How Does Sleep Affect Your Weight? We Asked A Husband-And-Wife Team Of Medical Experts July 25, 2024 Share As a Sleep Medicine Specialist, Dr. Christopher J. Allen knows well the importance of sleep health, which is not only defined by the number of hours the individual sleeps, but also the quality of the sleep and the absence of sleep disorders1. He regularly sees patients who have conditions like Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), where Obesity can be a significant risk factor. And when it comes to helping those patients address weight challenges, he knows another doctor who comes highly recommended: Weight Management Specialist Dr. Dafina Allen. As a husband-and-wife team, the Allens often share patients between them because of the significant interplay between Obesity and sleep health. OSA is sleep disordered breathing that occurs when the throat muscles relax during sleep, blocking the airway, and it affects more than 54 million Americans. It can lead to drowsiness and fatigue during the day, but can also increase the risk for Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Stroke and contributes to High Blood Pressure. By some estimates, moderate-to-severe OSA can increase the mortality risk by 33%4. Obesity is a significant risk factor for OSA, occurring in an estimated 41% to 70% of patients with the condition. Sleep health and the challenge of weight loss "When patients come to see me, they often know that weight plays some role with Sleep Apnea," says Chris. "And it's true that, for many patients, weight loss can reduce the severity of Sleep Apnea. But achieving that is where getting the right treatment and support matters." "I have patients - many of whom wind up working with Chris - who realize that their weight loss isn't progressing because they're not getting quality sleep," Dafina adds. "When you aren't sleeping well, your Cortisol Levels are higher, increasing your Visceral Fat. You tend to be more irritable; you may want to snack more and be less motivated to be active. Having an untreated sleep condition like OSA is going to be a major barrier to managing your weight in a healthy way." Research has shown that the relationship between OSA and weight can be reciprocal with some studies showing that Obesity increases the risks of developing OSA, but also that treating OSA may help spur weight loss. Chris relies on Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Therapy, using a device such as ResMed CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines as the first line treatment for OSA. CPAP uses airflow to keep the airways open during sleep, and provides relief from the symptoms of OSA, which can make it easier to make the lifestyle changes needed to address Obesity concerns, according to Chris. "Sleep Apnea can be overwhelming, but once a patient begins using CPAP, they often start to notice a difference," adds Chris. "That extra energy from proper sleep may help kickstart healthier lifestyle choices. When we work with patients on sleep health issues and start to educate them about how weight may affect those conditions, they are in a better spot to adhere to treatment plans and achieve better health outcomes." "Simply starting the conversation is a critical part of a health journey, and with the addition of GLP-1 medications as a tool for weight management, we are seeing more people interested in engaging their doctors about weight and health in general," Dafina adds. "As part of that, I've heard many more questions about sleep health. Sleep is such a critical piece of the weight loss puzzle. If a patient isn't sleeping well, it's going to be harder to follow a plan that requires them to change how they eat and increase their activity level, even with the help of new medications." Healthy weight management and successful OSA Treatment "We've been prescribing these medications for Diabetes for some time, and with more people being prescribed GLP-1s for Obesity, we're constantly increasing what we know about how effective they are and the role they can play in healthy weight management," adds Dafina. While weight loss can reduce the severity of Sleep Apnea, her husband chimes in that it's important to keep your healthcare professional involved in your sleep health decisions even if you have lost significant weight and feel less tired during the day. "I'd usually want to do a Sleep Study to determine the impact of the weight loss on the Sleep Apnea before making any changes to treatment," he says. "But we also want to make sure that if you are using one of these new medications that the weight you've lost remains or continues to improve once you come off the medication. If it goes back up, you are at risk of your Sleep Apnea getting worse once again, so we want to see people making long-term sustainable changes and make sure they stay vigilant if anything changes regarding their sleep health." Sleep Apnea: Are you at risk? "The hardest part of my job is that I have to talk to patients about things that happen when they're unconscious," adds Chris. "Many people don't know that they have a Sleep Disorder and so it's important to know your risk factors. If you have a bed partner, rely on them to let you know if you're snoring or gasping for air at night, because that is a common sign of Sleep Apnea." For people who sleep alone, other signs that may indicate OSA include waking up frequently during the night or waking up with headaches. Diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea requires talking to a health professional, but signs and symptoms include feeling tired during the day, snoring loudly at night, waking in the middle of the night gasping for air, having a Body Mass Index over 30, or history of High Blood Pressure. It's estimated that up to 80% of adults with Sleep Apnea are undiagnosed and untreated, so knowing your risk factors and having a conversation with your doctor is critical! To learn more about the risk factors for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and to find out how to talk to your healthcare professional about them, take a look at the sleep resource page at: https://www.resmed.com/en-us/sleep-apnea/campaigns/sleep-apnea-weight-loss-management/ < Previous News Next News >

