DELRAY MAGAZINE NOV/DEC 2025 by JES Media

GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK

MEET LOCALS WHO

PUSHED THE LIMIT

20+ HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025

10 Editor’s Letter

As our editor has learned over the years, the holiday spirit can find you anywhere.

BY CHRISTIANA LILLY

13 Hot List

Holiday activities fill downtown Delray and beyond, and an itinerant Tex-Mex favorite hangs a shingle on a permanent location. Plus, another Delray meatery, a taste of Hawaii, after-dark delights at an elevated tiki restaurant, and more.

BY TYLER CHILDRESS

20 Top 5/Calendar

Delray Playhouse rings in the New Year with the music of Canadian folk legends, a Morikami exhibition is as colorful and varied as a coral reef, and a Tony-winning musical makes its regional premiere at the Kravis. Plus, South American surrealism at the Cornell, comedy at Arts Garage, the return of the Downtown Delray Beach Art Festival and 20+ other happenings.

BY JOHN THOMASON

26 Style

With holiday season in full jingle, dress to impress with these merry and bright options from Delray’s favorite boutiques.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARINA MASK AND CHRISTINA MENDENHALL

31 Home

We’re in peak season for outdoor entertaining. Trick out your patio paradise with chairs that swing and rock, and lawn games that went to college.

BY AMANDA MESA

36 Up Close

Meet the aquaponics pioneer with a mission to reduce hunger, and the cannabis entrepreneur whose seltzer brand takes the high road.

BY TYLER CHILDRESS AND BRET MARBACH

40 Holiday Happenings

No matter how you celebrate the holiday season, Delray Beach and cities beyond will have your schedule filled with things to do.

BY BRET MARBACH

44 The Giving Season

Forget Black Friday door-busters and big-box retailers. Our local nonprofits offer gifts you won’t find anywhere else—with your purchases helping them survive a cash-strapped year.

BY MARIE SPEED

52 Up, Down and Out

Delray’s athletes have pushed beyond their personal limits to achieve bucketlist goals—from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to running the Boston Marathon. Here are their stories.

BY TYLER CHILDRESS AND JOHN THOMASON

91 Dining Guide

Our review-driven dining guide showcases great restaurants in Delray and beyond—including fresh takes on the Seagate’s latest steakhouse and a taste of Argentina in the old Falcon House. BY CHRISTIE GALEANO - DEMOTT AND TYLER CHILDRESS

103 Out & About

In this issue’s social pages, African American debutantes brought “Bridgerton” vibes to Woodfield Country Club, the Spady Museum celebrated Juneteenth, a Police Awards Gala toasted the year’s law-enforcement luminaries, and more.

BY TYLER CHILDRESS

112 ConnectionCommunity

Once reticent to speak about her experience in the Armed Forces, an Army nurse during the Vietnam War shares how Honor Flight transformed her perspective—and created lasting bonds with her fellow veterans.

BY RICH POLLACK

HOME DECOR AND FURNITURE...

Group Editor-in-Chief

Christiana Lilly

Managing Editor

John Thomason

Web Editor

Tyler Childress

Editor Emeritus

Marie Speed

Senior Art Director

Lori Pierino

Production Manager

Rafael Quiñones

Graphic Designer

James Karpinen

Photographers

Michael Connor, Carina Mask, Christina Mendenhall

Editorial Intern

Bret Marbach

Contributing Writers

Christie Galeano-DeMott, Margie Kaye (promotional writing), Amanda Mesa, Rich Pollack, Marie Speed

Director of Advertising and Marketing

Nicole Ruth

Account Executives

Alex Fahmy, Karen Kintner, Bruce Klein Jr., Jenna Russo, Skyler Ruth

Special Projects Manager

Gail Eagle

Customer Services/Video Editor

David Shuff

561/997-8683 (ph) • 561/997-8909 (fax) 1000 Clint Moore Road, Suite 103 Boca Raton, FL 33487 bocamag.com christiana@bocamag.com (editorial)

publishers of Boca Raton magazine Delray Beach magazine 1926 Worth Avenue magazine Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce Annual

Delray Beach magazine is published five times a year by JES Media. The entire contents of Delray Beach magazine are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Delray Beach magazine accepts no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts and/or photographs and assumes no liability for products or services advertised herein. Delray Beach magazine reserves the right to edit, rewrite or refuse material and is not responsible for products. Please refer to corporate masthead.

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That Lovin’ Feeling

WHEREVER YOU ARE, WE CAN FIND THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Last year, while writing a story about local holiday traditions, a woman told me about her family’s collection of menorahs—from a menorah her grandparents brought from Germany in 1939 to kitschy contemporary ones from TJ Maxx, and a makeshift menorah her family made from lava rock on a trip to Hawaii. She also had plans to simply stick candles into the beach sand to celebrate another night of Hanukkah. “The menorah could be anything, as long as you have fire,” she told me.

You might agree or disagree, and debate what makes a kosher menorah—that’s for another day—but the idea got me thinking about the feeling we get from the holidays. When I lived in different countries in Asia, it didn’t always feel like Christmas, because there weren’t decorations lining the streets. Or when I moved to Florida for college in the early aughts, it didn’t feel like Christmas, because the temperature was still in the 80s. But like this woman finding a menorah in nature, I could find the holiday spirit one way or another.

Growing up, my family usually spent Christmas at home, but I remember one year we went to visit my uncle and aunt, who were stationed in Germany. My parents made sure to bring our stockings along—a piece of home—which we hung on the doorknob of our room. Would Santa know we weren’t home for the holidays? Of course he did, and we woke up with our stockings filled with candy, fruit and small toys.

During college, my girlfriends and I would host a holiday party at a friend’s apartment that was big enough for a Christmas tree. We’d all bring baked goods and play Secret Santa. After college, I moved into a tiny apartment with a terrible landlord in Miami Beach. I bought a miniature Christmas tree from the Navarro pharmacy down the street and folded paper cranes, stringing them as ornaments. I didn’t have the money for extravagant decorations and lights, but it ignited that feeling of Christmas in a little corner of my home.

In this issue, we help prepare you for the holiday season, however you celebrate it. Check out our holiday happenings guide (pg. 40) to stay in the know of parades, tree lightings and shows. Our editor emeritus Marie Speed also explores the different ways you can give back by giving this holiday season (pg. 44); if you’re looking for a meaningful stocking stuffer, a gift for coworkers or the gift of experience, she’s found area nonprofits that create meaningful gifts that help keep the doors open.

Happy holidays, and wherever you are, may the spirit of the season find you.

12 DAYS OF DELRAY

A partridge in a palm tree 2 turtle hatchlings, 3 vintage finds, 4 cover bands,

5 Resy dates,

6 cocktails mixing,

7 yogi poses,

8 tennis serves,

9 ladies dancing, 10 mural artists, 11 rooftop selfies, 12 bonsai trees.

CARINA MASK

The Seafarer, 2025-26

Jason Nuttle Photography

NEWS AND NOTES FROM DELRAY BEACH

Delray for the Holidays

Atlantic Avenue gets some tiki flair, Delray’s 100-foot Christmas tree lights up Old School Square, a toy drive spreads holiday cheer, and more this yuletide season.

BY TYLER CHILDRESS

Delray’s 100-foot Christmas tree and menorah

MAKE IT RARE

Coming to us by way of Ohio is the latest upscale chophouse to join Downtown Delray’s dining scene, Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse. Located near Atlantic Crossing, Hyde Park boasts a menu of fresh seafood selections alongside premium cuts and wagyu sourced through its boutique beef program from only the most venerated vendors. Pair any dish with classic steakhouse staples like the wedge salad, mac and cheese or the millionaire potatoes, baked and loaded with aged white cheddar and black truffle. 601 E. Atlantic Ave., #109; 561/894-9450; hydeparkrestaurants.com

A VERY DELRAY HOLIDAY

Here are some holiday celebrations you won’t want to miss this season.

S The lighting of Delray Beach’s 100-foot Christmas Tree will kick off the holiday season on Dec. 2. From 6 to 9 p.m., Downtown Delray will transform into a magical yuletide village, complete with ice skating, mini golf, a gingerbread house and pictures with Santa, who will light the tree himself at 7 p.m. There will also be a host of activities on Atlantic Avenue, including carolers and a silent disco. downtowndelraybeach.com/holidays

S Usher in the Festival of Lights with the Grand Delray Beach Chanukah Festival on Dec. 14, an evening filled with latkes, donuts, cotton candy, a bounce house and other family fun. And of course, the official lighting of the grand menorah.

S The Spady House’s annual Kwanzaa Celebration returns on Dec. 26. Hosted at the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, the fête welcomes the community to enjoy live music, storytelling and great food while learning more about the history of the Pan-African holiday. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. spadymuseum.com

S The Delray Beach Holiday Parade will make its way down Atlantic Avenue on Dec. 13. Expect floats, live music and dance teams at this annual Delray tradition.

For more holiday happenings, turn to page 40.

Burgers, Tex-Mex style

Poblano South has quietly been serving some of South Florida’s best burgers at local farmers’ markets since 2020, and now, it’s finally got a brick-and-mortar location. Tucked in the far corner of Lake Ida Plaza, Poblano South is now serving up its famed chorizo-beef burgers and towering breakfast sandwiches. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and can be enjoyed at the Delray Beach GreenMarket on Saturdays and Palm Beach Gardens’ GreenMarket on Sundays. Order the hash cakes fried in 100% beef tallow and thank us later. poblanosouth.com

Delray Witches’ Ride

Delray Beach Holiday Village

A chorizo-beef burger from Poblano South

Tomahawk rib-eye and potatoes au gratin from Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse

Amp Up, Cool Down

Downtown Delray Beach recently welcomed two new shops that specialize in frozen bites and coffee. At Latte and Licks on Atlantic Avenue, enjoy gourmet popsicles made with real fruits and ingredients, baked croissants, and coffee. For a nostalgic treat, try the Hawaiian shaved ice at Icy Bean. Located steps off the beach, Icy Bean features a variety of tropical syrups poured over shaved ice paired with gourmet coffee. A step up from the shaved ice stands of old, Icy Bean’s offerings include the Matcha Peak, with matcha, a sweet cream drizzle and vanilla ice cream.

LATTE AND LICKS: IG @latteandlicks_delray ICY BEAN: icybean.com

DELRAY HOLIDAY BY THE NUMBERS

70+ + floats in the annual Holiday Parade

18,000 ornaments and

217,980 individual LED lights on the 100-foot Christmas tree

40 blocks of holiday shopping in Delray

150 Downtown Delray retail stores

SOMETHING UNDER THE TREE

The Starboard Foundation is once again bringing holiday cheer to local kids for its sixth-annual toy drive on Dec. 5 at Old School Square from 5 to 10 p.m. Hosted in partnership with the Delray Beach Historical Society, Best of Delray and United We Rock, the toy drive raises funds for local nonprofits and collects toys for underserved children. Tickets are $20 or free with a toy or donation, and guests can look forward to light bites, live music and family-friendly activities. Funds raised will support Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, Eat Better Live Better, Delray Citizens for Delray Police and more.

AFTER DARK: Roka Hula

True Grit Hospitality’s modern Asian concept feels like it’s been forever in the making, but Roka Hula has finally made its Atlantic Avenue debut. Like fellow True Grit concept Voodoo Bayou in Palm Beach Gardens, Roka Hula is all about immersive dining. But where Voodoo Bayou feels like a gothic cathedral, Roka Hula takes on a more tiki-themed vibe, with exotic jungle decor. Craft cocktails here come in festive vessels, like the rum-forward Freaky Franky in a Frankenstein mug, and its menu boasts an eclectic mix of Pan-Asian fare. The atmosphere is inimitably smart and sexy, with sparse lighting, red accents and cherry blossoms flowing down overhead. rokahula.com/delray-beach

Roka Hula

William A. Cunningham III and FL Rep. Debra Tendrich at the Starboard Foundation toy drive

A donut and iced treats from Icy Bean

World-Class Neurosurgery Right Here in Boca Raton.

When

every second counts, Marcus Neuroscience Institute is here.

A fall. A sudden headache. A moment of confusion. For many older adults, these are more than just passing symptoms — they can signal a serious brain bleed called a subdural hematoma.

At Marcus Neuroscience Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, part of Baptist Health, patients have access to world-renowned neurosurgeons like Brian Snelling, M.D. , director of cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgery and director of the stroke program.

One of the most promising advances in his field is middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization, a minimally invasive procedure that significantly lowers the risk of subdural hematomas returning — often sparing patients from the need for multiple open surgeries. “This approach has been a game-changer for many of our patients, especially older adults on blood thinners,” says Dr. Snelling. “It allows us to treat the problem safely while helping patients recover faster.”

Dr. Snelling and his team are among the most experienced in the nation, with more than seven years of expertise and over 200 MMA embolizations performed. Thanks to a tiny incision in the wrist instead of traditional brain surgery, many patients are able to go home the very same day. This approach is especially safe for older adults and those with fragile health. For patients on blood thinners — whether for heart disease, atrial fibrillation or prior stroke — Dr. Snelling’s method allows medications to be restarted earlier, protecting them from other life-threatening conditions.

Our innovation extends beyond brain bleeds. For patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IH), a condition that can cause severe headaches and vision problems, Marcus Neuroscience Institute offers venous sinus stenting, restoring normal brain pressure and improving quality of life.

The Institute is also proud to be enrolled in multiple national stroke trials, giving patients in Boca Raton early access to promising investigational therapies that could define the future of stroke care.

But advanced medicine is only part of the story. At Marcus Neuroscience Institute, compassion is central to everything we do. “We know how frightening it is when a loved one is facing a brain emergency,” says Dr. Snelling. “I treat every patient as if he or she was a member of my own family — and I want families to feel informed, supported and reassured every step of the way.”

With 24/7 neuro-emergency response, stateof-the-art imaging and a team of experts who care for hundreds of patients each year, Marcus Neuroscience Institute delivers lifesaving care when every second counts — and the peace of mind families need most.

“By 2030, chronic subdural hematoma will be the most common cranial neurosurgical disease — and Marcus Neuroscience Institute is leading the way in treating it.”

Brian Snelling, M.D. Director of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery Director of Stroke Program Marcus Neuroscience Institute

Dr. Brian Snelling is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon specializing in subdural hematomas, aneurysms, strokes, AVMs and complex surgical diseases of the brain and spine. He is an expert in catheter-based procedures performed through the wrist, which enhance patient safety and speed recovery.

Before joining Marcus Neuroscience Institute in 2018, Dr. Snelling completed his neurosurgery residency and fellowship at Jackson Memorial Hospital and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Fluent in English and conversational in Spanish, Dr. Snelling has trained hundreds of surgeons worldwide, published extensively and presented at major neurosurgical conferences.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Snelling, call 561-955-4600.

TOP 5 November/December 2025

5 ]

“THE SEAFARER”

WHEN: Dec. 12-28

WHERE: Palm Beach Dramaworks, 201 Clematis St., West Palm Beach

COST: $95

CONTACT: 561/514-4042, palmbeachdramaworks.org

The Faustian myth is one of the most durable in the arts, having first appeared in a chapbook in 1857. It is most famously associated with blues guitarist Robert Johnson, who claimed to have sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his musical skill. Conor McPherson’s acclaimed drama “The Seafarer” plays into this Mephistophelian mythos, this time through an authentic Irish brogue. It’s set on Christmas Eve in a coastal suburb north of Dublin, where prodigal son Sharky Harkin has returned after falling on hard times. A recovering alcoholic settling into his role as caregiver for his disabled and irritable brother, Sharky has to contend not only with a harddrinking atmosphere but with a ghost from his past, metaphorically and literally, in the form of a mysterious Mr. Lockhart. As we learn through McPherson’s patented cocktail of working-class and magical-realist language, Sharky once won his freedom in a poker game against Mr. Lockhart, and the latter has returned for revenge. But at what savage cost? See this production to find out.

4 ]

“BOTH SIDES NOW”

WHEN: Dec. 31-Jan. 4

WHERE: Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 N.W. Ninth St., Delray Beach

COST: $49-$129

CONTACT: 561/272-1281, delraybeachplayhouse.com

Leonard Cohen once said of his contemporary Joni Mitchell that “Joni was some kind of musical monster, that her gift somehow put her in another category from the other folksingers. … She was like a storm.” Mitchell returned the favor, offering that “Leonard was a mirror to my work, and with no verbal instructions, he showed me how to plumb the depths of my experience.” “Both Sides Now,” a cabaret-style production from Danielle Wertz and Robbie Schaefer, reveals each side of the mirror, each with its tender reflections. Born in Canada nine years apart, Mitchell and Cohen overlapped in life, love and certainly their shared fan bases, as undisputed giants of arty folk music. Accomplished musicians Wertz and Schaefer’s show is filled with anecdotes and their immortal tunes, from “Big Yellow Taxi” to “Hallelujah,” often sung in duet forms we never had the privilege of hearing in the songwriters’ shared existence. Only the New Year’s Eve performance runs $129, and it includes live pre-show entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, dessert and drinks.

3 ]

“LIGHT AS AIR: THE BUOYANT SCULPTURES OF MARIKO KUSUMOTO”

WHEN: Nov. 6-April 4

WHERE: Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Way, Delray Beach

COST: $10-$16 museum admission

CONTACT: 561/495-0233, morikami.org

I’ve never scuba dived the Great Barrier Reef, but I can only assume the aquatic kaleidoscope of colors and shapes looks something like the recent fabric art of Mariko Kusumoto. Motley bursts of faux-coral, diaphanous tubular sculptures in pastel hues, puffy evocations of starfish and other oceanic bottom dwellers—all share real estate in the capacious imagination of their creator. She also fashions transparent bubble-like forms containing miniature horses, fish, mushrooms and bicycles, like goodies in an arcade claw machine. All of which goes a long way to spread joy, which is one of the artist’s objectives: “I hope the viewer experiences discovery, surprise and wonder,” she has said. The artist worked in paint and metal sculpture before finding her recent zen with fiber. Her Morikami exhibition will include a unique site-specific installation that will utilize all dimensions of the gallery space.

“Seascape” brooch from “Light as Air”

“The Seafarer” Danielle Wertz and Robbie Schaefer in “Both Sides Now”

“KIMBERLY AKIMBO”

When: Nov. 11-16

Where: Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach

Cost: $46-$109.25

Contact: 561/832-7469, kravis.org

Like “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Jagged Little Pill” before them, “Kimberly Akimbo” follows a recent trend of youth-centric, adultapproved musicals that explore the heartache and frustrations of modern teenage life. The protagonist, Kimberly Levaco, suffers from a rare condition that causes her to age rapidly. By age 16, she resembles an elderly woman but maintains friendships with a peer group of misfit teens at her New Jersey skate park. A budding romance is complicated by additional dramas in Kimberly’s life, including her father’s alcoholism, her mother’s focus on her second pregnancy, and the reappearance of Kimberly’s criminal aunt Debra, who ropes Kim and her friends into her latest get-richquick scheme. “Kimberly Akimbo” is based on a comedic 2001 play by David LindsayAbaire, who also scripted the Tony-winning book for the musical, one of four such awards the show received in 2023. This Kravis Center run marks the show’s first Broadway tour, and thus the first opportunity for South Florida audiences to experience its quirky and empathetic charms.

