Back By Popular Demand...It's "Yesterday Once More": Top Of The World: A Carpenters Tribute Is Coming To Aventura With Holiday Classics July 18, 2023 Share Who can forget the music of the Carpenters? The popular brother/sister duo of the 70's and early 80's gave us some of the most unforgettable ballads and melodic pop songs of all time. By popular demand...It's "Yesterday Once More" when Debbie Taylor and her 7 piece band bring the unforgettable, exquisite music of The Carpenters in this return engagement in Aventura. Special for this year, this program will include all the classic Carpenters hits plus your Holiday Favorites to kick the season off early. The warmth and tone of Debbie's vocals are so reminiscent of Karen Carpenter, at times you'll think you're listening to Karen herself! Debbie started her career on stage at the age of 7 performing in Children’s theater. After directing numerous productions in children and community theater, her career path led her to the world of professional singing. For the past 20 years, she has been the owner and leader of ‘The Debbie Taylor Band’, a wedding, corporate, and private party band, as well as opening numerous times for Barry Gibb. The music of the Carpenters has always been close to Debbie’s heart. That sweet spot at the low end of her contralto range is a comfortable fit for singing Karen’s songs. With her passion for the music of the Carpenters, Debbie Taylor has captured the hearts of audiences around the world. Her tribute show, "Top of The World: A Carpenters Tribute," has been a hit wherever it's performed, and now it's back by popular demand in Aventura this November. The Carpenters, composed of Karen and Richard Carpenter, achieved enormous success with their unique sound and heartfelt lyrics. Their songs spoke to people's emotions, and their harmonies were simply enchanting. Even though Karen Carpenter tragically passed away at a young age, their music continues to resonate with fans old and new. Debbie Taylor and her talented 7 piece band have worked tirelessly to recreate the magic of the Carpenters' music. The attention to detail is remarkable, from the carefully crafted arrangements to the faithful reproduction of the instrumentation. But what truly sets Debbie apart is her ability to channel Karen Carpenter's vocals with astonishing accuracy. Her voice captures the warmth, richness, and vulnerability that made Karen's singing so special. For those lucky enough to attend the show in Aventura, it will be an unforgettable experience. The evening will be filled with all the classic Carpenters hits that we know and love. Songs like "Close to You," "We've Only Just Begun," and "Rainy Days and Mondays" will transport the audience back to a time when the Carpenters ruled the airwaves. But that's not all. In the spirit of the upcoming holiday season, Debbie and her band will also perform a selection of holiday favorites. Imagine hearing "Merry Christmas, Darling" or "Sleigh Ride" performed live with the same passion and tenderness that Karen Carpenter brought to these beloved songs. It's sure to be a joyous celebration that will leave everyone in the holiday spirit. Debbie Taylor's journey to becoming a premier Carpenters tribute artist is rooted in her lifelong love for music. Starting at a young age, she honed her skills on the stage, performing in children's theater and later directing productions in various community theaters. Her talent and dedication eventually led her to a career in professional singing. For the past two decades, Debbie has been the driving force behind "The Debbie Taylor Band," a highly sought-after wedding, corporate, and private party band. Her versatile vocal range and magnetic stage presence have earned her a reputation as one of the best performers in the industry. She has even had the honor of opening for legendary artist Barry Gibb, further cementing her status as a musical powerhouse. However, it is the music of the Carpenters that holds a special place in Debbie's heart. Singing Karen Carpenter's songs allows her to tap into a depth of emotion and expressiveness that resonates deeply with audiences. Her contralto range perfectly complements Karen's vocal style, making her a natural fit for the role. Meet The Band Paul Stewart has been a professional musician for more than 40 years. He is an amazingly diverse guitarist who can play in almost any genre of music. Although guitar is his main instrument, he also plays the electric bass, keyboards, and just about anything that has strings. Felix Gomez graduated from the University of Miami with a Masters of Music in 2008. He has won several awards including; The National Dean’s List, Best Soloist, and Best Composition at the North Texas Jazz Festival, and Outstanding Band Performance in the Downbeat Student Music Award. Ross Goldman is a native South Floridian raised in a musical family. Playing in a variety of situations throughout childhood contributed to his extensive familiarity in most genres of music. This gave him an appreciation for performing on multiple instruments including saxophones, flute, clarinet, piano, bass, and drums. Jack Ciano has performed in every facet of the music business. In the music industry he is considered an eclectic musician whose talents are always in demand. Rafael Valencia is an electric bass instructor and conductor of the salsa ensemble at Miami Dade College (Kendall Campus). Rafael has performed with a wide variety of Latin artists including; Celia Cruz, Marisela Verena, Tito Puente, Luis Enrique, Ismael Miranda, Willie Chirino, Lissette, Raul DiBlasio, Olga Guillot, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Maria Marta Serralima, Nelson Ned, Braulio, Angela Carrasco, Suzi Lemans, Carlos Oliva, Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Lucero, and Julio Iglesias. Alvaro Rosario, better known as ‘Al’, has been singing for the South Florida music scene for the past 18 years. He began his musical career in the United States Army singing in the Fort Benning Infantry chorus. He has traveled across the United States during his military term singing for Generals, military hospitals, and various community functions. Diana Hernandez has been involved in music her entire life. She has been singing background vocals and playing trumpet for many years. She is an ardent music lover with a diverse interest in all genres. She is a fan of the Carpenters and has always enjoyed their music. This is a project of love and passion for incredible music and to be shared with my fellow Carpenters fans. As November approaches, anticipation builds for "Top of The World: A Carpenters Tribute." Fans in Aventura and beyond eagerly await the chance to experience the timeless music of the Carpenters once again. It's a testament to the enduring legacy of Karen and Richard Carpenter that their songs continue to captivate audiences and inspire new generations of musicians. So mark your calendars and get ready to be transported back in time. Join Debbie Taylor and her exceptional band as they pay homage to the Carpenters' musical genius. Sing along to the hits, embrace the holiday spirit, and relish in the nostalgia that comes with hearing these beloved songs live. It's an opportunity you won't want to miss. "Top of The World: A Carpenters Tribute" is back, and it's sure to be a night to remember in Aventura. The band will be performing Saturday, November 18th, 2023 at 8:00 p.m. at the Aventura Cultural Center. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Buy tickets online at: www.aventuracenter.org - By phone at: (877) 311-7469. Or: (954) 462-0222. Or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. noon to 5:00 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each performance. For Group Sales, please call: (954) 660-6307. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, Florida 33180. < Previous News Next News >

