Episode 90 focuses on how our non profit agencies work together to help our community's most vulnerable. Today's conversation focuses on the Fuller Center and the Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunrise. Ellyn Okrent is the CEO at Fuller Center. She has been a guest previously discussing the services they provide as a source of childcare and early education for many within our community who work each day. She is joined by Craig McDonald of the Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunrise. He's chairing the upcoming 36th Annual Golf Club Tournament at Boca Lago Golf & Country Club on November 3rd for the benefit of the Fuller Center, the Club's Foundation, their Foundation Scholarship Program - Teacher of the Year and other Board approved initiatives. It is gratifying to see organizations work together rather than operating in silos. Listen to these two individuals working to make our community a great place to live, work, learn & play.

Episode 89 focuses on how the changing demographic in South Florida over the past decades has provided opportunities for shared experiences. It was not too long ago that South Florida was viewed as the place people went to retire and live their "golden years." This is, of course, a wonderful place to retire but many families have relocated to South Florida to enjoy the wonderful weather, recreational amenities and relaxed lifestyle available year-round. This has created a diversity of ages that can offer great opportunities. Several weeks ago we highlighted an intergenerational program where children and retirees at an adult day care program can do joint activities. My guests today also are offering an opportunity for musicians from 10 - 90+ to make music together. The Florida Intergenerational Orchestra was founded by Lorraine Marks. Together with her husband, Robert Field, they have nurtured this opportunity for young and old to make beautiful music together. Listen to their excitement about this wonderful organization.

Episode 88 offers our listeners an opportunity to hear about the services available in our community to address mental illness. Mental illness is NOT a dirty word. Years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Rita Thrasher, a champion for starting a conversation about mental illness. She recognized the need to take the issue of mental illness out of the shadows. My guests , today, are on the front lines of delivering affordable mental health services to our community. Dr Holly Katz is Clinical & Training Director at The Faulk Center for Counseling. She is joined by Jonathan Price, the Center's CEO. Together, they are spreading the word about the free and low-cost counseling services for people of all ages (from children to the elderly). Their services are available at their Boca Raton facility, at various senior communities and area schools and through Telehealth. If you or someone you know is in need of these services, I urge you to have them listen to this episode.

Episode 87 is an opportunity to hear our guest, Nina Presman, share her journey to self actualization and enlightenment, and how she uses quantum energy and metaphysical phenomena to heal childhood abuse, PTSD, and debilitating conditions in men, women, and children. Nina discusses her journey from Russia, surviving multiple abusive relationships, to establishing a state of the art institute to help people look as young as they feel, as founder of the Anti Aging Center of Boca. Her life experience has convinced her people can harness their inner power to heal many of the issues interfering with their health and happiness. Nina has now established Energy Work Unlimited to share this understanding with her clients. It's a very interesting conversation. I know you'll find this episode thought provoking.

Episode 86 takes a look at how our community is governed and by whom. One of the important qualities of Florida is the concept of "Home Rule." The concept is addressed in the Florida Constitution and reserves to the cities, towns, villages and counties the responsibility to enact rules and ordinances for their residents in a way that a federal or state legislature cannot. My own entry into the political world was as a member of the City Council in Boca Raton. A five member body charged with guiding the municipality's growth and management. As I moved onto an opportunity to serve as a County Commissioner, I was succeeded by Monica Mayotte. Due to "term limits," Deputy Mayor Mayotte will be stepping away from the City Council at the end of her term in March. This episode was my opportunity to catch up with Ms. Mayotte to talk about her experience as a member of the City Council over the past 5 1/2 years and to talk about what still lies ahead for the City of Boca Raton, now boasting over 100,000 residents. I know you'll find this conversation very informative.

