DRUG ABUSE SUMMIT GATHERS PRESTIGIOUS PANEL OF SPEAKERS TO DISCUSS SOLUTIONS TO DRUG PANDEMIC
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Hanley Center present event as free community service
(WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.) Hanley Center and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office joined forces recently to co-present their first annual Palm Beach County Drug Abuse Summit on Tuesday, December 3. Presented as a free community service and open to the public, the event attracted an audience of nearly 150 people to the HanleyResource Center auditorium. Covering a wide range of provocative topics, the Summit was broken down into four separate panel discussions – each exploring the drug abuse pandemic from a different perspective.
“The Palm Beach County Drug Abuse Summit’s mission is to effectively restrict the impact of the prescription and synthetic drug pandemic and its far-reaching effects through common awareness, communication and networking within our communities locally, regionally and nationally,” said Dr. Rachel Docekal, CEO of Hanley Center Foundation and vice president of external relations for Caron Treatment Centers. “We are grateful to these esteemed leaders who participated in this important event and hope that it incites a continued impactful discussion of issues and solutions.”
The Summit’s criminal justice/law and order panel featured: Eric Coleman, captain, Narcotics Division, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office; Mike Gauger, chief deputy, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office; Norman Hemming, special counsel, U.S. Attorney’s Office; and John J. McKenna, assistant special agent in charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Ft. Lauderdale District Office.
Lori Berman, Florida House of Representatives, District 90; Todd Bonlarron, director of legislative affairs, Palm Beach County; Dave Kerner, Florida House of Representatives, District 87; Jeri Muoio, mayor, City of West Palm Beach; and Curt Siegmeister, regional representative, Governor Rick Scott’s Office led the panel of legislative representatives and elected officials.
A medical and pharmaceuticals expert panel included Dr. Antonella Carlozzi, pharmacist; Dr. Barbara Krantz, medical director, Hanley Center; Dr. Karen Flannery, Good Samaritan Medical Center; Dr. Jessica Prince, Palm Beach Children’s Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center; and Dr. Mark Rubenstein, former president, Palm Beach County Medical Society.
Finally, Diane Huff, director of operations, 211 Helpline; Jeff Kadel, executive director, Palm Beach County Substance Abuse Coalition; Michelle Maloney, executive director of treatment services, Hanley Center; Gary Martin, detective, Palm Beach County Sherriff’s Office and dean of students, Lynn University; and Karen Perry, executive director, NOPE Task Force wrapped up the day to represent the public health/community outreach panel.
Hanley Center is a nonprofit residential substance abuse treatment center established by the Hanley family as a community resource nearly 30 years ago. Mary Jane and Jack Hanley started with the goal of bringing quality substance abuse treatment to the southeast. The community rallied behind them to initially build Hanley Center, and it has become a vital community pillar and national trailblazer for the recovery industry in the years since. HanleyCenter has led the treatment industry as a pioneer– with older adult and boomer programs setting a hallmark for effective treatment and the industry standard for treating those populations today.
Together, Caron and Hanley Treatment Centers comprise the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit addiction treatment provider in the country, focused on a 12-Step recovery program with a powerful clinical component. In South Florida, Caron and Hanley Treatment Centers operate lifesaving addiction treatment centers at Hanley Center,Caron Ocean Drive and Caron Renaissance in Palm Beach County; and Gate Lodge in Vero Beach. For more information on Caron and Hanley Treatment Centers, or future local events, please call or visit .
The Empty Bed, One Mom’s Struggle with Finding Treatment for her Son
By Ilyse August
Night after night my husband and I lay on our bed tired, yet apprehensive to fully succumb to the day and allow our nights rest to begin. There is one empty bed in our house on most nights that is missing its 17 year old teenage son occupant. Our first born is out in the night and who knows where?
Ilyse August
We try to ‘rein him in’; we try to enforce our rules knowing full well our control over him has been inadvertently relinquished to G-D’s graces of protection. Surreptitiously time has evolved into a freedom our teenager does not fully comprehend, and a freedom he unfortunately chooses to play Russian roulette with. Teens, “barely conscious” of all the decisions they make at this ripe old age of 16 and 17, are making decisions which will inevitably effect the rest of their lives. Some of these decisions will come with repercussions that will be irreversible.
I always thought the kids wandering “the streets” at night were solely the kids who came from broken families where dinner time family discussions were never a part of their childhood and where the parents, guardians, or caregivers lacked in the parenting skills category. As parents of three teenage sons, we now see my visualization of ‘the way to raise your kids perfectly’ couldn’t be further from the truth. Another lesson in life about judging others. So here my husband and I are – looking back on our parenting, knowing we did our absolute best. Knowing that our sons diagnosis at age 7 of ADHD with Impulsivity & his diagnosis even younger with ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder,) OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,) and anxiety could lead to some extra parenting skill work. What I didn’t anticipate is how the ‘different’ mind would be so greatly effected in its decision making process as it transitions into young adulthood.