Wine, Cuisine And Conversation With Shafer Vineyard Aventura Digest Aug 12, 2025 Uncork An Unforgettable Evening As Catch & Cut Presents A Wine Dinner With Shafer Vineyards On Wednesday, August 20th, 2025. From The Shafer Vineyard To The Table, Guests Will Enjoy An Intimate, Immersive Epicurean Experience With Five Courses. The Evening Will Begin With A Reception At 6:30 p.m., Followed By Dinner At 7:00 p.m. Celebrating the artistry of food and fine wine, Catch & Cut Managing Partner and Executive Chef André Bienvenu will prepare a thoughtfully curated five-course menu, each dish expertly paired with exceptional wines from Shafer Vineyards, hand-selected by Certified Sommelier Stephan Cole. Each pour will showcase the richness of the season and the nuance of the vintage. Guests will enjoy an exclusive experience promising a night of elevated flavors, warm hospitality and engaging conversation with Shafer Vineyard South East Director of Sales Melinda Barrett, Chef Bienvenu and Certified Sommelier Stephan Cole. Catch & Cut is recognized for its fresh seafood, sushi and USDA Prime Steaks from Allen Brothers. Chef Bienvenu combines innovation and tradition to craft dishes that excite the palate and highlight his culinary expertise. Each dish is meticulously crafted with passion and precision, ensuring a culinary journey that delights the senses and leaves a lasting impression. Wine Maker Elias Fernandez has been making wine at Shafer Vineyards for 40 years, forging the winery’s style of opulence, balance, and elegance. The Shafer Vineyards property has been the site of grape growing and commercial winemaking since 1880, during Napa Valley’s first boom as an American wine country. Napa’s pioneer vintners not only filled San Francisco’s wine cellars but shipped wine across the country and earned gold medals at the 1889 Paris Exposition. Shafer Vineyards takes inspiration from nearly 150 years of our passionate and gifted predecessors, who saw the rich promise of this site, cared for it meticulously, and preserved its beauty and power for future generations. Pairing passion with every pour, the five-course menu includes: First Course: Crab and Lobster Avocado Sphere – Spicy mustard sauce and red masago, paired with 2023 Chardonnay, ‘Red Shoulder Ranch,’ Napa Valley, Carneros, California Second Course: Bluefin Tuna Tartare – Pickled wakame salad with seaweed cracker and togarashi salt, paired with 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, ‘TD-9’, Napa Valley, California Third Course: Berkshire Pork Belly – Crispy with cherry berry compote, paired with 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, ‘One Point Five’, Napa Valley, California Fourth Course: Colorado Lamp Chop – Coffee crusted with mango jelly and mint oil, paired with 2019 Syrah, ‘Relentless’, Napa Valley, California Fifth Course: Rosewood Ranches American Wagyu – Grilled rib cap with bordelaise and red sea salt, paired with 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, ‘Hillside Select’, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District, CA Dessert: Chef’s Selection Guests can also order from Catch & Cut’s indulgent cocktail menu, curated by Beverage Manager Joe Vesey, which complements the culinary creations. When: Wednesday, August 20th, 2025 Reception: 6:30 p.m. Dinner: 7:00 p.m. Where: Catch & Cut 1309 East Las Olas Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 Valet parking is available. How: Tickets are available at: www.catchandcut.com/happenings . Cost: Tickets are available for $295 per person. Plus tax and gratuity. About Led by Partner and Executive Chef André Bienvenu and his team, Catch & Cut is an upscale, fine-dining restaurant with a focus on fresh seafood, sushi and USDA Prime Steaks from Allen Brothers. Fresh, premium Florida Stone Crabs are offered when in season. The Catch & Cut team prides itself on bringing back old-school hospitality and treating guests like family. The restaurant is situated on the trendy Las Olas Boulevard at 1309 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The rooftop lounge is open on Fridays and Saturdays, and the balcony is open during regular business hours. Happy Hour specials are available Monday through Friday, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Catch & Cut is open for Brunch on Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the main dining room. Catch & Cut’s elegant and versatile spaces can accommodate a range of gatherings, from intimate celebrations to grand affairs. For more information, please visit: https://catchandcut.com - Or call: (954) 533-1838. To make reservations, visit: www.OpenTable.com . Previous Next

No Tricks, Just Treats! October 21, 2021 Share ‘Not So Spooky Halloween’ Brings Haunted Fun to Gulfstream Park No tricks, just treats this Halloween for Gulfstream Park Village’s ‘Not So Spooky’ Halloween! Start Halloween early with the kids on Saturday, October 30th, 2021 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. with a safe alternative to neighborhood trick-or-treating at the spooktacular themed stations around Gulfstream Park Village. Then, adults can come out to play at 8:00 p.m. in the Gulfstream Park Walking Ring with entertainment, food for purchase, prizes and more! The children’s trick-or-treat event will offer a ghostly good time for kids of all ages. Families are encouraged to dress in costume and wear masks as they stroll through Gulfstream Park Village to collect candy and sweets from 5 themed stations along Silks Run, which will be closed to traffic and designated as a pedestrian way only. Each themed candy station will be complete with music, lights and special effects. Masked live performers will spook and delight at each interactive candy station with themes including The Nightmare Before Christmas, Creepy Circus, Zombies, Mummies and Voodoo! From 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., helpers at each station will hand out more than 700 pounds of candy to children. Then from 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., families can participate in a costume contest and games for kids of all ages. Families are advised to arrive early for the festivities. Those in attendance are also encouraged to enter the Not So Spooky Halloween $250 Gift Card Raffle by sharing a photo taken at their favorite themed candy station and tagging: @gulfstreamvillage. Alternatively, fans can enter their e-mail address and register to win on-line at: https://gulfstreampark.com/events-and-entertainment/event-calendar/details/2021/10/29/default-calendar/not-so-spooky-halloween. The deadline to enter is Friday November 5th, 2021 and the winner will be announced on Monday, November 15th, 2021. Then, at 8:00 p.m., the adult party begins in the Gulfstream Park Walking Ring. Guests can enjoy a selection of food trucks and bars with refreshments for purchase, music and a costume contest with $3,000 in cash up for grabs! In addition, throughout the month of October, Gulfstream Park Village will be lit up in bright pink and decorated with pink ribbons in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The lights will be on full display along Biscayne Boulevard and Hallandale Beach Boulevard, at the main entrances to the park and throughout the property. When: Children’s Trick-or-Treat Event: Saturday, October 30th, 2021, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Adult Party: Saturday, October 30th, 2021, 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Breast Cancer Awareness Display, October 1st - October 31st, 2021, daily at sundown. Where: The Village at Gulfstream Park 800 Silks Run, #1307, Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009. Cost: Free entry For more details, please visit: https://gulfstreampark.com/events-and-entertainment/event-calendar/details/2021/10/29/default-calendar/not-so-spooky-halloween About Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park is South Florida’s premier entertainment, dining and restaurant destination, located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, anchored by the legendary Gulfstream Park Racetrack. Gulfstream Park not only offers world-class Thoroughbred horse racing but is also home to a casino and family-friendly venues including over 15 restaurants, outdoor cafes, art galleries, fashion retailers, state-of-the-art bowling alley and a renowned selection of signature home stores. Gulfstream Park, voted a 2020 Top Travelers' Choice Winner by TripAdvisor, is located at 901 South Federal Highway in Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009, just two miles East of I-95. Valet service and complimentary self-parking are available. Gulfstream Park is open seven days a week. For hours, schedules, upcoming events and additional information, visit: www.gulfstreampark.com or call: (954) 454-7000. < Previous News Next News >

