An Evening Of Enchantment: "Ser.Rana" Brings The Magic Of Flamenco To Aventura Fri Jul 19 2024 16:02:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Spotlight On Jazz: An Allstar Cast Is Scheduled For The 2024-2025 Concert Series Thu Sep 26 2024 16:11:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Volunteers Needed For Inaugural James Hardie Invitational Press Release Jan 7, 2025 Want to have an up-close look at some of the greatest pro golfers and NFL players playing tournament golf while raising money for South Florida charities? Then sign up to become a volunteer at the inaugural James Hardie™ Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational, which will be held March 31st, 2025 - April 6th, 2025 at The Old Course at Broken Sound in Boca Raton. For a $75 fee, every volunteer receives: Two polo shirts and one hat/visor. One volunteer badge. Two tickets per day. Volunteer parking and meals on scheduled workdays. One spot in the Volunteer Shotgun Outing (three shift minimum). Net proceeds benefit Boca Raton Regional Hospital, First Tee Gold Coast and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County. The tournament will feature 26 Pro Football Hall of Famers competing alongside 78 PGA TOUR Champions professionals. Sign up to volunteer at: https://jameshardieinvitational.com/ Previous Next

Neighbors say "Ole!": To Mermaid Queen Fine Mexican Dining on Hollywood Beach Wed May 31 2023 16:12:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

2023 Hyundai Air & Sea Show: Memorial Day Weekend National Salute To America's Heroes Wed May 24 2023 16:01:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

24th Annual Cuisine For Art: Join Honorees Dara and Jarett Levan For A Fun Evening April 7, 2022 Share The Art and Culture Center/Hollywood’s 24th Annual Cuisine for Art fundraiser will take place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on May 20th, 2022. This fundraiser features elected officials and community leaders serving as Celebrity Waiters during an exciting and entertaining evening. Guests enjoy complimentary wine, beer, vodka and scotch cocktails, a three-course dinner, live and silent auctions, entertainment and awards presentation. Proceeds from the night will go to benefit the arts. 24th Annual Cuisine For Art Honorees Dara is a writer, storyteller and founder of “Every Soul Has a Story,” which includes her blog and podcast. “Every Soul Has a Story” is an inclusive, diverse podcast in which Dara interviews inspiring guests from around the globe. Her writing has been published in Zibby Owens’ “Moms Don’t Have Time to Write,” “Grown & Flown,” “Thrive Global,” “The Broad Life,” “Medium.” Dara completed her first novel last year and it will be published soon. Dara, a Miami native, is a graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelor’s in English. In addition, Dara earned her Master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Nova Southeastern University. She stopped practicing speech therapy to return to full-time writing, creating and connecting. Deeply involved in the community since she can remember, Dara presently serves on the Community Foundation of Broward’s Board of Trustees; a Board member of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation/Memorial Hospital Foundation; a member of the United Way Of Broward County Tocqueville Society; the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and the Women’s National Book Association. She has also served as a past Board member of the Goodman Jewish Family Services (UFS) of Broward County; Junior Achievement of South Florida, Young At Art Children’s Museum and | Care | Cure Childhood Cancer Foundation. In addition, Dara was a founding member of the Circle of Friends for the Alvin Sherman Library Research Information and Technology Center at Nova Southeastern University and a graduate of Leadership Broward. Dara lives her life with passion and purpose. Her intention is to impact the world with integrity, love and meaning, one word at a time. Jarett S. Levan is the President and Chief Executive Officer and serves on the Board of BBX Capital, Inc (OTCQX: BBXIA). Jarett also serves on the Board of Bluegreen Vacations Holding Corporation and Bluegreen Vacations Corporation. He is also CEO of BBX Sweet Holdings, which owns and operates Hoffman’s Chocolates, IT’SUGAR and Las Olas Confections and Snacks – all specialty chocolate and candy companies. He is on the Board of the BBX Capital Foundation, formerly the Bank Atlantic Foundation, established in 1994 to support a wide array of activities in the arts, education, social welfare and community and economic development. Since its inception, they have awarded more than $20 million in contributions and in-kind services to charitable organizations throughout the state of Florida. Jarett is the founder and Chair Emeritus of Business for the Arts of Broward, a not-for-profit organization that educates the business community about the importance of