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Spring break without the airport

Easy day trips within two hours

When spring break rolls around, it’s easy to assume that you need a plane ticket, a packed suitcase, and a full itinerary to feel like you’ve “went away.” But for locals, adventure is closer than you think. Some of South Florida’s best hidden gems, beach towns, and nature escapes are just a short drive away—perfect for a spontaneous day trip that feels more like a vacation without the stress of travel.

Whether you’re looking for beaches, boutiques, wildlife, or simply a change of scenery, here are a few easy spring break escapes within two hours.

Port St. Lucie: Laid-Back Beaches and Nature

Just over an hour north, Port St. Lucie offers a slower, quieter vibe than Broward’s busy shoreline. Locals love Walton Rocks Beach, where wide stretches of sand make it easy to spread out, walk along the water, or collect shells.

For something more adventurous, head to Savannas Preserve State Park, where winding boardwalks take you through wetlands flanked with birds, turtles, and occasionally alligators. It’s a great option for families, nature lovers, or anyone who wants a peaceful reset from daily life.

Finish the day with a waterfront dinner along the St. Lucie River, a simple, scenic, and perfectly relaxed way to complete the getaway.

Stuart: A Charming Small-Town Escape

If you’re craving a coastal town with personality, Stuart is hard to beat. Known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World,” this historic downtown is filled with colorful murals, boutique shops, and local cafés.

Spend your morning strolling along the riverwalk, browsing vintage stores, or grabbing a coffee at a local bakery. Then drive over to Stuart Beach for soft sand, calm water, and beautiful views of the Atlantic.

For a unique experience, hop on a sunset boat tour or kayak through nearby mangroves … an unforgettable way to see Florida from a different perspective.

Naples: Upscale, But Still Relaxed

A bit farther west and just under two hours, Naples feels like a mini luxury getaway without leaving Florida. The downtown area is polished and picturesque, with palm-lined streets, art galleries, and high-end dining.

Naples Pier is a must-see, especially at sunset, when the sky turns shades of pink and orange over the Gulf. If you prefer nature, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park offers pristine beaches and clear water perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or simply lounging.

While Naples has a more sophisticated feel, it’s still welcoming and easy to explore in just one day.

So grab your essentials, hit the road, and see what’s just beyond our city. You may find that adventure is closer than you think!

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Celebrating Women’s History Month: Artist Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun

Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, “Self-Portrait with Her Daughter, Julie,” 1787, oil on wood (105 × 84 cm), Musée du Louvre, Paris.

I remember studying Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun’s “Self-Portrait with Her Daughter, Julie” back in my university days. She was a single mother like myself at the time, and an influential figure to my career. 

During my first visit to Austria, I had a long layover in Vienna, so I hopped on the train and took it over to the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Not knowing which works, specifically, to expect to see, I eventually found myself standing directly in front of a Vigée Le Brun (room VII).

The good news is that there is no need to go all the way to Austria to see Vigée Le Brun’s work. Her portrait “Julie Le Brun as Flora”(1799) can be viewed at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg right here in Florida. It is a beautiful portrait that muses her daughter as the Roman goddess of flowers during Vigée Le Brun’s period of exile from France. It was painted in St. Petersburg, Russia, enveloping the Neoclassical exquisition mirrored in many of her works done for her elite clientele. For South Floridians, St. Pete’s may be a bit of a drive, but for art lovers, Vigée Le Brun’s masterpieces are definitely worth checking out.

Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun. Vigée Le Brun emerged in late‑18th‑century France as one of the most gifted portraitists of her generation. She rose to prominence at a time when women artists faced steep institutional barriers. Born in Paris in 1755 to a modest, artistic family, she absorbed the fundamentals of painting early. She quickly surpassed the expectations set for her. 

By her early 20s, Vigée Le Brun had become a sought‑after portrait painter among the aristocracy. She was admired for her ability to capture warmth, elegance, and psychological presence. Her refined style was identified in luminous skin tones, expressive eyes, and a gentle naturalism that distinguished her forms separately from the more rigid academic conventions of the era. Vigée Le Brun’s talent and reputation eventually brought her into the inner circle of Queen Marie Antoinette, and she ended up painting for the queen more than two dozen portraits. This ultimately solidified her status as one of the most influential artists at court.

Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, “Marie Antoinette, Archduchess of Austria, Queen of France,” ca. 1792–1795, oil on canvas, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.

However, the French Revolution dramatically altered the course of Vigée Le Brun’s life. Branded as too closely tied to the monarchy, she fled France in 1789 with her young daughter and spent more than a decade in exile. Still, she continued working across Italy, Austria, Russia, and Germany. This was far from a diminishing career, because this period expanded her international acclaim. Vigée Le Brun became a celebrated portraitist in nearly every European capital she visited.

When she finally returned to France in 1801, she resumed painting and later published her memoirs, which offered vivid insight into the cultural and political upheavals that she had witnessed. Vigée Le Brun’s long, prolific life ended in 1842, leaving behind an extraordinary body of work that continues to shape our understanding of portraiture, femininity, and artistic agency in the tumultuous age that bridged the Enlightenment and the modern world.

Julie Le Brun as Flora, Roman goddess of flowers. Vigée Le Brun’s “Julie Le Brun as Flora” carries within it the quiet architecture of its “living geometry” that creates a portrait. In this painting, her daughter Julie becomes a sort of moving axis. The soft oval of her face acts as the focal chamber, while the drapery and floral garland spiral outward like a gentle vortex. Vigée Le Brun always painted emotion as if it were a natural law. For example, the use of light behaves like breath, her color use behaves like memory, and the rosy warmth across Julie’s cheeks in this painting shares with the viewer that it is not merely pigment used, but the maternal gaze translated by form. The work reflects a kind of visual heartbeat.

Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, “Julie Le Brun as Flora” (1799), painting, oil on canvas (129.5 x 97.8 cm), Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Florida.

The composition adheres to Vigée Le Brun’s signature principle—to which the subject is not placed in the world but emerges from it, as if the figure is the vanishing point of the portraitist’s own atmosphere.

The significance that this portrait was painted in St. Petersburg, Russia, adds a historical resonance. While Vigée Le Brun created it during her exile, it was subsequently when she was embraced by the Russian imperial court. Here, she found a second artistic home far from the turbulence of revolutionary France. It was in St. Petersburg, which for her became the stage where she rebuilt her identity. Also, painting Julie there meant capturing her daughter not only as Flora, the goddess of spring, but as a fragile anchor in a life uprooted. Clearly, the Russian light, colder and more crystalline than Vigée Le Brun’s Parisian glow of origin, subtly influenced the integrity on the palette. The whites are indeed sharper, the shadows are more silvery, and the flowers are almost trembling with northern clarity (e.g., a Dutch vanitas or early German/Flemish naturalism).

The fact that this Russian-born painting, “Julie Le Brun as Flora,” now resides in St. Petersburg, Florida, inflects a kind of accidental transcontinental echo within the chambers of its subject matter. The artwork’s journey mirrors Vigée Le Brun’s own across borders, climates, and political eras. Its presence in St. Petersburg, FL, is as if that duality itself, of exile and arrival, old world and new, deepens the portrait’s aura, making its current location feel almost fated. Coincidence?

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DELICIOUS DINING

Our local guide to some of the best specialty foods in our area

Dining al fresco in the spring

This season naturally invites a slower rhythm. Longer dinners, quieter conversations, and evenings that linger under the open sky. With cooler spring breezes in the air, many locals are choosing outdoor dining, seeking settings that feel relaxed and connected to their surroundings. From cozy patios to lively outdoor spaces, these local restaurants offer the perfect backdrop for a memorable night out (and outside).

Tap 42 – Coral Springs
A favorite for its energetic yet comfortable atmosphere, Tap 42 offers one of the best outdoor setups in Coral Springs. The spacious patio, string lights, and open-air feel make it ideal for everything from casual date nights to celebratory dinners. With craft cocktails, elevated comfort food, and a lively crowd, it’s a great place to linger and enjoy the evening.

Sicilian Oven – Coral Springs
Sicilian Oven’s outdoor seating brings a warm, neighborhood feel to its classic Italian menu. With wood-fired pizzas, homemade pastas, and fresh salads, it’s a comfortable spot for those who want great food in a relaxed patio setting. The open-air tables make it easy to enjoy a slow meal while soaking in the evening.

The Cheesecake Factory – Coconut Creek
The Cheesecake Factory’s outdoor seating provides scenic views of the Promenade and a pleasant atmosphere. Whether you’re enjoying a full dinner or sharing one of their famous cheesecakes, the patio setting adds a special touch to any evening out.

Ethos Greek Bistro – Coconut Creek
Ethos brings Mediterranean charm to outdoor dining with its inviting patio and vibrant energy. The fresh Greek dishes, lively ambiance, and warm lighting make it a great pick for those who want something flavorful and slightly different while still feeling romantic and relaxed.

Big Bear Brewing Co. – Coral Springs
For a more casual but still scenic outdoor experience, Big Bear’s patio is a go-to. With craft beers and a laid-back atmosphere, it’s perfect for couples who want to enjoy good food and drinks in a fun, social environment.

No matter the occasion, these outdoor dining spots remind us that some of the best meals are better under the sky, with good company, and great food. Whether you’re celebrating love, enjoying quality family time, or simply savoring the moment, these patios offer a beautiful place to dine beneath the open sky.

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Celebrating National Nutrition Month

Ice speed: fueling strategies for high school hockey

March is National Nutrition Month, which is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. National Nutrition Month focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. The academy’s National Nutrition Month press releases feature information for the media on activities and messages that the academy highlights every March.

National Nutrition Month started in 1973 as National Nutrition Week, and it became a monthlong observance in 1980 in response to growing interest in nutrition.

When it comes to fueling the body, the demands of high school ice hockey players are high. Speeding explosively across the ice requires muscle strength, endurance, and superior skating skills. Consuming optimal foods and fluids, both on and off the ice, is essential to sustain energy levels throughout the school day, during practice, and in preparation for competition.

Hockey training, muscle building, and growth require plenty of calories—most of which come from carbohydrates. That’s because both on-ice and weight-room workouts are predominantly fueled by muscle carbohydrate, or glycogen, which needs to be replenished between daily training sessions. For optimal recovery, include healthful sources of carbohydrates such as whole grains, low-fat or fat-free milk and yogurt, fruits, and vegetables. Try adding whole-grain cereals, breads and pasta, potatoes, and winter squash to meals. Low-fat yogurt cups and fruit are quick and easy snack choices.