Experience “The Best Of All Possible Worlds” - South Florida Symphony Orchestra Premiers At New World Center In Miami Beach Aventura Digest December 18, 2024 Share Continuing with its thrilling Icons & Rebels Masterworks season, South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO) is proud to present its premiere of Leonard Bernstein’s satirical masterpiece Candide on Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 at New World Center in Miami Beach and on Thursday, January 16th, 2025 at Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Both concerts will start at 7:30 p.m. A pre-concert chat with Dr. Alan Mason will take place 30 minutes before the show at the New World Center featuring in-depth conversation and insights about the work and composer. Led by SFSO’s Award-Winning Musical Director Sebrina María Alfonso, this semi-staged concert version of Candide follows in the manner of Lonny Price’s 2004 production for the New York Philharmonic, made popular through the PBS series “Great Performances.” Bernstein’s acclaimed masterpiece is played out with the orchestra, minimal sets and costumes, a dynamic cast of Actor-Vocalists featuring David Walton (Candide); Chelsea Lehnea (Cunegonde); Jason Zacher (Dr. Pangloss/Voltaire); Alissa Anderson (The Old Lady), Lovell Rose (Maximilian), and the South Florida Symphony Chorus performing all together on stage. Dan Wallace Miller provides stage direction. Experience Candide’s riotous journey as he embarks on a whirlwind adventure teeming with humor, unexpected twists, and profound philosophical reflections. Bernstein’s iconic music, adapted from Voltaire’s famed Enlightenment-era novella, sets the backdrop for an unforgettable evening filled with laughter and existential musings. An equal opportunity offender, Candide spares no one. Everything and everyone is fair game in this irreverent satire. "Our premiere of Candide is a rare opportunity to experience one of Bernstein’s most thought-provoking masterpieces – a thrilling blend of outrageous humor, poignant storytelling, and unforgettable music that follows the endlessly optimistic Candide on his quest for the best of all possible worlds,” says Maestra Alfonso. “From wars and earthquakes to shipwrecks and heartbreak, it’s a globetrotting adventure of calamities and self-discovery. I am always eager to program unexpected and exciting works, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to present this unique adaptation, one of our boldest and most ambitious premieres since Porgy and Bess, to our South Florida audiences. Buckle up because we are all in for one heck of a ride.” From the over-the-top heights of Cunegonde’s “Glitter and Be Gay” and the rarely heard comedic duet “We Are Women” to the stirring depths of Candide’s introspective ponderings, audiences will enjoy a provocative perspective on life’s absurdities and the enduring pursuit of optimism. Adding allure to the premiere evening on January 16th at Broward Center, Symphony patrons are invited to attend the “Glitter and Be Gay Gala” 2025. The separately ticketed formal gala evening (held prior to the performance), recognizing community leaders and supporting SFSO’s impactful artistic, educational, and community outreach initiatives, begins at 5:00 p.m. and includes bubbles and hors d’oeuvres on the Wendt Terraces, a multi-course dinner in the Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom, the Candide performance and dancing dessert and dancing with the artists post-performance in the Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom. Tickets start at $500 and can be purchased at: https://southfloridasymphony.org/gala-2025. Now in its 27th Season, SFSO invites audiences to a tantalizing season featuring upcoming works by Mozart, Strauss, Berlioz, Prokofiev and Bruckner. The concerts will take place in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Key West. From sold-out masterworks performances to accompanying today’s musicians such as Natalie Merchant and performing modern musical scores, South Florida’s largest symphonic orchestra is continuing its journey of excellence inspiring audiences of all ages and musical genres. This season’s popular collaborations included performances of ARRIVAL From Sweden: The Music of ABBA and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, featuring the iconic film screened live with audio and musical accompaniment. Tickets for Candide are on sale now beginning at $25. For the January 14th Concert, buy tickets online at: https://southfloridasymphony.org - By phone at: (305) 673-3331. Or in-person at the New World Center Box Office. For the January 16th Concert, buy tickets online at: https://southfloridasymphony.org - By phone at: (954) 462-0222. Or in-person at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office. For additional information, visit: https://southfloridasymphony.org - Call: (954) 522-8445. Or email: info@southfloridasymphony.org . South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO) Founded in 1997 in Key West by Music Director Maestra Sebrina María Alfonso, the now Fort Lauderdale based South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO) is celebrating its 27th Season. SFSO is dedicated to providing enriching cultural music experiences to residents and visitors in Monroe, Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Guided by the belief that music is pivotal to thriving communities, SFSO brings vibrancy and engagement with the arts via innovative programming and transformative educational initiatives. A pioneer in its commitment to symphonic music for underserved communities, its Symphony in the Schools program has touched the lives of over 125,000 students since its inception in 1997. SFSO has been recognized by the Broward County Cultural Division as a “Major Cultural Institution,” one of only a handful of organizations to be so honored. For a performance schedule and season tickets, visit: https://southfloridasymphony.org - Call: (954) 522-8445. Or email: info@southfloridasymphony.org . < Previous News Next News >

Finding The Right Approach To Socializing Cats Thu Mar 09 2023 17:04:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Crema Gourmet - European Café Culture Comes To South Florida Aventura Digest December 18, 2024 Share Crema Gourmet, beloved for its exceptional coffee, all-day breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings, and welcoming atmosphere, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its 17th location at Thesis Hotel, Coral Gables, on December 4th, 2024. Located at 1340 South Dixie Highway, Suite#: 130, Coral Gables, Florida 33146, this new addition is in the heart of the vibrant Coral Gables area, home to a blend of upscale shopping, dining, and cultural landmarks. Thesis Hotel, a cornerstone of the Coral Gables community, is situated near the University of Miami campus, offering a dynamic atmosphere that complements Crema Gourmet's ethos of providing quality gourmet experiences in a comfortable, relaxed setting. Known for its commitment to enriching the community with unique dining and lifestyle offerings, Thesis Hotel is the perfect location for Crema Gourmet’s expansion into the Coral Gables market. The new Crema Gourmet at Thesis Hotel reflects the brand’s chic, industrial café-bistro vibe with white brick walls, architectural accents, and a harmonious blend of indoor and outdoor seating. This thoughtfully designed space invites guests to savor moments with friends, family, or solo, enjoying everything from Illy coffee to artisan pastries. Inspired by European café culture, Crema Gourmet’s menu offers a rich selection of all-day breakfast options, fresh juices, hearty pasta dishes, handcrafted sandwiches, salads, and more—all prepared in-house and crafted to satisfy diverse tastes. Whether young professionals looking for a serene workspace or students from nearby University of Miami stopping in for a quick coffee, Crema Gourmet at Thesis offers an elevated yet accessible culinary experience. With locations across South Florida, from Coral Gables to Boca Raton, Crema Gourmet continues to set the standard for refined café experiences in bustling urban centers. Join us at Thesis Hotel to experience the warmth and excellence that Crema Gourmet has become known for in its 17 locations. Local Locations Hallandale Beach - 701 North Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009 - (954) 239-8763 Dania Pointe - 150 North Compass Way, Dania Beach, Florida 33004 - (754) 297-5215 Las Olas - 401 East Las Boulevard, Unit#: 190, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 - (954) 530-9932 Davie - 2256 South University Drive, Davie, Florida 33324 - (954) 514-7394 Miami Beach - 3400 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33140 - (786) 630-6653 Coming Soon: Pembroke Gardens, Coconut Creek, Biscayne, Thesis, West Palm Beach, Downtown Miami. For more information about Crema Gourmet, please visit: www.cremagourmet.com - And follow us on Instagram: @crema_gourmet - And Facebook at: Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar. < Previous News Next News >

