The Boca Raton Tribuna ED 664

The Boca Raton Tribune

A Sparkling Evening to Benefit Boca Helping Hands

By: Marci Shatzman

Shiny silver chair covers and feather centerpieces greeted guests at Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club for Boca Helping Hands’ recent Monopoly & Casino Night.

The Foundation for Palm Beach State College Awards $25,000 Scholarship to Local Hero See Page 9 See Page 17

See Page 4

Hanley Foundation’s 25th Annual Golf Classic Draws in Over 100 Attendees

In Advance of World Malaria Day on April 25: Can Climate Change Accelerate Transmission of Malaria?

See Page 15

Famous TV chef and New York restaurateur Alex Guarnaschelli wowed the crowd at the Boca West Children’s Foundation fundraiser.

Used to hosting celebs like Jay Leno at earlier fundraisers, this inaugural luncheon wasn’t standup or a cookoff.

‘Peter and the Starcatcher,’ ‘Xanadu’ and Big Band Concerts at FAU this Summer

See Page 19

Florida Atlantic University’s Department of Theatre and Dance in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters has announced its summer lineup for Festival Repertory Theatre 2024.

The family friendly musical “Peter and the Starcatcher” will run from Friday, June 14 to Saturday, June 29; the 80s musical “Xanadu” will run from Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 28;

TV Chef Alex Was a Big Hit in Boca See Page 18

PAGE TWO The Boca Raton Tribune

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Marketing

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News Room

Isabel Rizzi

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Games

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD

THEME: THE 1960s

ACROSS 1. “Odyssey” author 6. Time in NYC 9. Pay as you earn, acr. 13. Avoid paying taxes 14. Also 15. Rolled up, on a farm 16. From distant past 17. News channel acronym 18. Very angry 19. *____ Invasion 21. *Vostok I pilot 23. Spring water resort 24. Talcum powder ingredient 25. Muted order 28. Sports award 30. Doled out, as in soup 35. Future atty.’s exam 37. Engage for service 39. In all sincerity 40. *____ Preminger, director of “Exodus” 41. Petri dish jellies 43. DDS exam 44. Gordon Gekko:

“____ is good”

46. Barbershop sound

47. Bread pocket

48. Rumor

50. Whiskey straight, e.g.

52. Cubby hole

53. One-horse carriage

55. *#29 Down invasion coordinator

57. *TV’s Tony Nelson’s “dream”

61. *”8 1/2” and “La Dolce Vita” director

65. Lake scum

66. Toothpaste type

68. Baited

69. Thorny

70. Anger

71. Last eight in college basketball

72. Kill

73. Lamentable

74. Bob Marley, e.g.

DOWN

1. *____ Alpert & the Tijuana Brass

2. Last word over walkie-talkie

3. Algeria’s southern neighbor

4. Written corrections

5. Chef’s guide

6. *____ A Sketch toy, launched in 1960 7. *Just one of “My Three ____”

8. Polynesian kingdom 9. Prefix with trooper or legal

10. Resembling wings

11. Abominable humanoid

12. *#57 Across actress

15. Large feline (2 words) 20. The Obamas’ daughter 22. *”A Man for ____ Seasons” movie

24. Political repression 25. Nordic gl hwein

26. *____Turf

27. Man behind Windows

29. *Bay of ____ Invasion

31. *”Turn on, tune in, ____ out”

32. Shockingly graphic

33. Fill with optimism

34. *”The Times They Are A-Changin’” singer-songwriter

36. Three on a certain

LAST WEEK RESULT

sloth

38. It’s between Ohio and Ontario

42. *#21 Across - first man in ____

45. *”Mary Poppins” producer

49. Not Beta or Kappa

51. Farm tool

54. Front of cuirass

56. Spurious wing

57. Kickboxing moves

58. Twelfth month of Jewish year

59. City of Taj Mahal

60. “____ a soul”

61. Ran off

62. Purple flower

63. Not gross

64. Brainchild

67. E in B.C.E.

The Boca Raton Tribune

COMMUNITY

Fuller Center Presents “Think Outside the Blocks”

Boca Raton, FL – Fuller Center a cornerstone to our community, is thrilled to announce the inaugural “Think Outside the Blocks” Corporate Breakfast, set to take place on May 23rd, 2024, at the prestigious Boca West Country Club. This unique event promises to blend corporate engagement with community empowerment in an unprecedented way.

“Think Outside the Blocks” embodies the essence of creativity and collaboration, inviting participating corporations to step outside the confines of traditional networking events and engage in a hands-on experience that will leave a lasting impact on both the participants and our community.

Participating corporations will be provided with a box of LEGO® bricks, symbolizing the building blocks of both community empowerment and industry. Their task? To construct a replica of their respective industry! These creations will then be showcased at the breakfast event, where they will be judged by a panel of esteemed critics: the children of Fuller Academy, Fuller Center’s private choice elementary school.

“We are thrilled to introduce ‘Think Outside the Blocks’ as a novel way to bridge the gap between the corporate world and community,” said Ellyn Okrent, CEO at Fuller Center. “By engaging in hands-on, interactive activities, participating corporations not only demonstrate their commitment to the future of our children but also inspire creativity and critical thinking in our students.”

To kick off this exciting endeavor, participating corporations will receive their LEGO® boxes via a fire truck drop on Thursday, May 9th, at 10:00 AM, by the Boca Raton Fire Department directly at the Fuller Center East Campus.

This event marks a significant milestone in reimagining the role of corporations in shaping the future of our children and our community. By investing in Fuller Center and fostering a culture of creativity and innovation, we can lay the foundation for a brighter, promising future for generations to come.

For more information about “Think Outside the Blocks” or to inquire about corporate participation, please contact Patty Gallagher at pgallagher@fullercenterfl.org.

For more than 50 years, the Full -

er Center’s mission has been to embrace, educate, and empower hardworking, under-resourced families and children to reach their full potential. We build a positive future through education for the more than 900 children (infants through teens) whom we serve annually, as well as 600 of their family members. The Fuller Center reaches families in more than 40 zip codes throughout Palm Beach County, as well as northern Broward County.

65% of Fuller Center parents serve as essential or frontline workers, working in hospitals, retail outlets, restaurants, and hotels. They are our bus drivers, store clerks and cashiers, farmworkers, delivery drivers, security guards, bank tellers, office workers, healthcare workers, home health aides, hospital orderlies and cafeteria workers, and childcare and eldercare workers.

Our programs help empower children to start school prepared, succeed academically, and break the generational cycle of poverty through quality early childhood education, after-school and summer camp programs, our new private elementary school and teen leadership programs, and comprehensive, family-centered support services. They also empower parents who are essential to keeping our local economy open and who provide the vital services we all count on.

The Fuller Center also offers mentoring programs and adult onthe-job training, coaching, and employment support, and no-cost transportation from 12 area schools to our campus-based after-school programs. We serve more than 1,800 nutritious meals and snacks daily.

In addition, Fuller Center provides opportunities for local colleges and universities to place undergraduate and graduate students in internships and child development practicums.

