it's Worth it

Driving I-95 is a harried experience to be certain.  If you do not go 30 miles over the 55mph speed limit, you are liable and look pretty stupid slow among the cluster flub of luxury sedans and jalopies that clutter the teflon highway.  Going north from the magic shity there are plenty of exits, all of which promise predictable SoFla attractions.

One such exit is Lake Worth in Palm Beach County.  There you will quickly find yourself in a quintessential sleepy town sulking in sub-tropical slumber. There is the classic alpine christian chapel.

There is certainly a Town Hall in Ponce DeLeon Mediterranean Revival style.

There is often a town square in the shaded canopy of old leaf making Banyans.

And of course every affluent place has to have a contempo art museum...

... and several other nondescript establishments.

There is often nearby the endangered and charming general store...

... and the obligatory jewish deli offering an affordable lunch and excellent cole slaw.

Upon approaching the waterways, there is often a draw-bridge resembling 9-11 and backing up motoring traffic for blocks and blocks to allow for a single solitary sailboat to traverse. 

And of late there is desperately the making of a casino to spur the sputtering local economy. 

There are seashores of really really cool retro condos built by cubans and mexicans for northern retirees. 

And there is ample alphabetical evidence of the demographic.

 

The scale of Lake Worth Florida is charming, tolerable and manageable.  It is a place resembling a sanity that is lost on todays Miami and vicinity.

Be it the Keys, Lake Worth or Coco Beach, This peninsula is resplendent with opportunity. 

That is why we live here.  Like the surfing analogy goes;  wade for the perfect wave, catch it and ride it to the shore.

Curious that after an hours drive at 80 mph, the shoreline there is no different than here.

Conclusion being the beach is beautiful, accessible and abundant all up and down the Florida coast. And that is swampy.

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define swampy

The swamp is a place where one can descend a staircase in the nude and no one else would notice.

It is a place that has made me dislike the beautiful color orange,  now the color of hazard and ditch diggers.

The swamp is a place where seemingly nothing happens... then whamo 'progress' is right next door.

It is a place where riveting metal topiary from mars invade the placid panorama.

The swamp is a place of opportunity, unless you are waiting for the bus.

It is a place that beacons us to go outside, then rush back into the air conditioned comfort.

The swamp is a giant mocha dumpster filled with luxury minded transients. 

Is it over? Swampy hell No.

Not when you can find such amusing signs of life.

Would you put your car repair in these hands?

Would you park your ride in this building?

Would you please send us more bumper stickers.

The swamp is a place on the go; and when the going gets tough the tough go all in; sink, stove and fridge.

This is a place where the price of gasoline at the pump make some folk combust spontaniously.

The swamp is a place where hidden gems are just under the old oak tree.

Around the corner there is a blooming flock of birds through a ceiling of alabaster.

Here is the color of coincidence; and it is vibrant.

The swamp is primed for reformation, but it will come only those whose eyes are watching.

A wild animal is a wondrous thing that commands respect. 

The swamp is wild with a contagious creative process.

It sprouts from rooftops without intent or calculation.

The swamp is a premium wealth of glistening sunlight stuccoed on subtropical sophistication.

It is a place where luxury is born again.

The swamp is a place where yesterday is packaged for tomorrow.

It is a place where folk obey the right of way in an open carry stand your ground sort of way.

The swamp is a place of abundant necessity.

It is a place summed up in few words.

The swamp is blinding luscious in the shadows.

So why does a plastic bag from Apple decompose twice as fast as a Publix bag?

The answer to this and other vexing questions may be found at the new deluxe swampspace.

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Young Art Always

While Dade county is embroiled in heavy construction mayhem, many think the rebuilding of South Florida will never end.  Happily there is some very good news from West Broward out in what used to be mostly horse country.   

The new and deluxe Young At Art Museum and County Library opened with much fanfare.

Museum director Mindy Shrago should be very pleased with herself and the dedicated staff who together labored unrelenting to realize this magical place for children to enjoy for years to come... and adults to reawaken their inner child.

A charming and lightly puzzling sculpture by SoFla legend Duane Hanson adorns a vitrine bridging the museum and media center.

Like Alice in Swampland,  illumination frozen in time gushes from a pop teapot beaconing visitors to this other worldly menagerie of interactive environments and attractions. 

No she did not take the subway, our very own wonder woman Wasserman Schultz was on hand to offer her support and words of praise for a very worthy cause.  Encouraging an active participation in all things artistic and crafty does indeed infuse the community with the creative process vital to a healthy culture.

Classic and edgy were the points of interest on opening night.  Without reservation, the VIP event was a who's who of Broward movers n shakers eager to show their support for YAA and literacy.


The roster of permanent attractions is staggering.  From installations by a multitude of renowned artists such as the delightful puppet master Pablo Cano and the mind expanding Kenny Scharf to a thematic african adobe and gigantic Japan wave jungle gym and much much more.

 It takes all manner of effort to achieve the level of success evident at the new YAA facility.  In no small part thanks to the creative and professional team of RedBox Workshop from Chicago for orchestrating and realizing this jewel in the swamp.

Here is a glimpse of the Kenny Scharf Cosmic Cavern (# we lost count)

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