Celebrate Freedom, Culture, And Community At The City Of Hollywood Juneteenth Celebration South Florida Sun Times Jun 11, 2025 The City Of Hollywood Invites Residents And Visitors To Come Together For An Afternoon Of Unity, Education, And Entertainment At The Annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 14th. The Free Event Will Take Place From 3:00 p.m. To 7:00 p.m. At The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, Located At 2400 Charleston Street, Hollywood, Florida 33020. The celebration kicks off at 3:00 p.m. with a Financial Literacy Workshop presented by the African American Advisory Committee. This informative session is designed to empower attendees with valuable knowledge and tools for building financial wellness. Festivities continue throughout the afternoon with live music, cultural performances, and community engagement. A high-energy transition to the main stage begins at 4:00 p.m., followed by an appearance from the Mocko Jumbie Junkanoo Band, featuring drummers and stilt walkers. At 4:30 p.m., a local artist will perform live, setting the tone for an evening filled with rhythm and celebration. The Mocko Jumbie performers are scheduled to return at 5:15 p.m., leading to remarks from the Mayor and City Commissioners at 5:30 p.m. The event concludes with a headline performance by the Derek Mac Band from 5:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend this vibrant community event. Please note that the schedule is subject to change. For more information, visit: www.hollywoodfl.org . Previous Next

A Better Hallandale Beach - Shared Responsibility Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper Apr 3, 2025 Join In The Fun This Saturday, April 5th, 2025 For The One City At A Time: A Memorial Healthcare Community Impact Initiative Presents The 2nd Annual One Hallandale Family Fun Field Day, At OB Johnson Park, 1000 Northwest 8th Avenue, Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009. The Event Is Hosted By Our Very Own Hallandale Beach PAL And Is A Part Of PAL’s Healthy Futures Initiative, Empowering Youth For A Lifetime Of Healthy Futures. General Admission, Activities And Entry For A Chance To Win Raffle Prizes Are FREE. Register At: www.hallandalebeachpal.com The event is filled with fun for the entire family: a BSO Fire Helicopter landing, bounce houses, entertainment, activities, Flag Football Tournament-Hallandale Beach Police vs. PAL Coaches, a Resource Fair, Home Depot Tree giveaways, a Health Fair, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Emergency fleet display, Smatt Tennis Academy and Sloane Stephens Foundation Tennis & Pickleball Demos and so much more. General admission includes a free snack pack for the first 1,000 attendees and free entry for a chance to win a raffle prize. Free Ice Cream and Italian Icees by Tycoon Party, Samples from Chick-fil-A and Los Verdes. Raffle prizes include brand new flat screen TVs, gift cards to Home Depot, IHop, Denny’s, Chick-fil-A, Marshalls, Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Sierra and more. You must register to be entered into the raffle and be present to win. Last week, I had an opportunity to be in our city at a Mayor’s Forum hosted by The Realtors. It is always a great chance to highlight our city and update the Broward County real estate industry on city issues. I had the chance to answer a few questions about affordable housing and homeownership. A representative that services mortgages inquired about how we can better help residents afford a mortgage. Our CRA has many programs to support home ownership. Down payment assistance, Neighborhood Improvement grants, emergency rental assistance and even senior assistant programs. While we have many programs to help our residents, my response included that all clients need to understand home ownership is simply not about a mortgage but the financial stability of the applicant. During the 2008 bubble many applicants were given mortgages that truly could not afford a home. This led to the crisis of 2008. I sat on the Hallandale Beach Housing Board back then and had to tell many applicants even though you are approved your income does not work. All property owners’ single-family, multi-family or condominium have the shared responsibility of maintaining their property. If they are not keeping it in shape they will end up in Code Enforcement. Our city continues to work hard to address many issues, but we cannot do everything. Private property is just that, private. There are shared responsibilities. Property owners must maintain not simply their building but all land including their swales. We do not cut trees nor pick up debris and illegal dumping. The complaint I often get is “It is your swale not mine.” Main corridors like Hallandale Beach Boulevard, Ocean Drive, US1 and the FEC corridors are not owned by the City. We have an interlocal agreement to keep landscaping and in some cases parking with the agencies that do. In all other cases, owners must keep clean and support sidewalks and swales. Another big expense residents are not prepared for is the fact water, sewer and drainage beyond the meter, interconnections and in parking lots are the responsibility of the property owner. If you have a broken line on your property, you must fix it. These types of breaks can cost thousands of dollars. We as a city will not go on to property and fix them. Many single-family owners are not aware that there is Service Line Insurance. There are multiple companies that provide insurance. For years, our city has partnered with the National League of Cities and their Service Line Insurance Program. This program will repair lines that break. The one thing that they will not do