Annual Epilepsy Walk In Hollywood To Be Held This Weekend - The Walk Is The Largest Local Event That Raises Awareness And Funds For Individuals Living With Epilepsy South Florida Sun Times Apr 1, 2025 Epilepsy Alliance Florida Will Host Its Annual Walk The Talk For Epilepsy In Hollywood On Saturday, April 5th, 2025—The Largest Community Event In The Area That Raises Awareness And Funds For Individuals Living With Epilepsy. The Walk Will Be Held At North Beach Park, Located At 3601 North Ocean Drive, Hollywood, Florida 33019 With A Start Time Of 9:00 a.m. The Hollywood Walk the Talk for Epilepsy, sponsored by UCB, Aquestive, Memorial Neuroscience Institute, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Assertio, Holman Enterprise, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, The Salah Foundation and Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, will feature a two-mile walk and family-friendly entertainment, including a live DJ, face painting and special appearances by Star Wars characters. "Epilepsy makes daily life a difficult journey for many individuals," said Karen Basha Egozi, President and CEO of Epilepsy Alliance Florida. "This event, which unites us as one, highlights the essential support we provide to over 500,000 Floridians affected by Epilepsy and helps to shine a light on the importance of awareness in our local communities." Ten-year-old Mauro Gomez will be honored at the event with Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s Clayton Feig Youth Award, an award commemorating youth who battle seizures and that highlights the important work of those dedicated to removing the stigma associated with Epilepsy. The award was established in memory of Clayton Feig, a young man who demonstrated courage and strength of character while dealing with epilepsy. Complications from Epilepsy claimed Clayton’s life in 1993 when he was just 18-years-old. Diagnosed last year after experiencing nocturnal seizures, seizures that occur during sleep, Mauro has refused to let epilepsy define him. Mauro’s commitment to raising Epilepsy awareness has already taken him to Tallahassee for Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s Capitol Day, where he met with state legislators in February to share his story and emphasize the need for greater resources and funding for those living with Epilepsy. His advocacy extends beyond Florida’s Capitol. He has expressed interest in starting an Epilepsy club at his school to help educate his peers and foster a more supportive environment. Additionally, he and his family are dedicated participants in Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s annual Walk the Talk for Epilepsy in Hollywood. Epilepsy, a neurological disease that one in 26 people will be diagnosed with at some point in their lives, is a diagnosis given when a person experiences two or more seizures that cannot be attributed to another cause. It is a disorder more people live with than Autism, Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and Cerebral Palsy—combined. In the United States, Florida is the state with the most instances of epilepsy. The Hollywood Walk the Talk for Epilepsy is one of seven walks hosted by Epilepsy Alliance Florida across the state. The other cities where walks will be held are Jacksonville, Gainesville, West Palm Beach, Pensacola, Miami, and Naples. For more information and to register, visit: https://walkthetalkfl.org/ Epilepsy Alliance Florida, established in 1971 as a Not-For-Profit 501 (c)(3), is dedicated to supporting those impacted by Epilepsy by confronting the spectrum of challenges created by seizures. It is a founding member of the Epilepsy Alliance America. Epilepsy Alliance Florida provides numerous services to individuals and families, including advocacy and counseling, education and prevention, direct medical and neuropsychological services, as well as other programs regardless of financial situation or socioeconomic status. For more information, visit: https://epilepsyalliancefl.org/ Previous Next

Celebrate Father’s Day With A Burger Bash: At Arc Culinary's Emeril Lagasse Foundation Innovation Kitchen in Broward Thu May 30 2024 16:07:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Introducing Chelsea Guo: A Rising Prodigy Bridging Music’s Finest Artistry December 8, 2023 Share In the heart of the musical world, there emerges a rare gem - Chelsea Guo - a prodigious talent whose virtuosity knows no bounds. A name that resonates with the symphony of excellence, she seamlessly embodies the duality of mastery in both piano and vocals, leaving audiences enchanted and critics astounded. "Chelsea Guo is a rare and impressive young artist in that her prodigious and affecting gifts are reflected equally in her captivating performances both as a pianist and singer," remarked the renowned critic Edna Landau, encapsulating the essence of Guo’s exceptional prowess. At the National Chopin Competition, Guo clinched a prestigious victory, solidifying her place among the elite. Her rendition of the 24 preludes and other piano masterpieces was nothing short of mesmerizing, drawing admiration and acclaim from aficionados and critics alike. Her command over the keys transcends mere technique; it’s an emotive journey that invites listeners into the depths of musical expression. However, her brilliance doesn’t confine itself to the piano keys alone. Guo’s versatility shines as she seamlessly transitions from the piano to her own accompaniment, lending her captivating voice to a repertoire of vocal treasures. The BBC Music Magazine lauded her as "a very fine pianist with a beguiling voice," a testament to her multifaceted talent. As the world eagerly anticipates her upcoming performance on January 7th, 2024, at the prestigious Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, Chelsea Guo aficionados and music enthusiasts alike are poised to witness a spectacle that transcends mere entertainment. Seats for this extraordinary event start at $45.00, offering an opportunity to immerse oneself in the genius of a rising star. For Guo, music is not a mere performance; it's an intimate conversation, a storytelling medium that transcends words. Her magnetic stage presence coupled with her technical brilliance creates an atmosphere that lingers long after the final note fades into silence. Each keystroke and lyrical intonation is a brushstroke on the canvas of emotions, painting a tapestry that captivates the soul. Beyond her undeniable talent, Chelsea Guo embodies a dedication to her craft that belies her age. Her relentless pursuit of musical excellence, coupled with an unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression, sets her apart as a luminary in the making. While the spotlight shines brightly upon her, Guo remains grounded, finding solace and inspiration in the melodies of the great masters and the wisdom of her mentors. Her humility is as striking as her talent, fostering a genuine connection with her audience that transcends the concert hall’s confines. In an era where talent abounds, Chelsea Guo emerges as a beacon of artistry, merging the classical with the contemporary, and redefining the boundaries of musical expression. Her performances are not just displays of technical brilliance; they are immersive experiences that resonate within the hearts of her listeners, creating an indelible mark on the musical landscape. As the sun sets on January 7th, 2024, the stage at Aventura Arts & Cultural Center will come alive with the magic of Chelsea Guo - a maestro in the making, a luminary destined to leave an indelible imprint on the world of music. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the convergence of extraordinary talent and unparalleled passion—book your seats and embark on a musical odyssey unlike any other. Tickets Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. You can purchase 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 Wednesday 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. Parking FREE parking is available in the lots adjacent to the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center in front of the Aventura Community Recreation Center and the Aventura City of Excellence School. Valet service is available for most performances at $20 per vehicle. Valet parking is located at the main entrance of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center in the circular drive. There is a convenient drop-off area in front of the building. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at: 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, Florida 33180. < Previous News Next News >

