Cinema Paradiso: New Programming Brings More Hollywood July 15, 2021 Share "A lot of films were held back because of the Pandemic, so, we're mostly going to show the films everyone has been waiting to see for the past year," said Bonnie Adams, Senior Program Director for the Cinemas Hollywood, the elegant and intimate arthouse movie theatre located at 2008 Hollywood Boulevard, in the heart of the Arts & Entertainment District of Downtown Hollywood, has announced a major expansion in its programming. In addition to the international and American independent films and documentaries, which it has been showing since its opening in 2013, the theatre has recently begun screening first-run films from major American studios such as Disney, Paramount, Warner Brothers, Universal and others. "We want to expand the offerings of the theatre to appeal to a wider customer base, and bring more people to Cinema Paradiso - Hollywood," explained Gregory von Hausch, President and CEO of the The Broward County Film Society (BCFS), the parent company of the theatre, as well as the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF). The BCFS also just reopened the iconic Gateway Cinema in Fort Lauderdale, von Hausch noted that the addition, contributed to the Society's ability to expand its local programming. "We now have an even greater opportunity to showcase and celebrate the best in films in our theatres, making them more accessible to a wider audience," he continued. "A lot of films were held back because of the Pandemic, so we're mostly going to show the films everyone has been waiting to see for the past year," said Bonnie Adams, Senior Program Director for the Cinemas. "There is so much excitement, a lot of anticipation; many dates have been changed multiple times, so everyone is very pumped about it. Plus, some of these are films that you just have to see at the theatre," she believes. "The sound, the picture quality... and the thing I miss most, other people's reactions. The whole group experience is so much more fun than watching by yourself." Cinema Paradiso - Hollywood is open every day and the venue is also available for special events. For more information, please contact: (954) 342-9137. Or visit: www.fliff.com/cinemaparadiso Downtown Hollywood offers on-street metered parking for $1.50 per hour, as well as municipal garage parking for $1 per hour. Municipal garage locations are 251 South 20th Avenue (between Harrison Street and Van Buren Street) and 251 North 19th Avenue (between Tyler Street and Polk Street). For more information about redevelopment projects, businesses and events in Hollywood's Downtown and Beach Districts, call the Hollywood Community Redevelopment Agency at: (CRA) at 954-924-2980. Or visit: www.HollywoodCRA.org . < Previous News Next News >

Who Owns The Common Areas In Your Building Or Community? By Christopher Carter - Real Estate Broker Associate May 17, 2024 Share Trick question. The answer depends on whether you are in a Florida Condominium Association or a Homeowners Association. These two types of Residential Owners Associations are regulated and function very differently, and each one is treated separately in Florida Statutes, with Chapter 718 covering Condominium Associations and Chapter 720 applying to Homeowners Associations. (This article is part of my Back-To-Basics series for Condos and HOAs. Last published about a year ago, here it is updated for the many new owners and residents in Florida Condominium buildings and HOA communities.) As we get started, it is interesting to note that Florida's Condominium Act uses the term common elements, while the Homeowners Association Act refers to common areas. This difference in language is an important part of this week's topic. Today's discussion refers to residential Owners Associations in which membership is included and/or mandatory when buying property in the building or community. • In Condominium Associations, each individual unit owner owns an undivided share of the common elements. • In Homeowners Associations, the Association's corporation owns the common areas. This distinction may not seem like much at first, though it directly influences: • Voting procedures and proxies • Board of Directors authority and responsibility • How financial reserves are handled • Maintenance and repair responsibility • How changes can be made to the shared property areas. Common element/area ownership is one of the main reasons why Condominium and Homeowners Associations are regulated differently in Florida. Condominium common elements are jointly owned by all the individual unit owners, so more oversight and protection are needed in order to safeguard owners' legal and financial interests and rights. The jointly owned portion of any condominium property is a fundamental, permanent element of owning an individual unit in the building. Since Homeowners Association common areas are owned by the Association's corporation, individual owners can be partially insulated from some of those legal and financial issues that might affect condo owners. In this case, the shared-use portion of an HOA community might be considered more of an amenity or feature that goes along with living in that community. "Bundled golf" and mandatory country club membership communities are a bit more complicated, though the ownership of HOA residential common areas (as described below) remains the same. Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation (Division of Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes) states: "A condominium is a form of real property ownership in which an individual owns a unit exclusively and owns common elements jointly with all other unit owners in the condominium." An individual unit's transfer deed acknowledges the condominium form of ownership and often directly references the shared ownership of common elements. To simplify this concept, in a 100-unit condominium building each individual unit owner also owns a 1/100th share of all the common elements. That share cannot be separated from the other owners' shares, nor can it be separated from an individual unit. It is part of (appurtenant to) owning an individual unit and transfers to the new owner when a unit is sold. Speak with a Florida-licensed attorney for legal interpretation and application. Common elements in a condominium property may include: Building Structure and Exterior, including Roof, Hallways, Office, Meeting and Fitness Rooms, Lobby Areas, Elevators and Mechanical/Electrical Equipment, Building Water Supply and Drain Plumbing, Stairways, Surrounding