What’s better than cheeseburgers and beer?When they’re served oceanside at Breeze Ocean Kitchen at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa! Guests who attend Burgers & Brew at the resort on Sunday, Sept. 18th from 1-5 p.m. will be treated to all the gourmet burgers and toppings they can eat, along with tastings of craft beer from five of the area’s top local breweries.
The event, featuring live music and beer tents offering selections from Barrel of Monks, Due South, Funky Buddha, Saltwater and Twisted Trunk is in celebration of National Cheeseburger Day, and includes complimentary valet parking! Please see the flyer below (and attached) for further details. A photo of tap handles featured at Breeze Ocean Kitchen – where local craft beer is celebrated every day – is also attached for your convenience.
Among the highlights:
Live entertainment, including Arturo Romay.
Gift bag for each guest including branded/logo items from each brewer
Eau-branded beer growlers will be available for purchase for $30
JEROME GOLDEN CENTER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CEO RECEIVED 2016 FELLOW AWARD BY THE FLORIDA COUNCIL FOR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH
West Palm Beach, FL (September 7, 2016) – Linda DePiano, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jerome Golden Center for Behavioral Health received the 2016 Fellow Award on August 11, 2016, at an annual conference hosted by the Florida Council for Community Mental Health and Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association, in collaboration with the Florida Hospital Association. This year’s conference, Providing Value in Challenging Times, was held at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida, and examined the latest advances in the fields of mental health and substance use disorders.
Since 1979, the Florida Council for Community Mental Health has recognized a select few individuals in the community mental health field, for their unique, significant and sustained contributions to the Florida Council, their membership and to those citizens of Florida struggling with a mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Dr. DePiano was chosen by her peers to receive the distinction as Florida Council’s “Fellow” for 2016.
Dr. DePiano was selected for the award because of her tireless dedication to helping individuals with mental illness and substance use problems. She has served as the CEO of the Golden Center for 14 years after providing leadership as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for 19 years. Dr. DePiano has served on the Florida Council’s Board of Directors since 2002, holding various leadership positions. . She is currently Chair of the Florida Council for Behavioral Health (FCBH). She also serves on various local, state and national boards and committees.
“I am extremely grateful to be recognized for doing work that I truly believe in,” said Dr. DePiano. “Each day I strive to find new and creative ways to help our clients. Knowing the work I do can make a difference in their lives makes it all worthwhile.”
The Golden Center provides treatment for adults and children with mental health and/or substance use disorders to help them restore and maintain their productive lives in the community. Its mission is to help clients build resiliency, facilitate recovery and achieve reintegration into the community by designing and delivering behavioral health care services that meet their needs and expectations.
The Golden Center is a Joint Commission Accredited Community Behavioral Health Care Organization and Hospital and accredited by Nonprofits First for excellence in nonprofit management.
Learn more about the Golden Center’s programs and services at www.GoldenCtr.org, Facebook at JeromeGoldenCenter, Twitter @JeromeGoldenCtr or by calling 561-383-5723.
“Scary tryouts” being held September 17 at Fright Nights’ casting call
West Palm Beach, Fla. — For those who think they have what it takes to scare people, the Fright Nights’ casting call is being held at noon on Sat., Sept. 17, at the Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre (previously Cruzan Amphitheatre), 601-7 Sansburys Way, West Palm Beach. Two forms of ID are required.
“We are looking for energetic male and female performers, 16 years of age and older with all levels of experience for both paid and volunteer positions,” said Creative Director Craig McInnis. “We are also looking for stilt walkers and other performers with unique talents.”
Kids younger than 16 can work, but must have a parent who volunteers to work alongside them. Fright Nights also has a staffing need for kids ages 7 and up for the Sunnyville schoolhouse.
Fright Nights is slated for multiple nights: October 7-8, 13-15, 20-22, and 27-29. The midway hours are from 6 p.m.-11 p.m. on weeknights and until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. The haunted houses open at 7 p.m. Performers typically arrive at 4:30 p.m. and leave at midnight. Children under 15 leave at their parents’ discretion.
