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Palms West Journal • May 2022 • Page 1

Palms West Journal WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • WEST PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE GROVES • THE ACREAGE Volume 1, Number 8

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FREE • May 2022

Brightline expands to Boca Raton and beyond

STEAM Day brings elementary, college educators together in Loxahatchee Groves

Palm Beach Atlantic awards scholarships

Palm Beach State College’s Loxahatchee Groves campus celebrated a new partnership with Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School by holding its first STEAM Day on March 21.

Palm Beach Atlantic University

PAGE 3 four of its seniors has awarded

The Boca Raton Brightline station, planning to open this fall.

A look at five things to do when visiting Florida’s Space Coast For a spring or summer vacation without the cost or hassle of air travel, Florida’s Space Coast could be a great option. Check out these five must see attractions when visiting.

PAGE 8

“An Officer and a Gentleman” playing at the Kravis Center Based on the Oscar-winning film, “An Officer and a Gentleman” is a classic love story coupled with lessons of self-discovery, friendship and honor. The performance is one of the last shows of the 2021/2022 Kravis on Broadway season.

PAGE 10

By Mia Petruccelli Palms West Journal

Brightline broke ground early this year on its Boca Raton station, adding to a rail system that connects Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach and is due to reach Orlando by year’s end. The Boca station, a 4½- story building with a 455-space garage, is across from Mizner Park and alongside the Downtown Library. The Federal Railroad Administration provided the expansion a $16.3 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement grant last year, and the city of Boca Raton contributed $9.9 million toward the building of the parking garage. Brightline is paying the balance of approximately $30 million for the project. Brightline says the Boca Raton station is helping create over 500 jobs with $23 million in wages during the construction

period. By easing travel to and from Boca throughout South Florida, Brightline will offer employers a larger employee pool and connect Boca-area residents to a wider area of job opportunities. “As a premier business and leisure destination, Boca Raton is a perfect fit for Brightline and will be an integral part of our network that will further connect the state of Florida,” said Patrick Goddard, the president of Brightline. Designed by Zygovisch Architects, the Boca station will feature 38,000 square feet and include Brightline’s signature autonomous MRKT, premium lounges, charging stations and other amenities. Set to open in the fall of this year, the station has a white-and-yellow interior with free Wi-Fi and touchless turnstiles. Food and drink are available in the station or on the train. Brightline sells two

classes of tickets: Smart and Premium. A Smart ticket provides access to a lounge, Wi-Fi and the touchless MRKT, along with the option to buy an assortment of refreshments. A Premium ticket adds access to a first-class

Photo by Brightline

lounge at the station, free beverages and snacks, a pre-boarding experience and increased onboard space. For more information, visit www.gobrightline. com.

Photo by Brightline

Ground breaking ceremony at the Bightline Boca station. From left to right, the Boca Raton City Council Members Drucker, Thomson, Mayotte, O’Rourke, Mayor Scott Singer, Brightline President Patrick Goddard, Congressman Ted Deutch, Jorge Pesquera of Discovery the Palm Beaches and Michael Kaufman of Kaufman Lynn Construction.

“As a premier business and leisure destination, Boca Raton is a perfect fit for Brightline...” -Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline

Page 2 • Palms West Journal • May 2022

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Palms West Journal • May 2022 • Page 3

FACES & PLACES

STEAM Day brings elementary, college educators together in Loxahatchee Groves Gregory Maxwell, Jeanne Murcia, Vetaley Stashenko and Candace Walker. Instructors also used zSpace 3D technology to explore the Virtual Anatomy Laboratory and learned STEAM concepts they could implement in their elementary school classrooms. “The engaging professional development on this day allowed our teachers to expand their toolbox of STEAM activities to help our students deepen their knowledge across curriculums,” said Juliana Bradley, an assistant principal at Loxahatchee Groves Elementary. She noted the pressure students are feeling as state testing approaches. The

training on STEAM learning opportunities will help teachers “push their students’ critical thinking skills while taking a break from the pressures of preparing for the test.” Walker, an associate professor who teaches science at PBSC, said educators at all levels can bond over the challenges of teaching. “To have opportunities to pour encouragement into each other, spark creativity and remember why we fell in love with teaching in the first place is priceless.” The college’s cooperation with the elementary school began in February, and they hope to make STEAM Day an annual campus event.

Photo by Palm Beach State College

Educators and administrators at the Palm Beach State College Loxahatchee Groves campus for STEAM day.