Broward County’s art and cultural community and engages them in building connections between cultural vitality, creative successes and economic development. Jarett recognizes the importance of arts and culture in our community and has been a loyal ambassador and advocate for the Broward County cultural community. A recent study conducted by the Americans for the Arts calculated the economic impact of the non-profit arts and cultural industry in Broward at more than $400 million each year, supporting more than 11,000 jobs and generating more than $40 million in revenue for local and state governments. Jarett also serves on the Board of Broward Performing Arts Foundation, is a Board member of the Broward College Foundation, the Broward Workshop and Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Foundation. He is an Honorary Board member of the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood and a member of the NSU Ambassadors’ Board and Fellows Society, and a member of Young Presidents’ Organization. A member of the Florida Bar, Jarett graduated Cum Laude from the University of Miami School of Law and earned a Bachelor’s in Finance from Goizueta Business school of Emory University. He is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School President’s Program in Leadership. To purchase tickets for the event, visit: https://www.artandculturecenter.org/cuisine-for-art-registration < Previous News Next News >

Cooperman Family Announces $10 Million Gift To Birthright Israel - Announcement Made At Record-Breaking Birthright Israel Foundation Gala In New Jersey Jewish Connection News May 19, 2026 In Livingston, New Jersey Earlier This Month Nearly 400 Guests Gathered At Crystal Plaza For The Birthright Israel Foundation New Jersey Gala, Marking The Organization’s Largest Event Ever In The State. The evening honored the Cooperman family - Leon Cooperman and Toby Cooperman; their son Wayne Cooperman and daughter-in-law Jodi Cooperman; and their grandchildren Courtney and Kyra Cooperman - for their enduring commitment to Jewish identity and philanthropy. Kyra participated in the Birthright Israel Excel program, and Courtney took part in the traditional 10-day Birthright Israel trip. In a defining moment of the evening, the Cooperman family announced a $10 Million gift to Birthright Israel, representing a historic three-generation philanthropic commitment led by the family. This legacy contribution to Birthright Israel’s endowment will enable dozens of young adults to participate in a Birthright Israel experience each year in perpetuity. An additional $2.7 Million was raised at the event, which will cover the cost of sending 544 Jewish young adults on a Birthright Israel experience. “During these times of growing antisemitism and increasing anti-Israel sentiment, it is more important than ever to ensure that the next generation has every opportunity to connect to Israel and their Jewish identity,” said Leon Cooperman. “Making a $10 Million legacy endowment gift to the Birthright Israel Foundation is one of the most impactful ways to reach young Jewish adults. We must help strengthen their understanding of our people’s history and deepen their connection to our historic homeland.” The gala featured keynote remarks from Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Former IDF Spokesperson, and Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz, Senior Rabbi of Temple B’nai Jeshurun. “This extraordinary gift from the Cooperman family reflects the very essence of what Birthright Israel stands for -continuity, connection, and the power of investing in future generations,” said Elias Saratovsky, President and CEO of Birthright Israel Foundation. “At a time when Jewish identity and global connection are more important than ever, their leadership ensures that hundreds more young adults will have the opportunity to experience Israel in a deeply meaningful way and carry that impact forward for years to come.” The record-breaking event underscores growing momentum and support for Birthright Israel’s mission across New Jersey and beyond. (L-R) Jody, Leon, Toby and Wayne Cooperman (L-R) Elias Saratovsky, Wayne Cooperman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari and Jody Cooperman (L-R) Wayne, Jody, Leon and Toby Cooperman (L-R) Elias Saratovsky and Leon Cooperman Previous Next

