

The 2024 Abacoa Property Owners’ Assembly annual meeting was on Tuesday, November 12. It was held at the Abacoa Golf Club in the beautiful banquet room, with its lovely views, again this year. Attendees enjoyed the 5:30 p.m. opening social hour including appetizers and refreshments prepared by the Golf Club Bar & Grille Room with the meeting commencing at 6:15 p.m.
We are grateful to the APOA Board of Directors yearly time in service to the Abacoa Community and their hosting of and presence at this year’s event. Karen Marcus was wonderful as Master of Ceremonies. While we are going to miss Karen, we wish her many thanks and joy as she retires from the board after 12 years with us! The board members’ expertise and vast knowledge of Abacoa is most significant in keeping Abacoa a premier and extraordinary community and neighborhood.
2024 Property Owners’ Assembly Annual Meeting on page 11
In 2025, The Town Of Jupiter Proudly Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary, And We Invite You To Join The Festivities At This Free Family Fun Event. Saturday, February 8th, 11 a.m. To 4 p.m.
Since 2003, the Jubilee has been a cherished annual event, inspired by the Town’s 75th Anniversary celebration in 2000, that brings together residents and visitors to celebrate the spirit of Jupiter.
This special Centennial-themed Jubilee will be a vibrant day filled with entertainment, educational exhibits, and cultural displays that showcase the essence of our community. With activities for all ages, the event offers a range of
experiences, from live music and local performances to civic and historical exhibits, interactive learning stations, and opportunities to connect
Karen T. Marcus, it is with sincere appreciation that we thank you for your time and dedicated service to the Abacoa community and the board as vice president with the Abacoa Property Owners’ Assembly.
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
CARE
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
Lyric Pediatric Dentistry 320-4304 Downtown Abacoa
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
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 Animal Care Clinic 630-3908 Greenwich Lifetime Veterinary Center 799-7717 Abacoa Plaza
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
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 Abacoa Plaza
A&R Pharmacy 630-3770 Downtown Abacoa Beaux’s Biscuits 459-7579 Abacoa
Chic Boutique 295-5282 Abacoa Plaza CVS
410-9851 Mallory Creek GNC 799-1526 Abacoa Plaza
Anvil Jewelers 630-6116 Bermudiana Hobby Card Shop 770-1950 Downtown Abacoa ILEENgirl Boutique 249-6346 Downtown Abacoa Liberty Book Store 906-5399
House Doors 252-9949 Windsor Park
Cleaners 624-7550 Bermudiana GCP Architecture 331-5036 Jupiter Bus. Center Go Green Drycleaners 335-5798 Abacoa Plaza
IFIXYOURI 619-6600 Abacoa Plaza
Linca Insurance Agency 624-4087 Downtown Abacoa Metamorphic Media
Abacoa Lighthouse Cove
Jumby
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 of Directors Meeting –January 28, 2025, 11:30 a.m. –APOA office or Zoom
Notice of Monthly CAC Meeting –Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 9:30 a.m. –APOA Office or Zoom
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.
By printing an article herein, the APOA is not endorsing the writer, the article’s content, or any business referred to herein.
The APOA will not be responsible for errors contained herein, or related to, articles.
Deadline for the next Abacoa newspaper is the 11th of the month. Submit articles/pictures to abacoaadmin@langmanagement.com
“SOLID
Roger Umana Jr., Trumpet: a powerhouse trumpeter for close to 25 years, Roger has performed with Ed Calle, Arturo Sandoval, Chuck Magione, Billy Taylor, Albita, Cachao, Nestor Torres, Paquito D’Rivera and many others.
Antti Roiha, Keyboards
Steve Rowley, Lead Guitar/Vocals:
Inspired by a Moody Blues concert at the age of 16, Steve began his guitar playing journey. He started gigging professionally at 18 and spent a couple of years touring the Midwest with a BritPop rock band. Since moving to Florida, he has played over 900 gigs in a variety of genres (rock, classic rock, oldies, pop hits, funk, R & B, and yes, even disco and a bit of country). Steve is one of the founding members of Solid Brass.
Pete Sarfati, Saxophone/Vocals:
Pete was born in New York City in the late ’60s. That scene was the backdrop for his major influences in R & B and Jazz; influences such as Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Spyro Gyra, and the Jazz Crusaders. Starting out with formal training on trumpet and later moving on to the saxophone, Pete longed to swing with the big names like Dexter Gordon, Grover Washington, Jr. and Phil Woods. He’s gigged the range from Gospel to Broadway and now returns with Solid Brass to the sounds of the city which were his first love in music.
Marcus Sandoval, Trombone: Although the youngest member of Solid Brass, Marcus has an old soul when it comes to rocking the trombone! A recent graduate from the University of Central Florida where he studied music and business, Marcus is a South Florida-based professional trombonist. He is currently earning his Masters of Music Performance at Florida International University in Miami. Marcus has played with bands ranging from all different styles of music, including jazz, rock, Latin jazz, salsa, fusion and more.
Jim Gray, Percussion/Vocals: With almost 50 years of touring the nation, playing drums and singing professionally, Jim provides the back beat and heavy pulse that drives Solid Brass!
SOLID BRASS is excited to play for YOU next!
May the coming year bring you boundless opportunities, growth, and memorable moments!
I was driving through Abacoa this morning, sunshine streaming through the stately oak trees lining my way,
when I found myself reflecting on the beauty and warmth that this master-planned, mixed-use and principled by “Traditional Neighborhood Development,” prizes the community. The streets connect and elegantly meld the unique diverse neighborhoods, gorgeous green preserves, local colleges, schools, golf, shopping, business, parks, event venues and yes, even a baseball stadium! Collectively, it engages us closely to our surroundings and to one another. Abacoa truly reflects a most wonderful place to LIVE, WORK, PLAY.
Heading into the New Year many exciting events are on the agenda here at Abacoa. We welcome a new event by Tropically Impaired, “Bands, Burgers & Brews,” on January 11. Touted as “South Florida’s Premier Music Festival” the event brings us 9-plus bands! Join Tropically Impaired here for a music filled day benefitting local nonprofits Big Dog Ranch, Little Smiles and Wounded Veteran’s Relief Fund. On January 19, Kaitlin’s Angel Run returns this year for the 8th Annual 5K Run/Walk raising awareness about teen-driver safety. Get your “groove on” January 25 here at the 17th Annual Jupiter Craft Brewer’s Festival “Silent Disco”! Also, with local live music this event hosts over 50 brewers and over 175 craft beers by regional and national talent with a portion
of proceeds going to the Autism Project of Palm Beach County. In March the “Jig” is on as the 5th Annual Jupiter Irish Fest returns and April brings 5K Live Like Jake, in recognition of childhood drowning prevention.
Hosted by Legends Radio the monthly tribute bands continue throughout the year boasting an impressive lineup and it’s with exciting anticipation we look forward to what Deuterman Productions shows holds for us.
Take me out to the Ball Park! Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium is getting a “first-class face-lift” this year! The Marlins’, Cardinals’ spring training ballpark makeover is already underway to a whole different look and feel as renovations modernize the stadium. Did you know the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium is the only stadium in the country to host four minor league teams! The stadium is home to the Jupiter Hammerheads, St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins, and the Palm Beach Cardinals. It will be “business as usual” come spring 2025 with Spring Training tickets on sale now at www.mlb.com/roger-deanchevrolet-stadium.
