Enjoy the Florida Wilderness at Village Park in Wellington

Many Wellington residents come to Village Park with a particular activity in mind: a stroll through the Peaceful Waters nature preserve. A boardwalk winds throughout the preserve, a pretty typical feature for the area. The thing that really stands out about Village Park's nature walk is that you're free to stray from the boardwalk if you like. Various dirt paths branch off from the boardwalk, allowing guests to explore the foliage and waters up close.

For those who are more interested in heavier exercise, Village Park also plays host to many athletic spaces. There are five soccer fields and four football fields, four baseball or softball diamonds and two hockey rinks, and many multipurpose rooms for open play. Set up a picnic in one of the pavilions or grab some food at the concession stands (there are five) before or after you compete with friends.

Village Park
11700 Pierson Road
Wellington, FL 33414
(561) 791-4005
www.wellingtonfl.gov/community/parks-and-recreation/parks-a-rental-facilities/village-park.html
www.yelp.com/biz/village-park-wellington

Poutine Dog Cafe: Enjoy This Classic Canadian Dish in South Florida

Get a taste of a distinctive Canadian cuisine dish just a short drive from Savannah Lakes at the Poutine Dog Cafe! A Canadian comfort food staple, poutine consists of hand-cut French fries, covered with delicious cheese and gravy. If you've never had it, it’s a taste worth trying at least once!

At Lake Worth's Poutine Dog Cafe, you can also add any number of different toppings to make your poutine unique. The word “dog” is in the name because Poutine Dog also serves delicious hot dogs, along with house-made burgers and sandwiches. The charming ambiance makes the meal complete, with a cool old counter and comfortable booth seating. The folks that work there are helpful and quite friendly. But if you can’t stay for lunch or dinner, everything on the menu can be ordered to to go.

Poutine Dog Cafe
17 South J Street
Lake Worth, FL 33460
(561) 766-2281
http://www.yelp.com/biz/poutine-dog-cafe-lake-worth

Oli’s Fashion Cuisine: Upscale Fare Inspired by Wellington’s Agricultural History

Long before Oli's Fashion Cuisine had even been conceived by co-founders Juan Gando and Dustin Parfitt (also the head chef), Wellington wasn't a town. It was essentially a massive strawberry patch called Flying Cow Ranch. That is, until New York accountant Charles Oliver Wellington bought 18,000 acres of the farm, what would become his namesake Wellington.

The owners of Oli's Fashion Cuisine also took their restaurant's name from Wellington's founder. They pay homage to the area's rich agricultural history by sourcing their ingredients locally—without sacrificing the high quality of Chef Dustin's so-called "fashion cuisine." He and Gando define fashion cuisine as a modern atmosphere as much as a style of fare, so you can expect both a contemporary setting and menu at Oli's. Regulars strongly suggest that you try the tuna tacos, the hearty beer cheese soup, and the buttermilk chicken.

Oli's Fashion Cuisine
10610 W. Forest Hill Boulevard
Wellington, FL 33414
(561) 792-2220
olisfashioncuisine.com
www.yelp.com/biz/olis-fashion-cuisine-wellington

Six Amazing Animal Facts

You know the difference between mammals and reptiles, amphibians and fish, but we bet they didn't teach you these fun facts in biology class:

1. Just like the human fingerprint, every cat's nose sports a ridged pattern that's unique only to them. The same can be said for the pattern on a dog's nose.

2. A hummingbird's wings can flap up to 80 times per second. The tiny bird is the only bird with the ability to fly backwards.

3. Killer whales (a.k.a. orcas) aren't whales; they're actually dolphins. The largest member of the dolphin family, killer whales have no known predators. They're even higher on the food chain than the great white shark, which orcas are known to hunt and eat.

4. Polar bears have black skin.

5. Only female mosquitoes bite. The itchiness that results from the bite is your immune system's reaction to the insect's saliva. The more you scratch, the more your system goes into overdrive, so hands off that bite!

6. Owls have a reputation for being wise, but this predatory bird is actually quite dumb. Owls are known to be difficult to train, as the bird is only wired to hunt rodents—and that's about it.

25 Amazing Facts You Didn’t Know About Animals [List 25]
27 Animal Facts That Will Brighten Your Day [Buzzfeed]
Top 10 Crazy Animal Facts You Don’t Know [Listverse]
Animal Facts [Science Kids]
10 Amazing Facts About Animals [TIFO]

Head Out to Sea with the Spanish River Paddle Company

Take to the seas for a day of fun with the Spanish River Paddle Company. This eco-tour company is “passionate about the ocean and coastal areas” of South Florida, and hosts a variety of tours to help you share in that love.

Choose from tour options ranging from eco tours and sunrise tours to sunset tours and full moon paddles. The Spanish River Paddle Company offers both sit-on-top kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Its knowledgeable guides know not only the history and ecology of South Florida, but also the nuances of working with the forces of the tide and the wind.

Take a shallow water tour of the coastal estuaries and mangrove creeks or head out deeper into the open sea. Tour rates start at $50 per person and typically run for 2.5 hours or more. For experienced kayakers looking to strike out on their own, Spanish River Paddle Company offers half-day rentals for $40 and full-day rentals for $80.

