Physical Therapy month was introduced 32 years ago by the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association) to raise awareness among consumers about the many benefits of physical therapy!
Physical therapists (PTs) are the premier movement experts. Whether you’re suffering from a specific injury, a chronic disease, a surgery, or you just want to feel better in daily activities, licensed experienced PTs know the right movements just for you. They can help reduce your risk of injury or illness in the future.
Kineo Multi Station-Powerful electric engine with smart software allows work with DIFFERENT LOADS between the CONCENTRIC/ECCENTRIC phase for maximum efficiency sport/rehab training.
MPFI Launches New Science Education Resource For Schools
South Florida Science Education got a new boost Friday, as the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience launched “Ask Max,” a new program that brings state-of-the-art technology and STEM lessons to classrooms throughout Palm Beach and Martin counties. The event took place at Palm
Active physical therapy, which we practice at Sloane Stecker, is a form of therapy that focuses on movement-based exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and endurance. The main principle behind active physical therapy is that movement is key to healing and improving physical function. By actively engaging in exercises, you are able to strengthen your muscles, increase range of motion, and improve cardiovascular endurance.
Boost Microgravity Treadmill-deloads up to 80% body weight to reduce pain, rehab lower body injuries, and train longer/harder without the impact.
Sloane Stecker PHYSICAL THERAPY MONTH on page 6
Beach Gardens Elementary School where supporters and students heard from MPFI CEO David Fitzpatrick, Palm Beach School Superintendent Mike Burke and PBGES Principal Kimberly Evans. In his remarks, CEO David Fitzpatrick underscored the
10/31/24
MONDAY - FRIDAY
*With the purchase of 2 beverages Expires 10/31/24. Digital coupons not accepted. Cannot combine coupons. Must present coupon when ordering. DINE-IN ONLY.
Music & concerts at abacoa
Live In Concert At Abacoa Amphitheater
On Friday, October 25
On May 24, 1996, the original group Sublime played their last show at the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma. No one knew it would be a fated final concert; no one knew that singer Bradley Nowell would be found dead of a heroin overdose the next morning at a motel in San Francisco. Sublime’s bass player Eric Wilson and drummer Bud Gaugh disbanded after Nowell’s untimely departure.
Sublime With Rome - In 2009, the Fremont, Calif., singer/guitarist Rome Ramirez essentially replaced the late Bradley Nowell as the leader of the legendary Long Beach band Sublime. Ramirez started listening to Sublime when he was just a preteen. He studied lead singer Bradley Nowell’s guitar playing and vocal styling and counts the performer as his biggest influence.
Deuterman Productions Presents: Farewell Tour! Last Chance To See Sublime With Rome In Florida Ever!
Face To Face - Face to Face is a punk rock band from Victorville, Calif., formed in 1991 by frontman Trever Keith, bassist Matt Riddle and drummer Rob Kurth. The band rose to fame with their 1995 album Big Choice, featuring the radio hit Disconnected which received heavy rotation on KRQQ radio in Los Angeles and appeared in the movies Tank Girl and National Lampoon’s Senior Trip . Face to Face officially split up in September 2004, allowing the band members time to focus on other projects. In April 2008, after a four-year hiatus, Face to Face performed together for the first time at The Glasshouse in Pomona, Calif. Since then, the band has continued to perform and has released five more studio albums to date.
Ramirez joined surviving Sublime members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh, and they initially planned to perform together under the Sublime name, but the Nowell estate hit them with a cease-and-desist, so they changed their name to Sublime with Rome. For the past 15 years, Sublime with Rome have toured consistently, mostly playing songs from the original-flavor Sublime, though they’ve released three albums of their own.
The Ska Alternative Rock group from California, was formed in 2010 by Rome Ramirez, Eric Wilson, and Bud Gaugh. Ska is a music genre originating in late 1950s Jamaica. Precursing rocksteady and reggae, it combined elements including Calypso and Caribbean Mento with both American Jazz and Rhythm and Blues; it also is part of the genre of Reggae today. Siting respect to family obligations, Bud Gaugh left the band in 2011, leaving one original Sublime member, bassist Wilson, Rome, and former Nine Inch Nails drummer, Josh Freese, replacing Gaugh. With fan-favorite hits such as Wrong Way, Santeria, Badfish, What I Got, Caress Me Down, 40oz to Freedom and many more, the band’s concerts are pure sing-along enjoyment from beginning to end. Currently, Sublime with Rome has almost 261 million all-time streams, and over 500k monthly listeners on Spotify. This is in addition to the legacy statistics which include 8 million monthly listeners. Santeria remains the top song with over 660 million streams. This is followed by What I Got with over 420 million streams and Badfish with 165 million streams (stats via Spotify). Following Tangerine Skies, Sublime with Rome’s final selftitled album, recorded at Sonic Ranch, will be a celebratory final tour of the fifteen years together and is a thank you to the fans for their love and support on this journey. In an Instagram statement, Rome Ramirez announced he was leaving Sublime With Rome at the end of 2024: “The upcoming performances over the next year will allow us to reflect on countless incredible memories together! … Singing and playing guitar for this iconic band has been a lifetime opportunity and just flat out absolutely epic. Carrying on the Sublime legacy has been a trust I’ll forever cherish.”
Fortunate Youth - From backyard barbecues in Southern California beach towns to its rise as one of the most popular reggae-rock bands in the country, Fortunate Youth remains devoted to its roots and a simple mission: Spread peace, love, and unity with music. It’s a mantra of sorts for the multi-faceted sextet from Hermosa Beach, driving a relentless thirst for live performances and an everevolving cache of original material dotted with influences of blues, ska, rock, world, soul, and punk. Dedicated to performing live, the ensemble has logged countless miles across the globe, with Fortunate Youth supporting brethren such as Slightly Stoopid, Stick Figure, and SOJA.
Ichroniq - Hailing from the sunshine state, the reggaebased band ichroniq is determined to make waves on the east coast, the west coast, and the world over. The band was formed in 2021 by producer CRV5H and vocalist/ guitarist Tyler Jaworski, when they met in a jiu-jitsu gym outside of Tampa, FL. With the addition of the smooth and jazzy stylings of saxophonist Daniel Valladares, and the heavy hitting stage presence of drummer Josh Hasak, the group was one step closer to their final form. While staying true to the roots of the reggae genre, ichroniq’s dynamic drum beats, thumping bass lines, swinging riddims, melodic vocals, and sultry horns weave in and out of different genres and sonic landscapes, always keeping the listener grooving and entertained. Touching on a myriad of topics ranging from partying and feeling good to rebellion to falling in love, with influences ranging from funk, metal, hip-hop, indie, and ska, the band’s predictable song structure combined with unpredictable production delivers a sound that is truly “ichroniq.”After sharing the stage with artists such as Through the Roots, Shwayze, and Little Stranger in 2022, the band plans to expand their unprecedentedly versatile portfolio, tear the roof off every dive bar from Tallanasty to Tamiami, and make their presence felt across the reggae scene.
From left, Bud Gaugh, Eric Wilson, Rome Ramirez
From left, Josh Freese, Rome Ramirez, Eric Wilson
downtown abacoa HaPPenings
5
We greatly appreciate the following generous sponsors who have contributed to making this event possible:
♦ TCIROOD Landscape Services
♦ Southern Exposure Landscape of South Florida, Inc.
♦ Regal Paint Centers-Benjamin Moore Paint
♦ M&H Pressure Cleaning, Inc.
♦ Floridian Signs & Plastics
♦ Lang Management
♦ Fields & Bachove, PLLC
We are always here to assist. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at (561) 624-7788 or email: abacoaadmin@ langmanagement.com.
a P oa u P date
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, October 15, 2024, 11:30 a.m. –APOA office or Zoom
Notice of Monthly CAC Meeting –Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 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.
