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Palms West Journal • April 2022 • Page 1
Palms West Journal WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • WEST PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE GROVES • THE ACREAGE Volume 1, Number 7
SunFest is back in West Palm Beach with local artists PAGE 11
PalmsWestJournal.com
FREE • April 2022
Tonk the chimp born at Lion Country Safari Amazon Fresh to bring high-tech shopping to Palm Beach County
Palm Beach West Boca will soon be home to the first Amazon Fresh grocery store Atlantic awards in Florida. Amazon Fresh looks like any other grocery store, but its scholarships differences become clear as soon as
Palm Beach University a shopper picksAtlantic up a cart. has awarded four of its seniors
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New mom, Irene, holding her baby, Tonk, at Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee.
Westlake: Palm Beach’s newest town is growing fast Palm Beach County’s newest town, Westlake, had only five registered voters when its residents elected to incorporate the old citrus grove known as Callery-Judge Grove in 2016.
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Ballpark of the Palm Beaches starts abbreviated spring training The Major League Baseball lockout almost canceled spring training at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, but the collective bargaining agreement reached between owners and players in mid-March has put the ball back in play.
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By Mel Page Palms West Journal A new addition has joined the family at Lion Country Safari. A male chimpanzee named Tonk was born to mother Irene on Dec. 30. Tonk is the first chimp born at Lion Country Safari in more than 16 years. Irene is a smart, slightly mischievous chimpanzee who has done a wonderful job caring for Tonk as a first-time parent. She has been protective and nurturing. Lion Country’s public relations and social media manager, Haley McCann, said Irene recently began allowing her sister, Juniper, to care for Tonk on occasion. Juniper “is thrilled by this development, so sometimes you’ll see her carrying him around, with Irene close by to keep watch.” Lion Country has three separated groups of chimpanzees. Tonk lives with Irene, Juniper, his father, Ben, and his uncle, Jake. “The island habitats here at Lion Country Safari, which are interconnected by a bridge system, provide a unique opportunity for the chimps in our care to replicate their natural nomadic living conditions,” McCann said. “While other institutions might house their chimpanzees on islands or move them through different exhibit spaces, Lion Country Safari’s great ape habitat is unique in that we’ve combined both aspects. No other institution in the world rotates their
chimpanzees across various islands.” Inheriting his mother’s strong personality, Tonk recently began vocalizing. “We usually hear him join in with his family’s happy food noises around mealtimes,” McCann said. Infant chimps cling to their mothers for the most part, though staff members have witnessed Tonk standing with Irene’s support. “Irene is really good about giving him tummy time,” McCann said. “Tonk is also getting bigger and stronger every day.” Tonk’s name honors the Tonkolili Chimpanzee Project, which was co-founded by Lion Country’s chimpanzee coordinator, Dr. Tina Cloutier Barbour. Cloutier Barbour also participates in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Chimpanzee SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program as program leader. The Tonkolili Chimpanzee Project operates in Sierra Leone in West Africa. The project aids and educates people living alongside chimpanzees who at times experience chimps taking their crops or attacking humans or livestock. The project encourages preservation efforts to keep the apes safe from poachers. With the help of the Tonkolili Chimpanzee Project, communities that were once at odds with chimps now assist research. At Lion Country Safari, “Dr. Tina also does some really incredible work with the chimpanzees under our care, including a heart health training program that she pioneered,”
McCann said. “AZA-accredited facilities across the nation have adopted this program for heart health monitoring for chimps and other great ape species. This program has significant impact on our understanding of some of the health issues geriatric chimps naturally face and how we can advance care to address those issues.” Lion Country Safari opened in 1967 and was likely the first cage-free zoo in the United States. It has 90 species and over 1,000 wild animals. Visitors drive their own cars along a 4-mile, fenced-off safari path to observe the animals in seven habitats. “We care for large herds of animals in our multiacre habitats, including the largest herd of zebra currently on record in
Baby Tonk being carried by his mother.
Photo by Lion Country Safari
North America, as well as some of the largest herds of giraffe and rhinoceros,” McCann said. Like Tonk, many of the animals are part of threatened species. Lion Country Safari contributes to several breeding programs trying to stave off extinction. Because he was born five days after Christmas, this December will be Tonk’s first Christmas with the Chimps, a Lion Country event for the past 37 years. “Santa Claus makes a special trip to visit the chimpanzees under our care, and he and his helpers deliver presents to the chimps by boat,” McCann said. The gifts include plush stuffed animals and clothes. “The chimps really enjoy it every year, and so does our staff and community.”
Photo by Lion Country Safari
“Tonk is the first chimp born at Lion Country Safari in more than 16 years.”
Page 2 • Palms West Journal • April 2022
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FACES & PLACES
Amazon Fresh to bring high-tech shopping to Palm Beach County
Photo by On The Run Photo
Amazon Fresh store opening soon.
