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Palms West Monthly • April 2021 • Page 1
WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • WEST PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE GROVES • THE ACREAGE
3rd Annual Palm Beach Jazz Festival comes to Kravis Center. PAGE 8
Volume 11, Number 4
PalmsWestMonthly.com
FREE • April 2021
Palm Beach County inching toward herd immunity with mass vaccination sites Palm PalmsBeach West Atlantic awards Hospital recognizes scholarships healthcare workers Palm Atlantic University PalmsBeach West Hospital marketed has awarded four of its seniors the one year anniversary of the school’s annual Women the first COVID hospitalization of by Distinction recognizingscholarships, all healthercare including Maria Landron workers that have been onofthe Royal Palm Beach. front lines of COVID.
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Photo by Palm West Monthly
Health Care District of Palm Beach County set up a mass vaccination site at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. The 22,000-squarefoot, air-conditioned tent can inject up to 7,000 vaccines daily.
Dramaworks announces Clematis by‘Young Night Playwrights’ begins concert winners series in April
Palm Beach Dramaworks has Clematis by Night begins its announced its 10 winners weekly concert series at theof the Young Playwrights Meyer Amphitheatre10-Minute in West Play Contest. Each winning play Palm Beach. General admission will be a professional and VIPread podsbyare available. actor PAGEon6March 24.
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The Belle ofhelp Volunteers distributecomes Amherst PPE toto areaDramaworks PB non-profits
Palm Beach Clinics Can Help Dramaworks and United Way is producing joined forces The Belle with dozens of of area volunteers Amherst, based onrecently the life of to give away Emily Dickison. $350,000 worth of personal PAGE 7 protective equipment.
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By LEAH SANKLEY Palm West Monthly WEST PALM BEACH- In pursuit of herd immunity, mass vaccination sites capable of inoculating thousands per day are popping up all over the country. In February, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County opened three mega vaccination sites throughout Palm Beach County, deeming their vaccination efforts as a quest toward “community immunity.” Experts say that herd immunity is achieved when 70% or more of a population is protected through immunity. Following the successful rollout of the three mass vaccination sites in Palm Beach County, four federal mass vaccination centers came to Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville. The Health Care District of Palm Beach County was formed 30 years ago to be the health care safety net for Palm Beach County. It provides health care services such as school health, health coverage, hospital care, nursing care, primary care clinics, a trauma system, and now COVID vaccination at three locations in Palm Beach County. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced that all age groups in the state
will likely be eligible to get vaccinated in April, while President Joe Biden called for vaccine eligibility for all adults nationwide by May 1. If the goal is to reach herd immunity in the coming months, mass vaccination clinics will be a crucial tool in inoculating enough Americans to achieve it as new variants of the virus proliferate. Run by the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, one of the largest vaccination sites in the region is located at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. The 22,000-square-foot, air-conditioned tent can inject up to 7,000 vaccines in a single day. This facility came together in about a week. To date, the most vaccines the organization has administered in one day is 3,500. Currently, the overwhelming demand for vaccines is higher than the supply. By most accounts, the South Florida Fairgrounds mega-site runs like a welloiled machine. A breath of fresh air for older Floridians who’ve been waiting to get vaccinated for over a month. The HCD Facebook page is brimming with positive reviews from individuals who got their COVID shots at their walk-through locations, praising the efficiency of the process. Several people stated that the entire experience took less than 30 minutes,
including the mandatory 15-minute postjab wait time to check for side effects. “It may well be the smoothest operation I have ever seen, and I am a businessperson and have seen many businesses and production lines,” said Mark Gulko, a 69-year-old Palm Beach County resident. “The workers, volunteers or not, were all very pleasant, and seemed happy to be there. They are to be commended.” Gulko received his COVID vaccines at the South Florida Fairgrounds site in February. The staff and volunteers at the HCD learned as they went, and in doing so, have created an exemplary model for mass vaccination clinics. Scheduling and intake are done online before arriving at the site. Staffed kiosks are available to assist anyone unable to fill out their paperwork beforehand. The data is then automatically uploaded to the state database. The HCD mass vaccination sites operate under an assembly line model to reduce time at each step. There’s even a station of volunteers whose job is solely dedicated to opening band-aids. From the volunteers directing traffic to the parking lot to the pre-printed immunization cards that point people to the more than 20 injection stations inside the facility, the process is designed to be streamlined to VACCIATION SITES / PAGE 5
“We have an amazing team of people who are working with and for our agency that are making our vaccinating initiative possible.” -Dr Belma Andric, CMO for Health District of Palm Beach County
Page 2 • Palms West Monthly • April 2021
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Palms West Monthly • April 2021 • Page 3
FACES & PLACES
Palms West Hospital pays tribute to medical workers after one-year anniversary of COVID-19 response By JAQUELINE DUFAULT Palm West Monthly LOXAHATCHEE- The time to hear about positivity and good news surrounding hospitals is well overdue. It’s been just over a year since the Covid-19 virus was declared a pandemic and hospitals began to raise to capacity. A well-deserved and necessary appreciation of nurses, doctors, hospital staff, paramedics, and front-line workers has been at an all-time high and there is now time to take a deep breath and admire the relentless, hard work that hospitals have put into saving lives and stopping the spread of the virus. One hospital in particular that deserves a standing ovation is Palms West Hospital, who has not only done incredible work surrounding Covid-19 but has continued to thrive all-around through their many specialties. Marking the oneyear anniversary of Palms West Hospital receiving their first COVD-19 patient, Loxahatchee Mayor Lisa Al-Ramey designated March 12rh as Palms West Hospital Worker Appreciation Day. Palms West Hospital is a fullservice acute care facility with a full-service range of specialties from an ER, stroke center, cardiac unit, surgical center, level 2 NICU, and orthopedics & spine specialty institute. The hospital has a census of over 200 beds,
Photo by Palms West Monthly The Loxahatchee community shows its support for healthcare workers. The sign says “HEROES WORK HERE” in front of the Palms West Hospital and the Children’s Hospital at Palms West.
