Just a few highlights of happenings Around Wellington. For many more photos, visit the link “Photo Galleries” on this site! For recent videos, click on our “Videos” link.
October, 2012 – AW in Pictures
October, 2012 – Hurricane Grill & Wings
The Florida Foodie
A Great Late-Nite Bite: Hurricane Grill & Wings
Hurricane Grill & Wings
4075 State Road 7 (441), Wellington, FL 33467
Phone: 561-318-6107
By Saucy Sarah
After spending a Friday night trying to reclaim our misspent youth roller skating, my best pals and I had worked up a big appetite. It was pushing eleven o’clock and our choices were limited at that time of night, so we ended up at the newest location of the chain restaurant, Hurricane Grill & Wings, located on the Northwest corner of 441 and Lake Worth Road. I had never been to a Hurricane before, though I had passed by several of the other non-descript store front locations in Palm Beach County. Being the foodie I am, I was enthusiastic to go and try something new.
The new location is a cut above the other franchises from the moment you pull up. You feel like you are at a beachside establishment at Hurricane with their large outdoor eating space including an authentic thatched hut over the bar. There even were children playing in a planter of real beach sand as we walked in. Even at the later hour, the place was lively with a good mix of ages. The vibe is light and fun for friends and family. It’s a great place to spend a fall night watching your favorite game on one of their large flat screens.
I did not go in expecting anything more than your typical bar & grill
fare served at a standard I have become accustomed to at similar places: meaning lackluster food. I must say I was pleasantly surprised by quality of the food and the variety of menu offerings. Wings are king at Hurricane, as the name states, and the wings come in a dizzying array of flavors and styles. I chose the classic medium preparation for my ten wings ($9.99). They were cooked through—with the skin nice a crispy as it should be—and they were juicy and just the right bite of heat. Another highlight was the Obscenely Loaded Fries ($8.99). Potato chip cut fries are loaded to the gills with blue cheese, bacon, buttermilk ranch, and wings sauce with jalapenos sprinkled over the top. You can’t eat just one. I also really enjoyed my cheeseburger ($7.99). It was cooked a perfect medium-rare as I had requested and came out juicy and beefy with a load of crisp hand-cut fries. So far, I was in bar-food heaven.
Hurricane also offers a nice selection of seafood and fish entrees. Their Mahi fish Taco ($11.99) with nice chunks of grilled Mahi and all the fixings you would expect were good. I would have liked to have seen some shredded cabbage on them, like a fish taco should come with. The Fried Pickles with Cyclone Sauce ($4.99) were the disappointment of the night. The pickle’s breading was too heavy for the thin pickle chips and the sauce that accompanied them was too spicy and did not marry well with the flavor of the pickles. Being a devoted fried pickle lover, I was disappointed.
Hurricane is not just a great place for a late night bite, but anytime of
the day. I look forward to returning and sampling more of their extensive and interesting menu and spending time in a great beachy atmosphere with my friends. Take a crowd with you, tuck a napkin into your shirt and get messy with a pile of wings and a nice cold beer!
*****
Calling all Burger Lovers! Nominate your favorite burger spot for Around Wellington’s 1st annual Best Burgers of the Palm Beaches! Send in your nominations for the best place to get a burger in Palm Beach County. The top nominations will then go head to head vying for the top ten best burgers of the Palm Beaches. Post your vote on our Facebook page or email it to: AroundWellington@earthlink.net, subject line “AW Best Burgers.” Stay tuned for the burger ballot, coming soon!
October, 2012 – Confessions of a Jewish Shiksah
Confessions of a Jewish Shiksah…Dancing on Hitler’s Grave
Sunday, October 28th
At Sloan’s Curve in Palm Beach
An edgy but clever, “don’t bring your granny unless she’s Joan Rivers” show.
October, 2012 – Three J’s Cigar Golf Tournament
Three J’s Cigar Golf Tournament Will ‘Spread the Wealth’ With Area Charities
(Wellington, Fla.) — Three J’s Cigar Emporium has a great new twist on its upcoming charity golf tournament. The event has already designated two primary charities, Brigance Brigade, that supports ALS, or more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Desease and, the Little Smiles Foundation, that helps children hospitalized in the western communities.
The new twist to this event is that another charity will be awarded $1,500 should their assigned golf team, selected by a blind draw, win the scramble format event.
To be eligible for the $1,500 contribution, local companies or individuals may sponsor a golf hole for $125. So, their $125 investment could become $1,500. They are also allowed to include an informational brochure about their charity in the golfer’s information packet that will distributed to every player.
This is the second year for the Three’s J’s Cigar Golf Extravaganza. Last year nearly 100 players participated and raised $13,000 for the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.