“ANASTASIA SAMOYLOVA: ATLANTIC COAST”

When: Nov. 15-March 1

Where: Norton Museum of Art, 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach Cost: $15-$18

Contact: 561/832-5196, norton.org

In 1954, photographer Berenice Abbott embarked on one of the 20th century’s most artistic road trips. Beginning in Key West, she traveled the entire length of U.S. 1, culminating at the end of the road in Maine. Along the way, Abbott snapped more than 2,400 images that captured life on the American east coast—from peach farms to opulent hotels to eccentric roadside attractions. For “Atlantic Coast,” the buzzworthy Miami-based photographer Anastasia Samoylova retraces Abbott’s route along the still-iconic East Coast highway, expanding upon her inspiration’s unvarnished portraits of the coastline’s places, cultures and denizens. A meditation on the myths that have made America, “Atlantic Coast” is the latest powerful series from the Russian-born artist, whose previous photography suite, “Floridas,” presented the state in all its messy complexity—from a baby alligator lounging in a tiled pool, to a shirtless man with chest tattoos of twin firearms pointed toward his genitals. Floridas, indeed.

READ THIS

“Rebels at the Gate” by Robert Watson

Subtitled “The Confederacy’s Final Gamble and the Battle to Save Washington,” this fastidiously researched account from prolific Lynn University professor and historian Robert Watson chronicles the last full year of the American Civil War, a time when Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee launched a last-gasp effort to stave off his side’s looming collapse.

Spotlighting a largely forgotten attack in vivid detail, Watson’s latest is an ideal gift for the history buff on your Christmas list.

WATCH THESE

End-of-the-year movies

Fall’s ease into winter marks the beginning of peak moviegoing season, when studios release some of their buzziest blockbusters and awards hopefuls. The cinemas of Delray Beach, including IPIC Theaters downtown and Hooky Theaters and Movies of Delray out west, are the place to see titles such as the remake of the action classic “The Running Man” (starting Nov. 9); “Rental Family,” a tender drama with Brendan Fraser as an American actor in Japan (opening in limited release Nov. 21); and “Wicked: For Good,” the sequel to the Broadway-born phenomenon (starting Nov. 21).

LISTEN TO THIS

“Cortadito: Guajiro Triangle” The Miami-based quintet Cortadito plays a form of traditional Cuban folk music that’s shared by their ancestral country’s legendary Buena Vista Social Club. Culturally grounded but universally appealing, the group’s 2025 release “Guajiro Triangle” speaks to the three regions that have shaped its sound: Santiago de Cuba, Havana and Miami. Listen to the album on your streaming service of choice, then see Cortadito perform live at Arts Garage at 8 p.m. Dec. 6.

Carolee Carmello and Miguel Gil in “Kimberly Akimbo”“Woman in Pink Hat” from “Atlantic Coast” “The Running Man”

November/December 2025

Nov. 5:

“Artists and Masterpieces” at Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 N.W. Ninth St., Delray Beach; Noon; $59, including catered lunch; 561/2721281, delraybeachplayhouse.com. In this immersive crash course in art appreciation, iconic artworks from Magritte, Boucher, Rossetti, Cassatt and Jacques-Louis David will be projected for the audience and scored to music, while an expert will analyze the work and answer questions.

Nov. 7:

Speaker Series: “My Creative Journey” at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach; 1 p.m.; included with museum admission; 561/495-0233, morikami.org. Fabric sculptor Mariko Kusumoto, whose exhibition “Light as Air” is on display in the Morikami gallery, will discuss her evolution as an artist, from her origins in painting and printmaking to her transformative career as a metalsmith and her eventual embrace of fabrics.

Nov. 28:

Elvis: In Person at Arts Garage, 94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $50-$55; 561/450-6357, artsgarage.org. Matt Stone—not the “South Park” Matt Stone, it should be noted—will endeavor to show the audience why he is ranked as one of Graceland’s Top 10 Elvis tribute artists worldwide. Possessing the irrepressible verve and vocal panache of the young Presley, the twentysomething Florida native also dresses the part, and he’s backed by a full band.

Nov. 7:

The Art of Laughter: Josh Sneed at Arts Garage, 94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $40; 561/450-6357, artsgarage.org. With specials titled “Live in the Dessert” and “Fat Ryan,” this portly comedian from Cincinnati often focuses on his own appearance in his self-deprecating, family-friendly material. Sneed has shared stages with Ron White and Kevin Hart and has topped the iTunes comedy chart. Will Lopez will open the show.

Dec. 5:

The Art of Laughter: Rich Aronovitch at Arts Garage, 180 N.E. First St.; 8 p.m.; $40; 561/4506357, artsgarage.org. A “Last Comic Standing” veteran and a guest judge on “Beat Bobby Flay,” Aronovitch is a high-energy, quick-witted comedian unafraid to offend those with sensitive dispositions; his storytelling, writing, impressions and especially his crowd work are first-rate. Arrive early for opener Brittany Brave.

Nov. 9:

“The Boomer Legacy” at Arts Garage, 94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach; 7 p.m.; $40; 561/450-6357, artsgarage.org. Stephen Young, a onetime sitcom writer who penned episodes of “The Jeffersons” and “Sanford and Son,” scripted this play about how the baby boomer generation will be remembered by history—and it includes a trigger warning for boomers themselves. Michelle Diaz will direct this staged reading of the play, followed by an audience Q&A.

Dec. 6-7:

Downtown Delray Beach Art Festival on 4th on East Atlantic Avenue in downtown Delray Beach; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; free; 561/746-6615, artfestival.com. This 25th-annual tradition on the Avenue will feature more than 100 juried artists offering their creations in mediums including glass, photography, painting, mixed media, fiber, jewelry and more, presented in a lively outdoor gallery in the heart of the city, at prices to meet any budget.

Dec. 10-27:

“The Winter Wonderettes” at Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 N.W. Ninth St., Delray Beach; various show times; $49-$59; 561/2721281, delraybeachplayhouse.com. In this lively musical revue of holiday favorites (“Jingle Bell Rock” and “Run, Rudolph, Run” among them), an all-female singing group, contracted to perform at a local hardware store’s Christmas party, must use its creativity to save the proceedings after a hired Santa Claus fails to show up.

Cece Teneal

Elvis: In Person with Matt Stone

Rich Aronovitch

Josh Sneed

Nov. 14-16:

“The Pajama Game” at Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 N.W. Ninth St., Delray Beach; various show times; $45; 561/272-1281, delraybeachplayhouse.com. The contentious relationship between a factory superintendent and a union leader is at the center of this perennially relevant Tonywinning musical, with music by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, of “Damn Yankees” fame. Standards like “Steam Heat” and “Hernando’s Hideaway” originated here.

Nov. 14-30:

“Our Town” at Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave., Lake Worth Beach; various show times; $TBA; 561/586-6410, lakeworthplayhouse.org. Famous for its minimalist staging, fourthwall-breaking storytelling and generous humanism, Thornton Wilder’s landmark ensemble drama follows the residents of the fictional Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, over 12 years of changes.

Nov. 14-Jan. 14:

“From Primitive to Surreal” by Gustavo Novoa at Cornell Art Museum, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; free with $5 suggested donation; downtowndelraybeach. com. Collected by presidents, first ladies, diplomats and royalty, the paintings of Chilean artist Novoa feature lush and imaginative nature-scapes of animals gathering in unusual formations, creating a hyperreal environment of flourishing flora and fauna.

Nov. 21:

Mec Lir at Arts Garage, 94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $45-$50; 561/450-6357, artsgarage. org. Traditional Celtic music earns a 21st-century upgrade courtesy of this Scottish quintet, which melds acoustic instruments such as fiddle and bouzouki with keyboards, loops and button synthesizers for a lightning-fast, frenzied and festive sound. Mec Lir has played major Celtic cultural festivals and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024.

Dec. 12-13:

“Holiday Heartstrings: A Cece Teneal Experience” at Arts Garage, 180 N.E. First St.; 8 p.m.; $50-$55; 561/450-6357, artsgarage.org. A Central Florida native who has toured 55 countries and opened for Buddy Guy and B.B. King, Teneal will display her charismatic personality and towering vocals at this holiday showcase, along with two backup vocalists. Expect seasonal favorites and love ballads from Teneal’s vast repertoire.

Dec. 21:

“An Afternoon With Itzhak Perlman: Part II” at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 2 p.m.; $TBA; 561/8327469, kravis.org. In the second multimedia installment of this series with the virtuoso violinist, Perlman will share experiences from his life and 50-year career in music, and will perform compositions with longtime pianist Rohan De Silva.

Dec. 19-20:

Nestor Torres: “20 Years of Dances, Prayers and Meditations” at Arts Garage, 180 N.E. First St.; 8 p.m.; $55-$60; 561/450-6357, artsgarage.org. The Latin Grammywinning flautist, whose sound marries jazz with Caribbean sounds and classical training, will celebrate his 20 years of musical dexterity alongside a four-piece band. Expect to hear holiday favorites, tunes from Torres’ jazz influences, and compositions that touch on the transcendental.

Dec. 26:

Alan Chamo: “M1ND H4CK3R” at Arts Garage, 180 N.E. First St.; 8 p.m.; $50-$55; 561/4506357, artsgarage.org. A favorite on cruise ships and corporate mixers, Chamo’s show is focused on mentalism, the sophisticated art of simulating psychic powers. Interactive in nature, his act often includes mind reading and blindfolded object detections.

Alan Chamo

Mec Lir

PILAR ANDUJAR

Nestor Torres “Why Me?” by Gustavo Novoa

for Chronic Back, Neck, and Disc Pain

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•Back Pain

•Disc Pain

•Neck Pain

•Pinched Nerve

•Sciatica

•Headaches

•Workplace injuries

BARD, D.C.

Back pain and its related symptoms are an epidemic affecting millions of people’s quality of life in a multitude of ways,” says Dr. Devin Bard, who has brought his talents, specialty and dedication to serving patients in Palm Beach County seeking answers to their acute or chronic back and neck conditions.

“As a second-generation chiropractic physician, I got to watch patients get their lives back. I observed the close connections that we had with our family of patients in our practice. And whether it was back pain, neck pain, arm or leg pain often related to an injury (automobile or sports), patients got better and stayed better after visiting with us,” he shares. A non-surgical physician, Dr. Bard’s commitment is helping his patients avoid dangerous opioids, risky epidural injections and often unnecessary back surgeries.

“My practice, the Palm Beach Disc Center, features a level of medical technology that, based upon medical research, is considered the best of its kind. The stateof-the-art center is where touch and technology come together to allow our patients to reach their highest health potential and experience relief. Patients travel across state lines to seek our care and treatment, many of whom have previously been told that surgery is the only option. Fortunately, my patient-centered approach often can afford them results, when all other traditional medical approaches did not,” he boasts proudly.

DR.

BARD HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AMONG “THE BEST SPINAL DECOMPRESSION PHYSICIANS IN AMERICA” BY THE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD ON SPINAL DECOMPRESSION.

Dr. Bard’s office is part of the largest group of nonsurgical branded Spinal Disc Specialty Centers in the world, known as DISC Centers of America. With more than 200 centers throughout the United States, they are the leaders in a specialty known as non-surgical spinal decompression.

In addition, Dr. Devin Bard’s brother, Dr. Justin Bard, provides the highest standards of dental care in his private office, DENTAL Centers of America, which is only three doors down. As he often says, “our family of doctors has been serving your family for over 40 years.”

MASK

Jacket, $199, blouse, $199, earrings, $45, pearl necklace, $145, pants, $139, all from Voyage Boutique; Marc Cain mules, $365, Marc Cain bag, $485, Marc Cain chain belt, $225, all from Wish & Shoes

Natasha braided choker, $250, and bracelet, $125, Constance Wicklund Gildea leaf cuff, $795, Echo of the Dreamer nautical cuff, $675, Tat2 Designs ring, $185, all from Unique Boutique; wide bangle, $499, wave ring, $125, both from Wish & Shoes

ENTER EVERY HOLIDAY PARTY WITH HEAD - TURNING LOOKS

Heliodor pendant with chain, $2,800, Mikara necklace, $225, bracelet, $105, Silma Collection ring, $135, bangle, $408, all from Unique Boutique

HOUSE OF PERNA BOUTIQUE: 253 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach, 561/563-8446, thehouseofperna.com UNIQUE BOUTIQUE: 204 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 561/272-6654, uniqueboutiquejewelry.com

VOYAGE BOUTIQUE, 400 Gulfstream Blvd., Delray Beach, 561/279-2984, voyageboutique.com

WISH & SHOES, 16850 Jog Road, #112, Delray Beach, 561/638-7700, wishandshoes.com

DIRECTOR: LORI PIERINO

House of Perna dress, $468, from House of Perna; Dolce Vita bag, $238, from Unique Boutique; belt, $65, necklace, $59, both from Voyage Boutique; Pelle Moda shoes, $190, from Wish & Shoes

HOME

DESIGN INSPIRATION TO BRING HOME

Take it Outside

Around here, we can celebrate the holidays alfresco. From patios to pool houses and everything in between, our favorite space in the home is actually outdoors

ABOVE: Light, breathable limestone flooring balances the black granite countertops, while the kitchen wall, adorned with a striking silver wave of gold and black marble, delivers movement and depth to the space. “It’s all about creating an outdoor space that looks refined but lives casually,” says designer Angela Reynolds.

CURATED BY AMANDA MESA

IN MOTION

Swivel loungers, rockers and hanging chairs bring movement to outdoor entertaining spaces, ensuring views from every angle.

Zora Hanging Daybed with Sunbrella Cushions - $2,499, CB2, Miami Beach, cb2. com. 2. Sevilla Outdoor Swivel Chair - $2,000, Arhaus, Boca Raton, arhaus.com. 3. Lunar Swivel Chair - $2,299, Room & Board, roomandboard.com. 4. Magis Spun Chair - $1,200, Design Within Reach, West Palm Beach, designwithinreach.com. 5. Catalina Rocker - $898, Serena & Lily, Palm Beach, serenaandlily.com. 6. Portside Outdoor Swivel Chair - $1,149, West Elm, West Palm Beach, westelm.com. 7. Bernhardt Cabo Outdoor Swivel Lounge Chair - $3,920, Perigold, perigold.com. 8. Healdsburg Wicker Rattan Swivel Chair - $898, Anthropologie, Boca Raton, anthropologie.com.

FUN & GAMES

Transform your backyard into the ultimate fun spot with chic patio games and colorful entertaining accessories.

1. Getty Images “Keep Your Cool”, Slim Aarons, January 1, 1978 Framed Print - $1,585, Hive, Palm Beach, hivepalmbeach.com. 2. Bocce Ball Set - $448, Serena & Lily, Palm Beach, serenaandlily.com. 3. Jolly Trolley Lighted Bar Cart - $899, Lumens, lumens.com. 4. Recess Pickleball Paddle Gift Set - $469, Anthropologie, Boca Raton, anthropologie.com. 5. Croquet Outdoor Game Set - $130, Crate & Barrel, Boca Raton, crateandbarrel.com. 6. Elakai Lawn Bowling Set - $120, Williams Sonoma, Boca Raton, williams-sonoma. com. 7. Gidget Cornhole Boards - $350, Williams Sonoma, Boca Raton, williams-sonoma.com. 8. Soriya Fans - $24, Jayson Home, jaysonhome.com.

With our expert in-house team, we manage every phase, from design to the final product. We use no subcontractors, ensuring clear communication, efficient service, and no confusion for

Experience the luxury of seamless service with the leading experts in custom pool design, every step of the way.

EMPOWERING THE BEST MINDS IN MEDICINE

At Baptist Health, we’re bringing world-class doctors to South Florida, including board-certified cardiac surgeon

Bradley S. Taylor, M.D., who has recently been named chief of cardiac surgery at Bethesda Hospital.

Performing more than 400 complex cardiac cases each year, Dr. Taylor is recognized for his expertise in robotic cardiac surgery, hybrid coronary revascularization, valvular heart disease and more. Thanks to donor support, Baptist Health can continue to recruit extraordinary physicians like Dr. Taylor and ensure patients receive the highest quality care close to home.

Power South Florida's hub for the best minds in medicine. Give today.

Bradley S. Taylor, M.D., MPH

Chief of Cardiac Surgery

Chief of Quality and Outcomes

Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care

Puff, Puff, Sip

PARKER JACKSON IS RESHAPING THE VIEW ON CANNABIS THAT YOU CAN DRINK

Ditch the gummies and joints. It’s 2025—time to drink your high.

Parker Jackson, a Delray Beach native, co-founded THC seltzer company Liberty in a Can with two of his longtime friends. Their mission? Normalize cannabis use and see their seltzers on menus at bars, restaurants and stadiums all over the world. Liberty in a Can celebrated its first year in sales this past Fourth of July; the THC seltzer currently offers 5- and 10-milligram lime and watermelon flavors available for purchase around Florida and Tennessee, and expansion is on the horizon.

But let’s rewind to the beginning.

Jackson says that he always had a passion for soccer—it never felt drain-

them say, “F**k it, that’s silly, we just got to figure out how we can get there soonest,” Jackson recalls.

After a trip to Chattanooga, Tenn., the idea to create a seltzer came alive. Jackson said that in Chattanooga, “it’s insane how much they are selling these cannabis or hemp beverages.” After witnessing the level of demand, Jackson decided that a seltzer could not only be the next top seller but the venture they were aspiring to create.

As many seltzers were already on the market, differentiating themselves was the first step. Liberty in a Can features high-quality cannabis and has zero carbs, calories and sugar (it meets the hemp-derived weight requirements by the 2018 Farm Bill). The goal was to create a functional seltzer but also “something that’s just going to be ‘high-drating,’” says Jackson, with a smile.

“I get really excited about opening up this category in Delray, and having it be available at all the biggest events. … That’s what I look most forward to, just helping make Delray a little more fun.”

ing. Yearning to find a career that gave him that same drive eventually led him to entrepreneurship. After finding that spark, he was eager to start his journey and began working for a cannabis startup right away—literally. “I moved to Boston right after I graduated from University of Florida on Friday, and I started working on Monday,” Jackson shares.

Landing in the cannabis industry, he saw its untapped potential. (Florida’s medical marijuana sales totaled $989 million in the first seven months of 2025, according to data from the research firm Headset.) His first job allowed him to understand the ever-changing cannabis regulations while also giving him confidence to create his own venture. It also made him realize he wanted to help people access cannabis in a way that was better, safer and still fun.

He partnered with longtime friends Joshua Abrams and Magnus Steinberg, and with their shared core values in mind, the trio brainstormed potential ventures. What should they sell? How would they brand? Could they even reach customers? These questions didn’t stop them. In fact, it made

Launching Liberty in a Can wasn’t easy. It consisted of Jackson handdelivering the product in his own car, until he eventually sold his car so that the crew could pay themselves their first salaries. Liberty in a Can eventually found a distributor; now, Jackson can continue his CEO duties and “should be able to get a car payment going again,” he says.

The THC seltzer already has a presence in 150 places and counting throughout South Florida, Tennessee and Kentucky. Locally, Liberty in a Can is already lining the shelves of liquor stores and bars near Atlantic Avenue, including Beer Trade, Delray Hideaway, Sail Inn, Pat’s Beverages, Putt’n Around and Cream Gelato. While Jackson admits that many bar and restaurant owners are “not wanting to be as innovative right now,” he’s optimistic that “it could be any day now that one of these bars on Atlantic Ave flips over,” adding that momentum is the name of the game.

By adding Liberty into these familiar places, Jackson believes that their goal of intentional and casual consumption has changed perceptions, especially since “I’ve gotten my mother to try it.”