Take Part In The Arts: Usher In The New Arts Season As A Volunteer September 7, 2023 Share There's a magical excitement that fills the air as the curtains rise, the lights dim, and the stage comes to life with captivating performances. Imagine being part of this enchanting experience, not just as an observer, but as a vital participant. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is offering you a chance to usher in the new arts season as a Volunteer Usher, extending a warm welcome to patrons and guiding them to their seats. With orientations scheduled for September, now is the time to immerse yourself in the world of the performing arts and become an integral part of this cultural tapestry. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts, nestled in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, stands as a beacon of artistic brilliance. Its allure is not just limited to the stunning architecture and world-class performances it hosts, but also the community that rallies behind its mission. And at the heart of this community are the dedicated Volunteer Ushers who play a pivotal role in making each visit to the center an unforgettable experience. A Tapestry Of Ushering The Volunteer Usher corps at the Broward Center is a dynamic and diverse group of individuals who share a common love for the arts. From high school students seeking to fulfill their community service hours to retirees looking to infuse their days with purpose, and families joining hands in service, this corps is a tapestry of passion and dedication. As a Volunteer Usher, you won't just be showing patrons to their seats; you'll be weaving connections, fostering camaraderie, and expanding your horizons through the kaleidoscope of performances that grace the stage. Imagine witnessing the magic of Broadway blockbusters, reveling in the talents of regional performance companies, and being spellbound by the biggest names in music, comedy, and dance. As a Volunteer Usher, you won't just be a spectator; you'll be an essential part of the audience's journey. The joy of sharing these moments with fellow ushers and patrons alike creates bonds that extend far beyond the footlights. A Season Of Commitment The opportunity to volunteer as an Usher comes with the commitment to serve a full season at not only the Broward Center itself but also its affiliated venues. These include The Parker, the Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center at Nova Southeastern University, and the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. This commitment ensures that you become an integral part of the arts community, an embodiment of its values, and a custodian of its spirit. If the prospect of becoming a Volunteer Usher at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts resonates with you, the journey begins with a simple step. Interested applicants are Required to submit an Application before attending an orientation session. These enlightening sessions are designed to acquaint you with the center's ethos, the responsibilities of an usher, and the art of creating memorable guest experiences. Mark your calendar for the upcoming orientations to be held in the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center on Tuesday, September 12th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. and Thursday, September 28th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. And if you're aiming to usher at The Parker, a venue-specific orientation will take place on Wednesday, September 13th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. It's not just an orientation; it's an invitation to embark on a journey that will redefine your relationship with the arts. To set the wheels of your ushering journey in motion, all you need to do is access the Application through: www.BrowardCenter.org/Usher - If you have any questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out by emailing: volunteer@browardcenter.org . Or by calling: (954) 468-2684. Your path to becoming an integral part of the arts community starts here. A Symphony Of Support The Broward Center's 2023/2024 Season stands strong with the support of partners who recognize the significance of the arts in our lives. The Broward Performing Arts Foundation, AutoNation, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, Spirit, and UHealth University of Miami Health System stand as pillars behind the center's endeavors. Furthermore, the programs are made possible in part by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts, reflecting the widespread acknowledgment of the arts' transformative power. With over 700 performances annually and a reach of more than 700,000 patrons, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts isn't just a venue; it's a canvas where artistry takes flight. Enriched with cultural programming that spans genres and generations, the center isn't just a destination; it's an experience. From the inclusive Spirit Club Level to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Intermezzo Lounge, every corner speaks of luxury and care. The Huizenga Pavilion hosts events that bring the community together, while Marti's New River Bistro offers a waterfront dining experience unlike any other. And let's not forget the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center, a hub of creativity that welcomes all ages. The Broward Center's commitment to education is as profound as its dedication to entertainment. With one of the most expansive arts-in-education programs in the United States, it impacts over 130,000 students each year. Through innovative classes, workshops, and experiences, it ensures that the spark of creativity is ignited in every corner of the community. A Lasting Legacy The Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. plays a crucial role in sustaining the center's future. By receiving and managing funds, it ensures that the legacy of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts continues to shine brightly, illuminating lives for generations to come. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts beckons you not just to its grand halls, but to its heart. The call to become a Volunteer Usher isn't just an invitation; it's a chance to be part of something greater than yourself. So, whether you're a student, a retiree, or anyone in between, seize this opportunity to usher in a season of art, culture, and community. Apply, orient yourself, and let the arts guide you on a journey of a lifetime. For more information and to take the first step toward becoming a Volunteer Usher, visit: www.BrowardCenter.org - The Broward Center for the Performing Arts awaits you at 201 Southwest Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312 and is ready to welcome you into the embrace of the arts. < Previous News Next News >

ZOA Praises President Trump’s Capture Of Communist Dictator, Narco-Terrorist And Iranian/Hezbollah Ally Nicolas Maduro Jewish Connection News Jan 15, 2026 Zionist Organization Of America (ZOA) National President Morton A. Klein Released The Following Statement: Thank you, President Trump, Secretaries Rubio, Hegseth, General Caine, etc.: The ZOA strongly praises President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, General Dan Caine, and the elite U.S. troops and agencies who executed the brilliant, remarkable, bloodless capture and arrest of the dangerous, corrupt, brutal Venezuelan communist dictator, narco-terrorist, weapons runner, partner of multiple foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs), and Islamic Iranian/Hezbollah “axis of resistance” partner and Israel-hater Nicolas Maduro. Maduro and his communist predecessor also destroyed Venezuela’s previously flourishing and robust economy with their communist, socialist policies. Maduro and Chavez made life miserable for Venezuelans, impoverishing them and causing eight million people to leave Venezuela. ZOA National President Morton Klein stated: “I visited Caracas, Venezuela in 1988 and 1989, before the Communists took over. Venezuelans whom I spoke with lauded their strong economy and high quality of life. They also made it clear that there was virtually no antisemitism there, and even proclaimed that Venezuela was a better country to live in than America, for Jews and others.” However, Jew-hatred and Israel-bashing became rampant under Chavez and Maduro, making Jewish life precarious. Maduro also allegedly ordered assassinations of numerous opponents and rigged elections that he clearly lost. The remarkable U.S. operation also sends a vital message to other terror leaders, such as Ayatollah Khamenei and Cuba’s dictator, that U.S. forces have the ability to end their reign of terror. (Khamenei reportedly now has contingency plans to flee to Russia with twenty family members and associates and his vast assets.) We also very much appreciate President Trump’s proposals regarding redeveloping Venezuela’s previously robust oil industry, particularly in light of Venezuela’s oil trafficking with the Iranian terror regime, and the ability of U.S. involvement to reduce the amount and value of Iran’s oil exports. Moreover, ZOA very strongly thanks Secretary Rubio for announcing yesterday: “We are not going to have a country like Venezuela in our own hemisphere, in the sphere of control and the crossroads for Hezbollah, for Iran and for every other malign influence in the world. That’s just not gonna exist. . . . No more Iran/Hezbollah presence there.” Venezuela is a “key operational hub” for Hezbollah and Iran. Venezuela, right in our backyard, is a key hub for Hezbollah’s drug trafficking, money laundering, and illicit smuggling; propagating radical Islam; establishing Islamic terror cells throughout Latin America; radicalizing Venezuela’s large expat Lebanese community; facilitating Iranian and Hezbollah operatives’ travel and shipment of illegal items via access to Venezuela’s state-owned airline CONVIASA and Venezuelan officials’ issuance of Venezuelan passports to Hezbollah operatives; Hezbollah’s and Iran’s illegal gold-mining operations used to fund both entities; and Iranian shipments of oil (to circumvent sanctions on Iran) in return for Venezuelan gold reserves. (See “Hezbollah’s Networks in Latin America,” by Marzia