1,200 employees and 655 physicians. Their focus is on patientdriven care and state-of-the-art technology in all services for residents of Palm Beach County, and their accreditations, awards, and recognitions show their hard work and the truth to their mission. Being an HCA Healthcare
hospital has many benefits that allow for the growth and success of Medical Centers such as Palms West Hospital. HCA Healthcare is a network of 180 hospitals and over 2,000 medical care facilities across the USA and UK whose focus is to “positively impact the care experience at the bedside and
Photo by Palms West Hospital Celebrating Palms West Hospital Worker Appreciation Day. From left to right: Josh DeTillio, CEO; Sheila Sanders, CNO; Lisa Al-Ramey, Mayor; Lorna Kerniza, COO; Alex Paya, CMO; Onel Rodriguez, CFO
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beyond.” According to HCA Healthcare themselves, their health system is able to analyze data from their 35 million patient encounters each year to create systems, processes and protocols that are aimed at improving healthcare and patient care every day, and to teach their employees best practices. They are dedicated to the future of medicine, and Palms West Hospital is a clear indicator of how well they are executing their mission. Recent recognitions that have been awarded include: Healthgrades’ 2020 Coronary Intervention Excellence Award, 2019 Gallbladder Surgery FiveStar Recipient, Healthgrades’ 2019 General Surgery Excellence Award, Healthgrades’ Patient Safety Excellence Award, Press Ganey’s 2019 Guardian of Excellence Award, Children’s Oncology Group 2019 accreditation and Blue Shield’s Blue Distinction Center for Spine Surgery. There is much more to running hospitals than one will see as a patient, or a visitor. For Palms West Hospital to continue to thrive, not only with Covid19 precautions, but upholding their award-winning status and
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achieving their mission of caring for Palm Beach residents, hours of training, drills, precautions, and procedures are put into place and executed. South Florida Hospital News recently reported on how Palms West Hospital prepared for the surge of ER patients as Covid was approaching its highest point. According to the South Florida Hospital News report, Palms West Hospital held an in-depth simulation drill to examine and strengthen existing processes, procedures and capabilities to prepare for the inrush of inneed patients that they were anticipating. Dr. Richard Giroux, Chief of Emergency Medicine, ran the drill outside of their ER with staff working in every area of the hospital, to run through scenarios and learn how to better triage their patients. Palms West Hospital was also one of 172 HCA Medical Centers who were chosen to participate in an important study around Covid-19 Plasma, studying and spreading awareness on how plasma can help patients immune systems fight the virus more effectively. However, Palms West Hospital has not only been about Covid-19 recovery, and underneath the depth of the hard times and darkness that has taken over 2020, there has been great news too. The maternity ward at Palms West Hospital is thriving, and it’s the exact type of news and joy that should be shared. There has been a 20-30% increase in childbirths during the months of the pandemic and it is expected to keep up over the next few months. From twins to triplets, the maternity ward was a light in a seemingly dark tunnel, filled with bundles of joy. Christine Lowman, RN, RN-OB, has been a Labor and Delivery nurse at Palms West Hospital, was awarded 2020 Nurse of the Year Daisy Award after being recognized and nominated by her peers for her outstanding performance. The pride that medical staff and nurses, especially, have been able to put into their work and their care, is
Palms West Monthly is published on the last Thursday of every month and is distributed throughout the Western Communities and Greater West Palm Beach. Views and opinions that are expressed in articles and columns are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher. All rights reserved. Letters from readers are welcome. All letters must include the writer’s name, phone number and address to be considered for publication. Please limit letters to 200 words or less.
Page 4 • Palms West Monthly • April 2021
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FACES & PLACES
Zoey wins Palm Beach Kennel Club’s Spring 2021 Mutt Derby
Photo by Palm West Hospital
PALMS WEST HOSPITAL / FROM PAGE 3
something that should not be taken for granted and should be remembered and appreciated always. As time moves forward, it’s more important than ever to take the time to focus on the light news and the good news, especially surrounding the healthcare field. There is incredible work being done behind-the-scenes, and on the frontlines, with hospitals, private practices, and with first responders that may not always make the top headlines, but are always important to acknowledge. Palms West Hospital was also one of 172 HCA Medical Centers who were chosen to participate in an important study around Covid-19 Plasma, studying and spreading awareness on how plasma can help patients immune systems fight the virus more effectively.
However, Palms West Hospital has not only been about Covid-19 recovery, and underneath the depth of the hard times and darkness that has taken over 2020, there has been great news too. The maternity ward at Palms West Hospital is thriving, and it’s the exact type of news and joy that should be
shared. There has been a 20-30% increase in childbirths during the months of the pandemic and it is expected to keep up over the next few months. From twins to triplets, the maternity ward was a light in a seemingly dark tunnel, filled with bundles of joy. Christine Lowman, RN, RN-OB, has been a Labor and Delivery nurse at Palms West Hospital, was awarded 2020 Nurse of the Year Daisy Award after being recognized and nominated by her peers for her outstanding performance. The pride that medical staff and nurses, especially, have been able to put into their work and their care, is something that should not be taken for granted and should be remembered and appreciated always. As time moves forward, it’s more important than ever to take the time to focus on the light news
WEST PALM BEACH- Zoey, a finalist in the medium dog division, defeated the largedog champ, Bailey to go on and become the Palm Beach Kennel Club’s 2021 Spring Mutt Derby champion. Zoey is a nine-year old Terrier mix. It was an extremely close finish with Zoey edging out a win but only one-half a length! The finale was held on March 20, when the top two finishers in each of the three groups, large, medium and small dogs, would compete for the title. Besides Zoey and Bailey, the other qualifying pup was Luna, a 12-lb chilhuahua mix. The finish was too close to call. An instant replay showed that Zoey had just barely edged out bailey by half a length. Zoey is owned by Sherry and Sim Hopkins of Greenacres. They will receive $1,000 for the win, and the two runners up received $500 and $250, respectively. “We were very happy and anxious to see the big finale and very excited to see the close photo finish. These events have been so much fun for everyone – including all of us who work here at PBKC. We have seen dogs of all shapes and sizes including great danes, boxers, terriers, yorkies, chihuahuas and so many other breeds, some of which a lot of us got our very first glimpse of! We can’t wait until we run our 2021 Fall Mutt Derby!” said PBKC President Pat Rooney, Jr. All proceeds from the $20 admission fees are being donated to local Greyhound adoption
Photo by Palm Beach Kennel Club
PBKC President Pat Rooney, Jr. makes the Award Presentation to Sim and Sherry Hopkins (left) and to Zoey, the winner of the 2021 Spring Mutt Derby.
groups. The Palm Beach Kennel Club offers free greyhound adoption every April and October. During the programs 15 years, over 700 retired racers have found new homes. If you are interested in adopting a greyhound or for more information on the Palm Beach Kennel Club, go to pbkennelclub.com or call at
Photo by Palms West Hospital
and the good news, especially surrounding the healthcare field. There is incredible work being done behind-the-scenes, and on the frontlines, with hospitals, private practices, and with first responders that may not always make the top headlines, but are always important to acknowledge.
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Palms West Monthly • April 2021 • Page 5
Health Care District of Palm Beach County mass vaccination initiative VACCINATION SITES / FROM PAGE 1
prevent anyone from having to wait outside in the sweltering Florida heat. The second vaccine appointment is scheduled on location, often while the individual is getting jabbed in the arm with their first dose. “We’ve invested a lot of our resources into the configuration of our scheduling tools and documentation systems so that it’s scalable and repeatable,” said Dr. Belma Andrić, Chief Medical Officer for the Health District of Palm Beach County. Andrić cites the underresourced public health infrastructure in the U.S. (which the pandemic has plainly exposed) as the reason for the agency’s formation 30 years ago, and why it remains an indispensable organization. “We have an amazing team of people who are working
Dr Belma Andric, CMO for Health District of Palm Beach County
with and for our agency that are making our vaccinating initiative possible,” Andrić said. The Health Care District of Palm Beach County mass vaccination initiative is staffed by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue, United Way volunteers, Palm Beach County leadership and the Florida Department of Health-Palm Beach County. “We learned how to operate this large-scale operation on the fly,” Andrić said. “We started small, but we were able to scale up very quickly.” The South Florida Fairgrounds site began by administering 500 vaccines daily and then increased to 2,000 the following week. With the nation’s vaccine supply anticipated to swell in the coming months, the South Florida Fairgrounds mass vaccination site may soon begin functioning at its full potential, putting 7,000 shots in the arms of Palm Beach County residents daily. The Health Care District’s additional mass injection sites are located at the South County Civic Center in Delray and the Burns Road Community Center in Palm Beach Gardens. Each of these locations is already capable of reaching its daily threshold of
Photo by Health Care District of Palm Beach County
Mass vaccination site is set up at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. Facility is run by the Health Care District of Palm Beach County and has a capacity of 7,000 shots a day.