Parker Jackson at Sail Inn Tavern

CARINA MASK

The Right Angle

NICHOLAS METROPULOS’S MARINE EDUCATION INITIATIVE USES SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY

What began as a program to teach underprivileged children the importance of sustainable fishing has grown into a critical support in the fight against hunger.

As teens, Nicholas Metropulos and his brother, Lucas, first launched the nonprofit Fishing 4 Families in Need (F4FN) in 2007 to educate kids on marine conservation through responsible angling. “The program started with five or 10 kids, and then it just catapulted into educating more and branching out to more after-school centers,” says Metropulos. “I was the same age as some of the kids that we were teaching.”

The nonprofit later expanded to collecting surplus fish from fishing tournaments and donating them to food banks, a program that caught the

pollution from farming, because it hurts our marine ecosystems.”

With the help of local funders, Metropulos secured a grant for an indoor farm in Boca Raton, producing lettuce before switching to microgreens, a more economic and nutritionally dense crop.

“There’s a few benefits to that,” explains Metropulos. “First, it takes up less real estate. Secondly, it grows in two weeks versus eight weeks, so we’re able to turn over the crop much faster. But lastly, most of the nutrition you receive from a plant is in the first few weeks of its life, and the microgreens were able to pack all that nutrition into just a few small crops.”

The MEI quickly outgrew its 1,000-square-foot Boca facility and moved to its current location in Delray Beach, with 7,500 square feet of space to produce

“A lot of people are very familiar with plastic pollution... but what hurts marine environments the most is fertilizer pollution which is really the unseen pollution.”

attention of sustainable food titan Sodexo, which awarded Metropulos with a college scholarship. As executive director of F4FN, he continued running the organization as he worked toward a degree in business management. “I honestly wasn’t a big fan of college, because I wanted to do this full-time,” recalls Metropulos. “It was my passion, something I helped start and grow from high school.”

Finishing his degree early, he returned home to further develop the nonprofit, which was renamed the Marine Education Initiative (MEI) in 2019. But when the COVID pandemic shut down fishing tournaments, the MEI had to find new alternatives to feeding those in need.

“We’re like, ‘OK, how can we still provide food to people but in a sustainable way?’” remembers Metropulos. After some research, he came across aquaponics, a form of sustainable agriculture that dates back thousands of years that uses fish to create waste that is then absorbed as nutrients by plants grown in a hydroponic system, with the plants filtering the water for the fish.

“With traditional agriculture, you have fields and you fertilize those fields, but what happens is, if it rains or if you water the crops too much, that fertilizer leeches into our waterways, which is what causes those blooms like red tide,” explains Metropulos. “The main goal for us was to not cause fertilizer

more crops. “At a maximum, we were donating 200 meals a week,” says Metropulos. “Now we’re donating over 2,000 meals a week at our current facility.” For food banks, the MEI is a critical supplier of much-needed produce.

“The issue with these soup kitchens is that they receive produce on their last leg; it’s about to expire,” says Metropulos. “The people that need that nutrition the most, they’re receiving the lowest nutritional value products.”

Though a local pillar in the fight against food insecurity, the MEI still maintains its educational focus, hosting kids from organizations like the Fuller Center and Achievement Centers for Children and Families to learn about sustainable agriculture and marine conservation. “Their eyes light up,” says Metropulos. “They’re not expecting plants to be grown inside a warehouse.”

The MEI’s next step is expanding into an even larger space, with the ultimate goal being to “create an independent supply chain of produce in Florida.”

“A lot of the produce consumed in Florida is imported,” says Metropulos. “By the time it takes to get over here, it loses an extreme amount of nutritional value. But also you have to look at the carbon footprint associated with trucking all of that produce across the country.

“A lot of emissions are generated, and a lot of nutritional value is wasted, and we’re looking to make a change in that.”

To learn more about the MEI, visit marineinitiative.org.

Nicholas Metropulos

[ HOLIDAY CHEER ] BY BRET MARBACH

Clockwise from left: Delray’s 100-foot Christmas tree, Delray Beach holiday parade, Delray Beach menorah lighting, Kwanzaa at the Spady Museum and a meet-and-greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Holiday Fun in and Around Delray Beach

WHILE THERE’S CERTAINLY NO SNOW FALLING, THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS STILL UPON US. CHECK OUT OUR PICKS FOR WHERE TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS IN DELRAY BEACH AND BEYOND.

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING & YULETIDE FAIR

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 6 to 9 p.m., Old School Square in Delray Beach

Delray kicks off the holiday season with Santa lighting the 100-foot tree that towers over Old School Square. After marveling at the tree, go holiday shopping down Atlantic Avenue, try the delicious food trucks, or visit the entertainment stages during the Yuletide Fair. This festive night also marks the start of the Holiday Village and visits to Santa’s House for photo opportunities.

DELRAY BEACH HOLIDAY PARADE

Saturday, Dec. 13, 6 p.m., along Atlantic Avenue from the Intracoastal Bridge to Northwest Fifth Avenue

Festivities will be in full swing on Delray Beach’s Atlantic Avenue during the annual Holiday Parade. More than 70 floats, dance teams and community groups will jingle bell rock their way down the Avenue. While enjoying the parade, visitors can choose from a variety of food and drink vendors nearby.

MENORAH LIGHTING/CHANUKAH FESTIVAL

Sunday, Dec. 14, 6 p.m., Old School Square

Join in the spirit of community and watch the lighting of the menorah in Old School Square. With latkes, donuts and fresh pizza from the Gifted Crust, no guest should go unsatisfied. Attendees can expect bounce houses, face painting, LED games, a live DJ and other activities in celebration of this joyful holiday.

DELRAY BEACH JINGLE BELL JOG 5K

Saturday, Dec. 20, 7:30 a.m., Anchor Park and along A1A

Every year, a mass of Santas takes over Delray Beach with the sounds of jingle bells and cheer. At the Jingle Bell Jog 5k, participants receive a Santa suit upon entry, complete with jingle bells to tie to their running shoes. The race will begin at Anchor Park at 7:30 a.m. on Gleason Street and move along A1A. After the scenic jog, participants will be treated to holiday-themed refreshments, and finishers will receive a medal.

KWANZAA CELEBRATION

Friday, Dec. 26, 2 to 5 p.m., Solomon D. Spady House

The Spady Museum in Delray Beach invites families to celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa. This Pan-African holiday is one that celebrates many values, but especially the gift of unity. Typically, the holiday lasts a week, but the museum has condensed the festivities into an afternoon of fun. Guests are invited to make their own gifts while enjoying live music, children’s storytelling and more art activities.

BEYOND DELRAY

CP GROUP’S TREE LIGHTING & HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA

Tuesday, Nov. 25, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., BRiC

Beyond the iconic lighting of the 40-foot Christmas tree, the event will feature entertainment and new festive attractions for all ages. Guests can meet Santa Claus himself, and enjoy a photobooth, food, face-painting and more.

LYNN GINGERBREAD CONCERT

Sunday, Dec. 7, 2 to 5 p.m., Lynn University

First-rate student musicians from Lynn’s esteemed conservatory perform nostalgic holiday classics. Get there early to partake in refreshments and festive activities for the kids.

KIDS CORNER HOLIDAY SHOP

Nov. 7 to Dec. 24, The Gardens Mall

A kids-only store where children can holiday-shop for their loved ones. Santa’s helpers will be available to assist the kids in spending three coins from Santa’s golden bank. Proceeds from the $5 cost to shop will benefit the Arc of Palm Beach County.

HOLIDAYS AT CITYPLACE

Nov. 8 to Dec. 31, CityPlace in West Palm Beach

A countdown to the lighting of the Wishing Tree kicks off two months’ worth of live performances, artist markets and nightly snowfall, and a Chanukah celebration with Palm Beach Synagogue (Dec. 7, 19 and 28), as well as Christmas (Dec. 25), Kwanzaa (Dec. 30) and New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31) festivities.

“‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE” HOLIDAY SHOW

Nov. 20 to 30, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts

Experience Cirque du Soleil’s first holiday show right in West Palm Beach. Based on the classic poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas,” the show will feature acrobatics, characters and a soundtrack full of holiday classics.

ZOO LIGHTS

Nov. 21 to Jan. 4, Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society

The zoo is moving into its seventh year of turning 23 acres of tropical walkways into a twinkling winter wonderland. The Zoo Lights event provides all visitors with holiday cheer by using 1 million eco-friendly lights to illuminate and showcase themed displays of animal sculptures. Visit Santa’s Village for cookie decorating, photos with Santa Claus and other festive activities.

visit: research.net/r/DBM1010 or scan:

V H

VERIDIAN HOUSE

WHERE SOPHISTICATION MEETS NATURE

This 5,231 sq. ft. home is a true paradise, offering 5 bedrooms, 7 baths, a guest house, and a 3-car garage on a .46-acre lot. Inside, the club room, private office, and butler’s pantry provide both sophistication and function, while smart home technology and organic tongue-and-groove ceilings add modern elegance. Outdoors, the loggia with living, dining, and kitchen space overlooks a saltwater pool, spa, and fireplace—creating a boutique private, natural retreat.

From stocking stuffers to the gift of experience, gifts from local nonprofits help give back.

Put the heart back into your holiday season. Here are a few ways to look beneath the tinsel and ribbons and bright wrapping paper for gifts that make a real difference in real lives—all in your own backyard.

WRITTEN BY MARIE SPEED

HabCenter:

PAYING IT FORWARD WITH A TASTE OF HONEY

The great 13th century Persian poet Rumi got what the holiday spirit was all about, even though he likely didn’t celebrate it: “Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.” Which is pretty much what the HabCenter does every day. You, too, can tap into the real holiday spirit with a little jar of honey—and maybe a donation to keep HabCenter’s lamp burning.

What it Does: The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners launched The Habilitation Center in 1973 when it donated the property in West Boca Raton for a work and learning center aimed at families with loved ones with developmental differences, those who had phased out of the

school system and no longer had services nearby. The Boca Raton location, which opened in 1978, has since become a lifeline for hundreds, with a waiting list of 2,000 in Palm Beach County alone, a wait that can last up to 20 years.

HabCenter serves people with all manner of developmental differences, from autism, Down syndrome, intellectual limitations and cerebral palsy to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and more. It provides work opportunities and mental health services as well as STEAM programs, vocational training, arts and music, tech training—you name it. There’s even a substantial plant nursery, and a beekeeping and honey operation.

But there’s another difference here, too.

“In a typical neuro-divergent space, the people have to adapt to the ways things are done. But what we do here is adapt the environment to their needs, so we provide adaptive ways for them to work—to live a full, purposeful life. They do that through learning various job skills and mental health counseling programs,” says the center’s CEO, Sherry Henry.

“

We provide adaptive ways for them to work. ”

In the manufacturing plant, HabCenter employees might package documents, measure wires, package cosmetics (including building the boxes), construct circuit boards, and all kinds of assembly work contracted to the center by outside businesses. They get mentoring as well as paychecks—and the work is tailored to their specific skill sets. Some workers are outsourced to employers like Publix or Sprouts. And those clients who may not be suited for the manufacturing side of things can attend the wide range of aforementioned programs.

“ The HabCenter is important for our community, because this population has nowhere to go,” Henry says. “And we provide purpose. We provide enrichment. We provide improvement in their skills, like having conversations on what is appropriate in certain settings. We make them feel like they belong. And they do belong.”

Funding: HabCenter funding comes from earned income from manufacturing clients, the plant nursery, fundraising, grants, private donors and state appropriation funding.

Funding Challenges: “[Funding] has not been consistent,” Henry says. “The county support is critical to our mission, and they have really championed our cause for the past 47 years. The level of support doesn’t remain the same in terms of how much, but we really are successful because of what the county has done to help us become self-sufficient.”

Henry says recent legislative changes put forth by the current state administration have impacted the organization, including how the state will

support clients who work at the HabCenter, resulting in a significant drop in funding.

There is also the image. “We’re not sexy,” she says. “We do face the challenge of not having the shiny thing that everyone wants to champion—I am not disparaging this, but there are a lot of resources for children, but not as many for adults. For this population, they do not go into adulthood and become self-sufficient. They will need lifelong support. I see people not really connecting with that.”

Still, HabCenter staff and professionals and volunteers are undeterred— because they see what the HabCenter does. Henry recalls one client who transformed from an unruly and abandoned young man with no skills but a bad temper, to someone who has learned how to live in a community.

“He finds he is able to work and earn income. He [like all our clients] gains independence by taking his money and buying something he needs, or going to the movies—the things typical people do easily without even thinking about it. The HabCenter is also teaching him social skills— learning how to talk to a manager, how to ask for a raise, how to deal with conflict in the workplace—doing all that in a very supportive environment where each opportunity is a learning opportunity. … He feels like he’s loved, and he is loved.”

How it Can Be Your Holiday Present: The HabCenter makes its own koshercertified honey ($20 for six ounces, $22 for eight ounces)—and it also makes lip balm from the wax from the honey ($15).

HabCenter, 561/483-4200; visit habcenter.org

Above, HabCenter’s new honey hives. Right, Sherry Henry, CEO of the center, in the plant nursery.

—Sherry Henry

CARINA MASK

Her

GIVE A HAND UP WITH JEWELRY

Don’t get us wrong; a little blue box from Tiffany under the tree is hard to beat. But what if you gave the gift of purpose—even someone’s future—with a more understated bracelet from Her 2nd Chance?

What it Does: Her 2nd Chance was founded in 2018 by Keely Copeland, who found herself newly sober and in recovery but having trouble getting a job, a predicament shared by many trying to rebuild their lives. Out of that frustration she created the company that specifically hired women in recovery. What differentiates Her 2nd Chance from other recovery programs is that it is entrepreneurial, a social enterprise that trains women in running an ecommerce business that sells customized mugs, tumblers, greeting cards, bracelets, and corporate gifting items through her2ndchance.org and a shop on Etsy. It also offers fulfillment services to businesses, all from a vibrant high-style workspace converted from a small warehouse in east Boca Raton.

Her 2nd Chance offers women in early recovery transitional employment, which is a crucial component of a successful recovery journey for a few reasons. It provides a structured environment that helps re-establish a sense of routine and accountability, and it also offers a pathway to economic independence, building practical skills and confidence.

Public Relations Supervisor Mary Fuller says the women have “real jobs in the real world, and now with the jewelry project, many of them are becoming trained as jewelry makers. They feel they have purpose. We are offering them a hand up, not a hand out.”

The one-year program also offers an impressive array of support services and partners, including a Wellness Works initiative that includes daily meditations, weekly team lunches, monthly well-being workshops, and quarterly team-building events. The Bridge to Employment program prepares participants for community employment with career mentoring, resume assistance, mock interviews and skill-building workshops, ensuring a smooth transition to their next employer.

Fuller says she sees a growing need for the work Her 2nd Chance does and says the board is “passionate about finding innovative ways to ensure every woman who seeks our help finds the structured support, a living wage and renewed purpose she deserves.”

And it’s all worth it when Fuller sees the transformation.

“By the time they leave the program, our women often carry themselves with a new sense of pride, seeing their potential and worth far more clearly. The fear of failure is replaced with the confidence that they can succeed in a healthy, sober life.”

Funding: Her 2nd Chance is funded through grants, individual donations and sales from the social enterprise program.

Funding Challenges: Her 2nd Chance is a relatively new organization, and Fuller says she is committed to getting the word out, driving up product sales “so we can hire more women” in the face of a growing need.

How to Make it a Gift: Her 2nd Chance is introducing a new line of bracelets, priced at $12 per single strand, in time for the holiday season at her2ndchance.org. Customers can order singles or stack them. And remember: Your purchase directly assists a woman’s journey toward independence and a brighter future.

Her 2nd Chance, 561/405-6346; customerservice@2ci.org; her2ndchance.org

In 2025, Her 2nd Chance celebrated $1 million in wages earned.

Women at Her 2nd Chance create personalized mugs and bracelets.

Keely Copeland, founder, Her 2nd Chance

The Palm Beach County Food Bank :

MEETINGS WITH A HEARTFELT AGENDA

Everyone you know is trying to figure out some way to make that four-course Christmas dinner even better this year—complete with that Santa-and-reindeer centerpiece, the shimmering glass ornaments, a special Williams Sonoma tablecloth that pulls it all together.

Then there are the thousands upon thousands of Palm Beach County residents who may, if they’re lucky, get Christmas dinner in a grocery bag at a local food pantry, or prepared, in a Styrofoam box. Between inflationary issues, housing costs, insurance hikes and wages not keeping up with cost of living, Palm Beach County Food Bank CEO Jamie Kendall says hunger is real for 192,000 Palm Beach County residents.

“They are classified as Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE)—basically the working class—maybe two parents working at slightly-over-minimum-wage jobs. … You throw two or three kids in the mix, and they are one flat tire away from a disaster. It’s those folks that are the majority of the people that we help.”

“ They are one flat tire away from a disaster. ”

—Jamie Kendall

What it Does: The Palm Beach County Food Bank procures food, then partners with local organizations to distribute it to a growing population of people who may not know where their next meal is coming from.

“We get food in a number of ways,” Kendall says. “Food drives, food retailers and manufacturers, some federal programs such as the USDA’s The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and we end up purchasing a lot of food. Our biggest job is getting all this food in—and becoming a clearinghouse for it. We work with almost 200 partner agencies in Palm Beach County that have boots-on-the-ground distribution programs: your shelters, the Lord’s Place, church pantries, places like Boca Helping Hands. ... There’s never any cost for any of the food that our partner agencies get from the Food Bank.”

In addition, the Food Bank has added a few “direct distribution” programs, like its “backpack” program to provide schoolchildren who qualify for free breakfast and school lunches with enough food to tide them over on weekends; it serves about 5,000 kids a week. There are summer feeding programs when school is out—they serve about 65,000

meals during a 10-week period—and there are programs to help elders by routinely furnishing them with both bags of nonperishable food items at various locations as well as fresh vegetables and fruit (too expensive now for most on modest fixed incomes), distributed to senior centers on Fridays. The Food Bank steps up in other ways when the need presents itself, but its newest program is the state-of-the-art Michelle Hagerty Community Kitchen, a vast gleaming kitchen within Premier Kitchen that is capable of preparing 10,000 meals a day—and is fully generated so it can be activated for disaster services.

Funding: The Food Bank is funded mostly “from individuals and foundations, and we do a lot of grants,” Kendall says. “In the past we have gotten some state funding, but that has gone away.” Its impressive new Premier Kitchen may be another source of funding, as in-house culinary programs and events gain traction throughout the community.

Funding Challenges: Prior to COVID, most food was donated to all the food banks. When agriculture and the food industry were roiled by COVID’s production and supply chain upheaval, food became an urgent need for many, and it was no longer available for free. Years later, food banks still have to pay for food, rather than have it donated.

A recent and stunning blow to the Food Bank was a last-minute change in this year’s state budget, which had originally slotted $38 million to be divided among food banks in Florida that had been in existence for at least five years. At the 11th hour, the funding was slashed, and the remainder given only to Feeding America food banks. The Palm Beach County Food Bank is an independent food bank and received nothing, a loss of more than $1 million. “There was no explanation,” Kendall says.

