Palm Beach Perspective

Talked with Bert and John from Jupiter Tequesta Repeater Group, JTRG. They are an ARRL affiliated, Special Service Club and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that’s committed to the promotion of Amateur Radio and providing community assistance and goodwill.
JTRG is an active club, involved with all aspects of amateur radio, public service and Amateur Radio examinations. The group provides communications and logistics for area events and assistance in emergency situations, like Hurricanes/Natural Disasters. For example Ham Radio operators assisted with communication after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. They are hosting a field day event Saturday June 23 and Sunday June 24 to show the public how Ham Radio works. Listeners can come enjoy this free event, try and make a contact using a ham radio (club members are there to assist) and see how the JTRG folks work the radios in a no power situation. They'll be using solar, wind, battery power to operate the equipment (like they would in an emergency situation). Listeners can sign up for classes to get their Ham license at the Field day and/or go to www.jtrg.org for more info.

Talked with Jeff Berardelli, Meteorologist, WPEC-TV about the upcoming hurricane season. Jeff is part of the very, experienced Weather Team at WPEC-TV. We talked about the current weather and how it can impact the hurricane season, below normal water temperatures, etc. We talked about the new technology used in gathering weather data for hurricane tracking and how listeners need to listen to emergency managers regarding evacuation needs. Also, listeners should have or be getting their hurricane kits/plans together. They can go to wjno.com and click on Operation Stormwatch for all the info that they may need. Jeff recommends listeners tune in to social media Facebook and TV broadcast for the most up to date info during this upcoming hurricane season. They can also go to cbs12.com for more information as well.

Talked with Stephanie Surrena, PB Specialist PBC Parks, Brian McManus, Lt. PBC Ocean Rescue and Kelly McConchie, PBC Ocean Lifeguard. There are lots of great things happening in the parks this summer. Both county water parks are open seven days a week now. The different nature centers have lots of programs for all ages (listeners can go to www.pbcparks.gov for more info) Brian and Kelly went over water safety tips for the beach. They have condition boards that let you know how the water is (green good, yellow - caution, etc, purple means jellyfish are present). They recommend you check in with the lifeguard on duty, make sure you and your kids know how to swim, use sunscreen with zinc, stay hydrated, bring snacks, swim near the lifeguard. watch your kids 100% of the time, watch the flags as conditions change throughout the day, Double Red means the beach is closed and you need to leave and find shelter (it'll stay closed at least 30 minutes once the double red flags go up) Of course keep the beach clean and if you have any questions go to www.pbcsplash.com

Talked with Steve English from the Crossroads Club and Sarah Spiro, LCSW, Vice President for Programs, Mental Health Association of Palm Beach County. We talked about mental health, some of the different issues people are facing and the importance of getting help early on. The MHA's mission is to improve mental wellness and eliminate stigma in our community through education, advocacy, and by improving access to integrated behavioral health services. One of the ways they do that is with monthly My Life youth meetings and coming up on June 2nd they are hosting "My Fest Florida" at Gaines Park in West Palm Beach, FL. They'll have music, art, entertainment, and more. It's created to raise awareness about mental health, substance abuse, foster care and other issues facing young people. It's from 10a-3p and free for the whole family. A great way to spend some fun quality time. Later on Saturday June 2nd Crossroads is hosting "Taste of Recovery" from 6-9pm at Old School Square in Delray Beach, Florida featuring tasting bites from over 20 amazing area restaurants. Listeners can get tickets at tasteofrecovery.com. Both events are tented in case of rain. Listeners can get more info about volunteering, services, donations, events at www.mhapbc.org or www.thecrossroadsclub.com

Since May is stroke awareness month, I talked with Dr. Ali Malek, Interventional Neurologist, St. Mary's Medical Center about risk factors, symptoms (F.A.S.T.) and treatments. Some risk factors are genetic and can't be controlled but other can such as: Not smoking, healthy weight, good blood pressure, good cholesterol numbers, physically active (age appropriate activities - talk with doctor), etc. Listeners can find out about their stroke risk, support group info and lots more info by going to Stroke.org or www.stmarysmc.com.