Grounds and Landscaping, Parking Lots and Structures, Swimming Pools and Decks, and Other Structures, Components, or Amenities on the property. HOA communities usually include single-family homes and townhouses/villas with no shared ownership of the common areas. Property owners own individual parcels/lots and residences, not any part of the common areas. This is a major difference between HOAs and COAs in Florida. Common areas in HOAs can include: Streets and sidewalks, Clubhouses and maintenance buildings, Landscaping in common areas and along streets, Guardhouses and Gates, Community Swimming Pools, and other Recreational Facilities and Amenities. Unlike condo ownership, exterior maintenance and repair of each residence in an HOA is usually the responsibility of the property owner, not the Association. You might be thinking that if the HOA corporation owns a community's common areas, and property owners are part of the corporation, all owners get to vote on how those common areas are maintained, improved, and managed. Not exactly. Just about all Florida Condominium and Homeowners Associations are organized as Not-For-Profit Corporations under Florida Statutes Chapter 617. This is so they can engage in the legal and financial activities that contribute to proper Association operation. The elected Board of Directors runs the corporation in similar fashion as the Boards of major US for-profit corporations. Elected Board members are also officers in the Association's corporation. The Association holds all shares of the corporation. Individual owners are members rather than shareholders. This recent article expands on Board operation and officers' duties: Do Condo Board Presidents have more power than Vice-Presidents? - www.thefloridarealestateblog.com Not all matters regarding COA or HOA common elements/areas are open to having all the owners vote on them. Since a Board of Directors is elected to manage the Association's business in compliance with either the Florida Condominium Act (FS 718) or Homeowners Association Act (FS 720) and an Association's own Governing Documents, Board members are able to make some decisions without a vote by all owners. Example - If you own a few shares of Microsoft, Amazon or any other public company, you don't get to vote on every decision that comes before the corporation's Board of Directors. Florida Statutes Chapters 718 or 720 and the building or community's own Governing Documents provide the rules about which decisions a Board can make on its own, and which require an owner/member vote. • Because condominium unit owners also jointly own the common elements, they have more input and voting rights on how those parts of the property are managed and maintained, especially when it comes to spending Association money. • On the other hand, since HOA individual property owners do NOT jointly own the common areas, the Board of Directors has the authority to make more decisions on its own regarding maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and additions to common areas and structures within the community. No matter how an Association's common elements/areas are owned, the Board is still fully responsible for making sure they are properly maintained. This includes monitoring common property physical condition and ensuring there is enough money available when maintenance or repairs are needed. Every owner (especially newer ones) in a Florida condominium building or HOA-governed community has the responsibility to understand how their Owners Association is organized and how it functions. If you are not as familiar with your Association as you may like to be, use this article as a starting point, then look through your Governing Documents for specific guidance. The keys to owning and living in an Association-governed building or community in Florida are education and participation. The more you learn about how your Association functions, the more comfortable you will be living in your building or community. Editor's Note: Christopher Carter is NOT an attorney. He does not give legal advice. For interpretation and application to specific circumstances of anything you read in this article, you must speak with a Florida-Licensed attorney. Have a question or comment about anything you see here, if so, visit: www.TheFloridaRealEstateBlog.com < Previous News Next News >

A Celebratory Passover Dessert Thu Apr 07 2022 04:06:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

It's A First For Florida: Communicate With Aventura City Government Via Text Message May 16, 2023 Share As technology continues to advance, the way we communicate with one another has become more convenient and efficient. Aventura, a vibrant and progressive city, has taken the lead in adopting a new method of communication by offering the ability to interact with their government via text messaging. Aventura is the first city in Florida to introduce this service, allowing residents to stay informed and contact their Government Officials with ease. By simply texting "SOCIAL" to: (305) 677-8878, residents can stay up-to-date on the latest news and events in the city, as well as communicate with their local government in a quick and hassle-free manner. This innovation is a game-changer for many residents who previously had to rely on phone calls or in-person visits to reach out to their Government Officials. With text messaging, communication is fast, allowing residents to receive quicker responses to their inquiries and feedback. Additionally, this service promotes transparency and accessibility within the Government, as it allows residents to voice their opinions and concerns directly to those in charge. It also makes the Government more approachable and personable, as residents can reach out to them just as they would a friend or family member. The convenience of this service has already been noticed by many Aventura residents. Nicole, a local resident, expressed her excitement about the new texting service: "I love being able to stay updated with the latest news in Aventura without having to constantly check the city's website. It's also great to know that if I ever have any questions or concerns, I can easily reach out to my government officials via text." Aventura's adoption of text messaging as a means of communication is a significant step towards making the Government more accessible and inclusive. With this service, residents can feel more connected to their community and their local officials. It also allows the Government to better understand the needs and