By Mel Page Palms West Journal
West Boca will soon be home to the first Amazon Fresh grocery store in Florida. Amazon Fresh looks like any other grocery store, but its differences become clear as soon as a shopper picks up a cart. The shopper logs into the Amazon app on a phone, which connects to the cart and automatically registers every item as it is taken off the shelf and put into the cart. The cart displays a running total so the customer can track spending, just like the virtual cart used for online buyers. Amazon’s Alexa virtual assistants are placed throughout the store to
help shoppers find products. These Amazon Fresh Alexas know what aisle everything is on and can answer a multitude of buyer questions. Amazon Fresh aims for efficiency and the elimination of human errors through such uses of technology. Another example is the Dash Lane, which functions like a self-service express lane. Instead of checking out by unloading and scanning each item, a customer walks through the lane, and the Amazon app automatically processes checkout. Alexa provides any needed guidance at checkout. Amazon Fresh will be located at Uptown Boca with such luxurious additions as restaurants and a movie theater.
In A New Light
American Impressionism 1870-1940 | Works from the Bank of America Collection This sweeping survey of American Impressionism presents paintings, prints, and drawings, tracing the emergence and evolution of a truly American style in works by acclaimed artists. In a New Light reflects the changing mindset of America from the mid-19th to early 20th centuries, exploring the ways in which local artists interpreted America’s rural, maritime, and urban spaces and portrayed daily life using the Impressionistic devices of capturing moments with brisk brushstrokes, a vibrant palette, and atmospheric effects. Childe Hassam (American, 1859–1935), Old House, East Hampton, 1917, oil on linen, Bank of America Collection
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Page 4 • Palms West Journal • April 2022
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SCENE &FROM FACES PLACES WEST PALM by Aaron Wormus | awormus@palmswestmonthly.com
Chicago Fine Art Co. opens on Antique Row ums, and he offers state-ofthe-art cleaning and restoration services at the new gallery. The gallery’s “painting restoration services fill a unique niche for a downtown district like Antique Row,” West Palm Beach Commissioner Christina Lambert said. For those looking to purchase art, Chicago Fine Art offers hundreds of unique paintings in various styles and periods. The Vahlkamps love to help customers find the perfect artwork for their desires. “We help many people who tell us they’ve just bought an old home and want to furnish it in a certain
period style, or someone who needs something in a particular size or even new artwork for their yacht,” Nick Vahlkamp said. “In addition to the paintings on display in the gallery, we have many paintings in storage and others we can get. We have longstanding relationships with artists’ agents and other dealers, so we can procure just about anything a customer is looking for.” The distinguished artists they have collected include Austrian romantic landscape painter Alois Arnegger, Russian contemporary painter Evgeny Kuznetsov and French scenography artist Pierre Möri.
Photo courtesy of Barbara and Nick Vahlkamp.
Chicago Fine Art Company co-owner Barbara Vahlkamp stands inside the business’s new gallery space on Antique Row in West Palm Beach.
By Mia Petruccelli Palms West Journal
A seasoned couple specializing in art conservation and collection recently opened a gallery on West Palm Beach’s Antique Row. Nick and Barbara Vahlkamp own and manage the 1,100-square-foot gallery, Chicago Fine Art Co. The Vahlkamps have worked in the art world for
decades and owned the Kamp Gallery in Chicago for 40 years. They decided to sell that gallery several years ago and move to West Palm Beach, where they discovered Antique Row during their search for a gallery space. “Antique Row is made up of 40 small businesses whose owners are all specialists in their field, and it’s thrilling to welcome a pro-
fessional conservator to our design family,” said Faustina Pace, the president of the South Dixie Antique Row Association and owner of Faustina Pace Antiques and Interiors. “Chicago Fine Art Co. is a wonderful addition to our walkable neighborhood of shops and galleries.” Nick Vahlkamp has restored paintings for private collectors and muse-
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Photo courtesy of Nick Vahlkamp.
A Dutch/Flemish early 18th century oil painting following restoration.
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SCENEFRONTIER LAST FROM WEST PALM by Aaron Wormus | awormus@palmswestmonthly.com
Westlake: Palm Beach’s newest town is growing fast By Neïsha Etienne Palms West Journal
Palm Beach County’s newest town, Westlake, had only five registered voters when its residents elected to incorporate the old citrus grove known as Callery-Judge Grove in 2016. Those five have become thousands as the county’s 39th municipality continues to grow. Three years before the town was incorporated, Minto Communities, a development company from Canada, purchased nearly 4,000 acres of what was once the Seminole Improvement District for $51 million. A 2012 law change that made it easier for special improvement districts to incorporate allowed Minto to avoid the usual rules for a new municipality, including approval from the Legislature and at least 5,000 residents. Westlake has been approved for 4,500 homes and 2 million square feet of commercial space. In 2021, Westlake issued 829 single-family building permits, more than any other city in Palm Beach County. Palm Beach Gardens came in second with 313 permits. Minto has recently announced the development of its first townhome
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Sign marking the entrance to Palm Beach County’s newest town, Westlake, on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.
community. The Crossing of Westlake will be its sixth residential development. Prices will be announced and units will be available for purchase by the end of this year, according to the company. Wellington Regional Hospital opened an emergency room in April 2019. The town contracts with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for deputies and relies on them for emergency ser-
vices. In the entertainment sector, the town’s resident-only, Minto-funded, $22 million, 15-acre Westlake Adventure Park opened in June 2019. A shopping center named Shoppes of Westlake Landings was approved late last year in conjunction with plans for Adrenaline World, a 14-acre entertainment center. Construction on both projects is expected to start
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this year. Adrenaline World, a concept from Britain, includes virtual reality games, themed climbing structures, a trampoline park, laser tag and miniature golf. Also included is a go-kart track, rope course, splash pad and dinosaur park. Construction begins this spring and is projected to be complete by early 2023 at a cost of approximately $15 million.