No COVID Vax, No College? By Jane M.Orient, M.D. May 27, 2021 Share So, what can students do? Be cheerful or reluctant participants in a massive uncontrolled experiment & hope for the best? Seek an exemption? Or pause their education plans - and outrageous tuition? Students looking forward to getting back to college are getting letters from 100 to 200 colleges notifying them of a new prerequisite: getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As one letter states, this is because of our “our continued desire to protect the health and safety of our community.” This includes high-risk individuals in the surrounding community or wherever the students go in the “mass migration” at the end of the se-mester, according to the Ameri-can College Health Association (ACHA). The main purpose of the requirement is not to protect the students themselves. Of all COVID deaths, only about 0.1% have been in 15-to-24-year-olds. Yet, young people can suffer death or serious disability after getting the jab. (Authorities point out that it is not necessarily because of the jab.) According to a controversial independent analysis, the aggressive Israeli vaccination campaign killed more than 200 times as many young people, as the Coronavirus itself, could have killed during the same 35-week period. One of the commenters on the ACHA’s recommendation wrote: “It is perfectly reasonable for a society to expect its members, *all* of its members, to take up such risks on behalf of everyone. Unless you plan on putting a bullet in your own head on your thirty ninth birthday, one day *you* will be that elderly person who benefits disproportionately from universal vaccination. To not accept that risk now, yet expect that protection later, would make you a hypocrite.” So much for the parental instinct to protect children - instead of using or sacrificing them! We do not know the precise number of post-vaccine “adverse events,” because of incomplete reporting, or the percentage that were caused by the jab and not coincidental. But, one can see the number and types of events reported to the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) or the more user-friendly British Yellow Card system. These include death, clotting or bleeding problems, paralysis, blindness and miscarriages (213 in VAERS as of today). The long-term adverse events cannot yet be known. The prospect of most concern to the young women calling our office is infertility. There is no evidence that the products currently available cause infertility and, there is also, no evidence that they don’t. There are plausible reasons to worry. Viral spiked Proteins have been found in the placentas of mothers who gave birth after having COVID. The spiked Proteins themselves, without any virus, can attach to the lining of blood vessels, many tissues, even cross the blood-brain barrier and wreak havoc. Getting your own body to make spiked Proteins is what these genetically engineered products do. Concerning fertility, the one relevant animal experiment, in 1,273 Sprague-Dawley rats, showed a numerically lower pregnancy rate, but within the facility’s historical range. The rats were not injected in early pregnancy when organs are forming, in order to check for birth defects. There are thousands of reports of menstrual irregularities, though these are not officially recognized as side effects, many things including anxiety can affect the menstrual cycle and there are worries disseminated in social media but debunked by fact-checkers that menstrual problems and other effects can result from contact with vaccinated people. The Vaccine-induced spiked Proteins are supposed to stay attached to your cells and cause your body to make antibodies that will recognize the virus. Can they be shed into the environment and picked up by others by contact or inhalation? I don’t know of a mechanism, but, it seems odd to me that the Pfizer experimental trials not only excluded women who were or might soon become pregnant, but also required men to abstain or use a condom for 28 days post injection. Just FDA bureaucracy and “abundance of caution”? There is no abundance of caution in forcing this product onto students entering their prime reproductive years. No concern about “reproductive rights.” It is unlawful to use coercion to gain acceptance of products available only through an Emergency Use Authorization, but colleges are confident of quick FDA approval, even though trials won’t be complete until 2022 or 2023. The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons has written to college administrators urging them to withdraw the mandate but has received no reply. Grants from ACHA, which receives grants from Pfizer and the CDC, probably talk louder. So, what can students do? Be cheerful or reluctant participants in a massive uncontrolled experiment and hope for the best? Seek