1,000 shots. By mid-March, the HCD had distributed close to 30% of Palm Beach County’s allotted COVID vaccines. Once the need for megasites decreases and we’ve come close to or achieved herd immunity, grassroots efforts will need to be implemented to ensure accessibility. At this point, The Health Care District of Palm Beach County plans to deploy mobile vaccination clinics to reach marginalized
groups and the vaccine-hesitant. With the nation’s coronavirus vaccine supply continuing to increase, eligibility criteria loosening and cities and states rushing to open mass vaccination sites, a summer resembling pre-COVID times no longer feels like a far-flung fantasy; but herd immunity must occur for us to get there. Until then, wearing a mask and maintaining 6feet of dis-
tance from unvaccinated individuals is essential to curbing the pandemic. If you are in one of the eligible groups and would like to schedule an appointment to be vaccinated with the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, visit vaccine.hcdpbc. org. You’ll be placed in a virtual waiting room until vaccines become available. For more information on local vaccine distribution, visit p almbeach. floridahealth.gov.
Florida to expand eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine
Photo by Getty Images
By The ASSOCIATED PRESS TALLAHASSEE- Florida will open eligibility requirements to anyone 18 and older on April 5, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday. Starting March 29, the eligibility requirement for getting the vaccine will drop from 50 to 40, the governor said in a news release. The age requirement dropped from 60 to 50 on Monday. ``We have now vaccinated over 70% of the roughly 4.4 million seniors living in the state. We have also made great progress on those age 60 to 64 and those age 50 and older,`` DeSantis said in announcing the next steps. The governor urged people interested in getting the vaccine to pre-register at www. myvaccine.fl.gov. They will then be notified when the vaccine is available in their area. There is also vaccine pre-registration phone number in each county
for anyone who does not have online access. The vaccines are also available at 150 CVS locations, 125 Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club locations, more than 70 Winn Dixie locations, and every single one of the 730 Publix pharmacies across Florida. Soon, the vaccine will also be available at more than 600 Walgreens pharmacies statewide. Meanwhile, the Biden administration announced Thursday it was giving $368 million in federal funds starting next month to 47 community health centers across the state to help with vaccination efforts. Community health centers, which meet a set of federal criteria to qualify, serve vulnerable populations, including the uninsured, the under-insured, those living below poverty levels and those in rural areas who struggle to access care.
Page 6 • Palms West Monthly • April 2021
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SCENE FROM WEST PALM by Aaron Wormus | awormus@palmswestmonthly.com
Enjoy the spring nightlife of downtown West Palm Beach Are you ready to get out and enjoy the last bits of marvelous cool weather? Here are a couple of starting points to get you moving in April. The West Palm Beach Green Market, by far the finest in Florida, will be open until April 17. If you haven’t visited recently, it’s absolutely worth a trip downtown. Bring a mask and shop at all of our favorite local vendors. Grab a walk-around cone of cider donuts or some baked goodness from Aioli or Le Petit Pain. Need lunch? I suggest one of the 28 flavors of savory artpies or a bagel sandwich from Makeb’s Bagels. Come enjoy the cheese, pickles, olive oil, boba tea, offee, candles, kombucha, seafood, garlic, plants, orchids, ceviche with guacamole, straight-fromthe-farm produce, and so much more! Walk, ride your bike, or drive into town and take advantage of the free parking. Clematis By Night and Sunday at the Waterfront give patrons the ability to enjoy a chill evening of music on the waterfront in a safe environment at the Meyer Amphitheatre. The seating area is broken up into pods that are spaced 6 feet apart from each other. Pods can be reserved and will
Alchemy Juice Co & Market is open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Clematis at Night water and light show in downtown West Palm Beach.
be accepted until noon on the day of the concert. There are a limited number of pods, so call ahead to make sure you get one! If you want a VIP experience for $25, you can reserve a pod seating closest to the stage with a high-top table and unlimited free popcorn. Head over to WPB.org to make your reservation. On Thursday, April 22
from 6 to 8 p.m., the high energy South Florida band, Wonderama, will jam out to today’s chart-topping songs from the Billboard Hot 100 playlist. From 4 to 7 p.m. on April 25 the Carribean Chillers will turn Sunday at the Waterfront into “Margaritaville” as they pay tribute to the local great Jimmy Buffett. Finally on the 29th of April,
Photo by City of West Pam Beach
Roots Shakedown will bring their mix of rock, reggae, and dub to close out Clematis by Night for April. New lunch and dinner places are opening up. Alchemy Juice Co & Market at 527 Clematis St. opened in the beginning of March and is a labor of love by Jen Wesley. Jen was born and raised in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and has now officially adopted the 500 block of Clematis Street as her home. The company has been producing their intentionally crafted cold pressed juices since 2014. With this unique space they are expanding with a wide menu of soups, salads, bowls, sandwiches, smoothies, and more. The decor is unique, and the indoor/outdoor space makes it the perfect place to enjoy a healthy breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Or you can enjoy the “beautiful ritual of tea” at their tea bar.
Tropical Smokehouse quietly opened at 3815 S Dixie Highway in January. The space on Antique Row, formerly home to Mazie’s, is now smoking up tasty treats. Based on the name and the executive team you may be expecting one of two things: a gritty BBQ joint where you can feast on ribs soaked in BBQ sauce or chic fine dining with valet service and a long wait for reservations. You’d be wrong on both counts. Chef Rick Mace left the pomp of Café Boulud in Palm Beach and is putting a tropical twist on the southern fare with an environment and price that will satisfy everyone. The menu has traditional meats and sides and includes exquisite salads, smoked fish, and an incredible dessert list. There are no reservations. Ordering takes place on their app, and the meal is promptly served. There is a full bar that includes everything from craft cocktails to Bud Lite. They have an impressive beer, wine, and whiskey list. I hope this gives you some good ideas for everything that’s happening in April. Remember to stay safe, get your Covid-19 vaccine, and then shoot on downtown to enjoy the fun.
Aaron Wormus, the “guy” behind West Palm Beach’s popular aGuyonClematis Twitter account and blog, reports on news and happenings in and around West Palm Beach. Follow Aaron on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news throughout the month.
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Palms West Monthly • April 2021 • Page 7
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The Belle of Amherst comes to Palm Beach Dramaworks By ROBERT HAGELSTEIN Palms West Monthly During the pandemic, Palm Beach Dramaworks’ stage has been ghost lit, limiting productions to professional Zoom readings. But that is going to change with their its upcoming co-production of “The Belle of Amherst.” This has been a vision of Palm Beach Dramaworks Producing Artistic Director William Hayes and Actors’ Playhouse Artistic Director David Arisco, joining forces on a virtual co-production of William Luce’s one-woman play based on the life of Emily Dickinson. Margery Lowe portrays the enigmatic poet and Hayes will direct. This fullystaged, costumed show will be filmed on Dramaworks’ main stage without the presence of an audience. It will be streamed from April 2-6. Dickinson is acknowledged as one of the most important American poets of the 19th century, with a style connecting the romantic and modern era. The poet’s growing popularity has recently been adopted by film and TV productions depicting aspects or imagined aspects of her life. But first, there was William Luce’s 1976 “The Belle of Amherst,” in which he co-mingles her letters and poems and creates a moving Dickinsonian text which was in part inspired by one of the leading actors of our times, Julie Harris, who then played by her Dickinson on Broadway. It is a high bar to clear. Luckily for us, we have one of the great actors in South Florida to perform the role, – Margery Lowe,. She has already portrayed “another” Emily in Joseph McDonough’s world premiere of the comic fantasia “Edgar and Emily” at Palm Beach Dramaworks in 2018. “Margery is a lovely actress, and she has great warmth onstage,” said Arisco. “She’s an interesting combination of maturity and youthfulness in her performances, so she’s a terrific choice.” William Hayes agrees. “Having seen Marge embody Dickinson in a very different play, and having developed a professional bond over 15 years and numerous productions, I know she has the range, the skill set, and the artistry to pull this off brilliantly,” said Hayes. This is not the first one-person play which has been effec-
On Stage
Listings are current as of press time. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we encourage you to contact venues for their safety guidelines and to confirm performances.
