OVER 400 PEOPLE TURN OUT TO HONOR AMERICAN WAR HEROES OVER $10,000 RAISED FOR WEST PALM BEACH FISHER HOUS

PALM BEACH, FL (July 13, 2012) – American veterans from World War II to the present were honored Wednesday night, July 11, 2012 during a fundraiser for The Friends of Fisher House at Taboo Restaurant in Palm Beach. The event, which drew over 400 people, raised over $10,000.00 for the West Palm Beach Fisher House.

Honored guests for the evening included Joseph Dryer, one of the few remaining survivors of the attack on Iwo Jima; Jerold Klein, Friends of Fisher House Treasurer and recipient of the Silver Star for heroism in Vietnam; Daniel R. Baer who served in World War II; Rodman Steele a Vietnam Vet, Desmond Price who was deployed five times, and recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan, and Ted Task and Frank Hogan who both served as US Marines during the Korean War. Also being honored were veterans: Leo Lezar, Scott Barber, and Patrick Rielly.

 

Arnold Fisher, the Vice Chairman of the Fisher House Foundation and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Intrepid Museum Foundation, Honorary Chairman of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and heads up the Fisher Brothers Annual Scholarship Fund for military children was also on hand to discuss the Fisher House organization and its growth in different markets throughout the U.S. As a member of one of America’s philanthropic and patriotic families who direct most of their charitable work to the men and woman of the United States Military, Arnold Fisher has overseen numerous charitable projects. Most of his dedicated work was through The Intrepid Fallen Hero’s Fund. After recognizing the need to provide specialized rehabilitation services to veterans who are traumatic amputee and burn patients, Mr. Fisher became the driving force behind private donations to build the Center for the Intrepid. He has also been hard at work creating a state-of-the art Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Diagnostic Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Craig Dickmann and Matt deFalco from Hamilton Jewelers presented a special gift to each of the honored veterans for their service and several Palm Beach boutiques helped sponsor the event with raffle items. Juicy Couture and Sequin Boutique extended their hours to co-host the event, offering their venue for the Black River Caviar reception and impressive Chinese auction. Christofle presented the hard-working volunteers with beautiful sterling silver bookmarks engraved with the American Flag.   Included in the Chinese Auction were Village Camps in Switzerland and a Golf Foursome at the Ritz Carlton Club in Jupiter. Participating Palm Beach organizations and boutiques included: Hamilton Jewelers, The Breakers, Stubbs & Wootton, Christofle, Daniella Ortiz, Key Leaf, Emilio Pucci, Badgley Mischka, Daniella Ortiz, Tito Vodka, Island Company.

Other notables attending included: Congressional Candidate Lois Frankel, South Florida builder/developer/promoter Michael Capponi; President/CEO of Douglas Elliman, Florida, Vanessa Grout; American Le Mans race car driver Jay Cochran and son Rafe Cochran; Food Network Reality Show Personality Josh Lyons, Production and Event Maestro, Bruce Sutka, Television Personality Robert Riva, CBS Technical Correspondent Herb Tabin, HGTV Design Star Celebrity Miera Melba, and Former MGM Actress / Vietnam Radio Personality for troops Chris Noel.

Local movers and shakers included: Philip Nicozisis, Brad Deflin, Carlos Morrison, Lucia Bonavita, Maribel Alvarez, Jim Pappas, Arvo Katajisto, Jeff Koons, Leslie Linder, Ashley McKintosh, Andres Fanjul, Daniel Jennings, Candice Jorritsma, Avery Dimmig, Adam Lipson, Alexis Posada, Pamela Tombari, Marrisa Pepper, Reid Boren, Ronnie and Jennie Hasozbek-Garcia, Diane Weiss, and Diana and Rich Horowitz.

If you would like more information on this topic or to schedule an interview, please call Linda Soper at (612) 308.4159 or email: linda@lindalanemarketing.com.

About Fisher House:

The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's service men and women in their time of greatest need.  Families do not pay to stay at Fisher Houses, which serve as a "home away from home" for them while their loved ones are receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. 

The program was the brainchild of New York real estate developer and philanthropist Zachary Fisher and his wife Elizabeth who opened the first "Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher House" at the National Naval Medical Center Bethesda, Maryland on 24 June 1990.  There are now over 50 Fisher Houses throughout the United States, and the program is growing every year in response to the needs of veterans and their families.  More than 183,000 days of lodging are provided by Fisher Houses every year. 

