January, 2016- Wellington Aquatics Complex to Host American Red Cross Lifeguard Class
The Wellington Aquatics Complex is hosting an American Red Cross Lifeguard certification class. Learn the skills you need to score an amazing summer job or begin a fun and exciting career as a professional Lifeguard. This class teaches entry-level participants the expertise needed to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies, and to provide care until EMS personnel arrive.
Wellington’s lifeguard certification class takes place on the following dates and times:
Date Hours
Thursday, January 14th 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday, January 15th 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 16th 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 17th 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Participants must be able to attend all four class dates in order to complete the certification. To register, participants must be at least 15 years of age and be able to swim 300 yards continuously and pick up a brick from a water depth of 10 feet. The registration fee is $235 and includes the lifeguarding course, certification, and all new American Red Cross course materials.
To pre-register, visit the Wellington Aquatics Complex at 12072 Forest Hill Boulevard or call 561-791-4770 for more information. Space is limited, so register today!
For information about other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visit www.wellingtonfl.gov or watch Channel 18 for the latest happenings.
January, 2015 – Wellington Art Society’s Art Fest on the Green
The Wellington Art Society will present its tenth annual Art Fest on the Green at the Wellington Amphitheater at 12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington on Saturday, January 30th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, January 31st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Art Fest is a celebration of art, of life, and enjoying a wonderful day in the beautiful amphitheater.
The juried fine art and craft show will feature artists from around the country showing off unique designs across multiple mediums, including painting, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, textiles, photography and more.
The goal is to bring art and community together. Art Fest gives the community an opportunity to interact with the artists, learn more about the creative processes, different mediums and techniques and learn about the artists’ lives.
This year’s judge will be Ted Matz, who is an educator, artist and highly regarded art judge.
Several artists will be working on site and the 50 fine artists participating in the festival were selected for their creativity, mastery of the technique and level of excellence.
The four co-chairs for Art Fest, Leslie Pfeiffer, Adrianne Hetherington, Faye Ford and President Sandy Axelrod will be on hand to assist visitors as they navigate through a children’s art activity area where art can be created, shared and taken home, as well as through the fine art selection by professional and emerging artists from across the region displaying their original artwork. With a wide variety of art for sale –nothng manufactured or reproduced -there is something for everyone in the show.
The 100 members of the Wellington Art Society, founded in 1981, cover a vast variety of mediums. The group is open to all artists and provides a place for regional and local artists to share their work and their craft.
The proceeds from Art Fest help finance the Wellington Art Society’s long standing Scholarship Program.
This year Lake Worth will honor the transformative power of Martin Luther King Jr’s dream on January 17th and 18th under the theme, United We Are the World. The theme was selected to correspond with the rededication of the MLK Globe Fountain after the City’s recent renovations.
MLK events with commence with a “Musical and Theatrical Tribute to Fannie Lou Hamer” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. Hamer, a Mississippi sharecropper with little education, became a powerful voice for civil rights and voter registration in the 1960’s. Actress Taylore Mahogany Scott will portray Hamer, with the Core Ensemble (cello, piano, percussion) performing jazz, popular, and classical music by African Americans. This innovative drama will be hosted on Sunday, January 17th at 4 PM at St. Andrews Episcopal Church (Lucerne Avenue and Palmway). Admission is free.
On Monday, January 18, St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 10th Avenue South and E Street, will host the Unity Interfaith Breakfast from 7:30 – 9 AM. Food is provided by donation and is free to the public. This inspirational program will feature music and prayers from diverse faith traditions, including Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Bahá’í representatives.
The highlight of the day will be the 22nd annual Candlelight March through downtown Lake Worth. Participants will gather at 5 PM at City Hall and parade down Lake Avenue to the Cultural Plaza. A brief commemorative program in the Plaza will feature the rededication of the MLK Globe Fountain. The Fountain, originally installed in 2005, has been refurbished and rebalanced so that the 4-ton granite globe will once again float freely and be rotated by hand. To mark the occasion, a children’s choir will perform a heart-warming rendition of We Are the World in recognition of the progress that the City of Lake Worth has made toward fulfillment of Dr. King’s dream.
