Blog

By Lori Hope Baumel

Originally appeared in Around Wellington Magazine on November 1, 2015

Mixed Media Piece by Nicole Catrett at the Exploratorium in San Francisco Photo: LH Baumel

We live in a world where tweets, selfies, Instagram and Facebook posts depict a façade of the way we want to be perceived. Is it a good thing? If social media did not exist would our lives be as full?  Do we allow these formats to open our eyes to new adventures or do we try to keep up with those who want to be recognized as our “friends?” The older I get, the easier it is to distinguish those who are sharing special moments and those who are merely showing off. Does an extensive profile truly define you? These are questions that require some soul-searching.

The first thought that comes to mind is “simplify.” I use social media tools to share special moments with people I cherish, particularly those who live far away. Sometimes, I repost an opinion or thought on current events. Occasionally, I like to share a chuckle. When used in moderation, these tools can be enriching. On the other hand, if we become obsessed with our digital devices to the point of anxiety, then it’s time to get our priorities in order. Our devices should not define us.

Often, it is emotionally beneficial to reflect upon what defines you. The first assessment would be “what makes me happy?” Personally, if I have a day in which my husband and children are safe and content – that makes me happy. I know that being creative makes me happy. I also know that being creative doesn’t pay the bills. When the bills ARE paid, I’m more relaxed and, inevitably, happier.

Some people think their career defines them. Others prefer to put in a full workday and pursue their special interests after work hours. In a perfect world we would all love what we do for a living, make a good salary and have plenty of time to devote to our family and hobbies. Unfortunately, I’ve never met anyone in that position.

Ultimately, we must recognize our “needs” verses our “wants.” Perhaps a simpler lifestyle can help us enjoy each day in a more meaningful way. Tone it down a bit. Life doesn’t have to be fancy. Yes, it’s good to get out; to go away… but keep in mind: it’s not the restaurant you eat at – it’s what you order.  It’s not the type of car you drive – it’s where it takes you. If you are the driver, you can determine your direction. (If you can get there more quickly by using Google maps, by all means – enjoy the technology!)

The journey is over when we ultimately define ourselves. Cultivating deeper self-respect along the way is what makes life captivating. All the more reason to…

Live… Go… Do!

Dear Readers,

In the upcoming year, I will be busy pursuing creative endeavors that will open my world to new people and places. As a result, I will be writing articles for Around Wellington Magazine every other month. Yet, I still want to include extensive coverage of things for you to see and do. Therefore, I will include events that will be occurring over the next eight weeks. Enjoy! LHB

November and December 2015 – Let’s Go!

The Norton Museum of Art

Frédéric Brenner (right) discussing This Place at the Norton Museum Photo: LH Baumel

At a press conference that took place at the Norton Museum on October 14, 2015, I had the privilege of meeting Frédéric Brenner, a man who describes himself as “the vessel” that brought together photographers from all over the world to present perspectives of Israel through their own lens.

When reflecting on his own work, Mr. Brenner states, “We are shadows of light, both on the inside and on the outside.” After viewing the exhibition, I walked away with the impression that the photographers truly captured the essence of their subjects. Each theme depicted a sense of longing and belonging, but due to the diversity of the country, the complexity and exclusion within its borders was clearly conveyed. This exhibit is a parallel to my thoughts above on “what defines you.” I urge you to visit This Place on your own. It may lead to some self-discovery.

The Norton is the first U.S. venue to host This Place, an international photo exhibition that explores the complexity of Israel and the West Bank. While acknowledging and paying heed to the region’s conflicts, This Place asks that we look beyond this — that we widen and multiply our lens. It unveils a dozen contemporary photographic viewpoints of Israel and the West Bank, created primarily between 2009 and 2012 by Frédéric Brenner (France), Wendy Ewald (United States), Martin Kollar (Slovakia), Josef Koudelka (Czech Republic), Jungjin Lee (S. Korea), Gilles Peress (France), Fazal Sheikh (United States), Stephen Shore (United States), Rosalind Fox Solomon (United States), Thomas Struth (Germany), Jeff Wall (Canada) and Nick Waplington (United Kingdom). The combination of these individual photographic sensibilities and approaches act as a heterogeneous narrative and produce not a single, monolithic vision, but rather a diverse and fragmented portrait of this important and much contested space. This Place will be on view until January 17, 2016

Bonus: An Israeli film series in conjunction with This Place exhibition

Short documentaries and dramas illustrate shared desires and diverse viewpoints of an ancient land and a modern state.  

Israel is a Jewish state, but it is also a land of many ethnicities and religions. In conjunction with the exhibition, This Place: Israel Through Photography’s Lens, the Norton Museum of Art is proud to present the film series, Many Faces of Israel, which showcases this diversity by presenting movies made by an array of Israeli, Palestinian, and Bedouin directors and film students. Themes include Israel’s demographic melting pot, the struggle of minorities, the geopolitical importance of water; the personal and societal clash of the secular and the religious, and the role food plays in Israeli and Arab societies. The films – dramas and documentaries – focus on the human side of Israel, which is too often overshadowed by the political debate. Karen Davis, who has been programming Israeli, Jewish, and international film festivals compiled the series for decades, including a 20-year run as director of the Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival.

November 22, 2015 / 2 p.m. (Sunday Afternoon)

Jerusalem on a Plate, 2014             James Nutt, director                    56 minutes

Internationally-renowned chef/author Yotam Ottolenghi returns to his hometown of Jerusalem to discover the hidden treasures of its rich and diverse food scene.  He cooks with Arabs and Jews in homes and in restaurants, sampling family recipes that have been passed down through generations, whether it’s collage, a sweet sheep’s pastry, a fiery zhoug from Yemen, or stuffed aubergine with cinnamon from Hungary.  Beautifully filmed, it will leave you hungry for more!

Life and Hummus, 2015                   Alex Matros, director                   40 minutes

A Jewish-American filmmaker travels through Israel and the West Bank in hopes of finding “the world’s best hummus.”  His search for the food’s origins introduces him to both Arabs and Israelis with a common love for the iconic, regional cuisine that transcends politics.

December 3 / 6:30 pm / During Art After Dark

From Tel Aviv University’s Department of Film and Television:

In 2012, noted documentarian/film editor Yael Perlov initiated a project in which Tel Aviv University graduates and Arab filmmakers were asked to explore a strongly unifying subject: WATER.

Still Waters Photo: Courtesy of The Norton Museum

Still Waters                        Nir Sa’ar & Maya Sarfaty, directors            14 minutes

By an ancient spring near Jerusalem, an Israeli couple finds a quiet moment away from the rat race of Tel Aviv life.  The cool-water spring is also used by a group of Palestinians heading to their jobs in Israel.  At high noon, they are forced to look each other in the eye.

Raz and Radja               Yona Rozenkler, director                                  17 minutes

Raz, a tired reserve soldier, guards a broken army truck and Rajda, a Palestinian who broke curfew.  The two repeatedly try to jump start the truck while a friendly donkey refuses to leave them alone.

Make Yourself At Home          Heli Hardy, director                             14 minutes

Rauda is a 19-year-old girl from the village of Dahamash.  When her mother can’t get to a housecleaning job in a wealthy neighborhood, Rauda replaces her. Meeting Noya and Adam, two Israeli teenagers, Rauda begins to re-examine her life from a new perspective.

Women of Refaiya                   Yoav Shavit, director                               13 minutes

In the Palestinian village of Refaiya, there is no water infrastructure, so women are obliged to carry water buckets from a nearby natural spring.  Following several women from the El-Amur family, the film reveals life in a place where water is considered a luxury.

For The Family:

The Norton Museum’s Family Studio resumes its new weekly schedule and reduced cost. Led by a teaching artist and a docent, the Family Studio program runs from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Saturday. It is structured so families with children ages 5 through 12, can create art together. Each Studio is limited to 25 children, and is generally themed to coincide with a special exhibition or works from the Museum Collection, and includes viewing artwork before creating your own. Advance registration is required. Call (561) 832-5196 x1196, or visit norton.org/familystudio.

The Family Studio program was launched in 2003 to provide families with kid-friendly tours based on the Museum Collection and special exhibitions, followed by art-making activities that combine what kids learned on the tour with their own creativity. Museum docents and staff collaborate to make the tour and art activity a seamless two-hour exploration of art and fun shared by adults and children.

Family Studio themes for the coming season are:

November / Chinese Collection Discover symbolic meanings in the powerful creatures depicted in the Chinese galleries.

December / This Place Create works in various media after viewing photographs of Israel and the West Bank.

