2016 – AW in Pictures
Just a few featured photos Around Wellington. Visit “Photo Galleries” for more pictures.






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Cultural Council of Palm Beach County
Cultural Council of Palm Beach County
To Host a Special Spotlight Luncheon
Evolution of an Artist
Featuring Bernie Taupin
At the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion on January 10
(Lake Worth, FL – December 7, 2016) Rena Blades, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, today announced that tickets are now available for purchase to the Council’s first Spotlight Luncheon in 2017:
Evolution of an Artist
Featuring Bernie Taupin
Renowned internationally for his 50-year song-writing partnership with Sir Elton John and so many other recognized music accomplishments, as a life-long creative, Bernie Taupin is also an author, writer, poet, painter, sculptor, performer and composer.
At the Cultural Council’s Spotlight Luncheon on Tuesday, January 10, at the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion in West Palm Beach, the focus will on his career and evolution as a lifelong, multidisciplinary “Artist”.
Describing his artistic style as “primal, intimate and organic,” Bernie Taupin says, “As artists, we all struggle to find an original voice and escape the hindrance of labels. I’m gratified that serious art collectors and dealers are accepting and showing my work.”
The Event Chair for this Spotlight Luncheon is Suzanne L. Niedland, managing director of BusEyeFilms, LLC, a member of the Cultural Council’s board of directors, on the board of the Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission, and is a current appointee, by Governor Rick Scott, to the Florida Film and Entertainment Advisory Council (FFEAC).
Ms. Niedland also is serving as Luncheon Sponsor along with JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Mr. & Mrs. Frank Walsh.
Patron Sponsors include Bruce A. Beal and Francis V. Cunningham, The Breakers Palm Beach, Mr. & Mrs. James S. Karp, Mr. & Mrs. Berton E. Korman, Herme de Wyman Miro (president of The International Society of Palm Beach), PNC Bank and Mr. & Mrs. Frederic A. Sharf.
Dina Gustin Baker and Mr. & Mrs. William D. Parmelee are serving as Supporter Sponsors of the Spotlight Luncheon with Bernie Taupin, while Donor Sponsors include Mr. & Mrs. Richard R. Katz Jr., Mr. & Mrs. Bob Stiller, Mr. & Mrs. Dom A. Telesco and Palm Beach Illustrated.
Special thanks to Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary, An International Fair Presented by Art Miami and the Perry J. Cohen Foundation.
Note: Mr. Taupin’s current work will be on display at Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary, an international fair presented by Art Miami in West Palm Beach from January 12 to 16. A special selection of his pieces will be available for sale at the Spotlight Luncheon, with a portion of proceeds to benefit the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County and the Perry J. Cohen Foundation.
How to Get Tickets:
Individual tickets for the Spotlight Luncheon with Bernie Taupin are $150, while VIP tickets are $500 each and include the 10:30 a.m. pre-reception in the lobby of the Cohen Pavilion, where a first view of Taupin’s artwork will be exhibited and available for acquisition with proceeds benefitting the Cultural Council and the Perry J. Cohen Foundation. Attendees at the VIP Reception will also enjoy a meet-and-greet with the celebrated artist. Tickets and table sponsorships are available by contacting the Cultural Council’s Kodie Ann Walcott at (561) 472-3342 or by email at [email protected]. The deadline for ticket purchase is January 3, 2017.
About the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County:
The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County is the official support agency for arts and culture in The Palm Beaches, serving non-profit organizations, 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. 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 Visitor Information Center, a VISIT FLORIDA designated Florida Certified Tourism Information Center.
The Cultural Council galleries, visitor information center and store are open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For a complete calendar of cultural activities in The Palm Beaches, connect with the Council at www.palmbeachculture.com or (561) 471-2901. To plan a personalized cultural itinerary, connect with the Cultural Concierge at www.palmbeachculture.com/concierge.
About The Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary:
The Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary Art Fair, presented by Art Miami and sponsored by the City of West Palm Beach will make its debut in West Palm Beach City’s Tent Site (825 S Dixie Hwy & Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach) on Thursday, January 12, 2017 with an exclusive VIP Preview that will benefit the Palm Beach Zoo and run through January 15th. Collectors, and art connoisseurs and art world luminaries alike will have the opportunity to acquire investment quality Blue Chip contemporary, Post-War works from 60 top international galleries over the four days. For more information, please visit www.artpbfair.com
About The Perry J. Cohen Foundation:
PJCF is a registered non for profit 501(c)3 foundation named after Perry Cohen, one of the 14 year old boys who went missing at sea in July 2015. In honor of his legacy, his mother Pamela Cohen and stepfather Nick Korniloff created the PJCF. One of the four pillars of the foundation is to support “The Arts,” one of Perry’s greatest passions and loves. Accordingly, PJCF works to raise funds that will support creative programing of the ARTS (the process of human creativity) for young talented individuals through its relationships with both nonprofit, for profit, private and public cultural, educational and art institutions. For more information, please visit www.pjcf.org.
