Nacho Figueras Plays Polo in Wellington, FL, a Benefit for Sentebale
With Krista Martinelli, AroundWellington.com
See our related photos from the event under “Photo Galleries.”
Prince Harry Plays Polo in Wellington to Benefit Sentebale
May, 2016 – Prince Harry in Wellington, FL
Photos by Alan Fabricant, AlFabPhoto.com
Wellington, FL – Prince Harry helped the Sentebale ISPS Handa team in winning the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup on May 4 at Valiente Polo Club, a benefit for Sentebale. Valiente owner Bob Jornayvaz, Royal Salute World Polo Ambassador Malcolm Borwick and Melissa Ganzi joined Prince Harry on the Sentebale team, which defeated the Royal Salute team 6-3.
Despite a very rainy day that almost caused the polo game to not go on, the players were able to get out and play full force for almost the entire duration of the match. When heavy downpours happened in the last quarter of the match, the polo players eased up a bit – for the general safety of the polo ponies.
The ticket price was said to be $50,000 at this primarily invite-only event. Nacho Figueras, also an ambassador and spokesperson for Sentebale, captained the Royal Salute team, along with teammates Marc Ganzi, Teodoro Calle and Joe DiMenna. Nic Roldan was the captain of the Valiente team, along with Tommy Kato, Martin Cregg and Curtis Pilot. While Prince Harry was not taking interviews during the event, Nacho Figueras spoke about the importance of fighting AIDS in Africa and supporting children suffering from HIV. See a related video with Nacho Figueras.
HANLEY CENTER FOUNDATION SERVES AS PRESENTING SPONSOR FOR 2016 PATHFINDER AWARDS
Sponsorship compliments mission to prevent substance abuse through alliances with teen leaders
(WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.) With a commitment to preventing substance abuse across the state of Florida, Hanley Center Foundation is focusing the nonprofits efforts on teen alliances. In addition to the Foundation’s recently launched Twitter handle, “TwinzTweet,” the Foundation is also sponsoring a variety of events, including the prestigious 2016 Pathfinder Awards. Known for recognizing the best and brightest high school seniors in Palm Beach and Martin counties, Pathfinder finalists are a great target audience for an alliance with the Foundation. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on May 10, 2016 at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach.
“We want to go where the teens are,” said Kae Jonsons, Hanley Center Foundation CEO. “When you hear statistics like, ‘by the time a child turns 18 he or she will have been exposed to more than 500,000 alcohol advertisements,’ you want to know that someone is out there doing their part to combat perception verse reality – and we are doing just that! Our prevention specialists are in schools across the state of Florida every day, providing evidence-based, age-appropriate education. But we want to do more, which is why we are building strong partnerships and coming up with innovative opportunities to reach teens. The 2016 Pathfinder Awards is a perfect complement to our mission, and an important opportunity to reach teen leaders in our community. It is only through alliances with teen leaders like the Pathfinder Awards finalists that we can continue to spread and encourage this message. We know they will lead the way in many avenues of their life after high school, and we hope one of those ways is to set good and healthy examples with regards to drugs and alcohol.”
The Pathfinder High School Scholarship Awards are presented each year to high school seniors in Palm Beach and Martin counties who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in 18 academic, vocational and athletic categories. Sponsored by The Palm Beach Post, the awards are presented each year to recognize excellence and to encourage students to one day bring their considerable talents to the communities where each received a start on the path to a good education and a rewarding career.
“In order to empower and encourage healthy habits – and meet the teens on a platform they enjoy – the Foundation recently launched a Twitter handle called ‘TwinzTweet,’” continued Jonsons. “With the goal of continuing our prevention education conversations beyond the classroom, ‘TwinzTweet’ is a healthy lifestyle resource for teens and their friends. Teens can find messages of encouragement and reinforcement that most of their peers are not drinking or engaging in risky behaviors.”
“TwinzTweet” is managed by two of the Foundation’s prevention specialists, who have been nicknamed “the twins.” Abby Hamilton and Ashleigh Lentz, who aren’t related, have many similarities, including a strong passion for educating youth about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, bubbly personalities and engaging presentation styles. All of these qualities are said to resonate well with the students they interact with – both in person and through the popular social media platform.
“’TwinzTweet’ is quickly gaining in popularity, as we have created a safe platform for students who have questions,” said Hamilton. “Positive peer pressure is so powerful, and identifying teen leaders, like the Pathfinder finalists, is key to spreading our message about prevention. Prevention is a successful strategy to save lives.”
