Broward County Transit Mechanic Honored as First Runner-Up for Bus Technician of the Year By: Launa Carbonell and Jose Paz October 10, 2024 Share Broward County Transit (BCT) is thrilled to announce that Cesar Perez, a dedicated member of its maintenance team, has been named First Runner-Up for the prestigious Bus Technician of the Year Award by the Florida Public Transit Association (FPTA). A seasoned professional with nine years of experience, Perez has consistently demonstrated exceptional technical skills and an unwavering commitment to excellence. His expertise has been instrumental in ensuring the reliability and safety of BCT's bus fleet, making a significant difference in the lives of Broward County residents. "Perez's dedication to excellence is an inspiration to all of us at BCT," said Coree Cuff Lonergan, General Manager/CEO of Broward County Transit. "His technical prowess and unwavering commitment to our fleet are essential to providing the high-quality service our community deserves." This achievement reflects not only Perez's individual efforts but also the collective dedication of BCT's entire maintenance team. Their hard work and commitment to excellence ensure the smooth operation of Broward County's public transportation system. By maintaining a fleet that residents can rely on, BCT continues to enhance the overall transportation experience in the region, supporting mobility and growth. About Broward County Transit (BCT): Broward County Transit (BCT) is the second largest transit agency in Florida and provides safe, reliable, and economical bus transportation services through fixed routes, express lines, community shuttles, and paratransit options. BCT operates across a 410 square mile area, connecting Broward, Miami, and Palm Beach counties every day of the week, including holidays. For more information about BCT, trip planning assistance, and schedules, visit the BCT website or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Customer service is available seven days a week at: 954-357-8400 or: TTY 954-357-8302. < Previous News Next News >

GRAMMY-Winning Guitarist Tommy Emmanuel Announces New Album Aventura Digest Sep 5, 2025 Today, GRAMMY-Winning Guitarist Tommy Emmanuel Announced His New Album Living In The Light, Out On Friday, October 10th, 2025. Recorded And Mixed With Producer Vance Powell (Jack White, Chris Stapleton, Phish), Living In The Light Is A Virtuosic Blend Of Acoustic Pop, Jazz, Classical, And Roots Music Delivered By One Of The Modern Era’s Most Accomplished And Versatile Guitarists. The Announcement Arrives Alongside The Official Video For The Propulsive Debut Single “Scarlett’s World,” Dedicated To Emmanuel’s Granddaughter. Watch The Video For Tommy Emmanuel’s “Scarlett’s World” At: https://youtu.be/u4h02pHHdj0?si=e1ePzz_L51eG63fU “I tried to write a theme that sounded like it came from the 80’s,” Emmanuel explains. “Scarlett is my granddaughter, so I dedicate this song to her and her journey through life. However, there is a part of me that wanted to give a nod to Scarlett Johansson as I am a big fan. She’s one of my favorite actresses.” Emmanuel captured most of the performances on Living in the Light in one or two takes, and the sense of joy and wonder in these sonic explorations is more than just palpable; it’s intoxicating. While many of the recordings are solo instrumentals, Emmanuel lends his voice to several of the album’s tracks, as well, grounding his dazzling, percussive fretwork with a poignant dose of warmth and vulnerability. “There are elements of rockabilly, blues, even traditional African music all woven into the music,” Emmanuel explains. “I’m a world traveler, and I’ve absorbed so much music along the way. It all gets synthesized through a kind of osmosis into my psyche and my soul and then comes out in my own unique style.” Tommy Emmanuel first began touring at the age of six in his native Australia as part of a family band. In his teenage years, he turned heads as a highly sought after session player and sideman, and by his early twenties, Emmanuel was playing on chart-topping hits and performing with some of the biggest names in Australian music, including Air Supply and Men at Work. Inspired in part by his hero, Chet Atkins (who would later become a friend, mentor, and collaborator), Emmanuel stepped out on his own as a solo artist in 1979, releasing the first in a string of critically and commercially acclaimed instrumental albums that would make him an unlikely celebrity in his home country and beyond. In the decades that followed, he would go on to headline everywhere from the Sydney Opera House to Carnegie Hall; tour with the likes of Eric Clapton and John Denver; win a GRAMMY Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement; perform for a televised audience of more than two billion at the closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympics; and