South Florida Fashion Academy Appoints Bravo TV Project Runway Fashion Designer As New Fashion Design Program Director South Florida Sun Times Aug 13, 2026 South Florida Fashion Academy Is Excited To Announce Bravo Tv Project Runway (Season 13) Fashion Designer Extraordinaire, Mitchell Perry, Is Joining The Full-Time Private School As The Fashion Director Of The Academy’s Fashion Design & Merchandising Department For The Upcoming 2026-2027 Academic School Year. With open enrollment currently in place for two more weeks, South Florida Fashion Academy is one of the region’s leading private schools for grades 6th-12th offering full-time academic programs combined with dual enrollment programs for creative students spanning from fashion design, fashion merchandising, barbering, cosmetology, to nail technology, ultimately allowing students to earn college credits while getting their high school diploma. “Mitchell brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role. From textile manufacturing to fashion design, the business of fashion, and fashion illustration, he has the expertise that will help our students thrive,” said Taj McGill, Founder and Executive Director of South Florida Fashion Academy. Led by McGill, SF/FA is celebrating its sixth consecutive year delivering rigorous core academic instruction in math, reading, science and history as required by the Florida Department of Education while also offering dual-enrollment elective programs that allow students to begin studying their career specialty in fashion, barbering, cosmetology or business. “Through our Dual Enrollment partnership, eligible students have the opportunity to earn college credits in Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising while completing their high school education. Students may also pursue State of Florida licensure in programs including Barbering, Cosmetology, Nail Technology, and other career-focused disciplines, ultimately graduating with valuable credentials that create real-world career opportunities,” McGill stated. “Textiles, fashion design, the business of fashion, and fashion illustration are just a few of the exceptional areas of expertise that Mitchell brings to our academy. His industry experience and passion for developing the next generation of creative professionals will provide our students with an unmatched educational experience, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the SF/FA family.” As a Project Runway fashion designer alumni and lifelong creative, Mitchell says he is thrilled to join SF/FA and enhance the academy’s Fashion Design Program and work with creative bright minds. “I believe fashion should feel human. My fashion design approach is rooted in collaboration, curiosity, kindness, and innovation, whether I’m exploring AI-powered fashion design & development or mentoring students through exciting fashion design product challenges,” Mitchell stated. Parents and students interested in learning more about SF/FA’s full-time private school and expansive dual enrollment elective programs are encouraged to fill out this online form and an Admissions Director will be in contact within 24-72 hours. School begins at South Florida Fashion Academy on Monday, August 24th, 2026. Learn more online at: www.SouthFloridaFashionAcademy.com . About South Florida Fashion Academy South Florida Fashion Academy is currently hosting Open Enrollment for full-time students in grades 6th through 12th now through Wednesday, August 12th, 2026 and offering Design Your Future Fashion Scholarships. As one of South Florida’s premier private schools located in Lauderdale Lakes, SF/FA combines a strong academic foundation with industry-focused career paths that prepare students for college, entrepreneurship or a career in fashion, beauty, barbering or cosmetology. SF/FA’s mission in South Florida is to educate, inspire, and empower students to earn their education and tap into their creativity to ultimately launch a career in the arts, fashion, beauty or business industries. South Florida Fashion Academy prepares students for professional excellence through rigorous and adaptable academic programs, experiential learning, and ingenious partnerships and internship opportunities that embrace inclusiveness, sustainability and a sense of community. To learn more or enroll your student in the 2026/2027 school year, please visit: http://southfloridafashionacademy.com . Follow SF/FA on Instagram and Facebook for more updates. Mitchell Perry, New Fashion Director South Florida Fashion Academy South Florida Fashion Academy is one of the region’s leading private schools for grades 6th-12th offering full-time academic programs combined with dual enrollment programs for creative students. Previous Next

ZOA Condemns Mamdani’s Bigotry/Discrimination for Excluding Jews from Judicial Appointments Panel Jewish Connection News Jul 29, 2026 Mamdani Incites Jew-Hatred With Recent Defamation Of Netanyahu, And He Failed To Properly Respond To Ensuing Antisemitic Stabbing By Bigot Shouting “Allahu Akbar” Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) National President Morton A. Klein released the following statement: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani gets worse and worse as he promotes his overt Islamist, anti-American, pro-Hamas, Jew-hating agenda. ZOA strongly condemns bigot Mamdani’s latest antisemitic/discriminatory actions this week, including his excluding Jews from a judicial appointments panel; inciting Jew-hatred with his recent defamation of Netanyahu; and failing to promptly and properly respond to the ensuing antisemitic stabbing by an evil, violent bigot shouting “Allahu Akbar.” This week, Mamdani, mayor