9/11 Anniversary – A Decade Later A Tribute to our Fallen Citizens and Their Families
August 12, 2013, Lake Worth, Florida – An act of benevolence overshadows an
act of hatred. On this commemorative occasion we honor the victims, and
support the families, affected by the horrific attacks on our nation on
September 11, 2001. The upcoming networking-fundraiser will be held
September 10, 2013 from 6:00pm – 8:30pm at Selinger Chiropractic and
Acupuncture, 7749 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, FL 33467.
All attendees will be able to unite and offer contribution as they enjoy
business-to-business networking, complimentary h’ordeauvres, a signature
“Red, White & Blue” cocktail, wines, raffle prizes and entertainment.
Educational dialogue will be offered by health care professionals- shedding
light on the conditions of fatigue and achieving longevity. Everyone
attending will receive a gift bag full of great gifts and gift certificates
from area businesses.
All proceeds raised at event will go to Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund
for financially needy dependents of those killed or injured in the 9/11
attacks and rescue efforts. www.familiesoffreedom.org
The 9/11 Anniversary Event was formed by Craig Selinger, president of
Selinger Chiropractic and Acupuncture, in an effort to raise funds and
awareness for such charities. “I recognized the unique occasion to
articulate the importance of the decade of remembrance for our fellow
citizens – disabled or killed on 9/11 “, said Dr. Selinger “I hope we could
all give our country and its victims the attention it needs on this special
day.”
For more event information or sponsorship opportunities please contact:
Shana Overhulser at 561-496-2244 or view the web site at: www.mylakeworthchiropractor.com
Charity: Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund Scholarship America
* Contact information data of all guests
* PowerPoint presentation to showcase company to guests at event
* Sponsor may include promo item for the guests and/or literature of their business in the gift bags
* Prominent logo recognition on print material and all collateral advertising
* Prominent logo recognition on email graphic to 5,000 recipients in local area
* Press release promoting company as Ruby Red Sponsor
* Company promoted through banner or signage at event, option to display literature
* Company introduced to media through customized press release
* Company ad on pertinent web sites detailing event
* Link to web site
* Promoted through social media outlets
A Journal for Getting Through Tough Times and Loss
By Krista Martinelli
Ok, I’ve decided to do 30 days of gratitude. Like a little Journal, Right here online. I strongly feel that if I can find one thing to be grateful for each day, And if I can just make it through the next 30 days, I’ll be in good shape. Good to go forward.
Day 1. I am grateful for Paul, who was my Traveling companion and copilot on the flight over here. He is wearing gold junior officer badge, so I guess he will know what to do if anything goes wrong. But it won’t. Nope, not today. He’s so cheerful. He knows that my brother died. He knows that our whole family is hurting. But he is brave. The night before we left on the trip he said, “mom, This is going to be the best trip ever!” It’s so funny that I laugh out loud. “Yes, Paul. Maybe it will be the best trip ever!”
My co-pilot on the journey
Day 2. I’m grateful for my mother. If she only has $10 to her name, she might give $5 to a homeless person and spend the other $5 on gifts for her grandchildren. But that’s just how she is. Anyway, she loves children. Especially her grandchildren. Thanks for the many gifts you bring, Mom. Not just the kind that you get at a store either.
Nonni with her grandkids.
Day 3. I’m grateful for Stella. She is such a beautiful girl with so many talents. She’s a terrific big sister to Paul. She does things like encourage him when he’s struggling with a math problem and compliment him when he does something good (like reading on his own). She’s always amazingly creative. About three weeks ago, she got an idea for a short movie she wanted to create. Without consulting me at all, she took 501 photos of her American Girl dolls, posed in different positions. She found a way to create stop action animation (old school style). Then she put the whole thing to one of her favorite songs, “Red” by Taylor Swift. She did every step of this on her own! Check out her movie. It’s quite a lovely show! http://youtu.be/vvx4Al2eRNI
Day 4. I’m grateful for Joe, my husband…my main traveling companion in this journey. This photo (from when the kids were younger) shows how crazy-happy you make our kids, me and our whole family…I love you! Thank you for taking great care…in the way that you care for me. Thank you for “handling my business” – more specifically- building the website, AroundWellington.com. Thanks for being fun! “You are the sunshine of my life.” I loved you from the first day we met.
