How Cataracts Affect Pets: Our Animal Friends Can Also Experience Site Issues February 17, 2022 Share Just as humans may develop vision loss or impairments, our animal friends also can experience issues such as cataracts as they age. The term cataract refers to an opacity of the lens within the eye, causing both a discomfort and a loss of vision. While all species are susceptible to developing cataracts, Dr. Lucien Vallone, a clinical professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, says cataracts are most often found in dogs and horses and less frequently in cats. The most common and noticeable sign of cataracts is a cloudy, white pupil. Other warning signs of vision loss can include running into walls, clumsier movement, and less spacial awareness. Because the severity of pet cataracts ranges from a small inconvenience that causes little or no vision issues to affecting the entire lens and resulting in blindness, Vallone encourages pet owners to pursue evaluation with a veterinarian if there are any concerns of cataract or vision issues in their pet. “It can be difficult to predict whether a small cataract will progress to a large one,” Vallone said. “Veterinary ophthalmologists generally recommend periodic eye exams to identify if a cataract is present and to then track progression.” Cataract severity and treatment varies greatly from patient to patient. Some cases can be treated with topical therapies such as eyedrops. While this form of treatment will not reverse or repair damaged vision, it can ease any discomfort or inflammation caused by the cataract. If cataracts progress too far, however, surgery can be done to restore lost vision in pets. The majority of cataracts are consequences of inherited genetic mutations. While many of these mutations have been found in certain breeds of dogs, they are not necessarily present in the entire population. Vallone said it is tough to accurately pinpoint which breeds develop cataracts, due to the major variations within a breed around the globe. Owners who acquire their dogs from breeders should ask the breeder if annual Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) exams have been performed within their breeding program. “The OFA organizes breeding soundness examinations with ophthalmologists that are intended to help responsible breeders avoid breeding dogs affected by cataracts,” Vallone said. “If breeding soundness steps were not taken prior to adoption, or a dog was adopted from a shelter, the best strategy an owner can take is to schedule regular (annual) evaluations with their vet for screening purposes.” A key element to pets living a full and happy life comes from their ability to clearly see both their owners and the world around them. Although cataracts have the potential of putting a cloudy haze on an animal’s happy life, by staying observant to the well-being of their animal companions, pet owners can catch conditions like cataracts early so that their pet can be treated as soon as possible. < Previous News Next News >

Conspirators For The Constitution: When Anti-Government Speech Becomes Sedition By John & Nisha Whitehead June 8, 2023 Share Let’s be clear about one thing: seditious conspiracy isn’t a real crime to anyone but the U.S. Government. To be convicted of seditious conspiracy, the charge levied against Stewart Rhodes who was sentenced to 18 years in prison for being the driving force behind the January 6th Capitol Riots, one doesn’t have to engage in violence against the government, vandalize government property, or even trespass on property that the government has declared off-limits to the general public. To be convicted of seditious conspiracy, one need only foment a revolution. This is not about whether Rhodes deserves such a hefty sentence. This is about the long-term ramifications of empowering the government to wage war on individuals whose political ideas and expression challenge the government’s power, reveal the government’s corruption, expose the government’s lies, and encourage the citizenry to push back against the government’s many injustices. This is about criminalizing political expression in thoughts, words and deeds. This is about how the government has used the events of January 6th in order to justify further power grabs and acquire more authoritarian emergency powers. This was never about so-called threats to democracy. In fact, the history of this nation is populated by individuals whose rhetoric was aimed at fomenting civil unrest and revolution. Indeed, by the government’s own definition, America’s founders were seditious conspirators based on the heavily charged rhetoric they used to birth the nation. Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, Marquis De Lafayette, and John Adams would certainly have been charged for suggesting that Americans should not only take up arms but be prepared to protect their liberties and defend themselves against the government should it violate their rights. Had America’s founders feared revolutionary words and ideas, there would have been no First Amendment, which protects the right to political expression, even if that expression is anti-government. No matter what one’s political persuasion might be, every American has a First Amendment right to protest government programs or policies with which they might disagree. The right to disagree with and speak out against the government is the quintessential freedom. Every individual has a right to speak truth to power—and foment change—using every nonviolent means available. Unfortunately, the government is increasingly losing its tolerance for anyone whose political views could be perceived as critical or “anti-government.” All of us are in danger. In recent years, the government has used the phrase “domestic terrorist” interchangeably with “anti-government,” “extremist” and “terrorist” to describe anyone who might fall somewhere on a very broad spectrum of viewpoints that could be considered “dangerous.” The ramifications are so far-reaching as to render almost every American with an opinion about the government or who knows someone with an opinion about the government an extremist in word, deed, thought or by association. Get ready for the next phase of the government’s war on thought crimes and truth-tellers. For years now, the government has used all of the weapons in its vast arsenal—surveillance, threat assessments, fusion centers, pre-crime programs, hate crime laws, militarized police, lockdowns, martial law, etc.—to target potential enemies of the state based on their ideologies, behaviors, affiliations and other characteristics that might be deemed suspicious or dangerous. For instance, if you believe in and exercise your rights under the Constitution (namely, your right to speak freely, worship freely, associate with like-minded individuals who share your political views, criticize the government, own a weapon, demand a warrant before being questioned or searched, or any other activity viewed as potentially anti-government, racist, bigoted, anarchic or sovereign), you could be at the top of the government’s terrorism watch list. Moreover, as a New York Times editorial warns, you may be an anti-government extremist (a.k.a. domestic terrorist) in the eyes of the police if you are afraid that the government is plotting to confiscate your firearms, if you believe the economy is about to collapse and the government will soon declare martial law, or if you display an unusual number of political and/or ideological bumper stickers on your car. According to one FBI report, you might also be classified as a domestic terrorism threat if you espouse conspiracy theories, especially if you “attempt to explain events or circumstances as the result of a group of actors working in secret to benefit themselves at the expense of others” and are “usually at odds with official or prevailing explanations of events.” In other words, if you dare to subscribe to any views that are contrary to the government’s, you might already be flagged as potentially anti-government in a government database somewhere—Main Core, for example—that identifies and tracks individuals who aren’t inclined to march in lockstep to the police state’s dictates. As The Intercept reported, the FBI, CIA, NSA and other government agencies have increasingly invested in corporate surveillance technologies that can mine constitutionally protected speech on the Social Media Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in order to identify potential extremists and predict who might engage in future acts of anti-government behavior. And then there is the treatment being meted out to those such as Julian Assange, for example, who blow the whistle on government misconduct that is within the public’s right to know. Since his April 2019 arrest, Assange has been locked up in a maximum-security British prison—in solitary confinement for up to 23 hours a day—pending extradition to the U.S., where if convicted, he could be sentenced to 175 years in prison. This is how the police state deals with those who challenge its chokehold on power. This is why the First Amendment is so critical. It gives the citizenry the right to speak freely, protest peacefully, expose government wrongdoing, and criticize the government without fear of arrest, isolation or any of the other punishments that have been meted out to whistleblowers. The challenge is holding the government accountable to obeying the law. Following the current trajectory, it won’t be long before anyone who believes in holding the government accountable is labeled an “extremist,” relegated to an underclass that doesn’t fit in, watched all the time, and rounded up when the government deems it necessary. We’re almost at that point now. Eventually, as I point out in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, we will all be seditious conspirators in the eyes of the government. We would do better to be conspirators for the Constitution starting right now. < Previous News Next News >