desires of their constituents, ultimately leading to more informed and effective decision-making. This service is not only beneficial for residents, but also for businesses and visitors to Aventura. By texting "SOCIAL" to: (305) 677-8878, businesses can stay informed about upcoming events and news that may impact their operations. Visitors can also use this service to receive updates on local attractions and events, making their experience in Aventura more enjoyable and memorable. Aventura's introduction of text messaging as a means of communication with their Government is a monumental step towards making Government more accessible and transparent. It allows residents to stay informed and connected with their community, and promotes a more inclusive and personable relationship between the Government and its constituents. By simply texting "SOCIAL" to: (305) 677-8878, residents, businesses, and visitors alike can take advantage of this innovative service and experience the convenience and benefits it offers. < Previous News Next News >

Community Leaders Take Center Stage During Art & Culture Center / Hollywood Art Of Drag Fundraiser October 18, 2024 Share Drag superstars and dazzling divas will light up the stage during the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood’s “The Art of Drag” Fundraiser, returning for another glamorous year at Lips Fort Lauderdale, soon to be renamed Aquaplex Fort Lauderdale, located at 1421 East Oakland Park Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334, on Thursday, November 14th, at 7:00 p.m. This one-of-a-kind event will feature exclusive performances by local business and community leaders, Lips talented entertainers (now called the Aquanettes) and a special guest appearance by Michael Dean as Cher in support of the Center’s mission to inspire and elevate the arts in South Florida. “We value our continued partnership with Lips Fort Lauderdale as we unite the community with this guest favorite event to benefit our arts education and cultural programs,” said Jennifer Homan, Executive Director of Art and Culture Center/Hollywood." ‘The Art of Drag’ brings people together to celebrate the creative talents of the divas and raise much needed funds for the Center which is critical at this time due to the State of Florida Arts and Culture funding cuts." This year’s event will feature memorable performances by Art and Culture Center/Hollywood Board Members Gilda Ellison and Amanda Mitchell, as well as the much-anticipated return of crowd favorites Board Secretary John Mabry and Community Leader Michael Berry. Mabry, a seasoned performer, will mark his fifth consecutive appearance at this beloved fundraiser. Each guest diva will present a showstopping rendition of classic hits made famous by popular female icons. The evening’s highlight will be a special guest performance by Michael Dean as Cher, who has gained a solid reputation for impersonating the Legendary Singer/Actor. Michael Dean, a leading Cher impersonator, has entertained audiences nationwide, with appearances at venues like the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Lips Fort Lauderdale/Atlanta/Chicago and Oscar’s Cabaret in Palm Springs. Known for his spot-on impersonation and passion for Cher’s magic, Dean’s performance promises to be a highlight of the evening. Proceeds from the “The Art of Drag” will directly benefit Art and Culture Center/Hollywood’s programs, which include contemporary gallery exhibitions, live stage performances, and enriching educational initiatives for children and adults. The Center remains committed to fostering creativity, innovation, and artistic collaboration throughout the South Florida community. Sponsors to date include The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel and GPR | Goodman Public Relations. Lips Fort Lauderdale, which was recently acquired and will soon be renamed Aquaplex Fort Lauderdale, will be the perfect backdrop for this event with dinner and a high energy show hosted by Amanda Austin. Tickets are limited, with general admission priced at $100, which includes an entrée, dessert, and a complimentary beverage (choice of cocktail, wine, or domestic beer). For those seeking a more exclusive experience, VIP Booths are available for $1,000 or VIP Tables for $1,500. Sponsorship opportunities are also available, with tiers including Diva Sponsor for $2,500, Champagne Sponsor for $5,000, and Presenting Sponsor for $10,000. To purchase tickets or explore sponsorship opportunities, visit: https://www.artandculturecenter.org/events About Art and Culture Center/Hollywood The Art and Culture Center/Hollywood is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization supported in part by its members, admissions, private entities, the City of Hollywood, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council; and the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; the David and Francie Horvitz Family Foundation; and the Josephine S. Leiser Foundation. We welcome donations from all members of the community who wish to support the Center’s efforts to elevate the arts in South Florida. About Aquaplex Key West (new owner of Lips Fort Lauderdale) Aquaplex Key West has gained the reputation as the leading entertainment destination on the southernmost tip island with a multitude of experiences all under one roof including the Aqua Theater & Bar, Back Bar, 22& Co Bar and the Aquabelle Fusion Food Truck. The Birdcage Cabaret Show, a Las Vegas style production hosted by internationally recognized entertainer, Christopher Peterson, is featured on select nights. The venue hosts nightly drag shows featuring a talented cast of entertainers, affectionately named the Aquanettes. The world-famous televised jumbo high-heel shoe drop on New Year’s Eve is launched from this 20,000-Square Foot venue. For the latest shows, event schedules and other pertinent information, please visit: www.aquakeywest.com . Aquaplex Key West is located at 711 Duval Street Key West, Florida 33040. Lips Fort Lauderdale (to be officially named Aquaplex Fort Lauderdale) Lips Fort Lauderdale has been offering amazing drag entertainment to sold-out audiences for nearly 17 years. It will soon be renamed Aquaplex Fort Lauderdale and feature the best in drag entertainment with a variety of show concepts, an elevated bar and dining menu and an immersive and interactive entertainment experience. Lips is open Wednesday through Sunday nights with weekend brunch shows at 1421 East Oakland Park Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33334, about one mile east of I-95. For more information about Lips, call: (954) 567-0987. Or visit: www.lipsusa.com . < Previous News Next News >

