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November, 2013 – A Fall Foodie Fantasy Vacation…Athens, GA

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November, 2013 – A Fall Foodie Fantasy Vacation…Athens, GA

The Florida Foodie

A Fall Foodie Fantasy Vacation:  Athens, Georgia

By Saucy Sarah

Fall is a great time for the Florida Foodie to get-away from the heat and experience the bounty of fall. The change of the leaves, cool evenings, and an abundance of tasty delights  are in store for you just one state away, a mere eight hour drive from Palm Beach County to Athens, Georgia. Located 60 miles east of Atlanta, Athens is the home of the University of Georgia—one of the oldest universities in the country—but Athens stands on its own two feet as a Mecca for music (this is the birthplace of the B-52’s and REM) and food. It is an ideal long weekend destination for us SoFla’s in search of some cool weather and some great eats. Being a true college town, you can’t beat the affordability either! So for this article I will share with you some of the highlights of my recent trip to Athens.

Athens Food tours are a great first stop, giving you an opportunity to get to know the food scene in Athens. Choose from a wide variety of themed tours, lasting 1 to 3 hours. You will be guided to several well-known hotspots where you get to sample selections from the menus (adding up to a full meal). Wines and beers can be an option on these tours as well. You also get to know the lay of the land and some history on Athens as well. And speaking of beer, Athens has a thriving local brewery scene. Try Terrapin Brewery for a free tour and tastings. Thursdays thru Saturdays, starting at 5:30pm, Terrapin opens its doors for tours of the brewery and samples of their brews. There is also live music! You can easily make this a nice first stop for your evening out.

Our plan of attack in tackling the dizzying array of restaurants in Athens was to visit some of the places that were awarded “best of” in Athens yearly competition, hosted by the local newspaper. Our first stop was “Transmetropolitian”, voted “best pizza of Athens”. This is a great family-friendly, yet trendy pizzeria. You can order by the slice all day long –

(one perk of a college town is cheap eats!). We tried the thin crust and the Sicilian—both use great dough and fresh ingredients. Their house salad was full of bright crisp greens and comes with your choice of shaved mozzarella or feta. Grab a table upstairs for a nice view of the avenue. Our next stop was “Clocked!” voted “best burger of Athens”. This is a funky, unpretentious, retro eatery with eclectic indoor seating of miss-matched tables and chairs or an outdoor grotto strung with twinkle lights. The burgers are cheap, organic, and delicious. Try the fries and tater tots as your sides. There are many unique burgers to try or make your own.

There are many places for BBQ and soul food in Athens, We tried “Big Dawg’s BBQ” a small storefront with a limited menu. The pulled pork was excellent with the sweet & spicy sauce. I fell in love with their mac & cheese which had a unique flavor I just could not figure out. “Five Star a Day” is a great place for all your soul food favorites.

The start of our trip was “Mama’s Boy,” a breakfast and lunch only operation. They are famous for their breakfasts and it is apparent when you pull up and try to get a parking spot. Get there early! Cars were parked down the road for almost a mile and the line out the door forms fast on weekends. I had no complaints about any of our selections. Their biscuits are enormous and tender. The peach French toast was out of this world. I had a side of fried chicken with them and was impressed by the moistness of the breast and the nice crunchy tang of the coating. The fried green tomatoes were stellar – juicy and crisp, served with a side of blue cheese dressing. I dream of going back and having that meal all over again. A fun and unique entrée they offer is chocolate cake for breakfast—a mini lava cake served with fresh fruit—my kids were delighted to have this for breakfast.

The out-of-this-world peach French Toast at Mama’s Boy in Athens, GA. Photo by Sarah Pearsall.

Another delight, and not to be missed, is the Athens’s Farmer’s Market held at Bishop Park on Saturday mornings. There is a good variety of locally grown produce, fresh baked bread and pastries, local honey, and various artisans selling their wares. We enjoyed amazing croissants, samplings of local goat cheeses (try the peach goat cheese!), heirloom tomatoes from local growers, fresh pesto, and many other delights. The Farmer’s Market is a great way to get to know the local foodie scene since there is a commitment to using local and sustainable produce from the restaurants. Many of the purveyors at the market sell to the restaurant in town!

Another fun aspect of taking a road trip to Athens is all the great little farms and produce stands along the way. In the fall it seems like there is a farm stand at ever mile marker. We stopped at the Lane Orchard on the drive home where we stocked up on Peach preserves and butter, bags of pecans, and canned peaches for upcoming holiday baking. While there, were sampled their fresh made peach ice cream and peach cobbler from the restaurant on property, both were divine. You can truly tell the difference between the local, homemade products. It is worth the drive to experience these things.

Athens is the ideal long weekend vacation for the foodie. I recommend fall as the idea time to go for cool yet pleasant weather and to experience the bounty of the fall harvest. Athens is the kind of place you will want to revisit time and time again to see what is new on the foodie scene. The college town environment makes eating and exploring economical and ever changing. I know I am already planning my next trip.

*****

In her previous life, Sarah, a Palm Beach County Native, spent ten years working in various high-end eating establishments around South Florida. She is currently a fiction thesis candidate in the MFA program at Florida International University where she also teaches creative writing and rhetoric. If that is not enough, Sarah is also the owner of Cakes by Sarah, a local custom cake shop. Sarah lives in Lake Worth with her husband and two beautiful boys. “Food, fiction, and family are my life.”