of a city with the largest Jewish population in America, appointed 18 members – none of whom are Jewish – to the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary, which selects judges for the NYC criminal courts that try hate crimes. Jews are by far the largest number of victims of hate crimes. Further, one of the new committee members signed a statement affirming support for the antisemitic hate group Students for Justice in Palestine. These appointments are clearly a deliberate attempt to censor and discriminate against Jews, by excluding Jews on both the selection panel and its resulting judicial appointments. Censoring and excluding Jews is particularly dangerous in this Mamdani era when NYC anti-Jewish hate crimes are skyrocketing. Mamdani does not have a mandate for such actions: he became mayor with 50.1% of the small number of people who voted. Mamdani’s most recent anti-Jewish actions, moreover, followed Mamdani excluding Italian, Irish and other European neighborhoods from his map of NYC neighborhoods. NYC has a very large percentage of Jewish lawyers and law professors. One recent article states that 50% of NYC lawyers are Jewish. ZOA Coalition member Professor Rabbi Mark Goldfeder, Esq. stated: “If you were to pull 18 [lawyers] at random, you would expect there to be several Jewish members. When they [Mamdani’s Muslim chief counsel, Ramzi Kassem] call it [the committee] ‘TRULY REPRESENTATIVE’ that’s ridiculous.” The committee’s biased composition is unfortunately not surprising. The supervisor of the Advisory Committee on the Judiciary is lawyer-to-terrorist Ramzi Kassem. When Mamdani appointed Kassem as NYC Chief Counsel, ZOA warned that “the NYC Chief Counsel wields immense power and influence over city policy, legislation, ethics, and legal direction, and has oversight of city agencies. Radical Muslim Kassem’s record makes him the wrong person for this role, and a danger to New Yorkers.” ZOA described Kassem’s representation of murderous Al Qaeda terrorists; and Kassem’s work to prevent the FBI from questioning Muslims and from obtaining Muslim informants; derogation of law enforcement as the “real danger;” false accusations that law enforcement was “demonizing” Muslims at a “new fever pitch;” and consistent treatment of Islamic terror as an imaginary excuse for law enforcement’s efforts to uncover terror activities. See “ZOA Condemns Mamdani’s Ending Exec. Orders Protecting Jews & Appt. of Israel-Bashing, Lawyer-for-Muslim Terrorists, Ramzi Kassem, as NYC Chief Counsel, Endangering Jews and America,” Jan. 2, 2026; and “Terrorist Lawyer Who Condemned Israel, Defended 9/11, Now Sets Biden Immigration Policy,” by Daniel Greenfield, Front Page Mag., July 7, 2023. We are now seeing the dangerous, frightening results of Mamdani’s disastrous appointment. We are painfully forced to think of the Nazis’ “Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service,” promulgated on April 7, 1933, which removed Jewish judges from the bench and removed Jewish lawyers from practice. Mamdani’s and Ramzi Kassem’s recent biased/bigoted appointment excluding Jews appears to be aimed at ending justice for Jews who are attacked in New York. We urge all Jewish, Christian, and Muslim leaders, and political, academic, business and other leaders to speak against this and Mamdani’s other discriminatory actions. This bigotry must stop now! Further, Mamdani’s appointments to damage the judiciary occurred the same week that Mamdani outrageously, recklessly incited anti-Jewish violence by falsely defaming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as murdering innocent people and other horrific crimes. The next day, on Tisha B’Av, a man screaming “Allahu Akbar” stabbed a Jewish man and an Asian man. Mamdani took many hours to even mention the attacks, and still hasn’t retracted his incitement against the Jewish people and Jewish state. Hypocritically, Mamdani wrote on X the next day that “This kind of despicable violence is not who we are as a city. Every New Yorker deserves to be safe, regardless of their religion or race. Our administration will always stand against bigotry and do everything in our power to root out antisemitism, racism, and hateful acts of all kinds.” Unfortunately, Mamdani’s biased judicial appointments committee and defamation of Israel and its leader will instead further embolden Islamist attackers of innocent Jews and others. Previous Next

Las Olas Wine And Food Festival: Fort Lauderdale’s Premier Charitable Wine And Food Experience Returns Thu Jan 04 2024 17:09:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Temple Sinai Of Hollywood Presents An Evening With DuDu Fisher & Friends By Alan Goch - Jewish Connection News Jan 7, 2025 World renown Israeli Cantor and entertainer DuDu Fisher will perform in concert at Temple Sinai of Hollywood on Sunday, February 2nd, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Fisher will be joined by Cantor Dimitry. General Admission is $72 and includes one seat; VIP Tickets are $360 and include one ticket, a reserved parking spot, meet-and-greet champagne dessert reception and a listing in the event program.

Sponsorship opportunities are available, including Community Sponsor at $500, which includes a listing in the event program and Event Sponsor at $1,000 which includes 4 tickets, a reserved parking spot, meet-and-greet champagne dessert reception and a listing in the event program.

Bid on items in the Online Auction which went live January 1st, 2025, and will culminate the evening of the concert. All proceeds benefit Temple Sinai of Hollywood’s community programs and services. The synagogue is located at 1400 North 46th Avenue in Hollywood. 