Following the rededication program, a Fellowship Dinner will be enjoyed at First Baptist Church. The church is located at Second Ave. South and M Street, just a block south of the Memorial. Musical entertainment is planned. The free dinner will provide an opportunity for warm fellowship across religious and racial lines in the spirit of Dr. King. Sponsoring religious and civic organizations will provide the food and beverages. Members of the general public are invited to help with the dinner preparations which will begin at First Baptist at 4 PM or to contribute a dessert.
Dr. King’s Dream encompassed the hopes and dreams of all Americans. Members of every racial, religious and ethnic group in Palm Beach County are invited to join Lake Worth residents in their celebration of the diversity of our community.
All events are free of charge to the public, sponsored by the City of Lake Worth, Kiwanis Club, Lake Worth Interfaith Network and the Lake Worth MLK Committee.
January, 2016- Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival “Unmasks the Genius” of Edgar Allan Poe in Original Production of ‘EDGAR’ January 15 and 16
Presented by the City of Palm Beach Gardens and sponsored by the BallenIsles Charities Foundation, Inc. the free outdoor production includes February encore at Eissey Campus Theatre
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (December 18, 2015) Edgar Allan Poe, one of America’s greatest and most famous writers, was raised to be in the upper levels of society, yet lived a poor-man’s life. His fascination with the macabre gave the world timeless classical tales “The Raven,” “The House of Usher,” “The Telltale Heart” and more, but may have brought about his tragic downfall.
Poe is the subject of the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival’s upcoming production of EDGAR on January 15 and 16 at the Veterans Plaza outdoor amphitheater from 7 pm to 9 pm in Palm Beach Gardens. Presented in cultural partnership with the City of Palm Beach Gardens, the free performances are sponsored by the BallenIsles Charities Foundation, Inc.
Edgar Allan Poe, born January 19, 1809, was the first American writer of note to try and earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career. Today, Poe and his work appear throughout popular culture in literature, music, film and television. The Mystery Writers of America present an annual award, the Edgar, for distinguished work in the mystery genre. Poe himself died in 1948 in Baltimore; his cause of death unknown but variously believed to be as a result of alcohol, drugs and brain disease.
The original play EDGAR was conceived by Shakespeare Festival founder and director Kermit Christman and premiered at Palm Beach County’s Bookfest in 1994. It toured South Florida and productions were discussed for New York and the Young Vic Theatre in London.
“This play is influenced by the tradition of English theatre, like Shakespeare’s writing – an empty space, simple set pieces, four actors playing many parts with evocative lighting and sound design,” says Christman. “The action of the play takes place in the mind of the actor playing Poe. Hence, the setting itself becomes a dreamscape.”
The tale unfolds through Poe’s (played by Seth Trucks) encounters with the “Man” (Darryl Willis) who plays the many men who influenced Poe’s life, for better or worse, and the “Woman” (Natasha Sherritt) who embodies the various women who were so relevant to his genius. Also, his own personal hauntings take the form of the ghost of “Lenore” (Kelly Ainsworth) who was the subject of his poetic ideal of the perfect love.
“Like Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe has been part of the fabric of our education,” continues Christman. “We have all studied him in school and our production gives possible insight into the man behind the memorable words.”
The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival’s 26th Anniversary Season includes the encore, indoor performance of EDGAR at the Eissey Campus Theatre February 12 – 14 and the free, outdoor Shakespeare by the Sea summer performance of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW in July.
EDGAR runs January 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. at the Veterans Plaza located at 10500 North Military Trail in Palm Beach Gardens. Admission is free thanks to sponsorship from the BallenIsles Charities Foundation, Inc. For more information, contact Jennifer Nelli, 561-630-1146 or visit www.pbgfl.com.
