Do you suffer from arthritis? This is inflammation of the joints caused by the degeneration of cartilage in the joints. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness, tenderness, loss of flexibility, a grating sensation, or bone spurs. If you experience joint pain and stiffness for more than a few weeks, it is advisable to see a doctor.
Talk to you doctor about the following options to alleviate some of your discomfort from arthritis pain: fish oil, glucosamine and chondroitin, or collagen. While I have found research supporting the use of fish oils for brain health, I have found less information supporting its use for inflammation. In fact recently, researchers have failed to prove the anti-inflammatory benefits of fish oils for obesity or atrial fibrillation (Root et al). But, DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid, a constituent of fish oil, was found to have anti-inflammatory properties through the induction of PGE2 or prostaglandin E2, an inhibitor of the pro-inflammatory COX 2 (cyclooxygenase 2) enzyme (Liu et al). And studies support the use of fish oils for global assessments of pain and activity of disease for those with rheumatoid arthritis (Proudman et al).
Also ask your doctor about glucosamine, chondroitin, and collagen. To understand why to take these, it is important to understand the anatomy and physiology of a joint. A normal joint is where two ends of bone meet. The ends of each bone are covered in cartilage and the joint is surrounded in synovial fluid. The cartilage is made of cells that produce collagen. Both glucosamine and chondroitin are found in cartilage. Cartilage is a generally flexible tissue without much blood flow. Because of this reason, getting nutrients to the joint is difficult.
How do glucosamine and chondroitin work? Well, glucosamine builds cartilage and chondroitin draws water into the joint. This water keeps the joint spongy. In one study, patients with low back pain, were given an oral dose of 500mg of glucosamine hydrochloride and 500mg of chondroitin sulfate twice a day for the first month and then once a day for the next two months. In this open, uncontrolled study, participants reported a 90% reduction in the consumption of NSAIDs (Singh et al). Now, if this was due to the placebo effect, it is uncertain.
More than glucosamine and chondroitin, I recommend collagen. Recent studies prove it improves the state of the cartilage in joints. It would be the same as a doctor recommending stock made from chicken bones to a patient. In one study, WOMAC scores from the use of a type II collagen supplement were compared to those of glucosamine with chondroitin and a placebo group. The scores of the collagen group were significantly better than those of the other groups (Lugo et al, 2016). In another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 40mg of a patented undenatured UCII supplement improved knee-joint extension in healthy individuals who experienced problems in joint function and pain due to a strong exercise regimen. It even allowed the participants to exercise pain-free for longer periods of time (Lugo et al, 2013).
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Disclaimer: The content of this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure disease.
Sources
Catherine L Hill, Lynette M March, Dawn Aitken, Susan E Lester, Ruth Battersby, Kristin Hynes, Tanya Fedorova, Susanna M Proudman, Michael James, Leslie G Cleland, Graeme Jones. Fish oil in knee osteoarthritis: a randomised clinical trial of low dose versus high dose. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. 2014-207169
Yan Chen, Yong-Can Huang, William W Lu. Low-dose versus high-dose fish oil for pain reduction and function improvement in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. 2015-208754
Martin Root, Scott R Collier, Kevin A Zwetsloot, Katrina L West and Megan C McGinn. A randomized trial of fish oil omega-3 fatty acids on arterial health, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome in a young healthy population. Nutrition Journal201312:40
Anil Nigam, MD; Mario Talajic, MD; Denis Roy, MD; Stanley Nattel, MD; Jean Lambert, PhD; Anna Nozza, MSc; Peter Jones, PhD; Vanu R. Ramprasath, PhD; Gilles O’Hara, MD; Stephen Kopecky, MD; James M. Brophy, MD; Jean-Claude Tardif, MD. Fish Oil for the Reduction of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress. Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Yueqin Liu, Li-Yuan Chen, Milena Sokolowska, Michael Eberlein, Sara Alsaaty, Asuncion Martinez-Anton, Carolea Logun, Hai-Yan Qi1 andJames H. Shelhamer. The fish oil ingredient, docosahexaenoic acid, activates cytosolic phospholipase A2 via GPR120 receptor to produce prostaglandin E2 and plays an anti-inflammatory role in macrophages. Immunology. Volume 143, Issue 1, pages 81–95, September 2014
Susanna M Proudman, Michael J James, Llewellyn D Spargo, Robert G Metcalf, Thomas R Sullivan, Maureen Rischmueller, Katerina Flabouris, Mihir D Wechalekar, Anita T Lee, Leslie G Cleland. Fish oil in recent onset rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised, double-blind controlled trial within algorithm-based drug use. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. 2013-204145
Singh, L. Alekseeva, V. Alekseev, G. Triadafilopoulos. SAT0419 Glucosamine–Chondroitin Sulfate Reduces Pain, Disability and Nsaid Consumption in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Large, Community-Based, Pilot, Open Prospective Observational Study. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. 2013;72:A724
James P. Lugo, Zainulabedin M. Saiyed and Nancy E. Lane. Efficacy and tolerability of an undenatured type II collagen supplement in modulating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Nutrition Journal 2016 15:14
James P Lugo, Zainulabedin M Saiyed, Francis C Lau, Jhanna Pamela L Molina, Michael N Pakdaman, Arya Nick Shamie and Jay K Udani. Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II®) for joint support: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy volunteers. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 2013, 10:48
This is a subject I am only very slightly familiar with as my mother had Canaries when I was young. I remember one with the name of Mario Lanza (that should date me) and we did love it when he sang (only the males sing.) Luckily enough, I have friends who have birds and they have assisted me with this column.