2023 In-Person Summer Art Camp Programs: MOCA North Miami Introduces Children To Contemporary Art and Design Techniques May 24, 2023 Share Make lasting memories and art at the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MOCA)! This summer, MOCA is offering a contemporary art experience with its Summer Art Camps. Children ages 6-13 may join the museum for In-Person Camps including Studio Arts Camp and Dynamic Design Camp. Each session will offer a different theme to introduce students to a variety of contemporary art or design techniques. Studio Arts Camp is a well-rounded Studio-Based Art Program. Students will be introduced to contemporary art through discipline-based hands-on learning. They will participate in daily discussions about their individual art projects and present their work to family and friends in a nurturing environment. Projects are inspired by MOCA exhibitions, fine art techniques, and contemporary or historic artists. The museum is their classroom. Dynamic Design Camp is a design-oriented immersion program where students will learn to appreciate the applied arts of architecture, graphic design, textile design, digital art and more. They will learn about materials and processes fundamental to daily life during field trips, in the museum during discussions, through making 2D and 3D projects in the classroom and digital artwork on the supplied Surface Tablets. Campers are welcome to bring a healthy lunch as well as snacks that do not require refrigeration. Hot lunch is free for all students who wish to have it. Studio Arts Campers will have a morning snack at 10:15 a.m. and lunch at 11:30 a.m. and Dynamic Design Campers will have a morning snack at 10:25 a.m. and lunch at 12:40 p.m. The Art Camps will entail ten, one-week sessions starting the week of June 12th, 2023 through August 18th, 2023. Dates and themes include: Studio Art Camp (Ages 6-9): Week 1: Monday, June 12th, 2023 - Friday, June 16th, 2023: Recycle Revive – Discover artwork by artists who have used recycling materials and natural media to create their art for the planet. Students will have a unique creative workshop featuring “Welcome to Paradise” Artist Emmett Moore in his current installation “Victory Garden.” Week 2: Tuesday, June 20th, 2023 - Friday, June 23rd, 2023, Camp closed on Monday, June 19th, 2023 for Juneteenth: Marvelous Murals – Leap into this week’s larger-than-life theme: murals! Students will learn about artists such as AFRICOBRA, Gabino Castelan and Purvis Young, and have a one-on-one workshop with visiting artist Muta Santiago. During the week, students will also explore beyond MOCA with a field trip. Week 3: Monday, June 26th, 2023 - Friday, June 30th, 2023 - Make Your Move – Lights, Camera, Action! Discover the world of stop-motion. Students will bring their ideas to life by creating a film using only cardboard. Students will develop storylines, characters and settings for an action-packed week. Week 4: Monday, July 3rd, 2023 - Friday, July 7th, 2023, Camp closed on Independence Day): Clay Play – Learn about the most widely-used art form this week at Camp Clay! Students will discover the important role of clay throughout history. Students will make their own air-dry clay vessels using a variety of techniques and shapes to bring home. During this week, students will explore beyond MOCA with a field trip. Week 5: Monday, July 10th, 2023 - Friday, July 14th, 2023: Playful Patterns – Thread into a fun-filled textile experience. Students will create their own felt artworks, practice weaving techniques and learn about Local Textile Artist Moira Holohan. Week 6: Monday, July 17th, 2023 - Friday, July 21st, 2023: Found Photography – Peer through the lens of history! Students will explore photography through the ages and the present. Using cyanotypes, polaroids and painting, students will discover all the ways artists use this versatile medium. This week, students will explore beyond MOCA with a field trip. Week 7: Monday, July 24th, 2023 - Friday, July 28th, 2023: Sculpture in Style – Get into sculpture like never before! Students will explore five sculpture-making techniques including mold making, clay, wire and plaster. This week, students have a special workshop from “Welcome to Paradise” Artist Beatriz Chachamovits and her current installation “Into the Great Dying: The Roles We Play.” Week 8: Monday, July 31st, 2023 - Friday, August 4th, 2023: Colorful Collages – Get colorful! Throughout this week, students will be working on collage and printmaking projects inspired by local artists such as Tory Mata. This week, students will explore beyond MOCA with a field trip. Week 9: Monday, August 7th, 2023 - Friday, August 11th, 2023: Powerful Painting – Soar into the visual arts with projects inspired by Local Artist Carin Wagner. Students will paint scenes of the sky and the environment with a field trip to Elaine Gordon Park. Week 10: Monday, August 14th, 2023 - Wednesday, August 16th, 2023: Summer Sampler – Students will explore the topics and techniques they learned all summer long! Students will get a chance to discover a variety of media in this art-packed week including paint, clay, digital art, collage and printmaking. Students will have a final exhibition of their work; families are welcome to join the fun for a showcase on August 16 from 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Dynamic Design Camp (Ages 10-13): Week 1: Monday, June 12th, 2023 - Friday, June 16th, 2023: eARTh Works – Dive into sustainable art this week! Students will explore upcycling art projects, papermaking and sustainable wearables with a special workshop from “Welcome to Paradise” Artist Emmet Moore in his current installation “Victory Garden.” Week 2: Tuesday, June 20th, 2023 - Friday, June 23rd, 2024: Camp closed on Monday, June 19th, 2023 for Juneteenth: Great Graffiti – Leave a mark at MOCA in its large-scale collaborative mural. Students will have an exciting week designing and painting a site-specific mural at MOCA inspired by the work of Gabino Castelan with visiting Artist Muta Santiago. This week, students will explore beyond MOCA with a field trip. Week 3: Monday, June 26th, 2023 - Friday, June 30th, 2023: VR Visions – Explore another dimension through virtual reality! Students will use a 360-degree camera and mixed media to build immersive visual stories. Week 4: Monday, July 3rd, 2023 - Friday, July 7th, 2023: Camp closed on Independence Day: Ceramic Stories – Rewind and discover the faces of ceramic vessels from the Americas and the stories they tell. Students will create unique artworks inspired by these histories and Ceramicist Addison Wolff. This week, students will explore beyond MOCA with a field trip. Week 5: Monday, July 10th, 2023 - Friday, July 14th, 2023: Thrilling Textiles – Weave through everything textiles inspired by Local Artist Moira Holohan. Students will explore fashion tools and media, including sewing machines, screen printing and weaving. Week 6: Monday, July 17th, 2023 - Friday, July 21st, 2023: Lights and Lenses – Experience life through a different lens. Students will capture their imagination through this exploration of all things photography and light. This week, students will explore beyond MOCA with a field trip. Week 7: Monday, July 24th, 2023 - Friday, July 28th, 2023: Free Form – Carve into the world of 3D Art! Students will form sculptures using different techniques and materials, including making their own molds, using plaster, wire and clay. This week’s projects are inspired by visiting workshop artist, Beatriz Chachamovits, and her current installation “Into the Great