Palm Beach County Perspective

Palm Beach County is preparing to go to the polls as the General Election approaches. First, let me say it's good to be back as we record our 100th episode. During my hiatus, I mounted an unsuccessful campaign to challenge our incumbent Member of Congress. It wasn't meant to be but the experience was quite educational and I will say more about this in the future. In Episode 100 we focus on the ballot questions being presented to voters for an up or down vote. Six potential amendments to the Florida Constitution and, in Palm Beach County, one local initiative to extend the 1/2 penny sales tax for schools. (The base state sales tax rate in Florida is 6%. Local tax rates in Florida range from 0% to 2%%, making the sales tax range in Florida 6-8 percent). It's welcome you back and I hope you find this episode interesting and informative.

Episode 99 is an opportunity to continue our celebration of the arts. Last month Arlene Herson and Shari Upbin, two well known members of our community with a deep sense of purpose in ensuring the Arts gets its due, spoke about the National Society of Arts and Letters and its mission of assisting promising young artists through competitions, financial assistance, master classes, mentoring and providing career opportunities. The Festival of the Arts Boca has, for the past 17 years brought top artistic talent to Boca Raton's Mizner Park Amphitheatre Our guest, Joanna Marie Kaye has, since 2014, played a pivotal role in the evolution of this weeklong event. This year the Festival celebrates the centenary of Henry Mancini,presents a full orchestration of Jaws (as scored by John Williams), and makes room for a night to feature the talents of "future stars" at the 19th annual competition. Arts and culture continue to thrive in Palm Beach County. Listen to how you can be part of the 18th edition of this great artistic display.  

Episode 98 is a celebration of the arts. While we continue to emphasize STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics), no less important to a well rounded education is the inclusion of the Arts (STEAM). My guests for this episode are Arlene Herson and Shari Upbin, two well known members of our community with a deep sense of purpose in ensuring the Arts gets its due as we teach our children skills they will need to compete in a global marketplace. The National Society of Arts and Letters assists promising young artists through competitions, financial assistance, master classes, mentoring and providing career opportunities. Through its 17 chapters (representing all regions of the US), NSAL members are engaged professionally in the arts and actively support the work of young artists. I hope you enjoy our talk and then, perhaps, watch one or more of Arlene's celebrity interviews, currently available on YouTube. 

Episode 97 is an opportunity to bring back my loving life partner as she discusses her, just published, book. Pamela Weinroth is the proud author of "Steal the Style," a virtual "how-to" for people looking for champagne fashion on a beer wallet. As many of you know, we are out and about on a regular basis to attend events in Palm Beach County to support the many nonprofit agencies doing their best to help residents in need. Whereas I am able to change my tie and shirt and go off to another event, Pamela is always looking for something new to catch the eye without putting us into debt. Thus, she learned how to stretch her dollars as she acquired eye-catching fashion. Her book explains the steps she takes to remain fashionable without going into hock. I hope you enjoy our talk and then, perhaps, purchase her book on Amazon so she'll have more money to continue her pursuit of the perfect gown! 

Episode 96 is a mixed bag of topics. Pamela Higer-Polani is my guest. During today's conversation we touch upon several subjects including estate planning, community volunteerism and Israel. Pamela is an attorney, licensed to practice in the United States and Israel (where she and her Israeli born husband lived and started their family). We talk about the terrorist attack of October 7th and the resulting war in Gaza and its deep personal impact on Pamela. We also talk about her initiative to bring funding and awareness to families addressing Alzheimer's, Dementia, Parkinson's and related diseases. These incurable affiliations can devastate a family. We also talk about Pamela's concierge legal practice which focuses on end of life planning including wills, trusts, long term care and ways to ensure dependents are cared for beyond our own lifetime. Have a listen.

Episode 95 is my opportunity to talk with my former City Council colleague, Constance Scott, to catch up with her and her associate, Karen Corcoran, as they embark on a new initiative addressing mental and physical wellbeing. The maintenance of balance in one's life is essential to a feeling of well being and happiness. Constance is a former AFAA certified fitness instructor and personal trainer and practices Transcendental Meditation and breathing exercises for better connectivity to peace and spiritual growth. Karen is a therapist, educator, mental health specialist and an addiction treatment professional focusing on adult and adolescent mental health and psychotherapy. Together they are quite a team addressing issues of mind and body. Have a listen.    

Episode 94 provides an opportunity to take a step back and consider retirement and ways to ensure adequate financial planning provides for lifetime security. My guest, Tom Archer, has for over 37 years, served as a trusted financial advisor to the nation's most affluent families. His clientele boasts numerous Fortune 500 families, including an impressive roster of 25 billionaires, as well as renowned celebrities and entertainers. Additionally, Tom expertly manages the financial lives of over 200 professional athletes, diligently focusing on wealth accumulation, preservation, and asset protection. While you may not be a millionaire, understanding the concept of "wealth planning" can help preserve your estate for a fulfilling retirement and provide a legacy for future generations. Have a listen.

