April, 2013 – Playmobil Pick of the Month
Princess and Dinosaurs!
April, 2013 – Playmobil Pick of the Month
Princess and Dinosaurs!
Students Begin Long, Prosperous Journey
wellington, FL, April 13, 2013: Four students from Genbu-Kai Karate recently tested and advanced to their first 10th kyu (level) ranking. One student trains at the main school and the other three are students at the Royal Palm Beach high school adult education program.
Their journey, if they choose to continue, will take a minimum of at least 4 years, before being potentially invited to test for their first black belt level. Most traditional Martial Art Dojo (schools) start ranking at either 10th, or 9th kyu and progress through 1st kyu. Time between ranks slows down as the student advances. This is to make sure the students not only retain and comprehend the physical requirements of their training, but also the mental aspects, including improvement in maturity levels.
Today, martial arts schools offer a variety of color belts to denote different rankings. Typically, white, yellow and orange belts denote beginner students; purple and green belts denote intermediates; and blue, brown and red denote advanced students. Usually, stripes are added either within the belt itself, or as tips on the end of the belts for additional kyu ranking. In our schools, red belts are reserved for our junior black belts (7-12). Being these students typically do not achieve the required maturity levels, as required for our adult students.
Genbu-Kai Karate not only emphasizes self defense, but also incorporates methods in preventing bullying either at school or other social encounters. Most importantly, Genbu-Kai Karate teaches valuable life skills which students learn to incorporate in their school, family and social lives respectfully. Conveniently located next to the Wellington movie theater, Genbu-Kai Karate offers the finest in traditional Japanese martial arts in Palm Beach County. All ages are welcome to come in and try one complimentary week. For more information, please call 561.804.1002 or visit our website at www.floridagenbukai.com.
Ursula Fernandez Paintings on Display at Whole Foods
The Whole Foods Market on SR7 in Wellington has a large cafe, lined with windows which offer nice natural lighting. It’s a perfect setting to display art and Wellington Art Society is pleased to partner with Lauren Belinsky of Whole Foods to bring this show to the community. Whole Foods will provide music, hot and cold appetizers, and drinks. Please RSVP to Suzanne Redmond at sredmond75@comcast.net.
Ursula’s artwork will be displayed in the Cafe, which is on the left side of the market. Artists often bring limited editions and prints to sell the evening of their reception. There is a $5 fee to attend, which is used for WAS Scholarships for local art students pursuing a higher degree in art.
Ursula was born in Havana, Cuba and began sketching at the age of 15. Her neighbor, Felix de Cossio, a recognized portrait painter, was a major influence on Ursula. As she observed him at work, he taught her valuable tips and techniques. She tells us, “This planted a deep seated love for painting”.
Read on –
“Remember the Dreamer-Musical Moments at the Monument” and The Battle of the Choirs
Saturday-April 20, 2013
Location: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Landmark Memorial
( Currie Park ) 2400 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Featuring Full-Bodied Fashions, Musical and Program.
Free! Fun!
Exhibitors invited – $10 (no sales)
Lunch-$10
All Events are FREE!!!
(Lunch-exhibitors-$10 each)
Lunch reservations are required call 832-4682
Spoonsored by: Martin L. King Jr. Coordinating Commitee
Cultural Council of Palm Beach County
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” –Anne Frank
THE YWCA SPONSORS TAKING A “STAND AGAINST RACISM”
On Friday, April 26, 2013, organizations throughout Palm Beach County will be joining the YWCA of Palm Beach County for the third year in taking a Stand Against Racism. Across the country, more than a quarter million individuals are expected to be participating in this national event started several years ago by the YWCA’s in Trenton and Princeton, New Jersey. Through a variety of activities, individuals will be committing themselves to a lifetime of promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people in their community and in the world. This powerful, unified, effort helps to raise awareness that racism hurts everyone. Participants will range from pre-school-age children to educational and social services leaders. Racism affects everyone. Among the organizations participating in Palm Beach County thus far are: Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations, Adopt-a-Family, Alpha Kappa Alpha, The Benjamin School, City of West Palm Beach, Empire Beauty School, Families First of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach State College, St. Thomas University Human Rights Institute, Tabernacle Baptist Church, Urban League, and West Palm Beach Housing Authority. “We welcome any school, religious institution, civic organization, business or government agency to join us in this effort to denounce racism,” says Suzanne Turner, CEO of the YWCA.