The Shoppes at Westlake Landings consists of two multi-tenant shopping centers with over 18,000 square feet of commercial space. Leases have already been signed by Verizon Communications, Go Green Dry Cleaners and the Ralph Lewis family, the owners and operators of Okeechobee Steak House in West Palm Beach. Konover South, the developers of the project, expects the shopping centers to be open in late 2022 or early 2023. A 7-Eleven has opened recently in Westlake. Chaudhary Petroleum Group has created a new concept with take-out, dine-in and made-to-order food options, as well as a wine cellar with a curated wine selection. Christ Fellowship Church began construction in 2021 on an 800-seat worship center. For now, the church is holding services at Seminole Ridge Community High School across from its future home. “The real estate market is very hot right now,” said Mike Belmont, the president of Minto Communities USA. “People are gravitating to the quality of homes and lifestyle that we offer at Westlake. They also want to be part of this exciting new city as it grows and evolves.”
Page 6 • Palms West Journal • April 2022
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VILLAGE LIFE
Healing touch brings Essential Candy to Wellington By Ivan Santos Palms West Journal Tracy and Dean Ernst founded Essential Candy in 2018 with a desire to help a friend with cancer. The company’s success has led it to open a new manufacturing facility in Wellington for its essential-oil-infused, gluten-free, vegan, low-sugar and low-carb candy. These “candies with a purpose” were first created to combat some of the symptoms of chemotherapy, including nausea, dizziness and loss of appetite. The goal was to provide a healthy option for patients already taking multiple medications; the result is a delicious candy with no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners. The candies were found to also render relief for anxiety, stomachaches and depression and provide a boost to start the day. “We have blends that help everybody and help benefit and promote well-being within the body,” Dean said. Their most popular products are Digestive Blend, made from lemon, ginger and peppermint; Uplifting Blend, made from orange and lavender; and Wellness Blend, a mixture of elderberry and lemon. Essential Candy is one of the first companies to create candy
Owners and co-founders of Essential Candy, Tracy and Dean Ernst, holding up their Wellington made, all-natural candy.
infused with essential oils. It has added a product line of candies that contain a mixture of cannabidiol (CBD) and essential oils. CBD, derived from the marijuana plant, is used to relieve anxiety, post-traumatic stress, depression, pain and sleep irregularities. “There are some potent botanicals that should not be taken lightly,” Tracy said. “However, we source directly from the
companies that make organic.” The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services licenses Essential Candy. Before Florida regulated CBD, the company was one of the few to receive permits to sell products infused with essential oils and CBD. Although COVID-19 slowed down Essential Candy’s international expansion, Dean expressed confidence in their vi-
sion. “Australia is still a very, very important part, and we’ve got a great partner down there.” The company’s manufacturing facility is not open to the public, but you can stop by the front desk to make a purchase. The company plans to participate in upcoming festivals include ArtFest by the Sea in Juno Beach on March 12 and 13 and the Coral Springs Festival of the Arts on March 19 and 20.
Photo by Essential Candy
Essential Candy wants distribution in both cancer treatment facilities and retail stores, but the main goal is to help those in need of relief. “Our primary focus is to help,” Dean said. “If there is somebody that you know who is going through chemotherapy, we can send them the product, free of charge.” You can visit their website at essentialcandy.com.
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Marine Biology, Astronomy, MinecraftEDU, and more! To register, visit CoxScienceCenter.org or call (561) 832-2026. Cox Science Center and Aquarium 4801 Dreher Trail N, West Palm Beach, FL 33405
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SCENEOFFROM EAST THE PALMS WEST PALM by Aaron Wormus | awormus@palmswestmonthly.com
The Norton Museum of Art: from private art collection to world-renowned museum
Photo By The Norton Museum of Art
Visitors enjoying a docent led tour of the museum.
Photo By The Norton Museum of Art
The front entrance of the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach.
