A New Way to Seafood (Family Features) March 10, 2022 Share Whether you're celebrating a weekend meal with loved ones or simply looking for a way to bring your family to the table at the same time, seafood night can make dinnertime a special treat. Next time you plan to make fish the focus of your menu, it's possible you'll be enjoying the benefits of aquaculture, also known as seafood farming. Fast becoming a leading source of seafood worldwide, aquaculture is similar to typical agriculture but with fish, shellfish and seaweeds. Farmed seafood can be raised and harvested in either fresh or seawater, where natural conditions are recreated. Today, half of all seafood Americans eat annually is farm raised and the appetite is only growing. There are many reasons for this, but one is due to overfishing and destructive practices. About 33% of wild fish stocks have reached their biological limit and aquaculture helps meet the increasing demand for seafood. However, not all seafood you find in the grocery aisles is the same. Despite industry advances, aquaculture still faces challenges with fraud, mislabeling and questionable conditions. That's why it's important to look for responsible seafood products that are labeled by a trusted certification process. For example, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council is a non-profit certification program that has created and enforced the world's strictest and highest standards for seafood farming since 2010. Today, it is transforming the seafood industry with a new level of certification for farmed seafood. This "new way to seafood" includes: • Seafood that can be traced all the way from the farm to the store, ensuring the seafood you buy is what it claims to be • The strictest combination of requirements to protect the environment, workers and communities on the farms where seafood is raised • Improving farmed seafood quality and safety, so you can enjoy the flavor of recipes like One-Pan Japanese Salmon with Sweet Potato, Salmon and Shrimp Coconut Curry and Royal Salmon with Romesco Sauce and Aioli To find more info about the certification process, visit www.NewWaytoSeafood.com Royal Salmon with Romesco Sauce and Aioli Recipe courtesy of MOWI on behalf of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council Servings: 2 • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided • 2 Atlantic Salmon MOWI Royal portions • salt, to taste • pepper, to taste • 1 red pepper, cut into long strips • 2 cups small potatoes, cooked and cut in half • 1 teaspoon paprika • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1/2 cup garden peas • 1 tablespoon chopped tarragon Romesco Sauce: • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 2 cloves garlic, smashed • 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted • 1/4 cup hazelnuts • 1 slice white bread, crust removed • 1 large roasted red pepper • 1/4 cup tomato puree • 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar • salt and black pepper Aioli Sauce: • 1 cup mayonnaise • 1-2 cloves garlic, crushed • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 1 lemon, zest and juice • salt • white pepper • lemon wedges, for garnish Preheat oven to 400 F. Place large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 table≠spoon olive oil. Season salmon portions with salt and pepper, to taste, and place skin sides down in pan. Cook 2-3 minutes until skin is crispy. Place on sheet pan, skin sides up, and bake 6-7 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest. In same skillet, add remaining olive oil then add peppers and potatoes. Cook 6-7 minutes until peppers soften and potatoes start to caramelize. Add paprika, cayenne and peas; stir and cook 2 minutes. Add tarragon. To make romesco sauce: In clean pan, heat olive oil and gently fry garlic, nuts and bread until toasted. In blender, process red pepper, tomato puree and vinegar until smooth. Add toasted nuts and bread; process to desired consistency. To make aioli: In bowl, whisk mayonnaise, garlic, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper. Place several spoonfuls of aioli on plate. Top with potatoes, peppers and salmon, skin side up. Top with romesco sauce. Salmon and Shrimp Coconut Curry Recipe courtesy of MOWI on behalf of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council Servings: 2 • 2 pieces of MOWI Pure portions salmon • 1 cup wild rice • 1 tablespoon coconut oil • 1 clove garlic, sliced • 1/4 cup red onion, diced • 1 cup pumpkin or butternut squash, diced • 1 tablespoon lemongrass, finely chopped • 1 1/2 tablespoons red curry paste • 1/2 cup coconut milk • 1 tablespoon fish sauce • 1/4 cup tomatoes • 4 shrimp • 1 lime, quartered • 2-3 cilantro leaves, for garnish Cut salmon into 1/2-inch cubes. Cook rice according to package instructions. In large skillet, heat coconut oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic, onion and pumpkin or squash; saute 5 minutes, or until onions are translucent. Mix in lemongrass and curry paste. Cook 2-3 minutes, or until fragrant. Add coconut milk, fish sauce and tomatoes; mix thoroughly. Add shrimp and salmon; cook until done. Serve with rice and lime quarters. Sprinkle with cilantro. One-Pan Japanese Salmon with Sweet Potato Servings: 2 Marinade: • 1 tablespoon sesame oil • 1/4 cup tamarind sauce • 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds • 1 tablespoon honey • 1 sweet potato, cut into rounds • 2 tablespoons coconut oil, divided • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds • sea salt • 8 spears broccolini • 2 salmon fillets (4 ounces each) • brown rice, for serving Preheat oven to 400 F. Line tray with baking paper. To make marinade: In bowl, whisk sesame oil, tamarind sauce, Dijon mustard, sesame seeds and honey until combined. Place sweet potato on baking tray and drizzle with 1 tablespoon coconut oil. Toss to coat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sea salt. Roast 25 minutes. Remove tray from oven and add broccolini. Drizzle with remaining coconut oil and sea salt. Place salmon fillets in middle of tray and drizzle with marinade. Bake 12-15 minutes, or until cooked to desired doneness. Serve with brown rice. < Previous News Next News >