When choosing a pet bird you don’t want to get one that is too large, too loud, too expensive — and ultimately, too much to handle. In any case, whatever type of bird you are looking for, deal with a reputable breeder as they can assist you in getting the bird right for you and your family.
Birds are popular pets – they are generally easy to care for and colorful little companions. Basically there are two types – hookbills and softbills. Hookbills are all the Parrot type birds, and smaller ones like Parakeets, Lovebirds, and Cockatiels. Softbills are Canaries and Finches.
Parakeets are one of the most popular and most common first birds. Since they are fairly inexpensive and in good supply, they often are considered a “throw away bird” and are not valued as much as other feathered friends. This is a deplorable attitude with ANY pet and should be discouraged.
Parakeets small size and trainability make them a good choice for older children. Their diet, like most Parrots, consists of pellets or seeds supplemented with fresh vegetables and fruits. Pellets make far less waste than seeds, and are easier to feed once the bird is acclimated. Fresh fruits and vegetables must be washed well as birds are very sensitive to chemicals and pesticides. Cuttlebones are a way to provide calcium and the birds enjoy chewing on them.
Most hookbills like to chew on things, and so need a variety of toys to keep them active and provide mental stimulation. The larger the bird the larger the toy, and large Macaws can go through a few toys in a day. Soft wood, hard wood like manzanita, rawhide, and cotton rope are some of the materials used to make toys.
Some Canaries are amazing singers. They are solitary unless breeding, so they don’t like to share with other canaries. Putting a male and female together will cause a male to stop singing, and two males may fight, so they are kept singly.
The canary is perfect for beginners who aren’t sure they want as much interaction as some other species require. They would d rather not be handled and are happy just entertaining you with their song. It is a good pet for children as they allow youngsters to see a bird close up but not have to interact with it.
Finches are flashy birds that are fast moving and fun to watch. They are constantly twittering but it is at a level below the decibel level of Parrots. When purchasing Finches, remember that they do better in a social situation, so plan on buying two or more and giving them a cage with plenty of space to exercise their wings. These birds move by flying and they don’t climb for exercise. Also remember that when they’re too crowded, territorial cage battles between cage mates will erupt.
Parrots can be noisy. Keep this in mind when choosing a breed of bird and think about neighbors especially if you live in an apartment or condo. Conures are remarkably loud for their size, and a Macaw can easily be heard down the block when in full yelling mode. Cockatiels and the smaller parrots will make some noise, but rarely get too loud unless excited.
The smaller Parrots are not as good at mimicking sounds and speaking as the larger Parrots, and it varies greatly by each individual bird. My friend had a Jardine’s Parrot that kept making the strangest noise – it took the longest time for her to realize it was a squeaking cabinet door. He also had the beep of the microwave down pat and mimicked her telling the dogs to be quiet.
Cages should be the largest possible. Softbills like Canaries and Finches aren’t interactive the way that Parrots are, and so need flying space to stay healthy. The larger the cage the better it is for the birds, especially if multiples are kept such as a group of Zebra Finches. Wire spacing will depend on the size of the bird, with smaller birds needing no more than 1/2″ spacing and larger Parrots closer to an inch. Birds can be messy with their food, so an easy to clean location is a good idea. The cage also needs to be in a draft-free location, which is warm but not overheated.
Here’s an interesting caution that was shared with me – be aware that smaller birds (Canaries, Finches and small Parrots) can be sickened and die from the fumes created by non-stick cooking pans used on high heat. You won’t smell anything, but fumes are created and can easily kill the small birds. Locating a cage in or near the kitchen if you use non-stick cookware should be avoided.
The care for larger birds – African Greys, Macaws, etc. is largely the same – although their life expectancy is longer, and their “misbehavior” due to lack of physical, social, and mental stimulation is more intense (and possibly destructive). More on the larger birds in a future column.
In late March, Anne Smith, the beautiful young choir director at River of Grass (my Unitarian Universalist congregation), came to congratulate me on my just-announced birthday. After an affectionate hug, she said, “So you’re now 83?”
“It’s a great age. It’s the new 37.”
She chuckled and said, “You’re probably one of the few men who knows that the real way to a woman’s heart is with humor.”
“Hasn’t worked with you.”
“But you’re 83. And I’m 27.”
“Ah, so you don’t like older men.”
“I do like older men. Some older men.”
Note how she graciously avoided the word, “ancient.”
That conversation triggered many memories (most of them unwanted), and helped bring into focus a reality about men and the endless pursuit of women: we all recognize in ourselves a bit of Charlie Brown and the little red-headed girl.
In my case, I’m like Charlie Brown on steroids.
When I was fifteen years old, I fell hopelessly in love with Marlene Goldman. It was a case study in what every young teen-age boy goes through at least once: Boy meets girl in school. They talk frequently. Flirt. Confide. Reveal secrets. Whisper wanton longings. Complain about teachers. Call each other on phone, daily. Boy falls madly in love. Calls girl and asks her on a date.
She says, “It would be like going out with my brother.”
Devastated when Marlene told me this, I spiraled into a severe depression that lasted for at least one day. Then, like all good friends who had been rejected because they had become good friends, I decided to use Marlene as my romantic adviser and confidante, secretly hoping she would eventually feel differently about me. (Spoiler: she never did.)