collaborate with everyone from Les Paul and Mark Knopfler to Joe Walsh and Richard Thompson. NPR’s World Café declared him “one of the best acoustic guitarists in the world,” while the New York Times hailed him as a “prodigy,” and Atkins crowned him with the title of Certified Guitar Player (an honorary only ever bestowed upon four other artists). Emmanuel continued to push himself throughout his career, relocating permanently to Nashville in the early 2000s and collaborating with a rising generation of guitarists like Jason Isbell, Molly Tuttle, and Billy Strings on his latest studio albums, Accomplice One and Accomplice Two. “Those albums were a real labor of love,” Emmanuel explains, “and I was thrilled with how they came out. But I felt a strong desire to focus on my writing again after that, and I found that the songs for Living in the Light just started pouring out of me.” Florida Tour Dates Friday, March 13th, 2026 - Friday, March 20th, 2026 – Cayamo Cruise – Miami, Florida Sunday, March 22nd, 2026 – Key West Theater – Key West, Florida Monday, March 23rd, 2026 – The Parker – Fort Lauderdale, Florida Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 – Sunday, March 29th, 2026 – Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea XI – Miami, Florida More than sixty years into his storied career, Tommy Emmanuel is still hungry for adventure. “As I get older, I find myself taking a lot more risks, and having a lot more fun in the process,” says Emmanuel, who recently celebrated his 70th birthday. “When young people come to my shows and have this awakening that it’s okay to be different, that the possibilities of music and self-expression are limitless, that’s what it’s all about for me.” Previous Next

Dancing With The World By Barbara Fox September 16, 2021 Share Ira Weisburd (Above) - Instructor Every Tuesday morning Ira teaches a two-hour, virtual line dance class on Youtube I'm dancing in front of my computer or rather, I'm trying to dance but the particular dance I'm trying to learn has a very complicated set of steps with, oh dread! Several turns. I don't get it. The instructor, Ira Weisburd, who has the patience of a saint, goes through the steps slowly but I'm still confused. "I don't understand," I write in the chat room. "Is anyone else having a problem, or is it just me?" The answers, from all over the world, come quickly. Sonya from Switzerland says she loves the music but can't get the steps either, Rhoda from London encourages me to keep trying, Lou from Malaysia explains a modified way to do the routine and Diane, Ira's wife and dance partner, assures us that he will go over the steps again. He does and finally, hurrah! I get it. Well, I get it enough to muddle through the entire dance. Every Tuesday morning Ira teaches a two-hour, virtual line dance class on Youtube. He has other classes on other days (Israeli dancing, folk dancing) and has been doing them virtually since March of 2020 when the pandemic put an end to all in-person classes. Ira is a world renowned choreographer as well as a teacher and his classes have been a life-saver to line dancers all over the world who, like me, need their "line dance fix" weekly. The classes are posted on YouTube so, not only can dancers take the class on Tuesday morning, but they can go back and review them anytime. An added bonus is that people all over the United States, I mean all over the world participate and communicate through the chat room. Ira and Diane greet everyone by name and location as they sign into the chat, no small thing because there are always over one hundred people checking in. It's amazing. I'm dancing in my living room in Hollywood Fl, and someone in Indonesia and someone else in Toronto and someone else in Bermuda is doing the same exact thing. I think about these people and try to picture them. I wonder if they cheat like I do sometimes and don't do all the turns or if they sit down halfway through the dance to rest or if they talk back to Ira as if he could hear them. The world seems very friendly, very small and connected. I feel like I have friends all over the world because of line dancing. In-person classes will, hopefully, be starting again soon but, until they do and even after they do, I'll keep dancing with the world every Tuesday. Class Information HYBRID DANCE CLASSES (Simultaneous Virtual & In-Person) Starting in October @ Kings Point Delray Beach, 7000 West Atlantic Avenue Tuesday mornings: NULINE DANCE (10:30am – 12:30pm) www.youtube.com/user/iraweisburd Virtual Classes are Complimentary. Donations are appreciated at: www.paypal.me/dancewithira < Previous News Next News >

