January, 2016 – Play for P.I.N.K.
December, 2015- FOURTH ANNUAL DRUG ABUSE SUMMIT PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON SOCIETY’S STIGMAS
December, 2015- FOURTH ANNUAL DRUG ABUSE SUMMIT PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON SOCIETY’S STIGMAS
Government agencies and leading organizations gather to discuss mental health and substance abuse
(JUPITER, Fla.) Recently, prominent members of the healthcare and law enforcement communities, scientists, elected officials, educators and other community leaders discussed current local trends in mental health and substance abuse with a room full of concerned citizens and community partners. The fourth annual Drug Abuse Summit took place at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and was broken into three different panel discussions, each exploring a different topic. Topics included stigmas, the role of the media and next steps locally.
“As a committed community partner, it is our responsibility to initiate and continue conversations about the current state of mental health and substance abuse in our communities,” said Kae Jonsons, CEO of Hanley Center Foundation. “Part of Hanley Center Foundation’s mission is focused on substance abuse prevention efforts, which includes collaborating with other like-minded organizations. We are grateful to our co-hosts and the esteemed panelists, who also recognize the importance of collaboration and prevention. This year was our most successful event yet and it is our hope that these conversations continue to lead to improved awareness and community education.”
The half-day discussion was free and open to the public, thanks to co-hosts GL Homes, Hanley Center Foundation, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation. Florida Power & Light Company was the presenting sponsor.
“Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience has been proud to play a role in the annual Drug Abuse Summit,” said Barbara Suflas Noble, Max Planck Foundation CEO. “Our institute is committed not only to our research, which will lead to a better understanding of debilitating disease, but also to community outreach and engagement, leading to a more informed and better educated public.”
For more information about the Palm Beach County Drug Abuse Summit or other Hanley Center Foundation events, please visit www.hanleycenterfoundation.org or send an email inquiry to events@hanleycenterfoundation.org.
December, 2015 – AW in Pics
Just a few highlights of happenings Around Wellington. For many more photos, visit the link “Photo Galleries” on this site! For recent videos, click on our “Videos” link.
December, 2015 – Taste History Culinary Tours PBC
The Discerning Palate
Taste History Culinary Tours of Palm Beach County, Florida
Lori J. Durante Tour Guide Extraordinaire
By Sandy Axelrod
Palm Beach County is quite rich in history and culture which include all of the arts – culinary, music and art. A really fun and delicious way to learn and experience all of it in a nutshell is to take one of the Taste History Culinary Tours. In fact, you could take a different one each weekend and no two would be the same! On Saturday, December 5th, my husband and I had the privilege to experience this first hand and I would love to share that journey with you.
We started by meeting our beautiful tour bus at Macy’s at the Boynton Beach Mall at 10:45 am and left promptly at 11. Our fabulous and enthusiastic tour guide Lori Durante gave us a rich history lesson as we rode to our first destination, The Dispensary, at 416 Clematis Street in West Palm Beach. Christian Wiebel’s new American diner is in a very old pharmacy, hence the name. The space mixes old rich woods with modern black and white checkered tables and bright cherry red chairs. For our tasting the chef prepared a grilled chicken taco with the fresh acidic hit of grilled lime and a very savory mahi-mahi reuben on marble rye. Both dishes reflected the freshness of the ingredients. When we finished our first tasty dishes we climbed back on the bus to head to our next destination, Northwood.
The Northwood Village neighborhood has been undergoing a fantastic revitalization over the past several years. The main focus seems to be the arts and food; and the businesses are all independent private owners. It gives the area a warm cozy feel that makes you want to return over and over to discover what is new. With a stop at Olivia’s Special Teas at 22320 N. Dixie Highway, where we sipped several varieties of organic herbal teas, we started our mini walking tour of Northwood Village.
Our next stop was Table 427 at 427 Northwood Road where Chef Roberto Villegas and his wife Maria treated us to a delectable shredded mojo pork taco accompanied by a refreshing arugula, cantaloupe and crushed mint candy salad with a glass of guanoabana juice to wash it down. The atmosphere is cozy, eclectic and artsy and we are told that a new courtyard will expand their seating capacity. I can’t wait to return for their “no menu” experience of being served all of the chef’s special dishes from his native Mexico.