Sloane Stecker PHYSICAL THERAPY MONTH from page 1
The team at Sloane Stecker utilizes technology to evaluate your strength, balance, range of motion, gait patterns, muscle activity and much more. Physical therapists can use this data to personalize treatment plans and track progress and prevent future injuries in all ages.
Physical therapy can be a great complement to other forms of exercise in your daily life. By combining physical therapy with activities such as running, golf, yoga, pickleball, or swimming, you can further enhance your strength and endurance.
Real-Life Success Stories Can Provide Motivation For Those Considering Physical Therapy
I have been to PT before now, but it never helped me. I recently started going to Sloane Stecker PT and it’s the best thing I’ve done.
Foreground: REAX BOARD-with SUDDEN DYNAMICS IMPULSES technology. Improve proprioception/dynamic motor skills-get a triple effect from your workout.
♦♦♦♦♦♦
Background: SINTESI- innovative multifunctional smart station that incorporates an entire gym’s equipment includes countless different exercises for the whole body.
The PT’s really take the time to evaluate your needs, and have the knowledge and equipment to facilitate your progress. In just three weeks I’ve gotten stronger and am confident that this upward trajectory will continue in the weeks ahead. –Angelica
I’m a collegiate track and field athlete who came to Sloane Stecker after getting ACL reconstruction surgery this past spring. All of the exercises, alongside the TECAR therapy, have helped reduce my scar and the pain significantly, and I have been able to begin my path towards competing again. I am very lucky that I found them this summer and I am really grateful for all the help and improvement I have had because of them. – Olivia I had a total hip replacement in the beginning of May. I was going to PT for the first three to four weeks, three times a week and then after that two times a week and now I feel like a new man. With all of their help, I was able to golf five to six weeks after surgery.
I am totally pain free! They are so professional and totally know what they are doing, as my results show.
–Matt
My teenage son and I were in town for spring break and he needed to stay on track for his PT. We reached out to Sloane Stecker and they were able to accommodate us and we could not be happier. The facility and setup is awesome and fun. This was just what my son needed for his knee and ankle recovery. We considered PT one of the highlights of our vacation. – Mike
Sloane Stecker was recommended to me when I had knee pain and some ankle issues. The highest caliber of physical therapy staff and the leading edge equipment for analysis and focused exercise have helped enormously. I’ve gone from near constant pain to very few issues quickly with minimal disruption in my activities. – Dan
Mention This Article To Receive A Free 30-Minute Assessment Or An Introduction To TECAR Therapy!*
Please contact us to schedule an appointment. Email us at jupiter@sloanestecker.com, give us a call at (561) 790-8256 or stop by and see us at 1155 Main Street, Suite 101, Abacoa, Jupiter, FL 33458.
*Must be prescreened to qualify for a trial session.
Deadline for the next Abacoa newspaper is the 11th of the month.
Submit articles/pictures to abacoaadmin@langmanagement.com
From The Desk Of The Property Manager from page
Bariatric and General Surgery
At the Palm Beach Digital Surgery Institute, Dr. Eduardo Parra-Davila, Dr. Abraham Betancourt and their medical team are highly trained and experienced in robotic-assisted bariatric (weight loss) surgery, as well as the diagnosis and surgical management of a broad spectrum of conditions including abdominal wall hernias, gallbladder disease, endocrine surgery, benign and malignant conditions.
Treatments Include:
• Bariatric Surgery - Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy
• Lap-Band® Management and Removal
• Revision Bariatric Surgery
• Hernia / Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
• Colorectal Cancer / Diverticulitis / Rectal Prolapse
• Endometriosis / Incontinence
• Hemorrhoids
• Gallbladder Disease
• Gastroesophageal Reflux
• Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery
Abraham Betancourt, MD Bariatric & General Surgeon
Eduardo Parra-Davila, MD, FACS, FASCRS Bariatric, Colorectal & General Surgeon
The Magic Of Composting
Thanks to Adam Towpik’s Eagle Scout project from September 2023, The garden now boasts an efficient composting system. While composting requires some effort, its benefits are well worth it. By transforming organic waste into nutrient-rich compost, we not only enhance soil health but also promote more sustainable gardening practices.
at the garden entrance at 1022 Community Drive.
Composting involves recycling organic materials into valuable fertilizer, which supplies essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This process improves soil structure, facilitates root growth, retains moisture, and, notably in Florida, reduces the porosity of sandy soil.
Gardeners contribute their plant trimmings and organic waste to Bin 1, taking care to avoid adding weed seeds or seed-laden plants such as tomatoes. Once Bin 1 is full, a volunteer regularly aerates the compost and adds water as needed, typically once or twice a week. After approximately two months, the compost is removed, finely chopped with a lawn mower, and transferred to Bin 2. This batch continues to be aerated and kept moist for another two months before being sifted through a ½-inch mesh screen into Bin 3, resulting in fine, soil-like particles.
When the compost is ready, it can be used by our members, either by sprinkling it on the soil’s surface or incorporating it into the ground. A big thank you to all the volunteers who help keep this system running smoothly! 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
Production
There is a waiting list for independent beds but if interested, just check the box. Stop by, especially Saturday mornings, and check out our Facebook page.
Financial Focus®
Vote For Solid Investment Strategies
By Sally Sima Stahl
With the presidential election just a few weeks away, the public is naturally interested in not just the outcome but what the results will mean for issues of national importance. As a citizen, you likely share these concerns—but how about as an investor? After the votes are counted— or even before—should you make some moves in anticipation of possible changes in policy?
Let’s look at the big picture first, through the lens of
history. The financial markets have performed well—and at times, not so well—under Democratic and Republican presidents alike. And the same is true about which party controlled Congress.
While it might be an overstatement to say that decisions made in Washington have no effect on the markets, it’s not always so easy to draw a direct line between what happens there and how the markets perform. For one thing, political candidates often make promises that are not fulfilled, or, if they are, have different results than intended. Also, other institutions can have a significant impact on the markets. For example, the Federal Reserve, which controls short-term interest rates, can certainly affect many market sectors. And there will always be external events, such as foreign conflicts and even natural disasters, that can make short-term impacts on the investment world.
So, rather than making changes to your portfolio in anticipation of what might happen if certain candidates
“’Cause every girl crazy ‘bout a sharp dressed man”- ZZ Top
As October begins, witness wardrobe changes and cooler weather, signaling the best time of the year has arrived (and so have you). Sweaters, boots, and extra cuddles resurface as requirements of Fall, while summer trends and flings fade away. In fashion, as in love, certain things never go out of style—they evolve, adapt, or return new and improved. Today, we will draw a relatable comparison between the pursuit of romantic happiness and the ideal wardrobe that will create your best date night look. You want a good “fit”--right?
The Rules. As always, if you are TAKEN, do share these words of hope with your single, divorced, and widowed family and friends. We are sure you would be thrilled to see your favorite single people smile brighter this holiday season. No one wants to be the fifth or seventh wheel at the dinner party this season. The last quarter of the year can and will be epic. Believe it and own your role in it. This is not a one-man job. Acquire a connector in the know.
Just The Facts.
With the holidays being the biggest trigger for singles, you may catch yourself reminiscing about past loves and daydreaming about what it was like to be a “dynamic duo” during the most wonderful time of the year. You are likely to be yearning for traditional courtship of days gone by. This does still exist--and we enjoy reminding people of this long forgotten dating norm. We believe in it. Some singles may feel uncomfortable in our modern tech era (like a fish out of water). This means It’s time to ask for help...privately...and not online. It’s time to get set up by a trusted friend (i.e. your matchmakers). If you are already working with a matchmaker, it’s time to ask and accept their advice. Be open to change and adventure or you will go nowhere. Everything will stay the same and you will feel the same way on December 31st. Open your heart.