Palms West Journal

Palm Beach State College’s Loxahatchee Groves campus celebrated a new partnership with Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School by holding its first STEAM Day on March 21. The hope is that one evening of public education celebration will result in months of innovation in Palm Beach County classrooms and long-term benefits for kids. More than 50 primary school teachers attended the professional development day, which featured science, technology, engineering, art

and math activities offered by instructors from PBSC’s Loxahatchee Groves and Belle Glade campuses. Also at the program were Richard Myerson, the principal of Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School; Vivian Green, the instructional superintendent of the School District of Palm Beach County; Marcia Andrews, a member of the West Lake Education Committee; and Mary McNicholas, a liaison from the Loxahatchee Groves government. “This partnership is a great extension of the college’s longstanding collabora-

tion with the Palm Beach County School District. It will not only help the elementary school meet some of its STEAM goals, but it also helps expand awareness of the Lox Groves campus and our programs. It is a win-win, especially for students,” said Kimberly Lancaster, the dean of the Loxahatchee Groves campus. Demonstrations on an Anatomage Table, an augmented reality platform called Magic Leap, and a Syndaver, a synthetic human cadaver, were among the activities led by professors

Photo by Palm Beach State College

Dr. Vetaley Stashenko showcases the Anatomage Table to instructors at Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School.

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SCENE &FROM FACES PLACES WEST PALM by Aaron Wormus | awormus@palmswestmonthly.com

Bank of America features two local museums through ‘Museums On Us’ By Brianna Wilson Palms West Journal

For 25 years, Bank of America has provided access to some of the greatest cultural experiences in dozens of cities across the United States through the Museums on Us program. The arts have a unique ability to connect people and communities, and to help local economies thrive, which is why Bank of America continues to support artistic and cultural programs worldwide. Museums on Us is one of the ways Bank of America helps to emphasize the importance of the arts. On the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month, credit and debit cardholders of Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank receive free general admission to cultural attractions across the country, including history museums, aquariums, botanical gardens, science centers and more. The next eligible Museums on Us weekend is May 7 and 8, 2022. For more information about Museums on Us, including access to a full list and locations of participating museums, visit the Bank of America website. Florida has over 30 institutions within the state featured on Bank of America’s partners list. Two attractions specific to West Palm Beach participate in Museums on Us: The

The front of the Norton Museum of Art, one of the museums participating in the “Museums On Us” program.

Norton Museum of Art and the Cox Science Center and Aquarium. The Norton Museum of Art includes over 7,000 works of art, accumulated over 81 years of the institution’s existence. The Norton is home to masterpieces such as Stuart Davis’s New York Mural and Jackson Pollock’s Night Mist. Originally founded in 1941 by Ralph Hubbard Norton and Elizabeth Calhoun Norton, the

Norton Museum of Art has since shifted from a historical collection of art to a progressive institution that recognizes minority artists. In addition to its large gallery, the Norton has special performances, a student exhibition space, a restaurant, as well as a beautiful garden for guests to relax and enjoy the sculptures and natural atmosphere. The Cox Science Center and Aquarium was founded

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The Science Center’s exhibits include a Physics Forest, an interactive splash pad, and a dinosaur walk. These particular exhibits are outdoors, on the Science Center’s Fisher Family Science Trail, which also includes picnic areas. Through the Museums on Us program, Bank of America offers cardholders new ways to get out and learn about the world around them. More than 225 of the most prominent cultural institutions, across 123 cities in 35 states, welcome bank cardholders for free on the first full weekend of each month. For more information, Bank of America encourages using the Bank of America Museums on Us location finder tool to search for participating cultural attractions, and to check with museums directly for their current safety procedures and operating hours. Once you arrive at your destination of choice, at an institution that participates in Museums on Us, present your Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit card, along with a photo ID, to gain free general admission. This is applicable to cardholders only; guests are not eligible for free admission. Museums on Us excludes fundraising events, special exhibitions and ticketed shows, and cannot be combined with other offers.

