Christmas Conflicts: Study Finds 1 in 4 Florida Family Gatherings Descend Into Drunken Arguments December 23, 2021 Share If Hollywood holiday blockbusters, like “Home Alone,” “Elf” or “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” are anything to go by, the festive season of family feuds is upon us! On a serious note, many people consider the holidays a difficult time of year to come together in high spirits with relatives from near and far as there’s almost always an argument that ensues. This time of year, the internet is filled with tips and tricks on how to avoid or resolve family conflicts during a time that’s meant to be overflowing with joyous spirits and holiday festivities. But, when alcohol is involved, things can get even more boisterous around the dinner table. • 38% say family arguments involve the presence of alcohol • Politics is typically the main reason for family arguments over the Christmas period • 4 in 5 have at least one extended family member who annoys them American Addiction Centers, a leading provider of addiction treatment and resources, conducted a survey (3,405) to find out how families deal with alcohol-fueled feuds over the holiday season. It was uncovered that almost 1 in 4 (23%) of Florida family gatherings involve drunken arguments over the holiday season - above the national average of 21%. In fact, of all the joy-depleting family feuds there have been in the family over the years, the average Floridian said 38% of them involved the presence of alcohol. It seems that families in Delaware were most affected by these alcohol-fueled family feuds, with 1 in 3 stating these types of arguments generally take place in their household over the festive period. Comparatively, households in Hawaii tend to keep the peace with just 5% of people who said they experience family gatherings featuring drunken arguments over the season. Talk about harmonious holidays! Of course, bringing together close and distant relatives of different ages and varying mindsets has the potential to end up badly, especially when alcohol is involved. In fact, an overwhelming number of people (81%) said they have at least one extended family member who annoys them. And when it comes to drinking, over half (57%) of respondents said they also have at least one extended family member who becomes confrontational or argumentative when they have alcohol at get-togethers. The occurrence of drunken arguments affects some so drastically that 68% said they would consider an alcohol-free family Christmas in order to avoid these festive-dampening feuds. Some say politics is among the top topics you should definitely avoid discussing over the dinner table - and for good reason: one-third of respondents said politics is typically the main reason for family arguments over the Christmas period. Longstanding family tensions (29%) and money (17%) were also significant contributing factors to family bickering. Additionally, 17% stated that taking games too seriously is the root cause of arguments over the holidays. There’s no rivalry like a sibling rivalry, so it seems: 5% of people said this is the main cause of their holiday arguments and lastly, 3% of people said their family tends to argue over the cooking! We have all been under a lot of stress the past couple years, so let’s take this study as a learning tool to avoid conflicts during this holiday season. Be mindful, be thankful and be sober. < Previous News Next News >

MODS Awarded Grant For Character Development Children - Building a Better World Together Permanent Exhibit to Open in 2026 December 25, 2024 Share The Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) has been awarded a $2.5 Million Grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. to advance the Museum’s commitment to fostering positive character development in children. The grant will support MODS’ efforts to cultivate essential character traits through its exhibits, programs and events. Central to this mission is the development of Building a Better World Together, a permanent exhibit designed to empower the next generation by integrating character development into the Museum’s offerings and inspiring young people to become confident, thoughtful leaders. MODS received the prestigious grant through Fostering Character Through Children’s Museums, a Lilly Endowment initiative that aims to help museums develop new or expand existing efforts that explore and encourage the development of positive character traits such as curiosity, empathy, compassion, integrity, kindness, teamwork, respect, responsibility, courage and community awareness in children. MODS is one of just 15 children’s museums around the nation being funded through the initiative. Slated to open in 2026, the 5,000-square-foot Building a Better World Together permanent exhibit will engage children and adults in a creative atmosphere that inspires innovative thinking and empowers them to make meaningful contributions to their families, communities and to the world around them. “At the core of Building a Better World Together is a powerful question: How can a child take meaningful action to address today’s challenges and build a better world?” said Joseph P. Cox, President and CEO of MODS. “We champion education, which