Page 10 - Jupiter Spotlight - '24

Page 10, Jupiter Spotlight
Lighthouse ArtCenter Hosts Summer Camp

And ‘Stitching Spectacular’ Exhibition For Kids

This summer , by LAC’s summer embroidery artist with boundless creativity, Yazici’s work
Lighthouse ArtCenter campers. These unique has earned international acclaim and has been featured
(LAC) in Tequesta invites pieces, reflecting the in esteemed publications such as TextileArtist.org, Vice’s
children and families camp’s weekly themes, The Creator’s Project, and Vogue.
to dive into a world of are available for a Running from June 3 to Aug. 2, LAC’s Summer ArtCamp
creativity with its exciting $300 donation. Every offers children aged 5 to 11 an immersive artistic experience.
summer camp and the contribution supports a Each week of camp features exciting themes like “Surfin’
enchanting “Stitching scholarship for a child Safari” and “Space Odyssey,” providing participants
Spectacular” exhibition. to attend a week of with opportunities to explore various art forms, including
Running through LAC’s ArtCamp. drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture.
Aug. 2, the Stitching Princess Pinecone For older aspiring artists, LAC offers dynamic one-
Spectacular exhibition and the Wee Royals was day workshops for teens aged 12 to 16, priced at $136.
at LAC features the born from the bedtime These workshops delve into fused glass, jewelry making,
exquisite textile art of Irem Yazici. It brings scenes to stories Bernstein’s recycled collage techniques and more, empowering teens
life from the beloved children’s book Princess Pinecone mother shared with her. The book centers on the to unleash their creativity and develop new skills.
and the Wee Royals by C.C. Bernstein. Each intricately adventures of Princess Pinecone and her miniature For more information about Lighthouse ArtCenter’s
stitched piece vividly captures the imagination, portraying companions and carries messages of empathy, forgiveness summer offerings and the Stitching Spectacular
the adventures of Princess Pinecone and her tiny friends. and kindness. exhibition, visit lighthousearts.org.
In addition to Yazici’s artwork, the exhibition showcases The mastermind behind the enchanting stitchings,
eight collaborative textile yarn upcycle projects crafted Irem Yazici, hails from Eskisehir, Turkey. A self-taught
Northern Notes

Alligators And Rattlesnakes why it is crucial for residents to stay high up on the banks or

And Their Importance In sidewalks, be aware of their surroundings, teach children to
stay clear of the lakes and keep all dogs on a leash, promoting
Preserves a harmonious coexistence with these fascinating creatures.
Like alligators, snakes, including rattlesnakes, are essential
By Katie Roundtree, to our ecosystem. They help control small mammal populations
Director of Finance and such as mice, rats and rabbits. Rattlesnakes can also help disperse
Administration, Northern seeds because their digestive systems don’t have the enzymes
Palm Beach County to break down certain foods. Seeds can germinate while still
Improvement District in their digestive system. Rattlesnakes may travel eight to 10
Northern’s preserve areas miles before passing the seeds through their system. The Eastern
are designed to preserve and diamondback rattlesnake is a native snake in decline in much of
conserve native ecosystems, its native range and could soon see federal protections under the
and the American alligator game fish such as bass and bream. They also prey on invasive Endangered Species Act. They pose little threat to humans as
and the Eastern diamondback species, helping the native species survive. As alligators move they are typically not aggressive unless threatened or in danger.
rattlesnake are essential from gator holes to nesting mounds, they help keep areas As conservationists, we know all species are connected and
members of that community. of open water free of invading vegetation. Without these equally valuable to a healthy ecosystem. Our job is to preserve
The American alligator, North America’s largest reptile, ecosystem services, freshwater ponds and shrubs and trees as many species as possible and develop a sense of shared
has no natural predators except humans. This species has would fill in coastal wetlands in the alligator’s habitat, and responsibility to keep this planet at least the same, if not better
been around for about 200 million years and has adapted to dozens of species would disappear. than it was left to us.
numerous changes in the Earth’s environmental conditions. Contrary to popular belief, alligators are less aggressive NPDES tip: Please pick up after your pet. When pet waste is
Their existence was threatened when hunters began killing than many other species of crocodilians. They have a washed into lakes or canals the waste decays, using up oxygen
large numbers of these animals for their exotic meat and surprisingly well-developed ability to remember things like and sometimes releasing ammonia. Low oxygen levels and
their supple belly skin, used to make shoes, belts and sources of food. If they see movement in the water, they will ammonia combined with warm temperatures can kill fish. Pet
pocketbooks. Other people considered alligators to be useless approach the source simply because they are curious. They waste also contains nutrients that encourage weed and algae
and dangerous and hunted them for sport or out of hatred. pose little threat to humans as they are typically not aggressive growth. Overly fertile water becomes cloudy and green –
Between 1950 and 1960, hunters wiped out 90 percent of unless they feel threatened or are in danger. It’s important unattractive for boating and fishing. Perhaps most importantly,
the alligators in Louisiana, and by the 1960s, the alligator to respect their space and understand their behavior. This is pet waste carries diseases which make water unsafe.
population in the Florida Everglades was also near extinction.

“Who will clean

up the mess if

you don’t draft

Alligators are not just members of their ecosystems
but keystone species that play a unique and crucial role. A a Will?”
keystone species is an organism that helps define an entire
ecosystem. Without its keystone species, the ecosystem
would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether.
Alligators, with their deep depressions, or gator holes, that
collect fresh water during dry spells, serve as refuges for
aquatic life, and supply fresh water and food for many
animals when water is scarce, are a prime example of this.
Their large nesting mounds provide nesting and feeding sites
for herons and egrets. Alligators also eat large numbers of
gar (a predatory fish) and thus help maintain populations of

ESTATE & BUSINESS PLANNING
PROBATE, GUARDIANSHIP & TRUST ADMINISTRATION
PROBATE & GUARDIANSHIP FOR PERSONAL INJURY FIRMS
FAMILY LAW • REAL ESTATE
Evening and Saturday Appointments Available
RiverPlace Professional Center
1003 W. Indiantown Road - Suite 210 • Jupiter, FL 33458-6851