Giambertoni, RAND, March 2025, and numerous sources therein.) Venezuela also hosts terrorist training camps for Hezbollah, and Iran has sold drones to Venezuela. In addition, in 2022, during one of Maduro’s multiple visits with the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, Maduro spoke about his admiration for Khamenei, and told Iran’s Press TV: “We are all part of the Axis of Resistance.” Maduro also declared: “Since [Maduro’s predecessor] Commander Hugo Chavez’s first visit in 2001, Islamic Republic of Iran and Venezuela have established exemplary political, diplomatic, moral, and spiritual ties. During this current trip, I’ve witnessed how there is an exemplary relationship between us in terms of our increasing cooperation. We’ve had many successes. So Imam Khamenei is right when he states that the relationship between the two countries is quite unique and extraordinary.” Maduro also said that deceased (IRGC Quds Force terror chief) Qassem Soleimani was “amazing,” had “immediately suggested we get help from Iranian experts” and had sent Iranian experts to Venezuela two or three days later. (See “Maduro: We are all part of the Axis of Resistance,” Press TV Iran, June 21, 2022.) The “increasing cooperation” that Maduro referenced was Maduro’s and Khamenei’s entry into a formal 20-year cooperation agreement between Iran and Venezuela during Maduro’s 2022 visit. (“Hezbollah’s Networks in Latin America,” supra.) Shortly afterwards, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a seizure warrant for an airplane transferred by an affiliate of the U.S.-designated FTO, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), to a Venezuelan cargo airline, in violation of U.S. export control laws. The Department of Justice’s superseding indictment unsealed on January 3 charges Maduro with conspiring with violent narco-terrorists from FTOs including Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (“FARC”), Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (“ELN”), the Sinaloa Cartel, the Zetas, and Tren de Aragua (“TdA”) to import huge quantities of illegal cocaine into the U.S. and to commit weapons (including machine gun) offenses, including abusively providing diplomatic passports and shipments to narco-terrorists. Specific examples detailed in the superseding indictment also include that the Venezuelan regime “worked with one of the largest drug traffickers in Venezuela, Walid Makled. Members of the Venezuelan regime helped protect Makled’s cocaine shipments . . .” Incidentally, a detailed Politico expose that detailed how the Obama Administration thwarted Law Enforcement actions against Hezbollah, noted regarding Walid Makled: “When the Obama Administration had opportunities to secure the extradition of two of the biggest players in that conspiracy, it failed to press hard enough to get them extradited to the United States, where they would face charges, [U.S. Operation Cassandra] task force officials told POLITICO. “One was Syrian-born Venezuelan businessman Walid Makled, alias the “king of kingpins,” who was arrested in Colombia in 2010 on charges of shipping 10 tons of cocaine a month to the United States. While in custody, Makled claimed to have 40 Venezuelan generals on his payroll and evidence implicating dozens of top Venezuelan officials in drug trafficking and other crimes. He pleaded to be sent to New York as a protected, cooperating witness, but Colombia — a staunch U.S. ally — extradited him to Venezuela instead. “The other, retired Venezuelan general and former chief of intelligence Hugo Carvajal, was arrested in Aruba on U.S. drug charges. Carvajal “was the main man between Venezuela and Iran, the Quds force, Hezbollah and the cocaine trafficking,” [U.S. task force supervisory agent Jack] Kelly said. “If we had gotten our hands on either of them, we could have taken down the entire [Hezbollah] network.” “Instead, Venezuela was now the primary pipeline for U.S.-bound cocaine... It had also become a strategically invaluable staging area for Hezbollah and Iran in the United States’ backyard, including camps they established to train Shiite militia.” (“The Secret Backstory of How Obama Let Hezbollah Off the Hook: An ambitious U.S. task force targeting Hezbollah’s billion-dollar criminal enterprise ran headlong into the White House’s desire for a nuclear deal with Iran.” by Josh Meyer, Politico, 2017.) NYC Muslim communist Mayor Mamdani’s despicable reaction: NYC Muslim communist Mayor Mamdani’s opposition to and criticism of Maduro’s arrest and defense of communist, Israel-hater Maduro is particularly despicable, because details in the superseding indictment against Maduro and his co-conspirators reveal that New York has been a major destination of Maduro’s and his conspirators’ illegal cocaine operations. For instance, “the drug trafficking partners [spoke] about, among other things, shipping low-quality cocaine to New York because it could not be sold in Miami.” Mamdani’s opposition to Maduro’s arrest indicates that Mamdani has no concern for the safety and well-being of New York’s victims of Maduro’s drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. Venezuela’s Future Leadership: ZOA is, however, concerned about President Trump’s statement that a leader of Venezuela’s opposition and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Maria Corina Machado is “weak” and “doesn’t have the support and respect” within Venezuela to lead Venezuela; and reliance instead on Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez (for the time being, as long as she does the right thing). Rodriguez shamefully stated yesterday that the U.S. operation to arrest Maduro had, “without a doubt, a Zionist tint,” and that “the extremists who have promoted armed aggression against our country — history and justice will make them pay.” By contrast, Machado is a strong supporter of President Trump, the U.S., and our ally Israel. Machado recently stated: “I am absolutely grateful to President Donald Trump for every gesture, every signal and every moment that he has stood with the Venezuelan people.” Edmundo Gonzalez, the candidate backed by Machado, received 70% of the vote of the Venezuelan public in the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election. Machado, moreover, condemned Hezbollah’s and Iran’s penetration of Venezuela, called for restoring relations with Israel, and stated that “Venezuela will be Israel’s closest ally in Latin America.” In sum, the capture, arrest, and expected conviction of Maduro – and plans to eliminate Hezbollah’s and Iran’s presence in Venezuela – is a vital step for making the U.S., the Western Hemisphere, and the entire world safer. Thank you, President Trump, for your extraordinary strength, courage and wisdom. Your action has not only benefited Venezuela and America, but also the entire world. You are a true visionary and ultimate peacemaker. AI generated image Previous Next

One Nation: Under Greed By John W. Whitehead & Nisha Whitehead July 1, 2021 Share “By the time you factor in the financial blowback from the COVID-19 Pandemic with its politicized mandates, lockdowns and payouts, it becomes quickly apparent that we are now ruled by a government consumed with squeezing every last penny out of the population and seemingly unconcerned, if essential freedoms, are trampled on, in the process.“ John W. Whitehead “When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men in a society, over the course of time they create for themselves a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it." Frédéric Bastiat, French Economist. If there is an absolute maxim by which the American government seems to operate, it is that the taxpayer always gets ripped off. Not only are Americans forced to “spend more on state, municipal and federal taxes, than the annual financial burdens of food, clothing, and housing combined,” but we’re also being played as easy marks by hustlers, bearing the imprimatur of the government. With every new tax, fine, fee and law adopted by our so-called representatives, the yoke around the neck of the average American seems to tighten just a little bit more. Everywhere you go, everything you do and every which way you look, we’re getting swindled, cheated, conned, robbed, raided, pickpocketed, mugged, deceived, defrauded, double-crossed and fleeced by governmental and corporate shareholders of the American police state out to make a profit at taxpayer expense. The overt and costly signs of the despotism exercised by the increasingly authoritarian regime that passes itself off as the United States government are all around us: warrantless surveillance of Americans’ private phone and email conversations by the FBI, NSA, etc.; SWAT team raids of Americans’ homes; shootings of unarmed citizens by police; harsh punishments meted out to schoolchildren in the name of zero tolerance; drones taking to the skies domestically; endless wars; out-of-control spending; militarized police; roadside strip searches; privatized prisons with a profit incentive for jailing