fosters knowledge, capacity and character traits — essentials for 21st-century learning. We are deeply grateful for this grant, which will enable us to place character at the forefront of our efforts to inspire hope, spark innovative solutions and empower the next generation to shape a brighter future.” In 2022, MODS was designated as the Hub for Resilience Education by the Community Foundation of Broward, recognizing the Museum as a pivotal force in leading the community's conversation, education and action regarding sustainability and resilience. What sets this project apart is its focus on character development. Through extensive research and feedback from more than 1,500 Museum guests, educators, community partners and staff, MODS identified four foundational traits — critical thinking, caring, cooperation and confidence — as essential for empowering children to navigate challenges and act with purpose, rooted in hope. Building a Better World Together will be an immersive exhibit designed to inspire children of all ages to take meaningful action for a sustainable future. Highlights will include a digital theater exploring Florida’s past, present and future; live coral reef research station and an aquifer model showcasing conservation efforts; and a mangrove-themed climber that builds resilience and confidence. Interactive features like LEGO® Build the Change activities and a community pledge wall encourage teamwork, creativity and stewardship. Through age-appropriate activities, guests explore ecosystems, develop critical thinking and learn about the importance of caring for our planet. Cox added, “As children grow, their experiences and lessons evolve and they have the opportunity to gain deeper understanding and a greater capacity to contribute. This project goes beyond teaching facts; it inspires lifelong values and empowers them to make a positive impact on the world.” Building a Better World Together is only part of the Museum’s commitment to promote character development in children. The Museum’s intention is to cultivate character traits throughout its exhibits, programs and events. Key programs include the STEMobile, a mobile makerspace serving thousands of children annually, the Discovery Spot, an exhibit encouraging early learners and their families to explore the wonders of the Florida ecosystems, and leadership-building initiatives such as the EcoExplorers high school internship program. MODS is also introducing new resources, such as the 4C’s Family Resource Kit, to help parents nurture their children’s growth and establishing Character Corners at Broward County regional libraries to bring these values into the broader community. “Children’s museums are places where children of all ages can learn informally, discovering new ideas through play, multi-sensory experiences and self-expression,” said Ted Maple, Lilly Endowment’s Vice President for education and youth programs. “We are excited to see how the museums funded through this initiative will help children and their families to explore various character traits and reflect together on ways these traits can be practiced and strengthened.” For more information, visit: https://mods.org . < Previous News Next News >

Mouthwatering Recipes to Beef Up the Holiday Menu Thu Dec 08 2022 17:06:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Planting Seeds Of The Divine - Torah Commentaries To Cultivate Your Spiritual Practice By https://jps.org Sep 18, 2025 Experiencing Deep Personal Fulfillment, Happiness, And Sustenance Comes From Feeling Connected To Our Authentic Selves, Which Involves Building An Ongoing Relationship With The Divine Presence Within Us, Says Author Yiscah Smith. Quite Organically, Then, We May Begin Sensing The Divine In Our Interactions With Other People. This Is Because, For Each Of Us, “Our Essence, As A Creation By God, Is God.” Planting Seeds of the Divine elucidates how Judaism’s sacred texts can provide the foundation for the “end destination” of experiencing intimate encounters with the Divine Presence within—the God-consciousness that so many of us find elusive. Imagining ourselves as spiritual gardeners, we can cultivate our unique gardens with seeds centered on middot (emotional dispositions, character traits, spiritual sensitivities). Each seed corresponds to an aspirational Torah commentary, consisting of a selected Torah verse linked to one of the middot, a summary of the biblical text preceding the verse, classical commentaries, teachings of Hasidic and Neo-Hasidic masters and the author, and step-by-step experiential practices to help us internalize the middot and encounter the Divine. Each seed contributes to the garden’s beauty—the beauty of the self in God-consciousness—which hopefully blossoms into a magnificent garden of the soul. Praise “Yiscah Smith has done a remarkable job of painting a wonderfully textured method of reading the Torah as a guide for spiritual development.”—Ariel Evan Mayse, Assistant Professor of religious studies at Stanford University and Co-Editor of A New Hasidism: Roots and A New Hasidism: Branches “An important contribution to this emerging school of Torah commentary that is smart and intellectually sophisticated while also embodied and psychologically and spiritually informed.”