Just a few steps away from Table 427 at 524 Northwood Road is Northwood Glass Art and Gifts. Here you enter into a small store filled with lovely hand made objects for sale. Then onward to the back of the shop is a studio where owner Karen Campbell teaches the art of fused glass and mosaics. Another short stroll and we were at the Apothecary Gelato and Sorbet Providers at Bohemia AG. Located at 536 Northwood Road, Paul Agnirucklov has put together an adorable art gallery/ice cream parlor! The taste we had of the bittersweet chocolate mind sorbetto was so delicious that we just had to buy a large one to share. It was so creamy, chocolatey and refreshing that just a spoonful was no where near enough!
Next on the agenda was to learn about the Canvas Outdoor Museum Show from muralist Craig McInnis who met us in front of his Metamorphosis mural. There are 20 murals in total throughout downtown West Palm Beach. And after our tour of the Center for Creative Education at 425 24th Street, where we experienced some amazing artwork and also got to hear the philharmonic rehearsing, we boarded the bus for another stop to view one of these spectacular murals – Albert Einstein – by Kobra, which is on the side of the Habitat Gallery Florida at 513 Clematis Street in West Palm Beach. Owner Lindsey Scott explained how the gallery evolved into one that highlights glass artistry along with mixed media. This was truly the highlight of the art portion of the tour. The artwork was truly spectacular and breath taking!!! My personal favorite was the work of Binh Pho who combines intricate wood carving and delicate glass to create exquisite and colorful pieces.
Again we boarded the bus for a short drive to Lake Worth for the final stop before heading back to Macy’s. We arrived at Blue Front BBQ and entered the very cool art deco building through the keyhole door entryway. Once seated we were treated to some of the best barbecue I have had in the area. In fact they were won the award for Best Barbecue 2015 in Palm Beach County. The General Manager Rodney Briguglio explained how the establishment began over 50 years ago on Tamarind Avenue, moved to Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard where they began bottling their fabulous zesty barbecue sauce and now opened at this fabulous location at 1132 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth. Our pulled pork sliders, coleslaw and ribs were tender and succulent. And since I am a lover of all things spicy I added a drizzle of their Hot BBQ Sauce which made the perfect compliment to the sweet meat.
Our tour ended up back at Macy’s at around 4:45 pm after a wonderful day of touring, tasting and art gazing with a delightful group of bus mates and a fabulous tour guide. This is a not to be missed trip that I highly recommend to everyone looking for something special to do on a Saturday. But be sure to make a reservation because they sell out quickly every week!
Here (below) is the list and links for the places visited on the tour.
The Dispensary (Arts & Entertainment District in West Palm Beach )
Olivia’s Special Teas ( Northwood Village in West Palm Beach )
Table 427 ( Northwood Village in West Palm Beach )
Northwood Glass Art Gallery ( Northwood Village in West Palm Beach )
Apothecary Gelato & Sorbetto Providers at Bohemia AG ( Northwood Village )
Marjorie S. Fisher Gallery ( Northwood Village )
Habatat Galleries (Arts & Entertainment District in West Palm Beach )
Blue Front Barbecue Bar & Grill ( Lake Worth )
Murals featured:
Craig McInnis at the Metamorphosis Mural he designed in Northwood Village
Eduardo Kobra’s Einstein Mural created for the Canvas Outdoor Museum in the Arts & Entertainment District in West Palm Beach
Here are links for the districts visited:
Northwood Village
West Palm Beach Arts & Entertainment District
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Chef Sandy Axelrod has a Grand Diplome from “le Cordon Bleu” and more than 40 years experience in the kitchen. Sandy and her husband Steve have been living in Florida for more than 30 years. She was owner and Executive Chef of Affairs to Remember Catering for 18 years with events such as the Grand Opening of Saks Fifth Avenue at the Gardens Mall, opening parties at The Mall at Wellington Green, SunFest, opening season at International Polo and assorted private parties throughout South Florida to her credit. Now, in addition to writing a blog about food, restaurants, travel and life experiences at and writing cookbooks she teaches private hands-on cooking classes, does small catered parties, is a free-lance food writer and photographer. Her passion and love of food never wanes.