Established more than 30 years ago by Mary Jane and Jack Hanley, Hanley Center Foundation is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to give hope to individuals, families and communities affected by alcoholism and drug addiction through access to high quality treatment, education, family support and community prevention programs.
College scholarships are available for the Pathfinder Awards winners in the amounts of $4,000 for the first-place winner, $3,000 for the second-place winner, $2,500 for the third-place winner and $2,000 to the fourth-place winner in each category. Top winners in each category will also receive the special “astrolabe” trophy, a symbol for the path each student may follow in the world and the leadership and direction each may provide for others in the future.
For more information about Hanley Center Foundation and its prevention education, please call 561-841-1212 or visit hanleycenterfoundation.org. For more information about the Pathfinder Awards, please visit www.palmbeachpost.com/pathfinder.
Things My Son Says
Mommy Moments
May, 2016
Funny Things My Son says
Being the mother of two bright children has its challenges – and its laughs. A few years ago I started sharing (on Facebook) funny things that my son Paul says. This brought in a lot of positive feedback and a lot of, “You should write these down and keep them” and “You should make a top ten list.” So here we go. But in no particular order, because I really cannot decide what things are funniest (to me), here are ten “Paul-isms” to share with you. He just turned nine years old, so many of these “nuggets of wisdom” were uttered when he was younger.
- “Mom, you really don’t understand fun! I’ll give you fun lessons tomorrow.” (2014)
- “The problem with farting is you can’t get away from yourself.” (2014)
- Paul was filling out an “All About Me” questionnaire when he was the Star of the Week in First Grade. For about 3 years now, he has been saying he wants to be an engineer when he grows up. But when he got to that question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” – he wrote “A Milkman.” When Joe asked him why (considering a milkman is getting to be an antiquated profession), he admitted that he wanted to write “engineer” but just didn’t know how to spell it! (2013)
- Paul called his buddy Jason to wish him a happy birthday. On the phone, he said, “How old are you?” Jason, who was 4, said “I’m fourteen.” Paul, who was also 4, said, “No you’re not. I think you hit yourself in the head with two coconuts.” That was followed by a lot of laughing on Jason’s side of the phone. (2011)
- Yesterday Paul asked me, “How old do I have to be before I can start swearing?” I said, “Sixteen.” He says, “When I wake up on my 16th birthday, I’m going to say, “What the F? It’s my birthday!” (2015)
- A letter to Santa, placed by the milk and cookies. “Dear Saint Nick, Drink all the milk. We don’t want it to smell.” – Paul (2015)
- Yesterday as we were getting out of the car to go to music lessons, Paul says, “I really have to go #1. No, actually I really have to go #2! Actually, I’m just going to lay down a #3.” And then he ran to the bathroom. Creative. (2015)
- My daughter Stella and I were teasing Paul about a girl he might like. “No, no, no – I hate her,” he says. “Don’t you know I’m trying to sabotage her friendship with Stella…by always answering the door in my underwear?” (2015)
- “What’s that name for a lady penis again? Kaliva?” (2015)
- And Paul’s New Year’s Resolution, which he wrote on his name tag last night, was that in the New Year, he will “turn nuclear waste into a children’s toy.” (2015)
***
Here’s Paul explaining the 3 most important things he learned in 1st grade. Or click on
***
Krista Martinelli is the owner and publisher of AroundWellington.com, which has been around for over 10 years. She (not very well) juggles motherhood with running this online magazine business. She is the mother of two kids. She has been published in the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series, as well as other publications.
Bootz Cultural Arts Center
AW Spotlight
Bootz Cultural Arts Center
By Sabeen Faquir
Have you seen Bootz Cultural Arts Center? It is a gem for Wellington and Royal Palm Beach residents. I was able to sit down with founder, Jeanne Bootz, to ask her about the origins of her business and what Bootz Cultural Arts Center has to offer.
“Art gives the opportunity to vent and refocus energy. When you’re creating in the arts, you’re learning and developing techniques and getting in touch with yourself. After that, you can connect and communicate with others, better,” says Jeanne.
Bootz Cultural Arts Center began as Bootz Culture Camp in January 2014. It was located in Royal Office Park, in a less visible area of the building. In January 2016, it expanded and became Bootz Cultural Arts Center. Now, they face the parking lot and the new Buckingham Plaza. This expansion made Bootz Cultural Arts Center more visible and enabled Jeanne to add more adult classes and advanced level classes.