All this and more promises a lively 2025! For all things events and happenings at Abacoa, be sure to visit us at Abacoa.com. You can also sign up via the website for a monthly event eblast.
The Abacoa POA holds its Board of Directors meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. The Community Architect Committee (CAC) meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. The deadline to submit CAC materials for review is one week prior to the CAC meeting. 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.
By Sally Sima Stahl, Edward Jones
In life, you often get second chances—and the same is true with investing. To illustrate: You might not have been able to contribute to a Roth IRA during your working years due to your income level, but you may get that opportunity as you near retirement or even when you are retired—through a Roth conversion. And you can do so by converting your traditional IRA to a Roth. While this sounds simple, there’s a major caveat: taxes. You’ll be taxed on the amount in pre-tax dollars you contributed to a traditional IRA and then converted to a Roth IRA. (If you have both pre- and after-tax dollars in your traditional IRA, the taxable amount is based on the percentage of pre-tax dollars.)
Why is a Roth IRA desirable for some people? Here are the key benefits:
If you have large amounts in a traditional IRA, the tax bill on conversion can be significant. The key to potentially lowering this tax bill is timing. Generally speaking, the lower your income in a given year, the more favorable it is for you to convert to a Roth IRA. So, for example, if you have already retired, but have not started collecting RMDs, your income may be down.
• Tax-free withdrawals—you put in after-tax dollars to a Roth IRA, so you can withdraw your contributions at any time, free of taxes and penalties. And if you’ve had your account for at least five years and you’re at least 591⁄2, you can also withdraw your earnings free of taxes.
• No RMDs —With a traditional IRA, you’ll have to start taking withdrawals — called required minimum distributions, or RMDs — when you turn 73, or 75 if you were born in 1960 or later. But there’s no RMD requirement with a Roth IRA — you can essentially leave the money intact as long as you like.
Timing also comes into play with the financial markets. When the market is going through a decline, and the value of your traditional IRA drops, you could convert the same number of shares of the underlying investments and receive
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., Licensed School Psychologist
A parent described her eighth-grade son to me, “He has struggles following multiple oral instructions at the same time. His information retention in the short term is challenging especially for unpreferred topics. He has completed homework and forgot to turn it in. He waits until the last minute to start projects or studying for exams. What a hot mess!”
This mom was describing her son’s executive functioning weaknesses. The term executive functioning encompasses our brain’s ability to manage different systems such as planning, organizing, maintaining effort, remembering, self-regulating, attending, and completing tasks. School success depends, in part, on having strong executive functioning skills. Executive functioning weaknesses can cause smart kids to become scattered, disorganized, and forgetful. These weaknesses might be accompanied with ADHD or learning disabilities but
can also be stand-alone difficulties. Our executive functions improve with age and fully mature in our late teen years to early 20s. Thus, there’s hope for your student’s growth.
Executive functioning skills can be learned, practiced and improved. This month I am offering an in-person executive functioning course for students in grades 6 through 9. Your student can join us for three, 90-minute sessions of fun, interactive activities to learn executive functioning skills related to organization, planning, time management, memory, and attention. The group size is limited to 10 students.
We will use games, scenarios, and videos to illustrate points and practice skills. Students receive written handouts to keep which summarize the new skills. We are approaching this mastermind course for teens using a cognitive behavioral framework. That means that if you can change your thinking and learn new skills, you can change your behavior. Your student can learn skills for success this year and beyond. Are you tired of being your child’s only executive assistant and ready for your adolescent to hear about success skills from someone other than yourself?
Call (561) 625-4125 if you would like to sign up or if you need school neuropsychological testing to give you understanding and answers. Learn more at JimForgan.com/ executive.
a lower tax bill or convert more shares of these investments for what would have been the same tax bill.
• Tax-free legacy for your heirs —When your heirs inherit your Roth IRA, they can withdraw the contributions without paying taxes or penalties, and if the account has been open for at least five years, they can also withdraw earnings tax-free.
Finally, you could lower your tax bill in any given year by stretching out your Roth IRA conversions over several years, rather than doing it all at once.
But even if you were aware of these advantages, you might not have been able to invest in a Roth IRA for much of your life. For one thing, you might have earned too much money— a Roth IRA, unlike a traditional IRA, has income limits. Also, a Roth IRA has only been around since 1998, so, in the previous years, you were limited to a traditional IRA.
You’ll want to consult with your tax advisor before embarking on this conversion—but if it’s appropriate for your situation, you could find that owning a Roth IRA can benefit you and your family for years to come.
As you approach retirement, though, you might start thinking of just how much you’d like to benefit from a Roth IRA.
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.
Lucky is the photographer who finds herself in front of a garden milkweed plant as a monarch butterfly alights upon the plant’s blossoms!
Planted with the intention of attracting these butterflies, the milkweed plant serves as the sole host plant where the butterfly will lay her eggs. Drawn in by the blossoms and their nectar, the butterfly carefully places her eggs, collecting pollen on wings and body before moving on to distribute the flower’s pollen, assisting in the fertilization of other plants in her path. However, milkweed plants have plummeted
dramatically due to the prevalent use of weedkillers, resulting in a significant drop in the monarch population.
The Abacoa Community Garden hosts the tropical milkweed, which is also called Mexican milkweed, scarlet milkweed, or blood flower. This particular species is favored for its ease of propagation and rapid growth. There has been some unresolved debate regarding concerns about potential oversupply of tropical milkweed that could disrupt or delay the travel patterns of those monarchs who migrate to
Come Alive In 2025
“Twenty Twenty-Five is a blank book to write your own love story.”~~Matthew Leary (Kelly’s son)
No Time Like the Present.
People are HOT in a good way. We are geared up for the power of change and action. Love is not about luck—it is about timing. You have to be in the right place, at the right time, to meet the right person. The new year brings this time. This year is about expansion and conquering excellence in and out of the boardroom.
South America. On the flip side, it has been observed that if there are not enough plants in a local bed to support the high number of caterpillars present, the leaves are quickly consumed, leaving the caterpillars without adequate food to complete their metamorphosis into butterflies.
Another plant variety, the common milkweed, is native to South Florida and is host to the monarchs as well. It is not as easily found in garden supply centers, however.
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 morning, and check out our Facebook page.
Happy New Year to our favorite people in this vast community of movers and shakers. You are ahead of your time, and we thank you for your keen talent for noticing the beauty in life. Staying rooted in our overly tech world and maintaining traditional values is essential. People like you hold the gift of love and compassion near and dear--and that is why we are here today. True romance will never go out of style. It is up to people like us--to share this cheerful news about real life and love (offline) with our family and friends. Let’s keep love alive in 2025. Thank us later. It’s true: The older we get, the quicker time flies. Life is moving at a rapid speed, and instant gratification has taken over. In contrast, it is important to have meaning in your life beyond a computer screen. This is a unique year, marking a quarter of a century. The world has shifted, and we must cherish and embrace the opportunity to seize the day.
Milestone moments and huge transitions are coming, and we hope everyone is revving up their engines. The national trends are noting a massive movement away from online dating and towards matchmaking. Quality single people report “online dating burnout,” so much so that even twenty-somethings have vowed to ditch the apps. In days of too much tech, the last thing successful singles want to do is waste their time and energy looking for love on a computer or speaking to an algorithm designed to keep them single and addicted to the next dopamine rush. We call this “What’s Next Syndrome.” Sounds spooky, right?