—Rabbi Josh Feigelson, President and CEO of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality “By offering readers a practical and powerful pathway to cultivate the Divine spark within, Smith creates a rich legacy of her own.”–Diane Gottlieb, editor of Awakenings: Stories of Body & Consciousness, for the Jewish Book Council Save 50% on orders of 10 or more copies of this title with code 6SEEDS50, visit: https://jps.org/books/planting-seeds-of-the-divine/ About The Author Yiscah Smith is a thought leader and spiritual activist committed to empowering and ennobling others in the spiritual practice of encountering the Divine spark within and beyond. She teaches Jewish contemplative practice and spiritual texts at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem and for the online platform Applied Jewish Spirituality. She is the author of Forty Years in the Wilderness: My Journey to Authentic Living and founder of Conscious Community Nachlaot, an alternative prayer space in Jerusalem. Her Authentic Jewish Living with Yiscah podcast episodes are available on platforms such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Visit Yiscah Smith's website at: https://www.yiscahsmith.com/ Author Yiscah Smith Previous Next

What Is the SilverSneakers Program? www.medicare.org October 19, 2023 Share Are you looking for a senior fitness program? If you have a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan, your health insurance may include a free fitness membership for adults 65+ called SilverSneakers Are you looking for a senior fitness program? If you have a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan, your health insurance may include a free fitness membership for adults 65+ called SilverSneakers. A SilverSneakers membership includes access to roughly 14,000 recreation centers, churches, senior communities, and other neighborhood locations across the nation. You’ll get access to fitness equipment, social events, a variety of exercise classes, including boot camp, circuit training, strength and balance, tai chi, Yoga, water aerobics, and Zumba, plus access to amenities like swimming pools, Tennis Courts, and walking tracks if available at certain locations. Sounds pretty good, right? Here’s what else you may want to know about the program. Does Original Medicare cover SilverSneakers? Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, does not cover this benefit. If you’re considering a Medicare plan with SilverSneakers coverage, including Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans, contact a Medicare licensed sales agent. What does the SilverSneakers program cost? With a qualifying health insurance plan, a SilverSneakers membership is free. However, any services not included in a basic membership may require additional fees such as personal training, tanning, or a massage. How do I join SilverSneakers? SilverSneakers comes automatically with qualifying Medicare health insurance plans. Eligible Medicare beneficiaries 65 years of age and older just need to get a SilverSneakers membership card to show at participating fitness locations. Contact your health insurance plan to find out if SilverSneakers is covered, or visit the SilverSneakers website to check your eligibility online. If you’re eligible, then you can fill out the SilverSneakers form online to get and print your membership ID card to bring to participating locations. How do you I find out which gyms and fitness locations participate in SilverSneakers in my area? Go to: https://tools.silversneakers.com/ and click on “Find Fitness Locations” to search for a gym near you. SilverSneakers is only available to individuals with qualifying health insurance plans. However, if your insurance plan does not cover SilverSneakers, you can still join a gym! Contact the recreational centers and gyms in your area to learn about special pricing for seniors. < Previous News Next News >

Pure Joy: Celebrate The Most Joyous Date on The Jewish Calendar By Rabbi Moishe Kievman - Chabad Chayil March 9, 2023 Share Recently I had the honor of being the guest speaker at the MAR-JCC on the topic of Joy. Although I get to speak there quite often, this time the participants were especially engrossed in the topic, since Joy is something that we all want to experience. I welcomed all sorts of questions, as we together discovered the different levels of joy, and how to best bring them about. According to statistics, there are more people who suffer from some sort of depression than any other disease. While some treat this terrible mental illness with pills, the Talmud tells us that Joy breaks all barriers and that the more we fill ourselves with joy, the less time we think about ourselves, and the less we suffer. Helping others and keeping our mind focused on helping others is another way to fight depression. It’s mind boggling to see how huge of an epidemic it is, in this day and age, when we have more technology than ever, and better applications to help us be in touch with friends. Yet the suffering of a lack of real friends and friendship is as prevalent as ever. On Purim, when the holiday is really all about Joy, we deal with all of the above! The four special Mitzvas associated with Purim, are 1) Giving gifts of money to at least two poor people. 