Community News

Brightline is pulling back the curtain on Central Florida’s latest attraction, Brightline’s Orlando Station. Today, Brightline released a video and renderings of the future station, located at Orlando International Airport, that will connect millions and regionalize the state. The station spans three-stories, featuring groundbreaking design and a unique synthesis of luxury amenities that meet the demand of today’s modern traveler. Opening this year, Brightline’s Orlando Station will revolutionize train travel in America and continue Brightline’s vision of offering a guest-first travel experience.

The guest journey begins at the main entrance, located off the airport’s expansive two-story glass atrium. Once inside the station, passengers can purchase tickets from guest services or one of several self-service kiosks, and check luggage before proceeding through touchless turnstiles into the security screening area. Brightline is currently the only rail system in America that screens all passengers and bags prior to boarding.

“This world class train station continues our mission of transforming train travel in America,” said Patrick Goddard, president at Brightline. “We have carefully thought through each detail of this station to ensure that it exceeds the expectations of the modern traveler.”

The station takes the luxury amenities Brightline is known for to new heights featuring an upscale re tail experience with convenient in-station shopping and its Mary Mary Bar, serving hand-crafted cocktails and lite bites. The signature sitdown bar is positioned at the far end of the station with a stunning panoramic view overlooking the train platform where guests can leisurely watch as trains arrive and depart the platform.

Located above the Mary Mary bar is an iconic, flip-flap message board that can rotate alphanumeric text and/or graphics to form a message. A nostalgic nod to historic train stations, the flip-flap will provide updated train schedules, boarding times, news of the day and other announcements complete with the flip-flap sound reminiscent of the first passenger train stations in America. Passengers will access trains by escalator or elevators to the first level platform and board from one of two new track platforms. These platforms are 1,000 feet long and will accommodate a train with four coaches and two locomotives that will transport guests on the Orlando to Miami route in just over three hours. Brightline offers two classes of service, SMART and PREMIUM. Brightline’s PREMIUM service, will provide complimentary drinks and snacks in a dedicated lounge and train coach. Throughout the station, all guests will have access to free high-speed Wi-Fi, charging stations at every seat, 87 big screen televisions and a children’s play area located in the SMART lounge.

The 37,350 square foot station is located in the heart of Orlando International Airport’s new 80,000 sq. ft. Terminal C and connects directly to the airport’s parking deck C, which will have more than 350 parking spaces reserved for Brightline guests. An automated people mover connects the terminal to the rest of the airport facilities including Terminal A and B in under five minutes.

Brightline’s Orlando station is designed by Bigtime Design Studios, an architecture firm based out of Miami, Florida, that also designed the newly opened Brightline stations in Boca Raton and Aventura, alongside the architect of record Sonny Fornoles of Borrelli + Partner. The buildout of the station is led by Orlando-based contractor Gomez Construction Co., a minority owned business whose headquarters are based in Orlando, Florida, and employs more than 100 workers on this project.

For more information about Brightline’s Orlando station, visit www.gobrightline.com/orlando.

The City of Boynton Beach is hosting a celebration in honor of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 16 from 12 pm – 5 pm at Sara Sims Park (209 NW 9th Avenue). This free, family-friendly event will feature local performers, live music, history, education, food trucks, children’s activities, a Non-Profit showcase and more.

Performances, which will take place on the Sara Sims Park Amphitheater stage, include the J Sharp Band, Boynton Beach High School Tiger Sound Band, Congress Middle School Cheerleaders and a variety of guest speakers.

Children of all ages are invited to participate in activities including Livin’ the Rhythm Drum Circle, basketball competitions with the Boynton Beach Police Athletic League, bounce houses, corn hole, Jenga and more. The Boynton Beach Fire Rescue Department will have a Fire Truck on-site for children to interact with.

Food trucks will offer an array of fare available for purchase. Selections include Ty’s Tasty Palate (Cracked Conch, Shrimp, Grouper Fingers, Chicken Wings, Hamburgers, Catfish Nuggets, Lobster Bites, Chicken Sandwich, Tilapia Sandwich, Catfish Sandwich, Grouper Sandwich, Onion Rings, Hush Puppies, Fries, Conch Fritters), The Picnic(Grilled Beef, Grilled Chicken, Arepas, Corn on the Cob, Guacamole, Paninis, Tacos, Quesadillas, Cheese Rolls, Natural Juices, Sodas) and Kona Ice (Shaved Ice).

Eighteen civic and non-profit organizations will showcase their community services in fun and interactive ways. Participating agencies include AVDA, Brain Matters Research, Blue Cross, Blue Shield (Florida Blue) Community Relations, Boynton Beach Mental Health Committee, Delta Sigma Theta, Eastern Stars, Foundcare, Boynton Beach Senior Advisory Board, Schoolhouse Children’s Museum, Young Men of Distinction + more! Participating City departments include Boynton Beach Police Department+ Neighborhood Police Program + Community Outreach, City Library, Development & Community Standards, Human Resources, Boynton Beach Fire + Life Safety, and Recreation & Parks.

Parking is available at Carolyn Sims Center (225 NW 12th Ave.) and Sara Sims Park (209 NW 9th Ave.).

