Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period Has Arrived! Stay Informed and Update Your Plan With The Hallandale Medical Center Thu Mar 02 2023 17:09:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Forks Up, SoFlo! Why SOBEWFF® 2025 Is A Festival Like No Other • 15 Reasons The 2025 South Beach Wine & Food Festival Is A Can’t-Miss Epicurean Event February 14, 2025 Share The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One (SOBEWFF®) is back for its 24th year, and if you’re not already blocking off February 20th - February 23rd on your calendar, you just might miss out on the most epic epicurean event of 2025. This four-day extravaganza of flavor, fun, and famous faces is Miami Beach’s ultimate celebration of all things food and drink. This gastronomic spectacle isn’t just another food festival; it’s THE SoFlo Food Festival. Picture over 500 world-class chefs, winemakers, and mixologists, cooking up stellar bites served with a side of beachside bliss. Add to that some of the biggest Food Network stars, Grammy-winning artists, and interactive culinary experiences, and you’ve got an event so packed with flair that skipping it would be a crime against good taste. From epic late-night bashes and celebrity-hosted cooking battles to exclusive master classes, SOBEWFF® 2025 is shaping up to be the most electrifying yet. Whether you’re in for the unlimited food and drinks, the A-list culinary talent, or just an excuse to sip champagne, fine wine and craft cocktails on the sand, here are 15 reasons this year’s festival in the Magic City is absolutely unmissable. 1. A Star-Studded Culinary Lineup Where else can you rub elbows with Food Network royalty like Rachael Ray, Guy Fieri, Alex Guarnaschelli, Aarón Sánchez, Duff Goldman, and Tyler Florence—all in one weekend? These culinary icons will be hosting various events throughout the fest, adding their star power to make the breadth of sumptuous fare that much tastier. Master classes, dinners and brunches and other events hosted by the likes of Bobby Flay, Andrew Zimmern and Michael Schwartz amp up the fest’s lineup of culinary A-listers. 2. More Than 500 Chefs, Winemakers & Spirit Producers This isn’t just a festival; it’s a who’s who of the food and beverage world. With talent spanning the globe, expect a smorgasbord of flavors and innovative culinary delights from over 500 experts who know their way around a kitchen and a cocktail shaker. To complement all of the gastronomic masterpieces attendees will taste over two days and four nights, each event will also feature a curated selection of premium wines and spirits from the Festival’s exclusive provider, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. The sheer volume of high caliber F&B availed to attendees sets the stage for an unforgettable culinary experience. 3. Hands-On Master Classes Ever wanted to master Vietnamese cuisine, become a BBQ master or learn the secrets of croissant-making? The fest offers numerous intimate workshops and offers a rare chance to learn these cooking skills from culinary legends in a hands-on setting. The SOBEWFF® 2025 Master Class Series is designed to sharpen your skills, elevate your home cooking, and give you an insider’s perspective on the techniques that make top chefs stand out. It’s not just about watching—it’s about rolling up your sleeves, getting hands-on and leaving with skills (and flavors) to impress. 4. Burger Bash Returns with Rachael Ray This isn’t just any burger showdown—it’s the Mike’s Amazing Burger Bash presented by Schweid & Sons, where top chefs battle to serve up the best burger of the year. Emmy-winning television personality, celebrity chef, author and entrepreneur Rachael Ray hosts the carnivorous madness, ensuring it’s as entertaining as it is delicious. This legendary burger battle pits top chefs against one another in the ultimate quest for burger supremacy. Expect juicy, flavor-packed creations, from classic smashburgers to over-the-top, chef-driven masterpieces—all vying for the title of best burger of the year. With endless bites, cold drinks, and a sizzling atmosphere, this isn’t just a competition—it’s a carnivorous celebration that’ll have you craving more. Grab a napkin (or five) and get ready to sink your teeth into burger heaven! 5. Tacos & Tequila, Need We Say More? James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur and TV personality Aarón Sánchez takes the helm of this ultimate fiesta, where chefs showcase their most creative taco creations, all paired with endless pours of Tequila Cazadores. Tacos & Tequila is where bold flavors, top-tier tequila, and vibrant energy collide! This lively music and dance-filled event brings together some of the most innovative chefs in the game to serve up their best and most creative taco creations—from classic carnitas to unexpected, flavor-packed surprises. And, of course, no taco party is complete without endless pours of tequila to keep the celebration going. Get ready to sip, savor, and salsa the night away. Arriba! 6. Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions: Miami Beach Edition If you’ve ever dreamed of watching culinary gladiators battle it, this is your moment. Hosted by chef celebrity Guy Fieri—a restaurateur and TV personality best known for the hit Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives—hosts this entertaining culinary showdown. Here, four teams, led by past Tournament of Champions winners, will throw down in an epic cook-off on the sands of Miami Beach while being cheered on by the crowd. 