From Accessories To Assets - Progressive e-Tailer Redefining Value In Gold Jewelry By Merilee Kern, MBA Jul 30, 2025 In Today’s Hugely Saturated And Competitive Jewelry Marketplace, Distinguishing Jewelry Retailers Can Be A Challenge For Consumers. From Lack Of Brand Differentiation, Compromised Product Transparency, Value Price Wars, Overlapping Product Offerings And Inconsistent Quality Assurance To Overwhelming Digital Noise And Lack Of Personal Brand Connections, Many Companies In The Space Struggle To Stand Out. One company taking the uber-competitive jewelry retail industry by storm is Sonalore, which has carved out a distinctive identity through a combination of brand discriminators. These include extreme pricing value without the industry standard artificially inflated markups; transparency in their product offerings; exclusive designs crafted by global artisans; ethically and responsibly sourced precious stones and fair wages for its workers; virtual try-ons; compelling brand storytelling; and a superior customer experience. While this mix of USPs is a powerful elixir resonating in the marketplace, perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of Sonalore’s approach is that it sells its 18-karat gold jewelry from the perspective of it being a sound investment—not an expense—that enduringly holds its value. This amid the company’s robust “lifetime buyback guarantee” program based on the fair current price valuation of gold that, incidentally, has the potential to increase beyond the purchase price of the item. Gold is, in fact, a heralded investment commodity amid its historically proven performance in various economic environments. Among other drivers, gold investments are known for global demand and liquidity, serving as a tangible asset with no counterparty risk and offering a safe haven during economic turmoil. Below is a conversation with Sonalore Co-Founders Nidhi Singhvi, who serves as CEO, and Navya Reddy detailing why the brand’s approach best serves today’s mindful and intentional breed of consumers and investors as well as the modern jewelry retail marketplace at large. Q: First, how would you describe and explain the Sonalore brand to those unfamiliar? NS: Sonalore is an AI-powered unified platform for buying and selling fine jewelry, providing upfront, transparent material and crafting cost breakdowns with one click transactability. This is similar to how Carvana revolutionized car sales by offering clear pricing, or how Zillow brought transparency with "Zestimate." Buyers can also confidently purchase jewelry at transparent prices with assurance of a lifetime buyback guarantee. Beyond providing gorgeous jewelry at affordable prices without ridiculous markups the industry is plagued by, we position gold jewelry as the investment that it is. Customers can sell their items back to the company as easily as they bought it, getting instant and fair buyback valuations higher than comps based on the current market price of gold. Our seamless logistics are also appealing since it helps customers easily refresh their collections anytime. Q: Your company is built on a model of affordability. What is this founded on? NR: Yes, the $60 Billion unbranded jewelry market is founded on insane markups, often 3 to five times, and are disconnected from the metal content. In fact, most jewelry companies are operating on 65%+ gross margins, so they are not selling gold to you but rather are selling undifferentiated products with absurdly inflated pricing. Our customers also lament that they have jewelry lying around that they don’t wear anymore and still have to spend yet more to get new jewelry to enhance and modernize their collections in line with changing personal preferences and trends. We also foster loyalty and trust with our customers by provisioning our pieces with a Certificate of Authenticity akin to other investments. In all, we endeavor to change the fine jewelry market with a unique value proposition of great pricing combined with will utmost product detail transparency—one removing information asymmetry in the jewelry market to foster deep consumer loyalty. This we combine with social responsibility and conscious consumerism via ethically-sourced and made items as well as sustainability via free upgrades and the flexibility to sell back our wares at any time. Q: What are the main challenges and pain points consumers face when trying to sell their jewelry? NS: The jewelry re-sell market's value is $30-40 Billion, so consumers clearly have this need and desire. But, re-monetizing their jewelry can be a headache via person-to-person attempts or at pawn shops—this noting that our own survey showed fully 90% of people have considered selling their jewelry, but would not feel comfortable walking into a store to do so. Other resale pain points include opaque pricing, where customers receive only 20-60% of the value, and a laborious process involving 2-4 evaluations with a 1-4 week lead time for estimates. Additionally, there is uncertainty around the sale, as many venues are unwilling to hold inventory. The overall anti-luxury experience actively discourages casual sellers from engaging in the process. Our AI powered “SonaQuote” buyback tool is quick and transparent. It gives consumers the ability to track the value of their virtual “jewelry box” over both time and market movements as well as a one-click sell process whenever the consumer wants. Q: How have consumer perceptions of gold as an asset evolved in recent years, and how does your product model appeal to changing attitudes? NR: People are increasingly knowledgeable about gold, especially across the U.S., and positioning our products to be “worn then reborn” with a “buy-enjoy-sell back-repeat model” is resonating with customers. Jewelry is largely seen as an investment in rest of the world like, in Asia, jewelry is regarded as an asset and bought and sold like one and maintains over 70% resale value as compared to less than 30% in the U.S. Generally, those closely following price action and are aware that gold is currently around $2,700 per ounce. The number one sentiment we hear is, ‘gold has been crazy this year, and with all the world's uncertainty, it's only going up.’ Many customers also mention how gold prices have significantly increased. While just a few years ago gold was more affordable, now the rising prices make it feel like a more serious investment. Family dynamics also play a big role in gold's appeal, with many regarding it as a cherished heirloom gift from parents with intrinsic fiscal value. Q: Can you describe your background and how it relates to having established yourself in the jewelry industry? NS: Navya and I grew up in Asia where jewelry is considered investment. It has been a source of immense self-respect and power for women in a society where women didn’t have ownership of other assets and didn’t have an income. Jewelry was something that was a woman’s own treasure chest and, when need be, her own war chest. There are numerous stories in India where women moved their entire families forward using jewelry to fund dreams. Navya have similar stories too—when there was a need to further our experiences, our moms went against other family members' wishes and “made things happen” realizing the true worth of their jewelry caches. Navya and I want to bring the same power to jewelry in America. Women in the U.S. are spending billions on jewelry, but are not accumulating any intentional wealth with it. We want to turn our customers into gold investors, and help them pass on this wealth to whomever they want. Sonalore helps women in America do just that and, in doing so, we are truly revolutionizing the jewelry experience. Our products are both a pleasure to wear and smart to own. Q: OK, let’s talk specifically about the gold commodity landscape specifically a bit. Why is gold a smart investment today, even with inflation and cooling prices? NR: In short, macro uncertainty. The ongoing geopolitical tensions, including two major wars and trade uncertainties, make gold an attractive safe-haven asset, providing stability in investment portfolios during economic challenges. Its historical performance, such as during the 2008 financial crisis, underscores its resilience as a store of value. At Sonalore, 