KIM SPEARS - LEGACY, LUXURY, LIVING AUTHENTICALLY PAGES 54-55 COASTAL PEARL Living
C2-1645
PUBLISHER’S note
Coastal Pearl’s Awakening is a tribute to the creative spirit that thrives within our local community. e artists featured here are not only personal friends, they o er perspective, emotion, and true curated talent. eir work captures eeting moments with inspiring back stories. Spending time with these artists and their work has quietly shaped the way I see my own life. eir willingness to experiment, to take risks, and to nd beauty in unexpected places has been a steady in uence. It has encouraged me to slow down, to notice more, and to embrace my own evolving path with a bit more curiosity and courage.
is journal is an extension of that experience—an awakening where their creativity inspires you to explore, to create, and to see your story with fresh eyes, just as these artists have helped me see mine.
Publisher Coastal Pearl Living, Glen Fetzner
2 Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING
AWAKENING Coastal Pearl Living explores the promise of Inspiration-the people, places, and distinctive experiences that shape life along the coast. As a premier luxury publication, Coastal Pearl Living curates stories that re ect elegance, inspiration, and re ned living along the coast. We publish 13 times a year, o ering readers an exclusive look into the essence of coastal luxury. Publisher: Glen Fetzner Executive Editor: Denise Copeland Lifestyle Podcaster: Megan Negar Digital: Luis Cruz Creative Director: Yolanda Cole Asst. Art Director: Tara Macgillivray
58
Evening of Gratitude
27
Artist Jay Bashant
For advertising information and rates, contact us today (772)334-2121 or by email at sales@mediaoms.com STAY CONNECTED
CoastalPearlLiving.com
25
12
Citrus Salad Recipe
Furry Friends
Contents
TIDES OF STYLE 58 Waves of Impact
SPOTLIGHT 12 Community Charity A visit with Furry Friends in Jupiter, Florida 43 First Tee Empowering youth, veterans, and disabled citizens through golf
Annual Evening of Gratitude
COASTAL CURRENTS 27 Artist Jay Bashant 33 Artist Mauro Bergonzoli
40 Blue Gallery 52 Book Review
SOUTHERN TASTE 25 Sophisticated Sips
On e Bright Side —by Kristan Higgins
Grapefruit Elderberry Spritz
33
Artist Mauro Bergonzoli
AWAKENING
Coastal Pearl Living reserves the right to deny any advertisement or listing. Submissions are welcome, but unsolicited materials are not guaranteed to be returned. Coast Pearl Living assumes no responsibility or liability for the information, services, products, claims, statements, accuracy, or intended or unintended results of any advertiser, editorial contributors, company, professional corporation, business or service provider herein this publication. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.
“Awakening begins when a person realizes that they are not separate from the world.” — Agnes Martin A minimalist abstract artist known for serene grid paintings
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING 3
I f you haven’t discovered the beautiful 18+ miles of sandy beaches and the blue Atlantic along Hutchinson Island, it’s the time! Located on the magni cent “Treasure Coast,” Hutchinson Island is serene and secluded, yet strategically located. Easy access to everything South Florida has to o er, from the magic of Orlando to the cosmopolitan pleasures of Palm Beach and Miami. is is a golfer’s paradise and a boater’s dream. Unlimited access to swimming, snorkeling, shing, biking, restaurants, and tiki bars...the list goes on. What more can you ask for? Florida sunshine and tropical breezes will give you just the relaxation you have been looking for throughout the hectic year. BEACH FRONT MANN REALTY has been serving Hutchinson Island and e Treasure Coast for over 35 years and attracts residents
and visitors alike year-round. Condominiums, Homes, and Home sites, located on both the Oceanside and Riverside, o er many amenities and magni cent views of both the ocean and river and BEACH FRONT MANN REALTY is the Hutchinson Island expert. From the a ordable to the fabulous…whether buying or renting, there is something for everyone here on Hutchinson Island! Only 90 minutes north to paradise from Broward County! Buyers work with us to “scoop up” their beach front dream homes, and at BEACH FRONT MANN REALTY , it’s a proven fact as the top-selling o ce for the past several years. Beach Front Mann Realty also specializes in seasonal rental opportunities that buyers can take advantage of. Sellers choose BEACH FRONT MANN REALTY for their professionalism, integrity, and knowledge. Remember, for all your Hutchinson Island and Treasure Coast real estate needs, it’s time to call Beach Front Mann Realty. With over 35 years of experience on Hutchinson Island and the Treasure Coast; “Nobody knows Hutchinson Island and the Treasure Coast better. ..from Inlet to Inlet and In Between!”
4 Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING
Visit us at www.HUTCHINSONISLAND.com to view all of our Properties for Sale, Long Term Rentals and Short Term Rentals today!
OUR OFFICES 10525 S OCEAN DR., JENSEN BEACH, FL 34957 | 910 NE OCEAN BLVD., STUART, FL 34996
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING 5
THE NEXT ERA OF REGENERATIVE MEDICINE DON’T RETIRE YOUR GAME. REBUILD IT FROM WITHIN. FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE, STEM CELL THERAPY & PEPTIDE THERAPY You’ve built a life around performance, discipline, and staying active. WHY LET YOUR BODY FALL BEHIND? Peptide therapy works at the cellular level to support recovery, improve mobility, and help your body function the way it was designed to. THIS ISN’T ABOUT SLOWING DOWN. IT’S ABOUT STAYING IN THE GAME LONGER, STRONGER, AND ON YOUR TERMS.
