Jerry Seinfeld’s Comic Genius Thrills Audience at 2013 Everglades Foundation Benefit Seinfeld joined by NBC Today host Willie Geist and a rock-the-house performance by ZZ Top at the Palm Beach event that raised more than $2 million for Everglades Restoration

Palm Beach, Florida (February 20, 2013) – Jerry Seinfeld’s comic genius was on full display for an exclusive performance for more than 600 guests at the eighth annual ForEverglades Benefit held at The Breakers on February 15.

Seinfeld, who has a long personal and comedic relationship with Florida – his real mother is a resident of South Florida and his fictional TV series parents lived in “Del Boca Vista” – kept the audience laughing with his unique comic perspective on the ordinary details of life.

The event began with cocktails and then guests were welcomed into the Ponce de Leon ballroom. They were greeted by emcee Willie Geist, co-host of NBC’s “Today” and co-host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg also welcomed the guests and thanked them for their continuing support of the Foundation and America’s Everglades.

 

After dinner in the tropical setting of the ballroom, Seinfeld showed the guests why The Miami Herald calls him one of the “greatest comics of all time.”  Following Seinfeld’s performance, Auctioneer Guy Bennett led spirited bidding for exclusive tours in Africa, Argentina and America’s Everglades.

Then ZZ Top took to the stage with guitarist Billy Gibbons, bassist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard, playing hits old and new for guests who rushed toward the stage, many of them wearing the dark sunglasses provided for each guest.

Notables in attendance included: U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and his wife Grace, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Will Weatherford, State Rep. Patrick Rooney, music legend Jimmy Buffett and tennis great Mats Wilander.

 

Other notables included: Mary Barley, Brooks  and Allison Bishop, Georgina Bloomberg, Eva and Glenn Dubin , Tucker Frederickson, Mercedes and Stephen Gotwald, Lou Hager,  Fenia and Carl Hiaasen, Paul Tudor Jones, Paul and Kathy Leone, Millie Dayton and Eric Levine, Garrison duP. Lickle, Sasha Lickle, Danielle Moore, Thalia and Tommy Mottola, Barbara and Jack Nicklaus, Ashley and Mike Ramos, Alita and Nathaniel Reed, Wilder and Jason Regalbuto, Samantha and Chris Storkerson, and Bob Vila.

The ForEverglades Benefit raises money annually to support the science, communications, advocacy, education and legal programs of the Everglades Foundation — all geared to protecting and restoring what remains of this fragile ecosystem. The board of directors supports all of the Foundation’s administrative and fundraising expenses, allowing 100% of the money raised at the benefit to directly support these programs.

Benefit chairmen for this year’s event included Eva and Glenn Dubin, Elizabeth Kieselstein-Cord and Edward Hamm, Jr., Kim and Chris Havlicek, Sonia and Paul Tudor Jones II, Elaine and Ken Langone, Kathy and Paul Leone, Meg and Keith Long, Michele Henry and Garrison duP. Lickle, Alice and Lorne Michaels, Mary Morse, Barbara and Jack Nicklaus, Sara Groff and Piper Quinn, Ashley and Mike Ramos, Lia Reed, and Toni and Andrew Wilshire.

About Florida’s Relationship with the Everglades

More than seven million people live in the Everglades watershed and depend on its natural systems for their livelihood, food and drinking water. Florida’s agricultural, boating, tourism, real estate, recreational and commercial fishing industries all depend on a healthy Everglades ecosystem, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and contributing billions to our economy. Its waters flow through the Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Ten Thousand Islands, National Wildlife Refuge, Biscayne National Park and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Together, these parks draw several million visitors each year contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to Florida’s tourism economy.

About the Everglades Foundation

The Everglades Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, charitable organization dedicated to protecting and restoring one of the world’s unique natural ecosystems that provides economic, recreational and life-sustaining benefits to the millions of people who depend on its future health. Since 1993, the Everglades Foundation has played a leadership role in advancing Everglades restoration through the advancement of scientifically sound and achievable solutions. The Foundation seeks to reverse the damage inflicted on the ecosystem and provides policymakers and the public with honest and credible resource to help guide decision-making on complex restoration issues. For more information, please visit www.evergladesfoundation.org.

Photos Courtesy of Julie Skarratt

Photo 1: Barbara and Jack Nicklaus Photo 2: Amy and John Bahl Photo 3: Glen and Eva Dubin Photo 4: Jerry Seinfeld and Paul Tudor Jones Photo 5: Jimmy Buffett and Carl Hiaasen Photo 6: Millie Dayton and Eric Levine Photo 7: Tony and Thalia Mattola Photo 8: Wilder and Jason Regalbuto Photo 9: Willie and Christina Geist Photo 10: ZZ Top

JUDY’S JOURNEY AT CLUB COLETTE TO BENEFIT KIDSANCTUARY CAMPUS

Renowned artist and designer, Judy Grubman of Judith Murat Fine Jewelry has just announced the launch of her new book, Judy’s Journey Into The Land Of Murat co-authored by the designer and Charles (Sunny) Castor.  The whimsical adventures of Judy’s journeys will debut at a luncheon benefitting KidSanctuary Campus at Club Colette in Palm Beach on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 and will simultaneously feature a fashion show courtesy of Sabella Mikesell Couture with models featuring their fashions and  adorning jewelry by Judith Murat Fine Jewelry from A.R.T. Palm Beach.

