Corsair Kitchen & Bar: Chef Bill Gideon Unveils New Creations Fri Jun 09 2023 16:03:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

What's Extra Help? A Medicare Program To Help People With Limited Income And Resources September 19, 2024 Share "Extra Help" is a Medicare Program to help people with limited income and resources pay Medicare Drug Coverage (Part D) Premiums, Deductibles, Coinsurance, and other costs. Some people qualify for Extra Help automatically, and other people have to apply. Who gets Extra Help automatically? You'll get Extra Help automatically if you get: • Full Medicaid Coverage • Help from your state paying your Part B Premiums (from a Medicare Savings Program) • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits from Social Security You'll get a letter about your Extra Help. It tells you things like how much you'll pay, and your new Medicare Drug Plan, if you don't have one already. The Medicare Prescription Drug Program gives you a choice of Prescription Plans that offer various types of coverage. You may be able to get Extra Help to pay for the Monthly Premiums, Annual Deductibles, and co-payments related to the Medicare Prescription Drug Program. However, you must be enrolled in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to get this Extra Help. You should complete the application for Extra Help on the Internet if: • You have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance); and • You live in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia; and • Your combined savings, investments, and real estate are not worth more than $34,360, if you are married and living with your spouse, or $17,220 if you are not currently married or not living with your spouse. (Do NOT count your home, vehicles, personal possessions, Life Insurance, burial plots, irrevocable burial contracts or back payments from Social Security or SSI.) If you have more than those amounts, you may not qualify for the Extra Help. However, you can still enroll in an approved Medicare Prescription Drug Plan for coverage. EXCEPTION: Even if you meet these conditions, DO NOT complete this application if you have Medicare and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicare and Medicaid because you automatically will get the Extra Help. How Can You Get Extra Help? To get Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs, you must complete and submit the application. Medicare will review your application and send you a letter to let you know if you qualify for Extra Help. If you need help completing this application, call Social Security Toll-Free at: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You also may be able to get help from your State with other Medicare costs under the Medicare Savings Programs. By completing this form, you will start your application process for a Medicare Savings Program. We will send information to your State who will contact you to help you apply for a Medicare Savings Program unless you tell us not to when you complete this application. If you need information about Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans or how to enroll in a plan, call: 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048). Or visit: https://www.medicare.gov/ - You also can request information about how to contact your State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (SHIP). The SHIP offers help with your Medicare questions. To apply, you must live in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. If you don’t automatically get Extra Help, you can apply for it at: https://secure.ssa.gov/i1020/start < Previous News Next News >

Discover the Arts Day: Gasper Arts Center and WMODA Join Forces In Dania Beach on Saturday, May 14th, 2022 Thu May 05 2022 04:06:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Flipping Through History: The Broward County Library Helps Us Learn From Our Past Thu Dec 30 2021 05:10:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

My Son The Waiter - A Jewish Tragedy & STILL Not Famous South Florida Sun Times Dec 3, 2025 Brad Zimmerman’s Hit New York Comedy My Son The Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy Has Played To Full Houses Across The United States. In Celebration Of His 10th Year On The Road, Zimmerman Has Created A Brand-New Show – Once Again Detailing His Search For Success In Show Business. My Son The Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy & STILL Not Famous Is Another Look At The Comedian And Raconteur’s Long Journey To Follow His Dream And ‘The Parents Who Suffered Through It.” Zimmerman Will Bring His Show To The Lake Worth Playhouse For A Limited Engagement In December. The Show Will Run For Two Days Only - On Saturday, December 6th & Sunday, December 7th At The Popular Lake Worth Venue. Zimmerman has been working on the script for My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy & STILL Not Famous for a number of years and has performed it in a few small venues all over the country. This engagement at the Playhouse is the final stop on the show’s first major cross-country tour which included the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia and Landmark on Main Street in Long Island, New York. Every mother dreams her children will grow up to be happy, healthy, and successful. Every Jewish mother secretly – and often not so secretly – adds specifics to her wish: A doctor, a lawyer, a dentist, or these days, a Silicon Valley tycoon would make her very happy. Brad Zimmerman’s mother has finally adapted to her ‘actor-waiter’ son’s career choice and financial situation: “If all goes well, I think Brad is going to buy a bookcase,” she boasts to her friends. My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy & STILL Not Famous is the continuation of the story of Zimmerman’s struggle to fulfill his dream and ‘make it’ as a comedic actor in New York. One-part standup, one-part theatrical, and all parts uproarious, his first show My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy spent 2 years at Off-Broadway’s Stage 72 (Triad Theatre) in New York and garnered rave reviews as it toured through Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Toronto, San Diego, Thousand Oaks, California, Huntington Beach, California, Palm Beach, Florida, the Northshore PAC in Skokie, Illinois, The Gordon Center For Performing Arts in Maryland, the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, New Jersey and dozens of other cities across the United States. Brad Zimmerman has paid his dues. He spent 29 years “temporarily” waiting tables in New York, all the while chasing a career in acting and comedy. He tells of his pursuit, along with stories about his childhood, family and misbegotten love life with warmth, wit, self-deprecating humor, and wicked charm, and combines his years of training as an actor with his innate comedic talent. Zimmerman also examines the trials and tribulations of waiting on tables – particularly for someone not exactly invested in that career and with little tolerance for persnickety diners: “I don’t want 60 questions, get to the point!” he said he would tell restaurant patrons when he sat down for a recent interview for The New York Times. He joked that if diners prefaced their orders by saying they were in a hurry he would say “So go!” He says he did enjoy some of the bantering he did with diners and often tried out material on them, however there were also ‘the bossy customers who would snap their fingers to get his attention… and the health-food obsessives who elaborately customized their orders and button-holed him over ingredients.’ As he said in My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy, he was convinced his epitaph would read “I’ll be right with you.” His perseverance and hard work eventually did pay off and Zimmerman went on to act - he had a small part in “The Sopranos” playing Johnny Sack’s lawyer - and to become the opening act for a number of well-known entertainers, including George Carlin, Brad Garrett, Dennis Miller, Julio Iglesias and Joan Rivers who said “I’ve had three great opening acts in my lifetime: Billy Crystal, Garry Shandling and Brad Zimmerman.” Tickets are on sale now and are available online at: http://mysonthewaiter.com - Or: https://lakeworthplayhouse.csstix.com/event-details.php?e=2261 - Or by phone at: 1 (561) 586-6410. For group rates, 12+ call: 1 (888) 264-1788. Tickets prices range from $45 - $65. For more information about My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy & STILL Not Famous please visit: https://mysonthewaiter.com . To speak with Brad Zimmerman, or to arrange to attend a performance, please contact Carol Kassie at: (561) 445-9244. Or email: Carol@CarolKassie.com . Previous Next