60% of our customers have expressed interest in gold as an investment, reflecting its strong appeal in today’s macroeconomic climate. Additionally, major central banks are diversifying away from the US dollar, adding near-record amounts of gold to their reserves in 2023—a trend that signals long-term structural support for gold prices. Gold also offers significant portfolio diversification benefits, particularly for millennials, who now outpace baby boomers and Gen X-ers as the largest group of gold investors. With consistently low or negative correlation to other asset classes, gold remains an ideal tool for reducing portfolio risk. Q: What economic indicators suggest physical gold will remain a strategic investment in 2025? NS: Potential rate cuts in 2025 are expected to lower real yields, enhancing gold’s attractiveness as an investment since it doesn’t bear interest. Additionally, the anticipated “pivot” in monetary policy could further drive institutional investors toward gold, viewing it as a reliable hedge against potential currency devaluation. Q: What do you recommend as the allocation strategy for physical gold? NR: The optimal strategy depends on the investor's goals. For new investors, it’s recommended to focus primarily on coins, allocating roughly 80% of their investment to them. Coins are easier to sell in smaller quantities, providing greater flexibility for partial liquidation, which is ideal for testing the market. For larger investments, a balanced approach with a mix of bars and coins—typically a 60/40 split—is more suitable. Bars serve as long-term core holdings, while coins offer the flexibility needed for quick liquidity. Q: What would you say are common misconceptions about physical gold investments? NS: One common misconception about investing in gold is that it is hard to sell. While selling gold may not be as instant as selling stocks, both online and offline platforms offer reliable liquidity options. At Sonalore, we provide unique liquidity for gold jewelry at prevailing gold prices, making it easier for investors to access their investment. Another misconception is that you need a lot of money to start investing in gold. In reality, gold investment can begin with small denominations, such as coins. Additionally, Sonalore allows customers to invest in gold while buying jewelry, such as purchasing 18K gold hoops and watching their value fluctuate with the market. Q: How would you say investors should think about liquidity in physical gold? NR: The gold market is highly liquid, fueled by strong institutional and retail demand, with multiple sales channels available both online and offline. Coins offer the quickest liquidity, making them easier to sell to government mints or private buyers. Proper documentation is essential to ensure smooth transactions, and investors should stay informed about market fluctuations to make well-timed decisions. By staying aware of the market, investors can make informed choices that maximize the value of their gold investments. By positioning gold jewelry as a valuable asset that can be worn and sold back, Sonalore aligns with the growing interest in gold as a hedge against economic uncertainty and as a means of wealth accumulation. Also with a deep understanding of consumer pain points, such as opaque pricing and laborious resale processes, the company’s innovative model streamlines the jewelry investment experience, fostering customer trust and loyalty. In all, Sonalore is redefining the jewelry industry by offering a transparent, customer-centric approach that focuses on both affordability and investment potential. The company’s commitment to eliminating inflated markups, providing clear pricing, and offering a lifetime buyback guarantee has resonated deeply with consumers seeking not only beautiful jewelry, but also a smart investment. Hat’s off to this innovative startup transforming how consumers view and invest in jewelry, making it both a personal and financial asset for the modern world. Previous Next

A Message from the City Manager: Review of Building Structures in Aventura July 15, 2021 Share “Miami-Dade County operates under some of the most stringent building regulations and codes in the United States, and safety and security is the most important aspect” Aventura City Manager Ronald J. Wasson In response to the partial building collapse in Surfside, the City of Aventura Building and Code Compliance Divisions have initiated a proactive inspection process as requested by Miami-Dade County. As you can imagine, the City is receiving many calls from concerned residents regarding the safety of their buildings. As of now, we are complying with the Miami-Dade County request to review all of our structures that are over 40 years of age, over 5 stories and have completed - or in the process of completing - their 40-year certification. At this time the City is reviewing all certification reports and revisiting all the buildings that satisfy the County's requirement listed above. In addition the City is tracking and responding to all requests to inspect specific concerns regarding building structural integrity. For example, we have received calls identifying cracks in floors and ceiling, rust spots on concrete, possible spalling inside building garages, etc. An inspector is responding to each and every location and if it is determined, we will be requiring the building management to have an engineer report prepared to ensure a course of action is determined to address the issue. In most of these instances, there is not a need for that because most properties are generally well maintained and in good repair. As the City moves forward with this process, I would respectfully ask that the community remain calm and let our Building and Code Compliance Divisions conduct their reviews of our buildings and determine if there is more to be done. Please understand that Miami-Dade County operates under some of the most stringent building regulations and codes in the United States, and safety and security is the most important aspect. For questions or concerns regarding the 40 year certification process, please contact the Office of the City Manager at 305-466-8910 or email the City Manager, Ron Wasson, at rwasson@cityofaventura.com . < Previous News Next News >

