Wellington invites the community to come out for a celebratory parade and ceremony recognizing our Wellington Little League Intermediate All Stars team and Wellington Wild ‘01 Softball team for their national titles!
The activities take place on Saturday, August 29, 2015 and will kick off with a parade at 7:30 p.m. beginning at Montauk Drive, next to Wellington’s Village Hall, and ending at the Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Boulevard. The parade will be followed immediately with a recognition ceremony at the Wellington Amphitheater, after which The Turnstiles are set to perform a Billy Joel Tribute Concert, starting at 8:00 p.m.
As another way to stay informed on the latest news and updates from the Village, residents are invited to sign up for Wellington information and updates at www.wellingtonfl.gov/enews.
For information about other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visit www.wellingtonfl.gov or watch Channel 18 for the latest happenings.
“Around the World,” an art show to be held August 22nd, 2015
Contact: Jeanne Bootz of Bootz Culture Camp, (561) 290-2753
On August 22nd, Bootz Culture Camp in Royal Palm Beach is hosting a special event: Around The World. This is a one-night art show that is FREE and open to the public. Artists from our summer camp and professional, local artists will have artwork on display that has been influenced or inspired by various cultures around the world. Many art forms will be presented. Weather-permitting, we will have interactive chalk art – for kids and adults. There will be live music and more! The purpose of the show is for the artists to have an opportunity to celebrate and share the finished artworks from our culturally-inspired summer program.
Pink Strydes, Inc. to Present The 4th “A Pink Strydes Affair” Fashion Show
Saturday, October 3, 2015
WHAT: Pink Strydes, Inc.
WHERE: Palm Beach County Convention Center
650 Okeechobee Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
WHEN: Saturday, October 3, 2015
6:00 – 9:00 PM
Pink Strydes, Inc. will host the 4th Annual “A Pink Strydes Affair” Fashion Show to celebrate the lives of breast cancer survivors. Survivors who are every day women of different ages, sizes and ethnicities will come together to celebrate their journeys.
Commedienne and Actress Cocoa Brown, from Tyler Perry’s Single Moms Club and TV sitcom For Better or Worse will be hosting the event that will feature cutting edge fashions and designers.
Pink Strydes is a grassroots, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in 2012 by the late Vanessa Robinson that was established to reduce the risks and ease the effects of breast cancer in women and families of underserved populations in the Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties. Pink Strydes, Incorporated fulfills its mission through awareness, education, empowerment; and by promoting healthy initiatives, behaviors and lifestyle trends. To learn more visit www.pinkstrydes.org, or call us at 1-844-STRYDES.
August, 2015 – A Night of Luxury, Relaxation and Y’Eau-ga
Story and Photos by Krista Martinelli
Once a month on a Friday night, there’s something very special going on at Eau Spa in Manalapan. As my friend put it, as we dipped our toes in the cool water together, “This is like a hidden gem in Palm Beach – everyone should know about it!” Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, which was formerly the Ritz Carlton, was beautifully re-modeled two years ago. Their spa will amaze you – from the gorgeous Self-Centered Garden with swinging chairs to the lovely and large Jacuzzi with rain showers to the lounging area – which is always stocked with glasses of champagne and salted caramel mini-cupcakes. Eau Spa will indulge you from head to toe. And one of the best (and most affordable ways) to experience this slice of heaven is to sign up for their monthly “Eaummm” yoga social night.
Relaxing after the yoga in the Self-Centered Garden with swinging chairs at Eau Spa.
For $40 you can enjoy a 90-minute yoga class, immediately followed by making a wish in their candle-lit Wishing Well, having access to the Self-Centered Garden, bath lounges, cabanas, steam rooms, saunas and heated loungers…and of course, there’s plenty of champagne and cupcakes. You don’t need to bring your own yoga mat, but I do recommend bringing a bathing suit. The whole event goes from 7pm to 10:30pm, and you can reserve your spot for the next one at (561) 540-4960. There are other perks that come with this terrific evening, like 15% off in the restaurant and a validated parking pass. The next Eau Spa Social Yoga Night will be Friday, September 11th. Mark your calendars, as these do fill up quickly.