To purchase tickets or for more information, visit: www.SinaiHollywood.org . Or call: (954) 987-0026, Extension#: 1. Or email: info@sinaihollywood.org Photo: DuDu Fisher. Photo courtesy of DuDu Fisher Previous Next

It’s a Marvelous Memorable March: At the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center February 23, 2024 Share March comes in like a lion and stays that way as the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center presents a roaring month of great entertainment. Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida presents Program III, the highly anticipated production of Le Papillon (The Butterfly) on Saturday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 3 at 3 p.m. This enchanting production guarantees to mesmerize both new and returning audiences with the combination of powerful performances by its professional corps, elaborate sets and costumes, and the visionary choreography of the troupe’s Artistic Director, Vladimir Issaev. A two-act fairy-themed ballet that originated from the esteemed Paris Opera Ballet, Le Papillon follows the kidnapped princess, Farfalla, the valiant prince, Djalma, and the mischievous fairy, Hamza. As the plot unfolds, Farfalla undergoes a magical transformation into a butterfly, leading to a series of enchanting and bewildering events. Le Papillon promises an extraordinary showcase of virtuosity by the company’s talented professional dancers. The City of Aventura presents the finale to the Aventura Broadway Concert Series with Broadway, TV and film star Melissa Errico on Sunday, March 10 at 7 p.m. As a musical theater actress, she as appeared on Broadway in: My Fair Lady, for which her performance as Eliza Doolittle was called “beguiling” by The New York Times; Anna Karenina; High Society as Tracy Lord; Amour, for which she received a Tony-nomination; Dracula; White Christmas in the Rosemary Clooney role of Betty; and Les Misérables as Cosette. Errico has maintained a constant TV presence throughout her career, starring in Darren Star’s Central Park West and, most recently, playing recurring roles on Showtime’s Billions and Cinemax’s The Knick. She appeared in featured films such as Frequency with Dennis Quaid, Life or Something Like It as Angelina Jolie’s best friend, and Loverboy directed by Kevin Bacon. Recognized as one of the most prolific Soul and R&B groups in musical history, The 5th Dimension comes to the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center on Thursday, March 14 at 8 p.m. The iconic group has 22 Top 40 hits including "Up, Up and Away," "Wedding Bell Blues," "One Less Bell to Answer," "Last Night I Didn't Get to Sleep At All" and the iconic "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In." The City of Aventura presents the group that has secured its position in the Grammy Hall of Fame and has six Grammy Awards as well as 14 gold records and six platinum releases. In addition to performances on the world's most famous stages, including Radio City Music Hall (alongside Frank Sinatra) and the Hollywood Bowl, The 5th Dimension delivered unforgettable television performances through the years. By popular demand, The City of Aventura brings back The Magic of Bill Blagg Live! on Saturday, March 16 at 2 and 7 p.m. Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as “absolutely incredible.” Blagg makes objects float in mid-air and vanish in the blink of an eye all with trademark off-the-cuff personality. With interactive magic and jaw-dropping illusions, Blagg will once again have audiences rubbing their eyes in disbelief. The City of Aventura presents The Doo Wop Project featuring the Broadway stars of Jersey Boys, Motown: The Musical and other blockbusters on Thursday, March 21 at 8 p.m. Bringing unparalleled authenticity of sound and vocal excellence, the cast recreates — and in some cases entirely reimagines — the greatest music in American pop and rock history. The Doo Wop Project traces the evolution of Doo Wop from the classic sound of five guys singing harmonies on a street corner to the biggest hits on the radio today. The set list includes the foundational tunes from the Crests, Belmonts and Flamingos through the vocal artistry of Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and The Four Seasons all the way to “DooWopified” versions of modern hits from Michael Jackson, Jason Mraz, Maroon 5 and Sam Smith. Straight from Showtime and three blockbuster comedy specials, The City of Aventura presents Funny Women of a Certain Age in the Aventura Stand Up Comedy Series on Thursday, March 22 at 8 p.m. The hilarious line-up features Carole Montgomery, a stand-up comic described by The Last Vegas Sun as "one of Vegas’ premier comics.” She is joined by Vanessa Hollingshead, a comic and natural storyteller with a unique repertoire of heartfelt, funny characterizations of all the people that cross her path. Trish Keating completes the comedy trio with her comedy that is one-part social satire, two-parts personal pain, and most parts attitude. These women are all brilliant, funny, and vibrant – and it just so happens, of a certain age. This event may contain adult language or content. In a concert featuring all the songs from the Oscar-Winning movie Bohemian Rhapsody plus additional hits from the legendary rock group, South Florida Legends presents Absolute Queen on Saturday March 23 at 3 and 8 p.m. Projections of Queen, a lighting show with 20,000 lights and eight beam laser lights, and a band that has spent hours studying Queen's many layered harmony vocals and instrumentation, celebrate and recreate Queen’s dynamic stage performances. The Miami International Piano Festival presents Croatian Pianist Kemal Gekic on Sunday, March 24 at 5 p.m. One of today's most formidable pianists, Gekic will perform a program of Mozart (Sonata A-major), Beethoven (Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57), Chopin (Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58) and Prokofiev (Piano Sonata No. 7 in B-major, Op. 83). The piano virtuoso has been described as flamboyant, daring, provocative, exciting, seductive and sensitive. Gekic’s daring approach to tone and form has marked him as a maverick in the musical world, a distinction he welcomes: the very strength of his artistry challenges, provokes and intrigues. Not suggested for children under 12 years of age. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Buy tickets online at: www.aventuracenter.org - By phone at: (877) 311-7469. Or: (954) 462-0222 or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each performance. For Group Sales, please call: (954) 660-6307. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, Florida 33180. Join the conversation, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram @aventuracenter or #aventuracenter. < Previous News Next News >

