BANKS BANKS
ABACOA BUSINESS DIRECTORY
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, PA -
Beltrano & 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
Jupiter Medical 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
PETS CARE
All Animal Care Clinic 630-3908 Greenwich
Lifetime Veterinary Center 799-7717 Abacoa Plaza
The Zoo Pet Nutrition & Spa 815 - 1188 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
Mrs. Smokey’s Real Pit BBQ 557-3800 Abacoa Plaza
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
Shack 508-3789 Downtown Abacoa
Pi 776-5448 Downtown Abacoa
RETAIL
Smoothie 624-8775 Abacoa Plaza A&R Pharmacy 630-3770 Downtown Abacoa Beaux’s Biscuits 459-7579
SALONS AND SPAS
748-2488 Bermudiana
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
Crux
SERVICES
Courtyard by Marriott 776-2700 Abacoa Town Center
APOA N ews & A ctivities
Letter From The Desk Of The Property Manager
The Old Farmer’s Almanac states we’ll have a hotter than normal summer, except for the southern part of the state! And, in a line split through Tampa, the northern half of the state is expected to see warm and wet conditions, while the southern half is expected to see cool and dry conditions! The cooler in the South, warmer in the North seems a little backward and makes me think of an old song; “Things That Make You Go Hmmmm.”
Either way we’ll enjoy light-filled long summer days and soft-breezed nights; all of this perfect for the beginning of summer events and music in Abacoa!
With strong influences from dancehall and hip-hop, contemporary reggae artist Collie Budzz gets the summer juices rolling at the Abacoa Amphitheater, June 14 at 6 p.m. Can’t get any more summer calypso Caribbean rock and roll fun than movin’ to the music at the Abacoa Amphitheater, June 21 at 7:30 p.m., with the Caribbean
APOA U P d Ate
Abacoa POA Meeting Notices
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 –Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 11:30 a.m. –APOA Office or Zoom
Notice of Monthly CAC Meeting –Tuesday, June 24, 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.
Chillers tribute band to Jimmy Buffett’s tropical lyrical theme songs and music!
Soon to follow it’s time for fireworks, food, and fun and Abacoa has it goin’ down times two, 2-day events this July 3rd and 4th!
Celebrating July 4th, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium keeps it patriotic the 3rd and 4th with America’s favorite pastime baseball, and more baseball concluding each game day with fireworks and more fireworks at the annual Mega Bash and Mega Kid’s Activities event.
Don’t miss four sizzlin’ hot summer bands at Downtown Abacoa’s 4th of July Block Party! This 2-day event also takes place on the 3rd and 4th of July and includes much, much more. Dress up your golf cart for Independence Day pomp and parade to win in the annual July 4th golf cart parade. Don’t forget the kids because they won’t forget this kids’ activities, fun-filled, family-friendly day event either!
For more on events, and other information, visit our website www.abacoa.com, where you can also subscribe for the monthly event e-blasts right to your email inbox. The monthly event calendars can also be found posted at your community clubhouse.
While summer fun is definitely on all of our agendas, with the beginning of June also comes the six-month-long Atlantic
hurricane season, a very real threat for Florida. It cannot be stressed enough the importance of education and understanding of hurricanes including all safety and preparedness procedures and warnings for before, during and after a storm. See “Be Prepared” here, providing where to find Abacoa and local storm and emergency information, links to national and state storm advisory sites, radio storm broadcasting information, along with storm and family safety phone apps.
We are always here to assist. Please don’t hesitate to contact the APOA office at (561) 624-7788 or email: abacoaadmin@langmanagement.com.
confidential *Specializing in representing jet-setting clients with a second home in the Northeast Area. Do call the central hotline at 561-630-9696 (XOXO) or scan the QR code below to hold your place in the club. Why wait? Just Date!
Behind The Scenes: Sunshine, Sparks, and Soulmates
the team celebrated many of their new success stories that have gone public! Thankfully, they chose to share their love with the community outside of the office and downstairs at Rocco’s Tacos on PGA Boulevard. Revolution Dating invites you to embrace love
Successful single, divorced, and widowed clients are ready to live and love offline. Revolution Dating is a full-service matchmaking firm specializing in screening and representing clients from the Northeast to Palm Beach for decades, with a corporate brick-and-mortar office in your backyard in the exclusive PGA Commons business neighborhood. Last month, Revolution Dating Receives BEST OF 2025 from Florida Weekly!
Eleven Years and Rising! #MatchmakingRoyalty Dale & Donna Share an Intimate Moment. #SrSuccessStory
Deadline for the next Abacoa newspaper is the 11th of the month. Submit articles/pictures to abacoaadmin@langmanagement.com Publisher S. Miller • E. Miller Sales
Tom English • Margo Williams • Laura Berrio Bret McCormick • Miranda Ledbeter • Alyssa Debban Justein Matthias • Anissa Stender www.seabreezecommunications.com
with them this summer. You belong here. #TellYourFriends #SummerLovin
#AwardWinningMatchmakers
J.P. Morgan? Burns Wealth Management Group
Burns CFP®, ChFC
CPWA ® Managing Director Wealth Partner, Portfolio Manager 3825 PGA Blvd, Floor 9, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410 561.694.5666
robert.m.burns@jpmorgan.com jpmorgan.com/burnswm
Bruce & Brenda thank Kelly and Miranda with Beautiful Bouquets. #SpreadTheLove Meet New Client, Austin! #TallHunkAlert
MUsic & cONcerts At AbAcOA
Jupiter Middle School Students Visit The Community Garden
Eighth grade students from Jupiter Middle School walked over to the community garden to reinforce a unit that they learned about in school. While in class, the students studied hunger and poverty. Some articles presented in class included topics about the causes and potential solutions of poverty and food insecurities.
The students were divided into three groups which rotated every 10 minutes.
Group 1 focused on the causes of poverty and food insecurities. Did you know that approximately 40 percent of produce is wasted annually for lack of perfection? Our food waste experiment was proven to be positive with examples of
bruised fruit and vegetables from the garden. Most of the students stated that they would not buy any of the items in the grocery store because the produce, “didn’t look good.”
Group 2 toured the garden and learned about the various types of gardening. This included raised beds, containers, vertical, and hydroponic gardens. The group saw where food is grown and was able to sample some of the produce from the garden. There was a discussion of companion plants, propagation, and pollination. These students were given a packet of marigold seeds to take home just in time for Mother’s Day. Let the pollination begin!