an exemption? Or pause their education plans and their outrageous tuition fees? There are “help wanted” signs everywhere, for learning, there are libraries, more on-line opportunities will spring up and a college degree may be unnecessary or it can wait. The biological window for having a family will close. How much risk of infertility should young people take? Jane M. Orient, M.D. obtained her undergraduate degrees in chemistry and mathematics from the University of Arizona in Tucson and her M.D. from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, in 1974. She completed an internal medicine residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital and University of Arizona Affiliated Hospitals, then became an Instructor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and a staff physician at the Tucson Veterans Administration Hospital. She has been in solo private practice since 1981 and has served as Executive Director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), since 1989. She is currently president of Doctors for Disaster Preparedness. She is the author of YOUR Doctor Is Not In: Healthy Skepticism about National Healthcare, the second through five editions of Sapira's Art and Science of Bedside Diagnosis published by Wolters Kluwer. She authored books for schoolchildren, Professor Klugimkopf's Old-Fashioned English Grammar and Professor Klugimkopf's Spelling Method, published by Robinson Books and coauthored two novels published as Kindle books; Neomorts and Moonshine. More than 100 of her papers have been published in the scientific and popular literature on a variety of subjects including risk assessment, natural and technological hazards, non-hazards, medical economics and ethics. She is the editor of AAPS News, the Doctors for Disaster Preparedness Newsletter, The Civil Defense Perspectives and is the managing editor of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. < Previous News Next News >

"Hi Grandma I Need Help" Scam: Florida Attorney General Arrests Six Fraudsters For Stealing Nearly $250,000 From Seniors Thu Jul 04 2024 16:14:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Former Wife of Apollo 14 Astronaut Recounts Remarkable Stories in Riveting New Memoir Fri Feb 14 2025 19:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Memorial Broadcasts Neurointerventional Procedures To Global Audiences South Florida Sun Times Nov 5, 2025 While Memorial Neuroscience Institute (MNI) Physicians Save Lives In South Florida Using The Latest Neurointerventional Procedures For Brain Aneurysms And Strokes, They Are Also Sharing Clinical And Technical Expertise With Doctors Across The Globe. Memorial is one of only three programs in the U.S. and the only one in Florida, selected by the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) Mission Thrombectomy initiative to participate in its virtual fellowship for physicians in lower income countries. MNI was chosen for its excellent outcomes, rapid treatment workflow, and care coordination with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the community. “Trainees from around the world can view our cases in real-time and learn treatment techniques through live views of our feed,” said Dr. Brijesh P. Mehta, Chief of Adult & Pediatric NeuroInterventional Surgery and Medical Director of the Comprehensive Stroke Program at Memorial Healthcare System. “They see how we set up and perform procedures in the cath lab while also getting narration from the operator during the procedure.” Memorial’s first broadcast featured an Acute Stroke Thrombectomy case and it has subsequently shown cutting-edge treatments for Brain Aneurysms, Vascular Malformations, and Carotid Stenosis. Since the launch of the program just two months ago, more than 30 cases have been streamed live to international medical audiences. The virtual training is especially helpful in countries where there are no established Neurointerventional fellowship programs. Memorial Neuroscience Institute (www.mhs.net/services/neuroscience) offers advanced diagnoses, comprehensive treatment, compassionate care, and rehabilitation for complex Neurological conditions. Few centers can match the depth of its Neurological expertise or the wide range of available services. Part of the Memorial Healthcare System and recognized for its quality and safety, the Comprehensive Stroke Program treats conditions of the brain that include Acute Strokes, Vascular Malformations, Carotid Stenosis and Arteriovenous Fistulas of the spine. To learn more about the complete continuum of Neurological care Memorial provides, visit: www.mhs.net/services/neuroscience . Previous Next

“Feed Your Creativity” Student Art Competition - Student Art Competition Is Designed To Raise Awareness About The Critical Issue Of Food Insecurity South Florida Sun Times Apr 23, 2026 Create For A Cause! Feeding South Florida – The Leading Hunger-Relief Organization In South Florida – Is Proud To Once Again Host Its Seventh Annual “Feed Your Creativity” Art Competition. Elementary, Middle And High School Students Throughout Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade And Monroe Counties Are Invited To Compete For The Opportunity To Have Their Artwork Displayed On One Of Feeding South Florida's Semi-Trailer Truck Wrap – A 36-Foot Moving Billboard That Travels Throughout South Florida. Feeding South Florida Will Accept Artwork Submissions From Sunday, February 1St, 2026 Through Thursday, April 30Th, 2026. Feeding South Florida’s mission is to end hunger in South Florida by