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Artist Jay Bashant M eet Jay Bashant, a South Florida artist whose creative path has stretched from carved glass and neon in Las Vegas to layered acrylic paintings tucked behind a pastel cottage in Jensen Beach. A longtime Martin County local with a sharp sense of humor and an eye for the unexpected, Bashant’s work blends bold color, intricate patterns, and a lifetime of stories into pieces that are as eccentric and original as the artist himself. See JAY BASHANT Page 32A

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Harrison’s Essentials A Season of Better Air — by Harrison Vale

I did not buy in the Hamptons because I enjoy travel. I bought in the Hamptons because I enjoy contrast, and Montauk, in particular, delivers it with a certain dramatic flair.

quiet, unwavering consistency. The structure itself rises above the cliffs of Montauk Point, its stone tower enduring Atlantic winds that feel less like weather and more like intention. From the lantern walkway, the horizon unfolds in a manner southern shores cannot quite replicate. Open ocean, uninterrupted horizon, the unmistakable impression of arrival. Montauk, as a whole, operates differently from the rest of the Hamptons. It is less concerned with presentation and more invested in experience. Yes, there are still the requisite dinners, the inevitable gatherings, the familiar faces migrating east for the season. But here, they are softened by salt air and a slightly more relaxed code of conduct. You might see the same person you dined with at Buccan now barefoot, holding a glass of rosé, discussing something vaguely existential while watching the sun disappear into the water. It is disarming, and occasionally refreshing. This is the true luxury of a northern escape. The climate alone does half the work. Cooler mornings encourage movement. Long walks feel restorative rather than obligatory. Cycling becomes something one looks forward to rather than negotiates with. Even the simple act of sitting outside carries a different energy when the air has a bit of edge to it. Socially, the shift is equally valuable. The Hamptons, and Montauk in particular, allow for a bit of improvisation. Discussions extend, evenings gather momentum, and presence becomes intentional rather than

obligatory, a refinement in itself. And then there are the moments that cannot be scheduled. Standing near that lighthouse at dusk, for example, when the light begins its steady rotation, visible for miles out at sea as it has been doing precisely for generations. It suggests, without effort, that permanence has its own form of prestige. My house, of course, is not far. Close enough to feel connected, far enough to maintain perspective. It exists as a counterbalance to Palm Beach. Where one is sun-drenched and social, the other is windswept and reflective. This is the real advantage of multiple homes. Not excess, but variation. A change in climate, a recalibration of pace, a different version of yourself that emerges depending on where you are. In Montauk, that version is slightly more relaxed, slightly more introspective, and, perhaps, a bit more aware of time passing in a way that feels less urgent.

One cannot ignore the particular allure of driving east, past the last polite traces of Southampton and East Hampton society, where the atmosphere relaxes its grip. The hedges thin, the air sharpens, and by the time you reach Montauk, you are no longer in the Hamptons as most people understand them. The lighthouse stands at the easternmost point of Long Island, a stark, almost cinematic presence against the Atlantic. Commissioned by George Washington in 1792 and completed in 1796, it remains the first lighthouse built in New York and one of the oldest still operating in the United States. It was designed to guide ships safely into New York Harbor, a task it has performed for over two centuries with

Vol. 645 YA 7A

May History A Look Back at Mid May Milestones

May 15 1845 – Florida’s first state constitution takes effect following admission to the Union earlier that year 1928 – First Mickey Mouse film premieres 1972 – Governor George Wallace is shot during a presidential campaign stop.

