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Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker Spearheads Local Nonprofit’s Efforts to Provide No Cost Breast Cancer Diagnostic Screenings to Nearly 100,000 Underserved Women in South Florida

madison mangoni
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Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker Spearheads Local Nonprofit’s Efforts to Provide No Cost Breast Cancer Diagnostic Screenings to Nearly 100,000 Underserved Women in South Florida

West Palm Beach, FL, October 2, 2024 – As breast cancer awareness month begins, Promise Fund, a South Florida based non-profit founded by Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, is reaching out to the tens of thousands of women in Palm Beach, Broward and Martin Counties who are uninsured, under insured or have limited or no access to healthcare. The organization, founded in 2018, is dedicated to increasing survivorship from breast and cervical cancer by providing guided support and access to screenings, as well as early detection, treatment, and beyond.

A study out yesterday by the American Cancer Society shows the incidence of breast cancer has risen over the last decade, particularly among those under 50.  According to the study, black women are least likely to be diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and most likely to be diagnosed with late-stage, contributing to disproportionate mortality.

“The lack of early detection, particularly among women of color, is what we are finding here in our community where nearly 100,000 women are uninsured or do not have a medical home,” said Ambassador Brinker.

“Many women encounter barriers to screening and diagnosis primarily due to work commitments, childcare, lack of transportation, and fear of the costs,” she continued. “We co-locate our Promise Fund Women’s Health Program in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which provides access to Patient Navigation, mammography and breast ultrasounds and help women access treatment for cancer if needed. Plus, our dedicated patient navigators are there every step of the way—guiding women through the screening process and coordinating treatment if a cancer diagnosis is made—so no one faces it alone.”

To date, the organization has reached 40,335 individuals through outreach and education and has impacted the lives of 10,114 women through access to screenings, diagnostics, and care. Promise Fund’s Life Impact in Southeast Florida report shows that on average, 96% of all Promise Fund participants needing a screening mammogram have received it, compared to the going rate of 78% in Florida and 76.3% nationally. The rate is higher than state or national rates. Of those who were diagnosed with breast cancer through Promise Fund screenings, 26% were diagnosed in the late stage, compared with 30.5% in Florida and 31% nationally.

“Early detection saves lives, and we’re working every day to make sure we reach our goal of screening 100% of underserved women in our local communities. It’s the first and most critical step in ensuring these women get the early care they deserve,” said Ambassador Brinker.”

ABOUT PROMISE FUND
Promise Fund,  founded in 2018, is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing survivorship from breast and cervical cancer by providing guided support and access to screenings, as well as early detection, treatment, and beyond. To date, they have touched 40,335 through outreach & education and impacted the lives of 10,114 women through access to screenings, diagnostics, and care.  To learn more, visit thepromisefund.org. Follow on Instagram @thepromisefund and on Facebook @PromiseFundofFL.West Palm Beach, FL, October 2, 2024 – As breast cancer awareness month begins, Promise Fund, a South Florida based non-profit founded by Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, is reaching out to the tens of thousands of women in Palm Beach, Broward and Martin Counties who are uninsured, under insured or have limited or no access to healthcare. The organization, founded in 2018, is dedicated to increasing survivorship from breast and cervical cancer by providing guided support and access to screenings, as well as early detection, treatment, and beyond.

A study out yesterday by the American Cancer Society shows the incidence of breast cancer has risen over the last decade, particularly among those under 50.  According to the study, black women are least likely to be diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and most likely to be diagnosed with late-stage, contributing to disproportionate mortality.

“The lack of early detection, particularly among women of color, is what we are finding here in our community where nearly 100,000 women are uninsured or do not have a medical home,” said Ambassador Brinker.

“Many women encounter barriers to screening and diagnosis primarily due to work commitments, childcare, lack of transportation, and fear of the costs,” she continued. “We co-locate our Promise Fund Women’s Health Program in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which provides access to Patient Navigation, mammography and breast ultrasounds and help women access treatment for cancer if needed. Plus, our dedicated patient navigators are there every step of the way—guiding women through the screening process and coordinating treatment if a cancer diagnosis is made—so no one faces it alone.”