November, 2013 – The BBQ Meatloaf and Bavarian Cream Puff Diet

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November, 2013 – The BBQ Meatloaf and Bavarian Cream Puff Diet

As I Was Saying

The BBQ Meatloaf and Bavarian Cream Puff Diet

By Alan WilliamsonAlan Williamson

 

            It sounds bizarre, I know. In fact, it makes no sense at all. A classic example of mystical new age mumbo jumbo. The stuff of Internet exaggeration and word of mouth gone wild. Surely there’s not a single shred of truth to it.

Well . . . that’s what I thought, too. But the thing is, The BBQ Meatloaf and Bavarian Cream Puff Diet has changed my life. And it can change your life, too. Let me explain.

Seven months ago my world was in a shambles. I woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and what I saw filled me with shame and hopelessness. That bright young man who once burned with such passion and promise had been replaced by a middle-aged zombie with a gut big enough to house Reese Witherspoon.

It would be a long road back, but I was convinced that my path to redemption had to begin with reclaiming my body. I started with the well-known diets that had produced big headlines and small waistlines. I tried them all – Atkins, The Zone, Jenny Craig, The South Beach Diet. In every case, my results were less then dramatic. So I kept searching, venturing deeper and deeper into more obscure dietary terrain.

I tried the Henry Winkler Grilled Cheese and Tomato Diet, but the melted cheese didn’t melt away the pounds. I tried Connie Chung’s “Fish Kabob Your Way to a Fabulous Body,” but couldn’t keep up the kabobing.

I ate free-range Cornish game hens raised in Santo Domino by Benedictine monks. For awhile, I lived on potato pancakes handmade by a German farmer’s wife and shipped FedEx from Frankfort. I tried eating three big meals a day, then six small ones, then, as a last resort, just one large raisin a day topped with Cool Whip. Nothing seemed to click for me, until the improbable happened.

I was standing in the magazine section at Barnes & Noble flipping through the quarterly issue of a lesser known medical journal when I saw it. There, on page 83, was a report on the results of a five-year study conducted by nutrition researchers at the Crabtree University of Medicine in Shawshank, New York. Their findings were at once shocking and inspiring.

A group of 217 chronically overweight heart patients who were fed nothing but BBQ meatloaf and Bavarian cream puffs from June of 2007 to April of 2012 had reached and maintained their target weights. What’s more, all 217 had overcome every trace of coronary heart disease and diabetes and were living lives of optimum health and well-being. Three had even won Pulitzer Prizes and two had become Supreme Court Judges, though none of them had any formal education beyond high school.

What, I wondered, could account for such an extraordinary resurgence of body, mind and spirit in people who had once been so desperate that they agreed to be guinea pigs in such a controversial experiment?

These words from lead researcher Dr. Lamont Meredith put it all in sharp focus:

“The fats found in BBQ meatloaf are considered essential fats, because our body cannot manufacture them. BBQ fats in particular are used by the body to create “signaling molecules” that when balanced with the meatloaf as a protein source and the sugar in the cream puffs as a quick source of energy, work to stabilize insulin production, accelerate the metabolism, and safely burn body fat at record rates.”

For me, it worked miracles. After only four months on The BBQ Meatloaf and Bavarian Cream Puff Diet, I’ve dropped 30 pounds, taken up kayaking, learned to play the Didgeridoo, built my own hot tub, and made the cover of Zesty Guy Magazine. Twice.

Can a diet consisting of BBQ meatloaf and Bavarian cream puffs really change someone’s life for the better you ask? I’m here to tell you: It changed mine. So get that sour taste of defeat out of your mouth and say “yes” to a yummy new way of life.

Fueled by BBQ meatloaf and Bavarian cream puffs, you’re sure to find health, happiness and a world of exciting possibilities ahead. Maybe even a seat on the Supreme Court.

I guarantee you, no one on the Connie Chung Fish Kabob diet ever made it that far.

***

Alan Williamson is an award-winning writer with 27 years in the field of true fiction (advertising). A practical man who knows that writing for a living is risky going, he has taken steps to pursue a second, more stable career as a leggy super model. Alan can be reached at [email protected].  © 2013 Alan Williamson.

November, 2013 – Fall Fitness

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November, 2013 – Fall Fitness

Health & Fitness

 

Cheryl Alker

Fall Fitness

By Cheryl Alker

 

I have decided to officially name fall as the Fitness New Year!  Why? Well how many New Year’s Eves have you proclaimed to the world that you are going to get fit and healthy in the coming year? And how many times have you failed to follow through?

December 31st over a glass of champagne is too late to set goals and make promises with regard to your health, unfortunately the damage has already been done.  From the end of October onwards we hit a plethora of parties, buffets, meals out, family gatherings with one thing all in common; FOOD and often drink. Wouldn’t it make sense, therefore, to make your fitness resolution in the fall? Seriously, it is a great time to start a fitness program because you will have already started to create good habits before the holiday season begins. Let’s face it, with so many parties going on surely this is the time to look and feel your best, wowing your friends and family with a new streamline and radiant you will make this year’s holiday season the best ever!

With the change of seasons comes a renewed time to rethink and restart, after the heat of summer, fall no matter where you live, is often a breath of fresh air.

Continue reading below…

So how about this year you navigate yourself through the party season in much better shape than when you started it and leave New Year’s Eve as a time of celebration, not the same old declaration.

Here’s how:-

1. Take advantage of the weather. These months are a great time to exercise outdoors and enjoy cooler temperatures.

For those of us in Florida the beach is a great time for activities as it is so much less crowded. What about a game of volleyball, Frisbee, or playing a vigorous game of fetch with your dog. If you’re near a lake, try paddle boarding, kayaking or canoeing, for an excellent whole-body workout and a great change of pace.

Discover park trails and take in some new scenery, whether you’re walking, biking, or in-line skating.

In places where snow falls early, try cross country skiing or snowshoeing.

And remember, it doesn’t have to seem like exercise to be a great workout just raking leaves or doing some fall outdoor yard work is a great way to get the heart pumping, and it’s a great way to calorie-burn.

2. Try something new.  Fall is a great time to learn something new.

Many classes at gyms and elsewhere get started in the fall so look around and see if something intrigues you.

For all of you with children, the fall is a perfect time to sign up for something new, children in school means more time for you.

3. Integrate exercise into your life. You already know the obvious suggestions: park farther away from your destination; take stairs instead of elevators; take a walk during your lunch break. Why not walking around the outside of the field while your son or daughter has their practice?

Maybe try “walking meetings,” brainstorming during a vigorous walk with colleagues may not only get things achieved much more quickly but everyone will feel better for doing it. The usual afternoon lull could become a thing of the past.

4. Remember the 30-day rule. It takes about four weeks for the body to adapt to lifestyle changes, that’s why people who give up on their fitness programs tend to do so within the first 30 days.

So, when the alarm goes off in the morning and it’s darker and colder, don’t roll over and hit the snooze button.

Try to stick with a program for a month, after a month, behavior patterns will have adapted and it will be much easier to stick with it after that.

 

***

Cheryl Alker specializes in flexibility training, facial exercises and postural alignment. Her 30 year career started as a group fitness and personal trainer, she has lectured and directed fitness training programs in both Europe and the USA and was an advisor for a Governmental health promotion program. Alker and her company Stretch Results International continues to work with a select clientele from a base in Palm Beach County, Florida, certifying health professionals in her results based stretching program, educating consumers through public speaking and offering consultation to clients who wish to lose their muscular pain and gain flexibility to achieve full and active lifestyles. Alker has a proven totally natural program that alleviates back pain visit www.secretbackpaincure.com. For more information about professional continuing education and consultation options, e:books or DVD’s please call Cheryl on 561 889 3738 or visit www.stretchresults.com.

November, 2013 – Applied Art 101

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November, 2013 – Applied Art 101

Cultural Corner

Applied Art 101

 (How I learned about life from a pie)

 By

Lori Hope Baumel

Fading photo: Grandma Rae and her apple pie. Circa: Late 1970’s.
Fading photo: Grandma Rae and her apple pie. Circa: Late 1970’s.

 

“I shall pass through this world but once.

 Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.”

–          Mahatma Gandhi

Applied art is the application of aesthetics and design to objects of function and everyday use, whereas, fine arts serve as intellectual stimulation to the viewer and is often produced or intended primarily for beauty.

According to the Dewey Decimal System, there are hundreds of topics at the library in the applied arts section. In this column, it is most appropriate to discuss the Culinary Arts, as the month of November and the Thanksgiving meal have become synonymous.

True culinary artists are responsible for skillfully preparing meals that are as pleasing to the palate as to the eye. They are also required to have knowledge of the science of food. Increasingly, a formal culinary education is required for success in this field. The culinary industry continues to be male-dominated, with only one out of five chefs and head cooks being female. Over time, with more women going into the field, the ratio will adjust.

Yet, on the home front, women have predominantly been the chief cooks of the family. Although this trend has been changing rapidly, most recipes passed down from generation to generation have been from mother to daughter.

WAIT! Enough of the pedantic rambling… rather than discuss the virtues of the skill and technique required within the culinary arts:

 

Let me tell you about my Grandma’s apple pie…

 

Autumn, of course, is harvest season. Apples are abundant. Especially baking apples. My late grandmother, Rachel Davis, used Cortland or Macintosh apples to create an eastern European style apple pie. Well, it really wasn’t a pie, it was more of a cake, but we can debate that another time. Instead of baking it in a circular shape, she used a large rectangular pan.

No one could create this epicurean masterpiece like my grandmother did. Grandma Rae, as we called her, would cut the apples in a specific shape and size. She would say that her own (Russian born) mother helped her perfect the process. The recipe was not an exact formula, but the results were magnificent. When we would peek in the oven, a rectangular ring of bubbling caramel on the circumference of the pie would be an indicator that it was just about done.

Yes, the dough contained lots of eggs and oil. From what I witnessed, she used bottled lemon juice and the flour was bleached. By today’s standards, it would not be considered the most organic of ingredients. Regardless, everyone in the family would fight over the last piece. The crust was perfectly moist, the fruit was tender and there was a flawless balance of sugar, lemon and cinnamon. Just thinking about it brings to mind a sense of nostalgia. I can almost smell it cooking as I write this.

In my grandmother’s later years, I tried to write down the recipe in order to replicate it in the future. Over time, my results have been hit or miss. Why? Because simply following a recipe does not make you a culinary artist. Can a trained painter reproduce a Picasso or can a composer write a fugue in the style of Bach? With the proper training, anyone can do anything. Obviously, the original work would have more value, both aesthetically and financially. If I were to parallel Grandma’s pie to a painting, it often resembled a piece by Jackson Pollack. To my family, abstract as it appeared, it was a genuine work of art. The passion and love that went into making that pie could never be duplicated. It was worth more than money could buy.

After my grandfather passed away in 1983, Grandma Rae lost her desire to cook large meals. Three years went by without her celebrated pie. In January of 1986, I convinced her to bake it one more time. I propped a big lug of a VHS video camera onto a tripod and recorded the “process.” I’ve since transferred the videotape to DVD and distributed copies to family members. To this day, I watch that video every time I attempt to bake “Grandma Rae’s apple pie.” It’s rather helpful. Sometimes, I actually come close to baking it the way she did.

I truly believe that the Thanksgiving holiday is not “all about the food.” My grandmother would cook for several days in anticipation of the arrival of those she held closest to her heart. Patience and sincerity were the secret ingredients that went into her preparation. Unfortunately, those virtues are not available on the shelf at the supermarket. As the Davis family’s chief cook, Grandma Rae put those incredible ingredients into every holiday meal she made.

I hope you sense that this column is not just about a simple pie. Rachel Davis gave me the recipe for life. As a role model, she was consistently compassionate, generous and affectionate. Her smile lit up a room and her love for her family was immeasurable. She mentored me as I continue to mentor others.

My family and I wish all of our Around Wellington readers a Thanksgiving filled with traditions and recipes passed down from generation to generation. At the festive meal, look around you and treasure the moments. Try to eat mindfully and slowly. Take plenty of photos. Remember, you are creating memories that will be passed on for many years to come.

My Apple Pie - 2010.
My Apple Pie – 2010.
03Rachel Baumel's Pie
My Daughter’s Apple Pie – 2012.

Live… Go… Do!

 

The following is an edited (3-minute) version of the video I recorded of Grandma Rae baking her pie with me on January 23, 1986. It seems like it was yesterday. Enjoy!

 See:

http://youtu.be/ZTKh9J66BdE

 

 

Top Five List For November 2013

1) Read:

04 Art Hive Logo

 

05 Art Hive Cover

 

“Art Hive Magazine is a true labor of love! We are an arts and entertainment magazine made by creative educators and art lovers. Based out of the Palm Beaches, our mission is to spread the love of the arts throughout the community by showcasing our own creative folks as well as exposing our readers to other interesting stories and art forms. From local street artists to world-renowned musicians, Art Hive magazine has something interesting for everyone.  We give creativity a voice in South Florida.”

                              – Art Hive website

In October, I attended a performance of two one-act plays by Woody Allen at the Lake Worth Playhouse Stonezek Theater. Amongst the free print magazines available there, I picked up a copy of Art Hive and truly enjoyed their coverage of cultural arts in our county. Luckily, the magazine is also available online.

Check it out at:

arthivemagazine.com

2) See talented musicians perform classical music at affordable prices:

Lynn University’s Conservatory of Music Invites the Public to Four Musical Performances in November

Guillermo Figueroa. Photo: Lynn Univ.
Guillermo Figueroa. Photo: Lynn Univ.

 

Jon Robertson, Dean of Lynn University’s Conservatory of Music and Philharmonia Orchestra Guest Conductor, today invited the public to attend four different musical performances during the month of November. “The talented students and extraordinary faculty of the Lynn University Conservatory of Music look forward to sharing the beautiful world of music next month,” said Robertson. “We urge fans of classical music to join us on the Lynn University campus for some magnificent presentations.”

                                                                                                – Lynn University Press Release

November 14 – 7:30 p.m.  (Thursday)

Chamber Music Palm Beach No. 3 

Come join the musicians of The Palm Beach Chamber Music Festival in Boca Raton, as they partner with LynnUniversity to present their premier fall series. Continuing their two decades long tradition of varied programs and mixed ensembles, the group will perform great masterworks of composers ranging from Mozart to Stravinsky. Concerts will include several side-by-side performances with some of Lynn’s most talented students.

Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center

Tickets: $20

 

November 16 at 7:30 p.m.  (Saturday)

November 17 at 4 p.m.  (Sunday)

Lynn Philharmonia No. 3

Guillermo Figueroa, Conductor

Featuring winners of the annual Conservatory Concerto Competition.

Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center

Tickets:   Box: $50 / Orchestra: $40 / Mezzanine: $35

 

November 21 at 7:30 p.m.  (Thursday)

Dean’s Showcase No. 2

Amarnick-Goldstein Concert Hall

Tickets: $20

 

How to Purchase Tickets:

Tickets are available for purchase at the Lynn University Box Office, located in the Wold Performing Arts Center at 3601 N. Military Trail. Tickets also may be purchased online at http://events.lynn.edu or by phone at 561-237-9000.

 

3) Watch:

The 87th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

07 Macys

Set your alarm clocks! Join in the Baumel family tradition and watch the 87th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. It’s the next best thing to being there.

 

When: Thanksgiving Day, 9 AM to Noon

Channel: Your NBC affiliate station

Macy’s has set up a terrific website that includes information on the parade’s history, games, and the names of those who will be performing in this year’s extravaganza.

See the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade link.

http://social.macys.com/parade/?cm_mmc=VanityUrl-_-parade-_-n-_-n

 

4) It’s harvest time! Buy local or grow your own fresh fruits and vegetables:

Williams-Sonoma has a beautiful Harvest Calendar available online. It can help you anticipate what fruits and vegetables are “in season.” If you are ambitious, gardening is an applied art we can enjoy all year round in south Florida.

08 Harvest Calendar

 

Check out the calendar and click on your “zone” to see the chart of seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Go to:

williams-sonoma.com/shop/agrarian-garden/agrarian-harvest-calendar

Here’s the specific link for the “zone 8” annual harvest calendar for south Florida:

See:

rk.wsimgs.com/wsimgs/rk/images/i/201336/0016/images/pdf/agrarian/harvest-calendar-zone8.pdf

5) Research your family roots at:

09 Ancestry

 

A few years ago, my husband and I were curious about delving deeper into our family history. We decided to try the 14-day free trial at ancestry.com. The results were fascinating and ultimately, we paid the annual fee. Granted, the least expensive membership is $20 per month or $200 per year, but for me it was well worth it. I ended up connecting and corresponding with family members and strong new bonds were formed. The investment was priceless.

Researching your family tree is rather absorbing. We spent much more time than initially expected during the 14-day trial. Be prepared for an immersive experience. To view your options go to: ancestry.com

Another link on ancestry.com allows you to start your own family tree. This feature is free.

“Start your family tree. Organize facts. Find answers. Why start an online family tree? We think it’s not only the easiest way to organize, preserve and share your family history, but it’s also a direct link to missing information about your roots. And while accessing most of the record collections on Ancestry.com requires a paid subscription, your online family tree is completely FREE.”    – ancestry.com website

To view this feature of the ancestry.com website go directly to:

trees.ancestry.com

 

 

******

Lori Hope Baumel and her husband Eric Baumel live in Wellington and 

Lori Baumel

have three grown children. 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
 www.loribaumel.com and read her blog at www.grownupcamp.tumblr.com.


 

November, 2013 – Blessing of the Animals

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November, 2013 – Blessing of the Animals


Dog Walkin’ Wellington
BarbPhillippi-Dog

Blessing of the Animals Service at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church

Is there a spiritual connection between God and animals?

By Barbara Phillippi

October 4th is the traditional day for the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi worldwide, which celebrates the life of the Catholic Church’s patron saint of animals and the environment. October 6th, a Sunday near the date of the official feast, was a special day for one church in Wellington, as St. Michael’s Lutheran Church and its pastor, Reverend Marjorie Weiss, invited all animal owners to bring their pets to a special service for the traditional “blessing of the animals.”

sign

Speaking to youngsters during the “children’s moments,” Reverend Weiss noted that their pets love them, and can make them feel better when they’re sad or sick.  Later, she related a personal experience.

“My life was in turmoil. I prayed and prayed for direction and guidance, but God never showed up. I was angry, so upset. Then I began to believe that my dog understood. He stayed close, comforted me, and showed me his faithfulness. And I knew that God’s love was still there, and I realized that He really did come to me, after all, in Wyatt.”

“Animals have been showing us what’s happening for eons. They connect us with their maker. The gentle eyes of a cow . . . the amazing dolphin connection. St Francis saw a holy affinity between nature and God. Pets keep us near to him by showing us loyalty.”

 Slideshow from the Blessing of the Animals at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Wellington (below) by photographer Carol Porter.

[nggallery id=334]

The sanctuary was filled with worshippers and pets – from very large dogs to a tiny hamster. Most were quiet and well behaved, with the exception of my Jack Russell Terrier, Gracie, who began barking at a large dog that was being taken out, and passed through her comfort zone. Several others joined the protest, but the cacophony was short lived.

During Holy Communion, worshippers with animals joined others, and moved toward the altar, where Reverend Weiss blessed each one.

Who was St. Francis of Assisi?

St_Francis

St. Francis was born in 1181, to a well-to-do Italian merchant and his French wife. He was a dreamer, and enjoyed poetry, music, and the same entertainments as those of his age at the time. He served in military battle and was once imprisoned. At some point, his health became fragile, and he became more and more detached from the rituals of everyday life. Francis experienced a religious vision, and began his love of all brotherhood, nature and the environment. He humbly honored all of God’s creation, from small flowers and birds to beasts of burden and wild animals.

It is said that for Francis, his love for birds was equivalent to his love for the Pope. In one famous fable related to him, it is reported that he preached to a flock of almost one hundred sparrows, which only flew when he said that they could leave. Another story recounts that while on his death bed, the saint thanked his donkey, for carrying him and helping him. Francis always recognized the humble beings around him, writing and preaching about God’s gift of nature to his children. He preached that it was the people’s duty to protect and enjoy God’s creation.

In 1220, St Francis set up the first known three-dimensional “crèche,” or Nativity scene, in a small town near Assisi, to help the worshipper contemplate the real scene during the time of the Lord’s birth. He used real animals, as we sometimes still do today.

Disavowing wealth and worldly pleasures, St. Francis founded the Order of St. Francis (Franciscans) and the “Poor Dames,” a sisterhood order. His writings and poems are still researched and quoted today, and there are many legends woven into the history of this popular saint. St Francis of Assisi died in 1226, and remains one of the world’s most respected and loved religious figures.

I spoke with several folks and admired their pets as we left the sanctuary. Some were regular attendees at St. Michael’s, some just came for the blessing service. All agreed that they understood the message that Reverend Weiss had shared, and believed in a holy connection between God and nature.

I remember Gracie relaxing in my arms as she, and my family, and the home she lives in, were blessed. And I realized that my little friend was more than a companion, more than a pet. Yes, she was a gift to me by a dear friend, but also by a caring God who wants us to have loving comforters among us.

“In a perfect world, every home would have a dog, and every dog would have a home.”

Over a lifetime, Barbara Phillippi has had mostly “normal” dogs – a few German Shepherds and a bunch of wonderful “mutts,” each with its own wonderful, quirky, qualities. For many years, she taught 4-H dog obedience courses, under the authorization of Cornell University’s Cooperative Extension Services. That terrific program teaches the basics of dog behavior, of every breed, to young dog owners. Today she lives in Wellington with three Jack Russell Terriers – Woody, Gracie, and Buck. “These guys showed me a learning curve that I never knew existed!”

