(PRESS RELEASE)_PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. –The Board of Directors of Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the appointment of Noel Martinez as its new President & CEO.

Martinez is a highly respected and successful community leader who most recently served as Executive Director of Leadership Palm Beach County (LPBC). As the former Director of Membership Development at the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce (NKA:  the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce), Martinez has a strong background in Chamber operations, business development and membership growth and retention. Previously he served as Director of Sales and Business Development at Hoover Architectural Products and as Vice President of Corporate Partnerships and Special Events at the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Beach County.

“After a comprehensive search process, the board is pleased to have found the best individual to assume the leadership of our organization,” said John Carr, chairman of the board  and Managing Director of Venture Construction Group of FL. “Noel has a track record of building successful teams and growing member-based organizations. This, combined with his leadership skills and passion for the organization makes him uniquely qualified to take us into the future.”

In addition to his positions at leading nonprofit agencies, Martinez has also volunteered in leadership roles throughout Palm Beach County and Florida. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches and has previously held positions on the ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival Steering Committee, the Riviera Beach CRA Executive Director Advisory Council and the Board of Directors for the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals.

About Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce: The Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest and most active business organizations in Southeast Florida. Serving businesses in the ten (10) municipalities that make up Palm Beach North, the Chamber fosters a partnership of private, public, educational and civic organizations working together to ensure Palm Beach North is Florida’s “Prosperity Coast”. The Chamber’s four strategic imperatives are: A Prosperous Economy, High Quality of Life for all residents, a Smart and Connected Region, and Regional Leadership. For more information visit: www.pbnchamber.com.
​

(PRESS RELEASE)_(West Palm Beach, FL – September 26, 2019) Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden today announced that it would be bringing back “by popular demand” two huge, eye-popping and eco-friendly  exhibitions for the whole family:

 GARDEN OF LIGHTS
December 13–29, 2019

Mounts will once again be all a-twinkle on 12 sparkling evenings during the holiday season. Visitors will discover the magic of Mounts at night as thousands of jewel-toned lights illuminate and amplify the lush tropical foliage, majestic trees and signature structures along an easy-to-follow route throughout various garden areas. Highlights include the massive, interactive Stickwork installation, Signature Ridge, Butterfly Garden and the Trellis Tunnel. It's a magical way to light-up the holiday season for joyous visitors of every age, romantic disposition, and spiritual leaning.

Hours & Admission for GARDEN OF LIGHTS

+ Thursday-Sunday – 6 pm to 8:30 pm (No rain dates.)
+ Monday (December 23 only) – 6 pm to 8:30 pm
Throughout the Garden
$8 for Mounts members; $12.50 for nonmembers; $5 for children 5 to 12

Tickets are available for purchase online at www.Mounts.org or at the Garden’s main gate. The last entry and ticket sold each night will be at 8 pm.

Note: Mounts Botanical Garden will be closed November 30-December 6 for installation, and December 24 & 25 for Christmas.

David Rogers’ BIG BUGS
January 11–May 10, 2020

First displayed at Mounts in 1997, David Rogers’ BIG BUGS will feature 10 giant natural sculptures displayed throughout the garden, including a trio of 10 foot tall ants, an 18 foot tall praying mantis, and a 600 lb. daddy long legs spider, a dragonfly with a 17-foot wingspan, plus a jumbo spider and web, lady bug, and more.

“The exhibition combines landscape art, recycled art, and environmental art to showcase the often unseen animals that play important roles in our shared ecosystem,” says Rochelle Wolberg, Mounts Curator/Director.

By calling attention to some of nature’s smallest and most incredible creatures, in enormous fashion, BIG BUGS has proven successful in aiding host institutions in their educational outreach programs about  the importance of preservation and conservation on the planet. For Mounts Botanical Garden, this is a natural follow-up to two recent eco-friendly exhibitions: Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea (2017-2018) and this year’s popular Cutting Corners: A Stickwork Exhibition by Patrick Dougherty.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Palm Beach Gardens – Take flight to the world’s most venerated viticultural meccas during the monthly First Wednesday Wine Tasting at III Forks Prime Steakhouse in Palm Beach Gardens.

On Wednesday, October 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the celebrated steakhouse and chef-sommelier Tommy Nevill will sherpa oenophiles through French Bordeaux wine country and will lead a lively and interactive discussion about the highlighted vintners, their winemaking practices, grape characteristics, and more.    

First Wednesday Wine Tasting menu:   

Château Pey La Tour 
Château Blaignan
Château Saint-Andre Corbin 
Château Picque Caillou
Château Malmaison
Château Lafite Rothschild 

First Wednesday Wine Tasting costs $25 per person and features six wine pours and signature hors d’oeuvres. Guests staying for dinner or après-event drinks at the bar will be treated to a 50% discount on featured wines by the glass or bottle. Reservations are required.  For more information or to RSVP, call (561) 630-3660 or visit 3forks.com.   III Forks is located at 4645 PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens. 