Episode 93 takes a look at how the State of Florida, and in particular, Palm Beach County, has taken steps to make the inner workings of government more transparent and ethical. Our guest today, Dr. Peter Cruise, teaches ethics at Florida Atlantic University and is an appointed member of the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics. When individuals do not trust the veracity of their public officials they cannot trust the decisions made. Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine law provides a right of access to governmental proceedings at both the state and local levels. This has provided a great deal of transparency into the working of our governmental bodies. Likewise, regular financial disclosures by elected and appointed public officials prevents undue influence being exerted on decisions made by our public bodies. Listen to our conversation about how the decisions of our public officials are made in a fair and open fashion.

Episode 92 is an opportunity to address the continuing waves of anti-semitism, especially as the war in the Middle East brings those sentiments to the surface. My guest is Eric Rozenberg. He is a Belgian-born American citizen, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and podcaster. From organizing projects for Fortune 500 companies in over fifty countries to volunteering to protect the Jewish community in Brussels, Eric has developed an ability to connect the dots, face reality, and take action in difficult situations. Fiercely independent and passionate about geopolitics, he is an avid reader and never shies away from expressing his opinion, even (or especially) if it is not politically correct. He happily lives in South Florida with his wife, Elsa; their three daughters, and their dog, Simba.. Listen to our conversation about his views on this topic of concern.

Episode 91 Episode 91 is an opportunity to, again, highlight the entrepreneurial spirit of many within our community. Often this has resulted in residents establishing what I like to call, "home grown nonprofit agencies." We have, and will continue to, shine the spotlight on these endeavors. However, today's guests have turned their "entrepreneurial spirit" into businesses generating jobs and income while meeting a need. My first guest is Brian Howie. Thanks to Brian we have this platform to present our podcasts. Podpopuli is a growing network of studios, throughout the US, dedicated to offering an infrastructure and technical expertise to communicate. We appreciate his support and friendship and as we approach our 100th episode, we  recognize without Podpopuli we wouldn't be connected. Our second guests "Lady" Ashley Bacon and her husband, John, have taken party planning to the next level. They help make memories out of significant milestones. Be it a birthday, engagement, graduation or whatever, Ashley and John create and design beautiful and fun parties. Listen to how these individuals are making our community a fun place to live, work, learn, play and celebrate.

Episode 90 focuses on how our non profit agencies work together to help our community's most vulnerable. Today's conversation focuses on the Fuller Center and the Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunrise. Ellyn Okrent is the CEO at Fuller Center. She has been a guest previously discussing the services they provide as a source of childcare and early education for many within our community who work each day. She is joined by Craig McDonald of the Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunrise. He's chairing the upcoming 36th Annual Golf Club Tournament at Boca Lago Golf & Country Club on November 3rd for the benefit of the Fuller Center, the Club's Foundation, their Foundation Scholarship Program - Teacher of the Year and other Board approved initiatives. It is gratifying to see organizations work together rather than operating in silos. Listen to these two individuals working to make our community a great place to live, work, learn & play.

Episode 89 focuses on how the changing demographic in South Florida over the past decades has provided opportunities for shared experiences. It was not too long ago that South Florida was viewed as the place people went to retire and live their "golden years." This is, of course, a wonderful place to retire but many families have relocated to South Florida to enjoy the wonderful weather, recreational amenities and relaxed lifestyle available year-round. This has created a diversity of ages that can offer great opportunities. Several weeks ago we highlighted an intergenerational program where children and retirees at an adult day care program can do joint activities. My guests today also are offering an opportunity for musicians from 10 - 90+ to make music together. The Florida Intergenerational Orchestra was founded by Lorraine Marks. Together with her husband, Robert Field, they have nurtured this opportunity for young and old to make beautiful music together. Listen to their excitement about this wonderful organization.

Episode 88 offers our listeners an opportunity to hear about the services available in our community to address mental illness. Mental illness is NOT a dirty word. Years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Rita Thrasher, a champion for starting a conversation about mental illness. She recognized the need to take the issue of mental illness out of the shadows. My guests , today, are on the front lines of delivering affordable mental health services to our community. Dr Holly Katz is Clinical & Training Director at The Faulk Center for Counseling. She is joined by Jonathan Price, the Center's CEO. Together, they are spreading the word about the free and low-cost counseling services for people of all ages (from children to the elderly). Their services are available at their Boca Raton facility, at various senior communities and area schools and through Telehealth. If you or someone you know is in need of these services, I urge you to have them listen to this episode.

Episode 87 is an opportunity to hear our guest, Nina Presman, share her journey to self actualization and enlightenment, and how she uses quantum energy and metaphysical phenomena to heal childhood abuse, PTSD, and debilitating conditions in men, women, and children. Nina discusses her journey from Russia, surviving multiple abusive relationships, to establishing a state of the art institute to help people look as young as they feel, as founder of the Anti Aging Center of Boca. Her life experience has convinced her people can harness their inner power to heal many of the issues interfering with their health and happiness. Nina has now established Energy Work Unlimited to share this understanding with her clients. It's a very interesting conversation. I know you'll find this episode thought provoking.