The encore production of EDGAR runs February 12 at 8 pm, February 13 at 2 pm and 8 pm, and February 14 at 2 pm at the Eissey Campus Theatre in Palm Beach Gardens. Tickets are $20 for adults, free for students with ID and for children. Contact the Eissey Campus Box Office at 561-207-5900 for tickets or visit www.pbshakespare.org for more information.
ABOUT THE PALM BEACH SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival is a 501(c)3 professional theatrical company, dedicated to bringing appreciation and understanding of live theatrical and Shakespearean works to all socioeconomic levels. The Festival has produced classic and contemporary shows to critical acclaim, for free or reduced admission, throughout Palm Beach County for 25 years. Please call 561-575-7336 or visit www.pbshakespeare.org for more information.
January 2016- Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County Announces Winner of Selfie Contest to Promote NATURE CONNECTS: Art with LEGO® Bricks
Winning Selfie submitted by Genette Raborn of Delray Beach
Five Cast Members from 42nd STREET at the Kravis Center Select Selfie Submitted by Genette Raborn of Delray Beach
(West Palm Beach, FL – January 8, 2016) Allan Sistrunk, Garden Director at Mounts Botanical Garden today announced that Gennette Raborn of Delray Beach has been named the winner of the first Selfie Contest to promote the exhibition, NATURE CONNECTS: Art with LEGO® Bricks. She was named the winner by five cast members from the Tony Award winning musical 42nd STREET, which is running through Sunday at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
After viewing four Selfie of the Week winners from more than 100 pix submitted so far, cast members Brittney Bigelow (a 2011 graduate of Benjamin School), Matthew Alexander, Mitchell Canfield, Courtney Moran and Jocelyn Moss unanimously chose the Selfie of Raborn and her 10-year-old son Thomas standing in front of the LEGO deer family at Mounts.
As the winner, Raborn receives a complementary Kravis Center Family Pack with four tickets to the opening of the 4-time Tony Award-winning smash hit MATILDA THE MUSICAL. The Kravis On Broadway production is running at the Kravis Center March 1-6, 2016, with tickets starting at $28 each. (For information about 42nd STREET or MATILDA THE MUSICAL or to purchase tickets, please visit www.kravis.org.)
The Mounts Selfie Contest has been so popular, the Garden is immediately launching phase 2, which will run through early February. The winner of this Selfie Contest will receive a $500 mini-vacation in Delray Beach, including a one-night stay at Crane’s Beach House Boutique Hotel & Luxury Villas and a $100 gift certificate for lunch or dinner at the nearby oceanfront restaurant Caffe Luna Rosa.
Visitors to Mounts during this time are once again encouraged to take a Selfie by one of the 13 super-sized, natured-themed structures at Mounts Botanical garden, including a birdbath with squirrel, girl with watering can, Monarch butterfly, corn spider, deer family, dragonfly, flowers, hummingbird, peacock, sea turtle, wheelbarrow and more – made out of nearly a half-million LEGO bricks. Visitors should then email that photo to selfies@mounts.org, some of which will be posted on the Mounts Facebook page.
The wildly popular NATURE CONNECTS exhibit is running at Mounts Botanical Garden through Valentines Day (February 14, 2016). Admission is only $10 for adults; $7 for seniors (65+), veterans and students (with valid IDs); $5 for children (3-12); and always FREE for Mounts members and children 2 and under. An Individual Garden Tour led by a trained Master Gardener Docent is only $15. In addition, a variety of LEGO-themed collectibles are available for purchase in the Mounts Gift Shop.
This extraordinary NATURE CONNECTS exhibition at Mounts Botanical Garden has been generously underwritten by Presenting Sponsor Margaret Blume and Supporting Sponsors TD Bank, The Fortin Foundation of Florida, the Crawford-Taylor Foundation, MDH Printing, Florida Weekly and Palm Beach Broadcasting (WEAT, WRFM, WIRK & WFTL).
About The Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County
With a mission to inspire the public, Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden, offering gorgeous displays of tropical and sub-tropical plants, plus informative classes, workshops, and other fun-filled events. The Garden contains more than 2,000 species of plants, including Florida native plants, exotic and tropical fruit trees, herbs, palms, bromeliads and more. Mounts Botanical Garden is a facility of the Palm Beach County Extension Service, which is in partnership with the University of Florida and the Friends of Mounts Botanical Garden.