Sunny Isles Beach Mayor To Resign: A Message From Mayor George “Bud” Scholl Thu Aug 19 2021 04:03:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Efficient LED Bulbs: Boost Your Home Design With Lighting (BPT) January 20, 2022 Share If you dream about transforming your home on a budget, chances are you've considered new paint, area rugs or window treatments. While these updates can refresh rooms without breaking the bank, there's a crucial and often overlooked design element that can truly transform a room - lighting. The good news is, improving lighting doesn't necessarily require all new fixtures. Simply swapping from standard to LED lightbulbs can upgrade the ambience of your home with stylish features and energy-saving benefits that can have a dramatic impact on your energy bill - and the look and feel of your overall space. Lighting can alter the appearance of paint, furnishings and decor, becoming even more important as seasons change. This year, resolve to save more energy and brighten up your home with an elevated, energy-efficient home basic: LED lightbulbs. Here are a few bright ideas to revamp rooms using the power of the humble lightbulb: 1. Go LED for cost savings Select LED bulbs reduce household energy costs over the course of their lifetime. An EcoSmart lightbulb saves $0.55-$2.65 on average per bulb over its 25,000-hour lifetime. New LED lightbulbs offer the latest innovation in lighting technology and are available in a wide assortment of wattage outputs, colors, base options and shapes. 2. Consider function LEDs are directional light sources, enabling them to cast light and use energy more efficiently. When choosing your ideal lightbulb style, consider the room's purpose. A kitchen needs to be bright to aid food preparation, but your bedroom should be a restful, cozy oasis. For a living room, you may want to switch from a game-and-puzzle center with focused lighting to a darkened home theater for movie night. • Kitchens need light to perform cooking tasks, as well as for entertaining. EcoSmart LED recessed and track lighting (BR) offer strong overhead illumination in enclosed fixtures. • Bathrooms need effective lighting, plus decorative style. Globe-shaped LED lightbulbs emit light in every direction, making them ideal for mirror and pendant lights. • Dining areas are a great place to show off decorative fixtures with candle bulbs. New, improved decorative bulbs feature a thinner, longer filament design - with options like fine bendy or horizontal - that combine authentic styles and 360-degree light output with low glare for high-quality lighting that doesn't sacrifice style. • Bedrooms or living areas where ambience is paramount offer endless creative possibilities. Vintage is a look that never truly goes out of style and EcoSmart "Edison" bulbs give a more "true vintage look," along with the benefits of LED technology. EcoSmart offers a dimmable option for these bulbs too, so you can choose exactly how much light you want. • Outdoor living spaces benefit from security lighting. Turn any fixture into a state-of-the-art security fixture with features like motion sensors, high output and dusk-to-dawn. Look for lightbulbs compatible with flood lights, security and landscape lighting (PAR). 3. Choose "color temperature" to change the mood Today's LED bulbs offer a wide variety of color temperatures, empowering you to make the room feel warmer and cozier, or cooler and crisper. Contrary to what you may think, the hotter the light source (measured in Kelvins), the cooler the "color temperature," so lights with temperatures at 5,000 or more Kelvins look brighter, crisper and more bluish. However, light temperatures around 2,500-3,000 Kelvins emit an amber, yellowish or orange tinge which makes rooms feel warmer and cozier. "Like choosing paint in cool or warm colors, picking the right color temperature for lighting can really transform a space," said Sarah Fishburne, Director of Trend and Design for The Home Depot. "You can emphasize warm tones like yellows, reds and oranges using 'warm' colored lighting, or you can make a room feel lighter, brighter and airier by choosing 'cool' temperature lighting." Experiment with different bulbs and settings to see what works best with your room. For the ultimate color selection, try an EcoSmart lightbulb with 5 CCT (Correlated Color Temperature) that lets you customize the color of light using an integrated switch. Bulbs equipped with DuoBright technology empower you to adjust the color temperature and brightness with your existing dimmer switch to meet your preferences at any time - emitting 5,000 Kelvins (Daylight) at full brightness and slowly transitioning to 2,000 Kelvins (Sunset Glow) when dimmed. Change your lightbulbs, change the world The other good news about swapping out lightbulbs? You're helping the environment, too. On average, an enhanced EcoSmart LED bulb uses 85% less energy than a traditional incandescent lightbulb. Learn more about EcoSmart lightbulbs available exclusively in-store at The Home Depot or online at https://www.homedepot.com < Previous News Next News >

Darius Rucker Only Wants To Be With You At The Broward Performing Arts Foundation’s Annual Celebration South Florida Sun Times Feb 11, 2026 Music Icon And Multi-Grammy Winner Darius Rucker Will Take Center Stage At The Broward Performing Arts Foundation’s Only Wanna Be With You 2026 Annual Celebration On Saturday, March 7th, 2026 At 8:30 p.m. It Will Be A Rare Opportunity For Fans To See Rucker In An Unforgettable, Up-Close-And-Personal Performance In The Broward Center’s Au-Rene Theater. VIP Tickets, Which Include Lower Orchestra Seating At The Performance And An Invitation To The Post-Show Tailgate Party Are Still Available For Purchase At $1,250. Rucker first gained fame in the 1990’s as lead vocalist and guitarist for Hootie & the Blowfish, whose debut album, Cracked Rear View, sold more than 25 million copies and ranks among the top 10 best-selling studio albums ever. With sing-along classics “Only Wanna Be With You,” “Let Her Cry” and “Hold My Hand,” the band became a defining sound of a generation. Since releasing his first country album in 2008, Rucker has earned a legion of new fans with four number one albums on the Billboard Country chart in addition to 10 number one singles on country radio and 11 Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum certified hits, among other prestigious awards. A