We urge you to follow the mainstream trajectory to love offline and highlight meeting your matchmaker in person eye-to-eye before you try again. You don’t have to be a multi-millionaire to work with a matchmaker, but you do have to show personal, emotional, and financial security. If you know us, then you know that our corporate headquarters (where we have proudly shined for eleven years) is in one of the most upscale business neighborhoods positioned cleverly to head all of South Florida and the Treasure Coast. Our presence is organically up and down the entire East Coast of the USA. For years, we have been matching clients who have second homes in Nantucket, Manhattan, Greenwich, and Cape Cod, to name a few. We call these clients “jet-setters,” which sounds much cooler than “snowbirds.” We are honored to know many fascinating CEOs, trailblazers, doctors, lawyers, and geniuses. This job has opened doors for us over the years, which means those doors are open to you too, as a client. Thanks to our incredible clientele, we get smarter every day just by spending time with our elevated ever-changing and growing membership platform. Our clients become friends--and nothing is more natural than being introduced by a friend (in the know).
With that, welcome to 2025. It’s time to come alive and/or help a friend or family member that you know to be stuck in a rut or hiding in their comfort zone. There is no time like the present to flip the script and start the year with zeal, clarity, and steadfastness.
Our new clients report an instant feeling of lightness and excitement as soon as they shut their dating apps down--for good. A new female client stated, “The apps felt icky, unnatural, and desperate.” Another new male client called us and said: “My adult son recommended I work with a Matchmaker, and the kids know best!”
The Revolution Resolution.
Our clients desire stability and a high hit rate that you cannot find on a dating app. Intelligent people aim to avoid the clutter. They prefer to maximize their time and efficiency by increasing the odds of meeting like-minded people via in-person connections. They value our friendly advice and most of them listen to our guidance with respect and gratitude.
So, what is more important than lifelong health and happiness with someone you love? Read the room. You are at bat. You’ve got this, and we can’t wait to meet you. Hot Tip: Do secure your reservation to meet the matchmakers as our January and February calendars are booking up quickly. Mention this article for special treatment when you speak to one of our team members on the phone. All calls are confidential.
Let’s get this new year started!
XOXO – Kelly & Miranda
#LoveOffline #MatchmakingRoyalty #TellYourFriends #ComeAliveIn2025 #YouHaveArrived
Kelly Leary © has 34 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, The Shiny Sheet, 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 add-on to some memberships. *All inquiries are confidential *Specializing in representing jet-setting clients with a second home in the North East. Call the central hotline at 561-630-9696 (XOXO) or scan the QR code below to hold your place in the club.
Behind The Scenes with The REV!
Thank you December and Welcome January! It's 2025 and quality single, divorced, and widowed people are ready to love offline once and for all. Your resolution is right in front of you and has been for years. Your timing could not be better and you are in good company. With use of 34 years of expertise and connections, we know you are feeling it too. REV-up your love life with this amazing bunch below. Happy New Year from our hearts to yours! First Interviews are complimentary for a short time only. Reserve your appointment today. #TellYourFriends
Today, many things are recyclable. And, in Palm Beach County, cardboard definitely is recyclable. With online buying and general packaging, there’s a lot more cardboard in our waste stream today. The good news is that cardboard can be recycled.
In Palm Beach County, cardboard goes into your yellow recycling bin. But the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County (SWA) understands that not all cardboard can fit into the 18-gallon yellow recycling bin.
There are options after removing all the foam and plastic packaging:
• For residents living in unincorporated Palm Beach County, place excess and oversized cardboard beside the yellow recycling bin to be collected for recycling. Waste collection workers will pick it up by hand and put it into the correct side of the split body recycling truck.
• For residents living in one of Palm Beach County’s 39 municipalities, contact your municipality directly for their curbside cardboard guidance. A list of municipal contacts can be found online.
• For anyone who wants to recycle oversized or excess cardboard themselves, they can take it to any of more than 250 yellow community cardboard dumpsters throughout our county. You can find the nearest community cardboard dumpster at swa.org/wheretorecycle by clicking the graphic on the right side of the screen. From there, set the “Cardboard” option to “Yes.”
• You can also take your cardboard and other yellow recycling bin materials to one of seven SWA Home Chemical and Recycling Centers.
In 2023, the SWA reported to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that it sold almost 75,000 tons of recyclable commodities to mills and factories that use them to make new products. Of that, more than 18,000 tons was cardboard. Find out more “recycle right” tips online.
Keep giving your recyclables the future they deserve. Recycle right, Palm Beach County!
There’s no better way to experience the ever-growing world of craft brewing. With paid admission and proper identification (stating you are 21 years of age or older) guests will enjoy unlimited samples of the brews. All this while listening to some of the best local entertainment around!
Brewers
During the Jupiter Craft Brewers Festival we will have over 50 brewers and over 175 craft beers for your enjoyment. We have local, regional and national talent. Your favorites are sure to be found, and no doubt you’ll walk away with some new favorites on your list. Ales, lagers, light to dark and everything in between. It truly is the best day of the year so far.
Live Music
Kick back and enjoy a sunny afternoon with the electrifying sounds of The People Upstairs! Relax with your favorite craft beers in hand as the band fills the air with awesome tunes.
Silent Disco
Come get your groove on at our Silent Disco! Not sure what it is? Stop by to see and listen closely! But be sure to bring your dancing shoes – our rockstars are hard to resist!
Food Options
Local food vendors, including the popular Food Shack Food Truck, will be available to satisfy various culinary preferences.
Charitable Donations
A portion of our proceeds are going to the Autism Project of Palm Beach County. We thank you in advance for your support.
In the past 16 years, the festival has come a long way. Thank you all for your support and great energy throughout.
Please note: No strollers, backpacks or dogs allowed, and only paying patrons over the age of 21 will be admitted.
Portfolio
3825 PGA Blvd, Floor 9, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410 561.694.5666 robert.m.burns@jpmorgan.com jpmorgan.com/burnswm
with local organizations. Join us as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and look toward to the future in this historic milestone year for Jupiter!
Jupiter Police officers come out to different neighborhoods to walk and talk. We invite residents of the community to come out and meet officers and their neighbors. This initiative will enhance communication within the community while promoting physical fitness. Upcoming Walk-N-Talk:
By request only. Please call Officer Canonico at (561) 741-2412.
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.
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.
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
Celebrating 25 Years Of Palm Beach Dramaworks from page 16
Each season, the award-winning company produces five shows and offers a wide variety of programs for students at the theatre and in schools. Committed to fostering the future of theatre, PBD has become a hub for playwrights in Florida and around the country to nurture their work through the Perlberg Festival of New Plays. In 2016, PBD was the recipient of the Muse Award for Outstanding Arts and Cultural Organization given by the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. In 2020, the company received the Bill Von Maurer Award for Theatrical Excellence, a special Carbonell Award given to the theatre company that “exemplifies excellence for the totality of its programming: productions, educational outreach, developmental programs, and audiences served.”
PBD has had a significant financial impact on the downtown West Palm Beach community as well, as patrons frequent local restaurants, shops, and hotels. The company also collaborates with area businesses to promote special dinner and theatre packages, contributing to the tourism industry.
