January, 2015 – Winter Equestrian Festival Kick-Off
By Lois Spatz
Above: Mark Bellissimo, Kent Farrington, Eric Lamaze, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, and Liza Boyd. Photo: Lois Spatz.
Wellington Florida – January 6, 2015 —— Tomorrow kicks off one of the freshest and most exciting seasons yet for the Rolex Winter Equestrian Festival and the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, both being held in Wellington through March 29. Equestrian experts, rider, trainers and organizers from both festivals were on hand today at the Wellington show grounds to discuss the 2015 season for two of the most giant entities in Wellington.
Mark Bellissimo, managing Partner at Wellington Equestrian Partners LLC, the firm that operates the Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, opened the press conference by expressing gratitude to the Village of Wellington.
“We are grateful to the Village of Wellington for working with us on so many levels, making this year so much better. Not just with the front of the house but with the back of the house as well.”
Bellissimo thanked the Village for working with him and his team to add 150 new parking spaces to the show grounds as well as several additional practice riding rings as well as new stables and barns on both of the grounds.
Bellissimo has often been credited as the rescuer of the festival and long-time loyal devotee to the worldly WEF. He has been through a long history of fighting many battles with the Village of Wellington Council – just to strengthen the festival’s attendance and standings in international community for show jumping, hunter jumping and dressage. And according to his comments today, there seems to be quite an amount of progress with the village in pressing forward to create a world class equestrian community compared to no other.
An interesting side note provided by Bellissimo was that the amount of WEF “bed nights” added to Palm Beach County is almost 60,000 more than the Honda Classic each year. “Bed nights” are simply how the hotel industry measures occupancy for one person for one night and each person brings several sources of revenue to many businesses in our area.
“According to statistics provided by Tourist Development Services of Palm Beach County , the 2011 Wellington Winter Equestrian Festival was host to 98,000 overnight guests in 2011. This past 2014 season that amount soared to 122,000.”
Rounding out today’s panel were US top rider and ranked #2 in the world Kent Farrington, 2008 Olympic Show Jumping Champion Eric Lamaze, First woman ranked number one show jumping rider in the world Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and world record setting rider and trainer Liza Boyd of Finally Farm, Inc.
The 2015 season will also live stream competitions for local and international viewers alike for the first time in its 36 year history.
Wellington 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival panel included world – renowned horse show organizer Thomas Baur of Germany, ( who has been slated since 2014 to guide the dressage events for Wellington’s Also on the panel were Board Member of the Northeast Association of Equine Practitioners and representing Luitpold Pharmaceutical rider Allyn Mann, Spanish Olympic team member and top world dressage rider Daniel Martin Dockx, USDF gold medalist Devon Kane of Diamante Farms along with Mark Bellissimo. During discussions or the media and press on hand, Bellissimo announced that over $650,000 in prize monies will be awarded during this 2015 dressage season.
It sounds like it may not be long before the Adequan Wellington Dressage Festival catches up in popularity to it’s very famous neighbor located across the street. Bellissimo promised that the new world class dressage venue for international riders and competitors will continue to grow and to host the top dressage riders in the world.
Bellissimo and his team closed the press conference today by stating this will be one of the most unique and exciting seasons yet due to the large amount of new riders and young fresh top-bred horses competing this year in both the Wellington Festivals.
Both festivals are always open to the public. Please visit and for schedules and social events.
I recently was introduced to The Good Earth Farm (GEF). A Not for Profit organization, GEF rescues animals who need a place to call “home.” An animal rescue sanctuary, GEF is home to close to 75 animals including horses, pigs, sheep, goats, llamas, peacocks, roosters, ducks, parrots, and donkeys. I even got to meet Ozzie the Zebra (who I was warned likes to eat hands!)
The Good Earth farm is a wonderful environment for the animals who land here. Most are either old and have no place else to go, or they have unfortunately been badly abused, are sick, or perhaps neglected. The Good Earth Farm gives these animals a happy home where they get cleaned up, aided by vets, and then given love by the public…..people like YOU & ME who can visit with the animals to help cheer them up by loving them with attention. There is even a program for pre-K through grades 5.* Through this, the learning, touching, grooming, feeding and talking to all kinds of exotic animals seems to make kids of all ages more caring, kind, and giving human beings. Also, Nancy Fried, owner of the Good Earth Farm, does Reiki on the animals, providing them with a healing, loving environment.