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SCENEFRONTIER LAST FROM WEST PALM by Aaron Wormus | awormus@palmswestmonthly.com

The Shining Horse Farm and Sanctuary offers refuge to animals in need By Mia Petruccelli Palms West Journal

The Shining Horse Farm and Sanctuary was created in 2005 by Leanne Witt, after animals that needed assistance kept flooding through her doors. What started as a small rehabilitation journey for a couple of foals, has blossomed into a rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary for all animals. Witt grew up around horses, worked alongside veterinarians and developed the skills needed to properly care for large animals over several years. The Shining Horse Farm and Sanctuary opened their doors to the public on April 1. This summer, the organization plans to host a series of educational programs for people to learn about the animals cared for at the sanctuary. From horses and chickens to dogs and cats, there will be classes on grooming and general care, enrichment and the best diet for each animal. Additionally, there will be classes on pasture maintenance, stall organization and enclosure creation. The program is free of charge and will consist of two-hour courses each day. Shining Horse Farm believes that educating the community about animal

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One of Shining Horse Farm’s horses dressed up for a day of fun.

care will limit the number of animals showing up at the farm in desperate need of medical attention. Alongside the farm’s programs to provide education in the community, they also have plans to enhance the facility. The farm intends to strengthen and expand the animal habitats, to make them hurricane safe and to have extra room for future residents. Plans to make more space for any animals that come to them include assurances that they give the animal the most attentive care. “We don’t want to be so massive that we lose touch of what the starting

roots are, which is to really get to know the animal and get the animal placed with the right person every single time. Even if it takes a month, even if it takes a year, we want to do it right,” Witt said, “These animals have already gone through enough, it’s time for them to have the best life.” In 2018, the organization moved to West Palm Beach and became a refuge for an ever-changing population of animals. This sense of home and safety for the animals furthered the mission of the Shining Horse Farm and Sanctuary. “It started with a couple

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of foals, and then horses, and then it moved on to really any animal that would show up,” Witt said, “We expanded from just horses to goats, pigs, tortoises, rabbits, guinea pigs, we even have an axolotl right now.” Shining Horse Farm and Sanctuary became a nonprofit organization in 2021, shortly after they realized just how much the community needed their assistance. The organization possesses the unique ability to be able to test animals in several different lifestyles before they are open to adoption. “We received one chicken that really didn’t want to be

a chicken. It wanted to be held and cuddled like a dog or a cat. So, we had to find a family that just wants to love this fluffy little chicken,” Witt said, “We found this one little girl and it was perfect.” The farm has been able to rehabilitate over 400 animals in the last four years. One of the main reasons animals come to the farm is because their caregivers did not know how to give them the proper care. While many of the animals find a forever home or are returned to owners, some of the animals must stay with the farm because of the attention they require. “We have a miniature pony here that has 1001 issues, as we say. She’s here for life because I would never want to put that on a new family wanting a cute pony, and then the next month, she could cost them a fortune,” Witt said, “She requires constant attention. In the summer, we have to go out there four times a day to hose her off because she doesn’t sweat.” Although some of the farm’s animals require around-the-clock attention, Witt has dedicated her life to giving her animals the happiest and healthiest life possible.

Page 6 • Palms West Journal • May 2022

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VILLAGE LIFE

Wellington’s golf cart ordinance takes effect

Palms West Journal

The golf cart ordinance the Village of Wellington passed in September to alleviate safety concerns went into effect March 28, putting in place a series of regulations for the community. Florida law is ambiguous about golf carts on city

roads, so the village established where golf carts may be driven, as well as various guidelines. In recent years golf carts have become extremely common in the Village of Wellington. They are widely used in the equestrian industry, within neighborhoods and when traveling short distances. “Many of us in the eques-

trian industry use golf carts to and from the showgrounds and even around our village,” said Michael Stone, the president of Equestrian Sports Production. According to the ordinance, golf carts are allowed on designated village roads, designated multimodal pathways and authorized golf cart crossings.

Designated village roads are residential roads that have a speed limit of 25 mph or less and display designated signs. Golf carts are not allowed on the more heavily traveled connector roads, such as Greenview Shores Boulevard or Big Blue Trace. These collector routes have parallel multimodal pathways where golf carts are allowed, although

under different rules. Multimodal pathways are wider than sidewalks and are always paved. Golf carts are limited to 15 mph on those pathways. The ordinance states that a golf cart driver on a designated multimodal pathway must yield the right of way at all times to all other travelers — pedestrians, bicyclists and horses — by slowing, stopping or pulling off the pathway. The ordinance also states that you need a driver’s license or learner’s permit to drive a golf cart on a multimodal pathway; otherwise, the minimum age is 14 to drive a golf cart on village roads. Some areas in Wellington are off-limits to golf carts because they are private or semiprivate and are governed by their own rules. The village provides an interactive map to show these private areas, as well as designated village roads and multimodal pathways. Golf carts are not allowed on equestrian trails or on streets with a speed limit of 30 mph or higher. Golf carts may be driven from sunrise to sunset only unless they are equipped with nighttime safety equipment such as headlights, brake lights, turn signals and a windshield. The Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office will issue a warning for the first violation of the new golf cart rules, a $50 fine for the second and a $100 fine for the third.

