First Night in Wellington
8:00pm – 12:30am
At the Wellington Amphitheatre
January, 2011 – A Common Problem for Cats
Creature Feature
A Common Problem for Cats
By Stephanie Karpf, DVM
A very common problem that I am asked about frequently in my practice, is what to do about a cat that is urinating or defecating outside of the litter box. This happens more commonly in homes that have multiple cats. This can sometimes be challenging to correct, but in most cases it can be rectified by a simple step.
In any case where a cat starts to urinate or defecate outside of the litter box, the absolute first thing that must be done is to have the kitty examined by a veterinarian. There are many medical conditions that can cause this type of behavior, and they need to be ruled out with a physical examination and often some blood and urine laboratory tests. Once this has been completed, and we know that the cat is otherwise healthy, we can treat this as a purely behavioral problem.
The main key to bathroom harmony in a multi-cat household, is having the correct number of litter boxes. The general rule is, that you have one more litter box than you have cats. So, if you have 2 cats, you should offer 3 litter boxes. The reason for all of these boxes is that as is true for their wild cousins (lions, tigers, etc.), many domestic cats do not like to urinate and defecate in the same place. They also often like their own bathrooms that are not shared with their housemates. This rule applies up to a certain point, however. You should never really need more than 7 boxes. If you have 10 cats in your house, then the maximum number of boxes necessary is 7.
It is also important that the boxes be in separate locations. There is no use in having three litter boxes, and then lining them all up next to each other in the laundry room. Three boxes, means that there are three separate locations to go to the bathroom in the house. Another important factor, is that there should be at least one box on every level of the home that the cats have access to. Many older cats will decide not to use a litter box, if it means that they will need to ascend or descend stairs to do so. By making a box available on every floor, this problem is avoided.
There certainly are cases of inappropriate elimination in which this litter box number and location solution is not enough. However, in my experience, most cases are corrected by these simple, easy changes.
Stephanie Karpf, DVM, is co-owner of The Visiting Vet, a house call veterinary service for dogs and cats serving Palm Beach County. For an appointment, call (561) 252-8874.
December, 2010 – Seeking Nominations, Women Business Leaders
Business Leader Media is currently accepting nominations for its Annual South Florida Women Extraordinaire Awards. Winners will be honored at a ceremony on February 28, 2011 and will be featured in the March 2011 issue of Business Leader magazine.
The Women Extraordinaire Awards honor top women business leaders in the South Florida community, who are selected based on the following criteria:
· Candidate must be an influential leader within her company or business, with an extraordinary impact on its economic success and forward-thinking strategies;
· Candidate must be actively involved in the professional organizations and associations related to her industry;
· Candidate must be active in her community by utilizing her skills and/or time to promote philanthropic organizations or causes; and,
· Candidate must be a recognized mentor and example to other women in her industry, especially by maintaining a high functioning work-life balance.
Nominations can be submitted at www.BusinessLeader.com/WE-SouthFlorida.
The nomination form takes less than five minutes to complete, and winning gives your candidate a chance to be honored among some of the South Florida’s top business leaders, including:.
2010 South Florida Women Extraordinaire:
· ADELE STONE, Managing Shareholder – Atkinson, Diner, Stone, Mankuta and Ploucha, PA
· ANA MEDEROS, CEO – Palmetto General Hospital
· ANN MACHADO, President – Creative Staffing, Inc.
· ANN MARIE SORRELL, President & CEO – The Mosaic Group
· BEATRICE LOUISSAINT, President & CEO – Southern Florida Minority Supplier Development Council
· CAROL C. LUMPKIN, Partner – K&L Gates
· CHRISTINA WORLEY, CPA /PFS, CFP®, Managing Member – Castle Wealth Management
· CLAUDIA ECHAVARRIA, Director of Operations – BGT Partners
· DAPHNE MAINGOT, Crowe Horwath LLP – Crowe Horwath LLP
· DIANA LEVI, Partner – Goldstein Schechter Koch
· DORA MARTIN-GOMEZ, Vice President – Marketing Manager – Interstate Hotels & Resorts
· DORIA M. CAMARAZA, Senior Vice President & General Manager – American Express
· EDITH G. OSMAN, Shareholder – Carlton Fields
· ELAINE HELDEWIER, Environmental Director – Carnival Cruise Lines
· ELLEN FINNERTY, Senior Vice President & Human Resources Director – FCC, LLC d/b/a First Capital
· EMILY MARQUEZ-DULIN, Executive Director – Humane Society of Greater Miami Adopt-A-Pet
· ENEIDA ROLDAN, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., President and CEO – Jackson Health System and Public Health Trust
· EVA RITVO, M.D., Vice Chair, Dept. of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences – Univ. of Miami Miller School of Medicine
· GABRIELLE D’ALEMBERTE, Attorney – The Law Offices of Robert L. Parks, P.L.