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period Has Arrived! Stay Informed and Update Your Plan With The Hallandale Medical Center Austin Torres March 2, 2023 Share The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is officially in session. From January 1st to March 31st all Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) will have the option to switch from their current plan to another MA plan, or to original Medicare. Unlike The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) that takes place from October 15th to December 7th, the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) corresponds only to those already enrolled in MA. Additionally, recipients are able to make only one change to their plan during this period. Any change that is made during this time will be effective the first of the following month after you make this change. As part of the HG Doctors family, the team at Hallandale Medical Center knows how confusing it can be to make sense of all the Medicare plans available and encourages you to take this opportunity to learn about open enrollment, review your coverage plan, and ensure that you are optimizing your healthcare while also choosing options at a reasonable cost. During the open enrollment period, MA recipients will have the opportunity to revisit their current plan and decide whether or not it is the right plan for them. As our healthcare needs change over time, the services needed to best care for ourselves, and our loved ones, may need to be revisited. Open enrollment is the time to start looking at what health plans are available, as well as the services, costs, and copays associated with these plans. For recipients interested in switching back to original Medicare, or “Straight Medicare,” plans tend to only cover medical expenses and typically do not entitle an insured to dental, eyeglass, hearing aids, or other benefits. If a “Straight Medicare” insured wants dental benefits, they would have to purchase a separate policy which then adds additional expense to the insured. Whereas, some Medicare Advantage plans not only include medical coverage, but also include dental coverage as well as other benefits as part of the package. CarePlus Medicare Advantage plans, as an example, will include medical coverage, but may also include routine dental, vision, and hearing coverage as well as provide a monthly allowance for over-the-counter medicines. Another benefit to some of these Medicare Advantage plans is that they may offer $0 copays for primary care and specialist visits. Knowing which plan is best for you is important to ensure you have the proper coverages for your healthcare needs and at a price that is affordable. While some folks choose to stay with their current plan, there are those that may realize their current plan is not giving them the coverage they need at the price they can afford. Doing your due diligence during open enrollment is very important to ensuring you are maximizing your benefits and getting the most for your money. Hallandale Medical Center accepts a wide range of plans including most major insurance plans. As Hallandale Medical Center offers geriatric medicine they work hard to try and contract with most Medicare Advantage plans, including CarePlus and Humana Medicare Advantage plans. Since Hallandale Medical Center offers primary care, behavioral health, podiatry, and dental services, they try to contract with insurers to allow their patients to utilize all the services under one roof. According to Randy Kirshbaum, Chief Operating Officer at Hallandale Medical Center, “we do our best to ensure that our patients can utilize all our services under the roof. For example, our CarePlus and Humana Medicare Advantage patients have access to medical, dental, and behavioral health services to ensure we are doing our best at providing a 360-degree approach to their healthcare.” This year, some CarePlus and Humana Medicare Advantage plans will offer a wide array of benefits including dental crowns, root canal, complete or partial dentures, as well as many other services all at a $0 copay to their insureds. While Hallandale Medical Center accepts Medicare Advantage Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, they also accept Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans. The Stellar team at Hallandale Medical Center prides itself on offering top tier medical services, many of which may be covered under your current or prospective MA plan. If you are in need of a crown, the dental team can surely assist you. Dental crowns are one of the most common procedures and are necessary to restore weakened, broken, or decayed teeth back to function. The process of getting a crown is relatively simple. Over the course of a few appointments your dentist will treat your tooth, reshape, and size it so it may be used as an anchor for the crown. After being fitted for the crown, you can expect it to arrive within a couple of weeks. You can request a crown evaluation through the website or you can call the clinic directly and speak to a team member. Another common procedure the dentists at Hallandale Medical Center can assist you with is a root canal. Dentists perform over 15 million root canals a year for patients suffering from tooth sensitivity, sore or swollen gums, infections, and fractured or broken teeth. A root canal generally involves your dentist cleaning out the inside of your tooth and sealing it in a manner similar to getting a filling. The dental experts at Hallandale Medical Center are trained to offer these advanced procedures. You can also come to rely on the dental experts at Hallandale Medical Center to provide you with the best dentures in South Florida. With over 60 percent of American adults missing one or more teeth, and 10 percent missing all of their teeth, dentures offer a wonderful solution to this issue. If you are one of the many folks who suffer from missing teeth, a fully customized partial or full denture can help restore tooth function and also create a beautiful natural-looking smile. For more information, you can schedule a consultation with one of Hallandale Medical Center's premier dentists. However, these are just a few of the dental services provided. At Hallandale Medical Center you can also come in for teeth whitening, dental cleaning, and Invisalign®. While Medicare Advantage plans continue to grow in popularity it is important to do your research to find the plan that fits your needs and budget, for you and your family. To better serve our patients, and assist them in maneuvering the Medicare landscape, Hallandale Medical Center helps patients get in contact with licensed insurance agents who can answer any questions they may have regarding the different plans available to them. We hope this information helps you make the right choices during the Medicare Open Enrollment period. For additional information on Medicare, or Medicare Advantage plans, you can call: 1-800-Medicare, or visit Hallandale Medical Center where we will help you get in touch with a licensed insurance agent. To learn more about Hallandale Medical Center, or its other centers Delray Medical & Dental, and Coral Springs Medical & Dental, you can visit their website at: https://hgdoctors.com give them a call at: 954-DOCTORS (954-362-8677) extension 106, or stop by their offices for a tour. < Previous News Next News >