The Hunt. The pursuit of love is much like the hunt for the perfect date night wardrobe. This can take time, experimentation, and timing. You are in luck because we, as matchmakers, are much like the stylists at a fabulous custom boutique, ready to take on the challenge with and for you. Dating is similar to browsing the fashion racks, and both require patience, a little adventure, and the confidence to know when something fits just right. You may be struggling to find your Plus One but that is normal when you know you are in the right place. Bar none; matchmaking is a solid ticket to a happy ending in 2024. The pond is continually restocked, just like any popular boutique.
Try It On. Have you ever walked into a store and tried on an outfit, but nothing seemed to feel right? Or maybe you’ve found yourself in a fitting room with something that looked perfect on the hanger, but once you put it on, you realize it’s not for you. Dating can feel the same. You may meet someone who checks all the right boxes on paper, but doesn’t feel quite right when you’re together. Next, please.
Don’t get stuck on one look. Every date won’t lead to the perfect match--but you must elevate the odds and let someone else do the vetting and setting up for you. You can adjust your expectations on your search and learn more about yourself. Also, don’t forget to work on yourself--this is a bonus for you and your future partner. If you find yourself striking out again and again--ask for help. Don’t be closed minded and blame the date or anyone else. It takes two and consider each encounter as a learning experience to help you become the best version of yourself. Regardless of your age, we should all be able to grow and learn and adapt. That is attractive.
The Perfect Fit. Patience is a virtue. We recently had a success story of two CEOs in the club. It took the gentleman four months to find his “perfect” fit, and the woman was one and done in her first month! Finding someone you connect with will not always happen overnight. However, the wait will be worth it. Love can appear unexpectedly (love at first sight). Just don’t settle for a relationship that doesn’t fit your needs and values long-term. A perfect fit is more than just superficial--it also requires the possibility of longevity. Will it stand the test of time? Look for someone emotionally, financially, and physically aligned with you and your dreams for your future
Trust Your Stylist (aka Matchmaker).
You may feel like you can do it alone but you can’t. You have a job and you are not The Pro. You would not do your own doctoring or lawyering, right? Bonding with your matchmaker, being honest, and trusting the
constructive advice they may give you will exponentially increase your chances of finding your perfect match that fits like a glove. Hire the best in the business. Be a smart person and connect to the right people at the right time with the right mindset (looking for a true match).
On that note, thank you to our new applicants who have PRE-BOOKED their First Interview in advance. Clients who get started in October have a higher chance of meeting an ideal dating partner before the holidays and the turn of the New Year 2025 for the most important kiss of the year. Make the last three months of this year count. Your future self will thank you later.
We can’t wait to meet you in our gorgeous office on PGA Boulevard-where we have been for ten successful years and counting! Make the last quarter of the year the best part of the year and end with a powerful and life changing win!
Connection is Key: Behind the Scenes at Revolution Dating!
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Upscale single, divorced, and widowed clientele from all over the U.S.A. are ready to live and love off-line and the demand for authentic matchmakers is soaring--especially in our local area. To add to this huge need, this month marks the inception of Coupling Season---so do tell your single friends and family to make some moves in the last quarter of 2024. Revolution Dating specializes in representing clients from the Northeast to Palm Beach for decades. Take a look at these special September moments. This could be you too! Now is the time to get moving and grooving with The REV and celebrate the life we have been given from the land of the free and the home of the brave. Get ready for a Revolutionary October. Now is the perfect time to REV-up your love life. You only live once and to this we say: “What are you waiting for?”
#TellYourFriends
get elected, or even in response to actual policy changes, look to other factors to drive your investment decisions. These factors should include the following:
• Your goals – You probably have short- and longterm goals you’d like to achieve. For your short-term goals, such as a wedding, a down payment on a house or a long vacation, you may want to invest in instruments that provide stability of principal. For your long-term goals, most important of which may be a comfortable retirement, you’ll need to own a reasonable number of growth-oriented investments.
• Your risk tolerance – When you build and maintain your investment portfolio, you’ll need to accommodate your individual risk tolerance. All investments carry some type of risk, but you need to be comfortable with the overall risk level of your investments.
• Your time horizon – Where you are in life is an important consideration when investing. When you are young and just starting out in your career, you may be able to focus more on growth, as you have time to overcome the inevitable short-term market downturns. But as you near retirement, you may want to consolidate any gains you may have achieved, and lower your risk level, by moving your portfolio toward a somewhat more conservative approach. Even in retirement, though, you will need some growth potential to stay ahead of inflation.
• Your needs for liquidity – As you invest, you’ll need to maintain an adequate amount of cash and cash equivalents in your holdings. Without this liquidity, you might be forced to sell long-term investments in case you have unexpected expenses.
In any case, when it comes to investing, you may want to pay less attention to what names are on the ballot—and instead “vote” for the longer-term strategies that reflect your needs and goals.
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.
Special Edition Hot Tips By: Kelly Leary, M.S. & Miranda Capparelli
fearless leader, Kelly, takes on
Feast Of Little Italy
The Galbani Feast of Little Italy returns to Abacoa in Jupiter on November 1 to 3.
The cultural festival, known for its Italian ambiance, national Italian American entertainers, and authentic food, will offer free admission. This year’s theme is Celebrating Italian American Heritage and Culture.
With every step in Abacoa, visitors will find food vendors serving authentic Italian dishes—fresh pasta, sausage, peppers, arancini, braciole, and many more classic dishes. Then, enjoy a not-to-be-missed Italian dessert with homemade zeppoles with powdered sugar, sfogliatella, and cannoli. The Gardens Pizza and Pasta Pizza Eating Contest will take place on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 12:30 p.m. on stage. The public is invited to participate.
Cheers! Salute! Toast to your Italian American heritage with a beer, prosecco, spritz, or cocktail. The Bar Italia, Aperol Spritz Piazza, or Voga Prosecco Lounge will be the places to be seen.
This year, the La Cucina Galbani® Cooking stage will feature nationally known chefs, including Galbani Celebrity Chef Marco Sciortino from the hit TV show Come Dine with Me, local favorites Anthony Acampa from Fat’s Where the Flavor’s At , Nina Tomasik from Nina’s Bakery, and PGA Chef Thomas Op’t Holt, and many others. Do not miss a taste of the free Voga wine seminars by wine connoisseurs throughout the weekend.
Chef Marco Anthony Nunziata
The feast is pleased to announce the return of its fabulous Master of Ceremonies – Virginia Sinicki, an on-air personality from the KVJ show on 979WRMF. Beginning Friday night, Franco Corso – the Voice of Romance will serenade the audience with Italian ballads. The stage headliner on Friday night is Tony Quaranti performing “The Sinatra Songbook.” Saturday entertainers will perform the best of Italian ballads by Vanessa Racci and Italian classics by Angelo Venuto, and all the favorites. Streetlife Serenader will headline Saturday evening with “A Tribute to Billy Joel,” Sunday, the fun continues with Avianna Rossi, Philipe Harari and Elio Scacio known as “The Sicilian Tenor.” Headlining will be internationally acclaimed singer Anthony Nunziata performing “Bocelli and Beyond.”
Stronger To gether. For You.
Advanced Breast Care in the Palm Beaches
Spoil yourself and the entire family and relax in your own private VIP villa located near the stage. Your villa includes a large table, eight seats, and waiter/ waitress service. Or enjoy reserved stage pod seating with four chairs and a table, which includes waiter/waitress service. Reservations are available at Eventbrite.com.
For the entire family, there will be festival rides and carnival games for all ages. Little Smiles will be on site with fun kids’ activities.