My husband Joe and the kids (when they were younger)
Day 5. I’m grateful for the ocean. We had a day off from school yesterday (and a big thank you to my Jewish friends for making this possible). We spent a couple of lovely hours at the ocean – the kids, my sister-in-law Mary Joan and me. It was a beautiful day! The kids tried riding the waves on their boogie boards for the first time. A lot of laughter. A lot of salt water up the nose (a very healthy thing for my bronchitis, which is almost done). It was healing. Every aspect – the waves, the sand, the sounds, the giggling and the splashing. And a guaranteed good night’s sleep for all of us!
Day 6. I’m grateful for my sister-in-law Mary Joan. She is here for a week, taking good care of me and taking good care of our kids. Without going on and on, I’ll say that a death in the family, bronchitis and insomnia had brought me to my knees. And it’s great to have a kind, loving, caring soul sister, who happens to be a nurse, to help me get up and get going again. Along with my other wonderful sister-in-law Sharon (you’ll hear about her soon), Mary Joan is making sure I get enough rest, the main priority right now. Tonight she gave us a “date night.” We had a great time going out to Sweet Tomatoes (not fancy but lovely) and we got to see “The Butler,” a fantastic film! THANKS, MJ!
Day 7. I’m grateful for my sister-in-law Sharon Martinelli! She is such a great help in my times of trouble and such a soul sister too. (Here she is with Joe – in the below photo). She recently ensured that I had all the right doctors caring for me (and not just any ole’ doctors). She also helps me do things that are difficult – like “setting boundaries” and speaking up. She’s been cleaning out her beautiful closet lately, so if you see me wearing really lovely, new-looking clothing from Ann Taylor and Nordstrom’s, etc…just know that Sharon is the reason. I’ve gotten an upgrade! She’s a survivor in many ways. And she’s shown me how you can proceed, even if you’ve survived cancer and the pain of it still hangs around. Do you give up? Not Sharon – she keeps traveling, organizing, writing and inspiring. She just booked a trip to the Galapagos Islands. Because, why not? Life is short and life is good.
Day 8. I’m grateful for orchids. I’ve never had orchids before and now I have two, one in the house and one hanging from a tree in the front yard. One is a lovely sympathy gift (pictured here) from the nice folks at Village Music in Wellington. The other is a sweet gift from several months ago from my friend Jeannine Carr. The outdoor orchid is a testament to resilience. When it’s been windy, it’s been knocked out of the pot completely, maybe as many as 8 times. But instead of dying, it choose to bloom with surprisingly beautiful purple flowers about 3 days ago. The other “indoor” orchid is actually three orchids and bamboo potted together…and it makes me smile. It makes me think of Donna Barron-Willey and Steve Willey…and how maybe my daughter makes them smile when she comes in for ukulele lessons. Anyway, they are an amazingly musical couple with quite a love story. If you want to read about them, visit this link (AroundWellington.com, “AW Spotlight” from May, 2013). https://p1x.8ac.myftpupload.com/?p=19768 – PS Orchids are easy. I’m happy to say that I haven’t killed either of these lovely plants!
Day 9. I’m grateful for terrific teachers and (luckily) a great public school system in our area. Also I’m grateful for the extracurricular activities teachers in our kids’ lives. If you are a teacher, please know this – I realize you could probably be doing something else and earning a LOT more and getting longer lunch breaks, but you make a huge difference in our children’s lives! So thank you! Starting with preK (when our kids’ started school)…you have all been so wonderful! THANKS also to the great teachers at That’s Dancing, Village Music of Wellington, and our awesome Girl Scout troop leader Amber Pepellashi! Extra thanks to a fantastic teacher Mrs. Kris McGuire Leto – who is always looking out for Paul & Stella in the hallways at school. Thank you!
Day 10. I’m grateful for sleep…Which was hard to come by for a while, but now I’m getting better at it. It’s so important! “There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.” – Homer.
Day 11. I’m grateful (and tired) from a much-needed Girls Night Out! Thank you, Monica Kallas, Rollin McGrail and Andrea Von Eitzen! Thanks for turning my sadness into a lot of laughing!
Day 12. I’m grateful for my tennis team, the “Quail Queens!” You have been so supportive individually, as well as a whole team effort. After five ridiculous weeks of acute bronchitis and other non-fun stuff, I’m finally better and cannot wait to get back on the tennis courts with you all! THANKS to the team for making a donation to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (San Diego chapter) in remembrance of my brother…it’s a very good organization. (There are a few “queens” not pictured here… Dawn, Jill, Halena, Peg, Kathy & Annette). Thank you, ladies! XOXO
Day 13. I’m grateful for Maroon 5. And Kelly Clarkson. Great show! THANKS for going with us, Elien and Marije!