The local Fisher House is an eight-bedroom facility situated on the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center campus. It has been in operation since 1995, and has accommodated approximately 10,100 families.  Each guest room has a laptop with Wi-Fi Internet, flat screen TV, and a DVD/VCR player. Families are welcomed to use a fully stocked kitchen to provide for their meals.  The homey living room has an extensive library of books, DVD's and games, and the shaded patio overlooking the quiet lake behind the house provides a much- needed respite for families after caring for their loved ones at the Medical Center.

The Friends of the Fisher House, a charitable corporation recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, supports all the needs of the West Palm Beach VA Fisher House. Board members volunteer their time and talents to raise funds for food, supplies and necessary capital improvements. In the words of Board President Joseph A. Tringali, "The expenses of the Board are zero and will remain that way." The Friends of Fisher House have also established a voucher program with selected area hotels to take care of families when Fisher House has no vacancies.

The Friends of Fisher House anticipates the demand for rooms will continue to increase, especially now that the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center has a major cancer treatment facility.  They believe that America owes a debt to its veterans and their families who deserve to be fully supported in their time of need with safe and convenient lodging while in the West Palm Beach area for medical treatment. One Board member summed up our obligation to our veterans with one simple statement – “We have a ‘land of the free’ because of the brave!"

Photos Courtesy of:  Janis Bucher Photography and Michael Price Photography

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- MEDIA ALERT -

AMERICAN WAR HEROES FROM FIVE WARS TO BE HONORED JULY 11, 2012 - PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT FRIENDS OF FISHER HOUSE

WHAT: American War Heroes from five wars to be honored – To benefit Friends of Fisher House

WHEN: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Taboo Bistro, 221 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, FL 33480

WHO: Honored guests for the evening include Joseph Dryer, one of the few remaining survivors of the attack on Iwo Jima; Jerold Klein, Friends of Fisher House Treasurer and recipient of the Silver Star for heroism in Vietnam; Daniel R. Baer who served in World War II; Rodman Steele a Vietnam Vet, Desmond Price who was deployed five times, and recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan, and Ted Task and Frank Hogan who both served as US Marines during the Korean War. Also being honored are: Leo Lezar and Patrick Rielly.

Arnold Fisher, the Vice Chairman of Fisher House Foundation will also be in town for the event.  Arnold Fisher is personally responsible for the construction of more than 15 million square feet of space, with many of his accomplishments prominently visible on the Manhattan skyline and cityscape. His most noteworthy buildings include Park Avenue Plaza — 55 East 52nd Street, 299 Park Avenue, 1345 Avenue of the Americas and 605 Third Avenue. He is now Trustee and Executive Committee member of the Intrepid Museum Foundation. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Intrepid Museum Foundation, Honorary Chairman of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and heads up the Fisher Brothers Annual Scholarship Fund for military children.

The impressive roster of supporters and celebrity bartenders include: Philanthropists Diana and Llwyd Ecclestone; South Florida builder/developer/promoter Michael Capponi; President/CEO of Douglas Elliman, Vanessa Grout; NFL Hall of Famer Tucker Frederickson; American Le Mans race car driver Jay Cochran; Food Network Reality Show Personality Josh Lyons, Production and Event Maestro, Bruce Sutka, Television Personality Robert Riva, CBS Technical Correspondent Herb Tabin, HGTV Design Star Celebrity Miera Melba, Former MGM Actress / Vietnam Radio Personality for troops Chris Noel, and a host of local movers and shakers including: Philip Nicozisis, Jeff Koons, Brad Deflin, Carlos Morrison, Tommy Morrison, Lucia Bonavita, Maribel Alvarez, Jim Pappas, Arvo Katajisto, Jeff Koons, Leslie Linder, Ashley McKintosh, Andres Fanjul, Daniel Jennings, Candice Jorritsma, Avery Dimmig, Adam Lipson, Lori Stoll, Alexis Posada, Pamela Tombari, Marrisa Pepper, Avery Dimmig, Robert Riva, Reid Boren, Ronnie and Jennie Hasozbek-Garcia, Diana and Rich Horowitz, and Philip Nicozisis.

The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's service men and women in their 

time of greatest need.  Families do not pay to stay at Fisher Houses, which serve as a "home away from home" for them

while their loved ones are receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers.The program was the 

brainchild of New York real estate developer and philanthropist Zachary Fisher and his wife Elizabeth who opened the 

first "Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher House" at the National Naval Medical Center Bethesda, Maryland on 24 June 1990.  

There are now over 50 Fisher Houses throughout the United States, and the program is growing every year in response to 

the needs of veterans and their families.  More than 183,000 days of lodging are provided by Fisher Houses every year.

The local Fisher House is an eight-bedroom facility situated on the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center campus. It has 

been in operation since 1995, and has accommodated approximately 10,100 families. The Friends of the Fisher House, a 

charitable corporation recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, supports all the needs of the 

West Palm Beach VA Fisher House.