The feast is committed each year to supporting the charity, Little Smiles and the Little Smiles toy drive kicking off at the festival. Attendees are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped gift. The nonprofit organization works tirelessly to bring smiles to the faces of children by giving kids the chance to be kids during difficult times.
Festival hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Parking is free, and admission is free. To learn more and for a complete schedule, visit www.feastoflittleitaly.com.
CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS:
• Benign Breast Disease
• Breast Cancer
• Cryoablation of Breast Tumors
• High Risk Surveillance
• Oncoplastics
• Intraoperative Radiation Therapy
Kathleen Minnick, MD Breast Surgeon
Donna H. Kleban, MD, FACS Breast Surgeon
Jim Forgan,
Ph.D., Licensed School Psychologist
You may have wondered things like “What is ADD? Is it different from ADHD?” or “How do I know if my child has ADD or ADHD?” ADD was an older term for attention deficit disorder, which is the classification for symptoms like inattention, distractibility, forgetfulness, and making careless mistakes. While people still use the term ADD to classify these symptoms, it is no longer the technical term used in the medical and psychology community to diagnose these types of symptoms. In the late 1980’s the medical community
shifted to the term ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In the early 1990s ADHD was classified into three different types, or presentations, that we use today. The three types are: inattentive presentation, hyperactive presentation, and combined presentation.
So, if you’re seeing inattentive symptoms in your child and they were to be diagnosed, the official diagnosis would be ADHD, predominately inattentive presentation. Likewise, if your child struggled with hyperactivity and impulsivity the diagnosis would be ADHD, predominately hyperactive presentation and if your child had both symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, they would be diagnosed with ADHD, combined presentation. What this shift in terminology did was combine both inattentive and hyperactive impulsive symptoms into one disorder with specific presentation types so everything could be categorized the same way.
How Do I Know If My Child Has ADHD?
Children can be evaluated for ADHD with several instruments that assess their functioning in different areas and look at the severity of their symptoms. The testing we provide in our office targets the specific areas of concern related to ADHD and allows us to diagnose and provide specific recommendations to support your child at home and at school. Our evaluations are comprehensive and offer a “whole child” approach so we will be able to assess their cognitive processing, like attention, memory, and processing speed, as well as their social-emotional and behavioral functioning. Our testing will provide you with the answers to know if your child really has ADHD or if they are struggling in some other area that is contributing to their ADHD-like symptoms. You will leave this process with targeted and specific recommendations tailored to your child’s strengths and weaknesses.
Call (561) 625-4125 to discuss about your child.
Cardinal Newman’s Dillon Schneider Achieves National Merit® Scholarship Semifinalist
Cardinal Newman High School proudly announces that senior Dillon Schneider has been recognized as a semifinalist in the 70th annual National Merit® Scholarship Program. Over 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National
Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.
“On behalf of the entire Cardinal Newman community, I am proud to announce that Dillon Schneider is counted among this extremely select group of scholars,” said Cardinal Newman High School principal Ed Curtin. “Being named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist is truly an amazing honor, and we are very proud of Dillon’s accomplishment.”
Schneider now has the opportunity to compete for one of approximately 6,870 National Merit Scholarships and the prestigious title of Merit Scholar®. To advance to the finalist
stage of the competition, Schneider must fulfill several requirements, including submitting a detailed scholarship application highlighting his academic record, leadership, community involvement, and extracurricular achievements. Additionally, Schneider will need to write an essay and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm his PSAT performance.
Cardinal Newman High School is a premier college preparatory Catholic high school in West Palm Beach. Their vision is to build life’s champions through faith, academics, servant leadership, and a strong family atmosphere. For more information about Cardinal Newman High School, visit cardinalnewman.com.
Ed Curtin, Dillon Schneider, Danielle Benvenuto, Irene Heidelbauer
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center
Surpasses 100th Orthopedic Case Using Advanced ROSA ® Robotics Knee System
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center surpassed its 100th orthopedic case using the advanced ROSA ® Robotics Knee System earlier this month. The milestone minimally invasive procedure was performed by boardcertified orthopedic surgeon Harvey E. Montijo, Jr., M.D. Dr. Montijo, Jr. also performed the first procedure at the hospital using the ROSA ® Robotics Knee System less than one year ago. 1
The ROSA® Robotics Knee System, manufactured by Zimmer Biomet, is a medical device designed to enhance the precision and efficiency for knee replacement. It combines advanced robotics and artificial intelligence to assist surgeons in planning the surgery and accurately placing the artificial joint during the procedure. With its capabilities, the ROSA ® Robotics Knee System has the ability to improve patient outcomes, reduce recovery times, and minimize the risk of complications. It also does not require CT scans potentially saving money for the patient and radiation exposure. 2
demonstrated our unwavering commitment to investing in the health and well-being of our community. We are pleased that we have been able to offer our patients a minimally invasive option for knee replacement surgery.”
For more information about knee replacement surgery at The Center for Joint & Spine Care at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, contact our Director of Orthopedic Service Line at 1-(855) 769-2969 or visit https://www.palmbeachhealthnetwork.com/services/ orthopedic-care/orthopedic-patient-navigator.
About Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center (PBGMC), part of the Palm Beach Health Network, the largest health care network in Palm Beach County, is a 199-bed acute care hospital. It has served the Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast communities for over 50 years. The hospital was the first in Palm Beach County to perform open-heart surgery and has remained on the forefront as one of the area’s leaders in cardiac care. PBGMC also offers award-winning stroke care, neurosurgery, urology, orthopedics, robot assisted and minimally invasive surgical techniques, bloodless medicine and a 24-hour emergency room. For more information, visit https://www. palmbeachhealthnetwork.com.
“We are excited and proud to have achieved this important milestone as part of our ongoing efforts to provide our patients with the latest advancements in medical technology,” said Erik Cazares, the hospital’s CEO. “Expanding our surgical technology capabilities last year with the addition of this innovative robotic system
The Center for Joint & Spine Care at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center uses advanced technology and equipment to conduct minimally invasive procedures for shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times. 3 In addition to the ROSA ® Robotics Knee System, the hospital’s robotic surgical fleet also includes a CORI™, two Mako SmartRobotics ™ and a NAVIO Surgical System. 4 Robotic-assisted procedures may provide better accuracy and usually make smaller incisions that may help lessen potential risks and speed up healing for patients. This advanced technology may also promote greater safety for patients as it can help reduce the use of and exposure to radiation and fluoroscopy. 5
American Sanctuary: Mutiny, Martyrdom, And National Identity In The Age Of Revolution
By Nils A. Shapiro
I cannot recall ever enjoying a scholarly work of early American history so interestingly and vividly told, so extraordinarily researched and impressively detailed, exciting as any novel, and as timely in subject as next month’s presidential election!
The date was September 21, 1797. The event was a vicious mutiny by the crew of a British naval vessel, HMS Hermione , in the Caribbean off the coast of Puerto Rico. Little remembered today, its aftershock was to lead directly to the election of Thomas Jefferson over the incumbent John Adams as president of the United States … and the resulting lasting image of America as a sanctuary of freedom for those fleeing from persecution in other lands—an issue that dominates today’s political campaigns just as it did the one in 1800.
I must admit that, although it was published in 2017, I had never heard of American Sanctuary and was fortunate to come across it by accident on a table stacked with books while shopping in a market. Its author, A. Roger Ekirch, is a professor of history at Virginia Tech, has written four earlier books, received a Guggenheim Fellowship and is widely recognized as one of our finest historians.
The details that enrich this narrative, garnered from the author’s extraordinary research, add enormously to the overall experience, as do the many contemporary portraits and illustrations from that period.