Jeanne Bootz began Bootz Culture Camp because she felt there was a need for more opportunities for children and adults to study arts and combined cultural studies. Bootz Culture Camp was a fun way to learn about all the arts and cultures. Initially, the focus was more on humanities and cultural teachings. Although the teaching of visual art has become a stronger focus, Jeanne still feels a cultural understanding gives context to every art lesson.
Changes came to Bootz Cultural Arts Center with increased demand from the community for more fine arts classes. For instance, parents wanted Bak Middle School of the Arts and AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts audition prep courses for their children. And with the close relationship developing between Bootz Cultural Arts Center and the Wellington Art Society, the demands to bring in higher level art instruction and artist-focused gatherings instigated change. The Wellington Art Society currently meets at the Center.
Bootz Cultural Arts Center also offers a Yoga class on Wednesday from 9:00am to 10:00am hosted by the Cookin’ Yogi, Sherri Mraz. There is even a Movement, Yoga, and Art class for children offered on Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 by Gym Class Nation. You might think it odd that a cultural arts center offers yoga classes but Jeanne has offered yoga and arts for children in the past. In fact, Jeanne offered yoga as a part of a study of Indian culture during Camp, and found that the children enjoyed the yoga activities. If you’re interested in Sherri Mraz’s Yoga class, check out Sherri’s website under the Work With Me tab.
Some of the benefits of taking an art class at Bootz Cultural Arts Center are a strong sense of a working studio environment, knowledgeable instructors, and cost-effectiveness. First, There is an atmosphere of artistic creativity. Second, you will find instructors who are well-versed and offer knowledge of a wide range of media. The instructors are equipped to teach all ages and skill levels from novice to expert. Third, there is no membership fee to join. And because the cost of supplies is included in the cost of the class, you will not end up spending an astronomical amount on paints, canvases, brushes or other materials.
What clients like the most about Bootz Cultural Arts Center is its relaxed atmosphere, convenient location, and flexibility. Once someone finds the Center on State Rd 7, they realize how conveniently it is located between Wellington and Royal Palm Beach. Bootz Culture Camp is still alive within Bootz Cultural Arts Center with the blue walls and painted clouds. At the Center, there are a variety of classes offered. Some are even created by request. Birthday Parties for children and adults have evolved in that way.
Birthday Parties are available with the following themes: Under the Sea, The Dot, African Safari, and Rock Star, or Jeanne Bootz will work with you to create your own theme. Bootz Cultural Arts Center has hosted a Cinco de Mayo painting birthday party for adults and even bridal shower painting parties.
I had never heard of “The Dot,” so I asked Jeanne. She told me it is a lovely book by Peter H. Reynolds about a girl finding acceptance as an artist by drawing dots. Jeanne loves the story because according to her, it is about making your mark and creating your own style or interest.
During special times of the year, you may even see discounts for Bootz Cultural Arts Center on the smaller search engines, or you can readily get a coupon from the newsletter. All you have to do is go to www.bootzculturalartscenter.com. Then, go to Registration and Contact, fill out your information and check the box that says “Check here to receive email updates.” If you want to register for a class, choose Registration when prompted. If you just want to request some information, choose Request for Information. Then submit.
Jeanne Bootz sits on the Board of Directors of the Wellington Art Society and is Vice President of the Palm Beach County Art Teachers’ Association or PBCATA. Through the generosity of the Wellington Art Society there are some scholarships available for the summer camp program at the Center. Bootz Cultural Arts Center is also a unique venue for fundraisers and art shows. It is a space for artist development through workshops and gatherings. Bootz Cultural Arts Center is the only center for fine arts and cultural instruction of its kind in the western communities.
Bootz Cultural Arts Center is perfect for Wellington residents because of the diversity of classes it offers and its location. Jeanne is very responsive to requests from Wellington and Royal Palm Communities. If you support Bootz Cultural Arts Center you will be supporting an independent business from within your community. So, check out the Bootz Cultural Arts Center today and find out what classes interest you!