providing immediate access to nutritious food, leading hunger and poverty advocacy efforts, and transforming lives through innovative programming and education. The 2026 Feed Your Creativity campaign focuses on “Food That Connects,” highlighting the importance of how food connects us all, while raising awareness about summer hunger. The artwork should inspire others, spark meaningful conversations, and help individuals to understand the importance of sharing meals and supporting individuals in our community. Submissions should reflect this theme, showing how food can connect communities and make a difference. Feeding South Florida strongly encourages students to incorporate its brand colors, orange, green, yellow, lime and fuchsia, in their art. Students should keep the focus on the idea of nourishment and giving; use bold colors to make their artwork stand out; think about how their art can inspire others to care about summer hunger and ensure their message is clear. Judging will take place from Friday, May 1st, 2026 through Thursday, May 7th, 2026. Winners will be announced at a Gallery Night at Feeding South Florida’s Pembroke Park on Thursday, May 14th, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The truck reveal celebration will be held at the school of the first-place winner on Friday, May 29th, 2026. All students’ artwork will be displayed at Feeding South Florida’s Pembroke Park and Boynton Beach warehouses. The first-place winner will be awarded: The artwork is displayed as a truck wrap on a 36-foot tractor/trailer that travels throughout Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties. Artwork prominently displayed at Feeding South Florida’s Pembroke Park warehouse. Recognition on Social Media platforms, including Facebook, X, and Instagram. Additional accolades include grade, county (Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe), and the categories: Feeding South Florida team favorite and the most creative. The “Feed Your Creativity” art competition is part of Feeding South Florida’s “Summer Hunger Ends Here” initiative, designed to raise awareness and funds necessary to address summer hunger for kids in South Florida. It aims to engage students, their parents, teachers, and schools in a critical issue, while also recognizing the creative talent in the South Florida community. Summer months are some of the most difficult times for South Florida families because children don't have access to free or reduced-price school meals when school is not in session. In South Florida, more than 300,000 kids rely on free or reduced meals during the school year. Seeking to help fill the void of school meals, Feeding South Florida is a proud sponsor of the USDA Summer Food Service Program, providing meals to kids at Summer BreakSpots, pop-up pantries in low-income communities. Feeding South Florida also assists families at its Community Caring Centers, food pantries, along with other services at both of its warehouses in Pembroke Park in Broward County and Boynton Beach in Palm Beach County. “For seven years running, our 'Feed Your Creativity' Art Competition has given students across South Florida a powerful platform to shine a light on hunger,” said Paco Velez, President and CEO of Feeding South Florida. “As we kick off our ‘Summer Hunger Ends Here’ campaign, we're reminded that when school lets out, too many children lose their lifeline to nutritious meals. This competition has grown into something special, a movement where young artists become advocates, using their talents to tell stories that matter and spark conversations that lead to real change in our community.” About Feeding South Florida Feeding South Florida is a member of the Feeding America Network and is the Leading Hunger-Relief Organization serving Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties. Providing support for more than 25 percent of the state’s food-insecure population, its mission is to end hunger in South Florida by providing immediate access to nutritious food, leading hunger and poverty advocacy efforts, and transforming lives through innovative programming and education. Feeding South Florida serves over 1.7 million unique individuals through direct-service programs and a local network of more than 350 NonProfit and community partners. Visit: www.feedingsouthflorida.org . Or call: (954) 518-1818. The artwork is displayed as a truck wrap on a 36-foot tractor/trailer that travels throughout Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties. The “Summer Hunger Ends Here” initiative, designed to raise awareness and funds necessary to address summer hunger for kids in South Florida. The first-place winner on Friday, May 29th, 2026. Previous Next