It is a known fact that the human brain does not fully connect until about age 25. Having an inherent predisposition to mental illness – (my husband’s sister committed suicide 20 years ago, and my brother has struggled with drugs) – it is a known fact that human beings effected with this genetic predisposition lack an A1 Dopamine gene, giving the individual an inherently poor ability to cope with life as an ‘ordinary’ brain can. Mood disorders and mood swings, depression, anger, highs and lows are all a part of the genetically malfunctioning brain- also called mental illness. . The problems teens face can be confounded when an individual struggling to balance his/her mental balance also has a substance abuse challenge, thus being labeled as a Dual Diagnosis issue.
We see a problem with our teen coming into a new freedom at 17- at least a freedom he feels he is deserving of. However, he is NOT, yet he takes the liberty to take advantage of his newfound freedom after withdrawing from high school and foregoing a promising (& potential) career in his sport – giving up years of dedicated effort and commitment to becoming one of the best at what he did. In essence, he’s giving it all up to simply hang out with his “cool friends.” If only he knew these are not true friends.
We as parents not only see our teenager throwing away his future, but we are spectators in a game of this Russian roulette I mentioned earlier, sadly watching as our son deteriorates before our eyes. We have been doing everything in our power to get our son into a rehab, even “Baker Acting” him against his will into a hospital situation not once, but twice over a three month period, only to have him escape the hospital the second time.
This Baker Act is not only ineffective in our opinion, but it is also counterproductive. If the hospital mistreats the patient by withholding important therapy sessions and possible sedation proclivities, then all bets are off for the patient to benefit from receiving the proper hospital treatment and care that is being paid for by the patients’ insurance. To beat these individuals down even more is the absolute wrong direction for these institutions to take, yet this is the only avenue we as parents can turn to for help. Ultimately it is the parents (or guardians) goal to have the child transferred to a rehab facility for all therapies pertinent for the patients improved health. A child must be clean and sober however in order to be evaluated and accepted into a rehab treatment facility. This is where the system begins to fail these kids 17 and under. A recent radio program hosted by Reenie Brewer, a prominent grandmother who stands up to bullying in our Western communities has done a fabulous job of expressing the disconnect: Listen in at http://tobtr.com/s/5487835.#BlogTalkRadio
We talk about everything we need to talk about: Family dynamics, relationships, bullying, mutual respect, Women’s issues, homelessness, nutrition, as well as current news. It’s our opportunity to be heard. We have guests who can answer your questions. I do daily research to keep all of us informed.
In most cases whether it is a teen or an adult who is entering a rehab facility, this individual is typically at his or her own all time low with the particular substance abuse/addiction he or she owns. At the time a person shows up to begin their road to recovery, or at least at the time of a person’s attempt to begin their healing process, the person is not exactly sober and/or coherent; their mental and physical facilities are not exactly at the level an airline pilot’s focus needs to be. And perhaps this is a poor analogy, as it is known that the FAA has its share of substance abuse issues with their pilots. Ultimately, for the teen population this presents a problem as it’s certainly difficult enough to bring a teen to enter a rehab facility, let alone getting the adolescent there only to find out Dang! – the teen needs to sober up first. So what do you do? Where do you go?
The choices are invariably limited to simply the hospital to detox, and unfortunately, this is not the option that will help the adolescent due to its narrow method of ‘dealing’ with these individuals. At their all time low, addicts are in dire need for those around them in the recovery process to be supportive and nurturing. However, all too often the opposite is true with so called “recovery personnel” negating the addict’s reasons for landing in the situation they are in.
From what I have observed and experienced firsthand from my own son going through the 17 year old and under adolescent treatment arena, I have been appalled during the initial evaluation/recovery (detox from the drugs or alcohol) part of the process. Unfortunately, anybody with an addiction challenge is looked upon as sub par, and often not given a fair chance since they are pre judged right out of the gates.
My husband and I had selected a rehab in BrowardCounty, and we were not thrilled to see that the “professionals” at the rehab center were basically acting as a liaison between the hospital and their own rehab facility. As my husband and I began to question what we KNOW was mistreatment at the hospital, concerning the level of care our son was NOT being offered, the lead rehab professional liaison stated, “there’s nothing wrong with a little tough love; your son did do something wrong.” My husband agreed on the tough love, but strongly felt that our son was being treated like one of Michael Vick’s dogs. It was when this “Professional” liaison from the rehab center questioned my husband that really sent a chill down my husband’s spine. The question was “do you really feel your son deserves special treatment?” Obviously we recognized that we needed to continue our search for the “RIGHT” treatment facility for our son, and we were actually glad that our son escaped that hospital. This was the second hospital stay for him in a three-month-period, and the first facility was not appalling. However, it did lack in certain important areas.
After attempting and failing at this Baker Act activity, parents are at a standstill because the next option is what’s called a Marchmant Act. This is when parents give total control to the State; parents basically are giving up their parental rights for their child for a period of 41 days according to the Marchmant Act guidelines. Under the circumstances of our own personal experiences within these mental wards in 2 hospitals, one in Palm Beach County, FL and the other in Broward County, FL, I vehemently recommend NOT going this route. However, even in my own personal situation with a teen out of control, I may find that I have absolutely no choice but to enact this final step to providing ‘safety’ for my other children who now live in fear of their older brother.
It is my hope that one day soon there can be a local unit for ages 17 and under who can arrange to help guide these troubled young souls back onto the paths that G-D placed them on this earth to grow and develop into. I have been told that the one program Palm BeachCounty had for youths (called the EagleAcademy,) was negated due to budget cuts. G-D help us help these troubled individuals. All children are our future, and whether a child is acting out from his harsh upbringing, or whether a child is acting out from sheer mental illness, we need to reach them all, or at least give our best efforts to do so. Currently we are failing at this attempt greatly. I believe the best avenue I can seek for advice and guidance is Reenie Brewer’s radio program which can be found on Facebook: via Reenie Brewer~ Reenies Heart to Heart Blog Talk Radio. The program begins at 7:00 am Monday-Friday and can be accessed by calling in as well: 347 989 0352; It runs for one hour.
What are we left with? What are our choices? Quite frankly, we don’t have any clear options as we continue along on this sad and disappointing journey. We go to sleep each night and pray, and wake up each morning and pray some more that our child will finally ‘see the light’ and recognize all the bad decisions are leading nowhere, and leading nowhere fast. However, this mind may be able to realize they’re going ‘down,’ but it also says “I cannot stop myself.” So what is a parent to do who has tried all the psychiatrists and medicines to no avail? The one thing I did see help our son was making him take a natural whole Wild Super Food Freeze dried supplement by The New Earth Company. However, having to ‘make him take it’ only works for so long. I will tell you though that for the time period my son was on the Essential Fatty Acids, Enzymes, Super Blue Green Algae, his mind seemed to rest for the first time in years. I do have Scientifically documented information on the interplay quality enzymes, Essential Fatty Acids(EFA’s) and Super Blue Green Algae play in the ability for the brain to perform at its optimal levels for those with brain chemical imbalances.
Reaching for Inner peace In an effort to keep our son alive b/c clearly it is only a matter of time that his lack of skill in the decision making process keeps him from harm, we just keep trying to say the same mantra over and over; “Be a good person, and always believe in yourself.” What is it that the substance abuser or the mind laden with mental illness is thinking? How can we best help out this sector of human kind? How can we ensure our own children won’t kill themselves through their desperate cries for help that they need this guidance, and they don’t know why?
To families across America who struggle with a family member with Mental Illness and substance abuse, I just want you to know that you’re not alone. If anybody has any ideas to stop this madness, please reach out to me: info@newearthfreedom.com. Twenty years ago I worked on the Fundraising efforts for the AFSP (American Foundation Suicide Prevention) in South Florida, and I almost wonder if it was foreshadowing of what was to come in my own life with my own flesh and blood. We are where we are supposed to be indeed, but I need the strength to figure out what my “place” in all of this is. I do not want to bury my child; I understand this is the greatest pain, and I can surely understand why. We brought this person into the world, and we surely don’t want to see the person take him or herself out of this world.
There a few resources in our community that you can turn to: Locally here in Wellington is a lovely Counseling center called Peace of Mind Counseling, located at 12773 W. Forest Hill Blvd, Ste.209. Services offered to teens include Intensive Outpatient Substance Abuse as well as Complementary alternative medicine. In addition, their therapies for the families of substance abusers include Individual and couples assistance with licensed social workers as well as life coaches who help mentor the teens to health and safety. They all are passionate about their work, and it is refreshing to feel they care. After much thought on the profile of our son, they assisted us in finding 2 out of state Rehab facilities. Cumberland Heights in Nashville, TN http://www.cumberlandheights.org/ & New Beginnings of Opelousas, LA~http://www.newbeginningsshc.com/, both which can suit the needs of our family, and the needs for our son.
After careful consideration with all referrals mapped out in front of us, my husband’s strategic online search for ‘the perfect drug rehab/mental health facility’ came to light.
At NewportAcademy,http://www.newportacademy.com, we found a patient to professional ratio of 4:1. This is an outstanding opportunity as we feel we have one shot, and one shot only to get this right. With a teen group of no more than 10 boys max, we strongly have faith that moving into 2014 our careful selection process landed us with a facility that will be our family’s solution to maneuver our son back onto the road to recovery thus enabling our entire family the ability to heal and move in a positive direction.
CEO Newport Academy owner, Jamison Monroe, has been on CNN, NBCNY, Huffington Live and many other major news shows but the clip below, for me, captures the essence of our program.
Jamison’s contribution to the Recovery 2.0 Conference:
NAMI (National Organization for the Mentally Ill), which has a local chapter that meets at the Wellington Library on Forest HIll – once a month. And Florida Community Alliance, Inc. – a non-profit mental health agency dedicated to improving the lives of adolescents, adults and families through leadership training. A local resource on the web is www.HelpingYouCare.com, which provides resources for anyone who is a caregiver or has questions about health issues. The NAMI.org website is helpful too. Also by dialing 2-1-1, you are connected with various resources in your own county, including counseling and suicide prevention resources. You can also visit www.211PalmBeach.org. Yet there is a long way to go when it comes to finding help for someone who is diagnosed as mentally ill in your family – this is why many people consider “mental illness” to be “the last frontier” when it comes to awareness and funding.
I don’t have the answers, and I can only say that all I wish for is to have my son back in his bed, and for all people out there to have their loved ones back in their beds too – safe, sound and healthy.
Bless us all!
Ilyse August is a Non Profit Fundraising Specialist whose passion is 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 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. To visit the basic information on the New Earth product line, please visit: http://www.teamnewearth.com/ilyse/Products. For more technical/Scientific info, please email Ilyse at info@newearthfreedom.com.
Some info on New Earth: IN THE 1980S, WE LAUNCHED A REVOLUTION.
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(Opening Night January 4th with food/drink that starts at 7:00 pm and a special
Industry Night January 6th at 8:00 pm)
SandBox at MiamiTheaterCenter
9816 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami Shores, Florida
MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 26, 2013 – After the contagious success of Blow Me by Jessica Farr at our new home at the Miami Theater Center, Mad Cat Theatre Company is pleased to present MIXTAPE 2: UMMAGUMMA FORZA ZUMA! a collection of new works by various local artists and familiar faces. In 2008, Mad Cat released its first MIXTAPE featuring a mix of new plays and films steeped in nostalgia. Now, six years later, Mad Cat is back with a new mix of plays and films, MIXTAPE 2: UMMAGUMMA FORZA ZUMA!, a theatrical stew that is very much embedded in the present. MIXTAPE 2: UMMAGUMMA FORZA ZUMA! is about having the right mixture of mojo needed to make it through a metamorphosis. This collection of new works features pieces by Jessica Farr, Elena Maria Garcia, Theo Reyna, Deborah L. Sherman, Andres Solorzano, Paul Tei, and Kristina Wong as well as new films by Molly Gandour, George Schiavone and Matt Corey, Karelle Levy and Michael Landsberg, Wet Sock Ensemble (Erik Fabregat, Ralph de la Portilla and Ted Chambers), and Darin Gray of the band On Fillmore.
The ensemble features Carey Brianna Hart and Mad Cat company members: Troy Davidson, Jessica Farr, Joe Kimble, Noah Levine and Erin Joy Schmidt with Theo Reyna as Syd. The production and design team for MIXTAPE 2 includes the sound design and original music of Matt Corey (company member), lighting design by Melissa Santiago Keenan (company member), costume design by Karelle Levy, guest direction by Leland Patton and Theo Reyna, and set design and direction by Mad Cat’s founder Paul Tei.
This production is made possible by the MiamiTheaterCenter, Delaplaine Champagne, WLRN and with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs
Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners.
Tickets are on sale now! Preview Night January 3rd – $30, Opening Night January 4th – $50 (with food & drink); thereafter General Admission Tickets $30 and Student $15 (with valid ID). Applicable service charges apply. Tickets may be purchased online at www.madcattheatre.org OR https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/929859 OR by calling OvationTix at 866.811.4111.
ABOUT THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Paul Tei is the founder and Artistic Director of Mad Cat Theatre Company. Since its humble origins in the fall of 2000, Mad Cat has been providing South Florida audiences with an opportunity to engage in the type of low budget/high value theatre usually associated with Chicago, L.A.’s theatre row, and off off Broadway. He has directed almost 100 productions and his work has been seen from Miami to Scotland, LA to New York. He wrote the plays SO MY GRANDMOTHER DIED, BLAH BLAH BLAH, RPM, ARTFUL DODGERS, COPE and he is the co-author of HELLUVA HALLOWEEN, SHEPHERD’S PIE, HERE IN MY CAR, TERMINAL BAGGAGE and THE HAMLET DOG AND PONY SHOW. A member of the Screen Actors Guild/AFTRA Paul has appeared in several films, several national commercials and has guest starred on the TV shows CSI Miami, CSI, Going to California, Franklin & Bash, American Horror Story and most notably his recurring role in USA’s Burn Notice as Barry the money launderer and on Disney’s Zeke & Luther as Eddie Coletti. Paul received his MFA in directing at The Theatre School at De Paul University and his BA in Theatre from BarryUniversity.
CALENDAR LISTING
Mad Cat Theatre Company presents
MIXTAPE 2
MIXTAPE 2: UMMAGUMMA FORZA ZUMA! is a new theatrical stew that focuses on the mojo needed to make it through a metamorphosis. This new collection of plays and films features the voices of several artists, both new and familiar to the public.
January 3rd to 19th, 2013 – 8:00 pm performances.
Show dates are January 3rd to 6th at 8:00 pm and January 9th thru January 19th, Thursday to Sunday at 8:00 pm
General Admission: $30 and $15 Student with valid ID.
Opening Night Saturday, January 4th: $50 Includes food and drink at 7:00 pm and show at 8:00 pm.
Special Industry Night, Monday, January 6th: General Admission $30 and Industry $15
For high high-resolution production photographs, please contact Ann Kelly Anthony at ann@skymar.com
Prices, artists, dates, times, and program are subject to change without notice.
ABOUT MAD CAT THEATRE COMPANY
Born in 2000, Mad Cat is the brainchild of actor/director/writer/designer Paul Tei. A veteran company that continually aims to foster new and exciting local talent, Mad Cat Theatre Company, has set out a mission to provide theatre that provokes its audience to re-imagine its surrounding world. To promote debate by creating work that illuminates the darker regions of our mental and emotional landscape. To sniff out and ultimately create brazen stories which explore the hypermodernity of society. Mad Cat Theatre Company is committed to deconstructing itself and its environment through original works, adaptations, multi-media, live music, dance, puppetry and poetry. For thirteen years and counting, Mad Cat’s core group of designers, actors, and writers have been clawing their way into the cultural consciousness of the citizens of Miami. A history of diversified original works such as “Helluva Halloween” “Shepherd’s Pie”, “Here in my Car”, “Tin Box Boomerang”, “Artful Dodgers”, “COPE”, “Broadsword”, “Trembling Hands”, Fell In Love With A Girl”, SHOOT”, “Terminal Baggage”, “Mixtape”, “Viva Bourgeois”, “Going Green the Wong Way”, “So My Grandmother Died, Blah Blah Blah” “Charming Acts of Misery”, “The Hamlet Dog and Pony Show” and “Blow Me” mixed with their renditions of previous produced play such as “70 Scenes of Halloween”, “Matt & Ben”, “Mr. Marmalade”, “Animals & Plants”, “Some Girls(s)”, “Macbeth and the Monster” and “Cat Lady”. Mad Cat brings originality, vitality and bite to everything they do. They’ve received oodles of praise and have been decorated with accolades such as best new works, best productions, best theatre company, best fringe theatre, best ensembles, best actors, best designers, best director from the Miami Herald, the Sun Sentinel, the Miami New Times (most recently in 2013 for Best Theatre Company), the Sun Post (most recently in 2013 for Best Theatre Company), and the Carbonell Awards and Silver Palm Awards (most recent being Best Actress, Erin Joy Schmidt as Isabella Blow for Blow Me in 2013). However much praise Mad Cat has acquired, it’s the respect and return engagement of its fan base that makes Mad Cat continue to purr.
Mad Cat Theatre Company, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Not For Profit Organization. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County Distributes Gifts to Families for Christmas
Angel Tree Gifts to be Distributed to Local Families in Crisis
WHAT: The Angel Tree program allows families in Palm Beach County with little or no finical means to have a wonderful Christmas with their children. The families go through a strict application process. During this process proof of the following is taken from each family; income, expenses, ID information, Social Security # or birth certificates for children age 0-12. Once it has been determined that the family needs assistance the children are placed on an Angel Tree Card. This card holds all information needed for a donor to purchase clothes and/or toys for that child. The Donor then returns the items to a drop off point; the gifts are collected and taken to the Angel Tree Program Warehouse. At the warehouse gifts or organized and prepared for disbursement back to the family during a one day distribution.
WHO: The Salvation Army of Palm Beach County with the help of several volunteers will distribute toys back to needy Families in Palm Beach County.
WHEN: Friday, December 20, 2013 9:00 AM till 4:00 PM
WHERE: 3651 Prospect Ave,
Riviera Beach, Fl 33404
From Interstate 95, head East on Blue Heron Blvd. to Garden Rd. Turn left onto Garden Rd. Take the Second Left onto Prospect Avenue
Wellington Rotary Sponsors Holiday Cheer with The Lord’s Place Shelters
The Rotary Club of Wellington Florida recently completed a community outreach project with The Lord’s Place. Members of the club had dinner and an evening of camaraderie on Monday, December 9th, 2013 with the women of The Burckle House in Lake Worth which is a homeless shelter for women who are reaching out for help. The Burckle House not only gives these women shelter but they teach them job skills and help them get back on their feet. The members of the Rotary Club “broke bread”with the women and learned about many of their circumstances. After the dinner, the Club presented holiday gifts to all of the women. For many members of the Club, it was a very enjoyable and rewarding experience.
On Saturday December 14, 2013, the members of The Rotary Club of Wellington had a morning of breakfast and camaraderie with the men of The Enrichment and Recovery Center in Boynton Beach, which is a men’s shelter supported by The Lord’s Place. This shelter is very similar to the women’s shelter. After the breakfast, the Club presented holiday gifts to all of the men. Again, this visit proved to be a very rewarding experience to the members of the club that attended.
Maggie Zeller, community outreach chairperson, coordinated both events for The Wellington Rotary Club. This is definitely something the club will do next year and years to come and is sure to be an event that is looked forward to every year. For more information about the Rotary Club of Wellington, contact Bob Salerno, Public Relations Director, at (561) 512-8247.
First photo – residents of The Burckle House, the women’s shelter ,enjoying dinner with members of The Rotary Club of Wellington
Second Photo-
Resident of the Boyton Men’s shelter accepts holiday gift from Jasmine Velez and Larry Kemp
“All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth” is the song, but kids aren’t asking only for some dental help, they want a-this-and-a-that, i-anything and a kitten. With so much commercialism that comes with this holiday, what’s a parent to do?
If you have the means, then buy anything you want, right? Well, not exactly. I recall an episode of Dr. Phil where the kids were given everything they asked for and more. They were spoiled, you might say. Child abuse. Strong, but Dr. Phil has a point. Kids are learning from every experience and this practice gives kids an inaccurate view of reality. Does anyone ever get everything they want? It also creates a definition of happiness by how much you possess. Will having the latest gadget really make you happy? There’re several worthy ideas to ponder. Details are contained in this link to Dr. Phil: http://www.drphil.com/articles/article/94
On the other hand, if funds are tight and the money is stretched more than your pants after an all-you-can-eat buffet. Getting anything other than what food stamps will buy can be really tough. Growing up I had a keen realization that the items under the tree were going to be functional necessities. We did have lots of holiday traditions that kept the spirit of giving and being with family very much alive. Traditions of making Swedish fruit soup, making crafts to give away, going to see all the cousins on Christmas day at Grandma’s house and playing out in the snow (I grew up in Iowa.) Try making new traditions of your own: polar bear swim early in the morning, go around the house/block jingling sleigh bells at night time, Christmas eve service at a local church, finding a sing-a-long Messiah concert, a fun family service project; or a neighborhood car wash for your neighbors’ cars.
The best option may be the “baby bear” option – just right. By that I mean, just the right amount of indulgence, paired with just the right amount of restraint. Celebrate old traditions, start new ones, see friends family, take a bubble bath, it doesn’t matter – it’s what makes the moments enjoyable for you and your kids.
Best wishes for healthy and happy New Year! Melanie
Stop Spoiling Your Kids
Over-indulgence, Dr. Phil explains, is one of the most insidious forms of child abuse. Here is a perspective that might help you stop:
Your primary job as a parent is to prepare your child for how the world really works. In the real world, you don’t always get what you want. You will be better able to deal with that as an adult if you’ve experienced it as a child.
If your parent/child relationship is based on material goods, your child won’t have the chance to experience unconditional love.
Be a good role model. “We’re not the only influence in our kids’ lives, so we better be the best influence,” says Dr. Phil.
Redefine what taking care of your children means. Are you providing for them emotionally and spiritually? You need not buy them material goods in order to create a bond. Instead of tangible gifts, how about spending some time together? Be careful that you aren’t teaching them that emotions can be healed by a trip to the mall.
