Annual Epilepsy Walk In Hollywood To Be Held This Weekend - The Walk Is The Largest Local Event That Raises Awareness And Funds For Individuals Living With Epilepsy South Florida Sun Times Apr 1, 2025 Epilepsy Alliance Florida Will Host Its Annual Walk The Talk For Epilepsy In Hollywood On Saturday, April 5th, 2025—The Largest Community Event In The Area That Raises Awareness And Funds For Individuals Living With Epilepsy. The Walk Will Be Held At North Beach Park, Located At 3601 North Ocean Drive, Hollywood, Florida 33019 With A Start Time Of 9:00 a.m. The Hollywood Walk the Talk for Epilepsy, sponsored by UCB, Aquestive, Memorial Neuroscience Institute, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Assertio, Holman Enterprise, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, The Salah Foundation and Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, will feature a two-mile walk and family-friendly entertainment, including a live DJ, face painting and special appearances by Star Wars characters. "Epilepsy makes daily life a difficult journey for many individuals," said Karen Basha Egozi, President and CEO of Epilepsy Alliance Florida. "This event, which unites us as one, highlights the essential support we provide to over 500,000 Floridians affected by Epilepsy and helps to shine a light on the importance of awareness in our local communities." Ten-year-old Mauro Gomez will be honored at the event with Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s Clayton Feig Youth Award, an award commemorating youth who battle seizures and that highlights the important work of those dedicated to removing the stigma associated with Epilepsy. The award was established in memory of Clayton Feig, a young man who demonstrated courage and strength of character while dealing with epilepsy. Complications from Epilepsy claimed Clayton’s life in 1993 when he was just 18-years-old. Diagnosed last year after experiencing nocturnal seizures, seizures that occur during sleep, Mauro has refused to let epilepsy define him. Mauro’s commitment to raising Epilepsy awareness has already taken him to Tallahassee for Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s Capitol Day, where he met with state legislators in February to share his story and emphasize the need for greater resources and funding for those living with Epilepsy. His advocacy extends beyond Florida’s Capitol. He has expressed interest in starting an Epilepsy club at his school to help educate his peers and foster a more supportive environment. Additionally, he and his family are dedicated participants in Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s annual Walk the Talk for Epilepsy in Hollywood. Epilepsy, a neurological disease that one in 26 people will be diagnosed with at some point in their lives, is a diagnosis given when a person experiences two or more seizures that cannot be attributed to another cause. It is a disorder more people live with than Autism, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Cerebral Palsy—combined. In the United States, Florida is the state with the most instances of epilepsy. The Hollywood Walk the Talk for Epilepsy is one of seven walks hosted by Epilepsy Alliance Florida across the state. The other cities where walks will be held are Jacksonville, Gainesville, West Palm Beach, Pensacola, Miami, and Naples. For more information and to register, visit: https://walkthetalkfl.org/ Epilepsy Alliance Florida, established in 1971 as a Not-For-Profit 501 (c)(3), is dedicated to supporting those impacted by Epilepsy by confronting the spectrum of challenges created by seizures. It is a founding member of the Epilepsy Alliance America. Epilepsy Alliance Florida provides numerous services to individuals and families, including advocacy and counseling, education and prevention, direct medical and neuropsychological services, as well as other programs regardless of financial situation or socioeconomic status. For more information, visit: https://epilepsyalliancefl.org/ Previous Next

Abortion & Gun Laws: Have You Been Following What is Taking Place, It Is Abhorrent By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper March 30, 2023 Share State Legislators are in Tallahassee addressing citizen concerns. Are they? If you have been following what is taking place it is abhorrent. After years of lobbying and advocating on all levels of government on common sense gun laws this state seems dedicated to giving every single person the ability to carry a gun without a permit. In 1994 there was actually an “assault weapons ban” passed in Congress after the 1989 Mass Shooting at a school in Stockholm, California. After that there was a Mass Shooting in 1993 at a law firm. The law was passed as a way to regulate weapons of war. It banned the sale of certain automatic assault weapons and more importantly large magazines. The law passed but with a 10 year sunset provision. It allowed those that had these automatic weapons to keep them. In 2004 the ban was not renewed. Last meeting, I sponsored a resolution opposing the new “permit less carry” law and it was adopted unanimously by the Commission. It is simply bizarre even though polls suggest 61% of Floridians are against permit less carry and 76% of Floridians support universal background checks. So why would our Governor and the elected officials support this law? Even our law enforcement is opposed. I have heard all