Americans; fusion centers that collect and disseminate data on Americans’ private transactions; and militarized agencies with stockpiles of ammunition, to name some of the most appalling. Meanwhile, the three branches of government (Executive, Legislative and Judicial) and the agencies under their command—Defense, Commerce, Education, Homeland Security, Justice, Treasury, etc. — have switched their allegiance to the Corporate State with its unassailable pursuit of profit at all costs and by any means possible. By the time you factor in the financial blowback from the COVID-19 Pandemic with its politicized mandates, lockdowns and payouts, it becomes quickly apparent that we are now ruled by a government consumed with squeezing every last penny out of the population and seemingly unconcerned, even, if essential freedoms are trampled in the process. As with most things, if you want to know the real motives behind any government program, follow the money trail. When you dig down far enough, you quickly find that those who profit from Americans being surveilled, fined, scanned, searched, probed, tasered, arrested and imprisoned are none other than the police who arrest them, the courts which try them, the prisons which incarcerate them, the corporations, which manufacture the weapons, equipment and prisons used by the American police state. Examples of this legalized, profits - over - people, government - sanctioned extortion abound. On the roads: Not satisfied with merely padding their budgets by issuing speeding tickets, police departments have turned to asset forfeiture and red light camera schemes as a means of growing their profits. Despite revelations of corruption, collusion and fraud, these money-making scams have been being inflicted on unsuspecting drivers by revenue-hungry municipalities. Now legislators are hoping to get in on the profit sharing by imposing a vehicle miles-traveled tax, which would charge drivers for each mile behind the wheel. In the prisons: States now have quotas to meet for how many Americans go to jail. Increasing numbers of states have contracted to keep their prisons at 90% to 100% capacity. This profit-driven form of mass punishment has, in turn, given rise to a $70 billion private prison industry that relies on the complicity of state governments to keep the money flowing and their privately run prisons full, “regardless of whether crime was rising or falling.” As Mother Jones reports, “private prison companies have supported and helped write … laws that drive up prison populations. Their livelihoods depend on towns, cities and states sending more people to prison and keeping them there.” Private prisons are also doling out harsher punishments for infractions by inmates in order to keep them locked up longer in order to “boost profits” at the taxpayer's expense. All the while, prisoners are being forced to provide cheap labor for private corporations. No wonder the United States has the largest prison population in the world. In the schools: The security industrial complex with its tracking, spying and identification devices has set its sights on the schools as “a vast, rich market”— a $20 billion market, no less—just waiting to be conquered. In fact, the public schools have become a microcosm of the total surveillance state which currently dominates America, adopting a host of surveillance technologies, including video cameras, finger and palm scanners, iris scanners, as well as RFID and GPS tracking devices, to keep constant watch over their student bodies. Likewise, the military industrial complex with its military weapons, metal detectors and weapons of compliance, such as tasers have succeeded in transforming the schools — at great taxpayer expenses and personal profit — into quasi-prisons. Rounding things out are school truancy laws, which come disguised as well-meaning attempts to resolve attendance issues in the schools, but, in truth are nothing less than stealth maneuvers aimed at enriching school districts and court systems alike, through excessive fines and jail sentences for “unauthorized” absences. Curiously, none of these efforts seem to have succeeded in making the schools any safer. In the endless wars abroad: Fueled by the profit-driven military industrial complex, the government’s endless wars are wreaking havoc on our communities, our budget and our police forces. Having been co-opted by greedy defense contractors, corrupt politicians and incompetent government officials, America’s expanding military empire is bleeding the country dry at a rate of more than $32 million per hour. Future wars and military exercises waged around the globe are expected to push the total bill upwards of $12 trillion by 2053. Talk about fiscally irresponsible: the U.S. government is spending money it doesn’t have on a military empire that it can’t afford and the spending on War, is bankrupting America. In the form of militarized police: The Department of Homeland Security routinely hands out six-figure grants to enable local municipalities to purchase military-style vehicles, as well as a veritable war chest of weaponry, ranging from tactical vests, bomb-disarming robots, assault weapons and combat uniforms. This rise in military equipment purchases funded by the DHS has, according to analysts Andrew Becker and G.W. Schulz, “paralleled an apparent increase in local SWAT teams.” The end result? An explosive growth in the use of SWAT teams for otherwise routine police matters, an increased tendency on the part of police to shoot first and ask questions later, an overall mindset within police forces that they are at war — and the citizenry, are the enemy combatants. Over 80,000 SWAT team raids are conducted on American homes and businesses each year. Moreover, government-funded military-style training drills, that continue to take place in cities across the country. In profit-driven schemes such as asset forfeiture: Under the guise of fighting the war on drugs, government agents (usually the police), have been given broad leeway to seize billions of dollars’ worth of private property (money, cars, TVs, etc.) they “suspect” may be connected to criminal activity. Here’s the kicker - whether or not any crime is actually proven to have taken place, the government keeps the citizen’s property, often divvying it up with the local police who did the initial seizure. The police are actually being trained in seminars on how to seize the “goodies” that are on police departments’ wish lists. According to the New York Times, seized monies have been used by police to “pay for sports tickets, office parties, a home security system and a $90,000 sports car.” Among government contractors: We have been saddled with a government that is outsourcing much of its work to high-paid contractors at great expense to the taxpayer and with no competition, little transparency and dubious savings. According to the Washington Post, “By some estimates, there are twice as many people doing government work under contract than there are government workers.” These open-ended contracts, worth hundreds of millions of dollars, “now account for anywhere between one quarter and one half of all federal service contracting.” Moreover, any attempt to reform the system, is “bitterly opposed by federal employee unions, who take it as their mission to prevent good employees from being rewarded and bad employees from being fired.” By the security industrial complex: We’re being spied on by a domestic army of government snitches, spies and techno-warriors. In the so-called name of “pre-crime,” this government of Peeping Toms, is watching everything we do, reading everything we write, listening to everything we say and monitoring, everything we spend. Beware of what you say, what you read, what you write, where you go who you communicate with, because it is all being recorded, stored, catalogued and will be used against you eventually, at a time and place of the government’s choosing. This far-reaching surveillance, carried out with the complicity of the Corporate State, has paved the way for an omnipresent, militarized fourth branch of government—the Surveillance State—that came into being without any electoral mandate or constitutional referendum. That doesn’t even touch on the government’s bold forays into biometric surveillance as a means of identifying and tracking the American people from birth to death. By a government addicted to power: It’s a given that you can always count on the government to take advantage of a crisis, legitimate or manufactured. Emboldened by the citizenry’s inattention and willingness to tolerate its abuses, the government has weaponized one national crisis after another, in order to expand its powers. The war on terror, the war on drugs, the war on illegal immigration, asset forfeiture schemes, road safety schemes, school safety schemes, eminent domain: all of these programs started out as legitimate responses to pressing concerns and have since become weapons of compliance and control in the police state’s