Also, please look for her work at the following links:
December, 2015 – Rotary Club 2nd Annual Wine and Food Fest
Rotary Club’s 2nd Annual Wine and Food Fest
by Sandy Axelrod
Past President Tom Neuman (left) and President Henrik Nordstrom (right)
On Saturday, December 5 the International Polo Club was turned into a fabulous food court complete with dance floor. Every where you looked there were food stations, bars, music, and silent and live auction items. The fun and activity was non-stop.
The first thing I noticed as we drove up to the entry was the glistening Beer Stream Lounge which served beer and spirits from a custom designed
Airstream camper. From there we entered the facility and heard the fabulous music played by Flashback, who played just the right mix to entice the guests onto the dance floor.
All around the perimeter were stations that were abundant with a huge variety of food from cheeses, fruit, crackers, charcuterie and olives to hot buffet items to fabulous desserts. So many restaurants and caterers went all out to make sure this event was a success. There was food from Aaron’s Catering, The International Polo Club, Johnson’s Cakes, Wild West Diner, Jordan’s Steak Bistro, Paella Grill, PDQ and many more. It was a foodie’s playground. And I know this foodie enjoyed every last bite!
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Chef Sandy Axelrod has a Grand Diplome from “le Cordon Bleu” and more than 40 years experience in the kitchen. Sandy, her husband Steve and their son
Brian have been living in Florida for more than 30 years. She was owner and Executive Chef of Affairs to Remember Catering for 18 years with events such as the Grand Opening of Saks Fifth Avenue at the Gardens Mall, opening parties at The Mall at Wellington Green, SunFest, opening season at International Polo and assorted private parties throughout South Florida to her credit. Now, in addition to writing a blog about food, restaurants, travel and life experiences at www. foodandfondmemories.com and writing cookbooks she teaches private hands-on cooking classes, does small catered parties, is a free-lance food writer and photographer. Her passion and love of food never wanes.
Please look for her work at the following links:
Also, please check out her website at http://foodandfondmemories.com.
December, 2015 – Grandma’s Place Luncheon
Grandma’s Place Inaugural Luncheon an incredible Success
The Inaugural Luncheon for Grandma’s Place was an incredible success as long-time supporters and new friends gathered at The Beach Club in Palm Beach on Tuesday, December 8th for a great silent auction, live auction and appeals to help Grandmas Place continue its’ life changing work.
Guests enjoyed a wine reception as they bid on over 150 fabulous silent auction items. When the door opened to the ballroom, they were awed by the beautiful red & green topiary centerpieces. When guests sat down they were welcomed by celebrity emcee Liz Quirantes, Channel 12 News Anchor who talked about her deep commitment to the children in our community. Karen Vaughan, Board Chair, greeted guests and presented gifts and roses to Honorary International Chair Herme de Wyman Miro, Honorary Chair Elayne Flamm, and Event Chair Lou Ann Wilson Swan. Committee Members Sue Ellen Clarfield, Cibi Hoffman, Dina Rubio, and George Swan, Jr. were asked to stand and be recognized for the incredible job they did.
Michele Poole, Treasurer of the Board, gave a compelling speech about her commitment to Grandma’s Place and stories of some of the past children. She asked “Grandma Bessie” Gordon, who the shelter was named after, to stand and be recognized. Then a few of the children from the shelter then sang a Christmas carol with their Music Therapy teacher, Miss Karen House of PB Music Institute. As guests dined on filet mignon, they were entertained by a live auction emceed by Neil Saffer, of Saffer & Company who raised over $15,000 with items such as a Race Car Driver experience, a week stay in a North Carolina and a very profitable Call-to-the-Heart.
Some of the guests in attendance were Commissioner Paulette Burdick, Jeff Koons, Tammy Fields, Sarah Alsofrom, Beverlee Miller Raymond, Ellen Smith, Suzanne Holmes, Helene Karp, Ellen Kestcher, Midge Lansat, Debra Porreco, Joan Rubin, Mary Simses, Deanne Stepanian, Patti Travis, Margaret Donnelley, Pastor Dan West, Phyllis Verducci, Sally Chester, Valerie Seifert, and Mary Liguori.
