Savor the Flavors and Sounds at Taste of Dania Beach Wed Dec 25 2024 18:15:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

June Heats Up At The Parker With Culture, Comedy, Community And More South Florida Sun Times May 29, 2025 From Laugh-Out-Loud Comedy To Thought-Provoking Conversations And Soulful Rhythms, The Parker’s Lillian S. Wells Hall Is Turning Up The Heat This June. South Florida Audiences Can Soak Up Culture And Community With A Sizzling Lineup Of Performances That Celebrate Freedom, Identity And Pure Entertainment. The Broward Center and Hued Songs present The Juneteenth Experience, part of the Arts for Action: Black Voices Series, on Saturday, June 14th at 7:30 p.m. at The Parker. The Juneteenth Experience is a groundbreaking annual celebration that promises to captivate audiences with a powerful piece of concert theater that weaves together soulful melodies, gospel rhythms and classical arrangements with spoken word and dance, paying homage to the spirit of liberation and freedom. The evening begins with screenings of short films by local filmmakers exploring themes of Black liberation and belonging, followed by a multidisciplinary celebration that seamlessly melds spoken word, dance, music and multimedia elements. A pop-up market will showcase works by local Black artisans and vendors. The 2025 Juneteenth Experience is made possible through the generous support of The National Endowment for the Arts, The Green Family Foundation, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Baptist Health, JM Family Enterprises, The City of Miami Beach, The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation, The Miami Foundation, The Our Fund Foundation, Broward Cultural Division, The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Business Healer, The African Heritage Cultural Arts Center and the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, with support from the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. Yohay Sponder brings his unique outlook on life to The Parker as part of the Truist Comedy Series on Sunday, June 15th at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Throughout his 20-year career, Sponder has starred in multiple TV and radio shows; he produces and headlines in “Funny Monday – Israeli Comedy in English” and has performed all over the world. Having gained a massive following on Social Media, Sponder most recently finished up a sold-out tour in Europe with his new show, "Self-Loving Jew," in which he talks about self-love, identity and faith. Sponder’s humor, smart wit and unapologetic attitude are the perfect antidote for even the toughest of times. He truly believes he can cure the world's troubles one laugh at a time. This time, the joke's on him! This event contains adult language or content. Audiences will explore the question, “Are there parts of our minds that are hidden from us?” when the Broward Center and Gate52 present the Hidden Brain “Perceptions” Tour with Shankar Vedantam on Sunday, June 22nd at 2:00 p.m. This question launched the “Hidden Brain” podcast 10 years ago. Since then, “Hidden Brain” has helped millions of listeners accomplish their goals, improve their relationships and develop a deeper understanding of their emotions. Now, host and creator Shankar Vedantam brings seven key insights from the first decade of “Hidden Brain” to the stage. Whether new to the show or longtime listeners, audiences can share their own thoughts and ideas with Shankar and find their thinking changed by this evening of science and storytelling. Also performing at The Parker this June are: Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida: Dazzling Divas on Saturday, June 21st and Haitian comedian Gaëlle Bien-Aimé’s KÈSKONFE on Saturday, June 28th. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of The Broward Center and The Parker. Buy tickets online at: www.ParkerPlayhouse.com - And: www.Ticketmaster.com - By phone at: (954) 462-0222. And in person at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 Southwest Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. Lillian S. Wells Hall at The Parker is located in Holiday Park at 707 Northeast Eighth Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304. The Parker is an affiliated venue of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, which provides programming and management of the facility. The Broward Center 2024/2025 Season is supported by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation, AutoNation, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, Spirit and Nicklaus Children’s Health System. 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, waterfront dining at Marti’s New River Bistro 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. For more information, visit: www.BrowardCenter.org . Previous Next

