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Palms West Journal • December 2021 • Page 1

Palms West Journal

Tips and Tricks for “Keeping Your Cool” this Holiday Season

PAGE 10

WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • WEST PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE GROVES • THE ACREAGE • LAKE WORTH Volume 1, Number 3

PalmsWestJournal.com

FREE • December 2021

Brightline returns, and the first ride is free

Drive-In light show at Okeeheelee Park benefits local families The Lights 4 Hope holiday light show is a mile-long route of light displays paired with holiday music going through January 2.

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An iconic yellow brightline train on one of the first journeys since the reopening.

By Sharon Penn PALMS WEST JOURNAL

U.S. Open Polo Championship to return to Wellington The U.S. Open Polo Championship, the most prestigious polo tournament in the nation, will return to Wellington.

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Brightline returned to the transportation scene at the beginning of November to offer an improved way to get around. From West Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale or all the way to Miami, Brightline has ambitions to revolutionize South Florida’s transportation systems. Brightline suspended train service in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic but used the off-time to transform its offerings. The company is enforcing COVID19 precautions by requiring passengers and staff to wear masks inside stations and onboard. Employees must be vaccinated. The relaunch has brought enhancements such as new food and beverage options, bike and carry-on storage, petfriendly accommodations, and free high-speed Wi-Fi. Complimentary door-to-door service begins in December.

Brightline President Patrick Goddard said passengers are enthusiastic about Brightline’s return. “It’s getting busier,” he said. “The market is on fire, and we are ready to meet that demand.” Additionally, Goddard said the company’s improved guest amenities create a travel experience unlike any other. Passengers can purchase tickets on the new Brightline website and mobile app. The first ride is free when travelers set up an account and buy tickets on the mobile app for Smart ride offers through Dec. 31. Introductory ticket prices start at $10 for Smart rides and $27 for Premium rides for a limited time. Alongside the structural changes and improved amenities, Brightline is the first U.S. company to offer a comprehensive transportation service by getting people to and from the station. The new doorto-door Brightline service includes private and third-

Palm Beach County green markets are back with two new additions

Green markets are back, jam-packed with local produce, culinary delights, and exhilarating entertainment.

PAGE 14

Entrance to the Brightline station, complete with bike racks.

party-vendor vehicles to carry passengers to and from stations. Brightline has partnered with several vendors, including Circuit and Tesla, to provide an all-electric first- or last-mile shuttle service up to 3 miles from the train stations. Passengers can choose a private Tesla Model Y or a shared six-seater shuttle. “We need to take care of the guests, meet them where they are and take them where they are going. It’s not enough just to take care of the train trip,” Goddard said in a Brightline+ unveiling press conference. The service is offered through Brightline+ starting in December and can be booked on the Brightline website or app. A shared vehicle is free; private rides are $10. “One transaction, one ticket, one payment, one application,” Goddard said. Brightline train service strives to improve the environment. Stations use solar power, and locomotives run on electricity and clean biodiesel. Brightline says it helps to remove 3 million cars from the road annually and has a direct economic impact of $6.4 billion over the next eight years. The journey begins at the bright and airy West Palm Beach station at 501 Evernia St., a 60,000-squarefoot transportation hub in the heart of downtown. The station offers connections to the Palm Tran bus, the Palm trolley and the Tri-Rail and is steps away from the

Photo by Jillian Cain

waterfront, the Clematis district and the government center. The station also is within walking distance of iconic Worth Avenue and the Northwood Village rental community. Riders have easy access to Rosemary Square, Centennial Park and the popular RH Rooftop Restaurant. The Fort Lauderdale station is at 101 NW 2nd Ave., alongside such attractions as the Museum of Discovery and Science, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, NSU Art Museum, and FATVillage Arts District. Beaches, shopping, arts and parks are accessible via Broward Transit buses and the Sun Trolley. The Miami Brightline station is at 600 NW 1st Ave. in Miami Central. The new 11-acre complex offers shops and boutiques alongside the first dining hall in the city. A new 26,000-square-foot culinary center will house restaurants inspired by renowned chefs like “Iron Chef” Masaharu Morimoto, Katsuya Uechi, triple-Michelin-starred Dani Garcia and Dario Cecchini. Connections to Metrorail, Metrobus, Metro Mover and the Miami Trolley are available, and a connection to Tri-Rail is underway. The station is near the Adrienne Arsht Center, the Perez Art Museum, the Frost Museum, Bayfront Park, American Airlines Arena and PortMiami. A Boca Raton Brightline station is scheduled to open in 2022, and the planned Orlando station will be accessible around the same time.