Fright Nights will feature four haunted houses this year: Sunnyville School House, where the children come out, but not to play; Pestilence: an age of plagues and vampires; The Doll Factory, where evil lurks behind their glassy eyes; and The Void, a terrifying trip into darkness. In addition, guests can enjoy rides on the family-friendly “Monster Midway” – complete with live entertainment featuring magic and sideshows, local and regional bands and food and beverages.
Online advance discount tickets are on sale now through Oct. 6 at www.myfrightnights.com. A $20 general admission ticket includes entrance admission and includes three haunted houses and unlimited Midway rides. A $25 ”Terror Ticket” includes four haunted houses and unlimited Midway rides. McInnis advises patrons to take advantage of getting the advance tickets now, as prices will increase at the gate. Parental discretion is advised for those younger than 12 years old.
Rotary Club of Wellington Peace Initiative Celebrates 10th Year
Dr. Wes Boughner and Larry Kemp
It was 10 years ago when Dr. Wes Boughner founded the Rotary Club of Wellingtons Peace Initiative project and initiated the annual Peace Ceremony.
This year’s ceremony is on Sunday, Sept 25th at 3pm at the Rotary Club’s Peace Park on Royal Fern Drive off Forest Hill Blvd, next to the main Wellington library.
The ceremony which runs for around one (1) hour will again be lead off by the PBSO Ceremonial Drill Team and local boy and girl scouts marching in to perform taps and raising of the flags.
Our National Anthem will be sung by Jessica Wittenbrink, and the Palm Beach Central High School’s “Traditions” choir also will sing for the expected 300 plus attendees.
Earlier in the year all local schools competed in competitions around the themes of Conflict Resolution and Multi-Cultural Understanding. The winners and their teachers will be presented with prize money and certificates during the ceremony. The scouts will receive Rotary Peace Merit badges to wear on their uniforms.
Local dignitaries including Mayor Anne Gerwig and council members will also address the crowd and the words “May Peace Prevail on Earth” will be spoken by native speakers in seven languages.
This year’s 10th Anniversary will be filmed including via a drone for release later.
Larry Kemp the current Chairman of the Peace Initiative will welcome all prize winners and guests in the spirit of World Peace and introduce the Rotary Club volunteers who helped again make this all possible.
This year’s school’s competition winners are as follows:
Elementary Schools Poster Competition
Binks Forest. Ava Grave de Paralta (overall winner)
Elbridge Gale. Valerie Chandler.
Panther Run. Emma Gordley.
Equestrian Trails. Manit Chabria.
Wellington Elementary. Ewa Tryniszewski.
Middle Schools Poetry Competition.
Polo Park. Samantha Schube.
Emerald Cove. Teji Kari.
High Schools Essay Competition.
Wellington High. Adam Jacquish.
Palm Beach Central. Brandon Schloss.
The Rotary club would like to thank all of the over 500 students who participated in this year’s competitions.
The subject of Conflict Resolution and Multi-Cultural Understanding in terms of helping to bring about World peace is an important issue for the Rotary Club of Wellington and especially in bringing the subject into the thinking of all of our youth.
The ceremony concludes with the release of Peace Doves to circle the park.
The ceremony on Sunday, 25th at 3pm is open to all, and local residents are welcome to participate.
It’s easy to think that living your passion, bringing an idea into reality, and creating a life that you desire are for those “other people.”
Donald Kelly
You know, those other people who have no fear, are genius thinkers, and have every detail and move figured out.
Those people.
Guess what, those people don’t exist. That is the illusion. In fact, the only difference between “those people” and YOU – is just a little courage and a few tips to get you started.
Donald and I are a testament to having a dream and vision, creating a plan, and then taking the leap.
Scary? Heck yes! Exciting? Oh yes!
Travis Thomas
So, here are our 10 Tips for Taking Action on Your Big Ideas!
Run at Your Fear! If your big idea doesn’t make you a little bit afraid, it’s probably not that big of an idea. Fear comes with the territory and it serves as a healthy reminder that your idea means something to you. It’s not about getting rid of the fear, but instead running at your fear and getting comfortable with it. It will always be there rearing it’s ugly head, but you’ll learn to turn it into your playful pet!