is ensure breaks under homes that require extensive repairs to foundations. This would be your homeowner’s insurance. In addition to line repair, the Service Line Insurance offers to reimburse 2500 towards water bills from leaks in your home. A simple break in a pipe can cost hundreds of dollars in bills that must be paid by the owner. In December, I asked that we invite the NLC Representative to provide a presentation to our commission to develop awareness of the earth program and its benefits presentation. As a city, we know many of our city pipes are well over 40 years old. This means many homes have aging pipes. In the State of Florida property owners are not aware that they must now have those pipes inspected and cleaned. I have great concern about the added cost burden this will have on our already struggling families. This program or another that can help offset these types of unexpected costs is the goal. You can sign up for this program through: https://partnerships.homeserve.com/water-solutions/water-leak-solution-2/ - Through the partnership the fee is under ten dollars and will be added to your monthly water bill. Please, for more information, visit their site or call: 1 (866) 974-4801. As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our City a better place on my Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org . Please visit me on my Facebook page at Mayor Joy Cooper. Like! Follow! And share! Previous Next

Aventura Police Slingshot Reveal April 7, 2023 Share The Aventura Police Department provides a variety of community programs focused on crime and drug prevention, emergency preparedness, community safety and involvement. The Department has a long history of professionalism and community involvement. In fact, back in 2000, the Aventura Police Department became the youngest agency to ever receive accreditation status through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA). The accreditation means the Police Department has been recognized by an independent organization composed of representatives of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Sheriff’s Association, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the Police Executive Research Forum and has complied with over four hundred standards that have been established as benchmarks of excellence. Accreditation is a coveted award that symbolizes professionalism, excellence and competence. Even with all the success the Department has achieved since its inception, one of the most shining achievements the Department partakes in is outreach. From the DARE Program, Red Ribbon Week, National Night Out and the Aventura Safe Kids program. The Aventura Police Department is truly a community oriented department. In fact here are some of their outreach initiatives: • Community Patrol Officers volunteer to take on additional duties to assist persons with non-crime related matters. • The Department has been trained in bike patrol methods and tactics and they patrol various areas of the City on bicycles. • The City of Aventura works in partnership with the Miami-Dade Office of Emergency Management to help prepare the community for large-scale emergency events, which may impact police services and the availability of resources for a prolonged period of time. • Officers work in conjunction with the City of Aventura Code Compliance Division to respond to community issues. Many times community outreach is done for specific events but that's all changing with the latest reveal. Now the Department is taking outreach to the next level and are proud to present their newest community policing and recruitment initiative, The Aventura Police Slingshot. Their new Slingshot vehicle will help spotlight what the City of Aventura has to offer its residents and the South Florida community. In addition it assists in building bonds through partnerships, engagement and outreach. Check out their latest community policing initiative, The Slingshot on YouTube: http://ow.ly/lfuA50Ncstm < Previous News Next News >

Piano Men: Generations: A Harmonious Tribute To Timeless Legends Fri Jan 26 2024 17:14:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Kassandra Timothe, MPA, Appointed As Vice Mayor Of North Miami February 13, 2025 Share The City of North Miami proudly announces the appointment of Councilwoman Kassandra Timothe, MPA, District 2, as Vice Mayor. This appointment was made during the Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 28th. A lifelong resident of North Miami, Timothe has been a steadfast advocate for community empowerment, economic development, and innovative government initiatives. She was elected to represent District 2 in 2021 and has since spearheaded various programs focusing on small business support, youth engagement, and Infrastructure improvements. With a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and a background in strategic communications, Timothe has an extensive career in both the public and private sectors. Before her election to the North Miami City Council, she served as the City’s Public Information Officer, where she played a pivotal role in strengthening community relations and increasing government transparency. Her leadership extends beyond the City as she actively collaborates with regional organizations to drive sustainable development and enhance public resources. As Vice Mayor, Timothe aims to continue championing initiatives that uplift North Miami’s diverse population, improve City services, and promote civic engagement. Her unwavering dedication to the residents of District 2 and the broader North Miami community remains at the heart of her leadership. “I am honored and humbled to step into this role as Vice Mayor,” said Timothe. “My commitment to the people of North Miami remains stronger than ever, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues and community members to create meaningful progress for our City.” For more information about Vice Mayor Kassandra Timothe and her initiatives, please visit: www.NorthMiamiFL.gov/D2 - Or contact the Office of Mayor and Council at: (305) 895-9818. < Previous News Next News >