Sip, Savor, And Support A Healthier Future - Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Longest-Running Charitable Wine And Food Festival Is This Month By Merilee Kern, MBA Apr 23, 2026 “Cheers To 30 Years” Is More Than A Celebratory Tagline For The Las Olas Wine And Food Festival. It Is A Reflection Of Three Decades Of Culinary Excellence, Community Connection, And Philanthropic Impact That Continues To Define One Of South Florida’s Most Anticipated Annual Events. As The Festival Returns On Friday, April 24th, 2026, Las Olas Boulevard Will Once Again Transform Into What Organizers Describe As A “Culinary Playground,” Spanning Southeast 6th Avenue Through Southeast 11th Avenue And Delivering A Fully Immersive Tasting Experience From 7:30 To 10:30 p.m., With VIP Access Beginning At 5:30 p.m. Presented by the American Lung Association, the event has become “Greater Fort Lauderdale’s longest-running charitable wine and food festival,” bringing together food, wine, culture, and purpose in a single, high-energy evening. For 30 years, the community has gathered to “sip, savor, and support a healthier future,” with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting lung health programs, advocacy, and research. Below are ten expansive reasons why this year’s milestone celebration stands out as a must-attend experience. 1. A Pearl Anniversary Celebration Rooted In Legacy The 30th Anniversary marks what organizers call “three decades of unforgettable moments in support of a meaningful cause.” This milestone is not simply commemorative. It is experiential. The event leans into its origins with a 1990's-themed celebration that “transports guests back to 1996,” blending nostalgia with a modern, elevated execution that reflects how the festival has evolved. 2. A Boulevard Transformed Into A Culinary Playground For one extraordinary night, Las Olas Boulevard becomes a fully curated event space. Guests move through multiple tasting pavilions, lounges, and activations that create a seamless flow of experiences. The design allows for “all the sips, samples, mixing, and mingling one can do,” reinforcing the festival’s reputation for accessibility and abundance. 3. More Than 40 Restaurants Delivering Signature And New Creations The culinary backbone of the event features “more than 40 premier restaurants from the Greater Fort Lauderdale area hosting pop-up stations along the boulevard.” This lineup blends established favorites and emerging names, including Timpano, Casa Sensei, Ocean Prime, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, Sixty Vines, American Social, RA Sushi, Mastro’s Ocean Club, La Mexicana Taco Bar, Wilder, and The Federal. Each brings a distinct flavor profile, ensuring that no two bites feel the same. 4. A Global Wine And Spirits Portfolio Featuring 200+ Selections Wine lovers are invited to “sip their way through exclusive pours, wines from around the world, and limited release bottles,” with more than 200 domestic and international wines and spirits featured across the festival. Curated by Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, the offerings include premium labels and widely recognized brands, creating a tasting experience that spans regions, styles, and price points. 5. The Premium Wine Garden Elevates The Experience The Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits Premium Wine Garden, hosted by Ombelle Fort Lauderdale, returns as a focal point for elevated tasting. Guests enjoy “exclusive pours” alongside curated bites from Shooters Waterfront, creating a refined environment for deeper exploration of premium wines. 6. VIP Access That Begins Before The Festival Opens The Grand Cru VIP ticket transforms the evening into a layered, multi-phase experience. It begins with a “VIP Kick-Off Pre-Party at the Riverside Hotel from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.,” featuring premium bites, cocktails, and a waterfront setting presented by Florida Power and Light and Amerant Bank. VIP guests also receive early entry to the festival, gaining access to tasting pavilions 30 minutes before general admission. 7. Exclusive VIP Wine Garden Access And Premium Tastings From 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., VIP guests enjoy private access to the Premium Wine Garden, where they can “sip, sample, and indulge in premium wines before anyone else.” Past participating wineries have included Caymus Vineyards, Terlato Wine Group, Chateau Ste. Michelle, and Freixenet Mionetto, reinforcing the elevated nature of this experience. 8. A 90s-Themed VIP Lounge That Brings The Energy New for 2026, the VIP experience introduces a “throwback-themed oasis celebrating the festival’s roots in 1996,” complete with specialty cocktails such as Manhattans, Cosmos, and Appletinis, along with a nostalgic soundtrack designed to keep “the energy high and the dance floor moving.” The lounge also offers dedicated seating, creating a balance between high-energy entertainment and relaxed social space. 9. Beverage Diversity Beyond Wine In addition to wine, the festival showcases a wide range of spirits and beer offerings. Guests can explore selections including Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Aperol, Espolon Tequila, Jim Beam, and Jameson Irish Whiskey, along with craft beer participants such as Stella Artois, Kona, Goose Island, and Wicked Weed. Additional spirit brands such as Aspen Vodka, Flecha Azul Tequila, Copalli Rum, and WhistlePig Whiskey further expand the tasting experience. 10. A Purpose-Driven Event With Community Impact At its core, the festival remains grounded in its mission. “100% of proceeds benefit the lifesaving mission of the American Lung Association,” supporting efforts to improve lung health, advance research, and advocate for clean air. Organizers underscore the importance of this mission with a simple reminder that resonates throughout the event. “If you can’t breathe, nothing else matters.” Beyond the tastings, the Las Olas Wine and Food Festival reflects a broader narrative of community, culture, and connection. It is a place where local businesses, culinary talent, and global beverage brands converge in a setting that feels both celebratory and purposeful. From its early beginnings in 1996 to its current status as a premier culinary event, the festival has consistently evolved while maintaining its core identity. This year’s 30th Anniversary edition captures that evolution in full, delivering an experience that is as dynamic as it is meaningful. For attendees, the takeaway is clear. This is not simply a night of food and wine. It is a curated journey through flavor, culture, and community impact, set against one of South Florida’s most iconic backdrops. And for those who return year after year, it is also a reminder of why this event continues to matter. Entrepreneur Leadership Network Member Merilee Kern, MBA is an internationally-regarded brand strategist and analyst who reports on cultural shifts and trends as well as noteworthy industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators across all categories, both B2C and B2B. This includes field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations and events. As Founder, Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List,” Merilee is a prolific business, lifestyle, travel, dining and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker. She keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves and exemplary experiences at all price points, from the affordable to the extreme. Her work reaches multi-millions worldwide via broadcast TV (her own shows and copious others on which she appears) as well as a myriad of print and online publications. Connect with her at: www.TheLuxeList.com / Instagram: www.Instagram.com/MerileeKern / X: http://www.X.com/MerileeKern / Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MerileeKernOfficial / LinkedIn" www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern . *Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or arranged at no cost to accommodate if this is review editorial, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way. All images Courtesy of Hyatt Previous Next

