You’d Better Watch Out - You’d Better Not Cry: The Surveillance State Is coming To Town, and You’re Already On Its Naughty List By John W. Whitehead & Nisha Whitehead December 16, 2021 Share Santa’s got a new helper. No longer does the all-knowing, all-seeing, jolly Old St. Nick need to rely on antiquated elves on shelves and other seasonal snitches in order to know when you’re sleeping or awake, and if you’ve been naughty or nice. Thanks to the government’s almost limitless powers made possible by a domestic army of techno-tyrants, fusion centers and Peeping Toms, Santa can get real-time reports on who’s been good or bad this year. Consider just a small sampling of the tools being used to track our movements, monitor our spending, and sniff out all the ways in which our thoughts, actions and social circles might land us on the government’s naughty list. Tracking you based on your health status. In the age of COVID-19, digital health passports are gaining traction as gatekeepers of a sort, restricting access to travel, entertainment, etc., based on one’s vaccine status. Government agencies are also preparing to use virus-detecting canine squads to carry out mass screenings to detect individuals who may have COVID-19. Researchers claim the COVID-sniffing dogs have a 95% success rate of identifying individuals with the virus (except when they’re hungry, tired or distracted). Tracking you based on your face: Facial recognition software aims to create a society in which every individual who steps out into public is tracked and recorded as they go about their daily business. Coupled with surveillance cameras that blanket the country, facial recognition technology allows the government and its corporate partners to identify and track someone’s movements in real-time. Similarly, biometric software, which relies on one’s unique identifiers (fingerprints, irises, voice prints), is becoming the standard for navigating security lines, as well as bypassing digital locks and gaining access to phones, computers, office buildings, etc. Scientists are also developing lasers that can identify and surveil individuals based on their heartbeats, scent and microbiome. Tracking you based on your behavior: Rapid advances in behavioral surveillance are not only making it possible for individuals to be monitored and tracked based on their patterns of movement or behavior, including gait recognition (the way one walks), but have given rise to whole industries that revolve around predicting one’s behavior based on data and surveillance patterns. One smart “anti-riot” surveillance system purports to predict mass riots and unauthorized public events by using artificial intelligence to analyze social media, news sources, surveillance video feeds and public transportation data. Tracking you based on your spending and consumer activities: With every smartphone we buy, every GPS device we install, every Twitter, Facebook, and Google account we open, every frequent buyer card we use for purchases, and every credit and debit card we use to pay for our transactions, we’re helping Corporate America build a dossier for its government counterparts on who we know, what we think, how we spend our money, and how we spend our time. Consumer surveillance, by which your activities and data in the physical and online realms are tracked and shared with advertisers, has become big business. Tracking you based on your public activities: Private corporations in conjunction with police agencies and fusion centers throughout the country have created a web of surveillance that encompasses all major cities in order to monitor large groups of people seamlessly, as in the case of protests and rallies. They are also engaging in extensive online surveillance, looking for any hints of “large public events, social unrest, gang communications, and criminally predicated individuals.” Tracking you based on your social media activities: Every move you make, especially on social media, is monitored, mined for data, crunched, and tabulated in order to form a picture of who you are, what makes you tick, and how best to control you when and if it becomes necessary to bring you in line. The FBI, CIA, NSA and other government agencies are increasingly investing in and relying on corporate surveillance technologies that can mine constitutionally protected speech on 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. Tracking you based on your phone and online activities: Cell phones have become de facto snitches, offering up a steady stream of digital location data on users’ movements and travels. Police have used cell-site simulators to carry out mass surveillance of protests without the need for a warrant. Tracking you based on your social network: Not content to merely spy on individuals through their online activity, government agencies are now using surveillance technology to track one’s social network, the people you might connect with by phone, text message, email or through social message, in order to ferret out possible criminals. What this creates is a “guilt by association” society in which we are all as guilty as the most culpable person in our address book. Tracking you based on your car: License plate readers are mass surveillance tools that can photograph over 1,800 license tag numbers per minute, take a picture of every passing license tag number and store the tag number and the date, time, and location of the picture in a searchable database, then share the data with law enforcement, fusion centers and private companies to track the movements of persons in their cars. Tracking you based on your mail: Just about every branch of the government—from the Postal Service to the Treasury Department and every agency in between—now has its own surveillance sector, authorized to spy on the American people. For instance, the U.S. Postal Service has been photographing the exterior of every piece of paper mail for the past 20 years. Clearly, Big Tech wedded to Big Government has become Big Brother. Every second of every day, we are being monitored, surveilled, spied on and tracked in more than 20 different ways by a vast network of digital Peeping Toms, electronic eavesdroppers and robotic snoops. As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, in the government’s hands, these surveillance weapons add up to a society in which there’s little room for indiscretions, imperfections, or acts of independence. In an age of overcriminalization, mass surveillance, and an appalling lack of protections for our privacy rights, we can all be considered guilty of some transgression or other. So you’d better watch out—you’d better not pout—you’d better not cry—‘cos I’m telling you why: this Christmas, it’s the Surveillance State that’s coming to town, and you’re already on its naughty list. 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 . < Previous News Next News >