Summer Arts Camp: Hollywood Has A Camp For Every Type of Art-Loving Kid May 26, 2022 Share The Art and Culture Center/Hollywood has been busy creating their Summer Arts Camps for every type of art-loving kid. For those beginning their lifelong love of the arts, they offer their newest camp: Artistic Adventurers which will introduce Campers ages 5 and 6 to the Wide World Of Art through play in Music, Movement, Artmaking and so much more. The 7–10 year olds then have their pick to focus on Visual and/or Performing Arts in the returning Young Artists + Young Actors camp. Starting at age 9, Campers can take center stage in the 4-week long Broadway Actors camp devoted to staging a full-length production of a musical in our 500-seat theater! Offered in both half and full-day sessions, this two-week Camp connects 5 and 6-year-olds to the World Of Art through something we know they relate to: play! Campers will spend their Camp Days immersed in Project-Based Art Experiences such as Papier-Mâché and in Drama and Movement Games while learning how to better communicate and work together. Campers will be able to gain experience in both the Visual and Performing Arts while exploring what interests them most. At the end of each two-week session, Campers will perform in a “Sharing Showcase,” in the Arts School backyard, where they will get to present and share something they’ve created for friends and family. Families may choose half or full-day, two-week sessions. Campers staying all day must bring a non-perishable bag lunch, refillable water bottle and two snacks. Choose the morning and/or afternoon session when registering from the program. Enrollment Fees for each two-week session are $325 for Members and $350 for Non-Member Campers attending a half-day, or $425 for Members and $450 for Non-Member Campers attending the full-day. Session 1: June 20th – July 1st - Fables and Fairytales Session 2: July 5th – July 15th - Creative Critters (No Camp Monday, July 4th) Session 3: July 18th – July 29th - Seas-the-Day Session 4: August 1st – August 12th - Fin-tastic Voyage Young Artists and Young Actors The Camp for 7 through 10-year-olds allows Campers to narrow their focus by choosing either Visual or Performing Arts in the half-day sessions or to continue to grow their connection to both at the full-day camp. Each two-week session follows a particular theme and culminates in a sharing opportunity for friends and family. Young Artists 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon: Students enrolled in Young Artists explore Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media, Printmaking, Clay and much more. Each session uses these various mediums to explore a different theme and culminates with an exhibition sharing in the Center’s Community Gallery. Young Actors 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 pm: Using Drama, Improvisation, Storytelling, Music and Movement, Campers explore various themes and gain technique and Public-Speaking Skills. Each session culminates in a performance for friends and family at ArtsPark. Families may choose a half or a full-day of two-week sessions. Campers staying all day must bring a non-perishable bag lunch, refillable water bottle and two snacks. Choose the morning (Art) and/or afternoon session (Acting) when registering. Fees for each two-week session are $325 for Members and $350 for Non-Member Campers attending a half-day or $425 for Members and $450 for Non-Member Campers attending a full-day. Session 1: June 20th – July 1st - Fable-ous Fantasies Session 2: July 5th – July 15th - Marvelous Mythic Monsters (No Camp Monday, July 4th) Session 3: July 18th – July 29th - Enchanted Seas Session 4: August 1st – August 12th - Ocean Explorations Broadway Actors: The Broadway Full-Day Camp lets Campers experience first-hand the process of staging a full-scale “Broadway Junior” Production while forming friendships and building teamwork skills along the way. Campers will go through the entire process from audition to curtain bow while gaining technique and experience. This exciting journey culminates in two evening “Junior Broadway” Productions at the 500-seat Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center. (Each Camper receives two free tickets for family and friends.) The cost for this Camp is $800 Members/$850 Non-Members, per session. Due to the ensemble format of this program and the heightened expectations of the final performances, participants must meet minimum attendance requirements and commit to dress and tech rehearsals, as well as the final performance. Session 1: June 20th – July 15th, shows on July 15th and July 16th (No Camp Monday, July 4th) Show: James and the Giant Peach JR. Join James and his insect friends in this adventurous, musical "MasterPeach" tale about courage and self discovery. Based on one of Roald Dahl’s most poignantly quirky stories, the friends face all kinds of challenges as they journey in a tremendous stone fruit to the Big Apple, itself: New York City. Session 2: July 19th – August 12th, shows on August 12th and August 13th (No Camp Monday, July 18th) Show: Disney’s The Little Mermaid, JR. Journey "Under The Sea" with Ariel and her aquatic friends in Disney's The Little Mermaid JR., adapted from Disney's Broadway Production and the Motion Picture. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories, Disney's The Little Mermaid JR. is an enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance. The Art and Culture Center Arts Education Programs for children and teens inspire creativity; strengthen the family bond and grow awareness of the arts as an essential resource in a child’s social development and academic success. Research shows that children who participate regularly in the arts improve their attention span, learn more quickly, develop higher level critical thinking skills and that play can help resiliency. They also have loads and loads of fun! For more information or to register for any of the Summer Arts Camp Programs, visit: https://form.jotform.com/220455097454155 Or call: (954) 921-3274. < Previous News Next News >