Grandmas Place is an emergency foster shelter from children, from birth to the age of 12, who have been removed from their own homes by the Department of Children & Families due to abuse or neglect. Grandma’s Place is the only shelter for boy and girls from birth to 12 in Palm Beach County. For more information or to be placed on the invitation list for next year, please call Roxanne Jacobs, Executive Director, at 561-408-3060 or e-mail roxanne@grandmasplacepb.org or visit our Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/GrandmasPlacePB
December, 2015- Gold Coast PR Council Announces Nominees for 12th Annual Bernays Awards
December, 2015- Gold Coast PR Council Announces Nominees for 12th Annual Bernays Awards
GCPRC’s Prestigious President’s Award 2016 Goes to the ‘Culture Keepers’ at the Three Daily Newspapers
- Rod Hagwood, Sun-Sentinel
- Jan Sjostrom, Palm Beach Daily News
- Leslie Streeter, Palm Beach Post
(December 15, 2015) The Gold Coast PR Council, South Florida’s largest independent organization of public relations and marketing professionals, today announced the nominations for the upcoming 12th annual Bernays Awards, as well as the recipients of its prestigious President’s Award. All of the awards will be presented at GCPRC’s Bernays Awards Luncheon on Friday, January 29, at the Embassy Suites Ballroom in West Palm Beach.
Winners of GCPRC’s President’s Award 2016
The only Bernays honor in which the recipient(s) are announced in advance, the annual President’s Award is is considered to be GCPRC’s biggest honor and it goes to an individual(s) or organization(s) that has a time-tested track record of working with South Florida’s PR, Marketing &/or Media Community.
Previous winners include Boca Magazine publishers John & Margaret Mary Shuff (2015), Florida Weekly & The Coastal Star (2014), Lynn University (2013), Forum Publications (2012), Business Wire (2011), Palm Beach Post Notables & Sun-Sentinel Society Scene (2010), Palm Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau PR Committee (2009), Gale Howden (2008), Jeff Zbar (2007), Gulfstream PRSA & PRSA Palm Beach (2006) and for their hurricane coverage Boca Raton News, Palm Beach Post, Sun-Sentinel, WPEC-TV, WPBF-TV & WPTV (2005).
GCPRC’s Board of Directors unanimously voted to give the 2016 President’s Award to the “Culture Keepers” at the three daily newspapers for their outstanding and ongoing coverage of South Florida’s arts and entertainment community:
* Rod Hagwood, Sun-Sentinel
* Jan Sjostrom, Palm Beach Daily News
* Leslie Streeter, Palm Beach Post
Nominees for GCPRC’s Bernays Awards 2016
Best Nonprofit/Charity Project or Campaign – Small
+ American Disabilities Foundation, Inc. – Boating & Beach Bash for People with Disabilities
+Deborah Bottorff – Palm Beach International Film Festival
+Durée & Company – MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Broward Chapter’s 2015 Walk Like MADD Dash 5K Fort Lauderdale
+ Kaye Communications – Great Doggie Dine-Out & Paws Fest
Best Nonprofit/Charity Project or Campaign – Large
+ Kravis Center for the Performing Arts – LIGHT: The Holocaust & Humanity Project
+ Mounts Botanical Garden – Nature Connects: Art with LEGO Bricks
+Pugliese PR – American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation Patient Self-Management Solutions
+ The Buzz Agency – Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation’s World Marrow Donor Day Campus Ambassador Campaign
Best PR Campaign by a Large Company or Firm
+ Durée & Company – Patricia and Philip Frost Museum of Science Closing
+ Tenet Florida Physician Services – Dr. Jonathan Hersch, First in Florida to Offer Medical Rotator Cuff System
+ The Buzz Agency – Chef vs. Chef at Max’s Harvest
+ The Buzz Agency – Press Announcement of Tiger Woods’ The Woods Jupiter Opening at Harbourside Place
Best PR Campaign by a Small Company or Firm
+ JLM Communications – Avocado Grill
+ Pantelides PR & Consulting – Perfect Vodka
+ The Ehlers Group – Superhero Saturday
Best Internal Communications
+ Clerk & Comptroller, Palm Beach County – Financial Wellness Campaign
+ Constitutional Tax Collector, Palm Beach County – Constitutional Tax Collector’s In-Service Day 2015 – Learn, Grow, Excel, Repeat
Best PR Blogger
+ Newsy Parents – How to Swim in 5 Days with Baby Otter
(Note: There was only one nomination in this category so Newsy Parents is an automatic winner.)