Dying: The Roles We Play” in MOCA’s Paradise Courtyard. Week 8: Monday, July 31st, 2023 - Friday, August 4th, 2023: Awesome Assemblage – Assemble an artistic vision. Students will be working on collage, printmaking and assemblage work that will pull all their creativity into one place, inspired by Local Artist Tory Mata. This week, students will explore beyond MOCA with a field trip. Week 9: Monday, August 7th, 2023 - Friday, August 11th, 2023: Incredible Acrylic – Students will propel their painting techniques by creating layered artworks inspired by Local Artist Beatriz Monteavaro. This week, students will explore beyond MOCA with a field trip. Week 10: Monday, August 14th, 2023 - Wednesday, August 16th, 2023: Summer Sampler – Students will explore the topics and techniques they learned all summer long! Students will get a chance to discover a variety of media in this art-packed week including paint, clay, digital art, collage, and printmaking! Students will have a final exhibition of their work; families are welcome to join the fun for a showcase on Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 from 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. What To Bring: Campers should come with a positive attitude and be ready to have fun! All campers participating should dress for a mess and pack an extra t-shirt. Ideally, you should wear comfortable clothing like shorts or pants and you must wear closed toed shoes. Crocs are not permitted unless they are worn with the back sandal strap on. At certain points you will be spending some time outside. If parents would like them to wear sunscreen or bug spray, they must administer it at home in the morning. No food will be provided so bring a healthy lunch and a snack, all backpacks and lunch boxes should have the child’s name on them. No peanuts or peanut-based products will be permitted. Do not bring toys or electronics, you will be busy enough. When: Camp hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pre-Care drop-off begins no earlier than 8:00 a.m., Camp drop-off begins no earlier than 8:45 a.m., and pick-up is from 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Extended Care (must be booked a week prior): 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Drop-off for Extended Care begins at 8:00 a.m. Any camper still in MOCA’s care after 4:00 p.m. who is not Pre-Registered for Aftercare will go into Aftercare for an additional Late Registration Fee of $15 Per Day, per child. How/Cost: $150 Per Week for MOCA Family Level Members $175 Per Week for Non-Members $10 Per Day for Extended Care Payments can be made in cash or via credit card and advance purchase is recommended, as the Summer Camp Programs frequently sell out prior to the event. A limited number of scholarships are available to students with proof of enrollment in Miami Dade County Public Schools Free and Reduced Meals Program. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited. Registration forms for 2023 Summer Camps are available at MOCA’s Front Desk. For more information about scholarships available, please email: education@mocanomi.org . Where: Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MOCA) 770 Northeast 125th Street Miami, Florida 33161 About the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami: MOCA North Miami presents contemporary art and its historical influences through exhibitions, educational programs, and collections. Inspired by its surrounding communities, MOCA connects diverse audiences and cultures by providing a welcoming place to encounter new ideas and voices and nurturing a lifelong love of the arts. For more details and to register, please visit: https://mocanomi.org/2023/02/summer-art-camp-2023/ < Previous News Next News >

Understanding The Changes Since The Surfside Collapse: Condominium Association Board Members Must Meet the New Requirements Promptly Thu Aug 24 2023 16:16:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

11 Audience-Wowing Films - The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival South Florida Sun Times Jan 21, 2026 The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival (SASIFF), Presented By MorseLife, Returns For Its Fourth Season With Screenings At Three Locations: The Rinker Playhouse At The Kravis Center For The Performing Arts From Sunday, January 25th, 2026 - Saturday, 31st, 2026, Hooky Entertainment Delray Marketplace Sunday, February 1st - Thursday, February 5th, 2026 And The New Glazer Hall In Palm Beach On Friday, February 6th, 2026. Among the exciting, curated selection of films from all over the world are 11 cinematic offerings directed by women: Wednesday, January 28th, 2026 – Frontier Thursday, January 29th, 2026 – Speak Friday, January 30th, 2026 – Sultana’s Dream Friday, January 30th, 2026 – Calle Malaga Saturday, January 31st, 2026 – Steve Schapiro: Being There Sunday, February 1st, 2026 – Jimpa Sunday, February 1st, 2026 – Natchez Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 – The Little Sister Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 – The Ties That Bind Us Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 – Late Shift Friday, February 6th, 2026 – A Man With Sole: The Impact Of Kenneth Cole “We're proud that more than one-third of our festival films are directed or co-directed by women, reflecting the increasing power of women in the production sphere and the film marketplace,” promises Barbara Scharres, SASIFF Artistic Director. The 11 films with women directors slated for the upcoming Sun & Stars International Film Festival Include: A Man With Sole: The Impact Of Kenneth Cole (Documentary / 2024, Palm Beach County Premiere. Directed by Dori Berinstein. USA, 104-minutes) The Closing Night Screening of The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival©, presented by MorseLife. Fashion Designer, Philanthropist and Footwear Purveyor Kenneth Cole knows his shoes. He also appears to know the Native American directive to walk a mile in the moccasins of others, as proven through his 40 years of attention-grabbing strategies for merging commerce and compassion to raise awareness for causes including AIDS, homelessness and LGBTQIA+ rights. From the glitter of the star-studded AIDS benefits he has mounted at the Cannes Film Festival to the humorous billboards in Times Square, Cole’s unique entrepreneurship sells a humanitarian message. Emmy-winning director Berinstein delves into Cole’s history, his passion for social justice, and the brilliantly engaging promo that makes caring as cool as buying hot designer shoes. Note: Kenneth Cole and Director Dori Berinstein will be present for audience discussion Glazer Hall in Palm Beach Friday, February 6th, 2026 - Cocktail Reception 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; premiere screening at 7:30 p.m. Calle Malaga (Romance, 2025, Florida Premiere. Directed by Maryam Touzani. France/Spain/Morocco, 116-minutes—In Spanish and Arabic with English subtitles) Winner of the Audience Award at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, this colorful romantic crowd pleaser is a triumph for luminous 80-year-old Spanish star Carmen Maura, who is playing Maria, a widow enjoying life to the fullest in her home in Tangier, the vibrant city of her birth. When her unhappy divorced daughter arrives from Madrid with a plan to sell the cherished apartment and consign her mother to a nursing home, Maria’s rebellion launches on day one when the adventure of reinventing her independence begins with a speedy exit from the institution. Friendship, ingenuity and creative cookery are at the heart of a delightful plan that incidentally brings her a new love and, quite unexpectedly, hot sex. The Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center on Friday, January 30th, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Frontier (Frontera) (WWII Thriller, 2025, North Palm Beach County Premiere. Directed by Judith Colell. Spain/Belgium, 100-minutes—In Catalan, Spanish, French and German with English subtitles) A small community’s psychic wounds from the Spanish Civil War are opened anew when a