Day 14. I’m grateful for church…and I’m grateful to God. Here was the very helpful message from church today – Rest and recharge…without guilt. And pictured here (below) are the recommended ways to “stress less.” This is only my 2nd time going to this church. Thank you to Stephanie Koca for bringing me the first time and to Kirsten Mastro for inviting me there today! Meanwhile, the kids really enjoy the bounce house, bubbles, games and other kids. Some might say it’s “too fun.” But I say why not make it fun?
Day 15. I’m grateful for Grandma and Grandpa Martinelli, Joe’s parents. These are two amazing, peppy, strong people – over 90 and still doing well & doing a lot of things on their own. As for Grandma, she is so sweet and loving! When my daughter Stella was a baby, we called Grandma Stella “the closer” because she was the expert (better than I was) at getting her to take a nap. And Grandpa – he showed a very fun and funny side of himself when our kids were born. He created his own special language to communicate with them. And only they understood him! We called Grandpa Larry “the closer” when Paul was a baby, because (once again) he was better at getting Paul to take a nap than I was. I also got to see what a fantastic, loyal, honest and persistent employee he must have been when he was working for different companies in his career…since I asked him to help me for a while with Around Wellington Magazine. (He was in charge of distribution and collections for a while and he was the best!) I love them both!! (Here they are watching our kids play in the pool in Fort Myers).
Day 16. I’m grateful for massage…healing hands. After my trip to San Diego (which was worse than ever imagined), I had my sister-in-law Mary Joan in town, helping me out to get “back on my feet” again. She treated me to a much-needed massage. It was absolutely wonderful! We went to the Massage Envy in Wellington (Whole Foods Plaza). The owners are folks I already know & love – Josie, Bob & Kevin (thanks to our connection through my business AroundWellington.com). The massage therapist, Erin, was just perfect. After going through a unique sort of hell, it was a little slice of heaven. (Pictured here are Josie Kern, owner, and Erin, massage therapist).
Day 17. After an extremely difficult day (for a number of reasons), I’ll keep this simple… I’m grateful for these amazing people! THANKS for what you did for us in our time of need – Sara Hewitt, Monica Kallas and Marty Ross! Love your smiles!
Day 18. I’m grateful for my younger brother Jason. And I’m sorry he left us too soon. In our growing up years, he was funny, fun and so talented. Here’s the poem I wrote in his honor, posted on AroundWellington.com under “Poem of the Month.” I also included a track from one of his original music CDs. It’s called “War with Yourself.” He probably wrote this at about 12 or 13 years old. It was the mid-80s, and he was spending a ton of time in our basement in Massachusetts. He had two keyboards hooked up to an old Apple computer. While I was busy with my friends and doing a lot of sports, he was creating new sounds, layering sounds, experimenting and recording music. Sometimes he didn’t even do his homework – sometimes he didn’t even eat. He never got serious about voice lessons, so with his singing he was just trying to emulate his favorite singer at the time, Ric Ocasek of The Cars and sometimes Prince (his 2nd favorite). I’ve also included a music video to his favorite “current” song from just about a month ago, when he took his own life. It’s called “Safe & Sound.” He told my Mom he loved the song and it made him feel “safe.” This kill me, sometimes when I hear the song, but I also love the song. Carry on, Jason! I hope your no longer tormented by the demons (called paranoid schizophrenia), and I hope you’re making your own amazing music again! https://p1x.8ac.myftpupload.com/?p=21415
Day 19. I’m grateful for my work. I’m grateful to have my own small business, AroundWellington.com, the online magazine. And to be able to meet amazing people who work and play in our area. I’m also grateful for terrific writers, photographers, ad sales people, website design help, readers and advertisers! I have to admit that my job is fun! And I loved being at the 8th Annual Wellington Wellington Rotary Peace Park and Peace Ceremony today! “May peace prevail on Earth.”
