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September, 2014 – Wellington Earns Top Honors

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Wellington Earns Top Honors for CAFR, 18 Years Running!

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) is awarding the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) to the Village of Wellington’s Office of Financial Management & Budget for the Fiscal Year 2013 CAFR. This certificate is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.  The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the highest standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

This year’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is the 18th continuously earned, and the Village gives special recognition to Manager of Financial Reporting, Mindy Boersma, for her significant contribution to the body of work that earned this esteemed honor.    This accolade reflects the commitment the Village staff has for meeting the highest principles and best practices in governmental accounting and reporting.

The Government Finance Officers Association is a nonprofit, professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals throughout North America.

For information about other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visit www.wellingtonfl.gov or watch Channel 18 for the latest happenings.

September, 2014 – Cups One Year Anniversary

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September, 2014 – Cups One Year Anniversary

Cups One Year Anniversary Celebration

CupsOneYear

November, 2014 – Walk to Cure Arthritis

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Lake Worth Walk to Cure Arthritis, Saturday, November 8, at John Prince Park

WHAT:                 Be a part of the Arthritis Foundation’s mission to transform lives! Join the Lake Worth Walk to Cure Arthritis, the Arthritis Foundation’s signature event to raise funds to prevent, control and cure the nation’s leading cause of disability. Participants will fundraise and to bring a voice to the more than 50 million Americans living with arthritis. Funds raised through the Walk to Cure Arthritis will help create programs, research and advocacy initiatives to remove the burden of this crippling disease both locally and across the country.

To register for the Lake Worth Walk to Cure Arthritis, visit www.walktocurearthritis.lakeworth.kintera.org

DATES &         Saturday, November 8, 2014

TIMES:             Registration begins at 8;00 am and Walk to Cure Arthritis starts at 9:00 am

WHERE:           John Prince Park

4759 S. Congress Avenue

Lake Worth, FL

CONTACT:        Susie Rhodes, 561-833-1133, srhodes@arthritis.org

 

February, 2015 – Annual FL Youth Dance Gala

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Annual FLORIDA YOUTH DANCE GALA Set for the

Duncan Theatre in Lake Worth – February 7
 
Founder/Director Mauricio Cañete Will Present 40+ Dancers
From Leading Dance Academies Around the State

 

(West Palm Beach, FL – September 3, 2014) Mauricio Cañete, Founder and director of MC Dance Productions, today announced that the annual FLORIDA YOUTH DANCE GALA will be held at the Duncan Theatre, located on the Lake Worth campus of Palm Beach State College, on Saturday, February 7, at 7:30 p.m. The upcoming Gala is being sponsored by Só Dança USA, a leading provider of quality dance supplies.

 

Following last year’s sold out success, the second FLORIDA YOUTH DANCE GALA will feature 40 extraordinarily talented dancers from leading dance academies in Miami, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Hallandale Beach, Pembroke Pines, Pompano Beach, Port St. Lucie, Sarasota and Tampa.
   Dedicated to “celebrating and gathering talented dancers” from all over the state, the FLORIDA YOUTH DANCE GALA will “showcase new choreography, finalists from major dance competitions and some electrifying young dancers, resulting in one of the most memorable dance event of the coming season,” says Cañete, a former dancer with Houston Ballet, Ballet Florida and Ballet Eloelle, who is performing in Japan this fall and has previously wowed audiences in England, Russia, Hong Kong, Canada, Austria, Germany, China and throughout the Far East.
   “My goal is to give the next generation of dancers the opportunity to perform in a professional environment. In fact, the 40 participating dancers were selected after intense consultations with directors, teachers and co-dancers statewide,” he adds.
   “The selection for this year Gala was very difficult because we had over 20 plus schools who contacted me right after the last performance, they realize what a great opportunity this is to showcase their talented dancers. In addition, I’ve been attending ballet competitions around the state, where I recruited three beautiful young ballerinas: Amanda Hall of Miami, Caitlin Field of Hallandale Beach and Tampa’s Maggie Chadbourne, finalists in the American Dance Competition in Orlando who will be performing in our FLORIDA YOUTH DANCE GALA 2015.”
   Tickets for the second FLORIDA YOUTH DANCE GALA are only $30 general admission and are available for purchase online at www.floridayouthdancegala.com.

September, 2014 – College Planning & Financial Aid Workshop

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September, 2014 – College Planning & Financial Aid Workshop

SIGN UP NOW!