Physician-Led Regenerative Longevity Clinic Located in Jupiter, FL
6 Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING
Every treatment plan is designed and overseen by medical professionals to ensure safety, effectiveness, and results you can feel. PHYSICIAN-LED PEPTIDE THERAPY YOU CAN TRUST
• Evidence-based protocols • Customized treatment plans • Ongoing monitoring and adjustments • Focused on long-term health and performance
We don’t just treat symptoms - we decode your biology. Targeted diagnostics identify the root causes of fatigue, inflammation, and performance decline, then optimize your internal terrain for true longevity. Key benefits include: THE WHY: FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE PHYSICIAN-LED
• Deep-dive lab analysis & personalized diagnostics • Hormonal balance & gut health optimization • Systemic wellness from the inside out
YOUR BODY ALREADY KNOWS HOW TO HEAL, PEPTIDES HELP IT REMEMBER
Peptides have gained widespread attention for their role in supporting metabolic health, cellular function, and overall vitality. They may help promote balanced insulin response, healthy signaling pathways, and improved
resilience, all while working with the body’s natural processes. But that is only one part of what makes them so promising.
772-837-5485 9075 SE Bridge Rd, Hobe Sound scaleregenerativehealth.com
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING 7
Advanced biological repair meets precision cellular signaling. THE REBUILD STEM CELL & PEPTIDE THERAPY THE REBUILD: STEM CELL & PEPTIDE • Advanced regenerative protocols • Promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation • Restore joint function for lasting mobility and structural integrity
PEPTIDE THERAPY • Precision cellular signaling • Faster recovery and greater comfort • Strength and sustained energy
PHYSICIAN-LED
STOP MANAGING DECLINE. START ENGINEERING YOUR COMEBACK.
772-837-5485 | 9075 SE Bridge Rd, Hobe Sound | scaleregenerativehealth.com
8 Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING
STAY IN THE GAME LONGER, STRONG, ON YOUR TERMS.
Telehealth Appointments Also Available Call for Details: 772-837-5485
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING 9
Evan Anderson President
Anderson Building Corp. was founded in 2006 by Evan Anderson, a South Florida na- tive - raised in Tequesta, and apprenticed by the most talented local architects and builders in South Florida. After working on the Historic Kravis Estate on Palm Beach Island, as well as the Wrigley Estate in Lost Tree - $97.5M, Evan partnered with Onshore Construction in Jupiter. As 1/3 owner of Onshore Construction, Evan completed dozens of the areas finest homes ranging in construction cost from $3M to over $30M. Our Story In contrast with the higher volume business model at On-shore Construction, Evan is now able to maintain all of his team’s focus on no more than 5 projects at any given time. This management-rich approach guarantees clients the best value and quality for their in- vestment. Anderson Building Corp. renovates and builds new homes ranging from $3M to $40M and beyond. Our honest, transparent business model ensures that every project will have its own dedicated field team and an office-based project manager running no more than 2 projects at any given time. This is of paramount importance when renovating and constructing the finest homes. As a client, you deserve nothing less! Our Services With nearly 30 years of experience in the Architecture and Luxury Home Industry, An- derson Building Corp. customizes the entire building experience to suit client needs, level of finish, and budget expectations. Through the selection of design professionals, providing input at design development, and steering the entire design and construction process to lighten the burden for the client, Anderson Building Corp. offers an exclusive experience that no other builder in the area can offer. Client-centric Building Experience
Current Projects
LUXURY HOME BUILDER Building Custom Homes of the highest quality. Established 2006 • CGC1512586
Anderson Building Corp. 315 SW Ocean Blvd, Stuart | Phone: (772) 888-3389 | Email: evan@andersonbuildingcorp.com
“You can expect my full attention and dedication to your project.”
10 Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING
Ask Dr. Wy… Richard Wyderski, MD, FACP Dr. Wy, why can’t I take a medication other than a statin to prevent strokes and heart attacks? I’ve recently written articles about calculating heart attack and stroke risk to decide whether to start statin treatment to reduce the risk. But not everyone can take statins due to side effects, some of which can be serious. What do we do then? While statins are the mainstay of cholesterol lowering medications, there are alternatives that have been proven to reduce heart attack and stroke risk in people who have never had one. This proof is important, because some drugs like niacin and clo brate, while making the LDL LEVEL better, didn’t reduce that risk and are no longer used. Some OTC supplements can also reduce LDL but lack proof they reduce risk.
Experience Primary Concierge Care Today!
Repatha is an injectable drug that allows the liver to much more effectively clear out LDL from the bloodstream, lowering the level by 50% or more. In a trial comparing it to placebo, that translated into a 20% risk reduction for people in general, and over a 30% reduction in high-risk diabetics. Nexletol inhibits LDL from ever forming to reduce the level AND heart attack risk
Dr. Wyderski is board certi ed in both Internal Medicine & Geriatrics, seeing patients from their 50’s to 100 plus years!
by about 25%. When combined with the drug ezetimibe it can reduce LDL by almost 40%, but there are no studies on how much they reduce risk when used together. Do remember that these are medications that have been proven to work in people who have never had their rst heart attack or stroke. Even more proven options are available for people who have already had one. We need all the stroke and heart attack prevention we can get!