To date, the organization has reached 40,335 individuals through outreach and education and has impacted the lives of 10,114 women through access to screenings, diagnostics, and care. Promise Fund’s Life Impact in Southeast Florida report shows that on average, 96% of all Promise Fund participants needing a screening mammogram have received it, compared to the going rate of 78% in Florida and 76.3% nationally. The rate is higher than state or national rates. Of those who were diagnosed with breast cancer through Promise Fund screenings, 26% were diagnosed in the late stage, compared with 30.5% in Florida and 31% nationally.

“Early detection saves lives, and we’re working every day to make sure we reach our goal of screening 100% of underserved women in our local communities. It’s the first and most critical step in ensuring these women get the early care they deserve,” said Ambassador Brinker.”

ABOUT PROMISE FUND
Promise Fund,  founded in 2018, is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing survivorship from breast and cervical cancer by providing guided support and access to screenings, as well as early detection, treatment, and beyond. To date, they have touched 40,335 through outreach & education and impacted the lives of 10,114 women through access to screenings, diagnostics, and care.  To learn more, visit thepromisefund.org. Follow on Instagram @thepromisefund and on Facebook @PromiseFundofFL.

October fun at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

madison mangoni
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0
October fun at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

OCTOBER HAPPENINGS:

A Gateway to Japan: An Evening of Violin and Piano,

Butoh Dance Workshop, and

Stroll for Well-Being at

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

October workshops, classes, and demonstrations:

Tuesdays, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 

Ikebana Flower Arrangement – Ikenobo School
Time: Beginners – 11am–1pm  

            Intermediate – 1:15–3:15pm* 

Cost: $90 (Morikami Members $80) Advance Registration Required 
*Intermediate courses are for students with prior experience or have taken at least three sessions of Ikebana classes. 

Flower arranging, ikebana, is a traditional Japanese art form spanning centuries. Ikebana has various different schools of study, each with unique philosophies and aesthetics. Dating back to the 15th century, the Ikenobo School is the oldest and most traditional. Students in this course learn the basic principles and style of Ikenobo, creating fresh flower arrangements each week to take home and enjoy.

Saturday, Oct. 5 & 19  
Kurinuki Ceramic Workshop
(2-day workshop) 
Time: Day 1: 10am–1pm 

            Day 2: 10am–12:30pm 
Cost: $150  

Kurinuki is a traditional Japanese ceramic hand building technique starting with a solid block of clay and hollowing it out to create a vessel. Create a chawan, Japanese tea bowl using this beautiful ancient technique. In this hands-on workshop, learn basic techniques to work with clay and enjoy a presentation of Japanese ceramics.

Saturdays, Oct. 5, 12, 26, Nov. 3 & 9 
Japanese Traditional Music: Koto  
Time: Beginners – 10:30am–12:30pm  

Cost: $155 (Morikami Members $150) Advance Registration Required 
Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument first introduced to Japan from China in the 7th-8th centuries. Learn about the history, culture, and techniques in how to play this exquisite instrument in this five-week course. Instruments will be provided for participants to use in the class.

Saturday, Oct. 5 
Family Fun: Video Game Character Magnets  
Time: 12–3pm 
Cost: FREE (with paid museum admission).

Commemorate the history and impact of beloved video game characters with your own Perler bead magnet.

Saturday, Oct. 5 

A Gateway to Japan: An Evening of Violin and Piano 
Time: 1pm 

Cost: $15 (Morikami Members $10)  
Join us for an afternoon of Japanese inspired chamber music! Featuring a wide range of repertoire- from an audience favorite, Ralph Vaughan Williams to American and Japanese contemporary composers, Sakiko Ohashi (piano) and Reiko Tachibana (violin), will take one on a classical chamber music journey filled with Japanese melodies.    

Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 

The Art of Bonsai
Time: Beginners – 12:30–3:30pm 

            Intermediate – 9am–12pm 
Cost: $100 (Morikami Members $90) Advance Registration Required 
Bonsai means “a tree in a tray.” The art of bonsai creates the illusion of age and maturity of a tree which has developed and sustained the effects of nature for many years. Students of bonsai learn to artfully trim and train a tree in a container.

Sundays, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27; Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 
Nihongo: Introduction to Japanese (Virtual Class) 

Time: Level I – 6:10–7:10pm 
            Level III – 7:10–8:10pm 
            Level IV – 5–6pm 
Cost: $120 (Morikami Members $110) Advance Registration Required 
Nihongo: Introduction to Japanese is a beginner and lower intermediate program teaching Japanese speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students are introduced to Japanese culture and lifestyles through lessons and conversation. Levels I and II use Japanese for Busy People I (JBP I) and levels III and IV use Japanese for Busy People II (JBP II). Fall, winter, and spring sessions of each level should be taken sequentially as a series.