Grand Ole Opry member since 2012, Rucker received his third career Grammy Award in 2014 for Best Solo Country Performance with his Diamond-certified version of “Wagon Wheel,” which is one of the top five best-selling country songs of all time. His New York Times bestselling memoir, Life’s Too Short, was released in 2024. Rucker’s ties to South Florida are long-standing and legendary. He is a die-hard Miami Dolphins fan who has frequently performed the national anthem at games. In a nod to his fandom and favorite team, attire for the Annual Celebration is “Carolina Coastal,” with Dolphins gear optional. The Annual Celebration is presented by Ann M. Burris and is a fundraiser for the Broward Center’s education and enrichment programs. In addition to Burris, “Wagon Wheel” table sponsors are Amazon; Jeannette and Marty Engelmann; Linda B. Haller; Hudson Family Foundation; Carol, Dean and Denise Miller; Charles and Laura Palmer; The Salah Foundation; S. Donald and Michelle Howland Sussman; and Gary Wendt. “Homegrown Honey” table sponsors are Chris Ambs and Scott Clearwater, Dr. Robert Wagner and Stephanie Aoun, BBI – Burdette Beckman Inc., Rita Case, Marty and Terri Cole, Gunster, JM Family Enterprises, Northern Trust, Stu Siegell, SPIRIT, Stiles, UKG, Linda and Douglas Von Allmen, Joyce Worthington Virga, Richard and Christine Welch, and Jeremy and Yeva Wilford. Spirits sponsor is Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits; program sponsor is Starmark; and invitation sponsor is Associated Printing Productions, Inc. All tickets for Darius Rucker are on sale now at: www.BrowardCenter.org . By phone at: (954) 462-0222. Or in person at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office. A portion of the Celebration VIP ticket includes a tax-deductible donation benefiting the Broward Center’s education and engagement programs. For more than 40 years, the Broward Performing Arts Foundation has been instrumental in providing support for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Foundation was established in 1985 to deliver the required private funding to build the Center and create an endowment to sustain its operations. Over the years, the Foundation has successfully raised funds to support the Broward Center’s innovative and diverse programming, arts-in-education initiatives, community engagement activities and capital projects. In 2021, the Foundation completed a $30 Million capital campaign to renovate and restore the iconic Parker Playhouse. Prior to this, it raised $60 Million to complete the Encore! capital campaign to renovate, renew and revitalize the Broward Center. About The Broward Center for the Performing Arts One of America’s premier performing arts venues, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents more than 850 performances each year to more than 600,000 patrons, displaying a wide range of exciting cultural programming and events. Guest experiences at the Broward Center include the all-inclusive Spirit Club Level, the Nicklaus Children’s Health System Intermezzo Lounge, special events in the Huizenga Pavilion and innovative classes and workshops for all ages at the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center. With one of the largest arts-in-education programs in the United States, the Broward Center serves more than 100,000 students annually. The Broward Center also manages The Parker, an iconic Fort Lauderdale venue, the Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center on the campus of Nova Southeastern University and the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center in Miami-Dade County. The Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. receives and maintains funds to sustain, develop and secure the future of the Broward Center. The Broward Center is located at 201 Southwest Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information, visit: www.BrowardCenter.org . Previous Next

Nuremberg - Confronting Evil On Trial By Neil Keller Dec 10, 2025 As Someone Who Speaks Nationwide On “Jewish Athletes During The Holocaust,” I Approached James Vanderbilt’s New Film Nuremberg With Deep Interest. The Subject Matter—The Postwar Trials Of Nazi Leaders—Remains One Of The Most Consequential Chapters In Modern History. Vanderbilt, Who Wrote, Co-Produced, And Directed The Film, Premiered It At The Toronto International Film Festival In September 2025 To A Four-Minute Standing Ovation. The film dramatizes the uneasy relationship between U.S. Army Psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (played by Rami Malek) and Hermann Goring (Russell Crowe), Hitler’s second-in-command. Kelley was tasked with evaluating whether Goring and other high-ranking Nazis were fit to stand trial. What unfolds is a tense psychological duel, as Kelley seeks Goring’s trust while secretly hoping to profit from a book about him. Historical Weight and Personal Connection For me, Goring is not just a figure in history books. I own original photographs of him near Hitler on two different days at the 1936 Berlin Olympics—images that capture the spectacle of Nazi power before the world fully grasped its brutality. These photos were among a whole album Purchased from a fan who attended the 1936 Olympics. In the two photos, Goring is easy to point out as he was an overweight man and often wore light colored uniforms when he stood by Hitler. In the film, Goring’s declining health and being overweight are depicted with unsettling accuracy, underscoring the grotesque contrast between his public image and the crimes he helped orchestrate. The trials began in November 1945 and continued until 1949, with Goring as the most prominent defendant. The film reminds us that Hitler had already committed suicide in April 1945, leaving Goring and others to face justice. Kelley’s interviews reveal the arrogance and denial of these men, particularly Goring, who insists he knew nothing of the atrocities. Drama and Ethical Questions Vanderbilt’s script heightens the drama by showing Kelley’s moral compromises. He agrees to help Goring communicate with his wife and daughter in exchange for information about Rudolf Hess, who claimed amnesia. Kelley’s willingness to blur professional boundaries raises troubling questions: can proximity to evil ever be justified in pursuit of truth? The film also depicts the suicides of Nazi prisoners, which forced the U.S. Army to bring in additional psychiatrists. These moments highlight the psychological strain of holding men accountable for crimes so vast they defy comprehension. One of the most