Palm Beach Perspective

Talked with Antoinette Giamalva, Programming Librariran and Luckas Arias-Torfs, Librarian - Technology Department from Mandel Public Library. They have "May the Fandom Be With You, (a month-long celelbration of all thing geek)" starting Saturday, April 29th. It includes a wide variety of programs such as Celebrate 60 years of Dr. Who, Learn about sel-publishing with Janelle Gabay,
Meeple Meetup, screenwriting 101 workshops, May the Fandoms be with you: Pop Culture Club, Lights Camera Dragons, Hero's Journey with All Things Narrative, Design 3D-Print Dungeons & Dragons Miniature, Kowai Yo! Demons & Monsters, Getting to Know Japan's Mascots, How to make a comic, Author expo, Disney News with DisNickie, Artist expo, etc. For more information on May the Fandom events or the other services provding by Mandel Library, listeners can go to www.wpbcitylibrary.org

Talked with Jon U. Bell, Hallstrom Planetarium Director, Associate Professor of Astronomy, Indian River State College (IRSC). "The state-of-the-art Hallstrom Planetarium offers lectures and shows about planets, constellations and stars. Planetarium shows are live multimedia presentations that use special-effect projectors to tell stories about the planets and stars. Seventy-one reclining seats with headrests allow visitors to view the heavens from the comfort of armchairs." Jon and the IRSC Hallstrom will be presenting a new show, "Forward to the Moon" that will highlight NASA's efforts to return to the moon and then onto Mars over the next few years via the Artemis space program. The shows will run April 21 and 22, May 12, 13, 26, and 27. The Friday shows are at 8:30pm and Saturday has shows at 1pm and then again at 2:30pm. The Treasure Coast Astronomical Society will be at the planetarium (weather permitting) on the corresponding dates with viewing stations set up at 6pm on Fridays and 1pm on Saturdays. Hallstrom planetarium also has a "Kid Space" show that airs on select Saturdays which is ideal for ages 4 to 12 years old. (all adults must be accompanied by at least one child for these shows) Tickets are $5 and can be purchased online at https://irsc.edu.community/planetarium.html or by calling the box office at 772-462-4750 or 1-800-220-9915. Jon also hosts the 60 second "Skywatch" report on WQCS about . Listeners can find the transcript at wqcs.org for past updates. For more details, listeners can go to https://irsc.edu/community/planetarium.html.

Talked with Marti LaTour, 2023 Honorary Chair of Women in Leadership Award Luncheon (WILA) and Katie Klause-Newitt, President, Executive Women of the Palm Beachs Foundation (EWPBF).
Their mission is empowering women to succeed and lead. And their vision is, "To be the voice that inspires integrity, equality and leadership in the workplace and our community." They are celebrating the 40th anniversary and will be holding their annual Cynthia Allen Gracey Women in Leardership Awards (WILA) Luncheon April 19th at the Kravis Center. Tickets are availabe at www.ewpb.org.
"EWPBF strives to further the interests of and opportunities for executive and professional women to excel by providing opportunities for networking and collaboration, educational programs that address timely issues, mentorship, and the development of leadership and advocacy skills. In addition, membership offers professional and volunteer expertise to numerous nonprofit organizations in our area." To become a member, you must live and/or work in Palm Beach County, own a business or hold an executive level position and demonstrate philanthropic work. For more details on how to join or get tickets to this year's WILA, listeners can go to www.ewpb.org.