On November 8, with many local dignitaries in attendance, PBD held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially begin the 25th anniversary celebration, led by Hayes, Beryl, and Chief Financial and Operating Officer Rudina Toro. Mayor Keith James proclaimed November as PBD month in West Palm Beach, and Congresswoman Lois Frankel – who, as mayor, was the driving force behind the city’s purchase of the theatre for PBD – also delivered remarks.
The company will celebrate its milestone season again on March 15, when it holds its annual gala at the Cohen Pavilion at the Kravis Center. But the real celebration takes place eight times a week at the theatre, where patrons can watch gifted artists in distinguished productions of superb plays. That, in itself, is reason to rejoice.
By Gisele Galoustian
New therapeutic opportunities often emerge from research on simple organisms.
For instance, the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier, Ph.D., and Jennifer Doudna, Ph.D., for their CRISPR-based DNA editing discovery began with studies using bacteria just a decade prior. Today, CRISPR therapies are approved for several disorders, and more such treatments are in the offing.
Recognizing the translational potential of studies in simpler animal models, a team of scientists led by Randy D. Blakely, Ph.D., at Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine and FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, have taken an important step that may lead to treatments for human neurodegenerative disorders. Their work begins with a tiny, inauspicious roundworm.
Formally known as Caenorhabditis elegans, the nematode is a favorite of neuroscientists seeking to identify and manipulate genes that impact neural signaling and health. In a new study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Blakely and colleagues link the function of the worm gene swip-10 to the control of copper. While known for its use in electrical wiring, pots, pans and jewelry, copper also is a vital micronutrient that plays several essential roles in all cells, including those of the human brain.
“Copper is required for the function of mitochondria, the powerhouse of cells, and its production of the energy-storing
By Peggy Forgan, M. Ed.
Junior year is a critical time for college planning. It’s when high schoolers start to focus on their future and make decisions that really count. And with most students just 10 months away from applying to college, it’s clear that the 11th grade is crunch time.
Class 101’s Super Junior program helps students get ahead of the curve before application season even begins. Here’s everything you need to know about becoming a Super Junior, and why it’s one of the best ways to bring your student up to speed.
A Super Junior is an 11th grader who wants to get a head start on college planning. By completing our fast-track Super Junior program, students start the planning process when it matters the most: during the application preseason. That way, when application season rolls around on August 1 of their senior year, they are well ahead of their peers.
Junior year is the most crucial time for students to take ownership of their grades, sharpen important skills, and begin the college admissions process. All of this is time-consuming and overwhelming, from prepping for standardized tests to finalizing resumes. The Super Junior program alleviates the stress of college planning by helping students achieve their goals before senior year.
All Super Juniors will complete a “Super Junior Checklist” specifically designed to help them put their best foot forward. Here’s a look at the seven things they will accomplish in 90 days:
1. Create a top 10 list of colleges and universities
2. Complete three college visits (either virtual or in-person)
3. Take DISC assessment & review report
4. Establish baseline SAT score
5. Document top 10 trends from baseline score
6. Create a resume with all activities listed
7. Have a parent meeting to review all items on your checklist
All students who complete the program will earn a Super Junior certificate and will be entered for a chance to win a new laptop! The Class 101 Super Junior is underway. Call (561) 418-7897, email pforgan@class101.com or visit class101.com/palmbeachfl if you are ready for your student to become a Class 101 Super Junior.
molecule ATP, which fuels hundreds of vital body functions such as muscle contraction, digestion and heart function as well as the signaling of brain neurons that allows us to think and feel,” said Blakely, senior author, and David J.S. Nicholson Distinguished Professor in Neuroscience at FAU. “Copper also helps protect cells from harmful molecules termed reactive oxygen species, or ROS, which in excess can damage proteins and DNA, ultimately driving cell death, including neurons that die in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.”
Copper exists mainly in two forms: cuprous copper (termed Cu(I)) and cupric copper (termed Cu(II)). These two forms are managed by different proteins in the body and can be converted from one to the other to support various chemical reactions vital to human health. Scientists are still studying how the body maintains the right balance between these two copper forms, which is important, as too much or too little of either can wreak havoc on cells, particularly neurons. This is where swip-10 enters the picture.
Blakely’s worm team, led by former member Andrew Hardaway, Ph.D., reported the identification of the swip-10 gene in 2015, following a screen for molecules needed to control the activity of worm dopamine neurons, specifically those that control their ability to swim.
swim normally, but unlike normal worms whose swimming continues for 30 minutes or more, in less than a minute, the mutants display swimming-induced paralysis or SWIP,” said Blakely. “We tracked the paralysis to an excess activity of their
“Worms with a damaging mutation in swip-10 initially Science
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Science On The Cutting Edge from page 18
dopamine neurons and published what we thought was a fairly complete story.”
But further studies by another past graduate student in the Blakely lab, Chelsea Gibson, Ph.D., showed that the overactive dopamine neurons in swip-10 mutants exhibit degeneration much earlier in life than normal worms, as seen in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Other types of neurons in swip-10 mutant worms besides those making dopamine also demonstrate degeneration, suggesting to Blakely’s team that links to brain disease might mirror other neurodegenerative disorders besides PD.
A clue to such disorders came with the decoding of the swip-10 gene sequence where Blakely’s team found that humans possess a gene highly related to swip-10, termed MBLAC1. Then, in 2019, geneticist Iris Broce, Ph.D., at the University of California, San Francisco, fingered MBLAC1 as a risk factor for a particular form of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), one accompanied by cardiovascular disease (AD-CDV). Importantly, they also found a significant reduction in MBLAC1 expression in the frontal cortex of humans with AD-CDV, suggesting a role for MBLAC1 in supporting the health of both the brain and peripheral organs such as the heart. So where is the copper link?
“It turns out that MBLAC1 encodes an enzyme key to the production of another class of proteins, termed histones, well known to compact long strands of DNA so they can form chromosomes,” said Blakely.
But certain histones possess an additional, surprising activity, the ability to convert Cu(II) to Cu(I), and when mutations in these proteins were generated by Narsis Attar, M.D., Ph.D., at the University of California, Los Angeles, these cells show much lower production of Cu(I), higher amounts of ROS, their mitochondria function poorly, and they fail to thrive.
Connecting the dots across the years, Peter Rodriguez Jr., a current graduate student and lead scientist on the study in the Blakely lab, reasoned that swip-10 mutants also would fail to produce the requisite histones, leading to a loss of Cu(I), mitochondrial dysfunction, and an elevation of ROS, which could be a major reason the worm’s dopamine neurons die. In the new study, Rodriguez Jr., and collaborators show that this is indeed the case, and moreover, find that they can rescue ATP production, reduce ROS, and promote survival of dopamine neurons by supplementing their diet with Cu(I) or by exposing them to a drug known to increase Cu(I) levels in cells.
“Surprisingly, the impact of loss of swip-10 on Cu(I), worm bioenergetics, and oxidative stress is not just an impact felt by
dopamine neurons,” said Rodriguez Jr. “Rather, Cu(I) levels, and these good things that Cu(I) does, are greatly diminished body-wide. Another striking finding is that though changes occur with Cu(I) and its actions across the body, these deficits arise from the loss of swip-10 from a small number of cells in the head of the animal known as glia, which make up only 5 percent of the cells in the animal’s body.”