This year’s event tees-off at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 13 at Binks Forest Golf Club. Individual player entry is $95 per person, or player’s may enter as a four-person scramble team for $380. Every player will receive a gift package of cigars valued over $100, a goody bag with additional gifts, a sit-down dinner following the tournament, prizes for hole-in-one opportunities and there will be a live and silent auction of some amazing gift items.
Store owner Jeremy Fedoruk sought to “spread the wealth” with several charities this year.
“Our business has been blessed with great people supporting us not only here in the Western Communities, but in Davie and our new shop that just opened in Boca,” said Fedoruk.
“Last year’s success is what we are hoping to build on and make this an event that golfers’ of any skill level will enjoy. Also, it’s my hope that those who love cigars will embrace this tournament as ‘their’ tournament every year.”
Numerous cigar manufacturers have lent their support to the event and will be on hand to provide free samples and gifts to participants.
For more information on how you can participate as a player contact Three J’s Cigars at 561-868-5600 or drop by the shop located at 4115 S. State Road 7 to pick up an entry form. Entry forms are also available at Binks Forest Golf Club. Entry deadline is Monday, October 8.
January, 2013 – Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
Announces Annual Social Events in 2013
+ Annual Gala – January 21
+ Palm Beach Wine Auction – January 31
+ Reach for the Stars – April 20
(West Palm Beach, FL – September 20, 2012) The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts will be hosting three major social events in 2013:
Annual Gala
What: The Kravis Center’s annual black-tie Gala will begin with a pre-performance reception followed by a spectacular performance by Pink Martini. Drawing inspiration from music from all over the world and crossing genres of classical, jazz and pop, Pink Martini returns to Dreyfoos Hall with a diverse repertoire influenced by Cole Porter and Duke Ellington, Tito Puente and Xavier Cugat, as well as Argentine tango, Brazilian samba, Italian folk, Asian flair and romantic Hollywood musicals of the 1940s and ’50s. According to bandleader/pianist Thomas Lauderdale, “If the United Nations had a house band in 1962, Pink Martini would be that band.” Following the performance will be an elegant dinner-dance.
When: Monday, January 21, 2013 – 6 p.m.
Where: The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, 701 Okeechobee Boulevard in West Palm Beach
Cost of Tickets: $750 for Gala Patrons, $375 for Young Gala Patrons (45 and younger)
Who: Gala Chair: Monika Preston; Honorary Chair: Kathryn Vecellio; Vice-Chair: Kim Havlicek; Junior Co-Chairs: Angela Culveyhouse, Cameron Preston, Tara Tobin
Attire: Black Tie
Proceeds: Ticket sales and rental revenue alone do not cover the cost of operating a not-for-profit facility like the Kravis Center. It is only through generous donations and benefit events like the Gala that the Kravis Center is able to make the best of the performing arts available to the entire community.
Sponsors: Performance: Myrna and John Daniels & Henni and John Kessler; Décor: Helen K. Persson; Dinner: Kathryn and Leo Vecellio; Bar & Wine Service: The Breakers; Rising Stars Table: Laurie Silvers and Mitchell Rubenstein; Education Programs: Ingrid and David Kosowsky; Photography: Martin Axman and Phylis Fogelson; Public Relations: Stephen Brown and Jamie Stern; Dinner Dance Orchestra: Julie and Amin Khoury; Programs and Invitations: Jack and Goldie Wolfe Miller Fund; Valet Services: Jane M. Mitchell; Table Centerpieces: Monika and John Preston; Special Support: Tiffany & Co.
Palm Beach Wine Auction
What: The Kravis Center’s sixth annual Palm Beach Wine Auction will feature a five-course gourmet dinner paired with specially selected wines from all over the world. The live auction takes place throughout the dinner and includes wines presented during the evening as well as some of the world’s most renowned and highly rated wines. The auction will be under the direction of Michael Troise, retired Auction Director for NY Wines/Christie’s Fine and Rare Wine Department and an expert with more than 40 years experience tasting, buying and brokering wines. This elegant evening appeals not only to the wine connoisseur but also to anyone who enjoys world-class cuisine. In addition, the 2013 Palm Beach Wine Auction will showcase two world-renowned, James Beard Foundation award-winning chefs along with Mar-a-Lago’s top chef.
When: Thursday, January 31, 2013 – 6 p.m.
Where: The Mar-a-Lago Club, 1100 South Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach
Cost of Tickets: $1,000
Who: Chair: Ted Mandes
Attire: Cocktail Attire (jacket and tie required)
Proceeds: Since it was started, the annual Palm Beach Wine Auction has generated more than $1.5 million to support the Kravis Center’s award-winning education programs that have served more than 1.2 million children to date.