Episode 85 takes a slightly different direction than past conversations. We have repeatedly emphasized the fertile business environment in South Florida (and especially Palm Beach County). But, the question for many within our community is how to exploit those opportunities. My guest, Victoria Salem, is a professional development coach who  focuses on communication, public speaking and networking skills. She helps her clients increase their confidence, become more successful and create better opportunities. Victoria is a strong believer in the power of networking and communication. Used well, they are both a key route to success. She focuses on helping individuals develop the necessary skills to become more effective networkers and communicators leading them to more success and building better relationships. Her training solutions cover business networking and communication; presentation and public speaking; an online presence; and personal and professional confidence. If you are seeking an edge in the business marketplace I know you'll find this conversation very informative.

Episode 84 may feel a bit like déjà vu. Several weeks ago we had the pleasure of visiting with the president and president-elect of the Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton. As we mentioned then, Boca Raton is so committed to "Service Above Self" that we have multiple clubs. The "original" club was established in 1957. That club, the Rotary Club of Boca Raton, boasts over 80 community minded business leaders as members. Their focus is on student education and, to that end, they have been producing the OPAL Awards which, in turn, raises funds for full-ride scholarships. This year, the Rotary celebrated the 25th Anniversary of this annual event. OPAL stands for Outstanding Awards And Leaders. For the past 25 years, the Rotary Club of Boca Raton has recognized citizens in Boca Raton who have demonstrated an on-going commitment to serve their neighbors through philanthropic, business leadership, as well as education, government, community and medical service endeavors. These individuals represent the ESSENCE of why Boca Raton is a remarkable place to live, work. learn and raise a family. Take a listen and, perhaps, you will understand why we are so proud of our community and the people giving back each and every day.

Episode 83 introduces our listeners to another of our local nonprofit agencies. Scholastic achievement is a critical need for our children as they prepare to take their places in a world economy. Emphasis, of late, has been on STEM (an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). These four fields share an emphasis on innovation, problem-solving, and critical thinking. However, as our guest Shanna St. John, executive director of Nat King Cole Generation Hope, and I believe, STEAM offers a well-rounded education (with the addition of "A" for Arts).  The benefits of a music education is the focus of Shanna's efforts. With rigorous career preparation, many creative school programs have been cut from the curriculum. The inclusion of programs such as music education can have major impacts on a student's growth and development. Take a listen and, perhaps, you will understand why we believe the Arts cannot be crowded out of our children's academic offerings.

Episode 82 brings us back to my favorite topic, giving back (especially within a community where, too often, we are judged as "self-absorbed" and too concerned with our own well being). As regular listeners of this podcast know, I am an unapologetic cheerleader for the many residents in our community who give of themselves to "pay it forward." Granted, the "Boca'' lifestyle offers glitz and glamour with galas and star-studded events designed to attract charitable contributions for many worthy causes. A parallel universe of service organizations is also present where individuals of modest means can still make a difference. One of those organizations is Rotary. I have come to know many within our community who are making a difference, quietly and incrementally, by volunteering their time on projects organized by one of the Rotary Clubs here in Boca Raton. It is my privilege to have two friends, Kim Champion and Bruce Spizler as my guest for this episode. Kim and Bruce are the president and president-elect, respectively, of the Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton. Their community service niche is health, nutrition and medicine. They roll up their sleeves and volunteer in multiple ways in our community, making a difference for many. Take a listen and, perhaps, their enthusiasm for what they are doing will inspire you to do likewise.

Episode 81 highlights the close ties between South Florida and our neighbors in South America. Our guests, Mary Sol Gonzalez and Claudia Nichols introduce our listeners to the Hispanic Entrepreneurs Initiative (HEI) Florida, founded by entrepreneurs who embody the unique characteristics of being immigrants from Latin America, and doing business in the United States. Their mission is to foster economic prosperity in South Florida through business acculturation training and coaching for entrepreneurs and small business owners. As Mary Sol explains, the gap is real for immigrants of Latin American origins doing business in the US. Through HEI she is helping to close that gap for US businesses looking to open outlets in South America as well as entrepreneurs from South America seeking to put down roots in the United States.