HANLEY FOUNDATION HAVING A FIELD DAY NAMING CHAIRS FOR 22nd ANNUAL FAMILY PICNIC
HANLEY FOUNDATION HAVING A FIELD DAY NAMING CHAIRS FOR 22nd ANNUAL FAMILY PICNIC
Honorary Chairmen Michelle and Bob Diffenderfer and Chairmen Kai Li Fouts and Chris Jette to lead February 12 family-friendly benefit at new location

(West Palm Beach, Fla.) Hanley Foundation is proud to announce that long-time supporters Michelle and Bob Diffenderfer will be this year’s honorary chairs with Kai Li Fouts and Chris Jette serving as the event co-chairs for the 22nd Annual Family Picnic. The event includes lunch, games, craft activities and two separate silent auctions. One for adults and another with incredible items specifically for children. The benefit takes place at a new location this year, the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, on Sunday, February 12, 2017, from noon to 4 p.m.
“I am honored to be chairing this important benefit event with my husband Chris Jette for Hanley Foundation,” said Fouts. “I believe that educating our children and instilling a high expectation of themselves is the best path to drug and alcohol prevention. I look forward to attending this fun event with my husband and three children, as family time is time well spent and a key activity for preventing future substance abuse.”
In addition to the Diffenderfers, Fouts and Jette, the committee includes Jenny Alcebo, Lyanne Azqueta, Turner Benoit, Tory Miller Casey and Mike Casey, Hailey Emmett, Robin and Scott Hansel, Kim Kozlow, Fran Marcone, Holly O’Neill, Michele Poole, Taylor and James Schneider, Candy Sykes, Catherine Warren, Krissy Webb and Jereann Zann.
“We are so grateful to the 22nd Annual Family Picnic leadership for all they are doing to raise awareness of this event,” stated Jan Cairnes, director of prevention services for Hanley Foundation. “Funds raised at this important benefit event will go towards substance abuse prevention programs in local schools. Last year’s funding assisted our mission by impacting the lives of more than 18,000 State of Florida students, parents, teachers, caregivers, and community members. Through the help provided by donations, we are empowered to meet our mission of preventing kids’ experimentation with drugs and alcohol through active talk; educating medical and paraprofessionals about the signs of substance use disorders; improving access to quality treatment and recovery resources; and advocating positive change through local and national thought-leadership.”
Tickets to the Family Picnic are $195 for adults (18 and over), $50 per child (4-17 years of age), and children 3 and under are free. If you wish to purchase Family Picnic tickets or reserve a table, please call 561-841-1212 or go to our website hanleycenterfoundation.org/familypicnic. Sponsorships for the event are still available. For more information about substance abuse prevention and education programming, please visit our website hanleycenterfoundation.org.
The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival Announces Opening & Closing Movies for 27th Annual Festival
The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival Announces Opening & Closing Movies for 27th Annual Festival
(West Palm Beach, FL – November 28, 2016) Ellen Wedner, Director of The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival, today announced the opening and closing films of the upcoming 27th annual festival that will present 30 movies from around the world.
The opening night screening on January 19 will be held at the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion and it will be the Palm Beach Premiere of ON THE MAP, from Israel. This is the true story of Israel’s 1977 basketball team, the first team to bring the European Cup to Israel, just a few years after the Yom Kippur War. When this ragtag team of Israelis and Americans won, Israel was placed firmly on the map. With incredible footage of 1970s Israel and interviews with Bill Walton and the other athletes who made history, ON THE MAP honors Israeli heroes and mesmerizes fans of the game.
ON THE MAP was directed by Dani Menkin, who will attend the opening night screening and participate in a post-film discussion along with basketball legend Tal Brody. Filmed in English and Hebrew with subtitles, the 85-minute movie was produced by Nancy Spielberg and Roberta Grossman, who produced and directed ABOVE AND BEYOND, the Festival’s opening night film in 2015.
The Premiere Partner for the opening night film is Jupiter Medical Center, with the Rubens Family Foundation serving as Film Guests Partner. Film Partners include Barbara Mines, Linda & Ray Golden, Barbara Kay, The Liman Foundation and Bente Lyons. For the third year, the Festival Season Partner is Howard Kaye Insurance Agency, LLC.
