JUNIOR LEAGUE OF THE PALM BEACHES AND THE SOUTH FLORIDA SCIENCE MUSEUM HOST “KIDS IN THE KITCHEN” APRIL 20, 2013
A Free, Fun-Filled Morning of Fitness and Health Activities for Children Ages 4-8
West Palm Beach – On April 20, 2013, parents and children ages 4-8 are invited to participate in “Kids in the Kitchen,” an annual free, family-friendly event at the South Florida Science Museum hosted in partnership with the Junior League of the Palm Beaches. Held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., “Kids in the Kitchen” presents fun activities, nutrition and exercise demonstrations for children to learn how to live a healthy lifestyle. This free event is open to the public for the first 100 children who register.
Among the food activity stations, children will learn how to make simple healthy snacks and taste health foods they’ve never tried before. They’ll also have fun cooking with Chef Atkins, graduate of Johnson and Wales Culinary Arts. Kids will visit fitness booths to learn easy-to-do exercises, watch a karate demonstration by Palm Beach Chikubu-Kai Dojo, and get “Boost Fit” tips from the Boosterthon Team, a school-based initiative that challenges students to choose fitness on a daily basis. The SouthFloridaScienceMuseum is also hosting a class on anatomy and healthy eating. The event will feature Hometown Bridges, providing educational resources and programming to the community. “Kids in the Kitchen” will be providing free giveaways and favors for every child who attends.
To register for the event, parents & guardians may enter the child’s name and age (4-8) online at JLPBKITK.EVENTBRITE.COM. For every child who attends, one complimentary adult ticket to the museum will be provided. Extra tickets will be discounted at $3.00 per additional adult. The SouthFloridaScienceMuseum, located at 4801 Dreher Trail North in West Palm Beach, features more than 50 hands-on exhibits, a digital planetarium, fresh and salt water aquariums, and natural history exhibits.
Junior League of the Palm Beaches, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. For more information, please visit www.jlpb.org, https://www.facebook.com/#!/JuniorLeaguePB, and twitter@JLPalmBeaches, #KidsintheKitchen, #JLKITK.
$2.00 buys a raffle ticket and a chance to win gift certificates to some of your favorite places here in Wellington or a Joey’s Outback gift basket.
For a limited time we have partnered with Nanny Popinz and Revitese MedSpa to give you some time to yourself. Details are below.
New School Hours:
Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday 11-6, Friday & Saturday 11-8. Closed Mondays And Tuesdays Except For School Holidays, Breaks And Vacations.
Spread the Word!
Like and Share Joey’s Outback Adventures Face Book page in April for a chance to win a $100 Gift Certificate!
For a Limited Time
Every Friday in April
You can drop off the kids on any Friday in April at Joey’s Outback for only $39 ($5 sibling discount) for up to 3 hours of supervised play time. While the kids are having fun, You can relax and enjoy some time to yourself.Call Joey’s Outback at 561-204-4554 to reserve and prepay.
Partnered with Nanny Popinz and Revitese Med Spa.
Special Needs Night (New Night)
Every Wednesday 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Special pricing $9 per child includes hotdog or nuggets, chips and drink or $7 for admission only. Adults receive 10% off cafe items.
Wednesdays Outback Scavenger Hunt with Prizes
Every Wednesday at 4:30 pm
Join us for an adventure with our “Outback Scavenger Hunt to win prizes! (Regular admission plus $3 to join the hunt.)
WEDNESDAY DISCOUNTED ADMISSIONS FOR ALL DAY PLAY Under 3 – $7.95, Ages 3-12 – $9.95. Home school children all ages up to 12 – $6.50.
Family Fun Night Fridays
Every Friday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
10% off admission and cafe items!
Art Classes
Starting April 5th, 2013
Kid’s and Parents Favorite Art Program “Artistic Pursuits” art classes starting on April 5th. Register now, space is limited! Contact Joey’s Outback Adventures (561) 204-4554 or visit JoeysOutback.com for more info.