Page 2 • Palms West Journal • December 2021

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FACES & PLACES

Okeeheelee Park holiday light show benefits local families

Christmas lights and ornaments hanging from bare trees.

By Mary Johnson PALMS WEST JOURNAL

Palms West residents have the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful light show and wave to Santa at Okeeheelee Park while brightening the holidays for others. The Lights 4 Hope drivethrough holiday light show is a mile-long route of light displays paired with holiday music running through Jan. 2. Proceeds from ticket sales and donations will provide holiday gifts and decorations to children in local hospitals and families in need. The nonprofit Lights 4 Hope organization was created to serve families with a child who has a terminal illness or has suffered a life-changing physical change.

Photo by Marina Khrapova

The Lights 4 Hope team visits year. large bus with more than 15 peopatients in hospitals and families The glittering light show is ple. at home to bring gifts, cards, and open from 6 to 10 p.m. on Fridays Tickets are available at the decorations to make the holiday and Saturdays, except Christmas entrance or through Eventbrite. season more festive. The holi- Eve and New Year’s Eve, and from Sponsorships are available, and day light show has enabled 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays, weather per- sponsors receive a listing and link Lights 4 Hope to help mitting. on the Lights 4 Hope website an increasing numTickets are $15 for a car or truck (lights4hope.org). Sponsors can ber of local fami- carrying up to eight people, $25 be listed in the annual event brolies each year. for a large van or small bus with chure that is handed out with Lights 4 Hope up to 15 people, and $35 for a every show ticket purchase. is a community effort. First responders founded the event, and many of the volunteers who make much of the displays by hand are first responders. The Wellingtonbased Kids Cancer Foundation is one of the groups Lights 4 Hope supports. This is the fourth annual Lights 4 Hope event at Okeeheelee Park, a county park on Forest Hill Boulevard. The holiday event drew an estimated 10,000 people in 2019 and expects 11,000 cars Photo By Sabri Tuzco with 30,000-plus spectators this A gorgeous Christmas tree display being photographed with an iPhone.

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FACES & PLACES

Nation’s first dine-in IMAX comes to Delray Marketplace

The entry to Paragon Theatres in the Delray Marketplace.

PALMS WEST JOURNAL

The renovated Paragon Theater reopened in the Delray Marketplace on Nov. 4 with a dine-in option, the first in the nation at an IMAX theater. Alongside luxury box seats where guests can order craft food and cocktails by scanning a QR code, moviegoers can also enjoy zero-gravity leather recliners. Some theaters feature VIP pod-style seating with single-seat and loveseat configurations, along with privacy wings and individual retractable tables. The theater complex in West Delray features 12 screens, including an Extreme Theater complete with Dolby Atmos sound and a 66-foot wide screen tilted at a 15-degree angle for optimal laser projection. The new restaurant, The Agency Kitchen & Bar, offers freshly prepared favorites like chicken potstickers,

Entry round-about to Delray Marketplace.

Photos by Palms West Journal

shrimp tacos, crispy wings and burgers. Mike Whalen, co-chief executive officer of Paragon Theaters, said the company wanted to create a superior experience to what people have at home to entice them to go out after the pandemic. The luxury amenities add to the dynamic experience of enjoying a movie with others. The newly renovated entertainment destination includes Penny Lanes, a 16-lane bowling alley with a full bar and a large dining area. The arcade also got a makeover and now features the most up-to-date games. Corporate media accommodations are also available with wireless microphone and projection capabilities. The Delray Marketplace in West Delray is a 260,000-square-foot shopping, dining and entertainment plaza that has enjoyed many enhancements in addition to the multi million-dollar movie theater renovation.