powerful sequences comes when prosecutors present footage of concentration camp atrocities—bulldozers pushing heaps of Jewish bodies to clear a path. Kelley, shaken, confronts Goring, who continues to deny responsibility. The audience shares Kelley’s horror, reminded that these crimes were not abstract but brutally real. Narrative Tension The film introduces a subplot involving a Boston Globe journalist, Lila, who befriends Kelley. When he carelessly reveals private conversations with Goring, she publishes them, leading to Kelley’s dismissal. Though dramatized, this episode underscores the fragility of trust and the consequences of ethical lapses. Another poignant moment comes when Kelley meets Triest, a German who quietly reveals he is Jewish. Triest explains that Nazi cruelty thrived because it went unchallenged by a complacent public. His words resonate as a timeless warning: silence enables barbarism. Inspired, Kelley turns over his private notes to the prosecution, which proves crucial in convicting Goring. Justice and Irony Goring was sentenced to death by hanging, but on the eve of his execution in October 1946, he committed suicide with cyanide. The prosecution was outraged, robbed of the symbolic justice they sought. Kelley returned to the United States and published his book on the 22 Nazis he evaluated, but it sold poorly. Haunted by his experiences, Kelley himself died by cyanide in 1958—the same method Goring used. The film closes by noting that the Nuremberg trials set precedents for future prosecutions, including the hanging of Adolf Eichmann in 1962 and the pursuit of Nazi fugitives for decades. Another poignant moment comes when Kelley meets Triest, a German who quietly reveals he is Jewish. Triest explains that Nazi cruelty thrived because it went unchallenged by a complacent public. His words resonate as a timeless warning: silence enables barbarism. Inspired, Kelley turns over his private notes to the prosecution, which proves crucial in convicting Goring. Final Reflection Nuremberg is not an easy film to watch, nor should it be. It forces viewers to confront the brutality of evil, and the moral compromises made in its shadow. As a historian, I was struck by its attention to detail and its willingness to explore the psychological dimensions of justice. One leaves the theater in silence, confronted by the chilling reminder that cruelty thrives when met with apathy. Robin Oberman, a realtor from Boca Raton, saw the movie and said, “Very thorough and fact based film. I learned a lot and was educated.” Elysa Klaus, another realtor from Boca Raton asked, “How did Goring get the cyanide?” She added, “Goring had the arrogance of suicide so he could not face his true punishment by hanging, which he would have deserved.” The film is both a historical drama and a moral reckoning, urging us never to forget how humans can treat other humans in such barbaric ways. Neil Keller is a Jewish historian. Visit: www.NeilKeller.com to learn who is Jewish. The photos are not from the movie, I bought these photos and a whole album from a fan who went to the games that went from August 1 to 15, 1936 in Berlin. Both photos are from the August 1936 games at Olympic Stadium "Hitler and Goring" shows Hitler watching the games. Goring is wearing his white uniform at the end of the row. Previous Next

Get Ready for Summer with Free Cone Day: Gulfstream Park Village Has It All... Music in the Park and New Experiences to Enjoy May 12, 2022 Share As the temperatures increase, so does the fun at Gulfstream Park Village. As South Florida’s premier entertainment, dining and restaurant destination, Gulfstream offers events and happenings for all ages in an open-air environment. One of the most anticipated days of the year is coming up – Free Cone Day at Häagen-Dazs! Held at the Gulfstream Park Village location only, ice cream lovers will want to mark their calendars for Tuesday, May 24 when Häagen-Dazs will be offering one free mini cone/cup per guest from 4 to 7 p.m. In past years, Häagen-Dazs at Gulfstream Park Village has served over 5,700 scoops and was the number one store in the country to participate in Free Cone Day. This year, the Gulfstream Park shop invites customers to enjoy summer’s upcoming arrival with a sweet and refreshing treat in a flavor of their choice. Guests are also invited to enjoy an afternoon of free entertainment featuring an interactive DJ, face painting, and an all new Encanto character show in the Village Center, just outside the Häagen-Dazs store. Music in the Park, Gulfstream Park Village’s favorite live entertainment series, continues its weekly performances with the area’s favorite duos and trios. Taking place Wednesday through Sunday nights from 6:30-9:30 p.m., Music in the Park is sure to get audiences dancing. These open-air performances take place in the center stage and feature homegrown musical talent, ranging from jazz to today’s greatest hits. Free to attend, Music in the Park has proven to be one of Gulfstream’s most popular ongoing events. Get ready to dance! Performances in May feature FM Trio, Flovox Duo, Jamal B. Duo, Valerie Tyson Trio, Catabella Duo, Entourage Duo and others. Gulfstream Park’s newest dining destination, Carousel Club, welcomes guests to an experience like no other. Named for the antique carousel bar at its center, this new arrival features a full bar with imaginative cocktails, chic décor and a see-and-be-seen atmosphere. Overlooking the track, this indoor/outdoor venue includes foodie pop-ups including Spris Artisan Pizza, Ms. Cheezious and Los Altos Taqueria with others to be announced. Carousel Club is the perfect spot for watching a race or taking in the sounds of a live DJ Fridays-Sundays. Make this part of your weekend plans and prepare for an experience that delights all the senses. “Gulfstream Park Village is ready for summer, starting with Free Cone Day, a fan favorite. Our year-round events and programming appeal to diverse audiences.” said Alex Schreer, Director of Experiential Marketing for Madison Marquette, the management company for Gulfstream Park Village. “From karaoke to shopping to salons and pampering, our open-air shopping center offers endless options for everyone.” Dining That Delights Gulfstream Park Village offers a variety of dining options, so there is something to keep everyone satisfied! For a big night out or just a quick grab-and-go, guests can enjoy options including Yard House, Christine Lee’s, Texas de Brazil, Häagen-Dazs, Pastry Is Art, Belly Fish, Alma Grill and Ten Palms at the Gulfstream Park