By Brianna Wilson Palms West Journal
Considering its permanent collection of over 8,000 works of art, it is hard to believe that the Norton Museum of Art began with just one married couple of collectors. After his semiretirement, Ralph Hubbard Norton and his wife, Elizabeth Calhoun Norton, had to decide what to do with their art collection — the bulk of which was American art from the first half of the 20th century. The couple commissioned Marion Sims Wyeth to design a museum in West Palm Beach, and it opened to the public a year after construction began. Now the museum is home
to thousands of art pieces in five departments: American, Chinese, contemporary, European and photography. Thanks to the Nortons’ personal collection and donations from other art collectors and institutions, the Norton has acquired many distinguished masterpieces. At its beginning in the 1940s, the Norton was a free gallery “for the education and enjoyment of the public.” While this short slogan still applies, the museum is committed to a new “IDEA”: inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility. The museum is embracing art from around the world and expanding its size and productivity to make it more open to public events. In the early 2010s, the muse-
um began to adapt to current cultural needs and expectations — from renovations and expansion to providing opportunities for talented yet underprivileged artists. Women’s art became a centerpiece of the Norton’s event planning early in the decade. The Norton launched an annual exhibition series in 2011, “Recognition of Art by Women.” The artists are primarily painters and sculptors, and each artist has a solo exhibition for a few months. The list of visiting artists includes Jenny Saville, Sylvia Plimack Mangold, Phyllida Barlow, Krista Kristalova, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Svenja Deininger, Nina Chanel Abney and Maria Berrío. Another major aim of the museum is to help visitors
gain an appreciation for photography. A longtime supporter of the Norton, Beth Rudin DeWoody, created the Rudin Prize for Emerging Photographers in 2012 to honor her late father, Lewis Rudin. This $20,000 prize is awarded to photographers who have yet to receive a solo museum exhibition. So far these international awards have gone to Analia Saban, Rami Mayom, Elizabeth Bick and Kristin-Lee Moolman. By 2013, what was once a large gallery for art collected by its founders became an establishment for art, relaxation, education, shopping and dining. The Norton trustees enlisted Foster and Partners, a renowned British architectural firm, to redesign the building. The renovations allowed the museum to designate space for additional galleries, classrooms and exhibitions. The Norton also added an auditorium to accommodate over 200 people, a store, a restaurant, a sculpture garden, an artist-in-residence program, a lawn for outdoor programs and the 43 ft-high
Great Hall. The extra space not only attracted more visitors, but also allowed people to plan weddings and formal celebrations on the Norton’s grounds. Through all its changes, the Norton has remained a historical establishment to the community. Every Friday, the Norton holds Art After Dark, where visitors can enjoy art over a classy cocktail. People come to enjoy live performances, film screenings, art workshops and, of course, drinks. On Friday, March 25, the Art After Dark theme will be “College Night”. All individuals with a valid Student ID will receive free museum admission. Events include a docent-led tour, an open mic session, live music by Clean Cut, an open studio and a silent disco to end the evening. For more information on the Norton Museum of Art, visit Norton.org or call (561) 8325196.
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Page 8 • Palms West Journal • April 2022
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EAST SCENEOFFROM THE PALMS WEST PALM by Aaron Wormus | awormus@palmswestmonthly.com
Ballpark of the Palm Beaches starts abbreviated spring training By Brianna Wilson Palms West Journal
The Major League Baseball lockout almost canceled spring training at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, but the collective bargaining agreement reached between owners and players in mid-March has put the ball back in play. The Ballpark missed its planned opening Feb. 26, but is hosting 15 preseason games between March 18 and April 5. Baseball fans had mourned the potential loss of games since the lockout took effect Dec. 2. America’s pastime was put on hold amid disputes about how to divide baseball’s rising revenues after the 2016 CBA expired. It was the ninth lockout in MLB history and one of six that canceled no games (only some spring training), although it delayed Opening Day a week to April 7. The Ballpark hosts Washington Nationals and Houston Astros spring training games. Their opponents during the abbreviated spring schedule include the St. Louis Cardinals, the Miami Marlins and each other. Both teams are going through changes. The Nationals are facing their first season
Photo by Richard Graulich/ ZUMA Press
The Washington Nationals take batting practice on the opening day of spring training for the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach in 2017.
after the retirement of the first player they ever drafted, Ryan Zimmerman, and the Astros are playing without star shortstop Carlos Correa, who signed a free-agent contract with the Minnesota Twins. The Nationals and Astros moved to The Ballpark for spring training when it opened in 2017. The Astros went on to win the World Series that season, and the Nationals followed suit two years later.
The Ballpark has an intimate capacity of 6,500 fixed seats, compared with 25,000 for the smallest MLB stadium, St. Petersburg’s Tropicana Field. The 160-acre complex features space for fans to attend spring training workouts beginning at 10 a.m. and a team store that is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Other than baseball, The Ballpark during the years hosts lacrosse and soccer and such nonsporting events as com-
munity walks, corporate functions, concerts and festivals. Still, baseball makes up the most notable portion of The Ballpark’s schedule. Woven into the nearly daily spring training games are post-game fireworks, giveaways and promotions targeting certain groups, like kids and seniors. Friday, March 25, brings fireworks around 6 p.m. Children 12 and younger can run the bases after the game April
3. Similarly, seniors 55 and up are invited to stroll the bases after the game March 28. The schedule includes two Heroes Days, when military personnel, veterans, teachers, medical professionals and emergency responders receive 30% off ticket prices, March 24 and April 1. Also on March 24, The Ballpark is giving José Altuve jerseys to the first 500 fans. On April 4, the prize for the first 500 is a Yordan Alvarez jersey.