Revolutionary and early American history being one of my preferred reading tastes I was surprised never to have heard of the very significant event that is the pivotal subject of this book: the mutiny aboard HMS Hermione . Nor, shockingly, was it ever mentioned in any class, even through college.
At the time the mutiny took place—after the United States had already won the Revolutionary War several years earlier and declared itself an independent nation—one of the most objectionable policies of the British crown and its navy was the practice of “impressment”: the stopping and boarding of other nations’ vessels, capturing members of their crews and forcing them to sail and work as seamen on British ships, most likely never to see their families again.
Such was the case of many on the Hermione’s crew as it sailed near the island of Puerto Rico on that September day in 1797. Adding to what was already a tinder box of a situation was the fact that this ship’s captain, Admiral Hugh Pigot, was a disciplinarian so stern that whipping and other punishments for minor crew offenses became unbearable and sparked the bloody insurrection that ended in the death of the captain and other officers.
One of the main leaders of the mutiny was a man whose name throughout this book varies between Thomas Nash (if he was actually Irish) and Jonathan Robbins, depending upon whether his claim to have been an American from Connecticut was true or not.
Eventually, after the mutiny Robbins made his way to the U.S. and was tracked down by the British government,
which demanded that President John Adams turn over the “mutineer and murderer” to Britain for punishment. It was awkward timing, for Adams was then in the process of ratifying an economic trade treaty with Britain that had just been negotiated.
Adams had to weigh the success of the treaty against the American public’s anger about the British policy and actions of impressment on the high seas and the idea of turning over to Britain a claimed American citizen who “had the right to regain his freedom after having been the victim of such impressment” and return home.
Adams’s decision to turn Robbins over to Britain— where he was executed by hanging without a trial— Adams’s Federalist Party’s defense of his decision, and the consequences of Jefferson’s Republican Party’s national electoral campaign focused on driving the public’s anger, form the major part of this compelling story.
Eventually—and critical in light of today’s political climate and immigration crisis—the American people eventually decided that, whether or not Jonathan Robbins (or Thomas Nash, if that was his real name) was in fact an American citizen, anyone fleeing from oppression should be able to find sanctuary in the United States and not have to fear being turned away. It is to this day at the heart of our nation’s self-image, symbolized by the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor and the inscription on her base addressed to “the huddled masses yearning to be free.”
This is the story of how and when that all started. I loved every word of it.
Palm Beach County Votes 2024
GENERAL ELECTION
3 EASY WAYS TO VOTE
VOTE-BY-MAIL
REQUEST IT
Visit VotePalmBeach.gov, call (561) 656-6208, or email votebymail@votepalmbeach.gov
See ballot drop off locations at VotePalmBeach.GOV
RETURN IT
Deadline to request aVote-by-Mail ballot is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024. Vote-by-Mail ballot pickup is not available at our offices from October 26th through November 5th unless, due to an emergency, the voter is unable to go to a designated early voting site or to his or her assigned polling place on Election Day (See F.S. §101.62(3)(d)(5)).
Please have your Florida Driver License, Florida ID card, or the last 4 digits ofyour Social Security number available when making your request.
Mail your Vote-by-Mail ballot using pre-paid postage, or drop it off inside any of our four offices during business hours. You may also drop it off at designated drop off locations across the county starting October 21, 2024.
TRACK IT
Voters can sign up for BallotTrax at VotePalmBeach.gov or by scanning this QR code to get alerts via email, text (SMS), and/or voice message with updates about the status of their ballot or if there is an issue so that it can be corrected right away.
EARLY VOTING
See Early Voting locations at VotePalmBeach.gov
Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, through Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024 Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Registered voters in Palm Beach County can vote at any of the 26 Early Voting locations conveniently located county wide. Visit VotePalmBeach.gov for Early Voting locations, directions, wait times, or to make an appointment. You can also check our website to see when pet adoptions will be available at Early Voting locations!
ELECTION DAY
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
On Election Day, you must vote at the polling place that is assigned to your precinct. Polling places may change! Visit VotePalmBeach.gov to confirm your polling place before you go vote.
Science On The cuTTing edge
New $7.7 Million Grant To Propel Search For Medications For Brain Disorders
Children born with a damaged gene needed for healthy brain development, SYNGAP1, experience seizures, sensory processing disorders, difficulty speaking, intellectual disability, and autism-like behaviors. It’s a condition without any treatments, one that’s hard both on parents and children, said Gavin Rumbaugh, Ph.D., a neuroscientist at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology.
Rumbaugh and a team of scientists from the institute have been awarded a five-year grant from the National Institute of Mental Health worth $7.7 million to work toward a treatment. Their goal is to create a pill that restores healthy SYNGAP1 gene production, thereby boosting neuroplasticity, or the ability of the brain to form circuits and connections. The scientists’ hope is that their work will improve the quality of life for both children and adults with the disorder, Rumbaugh said. Collaborators on the grant include Wertheim UF Scripps scientists Courtney Miller, Ph.D., and Ted Kamenecka, Ph.D.
“Seizures can be induced in these children by something as simple as eating the wrong texture of food,” Rumbaugh said. “The benefit of a medication you could take as a pill is that the dose could be adjusted as the children grow.”
When working properly, the SYNGAP1 gene helps the brain assemble the circuits needed to process the senses and learn, Rumbaugh discovered. Mutations can impair this process, with varying outcomes. People have two copies of each gene. Often, a mutation that knocks out
gOvernmenT
one working copy isn’t a problem. But with SYNGAP1, losing both gene copies is fatal, and partial or complete loss of one copy can be debilitating, Rumbaugh said.
“Children born with the most serious SYNGAP1 mutations may have many seizures a day, difficulty walking, difficulty communicating, and difficulty sensing pain. Some require caregivers for their entire lives,” he said. “It’s only in recent years, with more available genetic sequencing and social media, that families have begun to find each other, enabling studies that estimate the prevalence of the mutations.”
Advocacy groups connecting families include the Syngap1 Foundation, and the SynGAP Research Fund.
The condition is rare. One estimate suggests that about 200 babies a year are born with a SYNGAP1 mutation in the United States. Since its discovery in 2009, more
Commissioner’s Update
Advocacy And Civic Engagement In Government
By Vice Mayor Maria G. Marino
Advocacy and civic engagement are fundamental to a healthy democracy. These practices allow citizens to influence government policies, hold officials accountable, and actively shape the decisions that impact their communities. When citizens and organizations engage, they can drive government responsiveness, transparency, and effectiveness.
Advocacy refers to the efforts of individuals, groups, or organizations to influence public policy and government decisions. These efforts can take various forms, such as lobbying, public campaigns, and grassroots mobilization. It often involves educating decision-makers and the public on specific issues, persuading them to adopt certain policies or actions.
Civic engagement is a broader concept that encompasses any activity that allows citizens to be involved in public life. This ranges from voting and participating in town
halls to volunteering and joining community boards. Civic engagement emphasizes collective action to address societal issues and fosters a shared responsibility between citizens and their government.
A recent example of effective advocacy and civic engagement occurred in Palm Beach County when the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) unveiled its 2024/25 Great Outdoors Initiative. This initiative is aimed to increase public access, recreation and lodging at Florida state parks. However, the proposal to amend the Unit Management Plan of Jonathan Dickinson State Park (JDSP) to develop environmentally sensitive lands into a golf course sparked wide concern.
Local residents, outraged by the potential environmental damage, quickly mobilized. They reached out to elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels, voiced their concerns, and organized protests. In a matter of days, thousands of residents had signed petitions and coordinated protests. As a result, the outcry attracted attention from officials across the state, including Florida Cabinet members, U.S. Congress representatives, and state senators. These leaders called for increased transparency and urged FDEP to withdraw the proposal.
