BANKS BANKS
Bank of America
BANKS BANKS
Bank of America
624-4007 Abacoa Plaza
PNC Bank 630-2718 Abacoa Plaza Truist 799-6670 Abacoa Plaza Wells Fargo 775-5665 Abacoa Plaza
Aldo Beltrano, PABeltrano & Associates 799-6577 Greenway Prof. Center Curran Law Firm, PA 935-9763 Jupiter Bus. Center
Daszkai Bolton, LLP (CPA) 624-2118 Greenway Prof. Center Einstein Group LLC Bermudiana Friedman, Feldmesser & Karpeles, CPA
622-9990 The Commons at Abacoa
M Jacques, LLC (CPA) 818-5592 Antigua at Town Center
Schanel & Associates, PA, CPAs
624-2118 The Commons at Abacoa Smith & Elkin, CPA PA 775-2134 Bermudiana
Beacon Cove Intermediate School 366-6400
Florida Atlantic University 799-8500
Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College 799-8646
Independence Middle School 799-7500
Jupiter Middle School of Technology 745-7200
LifeLong Learning Institute @ FAU 799-8547
Lighthouse Elementary School 741-9400
Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience 972-9000
UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation/Technology 228-2000
S.T.E.M. Studio (Downtown Abacoa) 832-2026
Alloy Personal Training Jupiter 783-5731 Centre at Abacoa
Sloane Stecker Physical Therapy 790-8256 Downtown Abacoa
E3 Strength 292-0585 Downtown Abacoa Club Pilates 449-8161 Downtown Abacoa F45 Fitness Studio 557-8965 Abacoa Plaza
Hamsa Yoga 660-5330 Abacoa Plaza
Rising Sun Martial Arts 222-3903 Downtown Abacoa
In Motion Ballroom 851-4808 Downtown Abacoa
Stretch Lab 873-2400 Downtown Abacoa
Tula Yoga School 316-0598 Downtown Abacoa
A Center for Dermatology Cosmetic & Laser Surgery 427-2000 The Commons at Abacoa
Abacoa Podiatry and Leg Vein Center 624-4800 Bermudiana
Access Medical Laboratories 866-720-8386 Corporate Comm. Center.
Acupuncture & Anti-Aging Physicians Group 624-9744 Bermudiana
Advanced Allergy Asthma & Sinus Care 627-6277 Greenway Prof. Center
Advanced Diagnostic Group 775-6600 University Commons
Allegro Addington Place of Jupiter 253-8161 Community Drive
Allergy and Asthma Care of the Palm Beaches 627-4377 University Commons
Aqua Plastic Surgery - David Rankin, MD 776-2830 The Commons at Abacoa
Bafitis Plastic Surgery 795-3787 Bermudiana Beer Dermatology 932-1707 The Commons at Abacoa
BioHealth Spa 316-2598 Abacoa Commons
Cardona Pain & Anesthesia Professional 624-0702 The Commons at Abacoa
Charles W. Hoffman, DMD 691-9161 Abacoa Town Center
Comprehensive Foot & Ankle Surgery 799-9581 Greenwich
Dana M. Goldberg, M.D. 691-8088 Greenwich
David S. Rondon, MD 694-8945 The Commons at Abacoa
Dental Healing Arts 626-6116 Abacoa Commons
Dental Team at Abacoa 420-8888 Downtown Abacoa
Family Acupuncture 459-0528 Greenway Prof. Center
Family Counseling
Associates 747-2775 Greenway Prof. Center
Flex Spine & Sport 772-262-2530 Downtown Abacoa
Florida Vision Institute 839-2780 University Commons
Gardens Pediatrics Care 622-6610 University Commons
Genesis Care
Radiation Oncology 275-1820 Greenwich
Goldman Vein Institute 625-9853 The Commons at Abacoa
Integrative Foot & Ankle 293-3439 University Commons
Jupiter Dental Care 748-5099 Greenway Prof. Center
Jupiter Family Healthcare 776-5252 The Commons at Abacoa
Jupiter Hematology & Oncology 748-2488 Bermudiana
Jupiter Medical Center
Urgent Care 263-7011 Abacoa Plaza
Karen Collins, MSW, LCSW, ACSW 512-9743 Antigua at Town Center
Kevin Innwood, MD 745-7311 The Commons at Abacoa
Lighthouse Health Group 249-7400 The Commons at Abacoa
Luxe Health Care Rehabilitation /Skilled Nursing 485-0070
Luxe Senior Living & Memory Care 532-1800
Main Street Dental 935-4425 Abacoa Plaza
Med X 486-2175 Downtown Abacoa
Medicus Veincare 220-8514 Corporate Comm. Center
Meier & Benetiz Orthodontics 799-4848 University Commons
Name Phone
New Path Chiropractic: Wellness & Sports Rehab Center 653-1197 Greenwich
Palm Beach Dermatology 296-1122 Greenway Prof. Center
Palm Beach Sports Medicine 845-6000 The Commons at Abacoa
Palm Beach Sleep and Sinus 440-2815 University Commons
Partners in Women’s Health 354-1515 Abacoa Prof. Center
Premier Rheumatology and Endrocrinology 932-1212 Corporate Comm. Ctr.
Prestige Periodontal & Implant Center 693-3236 Abacoa Commons
Quest Diagnostics 804-7689 The Commons at Abacoa
Ritter and Ramsey General and Cosmetic Dentistry 626-6667 University Commons
Robert Anderson, M.D. 776-7676 University Commons
Sage Dental 427-6850 Bermudiana
Skolnick Eye Institute 296-2010 The Commons at Abacoa
South Florida Endocrine Center 626-9041 The Commons at Abacoa
Supriya Aesthetic Dermatology 805-9399 The Commons at Abacoa
Tenet Florida Physician Services 627-3130 University Commons
The Palm Beach Center for Facial Plastic & Laser Surgery 429-5403 Greenway Prof. Center University Pharmacy 622-4088 University Commons Vargas Orthodontics 775-7007 Abacoa Prof. Center
Visual Eyes of the Palm Beaches 625-4380 Bermudiana
Abacoa Notary Signing Agent 719-2007 Abacoa Alofs Law Firm 622-1558 Antigua at Town Center
Gabriel & Gabriel, LLC 622-5575 Bermudiana
Jones Foster 659-3000 Regions Bank Building Linkhorst & Hockin, PA 626-8880 Greenway Prof. Center
Lipinski Law 453-4800 Jupiter Business Center
Pineiro & Byrd, PLLC 799-9280 The Commons at Abacoa
Zele Huber Trial Attorneys 630-9700 The Commons at Abacoa All
Chabad Jewish Center Jupiter 694-6950 Downtown Abacoa Lifesong Community Church 691-0804
Apogee Real Estate Services Inc. 776-8233 Greenwich
Checklist North 625-1760 Antigua at Town Center
Century 21 Tenace Realty 500-2100 Centre at Abacoa
Family Mortgage Inc. 625-2660 The Commons at Abacoa FLF Holdings, LLC. 575-6455 Jupiter Business Center Harbor Management 935-9366 The Commons at Abacoa
Holland Group of Golden Bear Realty International 514-7300 The Commons at Abacoa
Illustrated Properties at Abacoa 622-5006 Abacoa Plaza
Jupiter Business Center 296-7751 Executive Office Suites
Keller Williams Realty 427-6100 Greenway Prof. Center
My Islands Realty, Inc. 262-7150 Antigua at Town Center
Rendina Companies 630-5055 The Commons at Abacoa
Sheenan Realty Corporation 745-2600 University Commons
Stanbra Team Realtors 708-4129 Bermudiana
Versa Property Management 877-354-1380 The Commons at Abacoa
3 Natives 328-8361 Bermudiana
Abacoa Grille Room 622-0036 Abacoa Golf Club
Akiyo Hibachi Japanese 567-8999 Abacoa Plaza
Bagel Boyz 624-9884 Abacoa Plaza
Bahama Bucks 318-8102 Downtown Abacoa
Brick & Barrel 623-0916 Downtown Abacoa
Carmine’s Coal Fired Pizza 340-3930 Bermudiana
CG Burgers 340-3940 Bermudiana
China Star 355-8808 Abacoa Plaza
Civil Society Brewing Company 855-6680 Downtown Abacoa
Copacabana Cuban Cuisine 360-3378 Downtown Abacoa
C.R Chicks 318-6921 Abacoa Plaza
Crux Coffee Roasters 768-0400 Downtown Abacoa
Das Beer Garden 776-8669 Downtown Abacoa
Gardens Pizza & Pasta 776-5448 Downtoan Abacoa
Hokkaido Hibachi & Sushi
Panchero’s Mexican Grill 469-7601 Abacoa Plaza
Poke N Go 557-3949 Downtown Abacoa
Stadium Grill 630-9669 Downtown Abacoa
Starbucks 775-6034 Abacoa Plaza
Starbucks - Courtyard by Marriott 779-2700 Abacoa Town Center
Sal’s Italian Ristorante 493-8777 Abacoa Plaza
Suzy Q’s Hometown Diner 822-3744 Greenwich
Taco Shack 508-3789 Downtown Abacoa
Tavern Pi 776-5448 Downtown Abacoa
Tropical Smoothie 624-8775
May your days be Merry and Bright as we welcome in the holiday season with glittering and colorful illuminated decorations on community entry monuments, festive downtown trimmings and flags, and the Downtown Abacoa Holiday Block Party. It has been a great pleasure.
