TAP Auditions for Mean Girls and Heathers
Theatre Arts Productions-TAP and the Village of Wellington are excited to announce our summer shows!! “Mean Girls” (performed at the Wellington Ampitheater) and “Heathers” (performed at the Rinker Theatre at the Kravis Center).Call or email to get your audition slot today!
Mean Girls auditions will be held May 17 from 4:00-8:00 PM for actors 5-15 years of age. There will be a performance fee for participants in this production. Payment plans and a limited number of scholarships are available.
Heathers auditions will be held May 24 from 4:00-8:00 PM for actors age 16 and older.
Auditions will be held at the Wellington Community Center.
Theatre Arts Productions-TAP
561.568.8659
Wellington Community Center
12150 Forest Hill Boulevard
Wellington, FL 33414
Unity in CommUNITY
Celebrating the 4th Annual EJS CommUNITY Block Party Presented by Pulte Family Charitable Foundation
By Julie Khanna
Above: There were lots of smiling faces at the 4th Annual EJS CommUNITY Block Party Presented by Pulte Family Charitable Foundation. Aparra Photography.
Measuring social impact in its entirety is as impossible as counting the water molecules in a cup runneth over, largely because the ripple effects travel far and wide lasting generations in longevity. Genuinely knowing the impact on so many lives cannot be assessed as one hand holds another, the way molecules bond in togetherness.
If impact could be quantified, it might look like the 4th Annual EJS CommUNITY Block Party presented by the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation in Delray Beach, Florida. A culmination of year-round efforts, it’s a place for all to unite and honor one another.
Around 1500 people from all over Palm Beach County gathered on May 4th, 2024, for the lively celebration of community, connectedness, and EJS Project’s mission to build and empower tomorrow’s leaders. The event symbolizes the vision originally set forth by Emanuel “Dupree” Jackson, Founder and Executive Director of the EJS Project, to reduce the vulnerability footprint for folks in the community he grew up in.
Above: Romeo Brown, Brooklyn Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Malachi Kennick, Jacolby Baker, Gertavian Blake (orange), Jose Brown (black), Oscar Watson, Jordan Lyles-Mann, Dupree Jackson, and Robert Shanfield pose for a photo. Aparra Photography.
People danced in front of the stage, which amplified live performances from local talent, a drum circle, step teams, the DJ, and music. Children laughed and wove their way through the Kids Zone and bounce houses and got dressed up in first responder gear while exploring the ins and outs of emergency vehicles brought by the Delray Beach Fire Department and Delray Beach Police Department. The dunk tank drew a crowd as community leaders like Delray Beach Deputy Vice-Mayor Rob Long and Atlantic High Football Coach Jamelle Murray volunteered to make a splash. Games, a towering stilt walker, and contests entertained everyone. Local businesses, marketplace vendors, community resource tents, and food trucks were also present to keep attendees hydrated, fed, and well-informed. The day brought everyone together, emphasizing the UNITY in commUNITY.
“The energy is contagious. I want people to feel good year-round and know that they have help. Know that they’re not in this alone. That’s what I hope,” said Jackson. “Any movement is as strong as the people that believe in it. Our sponsors cover the production costs, so we can host a friendraiser that brings people together.”
Connecting the community to resources is a cornerstone of the EJS Project’s daily work and is met with eager participation from supporters- many of whom were in attendance.
“We are longtime supporters of the EJS Project. Community Partners of South Florida (CPSFL) is all about investing in community, and what better way to do that than to come out and support an event that brings families and communities together,” said Dr. Clarice Redding, Director of Advancement for CPSFL and one of the event sponsors in attendance.
On the other 364 days of the year, the EJS Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provides teen mentorship and programming in a safe after-school center at 700 West Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444. Programming includes ‘Bout Dat Action, designed to keep youth engaged in City Commission meetings with the Delray Beach Police Department, beautification efforts, civic engagement, and leadership. Purpose Pays engages participants in meaningful employment, internships, and summer work experiences. Project Hub allows youth to drop in during the regular evening hours to hang out, complete homework, and utilize free WIFI and technology. Youth also have access to mental health support, and transportation is provided, eliminating one of the biggest obstacles to participation.
The youth that attend the center reflect Dupree Jackson’s childhood, and as an adult, he knew he wanted to be a producer of positive outcomes instead of a product of his environment.