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THE VILLAGE IDIOT by Jim Mullen LOCAL HAPPENINGS 2022 TurtleFest showcases Waves of Progress expansion
Palms West Journal
The Loggerhead Marinelife Center is hosting its 17th annual TurtleFest at Loggerhead Park in Juno Beach on April 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The free festival offers live music, art, shopping and other activities while promoting conservation of turtles and
showcasing the marine center’s Waves of Progress expansion. More than 15,000
people are expected to attend. The expansion includes rehabilitation tanks where sick or injured sea turtles are nursed back to health. When they are medically cleared, they are released back into the ocean. You can adopt a sea turtle patient for $40, which provides food, medication, hospital care and tank maintenance. Educational presentations around the facility will engage TurtleFest attendees in the conservation work of the center. But while you can get close to the turtles, you can’t touch them. They are protected by state and federal regulations. Trained marine center staffers are the only ones permitted to handle sea turtles for treatment and rehabilitation, and it is unlawful to touch, handle or harass sea turtles in the wild. Approximately 129 of 300 species of turtles and tortoises are endangered or vulnerable because of habitat loss, poaching and the illegal pet trade. The Loggerhead Marinelife Center, one of Florida’s most visited nonprofit scientific des-
tinations, focuses on the seven species of sea turtles: green turtles, loggerheads, leatherbacks, hawksbill, Kemp’s ridley, olive ridley and Australian flatbacks. Leatherbacks are the largest and most threatened sea turtles. The marine center promotes knowledge of them with its Leatherback Project. Music at TurtleFest will be provided by the bands Making Faces, The Copper Tones, Sierra Lane and Roots Shakedown. The center’s new restaurant will sell refreshments. The center’s mascot, Fletch, will be in attendance, looking for any opportunity to play and dance. Visit marinelife.org/ turtlefest for more information about TurtleFest, including being a v o l - unteer, sponsor or vendor.
Gardens of Distinction Tour with the Wellington Garden Club
Palms West Journal
The Wellington Garden Club is hosting a garden tour of six local gardens on Saturday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All six of the planned gardens are private, making this event exclusive and exciting for attendees. The Wellington Garden Club is a nonprofit organization embodying the mission of furthering the education of the community in the fields of gardening, horticulture, botany, floral design, environmental awareness and much more. Through educational events like this private garden tour, the Wellington Garden Club has been able to increase awareness in caring for and cultivating a
greener community. On this private Gardens of Distinction tour, attendees will be walking through curated landscapes that feature orchids, native plants, butterfly gardens, vegetable gardens and shade gardens. This garden tour is the perfect way to commemorate spring and learn about the native plants of South Florida. One of the gardens that will be visited in the tour is Todd Flettrich’s garden of international equestrian.
To conclude the tour, several activities will be waiting for attendees in the final garden. In this garden, members have organized a plant sale, craft boutique and a 50/50 raffle for ticket holders. Tickets are available at www.wellingtongardenclub.org. If purchased in advance, tickets are $25. Tickets will also be available the day of the event for $35 at the VOW Community Center starting at 9:30 a.m.
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Page 10 • Palms West Journal • April 2022
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LOCAL &HAPPENINGS FACES PLACES
Greater Palm Beach Rose Society to hold Rose Show at the Mall at Wellington Green
Palms West Journal
The Mall at Wellington Green is hosting the Rose Show on Saturday, April 9, from noon to 6 p.m. The show is put on by the Greater Palm Beach Rose Society, a nonprofit organization serving Broward, Martin and Palm Beach counties. The Rose Society’s yearly
events include garden walks, shows and workshops. The Rose Show will be one of its
last events before taking a summer break from regular meetings. The Rose Society hopes to foster greater care and appreciation for the flower. The juried show will take place in the center court of the Mall at Wellington Green. Local growers will showcase their best roses, and an educational session on “The ABC’s of Growing Roses in Florida” will be held at 3 p.m. It’s free to view the roses and attend the informational session. For more information, contact Maria Wolfe at 561386-4903.
Galloping with colors at the Gay Polo Tournament in Wellington Palms West Journal
From April 7 to 10, the Gay Polo League (GPL) will host their annual tournament. The LEXUS International Gay Polo Tournament is presented
by Douglas Elliman Real Estate and is held at the International Polo Club in Wellington. The game will consist of four polo teams and they will each compete for the GPL Perpetual Trophies: The Senators Cup and The Founders Cup. The GPL is the only LGBTQ+ polo organization in the world and its annual tournament is one of many highly anticipated equestrian events. The tournament, held at the International Polo Club, allows polo players to join from the ages 23–73. The league assigns teams based on the players rankings. Mr. Chip McKenney founded the league in 2006. For the first half of his adult life, he kept his sexual orientation a secret. After opening up, McKenney began searching for new ways to connect with people. He was an avid equestrian athlete, and when he took a polo lesson in California the rest was history. Seven years later, GPL has grown to include members from 14 countries. Participants travel from all over the world to attend its annual tournament. McKenney describes this event as “the love
child of Pretty Woman and Burning Man.” GPL aims to raise money from the tournament to help fund LGBTQ+ organizations. They donated $4,700 in
experience with an open bar and gourmet food. VIP parking is included. Tickets and more information can be found at www.gaypolo. com.