420 S. State Rd. 7, Suite 118,
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33414
(561) 290-2753
Lagoon of Life
Lagoon of Life
By: Kelly Delesandro/McNulty
Swallowed inside the hidden lagoon
Shadowed by fallen branches
Hidden by deep rooted mangroves
A perfect hidden circle
Entrenched in its role of shelter
Its simplified purpose
Connected to the vein of more
The womb of the sea
Encased nurture
Not trying to be more
Existing as an interconnected web of life
Can the tadpole evolve into a fish?
Can I extend my wings like a butterfly?
Reaching deep inside the sea’s life
Revealing a sanctuary of growth
To grow to live inside the light
Sinking deep inside the mud
Caressing my feet
Burying my legs with its gentle power
Extracting the toxic energy
That holds me down
The ropes inside my soul
That block thy from letting go
Depleting thy essence
That extracts the nectar from thy vessel
Thy to is a vessel of life
A sanctuary of growth
A womb of nurture
Wanting to connect to the lagoon…
The beating heart of life
That exists…
That connects…
A fragment of the infinite Mother Gaia
Living its purpose
Simply existing…
To be something more….
***
Kelly McNulty is a Visionary reflective poet seeking to inspire change while exploring the dimensions of poetry. Kelly resides in South Florida, working on self-publishing her first poetry book focusing on poems about activism, environmental issues, and animal rights.
Getting to Know the Bronx
Travel with Terri
Getting to Know the Bronx
Story and Photos by Terri Marshall
When you visit New York City for the first time your itinerary will most likely include visits to Times Square, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Central Park. It’s just what you do. But if you really want to get to know New York you should check out the other four boroughs. One that may surprise you is the Bronx. More than graffiti and noise, the Bronx is a cultural haven most visitors to New York City never explore. Here are four must do experiences in the Bronx.
The Bronx Zoo
Home to more than 6,000 animals, the Bronx Zoo spans 265 acres that re-create the diverse natural habitats of its fascinating and entertaining residents. The Zoo Center – originally known as the Zoo’s Elephant House – is the historic center of the Bronx Zoo. Built in 1908 it was designed to look like a palace and is a New York City Historic Landmark.
Escape the urban jungle for a walk through the Congo Gorilla Forest, JungleWorld, and the World of Reptiles. Visit the Butterfly Garden, the World of Birds, and even Madagascar to get acquainted with the fascinating creatures with whom we share this planet. You will share the sidewalks with peacocks as the males strut about spanning their vibrant feathers to impress their ladies. And in the Mouse House you can hang out with every imaginable type of rodent – if you dare.
Dinosaurs will return to the zoo this summer at Dinosaur Safari: Mysteries Revealed. Discover clues to our prehistoric past through fossils. Watch mothers protecting their nests from lurking predators and witness a T. rex stalking an injured Triceratops. Don’t forget to watch out for dinosaur goo from three spitting Dilophosauruses.
Van Courtlandt Park
If you think Central Park is big wait until you see Van Cortlandt. At nearly 1,200 acres, Van Cortlandt Park is New York City’s third largest green space behind Pelham Bay Park (also in the Bronx) and the Staten Island Greenbelt. Since its opening in 1895, the park has been a favorite spot for recreation and celebrating nature. The park has playgrounds, picnic areas, greenways, bicycling and hiking trails, sports fields, running paths and dog-friendly areas, a stadium and one of the largest freshwater lakes in the city. Van Courtlandt is also home to the Van Courtlandt Golf Course – the oldest public golf course in the USA. Known as “Vanny” by the locals, over the years many famous people have played there including Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson, Joe Lewis, and the Three Stooges.
The Van Courtlandt House Museum, a Georgian-style fieldstone manor built in 1748 is the oldest house in the Bronx and serves as the landmark centerpiece of the park. Sign up for a walking tour and educational programs geared toward families at the Van Courtlandt Nature Center. For a great walk through the woods that will make you forget you’re in the middle of the country’s largest city take the Putnam Trail (a former railroad track) from the park into Westchester County. Along the way you’ll find 11 massive stones originally placed in this wooded location over 100 years ago to test the wear and tear of the elements to see which type of stone would be best for building Grand Central Terminal.
New York’s Botanical Garden
Stretching over 250 acres in the Bronx, New York’s Botanical Garden is celebrating its 125 year anniversary in 2016. This treasured institution has been dedicated to excellence in horticulture, plant research, education and conservation since 1891.