About the Norton Museum

The Norton Museum of Art is a major cultural attraction in Florida, and internationally known for its distinguished Permanent Collection featuring American Art, Chinese Art, Contemporary Art, European Art and Photography. The Norton is located at 1451 S. Olive Ave. in West Palm Beach, FL., and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed on Mondays and major Holidays). General admission is $12 for adults, $5 for students with a valid ID, and free for Members and children ages 12 and under. Palm Beach County residents receive free admission every Saturday with proof of residency. For additional information, please call (561) 832-5196, or visit www.norton.org. #

Kravis Center for the Performing Arts

Celebrates International Masters of Dance

Throughout the 2015-2016 Performance Season

Ballet Austin’s LIGHT: The Holocaust & Humanity Project Photo: Courtesy of The Kravis Center

We are so fortunate that The Kravis Center is presenting some of the most exciting and highly acclaimed dance companies in the world.

November 7 at 8 pm  (Saturday)

Ballet Austin

LIGHT / The Holocaust and Humanity Project

LIGHT / The Holocaust & Humanity Project explores the devastating outcomes of unlearned lessons revealed through the story of a Holocaust survivor. The internationally acclaimed dance work by Ballet Austin Artistic Director/Choreographer Stephen Mills, which debuted 10 years ago, brings heartbreaking beauty to the stage and a timely reminder that injustice to one is injustice to all. The full-length contemporary ballet is a multidisciplinary human rights project that also includes art, education and public dialogue. LIGHT seeks to promote discussion against bigotry, hate and bullying among all community groups.

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall, Tickets start at $15

Presented by InSIGHT Through Education, Inc. in collaboration with the Kravis Center.

Beyond The Stage: Join us at 6:45 pm for a free pre-performance discussion by Steven Caras in the Dreyfoos Hall lobby.

November 29 at 7:30 pm  (Sunday)

MOMIX

Botanica

MOMIX is a company of dancer-illusionists known for exceptional creativity and physical beauty. Artistic Director Moses Pendleton’s Botanica not only follows seasonal rhythms but also the evolution of the world and the passing of a day. Flowers bloom, go to seed and die; vegetable, animal and mineral – all in human form ­– combine and metamorphose. Fabrics, costumes, projections and props, made by Michael Curry, create a landscape populated by the creations of Pendleton’s whimsical, mythical imagination.

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall, Tickets start at $15

Beyond The Stage: Join us at 6:15 pm for a free pre-performance discussion by Steven Caras in The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center.

December 2-3 at 7:30 pm  (Wednesday & Thursday)

RIOULT Dance NY

Artistic Director Pascal Rioult, a former principal with the Martha Graham Dance Company, founded RIOULT Dance NY in 1994, and the organization quickly became known for its sensual, articulate and exquisite performances. A former track and field athlete in his native France, Rioult weaves athleticism and grace into his work. Wien, for example, turns the Viennese waltz’s revered image of social refinement inside out, using it as a metaphor to expose decadence and moral disintegration. Six dancers create the illusion of an entire city, moving continuously in a clockwise path, portraying roles ranging from downtrodden victims to detached aristocrats. The modern dance company’s signature style has been described as “unquestionably beautiful.”

Marshal E. Rinker Sr. Playhouse, Tickets start at $34

Beyond The Stage: Join us at 6:15 pm on December 2 for a free pre-performance discussion by Steven Caras in The Picower Foundation Arts Education Center.

Cultural Council of Palm Beach County

601 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth, FL 33460 – Public Hours: Tuesday – Saturday | 10 AM – 5 PM Closed Sunday and Monday – Phone: (561) 471-2901 – www.palmbeachculture.com

The Council’s 2500 square foot gallery space showcases ongoing temporary exhibitions focused on art made in or unique to Palm Beach County. The exhibitions educate the public about local artists, their history and art.

Announces 2015-2016 Season of CULTURE & COCKTAILS at The Colony

Rena Blades, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, announced the 2015-2016 season of the popular series CULTURE & COCKTAILS. Fascinating Conversations will be held at The Colony Hotel Pavilion, located at 155 Hammon Avenue in Palm Beach.

November 2

HEY, MR. PRODUCER

A Conversation between ANDREW KATO,

Producing Artistic Director of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, and

ROB STEELE, President/CEO of Delray Beach Center for the Arts

Andrew Kato is celebrating his 10th anniversary at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, and has been the Creative Consultant/Coordinating Producer on the Tony Awards® for the last 12 years. Rob Steele joined the Delray Center for the Arts in late August, after spending 10 years as executive director of the Williamsport Community Art Center, a 2,100-seat theater in Pennsylvania. Trunk Show Artist: Patricia Levey

December 7

FASHION FORWARD

A Conversation with CAROLYN RAFAELIAN,

Founder, CEP and Creative Director of ALEX AND ANI®

Carolyn Rafaelian transformed a family tradition of jewelry making into a worldwide lifestyle brand. Launched in 2004, ALEX AND ANI is proudly MADE IN AMERICA WITH LOVE® and their factories utilize eco-conscious processes and recycled materials. Her designs feature everything from spiritual symbols to charitable partnerships. Kate Richard, Vice President of Business Development, and Beecher Fritzmeier, Vice President of Design will join her in the conversation. Interviewed by Dack Patriarca, Board President of the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. Trunk Show Artist: ALEX AND ANI

December 19, 2015 through January 16, 2016

Gallery Exhibitions at the Cultural Council

Bernice Harwood 

Summer Solstice: Bernice Harwood

Bernice Baumel Harwood, an artist since childhood, studied art in high school, and then attended The McDowel School of Art in NYC and became a fashion illustrator. In 1944 Bernice entered the U.S. Navy as a WAVE, she was in the Hospital Corps and was trained as an Acrylic Eye Illustrator at Bethesda Naval Hospital MD. There were eight illustrators stationed around the country. She was stationed at San Diego Naval Hospital, CA., where she matched the existing eye for the men that lost their eyes in battle by painting the iris in watercolor. She worked with a dentist, a Commander who was involved in the total process. This allowed the men to have an eye that looked quite natural.

After marriage, with two daughters, Bernice went back to college, Hofstra University, L.I. N.Y. She graduated Cum Laude with High Honors in Fine Arts and a B.S. in Art Education. She then went on to study for her Master’s Degree in Special Ed. Bernice has studied with many wellknown art teachers, Jacob Lawrence ,David Shapiro, Ruth Leaf, Moses Sawyer, Anthony Toney, Frank Varga and more. She was a member of the Graphic Eye Gallery in Port Washington, NY, and President for two years. She has exhibited in museums, galleries and universities. Bernice is a member of The National Association of Women Artists since 1983 and a past president of the Florida Chapter, as well as a Signature Member of The Boca Raton Museum, Artists Guild in Delray Beach, FL. She is also listed in the 9/11 Memorial Artists Registry for a Sculpture, Ground Zero and Rebirth.

She is in many private, corporate and permanent collections and has won many awards. Bernice is in Who’s Who in American Art, Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in the East and Who’s Who in America.

Artist Statement:

As a painter, I turned to multiples within the graphic medium. I found the challenge of the surprise, working with the existing results exhilarating. It is exciting to work with various techniques in etching to achieve the impression and mood I wish to evoke. These works are primarily representational. Then I found the Monoprint, with its spontaneity, use of textures and vibrant color and more abstract forms. I have incorporated some of the feeling of my Monoprint in my etchings. I am now working with watercolors, and using some of the same feelings and techniques that I used in printmaking. –https://www.palmbeachculture.com/

More about Bernice Harwood…

Last but not least: In our hometown of Wellington

Free Movies and Concerts

The Food Truck Invasion and More…

You MUST see this calendar of enjoyable events. It’s “season.” There’s ALWAYS something to do!

Go to:

www.wellingtonfl.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation/events

Put Your Head In The Cloud!

By Lori Hope Baumel

Originally appeared in Around Wellington Magazine on October 1, 2015

Photo: Dropox website

If you are a lover of all things beautiful, great and small, then you probably have a cache of at least a thousand pictures stored in your smartphone. For those of you who back up your phone onto a computer or hard drive, kudos! But, simply backing up photos with your computer will only last as long as the hard drive on your computer is alive and well.

Repeat after me:

All hard drives fail.

Again… C’mon now… SAY IT!

“All hard drives fail.”

(Thank you.)