The Lessons Of Bondi Beach By Howard Barbanel Dec 18, 2025 Let’s Be Perfectly Blunt -- The Bondi Beach Chanukah Massacre Happened Because The Feckless Woke Liberal Government In Australia Has Allowed Two-Plus Years Of Nonstop Pro-Hamas Pro-Gaza Rallies In Their Major Cities (Much As London Has), Non-Stop Verbal Violence Like The “Long Live The Intifada” Rallies At Sydney’s Bondi Beach (The Footage Is Easily Searchable) Preceding The Massacre, The 100,00-Strong Pro-Hamas Marches Across The Sydney Bridge Along With Attacks On A Melbourne Synagogue And Kosher Market In Sydney This Year As Well. As with most Woke governments, Conservative speech has been squelched and throttled while the most vile radical hate-filled words from Islamists and the far left are actually protected by the government instead of condemned. Warnings from the Australian Jewish community went unheeded and were in fact derided. Given all that, what do you expect will eventually happen? Australia, much as with the rest of the Woke-led Left tolerates and enables limitless Moslem migration – people with no proclivity to acculturate or assimilate into the cultures and societies of the nations to which they migrate. It is a perverse form of reverse colonization whereby the irrationally guilt-stricken majority white population not only welcomes the dilution and subversion of their cultures but actually pays to make it so by proffering extraordinarily generous welfare benefits to the migrants which often exceed those given to their own citizens. The Woke self-loathing of their own national origins, traditions and cultures is alarming and dangerous because this delusional self-inflicted self-flagellation could lead to the end of The West as we’ve known it and that could lead to the end of order and freedom in the world as well which depends on a strong West. The US, not immune, was careening headlong down this path between 2021 and January 2025. The Islamists, in an astonishing alliance with the far left sows chaos and violence in every Western nation – a cancerous malignancy that needs immediate surgery. The murder of 16 Jews at a Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach can be described as the first official act of the terrorist State of Palestine in Australia. Australia (along with the UK, Canada, France, Spain, and Ireland) officially recognized "Palestine" towards the end of the Gaza War. The complete unmooring of a basic moral compass during the war by Woke Western governments leads in a direct line to the intimidation, harassment, and murder of innocent Jews. Trump should be praised for rolling back all this Woke snowflake pro-Hamas bile across the US government and academia. Were I living in New York City, I'd be very afraid of what is coming under a Mayor Mamdani. Just look to London for a crystal-ball view. London also has a leftist-Moslem mayor. This teaches us that sadly the Chanukah story is still incredibly relevant in our time -- not the menorahs and latkes so much -- but the 30-year war for independence to restore divine revealed morality as related in the Books of the Maccabees which culminated in the recapture and rededication (Chanukat HaMisbeach) of the Temple in Jerusalem. The struggle for Jewish security and freedom continues in our time as Jews are faced with unrelenting and unrepentant hatred all around. Why are Jews so hated? Because the Jewish people stand in the way of evil’s march across the earth. The lights of the Menorah show the world that decent people will not be silenced, cowed, or eradicated. Truth and decency will continue its forward march even in the face of Islamist and Woke headwinds. Previous Next

Rebecca D'Amico Joins The Team: At The Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce April 6, 2023 Share The Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the addition of Rebecca D'Amico to its team. Rebecca joins us as the Director of Operations, Program and Events, where she will oversee the Chamber's programming, Leadership Hollywood and event initiatives. Prior to joining the Greater Hollywood Chamber, Rebecca served as the Development Director at the Covenant House Florida and Director of Programs with Leadership Broward Foundation, where she gained extensive experience in event production, membership, volunteer recruitment and management and budget development. Her expertise in these areas will be invaluable as the Chamber continues to evolve its programming and events. Rebecca holds a Master of Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University, where she focused on nonprofit management and public administration. Her commitment to community development and her track record of success make her a perfect fit for the Greater Hollywood Chamber. "We are thrilled to have Rebecca join our team," said Marie Suarez, CEO Executive Director of the Greater Hollywood Chamber. "Her experience in nonprofit management, coupled with her passion for community engagement, will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals for the year ahead. We look forward to the impact she will have on our organization and the