How To Save On Gas: Start Saving On All Your Fuel Purchases June 2, 2022 Share New records are being set again in Florida and not in a good way. The state average price for gasoline has reached new record highs this past month. This beats the previous record of $4.38/g, set back in March (soon after Russia invaded Ukraine). Before this year, the record high was $4.08 per gallon, which was set back in 2008. "Drivers are dealing with unprecedented pain at the pump and things could soon get worse before they get better," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. "We saw more big gains in the gasoline futures market recently, which could trickle down to yet another 10-20 cent jump at the pump in the near future." Global fuel supplies are tight; keeping upward pressure on oil prices (which account for more than half the price of gasoline). The fuel market was tight heading into 2022, as many oil producing countries had yet to return to Pre-Pandemic Levels, even as demand rebounded. How Did We Get Here? The COVID-19 Pandemic threw oil markets severely out of whack two years ago and they still haven’t fully recovered from the lack of demand during the Pandemic. When COVID first hit, it put a deep dent in global oil demand as many routine activities shut down and millions of people who usually drive to work or other activities stayed home. As a result, crude oil prices plunged. In fact, at one point in April 2020 crude prices actually fell below $0. Negative prices didn’t last long, but oil stayed extremely cheap for much of 2020. That led energy companies and major oil exporting countries in OPEC to slash their production because no one wanted to give away barrels of oil at such rock-bottom prices. Since then, the world has slowly gotten through the Pandemic and oil demand has come roaring back, especially in the United States. Consumers who missed out on travel and other normal activities in 2020 and 2021 are making up for lost time now. U.S. oil demand is about back to where it was Pre-Pandemic. The Russian Invasion of Ukraine compounded the problem, as the oil market effectively cut out one of its largest oil exporters in the world (Russia). Fuel price gains accelerated even more during the past few weeks, when the EU announced plans to ban Russian oil by the end of 2022. The primary market driver of this news is that these countries are heavily reliant on Russian fuels and will now have to find alternative sources in what is already a tight global fuel market. Politics also plays an issue in the market, President Joe Biden came into office vowing to transition the U.S. Economy away from fossil fuels. The Administration also canceled the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would have carried more than 800,000 barrels per day of Canadian crude to U.S. refineries. This anti fossil fuel approach has added to the turmoil and increased prices at the pump. Oil companies are being cautious, they don't want to gamble on spending Millions upon Millions of dollars if the rug could be pulled out from underneath them from a political agenda. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? The International Energy Agency forecasts that sky-high fuel prices will cause U.S. oil production to return to Pre-Pandemic Levels by the end of 2022. According to the latest readings from the EIA, U.S. oil production is at 11.8 million barrels per day, which is about 10% below the Pre-Pandemic record-high of 13.1 million barrels per day. A return to previously record-high production levels could cool the fuel market and lead to lower prices. However, given the recent shifts in global supply and demand, it may not immediately signal a return to $2 per gallon of gasoline. "Unfortunately, $4 of gasoline is likely to be that unwelcome passenger on most Florida summer road trips," Jenkins continued. "At this point, the state average is not expected to exceed $5 per gallon. However, the fuel market is extremely unstable and things are changing by the day. Either way, drivers should expect gas prices to keep fluctuating throughout the summer and potentially the rest of the year." Ways To Start Saving On Your Fuel Purchases There are ways to save gas by carpooling or taking public transportation, we all know this. For many of us, those aren't always an option, so how do you save money on every gallon of gas you need during your commute? Here are some ideas that just might save you a little money without making you jump through hoops. Rather than drive across town to save a nickel per gallon, it’s much better to find convenient stations along your commute or places you pass frequently. You can track local gas prices using GasBuddy (https://www.gasbuddy.com ), which aggregates price data from user reports. Not only can the App find you a location along your route it can also save you money with their FREE FOREVER GasCard. Turn everyday purchases such as Chewy, Uber and Old Navy into free money for gas. You can also take advantage of shopping and dining deals through GasBuddy and earn 'GasBack' to spend at the pump using your Pay with GasBuddy Card. Here is the process: 1: Download the GasBuddy App, find relevant GasBack offers at retailers you currently use on the savings tab. 2: Shop, Dine, Park, Earn is their motto. Earn GasBack on each qualified purchase, you can earn up to 10% of your purchase or a lump sum. 3: Save Big At The Pump: Automatically redeem your GasBack at the pump when you pay with your Pay with GasBuddy Card. In addition to your GasBack, this free card saves you up to 25¢ per gallon. Another good option is to join a warehouse