Finally, Group 3 had a live demonstration on composting. The rule of composting included the standard of having green, brown and oxygen to provide the best compost material, which was a very important lesson for the students. The garden’s three-bin procedure to make compost reinforced this lesson. Instead of wasting food, students were shown how
to
will have some future gardeners in the works!
Prepare Your Yard Now For Hurricane Season…
Though hurricane season is still a couple months away, preparing now can help minimize property damage and make our communities safer. The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County (SWA) strongly encourages residents to implement a year-round yard maintenance program.
Major storms can leave behind incredible amounts of debris. For example, after Hurricane Irma, almost 3 million cubic yards of vegetative debris was collected. It took three months and cost more than $39 million to collect and dispose of it all.
Every property owner can help minimize the potential for vegetative debris by starting their hurricane trimming now. The SWA contract for unincorporated Palm Beach County residents allows them to place a maximum of six cubic yards of yard waste at the curb each week for pick-up. Starting now allows plenty of
time for yard waste to be safely removed so you aren’t stuck with it in the event of a storm.
Hurricane season starts June 1, and once a storm threatens it’s too late to trim trees.
Here are some tips to ensure your yard is as prepared as possible:
• Cut back all trees and weak branches that could come into contact with buildings.
• Have foliage thinned so wind can flow freely through branches, decreasing the chance that trees or plants will be uprooted.
• Contain small pieces of vegetation, such as pine needles, leaves and twigs, in bags or cans that weigh less than 50 pounds when full and place at the curb on your scheduled pick-up day.
• Clean your yard of any items that could pose a danger to you or your neighbors’ property in hurricane-force winds, such as old lumber, broken lawn furniture, etc. Unincorporated Palm Beach County residents can place these types of items (three per week) curbside on their bulk waste collection day (If you’re not sure what day that is, you can find it by entering your address on the My Pick-Up Days page). Please note that lumber must be placed into a container weighing no more than 50 pounds, and fence materials will not be collected in unincorporated Palm Beach County.
repurpose food scraps into nutrient rich soil material. The students and community gardeners agreed that the visit was informative and fun. The garden is already making plans for next year’s visit. Hopefully we
The Jupiter Senior Softball Association Has Selected Longtime Player Scott Logan As Its 2025 Hall Of Fame Honoree
Established in 2020, the Hall of Fame honors JSSA members who have made an extraordinary impact on the softball organization. Scott, 86, has participated in the Jupiter senior softball program since 1999, and served as league commissioner three years.
He will be officially enshrined in the HOF next January when his brass nameplate will be added to the Hall of Fame plaque on display at Jupiter Community Park. In announcing Scott’s selection, JSSA Commissioner Paul Storch said Scott’s many years of dedication to JSSA continues to show every day.
“His past Board of Directors service and on and off field leadership makes him a treasured JSSA member, a great friend as well as an incredible example,” Storch said. Scott’s off field leadership included organizing several successful donation drives that collected hundreds of pounds of supplies, and more than $1,000 in other donations to assist the nonprofit Warriors Renewal Coalition.
The donated supplies included plates, cups and tissues plus plastic cutlery and cleaning materials to assist the coalition in hosting injured and ill service members and their families at renewal and reset gatherings in Jupiter.
Scott, a graduate of Clarion University and Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, is a retired teacher and middle school principal from Scottdale, Pa. He said the Hall of fame selection was a surprise. “I feel very honored to be chosen,” he said. This is not his first HOF honor.
In 2021 he was inducted into the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame and in 2012 was inducted into the Southwestern Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame. The latter award is in honor of Scott’s 25 years refereeing high school and college wrestling matches. He also was a wrestler in college.
During his decades of playing senior softball Scott has played every position in the infield, beginning at third base. He endured rotator cuff and knee replacement surgery but always returned to play the game he loves. Also playing in
Prepare Your Yard Now from page 10
• Place yard waste from routine maintenance at the curb on your regularly scheduled collection day. Residents in unincorporated Palm Beach County may place a maximum of six cubic yards – equivalent to three standard size refrigerators – at the curb each week. (Vegetation cannot exceed six inches in diameter, six feet in length or 50 pounds in weight.)
Note: Unincorporated Palm Beach County residents who place more than the permitted six cubic yards of yard waste at the curb will have no portion of the waste removed. The pile will be tagged, and the resident will be responsible for removing all the material at their own cost.
Residents living within city, village or town limits should contact their local municipality for their collection guidelines. Check the SWA website for municipal contact information.
Whether you maintain your yard yourself or use a lawn care or landscape service, if you produce significant yard waste, consider requesting a price to remove the yard waste if it exceeds the six-cubic-yard limit. Excess debris from major cutting or tree removal will need to be properly transported and disposed of, and there is a fee for disposal.
the Jupiter senior league is Scott’s son-in-law, Jeff Tomlinson. Scott was sidelined this past winter because of a leg problem and said, “As soon as I can run again, I will be back.” The year-round softball program is open to persons 55 and older and there is no upper age limit. Games are every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at Jupiter Community Park beginning at 8:30 a.m. with batting practice.
The slow-pitch senior softball activity is sponsored by the nonprofit JSSA in cooperation with Jupiter’s Parks and Recreation Department, and new players are always welcome.
Registration may be made online at www.leaguelineup. com/jssa. For more information contact Gary Newman at (917) 623-0791.
The SWA offers hurricane information to help residents understand best practices for preparedness and what the SWA prioritizes after a storm passes. For additional information on debris collection in unincorporated parts of the county, contact SWA Customer Information Services at (561) 697-2700 or (866) 792-4636 (toll-free).
About The Solid Waste Authority Of Palm Beach County
The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County (SWA) is a local governmental agency that manages the municipal solid waste generated in Palm Beach County. The SWA owns and operates a fiscally and environmentally responsible integrated solid waste management system to serve the residents, businesses and visitors of the county.
Through this system, the SWA has:
• Achieved the highest recycling rate in the state for the past two years
• Operated two waste-to-energy facilities that consistently operate well below EPA standards for the past 36 years
• Recovered 1.3 million tons of metals that would otherwise be mined from virgin ores
• Eliminated the need for a new landfill until 2057 Learn more at swa.org. Find technical reports at swa.org/ technicalreports.