Targeted For Tyranny: We’re All Suspects Under the Government’s Precrime Program By John & Nisha Whitehead July 26, 2023 Share We’re all being targeted now. We’re all guilty until proven innocent now. And thanks to the 24/7 surveillance being carried out by the government’s spy network of fusion centers, we are all now sitting ducks, just waiting to be tagged, flagged, targeted, monitored, manipulated, investigated, interrogated, heckled and generally harassed by agents of the American Police State. Although these precrime programs are popping up all across the country, in small towns and big cities, they are not making us any safer but they are endangering individual freedoms. Nationwide, there are upwards of 123 real-time crime centers (a.k.a. fusion centers), which allow Local Police Agencies to upload and share massive amounts of surveillance data and intelligence with state and federal agencies culled from surveillance cameras, facial recognition technology, gunshot sensors, Social Media monitoring, drones and body cameras, and artificial intelligence-driven predictive policing algorithms. These data fusion centers, which effectively create an electronic prison—a Digital Police State—from which there is no escape, are being built in partnership with big tech companies such as Microsoft, Google and Amazon, which helped to fuel the rise of police militarization and domestic surveillance. While these latest expansions of the surveillance state are part of the Biden Administration’s efforts to combat domestic extremism through the creation of a “precrime” crime prevention agency, they have long been a pivotal part of the government’s plans for total control and dominion. Yet this crime prevention campaign is not so much about making America safer as it is about ensuring that the government has the wherewithal to muzzle anti-government discontent, penalize anyone expressing anti-government sentiments, and preemptively nip in the bud any attempts by the populace to challenge the government’s authority or question its propaganda. As J.D. Tuccille writes for Reason, “[A]t a time when government officials rage against ‘misinformation’ and ‘disinformation’ that is often just disagreement with whatever opinions are currently popular among the political class, fusion centers frequently scrutinize peaceful dissenting speech.” Indeed, while the Biden Administration was recently dealt a legal blow over its attempts to urge Social Media companies to do more to combat so-called dis- and mis-information, these fusion centers are the unacknowledged powerhouses behind the government’s campaign to censors and retaliate against those who vocalize their disagreement and discontent with government policies. Already, the powers-that-be are mobilizing to ensure that fusion centers have the ability to monitor and lockdown sectors of a community at a moment’s notice. For instance, a 42,000-square-foot behemoth of a fusion center in Downtown Washington is reportedly designed to “better prepare Law Enforcement for the next Public Health Emergency or January 6-style attack.” According to an agency spokeswoman, “Screens covering the walls of the new facility will show surveillance cameras around the city as well as Social Media accounts that may be monitored for threatening speech.” It’s like a scene straight out of Steven Spielberg’s Dystopian Film, Minority Report. Incredibly, as the various nascent technologies employed and shared by the government and corporations alike—facial recognition, iris scanners, massive databases, behavior prediction software, and so on—are incorporated into a complex, interwoven cyber network aimed at tracking our movements, predicting our thoughts and controlling our behavior, the dystopian visions of past writers is fast becoming our reality. What once seemed futuristic no longer occupies the realm of Science Fiction. The American Police State’s take on the dystopian terrors foreshadowed by George Orwell, Aldous Huxley and Phillip K. Dick have all been rolled up into one oppressive pre-crime and pre-thought crime package. In this way, the novel 1984 has become an operation manual for an omnipresent, modern-day surveillance state in which ordinary Americans find themselves labeled domestic extremists for engaging in lawful behavior that triggers the government’s precrime sensors. With the help of automated eyes and ears, a growing arsenal of high-tech software, hardware and techniques, government propaganda urging Americans to turn into spies and snitches, as well as Social Media and behavior sensing software, government agents are spinning a sticky spider-web of threat assessments, behavioral sensing warnings, flagged “words,” and “suspicious” activity reports aimed at snaring potential enemies of the state. It’s also a setup ripe for abuse. For instance, an investigative report by the Brennan Center found that “Over the last two decades, leaked materials have shown fusion centers tracking protestors and casting peaceful activities as potential threats. Their targets have included racial justice and environmental advocates, right-wing activists, and third-party political