Free and Informative

College Planning &

Financial Aid Workshop

To Teach Parents and Students

How To Get Into The Schools They Want

St Michaels CPM Flyer 3

Parents and students are invited to attend a free upcoming college planning workshop presented by St. Michael Lutheran Church and College Planning Masters.  Parents will learn how to maximize financial aid and minimize out of pocket expenses.  Topics to be discussed will include: how to affordably send your child to his/her “first choice” school; creating a comprehensive college search plan; debunking the most common college planning myths; understanding how private “big ticket” universities can actually cost you less in the long run than a state college; how to manage time and avoid procrastination; learn about the new changes in Bright Futures, FAFSA and Florida Pre-Paid that can actually cost you more money; how to avoid common Financial Aid Application traps that lower aid eligibility and discover strategies to dramatically increase free money from colleges – regardless of income or student achievements.

Students will benefit from a variety of additional topics including strategies designed to enhance admissions opportunities, “building” more effective college applications, and charting their course for college admissions success.

The workshop will be hosted by St. Michael Lutheran Church within their Sanctuary located at 1925 Birkdale Drive in Wellington.  The church is situated at the corner of Birkdale Drive and Forest Hill Boulevard. Visit www.stmichaelelc.com for more information. The event takes place from 6:30 – 8:00 pm and it is encouraged to come by 6:15 pm for light appetizers and beverages.

To register for a workshop call (800) 776.6445 ext, 217.  RSVP’s are required.  Space is limited at this event so it is recommended to call and reserve your space early. For further information, visit www.CollegePlanningMasters.com or email to Rona@CollegePlanningMasters.com.

September, 2014 – Events at Whole Foods

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Wellington September 2014 Calendar of Events

Whole Foods, Wellington, Florida –

All events, dates, and times are subject to change. For the most current info, please visit www.Facebook.com/WholeFoodsMarketWellington  page or our website www.wholefoods.com/events

Open 8:00am to 10:00pm Mon-Sat. 8:00am-9:00pm on Sundays

2635 State Road 7 Wellington, FL 33414

Events are held at 2635 State Road 7, in the Lifestyle Center and are free of charge unless otherwise noted. Pre-Register for events at the customer service desk or by phone (561-904-4000) for Free Classes Only. Refunds, credits, or transfer of classes will not be honored for no-shows or cancellations made fewer than 24 hours before event. All events are subject to change. Classes with low registration may be cancelled.  Any classes cancelled by Whole Foods Market will be refunded. Space is limited.

Whole Kids Foundation™ Fundraiser

Help us raise funds for Whole Kids Foundation to support school gardens, school salad bars and healthy teachers in an effort to get kids, families and teachers excited about exploring and enjoying fresh, healthy foods. Simply donate at any register during the month of September or support the foundation by participating in an event. Visit wholekidsfoundation.org for more information.

Two Block Parties in September

Wednesday, September 3rd 5:30-7:00 PM, FREE Teams’ Choice

Wednesday, September 17th 5:30-7:00 PM, FREE Whole Kids Foundation

Join us for a sampling frenzy!  Take a tasty stroll around the store and enjoy a unique bite from every department.  It’s also a competition, so, please pickup a voting ballot at the first tasting station near the produce department and let us know your favorite bite of the night!  No registration necessary, just stop by!

Thirsty Thursdays

Every Thursday 5:00-7:00 PM in Our Specialty Department, FREE

Thinking of drinking? Stop by on Thursdays to taste some of the hidden gems on our shelves!

Cheese Cutters Corner

Every Saturday 2:00-4:00 PM in Our Specialty Department, FREE

Taste and learn all about the handcrafted cheeses we offer with Jose, your Cheese Expert!

Glorious Grains and Gastronomy

Every Sunday 2:00-4:00 PM in Our Specialty Department, FREE

Stop by our Specialty Department every Sunday afternoon to experience exquisite beer pairings with artisan cheeses.  Our pairing experts are ready to excite your palate and broaden your tasting horizons!  No registration necessary, just come on by!

Events, Cooking Classes, and Lectures

Burgers and Beer!

Friday, September 5th 5:00 to 7:00 PM, $6.99 per person

Let us entertain you with our delicious Bacon Cheese Burger with lettuce, tomato, and onion coleslaw, seasonal beers, live music and kid friendly games for only $6.99!  Veggie substitute and bottled water will also be available.  No registration necessary, just stop by the patio.

