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March, 2013 – Wellington’s Food Truck Revolution

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March 1, 2013

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The Florida Foodie

Wellington’s Food Truck Revolution

Wellington Amphitheater Park

12150 Forest Hill Boulevard, Wellington

www.foodtruckinvasion.com/wellington

The food trucks have invaded Wellington! On Thursday nights you can find a gourmet gathering of these roving meals on wheels parked next to the Wellington Amphitheater. Anything from Korean BBQ to trendy gourmet cupcakes can be found within a short stroll of each other. The food truck revolution has taken this country by storm over the past several years. These fully-equipped traveling kitchens bring the hottest new trends in food, at affordable prices, right to the curb. This is Foodie nirvana—a chance to sample an exciting array of dishes without the shocking sticker prices and fuss of the high-end restaurants.

We showed up early for the revolution. Most trucks are ready to serve by five o’clock and stay open till 9:30pm. I know it’s a Thursday, but try to get there early or you will struggle for parking and they run out of items quickly. A musician, playing a guitar on the lawn, added a nice tone to the evening of feasting on asphalt. I noticed several fabulous picnic spots pop up on the grass—grand affairs with candles, wine glasses, and checkered table cloths. It was a beautiful scene to see people out under the stars enjoying the food. Children ran in the twilight on the grand amphitheater lawn as we sat on spread out quilts and savored our foodie finds. Bring some chairs or a blanket; there are only a few tables present.

Kobe short rib flatbread with horseradish aioli and fresh arugula

The “Crazydilla” truck is a popular place for fantastic quesadillas. I was disappointed that the “Reubadilla” ($11.32) was already sold out when I arrived at the truck. A few of the lucky patrons standing about and stuffing their faces with this sought after menu item expressed to me that the “Reubadilla” was fantastic. I will have to go back on another Thursday. The “Mexidilla” ($9.48) proved to be cheesy with nice chunks of grilled chicken and very satisfying.

We moved on to a delicious flame grilled burger ($8.00) at “Gastro Truck” and it was honestly, one of the best burgers I’ve had. The fresh cut gourmet fries ($6.00) from the “Top Fries” truck went well with the burger. At Top Fries, you can live your “fry fantasy” with interesting and exotic toppings on their crisp and yummy fries.

Our most interesting pick of the night came from the “Dim Ssam” truck. The Chunk’d Spicy Cheesy Kalabi Beef Tater Tots ($8.00) were divine. You will never look at a tater tot the same after trying this addictive dish. I would go back any Thursday night just to have this meal.

For dessert, we joined the long line at the “Hip Pop” truck for one of their soon-to-be famous gelato pops. The display alone will make you want one. Pops in beautiful rainbows of colors lined up in neat and tidy rows wait for you to pick your favorite. You can have them dipped in chocolate or drizzled and then rolled in a variety of toppings, or make a pop into a shake. Any way you look at it, this is a fun place to have a sweet. The flavors are vibrantly fresh and delicious. We tried the mixed berry, vanilla bean, Belgian chocolate, banana, and lemon. All were spectacular.

Thursday nights are something to look forward to now that Wellington has been invaded by the food truck revolution. The line-up of food trucks participating changes weekly, so there is promise of new things to try each week. Check their Facebook page for up-to-date lists for the current week. Bring some lawn chairs and a good bottle of wine… maybe some candles and make an evening out of it. Sit back and savor this tasty invasion under the stars.

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

Food Truck Invasion at the Wellington Amphitheater, the perfect place for a picnic

March, 2013 – As I Was Saying

As I Was Saying

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March 1, 2013

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As I Was Saying

Stray Thoughts: Emptying the Think Tank

By Alan Williamson

I’ve had a lot of things on my mind lately, so here goes . . .

IDEA: A cop show entitled “Fine and Dandy” that follows the exploits of officers John Fine and Darius Dandy as they work the streets of a South Florida city named Evergrass Groves. Episode One: John and Darius raid a pill mill posing as a chiropractic clinic posing as a consignment shop.
The sign said “long-haired freaky people need not apply.” Which is really weird because the day before it said “u-turn not permitted.”