Talked with Sean Mallee, Manager, Daggerwing Nature Center. Daggerwing Nature Center is located in Burt Aaronson Park 11435 Park Access Road Boca Raton, FL 33498. The park is open every day and the nature center is open Wed-Fri 1-4:30pm and Saturday 10a-4:30pm. Daggerwing has a butterfly garden in the front, the nature center and then a great boardwalk behind the nature center. The board walk has an observation tower that listeners can check out as well. Palm Beach County has 3 nature centers: Daggerwing, Okeeheelee and Green Cay. Their mission is " to improve the quality of life of our diverse population and visitors by providing an opportunity to learn about and appreciate our natural environment through environmental education, outdoor recreation and demonstration​. " They all offer programs for the community. Daggerwing and Okeeheelee are doing gopher toroise day on April 8th with their ambassador tortoises, Fritz in Daggerwing and Sparky at Okee. Daggerwing has Animal Keeper for a day on April 7th, the visit the libary with an ambassador animal on Tuesday April 11th, then Tuesday April 18 it's Mother Nature and Me: Clean and Green event. Both Daggerwing and Okeeheelee have free events scheduled for Saturday April 22 on Earth Day. *There's a City Nature Challenger 2023:South Florida #CNSOFLO happening from April 28-May1st. It's a way for residents to help show off South Florida's biodiversity by photographing wildlife, plants, etc. And they will have more details at the Earth Day Celebrations about this iNaturalist/City Nature Challenge. For more details, info on volunteering, programs, etc., listeners can go to www.pbcgov.org/parks.

Talked with Chip McKenney, Founder, Gay Polo League. Their mission is, "To inspire and empower those individuals who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender via the promotion of and participation in the sport of polo. GPL Polo Club promotes the sport of polo as a means to provide equality, pride, diversity, inclusion and confidence for those individuals who face discrimination simply due to identifying themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, gay or other non-traditional sexual or gender identities. GPL works to create an atmosphere that affirms and supports the understanding and acceptance of all individuals regardless of race, sex, gender/sexual identity or sexual orientation and works to promotes goodwill and camaraderie in the community." This year they are supporting One Pulse charity in Orlando. This year's Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament presented by Douglas Elliman Real Estate will be from April 6-8 at the National Polo Center in Wellington. Polo is family and dog friendly. Other events are 18 years and up. To get tickets/event info, sponsor info, volunteer info, make donations, listeners can go to www.gaypolo.com, email [email protected] or call 1-323-712-3514.

Talked with Beth Garcia, Arati Hamman and Jackie Rhea from the Boys and Girls Club of Martin County. Their goal is to provide "Opportunities for new, hands-on, academically enriching learning experiences to meet the state academic standards. A broad array of additional servies, programs, and activities, focusing on subjects like STEM, physical fitness and wellness, drug and violence prevention, nutrition and health education, service learning, youth development, and arts and music. Activities that tie into in-demand industry sectors or occupations that are designed to reinforce and complement the academic program of participating students, including but not limited to, financial and environmental literacy, career readiness, internships, and apprenticeships." The have a Food truck, Fork in the Road as part of their culinary program. There are new programs being added including drone piloting. This year they are holding their First Annual Songwriters in the Round fundraising dinner/dancing event. To get all the details about program, the event, volunteer/sponsorship opportunities, listeners can go to www.BGCMartin.org

Talked with Mike Durkee, Executive Director, Wounded Veteran Relief Fund. They are one of the 3 charities participating in Jupiter Irish Fest this weekend as well as Southeast Florida Honor Flight and Firefighters on a Mission. Jupiter Irish Fest is taking place at Abacoa in Jupiter Saturday 11a-10p and Sunday 11a-8p. Entertainment includes music from The Black Thorne Pipe Band, Char Mar Dance, Tracy Sands, Gaelic Brew, Tir Na Greine School of Irish Dance, Rogue Theory&Blessed, Tony Cunningham, Niamh Agus Daithi, hurling, and costume contest for kids. On Sunday they will be honoring Veterans/First responders from 1:30-2p on stage. Listeners can get more info/tickets on Jupiter Irish Fest website, www.jupiteririshfest.com. For more info on Wounded Veteran's relief fund porgrams, sponsorship, volunteer opportunities, listeners can go to www.wvrf.org.