East Campus: 200 NE 14th Street, Boca Raton FL 33432

West Campus: 10130 185th Street South, Boca Raton FL 33498

Intergenerational Program at The Volen Center: 1515 W Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, FL 33486

Facebook: @fullercenterfl

Instagram: @fullercenterfl

The Foundation for Palm Beach State College Awards $25,000 Scholarship to Local Hero

West Palm Beach, FL — Palm Beach State College presented certifi ed nursing assistant Jermya Adams, 23, a full scholarship for $25,000 at the College’s Yvonne S. Boice STEAM Luncheon at noon April 16 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Cohen Pavilion. The annual event aims to increase scholarships, business partnerships and internship opportunities to support students pursuing science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics fi elds.

Adams was selected after she saved the life of a local toddler. On April 10, Adams was suddenly awoken by a neighbor’s desperate cries for help. Her neighbor’s 22-monthold son had wandered outside and fell into a nearby lake. Although the mother was able to pull the boy out, he was not breathing. She quickly performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and thanks to her quick response, the boy is expected to make a full recovery.

The scholarship is a chance to recognize the courage of a young woman who has spent most of her life caring for others. After losing her mother at the age of 9, Adams cared for her siblings and her grandmother who had a severe respiratory illness. That experience led her to dream of furthering

her education to become a respiratory therapist or a licensed nurse. But as a single mom with a four-year-old daughter, she did not have the means.

PBSC changed that with an offer of a full scholarship. At PBSC, Adams can earn an Associate in Science degree in respiratory care and continue on and receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Cardiopulmonary Sciences. Alternatively, she can prepare to become a registered nurse through PBSC’s Associate in Science degree in nursing and then continue on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. “We are thrilled to be able to offer this scholarship to such a deserving local hero,” said Da-

vid Rutherford, vice president of Institutional Advancement and CEO of the Foundation for PBSC. “She has all the attributes of a potential leader in the healthcare fi eld, and we look forward to welcoming her to our Panther family.”

“I am completely shocked but I am so grateful to the Foundation and everyone at the College,” Adams said. “I can’t wait to start at PBSC and realize my dream of becoming a respiratory therapist.”

The keynote speaker at the STEAM event was global innovation and technology expert Gary Vaynerchuk or “GaryVee” as he is known to

his 44 million social media followers.

The STEAM luncheon, which was moderated by Founder and CEO of The Cut Buddy Josh Esnard and presented by Bank of America, honored the philanthropic legacy of the College’s late friend, STEAM chair and respected pillar in the community Yvonne S. Boice, who passed away last year. Other sponsors of the event were the Palm Beach Post as the media sponsor and the South Florida Tech Hub as marketing sponsor. For more information, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/foundation/steam.

Founded in 1933 as Florida’s fi rst public community college, Palm Beach State College has been an integral player in the growth and prosperity of Palm Beach County. Our graduates impact every industry and are community and business leaders. With more than 130 programs of study, PBSC offers bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, professional certifi cates, career training and lifelong learning. More than 36,000 students enroll annually in face-to-face, online, live online and hybrid classes at fi ve convenient locations in Lake Worth, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Belle Glade and Loxahatchee Groves. Learn more at www.palmbeachstate.edu.

Local Leaders and TV Personalities to Highlight Evening of Black Excellence and Dancing Under The Stars

Riviera Beach, FL – The countdown has begun for “An Evening of Black Excellence and dancing Under the Stars”, honoring fi ve local leaders, featuring two popular local news personalities and benefi ting the KOP Mentoring Network at the Riviera Beach Marina Event Center on Saturday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m.

Proceeds from the evening will benefi t KOP’s mentoring and leadership programs to underserved youth, ages 7-17, throughout eastern Palm Beach County.

The much-anticipated event will be M.C.’d by T.A. Walker, host of WPTV-Channel 5’s “Shining a Light” segment, as KOP honors fi ve community icons – Oscar and Diane Lewis, Malachi and Essie Knowles, Billie Brooks, Amon Yisrael and Cecil L. King, Sr.

The event will feature a friendly dance competition that includes WPTV anchor Hollani Davis, Riviera Beach Fire Chief John M. Curd, Jr., Police Offi cer J.C. Cajuste, Entrepreneur and Life Coach Ann McNeill, Attorney Corey Smith and Singer-Recording Artist Mary Ophelia Ison.

Several teens who have benefi ted from KOP mentoring programs will also be present to tell their success stories.

“We are so excited to bring the Riviera Beach community together for such a momentous night of recognition and community empowerment,” said C. Ron Allen, who founded the KOP Mentoring Network in 1991.

“With such prominent honorees, recipients, dancers and T.A. as our wonderful M.C., the stars will be shining brightly on Saturday night.”

General admission for the event is $50; VIP tickets are $100. Proceeds will support the KOP Mentoring Network, which provides mentoring and leadership programs to underserved youth, ages 7-17, throughout eastern Palm Beach County.

For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and more information, visit https://auctria.events/KOP2024Riviera, call (561) 665-0151 or email info@kopmn.org.

Founded in 1991 by C. Ron Allen, the KOP Mentoring Network offers mentoring and leadership programs for underserved youth, ages 7-17, through Academy and Camp experiences designed to provide the tools needed to prepare them for prosperous futures. Programs are designed to help students learn new skills, explore new places and meet new people, all while developing the discipline, dedication and character needed to not just graduate – but accelerate academically and behaviorally as well. With the aid of local experts in their respective fi elds and volunteers who have a passion to see local youth prosper, the KOP Mentoring Network offers participants one-of-a-kind learning experiences. Several past students are now law enforcement officers, military personnel, TV Show hosts, members of the clergy, educators, medical doctors, multimedia producers, engineers, artists, aviators and leaders in the local community.

The Boca Raton Tribune

Founded January 15, 2010

DOUGLAS HEIZER, Publisher

Our Writers/Reporters and Columnists

THOMAS

“‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.” John 6:56 (NIV)

Do you remember the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish? I think it’s amazing that, out of 5,000 people, it seems only one person brought a lunch. I’m thinking a lot of people were hiding picnic baskets under their robes because they didn’t want to share with anybody else.

But one little boy offered the bread and fish he packed for his lunch. He gave Jesus what little he had, and God used it to not just feed a lot of people but also to show them how much he

FAITH

By Rick Warren

Whatever You Have Is Enough for God

cares and how powerful he is.

God always starts with what you have. You may not have much time. Your assets may not be worth much. You may not think you have much talent.

But you can give God everything in your life. Give him your heart. Give him your attention. Give him your past, present, and future. Give him your offering. It may not be much, but you can give him your five loaves and two fish.

In John 6:5-6 Jesus asks, “‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do” (NIV).

Jesus wasn’t worried about how to feed 5,000 people. He already had in mind what he was going to do. He saw the need long before the disciples did— and he had a plan.

You need to understand this truth today: God always has the answer before you even know the problem. God is not worried about your unsolvable problem. It’s no t too late in the day for Jesus. He saw your problem long before you did. He knew it was coming, and he already had a plan for it. God knows the solution to your problem before you even recognize it’s a problem!

So why are you worrying? Just admit you have a problem you can’t solve on your own, and then give God everything you have. Watch him take your

By: Thomas J Madden

When you face an unsolvable problem, is your first reaction to look at your own resources or God’s promises? Why?

What does it mean to give God something?

Why do you think God wants us to surrender what we have before he works a miracle?