Participating Stand Against Racism sites in Palm Beach County will be hosting their respective Stand Against Racism event at their own location which may be private or open to the public. “No matter what shape the ‘stand’ takes in each participating site, all activities will echo the theme that racism is unacceptable,” says Turner.
The YWCA’s in America and around the world have a rich history of advocating for racial justice. Throughout its history, the YWCA has been in the forefront of most major movements in the United States as a pioneer in race relations. “We intend to effect real change in the lives of our family, friends and co-workers through a process that identifies and eradicates the barriers that divide us and that perpetuate racism and other forms of oppression. As individuals learn what has kept us apart, they will develop new ways of working cooperatively by creating new models of shared resources and perspectives,” expressed Turner.
The YWCA of Palm Beach County seeks to bring people together across communities for one common goal—greater community unity through the elimination of racism!
BE SCAM SMART, OPERATION S.A.F.E.
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2013
SOUTH COUNTY CIVIC CENTER, JOG RD. DELRAY BEACH , FL
Registration begins at noon, program begins at 1:00 pm
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater invites you to participate in Operation S.A.F.E.
(Stop Adult Financial Exploitation) in honor of Older Americans Month in May.
The Be Scam Smart workshop is brought to you in partnership with the
Palm Beach County Sheriff ‘s Office.
These workshops are open to seniors, family members and caregivers to help inform, empower and protect our Florida seniors from financial scams and fraud. Among the issues to be discussed, but not limited to, are the psychology of a scam, how to immediately spot fraudulent behavior, the all to familiar common phone, email and bank scams, how to fight identity theft, medicare fraud, food stamp fraud and what are the available resources to keep you safe.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw will open the program and an officer assigned to the PBSO Financial Crimes Unit will be on hand to answer your questions.
Please join us for this important and informative program!
We look forward to seeing you!
For more information, please visit www.myfloridaCFO.com/SAFE<;http://www.myfloridaCFO.com/SAFE>
or call (561) 688.3804
Installation Gala for the 2013-2014 Chairman and Board Members of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce to be held at International Polo Club on Friday, April 26,2013
Wellington, FL – The Annual Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce Installation Gala, “A Diamond Affair, celebrating 100 years from Cane to Coral” will be held Friday, April 26th in Wellington at the International Polo Club of Palm Beach at 6pm. “We are very excited to be celebrating our first complete year as a newly formed chamber and 100 years of history with our businesses and our communities of Central Palm Beach County. We are so proud of all that has been accomplished since are merger last year and the chamber’s rich history” stated Jaene Miranda CEO of the Chamber. “Our members look forward each year to this event and it would not be possible without the support of partners like our presenting sponsor Mercantil Commercebank”. The merger last year, brought two chambers together as one, The Palms West Chamber established 30 years ago this year, and the Greater Lake Worth Chamber which is celebrating a 100 years and was instrumental in forming the City of Lake Worth. This event will not only be an anniversary celebration but will feature the installation of the 2013-2014 Chamber officers and directors. The ceremonial gavel will be passed from current chairman, Dr. Jeffrey Bishop, who has served this past year, to the new Chairman, Francisco J. Gonzalez of Gonzalez and Shenkmen P.L. “It has been an honor to serve as the Chairman for the CPBCCC” says Bishop. “We have accomplished many projects and have had many successful fund raising events. The joining of the Lake Worth Chamber and Palms West has proven to be very beneficial for all the communities involved. Certainly in the past year the Medical community has had significant exposure with the many mixers. I will be there to help Frank Gonzalez in his transition as the new Chairman”. Gonzalez, a resident of Wellington provides experienced legal representation in the areas of commercial and residential real estate and business law. “It is a privilege to be stepping into the role of Chairman of the Chamber organization. In these trying economic times, it’s vital to have an organization such as our Chamber as an advocate for our business community members. I am committed to making Central Palm Beach County not only a place where existing businesses can thrive and grow but one that attracts new complimentary industries and employment centers. I look forward to meeting the challenges ahead” says the soon to be appointed Gonzalez. He is a Trustee and Board Member of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce. He is the Vice-Chair of the Economic Development Task Force charged with promoting and facilitating business expansion in the Central Palm Beach County area. Mr. Gonzalez is also a graduate of Leadership West Palm Beach, served on the Board of Junior Achievement of The Palm Beaches, Inc. for over 10 years and a coach of basketball for the Wellington Recreation program. He and his wife Christina have three sons, Nicholas, Nathan and Daniel. They are very active in the community of Wellington where they have lived since 1997.