club such as Costco, plus you can shop for groceries in the store, two birds, one stone as they say. Win! Win! Recently, the difference between the cost of regular fuel at a major oil company’s gas station and a local warehouse club was over 45 cents per gallon. Combine that with a member’s credit card and the savings add up even faster. Check out the Web-Site for information on how to participate: https://www.costco.com/gasoline-cash-back-rewards.html If you are a AAA Member you can save at least 5¢ per gallon every day at participating Shell Stations with every fill up. This offer is valid through the end of 2023. Plus, you can earn an additional 25¢ per gallon when you join the Fuel Rewards® Program. You can find out more about this program by visiting: www.fuelrewards.com . Shell is one of the largest fuel brands in the U.S. with over 13,500 retail fuel sites, so you should be able to find a convenient location along your route. You can also go to the track to save gas, no not the horse track but a RaceTrac Fuel Station. RaceTrac Stations are plentiful throughout South Florida, so you are sure to find one in your neighborhood. How does their reward program work? You can sign up fast and easily, either download the App or Sign up On-Line: https://www.racetrac.com/Rewards/RaceTrac-Rewards Select the membership you like and start saving. They even have a VIP Program for $2.49 a month, you save 10 cents per gallon on your first 40 gallons and 3 cents per gallon on each additional gallon every month. Circle K also has an Easy Pay Program and yes it's pretty easy. Here’s how it works: Step 1: Pick up an Easy Pay Card. You can find Easy Pay Cards at participating Circle K Stores. Step 2: Link the card to your checking account. Your Easy Pay Card will act as a debit card for your checking account. You’ll be able to sign in directly to your bank’s Web-Site to connect it. Step 3: Start saving money. Save 30¢ per gallon on your first 100 gallons of fuel and $0.10 per gallon after that. You’ll be required to enter your PIN at the start of each transaction to ensure the protection of your account. For the future, gas prices don't seem to be coming down anytime soon. According to Natasha Kaneva, Head of Global Commodities Research at J.P. Morgan, prices could go to over $6 per gallon in the summer. So start the process of finding a savings program that fits your commute, it's money that you can keep in your pocket. < Previous News Next News >

Rewriting Our Code: Looking To The Future Of Hallandale Beach Thu Aug 29 2024 16:02:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Caribbean Roots & Florida Soul - An Exclusive Interview With Chef Steve Mendez Of OCEAN2000 In Fort Lauderdale By Merilee Kern, MBA Aug 13, 2026 South Florida’s Culinary Identity Has Always Been Shaped By More Than Geography. It Reflects The Rhythm Of The Seasons, The Abundance Of Nearby Waters, And The Extraordinary Cultural Influences That Have Transformed The Region Into One Of The Country’s Most Dynamic Dining Destinations. While Many Waterfront Restaurants Understandably Rely On Their Views To Make An Impression, The Most Memorable Experiences Begin And End With What Arrives At The Table. Fresh Seafood, Vibrant Local Produce, Thoughtful Technique, And Genuine Hospitality Remain The True Ingredients That Define Exceptional Coastal Dining. Set directly along the Atlantic shoreline in Fort Lauderdale, OCEAN2000 at Pelican Grand Beach Resort embraces that philosophy from the moment guests arrive. Expansive ocean vistas provide an unmistakable backdrop, yet they never overshadow the restaurant’s culinary ambitions. Instead, the setting works in harmony with a menu that reflects the flavors, ingredients, and character of South Florida through refined coastal cuisine that feels sophisticated without sacrificing warmth or authenticity. Every element, from the breezy veranda overlooking the beach to the carefully considered dining room infused with modern coastal design, reinforces a sense of place that is unmistakably Floridian. That connection to the region extends well beyond aesthetics. OCEAN2000 celebrates South Florida by allowing local ingredients to lead the conversation. Seasonal produce, fresh seafood sourced through long-standing relationships with trusted purveyors, and globally inspired culinary influences all come together in dishes that respect both tradition and innovation. Rather than chasing fleeting dining trends, the restaurant focuses on thoughtful execution, allowing each ingredient to speak clearly while reflecting the diverse coastal influences that have helped shape South Florida’s culinary landscape. Leading that vision is Executive Chef Steve Mendez, whose culinary perspective has been shaped by his Jamaican upbringing, professional training throughout the Caribbean, and years spent refining techniques that honor fresh, high-quality ingredients. His cooking reflects an appreciation for simplicity, balance, and restraint. Caribbean