One night I called her and said I was thinking of asking out Karen Katz,
“Good idea!” she said. “I think she’s terrific. And remember one thing my mom told my brother: the way to a girl’s heart is through humor.”
(Ah! Reverse déjà vu: she preempted Anne by 68 years.)
I took Karen out the following Saturday night, and Sunday morning Marlene called me.
“You idiot!” she yelled. “How could you do that?”
“Wait. Wait. You were the one who told me to use humor; you were the one who said all the guys liked Karen’s dad because he was a funny guy.”
“So you don’t insult him!”
“He thought it was funny!”
“Karen didn’t!”
“Marlene, he egged me on! They were all dressed to go to some big fancy party. He was wearing a tux; Karen’s mom had on a great gown. He asked Karen how he looked and she said, ‘Like a movie star.’”
“Right. Then Motormouth jumped in.”
“He prodded me! He wanted me to say something funny! He said, ‘How about you, young man? What do you think? And by the way, looking like a penguin doesn’t count.’ So I said, ‘Okay, you look like a greeter at a funeral parlor.’ And he laughed. And his wife laughed.’”
“Yes, but you weren’t going out with them, and you won’t be going out with Karen again, either.”
After the Karen fiasco, however, Marlene became an invaluable personal counselor to me. All through high school. I had no idea the way girls thought. They anticipated things! They knew things instinctively! They manipulated! They were incredibly cunning!
They were always a mystery to me, and using humor – which I tried constantly – almost always backfired. I stopped telling Marlene about my pathetic efforts after hearing, for the nine millionth time, “How could you think that was funny?”
I did keep one incident a secret from Marlene.
By the time I was a junior in high school, I kept hearing about this older woman who liked young guys. Much older. Around 35 years old. She was the talk of the locker room. Some guys bragged about having slept with this lady; others laughed at their claims, insisting she didn’t even exist.
Her name was Ming Toy Epstein. I suppose the name should have made me suspicious, but everyone kept telling me she was a Chinese woman who had married a Jewish salesman.
Then one day, my friend Bernie announced to everyone he knew where she lived. He had her exact address!
“Where’d you get that?” I asked.
“Mort gave it to me! He said he was with her last weekend!”
That Saturday morning, five of us piled into Bernie’s car and headed for the neighborhood where Ming Toy Epstein lived. We had no idea what we were going to do once we got there, but we had to go see if she really existed, or was just an urban myth.
We drove to a neighborhood on the south side of Chicago known as Oakenwald, populated almost exclusively by Nisei: Chinese, Indonesian, Philippine. (The year was 1949, only four years after the war ended, so there were no Japanese.)
We drove to the address. Bernie parked. The house was small: stucco, with wooden shutters.
An elderly man sat on the front porch, rocking. When we got out of the car, he stopped rocking and stared at us. We stopped and stared back. Then he stood up and grabbed a rifle perched next to him. Without hesitating for a second, he pointed the rifle upward and fired it.
It was so loud we thought World War III had started. You never saw five Jewish boys run so fast in your entire life.
Later, an angry Bernie confronted Mort. Mort laughed until we all graduated a year later. And he’s still laughing. It was the first thing he mentioned to us at our 50th year class reunion.
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I often find myself thinking about the link between women and humor. And, given the fact I now qualify as “ancient,” wondering how guys from my era – like Jack Benny, Bob Hope, and Abbott and Costello – did in their pursuits.
As a native Floridian I am use to feeling the nice hot Florida sun, I prevent sun burns by daily applying sun block & taking care of my skin and always try to park my car in a shade even if it means walking an extra 500 steps just so when I get back the excess heat won’t cause me to faint or burn my rear when I sit on the seat. Why discuss all these things simply because we all know the sun’s rays can damage our skin and in the end even cause health damages. So how does it affect our Air conditioning system which sits outdoors 24 hours a day 7 days a week? Well you can imagine not taking proper care to your AC system means its health can deteriorate as well. So that is why I find it just as important to keep my whole house AC system working at its peak & I prepare before the real summer months hit.
Here’s some great information that I’d like to share with you all:
First, change your filters in your heating/cooling system. Change them regularly as recommended by the manufacturer.
Next change your thermostat over to “cool” and test the system by turning the temperature down. If the air conditioner does not turn on, first check to make sure no breakers are tripped. If you can’t figure out the problem, call your heating and air conditoning repair person. Calling early may keep you from making an “emergency” call when the temperatures are soaring and the repair people are too busy.
If your cooling system turns on, make sure it is putting out adequate cooling. If it’s not, and you can’t figure out the problem, call your air conditoning repair person. Make sure you set it at 78 degrees minimum to prevent mold buildup- yes we live in Florida & humidity builds up quickly which make mold easy to grow.
If your air conditioner needs replacement do it BEFORE the HOT WEATHER HITS so you can most likely beat the crowd & save money too.
And more than likely, some other things around your home need attention as well. Your air ducts may need testing for leaks and then sealed.
Your attic insulation probably has compacted, so you may need to add more.
Your windows and doors and other parts of the building envelope may need caulking and weather stripping.
You may need solar window film to keep out the heat which helps reduce electric costs by up to 25%
Consider changing your old thermostat to a programmable one. You can save up to $100 a year by using a new set-back thermostat. If your thermostat is really old and uses a mercury switch (a glass tube filed with silvery substance) call your local public works department to find out how to dispose of this toxic material.
Consider installing a whole-house fan that uses cool air in the evening to cool the entire house and push hot air out of the attic area.
Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air is considered the expert in green Plumbing & HVAC solutions. They are a licensed and insured in the State of Florida and has been serving residential and commercial customers throughout Palm Beach County for over 16 years. They understand the needs of their customers and because of that, offer same day service, 24/7 emergency service with up front pricing and they guarantee your satisfaction. Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air works hard to earn your business and goes the extra mile to keep it!
For more information call Your Plumber In A Skirt at 561-790-6966 or email
Adopt-A-Family & Lynora’s Join Together To Throw ‘Great Give’ Happy Hour on May 3
(PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL) – Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches is getting set for Palm Beach County’s biggest 24 hour fundraising campaign, The Great Give, by partnering with Lynora’s, the famed Italian restaurant in Downtown West Palm Beach, for a Happy Hour Pizza Party on Tuesday, May 3, 2016.
Guests will be welcomed at Lynora’s, 207 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, from 4-7 p.m. With a minimum $20 donation to Adopt-A-Family through the Great Give online portal (at the event or the day of Great Give), each patron will receive a ticket for a drink and pizza that can be redeemed during the event.
Every donation made to Adopt-A-Family is partially matched through the Great Give, which is a 24-hour fundraising campaign for nonprofits throughout Palm Beach and Martin Counties. To increase the impact, the dedicated board members of Adopt-A-Family have created a unique matching pool of $5,000.
“We are so excited to be a part of Great Give 2016, and we want to share that excitement with our supporters, board members, volunteers and donors,” said Matt Constantine, CEO of Adopt-A-Family. “We hope that once people are at Lynora’s, ready for a great time, they will be inspired to give because every dollar is matched by our board and then matched again by the Great Give bonus pool to support Project Grow. For every dollar donated up to $5,000, Adopt-A-Family receives a dollar-for-dollar match by the board of directors. We can’t think of a better incentive for a Happy Hour.”
Project Grow is Adopt-A-Family’s afterschool and out of school program, which fosters a stable and educational environment for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. The program is customized to meet the unique challenges of formerly homeless and low-income youth in the Lake Worth community. The program incorporates an innovative STEAM curriculum that introduces career fields of the future to our students.
For additional information on this event, or to learn more about Adopt-A-Family, please call (561) 253-1361 or visit http://adoptafamilypbc.org/GreatGive2016. For more info on Lynora’s please visit www.lynoras.com.
About Great Give:
Great Give Palm Beach & Martin Counties is a 24-hour online giving event led by the Community Foundation for Palm Beach County, United Way of Palm Beach County and United Way of Martin County designed to raise as much money as possible for local nonprofits in a single day. This community-wide event, to be held on May 3 from midnight to midnight, celebrates the spirit of giving and the collective effort it takes to strengthen our community by raising critical funds for local nonprofits.
Every local gift made during the 24-hour period will be multiplied by additional dollars from a bonus pool raised by the Community Foundation. Great Give Palm Beach & Martin Counties will make May 3 even more exciting by providing cash or otherwise valuable prizes each hour. Local businesses and individuals are encouraged to support this unique opportunity for our community to raise significant funds that will make a direct, positive impact on the lives of our neediest residents.
ABOUT ADOPT-A-FAMILY:
Adopt-A-Family, located in Lake Worth, is a Palm Beach County agency dedicated to providing programs that empower families in crisis and offering solutions for self-sufficiency. Adopt-A-Family’s mission and core activities center on the belief that a family’s basic needs must be met before change can occur within the family or individual. To achieve this mission, the agency provides physical housing units, rental assistance, homeless prevention services, youth educational programming and supportive services. The organization has proudly received Charity Navigator’s 4-star rating, the highest rating a nonprofit can receive, nine consecutive times for their stellar financial management. The agency is in its 33rd year of operation and has helped more than 45,000 families attain self-sufficiency. For more information about Adopt-A-Family, please call (561) 253-1361 or visit www.adoptafamilypbc.org.
ABOUT LYNORA’S
Lynora’s, located on Clematis Street in the heart of Downtown West Palm Beach, is the current home of the Abbenante family’s culinary traditions, which began in South Florida in 1974 when Raffaele and Maria Abbenante immigrated from the tiny Italian island, Ponza, and began selling pizza by the slice in South Florida.
In 1976, the small family pizza shop evolved into an Italian dining destination in Lake Worth where Maria Abbenante used her mother, Lynora’s, traditional Italian recipes and culinary secrets of traditional Italian cooks to prepare dishes using the finest, locally sourced ingredients. For more than 35 years, the Abbenante family served thousands at Lynora’s in Lake Worth, which was known as one of the best Italian restaurants in South Florida. In 2004, the Abbenantes closed the restaurant and planned to retire, but when presented with another opportunity, they came out of retirement. In 2014 opened the next generation of Lynoras on Clematis Street. Today, Lynora’s combines its best Old World recipes with new fusion dishes that Maria still prepares. Seven days a week, the casually sophisticated restaurant draws countless guests that continue to enjoy memorable dining experiences redolent with the full flavors of Italy.
Lynora’s, 207 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, Tel: 561. 899.3117 www.lynoras.com
Area students share how violence and bullying have affected them in
Do The Write Thing Challenge
2016 Ambassadors and other Top Ten Finalists to be honored at
May 10 Awards Ceremony and Program at Convention Center
One girl’s experience with a high profile gun-related death and the devastating effect it has had on her family and a boy’s poem about how a bully can be confronted and converted into a compatriot are two moving accounts of the effects – and ideas to reduce teen violence shared by the 28,379 students from 33 Palm Beach County public middle schools participating in this year’s Do The Write Thing Challenge (DTWT). From the thousands of participating students, Kirsten Brown, a seventh grader at Don Estridge Middle School in Boca Raton and Quinton Williams, a sixth grader at Howell L. Watkins Middle School in Palm Beach Gardens, were selected as Ambassadors from Palm Beach County.