The closing film and awards ceremony will be held on February 12 at the Muvico Parisian at CityPlace in West Palm Beach. The film will be the Palm Beach Premiere of the 2016 Israeli film THE WOMEN’S BALCONY, which was directed by Emil Ben Sharon and is presented in Hebrew with subtitles.
The movie shows what happens when the synagogue’s women’s balcony comes crashing down during a bar mitzvah. A charismatic young rabbi offers to repair the damage and lead the community. But soon, the new rabbi is promoting a stricter interpretation: maybe the balcony crashed because the women of the congregation are not modest enough? This is a warm, poignant portrait of a modern Orthodox community struggling to balance protocol with practical, progressive values. A rousing, good-humored tale of women speaking truth to power, the film is at once rebellious and respectful in spirit.
THE WOMEN’S BALCONY has been charming Israeli filmgoers and critics alike and was a big hit at the Toronto International Film Festival 2016. It was nominated for five Ophir (Israeli Academy) Awards, and Variety raves, “Viewers will leave the theater in a joyous mood.” The Film Partners for the closing movie of The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival 2017 are the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, Howard Kaye Insurance Agency, LLC and the Donald M. Ephraim Family Fund.
Between the opening night and closing films, the 2017 Festival will present 30 memorable movies at the Cinemark Palace in Boca Raton, January 21-27; Cobb Theatres in Palm Beach Gardens, January 28-February 4; and the Frank Theatres in Delray Beach, February 5-11.
On Sale Information:
Opening Night tickets are $20 for Film Society members and $25 for nonmembers. For the rest of the Festival, film tickets range from $7 to $15 for Film Society members and $9 to $18 for nonmembers. They will be available for purchase in December through the website or by calling 877-318-0071.
For more information on membership, sponsor partnerships, pre-festival screenings and events, or to sign-up for the mailing list, please visit pbjff.org. The 2017 festival films, trailers and complete schedule will be live on the website in December 2016.
About the Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival:
Presented by the Mandel Jewish Community Center of the Palm Beaches, The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival strives to bring to South Florida the finest examples of cinema from around the world. Founded in 1990 the festival continues to grow and evolve as it continues to expand the selection of narrative features, short films and documentaries to reflect the tastes and needs of its audience. The 26th annual The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival will be held Jan. 19 through Feb. 12, 2017. For more information, please visit www.PBJFF.org.
About the Mandel Jewish Community Center of the Palm Beaches:
The Mandel JCC has two locations in Palm Beach County. The Boynton Beach building is at 8500 Jog Road and the Palm Beach Gardens building is at 5221 Hood Road. For more information about the Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches, visit www.jcconline.com.
The mission of the Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches is to build community and enhance connection to Jewish life. The Mandel JCC is a partner agency of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.
This program was made possible through a grant from the Palm Beach Jewish Boomer Platform and an Innovation Grant from the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.
Lynn University will present three of Jan McArt’s New Play Readings in 2017
Lynn University will present three of Jan McArt’s New Play Readings in 2017
Tickets on sale for Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center performances
· The Long Reunion: Jan. 23
· Love and Other Unnatural Acts: Feb. 13
· The Camp: March 6
BOCA RATON, Florida, Dec. 1, 2016 Lynn University and Producer Jan McArt, director of theatre arts program development, will present three of Jan McArt’s New Play Readings in 2017. Under the leadership and guidance of McArt, this program develops new plays by highly acclaimed playwrights through staged readings.
Sponsored by Beth Holland, Dr. Donald Janower, Florence Carples, Harriet and Joshua Kalin, Rhea and Morton Mandell, Joan and Art Landgren, Mary Anna Fowler and Jim Davis, and Ruth Wright, this series present three play readings January through March 2017 at the university’s Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center.
Jan. 23
The Long Reunion
A seriocomedy by Jack Gilhooley
Directed by Peter Pileski
· Monday: 7:30 p.m.
Daisy, Billy and Jimmy have attended their high school reunions for 65 years, sharing magic moments, laughter, grievances and more than a little animosity.
Location: Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center
Tickets: $10
Feb. 13
Love and Other Unnatural Acts
A new play by Don Webster
Directed by Wayne Rudisill
· Monday: 7:30 p.m.
We first meet Jan and Ed Hubble early in their marriage, when Ed has just had his head turned by another woman. Five vignettes follow the couple through various stages of intimacy, all while gently growing old together.