Hijacking Religion - How The Pentagon Turned The Sermon On The Mount Into A War Manual By John & Nisha Whitehead Apr 9, 2026 The Language Of Modern Government Is The Language Of The Empire. It is the language of domination, retaliation, conquest and control—of enemies to be crushed, nations to be subdued, and dissenters to be silenced. Under the Trump Administration, the language of empire has also been imbued with a religious fervor that recasts Jesus Christ—not as a peacemaker—but as a mascot for power, conquest and control. War has been dressed up in patriotism. Wrapped in Scripture. Called “righteous.” Marketed as “peace through strength.” But this is not a holy war. It is a political war dressed up as holy. Despite the pageantry—crosses held aloft, prayers offered from podiums, politicians invoking God while demanding loyalty—the values animating America’s wars and power plays bear no resemblance to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus said: Love your enemies. The government says: destroy them. Jesus said: Blessed are the peacemakers. The government says: blessed are the war-makers. Jesus said: Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me. The government cages the poor, criminalizes the homeless, bombs the foreigner, and calls it security. This is not a misunderstanding of Christianity. It is a deliberate rewriting of it. Consider the prayer offered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at a Pentagon worship service: “Let every round find its mark… Give … overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy. We ask these things with bold confidence in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus Christ.” No mercy. Spoken in the name of the Prince of Peace. This is not faith. This is blasphemy baptized in nationalism. It is the hijacking of religion to sanctify violence—the turning of the Sermon on the Mount into a war manual. It is also an attempt to recast modern warfare as a holy war—sanctioned by God, justified by faith, and beyond moral reproach. That idea is as unconstitutional as it is un-Christian. And it raises a constitutional question that should alarm every American, regardless of faith. The First Amendment was designed to prevent exactly this kind of fusion of church and state power. It protects the free exercise of religion—but it also forbids the government from establishing, endorsing or advancing religion. There is a difference between religious freedom and religious indoctrination. There is a difference between private belief and state-sponsored theology. When government officials invoke God to justify violence, when military power is cloaked in religious language, when prayer becomes a tool of state policy—we are no longer dealing with freedom of religion. We are staring at the early stages of religious establishment. History has shown us where that road leads. As Thomas Jefferson warned, the Constitution erects a “wall of separation between church and state” precisely to prevent this kind of fusion of political power and religious authority. When the government begins to speak in the language of divine mandate, that wall is already being breached. And more to the point—it is the very abuse of religion that Jesus Himself stood against. Jesus did not preach “overwhelming violence.” He did not bless the empire. He did not anoint governments to kill in His name. And yet today, we are told that violence brings peace, domination ensures security, and revenge is strength. What we are witnessing is not Christianity. It is Christian nationalism—a counterfeit religion that wraps political power in religious language and calls it holy. It is idolatry of the nation masquerading as devotion to God. Christians are not called to identify with power, but to speak truth to power—even at great cost. Yet today, far too many churches have traded prophecy for proximity to power. They have exchanged the cross for the flag. And in the process, the message of Jesus is hollowed out. Stripped of its challenge. Neutralized. Because the real Jesus is dangerous to power. He doesn’t flatter kings. He confronts them. Jesus was not crucified for being polite. He was executed as a threat. To the authorities of his day—both religious and political—Jesus was a destabilizing force. He challenged the legitimacy of power built on coercion, greed and violence. He exposed hypocrisy. He disrupted systems of exploitation. And for that, the empire killed Him. Crucifixion was not just execution. It was a warning. This is what happens to those who refuse to submit. Which raises a question modern Christians would rather avoid: If Jesus walked into today’s halls of power—into the Pentagon, the White House, the halls of Congress—would He be welcomed? Or would He be surveilled, silenced, labeled a threat? Would He bless drone strikes and military parades? Or overturn tables? Or would he be told, as Americans increasingly are, to comply, submit, obey and defer to authority? Because the version of Christianity now being sold to the public is not one of resistance to injustice, but one of obedience to power. The Jesus of the Gospels was not aligned with the empire. “I was hungry… I was a stranger… I was in prison…” Not: I was powerful, and you defended me. Yet today’s political religion flips that script. It exalts power. It sanctifies wealth. It demands loyalty to the state. And it calls this inversion of the Gospel “faith.” But Jesus was clear: “Blessed are the peacemakers.” There is no footnote that says—except in matters of national security. This is the great moral crisis of our time. Not just that the government wages endless war, but that it dares to do so in the name of God—and too many cheer it on. The early Christians understood something we have forgotten. Their allegiance was not to Rome. It was not to Caesar. It was not due to the machinery of the empire. Their allegiance was to a higher law. And for that, they were persecuted, imprisoned, executed. They did not seek to control the empire. They refused to conform to it. Today, by contrast, much of the modern church has become indistinguishable from the power it once challenged. But the teachings of Jesus have not changed. They still confront us. They still demand something costly. They still refuse to be weaponized for political gain. So we are left with a choice. The Constitution was designed to guard against the union of political power and religious authority. As I make clear in Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, what we are witnessing today is not just a theological failure—it is a constitutional one. 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 Next