The Deep State’s Triumph: 2024 And The Erosion Of Liberty By John & Nisha Whitehead January 8, 2025 Share We have become a nation adrift in a sea of government overreach, abuse and corruption. The following is a sobering account of the challenges we faced in 2024, which were marked by the government’s never-ending power grabs and relentless assaults on our civil liberties. 2024 saw a continued rise in government overreach and abuse of power. The militarization of police forces continued unabated, with local departments increasingly resembling extensions of the military. Schools, meant to be places of learning and growth, became more prison-like with the implementation of “safety” measures that criminalize minor infractions and create an environment of fear. The right to private property was further eroded, with the government increasingly empowered to seize assets under various pretexts. The plight of the homeless worsened, with cities criminalizing homelessness and implementing policies designed to make their lives even more difficult. Military veterans, once hailed as heroes, were increasingly treated with suspicion and subjected to surveillance. On almost every front this year, the government overreached and abused its powers. With every new law enacted by federal and state legislatures, every new ruling handed down by government courts, and every new military weapon, invasive tactic and egregious protocol employed by government agents, we were reminded that in the eyes of the government and its corporate accomplices, “we the people” possess no rights except for that which the Deep State grants on an as-needed basis. Surveillance eroded what little privacy we have left. The Surveillance State grew even more pervasive. Facial recognition technology expanded into new areas of our lives, with vast amounts of our biometric data collected, often without our knowledge or consent, eroding our anonymity and enabling unprecedented tracking of our movements. Data breaches continued to expose the vulnerability of our personal information. Free speech continued to be under attack. Protest laws, free speech zones, and other restrictions made it more difficult for citizens to exercise their First Amendment rights. Social Media companies, often in collusion with the government, engaged in censorship of viewpoints they deemed unacceptable. This online censorship creates an echo chamber and limits the free flow of information. The influence of the Deep State and the military-industrial complex continued to grow. Endless wars abroad drained the nation’s resources while doing little to make Americans safer. The military-industrial complex’s grip on almost every aspect of American life tightened. The president became more imperial. Although the Constitution invests the President with very specific, limited powers, in recent years, American presidents have claimed the power to completely and almost unilaterally alter the landscape of this country for good or for ill. The powers amassed by each successive president through the negligence of Congress and the courts—powers which add up to a toolbox of terror for an imperial ruler—empower whoever occupies the Oval Office to act as a dictator, above the law and beyond any real accountability. The presidency itself has become an imperial one with permanent powers. The cost of endless wars drove the nation deeper into debt. Policing the globe and waging endless wars abroad hasn’t made America—or the rest of the world—any safer, but it has made the military industrial complex rich at taxpayer expense. The courts failed to uphold justice. Time and time again, the Supreme Court failed to right the wrongs being meted out by the American police state. A review of critical court rulings over the past decade or so, including some ominous ones by the U.S. Supreme Court, reveals a startling and steady trend towards pro-police state rulings by an institution concerned more with establishing order and protecting the ruling class and government agents than with upholding the rights enshrined in the Constitution. The rich got richer, and the poor went to jail. Not content to expand the police state’s power to search, strip, seize, raid, steal from, arrest and jail Americans for any infraction, no matter how insignificant, the courts continued their practice of jailing individuals who are unable to pay the hefty fines imposed by the American police state. These debtors’ prisons play right into the hands of those who make a profit by jailing Americans. This is no longer a government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” It is fast becoming a government “of the rich, by the elite, for the corporations,” and its rise to power is predicated on shackling the American taxpayer to a debtors’ prison guarded by a phalanx of politicians, bureaucrats and militarized police with no hope of parole and no chance for escape. Police became even more militarized and weaponized. Despite concerns about the government’s steady transformation of local police into a standing military army, local police agencies continued to acquire weaponry, training and equipment suited for the battlefield. There are now reportedly more bureaucratic (non-military) government civilians armed with high-tech, deadly weapons than U.S. Marines. Schools turned into prisons. So-called school “safety” policies, which run the gamut from zero tolerance policies that punish all infractions harshly to surveillance cameras, metal detectors, random searches, drug-sniffing dogs, school-wide lockdowns, active-shooter drills and militarized police officers, turned schools into prisons and young people into prisoners. The government waged a renewed war on private property. The battle to protect our private property has become the final constitutional frontier, the last holdout against our freedoms being usurped. We no longer have any real property rights. That house you live in, the car you drive, whatever money you manage to keep in your bank account after the government and its cronies have taken their first and second and third cut…none of it is safe from the government’s greedy grasp. At no point do you ever have any real ownership in anything other than the clothes on your back. Everything else can be seized by the government under one pretext or another (civil asset forfeiture, unpaid taxes, eminent domain, public interest, etc.). In sum, 2024 was a disheartening year for those who cherish freedom. Yet no matter who sits in the White House, politics won’t fix a system that is broken beyond repair. As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, we are at our most vulnerable right now: the gravest threat facing us as a nation in 2025 is not extremism but despotism, exercised by a ruling class whose only allegiance is to power and money. 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 >

Broward County Library in Hallandale Beach will be Closing Temporarily - OB Johnson Park Has a Computer Lab for Residents To Use During The Closing By Hallandale Beach, Mayor Joy Cooper October 24, 2024 Share This past week we found out that Broward County Library in Hallandale Beach will be closing temporarily for much needed renovations. The county commission has been planning this for the past few years. Regretfully, we did not get notified until The Friends of the Hallandale Beach Library President reached out looking for storage and a place to hold their free Yoga Class that so many depend on. The good news is they will be partnering with the City while the building is being renovated. The other issue is the many residents that depend on free computers and access to printing. Currently, I am working on getting the BCL to provide staffing at our African American Micro Library located at Foster Park. There are computers already at that location. I also want our readers to know that OB Johnson Park also has a computer lab. Both of these locations are accessible by The Cloud Minibus. I haven’t written about The Cloud since it went into service. We are the first City to have a fully electric bus