Just a few highlights of happenings Around Wellington. For many more photos, visit the link “” on this site! For recent videos, click on our “” link.
The judges table at Flavors 2013, which was held on April 5th at the Palm Beach Intl. Equestrian Center, a Wellington Chamber event. Photo: Carol Porter.
The Village of Wellington Egg Hunt at Pierson Park. Photo: Carol Porter.
Jathy Garcia of Hi-Tech Plumbing presents a check to Your Bosom Buddies, II Inc. of Wellington, as Lorna Johnson (right) accepts the check.
Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of the new Jordan’s Steak Bistro, located just outside of the Mall at Wellington Green (near L.A. Fitness).
WEST PALM BEACH, FL. – Minx Boren, Master Certified Coach, Julie Reiser, President and Co-Founder of Made in USA Certified and Siobhan Helene Shea, Appellate Attorney were the winners of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce 18th Annual Giraffe Awards in honor of Women’s History Month. Boren, Reiser and Shea were chosen from thirteen finalists who exemplify women in Palm Beach County who make a significant impact on their community.
Award judges included Lawrence Weinstein MD, Chairman of the Department of Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery at Bethesda Hospital, Fred Meltzer, President/CEO of Hoffman’s Chocolate, Sarah Alsofrom,Director of Development and Community Relations for the Hanley Center Foundation in West Palm Beach, Jane Bloom, Owner of Ink & Toner USA and Honorable Anne Gannon, Constitutional Tax Collector servicing Palm Beach County.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County selects extraordinary women from our community who have made a credible impact on the lives of others, women who have “Stuck their Neck Out” selflessly and contributed to the business and social fabric of our community.
The 18th Annual Giraffe Awards took place on March 20, 2013, at The Borland Center for Performing Arts in Palm Beach Gardens. Our audience consisted of businesswomen and decision makers within the Palm Beach County area.
British Swim School Teaches ‘Survival of the Littlest’
Water survival skills save children’s lives.
Wellington, FL – Water overflowed from the giant jet tub, sending toys, soaps and washcloths onto the bathroom floor.
“I dove in expecting to find my little boy Jack at the bottom,” said Wellington father Howie Berkowitz. “It was the longest, most terrifying moment of my life.”
Parents Howie and Sarah Berkowitz realized in that instant – when they saw
British Swim School
then 18-month-old Jack trapped and terrified but alive between the wall and the tub – swimming lessons could mean life or death. And that’s how Jack became one of thousands of local children who graduated from water survival skills class at the British Swim School in Wellington. The program so impressed the couple that they became owners of the 11-year-old swim school.
“We now have the confidence and peace of mind to know Jack can survive if he falls in the water,” Sarah Berkowitz said. “Every day another child learns to float alone and survive, we feel as though we have made a difference.”
‘It happened so fast.’
Berkowitz and his wife were enjoying a typical gathering of parents and friends. The clamor of children running through the house filled the air.
“We were in the kitchen talking to the other parents when everyone realized it was a little too quiet,” Sarah Berkowitz said. “Right then, one of the other children came running in and said, ‘Jack in the water! Jack in the water!'”
Hearts sank and two terrified parents ran for the bathroom. This was every parent’s nightmare scenario.
In the swelling panic of jumping in the tub, no one noticed the soaked little boy had managed to perch himself on a ledge between a wall and the tub, trapped from escaping.
When Jack spoke up, relief and tears flowed like water from the tub.
“You hear about kids at the bottom of a swimming pool. This was a bathroom tub,” the father said. “We just couldn’t believe something like this could happen to us.”
In fact:
•Children ages 1 to 4 have the highest drowning rates, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
•Young children can drown in less than two inches of water.
•Deaths from drowning for children under five in Florida have been more than double the national average, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Like many of their friends, they had thought about swimming lessons for their child – especially living in South Florida. But Jack didn’t really take to the backyard pool, and there just never seemed to be time.
After Jack nearly drowned – now was the time.
Survival is more important than swimming
Water survival skills decrease the risk of drowning by 88 percent, according to the CDC.