Daily protein requirements can easily be met from a well-balanced eating plan that includes adequate amounts of poultry, fish, lean red meat, low-fat cheese, milk and yogurt, and plant-based protein such as beans. But to maximize muscle building and recovery, consider the specific nutrient-timed choices outlined below:

  • Aim for a snack that provides 15 to 20 grams of high-quality protein plus 25 grams of carbohydrate one hour before resistance training. For example, this could come from 2 cups of low-fat milk. Add another 25 grams of carbohydrate, such as a large banana, if the weight training session is followed by ice-time practice. Prehydrate with 16 to 24 ounces of fluid, which may include the milk.
  • After weight training, rehydrate with 20 ounces of fluid for every pound of weight lost during practice. Replenish after your workout with a snack that provides 20 grams of high-quality protein and at least 50 grams of carbohydrate, such as a high-protein smoothie or a sports bar.
  • Follow practice or a game with a meal about two hours later. Aim for a meal with about a quarter of your plate coming from protein foods and half your plate made up of whole-grain carbohydrates such as whole-grain pasta or brown rice. The remaining quarter of your plate should be filled with vegetables or fruit.

Protein foods to choose before and after weight training may include low-fat or fat-free yogurt, cottage cheese, plain milk or fortified soy milk, cooked chicken, eggs, lean red meat, peanut butter, tuna, tofu, and tempeh. High-protein energy bars are easy to pack and convenient when other foods aren’t available. Read labels—look for products that provide 10 grams of protein, and avoid those containing high amounts of saturated fat or added sugars.

Hydration on the ice also is essential to minimize the performance-draining effects of dehydration. For workouts lasting more than 75 minutes, consume a sports drink at the rate of 5 to 10 fluid ounces every 15 to 20 minutes.

For individualized nutrition guidance, consult a registered dietitian nutritionist who specializes in sports nutrition.

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Where the animals reign in lush nature

If you would like to experience a beautifully shaded property that looks like a botanic garden with waterfalls but also is a zoo and a conservation center, then the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is for you. This is a place where they rescue, rehabilitate, and care for injured and endangered animals, and visitors have a chance to interact with some of the zoo’s residents.

Among the many animals at this zoo are bears, tigers, cougars, alligators (including a rare white one), otters, flamingos, a pair of capybaras, a bald eagle, a barred owl, lorikeets, scarlet macas, a Southern ground hornbill, a Baird’s tapir, koalas, sloths, lemurs, tortoises, servals, and a variety of monkeys. I went to visit with my friend Susan recently, and we saw lots of these animals.

We had heard that the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society does a lot of good in helping endangered wildlife. The organization sponsors conservation projects in many parts of the world; much of it deals with species that are represented in the zoo’s collection. Admission to the park is relatively expensive, but we understood that it is to help the conservation society do all its great work for the animals.

Two zoo residents here are a little famous! A female (Iyari) and a male (Zeus) Capybara in the Tropics of the Americas section have been featured on episodes of the TV show “Finding Florida” because zookeepers have been closely observing them as they realized the two had formed a bond. The Capybaras spend a lot of time together and share their food. Zoo workers are hoping that this new couple will breed. Susan and I got to see them from a distance while we were there. Another highlight for us at this venue were the many colorful flamingos in a gorgeous water setting, with some of them “mirroring” each other, a fascinating process we learned they do.

Some nice features at the zoo are its “Animal Experiences,” which cost extra, and its zookeeper chats, which are free. There is a daily schedule board near the entrance that indicates the sessions that visitors can attend for that day. Registration in advance is required for the animal experiences. The animals that participants can sign up to enjoy close encounters with include otters, giant aldabra tortoises, sloths, koalas, panthers, and bears.

Susan and I opted to attend two of the zookeeper chats—the howler monkeys and the Malayan tigers. What we came away with was how dedicated and passionate these staff members are about the animals in their care. The zookeeper for the monkeys stood in front of their outdoor habitats and told us all about these energetic animals, pointed out many of their habits and activities as the monkeys moved around, and answered any questions we had. He had a large group of people gathered around and kept us all entertained and informed.

Afterward, we walked over to the tiger section and listened in as we heard about Kadar, an older tiger who needs regular cold laser therapy to manage age-related stiffness, reduce inflammation, and increase his mobility. The zookeeper there told us we’d get to watch Kadar have this non-invasive treatment during his feeding time. It helps to treat chronic pain and arthritis while allowing the veterinarians to reduce reliance on medications. Observers got a unique experience as another zoo staffer proceeded to feed and apply the laser device to Kadar, who we were told would feel no discomfort from the treatment. We all were thrilled to watch this process so close up. And Kadar is a beautiful animal.

I learned that the Malayan tigers who live at the zoo play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their native habitats. And by visiting these tigers, you are saving tigers in the wild, according to conservationists. Once widespread, Malayan tigers are now only in isolated pockets, and zoo visitors are supporting initiatives to protect their dwindling homes.

In addition to helping with animal conservation, the Palm Beach Zoo is assisting with conserving tropical forests, which it says provide homes to over 63% of all land mammals, including tamarins and sloths, and is essential for human survival. The zoo is restoring its own forest by planting native trees, shrubs, and grasses that support native species.

While there, Susan and I encountered a very striking-looking tree that resembled peacock feathers flaring out. It is called a traveler’s palm, a member of the “bird of paradise” family. Known for its massive, fan-shaped leaves structured in a single plane, its thick trunk can reach up to 30–50 feet in height and the dramatic tree provides great impact in its environment. We had never seen anything like it before. The lushly landscaped Palm Beach Zoo is definitely a recommended outing.

For more information, go to palmbeachzoo.org.

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Dubai chocolate: the new kid on the block

As Valentine’s Day approaches, chocolates are always a go-to treat or gift. For those who want to try something different from the classic chocolates, Dubai chocolate is a a newcomer to the scene.

