Eli's Insights: Eye on Palm Beach in December 2025

Here it is …. drum roll … my first column of hopefully many in Dan’s Papers! It’s December in South Florida which means the usual influx of those comedically named part-time Floridians from up North with the snowbird moniker (full disclosure…I used to be one of these strange, but lovable Dec. to March iconic species, by way of Manhattan, allergic to snow and bone chilling single digit temperatures). Rumor has it that this December may be the quiet before the 2026 storm…New Yorkers flocking to Palm Beach County more than geese…oh those realtors just licking their chops!

About 10 years ago, I was strolling the shops at the Royal Palm Place in Boca and I came across these incredible Fiddler on the Roof and Garden of Eden sculptures outside a place called Studio 22. Inside was the owner himself Yaacov Heller, one of Florida’s top artists and sculpture masters. Humble, friendly and very welcoming, Yaacov stopped painting to have a chat about his brilliant work. In subsequent years, I would stop in to admire much of his whimsical paintings of movie stars and singers including Marilyn Monroe, Sinatra, Connie Francis (a good friend of Yaacov), John Lennon, Elton John, Lady Gaga & many more. Speaking of Marilyn Monroe, Yaacov’s sense of humor is on full display with the Marilyn painting adorned with the subtle gazes of a couple of Kennedys.

Who can forget the iconic “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” serenade by Monroe at Madison Square Garden at the May 19, 1962 gala celebrating JFK’s 45th birthday. Monroe’s sultry rendition and her iconic, tight-fitting dress are infamous, and sadly one of her last public appearances before her death. One of the pieces that really caught my eye is the sculpture of Benjamin Ferencz, the chief prosecutor at the Einsatzgruppen trial, part of the Nuremberg Trials.

Ferencz actually posed for the bust at nearly 100 years old! Yaacov’s sculptures can be seen by the Mizner Park Amphitheater and he built the Garden of Humanity and all the benches with iconic engraved quotes in Royal Palm Plaza. Want a great idea that you will treasure and make you smile every day of the rest of your life? Commission Yaacov to do a portrait of your pet or of a loved one or an entire family photo! By appt. only at his Deerfield Beach studio or Tuesday to Saturday (no appt. necessary) at the Palm Beach Art, Antiques & Design Ctr. in Lake Worth Beach, 954-309-6414, yaacovheller.com.

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting the Sculpture Garden, Museum & historic 100-year-old home housing the works of the late Reuben Hale. It’s now a non-profit called The Artwork of Reuben Hale run by his charming daughter Irma Hale. Reuben was a multi-talented artist who crafted over 1,000+ portraits, abstract expressionist paintings, holography & sculptures. Sculptures adorn the garden and ornate woodwork by Hale accentuate the house. By Appt: 561-833-6522, 2715 S Olive Avenue, W Palm Beach, reubenhale.com. The season is sizzling at Kravis Center for the Performing Arts with a recent staging of the Tony winning musical Kimberly Akimbo.

Upcoming in December: The Nutcracker (Dec. 5-7), Jeremy Piven (Dec. 5-6), Lea Salonga (Dec. 12), David Foster & Katherine McPhee (Dec. 10), Itzhak Perlman (Dec. 21), The Choir of Man (Dec. 22-28), 360 AllStars (Dec. 30), Straight No Chaser (Dec. 31) & more. kravis.org.

Hidden in plain sight in Boca’s Mizner Park is The Studio.

Late Night Catechism (Dec. 6), Comedian Monique Marves (Dec. 20), NYE with Karen Rontowski, the original psychic stand-up (Dec. 31), Peter Lemongello Jr. (Jan. 31), thestudioatmiznerpark.org. Schlep the lawnchairs & blankets to the bonfire for live music at the Lake Worth Beach Bonfires & Night Market where local artisans, crafters, and hand-makers offer holiday shopping. First and third Fridays of the month from 6-9 p.m. thru Feb. Lake Worth Casino Building & Beach Complex, 10 S Ocean Blvd. I have a feeling I will be out and about 32 out of the 31 days in December getting to know all the sights and sounds of Palm Beach County so watch for my January column wrap-up of the 2025 season… bye bye 2025… we hardly knew you!