I am also involved with The New Earth Company, the original and premier supplier of Super Blue Green Algae from Klamath Lake, Oregon. This ancient superfoods company has been providing the premier wild algae to the world for over 30 years.
New Earth has a long tradition of supporting animal rescue shelters with premium algae for the animals, including the Rocky Mountain Big Cat Rescue in Colorado and Gentle Barn in California The New Earth philosophy is that optimal health is found through providing the building blocks of Functional Nutrition via whole, unprocessed and wild-crafted foods.
New Earth is the gold standard for safe effective ancient foods formulas, as they hold the ONLY GMP and GMP for Sport registrations for edible microalgae and ancient foods formulations. New Earth is one of only a few companies to do their own bottling, formulating, harvesting and processing.
For anybody interested in achieving their own optimal cellular health levels through The 4 Building Blocks of Functional Nutrition, & the only company who uses functional nutrition as our health philosophy, please reach out to me via email:newearthfreedom@gmail.com and visit my affiliate company website: www.earthsrealfoods.com. I can also be reached by cell: 561-503-3691.
A copy of authorBarbara Swanson’s Beyond Foods The Handbook of Functional Nutrition and Contributing Author in the forthcoming book, The Change 3 can be found on Amazon.com.
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Formerly a Non Profit Fundraising Specialist Ilyse August is a seasoned Network Marketing professional with a passion to change the lives of many people not only here in S. Florida, but throughout the world as well. Through the education of the powers that are inherent in Earth’s most ancient Superfoods, such as WILD Super Blue Green Algae (SBGA,) tonic mushrooms, botanicals, probiotics, enzymes, the whole host of Chorophyll (Spirulina,) base foods, Ilyse aims to guide people to understanding that our bodies are the true miracles, and feeding/nourishing our bodies with the best foods from earth can only help to facilitate our bodies operating at their optimal performance levels achieving greater health.
Come and be amazed at the talent of these remarkable young musicians!
Kretzer Piano Music Foundation presents this concert as part of their ongoing Music for the Mind concert series to benefit music education and children’s charities.
Our January concert will feature remarkably talented young musicians:
• Alexa Burnston (voice)
• Karen Copeland (piano)
• Mary Rose Gallipeau (harp)
• Tiffany Hart (piano)
• Nicole Kelly (voice)
• Hely Lin (piano)
• Jade Evori Master (voice)
• Emily Rynasko (piano)
• Emily Shecter (voice)
• Emily Thompson (voice)
• Alvin Xue (piano)
• Ali Zaidspiner (voice)
• Catherine Zeng (piano)
• Lylybell Zhou (piano)
Proceeds from this concert will go to Kretzer Piano Music Foundation to help fund the “Kretzer Kids” program. The Kretzer Kids are a group of middle and high school music students that perform for nursing homes, assisted living facilities and prominent venues throughout Palm Beach and Martin County.
The Harriet Himmel Theater at CityPlace
700 S. Rosemary Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets may be purchased at the door or by calling Kretzer Piano at 561-748-0036.
About Music for the Mind: Held on the third Tuesday of every month in the Harriet Himmel Theater at CityPlace, Music for the Mind concerts feature musical groups from Palm Beach County. Beginning in 2002, these concerts have provided 10,000 young musicians the opportunity to perform while raising over $450,000 to help promote music in our schools and community. Sponsors include the Kretzer Piano Music Foundation, CityPlace and Classical South Florida 90.7. Learn more at www.kretzerpiano.com/kpmf.
*on the second Thursday of the month fron 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. through April 2015
WHAT: Happy Hour gets a monthly upgrade at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium! Starting in January on the second Thursday of the month from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., the Science Center is open to guests 21 and older for extended hours of exploration and a special wine tasting event. Each month the Science Center will bring in an Egyptian expert to discuss the Center’s newest traveling exhibition, Afterlife: Tombs & Treasures of Ancient Egypt. In between sips and swirls guests will learn about Egyptian customs, dynasties, politics and archaeology.