We thank the Town of Jupiter for bringing even more holiday cheer with the There’s Snow Place Like Jupiter event including 32 tons of real snow, a Winter Village choir and dance performances, live D.J. with all the holiday favorites, bounce house, food, Anna and Elsa and, of
course, Santa and Mrs. Claus. Absolute holiday fun for the whole family!
We’d also like to take a moment to thank the Town of Jupiter for the newly installed pickleball courts this year!
The Abacoa POA continues to build and appreciates the solid working relationship with the Town of Jupiter, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District, and the Loxahatchee River District.
The Abacao POA maintains and oversees many dayto-day operations within the APOA jurisdiction. In the community responsibilities include:
• Landscape maintenance
• Plant replacement
• Seasonal flowers
• Tree trimming
• Mulching
Monthly Schumacher Tribute Bands: Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and end at 10 p.m. Ticketed reserved preferred seating is available at $50 per ticket. General admission is free. Chairs, coolers, blankets and friendly dogs are welcome. Seating set up on sidewalks is not permitted and any items left so will be removed. The Abacoa APOA is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Concerts: https://www.abacoa.com/events or see the Abacoa Facebook page
Ticketed Reserved Preferred Seating: https://www. eventbrite.com/
Deuterman Productions Concerts: These are fully ticketed concerts with VIP and ADA Chair seating only. General admission tickets are lawn and do not allow personal chairs, blankets are welcome. Event times and ticket cost varies and can be found at Eventbrite.com. No food, coolers, pets, umbrellas permitted. Small handbags allowed, and may bring, 1 per person only, sealed bottle of water. These are rain
or shine events, no refunds. For more information or questions contact: Danielle@ineffablemusic.com or call 321-615-0638
Event/Tickets: https://www.abacoa.com/events
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/ https://www. deutermanproductions.com/contact
Email: Danielle@ineffablemusic.com
Phone: (321) 508-5141
Beware Scammers! It is highly recommended to ONLY purchase tickets at the Abacoa website, Eventbrite, or the band’s website.
General Information For All Concerts: There are always food and beverage vendors, or you can visit one of the many restaurants in Downtown Abacoa.
Free parking is available in any of the three parking garages, as well as on Main Street and University Boulevard. Handicapped parking is available and clearly marked.
Please note: Parking in resident spots could result in your vehicle being towed at your expense.
• Irrigation maintenance and equipment upgrades
• Annual sidewalk pressure cleaning
• Entry features/monuments
• Landscape lighting
• Street lights
• Holiday light displays
On the administrative side, the Abacoa POA produces mass communications for the community comprised of the Abacoa website, the monthly publication of the Abacoa Community News (delivered by mail and available on the Abacoa website, event and local informative e-blasts and the Abacoa Facebook page. These are valuable tools housing website Contact Us and Abacoa membership opportunities; the Abacoa newspaper; Abacoa commercial and downtown business information; upcoming events in and around Abacoa; hurricane preparedness; local public services; Abacoa official documents; estoppel requests; and more. The Abacoa.com website welcomes both residents and visitors alike. Don’t miss out on Abacoa updates and happenings … subscribe today!!
The Abacoa POA holds its Board of Directors meeting on the third Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. The Community Architect Committee (CAC) meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. These meetings are held at the APOA office or via zoom and are subject to change. Agendas and minutes are posted on Abacoa.com.
We are always here to help. Contact us at (561) 6247788 or email: abacoaadmin@langmanagement.com.
Deadline for the next Abacoa newspaper is the 11th of the month. Submit articles/pictures to abacoaadmin@langmanagement.com
years
For more than half a century, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center
Palm Beach Gardens and the surrounding
infrastructure needed to support our
• Updated Patient Rooms
• Redesigned Lobby and Waiting Area
• Fully Renovated Operating Rooms
• Minimally Invasive Cardiac and Vascular Care
• Same Day Knee, Hip and Shoulder Surgery
• Advanced Robotic Surgery Capabilities
• Fast Track Emergency Department
• Clinical Navigators for Signature Service Lines
• Extensive Years of Experience of Staff and Clinicians
Official notification is posted via the bulletin board outside the POA office as well as the Abacoa website. Members may view and/or download Abacoa POA agendas and approved minutes from Abacoa.com.
Notice of APOA Board Meeting and Organizational Meeting to Follow – Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 11:30 a.m. APOA Office or Zoom
Notice of Monthly CAC Meeting – Monday, December 16, 2024, 9:30 a.m. –APOA Office or Zoom Subject to Change
The deadline to submit CAC materials for review is one week prior to the CAC meeting. All Meetings Subject to Change
All meetings to be held at the offices of the Abacoa POA, 1200 University Blvd., Suite 102, Jupiter, FL. 33458 or via Zoom.US unless otherwise posted.
Articles herein are the creation of the individual writers, and do not express the opinion of the APOA.
If our tomato plants could talk, they’d probably say something like, “Look at our beautiful, pristine homes—created with so much love! We even have marigolds nearby to add a splash of color. We tomato plants are extra special, with individualized water bottles placed in our special beds. And look at all the happy people working so diligently last Saturday morning, tending to us and all our garden friends!”
Our tomato plants would proudly boast about the condition of their soil, which is almost pure—free from pesky critters and bacteria that could stunt their growth. It’s a hand-mixed blend of clean potting soil, nutrient-
state of mind. In dating and relationships, a healthy mindset means knowing that opportunities are endless, and the best is yet to come.
rich compost, and just a touch of Perlite for added aeration and drainage. It’s the perfect foundation for thriving plants. And speaking of foundations, just look at their “feet”! The black-bagged soil pots sit atop a clever system of swim noodles. While our talented plants might not be doing the backstroke or butterfly, those noodles create a barrier that protects them from harmful nematodes that would otherwise nibble at their roots.
Do December. Do LOVE. And just like that, we find ourselves in the magical month of December. So, did you love more in 2024? If you fell short of your personal goals this year, here are Four Secret Santa Tips destined to increase the odds of wrapping up December with a big red bow. Now is the time to bask in all of your hard work invested in family, friends, and business in 2024. This is the perfect time to show some extra love to yourself. If your circle is authentic, they will adore this ramping up in you--and therein lies a gift to the people you love. Ready to rock December with us? Simply cut this article out and read it often all month long and do share this with your single family and friends too. Thank us later.
1. Splurge on YOU.
Giving yourself gifts of love and attention will automatically trigger your brain to say “I am worth it!” Parents, grandparents, and over-nurturers can get stuck in a path of thinking solely about others. As matchmakers, we urge you to put yourself first. This is a gift of acknowledging how hard you have worked this year. Spoil yourself with a gift that keeps on giving --I.E. better connections and better relationships. Your loved ones will appreciate the newfound smile on your face. NOW, that’s a GIFT.
At Revolution Dating, we see this principle come to life every day with clients of all ages. Clients who are confident, successful, and self-aware tend to attract partners who reflect those same qualities. This December, prioritize YOU. We have clients enroll on December 30th--and guess what--they are guaranteed to have a secret glow on New Year’s Eve 2025--even if they don’t have their dating portfolio ready yet. Hope is an inevitable aphrodisiac and it is contagious.
2. Let Romantic LOVE be Your North Star. Love comes in many forms—look for it everywhere-because it is all around you. Enjoy all forms of love from platonic to romantic to familial to self-love. The holiday season is an ideal time to reconnect with those who matter most to you. Notice love. Notice your need for love.
For singles, this is an excellent time to meet someone new. There is a certain openness this time of year--only found in December--and especially at Revolution Dating which happens to be the Corporate Headquarters of Love, est. 2014.
3. End with the Lesson of JOY
Have you taken yourself or others too seriously this past year? December highlights celebration, compassion, and laughter--and that is all.
If you’re single, loosen up and elevate your mindset. A shared laugh can turn a good experience into a great one. Create memories that linger long after the holidays.
Joy is the best feeling on Earth. It makes it all worthwhile. Could you use more joy in your life? Follow us for more...joy.
4. It is NEVER too late!
Start at 40. Start at 70. Start in December. Start at 5:00pm. Just start. Abundance isn’t just about material wealth; it’s a
Shift your focus this December from what’s missing to what you have and you will have even more because you are grateful. Celebrate the little victories: a great conversation, a kind gesture, or even the courage to put yourself out there. When you view the world through the lens of gratitude and possibility, you naturally attract more of the same.