The post Whatever You Have Is Enough for God appeared first on Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope.

The post Whatever You Have Is Enough for God appeared first on Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope.

To Win Life’s Relay Race, Don’t Drop The Baton

It is often said that life is not a sprint, but a marathon. Unlike a sprint – a race that ends almost as quickly as it starts – a marathon is a long, grueling race requiring persistence, perseverance, pain, and patience. However, recently I have realized a truly successful life might more closely resemble a relay race.

In a relay race, four teammates each run part of the event, passing a baton to the next runner until all four have completed their segments. The idea is to successfully make the baton exchanges and finish ahead of the other competing teams. But it makes no difference how fast you run if the baton is not passed.

The upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France underscores the importance of passing the baton. During the 2008 Summer Olympics, both the U.S. men’s and women’s 4×100-meter relay teams were to

win. However, during the semifinals, runners on both teams dropped their batons, disqualifying them.

Interesting anecdote, but how does that relate to those of us earning our daily livelihoods in the global marketplace? Simply this – whether we realize it or not, we all are carrying “batons” that we eventually must pass to someone else.

As an author, I have written books about three multi-generation family companies. Two of these defied the odds by not only surviving but also thriving into their fourth generation of family leadership. For perspective, less than 33 percent of family companies survive to the second generation; less than 15 percent make it to the third generation, and only about 4 percent reach the fourth generation with family members at the helm. Those who succeed have effectively “passed the baton,” pre -

serving their original vision, mission, and values.

Even if you are not part of a family company, you still have a baton to pass. You might be hoping to earn a promotion within your organization; thinking about taking another job when the opportunity arises, or even contemplating retirement. Who will take over your job when you leave? If you are in leadership, ideally, they will carry on your work as well – or better. This is typically called “succession planning.” We could also call it “passing the baton.”

Consider your family. If you have children, do you want them to learn and emulate your personal values, perpetuate family traditions, and if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, embrace the same faith and principles you have lived by? How are you going to “pass the baton” in your home?

In the Bible we find many examples of “passing the baton.” For example, Moses and Joshua leading the Israelites. Elijah and Elisha serving as prophets of God. Jesus Christ and His disciples. One of my favorites is Paul and Timothy. Paul’s exhortation to young Timothy is a perfect verbal description of a real-life relay race and passing the baton: “and the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (Timothy 2:2).

Jesus had the same idea when He commanded His followers to “make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:1920). He was about to leave them and knew His mission would succeed only if they would pass the baton to future generations of believers.

DOUGLAS

The Boca Raton Tribune

COLUMNIST

I hope pedal pushers aren’t coming back.

Now they’re called capris or cropped jeans. Somewhere between slacks and shorts, they were the uniform in the “Seinfeld” era.

Remember the TV show that ran from 1989 to 1998? They’re still in reruns. But Jerry will be 69 on April 29, and there’s no such place as Del Boca Vista. There never was.

That was nearly 30 years ago, and a lot has changed.

Sleepy Boca has turned into vibrant Boca with 100,000 city residents, not even counting people (like us) who have

By: Marci Shatzman

Been There, Done That

a Boca address but live in the county.

The city and suburbs have evolved from an IBM and mostly East Coast retirement mecca to its present family friendly state. When we moved here in 2000, public schools still had a so-so reputation. Now they’re A-rated and so overcrowded, the district had to build another grade school (Blue Lake) in Boca and expand schools like Addison Mizner from an elementary, to a kindergarten through eighth grade. FAU just announced record first-year college applications…more than 46,000, a 27% increase from last year.

Mizner Park restaurants were always an early evening. Now they’re

weekend date night destinations. The new Brightline private railroad station has ushered in a new era for Boca. People can ride to Miami and grandparents can take visiting or grandkids who already live here to Disney without driving or flying.

Large entertainment venues for national touring companies and bigname entertainers are relegated to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, Hollywood and Miami.

That may change. City leaders and incoming The Center for the Arts and Innovation envision Boca’s future as both for locals and a destination. Initial designs for the campus that will encompass the city’s amphi-

theater and vacant lot next door have flex space for everything from indoor-outdoor stages to galas to business, to school and community uses.

Not everybody’s happy about any of this. Many longtime residents hate the traffic and the busier vibe.

But the late great Mayor Susan Whelchel was right. About everything. People laughed when she predicted kids would go to college and move back here to raise their family. She foresaw the future for Boca, and it was bright.

And like most of us dressy Boca women, I never saw her in pedal pushers.

By: Clay Jones

CARTOON Demanding Resignations

Men and Mass Shootings 25 Years After Columbine

Boca Raton, FL – Maybe there won’t be a copycat mass shooting to grotesquely mark the 25th anniversary of the Columbine massacre on April 20, 1999. But just as we can be certain there will be another solar eclipse, it’s only a matter of time before a hail of bullets will block out the sun for another community somewhere in America. What’s also true? Expect the shooter to be male, probably white.

In an effort to prevent mass shooters from attaining posthumous fame, today the media rarely reveals their names. Back in 1999, after high school seniors Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris murdered 12 classmates and a teacher in Littleton, Colorado, their names were wide-

ly broadcast and published.

A quarter century later, despite substantive actions to prevent mass shootings by a number of states—and, with vice president Kamala Harris now overseeing the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention—we still lead the world in this particular brand of murder. USA! USA! USA! (As horrific as the April 13 murder of six by an Australian man at a mall outside of Sydney, he was only wielding a knife. I shudder to think of the level of carnage if he had been brandishing an AR-16, the weapon of choice in most mass shootings.)

Australia, you might recall, banned automatic and semi-automatic weapons after a mass shooting in Port Arthur, Tasmania on April 28, 1996. There a gunman opened fire in a café, slaughtering 35 and wounding 23. Then-prime minister John Howard, a conservative politician in office for just six weeks, was able to push through sweeping gun control legislation 12 days after the shooting.

The legislative package he shepherded through banned selling and importing semi-automatic and automatic rifles, and shotguns, and required gun purchasers to explain the reason—and wait 28 days—before buying a firearm. Most significantly, the Australian law required a

mandatory gun-buyback. The government confiscated and destroyed nearly 700,000 firearms, cutting in half the number of households that possessed guns.

Prime Minister Howard said at the time, “People used to say to me, ‘You violated my human rights by taking away my gun.’ I’d tell them, ‘I understand that. Will you please understand the argument [that] the greatest human right of all is to live a safe life without fear of random murder?’”

Why, in 2024—a quarter century after Columbine, 12 years after Sandy Hook, eight years after Orlando, six years after Las Vegas, two years after Uvalde, and six months after Lewiston—is it so hard for US legislators and gun owners to understand that?

In a world where leaders of all stripes use the term “a just war” with a straight face, working to prevent mass shootings feels more within our grasp than, say, ending the war in Gaza. What to do first? Change how we talk about the issue. That means refusing to speak out against generic “gun violence.” Until we’re willing to say “men’s gun violence” we’ll continue to miss the mark, falling short of any campaign to prevent mass shootings.

This is not a condemnation of men. The vast majority of men are not mass shooters. For decades, I worked at a men’s center, published a magazine promoting a new definition of manhood, and championed revisiting how we socialize boys, as early as preschool. More and more men are rejecting conventional masculinity.