Episode 86 takes a look at how our community is governed and by whom. One of the important qualities of Florida is the concept of "Home Rule." The concept is addressed in the Florida Constitution and reserves to the cities, towns, villages and counties the responsibility to enact rules and ordinances for their residents in a way that a federal or state legislature cannot. My own entry into the political world was as a member of the City Council in Boca Raton. A five member body charged with guiding the municipality's growth and management. As I moved onto an opportunity to serve as a County Commissioner, I was succeeded by Monica Mayotte. Due to "term limits," Deputy Mayor Mayotte will be stepping away from the City Council at the end of her term in March. This episode was my opportunity to catch up with Ms. Mayotte to talk about her experience as a member of the City Council over the past 5 1/2 years and to talk about what still lies ahead for the City of Boca Raton, now boasting over 100,000 residents. I know you'll find this conversation very informative.

Episode 85 takes a slightly different direction than past conversations. We have repeatedly emphasized the fertile business environment in South Florida (and especially Palm Beach County). But, the question for many within our community is how to exploit those opportunities. My guest, Victoria Salem, is a professional development coach who  focuses on communication, public speaking and networking skills. She helps her clients increase their confidence, become more successful and create better opportunities. Victoria is a strong believer in the power of networking and communication. Used well, they are both a key route to success. She focuses on helping individuals develop the necessary skills to become more effective networkers and communicators leading them to more success and building better relationships. Her training solutions cover business networking and communication; presentation and public speaking; an online presence; and personal and professional confidence. If you are seeking an edge in the business marketplace I know you'll find this conversation very informative.

Episode 84 may feel a bit like déjà vu. Several weeks ago we had the pleasure of visiting with the president and president-elect of the Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton. As we mentioned then, Boca Raton is so committed to "Service Above Self" that we have multiple clubs. The "original" club was established in 1957. That club, the Rotary Club of Boca Raton, boasts over 80 community minded business leaders as members. Their focus is on student education and, to that end, they have been producing the OPAL Awards which, in turn, raises funds for full-ride scholarships. This year, the Rotary celebrated the 25th Anniversary of this annual event. OPAL stands for Outstanding Awards And Leaders. For the past 25 years, the Rotary Club of Boca Raton has recognized citizens in Boca Raton who have demonstrated an on-going commitment to serve their neighbors through philanthropic, business leadership, as well as education, government, community and medical service endeavors. These individuals represent the ESSENCE of why Boca Raton is a remarkable place to live, work. learn and raise a family. Take a listen and, perhaps, you will understand why we are so proud of our community and the people giving back each and every day.

Episode 83 introduces our listeners to another of our local nonprofit agencies. Scholastic achievement is a critical need for our children as they prepare to take their places in a world economy. Emphasis, of late, has been on STEM (an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). These four fields share an emphasis on innovation, problem-solving, and critical thinking. However, as our guest Shanna St. John, executive director of Nat King Cole Generation Hope, and I believe, STEAM offers a well-rounded education (with the addition of "A" for Arts).  The benefits of a music education is the focus of Shanna's efforts. With rigorous career preparation, many creative school programs have been cut from the curriculum. The inclusion of programs such as music education can have major impacts on a student's growth and development. Take a listen and, perhaps, you will understand why we believe the Arts cannot be crowded out of our children's academic offerings.

Episode 82 brings us back to my favorite topic, giving back (especially within a community where, too often, we are judged as "self-absorbed" and too concerned with our own well being). As regular listeners of this podcast know, I am an unapologetic cheerleader for the many residents in our community who give of themselves to "pay it forward." Granted, the "Boca'' lifestyle offers glitz and glamour with galas and star-studded events designed to attract charitable contributions for many worthy causes. A parallel universe of service organizations is also present where individuals of modest means can still make a difference. One of those organizations is Rotary. I have come to know many within our community who are making a difference, quietly and incrementally, by volunteering their time on projects organized by one of the Rotary Clubs here in Boca Raton. It is my privilege to have two friends, Kim Champion and Bruce Spizler as my guest for this episode. Kim and Bruce are the president and president-elect, respectively, of the Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton. Their community service niche is health, nutrition and medicine. They roll up their sleeves and volunteer in multiple ways in our community, making a difference for many. Take a listen and, perhaps, their enthusiasm for what they are doing will inspire you to do likewise.

Episode 81 highlights the close ties between South Florida and our neighbors in South America. Our guests, Mary Sol Gonzalez and Claudia Nichols introduce our listeners to the Hispanic Entrepreneurs Initiative (HEI) Florida, founded by entrepreneurs who embody the unique characteristics of being immigrants from Latin America, and doing business in the United States. Their mission is to foster economic prosperity in South Florida through business acculturation training and coaching for entrepreneurs and small business owners. As Mary Sol explains, the gap is real for immigrants of Latin American origins doing business in the US. Through HEI she is helping to close that gap for US businesses looking to open outlets in South America as well as entrepreneurs from South America seeking to put down roots in the United States.  

