(PRESS RELEASE)_PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (February 3, 2020) – Florida’s largest student film competition and award show, The Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films (SSOF), announces an elite slate of industry professionals who will judge this year’s submissions from talented high school and college entrants.

Included among the international list of 48 new (and returning) judges in various categories are:

Joyce Belloise – Ms. Belloise is the Vice President of Content & Community Partnerships at South Florida
PBS. A third generation South Floridian, Joyce has written and produced content for public television
for over 20 years. From local public affairs discussions to magazine shows, from wildlife programs to a
travel series and internationally distributed documentaries, she enjoys exploring our state's
unique culture, ecosystem, and attractions.

Ellen Jacoby, CSA – As Founder and President of Ellen Jacoby Casting International, Ms. Jacoby has
hired more than 300,000 actors, dancers and performers through the years. She has worked with
Hollywood elite, including Steven Soderbergh, Joel Schumacher, Sidney Pollack, The Farrelly Bros., Bob
Zemekis, Ron Howard, Mike Nichols, Michael Bay, Martin Scorsese, Tim Burton, Gary Marshall, John
Landis, James Cameron, Joe Roth, Tony Scott and others. She is a member of the Academy of
Television Arts and Sciences, which produces the Emmy Awards.

Cody Johns – Mr. Johns is an actor, recording artist, and digital content creator from South Florida.
Johns found success as not only a social media personality, but also a pioneer in digital-based
Journalism and Marketing.

Omar McClinton – Mr. McClinton is the head of production at Echo Bridge Productions, a full-service
award-winning animation studio based in St. Petersburg, FL, which specializes in 2D, hand-drawn
animation for feature films, commercials, music videos, video games and more. McClinton has 30+
years of experience producing for film and television and managed the IMAX VFX crew for The Dark
Knight movie.

(PRESS RELEASE)_The Fifth Annual Palm Beach Paddlefest, presented by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County (MIAPBC) at Harbourside Place in Jupiter, Florida, captured the attention of the paddling community on February 8. According to event organizers, the festival experienced tremendous growth as paddle sports continue to grow in popularity in South Florida. In addition to an increase in overall attendance, exhibitors, and support from local businesses, the two featured races saw a 40 percent increase in participation.

“Palm Beach County and this event in particular has developed into a top destination for paddlers,” says MIAPBC Executive Director Alyssa Freeman. The MIAPBC team and volunteers planned and promoted the event over the past year and were pleasantly shocked at the level of growth experienced during the event’s fifth year. “We were all surprised by the increase in racers this year,” says Alyssa. Palm Beach Paddlefest utilized a new timing company, which improved accuracy, and offered new, custom medals for top finishers, which were “a big hit” according to Alyssa.
 
In addition to hosting two competitive races sponsored by Blueline Surf and Paddle Co. and a kid’s fun race, the one-day festival supports local nonprofits and featured free activities for families and kids, including a waterslide, face painting, games, and more.

(PRESS RELEASE)_(West Palm Beach, FL – February 19, 2020) Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden will be hosting 10 fun and horticulturally informative programs and events in March and April. Visitors to Mounts will also want to experience the two ongoing exhibition at Mounts: the family friendly Ribbit the Exhibit and the amazing eco-exhibition CUTTING CORNERS: A Stickwork Exhibit.

 Guided Garden Walks
Wednesdays – March 11 & 25, April 8 & 22
+ 10:30 am & 1:30 pm
Meet at the Garden Entrance
FREE with admission. No RSVP Required
Enjoy this professionally guided walking tour throughout Mounts Botanical Garden.

Curator Conversations: Ribbit the Exhibit
Wednesday – March 18
Thursday – April 9
+ 4:30 pm to 6 pm
Meet at the main entrance on Military Trail
$5 for members; $15 for nonmembers.

Join Mounts staff for an insider’s look at Ribbit the Exhibit. This guided tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at J.A. Cobb’s whimsical structures and takes visitors through the Art in the Garden process, from art selection to landscape design. This after hours experience is limited to 20 participants. Registration deadlines are March 17 and April 8, and walk-in are not accepted.

(PRESS RELEASE)_COCONUT CREEK – Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines. Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and Palm Beach Classics will host the COCO Car Show, on Saturday, February 29, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Featuring more than 75 classic cars and high-end exotics valued at up to $1 million, the family-friendly event is open to the public and will feature food trucks, exciting vendors, and live entertainment by Tailgate Shakedown. 

To register your vehicle, please call (561) 637-2333. Vehicle registrants will receive a VIP swag bag, Fresh Harvest buffet voucher, and a car show trophy. Vehicle registration is a $20 or greater donation benefiting Casey Cares Foundation. For more information, call (954) 977-6700 or visit casinococo.com. 

(PRESS RELEASE)_ COCONUT CREEK – Enjoy a comedic night out with actor Paul Reiser on Saturday, May 16 at 8 p.m. in The Pavilion at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek.