Sundays, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27; Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 
Nihongo: Introduction to Japanese (In-Person Class) 

Time: Level I – 10:15–11:15am 
            Level II – 11:30am–12:30pm 
Cost: $120 (Morikami Members $110) Advance Registration Required 
Nihongo: Introduction to Japanese is a beginner and lower intermediate program teaching Japanese speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students are introduced to Japanese culture and lifestyles through lessons and conversation. Levels I and II use Japanese for Busy People I (JBP I) and levels III and

IV use Japanese for Busy People II (JBP II). Fall, winter, and spring sessions of each level should be taken sequentially as a series.

Sundays, Oct. 6 & 20  

Sado: Tea Ceremony
Time: Beginners – 10:15am–12:15pm*  

            Intermediate – 1–3pm 

Cost: $60 (Morikami Members $55) Advance Registration Required 

Expand upon your knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Perform traditional Japanese tea ceremony, with its ever-evolving seasonal subtleties, in the authentic Seishin-an Tea House under the guidance of instructor Yoshiko Hardick. The tea ceremony changes from month to month and from season to season. Intermediate course requires approval by the instructor before registering. *Sunday Beginner’s II Class Prerequisite – You must have already taken a Thursday beginner’s I class

Wednesdays, Oct. 9, Nov. 6, Dec. 4 or Saturdays Oct. 12, Nov. 9, Dec. 7 

Stroll for Well-Being 

Time: 11am–12:30pm or 1:30–3pm 

Cost: Free to qualified applicants 

Immerse yourself in Morikami’s natural beauty, peace, and serenity through our therapeutic garden walking program. A qualified facilitator will lead participants through themed walks and journal writing to encourage reflection, and ultimately, personal well-being.

Wednesdays, Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30 

Ikebana Flower Arrangement: Sogetsu School

Time: Beginners – 10:30am–12:30pm  

            Intermediate – 1:30–3:30pm* 

Cost: $90 (Morikami Members $80) Advance Registration Required 
Flower arranging, ikebana, is a traditional Japanese art form spanning centuries. Ikebana has various different schools of study, each with unique philosophies and aesthetics. The Sogetsu School is a contemporary school which focuses on the creativity and individuality of ikebana. The idea is that ikebana can be done by anyone, anywhere, with almost anything. Students will learn the basics of Sogetsu and create pieces each week to take home and enjoy. *Intermediate courses are for students with prior experience.
 

Thursdays, Oct. 10 & 24 

Sado: Tea Ceremony
Time: Beginners – 10:15am–12:15pm  

            Intermediate – 1–3pm 

Cost: $60 (Morikami Members $55) Advance Registration Required 

Expand upon your knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Perform traditional Japanese tea ceremony, with its ever-evolving seasonal subtleties, in the authentic Seishin-an Tea House under the guidance of instructor Yoshiko Hardick. The tea ceremony changes from month to month and from season to season. Intermediate course requires approval by the instructor before registering. 

Saturday, Oct. 12 
Sado: The Way of Tea
Time: 12pm, 1:30pm or 3pm 
Cost: $5 with paid museum admission.  

Observe Japanese sadō, an ever-changing demonstration rich in seasonal subtleties. Involvement in the true spirit of sadō — harmony (wa), reverence (kei), purity (sei), tranquility (jaku) — along with a sip of matcha green tea and a sweet candy will help bring a calm perspective into one’s busy life.  

Saturday, Oct. 12  
Guest Artist Workshop: Calligraphy & Sumi-e Workshop with Artist Masumi Sakagami
Time: 10am–12pm or 1:30–3:30pm 
Cost: $65  
Advance registration required 

Learn about the intricacies and beauty of Japanese calligraphy and sumi-ink painting techniques with master calligrapher and artist Masumi Sakagami. Students will learn the history of calligraphy, the basics of how to write a Japanese kanji character with the correct strokes, and to draw a bamboo with the brush

and ink, two traditional writing tools. The workshop will culminate in a special gallery walk and talk with the artist at her exhibition featured in the Yamato-kan. Learn about the inspiration and creative process behind her work with this master artist. 

