By Denise Marsh
Turquoise treasures
Delight my senses.
Sunshine and salt spray
Etched in white lace.
Hypnotic aura
You fuel me.
Sea and sand.
Sky and wind.
A marriage of sight and sound
Blue space,
You found me
Dancing on every wave
With my Gypsy soul.
Colorectal Cancer Awareness and How Screenings Save Lives
By Jaime Elder
Even though Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month isn’t until next month, Kyle S. Eldredge, DO (pictured below) is urging Palm Beach County residents to get screened early for colorectal cancer as it might just save their lives.
A Board Certified general surgery specialist at Advanced Surgical Physicians and the only colorectal surgeon serving Palm Beach County’s western communities, Dr. Eldredge says that colon cancer rates have been rising over the last 20 years – especially for younger Americans.
The proportion of cases among those younger than 55 years increased from 11% in 1995 to 20% in 2019, making colorectal cancer the deadliest cancer for men under age 50 — and the second deadliest cancer among women in the same age group with breast cancer being the first.
The disease received renewed interest in 2020 after the death of actor and Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman succumbed to stage three colorectal cancer at the age of 43 after a four-year battle with the disease.
“By 2030, early-onset colorectal cancer is expected to become the leading cancer-related cause of death for people aged 20-to-49,” said Dr. Eldredge. “The exact reason for this increase in younger persons is unclear, but it is thought to be linked to diet, lifestyle, and the gut microbiome.”
While most early colorectal cancers do not cause symptoms, Dr. Eldregde stresses the importance of knowing the warning signs.
“Screening should start at age 45 for those persons at average risk as over 90% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed in those older than 45,” he said. “But if you notice abdominal pain, bloody stool, fatigue, anemia due to blood loss and change in bowel habits, talk to your physician and get it checked out.”
Advanced Surgical Physicians works with patients and their gastroenterologists to choose the best approach for diseases of the colon and can treat some diagnoses with laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery.
One of the biggest risk factors for the development of colorectal cancer is age and Dr. Eldredge recommends men over the age of 45 get a colonoscopy every 10 years.
“That’s for those at average risk,” he said. “If you’re at a higher risk and have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, I recommend getting a colonoscopy every five years. Having a single first degree relative with colorectal cancer can increase your risk 2-3 fold.”
Other risk factors include inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, inherited disorders that lead to increased polyp growth as well as smoking, obesity and alcohol intake.
Screenings for colorectal cancer vary and the two main types are visual tests which allow a physician to see inside the colon and rectum and a fecal test which examines stool for blood or DNA markers for cancer.
“The most effective method is via colonoscopy which uses a camera to directly visualize the colon and any polyps that are found can be removed,” Dr. Eldredge said. “CT colonography, Cologuard and other stool-based studies are also effective screening methods for colorectal cancer.”
“Although each test has its advantages,” Dr. Eldredge said. “The best test is the one that gets done.”
Interview with Alex Schulze, CEO and Co-founder of 4ocean
Join the Clean Ocean Movement
By Krista Martinelli, Photos courtesy of 4ocean
Recently I was happy to have the opportunity to interview Alex Schulze of the impactful company 4ocean. Just 32 years old, Schulze is a visionary type of individual, making a difference in the gigantic task of cleaning up our oceans. He has a lot of energy and gives very solid, confident answers. You can tell he’s on a mission and he’s extremely passionate about that mission.
AW: How did you get the idea to start 4ocean?
I was on a surfing trip in Bali with my friend Andrew Cooper and we saw a crazy amount of pollution in the water. We started 4ocean in January of 2017.
AW: Tell us about your background.
I grew up on the West coast of Florida on Marco Island. I was a licensed captain at a young age. I was always fishing, diving and surfing. I went to FAU and got my degree in entrepreneurship. Cleaning the ocean is something I was passionate about. Today we have locations in Boca Raton, Guatemala and Bali.
AW: Tell us about the products you sell, taking 5 pounds of trash out of the ocean for each item sold.
It’s mainly our 4ocean bracelet. It’s made with recycled water bottles. It uses post-consumer recycled glass beads. The bracelets are unisex, waterproof and handcrafted by local artisans on the island of Bali.
AW: What is your process for removing plastics and other trash from the ocean?