One of the first lessons the instructor at the British Swim School taught Jack – and his parents – is that knowing how to do the freestyle stroke is not enough. Children must know how to survive in the water long enough to be rescued or save themselves.
The back float is the most important survival skill because it enables all swimmers to rest, breathe and call for help. Babies as young as 3 months can learn to roll over on their backs.
“As instructors, we teach survival skills before swimming. We ensure our students are water safe,” said Stephanie Bachar, the aquatic manager at the British Swim School in Wellington. “Teaching this way encourages confidence in the water and helps students develop into safe swimmers.”
For more than 30 years, British Swim School instructors say they have refined the method of a gradual, gentle and fun learning process. Repetition – and a few songs and games – is also key to this training. Lessons are conducted in an indoor, heated saltwater pool,
In a few months, Jack could jump in, roll on his back and float. He moved up to the Turtle 1 class, which focuses on introductory swimming skills for children who have mastered survival skills.
“It was so amazing to see his progress,” said Howie Berkowitz. “Watching all the children learn how to save themselves had such a powerful impact on the both of us that we had to become part of it all.”
British Swim School offers a host of programs
After taking over the British Swim School Wellington location, tucked into an office park by the popular Village Park, the Berkowitz’s put all their energy into spreading the word about the importance of water survival skills for children.
The school’s premier class is the Swimboree, for ages 3 to 36 months with a parent. There is a maximum of6 children per class. Focusing on water survival, babies and toddlers are taught through a structured program of songs, games and fun. This class introduces the baby to the water and teaches them to float independently on their back for the first time.
Once this critical skill is mastered, the school offers a host of classes to help with a child’s development, including:
•Young Minnows: (18 months to 3 years without parent) The instructor works one-on-one with each child following the same structure and emphasis on water survival as the Swimboree class.
•Minnow: (Over 3 years old introductory skills) Children participate in this small group class concentrating on fun, safety and independence in the water.
•Turtle One: (Introductory skills) In this small group, children focus on preparing for swim stroke classes by learning the basics of “face-in” breathing, and being able to demonstrate basic “freestyle,” and “backstroke,” propulsion techniques.
•Turtle Two: (Swimming skills) Swimmers focus on the correct arm, leg and breathing coordination for three stokes: Freestyle, Breaststroke, and Backstroke. Swimmers also get an introduction to the butterfly.
•Shark One: (Advanced swimming skills) Swimmers refine their stroke and breathing techniques as well as increasing stamina in all four strokes.
The school also offers adult swim classes, along with private, semi-private and group lessons. Apart from the safety aspect, swimming is also a great form of exercise with overall heart healthy benefits. The school also sends graduates to the local swim team.
And for fun, the Berkowitz’s added birthday party packages, including lifeguards.
Spa and Salon at PGA National host Broadway Divas under the Stars to benefit AIDS Wellness Advocacy
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida — PGA National Resort & Spa announces Broadway Divas under the Stars benefitting Compass of Palm Beach County’s HIV and AIDS Wellness Advocacy program. The event will take place Saturday, April 20th from 6pm to 9pm at the Spa at PGA National.
Guests will enjoy a live musical theatrical presentation by a variety of “female divas” with Salon at PGA National Stylist Scott Boyce in a starring role. Scott along with spa employees led by Spa Director, Cecilia Tate, banded together to produce the event in order to raise money for a charity near and dear to the employees’ hearts. In addition to live entertainment, this Spa after hours event features cocktails and broadway bites, spa tours, tarot card readings, vendor shopping, a silent auction, goodie bags and giveaways.
The talented group of female impersonators is donating their time and talents to the show to benefit a great cause, Compass’s HIV and AID’s Wellness Advocacy Program.Some may recognize some of the divas for their past sold out performances at the Lake Worth Playhouse for the past six years. During this upscale show, the dazzling divas will channel some of the most popular Broadway show tunes of our time, honoring the legendary performers with several songand dance numbers.