Looking Beyond: A Pioneer Of The Mediumship Movement Comes To South Florida Tue May 16 2023 16:10:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Happy New Year And Reflections On Cuba Part 2 Mon Dec 30 2024 18:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Get Your Clubs & Putt For A Purpose - Miami Dolphins Great Dwight Stephenson To Host Second Annual Norman Bronchick Memorial Golf Tournament South Florida Sun Times Apr 3, 2025 NFL Hall Of Famer And Miami Dolphins Great Dwight Stephenson Will Once Again Host The Second Annual Norman Bronchick Memorial Golf Tournament In Support Of Broward Children's Center At The Club At Weston Hills On Monday, June 2nd. The fundraising event will benefit Broward Children’s Center, a NonProfit organization that has been serving infants, children and young adults with special needs since 1971. Proceeds will support the Center’s crucial programs, medical, developmental and therapeutic services designed to meet the specific needs of infants, children and young adults who are developmentally disabled, medically fragile and their families. Stephenson will putt for a purpose along with celebrity friends. WPLG-ABC Channel 10 Sports Anchor Will Manso will be the master of ceremonies. Registration will begin at 7:00 a.m., where guests will enjoy breakfast provided by Howard’s Market. The scramble-style tournament will tee off with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Along the course, golfers will have the opportunity to participate in fundraising activities and contests at various holes. To play in the tournament, packages start at $325. All golfers will receive a lavish breakfast; player gift packs featuring a golf hat, golf polo shirt, golf towel, plantain chips, a beer-bottle opener, cologne, mini liquor bottles, sunglasses, an umbrella and other swag item; fun on-course contests; a luncheon with an awards ceremony; raffles; a silent auction and a complimentary open bar courtesy of Republic National Distributing Company, a local fine wine and spirits distributor. Guests are asked to adhere to the country club casual dress code or golf attire. After the tournament, players will enjoy an awards ceremony and lunch, featuring a silent auction and raffle inside The Club at Weston Hills. Prizes include sports aficionado items, vacation and restaurant packages and more. The Norman Bonchick Memorial Golf Tournament thanks its sponsors for their generous support, including Broten Garage Door Sales, Coca-Cola, Dixon Golf, Erica's Plumbing, Florida Blue, GL Homes, Howard's Market, Hubbard Radio, Integrated Power Systems (IPS), LaCroix, Miami Dolphins Foundation, On Target Claims, Papa's Raw Bar, Parkshore Pharmacon, Pioneer Roofing, Republic National Distributing Company, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Seminole Tribe of Florida, St. Thomas University and Stephen's Distributing. When: Monday, June 2nd, 2025, at 7:00 a.m. Where: The Club at Weston Hills 2600 Country Club Way Weston, Florida 33332 Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are available, starting at $400. Corporate Foursomes are $1,500 and Single Golf spots are $325. For more information on participating in the golf tournament, please visit: https://www.bcckids.org/ - Or contact David Perez at: (954) 218-6748. Or email: DavidP@bcckids.org . About Broward Children’s Center Since 1971, Broward Children’s Center, a private, 501(c)(3) NonProfit, has been providing medical, educational, therapeutic, recreational, daily living and advocacy services through its network of care to infants, children and young adults who are developmentally disabled and/or medically fragile. Through a continuum of services designed to meet the needs of each child and their families, Broward Children’s Center remains focused on delivering the highest quality care necessary to ensure that each individual is given every opportunity to thrive and succeed. Broward Children’s Center is located at 200 Southeast 19th Avenue, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060. For more information, please visit: www.bcckids.org - Or contact: (954) 504-5610. Or: info@bcckids.org . Previous Next

Sweeten The Season: Deliciously Creamy Desserts Thu Nov 02 2023 16:11:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

4 Tips To Maximize Nutritional Goals While On A GLP-1 By Feature Impact Mar 4, 2026 The First GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) Medication Was Approved For Weight Loss Use More Than A Decade Ago With New More Effective Versions Being Approved By The FDA Over The Past Few Years. As The Use Of These Medications Continues To Rise, New Research Highlights The Important Role Nutrition And lifestyle Habits Can Play In Supporting Muscle, Metabolism And Long-Term Weight Loss When Using The Medication. Whether you're new to GLP-1’s or navigating the next phase of your journey, small nutrition shifts powered by protein, fiber and hydration can help you feel strong, confident and supported. Common side effects experienced by GLP-1 users are often digestive and include nausea, constipation, stomach