· GINGER MARTIN, President/CEO – American National Bank
· HOLLY SKOLNICK, Shareholder – Greenberg Traurig, LLP
· JAYME GELFAND, Regional Director – The Continental Group Inc
· JOAN CRAIN, Senior Director Wealth Strategies & Chief Fiduciary Officer – BNY Mellon
· JULIE BRAMAN KANE, Partner – Colson Hicks Eidson
· JULIE SILVER TALENFELD, Founder & President – Boardroom Communications
· KAL MISTRY, Chief Administrative Officer / Senior Vice President – VITAS Healthcare Corporation
· KERRY LYNN RAPPORT, Managing Director and Senior Client Account Manager – Bessemer Trust
· KIMBERLY SLATER, Engineer – The Bionetics Corporation
· LILIAM LOPEZ, President and Chief Executive Officer – South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
· LISA TROPEPE, P.E., Vice President – Engenuity Group, Inc
· LOUIE TENAZAS, Vice President, Human Resources – Del Monte Fresh Produce Company
· MIRIAM ABREU, Assistant Port Director for Finance/CFO – Port of Miami
· NIDIA MIGUEL, Founding Member – DATACORP
· PAMELA SHERMAN LINDEN, Shareholder – Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
· PATRICIA THORP, President – Thorp & Company
· RACHEL SAPOZNIK, Founder, President & CEO – Sapoznik Insurance & Associates Inc
· RHONDA WIMBERLY, Director of Community Affairs – Turner Construction Company
· RUTH JIMENEZ, Vice President & Branch Manager – U.S. Century Bank
· SANDRA RUIZ, Councilwoman – City of Doral
· SARAH CLASBY ENGEL, Harke & Clasby LLP – Harke & Clasby LLP
· TAMMY FOX-ISICOFF, Partner – Rifkin Fox-Isicoff & Associates
Nominations can be submitted at www.BusinessLeader.com/WE-SouthFlorida.
Thank you for your participation,
-Business Leader Events Team
January, 2011 – Women in Power Luncheon
Press Release
From: YWCA of Palm Beach County
Re: PNC/YWCA “Women in Power” Luncheon January 19, 2011
Date: December 23, 2010
Contact: Allyson Samiljan – 561-640-0050, Ext. 115, or 561-248-9884 (cell)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
______________________________________________________________________________
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., announces the second in a series of five “Women in Power” Luncheons to benefit the YWCA of Palm Beach County. Attorney, author, producer and activist Tonya Lewis Lee will be the honored guest and speaker at noon on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at the Palm Beach Photographic Centre, 415 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach.
Tonya Lewis Lee
After practicing law in Washington, D.C., Ms. Lee began writing and producing for television and founded her own multi-media business, Madstone Company, Inc. For Nickelodeon and Nick at Nite, Madstone produced Black History Month programming featuring artists including Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Whoopi Goldberg and Queen Latifah.
In 2002, Lee co-authored her first children’s book, Please Baby Please, with her husband, Spike Lee, and continued the series with Please Puppy Please. Her first novel, national bestseller Gotham Diaries, was released in 2004.
Lee served as executive producer of the 2004 documentary film I Sit Where I Want: The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education; the television mini-series Miracle’s Boys; and TVLAND’s three-part special, That’s What I’m Talking About.
For the past three years Lee has been the national spokesperson for “A Healthy Baby Begins with You” campaign initiated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. The congressional Black Congress recognized Lee’s work by giving her the 2009 Congressional Black Caucus Health Brain Trust Award. She produced the documentary film Crisis in the Crib: Saving Our Nations Babies, and launched HealthyYouNow.com, a website to support women in attaining a lifestyle of health and wellness.