How it Can Be Your Holiday Gift: The Food Bank’s new flashy Premier Kitchen offers a myriad of experiential possibilities you can give as gifts. Companies can hold team-building meetings in the kitchen’s sleek adjacent boardroom, already wired for Zoom meetings and all kinds of presentations. Then attendees can enjoy a catered lunch from the Food Bank chef and its newly minted culinary students through the Food Bank’s inaugural social enterprise program to train people for jobs in the hospitality industry. Afterward, the group can donate their time and spend a couple of hours packing or sorting food in the Food Bank’s volunteer center, if they wish. Prices vary according to the number of people and the menu, but there’s nothing better than a holiday lunch meeting with a side of feel-good.

And, even better, Kendall says, the Food Bank’s Premier Kitchen can do anything you can think up, from a cooking class to a chef demonstration to a dinner party; one donor is even holding his wedding rehearsal dinner there next year.

Palm Beach County Food Bank, 561/670-2518, info@pbcfoodbank.org

Clockwise from top: The new Premier Kitchen, serving meals for a corporate meeting, and culinary director Chef Doug Barg CAPEHART

Arts Garage:

WITH A SONG IN YOUR HEART

Sometimes the best gift is not something you wear or drive or hang on a wall. In this case, it’s a memory-maker: music all year-round, up close and live.

What it Does: Started by the Delray Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) as a community arts project like Arts Warehouse in 2011, this small nonprofit has become a robust, thriving arts venue in Delray as well as South Florida. It offers top-notch concerts in an intimate “listening room” format where the audience, seated comfortably at tables for most concerts, is close to the entertainment and welcome to bring their own food or snacks (liquor is sold at the venue). President and CEO Marjorie Waldo, now an arts icon in her own right, took over Arts Garage in 2016, when it was sinking due to its initial mismanagement.

“I spent the first two years turning around an agency that was on the brink of closure,” she recalls. “It was a real turnaround through a multipronged approach—not just financial.”

She led Arts Garage in resolving debt; reinventing policies and procedures; rebuilding relationships with vendors, employees and performers, as well as the city of Delray; and, finally, fine-tuning the programming. “It required all of that and all at the same time. It was almost like starting a new business,” she says.

Fast forward to 2025, and the venue is a star in the South Florida entertainment firmament, featuring world-class jazz and blues, top-quality tribute performances, and “big Latin” and Latin jazz performers, among the many other offerings. Waldo uses fine-tuned metrics as well as her own growing command of entertainment trends to gauge what audiences want, and the results have been impressive. In 2024, Arts Garage hosted more than 300 events, served nearly 29,000 attendees, and featured more than 1,600 artists generating $4.1 million in economic impact and the equivalent of 63 full-time jobs in Delray Beach.

Arts Garage has also embraced community outreach and offers adult and children’s education programming, artist receptions, summer camp and afterschool activities, a special senior series to accommodate people with mobility issues, a program that donates supplies to local schools and charities, free ticket programs for nonprofits, and more.

The success of Arts Garage has been proven, and a driving factor is Waldo’s passion for the arts.

“If you’ve been impacted personally by the arts, or you’ve seen other people impacted, then you have no doubt in your mind of the value of this cultural phenomenon that brings people together,” she says.

“It bridges gaps that exist between age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic levels—it all disappears when you are staring at the same painting or you’re sitting at the same show. That disappears as you become engaged in a common universal experience.”

Funding: Arts Garage funding is from ticket sales, grants from the CRA (in the future, possibly the City of Delray Beach) and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, with local and county grants covering about 20% of the budget. Other sources of funding are private donations, sponsorships and memberships.

Funding Challenges: “My concern is about ongoing funding,” Waldo says. “For example, we lost the state grant when the governor vetoed the line item for arts and culture funding for the 2024-2025 year. … We assumed we’d get the same thing the legislature recommended the prior two years, which would have been about $100,000, but they actually came in below that at about $70,000 in state support. But when he vetoed even that, it was an historical action; we weren’t given a reason.”

How to Make it A Gift: Buy the gift of experience, with an annual membership at Arts Garage (they range from a Bronze at $250 to a Platinum at $5,000). All have member benefits, but Diamond members and above also get early access to events and many more perks. Why a membership?

Waldo explains, “One, you are providing the impetus for someone who may already love the arts but may not be active to get out of the house—I can’t turn off the news, but I can shut it down when I am listening to a show—and it doesn’t matter who’s sitting across the table from me. We can be from different socioeconomic backgrounds, different racial backgrounds, political or religious backgrounds, but we all love the blues or Cortadito’s Buena Vista Social Club show or whatever. … Part of it is providing an opportunity for people you love to come to things that make them feel better … and maybe make new friends. You are also supporting an organization that takes paying it forward in the community very seriously.”

Arts Garage, 561/450-6357; artsgarage.org

“[ Art] bridges gaps that exist between age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic levels . ”

—Marjorie Waldo

Marjorie Waldo

Programming at Arts Garage spans a myriad of genres. EMILIANO

Drs. Ari Silverstein and David Taub at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro

OUT U PDOWN &

MAKING THE CLIMB

Drs. Ari Silverstein and David Taub

Summiting the snowy peak of Mount Kilimanjaro was an ascent 30 years in the making for Lynn Cancer Institute’s Dr. Ari Silverstein. The famed Tanzanian volcano left its indelible first impression on Silverstein during a safari he took with his family to Kenya in his 20s. “You’re in the middle of nowhere in the plains of Africa, and there’s this giant mountain,” recalls Silverstein. “I asked, ‘Can we hike that?’ And they said, ‘You can, but it’s a lot bigger than it looks.’”

Silverstein left Kenya resolved to one day return and make the climb, so last year, when longtime friend and fellow Lynn Cancer Institute Dr. David Taub came to him and said that he wanted to scale Kilimanjaro for his 50th

From scaling Kilimanjaro to running the Boston Marathon and diving into ocean depths on a single breath of air, local athletes have met some of the fitness world’s most daunting challenges. Learn how they pushed their limits to meet the moment.

By Tyler Childress and John Thomason

birthday, Silverstein jumped at the opportunity.

“At this stage of life, where the kids are grown and professionally successful, I [was] looking for a challenge or something to kind of sink my teeth into,” says Taub. Silverstein adds, “He said, ‘I’ve been thinking about this for a couple years,’ and [I said] enough thought. Let’s go, let’s do it.”

The duo spent the following few months researching the right outfitter to guide them on their trek while training for the 20,000-foot ascent. With little options for practice in the nation’s flattest state, the doctors visited Florida Atlantic University’s Flagler Credit Union Stadium several times a week to climb up and down the stairs while strapped with 20-pound backpacks.

A month before they were set to fly to

Tanzania, they put their training to the test with a hike up one of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks, a weekend excursion which nearly put an early end to their ambitions.

As the doctors ascended the Colorado mountain, Taub was assailed by coughing fits from the lack of oxygen while Silverstein began to question the green light his cardiologist had given him after putting in a heart stent just one week prior. “For me to get to 14,000 feet was just like, ‘Am I going to have a heart attack and die on the spot?’” says Silverstein.

Fortunately, the pair reached the peak and made it back down without incident and were back at work Monday morning. For the doctors, the trip served as proof of concept that they

could climb Kilimanjaro. They discovered a month later, however, that Kilimanjaro is far less forgiving than a Colorado mountain.

“The daily hikes were about six or seven hours, eight or nine miles, up a couple thousand feet, down a couple thousand feet,” says Silverstein, with the ups and downs intended to acclimate the body to the increasing altitudes. “The first five or six days are steady, solid days; the last day is really brutal.

“ The last day, you basically climb up to about 16,000 feet, where you camp during the daytime. You make the ascent at night. They say that’s for a couple of reasons. For one, it’s so you can’t see where you’re going, because [for] a lot of people, if you see it, you would turn around. And two, so you could hit the peak at sunrise.

“That night you get up and it’s literally 0 degrees. You get dressed, you put your headlamps on, and you basically start walking straight up. … Over the next five-and-a-half hours, you’re walking up 4,000 feet, freezing cold, you sort of can’t

“It was a true adventure. Not just physical, but a journey that we all took together that I think we’ll probably never forget.”

– Dr. David Taub

see, there’s a lot of other people ascending, some ahead of you, some behind you, and you can basically see this little trail of headlamps but you can’t really tell the distances, and really you’re just looking at the feet of the person ahead of you and trying to keep going. … Meanwhile, your heart rate—because there’s no oxygen—is going 130 beats per minute.”

It was at this point that the doubt started creeping in.

“At one point I was having some difficulty breathing, and I was like, ‘Oh man, I brought all these guys out here, I don’t want to be the guy who holds them back or doesn’t make it up,’” says Taub.

After a dogged approach, the group summited the peak just in time to watch the sun rise. “You’re on top of the world; it’s incredible,” recalls Taub. The group spent about a half hour taking pictures and celebrating, thinking that the hardest part was behind them.

“ The ascent was really hard,” says Silverstein. “It was physically and mentally demanding. Getting down, which you think is easy, is just brutal … You’re just banging on your knees for basically 15 hours. It’s not hard, it’s just miserable.”

Finally, after a 10-hour descent, the group arrived at the base, where they could finally revel in their accomplishment over a celebratory drink. “It’s exhilarating to work really hard for something, train and train, and actually achieve a goal,” says Silverstein.

“It was a true adventure,” says Taub. “Not just physical, but a journey that we all took together that I think we’ll probably never forget.”

Perlman

Melissa

STAYING THE COURSE

Melissa Perlman

For Melissa Perlman, the journey to the starting line of the Boston Marathon begins five months before the race. It’s then that the Delray Beach publicrelations professional begins her rigorous training regimen—running 70, then 80 miles a week, often back and forth across the Linton Boulevard bridge, or on treadmills with the incline function turned way up, to simulate, amid the flatness of Florida, the famously hilly conditions of the Boston terrain.

“The buildup for Boston was my most intense buildup to date,” she says, referring to her fourth Boston Marathon run this past April. “It’s all just preparing your body to get used to time on feet, which is huge. You’ll be out there for upwards of three hours, so you’re trying to find those stressors, as we call them, to get your body used to the 26.2-mile voyage.”

If she sounds like a longtime veteran of longdistance running, it’s because Perlman, whose Instagram handle is @melrunsfast, is, indeed, a fast learner. She ran her first marathon while in her 30s, in 2018, inspired by her boyfriend’s entry into the New York City Marathon the year before. She completed her first race, Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minn., at 3:09:17.

The following year, she ran her first Boston Marathon, improving on her Duluth numbers by more than nine minutes.

Six years and nine tournaments later, Perlman has continued to shave more time off her personal records, culminating in a career-best finish of 2:42:28 at the 2025 Boston Marathon, which won her eighth place among women 40-44. And she managed this feat while racing in the elite division for the first time, earning her laudatory coverage in Runner’s World magazine under the headline “Melissa Perlman is the Feel-Good Story of This Year’s Boston Marathon Pro Field.”

“The coolest part for me of the entire race is that my bib said ‘Perlman,’” she recalls. “When you’re in the elite or professional field, your last name is on your bib. People don’t know the difference between me and real professional runners that they see on TV all the time. They just see someone running in the field up front, with their last name on their bib, and that was just the most incredible experience to have— thousands of people for 26 miles-plus yelling your name and cheering for you. They pretend they know you, like, ‘Perlman, you got this.’ And ‘keep going, keep fighting.’ … I spent a lot of that race just smiling at people.”

For Perlman, the encouragement fueled her when she needed it most—during the

marathon’s notorious hills, from the Charles River crossing through Heartbreak Hill, whose difficulty often forces novice runners into a walking pace. “You get to mile 16, 17, 18, 19, and there’s four massive hills that you have to get over,” she says. “That’s when it started to really hurt, but you train for that. If you’re trained, even when your legs are in pain, you’re not going to break down when you hit the wall. People talk about hitting the wall, and then all of a sudden they go from running eight minutes per mile to 12 minutes per mile—that’s hitting the wall. So, when it started to hurt for me, I went from going six minutes per mile to 6:20 per mile. So, it’s harder, and it gets to me,

hard and there isn’t someone really close.”

Perlman will next compete in the New York City Marathon Nov. 2, with an eye to qualify for the Olympic trials in 2028, endeavoring always to improve her personal record. She says her life on the asphalt has transformed her in many ways.

“I ran in high school; it was my identity,” she says. “And in college, when I stopped running, I lost that for a very long time. So to have that now in my life, for the last seven years or so, and to be excelling and to be winning again, and to be running my best times, it’s this full-circle feeling of loving all parts of me, of who I am and the intensity and the passion of putting my mind towards something and achieving it.

and I don’t have that light bounce, but you just pull from mental and physical strength to get yourself through. And then you hope when you get to mile 20, and then for the final 6.2 miles, that you can get a little bit of that bounce back.”

For Perlman, the most difficult aspect of the race was the unusual logistics of running much of the course alone, having split off from her class of 60 elite women by mile 7 or so. “You’re really having to go internally and build, create goals, play games in your head of getting to certain points. You keep pushing yourself when it’s really

“The beauty of the marathon is you can’t hide anything that you haven’t done. It shows the work. It’s a very honest race in that way.”

– Melissa Perlman

“Physically, of course, I feel stronger and better than I’ve felt in my life,” she adds. “And as a woman over 40, I think that’s an important thing, and probably inspiring for other women that are aging. We can still improve and get stronger. … But for me personally, it just makes every day fun. Outside of work and other parts of life, it really gives me something to work towards, to have a goal, a purpose in that way. And then when I get to achieve it, I love it. It’s like a celebration.”

“There are no quick ways of getting deeper… I have rushed it a couple of times and have had a couple of injuries from trying to rush things.”

– Kevin McNally

INTO THE DEEP

Kevin McNally

Delray Beach freediver Kevin McNally’s biggest health scare occurred not in deep water but upon coming up for air. It was then, having completed his task at the 2024 CMAS Freediving World Championship in waters off Kalamata, Greece, that McNally blacked out, immediately “face-planting,” as he puts it, into the water. “I never got an answer on how long I was out,” he recalls. “But long enough for the safety divers to swim me over to the platform and pull me up onto it. Then I was put on oxygen.

“When I woke up, I was on the platform with the oxygen, a medic and a physician working on me. It took over an hour to get my oxygen saturation back into the 90s. This is because I squeezed in addition to the blackout.” “Squeezing” happens when the alveoli in the lungs rupture and start bleeding, and it’s a more serious complication than a typical resurfacing blackout, in which the competitor usually regains consciousness within a minute. McNally is not, he stresses, a “thrill seeker. You won’t see me skydiving or on a motorcycle or even rollerblading.” And yet his sport of choice is not for the faint of heart. Competitive freediving, in which athletes dive to a predetermined depth, retrieve a piece of Velcro to prove they achieved their goal, and swim up to the surface all while holding a single breathful of air, requires rigorous training for both body and mind. Having honed a technique for breath-holding over many years—his record underwater has exceeded four minutes—McNally’s regimen includes three gym work outs a week and at least two yoga sessions.

Mentally, keeping one’s eye on the prize, so to speak, is just as important. “Once I get to the bottom, if I’m at, say, 200 feet, I don’t think to myself, ‘it sure is a long way back to the surface.’ I stay very focused on where I am. I make very small movements with my arms and my legs. I don’t do any extended reaches or looking up with my neck; any of those things can cause a severe lung injury.

“The most challenging aspect is getting acclimated to depth,” he adds. “There are no quick ways of getting deeper. Your body has to adapt to deeper and deeper water over a slow period of time. I have rushed it a couple of times and have had a couple of injuries from trying to rush things.”

McNally credits his affinity for diving to his

childhood in Miami, where he would snorkel with his siblings to recover shells from the ocean floor. He embraced SCUBA diving in high school, and he discovered freediving as a discipline in the late 1990s.

But it wasn’t until 2010 that he found an instructor in West Palm Beach and took his first class in the sport. Some six years later, he graduated to advanced classes and training camps off the coasts of Mexico and the Canary Islands. “While on those trips, I met some of the really deep freedivers, and they mentioned to me that there were world records for people over 50. And they were in 10-year increments. That gave me the idea of what to do when I retired, to go after those world records.”

That retirement hobby has become all consuming for McNally, who spent 30 years in the traffic engineering business. He has competed in five competitions from AIDA International, one of the global governing bodies for freediving, and he has achieved its peak U.S. ranking of 22. He holds the No. 2 record in dynamic freediving from the U.S. Freediving Organization, for an 82-meter descent in Tampa in 2024. McNally will be 70 in January, and he will thus enter a new age group that he expects to dominate, casually stating, “I should be able to break the world records in 2026.”

Competing at this level often means revolving his life around the sport. He spoke to Delray magazine from Greece, amid a fourmonth stint in the country, the longest he’s ever been away from his Delray Beach home— and his long-term partner, public relations professional Elizabeth Kelley Grace. Keeping this distance, he says, is the hardest part of the life he’s chosen.

McNally’s compensation comes in the form of bragging rights. “There is no prize money,” he says. “Probably the biggest prize is a medal you can wear around your neck, and if you get a world record, your name will be on a PDF file on an obscure website that not too many people ever look at.”

With no monetary gains on the horizon, McNally thrives on his passion for the practice. “It’s a very centering sport,” he says. “You have to be very focused and able to have a clear mind and be very physically fit and be able to accept coaching from better divers. And I love being in the water and the connection to the water and my fellow freedivers. It’s a great group of people.”

Their names may be familiar, but their talents, expertise, and professions continue to inspire and inform.

Discover more about these remarkable FACES who enrich our community with their contributions and leave us with lessons worth remembering.

The 561 Face of Luxury Diamonds

David Rosenberg Founder, President, Diamantaire, Rosenberg Diamonds & Co.

The popularity of some gems may ebb and flow, but, to quote a phrase, a diamond is forever. “Diamonds are still the ultimate symbol and status of power and wealth, and they’re still the most sought-after and the rarest of all gems,” says David Rosenberg.

As the founder of Rosenberg Diamonds and Co., he would know. His 2,400-square-foot luxury boutique across from Royal Palm Place celebrates its 20th anniversary in Boca Raton in 2026. Its lasting power derives from Rosenberg’s impeccable reputation as a diamantaire, with a clientele that includes high- and ultra-high-networth individuals, celebrities and royalty.

“We are sticklers to detail to begin with,” he says. “Our vertically integrated position from mine to retail affords us a unique position; we only pick the very best within each category. Once someone presents a size and shape that they aspire to purchase, we make sure that every single detail is to perfection within the combination of color and clarity. We provide the highest quality of high jewels and customer experience while preserving great value.”

Rosenberg is welcoming the next generation of diamantaire. His son Jonathan, 22, was “born into the business,” Rosenberg says. Jonathan grew up traveling and accompanies his father on trips to mines and diamond cutting factories around the world. The next generation of Rosenberg Diamonds will be in good hands, right here in Boca Raton.

ROSENBERG DIAMONDS & CO.

561-477-5444

rosenbergdiamonds.com

David Rosenberg

Jonathan Rosenberg

Frederic J. Norkin, DMD

André De Souza, DMD Liliana Aranguren, DDS, MDSc

Jeffrey Ganeles, DMD, FACD

The 561 Faces of Healthy Smiles and Dental Implant Solutions

South Florida Center for Periodontics & Implant Dentistry

The South Florida Center for Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is known for clinically proven technologies that advance treatment, support patient satisfaction and comfort, and provide predictable, high-quality outcomes.

The Center’s cohesive team of all board-certified dentists continually stay ahead of the curve with advanced procedures and technologies, including the TeethToday® immediate tooth replacement, 3D digital X-rays, in-office optical scanning, 3D printing, LANAP® laser-assisted gum surgery, Pinhole® gum grafting, regenerative endoscopic periodontal regeneration, accelerated orthodontics, permanent solutions to “gummy smiles” and much more. They are also the first practice in the world to offer Yomi® robotic-assisted surgery, the first and only FDAapproved robotic system designed for dental implant surgery.