At Revolution Dating, we see time and again how an abundant mindset transforms our clients’ love lives. Those who believe in their worth and trust the journey tend to experience greater success—not because they’re lucky, but because they’re open to receiving the love and joy they deserve. They are open to our guidance and faith in them. We only want the best for our clients--and usually they only want the best for themselves. Add a dash of realism to that recipe and you are on your way to a delicious December.
At Revolution Dating, we believe the final chapter of the year should be the best part of the year and it will help you to create an even better 2025. The predictions are in: We are all about to walk into one of the best years of our lives. So, let’s set ourselves up for some extra love in our personal lives. Whether you’re single, dating, or married, this month is a marker for good moves and action.
So, as you deck the halls and countdown to midnight, remember: your December can be filled with excellence, laughter, and abundance. And who knows? It might just be the month that changes everything. Fall into Romance this holiday season with the help from The Pros!
Thank you so much for following us for so many years. We appreciate your loyalty and love. Wishing you and yours a very Happy Holiday Season 2024! Stay tuned for more love.
Xoxo - Kelly & Miranda
#LoveOffline #MatchmakingRoyalty #TellYourFriends #OneOnOneMatchmaking #YouHaveArrived
Kelly Leary© has 33 years in the dating industry and a master’s degree in clinical psychology. She has also been written about in Modern Luxury Magazine Palm Beach and Modern Luxury Manhattan, The Palm Beach Post, PalmBeacher Magazine, Stuart News, Jupiter Magazine, and many more. Revolution Dating members are pre-screened in person including background checks. Professional photos are taken by the staff. Revolution Dating is NOT online dating or blind dating. In addition to providing matchmaking services that make singles “UN-single” through their exclusive club memberships, Kelly and her Team also provide feedback from your dates when appropriate. Mock Dates are available by request. Single Coaching Sessions and Evaluations are also available by request for non-members or as an addon to some memberships. *All inquiries are confidential *Specializing in representing jet-setting clients with a second home in the North East. Call the main hotline at 561-630-9696 (XOXO) or scan the QR code below to hold your place in the club.
But wait, there’s more! Beyond the beauty of the flowers surrounding the plants, the marigolds serve another purpose. These fragrant flowers have a reputation for deterring those pesky nematodes, which are said to dislike the scent of marigolds and thus seek food elsewhere.
The marigolds also help keep cabbage moths away, and they’re not a favorite of rabbits or mice, either. So, they’re the perfect garden companions—offering both beauty and protection in one fragrant package.
Garden membership runs from August 1 to July 31. Download forms at https:// www.abacoa.com/abacoacommunity-garden or find one in the outside mailbox at the garden entrance at 1022 Community Drive. There is a waiting list for independent beds but if interested, just check the box. Stop by, especially Saturday mornings, and check out our Facebook page.
Status: Contractor has started the project with the removal of the existing fencing.
Completion Date: Late Fall/Early Winter 2024
Project Description: Replacement of all fencing around Har-tru tennis courts and sidewalk improvements
Status Update: Work to remove the existing fencing and replace with new posts and fence along with sidewalk improvements will begin on September 23. The project is anticipated to require about 75 days to complete. The ACP tennis courts will remain closed for the duration of the project.
While The ACP Tennis Courts Are Closed, The Following Parks In Jupiter Have Public Tennis Court Facilities
Celebrate the holidays with the iconic Jupiter landmark’s exciting and memorable holiday events at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, the historical landmark operated by the nonprofit Loxahatchee River Historical Society!
Looking to finish your holiday shopping early? The Sip & Shop event takes place on Wednesday, December 4. This event will bring together local artisans and creators for a festive evening of holiday shopping and refreshments. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., guests can browse unique gifts and artworks on the Lighthouse deck and in the gift shop while enjoying complimentary wine, champagne, and beer. Local artists and vendors will include Katie Herman Art, known for her colorful, tropical home decor and art pieces; Slip Pottery, offering handmade ceramics; and KaiBlu, showcasing handcrafted jewelry and art made from natural materials. Additionally, historian and author Josh Liller will be signing copies of his book Five Thousand Years on the Loxahatchee: A Pictorial History of Jupiter-Tequesta, Florida. This free event requires no registration and is an excellent opportunity to find last-minute gifts while connecting with the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum team.
On Saturday, December 14 . the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum will be hosting the annual Holiday Extravaganza for the whole family to enjoy. This year’s theme will be “There’s Snow Place Like Home” and will have mounds of real snow for sled riding, photo opportunities with winter characters, family fun entertainment, crafts for children, food trucks, photos with Santa and, last but not least, a special showing of Disney’s Frozen . The event starts at 3 p.m. with the movie starting at 5:45 p.m. and tickets will be $10. There will also be a toy drive for Chasin a Dream Foundation, whose mission is to ease the burden on families with children battling cancer, cystic fibrosis, heart disease, and other life-threatening illnesses and disabilities, by offering individualized assistance that promotes healing and hope.
By Sally Sima Stahl
As we enter the annual season of giving, you might be thinking of charities you wish to support. But you also might be wondering how to gain some tax benefits from your gifts.
It used to be pretty straightforward: You wrote a check to a charity and then deducted the amount of the gift, within limits, from your taxes. But a few years ago, as part of tax law changes, the standard deduction was raised significantly, so fewer people were able to itemize deductions. Consequently, there was less financial incentive to make charitable gifts.
Of course, this didn’t entirely stop people from making them. And it’s still possible to gain some tax advantages, too.
Here are a few tax-smart charitable giving strategies:
• Bunch your charitable gifts into one year. If you combine a few years’ worth of charitable gifts in a single year, you could surpass the standard deduction amount and then itemize deductions for that year. In the years following, you could revert to taking the standard deduction.
• Make qualified charitable distributions. Once you turn 73 (or 75 if you were born in 1960 or later), you must start taking withdrawals from your traditional or inherited IRA. These withdrawals—technically called required minimum distributions, or RMDs—are taxable at your personal income tax rate, so, if the amounts are large enough, they could push you into a higher tax bracket or cause you to pay larger Medicare premiums.
But if you donate these RMDs directly to a qualified charity, you can avoid the taxes. And because these donations, known as qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), will reduce the balance
See Road Closures Map from page 1
on your IRA, you may have lower RMDs in the future. Of course, if you need some or all your RMDs to help sustain yourself in retirement, the use of QCDs may not be of interest to you. Keep in mind, though, that you can start making QCDs at 70½, even before you must start taking RMDs. QCDs up to $105,000 can be taken in 2024.
• Consider a donor-advised fund. If you’re interested in a long-term charitable giving arrangement, you might want to consider establishing a donor-advised fund. You can put many types of assets into this fund, and then direct it to make grants periodically to the charities you’ve chosen. You get an immediate tax deduction for your contribution, and, if you donate appreciated assets, such as stocks, you’ll avoid the capital gains taxes you would have incurred if you simply sold the stocks and then gave the money to the charities. One note of caution, though—your contributions to a donor-advised fund are irrevocable, and once the assets are in the fund, you can’t use them for anything except charitable giving.
These strategies—QCDs and donor-advised funds in particular—can be complex and involve several issues of which you should be aware. So, you should consult your tax advisor before taking action. But if any of these techniques are appropriate for your situation, give them some thought—because helping a charitable group and getting tax benefits for doing so is a “win” for everyone.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Edward Jones, Member SIPC.
Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.
Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax advice. You should consult your qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.
Contact us at (561) 748-7600, Sally Sima Stahl, CFP®, AAMS™, 1851 W. Indiantown Road, Ste. 106, Jupiter, FL 33458.
Don Hennessy, a 22year veteran of the Jupiter Police Department (JPD), has been named the department’s next deputy chief. Hennessy’s promotion is one of four announced Friday by Chief Michael Barbera.
Hennessy began his career with JPD in 2002 as a communication officer. After graduating from the police academy in 2007, Hennessy was sworn in as a police officer and went on to serve on the road patrol and beach
unit. He also served as the department’s accreditation manager. In 2015, Hennessy was promoted to sergeant. He worked with the Special Operations Division and the Criminal Investigations Division before being promoted to captain in December 2021. As a captain, Hennessy served as the District 2 and Nights 2 platoon commander. Hennessy was promoted to major in December 2022 and has overseen JPD’s Patrol and Administrative Services Bureaus since then. Hennessy holds a bachelor’s degree in supervision and management from Palm Beach State College and a master’s degree in public administration from Florida State University.
Barbera also announced that Michael Salvemini is
Samantha Fisher, M.D., F.A.A.D., sees patients of all ages at the Dermatology Associates in the Palm Beach Gardens office after more than 13 years of experience practicing medical, cosmetic dermatology and Mohs surgery for skin cancer treatment.