HOW: Minimum suggested donation, $20.00, includes 1 complimentary drink ticket and complimentary hors d’oeuvres.

Patron level donations are $50.00 and include 1 complimentary drink ticket, hors d’oeuvres, unlimited caviar tasting, 

and raffle tickets.

Luxury sponsors include: Hamilton Jewelers, Juicy Couture, Sequin Boutique, The Breakers, Stubbs & Wootton, Christofle, Key Leaf, Emilio Pucci, Badgley Mischka, Daniella Ortiz, Tito Vodka, and Island  Company.

If you would like more information on this topic or to schedule an interview, please call Linda Soper at (612) 308.4159 or email: linda@lindalanemarketing.com.

   

PALM BEACH ZOO KICKS OFF 2011-2012 CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP LECTURE SERIES WITH: “Tigers, Cougars and Jaguars: Lessons Learned and Getting it Right for Cat Conservation”

The Palm Beach Zoo has just announced its first Conservation Leadership Lecture for the 2011-2012 season.  Titled “Tigers, Cougars and Jaguars: Lessons Learned and Getting it Right for Cat Conservation” the lecture will feature Dr. Howard Quigley, Executive Director of Panthera’s Jaguar Program on Thursday, November 17, 2011 at The Breakers Palm Beach. 

Sponsored by Florida Crystals Corporation, the evening will include cocktails and hors’doeuvres at 6:00 PM followed by Dr. Howard Quigley’s lecture at 7:00 PM and coffee and sweets at 8:00 PM. 

Dr. Howard Quigley, Panthera’s Jaguar Program Director, focuses on the conservation of jaguars range-wide and the conservation of cougars in California and Wyoming. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley, his Master’s degree from the University of Tennessee, and his Doctorate from the University of Idaho. Before serving as President of the University of Idaho’s Hornocker Wildlife Institute, Dr. Quigley worked as an Assistant Professor for Frostburg State University within the University System of Maryland. After the Hornocker Wildlife Institute merged with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Dr. Quigley directed the WCS’s Global Carnivore Program. In 2002, he took on the role of Executive Director of Craighead Beringia South, a wildlife research and conservation organization based in Wyoming. Later, in 2009, Dr. Quigley joined Panthera in his current position.

Dr. Quigley’s work with carnivores has included field studies of giant pandas in China, Siberian tigers in the Russian Far East, cougars in central Idaho, and jaguars in the Brazilian Pantanal. Currently, Dr. Quigley heads the Teton Cougar Project in the southern Yellowstone ecosystem, a program that focuses on predator-prey interactions, cougar population dynamics, and cougar interactions with other large carnivores. In the latter aspect of his work, he coordinates with other scientists to examine the interactions of wolves, grizzly bears, cougars, and black bears. These data will be used to improve our understanding of carnivore “guilds” and to inform and develop long-term conservation and management plans for large carnivores. Dr. Quigley is also conducting a review and evaluation of cougar science and conservation efforts in the state of California.

In the 1970’s, Dr. Quigley and Dr. George Schaller, Panthera’s Vice President, began the world’s first comprehensive and ecological study of wild jaguars in the Brazilian Pantanal. Today, working from the bottom up with local communities and top down with political leaders and heads of national environmental agencies, Dr. Quigley now manages the world’s largest team of jaguar experts, with conservation projects in 13 of the 18 jaguar range states.

Dr. Quigley is a member of the I.U.C.N. Cat Specialist Group and consults on a variety of carnivore issues, including jaguar recovery in the U.S., cougar-human interactions, and jaguar-rancher conflicts in Latin America. Through his involvement with graduate committees at five universities, Dr. Quigley has helped graduate more than twenty graduate level students. In addition, Dr. Quigley is the author of more than thirty scientific publications and popular articles.

Seating is limited.  Please RSVP by Friday, November 11, 2011 to Pam Viscusi, 561-533-0887 ext. 285 or email: pviscusi@palmbeachzoo.org

If you would like more information on this topic or to schedule an interview, please call Linda Soper at (612) 308-4159 or email: linda@lindalanemarketing.com

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SOUTH FLORIDA AFFILIATE OF SUSAN G. KOMEN TO CELEBRRATE GARDEN OF HOPE WITH PRESENTATION OF ‘SHARING OUR HOPE’ PAINTING BY ARTIST DANIEL BOTTERO

PALM BEACH (October 25, 2011) – The South Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen and its Hot Pink For The Cure host committee consisting of: Kristy Pressley, Liz Yavinsky, Mark Yavinsky, Liz DeWoody, and Mieke van Waveren will be celebrating “A Garden of Hope” at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Thursday, November 17, 2011 in West Palm Beach. 