Brown and Williams will travel to Washington. D.C. this summer to represent Palm Beach County during National DTWT Recognition Week. They will have the opportunity to present their views and solutions to youth violence with such national leaders as Representatives Lois Frankel and Ted Deutch and other members of Congress, the U.S. Secretary of Education, the Attorney General of the United States, and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. The week culminates in a special evening event at which the students, their parents and educators are honored.
Palm Beach County DTWT Campaign Chairman Bill Bone announced that the pair, along the other 310 “Top 10” students will be honored at a May 10 luncheon at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. All of theses will be published and catalogued in the U.S. Library of Congress. Attendance at the luncheon is by invitation only.
In addition to Brown and Williams, the 2016 finalists are:
Girls
1st Runner Up Helen Gutierrez, 8th grader at Palm Springs Community Middle School
2nd Runner Up Celina Phal, 7th grader at Loggers Run Middle School in Boca Raton
3rd Runner Up Emily Briceno, 7th grader at Conniston Community Middle School in West Palm Beach
4th Runner Up Bailey Nathan, 6th grader at Independence Middle School in Jupiter
Boys
1st Runner Up Jaydon Hood, 7th grader at Crestwood Middle School in Royal Palm Beach
2nd Runner Up Sam Kassel, 8th grader at Boca Raton Community Middle School
3rd Runner Up Christian Nakotey, 6th grader at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Riviera Beach
4th Runner Up Devin Locke, 7th grader at Western Pines Middle School in Royal Palm Beach
Jaydon Hood, one of the “Do the Write Thing” finalists
Local DTWT Campaign Organizer Pepe Fanjul said that the challenge is beneficial to each of the thousands of students involved as it provides a forum for the discussion of bullying and teen violence and provides a safe way for students to express their feelings about events they have experienced, while sharing ideas and solutions for reducing violence.
“When you read what they have written you can’t help but be moved by what some of them have endured, while at the same time being inspired by their courage in moving forward and their intellect in suggesting ideas and solutions that we as adults should really consider,” Fanjul said.
The 2016 Do The Write Thing Challenge is part of the National Campaign to Stop Violence. This is the tenth year Do The Write Thing Challenge has been conducted in Palm Beach County. Sponsors include Florida Crystals, The William H. Pitt Foundation, Inc., The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Trust Fund, Sue and James Patterson and the law firm of Larmoyeux & Bone Trial Lawyers.
The essays and poetry were read and evaluated by representatives from the offices of Congressman Ted Deutch, Congresswoman Lois Frankel, State Attorney Dave Aronberg, Public Defender Carey Haughwout, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, The Criminal Justice Commission, The School District of Palm Beach County, The West Palm Beach Mayor’s Office, and Florida Crystals corporation.
For more information, please visit
Excerpts from the ten finalists in the 2016 Do the Write Thing Challenge Palm Beach County:
Kirsten Brown, 2016 Ambassador
7th Grade, Don Estridge High Tech Middle School in Boca Raton
A tragic incidence of violence that is in the news – the fatal shooting of her fellow church member Corey Jones at the hands of a police officer — profoundly affected Kirsten’s sense of security and has made her aware “that the decisions that I make today ultimately affect my choices tomorrow.” Kirsten writes: “I have witnessed close friends whose family members have been victimized. I have witnessed how it has torn families apart. I know that I don’t want the same for my family. It has affected the choices that I now make. I constantly find myself paying attention to my surroundings and being very select of my choices of friendships.” Kirsten summarizes her approach with this statement: “I can show others that it is okay to be smart and cool at the same time. I want to be the person that can stand as an exemplary role model for those students that aren’t on the right track to look up to and say, ‘Hey, I can do the same.’ ”
Quinton Williams, 2016 Ambassador
6th grader at H.L. Watkins Middle School in Palm Beach Gardens
Born with the condition of Hydrocephalus, Quinton endured bullying and unwelcome curiosity about his condition as a little boy. But when it came to writing his entry for the Do The Write Thing Challenge, he chose to write a poem, taking on the persona of a friend who had endured bullying but confronted the bully and disarmed him, turning him into a friend. A portion of his poem reads: “Maybe I can help, you should give it a chance, the bully stared back with an empty glance. Because you have more friends than I, he said with a subtle reply. Then I knew there was hope for the end of this violence!” In Quinton’s poem, the bully’s reply when given the chance to explain his behavior to his victim, is: “I’m sorry I bullied you, I shouldn’t have intended to. I hope we could put this to an end and come together and be the best of friends.” His advice to his peers is: “You don’t have to be friends with everybody, but you do have to be friend to everybody.”