the reasons about gun rights and this law being guised under the name Constitutional Carry. I am here to share that the NRA is real and they spend a ton of money $52 Million Dollars in 2020 alone. Not only do they spend direct, indirect and money through various PAC’s they spend a ton on grassroots opposition research. Back in 2018 the NRA cold called my office to find out if I was running for office. They did not realize I answered my own calls. In the last election in Florida alone they spent $15 Million Dollars. So, when you are hearing it is about their base it may be. I argue it's about the money and the backlash if they do not carry the NRA’s water. We all need to unite and fight this bad legislation. Let us be real. How are our police going to be able to regulate and enforce anything? This law will increase the number of senseless killings and worse accidental shootings. Anyone with a weapon should be trained. This is simple common sense. Another issue is the outright Abortion bans. Yes, 6 weeks is an outright ban. Most women do not even know they are pregnant at 6 weeks. Typically, most find out after 8 and some do not until much later as they cannot afford care. I understand that at this time they have put in the new bill with two exceptions. One for incest and the other for rape. The caveat is that victims need to be documented and before 15 weeks. So here is a reality check. Most sexual assaults go unreported. According to a recent Miami Herald article “Only 310 out of 1,000 are reported.” The FBI reports that incest takes place in 10% percent of families and only 20% percent of those are reported. I have always been a proponent of the three B’s. Stay out of our Beliefs. Stay out of our Bedrooms. Stay out of our Bodies. For 50 years women have had the right to privacy for our own health decisions. Now in the “Free State of Florida,” we are the slaves in our own state. I am thankful there is a lawsuit against the 15-week ban. It is going to be interesting what happens now. Obviously we are all waiting on the supreme court ruling on the 15-week ban. There is also something else in play. If the ruling falls in favor of the state there will be another filing by the ACLU. In 1980, Florida’s Constitution provided “Every natural person has the right to be let alone and free from governmental intrusion into the person's private life.” It was upheld in a 1989 case about parental consent over Abortion. This case will have implications and obviously we are all waiting for the Supreme Court ruling. Even this case is a long shot with the Republican majority sitting on our court. Three were appointed by the Governor. The truth is Abortions will still happen. We want safe, accessible and private health care. I believe we can all agree on that. During 2021 in the State of Florida there were 80,000 Abortions performed. 4,800 of them 6% occurred after 12 weeks. However, most ultrasounds do not take effect for fetal anatomy until 18 weeks so this new band would require two doctors to sign off. Also, there will be a review panel set up, so doctors more than likely will be apprehensive due to threats on their medical license. The commission passed a resolution against this Legislation. One might ask why to weigh in on this type of issue. In my mind this is a public health issue. I cannot imagine a day when a doctor is being arrested for providing care. I also cannot imagine our EMS responding to calls for botched backroom Abortions. It has become partisan due to the fact some want freedom that pertains to their own beliefs. I can respect everyone’s belief but when we force them on everyone, that is Totalitarianism. Ironically, 50% of Catholics support Abortion Rights, 57% percent historically Black Protestant and 67% Protestants and only 36% Evangelical Protestants support. 56% of Floridians support Abortion. So once again who is the state representing. Our “Free State?” One of the fundamental bedrocks of our society is the freedom of privacy. Once we continue to erode that right, what is left? As always, I am available for your questions, concerns and ideas to help make our City a better place. Please feel free to reach out to me at my office: (954) 457-1318. On my Cell/Text at: 954-632-5700. Or email me at: jcooper@cohb.org . < Previous News Next News >

The Budget Process Continues: It Is of Critical Importance to Make Difficult Decisions Now By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper August 12, 2021 Share Last meeting the City Commission passed our updated parking ordinance on first reading. I do want to thank all the residents that share their input and ideas on the ordinances. It was passed 4-0 with some adopted changes. They include a discount for seniors 65 and older, confirmation that handicapped and veterans parking will be free, no change for parking during PAL sporting games and special events. The following is a continuation on the 2021-2022 budget message and five-year fiscal plan that was presented by our city manager. This budget is extremely important to create fiscal stability. As part of the budget development process, preliminary budget projections for the next four fiscal years have been prepared. It was important to include projections through FY2024/2025 (the year after the ARPA subsidy ends), to provide a better picture as to why it is of critical importance to make difficult decisions now, that will affect the next four fiscal