May 16 1913 – The first commercial shipment of Florida citrus is sent north by rail, helping establish the state’s agricultural economy 1929 – The first Academy Awards ceremony is held in Hollywood 1966 – The Beach Boys release Pet Sounds. 1968 – Singer Janet Jackson born May 17 1942 – German U-boats attack oil tankers off Florida’s Atlantic coast during World War II, part of the “Second Happy Time” 1954 – The U.S. Supreme Court rules in Brown v. Board of Education, ending school segregation 1973 – The U.S. Senate begins televised Watergate hearings May 18 1897 – Bram Stoker’s Dracula is published 1969 – Actor Tina Fey born 1980 – Mariel Boatlift arrivals continue into South Florida, dramatically increasing Miami’s population 1980 – Mount St. Helens erupts in Washington state May 19 1910 – Miami hosts one of its earliest large- scale tourism promotions, marking the city’s rise as a resort destination 1962 – Marilyn Monroe performs “Happy Birthday” for President John F. Kennedy 1994 – Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis dies 1979 – Actress Kate Hudson born May 20 1926 – Land sales peak during Florida’s real estate boom before the market collapse later that year 1927 – Charles Lindbergh takes off on the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight 1932 – Amelia Earhart departs on her solo transatlantic flight 1946 – Singer Cher born May 21 1927 – Charles Lindbergh lands in Paris, completing his historic flight 1932 – Amelia Earhart lands in Ireland, completing her flight 1934 – Construction advances on Overseas Highway bridges connecting the Florida

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Vol. 645 YA 9A

Between The Lines The Invitation To Extend — by Elise Carrington

Contents

FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH 26A By Dr. L.E. Murphy

T here are few social missteps more revealing than the uninvited guest, not because of the extra place at the table, but because of what it quietly assumes. That invitations are flexible, that planning is casual, and that someone else’s effort can stretch indefinitely to accommodate a last-minute addition. It

WAVES OF IMPACT 44A Taste of Asia A Culinary & Cultural Experience 52A Evening of Gratitude Annual Gala

is a small act on the surface, often delivered with a smile, yet it carries a

Movie Review 13

surprising weight in more intimate settings. I was reminded of this quite clearly during what should have been one of our book

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club’s more charming moments. A private invitation had been arranged with an author, the sort of opportunity that requires a bit of coordination, a touch of discretion, and above all, respect for the host. She had graciously opened her home and, in true Palm Beach fashion, prepared an elegant brunch with a carefully considered headcount. Every detail was intentional, from seating to service, all designed to create an experience rather than simply a meal. And yet, as if on cue, one of our more… confident members decided to extend the invitation herself. Without asking. Without mentioning it. Without, it seemed, a moment’s hesitation. She arrived not alone, but accompanied, offering a breezy introduction that suggested this was perfectly acceptable, if not entirely expected. To the author’s credit, she handled it beautifully. A chair appeared, a place was set, and the tone of the morning remained gracious. But those of us who understood what had gone into arranging that gathering could feel the shift. It is not about whether an extra guest can be accommodated, it is about whether they should have been placed in that position to begin with.

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Vol. 645 YA 11A

Between The Lines

What makes this particular habit so difficult is that it rarely exists in isolation. The same casual disregard for boundaries tends to surface elsewhere, in conversations that grow sharper than necessary, in opinions delivered with

more force than finesse, and eventually, in moments that move from uncomfortable to entirely avoidable. In our case, what began as a quiet overstep gradually evolved into open friction, culminating months later in a disagreement that crossed the line from spirited exchange into something far less gracious. At that point, the issue is no longer about etiquette alone. It becomes about respect for the group itself. There is a reason invitations are extended thoughtfully. They are not simply about filling seats, but about creating an environment where everyone present feels considered, where the host is not put in a position of quiet improvisation, and where the tone of the gathering remains intact. When someone takes it upon themselves to alter that balance, it sends a clear message, whether intended or not, that the structure of the event is optional. So where does that leave the rest of us? For hosts and organizers, it is a reminder that clarity is not impolite. Setting expectations, even gently, ensures that generosity is not mistaken for flexibility without limits. And when those expectations are ignored, addressing it calmly but directly preserves not only the event, but the integrity of the group. For guests, the rule remains elegantly simple. If you wish to include someone, you ask. If you are not sure, you ask. And if the answer is no, you accept it without interpretation or negotiation. Because the true mark of a well-mannered guest is not how comfortably they arrive, but how carefully they consider the space they are entering. Because an invitation is not just an opening, it is a gesture of trust. And nothing closes that door more quickly than assuming it was yours to widen.