Helen Gutierrez – 1st Runner Up – Girl
8th Grade, Palm Springs Middle School
Although not a direct victim of bullying or teen violence, Helen shares how the violence she sees in society and at school has affected her and inspires her to do her part to stop it. “Realizing the grim reality of youth violence has deeply affected me,” she writes. “Seeing the violence among youths causes me to live in fear of the future of our society and makes me feel dejected. Viewing stories on the news about gun violence and school shootings causes me to worry about the possibility that something so abysmal could happen in my school or in my neighborhood.” Helen wants to make a difference: “It is important to set an example by refraining from committing acts of violence and others will follow,“ she writes. She also suggestions starting “a group with people who have been victims of violent actions or people who simply yearn to stifle the madness.” Helen also suggests showing compassion: “We can be amicable to the adolescents who commit violence in order to kill the hate that they feel with kindness. “
Jaydon Hood – 1st Runner Up – Boy
7th Grade, Crestwood Middle School in Royal Palm Beach
Jaydon’s family suffered the death of his cousin from gunfire on a Miami area playground where he and three others was gunned down by a gang. He writes: “That great destructive force changed my family forever. It didn’t just take away a high school football playing senior, it also opened my eyes to the fact that I did not want to be a part of the ugliness of violence.” Jaydon said he has been taught by his mother that “having a violent personality does not just happen overnight….The traits of the parent become the tendencies of the child. It starts with families joining together to build each other up and being involved in things that are positive. …Doing the right thing means living beyond these statistics and challenging yourself to do more than your environment (might predict). I learned that we all have choices and these choices include choosing to be better than our parents and grandparents or even brothers, sisters and cousins.”
Celina Phal – 2nd Runner Up – Girl
7th Grade, Loggers Run Middle School in Boca Raton
Celina is the child of Cambodia immigrants who were brutalized by the Khmer Rouge before escaping their native land to come to America. Her father suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from his war and refugee experience as a young child. Her mother, she writes, “explains her experience with the war in great detail, and makes sure that my sisters and I take absolutely nothing for granted.” Celina has become an advocate for non-violence. “I can reduce violence by promoting the use of settling arguments with words and not fists,” she writes. “This way, it will not start a physical feud.” She continues: “Promote anti-violence. Be mature with your arguments. Stick with people you trust and if you ever witness a crime, report it. Sometimes, being quiet can make the world more violent.”
Sam Kassel – 2nd Runner Up – Boy
8th Grade, Boca Raton Middle School
Sam calls violence “the epidemic that never sleeps.” He says he has been bullied for his various disabilities his whole life. “I have been laughed at, rejected, excluded and treated as less than others all of my life. People have shaped me into something I never wanted t become. I am a spiky shell of the happy, loving, innocent, carefree kid I used to be. Bullies broke me.” Sam said it will take everyone’s efforts to reduce bullying and youth violence. “I cannot do anything to stop youth violence. Not alone. I need everyone. Hear my story. I cannot stand to have any more children be depressed, or for me to see another fight, or find anymore fake Instagram pages about myself or others. I feel as if my story can empower everyone to work to make sure that nobody else ends up like me. I am a young boy with a voice. I beg you to carry this voice. “
Emily Briceno – 3rd Runner Up – Girl
7th Grade, Conniston Middle School in West Palm Beach
Two young men wearing ski masks, with a gun, rope, bags and pillow cases burst into Emily’s home and robbed her family in front of her eyes. While not physically harmed, Emily was traumatized by this violent crime. “Now I am afraid to be alone,” she writes. “I cry for no reason and I get sad more often. I have lower self-esteem and feel I must have done something to bring on this violence or why couldn’t I stop it?…I am part of the statistics of youth violence” But the experience has not defeated Emily. Instead she ”has a strong desire to help others.” “I want to make my community a better place to live,” she writes. “I want to help others.”
Christian Nakotey – 3rd Runner UP – Boy
6th Grade, John F. Kennedy Middle School in Riviera Beach
“My approach to solving youth violence is to focus on family values and structure,” writes Christian. “No one is born to be a violent person but the circumstances and the environment in which people find themselves shapes their lives positively or otherwise. “ Christian writes that he is “grateful to my parents for creating a violence-free environment for my siblings and I. Dad and Mom always remind us before we leave for school never to fight. Fighting bullying with physicality is never the right approach. “ He also shares that “with the increased rate of public violence and gun crime, my approach is to be alert at all times and play dead if I ever find myself in a bad situation. I am too young to have this mindset but this is the world we are living in now.”
Bailey Nathan – 4th Runner Up – Girl
6th Grade, Independence Middle School in Jupiter
Violence in school sports forced Bailey to stop playing on her teen basketball team. ”Violence from fellow players can cause a person to feel fear, intimidation and self-doubt,” she writes. “This can cause permanent damage to a player’s self-worth or way of thinking about themselves or others.” Bailey urges those experiencing some type of bullying or violence to realize that “the bad times will end.” “Everyone can persevere through hardship,” she continues. “Sometimes you can feel small, unimportant and not self assured…but people must always know that everyone can make a difference, no matter how big or small they feel.” “Take action,” she urges her fellow teens as well adults. “Don’t just be a bystander. Communicate with the bully and show them the compassion that they may be missing from their life.”
Devin Locke – 4th Runner Up – Boy
7th Grade, Western Pines Middle School in Royal Palm Beach
Hoping to attend West Point Military Academy and attend medical school through the military, Devin experienced bullying when he decided to go to school with his hair dyed pink in support of his aunt who was battling breast cancer. Although it bothered him, he writes that his parents’ counsel helped him understand the bullying and overcome the hurt it caused. “My parents taught me that the cause of youth violence is because the bully doesn’t feel good about themselves and takes it out on other people. Maybe they have been neglected, abused or bullied.” This insight led Devin to suggest a few ways that bullying can be effectively addressed, including a Bully Drop Box at each school where bullying can be anonymously reported to officials as well as peer counseling to discuss situations involving bullying or violence. “If just one person sticks up for you, the bully may stop,” he concludes.