IMPERIUM HOME
JUNE 2025
Weekly Events
Mondays Thursdays
• Kids Eat Free (with adult) - Copacabana
•High Noon Hoedown 10-12pm Country DJ - Jumby Bay
• Karaoke - 8pm-11pm - DAS Beer Garden
• Ladies Night - 10pm-12am - Jumby Bay
• Bingo - 6:30pm-8:30pm - DAS Beer Garden Fridays Tuesdays
• Kids Eat Free (w/adult entree) - Copacabana
• Kids Eat Free (w/adult entree) - Jumby Bay
• Live Music - 6pm-10pm - Jumby Bay
• Live Music - 7pm-10pm - DAS Beer Garden
• No Limit Texas Hold'em Poker - 7pm & 9:30pm - Stadium Grill
• Trivia - 7:30pm-9:30pm - DAS Beer Garden Saturdays Wednesdays
• Chip 'n Sip (Ladies) - 4pm - Abacoa Golf Club
• Abacoa Community Garden - 9am-12pm
• Live Music - 7pm-10pm - DAS Beer Garden
• Abacoa Green Market - 5pm-8pm Sundays
• No Limit Texas Hold'em Poker -
7pm & 9:30pm - Stadium Grill
• Domino's 2pm - Copacabana
• Live Music - 6pm-9pm - DAS Beer Garden DJ and/or Live Music: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat. 6pm-10pm - Jumby Bay
JULY 2025
Weekly Events
Mondays Thursdays
• Kids Eat Free (with adult) - Copacabana
•High Noon Hoedown 10-12pm Country DJ - Jumby Bay
• Karaoke - 8pm-11pm - DAS Beer Garden
• Ladies Night - 10pm-12am - Jumby Bay
• Bingo - 6:30pm-8:30pm - DAS Beer Garden Fridays Tuesdays
• Kids Eat Free (w/adult entree) - Copacabana
• Kids Eat Free (w/adult entree) - Jumby Bay
• Live Music - 6pm-10pm - Jumby Bay
• Live Music - 7pm-10pm - DAS Beer Garden
• No Limit Texas Hold'em Poker - 7pm & 9:30pm - Stadium Grill
• Trivia - 7:30pm-9:30pm - DAS Beer Garden Saturdays Wednesdays
• Chip 'n Sip (Ladies) - 4pm - Abacoa Golf Club
• Abacoa Community Garden - 9am-12pm
• Live Music - 7pm-10pm - DAS Beer Garden
• Abacoa Green Market - 5pm-8pm Sundays
• No Limit Texas Hold'em Poker -
7pm & 9:30pm - Stadium Grill
• Domino's 2pm - Copacabana
• Live Music - 6pm-9pm - DAS Beer Garden DJ and/or Live Music: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat. 6pm-10pm - Jumby Bay
Financial Focus® JUPiter POlice
Carefully Consider Social Security Decisions
By Sally Sima Stahl, Edward Jones
Your Social Security benefits can be an important part of your retirement income – but when should you start collecting them? It’s a big decision, so you’ll want to consider your options carefully.
Essentially, you’ll need to decide whether you’re going to take your benefits as early as possible – age 62 – or if you should wait until your “full retirement age” or even longer. If you begin accepting benefits at 62, they’ll be about 30 percent lower than if you waited until your full retirement age, which is 67 if you were born in 1960 or later. And if you wait until 70, your benefits will be about 24 percent higher than at your full retirement age.
In deciding when to claim benefits, you’ll want to weigh these factors:
• Income needs – If you need the money to help meet your daily cost of living, then you may not feel you have much of a choice about when to take Social Security. However, if you have sufficient income from other sources, such as your 401(k) or other retirement accounts, you may be able to delay taking benefits until they’re much larger.
• Employment – If you’re still working and you haven’t reached your full retirement age yet, it might be a good idea to wait before claiming Social Security because your benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $2 earned above $23,400. In the year in which you reach your full retirement age, your benefits will be reduced by $1 for every $3 earned above $62,160. (But once you reach your full retirement age, Social Security will adjust your payments to credit you for the months during which your benefits were lowered because of your income.)
• Life expectancy – None of us can say for certain how long we’ll live – but you may have some hints. For example, if you have a family history of longevity, and you’re in good health, you might decide it makes sense to delay taking Social Security until your full retirement age, or even later, as you could potentially have more years of receiving larger checks.
• Spouse – If you’re married, decisions about when to claim benefits could affect you or your spouse. The spouse with lower Social Security payments may be eligible to receive spousal benefits, which, when combined with their own benefits, can reach up to 50 percent of the higher-benefit spouse’s payment at their full retirement age. To qualify, the lower-benefit spouse’s benefit at their full retirement age must be less than half of the other spouse’s full-retirement-age benefit. But if the lower-benefit spouse claims their benefits before their full retirement age, their own retirement benefit and the spousal benefit will be reduced. Also, the lowerbenefit spouse reaches their maximum benefit amount at their full retirement age – they won’t receive additional benefits even if they or the higher-benefit spouse delays taking benefits past their respective full retirement ages.
One other point to keep in mind: If the higher-benefit spouse claims early, the survivor benefit to the other spouse is reduced, but if the higher-benefit spouse delays their benefit beyond their full retirement age, the survivor benefit is increased.
By making the appropriate choices, you can help maximize your Social Security benefits – and possibly enjoy a more comfortable retirement.
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.
2025 HEADLINER ANNOUNCED!
Feel the rhythm of Fort Myers during one of USA Today’s top 4 music fests. Come for live, intimate performances from some of BMI’s best singersongwriters — and stay for tropical settings and laidback vibes. Grammy-nominated Chris Young will headline on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina.
Follow the music to intimate island and beachside venues across Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, downtown Fort Myers, and Cape Coral. Between shows, slow down and enjoy the moment on white-sand beaches, in nature preserves and on the water. Let your favorite songs be the soundtrack to your relaxing getaway.
Find deals and start planning at IslandHopperFest.com | #IslandHopperFest
Download the Island Hopper mobile app for the latest and schedules, tickets and more!
2025 HEADLINER CHRIS YOUNG
rOGer deAN stAdiUM rOUNd UP
Josh Kross Catches His Stride In Palm Beach
The Cardinal Nation April 2025 Player Of The Month –Josh Kross
Josh Kross has baseball in his DNA. After spending countless hours watching his siblings play as he was growing up, Kross fell in love with the game and started playing at three years old, having to get special permission from the state government.
“I really just wanted to go play with my older brother,” Kross said.