(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, Fla. (September 26, 2019) – Brightline is now boarding for a brand new Halloween experience sure to delight your little monster.  Included with the purchase of a Brightline ticket, on October 19, 20, 26, and 27, guests can travel from the Fort Lauderdale Brightline Station on the Halloween Trick-or-Train heading south to Trainsylvania (a.k.a. Miami!)

Guests will be greeted at the Fort Lauderdale station by costumed characters and will enjoy a costume dress-up photo opp and character interaction, and be directed to board the train.  While on the train, children will enjoy a hilarious interactive show with performers from the Florida Children’s Theater. 

Upon arrival to Virgin MiamiCentral, guests will be guided by the performers to a play area in Central Fare marketplace that will be transformed into Trainsylvania where families can explore and participate in a range of activities including Halloween crafts, games, LEGO challenges, and other fun surprises! The experience also includes a complimentary kids meal by HOUSE OF MAC.

Families will then reboard the train and head back to Fort Lauderdale for another fun performance by the Florida Children’s Theater. When guests arrive in-station kids will receive a trick-or-treat bag as a sweet finale. Allergy-friendly treats available upon request. This entertaining afternoon is not intended to be scary; just good fun for the entire family.

“We are thrilled to welcome our riders this Halloween season to a fun, engaging family-friendly experience at the MiamiCentral station,” said Johanna Rojas, Brightline's Vice President of Marketing.  “We are proud to continue collaborating with local partners, like the Florida Children's Theater, to offer our South Florida families unique and interactive events year-round.”

Tickets will range between $15-20 depending on the segment. Kids (12 and under) are half off.

October 19, 20, 26, 27
Saturday Departure Times - FTL to MIA:
10:39am
1:39pm
4:39pm

Return Times - MIA to FTL:
12:10pm
3:10pm
6:10pm

Sunday Departure Times - FTL to MIA:
12:39pm
3:39pm

Return Times - MIA to FTL:
2:10pm
5:10pm

West Palm Beach families are also invited to ride the Trick-or-Train and will begin the experience at the Fort Lauderdale station. To reserve for a group, email [email protected].  To book your Trick-or-Train ride and for more information, visit https://www.gobrightline.com/. 

From North Palm Communications Manager Ed Cunningham_"Want to see something different on the Earman bridges? A new look for our Village bridges? We're holding a public open house about bridge redesign tomorrow evening, and Jillian Idle from WPTV Channel 5 is getting the details from Village Manager Andy Lukasik.

We're asking residents to give us feedback on several re"design ideas for the bridges over the Earman River on U.S. 1 and on Prosperity Farms Road. It's at the Library Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. We need your input!"

(PRESS RELEASE)_COCONUT CREEK – Tickets are on sale now for Ignite by Chelsea Entertainment's Battle of the DJs, set for Friday, October 18, at 8 p.m.

Hosted by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and sponsored by Hits 97.3, 99 Jamz, Mercedes-Benz of Coconut Creek, and Rémy Martin, the event will also feature a special live performance by Gainesville punk rock band, Less Than Jake at 11:30 p.m.

Celebrity twerk instructor Lexy Panterra, Hits 97.3's DJ Al P, and DJ Entice from 99 Jamz will all host the Battle of the DJs.

The top 12 DJs will compete for a share of the $50,000 prize pool with the grand prize winner receiving $25,000, plus an opportunity to open for a major headliner. Second place will be awarded $10,000, and third place will receive $5,000.

The Battle of the DJs was created to bring domestic and international DJs together, while bringing an adrenaline-induced level of entertainment to the South Florida market that produces broad appeal to an affluent, influential and energetic audience of movers and shakers.

Tickets are priced at $40 (general admission) or $1,000 (for a couch with bottle service) may be purchased via Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com, or by calling (800) 653-8000. The Pavilion box office will also open at 1 p.m. on the day of the show for on-site ticket purchases and will-call pickup.

For more information, call (954) 977-6700 or visit CasinoCoco.com. Seminole Casino Coconut Creek is located at 5550 NW 40th Street, Coconut Creek.

(PRESS RELEASE)_West Palm Beach, Fla. – The YMCA of the Palm Beaches understands the importance of a balanced after-school schedule and offers an array of programs to keep kids of all ages active while fostering social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development in a safe and nurturing environment. 

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. Practice is Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:00–5:45 p.m. and Saturdays from 12:00–12:45 p.m. for kids ages 7–13; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00–5:45 p.m. and Saturdays from 1:00–1:45 p.m. for teens ages 14-18. Sessions: October 14–November 2; November 4–30; December 2–28. Cost is $50 for members and $70 for nonmembers.   

Kickboxing provides a total body workout that targets core strength and balance for all ages and abilities.  Participants will learn self-defense strategies designed to increase range in motion, agility, and more. Classes are Fridays from 5:00–5:45 p.m. for ages 12+. Cost is $5 for members and $8 for nonmembers.  