Glial cells are well known to support the signaling and health of neurons in many organisms. Indeed, in the worm, Rodriguez Jr. could restore the health of worms, as well as whole body Cu(I) levels, by expressing a normal copy of the swip-10 gene only in glial cells.
“The powerful control of Cu(I) exerted by swip-10 points to a novel opportunity to sustain neuronal health,” said Blakely.
Interestingly, the antibiotic ceftriaxone, which the Blakely lab found to bind MBLAC1 protein, has been reported by multiple groups to be neuroprotective in vitro and in animal models, though its mechanism of action is currently unclear. Blakely’s team believes ceftriaxone’s action relates to modulating copper homeostasis.
“Ceftriaxone isn’t a particularly powerful drug, doesn’t get into the brain very well compared to other medications, and can cause antibiotic resistance and other side-effects. So it’s not surprising that it hasn’t proved useful in the clinic,” said Blakely. “Perhaps now that we have a better idea as to what swip-10 and MBLAC1 do, we think that we may be able to design a truly useful medication to treat neurodegenerative disease.”
Study co-authors are Rodriguez, Jr., first author; Vrinda Kalia, Ph.D., Columbia University; Cristina Fenollar Ferrer, Ph.D., FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute; Chelsea L. Gibson, Ph.D., Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Zayna Gichi, Blakely Lab; André Rajoo, FAU Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College; Carson D. Matier, Ph.D.; University of California, Berkeley; Aidan Pezacki and Tong Xiao; Princeton University and University of California, Berkeley; Lucia Carvelli, Ph.D., FAU Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College and FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute; Christopher J. Chang, Ph.D., Princeton University and University of California, Berkeley; Gary W. Miller, Ph.D., Columbia University; Andy V. Khamoui, Ph.D., FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Science; and Jana Boerner, Ph.D., FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute.
The research was supported by Steven and Deborah Schmidt, the Florida Department of Health, and a pilot award from the FAU Mangurian Center for Brain Health (awarded to Blakely), and the National Institutes of Health (awarded to Miller, Kalia and Chang).
$4M Gift Expands STEM Education At The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute
Hands-on research experience can spark a lifelong passion for science and technology. A new $4 million grant from the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation will amplify educational initiatives based at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology. The gift will expand training opportunities for aspiring scientists by nurturing the institute’s acclaimed graduate fellowship program, its Kenan Fellows High School internships and its community education and outreach programs.
drug discovery simulation during a recent field trip to the institute. Pictured are Silvanna Salazar and Jalyssa Vaccianna. A new gift from the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation supports expansion of such education outreach efforts.
“The Glenn W. Bailey Foundation is pleased to support and grow these opportunities, as part of our mission of supporting STEM education in the United States,” said the Glenn W. Bailey Board of Trustees.
Courtney Miller, Ph.D., director of academic affairs at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, said the gift will benefit students and educators throughout the Palm Beach and Martin counties.
“There’s simply nothing that can replicate the real-world experience of conducting experiments, gathering data and making discoveries, guided by an expert mentor,” she said. “This life-changing opportunity provides students with a window
Science On The Cutting Edge on page 21
Dr. Hemang B. Panchal, MD, MPH, FACC, FSCAI, is board-certified in cardiology, interventional cardiology, echocardiography, and nuclear cardiology. He recently established his new cardiology practice, South Florida Heart & Vascular, located in Jupiter, FL.
Hospital Affiliations:
• Jupiter Medical Center
• Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center
• Good Samaritan Medical Center
• Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital
• Cleveland Clinic Martin North and South Hospitals.
For more information, please visit our website at www.sfheart.org.
South Florida Heart & Vascular 4425 Military Trail, Suite 102 Jupiter, FL 33458
Phone: 561-208-5246
Fax: 561-245-5399
Email: infosfheart@gmail.com
We offer same-day or next-day appointments whenever possible.
Highlights of Dr. Panchal:
• 13+ years of experience
• Well-published in top-rated journals, including the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and Circulation.
• Helped reform the guidelines by the American College of Cardiology.
• Reviewer for many journals, including the American Heart Journal, British Medical Journal, and many others.
into how science benefits society through the process of drug discovery. This gift will enable us to continue to provide this legacy program for years to come.”
For nearly 20 years, the institute’s high school internship program has trained more than 200 students. A bedrock for community education and outreach initiatives at the institute, the Kenan Fellows High School internship program now becomes part of the newly named Glenn W. Bailey STEM Education Outreach Programs. It will continue to provide unparalleled research opportunities for rising juniors and seniors from Palm Beach and Martin counties. During the nine-week, full-time experience, students immerse themselves in real biomedical research under the supervision of a Wertheim UF Scripps Institute scientist.
The new gift will also help expand the institute’s kindergarten through collegiate educational outreach programs, which include school visits, field trips, science night participation and other events. Miller notes that the new funding will open more collaborations with local and university-level partners, as well.
The expansion means more opportunities for area teachers including Gladys Mateo-Almodovar, M.Ed.L. An eighth-grade science teacher at Okeeheelee Middle School in West Palm Beach, Mateo-Almodovar worked last summer with biochemist Thomas Kodadek, Ph.D. The experience gave the long-time teacher an in-depth look at emerging research to share with her students.
“This program has been of great benefit to me in my professional life,” Mateo-Almodovar said. “I used it to reinforce the importance of studying sciences, and, in the process, motivate my students to study professions related to this field. I can say that it is one of the best work experiences I have ever had.”
Mateo-Almodovar credits researchers’ visit to her school’s recent Science Night for motivating nearly 120 students.
“We look forward to collaborating with even more educators in our local communities to encourage young minds to explore science, nurture their curiosity, and think creatively about everyday problems,” said Rosie Albarran-Zeckler, Ph.D., manager of academic support services.
The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute also builds the pipeline of tomorrow’s biomedical leaders through its graduate program. Establishment of the Glenn W. and Cornelia T. Bailey Endowed Graduate Fellowship enables the institute to nurture additional promising doctoral students. Reserved for full-time Ph.D. candidates, the competitive three-year fellowship is awarded to second- and third-year students, enabling them to pursue their work with greater focus.
By William A. Haseltine, Ph.D.
Memories are created in a matter of seconds. From the moment the brain receives a sensory input (i.e. sight, sound, smell, etc.), neurons across the brain activate. Connections formed between these neurons give rise to dynamic neural networks called engrams. For example, when exploring a new city, an engram forms and continuously updates as you walk down various streets and turn corners. The moment you finally encounter the landmark you have been searching for, there is a burst of neural activity. Neurons that were activated seconds prior also increase their firing. Your brain consolidates this information into a mental map of how to get to the landmark. Engram formation, therefore, depends not only on neurons firing simultaneously but also on those that activate immediately before and after. This is known as behavioral timescale learning. Researchers at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience now may have begun to uncover how behavioral timescale learning integrates memories across several seconds.
When a neuron activates, an action potential is generated. First, an electrical or chemical input stimulates a dendritic branch on the neuron. If the stimulus is strong enough, a branch becomes activated. The signal travels through the cell body and into the neuron’s axon. The activated axon releases chemical messengers called neurotransmitters to activate other cells in the network. Neural activation lasts just two milliseconds before the cell resets to allow another action potential to be generated.