A City Of Hallandale Beach First: The City Of Hallandale Beach Has Installed Stormwater Pollution Prevention Filters September 9, 2021 Share This pilot project will not only reduce the amount of plastics, chemical pollution, and debris that enter the local waterbodies The City Of Hallandale Beach, is the first City in South Florida, to install a patented Storm Drain Marker System including, Special Pollution Prevention Filters. The System was recently installed, into some of the Stormwater Catch Basins, in the Three Islands Neighborhood, Of The City. This Pilot Location, was selected based on Resident Feedback, about the width of, The Catch Basin Openings, in The Neighborhood and the resulting amount of debris caught and carried, into The City's Waterways. This Pilot Project will not only reduce the amount of plastics, chemical pollution and debris that enter the local water bodies, but it will also provide an opportunity for residents to engage with the City. Community Members are encouraged to scan unique QR codes, placed on the storm drains, to upload photos of storm drain conditions in real time and report debris buildup, report illegal dumping of pollutants and also, to learn more about the City’s rules and regulations, related to stormwater, sustainability and environmental compliance. “This is a great project that will do a tremendous amount, to help us mitigate flooding, by keeping our stormwater system clean. Our City’s motto is “Progress, Innovation, Opportunity” and projects such as these, are a fantastic example ,that our City is living up to that motto, for the benefit of all of its Residents,” said City Manager Dr. Jeremy Earle. “In 2018, we passed Broward County’s First, Plastic Straw Ban, helping to reduce, The Sources Of Plastic Pollution. This Pilot Project helps us deal with The Local Plastic Pollution, which still remains. A great deal of Pollution enters our environment via streets and stormwater systems, so I am proud that The City is installing these and engaging our Residents, through this Pilot Project,” said Alyssa Jones Wood, The City’s Sustainability & Resiliency Officer. The Storm Drain Marker System, is a product of SOP Technologies, in Miami, Florida, which provides technologies to prevent ocean pollution, prevent floods, and provide cost savings to communities and businesses around the world. < Previous News Next News >

Free FIFA World Cup 2026 Tickets For Veterans, Current Military And First Responders South Florida Sun Times Jun 11, 2026 Bank Of America, The Official Bank Of FIFA World Cup 2026™, Vet Tix And FIFA Today Announced A Partnership To Provide $2.25 Million In Free World Cup 2026 Tickets To Military Veterans, Current Military And First Responders, And Their Families, Who Live In Or Near FIFA World Cup Host Cities. The tickets will be available through Vet Tix starting with the second match played in the U.S. and will include all stages of the tournament. The effort is just one way the bank is honoring America’s 250th birthday celebration and those who serve. “We are deeply grateful to partner with Bank of America and FIFA to help make 4,547 FIFA World Cup tickets available to the Veteran, Military and First Responder communities we proudly serve,” said Vet Tix Founder, CEO, and U.S. Navy veteran Michael A. Focareto III. “The opportunity for our members and their families to experience the energy, pride, and global celebration surrounding the World Cup in all 11 cities across the United States represents far more than attending a sporting event. It’s an opportunity to create unforgettable family memories and honor those who continue to serve our nation and communities every day.” As part of the initiative, BofA will contribute $2 million to Vet Tix to support the purchase and distribution of match tickets across all 11 Host Cities in the United States to add to the $250,000 also being provided by Vet Tix. Tickets will be available from the group stage to the final, with 250 tickets being set aside for U.S. Men’s National Team matches during the tournament in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. To be eligible for the tickets, Honorably Discharged Veterans and currently serving military members can sign up for an account at the Vet Tix website. Current and Retired First Responders — including Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, Registered Nurses, and 911 Dispatchers — can register at the 1st Tix website. Both platforms are free to sign up. Eligibility for both programs is securely verified through ID.me. Once the FIFA World Cup 2026™ tickets are available, Vet Tix and 1st Tix members will receive an email alert to secure free tickets to a match in their area. “Bank of America has hired thousands of Veterans and Military Family Members, donated thousands of homes to Wounded Warriors and First Responders, and served the Military with specialized products and services for more than a century. We feel privileged to support Vet Tix in making tickets to the great games of the World Cup available to thousands more,” said Larry Di Rita, Bank of America President of Greater Washington D.C. “We also look forward to welcoming visitors to the National Mall for a great experience at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Fan Zone here in our nation’s capital.” “At FIFA, we believe football is far more than just a game – it is a powerful force for good,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “As the United States marks its 250th Anniversary during this historic tournament, we are proud to work alongside Bank of America, the Official Bank Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026, and Vet Tix to help ensure veterans and military families across the