Have a question for Dr. Wy? Please submit it to info@wyderskihealth.com
1345 36TH STREET • SUITE B • VERO BEACH www.MyWyderskiHealth.com 772-348-4370
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING 11
Community Charity
Furry Friends by Denise Copeland A non-profit foundation established in 1979 100 Capital Street, Jupiter, FL W e all have preconceived notions of how an event will unfold. Traveling south to Jupiter, I honestly thought I’d be sitting in an oce with Linda Gore (the
services and accessible veterinary care not as a pro t center, but as a public service. e goal is straightforward: keep pets healthy and keep them with the families who love them. By removing cost barriers, the clinic helps prevent situations where animals are surrendered simply because care feels out of reach. In cases where a family pet faces medical emergencies they cannot a ord, the clinic has been known to step in and perform necessary surgeries to preserve that bond. e priority is not revenue, but continuity, recognizing that keeping an animal with its family can be as lifesaving as rescue itself. It is another example of how Furry Friends approaches animal welfare with practicality, compassion, and a long view toward community stability.
founder of Furry Friends) to rehash our previous phone interview, collect a few facts face-to-face, and perhaps get a few photos. Instead I was immediately greeted by not only Linda, Jason Gluck was by her side as well. And almost as quickly, three elated people emerged from the opposite side of the reception area, carrying what I deemed as the most adorable puppies I’ve ever seen.
Almost immediately, the reception area lled with energy. Tibor Feigel, the Chief Training Ocer, surrounded by volunteers,
As he spoke about the importance of early handling and socialization, I found myself sitting with them, letting tiny paws climb into
“Furry Friends is recognized as the first no-kill shelter in the United States.”
my lap while he described how these early experiences shape con dent, adoptable dogs.
From there, we watched the larger dogs at play, supervised closely by volunteers as they ran, played, and splashed in a tub of water. e atmosphere felt structured but relaxed, with clear attention to safety and behavior. Inside
[ Linda Gore - founder of Furry Friends ]
[ Jason Gluck - Chief Executive O cer ]
each of them carrying a pair of puppies. e room erupted into instinctive oohs and ahs. A perfectly timed photo opp!
again, we passed rows of adoptable dogs alongside a detailed daily schedule that showed just how coordinated the operation is. Jason told me they place and adopt out an average of six dogs a day, which is an accomplishment in itself given the level of care and matching involved. e tour of the rst oor ended in the surgery center, where spays and neuters were actively taking place. I expected it to feel unsettling, but it didn’t. e space was so clean and professional that it felt more like a modern medical clinic than a shelter. If it
Aer gawking at the puppies, Linda and Jason led me toward the outdoor socialization areas, where we ran into Tibor again. He explained that the puppies would be getting spayed and neutered shortly, part of the routine care that keeps the rescue moving forward responsibly. He also explained the veterinary clinic at Furry Friends operates with a clear and intentional philosophy. It runs at a break even level, o ering low cost spay and neuter
continued
12 Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING
A Home for Second Chances
continued
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING 13
Furry Friends continued Community Charity
She explained, in 1979, animal control in Jupiter looked entirely di erent. Dogs were collected by dog catchers and held in a chain- link retention yard with no real shelter from the Florida heat or sudden rain and, completely exposed to the elements. It wasn’t meant to be humane or comfortable, only a functional holding space before the animals were transferred to Palm Beach County. For many of them, it was unfortunately the last stop. Linda partnered with Sharron Wright that year, and together they began doing what they could, not through an organization, but through sheer determination. ey started fostering dogs from the retention center, nding temporary homes, placing animals wherever someone was willing to open a door, and adopting them out as quickly as possible, because time was the one thing those dogs did not have. eir e orts gained momentum faster than anyone expected. Linda remembers how successful the fostering and adoption became, so much so that the dog catching unit itself was eventually disbanded. It’s one of those details that sounds almost unbelievable until you realize what it really represents: two people stepping into a broken system and proving, through action, that it did not have to remain that way. By 1982, Linda understood that rescue alone was not enough. Saving animals meant building something permanent to address not only the immediate crisis but the larger causes behind it. She and her team formed a 501(c)(3) nonpro t for the Jupiter and Tequesta area, and one of their earliest priorities was o ering low cost spay and neuter services, a step that was still uncommon at the time but essential if they were going to prevent the endless cycle of unwanted litters and overcrowding. Around the same period, land in Jupiter Farms was donated, allowing them to keep the pro t and using it as the seed money that allowed the organization to grow beyond its earliest “Fostering is one of the most e ective ways to help if you are not ready to adopt permanently, and Furry Friends is always seeking foster families.”
weren’t for the animals in plain sight, you would never guess you were standing inside an active rescue facility.