Best Social Media Campaign
+ Constitutional Tax Collector, Palm Beach County – Twitter@TAXPBC
+ JM Family – #ToyotaInTampa
+ Mugsy PR – Find Coach Kevin
+ Mugsy PR – Social Media Smackdown
+ The Buzz Agency – Allianz Championship Social Media 2015
+ The Buzz Agency – SunFest 2015
Best Special Event
+ Boynton Beach CRA – VIP Concierge Event “Be Our Guest”
+ Deborah Bottorff & Debby Coles-Dobay – 2015 Boynton Beach Kinetic Art Symposium and Exhibit
+ Clerk and Comptroller, Palm Beach County – Operation Green Light (state-wide)
+ INNOV8 Events Agency – Port of Palm Beach 100th Anniversary Gala
+ Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton – Inaugural Boca Raton Mayors Ball
+ Quad S. Solutions, LTD. – Wellington Cares Inaugural Luncheon
Best Marketing Material
+ Boynton Beach CRA – Project Seahorse Video
+ Deborah Bottorff – Fish Have Schools Too! Pocket Folder
+ City of Boynton Beach – 2014 Annual Report & 2015 Calendar
+ Constitutional Tax Collector, Palm Beach County – Four E’s Puzzle Mural
+ FAU Division of Research – Institute for Sensing and Embedded Network Systems Engineering at FAU (I-SENSE) Video
+ Labor Finders International – The Labor Finders 2015 TAC Program: We’re Partying Like Its 1975
+ School District of Palm Beach County – Facts at a Glance Brochure
+ School District of Palm Beach County – Marketing Toolkit for Schools
+ Spectrum PR – Palm Beach County Early Care & Education Workforce Study 2015
In addition to the President’s Award and the awards presented in the nine competitive categories, the following awards will also be presented at the luncheon on January 29:
+ Judges Award, which will be selected by this year’s four Bernays Award judges: J.W. Arnold (2016 president of PRSA Greater Fort Lauderdale Chapter), Kami Barrett (2015 president of PRSA Palm Beach), Adrienne Moore (past president of FPRA) and Teana McDonald (GCPRC board member). Both J.W. Arnold of PRDC and Teana McDonald of 3E Connections are previous Bernays Award winners.
+ Founders Award, which goes to a person or organization that has been extraordinarily supportive of GCPRC. The winner of this award is selected by GCPRC’s Board of Directors.
+ PR Star Award, which goes to a person or organization that has has a truly outstanding year in 2015. The winner of this award is selected by GCPRC’s Board of Directors.
Bernays Awards Luncheon 2016
Sponsored by Business Wire, GCPRC’s 12th annual Bernays Awards Luncheon will be held on Friday, January 29, 2016, from 11:30 am to 1 pm, in the Ballroom at the Embassy Suites, 1601 Belvedere Road in Wes Palm Beach.
The cost to attend is $40 for GCPRC members, $45 for nonmembers, and $50 at the door.
People can RSVP online at or by emailing .
About Gold Coast PR Council:
Founded in 2003, GCPRC is South Florida’s largest independent group of PR, marketing and communications professionals from Palm Beach, Martin and Broward counties. GCPRC hosts lunch meetings on the third Tuesday of each month. For more information, please visit .
Media Contact:
Gary Schweikhart
PR-BS, Inc.