Newest Nick Reagan Thriller: Tackles Evil And Corruption Within U.S. Borders February 21, 2024 Share Bestselling Author Jeffrey Stephens delivers a nail-biting escape from reality — while exploring contemporary real-world problems — in his latest spy thriller, Enemies Among Us. “You’ve got to keep the action going,” Stephens said during an interview. “This is not some kind of deep psychological treatise; this is a thriller, and if people aren’t turning the pages, then I’m not doing my job.” Enemies Among Us is a sequel to Stephens’ first book in the series, The Handler, which an: www.Authors.com reviewer called “a heart-pounding ride with great narratives … It’s got it all — spies, assassins, guns and terrorist cells … If you liked Vince Flynn novels, you would love Stephens’ super-cool CIA operative Nick Reagan.” Enemies Among Us takes all that to another level, as Reagan and his partner, Carol Gellos, attempt to track down the terrorist responsible for the planned attacks in The Handler. While the good guys are easily identified in that story, it is a bit more difficult to tell the heroes from the villains in Enemies Among Us. As Reagan assembles clues to the whereabouts of his prey, his superiors in the CIA inexplicably order him to stand down, and it becomes increasingly evident that the evil he faces could be corruption from within. Charting an unfamiliar course amidst the pervasive treachery and deadly secrets inside the nation’s capital, Reagan is not sure who he can trust as he works to expose the worst of America’s elite — those who believe in a New World Order. Violent confrontations intensify with each new act of treason he unearths, leaving Reagan to rely on his patriotic instincts as he and his team risk their lives to bring down these traitors and restore safety and freedom. “Many may have thought the continuing threat from terrorists was over,” Stephens said, “but as we have recently seen, it remains incredibly current and violent … while few would believe that corruption within our own intelligence services and the highest levels of corporate power are something we are dealing with in real time.” In additional to The Handler and Enemies Among Us, he is the author of the Jordan Sandor thrillers, Targets of Deception, Targets of Opportunity, Targets of Revenge and Rogue Mission, as well as the Anthony Walker murder mystery Crimes and Passion and the Pencraft First-Place Award-Winning Novel, Fool’s Errand. The Author Jeffrey Stephens was born in New York City and graduated from the Bronx High School of Science at the age of 16; he completed a B.A. in Creative Writing from Pennsylvania State University at 19. Jeffrey began his first novel in 1970, which would not be completed for several years as he entered the Fordham University School of Law. His Private Legal Practice has included extensive civil and criminal courtroom experience, and he has represented a wide range of celebrity clients. Continuing to practice Law while completing several novels, he only recently decided to pursue his career as a novelist in earnest, with the encouragement of his wife, Nancy. Nancy and Jeffrey live in Greenwich, Connecticut, where they raised two sons, Graham and Trevor. For more information about the author, visit: https://jeffreystephens.com/ Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Enemies-Among-Us-Reagan-Thriller/dp/B0CD5YN968 < Previous News Next News >

What You Need To Know About Cholesterol: Stay In Control To Help Prevent Heart Disease, Heart Attack And Stroke Fri May 24 2024 16:07:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Comedy & Community: The Mission Of The City of Hallandale Beach Is To Promote Economic Development And Enhance The Quality Of Life By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper February 13, 2025 Share This weekend, Saturday, February 15th 2025 our Hallandale Beach PAL will be hosting their Annual Comedy Show at the Sport of Kings Ballroom. Gulfstream Park graciously provides their beautiful venue. The evening includes a buffet dinner with a free drink ticket, silent auction, and entertainment with top national comedians. Tickets are only $50 Per Person. Sport of Kings is located at 901 Federal Highway in Gulfstream Park on the second floor, doors open at 6:00 p.m. The show features MC Richie Minervini, Jeff Norris, and John Joseph with Special Guest Mr. Bruce Smirnoff. For more information, visit: Facebook - PAL of Hallandale Beach. Our PAL under Jonathan Carillo’s leadership and his Board of Directors are always busy. In addition to running 5 sports at this time of year that include: Flag Football, Cheerleading, Soccer, Track and Field and Volleyball, they also have ongoing activities. These sporting events and activities would not be possible if they were not for their fundraising. While the City helps to support PAL with a small budget stipend they depend on contributions and fundraisers. Our Hallandale Beach Community Redevelopment Agency has kicked off the year with the quarterly Hallandale Beach Town Hall Meetings in the Northwest quadrant on January 29th. City staff shared public safety initiatives, CRA updates, City updates, beautification programs, current projects and more. Residents were able to ask questions and share concerns. The next Town Hall is scheduled for the Southwest Quadrant, Wednesday, April 30th at Ingalls Park, 735 Southwest 1st Street at 6:00 p.m. The Northeast/Southeast Quadrants are combined on Wednesday, August 27th at the Hallandale Beach Cultural Community Center, 410 Southeast 3rd Street at 6:00 p.m. The mission of the Hallandale Beach CRA is to promote economic development and enhance the quality of life by eliminating and preventing blighted conditions through the facilitation of community partnerships, business growth, job creation, and neighborhood revitalization. From applying for funding to training and business planning for the future, our teams are working to ensure the success of our businesses located in our: https://cohbcra.org/#mappp. There are so many opportunities and benefits of our CRA starting with Economic Development. Development opportunities include Class A Office, Retail, Residential Development and Development of the Fashion, Art and Design District now known as District 8. District 8 is the cultural heart of Hallandale Beach, the program Dine On Us, allows you to explore the flavors