Furry Friends itself feels nothing like the utilitarian places most people imagine when they think of an animal shelter. Light lls the space, and the atmosphere is active but calm, as if the animals understand they are somewhere temporary, somewhere meant for transition rather than con nement. Upstairs, cats move freely through a two story open adoption center, climbing and stretching along platforms built for them, gathering around a tall arti cial tree that rises through the room like a centerpiece. ere are cages, but no sense of animals waiting in isolation - just waiting their turns to roam in Catopia. Linda watched the cats for a moment before she began talking about the beginning, and when she did, it was clear that none of this was inevitable. It was built, piece by piece, because she could not accept what came before it.
continued
14 Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING
A Home for Second Chances
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING 15
Furry Friends continued Community Charity
practical and joyful. Linda still laughs at one of the more creative e orts, when entrants paid y dollars for the chance to win the honor of best decorated tub at a dog washing fundraiser. It was modest, it was playful, and it worked, because people wanted to be part of something that felt hopeful.
“Did you know that more than 35,000 dogs and cats pass through Miami-Dade shelters every year?”
Linda’s work eventually extended beyond rescue and into policy. Palm Beach County Commissioner Karen Marcus appointed her as an Animal Control Commissioner, a position Linda held for twenty ve years. One of her rst accomplishments was pushing to extend the holding period before euthanasia from one week to two. e reasoning was simple, and deeply human: owners might be away, on vacation, unaware their pet had escaped, only to return home too late. at extra week gave families time, and gave animals a chance they had not been a orded before. e organization continued to evolve. Leadership shied over time, with new board members and fundraising directors stepping in to guide the next chapter. A new facility was built on Capital Street in Jupiter, made possible by land donated by Herb and Karen Baum, an extremely generous donation that helped secure the future of the shelter.
improvisations. eir rst veterinarian, Dr. Kangura, became part of those foundational years, helping establish the clinic services that would become central to the mission. Furry Friends also embraced a no kill philosophy long before it became widely familiar language. Linda oen describes it as the rst no kill shelter in the United States, and while no kill movements were emerging in other parts of the country around the same era, there is no question that Furry Friends was among the earliest organizations in Florida to insist that adoptable animals did not have to be lost simply because the system was accustomed to loss. at insistence brought resistance. Linda recalls that some local veterinarians feared the organization would threaten private practice, and lawsuits followed. It was an early test of whether Furry Friends would be allowed to exist at all. Linda persevered, helped by an attorney on sta , and by the growing support of a community that was beginning to understand that this was not competition, but necessity. Keeping the organization alive in those years required constant ingenuity. Fundraisers became part of the culture: dog washes, car washes, galas, and small community events that were equal parts
continued
16
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING
A Home for Second Chances
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING 17
Furry Friends continued Community Charity
receive public attention. e organization rehabilitates animals speci cally for disabled veterans, pairing rescued animals with individuals who bene t from companionship, routine, and emotional connection. Linda shared one case in particular, one she said still stays with her. A pit bull had been brought in aer su ering dis guring burns as a result of abuse by its owner. e
dog required extensive medical care and rehabilitation. Around the same time, Furry Friends was working with a veteran who had been severely burned while serving in the military. e decision was made to pair them, and the bond that formed between the two was immediate and lasting, most likely saving both of their lives. Jason expanded on that point later, speaking less about individual cases and more about philosophy, saying “You cannot discount the human animal bond / relationship”. ‘Roughly 75 to 80 percent of orange cats are male due to the genetics of the orange coat color, which is linked to the X chromosome.’
continued
When I asked how Furry Friends balances fundraising with mission, Linda immediately brought up the Wags to Riches Gala, an event that has become one of the organization’s most visible annual fundraisers. Held at Mar-a-Lago, this formal and well attended event has become familiar through repetition, not spectacle. Congressman Brian Mast oen attends the gala and typically sits at her table. His presence, she said, has been monumental and re ects broader support for animal welfare initiatives, particularly those connected to veterans. Furry Friends has also developed partnerships that re ect a broader understanding of service. rough its work with Gold Star, White Star, and Blue Star families, the organization places roughly 30 dogs each year with military families who can bene t from companionship and routine. ese placements are approached with care, ensuring both the animal and the family are supported throughout the transition.
at conversation naturally led into a part of Furry Friends’ work that does not always
18
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING
A Home for Second Chances
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING 19
Furry Friends continued Community Charity
Formally recognized on a national level, Jason was recently awarded the Shelter Hero Leadership Award from Bissell Pet Foundation and PetSmart Charities, an honor given to shelter leaders who demonstrate exceptional determination, compassion, and impact beyond the standard expectations of the eld. Since Jason assumed his role as Chief Lifesaving Ocer, Furry Friends has tripled its annual lifesaving outcomes and expanded critical initiatives, including a major transport program. According to the organization, Furry Friends now facilitates transport for one out of every four animals relocated out of Florida. Under his direction, the shelter has also developed a leading behavior and
rehabilitation program, supported by what is described as the largest free roaming play yard of any Florida shelter.
