(PRESS RELEASE)_BOCA RATON, Fla. (September 29, 2021) – The Junior League of Boca Raton (JLBR) will unveil its new Community Garden on Saturday, October 16 at 10 a.m. at Meadows Park at 1300 NW 8th Street, Boca Raton with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.  As part of the garden’s re-opening, the City will be celebrating Boca Raton’s 41st year as a “Tree City USA” with a tree giveaway for City residents. The trees will be native and fruiting trees.

“We were delighted to work with the City and Brightline to move the JLBR Community Garden,” Jamie Sauer, President of the Junior League of Boca Raton said. “This joint effort will enable the community to come together through gardening.”

The garden is approximately 1.4 acres and will now contain approximately 100 plots available for patrons to lease. The new space will include both permaculture and pollinator gardens, as well as space for fruit trees and pineapples, as a nod to Boca Raton’s agricultural past. Ten percent of all fruits and vegetables harvested by individual garden plots will be donated to Boca Helping Hands.

“The City is excited for our new, expanded community garden in a central location more accessible to our residents,” said Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer.  “We are grateful to the Junior League and the dedicated gardeners and volunteers who will make this new location another Boca Raton treasure, and to Brightline for their substantial support for this project.”

The JLBR has worked closely with Brightline and the City of Boca Raton to relocate the garden that was formerly located across from the downtown public library. The initiative is part of Brightline’s investment in the city in addition to a new train station and parking garage. The garden is the definition of true community partnership. The City of Boca Raton made the new garden possible by providing the land, and Brightline made a major contribution to help fund the construction at the new location.

“We are happy to celebrate as the new Community Garden comes to fruition with the leadership of the Junior League and support of the City of Boca Raton,” said Patrick Goddard, president at Brightline. “This initiative is an example of Brightline’s mission to make a positive impact in the communities it touches. We thank the City of Boca Raton and the Junior League of Boca Raton for working with us toward these goals as we continue to expand and connect communities in South Florida.”

Other partners for the groundbreaking include the City of Boca Raton’s Recreational Services, City of Boca Raton’s Office of Sustainability, Community Greening and Tree City USA.
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The unveiling of the Junior League of Boca Raton’s new Community Garden follows its groundbreaking, which took place on May 10, 2021. The original Junior League of Boca Raton Community Garden broke ground on Earth Day 2010 with land donated by the city.  The garden was the brainchild of Mayor Susan Whelchel, a Junior League sustainer, and it opened during her tenure. Since then, the Junior League of Boca Raton has managed and supported the garden. The original garden had a total of 97 plots that were leased to Boca Raton residents on a yearly basis. Historically, the garden has been the largest community garden in the state of Florida.
 

(PRESS RELEASE)_Fall marks the start of some exciting new dishes at Lola 41, and the globally-inspired Palm Beach bistro continues to take the culinary experience to new heights with a selection of inventive new dishes that celebrate the vast and versatile ingredients from countries on the 41st parallel.

Crafted by Executive Chef Brian Bottge and team, guests will enjoy specialty sushi such as the Yutaka - a sushi roll with BBQ eel and King Crab topped with Avocado, spicy mayo and finished with Unagi sauce and tempura crunchies; small plates like Wagyu Tartare Crispy Rice - an Asian take on an arancini finished with truffle Chinese mustard, Cronichon, capers and green apple; and large plates like the XO Diver Scallops with Wok fried rice egg noodles, grilled Baby Bok Choy finished with bean sprouts shallots, cilantro and lime. 

For reservations and more information, please visit lola41.com or call 561.599.5652. Lola 41 is located at 290 Sunset Avenue inside the White Elephant Hotel on Palm Beach.