Episode 80 spotlights the therapeutic use of horses in addressing the mental health issues of many of our children. Horses Healing Hearts was founded in 2009 by Lizabeth Olszewski. As a child of alcoholic parents, Liz was eventually taken in and raised by a loving aunt who changed her life forever. Her unique story of a horse, mentorship and healthy emotional support became the inspiration for the programs she provides today. From the beginning, Horses Healing Hearts has helped at-risk youth in South Florida through the magnificence of the human and horse relationship. Kids facing adversity gain the confidence and coping skills needed to overcome their trauma. During each equine therapy session, children learn life skills such as decision making, safe people, communication and healthy ways to express feelings. In her Executive Director role, she oversees the daily operation of this "homegrown" charity. I hope you'll find Liz's story compelling.   

Episode 79 is my opportunity to have my friend and fellow podcast personality, Paige Kornblue, join me. Our love for our community is quite evident from our activities throughout Palm Beach County. Paige, a Boca Raton native,  is an award-winning journalist who enjoys telling the stories and showcasing the brands that make a difference. After nearly two decades anchoring and reporting for top-rated television stations across America, she founded Paige Kornblue Media and the Paige Kornblue Show to feature everything from interesting people to premium products and fascinating places that make our community special. Summer in South Florida was once very quiet (as snow-birds flew north). That has changed and so much is happening each summer that we couldn't scratch the surface of the events occuring over the next few months. Many of these events are part of Boca Chamber Festival Days. Grab a pencil (or your iPhone) to add a few of these upcoming events to your calendar.

Episode 78 addresses how our community is ensuring our veterans receive the respect and, where necessary, services they need. Too often, our veterans only receive our attention on Veterans' Day, Memorial Day or another day set aside to recognize their service to our country. However, the issues confronted by many of our returning veterans require more than a few days of recognition. One of my priorities as a County Commissioner was to ensure veterans received the services they required on an ongoing basis especially as it came to housing. My guests today Ryan Onda and Jonathon Musgrave discuss the services provided by Semper-Fi Service Dogs, Inc. This is another "home-grown" nonprofit agency created in Palm Beach County to provide service dogs to veterans confronting PTSD as a result of their military service. It is also a story of providing a second chance to dogs who might otherwise be euthanized. As Ryan noted, he has changed the lives of every dog and person he has touched through his tireless efforts - training and placing over 40 rescue dogs with veterans in need. He creates a bond between the veterans and their dogs that, through their lifetime, continues to strengthen and grow - giving them the confidence and freedom to a life they deserve. I hope you find our conversation worth a listen.

Episode 77 highlights the hamburger! Our first guest, Chef George Patti, began his love affair with food at the age of 14 when he prepared and smoked meats at his father's New Rochelle NY deli. He went on to attend Johnson & Wales Culinary Arts Institute in Rhode Island. His path to become a successful chef and business owner eventually led him to the Florida Keys, where he established MEAT Eatery & Tap room (in a sea of seafood restaurants). He eventually added a second location in Boca Raton where guests are invited to sample the great creations (including the world famous Juicy Lucy!). Our second guest, Russell Spadaccini, has been producing culinary events for over ten years. One of those events, the Boca Burger Battle, will celebrate its 10th Anniversary when it is held on July 15th at Sanborn Square. The hand-picked Burger Battle 2023 team of Top Chefs will compete for the title of Best Battle Burger. As a "celebrity judge" for the past few years, I can vouch for the fun and flavor this even brings to South Florida. I hope you find our conversation worth a listen and, perhaps, you will join us at this great event!

Episode 76 begins with an overview of the services offered by the 211 Helpline. Our guest, Candi Spitz, is Director of Development and Community Relations at the 211 Helpline for Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast. They also double as the Suicide Hotline for residents in crisis who can reach out to caring professionals by dialing 211 or the new National Suicide Hotline by dialing 988. In addition to her advocacy for the services offered by the 211 Helpline, Candi is committed to helping families navigate the terrain when someone they know is autistic. Candi is the mother of identical/mirror image twins - both have Autism. As a single mom, she has learned how this disease impacts the lives of those afflicted and those responsible for their safety and development. As Candi describes it, her boys are her whole world and Autism makes them very special. She is an Autism trainer for law enforcement and first responders in Palm Beach County and serves as a Special Needs Advocate for the Palm Beach County Courts. This is a very special lady. As always, I hope you find our conversation worth a listen!

Episode 75 is an opportunity to see how nonprofit agencies can learn to work together, ignoring the initial fear of seeing their donor base supplanted by "competing" missions. My guest, today, is Lindy Harvey, executive Director of the Spirit of Giving Network. Regular listeners of my podcast know we have highlighted the exceptional work done by many of the non profit agencies operating in South Florida. Many of these are "home grown" by residents who saw a need and have made it their mission to attack that need. Spirit of Giving Network has created opportunities for collaboration through its training, Holiday Gift Drive and Back to School Bash. Eliminating silos and redundant efforts makes everyone more efficient. With over 100 non profit member agencies, the overarching aim of Spirit of Giving is to streamline the delivery of services to the community. As always, I hope you find our conversation worth a listen!