community we serve." Rebecca is excited to join the Greater Hollywood Chamber and to contribute to the Chamber's mission of promoting economic growth and community development in Hollywood. "I am honored to join such a respected and impactful organization," said Rebecca D'Amico. "I am eager to get started and to work with the talented team at the Chamber to create innovative programming and events that support the local business community. Please join us in welcoming Rebecca D'Amico to the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. About the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (GHCC): The GHCC is a leading force for economic growth and community development in Hollywood, Florida. Through dynamic initiatives, valuable resources, and strategic partnerships, the GHCC fosters business attraction and expansion, enhances workforce development, and revitalizes neighborhoods to create a vibrant, thriving community for all. Learn more at: https://hollywoodchamber.org < Previous News Next News >

Alzheimer’s Foundation Of America Launches Groundbreaking National Research Study On Dementia’s Impact On Spouses Aventura Digest Aug 27, 2026 The Alzheimer’s Foundation Of America (AFA) Launched A Groundbreaking National Research Study Examining The Impact Caring For A Spouse Or Partner With Dementia Has On Physical And Mental Health, Stress Levels, Brain Function, Social Relationships, And Overall Quality Of Life. Individuals Who Provide(d) Care For A Spouse With Alzheimer’s Disease Or Another Type Of Dementia Can Learn More Or Participate In The Free Online Survey By Visiting: https://alzfdn.org/spousal-caregiving-study/ AFA’s study aims to gather crucial, evidence-based data directly from spousal caregivers about how Dementia caregiving affects them physically, emotionally, and socially over time. Findings will help guide future programs, resources, and policies to better support the millions of Americans caring for loved ones with Dementia. Despite the central role spousal caregivers play, their health outcomes remain under-studied and under-represented in research. Most Dementia research focuses on the person who is diagnosed. Far less data exists about the caregiver walking beside them — particularly spouses who are aging themselves, navigating emotional and health challenges while continuing to provide care. Filling this critical gap is essential to help drive change where caregivers need it most. More than 11 million Americans serve as caregivers to a loved one with living with Dementia, providing over 18 billion hours of unpaid care, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The demands of caregiving can have a significant impact on caregivers’ own health and well-being. “Spousal caregivers devote tremendous amounts of time, energy, and compassion to caring for their loved ones, sometimes at the expense of their own health,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s President & CEO. “By participating in this study and sharing their experiences, caregivers will help provide crucial information needed to help improve support for families affected by Dementia.” “Our healthcare system has made remarkable advances in understanding Alzheimer’s Disease, but there is a lack of quantifiable, evidence-based data on what caregiving does to the spousal caregiver,” said Donna de Levante Raphael, Ph.D., AFA’s Director of Research and the study’s principal investigator. “This research will help generate the evidence needed to improve care and support for millions of caregiving families.” Eligible participants must: • Be 21 years of age or older. • Serve as the full-time primary caregiver for a spouse or partner living with Dementia. • Live in the United States. • Have access to the internet. Participation consists of a confidential online survey that takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete. There are no in-person visits or travel requirements. Families can learn more or participate in the free online survey by visiting: www.afacaregiversurvey.com . About Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA): The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is a Non-Profit Organization whose mission is to provide support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and related Dementias nationwide and to fund research for better treatment and a cure. Its services include a National Toll-Free Helpline: 1 (866) 232-8484 staffed by licensed social workers, the National Memory Screening Program, educational conferences and materials, and Dementia care training for healthcare professionals. For more information about AFA, call: 1 (866) 232-8484. Visit: www.alzfdn.org . Follow us on Twitter or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. AFA holds Charity Navigator’s top 4-star rating. Previous Next