#FallingForFall – Autumn Favorites Sample Series

Mondays in September, 1 – 3 PM, FREE at Health Starts Here Station

No registration required.

Whether you say fall or autumn doesn’t matter…we say apples and Brussels sprouts ‘round these parts. Give pumpkin the side eye as you learn all about the wonderful bounty this colorful season has to offer, it officially drops on September 22!

Series dates: 9/8, 9/15, 9/22, 9/29

Healthy Basics Demo: Salt

Wednesday, September 10th, 3 – 6 PM, FREE at Healthy Eating Station

Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000

Chemistry jokes are sodium funny, get ready to slap your neon some!  Learn how salt impacts our bodies, how to manipulate it to your culinary advantage, and how to ditch super salty habits.

Instructor: Amanda Fernandez, Healthy Eating & Green Mission Specialist

Bronto Bites Beat Box! Kid’s Club

Friday, September 12th, 4:30 – 5:30 PM, $5/child

Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000

Did you know the brontosaurus loves music? They also love healthy bites. Hey, this is science talking here. Let’s have a kid-tastic bronto bites and make some pre-historic beat boxes to pack them up in!

Instructor: Amanda (Ecosaurus Rex) Fernandez, Healthy Eating & Green Mission Specialist

Cheese Night: Grilled Cheese Goodness

Tuesday, September 16th 6:00-7:30 PM, Free Samples

Something truly delectable happens when heat meets cheese.  Stop by our Specialty Department to taste our favorite cheeses that really do melt in your mouth.

No registration necessary, just stop on by.

Get Cultured: Fermentation 101

Thursday, September 18th, 6:30 – 8 PM, FREE

Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000

You might be classy, but, are you cultured? Put your pickle to the test as we delve deep into the world of microbes and deliciousness. Homemade sauerkraut, pickles, and fermented grains will be featured.

Instructor: Amanda Fernandez, Healthy Eating & Green Mission Specialist

Gluten Free Cooking

Friday, September 19th, 6:30-8:00 PM, FREE

Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000

Join Chef Joe as he demonstrates how to prepare a Gluten Free meal that tastes great and is easy for anyone to prepare!  Bring your appetite and your Gluten Free questions. Samples will be served.

Instructor: Chef Joe Colavito, Demo Specialist and Gluten Free Guru

Pop-up Cart: Gourmet Lemonade for Whole Kids Foundation

Saturday September 20th 2:00-4:00 PM, $2 donation per cup

Look for our Pop-up cart around the store and enjoy a refreshing gourmet lemonade for a great cause.  Choose from berries and other fruit for added flavor!  100% of proceeds will benefit our www.wholekidsfoundation.org

Ants on a Log Charity Build

Saturday, September 21st 2:00-4:00 PM, $1-5 Donations for the Whole Kids Foundation

No Registration Necessary- Social Media Welcome #

Help us build the longest Ants on a Log snack ever!  Join in the fun by donating a $1 per ant or $5 per log (organic raisin or celery segment) to complete the snack.  For every full log donations ($5) you will also be offered a piece to taste.  Creative toppings will also be on hand to add some extra nutrients.

5% Day: “Love the Skin You’re In” & Shop for a Cause!

Tuesday, September 23rd 8:00AM -10:00 PM

5% of the day’s net sales will benefit the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation. Learn all about prevention and early detection of skin cancer using the best products and protocol, while you shop and support the Foundation.   Look for the Foundation’s awareness table and Dermaview Machine for FREE skin evaluations, located in our produce department from 11:00AM-8:00 PM.  No registration, evaluations are on a first come first served basis

Healthy Basics Demo: Fat

Wednesday, September 24th, 3 – 6 PM, FREE at Healthy Eating Station

Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000

Hold on to your coconuts, we’re talking healthy fats here! Learn how healthy fats have a positive impact on overall health and weight loss as we delve deep into the world of velvety textures, culinary seduction, and emulsification.

Instructor: Amanda Fernandez, Healthy Eating & Green Mission Specialist

Feast! Warrior Meals

Thursday, September 25th, 7:00 – 8 PM, $10/Person

Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000

For whom the kettlebell tolls…it tolls for thee. Journey through time and epic tales of warrior feats of strength as we weave primal nutrition with modern techniques sure to knock your block off.