years and beyond. Recommended FY2021/2022 Budget The FY2021/2022 Budget reflects an operating budget of $140,467,045. This amount represents an 11.7% increase over the prior year’s budget. When adding the capital projects and adjusting internal service fund transfers; the total FY 21/22 Budget is $147,133,289, which represents a 4.14% increase over the prior year’s budget. The increase in the total budget is primarily attributable to the General Fund. The largest increases in the General Fund include the contract with the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Police/Fire pension costs, Tax Increment Financing payment to the CRA, and capital purchases. Continuous updates will be prepared over the next months and will be discussed with the City Commission at proposed future Budget workshops. Currently, the recommended General Fund budget is out of balance by approximately $3.6 million. This results after a $5.5 million ARPA subsidy, and a $1.7 million in new revenues from proposed programs (i.e. Parking Program, Certificate of Use) are accounted for. Without federal subsidies and new revenue generating programs, the budget shortfall amounts to $10.8 million. FY 2021/2022 Fund Overview The recommended budget shows the following funds using fund balance for recurring expenses: Cemetery and General Fund. Also, the General Fund continues to subsidize the Transportation Fund, with a transfer not to exceed $958,125. Additionally, in the upcoming fiscal year, the Police Training Fund will be subsidized by the General Fund with a transfer not to exceed $40,000. Below is a summary of operating funds impacted with a deficit. City Taxable Value Based on the June 1, 2021 certified value received from the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office, the City’s growth in taxable value shows a 1.89% increase from July 1, 2020. The increase in property values will only provide an additional $760,620 in new Property Tax Revenues. The City’s portion of the increase is $230,950 and the Hallandale Beach Community Redevelopment Agency’s portion is $529,670. The recommended budget is predicated on the General Fund’s current operating millage and no increase in the fire assessment fee (remaining at 7.0000 mills). The General Obligation (GO) Bond millage will decrease by 0.0149 mills, from 0.5522 to 0.5376 mills in the upcoming fiscal year. This decrease in millage is due to the slight increase in property values and a slight decrease in debt service budget. The American Recovery Plan signed into law in March provides over $350 billion of relief funds to state and local governments. This amount represents approximately one-fifth (1/5) of the bill's total allocation and will be deployed to state and local government agencies in two distributions. Use of these funds is broadly defined in the bill. As of the printing of this document, specific guidance for the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund component of ARPA, including metrics, requirements, and restrictions, has been issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. However, because the City is a non-entitlement unit of government, the City must also abide by any provisions by the State to request and receive funding. The City expects to receive approximately $16 million over two years. Of the first allocation of approximately $8 million, this Recommended Budget proposes the use of $5.5 million to balance the FY2021/2022 budget, which has allowed the City to abate greater budget shortfalls. The remaining second year ARPA allocation will assist in further mitigating shortfalls that the City’s reserves cannot sustain in FY2022/2023 and FY2023/2024 as the economy recovers. It is expected that a great portion of these funds will be necessary to maintain service levels as we manage through the recovery. As the City charts course for a financially responsible future, new options must be explored to find new revenue to pay for the increasing cost of public services. For years, the City has been missing out on significant revenues by not charging fair market rate for in-demand parking spaces. Based on conservative estimates, the expansion of the parking program would result in approximately $1.4 million in new revenue. This revenue can be used to replace our aging fleet of police vehicles, allow the City to keep parks open longer, expedite permitting processes, and increase code compliance efforts. Further, parking enforcement has a public safety component as it provides an authoritative presence, a marked vehicle with lights and uniformed parking specialist, discouraging criminal activity, and removes dumped and illegally parked vehicles from our neighborhoods. New Certificate of Use and Enhanced Local Business Tax Receipts Program This program was approved by the City Commission in the current fiscal year; however, due to various factors including staffing levels and turnover, the full potential of the combined programs has not been reached. While enhancements to the Local Business Tax Receipts Program are underway, the new Certificate of Use Program has not taken off. It is estimated that in FY2021/2022 the program will be staffed and revenues in the amount of $300,000 will be realized. The programs’ full potential revenue is approximately $590,000 per year and is projected to be realized starting in FY2022/2023. Next week the message will be continued. 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 e-mail me at: jcooper@cohb.org . Please visit my Facebook Page: MayorJoyCooper. Like It! Friend It! Share It! < Previous News Next News >