Education has become one of the most quietly in uential parts of Furry Friends’ mission, particularly as the organization looks toward the future of animal welfare. Linda and Jason both spoke about the importance of shaping attitudes early, before habits and assumptions harden. eir educational awareness programs focus heavily on youth, with the goal of teaching responsibility, decency, and compassion toward animals as a foundation for long-term change. e emphasis is not simply on rescue, but on understanding animals as living beings whose care requires patience, consistency, and empathy. at philosophy carries directly into Furry Friends’ adoption model, which di ers signi cantly from conventional shelter practices. Rather than relying on rigid applications, the organization uses an open adoption process guided by trained ambassadors. By taking time talking with potential adopters, learning about their lifestyles, expectations, and limitations, helps match them with animals that are likely to succeed in their homes. According to Jason, this approach has led to a noticeable decrease in returned animals, reinforcing the idea that thoughtful conversation and education can be as e ective as paperwork. Outreach also extends well beyond the shelter walls. rough its two Hope on Wheels buses, Furry Friends adopts out approximately 1,500 animals each year, bringing pets directly into communities and removing barriers for families who may not be able to travel to a shelter. ese mobile adoption units allow the organization to meet people where they are, both literally
continued
20 Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING
A Home for Second Chances
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING 21
Furry Friends continued Community Charity
and guratively, expanding access while maintaining the same standards of care and support.
provides long-term space for larger dogs who need room to run, socialize, and undergo rehabilitation. Even dogs once considered unapproachable, including pit bulls with severe fear or reactivity, have progressed through structured care and emerged adoptable, underscoring the organization’s commitment to patience, behavior support, and successful placement. Furry Friends works closely with municipal shelters and rescue groups across South Florida to relieve overcrowding and redirect animals at risk. rough its Lifesaving Relocation Program, the organization pulls pets from high intake facilities that are frequently at capacity, transferring them into its own network for medical care, rehabilitation, and adoption. Jason noted that Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control remains one of their most consistent partners, with Furry Friends serving as the county’s leading rescue collaborator. By focusing on municipal shelters where space is limited, they are able to intervene before healthy, adoptable animals face euthanasia due solely to lack of room. Beyond the county shelter system, the organization also focuses on other regions where overcrowding and urgent needs are persistent. According to reporting on Furry Friends’ regional rescue activity, the nonpro t prioritizes assistance for animals in several Florida communities with particularly strained shelter systems, including: Okeechobee, Clewiston, Facilities serving the Seminole Tribe, Shelters in Miami (which may include Miami-Dade municipal animal services), Palm Beach County shelters beyond the
Another program that speaks to Furry Friends’ commitment to rehabilitation on multiple levels is its prison training initiative, where incarcerated individuals work with dogs to prepare them for adoption. Inmates provide basic obedience training and socialization, while the dogs gain structure and con dence that improves their chances of successful placement. e program bene ts both sides: dogs become more adoptable, and participants gain responsibility, purpose, and practical skills. Taken together, these programs re ect a philosophy that sees animal rescue as inseparable from education, outreach, and human development. Furry Friends is not only responding to immediate need, but actively investing in a future where compassion is learned, practiced, and passed forward. In practice, that belief informs how Furry Friends approaches rehabilitation, adoption, and placement. Animals are not treated as interchangeable, and people are not treated as passive recipients of help. e pairing is intentional, built around shared experience, temperament, and the ability to heal alongside one another. Furry Friends has shown signi cant resilience and adaptability in recent years, particularly in response to displacement and facility transitions aer Hurricane Milton damaged their emergency intake and boarding facility. Jason coordinated the transition in partnership with the Rooney family, owners of the Palm
county facility itself. ese partnerships re ect a broad region of collaboration that goes beyond a single county. In areas like remote areas, shelters can become dangerously over capacity, and Furry Friends responds by transporting animals into its rescue network where space and care resources are available. In Miami, partnerships with local sheltering authorities help move animals out of overcrowded environments into programs where they have a better chance at adoption.
Beach Kennel Club, to provide immediate housing for animals displaced from Furry Friends’ previous location. e site, which was initially repurposed as a 24 hour boarding facility “Camp Rusty” aer Florida’s ban on dog racing was perfect, o ering existing kennels, outdoor play yards for dogs, and modular structures to accommodate cats, allowing rescue and adoption operations to continue without interruption. In addition to this current West Palm Beach facility, Furry Friends has also expanded into Palm City, where a twenty-six-acre ranch
Just as important as the shelter partnerships is the fact that Furry Friends relies heavily on community involvement to sustain this lifesaving network. Jason and Linda both emphasized that the organization is always actively looking for volunteers and foster families, because rescue
work does not stop at intake. Animals need daily care, socialization, medical
22 Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING
A Home for Second Chances
recovery support, transport assistance, and, oen most critically, temporary homes while they wait for adoption.
If you are on the fence about adoption, fostering or volunteering is oen the most logical choice. It allows you to make an immediate impact, participate in the mission, and experience rsthand the di erence that structured care and human connection can make. Aer our brief insightful interview, it’s clear that Furry Friends is not the result of one grand moment, but of decades of persistence, built from the earliest days of pulling dogs from a chain-link yard into foster homes, all the way to the thriving campuses that exist now. It is a story shaped by the conviction that animals deserve more than survival. ey deserve lives. As our conversation came to a close, what stayed with me was not a single statistic, facility, or program, but the through-line that connects all of it. Furry Friends is not one thing. It’s not only a veterinary clinic, or an animal rescue, or an adoption center. It is a place built on the belief that care has a ripple e ect, and that when you show up for another life, something in you changes too. Keep an eye out in upcoming issues as we continue shining a spotlight on Community Charity and the meaningful work happening right here in our backyard. Up next, we’ll be featuring an inside look at Furry Friends’ emergency intake location in West Palm Beach, situated on the Palm Beach Kennel Club grounds at 1111 S. Congress Avenue. It’s a story filled with heart, purpose, and a few wagging tails you won’t want to miss.