A contributor to magazines such as Avenue, O at Home, Gotham and Glamour, Lee has been a consultant to ABC News and appeared on Lifetime Television, Good Morning America and CNN. She serves as Vice Chairman of the board of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, as a board member of the Creative Coalition and as a member of the advisory board for Children for Children.
Tickets to the luncheon are available for $50 each by calling the YWCA at 561-640-0050, Ext. 134.
December, 2010 – Muse Award goes to Jewish Film Festival
JCC’s Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival wins
PBCCC Muse Award for
“Excellence in Historical and Cultural Heritage”
BOYNTON BEACH/PALM BEACH GARDENS — The JCC of the Greater Palm Beaches is delighted to announce that its annual Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival (PBJFF) is the winner of this year’s Muse Award for “Excellence in Historical and Cultural Heritage.”
The Muse Awards ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on Feb. 10, 2011 in the Cohen Pavilion at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Boulevard in West Palm Beach.
The Muse Awards honor individuals and organizations for excellence in art and culture throughout the county, and are bestowed by the Palm Beach County Cultural Council. in an array of categories that alternate annually.
The Muse for “Excellence in Historical and Cultural Heritage” is awarded for producing “a program that demonstrates appreciation for a significant historical theme, or preserves and carries on the cultural traditions of a diverse population.”
The goal of the PBJFF is to entertain, educate, and promote cultural understanding through film. Each December, in multiple theaters throughout the county, the festival screens some three dozen international and independent films that examine and celebrate Jewish heritage, culture, philosophy, and religion from numerous Jewish points of view while also introducing the Jewish world to non-Jews.
Muse Award recipients are selected through a competitive nomination process. Each nomination is reviewed and scored by judges who are artists, community leaders, past recipients and Cultural Council board members.
“Over 21 years, the Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival has won tremendous community support from its audiences,” said festival Artistic Director Karen Davis. “Now, I’m very proud that it has won this award from a panel of our cultural colleagues.”
The mission of the Jewish Community Center of the Greater Palm Beaches is to create a strong Jewish community by providing high quality programs close to where people live that connect people to Jewish life.
The JCC is a partner agency of the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.
Visit our website at www.JCConline.com
January, 2011 – Write That Book Already!
Cultural Corner
Kathi Kamen Goldmark and Sam Barry
Present “Write That Book Already!” and other Favorites
Story and Images by Marla E. Schwartz
This couple is nothing short of gracious, good-natured, and witty. It’s true – many more delightful adjectives come to mind when describing the awesomeness of Kathi Kamen Goldmark and Sam Barry. They recently presented their book “WRITE THAT BOOK ALREADY! The Tough Love You Need to Get Published Now”, ($14.95, Adams Media) at the Miami Book Fair International.
There are many writers in Southeast Florida, particularly those who have published books, as well as those who are trying to figure out how to do it and are desperately looking for guidance. Frankly, this book is for both, but mostly it appeals to the latter. It appeals to the first group because if you don’t have time to explain to others … you can suggest this book. And to the latter, it goes without an explanation. There have been a handful of really good books written on the topic, but this one is exceptional in every possible way. Not only is it humorous, but it also includes specific details, chapter by chapter, to help you become a published novelist.
Their book should be considered the writer’s bible. The fact of the matter is that publishing is a tough racket and publishing one’s first novel is a really tough racket. And if you want sage advice that’ll help facilitate the process, then by all means this is the book for you. It begins with a forward written by Maya Angelou; Nathaniel Hawthorne and Franz Kafka are mentioned in it and even Annie Dillard is rightly so given credence. And if you think the book is stuffy because of these references – it’s not. And just in case you think it might be, just wait, read it and see. It includes juicy nuggets from authors such as Stephen King, Scott Turow, Amy Tan and Dave Barry (just in case you’re wondering – yes, he’s Sam’s brother) about their experiences in the business.
This lovely couple has been in the publishing business for over twenty-five years and they’ve been writing their BookPage (BOOKPAGE.COM/AUTHOR-ENABLERS) column for five-years so when it comes to advice on handing agents and publishers, they know their stuff.