2) Sending food gifts, made up of at least two types of foods, to at least one friend. 3) Enjoying a festive Purim meal, preferably with friends. And 4) Recounting the story of the Purim miracle, by reading the Megilla, also known as the Scroll of Esther. When we take the focus off of ourselves, and instead see how we can help others, by giving charity and giving gifts of food. When our focus is shifted from celebrating in silence, to having a meal with others. When we remember the miracles that occurred, not just to our ancestors many years ago, but also to us, over and over again.. It really forces us to bring out our inner joy, and slowly transform it into a pure joy! The festival of Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar. It begins this year after sundown on Monday, March 6 and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, March 7. The holiday commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in Ancient Persia from Haman's plot "to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day." I encourage you to contact your local Chabad or synagogue to see what they’re doing to celebrate. You’re of course welcome to join us, free of charge, at our annual Purim Party! I invite you to join me in strapping on your flight attendant or pilot suit and brace yourself for liftoff at this year’s Purim celebration, dubbed “Purim - A First Class Experience on Hakhel Air”! It’s Chabad Chayil's creative twist to this year’s community celebration of Purim. The festivities will be held right behind the construction site at 2601 Northeast 211th Terrace, North Miami, Florida 33180 on Tuesday, March 7th, featuring live music, food and lots of fun. Every seven years is a Hakhel year. In ancient times, during a Hakhel year, Jews would stream to Jerusalem to unite in the Beit Hamkidash. For more information about the Hakhel year, please go to our website at: https://www.chabadchayil.org/generic_cdo/aid/742767/jewish/Hakhel.htm Currently celebrating a year of Hakhel, we chose the theme of traveling together to Israel, enjoying our Purim meal together on Hakhel Air. We’ll enjoy a delicious sit-down dinner (not airplane food), exciting in-flight entertainment and a duty-free bar. Megillah will take place in the ‘lounge’ as we’ll be of course traveling first class! Billed as the most joyous date on the Jewish calendar, the daylong holiday commemorates the nullification in 356 B.C.E. of a Persian decree calling for the extermination of the Jewish people throughout the Persian Empire as told in the biblical Book of Esther. Chabad’s original spin on this age-old holiday has helped bring the spirit of Purim to the area year after year. The event is a community-wide program, and all are welcome to join, regardless of affiliation or background. Children and adults will enjoy great Israeli foods, a live rock band & plenty of other ‘in-flight’ entertainment. There is no charge for anyone to join, though donations always help us bring quality programs to the community. For party details, Megillah reading times or to learn more about the holiday & the complete Purim story, or to help sponsor food for poor either locally or in Israel, call: (305) 770-1919. Or visit: https://www.chabadchayil.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/4304732/jewish/Purim.htm About The Author Rabbi Kievman together with his wife are the ambassadors of The Rebbe to Highland Lakes, FL. They are the founders of Gan Chabad Preschool, your local CTeen & CKids chapters, CHAP - an afterschool program for Jewish children in Public Schools and direct Chabad Chayil. He’s the rabbi at The Family Shul and can be reached at: (305) 770-1919 Or: rabbi@ChabadChayil.org < Previous News Next News >

National Hispanic Heritage Month: Comes To An All-Time High With Néstor Torres’ Latin Jazz Series Wed Oct 18 2023 16:11:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Stand Up For Innocence: A Night Of Comedy Benefitting The Innocence Project Of Florida Thu Jan 18 2024 17:05:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Safeguarding Sunshine: Florida's New Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit Strikes Back Against Online Crime August 24, 2023 Share In today's fast-paced digital age, the Internet has become an integral part of our lives. However, as our reliance on Technology grows, so does the threat of Cyber Crime. In a bid to protect its citizens from the perils of Illicit Online activities, Florida's Attorney General, Ashley Moody, took a bold step by announcing the establishment of the Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit. This new team of expert attorneys, in collaboration with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), aims to combat Cyber Crime and fill the Enforcement Gap left by Federal Authorities focusing on High-Dollar Cases. The need for such a specialized unit is undeniable. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Internet Crime Complaint Center, a staggering number of 42,000 Floridians fell victim to Cyber Crime in the previous year, resulting in a combined loss of over $844 Million. This alarming surge in Online Criminal Activity demands immediate attention and proactive measures. Attorney General Ashley Moody recognized the Enforcement Gap created by Federal Agencies concentrating their efforts on Cases with MultiMillion-Dollar Losses, which often leaves smaller yet equally damaging Cyber Crimes overlooked. To address this, Moody collaborated with Legislative Leaders and Law Enforcement Partners to assemble a team capable of handling these emerging High-Tech Schemes and protecting the State's Residents from Cyber Threats. The Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit is a Strategic Partnership between the Florida Attorney General's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. This Alliance brings together Criminal and Civil Attorneys, along with FDLE Analysts and other Law Enforcement Agencies, to pool resources and expertise in solving Cyber Crimes. FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass commends the unit's efforts, emphasizing the vital role analysts play in researching Cyber Crime and Criminal Organizations. By identifying the perpetrators and understanding the modus operandi behind these crimes, the team becomes a crucial resource not only for the FDLE but for all of their Law Enforcement Partners. A Force to Be Reckoned With Since its inception, the Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit has already made significant strides in tackling Cyber Crime across the State. Recently, in collaboration with the FDLE, they managed to shut down a complex criminal enterprise that employed the Dark Web and Cryptocurrency to conduct Massive Identity Theft and Money Laundering, totaling over $350,000. The ringleader involved in this Case is now potentially facing a staggering 135-year prison sentence if convicted. Additionally, the unit has successfully handled other Cyber Crime Cases, showcasing its efficacy in dealing with various Cyber Threats. For instance, Kevin Anderson, who perpetrated Credit Card Fraud amounting to more than $150,000, has been sentenced to over five years in prison. Similarly, individuals like Cathy Green, Cynthia Sirmans, and Maninder Singh Bawa, responsible for crimes ranging from Fraudulent Overtime Payouts to Elder Exploitation, have also faced the consequences of their actions in the eyes of the Law. Staying Protected In The Digital Era As Cyber Crime continues to evolve, it's essential for individuals to take steps to protect themselves from falling victim to online scams. The Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit advises victims of Cyber Crime to take immediate action by securing their devices with new passwords, preserving evidence through screenshots, and reporting the Crime to FDLE's Computer Crime Center. If Unauthorized Access to Financial Accounts is involved, Victims should promptly notify their Bank and Credit Card Company, while also monitoring accounts for any signs of Identity Theft. Taking the added precaution of Freezing Credit can also Mitigate Potential Damage from Identity Theft. Visit One Of These Three Credit Bureaus To Initiate A Credit Freeze: Equifax - www.equifax.com Experian - www.experian.com TransUnion - www.transunion.com While the Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit works tirelessly to combat Cyber Crime, prevention remains the most effective strategy. Floridians can stay informed about the latest Emergency Cyber Crime updates and learn about various schemes by visiting: www.MyFloridaLegal.com/ConsumerAlert < Previous News Next News >

The New Abnormal: Authoritarian Control Freaks Want To Micromanage Our Lives By John & Nisha Whitehead October 5, 2023 Share Authoritarian control freaks out to micromanage our lives has become the new normal or, to be more accurate, the new abnormal when it comes to how the government relates to the citizenry. This overbearing despotism, which pre-dates the COVID-19 hysteria, is the very definition of a Nanny State, where government representatives (those elected and appointed to work for us) adopt the authoritarian notion that the government knows best and therefore must control, regulate and dictate almost everything about the citizenry’s public, private and professional lives. Indeed, it’s a dangerous time for anyone who still clings to the idea that freedom means the right to think for yourself and act responsibly according to your best judgment. This tug-of-war for control and sovereignty over our selves impacts almost every aspect of our lives, whether you’re talking about decisions relating to our health, our homes, how we raise our children, what we consume, what we drive, what we wear, how we spend our money, how we protect ourselves and our loved ones, and even who we associate with and what we think. You can’t even buy a stove, a dishwasher, a showerhead, a leaf blower, or a lightbulb anymore without running afoul of the Nanny State. In this way, under the guise of pseudo-benevolence, the government has meted out this bureaucratic tyranny in such a way as to nullify the inalienable rights of the individual and limit our choices to those few that the government deems safe enough. Yet limited choice is no choice at all. Likewise, regulated freedom is no freedom at all. Indeed, as a study by the Cato Institute concludes, for the average American, freedom has declined generally over the past 20 years. The overt