Instructor: Amanda Fernandez, Healthy Eating & Green Mission Specialist

Mom’s Morning Escape

Friday, September 26th, 9:00-11:00 AM, FREE

Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service or Call 561.904.4000

Moms will receive a free coffee or tea, and muffin from the Coffee Bar.  Please check in at the Customer Service desk to pick up your Mom’s Morning Escape Voucher, then make your way to the Coffee Bar for your treats. Dr. Laura Valhuerdi of Practical Wellness Solutions™, a Chiropractic Physician and Licensed Massage Therapist, will be offering free 5 minute chair massages in the back of the café (first come first served).

*All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian

Kid’s Culinary Workshop – benefits Whole Kids Foundation

Saturday, September 27th, 10 – 12:00 PM, $25 Donation per Child (ages 6-14 yrs.)

Pre-Registration Required @ Customer Service, payment collected upon registration

Whisk, stir, and chop like a pro!  Junior Chefs will learn all about plating, adding color to their dishes, and flavor combining.

Instructor: Amanda Fernandez, Healthy Eating & Green Mission Specialist

Pop-up Cart: Fresh Popped Popcorn for the Whole Kids Foundation

Sunday, September 20th 2:00-4:00 PM, $2 donation per cup

Look for our Pop-up cart around the store and enjoy fresh popped popcorn with a variety of seasonings for a great cause!  100% of proceeds will benefit our www.wholekidsfoundation.org

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

For up-to-the minute information about upcoming events, sales, and special promotions and holiday menus, become our fan on Facebook at facebook.com/wholefoodsmarketwellington and follow us via Twitter @WFMwellington and Instagram @WFMWellington.

About Whole Foods Market®
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ: WFM), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America’s first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine. The company’s motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company’s more than 78,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 15 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2013, the company had sales of $12.9 billion and currently has more than 360 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

September, 2014 – Around Wellington Happenings

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September, 2014 – Around Wellington Happenings

September, 2014 – Around Wellington Happenings

Welcome to our September issue of AroundWellington.com! If you’re looking for timely local articles and local events around Wellington, you’ve come to the right site!

Paula Thompson, Contest Winner
Paula Thompson, Contest Winner

Congratulations to our contest winner Paula Thompson, who just won a dot party at Bootz Culture Camp for up to 8 people…way to go!  This month we will have contests for a $50 gift certificate to Tipsy Nail Salon and then later – a $50 gift certificate to Whole Foods Market. Just visit our Contest page for details.

SwingingChair
Hanging out in the Self-Centered garden at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa.

In “Mommy Moments,” I indulge a bit.  Well, a lot.  If you’re an overworked Mom and need a little pampering (while your kids have a ball), check out my visit to Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa.

This month we caught up with young rocker Alex Shaw, or as he’s known on Facebook “Alex Rocks!!” (with two exclamation points). Alex is truly talented and he has been sponsored by Samick Music Company since he was nine. Now he’s thirteen and traveling far in the world of music. See “AW Stories of the Month.”

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Alex Shaw

We have a special guest writer this month, Blanca Greenstein and Nadia Hoosien, both from Greenstein & Associates, a local law firm.  They are the right people to ask, when it comes to settling an agreement. Read their article under “AW Stories of the Month.”

Looking for events Around Wellington?  Check out our “News & Events” page, which is updated daily. Don’t forget (and never forget) to honor those who we lost on 9/11.  The community is invited to join Wellington’s Council at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 11th, 2014 to honor the victims of 9/11 at a remembrance ceremony at the Patriot Memorial located next to Village Hall. https://p1x.8ac.myftpupload.com/?p=27888

Speaking of September 11, there’s only article that we have ever repeated on AroundWellington.com. It’s Wendell Abern’s annual “Letter to All the Grandchildren in the World” regarding the events that took place on 9/11. Don’t miss it.

This month our travel writer, the lovely Ms. Travel with Terri, takes us to The Hague in the Netherlands. A beautiful place to visit, check it out – “Experiencing Art in the Hague.”

In “Cultural Corner,” Lori Hope Baumel explores the important role of music in our lives. See her article “Music: The Serotonin and Endorphin Booster.”

I had the pleasure of interviewing Bobbie from Kidding Around Yoga with Bobbie this month for our “AW Spotlight” story. She is following her dream – of teaching yoga to kids and making a difference in their lives. Read all about it under “AW Spotlight” or just by visiting our home page.