If you’d like to indulge further, I recommend staying over night at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa. If you do, you can enjoy the elegant, beach-themed rooms designed by Jonathan Adler, who was inspired by a “Capri meets Santorini meets Palm Beach” vibe. You can swim in one of the Resort’s pools or take advantage of the ocean, right outside your door. You can enjoy an outstanding dinner and a scrumptious Mediterranean-themed breakfast buffet inside or outdoors at Temple Orange. You can return to the Eau Spa for some of theirspa treatments.
And if you do, as I did, this is how it begins. You are greeted warmly at their hospitality desk. They offer you a glass of champagne before checking on your reservation. And you can see how this puts people in vacation mode ASAP, even before they have told you your room number. The Mom in front of me said, “I feel like I’m already on vacation!” And you are…the moment you step in the door at Eau Palm Beach; you are on vacation.
Stay the Night – You Eau it to Yourself
Let me tell you about my room. Actually, let’s have designer, artist and potter Jonathan Adler tell you about the design of the room. See the video! There’s an ocean theme going on with beautiful blues and pops of yellow, reminding you of the sunshine. Eau Palm Beach is filled with orchids, and I love the white, clay pot that Adler designed, which you will find in your room. It’s one of those pieces that you can stare at for a long time from different angles, seeing faces in the design. The patio is elegant with a “Love” and “Peace” chair, as well as a swinging chair, reminding you once again that you can really relax here. With photography from Slim Aarons and other fun pieces, there’s a combination of elegance and whimsy, throughout the room. It’s a lovely place to stay, have a honeymoon, have a second honeymoon, possibly have a third honeymoon. You might just want to stay in the room for a long time, although there’s a whole ocean to explore, right outside your door.
Clay pot by Jonathan Adler, the designer of the new interior at Eau Palm Beach & Resort.
Yoga Social Night at Eau Palm Beach
Barbara Alfonzo and Brian Lester, our yoga instructors, showing off a little acro yoga, after the class.
On the Yoga Social night I attended, there were over forty people registered, so they held the yoga class in one of the grand ballrooms. I enjoyed the way that the instructors Barbara Alfonzo and Brian Lester led more of a “partnering style” of yoga. While we did the usual sun salutations, we also did a lot of work with partners and even in groups of three. Since yoga is often a very individual sport, this was an unusual, social twist, and I liked it! Barbara Alfonzo, who also teaches paddleboard yoga at Eau Palm Beach, is an excellent, encouraging teacher. And Brian gave us some nice breathing exercises and some funny material, making it a positive experience, even for those who were attending their first yoga class ever. The ninety-minute class went by quickly. After the class, we took a few minutes to witness the beauty of acro yoga, something that Barbara and Brian could do quite easily. Also, another very strong couple showed us some of their acro yoga moves. Do not try this at home (if you are new to yoga)! Fun to watch though.
Jose Rivera and Leah Marie, a couple of other talented acro yogis, demonstrating acro yoga after the class.
Off to the Spa, Champagne and Cupcakes for All
Participant Rollin McGrail making a wish in the Wishing Well at Eau Spa.