The evening, a fundraiser for the South Florida affiliate, will include a presentation of “Sharing Our Hope”, a painting generously donated by award-winning artist Daniel Bottero as well as a lecture by Dr. Marilyn Raymond, Medical Director of the Good Samaritan Medical Center Comprehensive Breast Center.  

Tickets are $75.00 and may be obtained by going to: www.komensouthflorida.org/hotpink2011

or by calling 561-514-3020.  Event sponsors include The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, The Breakers Palm Beach, Good Samaritan Medical Center, Studio Bottero, and Sandy James Fine Food. 

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

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ANN NORTON SCULPTURE GARDENS ANNOUNCES AUDUBON CENTENNIAL EDITION “BIRDS OF AMERICA” NOVEMBER 2-6

WEST PALM BEACH (October 20, 2011) – The Ann Norton Sculpture Garden is pleased to announce an upcoming exhibit featuring Audubon’s Centennial Edition – “The Birds of America” by John James Audubon November 2 – 6. In addition, a lecture and reception presented by The Gentlemen of the Garden featuring guest speaker Robert Hall, the nationally acclaimed authority on the life and art of John J. Audubon will take place Thursday November 3 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

The exhibit includes newly released works from the original Double Elephant Folio, and Museum Series, which will be available for sale ranging in price from $295.00 -$2,200.00.  A portion all sales will benefit the Preservation Initiative at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens.

WHAT: Audubon’s Centennial Edition – “The Birds of America” on exhibit in the galleries of the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden

WHEN: Wednesday November 2 – Sunday November 6, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

** Lecture on the Life and Art of John J. Audubon by Robert Hall, Thursday, November 3, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

WHERE: The Ann Norton Sculpture Garden, 253 Barcelona Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401

COST:        Admission is $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children ages 5 and over.

For more information, please visit: www.ansg.org or call: 561-832.5328.  The 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 253 Barcelona Road, at the corner of Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, FL. The rare palm and sculpture gardens, exhibition galleries and artist studio are currently open Wednesday-Sunday. 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM.  Admission is $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children ages 5 and over.

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.

Photographed re-prints of  J. J. Audubon

1)    Plate 307 Blue Crane or Heron

2)    Plate 321 Roseate Spoonbill

3)    Scarlet Ibis

4)    Plate 311 American White Pelican  

THE ANN NORTON SCUPTURE GARDENS PRESENTS A VERY SPECIAL OPEN HOUSE EVENT FEATURING THE ART OF DANIEL BOTTERO

WEST PALM BEACH (October 19, 2011) – As the “Love of the Poet” exhibition of Daniel Bottero nears its end at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, a “Pink Champagne and Paint” themed open house will take place Sunday, October 23 from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. to celebrate the success of the show. The exhibit, which opened October 5, feature 32 oil and mixed media paintings throughout the galleries of the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens.

Says Studio Bottero Art Director, Farley Rentschler, “The Love of the Post series, magnificently captures Bottero’s experiences and emotions utilizing bold colors and dramatic images on canvas.”  Retschler goes on to say, “The successful turnout during the exhibit is promising for Bottero in Palm Beach.  We will be setting up private appointments through the end of the month at the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden and will also be inviting collectors to view additional pieces of work at our private showroom located at 208 Brazilian Avenue.”   

The artist, grew up in Buenos Aires and graduated from the National School of Fine Arts, Buenos Aires.  Upon graduation, Bottero moved to Italy where he earned his Master’s Degree at the Academia Italiana di Belle Arti in Lucca, Italy and then moved to Paris where he resided from 1986 to 1990. Bottero moved to the U.S. in 1990 and has called the U.S. home ever since. 

Bottero’s modernist works are featured in the corporate collections of Bank of America, Chemical Bank, Citibank, Xerox Corporation, Avon Corporation, Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan Chase Bank and are a part of many private collections including those of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Mark Shriver, Isaac Mizrahi, Fred Stern, Dan Marino, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Al Pacino, Steven Segal and Oscar de la Hoya. In addition, Bottero has exhibited at several famous museums throughout the world and several paintings have been featured at both Sotheby’s and Christie’s auction houses in New York.

The exhibit is on display daily at the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens  each Wednesday-Sunday from 11:00- 4:00 p.m through October 27.  Admission is $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children ages 5 and over.  To attend the "Pink Champagne and Paint" event on Sunday, October 23, please R.S.V.P by emailing: info@botterocollector.com.

For a private tour of the exhibit, please contact Art Director Farley Rentschler at: 561-213-0618. To visit the Daniel Bottero website, please visit: www.botterocollector.com.  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