Theater & Concerts
Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center
1977 SW College Dr., Belle Glade (561) 993-1160, palmbeachstate.edu Missoula Children’s Theatre – June 25 / Adults: $10; Children: $6
Lake Worth Playhouse
Photo by Palm Beach Dramaworks
Margery Lowe plays Emily Dickinson in The Belle of Amherst
tively staged by Dramaworks. As diverse as these plays are, they have one thing in common. It’s the unique formula which makes one-actor plays so compelling: intimacy. The audience is directly engaged, and the actor often breaks the fourth wall so we see them up close and personal. The best ones are rare theatre gems – and certainly “Belle of Amherst” is in that company as well. The play is set in her Dickinson’s Amherst, Mass. home, where the playwright skillfully utililizes the poet’s own diaries and letters to create her encounters with the significant people in her life. It balances the agony of her seclusion with the brief bright moments when she was able to experience some joy. Luce weaves Dickinson’s poetry throughout the script illuminating her brilliance as well as her humanity as well. She basks in the sunshine of her eccentricities and enjoys playing up that part to her neighbors. There are more than a dozen imaginary characters in the play with whom Emily has “conversations.” These are of course one sided, but the audience can figure out what Emily is hearing. At the heart of the production is her genius and her contentment with her home being her universe. (“You see, I’ve never had to go anywhere to find my paradise. I found it all right here – the only world I wanted … Paradise is no journey, because it is within. But for that very cause, it’s the most arduous of journeys. I travel the road into my soul all the time.”) “It’s definitely daunting being the only one in the dressing room, and it sure is a lot of just my voice,” said Lowe, when asked about doing a onecharacter play. “Plus … oh, so many words! But in an odd way,
it doesn’t feel alone because so much of her family is ‘on stage’ with her.” Lowe particularly admires the playwright. “The truth of this Emily has to come from what the author writes in the text. I think William Luce wanted to shatter the previous image of a dour recluse and show a woman in her youth, her relationships throughout her life, her joy and brightness, her existential and introspective struggles and her immense wit,” said Lowe. “My greatest hope is that we honor his intentions and show a real, feeling, strange, funny woman that just happened to think differently, using her words in a way that most of us can only dream of.” As this is being professionally filmed and edited, with a Carbonell award-winning team of William Hayes as director, set designer Michael Amico, and costume designer Brian O’Keefe, it is an auspicious beginning of a real theatre season. Tickets are free to those who subscribed to the upcoming season of Dramaworks or Actors’ Playhouse. If anyone is uncertain whether they are current subscribers or wishes to subscribe now to receive a free ticket to “The Belle of Amherst,” contact the respective box offices). Non-subscribers can purchase the link to view the show during its streaming period of April 2-6 for $30 through Palm Beach Dramaworks’ website, palmbeachdramaworks.org or by calling the box office at (561) 514-4042. Hayes and Arisco are planning to announce their 20212022 season shortly. “It’s our way of saying we’re still here, we’re still creating art, and we’d love your attendance when you feel comfortable,” they said.
VINTAGE
DECORATIVE ARTS ANTIQUES FESTIVAL
ADMISSION
Fri: 12-5 • Sat: 9-5 • Sun: 10-4:30 $8.00 One Day Adult Seniors $7.00 • Under 16 Free FRIDAY EARLY BUYER 9-12: $25 (Friday ticket good all 3 days!)
713 Lake Ave., Lake Worth (561) 586-6410, lakeworthplayhouse.org Next to Normal – Mar 26 - April 11 / $35 Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill April 30- May 16 / $35Mr. Burns by Anne Washburn; a post-electric play- May 14- 23 / $35 Send in the Queens- May 22 / $35
Kravis Center
701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach (561) 832-7469, kravis.org Palm Beach Atlantic, Dance Ensemble Spring Concert– April 10- 11 / $60 Anthony Nunziata – April 10-11 / $35-$45 Palm Beach Symphony Presents Julian Schwarz – April 19 / $30 Palm Beach International Jazz Festival April 24 / $25 virtual, $180 per four tickets Art Heist Experience– April 29- May 16 / $41.50
Parker Playhouse
707 Northeast 8th St., Fort Lauderdale (954) 462-0222 Jonathan Antoine – April 16 / $35.50-$45.50 Abba The Concert A Tribute to Abba– July 23 / $37- $57 Palm Beach Improv Comedy Theatre 550 S Rosemary Ave, West Palm Beach– (561) 833-1812, palmbeachimprov.com New Faces of Comedy Open Mic– March 30- April 28 / $5 Craig Robinson– April 9- 11 / $35- $45 Jon Lovitz– April 16- 18 / $30- $40 Carlos Mencia– Apr 29- May 2 / $30- $40
Museums & Exhibits Boca Raton Museum of Art
2700 6th Ave. S., Lake Worth - 279-0907 Adults: $12, Seniors: $10, Students: free Paul Gervais: Faces and Forms – through May 30 Glasstress Boca Raton 2021 – through Sept. 5 An Irresistible Urge to Create: The Monroe Family Collection of Florida Outsider Art – through Sept. 5
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
4000 Morikami Park Rd., Delray Beach (561) 495-0233 Collecting Stories – through April 3 / Adults: $15, seniors: $13, children: $9
Norton Museum of Art
1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach -
832-5196 Adults: $18; seniors: $15; students: $5 George Cohen: Artist of the Chicago Avant-Garde – through May 16 Art Finds a Way – through May 30 Jose Alvarez (D.O.P.A.): The Krome Drawings – through May 30
Palm Beach Photographic Centre 415 Clematis St., West Palm Beach (561) 253-2600 Maggie Steber From the Heart – through April 30 / free
The Society of the Four Arts
100 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach (561) 655-7226, fourarts.org Easter in Art – April 3 / $15 Leave it to Ludwig– April 17 / free Swan Lake– April 25 / $25
South Florida Fairgrounds
9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach (561) 793-0333, southfloridafair.com West Palm Beach Antique Festival – April 2- 4 / Adults: $8; Under 16: free West Palm Beach Spring Home Show– April 9- 11 History & Haunts– April 17 / $35 Florida Outdoor Expo– April 23- 25
South Florida Science Center
4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach (561) 832-1988, sfsciencecenter.org Real Bodies – through April 11 / Adults: $17.95; Seniors: $15.95; Children 3-12: $13.95 Health and Wellness Expo– April 3 Adult: $18; Kids: $14; Members: free Laser Lights and Bites– April 9 / Adults: $12; Children $10/ Member Adult: $10; $8
Outdoor Events Clematis by Light
Meyer Amphitheatre at Sunfest Park 105 Evernia Street, West Palm Beach (561) 822-1200, wpb.org Clematis by Night: Wonderama– April 22/ General: free; VIP Seating $25 per pod (4) Clematis by Night: Roots Shakedown– April 29 / General: free; VIP Seating $25 per pod (4)
Royal Palm Beach Commons Park
11600 Poinciana Blvd, Royal Palm Beach (561) 790-5124, royalpalmbeach.com The Angry Birds 2 Movie – April 2 Andrew Morris Bank– April 9 Greggie & The Jets: Elton John Tribute– April 23 Trolls World Tour Movie– April 30 Royal Palm Beach Green Market and Bazaar – Saturdays through April 24
Downtown West Palm Beach
Downtown Waterfront, West Palm Beach (561) 822-1515 West Palm Beach GreenMarket – Saturdays through April 17
WE ARE BACK! All CDC guidelines will be in effect
– Over 300 Dealers! –
MARCH APRIL 2,5,36&&47 UPCOMING DATES: June 4, 5 & 6
DISCOUNT COUPON at wpbaf.com SOUTH FLORIDA FAIRGROUNDS • 9067 Southern Blvd. • WPB “Florida’s largest monthly antique event” info@wpbaf.com • (941) 697-7475 I-95 Exit 68 (Southern Blvd.) then West 7 miles • Turnpike Exit 97 then 1½ miles West, then right on Fairgrounds Rd.