system. The bus is free to all riders. We have four routes. The Cloud is online and there is an App you can link to. You can download the App: www.theCloudhb.com and get real time information on where the bus is and the times it will arrive. These important upgrades mean no more waiting outside of a store or bus stop for an hour. We have added buses heading our way, the time between buses has been reduced. Our goal is a half hour between buses. While on the bus there is free Wi-Fi. We will continue to improve this new service and work with Broward County. Early Voting has begun. The first day was brisk with 880 votes cast at our polling location at The Cultural Center, this does not include Absentee Drop Box Ballots. If you are registered in Broward County you can vote at our Cultural Center or the other Voting Locations in Broward County opened for Early Voting. You must already be registered to vote in this election and have a Valid Florida Driver’s License, Florida Picture ID or a Passport. If you have an issue you can ask for a Provisional Ballot. Mail Ballots have been mailed. Today, October 24th is the last day to request a vote by Mail Ballot. All Voter Information can be found at: https://BrowardVotes.gov - Or call: (954) 357-7070. Next Thursday is Halloween. The City will be hosting the very popular indoor Halloween Trail of Treats on October 31st at OB Johnson Park, 1000 Northwest 8th Avenue, Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009. Families will be able to walk through a mystery trail and trick or treat. The event is Free and there will be food available for purchase. Come out and join our team and many community partners for a great family event. As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our City a better place by Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org . Please visit me on my Facebook page at: Mayor Joy Cooper; Like, follow, and share. You can also subscribe to get the latest information on my website at: www.mayorjoycooper.com < Previous News Next News >

Just In Time For Halloween: A Wickedly Inspired Re-imagining of The Mel Brooks’ Comedy Masterpiece September 15, 2022 Share Entr’Acte Theatrix, whose previous productions such as Into the Woods, Avenue Q, Spamalot and The Rocky Horror Show have proven to be consistently popular with young and older audiences alike. Just in time for Halloween, a new production of the Mel Brooks’ classic Young Frankenstein will be on stage from Friday, October 21st, 2022 through Sunday, October 30th, 2022 at the Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park. A wickedly inspired re-imagining of the Frankenstein legend, Mel Brooks’ comedy masterpiece follows bright young Dr. Frankenstein (that’s Fronkensteen!) as he attempts to complete his grandfather’s masterwork and bring a corpse to life. Together with his oddly shaped and endearing helper Igor (that’s Eye-gor), his curvaceous lab assistant Inga and in spite of his incredibly self-involved madcap fiancé Elizabeth, Frankenstein succeeds in creating a monster — but not without scary and quite often hilarious complications. “We have not produced a show since 2019 because of the Pandemic and I was not prepared to do so until the audience was ready to return,” says Entr’Acte Theatrix Producer and Founder, Vicki Halmos. “Fortunately, I have seen strong evidence of that in the last few months. We will be in a new venue, The Willow Theatre in Boca Raton, which is very exciting. We are fortunate to have Jeremy Quinn as our Director, who has expertise in the Mel Brooks comedic style and he will be joined by our long-standing music Director, Roger Blankenship. In addition, we will be adding Andy Morejon, from our Entr’Acte ranks, to choreograph. “Entr’Acte Theatrix has a tradition of promoting young artists to director positions who have honed their skills working in Entr’Acte Productions specifically,” Halmos explains. “At Entr’Acte, our practice is to engage local emerging talent and give them continuing support and opportunities to polish and enhance their skills. Several of our Young Frankenstein cast members were part of the Halmos’ Palm Beach Principal Players Group several years ago and are now back with freshly minted theater degrees and looking for the on-stage experience Entr’acte provides. Our young cast is enthusiastically gearing up to be a part of what promises to be one of the outstanding productions of the coming season! We hope our South Florida audience will continue to support local theater in developing a world class body of actors and creative teams,” she concludes. “I’m delighted to be returning to Entr’Acte for my fourth show, directing Young Frankenstein,” says Director Jeremy Quinn. “This is my first opportunity to direct a large-scale musical (in-person) after the Pandemic, so I’m incredibly grateful to Vicki Halmos and Entr’Acte for inviting me back to the table. I’ve been wanting to sink my teeth into something like this for quite some time, needless to say. “Comedy has always been a strong suit in my 40+ year career in theater, so the opportunity to tackle one of the greatest comedic properties of all time is nothing short of thrilling!” he continues. “After directing the national tour of Old Jews Telling Jokes (before the Pandemic), I realize how much more I’ve added to my comedic canon from working with several masters of comedy in that production...and what a fitting segue to this project! Obviously, I’m a long-time fan of Mel Brooks and his unapologetic comedic style, so all the good stuff audiences remember from his movies will be on display here; including all the funny bits, nuances and innuendos. “I can’t wait to share my joy of comedy with the Young Frankenstein cast and strengthen their knowledge/experience of what comprises good comedic timing. It’s actually somewhat mathematical and scientific when you break it down. Like I always say (even when directing a drama)... Find The Funny! It’s always there, you just have to look for it ... and right now, audiences are desperately needing it!” Young Frankenstein’s cast includes: Kevin Cruz as Frederick Frankenstein, Chase Stante as the Monster, Greg Halmos as Igor, Nicole Roach as Inga, Ashley Gravlin as Frau Blucher, Kalli Courakos as Elizabeth and Carlo Sabusap as the Constable and the Hermit. Also cast are: Chris Calhoun, Christian Cooper, Briana Earhart, Tyler Fitch, Victoria Hocton, Nysia Matos, Andy Morejon, T.J. Pursley, Sarah Rayburn and Hannah Rosenberg. Entr’acte Theatrix is a Non-Profit, semi-professional, showcase company providing opportunities for emerging theater artists, both on-stage and backstage. The company puts students of college or postgraduate programs on a professional trajectory with a goal of working in the profession and a chance to gain experience in their area of training or interest. Entr’acte, as the name suggests, is the “next step,” from classroom to career and provides the young theater artist with one of his or her all-important first professional resume-building credits. Tickets for Young Frankenstein – The Mel Brooks Musical are on sale now and can be purchased online at: www.sugarsandpark.org/young-frankenstein Or by phone at: (561) 347-3948. Tickets are $20. Group rates (10 or more tickets purchased in one transaction) are $15. Performance Schedule: Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 pm. All performances will be held at: The Willow Theatre in Sugar Sand Park, located at 300 South Military Trail, Boca Raton, Florida 33486. About The Willow Theatre The Willow Theatre, opened in 1998, is a beautiful 155-seat proscenium theater, located inside Sugar Sand Park Community Center and allows for a unique experience for theater patrons. Before or after a show, you may wander the nature trails, visit the Children’s Science Explorium, look at the art exhibit on display, or picnic at one of our pavilions. < Previous News Next News >