Spanish River Paddle Company
107 E. Palmetto Park Road
Boca Raton, FL 33432
(561) 705-2716
www.bocapaddle.com
www.yelp.com/biz/spanish-river-paddle-company-boca-raton

Kids Match Their Wits Against Machine at Patch Reef Park’s Electronic Playground

You children might be amazed by the electronic playground at Patch Reef Park, and they wouldn't be the first ones. The unique play area draws the attention of many local kids, according to Yelp reviews. It's made up of four games, each incorporating elements of physical and digital play. Watch while your youngsters work together to mimic the patterns of flashing lights at the Space game or let them hone their speed and agility while navigating the spinner in the Swirl game.

The electronic playground is just one part of the children's area at Patch Reef Park, which also includes a pirate-themed playground complete with a massive ship and a water feature that turns on when the weather is warm. Elsewhere in the park, adults can enjoy a fitness trail dotted with exercise equipment, pavilions for picnicking, and an impressive array of athletic fields.

Patch Reef Park
2000 NW 51st Street
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(561) 367-7039
www.patchreefpark.org
www.yelp.com/biz/patch-reef-park-boca-raton

J&J Seafood Bar and Grill: A Seafood Lover’s Dream in Delray Beach

Considered by many to be the best restaurant on Atlantic Avenue and even in Delray Beach, J&J Seafood Bar and Grill is a must for locals. The restaurant's dimly lit, warm atmosphere is simply decorated, allowing diners to focus on the ocean fresh seafood rather than their surroundings. J&J serves freshly shucked oysters, seafood chowder and seafood entrees that include clam linguini, nut rusted snapper and grilled grouper. It also offers plenty of options for diners who don't care much for seafood. Land lovers can choose from burgers and steaks while vegetarians have a number of hearty salads from which to choose. The restaurant is very popular so reservations are highly recommended.

J&J is open for lunch and dinner, Tuesdays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

J&J Seafood Bar and Grill,
634 East Atlantic Avenue
Delray Beach, FL 33483
(561) 272-3390

www.jjseafooddelray.com/default.html
www.yelp.com/biz/j-and-j-raw-bar-delray-beach

No Green Thumb? No Problem! Grow These Houseplants at Savannah Lakes!

Even if you haven’t had the best luck with plants in the past, that’s no reason to give up on having a greenery-filled home. While certain houseplants are very finicky and seem to die as soon as you glance in their direction, others are hearty, resilient and made for people whose thumbs aren't exactly green. Here are just a few.

  1. Succulents. The desert native succulent plant is beloved by many for its very sparse watering schedule. Because it only needs watering once a month or so, this trendy houseplant is perfect for forgetful owners.
  2. Aloe plants. The unique looking aloe plant is another one that doesn’t need much watering (or even much sunlight). Simply give it a bit of water when the soil feels dry to the touch.
  3. Cast-iron plant. There’s a reason this great plant has a name that’s tough as nails: the cast-iron plant can tolerate everything from low light to changes in the atmosphere like a champ.
  4. Snake plant. The high-reaching snake plant (sometimes called mother-in-law’s tongue) not only offers a stylish, impactful look, it can also survive in low light and with sporadic waterings.
  5. Jade plant. This gorgeous plant will live for years without much care at all, eventually growing into a small tree with a large enough pot.

Houseplants for People Who Can't Grow Houseplants [This Old House]
How To Choose the Right Houseplant [Bayer Advanced]
Houseplants for the Forgetful Gardener [Better Homes & Gardens]

See the Sea Turtles at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

In a state as lush and vibrant as Florida, you have ample opportunities to explore the outdoors. One that you shouldn't pass up is the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. Located along North Ocean Boulevard in Boca Raton, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is donations-based ($5 suggested), so it's a good spot to take the whole family without having to splurge.

Head here with your kids to see the ogle the marine aquariums, situated underneath pretty wooden pavilions that still allow for plenty of fresh air flow. Each of the four aquariums showcases greenery and critters from a different habitat in South Florida, such as mangrove forests. You can also take a peek at the sea turtles being rehabbed by the staff at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. While you're at it, learn more about the rehabilitation process. Then take to the Boardwalk Trail for an aerial view of Florida's flora.

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
1801 N. Ocean Boulevard
Boca Raton, FL 33432
(561) 544-8605
www.gumbolimbo.org
www.yelp.com/biz/gumbo-limbo-nature-center-boca-raton

The Cottage: The Place For Food & Fun

The Cottage is the kind of spot that you can count on every day. Located downtown on Luzerne Street across from the Public Library, the Cottage features classic cuisine and local nightlife. The décor of the dining room is subdued and comfortable, with white linens on the table. But if you want to “rough it” a bit more, take a table on the patio. It’s a great spot to people-watch! The breakfast and lunch menus are good, and dinner is served until midnight. There’s even a twilight menu of munchies! And when it’s night, there’s always entertainment. Check out the local bands and DJs, don’t miss the Karaoke Nights, and on Sundays there’s a special fashion show!

The Cottage
522 Lucerne Avenue
Lake Worth, FL 33460
(561) 586-0080
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-cottage-lake-worth

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