So after the yoga class, it was off to Eau Spa, which was given a Five-Star rating by Forbes Travel Guide earlier this year – one of less than 50 spas in the world to receive that honor – and as you can imagine, it is one of the loveliest places you will dip your feet into in South Florida. You begin by making a wish at their Wishing Well and taking a glass of champagne (optional, but why not?) As someone who was lucky enough to experience the spa previously, it was a treat to give my friend Rollin a tour of the spa and make the most of our time there! First you check in, put your valuables in a locker and put on an Eau Spa robe. Yes, another reminder that you are now on vacation – even if it’s just for a night. We headed to the Self-Centered Garden, a place where you can reflect on things, swing in a hanging chair and let your feet dangle in the cool water below. Then it was time for the oversized Jacuzzi, which comes with a few oversized rubber ducks – fun! And there are showers from overhead in the Jacuzzi too. We also cooled off in the lounging area, where the champagne and caramel cupcakes are plentiful. You’ll notice a theme of fun surprises, combined with elegance everywhere you go. And as they’ll tell you at Eau Palm Beach, “We don’t take ourselves too seriously.” We could have stayed for hours. We didn’t even get to the sauna or steam rooms. But trust me, there will be more trips to Eau Spa! By the way, I previously enjoyed a salt scrub foot massage in a cabana by the beach when I came to the spa. Check out their menu of spa services…there’s something for everyone.
The Temple Orange
Speaking of menus, the Chef at Temple Orange inside Eau Palm Beach has created an exquisite, healthy menu. Yes, Chef Armando Galeas has spent time cooking with Emeril and had a great vision for Temple Orange’s offerings. You can find extremely fresh seafood and other entrees in the evening, while enjoying impeccable service. In the mornings, they offer a Mediterranean-themed buffet brunch. Everything is extremely fresh, including a wonderful display of fruits. In particular, I would recommend a poached egg in a red saffron sauce called “Shakshouka” (amazing)! Other highlights are the fresh-made omletes, the smoked trout and the salmon. You will not leave hungry, but it’s all healthy food, so you will be nicely fueled for your day.
Eau – The Water
There are so many terrific amenities and beautiful spots to lounge inside Eau Palm Beach that you might forget why it’s called “Eau,” as in water! First of all, this resort is on the ocean. They offer a relaxation pool, as well as a larger pool with many comfy places to lounge. There’s also a cozy firepit outdoors for nighttime activities. One thing I recently learned is that there is great snorkeling to be had, right on the beach there in front of Eau Palm Beach. The coral reefs are actually old pieces of road. Yes, it’s old A1A and it stretches for about ten miles south. If you want to see hundreds of fish, you just need to bring snorkel gear and step about five steps into the water.
Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa is a beautiful place. If you want a truly relaxing evening, you can sample some of the most wonderful spa amenities in Florida by signing up for their Eau Spa Social Night yoga, which is followed by spa time. By the way, this yoga evening is for both men and women. There are some experienced yogis who attend the class, and there are a few who are new to yoga. They make all feel welcome. It is a five-star experience at an extremely affordable price. As for me, I will definitely be back!
WHO: Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts and mother-daughter Co-Chairs Dorothy Kohl and Lori Gendelman welcome arts enthusiasts and supporters to the Kravis Center’s annual Gala. Monika Preston and Kathryn Vecellio are serving as Honorary Chairs.
“Mother-daughter Co-Chairs Lori Gendelman and Dorothy Kohl welcome arts enthusiasts and supporters to the Kravis Center’s annual Gala on Wednesday, February 3, 2016. Guests are encouraged to reserve their tickets early, as the benefit is routinely a sold-out success!” (photo credit: Corby Kaye’s Studio Palm Beach)
Award-winning solo artist Patti LaBelle will take the stage at the Kravis Center’s annual Gala. This exciting evening will begin with a red carpet welcome, pre-performance reception and a spectacular dinner-dance immediately following the show. Dress is cocktail attire.
“Award-winning solo artist Patti LaBelle will take the stage at the Kravis Center’s annual Gala. This exciting evening will begin with a red carpet welcome, pre-performance reception and a spectacular dinner-dance immediately following the show. Guests are encouraged to reserve their tickets early, as the February 3, 2016 benefit is routinely a sold-out success!” (Photo provided by the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts)
WHAT: A complete evening on the town – with a show, dinner and dancing – the Center’s annual Gala is known for being one of the most fun events of the season. Guests are encouraged to reserve their tickets early, as the benefit is routinely a sold-out success!