7. Fire, Meat & Mastery with Tyler Florence The Masters of Fire event celebrates the primal art of grilling, hosted by the one and only Tyler Florence, renowned chef, restaurateur and Food Network star revered for his expertise in modern American cuisine. If you love the sound of sizzling meat and the aroma of open-flame cooking, this is your spot. 8. Over-the-Top VIP Dinners, Brunches & Lunches From a Table of Ten dinner hosted by the one and only Bobby Flay to a Sushi Omakase Collective featuring some of the country’s top sushi chefs, these exclusive gatherings offer the ultimate fine-dining experiences. This year’s Festival will also feature a variety of seated Brunches & Lunches where attendees will have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the art of gastronomy, engage in meaningful conversations, and connect with their favorite chefs, local restaurateurs, vintners and mixologists. 9. A Late-Night Dessert Party Hosted by Duff Goldman Imagine a sugar-fueled bash where famed pastry chef and TV personality Duff Goldman, well-known for his elaborate cake designs, serves up decadent desserts alongside a comedy show. This is the sweetest way to close out a night in Miami with belly laughs and a full belly, alike. 10. The Goya Foods Grand Tasting Village: A Culinary Playground The Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village at SOBEWFF® is the ultimate culinary playground with over 135,000 square feet of open-air tent sampling space, more than 45 restaurants, and 1,200+ products to taste, this epicurean extravaganza is basically Disneyland for foodies. Over two days, the beachfront venue is packed with live cooking demonstrations from Food Network stars, over 1,200 food and beverage products for sampling and multiple dozens of the city’s most popular restaurants serving up delicious bites. This signature event offers an immersive experience where guests can sip, savor, and stroll while enjoying premium wines, craft cocktails, and gourmet creations, all set against the stunning backdrop of South Beach. 11. Guy Fieri’s Cigars & Spirits Part In addition to hosting the festival’s Tournament of Champions, Guy Fieri will also helm Cigars & Spirits presented by Cigar Aficionado. This unforgettable evening atop the Kimpton Angler’s Hotel South Beach rooftop, is late-night revelry replete with premium cigars and a selection of rich bourbons, whiskies, and scotches. The combination of Fieri’s signature energy and charm, highly distinctive cigars and spirits, and the opportunity to socialize under the Miami Beach night sky, makes this an evening of refined indulgence and good vibes. 12. Drag Brunch With Athena Dion Sashay your way to the Drag Brunch extravaganza featuring Mistress of Ceremonies Athena Dion where the mimosas flow freely, handheld fans jive with the music, and the performances are as fabulous as the food. This high-energy celebration blends over-the-top performances from some of South Florida’s fiercest drag queens with a decadent brunch spread, bottomless cocktails and a lively atmosphere. 13. A Grand Finale with Rev Run at the Asian Night Market At this brand new fest event, culinary icons Andrew Zimmern, Jet Tila, and Aarti Sequeira team up to bring you an Asian-inspired feast sure to blow your taste buds away, complete with a special performance by hip-hop legend Rev Run. This vibrant celebration will showcase an array of mouthwatering Asian-inspired dishes crafted by top chefs, while Rev Run will take the stage for a special live performance—all ensuring the festival closes out with a perfect fusion of incredible food, music, and culture. 14. The Festival Supports Future Culinary Leaders All proceeds benefit Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, helping shape the next generation of chefs, restaurateurs, and food entrepreneurs. To date, the SOBEWFF® has reportedly raised more than $40 Million in support of its educational mission “to provide an invaluable real-world experience and an interactive educational platform for future leaders of the hospitality industry.” Additionally, between SOBEWFF® and its sister NYCWFF, more than $53 Million has reportedly been raised to benefit the respective charities of each fest. So yes, stuffing your face is technically for a worthy charitable cause. 15. It’s Miami Beach in February! Do you really need another reason? Gorgeous weather, white sandy beaches and an excuse to sip cocktails while mingling with culinary greats? Pack your bags, book your tickets and head over to SOBEWFF® 2025. “The Festival not only celebrates the vibrant spirit of South Florida but also highlights the incredible food and beverage that has put Miami on the map as a premier culinary destination,” says Lee Brian Schrager, Festival Founder & Director. “Miami’s unique setting makes it an ideal host for the annual Festival, attracting amazing local, national, and international talent, which keeps fans coming back every year. It’s incredible to see how far the Festival has come—from its beginnings on the FIU campus to now being a global event that supports the next generation of hospitality leaders.” With over 100+ events, legendary chefs, insane food battles and convivial dining experiences, SOBEWFF® 2025 is pulling out all the stops. Whether you desire to devour burgers with Rachael Ray, sip tequila with Aarón Sánchez, or watch Guy Fieri host an epic culinary showdown, this festival has something for every kind of foodie. And let’s not forget—every bite, sip, and laugh supports the next generation of hospitality leaders. So what are you waiting for? Grab your tickets now at: www.sobewff.org , pack your appetite, and get ready for four unforgettable days and nights to eat, drink and educate. See you on the sand! Photos Courtesy and/or Copyright of Carma Connected, South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Florida International University, GALDOPHOTO. < Previous News Next News >