Dubai chocolate is a chocolate bar filled with filo pastry and a pistachio-tahini cream. For those not familiar, tahini is a ground sesame seed cream popular in the Middle Eastern region. The cream provides Dubai chocolate filling with yellow and green coloring.

This creation was a recent invention, credited to Sara Hamouda, who was a British-Egyptian engineer living in Dubai in 2021. While pregnant, she had cravings for chocolate, pistachio, tahini, and knafeh (a Middle Eastern pastry dessert). Thus, the idea of Dubai chocolate was created.

Dubai, a trade-hub, was already a hub for gourmet chocolate, as part of its luxury branding efforts. Hamouda was able to find and collaborate with a Filipino pastry chef, Nouel Catis Omamalin, who helped to perfect the new style of chocolate bar. Omamalin felt that knafeh would provide the chocolate bar with a satisfying crunch, like many successful chocolate bars that came before it, and he was right.

Initially made by hand, producing 25 bars a day, Dubai chocolate sold for $19.72 in 2023. With viral marketing online, it quickly gained popularity by 2024. In 2025, a U.K. supermarket chain had to impose a limit of two per customer for its Dubai chocolate bar. Recently, a Dubai chocolate cookie has gained popularity in South Korea. Made viral by a K-pop band, the new cookie started to take off last fall, and it saw supply falling short to demand.

The popularity of this new style of chocolate bar quickly drew the attention of major manufacturers. Lindt, the Swiss chocolate maker, created its own version. This caused legal controversy, as it was not produced in Dubai. Since then, Dubai-style chocolate creations have become more common than the original ones made by Hamouda and Omamalin’s Fix Dessert Chocolatier.

Traditionally made with dark chocolate, you can now find them in other styles, like milk chocolate. Given the popularity, many chocolatiers created new Dubai-style variants. New chocolates were mixed with other sweets, like dates, cotton candy, or dusted with gold. Pairings that go well with Dubai chocolate, like high-quality coffee or tea, have been introduced as gift packs.

All this demand for Dubai-style chocolate is putting strains on one of the key ingredients—pistachios. Already an addictive snack across the world, the extra demand is causing a shortage of pistachios worldwide.

This year, it shouldn’t be difficult to find Dubai-style chocolate. The local Costco carries a variant that is made by Bouchard in Belgium (not Dubai). You will also find many online purveyors selling Dubai chocolate, calling to its marketing roots with online influencers. Prices will vary, depending on the quality of the ingredients, or if it’s handmade. The typical handmade bar by a chocolatier will cost around $25 a bar.

So this Valentine’s Day, if you have one of these chocolate bars from your favorite chocolatier, give thanks to Hamouda and her pregnancy cravings, for creating a new addition to the chocolate confection family.

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Spring break without the stress

With spring break approaching, travel plans are coming into focus. February is often when families begin paying closer attention to the details that matter, from timing and crowds to overall cost.

For those heading out of town, travel days are part of the conversation. Flights out of Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Palm Beach are filling up, with the most popular departure and return days tending to be the busiest. Some families are adjusting schedules slightly, while others are choosing destinations they can reach by car to keep plans more.

Busy conditions are expected at familiar spring break destinations, especially places like Orlando’s theme parks. Even beach destinations closer to home tend to feel busier this time of year. While some families are booking a few activities ahead of time, others are keeping plans looser. Long, tightly scheduled days don’t always work well during busy travel weeks, particularly for kids.

Cost is another factor that many families are weighing. Beyond flights and hotels, expenses like meals, parking, attractions, and transportation can add up quickly. Thinking through those details ahead of time can help trips feel less stressful once they’re underway.

Not every spring break trip involves a flight. Many families are opting for short road trips to the Keys, Miami Beach, Palm Beach, Tampa, or Orlando. Others are staying closer to home, treating the week as a chance to slow down rather than travel far.

However spring break is spent, flexibility and a lighter schedule can make the week easier to enjoy.

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The ancient story of Valentine’s Day

In a world of conspiracy theories and cynicism, it’s hard not to believe that Valentine’s Day was created by Hallmark to sell more cards in the winter. So it may shock some readers that the story of Valentine’s Day spanned millennia.

The symbol of Valentine’s Day, Cupid, was personified in Roman and Greek mythology before the Saint Valentine and formal establishment of Valentine’s Day.

Cupid is the Roman counterpart of Eros, in Greek mythology. The son of Venus (the goddess of love) and Mars (the god of war), Cupid plays a significant role in countless myths regarding the hearts of mortals and gods alike.

The myth of Cupid we remember the most is that his arrows—one gold-tipped set to inspire irresistible love, the other lead-tipped for hatred and immediate aversion—are used to affect the hearts of his targets. The Roman Cupid is often depicted as a playful, often blindfolded child, representing the mischievous, unpredictable, and irrational nature of love.

With the coming of Christianity to the Roman Empire, so came the official Valentine’s Day. Historians debate on the origin of Saint Valentine—some believe it was a combination of two, possibly three men—but they all share a similar story about the saint martyred by a Roman emperor on Feb. 14, so it could just be the fog of history clouding the origin story of the saint.

One popular legend is that a priest, Saint Valentine of Rome, decried the injustice of a Roman emperor, Claudius II, who favored a policy of outlawing marriage for young men, as he believed that single young men made better soldiers. As a local priest, Saint Valentine continued to perform secret marriages for young lovers, defying the imperial decree, until his arrest.

In one account, while under arrest, Saint Valentine is said to have healed the daughter of the local judge, Asterius, who had asked the priest what he could do. The legend speaks of the priest praying for the daughter, and her eyesight was restored, resulting in the conversion of Asterius.