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Concession stand in the Paragon Theaters.

Photos by Palms West Journal

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VILLAGE LIFE

U.S. Open Polo Championship to return to Wellington

Display of the three tournament cups. From left to right, The CV Whitney Cup, The USPA Gold Cup, and the U.S Open Polo Championship Cup. By Herbert Spencer PALMS WEST JOURNAL

The U.S. Open Polo Championship, the most prestigious polo tournament in the nation, will return to Wellington from March 28 to April 18 with participants from all over the world on the U.S. Polo Association Field at the International Polo Club Palm Beach and expects to draw participants from all over the world. Viewers are excited to see star athletes, impressive horsepower, extreme competition, and passionate team owners. The U.S. Open Polo Championship is the culmination of the Gauntlet of Polo during the Florida winter polo season. The Gauntlet of Polo consists of the C.V. Whitney Cup, the U.S. Polo Association Gold Cup and the U.S. Open Polo Championship. A total of $200,000 in prize money is guaranteed for the three tournaments. “There’s just nothing like hearing the horses run throughout the field. I mean, everything about it is amazing, the horses, the sound of the mallet hitting the ball. It’s all so

Display of the three tournament cups.

much fun,” said Victor Concepcion, a sales associate for the International Polo Club. Last tournaments Team Pilot (Facundo Pieres, Gonzalito Piers, Curtis Pilot and Kristos “Keko” Magrini) captured all three Gauntlet of Polo events and was crowned Gauntlet champion. “We are all on pins and needles to see the best that American polo can offer in 2022,” USPA Chief Operating Officer Chris Green said. The 2022 U.S. Open Polo Championship and other Gauntlet of Polo events mark a one-year extension of the original three-year tournament agreement between the USPA and the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. Polo season begins Sunday, Jan. 2, with the Iglehart Cup and concludes Sunday, April 22, with the U.S. Open Polo Championship Final. For the first time, individual team entries will be accepted for all three tournaments in the high-goal Gauntlet series, increasing competition. The U.S. Open Polo Championship originated at Van Cortlandt Park in

Photo By UNITED STATES POLO ASSOCIATION

the Bronx, a borough of New York City, back in 1904. Just two teams competed over four 15-minute chukkers. One hundred years after the tournament began, the U.S. Open Polo Championship moved to the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington where it has been since 2004. The Gauntlet of Polo tournament was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the first cancellation of the U.S. Open Polo Championship since World War II in 1945. USPA Chairman Steward Armstrong said the partnership with the International Polo Club Palm Beach over the last three years has been a significant success for the game of polo. The Gauntlet of Polo events have brought players, fans and enthusiasts from around the globe. “What brings people to attend these winter events really just comes down to the love for equestrian sports,” Concepcion said. The International Polo Club is planning to welcome spectators to enjoy polo events from stadium seating or on the covered patio over

The Gauntlet of Polo trophy.

Photo By UNITED STATES POLO ASSOCIATION

brunch. Many attendees show up in their Sunday best, complete with a fascinator or wide-brimmed hat. “A lot of ladies dress up for the events. It’s a fun activity they love to do,” Concepcion said. “We always compare the fashion of these events to the Kentucky Derby scene in ‘Pretty Woman.’ The energy is just great.” One ritual is the halftime divot stomping. Attendees meet in the middle of the field to replace the divots unearthed during the match. Champagne is often passed around for a quick toast as people gather on the field. “The aura of the place is something you have to check out at least once,” Concepcion said. COVID protocols might still be in place. Visit InternationalPoloClub. com for the latest information. Except for the Iglehart Cup, the tournaments this season will be livestreamed on Global Polo TV, accessible at GlobalPolo.com and through platforms such as iOS, Android, Roku and Amazon Fire TV. The Global Polo Pass provides access to polo events from around the world. USPA members receive a complimentary Global Polo Pass.