Dr. Fisher received her Medical and Bachelor of Science degrees with honors from the University of Florida, where she completed her postgraduate training, including serving as Chief Resident in Dermatology. Her past professional experience includes providing Dermatology services to patients in Stuart , FL from 2013-2024, Naples, FL from 2012-2013, and as Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Florida Department of Dermatology in Gainesville, FL from 2011-2012.
Dr. Fisher looks forward to providing you with excellent dermatology care.
being promoted to major, where he will oversee the Administrative Services Bureau. Salvemini began his career with JPD in 2009 and has served as a certified traffic homicide investigator, field training officer, and corporal. He was promoted to sergeant in 2018 and supervised the road patrol, traffic unit, beach unit and marine unit. In 2022, he was promoted to captain and has been the District 2 commander since that time.
Joseph Counihan will be promoted from sergeant to captain to replace Salvemini while Michael Nicholson will be promoted to sergeant.
All four officers were promoted at a ceremony in the Council Chambers on Monday, November 4, 2024.
Dermatology Associates of the Palm Beaches is a group practice of board-certified dermatologists and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons providing general dermatology, surgical dermatology, and cosmetic dermatology services. These physicians trained at some of America’s great medical institutions and conduct research into the most advanced treatments. Our physicians are also recognized leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
Make an appointment to see Dr. Fisher in Palm Beach Gardens at 10355 N. Military Trail, Suite A, by calling (561) 622-6976. www.greatderms.com
Major League Baseball (MLB) will be returning to Jupiter and Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in February of 2025. Earlier this month, MLB announced the 2025 Spring Training schedules for both the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues. Season tickets, mini plans, and group packages go on sale on Tuesday, October 22 and individual game tickets go on sale November 19. The Miami Marlins will kick off the action at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium when they host the St. Louis Cardinals on February 22. The Cardinals will make their home debut the following day, on February 23, against the Houston Astros. There will be 30 Grapefruit League games played at the complex this February and March, with both clubs hosting 15 games. The Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, and Toronto Blue Jays will be making the much anticipated cross-state trip to Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium this upcoming Spring Training season. The schedule features two evening games, one on March 7 between the Cardinals and Astros at 6:05 p.m. The Marlins host the Mets at 6:40 p.m., the following night on March 8. The Marlins host the Red Sox game on March 14 at 4:10 p.m. This late afternoon start follows the second annual Spring Breakout game between the top prospects of the Cardinals and Marlins organization, with a first pitch at 1:10 p.m. The Houston Astros, New York Mets, and Washington Nationals will also return to Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium this year. The Treasure Coast Spring Training teams will all visit Jupiter a total of six times, three against the Marlins and three against the Cardinals. In addition, the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium neighbors from St. Louis and Miami will face each other a total of seven times this season. The 2025 Spring Training schedule at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium can also be found at www.RogerDeanChevroletStadium.com.
• Feb. 22 at 1:10 p.m. – St. Louis Cardinals @ Miami Marlins
• Feb. 23 at 1:05 p.m. – Houston Astros @ St. Louis Cardinals
• Feb. 24 at 1:05 p.m. – New York Mets @ St. Louis Cardinals
• Feb. 25 at 1:10 p.m. – Washington Nationals @ Miami Marlins
• Feb. 26 at 1:10 p.m. – New York Mets @ Miami Marlins •
• Feb. 27 at 1:05 p.m. – Miami Marlins @ St. Louis Cardinals
• Feb. 28 at 1:10 p.m. – Atlanta Braves @ Miami Marlins
• March 1 at 1:05 p.m. – Washington Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals
• March 2 at 1:10 p.m. – St. Louis Cardinals @ Miami Marlins
• March 3 at 1:10 p.m. – Houston Astros @ Miami Marlins
• March 4 at 1:05 p.m. – New York Mets @ St. Louis Cardinals
• March 5 at 1:10 p.m. – Washington Nationals @ Miami Marlins
• March 6 at 1:05 p.m. – Washinton Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals
• March 7 at 6:05 p.m. – Houston Astros @ St. Louis Cardinals
• March 8 at 6:40 p.m. – New York Mets @ Miami Marlins
• March 9 at 1:05 p.m. – New York Yankees @ St. Louis Cardinals
• March 10 at 1:10 p.m. – Washington Nationals @ Miami Marlins
• March 11 at 1:05 p.m. – Miami Marlins @ St. Louis Cardinals
• March 12 at 1:05 p.m. – New York Mets @ St. Louis Cardinals
• March 13 at 1:10 p.m. – Houston Astros @ Miami Marlins
• March 14 at TBA – Spring Breakout: St. Louis Cardinals @ Miami Marlins
• March 14 at 4:10 p.m. – Boston Red Sox @ Miami Marlins
• March 15 at 1:05 p.m. – Toronto Blue Jays @ St. Louis Cardinals
• March 16 at 1:10 p.m. – St. Louis Cardinals @ Miami Marlins
• March 17 at 1:10 p.m. – New York Mets @ Miami Marlins
• March 18 at 1:05 pm – Miami Marlins @ St. Louis Cardinals
• March 19 at 1:05 p.m. – Washington Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals
• March 20 at 1:10 p.m. – Houston Astros @ Miami Marlins
• March 21 at 1:05 p.m. – Houston Astros @ St. Louis Cardinals
• March 22 at 1:10 p.m. – St. Louis Cardinals @ Miami Marlins
• March 23 at 1:05 p.m. – Washington Nationals @ St. Louis Cardinals *Schedule is subject to change
About Jupiter Stadium, LTD
Opening in 1998, the 110-acre complex/stadium is specially designed to house two Major League and two Minor League baseball teams. The stadium is home to the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals for Spring Training. The Florida State League’s Jupiter Hammerheads (Class A Affiliate of the Miami Marlins) and Palm Beach Cardinals (Class A Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals) make their home at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium from April through September. This year-round facility can accommodate the smallest birthday party to the largest corporate outing, while never forgetting that each and every fan is our most important fan.
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center’s emergency department will remain open and fully operational as it undergoes renovations designed to expand access and enhance the patient experience. As the longest-standing healthcare provider in the Palm Beach Gardens community, the hospital is investing in these improvements to meet the needs of the area’s growing population while maintaining its reputation for award-winning care.
One of the key additions to the renovated emergency department will be a vertical care area, specifically designed for patients with less acute medical needs. This new area will streamline the treatment process, enabling patients to receive timely care and return home quicker, easing their experience and improving overall patient
By Nils A. Shapiro
flow. This addition is particularly important as Palm Beach County experiences a population surge that has placed increased demands on local healthcare facilities.
“With our highly trained team, we are focused on enhancing services and patient-centric care in meaningful ways that will allow our community to seek specialized care close to home,” says Erik Cazares, CEO of Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. “As the area’s population is rapidly growing, we’re continually optimizing our facilities, technology, and clinical programs to support that growth.”
The emergency department already boasts low wait times, and these renovations aim to improve those times even further. By providing patients with prompt,
from first page to last. I kept thinking that he would make a great writer for the Saturday Night Live TV show.
specialized attention, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center reinforces its commitment to ensuring residents have access to quality care without prolonged wait times.
The ongoing upgrades at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center also include a modernized building façade, new patient rooms designed for comfort, expanded operating rooms equipped with the latest technology, and a new main lobby.
The commitment to accessible, quality healthcare has been a cornerstone of Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center’s mission. These renovations are a continuation of the hospital’s legacy, positioning it to better serve the evolving needs of the community with the latest in healthcare technology and patient care approaches.
“You taped an English soccer game? Voluntarily?”
“Yup.” …
“Does it bother you that they score about once every couple of months?
“Nope.”
When I was trying to decide on an appropriate book to review for this December column, several features on the cover of this month’s selection attracted me: the obvious connection to the Christmas holiday, the cute twist of the “Bite” for “Night” in the title and the adorable Dalmatian with the Gingerbread Man cookie in his mouth—an irresistible draw for the doggie lover I am. What I did not realize until I arrived home, opened the book, noted the author’s credentials and began reading this novel is that I had struck literary gold in my selection! Within the first few pages I understood why David Rosenfelt has developed a massive fan base of readers for his more than 40 already published novels , over half of them about Andy Carpenter, the same attorney who stars in ’Twas The Bite Before Christmas
Here, for example, are just a couple of examples early on when Andy Carpenter is describing how he feels about certain aspects of his family life. (I have omitted large sections of the text for lack of space here and substituted ellipses. …)
“I don’t like eggnog, and I don’t think anybody does. It’s too thick and too sweet for my taste … like drinking melted chewing gum. I just tried some again anyway and found that sucking some of this batch through a straw requires either a serious pair of lungs or a hydraulic pump; it’s not nearly good enough to justify that amount of work.
In this novel, Carpenter is serving as defense attorney for a friend and excellent neighbor who, shockingly, has been arrested and charged with the murder of a high-ranking mobster. It turns out that his friend, to the surprise of Carpenter and everyon e else in town, has been living among them as part of the government’s witness protection program after having earlier been a part of the mob but who “turned” and gave evidence at great personal risk.