pain, bloating and more. A pilot clinical trial by Atkins suggests pairing GLP-1 use with targeted macronutrients, especially protein and fiber, may support healthier body composition and a lower-carb diet with higher protein and fiber intake is well tolerated. Feast On Fiber Digestive slowdowns, including constipation, are among the most common GLP-1 side effects. Prioritizing fiber not only helps food move comfortably through the body, it supports your gut health and steady energy. Many fibers are prebiotics, meaning they promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Prioritize foods like apples, melon, berries, cruciferous vegetables and leafy greens to boost fiber intake. Prioritize Protein When your appetite changes, structure helps. Anchoring your day with reliable protein sources helps make nutrition easy. Prioritizing protein may help prevent lean muscle loss, and nutrient dense protein sources can help you get enough essential nutrients to support overall health. Supporting a protein- and fiber-rich diet can start with a solution like Atkins High Protein Shakes, which are packed with 30 grams of protein and 7 grams of prebiotic fiber and provide more than 20 essential vitamins and minerals. Designed to be an ally for your nutritional goals, they're gluten-free, low-glycemic and keto-friendly with 3 grams of net carbs and 1 gram of sugar per serving. Experts recommend making sure you're consuming enough protein to help limit lean muscle loss when using a GLP-1 to lose weight. Hydrate to Help Prevent Side Effects GLP-1 users in particular are encouraged to prioritize fluids. Staying hydrated can help with both constipation and nausea, two common side effects. Drinking water helps support kidney and liver function, which are vital for weight loss and overall health. Adequate fluids help food move through your body, combat fatigue and replenish losses from potential nausea or constipation, preventing complications and improving tolerance to GLP-1’s. Eat Small, Frequent Meals Large meals can feel uncomfortable when digestion slows. Instead, focus on smaller, more frequent eating moments that give your body a steady supply of nutrients without overwhelming your system. For an easy, GLP-1 friendly option, try Atkins High Protein Bars, which are high in protein and fiber while minimizing net carbs. Available in flavors like Cookie Fusion, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Brownie Delight, they're a satisfying way to stay fueled between meals and a simple solution when appetite cues are muted. The snacks are designed to take the guesswork out of choosing high-protein, low-carb options that support your goals. Living well on a GLP-1 is about support, confidence and clarity. Consuming adequate amounts of protein and fiber, staying hydrated and maintaining daily structure can help you feel energized and empowered every step of the way. By following nutritional guidelines and making mindful lifestyle choices, GLP-1 users can experience better outcomes on their weight loss journeys. To explore products that prioritize protein and fiber that can be a part of anyone's daily diet, visit: www.Atkins.com . Photo courtesy of Shutterstock Previous Next

Let Us all Unite for Safe Elections: We Need To Face The Fact; We All Have Been Desensitized To Violence By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper July 18, 2024 Share This weekend the bell tolled for our America. We all have finally seen how far societal degeneracy and lack of civility has evolved. We have witnessed the attempted assassination of a former President and candidate for President. It was surreal. My prayers go out to President Trump, his family and our country. I still do not believe we all understand the ramifications of this event. This was not simply an act of violence. One individual perpetrating harm on another. Unlike the attempted assassination of Reagan in the name of love, it was an attack on our democratic system and election process. We will need to wait as the investigation continues. We need to face the fact; we all have been desensitized to violence. Guns of war are readily available without checks and balances. We see murder and mayhem every day on the 24-hour news cycle and even online. This past year, we have even watched countries attack other countries in unprovoked acts of war. In politics, we have also seen the erosion of the basic core knowledge and functions of every level of government. The control over who is in power versus why we even have a government has been lost. We should enjoy our rights as a free citizen in our democratic society, but violence is not a replacement to civil discourse. Democracy also takes work. Over the past year, elections have reached epic proportions of sound bites, hateful rhetoric, misinformation, fear mongering and conspiracy theories. Or have they? It has happened in the