January 8, 2015 – Ashley Hampton, president of the Palm Beach County Archaeologist Society
February 12, 2015 – “Napolean’s Invasion of Egypt” – presented byDavid Spector, Egyptologist and retired professor
March 12, 2015 – “The Egyptian Netherworld” – presented by Dr. Stephen Thompson, Egyptologist
April 9, 2015 – “The Story of the Pyramids” – presented by David Spector
The popular exhibition includes more than 200 artifacts, including ancient animal mummies, an extraordinary number of human mummies, exquisite golden mummy masks and coffins, and strange magical figures from ancient tombs. Additionally, the exhibition culminates in making the journey to the Valley of the Kings by entering an exact facsimile of the tomb chamber of Thutmose III and discovering the Ramesside male mummy – one of the best preserved mummies in existence.
WHO: The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is partnering with Egyptian experts. Mummies and Merlot is sponsored by Vinoutlet.
WHERE: South Florida Science Center and Aquarium; 4801 Dreher Trail North; West Palm Beach, FL 33405
WHEN: On the second Thursday of the month through April 2015 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
January 8, 2015
February 12, 2015
March 12, 2015
April 9, 2015
WHY: Afterlife has been on tour for more than 10 years, and seen by more than 4.5 million people worldwide. Winning the International Award at the UK Museum and Heritage Awards ceremony in 2012, visitors will be mystified by more than 200 exquisite and original artifacts, all of which are on display in North America for the first time ever. The exhibit runs through Saturday, April 18, 2015.
HOW MUCH: Admission includes access to Afterlife, special lecture and wine tasting, presented by Vinoutlet.
Members: $5
Non-members: $15 adults; $13 for seniors 60 and older
PUBLIC CONTACT: South Florida Science Center and Aquarium; www.sfsciencecenter.org or 561-832-1988
BRIGHT HORIZONS AT WELLINGTON TO HOST GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION FOR THE WELLINGTON COMMUNITY
(WELLINGTON, FL) – Bright Horizons opened its newest early education and preschool center on Monday, November 17 in Wellington. The new center’s opening allows parents in Wellington the opportunity to balance their work life and family life by providing high-quality care and education for their children.Bright Horizons at Wellington has capacity for 228 children with Infant, Toddler, Twos, Preschool and Kindergarten Prep (VPK) programs and is open Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., year round.
On Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. area families are invited to Bright Horizons at Wellington’s Grand Opening Celebration. The Celebration is open to the public and free to attend. Activities include raffle prizes, children’s activities, a ribbon cutting ceremony and more!
Center Director, Penny Wenman, is thrilled to host this event and introduce the community to Bright Horizons. “We offer a unique curriculum that includes a world of discovery guided by skilled teachers who recognize each child’s individual strengths” Wenman said. “Whether it’s our Movement Matters Zone complete with a rock climbing wall, or our art studio with fabulous natural lighting, or our inviting fully equipped classrooms, all of our wonderful caring teachers and staff are truly excited to introduce the center to families in the community and celebrate.”
WHO: Penny Wenman, Center Director
Teachers and families from Bright Horizons at Wellington
**The event is open to the public and free to attend
WHAT: Bright Horizons at Wellington celebrates its Grand Opening in Wellington, FL. Event will include:
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. — Welcome activities throughout the center with MC Jeffery Bryer
11:00 – 11:30 a.m. — Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. — Unique Circus Acts with The Danny Show
12:30 – 1:00 p.m. — Learn to swim demonstration with Quality Swimming
Register at our event and receive 50% off your registration fee!
WHEN: Saturday, January 24, 2015
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Bright Horizons at Wellington
3220 South State Road 7
Wellington, FL 33414
Miami-Dade Judge Lifts Stay on Marriage Ruling, Makes Miami-Dade First Florida County to Issue Marriage Licenses to Same-Sex Couples
Motion to lift stay filed in response to federal court order clarifying that the Florida marriage ban is unconstitutional and means all clerks should issue licenses to same-sex couples;
CONTACT: ACLU of Florida Media Office, media@aclufl.org, (786) 363-2737
MIAMI, FL – Today (Jan. 5th), a Miami-Dade County circuit court judge lifted a stay on a previous ruling and ordered the Miami-Dade County Clerk of Court to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples starting today. This ruling comes as the result of a motion filed in response to an order from U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle stating that all county clerks are required to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples and all other public officials are required to recognize those marriages.