of District 8 with an exclusive BOGO, Buy One Get One, when you buy from a select menu at participating restaurants, get the second one for free, happening now until February 28th, 2025. Participating restaurants include: Kao Bar & Grill, Los Verdes, Moises Bakery, Ceviche Avenue, Boost E&V Juice Bar and Touch of Cuba. To enjoy District 8 and the rest of our CRA zone take advantage of the Be Local Rideshare Voucher Program. Travel anywhere within the CRA and receive a $10 credit to use on your Uber or Lyft ride. Subject to availability Uber Code: rXnAiCXuIM0 LYFT CODE: HBELOCAL The Hallandale Beach CRA is committed to helping businesses succeed and grow. Our team works to create a vibrant, innovative, competitive local economy in the HBCRA Area by creating an environment that promotes the retention, expansion, and attraction of businesses and by incentivizing new commercial and mixed-use developments in the area. The City of Hallandale Beach has been ranked as Platinum City by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, in which we have adopted a streamlined permitting ordinance. There are business programs and incentives to attract and expand our current businesses who serve as the lifeblood of our nation’s economy. The HBCRA is now accepting new applications for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, the deadline to apply is Thursday, June 26th, 2025. Programs and grants can be found on the HBCRA’s website and include Commercial Business Grant Program, Economic Development Incentives Program, Commercial Kitchen Grant Program, Tenant Lease Surety/Tenant Rent Subsidy, and Restaurant Rent Emergency Stability Grant to name a few. HBCRA programs foster community involvement and address quality-of-life issues, eliminating and preventing blighted conditions and revitalizing the economic integrity of the community. The HBCRA offers five residential programs that assist in the redevelopment of the community redevelopment area in order to eliminate the slum and blighted conditions, thus improving the attractiveness and quality of life for our existing and future residents of the City of Hallandale Beach. All HBCRA programs are on a first come, first ready basis, subject to the availability of funds. If you are a homeowner or future homeowner, please take advantage of these opportunities. Programs include first time homebuyer program, paint program, rent stabilization program, storm shutter/impact window program, replacement home program (rhp), senior nip mini grant program, and senior rental-utility assistance program. Discover other resources on the HBCRA website. 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! Share! < Previous News Next News >

Where To Eat; Dine In Or Take Out In SoFlo On Christmas Eve & Christmas Day 2025 South Florida Sun Times Dec 17, 2025 South Florida Sparkles A Little Brighter When Christmas Eve And Christmas Day Roll Around, And So Does Its Dining Scene. Whether You’re Craving An Elegant, Champagne-Laced Feast, A Mediterranean-Italian Celebration By The Beach, Or A Family-Style Holiday Spread Rich With Tradition, SoFlo’s Restaurants Are Ready To Set The Table. This Year, Miami-Dade And Broward Eateries Are Rolling Out Special Menus, Lavish Prix Fixes, And Festive Catering Options Designed To Take The Stress Out Of Holiday Planning—No Cooking, No Cleanup, Just Pure Culinary Joy. From Coral Gables To Sunny Isles, Downtown Miami To Fort Lauderdale Beach, Diners Can Indulge In Everything From Butter-Poached Lobster And Truffle-Kissed Risotto To Pan-Latin Christmas Classics, Mediterranean Grill Platters, And Iconic Italian Seven-Fish Feasts. Whether You’re Dining In, Picking Up, Or Celebrating At Home, Here’s Where To Eat In SoFlo For Christmas 2025. Miami-Dade: Babette: Babette will celebrate Christmas Eve (Lunch and Dinner) and Christmas Day (Dinner only) with an elegant holiday menu beginning with a glass of Champagne. Guests may start with either Little Gem lettuce dressed in truffle vinaigrette with migas and ginger-scallions, or a luxurious “Chawanmushi” featuring a scallops truffle flan. Entree selections include butter-poached lobster with a bright yuzu infusion or Australian Wagyu paired with sunchoke, wasabi, and snow pea tips. For dessert, diners may choose between a Creamsicle accented with koji and kumquat puree or the rich Les Deux Chocolats, with a cheese plate also available. The menu is priced at $165 per person, with chef’s selection wine pairings offered for an additional $65. Babette is located at 301 Alcazar Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida 33134. For more information or to make a reservation, visit: https://babettemiami.com . Rose Cafe & Restaurant: Celebrate Christmas Eve at Rose Cafe & Restaurant, the Mediterranean-Italian inspired restaurant in the heart of Sunny Isles. On Wednesday, December 24th, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., guests can enjoy a specialty lineup of seasonal a la carte dishes, providing a delicious and memorable experience. The menu features a choice of appetizers of Hamachi Tartare with Citrus, Fennel & Tarragon Oil ($28) and Smoked Salmon Carpaccio with Avocado Cream & Lemon Pearls ($26). The feast continues with first-course selections of Linguine with Lobster ($46) and Champagne Risotto with 24-Month Parmigiano Reggiano & Shaved Truffle ($42). Indulge in entrees including Seared Bluefin Tuna Tagliata with Capers, Olives & Cherry Tomatoes ($39) and Beef Filet with Grilled Vegetables & Balsamic Reduction ($45). Don’t forget dessert with a sweet