Curator of American Impressionism exhibit to speak at the Four Arts 2018 to the Compass Youth Program for new computers to homeless youths. In 2019 and 2020, they donated over $20,000 to SAGE, a national advocacy organization for LGBTQ+. The league plans for a big turnout this year, after COVID-19 led to cancellation in 2020 and low attendance in 2021. The 2022 tournament will donate all proceeds to the OnePULSE Foundation, an organization started by the owner of Pulse nightclub in Orlando, where 49 people were killed in a 2016 shooting. You can purchase tickets for the VIP pavilion or tailgate tent. The VIP pavilion is presented by Cherry Knoll Farm and offers a premier
Palms West Journal
Bank of America curator Jennifer Brown is speaking at the Society of the Four Arts on Monday, April 4, at 11 a.m. on the history behind American Impressionism and how it progressed from its French roots to change landscape painting in America. Brown will also talk about the Bank of America CONTINUE ON NEXT PAGE
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Palms West Journal • April 2022 • Page 11
LOCAL HAPPENINGS Art in Our Communities Program, established in 2009. The Bank of America Art in our Communities program was created to “help economies thrive, educate and enrich societies, and create greater cultural understanding.” Bank of America’s art collection, specializing in contemporary American works, is believed to be one of the largest in the world, although its size and value are not disclosed. Bank of America supports nearly 2,000 nonprofit cultural institutions each year. The American Impressionism exhibit at the Society of the Four Arts runs through April 16.
SunFest is back in West Palm Beach with local artists
Surprise, Goo Goo Dolls, Andrew Morris Band and Counting Crows. To showcase local artists, SunFest partnered with 1909, a creative coworking space that fosters connections within the community.
Palms West Journal
After a two-year hiatus because of COVID-19, SunFest is back to showcase several local and international artists. SunFest is one of South Florida’s largest music and art festivals. It began in 1982. The four-day event includes performing artists, vendors, art displays and food.
The event kicks off at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, and continues through Sunday, May 1. Tickets can be purchased at sunfest. com/tickets. VIP options are offered at sunfest.com/ vip-packages.
Cox Science Center and Aquarium: Green Health & Wellness Expo Palms West Journal
The festival will feature over 40 music acts, including Lil Wayne, Adam Lambert, Rainbow Kitten
The Cox Science Center and Aquarium is hosting a Green, Health & Wellness Expo for the community
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on April 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will include environmental workshops, demonstrations, free giveaways, local vendors and much more. The event is in partnership with the West Palm Beach Office of Sustainability, which strives to create a, “healthy, environmentally progressive, resilient and ecologically sustainable community.” Presentations for this event will be held by many local organizations such as Grassy Waters Preserve, Okeeheelee Nature Center, Busch Wildlife and more. Free planetarium shows of “Life of Trees” and “Habitat Earth” are available for all guests. Admission also includes mini golf at the Conservation Course. Tickets are free for Science Center members. City of West Palm Beach residents receive a 50% discount on admission (must have ID). Admission is FREE for Palm Beach County School District teachers + 3 guests (must have ID). General admission ticket prices are $18.95 for adults, $14.95 for children ages 3-12 and $16.95 for seniors ages 60. For more information, call (561) 832-1988 or email nafa@coxsciencecenter.org.
Dive into deepsea wildlife with ‘Luminous Seas’
Palms West Journal
The Palm Beach Photographic Centre is presenting “Luminous Seas,” a visual collection of ocean wildlife by photographer Brian Skerry, through May 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. This exhibit focuses on Skerry’s work as a photographer and journalist of ocean life the past 24 years. “Luminous Seas” takes viewers on a storytelling journey through wildlife that many land-lovers are unfamiliar with and provides an opportunity to become more comfortable with and curious about the ocean.
Page 12 • Palms West Journal • April 2022
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT HEALTH MATTERS
The long term effects of COVID-19 on the sense of smell
Eating acidic fruits like oranges has helped some individuals regain taste.