Clubhouse. Off to the Races Guests of all ages can enjoy daily racing at Gulfstream Park. Admission to races is free and high season brings the industry’s top jockeys and horses to high stakes races. For those looking to try their luck, Gulfstream Park Casino is open 365 days a year and offers a dynamic offering of socially distant slot and video game tables for a thrilling experience. Entertainment for Everyone Gulfstream Park Village offers a variety of ongoing entertainment destinations, including PlugIN Karaoke that features private rooms perfect for a night out. For the action-seeking crowd, Strike 10 Bowling offers food and fun for groups or families as well as plenty of arcade fun. Color Me Mine pottery painting is both a romantic and creative date-night favorite as well as a fun activity for kids. Look and Feel Your Best Gulfstream Park Village has a variety of health and beauty options for those who want to look and feel their best. Visitors can visit Venetian Nail Spa to enjoy a manicure or pedicure or schedule an appointment at Ideal Image Med Spa, which offers a number of cosmetic medical services. Nadia Paris, an upscale French hair salon, offers services that enhance the natural beauty of guests’ hair. For those looking to get a quick workout in without all the work, Impulse Body Fitness is the latest method of personal training with a suit that does it all through science and technology. This workout can burn up to 2000 calories in just 25 minutes! About Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park is South Florida’s premier entertainment, dining and restaurant destination, located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, anchored by the legendary Gulfstream Park racetrack. Gulfstream Park not only offers world-class Thoroughbred horse racing but is also home to a casino and family-friendly venues including over 15 restaurants, outdoor cafes, art galleries, fashion retailers, state-of-the-art bowling alley, and a renowned selection of signature home stores. Gulfstream Park, voted a 2020 Top Travelers' Choice Winner by TripAdvisor, is located at 901 South Federal Highway in Hallandale Beach, Florida, just two miles east of I-95. Valet service and complimentary self-parking are available. Gulfstream Park is open seven days a week. For hours, schedules, upcoming events and additional information, visit www.gulfstreampark.com or call 954-454-7000. < Previous News Next News >

Top 5 Tips For Teaching Kids Modern Money Lessons In The Digital Age By Feature Impact Sep 17, 2026 Helping Kids Feel Confident About Money Can Start With Simple, Everyday Experiences. That Can Be Especially Important Today, When Children May Hear Different Messages About Money From Parents, Friends And Financial Influencers On Social Media. Giving Kids Opportunities To Practice Earning, Saving, Spending And Making Choices With Money Can Help Them Build Skills And Confidence, Even As More Of Their Financial Lives Become Digital. Parents don't need to be financial experts to help children develop healthy money habits. Starting conversations early and giving kids opportunities to practice skills like budgeting, saving and investing can prepare them to make thoughtful financial decisions as they grow. Consider these tips from the experts at Charles Schwab, which provides a full range of brokerage, banking and financial advisory services, to help build kids' financial knowledge and confidence. 1. Start with Hands-On Activities As children grow, the way parents teach them about money should grow with them. Young kids can start by filling piggy banks or savings jars with coins and cash. As they get older, help them open bank accounts to see how their balances change over time. Introduce budgeting by letting kids make some of their own spending decisions, such as choosing a snack or deciding whether to go to a movie or save for new headphones. Older kids can get involved in family decisions, such as planning a weekend trip within a set budget. 2. Encourage Smart Saving and Investing Habits Learning to save and invest early can help kids see how financial decisions pay off over time. Start with a savings account and show them how compound interest can help their money grow. As kids enter their teen years, look for ways to give them hands-on experience with investing. A teen investing account can give young people a real-world opportunity to research investments, make decisions and learn how to manage money with a parent's guidance and oversight, helping them better understand risk and reward while building financial skills and confidence. 3. Teach Teens About Debt and Credit Before teens begin using credit themselves, help them understand what borrowing actually costs. A credit card may make a purchase feel easy in the moment, but interest and fees can make that purchase more expensive if the balance isn't paid off. Talk about the importance of living within their means, how credit scores work and how interest and late fees can cause debt to grow. Real-life examples, such as comparing the cost of paying for something now versus the cost of carrying a balance, can make these lessons easier to understand. 4. Introduce Kid-Friendly Digital Tools For today's kids, learning about money also means learning how to manage it digitally. When children are old enough to have their own devices or use a parent's device with supervision, introduce them to age-appropriate banking and budgeting tools. Show them how to check a balance, track spending and follow progress toward a savings goal. These everyday experiences help connect the money lessons they learn at home with the tools they'll likely use as adults. 5. Keep Talking About Money Building financial confidence doesn't happen through one conversation. Make money an ongoing, age-appropriate topic by asking kids what they think about spending and saving, and what short- and long-term goals matter to them. Invite them to ask questions and, when appropriate, include them in everyday household money decisions. Giving kids a safe place to learn and make choices (and sometimes mistakes) can help them become more comfortable managing money. Learn more modern strategies for teaching kids and teens financial literacy at: www.SchwabMoneywise.com . Photo courtesy of Shutterstock Previous Next