The weakened, shell-of-itself National Rifle Association coined the oft cited cliché, “Guns don’t kill people. People do,” more than a century ago. Variations have long been used to thwart gun control legislation. It’s astonishing how little push back there’s been. “People kill people?” Really? Sure, there are rare occasions when women pull the trigger, but as certain as I am that we’ll never hear a news report begin with the words, “A gunwoman opened fire today…”, I believe that to minimize mass shootings, we must move the question of the gender of the shooter from the periphery to the center of a long overdue national conversation.

Now is a good time to listen again to entertainers Martin Mull and Steve Martin. They had it right when they penned the satirical sea shanty, “Men” with its one-word chorus: Men, men, men, men.

Spring Menagerie

April 20 & 21, 2024

This repertory concert will feature an interesting blend of classical and contemporary pieces. This concert will offer something for everyone to enjoy!

La Sylphide

July 27 & 28, 2024

In La Sylphide, one of the oldest ballets still commonly performed, an otherworldly creature, the Sylph, bewitches the Scotsman James causing him to abandon his fiancée Effie and all that he once held dear. This performance will feature New York City Ballet’s Emma Von Enck & Anthony Huxley.

Vegso Family Foundation

Irvin Stern Foundation

Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation

Kettering Family Foundation

Artistic Directors: Dan Guin & Jane Tyree

Photos by Sylvia Pangaro and Cecilia

Chinchilla

Hanley Foundation’s 25th Annual Golf Classic Draws in Over 100 Attendees

West Palm Beach, FL – Hanley Foundation hosted its 25th Annual Golf Classic at North Palm Beach Country Club on April 15. Hanley supporters were comprised of both luncheon guests and 22 foursomes that ‘putted for scholarships’ in this annual fundraising event.

Longtime supporter and Hanley Foundation Board Member Marguerite Connelly served as event Chairperson. Marguerite authored a heartfelt memoir, “Addicted to the Addicted: A Mother’s Tale of Going from Heartbreak to Hopeful,” documenting her experience dealing with her son’s ongoing drug addiction.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw was highlighted during this year’s event. To acknowledge his long-standing support of Hanley Foundation’s prevention programs and the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office’s ongoing commitment to Hanley’s mission of eliminating addiction, the Foundation presented Sheriff Bradshaw with their Inaugural Community Champion Award.

“It is only through meaningful partnerships like the one we have with Palm

Beach County Sheriff’s Office that we can make real change in our community, helping individuals receive the treatment and recovery care they need,” said Rachel Docekal, CEO of Hanley Foundation. “We are deeply grateful to Sheriff Bradshaw for his steadfast support of our mission.”

Golf aficionado Johnny Pickett served as the Honorary Chair, and notable players included State Representatives David Silvers and John Snyder, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Brad-

shaw, Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Marino, and retired Major League Baseball players Rick Ankiel and Brian Schneider.

The tournament raised more than $150,000, benefitting Hanley’s Lifesaver Scholarship Program, which provides financial scholarships for individuals with substance use disorders who would not otherwise be able to afford quality treatment. More than 500 individuals received Lifesaver Scholarships from Hanley Foundation in 2023.

Sponsors included: A-1 Moving & Storage, Arch to Freedom, Family First Adolescent Services, Guardian Recovery Network, Hanley Family Foundation, Jupiter Magazine, Nancy and Geoff Caraboolad, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Suzanne Holmes, The Hamilton Family Foundation, The Harris Land Company, and The Hartman House.

Hanley Foundation envisions a world free of addiction, leading the way as the largest provider of grant-funded prevention education programs in the State of Florida. Hanley Foundation’s mission is to eliminate addiction through prevention, advocacy, treatment, and recovery support. Operating under these pillars, Hanley provides accredited, holistic addiction treatment, recovery scholarships to those in need, and trainings to identify the signs of substance misuse. Hanley Foundation educates, changes minds, and saves lives through its evidence-based treatment and prevention programs. For more information, please visit hanleyfoundation.org or call 561268-2355. Follow Hanley on Instagram and Facebook @HanleyFoundation and on Twitter and LinkedIn @HanleyFNDN.

ChipJamesandRachelDocekal

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw

MargueriteConnellyandMariaMarino

MikeHanley

AustinBryan,TurnerBenoit,NolanKing, Steve DeLalio

KathyBrock,LauraEvansNancyCaraboolad, HopeWoodhouse

Rick Ankiel and Brian Schneider

MinotAmory

Bringing Luxury Outdoors: Tips for a High-End Resort Feel at Home

(StatePoint) Elevating your outdoor space into a luxurious retreat that rivals a high-end resort is a dream that many homeowners share. Whether you’re renovating your current property, planning a complete transformation, or starting fresh with a custom build, use these tips and design elements to get started.

• Embrace Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Living: Create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces by incorporating features like bi-fold doors or expansive sliding glass doors that open on-

to a patio or courtyard. This continuous flow enhances your living experience and sets the stage for a resort-like ambiance.

• Go Big and Bold with Backyard Landscaping: According to experts, landscaping should provide contrast. “Incorporate modern aesthetics into your backyard with bold and innovative landscaping that includes both hard and soft elements,” suggests Kevin Scott, owner and partner of Alair Sanibel, a custom home builder in Southwest Florida.

• Put Modern Twists on Natural Elements: Bringing the beauty of nature into your outdoor design will create a calming environment. To maintain a contemporary feel, use materials like stone, wood and bamboo in creative ways, such as with modern sculptural planters, sleek wooden decking or minimalist stone pathways.

• Create a Cozy “Sane-tuary”: Leili Fatemi, of Leili Design Studio, recommends transforming your outdoor space into an extension of your interiors to achieve harmony. Choose cozy and comfortable furniture like sofas, lounges, swings and dining sets, and add finishing touches such as pillows, rugs and accessories. “When selecting outdoor items, opt

for weather-resistant materials like wrought iron, teakwood, and outdoor-grade wicker and fabrics that are 100% solution-dyed acrylic for fade- and mildew-resistance,” advises Fatemi, emphasizing the importance of easy-care living.

• Introduce Water Features and Outdoor Luxury Showers: Capture the resort-like feel by incorporating water features such as fountains, reflecting pools or small waterfalls, as well as stunning additions like outdoor luxury showers for a spalike experience.

• Enhance Ambiance with Outdoor Sound Systems: Install high-quality sound systems so you can enjoy convenience and comfort outdoors, whether relaxing or entertaining guests.

• Illuminate with Smart Outdoor Lighting: Consider installing smart outdoor lighting systems that can be controlled remotely to improve security and safety and to highlight landscaping and architectural features at night.

• Create a Versatile Outdoor Retreat: Incorporate a backyard studio that can serve as a sheltered spot for various purposes such as a guest room, home office or party room.

• Focus on Wellness and Entertainment: Design outdoor spaces that promote wellness and entertainment. LeTricia Zogheib of Zogheib Necessary Luxury recommends incorporating features like a giant chess set or innovative installations. “I recently had a client request an outdoor TV installed at the end of his pool that could rise from the ground and rotate for different seating positions,” says Zogheib.