Kathi is the author of the novel “And My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You”, co-author of “Mid-Life Confidential” (1994, Viking) and “The Great Rock & Roll Joke Book” (1997, St. Martin’s). She also produces the radio show West Coast Live (where Sam is a regular performer), which broadcasts every Saturday morning in front of a live audience. She’s also a recipient of the 2008 Women’s National Book Association Award. The WNBA honors American women who acquire part or all of their income from books or related artistic fields. She’s also the founder and a member of the Rock Bottom Remainders, (a remainder is a book that hasn’t sold and is therefore marked down to a rock bottom price), a rock ‘n roll group comprised of a few of today’s leading literary giants. You can find Kathi online at: REDROOM.COM/AUTHOR/KATHI-KAMEN-GOLDMARKand you can locate touring information and more about the group at: ROCK BOTTOM REMAINDERS.COM.
Sam has written “How to Play the Harmonica and Other Life Lessons” (which he presented at last year’s MBFI), is a professional musician and a marketing manager at a HarperOne, a division of Harper Collins. He’s also a member of the Rock Bottom Remainders and is a musician with the San Francisco group Los Train Wreck (Kathy is also a member). You can reach Sam online at: REDROOM.COM/AUTHORS/SAM-BARRY.
You can reach both Kathi and Sam at: KATHIANDSAM.NET.
As you can see these two are just about literally joined at the hip and, as a side note, both Sam (colon) and Kathi (breast) are cancer survivors!
Kathi and Sam recently answered some questions about their book just for AroundWellington.com readers:
AW: How many times have you attended Miami Book Fair International?
KATHI: The first time I came was in 1992 the year the Rock Bottom
Remainders got started; and whomever Dave decides during the day to invite up onstage they become my little posse. I gather the Remainderette’s and …
SAM: Some of them are, in fact, men.
AW: There are a lot of aspiring writers down here and I really believe your book appeals to them.
SAM: There are a lot of writers down here. This is truly a firmament of American letters.
AW: It’s an inspiring environment to be in. I think your book is one of the greatest books I’ve read on writing and when you referenced Annie Dillard I thought ‘how cool was that’ -because her book {“The Writing Life”, 1989, HarperPerennial) is brilliant.
SAM: Well, we try to draw on the wisdom of a lot of writers. We wanted to share some common sense about publishing. Great books have been written on the craft of writing and there are some books about the nitty gritty of the business but they’re a little dense. We wanted to bring a common sense, down to earth approach to it and make it a little bit funny.
AW: The humor adds a great quality to the book.
KATHI: We wanted to take the reader by the hand and walk them through the publishing process. This is the secret stuff that happens that nobody gets to see unless you work in the business.
AW: I liked the forward by Maya Angelou. How did you approach her about writing it?
KATHI: She and I have been dear friends for a long time, for over twenty years, and I called her up and asked her and she said yes.
SAM: Kathi and I got married, we’d lived together for quite a few years, but we got married June 12th last year, and we considered asking Maya to wed us. But she’s not traveling as easily these days, so we asked our dear friend Scott Turow to …
KATHI: … officiate our wedding.
SAM: He was the perfect choice.
KATHI: He was more nervous than we were. We’d both been married before but this was his first time marrying people.
SAM: I was surprised that this world-renowned author, speaker and also lawyer, he’s a practicing attorney, could be so nervous. We were on our honeymoon in Paris and we got an email from Scott saying ‘don’t worry, we’re going to fix it, you’re not actually legally married yet because I forgot to sign the license’ or whatever – so he got it fixed. We’re now married.
AW: Congratulations! How did you work on this book … did you write it together?
SAM: Yes. And we write our column and our blogs together.
KATHI: We have an author’s enablers voice that’s a little different from either of our own writing so what will often happen is that one of us will start – well, with this book, we actually wrote some of it while sitting together at the kitchen computer. Other chapters, one of us would start and the other would edit and we’d go back and forth.
SAM: Commonly, one of us starts and one of us takes up the standard and it goes back and forth like that until we get it right.
KATHI: What we really tried to do with this book is take the essence of the information we give in the column and make it work in a bigger picture way.
SAM: Yes, in a grander scheme. It’s almost like a course.
AW: Yes, this would be an excellent book for college students,
particularly graduate students because many people have no idea where to go or what to do.