The saint was later arrested again by the prefect of Rome and Emperor Claudius II. After failing to be persuaded by Saint Valentine, and refusing to embrace Christianity, Claudius ordered the death of the priest. He was martyred in Rome on Feb. 21, 269, according to official Catholic hagiographical sources. Pope Gelasius I in 496 declared Feb. 14 to be a feast date to remember his martyrdom for the cause of love and faith.

Before his execution, Saint Valentine wrote to Asterius’s daughter and signed “From your Valentine,” which has since inspired many romantic missives.

The Romans historically celebrated a festival dedicated to the god of agriculture on Feb. 13–15, where matchmaking was often practiced, and it continued into the celebration of Valentine’s Day after the 5th century.

By the time of the Middle Ages, Saint Valentine’s day appeared in many works of literature. Geoffrey Chaucer, the English poet from the 14th century, is credited for poems celebrating Valentine’s Day as a day for lovebirds. One poem attributed to him honors the engagement of King Richard II and Anne of Bohemia. In the poem, it references the idea of lovebirds:

For this was on Saint Valentine’s Day

When every fowl comes there to choose his match

Of every kind that men may think of …

The French also wrote Valentine’s messages around that time. One recorded message was from Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife, while he was held prisoner in the Tower of London by the English after the Battle of Agincourt. The letter referred to his wife, “Ma tres doulce Valentinée,” or in English, “My very sweet Valentine.”

Shakespeare also mentioned Saint Valentine in the play “Hamlet”:

To-morrow is Saint Valentine’s day,

All in the morning betime,

And I a maid at your window,

To be your Valentine.

Then up he rose, and donn’d his clothes,

And dupp’d the chamber-door;

Let in the maid, that out a maid

Never departed more.

By the 1700s, books like “The Young Man’s Valentine Writer” were offering suggested verses for not-so-romantic young men, to help compose their version of love poems. Soon, with the wider availability of printers, preprinted cards started to appear, with verses or sketches for sending paper valentines.

Many of the cards featured the winged Cupid, which is still used today as a symbol of Valentine’s Day. It was popular to mail these premade cards by the early 1800s, even though postage was expensive then. By 1850, it was stated that “Saint Valentine’s Day … is becoming … a national holiday.”

Chocolate maker Cadbury first sold its decorated box of chocolates in 1968 to help young lovebirds exchange as gifts, and by the 20th century, the practice extended to all manners of gifts, like jewelry.

The celebration of the day of love extends beyond the traditional Christian nations. Valentine’s Day is celebrated worldwide, with the Chinese and South Koreans spending the most on Valentine’s gifts in Asia. In South Korea, tradition states that women give men chocolates on Feb. 14, and men give non-chocolate candy to women on March 14. Those who did not receive any Valentine’s candy would eat black noodles, lamenting their “single life.”

For those who are suspicious of the commercial nature of Valentine’s Day, it may be refreshing to learn that Valentine’s Day—and Cupid—was not born out of a corporate boardroom as some may suggest. It is a living remembrance of a man who died believing in love, and ancient mythology celebrating the unpredictable nature of love. Like the blind Cupid, it may be a mystery as to why we love someone, but we all walk the long journey of those before us, who have loved unconditionally; and for one day, we celebrate that and exchange gifts to show that affection.

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Light and beauty

Mariko Kusumoto, Take Akari sculptures grace the Morikami

Mariko Kusumoto, “Light as Air,” fiber-based, translucent, and crafted through tsumami‑zaiku techniques.

The buoyant sculptures of Mariko Kusumoto. Occupying the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens’ main gallery through April 5, expect an immersive, contemplative experience where light and proximity matter integrate. Fine detail is prevalent and parallels the authentic, methodical organization characteristic of a kimono. When viewed closely, the work is consuming.

Mariko Kusumoto. This Japanese-born artist is known for her delicate, floating fabric sculptures that blend traditional Japanese craft with contemporary installation. She creates whisper‑light fabric sculptures that seem to hover between craft and contemporary artistry. Raised in a 400‑year‑old temple as the daughter of a Buddhist priest, Kusumoto developed a keen attunement to subtle light, tactile surfaces, and the hush of carefully ordered space.

Mariko Kusumoto, “Ethereal Garden,” mixed-media sculpture (polyester and wire), 2024.

Kusumoto’s “Ethereal Garden” is an intricate, modular installation evoking underwater ecosystems through fabricated coral, sea anemones, and marine flora. The work explores themes of biodiversity, emotional fragility, and poetic buoyancy through textile manipulation and sculptural choreography.

Kusumoto’s practice is intensified by time‑honored Japanese handicrafts, especially the delicate folding and pinching of tsumami zaiku, with modern sculptural thinking. From tiny, exacting manipulations, she builds larger, translucent forms that evoke drifting blossoms, jellyfish, or underwater plants, inviting viewers to watch how shifting light and gentle motion reshape surface, depth, and perception.

Marine biodiversity as emotional landscape. While inspired by real marine life, Kusumoto’s forms are not literal replicas. Instead, they’re imaginative hybrids, blending both botanical and anatomical references, color radiation and molecular symmetry, as well as subatomic weight and poetic buoyancy where fantasy meets biology.

Mariko Kusumoto, pencil cases, 2011, mixed-media sculpture (hinged human‑form containers with embedded objects).

