By Gerry Barker

As a freelance travel writer, I take a lot of cruises. And sometimes, in the course of a cruise, you run across something unexpected -- a story within the story, if you will. Such was the case when we recently sailed on Atlas Ocean Voyages' World Navigator. 

As part of a 10-day voyage around the Caribbean, it featured an independent film festival, showcasing a number of highly-acclaimed documentaries, along with the people who made them.

One of those films was "Duty Free." It chronicles what happened when 75-year-old British immigrant Rebecca Danigelis was abruptly fired from her Boston hotel job with little resources to fall back on and few prospects to land another job. What she does have is a son -- Sian-Pierre Regis -- an award-winning journalist and culture critic.

Along with providing emotional support, Regis decides to go a step further and direct a film about his mother's struggles. He asks her to create a bucket list of things she would have liked to have done during the 50-plus years she spent raising and caring for her family. She does just that, and the film takes us on their journey.

What's on her list? It's wide-ranging, from learning how to hip-hop dance and milking a cow to skydiving and visiting her sister's grave in England. But more than just ticking off items on a wish list, it's also a powerful statement about the plight of America's seniors. Today, Regis and his mother continue to highlight that plight at conferences and political arenas across the country. 

We got to spend time getting to know both of them on the cruise, and trust me, Rebecca is no where close to slowing down. 

Do yourself a favor and watch "Duty Free" on PBS Nov. 22 at 10 pm. You can also learn more about the film at its website, HERE.

As of Nov. 20, it's official: North Palm Beach now has its own Community Garden.

This morning, officials with the Village of North Palm Beach met with volunteers at Osborne Park to unveil a new community gardening space. Located at the back of the park, surrounded by white fencing, there are 14 raised, 4 by 10-foot beds where residents can grow plants of their choice.

Zak Sherman, director of leisure services, and Andy Lukasik, city manager, were on hand to  lead the initial organization meeting. The garden is a project of the village's Environmental Committee, which used the successful Abacoa Community Garden as a model.

The new gardening space will be maintained by volunteers, and several of those in attendance signed up to claim a spot in one of the beds. For more information, contact Zak Sherman.

​Let the growing begin! --By Gerry Barker

(PRESS RELEASE)_(West Palm Beach, FL – November 19, 2021), Rochelle Wolberg, Curator-Director of Mounts Botanical Garden, Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest public garden, today announced that it was partnering with Palm Beach Outlets and the PBC Extension Service to present a tropical HOLIDAY BROMELIAD TREE, which is on display through the end of the year at the popular shopping center located at 1751 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard (33401) in West Palm Beach.
 
“More than a thousand brightly colored plants are used in this beautiful 23-foot living tree, including Fireball Bromeliads and Ampla Bromeliads,” says Wolberg. “Both varieties were selected for their color combination, toughness and sun tolerance, because bright light intensifies the coloration.”
 
The HOLIDAY BROMELIAD TREE was joyously designed and assembled by Mounts Horticulture team members Matt Boyson and Joel Crippen, working with Tom Ramiccio of the Bromeliad Society of the Palm Beaches.
 
Shoppers at Palm Beach Outlets can enjoy the gorgeous tree 11 am to 8 pm Monday-Thursday, 10 am to 9 pm Friday-Saturday, and 11 am to 7 pm Sunday.
 
“This is the perfect family-friendly holiday promotion for Mounts Botanical Garden,” adds Wolberg. “Not only do we get to partner with Palm Beach Outlets and the PBC Extension Service, but it is also the perfect opportunity to cross-promote our stunningly beautiful Garden of Lights—20 sparkling evenings, December 1-23, when visitors of all ages can 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.”

(PRESS RELEASE)_(West Palm Beach, FL – November 18, 2021) Broadway is back in West Palm Beach with the 2021/2022 Kravis On Broadway season. Individual tickets to CATS, ANASTASIA, MY FAIR LADY, and AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN go on sale to the general public tomorrow (Saturday, November 20) at 10 am – online through the Kravis Center’s website at kravis.org/broadway; or by phone at 561.832.7469 or 800.572.8471

February 8-13, 2022
CATS
CATS, the record-breaking musical spectacular by Andrew Lloyd Webber that has captivated audiences in over 30 countries and 15 languages, is now on tour across North America! Audiences and critics alike are rediscovering this beloved musical with breathtaking music, including one of the most treasured songs in musical theater—"Memory”. Winner of 7 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, CATS tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn. The original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber (The Phantom of the Opera, School of Rock, Sunset Boulevard), original scenic and costume design by John Napier (Les Misérables), all-new lighting design by Natasha Katz (Aladdin), all-new sound design by Mick Potter, new choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton) based on the original choreography by Gillian Lynne (Phantom) and direction by Trevor Nunn (Les Misérables) make this production a new CATS for a new generation!

