Page 14 - Boca ViewPointe - March '25

Page 14, Viewpointe March 2025
Boca Raton Public Library Presents

The Art Exhibit, “Beauty Of Life” By Connie Chao

March 3 To April 11

In celebration of Youth Art Month in March, the Boca
Raton Public Library presents a new art exhibit, “Beauty
of Life,” by Connie Chao. Miss Chao is a 16-year-old artist
who aims to transform her personal journey of resilience
into a mission of hope and beauty. Born with a heart defect,
she faced significant challenges early in life. However,
thanks to the compassionate care of hospitals like Joe
DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, she was given a chance
to see and embrace the “beauty of life.” As a heartfelt
tribute to the lifesaving efforts of medical professionals
and a call to action she has used her art to raise funds for
hospitals, ensuring that they can continue to help others
see the beauty in life. In her art, she aims to “capture the
inspiring harmony of nature, reminding viewers of life’s
preciousness and potential.”
Chao says, “As an artist, I view the world as a vibrant
canvas where every moment and element of nature tells a
story. The beauty of life, with its constant transformations,
is what inspires me the most. My fascination lies in the
interconnectedness between humans and nature and how
we are not separate from it, but a part of its ever-evolving
tapestry. With the use of bright colors, I want to capture
what I see and what I am a part of.” “Beauty of Life,” a free exhibit, will run from March The Boca Raton Public Library provides outstanding
3 to April 11 in the second-floor art gallery at the Spanish library services, resources, and programs that meet the
River Library location, 1501 N.W. Spanish River Blvd., educational, recreational, cultural, and informational needs
Boca Raton, FL 33431, during regular library hours. of the Boca Raton community. 
The Evolving Legacy Of Family Dinners

By Ilene Brookler For their generation, this is the new normal. What we When the phones inevitably reappear, I remind myself
see as a barrier to connection, they see as a bridge. They that connection, in any form, is what matters. While the
Growing up, my family are sharing their lives in real-time, albeit in a way that feels world has changed dramatically since the days of push-
made it a priority to eat dinner foreign to those of us who grew up passing notes in class or button phones and analog TV, the fundamental need for
together every night. We calling friends on push-button phones. Their devices are not connection remains the same. Whether it is through a
waited until everyone came just screens but extensions of themselves, tools for expression deep conversation about values, a shared laugh over a
home from their activities— and interaction. Technology, for all its faults, offers them a way viral video, or a heartfelt story about someone’s day,
typically tennis—and ate to stay connected, even if it does not look the way we expect. the goal is the same: to be present with each other, to
around 7 p.m. We learned Still, I cannot help but feel a sense of loss—the value listen, to learn, and to grow together. And perhaps that
to switch off the TV and sit of unplugged moments, of being fully present with the is the true legacy of the family dinner—not the absence
down together. We usually people in front of them. There is something irreplaceable of distractions, but the presence of love and connection,
finished dinner in time for me about looking someone in the eye, hearing the tone of their however it is expressed.
to do my homework while watching classic shows like The voice, and sharing a moment that does not involve a screen.
Facts of Life, Diff’rent Strokes, Eight Is Enough, or Little These are the moments I want to preserve for my family. So, Ilene Brookler, a Boca Pointe resident and Columbia
House on the Prairie. When I went away to college, I missed we compromise. For 15 or 20 minutes of dinner, we share Law School graduate, brings over 30 years of litigation
those nightly family dinners. highlights from our day without phones. This way, we foster experience to her role as a certified mediator. She founded
With my own family, we have continued the tradition connection and draw everyone into the same conversation. Family First Divorce Mediation Services with the goal of
of nightly family dinners. But like so many families, we Studies have shown that families who eat together experience helping families navigate divorce quickly and affordably.
face an unexpected dinner guest—the smartphone. My son, improved communication and better academic performance She can be reached at info@familyfirstmediate.com. For
ever the sports enthusiast, is perpetually checking scores or in their children. more information, visit www.familyfirstmediate.com. 
analyzing player statistics. Meanwhile, my daughter scrolls
through Instagram, bookmarking recipes she will likely never
make but finds inspiring nonetheless. The pull of technology
is strong, but to my kids, these devices are not distractions;
they are tools for connection and entertainment.
Take, for example, a recent dinner with close family friends.
My husband and I sat across from our friends, immersed in
a lively discussion about religious views and values. The Operating as
exchange was stimulating and thought-provoking, a reminder
of how much we cherish face-to-face conversation. Meanwhile,
our children sat at the other end of the table, each absorbed in
their phones. At first glance, it appeared they were worlds apart
from one another. But as the evening progressed, it became
clear they were, in fact, communicating. Through memes,
shared videos, and google searches, they were engaged in Complimentary first office visit
their own version of a group chat, their laughter and animated
reactions punctuating the meal. AND

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