With his friend and client declaring himself to be completely innocent of the new charges, Carpenter must get to the truth about the “evidence” and find the real killer. (He also takes on the responsibility of caring for his friend/client’s two dogs while he is in prison.) This won’t be an easy case: The victim was found dead in the trunk of his client’s car, and his bloodstains on the client’s clothing. It’s a well-told tale with a surprising, satisfying and credible ending.
What makes this book special is Rosenfelt’s writing style. But there are so many reasons to love this author it is difficult to know where to begin. Most importantly, his tongue-in-cheek humor will keep a grin on your face
“But the reason I doubt that anyone really likes it is that it’s only popular at Christmas. Good food or drink should not require a holiday to justify consumption … I feel the same way about fruitcakes and candied yams; if you like them, eat them all year. Otherwise, I don’t want to hear about them.”
Or this passage about his son, Ricky.
“Ricky is watching a soccer game.
“He likes soccer.
“I’ve known this for a while, but it’s still jarring. I’m a good parent, so as much as I hate soccer and hate even more that he likes it, I’m not about to say anything or be critical. He has to live his own life and make his own choices, even a ridiculous one like this.
“What are you watching, Rick?”
“It’s a Premier League game. Liverpool is playing Chelsea.”
“They’re five hours ahead there. Are they playing at midnight?”
“I taped it.”
… “I watch along with him for a minute or so, pretending to be interested, then I leave. I could watch until someone scores, but by then Bobby’s trial might have started. …
“I can’t sugarcoat this or enter a state of denial … the simple fact is that I have a son who prefers soccer to good old American college football.
“I am raising a Communist.”
As if David Rosenfelt’s delightful writing style weren’t enough to have me join his vast base of admiring readers, how about the following: He and his wife live in Maine with 25 of the 4,000 dogs they have rescued. Do I need to say more?
On a doggie note, my wife Linda and I will be sharing our first holiday season with Lacey, who joined our family three months ago. Lacey, a “teacup” Maltese who weighs just 3-1/2 pounds, will celebrate her first birthday on December 20, and is already completely bonded with my wife Linda, as you can see here.
By Gisele Galoustian
With the metaverse offering richer emotional experiences, youth may be particularly vulnerable to significant harm in these immersive spaces, underscoring the need to explore potential risks.
Popularity of the metaverse, a space where the lines between physical and digital realities blur, is rising among younger populations. As of March, 33 percent of teens own a virtual reality (VR) device and 13 percent use it weekly.
Unfortunately, research of online victimization in the metaverse is sorely lacking. A new study by Florida Atlantic University , in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, is one of the first to examine the experiences of harm in the metaverse among youth in the United States. Using a nationally-representative sample of 5,005 13 to 17 year olds in the U.S., researchers focused on their experiences with VR devices, including 12 specific types of harm experienced, protective strategies employed, and differences in experiences between boys and girls.
Results of the study, published in the journal New Media & Society , found a significant percentage of youth reported experiencing various forms of harm in these spaces, including hate speech, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, grooming behaviors (predators building trust with minors), and unwanted exposure to violent or sexual
content. The study also revealed notable gender differences in experiences.
Among the study findings:
• 32.6 percent of youth own a VR headset (41 percent of boys versus 25.1 percent of girls).
• More than 44 percent received hate speech/slurs (8.9 percent many times); 37.6 percent experienced bullying; and 35 percent faced harassment.
• Almost 19 percent experienced sexual harassment; 43.3 percent dealt with trolling; 31.6 percent were maliciously obstructed; and 29.5 percent experienced threats.
• More than 18 percent were doxed (publicly revealing someone’s personal information without their consent); and 22.8 percent were catfished (creating a false identity online to deceive someone, typically for romantic purposes).
• Nearly 21 percent faced unwanted violent or sexual content; 18.1 percent experienced grooming or predatory behavior; and 30 percent were targeted for factors like weight, sexual preference, sexual orientation or political affiliation.
• Boys and girls experienced similar patterns of mistreatment, but girls experienced sexual harassment and grooming/predatory behavior more frequently than boys. Boys and girls were equally as likely to be targeted because of their voice, avatar, race, religion or disability.
“Certain populations of youth are disproportionately susceptible to harm such as grooming, especially those who suffer from emotional distress or mental health problems, low self-esteem, poor parental relationships and weak family cohesion,” said Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., first author, a professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice within FAU’s College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, and a faculty associate at the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard University. “Due to the unique characteristics of metaverse environments, young people may need extra attention and support. The immersive nature of these spaces can amplify experiences and emotions, highlighting the importance of tailored resources to ensure their safety and well-being.”
Findings also reveal that girls employed in-platform safety measures significantly more so than boys such as “Space Bubble,” “Personal Boundary” and “Safe Zone.”
“We found that girls are more likely to select avatars designed to reduce the risk of harassment and to use inplatform tools to maintain a safe distance from others. Additionally, both boys and girls feel comfortable leaving metaverse rooms or channels like switching servers in response to potential or actual victimization, although overall, youth tend to use these safety features infrequently,” said Hinduja.
Among the recommendations offered to youth by the researchers include:
• Using platform-provided safety features to restrict unwanted interactions and infringements upon their personal space. It is also essential that youth understand and take advantage of the safety features available within metaverse experiences, including blocking, muting, and reporting functionalities.
• Continued research and development in these areas to determine how to meet the needs of users in potential or actual victimization contexts
• Streamlining platform reporting mechanisms to ensure swift action is taken against perpetrators
• Age-gating mechanisms for metaverse environments where mature content and interactions proliferate
• Encouraging parents and guardians to take the time to familiarize themselves with available parental control features on VR devices and metaverse platforms to set boundaries, monitor activities, and restrict certain features as needed. An active mediation approach is ideal, where they engage in open and supportive dialogue with children about their metaverse experiences.
• The integration of updated, relevant, and accessible digital citizenship and media literacy modules into school curricula to provide youth with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate VR and other emerging technologies safely and responsibly
• Consideration by content creators of the ethical implications of their metaverse creations, ensuring that they promote inclusivity, respect, and discourage any form of harassment. They should strive to make their virtual experiences accessible to users from diverse backgrounds, languages, cultures and abilities.
“VR concerns of parents and guardians generally reflect and align with their historical anxieties about video games, excessive device use, its sedentary nature, cognitive development, and stranger danger,” said Hinduja. “There remains so much promise with these new technologies, but vigilance is required when it comes to the unique challenges they present as well as the unique vulnerabilities that certain youth users may have. As such, it’s ‘all hands on deck’ to build a safer and more inclusive metaverse as it continues to evolve.”
Study co-author is Justin Patchin, Ph.D., a professor of criminal justice, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center.
University Of Florida Scientists With Expertise In Drug Discovery And Chemistry Are Advancing Potential Treatments For Challenging Diseases Via A New Collaborative Initiative
The UF College of Pharmacy’s Department of Medicinal Chemistry in Gainesville and the Chemistry Department at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology in Jupiter have announced the creation of a new shared, Jupiter-based faculty position. It takes many tools and specialists to find and develop new treatments, and the two campuses each have distinct and complementary strengths. The new faculty member will draw on both institutions’ expertise to target diseases with few options, including aggressive cancers, brain disorders, and genetic and infectious diseases, leaders from both campuses said. The ideal candidate will conduct basic and biomedical research using advanced methods of small molecule design, structural biology, and biochemistry, said Matthew Disney, Ph.D., who chairs the Chemistry Department at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute. Their mission will be to address scientific challenges across disciplines and train the next generation of scientists.
Closer collaboration among the drug discovery specialists in Gainesville and Jupiter is natural, as they have a common mission and share the same vision, said Hendrik Luesch, Ph.D., who chairs the Department of Medicinal Chemistry in the UF College of Pharmacy and leads UF’s Center for Natural Products, Drug, or CNPD3. Both his department and The Wertheim UF
and Development Scripps Institute
Luesch, the Debbie and Sylvia DeSantis Chair in Natural Products Drug Discovery and Development, has amassed a unique collection of bioactive marine natural products for numerous disease indications in his Gainesville laboratory and the CNPD3. He works closely with the Natural Products Discovery Center at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, which has one of the world’s largest collection of microorganisms with potential use as medicines or the inspiration for medicines.
“Together, our unique infrastructure in natural product discovery, RNA structure-function research, and smallmolecule targeting, means we can elevate our work to new heights to address many medical challenges, including aggressive cancers and incurable infectious diseases,” Luesch said.
Also boosting the cross-campus collaborations, Wertheim UF Scripps chemistry faculty have joint faculty appointments with the College of Pharmacy’s medicinal chemistry program.
“The opportunity to collaborate with UF’s Department of Medicinal Chemistry through shared faculty and joint appointments is synergistic for all of us,” Disney said. “Both programs will benefit as we harness the unique skills and resources of each campus to do the best and most exciting science we can, and train the next generation of scientists.”