WHERE: Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts | 701 Okeechobee Blvd.; West Palm Beach, FL 33401
WHEN: Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 6 p.m.
HOW MUCH: $750 Gala Patron; $375 Young Gala Patron (45 and younger)
SPONSORS TO DATE: Dr. Nettie Birnbach, The Breakers Palm Beach, Alex and Renate Dreyfoos, Sanford and Isanne Fisher, Alec and Miriam Flamm, Lori and Bruce Gendelman, Diane and Bruce Halle, Harless & Associates, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Henni and John Kessler, Dorothy and Sidney Kohl, Ingrid and David Kosowsky, Sondra and David S. Mack, Jocelyn and Robin Martin, Jack and Goldie Wolfe Miller Fund, Jane M. Mitchell, Neiman Marcus, Monika and John Preston, SBA Communications Corporation, Laurie Silvers and Mitchell Rubenstein, Carolyn and Richard Sloane, Susan and Dom Telesco, Kathryn and Leo Vecellio and Lois Silverman Yashar and Dr. James Yashar. Special support provided by Tiffany & Co.
WHY: The Kravis Center’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County by presenting a diverse schedule of artists and companies, offering comprehensive arts education programs – serving nearly 2 million school children since its inception, providing a home for local and regional arts organizations, providing economic catalyst and community leadership and supporting efforts to increase travel and tourism to Palm Beach County.
PUBLIC CONTACT: For tickets or sponsorship information, please contact Thalia White at 561-651-4320 or visit www.kravis.org/gala.
The YWCA of Palm Beach County is seeking nominations for its 2015 Barry Krischer Humanitarian Award. Established in 2008 to honor the then-retiring State Attorney, the award recognizes a law enforcement, social services or health care professional who has gone beyond the normal “call of duty” to assist or advocate for a victim of domestic violence.
As State Attorney for the 15th Judicial Circuit, Krischer made domestic violence a priority by establishing the Domestic Violence Elimination Program (DOVE) which provides advocacy to battered women upon their entry into the criminal justice system; drafting and lobbying for domestic violence legislation; and helping create the SimonC.FiremanHomeSafeCenter for Children.
The commended service must have taken place between August 1, 2014 and July 31, 2015. Nominations should include the nominee’s name, title, place of employment with phone number, supervisor’s name with phone number, a one-page description of the activity or activities with the victim, and the name and phone number of the person(s) making the nomination.
The award will be presented during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2015.
For more information or to request a nomination form, please contact the YWCA at 561-640-0050, Ext. 115 or 137.
Don’t Miss Wellington’s 2015 Fall Festival at Village Park!
Bracelet sales start on Monday, August 17th for the Annual Wellington Fall Festival on Saturday, October 17th from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Village Park (11700 Pierson Road). Visit our Haunted Hallways – if you dare – or visit our petting zoo, hay rides, trick or treating, face painting, bounce houses, on-stage performances, and more! We’ll also have a costume contest with prizes for 1st place through 3rd place winners in each of the following age groups: under 3; ages 4 to 6; ages 7 to 10; ages 11 to 14; and 15 and older. The event will also feature 20 food trucks, ranging from ice cream to hamburgers, to the best French fries around.
Unlimited all access bracelets are required for activities and go on sale, beginning August 17th, at Village Park (11700 Pierson Road) at a cost of $7 for children and $5 for adults. On the day of the event, bracelets are $10 for children and $5 for adults. Adult bracelets are only needed if the adult will accompany the child on the hay ride or through the haunted hallways.
For more information about Fall Festival, call Village Park at (561) 791-4005. For sponsorship and vendor opportunities, call the Village of Wellington at (561) 791-4082.
As another way to stay informed on the latest news and updates from the Village, residents are invited to sign up for Wellington information and updates at www.wellingtonfl.gov/enews.
For information about other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visit www.wellingtonfl.gov or watch Channel 18 for the latest happenings.