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Palms West Journal • May 2022 • Page 7

EAST SCENEOFFROM THE PALMS WEST PALM by Aaron Wormus | awormus@palmswestmonthly.com

‘Luminous Seas’ comes to the Palm Beach Photographic Centre Palms West Journal

The Palm Beach Photographic Centre is hosting “Luminous Seas,” an exhibition of sea animal photos taken by FOTOmentor Award winner Brian Skerry through May 28. The center’s awards committee granted the prize to Skerry for his lifetime achievement in photography over a four-decade career as a photojournalist focused on the seas, including underwater life. The president and CEO of the Palm Beach Photographic Centre, Fatima NeJame, announced the award and the exhibit, which opened March 1. The display includes eight shark species, five whale species, bluefin tuna, manatees, seals and more. Skerry has traveled in equipment ranging from snowmobiles to a Goodyear blimp for his work, and he has lived at the bottom of the sea for months. “We are all connected to the sea and tied to her fate,” Skerry said he has learned during a lifetime of ocean research. Skerry has spent over 10,000 hours underwater

with a camera. He has worked

Photographer Brian Skerry has been able to capture the interesting patterns of some rarely captured sea life.

for National Geographic since 1998 and was named the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year for 2017. “Earth’s oceans are vital to our very existence, and photographs can communicate this in the most powerful of ways,” Skerry said. “From a single image we can be motivated,

educated, entertained and inspired.” His images feature intimate and fleeting moments with rarely seen behaviors in the lives of marine animals, rewarding his thousands of hours in ocean habitats. He has a solo exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington called “Portraits of Planet Ocean.” He has written 12 books, including “Ocean

Photo by FOTOmentor Award winner Brian Skerry

Soul,” “SHARK,” and his most recent work, “Secrets of the Whales,” which National Geographic published last year, won the Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding documentary. The artist hopes you will leave his Palm Beach exhibition with a renewed love and respect for the water and the marine ecosystem, as well as an awareness of its fragility.

His photographs capture the vital force these animals emit in their natural habitat, exhibiting their grace, beauty and vulnerability. The Photo Centre is located in downtown West Palm Beach at 415 Clematis St. You can visit their website at workshop.org.

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SCENE FROM BEYOND THE NEIGHBORHOOD WEST PALM by Aaron Wormus | awormus@palmswestmonthly.com

There’s plenty to do when visiting Florida’s Space Coast and is home to animals and plants native to Florida. Five species of turtles live on the seashore, and local mammals include the right whale and manatee. At the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in the same area, you can see wild hogs, spoonbills, scrub jays and kingfishers. If the time is right, you might spot a bobcat. It is also a stopover for migratory birds every winter. You can take nature hikes within the park and learn the history of the area, including settlements and crops. You can visit

Julie L. Cleveland Palms West Journal

For a spring or summer vacation without the cost or hassle of air travel, Florida’s Space Coast could be a great option. Here are five things to explore on your trip north.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex When it comes to all things space, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex delivers exciting exhibits and daring

glimpses into the future. You can take a day trip to the launch pads or spend a few days of exploration. The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame introduces the famous names of NASA history and provides a glimpse behind the scenes with an exhibit featuring the faces of Mission Control. The Rocket Garden lets you touch real rockets, and you can view the Countdown Clock. You can get the experience of an astronaut by climbing into a training simulator, marvel at the shuttle Atlantis in its per-

Cocoa Beach and Cocoa Village Another good place to watch a rocket launch is Cocoa Beach, perhaps best known as the home of Captain Nelson in the 1960s sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie.” Jeannie’s house wasn’t real, so there is no television set to visit. But Cocoa Beach offers many

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Photo by SpaceX

A rocket launch from the John F. Kennedy Space Center.

preserved native Timucuan mounds. Canaveral means “place of cane.” The seashore is also a good place to watch a rocket launch.

manent home, or enjoy a presentation on the Hubble Space Telescope’s history and photos of deep space.