My Son The Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy & Still Not Famous Thu Mar 09 2023 17:03:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Keller’s Korner - Jewish In Olympic Hockey: 1936 & 2026 By Neil Keller Mar 16, 2026 Welcome To Keller’s Korner. When Jack Hughes Slapped The Overtime Goal Into The Net That Lifted The Usa Men’s Hockey Team To Olympic Gold, My Mind Went To Another Jewish Hockey Hero. Ninety years earlier, Rudi Ball stood at the center of a very different Olympic drama. He was the only Jewish athlete to compete for Germany at the 1936 winter Olympic Games, where his performance represented a remarkable and little known act of Jewish resilience under the thumb of the Nazi regime. As a collector of Jewish sports memorabilia, I happen to own three of the very few surviving Rudi Ball 1933 German cigarette trading cards as Hitler wanted to burn things of Jews. I also happen to live in South Florida, where the U.S. men’s team traveled to celebrate their win in Milan. I wanted to share the story of Rudi Ball with Jack Hughes and his brother Quinn, as well as a third Jewish player on the national team, Jeremy Swayman. It’s not my typical milieu, but I made my way on Monday to the nightclub E11even Miami with two Ball cards in hand. There, I got a chance to tell Jack Hughes about the most important Jewish hockey player before him. I told him I had emailed his Jewish mother, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, in the past as she herself is a hockey Olympian. Rudi Ball is a name most fans today have never heard, yet he was one of Germany’s brightest hockey talents before Hitler took power in 1933. Like the Hughes brothers today, Rudi came from a hockey family — he and his two brothers all played the sport. He starred for Germany at the 1932 Olympics, scoring three goals and helping the team win a bronze medal. At a time of rising antisemitism, his success brought pride to German Jews. But when the 1936 Winter Olympics were awarded to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Hitler’s hatred of Jews was already well known. The German Olympic Committee did not want Rudi on the team because of his Jewish heritage (his father was Jewish). His Christian teammates were outraged. According to my research, Gustav Jaenecke and two others confronted German officials and delivered an ultimatum: “If Rudi doesn’t play, we don’t play.” Hitler relented. Rudi agreed to perform the Nazi salute at the Games — a painful compromise — in exchange for safe passage out of Germany for his family. They fled to South Africa. Rudi was injured during the Olympic games, and Germany finished fifth, but his presence on that ice remains one of the most remarkable and little‑known acts of Jewish resilience in sports history. It also had a cruel postscript: Rudi was obligated to continue playing for a Berlin team throughout the war, meaning that he was one of a very few Jews to survive the Holocaust on German soil, maintaining his freedom but watching his community be annihilated. Still, after the war, his brother Gerhard, also a talented hockey player, returned to Germany where the pair played together for several years before relocating permanently to South Africa. Ninety years later, the world is again experiencing a surge in antisemitism. And again, a pair of hockey-playing Jewish brothers are in the spotlight. But things are different this time. For one thing, Jewish representation in the Olympics is stronger. Back in 1936, the U.S. Olympic committee chairman was a Nazi sympathizer who boasted about how few Jews were on the national delegation. This time, dozens of Jews competed in Milan, including three on the men’s hockey team and more than a dozen on the Israeli team. What’s more, the brothers who took the ice say antisemitism hasn’t been part of their life. When I asked whether he or his brothers had ever experienced discrimination because of being Jewish, Jack answered simply: “No, we have not.” All three brothers had bar mitzvahs and are proud of their Jewish identity, which comes from their mother, who served as a player development coach for this year’s gold medal-winning women’s hockey team. Ellen Weinberg-Hughes said, “It all seems surreal. I could not be prouder of both the men and women’s teams.” She added, “I did not like Jack being hit in the mouth but [was] thrilled with the goal.” I showed Jack two rare 1933 German hockey cigarette cards of Rudi Ball, and we posed for a photo holding them together. To me, it was a most meaningful encounter: Rudi Ball fought simply to stand on the ice. Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes, and Jeremy Swayman stood tall on the ice and won gold for their country. Both moments, separated by 90 years, remind us how powerful Jewish pride in sports can be. Neil Keller is a Jewish historian. Visit: www.NeilKeller.com to learn who is Jewish. Neil Keller with Jack Hughes (Photo credit to Jeff Friedman) The two 1933 German cigarette cards that we are holding. A 2023 Topps card of 3 Hughes brothers. Previous Next