Reiser is currently starring in two hit shows for Netflix: Stranger Things as Dr. Sam Owens, in a role created by the Duffer Brothers specifically for Reiser, and Chuck Lorre’s The Kominsky Method alongside Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin. He has been getting rave reviews for the latter, where he delivered a moving soliloquy on life and loss in a scene that MediaPost says “will stand by year’s end as one of the finest moments seen anywhere on television this year.”

The multi-faceted actor also revived one of his most iconic roles in the highly-anticipated return of Mad About You, the long-running hit ‘90s comedy Reiser co-created and starred in with Helen Hunt. The Emmy, Peabody, and Golden Globe Award-winning comedy ended in May 1999 and returned 20 years later as a limited series on Spectrum Originals. 

Throughout his prolific career, Reiser has worked with both independent and mainstream filmmakers. More recently, Reiser earned acclaim for his supporting roles in the Academy Award-winning film Whiplash, John McDonagh's War on Everyone and frequent collaborator Jeff Baena’s The Little Hours.

Reiser is a fixture behind the camera as well. He co-created and co-produced There’s…. Johnny!, a seven-episode series on Hulu which depicted the fictional goings-on behind the scenes of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

As an author, Reiser’s first book, Couplehood, sold over two million copies and reached the number one spot on The New York Times best sellers list. His subsequent books, Babyhood and Familyhood, were best-sellers as well.

A SUNY Binghamton graduate in the prestigious music program, Reiser co-wrote the theme song from Mad About You, “The Final Frontier," with Grammy Award-winning producer Don Was. He also released an album of original songs with British singer-songwriter Julia Fordham called Unusual Suspects.

Over the course of his career, Reiser has received multiple Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, American Comedy Award and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. He was also voted one of Comedy Central’s “Top 100 Comedians of All Time.”

Tickets are priced at $20/$25/$35 per person and can 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.

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

(PRESS RELEASE)_(West Palm Beach, FL – February 18, 2020) The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is thrilled to announce its 2020-2021 Kravis On Broadway season—complete with seven mega-hits. The 13th Kravis On Broadway season is packed with musicals that will lift your spirit, stories that will touch your heart, and indelible moments that will stay with you long after you’ve left the theater.

From the acclaimed Lincoln Center Theater production of Lerner & Loewe’s MY FAIR LADY, to six-time Tony winner DEAR EVAN HANSEN, to the captivating WICKED, this season’s line-up will be impossible to resist!  Kravis On Broadway 2020-2021 also features MEAN GIRLS, ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE, ANASTASIA, and AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN.

“Our next Kravis On Broadway series line-up is nothing short of amazing. We’re bringing some of the most popular, coveted productions on tour today,” says Lee Bell, Senior Director of Programming at the Kravis Center. “We’re especially excited to present DEAR EVAN HANSEN and WICKED, two hits that our audiences cannot wait to experience at the Kravis Center. Local Parrotheads will be ecstatic, dancing and singing to their favorite Jimmy Buffett tunes in ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE, and Tina Fey fans will definitely delight in the popular MEAN GIRLS.”

Remember: the best place to get information or tickets is through the Kravis Center’s official website at www.kravis.org/broadway. 

The 2020/2021 Kravis On Broadway series includes:

(PRESS RELEASE)_(Delray Beach, FL – February 14, 2020) Marjorie Waldo, President & CEO of Arts Garage, today announced that the nonprofit organization will once again present SET THE STAGE, PLACES EVERYONE!—unique summer theatre camps for kids and teens. This exciting multidisciplinary experience will help young artists learn about all aspects of theatre..

This summer’s SET THE STAGE is divided into three sessions:

+ Session I for Ages 6-9 / June 1-19
+ Session II for Ages 10-12 / June 22-July 10
+ Session III for Ages 13-17 / July 13-31

The participating young performers will feel like real professionals as they learn the ins and outs of producing their own play. The campers are the writers, directors, techies and actors, as well as costume and set designers. Of course, each session will culminate in a live, original showcase. 

“This is a really cool project,” says Waldo. “The kids have incredible feedback at the end of each camp where they talk about how they came out of their shells, made new friends, learned to collaborate and compromise and share their ideas. It's truly amazing.”

“Best of all, financial aid is available to young summer campers thanks to the generosity of The Virginia and Harvey Kimmel Family Foundation and matching donors from the Arts Garage,” she adds. “Our cost may be $600 per student per session, but we are determined to make sure that any child who wants to enroll in the SET THE STAGE summer camps can do so. We will not turn down any parent who wants to enroll their child.”

“Why does the Arts Garage do this? Because we believe the arts are transformative,” says Waldo. “Participation in theatre camp, as well as many other arts education experiences, makes a difference - especially for children. They learn so much about themselves, about their fellow campers, and about the art form they are studying. We already know what the research proves: Children perform better in school, improve their problem-solving and communication skills, and have higher self-esteem when they are exposed to the arts.”