Guitar Lessons For Recovery: Move Your Focus From The Pain You Suffer Onto The Needs of Others By Tracy Renee Lee October 12, 2023 Share My brother lost his wife in January of this year. She died from Breast Cancer. He misses her so much, but he is doing well. His recovery is moving along in a healthy direction and time frame. One thing that my brother is not suffering from is Depression. “Depression is not a normal part of grief; it is a complication that interferes with recovery and raises the risk of serious illness.” Right after my sister-in-law died, my brother began having chest pains. Because grief can cause physical pain, we thought it was pain related to his loss. After a few months, he eventually saw his Cardiologist. It came to light that his heart was out of Arrhythmia. His doctor scheduled a corrective procedure, and we were instructed to keep him from getting excited and suffering from grief until his appointment. This is where we became concerned that delaying his grief experience might lead to Depression. We took precautions to avoid this and keep his recovery moving forward in a positive trajectory. On the scheduled day, my husband took my brother to his doctor’s office for his procedure, and the doctor discovered that my brother required immediate open-heart surgery. My husband went with my brother to a different part of the hospital, and my brother was admitted into the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. After surgery, my brother came to stay at my home during his convalescence. Again, the doctor expressed the importance of my brother delaying his grief experience, making complications even more likely. My brother seemed to be recovering very well, but a few weeks ago, he noticed some difficulties. He went back to see his doctor, and his heart was again suffering from Arrhythmia. His doctor scheduled a procedure, which took place last week. My brother is feeling very well, and his heart is normalizing. Now that my brother’s heart seems to be healthier, he can handle his grief recovery much better. He has moments of sadness but has incorporated new strategies to cope and swing away from Depression. He has focused on a new venture. He teaches guitar lessons on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EZ3ChordCountry. His YouTube venture takes up most of his time. This time invested in an activity that he enjoys and excels in is an excellent strategy for recovery. My brother and his wife used to have a band that visited nursing homes to spread cheer through music. This new activity is an extension of that mission. My brother continues to play at nursing homes, but he has added another service to his lifelong goal of serving others. If you are suffering loss, I hope you will be able to find something that you love to do that allows you to facilitate your recovery while serving others. Service helps to ward off feelings of loneliness and Depression. Service is one of the best things you can do for grief recovery. It moves your focus from the pain you suffer onto the needs of others. This redirection of focus brings progress to your life and allows your heart, mind, and efforts to carry your soul back to a meaningful and peaceful existence. Service will not shrink the significance of your loss; it merely shrinks your focus on that loss. Shrinking your focus shrinks your pain. “Your focus of mind paired with your actions of service, work in concert to enlarge your ability to experience joy and peace once again. With that in mind, service should be your go-to treatment for recovery.” Investing in an activity that allows you to serve others and memorialize the legacy of your loved one is an excellent strategy for grief recovery. I am happy my brother has found such a wonderful tribute to his wife. My name is Tracy Renee Lee. I am a Certified Grief Counselor (GC-C), Funeral Director (FDIC), Published Author, Syndicated Columnist, Podcaster and Founder of the “Mikey Joe Children’s Memorial” and Heaven Sent, Corp. I write books, weekly bereavement articles, Podcasts, and Grief BRIEFs related to understanding and coping with grief. I am the American Funeral Director of the Year Runner-Up and Recipient of the BBB’s Integrity Award. It is my life’s work to comfort the bereaved and help them live on. < Previous News Next News >

City Of Hollywood Launches Multiple Events: Community Court, Launch Your SPARK, Mardi Gras Street Festival & Black History Month Celebration Fri Feb 23 2024 17:03:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Transform Holiday Leftovers - Reinvent Your Holiday Extras Through Fresh Takes on Classic Dishes Family Features November 28, 2024 Share Once your holiday feast comes to pass, you're almost certain to find your refrigerator stuffed with leftovers. However, that doesn't mean you want to eat the same meal again and again in the days that follow. The star of many seasonal celebrations, Turkey can be reused in a variety of post-holiday dishes to cut down on food waste and create fresh new meals your whole family can enjoy. Featuring a unique blend of 100% Natural Chili Peppers, Lime and Sea Salt, TajÌn pairs perfectly with Turkey, making it a go-to for creative leftovers. Gone are the days of simply reheating Turkey and Stuffing or making a Turkey Sandwich. Instead, reinvent your holiday extras through fresh takes on classic dishes like this comforting Leftover Holiday Biscuit Pot Pie or Spicy Leftover Turkey Carnitas Tacos. Leftover Holiday Biscuit Pot Pie Total time: 45 minutes Servings: 4 Biscuits: 1 1/2 Cups of All-Purpose Flour 2 Teaspoons of Baking Powder 2 1/2 Teaspoons of Sugar 1/4 Teaspoon of Salt 2 Teaspoons of Cream Of Tartar 1/2 Cup of cold Unsalted Butter 2/3 Cup of Buttermilk 1 Tablespoon of Butter, melted Turkey Pot Pie Filling: 1/2 Cup of Turkey Fat 1 1/2 Cups of diced Onion 1 1/2 Cups of diced Carrots 1 1/2 Cups of diced Celery 1 Bay Leaf 1 Tablespoon of Minced Garlic 1 Tablespoon of Chopped Thyme 1 Tablespoon of Diamond Crystal Coarse Salt 1 Tablespoon of Coarse