Whether you need to maintain your natural teeth with laserassisted gum treatment, replace missing teeth with robotically placed dental implants and immediate restorations, restore lost jawbone structure, or enhance your smile with gum repositioning, the doctors excel in these areas. Their world-class training and vast experience make the team uniquely qualified to help patients overcome complications encountered with previous treatment.

The Center’s doctors are also renowned worldwide for clinical advances, enhancements and excellence, and have contributed to textbooks, dozens of scientific, peer-reviewed articles and hundreds of professional presentations sharing their developments and techniques.

The welcoming office includes digital technology, sedation options and a skilled team, combined with a commitment to superior, individualized, efficient and excellent results. Financing options are available if needed. Patients do not need a referral for an appointment. It simply takes a phone call to schedule an evaluation.

SOUTH FLORIDA CENTER FOR PERIODONTICS & IMPLANT DENTISTRY

561-912-9993

Flsmile.com

Samuel Zfaz, DDS

Ovadia Chocron, DMD

The Face of Educating and Advising Wealth Clients

Elizabeth M. Bennett, MBA Principal and Certified Financial Planner™

Intercoastal Wealth Planning

As head of Intercoastal Wealth Planning in Boca Raton, Certified Financial Planner™ Elizabeth Bennett shares her insights from nearly 35 years in finance with a wide range of clients, helping them to understand the everfluctuating market, and designing custom plans to steer them toward financial freedom and independence.

“We know volatile markets can be unnerving, and we are keeping a close eye on the fluctuations. More importantly, we’re watching to see if any new long-term trends emerge that may affect how your portfolio is allocated,” Bennett notes. “When markets fall, it’s easy to forget that downtrends are part of the investing cycle. Therefore, when prices slip, it’s a good time to review some common terms that describe today’s financial markets.

“The first is ‘pullback,’ the mildest form of a drop in the markets. You might hear a market commentator refer to a dip of 5% to 10% after a peak as a pullback. “The next term is ‘correction,’ which is used when markets drop 10% to 20% after a peak. Then there is a ‘bear market,’ where the drop is 20% or more since the last peak.

“When prices are trending lower, it’s easy to secondguess yourself. But over the years, I’ve found that doesn’t help. “We’ve aligned your investment strategy with your goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. We built your portfolio anticipating that there will be good times and bad.

“If you find yourself thinking ‘this time, it’s different,’ please reach out as soon as possible. It’s important that you feel comfortable with our approach, and we’d be happy to talk with you,” says Bennett.

MICHAEL CONNOR PHOTOGRAPHY

THE 561 FACE OF HOSPITAL LEADERSHIP

Dr. Bill Holubek Chief Medical Officer, Boca Raton Regional Hospital

After spending a decade as an emergency room doctor, Dr. Bill Holubek has seen it all, from premature babies and traumatic injuries to psychological crises and neurosurgery. This fastpaced experience was his training ground for his role as the Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s new chief medical officer.

“The ER is the front door for the majority of people that come here,” Holubek says. “Understanding that environment and being able to speak and build rapport quickly with a bunch of different people really prepared me to be an effective chief medical officer.” Previously, Holubek was the chief medical officer at University Hospital in Newark, NJ, the primary teaching site for Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where he also earned his medical degree. In addition, he holds an executive Master’s degree in public health from Columbia University. When the opportunity came to move to Boca Raton in November 2024, the quality of care, trajectory of the hospital, and collaborative hospital team made the decision easy.

“The growth that this hospital and the Baptist Health system are undergoing is really what attracted me to coming here,” Holubek says. “From the Lynn Cancer Institute to the Marcus Neuroscience Institute to the sports medicine and orthopedics that we offer, it’s really grown and has the ability to grow further.”

“Our ultimate goal is to be the hospital of choice for not just everyone in Boca Raton, but everyone in the region. We want to be a destination for people to seek care.” Holubek says. “It’s amazing the advancement that this hospital has seen over the past couple of decades, starting out as a community hospital and now being a regional hospital offering very advanced medical and innovative technologies.”

BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL

561-955-7100

donate.brrh.com

The 561 Face of Radiant, Timeless Skin at its Finest

Janet Allenby, DO

Allenby Cosmetic Dermatology

Board-certified with decades of expertise, Dr. Janet Allenby offers a comprehensive range of cosmetic dermatology services—including skin rejuvenation, facial balancing and body sculpting. Her mission is to help patients look and feel their best by addressing the visible signs of aging and enhancing both facial and body aesthetics.

Dr. Allenby utilizes cutting-edge technologies, advanced injectables, medical-grade skin care and a growing array of specialized laser devices to restore youthful, healthy radiance. “Many people still associate cosmetic dermatology solely with fillers—and a lot of them are experiencing ‘filler fatigue’”.

“I take time to carefully assess each patient and create a personalized plan using the right tools for their individual concerns and goals. The aim is always to help them look healthier and more refreshed—not overdone.”

For patients who have lost youthful fullness due to weight loss medications, Dr. Allenby offers thread lifting procedures performed right in the office. This quick, minimally invasive treatment takes less than 20 minutes and provides noticeable, lasting results.

To tighten loose or sagging skin, she often recommends Ultherapy—an FDA-cleared, non-invasive ultrasound treatment that stimulates new collagen production, particularly on the neck, chin and brow. For those seeking a subtle lift and glow with minimal downtime, a custom combination of in-office skin treatments can deliver beautiful, long-lasting results with minimal discomfort.

“These treatments make wonderful holiday gift ideas for anyone looking to look naturally refreshed for the season,” Dr. Allenby suggests.

ALLENBY COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY & BODYSQUAD

561-532-6841

Allenbydermatology.com

The 561 Faces of Results-Driven Public Relations

Julie M. Mullen & Elizabeth Kelley Grace Co-Founders,

The Buzz Agency

For more than 16 years, The Buzz Agency has been behind some tangibly successful campaigns and needle-moving headlines—quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) shaping the public profiles of brands throughout South Florida. Now, with a new satellite office in Nashville and a renewed focus on digital content and creative outreach, the agency is evolving once again.

What began as a two-woman operation has grown into a dynamic, close-knit team of media strategists, content creators and big-picture thinkers. Their mission? To help clients connect— with audiences, with communities, and with the ever-shifting media landscape.

“Our sweet spot lies at the intersection of traditional PR and digital storytelling,” says Elizabeth Kelley Grace, co-founder. From crafting long-lead feature pitches to producing scrollstopping social reels, the team understands how to translate a message across platforms—and how to keep it interesting. Their industry portfolio is impressively varied—hospitality, aviation, retail, tourism, nonprofits—and so is their approach.

“We don’t offer a ‘one-size-fits-all’ formula,” says Julie Mullen, co-founder. “And that’s exactly how our clients like it.”

At the heart of The Buzz Agency is a collaborative spirit and a genuine belief in the power of a welltold story. The team thrives on tight turnarounds, big ideas, and the kind of creative energy that can only come from people who truly love what they do. With an eye on the future—and a finger firmly on the pulse—The Buzz Agency is building what’s next, one campaign at a time.

THE BUZZ AGENCY 561-779-2516 thebuzzagency.net

Elizabeth Kelley Grace

Julie Mullen

The 561 Face of Global Enterprise

Anna Medvedeva Owner, AM Management Group

South Florida is dynamic and fast-moving, and success here takes more than ambition—it requires vision, resolve, and respect for the values that shaped America. Anna Medvedeva, owner of AM Management Group in Boca Raton, brings all three to her work helping families, retirees, and international clients navigate real estate, business, and investment opportunities.

Her firm was founded to offer clear guidance for those starting new chapters or relocating from abroad. “People need someone who understands the system and can help them avoid common pitfalls,” Medvedeva says. “We’re here to give them confidence in their future.”

A single mother of four, Medvedeva knows the value of hard work and accountability. Her approach is hands-on, grounded in experience, and focused on solutions—not politics. She works closely with local realtors, attorneys, and business leaders to help clients make informed decisions.

Originally from Russia, she earned an Economics degree from Lomonosov Moscow State University before moving to the United States in 1999. Her journey from limited freedom to American opportunity shaped her deep appreciation for this country. “I chose America because it represents freedom, faith, and the chance to succeed,” she says.

Active in the Palm Beach Civic Association, Royal Poinciana Chapel, and Palm Beach Republican Club, Medvedeva values civic engagement, faith, and responsible leadership. Her decision to run for Congress reflects her commitment to fiscal discipline, smart growth, and protecting individual rights.

Her message is clear: unity over division, opportunity over dependency, and leadership that listens. For Floridians across the state, Anna Medvedeva offers a steady, thoughtful voice ready to serve.

AM MANAGEMENT GROUP

561-594-6522

theammanagementgroup.com

The 561 Face of Bilingual Luxury Real Estate Connections

Alexandra Gonzalez Realtor Associate, Fortune Christie’s International Real Estate

For Alexandra Gonzalez, real estate is more than business—it’s personal. She’s called South Florida home for years and loves helping others find their place here, too. Whether you’re relocating, upsizing, or looking for an investment, she brings market knowledge, bilingual support, and a deep connection to our communities.

With Fortune Christie’s International, Alexandra connects with global clients on large developments such as Cipriani Residences Miami and The Residences Mandarin Oriental Miami. She was among a few agents hand-picked to build the firm’s Palm Beach presence, and she now covers new developments and residential properties in the region from the Boca Raton office. With her finger on the pulse of high-end real estate, Alexandra is a unique resource for clients coming to our area. She understands that toprated school systems and family-focused amenities are as important as the vibrant South Florida lifestyle.

“I listen to my clients to curate their personal real estate journey as they make important decisions,” she says. “Fortune Christie’s International’s elite digital marketing campaigns, our extensive database, leads and 350-plus international broker alliances are behind me, too. I help clients from every stage of life, from single professionals making their first purchase to growing families and highnet worth individuals looking for a dream home.”

From Palm Beach to Miami, Alexandra is here to help you buy or sell with confidence. Her clients know they can count on her for transparency, negotiation skills, and a calm, steady hand throughout the process. Rooted in Boca’s culture and community and committed to client satisfaction, you can trust Alexandra to navigate your next real estate deal successfully.

FORTUNE CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE

786-444-4870

afgonzalez@fir.com

The 561 FACE of Expert in Timeless Transitional Design

Ritzy Christensen

The Bô Casa

Ritzy Christensen sees herself as a storyteller in three dimensions, creating unforgettable narratives for her clients through her choices as an interior designer. “Each part of a space—like furniture, lighting and colors—plays an important role in telling a story and improving the overall experience,” she says. “Each project gives me a chance to create beautiful and practical spaces that reflect the clients’ personal tastes and dreams.”

Christensen discovered her aptitude for interior designer in 2004 while working as a banker in Dubai. When one of her clients, a sheikh, needed assistance designing model homes for a neighborhood she helped him purchase, Christensen stepped in as the project manager, surprising herself with how quickly she gained a passion for designing and elevating beautiful highend spaces. She ultimately earned a degree at New York School of Interior Design and opened The Bô Casa a few years ago in Boca Raton, where the clientele resonates with her specialties—neutral palettes and timeless bases with occasional bursts of color when appropriate. “Boca Raton represents elegance, luxury and a lively lifestyle that matches our stylish designs,” she says. “The clients here value great craftsmanship and beautiful interiors, making it the perfect setting for our special creations.”

For Christensen, current trends involve a minimalist hand, one that balances modern and classic elements—resulting, she says, “in spaces that feel both new and nostalgic. It’s all about combining their wishes with the lasting elegance of transitional design.”

THE BÔ CASA

310-773-8894

thebocasa.com

MICHAEL CONNOR PHOTOGRAPHY

THE 561 FACE OF ARTISTIC ENDEAVORS

JOANNE BERKOW, FOUNDER & PRESIDENT, BENZAITEN CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS

JoAnne (JB) Berkow has been a professional artist her whole life. Her work is in many prestigious collections, including Palm Beach International Airport, Boston University’s Tsai Performance Center, and the Vatican. Dr. Walter Persigatti, curator for the Vatican Museums, after visiting her studio, wrote: “It is incredible how your spirit and soul can be expressed in such different ways and with such powerful explosions while at the same time with such gentle introspection.”

However, promoting her own work was never enough. At 26 she founded the first cooperative gallery in Washington, D.C., the Touchstone Gallery, to help emerging artists. Twenty years later, after establishing two more galleries in Florida, she is now tackling her biggest project yet, the Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which is fast becoming a major tourist attraction in our county.

Ten years ago, she took over a block-long train depot in Lake Worth Beach, and with the help of her board, generous donors and grants, she was able to transform it into a world-class, fine art glass fabrication facility. Besides an expansive glass-blowing hot shop, there are flame-working, fusing, and glass-casting studios along with a fine art gallery and gift shop. The visiting “Artist Blow-Outs” (three-hour demos) are the talk of town, and during the summer, the center hosts 1,000 children and teens free of charge.

JB has also written four books, “Shades of Love,” “What They Didn’t Teach You In Art School,” “Painted Poetry” and “Confessions of a Coffeeholic.” Even though she became well known for her oil paintings of European landscapes, she now devotes her time to sculpting, which she casts in glass and embellishes with flameworked glass and paint.

BENZAITEN CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS

561-508-7315

Benzaitencenter.org

The 561 Face of Legal Protection for Entrepreneurs

Rich Sierra, Esq.

Florida Small Business Legal Center

Rich Sierra is a business attorney with more than 20 years of experience representing entrepreneurs, professionals and small business owners across Florida. As founder of the Florida Small Business Legal Center, Sierra has built a practice dedicated exclusively to the legal needs of small businesses. From business formation and contract drafting to litigation, collections and resolving business disputes, the firm delivers practical legal solutions with a focus on protecting the interests of the business owner.

Sierra understands the unique challenges small business owners face, because he has been in their shoes. His approach is personal, strategic and grounded in real-world business sense. Whether you’re negotiating a commercial lease, buying or selling a business, or responding to a lawsuit, he and his team are committed to being trusted legal partners every step of the way.

He is also the author of “Business SOS! Eight Common Legal Mistakes Business Owners Make and How to Avoid Them,” a must-read for any Florida entrepreneur. The book provides straightforward legal guidance to help owners protect what they’ve built.

As the host of the Business SOS! Podcast, Sierra shares legal insights, interviews business leaders, and discusses the most pressing issues affecting Florida business owners. With more than 100 episodes, the podcast has become a valuable resource for those looking to grow and protect their companies.

Located in Boca Raton, the firm proudly serves clients throughout the State of Florida. “To learn more about how I can assist you with your small business legal matters, visit our website or contact our office directly,” says Sierra.

FLORIDA

MICHAEL CONNOR PHOTOGRAPHY

The 561 Face of Family Inspired Italian Cuisine

Chef Mario Mette Lynora’s

For Mario Mette, nothing quite compares to the comfort of homemade Italian food, rich in nostalgia and pleasing to the palate, any time, day or night. Growing up in Latina, south of Rome, Mette awoke most every day to the aroma of sauce on the stove, prepared by his father, who learned his culinary craft from the family patriarch. Watching in awe and anticipation, Mette studied his father’s every recipe, then savored each fresh ingredient that engulfed his plate.

Determined to create his own food legacy, Mette left home at 19 to pursue his career as a chef. Studies in England, and chef positions in restaurants from New York to Florida eventually led to his Executive Chef role at Lynora’s, where he has been in his element, in the kitchen, for 10 years.

Family-owned since 1976, Lynora’s is a lively Italian restaurant with a casual upbeat vibe. The plentiful menu boasts cocktails to desserts, with a delectable array of Italian specialties in between, from fresh pasta and crafted pizza to everything Parmesan, hearty meat dishes, health-conscious selections and specials to tantalize every taste. Chef’s personal favorite is the delicate fresh fish he prepares, each cooked to flaky perfection with sauces to complement.

Chef has been quite busy in Lynora’s newest location in Palm City, though he still manages to grace the kitchens of each location from Boca to Jupiter. “I love what I do. I started out as a teen with a dream of becoming a chef, and now at 55 years old, I’m living the dream at Lynora’s,” Mette says proudly.

The 561 Face of the Elevated & Accessible Beauty Experience

Dr. Karen Diaz Meaike

Blushington

With a doctorate in social work, Dr. Karen Diaz Meaike worked for the child welfare agency in Connecticut for more than 22 years in various management positions. When she became a mother, she shifted her focus to allow more family time while pursuing a career in real estate and an artistic outlet as a home stager.

While enjoying a scheduled hair appointment at Blushington, the self-proclaimed “professional client” shared her entrepreneurial passions and desire to continue making an impact in her new community with her dedicated beauty professional.

As luck would have it, the Blushington CEO was present that day, and just an earshot away. The connection she forged with Dr. Meaike was immediate and palpable. After a few follow-up phone calls and a subsequent vetting period, Meaike was awarded the first Blushington franchise, located in Boca Greens.

With a mission to provide beauty that’s “personal, professional and profoundly empowering,” Blushington’s services appeal to all women’s unique complexions and hair textures. Rendered by highly trained artists in their disciplines, they excel in blowouts, makeup application and classes, skin care, brows and lashes, wigs, brides and bridal parties. The services are available in-store, on location and at home, appealing to the beauty needs of today’s busy woman.

“I always enjoyed and appreciated all of the affordable luxury services all under one roof at Blushington and am honored to represent the brand here in my community,” Meaike shares.

BLUSHINGTON

Blushington.com IG @blushington_boca

MICHAEL CONNOR PHOTOGRAPHY

The Faces of Haute & Historical High Design Interiors

Linda Ruderman

Interior Designer & Founder

Ashley Ruderman

Senior Designer & Project Manager

Linda Ruderman Interiors

Linda Ruderman has created award-winning interior designs for residential and commercial properties for more than three decades. Ruderman’s design degree and studies in architecture and furniture history have contributed to her unique niche and sought-after expertise in the design industry. She and her team at Linda Ruderman Interiors (LRI) have worked on projects ranging from the design and decoration of newly built construction to the complete restoration and renovation of historic landmark structures. From her hometown of Greenwich, NY and across the nation, Linda’s personal presence permeates every project, demonstrating her impeccable sense of design, attention to detail and ability to interpret classical models for today’s lifestyles.

“I am extremely client-centric and intimately involved in every single project, along with my incredibly talented team. I love working with clients to bring their visions to life,” says Ruderman.

Sharing Ruderman’s passion for design and impeccable work ethic is her daughter-in-law, Ashley Richmond Ruderman. “She is an integral part of our team and an immeasurable asset to me,” says Linda. Ashley’s roots have been firmly planted in Boca Raton for 24 years, where she is immersed in the vibrant culture, devoted family life and community involvement.

“As a senior designer and project manager for 15 years, each day at LRI allows me to apply my design and organizational skills in an industry that excites and inspires me,” says Ashley. “Linda brings her curated sense of style to her amazing projects, and I bring my modern-day perspective to the rewarding career I share with her.”

LINDA RUDERMAN INTERIORS

561-565-5002 lindaruderman.com

The 561 Face of Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry

Martine Forrester Cadette, DMD Boca Dentique

As an accomplished dental professional with prestigious training from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and a master’s degree in public health, Dr. Martine Forrester Cadette specializes in general and preventive dentistry, restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery, obstructive sleep apnea and more.

