(PRESS RELEASE)_West Palm Beach, FL — Palm Beach Outlets, one of Palm Beach County’s most popular shopping destinations, is kicking off the holidays with exciting community events. This month spotlights Santa’s arrival, a food and wine festival, extended shopping hours, free Santa photo, and more.

November events:

iHeartMedia’s Tastings Food Festival            
Saturday, November 16
3–4 p.m. (VIP admission)
4–7 p.m. (General admission)
Center Court

The third annual Tastings Food Festival hosted by iHeartMedia of the Palm Beaches will feature delicious bites and sips from local restaurants, bakeries, and breweries from around Palm Beach County. Participating restaurants include III Forks, Cakes, Etc., Don Ramon, Giovanni’s Restaurant, La Masseria, Malakor Thai Café, Pig-Sty BBQ, Sweet Boxes Food & Desserts, Texas de Brazil, Your Greek Cousin, and more. VIP admission is $40 (includes complimentary food, wine, and craft beer an hour before the general public). General admission is $25, and tickets are $10 for children age 12 and under. Tickets are also available at the gate for $32 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.palmbeachoutlets.com.

Cars & Coffee Palm Beach
Sunday, November 17
8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Free to the public
$5 for display vehicles

Palm Beach County’s largest automotive showcase features thousands of top-quality vehicles, from muscle cars and vintage roadsters to high-end exotics. Enjoy family-friendly activities and a chance to win exciting prizes. Help support local charities with proceeds benefiting Future 6 Helping Hand, Mission 22, and local food banks. Dogs are welcome. For more information, visit www.palmbeachoutlets.com.

Wellness Expo
Thursday, November 21
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Food Pavilion
Free to the public

In honor of American Diabetes Month, Palm Beach Outlets is teaming up with Good Samaritan Medical Center. Free health screenings will be provided and include a full lipid panel (HDL, LDL, Triglycerides), glucose, blood pressure, and a cardiac risk assessment. For more information, visit www.palmbeachoutlets.com.

Santa Arrival
Friday, November 22
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Kick off the holidays with Santa Claus and his jolly crew including the Polo Bear from Polo Ralph Lauren, who will make a special appearance in a DivaDuck amphibious vehicle! Festivities include holiday shopping, food truck dining, and live entertainment. For more information, visit www.palmbeachoutlets.com.

Free Santa Photo
Saturday, November 23 through Tuesday, December 24
Food Pavilion

Santa has a holiday gift just for you! Receive two free 4” x 6" photo prints and a digital download of a single image for every family who gets their photo taken with Santa Claus. Additional photo packages and Christmas merchandise will be available for purchase. For additional information, visit www.palmbeachoutlets.com.

Holiday Hours
Thanksgiving
7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Black Friday
8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Holiday hours vary throughout the season. For hours, visit www.palmbeachoutlets.com.  Palm Beach Outlets is located at 1751 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 515-4400 or visit www.palmbeachoutlets.com. Visit Palm Beach Outlets on Instagram.com/palmbeachoutlets and Facebook.com/palmbeachoutlet.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Producer Jeffery Seller and the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts announced that single tickets for HAMILTON will go on sale to the public Saturday, November 23 at 9:00 AM ET.  Tickets will be available at kravis.org and in person at the Kravis Center Box Office (701 Okeechobee Boulevard).  Tickets will be available for performances January 28 - February 16, 2020. 

There is a maximum purchase limit of eight (8) tickets per household for the engagement. When tickets go on sale, prices will range from $67.50 to $207.50 with a select number of $407.50 premium seats available for all performances.  There will be a lottery for forty (40) $10 seats for all performances.  Lottery details will be announced closer to the engagement.

Jeffrey Seller notes, “It's tempting to get tickets any way you can. There are many sites and people who are selling overpriced, and in some cases, fraudulent tickets. For the best seats, the best prices and to eliminate the risk of counterfeit tickets, all purchases for the West Palm Beach engagement should be made through kravis.org.”      

HAMILTON is the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway, HAMILTON is the story of America then, as told by America now.

With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton.

The HAMILTON creative team previously collaborated on the 2008 Tony Award®-Winning Best Musical In the Heights.

HAMILTON features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, casting by Telsey + Company, Bethany Knox, CSA, and General Management by Baseline Theatrical.

The musical is produced by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman and The Public Theater.

The HAMILTON Original Broadway Cast Recording is available everywhere nationwide. The HAMILTON recording received a 2016 Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album.

(PRESS RELEASE)_(West Palm Beach, FL – November 12, 2019) Coming next month to Mounts Botanical Garden—and back by popular demand—is another major eye-popping and eco-friendly exhibition:
 
GARDEN OF LIGHTS
December 13–29, 2019
​
Mounts will once again be all a-twinkle on 12 select and sparkling evenings during the holiday season, including weekends and Christmas week. 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. This holiday exhibition is perfect for couples, families and groups of all size.
 
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.
 

The Friends of the North Palm Beach Library will hold our Bake Sale and Christmas Boutique on Tuesday December 10 from 10 AM to 4 PM. There will be baked goods, Christmas items and a raffle.

The North Palm Beach Library is located at 303 Anchorage Drive, North Palm Beach. For more information call 561-841-3383.