Now that we have that out of the way… Have you ever dropped your phone into the hot tub or the loo?  If so, then you know that in this digital age, we must take our photo storage a bit more seriously. Therefore, I am going to urge you to consider backing up your photos, videos or any other important documents onto a cloud-based server. You have many formats to choose from. Some have a limited amount of space for free and some charge an annual fee when you go over the allotted storage amount.

If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of trying to email a large file to a friend or collaborator, cloud-based storage can be your solution. Personally, depending on the project and preference of those I’m working with, I have used the following methods of cloud storage at one time or another. The descriptions below contain edited information taken directly from each cloud-based service website. No, we’re not talking plagiarism… I’ve just done your homework for you. If you’ve made it this far into my article then you can follow directions and save yourself years of worry and stress. Here are the most popular and reliable options:

iCloud

iCloud connects you and your Apple devices in amazing ways. It makes sure you always have the latest versions of your important information—like documents, photos, notes, and contacts—on whatever device you’re using. It lets you easily share photos, calendars, locations, and more with friends and family. It even helps you find your device if you lose it. Don’t have an iOS device or a Mac? You can still get web-only access to create and share documents using Pages, Numbers, and Keynote by signing in to iCloud.com. With web-only access, you also get 1 GB of free storage for any documents you create.

With iCloud set up on your devices, you get an email account and 5 GB of free storage for your mail, documents, photos, and iOS device backups. Your purchased music, apps, TV shows, and books don’t count against your available space.

You set up iCloud on your devices by signing in and turning on the features you want to use on each device. Sign in on your iOS device or Mac first, and then you can sign in on your Windows computer and Apple TV. Before you can sign in on your Windows computer, you must first install iCloud for Windows.

Note: If you are already using some aspects of iCloud with your iOS devices, double check and make sure that your phone, iPad, and computer are all synced up. You can then access your photos and documents from home or on the go!

What’s the best way to set up iCloud? They don’t call it the “Genius Bar” for nothing. Go to apple.com and schedule an online appointment with the Genius bar at your local Apple Store. I have found the personnel at the Wellington Mall Apple Store to be patient and knowledgeable. In a half hour, they’ll have you synced and set! For more information on setting up iCloud go to:

 http://help.apple.com/icloud/#/mmfc0f1a3b

And/or

https://support.apple.com/kb/PH2608?locale=en_US&viewlocale=en_US

Dropbox: “One place for all your stuff, wherever you are.”

Dropbox is a home for all your photos, docs, videos, and files. Anything you add to Dropbox will automatically show up on all your computers, phones and even the Dropbox website — so you can access your “stuff” from anywhere. Even if your computer has a meltdown or your phone goes for a swim, your stuff is always safe in Dropbox and can be restored in a snap. Dropbox is like a time machine that lets you undo mistakes and even undelete files you accidentally trash. Over 400 million people around the world rely on Dropbox to help them design buildings, compose music, run businesses, and even coordinate disaster relief. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a teacher, a photographer or an astronomer, an artist or an activist, Dropbox simplifies your life.

For a wonderful video and more information about Dropbox go to: dropbox.com/tour

Google Drive and Google Docs

Google Drive is one of the most popular cloud storage services available today, offering 15 gigabytes (15GB) of free storage space. If you’ve never used a cloud-based storage service like Google Drive before, take a moment to consider the advantages of keeping your files online. Because files can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection, Drive eliminates the need to email or save a file to a USB drive. And because Drive allows you to share files, working with others becomes much easier.

For an informative video on Google Drive go to:

www.gcflearnfree.org/googledocuments/1

Google Docs is a free Web-based application in which documents and spreadsheets can be created, edited and stored online. Files can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection and a full-featured Web browser. For a detailed Google Docs explanation, watch this YouTube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRqUE6IHTEA

Now, stop worrying about all of your photos and files and:

Live… Go… Do!

Top 5 for October 2015

1) The Norton Museum of Art is proud to be the first U.S. venue to present:

This Place: Israel Through Photography’s Lens.

Thursday, Oct 15, 2015 through Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016.

One dozen notable photographers from around the globe spent months creating a portrait of a country so well known, yet so little understood.

When French photographer Frederic Brenner decided to invite a group of the finest photographers in the world to spend time in Israel and the West Bank to create their own portraits of the place, some were intrigued and others were wary of being used for political gain, or were not interested. But Brenner ultimately convinced 11 men and women to accept his invitation to see a land more complicated than headlines suggest. The result is an unprecedented international, creative initiative that, according to photographer Brenner, is similar to the U.S. Farm Security Administration of the 1930s, which commissioned artists who used photography to ask essential questions about culture, society, and people’s lives. Brenner is scheduled to give an exhibition lecture at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 15 during Art After Dark, and returns on Nov. 19 for a presentation with other photographers who participated. 

While acknowledging and paying heed to the region’s conflicts, This Place asks that we look beyond this – that we widen and multiply our lens. It unveils a dozen contemporary photographic viewpoints of Israel and the West Bank, created primarily between 2009 and 2012. Participating photographers were Brenner (France), Wendy Ewald (United States), Martin Kollar (Slovakia), Josef Koudelka (Czech Republic), Jungjin Lee (S. Korea), Gilles Peress (France), Fazal Sheikh (United States), Stephen Shore (United States), Rosalind Fox Solomon (United States), Thomas Struth (Germany), Jeff Wall (Canada) and Nick Waplington (United Kingdom). The combination of these individual photographic sensibilities and approaches act as a heterogeneous narrative and produce not a single, monolithic vision, but rather a diverse and fragmented portrait of this important and much contested space.

“When what is at stake is sharing the origin,” says Brenner, “it seems to me necessary to gather a large spectrum of individuals whose origins, passions, and paradoxical and contradictory perspectives could help us grasp the unbearable complexity of this place and its voices.”  The result is this exhibit.

This Place is a rare opportunity to see an international exhibit right here in Palm Beach County. Originally, This Place opened in October 2014 at the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art in Prague.  After This Place leaves the Norton Museum, the exhibition will transfer to the Brooklyn Museum of Art, Brooklyn, New York from February 12, 2016 to June 5, 2016

For more information go to www.norton .org

2) Books – This Place (cont’d):

This Place will publish a total of 13 books, including a comprehensive catalog and 12 monographs. Nine of these books have already been released, and the remaining four will be published in 2015.  The books include:

–          Frederic Brenner, An Archaeology of Fear and Desire (MACK)

–          Wendy Ewald, This is Where I Live  (MACK)

–          Martin Kollar,  Field Trip (MACK)

–          Josef Koudelka, Wall (Aperture)

–          Jungjin Lee, Unnamed Road (MACK)

–          Fazal Sheikh, The Erasure Trilogy (Steidl)

–          StephenShore, From Galilee to the Negev (Phaidon)

–          Rosalind Solomon, THEM (MACK)

–          Thomas Struth, Thomas Struth (MACK)

–          Nick Waplington, Settlement (MACK)

These 13 books capture the monumental scale of the project, as well as profound and personal visions of each of the participating photographers. The diversity of their perspectives and artistic grammars captures the complexity and dissonance of Israel itself.

3) The Maltz Jupiter Theater Presents Its 2015 – 2016 Season:

AGATHA CHRISTIE – THE MOUSETRAP

OCTOBER 25 – NOVEMBER 8, 2015

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL

DECEMBER 1 – 20, 2015

THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES

JANUARY 12 – 31, 2016

FROST/NIXON BY PETER MORGAN

FEBRUARY 7 – 21, 2016

KISS ME, KATE

MARCH 8 – 27

For more information go to:

www.jupitertheatre.org/season-productions

4) For you “reality” show lovers:

The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Presents

AMERICA‘S GOT TALENT LIVE: The All-Stars Tour!

Sunday, November 1 at 8 pm

Featuring some of the most popular performers from the hit NBC variety competition series, AMERICA’S GOT TALENT, will launch its first ever all-stars tour.  Top acts from 10 years of the #1 rated summer reality television series are coming to a theater near you, providing the ultimate variety show experience.  The 42-city tour will include some of the show’s most captivating and entertaining talent, including Season 8’s favorite comedian, Taylor Williamson, Season 9’s powerhouse performer Emily West, Season 8’s comedic hand balancing duo The KriStef Brothers, and the memorable “junk rock” performers Recycled Percussion from Season 4, with more acts to be announced soon.

Tickets start at $20

5) A lovely classical afternoon…

Florida Atlantic University Symphony Orchestra Presents:

“Revival”

October 11, 2015  – 3:00 PM

Orchestral music by Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart and Haydn

Tim Shade, conductor.