influences appear naturally throughout the menu, complemented by refined global touches that enhance rather than compete with Florida’s exceptional seafood. The result is a culinary identity that feels personal, regionally grounded, and unmistakably authentic. The experience itself strikes a balance that many restaurants aspire to but few consistently achieve. Couples celebrating a special evening, families gathering over Sunday brunch, resort guests discovering the property for the first time, and South Florida residents returning for another memorable meal all find a setting that feels polished yet welcoming. The atmosphere invites guests to linger, whether enjoying cocktails overlooking the Atlantic, sharing appetizers as the ocean breeze drifts across the veranda, or settling into a leisurely dinner where every course unfolds at its own comfortable pace. During an exclusive interview, Executive Chef Steve Mendez shared how OCEAN2000 continues to evolve while remaining firmly rooted in the flavors, ingredients, and hospitality that define South Florida’s coastal dining culture. He discussed his culinary philosophy, the influence of his Caribbean heritage, the importance of local sourcing, and the signature dishes that have become synonymous with the restaurant’s identity. What follows is our conversation. MK: First, what do you feel are the top qualities clearly distinguishing OCEAN2000 from other waterfront restaurants throughout South Florida, which are plentiful? CSM: At OCEAN2000, we provide an unmatched oceanfront setting where every meal is complemented by panoramic Atlantic views, along with a coastal menu that highlights fresh Florida seafood, seasonal produce and globally inspired flavors while remaining rooted in the region, and personalized hospitality that creates memorable experiences beyond the plate. MK: OCEAN2000 blends refined coastal cuisine with Old Florida grandeur in a setting unlike most waterfront restaurants. How did you develop a culinary philosophy that complements both the Atlantic Ocean backdrop and the restaurant’s distinctive design? CSM: OCEAN2000’s thoughtfully reimagined design set the tone for our culinary approach. The sophisticated modern coastal aesthetic, featuring soft sage greens, warm neutrals, rich wood tones, layered natural textures and sweeping Atlantic Ocean views inspired a menu that feels elevated yet approachable. We wanted every dish to reflect the same sense of relaxed refinement as the space itself: fresh, vibrant and rooted in South Florida’s coastal character, while showcasing refined culinary techniques and the region’s exceptional ingredients. MK: Your culinary journey includes extensive experience throughout the Caribbean. Which techniques, ingredients or cultural influences have had the greatest impact on the menu you’ve created at OCEAN2000? CSM: Growing up in Jamaica, the biggest lesson I learned was simplicity. We didn’t need much. Just fresh fish, a little fire and bright citrus to finish. That philosophy continues to shape everything I do. The techniques that have stayed with me are whole fish cookery, slow grilling over coals and using every part of the catch. Ingredients like Scotch bonnet peppers and fresh thyme taught me how bold, earthy flavors can elevate seafood without overpowering it. At OCEAN2000, you’ll find that Caribbean soul woven throughout the menu, whether it’s our miso-glazed grouper or a bright citrus broth. My formal training taught me technique, but Jamaica taught me heart. MK: South Florida enjoys extraordinary access to fresh seafood and local produce. How do your relationships with regional fishermen and suppliers shape menu development and help distinguish OCEAN2000 from other upscale coastal restaurants? CSM: At OCEAN2000, our menu begins long before it reaches the kitchen. It starts with the trusted seafood purveyors we’ve worked with for years, who call us as soon as the boats return with the day’s freshest catch. Those longstanding relationships allow us to build menus that evolve with the tides and the seasons, ensuring we’re always serving the highest-quality ingredients. Our connections aren’t just about freshness. They’re about trust, collaboration and supporting the people behind our local food community. Every dish tells a story of the waters, producers and coastal heritage that make South Florida so unique. MK: Although OCEAN2000 is located within a luxury beachfront resort, it has also become a favorite among local residents. Beyond the spectacular setting, what keeps South Floridians returning? CSM: Locals return because they know they’ll receive a consistently exceptional experience. Beyond the setting, it’s about approachable luxury, excellent food, attentive service, a welcoming atmosphere and a menu that continues to evolve while maintaining guest favorites. We want our guests to feel like OCEAN2000 is their elevated, neighborhood coastal restaurant that they come to for celebrations, date nights, family outings and