Set a Definite Plan. When we say leap, we assume you have put a lot of thought and planning into making your move. Create a plan, understand that it will not go perfectly to script, and be prepared to adapt and improvise. This is not about acting on rash impulse. Think about the worst case scenario, don’t ignore it, and ponder whether you have enough trust in yourself to make it work no matter what.
Ignore “Neh Sayers!” Your friends, family, and co-workers will not be short on opinions. Like bellybuttons, we all have them. But this is your dream, not theirs. This is your life, not theirs. Sure, it’s okay to listen to what they have to say, but at the end of the day, you are the one who has to live with yourself. There is no perfect path except the path you create!
Start Small. You know the saying about Rome. Your project and passion is no different. We are not saying that you won’t be a huge hit out of the gate or overnight success, but be prepared for the long game. Many entrepreneurs never start because they are intimidated by the enormity of the task. Instead of getting overwhelmed, think of one thing you can to today to take action. What are some goals for the week? A month? Take one step and now you have momentum.
SurroundYourself with The Right People. Who is your community? Your tribe? Who are the people that love your idea and are blowing wind in your sail? Surround yourself with those people. Donald and I created the DO BIG THINGS conference for this very reason. It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a community to launch big ideas. Our conference will provide the inspiration and education from world-class speakers in your backyard who have made their dreams a reality.
Embrace Failure. Yeah, it’s true. You don’t have all the answers. You will make mistakes, many mistakes, but that is where the biggest learning takes place. Don’t trap yourself into thinking you need everything figured out, because that day will never come. And like the wise Mike Tyson once said, “Everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face!” So yes, the punch is coming, so how will you respond?
Be the second 90%! 90% of all first time business fail. Ouch. But get this, 90% of all second time businesses succeed. Crazy right? But, less than 10% of people who fail the first time try again. Okay, so you got punched in the face. Get up, dust yourself off, notice what you learned, and get back in the ring (or on the horse), or whatever analogy works for you.
Hustle, Hustle, Hustle! Did we mention launching your big idea is a lot of work? Non-stop work. 24/7 kind of work. Checking e-mails at the beach and on the toilet kind of work? Yes, be intimidated, because you are going to invest some blood, sweat, and a whole lot of tears into this venture. It is going to be hard – but you are going to love it as the same time. It’s worth it!
Your “Why” Should Make You Cry! Mental conditioning coach Rob Bell coined this phrase, and I love it! You need to be abundantly clear “why” this is so important to you. The more this venture is connected to your personal purpose, the stronger the threshold you’ll have when things get tough. If your reason for doing this doesn’t get you at least a little emotional, than it might not be worth the grit it will take to make it a reality.
Have Fun. I know. I just laid some heavy stuff on you and now I am talking about fun. But come on, if this big idea is not fun…get out now. We all know the clichés about “it’s not work if it’s fun,” and it’s true. No matter how much work and sacrifice it requires, my guess is that there aren’t many other things you would rather be doing. So do it, and smile while you crush it!
Are there more than 10 tips? Absolutely. But these 10 will get you off the couch and on the path to turning your imagination into a manifestation.
Donald and I each made the leap individually just over a year and a half ago. When we connected for the first time we shared what we were going through (community), and how we both had the desire to put on an event to help people do the same thing.
The DO BIG THINGS conference on November 3rd and 4th in West Palm Beach is a big idea we have hatched together, and we hope to have you there to make it a reality. And while you’re there, get ready to launch a big idea of your own!
PALM BEACH POETRY FESTIVAL Invites Local Poets and Poetry Fans to Seven Upcoming Community Outreach Events
(Delray Beach, FL – September 1, 2016) Susan R. Williamson, Director of the Palm Beach Poetry Festival, and Dr. Blaise Allen, Director of Community Outreach, today invited local poets and poetry fans to seven upcoming public events:
September 24 – 3 pm (Saturday)
6th Annual 100,000 Poets and Musicians for Change
American Rocks Bar and Grill
1600 East Hillsboro Blvd. in Deerfield Beach
FREE
The public is invited to participate in what could be the largest poetry reading in history. The Palm Beach Poetry Festival is hosting this annual open-mic event in partnership with 100 Thousand Poets for Change. This global happening will be taking place at the same time in over 800 venues in 115 countries. Poets will read and perform work to promote social, political, environmental sustainability, and change, simultaneously across the planet. Attendees are welcome to read their own work or favorite poems by other poets. Between poetry readings, special guest musicians will play songs for peace. Attendees are welcome to play or sing along. As in previous years, the event will be photographed and archived by Stanford University. Must be over 21 years old to attend.