country can be part of the greatest global sports tournament ever.” As part of its America 250 celebration, the bank will also open its signature BofA Fan Experience on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The fan experience will be part of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Fan Zone, which is being organized by FIFA and Freedom 250 to be a free, family-friendly experience with live match viewing, youth programming, interactive exhibits, cultural showcases, food and music. The FIFA World Cup 2026™ Fan Zone Washington D.C. will be open June 11 – July 19, the entire length of the FIFA World Cup. The BofA Fan Experience will feature FIFA World Cup 2026™ memorabilia and a demonstration of Soccer at Schools, an initiative with U.S. Soccer through the Soccer Forward Foundation designed to make soccer accessible to every school across the country by 2030. Frequently asked questions How is Bank of America involved with FIFA World Cup 2026™? Bank of America is the Official Bank of FIFA World Cup 2026™, one of the most-watched sporting events in the world. As an official sponsor, the bank is activating across all 11 U.S. host cities with fan experiences and community initiatives designed to celebrate the tournament and build a lasting legacy for soccer in the United States. How are Bank of America and FIFA providing free tickets to Veterans, Current Military and First Responders? Bank of America and FIFA have partnered with Vet Tix to provide thousands of free tickets to Veterans, current military and first responders who live in or near the 11 FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities. The number of tickets varies by venue. Tickets will be available for all stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026, from the group stage to the final, with 250 tickets being set aside for US Men’s National Team matches during the tournament in honor of America’s 250th Anniversary. How can people get these tickets? Honorably Discharged Veterans and currently serving Military Members can sign up for an account at: www.vettix.org . Current and Retired First Responders — including Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, Registered Nurses, and 911 Dispatchers — can register for free at: 1sttix.org . Eligibility for both programs is securely verified through ID.me. What else is Bank of America doing to celebrate America’s 250th birthday? As part of its celebration of America 250, the bank will also open its signature BofA Fan Experience on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.The fan experience will be part of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Zone, which is being organized by FIFA and Freedom 250 to be a free, family-friendly experience with live match viewing, youth programming, interactive exhibits, cultural showcases, food and music. The bank also announced it provided a $5 million founding gift to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and is assessing and conserving 110 historic presidential portraits through sponsorship of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. FIFA FIFA exists to govern football and to develop the game around the world. Since 2016, the organization has been fast evolving into a body that can more effectively serve the game for the benefit of the entire world. As a not-for-profit organization, FIFA – which organizes the FIFA World Cup™️, FIFA Women’s World Cup™️, and FIFA Club World Cup™️, among many other international competitions – reinvests its revenues into a wide range of football development programs, providing funds, infrastructure and know-how to its member associations. Veteran Tickets Foundation Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free event tickets to sporting events, concerts, performing arts, and family activities to currently serving military members, veterans of all eras, and the immediate family of those killed in action. Vet Tix is the largest veteran service organization in the United States. Since 2008, Vet Tix has provided more than 37 million free event tickets to more than 2.6 million members. In 2018, Vet Tix launched 1st Tix, which provides the same benefit to our nation’s First Responders, including Current and Retired Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters, EMTs, and 911 Dispatchers. These events help Service Members, Veterans, and First Responders reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build lifelong memories, and stay engaged with American life and their local communities. Vet Tix spends over 99 percent of its revenue on its programs, ensuring we give back to those who have given so much. Visit: www.VetTix.org and the 1st Tix website to learn more. Bank of America Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving nearly 70 million clients with approximately 3,500 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 59 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. As the #1 small business lender in the United States (FDIC), Bank of America offers industry leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. $2.25 Million in free World Cup 2026 tickets to Military Veterans, Current Military and First Responders, and their families, who live in or near FIFA World Cup host cities. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is one of the most-watched sporting events in the world. Previous Next

There Is No Place Like Home: The Pandemic Proves The Importance of “Home” By Thomas Ryan June 24, 2021 Share Just like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, the Pandemic has proven the importance of “home” in a crisis Doctors, nurses and the scientists who created the COVID-19 Vaccines, have all emerged as heroes, during the Pandemic. But there's another, under-appreciated group that's been crucial to the country's pandemic response -- those who provide home-based medical equipment, services and care. Without fanfare or headlines, home medical equipment providers saved thousands and improved millions of lives. They are the ones who could transform, the way that we care for our elderly and infirm -- for the better. In order to fulfill that promise, home medical equipment providers, must be paid and commensurate with the value that they deliver, for their patient's and for, the broader, healthcare systems. The people most vulnerable to the Coronavirus, are the elderly and the most