Palm Beach Perspective

Interviewed David Rogers, Volunteer Coordinator, The Lord's Place for the Downtown Development Authority's Community Corner show. They focus on various charities that serve Palm Beach County. The Lord's Place is a non-profit that serves men, women and families to help prevent and eliminate homelessness in Palm Beach County. On average there are 3500 people who are homeless every month. The Lord's Place helps with providing shelter, financial literacy training, job skills, etc. They have the Joshua Cafe that provides meals M-F, the Joshua Thrift store, and are always looking for donations/volunteers to help at both places. They are doing a new fundraiser this year on Feb 2nd called Rappelling to end Homelessness. It's going to be at the Comeau Building, 319 Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach. Individuals need to raise $500 or more to rappel. They can sign up at Rappel4TLP.com or Thelordsplace.org. Listeners can also sign up to volunteer at www.thelordsplace.org.

Talked with Miles Coon, Founder, Palm Beach Poetry Festival and Elizabeth Dashiell, Palm Beach PR about this year's 15th Annual PB Poetry Festival. It's going to be held at Old School Square in Delray Beach. The special guest poet is Sharon Olds, winner of the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. And Tyehimba Jess, also a Pulitzer prize winner will be the Festival's first Poet at Large. The festival runs from January 21-26th. Listeners can get tix/info by going to https://www.palmbeachpoetryfestival.org.

Talked with Gary Schweikhart, PR-BS, Inc. and Elizabeth Dashiell, PR Palm Beach about this years Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival from January 20th to February 10th. They have a wide variety of films, shorts, documentaries at multiple theatres throughout Palm Beach County. Opening day starts with Papa at AMC 20 City Place. This year's festival includes several screenings of Golda's Balcony starring Tovah Feldshuh is a must see. They also have a film "The Catcher is a Spy" based on a true story, plus documentaries on Kirk Douglas and Sam Spiegel. Lots of wonderful films for the listeners to check out. To get more info they can go to http://www.palmbeachjewishfilm.org

Talked with Sgt. Frank Danysh, Founder, Adopt-A-Cop USA. He retired after serving 24 years with the Boynton Beach Police department. He and fellow officers recognized the need for improved communications/mentoring with the community. Adopt-A-Cop USA was formed to create that link between officers and kids in schools to help by mentoring, being role models, and offering like coaching to the children. If listeners want more information they can go to myaacusa.org to become volunteers, make donations and request services at their kid's school.

Talked with Tom Servinsky, Conductor, Treasure Coast Youth Symphony; Jack Maravell, McCartney Mania and Daniel Hartwell, Producer, International Beatles on the Beach Festival. Tom works with students to improve their musical skill and provide them opportunities to play in concerts throughout the season. He's also working with the Academy Orchestra (pro-am) and they in conjunction with McCartney Mania are performing January 5th at the Lyric Theatre, Stuart FL. Daniel is producing the International Beatles on the Beach Festival in Delray Beach, FL from April 25-28 and the orchestra will play there as well. For more info listeners can go to www.treasurecoastyouthsymphony.com, reach out to Jack [email protected]; or get details from Daniel at www.beatlesonthebeach.com

Talked with Sgt. Frank Danysh, Founder, Adopt-A-Cop USA. He retired after serving 24 years with the Boynton Beach Police department. He and fellow officers recognized the need for improved communications/mentoring with the community. Adopt-A-Cop USA was formed to create that link between officers and kids in schools to help by mentoring, being role models, and offering like coaching to the children. If listeners want more information they can go to myaacusa.org to become volunteers, make donations and request services at their kid's school.

Talked with Rochelle Wolberg, Curator/Director Mounts Botanical and Elizabeth Dashiell, Palm Beach PR about Mount's 40th year and all the events they are planning. Right now through December 30th is their 1st annual Garden of Lights event (daily from 5:30p-8:30p, last ticket sold at 7:45pm). And on certain days they offer extra treats for example, Dance Arts Conservatory – Ballet performance on Friday, December 21st, 6:30 pm. Then in January, renowned artist, Patrick Dougherty will create an original, massive Stickwork structure right on site. It's an interactive, environmental exhibit, called “Twisted.”and the community can help in the build. There a lots of different gardens, programs/classes and volunteer opportunities at Mounts Botanical. To get more information/make donations, listeners can go to www.mounts.org and can follow them on FB/instagram as well.

Talked with Jennifer Kryshka, Interim Executive Director, Jewish Women's Foundation of the Greater Palm Beaches. Their vision is a world where gender is not a barrier to safety or success and women and girls have equal social, political, economic, and religious opportunities. They are working toward that goal with grant making, advocacy, leadership training and educational seminars in the community. They are having their "Imagine the Possiblities" luncheon this Wednesday at the Kravis Center honoring founding trustee, Paula Lustbader. On December 17th the Young Leaders Society Celebratory Happy Hour will be at West Palm Brewery & Wine Vault ta 5:30pm. Listeners can go to www.jwfpalmbeach.org to find out about making donations, volunteer opportunities, local programs, teen programs, leadership programs and more.

Talked with Melissa Miranda, Development Representative Atlantic Coast Region-Miami ALSAC, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Lindsay Wolf, Promotions Director, IheartMedia about St. Jude and our upcoming 2nd annual radio telethon on WAVE Country to raise funds for St. Jude. St. Jude was founded by Danny Thomas in Memphis,TN to provide cutting edge cancer treatment to children regardless of their ability to pay. They've increased the survival rate from 20% in 1962 to 80% today. St. Jude works with local hospitals as well, the kids go to St. Jude for their initial treatment and then get their treatments at home with followup visits at St. Jude. Listeners can tune in to WAVE Country on Dec 6 and 7th to help donate. If they want to volunteer to work with St. Jude go to www.stjude.org

Talked with Stephanie Surrena, PR Specialist, Office of Public Engagement Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department. There are 80+ county parks in Palm Beach County. We talked about the health benefits of getting outside and spending time in nature. They have lots of fun events that are family friendly including 5k run/walks. This year they are doing two 5k race/walks on Thanksgiving morning: 9th Annual Turkey Trot 7:30am at Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park (West Boca) and the inaugural Hunger Heroes 5k at John Prince Park, Lake Worth at 7:30am. Listeners can sign up at PBCparks.com. There's a movie night (Secret Life of Walter Mitty) Saturday November 24th at Canyon Amphitheater District Park in Boynton (free admission). They have 4 dog parks throughout the county as well. They are always looking for volunteers to help at events or for long term opportunities (such as Docent at Pioneer Home in Dubois Park). Folks can sign up at the website. www.pbcparks.com