In August 2014, Judge Hinkle issued a ruling holding Florida’s marriage ban unconstitutional in two cases — one brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida on behalf of eight couples, a Fort Myers widow, and SAVE, South Florida’s largest LGBT rights organization; the other by Jacksonville attorneys William Sheppard and Sam Jacobson on behalf of two couples. A stay on that decision is set to expire at the end of the day today, and an order from Judge Hinkle on January 1st clarified that the ruling meant that all Florida clerks should begin issuing marriage licenses when the stay expires.
In a separate case, in which six same-sex couples and the Equality Florida Institute, represented by attorneys for the National Center for Lesbian Rights and several attorneys in private practice filed a lawsuit in Miami-Dade County circuit court challenging the marriage ban, the court ruled in July that Miami-Dade County should issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, but stayed that ruling pending the appeal. In a motion filed January 2nd, Miami-Dade Clerk of Court Harvey Rubin asked Judge Sarah Zabel to lift the stay in light of Judge Hinkle’s January 1st order. In a hearing this morning, Judge Zabel agreed to lift the stay.
Responding to the news, ACLU of Florida Executive Director Howard Simonstated:
“We congratulate the couples in this case who will be able to celebrate their marriages today as a result of Judge Zabel’s ruling, as well as the legal team who litigated this case.
“Judge Zabel’s decision today was prompted by Judge Hinkle’s order clarifying that all clerks are required to issue marriage licenses. The order by Judge Hinkle was referenced in the courtroom today by attorneys for both the plaintiffs and the clerk. This is how change happens: the victories of coalition partners building on one another and creating real change for Florida families.
“Today, Miami-Dade County celebrates marriage equality. Tomorrow, the whole state of Florida will.”
Attorneys from the ACLU and the ACLU of Florida and Stephen F. Rosenthal of Podhurst Orseck, P.A. represent the plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit challenging Florida’s marriage ban.
The ACLU of Florida is freedom’s watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For additional information, visit our web site at: www.aclufl.org
Recently, I have been speaking with my patients regarding their commitment to year long health and wellness. As a new year begins, we always get our mindset on a New Year, a new you, but why can’t we commit to our health all year long? Many people get bored with diets, working out, seeing their chiropractor, getting massages, or just staying active. Coming from the north I have seen how the climate plays a big roll in how people become stagnant, but here in sunny south Florida our climate gives us the ability to stay committed all year.
We have the ability to exercise outside year round without being stuck in the house. We are less likely to reach for food if we are out and about. Let’s stick to our exercise this year, find the right place for you, that gives you what you need and use this beautiful weather to your advantage. Find the right nutritionist or weight loss system and make a commitment instead of that up and down weight loss and weight gain.
Some people have fear of the seasonal allergies or illnesses, if you are under regular chiropractic care, your nervous system functions better and in turn all the systems in the body function better. Pediatric visits to the chiropractor can help boost the immune system, especially during seasonal illness.
If certain patients have spinal issues that are acute or chronic, spinal correction may take a considerable amount of time. After correction has been made, a maintenance spinal health program weekly, bi-weekly or monthly maybe recommended.
Ongoing exercise, proper eating, consistent sleep, a positive outlook, and a properly functioning nervous system can keep you healthier all year long.
So basically, keep your health a lifestyle and not just a New Year’s Resolution.
Look to The Experienced providers at The Wellness Experience of Wellington to lead you to the healthy lifestyle all year long.
Did you know if you have a medical or chiropractic referral for a mattress you may have the ability to reduce the sales tax? Please contact Dr. Laurich if you have questions about your mattress today. (561) 333-5351.
Dr. Randall Laurich is owner of The Wellness Experience of Wellington, Inc., President of The Wellington Chamber of Commerce, a Chiropractic Coach for Chiropractic Adventures, serves on the Healthcare Advisory Board for MCI and is a Community Liaison for ACS Relay for Life.
Happy New Year! Now is the exhilarating time for a new beginning — the time to make New Years resolutions for the coming year! Have you thought about yours?
Below are some ideas for positive and helpful New Years Resolutions for Caregivers and Seniors.
No one person can realistically hope to accomplish everything listed below in one year! But we hope that this list of suggestions may serve as a useful checklist to help you find and add to your list the New Years Resolutions that are right for you in 2015!