With dedication and passion, Dr. Martine Forrester Cadette’s focus on achieving and maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile in conjunction with overall health and wellness for her patients is enhanced by her in-depth knowledge and training in esthetic treatments to further complement the facial appearance.

“I view the smile as a work of art in a picture frame. The lips and the soft tissue of the face must all be taken into consideration and all work in harmony when creating an aesthetic smile. This gives each signature smile I design a unique, individualized and harmonized appearance,” she says.

Her holistic, biomimetic approach to comprehensive oral health focuses on restoring teeth, utilizing state-of-the-art minimally invasive procedures that maximize tooth preservation by using materials that bond well and mimic the physical properties of natural teeth.

“Sleep apnea is also a condition I commonly treat by utilizing a custom precision small oral appliance that is comfortable and non-invasive. The latest research shows a connection between risk for dementia and sleep problems. The oral cavity as the gateway to the digestive system gives me a unique opportunity to ensure that my patients have sufficient airways to promote restful and rejuvenated sleep while reducing the risk of dementia,” explains Dr. Forrester.

BOCA DENTIQUE

561-391-6500

bocadentique.com

The 561 Face of Compassionate Nursing Care

Rose Glamoclija, RN Boca Nursing Services, Inc.

When the quality of life you’ve known is compromised by illness, you want the highest caliber of care. And since none of us know when that time will come and impact our lives, we are often overwhelmed when it does. At times like these, you need to rely on the comfort and connection to people who will be there for you when you need it most.

Rose Glamoclija, RN, the founder and Administrator of Boca Nursing Services, and a Registered Nurse for over 40 years understands. She knows the chemistry between caregivers and patients is paramount, especially when patients are vulnerable and out of their element. With compassion, and concern for every person they serve in the surrounding four counties, Rose provides guidance and resources for families needing in-home support and nursing care. Patients are treated with the highest level of respect for their rights, personal beliefs, and privacy.

Rose oversees the entire operation and personally reviews the qualifications and experience prior to selecting each Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Certified Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide, Live-in and Therapist for hire, along with continuous supervision by her and the Nursing Department. The concierge private duty nursing care is made available in the comfort of home, a hospital room, during facility stays and while residing at assisted living or rehabilitation facilities. Rose prides herself on the community support she receives and the generations of patients who recommend her services to their friends and family, year after year.

BOCA NURSING SERVICES, INC.

Boca Raton Palm Beach

561-347-7566 561-833-3430

bocanursing.com bocanursing.com

The 561 Face of a Healthy, Active and Connected Community

Jason Hagensick

President & CEO, YMCA of South Palm Beach County

Jason Hagensick’s YMCA journey began as a teenager just out of high school in Corpus Christi, Texas. “That first introduction to the Y laid a solid foundation,” he recalls. “At 18, I was interacting with business executives, community leaders and elected officials. I fell in love with the kind of people the Y attracted.” Now, 36 years later, that passion remains. “The best part has been partnering with others to build stronger, healthier communities.”

Today, as President & CEO of the YMCA of South Palm Beach County, Hagensick leads an organization that serves more than 40,000 individuals annually— children, teens, families and seniors—through programs that champion youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

“Few things are more rewarding than knowing your work is making a lasting impact across generations,” he shares. “Leading this mission alongside 453 dedicated staff and over 400 volunteers is both humbling and inspiring.”

From their Boca Raton and Boynton Beach campuses, the YMCA strives to create a welcoming, supportive space where every community member can thrive. “It’s more than a job—it’s a calling, and one I’m grateful to answer every day.”

You’ll often spot their Y buses, affectionately named the Hagerty Hot Rod and the Marvelous Margaret, driving through neighborhoods, marked Transporting Future Leaders. “And that’s exactly what they’re doing,” Hagensick says. “Every one of those kids is going to make their mark—and we’re here to help ensure it’s a positive, enduring one for generations to come.”

YMCA OF SOUTH PALM BEACH COUNTY 561-395-9622

ymcaspbc.org

MICHAEL CONNOR PHOTOGRAPHY

The 561 Face of Innovation in Orthodontics

Dr. Svitlana Koval

Dr. Koval Orthodontics

Thanks to the “elevated orthodontics” of Dr. Svitlana Koval, transformations in sleeping, breathing, chewing and overall dental health are within reach. At her elegant and comfortable Boca Raton practice, Dr. Koval specializes in the screening and diagnosing of sleepdisordered breathing in children and adults, combining innovative approaches to the treatment and symptoms of upper airway resistance syndrome, TMJ/TMD, neuromuscular dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, pediatric sleep apnea and more.

“Through comprehensive examinations utilizing the latest technology and sophisticated, in-house treatment planning software, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality, airway- and TMJ-oriented treatments,” Dr. Koval says.

Dr. Koval sees patients as young as 3 and a half all the way through adulthood, and is a highly accomplished researcher in her field. A High Honors DMD graduate of Boston University’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Koval helped author the Handbook of Research on T-Scan Technology Applications in Dental Medicine, among a portfolio of 21 research articles and full-text publications. Additionally, she innovated her own patentpending MARPEFACE protocol that helps maintain nasal septum position while manipulating the bones of the facial skeleton with the purpose of breathing improvement and aesthetic outcomes in children and adults.

Always on top of the latest technological advancements in her field, Dr. Koval utilizes many cutting-edge tools and techniques in her practice, including the T-Scan for orthodontic applications, cone-beam computer tomography of the head and neck, shape memory aligners, and non-surgical mandibular advancement, creating ideal facial lines and proportions with significant breathing improvement. Dr. Koval’s extensive experience, innovative drive and compassionate approach are just a consultation away.

DR. KOVAL ORTHODONTICS

954-231-3820 drssk.com

The Face of Hope for the Hungry

Dr. Andrew Hagen

Executive Director, Boca Helping Hands

After 20 years of serving as Senior Pastor of Advent Church in Boca Raton, Dr. Andrew Hagen heard a new calling. His years of serving as a volunteer and board member for Boca Helping Hands led him to the position of Executive Director in June of 2025. “It is a joy to bring hope to those in need,” says Hagen.

In his new role, Hagen’s mission is tackling food insecurity and workforce readiness. He is a strong advocate of moving from “handouts” to “hand-ups,” with the belief that every meal or act of assistance should also create a pathway toward independence and stability. Hagen is especially committed to helping young adults transition from low-wage jobs into careers with livable wages through job training services provided by BHH.

“It is a true blessing to see the smiling faces of the seniors and families as they pick up the fresh food, meat and pantry items we distribute at each of our five different locations in county. When I walk through our warehouse, I am overwhelmed by the generosity of local donors who make it possible for us to provide hot meals to those in need.”

“Thanks to our financial supporters, BHH has become one of the top relief charities in the county. Boca Raton has a reputation as an affluent community. Boca Helping Hands is living proof that it is also a community that is generous and supportive to those who need a helping hand.”

BOCA HELPING HANDS

561-843-7261

andrew@bocahelpinghands.org

MICHAEL CONNOR PHOTOGRAPHY

The Face of Turnkey Flooring Solutions

Vince Rozek

Owner, Floor Coverings

International Boca Raton

From his days working on avionics in the U.S. Marine Corps, to managing programs in Corporate America, to fixing up his own investment properties, Vince Rozek has always brought discipline, organization, and creativity to everything he does. Over 12 years ago, those skills led him to a career in flooring—and he hasn’t looked back since.

“I’ve always loved working on my own renovations and realized I had a knack for pulling finishes together and bringing new life to a space,” Vince says. “After a few bad experiences with contractors, I knew I could do better. I enjoy meeting people and helping them solve problems, so I decided to channel that passion into creating Floor Coverings International Boca Raton. We make the process easy, stress-free, and enjoyable—and that’s what sets us apart.”

Whether it’s a free in-home design consultation with their Mobile Flooring Showroom® (fully stocked with samples) or a personal appointment at the showroom, Vince and his team offer a wide range of flooring options to fit every taste and budget. From porcelain tile, hardwood, luxury vinyl, and laminate to eco-friendly choices like cork and bamboo, they’ve got something for everyone. For businesses, they also provide durable commercial flooring like vinyl, VCT, carpet, and tile.

“We don’t just sell flooring—we install it, stand by our work, and guarantee it well beyond industry standards,” Vince says. “I truly care about building lasting relationships, which is why I give out my personal cell phone number. I want clients to know they can always reach me directly.”

FLOOR COVERINGS INTERNATIONAL

BOCA RATON

561-704-3776

bocaraton.floorcoveringsinternational.com

The 561 Face of Improved Surgical Instrument Sterilization

F. Daniel Johnson

Founder

& CEO, Instrumentum

Patients undergoing surgery can now feel more confident that the instruments used during their procedure are prepared to the highest standards. With firsthand knowledge and concern for patients, a medical device rep from one of the large manufacturers of medical instrumentation and a group of respected orthopedic surgeons contacted businessman Dan Johnson. Aware that his firm was successful in helping founders grow companies that positively disrupt the marketplace by innovating to solve problems, they presented the need for improved instrument sterilization services.

As reported to Johnson, “We are increasingly seeing instrumentation being presented into the surgery theater that must be rejected because it is not, in fact, sterile. This can result in serious risks for the patient and cause inconvenient and expensive delays for everyone working in the operating room while the surgery is suspended.

Johnson notes, “As the amount of elective qualityof-life surgeries is increasing, hospitals often have difficulty keeping up with the corresponding amount of instrumentation that sterile processing departments are asked to process. With the added challenges of budget constraints and less available resources, quality can be compromised and the number of surgeries limited.”

Instrumentum was created to partner with health care providers and empower them to add more surgeries while improving the quality of their SPD operation. Proper sterilization of surgical instruments is central to good patient care, and Instrumentum is the emerging leader in the sterilization-as-a-service category.

Proudly based in Boca Raton with its headquarters and R&D facility located in the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University, Instrumentum is raising the bar nationally for quality sterile processing services.

INSTRUMENTUM

561-918-3400

Instrumentum.com

MICHAEL

the 561 Face of Hunger Relief

Jamie Kendall CEO of Palm Beach County Food Bank

When was the last time you felt real hunger? Not the kind where you’re counting down to lunch, but the kind where you hand your child a glass of water at bedtime “so that their rumbly little stomachs don’t wake them up.”

A mother shared that story with Jamie Kendall 15 years ago, and it never left her. It’s the kind of reality that drives the Palm Beach County Food Bank CEO, who’s spent 18 years in what she calls “a lifesaving service.”

The numbers tell one story: 192,000 food-insecure residents. But Kendall also sees the faces—working families one flat tire away from skipping meals, seniors stretching Social Security checks, parents going without so their children can eat. “It’s a quiet problem,” she says.

After leading a food bank in Georgia for over a decade, Kendall took the helm locally five years ago, overseeing the distribution hub that serves 150 partner agencies countywide.

Last year marked a milestone with the opening of the Michelle Haggerty Community Kitchen and Premier Kitchen. The Community Kitchen produced 64,000 meals at 30 feeding sites this past summer, while the Premier Kitchen invites businesses to meet, dine, and volunteer—like packing some of the 5,200 weekend food bags sent home with students every Friday.

Kendall dreams of a day when her work is no longer needed, but until then, she’s focused on filling the gap. “Donate your time or treasure,” she says. “The need is here, even in one of the most affluent areas in the country.”

PALM BEACH COUNTY FOOD BANK

561-670-2518

pbcfoodbank.org

The 561 Face of Italy’s Most Exclusive Tile & Marble

Michael Hummel

Owner, Just Tile & Marble

For more than 38 years, Michael Hummel has consistently been at the forefront of the tile and marble marketplace, raising the bar and consumers’ expectations with his treasure trove of the most exclusive imports of porcelain tiles, slabs and other beautiful natural stones, waterjet mosaics and unique glass and handmade tiles from around the world, with an emphasis on Italian products. His unyielding work ethic, creative eye and superior client relationships have earned Hummel a prestigious standing in the industry.

Renowned for being one of the largest facilities in the country for 48X48 tiles, Just Tile & Marble boasts more than 115 varieties in stock, with an ever-growing curated inventory that leaves clients asking in anticipation, “What’s new, Mike?”

Excited with his latest acquisition, Hummel introduces leathered porcelain tiles to his eclectic repertoire, complete with matching 48X110 slabs. Sensuously smooth to the touch with indentation veins, these Italian imports inspire the allure of Florence, where leather goods line the streets, intoxicating buyers with their grandiose presence.

“I also carry over 100 varieties of 24X48s and have more than 250 slabs on display. With my unrelenting passion to continuously elevate our inventory’s wow factor to new heights, I have also added grand-scale 63X63s that I personally designed, featuring today’s warmer palette with ivories, beiges, creams and taupes,” Hummel adds.

”It’s been an incredibly rewarding year. Having my daughter Hayley and her wealth of construction knowledge contribute to our success has certainly been a highlight. I couldn’t be prouder, or more grateful,” he reflects.

JUST TILE & MARBLE

561-272-4900

Justtilenmarble.com

MICHAEL CONNOR PHOTOGRAPHY

The 561 Face of a Visionary Chef and Restaurateur

Alican Ozturk owner, Anyday

A truly unique culinary experience awaits food aficionados at Anyday in Boca Raton. Owner/ chef Alican Ozturk has created a contemporary, health-focused restaurant combining sustainability with innovation.

The eatery’s seasonal menu comprises breakfast, lunch, and dinner, prepared with organic, locally sourced ingredients with Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Top sellers include the tapas bar, branzino with kale beurre blanc, and hamachi ceviche.

“Anyday was born from a passion to create a space where people can enjoy refined and approachable food—something you can come to any day of the week, for a casual bite or a special night out,” expresses Alican, who was born and raised in Turkey. “After years of working in kitchens and shaping my culinary vision, I wanted to bring together flavors that feel bold, modern, and elevated, but still welcoming.”

The eatery opened in early 2025 as Alican’s first location in Boca Raton, with the idea of building a community-driven restaurant that reflects the energy of South Florida and is committed to sourcing responsibility, with most of its produce coming from local farms.

“We prioritize organic ingredients whenever possible,” Alican points out. “Mediterranean flavors are at the heart of our cooking philosophy—they embody balance, freshness, and boldness. Our menu brings together ingredients like olive oil, fresh herbs, seafood, seasonal vegetables, and spices, presented in creative ways that feel both familiar and new.”

“Guests love the variety of nourishing food that excites the palate,” Alican explains. “Many say the dining experience is welcoming, energetic, and modern.” ANYDAY

561-617-5416 anydayinmiami.com

The 561 Face of The Hottest New Indoor Padel Club

Nalle Grinda

Co-Founder, Padel X™

Nalle Grinda was only 8 years old when he discovered and fell in love with the game of padel, long before it became one of the world’s fastest growing racquet sports.

Born into a family of tennis fanatics—including a Davis Cup tennis pro father—Grinda went on to become a tennis pro himself, and a padel pro in France, playing in the World Championships five times.

“I learned in the best academy in Argentina, eventually reaching the Top 50 players in the world in the FIP ranking and participated in the Padel Pro Tour. I moved to Miami in 2010, and that was the end of my high-level padel career, but just the beginning of my venture into creating the Padel X brand along with my friend and business partner, Juan Pablo Leria. Together we have opened our first two Padel X clubs in Miami and Boca Raton. We are building West Palm Beach with plans for a 10-court indoor flagship location in 2026 on Lincoln Road,” says Grinda.

The ultimate new destination for the racquet game described as a combination of squash and tennis played in glass walled courts, the alluring 28,000-square-foot Padel X club in Boca Raton also features a wellness area with a sauna, cold plunges and a recovery lounge.

“I invite people to come and have the most fun they’ve ever had with a racquet in their hand. We’re also about the community, meeting people, and special events like our own version of singles’ speed dating. I could go on and on about Padel X, but the best publicity for the game is the game itself,” Grinda assures, and adds, “come try it!”

PADEL X™

305-922-9242

padelx.us

MICHAEL CONNOR PHOTOGRAPHY

The Face of Wealth Preservation through Physical Precious Metals

Finis L. Cole II President, Cole Metals Group, LLC

“Typically, people believe that the only way to build a successful retirement or investment portfolio is through some combination of stocks and bonds. Actually, gold is the original asset class. Everything in gold is driven by the dollar itself. Most of us understand that with our country $37 trillion in debt, a dollar certainly doesn’t buy what it used to,” explains Finis L. Cole II, President of Cole Metals, in partnership with the largest precious metals wholesalers, distributors and logistics networks in the U.S.

When clients approach Cole Metals, their primary goal is to preserve and grow wealth, especially during times of uncertainty. “Gold is an immutable object; it’s an anchor that doesn’t change,” Cole asserts.

“Let’s say you’ve got $1 million that you want to give to your kids. You know what $1 million will buy today but have no idea what $1 million will buy 10 years from now. It might take much more to purchase those same things. Let’s freeze the purchasing power now and put this money in gold, so that upon your demise or transfer of wealth, your children will have the same purchasing power, no matter where the gold is at that point in the future. The gold is just a savings and wealth preservation tool,” explains Cole.

Cole Metals provides individuals, family trusts and small corporations with a cost-effective, strategic approach to diversify their portfolios with gold, silver, platinum and palladium. With convenient, safe, seamless delivery of the assets to a location of their choice, clients benefit from a unique turnkey, customized wealth management experience.

COLE METALS GROUP, LLC

561-990-1070

colemetalsgroup.com

The 561 Faces of Creative, WellnessDriven Fitness

Penelope Lawson and Brian Kahn

Bootique Fitness

When Penelope Lawson and her husband, Brian Kahn, joined forces professionally, they blended her creative background (in film) and athleticism with his training expertise to establish Bootique Fitness in Delray Beach.

“Bootique, opening at the end of 2025, is a premier group fitness studio that combines StairMaster cardio with strength training, choreographed to music, in a cinematic setting,” Penelope explains. “It’s a concierge-level service, with elite programming, and an atmosphere that feels more like an experience than a workout.”

What makes Bootique (“booty firming” and “boutique gym”) Fitness unique are three elements that no other center offers together: Brian’s celebrity-level programming, cinematic lights and sound that turn class into an event, and a concierge approach where members feel cared for. “When Brian and I connected— in Los Angeles when I began taking classes at Rumble Boxing, where he was a founding trainer—we realized there was a gap in the market. People wanted group fitness that was effective but also elevated,” she shares.

The StairMaster is one of the most effective, lowimpact tools for building stamina, sculpting muscle, and torching calories, so it’s Bootique’s machine of choice. The facility built choreographed, intervalbased programming around it, so members are doing a structured, music- and results-driven workout.

“The art-deco-designed gym has a fun, tropical look, and trainers who guide you every step,” Penelope expresses. “Class is high-energy, choreographed, and empowering.” Penelope and Brian invite all to their lifestyle hub, where they’ll host challenges and member events, and create a space where members don’t just work out—they connect.

BOOTIQUE FITNESS

917-208-8658

bootiquefit.com

MICHAEL CONNOR PHOTOGRAPHY

Brian Kahn

Penelope Lawson

Merry Moments, Made Delicious

OPEN DAILY 7AM TO 2:30PM

Breakfast · Lunch · Cocktails · Catering

DINING GUIDE

YOUR RESOURCE FOR GREATER DELRAY BEACH’S FINEST RESTAURANTS

Novecento

THIS ARGENTINIAN RESTAURANT ADDS SOME WELCOME VARIETY AND FLAIR TO DOWNTOWN DELRAY’S DINING SCENE.

