Palm Beach County Perspective

Episode 99 is an opportunity to continue our celebration of the arts. Last month Arlene Herson and Shari Upbin, two well known members of our community with a deep sense of purpose in ensuring the Arts gets its due, spoke about the National Society of Arts and Letters and its mission of assisting promising young artists through competitions, financial assistance, master classes, mentoring and providing career opportunities. The Festival of the Arts Boca has, for the past 17 years brought top artistic talent to Boca Raton's Mizner Park Amphitheatre Our guest, Joanna Marie Kaye has, since 2014, played a pivotal role in the evolution of this weeklong event. This year the Festival celebrates the centenary of Henry Mancini,presents a full orchestration of Jaws (as scored by John Williams), and makes room for a night to feature the talents of "future stars" at the 19th annual competition. Arts and culture continue to thrive in Palm Beach County. Listen to how you can be part of the 18th edition of this great artistic display.  

Episode 98 is a celebration of the arts. While we continue to emphasize STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics), no less important to a well rounded education is the inclusion of the Arts (STEAM). My guests for this episode are Arlene Herson and Shari Upbin, two well known members of our community with a deep sense of purpose in ensuring the Arts gets its due as we teach our children skills they will need to compete in a global marketplace. The National Society of Arts and Letters assists promising young artists through competitions, financial assistance, master classes, mentoring and providing career opportunities. Through its 17 chapters (representing all regions of the US), NSAL members are engaged professionally in the arts and actively support the work of young artists. I hope you enjoy our talk and then, perhaps, watch one or more of Arlene's celebrity interviews, currently available on YouTube. 

Episode 97 is an opportunity to bring back my loving life partner as she discusses her, just published, book. Pamela Weinroth is the proud author of "Steal the Style," a virtual "how-to" for people looking for champagne fashion on a beer wallet. As many of you know, we are out and about on a regular basis to attend events in Palm Beach County to support the many nonprofit agencies doing their best to help residents in need. Whereas I am able to change my tie and shirt and go off to another event, Pamela is always looking for something new to catch the eye without putting us into debt. Thus, she learned how to stretch her dollars as she acquired eye-catching fashion. Her book explains the steps she takes to remain fashionable without going into hock. I hope you enjoy our talk and then, perhaps, purchase her book on Amazon so she'll have more money to continue her pursuit of the perfect gown! 

Episode 96 is a mixed bag of topics. Pamela Higer-Polani is my guest. During today's conversation we touch upon several subjects including estate planning, community volunteerism and Israel. Pamela is an attorney, licensed to practice in the United States and Israel (where she and her Israeli born husband lived and started their family). We talk about the terrorist attack of October 7th and the resulting war in Gaza and its deep personal impact on Pamela. We also talk about her initiative to bring funding and awareness to families addressing Alzheimer's, Dementia, Parkinson's and related diseases. These incurable affiliations can devastate a family. We also talk about Pamela's concierge legal practice which focuses on end of life planning including wills, trusts, long term care and ways to ensure dependents are cared for beyond our own lifetime. Have a listen.

Episode 95 is my opportunity to talk with my former City Council colleague, Constance Scott, to catch up with her and her associate, Karen Corcoran, as they embark on a new initiative addressing mental and physical wellbeing. The maintenance of balance in one's life is essential to a feeling of well being and happiness. Constance is a former AFAA certified fitness instructor and personal trainer and practices Transcendental Meditation and breathing exercises for better connectivity to peace and spiritual growth. Karen is a therapist, educator, mental health specialist and an addiction treatment professional focusing on adult and adolescent mental health and psychotherapy. Together they are quite a team addressing issues of mind and body. Have a listen.

Episode 94 provides an opportunity to take a step back and consider retirement and ways to ensure adequate financial planning provides for lifetime security. My guest, Tom Archer, has for over 37 years, served as a trusted financial advisor to the nation's most affluent families. His clientele boasts numerous Fortune 500 families, including an impressive roster of 25 billionaires, as well as renowned celebrities and entertainers. Additionally, Tom expertly manages the financial lives of over 200 professional athletes, diligently focusing on wealth accumulation, preservation, and asset protection. While you may not be a millionaire, understanding the concept of "wealth planning" can help preserve your estate for a fulfilling retirement and provide a legacy for future generations. Have a listen.

Episode 93 takes a look at how the State of Florida, and in particular, Palm Beach County, has taken steps to make the inner workings of government more transparent and ethical. Our guest today, Dr. Peter Cruise, teaches ethics at Florida Atlantic University and is an appointed member of the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics. When individuals do not trust the veracity of their public officials they cannot trust the decisions made. Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine law provides a right of access to governmental proceedings at both the state and local levels. This has provided a great deal of transparency into the working of our governmental bodies. Likewise, regular financial disclosures by elected and appointed public officials prevents undue influence being exerted on decisions made by our public bodies. Listen to our conversation about how the decisions of our public officials are made in a fair and open fashion.

Episode 92 is an opportunity to address the continuing waves of anti-semitism, especially as the war in the Middle East brings those sentiments to the surface. My guest is Eric Rozenberg. He is a Belgian-born American citizen, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and podcaster. From organizing projects for Fortune 500 companies in over fifty countries to volunteering to protect the Jewish community in Brussels, Eric has developed an ability to connect the dots, face reality, and take action in difficult situations. Fiercely independent and passionate about geopolitics, he is an avid reader and never shies away from expressing his opinion, even (or especially) if it is not politically correct. He happily lives in South Florida with his wife, Elsa; their three daughters, and their dog, Simba.. Listen to our conversation about his views on this topic of concern.