Palm Beach Perspective

Talked with Elizabeth Harfmann, Palm Beach Animal Care and Control; Lauren Ellis, Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League; Zara Roach and Susan Stuart, Big Dog Ranch Rescue. They are getting ready for their 5th annual Countdown 2 Zero pet adoption event on September 8th. This year it is in a new location at the South Expo building at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Admission/Parking are free. They will have over 20 animal rescues on site. Listeners can see dogs, cats, guinea pigs, etc. Listeners can also volunteer at the event or at any of the rescues. To volunteer at the event go to www.countdown2zero.org and to find out about volunteering/fostering stop by the rescue booths at the event. It's Saturday, September 8th from 10a-4p at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Admission/Parking are free. The adoption cost varies depending on the rescue. Note: Do not bring pets.

Talked with Kathleen Glover and Josh Liller from Jupiter Lighthouse, located at 500 Captain Armour's Way, Jupiter, FL 33469 They have lots of great events in addition to the lighthouse and museum that listeners can come enjoy. Josh hosts the "hike through history" and does public speaking offsite as well. They have Moonrise Tours, Sunset Tours, Yoga at the Light, Book Club, Kids activities under the Chickee and much more. They are also looking for volunteers for the lighthouse and the upcoming 4th Annual Jupiter Inlet Veterans Family Fishing Classic on October 13th from 9a-2pm. To find out more about hours, events, volunteering, donating listeners can go to Jupiterlighthouse.org

Talked with Melinda Grenz, Dir. of Marketing, South Florida Science Center and Aquarium. They have a lot of great things happening including 3 capital campaigns. The Abacoa STEM satellite center just wrapped up a record breaking summer cam. Today they are co-sponsoring an animal amnesty day with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Folks can bring back any exotic animal they got and can't keep (no questions asked) rather than release it into the wild. The event is from 10a-2pm today at the Science Center. They are also ready for the new school year and sent out their 2018/19 school curriculum tie-in. Teachers can schedule field trips by going to the website. Listeners can check out some of the great events/features at the Science Center. They have: laser light show, GEMS club, Conservation Mini Golf (rated#13), new Dinosaur traveling exhibit and a Ladies night coming up. For more info and to find out about volunteering/donating listeners can go to www.sfsciencecenter.org

Talked with Christie Geltz, Volunteer Recruiter, Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Office 15th Judcial Circuit of FL and PBC and Coleen LaCosta, Executive Director, Speak Up For Kids. The GAL program was created so that the child's interest is protected and addressed via a team of Volunteer GAL's and the legal team representing them. The Guardian Ad Litems are court appointed and visit the children on their caseload at least every 30 days and help coordinate needed supplies, programs and services for their charge. Coleen works for the charitable arm of GAL, known as Speak Up for Kids. Since GAL is funded about 80% by the State, Speak Up for Kids raises funds to cover the gap as well as providing needed services to the kids. It can vary from tickets to a broadway show at the Kravis to mental health counseling. They can both use volunteers and there is also a need for more Foster Families in PBC, listeners can go to Child Net for info on Fostering. They can go to GALPBC.org for Guardian Ad Litem or go to SpeakUpForKids.org to find out about upcoming events and how they can help.

Talked with Fatima NeJame, President/CEO and Art NeJame, Managing Dir. from Palm Beach Photographic Centre in West Palm Beach, FL. They are currently running an exhibition in conjunction with the Florida Native Plant Society of native species. They recently received a grant and will be putting together a catalog of all the images. Listeners can buy them online or at the museum. Their next exhibition is the 22nd Annual Member's Show. It's a juried exhibition that runs from August 25th-October 27. They will also have the Summer's FOTOCamp exhibition on display. Listeners are invited to the free opening reception on Friday, August 24th from 6p-8pm. For more info on classes, volunteering, exhibitions, listeners can call 561-253-2600 or go to www.workshop.org or www.fotofusion.org

Talked with Kerry Jamieson, Director of Community and Public Relations, Center for Child Counseling and Randy Scheid, Chief Strategy Officer for Quantum Foundation about a new program at the Center that Quantum is funding. The program, Fighting Aces, is designed to raise awareness about children who've experienced ACEs (Adververse Childhood Experience) how it impacts their health/wellness throughout their lifespan. It also offers screenings for children and then a trauma informed treatment approach. They have the screening test on their website, www.centerforchildcounseling.org and encourage listeners to take it (it's confidential) and for them to get involved by learning more about ACEs and how they can become "buffers" to help. Quantum funds this and many other programs in the community. For more info on them and applying for grant funding, listeners can go to http://www.quantumfnd.org/