Page 8 • Palms West Monthly • April 2021
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Local Happenings Wellington’s drivethru EGGstravaganza at two locations
Would it really be Easter without the ubiquitous plastic eggs stuffed with sweets? In a child’s viewpoint, probably not. Easter egg hunts look a little different during COVID. But don’t sweat it, your kiddos can still get their hands on some of those precious eggs at this drive-thru event. The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Children 10 and under will receive goodie bags. EGGstravaganza will be on Saturday, April 3rd from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at two places: Wellington High School, 2101 Greenview Shores Blvd and Village Park, 11700 Pierson Rd. There is no charge but registration in advance is required. Event is open to residents of Wellington only. Reservations can be made through Eventbrite. For more information, visit wellingtonfl. gov or call (561) 791-4796.
Backstreet Boys and NSYNC laser light show comes to SF Science Center
Let nostalgia take over at the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC laser concert. When your child reminds you that they have no
Included in the performances are Jesse Jones Jr, Rob Russell and Troy Anderson. Choose to attend virtually for $25 or purchase a 4-person table at the event for $180. For tickets, visit Kravis.org/events/ jazzfestival2021. The festival is April 24 at 2:00. and 8:00 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. For any questions call (561) 832-7469 or visit kravis.org.
Photo submitted by Palm Beach Dramaworks
The ten winners of the Palm Beach Dramaworks Playwright contest, from left, are Emma Young, Lexi McCulla, Carlyn Serpone, Amanda Miller, Lauren Ortega, Barrett Vargas, Jaynie Curzi, Felicity Dillow, Murleve Roberts and Sunaina Singh.
idea who these boy bands are, just remember, you aren’t old, you’re wise (and super hip). In addition to jamming out to the music of your childhood, you’ll be able to explore the outdoor science exhibits, grab food at the
Gimmie Grillin’ food truck and play mini golf. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for kids and free for children three and under. The laser light show is on April 9 from 6 - 9 p.m. It will be at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium located at 4801 Dreher Trail N, West Palm Beach. For more information
call (561) 832-1988 or go to sfsciencecenter.org.
Palm Beach International Jazz Festival comes to the Kravis Center
The 3rd Annual Palm Beach International Jazz Festival is coming to West Palm Beach. This full, one-day event celebrates the many facets of jazz music and features six highly acclaimed artists and bands playing two concerts.
Bacon & Bourbon Fest is coming to Village of Wellington
A festivity dedicated to spending two full days celebrating bacon and bourbon is basically a dream come true, and arguably, a necessity considering the year we’ve all had. Some of South Florida’s finest chefs are reconvening in April for the annual Bacon & Bourbon Fest. Attendees will get the chance to taste a wide selection of bacon-infused dishes. The menu items vary from new American cuisine and unique concoctions to farm to table comfort food. Savor the famous Forever Roasted Bourbon BBQ Pork & Bacon Sandwich, or if you’re feeling adventurous, head over to the insane Bacon Bar featuring chocolate peanut covered CONTINUE ON NEXT PAGE
Dramaworks announces ‘Young Playwrights’ winners
and be found on the Village of Wellington’s website, wellingtonfl.gov/grants. Palm Beach Dramaworks has announced its 10 winners of the Young Playwrights 10-Minute Play Contest. These winners were chosen among Palm Beach County students in grades 9-12. Each winning play will be read by a professional actor on March 24. Tickets to the event must be reserved in advance. Each winner will be awarded $250 and receive an anthology of the winning plays. To reserve tickets to the virtual performance or for more information, visit Palm Beach Dramaworks website at palmbeachdramaworks.org or call the box office at (561) 514-4042.
Wellington Garden Club works to keep Wellington beautiful
Under the guidance of Jim Thompson and Kay Brown, the Wellington Garden Club participates in Wellington’s Adopt-AStreet program. Four times a year, members of the garden club pick up litter along Greenbriar Boulevard. All equipment is provided by the Village of Wellington. Wellington Garden Club is a non-profit Wellington organization founded in 1982. They meet the first Monday of each month. For more information about the Wellington Garden Club, send an email to info@
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Palms West Monthly • April 2021 • Page 9
Local Happenings LOCAL HAPPENINGS / FROM PAGE 8
and pepper, brown sugar dipped bacon and bacon desserts. Be sure to pair whichever dish you choose with a glass (or two) of the 60+ eclectic bourbon and whiskeys up for offer. This free, family-friendly event will have live music, ticketed food and bourbon pairing seminars, backyard games and of course, a whole lot of bacon and booze. The Bacon & Bourbon Fest is coming the the Town Center Promenade in the Village of Wellington. It will be April 24, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and April 25, 11 a.m to 6 p.m.
West Palm Beach Art Festival at City Place April 17th Art lovers, rejoice! The vibrant neighborhood of Rosemary Square will once again be hosting West Palm Beach’s beloved annual art festival. Wander through the many artists’ tents and discover a diverse array of handmade creations made by local and national artists. You’ll find everything from life-size sculptures to unique paintings, jewelry, photography, ceramics and much more. The socially-distanced affair is free. The event is family friendly, and well-behaved pets are welcome. Hand washing and sanitation stations will be
available throughout. This years festival is April 17- 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located in downtown West Palm Beach at City Place. The address is 700 South Rosemary Ave and there is plenty of garage parking.
Sweet Corn Fiesta is coming to the South Florida Fairgrounds
Fresh and buttery, locally grown sweet corn just tastes like Summer. Attendees are invited to celebrate the county’s heritage as the “Sweet Corn Capital of the World” at the annual Sweet Corn Fiesta, presented by the Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau. Highlights of this event include tasty food and drink offerings, live music and lots of activities for kids. There’s even a National Sweet Corn Eating Championship. The victor takes home $6,100. But it isn’t for the faint of stomach. The last winner ate a whopping 57 ears of corn in just 12 minutes. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids and free for children under five. The Sweet Corn Fiesta is taking place April 25, from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. It is located at Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd. Fun fact: West Palm Beach grows the most sweet corn out of any county in the entire country.