October 5 – 12:30 pm (Wednesday)
Bards of a Feather
Round Robin Poetry Reading
Green Cay Nature Preserve, Community Room
12800 Hagen Ranch Road in Boynton Beach
FREE
Participants should bring up to four poems, original or not, to share with the group.
October 8 – 1 pm (Saturday)
Poetry Workshop
Mythology in Poetry
With Deborah DiNicola
Old School Square
51 N. Swinton Avenue in Delray Beach
$10 per person
November 5 – 1 pm (Saturday)
Poetry Workshop
Translation in Poetry
With Professor Becka McKay
Old School Square
51 N. Swinton Avenue in Delray Beach
$10 per person
December 3 – Noon (Saturday)
Poetry Workshop
Poetry and Delight
With Professor Ellene Glenn Moore
Old School Square
51 N. Swinton Avenue in Delray Beach
$10 per person
December 7 –12:30 pm (Wednesday)
Bards of a Feather
Round Robin Poetry Reading
Green Cay Nature Preserve, Community Room
12800 Hagen Ranch Road in Boynton Beach
FREE
Participants should bring up to four poems, original or not, to share with the group.
December 14 – 10:30 am (Wednesday)
Alzheimer’s Poetry Project
Holiday Poetry Reading and Sing Along
Sunrise Assisted Living, Brighton Gardens
6341 Via De Sonrisa Del Sur in Boca Raton
FREE
Spread the joy of poetry at this special holiday reading as the Palm Beach Poetry Festival’s poetry troupe reads holiday poems and sings of the season. Participants should bring five single-page poems, original or not.
About the Palm Beach Poetry Festival 2017:
The 13th annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival will be held January 16-21 at Old School Square in Delray Beach. The Festival features top poets at numerous ticketed public events, including readings, talks, interviews, panel discussions and more. Nine workshops will be offered for which applications are required.
Special Guest Poet in 2017 will be Charles Simic, past United States Poet Laureate (2007-2008) and 1990 Pulitzer Prize winner. Nine distinguished poets will lead poetry writing workshops at the Festival: David Baker, Tina Chang, Lynn Emanuel, Daisy Fried, Terrance Hayes, Dorianne Laux, Thomas Lux, Carl Phillips and Martha Rhodes, and individual conferences will be offered by nationally acclaimed poets: Sally Bliumis-Dunn, Nickole Brown and Ginger Murchison. Performances at the Field House will offer sizzling spoken word by The Mayhem Poets: Mason Granger and Scott Raven.
The 2017 Palm Beach Poetry Festival is sponsored in part by the National Endowment for the Arts; the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; Morgan Stanley & The Legacy Group of Atlanta; the Cultural Council of Palm County, the Palm Beach County Tourism Development Council and the Board of Commissioners of Palm Beach County; The Palm Beach Post; Visit Florida; WLRN; and Murder on the Beach, Delray Beach’s independent bookseller.
Wellington Hosts 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at Patriot Memorial
Join Wellington’s Council on Sunday, September 11th, 2016 for a remembrance ceremony to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks. The ceremony begins at 5:00 p.m. at the Patriot Memorial located next to Village Hall (12198 Forest Hill Boulevard). Council will make remarks and lay a wreath to recognize those lost and affected by the attacks.
Wellington dedicated its Patriot Memorial five years ago on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The memorial includes one of the largest steel beams salvaged from the World Trade Center, as well as an eternal flame fountain, and etched glass panels inscribed with the names of each of the victims.
Patriot Memorial sponsorships, including personalized brick pavers, are still available. Sponsorship forms can be downloaded online at www.wellingtonfl.gov. For more information, contact Susan Trzepacz at (561) 791-4000 or [email protected].