Generating action potentials is the basis of all brain activity. During learning, action potentials transmit signals that encode new experiences. A key region involved in this process is the hippocampus. Here, the brain consolidates short-term memories into long-term memory. Jain et. al, therefore, began their study by isolating hippocampal tissue samples from a group of mice. Using electrical stimulation, the team induced action potentials and measured changes that occur naturally during learning. To mimic behavioral timescale learning, Jain et. al separated each electrical input by approximately one second, representing the extended period for integration into an engram.
a postsynaptic neuron (the neuron receiving the signal) triggers molecular changes. First, neurotransmitters released by the presynaptic neuron bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron. When neurotransmitters bind to these receptors, channels open that allow calcium ions to enter the neuron. The influx of calcium induces an increase of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) enzymes. These enzymes play a pivotal role in recruiting additional receptors to the synapse. More receptors lead to increased sensitivity and stronger synapses. As such, neurons that fire together become increasingly connected over time.
Canadian psychologist Donald Hebb first proposed the concept that “neurons that fire together wire together” in 1949. Activating just one neuron in an engram activates the entire network and triggers a memory. It was first thought that neurons must fire within milliseconds to wire together. Now, behavioral timescale learning suggests that a broader time window may exist, extending seconds or even minutes. This emerging theory revolutionizes our understanding of how neural connections influence our memory.
In their study, Jain et. al manipulated the time between sensory inputs to replicate behavioral timescale learning. Specialized biosensors enabled the team to observe microscopic changes at individual synapses within the hippocampus. Their first observation found that disrupting the function of CaMKII enzymes in the long-term potentiation pathway halted learning. This led researchers to speculate that behavioral timescale learning may be mediated by the activity of CaMKII enzymes.
However, even with highly sensitive biosensors, Jain et. al were unable to detect CaMKII activation during the simulation experiment. To their surprise, the activation of CaMKII appeared delayed, occurring tens of seconds after learning. In addition to influencing synaptic plasticity, the delayed activation also seemed to induce signaling changes in other parts of the neuron. Increased activation of these enzymes was especially apparent in dendrite branches, suggesting that this enzyme may play a role in processing information within dendrites receiving these inputs. These surprising findings reveal that CAMKII activation may be part of a larger mechanism that primes neurons to integrate repeated inputs.
These processes are so fast that they seem to be instantaneous. Behavioral timescale learning argues that these small delays, however, have tremendous implications for how our brains consolidate multiple information over time into a memory. Future studies are needed to fully uncover these underlying mechanisms. This will not only help us to better understand learning, but perhaps may reveal new approaches for preventing memory disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. The next time you forget something, remember—it could be a sign that our brains are working in ways we don’t fully understand yet. ( Forbes )
The first Glenn W. and Cornelia T. Bailey Fellow, neuroscience student Chu-Ting Chang, began her rotation in 2021. Her research focuses on understanding how cell receptors interact with many medications. Because of the additional funding, two additional Bailey fellows will be announced this fall.
“The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute is a special place where scientists can pursue incredible, life-changing research that will affect humankind,” said Laura Solt, Ph.D., associate dean of the institute’s graduate program. “As a former fellow myself, I know firsthand how this level of support energizes our efforts. I am deeply appreciative to the Bailey Foundation trustees for their enduring philanthropy.”
The Bailey Foundation’s longstanding support is a testament to its founders’ passion for science, technology, engineering and math education and medical research. Glenn W. Bailey was an accomplished businessman and U.S. Navy veteran whose engineering career saw him lead several manufacturing companies, eventually establishing the Bairnco Corporation to invest in promising companies by building their management and financial skills.
Supporting the Wertheim UF Scripps Institute since 2022, the Bailey Foundation’s partnership is tangible recognition of the work accomplished by all at the institute. Miller notes that this recognition is especially meaningful to those faculty and researchers who mentor the next generation of scientists at all levels, from elementary through graduate school.
Learn more at https://wertheim.scripps.ufl.edu/education/ glenn-w-bailey-stem-education-and-outreach-programs/.
When a new memory is being formed, action potentials repeatedly fire from one neuron to another. Increased firing strengthens their connections, making them more efficient and more likely to fire together in the future. This process is driven by synaptic plasticity. Synapses are gaps between neurons that facilitate the transfer of information. When a neuron receives repeated inputs, its synapse undergoes structural changes that make it easier for the neuron to depolarize and produce an action potential. This type of synaptic plasticity is called longterm potentiation.
Long-term potentiation is crucial for forming long-term memories. Repeated stimulation from a presynaptic neuron (the neuron sending the signal) to
Dr. William A. Haseltine is a distinguished scientist, philanthropist, author, and entrepreneur renowned for his pioneering work in genomics and regenerative medicine. A former Harvard Medical School professor, he has made many significant contributions to cancer and HIV/AIDS research. He coined “Regenerative Medicine” in 1999, highlighting his influence in the field. Dr. Haseltine founded Human Genome Sciences and served as chair and CEO. He has a successful career in biotechnology, founding a number of companies, with several products approved by global regulatory agencies. He founded ACCESS Health International, focusing on improving global healthcare access. His prolific writing includes over 250 academic articles and numerous books like My Lifelong Fight Against Disease . Dr. Haseltine is a frequent media contributor, sharing insights on healthcare challenges and innovations. His work has earned him accolades, including being named one of TIME ’s “25 Most Influential Global Business Executives.”
By Mayor Maria G. Marino
It’s truly an honor to become the mayor of a county that is a driving force for economic growth, innovation and quality of life. Palm Beach County stands as a beacon of progress, built not by chance, but through thoughtful planning, consistent effort, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Palm Beach County thrives on strategic investments that yield transformative results. For every dollar invested in economic development, we see exponential returns—more businesses, more jobs, and a stronger tax base. We’ve proven that we act local while thinking global.
Public Safety is the foundation of any thriving community. From emergency management during storms to initiatives by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), we are committed to ensuring residents feel secure. A shining example is our whole blood program, one of only 121 in the nation, which enables medically trained first responders to perform lifesaving blood transfusions in the field. Through its safety education, the Drowning Prevention Coalition reached
Dear Friends:
Each day, at approximately 11 a.m., my team and I receive an email report from our client satisfaction survey vendor highlighting the surveys we received from clients the previous day. I enjoy reading the surveys, especially the comments where clients tell us what we are doing right and what needs improvement. We strive for exceptional service on each and every interaction with our clients, both in-person and on the phone, and most of the time we get it right, but there are times that we miss the mark. In either case, it is important that we hear from our clients so we can address issues and make corrections where needed, but at the same time, it is so rewarding to hear from clients who rave about the service they have received from a member of my staff. That commitment to exceptional from every member of our team is the driving force behind our industry-leading client satisfaction results, where 87 percent of our clients say that their experience with our office was exceptional or very good!
Anne M. Gannon, Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach County
nearly 24,000 people, and 2,200 kids ages 2 to 12 took free or reduced-cost swim lessons.
Investments in public safety provide tangible returns: stronger communities, lower insurance premiums, and enhanced quality of life. When people feel safe, businesses thrive, families grow, and communities flourish. That’s the kind of return on investment we can all celebrate.
What makes Palm Beach County such a desirable destination for businesses and families? It’s the outstanding quality of life, with 110 parks, beaches, and recreational areas that turn living here into a dream. These spaces are more than just amenities; they are vital investments in our shared well-being. Programs like Park Rx, also known as Park Prescriptions, is part of a national initiative that encourages healthcare professionals to prescribe time spent in nature to improve patients’ health and well-being.