offering of Warm Panettone with Mascarpone Cream ($14). For more information, visit: www.rosecafeandrestaurant.com . Telephone: (786) 653-3891. Rose Cafe & Restaurant is located at 16690 Collins Avenue, Suite: 102, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33180. Complimentary valet parking is available and recommended. Reservations are encouraged and can be made via Resy. Toro Toro: Celebrate Noche Buena and Christmas with a Pan-Latin holiday feast at Toro Toro, Chef/Restaurateur Richard Sandoval’s acclaimed restaurant inside the InterContinental Miami. On Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. and Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25th from Noon to close, Toro Toro is featuring several seasonal a la carte dishes. Begin the feast with Noche Buena Salad with blood orange, Jicama root, candied walnuts, roasted peanuts, sweet lime, apple gel, golden beets and mache lettuce ($27); Bacalao Croquette with cured tomato aji panca aioli, and Beemster aged gouda cheese ($19) and Miso-Black Corn Huitlacoche Soup with crab meat, kokuho rice tuile and epazote oil ($20). Entree highlights include Sea Bass a lo Macho with roasted butternut squash puree, snap peas, cauliflower and aji amarillo sauce ($56); Glazed Pork Tenderloin with sweet potato mash, roasted heirloom carrots and chicha morada demi ($47); and 8 hour Braised Veal Cheeks al Jugo with pea risotto, blossom squash crisp and sun-dried smoky chili sauce ($59). End the holiday feast on a sweet note with dessert selections including Christmas Whisky Candle - vanilla crust, cherry compote cheesecake and whisky vanilla cream ($22); and Noir de Noel, dark chocolate cake with espresso ganache and Madagascar vanilla bean gelato, topped with snowflake crisps ($26). Advance reservations are encouraged and can be made on: www.OpenTable.com . Toro Toro is located at 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, Florida 33131, located inside the InterContinental in Downtown Miami. Sufrat Mediterranean Grill: Family-owned and celebrated for its welcoming hospitality and traditional flavors, Sufrat Mediterranean Grill has become a South Florida favorite. Founded by the Altillawi brothers from Jordan, Sufrat offers a menu rooted in authentic Mediterranean recipes meant for sharing, from falafel and chargrilled octopus to lamb chops and customizable mixed grill platters. For those looking to skip the cooking and mess this holiday season or interested in bringing something impressive to your Christmas feast, Sufrat’s catering platters have you covered. Below are the three holiday packages, available at all locations. Holiday Catering Feast #1 ($300 – serves 10 people) • Sufrat Sampler (Large Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Tzatziki, 8 Kibbeh, 8 Grape Leaves, and Pita), Large Sufrat Combo (6 Chicken Kebabs, 6 Beef Kebabs, 4 Kefta, 6 Lamb Chops, portion of Chicken Shawarma and Beef Shawarma), Basmati Rice and Greek Salad. Holiday Catering Feast #2 ($220 – serves 10 people) • Sufrat Dip Sampler (Large Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Labneh, Muhammara, and Pita), Sufrat Roastery (1/2 tray Chicken Shawarma and 1/2 tray Gyro), Basmati Rice and Greek Salad Holiday Catering Feast #3 ($220 – serves 10 people) • Sufrat Dip Sampler (Large Hummus, Baba Ganough, Labneh, Muhammara, and Pita), Sufrat Build Your Own Combo (24 skewers of your pick of one or more of: Chicken Kebab Skewers, Beef Kebab Skewers, Kofta Kebab Skewers, Shrimp Kebab) with Basmati Rice (Yellow or Angel Hair) and Greek Salad. Sufrat has three South Florida locations: Pines City Center, Pembroke Pines, 10430 Pines Boulevard, Suite#: C, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33026, Doral Yard, Doral, 8455 Northwest 53rd Street, Doral, Florida 33166 and Miami Beach, 1570 Alton Road, Suite#: C, Miami Beach, Florida 33139. On Christmas Eve, all stores will close at 4:00 p.m.; closed on Christmas Day. Hours vary by location: Monday–Thursday, 11:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 11:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. For reservations or more information, visit: www.sufratgrill.com . Or follow on Instagram: @sufratgrill. Broward: Anthony’s Runway 84: Though a meal at Anthony’s Runway 84 is and always has been a special occasion, anyone who’s ever dined at the iconic Italian restaurant knows you’d be hard pressed to find a more festive spot during the holiday season. Beyond its amazing food, seasonal specials and drinks, Runway 84 does the holidays right with amazing decorations, turning the sexy and sophisticated sanctuary into the perfect spot to find holiday joy. As is tradition, on Christmas Eve, Runway 84 is celebrating in classic Italian-style with a special Feast of Seven Fishes family-style menu. The two-course menu features seven different savory selections including Stuffed Sicilian Peppers, Seafood Salad, Baked Clams Oreganata, and Zuppa Di Pesce Fra Diavolo – linguine with lobster, shrimp, clams, mussels and calamari. – among others. The restaurant’s beloved a la carte menu will also be available. Pair the decadent holiday feast with Runway 84’s lineup of specially crafted festive cocktails including Gingerbread Old Fashioned, Candy Cane Lane Martini and the not-to-be-missed Winter Wonderland. For those looking to get festive but not lit, the restaurant is also offering two new non-ABV drinks: an Apple Cider Mule and the Santa Claus Spritz. Reservations for table seating are required and can be booked on RESY. Anthony’s Runway 84 is located at 330 West