more. MK: Coastal cuisine continues to evolve. What trends, ingredients or preparation techniques do you believe will help define the future of Florida coastal dining, and how is OCEAN2000 contributing to that evolution? CSM: At OCEAN2000, we’re embracing fresh catches that showcase unique species, not always the mainstream choices. This allows us to introduce guests to distinctive and delightfully unexpected flavor profiles. Through techniques like char-grilling and the thoughtful incorporation of global influences, such as miso and yuzu, we’re creating dishes that feel both innovative and rooted in coastal tradition. We believe the future of Florida coastal dining lies in celebrating exceptional local seafood with fresh perspectives, while honoring the ocean from dock to dish, one thoughtful plate at a time. MK: Every memorable restaurant has signature dishes that capture its identity. Which menu items best represent your culinary philosophy and the overall personality of OCEAN2000? CSM: OCEAN2000 strikes a beautiful balance between intimate dining and a warm, family-oriented atmosphere, and our menu reflects that same versatility. The Seafood Risotto embodies freshness, comfort and the spirit of sharing, making it perfect for gathering with family and friends. The Prime New York Strip, on the other hand, represents elegance and indulgence, making it an ideal choice for a romantic or intimate dinner. Together, these dishes reflect the heart of OCEAN2000, a place where families and couples alike can enjoy thoughtfully crafted cuisine in a welcoming yet refined oceanfront setting. MK: Hospitality extends well beyond the food itself. When guests leave after celebrating a milestone, romantic evening or family gathering, what do you hope remains with them long after the meal has ended? CSM: Great restaurants create lasting memories through genuine hospitality, beautiful surroundings, exceptional cuisine and meaningful moments shared around the table. If guests leave feeling cared for and eager to return, then we’ve accomplished our goal. MK: The Ahi Poke Nachos and Lobster Crab Cakes have become standout starters. What inspired you to reinvent these familiar favorites into dishes that feel uniquely representative of OCEAN2000 and South Florida’s coastal dining scene? CSM: The goal was to take recognizable dishes and elevate them through premium ingredients, balance and presentation. The Ahi Poke Nachos offer freshness, texture and bright flavors that reflect South Florida’s tropical influences, while the Lobster Crab Cakes focus on showcasing sweet, high-quality seafood with minimal filler and complementary flavors. Both dishes embody our philosophy of familiar flavors executed at a higher level. MK: The Miso Black Grouper pairs Florida seafood with Japanese influences through miso butter, forbidden rice and a kaffir lime yuzu broth. What inspired this combination, and how do those components elevate such an exceptional local fish? CSM: Growing up in Jamaica, I learned that the best fish needs little more than freshness and respect. That same philosophy guides our Miso Black Grouper. The miso butter adds rich depth without masking the delicate flavor of the fish, while the forbidden rice provides an earthy, grounding base. The kaffir lime yuzu broth brings a bright citrus finish, reminiscent of the fresh lime we’d squeeze over just-caught fish back home. Every component works together to elevate the grouper rather than overpower it. It’s a fusion of Florida, Japan and a little piece of my Caribbean roots. MK: Of all the dishes on the menu, which is your personal favorite and why? CSM: My favorite is our Tomahawk Pork Chop with bacon onion jam and maple beurre blanc because I believe it’s truly unique. The bacon onion jam actually started as a way to thoughtfully use bacon from our breakfast service, but it evolved into something really special. What began as a creative idea turned into one of the dish’s signature elements, and it’s often the first thing guests mention because they love the flavor. It’s a great example of how simple ingredients, when treated with care and creativity, can become something memorable. MK: Is there anything else you would like readers to know about OCEAN2000? CSM: OCEAN2000 is continually evolving while staying true to what makes South Florida dining so special. From using fresh, local ingredients, providing genuine hospitality and offering an unforgettable oceanfront setting, every member of the team shares the goal of creating experiences that guests remember long after they’ve left the restaurant that encourage them to return. In a region celebrated for its vibrant culinary landscape, OCEAN2000 succeeds by remaining grounded in the very qualities that have always defined exceptional coastal dining. Fresh seafood arrives with purpose rather than pretension. Seasonal ingredients are treated with restraint instead of unnecessary complexity. Caribbean influences appear naturally, woven into a