Members of both departments are also part of the UF Health Cancer Center, one of 72 National Cancer Institutedesignated cancer centers. The Jupiter and Gainesville campuses possess world-class scientific core facilities that power research on new medicines from target validation to in vivo studies. These include genomics, proteomics, histology, and structural biology tools, including cryoelectron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, and a high-throughput robotic molecular screening center. These resources, more typical of a pharmaceutical company, enable scholars to go farther faster with their research, to help patients awaiting cures. Computational resources are second to none as well. The University of Florida has one of the
most advanced supercomputing clusters in academia, HiPerGator, with the NVIDIA Ampere A100 GPU SuperPod. It has been used to enable structure-based drug design and AI approaches to accelerate discoveries, Disney said.
Collaboration among Wertheim UF Scripps and UF medicinal chemistry faculty began soon after the Jupiter campus joined UF in 2022. The campuses jointly host UF’s popular Drug Discovery Symposium, Luesch noted, and faculty members developed joint research projects that have already been funded. Collaboration will grow as the campuses develop shared graduate student opportunities; he added. Florida is a fertile training ground for students who want to develop high-impact careers in chemical biology and drug development, Disney agreed.
“Discovering new medicines is challenging work that requires the expertise of many. There are real synergies for our scientists and students as we build collaboration among departments,” Disney said. “I am confident that the ultimate beneficiaries will be people anxiously awaiting new treatment options.”
About The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute
The scientists of The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology advance human health through biomedical research, drug discovery, and clinical studies, while providing outstanding educational opportunities to inspire and train the next generation of scientists. Founded by Scripps Research, the Jupiter-based institute joined the University of Florida, a top public university, in 2022. Learn more at https://wertheim.scripps.ufl.edu/.
About The University Of Florida College Of Pharmacy
Research activities in the UF College of Pharmacy span the entire life cycle of a drug and include broad interest areas such as medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, clinical and translational research, and pharmaceutical outcomes and policy. Researchers in the college are pioneering advancements in drug discovery, marine natural products, pharmacology, disease modeling, pharmacokinetics/pharmacometrics, pharmacogenomics, pharmacoepidemiology, and patient safety, while also advancing AI-driven solutions and exploring new frontiers in space to develop innovative drug therapies. Learn more at https://pharmacy.ufl.edu/.
By Joel Engelhardt
Scientist Lin Tian Moved To Jupiter Last Year To Take Advantage Of The Pure Science Setting At Abacoa’s Max Planck Florida Institute For Neuroscience
Lin Tian, born in China but living in America since college, moved to Jupiter last year to be scientific director at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience. Tian, 45, transferred to Max Planck in October from the University of California-Davis. By moving to Max Planck, Tian is free to focus on research rather than devoting time to the classroom as she did at UC-Davis.
a team of about 18 researchers plus, over the summer, six interns from local high schools.
Tian’s team was awarded an $11 million, five-year U.S. grant last month to pursue brain research with four academic institutions, including Stanford University and the Allen Institute in Seattle. She discussed the grant, her reasons for moving to South Florida and how brain chemistry works during a wide-ranging Stet News interview last month. She spoke of the inroads she has helped make in the study of brain chemistry and how little scientists know about the brain.
While doctors routinely prescribe medicines to act on the brain chemicals dopamine and serotonin, she said, “We actually have no clue about the exact mechanism.” While patients often are told their behavior stems from “an unbalanced concentration of neurochemicals,” it’s not that simple, she said. “Our brain is not just the fluid of those neurochemicals. It’s not a soup. It’s actually a very well-organized system and there’s really precision — temporal, spatial — like where and when they release. So it’s a very, very controlled system that we have no clue how this happened.”
The grant, coming after a 40 percent reduction in support for the Obama-era BRAIN Initiative, aims to build tools to monitor brain electrical signals and levels of brain chemicals in real-time.
During her postdoctoral training at Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus, Tian played a critical role in developing the calcium sensor GCaMP, making it possible to optically measure the brain’s activity during behavior. The approach involves lighting up nerve cells, so they can be viewed through a tiny camera threaded into the brain. “This technological achievement has transformed the field of neuroscience,” Max Planck said in a news release touting the BRAIN Initiative grant from the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institutes of Health.
Max Planck, the German-based institution, came to Abacoa in 2008 with $190 million in state and local financial support, on the heels of the $580 million effort to woo The Scripps Research Institute from San Diego to Jupiter. While Scripps has relinquished its holdings here to the University of Florida, Max Planck remains. It has nine labs, including Tian’s, and more than 140 full-time employees.
Tian has been in the country since pursuing her doctorate in biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology from Northwestern University in 2001. She is married and the mother of two sons. She uprooted for Max Planck, she said, because of its focus on discovery.
“The reason I came here is to really focus on research for the next 10 years to make a groundbreaking discovery,” she said from her Jupiter office.
Tian heads a lab where scientists can insert tiny cameras into living brains to answer some of the most indecipherable questions known to humankind. She leads
“The philosophy is that, well, first of all, you need to be fearless,” something she found more difficult in a public university setting because of her teaching responsibilities. “Without risk, it’s really hard to have a transformative discovery, especially with developing technology. So Max Planck, their philosophy is that, to tackle the most challenging questions, they really encourage your highrisk, high-reward research.”
Collaboration will help spread Max Planck’s message, she said, particularly with success. “I’m thinking, ‘how can we leverage as a resource to make a big difference?’ The only way to do that is to collaborate … and then make a big discovery.”
With that she launched into an explanation of her project.
It focuses on probing and observing neurochemicals dyed with fluorescence in the brain, “so you can actually start to measure or visualize the release events of those neurochemicals and how they are modified by treatment.” The release of dopamine, she said, is connected to happiness. Too much dopamine can lead to addiction, where drugs stimulating dopamine hijack the reward system.
Scientists used to think of serotonin, which is chemically close to dopamine, in a similar way. It became a key target of antidepressants, in drugs such as Prozac. “We have, actually, really interesting findings about why this drug does not work very well,” she said. “Because we can monitor serotonin now. … When you only take it like, say, one week, short-term, you actually make (patients) more depressed and have the trend for suicide,” she said. “But if you take them longer, for example, four weeks, they start to feel relieved. So why is that? “We actually found serotonin is not a happy molecule. It’s actually the opposite.”
She uses the development of the iPhone to help explain her commitment to technology.
“There’s an initial prototype, and then you go to the firstgeneration iPhone, right? … So the same thing for this type of technology, we just have to keep optimizing them, making them better, more precise, faster. So, we can measure with more precision in the brain to gather more information. … We develop a technology that we prove is useful. And now we need to work on the new generation of this technology.
“So, this plan is about bringing the technology to the next generation.” It speaks to the initial effort to bring biotech to Palm Beach County. Like many who promoted biotech in the early 2000s, she wants to make sure there are high-tech jobs here for her children.
“How do you create those jobs to bring your kids back? I feel like this investment is really for the next generation. It’s not just for research, but really for the next generation, to build Florida as the east coast (version of) San Diego.”
Photos by Joel Engelhardt/Stet
By Vice Mayor Maria G. Marino
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has recently released updated flood zone maps that bring significant changes to Palm Beach County. These new maps, set to take effect on December 20, 2024, highlight an increased flood risk for thousands of residents, particularly in the eastern regions of the county. The revised maps classify many additional areas as high-risk flood zones, known officially as special flood hazard areas (SFHAs).
The updated maps are particularly impactful for low-lying regions, properties near canals and lakes, and coastal zones prone to tidal surges. As a result, more than 16,000 parcels in Palm Beach County are anticipated to have a base flood elevation (BFE) increase of one foot or more. The increase in BFE may result in nonconforming structures that have the lowest floor below
By Katie Roundtree, Director of Finance and Administration, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District
Flood control in Florida is a shared responsibility that provides maximum benefit only when all components (primary, secondary and tertiary) are designed and constructed to work together and are maintained in proper working order. Florida is more complex than many states, where one entity usually provides local and regional drainage for the community. In Florida, some areas have no formal drainage systems and are prone to routine flooding; others may be covered by several organizations or governments providing varying service levels. Depending on conditions, water may have to be routed through several interconnected, though independent, conveyance systems
the BFE or minimum elevation required for a substantial improvement (SI). For residents in unincorporated Palm Beach County, staff can provide SI determinations and technical assistance prior to major renovations.
For property owners required to have flood insurance under these new guidelines, it’s highly recommended to secure a policy as soon as possible. Those with existing National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies are encouraged to maintain them. Regardless of what flood zone you may be in, the county continues to recommend that all property owners have flood insurance since flooding can occur anywhere. Windstorm insurance does not cover flood damage. Thanks to Palm Beach County’s participation in the Community Rating System (CRS) discount program, unincorporated area residents receive a 25 percent discount on their flood insurance premiums, which can help alleviate some of the financial burden associated with increased flood risk.