BoConcept Opens at Gulfstream Park Village, South Florida’s Home Store Destination: The Contemporary Furniture Retailer Joins a Lineup of Premier Home & Design Stores Thu Apr 28 2022 04:09:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Making History, Harvette S. Smith: The New Chief of Police For The City of North Miami Beach www.citynmb.com July 7, 2022 Share The City of North Miami Beach will promote Interim Chief Harvette S. Smith to Chief of Police of the North Miami Beach Police Department (NMBPD). The Office of the City Manager will host a Swearing-In Ceremony at the Julius Littman Performing Arts Theater on Thursday, July 7th, 2022, starting at 2:00 p.m., Located at 17011 Northeast 19th Avenue, North Miami Beach, Florida 33162. After 32 years of Service, Interim Chief Smith made Departmental History by becoming the First African American to be promoted to her Current Position as Interim Chief on Friday, March 4th, 2022. Her Career On February 26th, 1990, Interim Chief Harvette S. Smith began her career in Law Enforcement as a Clerk Typist with the North Miami Beach Police Department (NMBPD). As part of her Dedicated Work Ethic, Interim Chief Smith quickly immersed herself in her quest to excel in Law Enforcement and became a Police Communications Officer (PCO) in 1993. Never one to decline the ability to lead, Interim Chief Smith quickly rose to PCO Lead Worker and later as a Training Officer. After being in the Dispatching Environment for approximately five (5) years, Interim Chief Smith decided to pursue her goal of becoming a Police Officer and decided to attend the Police Academy, where she Graduated in December of 1998. In the full capacity of her goal as a Police Officer, Interim Chief Smith was sworn in by the same Police Department where she had only previously begun as a Typist. Interim Chief Smith worked in the Uniform Patrol Division as a Road Patrol Officer, where her zeal for Law Enforcement increased as she conducted her Daily Duties. In 2001, Interim Chief Smith began her long and respected relationship with Compliance and Accreditation – one of the most challenging aspects of any Organization. Her attention to detail was poignant in her new role as an Officer of the NMBPD Accreditation Unit. Led by Retired Chief William “Bill” Berger; she and her Team worked diligently to put the NMBPD on the Map as the First Law Enforcement Agency in Miami-Dade County to receive National Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. In addition, through her hard work, the NMBPD was recognized as the First Law Enforcement Agency to receive “Excelsior” Status from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation - not once or twice, but three times in a row! Interim Chief Smith is constantly recommended by various Law Enforcement Agencies to help with their Respective Mock Assessments as part of her reputation. On February 20th, 2018, Interim Chief Smith was promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant in the Administrative Division, where she oversaw the Accreditation Unit, Property and Evidence Unit and the Grant Administration Unit. Interim Chief Smith continued her Duties as an integral part of the NMBPD, where after 32 years of Service, dedication and hard work, she made Departmental History and became the First African American Female to be promoted to her Current Position as Interim Chief on Friday, March 4th, 2022. Interim Chief Smith now leads an Agency of over 100 Officers and Support Staff and continues her Legacy that anything is possible. Interim Chief Smith looks forward to moving the NMBPD forward and maintaining its Excelsior Status. Interim Chief Smith is a Graduate of Miami Central Senior High School and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Union Institute and University. She is married to NMBPD Retired Sergeant, Tyrell Smith they have four children and nine grandchildren. To be a part of History and witness the Swearing-In Event, Please Visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/interim-chief-harvette-s-smith-swearing-in-ceremony-tickets-368642177677 The Swearing-In Event is FREE and open to the Public. < Previous News Next News >

Jewish Family Home Care Once Again Awarded With Three 2026 Best Of Home Care Awards Jewish Connection News Mar 17, 2026 Jewish Family Home Care (JFHC) – A Not-For-Profit Agency – Is Honored To Announce That It Once Again Received Three 2026 Best Of Home Care Awards From Activated Insights, Formerly Home Care Pulse, The Leading Firm In Experience Management For Post-Acute Care. The Awards Include The Leader In Experience, Provider Of Choice And Employer Of Choice. JFHC Received All Three Awards In 2025 And 2024, And Both The Best Of Home Care® – Provider Of Choice And Employer Of Choice Awards From Activated Insights In 2023. JFHC provides multi-reach, non-medical home quality home health care for Broward County, Florida seniors from all reaches of life and any faith. JFHC is one of the largest providers of home health care, providing assistance to Holocaust survivors and anyone in Broward County needing in-home care. Providing service to more than 400 clients, including over 300 Holocaust survivors, JFHC offers services such as home health aides, companions, housekeepers