When Kross got older, his family moved to Brunswick, Ohio, a town 40 minutes away from Cleveland. At the age of 12, he went from right-handed hitter to becoming a switch hitter, thanks to a little competition with his brother and inspiration from other players.
“My brother and I were playing wiffleball in the backyard and kept hitting homeruns, so we switched to our left side,” Kross said. “But being able to watch [Jose Ramirez, Carlos Santana, Francisco Lindor] and see them switch hit is what kind of got me into switch hitting when I was 12.”
Kross had a very successful college career, spanning across the University of Toledo, Eastern Michigan University, and the University of Cincinnati. From being named MAC Freshman of the Year with Eastern Michigan and First Team All-Big 12 with the University of Cincinnati, Kross is no stranger to large accomplishments, but he says his biggest accomplishment so far is being drafted.
“[Getting drafted] is the real deal,” Kross said. “The stuff that happens on the field is the icing on the cake, but being here is what matters.”
sky is the limit. Go out, have fun, play hard, and you’ll get there.
The Palm Beach Cardinals and the Jupiter Hammerheads will be at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium all month long! Join us for some of our family-friendly events, including: Student Appreciation Night – 6:30 p.m., June 7, 2025
Students, this is for you! Bring your student ID and get a $5 ticket!
Playball Youth Clinic – June 14, 2025
Join us for a free skills clinic with professional baseball players from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.! This event is open to ages 5 and up. Join us at 6:30 p.m., as the Hammerheads play the Daytona Tortugas and have post-game fireworks! Dino Night – 6:30 p.m., June 21, 2025
Have a dino-mite time at the Dean as we take a step back in time! Presented by Cox Science Center, meet real life dinosaurs and learn more about our prehistoric pals! Dog Day – 6:30 p.m., June 27, 2025
Don’t leave your furry friends at home! Bring your pooch to the ballpark and receive a free dog waste bag courtesy of Gordon and Partners!
Other weekly specials include: 2-for-1 Tuesdays, Silver Slugger Wednesdays with Baseball Bingo, Thirsty Thursday, Family-4-Pack Friday, Kid’s Club Saturday with kids running the bases postgame, and $10 Sunday! Call our ticket office to learn more about our packages at (561) 630-1828.
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center Offers Same-Day Discharge Robotic Surgery For Faster Recovery
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center continues to invest in orthopedic innovation with advanced robotic-assisted surgery, offering many patients the possibility of same-day procedures with faster recovery times. The hospital is home to three cutting-edge orthopedic surgical robots—Mako SmartRobotics™, CORI and ROSA®—enhancing precision and efficiency in knee and hip surgeries.
performing knee surgeries with remarkable accuracy, using real-time data and 3-D visualization to optimize implant positioning while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues.
The CORI Surgical System uses handheld roboticsassisted technology that helps the surgeon plan and perform the procedure. It also gives surgeons a 3-D view to help finalize and verify the selection of the knee implant and create a plan for surgery without needing a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Kross joined the Beachbirds in July with his other draft class members after being selected in the sixth round and became a key component to securing their third franchise championship win before going into his first professional off season. When he came back for Spring Training, he got to meet more members and players of the Cardinals organization.
“[Spring training] was fun because I got to meet a whole new coaching staff,” Kross said. “Just being around people I’ve never met before and being able to bond with them was a really cool experience.”
Since returning to Palm Beach this April, Kross has been turning it up in the hitting department. Slashing .359/.409/.872 in just ten games, racking up four homeruns, 11 runs, and 17 RBIs. On April 15 against Clearwater at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Kross hit for the cycle for the first time in his career.
“I knew if I got a double [for my last hit] I was going to hit the cycle, but I was excited,” Kross said. “It was an accomplishment, but if I had made four singles in that game I would’ve been just as happy.”
Kross is living his goals out each day, and his biggest piece of advice for young kids wanting to do the same is simple: The
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center is the first and only hospital in Palm Beach County to acquire two Mako SmartRobotics systems. Mako SmartRobotics provides highly precise, minimally invasive treatment for partial knee, total knee, and hip replacements. Many patients undergoing Mako-assisted surgery experience shorter hospital stays, smaller incisions, and quicker recovery—often returning to an active lifestyle within weeks. By preserving more of the patient’s natural joint, Mako SmartRobotics may also help address osteoarthritis in earlier stages, improving long-term mobility.
For knee replacement procedures, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center also utilizes the ROSA robotic system. This advanced technology assists surgeons in planning and
“Incorporating Mako SmartRobotics, CORI, and ROSA into our orthopedic program reinforces our commitment to offering patients the latest in surgical innovation,” said Judy Dellosa, Orthopedic Service Line Director. “These roboticassisted procedures allow for greater precision, less invasive surgery, and the potential for same-day discharge, helping patients get back on their feet faster.”
To learn more about same-day robotic-assisted surgery at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, contact the Orthopedic Service Line at (855) 769-2969 or visit https://www. palmbeachhealthnetwork.com/services/orthopedic-care.
Unlock your potential with a student-centered curriculum offering 22 Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment options, honors programs, and college prep classes.
• 30% of students in grades 10-12 are enrolled in AP classes. 45% of juniors and seniors are takingdual enrollment courses. Our students are well-prepared for top colleges and universities across the nation, including acceptances to Carnegie Mellon, Brown, Duke, Emory, FSU, Georgetown, Havard, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Princeton, UF, and University of Pennsylvania.
The Simmonds Team Advantage
Looking back on 2024, we saw home prices per square foot take a bit of a dip, and homes stayed on the market a little longer than usual. Still, 2025 is already showing steady activity, with both buyers and sellers continuing to stay involved. The market keeps shifting, which means there’s always something new to learn or consider. If you live in Abacoa or are just curious about what’s happening here, it’s a good time to stay in the loop and see how things unfold.
scieNce ON the cUttiNG edGe
Creativity In Artificial Intelligence
New Study Compares The Creative Processes Of Humans And Large Language Models
To The Point
• Humans and AI: Men and large language models (LLMs) use similar creative strategies, employing flexible and persistent approaches.
An increasing number of people use large language models for cocreation. (Image generated with AI)© geralt via pixabay
• Important differences: Unlike humans, LLMs show a clear preference for one approach in each task, and flexible LLMs tend to score higher on creativity.
• Potential application: Matching people with LLMs that complement their creative style could enhance collaborative creativity.