Death By A Thousand Cuts: The Many Ways Our Rights Have Been Usurped Since 9/11 By John & Nisha Whitehead September 21, 2023 Share Those who gave us the Constitution and the Bill of Rights believed that the government exists at the behest of its citizens. It is there to protect, defend and even enhance our freedoms, not violate them. Unfortunately, although the Bill of Rights was adopted as a means of protecting the people against government tyranny, in America today, the government does whatever it wants, freedom be damned. In the 22 years since the USA Patriot Act—a massive 342-page wishlist of expanded powers for the FBI and CIA—was rammed through Congress in the wake of the so-called 9/11 terror attacks, it has snowballed into the eradication of every vital safeguard against government overreach, corruption and abuse. The Patriot Act drove a stake through the heart of the Bill of Rights, violating at least six of the ten original amendments—the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Amendments—and possibly the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments, as well. In fact, since 9/11, we’ve been spied on by surveillance cameras, eavesdropped on by government agents, had our belongings searched, our phones tapped, our mail opened, our email monitored, our opinions questioned, our purchases scrutinized (under the USA Patriot Act, banks are required to analyze your transactions for any patterns that raise suspicion and to see if you are connected to any objectionable people), and our activities watched. The boogeyman's names and faces have changed over time (terrorism, the war on drugs, illegal immigration, a viral pandemic, and more to come), but the end result remains the same: in the so-called name of national security, the Constitution has been steadily chipped away at, undermined, eroded, whittled down, and generally discarded with the support of Congress, the White House, and the courts. Here is what it means to live under the Constitution, with the nation still suffering blowback from the permanent state of emergency brought about by 9/11 and COVID-19. The First Amendment is supposed to protect the freedom to speak your mind, assemble and protest nonviolently without being bridled by the government. It also protects the freedom of the media, as well as the right to worship and pray without interference. In other words, Americans should not be silenced by the government. To the founders, all of America was a free speech zone. Despite the clear protections found in the First Amendment, the freedoms described therein are under constant assault. The Second Amendment was intended to give the citizenry the means to resist tyrannical government. Yet while gun ownership has been recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court as an individual citizen right, Americans remain powerless to defend themselves against red flag gun laws, militarized police, SWAT team raids, and government agencies armed to the teeth with military weapons better suited to the battlefield. The Third Amendment reinforces the principle that civilian-elected officials are superior to the military by prohibiting the military from entering any citizen’s home without “the consent of the owner.” With the police increasingly training like the military, acting like the military, and posing as military forces—complete with heavily armed SWAT teams, military weapons, assault vehicles, etc.—it is clear that we now have what the founders feared most—a standing army on American soil. The Fourth Amendment ensures privacy and bodily integrity. Unfortunately, the Fourth Amendment has suffered the greatest damage in recent years and has been all but eviscerated by an unwarranted expansion of governmental police powers that include strip searches and even anal and vaginal searches of citizens, surveillance (corporate and otherwise), and intrusions justified in the name of fighting terrorism, as well as the outsourcing of otherwise illegal activities to private contractors. The Fifth Amendment and the Sixth Amendment work in tandem. These amendments supposedly ensure that you are innocent until proven guilty, and government authorities cannot deprive you of your life, your liberty or your property without the right to an attorney and a fair trial before a civilian judge. However, in the new suspect society in which we live, where surveillance is the norm, these fundamental principles have been upended. The Seventh Amendment guarantees citizens the right to a jury trial. Yet when the populace has no idea of what’s in the Constitution, that inevitably translates to an ignorant jury. However, the power of the jury to nullify the government’s actions—and thereby help balance the scales of justice—is not to be underestimated. The Eighth Amendment is supposed to protect the rights of the accused and forbid the use of cruel and unusual punishment. However, the Supreme Court’s determination that what constitutes “cruel and unusual” should be dependent on the “evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society” leaves us with little protection in the face of a society lacking in morals altogether. The Ninth Amendment provides that other rights not enumerated in the Constitution are nonetheless retained by the people. However, it has since been turned on its head by a centralized federal government that sees itself as supreme. As for the Tenth Amendment’s reminder that the people and the states retain every authority that is not otherwise mentioned in the Constitution, that assurance of a system of government in which power is divided among local, state and national entities has long since been rendered moot by the centralized Washington, DC, power elite—the president, Congress and the courts. Thus, if there is any sense to be made from this recitation of freedoms lost, it is simply this: our individual freedoms have been eviscerated so that the government’s powers could be expanded. It was no idle happenstance that the Constitution, which was adopted 236 years ago on September 17th, 1787, opens with these three powerful words: “We the people.” It’s our job to make the government play by the rules of the Constitution. Still, it’s hard to be a good citizen if you don’t know anything about your rights or how the government is supposed to operate. Here’s an idea to get educated and take a stand for freedom: anyone who signs up to become a member of The Rutherford Institute gets a wallet-sized Bill of Rights card and a Know Your Rights card. 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 the people” have the power to make and break the government. Imagine what we could accomplish if we actually worked together, presented a united front, and spoke with one voice. Tyranny wouldn’t stand a chance. 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 >