candidates.” One fusion center in Maine was found to have been “illegally collecting and sharing information about Maine residents who weren’t suspected of criminal activity. They included gun purchasers, people protesting the construction of a new power transmission line, the employees of a peacebuilding summer camp for teenagers, and even people who traveled to New York City frequently.” This is how the government is turning a nation of citizens into suspects and would-be criminals. This transformation is being driven by the Department of Homeland Security, the massive, costly, power-hungry bureaucracy working hard to ensure that the government is all-seeing, all-knowing and all-powerful. Yet here’s the thing: you don’t have to do anything illegal or challenge the government’s authority in order to be flagged as a suspicious character, labeled an enemy of the state and locked up like a dangerous criminal. In fact, all you need to do is live in the United States. It’s just a matter of time before you find yourself wrongly accused, investigated and confronted by police based on a data-driven algorithm or risk assessment culled together by a computer program run by artificial intelligence. Before long, every household in America will be flagged as a threat and assigned a threat score. Without having ever knowingly committed a crime or been convicted of one, you and your fellow citizens have likely been assessed for behaviors the government might consider devious, dangerous or concerning; assigned a threat score based on your associations, activities and viewpoints; and cataloged in a government database according to how you should be approached by police and other government agencies based on your particular threat level. Combine predictive policing with surveillance, overcriminalization and precrime programs, then add in militarized police trained to shoot first and ask questions later, and as I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, you’ll be lucky to escape with your life. If you’re not scared yet, you should be. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an Attorney and Author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Popular Culture. John Whitehead's Commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org . Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at: www.rutherford.org < Previous News Next News >

Water, Wastewater And Stormwater: Hallandale Beach Needs Over $230 Million Dollars For Its Projects Thu Jan 26 2023 17:06:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In Memory Of My Beloved Kind, Loving, Irreplaceable Doggie, Daisy Thu Nov 17 2022 17:05:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

"Celebrating Hallandale Beach First Responders" Mayor Joy Cooper Recognizes Dedication and Community Support Thu Aug 17 2023 16:05:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross Opens at Empire Stage Wed Jan 29 2025 05:45:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Comedy & Community: The Mission Of The City of Hallandale Beach Is To Promote Economic Development And Enhance The Quality Of Life Thu Feb 13 2025 19:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Holy Cross Medical Group Adds Two New Primary Care Physicians - Joshua Wright, DO And Taylor Smith, DO Join Family Medicine Practice In Fort Lauderdale South Florida Sun Times Sep 17, 2025 Family Medicine Physicians Joshua Wright, DO And Taylor Smith, DO Have Joined Holy Cross Medical Group, A Multi-Specialty Physician-Employed Group Of More Than 180 Physicians Providing Services Throughout Broward County. Their Focus Areas Include Adult Medicine, Primary Prevention, Care Management, Pre-Operative Evaluation, And School And Work Physicals. Both Dr. Wright and Dr. Smith earned their Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine in Davie, Florida and are certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. Joshua Wright, DO In addition to Family Medicine, Dr. Wright is also Board-Certified in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. He completed the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority Family Medicine Residency program in Tacoma, Washington, where he was elected Chief Resident and served on the Graduate Medical Education and Quality Improvement Committees. At NSU, Dr. Wright served as secretary of the Student American Academy of Osteopathy and gave tours of the Health Professions Division as a student ambassador on behalf of the Office of Admissions. While earning his Bachelor of Arts in History at the University of Washington, he made the Dean’s List for three consecutive years and conducted a senior thesis about the role of Acupuncture clinics in the reintegration of traditional Chinese philosophy and culture in Tacoma. Dr. Wright previously worked as a Medical Scribe, Certified Nursing Assistant and Youth Program Coordinator in Washington. While enrolled at the University of Washington, he assisted the Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science in investigating Alzheimer’s