If you’re ever with a group of people having their photo taken and you’re tempted to make that thumbs-up gesture, don’t. It always looks annoyingly stupid.

I recently considered pursuing a career as an organic farmer to have a more eco-friendly influence on the environment. Unfortunately, it ended abruptly when I got motion sickness during the crop rotations.

As I get older, I sometimes see my father when I look in the mirror. I was startled once to see my mother in the mirror, but that’s because she came up behind me suddenly to ask if we had any Tylenol.

Air Travel Anti-Terrorism Enhancement: Currently, before a plane takes off, flight attendants instruct all passengers in the use of emergency equipment and check to see that seatbelts are fastened and seats are in the upright positions. Let’s also have them make the following announcement: “Before we take off, we ask that all passengers please check fellow passengers in your immediate area for any screwballs, weirdos, wackos, misfits, haunted drifters or fidgety religious fanatics.”

Like the song says “If there’s a rock and roll heaven, you know they have a hell of a band.” Plus, progressive policies are in place on recreational drug use.

Best Game Show Host of All Time: Jeopardy’s Alex Trebek. He’s a sharp dresser, he keeps a fast-paced show running smoothly, and when someone misses an easy question he never says “Clutch answer, dumbass” like a friend or family member would.

While staying at my wife’s parent’s house I was sure I had lost my wallet (a 20 minute search came up empty). What a terrible, sickening feeling. I had resigned myself to spending hours on the phone canceling credit cards, etc., when my mother-in-law remembered grabbing some papers off a bureau and stuffing them in a drawer. It turns out my wallet was under the papers and accidentally got stuffed in the drawer with them. So, all’s well that ends well . . . except for my mother-in-law who is sitting in a Sterling Heights, Michigan jail charged with criminal mischief and unlawful concealment of an out-of-state wallet.

IDEA: I want to create a television series called Previously so that every week during the recap of last week’s episode the voiceover can say “Previously on Previously.”

FACT: Approximately two-thirds of all Americans are overweight. The other third are wondering where all the snacks went.

No one says “Good Grief” or “Great Caesar’s Ghost” anymore, but plenty of people still say “Holy Cow.” Pretty amazing when you consider “Good Grief” and “Great Caesar’s Ghost” had some snappy alliteration going for them and “Holy Cow” conjures up images of a slow-witted farm animal. Let’s all make the jump to “Holy Crap” and call it a day, for Pete’s Sake.

At what point in time did Barry Manilow become an elderly Jewish woman with a beauty salon hairdo and a nails-on-the-blackboard singing voice?

Elvis is alive and I’ve got the concert tickets to prove it! I bought them from some guy at the flea market. Sucky part is I have to fly to Guadalajara, Mexico to catch the comeback show.

The international graphical symbols for “Men” and “Women” on restroom doors are way too subtle for my attention span. Can we at least give the man a baseball cap and the woman some curves so I don’t have to stop and decipher which figure represents the room I’m pre-approved to take a wiz in after downing the 2 for 1 happy hour house wine at Chili’s?

Mail Management Experiment: When I get junk mail I immediately rip it up and throw it in the trash, achieving a 58% decrease in my weekly mail backlog. Using the same strategy with bills has resulted in an additional 37% decrease in weekly mail and a 100% decrease in electricity and insurance coverage.

CONFESSION: Sometimes I just want to rhyme. Is that such a horrible crime?

Thank you, you’ve been great! Drive safely! Good night everybody!

March, 2013 – Rise and Sean Siegrist ad

Press Releases

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March 1, 2013

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March, 2013 – Wellness at Work

Health & Fitness

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March 1, 2013

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Health & Fitness

Wellness at Work

By Cheryl Alker

Creating a high-performing, health-focused organization is a challenge that many companies face. Research indicates that organizations that implement a corporate wellness strategy gain valuable benefits through lowered healthcare costs.