Don’t miss this extraordinary night of recognition and festivities. The evening will start off with a cocktail reception, followed by an elegant dinner, silent auction, live auction, the installation of the board and dancing the night away. Tickets are $125 for members and $175 for non-members. To purchase tickets go to www.cpbchamber.com or call 561-790-6200.
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West Palm Beach Gets STEAM-y
Local authors raise awareness on integrating the arts into STEM learning
West Palm Beach, FL — Corwin Publishers and the South Florida Science Museum will be hosting a book launch party for local authors Dr. David A. Sousa and Tom Pilecki in celebration of the publication of From STEM to STEAM: Using Brain-Compatible Strategies to Integrate the Arts (Corwin, 2013). The event will take place Monday, April 22, from 7 PM to 9 PM at PB Blues and BBQ in West Palm Beach .
Sousa, a resident of Palm Beach and the author of many best-selling books on education, and Pilecki, the former executive director of the Center for Creative Education in West Palm Beach , will be signing copies of their book. West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio, Corwin President Mike Soules, and South Florida Science
Museum President and CEO Lew Crampton will also speak. Entertainment will be provided by Voices of Pride.
From STEM to STEAM argues that the arts build the creative and real-world problem-solving skills so central to STEM education. Sousa and Pilecki back up their claims with research-based evidence along with immediately useable lessons.
“The main objective of both art and science is discovery,” says Pilecki. “Our current school culture places heavy emphasis on convergent thinking, whereby the student pieces together relevant facts, data, and procedures to arrive at the single correct answer. In divergent thinking, on the other hand, the student generates several ideas about possible ways to solve a problem. Divergent thinking works best with poorly defined problems that have multifaceted solutions, such as dealing with climate change and environmental pollution. This is the type of thinking that is typical of artistic activities.”
The authors hope that their book will encourage education policymakers to recognize that an excessive emphasis on high-stakes testing forces schools to emphasize convergent rather than divergent thinking, and extinguishes creativity and student interest in science and mathematics. They hope policymakers and school administrators will provide more support for realigning the arts with the STEM areas.
“Research findings show that artistic endeavors improve long-term memory, increase student motivation, promote creativity, advance social growth, introduce novelty into lessons, and reduce stress,” says Sousa. “In addition, STEM teachers who have developed STEAM lessons say it makes teaching more interesting and rewarding for them as well as for their students.”
PB Blues and BBQ (formerly the China Beach Restaurant) is located at 409 Northwood Rd , Northwood Village , West Palm Beach . Reporters can RSVP for the event by contacting Charline Maher at charline.maher@corwin.com or 805-410-7750.
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RICHARD BLANCO, INAUGURAL POET, VISITS THE RITZ-CARLTON, PALM BEACH FOR A “PLUM BLUSH OF DUSK” POETRY READING BENEFITTING PALM BEACH COUNTY HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
PALM BEACH, Fla., (May 1, 2013)—In support of the 25th anniversary of Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, Inaugural Poet Richard Blanco will delight guests with a poetry reading for the “Plum Blush of Dusk” soiree at The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach on Wednesday, May 1st. The inaugural poem “One Today,” resonated with the country and was a poignant highlight of President Obama’s 2nd inauguration ceremony. “The poem he [Blanco] presented, was called “a humble, modest poem, one presented to a national audience as a gift of [camaraderie], and in the context of political, pop, and media culture, a quiet assertion that poetry deserves its place in our thoughts on this one day, and every day,” said Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly.