Location: Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center
Tickets: $10
March 6
The Camp
A new drama by Michael McKeever
Directed by Margaret M. Ledford
· Monday: 7:30 p.m.
With the war over and the camps of Eastern Europe liberated, a Pandora’s box is opened. Disgusted by the Nazis’ crimes against mankind, a U.S. Army general ignites a battle of wills with a village of “good people” who claim to have known nothing of the horrors in their own backyard.
Location: Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center
Tickets: $10 each
How to purchase tickets
Tickets may be purchased in person at the Lynn University box office, located in the Wold at 3601 N. Military Trail, online at events.lynn.edu or by phone at +1 561-237-9000.
About Lynn University
Lynn University is an independent college based in Boca Raton, Florida, with approximately 3,000 students from 100 countries. U.S. News & World Report ranks Lynn among the top three most innovative and international schools in the region. Lynn’s NCAA Division II Fighting Knights have won 23 national titles, its Conservatory of Music features a world-renowned faculty of performers, and its nationally recognized Institute for Achievement and Learning empowers students with learning differences. The school’s Dialogues curriculum and award-winning iPad program help Lynn graduates gain the intellectual flexibility and global experience to fulfill their potential in an ever-changing world. For more information, visit lynn.edu.
About the Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center at Lynn University
The 750-seat Wold Performing Arts Center, located on Lynn’s campus in the heart of Boca Raton, is easily accessible by both I-95 and the Florida Turnpike. Recently ranked by Best Value Schools, an online publication, as one of the “25 Most Amazing University Performing Arts Centers,” the Wold features superb acoustics, a modern lighting system, a large, light-filled lobby, and flexible space well-suited for dramatic productions, concerts and other cultural events. With an elegant salon, outdoor sunset terrace and intimate black-box studio, this new center is home to numerous concerts and events, including professional theatrical performances by the theatre arts program’s Libby Dodson’s Live at Lynn Theatre Series, the Live at Lynn American Songbook Series, and Jan McArt’s New Play Reading Series, as well as performances from the Lynn University Conservatory of Music and the drama department in the College of International Communication. For more information, visit lynn.edu/events.
Meric Tunca of Banzai Magazine
AW Spotlight
Meric Tunca of Banzai Magazine
By Sabeen Faquir
Have you met Meric Tunca, the Publisher of Banzai Magazine? He’s a very interesting fellow with a diverse background and dedication to the dissemination of health information. Back in college in Turkey, Meric was a professional volleyball player. He played for indoor clubs and his university, Dokuz Eylül University. After college, Meric ran a fitness center. Naturally, he worked as a personal trainer. But, he noticed there was no fitness magazine at the time. This inspired him to begin one but during the move to the United States, his aspirations were delayed.
In America, he found a new language and a new culture. He had learned English but as it is in a lot of countries, he learned British English. So, he found the idioms were different. Regardless, he worked as a sales and marketing specialist at Staying Alive Fitness in Lake Worth. The passion to help people get and stay fit has always been with Meric.
At Staying Alive Fitness, he fortuitously met Krista Martinelli, the Editor and Publisher of AroundWellington.com. She had just stopped her print magazine and was transitioning to digital when Meric expressed interest in starting a magazine, himself. He just didn’t know where to begin. “Krista was a great mentor. She helped me with the basics,” said Meric.
He admitted it was hard starting off. Finding a printer was not the difficult part; it was finding a target audience or “finding who can most benefit from it.” About the print magazine business, Meric says that it’s stressful meeting the deadline every month. Often, doctors have a busy schedule and so it’s not always easy meeting with them for interviews or photos. “Things never go how you want, but it is rewarding work,” said Meric.
So, for seven and half years, Meric has published Banzai Wellness Magazine. It’s a very interesting name so I inquired about its origins. Meric told me “It is Japanese for ‘long, healthy life, a thousand years of good health.’ It’s also a battle cry.” He thought of the name while he was helping the Healthcorps fight childhood obesity. He got involved in order to help create health events and festivals that teach children healthy eating and exercise. He felt the institution was a battle cry and so, the name was fitting. Now, Meric works with the Arthritis Foundation and American Heart Association.
Banzai Wellness Magazine’s territory stretches among the Western Communities from Delray to Royal Palm Beach. In the last few years, Meric has ventured further east into West Palm Beach and Atlantic Avenue, too. To begin with, he was only covering Lake Worth so in his earlier editions, you will find very localized advertisers and features. But, he has always been dedicated to featuring only local health professionals and healthy eating habits.