SAM: As you know, I work in publishing and one of my specialties is taking academic writers and turning them into trade writers, which is writing for a general audience. There are only some people who can make that leap. I mention that because I think a lot of those folks could use this book. These academics are already publishing but in very small markets of 2,000 copies on the subject that they’re expert in. We wanted to say ‘look, if you want to sell your book, here’s the game.’ Some people believe there’s a magic short cut or there’s some secret club.
AW: Is there a secret club? You guys are the secret club?
SAM: There’s no secret club, I mean, of course, it’s wonderful meeting people and getting to know prominent people is part of the deal and it’s how you succeed as an author but you have to get your book published the straightforward way. You write, you show up at events, look professional, keep trying and you write a good book when the time comes.
KATHI: You need to become a part of your literary community in addition to doing good writing. We have a thriving literary community in San Francisco and I think in some other cities you have to look a little harder.
SAM: Clearly here in South Florida you have a thriving community.
KATHI: Yes, Mitchell Kaplan is kind of the center but you need to put yourself out a little bit and show up at events and meet the booksellers and take the workshops and by the time your book is done you might actually know a couple published authors who may be happy to give you endorsements.
Thank you Kathi and Sam!
There are few couples in life that are perfect for each other. And Kathi and Sam are so much in love and they’re both such sensible and sensitive souls and also stoic survivors at all at the same time – that my hat is off to them. Please follow them on Twitter .
***
A native of Toledo, OH and a graduate of Kent State University, Marla E. Schwartz is a Senior Writer for Miami Living Magazine and is currently a freelance writer for AroundWellington.com and Lighthouse Point Magazine. Her photographs have appeared in numerous Ohio publications, as well as in Miami Living, The Miami Herald, The Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel and The Palm Beach Post. She has had numerous plays published and produced around the country. Her short play, America’s Working? was produced in Los Angeles at both the First Stage and the Lone Star Ensemble theater companies, in Florida at Lynn University and then at an off-Broadway playhouse in NYC. Her piece, The Lunch Time Café, was a finalist for the Heideman Award, Actors Theatre of Louisville. Please check out the re-prints of her interviews with authors Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson and Dexter novelist Jeff Lindsay in the October 2010 issue of Duff Brenna’s ServingHouse: A Journal of Literary Arts at www.servinghousejournal.com. Please feel free to contact her at marlaschwartz@att.net.
December, 2010 – DRI Wellington Golf Classic
For Immediate Release
Contact: Natasha Norris
Diabetes Research Institute Foundation
nnorris@drif.org 954-964-4040
STARS COME OUT TO SUPPORT DIABETES RESEARCH INSTITUTE
FOR DRI WELLINGTON GOLF CLASSIC AT THE WANDERERS CLUB
Committee gears up for signature gala, An International Affair, to be held March 5.
Presented by Ashley and Joe Maguire, the DRI Wellington Golf Classic was held on December 13 at The Wanderers Club. Despite the chill in the air, the day was enjoyed, especially by those who won the opportunity to play alongside celebrities including LPGA golf pros Michelle McGann and Anna Grzebien, professional polo players Brandon Phillips, Mike Azzaro and Kris Kampsen, and former MLB first basemen Andrés Galarraga and Brad Wilkerson. The 18-hole tournament and awards reception raised more than $20,000 for the group’s signature event, An International Affair, which will take place March 5. Proceeds benefit the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI), a Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Located in the heart of North America ’s premier Equestrian Community, The Wanderers Club is an exclusive, invite-only destination. Besides playing on a top-notch course, participants of this event were also entered into a drawing to play alongside one of the seven surprise celebrities in attendance. Everyone present was also privy to a clinic led by Michelle McGann, a Palm Beach County native who has nine professional wins on the LPGA tour and in international competition. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 13, she was introduced to the DRI early on and now serves as its Patient Ambassador.
After playing the course, golfers warmed up in Dukes Bar with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while perusing a fantastic silent auction. A money board offering exciting prizes stirred up the crowd before Presenting Sponsor Joe Maguire, Gala Chairman Bob Cavanagh, and Tournament Chairman Scott Armand thanked nearly 100 people present for their attendance and support.