• Partner with Expert Builders: Collaborate with experienced builders specializing in outdoor luxury design. “A reputable builder can ensure that your outdoor retreat is crafted with precision and attention to detail,” says Glen Harris III, regional partner at Alair Florida.

To explore how experts can help you create an outdoor living space that rivals the experience of a high-end resort, visit www.alairflorida.com.

With thoughtful design, premium materials, attention to detail and the expertise of knowledgeable professionals, you can transform your outdoor area into a luxurious retreat where every day feels like a getaway.

Is This Common Myth Preventing You From Buying a Home?

(StatePoint) If you think saving for a down payment is your number one barrier to homeownership, it’s important to understand how down payments work, how much is necessary and what programs can help you secure the funds you need.

To get you started, Freddie Mac is answering some frequently asked questions:

1. What is a down payment and how does it affect my mortgage? A down pay-

ment is the amount of money you pay up front when purchasing a home, and it’s generally calculated as a percentage of the total home price. When you put more money down at the outset, the amount you need to borrow from your lender decreases, and so do your monthly mortgage payments. Although a larger down payment can be beneficial for this reason, it may not be in your best interest if it would leave you in a compromised financial position with no cushion.

However, a smaller down payment can help you become a homeowner faster and begin building equity sooner.

2. How large should my down payment be? A Freddie Mac survey found that nearly one-third of prospective homebuyers believe you need to make a down payment of at least 20% to buy a home. This myth remains one of the largest perceived barriers to homeownership.

The truth is that the typical down payment is between 5% and 20%, and some

mortgage programs make it possible to put down as little as 3%. Your down payment size will depend on your financial situation, your lender and your eligibility for different types of mortgages.

Bear in mind that if you put down less than 20% and have a conventional loan, you’ll need to budget for private mortgage insurance (PMI), an added insurance policy that protects the lender if you’re unable to pay your mortgage. This monthly fee is rolled into your mortgage payment. Expect to pay approximately $30 to $70 per month for every $100,000 you borrow. The good news? Many types of loans allow you to cancel your PMI once you’ve built 20% equity in your home.

You can use Freddie Mac’s down payment calculator at myhome.freddiemac. com/resources/calculators/down-payment to explore how different down payment amounts affect how much you pay each month and over the life of your loan.

3. Where can I turn for help? Strug-

gling to save for a down payment? There are many forms of down payment assistance, including grants, mortgage credit certificates, individual development accounts, down payment assistance loans and even monetary gifts from family members. For those earning 50% or less than their area’s median income, Freddie Mac offers a $2,500 credit to qualified individuals to assist with down payment and other closing costs.

A housing counselor or lender can explain the ins and outs of each of these options, and help you determine which make sense for your situation. Ask your lender about DPA One, a free tool from Freddie Mac that lenders can use to help connect you with down payment assistance programs available in your area.

Saving for a down payment can sound daunting, but you may be overestimating the up-front cost. The truth is that homeownership may be a practical and affordable option for you now.

Influential Board Members Committed to Empowering Vulnerable Families to Thrive

West Palm Beach, FL – As Families First of Palm Beach County (FFPBC) continues their vital mission to empower the most vulnerable children and their families residing in Palm Beach County, they have secured the infl uence of several popular philanthropists in South Florida. Together these new board members will collectively leverage their brands and infl uence to increase awareness and revenue to benefit FFPBC and the families they serve. Since 1990, Families First has served over 54,000 children and family members through prevention and early intervention cutting-edge programs.

Chief Executive Officer, Julie Swindler explains, “when children and their families find themselves in crisis, we are a dependable beacon of hope, working with and empowering families to regain self-sufficiency and create safe, loving homes for their children.”

First Vice President of the Bank of Belle Glade and longtime board member, Jim Springer says, “As this year’s President of the Operations Board of Directors, I am excited and grateful to welcome our newest board members who are partners with FFPBC in our mission to empower families of all his-

tories and challenges to grow strong in every way.”

OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Brian Mangines: Dream big, plan well, work hard, smile always, and good things will happen. – Sally Huss Foundation Board of Directors | Chairperson of the Legacy Committee | Co-Founder/President of Flex Legal

Denise Fraile: I’ve learned that our true legacy isn’t the sum of our possessions, but the imprint we leave on the hearts and minds of those we touch— each act of kindness is a chapter in the story of humanity.

Foundation Board of Directors | 2024 Chairperson of the 18th Annual Children’s Day Luncheon | Founder of Verati Design Group | Featured in CHART, published: March 27, 2024

Diane Andre, Esq: Character, self-discipline, determination, attitude and service are the substance of life. -Marian Wright Edelman Operations Board of Directors | Legislative Aide for the Florida Senate

Kate Volman: Creativity is God’s gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God. – Julia Cameron Foundation Board of Directors | Author of Do What You Love: A Guide to Living Your Creative Life Without Leaving Your Job. | President of Floyd Consulting

Rebecca Rubinstein: We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are. – Anais Nin Foundation Board of Directors | President/Founder of Rebecca Rubinstein Consulting | former Regional Business Development Manager at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

DISCOVER MORE: Our comprehensive services focus on family strengthening, health, behavioral health, and housing – ensuring that families receive the support they need to thrive. STRONG IN EVERY WAY.

Gumbo Limbo Coastal Stewards Receive Marine Turtle Permit from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Boca Raton, FL – The Coastal Stewards, a nonprofit conservation organization formerly known as the Gumbo Limbo Coastal Stewards, announced today it has received a Marine Turtle Permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The permit allows The Coastal Stewards to immediately resume Sea Turtle Rehabilitation and Release Activities at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton.

To celebrate the Marine Turtle Permit, The Coastal Stewards will host a Grand Opening Splash and Open House for the Rehab Center at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center (1801 N. Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton) on Thursday, May 9 from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. The public is invited to meet The Coastal Stewards’ leadership team, including Director of Marine Life Conservation, Dr. Shelby Loos, and see the new sea turtle patients. City of Boca Raton officials and community partners will also be on site.

“This is wonderful news for the City of Boca Raton, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, The Coastal Stewards and our entire community,” said John Holloway, President & CEO, The Coastal Stewards. “We are thrilled that with the FWC permit in hand, our team can resume Sea Turtle re-

habilitation and release activities at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.”

“Sea turtles have long been synonymous with Gumbo Limbo Nature Center,” added Leanne Welch, Manager of the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. “We are excited for our visitors to once again have the opportunity to witness first-hand the threats faced by turtles and share in their hopeful journey of rehabilitation and release.”

The Coastal Stewards first entered into an agreement with the City of Boca Raton in April 2023, which made the nonprofit organization responsible for the operation and management of all Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release (STR) Pro-

grams and related activities at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. Since then, the Coastal Stewards have been working diligently with both the FWC and the Nature Center on fulfilling new necessary requirements – including facility upgrades at the Nature Center, hiring of additional qualified employees, and more in order to resume seat turtle rehabilitation and release. During that time, The Coastal Stewards also expanded their mission to encompass marine life, including turtles, as well as seagrass, dolphins, manatees and whales. The organization remains committed to inspiring people to support the stewardship and research of coastal and marine ecosystems.

“We look forward to the reopening of the turtle rehabilitation program at Gum-

bo Limbo Nature Center,” said George Brown, Boca Raton City Manager. “This initiative plays an important role in our community’s efforts towards environmental stewardship to prioritize the welfare of these remarkable creatures while fostering a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems among our residents.”