Talked with Jeffrey B. Lefton, Ph.D.,LMHC, MCAP, Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services, Fair Oaks Pavilion, Delray Medical Center; Troy "SABO" Caicedo, CEO, NSA Entertainment and Robert McQuaid, Commander, VFW Post 9610. With the increased number of celebrity deaths due to suicide in the news lately. We wanted to talk about suicide prevention for veterans and civilians. Jeff said the CDC has done studies and determined that suicide is a world wide health crisis and the numbers are increasing. Also, 50% of the attempted suicides are by people who've not been treated for mental health issues. Anyone feeling depressed or suicidal can reach out to 211 or call 1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741 and someone will be there to assist them. There 12 signs and 5 key "red flags" that Sabo and Robert look for in the "warfighter"/veteran community. Some include, behavioral changes, lack of self care, talk of suicide. Other signs may be giving away possessions, talk about being a burden (especially in the elderly or those with severe illness). If you see a friend struggling reach out to them, let them know there's always hope and if they can't coordinate their care, help them out. NSA Entertainment in association with VFW Post 9610 created an event coming up on July 28th from 10a-4p at Bryant Park in Lake Worth called "Spartan Day Pledge" to help raise awareness. There's guest speakers, including folks sharing their personal experiences, the Mayor, plus some great entertainment and food trucks. The VFW is helping put it together along with great local sponsors and proceeds will go to a charity geared for suicide prevention in the veteran community. it's free and will provide education about suicide prevention and a great day of comradery with veterans and the public. Listeners can find out more about the event by going to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/588010158250616/ or www.nsa-entertainment.com. For info on the VFW: www.//myfloridavfw.org. For more info on treatments: www.delraymedicalctr.com or 211 or https://www.westpalmbeach.va.gov/

Talked with Glenn and Mary from the Norton Museum of Art. They are getting to close for several months while the expansion build out is completed and all the art exhibitions are reinstalled. The Norton will reopen in February 2019. This week they have lots of fun things planned with Art After Dark on Thursday and their annual Bastille Day celebration on Saturday July 14th. Then on Sunday at 5pm they close for the renovations. Even though the museum will be closed the Norton will still be providing art enrichment to the community. They are doing family style programming at Grand view Public Market as well as other venues. Listeners who are interested in volunteering and /or becoming docents should sign up now as they are training folks for their 2/2019 opening. Listeners can get more info on Facebook or the website www.norton.org

Talked with Col. Trent Stephens and Elizabeth Dashiell from Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival. This year the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival presents: Antony + Cleopatra or "The Curse of Cleopatra" Shakespeare by the Sea 28 running: July 12-15, 2018 & July 19-22, 2018
Gates open at 6:30 pm • Show at 8:00 pm Seabreeze Amphitheater – Carlin Park, Jupiter. It's their 28th Shakespeare by the Sea. They offer free professional performances at Carlin Park in Jupiter. Thursday-Sunday. Listeners can bring their own food, blankets, chair, drinks or purchase food and drink there. Admission is free but they do accept donations. This year they have fun gift for a $10.00 donation. For more information on volunteering, performing, becoming a vendor or making a donation, listeners can go to www.pbshakespeare.org or follow them on Facebook or Twitter.

Talked with Marcie Gorman, Executive Producer and Artistic Director and Elizabeth Dashiell, Publicist, MNM Theatre Company about their summer season. MNM Theatre Company is now a not-for-profit 501(c)(3). Marcie has always loved the theater and wanted to create local theater opportunities for Florida's talented artists as well as helping enrich the community by bringing engaging theater performances. They have four shows this Summer: Avenue Q, (which just wrapped up): I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (July 27 to August 12); My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra (September 28 to October 14; and Grease (November 16 to December 2). MNM can always use volunteers, interns and tax deductible donations. Donations to this valuable new not-for-profit organization can be sent to: MNM Theatre Company, 318 S. Lake Drive, Lantana, FL 33462. For more information, please visit their Facebook page or www.MNMTheatre.org. Listeners can get tickets by going to www.kravis.org or calling 561-832-7469