Pyrenees mountain village is challenged and divided over their proximity to Nazi-occupied France. Based on true events and starring Miki Esparbe and Bruna Cosi, this film is set in Spain in 1943, in a remote border hamlet where in direct defiance of Franco’s official rejection of Jewish refugees, customs agent Manuel Grau, has surreptitiously teamed up with a smuggler to aid and hide Jews crossing over the mountain trails. Effectively evoking the period and the peril with escalating tension between neighbor and neighbor and husband and wife, director Colell creates a shadowy rural milieu dangerously ruffled by the unfamiliar need to make life-or-death moral choices. The Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Jimpa (Family Drama, 2025, Palm Beach County Premiere. Directed by Sophie Hyde. Australia/Netherlands/Finland, 123-minutes) Two-time Oscar-winner Olivia Colman and Golden Globe-winner John Lithgow bring tender joy and heart-rending pathos to this remarkable drama of inter-generational adjustment when trans non-binary teen Frances decides to move to Amsterdam to live for a year with her flamboyant gay grandfather Jimpa (Lithgow) to explore her still-crystallizing sexual identity. Her indulgent mother Hannah (Colman) struggles with misgivings based on her own unresolved history with Jimpa, the dad who long ago abandoned his family when he came out as gay. Amsterdam’s liberated and very vibrant pan-sexual Queer culture is a fitting background to a story that centers on the power and imperfection of love and the need for forgiveness. According to Deadline, “Colman simply excels [and] Lithgow gets one of his best outings in recent years.” Hooky Entertainment Delray Marketplace on Sunday, February 1st, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Late Shift (Heldin) (Drama, 2025, Palm Beach County Premiere. Directed by Petra Volpe. Switzerland, 92-minutes—In German, Turkish and French with English subtitles) Switzerland’s Oscar contender for Best Foreign Film follows a powerful emotional trajectory over the course of one harried nurse’s night on the understaffed surgical floor of a high-tech Swiss hospital. Nurse Flora (Leonie Benesch) maintains her mental equilibrium by leaning into routine through a demanding all-night shift that brings her briefly into the lives of unsettled patients for unexpected moments of beauty and profound human connection. Benesch, award-winning star of the 2024 Oscar-nominated The Teacher’s Lounge, conveys an intuitive understanding of the loneliness and life-and-death fears of her charges as the story evolves with wonderful grace against a backdrop of large and small crises. Hooky Entertainment Delray Marketplace on Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. The Little Sister (La Petite Derniere) (Drama, 2025, Palm Beach County Premiere. Directed by Hafsia Herzi. France/Germany, 106-minutes—In French and Arabic with English subtitles) Winner of the Queer Palme at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where actress Nadia Melliti was awarded Best Actress, this drama centers on emerging self-acceptance for a daughter who realizes that neither her family nor her faith will recognize her for who she is. The adored youngest of a large and lively Algerian family, Fatima hides a guilty secret—she is unable to deny or quell her growing sexual attraction to women. With one foot in a world ruled by patriarchal tradition and the other in the challenging multicultural milieu of a Parisian college student, she hooks up with a woman on a lesbian dating site and discovers that the way to love and acceptance is blocked by her own doubts and fears. The Hollywood Reporter hails the film as “vibrantly felt yet impressively controlled—and blessed with a stone-cold stunner of a central performance.” Hooky Entertainment Delray Marketplace on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Natchez (Documentary, 2025, Palm Beach County Premiere. Directed by Suzannah Herbert. USA, 86-minutes) Billowing hoop-skirts sway, Southern drawls charm, and opulent antebellum decor draws wows—all trademarks of plantation tourism through which the canny owners of once-crumbling historic properties have revived the economy of Natchez, Mississippi. Under the folksy facade of perfect racial harmony and entrepreneurial community spirit there lurks the remnants of an unsettled history. Director Herbert conducts one of the most fascinating and revealing documentary explorations of the year, venturing into the restored mansions where portraits of Confederate ancestors hang in honor and heirloom silver graces the table, observing way behind the scenes where the thoughts often left unsaid are inadvertently revealed. Hailed by Stephen Saito in The Moveable Fest as “one of the great documentaries of the 21st century,” Natchez has won seven festival awards, including Best Documentary Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival. Hooky Entertainment Delray Marketplace on Sunday, February 1st, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Speak (Documentary, 2025, Palm Beach County Premiere. Directed by Jennifer Tiexiera and Guy Mossman. USA, 104-minutes) Acclaimed as the opening night film of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, Speak is a dynamic high-stakes journey through the lives, challenges and ambitions of five precocious high school students as they prepare for the world’s largest oratory competition. Florida’s own Esther Oyetunji vies for a rare third national win in this veritable Olympics of the spoken word in which past winners have included Oprah, Brad Pitt, Josh Gad, and Justice Kentanji Brown Jackson. Powerful and persuasive personal essays seem ripped from the soul as the five give reasoned unabashed voice to views on subjects including disability rights, LGBTQ+ identity, school shootings and family suicide, exhibiting a passion and maturity clearly rooted in deep emotion and personal experience. The Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center on Thursday, January 29th, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Steve Schapiro: Being Everywhere (Documentary, 2025, North Palm Beach County Premiere. Directed by Maura Smith. USA, 90-minutes) The Centerpiece Screening of The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival©, presented by MorseLife. This fascinating film documents the firsthand stories of photographer Steve Schapiro along with his vast archive of iconic images. Over six decades, he bore witness to some of the most significant social and cultural moments in modern American history and his pictures were published in The New York Times, Life, Look, Time, Newsweek, Rolling Stone and more. His notable subjects have included Andy Warhol, Mohammad Ali, James Baldwin, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Rosa, Parks, Ray Charles, etc., and he produced publicity stills and posters for mega-hit films like The Godfather, Taxi Driver, Midnight Cowboy, Chinatown, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Note: Director Maura Smith will be present for audience discussion. The Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center on Saturday, January 31st, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Sultana’s Dream (Animation, 2023, Florida Premiere. Directed by Isabel Herguera. Spain/Germany, 70-minutes) The colors and cultures of India are entrancingly on display in this animated neo-folk fable that fantasizes Ladyland, a safe place for women where gender roles are reversed, men are segregated and women are equal and free to order the world in peace and harmony. This was the feminist vision of Bengali activist writer Rokeya Hussain in 1905, brought to life by Spanish filmmaker Herguera utilizing media and techniques including paper cutouts, puppet animation, sumptuous layered watercolor painting, and drawn geometric patterns reminiscent of mehndi henna tattoos. Adventurous heroine Ines travels to India in search of her roots, where she flees an overbearing suitor and sees the world with new eyes through her encounters with other women. Filmuforia hailed the “ravishing animation