Located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach, The Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County is open Tuesday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. (Note: During the Nature Connects exhibition, Mounts will be closed on Mondays.) For more information, please call 561.233.1757 or visit www.mounts.org.
Cricket Cleaners, Taking an Ethical Approach to Dry Cleaning
Cricket Cleaners, known for their dry cleaning, laundry and alterations, is a highly-acclaimed, highly-responsible dry cleaner with over 45 years of experience in the industry.
“They pick up our clothes and deliver them – and have been doing so for over five years. The driver is so nice. He took the time to get to know us and to get to know our schedule. They have always returned our clothes in perfect condition, and we wouldn’t use anyone else.” – Hallie Willer, long-time Cricket Cleaners customer
Cricket Cleaners has been serving the Palm Beaches since 1994, providing full service dry cleaning and laundry with all work done on its own premises. Cricket’s eco-Friendly cleaning facility is located in Mangonia Park, Florida. It has state-of-the-art equipment, eco-friendly solvents and wet cleaning chemicals. This assures you of an earth-friendly business that can offer even the most particular of customers the best cleaning service in the county. All employees are highly-trained and experienced to ensure that your garments are given the careful attention they deserve.
Cricket Cleaners is a family-owned business which started in Brooklyn, New York. The owner is a third-generation cleaner, and his son Matt, now involved in the business, is the fourth-generation of this gifted dry cleaning company. Moving to Florida in the 1980’s was a wonderful choice for the family. The business has grown over the years and has two locations to serve you, one in Pinewood Square (Lantana & Jog in Lake Worth) and a location in Palm Beach on South County Road. Cricket offers pick-up and delivery service throughout Palm Beach County. Their drivers work for Cricket too, so you can be assured of the same wonderful cleaning and services, as if you walked into one of their stores.
Michael, Susan and Matt Sternshein are the owners. They take pride in servicing customers who are the most demanding in choosing a company to handle all of their cleaning needs. Michael is President of the National Cleaners Association, located in New York, and his wife Susan, is a bridal gown specialist who loves a good challenge in getting your heirloom gown which has yellowed over the years, or your gown, which has muddied at the bottom – looking like new again. Matt is the manager of the Mangonia Park factory. The Sternsheins are hands-on business owners, taking pride in the work they do.
Susan Sternshein of Cricket Cleaners
Cricket Cleaners is also very charitable, supporting the children’s needs in Mangonia Park. Camp T-Shirts and holidays toys are a yearly gift to the children of the town.
Call Cricket Cleaners at 561-434-1662 if you have any questions or to schedule a pick-up.
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Cricket Cleaners, Lake Worth
6250-7 Lantana Road, Lake Worth, FL 33463
Phone: 561.434.1662
MON-FRI 7:00am-6:30pm / SAT 8:00am-3:00pm
Cricket Cleaners, Palm Beach
367 S County Rd, Palm Beach, FL 33480
Phone: 561.832.8832
MON-FRI 9:00am-5:00pm / Closed SAT & SUN
January, 2016- Palm Beach Outlets and South Florida Fair partner to help food bank
Who/What: Palm Beach Outlets and the South Florida Fair are partnering for a worthy cause. They’re collecting non-perishable food items during its Food 4 Funevent to benefit the Palm Beach County Food Bank.
Those who donate at least two items will receive one ticket to the South Florida Fair that is good for free admission on any Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday during the fair, which runs from Jan. 15-31 at the South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach. The ticket limit is two per person. This year’s fair theme is “Discover the Palm Beaches, powered by FPL.”
February, 2016- Its time for our 3rd Annual Fundraiser “Out of the Ordinary into the Extraordinary” our largest for the year!
Forever Greyhounds is dedicated to transporting and relocating retired
racing Greyhounds throughout the United States and Canada. These dogs
are then placed in forever homes by other Greyhound Adoption Groups. In
addition, we work with foster homes and provide medical care/
rehabilitation when needed. We are a charity located in Wellington.