Seaman Apprentice Luke Emmanuel - Boynton Beach Native Serves Aboard One Of The World’s Largest Warships By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist John Osborne, Navy Office of Community Outreach Jul 23, 2026 Seaman Apprentice Luke Emmanuel, A Native Of Boynton Beach, Florida, Serves In The U.S. Navy Assigned To USS Harry S. Truman, A U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Operating Out Of Norfolk, Virginia. Emmanuel graduated from Auburn High School in 2024. The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Boynton Beach. “I learned early on that you have to be okay with change and be able to adapt to your environment to the best of your ability,” Emmanuel said. Emmanuel joined the Navy eight months ago. “I joined the Navy to have structure and to build a beautiful foundation for my future family,” Emmanuel said. “I also want to inspire my younger brothers to go out and be a part of something bigger than themselves.” Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide. Among the largest warships in the world, USS Harry S. Truman is longer than three football fields at 1,092 feet. The ship is 252 feet wide and weighs more than 100,000 tons. More than 5,000 sailors serve aboard these self-contained mobile airports. According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and combat capability of its air wing. Emmanuel has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service. “I am most proud to be even talked about as one of the best new Sailors in the deck department,” Emmanuel said. “It’s great hearing things like, ‘How are you so motivated?’ and I want to help people realize that they can achieve anything they want with discipline and drive.” This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity. With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber-optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America. “Serving in the Navy is a surreal realization that means so much to me,” Emmanuel said. “I proved to myself that I could do something I never thought I could do.” Emmanuel is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible. “I want to thank my younger brother, Chase, for being such a beautiful motivation for me,” Emmanuel said. “I also want to thank my younger brother, Ashton, and my parents, Tamara and Lucien, for supporting me, believing in me and pushing me to succeed. I can't forget my older brothers, Lucien and Evan, who have always pushed me to the next level by keeping me in spots that are uncomfortable. And finally, I want to thank my Auntie Sophia for always being the one to nudge me to stay on the right track and giving me enough space to make mistakes. It is a beautiful way to learn the right thing to do.” Luke Emmanuel Previous Next

Embark On An Out-Of-This-World Journey Thu Mar 07 2024 17:07:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

JCN - AFMDA Honors Actress Patricia Heaton at its Miami Gala By Linda Chase - Jewish Connection News Jan 7, 2025 On December 11th, 2024, the spotlight shined on Hollywood stars Patricia Heaton and Liev Schreiber as the two celebrities demonstrated their unwavering support for Israel during the “American Friends of Magen David Adom’s 2024 Miami Gala – Celebrating Life. Honoring Lifesavers.” 900 supporters of AFMDA attended the festive fundraising extravaganza which was held at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort in Aventura. The evening included a cocktail reception, an elegant kosher dining experience created by Chef Olivia Ostrow of the Ostrow Brasserie, inspiring program and an after party. The gala was hosted by Israeli actress and model Moran Atias, as well as Ambassador Gilad Erdan, MDA’s global president. Highlights included a presentation by actor Liev Schreiber, AFMDA’s Champion of Israel award winner Patricia Heaton (star of Everybody Loves Raymond and many other achievements) and Jassi and Joey Antebi receiving the L’Dor V’Dor Humanitarian of the Year award. The event also spotlighted frontline medics including Adham Safadi, whose daughter was among the 12 children killed by a Hezbollah rocket fired from Lebanon as they played soccer this past July. During his emotional presentation, Schreiber read a letter written by Safadi. “I tried to look away but I couldn't. The muscles in my neck wouldn't move. I begged a stranger to cover my daughter's face.” Reading a friend’s quote, Schreiber continued, “There is nothing so whole as a broken heart.” Schreiber also gave a heart wrenching account of the experiences of Magen David Adom EMT Zvi Reder, who saved many lives on October 7th, even as his son was murdered by terrorists at a nearby kibbutz. “When I was in Ukraine building Blue Check,” Schreiber said, referring to the organization he founded, “Magen David Adom was right there beside me, delivering bulletproof ambulances and world-class medical care.” Heaton (a devout Catholic) received AFMDA’s Champion of Israel award for her outspoken support for Israel following Hamas’ October 7 massacre that left more than 1,200 Israelis murdered and over 250 taken hostage. Heaton’s initiatives include her creation of the October 7th Coalition (O7C), as well as her #MyzuzahYourzuzah campaign, encouraging non-Jews to fight antisemitism and stand with Israel and her people. “It is our goal to encourage Christians to stand visibly and vocally against the rise of Antisemitism and to stand with our Jewish savior's biological family as the scripture calls us. We are here to be a voice of allyship to the Jewish people and to stand not only for the sole democracy in the Middle East, but to bless Israel as we are instructed. We pray that more Christians have their hearts softened and join in supporting our Jewish brothers and sisters,” Heaton said. During her award acceptance speech, Heaton said, “The world owes Israel a debt of eternal gratitude.” Heaton also expressed her support for MDA. “As one of the leading nonprofits in Israel, serving as the national red cross, Magen David Adom is the first to respond and provide care for all Israelis. They epitomize the heart of Israel. It is an honor to be recognized by such an esteemed organization who is at the forefront of the battle. When the recent attacks in Amsterdam took place, it was Magen David Adom who boarded a plane to Amsterdam to attend to the immediate needs of Israeli victims. Magen David Adom is a shining light in the world.” A candlelit moment of silence honored the Israeli victims of terror and included participation by everyone in the capacity-filled room. Donations totaling over $4.5 Million were raised during the event. Auctioneer Dave Keystone led the live auction. Donations included the funding of several ambulances culminating in almost $1.8 Million in donations raised during the event along with a million-dollar matching grant by an anonymous donor. For more information about supporting Magen David Adom, visit secure.afmda.org Previous Next