that packs a potent punch… (a) visually captivating gem.” The Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center on Friday, January 30th, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. The Ties That Bind Us (L’Attachement) (Romance, 2024, Palm Beach County Premiere. Directed by Carine Tardieu. France/Belgium, 106-minutes—In French with English subtitles) A revealing comment on the complexities of the modern family, this aptly titled film ricochets between drama and comedy when Sandra (a marvelous turn by Italian star Valeria Bruni Tedeschi), the determinedly single proprietor of a Parisian feminist bookstore, is unexpectedly plunged into family matters through the death of a neighbor. Elliot, a rascally but irresistible child is the catalyst in a melee that has Sandra the bewildered key player in a web of adult relationships that includes the kid’s dad and his new girlfriend, an ex, a sister-in-law, and the kid’s birth father, all seemingly on the make in varying combinations. Hooky Entertainment Delray Marketplace on Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. For more information about SASIFF including a complete list of scheduled screenings or to purchase tickets, please visit: www.sasiff.org . About The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival: The Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival©, presented by MorseLife, aims to bring highly anticipated, critically acclaimed, and thought-provoking films to Palm Beach County. As a world-class film festival, it represents a major contribution to the cultural life of Palm Beach County and returns next month for its fourth season with screenings at the Kravis Center’s Rinker Playhouse from Sunday, January 25th, 2026 - Saturday, January 31st, 2026 at Hooky Entertainment Delray from Sunday, February 1st, 2026 - Thursday, February 5th, 2026 with the closing night screening at glamorous new Glazer Hall in Palm Beach on Friday, February 6th, 2026. SASIFF was co-founded by film buffs and cultural philanthropists Donald M. Ephraim and Terri Sriberg. For more information about purchasing tickets or becoming a sponsor, please visit: www.sasiff.org - On Facebook at: www.facebook.com/DME.SASIFF - On Twitter at: www.twitter.com/dmesasiff - On Instagram at: www.instagram.com/dme_sasiff . Email: info@sasiff.org . Or call: (561) 220-6735. About MorseLife: MorseLife serves more than 3,600 seniors every day on its campus in West Palm Beach and through its community outreach programs. Founded in 1983, MorseLife is a provider of health care and residential services for seniors in Palm Beach County. A charitable, not-for-profit organization, its programs also include short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, independent and assisted living, memory care assisted living, hospice, home health care, care management, meals-on-wheels, and PACE. Since its beginnings, MorseLife has built a reputation and tradition of caring for seniors with excellence, dignity, and compassion. For more information, visit: https://morselife.org - On Facebook at: www.facebook.com/MorseLife - On Twitter at: www.twitter.com/MorseLifeHealth - On Instagram at: www.instagram.com/morselifehealth - On LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/company/morselife-inc-/ - Or contact: info@morselife.org . (Photo Credit: Sun & Stars International Film Festival) Previous Next

No COVID Vax, No College? By Jane M.Orient, M.D. May 27, 2021 Share So, what can students do? Be cheerful or reluctant participants in a massive uncontrolled experiment & hope for the best? Seek an exemption? Or pause their education plans - and outrageous tuition? Students looking forward to getting back to college are getting letters from 100 to 200 colleges notifying them of a new prerequisite: getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As one letter states, this is because of our “our continued desire to protect the health and safety of our community.” This includes high-risk individuals in the surrounding community or wherever the students go in the “mass migration” at the end of the se-mester, according to the Ameri-can College Health Association (ACHA). The main purpose of the requirement is not to protect the students themselves. Of all COVID deaths, only about 0.1% have been in 15-to-24-year-olds. Yet, young people can suffer death or serious disability after getting the jab. (Authorities point out that it is not necessarily because of the jab.) According to a controversial independent analysis, the aggressive Israeli vaccination campaign killed more than 200 times as many young people, as the Coronavirus itself, could have killed during the same 35-week period. One of the commenters on the ACHA’s recommendation wrote: “It is perfectly reasonable for a society to expect its members, *all* of its members, to take up such risks on behalf of everyone. Unless you plan on putting a bullet in your own head on your thirty ninth birthday, one day *you* will be that elderly person who benefits disproportionately from universal vaccination. To not accept that risk now, yet expect that protection later, would make you a hypocrite.” So much for the parental instinct to protect children - instead of using or sacrificing them! We do not know the precise number of post-vaccine “adverse events,” because of incomplete reporting, or the percentage that were caused by the jab and not coincidental. But, one can see the number and types of events reported to the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) or the more user-friendly British Yellow Card system. These include death, clotting or bleeding problems, paralysis, blindness and miscarriages (213 in VAERS as of today). The long-term adverse events cannot yet be known. The prospect of most concern to the young women calling our office is infertility. There is no evidence that the products currently available cause infertility and, there is also, no evidence that they don’t. There are plausible reasons to worry. Viral spiked Proteins have been found in the placentas of mothers who gave birth after having COVID. The spiked Proteins themselves, without any virus, can attach to the lining of blood vessels, many tissues, even cross the blood-brain barrier and wreak havoc. Getting your own body to make spiked Proteins is what these genetically engineered products do. Concerning fertility, the one relevant animal experiment, in 1,273 Sprague-Dawley rats, showed a numerically lower pregnancy rate, but within the facility’s historical range. The rats were not injected in early pregnancy when organs are forming, in order to check for birth defects. There are thousands of reports of menstrual irregularities, though these are not officially recognized as side effects, many things including anxiety can affect the menstrual cycle and there are worries disseminated in social media but debunked by fact-checkers that menstrual problems and other effects can result from contact with vaccinated people. The Vaccine-induced spiked Proteins are supposed to stay attached to your cells and cause your body to make antibodies that will recognize the virus. Can they be shed into the environment and picked up by others by contact or inhalation? I don’t know of a mechanism, but, it seems odd to me that the Pfizer experimental trials not only excluded women who were or might soon become pregnant, but also required men to abstain or use a condom for 28 days post injection. Just FDA bureaucracy and “abundance of caution”? There is no abundance of caution in forcing this product onto students entering their prime reproductive years. No concern about “reproductive rights.” It is unlawful to use coercion to gain acceptance of products available only through an Emergency Use Authorization, but colleges are confident of quick FDA approval, even though trials won’t be complete until 2022 or 2023. The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons has written to college administrators urging them to withdraw the mandate but has received no reply. Grants from ACHA, which receives grants from Pfizer and the CDC, probably talk louder. So, what