Episode 74 is my opportunity to discuss "Jewish memorabilia'' with Neil Keller. Long before Neil made his home here in South Florida, he became an avid collector of trading cards, autographs and other memorabilia of famous Jewish people. Over the past 37 years he has collected over 22,000 items which he claims makes it among the largest in the world. He has been a featured speaker at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown NY and has spoken at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival. The Washington Post, Jerusalem Post and Sun Sentinel have written about his hobby and he boasts countless articles in various publications. He was even the subject of a movie produced in 2000, "Obsessed with Jews'" by Jeff Krulik. We are also pleased to bring back Pamela Weinroth, Executive Director of the Boca West Children's Foundation. She updates us on their activities supporting over 30 nonprofit agencies in South Florida (committed to assisting our most vulnerable children). As always, I hope you find our conversations worth a listen!

Episode 73 is a bit of a departure from many of our conversations over the past two years. Chuck Forbes is our guest. He is Director of Brand Strategy at More Visibility. Back in 2000, my wife, Pamela, and I opened a durable medical supply company. Our primary market was mail order. We quickly realized there was a whole other world of online commerce available to us. We built a website and waited, and waited, and waited. The old adage, if you build it they will come (misquoted line spoken by Ray Kinsella, in the film Field of Dreams) didn't seem to be working out. Enter More Visibility. We learned about "optimizing the website design," we heard about SEO (Search Engine Optimization), designed to improve the appearance and positioning of web pages in organic search results. Because organic search is the most prominent way for people to discover and access online content, a good SEO strategy is essential for improving the quality and quantity of traffic to a website. It was a whole new world for us but we quickly realized our tiny company could compete with the much bigger and better capitalized companies in our space of commerce. Chuck is a home grown talent, having graduated from the College of Arts & Letters at FAU. If you have ever contemplated creating an online presence, this conversation is worth a listen!  

Episode 72 is your opportunity to hear about the services offered to our South Florida community by JAFCO. As we learn from Janet Epstein, Philanthropy Director at JAFCO, the original mission of this organization, established 31 years ago, was to act as a family preservation agency - offering hope and services to children in need of foster care and adoption services. From there an emergency shelter was established in 2002 to service the residential needs of children from birth to 23. The JAFCO mission expanded again in 2014 when they opened the Children's Ability Center - providing intensive support services and respite care to families raising children with developmental disabilities. In the wake of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS, a refuge for those in need of counseling and mental health services was created at Eagles' Haven. As always, I hope you find our conversation informative.

Episode 71 is an opportunity to focus on an issue of great importance to me - literacy! "Learning to Read" occurs during the early years of a child's education – typically kindergarten through 3rd grade – and consists primarily of decoding and memorizing basic words. The focus is phonemic awareness and phonics. Children learn letters make sounds, and how to mesh those sounds together so d-o-g becomes "dog". They continue progressing through this stage until they achieve "fluency", at which point they're ready to tackle increasingly difficult texts and begin "Reading to Learn." Unfortunately, in Palm Beach County, less than 60 percent are reading at grade level as they enter 4th grade! Ted Hoskinson has been working to increase literacy in our students, focusing on Title 1 schools in Palm Beach County with his "homegrown" nonprofit agency, "Roots & Wings." His mission is simple - prepare our children for their future place in our world economy. As always, I hope you will enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed our conversation.

Episode 70 is my opportunity to have another conversation with Rabbi Ruvi New. As regular listeners of our podcast know, conversations with the Rabbi have offered thoughtful perspectives on how religion can impact our lives. Today, Rabbi New and I began a discussion on Life, Death and the Rest in Peace. In our 30 minute conversation, we only scratched the surface on Jewish values and ritual as we face the end of life. The Jewish view on respecting the remains of the departed and how one might address the manner of internment are issues I ask the Rabbi to discuss. We also cover such issues as organ donations. We've asked Rabbi New to come back in the coming months to continue our conversation. Views on the afterlife, heaven and hell and reincarnation will be examined. As always, I hope you will enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed our conversation.

Episode 69 is my opportunity to have a conversation about nothing in particular (sounds a lot like the premise behind Seinfeld, doesn't it ... "a show about nothing", often focusing on the minutiae of daily life). My guest today is Carlos Romero. We are neighbors, friends and members of many of the same organizations. Today we're just going to have a conversation about what comes to mind and you are eavesdropping. But don't be embarrassed - we know you're listening and we hope you find something of interest. Unfortunately, you cannot join in to offer your two cents - but I hope you will enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed just catching up.

Episode 68 is my opportunity to talk about ways to teach people not to hate thy neighbor. Jennifer Romanoff and I met last year as she was facilitating the "Hate Ends Now" tour which brought a freight car with a message to various venues in South Florida. The tour brought a World War II-era cattle car replica to our community. providing a 360-degree multimedia exhibit teaching about the method of transportation used to ship Jewish people and other marginalized groups to concentration camps during the Holocaust. The exhibit also aimed to inspire people to end hate crimes. Jennifer is a passionate and dedicated individual who currently serves as an NCSY advisor in Boca Raton. NCSY is an international youth movement aimed at insoring Jewish teens to connect with their heritage. I hope you will enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed this discussion.