Saturday, Oct. 19  
Butoh Dance Workshop
Time: 11am–1pm 
Cost: $45  
Advance registration required 

Led by the acclaimed Pınar Sinka, participants will learn theoretical knowledge such as the philosophy, methodology, and aesthetic ideals of Japanese avant-garde dance Butoh, as well as the choreographic visual elements of classical Butoh and the improvisational practices of post-Butoh. Moreover, they will experience the relaxing, warming, and breathing exercises of Butoh, as well as slow somatic techniques that focus on building a relationship between the mind, body, and space, and increasing body awareness. No dance experience is necessary. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach. For more information, call (561) 495-0233 or visit morikami.org. 

Palm Beach County Visionaries to Unveil “Brain Coast” Vision During October’s Train the Brain Month

madison mangoni
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Palm Beach County Visionaries to Unveil “Brain Coast” Vision During October’s Train the Brain Month

Leaders believe shared vision, determination, science, education, collaboration,
and investment can transform the South Florida region and change the world.

West Palm Beach, FL–Palm Health Foundation’s eighth annual Train the Brain community health campaign during October 2024 marks the unveiling of a significant collaborative initiative. On October 24, 2024, at the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute at Florida Atlantic University, Palm Health Foundation will launch The Brain Coast: A Vision for South Florida, an aspiration endorsed by six Palm Beach County brain health and science visionaries:

  • Palm Health Foundation
  • Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute at Florida Atlantic University
  • Stiles-Nicholson Foundation
  • The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology
  • Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
  • Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network

These six partners believe the vision for The Brain Coast is akin to President John F. Kennedy’s ambitious goal for America’s space exploration that accelerated the development of Florida’s Space Coast. Together, they aim to accelerate innovation in diagnosing, treating, and curing neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders, and other brain conditions that affect 8 to 10 Americans according to the Dana Foundation and Research America. All have signed a Brain Coast vision statement, committing to three pillars:

  • 1: Deepening Brain Science, Education, and Resiliency Through Research
  • 2: Engaging the Community
  • 3: Spurring Innovation to Improve Brain Health, Mental Health, and Community Resilience

As these partners grow their network of partners beyond Palm Beach County to all of South Florida, the three pillars will guide their work to advance the understanding of the human brain, mental health, and resilience, and shape the future of healthcare delivery and societal wellbeing. They envision future partners to span across science, health, education, funding, and the community.

“With world-renowned brain science institutions in our backyard, and science, health, education, and community partners integrated into a growing network focused on brain health, we see the transformational potential for South Florida to become recognized as The Brain Coast over the next decade,” said Patrick McNamara, president and CEO of Palm Health Foundation.

Many initiatives demonstrating The Brain Coast Vision’s promise are already underway:

“The Brain Coast is more than a sum of its parts,” McNamara said. “Students, researchers, scientists, health professionals, funders, nonprofits, and residents are coming together across South Florida to transform brain health in our local community and around the world, setting the course for the massive potential that lies ahead.”

If You Go:

What: Launching the Brain Coast Vision
Palm Health Foundation is launching “The Brain Coast Vision,” an aspiration toward a thriving brain health ecosystem in South Florida. This vision is partly realized through breakthrough scientific research happening right here in Palm Beach County. Join us to hear the stories behind the science and be inspired by the journeys that led local scientists to dedicate their lives to advancing treatment for brain disorders as varied as depression, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and more.


When: Thursday, October 24, 2024, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Where:
Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute at Florida Atlantic University Jupiter Campus, Jupiter, FL 33458

Registration: Free & Open to the Public. Registration Required – Seating is Limited.
Register at palmhealthfoundation.org/events

Contact info@phfpbc.org with event questions.

About Palm Health Foundation 
Palm Health Foundation is Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. With the support of donors and a focus on results, the foundation builds strong community partnerships, respects diverse opinions, advocates for its most vulnerable neighbors, and inspires innovative solutions to lead change for better health now and for generations to come. The foundation supports health equity for Palm Beach County residents of all backgrounds, heritage, education, incomes, and states of well-being. Palm Health Foundation has invested more than $93 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

About Train the Brain

Train the Brainis a community health campaign annually presented by Palm Health Foundation throughout the month of October. The campaign goal is to help Palm Beach County residents understand that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the body. With information and resources provided, participants are encouraged to make changes in their thinking about mental health conditions and integrate brain healthy habits and self-care behaviors into their daily routines.
PalmHealthFoundation.org/train-the-brain.