FAU University Galleries

777 Glades Road 
Boca Raton, FL33431

Phone: 800-564-9539

Admission: $10 (at the door) – $11.80 via Ticketmaster at:

www.ticketmaster.com/event/0D004EEDECF7A342?brand=fau

Accessibility Information:

Wheelchair Access

Creating Memories of Summer

. . . With Your Smartphone

By Lori Hope Baumel

Originally appeared in Around Wellington Magazine on September 1, 2015

Fireboat John J. Harvey

Created by LH Baumel on the iPad with the photo/painting app Artrage

Hopefully, you are settling in to your back-to-school, work and post-summer routines. Some may be welcoming the new start; others may be lamenting the end of wonderful vacations, homework-free evenings and long days of sunlight.

With the prevalence of smartphones and their multiple uses as both still and video cameras, most likely, you photographed or recorded the weekly events of the past few months. If so, why not dial up these visual memories in a creative format?

Using iMovie, I created video vignettes of vacations and special occasions. Thereafter, I posted the finished products to YouTube (as a private link) to share with friends and family. I found it easier to “tell the story” with a short movie than to write about it, post it to Facebook or send out a few pictures at a time.

What is most amazing is that I created each and every one of my “movies” right in my iPhone. No computer, no Internet, no transferring of pictures… basically, no hassle! I simply opened the iMovie app, dragged and dropped photos and videos directly into a timeline and created a short film within minutes. iMovie provides templates with compatible music tracks or you can use a music track from your own iTunes library. Transitions, titles, effects and voice-over notes are simple to add. After assembling your footage, you can edit and refine your piece with the use of your finger or stylus. There’s a “help” feature within the app that assists you through the entire process. It’s creative, easy and fun! If you happen to have an Apple TV box, you have the option to upload your finished flick to iMovie Theater and watch it on your big screen (or any monitor) at home.

There are many Apple and YouTube tutorials on iMovie providing simple, user-friendly instructions on how it’s done. For more information go to:

https://www.apple.com/support/ios/imovie/

If you’re an Android user there are plenty of options as well. Video Show and Vidtrim are two popular smartphone movie-building apps. For more information on these Android video-editors see:

http://www.iskysoft.com/video-editing/top-imovie-for-android.html

We live in an incredible time. Yes, there are negative aspects to being plugged in 24/7. But, if you happened to take a vacation in the woods, at the beach or some faraway place… you can relive those moments again and again.

Below is a movie I created while sailing on the Fireboat John J. Harvey up the Hudson. It was a once in a lifetime experience afforded to me by my son, Sam, who was mapping the Hudson River from New York City to the Erie Canal for Google maps. I shot and edited the entire movie on my iPhone (within an hour) as the boat was on the last leg of her journey.  I titled the film Butterfly on The Hudson.

Enjoy!

See the movie!

Live… Go… DO!

Top Five for September 2015

1) Read: The President’s Shadow by Brad Meltzer.

This past summer I had the privilege of interviewing south Florida based novelist Brad Meltzer for the second time in two years. Brad is an inspiring, energetic and intriguing man. His talent for storytelling is immeasurable, both in person and in his books. Meltzer has a gift for combining actual historical events within his fictional stories. The President’s Shadow is a real page-turner and includes little-known facts about Chief Executives and the Secret Service. Did you know that there is a direct connection to those who plotted the assassination of President Lincoln and South Florida? The last hundred pages of The President’s Shadow are mind-boggling. If you are a lover of history, fiction and a puzzle solver, this book is for you!

In addition to The President’s Shadow, Meltzer has released a series of children’s books that inspire children to dream big, one role model at a time. The theme “we can all be heroes” permeates the collection. Meltzer envisioned this friendly approach to biography – for his own kids, and wants you to share it with the children in your life. Each book tells the story of an American icon in a conversational way that works well for young nonfiction readers.

Did you know that Lucille Ball was the first woman to head a major television production studio? Founded in 1950, Ball’s Desilu studios produced I Love Lucy, Star Trek, The Untouchables and many more.

For a REAL FUN ride… watch Brad give you a tour of his office in this YouTube video. It will give you an intimate view of the author and what motivates his writing. See:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=29&v=_zBsx9MrRlQ

For a plethora of information and entertaining facts about Brad Meltzer and his many books go to:

bradmeltzer.com

2) Listen to an extraordinary interview with Brad Meltzer on WLRN’s Topical Currents. This podcast is even more informative than when I spoke with Brad myself. Go to:

http://wlrn.org/post/south-florida-based-novelist-brad-meltzer-discusses-his-latest-thriller-presidents-shadow

  3) Visit the Norton Museum of Art and see:

Going Places:

An Examination of the 20th-Century Transportation Revolution

Model planes, trains, automobiles, concept sketches, posters, newsreels, film clips capture the excitement of getting from one place to another and highlight the transformation of travel.

The Norton Museum of Art’s exhibition, Going Places: Transportation Designs from the Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Collection, focuses on the art of transportation design during the mid-20th century, and is on view through Jan. 10, 2016. For decades, Mr. Sharf has been fascinated by how the pace of life accelerated in the middle decades of the 20th century. Via model planes, trains, and, most of all, automobiles, he looked to capture the excitement of getting from one place to another. (He and his wife, Jean, are part-time Palm Beach residents.)

Featuring more than 200 objects, including design drawings, concept sketches, renderings, advertising art, and posters, as well as models of trains, planes, and automobiles, the exhibition literally examines how we got here. It also highlights the designers who created the look of the 20th-century vehicles that transported us and transformed the way we travel. The exhibition, which is augmented with related period newsreels, TV ads, and clips from classic films and television programs,  includes objects from two previous exhibitions, Planes, Trains , and Automobiles, and The Great Age of the American Automobile, organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Wilmington Trust is the exhibition corporate sponsor.

Guest Curator Matthew Bird, a professor of Industrial Design at the Rhode Island School of Design who organized last summer’s Wheels and Heels exhibition at the Norton, organized Going Places. Of the Sharfs’ collection, Bird says, “The models are incredibly detailed. The concept sketches present radical new realities. The renderings show, in an amazingly vivid realistic way, what a design will look like long before it actually exists, and, the amount of communicating the objects do, about location, aspiration, technology, who we were, who we thought we could become – amazing.”

Bird adds, “Going Places is the story of how engineering and design ingenuity created the transportation options we so take for granted today, and how artists and designers developed amazing tools — wind-tunnel test models, cut-away models, detailed renderings — to communicate these advances while inventing new vehicles.”

To view a short video on the exhibit…

(Yes… shot and edited on my iPhone with iMovie) see:

http://youtu.be/aknUBQcmi3c

4) Get your tickets:

The Kravis Center season has been announced!

Don’t wait until the last minute. Plan ahead and see some of the finest entertainers from all over the world. The flashing marquee in front of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts will be promoting a nonstop series of performances and an exciting and eclectic array of international artists and attractions from rock and pop to classical music and Broadway.

“Our 24th season promises to appeal to audiences of all ages and entertainment preferences, from Broadway razzle dazzle to offbeat musical sensations to delightful shows for children,” said Judith Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer of the Kravis Center. “With such an extraordinary line-up of super stars and award-winning shows and amazing orchestras from all over the world, the Kravis Center is once again providing superior programming as sophisticated, diverse and as family-friendly as the community we serve.”

People can expect the best from Manhattan’s Great White Way with award-winning shows like Matilda The Musical, 42^nd Street, Motown The Musical, Woody Allen’s Bullets Over Broadway and The Bridges of Madison County The Musical. They can expect the world’s finest musical performers like 2Cellos, Tony Bennett, Itzhak Perlman, Patti LaBelle, Matisyahu, Kristen Chenowith and Dudu Fisher, plus the return of Michael Feinstein conducting the Kravis Center Pops Orchestra.”

In addition to performances in the Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall, the Kravis Center will present a diverse array of drama, music and dance in the Rinker Playhouse. Some of the Family Fare will be held in the outdoor Gosman Amphitheatre.

To view the brochure of the entire season, go to:

kravis.org/brochure

5) Support young artists and see:

MilaGROWTEENS: The Future

The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County

601 Lake Ave., Lake Worth – Through October 3, 2015

Gallery hours: 10AM- 5 PM Tuesday-Saturday.