Photo By UNITED STATES POLO ASSOCIATION

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Palms West Journal • December 2021 • Page 7

Page 8 • Palms West Journal • December 2021

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EAST OF THE PALMS

Classic car event honors gold star families at Ann Norton Sculpture

Front lawn of the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens at sunset.

By Sharon Penn PALMS WEST JOURNAL

The reopening of the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens in West Palm Beach after the four-month closure for COVID-19 was highlighted by the fifth annual “Sculpture in Motion” vintage car event, which brought the community together to honor Palm Beach County Gold Star families and veterans while showcasing dramatic and enchanting art. The exhibition took place Saturday, Nov. 13, and ended with a Grand Tour Parade of Cars, featuring 40 classic automobiles driving along Flagler Drive on the Intracoastal. Frances Fisher, co-chair of the exhibit and board chairwoman for the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, expressed her excitement for the

event to occur for the fifth year in a row. Fisher said the event was a great success in bringing the community together. Vintage artwork formed the backdrop for the exhibit of classic preand post-war automobiles parked on the main lawn of the Sculpture Gardens. “Sculpture in Motion” included luxury midcentury cars such as a Maserati, a Rolls-Royce Henley Roadster and an Auburn Boattail Speedster. John Barnes, the honorary chairman of the event, said World War II designers made cars as beautiful as they were functional. The event included a talk by Donald Osborne, an automotive historian and the host of the CNBC show “Jay Leno’s

Photo by Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens

Left to right: Featured 1933 Rolls-Royce Woody and a 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Henley Roadster at the “Sculpture in Motion” event.

Photo by Ann Norton Scuplture Gardens

Garage.” Osborne focused on how the development of the automobile influenced society, fashion and the role of women. “Sculpture in Motion” coincided with the indoor exhibit of Eric Zetterquist’s art, which celebrates brilliant automotive design. His technique involves photographing cars and turning the lines of the automobile design into large

are a testament to Ann Norton’s commitment to conservation and her desire to preserve a quiet retreat amid increasing development. The Norton house and gallery are in the historic El Cid neighborhood of West Palm Beach and present impressive views of the scenic

abstractions that recall Asian calligraphy. His exhibition, aptly named “Salient Lines,” along with his “Supercar Portraits,” runs through December. The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Gardens Conservancy is dedicated to preserving the beauty of the site, a 2-acre tropical garden sanctuary designed by world-renowned botanist Sir Peter Smithers and featuring monolithic sculptures amid a collection of over 250 rare palm trees and cycads. More than 100 works of art are displayed throughout the gardens and in the historic home. Visitors can explore Ann Norton’s larger-than-life models and studies that evolved into her monumental works in the artist studio. The works of art are nestled among dense, junglelike vegetation. The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens

Intracoastal Waterway. The home, designed in 1925 by architect Maurice Fatio, was purchased in 1935 by Ralph and Elizabeth Norton, founders of the Norton Museum of Art. Widowed Ralph Norton married Ann Weaver, a sculptor instructor at the Norton Museum, in 1948. The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens are located at 253 Barcelona Road in West Palm Beach and are open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through June. Admission is free for members, $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $7 for children and students. Active-duty, Reserve, National Guard and former members of the military receive a 20% discount off admission with a valid ID. For further information about the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, call 561-832-5328, or email info@ansg. org.

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Page 10 • Palms West Journal • December 2021

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PALMS WEST JOURNAL SPECIAL

Tips and Tricks for keeping your cool this holiday season

A family decorating their Christmas tree.

By Bonnie Conrad PALMS WEST JOURNAL

The holiday season should be a time of joy, but more often than not, it is a source of stress and anxiety. If you find yourself dreading the holiday season, take some time to deal with that stress head-on. Here are 10 stress-busting tips that will make your holiday season brighter. 1. Save (and shop) throughout the year. Black Friday may be the official start of the holiday shopping season, but you do not have to wait. Saving and shopping throughout the year can reduce your stress and preserve your precious cash. 2. Fine-tune your shopping list. You do not have to buy gifts for everyone you know, so take a hard look at your shopping list. Your friends will understand, and you will feel a lot less stressed. 3. Make giving back a priority. Volunteering during the holiday season will make you feel good, and benefit the community, so put the focus on the good things you can bring to the world. 4. Eat healthily and get moving. Healthy exercise and good food can