Hollywood Is Getting Wild: Earns Recertification As Community Wildlife Habitat & Mayor’s Chess Challenge
 October 13, 2022 Share The City has again achieved recertification! The Community Wildlife Habitat program is designed to encourage property owners to create a habitat suitable for native species. Community-wide certification is earned by certifying individual properties (homes, parks, schools, businesses, and others), through education and outreach. Points are earned by engaging community members in habitat restoration projects, providing resources like native plant lists, and communicating through websites and social media. This year, the City earned points for restoring existing dunes on Hollywood Beach. These dunes provide a habitat for endangered plant species, as well as food and cover for native South Florida birds and butterflies. Points were also earned for educating the community about their carbon footprint and ways to reduce it. Outreach events like Earth Day and Food Waste Prevention Week further contributed to the City’s overall point total. But the City cannot earn this certification alone, we need residents to certify their own yard as a Backyard Habitat. A big thank you to everyone who is already providing host plants for our native butterflies, nectar for pollinators, berries and seeds for spring and fall migrants and places to raise young for our year-round residents and seasonal breeders! For those interested in certifying their property, it’s simple and you don’t even have to have a yard. A container garden on your patio or balcony can support pollinators and other native wildlife. To certify your wildlife habitat, you need to provide, food, water, cover, places to raise young (butterfly host plants count!) and use sustainable practices. For more details and to see the National Wildlife Federation’s certification checklist, go to National Wildlife Federation | Certify. 8th Annual Mayor’s Chess Challenge
 This free and friendly series of meet-ups, spearheaded by Sunrise Mayor Michael J. Ryan in cooperation with Mayors from throughout South Florida, draws attention to the benefits of chess in both the academic environment and in our community. Each Mayors' Chess Challenge event provides an opportunity for players of all ages, novices and experts alike, to join in the fun with elected officials and community leaders. Instructors on hand to help those new to the game. The annual Chess Challenge with Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy is taking place on Saturday, October 15th, from 9:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. at David Park Community Center at 108 North 33rd Court in Hollywood, Florida 33021. For more information, please call: (954) 921-3404. < Previous News Next News >

Stop Hiding Fees! - The FTC Has Warned Dealers And This Free Online Tool Catches Them Doing It South Florida Sun Times Apr 2, 2026 The Federal Government Just Put Nearly 100 Dealership Groups On Notice. On Friday, March 13th, 2026 The Federal Trade Commission Sent Warning Letters To 97 Auto Dealer Groups Across The Country, Telling Them In Plain Terms: The Price You Advertise Has To Be The Price Customers Actually Pay. No Hidden Fees Tacked On At Signing. No Mandatory Add-Ons Buried In The Paperwork. No Prices That Only Apply If You Use The Dealer’s Financing. For anyone who has ever sat in a finance office watching a $32,000 car turn into a $38,000 car, this is not a surprise. It’s great to see the FTC finally doing something about it. What the FTC Is Calling Out The agency’s letters flagged several specific practices it considers illegal under the FTC Act: • Advertising a price that doesn’t include all required fees • Advertising a price that reflects rebates not available to every buyer • Conditioning an advertised price on the customer using dealer financing • Requiring add-on purchases that aren’t reflected in the advertised price • Advertising vehicles that don’t exist or aren’t available The FTC also pointed to active enforcement cases it already has underway against Lindsay Chevrolet, Leader Automotive Group, and Asbury Automotive Group as examples of what happens when dealers don’t clean up their act. This is part of a broader FTC push on pricing transparency across multiple industries, but cars have long been one of the worst offenders. Anyone who has spent time at a dealership knows why. CarEdge Has Been Tracking This All Along Here’s what’s worth knowing: the behaviors the FTC is warning dealers about are exactly what CarEdge’s Dealer Transparency Index is built to measure. This AI agent contacts dealers on behalf of real car shoppers, collects itemized out-the-door quotes, and scores every dealer based on what they actually charge, not what they advertise. The scoring breaks down like this: Doc fees (30%) — Lower fees score higher. The benchmark is $499. Add-on behavior (30%) — Fewer mandatory add-ons score higher. Dealer markup (30%) — Lower dealer-controlled fees above the listing score higher. Data quality (10%) — Complete, detailed quotes score higher. The result is a 0–100 score for every dealer in our database. Some dealerships score a perfect 100. Others are in the 20s and 30s. The dealers at the bottom of our index aren’t just underperforming on a CarEdge metric. They’re doing the things the FTC is now formally warning the industry about. What This Means for Car Shoppers A warning letter from the FTC doesn’t mean dealers will immediately change their behavior. Enforcement takes time, and habits baked into a dealership’s F&I process don’t disappear overnight. That’s why having independent, data-backed ratings matters. Before you visit a dealership, you can check their Dealer Transparency score. This tool is 100% free. See their average doc fees. See how often they push mandatory add-ons. See how their out-the-door prices compare to what they advertise. The FTC is telling dealers they need to be honest. CarEdge tells you which ones already are. About Ray Shefska & CarEdge Ray Shefska is Co-Founder of CarEdge, a leading consumer platform founded by father-and-son team Ray and Zach Shefska that is dedicated to empowering car shoppers to make confident, informed and financially savvy decisions. The company’s CarEdge Pro subscription service gives car shoppers real-time market insights and an expert AI Car Negotiator agent to make the process simple, easy and fair. Its premium-level CarEdge Concierge offers buyers a white-glove experience with a dedicated automotive expert who locates, negotiates and secures the best possible deal on your behalf. Both CarEdge tiers help consumers save money, time and hassle. Also with trusted resources that include hundreds of guides on YouTube, CarEdge is redefining transparency, fairness and value in the automotive industry. Connect with Shefska at: www.CarEdge.com or on Social Media on YouTube, TikTok, X, Facebook and Instagram. Previous Next