3rd Annual “Out of the Ordinary Into the Extraordinary”
Join us for an afternoon of Laughter!
Featuring Frank Del Pizzo AND Broadway Ziegfeld Entertainers
We will have a Silent Auction, 50/50, Raffles and Door Prizes
Sunday February 21, 2016 1:00 – 4:00 pm
New this year: FREE PARKING in any of the 5 parking garages within City
Place
Tickets $10.00 – $15.00 at the door
Equestrian Aid Foundation Announces Wellington Charity Film Screening Exclusive screening of Nantucket and Prescott Film Festival Winner Harry and Snowman
Wellington, FL. January 5, 2015 – As equestrians from around the world head to Wellington, Florida for the winter, the Equestrian Aid Foundation is offering an exclusive screening of award winning documentary, Harry and Snowman.
The Harry and Snowman advance movie screening will take place on Sunday, February 21st at the Global Dressage Stadium at 13500 South Shore Blvd.
The money raised will go to support EAF’s mission to help equestrian professionals in their time of need. Guests will enjoy a variety of picnic style food trucks, popcorn, ice cream and cocktails while experiencing Harry de Leyer’s Cinderella story.
Harry and Snowman is a feature length documentary about international show jumping rider Harry deLeyer and his horse Snowman. Snowman was an old Amish plow horse that Harry rescued off a truck bound for a meat and glue factory. In less than two years after his rescue, the man and his horse were the national show jumping champions and had become national celebrities.
In additional to General Admission, VIP tickets and tables will be available for purchase to all attendees. For more information or to order tickets, please visit https://harryandsnowman.eventbrite.com.
Don’t Flush Those Flushable Wipes Down Your Toilet!
By Jathynia Garcia
So many of us like the cleansing feel of baby wipes or flushable wipes as we use the facilities. Many of these manufacturers claim they can be flushed down the toilet & that they decompose just fine, but BE AWARE a recent article by scoop.co states otherwise.
Consumer NZ wants manufacturers of flushable wipes to drop claims these products are “flushable”.
A Consumer test of 11 flushable wipes found they don’t break down readily and can cause a plumbing headache.
Consumer chief executive Sue Chetwin said marketing of these wipes had increased sales but the products had deservedly attracted flack because of problems they can cause.
“Despite claims these products are safe to flush, our test found they don’t break down readily. The result can be an unwelcome bill from your plumber,” Ms. Chetwin said.
Consumer’s test used an agitation device, designed to provide a similar environment to the wastewater system, to see how rapidly flushable wipes broke down when compared with regular toilet paper.
The test found toilet paper started to break down within minutes and had completely disintegrated after 70 minutes. However, all the flushable wipes remained intact, apart from the occasional small tear.
“Manufacturers tell us they do their own testing to support claims the wipes are safe to flush and won’t cause issues in ‘well-maintained’ sewerage systems. But in real world conditions, these wipes can lead to expensive problems,” Ms. Chetwin said.
Wipes can get snagged on old pipes and tree roots, resulting in blocked drains.
The wipes have also resulted in problems at wastewater treatment plants, adding to maintenance bills for local councils.
“In our view, manufacturers shouldn’t be claiming these products are flushable,” Ms. Chetwin said.
She advised consumers using these products not to flush them. “If you want to avoid a nasty plumbing bill, the safest option is to bin these products.”
So if you live in a home with a septic system definitely stay away from using these “flushable wipes” as they will clog up your drain field. For the majority that live in homes with City sewer I still recommend staying away from these wipes as they are not green or environmentally friendly.
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Hi-Tech Plumbing is considered the expert in preventative plumbing maintenance. They are a licensed and insured plumbing service that has been serving residential and commercial customers throughout Palm Beach County since 2000. 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 works hard to earn your business and goes the extra mile to keep it. They can be reached by phone at (561) 285-8744 or on the web atwww.hitechplumbingservices.com.