Canaveral National Seashore and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Not far from Cape Canaveral’s rockets and space shuttles is a barrier island on the National Park Service registry. The Canaveral National Seashore features dunes, hammocks and lagoons

Peaceful Cocoa Beach Pier at sunset.

Photo by Florian Schnieder

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BEYOND THE NEIGHBORHOOD way.

Brevard Zoo

A parrot plucking his feathers at Brevard Zoo.

other things to do. With six miles of beaches, Cocoa Beach hosts numerous surfing competitions. If none is happening during your visit, you could shop for a surfboard at the famous Ron Jon Surf Shop or at least take home a shirt or a sticker. At Christmas, nothing is more festive than the surfing Santas. If you tire of the sun, fun and beach, Cocoa Village

Photo by Brian McGowan

offers shops that feature local artists and craftsmen. You can take home an authentic Florida artwork or nibble on a Florida orange. This historic town is home to a hardware store that opened in 1885. The village is small enough that you can walk through the history and shops in a day, with many small cafes and restaurants to keep you fed and hydrated along the

A drive south on I-95 brings you to the Brevard Zoo, where you can interact with over 900 animals from all corners of the world. The zoo has recreated all their natural habitats. You can ride a train, kayak on a river or leisurely walk the zoo. Attractions for kids include the Petting Zone and the Indian River Play Lagoon, which teaches about the natural species from the real Indian River Lagoon. Committed to conservation, Brevard Zoo educates visitors on the ways they can help their communities care for native animals. Brevard Zoo supports Brevard County’s wildlife by restoring the shoreline, healing sick and injured sea turtles, and drawing awareness to habitats like the Canaveral National Seashore and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Mel Fisher Treasures Museum Just south of the Space Coast is the Treasure Coast. The Mel Fisher Treasures Museum and Gift Shop on U.S. 1 in Sebastian provides

Photo by Joel Carillet

People looking on from Jetty Park at Cocoa Beach as the Delta II rocket takes off from Cape Canaveral.

a look at the namesake treasures. Mel Fisher was the first dive shop owner in California. He was bitten by the treasure bug and set off to search for shipwrecks, a quest that paid off in the early 1970s. The museum houses gold, jewelry and other artifacts from several ships in the Spanish fleet that sank off the coast in 1715. It also includes treasure from the Nuestra Senora de Atocha, which sank in the Florida Keys in a 1622 hurricane. In addition to viewing treasures, you can buy a piece of history like an emerald or an Atocha silver coin.

The museum teaches preservation techniques for treasure hunters and offers a chance to join one of the Mel Fisher team’s expeditions. Other options on or near the Space Coast include McKee Gardens in Vero Beach and Daytona Beach and St. Augustine to the north. You can skydive in Deland or Sebastian, take biplane rides in Cocoa Beach, or kayak any of the riverways. The area also is ripe with fresh fruits, from the famous Indian River oranges to blueberries, strawberries and mangoes. And you might see a rocket launch.

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THE VILLAGE IDIOT by Jim Mullen LOCAL HAPPENINGS “An Officer and a Gen- Palm Beach State College tleman” playing at the Spring Commencement Ceremony Kravis Center Date: May 3 - May 8 Location: Dreyfoos Concert Hall 701 Okeechobee Blvd West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Price: Tickets start at $32. Based on the Oscar-winning film, “An Officer and a Gentleman” is a classic love story coupled with lessons of self-discovery, friendship and honor. The performance is one of the last shows of the 2021/2022 Kravis on Broadway season. Tickets can be purchased at kravis.org.

Brunch So Hard! at the Improv Club Date: May 7 & May 21, 11 a.m. Location: Improv Comedy Club 550 S Rosemary Avenue #250, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Price: $15 per person The Improv Comedy Club and Dinner Theatre hosts “Brunch So Hard! Palm Beach” on the first and third Saturday of every month. The brunch will include a full menu, bottomless mimosas, karaoke, comics, poets and performers. Brunch menu includes shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, breakfast tacos, loaded tots, nachos and of course, eggs and sausage.

Date: May 12, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. Location: South Florida Fairgrounds 9067 Southern Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33441

Palm Beach State College will be holding a commencement ceremony for students completing their degrees this Spring, 2022 and is expecting more than 2,000 graduates. The first ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. for students receiving science degrees and 2 p.m. for art students.