Wellness Resolutions for Seniors & Family Caregivers From HelpingYouCare™:
Follow a Healthy Diet. Resolve to follow a healthy diet, and learn about the many health benefits and prevention of serious illnesses that you can derive from your diet alone. Follow the guidelines for a healthy diet summarized by the USDA in the MyPlate icon and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, or by the Harvard School of Public Health in the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate. Utilize Smart Diet Tips & Tools provided by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the American Heart Association.
Healthy Aging: Stories of Inspiring Seniors. Regularly look for, read about, and be uplifted by Stories of Inspiring Seniors — people who at ages ranging from their sixties to over 100 have achieved and continue to achieve remarkable things, proving that with healthy living, almost anything remains possible at any age!
Overall Checklist of New Years Resolutions for Family Caregivers From HelpingYouCare™:
Take some classes for family caregivers to learn about the several issues you may face as a family caregiver and the resources available to help you.
Find and read helpful books for caregivers that apply to your particular situation. Consider book reviews written by those who have experience as family caregivers.
Take advantage of practical tips, checklists and tools offered to help you plan, organize, and prepare yourself for these issues and challenges.
Review your own and your loved one’s legal and financial situation, consult qualified attorneys and financial advisors, and take steps to address the important issues in advance, such as:
Encourage your elderly parent to grant you a Durable Power of Attorney to allow you to act for him or her in the event of his or her incapacity (subject to the requirements of applicable state law).
Consider acquiring a private Long-Term Care Insurance policy for your loved one, to help cover future costs of long-term care at home or in a care facility that would not be covered by Medicare or other financial resources available to you.
Take Time for Yourself, Ease Your Burden, and Take Good Care of Yourself. You need proper care, less stress, and time for relaxation too. If you don’t take care of yourself, you could wind up becoming ill, and then who would do what you do for your senior loved one?
Learn about Caregiver Self-Care, Stress Management & Survival Tips, and take steps to manage and reduce the stress, guilt, anger and conflicting emotions, and sense of being over-burdened and squeezed between duties of work, family and caregiving, that commonly weigh on family caregivers.
Shop online for comfortable and adaptive clothing for your senior loved one, to save yourself the wear and tear of lengthy shopping trips for these sometimes hard-to-find items
Learn More About Health Care Reform and Policy, and Consider Leveraging Your Own Experiences as a Caregiver to Become Involved in Advocacy for Further Needed Improvements in Our Health Care and Long-Term Care Systems. As a caregiver, you are on the “front lines” in dealing and interacting with our health care and long-term care systems perhaps every day. These systems and the policies that give rise to them determine the level and quality of care available to you and your senior loved ones and the costs involved, thereby directly affecting the health and well-being of your senior loved one and you.
Vow to go beyond political rhetoric and slogans, and learn what really is provided in the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (what some refer to as “Obamacare”), and form your own independent understanding of its benefits and drawbacks.
For comprehensive information on the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act, and how it benefits you and others in your state, see HealthCare.gov, an official website of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).
Study and Consider Editorials and Advocacy for solutions to problems in in our Health Care and Long-Term Care Systems, published by experts in these fields, and consider adding your voice and comments on what needs to be fixed and how best to do it.
Here are some more ideas for Caregivers’ New Years Resolutions that have been suggested by others:
Take time out of every day to care yourself so you can go on caring for your senior.
Get your flu shot! You can’t afford to be sick!
Read a book of inspiration or new ideas; learn more about how to cope with your senior’s specific disease such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cancer, etc.
Join a support group!
Maintain balance between your family, work and caregiving lives.
Deal with your emotions of anger, confusion, frustration and talk with others who can help you.
Check your senior loved one’s finances to be sure they can cover their needs, seek advice from experts on how to make the money last.
It’s always reassuring to have a good plumber or a/c person to call when you need it – and now Hi-Tech Plumbing is able to cover both services. According to Jathy Garcia, co-owner of Hi-Tech along with her husband Abel, there are many advances in “green,” water-saving products in the plumbing industry.