Don’t forget to visit our other pages too – for articles on a variety of different subjects. AroundWellington.com

Have a wonderful month!

Sincerely,

 

Krista Martinelli

Editor

AroundWellington.com

September, 2014 – To all the grandchildren in the world

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September, 2014 – To all the grandchildren in the world

(EDITOR’S NOTE:  This column first appeared shortly after the 9/11 tragedy in 2001.  It has run every year since, with the author’s updates.)Wendell Abern - Cantankerously Yours

 

To all the grandchildren in the world

By Wendell Abern 

Dear Grandchildren Everywhere,

Today, I am writing to apologize to all of you.

Usually, I try to write humor. But thirteen years ago, terrorists killed thousands of Americans by flying airplanes into buildings. And this month, memorials and other reminders of that horrendous day make it impossible to write anything funny.

Instead, today, I want to apologize to everyone in your generation from everyone in mine.

My generation inherited two world wars that killed millions of people. We should have learned something from those terrible wars. We should have made the world a better place for you.

We didn’t. And we didn’t.

More than 150 years ago, a man by the name of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel said, “What we learn from history … is that we never learn from history.”  True when Mr. Hegel said it. Just as true today. How pathetic.

My generation, like all of those that preceded it, hasn’t learned anything.

We never learned the one thing that every human being on earth has in common:  none of us asked to be here. We had no say in the matter at all. But once given the gift of life, no one should have the right to take it away. Yet human beings kill other human beings every day. Every hour. Every place on earth.

Sometimes, we kill each other by the millions, usually in the name of some  -ism, or –ology, or –ocracy. We have a name for these mass killings. It’s called “war.”

One reason we keep warring is because of another lesson no generation has ever learned about its leaders: how to tell The Good Guys from The Bad Guys.

That is just as dumb as it sounds. But it keeps happening.  Every century.  And it happens because we never understand how badly we want to believe in our leaders: our presidents, our prime ministers, our priests, our rabbis — any of our leaders. We want them to be smart, to be fair, to be honest, and always to be right. We forget that our leaders are simply human beings, capable of making mistakes and being wrong. But because we want so badly to believe in what they tell us, we seemingly do anything they ask.

Whenever we are told that our -ism is the true and righteous one, we believe it gives us license to kill those who believe otherwise. Frequently, our leaders use the hatred of others to galvanize us in a common cause, resulting in war.

Millions of Americans protested our country’s involvement in Viet Nam because we didn’t understand who hated us. Conversely, if President Carter had declared war after Iranian zealots kidnapped 52 Americans, we would have responded with fervent jingoism.

One thing the human race has learned — but sadly, ignored — is that history is written by the winners. So how can we ever be sure the Good Guys won and the Bad Guys lost?

Many centuries ago, a man named Alexander led an army that conquered other countries. Some history books still refer to him as Alexander The Great. No history book tells us what he was called by the thousands of widows and orphans his marauding armies left in their wake.

If Germany had won World War II, the madman Adolph Hitler – arguably the most evil human being who ever lived – would be portrayed in today’s history books as a dynamic, righteous leader.

My personal belief is that there is nothing as sacred as a human life. Any human life. Yet, at some point in the history of our civilization, our leaders determined that our beliefs are more important than our lives. That has never changed.

Some 10,000 years ago, the human race discovered agriculture, creating a a gigantic sea change in our evolution. We no longer had to hunt for food. We could grow our own. We settled down. We grew into little communities. We created villages. And towns. And cities.

And boundaries.

We have been at war ever since.

About seven thousand years ago, there were almost 27 million of us listening to a few leaders, telling us to go kill each other in the name of some -isms.

About five hundred years ago, there were now 450 million of us, still listening to a few leaders, still telling us to go kill each other in the name of some new

-isms.

Today, there are almost seven billion of us, still listening to a few leaders, still telling us to go kill each other, still in the name of some –isms.

When does it stop? When do we stop killing each other?

Today, more than 60 years after the unspeakable atrocity known as The Holocaust … after a weary world swore, “Never again” … after a United Nations was created to bring peace to the whole planet … genocides continue to flourish.

Ethnic cleansing occurs every decade or so. As I write this, the slaughter of innocent people continues in Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia, all in the name of some –isms.

Leaders of these slaughters, of course, invoke hatred as a motivator. And why not? It always works.

Some have tried to unite people by other means.