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

madison mangoni
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0
LIGHTHOUSE ARTCENTER RECEIVES A $42K GRANT TO EXPAND FREE ART CLASSES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Lighthouse ArtCenter:

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

Facebook: @lighthousearts.org

Instagram: @lighthousearts

SOMETHING SCARY

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SOMETHING SCARY

SOMETHING SCARY – BIGGER, BETTER, AND SPOOKIER THAN EVER!

Free Performance by The Resolvers and No Big Deal Band

Haunted House, Trunk or Treating, Chef-Made Treats, Costume Contest and More
Friday, October 25 at Space of Mind in Delray Beach

This year’s SOMething Scary is bigger and better than ever! Space of Mind is shutting down the block with a live music stage featuring The Resolvers and No Big Deal band, their 8th annual Haunted House (in Delray’s oldest – and officially haunted – house), a parking lot carnival, costume contest, trunk or treating, chef-made treats and more!

This year’s theme, Global Warning!, will be brought to life by Space of Mind students, who use their creativity to design and produce the event as part of their first trimester academic project. In addition, this year’s event will raise funds to launch SOMeTunes, a student-run record label and arts initiative under the Community Classroom Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on reducing learning-related stress through creativity. 

This annual event is made possible thanks to sponsors including Subculture Restaurant Group, DADA, Meraki Integrative, The White Family Foundation, The Delray Beach Historical Society, Prosperity Brewers and the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Do Good Delray month, alongside A Little Wyld and Delray Orthodontics—highlighting the power of partnerships between businesses and nonprofits in our community. Our Trunk or Treat features cars curated by Delray Beach Concours. Don’t miss out on the frightful fun! Dress up, bring your friends, and prepare for a night of chills and thrills.

WHERE:

At the corner of Space of Mind and DADA

102 N. Swinton Ave. Delray Beach, FL 33444

WHEN: 

Friday, October 25, 2024

6pm – 11pm

6:30pm – No Big Deal Band

9pm – The Resolvers 

TICKETS: 

Free live music 

Click here to purchase wristbands for the haunted house and activities. 

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CLASSROOM PROJECT: The Community Classroom Project (CCP) is an innovative 501(c)3 nonprofit launched by Space of Mind. CCP bridges the gap between students, parents, educators, schools, mental health providers, and the community, providing experiential learning, educational resources, entrepreneurship opportunities, and scholarships. Their goal is to rethink education and reduce school-related stress.  Their Community Classroom Kitchen (CCK) project is on a mission to enhance mental and physical health for families in South Florida through the art of cooking and communal dining. It starts by training a passionate and skilled culinary workforce for the restaurant industry. www.yourccp.org | @communityclassroomproject

LinkedIn Workshop in Wellington on Oct. 21st

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LinkedIn Workshop in Wellington on Oct. 21st

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

admin
-
0
LIGHTHOUSE ARTCENTER RECEIVES A $42K GRANT TO EXPAND FREE ART CLASSES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Lighthouse ArtCenter:

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

Facebook: @lighthousearts.org

Instagram: @lighthousearts

LIGHTHOUSE ARTCENTER

GALLERY AND 2D STUDIO

373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469

561-746-3101

3D STUDIO

395 Seabrook Road, Tequesta, FL 33469

561-746-3101

STUDIO 385

Jewelry and Textiles

385 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469

561-746-3101

Halloween Experiences for the Bold and the Brave

Terri Marshall
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Halloween Experiences for the Bold and the Brave

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

New Orleans: Step Into The Mortuary – If You Dare

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

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

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

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

The Ghosts of Charleston

Haunted Charleston
Cemetery in Charleston Photo: Shutterstock

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

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

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

The Missouri State Penitentiary

Halloween Experiences
The Missouri State Penitentiary Gas Chamber Photo: Shutterstock

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

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

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

The Haunted Road and a Haunted Field of Screams

Halloween Experiences
Haunted Field of Screams

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

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

Happy Halloween!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ABOUT AMERICAN HUMANE 

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

American Humane Launches Supplies Drive

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American Humane Launches Supplies Drive

to Help Pets Affected by Hurricane Helene

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

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

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

American Humane is collecting the following items:

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

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

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

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

About American Humane 

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

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