Black Pepper 1 Cup of All-Purpose Flour, divided 8 Cups of cold Turkey Stock TajÌn Clasico Seasoning, to taste about 1 Tablespoon 6 Cups of leftover cooked Turkey, chopped To make the Biscuits: In a mixing bowl, combine the Flour, the Baking Powder, the Sugar, the Salt and the Cream of Tartar. Grate the Butter and mix it with the dry ingredients. Carefully add the Buttermilk and mix everything until it is incorporated. Fold it over 5-6 times, roll it out and cut it into 10-12 rounds. Place the cut Biscuits on a floured surface. Refrigerate it for 30 minutes. To make the Turkey Pot Pie Filling: Preheat the oven to 375 F. Heat a large pot over high heat and add the Turkey Fat. Add the Onions, the Carrots, the Celery, the Bay Leaf, the Garlic, the Thyme, the Salt and the Pepper and gently sweat it. Add 1/2 Cup of Flour and cook it for 2-3 minutes. Add the Turkey Stock, 2 cups at a time, allowing it to thicken before adding more. In a bowl, mix the remaining Flour with the Turkey. Add the Turkey to the pot, bring to a simmer until it is thickened. Add the Seasoning, to taste. Add the Pot Pie Filling to the casserole dish and gently place the Biscuits closely together on top. Brush the Biscuits with the Melted Butter and bake them for 25-30 minutes. Remove the Pot Pie from the oven and cool it for 10-15 minutes before serving. Leftover Turkey Carnitas Tacos Total time: 25 minutes Servings: 2 (2-3 tacos each) 4-6 Garlic Cloves, peeled and separated 1 Pinch of Salt 1/2 Cup of Fresh Bitter Orange Juice or Fresh Lime Juice with Fresh Orange Juice combo 1/2 Cup of Olive Oil 1 Teaspoon of TajÌn Clasico Seasoning 1 Cup of leftover Turkey, shredded 1 Cup Duck Fat, Ghee or High Smoke Point Oil of choice 4-6 Tortillas Toppings (optional): • Pico de Gallo • Pickled Onions • Cilantro • Pomegranate Seeds • Avocado With a mortar and pestle, crush together the Garlic Cloves and the Salt, make the Paste and place it in a medium bowl. Stir in the Juice, the Olive Oil and the Seasoning. Fold the Mojo into the shredded Turkey meat. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot over high heat, melt the Duck Fat and wait until it forms a wave. Add the Turkey, in batches, stirring often, until the meat turns light golden brown, then lower heat to medium. Turn off heat. Heat up the Tortillas, place the Turkey Carnitas on top and add the Pico de Gallo, the Pickled Onions, the Cilantro, the Pomegranate Seeds or the Avocado as desired. Note: Once browned in the Duck Fat, the Carnitas can be stored in the Fat overnight and reheated over low heat to melt the Fat and warm the Carnitas. For more holiday recipe inspirations, visit: www.tajin.com/us < Previous News Next News >

Construction On Ives Dairy Road: The Northeast 203rd Street/Ives Dairy Road Intersection Improvement Project Is Underway February 3, 2023 Share So you take Ives Dairy Road each day and you notice a lot of construction happening in the area, so what's going on? The Florida Department Of Transportation (FDOT) started an intersection project along Northeast 203rd Street/Ives Dairy Road during the middle of November. The project will increase safety and ease traffic flow through this busy intersection by elevating westbound Northeast 203rd Street over the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) tracks and West Dixie Highway, constructing a pedestrian bridge over the FEC tracks, widening the roadway along southbound US-1 and eastbound Northeast 203rd Street, including the bridge, improving drainage along the corridor, updating pedestrian ramps, signage, pavement markings, lighting and installing a bicycle lane along West Dixie Highway, between Northeast 206th Street and Northeast 202nd Street. Travel lanes shall be closed during non peak hours on nonevent days. Non Peak hours are: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., weekdays - 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekends - 9:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., Monday through Sunday nights - 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., Friday and Saturday nights. This project will require nighttime full intersection closures that will be noticed in advance and expected to be completed in the summer of 2024. Florida is home to over 22 million residents and in just the first three quarters of 2022, we had nearly 105 million visitors to our state and Aventura has certainly seen a large part of that growth. In 2022, Florida experienced the largest net migration in the country at 1.9%, meaning that Florida’s infrastructure must accommodate more people than ever before. The 20 projects included in the proposal will build more resilient Transportation Infrastructure, which is important to the integrity of roadways and corridors especially during severe weather events such as Hurricanes. Due to this huge growth Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiatives, a $4 Billion Investment, which will be leveraged for a total of $7 Billion, to expedite projects that will alleviate congestion and prioritize safety. “This proposal will break through bureaucracy that often slows down Infrastructure Projects and allow FDOT to target projects that will ease congestion across the state," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "Expediting these projects will bring them to completion more than a decade ahead of schedule.” “Governor DeSantis’ Moving Florida Forward Proposal is truly historic and the projects included will help relieve congestion while also focusing on safety, resiliency, the supply chain and economic growth. These are important for Floridians’ quality of life and to ensure we maintain a strong transportation system to keep Florida moving forward,” said FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “The Department has worked closely with communities and our partners through the years to plan and prepare these projects for construction. Receiving this funding will allow the vision of each project to become a reality in the immediate future to better meet the growing demands in communities throughout the state. Our team is prepared and ready to work with the Legislature to deliver these critical projects and strengthen Florida’s Transportation Infrastructure.” FDOT will continue working on projects currently planned in the existing FDOT Five-Year Work Program in addition to projects included in the Moving Florida Forward package. For more information please contact Senior Community Outreach Specialist Heather M. Leslie at: (305) 905 5876. Or via email at: heather@hmlpublicoutreach.com . You may also visit the website at: www.fdotmiamidade.com < Previous News Next News >