BrandX Women For Women 5K at Okeeheelee Park Date: May 7, 7 a.m. Location: 7715 Forest Hill Blvd West Palm Beach, FL 33413 Price: Tickets start at $30 The 2022 “Orange Blossom” themed race, named for the state flower, is hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. Over 500 female runners will line up to ”compete, celebrate and encourage each other” throughout the 5k race on Mother’s Day weekend. Categories include fastest mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Sunset Polo at the International Polo Club Palm Beach

Miranda Lambert & Little Big Town: The Bandwagon Tour

Date: May 14 & May 21, 5 p.m. Location: International Polo Club 3667 120th Avenue South Wellington, FL 33414 Price: general admission: $10, pavilion seating starting at $125

Date: May 14, 7 p.m. Location: iThink Amphitheare 601-7 Sansburys Way West Palm Beach, FL 33411 Price: Starting at $35

The International Polo Club Palm Beach is hosting a Dinner Buffet and Polo event for the community to enjoy. The Polo match will consist of 5 chukkers and a divot stomp. A dinner buffet will be included with pavilion tickets. Tickets are limited, so reserve your spot for this exclusive event.

The Asphalt Angels Car Club at the Mall at Wellington Green Date: May 14 at 10 a.m. Location: Mall at Wellington Green 10300 Forest Hill Blvd Wellington, FL 33414 The Asphalt Angels Car Club is a classic and hot rod club located in West Palm Beach, Florida. On the second Saturday of each month, the club meets for their highly awaited car show. At the events, the club will discuss their rides, play music and conduct a raffle. The event is located at the Mall at Wellington Green near the food court.

Miranda Lambert will be joined by Little Big Town to bring back their popular Bandwagon Tour. The pair of country artist last performed together in 2018. The tour kicks off May 6 in Houston and concludes June 11 in New Jersey. The groups first collaborated with each other back in 2014 for the hit single “Smokin’ and Drinkin’”.

Copperpoint Brewing 7th Anniversary Date: May 14, 12-8 p.m. Location: 151 Commerce Rd, Boynton Beach, FL 33426 Price: Free Copperpoint Brewing Company is celebrating it’s 7th anniversary with a day full of beer, music and food trucks. The three food trucks that will be featured at the anniversary event include, Silver Spork, G’s Hibachi and Taco Time Y Mas. Copperpoint Brewing is independently owned and operated in Boynton Beach.

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Palms West Journal • May 2022 • Page 11

LOCAL &HAPPENINGS FACES PLACES

The Lumineers are coming to West Palm Beach for Brightside

Palm Beach Mini Maker Faire comes to Cox Science Center

Date: May 20, 7 p.m. Location: iThink Ampitheatre 601-7 Sansbury Way West Palm Beach, FL 33411 Price: Starting at $35

Date: May 21, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Location: 4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach, FL 33405 Price: $18.95 for adults

The Lumineers Brightside World Tour is making a stop in West Palm Beach. They will be taking the stage with Caamp. The Lumineers are an American folk-rock band from Boulder, Colorado. Some of their top songs include Ho Hey, Ophelia and Sleep On The Floor. Brightside is the name of the groups fourth album which was just released in January.

Ocean Brews & Blues Date: May 21, 3-8 p.m. Location: Main Beach Parking Lot, 149 SE 21st Avenue Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 Price: Starting at $40 The Ocean Brews & Blues craft beer festival is back. There will be an assortment of over 125 beers from some of America’s top craft breweries while lis- tening to a variety of blues entertainers. Along with the great brews and blues, there will be an assortment of local foods, drinks and arts and crafts vendors. VIP tickets are also available. Guests must be at least 21 years old.

Palm Beach Maker Faire serves as the ultimate science fair, inviting creators of all ages. Maker Faire consists of inventors, artists, teachers, club leaders and performers. Interactive exhibits will include Maker Workshops, live science demos, robot fights and 3D printing. The Maker Faire is an event produced by Cox Science Center in West Palm Beach. The fair took place for the first time in 2016 and continued as an annual event until Covid.

Palm Beach Home Design and Remodeling Show Date: May 27 - 30, 11 - 7:30 p.m. Location: PBC Convention Center 650 Okeechobee Blvd West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Price: $6 per adult (2 min) Over 300 exhibitors will be at the Palm Beach County Convention Center this May to show off their products and services and give perspectives to those looking to remodel their homes. The event will feature well known interior designer Carolina Santana, owner of Y&Y Home Design and Consulting.