Mixed-media sculpture. Kusumoto, who is also a metalsmith and former printmaker, celebrates her earlier works with this sculpture, which features two hinged, human-shaped forms filled with miniature objects, including a clock, a ruler, a vanity, a flower, and cut‑out figures. They are arranged as internal “compartments” that explore themes of identity, memory, time, and personal ritual. It is a striking example of her narrative container series, where the body becomes a vessel for memory, identity, and symbolic layering.

Psychologically, the body represents a container for time, memory, and ritual. It is sociocultural, objectively gendered as a commentary on formation and subjective narrative—each of which, an artwork demonstrates a chapter in a personal or objective story.

Mariko Kusumoto, “Bamboo Garden,” mixed-media installation (polyester and wire), 2025.

A bamboo-inspired aesthetic. In “Bamboo Garden,” a vertical arrangement of vibrantly colored bamboo stalks of green, yellow, blue, and orange is presented as an immersive sculptural display. The work explores repetition, texture, and chromatic variation, transforming natural forms into stylized patterns that evoke both serenity and visual rhythm. Handcrafted by Kusumoto, whose signature practice involves delicate textile manipulation and organic sculptural forms, it’s an originally crafted, site‑specific installation for Tiffany’s. Kusumoto was inspired by Kabuki theater for Tiffany’s six‑story flagship in Ginza, Tokyo. It is an elegiac homage to Kabuki, one of Japan’s most stylized and dramatic performance traditions. Kusumoto has also collaborated with other notable names, such as Elizabeth Arden, Jean Paul Gaultier, and La Mer, and is represented in several museums around the world, including the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Take Akari: Bamboo Lights. The Morikami’s “Take Akari: Bamboo Lights” exhibit features expansive, glowing bamboo sculptures curated by Akihiro Mashimo, celebrating tradition, craft, collaboration, and sustainable management. Mashimo, a master bamboo artisan known for revitalizing community‑based illumination festivals in Japan, brings a contemporary sensibility to this centuries-old material practice. He is a leading figure in contemporary bamboo craft and is recognized for his large‑scale light installations that merge artisanal technique with ecological awareness and community engagement. Mashimo’s practice centers on hand‑carved bamboo illumination and collaborative making, which has helped shape the modern Take Akari movement through his commitment to sustainable harvesting and local participation.

The Morikami Museum first debuted “Bamboo Lights” on July 7, 2024. Following the exhibition, the museum commissioned the illuminated bamboo installations crafted by Akihiro Mashimo for long‑term stewardship and preservation within its collection.

Tanabata is Japan’s Star Festival, celebrating the once‑a‑year meeting of the lovers Orihime, the weaver princess (Vega), and Hikoboshi, the cowherd (Altair). Vega and Altair are the two stars at the heart of the Tanabata legend. Legend has it that they fall deeply in love, neglect their duties, and then are separated by the sky deity (the Milky Way) as punishment. Moved by Orihime’s sorrow, the deity allows them to reunite once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. This reunion is the heart of the Tanabata festival mythology. It is marked by hanging colorful wish‑strips on bamboo and local festivals held between July and August.

“Take Akari” literally means bamboo light. It uses cut and drilled bamboo tubes fitted with candles or LEDs to create patterns of light and shadow across gardens and public spaces. Take Akari began as a grassroots response to abandoned bamboo groves and the social need to bring communities together. Makers harvest overgrown bamboo, carve decorative perforations, and light the pieces to form “lightscapes” that are both aesthetic and civic.

This practice has grown into community festivals and site-specific installations that celebrate local craft, reconnect people with nature, and draw attention to bamboo forest management issues.

Visitors can experience the world of illuminated bamboo at the Morikami Museum.

Akihiro Mashimo. Born in 1977 in Yokohama, Mashimo is a Japanese bamboo craftsman and artisan recognized for his mastery of takezaiku, traditional bamboo craft. He grew up in Nagaoka, Kyoto Prefecture, where bamboo was a constant presence. He was formally trained at the Traditional Arts School of Kyoto, graduating in 1998. Mashimo is known internationally for demonstrations, workshops, and collaborations in the U.S., Italy, and the U.K., where he promotes sustainable bamboo practices and contemporary applications of traditional techniques.

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A beach day in the shadow of the pier

The longest pier in Broward County, at 976 feet, is the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier, considered the crowning jewel of the beach, a landmark that attracts thousands of sightseers and anglers annually. I went there recently with my son Jacob—not to fish, but to walk the pier and take photos, to view wildlife, and to stroll along the beach.

We started with lunch at JB’s on the Beach, a nice seafood-focused restaurant overlooking the ocean. They have valet parking there, but we were planning to spend several hours at the beach that day, so we ended up parking in a parking garage just off A1A, not far away, and leaving the car there all day. Street and lot parking is at a premium in this area.

After lunch, Jacob and I walked the short distance over to the fishing pier, stopping to look at the screen for Spinner the Sea Cam, the city’s live underwater camera, at the entrance to the long pier. The sign next to the sea-cam screen says that Spinner is located at the end of the pier, 30 feet below the surface of the water. You can watch fish swim right up to it. It’s known as a fun, quirky local highlight showcasing the personalities and activities of the pier’s fish residents.

“Welcome to the amazing views of Deerfield Beach,” according to the city website. “Whether you are watching the early morning sunrise, a fisher on the pier fighting a feisty barracuda, or King Benny the Blenny yeeting sharks—we hope these awesome wonders will help serve as a reminder that we all have a responsibility to take care of the ocean and everything in it and around it.” (For more information and to watch a live feed of the sea-cam, visit DFB.city/beachcams.)