In January 2024, the City of Boca Raton and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center announced the return of one of its resident sea turtles, Morgan. Morgan, a green sea turtle, who first came to the Nature Center after being rescued in 2014, had been temporarily relocated as part of the transition of the City’s Sea Turtle rehabilitation and release to The Coastal Stewards.

“Our team has high-level qualifications and extensive expertise,” added Holloway. “We are excited to with the South Florida community as we return to the rehab and release of sea turtles in need.” . It is our mission to rehabilitate and release sea turtles in need, as we inspire others to care and support the stewardship and research of the coastal and marine life ecosystems that surround us.”

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Boca Raton Theater to Reopen

Boca Raton, FL – VIP Cinemas is excited to announce the reopening of the shuttered 16-screen theater complex located in the Shadowood Square Shopping Center at the corner of State Route 441 and Glades Road.

The theater, which has been vacant since early 2023, was built by Wometco Theatres in 1987 and most recently operated as a Regal Cinemas. VIP Cinemas has invested in an extensive remodel of the former Regal facility, including all new projection and sound equipment, as well as refreshed seating, auditoriums and common areas.

“We’re excited to bring back life to a theater with nostalgic charm within an underserved market.” explains Josh Ward, Vice President of Operations for VIP Cinemas, “Everyone we’ve talked with locally has been ecstatic to see their favorite movie-going spot reopen.”

The theater now operates as “VIP Shadowood 16” and offers all recliner

seating as well as an extended hot-food menu. At Shadowood 16, VIP Cinemas will emphasize its core company values of maximizing Cleanliness, Customer Service, and Guest Value. The exciting addition of newly upholstered seating across the entire facility is currently planned to occur within the first 90 days of operation.

The address for VIP Shadowood 16 is 9889 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, FL 33434.

Showtimes, pricing, and promotions can be found online at vipcinemas.com.

VIP Cinemas is a family-owned and operated circuit of sixteen movie theaters largely concentrated in the Midwest. Within Florida, the company operates one other theater located in Panama City Beach. VIP is driven to bring communities together to experience the magic of movies the way they were intended to be seen—on the big screen with friends and family.

Boca Raton City Councilman Marc Wigder to Receive UAlbany Excellence Award

Boca Raton, FL – Marc Wigder, City of Boca Raton, City Councilman & Founder & Managing Principal, Greenhouse Company, is the recipient of the UAlbany Alumni Association’s Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award for 2024. Wigder is a 1994 graduate of the University.

As founder and managing principal of Greenhouse Property Company in Boca Raton, Wigder has built and renovated a series of commercial office spaces that are energy efficient and sustained by green techniques. Greenhouse offers flexible leasing options which enable tenants to transition easily into larger spaces as their businesses grow, with shared common facilities including a lush tropical atrium with ponds and walkover bridges that foster collaboration and relaxation. Wigder serves as a mentor and an advisor to many Greenhouse tenants and helps them to succeed by hosting seminars, meetings and “startup nights” to help further educate them on good business practices. “Marc is more than just a building owner and manager,” said

Greenhouse tenant Alan Sherman, CEO, PRESENT e-Learning Systems. “He has made the Greenhouse building a small business incubator.” The company has expanded into commercial and residential assets on Florida’s Gulf Coast, and in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

Wigder also is co-founder of GreenSmith Builders, LLC, a Minnesota-based company that constructs ultra efficient homes designed to be sustainable and attainable for lower income households. GreenSmith Builders recently opened a multi-family community in southern Minnesota, PrairiE Lofts. This NetZero ready complex uses highly efficient structural panel construction and is rated an ultra-efficient complex, winning an award for best SIP sustainable project. Additional sustainable communities are in the planning stages.

Wigder and 10 other alumni will be honored at the UAlbany Alumni Association’s Excellence Awards Gala, Saturday, April 20 at Wolferts Roost Country Club in Albany, N.Y.

The Coastal Stewards Hosted Beach Clean Up in Ocean Ridge to Celebrate Earth Day

Boca Raton, FL – The Coastal Stewards, a nonprofit conservation organization formerly known as the Gumbo Limbo Coastal Stewards, celebrated Earth Day by hosting a Beach Clean Up event in Ocean Ridge on Sunday, April 21. Immediately following the clean-up, attendees can join a Discovery Session to learn how beach clean-ups support the coastal ecosystem. Earth Day is officially celebrated Monday, April 22.

The Coastal Stewards are dedicated to inspiring people to be lifelong champions for the sea turtles, manatees, whales, and dolphins that grace Florida’s coastal waters. Their innovative approach utilizes technology to share compelling narratives, and actively collaborate with like-minded organizations in observation, rescue, transportation, rehabilitation, research, and release of marine animals.

To learn more about The Coastal

Stewards and how to support them, visit www.thecoastalstewards.org.

The Coastal Stewards was established in 2012 as Friends of Gumbo Limbo and is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that sponsors marine life conservation. The mission of Coastal Stewards is to inspire people to support the stewardship and research of coastal and marine ecosystems. In 2023, The Coastal Stewards expanded its focus on the rescue, rehabilitation, research and release of sea turtles to incorporate marine life including seagrass, dolphins, manatees and whales. The Coastal Stewards’ mission’s pillars—sustainability, engagement, and awareness—guide us toward a brighter, thriving coastal future. Learn more at www.thecoastalstewards.org.

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Delray Beach Resident Top American Woman at London Marathon

Delray Beach, FL – Melissa Perlman, age 42 (as of April 23), of Delray Beach, fi nished the London Marathon on Sunday, April 21 as the top

American female overall. Her time of 2:44:57, which is a personal best, is 6 minutes and 17 seconds pace per mile. (A marathon is 26.2 miles long.)

Perlman fi nished 18th overall female in the Mass Start. And 7th place in her age category of 40-44. Over 53,000 runners completed this year’s London Marathon, the most ever since the event started in 1981.

This was Perlman’s ninth marathon. She is president and founder of BlueIvy Communications, a public relations agency with offices in Delray Beach and West Palm Beach. Perlman grew up in Boca Raton, where she attended Spanish River High School and won numerous state titles in track and cross country while there.

In Advance of World Malaria Day on April 25: Can Climate Change Accelerate Transmission of Malaria?

Eunho Suh, joint author with Isaac Stopard at Imperial College, and assistant researchprofessoratPennState,whoconducted the empirical research as a post-doctoralstudentinThomas’previouslab

Boca Raton, FL – Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite that spreads from bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. If left untreated in humans, malaria can cause severe symptoms, health complications and even death.

In tropical and subtropical regions where malaria is prevalent, scientists are concerned that climate warming might increase the risk of malaria transmission in certain areas and contribute to further spread. However, there is still much to learn about the relationship between temperature and the mosquito and parasite traits that influence malaria transmission.

In “Estimating the effects of temperature on transmission of the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum,” a groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers at the University of Florida, Pennsylvania State University and Imperial College, combined novel experimental data within an innovative modeling framework to examine how temperature might affect transmission risk in different environments in Africa.