Creativity is no longer exclusive to humans. Some forms of artificial intelligence are capable of producing poetry, entrepreneurial concepts, even visual art. Many people use large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, which are trained on vast amounts of text, for co-creation: The artificial intelligence offers ideas and suggestions, while the human provides guidance, context, and direction.
While researchers have examined the creative output of LLMs in recent years, the underlying process remains largely unexplored. This is why Surabhi S. Nath, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tübingen, Germany, set out to understand how creativity arises in LLMs and whether their creative process can be compared to the way the human mind finds ideas.
Flexible And Persistent Creative Approaches
To this end, Nath focused on a parameter of creativity which has been well-established in psychological research: the distinction between flexible and persistent approaches. It is perhaps best illustrated by example: When prompted to list all the animals they can think of, people with a persistent approach might begin with pets, followed by farm animals, then birds, and so on, while those who prefer a more flexible approach will jump often from one category to another. “The trade-off between broad and deep search, between exploring new possibilities and exploiting existing ideas, is central to any creative endeavor,” Nath comments.
To test for these different strategies, Nath and her collaborators asked both human participants and various LLMs to perform standard psychological creativity tasks, such as coming up with alternative uses for a brick or a paper clip, for example, repurposing the brick as a step or as a paperweight. They were surprised to find that people and machines approached the task in remarkably similar ways, using both flexible and persistent strategies. Each large language model showed a clear preference for either a persistent or a flexible approach in each task, but are less consistent than humans when comparing across different tasks. Moreover, the flexible LLMs produced more creative results compared to persistent LLMs, whereas in humans, both methods led to similar output.
Enhancing Collaboration Between Humans And AI Nath suggests that these results pave the way for more effective co-creation: People who tend to be persistent might
benefit from choosing a flexible LLM as their sparring partner in a task, and vice versa. She also envisions that further research into the creative processes of humans and machines could offer insights into how creativity can be learned. Whether the findings hold true for other types of creative tasks remains to be seen. “More naturalistic settings are much more complex and difficult to study,” Nath cautions. “The next logical step could be to look at creativity in games; they provide a richer scenario, but are still controllable.”
Bold Step In Brain Health Research
Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute Marks Opening Of Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center
By Chelsey Matheson
As part of its annual “Brainy Days” celebrations, Florida Atlantic University’s StilesNicholson Brain Institute (SNBI) celebrated the launch of the David and Lynn Nicholson Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research.
The evening featured a special reception and dinner for SNBI supporters and collaborators followed by a lecture from eminent Alzheimer’s disease researcher, Sir John Hardy, Ph.D., chair of Molecular Biology of Neurological Disease at University College London’s Institute of Neurology.
During the dinner, guests heard from the center’s inaugural director, Corinne Lasmézas, DVM, Ph.D., about her vision to accelerate the work already underway at Florida Atlantic to develop bench-to-bedside treatments for neurodegenerative diseases through multidisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge technologies.
To illustrate, Florida Atlantic’s vice president for research, Gregg Fields, Ph.D., described a current clinical trial with the university and research partners to enhance the efficacy of Alzheimer’s disease drugs by enhancing their movement across the blood-brain barrier using focused ultrasound technology coupled to MRI.
his decades of work investigating the genetic source behind hereditary forms of Alzheimer’s disease and the ongoing quest to understand the disease process and how to stop it. The engaging lecture was followed by a question-andanswer session and closing reception.
Learn more about the David and Lynn Nicholson Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research at https://www. fau.edu/brain/nicholson-center/.
Mutations Disrupt Touch-Based Learning, Study Finds
You may scarcely notice it, but much of what you do every day requires your brain to engage in perceptual learning.
To safely cross an intersection or quickly retrieve something from your bag, you depend upon your brain to first assign meaning to sensory input from your eyes or fingertips. Usually, it’s effortless.
Wertheim UF Scripps Institute professor Gavin Rumbaugh, Ph.D., and staff scientist Thomas Vaissiere, Ph.D., discovered that mutations to the Syngap1 gene can alter touch-based sensory perception. (Photo by Scott Wiseman)
Research from The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology shows a gene called Syngap1 enables touch-based perception, while certain mutations can lead to mixed signals. The research was made possible through grants from the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, both part of the National Institutes of Health.
The study, published in January in Nature Communications, focuses on the sense of touch, exploring in detail how errors in the Syngap1 gene lead to disrupted perceptual learning in mice, said lead author and neuroscience professor Gavin Rumbaugh, Ph.D. This study is also relevant for understanding other conditions, including schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease, in which sensory and movement-related processes no longer work together properly, the researchers said.
is the founding director of the new David and Lynn Nicholson Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research
In addition, Randy D. Blakely, Ph.D., executive director of the SNBI, presented the institute’s first Expanding Horizons Awards to Hardy for his groundbreaking work in uncovering genetic links to Alzheimer’s disease, work that has led to the first mechanism-based treatments for the disease, and to David Nicholsaon for his transformational generosity and vision in support of brain research and education.
An overflow crowd attended Hardy’s lecture, “Origins and Treatments of Alzheimer’s Disease,” which charted
In people, mutations to the Syngap1 gene can cause autism and intellectual disability. For neurotypical people, the brain automatically assigns meaning to sensory input, like the sight of a red light or the smooth texture of a pen, Rumbaugh said.
“Kids with these disorders, their brains don’t necessarily derive proper meaning from input from the senses, and therefore it’s difficult for them to adjust their behavior,” he said. “But no one really understands what goes wrong in the brain to diminish their perceptual learning.”
David Nicholson (left) and Sir John Hardy, Ph.D., were the inaugural honorees of the Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute’s Expanding Horizons Awards.
Corinne Lasmézas, DVM, Ph.D.,
Cardinal Newman Graduates Earn Spots At Top Colleges And Universities
At Cardinal Newman High School (CNHS) in West Palm Beach, the goal of education extends beyond academic achievement—it’s about shaping students in spirit, mind, and body. That commitment to educating the whole person is central to the school’s mission, reflected in the exceptional college acceptances earned by the Class of 2025.
Cardinal Newman is a Catholic, college-preparatory high school that offers students a personalized and purpose-driven educational experience rooted in faith, service, and academic rigor. With an emphasis on leadership, critical thinking, and character formation, students are equipped to thrive in college and beyond.
“We are committed to helping every student discover the path that best fits their goals and passions,” said CNHS President Charles Stembler. “At Cardinal
Newman, our academic programs and faith-based values prepare students to succeed at the highest levels.”