and certified nursing assistants. It delivers tailor-made home health care plans, with special consideration to patients’ physical and emotional needs, as well as their family’s budgets. As a Leader in Experience award recipient, Jewish Family Home Care ranks among the top 10% of home care providers nationwide participating in the Activated Insights Experience Management program. This recognition reflects the organization’s sustained commitment to delivering outstanding experiences for both clients and caregivers. This accomplishment demonstrates JFHC’s long-term dedication to excellent care and quality improvement. To qualify for this award, 10% of JFHC’s clients and caregivers were interviewed each month by Activated Insights. Over 12 months, JFHC received high client and caregiver satisfaction ratings in areas such as caregiver training, compassion of caregivers, communication, scheduling, client/caregiver compatibility and more. Using feedback from clients and employees, as well as quality benchmarks from Activated Insights, the JFHC management team set goals to reach the highest level of experience possible. The Best of Home Care® – Leader in Experience Award highlights the top-performing home care businesses in the nation. Activated Insights believes that by honoring these providers, families looking for in-home care for a loved one will be able to recognize and choose a trusted home care provider. The Provider of Choice and Employer of Choice Awards are granted only to the top-ranking home care providers, based on client and employee satisfaction scores gathered by Activated Insights. JFHC is now ranked among a small handful of home care providers across the country who have proven their ability to provide an exceptional working experience to employees and the highest quality care to clients. Best of Home Care providers have contracted with Activated Insights to gather feedback from their clients and caregivers via live phone interviews each month. Because Activated Insights is an independent company, it can collect honest and unbiased feedback. “We are incredibly proud to once again receive the 2026 Best of Home Care® awards for Leader in Experience, Employer, and Provider of Choice from Activated Insights,” said JFHC CEO Robin Miller. “Earning these recognitions year after year speaks to our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional in-home care. What makes this honor especially meaningful is that the awards are based on real testimonials from both our clients and caregivers. This continued achievement belongs to our extraordinary team, whose dedication and compassion make a tangible difference in the lives of the families we serve every single day.” “At Activated Insights, our mission is to help post-acute care organizations create experiences that exceed expectations for both clients and caregivers,” said Bud Meadows, Chief Executive Officer of Activated Insights. “When agencies like Jewish Family Home Care consistently use feedback to improve and elevate care, it demonstrates a deep commitment to excellence. We’re proud to recognize their achievements and celebrate this milestone.” To find out more about JFHC’s commitment to excellence, please visit: www.JFCares.org . Or call: (954) 908-5677. About Jewish Family Home Care, Inc.: Jewish Family Home Care (JFHC) is a Not-For-Profit Agency providing quality home care for Broward County seniors from all reaches of life, enabling them to continue living at home and have the best level of wellness, dignity and independence throughout life. Such services are often a welcomed alternative to moving to a nursing home or assisted living facility. JFHC is dedicated to empowering individuals, strengthening older adults and families, and protecting the vulnerable and frail by providing direct home care and personal care services guided by Jewish values, social responsibility, compassion and respect. JFHC is an affiliated agency of Goodman Jewish Family Services of Broward. JFHC is located at 5890 South Pine Island Road, Suite#: 200, Davie, Florida 33328. For more information, visit JFHC at: www.jfcares.org . Contact: (954) 908-5677. Or visit: Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn. JFHC received three 2024, 2025 and 2026 Best of Home Care Awards® from Activated Insights, formerly Home Care Pulse, the leading firm in experience management for post-acute care, including the Leader in Experience, Provider of Choice and Employer of Choice awards. JFHC received both the Best of Home Care® – Provider of Choice and Employer of Choice Awards from HCP in 2023. About Activated Insights: Activated Insights helps long-term and post-acute care providers strengthen workforce performance, regulatory compliance, and care quality. Through recruitment, compliance-focused education and training, retention, and experience management tools, along with the industry’s leading benchmarking and recognition programs, Activated Insights enables providers to reduce risk, improve satisfaction, lower turnover, and achieve operational excellence across senior living, post-acute and home-based care. Learn more at: https://activatedinsights.com . Previous Next

Get Ready for King Tides Thu Sep 12 2024 16:04:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