Our full-time captains and crews take vessels out every day. It’s a combination of using nets and hand nets and walking the coast. They then prepare what they’ve collected for recycling. We go from plastic to pellet to thread or use the recycled materials to manufacture new products.
AW: How does this work as a business model? Would you say you’re a movement (that happens to sell stuff)? Or more of a shop that happens to have an eco-conscience?
Our motto is: Ocean first, product second. This has been our core focus ever since we started. We are an ocean clean up company and that is our #1 focus.
AW: How much plastic, would you estimate, is in our oceans? And what does it do to sea creatures potentially?
Billions of pounds of plastic enter the ocean every single year. It’s hard to quantify. Animals and wildlife consume that plastic. Birds, whales, turtles and fish are all ingesting plastic. Humans are taking in a credit card worth of plastic (via the fish they eat) each week – it’s significant.
AW: What are some of your most popular items?
Definitely our 4ocean bracelet. While we offer other items (apparel, reusable cups, reusable shopping bags and more), we’ve stayed honed in on the bracelet.
AW: Tell us about your family. Are they all involved in the 4ocean movement?
My family is from Marco Island. My family has contributed greatly in solidifying my connection to the ocean. They are very supportive of the idea to start this business.
AW: What are the perks that come with the Clean Ocean Club membership?
You get exclusive content and updates via our newsletter. You double your impact, getting twice the amount of pounds of trash pulled out of the ocean. You receive a discount on certain products and receive new products before everyone else.
AW: What’s the biggest challenge we face in cleaning up our oceans? (See his video response below).
AW: How do you feel about plastic water bottles?
Plastic water bottles are unnecessary. Of all the switches in a sustainable life, there are hard ones and easy ones. It’s an easy switch to using reusable water bottles (whereas it might be harder to find bread that doesn’t come in a plastic bag, for example).
By Charmaine Peters
Imagine being able to pick fresh, organic herbs, vegetables, or fruits at any time of the day. Home gardening allows you to enjoy the taste of homegrown produce, free from pesticides and other harmful chemicals. It can be a lot of fun, but it also takes some work to reap what you sow.
Here are a few simple tasks to check off as you prepare your garden:
Plan Your Layout
Plan for pathways within your garden to make sure you have easy access for watering, harvesting, and maintenance. If you have enough space, having raised beds would be ideal for controlling the environment for your plants. Stack the soil to a height of six to eight inches with dimensions of 4×4 or 4×8 feet, then flatten the top. This first step helps improve your garden’s organization and visual appeal.
Clean Up Garden Beds
Remove any fallen leaves, debris, roots from old plants, and weeds on your garden beds to help provide the best conditions for your plants. Weeds can compete with your desired plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight, so make sure you pull the roots to prevent them from regrowing.
Prepare Your Soil
Since the soil in South Florida can often be sandy and prone to drainage issues, conducting a soil test to see the current pH and nutrient levels will help assess what materials to add to help enhance soil fertility and texture. If your soil is too acidic, consider adding a mix of compost or other organic matter that is less acidic to create a pH balance and a more suitable environment for a variety of plants.
Organize Your Vegetables
In South Florida, where the weather can be hot and humid, it’s good to consider heat-tolerant vegetables for your garden. Identify the crops you want to grow and organize them based on their specific planting requirements. For example, leafy greens like kale, arugula, Swiss chard, and Malabar spinach prefer well-drained, nutrient-rich soil under partial shade to full sun. Fruiting vegetables like peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants thrive well in loose, well-drained soil under direct sunlight. By organizing the plants based on their specific needs, you can efficiently allocate spaces and plan the type of soil and fertilizers you need. The growing season in South Florida may be almost over, but check out my previous article here to see what fast-growing veggies you can harvest in a month.
Purchase and Start Your Seeds
Purchasing seeds in advance allows you to plan when to plant them. If you’re buying seeds online, consider the shipping times to avoid any delays in your plan. Some seeds, like tomatoes and peppers, grow better when started indoors. For instance, it’s recommended to start tomato seeds indoors for approximately six to eight weeks while pepper seeds for about eight to ten weeks before transplanting them outside. This will allow them to develop strong seedlings before facing the challenges of outdoor conditions. With careful planning and preparation, you can set the stage for a successful and bountiful vegetable garden.