can students do? Be cheerful or reluctant participants in a massive uncontrolled experiment and hope for the best? Seek an exemption? Or pause their education plans and their outrageous tuition fees? There are “help wanted” signs everywhere, for learning, there are libraries, more on-line opportunities will spring up and a college degree may be unnecessary or it can wait. The biological window for having a family will close. How much risk of infertility should young people take? Jane M. Orient, M.D. obtained her undergraduate degrees in chemistry and mathematics from the University of Arizona in Tucson and her M.D. from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, in 1974. She completed an internal medicine residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital and University of Arizona Affiliated Hospitals, then became an Instructor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and a staff physician at the Tucson Veterans Administration Hospital. She has been in solo private practice since 1981 and has served as Executive Director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), since 1989. She is currently president of Doctors for Disaster Preparedness. She is the author of YOUR Doctor Is Not In: Healthy Skepticism about National Healthcare, the second through five editions of Sapira's Art and Science of Bedside Diagnosis published by Wolters Kluwer. She authored books for schoolchildren, Professor Klugimkopf's Old-Fashioned English Grammar and Professor Klugimkopf's Spelling Method, published by Robinson Books and coauthored two novels published as Kindle books; Neomorts and Moonshine. More than 100 of her papers have been published in the scientific and popular literature on a variety of subjects including risk assessment, natural and technological hazards, non-hazards, medical economics and ethics. She is the editor of AAPS News, the Doctors for Disaster Preparedness Newsletter, The Civil Defense Perspectives and is the managing editor of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. < Previous News Next News >

Friday Night Sound Waves Returns To The LOOP March 22, 2024 Share This Free Outdoor Concert Series on Fort Lauderdale Beach is Presented by the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Beach Business Improvement District, Every Friday Night April 12th – May 17th, 2024. The producers of Friday Night Sound Waves are giving guests the opportunity to check #41 off Author Christiana Lilly’s “100 Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale Before You Die” list, with a spring revival of the popular free concert series at The LOOP (Las Olas Oceanside Park), every Friday, April 12th through May 17th, 2024 from 6:30–9:30 p.m. Presented by the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Beach Business Improvement District, Friday Night Sound Waves welcomes locals and visitors, the young and the young at heart, to enjoy some of South Florida’s best musical talents, performing an eclectic range of genres ranging from Reggae, Funk, Afro-Cuban, Top 40, Motown and R&B. Attendees are invited to come early to enjoy various pre-concert games on the main lawn starting at 5:00 p.m., along with Local Artisan Vendors and a rotation of Food and Drink Vendors to peruse during and after the show. Friday Night Sound Waves scheduled performances include*: April: Friday, April 12th – The Resolvers, Reggae The Resolvers define “Big Band Reggae” by combining classic Jamaican Roots and lively New Orleans stylings. Siblings Ojay and Sahara Smith (son and daughter of International Reggae Artist Ernie Smith) exchange lead vocal roles with Israeli-Born Bandleader and Guitarist Ron Eisner while their rock solid rhythm and bombastic horn sections set the pace. Their shows have been described as “explosive" and “must see,” and the band has gained a reputation as a premier live Reggae act. The Resolvers have shared the stage with The Wailers, Julian Marley, Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Kymani Marley, Inner Circle, English Beat, Yellowman, Matisyahu, Lee 'Scratch' Perry and Mishka along with many other world-renowned acts in major international festivals such as Marley Fest, Jamaican Jazz & Blues Fest, Sun Fest, Hulaween, AURA Music & Arts Fest, Dub Fest and more. Friday, April 19th – Rogue Theory, Indie Funk/Rock Dive into the vibrant soundscape of Rogue Theory, a dynamic band hailing from the Sunshine State. Rogue Theory is on a musical journey leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and ears of music lovers across the nation. Their ever-evolving, eclectic fusion of Indie Funk-Rock is often called refreshing – a playful and nostalgic tapestry woven from the finest threads of various musical genres – a truly original soulful experience. Friday, April 26th – Private Stock, Top 40 80's Dance Party Private Stock Band is the most sought-after entertainment in the event industry. Being together for over 20 years contributes to the band’s amazing chemistry that shines through with every high-energy performance. Voted the #1 Party Band in Florida, Private Stock is the only band in the event industry that features Top 10 Hit Recording artists and stars from the hit show, “Legends.” Private Stock's musicians are all multi-talented and versatile, with an extensive song list consisting of Top 40, the 50’s & 60’s, Rock & Roll, Motown, Soul, 70’s Disco, Classic Rock, 80’s, 90’s, Latin and Country. May: Friday, May 3rd – SonLokos, Afro-Cuban, Fusion SonLokos was born in the City of Miami in 2012. Its music fusions Son, Afro-Cuban Music, Timba and traditional Cuban rhythms with Hip-Hop, Electronic Music, Reggae and Rap. SonLokos has a fresh and innovative sound that ranges between Son and Descarga to a very explosive danceable rhythm that keeps people on their feet. Their repertoire includes classic covers of Cuban music as well as original compositions. Friday, May 10th – VAM Band, Top 40 VAM Band is a Funk Tribute Dance Band performing Pop, Top 40, Soul, R&B, Motown, Latin, Reggae and more. Friday, May 17th – Valerie Tyson, Motown Valerie Tyson is a soulful and electrifying band that performs classic and modern music specializing in playing today’s Top 40, Jazz, Classic Rock, R&B and Reggae. Each member of the band brings a combination of vocal and instrumental skills and experience. *Performers schedule subject to change When: Every Friday, April 12th–May 17, 2024 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Where: Las Olas Oceanside Park: 3000 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316 The most convenient place to park is the Las Olas Beach Parking Garage, where the PayByPhone payment option can be used, and parking can be extended from anywhere using the mobile PayByPhone APP. Cost: The events are free and open to the public. How: For more information, please visit: www.FridayNightSoundWaves.com About The LOOP: A cornerstone of activity, The LOOP (Las Olas Oceanside Park) is the central hub of the $65 million four-park system at the heart of Fort Lauderdale Beach. The public greenspaces, including the Intracoastal Promenade, Las Olas Beach Garage Sunset Terrace, and DC Alexander Park, aim to provide infinite experiences for everyone under the sun and year-round activity in Fort Lauderdale’s oceanfront backyard. Through its four pillars, “FAME,” The LOOP offers a variety of special events, activities, and unique local experiences for all, including free concerts, holiday happenings, farmer’s markets, community workouts, and more. For more information, visit: www.theloopflb.com - Or contact: info@theloopflb.com . Follow The LOOP on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/theloopflb - and Instagram at: www.instagram.com/theloopflb/ < Previous News Next News >

A Warning From The Inspector General: Offers To Increase Your Social Security Benefits Are from Criminals Thu Mar 23 2023 16:07:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Medicaid Buy Down: Learn How To Legally Protect Your Assets From Confiscation By Tracy Renee Lee August 5, 2021 Share If you or an aging parent is entering long-term care, you are allowed to buy down your liquid resources Last week, I had a client whose mother had passed away in a nursing home, without insurance to help cover the expenses of her burial needs. His mother had only been in the nursing home for a few months. Upon discussion, my client thought his mother might have funds in her bank account. In exploration for funding, he asked for our assistance and so, we sent an inquiry to the bank on his behalf. Prior to entering the nursing home, his mother had had substantial funding in her account. Regrettably, she nor her son consulted an end-of-life financial counselor or funeral practitioner prior to her entrance into the nursing facility. If either had, her funeral expenses would have been covered and he would not have had to go to his bank and refinance both of his vehicles, in order to afford to bury her. During the 1970's, I was a schoolgirl. I lived at home with my parents and my siblings, my father was self-employed. As a self-employed general contractor in the 1970’s, my father lamented over the difficulties of a weak economy that were imposed upon him. Our country suffered tremendously during those days with outrageous interest rates, ridiculous gas shortages and the tragic Vietnam War Fallout. Through it all, my father was strong and fearless. He kept food on the table and money in the pockets of his employees by adhering to the following adages. To this day, my favorite two pearls of wisdom from my dad are, “Knowledge is Power” (Francis Bacon, 1597) and “Fortune Favors the Prepared Mind.” (Luis Pasteur, 1854) Now that I am self-employed and must put food on the table and money in the pockets of my employees, both of these statements, do ring true in my heart on a daily basis. Unfortunately, my client last week did not grow up with a self-employed father from the 1970’s economic nightmare. He was, therefore, unprepared for the expenses that he faced, upon the death of his mother. Knowledge is Power is a true statement. Knowledge always gives power in any situation or subject, in which, one finds oneself. The knowledge to invest, shelter, earn rather than borrow and leverage one’s assets, is power indeed. In the situation that my client was in, knowledge of end-of-life expenses and how to prepare for them would most certainly have helped him, be more financially, protected. Fortune Favors the Prepared Mind, this would have preserved his payment-free status and allowed him greater comfort, in our country’s current inflationary, economic woes. In order to better protect your assets, might I suggest that you seek out an end-of-life financial counselor? Seeking such advice, may save your family home, family heirlooms, family fortunes and any inheritance. None of us wants to see our parents, nor ourselves, in a nursing home; however, the reality of such an occurrence, is not that, farfetched. Statistically, we would all be better off understanding long-term care, its expenses and its funding resources. Primarily, we should understand that at-need long-term care is neither affordable, nor free. One should prepare for such expenses at an early age by investments or insurance. Medicaid may seem as though it is free, however, those expenses are the debt of the receiver, as such, the receiver’s assets, both liquids and physical tangibles, they are subject to seizures, by the government. Fortunately, the government has built in, an allowance for certain expenses and protections of certain assets. One must, however, protect and shelter those assets, prior to entering or qualifying for Medicaid. For most assets, Medicaid has a five-year look-back period. With this in mind, you can understand why one must prepare, rather than procrastinate, organize and shelter, their finances. One of Medicaid’s allowances for those who find that they have extended their planning to the last moment, is the Medicaid Buy-Down Program. If you or an aging parent, is entering long-term care, you are allowed to Buy Down your liquid resources. In other words, you are allowed to shelter a respectable amount of your funds into certain expenses. Funds may be spent to repair a home, a vehicle or other necessities, in life. One of those necessities, which became of utmost importance to my client last week, was the expense of his mother’s funeral. If he had just participated in the Buy-Down Allowance three weeks prior, his mother’s funeral would have been prepaid with her own funds. With significant funds in her bank account, she could have visited the funeral home and had pre-funded her funeral expenses. At that point, those funds would have been secured and would have rested there, until the time of her death. If my client and his mother had participated in this program, he would have had the resources necessary, to bury her without, having to borrow the funds, at the time of her death. My client’s situation was expensive, unfortunate and completely avoidable. All he needed to do was follow my father’s admonitions; educate yourself, prepare for, the expected and for, the unexpected. Each state has different qualifications and disqualifications, for long-term care expenses, commonly known as, Medicaid. My father’s advice would be to research your options, before you find yourself in a bind. Medicaid posts its rules, regulations and restrictions on-line, for each state. I suggest you look them up and consult a financial consultant, sooner rather than later. By the way, long-term care, does not only affect the elderly. If you visit a nursing home, you may be surprised to find many people as young as 20 or so, confined there. One never knows when health misfortune might hit them, health can be fleeting and its consequences, can be expensive. For this reason and others, I suggest you prepare for all possibilities in life. My name is Tracy Renee Lee. I am a Certified Grief Counselor (GC-C), Funeral Director (FDIC), published author, syndicated columnist, Podcaster and founder of the “Mikey Joe Children’s Memorial” and Heaven Sent, Corp. I write books, weekly bereavement articles, Podcasts and Grief BRIEFs, related to understanding and coping with grief. I am the American Funeral Director of the Year Runner-Up and recipient of the BBB’s Integrity Award. It is my life's work to comfort the bereaved and help them live on. For additional encouragement, please visit my podcast “Deadline” at: https://open.spotify.com/show/7MHPy4ctu9OLvdp2JzQsAA Or at: https://anchor.fm/tracy874 and follow me on Instagram at: "Deadline_TracyLee." < Previous News Next News >

Thank You For Your Service: Airlines Offer Many Perks And Discounts For The Military Community By Tim Kinsella September 20, 2024 Share I served for 33 years in the United States Military. As the former commanding officer of the Navy’s largest aviation training installation at Naval Air Station Pensacola, I know firsthand the deep relationships between military aviation and our airline industry. The airline industry has been one of the leading employers for America's service members, employing more than 50,000 Veteran's. I’ve been fortunate to fly all over the world for both military and personal reasons, but no matter where I travel, I always know I'll be treated with kindness and dignity when I fly on a U.S. airline. U.S. airlines offer discounts, waive fees, and provide many other perks for active duty and Veteran's alike. To make the most of these opportunities, active-duty personnel and veterans should check out the military benefits airlines offer before finalizing travel arrangements. Discounted fares and vacation packages Many airlines offer discounted fares for travel itineraries -- including leisure and vacation. Alaska, American, Hawaiian, JetBlue, and United all offer reduced fares for the military community through a partnership with WeSalute+ -- a benefits and discount program for active duty and veterans, and their immediate families. Southwest also offers lower fares not available to the public if you call ahead. Several airlines even offer discounts on vacation packages. Delta Vacations offers military discounts up to $200 on a flight-and-hotel package. American