Palm Beach Perspective 1290 WJNO

Talked with Michael Riordan, COO and Lety Gonzalez, Marketing Coordinator for Compass in Lake Worth.  Compass Center has been "providing life-saving services to the residents of Palm Beach County and South Florida for 35 years. Their mission is to engage, empower and enrich the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people and those impacted by HIV and AIDS."
They offer a wide variety of mental health programs, peer support groups, youth groups, transgender resources, free counseling and cultural  competency trainings, and HIV education awareness.  They do several fundraising events throughout the year.  The next big one is the 2024 Stonewall Ball which raises funds for the programs and operations at Compass Community Center.  It's going to be at Hilton Downtown West Palm Beach, 600 Okeechobee Blvd. 33401.  Listeners can get tickets, make donation, and more information on services at www.compasslgbtq.com.

Talked with Burt Moresch, President, Field Day Coordinator and Laurence Grayhills, DMD from Jupiter Tequesta Repeater Group (JTRG).  "JTRG is an ARRL-affiliated, Special Service Club and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that’s committed to the promotion of Amateur Radio and providing community assistance and goodwill.With just over 100 members, we’re an active club, involved with all aspects of amateur radio, public service, and Amateur Radio examinations. We provide communications and logistics for area events and participate in the Jupiter Jubilee, Field Day, and Club-sponsored picnics. Our repeater is leveraged as the North county repeater for ARES and we have numerous members involved with RACES, ARES, Skywarn, CERT, etc. This years Field Day will be held on June 22nd-23rd at Carlin Park in Jupiter, FL." The JTRG members will be setting up with a variety of power sources, listeners are invited to come out and try to make a contact at the "GOTA" station.  JTRG is looking for volunteers and listeners can sign up and get more info at www.jtrg.org

Talked with Edward Stinson, Museum Docent and Tracy Ann Simmonds, Museum Assistant from the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum in Delray Beach.  The museum is located in the former home of Solomon D. Spady.  Spady museum is a non-profit that "expands and preserves our cultural heritage, sharing local black history with Delray Beach Black archive, exhibits, bus tours, walking tours, commemorative events and youth mentoring."  They have a lot of great events lined up for the Summer including Juneteenth Fathers of Freedom: An Evening of Dinner and Jazz on June 16th 6-8pm at Field House at Old School Square in Delray. Tickets are $100/pp Buy them at https://spadymuseum,charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/16805.  They are also doing a Ride to Remember bus tour on June 19th (Juneteenth), tickets are $25/pp.  Listeners can also go to the museum to check out the, "Ain't No Limits" exhibition that's running now.  They can also sign up to become mentors, volunteers, and make donations at www.spadymuseum.org

Talked with Courtney Marx, Director of Mental Health First Aid program at Alpert Jewish Family Services.  Alpert JFS mission is to strengthen the entire community by empowering folks through the delivery of comprehensive human services.  They have a wide variety of mental health services for all ages, mentoring, food delivery, elder care, elder planning, holocaust survivor groups, education loads, addiction support and outreach. Courtney leads the Mental Health First Aid service.  It's a training for the community to become aware of what to do in a mental health crisis to provide aid for the person while keeping themselves safe.  It provides trainees with techniques/resources to help those in the community who are struggling with a mental heath concern.  Listeners can go to www.alpertjfs.org for all the details on services, mentoring opportunities and signing up for the Mental Health First Aid training.

Talked with Jodi Sypher and Quincy Bruckerhoff from the Norton Museum of Art.  Starting this weekend, Palm Beach County residents get free admission every Saturday until the end of the Summer.  They have a great line up of programs including: Tai Chi on the Lawn, Drum Circles, Mindfulness moment practice with a piece of art and adult sketch classes.  Listeners can come out every Friday for Art After Dark.  While there, they can take a docent led tour at 5:30 or 7pm, artist tour at 8pm, participate in the open studio art workshop from 6-9pm, and enjoy life performances.  Coming up on Friday May 31st it's Art After Dark/Hatian Heritage Night, June 7th is Art After Dark with Jazz Neil Bacher Quartet (1st Art After Dark each month is Jazz), then on June 14th it's The Lee Boys, playing their unique form of gospel music.  For more information about Art After Dark, becoming a volunteer, current and upcoming exhibitions, classes, etc., listeners can go to www.norton.org

Talked with CDR SEAL (Ret) Grant Mann, Executive Director Navy SEAL Museum in Ft. Pierce, Florida.  Their mission is to "preserve the history and heritage of the U.S. Navy SEALS, honor our fallen and care for our families."  The museum's vision "provides and educational environment for a diverse audiene of all ages via a world-class museum combining historical artifacts with the most current technology.  They hope to inspire patriotism in guests for the appreication of the freedoms we enjoy."   Listeners and their families can participate in the outdoor obstacle course. See the Navy SEAL Memorial wall and various exhibits outside including a Riverrine boat, a Mark V Special Operations craft and then inside they have a black hawk helicopter, the Maersk Alabama Lifeboat and  a wide range of exhibitions narrating the development of what is currently our Navy SEALS program.  The museum supports the Trident House Charities, donates scholarships to students from pre-k to collage, does Summer programs with local students/clubs and hosts several events throughout the year.  The Navy SEAL museum will host it's annual Memorial Day program on Monday 5/27 at 9am.  Listeners can get more info, make a donation or sign up to be a volunteer at www.navysealmuseum.org.