Jathy Garcia, co-owner of Hi-Tech Plumbing
“Also we have some great new gadgets and gizmos that we’ve acquired, like our full color video camera which inspects drain lines of up to 4” for cracks or root intrusions. Experiencing a foul odor from a sewer leak? Possible critters coming into your sewer? We’ll inspect all your sewer lines with our TV/ Video Camera which shows you exactly where your problem is and we’ll provide the remedy and answer to flush away those pipe problems,” says Garcia.
Hi-Tech’s plumbing services include:
Sewer line locating
Locating Sewer Odor
Septic location, dry well, leach lines
Locating sewer blockages or root intrusion, collapsed or broken line
Camera and video inspection of lines
Trenchless Pipe Replacement Available
Hi-Tech offers a hydro-jetting system which scours the inner walls of the drains and sewer lines leaving them clean and free of debris and buildup. These are used in residential and commercial instances.
“One of my favorite products is our instant hot water systems- innovative hot water recirculation systems deliver hot water to fixtures quickly without waiting for the water to get hot,” says Garcia. This consists of a pump, an integrated electronic controller, and a zone valve. When the activation button is pushed, or when another type of control turns the system on, the pump starts re-circulating cooled water that’s been sitting in the hot water line and sends it back to the water heater through the cold water line. When the water reaches a desired temperature a control closes the zone valve and turns off the pump. It is much like turning on the hot water faucet and letting the water run until it gets hot, but instead of the water going down the drain, the water is simply returned back to the water heater. When the hot water faucet is turned on, hot water is readily available only one pump is necessary to supply hot water to any fixture. Optional wireless remote control units allow the user turn on the system from any faucet or fixture in the house.
Another step in the green direction for Hi-Tech Plumbing is going paperless in 2015. Their technicians will have iPads and will receive payments by credit card onsite with electronic swipers.
AW: You go by “Your Plumber in a Skirt” – how does it feel to be a woman in a male-dominated industry? What are the advantages?
JG: It’s great actually. The best part about my job is when I get to see the look on someone’s face, typically men, that think ‘a woman cannot understand or know this,’ and then I get to prove them wrong.
Garcia feels this way because not only are these fields dominated by men, but women can improve things with the combination of business know-how and their nurturing feminine considerations. “Only by those who have no idea what I am capable of – most times that works to my advantage. This business is interesting and every day is different in the plumbing world, but I have never viewed myself as being a woman in a man’s profession – rather a partner in a business which needs capable and talented professionals.”
AW: What do you offer in terms of A/C? What are all of the services/products you offer related to air-conditioning?
JG: We are proud that in March of 2014, we opened our A/C division. Our clients would often ask us, ‘don’t you know a good a/c company to refer?’ Now we say, ‘yes, it’s us!
We provide…
A/C Tune Ups & Repairs
Complete A/C installations & Upgrades
Duct Cleaning & Sanitation
Ductwork repairs & installs
Thermostats replacement
Coil cleaning
Indoor quality systems- like air purification systems & ventilation systems
We handle Commercial units too – even Refrigeration coolers and freezers for restaurants, for example.
AW: Tell us about your special program you do every October.
JG: Breast cancer month is a special month for us, especially since I’m a recent survivor. So we try to raise awareness and funds throughout the month. We have our techs where pink shoe coverings, pink name tags, even our trucks have pink ribbons, and we give all our customers pink breast cancer pens during that month. In the past years, we have given back 5% of all our proceeds in October to a non profit organization. This year we even participated in Making Strides West Palm Beach, and I was featured as their Survivor story. See the video! It was an awesome event, and we were so glad to participate as a company!
Hi-Tech Plumbing also had a Bathroom Makeover contest in October for survivors and family members of breast cancer. The winner, Susan Patrick, was announced on November 15th. Hi-Tech will be showing “before” and “after” photos on their website and Facebook page, after the makeover has been completed. The contest was a great success, and Hi-Tech Plumbing is already making plans for another exciting contest!
AW: Tell us about your own struggle with breast cancer. How did the group Your Bosom Buddies II in Wellington help you?
JG: I feel lucky to have met all of these beautiful, inspiring women – like my friend from Your Bosom Buddies Lorna Johnson. When you go through breast cancer, you have all these unanswered questions. It’s so helpful to get that one-on-one time with another woman who has been through it and to know more about what to expect. Your Bosom Buddies is such an awesome group – they offer both financial and emotional support to women who need it.
AW: What do your Hi-Tech clients appreciate most about you and your team?
JG: They LOVE us!The good thing is you don’t have to take my word for it – just visit our website and on our home page, we have a button that says ‘Read clients’ reviews.’ We are proud of our immaculate 5-star rating, and it’s all thanks to our loyal customers who make us what we are.
Here are a couple of sample reviews.
“I asked around about plumbers and kept hearing your name. I went with their recommendation and I’m glad I did! You were everything just as hoped and expected!” – Cheryl M. in Highland Beach, FL.
“I’ve used you for years but just wanted to drop you a line to say how much I appreciate your caring, professional concern. It is a real pleasure to have a service pro you can trust! I tell all my friends about you too. Thanks Again.” –Barbara G. in Lantana, FL.
AW:Tell us about the history of Hi-Tech. When was it founded? How has it grown?
JG: We started in January of 2000. Just my hubby and me. He already had a good 10 years of plumbing foreman experience, running crews, supervising and even helping customers and providing service work. We decided shortly after to build a business with the ingenuity of a woman. That’s where I come in, combining with the work ethic and knowledge of a skilled master plumber. Together we have been the best team EVER. I mean how many of us get to say that they work with their best friend and sleep with their boss…legitimately? LOL! We have grown from having one service van to five service vans. On the new A/C side of things, we have two highly-skilled service people.
AW: You are also one of our two “Living Green” writers for AroundWellington.com. What’s the key to green plumbing?
JG: We’ve seen this whole wave of green living. People eating organic and trying to leave a better footprint for our future generations. So we are more conscious now of waste – clean water is not a luxury, it’s a resource and so is energy. So I’m always trying innovative new products that help our homes to be more resourceful. And even though the initial cost is more- like buying organic food that we know is more expensive, but in the end it is better for our health. It’s the same with these green products – in the long run the savings are evident and they make up for the initial cost. We can provide you with a 1.28 gallon toilet instead of the old 8 gallon toilet. And it has a better flushing mechanism. Meanwhile, there are solar hot water heaters and solar panels and many other green improvements.
AW: Your family was featured on the news because you are one of the few in S. Florida with solar panels on your roof at home. Are you glad you did it?
JG: Yes, we were so lucky to have been picked out of just 15 people in Florida to receive the rebate from FPL. We were featured on the Channel 5 news a while back and yes, I had Steven Wiegel on the roof of my home broadcasting live, showing off our solar panels. The system is amazing; shortly after we also purchased the solar system for our water heater, so now our home is completely solar. Yes, the saving are there, my bills normally were in the $300’s – now I don’t ever pay more than $140 in the hot months. In the winter, it’s between $90 to $110 per month. If you plan on living and staying in your home for more than 3 years, it is worth the investment and you get a nice write-off on your taxes.
AW: Is there anything that you wish the average person understood better about plumbing services?
JG: We all know the saying ‘time is money.’ It is always better to prevent a disaster than to be in one. So even if it’s not us, get a professional, licensed plumber and A/C specialist to go to your home once a year and just do a complete overview of all your appliances and fixtures. It could end up saving you thousands in emergency costs and save you from having to deal with your insurance carrier. We see it all the time, a small little part that went bad that could have been prevented or caught on a home inspection. We are glad to provide peace of mind to the hundreds of customers that join our HTP maintenance plans. It’s low and cost effective. Best yet, it provides you with priority service and discounted pricing all year round. Always think prevention!
AW: When someone calls with a plumbing request, what’s the turnaround time? What are your most frequent service calls?
JG: We usually respond within 30 minutes to one hour. Our most frequent calls are for ‘leaks, leaks and more leaks.’
AW: Tell us about your family.
JG: We are native Floridians. We have been in Royal Palm Beach for twelve years. We really enjoy family time with our son Andy – boating and fishing. We love and enjoy the parks here in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington. As a family, we enjoy biking 10 to 15 miles about once or twice a week.
AW: Anything else you’d like to mention?
JG: Don’t fret… just call Hi-Tech!
And now we can say Don’t Sweat…Just call Hi-tech for A/C too!
Hi-Tech Plumbing
561-232-3288
1000 Stinson Way, Suite 111
West Palm Beach, FL, 33411