menu that honors South Florida’s diverse cultural fabric while allowing local flavors to remain front and center. Add attentive hospitality and one of Fort Lauderdale’s most captivating oceanfront settings, and the result is an experience that feels both elevated and comfortably familiar. It is little wonder that visitors discover the restaurant while locals continue returning long after their resort stay has ended. For diners seeking more than simply another waterfront meal, OCEAN2000 offers something increasingly valuable: an authentic reflection of the destination itself. Every thoughtfully prepared plate, every Atlantic sunrise over breakfast, every leisurely dinner overlooking the waves reinforces a genuine connection to South Florida’s coastal identity. Chef Steve Mendez and his team have created a restaurant where the food never competes with the view, but instead complements it with confidence, craftsmanship and a deep respect for the region’s remarkable ingredients. In a destination known for memorable dining, OCEAN2000 stands as a compelling reminder that the best restaurants tell the story of their surroundings one thoughtful course at a time. Merilee Kern, MBA Entrepreneur Leadership Network member Merilee Kern, MBA is an internationally-regarded brand strategist and analyst who reports on cultural shifts and trends as well as noteworthy industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators across all categories, both B2C and B2B. This includes field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations and events. As Founder, Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List,” Merilee is a prolific business, lifestyle, travel, dining and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker. She keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves and exemplary experiences at all price points, from the affordable to the extreme. Her work reaches multi-millions worldwide via broadcast TV (her own shows and copious others on which she appears) as well as a myriad of print and online publications. Connect with her at: www.TheLuxeList.com / Instagram www.Instagram.com/MerileeKern / X: http://www.X.com/MerileeKern / Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MerileeKernOfficial / LinkedIN: www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern . ***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or arranged at no cost to accommodate if this is review editorial, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.*** While many waterfront restaurants understandably rely on their views to make an impression, the most memorable experiences begin and end with what arrives at the table. For diners seeking more than simply another waterfront meal, OCEAN2000 offers something increasingly valuable: an authentic reflection of the destination itself. Artwork Courtesy of / Provided by Pelican Grand Beach Resort Previous Next

The Wearables Trap: How The Government Plans To Monitor, Score, And Control You By John & Nisha Whitehead Jul 23, 2025 Bodily Autonomy—The Right To Privacy And Integrity Over Our Own Bodies—Is Rapidly Vanishing. We are entering a new age of algorithmic, authoritarian control, where our thoughts, moods, and biology are monitored and judged by the state. This is the dark promise behind the newest campaign by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, to push for a future in which all Americans wear biometric health-tracking devices. Under the guise of public health and personal empowerment, this initiative is nothing less than the normalization of 24/7 bodily surveillance—ushering in a world where every step, heartbeat, and biological fluctuation is monitored not only by private companies but also by the government. In this emerging surveillance-industrial complex, health data becomes currency. Tech firms profit from hardware and app subscriptions, insurers profit from risk scoring, and government agencies profit from increased compliance and behavioral insight. This convergence of health, technology, and surveillance is not a new strategy—it’s just the next step in a long, familiar pattern of control. Surveillance has always arrived dressed as progress. Every new wave of surveillance technology—GPS trackers, red light cameras, facial recognition, Ring doorbells, Alexa smart speakers—has been sold to us as a tool of convenience, safety, or connection. But in time, each became a mechanism for tracking, monitoring, or controlling the public. What began as voluntary has become inescapable and mandatory. The moment we accepted the premise that privacy must be traded for convenience, we laid the groundwork for a society in which nowhere is beyond the government’s reach—not our homes, not our cars, not even our bodies. RFK Jr.’s wearable plan is just the latest iteration of this bait-and-switch: marketed as freedom, built as a cage. According to Kennedy’s plan, which has been promoted as part of a national campaign to “Make America Healthy