Tomas Lopez September 22, 1929 - May 30, 2025 Aventura Digest Jun 18, 2025 Tomas Lopez, Devoted Husband, Loving Father, Grandfather And Great Grandfather, Passed Away Peacefully At His Home On Friday, May 30, 2025, At The Age Of 95. Born In Havana, Cuba, On September 22, 1929, Tomas Was The Fourth And Youngest Son Of Josefa And Celestino Lopez. Always a curious child with a strong intellect, Tomas ventured to Venezuela in his early 20s to visit his older brother. Upon his return to Cuba, he met Haydee Arencibia. They married on February 27, 1953. Tomas and Haydee and their four children left Cuba and immigrated to America in 1969 for a better life. With his engaging personality and witty sense of humor, Tomas made many friends in New Jersey and later in Florida. Through hard work and diligence, he owned his own business for many years. His greatest joy was spending time with his growing family. After 71 years of marriage, Tomas lost his beloved wife, Haydee in 2024. His parents predeceased him, as did his brothers, Celestino, Manuel and Ramon. Tomas is survived by his adoring children, daughter Rosa (Jesus) Ruiz, son Tomas (Stacey) Lopez, daughter Susana (Darryl) Farquhar, son Juan Lopez. He leaves behind grandchildren Jennifer (Martin) Mennicke, Jessica (Ryan) Chalmers, Jaclyn (Andrew) Witmer, Julia (Adam) Finkelstein, Isabel (Mac) Ahsler, Joshua Lopez, Stephanie (Hunter) Mills, Benjamin Farquhar, Sabrina Lopez. Tomas will be missed by his eight great grandchildren, Riley, Mason, Hadley, Anderson, Layla, Parker, Stella, Rowan. A private family service was held to honor Tomas. He will be dearly missed but his legacy will live on in his growing family and they will hold his loving memory in their hearts. Services were held at All Faiths Memorial Park 1390 Park Drive, Casselberry, Florida 32707. Tomas Lopez - September 22, 1929 - May 30, 2025 Previous Next

Goodbye For Now: A Heartfelt Tribute From Children Who Lost Their Parents In The Surfside Collapse Thu Jul 22 2021 04:07:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

ADL Mourns The Passing Of National Director Emeritus Abraham H. Foxman www.adl.org - Press Release May 19, 2026 ADL (The Anti-Defamation League) Deeply Mourns The Loss Of Our Longtime National Director, Abraham H. Foxman. Born In 1940, Abe Survived The Holocaust After He Was Entrusted To His Polish Catholic Nanny, Who Had Him Baptized As A Catholic To Hide His Jewish Identity. He Was Miraculously Reunited With His Parents After The War. Abe graduated from City College of the City University of New York and NYU School of Law, joining ADL immediately after graduating from law school and serving in various roles before being tapped as national director in 1987. An outspoken, passionate, and tireless advocate for the Jewish people and Israel, Abe served his entire 50-year career at ADL, becoming one of the world’s foremost voices against antisemitism and hate. He retired in 2015. Nicole Mutchnik, ADL Board Chair, issued the following statement: Abe Foxman helped build the modern liberal era of America. He was recognized across the globe as a great leader and passionate advocate for tolerance, a voice of the generation rebuilding in the shadow of the Shoah, and longtime advisor to American presidents and world leaders. To those of us who knew him, Abe was a warm friend, advisor, spirited antagonist and hugger – all over lunch. On behalf of the ADL Board of Directors, and our thousands of ADL volunteer leaders over decades, I extend our deepest condolences to his beloved Golda and beautiful family, who were the ultimate prizes of his life. May his memory be for a blessing. Statement from Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director: America and the Jewish people have lost a moral voice, a passionate advocate for the Jewish people and the state of Israel, and a remarkable leader. Abe Foxman was an iconic Jewish leader who embraced the ideal of an America free from antisemitism and hate and who strongly believed that these scourges could be defeated if good people opposed it. In his storied career, Abe transformed ADL while confronting antisemitism and hate (from both left and right), opposing the global rise in antisemitism, holding world leaders accountable and working to ensure that Israel was Jewish, secure and democratic. Abe’s voice was heard – and listened to – by popes, presidents, and prime ministers, a voice he used wherever Jews were at risk. Abe Foxman spoke on the global stage with moral authority and clarity and was relentlessly dedicated to his pursuit of a world without hate. Abe understood the power of words. He often said that the Holocaust did not begin with bricks and mortar and gas chambers, but rather, it began with words. From this foundational principle, he made education and antibias training a cornerstone of ADL’s work just as ADL would stand in opposition to hateful rhetoric and violent bigotry whatever its source. His work and philosophy were forged in a remarkable childhood. During the Holocaust, his parents were forced to entrust him to the care of his Polish-Catholic nanny Bronislawa Kurpi who baptized