Witness The Impossible: Magic & Mayhem - LIVE At The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center August 29, 2024 Share Do you believe that it’s possible to actually die laughing? If so, Dizzy might be the most dangerous man alive. From the celebrated Apollo Theatre in London’s West End to the iconic Sydney Opera House, Darren “Dizzy” Partridge has been delighting audiences around the globe for more than a decade. An accomplished comedy magician and cirque variety performer, Dizzy is a regular headlining act on the luxury liners of both Celebrity and Norwegian Cruise Lines. He has also been featured as The Trickster in the largest touring magic show in the world, The Illusionists. Dizzy’s wild combination of magic, physical comedy, and theatrical thievery, delivered with mischievous British charm, leaves his audiences both spellbound and gasping for breath. With three different shows to choose from, you are guaranteed an experience they will not believe and will never forget. As a kid growing up in Coventry, England, he had no idea that one day, he would be performing in cirque shows around the world and making a living with magic. Dizzy told us, "I am sometimes asked if I always wanted to be a magician and to be honest, the short answer is no – but I always followed my interests. I started out in martial arts; I just loved the physicality and athleticism it required. My favorite moves were the ones that involved spinning and kicking and jumping, and those movements would soon morph into a love of breakdancing. I taught myself all the power moves, and even though I didn’t have an ounce of rhythm, I loved doing all of the acrobatic tricks. Believe it or not, those tricks landed me a gig as Sir Francis Drake in a stunt show in Majorca, Spain." During this time Dizzy spent several seasons doing backflips and high falls and sword fights with my fellow swashbucklers. When his tenure as a professional pirate eventually came to an end (actually due to a fight with Blackbeard; that’s a whole other story), he wandered into a cirque audition back in London and blew away the casting directors with everything he had learned. As the other applicants were fussing about which music they wanted, he ran up the wall, did a backflip, and when he landed, he had everyone’s attention. As it turns out, in some careers, bouncing off the walls is a good thing. He was hired and moved to Myrtle Beach to work for Le Grand Cirque and was exposed to a myriad of different performers, including some influential magicians (who would eventually become his teachers), and everything just clicked into place. One of those influential magicians was Janna Roukhmanova – she is a world-renowned, multi-discipline cirque performer originally from Moscow, Russia. She also happens to be his wife! Together they are committed to bringing world-class entertainment to as many people as they can. The Aventura Show Magic & Mayhem Live is an extravaganza of magic and laughter that promises to leave audiences mesmerized and roaring with laughter. This one-of-a-kind show brings mind-bending illusions to death-defying acrobatics, the show is a rollercoaster ride of emotions that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout. Darren “Dizzy” Partridge, with his mischievous British charm, is the heart and soul of the production. His seamless fusion of magic and physical comedy has earned him a reputation as one of the most entertaining magicians in the business. Watching Dizzy perform is like witnessing a whirlwind of laughter and amazement. He has the uncanny ability to make the impossible seem possible and the possible seem hilariously absurd. Magic & Mayhem Live is not just a magic show; it's a theatrical experience that takes the audience on a journey through the realms of fantasy and wonder. One of the highlights of the show is the mischievous duo of Dizzy and Janna Roukhmanova, whose chemistry and onstage camaraderie are simply electric. Janna's background in cirque performance adds an extra layer of excitement to the magic acts, as she gracefully weaves through the air with her aerial acrobatics, leaving the audience in awe. As the lights dim and the curtain rises, the audience is transported into a world of magic, mayhem, and mystery. The grand stage comes alive with dazzling lights, intricate sets, and heart-pounding music that sets the tone for the jaw-dropping performances to come. But it's not just the individual acts that make this show so special; it's the seamless integration of each act into a cohesive and immersive experience. The transitions between performances are smooth, with each act building upon the excitement of the last. The show's pacing is expertly crafted, ensuring that there's never a dull moment. One of the most thrilling segments of the show is when the audience becomes a part of the magic. Volunteers are invited on stage to participate in mind-reading acts and daring escapology tricks. The audience's reactions range from nervous laughter to stunned silence as they witness the seemingly impossible happen right before their eyes. Magic & Mayhem Live is not just for magic enthusiasts; it's for anyone who appreciates the art of entertainment. The show appeals to audiences of all ages, making it the perfect outing for families, friends, or even a captivating date night. So, if you find yourself yearning for a night of wonder, laughter, and unforgettable memories, don't miss the opportunity to experience Magic & Mayhem Live. This is not just a magic show; it's a celebration of the human spirit, the joy of imagination, and the thrill of being alive. Magic and Mayhem is a family friendly show perfect for the whole family, presented By CIRQUE JOURNEY ENT. will be performing at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center Saturday, January 18th, 2025 - 2:00 p.m & Saturday, January 18th, 2025 - 7:00 p.m., seats start at $29.00. Book your tickets now for a night of enchantment that will leave you spellbound and gasping for breath! Tickets Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. You can purchase tickets online at: www.aventuracenter.org - By phone at: (877) 311-7469. Or: (954) 462-0222. Or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. Noon to 5:00 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each performance. For Group Sales, please call: (954) 660-6307. Parking FREE parking is available in the lots adjacent to the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center in front of the Aventura Community Recreation Center and the Aventura City of Excellence School. Valet service is available for most performances at $20 per vehicle. Valet parking is located at the main entrance of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center in the circular drive. There is a convenient drop-off area in front of the building. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, Florida 33180. Join the conversation, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram @aventuracenter or #aventuracenter. For more information, visit: www.aventuracenter.org < Previous News Next News >

The City of Hollywood is Using A New Web Solution That Helps Identify Unregistered Vacation Rentals Thu Jun 03 2021 04:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Budget Process Continues: It Is of Critical Importance to Make Difficult Decisions Now By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper August 12, 2021 Share Last meeting the City Commission passed our updated parking ordinance on first reading. I do want to thank all the residents that share their input and ideas on the ordinances. It was passed 4-0 with some adopted changes. They include a discount for seniors 65 and older, confirmation that handicapped and veterans parking will be free, no change for parking during PAL sporting games and special events. The following is a continuation on the 2021-2022 budget message and five-year fiscal plan that was presented by our city manager. This budget is extremely important to create fiscal stability. As part of the budget development process, preliminary budget projections for the next four fiscal years have been prepared. It was important to include projections through FY2024/2025 (the year after the ARPA subsidy ends), to provide a better picture as to why it is of critical importance to make difficult decisions now, that will affect the next four fiscal years and beyond. Recommended FY2021/2022 Budget The FY2021/2022 Budget reflects an operating budget of $140,467,045. This amount represents an 11.7% increase over the prior year’s budget. When adding the capital projects and adjusting internal service fund transfers; the total FY 21/22 Budget is $147,133,289, which represents a 4.14% increase over the prior year’s budget. The increase in the total budget is primarily attributable to the General Fund. The largest increases in the General Fund include the contract with the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Police/Fire pension costs, Tax Increment Financing payment to the CRA, and capital purchases. Continuous updates will be prepared over the next months and will be discussed with the City Commission at proposed future Budget workshops. Currently, the recommended General Fund budget is out of balance by approximately $3.6 million. This results after a $5.5 million ARPA subsidy, and a $1.7 million in new revenues from proposed programs (i.e. Parking Program, Certificate of Use) are accounted for. Without federal subsidies and new revenue generating programs, the budget shortfall amounts to $10.8 million. FY 2021/2022 Fund Overview The recommended budget shows the following funds using fund balance for recurring expenses: Cemetery and General Fund. Also, the General Fund continues to subsidize the Transportation Fund, with a transfer not to exceed $958,125. Additionally, in the upcoming fiscal year, the Police Training Fund will be subsidized by the General Fund with a transfer not to exceed $40,000. Below is a summary of operating funds impacted with a deficit. City Taxable Value Based on the June 1, 2021 certified value received from the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office, the City’s growth in taxable value shows a 1.89% increase from July 1, 2020. The increase in property values will only provide an additional $760,620 in new Property Tax Revenues. The City’s portion of the increase is $230,950 and the Hallandale Beach Community Redevelopment Agency’s portion is $529,670. The recommended budget is predicated on the General Fund’s current operating millage and no increase in the fire assessment fee (remaining at 7.0000 mills). The General Obligation (GO) Bond millage will decrease by 0.0149 mills, from 0.5522 to 0.5376 mills in the upcoming fiscal year. This decrease in millage is due to the slight increase in property values and a slight decrease in debt service budget. The American Recovery Plan signed into law in March provides over $350 billion of relief funds to state and local governments. This amount represents approximately one-fifth (1/5) of the bill's total allocation and will be deployed to state and local government agencies in two distributions. Use of these funds is broadly defined in the bill. As of the printing of this document, specific guidance for the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund component of ARPA, including metrics, requirements, and restrictions, has been issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. However, because the City is a non-entitlement unit of government, the City must also abide by any provisions by the State to request and receive funding. The City expects to receive approximately $16 million over two years. Of the first allocation of approximately $8 million, this Recommended Budget proposes the use of $5.5 million to balance the FY2021/2022 budget, which has allowed the City to abate greater budget shortfalls. The remaining second year ARPA allocation will assist in further mitigating shortfalls that the City’s reserves cannot sustain in FY2022/2023 and FY2023/2024 as the economy recovers. It is expected that a great portion of these funds will be necessary to maintain service levels as we manage through the recovery. As the City charts course for a financially responsible future, new options must be explored to find new revenue to pay for the increasing cost of public services. For years, the City has been missing out on significant revenues by not charging fair market rate for in-demand parking spaces. Based on conservative estimates, the expansion of the parking program would result in approximately $1.4 million in new revenue. This revenue can be used to replace our aging fleet of police vehicles, allow the City to keep parks open longer, expedite permitting processes, and increase code compliance efforts. Further, parking enforcement has a public safety component as it provides an authoritative presence, a marked vehicle with lights and uniformed parking specialist, discouraging criminal activity, and removes dumped and illegally parked vehicles from our neighborhoods. New Certificate of Use and Enhanced Local Business Tax Receipts Program This program was approved by the City Commission in the current fiscal year; however, due to various factors including staffing levels and turnover, the full potential of the combined programs has not been reached. While enhancements to the Local Business Tax Receipts Program are underway, the new Certificate of Use Program has not taken off. It is estimated that in FY2021/2022 the program will be staffed and revenues in the amount of $300,000 will be realized. The programs’ full potential revenue is approximately $590,000 per year and is projected to be realized starting in FY2022/2023. Next week the message will be continued. 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 e-mail me at: jcooper@cohb.org . Please visit my Facebook Page: MayorJoyCooper. Like It! Friend It! Share It! < Previous News Next News >

Met @Chabad: Modern Technology Mixed With Age-Old Tradition By Rabbi Moishe Kievman - Chabad Chayil January 5, 2023 Share Close to two hundred local young Jewish professionals gathered in a private ranch in South Florida for a unique event at the end of December. While many such mixer events exist for this large and diverse demographic, this wasn’t just another singles event. Curated and hosted by the folks at Met @Chabad, participants were treated to something that actually delivered on its promise and premise. Met @Chabad, a recent initiative launched by the central Chabad Headquarters in Brooklyn, N.Y., brings a sophisticated blend of modern technology with age-old tradition to the dating world. Long considered a tough nut to crack and the source of much aggravation, in the span of just one year, results are coming in—and they’re looking quite positive. Drawing from ancient Jewish values that stress the importance of compatibility on a bedrock of values, Met @Chabad has developed a unique system that brings new signees into a sophisticated database. The entry point is through a custom questionnaire that prompts participants to hone in on their life values. Once the data is compiled, a complex algorithm makes potential matches based on what really counts: not goals, hobbies, or looks, but shared values. “We’ve seen great success hosting a number of international virtual speed-dating events,” said Rabbi Beryl Frankel, Director of Met @Chabad, who also personally attended the event. “Thousands of young Jewish adults have been matched up with each other with real chances for continuation. It’s now time to break new ground.” The most recent frontier has been to bring the experience to real people in real life. After successfully launching in New York City, San Francisco, and Buenos Aires, Met @Chabad has now hit South Florida and it was met with wild enthusiasm. Well before the event got underway, participants knew that this would be different. Asked to fill out the trademark Met @Chabad questionnaire days before the event, participants were assigned to clusters based on the value group to which the algorithm deemed them most suited. With a different color for each group, it was easy to spot where you belonged as soon as you came in the room. In addition to being placed in groups that automatically put members on the same page, expert coaches were scattered around the room to facilitate meaningful conversation and connection. Each group began with someone leading an ice-breaker bingo game, and the evening progressed from there. Shmuel Druin LCSW was on hand for dating advice; Chanie Lebovics, an experienced matchmaker and dating coach, was right in the thick of things as well; and the many Chabad Rabbis with years of experience shepherding their communities were all available for anyone who needed. A brand new “Jewish Dating Primer” was handed out to all who attended, adding yet another ingredient to help those present achieve their goal: to find a seriously interested partner. “The difficulty of finding a like-minded soulmate with which to start a home is a challenge with which many of today’s youth are struggling,” said Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky, Chairman of Chabad Young Professionals International, under whose umbrella Met @Chabad operates. “We’re honored and humbled to see how much progress we’ve made in such a short time to help solve this global problem. And this is just the beginning.” “I’ve been to many different Jewish dating events all over South Florida, from as far south as Brickell and as far north as Boca,” said David Russ, an Aventura native who works in digital advertising, “but Met @Chabad was by far the best one I’ve ever been to. The classy environment set a great mood. The group pairing made it easy to meet people with similar levels of Jewish values. Using a game to help break the ice made it easy to approach and meet new people. No other Jewish dating events I’ve ever attended had such meaningful elements, and it really puts Met @Chabad above the rest.” “It was really something special to see so many young Jewish adults from all over the area come to such an intentional and meaningful event,” said Rabbi Moshe Kievman of Chabad Chayil in Highland Lakes, FL. “Many of them are shy or otherwise apprehensive about dating, and being there tonight was so helpful for them. I personally heard from at least two people, ‘Rabbi, I think I found the right one tonight!’ What can be greater than that?” When asked whether he would go again, Russ replied, “100%! Just tell me when and where, and I’ll be there.” For more information about the innovative matchmaking platform from Chabad visit www.metatchabad.com < Previous News Next News >

Live In Hollywood: City-Owned Fully Renovated Homes For Sale September 22, 2022 Share The City of Hollywood announces the availability of two beautiful, fully renovated homes for sale, along with up to $70,000 in purchase assistance for the qualified, eligible homebuyer. The City of Hollywood is offering up to $70,000 in gap purchase assistance to buy either of these homes at: 550 North 66 Terrace, Hollywood, 33024 or 2323 Cleveland Street, Hollywood, 33020. The purchase assistance is a second mortgage loan, zero percent (0%) interest, no monthly payments, 30-year term, and payable in full at term maturity or property sale, whichever occurs first. At thirty days prior to the maturity date, the City shall offer the mortgagee a refinancing option under the same terms and conditions, so long as the mortgagee has not defaulted on any terms and conditions set forth in the mortgage. The loan will be in default, if any of the following occurs during the loan term: sale, transfer, or conveyance of property; conversion to a rental property; loss of homestead exemption status; failure to occupy the home as primary residence; failure to maintain fire, hazard, flood, and windstorm (where applicable) insurance in an amount that is adequate to cover all property loans with the City named as loss payee; failure to maintain the property in accordance with all City codes and regulations. If any of these occur it shall be considered a default under the City’s Mortgage and Promissory Note, wherein the City may pursue acceleration of the payment and all other legal remedies to recapture the balance. The potential buyers must contribute at least 3% of the first loan amount, and the purchase assistance amount will fill the “gap” after the first mortgage loan and buyer’s contribution are applied to the purchase and closing costs. 550 North 66 Terrace, Hollywood, 33024 This 3/2, 1,475 square foot home is conveniently located near the Turnpike and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport with a purchase price of $382,194. The home was completely renovated in 2019 and includes: impact resistant windows and exterior doors, a dimensional shingle roof and insulation, new fascia and soffits, interior and exterior lighting fixtures, central A/C and heat, kitchen cabinets with stainless steel kitchen appliances, oversized porcelain tile floor throughout, a totally renovated master and second bathroom, full size washer and dryer, a tankless hot water heater, new exterior and interior paint, two-car concrete driveway with covered carport, landscaped and sodded yard with irrigation system and fenced rear yard, an upgraded electrical panel, and a 10-year lithium battery-operated smoke detector system. 2323 Cleveland Street, Hollywood, 33020 This 2/1, 922 square foot home with a purchase price of $350,000 is conveniently located near I-95, Downtown Hollywood, and only 3.6 miles to Hollywood Beach. This home was completely renovated in 2020: new exterior impact doors & windows, interior doors, interior and exterior lighting fixtures, roof insulation, central A/C and heat, completely updated kitchen cabinets with stainless steel kitchen appliances, new laminate flooring throughout, completely renovated bathroom, tankless hot water heater, new exterior and interior paint, paver driveway and front walkway, new garage, landscaped and sodded yard with irrigation system and fenced rear yard, upgraded electrical panel, and a 10-year lithium battery-operated smoke detector system. For eligibility requirements, submittal process, and a list of participating lenders visit: https://www.hollywoodfl.org/1435/City-owned-Homes-For-Sale < Previous News Next News >

Parking Meters in Hallandale Beach Tue Jun 15 2021 04:05:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)