Airlines, meanwhile, offers 10% discounts for vacation packages through WeSalute+. Check extra bags for free (and bring your pets too!) Most airlines waive baggage fees for members of the military community. Alaska, American, and JetBlue offer up to five free checked bags per flight, for example, depending on whether the flight is for duty or leisure. Many airlines also let members of the military community ship their pets -- a benefit not typically offered to the general public. This is something we took full advantage of when we were stationed overseas in Belgium. Active-duty servicemembers who are relocating or traveling on-orders should check airline policies to see if their four-legged friends can fly for free. Semper Fido! An enhanced airport experience Airports can get chaotic, especially around the holidays. Members of the military community, however, may be eligible for a little extra comfort, convenience, and relaxation. Most airlines offer priority boarding to members of the military and their families. Early boarding offers a chance to secure overhead storage for carry-ons and get settled into a seat before the single-file procession of other passengers starts down the narrow aisle. We sure appreciated this when we were moving overseas with two small children, two cats, and more bags than a discount shopper on black Friday! Military travelers flying with American, United, or Alaska Airlines can enjoy airline clubs and lounges before boarding, depending on the airport and availability. Whether it's to hang with the family, find a nook to read, grab a snack, or grab a catnap, these lounges offer a quiet space to relax before boarding. Know what deals, discounts, and perks are available before you book! Traveling can be stressful for anyone. To relieve stress and save both time and money, members of the military community should make a point of looking into the discounts, perks, and amenities available to them before they book. Our airlines offer these discounts because they appreciate and value the sacrifices our servicemembers and their families make every day -- something a great number of airline employees have experienced as veterans themselves. Captain Tim "Lucky" Kinsella, USN (Ret), is the Executive Director of the Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz Center for Leadership at the University of West Florida. He served 33 years in the United States Navy. < Previous News Next News >

Enough Is Enough: Shield Kids From Sexually Explicit Content - The Supreme Court’s Need To Uphold Critical Common Sense Age Verification Law January 23, 2025 Share This month, on January 15th, 2025, the United States Supreme Court has an historic opportunity to profoundly impact the lives of America’s youth by protecting them from the evils of online sexual exploitation. By upholding Texas’ age verification law in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, 23-50627 (5th Cir. 2024), the Supreme Court can protect the innocence and dignity of countless children. The multi-billion-dollar pornography industry would have the Court believe that preventing children from accessing sexually explicit content via a simple verification of one’s age would overly burden consenting adults and violate their First Amendment rights. This is the same age old “privacy” argument that was used by the ACLU, the Free Speech Coalition and the American Library Association in the nineties. The Supreme Court, legislators, the media and the public should not be deceived by their dishonest tactics! Obscene content that meets the three prong standard pursuant to Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15 (1973), is illegal under U.S. federal law and has no protection under the First Amendment. Title 18 U.S.C. Chapter 71 §§1460-1470, prohibits distribution of such obscenity, including via the internet and other digital means. For over three decades, Enough Is Enough has fought for common sense age verification laws as an effective tool in the fight to protect children from exposure to both soft-core material (broadcast indecency and harmful to minors content), hard-core prosecutable obscenity and child pornography, and the trauma that results from exposure to such toxic material. Age verification is still used as an effective shield to protect minor children from pornography in print, television and broadcast. For instance, a consenting adult can buy a Penthouse magazine or rent an X-rated video, but a minor child cannot. Age verification is also required to obtain a driver’s license, buy alcohol and cigarettes, legally vote, and serve in our nation’s military. Certainly, this same standard of care should be applied to protecting our most vulnerable citizens-namely children-which is why, today, we call upon the Supreme Court to uphold Texas’ age verification law and establish a path forward for all states to take similar action. Yet, for decades, the pornography industry has been given a free pass to distribute obscene content online accessible to anyone, including children, thus profiting from the distribution of this illegal content while knowingly and blatantly breaking federal obscenity laws that have gone largely unenforced since George W. Bush was president. In 1996, Congress enacted the Communications Decency Act (CDA) seeking to regulate obscene and indecent content online. And while, in Reno v. ACLU, 521 U.S. 844 (1997), certain aspects of the CDA were found to infringe upon free speech, the Supreme Court did recognize that “Transmitting obscenity and child pornography, whether via the Internet or other means, is already illegal under federal law for both adults and juveniles.” Further, as the state of Texas has correctly argued in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the Supreme Court has consistently recognized that Congress has a ‘‘compelling government interest’’ to protect the physical and psychological well-being of minors, which includes shielding them from indecent and obscene content. Since the 90’s, Social Media has exploded onto the scene and the laws on the books need to be updated to protect the millions of American children who are using these platforms. As the world grows increasingly reliant upon a variety of digital devices including cell phones, tablets, and gaming devices, children grow increasingly vulnerable to online risks. Forty-three percent of kids aged 8-12 own a smartphone (57% a tablet) and of kids aged 13-18, 88% own a smartphone (36% a tablet). Ninety-five percent of 13–17-year-olds use Social Media. With this explosion in the use of such devices, evolving social media and app platforms, and expanded public Wi-Fi availability, children and teens have easy, free and unrestricted access to prosecutable obscenity like hard-core, extreme content depicting graphic sex acts, rape, strangulation, and violence; even material depicting the sexual abuse or rape of a child. Peer-reviewed research and medical science shows that internet pornography is a fueling factor in the sexual exploitation and abuse of children. Seventy-three percent of teens ages 13 to 17 have watched pornography online—and more than half (54%) reported first seeing pornography by the time they reached the age of 13, Common Sense Media, "Teens and Pornography, 2023. The exposure of children to internet pornography is harming their developing brains. “Pornography consumption is associated with decreased brain volume in the right striatum, decreased left striatum activation, and lower functional connectivity to the prefrontal cortex.” Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry – 2014. Despite what the pornography industry says, age verification technologies have improved throughout the years and are effective tools in the fight to protect children from the evils of pornographic online content. To date, 19 states have enacted age verification laws, with potentially more to follow. It is our hope the highest court in the nation upholds the very laws designed to safeguard the precious innocence of our most vulnerable citizens, our children…. America’s future. < Previous News Next News >