The Milagro Center is collaborating with the Cultural Council on an exhibition presenting the artwork of teens, showcasing their talents to the community. At the Cultural Council, Arts Education is a priority. Through the continued work of its Cultural Education Committee (CEdC), the Council is committed to ensuring that our county’s young people have the best possible opportunities to reap the proven benefits that arts and culture bring to the educational experience. As an active CEdC member and partner, the Milagro Center embodies and shares in this community work and vision for arts accessibility and equity. Viewers can expect to see artwork that represents the individual voices and experiences of Delray teens, supported through the guidance of local Teaching Artists. The Milagro Center offers unique arts-integrated educational and cultural programs that serve as a catalyst for community collaboration, individual transformation and social change. The arts foster a spirit of entrepreneurship in teens; teaching them skills and fostering a temperament for creative success. The Milagro Center is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure the social and academic success of children through cultural arts, Living Values, mentoring and academic support.

Connect with the Council: (561) 471-2901 or palmbeachculture.com

The Cultural Council is the official support agency for arts and culture for Palm Beach County serving non-profit organizations, individual artists and arts districts. The Council promotes the county’s cultural experiences through an integrated program of advertising, public relations and marketing activities to both visitors and residents. Each year, the Council administers more than $3.6 million in grants, supports arts and cultural education, provides capacity building training and advocates for funding and arts-friendly policies. Located in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. building in downtown Lake Worth, the Council mounts a series of group and solo exhibitions featuring Palm Beach County artists and provides other programming.

(Guilt-Free Summer Pleasure)

By Lori Hope Baumel

Originally appeared in Around Wellington on July 1, 2015

It’s hot out. Who wants to go any further than the pool, beach or car? Those who live in south Florida during the summer months often remain in our air-conditioned homes, offices and malls. The snowbirds flee to the mountains and the equestrian’s barns are nearly empty. For those of us who don’t have the luxury of hauling out of town, we have to make the best of it.

July and August, at one time, was a quiet opportunity to catch up on the summer book list. It still is… and I’ve been flying through my audible and e-books quicker than previous years. But hey, it’s 2015. Let’s be real. If you’re reading this article, then you most likely have access to the Internet or cable television. One of the best things to happen to summer in south Florida (that doesn’t involve sunscreen) is the wide variety of mini-series, television shows, movies and “vodcasts” available via Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Ted Talks and other on-demand formats.

So, go ahead… indulge. It’s less fattening than Ben and Jerry’s and there’s no need to feel guilty. Books are mind movies anyway. So toss it up a bit and catch a few chapters of a tried and true series or documentary.

How do you binge watch without figuring out the formula of a show? Simple. Screenwriters often employ gimmicks that tend to repeat themselves. Choose a diverse set of series as if you’re choosing a book list. Watch one or two episodes of each show per week. Intersperse the styles of entertainment and don’t watch more than two episodes in a row. Choose your entertainment wisely.

2015 will be known as the end of an era for television. Letterman, Jon Stewart and Colbert (as we knew him) bid us adieu. Mad Men gave us a phenomenal finale and PBS offered incredible documentaries like The Roosevelts. Some shows, like Revenge, were not worthy of more than 2 seasons but lingered on. Well, guess what? YOU are in control of your remote control. If two or three seasons of Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, Weeds or Game of Thrones satisfies – stop watching. It’s like putting down a book that no longer interests you. You can pick it up again next summer. Some shows, like Parks and Recreation or Grace and Frankie take a few episodes to get going.

Instead of my usual “top 5,” I have prepared a summer list of binge-watching favorites in many categories. Also included are movies that are worthy of catching up on. Be sure to get some exercise and stay hydrated. Spend some time at the gym or take an early morning run. I’ll be catching up on my “mind movies” on the elliptical machine. I may not go very far, but I’ll still…

Live… Go… Do!

Top 5 for July and August

In many cases, some shows/films may not be suitable for children. Viewer discretion is advised.

1) Popular TV Dramas:

Scandal, Mad Men, How to Get Away With Murder, House of Cards, Downton Abbey,  Empire, Outlander, Game of Thrones, Transparent, Olive Kitteridge, A Young Doctor’s Notebook, The Knick, The Paradise, Boardwalk, Halt and Catch Fire, Masters of Sex, The Good Wife, The Waltons, The West Wing, House, The Sopranos, Breaking Bad and more.

2) Popular comedies/musicals/classics:

Modern Family, Friends, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, 30 Rock, Futurama, The Simpsons, Fawlty Towers, Seinfeld, Glee, Scrubs, Big Bang Theory, Parks and Recreation, Louie, How I met Your Mother, Frasier, Roseanne, The Office, Everybody Loves Raymond, All in The Family, The Honeymooners, Taxi, Cheers, I Love Lucy, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, That Girl, 40 years of SNL, Night Court, Happy Days and many more.

3) Dramas with a comedic edge (dramedies):

Better Call Saul, Weeds, Star Trek (a variety of versions that span over 5 decades), Orange Is the New Black, Nurse Jackie, M*A*S*H, Barney Miller, Maude, Sex and The City, The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, Murphy Brown, Moonlighting, Wonder Years, Northern Exposure, Girls, Ally McBeal and more.

4) Summer themed movies: Grease, Vicki Christina Barcelona, Woodstock, Dirty Dancing, Meatballs, In the Heat of the Night, Brokeback Mountain, A Streetcar Named Desire, Body Heat, Independence Day, Caddyshack, The Seven Year Itch, (500) Days of Summer, 12 Angry Men, American Graffiti, Dog Day Afternoon, Rear Window, Do The Right Thing, Jaws and many more.

Other classics and notable film series: Star Wars (better catch up on them – in order), Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, Citizen Kane, Manhattan, Annie Hall, The early James Bond films as well as the ones starring Daniel Craig, The Avengers, Speed, Top Gun, Inception, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Alien, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Spider-man, The various Batman films, Ferris Beuller’s Day Off, Die Hard, The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, Chocolat, Ghostbusters, Back To The Future, Wizard of Oz, Gone With The Wind, Frankenstein, Young Frankenstein and my all-time favorite: Casablanca.

5) Documentaries (warning – some are these pieces are thought provoking or disturbing and may not suit a variety of tastes):

Anything produced by Kevin Burns, The Roosevelts, Being Elmo: A Puppeteers Journey, Undefeated, Room 237, Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train A Comin’, Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, Exit Through The Gift Shop, Hoop Dreams, Man On Wire, How To Survive A Plague, Scientology, CitizenFour, Fahrenheit 9/11, Super Size Me, Virunga, Finding Vivian Maier, Sinatra: All or Nothing At All, Paper Clips, When the Levees Broke, and Last Days In Vietnam.

For more choices go to:

www.imdb.com/company/co0139821/

blog.ted.com/9-documentaries-that-you-need-to-see-this-year/

And the amazing…

www.ted.com/talks

One more thing… before, after or between your binge-watch, take advantage of the wonderful restaurants Wellington has to offer. Summertime comes with multi-course price fixe menus and rarely a need for a reservation. For us “Wellingtonians” this is a well-deserved perk! 

By Lori Hope Baumel

Originally appeared in Around Wellington Magazine on June 1, 2015

Father and Daughter, Musée d’Orsay, Paris 2007 Photo: LH Baumel

 (Painting: Girls at the Piano, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 1892)

I came from an era where if a man changed a diaper he was worthy of a standing ovation. With the rise of feminism in the 60’s the baby boom generation experienced the growing pains of whose role it was to take on the various jobs required to raise a family. Yes, fathers cooked for barbecues (to protect us from the dangers of the hot grill?) and coached the baseball games. When it came to bathing, feeding, food shopping and all things domestic – that was Mom’s job. Well, as Bob Dylan said, “The Times They Are a Changing” – and it’s taken over fifty years to do so.

Yet, I will admit, I find that this generation is experiencing inherent confusion. We just haven’t quite organized what our roles as parents are. Baseball, once the predominant sport of extra-curricular activities has expanded to basketball, skating, lacrosse, hockey, swimming, and a plethora of choices. Here in Wellington, children from all over the world come to study the equestrian arts like jumping and dressage. And, of course, we have mastered the role of the “Soccer Mom” with year round competition and extraordinary recreation facilities.

Progress is good. What was once “The Boys Club” has become “The Boys and Girls Club.” Athletics have gender-integrated teams. Although it was a bit of a novelty back in the late 90’s, my son had several girls on his hockey team. We’re finally reaching a point where both men and women with equivalent skills are being recognized as capable for the same jobs. Equal pay in the workplace has a long way to go, but with a strong enough fight we will get there.

So… what role do fathers still have in today’s society? First and foremost, they must teach their children to respect their significant other. How do they do this? By demonstrating it. Couples raising children have to have an understanding. If one chooses to stay home with the children, it doesn’t mean that doing so is any easier than choosing to work full-time.