Having already mourned the loss of two great local bars that occupied the Falcon House—Death or Glory and The Falcon—I was cautiously optimistic when Novecento debuted at the space in December of last year. The iconic Delray Beach property has seen countless great dining concepts come and go, to the point that it’s hard to become too attached when something new comes along. But after visiting this Argentinian steakhouse, I can only hope that it’s here to stay.

Novecento’s menu reflects the restaurant’s Argentinian roots with its selection of shareable starter plates, cuts of Argentinian-imported beef, and dishes that highlight the Italian influence on the country’s cuisine. Empanadas share the menu with burrata, while entree selections range from branzino and risotto to house-made pastas. Its drink menu also includes a variety of Argentinian wines on top of a well-rounded selection of craft cocktails.

We started with the tuna aguachile, slices of raw tuna surfacing from a sea of green cucumber sauce and drizzled with chili oil—an all-around light and refreshing appetizer. Of course, we couldn’t overlook the empanadas, trying both the spinach and the chicken (beef is also available). The crisp, flaky pastries were delicious but seemed incomplete without a sauce, so we requested a side of Novecento’s homemade chimichurri, which added some welcome herbaceousness.

IF YOU GO

For entrees, we knew we couldn’t leave without trying one of the restaurant’s signature cuts, but its menu of house-made pastas also called to us. Ultimately, we went with our server’s suggestion of the gnocchi gratinado and the Argentinian rib-eye. As we waited for the entrees, we realized we made the right decision by dining alfresco. Novecento’s patio offered ample elbow room between tables, and overhead fans kept it cool in the summer evening.

116 N.E. Sixth Ave., Delray Beach; 561/450-6101

PARKING: Limited lot parking, street

HOURS: Mon. and Tues., 4-10 p.m.; Wed. and Thurs., noon-10 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., noon-11 p.m.; Sun., noon-9 p.m.

PRICES: $13-$79

When our entrees arrived, I was immediately impressed with the rib-eye—thick as the “White Pages” with a perfect crust. As someone who likes his steak strictly rare, I was happy to see it was the perfect temperature when I sliced into it. For an upcharge, steaks can be paired with sauces such as a Bernaise or peppercorn, but we had grown too attached to the chimichurri, which we happily slathered onto the beef. As for the gnocchi, the fluffy potato dumplings were served with a generous amount of cheesy, creamy sauce that found its way onto the steak more than once. The entrees proved more than enough for two people to share, but we were still tempted to try the Panqueques Novecento for dessert. These crepes, with their crisp, caramelized edges and rich dulce de leche filling, were a wonderful way to punctuate an already decadent meal.

Tyler Childress

WEBSITE: novecento.com

From left, Wagyu Denver, fresh burrata and shrimp cocktail

BOURBON STEAK

1000 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach

561/656-8070

PARKING: Valet

HOURS: Sunday – Thursday 5 – 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 – 10 p.m.

PRICES: $17 – $135

WEBSITE: bourbonsteakdelray.com

Ceviche

CARINA MASK

North Star

CHEF MICHAEL MINA’S RESTAURANT MAKES ITS WAY TO DELRAY BEACH

The Michelin Guide’s 2025 expansion into the Palm Beaches was an impressive nod to our dining scene, but fortunately, we’ve had incredibly talented chefs in our backyard for ages. One of those is Michael Mina. He opened the Aventura outpost of his now-famous Bourbon Steak in 2007, and since then, his empire has grown to include more than 30 restaurants, a Michelin star, and other accolades. Earlier this year, Mina debuted his second Bourbon Steak location in Florida inside Delray’s recently renovated The Seagate.

I have dined at Bourbon Steak Miami several times, so I hoped the brand’s top-notch service, attention to detail, swanky interiors and, of course, signature dishes would take center stage in Delray as well. Thankfully, they did.

This location’s design is more relaxed, but so is Delray when compared to Miami. Where Miami’s is sultry and sexy, Delray’s is bright with a coastal so phistication complemented by vivid greens, warm leathers and brass finishes.

We asked to see a wine bottle list, and within seconds, a jovial sommelier appeared with the menu. After we placed our order, Mina’s signature duck fat fries arrived with three dipping sauces. I couldn’t stop dipping the crispy paprika-dusted slivers into the barbecue sauce.

We started with another of Mina’s specialties, the tuna tartare ($32). Ruby red fish is folded into a quail egg, pine nuts, mint and Asian pear tableside and topped with habanero-sesame oil for a hint of heat. There were also two herbs I couldn’t pinpoint. I played a fun guessing game with our server, who was also curious. Mystery solved: tarragon and chervil, which gave the dish whisps of anise I loved. Details, like the

waiter’s willingness to play along and then inquire for me, made this dinner memorable. His service was impeccable and attentive: Glasses were always full, and sharing utensils came with dishes. My only note for the tartare was that I wished for an elevated version of the white sandwich bread that came with it.

We also ordered the mahi mahi ceviche ($21) and bacon-wrapped scallops ($29). I was enamored by how crispy the bacon was but how moist and tender the scallops were, so our server again queried the kitchen staff. The ceviche, added to Delray’s menu by Executive Chef Pablo Valencia, showcases his Colombian heritage with a smoky corn espuma and plantain chips. I loved it, but if someone is loyal to a traditional, citrus-forward cevi-

Bourbon Steak sources only the best meat, including USDA prime hormone-free beef and Japanese Wagyu. We ordered the Senku Farms skirt steak ($52) and a side of mac and cheese ($17). The meat was perfectly cooked, tender and juicy. The side was a four-cheese blend topped with black truffle shavings. What else could I ask for in a steakhouse? Oh yes, dessert. The beignets (another signature dish, $24), nearly put us in a food coma with their three

On my next visit, I can’t wait to try more signature dishes, like the Maine lobster pot pie and the whimsical caviar Twinkie. Until then, I’ll be dreaming about the scallops

Senku Farms skirt steak

Bacon-wrapped scallops

Truffle mac and cheese

DINING KEY

$ Inexpensive: under $17

$$ Moderate: $18 to $35

$$$ Expensive: $36 to $50

$$$$ Very expensive: $50+

DELRAY BEACH

50 Ocean—50 S. Ocean Blvd. Seafood. The former Upper Deck at Boston’s on the Beach is now the more upscale, seafood-oriented spot. The menu ranges from familiar to slightly more inventive, from a classic lobster bisque and crisp-tender fried clam bellies to rock shrimp pot pie and baked grouper topped with blue crab. The cinnamon-dusted beignets are puffs of amazingly delicate deep-fried air and should not under any circumstances be missed. • Lunch Mon.-Sat. Dinner nightly. Brunch Sun. 561/278-3364. $$

800 Palm Trail Grill—800 Palm Trail. American This contemporary space is serving up American fare and classic cocktails. The menu has a steak-and-

seafood-house feel to it but without any stuffiness. Instead, you’ll find dishes that entice the palate, like the loaded baked potato eggrolls and Wagyu boneless short rib. • Lunch and dinner daily, with patio dining. 561/865-5235. $$$

Akira Back—233 N.E. Second Ave. Japanese. Chef Akira Back’s Seoul restaurant earned a Michelin star a few years ago, and now he’s showcasing his talented take on Japanese cuisine at his namesake restaurant inside The Ray hotel. Born in Korea and raised in Colorado, Back blends his heritage with Japanese flavors and techniques he has mastered to deliver dishes that are unique to him. With plates made to be shared, the menu is divided into cold and hot starters followed by rolls, nigiri/sashimi, robata grill, mains and fried rice. Dinner nightly. 561/739-1708. $$$$

Amar Mediterranean Bistro—25 S.E. Sixth Ave. Lebanese. From the moment you step inside, there’s a familial feeling, a hidden gem that everyone is drawn to. Amar is a quaint bistro amidst the buzzy Atlantic Avenue that serves Lebanese food. But this isn’t your typical hummus and pita joint. Here, the proprietor’s family recipes take center stage alongside Mediterranean favorites that have been elevated with slight tweaks. • Dinner nightly. 561/278-3364. $$

Angelo Elia Pizza • Bar • Tapas— 16950 Jog Road. Italian. Nothing on the menu of Angelo Elia’s modCern, small plates-oriented osteria disappoints, but particularly notable are the meaty fried baby artichokes stuffed with breadcrumbs and speck, delicate chicken-turkey meatballs in Parmesan-enhanced broth, and Cremona pizza with a sweet-salty-earthypungent mélange of pears, pancetta, Gorgonzola, sun-dried figs and mozzarella. • Dinner nightly. 561/381-0037. $$

Avalon Beach House 110 E. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. This steakhouse was transformed into a chic coastal haven for seafood and lively cocktails. Its menu features a variety of casual dishes like ahi tuna poke, fish tacos, double smash burger and short rib ragu. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/593-2500. $$

Bamboo Fire Cafe—149 N.E. Fourth Ave. Caribbean. The Jacobs family joyously shares its Latin and Caribbean culture through food that’s bursting with bright island aromas and flavors. Tostones, plantain fries and jerk meatballs share the menu with curry pork, oxtail and conch. A quintessential Delray gem. • Dinner Wed.-Sun. 561/749-0973. $

Beg for More Izakaya—19 S.E. Fifth Ave. Japanese Small Plates. The large sake, whisky and beer menu here pairs beautifully with the small plates full of everything except sushi. No sushi. And that’s fine. Try the takoyaki (octopus balls), the crispy salmon tacos and anything with the addictive kimchi, such as the kimchi fried rice. There are pasta, teriyaki and simmered duck with bok choy dishes—or 16 varieties of yakitori (food on skewers). You’ll be back to beg for more. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/563-8849. $$

Brulé Bistro—200 N.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. The regular menu of this Pineapple Grove favorite always has satisfying dishes. Its specialties include crab tortellini with black truffles, chicken meatballs with coconut broth and cashews, plus signature dessert pistachio crème brùlée. Spirits and house cocktails steeped in speakeast style are paired with an ever-changing menu. Outside tables offer the best option for conversation. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/274-2046. $$

Burt & Max’s—9089 W. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary

American. This bastion of contemporary comfort food in west Delray is approaching local landmark status, forging its own menu while borrowing a few dishes from Max’s Grille, like the hearty chopped salad and bacon-wrapped meatloaf. Other dishes are variations on the comfort food theme, including a stellar truffle-scented wild mushroom pizza. • Dinner nightly. Sunday brunch. 561/638-6380. $$

Caffe Luna Rosa—34 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach. Italian. This multiple Delray Beach-award winning res-

Uni pasta from Beg for More Izakaya

taurant has sparkling service, comfort food taken to a higher level, and a setting just steps from the Atlantic. Open since 1993, and a success since then, they dish up big flavors in a tiny space, so call for reservations. Try the calamari fritto misto, then the rigatoni pomodoro and leave room for dessert. Or come back for breakfast. • Open daily from breakfast through dinner. 561-274-9404. $$

Casa L’Acqua—9 S.E. Seventh Ave. Italian. Diners can expect white tablecloths, tuxedoed staff and attentive service at this fine-dining restaurant. The wine list is Italian-focused but does offer a variety of bottles from around the world, and each dish is expertly prepared with sizable portions. The main dining room, with its vibey bar and wine cellar, is cozy, and so is its fully enclosed patio in the back. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/563-7492. $$

City Oyster—213 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood. This stylish mainstay of Big Time Restaurant Group serves up reasonably priced seafood that never disappoints, such as shrimp and grits with a jumbo crab cake. This is the place to see and be seen in Delray, and the food lives up to its profile. • Lunch Mon.–Sun. Dinner nightly. Outdoor dining. 561/272-0220. $$

Coco Sushi Lounge & Bar—25 N.E. Second Ave., Suite 208. Asian. Local hospitality veterans Tina Wang and chef Jason Zheng continue to grow their restaurant empire with this concept. The extensive menu caters to any palate, dietary restriction or craving and features both traditional and creative dishes. Soups and salads lead into sushi selections and appetizers divided into cool and hot. Cooked and raw rolls are followed by rice, noodle, land and sea entrée options. • Dinner Mon.-Sat. Sunday brunch. 561/926-9434. $$

Costa By OK&M—502 E Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. Contemporary American. Costa takes chef/owner Coton Stine’s dedication to farm-to-table fare to an elevated level with its seasonal menu. Working closely with local farms and vendors, Stine curates deliciously healthy dishes that tempt your palate while fueling your body. For those with dietary restrictions, the dishes are clearly labeled gluten-free or vegan, which adds a sense of ease to the experience. The corner space is comfortable and embraces natural elements with its wicker chairs, lanterns, greenery and expansive sliding doors. • Dinner nightly. 561/501-6115. $$

Cut 432—432 E. Atlantic Ave. Steakhouse. Hipper decor, a more casual vibe and an inventive take on steak-

house favorites make this sleek restaurant just different enough to be interesting. Starters such as ceviche (prepared Peruvian style) and ultrarich oysters Rockefeller are first-rate, while the wet-aged beef is appropriately tender and tasty. • Dinner nightly. 561/272-9898. $$$

Dada—52 N. Swinton Ave. Contemporary American. The same provocative, whimsical creativity that spawned Dada the art movement infuses Dada the restaurant, giving it a quirky charm all its own. The comfort food menu has its quirky charms, too, like shake-n-bake pork chops with sweet-savory butterscotch onions, and a brownie-vanilla ice cream sundae with strips of five-spice powdered bacon. The wittily decorated 1920s-vintage house-turned-restaurant is, as they say, a trip. • Dinner nightly. 561/330-3232. $$

Deck 84—840 E. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. Burt Rapoport’s ode to laid-back tropical dining is like a day at the beach without getting sand between your toes. Though the restaurant is casual, the kitchen takes its food seriously, whether the stellar flatbreads, the thick and juicy 10-ounce special blend burger or homey seasonal cobbler. And the waterfront location just seems to make everything taste better. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Brunch Sat.–Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/665-8484. $

DINING GUIDE ]

Eathai—1832 S. Federal Highway. Thai. If you’re craving approachable and affordable Thai food, put Eathai at the top of your list. While you can expect to find curries, noodles, soups and fried rice on the menu, the dishes here aren’t the typical ones you’ll find around town. Indulge in the Thai chicken French toast or crispy duck breast with lychee curry sauce or oxtail basil fried rice to savor the true talent of owner and chef Sopanut Sopochana. • Lunch and dinner Wed.Mon. 561/270-3156. $

El Camino—15 N.E. Second Ave. Mexican. This sexy, bustling downtown spot is from the trio behind nearby Cut 432 and Park Tavern. Fresh, quality ingredients go into everything from the tangy tomatillo salsas to the world-class fish tacos clad in delicate fried skin, set off by tart pineapple salsa. Cinnamon and sugar-dusted churros are the perfect dessert. And check out the margaritas, especially the smoky blend of mezcal and blanco tequila. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/865-5350. $$

Elisabetta’s—32 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. An ornate Italian spot, with classically prepared dishes including spiedini shrimp, burrata de prosciutto bruschetta, costoletta di vitello (veal), a guanciale pizza, cacio e pepe pasta, malfadine Amatriciana and gemelli puttanesca. Portions

are large and that, thankfully, goes for the homemade gelati, too. The best seating outdoors is the second-floor balcony overlooking Atlantic Avenue. • Lunch and dinner daily; weekend brunch. 561/650-6699. $$

The Grove—187 N.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. The Grove, which has been tucked inside the tranquil Pineapple Grove District for nearly a decade, continues to surprise diners with its vibrant dishes. The upscale but casually comfortable nook has an international wine list that spans the globe and a seasonal menu that’s succinct and well-thought-out. • Dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/266-3750. $$$$

The Hampton Social—40 N.E. Seventh Ave. American. The Hampton Social is known for its “rosé all day” tagline, but it doesn’t just slay its rosé; its food is equally as tempting. It does a standout job of incorporating its casual coastal aesthetic into not just its décor but also its menu, from its seafood-centric dishes to its droll cocktail names like the vodka-forward I Like It a Yacht. Lunch and dinner daily, weekend brunch. 561/404-1155. $$

Henry’s—16850 Jog Road. American. This casual, unpretentious restaurant in the west part of town never

fails to delight diners. Expect attentive service and crisp execution of everything—from meat loaf, burgers and fried chicken to flatbreads and hefty composed salads. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/206-1896. $$

Il Girasole—2275 S. Federal Highway. Northern Italian. If you want Northern Italian in a low-key atmosphere, and nobody rushing you out the door, this is your spot. Start with something from the very good wine list. Try the yellowtail snapper, the penne Caprese and the capellini Gamberi, and leave room for the desserts. Reservations recommended. • Dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/272-3566. $$

J&J Seafood Bar & Grill—634 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood. This local favorite on Atlantic Avenue—owned by John Hutchinson (who is also the chef) and wife Tina— serves up everything from burgers and wraps to a menu brimming with seafood options. Don’t forget to inquire about the stunning array of 10 specials—every night. • Lunch and dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/272-3390. $$

Jimmy’s Bistro—9 S. Swinton Ave. International Jimmy’s Bistro is a casual neighborhood concept serving consistently delightful dishes from a diverse menu

pasta or Asia with its delicate dumplings and tender duck. • Dinner nightly. 561/865-5774. $$$

Joseph’s Wine Bar—200 N.E. Second Ave. Mediterranean-American. Joseph’s is an elegant, comfortable, intimate nook in Delray’s Pineapple Grove, and an ideal place for a lazy evening. This family affair—owner Joseph Boueri, wife Margaret in the kitchen, and son Elie and daughter Romy working the front of the house—has all tastes covered. Try the special cheese platter, the duck a l’orange or the rack of lamb. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/272-6100. $$

La Cigale—253 S.E. Fifth Ave. Mediterranean. Popular venue since 2001, with Greek and Italian dishes and more. Highlights are seafood paella, roasted half duck and grilled jumbo artichoke appetizer. Lots of favorites on the menu: calf’s liver, veal osso buco, branzino, seafood crepes. Nice outdoor seating if weather permits. • Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/265-0600. $$

Latitudes—2809 S. Ocean Blvd. Modern American You should come for both the sunset and the food. This oceanfront restaurant is a gem tucked inside the Delray Sands resort. From the airy, bubbly interior to the raw bar, the décor is soothing and fun. Try the lobster

and crab stuffed shrimp, the miso-glazed Skuna Bay salmon, the branzino or the veal Bolognese. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 561/278-6241. $$$

Le Colonial—601 E. Atlantic Ave. Vietnamese French. Le Colonial radiates classic elegance that is as sophisticated as it is comfortable. Created to showcase Vietnamese cuisine and its French influences, Le Colonial has a standout method of curating classic Vietnamese dishes that appeal to various palates, from meat lovers and pescatarians to vegetarians and everyone in between. The space immediately transports you back to Saigon’s tropical paradise of the 1920s. Lush birds of paradise and palms line the halls that lead into intimate dining nooks throughout the 7,000-square-foot restaurant. • Lunch (on weekends) and dinner. 561/566-1800. $$$

Lemongrass Bistro—420 E. Atlantic Ave. PanAsian. Casually hip ambience, friendly service, moderate prices and a blend of sushi and nouveau pan-Asian fare make this a popular destination. The quality of its seafood and care in its preparation are what gives Lemongrass its edge. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/5670442. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 101 Plaza Real S., Boca Raton, 561/544-8181; 1880 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach, 561/733-1344). $