Each season brings a unique experience. Explore a winter wonderland with tours, musical performances, and children’s activities. In warmer months the Haupt Conservatory displays a stunning array of orchids. In autumn take in the visual splendor of the Fall Flower Festival. And during the holiday season enchanting model trains weave through a display of 150 landmarks including Grand Central Station, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Yankee Stadium, each re-created with bark, leaves, and other natural materials all under a canopy of twinkling lights at the Holiday Train Show.
The real Little Italy of New York
Most tourists have heard of Little Italy in Manhattan located on Mulberry Street just outside Chinatown where hawkers sell knock off designer bags and fake Rolex watches. But the real “Little Italy” is in the Belmont section of the Bronx along Arthur Avenue where you will find a seemingly endless number of shops selling fine Italian-American foods including bread, pasta, meat, pastries, fish, cheese, Italian sausage, and more. The quality and values of the shops and restaurants repeatedly earn more “Best Buy” status ratings by Zagat Survey than any other neighborhood in New York City.
Generations of Italian families have remained or returned to Arthur Avenue to manage businesses started by their immigrant ancestors and have managed to preserve the neighborhood’s unique small-town character. The entertainment industry has roots here with Arthur Avenue being the setting for the movie A Bronx Tale. Joe Pesci was discovered by Robert DeNiro while working as the maitre’d at a neighborhood restaurant. It’s virtually impossible to get a bad Italian meal at the array of restaurants along the avenue. Amazingly, many New Yorkers have never heard of the place, while for others it’s home away from home. It’s truly one of the Bronx’ best kept secrets.
Politics + Art = Progress
Cultural Corner
Politics + Art = Progress
By
Lori Hope Baumel
“Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.”
– Percy Bysshe Shelley, A Defence of Poetry (England 1821)
Politics and art have often had a love-hate relationship. It seems as if this political season is endless. I often advocate living each day to the fullest, but, admittedly, I cannot wait until the presidential election is over. Those who have been given the opportunity for artistic expression during this tumultuous race have been taking full advantage of the situation.
When the political scene is particularly intolerable, artisans seem to flourish. Saturday Night Live sketches are sharper than ever. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is succinct and clever. Political cartoonists have a plethora of material to work with. Comic relief does make the reality of it all a bit more bearable.
Over time, artistic expression has provided more than just comic relief. It has opened the eyes of many who would normally turn away from issues like despair and poverty. Photojournalists that, often dangerously, capture images of people on bread lines, the horrors of war, and disasters like Katrina and Fukishima arouse an awakening in the social conscious of people all over the world.
This type of artistry has been incubating for centuries. Creative people are constantly seeking to break the mold. In 1913, at the world premier of Igor Stravinky’s Sacre du Printemps (Rites of Spring) the audience thought it sounded so outlandish that a riot was provoked. The police were called and Stravinsky fled the crowd by jumping through a window backstage. Considered a genius, his musical harmonies reflected the conflict and uncertainty of the era. Today, classical music enthusiasts would not consider his music to be discordant in any way. He paved the way for composers like George Gershwin and Arnold Schoenberg.
Hamilton, one of the most successful shows ever to reach the Broadway stage combines drama, hip-hop and an extraordinarily diverse cast. The musical expresses the political discourse of our nation’s founders. The show has managed to push the envelope; opening theatergoers minds to experience what would have been unacceptable on Broadway just ten years ago. (For more on Hamilton see the CBS feature at https://youtu.be/0wboCdgzLHg)
Ken Burns, the documentarian, has dedicated his life to educating the public about subjects including Prohibition, The Civil War, jazz, the National Parks and, most recently, Jackie Robinson. Is there a hidden message in his work? Is America still battling the Civil War in other ways? Had it not been for jazz, would there be hip-hop, rap or rock? Burns’ documentary on Theodore Roosevelt depicts a president of extraordinary strength, stamina, intelligence and a champion of conservation. What would dear Teddy have to say about the current climate change debate?
As long as the politicians rant, the artists will create. As long as artists create there WILL be progress.
Live… Go… Do!