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Get your FREE Information Kit Product not available in all states. Includes the Participating (in GA: Designated) Providers and Preventive Benefits Rider. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certificate of this type. Contact us for complete details about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is not available in CO, NY; call 1-800-969-4781 or respond for similar offer. Certificate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Insurance Policy P150 (GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; TN: P150TN). Rider kinds: B438, B439 (GA: B439B). 6208-0721

Page 12 • Palms West Journal • May 2022

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Palms West Journal • May 2022 • Page 13

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT HEALTH MATTERS

MedHouse Social Wellness Club coming to West Palm Beach

Photo by MedHouse

The MedHouse building on Dixie Hwy in downtown West Palm Beach.

By Mel Page Palms West Journal

MedHouse is coming to West Palm Beach. This wellness experience helps patients understand how to care for their bodies and minds through personalized programs. The 7,500-square-foot wellness center includes a variety of programs and treatment plans. Powered by established medical spa and anti-aging clinic R3 Health, MedHouse provides access to

the latest technology through medicine, regenerative therapy, antidotes and beauty treatments, including micro needling and facials. Other options include sensory float tanks and salt suites. MedHouse’s Social Wellness Club employs certified medical providers working with dietitians and health coaches to ensure excellent treatment for members and visitors based on their specific expectations and desires. The club uses a point system to allow

The front entrance of MedHouse.

members to customize their care. Alternatively, visitors can purchase day passes to see whether the program suits them. MedHouse was founded by R3 Health clinical director Joseph Radich. “What I enjoy most about MedHouse is the sense of community and capabilities,” says Radich, “MedHouse and its members make MedHouse what it is, which is a high energy space for people who are passionate about being the best versions of themselves to come together and share experiences, co-work, learn and become the healthiest versions of themselves.” MedHouse will open in May at 2513 South Dixie Highway. Pricing varies based on an individual’s package. For more information, call 561-331-2983, or visit medhouse.co.

Photo by MedHouse

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Page 14 • Palms West Journal • May 2022

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NATURAL CALLS

Conservation efforts that led to the great sea turtle comeback By The Conversation Via Reuters It’s not always easy to assess whether animal conservation measures have worked. But we’ve discovered that green turtles of Seychelles – once almost hunted to extinction – are now thriving again. And it’s all because of crucial protection that was given to the species around 50 years ago. Today, sea turtles are a wellloved icon for conservation, their image used worldwide to remind us why we need to clean up and protect our oceans. But back in 1888, turtle meat was the order of the day – with turtle soup a hugely popular delicacy throughout Europe. One of the popular hunting grounds was the Seychelles archipelago in the western Indian Ocean, and in particular, an isolated place called Aldabra Atoll, one of the largest atolls in the world. Around 12,000 turtles a year were hunted, resulting in Aldabra’s green turtle (Chelonia mydas) population collapsing to critically low levels – surveys carried out from 1967 to 1968 found no evidence of either recent or old nesting activity on the settlement beach, which was the targeted location for harvesting nesting turtles. That was a turning point for Aldabra. The Royal Society (an eminent scientific organization in the UK) recommended that the atoll should become a nature reserve with complete turtle protection – and on August 13 1968 the Green Turtle Protection Regulations were implemented throughout the territory (which was under British rule at the time but gained independence in 1976). Since

Green Sea Turtle grazing on seagrass bed near Marsa Alam.

then, many other protective area designations have been put in place in recognition of Aldabra’s importance to the natural world, including selection as a Unesco World Heritage site in 1982. Thanks to all of these measures green turtles have remained largely undisturbed at Aldabra since 1968, and the effect of the protection has been astounding. As we report in our recent study in the journal Endangered Species Research, Aldabra now has the secondlargest green turtle breeding population in the western Indian Ocean region. Since the 1970s, the Seychelles Islands Foundation (Sif) – a public trust that took ownership of Aldabra’s management in 1979 – has worked with Dr Jeanne Mortimer, a turtle scientist, on a rigorous turtle-track monitoring program to record the turtles’ recovery. The survey effort has been atoll-wide with the most frequent

surveys on the 2km settlement beach. It is walked every morning by an Aldabra ranger to count the number of “turtle nesting emergences” – that’s when a female comes out of the sea to attempt to nest and is recorded by counting the number of turtle tracks on the beach from the previous night. One female will leave one up and one down track – and rangers are able to distinguish between when she has actually laid eggs and when she has aborted the attempt. From 1980-2019 over 128,000 turtle tracks across 44,000 turtle track surveys were recorded. So, under the guidance of Professor Brendan Godley, we worked with Sif to analyse this huge dataset. Green turtle nests were found to have increased by between 410% and 665% since those early 1968 estimates, from around 2,500 to around 15,000 nests annually by 2019 – an estimated 2.6% annual growth rate in nest numbers. That equates to