(PRESS RELEASE)_​(Delray Beach, FL – November 19, 2021) MusicWorks today announced that  tickets are now on sale for the seven-concert Classic Folk & Rock Series, running January through March at the intimate and easily accessible Boca Black Box Center for the Arts, located in Piccadilly Square at 8221 Glades Road (33434). Folk and rock fans can purchase advance tickets either online at www.BocaBlackBox.com or by calling 561.483.9036.
 
January 26 at 8 pm  (Wednesday)                                                                                  
Corky Laing’s Mountain
Best known as the powerhouse rock drummer with the group Mountain, the career of Corky Laing has lasted well past the supergroup where he made his name. Laing has also collaborated with John Lennon, Bobby Keys, Ten Years After, Meatloaf and bassist Noel Redding, formerly of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Hear the immortal Mountain classics Mississippi Queen, Nantucket Sleighride, Never in My Life, Don’t Look Around, and  many others.
Tickets start at $60
VIP seats are $75

(PRESS RELEASE)_Showfields, the pioneer of next-generation retail, is the ultimate curator of the most interesting emerging and established art, brands, events and unique experiences in the world. It was founded on the idea of creating a more meaningful connection to the customer, constantly innovating, and empowering artists and brands with flexible solutions via its proprietary digital and physical platform. The retail concept officially opened its first location at 11 Bond Street, New York City and a second location at 530 Lincoln Road, Miami. Showfields continues its mission to bring the magic of discovery to the shopping experience.
 
“Art is Everything” underlines Showfields deep belief that every creation, be it a product, experience, panting or NFT, is a work of art. With art at the core of the store’s DNA, Showfields aims to celebrate the shared creative pulse of traditional art categories with new breakthrough movements that change the world. Throughout the week, complimentary cocktails will be served at all events in partnership with Diageo. 
 
Below you will find a schedule of public and VIP events taking place at Showfields for Art Basel 2021.
 
General public can RSVP for public events at showfields.com/pages/upcoming-events. 
 
WHERE: Showfields Miami, 530 Lincoln Road, Miami FL 33139
 
WHEN: Wednesday, December 1 - Sunday, December 5, 2021
 
Art Basel Schedule 2021
 
All Week
 
Diageo Presents: Miami Spirit
12 - 7 p.m. daily Open to the public
 
Inspired by the neighborhoods and culture of the Magic City, Diageo will unveil two new works of art that represent iconic Miami architectural styles and are inspired by custom Diageo cocktails. This latest ode arrives in the form of two new cocktails for CÎROC Vodka and Crown Royal Regal Apple. In turn, two Miami artists – Morel Doucet and COVL - looked to both drinks as inspiration to create new heartfelt homages to the Magic City as installations at Showfields.  Local pride is sure to be served in this latest installment of cocktails and imaginative art experiences and will be available over the next 3 months, closing out Diageo’s tribute in a final flourish celebrating the Miami spirit. 

​(PRESS RELEASE)_WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (November 18, 2021) – Brightline, the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, intercity rail in America, along with Micromobility Management, The Related Companies and the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority are excited to announce the approval of Brightline’s new integrated bikeshare program, BrightBike. The program will be a fully dock-based system with pedal-powered BrightBikes placed in up to 17 locations with 170 BrightBikes throughout downtown West Palm Beach in its first phase of launch. 
 
“Brightline is excited to add BrightBikes to our fleet of eco-friendly mobility options, making it easier than ever to access our station or the many destinations around West Palm,” said Jonathan Hopkins, vice president of mobility at Brightline. “Together with our great partners we are expanding access to transportation and encouraging people to live a car-free lifestyle.”
 
BrightBike was unanimously approved at the November 15 City of West Palm Beach commission meeting. Upon its launch in the coming months, BrightBike will be part of Brightline+, Brightline’s new door-to-door service powered by its app and supported by a fleet of Brightline branded vehicles. The new bikeshare program will be included in the multimodal trip planning and booking experience that includes train service, local transit, and ridesharing.

Princess Cruises is the world’s leading international premium cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 14 modern cruise ships, carrying two million guests each year to 380 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. A team of professional destination experts have curated 170 itineraries, ranging in length from three to 111 days and Princess Cruises is continuously recognized as “Best Cruise Line for Itineraries.” 
​
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sale

• Deal: 50% off deposits and up to $200 onboard spending money (per stateroom)
• Booking Dates: Wednesday 11/17 through Tuesday 11/30
• Travel Dates: All cruises and cruise tours departing March 2022 and beyond