Continued From 11A

permanently complicated Jackson’s legacy. The screenplay largely sidesteps them, and while defenders argue the film’s timeline doesn’t fully extend into that chapter of his life, audiences are hardly walking into theaters with selective amnesia. The avoidance becomes distracting in itself. You can practically feel the movie nervously changing the subject whenever it drifts too close to uncomfortable territory. Now, do I think Michael needed to transform into a courtroom drama or a tabloid exposé? Absolutely not. The film works best when it focuses on artistry, celebrity, and the brutal cost of becoming a global obsession before adulthood. But I do think the movie underestimates audiences by assuming honesty would somehow diminish Jackson’s brilliance. Complexity would have strengthened the tragedy, not weakened it. Instead, Michael often feels like an expensive museum exhibit, dazzlingly curated and emotionally moving, but careful not to let visitors linger too long near the cracks in the glass. Still, there’s no denying the power of the experience. The music rattles the walls, the performances soar, and Jaafar Jackson carries the entire production with charisma so convincing it occasionally borders on eerie. Vale Verdict: Michael dazzles whenever it performs and retreats whenever it should interrogate itself. A thrilling, frustrating portrait of genius

Michael Directed by Antoine Fuqua — Reviewed by Harrison Vale

I ducked into Michael on a rainy spectacle, and the complicated mythology of the most famous pop star on Earth. A Michael Jackson biopic should overwhelm you a little. It should sparkle, unravel, and occasionally leave you uncomfortable enough to sit quietly through the credits. Jaafar Jackson shines through the performance. There are moments where he moves across the stage and the audience collectively forgets they’re watching an actor. afternoon with expectations reserved for two and a half hours of sequins, The musical sequences are unquestionably the film’s greatest achievement. The Thriller recording sessions crackle with energy, while the Motown 25 performance is staged with enough electricity to remind audiences why Michael Jackson permanently altered

the DNA of pop culture. During Billie Jean, Antoine Fuqua finally stops directing a standard biopic and starts directing something closer to cultural memory. Even I, a man professionally trained to resist emotional manipulation, caught myself leaning forward with an involuntary grin. What ultimately keeps Michael from greatness, however, is its fear of confronting the uglier realities surrounding the man at its center. The film acknowledges allegations of abuse by Joseph Jackson, but only cautiously. Personally, I think that restraint weakens the story. You cannot fully explain Michael Jackson’s loneliness, perfectionism, or fractured sense of identity without honestly examining the environment that created him. Then comes the larger issue hovering over the entire film, the allegations that

that mistakes protection for honesty just often enough to keep greatness out of reach.

Neat Enough Solid, enjoyable, nothing remarkable.

Vol. 645 YA 13A

Space To Breathe — by Denise Copeland Welcome To Being Terrible At This!

Comments or Suggestions: Advice@mediaoms.com

I don’t love being bad at things. I like to know what I’m doing. I like to feel capable, comfortable, and at least somewhat in control. Give me something familiar that I can do well, and I’m all in. Give me something new, where I might fumble or feel unsure, and I can feel myself hesitate. It wasn’t always this way. There was a time when trying something new felt natural. I showed up, figured it out as I went, and no one expected me to be good right away. Somewhere along the way, that shifted, and now there’s a voice that steps in early with very reasonable questions. Do I have time for this? What if I’m terrible at it?

I grew up around music. My parents were always in musicals, rehearsing at home, and singing around the upright piano in the family room. My folks were always comfortable on stage. I was around it constantly, but I never saw myself in that role. I played guitar, even spent time in a band, but I never sang. Not once. I didn’t have the confidence, and I didn’t question that. I just accepted it as something that wasn’t for me, and that belief stayed with me for years.