Then there’s the mere physicality of being a man. Biologically speaking, men tend to be more muscular and taller. Yet, with the rising emphasis on plant-based diets and exercise a woman can now prove to be just as strong. Intellectually, women are finally being recognized as equally capable in the most intricate of fields. Fathers should be encouraging their daughters and sons to become proficient in much-needed computer and science skills.

All parents should understand that exposure to the arts is an essential ingredient to the development of a well-rounded child.  In previous columns, I have extensively discussed how to expose your child to the arts. Therefore, that topic has been covered (see the Around Wellington “Cultural Corner” archives for more). If, by chance your child chooses to pursue the arts as a profession it should not be discouraged.

On the other hand, if your son or daughter chooses to become a “starving artist” that does not mean you have to pay for it. When a child is truly talented, many colleges offer scholarships to entice a student to attend. As in any field, if no scholarships are offered, it has to be clearly understood that student loans can be applied for. When your children have to pay for it, they might think about how seriously they want to pursue a particular career path.

Gone are the days when a man must be forced to take on the role as “the sole provider.” Double-income coupling is more common than single-income. Nowadays, many people are choosing to hold off or not “reproduce” at all… that’s okay too! Our children should not feel compelled to make us grandparents. It’s their life and they have to live it their way.  Raising a child is no easy task!

Finally, studies have shown that physical affection should be encouraged. Once again… gone are the days where giving your child a kiss or hug is demeaning for a man. Affection is the sincerest form of approval. To this day, my husband gives his father a hug and a kiss upon greeting him. Why? Because my husband saw his father and grandfather do it. It didn’t make them any “less of a man.” It fills my heart with joy to see my sons greet their father in the same manner.

I consider myself to be very fortunate. My husband has split all of our responsibilities 50/50. He has played the role of provider, coach, chauffer, scoutmaster and so much more. Those who know me well know that I simply adore my husband. I can vouch for my children by saying he is loving and wise. He has demonstrated respect for gender equality at home, in the workplace and in the larger world. That attribute is an art unto itself.

Live… Go… Do!

Here’s my “Top 5” (plus a bonus) for June 2015

1) R.I.P.…

Yes, the party’s over and we had a great run. By the time this goes to print, the final episode of one of the most iconic shows on television will be just a memory. For those of you who missed the ride and want to take the summer to glide through the decade of events from 1960 – 1970 (coupled with incredible story lines), start from season 1 and enjoy the show slowly on Netflix or a variety of on-demand platforms. Binge watching is NOT advised. This is the type of series that requires a few days between episodes to think about the responsibilities of men and women in America and how their roles changed “post Korea to Vietnam.”

(Adult themes – viewer discretion advised)

2) Watch:

Let Broadway come into your home. On the evening of June 7, 2015 you can see the best of New York City Theater from your own home screen. For nominees and information go to:

http://www.tonyawards.com/index.html

3) An intriguing summer read based on the true story:

“Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells—taken without her knowledge in 1951—became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, in vitro fertilization, and more. Henrietta’s cells have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she remains virtually unknown, and her family can’t afford health insurance.

Soon to be made into an HBO movie by Oprah Winfrey and Alan Ball, this New York Times bestseller takes readers on an extraordinary journey, from the “colored” ward of Johns Hopkins Hospital in the 1950s to stark white laboratories with freezers filled with HeLa cells, from Henrietta’s small, dying hometown of Clover, Virginia, to East Baltimore today, where her children and grandchildren live and struggle with the legacy of her cells. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks tells a riveting story of the collision between ethics, race, and medicine; of scientific discovery and faith healing; and of a daughter consumed with questions about the mother she never knew. It’s a story inextricably connected to the dark history of experimentation on African Americans, the birth of bioethics, and the legal battles over whether we control the stuff we’re made of.”

– Rebecca Skloot website

For a wonderful slide show about Henrietta Lacks and more information on the author, Rebecca Skloot, go to:

http://rebeccaskloot.com/the-immortal-life/book-special-features/photos/

For videos explaining the importance of HeLa cells go to:

http://rebeccaskloot.com/the-immortal-life/book-special-features/#video

4) It is summer movie time!

I always look forward to the smell of popcorn and summer movies. June is the time to ignore the serious critics and support your local theaters. Amongst the June releases will be Jurassic World, Spy and Ted 2. Light fare and fun for the whole family.

For the full June Film release schedule see:

http://www.movieinsider.com/movies/june/2015/

5) Free entertainment here in our own town:

The Wellington Ampitheater

12100 Forest Hill Boulevard

 The Wellington Amphitheater is a 3,200 square foot facility located adjacent to Scott’s Place, a Barrier-Free Playground. The facility includes a state of the art sound and lighting system for events such as concerts, plays, school functions, and movie nights. The Wellington Amphitheater was funded by a Palm Beach County grant and can accommodate up to 1500 persons. – Village of Wellington website

http://www.wellingtonfl.gov/business/economic-development/town-center/amphitheater.html

Bonus!

6) Hey, it’s summer! Here’s a list of much more to do from an incredible resource…

The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County

By

Lori Hope Baumel

Originally appeared in Around Wellington Magazine on May 1, 2015
Sam in Central Park

My oldest of three: Sam, in Central Park.
iPhone Artistry by LH Baumel

Motherhood has been time-consuming, and I would not trade it for anything in the world. My readers know, that I often refer to my children as my “greatest productions.” I am so proud of the loving, socially conscious adults they have become and can only imagine what the future holds in store for them. They are all aware that I love them unconditionally.

Now that I am in my fifties, my children are beginning to venture off on their own. Yet, I find myself saying, “There is not enough time.” Food shopping, household maintenance, running errands and personal finance management take up a great deal of my waking hours.

As Mother’s Day draws near, I have been reflecting on how I spend my time. As a result, I created a list of “If I Could” wishes. I am fortunate to say that I have experienced a taste of almost everything on the list. Simply put, I will never have the time to implement these wishes in full. But I can dream, can’t I?

If I Could

If I could, I would spend the entire day reading the New York Times, Wired magazine, Vulture.com and more. I’d explore theater reviews to help me sort out all of the shows, plays and concerts I have yet to see.

If I could, I would listen to every NPR podcast that I didn’t get to finish – the ones that completely intrigued me. The public radio term is “driveway moments,” times when you sit in your driveway waiting for the story to conclude. For me, it sometimes occurs when listening to a mesmerizing broadcast while I put on my moisturizer in the morning.

If I could, I would set aside the entire day to talk to friends who have made a difference in my life. The ones who make me laugh, the ones I’ve cried with and the ones who are always there for me. I would call them and thank them for being in my life.

If I could, I would visit (and revisit) every notable museum in the world and view the works of great masters. I’d learn about their creation process and read their biographies. I would immerse myself in trying to understand why they did what they did, and why they had an impact on society. I’d also explore new artists, the geniuses of the future. I’d find out what they’re thinking, what they’re creating and the statement they hope to make.

If I could, I’d spend months watching tutorials on Lynda.com or YouTube to become more proficient with software designed for creativity (i.e. the Adobe Cloud products). I would master skills that would allow me to take advantage of the digital age we are living in. Then, I’d simply create and share. I’d make videos, write music, books, articles, and take thought-provoking photographs. I’d also design a line of jewelry.

If I could, I would listen to every music CD in my extensive collection. There are some I haven’t listened to in years. The music would never stop. Also, I would immerse myself in the best music streaming apps – tuned to my favorite genres. I would be open to styles I have never explored. In my home theater, I would watch a great film each night and read a selection from my booklist each day.

If I could, I would practice the piano (and guitar) until I could perform the works of remarkable composers. I would analyze each piece first in order to truly interpret the way it should be presented. If given the opportunity, I would conduct a skilled orchestra or choir with the type of vigor required to get my musicians excited about their concert program.

If I could, I would mentor every child or young adult that shows promise in an area I am proficient at. I would teach them the lessons that I have learned in their area of interest. I would take them under my wing until they could fly on their own.

If I could, I would spend the entire day exercising – because of the adrenaline rush it gives me. Besides going to the gym, I would play field hockey like I did in junior high and tennis like I did in my 20 – 40s. I would hone my skills and become the most reliable player on my team.

If I could, I would get a good night’s sleep; the type of sleep I used to get when I was tucked in at night as a child, after my mother or grandmother sang me lullabies. I would experience the nocturnal bliss I had before my bladder bore the weight of my three unborn children.