Talked with Mike Durkee, Executive Director, Wounded Veteran Relief Fund. They are one of the 3 charities participating in Jupiter Irish Fest this weekend as well as Southeast Florida Honor Flight and Firefighters on a Mission. Jupiter Irish Fest is taking place at Abacoa in Jupiter Saturday 11a-10p and Sunday 11a-8p. Entertainment includes music from The Black Thorne Pipe Band, Char Mar Dance, Tracy Sands, Gaelic Brew, Tir Na Greine School of Irish Dance, Rogue Theory&Blessed, Tony Cunningham, Niamh Agus Daithi, hurling, and costume contest for kids. On Sunday they will be honoring Veterans/First responders from 1:30-2p on stage. Listeners can get more info/tickets on Jupiter Irish Fest website, www.jupiteririshfest.com. For more info on Wounded Veteran's relief fund porgrams, sponsorship, volunteer opportunities, listeners can go to www.wvrf.org.

I talked with Michael and Lety from Compass LGBTQ+ Community Center. "Compass' mission is to engage, empower and enrich the lives of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people and those impacted by HIV and AIDS." The center is located in Lake Worth and serves as a meeting placed for the community and provides a safe place for LGBTQ people and their allies. They offer HIV testing, mental health services, youth services, social groups, Pride Business Alliance, networking opportunities, and lots of events. As part of their outreach Compass hosts several events:
Palm Beach Pride, Stonewall Ball, World AIDS Day Observances. "Palm Beach Pride is THE largest cultural event in Palm Beach County. It is a two day, family & pet friendly festival and a parade that features vendors, music, food and drinks.March 25 & 26, 2023 | 12pm - 6pm | Bryant Park in Downtown Lake Worth Beach Pride Parade: March 26th at 11am on Lake Ave in Downtown Lake Worth BeachBryant Park Address: 30 S Golfview Road, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460" Palm Beach Pride is pet and family friendly event with music, food venders, health vendors and more. Entertainers are Velvet Lenore, Synergy Twins, and Gypsy Lane Band. Listeners who are interested in becoming volunteers, sponsors, members of the business alliance or would like more information can go to www.compassglcc.com.

Talked with Lowell Van Vechten and Casey Kolp from the American Disabilities Foundation. They are getting ready for their 14th Annual Boating and Beach Bash for people with disabilities. This year it will be held Saturday, March 4th from 10am to 3pm at Spanish River Park, 3001 North Ocean Blvd (A1A) in Boca Raton, Florida 33431. "Designed as a Spring Break vacation for all people with disabilities (seen and unseen), their family members, supportive caregivers, and wounded veterans, the Bash has welcomed guests from around the world. It is the only event of its kind, offering complimentary, scheduled boat rides, special access to the beach and ocean with Mobi Mats, a Kids Fun Zone, therapy workshops led by trained specialists, wheelchair yoga, music, costumed dance parties, therapy ponies and dogs, a BBQ lunch, and more. Everything is free and geared toward the guests’ special needs. “We are thrilled to welcome back Kechi; she was a tremendous crowd-pleaser, and she will definitely get the audience dancing again,” said ADF Co-Founder and Honorary Bash Co-Chair Lowell Van Vechten. The 14th Annual Bash will also welcome back singer Kellye Cash, who will perform and serve as Honorary Mistress of Ceremonies. “The Bash committee will welcome its guests to help us pay tribute to our founder and fearless leader, Jay Van Vechten, whom we lost in 2020,” said Christopher Noe, ADF board president and Bash executive director. “There will also be an honorary memorial presented to Casey Kolp, in memory of her daughter Deanna Pardo, who was a beloved Bash committee member and ambassador. This will be a special event for many reasons, so we hope to see new and returning Bash lovers on March 4.” New sponsors include CYGNA and the Firestone Family “Pay it Forward” Fund. The committee is currently accepting applications for volunteers, sponsors and vendors at www.BoatingBeachBash.com. "