Lulu’s—189 N.E. Second Ave. American. Lulu’s in Pineapple Grove offers a relaxed ambiance with unfussy, approachable food. The quaint café is open every day and serves an all-day menu including breakfast until 3 p.m. and a selection of appetizers, sandwiches, salads and entrées that are ideal for an executive lunch, lively tapas happy hour, casual dinner or late night snack (until 2 a.m.). • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 561/453-2628. $

MIA Kitchen & Bar—7901 W. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. Owner Joey Lograsso and chef Jason Binder have curated a balanced choreography of fascinating yet approachable dishes. The menu travels the world from Italy to Asia and showcases Binder’s formal training with elevated dishes that are exceptionally executed. It’s vibey with a great playlist, and the design, reminiscent of a cool Wynwood bar, is industrial with exposed ducts, reclaimed wood and sculptural filament chandeliers. It’s a place that amps up all your senses. • Dinner Tues.-Sun. 561/499-2200. $$$

The Office—201 E. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. Your office is nothing like this eclectic gastropub, unless your office sports more than two dozen craft beers on tap. Don’t miss the restaurant’s winning take on

Josie’sRistorante

[ DINING GUIDE ]

the thick, juicy Prime beef burger and simply wicked maple-frosted donuts with bacon bits and two dipping sauces. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/278-3796. $$

Papa’s Tapas—259 N.E. Second Ave. Spanish. This family-owned restaurant will make you feel welcomed, and its cuisine will satisfy your craving for Spanish tapas. Start with a few shareable plates and then enjoy a hearty paella that’s bursting with a selection of seafood, chicken or vegetables. • Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat., dinner Sun. 561/266-0599. $

Park Tavern—32 S.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. Check out the high-top seating or bar stools during an excellent happy hour menu that includes deviled eggs, pork sliders, chicken wings and a happy crowd. Entrees are generous and well executed. Try the fish and chips, one of six burgers, fish tacos and more. • Dinner nightly. Brunch Sat.-Sun. 561/2655093. $$

Rose’s Daughter—169 N.E. Second Ave. Italian

While not your traditional Italian trattoria, it is a place to find new favorites and revisit old standbys updated with delicious ingredients and high standards. Try the Monet-colored lobster risotto, or housemade pasta, pizza, bread and desserts. • Dinner Wed.-Sun. 561/271-9423. $$

Sazio—131 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. This long-lived venue on crowded Atlantic Avenue is a reason to sit down and take a breath. Then take up a fork and try the linguine with white clam sauce or the ravioli Sazio or grilled skirt steak or pretty much anything on the menu. Prices are reasonable; leftovers are popular. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/272-5540. $$

Taki Omakase—632 E. Atlantic Ave. Japanese. Taki Omakase, a shining example of omakase done right, is pricy but worth it, so long as you love eating raw fish. Every night is different, because it prides itself on importing fish, meat and seasonal ingredients from Japan that arrive daily. So, if you do pine for the delicacies of the sea, buckle in and get ready for the talented chefs at Taki Omakase to guide you through a culinary journey unlike anything else. Dinner nightly, lunch hour Fri.-Sun. 561/759-7362. $$$$

Terra Fiamma—9169 W. Atlantic Ave. Italian. The pleasures of simple, well-prepared Italian-American cuisine are front and center here. Enjoy the delicate, pillow-y veal meatballs in Marsala sauce; lusty chicken Allessandro with mushrooms, spinach and artichoke hearts; and a finely crafted tiramisu that’s as satisfying as it is familiar. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/495-5570. $$

Tramonti—119 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. In a world where restaurants chase trends with the relentlessness of Casanova in full Viagra heat, Tramonti stands out as a classic outpost of authentic Italian cookery. Not

trendy hardly means stodgy, however, as evidenced by expertly crafted, robustly flavorful dishes like the signature spiedini di mozzarella Romana, spaghetti al cartoccio and braciole Napoletana. Torta della nonna is a triumph of the highly refined simplicity that lies at the heart of true Italian cuisine. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/272-1944.

Veg Eats Foods—334 E. Linton Blvd. Vegan. This is comfort food for everyone; the dishes will impress carnivores, too. Smell the fresh coconut vegetable curry soup, which tastes as good as it sounds. Try the grilled brawt sausage, the Ranch chixn, the banh mi and a Ruben—all from plant-based ingredients that will fool your taste buds. • Lunch daily. 561/562-6673. $

Vic & Angelo’s—290 E. Atlantic Ave. watching is a staple ingredient here, a complement to the Italian fare. The wine menu is robust, mainly grounded in Italy but with choices from around the world. Thin-crust pizzas are family-friendly, but you won’t want to share the Quattro Formaggi Tortellini filled with al dente pear and topped with truffle cream. If you have room for dessert, the classic sweets include cannoli and a tiramisu. • Dinner nightly, brunch weekends. 561/278-9570. $$

LAKE WORTH BEACH

Paradiso Ristorante—625 Lucerne Ave. Tomasz Rut mural dominates the main dining room, and there is also a pasticceria and bar for gelato and espresso. Chef Angelo Romano offers a modern Italian menu. The Mediterranean salt-crusted branzino is definitely a must-try. Plus, the wine list is a veritable tome. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/547-2500.

PALM BEACH

Bice—313 Worth Ave. Italian. This venerable restaurant offers a marvelous array of risottos and fresh pastas and classic dishes like veal chop Milanese, pounded chicken breast and roasted rack of lamb. The wine list features great vintages. • Lunch and dinner daily. Outdoor dining. 561/835-1600. $$$

Buccan—350 S. County Road. Contemporary American. Casual elegance of Palm Beach meets modern culinary Miami at this hot restaurant by chef Clay Conley. The design offers both intimate and energetic dining areas, while the menu is by turn familiar (wood-grilled burgers) and more adventurous (truffled steak tartare with crispy egg yolk, squid ink orrechiette). • Dinner nightly. 561/833-3450. $$ DELRAY BEACH

1051 E Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33483 561-359-2259 (Across from The Seagate Hotel) www.saracampbell.com @saracampbellltd

INTERCOASTAL WEALTH PLANNING, LLC

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TRANSFORM YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE INTO A LUXURIOUS RESORT

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WISH & SHOES

Wish & Shoes is Boca/Delray’s premiere women’s boutique. Featuring clothing, shoes, handbags jewelry and accessories from some of the hottest American & European designers, Wish & Shoes has built a solid reputation through the years of sourcing many unique items that you won’t find anywhere else. Women who know fashion shop at WISH! Those who don’t, WISH they did.

325 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, FL • 561.919.9474

16850 Jog Road, Delray Beach • 561.638.7700

287 E. Indiantown Road, #B-01 Jupiter, FL 33477 • 561.821.9474

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OUT & ABOUT

ARTS GARAGE

Arts Garage’s “Fun-raiser in Paradise” raised more than $12,000 to fund scholarships to the venue’s summer camp. The evening’s program included a performance by Peter Troup & The Coral Rummer Band, the premier Jimmy Buffett cover band. “This was more than just a party—it was a celebration of our commitment to making the arts accessible to every child in our community,” said Arts Garage President and CEO Marjorie Waldo. Pictured: The audience enjoys light bites ahead of a performance by Peter Troup & The Coral Rummer Band.

MIZNER COUNTRY CLUB RENOVATION

The crew renovating Mizner Country Club’s Main Clubhouse got a little extra help from the community’s junior construction team. The kids enjoyed busting walls while learning from Proctor Construction Group the steps that go into executing such an ambitious renovation. Pictured: Mizner Country Club junior construction team with Brian Locatelli and DJ Heard from Proctor Construction Group.

MDA GOLF CLASSIC

Delray Beach-based Ed Morse Automotive Group’s annual MDA Golf Classic returned for its 31st year, raising more than $412,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. More than 150 supporters participated in the tournament, which was hosted at two courses at PGA National. Since its founding, the tournament has raised more than $4.8 million. Pictured: Ed Morse Automotive Group team celebrating a successful golf fundraiser for MDA.

DELRAY CITIZENS

FOR DELRAY POLICE

Fifteen children of Delray Beach police officers and staff were generously awarded college scholarships by Delray Citizens for Delray Police, a nonprofit focused on supporting the Delray Beach Police Department. The scholarships were awarded through the support of the Harvey and Virginia Kimmel Foundation and Max Zengage and the Delray Concours Foundation.

Pictured: Max Zengage, Marc Grimes, Sebastian Pacheco, Dante Ferraiolo, Chuck Halberg, Emma Cambell, Luka Saraceni, Darryl Hunter, Aaron Hallyburton and Randy Jackson.

FRANCES J. BRIGHT WOMAN’S CLUB DEBUTANTE COTILLION

WHERE: Woodfield Country Club

WHAT: The Delray Beach-based Frances J. Bright Woman’s Club honored 10 African American rising senior girls at the organization’s Debutante Cotillion. The Cotillion, now in its 56th year, celebrated the local debutantes with a lavish “Bridgerton”-themed gala sponsored by Stark Arrow Exterminators in Boca Raton. Debutante alum Sandra Edwards, principal of Atlantic Community High School, served as mistress of ceremony, while LeChara Pryor, another debutante alum, delivered inspiration as a guest speaker. The Cotillion followed a year of mentorship for 10 debutantes, who were awarded scholarships by the Frances J. Bright Woman’s Club Charitable Foundation. During the night’s festivities, local Realtor Lori Durante was honored with a plaque of appreciation for hosting a shopping fundraiser at the Downtown Delray Lilly Pulitzer to benefit the club and coordinating a Brightline trip to Miami for the debutantes.

Debutantes Kaylee Isen, Zana Maddox, Ludine Lolo, Phoenix Hart, Tramaia Bell

Debutantes Madison Greene, Nikia White, Wisdom Pinkney, Tiffani Davis, Maryse Jean-Baptiste

Wendy Kelly, Chloe Coffie, Adriana Coffie, Gary Baine, Lori J. Durante, Alma Henry Morman

Debutante Kaylee Isen

Lyric Monroe, LaWanna Jackson

Leroy Pryor with daughter LeChara Pryor

Adrienne Alexander, Mia Pryor Witherspoon, Katia Hildebert

Ana Dimitrio, Mark Cleghorn

Lesia Jones, Marie Little

Naomi Jackson, Sandra Edwards

Alisson Sealy, Lori J. Durante

Arlene Paris

SPADY MUSEUM’S JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

WHERE: Spady Cultural Heritage Museum

WHAT: The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum celebrated Juneteenth with two blockbuster events that raised funds for the museum’s critical mission of preserving and sharing local Black history. The festivities kicked off with the Spady House Party hosted by the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, where guests enjoyed food, drinks and live music. Then, supporters were invited to the Spady Museum to tour its outside exhibit that explored Adinkra symbology from West African cultures. The events supported the museum’s goal of reaching $100,000 in donations ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2026.

Singleton Cox, Michelle Brown, Elizabeth Burrows

Sharon Koskoff, Lori Martel

Kemberly Bush, Montre Bennet

Shaun Hall, Stephanie Immelman

Colleen Rhodd, Mary Aperavich, Yvonne Prince

Jacqueline Garrow, G. Carolyn Mitchell

DELRAY BEACH POLICE AWARDS GALA

WHERE: Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort

WHAT: The Delray Citizens for Delray Police’s annual fundraiser to support the Delray Beach Police Department returned for its 20th year with a festive bash hosted at Opal Grand Oceanfront Resort. Guests enjoyed dinner, live DJ tunes and dancing ahead of an awards ceremony honoring local police officers who go above and beyond in their service to the community. Awardees included Employee of the Year Liana Striglio, Supervisor of the Year Capt. Gary Ferreri, Rookie of the Year Officer Meaghan Cushnie, and more. “This very special event is our way of showing appreciation for the brave men and women who serve and protect our city every day,” said Delray Citizens for Delray Police President Chuck Halberg. “We’re proud to honor their sacrifice and dedication in front of a community that truly values their work.”

Officers in uniform at the Delray Beach Police Awards Gala

Chuck Halberg

Beatrice Screciu, Chuck and Pam Halberg, Nick Sadowsky, Aaron Hallyburton

Liana Striglio

Officer Stanley Parzyck, Capt. Michael De Bree, Lt. Nicole Guerriero

Officer Maeghan Cushnie and guest

ARTS GARAGE HONORS RONNIE DUNAYER AND LYNN FERGUSON

WHERE: Arts Garage

WHAT: Delray Beach’s beloved arts and entertainment venue celebrated the legacy of two of its most active longtime supporters, Ronnie Dunayer and Lynn Ferguson. The evening was highlighted by rousing performances by jazz pianist Dr. Gianni Bianchini and bassist Val Schafer ahead of a show-stopping, bluesladen finale by the Lauren Mitchell Band. Dunayer and Ferguson have been instrumental in the success of Arts Garage since its 2011 founding, with both serving as board members and presiding over expansions to its programming and reputation as a premier arts venue. “Ronnie and Lynn’s extraordinary commitment over the past 14 years has helped make Arts Garage what it is today,” said Arts Garage President and CEO Marjorie Waldo. “Their time, passion and financial support have provided our community—and all of South Florida— with consistent access to world-class entertainment.”

Ronnie Dunayer, Delray Beach Commissioner Juli Casale, Lynn Ferguson, Arts Garage

President and CEO Marjorie Waldo

Adrianne Kurman, Charlotte Dilks, Mindy Appel, JD Danner, Ellen Bloom Gary and Allison Mellon, John Engle, Josh Altug, Judi Fleming

Henry Feldman, Ronnie Dunayer, Diane Feldman

James White, Helen Rothlein

Gianni Bianchini, Lynn Ferguson

LILLY PULITZER DELRAY BEACH SHOPPING EVENT

WHERE: Lilly Pulitzer Downtown Delray Beach WHAT: The Downtown Delray Beach outpost of Lilly Pulitzer hosted a lavish shopping fundraiser to benefit the Frances J. Bright Woman’s Club. Delray Beach native Lori Durante volunteered and co-hosted the event, which raised funds for the woman’s club’s debutante programs and scholarships for high school girls. The Durante family’s support of the historical Black woman’s club goes back to 1970, when Lori’s mother served as both board member and chairperson of the debutante program.

Arlene Paris, Alisson Sealy

Anna Thomas Lori J. Durante, Cheryl Pompey Howard

Katia Hildebert

Rylie and Lori Evans

Joanne Ulysse-Elie, Nariah J. Elie

An

of Enchantment Gala

Invites

For questions on sponsorship opportunities and event informaton please contact Heather Dupree; hdupree@ymcaspbc.org 561-237-0965 YMCASPBC.ORG/25YEARS

Kathy Shore

VIETNAM WAR ARMY NURSE

HONOR FLIGHT VOLUNTEER

THEN: Kathy Shore was just out of nursing school in 1967 as the Vietnam War was continuing to gear up, claiming more and more lives of American soldiers. Wanting to help in the effort, Shore joined the Army, thinking she would be assigned to a VA hospital or another posting stateside. The idea of being sent to a frontline hospital on the other side of the globe never crossed her mind. But then, after nine months of working at an Army hospital in California treating severely wounded soldiers, the 21-year-old from the Boston area was told she would be going to Vietnam. There, she was helicoptered to the 3rd Surgical Hospital in the Mekong Delta, where she stayed for a year and a day beginning in 1968. “We got our wounded directly from the field,” she remembers. “It was organized chaos.” Because the hospital, which focused on stabilizing the wounded, was understaffed, nurses were asked to take on responsibilities that might normally have fallen on doctors. “It definitely changes you,” she says. “You begin to take pride in saving lives.”

NOW: For decades, Shore never spoke about her experience in Vietnam, not even to her children. Part of that was because of the treatment veterans received when they returned to the United States. Shore recalls people screaming at her as she walked through airports, and her race to change out of her uniform as quickly as she could. Vietnam remained tucked away in her memory until 2019, when she was cajoled into attending an Honor Flight, a full-day trip to Washington, D.C. for veterans, where they were treated like royalty. “I absolutely didn’t want to go,” she recalls. Once she did, however, she discovered other veterans who also didn’t feel comfortable talking about Vietnam—but who did when surrounded by those who could identify with one another. “It was such a positive, lifechanging experience,” she says. “I had a veteran come up to me sobbing and telling me that a nurse had saved his life.” With her daughter as her “guardian,” Shore began to open up. “All of a sudden, you begin to talk about things that you wouldn’t or couldn’t before. You are with people who went through what you went through.” A Delray Beach resident, Shore now is a volunteer with Southeast Honor Flight, helping encourage veterans to participate in the program. She also helps lead training for “guardians,” family members or volunteers who spend the day with an assigned veteran. She also shares her experience with nonprofit groups and other organizations.

“Honor Flights touch every veteran deep in their heart and awaken a shared experience with fellow vets. Suddenly these memories are comfortable, and the trip becomes life-altering.”

— Kathy Shore

CARINA MASK

YOUR VACATION FROM YOUR VACATION BEGINS HERE.

DELRAY MAGAZINE NOV/DEC 2025

MEET LOCALS WHO

20+ HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Let us build your dream home.

CONTENTS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025

10 Editor’s Letter

13 Hot List

20 Top 5/Calendar

26 Style

31 Home

36 Up Close

40 Holiday Happenings

44 The Giving Season

52 Up, Down and Out

91 Dining Guide

103 Out & About

112

ConnectionCommunity

HOME DECOR AND FURNITURE...

SERVICES

DIRECTORY

That Lovin’ Feeling

WHEREVER YOU ARE, WE CAN FIND THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

NEWS AND NOTES FROM DELRAY BEACH

Delray for the Holidays

MAKE IT RARE

A VERY DELRAY HOLIDAY

Burgers, Tex-Mex style

Amp Up, Cool Down

SOMETHING UNDER THE TREE

AFTER DARK: Roka Hula

World-Class Neurosurgery Right Here in Boca Raton.

TOP 5 November/December 2025

“THE SEAFARER”

“BOTH SIDES NOW”

“LIGHT AS AIR: THE BUOYANT SCULPTURES OF MARIKO KUSUMOTO”

“KIMBERLY AKIMBO”

“ANASTASIA SAMOYLOVA: ATLANTIC COAST”

READ THIS

WATCH THESE

End-of-the-year movies

LISTEN TO THIS

November/December 2025

Dec. 10-27:

HOME

DESIGN INSPIRATION TO BRING HOME

Take it Outside

IN MOTION

FUN & GAMES

EMPOWERING THE BEST MINDS IN MEDICINE

Puff, Puff, Sip

PARKER JACKSON IS RESHAPING THE VIEW ON CANNABIS THAT YOU CAN DRINK

The Right Angle

NICHOLAS METROPULOS’S MARINE EDUCATION INITIATIVE USES SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY

[ HOLIDAY CHEER ] BY BRET MARBACH

Holiday Fun in and Around Delray Beach

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING & YULETIDE FAIR

DELRAY BEACH HOLIDAY PARADE

DELRAY BEACH JINGLE BELL JOG 5K

BEYOND DELRAY

V H

VERIDIAN HOUSE

WHERE SOPHISTICATION MEETS NATURE

HabCenter:

Her

GIVE A HAND UP WITH JEWELRY

The Palm Beach County Food Bank :

MEETINGS WITH A HEARTFELT AGENDA

Arts Garage:

WITH A SONG IN YOUR HEART

OUT U PDOWN &

MAKING THE CLIMB

Drs. Ari Silverstein and David Taub

STAYING THE COURSE

INTO THE DEEP

The 561 Face of Luxury Diamonds

The 561 Faces of Healthy Smiles and Dental Implant Solutions

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