There Is No Place Like Home: The Pandemic Proves The Importance of “Home” By Thomas Ryan June 24, 2021 Share Just like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, the Pandemic has proven the importance of “home” in a crisis Doctors, nurses and the scientists who created the COVID-19 Vaccines, have all emerged as heroes, during the Pandemic. But there's another, under-appreciated group that's been crucial to the country's pandemic response -- those who provide home-based medical equipment, services and care. Without fanfare or headlines, home medical equipment providers saved thousands and improved millions of lives. They are the ones who could transform, the way that we care for our elderly and infirm -- for the better. In order to fulfill that promise, home medical equipment providers, must be paid and commensurate with the value that they deliver, for their patient's and for, the broader, healthcare systems. The people most vulnerable to the Coronavirus, are the elderly and the most vulnerable among them, tragically, have been those, living in nursing homes. By treating people at home, home medical equipment providers kept millions of seniors, safe from COVID-19. Home-based care also relieved pressure on frontline healthcare workers and clinical facilities, which have been nearly overrun several times, during the Pandemic. As the Pandemic begins to wane, home care's importance, will not, it will join remote work and contactless delivery, as rather, one of the staples, of modern life. The COVID-Era surge in home care, is only an acceleration, of long-developing trends. First, our society is aging. Seniors are living longer, more active and independent lives, than ever before. Second, home care is less expensive -- often, considerably, so -- than, institutional care and so, it represents a promising strategy for tackling our nation's health cost crisis. In recent months, hospital discharge rates have started returning to Pre-Pandemic levels, but, when seniors leave the hospital, they're increasingly going home, not, to a nursing facility. Doctors, too, are becoming more supportive. According to a 2020 survey by William Blair, the proportion of doctors preferring to send patients to home health agencies over nursing homes, rose from 54 percent to 81 percent, during the Pandemic. All told, more than three in four seniors, view home care as the preferred way to age, according to an AARP survey. Families should be able care for their loved ones in the setting that works best for them -- and fosters, the highest quality of life. Unfortunately, bad policy, stands in the way of this vision. While our aging population and it's preference for home care, should mean that home medical equipment suppliers are thriving and that nearly 40 percent of them, have closed their doors, over the last decade. Why? A faulty Medicare program is unsustainably, cutting their reimbursement rates. Congress and the Biden Administration must update these rates without any delay. An increase that considers increased product costs and new operational requirements is long overdue. The industry needs to be able to guarantee salaries for its skilled workers. Otherwise, we're setting seniors up for failure. COVID-19 taught us that home may be the safest place to receive care, but, policies that don't reflect the true cost of care for life-saving equipment, represents a failure to heed that lesson. Without properly funded home care, we can expect lower-quality outcomes for patients, increased hospital re-admissions and an overall increase, in health costs. The trend toward home-based health care, is only going to accelerate and the under-appreciated heroes, who have helped us through the Pandemic, will now pivot to helping people of the Baby Boomer's age group and helping their families, to care for them. Home care is good for the patient's well-being, their family's happiness and government budgets. Washington needs to find a way to make home care providers, get the same care that they give to their's patient's with the Healthcare System. < Previous News Next News >

Take Part In Art & POP 2000 Tour: Sunny Isles Beach 25th Anniversary Celebrations Continue June 9, 2022 Share As part of the City Of Sunny Isles Beach's 25th Anniversary Celebration, they would like to shed light on talented local artists. The Sunny Spaces Art Contest gives local artists the opportunity to have a lasting impact on our community. Artists will either paint or hand draw an original 8” x 8” piece, incorporating the theme of 'A Sun In The Artwork.' If selected, the artwork will be recreated in various locations around Sunny Isles Beach. The Sunny Spaces Art Contest is open to anyone residing in the United States, you do not have to be a resident of Sunny Isles Beach. Artwork must be either painted or hand drawn to cover an 8” x 8” surface encompassing the theme of the “Sun.” Create the artwork in color. You may not use any copyrighted character and the artwork must be original and created 100% by the artist. Entries that do not conform to the entry guidelines or fail to provide the requested completed waiver form may be removed from consideration. Minors must ask their parents or legal guardian for permission to participate in the contest. This would be a great summer project for your son, daughter or grandchild to take part in but only if his or her parent or legal guardian agrees to the official rules along with and on behalf of his or her minor child. Up to 25 winners will be selected and chosen by the Sunny Isles Beach Media Team. The odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received but it's a great opportunity to flex your artistic muscles. Contest winners will be notified by mid-August 2022 via the contact information provided in the waiver. By participating in this contest, entrants consent to the use of the entrant’s name, photograph, likeness, voice and/or video for promotional purposes, including, but not limited to, On-Line and on-air announcements, signage, posters, television, magazine articles, Web-Sites, Social Media Sites (including, but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube) and any other publication at the City’s discretion, without limitation and without additional compensation except where prohibited by law. With all that being said, if you are selected as a winner, your artistic skills will be on display in many locations. City Staff are excited to see your submissions and to have local artists work showcased for all of Sunny Isles Beach to enjoy! Submission Deadline: Friday, July 1st, 2022 Submission Location: Sunny Isles Beach Visitor Center 18070 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160. Submissions after the deadline may not be considered and there is a limit of two submissions per person. Sunny Isles Beach Residents will be given priority. For the full list of rules, visit: https://www.sibfl.net/sunny-spaces-art-contest-rules-conditions/ Or for further questions, please E-Mail: socilamedia@sibfl.net . Celebration of the Isles POP 2000 TOUR Live Music, Food Trucks, Fireworks You won’t want to miss out on Celebration of the Isles. There will be special musical guest performances, delicious food trucks, a cake-cutting ceremony, giveaways and fun activities, the event will be a memorable experience for the whole family! The POP 2000 TOUR will be hosted by Chris Kirkpatrick of the Music Group NSYNC, it will feature performances by Platinum-Selling POP2K Artists: O-Town, Ryan Cabrera and LFO. Plus there will be featured performances of the decade’s biggest songs “Bye Bye Bye,” “It’s Gonna Be Me,” “All or Nothing,” “On the Way Down,” “Summer Girls” and more, the Pop 2000 Tour reads like a who’s who of chart topping hit makers and provides the soundtrack for a Napster fueled trip down memory lane for audiences that came of age in the early aughts. Tickets will be provided for guests to enjoy one meal from a food truck of their choice. A limited supply of Kosher Meals will also be available to reserve upon event registration. The deadline to request a Kosher Meal Option is on Monday, June 6th, 2022. Event: Sunday, June 12th, 2022 5:00 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. Locations: Gateway Park, 151 Sunny Isles Boulevard, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160 & Samson Oceanfront Park, 17425 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160. Following the concert, guests are invited to walk over to Pier Park for a spectacular Fireworks Display on the beach beginning at 9:30 p.m. Cost is free with a valid City-Issued Sunny Isles Beach Resident ID Card and $15 without. Wristbands are available to purchase In-Person at The Pelican Community Park, The Sunny Isles Beach Government Center and Gateway Center, or On-Line. If purchasing your Ticket On-Line, you may redeem your Wristband at any of our City Facilities. < Previous News Next News >

Mom and Pop Small Business Grants: Commissioner Sally A. Heyman Announces The 2022 Program Cycle Mon Feb 07 2022 05:01:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

South Florida’s Kids Got Talent Competition: Bringing Together Children And Families To Celebrate Their Shared Love For Music September 26, 2024 Share Tri-Rail, South Florida’s premier commuter rail system, is once again showcasing its commitment to the community by inviting talented young vocalists from across the region to audition for the much-anticipated “South Florida’s Kids Got Talent” competition. The event will be held at the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, November 23rd. Auditions will run from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., providing a stage for aspiring singers aged 5 to 17 from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. David Dech, Executive Director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA), which operates Tri-Rail, expressed his enthusiasm for the event. “We are excited to continue this annual Tri-Rail tradition that showcases the vocal talent of our South Florida youth,” said Dech. “The ‘South Florida Kids Got Talent’ competition features some of the greatest young singers from the tri-county area and has helped ingrain Tri-Rail as part of the community.” This annual competition has evolved into a cornerstone event for South Florida families, drawing participants and spectators from across the tri-county area. The competition is more than just a showcase of talent; it serves as a unifying experience, bringing together children and families from diverse backgrounds to celebrate their shared love for music. A Stage for Young Talent Young performers eager to take part in the competition can register for their audition slot by visiting: https://bit.ly/SFKGT2024. Each participant will be given up to four minutes to perform in front of a panel of judges. These judges will assess the performers based on vocal range, stage presence, and overall style. Registration must be completed by Tuesday, November 19th. The finalists