Cecilia Tate, Spa Director, says “I am so excited to be able to support our staff and Compass on this joint initiative.The event will benefit AIDS/HIV, a still very present disease that affects many women, men and children here in Palm Beach County.I am proud to support Compass’ mission to diminish stereotypes by challenging long-standing misconceptions.“
Broadway Divas Under the Stars is open to the public. Tickets are $25 and should be purchased in advance by visiting www.broadwaydivas.eventbrite.com or by calling 561-627-3111.Your ticket includes the show, one complimentary cocktail or refreshment, diva bites, and one goody bag to each attendee.
About the Spa at PGA National
Consistently rated as the “Best Spa in Palm Beach County,” our 40,000 square foot European spa blends stunning surroundings, lavish amenities, impeccable service and a host of over 100 transforming treatments. Our “Waters of the World” mineral pools have healing properties. Enjoy an outdoor café style lunch poolside at the Waters of the World Café post treatment. Massages are invigorating, body wraps rejuvenating, and our skin treatments can turn back the hands of time. The European spa also features a full-service beauty salon, where guests can arrange for haircuts, shampoos, styling, hair and color treatments, and a full menu of nail services. Recently the spa underwent a renovation with all new furnishings out by the Waters of the Worlds mineral healing pools.
About Compass Group
Compass Group provides a safe space for HIV testing and case management services. The community will find a safe, comfortable, confidential, non-clinical setting in which they will get accurate, non-judgmental services through volunteer based counseling, testing and linkage program. Our rapid HIV testing program utilizes testing technology that is proven to be the most accurate and yields the fastest results. And, in collaboration with the Palm Beach County Health Department, Compass hosts monthly vaccinations and STD testing services in their center.
Compass remains amongst the leaders in the state of Florida for helping the highest number of people with HIV find out their status and link them to medical care. Compass Group Understanding education and awareness is the foundation of successful HIV prevention. In the past two years, we have provided 3,022 HIV tests and educated more than 15,000 people through our efforts and dedication. We partner with college campuses, churches, local bars, substance abuse treatment facilities and other community centers to spread the knowledge and create advocates of healthier life practices and choices.
The Wellington Chamber of Commerce Welcomes
Muscle Works Supplements as a New Member
By Monica Kallas, SharpShooter Marketing
The Wellington Chamber of Commerce recently had a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony forMuscle Works Supplements located at 10220 Forest Hill Boulevard Suite 130, Wellington, Florida.The store is owned and operated by a father and son who are passionate about fitness and health.Both have a wealth of knowledge and experience in supplementation that enhances people’s health in general plus provides peak performance for athletes.
Pictured L-R: Carmine Marino, Mark "Boz" Bozicevic, Ken Muller, Troy Muller, Denise Carpenter.
Ken Muller and his son Troy are the owners of Muscle Works Supplements.Ken was born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut.After he graduated high school he went to the University of Connecticut for two years and studied business.He then attended the University of South Florida in Tampa for two years where he earned his degree in Business Administration with a Major in Finance.After a brief stint at Louisiana State University Ken came back to Florida and began brokering and developing real estate in Boca Raton.
Real estate and some other businesses kept Ken busy for about 18 years.Then last year, he began looking into an alternate business to get into that he and his son could work together.Ken stated that the whole family has always had an interest in fitness and competitive sports so Muscle Works Supplements was a perfect fit as a new business.The doors opened the first week of January.
“Having played baseball, ran track in high school and then ultimately played baseball in college, I’d always been interested in fitness.”Ken said.“At that time, Arnold Schwarzenegger was a young pup and he was winning the Olympics and drawing a lot of attention to himself and I started looking at supplementation back then.In the late 70’s, there really wasn’tmuch of anything going on in the world of supplementation.It was all very basic vitamins.For protein you would eat a lot of eggs, a lot of steak and that sort of thing.I was big into drinking egg yolks and that sort of stuff which is extremely nasty and dangerous.But at the time, that was the only option.”