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After I moved into my new home, I did something completely out of character. I bought a karaoke machine. My plans of inviting my out-of-tune friends over to sing, consumed my thoughts. Of course there was also the possibility of the neighbors complaining. But that didn’t stop me. I watched a few voice training videos to understand what I was doing and how to improve. I practiced with the volume on 11, and built an unwavering confidence I never really allowed myself to experience before. After a few months after the inception of Karaoke Chaos (as I fondly coined it) , that private experiment followed me out into the world. A few weeks ago, our community clubhouse hosted a music themed trivia night / dinner dance party. The MC knew I played guitar and, without warning, pointed at me, called me up, and handed me a microphone in the middle of a song.

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There wasn’t time to overthink it, so I sang. Surprisingly well, and with enough confidence to finish the song. And when it ended, the crowd responded with a standing ovation. I have to admit it was pretty cool (as my kids would say “SLAY”) . And it only happened because I had been willing, in private, to be bad at something. It made me realize how often we decide what we are and are not capable of without ever testing it. We draw lines around ourselves based on old assumptions and never revisit them. I had decided I wasn’t a singer, and for a long time, that was enough to make it true. Being a beginner requires a kind of humility that doesn’t always come easily. And it applies to pretty much everything in life. It’s in the first awkward workout where nothing feels natural, the first investment that feels more like a gamble than a strategy, the first time you try to learn a game, or the first meal you cook that doesn’t turn out quite right. Every skill, every habit, every level up starts in that same place, where you don’t quite know what you’re doing yet. The context changes, but the experience doesn’t. You have to be willing to not know, to make mistakes, to feel a little out of place. But there’s also a kind of freedom in that. No expectations, no pressure to be perfect, just the space to learn. Affordable Epoxy/Poly Garage Floors

I still hesitate sometimes. That instinct doesn’t disappear overnight. But I’m quicker now to recognize it for what it is. Not a sign that something isn’t for me, but a sign that I might need to lean into it instead.

Because the truth is, we don’t stop being capable of learning new things. We just get less willing to feel like beginners. I refer to it an excuse not to fail. And sometimes, all it takes is a small, quiet start to prove that wrong.

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Vol. 645 YA 15A

Truth Without Trimmings — Olivia Montclair

inspections, and constant back and forth. I invested a significant amount of time and energy making sure everything was handled properly and in my client’s best interest. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, he told me he was unhappy with the inspection and wanted out. He pushed to

cancel the contract, and while I had my doubts, I honored his request. Not long after, I found out what had actually happened. When I submitted the original offer, the listing agent had contacted him directly. She encouraged

Help! Olivia, I’ve built my career on doing things the right way. I work in real estate, and I take the responsibility seriously. I don’t cut corners, I don’t play games, and I don’t treat clients like transactions. When I represent someone, I advocate for them, I protect them, and I put in the work, even when it’s far more than anyone sees on the surface. A few years ago (prior to mandated Buyer Broker Agreements) , I was representing a buyer under contract on a property that required exactly that kind of effort. It wasn’t a simple deal. There were negotiations,

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him to cancel our contract and advised him to create an LLC so she could write the deal in a way that wouldn’t be traced back to him. In other words, so I wouldn’t know. He followed her advice. The property closed. Without me.

I reached out to the governing board of real estate agents, hoping there would be some recourse, or at the very least, acknowledgment that what happened crossed a line. Instead, I was told they don’t get involved in commission disputes. This, in an industry that requires ongoing ethics

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training just to maintain a license. It left me feeling like the rules only apply when they’re convenient, and that doing the right thing doesn’t necessarily protect you from being taken advantage of. What’s been harder to shake is not just the financial loss, but the sense of being played. I did everything I was supposed to do, and it didn’t matter. And now I find myself in a position I never expected to be in. I have information. Enough to damage this agent’s reputation in a way that would be difficult for her to recover from. It wouldn’t be loud or obvious. It would be quiet, calculated, and very effective. And, as far as I can tell, it wouldn’t come back to me.