signs of the despotism exercised by the increasingly authoritarian regime that passes itself off as the United States government (and its corporate partners in crime) are all around us. Yet as egregious as these incursions on our rights may be, it’s the endless, petty tyrannies that illustrate so clearly the degree to which “we the people” are viewed as incapable of common sense, moral judgment, fairness, and intelligence, not to mention lacking a basic understanding of how to stay alive, raise a family, or be part of a functioning community. When the dictates of petty bureaucrats carry greater weight than the individual rights of the citizenry, we’re in trouble, folks. Federal and State Governments have used the law as a bludgeon to litigate, legislate and micromanage our lives through overregulation and overcriminalization. Overregulation is just the other side of the coin to overcriminalization, that phenomenon in which everything is rendered illegal, and everyone becomes a lawbreaker. Yet while there are endless ways for the Nanny State to micromanage our lives, things become truly ominous when the government adopts mechanisms enabling it to monitor us for violations in order to enforce its many laws. Nanny State, meet the all-seeing, all-knowing Surveillance State and its sidekick, the muscle-flexing Police State. You see, in an age of overcriminalization—when the law is wielded like a hammer to force compliance to the government’s dictates, whatever they might be—you don’t have to do anything “wrong” to be fined, arrested or subjected to raids and seizures and surveillance. You just have to refuse to march in lockstep with the government. This is the Police State’s superpower: empowered by the Nanny State, it has been vested with the authority to make our lives a bureaucratic hell. Indeed, if you were unnerved by the rapid deterioration of privacy under the Surveillance State, prepare to be terrified by the surveillance matrix that will be ushered in by the Nanny State working in tandem with the Police State. The groundwork laid with COVID-19 is a prologue to what will become the Police State’s conquest of a new, relatively uncharted, frontier: inner space, specifically, the inner workings (genetic, biological, biometric, mental, emotional) of the human race. Consider how many more ways the government could “protect us” from ourselves under the guise of public health and safety. For instance, under the guise of public health and safety, the government could use Mental Health Care as a pretext for targeting and locking up dissidents, activists and anyone unfortunate enough to be placed on a government watch list. When combined with advances in mass surveillance technologies, artificial intelligence-powered programs that can track people by their biometrics and behavior, Mental Health sensor data (tracked by wearable data and monitored by government agencies such as HARPA), threat assessments, behavioral sensing warnings, precrime initiatives, red flag gun laws, and Mental Health First-Aid programs aimed at training gatekeepers to identify who might pose a threat to public safety, these preemptive Mental Health Programs could well signal a tipping point in the government’s efforts to penalize those engaging in so-called “thought crimes.” This is how it begins. On a daily basis, Americans are already relinquishing the most intimate details of who we are in order to navigate an increasingly technologically-enabled world. Having conditioned the population to the idea that being part of society is a privilege and not a right, such access could easily be predicated on Social Credit Scores, the worthiness of one’s political views, or the extent to which one is willing to comply with the government’s dictates, no matter what they might be. We should all be leery and afraid. All the government needs is proof of your law-breaking. They’ll get it, too. Whether it’s through the use of surveillance software such as ShadowDragon that allows Police to watch people’s Social Media activity, or technology that uses a home’s WiFi router and smart appliances to allow those on the outside to “see” throughout your home, it’s just a matter of time. At a time when the government has a growing list—shared with fusion centers and Law Enforcement Agencies—of ideologies, behaviors, affiliations and other characteristics that could flag someone as suspicious and result in their being labeled potential enemies of the state, it won’t take much for any of us to be considered outlaws or terrorists. In an age of overcriminalization, you’re already a criminal. After all, the government likes to use the words “anti-government,” “extremist” and “terrorist” interchangeably. As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, at some point, being an individualist will be considered as dangerous as being a terrorist. 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 >