New Children’s Book HOLIDAYS ALL YEAR with POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance Engages South Florida Communities with Cultural Diversity, Inclusion and Celebration Fri Mar 22 2024 16:13:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Historic Gathering Place: The Sad Death Of Our Landmark Banyan Tree By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper April 18, 2024 Share Just this past Thursday we received news that the majestic Banyan tree located at the northwest corner of BF James Park is dying from an incurable disease. We have many parks and a variety of trees throughout the City. This particular tree is in the Banyan tree family of which there are many species. It is unique as they are native to India and sadly there are few of them still standing. Like any living organism they can have varied lifespans. Our City Manager, Dr. Jeremy Earle who in addition to having his Doctorate in Public Administration is a Certified Landscape Architect. He is deeply knowledgeable and shares a passion for the value of trees and nature. He spent time with me and other community stakeholders on Friday out at the tree. He summed it up perfectly by explaining trees are living just like humans. They can live many years. Some die early and some can live over 100. There are the outliers. Like humans they are subject to old age environmental impacts, natural disasters and yes, illness. We are not certain about how old the tree actually is but with the research I have been pouring over many of the trees along the FEC corridor were brought by settlers and travelers and planted back in the early late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The one in Deerfield is known to be over 100 years old. As a City we have strived to not only preserve every tree but have set out to add to our tree canopy. We have decided that a Full- Time Certified Tree Arborist on Staff is required in order to preserve all our trees. Joe Tollis’s expert training allows him to see in trees what we as lay people would not even notice. He observed that the tree was in distress. After thoroughly examining and evaluating the conditions and changes in the canopy, limbs and trunk that had taken place he concluded it was deceased with Hypoxylon Canker. In Banyan Trees, unlike Oaks, Aspens and other varieties that can be saved with treatment, sadly it is not curable in this species. Just like any good Diagnostician, he wanted to get a second opinion to verify his findings. The City Manager agreed, and we hired another State Certified Arborist. Kenneth Knight of BTS Land Services. He went out and did a thorough examination and concurred with the original findings. His findings documented that within two years the tree would be dead. In addition, he shared the tree hazard rating as extremely high and risk of falling imminent even under normal weather conditions. (If you would like a copy of the report please email me). With the report we are now obligated to remove the tree since it poses an imminent threat to life safety. The tree is situated right along the sidewalk at the corner of the park with many limbs hanging over it. The rest of the tree overhangs open space where children and visitors can walk and sit. Currently the tree area, sidewalks and some parking spots around the tree are closed off. All of us were shocked and saddened. I, like many, were profoundly upset and dismayed. I had many questions and actually spent time speaking with the arborist. I share the same questions many of our residents have been asking since the news. While I am upset I stand by the information and decision. I also have spoken to other individuals that work in the landscape industry and they all agree. Biggest question has been why now? This type of disease is internal. It can progress within a short time frame. Just like Cancer the prognosis can be months or years. Over the years damaged spots make it more vulnerable. Why cut it down? Why not trim? Trimming the tree will create further instability. It will not stop the disease’s progression. The proximity to sidewalks and roadways makes it impossible to simply barricade it off and let it die a natural death. As of the writing of this article, the City was already looking to contract with a tree removal service. The next questions are what will happen after removal? Dialogues that have occurred with some community members include the possibility of saving parts of the tree and repurposing it. Creating a plaque with some history and taking oral testimonies about life experiences surrounding the significance of the tree and the role it has played in their lives. We want these ideas to come from the community and be supported by the community. We know it has become a significant part of the fabric of our history and has touched the lives of many who have grown up here. I will continue to keep everyone posted, as always. As always, please feel free to contact me with your questions, concerns and ideas to make our City better! I can be reached at: jcooper@cohb.org . Or: joycooper@aol.com . Or Facebook: Mayor Joy Cooper. You can always call my Office number at: (954) 457-1318. Or Call/Text me at: (954) 632-5700. Working for you! Always have! Always will! < Previous News Next News >

The New FPL EV Expressway: Drivers Can Take An Electrified Holiday Road Trip Thu Dec 15 2022 17:05:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Tax Day Is Coming: Protect Your Identity And Refund From Online Scammers Thu Apr 11 2024 16:02:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)