By Alice Ronnie Palms West Journal
the link between COVID-19 and smell and explore some possible implications of these findings. One study, conducted by researchers at Peking University in China, found that the sense of smell was impaired in patients who had contracted COVID-19. The participants in this study were asked to identify a range of smells, and those who had contracted COVID-19 were significantly less accurate than the control group. This suggests that there may be some long-term effects of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by storm, and scientists are still trying to understand all of the potential long-term effects of the virus. Recently, researchers have begun to focus on the impact that COVID-19 may have on our sense of smell. So far, the evidence suggests that there may be some long-term effects of COVID-19 on this sense. This article will discuss what we know about
on our ability to smell. Another study from Duke University found that the sense of smell may be affected not just in people who have contracted COVID-19, but also in those who have been exposed to the virus. The study found that exposure to COVID-19 led to a significant reduction in the ability of participants to identify smells. Interestingly, other studies have shown that the sense of smell may actually improve after people have recovered from COVID-19. One study, which was pub-
Photo by Shutterstock
lished in the journal JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, looked at the sense of smell in 96 patients who had been infected with COVID-19 and had since recovered. The results of this study showed that the sense of smell improved in most participants after they had recovered from the virus. So far, very few studies have looked at the link between COVID-19 and smell, and more research is needed to determine the full extent of this relationship. However, if these findings are confirmed, they could have
important implications for public health. For example, if it turns out that COVID-19 leads to a long-term impairment of our sense of smell, it could make it difficult for people infected with the virus to detect danger signals, such as smoke or gas leaks. This could potentially lead to more accidents and injuries. The sense of smell not only makes it possible for us to appreciate the beauty of the world around us but also helps us avoid accidents and hazardous situations. This means that a loss of sense of smell will make us more vulnerable to all sorts of dangers including: • Inability to detect spoiled food • Difficulty recognizing people or places • Increased risk of accidents because you cannot smell dangerous fumes and gases • Loss of pleasure in life because you cannot smell flowers or enjoy food It is still unclear how COVID-19 affects our sense of smell, but it seems that the effects may be both temporary and permanent. More research is needed to determine the long-term consequences of COVID-19 on smell. I n the meantime, it is a good idea to be aware of the potential implications of these findings. Also, consult your doctor if you experience any loss of smell. The doctor will advise you on how best to protect your sense of smell and monitor any notable changes.
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Palms West Journal • April 2022 • Page 13
NATURE CALLS
Coastal home buyers are ignoring rising flood risks, despite clear warnings
Photo by Toth Gabor
Homes along the water in Miami-Dade County.
The Conversation via Reuters
Homebuyers along the U.S. coasts can check each property’s flood risk as easily as they check the size of the bedrooms – most coastal real estate listings now include future flood risk details that take climate change into account. In Apollo Beach, for example, many of the properties are at least 9 out of 10 on the flood risk scale. That knowledge isn’t stopping homebuyers, though. Waterfront homes are selling within days of going on the market, and the same story is playing out all along the South Florida coast at a time when scientific reports are warning about the rising risks of coastal flooding as the planet warms. We are professors of urban geography and American politics who follow the real estate industry. To understand why people are ignoring a risk that could lead to expensive damage and eventually lower their property value, we talked to hundreds of Florida real estate agents about their clients’ motivations and concerns. Here’s what we learned. We surveyed 680 licensed Florida Realtors in late 2020. Their responses suggest that prospective homebuyers, by and large, are not taking elevation or flood vulnerability into account
when searching for new homes, and the availability of detailed flood risk maps has had little or no impact on them. Part of the problem may be that mortgage lenders and appraisers aren’t accounting for properties’ vulnerability to sea level rise, so homebuyers aren’t immediately feeling the risk in their pocketbooks. Wealthier buyers who don’t need a mortgage aren’t required to purchase flood insurance, and Congress has a history of rolling back flood insurance rate increases. In short, nothing is forcing buyers to consider the long-term risks. At the same time, studies are clearly showing how risks translate into costs. One recent paper by scientists who create flood risk maps found that Hillsborough County, Florida, home to Apollo Beach and Tampa, is likely to see a 70% increase in annual flood damage by 2050 because of climate change. That’s less than a 30-year mortgage away. We reasoned when we started the survey in 2020 that if some segment of the population was avoiding property at risk of flooding, then demand should decline and prices should fall. Our previous survey in 2018, involving coastal Florida homeowners, had found that Republicans and
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Democrats alike believed that their future home values would not be affected by rising seas. To test the theory that the market is largely ignoring flood risk, we asked real estate agents what they saw: To what extent had they observed house prices either falling or not rising as rapidly for properties at risk of flooding? Forty-five percent reported “not at all.” Only 11 of the 680 agents indicated that house prices for properties at risk of flooding were “very frequently” stagnating or falling. We also asked if they had seen mortgage lenders declining loan applications or increasing charges for loans in flood-prone areas, in the form of points or mortgage insurance, for example. Sixty percent said, “not at all,” and only 7% said “somewhat frequently,” “very frequently” or “all the time.” The vast majority of agents, almost 70%, said they expect little impact on the property market in the next five to 10 years. Here’s some of what they said. “People are and will still buy in the coastal areas of Florida, and if they are buying, there will be no decrease in value. The largest pool of buyers driving market are retired or soon to be retired people and they have the belief that they will be long gone before there is any impact from climate change. They mainly are buying on emotion and not factoring in the long-term cost of ownership. They are also buying with cash and no mortgage.” Even lenders currently have no real incentives to decline mortgage applications for properties at risk from future sea level rise. Federal agencies that purchase conforming mortgages do not currently require the collection of information about flood risk or likely sea level rise. If these requirements were to change, then flood risk would be translated into lending decision. “Buyers of coastal properties are financially able to be more risk-oblivious and can afford the higher rate for insurance or be self-insured. Sea-level rise is not currently top-of-mind in our local market.” Federal flood insurance has been heavily subsidized by U.S. tax dol-