The maps are available on the Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning & Building webpage, where residents can use the countywide property search tool to determine their flood zones. The webpage also provides other important information, including links to FEMA, the pending FEMA flood maps, municipalities affected, tips on how the county can help, and more. Please visit: https://discover.pbcgov.org/pzb/Pages/Update-on-FloodZones.aspx.
–each must be properly maintained and functioning – to provide flood protection for south Florida neighborhoods. So, what path does stormwater typically follow from your neighborhood to its final destination? Here’s an example. Five inches of rain falls in 24 hours over an inland community. This rain follows a wet period, so groundwater levels are already high. According to most approved drainage designs, some water is temporarily stored in public recreational areas, yard swales and streets. Drainage swale areas are sloped to catch water and filter out pollutants as water is absorbed into the ground. Some yards direct water to the community drainage system as runoff, with very little water retained in the yard. The excess surface water slowly drains to community lakes or on-site ponds via street and yard drainage grates, swales, ditches or canals. Homeowner associations typically assume the maintenance and upkeep of community drainage facilities. Water then drains from the community or “tertiary” system through underground pipes to the “secondary” system, which is mainly operated by the Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District (Northern) in this area. Cities and the county also maintain “secondary” systems, depending on development plans.
If property owners believe their property has been incorrectly identified as an SFHA, they can submit an application to FEMA for a formal determination of the property’s location and/or elevation relative to the SFHA. There are two types of determination documents you can seek in your Letter of Map Change (LOMC) request.
• Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA): A letter from FEMA stating that an existing structure or parcel of land — that is on naturally high ground and has not been elevated by fill — would not be inundated by the base flood.
• Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F): A letter from FEMA stating that an existing structure or parcel of land has been elevated by earthen fill and would not be inundated by the base flood.
Residents in unincorporated areas can request flood zone determinations from Palm Beach County, which provides written confirmation of zone designations. Additionally, the county offers consultations for retrofitting existing buildings to improve flood resilience. Municipal residents should defer to their municipal floodplain or town/city manager.
For questions, property owners can call the Palm Beach County Flood Zone Hotline at (561) 233-5374 for personalized assistance with the new maps, flood proofing options, and more.
The “secondary” drainage system is usually a network of canals, structures, pumping stations and storage areas. These systems can cover several hundred square miles and serve many communities. In communities maintained by Northern, stormwater systems are gravity-fed or pumped using stormwater pump stations. Water moves through a series of lakes and canals via weirs (fixed structures), operable gates and pump stations. These systems sometimes move water through multiple communities, so the “downstream” effects must be considered when moving water from one area to another. The stormwater systems discharge into local canals managed by Northern or other municipalities. Northern uses a telemetry system to monitor and remotely open and close gates and pumps. Weather conditions and water levels are monitored around the clock. Water levels in the secondary drainage system can be lowered to allow more water storage and minimize flooding. These systems discharge water into the “primary” flood control system as long as carrying capacity is available.
The South Florida Water Management District operates the “primary” drainage system. In anticipation of heavy
Northern Notes on page 22
Join us for festive fun, delicious bites, and unbeatable specials. Here’s what’s happening:
WEDNESDAYS
• Challenge your brain at Think and Drink Trivia from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
THURSDAYS
• Savor the flavors of our Thursday Night Cookouts with live music from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
SATURDAYS
• Treat yourself to our Prime Rib Dinner – two courses with fries for just $42!
FOOTBALL SPECIALS
• Score big at the Cabana Bar: 2-for-1 Happy Hour every Saturday and Sunday during football games!
Whether you’re unwinding after work or enjoying a delicious meal, The House Kitchen & Bar always has something special waiting for you. Enjoy these offers while they’re here!
Through December 25, for every $100 gift card purchased, The Park will donate $10 toward our Christmas Fore The Path program. Swing by The House or golf shop for gift cards. Sign an ornament to hang on our Giving Tree with your gift card purchase.
Lunch: Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. • Brunch: Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dinner: Wednesday-Sunday, 5 p.m.-9 p.m. • Happy Hour: Wednesday-Sunday, 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
Did you know there could be thousands of dollars waiting for you? Some clients overpay on their transactions, and if this happens, we issue a refund check for the amount overpaid. If the refund is returned to us as undeliverable, we continue to attempt to issue the refund. Once we have explored all refund options, we post a list of unclaimed funds on our website hoping that clients can reclaim the money due to them. We hold onto these funds for at least one year. If the funds remain unclaimed, we forward those funds to the state of the last known address. Currently, there is more than $749,000 in unclaimed funds available. So, I encourage you to check if your name is on the list to see if there are funds waiting for you! Visit
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D. Licensed School Psychologist
Eve’s nickname is “Eeyore” one parent told me. She was feeling frustration when dealing with her child completing tasks slower than everyone else. Whether it was doing homework, completing simple household chores, or getting out the door in the morning, Eve was slow or the last one to go. It required constant reminders and mom felt like she was always nagging. She hypothesized her daughter was perhaps lazy, unmotivated, or did not understand what to do. But
what really perplexed this mom was that Eve was slow regardless of if the activity was something fun or routine. It could be getting ready for a fun day at the waterpark and she was still slow.
There are many reasons why a child is completing tasks at a much slower pace than their peers. One reason is your child could have slower processing speed so even simple tasks will take them longer to complete. This can leave your child feeling overwhelmed, mentally fatigued, and discouraged. Second, your child could have a weak working memory and struggle to keep track of the tasks they are assigned and often forget what to do next. This can especially be noticed if you give your child multiple tasks at once. Third, your child may have weaker inhibition which means that they have a hard time resisting distractors. Your child could be cleaning their
room and find something they misplaced and become distracted playing with this and not cleaning up. Fourth, your child might have ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Presentation or what we used to call ADD.
Seek answers and understanding so you can do something different instead of becoming frustrated with your child and straining your relationship. A school neuropsychological evaluation will help you get to the root cause of why your child completing tasks so slowly. Our evaluations assess all of these potential causes and provide specific and helpful recommendations to improve your child’s functioning in the home and school settings.
Call us at (561) 625-4125 to discuss your child or learn more at www.JimForgan.com.
By Peggy Forgan, M. Ed.
Give a high school aged loved one a college planning gift that will last beyond the holiday season. The many steps of the college application process are stressful. I offer a comprehensive roadmap for students to standout in the crowd and help them connect all the details and meet all the deadlines. My flat fee and all-inclusive 1:1 approach helps your student build a college resume, increase test scores, and find the best schools at the best price, which all helps students achieve greatness. Giving the gift of college planning to children and
grandchildren is a thoughtful and impactful way to support their future success. As the cost of higher education continues to rise, many families feel the financial strain of paying for college. By gifting college planning, you can help ease that burden and set the next generation up for financial stability. I offer expert, 1:1 college planning services, helping you navigate the complexities of the admissions process and create a personalized plan to maximize financial resources and minimize student debt. Using Class 101’s approach, the college planning process can begin as early as ninth grade, ensuring that students have ample time to build a strong academic and extracurricular profile that aligns with their college and career goals.
Class 101’s comprehensive 1:1 services are designed to provide expert college planning. Our approach offers speed reading, SAT prep courses, college essay
writing workshops, career assessment, applications, and scholarship opportunities. These services help your student become positioned to succeed. The SAT prep courses are tailored to improve test scores, while the college essay workshops guide students in crafting compelling essays that stand out in the competitive admissions process. Additionally, the career assessments help students explore their strengths and interests, giving a clearer sense of direction for the future. No detail is left unnoticed in the application process. Ultimately, gifting the college planning services through Class 101 is an investment in your student’s academic success, financial well-being, and future career opportunities.
For information or to schedule a free consultation please contact Peggy Forgan at (561) 418-7897 or www. class101.com/northpalmbeachfl/.
Happy Holidays from Class 101!
The ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival, presented by Tampa General Hospital, is calling on community members to help make the 2025 event and 40th anniversary of this award-winning festival extraordinary by signing up for volunteer opportunities. With over 600 volunteers needed to support this prestigious festival, individuals aged 13 and older are encouraged to register online at www. artigras.org.
“Volunteers are the heart of ArtiGras. They play a critical role in ensuring that everyone, from the artists to the visitors, has a fantastic experience,” said Noel Martinez, President and CEO of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the annual ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival. “We’re excited to welcome volunteers to help us enhance the festival experience at Gardens North County District Park for everyone involved.”
Volunteers can choose from two shifts each day and contribute to a variety of festival areas, including the Amazon ArtiKids Zone, chef showcase, artist relations, site operations, volunteer committee, youth art competition, merchandise booth and the Unlimited Auto Wash Club information booth.
As a token of appreciation, all volunteers will receive a complimentary T-shirt, free festival admission on the day of their shift, special parking access, and complimentary
food and beverages in the volunteer area. Students can also earn community service hours for their participation.