Sponsors: Premier Grand Cru: PNC Wealth Management; Grand Cru: Patrick M. Park; Premier Cru: Madeline and Roderic Fink, Chris N. Kritikos, Laurie Silvers and Mitchell Rubenstein; Private Reserve: Stuart and Sharyn Frankel, Mark and Stacey Levy, Craig and Rochelle Menin, Menin Development, Inc, Jane M. Mitchell; Plus Grand Négociant: Tiffany & Co.
Reach for the Stars
What: Hosted by the Young Friends of the Kravis Center, the 20th annual Reach for the Stars is South Florida’s most celebrated ballroom dance competition teaming a colorful array of media personalities with professional instructors from many of Palm Beach County’s finest dance studios. Following the presentation of the coveted mirror ball trophies, attendees will feast on a scrumptious sampling of gourmet food and wine from numerous top quality restaurants and vendors.
When: Saturday, April 20, 2013 – 6 p.m.
Where: Dreyfoos Hall at The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach.
Cost of Tickets: $125 for Premium (includes on stage assigned seating and valet parking); $75 for General Admission; and $60 for Young Friends Members
Who: Young Friends Executive Committee Co-Chairs: Zachary Berg and Jarrod Schilling
Attire: Cocktail Attire
Proceeds: The annual fundraiser benefits the Kravis Center’s S*T*A*R (Students and Teachers Arts Resource) Series and education programs.
Sponsors: Gold Sponsors: Marcie Gorman-Althof, Sydelle and Arthur I. Meyer Foundation; Silver Sponsor: Jane M. Mitchell
About the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts:
The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is a not-for-profit performing arts center whose mission is to enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County by presenting a diverse schedule of national and international artists and companies of the highest quality; by offering comprehensive arts education programs; by providing a Palm Beach County home in which local and regional arts organizations can showcase their work; and by providing economic catalyst and community leadership in West Palm Beach, supporting efforts to increase travel and tourism to Palm Beach County.
The Kravis Center is located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach, FL. For more information, please call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org.
Media Contact:
Gary Schweikhart
PR-BS, Inc.
561.756.4298
gary@pr-bs.net
October, 2012 – Horse Tales Literacy Project Partners with Wellington for Story Time at Scott’s Place
October, 2012 – Horse Tales Literacy Project Partners with Wellington for Story Time at Scott’s Place
Story Time is ready to return in Wellington, and this time, it’s going to the horses! Beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 6th, children of all ages will be delighted as Shelly LeConte, South Florida Coordinator of the Horse Tales Literacy Project, shares the classic tale Little Black Goes to the Circus by Walter Farley. Once the story is over, all guests will be treated to a free goody bag filled with fun treats to celebrate the love of reading.
Story Time will take place at Scott’s Place barrier free playground, located at 12190 Forest Hill Boulevard, on the first Saturday of every month through May 2013. Participants are encouraged to enjoy this equestrian-inspired playground before and after the event. The park is designed with large play structures and ramps ensuring children and parents of all physical abilities can play together.
About the Horse Tales Literacy Project: Conceived in 1999 by Tim Farley, son of the late Walter Farley – author of the Black Stallion Series, and Mark Miller, creator and owner of the Arabian Nights Dinner Attraction, Horse Tales Literacy Project has reached over 600,000 children in the united States and Canada. This non-profit organization combines live horses with stories to spark the imagination of children and motivate them to experience the excitement of reading. For more information, visit www.horsetalesliteracy.org or contact Shelly LeConte at (561) 357-8729.
For information about other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visit www.wellingtonfl.gov or watch Channel 18 for the latest happenings.
September, 2012 – ViSalus Donates 420,000 Mini-Meal Cookies
ViSalus Donates 420,000 Healthy and Nutrition-Packed “Mini-Meal” Cookies to Feed Hungry Children in Support of Hunger Action Month
ViSalus Promoters on Hand to Help Huntington, West Virginia Food Bank Give Out Unprecedented Number of Nutra-Cookies
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — ViSalus™, known for its mission of helping people transform their health and fitness through the Body By Vi™ 90-Day Challenge, has donated $1.2 million worth of its all natural “mini-meal” Nutra-Cookies™ to the Huntington Area Food Bank (HAFB) located in West Virginia. The unprecedented donation will help HAFB serve approximately 96,000 food insecure individuals in 12 counties of southern West Virginia, four counties of northeastern Kentucky and Lawrence County, Ohio.
“ViSalus is committed to health and wellness. That includes ensuring that families have access to healthy and nutritious food regardless of their circumstances. We know when food is scarce, healthy choices become limited,” said Ryan Blair, ViSalus co-founder and chief executive officer. “It is our privilege to partner with organizations such as the Huntington Area Food Bank, to help them provide healthy alternative snacks to those who need it the most.”