Food Bank in Palm Beach County Welcomes a New CEO and Development Director after extensive search After nearly a nine-month intensive national search for a new CEO, the search is finally over. The Palm Beach County Food Bank has named Jamie A. Kendall to lead the local nonprofit focused on ending hunger in Palm Beach County. Long-time fundraising pro Ellen Vaughan is now the new development director. It is an exciting time for the Food Bank as they are moving to the fullyfunded distribution center and warehouse in mid-March, which will double its capacity to serve the community better.
Jamie A. Kendall, the new CEO of the Palm Beach County Food Bank
The Palm Beach County Food Bank has programs that help families, children, and seniors in need. The Food Bank provides food to almost 200 local community partners, such as soup kitchens, food pantries, and other residential housing programs. Food is gathered from local grocery stores, food distributors, wholesalers, farmers, and other sources that donate to the cause. Other partner agencies distribute products and other necessary items such as diapers and paper towels. The entire process was put together to ensure that families have food when it is needed the most. Those in need of food assistance can visit Palm Beach County’s Food Bank website to find the closest food distribution center in or around their neighborhood. If you would like to volunteer, host a food drive, or make a donation to the Palm Beach County Food Bank, visit pbcfoodbank.org or call 561-670-2518. Let’s fight hunger together.
Palm Beach State College students get boost from Follett scholarship PBSC scholarship will first target students who work in the service and hospitality industries because of the pandemics affect on them. LAKE WORTH- Palm Beach State College’s longtime business partner, Follett Higher Education Group, has announced a new scholarship to students to help with tuition and other educational-related expenses. The scholarship fund is $125,000 over five years and will first target students who work in the service and hospitality industries affected by the pandemic and are back in school sharpening up their skills. “Community Colleges play an important role in educating students of various educational needs and backgrounds in the very places where students live, serve and contribute. They not only prepare students for a continued adult life of learning but support the professional development of people who influence and create change impacting the growth of their community,’’ said Todd Litzsinger, chairman/president of Follett. “Palm Beach State College embodies this community position, and Follett is excited to provide scholarships to support the students there.” David Rutherford, vice president of advancement and executive director of the Palm Beach State College Foundation, said, “These scholarships greatly benefit the students we serve, particularly those affected by the current circumstances. They help us fulfill our mission to
Photo by Palm Beach State College PBSC student James Gilleran works on troubleshooting basic electronic circuits. transform lives and strengthen this community.” Scholarships are open to full-time and part-time students with a 2.5 GPA average or higher and who have a financial need. Students can apply now for the Follett Higher Education Group scholarships directly through the PBSC Foundation.
The deadline to apply for this scholarship is June 15th, so apply now. To apply for the scholarship Follett Higher Education Group scholarships and Foundation scholarships, students can visit: https://www.palmbeachstate. edu/foundation/student-scholarships/default.aspx.
Photo by Palm Beach State College
Serving 47,000 students, Palm Beach State College is the largest institution of higher education in Palm Beach County, providing bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, professional certificates, career training and lifelong learning. Established in 1933 as Florida’s first public community college, Palm Beach State offers more than 130 programs of study at locations in Lake Worth, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Belle Glade and Loxahatchee Groves.
Page 10 • Palms West Monthly • April 2021
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Palms West Monthly • April 2021 • Page 11
THE VILLAGE NATURE CALLSIDIOT by Jim Mullen
Florida on pace for record number of manatee deaths in 2021 By The ASSOCIATED PRESS FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) _ A combination of cold weather, a decline in seagrass due to development and contaminated waterways have put Florida on pace for its highest number of manatee deaths in a decade. The number of deaths, 432 so far this year, is nearly three times the five-year average of 146 deaths between Jan. 1 and March 5, the South Florida SunSentinel reported, citing figures from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Last year, the state recorded 637 manatee deaths, and in 2019, 607. ``It’s this combination we have of cold weather, we have a reduction of where manatees can go, and in the places where manatees can go, as a consequence of human development and other activities, we have poor water quality which has resulted in these grass die-offs,’’ said Jaclyn Lopez, Florida director of the Center for Biological Diversity. The largest number of deaths is in Brevard County, with 179, the newspaper reported. Many of those deaths occurred along the Indian River, which is a common warm water gathering place, officials said. The manatees swim away to eat sea grass, which is their main
dead manatees have not had necropsies to determine their causes, Rose said. ``You’re always better off when you have a real scientific understanding of what’s actually happening,’’ he said.
A manatee swims in Crystal City, FL. source of food. But they aren’t finding as much, so they return hungry to the warmer water. ``A manatee will choose starvation over freezing to death,’’ Lopez said. Officials said cold stress has accounted for 41 deaths so far. There were 52 cold-stress deaths among manatees in 2020, officials said. Patrick Rose, an aquatic biologist and executive director of the Save the Manatee Club,
Photo by Getty Images
told the SunSentinel that typically manatees would stay in the Banana River or Mosquito Lagoon, in the northern end of the Indian River Lagoon. But the loss of sea grass there is forcing them into other areas. The southern end of the Indian River Lagoon has suffered from a series of algal blooms and phytoplankton blooms, and the infusion of fresh water and nutrients from Lake Okeechobee has stressed
that system and wiped out much of its sea grass, the newspaper reported. Rose said there are probably more manatee deaths than the state has documented and the causes might not be accurately attributed. While the state wildlife commission rescues sick and injured manatees, coronavirus pandemic-related personnel shortages and restrictions have meant that nearly 70% of the
Patrick Rose is the executive director of Save the Manatee Club. Save the Manatee Club is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) and membership-based organization established in 1981 by renowned singer/songwriter, Jimmy Buffett, and former U.S. Senator, Bob Graham, when he was governor of Florida. Funds from the Club’s Adopt-A-Manatee program go toward efforts to help protect manatees and their habitat. Unlike other animal adoption programs, the manatees in our adoption programs are real, living manatees with known histories. To adopt a manatee or to donate go to savethemanatee. org/how-to-help/adopt-a-manatee/ or call 800-432-5646.
Who let the dogs out?
How you can keep your pets safe during the summer heat By DR. KARINA SALVO AcuVetDoc Palms West Monthly Spring has sprung and summer is soon to follow! With the change of season comes the change in weather and increasing heat and humidity. Soon we will forget about the cool weather and bask in the hot sun at the beach! As we all enjoy the changing seasons and the warming weather, we also have to be aware of hydration and the overheating potential (heat stroke) in our pets! Our dogs love to go for walks and play at the park and beach, but increasing temperatures can be very dangerous for our little furry friends. Working in an animal ER, I have seen numerous cases of heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat stroke during the summer months. Many of these pets come in severely dehydrated and panting excessively (which further increases dehydration). They are often weak with temperatures above 104 degrees. These little patients have to be hospitalized to receive intravenous fluid therapy, slow body temperature cooling, and close monitoring of vital signs—often for several days. Some patients appear stable, but quickly decompensate and become critical to grave within minutes to hours of presentation. Overheating can happen very quickly and can lead to devastating consequences!
It is important to keep your friend cool and hydrated during the next few months as we head into the hottest time of the year. Be sure to bring plenty of water with you to the park or even on short walks! While some breeds are more likely to overheat before others (particularly short-nosed breeds like bulldogs, frenchies, and pugs), every dog outside for any extended period is certainly at risk! Longer walks should be done in the early mornings and evening hours when it’s cooler outside. Never leave your dog in a car, even with the windows down or the a/c on. Accidents can happen to anyone, and they are simply avoided by not leaving your pet unattended. Cars can act like ovens and raise temperatures well over 120 degrees. Are you leaving your dog outside in the yard? Put yourself in their four little paws. Even with a dog house and water, I wouldn’t want to be stuck outside all day—it’s hot out there! As we all welcome the warmer weather here, please remember to bring water with you to the beach, the park, for a walk, and wherever you go. When possible, avoid going outside during the hottest times of the day (remember the pavement gets hot for those little toes too!) I hope that this brings more awareness of the South Florida heat and how it affects our pets.
UPCOMING EVENTS
5PM-9PM
We will be following CDC guidelines and keeping social distancing at our events
February - 12
January - 8
Concert Series
Movie Series
SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 January - 15
February - 19 Movie Series
Concert Series
TWIN MCGRAW January - 22
STAR WARS RISE OF SKYWALKER February - 26
Movie Series
Concert Series
SONIC
BLUES BROTHERS AND TINA TURNER
January - 29 Concert Series
TRUE RUMOURS (Fleetwood Mac) February - 5 Movie Series
THE SPAZMATICS (80s Party)
March - 5 Movie Series
ALADDIN
March - 12 Concert Series
COMPLETELY UNCHAINED (Van Halen)
April - 9 Concert Series
ANDREW MORRIS BAND April - 16
March - 19
Concert Series
Movie Series
BANDS TBD
March - 26
Concert Series
JUMANJI: NEXT LEVEL Concert Series
THE LONG RUN (Eagles)
April - 23 GREGGIE AND THE JETS (Elton John) April - 30
April - 2 Movie Series
THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE 2
Concert Series
BANDS TBD
GEMINI MAN 11600 POINCIANA BLVD, ROYAL PALM BEACH, FLORIDA 33411
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.ROYALPALMBEACH.COM Royal Palm Beach Movies are rated G to PG-13 and are subject to change. Snacks will be provided on site. Please bring your own seating!
Page 12 • Palms West Monthly • April 2021
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Health Matters
If you are a health professional who would like to submit an article to Health Matters, please send an e-mail to newsdesk@PalmsWestMonthly.com for details.
Prepare for a growing crisis in long-term care By SARA FINKELSTEIN Palms West Monthly In case you haven’t noticed, people are living longer than ever before. Not all that long ago, life expectancy was just 47 (in the year 1900). That’s right, just 47 years. Now, however, a 65-year-old male has a 50% chance of living beyond age 85, and a 25% chance of living beyond 92. Females have a 50% chance of living beyond 88 and a 25% chance of living beyond 95. Married couples have an even longer life expectancy! A 65-year-old couple has a 25% chance that one of them will live to 97. With the help of medical advances, our population is aging into their 90s and even 100s. My Grandmother is 98, and her oldest sister lived to 106. Do you have longevity on your side? Living a long life is GOOD NEWS. It means more opportunities to enjoy spending time with family and friends and more time to do the things we enjoy doing. Let’s
The Capstone at Royal Palm senior living in Royal Palm Beach.
not forget, with living a long life comes certain challenges: 1. how to make sure you don’t run out of money before you run out of life (a major concern for many Americans); 2. how to maintain good health into your older years so
you can enjoy life to the fullest.; 3. how to leave a legacy to family and charity, and; 4. how to protect your nest egg from devastatingly expensive healthcare costs in retirement, which includes the
Photo by The Capstone at Royal Palm
potential need for long term care. Let’s address the long-term care issue. Throughout our lives, without even thinking, we perform what’s called “Activities of Daily Living”. These “activities” include bathing, eating, dressing, walking, using the toilet, and getting in and out of a chair. As we age, the probability of needing assistance (due to illness, accident, or cognitive decline) is tremendous. Statistically, 70% of people over the age of 65 will need long term care at some point. Although the average length of care is three years, many go beyond that. 70% probability is huge! Think about it this way – the risk of having a fire in your home is just 3%. The risk of having a bad car accident is 18%. We insure both of those risks. Yet 88% of Americans have not prepared for this risk. Is it because they don’t think about it? Probably. Is it because they don’t want to spend money on yet another insurance that they may never need? Maybe. Yet, 71% of the 78 million Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) feel that the potential need for long term care is the greatest threat to their retirement. It is scary to consider, yet essential to discuss with our families. Do they plan to stay at home as long as possible? Who will provide them with the care they need? How will they pay for it? How long could you (or your loved one) afford to stay in a nursing home? With the average cost of $8000 - $10000 per month, 66% of Americans could only afford a nursing home for two years or less. What is happening in your local area? I’m sure you’ve noticed the construction of many new assisted living communities. These are cropping up because there is a definite need for them due to the fact that the population is aging and families live far apart. In
Palm Beach county, 31% of the population is over 60. Palm Beach County has approximately 125 assisted living communities. Some are small homes and others are large communities. Lori Rolat, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing at The Capstone at Royal Palm Beach, shares that the average age of a new resident is 80, and the oldest resident there is 95. Health issues such as a stroke, Parkinsons, or MS encourage residents to move in. This new community also offers memory care for those with cognitive issues. For too long people have thought of long-term care as a challenge for the elderly. However, forty percent of people receiving long term care (whether at home, in assisted living, or in a nursing home) are younger than 65. Their need for long term care may stem from a tragic accident or serious illness. One’s future need for long term care requires prior financial planning because these communities are costly. For example, apartments at The Capstone range from $4200$6900 in monthly rent. Then care level upgrades are added to the rent, which may add another $300-$2400 per month. Given that the average claim is three years, how are families going to deal with this? Will they deplete assets to pay for care? What will be left over for the healthy spouse? Here’s my suggestion - have a written plan to deal with this emotional and financial burden. Would you rather pay 100% of the cost when the time comes or could you benefit by passing some (or all) of the risk to an insurance carrier? If you wish to avoid paying full price, then this may be an option for you and your family. But you have to act while you can qualify for the coverage. It’s all about planning. Isn’t it true that the actions we take today affect our tomorrows?!!
Sara Finkelstein is the author of, “Wi$dom for Women – Discover the Challenges You Must Overcome to Live the Life and Retirement You Deserve.” Sign up for Sara’s upcoming “Medicare & Social Security” workshop April 6th and 10th. medicareonlineworkshop.com. Learn more about Sara by visiting her website at signatureadvisorygroup.com.