Episode 67 is my opportunity to visit with Shana Ostrovitz, Shana is the Executive Director of a private members-only club called "1909." The club is a group of "community of leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, and philanthropists who share a passion for excellence, a desire to connect with like-minded individuals, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world." As Shana explains, the club offers a variety of amenities and services, including a co-working space, private offices, event space, a restaurant, a bar, a fitness center, and more. Memberships are available by invitation or referral only, but the membership process is selective and based on factors such as character, values, and accomplishments. Ultimately, the club provides a high-end, exclusive environment for its members to network, socialize, and collaborate with one another. Listen to Shana explain how this Club is helping our entrepreneurs succeed.

Episode 66 is the start of what I am hoping will be a continuing dialogue on religion and how it's embraced by our residents. My guest today is Australian-born Rabbi Ruvi New. Rabbi New and his wife, Ahuva, founded the Boca Beaches Chabad in 1999. He is the publisher and editor of Inside Out Magazine, a national publication dedicated to contemporary Jewish thought and is also currently working on producing a musical tribute to the life of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The Chabad movement traces its roots to the 18th century in Eastern Europe. It is known for its distinctive outreach efforts to promote Jewish education, community service, and religious observance. The word "Chabad" is an acronym of three Hebrew words that represent the movement's central teachings: Chochmah (wisdom), Binah (understanding), and Da'at (knowledge). These teachings emphasize the intellectual and mystical dimensions of Judaism, and the movement places a strong emphasis on the study of Torah (Jewish scripture) and the teachings of Jewish mysticism, known as Kabbalah. Rabbi New is a dynamic and respected spiritual leader who serves the Jewish community in Boca Raton. He is known for his engaging and thought-provoking sermons that are relevant to modern-day challenges and issues. He is committed to helping individuals develop a meaningful and authentic relationship with Judaism, regardless of their background or level of observance. He is highly respected for his compassion, wisdom, and ability to inspire others to live meaningful and purposeful lives. I hope this will be the first of a series of conversations with members of our religious community in South Palm Beach County.

Episode 65 circles back to a subject we have addressed before, the scarcity of decent, affordable housing and our need to care for the homeless within our community. As we have discussed, we are blessed to have multiple nonprofit agencies reaching out to the most vulnerable within our community. Be it Boca Helping Hands, Salvation Army, the Homeless Coalition of PBC or the organization we are spotlighting today, Changing Lives. Our guests today are Lelsy Morales, Director of Operations and Jerry Pagan, Spiritual Director. They are helping the homeless, people seeking employment and job training, those in need of healthy meals, those in need of emotional support or seeking hospital and preventative healthcare information, those in need of clothing, in need of religious resources and, most importantly, those ready to change their lives and become self-sufficient. Listen to these dedicated individuals as they explain how they're making a difference and learn how you can make an impact by attending their upcoming 3rd Annual Celebration on April 21st! You too could help change a life!

Episode 64 introduces us to the Marine Education Initiative. The ocean covers more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface and is home to a diverse range of species that have yet to be fully explored and understood. However, the health of the ocean is in peril due to a range of human activities such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change. It is crucial that we equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills to become responsible stewards of the ocean. That is where the Marine Education Initiative comes in. The Marine Education Initiative is a global effort to promote marine education and awareness among young people. It aims to inspire and empower the next generation of ocean stewards by providing them with opportunities to learn about the ocean, its inhabitants, and the threats that it faces. The initiative brings together educators, scientists, conservationists, and policymakers to create innovative and engaging educational resources for students of all ages. These resources include lesson plans, interactive online tools, and hands-on activities that promote scientific inquiry and critical thinking. My guest, Nocolas Metropulos, is Executive Director of MEI and I know you'll find our conversation on the ocean and agraponics very interesting.

Episode 63 is our opportunity to meet Dr Jaimee Sabato, newly appointed Executive Director of Unicorn Children's Foundation. Her enthusiasm for the Foundation and its programs shines through and she knows what it means to the participants, families, and community to make their Unicorn Connection Center a rewarding and comfortable place to work, grow, and learn.  Unicorn Children's Foundation, founded in 1994, is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating cradle to career pathways for kids and young adults with developmental differences and helping their families navigate the complex journey.  I hope you will find our conversation interesting as we discover the resources available to exceptional children, adults and their families.

Episode 62 is an opportunity to spotlight the situation being faced by many children in our community .. caring for a family member while trying to focus on their studies. It's a situation more common than you might think. There are more than 3.4 million caregiving youth nationwide. The American Association of Caregiving Youth was established by Dr Connie Siskowski whose dream is for all family caregivers to be honored and respected (especially youth) for their contribution to family and society. Debralyn Belletieri is the board chair for AACY. She and her husband, Ronnie, discuss the reason they support AACY and go onto explain how they'll be holding a family fun event, "BINGO on the Bightline" on May 7th.   This will be an opportunity for residents to support AACY and have fun doing it!