vulnerable among them, tragically, have been those, living in nursing homes. By treating people at home, home medical equipment providers kept millions of seniors, safe from COVID-19. Home-based care also relieved pressure on frontline healthcare workers and clinical facilities, which have been nearly overrun several times, during the Pandemic. As the Pandemic begins to wane, home care's importance, will not, it will join remote work and contactless delivery, as rather, one of the staples, of modern life. The COVID-Era surge in home care, is only an acceleration, of long-developing trends. First, our society is aging. Seniors are living longer, more active and independent lives, than ever before. Second, home care is less expensive -- often, considerably, so -- than, institutional care and so, it represents a promising strategy for tackling our nation's health cost crisis. In recent months, hospital discharge rates have started returning to Pre-Pandemic levels, but, when seniors leave the hospital, they're increasingly going home, not, to a nursing facility. Doctors, too, are becoming more supportive. According to a 2020 survey by William Blair, the proportion of doctors preferring to send patients to home health agencies over nursing homes, rose from 54 percent to 81 percent, during the Pandemic. All told, more than three in four seniors, view home care as the preferred way to age, according to an AARP survey. Families should be able care for their loved ones in the setting that works best for them -- and fosters, the highest quality of life. Unfortunately, bad policy, stands in the way of this vision. While our aging population and it's preference for home care, should mean that home medical equipment suppliers are thriving and that nearly 40 percent of them, have closed their doors, over the last decade. Why? A faulty Medicare program is unsustainably, cutting their reimbursement rates. Congress and the Biden Administration must update these rates without any delay. An increase that considers increased product costs and new operational requirements is long overdue. The industry needs to be able to guarantee salaries for its skilled workers. Otherwise, we're setting seniors up for failure. COVID-19 taught us that home may be the safest place to receive care, but, policies that don't reflect the true cost of care for life-saving equipment, represents a failure to heed that lesson. Without properly funded home care, we can expect lower-quality outcomes for patients, increased hospital re-admissions and an overall increase, in health costs. The trend toward home-based health care, is only going to accelerate and the under-appreciated heroes, who have helped us through the Pandemic, will now pivot to helping people of the Baby Boomer's age group and helping their families, to care for them. Home care is good for the patient's well-being, their family's happiness and government budgets. Washington needs to find a way to make home care providers, get the same care that they give to their's patient's with the Healthcare System. < Previous News Next News >

“Muses Awaken” By Miguel Gonzalez - Funding Arts Broward Unveils Second Edition of FAB Goes Public South Florida Sun Times Mar 13, 2025 Funding Arts Broward (FAB) will present the second installment of its public art initiative, FAB Goes Public with Muses Awaken by renowned local artist Miguel Gonzalez, MFA. The light mapping installation will debut following FAB’s annual membership meeting and reception this week and will be projected onto the exterior of The Parker in Fort Lauderdale throughout April. Muses reimagines Erato and Melpomene - the Greek muses of lyric poetry and tragedy/comedy – incidentally, the statues grace the entrance of The Parker. Through 3D animation and light mapping, the muses will be brought to life, levitating and radiating magical energy, bridging the historical with the contemporary. According to Gonzalez, Muses will pay homage to the Parker’s rich heritage while offering a modern interpretation of its theatrical legacy. The animation will transform the façade of the Parker’s exterior Federal Highway-facing wall into a dynamic, immersive experience, elevating the muses as living embodiments of artistic inspiration. During the special evening FAB President Mary Riedel will present highlights from the past year, including the results from FAB’s 2024 Impact in the Arts. "Public art plays a vital role in enriching our cultural fabric, fostering engagement and driving economic growth,” said Riedel. “We are thrilled to celebrate the power of public art in Broward County and continue our mission of supporting artists by making the arts more accessible to our community. This installation is a sight to see.” A graduate of the Parsons School of Design in New York City, Gonzalez is known for his innovative work at the intersection of new media and technology. He also teaches in the Visual Arts Department at the New World School of the Arts, mentoring the next generation of artists. “By joining classical mythology and digital technology, Muses Awaken explores the evolving relationship between art, architecture, and urban spaces, illuminating how these elements continuously shape and redefine our connection to the buildings we inhabit,” said Gonzalez. Muses follows FAB’s first installment, Fast Forward, by artist Rosanna Kalis. FAB Goes Public is made possible through Funding Arts Broward, in collaboration with the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, the Broward Performing Arts Foundation, The Parker and Mad Arts. This initiative aims to expand arts appreciation, engage a broader audience and provide emerging artists with hands-on experience in digital artistry. The inspiration for FAB Goes Public stems from FAB’s comprehensive study, Enriching the Arts Opportunities in Broward County’s Arts Community, which identified a public art showcase as a key priority. To bring this vision to life, FAB partnered with Sofia Bastidas from Mad Arts to curate a program that empowers local artists by enhancing their digital skills, particularly in 3D projection mapping. Funding Arts Broward (FAB) Funding Arts Broward (FAB) is a privately funded non-profit organization that provides visual arts and arts education grants to non-profit organizations in Broward. FAB funds an annual grant pool through the support of its members, corporate partners, and allied