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Palms West Monthly • April 2021 • Page 13
Health Matters
Important tips to protect seniors from scammers By PHILIP RAMIREZ CCO, Prominence Health Plan As the country continues to grapple with COVID-19, health care officials are reminding people to be on high alert for scammers. According to a recent study, older Americans lose almost $36.5 billion dollars each year due to fraud and scams.* Some of the most common scams targeting seniors include strangers claiming to be with Medicare or a health insurance company to obtain personal information or lure individuals into false investment opportunities through various scare tactics. Now, with the COVID-19 vaccination underway, scammers are reaching out to seniors asking for payment or personal information in exchange for a false promise of being placed at the front of the queue to receive the vaccine. A big part of protecting yourself from scams and fraud is being vigilant and knowing what kinds of scams are out there and how fraudsters operate. Identity theft comes in many forms and is often perpetrated in the healthcare industry by criminals attempting to receive healthcare under another person’s identity or even to seek prescription drugs from the hospital or pharmacy. Regarding your healthcare, it is important to know that no one from the government will call or email you to sell you an insurance plan or ask for personal identifying information. In order to protect you from the COVID-19 vaccine scam, as well as other healthcare-related scams, here are some steps you can take to prevent being a victim. COVID-19 Vaccine Fraud Tips: 1) Consult your state’s health department website for up-to-date information about authorized vaccine distribution channels. Obtain a vaccine only
through such channels. 2) Review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at CDC.gov for trustworthy information on the COVID-19 vaccine. 3) Medicare covers the COVID-19 vaccine, so there will be no cost to you. If anyone asks you to pay for access to the vaccine, this is a scam. 4) You can’t pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccination. 5) You can’t pay to get early access to the vaccine. General Fraud Tips: 1) Do not give out any personal information over the phone or internet, such as social media platforms, to someone you don’t know, including banking or financial information. Keep your social security number confidential. 2) Do not respond to unsolicited offers or advertisements. 3) Do not sign anything you don’t understand or if you are under pressure. 4) Take your time to do your research before making the decision to do business with an individual or business. 5) Be wary of anything that sounds too good to be true or “guarantees” something. 6) Don’t immediately feel compelled to “act now” on an offer. 7) Frequently check your financial statements, bills, credit reports and other important documents for any irregularities. 8) Unlist your phone number and add it to the Do Not Call list. If you come across a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or contact your local health plan provider. Prominence Health Plan members may contact us directly at 561-396-9968 (TTY: 711).
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Page 14 • Palms West Monthly • April 2021
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Health Matters
Seven Steps to a Better Night’s Sleep Are you having trouble getting a good night’s sleep? If you are, you’re not alone. Whether the cause is from a medical condition, stressful situations in life, irregular sleep patterns from shift work, or any number of other reasons, more and more people are waking up feeling less than rested. Though we can’t eliminate everything from our lives that can make our time sleeping less than ideal, there are some suggestions anyone can try that can lead to a better night’s sleep.
you. #7 – Darker Rooms Make for Better Sleeping
#1 – Exercise Regularly Some light exercise, such as yoga or walking, can help you get a better night’s sleep when done on a regular basis. This is because 30 to 60 minutes of exercise, when done at least three times a week, can help to relieve any built up muscle tension. Less muscle tension will allow you to feel more relaxed in bed, essentially laying the groundwork for a deeper, more effective sleep. The best time to exercise is during the morning hours, however early in the afternoon has also been proven effective. The only time you definitely shouldn’t be exercising, is during the two to three hour period of time before you plan to go to bed. This is because the adrenaline produced by your body as you exercise can end up interfering with your sleep. #2 – Don’t Eat or Drink Before Bed It is recommended that you don’t eat or drink anything during the final two hours you plan to be awake. To do so can leave you waking up later in the night with the feeling that you need to use the bathroom. By consuming less food and drinks before going to bed, you can reduce or even eliminate the number of bathroom visits needed during your sleeping hours. You should also avoid food and beverages containing caffeine long before it’s time to go to bed. As the effects from these products can continue for several hours after they have been consumed, this is something you should be thinking about much earlier into the day. Sticking strictly to a decaffeinated diet might be best if you are still having trouble sleeping. If you must eat or drink
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something just before your bedtime, be sure to avoid anything containing grains or sugars as they will raise your blood sugar level and make it harder to fall asleep. If you do manage to fall asleep despite the high blood sugar in your body, it is possible that you will wake up later in the night as your blood sugar level drops. #3 – Before Bed, Enjoy a Hot Bath or Shower As the day comes to an end, your body temperature naturally drops. This action tells the brain that it’s time to start feeling tired. By taking a hot bath or shower shortly before going to bed, you can increase this natural drop in temperature and amplify your body’s response. This larger drop in temperature has been proven to help people fall asleep faster and to later achieve a deeper sleep. To be most effective, you should remain in the hot water for around 20 to 30 minutes. This will provide enough time for your body temperature to properly rise. #4 – Use the Bathroom Before Going to Bed It is recommended that the final thing you do before heading to bed is use the bathroom. In doing so, you reduce the chance of later waking up with the feeling that you need to use the facilities. At the very least, it should delay the urge to urinate until further into the night, giving you a longer period of uninterrupted sleep when you first hit the sheets.
#5 – Keep a Consistent Bedtime For your body to fall into its natural sleep rhythm, the time you go to bed and the time you wake up in the morning needs to remain the same. After a while your body will begin to recognize when it is time for bed and because of this, it will become easier for you to fall asleep. Your body will also start to recognize when it’s time to wake up, so getting out of bed in the morning shouldn’t be as difficult. It is vitally important to your sleep rhythm to maintain your consistent sleeping hours during each day of the week. This also includes weekends. To change your sleeping habits mid-week will prevent your sleep rhythm from being properly established and as a result, the quality of your sleep will not improve. #6 – Limit the Surrounding Noise All auditory distractions, such as your television and radio, should be turned off during your sleeping hours. The sounds produced by such devices stimulate your brain and make it more difficult for you to initially fall asleep. If the noises from these devices continue to play while you are sleeping, they can also prevent you from entering the deeper stages of sleep later on in the night. If you find it difficult to fall asleep because of outside noises or some other sounds that are out of your control, it might be useful to purchase a white noise machine. These can effectively drown out the other sounds that are keeping you awake at night. If you
do not have access to a white noise machine, the whirring from a fan can be just as effective at canceling out other unwanted sounds. Ear plugs are another great resource to lower excess noise while you are sleeping. Since they reduce several decibels of noise, they can be excellent if you are the type of person that prefers to sleep in a quieter environment. As there are many types of ear plugs on the market, some additional research may be required to find the pair that is right for
Maintaining the darkest possible environment is very important during your sleeping hours. Even the smallest bit of light in the sleeping area can inhibit your body’s production of serotonin, which helps to regulate the onset of sleep. If a completely dark room is not possible, you may wish to consider using a sleep mask to block out any additional light. If you do need to get up in the middle of the night, it’s important not to turn on any bright lights. You should continue to keep the area as dark as possible, because it will be much easier to continue sleeping if your body hasn’t been fooled into thinking it’s time to wake up. A small night light will provide more than enough light to safely find your way in the dark, but it won’t be bright enough to keep you from falling back asleep once you’ve returned to bed. Be it from life’s stressful events, certain medical conditions, or any number of other reasons, too many people are waking up in the morning without feeling completely rested. With our busy schedules often leaving us little time to sleep, we need to do everything possible to get the most the hours we actually do get. By following these seven simple steps, you too can improve the quality of your sleep and start getting the kind rest you’ve always dreamed about.
Pet of the Month Pepper – 11 year old male mixed bread I am a perfect little pupper named Pepper, nice to meet you! I have a friendly attitude towards most living things I meet, including people, and many dogs. I take great pride in my beautiful coat, and love getting groomed. I also like getting nice, long, back scratches, and little scratches all over. I’m a great friend, a great snuggle buddy, and overall I’m great to be around! If you’re looking for a gentle friend who enjoys the calmer things in life, then spice up your life with a little bit of Pepper!
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Palms West Monthly • April 2021 • Page 15
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