reduce your holiday stress and help you avoid the weight gain that often happens at this time of year. Eating healthy is not always easy, but it is important for your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. 5. Learn to say no. You do not have to say yes to every request, so add a new word to your holiday vocabulary. Learning how to say no nicely, but firmly, will serve you well this season. 6. Focus on the real meaning of the season. The holiday season is special for a reason, and that reason goes far beyond shopping and shiny packages under the tree. Whether you are deeply religious or just spiritually inclined, focusing on the true meaning of the holidays will make you feel better. 7. Take time for yourself. No matter how busy your holiday schedule is, there is always time to relax. So, indulge in a bubble bath, meditate before bed, or just spend some quality time with the people you love. 8. Cut back on social media. On social media, holidays look perfect, with smiling children, expensive presents, and delicious food. But those online personas are carefully curated, and the reality is often far different. If you are feeling bad about your holiday shortcomings, it is time to sign off for a while. 9. Shop online. Circling the parking lot looking for a spot is enough to stress anyone out, so grab your laptop or smartphone instead. Online shopping is convenient, and a great way to

reduce your holiday stress. 10. Seek the sun. Natural light is in short supply during the winter months, and the early darkness can take a toll on your mood. Whether you go for a brisk walk or get up early to watch the sunset, boosting the amount of light in your life can help you fight stress. If you are feeling stressed out this holiday season, you are not alone. Holiday stress and anxiety are very real, and they could be bad for your emotional and physical health. The 10 coping strategies outlined above can help you fight that stress, so you can have a happier holiday season. Alongside these practices, there are also many ways to reduce stress when it comes to gift giving. Christmas time is a very commercial time of year. People buy decorations, gifts, food, and all the wonderful treats and indulgences of the season. But many people are

Photo by Jonathan Borba

consciously changing their shopping habits. Some are focused on being environmentally friendly and only buying necessary, sustainable items. Other people are trying to declutter their homes. And many people are looking to save money. Whatever the reason, these gift exchange ideas will help to simplify Christmas, cut down on spending and time spent shopping, and alleviate some of the stress of the holiday season. Second-Hand Challenge Charity shops, thrift stores, and second-hand websites like eBay are full of great pre-loved treasures. Often, at Christmas, people focus on buying new items because, for many of us, new equals better. Challenge this philosophy by inviting your loved ones to shop second-hand this year. If everybody is going to buy pre-loved gifts, it removes the CONTINUE ON NEXT PAGE

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Palms West Journal • December 2021 • Page 11

PALMS WEST JOURNAL SPECIAL idea of shabbiness or second-best that can sometimes accompany such items. Also, it helps the planet by recycling and reusing goods. Events Calendar If you are looking to avoid accumulating more stuff, why not do a gift exchange that is focused purely on creating memories with your family throughout the year? Rather than buy each other physical presents, everyone agrees to organize an event at some point in the year. These events can be anything; from holidays, theatre trips, sports games, and meals out, to home-cooked potlucks, days out on the beach, country hikes, and home movie nights, there are options to suit every taste and budget. On Christmas day, rather than exchanging gifts, everybody can reveal their event and write it on a calendar so that everybody has a whole years’ worth of quality family time to look forward to. Treasure Hunt Cutting down on Christmas shopping means that kids might have fewer parcels to unwrap on Christmas morning. Rather than simply arrange presents under the tree, why not create a treasure hunt so that kids can have fun searching for their presents? Hide the kids’ presents and create a festive treasure hunt to lead them to the gifts. You might use a treasure map of your home with an ‘X marks the spot’ for smaller children or fun clues and hints for older kids. The treasure hunt can be as imaginative and involved as you want and provides a fun, family activity to do together on Christmas morning. DIY Gifts When people think about homemade gifts, they often visualize the soggy, half-finished creations they