“We have such a great group here willing to do what it takes to help the DRI find a cure. I’d like to extend sincere appreciation to our committee, generous sponsors, celebrity participants and everyone else who contributed,” Armand said. “I hope to see each of you again in March at An International Affair!”
Chaired by Karen and Bob Cavanagh and presented by Marie and Michael Bianchini, An International Affair will be held at Wycliffe Golf & Country Club in Lake Worth on Saturday, March 5. Guests will be jet-setting around the world without ever leaving Florida as they enjoy décor, delicacies, and entertainment from countries far and near. The event will feature a tapas dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions and lots of surprises! Tickets cost $225 per person, and sponsorships are available. Register online at www.DiabetesResearch.org/IA2011 or call 800-321-3437.
Winners of the DRI Wellington Golf Classic were Scott Armand, Michael Armand, Terri Wescott, and Glenn Wescott. Ed Labario and Ginny Orthwein, who won the Closest to the Pin contest, took home gift certificates to The Wanderers Club Pro Shop, as did Rusty Lamm and Hanneke Vandenboomen, who won the Longest Drive contest. On the course players enjoyed fresh fruit from The Produce Connection and libations from Pabst Blue Ribbon. Tee Sign Sponsors included: Baker Concrete Construction, Chief Deputy Mike Gauger, and Vincent Pezzino of Cornerstone Contracting Group.
The mission of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation is to provide the Diabetes Research Institute with the funding necessary to cure diabetes now. The Diabetes Research Institute, a center of excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is a recognized world leader in cure-focused research. Since its inception in the early 1970s, the DRI has made significant contributions to the field of diabetes research, pioneering many of the techniques used in islet transplantation. The DRI is now building upon these achievements by bridging cell-based therapies with emerging technologies to restore insulin production. For the millions of families already affected by diabetes, the Diabetes Research Institute is the best hope for a cure. Visit DiabetesResearch.org or call 800-321-3437 for more information.
December, 2010 – Autism Speaks
PALM BEACH 10th ANNIVERSARY WALK NOW FOR AUTISM SPEAKS KICK-OFF DINNER BRINGS TOGETHER MORE THAN 200 PARTICIPANTS TO COMBAT THE NATION’S FASTEST- GROWING DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER
Increasing Awareness and Raising Money to Support Autism Research,
Advocacy and Family Services in South Florida
West Palm Beach FL, December 12, 2010 – More than 200 people, including individuals with autism, their families and friends, enjoyed dinner while listening to motivational “Why We Walk” speeches to Kick-off the Tenth Annual Palm Beach Walk Now for Autism Speaks season. Emotional and powerful speeches from Joe Landy, Walk Corporate Chair, along with Laura Rivera a young woman with autism and Matt Mueller whose sister has autism hit home the importance of raising funds for research and increasing awareness about the nation’s fastest-growing developmental disorder, now diagnosed in more than 1 in every 110 American children.
Established in 2000, the Walk Now for Autism Speaks events take place all over the country and are the signature fundraising events for Autism Speaks. The Walks have attracted hundreds of thousands of walkers worldwide who have raised tens of millions of dollars for autism research. This year’s Palm Beach event on March 6th will also host the first competitive 5K Run Before the Walk to introduce Autism Speaks and raise awareness about autism to the running community in South Florida.
It was announced at the event that South Florida Ford Dealers are joining The Slomin Family Center, Lesser Lesser Landy and Smith, LLC and Fetterman and Associates as Corporate Visionary Sponsors for the 2011 Palm Beach Walk. They join National Walk Sponsors Toys “R” Us, Inc. and the Toys “R” Us Children’s Fund as sponsors for the upcoming Palm Beach Walk Now for Autism Speaks on March 6, 2011 in downtown West Palm Beach.
To form a team, walk as an individual or find out more about supporting Autism Speaks go to www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/palmbeach or call 800.610.6227.
About Autism
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 110 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism increased 57 percent from 2002 to 2006. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.
About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception only five short years ago, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $131 million to research and developing innovative new resources for families through 2014. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks also supports the Autism Treatment Network, Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several other scientific and clinical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and an award-winning “Learn the Signs” campaign with the Ad Council which has received over $200 million in donated media. Autism Speaks’ family resources include the Autism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit, a community grant program and much more. Autism Speaks has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the government’s response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to cover behavioral treatments. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.