For a while, Mahatma Gandhi brought people together with love instead of hatred. So did Martin Luther King. So have a precious few others.

Unfortunately, too many leaders have discovered that hatred works better.

And finally, here is a lesson we all should have learned in kindergarten:  there is only one planet that supports life. This is where we all have to live. We should be taking care of this planet. And I must admit, your generation is doing a much better job of it than mine did. Or any generation, for that matter.

I hope you can start to turn other things around also.

Most of all, I hope you can start … to stop … the killing.

It will take many, many future generations to overcome cycles of hatreds generating hatreds; of broken alliances, shattered truces and unconscionable genocides.

The end of these mass murders has to start sometime. I hope it starts with you.

I hope you can make the world a tiny bit better. And a little bit cleaner. And much safer.

I hope when you are my age, you never have to write a letter of apology to all the grandchildren in the world.

Sincerely,

 

Wendell Abern

Wendell Abern can be reached at dendyabern@gmail.com.

September, 2014 – Music…The Serotonin and Endorphin Booster

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September, 2014 – Music…The Serotonin and Endorphin Booster

Cultural Corner

Music: The Serotonin and Endorphin Booster

By

Lori Hope Baumel

Photo: shirtwoot.com

Serotonin:

A type of that is found mainly in the and the gastrointestinal tract. Serotonin helps regulate mood, sleep, appetite, learning and memory. Other possible ways to increase the levels of serotonin in the body include mood induction, light, exercise and diet.

 

Endorphins:

In layman’s terms, endorphins are neurotransmitters that block pain, but they are also responsible for our feelings of pleasure. These feelings of pleasure exist to let us know when we have had enough of a good thing – and also to encourage us to go after that good thing in order to feel the associated pleasure

Adapted from: science.howstuffworks.com

Creativity, music, and wellbeing are inextricably linked.  Music has always proven to be therapeutic throughout history. “Being touched” by music and those who create it is not merely a metaphor. Music is everywhere. Due to the amazing digital age we live in, we can listen to our own musical choices any time we please.

Creating or performing music is engaging. It produces positive neurological effects on the brain in specific ways, especially affecting the human motor system. It can be physical and assist with coordination – like a drummer’s limbs all working simultaneously.

Yet, music can also be ambiguous and we are free to interpret it in an infinite amount of ways.It causes a wide range of modifications in the human body, including changes in heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, skin temperature, muscle tension and much more. Music can distract us from pain or worry. It increases the levels of chemicals in the brain that promote creativity and reduce stress (i.e. serotonin).

Creating music can encourage collaboration and social skills. It influences our behavior, what we read, where we socialize and whom we choose to “hang out” with – particularly teenagers. Studies have proven that children who study a musical instrument weekly (especially piano) for at least 2 years develop slightly higher IQ’s than those who do not have the privilege. Music lessons and cognitive development are not limited to children. In one experiment conducted on senior citizens age 60 to 85, music study improved their memory skills.

Steve Jobs regularly held “walking” meetings. Mark Zuckerberg does too. The serotonin released from walking makes a person more creative and productive. It also improves the quality of sleep and creates a positive cycle throughout an average 24-hour day. Whether you go out for a stroll, take a brisk walk or jog at the gym, music coupled with cardiovascular exercise is an enormous serotonin booster.

Young Singers of the Palm Beaches. Photo: E. Baumel.Young Singers of the Palm Beaches

Apparently, participating in a community choir is also a healthy musical activity. The support system and commitment to your group are benefits specific to singing in a chorus. It gets you out of the house and gives you a feeling of belonging, of being needed and combats the loneliness that often comes with being human in this day and age. Whether you are in the chorus or in the shower, singing can have similar effects as exercise. The release of endorphins gives the singer an overall upbeat feeling. Bottom line – singing reduces stress and promotes a good mood. Some even consider it a mild aerobic activity, as it involves deep breathing, another anxiety reducer. Deep breathing is an integral aspect of meditation and other relaxation techniques.

Grandpa Sam in his drugstore – Circa 1930’s

My grandfather, Samuel Davis, was an amateur poet and a pharmacist by profession. He filled prescriptions that, in most circumstances, made people feel better. As a trained musician, I have a “prescription” for you. Ask yourself the following questions:

How do I feel right now?

How do I want to feel in five minutes or one hour from now?

What type of music will help me achieve this goal?

What type of music will “lift me up” this very moment?