him and raised him as a Catholic for four years; she sought to retain custody of Abe. Although he lost 14 members of his family in the Holocaust, his parents survived and emigrated to the United States with Abe. He attended the Yeshiva of Flatbush and then went to City College and NYU Law, among other graduate studies. Abe joined ADL in 1965 as an assistant director of legal affairs. We extend our deepest condolences to Abe’s wife Golda, his children Michelle and Ariel and his son-in-law Brandon Cardet-Hernandez, as well as his grandchildren, Cielo, Leila, Gideon, and Amirit. May his memory be for a blessing. About the ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913 to protect the Jewish people, ADL works to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and secure justice and fair treatment to all. In the face of rising antisemitism and extremism, we protect, advocate, and educate, through a mix of programs and services using the latest innovations and technology, and seek to create a world without hate. Learn more at: www.adl.org . Abraham H. Foxman, Former ADL National Director, addressed an audience of nearly 1,200 dignitaries, friends, lay leaders and donors at a tribute dinner in recognition of his 50 years of service. Previous Next

Have You Ever Wondered How Your Family Ended Up Where You Were Born? Jewish Connection News May 2, 2025 Do You Know Where Your Grandparents Were Living And How They Raised Their Children? Someday, When You Become A Parent And Your Children Ask You About Family History, What Will You Be Able To Tell Them? The search for one’s roots is a hobby. Most hobbies require one to learn new skills and improve those by practice. A hobby requires the investment of time, and as much money as one could comfortably spend. What are the returns from these investments? Discovery of people who came before you and others with whom your family lost contact. In the old days most people lived and died within a small area where they were born. A child grew up knowing all of their aunts, uncles, cousins and of course, their grandparents. Discovery is a gradual process. Those whose hobby is Genealogy, often feel victorious and happy each time they find something new and interesting. It is a joyful series of breakthroughs. In our time, families are often scattered all over the country or even globally. “America is a nation of immigrants.” Native Americans kept their stories either through word-of-mouth, or by recording it through art and other permanent recordings. Those who are descendants of immigrants, often had lost contact with relatives left behind in a generation or two. Not only the distance becomes a barrier, but the language as well. Good news: with modern tools, such as the internet and various archives much of the history of a family can be recovered. Have you heard of the Television Program: “Finding Your Roots!”? Professor Henry Louis Gates of Harvard interviews two or three guests in each episode on public television, and then presents each one with the guest’s family tree along with stories discovered from various sources. A few examples from past programs: A Cuban born Fashion Designer learned about his centuries old roots from the Canary Islands, the ancestry of an African-American celebrity, a football star turned tv host, was traced to Charlemagne (748-814), the first emperor of Western Europe. The hostess of “Fresh Air” on public radio had no idea about her relatives who perished in the Holocaust; a well-known television news anchor discovered his roots both in Africa and in Western Europe. How is it done and who can do it? 1. Interview your elders, record it, or take lots of notes. 2. Ask and search for your family’s records, e.g., Birth, Marriage and Death Documents, Diplomas, Immigration Records, Union Cards, even Criminal Records. 3. Ask for photos and search both the albums and the shoeboxes. 4. The internet seems to be a bottomless well of family data. Census Records are free, the Mormon Church Records are accessible, Public Records of family events Are open to all. 5. Genealogy websites; such as: Myheritage, Ancestry, etc. charge a fee but are often accessible for free at Public Libraries. 6. DNA Analysis is a powerful tool and its cost has declined considerably over the years. 