My goal in sharing this story is simply for you to understand that Furry Friends is an opportunity to participate in something that asks for compassion and gives back growth. Growth in perspective. Growth in empathy. Growth in understanding what it means to care beyond yourself. I encourage each of you to visit Furry Friends in Jupiter. Take a tour. Meet the people who do this work every day and the animals whose lives are shaped by it. Browse the swag. Sit with a cup of co ee and take in the surroundings. Let yourself slow down long enough to notice what is happening there. Because Furry Friends is not just about saving animals. It is about what becomes possible when you open your heart.
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING 23
CONE Your
Crispy Cones brings European-inspired indulgence to Palm Beach Gardens, transforming a Czech pastry into a national sensation. Warm, cinnamon-sugar dough encases rich frozen cream and lavish toppings, from cookie butter to crushed confections and weekly specialty cones. Offering a luxurious, customizable treat. With elegant to-go kits and extended hours, Crispy Cones turns every dessert into a sophisticated experience. CUSTOMIZE
CRISPY CONES 11940 US-1 #120, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 3340 :: 561-508-5116
https://crispycones.com/palmbeachgardens-fl
24 Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING
Grapefruit Elder ower Spritz • 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice • 1 oz elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain) • 3 oz Prosecco • Splash of soda water • Ice • Grapefruit slice + fennel frond for garnish
1. Fill a wine glass with ice. 2. Add grapefruit juice and elderflower liqueur. 3. Top with Prosecco and a splash of soda. 4. Stir gently and garnish.
Grapefruit, Avocado, Arugula & Fennel Salad
• 2 cups arugula • 1 pink grapefruit, peeled and segmented • 1 ripe avocado, sliced • 1 small fennel bulb, very thinly shaved • ½ cup fresh sprouts (such as alfalfa or pea shoots) • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice • 1 tsp honey • Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper 1. In a large bowl, gently combine arugula, fennel, and sprouts. 2. Arrange grapefruit segments and avocado slices over the greens. 3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper. 4. Drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving and toss lightly.
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING 25
JEWELERS
29 North Orange Avenue • Jupiter 561-741-1400
26 Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING
Jay Bashant Eccentric Brilliance — by Denise Copeland
laughed when I pointed it out. He said he found it in the back of a metal salvage truck. And when he asked the salvage guy what the metal was worth, he wasted no time in o ering 30-something dollars for it on the spot. is part of my story is an interesting contrast to usual articles addressing animal rescue, as I appreciate Jay’s valor and eccentrics.
T he wind kicked a brisk coolness into the aernoon, cutting through the late day sun just as I spotted the white picket fence hosting the address to my destination. e white gravel drive crunched under the Jeep’s tires, de ning my arrival. e property is
e studio sits behind the main cottage, a large metal “barndominium” tucked out of view. As we stepped inside, the space opened into a mix of organized chaos (his words, not mine). In the distance, handmade paper hung from the far wall. A quick scan of the room unveiled bright pops of color, neatly displayed canvases on easels, and a gray leather couch that felt like an open invitation to sit down and pick up the conversation where it last le o . Stories of the past came quickly, slipping into laughter just as easily. Jay and my publisher, Glen, grew up together, which helped the banter roll naturally. No formalities, just entertaining stories that surfaced each time he gravitated towards another piece of art. He talked about growing up, running around Stuart, and taking trips to the Bahamas. He didn’t over explain it, just enough to paint a mental picture of a fun carefree life. Sun, water, long days, trekking to West End with nowhere else to be.
divided by an east-west 2 lane road, with a small cluster of art cottages on the south side, and across to the north, sits the main cottage Jay Bashant has nicknamed “ e Ritz… Cracker.” at alone tells you plenty. Each cottage is painted in its own pastel, contrasting one another but somehow working together. Jay welcomed me to follow him down a Chicago brick pathway behind the Ritz; we wound through palms and a yard full of purple, pink, yellow and lush green foliage—a low-lying landscaping layered in without much concern for rules. As we approached the studio, an abstract metal dragon peeked through a bush, watching. I questioned if it was constructed
from discarded musical instruments as I looked curiously at what appeared to be part of a trumpet. Jay
Jay graduated from Martin County High School in 1978, having arrived
continued
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING 27
NEW HOTEL & CASINO MORE WAYS TO PLAY, STAY AND GET AWAY
Slots. Tables. Stays. Dining. GET REWARDED FOR YOUR EXPERIENCE. NEW MEMBERS PLAY UP TO $200 ON US!
Join Unity by Hard Rock at the Players Club today and get a T-shirt on us!
5005 RESERVATION ROAD OKEECHOBEE, FL 34974 • 800.360.9875 Must be twenty-one (21) years of age or older to gamble. Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to participate in Bingo and Poker. Must be a Unity Member to participate in casino promotions. Concerned about your gambling? Call or text 1-833-PLAYWISE.