Episode 61 is an opportunity to spotlight the efforts of our community to act humanely to our pets. Jeri Caprio and Sharon DiPietro are committed to the abandoned pets (both dogs and cats) who are re-homed by the compassionate staff and volunteers at Tri-County Animal Rescue (TCAR). Jeri has established a non-profit to raise funds for this cause, Horses and Hounds Charitable Foundation. Originally focused on the humane treatment of "retired" greyhounds from our racetracks, her focus has been redirected to abandoned pets with the elimination of greyhound racing in Florida. TCAR has assumed the task of offering abandoned pets an opportunity to find a fur-ever homes, This "no-kill" shelter is offering veterinary services and adoption opportunities for thousands of pets. TCAR is proud to have saved over 88,000 pets since their establishment in 1996. The 18th Annual Doggie and Kittie Ball (to be held on March 18th at the Boca West Country Club) will be an opportunity for residents to support TCAR and have a great evening!

Episode 60 allows us to focus on the abundant acitivities hanppening right here in Palm Beach County. From the South Florida Fair to spring training at two beautiful stadiums (one in West Palm Beach and the other in Jupiter)  there are abundant activities for the family to enjoy. Our guest this week is Brooke Robinson. She is the CEO at BAR Event Group and she is the founder of the West Boca Family Festival. The innaugural running of this family-friendly event will be March 17-19 at the Burt Aronson South County Regional Park. Some of the planned activities are axe throwing, mechanical bull riding, face painting, a cheerleading competition on Saturday Mar March 18th, led by Netflix star of Cheer, Gabi Butler, and much more. CPR and Mixology Classes are also planned.   Listeners to this podcast are eligible for a 20 percent discount on admissions (which children under 6 can enjoy without charge and active military, veterans, first responders and teachers can enjoy for 50 percent off). Go to www.BocaFamFest.com and use discount code PB20 for your Palm Beach County Perspective discount. Hope to see you there!

Episode 59 returns to a common theme of our podcasts, giving back. In south Palm Beach County we have not one, not two, but five Rotary Clubs. Each subscribes to the idea of providing "service above self." Each has identified a specific role; they have identified as their mission. Be it support of our educational institutions or mentoring and providing scholarships to our most deserving students, our Rotary Club members have focused on making the community a better place. Our guests this week, representing the Rotary Club Downtown Boca Raton, discuss how they have embraced the needs of students aspiring to be doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. An important vehicle for raising funds for scholarships is their annual "Honor Your Doctor" luncheon. Not only are our current medical professionals recognized for their dedication to their patients but the event provides funding for our next generation of medical professionals. Listen to our guests, Jon Kaye, Alan Kaye and Janice Williams talk from the heart.  

Episode 58 offers an opportunity to spotlight the work of an amazing couple, Esmeralda (Essie) and Malachi Knowles. I originally met Malachi while I was a member of the Board of County Commissioners. Malachi serves as a board member of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. The Commission is a private, not-for-profit organization contracted by Palm Beach County to promote and market the County as a sports and sports tourism destination. The Commission brings sporting events and activities to the County, enhances economic impact, stimulates bed tax revenues (with a focus on the off-season), and maximizes utilization of County facilities. Essie and Malachi are founders of the Inner City Youth Golfers. The mission of the ICYG is to provide community youth with positive life skills lessons using the game of golf to make them outstanding adults in the future and to build a permanent state of the art ICYG Learning Center & Museum in Riviera Beach. Founded in 2000, the ICGY prides itself on its programs combining golf and education - providing an opportunity for children ages 7-18 to learn, play and enjoy golf while promoting academic excellence to offer brighter futures for tomorrow. Join me as we discuss this important initiative.

Episode 57 deals with how a community refuses to take cancer lying down! The Pap Corps, Champions for Cancer Research, has grown into one of the largest all-volunteer fundraising organizations in South Florida. With over 50 chapters and 20,000 members, it has dedicated itself to supporting research for all types of cancer at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. My guest on this installment of Palm Beach County Perspective is Sally Berenzweig, CEO of the Pap Corps which just celebrated its 70 year partnership with Sylvester/University of Miami. I met Sally when she was guiding KidSafe Foundation, another homegrown nonprofit agency here in Palm Beach County, which she co-founded with Cherie Benjoseph. We spend a few minutes speaking about that organization, which has as its mission, "a world where all kids are safe from sexual abuse and childhood trauma." Join me as Sally and I discuss these two very important initiatives.

Special Episode: This episode offers a slightly different format. We begin with an interview of a very talented young lady, Montana Tucker who, it turns out, hails from Boca Raton. Montana has an impressive list of artistic accomplishments including a career that began at 8, appearing in national commercials, as a dancer (where she won "World Hip Hop Championships") and several hit singles. She is currently promoting a "Concert 4 Kindness" presented by Marilyn & Jay Weinberg and set to be held at FAU's Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium in Boca Raton on Sunday January 15th. The proceeds from the concert will directed to the "Make a Difference Fund" to support scholarships and programs within the FAU's future Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust & Jewish Studies building. Along with College of Arts and Letters Dean Michael Horswell, we have a lively conversation about Montana's motivation for doing this concert. As a special treat, with her permission, we offer her hit, "Be Myself" at the end of our interview! I hope you enjoy this special episode.