Often, readers call to find out about doctors and have questions. Banzai Wellness Magazine obliges and gives them the contact information. Banzai also receives a lot of phone calls thanking them for the information they provide. Meric is happy to receive the positive feedback. “I try to change people’s lifestyle. I want to inspire them to live a better life.” Readers especially appreciate the features on local doctors because they feel they know them before meeting them.
Because there are not that many health and wellness magazines in the area, Meric likes to give advertisers space to write about their business. No one knows better about a business than its proprietor. Through Banzai Magazine, advertisers are benefitted greatly. Meric distributes to doctor’s offices and medical buildings. What he feels increases his readership is that because the magazines are in these waiting areas, people don’t take them; they leave them for the next reader. This way, advertisers too, get a wide scope of customers.
To know more about Meric personally, you should know he met his wife, Ferah, back in Turkey and has been in Florida for the past 23 years. He has one daughter, Lara, (12), who loves to play tennis and is learning the violin. His free time revolves around his daughter and keeping her busy. She even helps with editing the magazine and the photography! With his family, Meric loves to go out to local events. Because most of his clients are from Wellington, Meric loves to hang out here.
Meric left me with the idea that his magazines don’t expire. Just as Banzai means 1,000 years of good health in Japanese, his stories about good health are timeless.
Banzai Wellness Magazine
Tip Top Drycleaners Holiday Special 2016
Tip Top Drycleaners Holiday Special 2016
Happy Holidays to everyone from Tip Top Dry Cleaners. Tip Top Dry Cleaners is the leading dry cleaning and laundry valet service in Palm Beach and Broward Counties. We bring the dry cleaners to your office or home. We pick up and deliver 5 days per week and offer convenient credit card on file billing. We handle any type of clothing that needs to be dry cleaned or laundered. We also do wash and fold laundry by the pound.
From now until the end of 2016, we are offering all our customers and prospective customers, 50% off of your order !! (maximum discount is $50.00). We are showing our holiday appreciation to our current customers and hope some of our prospective customers will use this opportunity to try us out.
To take advantage of this promotion, please reply to this email or sign up for our service at www.tiptopdrycleaners.net and “sign up” for valet services. Please act now because the promotion ends on December 31, 2016. We wish everyone a happy holiday season and a happy new year !!
December
Mayor’s Column
December
By Mayor Anne Gerwig
This is one of my favorite times of the year. As we prepare for the holiday season, I am looking forward to the many family and community events ahead.
One of the best parts of living in Wellington is enjoying our family focused holiday events. This year, the Village kicks off the season with our annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony on December 2nd, starting at 7:00 pm at the Amphitheater.
Marching in on the heels of this event, join me and the rest of Council at the 33rd Annual Holiday Parade on December 11, starting at 1:30 pm. Enjoy this festive day with a judged parade of imaginative floats featuring school bands, local organizations, baton twirlers, and the biggest celebrity of all, Santa Claus! Vendors will be on-site with goodies available for purchase. Grab your family and your sneakers and come on out for this fantastic holiday event! The route begins at Wellington Trace and continues down Forest Hill Boulevard, ending at the Wellington Amphitheater.
It is easy to see why Wellington is named “The Winter Equestrian Capital of the World.” The holiday season heralds the return of our winter residents, both people and horses. There are more cars on our roads and more horses everywhere. It is a time for increased caution, especially as we get closer to the Holidays, and the beginning of the winter equestrian season.
Winter break for our schools begins Friday, December 23, 2016. That means more children out enjoying our Great Hometown. Remember to watch out for our youngest residents and take a little extra time to be aware of your surroundings on the road.
Safety doesn’t stop at your driveway. Christmas tree fires are responsible for untold damages, injuries and even deaths every year. If you’re using a live tree water it daily to keep it moist and remember to keep it away from open flames and heat sources. The greatest gift you can give our local firefighters is a day off.
Let’s not forget that the Holidays are a time of giving as well as receiving. By all means, visit Wellington’s fine shops and find that perfect gift for your loved ones. But remember to take some time to help our neighbors in need. This year, you can make a child’s holiday brighter by participating in the Hometown Holiday Toy Drive. Drop off your unwrapped toys by Wednesday, December 21st at Village Hall, the Wellington Community Center, Parks and Recreation, the Lake Wellington Professional Centre, and any Fire Rescue station.
Writing this column and sharing a few of the ways that we can gather and give as a community this holiday season is one more blessing I can count in my own life. I am very grateful for the privilege of serving as your Mayor. The past year has been filled with many accomplishments. I want to personally thank the volunteers, members of our boards and commissions, Village staff, and Council members for their dedication.
I want to wish you and yours a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and many blessings in the year to come.