“Watching Dupree grow the EJS Project over the years and seeing the impact on current and future generations has been inspiring. One of the first things that caught my attention was his passion for the work he’s doing, and it’s just been a pleasure to witness and be a part of,” said EJS Project Board Director Robert Shanfield.
As another successful year of the Annual EJS CommUNITY Block Party presented by the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation closes, the daily work continues. Creating positive core memories, refocusing trajectories, and decreasing vulnerability footprints guarantees that the impact will spill out well beyond the Delray Beach community, this generation, or every person the EJS Project has yet to meet for themselves- a promise that Emmanuel “Dupree” Jackson’s mission to empower tomorrow’s leaders is thriving.
To learn more about how you can get involved, visit www.ejsproject.org.
Above: Delray Beach Fire Rescue and law enforcement provided a hands-on experience for attendees. Aparra Photography.
LIGHTHOUSE ARTCENTER KICKS OFF SUMMER WITH A FREE KIDS EVENT ON MAY 31
Tequesta, Fla., (May 9, 2024) – Lighthouse ArtCenter (LAC) is gearing up for the summer season with an exciting Summer Kick-Off Event on Friday, May 31, from 1 pm to 3 pm. Held at LAC’s location at 373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469, this event offers free admission to the family-friendly “Stitching Spectacular” exhibition and engaging children’s activities, including storytimes, arts and crafts, a coloring contest, and light bites and refreshments. For more information, visit lighthousearts.org.
“Our Summer Kick-Off Event is a fantastic opportunity for families to come together and celebrate the beginning of summer with art and creativity,” expressed Jeni Licata, Executive Director of Lighthouse ArtCenter. “We’re delighted to provide complimentary admission to the ‘Stitching Spectacular’ exhibition and to offer children an array of interactive activities.”
Running through August 2, the “Stitching Spectacular” exhibition features the intricate textile art by Irem Yazici, which vividly brings to life scenes from the beloved children’s book ‘Princess Pinecone and the Wee Royals’ by C.C. Bernstein. Additionally, the exhibition will showcase eight collaborative textile yarn upcycle projects crafted by LAC’s summer campers. These pieces, aligning with the weekly summer camp themes, are available for a $300 donation, with each contribution funding a scholarship for a child to attend a week of LAC’s ArtCamp.
‘Princess Pinecone and the Wee Royals’ was inspired by stories Bernstein’s mother used to tell her before bedtime. The book centers on Princess Pinecone, who is the size of a grain of rice, and her friends and carries messages of empathy, forgiveness, and kindness. Bernstein earned an MFA in fictional writing from NYU and a B.A. in English from Georgetown University. She now resides in Connecticut, working on her debut novel.
Irem Yazici, the talented hand embroidery artist behind the intricate stitchings, is from Eskisehir, Turkey. Self-taught and endlessly creative, Irem’s work has garnered international acclaim and has been featured in prestigious publications such as TextileArtist.org, Vice’s The Creator’s Project, and Vogue.
Summer ArtCamp runs from June 3 to August 2 and provides kids aged 5 to 11 with an immersive artistic experience. From “Surfin’ Safari” to “Space Odyssey,” each week of camp offers exciting themes and hands-on projects, including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and more. LAC offers dynamic one-day workshops for teens aged 12 to 16 for $136 that explore fused glass, jewelry making, and recycled collage techniques.
About Lighthouse ArtCenter:
Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery & School of Art is 501c(3) not-for-profit founded in 1964 by eight artists and Christopher Norton. The ArtCenter is dedicated to the visual arts whose mission is to inspire, engage, and connect our community through a vibrant school of art, unique exhibitions, and diverse special events. The center has grown into a three-building campus with a Gallery & 2D Studio, a 3D Studio, and a Jewelry & Textile Studio. Supported by memberships, tuition, grants, and donations, Lighthouse ArtCenter serves over 20,000 visitors, 3000 students, 45 faculty members, 400 summer art campers, and a comprehensive outreach program to benefit under-served populations. For more information, visit https://www.lighthousearts.org.
LIGHTHOUSE ARTCENTER GALLERY AND 2D STUDIO
373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469
561-746-3101
3D STUDIO
395 Seabrook Road, Tequesta, FL 33469
STUDIO 385
Jewelry and Textiles
385 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469
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Calendar Listing:
Friday, May 31, 2024, 1 pm – 3 pm – Lighthouse ArtCenter (LAC) is gearing up for the summer season with an exciting free Summer Kick-Off Event. The event includes admission to the family-friendly “Stitching Spectacular” exhibition and engaging children’s activities, including storytimes, arts and crafts, a coloring contest, and light bites and refreshments. “Stitching Spectacular” features the intricate textile art by Irem Yazici, which vividly brings to life scenes from the beloved children’s book ‘Princess Pinecone and the Wee Royals’ by C.C. Bernstein. The event occurs at LAC at 373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469. For more information, visit lighthousearts.org.