SPECIALTY SUSHI ROLLS

OISHI (O-EE-SHE)
English Cucumber, Bell Peppers & Crunchy Romaine, Topped with Avocado Drizzled with Sriracha Lime Aioli (vegan/gf)

SUGOI (SU-GOI)
King Crab, Avocado, Cucumber, Shiso, Ginger, Topped with Grilled Tuna Tataki & Wasabi Tobiko Soy Sesame Sauce

YUTAKA (U-TA-KA)
BBQ Eel & King Crab, Topped with Avocado, Spicy Mayo, Unagi Sauce, & Tempura Crunchies

SMALL PLATES

WAGYU TARTARE CRISPY RICE
Truffle Chinese Mustard, Cornichon, Caper, Green Apple

SMOKED MAHI
Lemon, Herbs, Chive, Crispy Onion, Olive Oil

LARGE PLATES

XO DIVER SCALLOPS 
Wok Fried Egg Noodles, Grilled Baby Bok Choy, Bean Sprouts, Shallots, Cilantro, Lime  
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MISO YUZU COD
Black Cod, Togarashi Dusted Chinese Broccoli

14OZ. BONE-IN VEAL CHOP MILANESE
Blistered Heirloom Grape Tomato, Wilted Baby Arugula Pappardelle Cacio e Pepe

PAN SEARED GROUPER
Grilled Corn, Heirloom Tomato Salad, Basil Pesto

(PRESS RELEASE)_Riviera Beach is happening with exciting events going on now and throughout the holiday season. Here is a taste of the few events we have going on now.

Thursday Tastes of Riviera Beach Food Truck Pilot Series second night is on October 21, 2021 at 5:30pm-7:30pm at the Spanish Courts at the Marina Village. There will be food trucks, live entertainment, and lots of fun! Come out and enjoy a new event at the Spanish Courts at the Marina Village. The third night of the series will be on November 18, 2021. Video from the Last Food Truck event on September 16, 2021 during the rain: https://youtu.be/XyKM3Z4WBvg

Calling all residents! The CRA Community Yard Sale will happen October 9, 10, 11 in Riviera Beach. Sign up to have your residence listed on the virtual map as a yard sale location. Sell your items safely from your front yard. Register at https://bit.ly/2021-CRA-Yard-Sale. If you have any questions, please email khicks@rbcra.com on the yard sale event.

Santa Dash – Come join the fun at our first Santa Dash fun run/walk at Singer Island Community Gardens on Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 7:30am-1pm. The run/walk starts at 9am and the party begins once the race is over. There will be a pancake breakfast, costume contest with prizes, Santa, Buddy the Elf, and so much more. Get your race ticket now before they sell out – https://bit.ly/Santa-Dash

Volunteers for helping with Winter Wonderland – We are looking for a bunch of hands to volunteer this season for Winter Wonderland. We would love your help getting the word out to groups that can help and the city residents. This is the way they can sign up. We're using SignUp.com (the leading online SignUp and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming SignUps.  https://bit.ly/Volunteer-WW21

(PRESS RELEASE)_​MIAMI – September 21, 2021 – Brightline, the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, high-speed rail in America, is celebrating World Car-Free Day by joining forces with one of the nation’s most recognizable non-profits, Habitat for Humanity. For the first time, Brightline and Habitat for Humanity affiliates in South Florida are inviting drivers to donate their vehicles to become eligible for a year of free rail travel on Brightline. In partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Broward, Greater Miami, Palm Beach County, and South Palm Beach County, Brightline will offer a free 2022 annual pass to any individual who donates a vehicle to Habitat’s Cars for Homes program between September 22 and December 31, 2021. Those who want to participate in the Brightline-Habitat World Car Free Day free travel pass promotion can learn more here. 
 
Every year on September 22nd, cities across the globe celebrate World Car-Free Day, encouraging motorists to give up their cars for a day. The event highlights the numerous benefits of going car-free to citizens—including reduced air pollution and the health benefits of walking and cycling in a safer environment. Habitat for Humanity’s Cars for Homes program takes this even further. All year long, Habitat accepts donations of vehicles from across the U.S. and dedicates the proceeds from their sale to help Habitat homeowners build strength, stability and self-reliance for their families.

(PRESS RELEASE)_West Palm Beach is thrilled to announce the national tour of COME FROM AWAY, a Broadway musical about the true story of the small town that welcomed the world, will make its West Palm Beach debut at Kravis Center for a limited engagement November 16 - 21. COME FROM AWAY will go on sale October 2 at 10 am. Tickets are available online at kravis.org or by phone at 561.832.7469.
 