28 Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING
Jay Bashant continued
He worked for Park West Galleries, orchestrating art sales on cruise ships sailing quick loops from Miami to the Bahamas, and stopping in places like Nassau. ree to four day trips, new passengers each time, everyone relaxed and ready to
years earlier as a kid when the place looked nothing like it does now. As we talked, he started mentally sketching the storyline from memory. Flower farms where Martin Downs sits today, Sail sh Point as nothing but open beach, no Indian River
spend. Eventually traveling further than he ever expected, he went on a world voyage that took him to more than 35 countries. “It was great for a while,” he said. But a year and a half in, he found the hands-on approach to art was more his calling. at led him to Las Vegas during its construction boom, where he got back into glass work and built another successful studio. It’s also where he met his lovely wife, Nancy. From there, they sold everything and headed to Belize, building a beachfront home and settling into life on the Caribbean until the real estate collapse brought them back to Florida in 2009, where they now call Frazier Creek home. Back in his studio, all of that shows up in his work. Painting started slowly, one piece a year at rst, then more, until it became his main focus. “I still don’t really think of myself as a painter,” he said. “I’m just having fun with it.” Back at his Jensen Beach property with his studio set up for everything from glass to paint, he’s deep into it. His “Yearbook Girls” series pulls inspiration from old 1950s yearbook photos. Using the stoic, expressionless portraits, he pushes them into something completely di erent. Alongside that, he’s experimenting with landscapes, ower elds, and mixed media, even talking about getting into printmaking. “Every day is a school day,” he said. Aer decades of commission work, steady but limiting, this feels di erent. “It was a blessing and a curse,” he said. “Now I’m doing it for me.”
Plantation…not even the road. He remembers driving past Stuart Beach just to get onto MacArthur, when Conchy Joe’s was still Seymour’s, with a drive-through window for cocktails before heading out to the sand. He graduated when the area still had what he calls a loose, almost bohemian feel, and his rst house was right here in Jensen Beach, in what’s now the Art Cottages. “It was kind of a hippie atmosphere,” he said. “Like Edenlawn back then.” From there he moved into real estate and auctioneering. Once you meet him, that part makes sense. He knows how to talk to people. Aer a short stint as a waiter in Ft. Lauderdale, he moved back to Stuart and opened a glass studio. Successfully
craing nautical etched glass for restaurants, homes and sports shing yachts, his studio thrived. Years of the daily grind zzled Jay into a state of burnout. He closed shop and clocked into cruise ships, selling art on the sea—which, he fully admits, he talked his way into.
e aernoon disappeared just beyond reach, there one minute and gone the next, leaving the feeling that there was still more to uncover. Local roots, the Bahamas, art at sea, glasswork in Las Vegas and it was clear as day, that Jay’s mantra is you just have to walk the path and see where it leads. And sometimes that path leads beyond a metal junkyard dragon made of trumpets and trombones into an
imaginative hideaway lled with creativity.
For more information call 772-678-8420 or visit: jaybashant.com
Give this QR code a quick scan and meet Jay Bashant on our latest podcast
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING 29
“We do it because we love it; we truly care”
ALBANYAS.COM
30 Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING
LEADING THE AESTHETICS INDUSTRY
Introducing Kiera Wiltrack, local business owner of Albany Aesthetics and Beauty Sleep Anesthesia. Kiera has seven years of experience as a highly-skilled nurse practitioner and advanced nurse anesthesiologist. Combining her love for anesthesia and aesthetics, she expanded her two businesses in the Summer of 2022. Kiera’s ambition was always to become an anesthesiologist. Initially, the eld of aesthetics didn’t cross her mind. However, she started providing injectables to her friends and family as a hobby on the side of her anesthesiologist career. As Kiera’s client base grew, she faced a choice: to cut back on her clientele or turn this venture into a full-time job. She made the jump and purchased a small building in Downtown Stuart - where in the end, her clientele blossomed, and her passion for aesthetics grew, which led to the grand expansion of Albany Aesthetics. In the Summer of 2022, Kiera’s dreams became a reality as she opened the doors to her new Albany Aesthetics location. She created a space with everything from the beauty lounge to the boutique to the state-of-the-art plastic surgery center. She integrates her other business, Beauty Sleep Anesthesia, into the same building, creating a one-stop shop for clients looking to enhance their beauty and wellness with the utmost care and convenience. e location is stunning, making for a truly luxurious and unforgettable experience. She notes, “I feel very blessed by the clientele; they’re the reason I’ve been able to build and grow.” In Kiera’s words, “I want to bring something to Stuart that we don’t have here, modern and edgy, more of what we see in South Florida.” Kiera is a master injector with a reputation for her distinctive technique and artistry. Her expertise in injectables earns her a reputation as one of the top injectors in the area, and clients travel from near and far to experience her exceptional work. It’s all about facial balancing, she states. Kiera’s extensive facial anatomy knowledge and a keen eye for aesthetics allow her to create customized treatment plans that achieve her clients’ desired outcomes. Her lip ller work, in particular, gains a loyal following of clients who trust her to create natural-looking, full lips that enhance their unique features. Kiera notes, “I love making women feel beautiful.” With a team of highly trained professionals, Kiera and her team provide personalized treatments using state-of the-art technology and techniques to cater to each client’s unique needs and goals. On top of toxin and ller, Albany o ers an array of services such as; laser, PDO brow threading, skincare, lashes, VI peels, IV therapy, weight loss guidance, and sexual wellness. By incorporating a plastic surgery center into the Albany Aesthetics location, Kiera and her team o er clients a full spectrum of options for achieving their desired look, whether a minor enhancement or a full-body transformation. Kiera strives to ensure her clients have a smooth and helpful experience with her support. From the moment they go under anesthesia for surgery to when they wake up with their desired results, she is with them L