November, 2013 – Confessions of a Lothario Wannabe

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November, 2013 – Confessions of a Lothario Wannabe

Cantankerously Yourswendell-abern-cantank-yours

Confessions of a Lothario Wannabe

By Wendell Abern

Dear Y Chromosomers,

‘Fess up, guys. We all imagine ourselves as great lovers; Romeos of Don Juan proportions.

Well, I abandoned such fantasies long ago.  In fact, given my  history with women, I try to not even permit memories of past relationships creep into my consciousness.

However, this is November. Alas!  I confess that November always makes me think of Cindy Berman.

1 – Thanksgiving week, 1945. 

My brother and I had attended eleven different grammar schools in seven different cities before coming to Chicago.

I was twelve. I walked into my first class – seventh grade – in my new school, looked around at all the strange faces, and fell in love.

Dimples. Dimples! She had dark brown hair, combed neatly into a little flip at the bottom, all the way around, framing a face shaped like a valentine. And dimples! And chestnut brown eyes behind glasses that swept upward into points at the end.

Cindy Berman.  I learned her name later.

In 1945, after attendance, the “new kids” were always asked to go to the front of the room and tell the class a little about themselves.  I had done this so many times, I’d memorized a short little speech.  However, Cindy was whispering to a friend. I had to get her attention!  So I improvised.

After rattling off the names of the towns we’d lived in, I said, “We have a dog. A girl dog. A Cocker Spaniel. Her name is Blondie. But we had a fight over her name. We got her in Omaha, just before we moved to Minneapolis, but my brother and I were both born in North Dakota, and I wanted to name her Fargo and he wanted to name her Bismarck, so I said we should just name her Peezalot, and then my parents got mad.”

Most of the guys smirked or chuckled, Cindy wrinkled her nose in disgust and I was sent to the principal for using foul language – in those days a crime almost as heinous as chewing gum in class.

2 – The Sunday before Thanksgiving, 1948.

Cindy Berman again. More beautiful than ever, and in my confirmation class at Temple Beth Am. I knew she had just broken up with Jerry Gordon (mediocre third baseman), so I decided it was time to make a move.

The rabbi had asked our class to name some famous Jews in sports besides Hank Greenberg, and no one could come up with an answer. An idea occurred to me. No, I thought. Don’t say it.  Don’tsayitdon’tsayitdon’tsayit, but I had to get Cindy’s attention, so I blurted out, “Jew Louis.”

My friends laughed.  Cindy grimaced and shot a deprecating look at the ceiling. The rabbi sent me to his office.

I never make good impressions when I blurt.

            3 – June, 1950. 

Her name, I learned from my teammates, was Maxine Klein.

I had joined a softball team that had won the Windy City Championship the previous year. Great hitters on that team.

In those days, there were few athletic teams for girls. Many of them would follow the guys’ teams and cheer them on. The better the team, the more girls it would attract.

My first year with the team, we led the league in extra base hits, home runs, runs batted in and paternity suits.

Anyway, each game, I noticed one girl who always sat on the ground, covered in a blanket and surrounded by several friends. I thought she was gorgeous and whenever I looked at her, she smiled.

The guys told me her name and said, “She always asks about you!  She’s told us a thousand times, she wants you to ask her out!”

So one day, before the game began, I walked over to her. She and her friends saw me coming. They all smiled.

“Hi,” she said.

“Hi,” I answered, demonstrating my ability for clever repartee.

She smiled. “You’re cute,” she said, “but I don’t date center fielders.” Her friends giggled.

“Hey!  Sometimes I play shortstop.”

She looked at her friends. They all smiled. She stood up. She literally towered over me.  She was so tall I thought an eclipse had happened. She peered down at me.

“So, sometimes-shortstop,” she said, “you gonna take me to the prom or what?”

I looked up at her and couldn’t believe she was even more beautiful up close.  And there is nothing more alluring to a short guy than a tall, beautiful woman.

“Will you marry me?” I asked.

Another blurt.  She collapsed into her crowd of friends, laughing with them.  I looked over at my friends, who were rolling around the lip of the infield, holding their sides.  Some of them are still laughing.

4 – January, 2012.

I had been married for 54 years, and a widower for a little more than two, when I went to a regional bridge tournament in Pompano Beach.

I had been playing a lot of organized (or duplicate) bridge, and knew several of the players.  But I had spotted a woman at one table I’d never seen before; she looked exactly like a sexy young art director I’d worked with decades ago.

I had not really pursued women now that I’d reached my dotage, and this young lady – probably in her early forties – was clearly too young for me.  However, I found her irresistible and initiated a conversation filled with thinly-veiled suggestions and not-too-subtle innuendoes. My partner, embarrassed, said, “C’mon, Wendell, she’s too young for you.”

Keeping my lifelong streak alive, I turned to the young woman and said, “Okay, I know you’re a lot younger than I am, but I was kind of hoping you had daddy issues.”

Another wonderful blurt.  I played terrible bridge that day.

*

It’s November.  And yes, I’m thinking of Cindy Berman.  But no more gaffes with the opposite sex.  In fact, since that tournament a year ago, all of my bridge partners are men.

Cantankerously Yours,

Wendell Abern

Wendell Abern can be reached at [email protected].

 

 

 

November, 2013 – A Palatable Idea for a Couch

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November, 2013 – A Palatable Idea for a Couch

Living Green

Bryan Hayes

A Palatable Idea for a Couch

By Bryan Hayes

Living green.  It is not only the name of our column, but it is so much more.   It is about making a difference in the world, for the world.  The planet is our one constant that supports each and every one of us.   It is how we choose to live on the planet that differs for all of us.