The iconic Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier has been loved for generations. It stretches well into the ocean with great views, has a well-stocked concession stand for fishing amenities (fresh and frozen bait, rod and tackle rentals), and carries a storied history, including a dedication by President Gerald Ford in 1976. The pier serves as a symbol of the town, and the area around it provides a community gathering hub and entertainment spot, including hosting special events like “Pier Under the Stars.” Visitors can take scenic walks along the Atlantic in the clean sand, walk on the (not-so-sandy) green turf that runs just behind it, or go up on the “boardwalk” that runs along the back of the restaurants. For some, it’s the quintessential Florida beach experience. 

The first wooden Deerfield fishing pier was reportedly built in 1951–52. Because it was low and close to the water, it was a place for community members to gather and fish. In 1956 it changed hands, and new management built a restaurant, tackle shop, and chum machine. This all  brought fishermen flocking to the pier. Then in September 1960, Hurricane Donna wiped out the pier, destroying the wooden structure and sending planks floating away; the pier was rebuilt by 1963 through a city bond issue. Through the years different people leased the pier, though it was hard to turn a profit. The last lessee turned the pier back over to the city and became the pier manager, organizing events like fishing contests.

Today, it is a bustling pier, filled with several people fishing and cutting up their catch on tables while we were there, and others just watching the pelicans and other wildlife and taking in the ocean breezes. Jacob and I walked to the end of the pier and enjoyed the scenery. The cost to enter the pier is typically $2 for sightseers and $4 for those there to fish.

After we left the pier, we strolled along the boardwalk and listened to a pair of musicians playing at one of the restaurant patios; took a walk on the turf on the other side of the pier, taking in the sights there; and finally walked barefoot along the surf until we found a good place to set up our towels and enjoy the beach. From there, we could see the pier jutting out in the distance—it was a lovely day at the Atlantic.

For more information, go to www.deerfield-beach.com/1420/International-Fishing-Pier.

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Heart-healthy eating tips for heart month

Certain foods can lower your risk of heart disease or help to manage it, while other foods may increase your risk. Try these tips for preparing heart-healthy meals.

Choose healthier types of fat and cooking methods

  • Use small amounts of oils, such as canola and olive, in recipes and for sautéing.
  • Make your own salad dressings with olive or flaxseed oil.
  • Blend mashed avocado into dips or use small amounts to add flavor to dishes.
  • Try different ways of cooking foods—such as baking, broiling, grilling, steaming, and poaching—to add variety.

Eat foods containing omega-3 fatty acids

  • Add walnuts to cereals, salads, or muffins. Try walnut oil in salad dressings too.
  • Eat two 4-ounce portions of fatty fish each week. Some options include salmon, lake trout, canned light tuna (in water), mackerel, and sardines.
  • Some chickens are given feed that is high in omega-3s, so their eggs will contain more as well. When buying eggs, check the package label.

Include sources of dietary fiber throughout the day

  • Include plant-based foods as sources of protein, including tempeh, beans, lentils, seeds, and nuts.
  • Make half of your plate fruits and vegetables at each meal.
  • Opt for whole fruits and vegetables instead of 100% fruit juices more often, and don’t discard edible peels. Removing the peels on produce, such as apples and potatoes, lowers their fiber content—just be sure to wash them before preparing or eating.
  • Choose whole grains instead of refined grains whenever possible.

Limit saturated fat

  • If you eat meat, select lean cuts of beef and pork, especially cuts with “loin” or “round” in their name, and drain the fat off cooked, ground meat.
  • Cut back on processed meats high in saturated fat, such as hot dogs, salami, and bacon.
  • When you make a stew or soup, refrigerate leftovers and skim off the fat with a spoon before reheating and serving.
  • Replace higher-fat cheeses with lower-fat options, such as reduced-fat feta and part-skim mozzarella.
  • Thicken sauces with evaporated fat-free milk instead of whole milk.
  • Move toward using lower-fat milk and yogurt. Start with 2% products, then move to 1%, and finally go to fat-free to adjust to the new taste.
  • Choose skinless poultry, or remove the skin before eating chicken or turkey.
  • Check the Nutrition Facts Label on food packaging for the saturated fat content and to see if trans-fat or partially hydrogenated oils are listed. Food manufacturers have removed trans fats from their products, but some foods with longer shelf-life dates—such as cakes, cookies, crackers, pastries, pies, muffins, and doughnuts—may still contain them. These foods also are sources of added sugar and should be limited for that reason as well.

Reduce salt (sodium)

  • Prepare foods at home more often so you can control the amount of salt in your meals.
  • Use as little salt in cooking as possible. You can cut at least half of the salt from most recipes.
  • Skip the table salt and be mindful when adding other higher-sodium condiments—such as soy sauce, ketchup, pickles, and olives—to your food at the table.
  • When choosing canned foods, select “reduced-sodium” or “no-salt-added” soups and vegetables.
  • Check the Nutrition Facts Label for sodium, and choose products with lower sodium content.
  • Season foods with herbs, spices, garlic, onions, peppers, and lemon or lime juice to add flavor.
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From “Kansas City” to South Florida: The Beat Goes on With Groove 2.0

At 71, drummer Lionel Harrison has more energy onstage than musicians half his age — and his band, The Groove 2.0, feeds off every bit of it. He’s proud of his 8 to 10 minute drum solos. 

Billed as one of Florida’s funkiest, high‑energy party bands, The Groove 2.0 performs as a five‑ to ten‑piece ensemble, depending on the venue. “We’re not a tribute band,” band leader Lionel Harrison says. “We play everything.” And he means everything — from Bruno Mars to Earth, Wind & Fire to Stevie Ray Vaughan and from R&B, rock, funk, hip-hop, reggae, Latin, jazz and the blues.