every step, ensuring they receive the care and attention they need. Kiera keeps the name Beauty Sleep Anesthesia rather than using Albany Anesthesia because that was her rst LLC. We would also like to mention our current Female Board Certi ed Plastic Surgeon Dr. Renee Gasgarth, MD. Multiple plastic surgeons that Kiera looks up to will be operating at her facility. “I love that I can bring both of my passions together,” she adds. Kiera’s love for fashion is evident as she considered pursuing a career in the fashion industry. She opened Albany Boutique within the Albany Aesthetics facility, providing her clients with a distinctive and opulent shopping experience. “My goal is to introduce high-end fashion to Stuart,” Kiera notes. She recognizes Stuart’s need for such stores and aspires to keep her clients and locals from traveling south for high-end items. Her boutique stocks various clothing and accessories for all occasions, including popular brands such as LoveShack Fancy, Hermant and Nandita, and many other well-known brands. Kiera exclaims, “I feel that I’m helping women feel beautiful from the inside out; I want to help dress them too and nish it o , cherry on top!” Kiera achieves great heights in her industry, using her creativity, passion, and perseverance to build a thriving business and inspire others. “I’m proud to be a woman who owns a business where I can help other women feel beautiful and con dent in themselves,” she notes. Kiera is exceptionally proud of how far she has come and states she owes it to her parents and upbringing. “ ey always tell me to strive for the stars,” says Kiera. “We do it because we love it; we truly care,” exclaims Kiera. We would also like to announce our newest location open- ing soon: 2600 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Stop by Albany to get #KyssedbyKiera; Kiera and her team of highly trained professionals look forward to enhancing your natural beauty.Visit these beauty babes at 2750 S Kanner Hwy Stuart, Fl. Have any questions? Give them a call 772.320.9791
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING 31
T u te Fenin Speiali t Sinc 1962
VERO 601 21st Street, Ste 300 Vero Beach, FL 32960 (772) 356-1621
OKEECHOBEE 1132 NE. 12th Street Okeechobee, FL 34972 (863) 296-3414
PORT ST. LUCIE 1860 SW Fountainview Blvd #45 Port St. Lucie, FL 34986 772-258-4300
STUART 770 SE. Indian Street, Ste 20 Stuart, FL 34997 (772) 404-3994
32 Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING
Mauro Bergonzoli
Interview by Alexandra Bronckaers
Eccentric Brilliance — by Denise Copelan
T here are artists whose work you look at — and artists whose work you enter. Mauro Bergonzoli belongs unmistakably to the latter. His paintings radiate an emotional intensity that feels lived rather than constructed — an energy born of Milan’s visual discipline, the engraving workshop of his childhood, and a decade spent mastering immediacy inside the world of advertising. Today, as he unveils Dolce Vita in Palm Beach, his palette is newly charged. e lines sharpen, the color deepens, the light turns inward. Bergonzoli paints with a form of emotional clarity that collapses joy, memory, sensuality and rigor into a single gesture. is conversation reveals the artist behind the radiance. Origins You were born in Milan, a city saturated with images and design. What did this city imprint on you before you even knew you would become an artist? I’ve always felt I was born an artist — I began drawing before I could speak. Growing up in central Milan meant being surrounded by beauty, fashion, architecture, and culture; all of it shaped me continuously. e city trained my eye to notice tiny details, the kind most people overlook. ose observations still nd their way into my paintings today. Your father ran an engraving workshop. How did that early contact with tools, materials, and precision shape your visual language? Engraving taught me discipline and respect for the line. e materials were expensive — there was no room for error. I learned to work slowly, calmly, with a steady hand. Later, in comics,
illustration and advertising, this became a language: I skipped the pencil stage and went straight to ink. e in uence of freehand engraving on silver is especially visible in my Venetian works. What is the rst image — or the rst scene — you can look back on now and say: “that’s where it all began”? My family didn’t have money, and gis were rare. I was born on Christmas Eve, and on my second birthday my father drew Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse directly on the wall next to my bed. I stared at them for hours, copying every line. at’s where it all began. The Advertising Decade — A Visual Laboratory You come from a world where images must be e cient, immediate, calibrated: advertising. What did that school of speed and clarity bring to you as a contemporary artist? It taught me that a single image must speak instantly. One glance — and the message has to stay forever. at discipline shaped the clarity of my compositions. Advertising was a laboratory where I learned speed, narrative power, and visual impact. What was the exact moment — human or professional — when you knew you had to leave communication behind and return to pure creation? September 11, 2001. Watching the Twin Towers fall, I felt the world change in real time. I knew the advertising world would change too. In that moment, I understood I had to follow my true calling: to paint and transmit messages of beauty, humor, nature, positivity, and love. continued
Coastal Pearl Living - AWAKENING 33
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator