CarePlus Expands Affordable Medicare Advantage Options in Florida Thu Nov 24 2022 17:07:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Art of Drag Fundraiser: The Art and Culture Center/Hollywood Raises over $10,000 Thu Nov 18 2021 05:02:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Invitation From The Consul General Of Israel In Miami To Go On A Mission To Israel With European And North American Mayors - Part III By Hallandale Beach, Mayor Joy Cooper Jul 23, 2026 This Is Part III Of The Mission To Israel After we toured the bomb site in the city of Ramat Gan, we headed to Jerusalem. The first stop was Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center. I have had the honor of visiting the center three times. You can actually spend days at the center. The main exhibit and the surrounding building were designed by world-famous Moishe Safdie. The building is shaped in the form of a triangular prism. You enter into a world of darkness, and as you walk from room to room you cross over a main corridor that lights dramatically to the floor below. The most famous room is the Hall of Names. This cone-shaped, 9-meter-high houses all the known names of Holocaust survivors. There is a matching bottom of the cone where you look down into the bedrock. This symbolizes all the unknown victims. Multiple exhibits take the visitors through all aspects of the Holocaust. Hitler’s rise to power, propagandized antisemitism, the work camps, death camps, the war and the liberation. It is truly the main reason these missions are so important. Non Jews and Jews alike can learn the true history of the holocaust and the Jewish people. Their strength and resilience through years of antisemitism and explosions from many countries. It also teaches those who visit the true nature and importance of the Jewish homeland, Israel. From Yad Vashem we traveled to the Shalva Center. This world-renowned center was established to help people with disabilities. Ironically, the Ambassadors that lead our tour, Chaya and Chaim Bisker, used to have offices in Hallandale Beach. The couple gave birth to a daughter who had Autism. They found out about the center and now travel back and forth from Aventura to ensure their daughter has care to thrive. This center has become a model for care and training. Doctors, students and caregivers from around the globe come to learn best practices. They serve all ages from birth to adulthood with the goal of inclusion and opportunity. The 220,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility is equipped with an Olympic pool, gymnasium, auditorium, multiple age- and ability-appropriate playgrounds, cafeteria, art rooms, and roof meeting space. It was founded by Rabbi Kalman Samuels, whose son was not born disabled but received his second dose of DTP vaccine that was manufactured improperly. Their son Yossi woke up blind the next day and lost his hearing. There were now schools for them in Israel. They left Israel for New York to The Lighthouse For the Blind for treatment. There were many people who did not support their effort for a better life for Yossi. Many, including a prominent Rebbetzin, told Malki to move Yossi out of the house and care for her other children. Malik and Kalman committed to caring for their child. They moved back to Israel, finding that they could only pursue legal action in Israel. Malki prayed to God that if you help get Yossi better, I will commit my life to caring for other children with disabilities. They had what she referred to as a “Helen Keller” moment in Israel. A teacher who was deaf taught Yossi letters by hand. From there he took off and did not stop learning and growing. Rabbi worked and applied to the Israeli government to help him create the center. It grew and grew, and now it is a beacon of hope for over 2,000 children. They provide everything from physical therapy to cognitive education. Children receive education from birth all the way to adult vocational training. Their model provides service for the entire family. Mothers and fathers have an opportunity to receive emotional support and training. The center also allows parents to stay overnight. To find out more about the center and their services, visit: https://shavla.org. To find out more about the Samuels Family story they published a book, “Dreams Never Dreamed: A Mother's Promise that Transformed Her Son's Breakthrough Into a Beacon of Hope.” As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our City a better place at on Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org . Please visit me on my Facebook page at: Mayor Joy Cooper. Like! Follow! And share! Previous Next

South Florida Salutes America At 250 - Communities Across Broward And Miami-Dade Counties Are Planning Special Events To Mark The Nation’s Semiquincentennial By John Bernardo Jun 18, 2026 Historians Claim That July 4, 1776 Marked The Time When 13 American Colonies Declared Independence To Escape Great Britain’s Brutal Rule. Fast forwarding to 2026, specifically on the Fourth of July, many South Floridians and Americans will traditionally commemorate Independence Day while they munch on hamburgers, hot dogs, and then watch fireworks light up the night sky. However, this July Fourth will not be ordinary and it’s not expected to be just about folks waving American flags, saluting stars and stripes, and glancing at glossy posters of Uncle Sam. Moreover, it will not be strictly about holiday decorations of red, white and blue that overlook grills and picnic tables. That’s because this year marks a milestone titled: “United States of America 250,” which means America will soon reach another significant time in its history when it turns 250 years-old! In fact, below is a list of communities in Broward and Miami-Dade counties that on July 4, plan to make the nation’s 250th Birthday extra special. In Broward County, beginning at 4:00 p.m., the City of Deerfield Beach at its main beach area, will be celebrating 250 years of freedom with a festive Fourth of July full of music and fun. Then starting at 9:00 p.m., fireworks will be displayed by the ocean. More information, call: (954) 250–4239. In Margate, city officials will oversee an event honoring America’s 250th Birthday with a morning parade (begins at 9:00 a.m.), a family pool party (1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.), a concert, and food trucks on the northwest corner of Margate Boulevard and State Road 7 (5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.). Then at 9:00 p.m., the City will end the party with a firework show. Additional information, call: (954) 972–6458. In Coral Springs, there will be a mega celebration at Mullins Park on 10000 Ben Geiger Drive, featuring a live performance by the Absolute Bon Jovi Tribute Band, family fun zones, and extensive food truck options. The grand fireworks display is set to illuminate the sky at 8:45 p.m. More information, call: (954) 344–1111. Heading east to Pompano Beach Boulevard in Pompano Beach, the City will launch its Beach Bash Extravaganza with a dynamic ocean lineup. Expect live bands rocking the sand all afternoon, food vendors, and a spectacular firework show visible up and down the coast. More information, call: (754) 307–5446. In Sunrise, the City expects to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with its “Stars and Stripes: 250 Years of Smiles” festivities. The day kicks off with a morning parade, some family fun, and an evening concert and fireworks show at the Amerant Bank Arena, One Panther Parkway. More information, call: (954) 747–4600. Meanwhile, the City of Fort Lauderdale, specifically at Fort Lauderdale Beach and Las Olas, will salute the 250th Anniversary of America with its ‘Fourth of July Spectacular’ as the centerpiece of their 250 Celebration. The day-long event includes live bands, beach games, a massive Kids Zone with water slides, and a dazzling firework display on the oceanfront at 8:45 p.m. More information, call: (954) 828–8000. In Pembroke Pines, its commemoration will be at the City Center. As part of their America 250 Celebration, the City is hosting a massive community block party and festival. The event will consist of a city-wide art project called “CommUNITY,” patriotic lighting installations, live entertainment, and a firework finale. More information, call: (954) 392–2116. In Hollywood, the City is celebrating America’s 250th birthday by elevating its annual “Star Spangled Spectacular” into an enhanced beachside event. The festivities will take place along the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, featuring a live DJ, live music, and an official welcome by Mayor Josh Levy and the City Commission. At 9 p.m., a dazzling fireworks display will be seen up and down the shoreline. Additional information, call: (954) 921–3620. In Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami will observe America’s 250th Birthday through the Miami-Dade 250 initiative. The county’s signature Independence Day program will be hosted at Tropical Park from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., featuring live music, food vendors, family activities, and a fireworks display. Additionally, the downtown Miami waterfront, including Bayfront Park and the Miami River, will have open-air concerts ranging from jazz to Latin pop, culminating in stunning fireworks framed by the skyline, and a drone show. The celebration is part of the year-long Miami-Dade 250 initiative, which honors the United States’ semiquincentennial through culture, arts, and community storytelling. More information, call: (305) 250–5300. In North Miami, the City is observing “America 250” by hosting its Annual “Independence Day Celebration by the Bay.” The gathering will be held at the FIU Biscayne Bay Campus, 3000 Northeast 151st Street. This community, family-friendly jubilee features live music, family activities, food, and a splendid firework display. More information, call: (305) 893–6511. In the meantime, Coconut Grove is saluting the country’s 250th birthday with its Annual Independence Day event at Peacock Park. This celebration features a concert by the Miami Symphony Orchestra, a “Taste of the Grove” food festival, kids’ zones, and an amazing fireworks and drone show over Biscayne Bay. More information, call: (305) 442–8695. In Coral Gables, the City in partnership with the Biltmore Hotel, will throw a Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks Show at 1200 Anastasia Avenue. The evening consists of live music, a festive barbeque, a fireworks finale, and a special choreographed drone show highlighting a remarkable milestone: “America’s 250th Anniversary.” Additional information, call: (305) 446-6800. In Miami Beach, the city is going all out to commemorate the nation’s 250th Birthday, anchoring the giant celebration around a host of patriotic exhibits, military salutes, and waterfront festivities. The main celebrations will feature live entertainment, drone shows, and fireworks at Altos Del Mar Park (77th Street) in North Beach and along Ocean Drive in South Beach. More information, visit the official portal: Miami Beach Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday. Or call: (305) 673–7000. Furthermore, the Town of Cutler Bay is organizing its Annual Golf Cart Parade and Picnic at Whispering Pines Park to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary. Cutler Bay’s community patriotic gathering will kick off with a parade (begins at 9:00 a.m.). Then at 10:00 a.m., a picnic commences at Whispering Pines Park, featuring a cookout, live music, face painting, National Anthem performances, and Town Council remarks. Then to wrap up the commemoration, starting at 11:15 a.m., there will be a special U.S. Air Force flyover which will pay tribute to the nation’s Birthday. More information, call: (305) 234–4262. In addition, the Village of Key Biscayne is hosting its Annual 4th of July Parade, with 2026’s event themed around the country’s 250th Birthday. The parade commences at 10:00 a.m., traveling along Crandon Boulevard. Following the parade, the Rotary Club will put together a traditional barbecue on the Village Green Park at 450 Crandon Boulevard. More information, call: (305) 361–5207. Also, the City of Homestead is commemorating America’s 250th Birthday by organizing an extra-ordinary “Race to the Fourth” event at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Activities planned there include amusement rides, games, live music, patriotic performances, and it concludes with a firework show synced to pop and patriotic hits. Additional information, call: (305) 224–4570. There will be fireworks and drone show over many areas of Broward and Miami Dade. South Floridians will be celebrating 250 years of freedom with a festive Fourth of July full of music and fun. Previous Next

Tracy Jones Makes Its Debut: A New Comedy About Friendship, Connection And Chicken Wings Thu Apr 13 2023 16:12:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

New Safety Guidelines: At The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center Thu Sep 23 2021 04:01:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Don Soffer Aventura High School: “A+” Inaugural Year Centers on Academic Excellence Sat Sep 10 2022 16:06:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Special Election Results: A Message From The Mayor Of Sunny Isles Beach Thu Jun 29 2023 16:14:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Working Side By Side: Hallandale Beach Police Department Hires A Community Relations Specialist To Help Assist With Connecting Individuals To Resources Thu May 11 2023 16:05:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Danger Is Real - The Plot To Destabilize The Nation Is Working By John & Nisha Whitehead October 31, 2024 Share If the three-ring circus that is the looming presidential election proves anything, it is that the Deep State’s plot to destabilize the nation is working. The danger is real. Caught up in the heavily dramatized electoral showdown between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, Americans have become oblivious to the multitude of ways in which the government is goose stepping all over our freedoms on a daily basis. Especially alarming is the extent to which those on both sides are allowing themselves to be gaslighted by both Trump and Harris about critical issues of the day, selectively choosing to hear only what they want to hear when it casts the opposition in a negative light. This is true whether you’re talking about Immigration and Border Control, Health Care, National Security, the nation’s endless wars, protections for FREE Speech, or the militarization of the U.S. Government. For starters, there’s the FREE Speech double standard, what my good friend Nat Hentoff used to refer to as the “FREE Speech for me but not for thee” phenomenon in which the First Amendment’s protections only apply to those with whom we might agree. Despite her claims to being a champion for the rule of law, which in our case is the U.S. Constitution, Harris isn’t averse to policing so-called “hate” speech. In this, Harris is not unlike those on both the Right and the Left who continue to express a distaste for unregulated, FREE Speech online, especially when it comes to speech with which they might disagree. Then there’s Trump, never a fan of FREE Speech protections for his critics, who has been particularly vocal about his desire to see the military vanquish “radical left lunatics,” which he has dubbed “the enemy from within.” If it were only about muzzling FREE Speech activities, that would be concerning enough. But Trump’s enthusiasm for using the military to target domestic enemies of the state should send off warning bells, especially coinciding as it does with the Department of Defense’s recent re-issuance of Directive 5240.01, which empowers the military to assist law enforcement “in situations where a confrontation between civilian law enforcement and civilian individuals or groups is reasonably anticipated.” This is what martial law looks like—a government of force that relies on the military to enforce its authority—and it’s exactly what America’s founders feared, which is why they opted for a republic bound by the rule of law: the U.S. Constitution. Responding to concerns that the military would be used for domestic policing, Congress passed the Posse Comitatus Act in 1878, which makes it a crime for the government to use the military to carry out arrests, searches, seizure of evidence and other activities normally handled by a civilian police force. The increasing militarization of the police, the use of sophisticated weaponry against Americans and the government’s increasing tendency to employ military personnel domestically have all but eviscerated historic prohibitions such as the Posse Comitatus Act. Yet sometime over the course of the past 240-plus years that constitutional republic has been transformed into a military dictatorship disguised as a democracy. Unfortunately, most Americans seem relatively untroubled by the fact that our constitutional republic is being transformed into a military dictatorship disguised as a democracy. The seeds of chaos that have been sown in recent years are all part of the Deep State’s plans to usher in martial law. Just take a look at “Megacities: Urban Future, the Emerging Complexity,” a Pentagon training video created by the Army for U.S. Special Operations Command. The training video is only five minutes long, but it says a lot about the government’s mindset, the way it views the citizenry, and the so-called “problems” that the government must be prepared to address in the near future through the use of martial law. Even more troubling, however, is what this military video doesn’t say about the Constitution, about the rights of the citizenry, and about the dangers of locking down the nation and using the military to address political and social problems. The training video anticipates that all hell will break loose by 2030, but the future is here ahead of schedule. We’re already witnessing a breakdown of society on virtually every front. The danger signs are screaming out a message. The government is anticipating trouble (read: civil unrest), which is code for anything that challenges the government’s authority, wealth and power. According to the Pentagon, the training video created by the Army for the U.S. Special Operations Command, the U.S. government is grooming its armed forces to solve future domestic political and social problems. What they’re really talking about is martial law, packaged as a well-meaning and overriding concern for the nation’s security. The chilling five-minute training video, obtained by The Intercept through a FOIA request and made available online, paints an ominous picture of the future — a future the military is preparing for — bedeviled by “criminal networks,” “substandard Infrastructure,” “religious and ethnic tensions,” “impoverishment, slums,” “open landfills, overburdened sewers,” a “growing mass of unemployed,” and an urban landscape in which the prosperous economic elite must be protected from the impoverishment of the have nots. And then comes the kicker. Three-and-a-half minutes into the Pentagon’s dystopian training video, the ominous voice of the narrator speaks of a need to “drain the swamps.” Now the government has adopted its own plans for swamp-draining, only it wants to use the military to drain the swamps of futuristic urban American cities of “noncombatants and engage the remaining adversaries in high intensity conflict within.” And who are these noncombatants, a military term that refers to civilians who are not engaged in fighting? They are, according to the Pentagon, “adversaries.” They are “threats.” They are the “enemy.” They are people who don’t support the government. Mind you, by “government,” I’m not referring to the highly partisan, two-party bureaucracy of the Republicans and Democrats. I’m referring to “government” with a capital “G,” the entrenched Deep State that is unaffected by elections, unaltered by populist movements, and has set itself beyond the reach of the law. Be warned: in the future envisioned by the government, we will not be viewed as Republicans or Democrats. Rather, “we the people” will be enemies of the state. As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, we’re already enemies of the state. It’s time to wake up and stop being deceived by Deep State propaganda. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an Attorney and Author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Popular Culture. John Whitehead's Commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org . Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at: www.rutherford.org . < Previous News Next News >

Quick, Delicious Breakfasts to Start Your Day with a Bang Thu Sep 05 2024 16:08:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

New Children’s Book HOLIDAYS ALL YEAR with POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance Engages South Florida Communities with Cultural Diversity, Inclusion and Celebration By Sharon McPherson March 22, 2024 Share As part of the national book launch of the highly anticipated new book HOLIDAYS ALL YEAR with POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, award-winning local Author and Broadway Director Neil Goldberg celebrates cultural diversity and inclusion throughout holidays all year with South Florida children, local organizations and worldwide. Upon release, the book immediately garnered critical acclaim, was a featured event at New York City’s premier children’s bookstore, Books of Wonder, and has been selected by the Children’s Book Council for its prestigious “Hot Off The Press” list. Commemorating Ramadan, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter and Passover throughout March and April, the book's fantastical characters will come to life and visit patients at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital to read the story and give children books. At the Museum of Discovery & Science’s upcoming Easter Egg-Splorations event, the characters will meet and mingle with hundreds of kids and award special prizes of autographed books. The characters will also bring their magic and books to the winners of the annual Winterfest Foundation’s Student Art contest. Additionally, books will be donated to the Broward Education Foundation for distribution to all Broward County elementary and middle schools with events, storytelling and holiday festivities scheduled throughout the calendar. Neil Goldberg’s generous contributions and initiatives to engage children in reading, literature and the arts through cultural diversity, inclusion and his imaginative storytelling has been the foundation of the rapidly growing POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance brand and success since the first book release in 2021. Growing up in an orthodox Jewish home in New York and attending Jewish schools, Neil had limited exposure to non-Jewish holidays. “I was aware of Christmas because of its colorful and decorative presence,” he says, which was reflected in the first POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance book adventure. “I celebrated the Jewish holidays but traveling the world throughout my career and engaging with communities, cultures and different religions exposed and taught me to appreciate the rich tapestry of people, diversity and faiths that have many common characteristics in celebrations, festivals and gatherings. I wanted this book to depict that although there may be differences in beliefs, different beliefs can find common meaning in the world.” So, in his second book HOLIDAYS ALL YEAR, diversity and inclusion through a child’s perspective introduces knowledge, customs, lessons and celebrations Neil yearned to learn as a child, and he is now able to share with others. In HOLIDAYS ALL YEAR, best friends POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance wrap up their Christmas triumphs and find unique ways to share their music, magic and circus skills with holiday celebrations around the world, including Lunar New Year, Ramadan, Diwali, Passover, Easter, St. Pat’s, Mardi Gras, Halloween and more. They set out to brighten holidays all year by celebrating time-honored traditions with enlightening, charismatic and culturally diverse adventures. I would recommend this book for families and children of many ages. It is a unique way to learn and appreciate different holidays. The wondrous characters are memorable and drawn into imaginatively composed, thoughtful and detailed illustrations. With an oversized hard cover, this book also makes for a youthful coffee table addition kids can reach for year-round. The first book in the series, “POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance,” received 9 coveted book awards and 7 Telly awards for the holiday film adaptation. It’s been inducted into the USO’s Bob Hope Legacy reading program, circulated in public school systems and libraries nationwide, and read by millions of families. The books are published and distributed by Brown Books Publishing Group and available in over 30,000 retail and online outlets or at: www.pompsnowandcirqueumstance.com Written by Neil Goldberg and Niko Nickolaou and illustrated by John Kelly, the POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance book series has been featured on Good Morning America, SiriusXM, PBS and Fox & Friends. In partnership with Armed Forces Entertainment, the brand continues supporting the US government's annual April’s Month of the Military Child and has toured US military bases worldwide sharing books and entertaining over 100,000 service members and their families. POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance debuted its first ever immersive music, magic and cirque holiday show at the Diplomat Beach Resort, Hollywood, FL, in December 2023. Adapted from the book, the show included mesmerizing illusions, astonishing acts, state-of-the-art technology, drones, animation and projections and is now set to become an annual holiday tradition with performance locations nationwide. Read the books, see the show, meet the characters and cuddle up with the adorable plush dolls for the ultimate POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance immersive experience. < Previous News Next News >