PALM BEACH COUNTY EDUCATORS CELEBRATED AT 40th ANNUAL WILLIAM T. DWYER AWARDS FINALIST VIP RECEPTION
WEST PALM BEACH (May 9, 2024) – The Economic Council of Palm Beach County Foundation hosted a VIP reception at the M/Y Café at Rybovich Marina on April 23, 2024, to honor twenty-eight finalists and sponsors of the Dwyer Awards for Excellence in Education. Huizenga Holdings graciously hosted this special event, which marks the 40th year of celebrating educational excellence in Palm Beach County.
“2024 marks our 40th event celebrating excellence in education in Palm Beach County. We are honored by a record number of sponsors,” said Michele Jacobs, President and CEO of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County. “Forty-five organizations are participating in celebrating excellence in education. The excitement is contagious, and we hope our community joins us in recognizing these outstanding educators.”
Deana Pizzo, Dwyer Awards Chair, welcomed guests and recognized distinguished attendees, including Palm Beach County School District Board members, elected officials, and school district leadership. Superintendent Michael Burke introduced the esteemed finalists representing various categories, including Early Education, Elementary, Middle, and High School Education, Special Programs, STEM Education, and Student Advancement & Career Education.
The Dwyer Awards, an annual program developed in 1984 and supported by the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, honors outstanding educators from public and private schools in Palm Beach County with a reception, ceremony, and financial recognition. The program seeks to increase awareness of the exemplary teaching in our community and promote high standards of excellence in education.
The Economic Council of Palm Beach County, comprised of business leaders deeply committed to fostering educational excellence, received nearly 450 nominations for the 2024 Dwyer Awards. Each nominee underwent a rigorous evaluation process by almost one hundred prominent business leaders from Palm Beach County. This meticulous judging procedure culminated in selecting twenty-eight finalists across seven distinct categories, eventually recognizing seven winners, one from each category.
Felicia Rodriguez, anchor at WPBF 25, will serve as emcee. The community is invited to attend. Tickets are $45 each and include a cocktail reception at 5:30 pm and the awards ceremony at 7:00 pm. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit https://www.economiccouncilpbc.org/dwyerawards/.
The 2024 Dwyer Awards would like to thank the following sponsors: Presenting Sponsor – Hanley Foundation; Excellence Sponsor – Elmore Family Foundation; Award Sponsors – Comcast, FPL, IT Solutions of South Florida, Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, Mariaca Wealth, PNC Bank, and UnitedHealthcare; Finalist VIP Reception Sponsor – Huizenga Holdings; Staging Sponsor – Pratt & Whitney; Teacher Tickets Sponsor – Bank of America; Knowledge Sponsors – Baptist Health, Blue Ocean Capital, The Breakers, Gunster, Kitson & Partners, Oxbow Carbon, and The Weitz Company; Creativity Sponsors – Jones Foster, Max Planck, SBA Communications, Shutts & Bowen, and Singer Comiter – Michael Singer; Teacher/Student Ticket Sponsors – 2GHO, CareerSource PBC, Dr. Dennis Gallon, Keshavarz, M&T Bank, Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, Tortoise Properties, Urban Design Kilday Studios, and Wellington Regional Medical Center; Media Sponsors – The Palm Beach Post, and WPBF.
For more information contact khanner@ec-pbc.org.
About the Economic Council of Palm Beach County:
Established in 1975, the Economic Council of Palm Beach County is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that supports an open and collaborative relationship between the public and private sectors in Palm Beach County. The Council’s membership comprises a diverse mix of industries of varying sizes in the area whose leaders have an active and influential role in the community. Learn more about the Economic Council at www.economiccouncilpbc.org. The Economic Council of Palm Beach County Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of the Council.
Final Polo Match of 2024
Photos and Story by Alan Fabricant
In a “friendly” match between the USA and Argentina the 2024 NPC polo season came to a close before a loud, cheering group of spectators.
Argentina started with a one goal advantage due to handicapping, however it was not nearly enough to overcome a very strong USA team made up of Finn Secunda, Joaquin Avendano, Nico Escobar and Cody Ellis.