Then, you know how it’s done:

–          Grab your headphones or turn on the stereo and pop in a CD.

–          Or find a style that suits you on Pandora, iTunes Radio or your favorite radio station.

Within minutes you’ll be boosting your serotonin, exciting your endorphins and seizing the day!

Singing and dancing is optional, but likely.

 

Live… Go… Do!

 For more information on the subject see:

 

This month, instead of my usual Top 5, I have a simple request:

Do your homework!

There is an overwhelming amount to do and see this upcoming season.

Plan ahead. NOW is the time to buy tickets to concerts and shows for the 2014-2015 season. Get the tickets you want at the prices you can afford before they’re sold out. Here are the links to my favorite Palm Beach County Venues and sites:

1) The Kravis Center

Book of Mormon, Diana Krall, Pilobolus Dance troupe and more!

and

 

2) The Duncan Theater

       PBSC Campus – Lake Worth

Top-notch comedy, music, dance and family fare:

3) Eissey Theater PBSC Campus

       North Palm Beach County

Shakespeare, jazz, ballet, pop and college concerts… see:

4) The Lake Worth Playhouse and the Stonzek Studio Theatre

One of the oldest and most loved theaters in Florida. Check out their upcoming 62nd season. And don’t forget the valuable independent films that can be seen next door at the Stonzek.

5) The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County

A plethora of cultural events offered throughout the county.

Entertainment in many genres for all ages:

 

6) Don’t miss an exhibit. We have a fantastic museum season ahead      of us:

Norton Museum of Art:

(Note: The Norton Museum will be closed from September 8 – 23)

 

Boca Museum of Art:

 

For more museums and venues… see:

http://visitwpb.com/museums-and-art-galleries-in-west-palm-beach/

***

Lori Hope Baumel and her husband Eric live in Wellington and have three children.

Lori Baumel Their eldest, Sam, 27, is a media producer and conceptual artist who currently resides in (extremely hipster) Brooklyn, NY. Her younger children, Evan and Rachel, wrote the Around Wellington “Teen Talk” column in previous years. Rachel, 24, lives and works in Boston, MA and Evan, 21, is a senior at American University in Washington DC. Eric has practiced radiology in Wellington since 1991. His many talents include artist, cook, photographer and, recently, medical app developer. You can learn more about Lori at  or read her blog:

 

September, 2014 – Experiencing Art in the Hague

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September, 2014 – Experiencing Art in the Hague

Travel with TerriTerri Marshall

Experiencing Art in The Hague

Story and Photos by Terri Marshall

Home to the International Peace Palace, The Hague is one of the Netherlands’ most extraordinary cities. With 118 embassies, it is truly a city of diplomats and the beating heart of Holland.  This “Royal City by the Sea” provides visitors with the best in shopping, cuisine, historical points of interests and art.   Admittedly, I have never studied art and am far from a fine art connoisseur, but the magnitude of the artwork throughout The Hague was captivating…giving me a new appreciation for the masterful artists who bring us so much beauty.

Mauritshaus
Mauritshuis

One of The Hague’s most intriguing art centers is Mauritshuis located in a 17th-century classical townhouse in the city center on the banks of the Parliament Pond.  After undergoing a two year renovation, Mauritshuis reopened June 27th with an opening ceremony attended by His Majesty King Willem-Alexander.   The Mauritshuis’ 17th century building has been painstakingly restored and renovated to upgrade the facilities.  A Royal Dutch Shell Wing has been added on the adjacent site and linked to the original building via a brilliantly lit underground foyer.  The addition doubles the museum’s floor space and provides space for new exhibition galleries and a permanent education space. The seamless blend of old and new architecture only enhances its beauty.

The reopening sees the return of the Mauritshuis’ world-famous collection of Dutch art, following a major tour of select masterpieces to six cities internationally.   The touring collection included Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with the Pearl Earring.  She’s home now and elegantly displayed alongside masterpieces representing the very best of Dutch Golden Age painting.   Standing in the Mauritshuis surrounded by the works of Dutch masters, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Jan Steen and Flemish painters such as Rubens, Bruegel and Memling, it is clear why the Mauritshuis is often referred to as a jewel box.  www.mauritshuis.nl/en

Sculpture at Gemeentemuseum
Sculpture at Gemeentemuseum

Elsewhere in town, the works of Piet Mondriaan including his last unfinished work, Victory Boogie- Woogie, are on display in Gemeentemuseum.  Designed by architect H.P. Berlage, Gemeentemuseum Den Haag is a pinnacle of modern architecture. This museum features interesting exhibitions throughout the year focusing on visual arts and crafts and fashion, but is primarily known for the work of Mondriaan.  The museum’s collection includes Mondriaan’s early, realistic works and chronicles various stages of his work.  Throngs of tourists pose beside Victory Boogie-Woogie and that includes President Barack Obama who posed for a photo by the famed work during a recent visit to The Hague.