A Day of Service neighborhood cleanup will be held immediately prior to the celebration from 9 am – 11 am at the Carolyn Sims Center. No RSVP is required. Cleanup supplies will be provided, along with coffee & donuts prior to the cleanup beginning at 8 am. Volunteer hours provided.

An American Sign Language interpreter will be present. For ADA accommodations, call 561-742-6241 or Florida Relay 711.

For more information, call 561-7426034 or email events@bbfl.us.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts celebrated the seventh season of its Broadway Reach arts education program with stunning student performances and visual artwork inspired by the hit Broadway musical Disney’s Aladdin.

This year, 83 students from The Conservatory School @ North Palm Beach, Palm Springs Middle School, Riviera Beach Preparatory and Achievement Academy, and U.B. Kinsey/Palmview Elementary School of the Arts were enrolled in the program.

Under the guidance of local teaching artists, 4th-12th graders engaged in academic lessons and social-emotional learning activities related to the content and themes of the Broadway musical Aladdin over a 12-week residency. The middle school students rehearsed and performed numbers from Aladdin, including a choral arrangement of “A Whole New World” and a Middle Eastern-inspired jazz dance number to “Friend Like Me.” The high school students performed Spoken Word poetry inspired by the metaphor “diamond in the rough” used in the show. And the elementary students created colorful drawings of magic lamps inspired by Iranian teapots that expressed their three wishes. The artwork was exhibited in the Dreyfoos Hall Lobby Loge Gallery.

This year’s Broadway Reach workshops culminated with performances on the Grand Staircase of the Dreyfoos Hall Lobby and outdoors on the Golden Walkway on Saturday, Dec. 17, prior to the matinee of Aladdin. Students also participated in a post-performance discussion with the cast members who played Aladdin, the Genie and Jasmine.

This program was made possible by a grant from the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation through the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. The one-year $32,049 grant allows Broadway Reach to continue giving underserved students access to worldclass arts education and exposure to touring productions.

“We developed this program for economically-disadvantaged students who attend Title I schools to participate in creating new work in connection with a Kravis on Broadway production,” said Tracy C. Butler, Director of Education at the Kravis Center. “We are grateful to be able to provide students with this fully-funded opportunity to improve their connection to themselves, others and the world around them through the arts.”

In addition to learning musical selections from Aladdin, students explored the show’s key themes, including honesty, kindness and being true to yourself.

Next season, the Broadway Reach initiative will continue to engage motivated students from Palm Beach County Title I schools and explore more themes from a specially selected Kravis On Broadway production.

The Kravis Center is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 701 Okeechobee Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Center’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County by presenting a diverse schedule of national and international artists and companies of the highest quality, by offering comprehensive arts education programs – serving nearly 3 million students since its inception; by providing a Palm Beach County home for local and regional arts organizations to showcase their work; and by providing an economic catalyst and community leadership in West Palm Beach, supporting efforts to increase travel and tourism to Palm Beach County.

For more information about the Kravis Center or the Broadway Reach program, please visit www.kravis.org.

The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum (SBRHM) today announced several special events in January & February 2023, plus the opening of a new major exhibition. For more information, please visit www.BocaHistory.org, or call 561.395.6766, ext. 100.

Thursday, January 12, at 6 pm

Town Hall Talk

Escape: The Story of the Confederacy’s Infamous Libby Prison and the Civil War’s Largest Jail Break

Dr. Robert Watson is an award-winning author who has published over 40 books and 200 scholarly articles and essays on topics in political, military, and social history. He is also a professor at Lynn University. Escape! is the story of one of the worst and deadliest prisons in American history, one where senior Union officers suffered and died in alarming numbers. Located in the heart of the Confederacy’s capital— Richmond—the infamous prison was used for propaganda purposes by southern leaders and took on symbolic significance far beyond that of just a prison. However, it was also the site of a bold and daring prison break by a group of high-ranking Union officers, an event that captivated the nation, outraged the South, and sparked one of the largest manhunts in American history. The Town Hall Talk starts at 6 pm with check-in and refreshments, and the lecture begins at 6:30 pm. FREE for BRHS members, $10 for guests.

Tuesdays, January 12 & 26, February 9 & 23, at 2 pm

Guided Walking Tour of The Boca Raton

Discover the history of The Boca Raton and its incredible role since the 1920s. Led by docents from the Boca Raton Historical Society, this guided walking tour reveals the story of the hotel by sharing its past hoteliers, architecture, and connection to historic turning points. Tour tickets are $25 each and must be purchased no later than 4 pm the day before the tour.

Notes: + The Boca Raton is located at 501 East Camino Real (33432) + Tickets are nonrefundable. + Wear comfortable walking shoes. + The Boca Raton charges a reduced valet fee of $11 per vehicle. + This walking tour is not recommended for children under the age of 12.

Saturday, February 7

FREE Fun Saturday

To celebrate the arrival of the new Boca Raton Brightline Station, on the first Saturday of every month The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum is offering FREE Fun Saturday, waiving the regular admission fee ($12 adults, $8 students and seniors, free for members and children 4 years old and under) for all visitors from 10 am to 4 pm. Fun activities will include a Museum Hunt for kids with prizes. Whether people of all ages come in a car or on Brightline or by walking, this is the perfect no-cost opportunity to enjoy

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