Tae Kwon Do instills confidence and discipline while teaching age-old martial arts techniques. Classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30–8:30 p.m. for kids ages 6+. Cost is $40 a month for members and $60 a month for nonmembers.  

For more information on memberships and programming, please contact Lisa Fisher at (561) 968-9622 or email [email protected]. YMCA of the Palm Beaches is located at 2085 S. Congress Avenue in West Palm Beach

Read Our Review of Elisabetta's

(PRESS RELEASE)_Elisabetta's has received the Open Table Diners' Choice 2019 Award for Most Booked restaurant in Palm Beach County. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews and sorts the results by category. Diners can plan ahead for New Year's now for this popular spot. Below is the divine New Year's Eve menu for Elisabetta's. 

NEW YEARS EVE MENU AT ELISABETTA’S
(Can also order these items a la carte)

To start:
Terrine of Foie Gras and its accompaniments
Black pepper, savory brioche, champagne grape frozen
or
The Ravioli
Ricotta, soft egg yolk, herb pasta, parmigiano reggiano
-------------------------
Insalata
Radicchio, Red Onion, Orange, Fennel, Endive Salad
-------------------------
Maine Lobster out of its Shell
Black truffle butter sauce, Brussel leaves, porcinis
or
Duck Breast and Confit Leg
Figs in grappa, agrodolce sauce, leak and potato with thyme cream
or
Steak for Two
--------------------------
Dessert
Souffle Grappa
Or
Golden Olive Oil Gelato

Elisabetta's will be festooned with holiday decor and will have special holiday offerings. The best seat in the house for the holiday tree lighting and NYE fireworks will be the balcony at Elisabetta's overlooking Old School Square. Elisabetta's will open at 11:30 a.m. on New Year's Eve. The kitchen will be open until midnight. The bar will stay open until 2 a.m. Guests will receive complimentary party favors. Elisabetta's is located at 32 East Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach. Visit elisabettas.com or call 561-560-6699. 
​

(PRESS RELEASE)_​(West Palm Beach, FL – September 23, 2019)  Public Ticket Sale Day for the 2019-2020 season of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts will be Saturday, October 5, at 10 am.

To get tickets and see the season’s entire line-up visit the Kravis Center’s official website at kravis.org or view the season brochure at kravis.org/brochure.

The Kravis Center’s hit series, Kravis On Broadway features seven top-touring shows, the first three of which will be on sale on October 5 at 10 am, including FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG and A BRONX TALE.

Over 300 shows performed by an array of dynamic artists promise to provide unforgettable entertainment for people of all ages. From family-friendly shows like A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On stage and Pout-Pout Fish, to ladies night out with the Bachelor Live and the Naked Magicians. Not to mention everyone’s favorite game show, The Price is Right Live.

Get your seats for laugh-out-loud comedy featuring John Waters and Forbidden Broadway, for incredible music you’ll want to hear the Isley Brothers, Kenny G, Rick Springfield and more.

Save with subscriptions to Regional Arts Classical Concert Series, featuring world renowned artists and orchestras. Also available is the Adults At Leisure series, which presents a selection of morning shows and afternoon matinees.

The Center’s PEAK series, featuring artistic, innovative and diverse entertainment, includes a line-up of groundbreaking performances in dance, drama, music and more including Haitian singer Bélo, Japanese troupe Enra, Jon Boogz and Lil Buck and many more.

There are three ways to purchase tickets on Saturday, October 5: online 24/7 through the Kravis Center’s official website at kravis.org; by phone at 561-832-7469 or 800-572-8471; or in person at the temporary Box Office in Rinker Playhouse (open 10 am to 5 pm), located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. A small selection of shows will go on sale at a later date.

The Kravis Center offers priority seating to donors according to their level of giving. For more information about becoming a donor, call 561-651-4320 or visit kravis.org/membership.

Note: Due to construction, the only access to the Kravis Center will be though the main garage via the Tamarind Avenue and Iris Street entrances. Self-parking only, no valet parking will be available.

 Lantern Festival: In the Spirit of Obon 
Saturday, October 19
3pm – 8pm
General admission ticket sales start October 7 at 10am
Cost: $20 ages 11+, $12 ages 4-11, children 3 & under FREE. Advance Ticket Purchase Required. 

Inspired by Obon, Japan’s traditional three-day holiday honoring ancestors who return to Earth for a brief visit, Morikami will celebrate Lantern Festival in one epic-packed evening. Enjoy traditional folk-dancing, taiko drumming, an Ennichi street fair, Japanese cuisine, arts and crafts, and family friendly activities. Don't miss the festival’s iconic lantern floating ceremony and electrifying fireworks finale. 

Please note that Morikami is closed during normal hours of operation on this day and opens at 3pm for the festival.  Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach. For more information call (561) 495-0233 or visit morikami.org (PRESS RELEASE)