How to Enroll in SET THE STAGE Summer Camps at Arts Garage

Parents can both enroll their children and apply for scholarship support online at www.ArtsGarage,org or by calling 561.450.6357. The deadline to apply is the first day of each session, but the earlier the better.

Note: Extended care is provided upon request for an additional fee.

For more information about the SET THE STAGE, PLACES EVERYONE!, please contact Clydia@ArtsGarage.or org or call 561.210.9036.

                            Previous Story: The Ben Topping Out Ceremony

(PRESS RELEASE)_WEST PALM BEACH_Making a splash as the only hotel on the downtown West Palm waterfront, The Ben West Palm is now open and welcoming guests. An Autograph Collection Hotel, the design-focused hotel reflects a strong connection to its deep-rooted locale, reinventing the way to experience one of Florida’s most dynamic cities.

The 208-room, new-build hotel features a modern design aesthetic reflecting the spirit of the Ben Trovato Estate, one of West Palm Beach’s original homes. Byrd Spilman Dewey, one of Florida’s most prolific authors of the pioneer era, gave her 1892 Victorian home the name Ben Trovato, literally meaning “well invented.” The name is derived from “Se non è vero, è ben trovato,” an Italian phrase which, loosely translated, means “Even if it isn’t true, it’s a good story.” The Estate put West Palm Beach on the cultural map, entertaining luminaries from Henry Phipps Jr. to Woodrow Wilson and the Vanderbilts.

Reimagined for today, The Ben creatively channels Dewey’s joie de vivre, her love of entertaining, her whimsical interests and personal passions. Much like the Ben Trovato Estate, this new hotel is a place for socialization, lively conversation and enrichment.

Pioneered by South Florida architecture firm EoA and its founder and design director Malcolm Berg, The Ben’s heartfelt design beautifully combines vintage Florida with modern elements. The hotels’ interiors intrigue guests with a combination of rich textures and earth tones accented with lush greenery evocative of the South Florida setting and climate that enchanted Dewey. Guestrooms feature eclectic elements including sliding bookcases that, when discovered, reveal a window into the shower and whimsical, mod iconic collage portraiture. In the lobby, a book display wall is arranged to manifest the silhouette of hotel muse Dewey’s face.

Proper Grit debuts as the hotel’s signature restaurant, with Executive Chef Andre Sattler at the helm. The contemporary South Florida chophouse is open daily and offers indoor and outdoor seating in a comfortable, yet upscale setting. A communal-style table stretches across the dining room to encourage socialization, with cozy, living-room style nooks along its border where guests can intimately enjoy a cocktail prior to being seated. Menus include fresh, locally sourced fare that combines the property’s Old Florida roots interpreted the “proper” way and offers staples like whole, fresh caught snapper filleted table-side, and a perfectly cooked ribeye steak, served bone-in.

The Ben also features Spruzzo, a stunning rooftop lounge and bar that is accessible via an express elevator directly from the ground floor. This new West Palm hotspot boasts sweeping, ‘Byrds-eye’ views of the Palm Harbor Marina and beyond, and offers a setting for guests to enjoy poolside cocktails and Mediterranean bites al fresco.

Living up to its roots and identity as downtown West Palm’s social hub, The Ben features more than 8,000 square feet of meeting and event space, from a sleek boardroom to a unique glass-enclosed gallery, The Studio, which provides a supplementary flex-space that serves as a blank canvas for the most innovative events to come to life.  

For weddings and elegant affairs, The Ben’s rooftop Blue Heron Ballroom ups the ante on events in the area. The space can host up to 500 guests and is the only rooftop ballroom in all of West Palm Beach with captivating ocean views from Singer Island to Palm Beach Island and beyond.

Regular programming will make use of the varied spaces throughout the hotel with offerings including Sunset/Sunrise Yoga on the Rooftop, a Proper Grit Pup Brunch, Gin & Jam Tea Time and more.

Owned and operated by Concord Hospitality, an award-winning hotel development and management company, The Ben is located at 251 N. Narcissus Avenue, one block from vibrant Clematis Street, minutes away from the newly reimagined Rosemary Square and a short drive from Palm Beach International Airport (PBI).

To celebrate its opening, guests can book the “Discover The Ben” package to enjoy 20% off, a $50 hotel credit and 7,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points per night. Use promotional code M11 to book this offer. For more information and bookings, please visit www.marriott.com/PBIAK or call (561) 655-4001.

Communications Manager Ed Cunningham, Village of North Palm Beach: Make sure your household is fully counted in the 2020 Census. Here's a quick video about the 2020 Census. Starting in March, the Census will begin counting every person living in the United States. Please make sure everyone in your household is counted. Important political representation & potential project funding for the Village is dependent on an accurate count.