Part of the reason I enjoy writing, “Living Green” is that it provides a constant reminder for myself.  It is my goal to be living green – however I define that for myself.   My intention is to find ways in which I can be living green.

For example, I need some furniture.  A couch to be exact, for my living room.   After scouring the internet, I found some wonderful examples of how individuals have used recycled items to make furniture, specifically out of used pallets.

The idea is really rather simple.  It is a matter of finding pallets that are in good condition, which is where I am at in the process.   In my case, I will be looking for a total of twelve used pallets.   That should be sufficient enough to make a really nice couch.

When using the pallets, they can be painted or can be used in their present state for a more rustic look whatever is the preference.    For me, I am going to wait to make that decision once I place the pallets into the room to see what they look like.   There will be six pallets laid on the floor, two by two, in front of one another.    For example, it will look like the illustration below.

Pallets

 

For illustration purposes, the pallets are separated, but they will actually all be together.

The next step will be taking two pallets and placing them on top of pallets A and B followed by taking one pallet on top of pallets C and D.   By doing this it will create a feeling of seating with the three layers of pallets being (with the pallets A and B on the bottom) against the wall for back support.

In top of each layer will be cushions and pillows.  I may also on the middle layer use a mattress instead of cushions so someone can either sit or lay down while watching their favorite movie or television show.   Another addition I am also considering is building a cup holder and place for plates to sit allowing for eating and drinking.

Considering I am anything but a handy man, this will be a collaboration of assistance from friends to help bring the concept to fruition.  What excites me the most is being able to turn an item that may otherwise be thrown into the garbage into a functional piece of furniture. And with any luck, it will also be aesthetically-pleasing and bring a little more life into the room.

Because pallets are wood, the uses are limited to merely the imagination.   I have seen tables, chairs, bed frames, and more – all made from used pallets.  There was an even a house I saw built entirely out of used pallets, so truly the potential is there.

As a small child, my grandmother had used a large spool (originally for cable)  – she took it and put cloth around it, then used it for an end table.   It was something I never really thought about then or until recently, but now I realize it was pretty creative of her to make use of something quite ordinary and make into something extraordinary.   With just a little imagination, you can do the same.

Bryan Hayes is an actor, amateur photographer, business consultant and full-time lover of all things living.  To check out more from Bryan Hayes, please visit his blog at:http://outofthehaze.wordpress.com/

November, 2013 – Kids Eat FREE

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November, 2013 – Kids Eat FREE

Kids Eat FREE! ShawnThompson-2013

Compiled by Shawn Thompson

Kids Eat FREE! This is your one-stop source for your favorite restaurants around town where your kids can eat free!  All restaurants listed offer one free child meal (10 and under – some are 12 and under) per adult entrée purchased unless specified (drink offers vary).  Since most places change their kids eat free promotions from time to time, please call ahead to make sure the offer is still good.

Shawn Thompson

If you have a favorite restaurant that offers a freebie meal not listed, please feel free to share!

___________________________________________________________________

 

MONDAY

Brass Ring Pub   10998 Okeechobee Blvd., RPB  (561)296-4563

After 5 p.m. – drink included

Bonefish Mac’s Sports Grille  10880 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington (561)798-6227

All day – drink included (2 kids per adult w/ $8 meal)

___________________________________________________________________

TUESDAY

Alabama Joe’s 6316 Lantana Rd. #45 Pinewood Square, Lantana (561)963-3393

All day – drink included

Centanni Italian  10107 Southern Blvd., RPB  (561)792-7677

Captain Cartoon, aka Dick Kulpa, does FREE kids’ caricatures at Rosalita’s on Tuesday nights! Check out his website too.

Dinner only – drink not includedCaptain Cartoon, aka Dick Culpa, does FREE kids’ caricatures at Rosalita’s on Tuesday nights! Check out his website too.

Denny’s  300 Civic Way, RPB  (561)793-7050

From 4-10 p.m.  – no drink included (2 kids per one adult meal)

Shane’s Rib Shack  11051 Southern Blvd., RPB (561) 333-7427

After 4 p.m. – drink included

Bru’s Room  11111 Southern Blvd., RPB  (561)790-2771

From 5-9 p.m. – drink included

Hurricane Grill & Wings  11071 Southern Blvd, RPB  (561)753-4868

After 5 p.m. – drink included

Hurricane Grill & Wings  4075 State Rd. 7 (441), Lake Worth  (561)318-6107

After 5 p.m. – drink included

Rosalita’s Tex Mex Grill  5949 S. Congress Ave., Atlantis – corner of Lantana & Congress (561)964-5747

After 5 p.m. – drink included

Green Salsa Mexican Grill (inside Wellington Green Mall, 2nd floor by Macy’s) (561)798-2521After 5 p.m. – drink included

DiSalvo’s Trattoria   1760 Jog Rd., WPB  (561)275-7000

After 5 p.m. – drink included

_____________________________________________________________

 WEDNESDAY

Moe’s Southwest Grill  2605 St. Rd. 7, Bay 410   (561)792-5712

After 5 p.m. – drink, cookie + chips included

Duffy’s  11935 Southern Blvd., RPB   (561)792-4045

All day – drink included

Mellow Mushroom  (City Place) 700 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach (561) 653-1351
Dinner only – drink included (adult must buy $10 or more)

————————————————————————————————————

THURSDAY

Bonefish Mac’s Sports Grille  10880 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington (561)798-6227

All day – drink included (2 kids per adult w/ $8 meal)

———————————————————————————————————

FRIDAY

See Everyday section

———————————————————————————————————–

SATURDAY

Steak ’n Shake   133 S. State Rd. 7, RPB  (561)333-6474

All day – drink included

Oli’s Fashion Cuisine   10610 W. Forest Hill Blvd. #20, Wellington  (561)792-2220

Every Saturday for lunch

————————————————————————————————————————

SUNDAY

Steak ’n Shake  133 S. State Rd. 7, RPB (561) 333-6474

All day – drink included

________________________________________________________________________

EVERYDAY

Butterfields Southern Café  1145 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., RPB  (561)792-8723.  (Monday thru Saturday.  Restaurant closes on Sundays at 3pm).