Judy’s Journey Into The Land Of Murat is a fable about little Judy’s mystical adventures and the creatures that lead her on her voyage. Says Grubman, “Sunny and I began incorporating pieces from my collection which are inspired by the sea, the forest, the jungle, and the garden and translated them into a book that is mystical, spiritual and identifiable for children of all ages.  It’s a bit about the circle of life and when seeking your heart's desire, the first place to look is your own backyard.” 

Guests of the luncheon will receive an autographed copy of the book and an opportunity to win a piece of jewelry from Judith Murat Fine Jewelry’s latest collection.  Says KidSanctuary Campus President, Connie Frankino, “Judy’s spirit, enthusiasm, and passion is evident in both her exquisite jewelry designs and her new book. KidSanctuary is thrilled to call her a partner in our mission to build a safe harbor for kids who have been removed from their home because of neglect and abuse.”

Tickets for the event are $225.00 and can be purchased by contacting Executive Director of KidSanctuary Campus, Toni May by calling 561.653.8274. To learn more about KidSanctuary Campus via the internet, please visit the website at: www.kidsanctuarycampus.org.

About KidSanctuary Campus, Inc.:

KidSanctuary Campus, Inc. is a charitable organization located in Palm Beach County committed to assisting children who have been removed from their home because of neglect and abuse. With land donated by Palm Beach County, and a capital campaign currently in place, the first house, sponsored by the J.M. Rubin Foundation opened in December 2012.  The Dodero Family Cottage will be the second home to be built on the property with a ground breaking estimated to take place in the fall of 2013. The capital campaign, lead by Capital Campaign Chairman Edward M. Ricci, Esquire, will continue to raise the necessary funds for the construction of two additional homes and a recreational/ therapy building. 

About Judy Grubman and Judith Murat Fine Jewelry:

Judith Murat Grubman began a career as a model and actress, appearing in hundreds of commercials and modeled with both the Eileen Ford and William Morris Agency. As a young adult, her talents evolved further into the arts where Grubman studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, The Arts Student League of New York, and The Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach where she honed her skills as an accomplished portrait artist and sculptor.

Over a decade ago, Judy was inspired by a friend to design jewelry and Judith Murat Fine Jewelry was brought to life with collections inspired by travels, inspirations, dreams, and wishes. Judy first unveiled Judith Murat Fine Jewelry exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue – first in Palm Beach and then in Boca Raton, North Palm Beach and Houston, Texas. She has also gone on to show successfully in New York City, throughout the Hamptons and in Beverly Hills at eponymous fine jewelry houses including: Fortunoff, Greenleaf & Crosby, Hamilton Jewelers, London Jewelers, Rose Jewelers, Scully & Scully, Torneau, and more. Many celebrities have adorned themselves with Grubman’s jewelry while walking the red carpet including: Anne Hathaway, Tyra Banks, Lisa Guerrero, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez, and Jennifer Hudson. Her reputation as a uniquely talented and original designer has put the artist in the spotlight by creating distinctive one-of-a-kind pieces that communicate personality and style.

THE HISTORIC ANN NORTON SCULPTURE GARDENS PRESENTS: THE COLLECTOR SERIES: EXHIBITION NO. 1, FEBRUARY 13 – MARCH 24, 201

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA (February 2, 2013) – The Galleries of the historic Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens will be filled with a selection of some of the world’s most renowned artists on loan from private collectors February 13 – March 24, 2013. Guest curated by David Miller, the exhibition will feature a total of 35 beguiling works of art including pieces from Edgar Degas, Pablo Picasso, Milton Avery, Malvina Hoffman and more.  Miller, a past Board of Trustee President at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens will host an private reception for museum members and guests Wednesday, February 13 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Works by Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Edgar Degas, August Robin and Andy Warhol will grace the walls of the Gallery at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. The exhibition slated to open February 13 will run through March 24, 2013. Guest curator and Chair of the Art Committee, David Miller says, “We are very fortunate to have friends and supporters lend works from their private collections for our exhibition.” The works are made all the more interesting by how they were found and came into private collection.  One piece, a cartoon by Robert Henri, unlike any of his known work shows Mr. Knoedler of the famous Knoedler Gallery which opened in 1847 and showed some of the country’s greatest collections including those of Paul Mellon, Henry Clay, Frick and Robert Sterling Clark.  Over the years, Knoedler also bought and sold works of the who’s who in 19^th and 20^th-centruary art including: Van Gough, Manet, Winslow Homer, Frederic E. Church, and John Singer Sargent; as well as more contemporary figures including: Louise Bourgeois, Willem de Kooning, and Barnett Newman. A work by Edgar Degas also has its roots to the Knoedler belonging to the Davidson Collection.                               

Cynthia Palmieri, Executive Director of the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens adds, “Many of the works share narratives such as Malvina Hoffman who studied with Rodin and later became dear friends with Andy Warhol and then the relationship between Warhol and Patricia Nix who showed at the Tower Gallery together in 1979. From the owners to its origin, the pairings of friendships from artist to collector has unveiled truly amazing stories that are unfolding at the Ann Norton Scupture Gardens.

For more information please visit: www.ansg.org or call: 561-832.5328. 

About the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens: The historic Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Inc. is a recognized 501 (c) (3) operating foundation established in 1977 by the prominent sculptor Ann Weaver Norton (1905-1982). The gardens are conveniently located at 2051 South Flagler Drive, in West Palm Beach, Florida. The rare palm and sculpture gardens, exhibition galleries and artist studio are currently open Wednesday-Sunday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

If you would like more information on this topic or to schedule an interview, please call Linda Soper at (561) 835-9057 or email: linda@lindalanemarketing.com.