7. Newspaper Archives are a rich source of Birth, Marriage, and Death Announcements. What to do with all the data you find? Some people focus on building a family tree, others collect stories and produce a family log. Some write a history of the family. Others use the research results to connect with distant relatives. Along with learning about people, most Genealogists also learn a lot of history, geography, politics, etc. One of the joys is to travel to places where one’s ancestors lived and visit their former homes, Schools, Cemeteries, etc. One may get to connect with lost relatives. Genealogy Is Like A Sport: The more you search, the better you get at it. Join a group or club. Learn from experienced members. Ask your school to offer a class. It is not only about research, but a social activity, where people with similar interests become your friends and helpers. Let me introduce my two groups: the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Miami and the Genealogy Society of Greater Miami, Inc. The JGSGM had been meeting monthly at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, North of Downtown Miami, but since the epidemic started, we Zoom. The JGSGM had been meeting at the Pinecrest Branch of the Miami-Dade Public Library. Visitors are welcome at both groups! Activities of the JGSGM: At each meeting there is a speaker. The topics range from “How to…?” to “How I found my xyz.” There are interesting presentations about specific national or social groups, their history, traditions, customs, etc. There are workshops for beginners and for anyone interested in specific tools. There is an active “cemetery group” who photograph, catalog and map cemeteries. Activities of the JGSGM: Excellent training sessions about “How to…?” Both for beginners and advanced researchers’ talks by visiting speakers about a wide variety of topics. National And International Meetings There are many Genealogy groups and subgroups with special interests. For instance, there are groups interested in a country or area of origin, or in a period of history, such as the American Civil War, or the World Wars, etc. These meetings take place at different places and they are very interesting, But quite expensive considering the cost of travel, accommodations, registration and the temptation to buy “stuff,” souvenirs, tools, books and so on… The speakers and group events are very high quality and provide the opportunity to meet and consult with world class experts. On behalf of both societies, we invite you to test the waters by coming to meet our members who would be happy to discuss any subject in relation to Genealogy research. Thanks for listening! Any questions? Paulette Bronstein - President Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Miami Member For more information, view our website at: https://www.jgs-miami.org Previous Next

Galleria Fort Lauderdale's Cool Summer Art Show - Over 50 Artists To Sell Their Works Of Art Throughout The Mall Aventura Digest Jul 18, 2025 Beat The Heat At Galleria Fort Lauderdale’s Cool Summer Art Show On Saturday, July 26th, 2025 From 10:00 a.m. To 6:00 p.m., And On Sunday, July 27th, 2025 From 12:00 p.m. Noon To 5:00 p.m. This Indoor Art Experience Will Showcase Over 50 Professional Artists Whose Works Will Be Displayed Throughout The Mall For Guests To Browse, Enjoy And Purchase. “Galleria Fort Lauderdale is pleased to present this cool and comfortable cultural event that provides an opportunity for local artists to connect with art enthusiasts and mall guests to explore and collect one-of-a-kind works,” said Melissa Milroy, Senior Marketing Manager at Galleria Fort Lauderdale. “We are excited to build on the community’s enthusiasm for the arts and transform the mall into a dynamic summer weekend gallery.” Following the success of BLOOM, Galleria Fort Lauderdale’s 2025 Earth Day juried art exhibition, the Summer Art Show continues the mall’s seasonal celebration of creativity. The event will feature a diverse collection of artists offering photography, paintings, drawings, wood, clay, metal, glass, sculpture and mixed media works of art. Working in tandem with Brush Strokes, a working artist’s studio located at Galleria Fort Lauderdale, selected artists to date include Marilyn Williscoft, Mona Schaffel, Jana Hanbury, Tricia Rutsis, Hitomi Saito and Connie Commette. Artist selection is ongoing. Submission details and access to the artist entry form are available at: https://bit.ly/galleriasas . For more information about Galleria Fort Lauderdale or for a complete list of retailers, call: (954) 564-1036. Or visit: www.galleriamall-fl.com . About Galleria Fort Lauderdale: Galleria Fort Lauderdale, recognized as one of South Florida's premier shopping destinations, features a variety of popular dining and retail options. Macy’s, Dillard’s and H&M anchor the center which also is home to Altar’d State, Apple, Banana Republic, Free People, Michael Kors and Pandora. The center features a fine roster of dining establishments such as Seasons 52, The Capital Grille and P.F. Chang’s. Powerhouse Gym and Blue Martini can also be found at the property. Just steps away from Fort Lauderdale’s world-famous beach, it is minutes from the airport, port, downtown, hotels and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center with easy access from Sunrise Boulevard, U.S. Highway 1 (Federal Highway), Interstate 95, Interstate 595, and U.S. Highway A1A (Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard). Located at 2414 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304, it is open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. Restaurants and anchors enjoy varied hours. More information is available by calling: (954) 564-1036. Or by visiting: www.galleriamall-fl.com . Previous Next