If I could, I would immerse myself in Mother Nature. I would follow my whims and travel to wherever I could enjoy a near-perfect, humidity free, 72 degrees. From a lake in the Berkshires to a Caribbean beach, I’d listen to the whistling wind, watch blue waves as they ripple to the shore or tune in to the chirping of birds as they call for their mates. I’d roll down a hill on a bed of soft grass or kayak on a lake until the sun is fully set.

If I could, I’d spend my days as an activist promoting social justice. Endorse candidates that could move society forward and urge the public to VOTE for them. I would spend every minute of my day writing letters to Congress, get involved in community organizing and encourage the acceptance and understanding of diversity. I’d work to send out the message that it’s okay to respect each other’s beliefs and priorities. I would encourage others to work together to achieve balance regarding healthcare, equal rights, equal pay, green initiatives and promote democratic ideals.

Finally… for my husband, the incredible father of my children, I would wave a magic wand that would miraculously ease the worrying that we as parents and professionals have to endure each day. If I could, I would do everything in my power to keep him smiling.

What would you do… if you could?
Red roses

Red Roses.
iPhone Artistry by LH Baumel

Top Five List For May

No one can do it all, especially mothers…

Perhaps you can contribute to the well being of others.

1) Do things with your kids – other than homework. I know… we have to chauffer them everywhere. But, do your best to try to sit down to dinner with them once or twice a week as a family (I consider a family to be two or more people). Try it for fifteen minutes. Turn off the television and talk about what might interest them. Dry subjects won’t work. Don’t just dive into the world peace conversation. Start with questions like, “What is your school doing to recycle?” Learn from them. Ask them about their favorite band on YouTube. Be open and objective, they may be afraid to tell you because the lyrics to songs they are listening to might shock you. Instead, discuss the musicianship, beat style and ask if they know where their favorite bands come from. Politely ask your children not to text during your short time together. Tell them that you’re silencing your phone as well.

2) Get some sleep! Unplug. Fifteen minutes before closing your eyes, relax the old fashioned way – with a book that unwinds you. Try some poetry or short stories – not horror or the Twilight Series. Then, relax every muscle in your body and GO TO SLEEP! You’ll be much more productive the next day.

3) Think of your children’s future. Register to vote (if you haven’t already). Start researching candidates for the myriad of elections to come. Focus on your priorities and compare them to those of prospective leaders. Then, start a conversation – in your home, place of worship or on the treadmill at the gym. Learn about the gridlock in Congress and see if you can oil it. How can you do that? Read on…

4) If you watch television, go to the movies or use social networking – focus on quality. If you’re scrolling facebook, read an article of public interest. In the facebook settings you can filter subjects you want to follow. Yes, I think cats are cute. But, there’s something wrong with your setup if every other post is a picture of one bathing, playing the kazoo or throwing down a bookshelf. Introspection can guide you to explore postings that include news, sports, politics and charities you have a personal interest in.

If you watch news on television, try different news outlets. Fox news is popular, but extremely biased. It presents the least diverse and most sensationalized point of view. You might feel the same way about MSNB. Don’t allow yourself to be brainwashed – draw your own conclusions. Expose yourself to a news outlet you can learn from. Personally, I tune to public television and get most of my news from National Public Radio. The reporting is not dependent on pleasing their advertisers point of view. It is donor supported and there is rarely any commercial interruption.

5) This one is in three parts:

a) Hug. You know who needs one. You want one yourself. Your kids want it more than anyone, and they want it from you! Yes, even the teenagers. But, you have to initiate it. Hugging stimulates good endorphins.

b) Sing. I don’t care if it’s in the car or in the shower. Sing! Just watch your driving and don’t slip on the soap. If your kids are small, sing them a lullaby to sleep. Don’t worry about the quality of your voice. Your children will remember it as some of the most loving moments spent with you.

c) Write an old-fashioned letter or email a friend. Close relatives that you consider to be your friends count. Express yourself, be yourself, laugh at yourself – yet, be proud of yourself. You’ll sleep better and be more likely to give out hugs (see a and b).

Live… Go… Do!

 By Lori Hope Baumel

Originally appeared in Around Wellington Magazine on May 1, 2015

Morikami Museum and Gardens. Photo: Eric Baumel.

Warning: This article contains strongly insightful language!

In life, I find there are two different types of people in this world; stress reducers and stress inducers. “What does this have to do with the arts,” you might ask? Everything, but we’ll get to that later.

Shakespeare said it best:

All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts…

As You Like It, Act II, Scene 7

On this stage we call “life,” what part do you actually play? I am not asking what part do you want to play, I am asking what character do you play? What type of effect do you have on the people around you and what type of effect do you have on your own well-being?

I find that people who tend to be “stress reducers” have the following characteristics. They are:

– Problem solvers

– Patient

– Compassionate

– Hard-working

– Gifted with good listening skills

– Wisely proactive

– Generous, but not to a fault

– Unconditionally loving

– Excellent at time management

– Confident

– Maintain a degree of self-respect

Most importantly, they are humble enough to admit to making a mistake. These types of people tend to have hobbies, are constantly learning and are open-minded to new things.

Unfortunately, those who are stress inducers have character flaws that they rarely recognize. They are:

– Jealous

– Bossy

– Critical

– Hurtful or don’t think before they speak

– Disrespectful of one’s space, property and private time

– Liars or cheaters

– Self-absorbed and feel the world should revolve around him/her

– “Dumpers” (they dump their problems on you as if you have none of your own)

Often this type of character has no sense of self-worth and is constantly seeking fulfillment, rarely aware that contentment comes from a sense of completion.

Sometimes, there’s a third party involved. Now think about this SLOWLY: the stress inducers aggravate the stress reducers, who THEN turn to another stress reducer for help. Sounds like an episode of Downton Abbey, right?

Now, don’t get all huffy if you have one or two of the characteristics in both of the inducer/reducer categories. That’s to be expected at times. We are all human beings with instinctual responses. What is most important is to recognize that we are all works in progress and we can hone our personalities. I am often reminded of the scene in the Wizard of Oz… All the cowardly lion needed was a medal for courage and the scarecrow was given a diploma for society to recognize that he was smart.

This is where living a cultural life steps in. YOU can be both the artist and the work of art. YOU can mold or sculpt yourself in any manner you wish. If you are a stress reducer, then you are the kind of person who recognizes that there is always room for improvement. If you are a stress inducer, you have to calm down and take control of your own life. You may very well be hurting those you love most, unintentionally.

A very wise friend, Mr. Johnny Bergstrom, once told me to post the following words on a post-it note in my office:

“I am a work in progress and I’m okay with that.”

Quite frankly, I have found those words to be helpful on many occasions. I try to recognize all the beauty that surrounds me. In addition, in the small amount of spare time I have, I try to learn something new. In turn, I use the techniques learned to be more creative. Being inventive and imaginative is extremely stress reducing.

Make a list. Write down things you would really like to do more of. For example:

– Read books: stop by the library, download some audio books or eBooks

– Paint or draw

– Write poetry or song lyrics

– Shut off the news and listen to music in the car

– Try your hand at photography (most cell phones have great cameras)

– Plant a colorful bed of flowers in your garden

– Take up a craft or hobby like beading jewelry or woodwork

– Appreciate a sunrise or sunset: you have two chances daily

– Look back at some old photos that bring back good memories

– Take a few moments each day to get some fresh air. When you do, observe the beauty around you. Listen to the sounds of nature: the birds, the breeze and the rustle of leaves.

I could go on – but I think you get the message by now.  Simply:

Live… Go… Do!

Top 5 for April 2015

April is the tail end of tolerable daytime temperatures in South Florida before the summer begins. Go for a stroll in the beautiful gardens that Palm Beach County has to offer.

1) Visit:

Mounts Botanical Garden

      Photo: Courtesy of Mounts Botanical Garden

With a mission to inspire the public, Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden, offering gorgeous displays of tropical and sub-tropical plants, plus informative classes, workshops, and other fun-filled events. The Garden contains more than 2,000 species of plants, including Florida native plants, exotic and tropical fruit trees, herbs, palms, bromeliads and more.  Mounts Botanical Garden is a facility of the Palm Beach County Extension Service, which is in partnership with the University of Florida and the Friends of Mounts Botanical Garden.

Located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach, The Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The suggested donation for entry to the Garden is $5 per person. For more information, please call 561.233.1757 or visit www.mounts.org.

2) Explore 

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

This tranquil, lakeside destination offers Japanese tea ceremonies, festivals, classes & a sushi cafe.