About the Co-Founders
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Bob Wright is Senior Advisor at Lee Equity Partners and served as vice chairman, General Electric, and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal for more than twenty years. He also serves on the boards of the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, RAND Corporation and the New York Presbyterian Hospital. Suzanne Wright has an extensive history of active involvement in community and philanthropic endeavors, mostly directed toward helping children. She serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations and is a Trustee Emeritus of Sarah Lawrence College, her alma mater. In 2008, the Wrights were named to the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world for their commitment to global autism advocacy.
January, 2011 – Wellington Women’s Club Meeting
To: Around Wellington
From: Wellington Women’s Club
Contact: Allyson Samiljan – 561-798-6741
Date: December 22, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
______________________________
The next meeting of the Wellington Women’s Club will be on Thursday, January 6, 2011, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Binks Forest Golf Club, 400 Binks Forest Drive, Wellington.
Members and guests will enjoy a buffet dinner and presentation by Dr. Michael J. Sinclair who will discuss non-invasive cosmetic care.
The Wellington Women’s Club has been in existence since 1977 and supports two primary causes: the YWCA Harmony House, a secure shelter for abused women and their children; and college scholarships for area high school seniors. It is open to any woman residing in the Western Communities. Come as a guest to see this dynamic club in action!
The guest fee is $30. For additional information or to make a reservation, please contact Allyson Samiljan, 561-798-6741.
January, 2011 – Whole Foods Supports Feed The Need Program
WHOLE FOODS MARKET – WELLINGTON KICKS-OFF 2011 WITH A DAY OF CHARITABLE GIVING
5% Day, Stuff the Truck Food Drive, and a Special Kick-off Reception of Palm Beach Harvest’s New
Feed the Need Program, all taking place Wednesday, January 12, 2011
On Wednesday, January 12, 2011, the Whole Foods Market in Wellington will donate 5% of the day’s net sales to Palm Beach Harvest Inc., a local community based organization of volunteers who collect and transport donated food to non-profit distribution centers throughout Palm Bach County. The 5% Day will also serve as a kick-off to the charity’s new Feed the Need program.
In addition to offering customers the chance to donate to a good cause while picking up the things they need, the Wellington store is hosting a Stuff the Truck food drive. The all-day event will allow community members to double up on their “do gooding” by helping to fill Palm Beach Harvest’s newly donated truck with non-perishable groceries. While a portion of the Whole Foods Market 5% Day donation will go to getting the new truck up and running, the food items that fill the truck will help toward the weekly 100 plus free deliveries to local soup kitchens and food pantries. Palm Beach Harvest will also have an information table inside of the store for customers to learn about volunteer opportunities.
Then, at 7:00 pm in the market’s café, customers, community members and local chefs will come together to celebrate the Florida’s premier, Feed the Need Campaign. For a $10 donation, attendees will enjoy appetizers prepared by local Chef Chris Paul, from Wild Orchids Fusion, a wine tasting, silent auction and live music by Joey Beazley. Interested guests must RSVP by calling the Whole Foods Market Customer Service Desk at 561-904-4000.
The Feed the Need Campaign was developed by Chef Mickey Bakst in Charleston, South Carolina in 2009. He organized 52 local chefs to each chose a week of their own to feed 400 needy people, resulting in 20,000 meals in 52 weeks. Deborah Morgan, Executive Director of Palm Beach Harvest caught wind of this inspiring story and immediately contacted Chef Bakst. It is Bakst’s dream to carry this vision throughout the United States and Palm Beach Harvest is the first organization to do so. Each Thursday, one local participant will donate food and labor for 400 free meals, with the help of Whole Foods Market who is donating a fully stocked pantry for the chefs to use for the entire year. “So far there are 28 local chefs, restaurants, caterers and hoteliers on board to serve 300-400 meals at the Salvation Army,” explains Morgan. “And we hope to expand to 52 partnerships by the end of 2011.” The meals will be served at The Salvation Army located at 2120 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard. West Palm Beach, Florida. The target date to begin the hot meals program will be January 13, 2011.
Media interested in attending /covering please contact:
Lauren Belinsky
Whole Foods Market
Lauren.Belinsky@Wholefoods.com
(561)-904-4000