Top 5 List for May 2016
1) Photography
Jordan Matter Exhibition
Miami City Ballet (MCB) teamed up with internationally acclaimed artist and photographer Jordan Matter on his latest collection of original photography of MCB dancers on the sands, streets and skylines of Miami. Matter was selected as one of 2014’s “Top Emerging Artists” (Art Business News) and is a New York Times bestseller for his work “Dancers Among Us”, a collection of photographs of dancers in everyday situations around the world. Proceeds from this collaboration will help underwrite the MCB Transition Fund to assist dancers who have devoted a significant portion of their careers to the company and to provide them with financial support as they move to the next stage of their lives and careers. The exhibition runs until June 4, 2016
Cultural Council of Palm Beach County
601 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth
Gallery hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
2) Honor Mother’s Day with a choice of cultural experiences:
Flagler Museum
One Whitehall Way Palm Beach, FL 33480
May 7, 2016: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm (Sat)
May 8, 2016: 12 pm – 3 pm (Sun)
The Flagler Museum invites all mothers and their families to celebrate this special day in the refined elegance of Café des Beaux-Arts. Guests will enjoy the Gilded Age style lunch of tea sandwiches, scones, sweets and the Museum’s own Whitehall Special Blend™ tea served on exquisite Whitehall Collection™ china. Each mother will receive a keepsake photograph, a rose, and a $10 gift card to the Museum Store. Honor your mother with this unique experience at one of America’s National Historic Landmarks.
For tickets and information see:
www.flaglermuseum.us/programs/mothers-day
3) Take Mom to the Ballet:
Cinderella
Presented by Ballet Palm Beach at Eissey Campus Theatre
May 7, 2016: 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm (Sat)
May 8, 2016: 4 pm – 6 pm (Sun)
On Mother’s Day weekend, Ballet Palm Beach performs the classic rags to riches love story of Cinderella. Underscored by Sergei Prokofiev, audiences of all ages will enjoy the hilarious antics of the ugly stepsisters, the magic of the Fairy Godmother and the radiant Cinderella as she is discovered by her prince charming at the Royal Ball.
Eissey Campus Theater
11051 Campus Drive Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Tickets are $17 to $37. Available on the ballet’s website at
balletpalmbeach.org or call the Eissey Campus Theatre at
561-207-5900. (Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
4) Make your child’s summer a memorable, artistic one:
Cultural Summer Camps
Summer vacation is right around the corner and Palm Beach County has incredible offerings for children interested in the arts. Consider a week of photography, an introduction to robots or participation in a musical. It’s always fun to “break it up” by combining a variety of programs within the nine weeks they are off from school. For a full listing go to:
http://events.palmbeachculture.com/categories/index/33/0/SUMMER_CAMPS
5) 450 Voices – a spectacular program:
450 Voices Unite for One Grand Night of Singing!
May 22, 2016: 7 pm – 9 pm (Sun)
One night only! Young Singers of the Palm Beaches, Palm Beach County’s premiere youth choir presents “It’s A Grand Night for Singing.” And a grand night it will surely be as Young Singers also welcomes local guest choirs, Masterworks Chorus and Ebony Chorale of the Palm Beaches to the stage. In addition, Harold E. Pysher, master organist, will be playing the newly debuted Digital Opus 11 Organ, donated by Alexander Dreyfoos and just installed into Dreyfoos Hall at the Kravis Center.
For over 13 years, the Young Singers of the Palm Beaches has entertained audiences with their creative and powerful choral productions. This concert will once again showcase the talents of these young people with the added benefit of becoming part of the glorious sound of 450 inter-generational voices. Highlights will include “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”, “Lift Every Voice for Freedom” and “Children Will Listen” from Into the Woods.
Get your tickets soon. This event sells out quickly!
Kravis Center of the Performing Arts
701 Okeechobee Boulevard West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Tickets: $15-$41
Spinal Decompression
Ask the Docs
Spinal Decompression
By Dr. Randy Laurich of The Wellness Experience
The DRX 9000 (Decompression Reduction Extraction) is a spinal decompression device designed to provide pain relief for compressive and degenerative disc injuries of the spine. Here at The Wellness Experience in Wellington, FL, we offer this type of treatment. Decompression is an advanced technology of intermittent traction with a controlled amount of force to a specific area of the spine. The injured disc is located prior to the treatment and gently separated, creating a small vacuum, which allows the disc to be pulled back – taking pressure off the surrounding nerve roots.
The DRX 9000 provides relief of pain and symptoms associated with herniated discs, bulging or protruding inter vertebral discs, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome, scoliosis, and sciatica. The best part is that the therapy is non-invasive and non-surgical.