Shelter Pets Need You: Give Them A Home For The Holidays Wed Dec 13 2023 17:08:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

MLK Echoes Of The Past By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper Jan 28, 2026 This Past Weekend, Cities Across The Country Celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Life And Legacy Who Was Sadly Shot 58 Years Ago. The Same Year Robert Kennedy Was Shot And 5 Years Before In 1963, John F. Kennedy. This Was An Extremely Dark Period In Our Country’s History. All Of These Great Men Worked Tirelessly Towards Justice And Equality. Personally, I Remember These Assassinations. When JFK was shot, I remember playing around with my sister who was in her play pen while my mother ironed shirts for my father and three brothers. While she was standing watching the old black and white TV, we could not afford color, I remember her standing and crying, watching the news. When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot I was in third grade in school when our Principal Mr. Kusgee came in and told our teacher. Mrs. Hersh was a stern teacher and that was the first time I saw her cry. Once again, we walked home to find my mom and her friends around the TV watching Walter Cronkite and crying. The same thing happened when Robert Kennedy was shot. Our parents did not talk a lot about it, but my brothers did around the dinner table. I do remember vividly standing on the train bridge in Trenton watching the Robert J. Kennedy train pass. Hundreds of people stood weeping and waving to show solidarity. These points in history, even as a young child, had a lasting impact on me as a young person. I did not attend a segregated school in Levittown. I know there were areas just like it in the south that were African American, but I was never exposed to racism and bigotry growing up. My best friend and neighbor were a Jewish boy, Andrew. I do not recall what his father’s profession was, but his mom was a hairdresser. I loved going to his house and watching her do hair. Where I grew up was drastically different to what children my own age experienced in South Florida. When I moved to south Florida my eyes were open to a different reality. As recently as 1991 the confederate flag still flew on Young Circle. Thanks to Judge Ken Gottlieb who was a Hollywood Commissioner it was brought down. It was not unusual to see blatant signs of the hate of the past that I thought would certainly be gone. This truly made me question whether I wanted my children to grow up around such hatred. While we are seeing a doubling of antisemitic acts of aggression on Jewish houses of worship, Jewish businesses, and multiple killings of Jewish people simply for being Jewish. We need to be reminded that it is up to every one of us to stand up. These acts are not just the KKK or Alt right from days past we are seeing them from Americans that simply have been indoctrinated with misinformation and simply do not understand history. We are blessed to have a great city. There have been incidents of antisemitism such as graffiti and incidents involving harassment of one of our Rabbis. Our City Commission and our Police Department have a firm commitment to stand up against these acts. It is up to us all now to stand up. If you see something, say something. If you read something online, correct it. My biggest call out is the land of Israel was Judea before it was taken over. It was taken over and then called Palestine. Jews have and should always have the right to their land. The other is antizionist. These means anti Jew plain and simple. Zion was the age-old name for Jerusalem and Israel. There is a famous quote from Yusuf Diya al-Khalidi “Who can challenge the rights of the Jews in Palestine? Good lord, historically it really is your country.” In 1899 the Arab ottomans had invaded and taken over Israel and he was the “Mayor of occupied Jerusalem.” This was before the British came in to occupy Israel. It was not until the Israeli Independence War. Just like the history of the Rights Movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. the fight of the Indigenous people of Israel to live in their country, history matters. The correlation between the fight for African American freedom and equality and the shared Judeo-Christian values is a unique bond. Now more than ever it is critical that we continue to unite against hatred. The Neo Nazis, Skinheads, Alt Right and White Supremacists have now partnered with those of the extreme left. We need to not be the quiet majority but the vocal majority for peace, unity, and love. Only love can conquer hate. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our City a better place on my Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org . Please visit me on my Facebook page at: Mayor Joy Cooper. Like! Follow! And share! Previous Next