With health care costs continuing to rise at alarming rates, it is more important than ever before to keep your employees healthy. Because of the many benefits of corporate wellness programs, most companies view wellness programs as an investment in their most valuable asset, their employees.

The Statistics are Clear

Preventable illness makes up at least 70 percent of all illness and the associated costs.
The total cost of obesity to U.S. employers has been estimated at $13 billion and rising.
Obese Americans spend about 36 percent more on health services and 77 percent more on medications than people of healthy weight.
Workplace alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use costs over $100 billion each year.
Job stress is estimated to cost $200 to $300 billion annually in absenteeism, tardiness, and lost productivity.

The Workplace

The workplace is an ideal setting to address these health issues and promote healthier lifestyles. At the workplace, individuals can obtain health-related information, take part in health screenings and preventive services, and gain the social support often needed for positive change.

Return-On-Investment

The return-on-investment for corporate wellness programs is significant. Year-round comprehensive corporate wellness programs have shown savings-to-cost ratios of over $3 saved for each $1 invested. Corporate Wellness Programs not only uses targeted interventions to reduce health costs, but it is also a strategy to create a dynamic work environment. Health promotion programs create an organizational culture that fosters vitality, motivation, and synergy. Corporate Wellness Programs are a worthwhile long-term strategy to improving the health and well-being of your employees.

Why Obesity can Hurt Your Business

Sixty percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, 74% more than 20 years ago! Being overweight or obese makes people at great risk from health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Nearly two out of three people are overweight, and one out of three is obese. Less than 15% of Americans eat the daily recommended number of fruits and vegetables, and less than 25% get the recommended amounts of exercise. Inactive lifestyles and poor eating habits are much of the reason our national cost of health care now exceeds two trillion dollars. These medical costs directly affect you as an employer, take action now!

Top FOUR Reasons why Your Company needs to implement a Wellness Program

#1 Decreased Health Care Costs
Healthier employee’s has proven effective in reducing company health care costs. Wellness Programs significantly reduce the high company cost of employee health care.

#2 Work Place Morale
If employee’s are healthy, they are in the main much happier; this equates to enhanced performance. Also because the company is taking measures to ensure their health and long term wellbeing the employee’s will be more likely to be loyal and responsible.

#3 Reduced Absenteeism
There are many small changes in lifestyle that can influence overall health and fitness. A Wellness Program identifies these, educates and implements them. Through education and training a Wellness Program can greatly reduce absenteeism. For your company this is the bottom line; reduced absenteeism equals a reduction in costs and an increase in productivity.

#4 Reduced Overall Costs
Employee Wellness Programs have a range of benefits for employers. Both quantifiable figures and intangible results highlight these. For the company as a whole, one of the most significant benefits is the reduction in overall company costs.

If you would like more information with regard to wellness programs that can easily be implemented into your business please visit www.24sevenwellness.com or call Cheryl at 561 889 3738.

Cheryl Alker specializes in flexibility training, facial exercises and postural alignment. Her 30 year career started as a group fitness and personal trainer, she has lectured and directed fitness training programs in both Europe and the USA and was an advisor for a Governmental health promotion program. Alker and her company Stretch Results International continues to work with a select clientele from a base in Palm Beach County, Florida, certifying health professionals in her results based stretching program, educating consumers through public speaking and offering consultation to clients who wish to lose their muscular pain and gain flexibility to achieve full and active lifestyles. Alker has just released a DVD for back pain sufferers. For more information about professional continuing education and consultation options, e:books or DVD’s please call Cheryl on 561 889 3738 or visit www.stretchresults.com or www.24sevenwellness.com

March, 2013 – The 2013 Journal News Golf Show

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February 28, 2013

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March, 2013 – The 2013 Journal News Golf Show

March, 2013 – Visit Risë V. Siegrist at the 2013 Journal News Golf Show

thegolfshow1

Look for the Risë V. Siegrist, Re/Max Realtor® table at one of the biggest golf shows around, if you’re up North this month! She will be exhibiting at the 2013 Journal News Golf Show at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.