As another way to stay informed on the latest news and updates from the Village, residents are invited to sign up for Wellington information and updates at www.wellingtonfl.gov/enews.
For information about other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visit www.wellingtonfl.gov or watch WellingtonTV for the latest happenings.
Experiencing Antarctica: What It’s Really Like at the Bottom of the Earth
Story and Photos by Terri Marshall
Antarctica is one of those bucket list destinations that many dream about and few visit. I had to go because penguins make me happy. I could watch them for hours as they clumsily wander about all dressed up in permanent tuxedos. And seeing them in their natural habitat amid a landscape of snowcapped peaks and stunning icebergs is an experience I will treasure forever.
But it’s not just the penguins that make Antarctica special. The White Continent is home to albatross, whales, seals and numerous species of birds. It’s remote, fascinating, and almost otherworldly. But what is it really like to visit Antarctica? If you’re considering a trip, here are some things you should know.
Penguin parents protecting their babies
It’s a long journey to the bottom of the earth
If you’re traveling from the US, you will most like depart from South America. We arrived in Buenos Aires a few days before our scheduled departure, just to be sure we didn’t run into any travel delays that might interfere with our Antarctica adventure. From there, we boarded a charter flight to Ushuaia – the southernmost town in the world and the point of departure for most Antarctica expeditions.
Departing from Ushuaia, we sailed out through the Beagle Channel where the waters of the South Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans meet. The channel is a natural boundary between the neighboring countries of Argentina and Chile. From the channel we headed into the dreaded Drake Passage.
Separating South America from Antarctica, the waters of the Drake Passage are known to be the roughest in the world. In severe weather, waves can reach a height of over 33 feet. We were fairly lucky with a passing that ranked about a 5 on a scale of 10 as to difficulty. Others aren’t so lucky. The key to managing it is to have an array of sea sickness combatants on hand just in case.
Quark Expeditions – perfectly sized ships
Size Matters – And bigger isn’t better
There are numerous companies offering cruises to Antarctica, but if you want to actually set foot on the continent, you will want to choose an expedition over a cruise. A small to mid-sized ice strengthened vessel is your best bet and companies like National Geographic, Hurtigruten, and Quark Expeditions are all good options.
For our expedition, we chose Quark. Our ship had about 180 passengers on board along with a fabulous expedition team comprised of environmentalists, historians, scientists, and photographers. We even had Penguin Lifelines Scientists from Oxford on board – isn’t that an awesome title?
The ship is your home base during the expedition. Quark’s M/V Ocean Endeavour offered comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, afternoon tea, wine tastings, numerous lectures, fitness center, a full service spa, and entertainment. And with a ship of less than 200 passengers, you really get to know your shipmates.
Celebrating with an iceberg popsicle
Everything is subject to change
No amount of planning can guarantee which experiences will be available for your expedition. Everything is subject to change based on weather, ice, whatever the seas want to whip up, and the wildlife you discover along the way. But that is truly part of the adventure.
The captain and expedition leaders are constantly observing the surrounding conditions to determine which way to go and which landings will be safe for exploration. Once anchored in a harbor, the landings are scouted out by expedition leaders before anyone is allowed to step foot onto the continent. If an area is deemed unsafe, you move on to another harbor. And there are plenty to choose from – it’s a big continent!
Exploring by Zodiacs
Exploring the Frozen Continent
Generally, an expedition will provide opportunities for everyone to land on the continent. Our ship was divided into four groups – Albatross, Leopard, Minke and Gentoo. Each day we’d wait for our group (the Gentoos) to be called to disembark. Then we would head down to the mudroom, don our bright yellow Quark Expedition parkas, life jackets and Muck boots then board the Zodiac cruisers.
Explorations included an hour or so on the continent and an hour of Zodiac cruising. We were greeted with blue skies, sunshine and temperatures around 35 degrees Fahrenheit as we took our first steps on the continent. We hiked around the land and watched the penguins traveling up and down the “penguin highways” from their nests to the water. We arrived just after the baby penguin chicks were hatched and watching the parents feeding and protecting their young was wondrous.
Aboard the zodiacs we cruised through iceberg galleries, watched seals lounging on the snow and ice, and scouted for whales which occasionally delighted us with an appearance. At times we just sat silently taking in the grandeur of all that surrounded us.