Create a Planting Calendar
You can make your DIY planting calendar or print free downloadable templates online. Record each seed or crop’s indoor and outdoor planting dates on your calendar. If you started seeds indoors, note the estimated date when they can be gradually exposed to outdoor conditions, a process known as “hardening off.” Check the seed packets for information on the estimated first harvest date so you can mark your calendar and plan for the next crops to plant.
It takes good planning to avoid common gardening mistakes and make sure your garden grows into a bountiful harvest. So, take the time to plan using this guide, and you’ll reap the rewards of a vibrant and productive home garden. Happy gardening!
By Mike May
Basketball, football, flag football, baseball, softball, soccer, swimming, rowing, tennis, golf, rugby, running, wrestling, stickball, and equestrian sports. Those are the main sports currently being enjoyed by residents of Wellington. Well, you can now add pickleball to that list.
The current level of interest in pickleball is a reflection of a growing national trend for the sport of pickleball.
According to figures released by the Association of Pickleball Professionals, there are 36.5 million pickleball players in the U.S. Of those 36.5 million pickleball players, 8.5 million of them are playing the sport at least eight or more days a year.
And, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the growth in participation in pickleball has been so meteoric that SFIA classifies the sport as the third-fastest growing sport in the U.S.
“You will find the pickleball craze is alive and well, still the fastest-growing sport in the United States,” said SFIA President/CEO Tom Cove.
According to the SFIA data, the section of the U.S. with the most pickleball players is the South Atlantic region of the U.S. (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Delaware), but the states of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas are exhibiting some of the strongest surges in interest. The SFIA reports that roughly 60 percent of all pickleball players are male and 40 percent are females. When looking at age-group demographics, the 55+ age group represents the largest number of participants – nearly 20 percent. The 18-34 year-olds are the second largest number of participants at just more than 18 percent.
When it comes to places to play pickleball, the top five states for courts are California (794), Florida (770), Texas (519), North Carolina (419), and Texas (400).As far as pickleball facilities in the western communities, there are many places to play the sport in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach. There are six dedicated pickleball courts at Okeeheelee Park and five courts at Wellington’s Village Park, located off Pierson Road. Wellington’s Greenview Shores Park has eight outdoor pickleball courts. The lines are overlaid on a tennis court, so the net is a little taller than a normal pickleball net. The courts cannot be reserved. Amenities include lights. The courts are free to use. In Royal Palm Beach, the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center has three indoor courts and four outdoor courts. And, there’s one outdoor pickleball court at Madison Green in Royal Palm Beach.
Want to see all places to play pickleball in Wellington? https://www.pickleheads.com/courts/us/florida/wellington
Check out Pickleheads and get involved in local pickleball!
By Heidi Hess
We were taking down the Christmas decorations (no judgment…we hold onto those bright sparkly lights until the very last moment) and everyone in the house felt a little extra melancholy. It’s been cloudy and rainy here in SoFla and the weather (while I love it) doesn’t do much for lifting the spirits.
My son (of all people) asked why we don’t decorate for Valentine’s Day. To which I replied that we have a few Valentine’s Day decorations. I promptly started digging in the storage bin in the garage and found a few things. It wasn’t enough. And so, the mission for my pilgrimage to Dollar Tree ended with red and pink heart everything! We even decorated the dining room chandelier with festive tulle and little red hearts that light up.
This scenario had me thinking. So much emphasis is placed on the holiday season and while it is lots of fun, how can we avoid that post-holiday depression? Especially with the whole “New Year, New Me” mindset that comes after the holiday indulgence.
I’ll tell you. Find joy in the little things. Double down on those walks in the rain (one of my favorite things). Drink the extra coffee and use cream for Pete’s sake. Life if short. Make sure you are enjoying yourself. And don’t just do it for yourself…if you are happy it stands to reason that the people around you will be happy too. Hey – it doesn’t hurt to try.
So there I am, in the Dollar Tree, wearing my Cure t-shirt and black yoga pants holding arm-loads of red and pink (yikes) fluffy things that are screaming ‘LOVE’ feeling a little… uncomfortable. To be honest, it’s a bit much for my dark little heart but it’s all for the kids. Besides, every time I see those glowing red hearts it reminds me of Edgar Allan Poe’s Tell-Tale Heart and then I feel better. Phew – lightness averted.