Day 20. I’m grateful for good news, after our share of bad news! Well I was barely aware of what she was doing (thanks to a combination of grief and bronchitis), my daughter was busy being creative and making her 1st animated short movie. On a whim, (and since I thought it was a pretty good short film), I submitted it to a film festival. Check this out! (This picture is the logo for the L-Dub Film Festival, happening September 27, 28 & 29th, 2013 at the Lake Worth Playhouse/ Stonzek Studio Theater). Stella will be interviewed on Wed. night at about 7:30pm E.S.T. on the WEI Network Internet Radio Station (WEINetwork.com).https://p1x.8ac.myftpupload.com/?p=21889
Day 21. I’m grateful to my Dad and his wife Connie. They are so supportive of me, and so helpful to our family. My Dad visited on Thursday of last week, spending time with the kids and allowing me to catch up on a little work (since I was “out of commission” for two weeks). He helped Paul with his homework and danced with Stella. It was great! And Connie is amazingly talented, bright and caring. I like to brag that she practices law in five languages – well – because it’s true. Anyway, she started a terrific website for people who need to find resources when caring for their aging parents. Actually it’s for anyone who’s a caregiver of any sort – HelpingYouCare.com. She’s been a terrific help to me personally. Anyway, thanks to you two for all of your recent help. We love you!
Day 22. I’m grateful for Boy Scouts (his first year) and Girl Scouts (her second year). Lots of fun! And my husband Joe is very ready and willing to work on building a car for the annual Pinewood Derby, a Boy Scouts tradition.
Day 23. I’m grateful for very fun and funny neighbor kids! Thankful that our kids can almost always walk outside and have someone to play with in this neighborhood! (Sorry, not all of them are pictured here).
Day 24. I’m grateful for our neighbor Katie. She’s 13 and she’s awesome! She recently came over and brought her sewing machine. She showed our kids how to make sleeping bags for their dolls/ stuffed animals. She’s also inspired our kids to make creative videos, make crafts and do other cool projects. Actually I wrote an article about her a few months ago for AroundWellington.com, https://p1x.8ac.myftpupload.com/?p=19473
Day 25. Grateful for family. Also, I’m grateful that my daughter had such a fun day with her “film debut,” and my son had a nice first day of soccer season. I’m also grateful to my friend Elien Boes, who calls herself the “Mamarazzi” – for this nice photo!
Day 26. I’m grateful for “right here, right now.” This was a special night at South Shores Tavern in Lake Worth. Congrats to Stella who won an award for “Best New Talent” from the film festival directors at L-Dub. Fun with Emma & Karen Janis-Brown and Steve & Donna Barron-Willey and Sophie. Also Paul had a great day going to his first Marlins game.
Day 27. I’m grateful for yummy food! I have discovered a couple of places this month that are great. Top pic below: “Pholicious” – this is the best Mall food court food I’ve ever had. Pronounced “fuh” – Pho is a healthy, wonderful Vietnamese soup, and you can make it as spicy/sweet as you’d like. This is at the Mall at Wellington Green. Bottom pic: The other is Lanna Thai restaurant in Jupiter…the best Thai food I’ve ever had. We discovered this place – Sharon Martinelli, Mary Joan and me. Together we’ve tried – red, panang, massaman and green curry…all excellent!
Day 28. I’m grateful for my Aunt Shirley. Here she is on a trip to Thailand with her traveling companion Jackie, and Shirley is on the right. She was a teacher and a school administrator in her career. She also has a PhD in Education. After semi-retiring and then retiring, she succeeded in traveling to almost every country in the world. I’m so in awe of her! I interviewed her for my online magazine AroundWellington.com a few years ago – because I wanted to find out more. About a year ago, she had some kind of a stroke. At first she was only able to speak a handful of words, which must have been so frustrating with someone with such a terrific vocabulary. Today she is 99% better. We were able to see her on Saturday for Stella’s debut and she was doing wonderfully! Here’s that article. Check out the map of her travels! https://p1x.8ac.myftpupload.com/?p=6720
Day 29. I’m grateful for some terrific times with friends and family – which followed an intensely bad time (just about a month ago). THANKS for making me laugh again!
Day 30. I’m grateful for my life. Sometimes terrific, sometimes difficult, sometimes funny…but overall “It’s a Wonderful Life.” (Oh and that 1946 classic is one of my favorite movies too). This is the last day of doing this gratitude journal. I’m grateful for all of you too – for being so supportive! http://youtu.be/ewe4lg8zTYA
Student Artists Invited to Enter Artwork for New Display at Wellington Community Center
Wellington Community Center 12150 Forest Hill Boulevard, Suite 100City of Wellington, Florida – There’s a new opportunity for young Wellington artists to see their creations on public display! The Village is teaming up with the Wellington Art Society for the “Student Art Program,” which puts youth artwork on display at the Wellington Community Center.