Cruising through an iceberg gallery
Want more icy experiences? Try camping or the Polar Plunge
Quark Expeditions offers the option to camp on the continent. I thought about it – but then I thought about the warm bed in my cabin, the bathroom just steps away, and the wine in the ship’s bar. While I’m sure it was a memorable experience, the reality of sleeping on ice all night with no bathroom facilities and no way back to the ship was met with mixed reviews by participants.
Scott, a teacher from Syracuse, New York, had a panic attack from the three layered cocoon style sleeping bag and seriously considered injuring himself so that he could be rescued and taken back to the ship. Mike, a consultant from Houston, Texas, was able to get a little sleep in between appreciating the serenity of the night sky and the eerie sounds of the glaciers shifting around them. Of course neither of them wants to do it again. But, hey, they did it.
The Polar Plunge is an entire other level of insanity where people jump off the ship from the Zodiac bridge into the icy waters of the Antarctic Ocean. Obviously they aren’t in the water long – but our expedition had over 40 frosty participants.
Frosty participants of the Polar Plunge
Every trip is unique
No matter who you talk to that has visited Antarctica – you will get a different story. Landings are determined based on weather, timing of your visit and conditions on land when you arrive. We visited in January after all the fuzzy little baby penguins had arrived. Someone visiting earlier or later in the season will have another wonder to experience.
On day two in Antarctica we were on track to pass through the Lemaire Channel into Pleneau Bay. The Lemaire Channel is a narrow passage that separates Booth Island from the Antarctic continent. At its narrowest, the channel is less than 800 meters wide with towering peaks overhead – and it is generally full of icebergs and sea ice. Our ship was going to attempt to break through the ice and, if successful, we would be the first to accomplish this in the season.
As the captain nudged the sheet of ice, it began to crack in several directions. Seals who had spent the last months lounging on the ice sheets began to roll into the water to move out of the ship’s path. Penguins waddled away from the cracks and hopped one by one into a single file line forming a true march of the penguins moment.
No one else will ever experience that. It was a moment – like so many other moments in Antarctica – that cannot be repeated. But don’t worry, if you go to Antarctica, you will experience something equally remarkable.
Terri is a New York City based writer who is happiest when she’s globetrotting. She loves bringing stories of her adventures to her readers. She is the Globetrotting Grandmom for TravelingMom.com, Special Projects Editor for TravelSquire.com, and a contributor to several other publications. You can learn more about Terri and her work at www.trippingwithterri.com. Connect with Terri on Facebook and follow her on Twitter
Tip Top Dry Cleaners is a dry cleaning pickup and delivery service. They can serve you from your home or office. Bob Salerno, a local entrepreneur founded the delivery service in July 2016. He’s been busy ever since.
This is in fact, Bob’s second foray into dry cleaning services. Originally, Bob owned and operated Ultra Cleaners from 2005-2016. This was a dry cleaning storefront and production facility, as opposed to a pickup/delivery service. Now, Bob gets to focus on sales and marketing. He leaves the dry cleaning and laundry to someone else. “This is better,” he said.
Tip Top Dry Cleaners came about when Bob sold his last Ultra Cleaners store front. It was a family owned business and when his dad retired, Bob needed something else to do. His fiancé, Hope, suggested doing something he knew well. So, Bob thought about it and he came to the realization that he liked marketing instead of managing a store plus its employees.
Before, Bob was behind the scenes. Now, he actively performs all the operations of the business, himself. So, when you decided to use Tip Top Dry Cleaners, it will be Bob who comes to pick up your dry cleaning. He keeps a close relationship with the dry cleaning store and can relay messages about the dry cleaning.
When asked if he’d be opening a store front, soon, Bob answered, “No. No overhead. Just me and a van.” That’s not to say he didn’t think about it. Bob considered opening a store front by the new Palm Beach State College in Loxahatchee but realized he would have to start from scratch. Eventually. He may get a small warehouse for his computer but right now, he is working out of his home. “This allows me to pass on good prices to the customer,” he said.
