(BRIGHTLINE NEWS)_MIAMI, Fl. (August 31, 2019) - With Dorian’s path shifting to the northeast, Brightline will resume service on Sunday, Sept. 1 with $5 fares and a limited schedule. The reduced schedule is available at www.gobrightline.com and guests are encouraged to monitor Brightline on Twitter, Facebook and the website for real-time service updates.

(PRESS RELEASE)_U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (August 29, 2019) - Having bid its farewells to Hurricane Dorian, the U.S. Virgin Islands now is bidding a warm welcome again to guests arriving on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John after the passage of the storm yesterday.
 
Now that the alerts, storm watches, warnings, and curfews are lifted, Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte thanked all tourism industry stakeholders for their quick action preparing for the storm, as well as opening up the Territory for business. 

The storm brought strong winds and rainfall, especially to the St. Thomas-St. John district, but the Commissioner reported that there was very little damage to the tourism infrastructure, and hotels and other accommodation facilities are welcoming guests. 
 
"We are thankful to our partners, including our airlines for sending extra aircraft today to mobilize our residents and visitors in and out of the Territory," said Commissioner Boschulte, who confirmed that all airports and seaports are now open, facilitating the resumption of normal schedules.
 
"Virgin Islanders are resilient people, and we look forward to welcoming visitors as they relish the sunny skies forecast over the next few days," he commented, while expressing his prayers and concern for those who are now in the storm's path.

(PALM BEACH COUNTY)_Palm Beach County has a cell phone app with important info about storm readiness & recovery. It's called PBC DART. Find out about evacuations, shelters, what supplies to buy before a storm. Then see which grocery stores and gas stations are open afterward. Learn how to plan, see official storm updates, report damage. Download from App Store & Google Play. www.ReadyPBC.com

(PRESS RELEASE)_September is upon us and it's NOT all about Back-To-School!  The YMCA of the Palm Beaches presents fun programming for the whole family.  Check out these highlights! 

YMCA Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month 
Saturday, September 21
10 am - 2 pm 
FREE
Join the YMCA of the Palm Beaches as they celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month during an all-out family festival.  From working out with Thomas Rivera aka Mr. Puerto Rico to getting your groove on during family Zumba classes, there will be fun for the whole family.  Plus, enjoy bites from Supermercados el Bodegon, bounce house fun, face painting, water games, preschool tours, special membership deals, and more.  

Salsa and Bachata Dance Classes at the YMCA of the Palm Beaches 
Saturday, September 14 & 28 
Salsa: 3 pm - 4 pm 
Bachata: 4 pm - 5 pm 
Members: $5 per class
Nonmembers: $8 per class 
Lace-up your dancing shoes and hit the floor with champion ballroom dancer, Grigol Kranz. Learn the art of salsa and bachata dancing, including basic steps, turn patterns, and partnering techniques, in a fun and interactive environment. All levels are welcome. Comfortable shoes and clothing required.


Drills & Skills Youth Basketball at the YMCA of the Palm Beaches
Next Session: September 16 - October 12 
Practice for kids ages 7-13: Mondays and Wednesdays from 5 pm - 5:45 pm/Saturdays from 12 pm - 12:45 pm 
Practice for teens ages 14-18: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 pm - 5:45 pm/Saturdays from 1 pm - 1:45 pm 
Members: $50
Nonmembers: $70 
Drills & Skills Youth Basketball focuses on developing a strong skill foundation in all players with age-specific instructions.  The program incorporates technique development, exercise drills, communication skills, and sportsmanship.  

YMCA of the Palm Beaches is located at 2085 Congress Avenue in West Palm Beach.  For more information, please call Lisa Fisher, 561-968-9622, email lisa.fisher@ymcapalmbeaches.org or visit ymcapalmbeaches.org.  

(PRESS RELEASE)_MORIKAMI SEPTEMBER HAPPENINGS: Sushi and Stroll Summer Walk Series and Magatama Jewelry Making at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Saturday, September 7 
Family Fun: Magatama Necklace 
Time: 12 p.m.–3 p.m. 
Cost: FREE for members or with paid museum admission. No Reservation Required. 
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Take a glimpse into ancient Japan and learn about magatama. These stone beads were worn by inhabitants of the Japanese islands over 2000 years ago and have made their way into art today. Design your very own magatama necklace to wear home. 
 
Friday, September 13 
Sushi & Stroll Summer Walk Series 
Time: 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. 
Price: Adults $8 (ages 11+); Children $6 (ages 4–10); FREE for museum members & ages 3 & under; $3 taiko performance (optional) 

Summer nights in South Florida are something special, especially when they are augmented with taiko drums and a cultural backdrop that can't be beat. Add a cold drink, a breathtaking sunset, and a stroll through a tranquil garden, and you've got Sushi & Stroll! Excite your palate with something delicious from the Cornell Café and visiting food trucks, indulge in shopping at the Museum Store, and tantalize your senses with a drumming performance by Fushu Daiko. Please note that the museum galleries are closed for these special nights. Food and drink are sold separately and are not included in admission price. 

4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446 | 561.495.0233 | morikami.org

(NORTH PALM BEACH NEWS)_From Communications Manager Ed Cunningham, Village of North Palm Beach: "Not the time for trimming trees --With Palm Beach County in the cone of uncertainty for Tropical Storm Dorian, this week is NOT the time to do major yard work or begin construction projects. https://swa.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=154

(PRESS RELEASE)_On Monday, September 2 , sleep in late then celebrate your right to eat deliciously. 

On Labor Day at City Cellar in West Palm Beach, executive chef Rolando Anoceto will be firing up a special holiday brunch featuring $14 bottomless mimosas and sumptuous Bloody Mary cocktails with purchase of an entrée, like crispy Brussels sprouts with applewood bacon, cheese and charcuterie boards, short short rib eggs Benedict, strawberry sourdough waffles, and crispy, hearth baked pizzas. 

For more information, call (561) 366-0071 or visit citycellarwpb.com. City Cellar is located at 700 S. Rosemary Avenue, West Palm Beach. Labor Day hours are 11:30 a.m. to Midnight.

(BRIGHTLINE NEWS)_Saturday, August 24, marked another Brightline, soon to be Virgin Trains, milestone as the rail service hosted its first onboard wedding. Paul Ward and Jules Bandiera of Wilton Manors  said “I do” on the train between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach in front of 40 invited guests.  The couple are huge fans of Brightline, connecting with friends in Miami and West Palm Beach, and thought what better place for the occasion.
 
Brightline also gifted the happy couple with a commemorative Red Spike from the Orlando groundbreaking marking the beginning of the “Red Spike Era,” a pair of Brightline annual passes, champagne flutes and other Brightline memorabilia.
 
Here's the backstory:

From Wilton Manors, celebrated LGBT neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale,  Paul Ward was introduced to Jules Bandiera about a year ago. Paul, a retired ship captain and pilot and transportation buff, now works at The Pride Center at Equality Park in Wilton Manors as a facilities and IT manager. Jules is a former flight attendant from Gol Airlines and from Brazil, who decided to take his 6 month furlow to learn English in Fort Lauderdale.  During Jules’ time in Fort Lauderdale, he attended many of the LGBT events hosted by The Pride Center where Paul first noticed him. Their courtship was quite funny and endearing.