Episode 55 offers a glimpse at one of our residents, Rayna Rose Exelbierd, an Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker, Youth Mentor, and Children's Author. Rayna dedicates her efforts to empowering youth. She has personally mentored thousands of students from around the world including India, Romania, Israel, Poland, Austria, Cuba, Latvia, Germany, Canada, and the United States. As she explains, Rayna's primary focus is mentoring teens to build self confidence, networking skills, setting personal goals and learning how to respect others and their cultures. This results in highly developed social and listening skills and courage to be proud of their own individuality. Inspired by the loss of her father Rayna authored The Girl Who Said Hello to Everyone. She uses real people, places, and animals from her life to reinforce themes of kindness, conversation, and resilience. As the grandaughter of Holocaust Survivors Rayna has always been proud to volunteer her time with Survivors and other philanthropic causes. Her movement The Rose Grows is training more young leaders how to reach their goals and be kind. I hope you enjoy listening to this high energy guest.

Episode 54 allows me to sit down and talk to a very interesting member of our community. Chris Simpson and I met several months ago at one of the many galas held to support the nonprofit agencies in our community. Chris was introduced to me as a member of the US Secret Service. As you might imagine, that immediately caught my attention with the normal questions one might have for someone who has, literally, placed his life before another as a protector of US Presidents. And, while I am sure you will find that conversation quite interesting, he is transitioning out of a career as a protector of our democratically elected leaders and a new role as President & CEO of CBMC (Connecting Business & Marketplace to Christ). CBMC, which began in Chicago in 1930, currently boasts an international presence with teams in over 100 counties on 6 continents. Take a few minutes to learn about this dynamic leader as he assumes his new role. I hope you will invest the next 30 minutes and listen to this very interesting conversation.

Episode 53 addresses the services available to residents who have mental health and/or substance abuse issues. Our guests include Mark Astor, an attorney who has dedicated himself to assisting clients with substance abuse and mental health issues. Mark began his legal career as a Palm Beach County Assistant State Attorney, a position he held until 1999.  In February 2016, Mark formed Drug and Alcohol Attorneys, a concierge service dedicated to help families and individuals suffering from substance use and mental health disorders. Mark is joined by Stuart Warren and Christine Storm from Caron Treatment Center. They explain how Caron transforms lives impacted by addiction and substance use through proven, comprehensive, and patient-centric treatment plans. They are dedicated to delivering evidence-based, gender-specific behavioral health and addiction programming, all while treating patients and families with the respect they deserve. United by compassion for every person who comes to them for help, they advocate for patients and families through personalized treatment and financial accessibility. They strive to ease the pain of addiction by restoring health, hope, spirituality, and relationships, ultimately preparing individuals and families for lifelong recovery. I hope you will take a few minutes to listen to this very important discussion.

Episode 52, as promised we have invited Professor Robert Watson back for a second episode. As mentioned last week, Watson is a prolific writer. He is the author of 47 books and approximately 200 scholarly articles, essays and chapters on topics in history and politics, a professor, author, historian, media commentator and community activist. This week we pivot away from local politics and take a deep dive into American presidential politics. We discuss his picks for best President and then go on to discuss First Ladies. We also discuss one his most recent books, The Nazi Titanic, a look at a heretofore untold story of the construction and eventual sinking of a ship built during WWII. We had so much to talk about. I am hoping we can bring Professor Watson back for another episode in the near future - so sit back and listen to another interesting conversation.  

Episode 51 as we begin our second year of podcasts (yes, we did take a few weeks off when we took a cruise around Iceland), we finally snagged a guest we've been chasing for over 6 months. Professor Robert Watson is a busy, busy guy! An author of 47 books and approximately 200 scholarly articles, essays and chapters on topics in history and politics, a professor, author, historian, media commentator and community activist, we really wanted to sit him down to talk about history, politics and education.  Robert Watson is a professor, author, historian, media commentator and community activist. His recent books America's First Crisis, The Nazi Titanic, The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn, George Washington's Final Battle and Escape have received critical acclaim. A frequent media commentator, Watson has been interviewed by local, national and international television, radio, print and online outlets including CNN, MSNBC, Time, USAToday, The New York Times, BBC and more. He served for many years as the political analyst for WPTV 5 NBC, a Sunday columnist for the Sun-Sentinel newspaper and a regular guest on television shows “To the Point” (WPTV 5 NBC) and “Issues” (WPBT 2 PBS) and on radio programs on RTE One Ireland, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, WIOD 610 AM and WFTL 850 AM. Spoiler alert -- we had so much to talk about we invited Professor Watson back for Episode 52 - so sit back and listen to a very interesting conversation.

Episode 50 is something of a milestone - we celebrate our 50th episode with Evan Darnell, the self-proclaimed "Secretary of Steak" at the Red Meat Lovers Club. This is an exclusive networking club where, as you might surmise,  there are copious portions of red meat (as well as cigars and adult beverages). The ultimate mission of the club is to make sure the members are stronger as a group. While they exists to exalt the act of gathering and dining, where every "meating" is a curated experience that nobody but their "Steaksmen" can enjoy, they couple their gatherings with the desire to give back and have raised over a million dollars for community charities as they "beef, drink, smoke and laugh." What a way to celebrate our 50th show. I wish we had video of the charcuterie board of meats he brought to the studio!