This past year, we completed two major restoration projects in our estuaries: Sawfish Island and Tarpon Cove. These initiatives created critical seagrass, oyster reef, and mangrove habitats, supporting wildlife, improving water quality, and enhancing coastal resilience. Coastal resilience is important for maintaining our pristine beaches and natural habitat. The county spent nearly $6M this past year on dune projects and beach renourishment and over 1.4 million cubic yards of sand was placed on county beaches. That volume would fill 150 Jupiter Lighthouses!
Education in Palm Beach County is more than Vanderbilt. In addition to our higher education options, we have three technical high schools in our county. College may not be for everyone, but education is.
Palm Beach County is buzzing with transformational projects designed to meet the needs of yesterday and today while anticipating tomorrow. Recent accomplishments
Get Yours Now! The 2025 Tax Planner & Services Guide
include the completion of the PBSO District 1 Marine Unit Facility, the Supervisor of Elections Production Facility, and the Canyon Branch Library. Upcoming renovations at Roger Dean Stadium and expansions to the Animal Care and Control Building will further enhance our infrastructure. Solid Waste Authority has the No. 1 renewable energy facility in America.
Transportation is another cornerstone of our growth strategy. By collaborating with all 39 municipalities, we are developing a Countywide Transportation Master Plan that ensures safe, efficient, and sustainable mobility for everyone.
With more than 550 interlocal agreements spanning public safety, coastal protection, facilities, and broadband, we’re fostering a spirit of collaboration that benefits every corner of our county. Our ISS department, using $50M in federal funds, has installed broadband poles and more than 500 miles of fiber optic cabling. Free Internet broadband is available in 17 branches of our libraries and 47 county parks. And by partnering with agencies like the Boys and Girls Clubs and 86 schools, we are bringing Wi-Fi to homes that would otherwise be unable to have this necessary tool for kids to do their homework. Pair that with many interlocal agreements with our municipalities, we are delivering broadband at a discounted price which is passing a huge savings on to all our residents.
Palm Beach County is an award-winning county, locally, statewide and nationally. We are rewriting the rules of what’s possible. Through precision, patience, and strategy, we’re driving excellence and ensuring every resident and every business sees the benefits of living, working, and thriving here. Together, we’re creating a future where innovation meets sustainability, and prosperity is shared by all.
For more information on the latest news and initiatives in Palm Beach County, please visit: www.pbc.gov.
We are excited to announce that our 2025 Tax Planner & Services Guide will be available beginning in January. This comprehensive guide is designed to keep you informed, connected, and empowered as you navigate our organization’s services, values, and resources. Inside, you’ll find everything from taxes to motor vehicles services and driver’s license/ID card services. There is also a monthly calendar to help you keep track of your payment deadlines.
As we worked on this latest edition, one of our priorities was to align with the information on our new website, www.pbctax.gov, so the two complement one another. We made the guide easy to use with color coding guides to services and QR codes that will take you right to our website for more information on a specific topic.
Visit www.pbctax.gov/tpsg to request a copy of the 2025 edition. When you receive the guide, we will invite you to respond to a brief survey to provide us with your feedback so we can keep enhancing this signature publication. I hope you enjoy this publication as much as we enjoy providing it to you!
Faces Of The TCO: AJ Starks
Title: Director of Contact Center Operations
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn.
Favorite Activity: Manning the grill or the smoker
Favorite Food: My smoked brisket
This month, in our “Faces of the TCO” series, I am pleased to shine the spotlight on the director of our Client Care and Research Center (CCRC).
Ajani “AJ” Starks joined my Senior Leadership Team in 2022, and he oversees 40 employees whose main responsibility is to answer client questions and concerns via phone and emails. Handling an average of 1,700 calls a day is not an easy task, and to do so effectively, AJ and his team have developed strategies
to ensure all clients receive exceptional service. AJ says, “Client feedback is important to us, and we monitor calls and utilize call monitor forms to provide our client care representatives with feedback. With this comes challenges servicing clients who are unsatisfied with some aspect of our services. I remind the team that it is not personal and to show empathy towards the client, and we specifically train staff for these calls.” Employee recognition is important, and AJ says, “We celebrate wins and best calls, and in fact, we just held our first annual CCRC Awards, recognizing exceptional achievements, such as ‘Most Calls’ and ‘Client Service Excellence.’ I feel lucky to be a member of such a great team of professionals, all moving in the same direction to deliver exceptional customer service.”
Our new website, www.pbctax. gov has been online for over a month now and I hope you have enjoyed exploring all the new features. One feature that I want to highlight is the enhancements made to our reservation system. We created a new more intuitive interface, featuring pop-up icons to provide information about topics related to our services.
During your “journey” to make a reservation online, we first present you with a list of documents that you will need for your transaction. Next, upon indicating which documents you have by checking “Yes” or “No” and before you officially schedule your reservation, we present you a summary checklist of the document(s) you need to bring with you to your reservation. You can then print the list or email it to yourself to view or print later. Keep in mind that this document is not confirmation of a reservation, as you still have to select a date, time and location. This checklist is designed to help you easily keep track of the documents you need to gather. Once you have the opportunity to use our enhanced reservation-making system, tell us your feedback by visiting www.pbctax.gov/website-feedback/.
By Katie Roundtree, Director of Finance and Administration, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District
Nighthawks and Chuck Will’s Widows are common birds in South Florida, but most people have never seen one. They are members of the Nightjar family and are medium-sized nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) birds in the family Caprimulgidae Nightjars are found worldwide, except Antarctica and certain island groups such as the Seychelles. Nightjars are primarily found in Europe, while Nighthawks and Chuck Will’s Widows are found more in the New World. Nightjars, Nighthawks and Chuck Will’s Widows belong to a family of birds with the folk name “goatsuckers.” The family name, Caprimulgidae , literally means “milker of goats” and is based on an ancient belief that the birds milked goats with their enormous mouths each night. In reality, the birds’ attraction to livestock was likely due to the presence of insects.
They are unique birds with a distinctive look characterized by long wings, small feet, short legs, and very short bills. They have short bills but have enormous mouths when opened to allow them to catch insects at night. They have bristles around their beaks called rictal bristles, which are stiff hair-like feathers that arise around the base of the beak. The function of rictal bristles is uncertain, although several possibilities have been proposed. They may function as a “net,” helping to capture flying prey. Some evidence suggests that they may prevent particles from striking the eyes. There is also evidence that the rictal bristles of some species may function tactilely, like that of mammalian whiskers, to help detect prey.
Widows can be found in various habitats, most commonly in open areas with some vegetation. Locally, they live in and around upland preserves. Nighthawks usually spend their days hidden, sometimes in plain view,
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thanks to their cryptic gray, brown, and blackish plumage and the birds’ squat, “neckless” shape. They often prove challenging to spot even while roosting quietly on a tree branch or fence post.
They usually lay their eggs directly on the ground rather than in a nest. They are incredibly good at camouflage, and their coloring allows them to blend in remarkably well with the leaves and trees around them. Their soft plumage is colored to resemble bark or leaves, protecting them from their primary predators: foxes and raccoons. As a defense, these birds can hide in leaves on the ground, spread their wings and open their mouths to resemble cottonmouth snakes preparing to strike. Some species perch face lengthwise along a branch rather than across it as birds usually do to hide during the day, blending seamlessly with tree bark.