As life evolved for Ken, his entire family grew into the fitness lifestyle and his kids started playing sports.His kids began to do preparation weight training for competition and started using supplements.As a concerned dad, Ken wanted to know more aboutthe supplements the kids were taking.He began to look more closely at the ingredients and research what they were.Troy added that he also began doing research since he was an athlete and was consuming these products.
When explaining his business, Ken stated, “We offer sports related nutrition and supplementation but it’s not just for athletes and sports. A lot of the things that we carry here is geared towards young athletes, professional athletes in order to help them be as healthy as possible and maintain their performance.But we also have a lot of mainstream products that are for anybody who wants to get healthy whether it be losing weight, getting stronger at the gym or rehabbing from injury.Between my expertise and my son’s expertise, we can offer a lot of common sense advice as to what might work for somebody and what direction they might go in.”
Ken noted he didn’t just play sports throughout his life. He has been a high school coach for a number of years here in South Florida coaching varsity and junior varsity baseball.“I’ve got the experience not only as a parent but as a player and as a coach dealing with young players and making sure they are doing things the right way health wise as far as their work-outs and their supplementation.”
Regarding prices, “We always do our best to make sure that our pricing is below the national names you would recognize out there or the national retailers that provide these supplements. We try to carry a full line of sports and fitness supplements at the very best prices we possibly can.”
For more information about Muscle Works Supplements call 561.753.9225. Their email is muscleworkssupplements@gmail.com and you can visit their website at www.muscleworkssupplements.com.For more information about businesses in the Wellington Florida area, call the Wellington Chamber of Commerce at 561.792.6525 or visit the NEWWellington Chamber of Commerce website at www.WellingtonChamber.com.
Earth Day Peace Jam returns to downtown Lake Worth on Saturday, April 13th featuring family fun, kids’ activities, free tree giveaway, eco-exhibits, artists, make and take crafts and an exciting line up of live acoustic and jam bands.
The festival runs from noon – 9 PM with featuring various children’s activities from noon to 5 PM including an “all-in” drumming circle and Earth Ball Games. Plan on a day of celebration, music, green exhibits, art sale, healthy food and earth-friendly fun. The Cultural Plaza is located at Lake Avenue and M Street across from the Lake Worth library. Admission is free.
Exhibits will range from county wide water conservations projects to solar energy, rain barrels and Florida wildlife.
The tree giveaway is being organized by the Lake Worth Interfaith Network as part of its community service activities. Reverend Taylor Stevens, director of the network explains, “Fifty-three trees will be given away by lottery to Lake Worth residents. The number represents the age of Josette Kaufman, chairperson of the Lake Worth Tree Board and Executive Director of the environmental Marshall Foundation, who died unexpectedly last month. Josette and I were actively working on this project at the time of her passing. Every tree that is planted will be a testament to Josette’s loving service to the city and to the environment.”
Peace Jam is sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Lake Worth, the Downtown Cultural Alliance and the City of Lake Worth.
Keeping up with your visual health is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Although routine visits to the eye doctor are something many of us don’t even think to schedule, unless we have a problem, they are extremely important to ensure future healthy vision. Annual exams monitor f…or the early development of some diseases that are otherwise undetectable until vision damage has already been done.
Dr. Jason Gorscak, M.D. of Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute is just the person to see to help keep your most valuable asset, your vision, in top shape. Dr. Gorscak, a New Jersey native, began providing exceptional eye care to the South Florida community in September 2008 when he joined the Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute team.
Gorscak grew up in the small town of Kinnelon, New Jersey. It was there that he decided to go into the field of medicine. Always a math and science kind of guy, he realized that medicine was his calling after losing his grandmother to cancer.
“When we would visit her, we became very close with the doctors. They always helped her and my parents out,” Gorscak said. “I think seeing that was what opened the door for me to think about going into medicine.”
His path to becoming an eye care specialist began at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. After attending Johns Hopkins, he migrated to sunny South Florida to earn his medical degree at the University of Miami.
While in Miami, Gorscak volunteered at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, assisting in ophthalmologic research. He sat in on surgeries and observed the doctors at work. During this time, he made the decision to go into eye care. He witnessed the “indescribable happiness” on a female patient’s face after cataract surgery to restore her vision and fell in love with the field.