4-8 p.m. every day – no drink included

The Original Pancake House    105 South State Rd. 7, RPB  (561)296-0878

Until 2 p.m. every day – drink included

IHOP   13860 1 & 2 Wellington Trace, Wellington  (561)798-8843

4 p.m. – 10 p.m. – no drink included

 

Shawn Thompson is a local Wellington Mom and has two children, Aaron and Audrey.  She enjoys volunteering at her children’s schools, attending their activities, working for a polo player, working for AroundWellington.com, plus taking evening walks with her family. Please e-mail her any free deals you find and would like to have included to [email protected]

 

 

November, 2013 – Feed Your Inner Animal

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November, 2013 – Feed Your Inner Animal

November, 2013 – Feed Your Inner Animal

At the Palm Beach Zoo on November 9th!

 

Feed your inner animal at another delicious FOOD TRUCK SAFARI on Saturday, November 9th, 5:30-9:30pm!  Enjoy some incredible food from some of your favorite South Florida food trucks, live music from Bobby G in the Interactive Fountain Plaza and Andre Michaud in the Mayan Plaza, along with exciting Zoo Keeper talks & animal training, plus up-close animal encounters.  Details at www.palmbeachzoo.org/special-events.

 

Food trucks currently scheduled to appear include…

The Daily Special

Lucille’s On Wheels

Mr. Good Stuff

Inspir-Asian

Paradise Shave Ice

More TBA…

Thanks to Food Truck Connection for scheduling the trucks.

Zoo admission for the Food Truck Safari is $9 adult members, $10 adult non-members, $6 child members, $7 child non-members, under 3 free.  Gate proceeds support regular Zoo operations.

Wildlife Carousel rides are $2 and proceeds support Zoo operations.

Food and beverage purchases are NOT included in admission.  All food trucks are donating a portion of their proceeds toward Zoo operations.  Trucks accept cash or credit.

The Palm Beach Zoo encourages all food trucks to apply sustainable practices in their daily operations and we’ll once again give a “Sustainability Award” to the truck that excels in the most environmental and conservation sustainability categories in our checklist.  Past winners include The Daily Special, FoodIsland and Pescados Unidos.

You gotta see this… http://youtu.be/ReHd_6-9bYg

November, 2013 – New Play Opens At The Plaza Theatre November 7

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New Play Opens At The Plaza Theatre  November 7

 

FINGERS & TOES TIPPETY-TAPS ITS WAY ON STAGE AT THE PLAZA THEATRE NOVEMBER 7-24

Tap Musical a Love Letter to the Backstage Musical Comedy

MANALAPAN -Tap dancing and love take center stage at The Plaza Theatre from November 7-24 in the “musical within a musical” hit production FINGERS & TOES.

Tap dancer Dustin “Toes” MacGrath, played by Rick Faugno, and pianist Tristan “Fingers” St. Claire, played by Aaron Berk,  have managed to talk a major Broadway producer into coming to see their show in two weeks: a boy meets girl tap dance spectacular on the theme of love. But there’s a problem: first, they haven’t written it yet, secondly they don’t have a girl, and sadly, they have no idea whatsoever about love. As the deadline approaches, everything becomes swept up in a series of dazzling numbers and comical scenes as their theme “Love” begins  to derail the show. A deliriously delightful and genuinely funny love-letter to the old-fashioned “let’s put on a show”. Nili Bassman plays Molly Molloy. 

Already becoming established as the go-to place for nostalgia and popular shows, The Plaza Theatre continues its homage to classic theater with this highly entertaining, backstage story. Tap, which has made a resurgence in popular entertainment, is center stage, with outstanding numbers from “Toes” and the lovely starlet-to-be during an on-stage “tap off” between the pair. Coupled with catchy tunes from “Fingers” this is a must-see for all musical theater fans.

The tap musical comedy FINGERS & TOES dances on stage at the Plaza Theatre November 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and November 9, 10, 13, 17, 20 and 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $30 and may be purchased online at the Plaza Theatre websitewww.theplazatheatre.org; in person at the Plaza Theatre box office located at 262 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan, in the Plaza Del Mar Shopping Center; or by calling 561-588-1820.

ABOUT THE PLAZA THEATRE: The Plaza Theatre is a non-profit 250 seat theatre located in Manalapan, FL. Palm Beach Gardens resident Alan Jacobson opened the Plaza Theatre in early 2012 after running the Florida Jewish Theatre for five season in the 1990s and then serving as an independent producer of cabaret shows, musical revues and comedies such as If You Ever Leave Me … I’m Going With You and Down the Garden Path. The Plaza Theatre produces a variety of light-hearted shows with an occasional gripping drama. It also promises lower-than-average ticket prices. The Plaza Theatre is located at 262 S. Ocean Blvd. in Manalapan , FL. For more information, please call (561) 588-1820 or visitwww.theplazatheatre.net.

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