Aventura Branch Library Happenings: Introduction To Computers, Knitting 101 For Beginners, Renaissance Dance And Much More August 15, 2023 Share The Aventura Branch Library has a wide variety of On-line and In-Person events. There will be Homework Help and Tutoring, Building Blocks Club, Introduction to Computers and much more. Some events may require you to RSVP, so, please go On-Line to register at: https://mdpls.org/branch-northeast-dade-aventura Or for more information prior to attending the event, call: (305) 931-5512. Renaissance Dance: Saturday, August 19th, 2023 - 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Let's dance! Join us and the Society of Creative Anachronism in person for a bit of history through Renaissance Dance. Learn the traditional dances of Italy, France, and England - the building blocks of American Square Dancing. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . 12 Years of age and up. Chess Club: Monday, August 21st, 2023 - 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sharpen your Chess skills by playing with others! Fun for beginners and more advanced players alike. Meets in the auditorium. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . 8 Years of age and up. Furry Tales: Saturday, August 19th, 2023 - 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Reading aloud to a registered therapy dog helps to improve literacy skills and boosts confidence. Presented by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 6 - 11 years. Learn To Speak Haitian Creole: Saturday, August 19th, 2023 - 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Join us for an immersive experience in learning Haitian Creole. These language classes are suitable for beginner to intermediate learners and are a great way to acquire basic language proficiency for workplace use or to practice conversation skills. Registration is required. For more information, please contact: (305) 931-5512. Ages 12 years and up. Renaissance Dance: Saturday, August 19th, 2023 - 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Auditorium Let's dance! Join us and the Society of Creative Anachronism in person for a bit of history through Renaissance Dance. Learn the traditional dances of Italy, France, and England - the building blocks of American Square dancing. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 12 years and up. Introduction To Computers: Saturday, August 19th, 2023 - 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Learn computer basics, including how to use a mouse get on the internet, set up and use an email account and more! Use one of our laptops or feel free to bring your own device. Taught by instructors from Collective Sistahood. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 19 years and up. Talking Is Teaching - Talk, Read, Sing For Toddlers: Monday, August 21st, 2023 - 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Enjoy stories, music, and playtime for toddlers and their caregivers. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 18 months - 3 years. Chess Club: Monday, August 21st, 2023 - 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sharpen your chess skills by playing with others! Fun for beginners and more advanced players alike. Meets in the auditorium. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 8 years and up. Knitting 101 for Beginners: Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023 - 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Bring your knitting needles and yarn to learn the basics from our experienced instructor. Bring your own project to work on or follow along as we guide you through the essentials. Registration is required. For more information, please contact: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 12 years and up. Online Event: Falun Gong Meditation & Exercises: Wed, Aug 23, 10:00am - 11:30am Falun Gong is an ancient, high level Chinese practice that uses gentle movements and meditation to cultivate the body, mind and spirit. Space is limited for this online event. Registration is required. Zoom link will be emailed to registrants within 24 hours of the event start time. For more information, please contact: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 19 years and up. Online Event: Teen Advisory Board Thu, Aug 24, 4:00pm - 5:00pm Northeast-Dade Aventura Virtual Programs Room Earn community service hours while helping us make the library an even better place for you and your friends! Participate in planning and implementing events and providing feedback about books, movies, video games and more. Registration is required. Zoom link will be emailed to registrants. For more information, please contact the branch at: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 16 - 18 years. Knitting 101 for Beginners Tue, Aug 29, 6:00pm - 7:00pm Bring your knitting needles and yarn to learn the basics from our experienced instructor. Bring your own project to work on or follow along as we guide you through the essentials. Registration is required. For more information, please contact: (305) 931-5512. Or: lefrakp@mdpls.org . Ages 12 years and up. Some of the above events require pre-registration. To register, go to: https://mdpls.org/branch-northeast-dade-aventura For more information, feel free to contact the Aventura Branch at: (305) 931-5512. The Aventura Branch Library is located at 2930 Aventura Boulevard, Aventura, Florida 33180. < Previous News Next News >

2023 “Art On The Plaza”: MOCA North Miami Announces Four New Public Art Installations Thu Mar 23 2023 16:08:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)