“In broad terms, scientists know that temperature affects key traits such as mosquito longevity, the time it takes for a mosquito to become infectious after feeding on an infected host, and the overall ability of the mosquito to transmit the disease“ said Matthew Thomas, a UF/IFAS professor and UF/IFAS Invasion Science Research Institute (ISRI) director. “But what might seem surprising is that these temperature dependencies have not been properly measured for any of the primary malaria vectors in Africa”.

“Our findings provide novel insights into the effects of temperature on the ability of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes — arguably the most important malaria mosquito in Africa — to transmit Plasmodium falciparum, the most prevalent species of human malaria in Africa,” said Eunho Suh, joint first-author with Isaac Stopard at Imperial College, and assistant research professor at Penn State, who conducted the empirical research as a post-doctoral student in Thomas’ previous lab.

The study involved several detailed laboratory experiments in which hundreds of mosquitoes were fed with Plasmodium falciparum-infected blood and then exposed at different temperatures to examine the progress of infection and development rate within the mosquitoes, as well as the survival of the mosquitoes themselves.

“The novel data were then used to explore the implications of temperature on malaria transmission potential across four locations in Kenya that represent diverse current environments with different intensities of baseline transmission, and that are predicted to experience different patterns of warming under climate change,” explained Thomas.

The study supports previous research results in demonstrating that various mosquito and parasite traits exhibit intermittent relationships with tem-

perature and that under future warming temperatures, transmission potential is likely to increase in some environments but could reduce in others. However, the new data suggest that parasites can develop more quickly at cooler temperatures and that the rate of parasite development might be less sensitive to changes in temperature, than previously thought.

The data also indicate that the successful development of parasites in the mosquito, declines at thermal extremes, contributing to the upper and lower environmental bounds for transmission.

Combining these results into a simple transmission model suggests that contrary to earlier predictions, the anticipated surge in malaria transmission, attributed to climate warming, may be less severe than feared, particularly in cooler regions like the Kenyan Highlands.

“Some of the current assumptions on mosquito ecology and malaria transmission derive from work done in the early part of the last century. Our study is significant in highlighting the need to revisit some of this conventional understanding,” said Thomas.

“While the time it takes for a mosquito to become infectious is strongly dependent on environmental temperature, it also depends on the species and possibly strain of malaria and mosquito,” said Suh.

The comprehensive study and findings represent a significant step forward in understanding the intricacies of malaria transmission and paves the way for future research aimed at controlling malaria on a global scale.

“Our work focused on the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum in the African malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae. However, Plasmodium vivax is another important parasite species responsible for most malaria in Asia, as well as the recently reported malaria

cases in the U.S.,” said Suh. “Like Plasmodium falciparum, the established model describing the effects of temperature on development of Plasmodium vivax remains poorly validated.”

The same is true for other vector-borne diseases, such as dengue or Zika virus, added Suh.

“We need more work of the type we present in the current paper, ideally using local mosquito and parasite or pathogen strains, to better understand the effects of climate and climate change on transmission risk,” he said.

The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.

Co-chair Jon Kaye, Hoa Matthew Thomas, UF/IFAS professor and UF/IFAS InvasionScienceResearchInstitute(ISRI) director norary Chair Janice Williams, Co-chairAlanKaye

A Sparkling Evening to Benefit Boca Helping Hands

By: Marci Shatzman

“Wow, what an incredible audience: the energy’s fantastic,” co-chair Reagan Heidelberg told the sold-out crowd. “Let’s raise some money for an amazing cause.”

“The bar is being set even higher this year,” said BHHH’s executive director Greg Hazle, referring to last year’s anniversary that set a fundraising record.

He described families the agency is extending its ongoing food and job training services to help are “one hiccup from a full-blown crisis.”

A live auction for items from a blimp ride and brunch to enough wine to stock a bar cart helped up the ante.

So did a speaker whose life was “turned upside down,” and the traditional call for major financial support.

Keith Nassetta won the Monopoly competition. JM Family Enterprises was the presenting sponsor. The event co-chair was Gloria Hosh. Committee members included Yoli Brennan, Ronnie Bidder, Susan Brockway, Andrea Chang, Melanie De Vito, Robin Deyo, Justin Ely, Christie Galeano–DeMott, Olivia Hollaus, The Addison’s Zoe Lanham, Mark Malis, Janean Mileusnic, Yvette Palermo, Antonio Postorino, Jesse Price, Linda Spielman, Trisha Vaca, and Yasmine Zyne-Coleman. A committee led by Olivia and Zoe were responsible for the snazzy décor.

Famous TV chef and New York restaurateur Alex Guarnaschelli wowed the crowd at the Boca West Children’s Foundation fundraiser.

Used to hosting celebs like Jay Leno at earlier fundraisers, this inaugural luncheon wasn’t standup or a cookoff. Here’s some of her truly witty wise cracks in an interview with Boca’s own former New York TV talk show host Arlene Herson:

Alex opening comment: I’ve never had so many people come up to me and say ‘I never cook.’ (audience applause).

Arlene: I have to admit I’m one of those.

Alex: My mother cooked a lot from Gourmet magazine and had 30 years of them in binders. My childhood was in preparation for “Chopped” (one of many cooking shows she’s on regularly.)

Arlene: (Holds up her new cookbook with her daughter Ava Clark, 16, “Cook It Up”) Does your daughter also want to be a chef?

Alex: (Kidded about needing hugs for that career choice.) She re-created recipes from my parents. We did parallel cook-

TV Chef Alex Was a Big Hit in Boca

By: Marci Shatzman

ing…not so much a collaboration, more like sharing.

Arlene: How did you start?

Alex: (After graduating as an art history major from Barnard College) In a restaurant. I burned everything. So, they put me in the pastry department. I was determined to learn how to cook so I got good at cooking. I made a lot of mistakes. Your skill set resets itself to zero, like an athlete. That’s why these competition shows work so well. If you’re going to judge, you should compete (joked about how hard it is to lose.)

Arlene: In “Alex vs America” you chopped off your finger.

Alex: I cut off the top of my middle finger. I bandaged and I finished.

Arlene: You are an Iron Chef.

Alex: When you win this competition, you get a job. That was big, one of my big achievements.

Arlene: You own and are executive chef of Butter in New York.

Alex: I didn’t want to do it at first. It’s a great group of people.

Arlene: “Busting My Chops” was your one-woman comedy show. Is that what you’re doing next?

Alex: Absolutely not! Stay in your lane.

Chef Alex answered audience questions and afterward was mobbed by fans and stayed to pose for group photos.

The three-course meal of goat cheese and spinach salad, roasted chicken with mustard dijonnaise and veggies, and strawberry shortcake with raspberry sorbet were Alex’s recipes, shared in the program book.

“We hope this first celebrity luncheon is a new tradition as we close out our 14th year,” foundation chairman Richard Zenker said to welcome 515 patrons in Boca West Country Club. “We’ve raised $19 million since our inception with our grants going to programs not operating costs,” for at-risk kids in more than 20 children’s charities served by the foundation.

Event chair Michelle Gluckow thanked the host committee and sponsors. Auctioneer Neil Saffer conducted the live auction and a Call to the Heart fundraiser. Among the many sponsors there were Sharon DiPietro, Shelly and foundation chair emeritus Arthur Adler and Christine Lynn.