(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI_COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach is proud to announce a new collaboration with the award-winning chef, Michael Schwartz. The cuisine at Traymore by Michael Schwartz combines Schwartz’ passion for fresh, clean Floridian flavors and bright, Southeast Asian influences. According to Schwartz, the philosophy is simple: the secret to good food is good food.  

Michael Schwartz’s menu celebrates in-season, local ingredients, in line with COMO’s award-winning restaurants worldwide which embrace sustainable sources and pay homage to the flavors of our different locations. To each dish, Michael adds sophisticated Asian nuances, which also speak to COMO’s roots, with hotels and restaurants in Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. The menus at Traymore therefore become a perfect reflection of COMO’s heritage, along with Michael’s commitment to healthy, yet flavorful cooking, delivered with accurate and intuitive service.

The Genuine Hospitality Group is Michael’s restaurant group which was founded in 2007 and is now a highly-regarded and well-loved component of Miami’s restaurant scene. In 2010 Michael won the James Beard Award for Best Chef South – an achievement that has cemented his reputation for defining Miami’s’ sincere approach to hospitality.

“I have always loved the ingredients and tastes of Southeast Asia” says Schwartz. He adds, “I am excited to showcase this food at COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach, where my values for hospitality and healthy, delicious food are shared.”

The restaurant will feature a Raw Bar and a Market Table, where the menu will feature a beef carpaccio with heart of palm, kohlrabi, peanuts, burnt lime vinaigrette starter and wok-charred wild salmon with four sprout salad, toasted pumpkin seeds and soy lime vinaigrette. Black sesame pound cake with coconut cream, marinated papaya and toasted sesame seed is just one example of the new desserts on the menu.

Schwartz's input on both food and beverage will be seen throughout the hotel, with the launch of new breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch menus. In addition to Traymore restaurant, Michael Schwartz will oversee in-room dining, poolside dining as well as the bar, featuring a vibrant cocktail list from mixologist Maria Pottage.

The restaurant occupies an original 1930’s building in the heart of the city’s famous Art Deco district.  The interior of Traymore by Michael Schwartz has been refreshed, celebrating the room’s Art Deco past and the integrity of existing design elements by Paola Navone.

COMO Metropolitan Miami Beach and the Traymore by Michael Schwartz Restaurant are located at 2445 Collins Ave. For more information visit traymoremiamibeach.com and comohotels.com

(PRESS RELEASE)_PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the hire of its new Director of Membership Development Brittany Cartwright.

Cartwright most recently served as a Community Engagement Account Executive at Discover the Palm Beaches since 2015. She has an extensive background in advertising and sponsorship sales, client growth and retention of local and national businesses.

Cartwright has previously worked with the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce as a Special Events Intern assisting with the communication and events department. Cartwright also served as a Special Events Coordinator at Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast.

“Brittany is passionate about the Palm Beach North Region,” said Noel Martinez, President and CEO for the Palm Beach North Chamber. “She fits the culture we are trying to build here. She has the drive and connections needed to help grow and retain our membership.”

Cartwright is an engaged member of the community. She is an active alumna of Leadership Palm Beach County and currently serves on their Focus program committee. Cartwright has also volunteered on the Young Professionals Council and Ambassador Committee here at the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce. She has also volunteered as a committee member of the Young Friends of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County and has served as a board member for the Friends of Jupiter Beach.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Coconut Creek, FL – Celebrate an intimate evening of exquisite gastronomy on Thursday, November 7 at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. 

The Broken Earth Winery pairing dinner will kick off with a festive cocktail reception at Legends Lounge, followed by an elegant five-course feast at NYY Steak featuring curated selections from Broken Earth family of wines. 

The evening's menu:

First Course
2018 Broken Earth Chardonnay with
Cold Smoked Diver Sea Scallop 
sweet corn succotash, roasted apple beurre blanc and maple gastrique 

Second Course
2016 Quardrand CDR - Rhône Blend with
Roasted Duck and Forest Mushroom Beet Ravioli 
shaved black truffle, spiced savory pan reduction and sheep’s milk ricotta salata

Third Course
2016 CV Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon with
Dry-Aged Colorado Lamb Chop 
blueberry mint marinated, roasted heirloom baby carrots, cipollini onion, parsnip purée and Jus D’angneau Velouté

Fourth Course
2014 Studium with
Seared A5 Japanese Wagyu Strip 
bacon-blue cheese Yukon gold and sweet potato gratin, crispy garlic and shallot, vanilla mocha memi-glacé

Fifth Course
2016 Limited Release Petite Sirah with 
Illanka Dark Chocolate & Shiraz 
chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, sweet wine reduction, dark cherries, chocolate tuile, and Broken Earth Shiraz ice cream 

Tickets are $225 per person, includes tax and gratuity. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the Group Sales Manager at (954) 816-8014 or [email protected]. Space is limited.

When we visited Guatemala during our recent cruise through the Panama Canal, we saw spectacular volcanoes, historic churches and tiny dolls that can take your worries away.

Called muñequitas quitapenas -- worry dolls -- these colorful, handmade dolls originated in Guatemala, and legend has it if you have a problem, you tell it to the doll, place it under your pillow and in the morning, a solution will present itself.

The belief stems from a Mayan princess named Ixmucane, who received "a special gift from the sun god that allowed her to solve any problem a human could worry about."

While we haven't put our dolls to the test yet, we do keep them on our bedside at the ready. Those Mayans were pretty smart cookies.