"The Most Urgent Movie of 2022": The Aventura International Film Series Presents “Happening” Thu Oct 27 2022 16:07:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Halloween Events In Hollywood Offer Spooky Fun For The Whole Family By City Of Hollywood Oct 22, 2025 The City Of Hollywood Is Kicking Off The Spooky Season With A Full Lineup Of Frightfully Fun Events For All Ages. Candy, Costumes And Entertainment Await With Free Festivities Happening Across The City From This Weekend Through Halloween. Boo Bash & ArtsPark Movie Night ArtsPark at Young Circle – 1 Young Circle, Downtown Hollywood, Florida 33020 Friday, October 24th, 2025 | 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Bring the kids to Boo Bash for some spirited fun at ArtsPark in Downtown Hollywood. The evening begins at 5:00 p.m. with music and kids’ activities, followed by a costume fashion show at 7:00 p.m. and movie night at 8:00 p.m. Admission is free and food will be available for purchase. ArtsPark Movie Night Feature: Hotel Transylvania: Goosebumps Bring a blanket or beach chair and enjoy a free family-friendly flick under the stars. Hollyweird Halloween Downtown Hollywood Block Party Downtown Hollywood Saturday, October 25th, 2025 | 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Hollyweird is South Florida’s premiere Halloween festival, featuring live music, drink specials and an adult costume contest with more than $10,000 in prizes. Admission is free. Visit: www.hollyweirdfestival.com for details. Please note: This event is for adults. A Haunting We Will Go Driftwood Community Center – 3000 North 69th Avenue, Hollywood, Florida 33024 Thursday, October 30th, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Enjoy snacks, drinks, a haunted house and Halloween festivities for the whole family. For more information, call: (954) 967-4241. Youth Light the Night Halloween Spectacular Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center – 2400 Charleston Street, Hollywood, Florida 33020 Friday, October 31st, 2025 | 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This free family event includes Trunk “O” Treating, bounce houses, a haunted house, food, games and music. For more information, call: (954) 921-3412. As a reminder, the City of Hollywood is plastic and foam free. Single-use items such as plastic water bottles and utensils are prohibited at City parks and facilities. Please bring a reusable water bottle. For more information on these and all upcoming events, visit: www.hollywoodfl.org . Operation Paintbrush Saturday, October 25th, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Noon Give your home a fresh coat for free! Hollywood residents can pick up up to 10 gallons of recycled exterior paint at the Department of Public Works, 1600 South Park Road, Hollywood 33021. First-come, first-served while supplies last. Bring a photo ID and utility bill showing a Hollywood address. Previous Next

Did You Have Recent Flood Damage? Homeowners & Renters Can Apply For Any Losses Due To The Storm By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper August 1, 2024 Share As our residents continue to recover from the flood on June 12th, the Federal Government has finally stepped up and announced a much-needed relief program for residential properties. The program is being implemented by the Small Business Administration. Homeowners and renters can apply for any losses due to the storm to their property contents and even automobiles. The program application period will be open only until August 30th. It is very important for individuals to apply as soon as possible. If you have insurance, you may apply. They are providing up to $500,000 to repair your home and up to $100,000 for contents. The Loan Rate will be 2.688 percent for Residential and 4 percent for Businesses. They also have programs for Businesses. Businesses can apply for Property and Economic Losses from Business Interruption. The rate and terms for Businesses and NonProfits are a bit higher. There is a $2-Million-Dollar Cap and the Businesses pay 4 percent and Non-Profits pay 3.25 percent. The program will cover uninsured and uncompensated disaster losses. Any insurance proceeds which are required to be applied against outstanding mortgages are not available to fund Disaster Repairs and do not reduce Loan Eligibility. However, any insurance proceeds voluntarily applied to any outstanding mortgages do reduce Loan Eligibility. Secondary homes, personal pleasure boats, airplanes, recreational vehicles and similar property are not eligible, unless used for business purposes. Property such as antiques and collections are eligible only to the extent of their functional value. Amounts for landscaping, swimming pools, etc., are limited. If you have received assistance before from the SBA and did not comply with their terms you can apply but may not be eligible, this includes borrowers who did not maintain Flood and/or Hazard Insurance on previous SBA Loans. The law authorizes loan terms up to a maximum of 30 years. However, the law restricts businesses with credit available elsewhere to a maximum 7-year term. SBA sets the installment payment amount and corresponding maturity based upon each borrower’s ability to repay. Borrowers may be required to provide collateral. The information on the program and application can be found online at: www.SBA.gov/disaster Budget continued: I have written about our current budget process Tax Rate a few articles back. I shared that we would be lowering our tax rate this year to 7.999 and there was a possibility it could be reduced further. There is good news that we will be able to reduce our rate to roll back to 7.729. The Rollback Rate I explained was the rate set to provide the same level revenue we collected in the previous year. This means Homesteaded Properties will be seeing a reduction on their taxes. Non Homesteaded Properties depending on their Taxable Value may also be seeing a reduction. Staff reviewed all the staffing levels in every department to see if positions that were not filled needed to remain in the Budget. It was found approximately $500,000 could be cut from salaried positions. At the writing of this article, I did not have the specific positions, but the cuts will not interfere with our level of services. The Fire Fee that I reviewed in the same article will not be changed this Budget Year. We do need to address the rate moving forward. At our next meeting in August, we will be provided a report on our Fire Services. I have requested that an outside consultant evaluate the department and the level of services we provide. Fire and Emergency Services have continued to evolve over the years. I have discussed our BSO Contract over the years since, it did not increase the staffing levels and cost approximately more than $1 Million Dollars in costs than having our own department. There was value added in the ability to retain positions, expand training hours and inspection services. The move to the Florida Retirement System did also reduce pension costs. The audit’s information will provide a better basis and understanding of the true needs within our City as we enter BSO Contract negotiations. Our next meeting on the Budget will be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday August 7th. Immediately following will be our regular Commission Meeting which starts at 5:30 p.m. As always feel free to contact me anytime with your questions and concerns by email: jcooper@cohb.org . Or at: joycooper@aol.com . I always can be reached by phone or text at: (954) 632-5700. Working for you! Always Have! Always will! < Previous News Next News >