After medical school, he went back to New Jersey to complete his residency. He finished his education at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark. There he worked in the trauma center, where he dealt with many memorable emergencies including victims of gang shootings, a glaucoma patient who accidentally super-glued her eyes shut and a man with thyroid disease in a frenzy complaining that his “eye popped out.”
Dr. Gorscak vowed to come back to Florida after his schooling was complete and in 2008 fulfilled his vow. He moved back down south where he began working for Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute.
Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute has 4 locations in South Florida. Their main office and surgical center is located in Boynton Beach and they have additional offices in Wellington, Juno Beach and Boca Raton. Dr. Gorscak works mainly out of the Wellington office and does his surgeries in Boynton.
His specialty is cataract surgery (using the most advanced artificial lenses available) but he also handles many other eye conditions and disorders; including everything from routine eye exams to pterygium removals, laser treatments for glaucoma patients and the treatment and diagnosis of various eye diseases.
Aside from working in the office, Dr. Gorscak lectures once at month for residents and medical students in ophthalmology at Wellington Regional Hospital. There he stresses the importance of giving proper eye exams and teaches the correct way to examine a patient’s eye.
When he’s not helping patients in the exam room or lecturing at ophthalmologic seminars, he’s spending time with his wife and 1-year-old son, Nio. He also enjoys playing tennis, golf and motorsports. He attends driver’s education courses and in the future, would like to teach people how to drive their cars on high performance tracks.
For more information on Dr. Gorscak and Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute, visit their website: www.fleyedocs.com.
Jessica Mullendore is a local writer and blogger. She studied Journalism at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. She writes for Banzai Wellness Magazine and runs her own blog, SimplyJessicaKate.com. You can contact her at: jessicakate05@yahoo.com.
When: Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 8PM and Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 2PM.
Where: LAKE WORTH PLAYHOUSE, 713 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth, FL 33460
Admission: $15.Tickets may be ordered atwww.lakeworthplayhouse.orgor by calling 561.586.6410.Tickets may also be purchased at the door.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, February 25, 2013—The Play Group LLC will kick off its Third Season ofShort Cuts— nine short (ten minutes or less) original plays by local playwrights.The production at the historic Lake Worth Playhouse will be a staged reading.The audience will see fully staged plays but actors may hold scripts.
Short Cuts 3 features (in order of performance): “Chez Del Lago” by Palm Beach’s Brian Reeves, “Monkey Jam” by Boca Raton’sMarnie Bauman, “Ask Me Anything” by Miami’s Philip Middleton Williams, “Letting Go” by Boca Raton’s Ellen Greenwald, “Speed Date” by Delray Beach’s Carol White, “Special Delivery” by Miami Beach’s Marj O’Neill – Butler, “Into Wishin” by West Palm Beach’s Todd Caster, “Our Boys” by Lighthouse Point’s Peter Hawkins, and “Dead to Right” by Lighthouse Point Magazine’s Jon Frangipane.
Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at www.lakeworthplayhouse.orgor by calling the Box Office at Lake Worth Playhouse at 561.586.6410 or at the door.
Managed by Joyce Sweeney of Coral Springs, The Play Group LLC is a coalition of South Florida playwrights, directors and actors.Formed in 2010, we put the community in community theatre by featuring original plays by local playwrights.
Media Contact: Joyce Sweeney, Manager, The Play Group LLC
Marnie Bauman (Monkey Jam) is making her debut as a playwright.Marnie has been a resident of Palm Beach County for 15 years.She has enjoyed acting in little theatre on and off for the past 30 years and loves the artistic control she has through her characters.Marnie recently discovered a new passion and voice in writing short plays, and she is so very pleased that Short Cuts 3 is producing her first creation, Monkey Jam, this season!Now her control of character is the director’s hand – scary!