The band has become a staple across South Florida and beyond, performing regularly at Margaritaville (both the restaurant and the bandshell), the former Tavolino Della Notte’s in Coral Springs, Seed to Table in Naples, the Biergarten in Boca Raton and Johnny Brown’s in Delray Beach, where they made their debut in 2022. No matter the stage, the mission is the same: get people moving.

That movement starts with the musicians themselves. Guitarist Shawn Tarver (Shawn Tarver Project) is the band’s resident showman — a whirlwind of charisma and controlled chaos. “He jumps around, plays solos with his teeth, his tongue, throws his guitar behind his back and over his head,” Harrison says. “There’s a lot of movement in this band.”

The core lineup includes Tarver on guitar, Brett Brown on bass and Noel (“Pianoman”) Torres on keyboards. Vocals rotate among four women — Alana Joy Page, Astrid Voxx, Alexis Krystal, and Heather Davis. The result is a band that can shift genres, moods, and eras without dropping a beat.

Torres, the band’s 64‑year‑old keyboardist, brings his seasoned musicianship to Groove 2.0. The New Jersey native moved to Palm Beach County in 1997 and eventually found his musical home within the group.

He is also a member of the Shawn Tarver Project — a mix of rock and R&B — and performs in the TNT Connection duo with Tarver every Tuesday at Aruba Beach Café in Fort Lauderdale.

Over the years, he has worked with artists such as Gwen and George McCrae and Nestor Torres. His musical heroes include Ramsey Lewis — whom he once opened for — as well as Chick Corea and George Duke, both of whom he met.

He also admires Lyle Mays of the Pat Metheny Group and Austrian keyboardist Joe Zawinul of Weather Report. With roots in Puerto Rico, he has a special place in his heart for Latin jazz, especially Eddie Palmieri and Papo Lucca.

Torres learned to play in a Pentecostal church and, without a keyboard at home, practiced there whenever he could, determined to master the instrument. Over time he expanded his skills to include guitar, piano, organ and synthesizer. His original music, including “Noel’s Hot Sauce” and “El Rumbero,” is available for download on iTunes.

What keeps him committed to Groove 2.0, he says, is the mutual respect, professionalism, and joy of the music they create together. “It’s how tight we are — how great the band sounds,” he says. Looking ahead, he hopes the band can take on more corporate events, broaden their reach, and even record some originals.

While Torres brings his own musical lineage to the group, Lionel Harrison’s story begins even earlier.

For Lionel Harrison, music isn’t just a career — it runs in the family. His cousin, Rev. John P. Kee of Charlotte, N.C., known as the “Prince of Gospel,” is a major figure in the genre. His son, Chris Kee, is a drummer. And the legacy stretches back even further.

His dad, Wilbert Harrison, was a one‑man band. “With his right foot he hit the bass drum, with his left foot he hit the snare,” Lionel says. “He had a harmonica in his mouth, singing and playing guitar.” He pauses for a moment. “Can you imagine one guy opening a whole show for a crowd that came to see Creedence Clearwater Revival? That takes courage.”

In 1959, Harrison recorded the original version of “Kansas City,” written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The song shot from the bottom of the Billboard Hot 100 to No. 1 in both the R&B and pop charts, where it remained for seven weeks — the only track to do so at the time. “He was bigger than Elvis Presley that year,” Lionel says. In 2009, Harrison was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.

Of special significance for Lionel Harrison is the date October 26.  Both his parents passed away on that date, in different years. His father in 1994, his mother in 2006. The days still resonate with him.  And, another of his dad’s songs, “Let’s Work Together,” became a big hit and Lionel Harrison received a royalty check from it on Oct. 26, 2007. 

Lionel Harrison’s own musical journey began in Carrol City, Miami, where he grew up. At age three, he was banging on his grandmother’s pots and pans. She kept a sewing tin filled with coins, and he’d shake it like a tambourine.

His father bought him an organ when he was four, but he didn’t get his first real drum set until he was 13. He admired Buddy Rich, Ringo Starr, Billy Cobham and — he confesses — Micky Dolenz of The Monkees.

His career took him on the road with Betty Wright, a two‑time Grammy winner known for “Clean Up Woman” and “Where Is the Love.”

He also toured with and played drums for Clarence Clemons, former saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.  Many of the band’s members have played with the likes of Bob Marley, Buddy Guy, George Benson, Jaco Pastorius and Joe Bonamassa, among others.

In 1978, with his band Rivage, Lionel Harrison recorded a soul/funk album called “Sittin’ On It,” where he served as both lead vocalist and drummer. The record has since become a collector’s item and is being re‑released — something he hopes will introduce his early work to a new generation.

Today, in addition to The Groove 2.0, Lionel Harrison leads a fusion project called TranZFusion, with whom he hopes to record a new album.

Married to Dede Dyer, an academic advisor at Palm Beach State College and living in West Palm Beach, Lionel Harrison keeps busy with The Groove 2.0.

Married to Dede Dyer, an academic advisor at Palm Beach State College, and living in West Palm Beach, Lionel Harrison keeps busy with all his musical projects. Father of three boys and grandfather of six, Lionel Harrison — nicknamed “Freight Train” for his unrelenting drumming style — lights up when he talks about performing.

“We’re an entertaining band,” he says simply. And with a lifetime of rhythm and a musical legacy behind him, he knows exactly how to make a crowd get up and dance.

Visit them on Facebook at TheGrooveFunk

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