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

Valuable Lessons: Mother of Three & An FPL Engineer is Teaching Her Children About Life Wed Feb 21 2024 17:01:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The 100 Deadliest Days Have Begun Tue Jun 08 2021 17:05:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

New Heights For Parks, Culture & Community: The Sunny Isles Beach Parks And Recreation Master Plan Is Being Envisioned Fri May 19 2023 16:10:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Florida Legislature Adopts New Legislation Impacting Condominiums Fri Jul 19 2024 16:07:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Beach Boys Bring Those Good Vibrations To The Broward Performing Arts Foundation’s Annual Celebration Thu Feb 20 2025 21:15:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Say "I Do" At Tony N' Tina's Wedding: A Night of Great Music, Laughter, Food and Love Wed Feb 21 2024 17:18:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Xavier Riddle And The Secret Museum - The Exhibit Opens At The Museum Of Discovery And Science Aventura Digest January 22, 2025 Share Top South Florida Attractions Partner with MODS to Help Bring History to Life with the Xavier Riddle Scavenger Hunt: Passport to Broward - an adventure packed with exploration, learning and the chance to win a prize. Guests will travel back in time and unravel the secrets of world-famous heroes when Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: The Exhibit, presented locally by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and Florida Prepaid College Savings Plans, opens at the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS). This new exhibit brings to life the acclaimed PBS KIDS® TV series, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, which follows kid adventurers Xavier Riddle, his little sister Yadina, and best friend Brad as they tackle everyday problems by doing something extraordinary: traveling back in time to learn from real-life inspirational figures when they were kids. Joseph P. Cox, President and CEO of MODS, together with local exhibit Sponsors Caitlin Stella, CEO of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and Ann Fonts, Spokesperson for Florida Prepaid College Savings Plans, will open the experience and welcome children from Jack & Jill Center, Fidelis Academy, Prado Kids Vision Learning Center and Oakland Park Elementary students. In Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: The Exhibit, guests will sneak through a hidden passage to the Secret Museum and use a hologram to unlock three different times in history to meet inspirational heroes. Uncover a dinosaur skeleton with Paleontologist Mary Anning, explore a secret garden with Botanist George Washington Carver and look at x-rays with Chemist Marie Curie. In the Hall of Heroes, learn the traits of a hero and how you can be a hero today. The Xavier Riddle Scavenger Hunt: Passport to Broward is an adventure packed with exploration, learning and the chance to win a prize. Follow the trail, discover local heroes and create unforgettable memories at some of South Florida’s cultural attractions including African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Art & Culture Center/Hollywood, Bonnet House Museum and Gardens, Broward County Libraries Main Branch, Coral Springs Museum of Art, Flamingo Gardens, History Fort Lauderdale, Old Davie School Museum, Stranahan House, Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts and Young At Art Museum. The PBS KIDS® TV series, Xavier Riddle and The Secret Museum is based on the highly acclaimed children’s book series Ordinary People Change the World by #1 New York Times bestselling author and South Florida resident Brad Meltzer and award-winning letterer and illustrator Chris Eliopoulos. Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: The Exhibit is a national traveling exhibit created by The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum in collaboration with 9 Story Media Group, Inc. The exhibit will run through May 11th, 2025. Founded in 1976 as the Discovery Center, today the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is at the forefront of science education, innovation and exploration. MODS connects people to inspiring science, providing STEM education and cultural experiences for 450,000+ visitors annually in the 150,000 square foot facility. MODS is a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Organization that has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) for three decades (only 3% of museums are accredited for excellence and leadership in the field). MODS has added to that distinction by being named Broward’s Hub for Resilience Education by the Board of the Community Foundation of Broward, selected by the LEGO Foundation as one of only 15 museums nationwide to join the Playful Learning Museum Network and awarded the prestigious 2023 IMLS National Medal for Museum Service. < Previous News Next News >