An expertly curated, luxuriously produced compendium of all things Palm Beach, Palm Beach Illustrated brings to life personalities and takes you inside the exclusive homes, parties and interests of the world’s most affluent and influential people.
After six months of social distancing and collective breath-holding, September feels like a fresh start. Kids are going back to school, albeit mostly virtually. Restaurants are gearing up for Flavor month with all the requisite adjustments. The fashion industry is rolling out its fall collections. Businesses across the board are poised for a new season, whatever that will look like. The general mood is one of positivity, optimism, and strength in community. That’s the tone of our September issue, as well. This month we focus on education, which has seen some of the biggest changes since COVID-19 descended upon us last March. As a mom of young kids, I have watched teachers and educational models pivot, seemingly overnight. There were a lot of bugs to work out, and we all—parents,…
Resource Depot’s position as an anchor of Industry Alley—a cluster of warehouses repurposed to serve the West Palm Beach design community—is fitting, as its focus is “turning waste into wonder.” By collecting and redistributing discarded items, the nonprofit supports the arts and keeps thousands of pounds of material out of landfills. Since its founding in 1999, Resource Depot has upheld a mission to encourage consumers to share, donate, or repurpose. In addition to its reusable marketplace, it hosts classes on making recycled art, from cupcakes to flowers and more. Recently, Resource Depot brought its offerings online. “We developed robust virtual resources—videos, lesson plans, suggestions for being green—and people suddenly had to decide what was essential, which dovetails nicely with our ENF campaign,” explains executive director Jennifer O’Brien. The “ENF is…
While the mission of the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County is to ensure every resident can read—its efforts span a range of literacy programs serving more than 29,000 adults, children, and families across 187 sites—the organization also aims to inspire everyone to read more. Read Together Palm Beach County, which kicks off each September, is a popular way the Literacy Coalition mobilizes readers countywide. During the campaign, adults from Jupiter to Boca read the same book at the same time and gather to discuss. There’s also a finale event, which typically includes a lecture, Q&A, and book signing with the author. “It’s thrilling to hear participants recount how, because of this initiative, they have begun reading for enjoyment again,” says CEO Kristin Calder. “It brings the community together to…
Jump-start your reading routine with these local resources: Turn your to-read pile into a girls’ night out by joining a book club. Founded by Brandy Guthrie, So Booked Up is now 40 women strong, and every new member selects a book from any genre for the group to read. The club is free to join but collects donations for local charities. (sobookedup.com) In 2018, then-12-year-old Taylor Moxey founded the Taylor Moxey Library to help improve literacy in low-income areas. Housed in a shipping container at 600 Fourth Street in West Palm Beach, the mini-library operates on the honor system and stocks a range of books for children and adults. (downtownwpb.com/taylormoxeylibrary)…
On a mission to make the Sunshine State the world leader in solar energy, Florida Power & Light is well underway on its SolarNow plan to install more than 30 million solar panels by 2030. “We’ve reimagined how solar technology can look through solar trees and canopies, and the response has been tremendous,” says Matt Valle, vice president of development. “These solar structures are transforming the destinations where they can be found into living classrooms and landmarks for clean energy.” The solar installations, which generate both emissions-free energy and a spot of shade, are partially funded by the 10,000-plus Palm Beach County residents who make a $9 monthly donation as part of the SolarNow program. Spot these symbols of sustainability at 11 local sites, from public parks to area attractions…
After teaching on both ends of the socioeconomic spectrum, Christine Sylvain noticed a troubling disparity: When it came to college preparation outside the classroom, “the contrast was stark,” she says. Higher-income students had tutors and experts helping them apply to college and obtain internships and enrichment opportunities; bright, hard-working students from less privileged backgrounds were starved for guidance. Moreover, Sylvain soon realized that by offering college counseling and SAT prep for top dollar—thereby helping wealthy students earn scholarships and get accepted to elite schools—she was part of the problem. “I was directly contributing to the increasing wealth gap in our country,” Sylvain explains. She switched gears and launched Path to College, a three-year leadership and careerdevelopment curriculum comprising financial literacy, speed interviewing, civic engagement, application guidance, social and emotional support…