Photo by Cinoby

between 3,000–5,000 female turtles nesting each year at Aldabra today, because each female will nest several times each season. Notably, the greatest increase was seen at settlement beach, which is the longest beach on the atoll and, historically, the hardest hit by exploitation. Estimates for Aldabra’s turtle population before peak exploitation were as high as 8,000 nesting females per year, suggesting the current population could double again. We also found uncovered many other interesting patterns in the detailed data. There were almost twice as many nesting attempts abandoned by the nesting females because of obstacles on the beach, such as steep banks from coastal erosion and, potentially, also a result of increased litter washing up on the beaches. We also saw a potential shift

in the nesting patterns of the turtles with peak nesting activity happening later in the year, perhaps a shift in their breeding season due to climate change. Similar recoveries have now been recorded in green turtle populations in Australia, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Mexico and on Ascension Island. All of these successes highlight the value of protecting nesting areas for species recovery. And the benefits don’t end there. The protection of habitats at Aldabra has not only been a lifeline for marine turtles in the region but a whole range of other species too – not least, the iconic Aldabra giant tortoise that was also close to extinction as a result of extensive harvesting from Aldabra. It now has the largest population of giant tortoises worldwide. The atoll is also the only site in Seychelles where dugongs – a sea cow related to manatees – are found, which is probably linked to the healthy seagrass beds that the turtles maintain through grazing. The importance of marine turtles to ecosystems is widely acknowledged – but there are still a number of huge threats to these iconic animals that no amount of protection at Aldabra can stop, including unsustainable fisheries, climate change and plastic pollution. But undoubtedly protected sites are a crucial tool for regional ecosystem recovery and health, and the Aldabra story can serve as encouragement to conservation efforts around the world. It shows that, given the chance, animals have an extraordinary capacity to recover from the brink.

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Palms West Journal • May 2022 • Page 15

NATURAL CALLS

Tips to conserving water in your home garden than the compost alone. Consider adding grass clippings and leaves to help the soil retain water. 3. Install rain barrels for stormy days: Rain barrels allow you to direct rainwater from your roof to your garden. They should be at least 1 foot higher than the garden so that gravity can transfer the water to your crops. Depending on the layout of your garden, you might be able to connect your gutter downspouts with a temporary plastic pipe fitting (available at hardware and gardening stores). You then could direct roof runoff to flow right into your garden.

Rain barrel in a home garden. By Alice B. Palms West Journal With water being such a limited and precious resource in Palms West, conserving water means saving money on your water bill and helping the environment. You can reduce your home garden’s monthly water use in many ways. Here are seven: 1. Create an irrigation ditch: When garden plants are thirsty from the heat and dry wind, irrigation ditches can be

4. Build in-ground reservoirs: An in-ground reservoir provides an excellent way to water crops in large beds. It can deliver water to the root zones of the plants, approximately 4 to 9 inches below the soil’s surface. You also can place large, porous jugs (ollas) in the ground. Be sure to keep only the mouth of the jar above ground. The ollas seep water into the roots of plants once they’re filled.

Photo By Schulzie

useful. When your garden is fairly level, and you have at least three rows of plants, make shallow trenches on at least one row. Drop your hose into the ditch when plants need a good watering session. Continue with your other gardening tasks, then take the hose out of the ditch after 15 to 20 minutes. 2. Add mulch as a barrier: Mulch or a mulch-compost mix can be applied to all beds. Mulch your garden with thick layers. Doing so will help conserve water because the mulch will stay moist longer

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7. Plant in blocks instead of rows: Organizing your plants in long blocks instead of rows makes watering easier and helps prevent spillage onto areas and plants you do not want to water at that moment. This is especially true when you’re watering by hand. Consider installing semitransparent shade covers and windbreakers over the garden. You can use old window screens or buy screens from a garden nursery. The shades help keep the soil from drying out on sunny days.

5. Make use of old sunken beds: Plant and vegetable yields can improve in dry times if they are grown in a sunken bed that retains or catches whatever rain falls. If you build ridges from excavated soil, the ridges can channel rainwater into the beds and offer muchneeded shade and wind protection to the crops.

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Page 16 • Palms West Journal • May 2022

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