High School students who either live in Wellington or attend a Wellington school are invited to deliver their original works of art to the Wellington Community Center (12150 Forest Hill Boulevard, Suite 100) on Wednesday, September 18th between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm.
The exhibit will open the following Monday, September 23rd and the artwork will be on display for a four-month rotation ending in January 2014. Please make sure the artwork is framed. The Wellington Art Society will select the artwork for the exhibit.
Information and entry forms with program dates and guidelines are available from the Wellington Art Society (561-791-2194), the Village of Wellington (561) 791-4082, as well as art teachers at Wellington’s high schools.
For further information, contact:
Michelle Garvey, Community Programs Manager, WELLINGTON, FL 33414
Phone: 561-791-4082
For information about other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visit www.wellingtonfl.gov or watch Channel 18 for the latest happenings.
NEW SCULPTURES, WORKSHOP & RECEPTION FOR AVENUE OF THE ARTS EXHIBIT
BOYNTON BEACH, FL — The Avenue of the Arts installation will begin September 23, 2013. Twelve new artworks, by eight artists, will be installed along the streets in Boynton Beach’s Civic/Cultural District. This is the seventh year for the Avenue of the Arts on loan program. Local, and national artists, submitted their artwork for the Arts Commission to select, and site, the year-long outdoor exhibit.
Maine artist, Craig Berube-Gray, will host a Special WorkshopSeptember 26, 2013, from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. at the Schoolhouse Children Museum,129 East Ocean Avenue, for children aged 6 – 8 years old. Craig will demonstrate an interactive hands on carving of his stone fish. The youth will then visit his new artwork installation, called “Fishsticks Flying”, placed near the Museum at 123 East Ocean Avenue.
An Avenue of the Art Artists Reception is planned for Friday, September 27, 2013, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at The Little House, 480 East Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach. Hors d’ Oeuvres, and drink specials, are provided while officials, art patrons and the public can mingle with the Avenue of the Arts artists to learn more about their artwork. Special eco-friendly electric vehicles, provided by ijoyrides.com, will transport people to tour the Avenue of the Arts. The Avenue of the Arts is a easy walkable tour from The Little House location.
Here is more information about the Reception:
For more information about both events, contact Debby Coles-Dobay, City of Boynton Beach Public Art Administrator, at 561-742-6026. Visit BoyntonBeachArtinPublicPlaces at www.boyntonbeacharts.org.
Local Works Day, sponsored by Florida Local Government Coalition, is September 6, 2013. In Op-Ed, Anne Gannon, Palm Beach County Tax Collector, explains how her office serves Palm Beach County residents
September 6, 2013 is Local Works Day … a day to bring attention to the hard work that local government employees do for millions of Floridians each day. It’s about public works that are easy to take for granted, but which knit our communities together. – Florida Local Government Coalition
In the following op-ed, Anne Gannon, Palm Beach County Tax Collector, explains how her office serves Palm Beach County residents:
What does the Tax Collector’s Office do?
By Anne M. Gannon, Constitutional Tax Collector Serving Palm Beach County
Local Works Day, September 6th
“To help Florida citizens understand, appreciate and support local government and the services and value these governments bring to millions of lives each day.” – Sponsored by Florida Local Government Coalition
Here in Palm Beach County we enjoy a quality of life like no other, complete with enviable weather and picturesque beaches. As residents of this beautiful county we receive services by many government agencies that serve our area. More than likely you put out your garbage each week, check out that bestseller you’ve been meaning to read at the library, see emergency rescue speeding to help someone in need, or send your kids off to school in the morning without ever thinking of all that goes into making these services possible.
Local Works day was created by the Florida Local Government Coalition to bring attention to the extraordinary efforts local government makes to keep these “ordinary” services running.
Constitutional Tax Collector’s throughout Florida play a major role in ensuring tax dollars are appropriately allocated to agencies that provide county residents with vital services. Elected every four years, the Tax Collector is one of five independently elected Constitutional Officers at the county level. The other officers include the Sheriff, Clerk & Comptroller, Supervisor of Elections and Property Appraiser.
Our office collects property taxes for every local government agency that has the power to levy taxes. We act as an agent for the county, administering Local Business Tax Receipts and Tourist Development taxes, and also act as an agent for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, The Department of Environmental Protection, The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and The Department of Revenue.