made in school to take home for their parents. But DIY gifts can be fantastic, especially if you think outside the box. Gift hampers filled with homemade sweet treats are a great option for keen bakers, while creative types might decorate t-shirts, or make accessories like bags or jewelry. Writers could write a poem or story for a loved one, while the greenfingered might want to plant seeds in a nice pot and gift the sprouting houseplant. You could make someone a personalized playlist online or create a scrapbook of photos and memories. This challenge works well combined with the traditional Secret Santa format where everyone gives and receives one gift as making a homemade gift is time-consuming. Photos Everybody keeps hundreds of photos online and on their phones, but when we look at these photos, we often scroll through dozens without really looking or appreciating them. If you’re spending Christmas with people you know well, try printing out some choice photographs that capture wonderful memories you’ve had together. You could frame them, stick them in a scrapbook, or turn them into items like bookmarks or coasters. Make this a gift exchange by asking everyone to do the same, so that everybody ends up with a collection of printed, precious memories to treasure. Christmas is an important time of year and there are so many wonderful elements of it. Sometimes, the commercialization of the day can take over. By consciously changing your habits and trying a new gift exchange, you can focus on spending quality time with friends and family rather than getting bogged down with the stress of Christmas shopping.

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SCENE FROM NATURE CALLSWEST PALM by Aaron Wormus | awormus@palmswestmonthly.com

Manatees: next on the endangered species list?

A baby manatee and her mom swimming in the water. By J. Lang Wood PALMS WEST JOURNAL

Conservationists are pleading with Congress to pass legislation that would place Florida’s manatees on the endangered species list — with good reason. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), many manatees starved last winter during their migration to warmwater destinations because of a dwindling food supply. This year almost 1,000 manatees have died already, breaking the record of 830 deaths in 2013. Because of the emergency, lawmakers hope to sidestep regulations to put the West Indian manatee on the endangered species list through the Manatee Protection Act of 2021. This would be the second time the manatee has been one the endangered list: It was on the list from 1967 to 2017, when it was upgraded to “threatened.” The much-loved marine mammals are reportedly starving because polluted water is destroying their food supply. The abama Blind Boys of Al January 8, 2022

Photo By The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

FWC said seagrass and seaweed, the mainstays of the manatee diet, are being lost due to pollution. The pollution causes algae blooms that cloud out the sunlight and kill the plants that manatees depend on. Manatees are often called “sea cows” because of their appearance. They are gentle giants related to elephants, with which they share

gray, wrinkled skin and a common ancestor. Both species are classified within a group of mammals called tethytheria. The three major species of manatees, all of which are at risk of extinction, are the West Indian, the West African, and the Amazonian, the smallest of the species. The West Indian manatee is found off

the coast of Florida. To save Florida’s starving manatees, local wildlife authorities are considering supplemental feedings. Save the Manatee Club representative Pat Rose said supplemental feeding is illegal and not recommended long term, but these are special circumstances. According to ZooTampa, one of the four critical care centers in Florida, the manatee population is in serious trouble. Rose said the supplemental feeding plan may involve natural vegetation or some form of agriculture-based vegetation, such as lettuce or cabbage. It is unclear how the wildlife agencies would make the vegetation available or whether the sea creatures would even eat it. Another concern is that excess vegetation would remain in the ecosystem and contribute to unneeded nutrients in the water. Rescue efforts are considered a counterpart to the supplemental feeding program. Wildlife authorities have facilities to rescue and house manatees and have saved 131 manatees this year. Among them were 13 orphaned manatee calves; two of them were transferred to a SeaWorld rehabilitation center, where they face a long road to recovery. The emergency situation facing manatees today is not sustainable. Save the Manatee Club and other organizations are working tirelessly to figure out solutions that could save these majestic creatures.

Sea grass, one of the species of water grasses consumed by manatees.

Photo By Joe Whalen

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Page 14 • Palms West Journal • December 2021

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THE VILLAGE LOCAL HAPPENINGS IDIOT by Jim Mullen

Palm Beach County green markets are back with two new additions

Photos By Abacoa Market

Vendor for La griguita posing with products. By Sharon Penn PALMS WEST JOURNAL

Here are some notable farmers markets.