The YWCA of Palm Beach County’s last “Brown Bag Lunch” of the season is scheduled for Thursday, May 26, 2016, 12:00 noon, at the YWCA Corporate Office, 1016 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach.
The speaker will be David E. Holland of Ameriprise Financial Services who will present “Strong Women, Powerful Financial Strategies.”
Learn ways to:
• Gain control over your financial situation
• Protect the people and things you love the most
• Make informed financial decisions
• Care for the people you love, even after you’re gone
Holland joined Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor in 2008, moving over from the practice of law where he focused on estate planning, real estate and corporate transactions. He later joined Ameriprise to focus more on financial and estate planning. He is a Certified Financial Planner and a Chartered Financial Analyst. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Yale University and received a Juris Doctorate from Hofstra University. He lives in Jupiter, Florida with his wife, Jeanine, a 2nd grade teacher at the Benjamin School, and two daughters, Emily and Jessica.
Feel free to bring your lunch with you. The YWCA will provide beverages and dessert. There is no charge to attend, but space is limited, so please reserve your spot now. If you would like to attend, please reply to Carol Henry, 561-640-0050, Ext. 134, or chenry@ywcapbc.org.
Tasting Table Photo Credit: WebsiteWine Bar Photo Credit: Steve Axelrod
The Oak Bistro and Wine Bar is a hidden gem located in the Southern Palms Crossing shopping center. As soon as you walk through the door you are made to feel welcome and at home. Friendly staff greet you and seat you. The owners and chefs Lisa and Brian Jacobsen warmly and enthusiastically interact with the diners. Even the guests are friendly! And the food is delicious, fresh and seasonal. All of that and over 70 different bottles of wine with over 30 by the glass, as well as a variety of craft beers to choose from. The ambiance is warm and cozy and the walls are adorned with original artwork from local artists who are members of the Wellington Art Society.
Oak Bistro and Wine Bar Photo Credit: Website
OaK Bistro and Wine Bar seems to me to be the perfect combination of classy and casual where you can come to “Wine Down” after a long day. You will find a well thought out eclectic menu of small plates and your server will be most helpful in suggesting the perfect beverage pairing. In addition to tapas they also serve nightly entrée specials ranging from grilled steaks, to fresh fish And if you don’t see what you’re looking for just ask, they truly aim to please. They are also very aware that many of their customers may have special dietary needs and are Gluten-free friendly, Paleo and AIP friendly.
Fried Halloumi Platter Photo Credit: Steve Axelrod
My husband and I went on a Wednesday night because it was our anniversary and Steve didn’t want me to cook. Small plates are what we like most because we get to taste a few menu items and not feel guilty about ordering dessert. We decided on a trio of dishes. Two that we selected and a third that our waiter told us was addictive. Our choices were the Fried Halloumi Platter and the Italian Panini. The fried halloumi was fabulous. The cheese batons were lightly coated in panko for a crispy crust and the cheese was rich and chewy. The accompaniments of kalamata olives, grilled flat bread and artichoke salad really added to the enjoyment of the dish. The panini was so yummy. What could be bad? Toasted ciabatta stuffed with salami, capicola, ham, provolone, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, pepperoncini and Italian vinaigrette. But the real star was the T’s Chickpeas that our waiter had suggested. The bowl of fried chickpeas dusted with just salt and pepper was truly addictive, just as he said.
Fried Chickpeas Photo Credit: Steve Axelrod
The term small plates might be a bit misleading. The portions are not small at all. The plates are generously filled and perfect for sharing which only adds to the convivial atmosphere. We were so taken with the fried chickpeas that the diners to the left and right of us as if they were really as good as we made them sound. So we let them all have a taste! They all agreed and said they would be sure to order them next time they went to the Oak Bistro.
Flourless Chocolate Cake and Gluten-free Lemon Cupcake Photo Credit: Steve Axelrod
But that’s not all we had. We had dessert. Yes, fabulous dessert. I had the Flourless Chocolate Cake with Fresh Strawberries and my husband the Gluten-free Lemon Cupcake. Both desserts were amazing! And, yes, we did share.
Owners Lisa and Brian Jacobsen Photo Credit: Steve Axelrod
Oak Bistro and Wine Bar is open everyday for dinner and on Saturdays and Sundays they also serve brunch.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Nearly 100 golfers gathered at the newly renovated Ironhorse Country Club in West Palm Beach on April 22, 2016 for Gulfstream Goodwill Industries’ 5th Annual Golf Tournament presented by Max Davis Associates, Inc. This event, chaired by Amy and Bruce Testa, raised more than $25,000 benefiting the non-profit agency’s more than two dozen health, human and social services programs.
As in previous years, Schumacher Auto Group offered a 2016 Volvo XC90 from Volvo of the Palm Beaches to whoever could make a hole-in-one.
“The 2016 Gulfstream Goodwill Golf Tournament at Ironhorse [Country Club] was a blast. I will 100 percent be back next year,” said committee member and golfer Philip Staff.