past and sadly it continues. Propaganda versus facts. It is like facts truly do not matter. The nature of negative campaigning is not just on the national and state levels but is also prevalent on the local. While we are all watching and formulating our reason to vote for one Presidential candidate or the other. Residents cannot lose sight of the fact that we have state, county and local races taking place next month. The primaries are also so important. With the changes in election laws here in Florida everyone needs to make sure they are properly registered. If you want to vote by mail, you must request to do so every election now. It is no longer automatic. You should have received an application in the mail recently, to vote in the primary, you must be registered by July 22nd. If you have not registered in Broward, you can register online at: www.Browardvotes.com . We have and will always have the safest elections. I have worked as a poll worker. When I turned eighteen and was able to vote, I worked the polls in our neighborhood. My mother was a judge of elections. There is never 100 percent accuracy. Electronic voting has made the system much better. Even with newer and modern systems there are mandatory recounts in every close race. Back in the seventies, we had to do a manual machine and card count versus recorded cards. In Florida, there were punch cards. In the Presidential race between Bush and Gore the punch cards were manually recounted for days. The term “Chad” was coined when punch cards had not been fully pushed through the machine. Even in 2020, there were extensive audits that all proved there was not widespread fraud. I know there has been a major issue about voter registration. If a person does not have an ID and proof, they are a resident and U.S. citizen they cannot register to vote. There will always be checks and balances. President Biden and former President Trump have both agreed on many points after the tragic events of this past Saturday. We all need to unite in the common cause that our elections need to be free of violence. As always, I am available for your questions, concerns and ideas to make our City even better. Email me at: joycooper@aol.com . Visit my website: www.mayorjoycooper.com . Or Call/Text me at: (954) 632-5700. < Previous News Next News >

Supah Cool Sammy World: She’s Zany, Fun Filled & Building Confidence In Children By Joyce R. Forchion - LOVE Aventura March 21, 2024 Share In a world where children are influenced to imitate their favorite Social Media Celebrities or emulate the “cool kids” who are deemed pretty, wealthy, or popular, Miami-Dade County Early Childhood Educator and Author Samantha Michel founded a creative space where they are simply encouraged to be themselves “Always remember to be yourself,” said Michel, CEO and Creative Curator of Supah Cool Sammy World, a multidisciplinary arts, crafts, and storytelling business targeting children aged 3 to 10 who are enrolled in local schools. The moniker of her alter ego character– “Supah Cool Sammy” -- introduces a relatable presence to kids that captures their undivided attention and injects fun, whimsical elements into stories and art projects. Known for her characteristically zany, bright-colored costumes evoking elements of spring, joy, and energy, Michel hosts “Circle Carpet Storytelling” at the Northeast Dade - Aventura Branch Library on Saturdays each month not only to promote childhood literacy, but to offer a mentally stimulating environment where adolescents can feel free to think critically, ask questions, and express themselves without judgment. The inclusiveness of Michel’s program is unique in that it is open to all age-appropriate children in the community, including those with Developmental Learning Disabilities such as Autism and ADHD. According to her philosophy, Supah Cool Sammy World Events are intended to build confidence, Self-Esteem, and Self-Sufficiency. “What inspired me was the need I saw for all children to explore more in a free-form space without feeling too restricted to be themselves, in an environment to get lost in their creativity either by enhancing it or finding it within.” While building the curriculum for her business, Michel factored the preservation of childhood innocence into her programmatic model. In her mind, patience is a critical component of her approach to cultivating thoughtful engagement that should never be stifled by pressure or negative feedback. “When I notice a child is not finished exploring or creating but we (as adults) are ready for them to finish, we prevent that drive for them to create or invent something that can even change the world and make it better,” she explained. “Supah Cool Sammy World presents a relaxing, therapeutic setting that sets the mind, body, and soul at ease while creating and finishing up that task, idea, or project. During my events, I always tell the kids the following: “Don’t stop exploring, don’t stop creating, and ALWAYS be ready to have fun.”’ Supah Cool Sammy World will be launching its first Spring Break project this March while children are out of school. Slots for 20 participants are open for story time sessions, arts and crafts, watercolor painting, digital art, dramatic role play, and related activities. Michel remains focused on expanding the program’s reach in 2024 but admits that additional funding assistance is needed to bring the entirety of her vision to fruition. “I must say it takes a village to raise each child, so I will need extra meeting space that can accommodate children and family-centered events. A van for exploring field trips, along with donations for art supplies, would also be extremely helpful in keeping the business and services running.” Parents interested in inquiring about Supah Cool Sammy World for their children are encouraged to email Michel at for an updated activity schedule at: SupahCoolSammyWorld@gmail.com . The business can be followed on Instagram at: (@SupahCoolSammyWorld). LOVE, AVENTURA. A column celebrating the heart, soul and culture of our community. < Previous News Next News >

La Boulangerie Boul’Mich Aventura Has Returned Aventura Digest Sep 5, 2025 Beloved French-Latin bakery, Café, And Bistro La Boulangerie Boul’Mich Has Officially Reopened In Aventura, Unveiling A Refreshed Aesthetic And An Expanded Footprint. The Highly-Anticipated Revamp Introduces Not Only A New Look But Also Extended Hours And A Brand-New Bistro Menu. With Eight Locations Across South Florida, La Boulangerie Boul’Mich Has Become A Neighborhood Favorite, Known For Its Freshly Baked Goods, Artisanal Coffee Drinks, And A Broad Menu Of Sweet And Savory Offerings – From Breakfast Staples And Gourmet Sandwiches To Fresh Salads, Soups, Homemade Pastas, And More. Originally opened in 2015, the Aventura outpost has been redesigned with the guest experience in mind, offering a more spacious, welcoming environment and extended hours: open until 10PM Monday through Saturday and until 7PM on Sundays. The expansion was fueled by high demand from the local community and a commitment to creating a more vibrant dining experience. To celebrate the reopening, the restaurant will be offering customers 10% off any check (no minimum required) for the month of august (not valid over other promotions). Additionally, from Wednesday, August 6 through Tuesday, September 30, 2025, guests who present one of the many “Aventura is Back!” mailers the brand distributed will receive a complimentary glass of wine or mimosa. In addition to the updated space, the Aventura location will feature the concept’s new bistro menu which features a refined yet casual dinner-oriented experience inspired by classic European cafés. The menu features new savory appetizers such as Shrimp Cocktail with pink horseradish sauce; Moules Frites in a white wine cream sauce; Mini Crab Cakes with avocado paste and dill tartar. Main courses to consider include a Tenderloin Center Cut Steak with salad and roasted potato blend; Atlantic Norwegian Salmon in a Teriyaki Orange and Sesame sauce with asparagus and roasted potato blend. La Boulangerie Boul’Mich is located at 20475 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite G7-G8 Aventura, Florida 33180; Hours of operation: Monday - Saturday 7:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.; Sundays 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. For more information, please visit: www.laboulangerieusa.com. Follow along on: Social Media:@laboulangerie_boulmich. More About La Boulangerie Boul'Mich La Boulangerie Boul'Mich the family-oriented artisanal bakery and restaurant has been servicing South Florida with fresh and high-quality food for over 20 years with seven locations and continues to grow – the reopening of Aventura and the new DuPont location that will open in September 2025. The menu offers brunch, lunch, dinner, and all-day breakfast including options like Traditional Eggs Benedict, Croque Madame “Our Style”, New York Bagel, and Greek Avocado Toast. Guests can indulge in an array of freshly baked goods like gourmet empanadas, quiches, croissants, and desserts like Macarons and Elephant Ears; plus Latin and European pastries including Tequeños, Alfajor, and Pan De Bono. The menu also features an array of pasta as well as French-style gourmet sandwiches. Pair any of these dishes with refreshing beverages and cocktails including mimosas, summer spritz and tinto de verano. La Boulangerie offers a variety of frozen foods, to prepare at home, including soups, pasta sauces, and pastries complete with recipes. For more information and all eight locations, visit: www.laboulangerieusa.com . Previous Next

Have It Sweet Like Honey, Honey! Thu Sep 22 2022 16:02:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)