hands. Now that the government has gotten a taste for flexing its police state powers, by way of a bevy of COVID-19 lockdowns, mandates, restrictions, contact tracing programs, heightened surveillance, censorship, over-criminalization, etc., “we the people” may well find ourselves burdened with a Nanny State, inclined to use its draconian pandemic powers, to protect us from ourselves. These injustices, petty tyrannies and overt acts of hostility, are being carried out in the name of the national good - against the interests of individuals, society and ultimately, our freedoms - by an elite class of government officials working in partnership with mega corporations that are largely insulated, from the ill effects of their actions. This perverse mixture of government authoritarianism and corporate profits has increased the reach of the state into our private lives while also adding a profit motive into the mix and, as always, it’s we the people, we the taxpayers, we the gullible voters, who keep getting taken for a ride by politicians eager to promise us the world, on a plate. This is a far cry from how a representative government is supposed to operate. Indeed, it has been a long time since we could claim to be the masters of our own lives. Rather, we are now the subjects of a militarized, corporate empire in which the vast majority of the citizenry work their hands to the bone for the benefit of a privileged few. Adding injury to the ongoing insult of having our tax dollars misused and our so-called representatives bought and paid for by the moneyed elite, the government then turns around and uses the money we earn with our blood, sweat and tears to target, imprison and entrap us, in the form of militarized police, surveillance cameras, private prisons, license plate readers, drones and phone tracking, technology. All of those nefarious deeds by government officials that you hear about every day: those are your tax dollars at work. It’s your money that allows for government agents to spy on your emails, your phone calls, your text messages and your movements. It’s your money that allows out-of-control police officers to burst into innocent people’s homes, or probe and strip search motorists on the side of the road. And it’s your money that leads to Americans across the country being prosecuted for innocuous activities such as growing vegetable gardens in their front yards or daring to speak their truth to their elected officials. Just remember the next time you see a news story that makes your blood boil, whether it’s a police officer arresting someone for filming them in public, or a child being kicked out of school for attending a virtual class while playing with a toy gun, remember that it is your tax dollars that are paying for these injustices. There was a time in our history when our forebears said “enough is enough” and stopped paying their taxes to what they considered an illegitimate government. They stood their ground and refused to support a system that was slowly choking out any attempts at self-governance and which refused to be held accountable, for its crimes against the people. Their resistance sowed the seeds for the revolution that would follow. Unfortunately, in the 200-plus years since we established our own government, we’ve let bankers, turncoats and number-crunching bureaucrats muddy the waters and pilfer the accounts to such an extent that we’re back where we started. Once again, we’ve got a despotic regime with an imperial ruler, doing as they please. Once again, we’ve got a judicial system insisting we have no rights under a government which demands that the people march in lockstep, by what and how, it's dictated. And once again, we’ve got to decide whether we’ll keep marching or break stride and make a turn toward freedom. But what if we didn’t just pull out our pocketbooks and pony up to the federal government’s outrageous demands for more money? What if we didn’t just dutifully line up to drop our hard-earned dollars into the collection bucket, no questions asked about how, it will be spent? What if, instead of quietly sending in our checks, hoping vainly for some meager return, we did a little calculating of our own and started deducting from our taxes those programs that we refuse to support? As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People, if the government and its emissaries can just take from you what they want, when they want and then use it however they want, you can’t claim to be anything more than a serf, in a land, that they think, of as theirs. This is not freedom, America. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an attorney and author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of constitutional law, & pop 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 >

500 FREE Microchips Available: Should Your Pet Become Lost, This Could Be The Difference June 30, 2022 Share July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month, and the Humane Society of Broward County will be offering 500 FREE microchips for pet owners. The chips are available in the shelter’s vaccine clinic at 2070 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale. The clinic is open Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. no appointment necessary (it is closed daily from 11:40 – 1:00 p.m.) Thanks to technology, a microchip is the size of a grain of rice and administered under the skin between a pet’s shoulder blades. When a chip is properly registered it contains the owner’s contact information. Should your pet become lost and taken to a vet’s office or shelter, a scanner is used to see if the animal has a chip and then the owner can be contacted. It is important to understand that a microchip is not a tracking device. It is also imperative that if you move or change your phone number, that you update the contact information with the microchip company. Microchipped pets are reunited with their owners frequently. In April 2019, a 2.5 year old German Shepherd named Cedar was reunited with her Southwest Ranches family after being stolen from her home at the age of four months. Found injured in a ditch by law enforcement in Colorado, Cedar was taken to a vet office where a registered chip was located by the scanner. She was flown home after she recovered. Should your pet become lost, a microchip could mean the difference between being reunited quickly or waiting for days, weeks or months in a shelter, rescue or someone’s home hoping you will find your lost pet. According to the AVMA – American Veterinary Medical Association’s website, “A study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters showed that dogs without microchips were returned to their owners 21.9% of the time, whereas microchipped dogs were returned to their owners 52.2% of the time. Cats without microchips were reunited with their owners only 1.8% of the time, whereas microchipped cats went back home 38.5% of the time. (Lord et al, JAVMA, July 15, 2009)” For microchipped animals that weren't returned to their owners, most of the time it was due to incorrect owner information (or no owner information) in the microchip registry database – so don't forget to register and keep your information updated. Microchipping is crucial to your pet’s well-being. In addition, a collar and ID tag are a visible sign of identification and should be kept on your pet at all times. That way, if your dog or cat wanders from home and is found, you can be reunited quickly. The Humane Society of Broward County is a private, non-profit organization that is not affiliated with any national or local group with a similar name. The shelter’s programs and services are made possible by the generosity of those that want to make a difference for animals and people. To learn more, view pets waiting to meet you, or to make a donation visit www.humanebroward.com or call 954-989-3977 ext. 6. Calling all BIG Dog Lovers Linda wants to go home with you. At 113 pounds, Linda is the largest dog at the Humane Society of Broward County and might be part Saint Bernard. Her previous owner moved and could not take her along and Linda is definitely missing them. She is anxious when she goes outside as if she is looking for her former family. Linda will need a patient new family who will give her time to adjust and settle in. This five-year-old beauty is described as a big gentle giant, who needs durable toys and a proper walking harness. She doesn’t know her own strength and does pull a bit when she goes for walks. Linda loves the coolness of a cold tile floor and will do best in a home with older kids. Do you have room in your heart and home for her? Little Cinderella (ID 656478) is just 12 weeks old and looking for a family to make her fairytale ending complete. This sweet little one is just one of more than three dozen kittens available for adoption at the shelter. This time of years adoption centers all over the country are inundated with kittens, so if you’ve thought about adopting now is the perfect opportunity. To meet a pet at the Humane Society of Broward County please fill out a pre-adoption application at www.humanebroward.com (unless you have in the past) and stop by. The shelter is located at 2070 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale and opens daily at 11 AM. If you have any questions call 954-989-3977 ext. 6. All pets are spayed or neutered before going home, receive a microchip and preliminary vaccinations, a bag of Purina ONE pet food, 14 days of limited health care from VCA Animal Hospitals, cats are tested for feline leukemia and dogs 7 months and older are tested for heartworm. < Previous News Next News >