The 9^th Annual Journal News Golf Show features free golf instruction, a huge demo day of 2013 Clubs from Major Manufacturers, an expanded discount Pro Shop, Great Exhibitors with Show Specials, Hourly Instruction segments from PGA Pros, hourly prize giveaways and more.

Date: 3/9 and 3/10

Time: 10AM – 5PM

Place Westchester County Center, White Plains

Admission: $10.00. Look for $1.00 off coupon in the Journal News and lohud.com

For more information, call The Westchester County Center at (914) 995-4050

*****

Out, Out Damn Snow! The Lament of the Golfers in the Northeast in wintertime.

Sadly, No golf here until at least mid-March.

But wait- there is a great alternative. One that gets golfers back in the Swing and the frame of mind for The Golf Season.

It’s the 9^th Annual Golf Show March 9^th and 10^th at the Westchester County Center. The only Golf Show in the Northern Suburbs of New York and The Hudson Valley!

It’s an antidote to the Winter blues and an outlet for the pent up energy golfers have been building all winter!

Here are some highlights:

· Driving Range – try the newest 2013 Clubs from Major Manufacturers

· Free Lessons – From Met Section PGA Pros

· Pro-Shop – Save 50% and more on shoes, bags, apparel and more

· Free small bucket of balls from Fairview Golf Range

· Two Fore One Golf at Westchester County Courses. Pick up a voucher at their booth

· WIN – in the Hourly Prize Drawing

· Win – In the Empire City Casino Putting Contest

· Designated Women’s Learning Area

· Hourly Demonstrations and Discussions on The Demo Stage presented by the Metropolitan Golf Association

· Special Q & A on the College Recruiting process for Junior Golfers and their parents. Sunday 10:30AM.

· Meet Bobby Grace – creator of the Bobby Grace Putter and an expert in putter fitting.

· Plan a Golf trip near or far with Special Golf Show Deals from Area Courses and those far away- Barbados, Casa De Campo, Ocean City, Vermont and more!

The 9^th Annual Golf Show is Saturday and Sunday, March 9^th and 10^th at The Westchester County Center, White Plains. Show hours are 10AM -5PM each day. Admission is ten dollars, nine dollars for seniors. For more information, contact John Zanzarella, Show Manager, or visit lohud.co/golfshow.

March, 2013 – RP Art & Music Fest Returns

Press Releases

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February 27, 2013

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Royal Palm Art & Music Festival Comes to Town

Royal Palm Beach, FL – Make sure to mark your calendars for March 9 & 10 as the Central Palm Beach County Chamber and the Village of Royal Palm Beach once again present the Royal Palm Art & Music Festival.

“Three years ago this event made history by being the first two-day festival to close down one of the Western Communities’ major traffic arteries for more than the typical few hours,” stated Jaene Miranda, CEO of the Palms West Chamber. “Since that inaugural festival, we have continued to expand our offerings and our residents have responded positively. We have over 25,000 spectators expected to attend the event. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Village of Royal Palm Beach to make this a premier, regional festival that will be free to the public and that will focus on the talents of our area artists – both visual and performance artists.

“We are just as excited to announce our title sponsor for this event – Schumacher Family of Dealerships,” Miranda continued. The Schumacher group has been big supporters of local community events, and they continue their philanthropy through the Royal Palm Art & Music Festival as exclusive automotive sponsors.

“The community has responded very positively to our community efforts and through the years our business has been strong,” said Sal Delgreco, General Manager of Infinity of the Palm Beaches. “We look at our support of the Royal Palm Art & Music Festival as a means to educate other corporations that marketing locally through grassroots efforts sends a positive message and is a great way to increase your company’s awareness.”