In rapt attention, audiences fell under the spell of Richard’s words–classic prose to poetic beauty. Expressions so moving and visual, that one could almost touch the words. In true poetry in motion, Richard Blanco embraced the rich kaleidoscope of the nation’s people. The fifth poet to read at an inauguration, he is the first immigrant, the first Latino, the first openly gay person and the youngest person to be the U.S. inaugural poet. On Mr. Blanco’s first visit to the Palm Beaches as the “pop star poet,” this reception is a perfect way to honor Richard as an artist and celebrate tolerance.
As the sun sets to the west, this grassroots occasion will be intimate gathering by the firepit on the oceanfront terrace. This event is limited capacity, however, a VIP meet and greet will be available. Following the VIP reception, guests will be treated to a 15 minute poetry reading and reception from 7:30PM – 9:00PM.
For more information on tickets, please call Palm Beach County Human Rights Council 561-586-0203 or visit www.pbchrc.org. For more information about “Plum Blush of Dusk” and/or The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach, please call 1-561-533-6000 or visit, www.ritzcarlton.com/palmbeach
The following excerpt is from One Today…
“One sky, toward which we sometimes lift our eyes
tired from work: some days guessing at the weather
of our lives, some days giving thanks for a love
that loves you back, sometimes praising a mother
who knew how to give, or forgiving a father
who couldn’t give what you wanted.
We head home: through the gloss of rain or weight
of snow, or the plum blush of dusk, but always—home,
always under one sky, our sky. And always one moon
like a silent drum tapping on every rooftop
and every window, of one country—all of us—
facing the stars
hope—a new constellation
waiting for us to map it,
waiting for us to name it—together.” Richard Blanco
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About The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach
The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach is a Forbes Five Star and 2013 AAA Five Diamond Award property, which completed a more-than $130 million transformation in 2009. The beachfront resort welcomes guests with breath taking ocean views immediately upon entry and a gorgeous outdoor terrace with evening ambiance and a fire pit. There are 310 spacious guestrooms and luxurious suites – including the 2,755-square-foot Presidential Suite – and 23,000 square feet of indoor meeting space. Dining options include Angle, a contemporary American supper club; Temple Orange for traditional American/ Mediterranean comfort food; Breeze as a chic burger bistro set ocean side; Oceanfront Cabanas for intimate affairs; Eau Spa Café; and Stir Bar in the lobby lounge for light nibbles and refreshments. The Business Lounge and Resort Cabanas cater to travellers who wish to combine work and play. Eau Spa offers a contemporary take on spa-going and day-long unwinding with a multitude of fanciful treatments, a full-service salon and Eau- fitness Center. For more information visit www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/palm_beach.
About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 82 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, an award that originated in 1987. Its purpose is to promote the awareness of quality excellence, recognize quality achievements of companies and publicize successful quality strategies. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company won the award in 1992 and 1999. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR).
About Richard Blanco
Richard Blanco is an American poet and teacher. Blanco, born in Madrid, immigrated as an infant with his Cuban exile family to Miami, and was raised and educated there. He earned a B.S. from Florida International University in Civil Engineering in 1991 and his Master in Fine Arts in Creative Writing in 1997. He taught at Georgetown University, American University, Central Connecticut State University, and Writer’s Center. His poems have appeared in top literary journals including, The Nation, the New Republic, Ploughshares, Michigan Quarterly Review, and TriQuarterly Review; and several anthologies including, The Best American Poetry, Great American Prose Poems, Breadloaf Anthology of New American Poets, and American Poetry: The Next Generation. He has been featured on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, and various conferences and venues including the Miami Book Fair, The Southern Writers Conference, The Sunken Garden Poetry Festival, the Dodge Poetry Festival, and The Poetry Center at Smith College. Blanco is recipient of two Florida Artist Fellowships, a Residency Fellowship from the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and is a John Ciardi Fellow of the Bread Loaf Writers Conference.
About Palm Beach County Human Rights Council
The Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, a local non-profit organization, is dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The Council promotes equality, through education, advocacy, direct action, impact litigation, and community outreach.