The Class of 2025 was accepted to an impressive array of colleges and universities. Among them are Harvard University, the U.S. Military Academies (including the Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, and West Point), and top-tier institutions such as the University of Notre Dame, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Boston College, Villanova University, Wake Forest University, and Northeastern University.
Crusaders also received acceptances to prestigious SEC schools like Auburn University, the University of Georgia, and Louisiana State University, as well as leading arts programs including the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and Ringling College of Art and Design.
“For some of our students, this is the continuation of a family legacy. For others, it’s the first time anyone in their family is going to college,” said College Counselor Candace Caterina. “Each journey is unique, and we celebrate everyone.”
Through one-on-one college counseling, access to financial aid resources, and visits from more than 100 college representatives each year, Cardinal Newman supports students in identifying their calling and reaching their fullest potential— living out its mission of “Building Life’s Champions.”
To learn more about Cardinal Newman High School and view the complete list of college acceptances, visit cardinalnewman.com.
This study offers possible answers. In their experiments, the team documented disruptions in the brain’s ability to interpret touch-based information and respond properly.
“We found that touch encoding is upside down in Syngap1 models,” Rumbaugh said.
People have two copies of most of their genes, one from each parent. Mutations can change or silence one or both copies. In the case of the Syngap1 gene, research has shown that two working copies are required for proper brain development. Mutations can cause autism traits, intellectual disability and disordered sensory processing.
Going in, the researchers understood the gene Syngap1 enabled touch perception. In a study published in Nature Neuroscience in 2018, Rumbaugh’s lab documented the experiences of families of children who carry an altered copy of the gene. The children did not respond normally to touch and often had abnormally high pain tolerance. In one case, a child ignored his broken finger for four days.
In follow-up experiments with mice, Rumbaugh’s team found corresponding changes in the part of the brain that processes sensory information.
For the latest study, co-first authors Thomas Vaissiere, Ph.D., a staff scientist, and Sheldon Michaelson, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher, investigated how mice with typical or mutated versions of the gene explored their environment with their whiskers. In one experiment, conducted in the dark, the mice were tasked with recognizing one of two poles as new, based on vertical grooves.
“An analogy would be reaching into your handbag after someone says, ‘I want you to get your lip balm, but not your pen,’” Rumbaugh said.
Unlike the typical mice, those with an altered copy of Syngap1 could not tell the difference between textures. In the typical mice, a more forceful touch – meaning a deeper bend to the whisker – produces more electrical signals among brain cells. However, in rodents with the mutated gene, researchers found the pattern turned upside down. For them, a strong touch and a pronounced bend sparked less neuron signaling than a weak touch.
Consequently, these mice performed their tasks based on inaccurate information, an experience akin to rifling through your bag while wearing gloves. This altered input made it difficult for them to pay attention, the scientists wrote. What’s more, they frequently gave the wrong answer.
The mice couldn’t adjust their behavior to fit the circumstances, Rumbaugh said. His lab is working to identify compounds to elevate production of the protein that Syngap1 makes, as a possible treatment for the condition.
The studies were conducted in adult mice. Looking ahead, Vaissiere said he wants to look more closely at how the mutation affects brain development as well as its role in other senses.
The study, “Syngap1 promotes cognitive function through regulation of cortical sensorimotor dynamics,” was published January 18 in the journal Nature Communications The research was supported by NIMH(R01-MH096847; P50-MH132775, and NINDS R01-NS110307.
Content contributed by Wynne Parry.
GOverNMeNt
Commissioner’s Update
Hurricane Season In Palm Beach County: Prepare Now To Stay Safe
By Mayor Maria G. Marino
Palm Beach County
has a long history of severe weather, including hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning storms, flooding, droughts, and wildfires. Frances, Jeanne, Wilma, Fay, Matthew, Irma , and more recently, Helene and Milton, have all left their mark on our community. These events underscore the importance of being ready and resilient.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. While we all hope South Florida will be spared, it’s essential that every resident takes time to prepare—by reviewing evacuation plans, securing their homes, and gathering necessary supplies. Familiarity with
Northern Notes
Prepare For Storm Season Now
By Katie Roundtree, Director of Finance and Administration, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District
As much as we dislike talking about it, hurricane season officially started on June 1. Hurricane season isn’t a race. No bells chime to begin the onslaught of storms forming in the oceans surrounding North America. June 1 marks the beginning of the period when most tropical storms and hurricanes typically form. The six-month period from June 1 to Nov. 30 accounts for about 97 percent of all Atlantic tropical cyclone activity. While storms can and do occur outside of this period, the peak of the season is typically between mid-August and mid-October, with the most activity happening then.
Last year’s storms proved that storms do not always resemble “typical” hurricanes. While there was plenty of high wind and rain, we also experienced huge
severe weather is part of life in Palm Beach County, but preparation can reduce disruptions and speed up recovery.
The Palm Beach County Division of Emergency Management provides a range of resources to help you get ready. One of the best tools is the Official Palm Beach County Hurricane Planning Guide, available at https://discover. pbcgov.org/publicsafety/PDF/Hurricane-Guide.pdf. It includes checklists, evacuation zone information, shelter options, and guidance on home preparation. If you need a printed copy, call the Emergency Information Center at (561) 712-6400 or contact our office.
Start by building an emergency supply kit. Stock several days’ worth of nonperishable food and water, first-aid items, hygiene products, prescription medications (including a way to keep refrigerated medications cold, such as ice packs or a cooler), paper goods, flashlights with extra batteries, tools, cleaning supplies, and a waterproof container for important documents. Use tap water in reusable containers instead of buying bottled water—this is both cost-effective and environmentally-friendly. Don’t forget your pets; they need supplies too.
If you have a generator, test it now and ensure you have fuel. Keep your vehicle’s gas tank at least half full throughout the season in case of evacuation orders. Electric vehicle owners should maintain battery levels between 50 and 80 percent, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
rain events and tornadoes hundreds of miles away from the storms’ centers. Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend area of northern Florida. It traveled northeast through Georgia, North and South Carolina, and even into Tennessee and Virginia. It dumped over 30 inches of rain in the mountains of North Carolina, 20 inches in Greenville, South Carolina, and 15 inches in parts of Georgia and Florida. Portions of Asheville and Chimney Rock, North Carolina, were washed away.
Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key on the west coast of Florida as a category three hurricane. Milton approached Florida as an extremely dangerous category five hurricane before encountering increasing wind shear. Despite the wind shear weakening the storm, Milton’s wind field expanded as it approached the Florida Peninsula, extending impacts far and away from the storm’s center. Impacts to our area in the east-central part of Florida were significant, including a tornado outbreak that produced 15 confirmed tornadoes, including two EF3s, a first in 30 years, and hurricane-force wind gusts that downed trees and power lines. Many homes and businesses were damaged in Wellington, Palm Beach Gardens, the Acreage, and Ft. Pierce. The Wellington/Loxahatchee Groves/The Acreage/ Palm Beach Gardens/Jupiter Farms tornado, as documented by the National Weather Service, traveled almost 30 miles in 30 minutes and was categorized at an EF2 that strengthened into an EF3 with winds peaking around 140 mph.
The National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center are rethinking how hurricanes and their impacts are predicted. A new model will predict the potential storm path and impacts outside of that path.
The key to staying safe is to be prepared:
• Know Your Hurricane Risk – Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. As we saw from Hurricane Milton, their effects can be felt hundreds of miles away.
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.
This is also the right time to trim trees and manage yard debris. Once a storm watch is issued, collection isn’t guaranteed. Yard waste pickup is limited to one pile of up to 6 cubic yards weekly. If you’re disposing of expired storm supplies like fuel, propane tanks, or batteries, use the Solid Waste Authority’s Home Chemical and Recycling Centers. A convenient site is the North County Transfer Station at 14185 North Military Trail in Jupiter. Visit swa.org or call (561) 697-2700 or (866) SWA-INFO for more details.
Stay informed by signing up for AlertPBC, the county’s emergency notification system, at https://discover.pbcgov.org/ publicsafety/dem/Pages/Alert-PBC.aspx. You’ll receive alerts by phone, text, or email about local hazards and emergencies. Your information is protected and used only for public safety. You can also download the Disaster Awareness and Recovery Tool (DART) app to check evacuation zones, shelter openings, and storm updates on your phone. More information can be found at: https://discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/dem/Pages/dart.aspx. Check in with your neighbors—especially seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those who may be new to the area. Remember, we are a community first. A small gesture can make a big difference during an emergency.
Stay safe and take action now. Preparedness truly makes all the difference. If I can assist you, contact me at (561) 355-2201 or email mmarino@pbc.gov.
• Make an Emergency Plan – Ensure everyone in your household knows and understands your hurricane plans.
• Know your Evacuation Zone – If you live in an evacuation zone, you may have to evacuate quickly due to a hurricane. You only need to evacuate 20 to 30 miles away. This could mean moving just further inland rather than traveling north or south.
Notes on page 22
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
Rainfall totals for Hurricane Helene – Sept. 25 to 27, 2024
Tornado damage in Palm Beach Gardens – October 9, 2024
Northern
Tax Talk
Dear friends:
I am sure you have all heard about AI – Artificial Intelligence, so this month, I thought I would give it a try. Plugging in a few keywords, here is what AI wrote for me for this month’s Tax Talk. What do you think?
Welcome to the June edition of Tax Talk ! With hurricane season kicking off June 1, I want to make sure you are ready. This month, I am sharing helpful information about what to do if your property suffers catastrophic damage – and don’t forget to check out our handy wallet-size hurricane guide, designed to keep key information at your fingertips when you need it most.
My team also had a great time at the Black Gold Jubilee, where we enjoyed meeting many residents celebrating that wonderful local tradition.
As always, my team and I are here to help – stay safe and stay connected! And a special Happy Father’s Day to all of our fathers!
Anne M. Gannon, Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach County
Hurricane Season Is Here
Hurricane season starts June 1, and my office is committed to helping you and your family plan and prepare for any storms that affect Palm Beach County. Our Hurricane Guide is a good place to start.
This pocket-sized guide includes a timeline for preparing for hurricane season, an itemized list for family disaster supply kits, important telephone numbers, and a space to record your important information, so you can find it quickly. The comprehensive guide also includes detailed information about storms, including the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning. This is a must-have during hurricane season, which runs through Nov. 30.
Visit our website at www.p bctax.gov/hurricane to request your copy today!
Black Gold Jubilee
Each spring, the town of Belle Glade celebrates the end of the harvest season with its annual Black Gold Jubilee. Named for the area’s
• Recognize Warnings and Alerts – There are several ways to receive alerts. Download a weather app or have a weather radio tuned to the local area frequency.
• Those with Disabilities – Identify if you need additional help during an emergency if you or anyone else in your household is an individual with a disability. Register with the special needs shelter in your area early if you or someone you know will need electrically energized life support equipment. Pre-registration is required.
• Review Important Documents – Ensure your insurance policies and personal documents are current. Make copies or take pictures and keep them in a secure password-protected digital space.
• Strengthen your Home – Declutter drains and gutters, bring in outside furniture, and consider hurricane shutters.
• Get Tech Ready – Keep your cell phone charged when a hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued, and purchase backup charging devices to power electronics.
• Help your Neighborhood – Check with neighbors, senior adults, or those who may need additional help securing hurricane plans to see how you can be of assistance to others
• Gather Supplies – Have enough household supplies, including medication, disinfectant and pet supplies, in your go bag or car trunk. You may not have access to these supplies for days or even weeks after a hurricane. Also, have cash on hand since the power to payment devices and banks could be out for an extended time.
Don’t wait – prepare today. “By failing to prepare, you’re preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin.
NPDES tip: Hurricane Season began June 1. Make sure your yards and trees are trimmed to avoid flying debris during a storm. Dispose of your trimmings and clippings properly. Do not put them into storm drains or lakes!
rich soil, this annual festival celebrates Belle Glade’s unique agricultural heritage.
Each year, we are honored to take part in this family-focused festival to meet our western Palm Beach County clients. A big thank you to our TCO staff for volunteering their time to be on hand to answer questions about our services and hand out important information.
While the Black Gold Jubilee marks the end of our festival season, be sure to look for members of our Community Engagement team at your local HOA meetings and expos!
Florida Homeowner’s Guide
Hurricane season is fast approaching, and it is best to plan ahead and be prepared to protect loved ones and property; however, there are some events that we are not able to prepare for like accidental fires, water damage or even structural damage. We do get questions about scenarios where homes are impacted by catastrophic events (weather related or non-weather related) and the impact they have on property taxes. I want to share some common questions and answers on this topic with you.