chosen during these auditions will move on to compete in the main event, which will be held in February 2025 during Tri-Rail’s 16th Annual “Rail Fun Day,” presented by Herzog. This major community event, held in Dania Beach, has become a staple in the region’s calendar, offering a variety of interactive activities, food trucks, cookie decorating, face painting, and much more. Last year’s “South Florida’s Kids Got Talent” competition concluded with a remarkable performance by ten-year-old Samantha Schmerling. Her rendition not only won her the grand prize but also highlighted the incredible talent present in the region. Samantha’s award included $500, a one-year contract with Posche Models & Talent which featured a professional photo shoot and composite cards, and a recording session with Renowned Music Producer Mike Soper Music. Samantha’s success story underscores the potential opportunities for this year’s participants, many of whom may be inspired by her journey. The competition is designed to provide young singers not only with a platform to showcase their skills but also with meaningful prizes and opportunities that can help launch their musical careers. Community Impact Tri-Rail’s commitment to fostering local talent extends beyond just organizing the competition. By integrating such events into their annual schedule, Tri-Rail continues to demonstrate its role in enhancing community engagement. The competition not only supports the arts but also brings together families and local residents, reinforcing Tri-Rail’s presence as a community-centered organization. The “South Florida’s Kids Got Talent” competition is part of a broader initiative by Tri-Rail to contribute positively to the cultural and social fabric of South Florida. By providing young talent with a platform to shine, Tri-Rail helps nurture the next generation of performers and artists. For those interested in participating, securing an audition slot is a straightforward process. Prospective contestants should complete their registration by visiting the link provided. The deadline for registration is Tuesday, November 19th. This early registration ensures that all aspiring singers have the chance to take part in what promises to be a memorable event. As Tri-Rail prepares to host another round of auditions, the excitement and anticipation are palpable. The competition not only celebrates young talent but also reinforces the importance of community involvement and support for the arts. Whether you’re a young singer ready to showcase your talents or a family looking for a fun and engaging event, the “South Florida’s Kids Got Talent” competition promises to be an event to remember. Mark your calendars, prepare your best performances, and join Tri-Rail in celebrating the incredible talent of South Florida’s youth. To secure an audition slot, participants must register at: https://bit.ly/SFKGT2024 on or before Tuesday, November 19th. Competition Rules Requirements: To be eligible to participate, performers must reside in South Florida, (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach Counties) and be between the ages of 5 and 17 at the time of auditions and the final show at Tri-Rail's Rail Fun Day during February, 2025. Participants must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Employees of SFRTA/Tri-Rail and their immediate family members and those living in the same household are not eligible to participate. Past finalists are eligible to audition. Past winners are not eligible to participate. Auditions: Auditions will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 23rd, 2024, located at the Museum of Discovery and Science at 401 Southwest 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. Eligible participants must complete the Registration Form by Tuesday, November 19th at 5:00 p.m. You will receive an email from a representative to schedule your audition time. Contestants must arrive 30 minutes prior to their scheduled audition start time. Upon arrival for the audition, you will be required to present valid proof of age for all performers and a completed Registration Form. Prizes: Ten acts from the auditions will be selected by a panel of local judges and asked to compete at the final competition to be held during February, 2025,* (12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.) as part of Tri-Rail’s “Rail Fun Day” community celebration. To be eligible to win the final competition, the performer(s) must be present at the final event. In addition, you must adhere to the same conditions as noted above. One 1st place winner of the final competition on February 11th will be chosen to receive a $500 cash prize, a professional studio recording session compliments of Mike Soper Music, and a photoshoot and comp card courtesy of Posche Models & Talent. What to perform at the audition: Groups or individuals must be ready to sing a selection of your choice. There will be a 4-minute time limit on all performances. Please note that auditions will be public and other auditioners will be able to view the auditions. For more information about Tri-Rail, the “South Florida’s Kids Got Talent” competition, or other related inquiries, visit: www.tri-rail.com or call: 1-800-TRI-RAIL. For a complete list of rules and to registrater, visit: https://graphics0925.wixsite.com/sfkgt24/register-online < Previous News Next News >

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