There. How’s that for Valentine’s decorations?? Man, if this doesn’t work to lift their spirits, I don’t know what will…
Juno Beach, Fla. (January 25, 2024) – Celebrate 40 years of sea turtle and ocean conservation at Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s 19th Annual TurtleFest. Presented by Amazon, the free, family-friendly community event will take place at Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) and the surrounding Loggerhead Park on Saturday, February 24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
LMC is honored to welcome Amazon as the presenting sponsor for this year’s TurtleFest. Amazon’s commitment to sustainability includes impacting climate solutions, reducing waste, and helping protect natural resources by investing in conservation and restoration initiatives. The company’s support will greatly enhance The Center’s efforts in ocean education and preservation, and sea turtle rehabilitation.
“At Amazon, we are committed to being a great neighbor and community partner where we work and play. Supporting the communities that we call home is central to what we do every day,” said Angelica Santibanez, Head of Community Engagement, South Florida, for Amazon. “Sea turtle and ocean conservation is an important initiative to the South Florida community, and this year, Amazon is thrilled to partner with Loggerhead Marinelife Center as the presenting sponsor of their family-friendly annual TurtleFest.”
At TurtleFest, more than 10,000 guests will come together to support education and conservation efforts through interactive, educational exhibits, marine life, live music, art, shopping, games, and other family-friendly activities. Kids can dive into the world of sea turtle conservation with fun, hands-on activities such as TurtleFest’s Junior Vet Lab. The 30-minute demonstration will educate children on the process of sea turtle rescue and release. Children can also “Slide Over the Sea” on LMC’s slide, with an ocean view, to race with friends or just for the fun of it!
Respect the locals by visiting current sea turtle patients that are being treated at the hospital. After saying hello to our sea turtle friends, browse local artists and merchants, and enjoy food, crafts beers, and cocktails. Making a splash at TurtleFest, Sailfish Brewing Company will be unveiling their new Hazy IPA, an India Pale Ale that gives back to LMC with each purchase. Guests can also enjoy live music from local bands, including The Resolvers, Brooks Herring, The Leafy Greens Band, Ricky Young, Spider Cherry, and Like Harvey.
Parking for TurtleFest is not on-site, but will be located at 700 Universe Blvd. in Juno Beach, along U.S. Highway 1. Free shuttle buses will run every 15 minutes to and from the event. Loggerhead Marinelife Center is encouraging attendees to ride their bicycles to TurtleFest and will provide free bicycle valet service at the event entrance on Ocean Avenue. Each person who valets a bicycle will receive 25 percent off the purchase of a refillable water bottle.
This year, LMC has partnered with the Boys & Girls Club to make TurtleFest easily accessible to residents in the Belle Glade, Pahokee, and South Bay areas. A complimentary shuttle bus will transport residents to and from the festival throughout the day.
TurtleFest remains free to the public thanks to LMC’s sponsors and community partners, including Amazon, TBC Corporation, Vida Caña Rum, Sailfish Brewing Company, Florida Power & Light Company, Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, and Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa.
For more information, visit marinelife.org/turtlefest.
About Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC)
Loggerhead Marinelife Center, located in Loggerhead Park, Juno Beach, Fla., is a sea turtle research, rehabilitation, education, and conservation center. The Center also manages the Juno Beach Pier across the street from the park. Established in 1983, LMC seeks to promote conservation of ocean ecosystems with a special focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles. Its facilities include a sea turtle hospital, a research laboratory, and exhibit areas, including live sea turtles and other coastal creatures. LMC has been named the third “Best Free Attraction” in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards for 2023.
About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire Tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.
By Up to 25% this Open Enrollment
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – This year marks the 35th anniversary of theFlorida Prepaid College Board, and today the Board announced it is lowering Prepaid Plan monthly prices by up to 25% for this year’s Open Enrollment period, February 1 – April 30, 2024.
Prepaid Plan prices are now the lowest in 10 years, starting at just $34/month for a 1-Year University Plan for a newborn. The price reductions are primarily due to successive years of lower-than-anticipated tuition and fee increases for Florida colleges and state universities.
While Florida families continue toface inflation across many areas of everyday life, the lower plan prices will allow even more Florida families to prepare for the cost of higher education for their children. The popular 4-Year University Plan now starts at less than $135/month, and the 2-Year College Plan is just $39/month.