Our office has served you if you’ve ever paid property taxes or business taxes, renewed your driver license or registered a vehicle in Palm Beach County. Once the taxing authorities levy the taxes, we begin collecting them. Our office processes payments and distributes them to the appropriate taxing authorities, such as the school board, municipalities, and utility providers, who use the funds to provide many services, including education services, road repairs and the delivery of clean water to our homes. We provide driver license, ID and motor vehicle services on behalf of the state.
Our office also issues hunting and fishing licenses and disabled person parking permits. Acting as an agent for the county, we collect Tourist Development taxes that fund beach restorations, cultural arts programs, enhancements to our convention center and sporting facilities as well as promote tourist attractions across Palm Beach County.
The Tax Collector was put in place to maintain transparency and discretion between taxing authorities and the collection of actual tax dollars. In 2012 we collected more than $3 billion in property taxes that were redistributed to 95 Palm Beach County taxing authorities. The county, school boards and municipalities received $2 billion of those revenues.
Our office does not operate on tax dollars; instead our operating budget is funded by fees collected on services provided. The budget is approved by the Florida Department of Revenue, and thanks to many cost-effective initiatives, we often have excess revenues which we distribute to local taxing authorities.
We work hard every day to serve you and appreciate the trust that residents, the county and the state instill in us to collect and distribute taxes, and provide services that make every ordinary day, extraordinary.
2012 By the Numbers:
804,426 customers were served at our service centers
319,916 phone calls were answered at our call center
14,726 emails were responded to by our Client Advocate
$10,000+ was donated by our office employees to benefit the Susan G. Komen South Florida affiliate and The Lord’s Place
$59,719,542: Total commissions received from services provided.
Center for Creative Education is hosting FREE Mindfulness class on September 11th!!
Center for Creative Education
“A Taste of Mindfulness” FREE Class
September 11, 2013 from 6:30-8:30pm
WHAT
Come tap into your ability to cope more effectively with both short and long-term stressful situations at a FREE introductory class – A Taste of Mindfulness. This class is an opportunity for participants to get a taste of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Participants will learn how stress affects people differently, how to respond versus react to stress and improve one’s overall health. Attendees will experience introductory exercises that can be utilized immediately to reduce stress levels.
WHO
Hosted by the Center for Creative Education, A Taste of Mindfulness will be taught by Kimberly LaRue. LaRue bases her practice on lessons she learned at the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. A former yoga instructor at The Breakers, LaRue believes that “so often people are living in the future or the past, which causes them to be overwhelmed on a consistent basis. Practicing mindfulness can help bring people back to the present and reduce overall stress.”
The Center for Creative Education uses the arts to bring learning to life. CCE uses arts integration to merge the arts with academics by incorporating hands-on projects to enhance children’s knowledge of math, science, literacy and more. Arts integration encourages creative thinking and problem solving skills. CCE works with children all over Palm Beach County, mostly in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Having opened its new building this past spring in Northwood Village, this class marks the Center’s inaugural in-house class offering, in addition to the community outreach for which it has long been known.
WHEN
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 from 6:30-8:30pm
WHERE
425 24th Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 in Historic Northwood Village
WHY
Long known for its community outreach in schools and aftercare programs all over Palm Beach County, the Center for Creative Education has become the catalyst for the arts renovation movement in Northwood Village. Through classes and other community offerings, CCE is striving to meet the needs of the community by engaging the public in a variety of platforms, including using its new space for a variety of adult education classes.
HOW MUCH
FREE and open to the public. Space is limited and advance reservations are required.
For more information about the Center for Creative Education call (561) 805-9927 or visit www.cceflorida.org
Immediate Release: For further questions, contact:
Meredith Durinski or Kelly Husak
Slatkow & Husak Public Relations
(561) 278-0850 or Meredith@slatkowhusak.com
National Wildlife Day Celebrated at the Palm Beach Zoo
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.—The Palm Beach Zoo is celebrating “National Wildlife Day” on September 4, 2013, promoting its mission to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat, and to inspire others to value and conserve the national world.
National Wildlife Day aims to bring awareness to the number of endangered animals worldwide that must be rescued from extinction. The day acknowledges zoos and outstanding animal sanctuaries for everything they do to help preserve the planet’s animals and educate the public about conservation.
“National Wildlife Day is a chance to celebrate the many good things happening in the world of conservation,” said Andrew Aiken, President and CEO of the Zoo. “With species extinctions continuing at an alarming rate, zoos have ramped-up the urgency to inspire us all to act on behalf of wildlife.”