In addition, sponsorship opportunities within the volunteer area are available from underwriting the T-shirts to providing food for the volunteers. To learn more about volunteering or sponsorship opportunities at ArtiGras, visit www.artigras.org or call (561) 746-7111.
Advance festival tickets will be available November 1 for the price of $15 ($20 at the gate). Patrons can also purchase a two-day pass for $25.
The 40th Annual ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival will take place on February 15 and 16, 2025, at the Gardens North County District Park, located on 117th Court North. The festival will feature a juried fine art exhibition, live entertainment, the new culinary arts studio, a dedicated Amazon ArtiKids Zone, and the youth art competition. Ranked as a Top-100 fine arts festival by Sunshine Artist magazine, ArtiGras offers visitors the unique opportunity to meet and engage with over 300 of the nation’s leading artists.
For more information visit pbnchamber.com.
Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) has been recognized as the Large Nonprofit of the Year at the Eighth Annual Hats Off Nonprofit Awards. This prestigious honor was presented by Nonprofits First during a reception and awards ceremony at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, October 30.
Andy Dehart
The annual Hats Off Nonprofit Awards celebrates dedicated nonprofit organizations, staff, and volunteers in Palm Beach County who are committed to making a positive impact in the community. The inspiring event showcases nominees across 14 categories, with one honoree recognized in each category.
“As a donation-based facility, we are grateful for everyone who supports our mission, and those that come to the center to see our patients firsthand,” said Andy Dehart, president
Gui Proença accepting award for Loggerhead Marinelife Center
and CEO of Loggerhead Marinelife Center. “We are grateful for everyone who shares our mission, and together, we’ll continue to build a safer world for our turtles and our oceans.”
LMC is dedicated to conserving ocean ecosystems, specifically targeting threatened and endangered sea turtles. With the goal of becoming a leading authority in ocean conservation at both local and global levels, LMC focuses on rehabilitation, research, conservation, and education. For
Benzaiten Center For Creative Arts
For more information call (561) 508-7315 www.benzaitencenter.org
We are kicking off our 10th Anniversary Season with our own version of the Netflix show, Blown Away . We call it the great South Florida Studio Showdown. This is where we bring together all the top glassblowers who are living and working in South Florida from both coasts. Participating will be international artist, Rob Stern and Brenna Baker who both appeared on Blown Away !
All the artists will work on their own individual pieces, and then they will all be assembled to make one large, impressive piece. Last year’s work had an ocean theme. See pictures at right showing the front and back of the piece.
We are continuing with our holiday classes and workshops in Fused Christmas Ornaments, Glass-blown Christmas Ornaments, and Flameworked Christmas Ornaments, as well as our Fused Glass Menorah Workshop. Besides all these seasonal workshops we conduct our normal classes in glassblowing, flameworking, fusing and welding. As for our fun, two-day welding workshops, where else in Palm Beach County can one sign up for a two-day workshop to play with sparks?
And please think of us for all your other holiday giftgiving needs. We have unique and affordable items in our gift shop that are perfect for office gifts as well as friends and family. Also, our gift certificates make great gifts and there are a lot of different options. Call the center to find out about them.
By being on our mailing list you will always be up to date about our class offerings as well as our muchanticipated visiting artist events. We have a stellar lineup of glassblowing artists this year, so we don’t want you to miss out. If you have never been to one of our “artist blow-outs,” you are really missing a great opportunity to see some of the best glassblowers from around the world perform in real time. Besides a three-hour fiery, muscular glassblowing demonstration by our visiting artists, we pump up the action by providing live music from some of our most talented, local musicians. We also provide tasty nibbles and two drink tickets (you can purchase more). All these events were sold out last year. So this year, we have been forced to raise the reservation price to $25 per person, and extra to reserve front row seating.
Check out their website for all the fun classes, workshops, visiting artists’ events and fundraisers planned for this upcoming season. Do not miss out on the fun! www.benzaitencenter.org
(561) 508-7315
Hours Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find Us
1105 Second Avenue South, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460
GPS doesn’t always get you here: Exit I-95 at Sixth Avenue and go east . Take a left at the blue Kwik Stop Store and then a right on Third Avenue South. Park in our parking lot or anywhere on the street.
and
Lighthouse ArtCenter (LAC) is pleased to announce the reopening of its newly renovated 3-D building at 395 Seabrook Road, Tequesta, FL 33469. This extensive year-long renovation will enhance the creative experience for students of all ages and skill levels, instructors, and the local community.
The upgraded building features an expanded roster of classes and instructors, offering programs from introductory pottery wheel lessons to advanced hand-building techniques. These enhancements will allow LAC to host more visiting artists and introduce new ceramics offerings during summer camps for children, promoting artistic development within the community.
“We are incredibly grateful to our contributing LAC Board Members, community members, and an anonymous grant that made this project possible,” said Jeni Licata, executive director. “The community interest has been strong. Registration for classes in the newly renovated building is open, and several classes are already full.”
Originally built in 1973, Lighthouse ArtCenter purchased the building in 2019 from Jupiter Medical Center after leasing it for about 20 years. The acquisition
followed a whirlwind fundraising campaign, including benefit concerts from former Metallica bassist and local supporter Jason Newsted.
The newly renovated 3-D studio will empower students to create a variety of projects, including abstract and figurative sculptures, mugs, teapots, and platters. With classes available during both day and evening hours, participants can choose from 8-week courses, shorter multi-day workshops, and special events like Wine Down
By Nils A. Shapiro
Is there anyone of a “respectable” age who does not remember and love the film, It’s a Wonderful Life , starring Jimmy Stewart? You know–the one in which an angel in the form of an old geezer gives Jimmy a peek at how his life might have turned out if he had done things differently, and how that would have affected others’ lives as well.
That all-time classic 1946 film still shows up around holiday time even these many years later, but I was especially reminded of it while watching a film first released in 2000 and now being streamed on Netflix.
The Family Man is a wonderful example of Nicolas Cage at his best, equally convincing in both aspects of a dual role.
In a brief opening scene set at New York City’s JFK airport, Jack Campbell (Cage) is rushing to catch his flight to London for an important temporary financial training opportunity with Barclay’s Bank, despite his girlfriend, Kate, (Tea Leoni in the role) pleading with him not to go for fear that it will lead to the end of their relationship.
We then see Jack 13 years later—sure enough, a bachelor—now a highly successful, wealthy New York financial executive in the process of putting together a multi-billion-dollar corporate merger. When he leaves his office and stops at a small shop on the way home to his penthouse apartment he becomes a bystander in a dangerous situation: the store owner refuses to accept a winning $238 lottery ticket and pay its owner (played by Don Cheadle), claiming the ticket is a phony. The ticketholder pulls out a gun and threatens to shoot the store owner.
Jack resolves the issue by paying the lottery ticketholder his winnings. But the latter’s strange response—informing Jack that he has now brought the consequences on himself—leaves Jack bewildered.
As we soon learn, in this film the ticketholder serves the same role as the angel in It Happened One Night . For when Jack awakens the next morning, instead of being in his Manhattan penthouse apartment he finds himself in a New Jersey home with a wife, Kate—the former girlfriend he last saw at JFK Airport—and two children!
Confused and panic-stricken, Jack races to his Manhattan office only to be turned away by doorman and staff who don’t recognize him at all. That Jack Campbell no longer exists and this new one realizes that, no matter how or why his life has been turned upside down, he has no choice but to make the best of it…which means working for Kate’s father, in the man’s auto dealership. It turns out
to be a good life when the love he had felt for Kate those many years ago is rekindled, and the joys of fatherhood added.
But when the business partner of his other, corporate life enters the auto dealership one day the memories of those exciting, luxurious times kick in and Jack manipulates the opportunity into an invitation for a business meeting that leads to a critical decision about which of these two very different lives is right for him.
Wednesday and Select Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m., fostering a fun and communal learning environment.
“The instructors bring a wealth of diverse expertise to the table, and now they have a state-of-the-art facility that perfectly complements their skills and techniques,” said Director of Ceramics and Sculpture Chad Steve. “I am confident that both students and faculty will produce their finest work yet in the coming year.”
Registration is open for classes and workshops. For more information, visit lighthousearts.org.
And then, in a totally unexpected twist of the film’s story line, Jack discovers that the final decision is not really his to make after all!
Fortunately for the readers of this column, the only decision you have to make is whether to find this film on Netflix. And that should be an easy one. The answer is, definitely !
Florida Atlantic University’s John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter is where groundbreaking programs in research and education create unmatched opportunities for researchers, students and our community.
• FAU Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
• FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
• FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute
• FAU Stiles-Nicholson STEM Teacher Academy
• FAU High School in Partnership with Max Planck Academy
• FAU Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention
• FAU College of Education
• FAU Academy for Community Inclusion
• FAU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities
• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Jupiter On-Campus Partners
• Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
• Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology • Zeiss Microscopy Solutions Center
5353 Parkside Drive, Jupiter, FL 33458
561.799.8500 | fau.edu/jupiter