Don’t let your guilt get in the way of your parenting. “Your job as a parent is not to make yourself feel good by giving the child everything that makes you feel good when you give it,” Dr. Phil tells one mom. Your job as a parent is to prepare your child to succeed in school and when they get out into the world. “Kids have to be socialized in a way that they understand you work hard for what you get.” You don’t want to teach your child that they will get everything through manipulation, pouting, crying, door slamming and guilt induction.
Make sure your children aren’t defining their happiness and their status in the world as a function of what they wear or drive. Sit down with them and have a one-on-one conversation about what really defines their worth — their intelligence, their creativity, their caring, their giving, their work ethic, etc. If you spent equal time sitting down and talking to them about what really mattered as you do shopping, you might be able counterbalance the countless images they see telling them otherwise.
Understand “intrinsic” versus “extrinsic” motivation. Intrinsic motivation is when people do things because they feel proud of themselves when they do it. They feel a sense of accomplishment and achievement. Extrinsic motivation is when someone does something because of external motivation. For example, they will receive money, a toy or privilege if they do the task. If you are always rewarding your child with material things, he/she will never learn how to motivate themselves with internal rewards like pride. They also will never learn to value things because there are so many things and nothing is special.
Make sure your child understands the value of hard work. For example, Dr. Phil explains, “I always told our boys, ‘If you make Cs, you’re going to have a C standard of living. If you make Bs, you’re going to have a B standard of living. If you make As, you’re going to have an A standard of living.'”
Dr. Phil reminds one young guest who aspires to be wealthy that it’s not a bad goal, but it takes a lot of hard work to get there. “The difference between winners and losers is winners do things losers don’t want to do. And that’s work hard to get ready to be a star,” he says.
If your child idolizes a celebrity, ask him/her why. Dr. Phil speaks to one young guest who looks up to rich girls like Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. “What have either of them ever done, except spend money that they got from somebody else? What is it you’re looking up to?”
Your child does not have to love you every minute of every day. He’ll get over the disappointment of having been told “no.” But he won’t get over the effects of being spoiled.
Help your child set goals. Teach him/her that striving to own nice things is fine if he/she understands how much hard work it takes to afford that, and then doesn’t base his/her self-worth around what she buys.
Melanie Lewis is the mother of 2 active young boys. She is married and works part-time as Silpada representative and a weight loss consultant. She enjoys book club, and playing with her Blue-mitted Ragdoll, Percy and Golden Retriever, Rosie. She can be reached at melaniewlewis@yahoo.com.
On Monday, January 6, 2014, the Wellington Garden Club will indulge in “The Magical World of Butterflies and Butterfly Gardening” with Jan Everett. The Wellington Garden Club, www.wellingtongardenclub.org, holds its meetings on the first Monday at the Wellington Community Center, 12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd. A business meeting begins at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch at 11:30 and at 12:30 the special program by Jan Everett.
Jan Everett has been an avid butterfly gardener since 1996. With her husband, John, they have been photographing the life stages of butterflies. As a member of the National Butterfly Association and a trained Master Gardener, she will introduce the magical world of butterflies and the ways in which anyone can invite them to take up residence in his or her own backyard.
Jan has helped both Wellington Landings Middle School and Equestrian Trails Elementary environmental clubs establish their own butterfly gardens.
Guests are welcome and there is no admission fee, but seating is limited. To reserve a seat, please RSVP to Carol Coleman (561) 792-2290.
Lake Worth, FL – December 16, 2013 – The Lake Worth City Tree Board announced that it will hold its 9th Annual Festival of Trees on Saturday, Jan 18, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cultural Plaza, 414 Lake Avenue (between Lake and Lucerne Avenues on M Street. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.
“The annual Festival of Trees is always a big draw for downtown,” said City of Lake Worth Horticulturalist, David McGrew, staff liaison to the board. It’s a festive day for families, locals and out-of-town visitors to enjoy our beautiful park, learn a about tree sand plants and walk around and visit our restaurants and shops.
“Exhibitors will offer advice, provide demonstrations and plants and trees for sale,” added Richard Stowe, Tree Board Chair. “We’ll have specialists in native trees, fruit trees plants, water conservation, bee keeping, pruning and more.” Music will be provided by Tom Regis and Friends (www.tomregismusic.com). There will be presentations and activities for kids including a kids’ activities tent provided Home Depot.
Mayor Pam Triolo will read a proclamation declaring January 18 Lake Worth Tree Day, there will be an update on Lake Worth’s application to once again become a Tree City USA municipality and an announcement about steps being taken to replace the large ficus tree in the plaza.