Last year, HAFB distributed six million pounds of food, water and cleaning supplies to its region. With the help of ViSalus, HAFB will be providing individuals with 420,000 individually wrapped Nutra-Cookies which provide a healthy, convenient on-the-go snack. Each Nutra-Cookie contains nine grams of protein, a full serving of fiber, calcium and fruit and vegetable nutrients and come in three flavors: Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Raisin.
The city of Huntington, W.Va., is statistically one of the unhealthiest cities in the United States. As a consequence of Huntington‘s high rates of obesity, diabetes and coronary heart disease, the city was chosen by celebrity chef and restaurateur, Jamie Oliver, to be the location of the first season of his television series, Jamie Oliver‘s Food Revolution. Oliver was instrumental in revolutionizing the way Huntington residents consumed food, raising awareness and individual responsibility and resuscitating dying food culture.
“We have been working with ViSalus for more than a year now,” said Scott Frasure, director of development at Huntington Area Food Bank. “We received donations from the company in March when the tornadoes ripped through Kentucky and in July after the derecho weather system came through our area. Hunger Action Month is an opportunity to make a tremendous impact in the community and speak out against hunger. ViSalus recognizes this, and we are pleased to be working with the company.”
To make a donation to the Huntington Area Food Bank visit the website at www.hafb.org. Learn more about ViSalus at www.visalus.com and www.bodybyvi.com.
Local Contact
For more information about ViSalus in the “Around Wellington” area, contact representative Martin Berze, (561) 385-5763.
About The Huntington Area Food Bank
The Huntington Area Food Bank is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization affiliated with Feeding America, the largest hunger relief agency in the United States. The organization distributes USDA commodities through the TEFAP program which is managed by the USDA. The emergency food assistance program is designed to alleviate hunger amongst low income individuals and to service areas damaged by natural disasters.
About ViSalus
Founded in 2005 with headquarters in Los Angeles, CA and Troy, MI, ViSalus™ is the company behind the Body by VI ™ Challenge, a 90-day health transformation platform. ViSalus champions personal victories and entrepreneurship through a social marketing model, premium products, and support community. ViSalus™ is majority-owned by Blyth, Inc. (NYSE: BTH).
Contact: Kasandra Carr, Zeno Group
Kasandra.Carr@zenogroup.com, +1-202-965-7809
SOURCE ViSalusPR Newswire (http://s.tt/1oenN)
October, 2012 – Battle of the Bands
October, 2012 – Battle of the Bands Comes to the Wellington Amphitheater
If you’re in an amateur band and you’re ready to be discovered, here’s your chance win cash prizes and build a following at the first-ever Battle of the Bands at the Wellington Amphitheater! The Grand Prize Winner will take home $400 and will get to work with DC Showcase Rehearsal Studios to create a music video – a total prize valued at $900 – and two runners-up will walk away with $200. All three winners will have the opportunity to be featured at a special concert at the Wellington Amphitheater at a later date.
From jazz and country to classic rock and heavy metal, all sounds are welcome. Band members must be at least 10 years old by October 1st, 2012, at least half must reside in Palm Beach County, and each band must have a minimum of three instruments to qualify. Lyrics, apparel and performances must be appropriate for all audiences.
If you have what it takes, rush to the Wellington Community Center (12150 Forest Hill Boulevard) by Monday, October 15th with a completed application form, proof of age (such as a driver license or birth certificate), a photo of your band and a $50 entry fee made payable to the Village of Wellington. The Wellington Community Center will accept registrations Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Bands selected for the live audition round will be notified no later than Thursday, October 18th. Live auditions will be held on Friday, October 26th at 8 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater. Finalists will play at the Amphitheater again on Saturday, October 27th at 8 p.m. and the night will end with the dramatic announcement of the winners.
The complete official rules and application form are available at the Wellington Community Center and www.wellingtonfl.gov/community/parks-and-recreation/special-events.html. For questions, contact Joe Piconcelli, Cultural Programs and Facilities Manager, at (561) 791-4756 or jpiconcelli@wellingtonfl.gov.
For information about other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visit www.wellingtonfl.gov or watch Channel 18 for the latest happenings.
October, 2012 – Bicycle Safety Day
Bicycle Safety Day on Oct. 13th
Wellington, FL, October 13, 2012: Genbu-Kai Karate, located in the Market Place Mall in Wellington will be hosting a bicycle safety day for children and their families. We have one-hundred fifty (150) FREE bicycle helmets to give away, along with water bottles, whistles, wrist bands and MUCH MORE! Along with the day’s events, participants will be able to register to win FREE martial arts classes.
The event will be held Saturday, October 13, 2012 from noon-6:00pm, rain or shine!
For more information on the classes, please call 561.804.1002 or visit our website at www.floridagenbukai.com.
Contact: Keith Moore
Phone: (561)804-1002
Website: www.floridagenbukai.com
Email: floridagenbukai@yahoo.com