My residence was recently destroyed or damaged. Do I have to pay property taxes?
If the residence is uninhabitable for 30 days or longer due to a catastrophic event, you may be eligible for a refund.
My residence was recently destroyed or damaged. Will my property taxes go down?
Property taxes will typically not decrease for the tax year in which the catastrophic event occurred but could decrease for the next tax year.
How do I report destruction or damage to my residence?
Contact the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s office at (561) 355-2866 as soon as possible. Reporting damage is important for future valuation and assessment.
I have been displaced. How will I receive my property tax notice?
You can view and pay your tax bill online by visiting www. pbctax.gov. You can also update your mailing address by contacting the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s office at (561) 355-2866.
For more information about catastrophic damage to your property, visit www.floridarevenue.com.
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office
Dear Taxpayer:
The summer months are a busy time for my office.
Before June 1, my office submits the estimated taxable property values for 2025 to cities and other authorities who levy taxes because they need these numbers to begin developing their budgets. The taxing authorities review the property values in their jurisdictions and decide on a proposed tax rate.
On July 1, my office submits a preliminary tax roll to Florida’s Department of Revenue (DOR), the agency that oversees the operations of all property appraisers in the state. The DOR performs a rigorous review and evaluates the tax roll for accuracy.
On August 21, my office will mail the Truth in Millage, or TRIM Notice, to all property owners. This notice of proposed taxes details the assessed and taxable values of your property, as well as the tax rates submitted by taxing authorities.
As always, I welcome your comments and questions regarding your property value and exemption amounts. Florida law requires my office to value property based on the status of the market as of January 1. Our highly-trained appraisal experts use state-of-the-art technology to continuously process property data from local and industry sources and from field inspections.
Now is a good time to check the mailing address associated with your property at pbcpao.gov. Simply search your property and confirm that your mailing address is correct. If it needs an update, just visit our E Address Change Form.
In this month’s newsletter, a reminder that hurricane season is upon us and a reminder to those residents who have not yet applied for a homestead exemption on their permanent residence in Palm Beach County. Enjoy reading and stay safe.
Respectfully,
Dorothy Jacks, CFA, FIAAO, AAS, Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
Hurricane Season Begins
June kicks off hurricane season, which runs through Nov. 30. There are provisions in Florida law that pertain to your property tax assessment if your home suffers catastrophic damage by a hurricane.
If your home suffers hurricane damage, our office will work with you through the assessment process. We review insurance claims, photographs, repair estimates and invoices, and any other documentation that would detail damage. For more information, visit our website or contact (561) 355-3230 or PAHurricaneDamage@pbcpao.gov.
As you plan for the season ahead, Palm Beach County Emergency Management offers essential tips on hurricane preparedness in their Hurricane Planning Guide (PDF).
E-Filing For Homestead Exemption And Portability
A homestead exemption can reduce the assessed value of your property, thereby reducing the amount of property tax you pay. 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. Portability transfers all or a significant portion of your cap savings, up to $500,000, from a home with a homestead exemption to a new home within the state of Florida that qualifies for a homestead exemption.
With our homestead exemption e-file, you can e-file the same day you close on a new home, even without the deed. You can even e-file for portability if moving within the state of Florida. Our Exemption Services Department administers all exemptions and portability applications and is available to answer your questions. Contact them at myexemption@pbcpao. gov or (561) 355-2866.
Office Closed In Honor Of Juneteenth
The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office (including all of our Service Centers) will be closed in honor of Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Juneteenth National Independence Day commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.
Northern Notes from page 20
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2025
The Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University marked the commencement of the Class of 2025 with its annual Medallion Ceremony. The ceremony recognized the special achievement of 102 graduating seniors with an Honors Medallion and certificate acknowledging their thesis work, presented by their thesis advisors before an audience of their family and friends.
Honors College faculty also presented stand-out students with special awards:
Calyssa Setterberg, Outstanding Senior Samantha Reyes, Outstanding Junior James Lee, Outstanding Sophomore Blaine Naylor, Outstanding First Year Maya Clarke, Outstanding Scholar Allison MacKenzie, Distinguished Service Award Ellie Pfahler, Distinguished Community Service
In addition, 19 students received an Outstanding Thesis Award: Priscilla Agrinsoni, Madelyn Brooker, Maya Clarke, Luiz Do Prado, Vesal Farsian, Alexandra Fernandez, Kayla Filjon, Michael Green, Erin Hajostek, Angie Jurado, Bria Kuntz, Abbagayle Madanat, Gabriella Maxey, Gwendolyn Murray, Ellie Pfahler, Ellie Pfahler, Alaina Rumrill, Joshua Sadule, and Calyssa Setterberg.
University
New Research: Mapping Microplastics
For the first time, scientists have mapped microplastic distribution from the surface to the deep sea at a global scale – revealing not only where plastics accumulate, but how they infiltrate critical ocean systems. Tracy Mincer, Ph.D., an associate professor of biology and biochemistry in the Wilkes Honors College, coauthored a study recently published in the journal Nature, which definitively revealed that microplastics are not just surface pollutants – they’re deeply embedded in the ocean’s structure. >
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MobileMinds Expansion
FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute marked the expansion of its MobileMinds education program into Broward County. Thanks to a gift last year from the Sharron and Joseph Ashby Hubert Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward the program now has a new van. The team has already hit the road south, bringing cutting-edge STEM education, led by professional scientists and their trainees, to more than 2,000 elementary and middle school students!
NeuroCollective Symposium
The biomedical research ecosystem at FAU’s John D. MacArthur Campus joined forces to host the inaugural NeuroCollective Symposium. The day-long event highlighted the vibrant community of research trainees working on the multi-institute campus. The agenda featured an interactive career panel luncheon, trainee oral and poster presentations, and a plenary talk by Jason Shepherd, Ph.D., associate professor in the department of neurobiology at the University of Utah.
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Arbor Day Celebration
FAU Jupiter and the Center for Environmental Studies celebrated the 20th annual Arbor Day at the Robert J. Huckshorn Arboretum. The program theme was “Our Trees are for the Birds” and featured keynote remarks from representatives of Audubon Everglades and the Florida Forest Service. In addition, guests were invited to peruse the shaded walkways in search of birdthemed poems hung among the branches – a hands-on activity that showcased the symbiotic relationship of art, literature and nature.
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Photos by Indie House Films