Green markets are back, jampacked with local produce, culinary delights, and exhilarating entertainment. Many of the markets feature live music, serve freshly prepared, locally sourced food, offer hand-made décor and clothing, and allow pets.

The two newest green markets in the area are the Abacoa Green Market in Jupiter and the Lantana Green Market in Lantana. The Abacoa Green Market was started by restaurateur Ryan

Witkowski, whose Stadium Grill restaurant recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. He began the green market in October to support local vendors and draw visitors to the area. The Abacoa Green Market is held on Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Abacoa Amphitheater at 1267 Main St. in Jupiter and includes performances by local bands. The green market started with 30 vendors but quickly grew to over 40. Culinary specialties include seafood, artisan cheese, baked goods, and of course, fresh produce. Arts, crafts, and photography are offered as well. The waterfront Lantana Green Market offers more than 20 artisan vendors providing locally grown vegetables and fruit, fresh seafood, baked goods, coffee, alcoholic beverages, and beautifully made handcrafted items. The green market is held at the Lantana Recreation Center at 418 S. Dixie Highway from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sundays. Food trucks are stationed throughout the market. The market also features a catered brunch with omelet stations, made-to-order waffles, fresh fruit, and baked goods. Enjoy the relaxing sounds of flutes and saxophones while sipping on bottomless mimosas. Tickets are available onsite. For further information, visit www. shorelinegreenmarkets. com/lantana-green-market.

Vendor Pet Wants posing with products.

Photos By Abacoa Market

Swank Sp e cialt y Produce Market in Loxahatchee Groves celebrates Florida’s diverse agriculture. Visitors shop in an openair, 8,500-square-foot barn packed with vendors

and delicious aromas. Not only are you stocking up on kitchen necessities, but you’re also taking a day-cation to the countryside, away from the busy city. The market displays Swank Farm produce and wildflower bouquets alongside more than 25 local bakers, gardeners, growers, and retailers. Vendors include Palm Beach Meats, Cottage Garden Teas, Dirty Bird’s Swett Sauce, Counter Culture Kombucha, and Dolores’ Baked Goods. Uprooted Catering provides breakfast sandwiches on the grill, and Tropical Smokehouse offers barbecue for lunch. The fun is tied together with live music by Mitch Herrick, a Chicago-born Americana and roots rock singersongwriter. Swank Specialty Produce also features a Swank Table series of 12 events beginning Dec. 12. The events include an Argentinian barbecue, a Venetian masquerade, a CBD-infused dinner, and a celebration of Caribbean street food. The farmers market takes place on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, through June at 14311 North Road, Loxahatchee Groves. Parking is free, and service dogs are welcome. For further information, visit www.swankspecialtyproduce.com. In Jupiter, 23-year-old Riley Burns named her beachside green market JoJo’s Farmers’ Market after her mother, who died of cancer in 2006. The death inspired Burns to explore healing practices and preventive medicine to help others suffering from illness within the community. She has assembled 30 vendors to promote wellness and local products. Food at JoJo’s includes Floridastyle barbecue from Flobecue, gourmet guacamole and quesadillas at the Tres Taco Truck, French crepes and fresh-squeezed lemonade from GR Food Group, and freshly baked, gluten-free desserts from Sweets by Amanda. Olive Oil of the World offers organic, infused olive oil and vinegar. Bio Farms sells pastureraised chicken, farm-fresh eggs, raw milk products, and grass-fed beef. Because this market is all about promoting healthy eating and lifestyle habits, you can often find free yoga and fitness classes, the serene sound of ukulele strings, and hand-painted surfboards. JoJo’s Farmers’ Market is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 18 at Carlin Park near Gumbo Limbo Pavilion, 400 Florida A1A, Jupiter. For further information, visit JoJosFarmersMarket. co m or @ JoJosFarmersMarket on Instagram. There are so many benefits to shopping local farms, with many centered on

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Palms West Journal • December 2021 • Page 15

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Page 16 • Palms West Journal • December 2021

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