The museum also owns one of the largest and most beautiful collections of Delft Blue in the world. Housed in the Style Rooms of The Hague Municipal Museum, the exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of the history of four centuries of Delft and includes everything from simple plates to elaborate tulip vases. www.gemeentemuseum.nl/en

Delft Blue artist
Delft Blue artist

For a true immersion in art, step into the largest painting of the Netherlands and travel back in time to the old fishing village, Scheveningen, as it was in 1881.  Painted by Hendrik Willem Mesdag in 1880 with the assistance of his wife and many student painters, the Panorama Mesdag is a 360 degree optical illusion of the village.  From an observation gallery in the center of the room the cylindrical perspective creates the illusion of standing on a high sand dune overlooking the sea, beaches and the village. Sand and scattered beach items in the foreground hide the base of the painting and make the illusion more convincing.  Each viewing is unique as the light filters in at various angles throughout the day.

Panorama Mesdag
Panorama Mesdag

The Panorama Mesdag is the oldest 19th century panorama in the world in its original site and a unique cultural heritage.  Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh once said “Mesdag Panorama is the most beautiful sensation of my life.  It has just one tiny flaw and that is its flawlessness.”

www.panorama-mesdag.com

sculpturecake

From June through September, the art spills into the streets of the historic city center, Lange Voorhout, for the annual Sculptures in The Hague – a large-scale art manifestation.  Following successful country themes of China, South Africa and Russia, this year’s display, Grandeur, features contemporary sculpture from France by young, upcoming sculptors.  Grandeur includes such eye-catching and whimsical sculptures as a giant cake and a sculpture of a plastic patio set large enough to seat four massive giants.

HagueStreetSculpture
Hague Street Sculpture

Extend your art focused visit in nearby Delft, the hometown of Johannes Vermeer and the setting for the story of Girl with the Pearl Earring.  Vermeer was born in Delft in 1632 and lived and worked there all his life.   Step into the 17th century at The Vermeer Center for a visual voyage through the life and work of this Dutch master.  The center has a replica of Vermeer’s studio which illustrates his approach to his work and how he mastered the light, composition and color in his paintings.

Many of Vermeer’s paintings are about love.  Sometimes the love theme is

photo (13)

obvious but at other times, it is obscure.  On the second floor of the Vermeer Center, the exhibition “Love messages from Vermeer” exposes the secret love messages revealed in his paintings, which include romantic love, seducing love, paid love and the inaccessible love.   www.vermeerdelft.nl

Once you have viewed the amazing collection of Delft Blue at Gemeentemuseum, the Royal Delft Experience is the place to go to journey through the present, past and future of the iconic blue earthenware.  The Royal Delft Experience starts with an impressive story about the history of Royal Delft followed by a tour through the museum and the factory.  Be inspired by a painting demonstration by one of the talented artists illustrating the techniques used to hand paint each piece of earthenware.

After a few days of art in The Hague and Delft, you may be inspired to discover your inner artist.  Royal Delft gives you that opportunity with workshops where you can try your hand at painting your own piece of Delft Blue.  As for me, I will continue to appreciate the talents of the artists and leave the painting to someone else!  www.royaldelft.com

Where to Stay:

While visiting The Hague, spend the night in elegance at the Carlton Ambassador Hotel.  This boutique hotel situated on a lane lined with old chestnut provides a quiet haven to retreat to at the end of your day.  www.carlton.nl/ambassador/default-en.html

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Terri is a freelance writer with regular columns on travel, chocolate and bar reviews. She is busy each month visiting new places to bring unique travel destinations and events to you. Yes, it is a sacrifice – but she is willing to do that for her readers! You can see more of Terri’s writing at www.examiner.com where she is the National Chocolate Examiner and at www.barzz.net. Also, check out her blog at www.trippingwithterri.com. You can contact Terri at terri.marshall60@gmail.com.

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