561.756.4298 /
December, 2015- WELLINGTON CARES HOSTS ANNUAL MEETING
December, 2015- WELLINGTON CARES HOSTS ANNUAL MEETING
Organization Highlights Accomplishments Over Past Year
Wellington, FL, December 15, 2015 – Wellington Cares hosted its annual meeting on Thursday, December 3rd at Casa Tequila in Wellington. Volunteers, participants, sponsors and supporters were invited to hear about the organizations accomplishments over the last year as well as goals for 2016. The afternoon began with Kathy Foster, Executive Director of Wellington Cares, welcoming attendees and introductions of board members, volunteers, and sponsors. Foster continued with the annual update stating that as of November 30th, the organization trained 19 new volunteers, accepted 25 new participants needing services, and volunteered over 1,000 hours to seniors living in Wellington.
“It is a pleasure to see so many of our volunteers, participants, and sponsors come together and enjoy the event,” said Foster. “We are so grateful to everyone for the continued growth and success of this organization whose whole concept is based on kindness and consideration for our neighbors. It is so rewarding to me and I never cease to be amazed by the generosity of the good people of Wellington.” Throughout the luncheon, raffle prizes were given away. Volunteer coordinator, Diane Gutman, read notes from participants thanking the volunteers and services provided by Wellington Cares. The afternoon concluded with recognition of volunteers who had reached 50 and 100 hours of service. Ellie Vogt was honored for her service in forming the Hospitality Committee in which she calls participants at home on a weekly basis. Foster also announced Wellington Cares will be distributing gift cards from Publix for the holidays to active participants. Through the generosity of Extraordinary Charities, 25 gift cards will also be distributed to elderly residents living in the Glades.
All in attendance won a raffle item and left with a bag of goodies from Think Big Health Care Solutions, Floridian Community Bank, Bethesda Hospital West, and Extraordinary Charities. Wellington Cares’ will be participating in Birdies for Children through the Honda Classic in February 2016 where they will receive 110% of all donations made to them. For more information about the luncheon or the organization, please call 561-568-8818 or visit www.WellingtonCaresOrg.com.
December, 2105- A TRULY ‘TRASHY’ ART EVENT
December, 2105- A TRULY ‘TRASHY’ ART EVENT
West Palm Beach, FL December 2015 – Resource Depot’s Guerilla A.R.T. Challenge is back for another round. Guerilla A.R.T. (All Reusable Trash) is a fun creative competition encouraging teams, young and old and all ability levels, to step up to the challenge and show their ‘up-cycling’ skills.
Resource Depot presents a live crafting competition Saturday January 9th, 2016 from 4-8:00 PM at The Brewhouse Gallery in Lake Park. Watch four teams of local artists and makers take on quick “On-The-Spot” craft challenges to compete for the title of “Extreme Guerilla A.R.T. ist”. Also added to the event for this round: a local Artisan Village for your shopping pleasure.
The event encourages people to create art from reused, excess, found objects, or about-to-be-discarded materials from Resource Depot’s expansive warehouse. Some of the items the artists can create with include paper, cardboard, wood, rubber, fabric, plastic, metal, bottle caps and Styrofoam. The goal is to create awareness and promote activism within the local community and especially to the younger generations by spreading the idea that yesterday’s rubbish can be transformed into today’s art.
Resource Depot also hopes to enhance education and appreciation of the arts and their impact on society. Overall, the concept is to preserve the environment by saving reusable materials from the landfill and improve humanity’s relationship with the natural world.
In each round, contestants will channel their inner “MacGyvers”, out-crafting each other using Resource Depot’s repurposed materials and their own wits, creativity, and skills. Teams will be given materials normally considered trash (like things from the recycling bin), and some tools to work with (tape, glue, etc.). Each team’s challenge is to transform these reusable items into artistic creations on-site during different timed challenges during the event.
Celebrity judges will be on hand to rate projects on artistic merit, technique, and utility. Categories to complete for include: Most Creative, Best Transformation of Raw Material to Art, Thematic Impact: How does the piece reflect back to the Reduce/Reuse/Recycle mission.
Save the date and get ready to grab a beer and get a front row seat for the extreme crafting at The Brewhouse Gallery, 720 Park Ave, Lake Park, and watch the glitter fly. Proceeds from the evening benefit the non-profit Resource Depot. If you are interested in entering this exciting event, please visit www.resourcedepot.net for further details and to fill out an application here. Deadline for application is by December 24th. If you have any questions please call Resource Depot at 561-882-0090.