“We work every day to encouraging visitors to take action, through keeper talks and wildlife presentations of all kinds,” Aiken continued. “Initiatives like reducing our carbon footprint, embracing the fresh and local food movement, making purchasing decisions in our everyday lives that foster sustainability, recycling, and conserving water resources all support wildlife conservation.”
National Wildlife Day encourages citizens to be advocates for animals that need a voice, and to visit their local zoo more often.
“If you haven’t been to the Zoo lately, we invite you come and enjoy a day outdoors with wildlife from around the world,” said Aiken. “A visit to the Zoo supports the preservation of species everywhere.”
About the Palm Beach Zoo
The Zoological Society of the Palm Beaches exists to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat, and to inspire others to value and conserve the natural world. We advance our conservation mission through endangered species propagation, education, health and wellness, field research, and conservation medicine. Our sustainable and responsible business practices and local, national and global partnerships enable the Palm Beach Zoo to support national and international conservation, species survival, and habitat preservation.
The Palm Beach Zoo is located at 1301 Summit Boulevard, just east of I‐95 between Southern and Forest Hill Boulevards. The Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, visit www.palmbeachzoo.org.
Immediate Release, September 4, 2013. For any questions, contact:
Angela Cruz Ledford
Media Relations Manager aledford@palmbeachzoo.org
(561) 547-WILD x222 (o)
(318) 512-7464 (c) or (561) 962-1413 (c)
Rotary Club of Wellington Announces United Nations Peace Ceremony Winners for 2013
The Rotary Club of Wellington has announced its United Nations Rotary Peace Ceremony Contest winners for 2013. The contests were held throughout the Wellington School District. We received 256 Posters, 70 Poems, 35 essays, and 20 Photographs. We had record participation in our contests from the school children from elementary school to high school.
The Peace Poster contest was held for the 4th grade and the winners are as follows: Equestrian Trails Elementary School – student winner- Leah Silverman-teacher- Mrs. Manzello. Leah won $50.00 and was also the overall winner in the elementary schools and also won $75.00. Wellington Elementary School- student winner- Jacob Fink- teacher- Ms. Myers. Binks Forest Elementary School- student winner – Kayla Brusie- teacher- Mrs. Carney. Elbridge Gale Elementary School- student winner- Hailey Feinberg- teacher- Dr. Nicole Crane. New Horizons Elementary School- student winner- Victoria Watson- teacher- Mrs. O’Donnell. Panther Run Elementary School- student winner- Adrianna Garrido- teacher- Mrs. Sosler . Each individual student winner will be awarded $50.00 at the ceremony. Congratulations to all of the poster contest winners and their teachers.
The Poetry Competition was run in the Middle Schools including PoloPark and Wellington Landings. The winner from PoloPark is Warren Lee. The winner from Wellington Landings is LeeAnn Hewitt. Each winner receives $75.00.
The Photography Competition was run in WellingtonHigh School and Palm BeachCentralHigh School. There were 22 photographs entered in the contest and the overall winner is Julianne Schiliro and her teacher is Bobbie Brubaker of WellingtonHigh School. The winning student will receive $150.00.
Finally, the Essay Competition was run in WellingtonHigh School and Palm BeachCentralHigh School. The winner from Palm Beach Central is Ishmam Ahmed and the winner from WellingtonHigh School is. The winner from WellingtonHigh School is Jake Sukienik. Both students will be rewarded $100.00
All students will be honored and will receive their awards at our Peace Ceremony on Saturday September 21, 2013 at 11 AM at the Wellington Rotary Peace Park on Royal Fern Drive (next to the Wellington Library. All families and friends of the contest winners are encouraged to attend. We want to thank all of the teachers and the students who participated in our various contests. Without your support, these contests would not be possible. This is an integral part of our yearly Rotary Peace Initiative in the Wellington Community. We want to take this opportunity to invite the entire Wellington community to our annual ceremony on September 21st.
For Immediate Release- Any questions, contact Bob Salerno of the Rotary Club of Wellington (561) 512-8247 or e-mail: bobultracleaners@comcast.net.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This column first appeared shortly after the 9/11 tragedy in 2001. It has run every year since, with the author’s updates.)
Cantankerously Yours
To all the grandchildren in the world
By Wendell Abern
Dear Grandchildren Everywhere,
Today, I am writing to apologize to all of you.