A proclamation will be read declaring January 18, 2014, Lake Worth Arbor Day. The City of Lake Worth has a number of advisory boards which provides assistance to the City Commission. Most meet once a month and only require a few hours of a volunteer’s time. All members are selected by the Mayor and City Commission. Board meetings are open to the public.
December, 2013 – Holiday Themed Science at the South FL Science Center
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR SCIENCE
South Florida Science Center and Aquarium offers up holiday-themed science through New Year’s
(West Palm Beach, Fla.) Although Frosty the Snowman can’t find a home outside in South Florida, that doesn’t mean there isn’t snow to be found. The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium recently announced a holiday activities line-up that is sure to have elves of all ages kicking up their heels into the New Year. Beginning on Saturday, December 21 and continuing for three full weekends, the Science Center will offer plenty of winter wonders.
“We are continually striving to be a busy hub of informal science education opportunities,” stated Lew Crampton, Science Center CEO. “Aside from bringing in blockbuster traveling exhibits, such as our current exhibit Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, we are constantly wrapping education lessons into themed weekend events. The holidays offer an excellent opportunity to engage young minds about relevant topics, such as how snow is created. Science is truly all around us, and we are routinely following our mission to ‘open every mind to science.’”
Beginning on Saturday, December 21, snow will be in the forecast for elves of all ages as the Science Center will offer guests an opportunity to create their own snow starting at 1:30 p.m. Immediately following the snow demonstration, visitors can watch a liquid nitrogen show at 2:30 p.m., followed by a winter gumdrops craft at 3:30 p.m. Similar activities including grow your own crystals, paper snowflake crafts and marshmallow necklaces will rotate for a complete winter wonders experience for three consecutive weekends – including December 21 – 22; December 28 – 29; and January 4 – 5.
And if parents need a break from family time to catch up on holiday shopping, the Science Center will be offering Winter Wonders Workshop mini-camp sessions for children aged 4 – 12 years. The mini-camp sessions, each having a different theme, are two days per session from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily and extended hours of exploration are available from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Cost is $90 per mini-camp for non-members and $80 per mini-camp for members. Mini-camp sessions begin on December 23 – 24, with Winter Science Treats, offering children an opportunity to make-and-take holiday sweet treats such as coconut cake-pop snowballs and liquid nitrogen mint ice cream. Mini-camp will resume the following week, due to Christmas, on December 30 -31 with Frigid Space, a session designed to explore the depths of space by creating dry ice smoking comets and their own constellation viewer. The last session, Ice and Crystals, a ‘cool’ exploration into ice and crystals, will be on January 2 – 3.
Additionally, the Science Center will be hosting ‘Noon Year’s Eve’ on Tuesday, December 31. ‘Noon Year’s Eve’ is a special opportunity for young Einsteins to partake in the festive celebration of New Year’s – without straining to keep their eyes open hours past their bedtime. Special activities begin at 11 a.m. and include an aluminum foil boat competition, Titanic sand art, dry ice apple cider, a liquid nitrogen show and a grow your own crystals lab.
Nights at the Museum, an always popular monthly event at the Science Center will also feature a winter wonders theme. Taking place on the last Friday of the month, December 27, from 6 – 9 p.m., the evening will offer plenty of chilly crafts – including Polar Bear paws and penguin feet lab, make-and-take snow and a snowflake craft. Monthly Science Nights offers science-lovers an opportunity to star gaze at the night sky while enjoying themed crafts and activities.
The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, formerly known as the South Florida Science Museum, recently completed a $5 million expansion and renovation and is currently hosting Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition in its newly expanded exhibit hall. With a new mission to “open every mind to science,” the Science Center features more than 50 hands-on educational exhibits, an 8,000 gallon fresh and salt water aquarium- featuring both local and exotic marine life, a digital planetarium, conservation research station, Florida exhibit hall and an interactive Everglades exhibit. All permanent exhibits will be open during the Titanic’s special showing.
During Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, admission to the Science Center is $15 for adults, $11.50 for children ages 3 to 12, and $13.50 for seniors over the age of 62. SFSCA members can enjoy the exhibit for free. Admission includes Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition as well as the general admission to the rest of the Science Center and the on-going holiday activities. Nights at the Museum is a special event, and admission for members is $6.50 for adults and free for children and non-member admission is $13.50 for adults, $12 for seniors over the age of 62 and $10 for children.
The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is located at 4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach and is open Monday – Friday from 9am-5pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-6pm. For more information, call 561-832-1988 or visit www.sfsciencecenter.org. Like the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @SFScienceCenter.