Bob does pick up wedding dresses and comforters. In fact, he is running a special in September for any size comforter at $20. He gets alterations done, as well. Bob’s rates are very reasonable with a men’s shirt pickup and delivery costing only $2.59. Fifty percent of his business is men’s shirts.
Bob also gives back to the community. He is personally a part of the Rotary Club of Wellington. He’s been a member for 8 years and more recently became a board member. He’s particularly proud of the Rotary’s work with children. Because Tip Top Dry Cleaners is so new, he hasn’t been able to do much charitable work yet; but, Ultra Cleaners would often give gift certificates to charities, items to auction or raffle, or donate gift cards.
Tip Top Dry Cleaners is perfect for Wellington residents who are in a working household. It is perfect for families without the time to drive to and from the dry cleaners. Bob hits the road at 8AM and is out till late in the afternoon.
If you want to utilize Tip Top Dry Cleaners, you can contact Bob through text or email. There is a sign-up form at the website which asks for your name, address, email and cell phone. Bob will promptly respond and confirm a pick-up date for your dry cleaning. He also sends a reminder text message the day before so as to give you time to lay out your dry cleaning. Over 80% of his customers are businesses.
Bob caters to the Western communities including Wellington, Royal Palm Beach and west Lake Worth currently. In the future, he may go into West Palm but right now he is sticking with the Western communities.
You may not know this but Bob is getting married next year! He got set up on a date through a mutual friend and described his first date as “Love at first sight.” Five months later, he and Hope Barron got engaged. In fact, Hope is the CFO of Tip Top Dry Cleaners and a CPA.
Bob is excited about his new business. Before dry cleaning with Ultra Cleaners, he was in sales for 20 years. “I like working with people and providing solutions. I find the new work allows me to be more focused,” said Bob.
Many tastes of home at Direct from Philly Photo Credit: Website
Whenever Steve and I are craving a taste of home, meaning we are jonesing for a cheesesteak from the White House Sub Shop in Atlantic City, we head out for the next best thing – a cheesesteak at Direct from Philly in Deerfield. Although not actually from Philly the owner Steve Rao could not find a good authentic Philly cheesesteak anywhere so decided to open his own sub shop. His first location was in a gas station and when I went for my taste of Philadelphia and Atlantic City I was quite skeptical to say the least. But if I closed my eyes while taking a bite I was transported to at red vinyl booth at the White House! The owner, Stephen Rao, even brings in Amoroso’s rolls. After a few years at the gas station Direct from Philly moved to larger quarters.
My Cheesesteak “wit” sautéed peppers, onions, provolone cheese and pizza sauce. Photo Credit: Sandy AxelrodSteve’s cheesesteak “wit” sauteed mushrooms and provolone Photo Credit: Sandy Axelrod
One evening while nibbling hors d’oeuvre and sipping cocktails with friends in Pompano Beach we started talking about where to eat dinner. And Alan brought up the fact that Direct From Philly world class cheesesteaks had moved from the gas station to the City Pub in Deerfield. So we decided that was the perfect spot for dinner. Now you have understand that all four of us are Philadelphia transplants so we know our Philly Cheesesteaks! Believe it or not the new location left something to be desired. It was dark and cavernous and empty except for a few cheesesteak lovers. So after a year or so of toughing it out with the owners of the pub Steve decided to move back home. No not to Philly. Just back to the Chevron station where he started. Now there are lines out the door filled with people either craving a taste of Philly or just wanting a delicious authentic cheesesteak.
The cheesesteaks are loaded with meat and cheese. And there are varieties galore. Personally I like mine “wit” marinated sweet peppers, grilled onions, roasted garlic, provolone and pizza sauce. And with the sauce dripping down my arm just the way I like it. I always say the only sandwich that is really good is a messy one! I promise you that Direct From Philly could also hold its own against Pat’s or Geno’s or Jim’s or the White House any day! Make sure to check it out and let me know if you agree with me.
Just look at all that meat on the flat top! Photo Credit: Website
Direct from Philly at the Chevron Station Between SW 10th Street and Green Road on Military Trail in Deerfield Beach, Florida 954-428-7035 Open from 6:30am to 10pm to take your order
AW Spotlight