UNLOCK YOUR HEART’S HEALTH WITH

The Boca Raton Tribune

ENTERTAINMENT

Buddy Holly Now And Next Season’s Shows

By: Marci Shatzman

The audience knew all the songs.

So, no surprise the Wick Theatre’s production of the London’s West End and Broadway musical “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” was a sellout at a Sunday matinee. Tickets are still on sale through May 5 for this final show of the Wick’s 10th season.

But in her traditional briefing before curtain, executive managing producer Marilynn Wick reassured patrons there’s still plenty to see and eat (lunch is served) at the theater’s Museum Club’s Musical Memories series. That ‘immersive experience’ highlights Broadway composers like Johnny Mercer and part of the Wick’s Broadway costume collection for that era.

Marilynn Wick also announced the musical lineup for next season: “Showtime,” live music on stage with Jerry Herman songs; “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” described as the holiday show for families; “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”; “No, No, Nanette” revival with flapper costumes, and “My Way,” a salute to Sinatra with 55 songs.

The Buddy Holly musical includes 30 musical numbers including Holly’s hits,

among them “Peggy Sue” and “That’ll Be the Day.” The show follows him with his Crickets sidemen from his days as a kid in Lubbock, Texas, to his emergence as one of the first rock n’rollers in the early Elvis era in the 1950s.

Matt McClure plays Buddy Holly, famous glasses and all, and directs the production that shows what Holly was up against just to get his new brand of music on the air. He managed to overcome other obstacles, too. His marriage to Maria Elena Santiago, a music company receptionist after a whirlwind courtship, didn’t sit well with his mother. Once the Crickets had a taste of the national spotlight, they opted out.

Holly embraced his hard-won fame. But a plane crash on tour in Iowa in 1959 ended his storied career at age 22 and also killed the Big Bopper,” aka J.P. Richardson, and Ritchie Valens of “La Bamba” fame. Much is made of the inspiration for singer-songwriter Don McLean’s “The Day the Music Died.”

Not a spoiler alert to say the show and the accident is announced but not detailed at the finale. The choreography and dancing are fabulous, too.

Photos by Amy Pasquantonio

‘Peter and the Starcatcher,’ ‘Xanadu’ and Big Band Concerts at FAU this Summer

Boca Raton, FL – Florida Atlantic University’s Department of Theatre and Dance in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters has announced its summer lineup for Festival Repertory Theatre 2024.

The family friendly musical “Peter and the Starcatcher” will run from Friday, June 14 to Saturday, June 29; the 80s musical “Xanadu” will run from Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 28; and Big Band Hits from the Golden Age will be presented on Saturday, July 13 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 14 at 2 p.m. The show will take place in the Marleen Forkas Studio One Theatre and the University Theatre, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton campus.

Tickets for each show are $27, students are $15 and groups and package discounted tickets are available at www.fauevents.com or by calling 561297-6124.

Tony Award-winning “Peter and the Starcatcher” upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan). A wildly theatrical adaptation of Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s best-selling novels, the play was conceived for the stage by directors, Roger Rees and Alex Timbers, and written by Rick Elice, with music by Wayne Barker. From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, Peter and the Starcatcher playfully explores the depths of greed and despair… and the bonds of friendship, duty and love. “Xana-

du” is a Tony Award-nominated, hilarious, roller skating, musical adventure about following your dreams despite the limitations others set for you, rolls along to the original hit score composed by pop-rock legends, Jeff Lynne and John Farrar. Based on the Universal Pictures cult classic movie of the same title, which starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, “Xanadu” is hilarity on wheels for adults, children and anyone who has ever wanted to feel inspired. Xanadu follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, California in 1980 on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the fi rst ROLLER DISCO! (Hey, it’s 1980!)

The big band concert features the Florida Wind Symphony Jazz Orchestra, a professional ensemble-in-residence at FAU. The band will present an evening of hits from the 30s, 40s and 50s, including authentic music of big band sensations like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman.

“Festival Rep,” will once again feature professional equity actors working alongside FAU’s fi nest graduate and undergraduate students in their last production before they graduate and enter the world of professional theater.

For more information on Festival Rep, visit www.fau.edu/festivalrep.

Free Sunset Concerts Kick Off “Summer at the Square” in Downtown Delray Beach

KennyChesneyTribute

Delray Beach, FL – The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has announced the upcoming lineup of performances for its free Sunset Concert Series at the Delray Beach Amphitheatre at Old School Square (51 N Swinton Ave) in Downtown Delray Beach. Held on the fourth Friday of the month from May through September, the Sunset Concert Series features artists from varying musical genres including country, rock n’ roll, reggae and much more!

“We are thrilled to bring back the lively, fun and exciting shows at our free sunset concerts,” said Laura Simon, Executive Director of the Delray Beach DDA. “We just fi nished up a hugely successful Twilight Concert Series, which brought out thousands of Delray Beach residents and visitors, and we’re excited to keep it going through Summer 2024!”

Upcoming FREE Sunset Con-

certs include:

Friday, May 24 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.: The FREE Sunset Concert Series will offi cially kickoff with Fast Forward – The Ultimate Kenny Chesney Tribute and Line Dancing. Derek “Cowboy Kenny” Villegas performs with Fast Forward as “Kenny Chesney” complete with a high-energy style concert, playing all of Kenny’s smash hits. Gates open at 7 p.m. Main Act starts at 8 p.m.

Friday, June 28 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Known for its high energy performances, The Shaelyn Band is a soul/rock blues band that is taking the industry by storm. “The big sound they produce can only be described as breathtaking,” according to More Music Mag. Gates open at 7 p.m. Main Act starts at 8 p.m.

The DDA invites everyone – rain or shine – to bring lawn chairs and their dancing shoes and enjoy a night of fun and free entertainment with some of the best regional/national bands! Guests are encouraged to

bring takeout meals and snacks from a local restaurant or purchase food and drinks from the local restaurant vendors featured onsite. There are no coolers or outside alcohol allowed.

For more information and to see a full list of events at Old School Square, please visit: https://delrayoldschoolsquare.com/events.

Old School Square is an historic cultural arts campus in the heart of Downtown Delray Beach. Old School Square’s mission is to create a welcoming space where the community comes together for high-quality, diverse and interactive art experiences, while honoring the 100-year-old historic campus. The 6-acre campus is home to early 20th century school buildings that have been renovated and are now a fi ne arts museum (Cornell Art Museum), wedding and events venue (The Vintage Gym), and a performance theatre and creative arts school (Crest Theatre building). The campus also boasts an outdoor amphitheatre for live music perfor-

mances, a park and its own parking garage. Old School Square takes up an entire city block at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Swinton Avenue. The address is 51 N. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444.

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) was established in 1971 with a mission to grow, strengthen, and enhance the economic vitality of Downtown Delray Beach. As an autonomous agency of the City, the Delray Beach DDA advocates, facilitates, plans, and executes business development, fosters business relations, helps with the planning of public and private projects, and markets the downtown district. The DDA is located at 350 SE 1st Street, Delray Beach, FL. Learn more at https://downtowndelraybeach.com/ or by calling 561-2431077.

Follow updates on social media: @DowntownDelray and @DelrayOldSchoolSquare

The Boca Raton Tribune

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