State Road 84, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33315. For more information, visit: www.runway84.com . Telephone: (954) 467-8484. La Fuga: Celebrate Christmas Eve Italian-style at La Fuga, the signature coastal Italian restaurant located on the lobby level of the Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort. On Wednesday, December 24th beginning at 5:00 p.m., guests can celebrate the night before Christmas with a special Feast of Seven Fishes curated by Executive Chef Michael Mayer. Served a la carte, the holiday menu features seven savory dishes ranging from antipasti to pastas and main plates. Menu highlights include Ostriche al Forno – Blue Point oyster, spinach, pancetta, garlic, Sambuca, cream, ciabatta bread crumbs and Reggiano ($7); Scampi Fra Diavolo – jumbo shrimp, garlic, parsley, tomato, Calabrian pepper and bruschetta ($18); Polpo alla Griglia – grilled octopus, cannellini beans and cracked olive salad ($28); Linguine alla Vongole – Littleneck clams, linguine and Vermentino white wine sauce ($27); and Cioppino al San Francisco – scallop, mussels, clams, grouper, shrimp, fingerling potato, spicy tomato broth and sourdough ($37). La Fuga’s regular dinner menu will also be available on Christmas Eve. Advance reservations are encouraged and can be booked on: www.OpenTable.com. La Fuga is located at 2900 Riomar Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304, located at the Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach. For more information, visit: www.lafugarestaurant.com ; Telephone: (954) 908-7308. Runway 84 Holiday Decor is a feast for the senses. Previous Next

ZOA Will Fight Against Mamdani’s Antisemitic/Anti-Israel Policies And Actions Jewish Connection News Nov 20, 2025 Zionist Organization of America ZOA National President Morton A. Klein Released The Following Statement: The weeks leading up to terror-supporting, Jew-hating communist Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral victory last night were like watching a slow-moving car crash. There were valiant efforts to stop this disaster – such as a letter signed by almost 1,200 rabbis from all streams and endorsed by another almost 3,000 Jews, denouncing Mamdani’s refusal to condemn slogans calling for violence against Jews (“Globalize the Intifada”). The thousands of letter-signers also condemned Mamdani’s denial of Israel’s legitimacy, scurrilous false accusations that Israel was committing genocide, delegitimization of the Jewish community, and encouragement of hostility toward Judaism and Jews. “Get Out the Vote” efforts tried to avert the crash. But it was not enough. It has been less than a quarter century since Islamic terrorists murdered thousands of our friends, brothers, and sisters in the heart of New York on 9/11 while screaming “Allahu Akbar.” And it has been only eight years since an unrepentant Islamic Terrorist murdered eight and injured over a dozen innocent New York tourists and citizens on a West Side bike path. And just a year since officials foiled a Pakistani Muslim Terrorist’s plans to perpetrate a mass shooting attack on Jews praying at a Brooklyn synagogue. We could go on and on about the terrors New Yorkers – and especially Jewish New Yorkers – have been facing in recent years. So who would have believed that 50.4% of the same city would now vote for a rabid anti-Israel instigator? Especially after Mamdani vowed to disband the NYPD Strategic Response Group, which handles riots and Counter-Terrorism (thereby enabling anti-Jewish and other terror and riots to run rampant); has already called for a boycott of New York City’s Cornell Tech to punish Cornell and its New York employees for partnering with Israel’s prestigious Technion Institute; and promoted a bill to strip pro-Israel charities of their tax status. See “How a Mayor Mamdani’s Israel-hate would twist the entire city,” by New York Post Editorial Board, on Thursday, October 16th, 2025. But the demographics of New York City have changed. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims have surged into New York City, many of whom are from countries where Jew-hatred is pervasive, in the wake of former Presidents Obama and Biden opening America’s borders. Muslim adults have expanded to approximately 11% of New York City’s adult population. A coalition of antisemitic Israel-hating Muslim organizations, including CAIR whose leader said he was happy to see Gazans invade Israel on October 7, and that Israel has no right to self-defense, joined together to form a coalition to maximize Muslim voting turnout in New York. Meanwhile, large numbers of conservative New Yorkers have been leaving the city, and tragically, 31% of New York’s Jews voted for Mamdani. These changes helped enable a communist Jew-hater to win. ZOA is nonetheless resolutely determined to fight against Mamdani’s planned anti-Jewish and anti-Israel policies and actions at every turn. ZOA, moreover, asks every Jewish organization to join with us in a unified front to oppose anti-Israel, antisemitic policies during what will be a very difficult four years for New York and New York’s Jewish community. As Benjamin Franklin said, “We must all hang together or most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” Globalize the War Against Jew-Hatred! And Globalize Zionism! Previous Next

‘Tis The Season To Celebrate At Gulfstream Park Village: Symphony In Lights Returns For Another Dazzling Holiday Season With A Special Kickoff Event Thu Nov 09 2023 17:11:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)