4000 Morikami Park Rd,

Delray Beach, FL 33446

(561) 495-0233

For information go to: morikami.org

3) Listen to enriching podcasts or stream free music:

If you have an iPhone, you may not even be aware that you have a Podcast app. If you bring up the app, you can download a variety of interesting and enriching podcasts. Lately, I have been listening to James Altucher, author of the best-selling book Choose Yourself. Amongst his many interviews and titles, he offers a variety of inspiring discussions that are fascinating to listen to.

Spotify and Pandora are free apps that bring me much joy. You can stream music for free (with ads). If you feel you “need a lift,” pick a category of songs with an upbeat tempo. If you want a more meditative sound, choose from a variety of genres that suit your taste.

4) LAUGH!

According to a blog by Leah Rocketto, “Laughter naturally– and legally– reduces stress and makes us feel plain happier. But what isn’t so well known is that giggling like a schoolgirl (or boy) actually increases blood flow throughout the body.”

To see more of her blog go to:

http://greatist.com/happiness/laughter-real-reason-loling-good-you

I find that getting together with friends or relatives who have a great sense of humor to be most relaxing. Depending on your budget, you can picnic or throw a Frisbee around Okeeheelee Park, arrange a night out on the town or just get together and watch some comedy on TV. If it’s a fun night out you choose to share, perhaps pick up tickets to one of these events:

The Kravis Center Presents:

Kathy Griffin Live! Friday, April 24^th at 8 PM

(Note: performance contains adult language)

MythBusters Jamie & Adam UNLEASHED! Saturday, April 25 at 8 pm.

Pippin April 28 – May 3 (see website for times)

For tickets and information go to: Kravis.org

On Your Home Screen:

In some cases, due to adult language and subject matter, viewer discretion advised.

Veep (HBO, resumes April 12)

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (now on Netflix)

The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore (Comedy Central)

Modern Family (ABC)

Mom (ABC)

Saturday Night Live (NBC – now in its 40th year)

5) Enjoy:

A FREE COMMUNITY DAY ON APRIL 4

AT

THE ANN NORTON SCULPTURE GARDENS

Gardens Conservancy to present a special exhibition of

Ann Norton’s drawings: Beyond the Garden Gates

In its second year, the Gardens Conservancy at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens is hosting a special event for the community, to honor its mission of expanding the visibility and appreciation of artist Ann Norton’s work and legacy.

From April 1-4, the historic home on the grounds of the Sculpture Gardens will host “Beyond the Garden Gates” a very special exhibition of Ann Norton’s charcoal and pastel studies for her iconic gateway structures, Tibetan and bird series. As a way to introduce the Gardens to even more guests, the Gardens Conservancy will open the Gardens to the public on Saturday, April 4 free of charge. “Ann’s drawings are quite revealing,” said Frances Fisher, founding chair for the Gardens Conservancy. “They show her thought process on the way to creating her monuments. Her drawings reflect her impact from an artistic point of view and they continue the process of bringing her story to life. Once you get to know Ann, you can’t help but fall in love with her story, these beautiful gardens, this wonderful and historic home, and her significance as an American artist. We hope guests will continue to get to know Ann Norton through her gift to our community of this very special place.”

The never-before-exhibited works were executed circa 1950s to 1970s. Along with rare personal and archival materials, and maquettes of some of the monuments currently displayed in the Gardens, the exhibition will give the viewer an intimate glimpse of Ann Norton’s creative process and her artistic significance.

For Conservancy membership information or details for the April exhibition at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, please visit www.ansg.org or call 561-832-5328. The rare palm and sculpture gardens, exhibition galleries and artist studio are located at 2051 South Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach and are currently open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

By Lori Baumel

Originally appeared in Around Wellington Magazine on March 1, 2015

It is PEAK season and difficult to comprehend how many events there are to see this month. If you are an NBA sports and cultural arts fan then you best get out your calendar and try to squeeze in as much as you can. The weather has been perfect. We are the envy of all our friends up north experiencing frigid temperatures. Get up and out.  Perhaps I’ll run into you at Art after Dark, Open Mic Night, Festival of the Arts or BODYVOX at the Duncan. There is no time to waste, so I’ll offer more than a “TOP FIVE” this month. Set your DVR for the game and…

Live… Go… Do!

1) Let us begin with the Norton Museum of Art…

Back in February, I was very fortunate to meet Beth Rudin DeWoody, one of the world’s foremost art and photography collectors. What an intriguing woman! Not only does she have a vast collection of over 10,000 pieces and 1500 photographs, Ms. DeWoody is a curator and cultivator of new artists. A part-time resident of West Palm Beach, her influence is felt throughout the art world. Currently on exhibit is a small, but exquisite, portion of her collection – not to be missed! See:

The Triumph of Love: Beth Rudin DeWoody Collects

Now through Sunday, May 3, 2015

Also on exhibit:

High Tea: Glorious Manifestations East and West is the first to examine this influence globally, focusing on eight key cultures – China, Korea, Japan, England, Germany, France, Russia, and America. The exhibition, organized by Laurie Barnes, Elizabeth B. McGraw Curator of Chinese Art, is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through Sunday, May 24, 2015.

Be sure to attend their March 2015 High Tea lecture:

One for the Pot: Silver Tea Wares in Colonial and Federal America

March 8, 2015 at 3 p.m.

Beth Carver Wees, Curator of American Decorative Arts at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, examines the range of silver tea vessels used by early Americans, infusing her talk with literary references and anecdotes associated with tea-drinking etiquette.

In addition, the Norton Museum of Art is proud to be the first venue in the United States to show the special exhibition:

Pastures Green: The British Passion for Landscape.

Drawn from the remarkable collections of the Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, the exhibition includes more than 60 works by pre-eminent artists such as Thomas Gainsborough, J.M.W. Turner, John Constable, Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley, Richard Long, and many others spanning five centuries from the 1660s to the early 2000s.  Pastures Green offers new insights into the importance and role of landscape painting during this time of rapid change, both in Wales and throughout Great Britain, and is on view through April 5, 2015. This exhibition is organized by the American Federation of Arts and Amgueddfa Cymru–National Museum Wales.

Finally, don’t forget about the Norton’s most popular weekly program:

Art After Dark
- Where Culture and Entertainment Meet

Thursdays from 5 – 9 P.M.

Art After Dark
offers eclectic programming, including exceptional music of all genres, captivating conversations with curators, docent-led tours,  art activities, film,  dance, wine tastings, chef demos, and more. All activities and performances are included with admission (Sponsored by the Addison Hines Charity Trust)

The Norton Museum of Art is a major cultural attraction in Florida, and internationally known for its distinguished Permanent Collection featuring American Art, Chinese Art, Contemporary Art, European Art and Photography. The Norton is located at 1451 S. Olive Ave. in West Palm Beach, FL., and is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed on Mondays and major Holidays). General admission is $12 for adults, $5 for students with a valid ID, and free for Members and children ages 12 and under. West Palm Beach residents receive free admission every Saturday with proof of residency. Palm BeachCounty residents receive free admission the first Saturday of each month with proof of residency. For additional information, please call (561) 832-5196, or visit www.norton.org.

2) Ten amazing days…

Stars of International Ballet

Sunday, March 8th – 7:00 PM, Amphitheater

A unique star-studded evening featuring some of the biggest names in ballet with dancers from The Royal Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Washington Ballet, American Ballet Theater and more.

Young People’s Chorus of New York City and

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony

Saturday, March 14th – 7:30PM, Amphitheater

The Young People’s Chorus of New York City is one of the finest youth choirs I have ever seen. If you enjoy young voices, choral choreography and outstanding repertoire you are sure to enjoy this performance with the Master Chorale of South Florida, Festival Orchestra BOCA and Soloists. Constantine Kitsopoulos conducts.

Here is a video preview:

Young People’s Chorus at the White House

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-DvCUl6DCg

As you can see, there are a plethora of performances!

For more information see: www.festivaloftheartsboca.org

3) One of my Favorite Plays:

4) Contemporary Dance unlike anything you’ve seen before…

BODYTRAFFIC

DuncanTheater

March 27 – 28, 2015 at 8 PM

For More information see: www.palmbeachstate.edu/theatre/duncan-theatre/

5) Back By Popular Demand:

Capitol Steps: How To Succeed in Congress without Really Lying

The Capitol Steps are my favorite comedy ensemble. I have most of their CD’s and have seen them more times than I can remember. If you enjoy political satire, talented vocalists and pure comedy then hop down to the KravisCenter’s Rinker Theater and choose from a variety of performance dates and times from March 1 – 7, 2015

For more information go to: Kravis.org