Marj O’Neill – Butler (Special Delivery) is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the International Center for Women Playwrights, and is a much-produced playwright. A proud member of Equity, SAG, and AFTRA, she has worked as a professional actor and director for over 30 years.Visit her online at www.marjorieoneill-butler.com
Todd Caster (Into Wishin’) is a published and produced playwright.His most notable plays include Broken Angels, Dog of War, Riddle of Three and Stranded on the Isle of Few. An accomplished actor, he has starred as Thomas Becket in Murder in the Cathedral, Daniel in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) and Edgar Allen Poe in Death Upon a Midnight Dreary.
Jon Frangipane (Dead to Right) is the editor and publisher of Lighthouse Point Magazine, pianist, ASCAP composer and playwright.
Ellen Greenwald (Letting Go).After a lifetime as an actor, director and producer in both community and professional theatre, in recent years Ellen has turned her hand to play writing. She has written an outdoor drama and several 10 minute plays, all of which have received staged readings. Her one-act, MIXED BLESSINGS, was produced as a winner of the Stockyards Theatre Playwriting Contest in Chicago. Long committed to fostering the good work of new or unrecognized playwrights, Ellen now produces and directs Playfest in North Carolina every summer, giving a voice to writers from all over the country.Ellen is delighted to have her work included in Short Cuts 3.
Peter Hawkins (Our Boys) is the winner of the 2012 South Florida Writers Network Playwrighting competition.Last year, the Playgroup presented Peter’s play, Joseph Andrews, based on Henry Fielding’s comic and racy eighteenth century novel.Peter’s numerous acting roles include the Mad Hatter for a charity function, and he has also appeared in Don Juan in Hell, Broken Angels and Murder in the Cathedral.
Brian Reeves (Chez Del Lago) acts, directs and writes ten-minute plays, all of which he is doing with Short Cuts 3.He is a mediator, lives in Palm Beach and is engaged to the lovely Allison Stallings (wedding next January).Brian co-leads our monthly playwrights’ workshop and teaches acting for us.He is also a national officer in Mensa, the high IQ society.Those who know him well assume there must have been a grading error.
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Carol White (Speed Date) is a novelist, playwright and a board member of the National League of American Pen Women.She is a frequent fiction contributor to the East Hampton Star newspaper and her articles have appeared in the Sun Sentinel, Insight for Playwrights, Working Writers, Writers Journal, and The Florida Writer.As a former Executive Producer for the Boca Raton Theatre Guild, she also moderated a playwright workshop.Her full-length plays have won major awards from the Royal Palm Literary Awards and her short plays have been staged and produced nationwide.
Philip Middleton Williams (Ask Me Anything) received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Miami in 1974 where he participated in over 15 productions.His first play, The Hunter, was produced at the University of Minnesota in 1977 and at the University of Colorado in 1984.The Nomad Players of Boulder premiered Dark Twist in 1986, and The Purer, Brighter Years was premiered at the Old Town Playhouse in Traverse City, Michigan in 1992.Here’s Hoping was commissioned by Northern Michigan Planned Parenthood for the Troupe Teen Theatre Company in 1994.Some of his one-act plays include The Campers Strike Back (with Fred Kahn), Men At Ski Hi, The Return of the J.C., A Mountain Home Companion, and South Valley Shorts, a collection of short pieces (Acting Exercise Alpha, Gallery, Keyboards, Waiting for Bro), and Ask Me Anything.Can’t Live Without You, a two-act romantic comedy, premiered off-Broadway at the Manhattan Repertory Theatre in January 2008.
And Coming in the Fall – Step into The Monster Zone
The Playgroup LLC is thrilled to welcome back to South Florida award winning playwright Brian Harris.A native of Hollywood, Florida and now residing in Miami Beach, Brian’s freaky funny monster-themed plays will be presented in a four-week fright-a-ganza at The Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale.
Dr. Jason Gorscak, M.D. of Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute is just the person to see to help keep your most valuable asset, your vision, in top shape. Dr. Gorscak, a New Jersey native, began providing exceptional eye care to the South Florida community in September 2008 when he joined the Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute team.