Again,” wearable devices would track glucose levels, heart rate, activity, sleep, and more for every American. Participation may not be officially mandatory at the outset, but the implications are clear: get on board, or risk becoming a second-class citizen in a society driven by data compliance. What began as optional self-monitoring tools marketed by Big Tech is poised to become the newest tool in the surveillance arsenal of the police state. Devices like Fitbits, Apple Watches, glucose trackers, and smart rings collect astonishing amounts of intimate data—from stress and depression to heart irregularities and early signs of illness. When this data is shared across government databases, insurers, and health platforms, it becomes a potent tool not only for health analysis—but for control. Once symbols of personal wellness, these wearables are becoming digital cattle tags—badges of compliance tracked in real time and regulated by algorithm. And it won’t stop there. The body is fast becoming a battleground in the government’s expanding war on the inner realms. The Infrastructure is already in place to profile and detain individuals based on perceived psychological “risks.” Now imagine a future in which your wearable data triggers a mental health flag. Elevated stress levels. Erratic sleep. A skipped appointment. A sudden drop in heart rate variability. In the eyes of the surveillance state, these could be red flags—justification for intervention, inquiry, or worse. RFK Jr.’s embrace of wearable tech is not a neutral innovation. It is an invitation to expand the government’s war on thought crimes, health noncompliance, and individual deviation. It shifts the presumption of innocence to a presumption of diagnosis. You are not well until the algorithm says you are. The government has already weaponized surveillance tools to silence dissent, flag political critics, and track behavior in real time. Now, with wearables, they gain a new weapon: access to the human body as a site of suspicion, deviance, and control. While government agencies pave the way for biometric control, it will be corporations—insurance companies, tech giants, employers—who act as enforcers for the surveillance state. Wearables don’t just collect data. They sort it, interpret it, and feed it into systems that make high-stakes decisions about your life: whether you get insurance coverage, whether your rates go up, whether you qualify for employment or financial aid. As reported by ABC News, a JAMA article warns that wearables could easily be used by insurers to deny coverage or hike premiums based on personal health metrics like calorie intake, weight fluctuations, and blood pressure. It’s not a stretch to imagine this bleeding into workplace assessments, credit scores, or even Social Media rankings. Employers already offer discounts for “voluntary” wellness tracking—and penalize nonparticipants. Insurers give incentives for healthy behavior—until they decide unhealthy behavior warrants punishment. Apps track not just steps, but mood, substance use, fertility, and sexual activity—feeding the ever-hungry data economy. We now face the quiet erosion of autonomy through the normalization of constant monitoring. We must ask: when surveillance becomes a condition of participation in modern life—employment, education, health care—are we still free? Or have we become, as in every great dystopian warning, conditioned not to resist, but to comply? That’s the hidden cost of these technological conveniences: today’s wellness tracker is tomorrow’s corporate leash. Once health tracking becomes a de facto requirement for employment, insurance, or social participation, it will be impossible to “opt out” without penalty. Those who resist may be painted as irresponsible, unhealthy, or even dangerous. This is not merely the expansion of health care. It is the transformation of health into a mechanism of control—a Trojan horse for the surveillance state to claim ownership over the last private frontier: the human body. Once biometric data becomes currency in a health-driven surveillance economy, it’s only a matter of time before that data is used to determine whose lives are worth investing in—and whose are not. This isn’t a left or right issue. The conquest of physical space—our homes, cars, public squares—is nearly complete. What remains is the conquest of inner space: our biology, our genetics, our psychology, our emotions. As predictive algorithms grow more sophisticated, the government and its corporate partners will use them to assess risk, flag threats, and enforce compliance in real time. The goal is no longer simply to monitor behavior but to reshape it—to preempt dissent, deviance, or disease before it arises. As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, now is the time to draw the line—before the body becomes just another piece of state property. 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 Next

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