At halftime the score had the USA ahead 7-5. The second half was dominated both offensively and defensively by team USA with a final score of 13-6.
The Argentinian team was comprised of Nacho Cabrera, Fernando Maciel Talavera, Agustin Obregon and Pablo Dorignac.
SunFest’s 40th Anniversary (2024)
Photos by Monica Kallas
On the weekend of May 3 to 5, a wonderful 40th anniversary of SunFest took place with two main stages in downtown West Palm Beach. Here’s just a sampling of the musical acts. On Friday, May 3rd, Shaggy engaged the crowd with his captivating performance. On Sunday, May 5th, home grown band Boys Like Girls gave an awesome performance. For more info about SunFest, go to SunFest.com and check out the 2024 Video Recap.
Shaggy
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Boys Like Girls
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Cassadee Pope from Wellington, Winner of The Voice (2012) and photographer Monica Kallas
The Human-Animal Alliance sponsors ‘River’ and ‘Rocky’ at Tomorrow’s Rainbow
Mini ponies join the charity’s animal team providing healing for children navigating grief
[Wellington, FL] – Wellington-based charity The Human-Animal Alliance is delighted to announce the sponsorship of two mini rescue ponies ‘Rocky’ and ‘River’ at Tomorrow’s Rainbow – a place for children, teens and families healing from the death of a loved one.“Sponsorship such as this is vital for the care of our horses, such as River and Rocky. These ponies were recently rescued and are now taking part in therapeutic activities for children both on and offsite,” said Abby Mosher, Founder and Executive Director of Tomorrow’s Rainbow, based in Coconut Creek, Florida. “We are grateful to The Human-Animal Alliance, whose core mission aligns with ours in realizing the value of equine therapy in helping people to heal from grief and trauma.”
‘River’ and ‘Rocky’ are a bonded pair that were rescued to be a part of the mobile programs, Grief on the Go and Tomorrow’s Rainbow Coping Academy. The entire herd of equine, big and small, at Tomorrow’s Rainbow is rescued – an important part of the nonprofit’s values.
The sponsorship program at Tomorrow’s Rainbow provides funding for the care of the therapy horses plus Grief Support Groups, Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and mobile programs supporting grief, loss and adversity.
“Tomorrow’s Rainbow is a safe place where children feel, often for the first time, understood,” said Mosher.
A team of EAGALA certified professionals at Tomorrow’s Rainbow’s mini ranch provide Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy for those struggling with an array of mental health challenges including trauma, PTSD, anxiety and depression.
“Equine-assisted therapy is recognized globally for its profound impact on physical, emotional, and psychological well-being,” said The Human-Animal Alliance Founder and Wellington resident, Jackie Ducci, who recently visited Tomorrow’s Rainbow to meet ‘Rocky’ and ‘River’ and see them settled in their new home. “Horses are deeply intuitive and have a remarkable ability to help humans heal. Organizations like Tomorrow’s Rainbow epitomize the power of human-animal connection in the services they provide, and we are honored to support their program again this year.”
Ducci personally covers The Human-Animal Alliance’s overheads to ensure that every dollar donated goes directly to the charitable projects it selects for grants. Every project is researched and evaluated before being selected as a grant recipient.
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About The Human-Animal Alliance
The Human-Animal Alliance provides grants to exceptional, yet often overlooked nonprofit organizations that support and enhance human-animal connection. Programs receiving funding are identified nationwide through an extensive sourcing and screening process. The Alliance also supports relevant legislative policy initiatives and educates the public on the importance of human animal connection. For more information visit www.h-aa.org or call (561) 485-0445.
About Tomorrow’s Rainbow
Tomorrow’s Rainbow is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. It is a special place for children, teens, and families that are healing from grief, loss or trauma. Located in Coconut Creek, Florida, the Tomorrow’s Rainbow mini-ranch is a unique setting for equine-assisted grief and trauma support, offered FREE of charge to children, teens and their families. Tomorrow’s Rainbow is celebrating 18 years as our community’s premier resource for hope and resiliency. The vision of Tomorrow’s Rainbow is every child connected to joy. For further information, contact Leah Eauslin at 954.953.0847 or visit www.TomorrowsRainbow.org
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Tomorrow’s Rainbow’s Abby Mosher and The Human-Animal Alliance’s Jackie Ducci pictured with Rocky and River at Tomorrow’s Rainbow’s small ranch in Coconut Creek, FL.
Photo: courtesy of The Human-Animal Alliance