Usually, I try to write humor. But twelve years ago, terrorists killed thousands of Americans by flying airplanes into buildings. And this month, memorials and other reminders of that horrendous day make it impossible to write anything funny.
Instead, today, I want to apologize to everyone in your generation from everyone in mine.
My generation inherited two world wars that killed millions of people. We should have learned something from those terrible wars. We should have made the world a better place for you.
We didn’t. And we didn’t.
More than 150 years ago, a man by the name of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel said, “What we learn from history … is that we never learn from history.” True when Mr. Hegel said it. Just as true today. How pathetic.
My generation, like all of those that preceded it, hasn’t learned anything.
We never learned the one thing that every human being on earth has in common: none of us asked to be here. We had no say in the matter at all. But once given the gift of life, no one should have the right to take it away. Yet human beings kill other human beings every day. Every hour. Every place on earth.
Sometimes, we kill each other by the millions, usually in the name of some -ism, or –ology, or –ocracy. We have a name for these mass killings. It’s called “war.”
One reason we keep warring is because of another lesson no generation has ever learned about its leaders: how to tell The Good Guys from The Bad Guys.
That is just as dumb as it sounds. But it keeps happening. Every century. And it happens because we never understand how badly we want to believe in our leaders: our presidents, our prime ministers, our priests, our rabbis — any of our leaders. We want them to be smart, to be fair, to be honest, and always to be right. And because we want so badly to believe in what they tell us, we seemingly do anything they ask.
Whenever we are told that our -ism is the true and righteous one, we believe it gives us license to kill those who believe otherwise. Frequently, our leaders use the hatred of others to galvanize us in a common cause, resulting in war.
Millions of Americans protested our country’s involvement in Viet Nam because we didn’t understand who hated us. Conversely, if President Carter had declared war after Iranian zealots kidnapped 52 Americans, we would have responded with fervent jingoism.
One thing the human race has learned — but sadly, ignored — is that history is written by the winners. So how can we ever be sure the Good Guys won and the Bad Guys lost?
Many centuries ago, a man named Alexander led an army that conquered other countries. Some history books still refer to him as Alexander The Great. No history book tells us what he was called by the thousands of widows and orphans his marauding armies left in their wake.
If Germany had won World War II, the madman Adolph Hitler – arguably the most evil human being who ever lived – would be portrayed in today’s history books as a dynamic, righteous leader.
My personal belief is that there is nothing as sacred as a human life. Any human life. Yet, at some point in the history of our civilization, our leaders determined that our beliefs are more important than our lives. That has never changed.
About seven thousand years ago, there were almost 27 million of us listening to a few leaders, telling us to go kill each other in the name of some-isms.
About five hundred years ago, there were now 450 million of us, still listening to a few leaders, still telling us to go kill each other in the name of some new
-isms.
Today, there are almost seven billion of us, still listening to a few leaders, still telling us to go kill each other; still in the name of some
–isms.
When does it stop? When do we stop killing each other?
Today, more than 60 years after the unspeakable atrocity known as The Holocaust … after a weary world swore, “Never again” … after a United Nations was created to bring peace to the whole planet … genocides continue to flourish.
Ethnic cleansing occurs every decade or so. As I write this, the slaughter of innocent people continues in Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia, all in the name of some –isms.
Leaders of these slaughters, of course, invoke hatred as a motivator. And why not? It always works.
Some have tried to unite people by other means.
For a while, Mahatma Gandhi brought people together with love instead of hatred. So did Martin Luther King. So have a precious few others.
Unfortunately, too many leaders have discovered that hatred works better.
And finally, here is a lesson we all should have learned in kindergarten: there is only one planet that supports life. This is where we all have to live. We should be taking care of this planet. And I must admit, your generation is doing a much better job of it than mine did. Or any generation, for that matter.
I hope you can start to turn other things around also.
Most of all, I hope you can start … to stop … the killing.
It will take many, many future generations to overcome cycles of hatreds generating hatreds; of broken alliances, shattered truces and unconscionable genocides.
The end of these mass murders has to start sometime. I hope it starts with you.
I hope you can make the world a tiny bit better. And a little bit cleaner. And much safer.
I hope when you are my age, you never have to write a letter of apology to all the grandchildren in the world.
Sincerely,
Wendell Abern
Wendell Abern can be reached at dendyabern@comcast.net.
Local Works day was created by the Florida Local Government Coalition to bring attention to the extraordinary efforts local government makes to keep these “ordinary” services running.