lars for years. In fact, the National Flood Insurance Program owes the U.S. Treasury about $20 billion for expenses exceeding the premiums homeowners pay. As of April 1, 2022, all of its new and renewed flood insurance policies will be subject to a new pricing system termed Risk Rating 2.0 designed to take risk into account. But the program faces political pressure from members of Congress to ensure rates do not rise too quickly or get too high. Further, buyers who purchase houses for cash, a relatively large part of the market in South Florida, are not subject to flood insurance requirements. “Wealthy people will still be enamored by the idea of living in front of the sea, but they will probably spend a lot of money making the property more resilient to the effects of sealevel rise. This means that maybe the demand for high end properties will not weaken so much.” A few agents suggested that wealthy homeowners are taking the risks seriously and plan to invest in structural changes such as elevating homes that could make their properties safer from sea level rise and storm surge. Because of rising sea levels and storm risks resulting from climate change, we conclude that many of the houses currently being sold in south Florida will not outlast their 30-year mortgages without damage or expensive adaptations, and that the resale of houses vulnerable to sea level rise is very likely to become increasingly difficult. Florida policymakers to date have either ignored the risk or have taken only limited measures to patch weaknesses, sometimes increasing the risks elsewhere. For example, when sea walls are erected, they can change how sand washes in, increasing erosion in neighboring areas. Many people believe “the market” will take care of this issue: that homebuyers, recognizing the looming risks, will discount prices on vulnerable properties, eventually reducing their attractiveness and value. But what we heard from Florida real estate agents casts doubt on the assumption that the market has yet integrated this risk.
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Page 14 • Palms West Journal • April 2022
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NATURAL CALLS
How hot is too hot? Here’s how to protect your dog from the summer heat
A dog keeping cool in the pool on a hot summer day,
The Conversation via Reuters
Hot weather can be dangerous to our canine friends. Humans can sweat all over their body, but dogs can only sweat on their paw pads, which is not much use when it comes to shedding body heat. How hot is too hot to take your dog out for a walk? It is important to consider that different dog breeds have different levels of heat tolerance. The average temperature that most dogs are at risk for heat stroke is 80 degrees fahrenheit. If the
dog is older or overweight, the ideal temperature is much lower. High levels of humidity can also pose a risk to your pet. Here’s how to make sure your dog is safe when playing outside on hot days. A dog’s main cooling mechanism is panting. Panting draws air through the nasal cavity and out the mouth, forcing cool air over all of the major capillaries in the face. Panting allows for evaporative cooling, just as sweat on our skin does, the main difference being that it happens inside the dog’s body rather than outside.
Photo by Linoleum Creative
Monitoring the temperatures outside is a great way to combat potential overheating, but the best way to be cautious is to consider all aspects of the dog’s health. If the dog is overweight, they may have more trouble keeping cool than if they are lean. A dog with underlying health issues such as heart problems may also be at greater risk. Very young or old dogs may have more trouble with temperature regulation. Because some cooling occurs in the nasal cavities, dogs with short faces have fewer of these
cooling structures and are more susceptible to heat distress. Dogs from cooler climes tend to have heavy, insulating coats while those from warmer places tend to have thin hair, which helps shed heat quickly. So, would your dog be cooler if you shaved them for summer? Grooming the dog to a shorter coat length can assist them in maintaining a healthy body temperature in warmer months. Shaving the belly and groin of your dog can also assist in regulating body temperature when they are too hot. Cooling pads, or a cold floor surface, can easily penetrate the skin of their belly when the dog is shaved. Ultimately, it is the sole responsibility of the dog owner to be conscious of how the dog is feeling in warmer months.
more and then start again. If they start panting constantly, they may be struggling to cool themselves.
Always consider the following rules of thumb:
Heat stroke and exhaustion is a very serious and life threatening illness for a dog. Signs of heat exhaustion include excessive panting, lethargy, increased heart rate, confusion or disorientation, vomiting or diarrhea, lack of urination, bright red gums, body temperature of over 104° F, and seizure. Take your dog to the vet immediately if you see these signs. Heat injury can be lethal!
1. If it’s too hot for you, it’s probably too hot for your dog. Make sure water is available for drinking or immersing the body in when exercising on hot days. 2. Know the dog’s panting patterns. Dogs usually have a pant cycle where they pant for a short period and then stop for a few breaths or
3. If they can’t hold a ball or toy, froth at the mouth because they can’t easily swallow or have trouble drinking due to panting at the same time, get your dog into some shade and let them rest. Monitor for signs of heat stress. 4. Pick shady, cool places to let your dog run on warmer days. Go early or late in the day when the temperature has come down a bit. Early mornings are typically cooler than the late afternoon. 5. The lack of airflow in cars can turn them into deadly ovens within a few minutes. Even if the windows are down, never leave your dog alone in a car.
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Palms West Journal • April 2022 • Page 15
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