As Vice Mayor of Palm Beach County and a member of the Loxahatchee River Management Coordinating Council, I was acutely aware of the proposed plan’s potential impact on the Loxahatchee River, a designated National Wild and Scenic River. Protection of water quality and lands has been
than 1,000 people have been diagnosed. Up to 2% of people with intellectual disability may have a SYNGAP1 mutation, Rumbaugh said.
The new grant, from NIMH’s National Cooperative Drug Discovery/Development Groups for the Treatment of Mental Disorders division, will enable the scientists to refine their work on oral medicines to restore SYNGAP1 levels. The scientists hope that a drug able to boost SYNGAP1 might benefit others types of patients as well. It’s possible that people recovering from strokes, or people with brain and nervous system degeneration might also benefit, Rumbaugh said.
“Our work has shown that SYNGAP1 is a potent activator of neuroplasticity, or the ability to make new connections based on experience,” Rumbaugh said. “Because our experimental therapeutics stimulate SYNGAP1 expression, we expect that if our development process creates drug candidates with the desired properties, they will be useful in the SYNGAP1 genetic disorder, but they may also assist with other disorders that affect intellectual functioning.”
The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute is unusual because on one campus, experts in neurobiology can collaborate with experts and tools required to design medicines, said Miller, the institute’s director of academic affairs, and a co-investigator on the project.
“To create a safe and effective first-in-human drug for the clinic, a lot of work must be done on the original molecule,” Miller said. “This is a well-defined, iterative process of modifying the starting molecule, measuring how that affects the drug’s properties, like the ability to get into the brain, followed by ensuring it will be welltolerated in humans.”
Ultimately, the hope is their therapy will remove many of the challenges faced by families affected by SYNGAP1 and, potentially, other brain disorders, Rumbaugh said.
“We’re excited and hopeful about the potential to improve the lives of people with this mutation, and possibly, others grappling with neuroplasticity issues,” Rumbaugh said.
The research is supported by NIMH grant number 1U01MH136567-01.
Science On The Cutting Edge on page 22
a hallmark of our success as a county, much of which is a direct result of various partnerships between the county and FDEP. However, the plan amendment was directly detrimental to environmentally sensitive lands and water quality to the Loxahatchee River. Along with my colleagues, I penned a letter to the secretary of the FDEP, expressing our opposition to the proposal and requesting its withdrawal.
Advocacy empowers individuals to take action on issues they care about, fostering a sense of ownership over the direction of government policy. As an elected official, I often have the opportunity to hear from constituents daily through letter writing, phone calls, public comment on agenda items, and additionally once a month during Matters by the Public. When individuals realize that their voices can have an impact, they become more involved in the political process. Advocacy and civic engagement are crucial to the health of a democracy.
As demonstrated in Palm Beach County, when citizens come together to advocate for change, they can profoundly impact their government and community for the better. Thank you for staying engaged and making your voices heard. If you’re interested in learning more about the Palm Beach County boards and committees that citizens may participate in, please visit https://secure.co.palm-beach. fl.us/ABC/Pub_ABCReports.aspx. As always, please contact me if I can be of assistance at (561) 355-2201 or by email at MMarino@pbc.gov.
Gavin Rumbaugh, Ph.D., studies a gene critical for neurodevelopment, called SYNGAP1. He is part of a team working on a potential treatment. The team recently was awarded a five-year, $7.7 million grant for the effort. Photo by Scott Wiseman
FAU And Islamorada Beverages Launch Paradise Lager Craft Beer
By Joshua Glanzer
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has partnered with Islamorada Beverages to launch Paradise Lager, the official craft beer of the Owls. The beer will debut in athletic venues, including FAU Stadium, and will be sold in select retail locations across the tri-county area in the coming weeks.
new official beer can design evokes the university’s ambiance.
Islamorada Beverages shares a deep connection with FAU as three of its four founders are proud alumni, including Tyrone Bradley, president of the company; Chris Trentine; and Whitney Trentine.
“It’s amazing to see the transformation of a vision a year ago to reality with the creation of Paradise Lager, Florida Atlantic’s newest license product,” said Dexter LaMont, assistant vice president of brand development, licensing and marketing at FAU. “We are truly excited about the collaboration with Islamorada Beer Company, whose founders bleed the ‘blue and red’ of Florida Atlantic University. Paradise Lager will be a welcome addition to the gameday experience and the Owls fan base throughout South Florida.”
Paradise Lager’s crisp taste evokes the university’s ambiance, surrounded by palm trees and the allure of the worldclass beaches near the university’s six campuses dotted along more than 100 miles of southeast Florida’s coastline. FAU’s main campus in Boca Raton is just 1.8 miles away from the Atlantic Ocean.
“Partnering with Florida Atlantic University to create Paradise Lager is a natural fit for us at Islamorada Beverages,” said Bradley. “Our company was founded with the principles instilled in us during our time at Florida Atlantic – primarily our core values of innovation, a commitment to excellence, and a deep connection to community. Paradise Lager is more than just a beer; it’s a celebration of our shared roots, a toast to the vibrant, laid-back culture that makes South Florida so unique, and a testament to Florida Atlantic University’s commitment to its students – past, present and future.”
The unique and distinctive design of the can is highlighted by a coastal sunset theme, which includes Florida Atlantic’s branding and features the palm trees that are abundant on the school’s campuses. A brief history of the Florida AtlanticIslamorada connection is printed on every can.
Both athletics and the university will share in the proceeds of royalties generated from the sales of Paradise Lager. The beer will be sold at FAU Stadium, as well as all athletics events serviced by Chartwells. It also will be available at Publix and Total Wine & More store locations throughout Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach, with further regional retail distribution possible. The beer will also be served at local Hooters, Duffy’s Sports Grill, Flanigan’s, as well as other local bars and restaurants.
importance of engaging science education for young students. “Studies have shown that if a student is not excited about STEM by middle school, they are unlikely to pursue it as a career. As students age between grades six and 12, especially among girls, interest in STEM drops by as much as 66 percent. But thanks to the incredible educators in our Palm Beach County schools, and with the help of programs like the one we are here to celebrate today, we are going to change that,” he told the crowd.
Ask Max was created with two leadership donations from the Stiles Nicholson Foundation and the J&S Pew Family Foundation. John and Stephanie Pew joined Dr. Fitzpatrick, Superintendent Burke, Principal Evans and School Board Chair Karen Brill for a ribbon cutting for MPFI’s new Ask Max Van, a colorful vehicle designed to transport sensitive microscopes and other STEM resources to schools.
Following the ribbon cutting, MPFI Education Outreach staff held science demonstrations for more than 570 students between grades 1 through 5, while Kindergarten and preschool students enjoyed “Dress Like a Scientist” activities.
Ask Max is an entirely donor-funded program from the Max Planck Florida Institute
for Neuroscience. In addition to student activities, Ask Max provides hands-on training for teachers, and participates in community outreach events throughout Palm Beach County. For more information on the Ask Max Program, visit https://www.mpfi.org/community/ education-outreach/classroom/
Why “Ask Max”?
Our custom-outfitted van, affectionately known as “Ask Max,” brings vibrant, hands-on neuroscience activities right to you. Led by experts, these sessions not only teach but inspire, showing science as a playground of curiosity. Ask Max is equipped with high-quality scientific tools like dissection microscopes and gel electrophoresis kits, ensuring a stimulating educational experience right at your doorstep.
Our Impact
In the last year alone, our educational outreach reached more than 9,000 students and community members, with a significant focus on underserved schools. By bringing Ask Max to you, we aim to inspire even more young minds, especially those in areas with interest in or limited access to high-quality STEM resources.
As part of the Max Planck Society, the No. 1 biomedical nonprofit in the world, the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience brings unparalleled scientific expertise and a history of effective community engagement. Programs are approved by the Palm Beach County School District.
About Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience
The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) is a not-for-profit research organization and part of the world-renowned Max Planck Society, Germany’s most successful research organization with over 84 institutes worldwide. Since its establishment in 1948, 31 Nobel laureates have emerged from the ranks of its scientists. As its only North American institution, MPFI provides exceptional neuroscientists with the resources and technology to answer fundamental brain development and function questions. MPFI researchers employ a curiosity-driven approach to science to develop new technologies that make groundbreaking scientific discoveries possible. For more information, visit https:// www.mpfi.org/
FAU’s
Photo by Alex Dolce
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
Dear Taxpayer, Welcome fall!
The end of the 2024 tax year is fast approaching! This month, my office will certify the ad valorem tax roll to the Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s Office. The Tax Collector will mail the 2024 tax bills on Nov. 1.
It is also petition season. Hearings are beginning for property owners who filed a petition because they disagree with their property assessment or denied exemption. They are led by the Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s Value Adjustment Board (VAB). On average, the number of petitions filed in Palm Beach County is low, typically less than 1 percent of the total parcels in the county.
As we move into the final months of the year, I’d like to remind all property owners to review their homestead
Members of the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office at the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) Annual Conference; Property Appraiser Dorothy Jacks, CFA, FIAAO, AAS is on the far right and IAAO President Rebecca Malmquist, CAE is in the center.
exemption status to determine whether they might qualify for additional property tax saving benefits. There are several other exemptions such as those for seniors, the disabled, and members of the armed forces. You can research them all at pbcpao.gov.
Also in this month’s newsletter, a note on sales verification, an important process that helps inform our valuations.
I hope you find this information useful and your autumn enjoyable.
Respectfully,
Dorothy Jacks, CFA, FIAAO, AAS, Palm Beach County Property Appraiser
Additional Exemptions
Property owners may be eligible for additional exemptions. In order to qualify for the following additional exemptions, you must have a homestead exemption on your property.
Limited Income Senior Exemption
A $25,000 exemption is available to those 65 or older with an adjusted gross income below $36,614, not including taxexempt bond interest or non-taxable social security income. You will be asked to provide a copy of your Federal 1040 Tax Form or your Social Security 1099 Form. The county’s senior exemption does not apply to other taxing authorities, such as the school district and other municipalities. In addition to the countywide exemption, some municipalities offer additional tax savings.
Boynton Beach – $25,000
Delray Beach – $25,000
Greenacres – $5,000
Haverhill – $50,000
Juno Beach – $50,000
Jupiter – $50,000
Jupiter Inlet Colony – $50,000
Lake Park – $10,000
Lake Worth Beach – $25,000
Lantana – $25,000
Loxahatchee Groves – $50,000
North Palm Beach – $25,000
Palm Beach Gardens – $25,000
Palm Springs – $25,000
Royal Palm Beach – $5,000
South Palm Beach – $25,000
Tequesta – $25,000
Wellington – $50,000
West Palm Beach – $25,000
The city of Boynton Beach also offers a Super Senior exemption for those who meet the qualifications of the limited income senior citizen exemption and who have:
• Maintained the ownership and have been a permanent residence of the property for at least 25 years.
• A property with a market value of less than $250,000 at the time of application.
Widow/Widower
Exemption
Florida grants a $5,000 exemption to widows and widowers. You will be asked to submit a copy of the deceased spouse’s death certificate. If the surviving spouse remarries, they are no longer eligible to receive the additional exemption.
Living Quarters Of Parents Or Grandparents
Exemption (Also Known At The Granny Flat Exemption)
Homesteaded property owners who add living quarters for a parent or grandparent can apply to have all or part of the value of this new construction deducted from the assessment.
Civilian Disability
Exemptions
Full or partial exemptions are available for individuals with the following disabilities:
• Quadriplegic
• Paraplegic
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser on page 24
Tax Talk
Dear Friends:
Our office was recently advised by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) that they are warning drivers who have illegal Florida license plates, which have been altered or customized, such as with air brushing or vinyl wrapping. In fact, since 2020 citations for unlawful altered Florida license plates have increased nearly 100 percent. FHP is being proactive in raising awareness of this and if you are caught with one of these customized or altered plates, you can receive a moving violation citation, which includes a fine of $60 (plus fees) and three points on your license! If you have one of these altered Florida license plates and it cannot be returned to its original condition, I strongly encourage you to make a reservation to visit one of our service centers to get a replacement license plate by visiting www.pbctax.com/ reservations.
Customer Service Appreciation Week – Going Above And Beyond!
At our office, we make customer service our No. 1 priority! In honor of Customer Service Appreciation Week, October 7 to 11, I asked a few of our service center managers to share their thoughts on exceptional customer service and here is what they had to say:
Anne M. Gannon, Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach County
• Hemiplegic
• Legally blind
• Total and permanent disability, requires wheelchair for mobility
• Total and permanent disability, does not require wheelchair for mobility
Some of these exemptions have income limitations. Visit our website at pbcpao.gov for more information on these exemptions or to download and print forms. You can always call us at (561) 355-2866 or email us at myexemption@pbcpao.gov.
Did You Know? We Call To Verify Sales Data
Our work entails setting the market value for each property, and so property sales data is an important tool to show where the market is in Palm Beach County. Before we use sales data, we first make sure that the details of each sale reflect the market. Only sales that meet the definition of market value are used in developing estimates of market value for similar properties.
To verify sales information, our appraisers regularly contact the market participants (sellers, buyers, brokers, attorneys, etc.) involved with real estate sales. We try to obtain details regarding property sales from someone directly involved with each transaction. We then use this data to determine which sales represent market value and will be used in the development of property appraisals.
Answering our questions about property sales gives our office reliable data from which we can then create appraisals that are fair, equitable, and reflect the market.
Offices Open On Columbus Day
The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office (including all of our Service Centers) will be open on Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 14.
“Exceptional client service enhances our agency’s reputation. Quality customer service is the distinguishing factor that sets us apart from other agencies. We prioritize the client’s needs by being effective and empathetic.” – Brian Applebaum, South County Service Center Manager
“Customer service directly impacts public trust and satisfaction. When residents interact with us, they often do so during critical moments in their lives, original identification issuance, driver license testing, vehicle ownership, or establishing a new business. Our focus on exceptional customer service ensures that these interactions are efficient and respectful, which can significantly enhance the public’s perception of the government.” – Matthew Johnson, Westlake Service Center Manager
“The goal of our customer service is to build trust with our clients through communication and knowledge of our services. We strive every day to do this by incorporating the LEAP principles (listening, empathizing, apologizing, problem solving) with all our interactions allowing us to provide exceptional service.” – Michelle Arias, Central Service Center Manager
Faces Of The Tax Collector’s Office – James McConnell
Title: Chief Operations Officer
Hometown: Wildwood, NJ
Favorite Activity: Attending various cultural events in Palm Beach County and beyond
Favorite Food: Veal chop
There are more than 330 tax collector’s office (TCO) employees, and I thought you might be interested in getting to know some of them. We will start with someone who is behind the scenes, but very much a part of your experience as a client.
Jim McConnell, our chief operations officer, is a member of our senior leadership team, and he oversees the operation of our six service centers throughout the county. Jim is
responsible for approximately 200 employees who provide service to our clients, so I asked Jim how he helps ensure that our clients receive exceptional customer service during each visit.
Jim says, “I’ve given my managers the ability to make decisions on their own. We talk about customer service in most of our meetings. The managers jokingly ask one another, WWJD: What Would Jim Do? And the answer is: serve the client.”
He adds that an important component to success – both for his team and for the customer experience – is recognition. “When clients leave a positive review for an employee, that feedback is passed along.”