The Common Nighthawk’s erratic, acrobatic flight style gives the bird its folk name “bullbat.” They fly alone or in groups in a looping pattern. This dusky hunter jerks and weaves through the air on long, pointed wings, flashing distinctive white wing patches.
Chuck Will’s Widows are the largest of the Nightjars and are primarily nocturnal. They have enormous mouths that, when open, can catch flying insects like beetles and moths but can even catch small birds or bats on occasion. Their name is an onomatopoeia from its song. As is often
As a defense, these birds can hide in leaves on the ground, spread their wings and open their mouths to resemble cottonmouth snakes preparing to strike.
the case with Nightjars, the Chuck-Will’s-widow was named due to its song, which to many sounds like a phrase composed of the words “chuck,” “will’s,” and “widow”: “Chuck Will’s Widow. Chuck-will’s-WID-ow. Chuckwill’s-WID-ow.” The first syllable of the call is often hard for humans to hear. You can hear their distinctive call in the evening or pre-dawn hours.
As is the case with many Nightjars worldwide, Nighthawk and Chuck Will’s Widow numbers are declining. The factors driving these declines are elusive, but habitat destruction, declining insect populations, and pesticide contamination have all been suggested as potential culprits.
These fantastic but rarely seen birds are an integral part of the Florida ecosystem. Now that the evenings are cool, enjoy a walk by a preserve area in or around your neighborhood. Listen for the call of the “widow” or watch the looping Nighthawks as they search for dinner.
NPDES tip: Storms occur all year round. Make sure your yards and trees are trimmed neatly to avoid flying debris during a storm. Dispose of your trimmings and clippings properly—do not put them into storm drains or lakes!
Dear Taxpayer:
Happy New Year!
With a new year before us, my office has a renewed sense of purpose as we work to constantly improve our services. Every department in my office has created a list of goals to achieve over the year. Our focus for 2025 includes improving consistency across the office, building an environment that makes staff and visitors from all backgrounds feel welcome, and fostering innovation to improve efficiency.
My staff develop these goals every year, driving our progress as an office. I am proud to have one of the finest professional staffs in the industry.
You may see some of my stellar staff at the South Florida Fair, as we will once again be able to take homestead exemption applications on site. More on that is below, as are reminders about filing for an Agricultural Land Classification and Business Tangible Personal Property Tax Return for 2025.
Wishing you a prosperous and wonderful year.
Respectfully, Dorothy Jacks, CFA, FIAAO, AAS Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
2025 South Florida Fair
The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office will have a table in Expo West at the South Florida Fair from January 17 to February 2. Staff will be will taking new homestead exemption applications and answering questions from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and from 12 to 8 p.m. weekdays.
If you are a permanent Florida resident, you may be eligible for a homestead exemption, which can generally save you an estimated $750 to $1,000 in property taxes each year.
(Did you receive your pink homestead exemption receipt card in the mail? If so, no need to refile. Simply keep the card as your receipt that you have been automatically renewed for another year.)
A $25,000 exemption is applied to the first $50,000 of your property’s assessed value if your property is your permanent residence and you owned the property as of January 1. This exemption applies to all taxes, including school district taxes. An additional exemption will be applied if your property’s assessed value is between at least $50,000 and $75,000. The second exemption will be up to $25,000 plus an adjustment for inflation, per the passage of Amendment 5 last November. This exemption is not applied to school district taxes. In addition, a homestead exemption limits any increase to your assessed value to a maximum of 3 percent each year or the amount of the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower.
Three ways to apply:
• E-file
• Visit one of our five service centers to file in person
• Complete the application online, print it out, and mail it to our office
All homestead exemption applications for tax year 2025 must be submitted by March 3, 2025. Once you qualify, we will renew your homestead exemption annually as long as you continue to qualify for the exemption.
Visit pbcpao.gov to e-file and for information on other available exemptions for seniors, families, veterans, and more.
All About Agricultural Land Classification
Properties with bona fide agricultural (good faith commercial) activity may qualify for the agricultural land classification. The taxable value of the land is based on the annual net income per acre attributable to the land from the agricultural operation.
All 5,029 properties with the agricultural classification in 2024 will be reviewed and monitored for changes of ownership. If you had the land classification on your property in 2024, and the use has not changed, there is no need to reapply. However, if a property had a change of ownership or use in 2024, the owner would have to reapply for the classification in 2025.
To qualify for a new agricultural land classification, the qualifying agricultural use must be on site as of January 1, 2025. Applications should be submitted by March 3, 2025. You will be notified of the status of your application for the agricultural classification by mail on or before July 1.
For more information, call our office at (561) 355-4577 or email myfarm@pbcpao.gov.
Business tangible assets such as furniture, fixtures, and equipment are subject to ad valorem taxes. All businesses are required to file a Tangible Personal Property Tax Return (Form DR 405) annually by April 1, unless the value of your tangible personal property last year was under $25,000 and you received notice from this office that your requirement to file has been waived. Businesses that have not previously filed
an initial return or the value exceeds $25,000 will receive a notice from our office of the requirement to file a return. Florida allows an exemption up to $25,000 in value for tangible personal property assets used by a business. However, you must file an initial tangible personal property tax return to receive the exemption. Thereafter, you need not file an annual return unless the value of your tangible personal property exceeds $25,000 on January 1.
Once an initial paper return has been filed, you may save time, paper, and postage by filing online. If you do need a paper form, you can download it using our Forms link. If you have any questions about reporting personal property, tangible e-filing, or the $25,000 tangible exemption, please call our office at (561) 355-2896 or email us at patangible@ pbcpao.gov.
All Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Offices will be closed on Wednesday, January 1 and on Monday, January 20 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Florida Atlantic’s John D. MacArthur Campus at Jupiter hosted its annual Fall Research Symposium on Nov. 21, featuring presentations of 17 undergraduate research projects.
The research covered a range of biological and biomedical, social, and economic topics, including exploring novel treatments for breast cancer, the effects of prenatal oxycodone exposure, diagnosing early Alzheimer’s disease, and the importance of representation in female entrepreneurship.
READ MORE.
During the Fall 2024 semester, undergraduates from the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science had a rare opportunity to train on a cutting-edge Zeiss microscope as part of a new coursebased undergraduate research experience. The course was a partnership with the new Zeiss Microscopy Solutions Center, located in the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute on the Jupiter Campus.
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Randy D. Blakely, Ph.D., executive director of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, has been named a Fellow of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET).
Blakely is among an extraordinary group of individuals who have dedicated their careers to advancing the field of pharmacology. Designation as an ASPET Fellow recognizes leaders in the field for their exceptional contributions to pharmacological research, education, mentorship and leadership. >
FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute announced its lineup for the 2025 Ocean Science Lecture Series, which will begin Wednesday, Jan. 8. The series provides a forum for the community to learn about important research underway at FAU Harbor Branch and around the world. All lectures are free and open to the public. Attend in-person at the FAU Harbor Branch campus in Fort Pierce or watch live online.
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The Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute hosted the Starry Nights Author Series featuring acclaimed writer and journalist Jennifer Egan.
Rachel Luria, associate dean of Student Affairs and associate professor of rhetoric and composition at the Wilkes Honors College, facilitated the question-andanswer style session. The theme was making fiction out of mistakes, but curiosity was also an important topic interwoven in the conversation.
READ MORE.