The spinal decompression is a process whereby forces are applied to the spine whereby the spine is elongated. Spinal elongation is maximized when para spinal muscles (the muscles that guard the spine from injury) are relaxed. When para spinal muscles relax, applied spinal decompressive forces spread apart the bony vertebra of the spine. This relieves pressure on nerves and inter vertebral discs. Where this spinal elongation occurs, pressure drops within the disc which allows for movement of fluid, carrying nutrients and oxygen inside the disc.
Additionally, the reduction in pressure can help draw in herniated disc fluids, reducing the size of the herniation. Over time, the muscles and ligaments surrounding the disc can actually be retrained to help keep that disc space open.
Therapy sessions take about 30 minutes and patients typically feel results in three sessions. Re-educating the disc and muscles to exist in a better position takes some time. The frequency and number of session will vary depending on each case. The typical frequency of a prescribed twenty sessions is: Daily sessions 3 days a week for 6 to 7 weeks. Most patients start feeling results at about two weeks or half-way through the decompression therapy.
The procedure does not hurt. Most patients say it provides relief and feels good. Studies show that as long as the patient followed guidelines, there was an 86% success rate of positive results.
If you are dealing with back or neck pain, we recommend you give us a call so we can help you explore your options and improve your quality of life.
***
Dr. Randall Laurich
Chiropractor
The Wellness Experience of Wellington, Inc.
(561) 333-5351
Helping to make Wellington Well!
Are You All Knotted Up?
Health and Fitness
Are You All Knotted Up?
By Cheryl Alker
How many times have you asked someone to rub your shoulders because they feel sore and tight and then they find a spot that feels like a knot? Well, that small, painful, hard knot they just found in the muscle is a trigger point. In a healthy muscle, all the fibers are long and even, however, a trigger point causes an unhealthy contraction, so that some of those fibers twist into a knot. When a knot appears in a muscle, it causes pain for two reasons. First, the muscle loses access to the nutrients in the blood, and second, without healthy circulation passing through, toxins tend to build up in the contracted area. The muscle typically shortens, as well, and will often restrict the range of motion and flexibility in the affected area. Once you have a trigger point, or several of them, you will no doubt alter the way you move, sit, or stand to instinctively protect yourself. At the same time, the muscle is contracting to protect itself. Unfortunately, all this makes the problem worse, your body begins to adopt poor postures that tighten other muscles, leading to additional or worsening existing muscle imbalances. This is one reason why some people have both nerve based back pain caused by muscle imbalances and tissue-based back pain caused by a knot or trigger point within a single muscle.
There are many causes of trigger points but here’s one that you m
ay not have paid too much attention to. Blood circulation: if your blood circulation is too slow or restricted it may be one of the causes of your trigger points. Poor blood circulation can be caused by many factors, stress is one, if you are stressed you will often tense your muscles which in turn reduces the circulation to the tense muscles.
Another cause may be the fact that you are dehydrated, if you do not drink enough water to hydrate your body you will be reducing the amount of oxygenated blood to flush the muscles of toxins. Poor circulation can also be caused by poor diet which in turn can cause inflammation making the trigger points swell. Lack of movement and stretching will also be a contributing factor.
This inadequate supply of oxygenated blood to the muscles means that the relaxation response that should make the trigger points disappear or at least go dormant will not be activated; this is why they can often stick around for a long time.
When we experience pain in our back or a joint we always immediately assume it was something we did that morning or the day before, however, unless it was a direct trauma, i.e. from a fall or accident that will not be the case I cannot over emphasize how important it is to look beyond the pain and find the cause. How many of us experienced back pain that lasted a few days and then the pain subsided. When the pain disappeared, rather than make an effort to identify and address the cause, we breathed a sigh of relief and got on with our life. Not addressing the reason for pain often means that later on down the road that pain will return but the next time around you may not be so lucky and it could either stay for a lot longer or become debilitating. Make it your goal to find the cause and address whatever it is you are doing that was responsible. Treating symptoms alone will never allow you a pain free life.
The same goes for trigger points. I am sure you have all heard the term “referred pain” well a trigger point can “refer” its pain to another muscle or other area of the body. For instance you could be feeling pain in your hips, buttocks or down your legs but the actual trigger point is located in the lower back or the pain is in your arm, mid-back or neck is being referred by the trigger point in your shoulder. Trigger points are also able to refer pain to other trigger points that may be on the same nerve pathway. Therefore if you only focus on the area where the pain is radiating from, the treatment is going to be unsuccessful. It is vital that you find the trigger points, wherever they are, and heal them, one by one.