foundations. FAB was founded by local artist and philanthropist Francie Bishop Good. More information about FAB can be found at: www.fundingartsbroward.org . Follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/fundingartsbroward . About Mad Arts A non-profit organization founded in 2020, Mad Arts is a museum, community hub, and laboratory for art and technology. Facilitating visionary exhibitions and projects by individuals, collectives, and companies, Mad Arts operates out of its flagship headquarters, a 50,000-square-foot space in South Florida. More information about MAD can be found at: www.yeswearemadarts.com . The Parker The Parker is Fort Lauderdale’s iconic, heritage theater presenting concerts, comedy, dance, family fare and more. Beautifully renovated in 2021, The Parker offers audiences enhanced entertainment and hospitality experiences. The neo-classical Lillian S. Wells Hall features outstanding acoustics, unobstructed sightlines, wide rows and continental seating. The grand S. Donald Sussman Lobby, Bernie Peck’s Bar, the intimate Haller Club, and the private members’ lounge, The Place To Be, provide ample opportunities for audiences to enjoy culture, cocktails and conversation with every visit to the theater. For more information, visit: www.ParkerPlayhouse.com - The Parker is located at: 707 Northeast 8th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304. Previous Next

Florida Lifeline Telephone Assistance Program June 8, 2021 Share The Lifeline program offers discounted telecommunications service for qualified low-income customers Households that meet low income guidelines or receive public benefits, may enroll into the LifeLine program. Florida will provide residents with discounts on their cellular or home telephone bills as part of this. It is available to families that receive some form of government assistance, as noted below, or that meet low income guidelines. There are discounts or credits provided to residents on their basic service charge, the savings are available for both cell phones as well as a household's home telephone service. Assistance is also provided when starting a new phone service, Lifeline or Link-Up, this can help pay the connection costs or deposits in Florida. In general, the customer needs to contact their cell phone provider to apply for or to request the discount. That company can also provide more information on the application process, however, it is a good idea for individuals to already have this information so they are knowledgeable when going through the process. “This is a great service for people in need, I have many customers who have benefited.” said John from the local Boost Mobile. “I will be happy to assist you if you have any questions about this benefit, they can call my store at: (954) 921-3552.” The state of Florida can also help with processing applications for Lifeline, for more information or to visit the Public Service Commission office, Call: 1 (800) 540-7039. As indicated, the credit is for people that receive some type of benefit from the state or federal government, or that meet low income guidelines. These criteria will depend on the number of people in the household too. As a general guideline, families might be eligible for Lifeline, if the household’s total income is less than 150% of the poverty guidelines that are established by the federal government. Anyone seeking a credit based on these low income levels will also need to have proof of it through their household savings and other information. For people enrolled into some form of public assistance, they will automatically qualify for a reduction in their bills. The programs that will qualify households include: Supplement Security Income (SSI), National School Lunch Program, LIHEAP, Medicaid, SNAP Food Stamps or Section 8 Housing. There are others that qualify as well, however those are some of the most common programs that Lifeline customers receive. Proof of receipt of these benefits will be required from any applicants and they can call their cellular provider to enroll or the state, for more information. Whether someone meets the income thresholds or benefit guidelines noted above, please note, if they have a free phone from from another cell carrier, then they may not be qualified for the Florida service. Individuals can decide to cancel those phones if they want, but Florida will not allow residents to enroll into multiple telephone assistance programs. Individuals can therefore only receive savings, on one phone, per household. If the state approves someone for the LifeLine discount, they will need to re-enroll each year. The income and/or other criteria will need to be satisfied on an annual basis. This is a time defined program, that is limited in scope and duration. Many people of all income levels have been turning to pre-paid cell providers in order to save money on their monthly bills. These companies will also generally participate in the Lifeline program, there may be other providers as well and the list, may change. So called standard telecommunication companies that may offer discounts include the major, national providers. However, many other smaller companies that operate in Florida, may also provide credits to income qualified customers. The state the Office of the Public Counsel, can provide the latest list. Whether a free telephone (or cell phone), financial aid for bills or discounts, assistance is offered in Florida, with a focus on senior citizens as well as very low income families. The program is administered by the Office of the Public Counsel. The mailing address is: 111 West Madison Street, Room 812, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1400. More information is also available, by calling: 1 (800) 540-7039. You can also go to your local Boost Mobile stores for more information at the following locations: 900 North Federal Highway (US-1 & Johnson Street), you can call them at: (954) 391-7507 • 2426 Sheridan Street (Oakwood Plaza Shops), you can call them at: (954) 391-9021 • 105 South Federal Highway (Across from Grampa’s & Jaxon’s Ice Cream), you can call them at: (954) 613-5191 • 1945 Pembroke Road (Across from The Big Easy Casino, Formerly, The Mardi Gras Casino), you can call them at: (954) 251-3552. < Previous News Next News >

“Mission & Music Miami” At Pinstripes Wed Feb 28 2024 17:03:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)