Unveiling "The Teller": A Journey Into Styx The Company's Immersive Experience Wed May 15 2024 16:15:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Artists In Residence Class: Bailey Contemporary Arts Center Initiative Features Outstanding Community Programs August 23, 2024 Share Pompano Beach Arts is excited to announce the new Artists In Residence (AIR) Class at Bailey Contemporary Arts Center (BaCA). This dynamic initiative offers a unique opportunity for creative exploration, collaboration, and growth within South Florida's vibrant arts community. Each season, new artists are selected through a competitive process. This year's class features artists with an expansive array of creative techniques and influences. During this semester, the artists will be showcased through dedicated exhibitions and major events including Jazz Fest Pompano Beach 2025, while also interacting with the community through art workshops. "We are honored to welcome such a remarkably talented and diverse group of artists," said Ty Tabing, Director of the Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs Department, operating as Pompano Beach Arts."BaCA has become an extraordinary incubator for our AIR’s, providing dedicated studio space to expand creativity, while also empowering entrepreneurial growth through marketing and business classes. We are also very proud of the array of opportunities we have been able to provide to our artists including participation at Jazz Fest, creating signature murals for the City, and introducing them to grant opportunities." THE 2024/2025 Artists In Residence Alyssa Book Alyssa Book is a Cuban American Fiber Artist who uses Rug Tufting Techniques to create one-of-a-kind, tactile works of art. Based in South Florida, Book's vibrant style uses bold lines and bright colors to evoke a sense of childlike wonder. After a challenging experience with Postpartum Depression, Book turned to her craft as a source of solace and healing. Inspired by the Woodstock Era and the inherent restorative power of color, she creates yarn art that sparks joy and inner peace. Her works have been exhibited at galleries throughout South Florida's Tri-County Area. Angelica Clyman Broward County's dramatic transformation serves as a wellspring of inspiration for Artist Angelica Clyman. Growing up amidst these changes, her artistic focus centers on forgotten spaces and their bygone eras, utilizing a variety of mediums to explore the life cycles of these ordinary places. Her creative process involves visiting abandoned sites and collecting remnants, which she transforms into paintings, sculptures, and prints. These artworks act as narratives, preserving memories and giving voices to the past. Clyman's artistic journey is marked by solo exhibitions and featured works in the Miami Children's Museum permanent collection. An alumna of New World School of the Arts and Florida International University, she currently shares her artistic knowledge as a Studio Art Instructor at Broward College and serves as the Director of the Rosemary Duffy Larson Gallery. Constance Ivana With a lifelong passion for art and a mission to expand artistic access, Constance Ivana uses her creative voice to tackle issues of Social Justice and Black History, primarily through vibrant works in Spray Paint and Acrylics. Currently an Artist-In-Residence at History Fort Lauderdale, her pieces are often imbued with messages of hope and encouragement. A retired Broward County Educator with 21 years of teaching experience, she transitioned to HR Recruiting. Constance is a regular volunteer with the City of Fort Lauderdale and has fostered collaborations with a wide range of organizations, including the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Art Prevails, Art 13, Art n Soul, Heal the Planet, numerous schools, independent artists, and various nonprofits. Beyond selling her artwork, Constance actively engages the community by hosting painting parties and workshops and creating impactful murals. Florencia Clement de Grandprey Florencia Clement de Grandprey is a Self-Taught Mixed-Media Figurative Artist. Originally from Spain, her mission is to empower and inspire through positive and meaningful artwork. Painting full-time since 2014, she initially used canvas, incorporating discontinued fabric and paper samples to create backgrounds and "dress" her subjects. Eventually, discovering she could paint directly on upholstery fabric and area rugs, she fell in love with this new medium. Through her artwork, she celebrates our uniqueness and imperfections, highlighting our strengths and beauty. Lauren Georgia Lauren Georgia is a Digital Artist and Educator who creates immersive installations that blend reflective surfaces, light, and shadows into unique experiences. These environments focus on transformation, offering participants opportunities to confront their own reflections and perceptions of identity and self. Balancing deeper questions with a playful approach, Georgia incorporates bright colors and patterns into her work and has exhibited in both group and solo shows throughout Florida. Raised in Pompano Beach, Florida, Georgia graduated from the University of Florida with Bachelor of Fine Arts Degrees in Art Education and Digital Media. As an educator, she most recently taught Digital Art and Design Portfolio Development at Dillard High School. Mark Viau Mark Viau is a Multimedia Artist with a strong foundation in Classical Fine Art Techniques. His creations are known for their rich layers of color and captivating depth. He invites viewers into a world brimming with life, where traditional methods meet contemporary innovation. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Viau attended Wayne State University on a Fine Arts Scholarship. The COVID-19 Pandemic rekindled his passion for Art, inspiring him to channel his experiences into a vibrant and expressive body of work. As the father of triplets, Mark's life journey has been both dynamic and enriched by the joys of parenthood. ALIGUORI Nino Liguori has always enjoyed telling stories through his paintings, which are visual parables and allegories. His work alludes to Art History, Design, Innovation, and humanity itself, intertwining fable and fact, imagination and Realism. As an Art Educator, he has worked with diverse socio-economic and racial groups in Broward County and was a finalist twice for Visual Arts Educator of the Year. Liguori advanced his painting studies by obtaining a Master's Degree in Europe and Asia. He studied at The Academie de Beaux Arts in Paris, collaborated with art collectives in Rome, and learned brush and breathing techniques in East Asia. His artwork has been featured in New York Magazine and Hi-Fructose Magazine. Honoring both his Italian heritage and the storytelling nature of his work, he signs his paintings "ALIGUORI." Symphonii Smith-Kennedy Symphonii Smith-Kennedy fostered her artistic exploration in painting and self-discovery during her education at New World School of the Arts and through her art studio with Zero Empty Spaces. She utilizes art to explore her identity as a Black Queer Woman in today's world, drawing on her experiences, imagination, and fascination with fantasy to influence her work. Primarily an Oil Painter, she also uses other mediums to create sequential narratives influenced by Afro-Centric Culture and Fantasy. While painting is her main focus, Smith-Kennedy's aspirations bridge the gap between Fine Art, illustration, and entrepreneurship. To learn more about the artists and their upcoming event and class schedule please visit: https://www.pompanobeacharts.org/bailey/artists-in-residence The City of Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs The mission of the Cultural Affairs Department, operating as Pompano Beach Arts, is to provide cultural programming that includes Visual Arts, Digital Media, Music, Film, Theater, Dance, and Public Art for the enjoyment and enrichment of residents and visitors to Pompano Beach, Broward County, and the Greater South Florida Area. The department programs and manages the City's Premiere Cultural Arts Venues, including the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, Ali Cultural Arts Center, Bailey Contemporary Arts Center, and the Blanche Ely House Museum. The department also oversees the City's Public Art Program and the Artists In Residence (AIR) Initiative. < Previous News Next News >