In addition, current customers with plans purchased since 2008 that have not yet started utilizing benefits, will also have a lower plan price. More than 280,000 existing customers will have plan prices lowered by more than $1.3 billion. Nearly half of these customers now have their plan paid in full and will receive refunds totaling more than $350 million. The average refund per customer is $2,600.
Any customers who have already submitted their Prepaid Plan application between May 1, 2023 and January 31, 2024, will receive notice of their new Prepaid Plan price in February.
“Every day we strive to support Florida families by making college savings simple and affordable,” said Board Chairman John D. Rood. “This price reduction reflects our commitment to that goal. We thank Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their continued efforts to make a college education attainable for Florida students during these past few years of economic uncertainty and heightened inflation.”
Governor DeSantis applauded the price reduction, which is aligned with his administration’s goal of making sure a postsecondary education is affordable for Florida families.
Prepaid Plans provide a simple, affordable way to save for college tuition and fees and/or dormitory housing and allow families to lock in their plan price and make fixed monthly payments.
Families can use the Prepaid Plan online pricing tool to determine what the various plans cost based on a child’s age, as well as explore the different payment options available.
If a child attends an out-of-state college or private college, a Prepaid Plan will pay the same amount as it would pay at a public college or university in Florida. Every Prepaid Plan is protected by the State of Florida, and a child has up to 10 years after high school graduation to use a plan.
“Florida families have been squeezed by housing and food costs over the past few years, and we are glad to be able to ease their budget concerns by providing even more affordable plan prices. Florida Prepaid is the largest and longest-running prepaid program in the nation, and we hope that with the reduced prices even more Florida families can start saving for their children’s future,” said Executive Director Kevin Thompson. “For 35 years, we have stayed true to the mission of our founder, Mr. Stanley G. Tate, to provide Florida families with an affordable means to save for their children’s higher education.”
Eligible account owners will receive a notification from the Board regarding their refund and/or payment reduction. For more information about how your plan will be affected, go to myfloridaprepaid.com/lowprices. To get started saving for college today, visit myfloridaprepaid.com. Open Enrollment ends April 30, 2024.
About the Florida Prepaid College Board
The Florida Prepaid College Board manages the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program and the Florida 529 Savings Plan. Both are tax-favored 529 college savings plans authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. In 1987 the Florida Prepaid College Program was created by the Florida Legislature and the commitment and dedication of Mr. Stanley G. Tate to provide Florida families with an affordable means to save for their children’s future college education. The first Florida Prepaid College Plans were sold in 1988 and were augmented with the addition of the Florida 529 Savings Plan in 2002. The Board also oversees two direct-support organizations – The Florida Prepaid College Foundation and Florida ABLE, Inc., d/b/a ABLE United. Florida Prepaid is the largest, longest running and most successful prepaid plan in the nation, with more than 2 million Florida Prepaid College Plans purchased and more than $15 billion in assets. The 529 Savings Plan has more than 130,000 active accounts, with a market value of more than $1 billion.
Wellington, Florida — Advanced Surgical Physicians will be hosting their inaugural Obstacle Course 5k on Saturday, Feb 17, 2024 at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The Obstacle Course 5k will feature ten different stations designed to challenge the athletic limits of participants. In addition to the balance beam and wall climb, participants will also face the double sandbag carry, log carry, wire crawl, bucket carry, box jumps, jump rope, tire drag and hurdles.
The event is open to all, from beginners to intermediate fitness levels, and will also feature a kid’s division. All participants will receive an entry into the race, a personalized race bib, event shirt and finisher medal.
Wellington Regional Medical Center and Florida Cancer are major sponsors of the event as are USA Sports Medicine, Palm Beach County Behavioral Health Coalition, Shullman Orthodontics, Body20 Royal Palm Beach, Reign Energy Drink and the Florida Panthers.
Sponsorship for the event is still open and interested parties are directed to contact Danny Howard at Victory Sports Management at [email protected] or (954) 835-5929.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Clinics Can Help, a local non-profit which redistributes surplus medical equipment and supplies to children and adults in need.
“Their goal is to improve the everyday lives of people in our community,” said Andrew J. Shapiro MD of Advanced Surgical Physicians. “Working together, we promote community wellness throughout South Florida.”
For more information and to get tickets, visit: https://victorysportsmgt.com/obstaclecourserace
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