Growing up in Wellington, I was raised in a home where arts and literature were more important than video games and electronic entertainment. I’ve always had shelves filled with books, ranging from mystery to history, but my favorite is fiction.
Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing author Amanda Risucci, a West Palm Beach resident who has written a new novel titled End of a Heartache. This compelling literature features a story about a girl named Anna May and her dedication to her friends. She is a strong, confident woman who cares more about others than herself, but gets caught between the love affairs of close friends.
Rachel Baumel (RB): What inspired you to write End of a Heartache?
Amanda Risucci (AR): One my best friends had gotten in the middle of some crazy stuff after she left her fiancé for another man, and I was the one stuck in the middle. They both had their own suffering to go through and I was there to be in the middle. Her fiancé happened to be a very good friend of mine as well. The story is about the dangers of not being honest with yourself and others.
(RB): Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
(AR): I grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida and I come from a not-so-normal family. My dad is a real character in life, my mother is my best friend and my brother is my bodyguard. When I say bodyguard I mean he is always there to defend and protect me. I went to G-Star School of the Arts and I graduated in 2011. Being at that school taught me how to write everything; screenplays, stage plays, monologues and I discovered more talents I didn’t even know I had, like film directing and how to operate a professional camera. But on the inside I had a love for writing novels and it stuck with me forever.
(RB): Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
(AR): I have been writing since I was a child and I have always kept up with it. Reading the books by my favorite writer James Patterson has always helped me become a better writer. This has been my dream since I was a child and to finally have it come true just makes life better.
(RB): Give us some insight into your main character, Anna May. What does she do that is special?
(AR): What I love about Anna May’s character is that she is willing to do whatever it takes to save her friends even when her friends aren’t acting like real friends. She is the person who knows right from the wrong, but in her case the right and wrong are all mixed up and she is caught in the middle of the lies and the betrayal to the point where she can’t find her way out. She has to keep her head high no matter how strange the situation, and she does her best to make everything right. She is the definition of a best friend… always there for others.
Amanda Risucci, author of End of a Heartache
(RB): What was the hardest thing about writing End of a Heartache?
(AR): Around the time I was writing the book my best friend and I weren’t speaking so every time I tried to write I could feel old wounds opening up with every word I wrote. I did my best to push through it and I like to think finishing this book was my closure between her and me, and what we went through. I finally got the closure I needed and I can’t wait to finish book two.
(RB): Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
(AR): Always be true to yourself and to others. Otherwise everything you thought you knew will go straight down the tubes faster than you can try to fix it.
(RB): Do you have any advice for other writers?
(AR): Always follow your dreams. No matter how crazy they are, and how down you may be feeling at the time, but life is too short to not make the best of it. Do what you were born to do and it will pay off in the end. Just keep swimming.
Amanda truly impressed me as a writer who has a great future ahead of her. It was a pleasure learning about her work. You too can enjoy End of a Heartache. Simply order it online atamazon.com or barnesandnoble.com.
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Rachel Baumel, 25, grew up in Wellington and moved to Boston to receive her bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration from Simmons College. She has returned to Around Wellington as a special guest contributor. Rachel was formerly our Teen Talk columnist and later became the marketing assistant and festival coordinator for the Colleges of the Fenway Office of Performing Arts.
Kevin Perkins Golf Academy Conducting Junior After-School Fall Program, at Binks Forest Golf Club
Wellington, Florida, August, 2015
Starting Tuesday, September 1 and Thursday, September 3, the Kevin Perkins Golf Academy will again be conducting its very popular Junior After-School Fall Golf Program, at the Binks Forest Golf Club, in Wellington.
The Junior After-School Fall Program is open to boys and girls ages 7-17 and will take place on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4:30pm-5:30pm.
Binks Forest Golf Club is located off Southern Blvd. on Binks Forest Drive in Wellington.
For more information about the Junior After-School Fall Program and other programs provided by the Kevin Perkins Golf Academy, please visit their website at www.kevinperkinsgolfacademy.com or call 561 301-3783.