“As a leader, I think it is my responsibility to recognize my team for the good that they do, knowing that leads to better customer service,” says Jim.
And what about when things are not going perfectly? Jim notes that, “We have a great team environment for discussing challenges.”
A common concern voiced by clients is the long lead time for making a reservation at one of our service centers.
“We’re researching a whole new reservation system,” Jim says. “The goal is to enable us to take more clients by decreasing the lead time.”
Stay tuned to future editions of Tax Talk to read about improvements we are making in our service centers and across the agency. And keep an eye out for opportunities to learn more about our team and how we are serving you in upcoming “Faces of the TCO” profiles!
Monday, Oct. 14
SCAN TO LEARN MORE
Jim with his shih-tzu, Charlie
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser from page 23
Northern Notes
Gopher Tortoises
By Katie Roundtree, Director of Finance and Administration, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District
Gopher tortoises are one of five North American tortoise species and one of the oldest living species on the planet. They are the only tortoise found naturally east of the Mississippi River. It is a state-designated threatened species in Florida and is found in parts of all 67 Florida counties. The gopher tortoise is about nine to eleven inches long when fully grown and is a tan, brown or gray color. Juveniles tend to be lighter brown and yellow-orange. Once they reach adulthood, they can live almost 90 years! They are identifiable by their stumpy, elephant-like hind feet and flattened, shovellike forearms covered in thick scales. These shovel-like forearms are used to dig extensive burrows for homes.
As their name insinuates, gopher tortoises spend almost 80 percent of their time in burrows. Burrows average about 15 feet long and about 6 1/2 feet deep. Gopher tortoises are ectotherms which depend on their environment to maintain their body temperature. Their burrows help maintain a stable temperature and protect them from extreme temperatures and fire. Here in South Florida, they are active all year round. In contrast, in colder parts of Florida, they remain in their burrows during cold winter months. Gopher tortoises are keystone species because their burrows provide shelter and provide refuge for more than 350 other species, such as burrowing owls, mice, indigo snakes, rabbits, opossums, foxes, gopher frogs and invertebrates.
Because of their burrowing needs, they prefer welldrained, sandy soils in habitats such as longleaf pine sandhills, scrub, pine flatwoods, dry prairies and coastal dunes. They are also found in urban areas, as many of their natural habitats have been developed by humans. A habitat with well-drained soil, abundant plants to forage, and open sunny areas is ideal for gopher tortoises. Gopher tortoises are herbivorous and feed on low-growing plants. They may drink water pooled after rainstorms, but most of their water needs are supplied from the plants they eat.
Because gopher tortoises are protected in Florida, handling and relocation of gopher tortoises is illegal unless conducted under a valid permit issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). An FWC relocation permit must be obtained before disturbing burrows and conducting construction activities. Lucas Schaffer, Northern’s environmental manager, has taken courses and is certified as a Gopher Tortoise Authorized Agent. As such, he is allowed by the FWC to survey, trap, transport and relocate tortoises as necessary.
It is illegal to kill, harass or destroy gopher tortoises; however, if you see a tortoise crossing a busy road, FWC grants permission to move the gopher tortoise across the road in the same direction as it was heading as long as it is safe for you to do so . Do not move the tortoise to another location or put it in a car, as this constitutes illegal possession. If you see a sick or injured tortoise, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator, such as Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, at (561) 575-3399 for assistance.
Source: myfwc.org.
Fun fact: April 10 is Gopher Tortoise Day! On this day every year we raise awareness and appreciation for the gopher tortoise and all the benefits they provide to the ecosystem. You can help celebrate Gopher Tortoise Day by hosting an event in your community, asking your local city or county commission to formally adopt April 10 as Gopher Tortoise Day, and
Monday, Oct. 14
educating others on the importance of protecting gopher tortoises. Or simply admire a gopher tortoise from a distance and observe how they get around!
NPDES tip: Do not pile garbage, trash, leaves, limbs or garden debris in swales – this adds pollutants which can wash into downstream waters. Do not park vehicles in the swale – this compacts the soil so less runoff soaks in.
Photo credit: Lucas Schaffer, NPBCID
Locally, there are large populations of gopher tortoises in preserves maintained by Northern within Abacoa and Botanica. Some of Abacoa’s preserves have trails within them where you may catch a glimpse of a tortoise. Northern’s environmental team works hard to maintain these pristine natural lands so that native animals and plants can thrive for years to come.
THE ½ PENNY PLAN
This November, Palm Beach County voters will have the opportunity to invest in our children, our schools, and our future with the ½ penny sales tax for education.
This dedicated funding is a continuation of an existing ½ penny that has ensured Palm Beach County is fostering strong schools and strong communities.
SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT TAXPAYERS
Dedicated funding for our schools
Independent oversight committee
Expires in 2035 and cannot be renewed without voter approval
½ PENNY KEEPS
OUR SCHOOLS STRONG
ENHANCES school security and safety
IMPROVES classroom technology and equipment
REINVESTS in schools and facilities
FUNDS capital and maintenance projects
UPGRADES the school bus fleet
THE ½ PENNY is a continuation of an existing sales tax rate for schools in Palm Beach County and will not raise taxes $
SCHOOLS, STRONG COMMUNITIES
Look for the ½ penny for schools on your November ballot
ELECTION DAY: NOVEMBER 5TH
American Academy Of Pediatrics Guidelines Call For Childhood Obesity Treatment For Disease Prevention
Children diagnosed with obesity should be treated early and aggressively with nutritional support, therapy, medication, and in some extreme cases, weight-loss surgery for teens 13 and up, according to new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is the first time in 15 years the academy has updated its guidance.
Dr. Abraham Betancourt
More than 14 million kids live with this common, chronic disease, the academy says, adding that if obesity is untreated, it can lead to short-term and long-term health issues, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Heart disease is the number one killer among men and women, which helps explain why the academy updated its advice. In addition to heart disease, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmia, and heart valve problems are all associated with cardiovascular disease.
While it may seem extreme to some to encourage weight-loss surgery on a child as young as 13, the old method of “watchful-waiting,” taking a “wait-and-see” approach, was not working. Early intervention helps lead to a healthier heart throughout that child’s life.
Good Samaritan Medical Center robotic and bariatric surgeon Dr. Abraham Betancourt stated that the updated guidance is long overdue. However, before deciding on
surgery, he said patients and their parents need to fully understand the procedure.
“You have to be very cautious,” said Dr. Betancourt. “It is not about chronological age. It is about, I would say, ‘How mature is the patient?’ because if you are going to undergo and put a patient through surgery, and you want to have the best outcome of the surgery, you have to be sure that the patient understands what the challenges are ahead.”
Dr. Abraham Betancourt is a gastrointestinal and bariatric surgeon with nearly 20 years of experience in practicing patient-centered medicine. His practice has focused on people who sometimes feel most vulnerable in the healthcare world, including patients facing chronic morbid obesity. Dr. Abraham Betancourt is a bariatric and general surgeon with the Palm Beach Digital Surgery
Institute, a general surgery and robotic surgery practice focused on providing minimally invasive treatment options and care for patients suffering from colorectal disease, endometriosis, hernia, and life-threatening obesity. Dr. Betancourt is on staff at Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach.
In addition, Dr. Betancourt is fluent in Spanish, his native language, and English.
Palm Beach Digital Surgery Institute is located in the Victor Farris Building adjacent to Good Samaritan Medical Center at 1411 N. Flagler Drive, Suite 8900, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. For more information visit palmbeachdigitalsurgeryinstitute.com or call (561) 227-9238. Find information on bariatric surgery at Good Samaritan Medical Center by visiting goodsamaritanmc. com/services/bariatric-surgery or call (866)-306-2225.