Talked with Tony Schebell from Palm Beach County Nam Knights. They are a 501 c3 charity whose mission is to honor the memory of American Veterans and Police Officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, to assist Veterans and Police Officers in their time of need and to promote community awareness through sponsorship and participation in various fund raising events. They help out the community with different events throughout the year. Every month they help host a Komedy Knight at the VFW on Claire Ave in West Palm Beach and they are getting ready to host their 20th annual Rock N Roll Sunday on May 20th at Greenacres Park. It starts at Noon, they have bands, vendors, car show, motorcycle show and lots of food trucks. Admission is $5 suggested donation and the two charity beneficiaries are Vetsville Ceasefire House and Veteran's Adaptive Sports. To become a sponsor, volunteer, or get more information listeners can go to www.namknights.com or call 561-723-5958

Talked with Stephanie Surrena, PR Specialist, PBC Parks & Rec and Cindy Pijanowski, VSA Florida. Palm Beach County has 85 parks and lots of great events happening at the parks. There are food truck invasions, free movie nights, concerts in the park, etc. Venues are also available to rent for events, listeners can go to www.pbc.gov/parks for more info on events and volunteer opportunities. Also, talked with Cindy from VSA FL, their mission is to provide, support and champion arts education and cultural experiences for and by people with disabilities and their family. They offer programs in schools, community centers and juvenile facilities. They are doing a fundraiser, their 21st Annual Golf Tournament at Old Marsh Golf Club on Friday, May 18th. It's the only charity event held at Old Marsh. For tickets/volunteer/sponsorship info, listeners can call Cindy at 561-966-7025 or go to VSAFL.org

Talked with Melissa Sullivan, Marketing Manager, Sunfest. Sunfest is a non-profit that was created to bring in tourism and revenue during the local "slow season" by creating a music festival. It's been around 36 years and has grown bigger and includes a wide variety of music genres. This year listeners can check out Marley Waters, Logic, Zedd, The String Assassins, Ice Cube, 311, Sublime with Rome, Pitbull, Third Eye Blind, DAFEAUXNITO, Party Next Door, Rae Sremmurd, Girl Talk, Calke, DNCE, Nick Jonas and more. All artists/time are listed on website and Sunfest App. Sunfest helps charity groups do fundraisers by having them staff the drinks booths, etc. They also are looking for sponsors/volunteers. To sign up then can go to www.sunfest.com

Talked with Barbara Shafer and Dr. Megan Van Ella about the Hanley Foundation. Their mission is to provide substance abuse prevention and education programs for parents, caregivers and school-age children. In addition, the foundation provides financial aid scholarships for patients who could not otherwise afford addiction treatment. As part of their outreach, Project C4OPE, Barbara will be leading a free seminar at Origins Resource Center on 4/26 in the evening to help educate folks and to connect families who've experienced the loss of a loved one due to opioid overdose, survived an overdose, or are at high risk for overdose. Listeners can sign up to attend on Thursday, to become volunteers, and get information by going to HanleyFoundation.org

Talked with Wayne Felber and Elizabeth Dashiell, Kelsey Theater. Their mission is to be a place where listeners can experience the finest in independent cinema, music, cabarets, comedy and various other performing arts while also providing a convention center venue that will host anything from indoor green markets to comic book conventions. Their charity is Kesley Cares and it's mission is "Funding art, theater, music, film, and cultural development through community outreach by providing subsidies for productions, events, artists and musicians to carry out their mission." One of the fun things they do is the mural painting events - the next one is coming up in about a month. The charity raises funds to hire local artists to keep updating the huge mural (they change a part of it each time). Kelsey Cares is working toward enriching lives through art and creating an "arts corridor" with the guidance of AJ Brockman. Listeners can volunteer/donate/get info by going to www.kelseycares.org