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I don’t like that I’m even considering it. But I also don’t like the idea that she walks away from this without consequence, collecting not only her commission, but effectively mine as well, while I absorb the loss and am expected to call it “part of the business.” So I keep circling the same question. If you have the opportunity to quietly ruin someone who knowingly did something wrong, and no one would ever know it was you, is it still wrong to take it? — Playing Fair in an Unfair Game

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See TRUTH WITHOUT TRIMMINGS Page 18A

Vol. 645 YA 17A

Dear Playing Fair, There’s a very particular kind of anger that comes from doing everything correctly and still being the one who pays for someone else’s shortcuts. It’s not just frustration, it’s disorientation. You followed the rules you were trained to follow, you acted in good faith, you honored your role, and in return you were outmaneuvered by someone who treated the same rules as optional. When that happens, it doesn’t just cost you money. It calls into question the entire structure you’ve been operating within. Add to that the reality that she didn’t just close the deal, she walked away with both sides of it, including what should have been yours, and it makes perfect sense that your mind is searching for a way to even the score. So let’s not rush past your anger or try to tidy it up. It’s justified. It’s informed. It’s telling you that something unfair happened and that you were left holding the consequences while someone else collected the reward. The instinct to correct that imbalance is human. The problem is not that you feel it. The problem is what you’re considering doing with it. You’ve framed your potential response as quiet, controlled, and unlikely to be traced back to you. That’s what makes it tempting. It feels like justice without fallout. But what you’re really describing is a shift, not just in action, but in identity. You don’t just take one calculated step into that kind of behavior and then return unchanged. You adjust. Your internal standards recalibrate. The line that once felt clear becomes negotiable, and once it’s negotiable, it tends to stay that way. That’s the part people underestimate. Not the risk of being caught, but the subtle cost of becoming someone who now plays the same game they once resented. Truth Without Trimmings Continued From 17A

And for what outcome? To teach her a lesson she may never recognize? To recover a loss that can’t actually be reclaimed this way? To experience a moment of satisfaction that depends entirely on secrecy? Those kinds of victories are fleeting. They rarely deliver the sense of

restoration people imagine. More often, they create a new layer of justification that you have to carry forward, explaining to yourself why this exception made sense. What you’ve actually uncovered here is something more uncomfortable than a bad

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deal. You’ve discovered that integrity doesn’t function as protection. It doesn’t guarantee fair treatment or prevent other people from acting badly. That realization can be destabilizing, because it forces you to decide whether integrity is still worth maintaining when it doesn’t immediately pay off.

The answer, if you’re thinking long-term, is yes, but not for the reasons people usually give. Not because it’s noble or admirable, but because it’s strategic. Your career is not this one transaction. It’s the accumulation of how you operate over time. The same is true for hers. People who cut corners often

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appear successful for a while, sometimes longer than feels fair, but their reputations are built on something far less stable. They don’t collapse all at once. They erode. Quietly, gradually, often through patterns exactly like the one you experienced. You don’t need to orchestrate that outcome for her. If this is how she works, she’s already in the process of doing it herself. What matters more is what this moment becomes for you. Right now, it feels like a loss. And in a narrow sense, it is. But it’s also a point of definition. You now see clearly how easily the rules can be bent, how vulnerable good faith can be, and how little protection the system may offer when things go wrong. That knowledge can make you more cynical, or it can make you sharper. If you feel the need to act, direct it toward strengthening your position in ways that don’t compromise who you are. Tighten your agreements. Document more thoroughly. Be more selective about trust. Build a reputation that doesn’t rely on the system to defend you, but instead makes you difficult to sidestep in the first place. That’s not passive. It’s adaptive. Revenge promises a sense of balance, but it keeps you tied to the person who wronged you. What you’re actually after is control. Not over her outcome, but over your own. That’s where the real shift happens. — Respectfully, Olivia Montclair

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