Disease. Additionally, Dr. Wright is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Osteopathy, American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association and Washington Academy of Family Physicians. Active in the community in Broward County, Dr. Wright cared for animal assisted-therapy animals at HAPPI Farm, served as a volunteer doing health checks during the Sickle Cell Research Foundation Health Fair, provided postural assessments at Light of the World Clinic and more. While in Washington, he educated members of the Puyallup Tribe about the dangers of tobacco and vaping and provided Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment to the participants of a long-distance annual canoe journey. Taylor Smith, DO Dr. Taylor Smith is a Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician with a strong foundation in clinical care, Medical Education and Community Outreach. As Chief Family Medicine Resident at Broward Health Medical Center, she managed care for over 90 patients in a skilled nursing facility and spearheaded several key initiatives within the residency program. These included organizing applicant interviews and coordinating new resident orientation, as well as overseeing wellness and educational efforts. Board-Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, Dr. Smith has authored and presented on a range of complex medical topics, including Myasthenic Crisis, Cytomegalovirus Esophagitis and the use of ultrasound in evaluating Rotator Cuff Tears. Since 2021, Dr. Smith has served as a Clinical Instructor for medical students at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). Her efforts helped to educate medical students on conducting proper Physical Exams, Lab and Imaging Interpretation, Pelvic and Prostate Procedures, Wound Suturing, and hospital case simulations. She has also been actively involved in community outreach, providing free Health Screenings, School Physicals, Vaccinations and Mental Health counseling at health fairs throughout Broward County. Her commitment to global health is reflected in her participation in international medical volunteer missions to India, Peru and Nicaragua. Dr. Smith holds dual undergraduate degrees in Biology and Psychology from Florida State University, where she laid the foundation for her career in medicine. Dr. Wright and Dr. Smith both have offices at 4004 North Ocean Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308. To schedule an appointment, call: (954) 564-1330. Or visit: www.holy-cross.com for more information. About Holy Cross Health A member of Trinity Health, Fort Lauderdale-based Holy Cross Hospital, dba Holy Cross Health, is a full-service, Not-For-Profit, Catholic, teaching hospital operating in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. Holy Cross has been recognized for six Types of Care in U.S. News and World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Hospital rankings and was named among the 2024 America’s Best-In-State Hospitals by Newsweek. Holy Cross has been designated as a High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for LGBTQ+ healthcare access. Through strategic collaborations and a commitment to being a person-centered, transforming, healing presence, the 557-bed hospital offers progressive inpatient, outpatient and community outreach services and clinical research trials to serve as our community’s trusted health partner for life. Holy Cross Health also encompasses Holy Cross HealthPlex outpatient facility, urgent care centers and more than 40 Holy Cross Medical Group physician practices. To learn more about Holy Cross Health, visit: www.holy-cross.com . Connect with Holy Cross Health on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Dr. Joshua Wright, DO Family Medicine & OMT Dr. Taylor Smith, DO Family Medicine Previous Next

Core Faith: Explore Judaic Topics Online In This New Program Thu Jul 07 2022 04:03:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A Delicious Twist On A Classic Casserole: Stuffed Bell Peppers, Bacon Cheeseburgers & Taco Mac And Cheese Are On The Menu Thu Jul 11 2024 16:01:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Hollywood Beach Half Marathon & 5K: Sun, Surf, Sand & A Premium Running Experience August 23, 2024 Share It's that time of year. Don’t miss out on the most unique event format in South Florida! The Hollywood Beach Broadwalk Half Marathon & 5K! Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? How about a half marathon to start off 2024, plus it could help you lose some holiday season weight. This isn't your traditional Half Marathon & 5K, you will be able to watch the sunrise over the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and hear the sounds of waves crashing as you run just steps from the beach! Win! Win! If that interests you then here is some good news. The Hollywood Beach Half Marathon and 5K is back in a few weeks at Hollywood North Beach Park. Hollywood Beach is a popular stop on the Elite Events South Florida Half Marathon Tour. Hollywood hosts multiple races this year, January & November. The beautiful pre-dawn and sunrise start and run along the Broadwalk are a huge draw for people from all over the U.S. The events take athletes through the eclectic, beautiful area and many stay in local hotels for the weekend. What To Expect The event features a start right near Hollywood North Beach Park. The course takes you through the iconic Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, an award-winning beach promenade featuring miles of pristine beach, a picturesque broadwalk, and an array of shops, restaurants, and entertainment. The route follows the beach giving you spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, and the chance to feel the sand under your feet and the ocean breeze in your hair immediately after you finish. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, this event has something to offer for everyone with both Half marathon and 5K options. At the start of the race runners will run along the picturesque Hollywood Broadwalk for miles as the sun comes up. A quick U-turn takes athletes back heading north on the Broadwalk with a good opportunity to see how your friends are doing amid magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean. The course takes runners to North Surf Road to again run parallel to the Atlantic, running through a shaded tree tunnel before starting a second loop, until reaching nearly the end of the Broadwalk and Harry Berry Park. A beautiful finisher's medal for both the Half Marathon and 5K plus lots of snacks await at the finish line! As an added benefit you will also get a close up tour of the best that Hollywood Beach has to offer. Both races are also a part of the very popular South Florida Half Marathon Tour! But the fun doesn't stop at the finish line! Hollywood is a city that offers a great blend of culture, entertainment, and outdoor activities. After the race, treat yourself to a well-deserved meal at one of the many Seafood Restaurants, and explore the city's art scene by visiting one of the many galleries or the Artspark at Young Circle. Take a stroll on the beach, and enjoy the tranquil Gulf waters, or head back over to the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk for a leisurely walk with stunning views of the ocean. Hollywood also offers a variety of fun activities, perfect for families and friends such as visiting the Hollywood Beach Theater where you can enjoy free live performances, or visiting the Hollywood Trolley, an open-air bus that takes you around the city's famous sights and landmarks. Sign up for the Hollywood Beach Half Marathon & 5K run and you'll experience the best of both worlds: a challenging and rewarding run, and an unforgettable adventure in one of the most beautiful places in Florida. Can I Walk The Event? Walkers are welcome at all of the Elite Events! There is a 3.5 hour time limit for the half marathon. After 3.5 hours, the course will open up to traffic. At that point, you must obey all traffic laws as if you were a pedestrian. You will still receive your finisher medal as long as you are close to finishing after the 3.5 hour time limit. Police, Volunteers, and Race Crew will be dismissed after 3.5 hours. All of the finish line and event equipment will be cleaned up after 3.5 hours. Important Information Early Packet Pick Up: Friday November 1st, 2024 - Runner's Depot - Davie - 2233 South University Drive, Davie, Florida 33324 Race Day Packet Pick Up: 5:30 a.m. - 6:10 a.m. Time Limit: 3.5 hours Water Stops: There will be water and Gatorade about every 2 miles or less. Included With Entry Aside from being known for the best "swag" aka finisher medals and race shirts, Elite Events has their FREE Elite Events Tracker App at every race. The app allows spectators to track your progress live on the course and provides you with instant race results. Your accomplishments will be stored in their ‘Lifetime Stats’ database so you can keep track of all of your Elite Events results in one place and see how they stack up against every Elite Event participant ever! Download the Elite Events Tracker Mobile App at: https://rtrt.me/app/elitea for FREE. Awards Pick Up Since the event timing technology allows for live results, you are able to receive your award as soon as you cross the finish line. After you've enjoyed the complimentary post-race refreshments, report to the awards area where one of their team members will present you with your finish results and award. Parking There are only a little over 1,000 parking spots close to the race venue and start. It is highly recommended that you carpool, bike or stay at a nearby hotel. There is limited parking north of the Park available on the side streets at the Hollywood Beach Daily Rate. All athletes parking on the side streets must exit to the north (right) to East Dania Beach Road/A1A only. This event is not organized by the City of Hollywood, for more information about pricing and how to Register, visit: https://www.hollywoodhalf.com/fall---hollywood-beach-half-marathon--5k.html < Previous News Next News >