Gulfstream Goodwill Industries would like to thank the following sponsors of the 5th Annual Golf Tournament: Presenting Sponsor Max Davis Associates, Inc.; Awards Sponsors South Florida Fair and Palm Beach County Expositions, Inc.; Lunch Sponsors Gator Electric & Communications, Inc. and Valley National Bank; Breakfast Sponsor SunTrust Bank; Par-Tee and Play Sponsors DataPrint, Noble Properties and Sapoznik Insurance; Corporate Sponsors Forte Interactive, Inc., Hyvac Mechanical Services, Iventure Solutions, Regent Bank, Roger Dean Stadium and UBS Financial Services, Inc.; and Golf Cart Sponsors Patrician Capital and United Water Restoration Group, Inc.; Official Vodka Sponsor Tito’s Handmade Vodka; Official Rum Sponsor Code Rum; the Garden’s Mall; Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Leyenda Cubana Cigar Store.
To see photos from the 5th Annual Gulfstream Goodwill Industries Golf Tournament visit gulfstreamgoodwill.org/photo-gallery.
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About Gulfstream Goodwill Industries:
For 50 years, Gulfstream Goodwill Industries has been a leading non-profit organization that assists people with disabilities and other barriers to employment to become self-sufficient, working members of our community. We provide more than two dozen health, human and social service programs for individuals in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties.
Alumni Gives Back with Feature-Length Film ‘The Awakening’ To Be Shot at Filmmakers’ Alma Mater – G-Star School of the Arts
Palm Springs, Florida, April 18, 2016– G-Star School of the Arts for Film, Animation and Performing Arts’ (www.GStarSchool.org) alumni and independent filmmakers Wally Aime, Raymond Knudsen, and Rashard Martin head to produce their feature-length film drama, “The Awakening.” The film is scheduled to shoot at the G-Star Studios throughout the entire month of June 2016.
“The Awakening” will be the first feature length film created by G-Star alumni in the school’s history,” stated, Greg Hauptner, Founder and CEO, G-Star School of the Arts. “We’ve had many alumni short films produced here, but this is the first full-length movie written, produced and filmed by graduates of the school.” We are excited they are producing it here,” added Hauptner.
The film is written and directed by Rashard Martin, a notable alumni of G-Star who was heavily involved throughout the school’s film program and student government activities. Cinematographer and musician Wally Aime and producer Raymond Knudsen have been award winners at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival and Palm Beach International Film Festival in the recent past are also among the crew. Knudsen was also a 2014 Burt Reynolds Scholarship winner for his achievements at G-Star School of the Arts.
The story of The Awakening, follows two recovering drug addicts whose paths cross in a coming of age story of recovery, compassion, and redemption. The goal of the three filmmakers is to bring worldwide awareness to drug abuse of all kinds. “Our film is going to show the extreme side effects and consequences of drug abuse, and how this is a multi-generational problem that needs the utmost attention possible in order to make an impact in people’s lives,” Knudsen says, who is the producer of this project.
Martin says he and his team are thrilled at the opportunity to head back to their high school to film their first feature film together, “One of our goals is to involve as many student actors and filmmakers in our film. This is the place where we began our filmmaking careers, and even though we are extremely focused on making the best film possible, it’s also time to give back to our school as well,” said Martin.
To schedule an interview with any of the production or CEO of G-Star and for location coverage access, please contact wendy@transmediagroup.com.
About:
G-Star students come from across Palm Beach County as well as from all over the world to attend this school. Students study in the fields of film production, 3-D animation, and acting. Students that attend must take art classes as well as their normal academic classes. G-Star offers a complete college preparatory education with honors classes, Advanced Placement classes, and the International Baccalaureate World School Programme. The school also trains students in Writing, Directing, Producing, Acting and all aspects of film and TV production in front of the camera and behind the camera.
Accolades: G-Star is an “A” rated school 6 years in a row. It is academically in the top 1.2% of all high schools in the nation according to the Washington Post. The U.S. News & World Report named G-Star one of “The Best High Schools in America”. G-Star awarded “The Number One High School for Film in the World” in London by the Raindance Film Festival, Europe’s largest independent film festival. G-Star graduates 99% of its students with 97% going on to college. G-Star students have been accepted into Juilliard, Oxford University (England), West Point, Naval Academy at Annapolis, NYU, USC, UF, FSU, UM and many more. Where are our graduates today? Here’s a brief list: Sound Engineer for the Jimmy Fallon Show, Universal Studios, Warner Bros. Studios, Disney, reality star of Syfy Channel’s FACE OFF, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop (Muppets), Hulu, several own their own production companies, traveling the world doing documentaries, and much more. G-Star has partnered with the Palm Beach International Film Festival as their mission aligns with dedication to making a difference in the lives of future filmmakers.
Talk to you doctor about the following options to alleviate some of your discomfort from arthritis pain: fish oil, glucosamine and chondroitin, or collagen. While I have found research supporting the use of fish oils for brain health, I have found less information supporting its use for inflammation. In fact recently, researchers have failed to prove the anti-inflammatory benefits of fish oils for obesity or atrial fibrillation (Root et al). But, DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid, a constituent of fish oil, was found to have anti-inflammatory properties through the induction of PGE2 or prostaglandin E2, an inhibitor of the pro-inflammatory COX 2 (cyclooxygenase 2) enzyme (Liu et al). And studies support the use of fish oils for global assessments of pain and activity of disease for those with rheumatoid arthritis (Proudman et al).
Most hookbills like to chew on things, and so need a variety of toys to keep them active and provide mental stimulation. The larger the bird the larger the toy, and large Macaws can go through a few toys in a day. Soft wood, hard wood like manzanita, rawhide, and cotton rope are some of the materials used to make toys.
Cantankerously Yours
Living Green