Kravis On Broadway is sponsored by Michael and Colleen Bracci.
 
The touring production of COME FROM AWAY will star Marika Aubrey (Lincoln Center’s South Pacific), Kevin Carolan (Disney’s Newsies), Harter Clingman (Peter and The Starcatcher), Nick Duckart (In the Heights), Chamblee Ferguson, Christine Toy Johnson (The Music Man), Julie Johnson (Memphis), James Earl Jones II (The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess), Julia Knitel (Beautiful), Andrew Samonsky (South Pacific), Sharone Sayegh (The Band’s Visit), Danielle K. Thomas (Avenue Q), Jenny Ashman, Jane Bunting, Amelia Cormack, Aaron Michael Ray, Kilty Reidy and Brandon Springman.
 
With a book, music and lyrics by Tony and Grammy Award nominees Irene Sankoff & David Hein, COME FROM AWAY is directed by Tony Award winner Christopher Ashley (Come From Away), musical staging by two-time Tony nominee Kelly Devine(Come From Away, Rocky), with music supervision by Grammy nominee Ian Eisendrath (Come From Away), scenic design by Tony Award winner Beowulf Boritt (Act One), costume design by Tony Award nominee Toni-Leslie James (Jelly’s Last Jam), lighting design by two-time Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (Hamilton), sound design by Tony Award nominee Gareth Owen (End of the Rainbow), orchestrations by Tony nominee August Eriksmoen (Bright Star), music arrangements by Grammy nominee Ian Eisendrath and casting by Telsey + Company.

October Events at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens:

​Fridays, October 1, 8, 15, 22
Sumi-e Ink Painting (Class)
Time: Floral – 10:30am – 12:30pm 
           Landscape – 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Cost: $70 (Morikami Members $65). Advance Registration Required.
Sumi-e is a form of Japanese ink painting brought from China in the 12th century. Primarily done in black ink, the name literally means "charcoal drawing" in Japanese. Students grind their own ink using an ink stick and a grinding stone and learn to hold and utilize brushes to create the primary sumi-e brush strokes. Floral and landscape classes will start with a review of the basic techniques before moving on to the main subject. 
 
Saturdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, November 6
Japanese Traditional Music: Koto (Class)
Time: Beginners – 10:15am – 12:15pm 
           Intermediate – 1pm-3pm
Cost: $155 (Morikami Members $150). Advance Registration Required.
Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument first introduced to Japan from China in the 7th-8th centuries. Learn about the history, culture and techniques in how to play this exquisite instrument in this 5-week course. Instruments will be provided for participants to use in the class. 
 
Sundays, October 3, 10, 17, 24, November 7, 14, December 5, 12
Nihongo: Introduction to Japanese (In-person class)
Time: Level I – 10:15am – 11:15am
Cost: $110 (Morikami Members $100). Advance Registration Required.
Nihongo: Introduction to Japanese is a beginner and lower intermediate program teaching Japanese speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students are introduced to Japanese culture and lifestyles through lessons and conversation. Levels I and II use Japanese for Busy People I (JBP I) and levels III and IV use Japanese for Busy People II (JBP II). Fall, winter, and spring sessions of each level should be taken sequentially as a series. 

On Sept. 16, North Palm Beach residents were invited to provide input on a proposed multi-use project to be built at the corner of US Highway 1 and Yacht Club Drive.

Concept sketches, refreshments and representatives of the architectural firm involved, SpinaOrourke, were on hand at the North Palm Beach Country Club to field questions and talk about the site plan.

The five-story plan would include one and two-bedroom apartments, a pedestrian mall and retail space as well. The next step would be official approval from the city's planning commission, followed by technical specifications and construction.

If approved, Keith Spina, SpinaOrourke CEO, estimated it would be about two years to completion. With almost 500,000 new residents coming to Florida in the past year, new housing options are in big demand. Stay tuned! -- Gerry Barker