Festival activities are planned and will feature street painting. Yes, art beneath your feet. A tradition that dates back to the 16^th century, street painting will transform Royal Palm Beach Boulevard to the largest artist canvas in the Western Communities. Crowds are expected to gather and watch as fine works of art emerge over the two days of the event. “We are in the process of recruiting our artist who will be asked to create works of art of no less than four feet by six feet,” stated Mary Lou Bedford, Marketing Director for the Chamber. “The artists are provided colorful pastel chalks and their section of the street for painting, but the inspiration and creativity is all theirs. The artwork is guaranteed to be spectacular!”

Stage performances will also be a major component of the event. This year we are excited to announce Michaela Paige and Laura Vivas from NBC’s hit show, ‘The Voice’ will be performing on stage. In addition, the Chamber is working with local volunteers to recruit both amateur and professional bands. “Music provides the energy to any festival – it sets the mood,” Miranda said. “Our musicians will provide jazz, blues, classic rock and country. A little something for everyone. We are most proud to present bands from our area schools. Showcasing young talent is a critical component of this festival.”

Other festival activities include kayak races, chicken wing eating contest, carnival rides, food vendors, a business expo, street performers and two special tiki bar presentations by Tree’s Wings. A fireworks show that will be presented at nightfall on Saturday night March 9^th over Lake Challenger. Guests are invited to bring their portable chairs or blankets and enjoy the sights and sounds.

For more information on the Royal Palm Art & Music Festival, log on to www.royalpalmbeachfestival.com or call 561-790-6200.

April, 2013 – Fundraiser for Palm Beach School for Autism

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February 27, 2013

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April, 2013 – Fundraiser for Palm Beach School for Autism

April, 2013 – Iron Lion’s 2^nd Annual Fundraiser

For the Palm Beach School for Autism

Wellington, Florida (February 26, 2013) – Iron Lion Fitness, a boutique fitness studio that offers Personal Training, Indoor Cycling, Yoga and a Weight-Loss program, will be hosting their second annual Ryde for Autism- a special charity event featuring food, drinks, music, and cycling for a good cause. Admission is complimentary, but attendees are encouraged to donate a minimum of $10 per Ryde to benefit The Palm Beach School for Autism. “This is a great opportunity for Palm Beach County locals to come out and support The Palm Beach School for Autism,” says Seth Kaufmann, co-owner of Iron Lion Fitness. Last year, Iron Lion Fitness helped raise $5,000 to go to this great cause.

A raffle will also be held featuring several high-end items from local businesses including Neiman Marcus and Saks 5^th Avenue. The event will be held at the Iron Lion Fitness Studio at 10660 Forest Hill Blvd. #160, Wellington, FL on April 7, 2013 from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. For more information on how to volunteer or donate, please contact Gen Lane at 561-312-9573.

The mission of The Palm Beach School for Autism is to provide a developmentally appropriate education using intensive behavioral strategies for students with autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities.

March, 2013 – Children’s Yoga

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February 27, 2013

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Join us for Children’s Yoga at the Wellington Community Center

Wellington is excited to introduce our newest instructor, Fernanda Beccaglia, and to announce two new programs to complement our adult and youth programming at the Wellington Community Center. “Kids Yoga”, for ages 7-10, will begin on Wednesday evenings from March 13^th thru May 1^st from 4:30-5:30. The cost for the 8 week session is $80 for residents and $100 for non-residents. This class will focus on teaching children the physical and emotional benefits of Yoga in their daily lives. Through promoting strength, flexibility, coordination and body awareness, it will show children how to focus, relax and develop self-control. Class size is limited to 12 children so sign up today at the Wellington Community Center!

Wellington will also be offering “Gentle Yoga” for beginners. This class is designed as an introduction and will begin with the basics and history of Yoga. Classes will follow a natural progression as students become more adept at the practice of Yoga. Students will learn the basic classical Sivananda Yoga routine, which consists of breathing exercises, warm-up, stretching, postures, and finally, relaxation. Classes will take place on Wednesday evenings from March 13^th through May 1^st from 6:30-8:00pm. The cost for this 8 week class is $96 for residents and $120 for non-residents.

For information on other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visit our website at www.wellingtonfl.gov or watch Channel 18 for the latest happenings.