Drink God’s Water, Help Save Haiti Thu Sep 16 2021 05:07:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Veterans: Relieve Stress & Inform Your Family About Your VA Benefits October 10, 2024 Share More than 6 million Americans receive earned benefits for Military Service - including Disability Compensation, Education Benefits, Caregiver Assistance, Burial Benefits and more. It is critical for Spouses and Caregivers to know how Veteran’s Benefits are accessed and what could happen when or if a Veteran dies. Consider this scenario. A Veteran has not told his spouse much about his Veteran’s Benefits. The Veteran dies suddenly. His spouse grieves and plans a funeral, which she pays for out of pocket. The $2,500 Tax-Free payment from the VA for her husband’s Disability Compensation has stopped being deposited into their bank account, which her spouse managed. Now she struggles to meet her expenses and is afraid she will have to sell their home. Ultimately, she realizes she must connect with the VA to try to access Survivor Benefits. As she works her way through the bureaucracy, she struggles to understand what she may be eligible for and knows little about what her husband was receiving. This can be overwhelming during the best of times, but during this period of loss, it adds more Stress. Surviving spouses facing this situation are often approached by agents who offer to help them with VA Benefits in return for payment. Faced with what feels like an insurmountable situation, some agree, even though paying for help is not necessary as many free resources are available to assist them. Here are some tips to help Veteran’s prevent this type of scenario from befalling their loved ones. Organizing Veteran’s Benefits paperwork and information in a binder, and/or in a special digital folder that you share with your family. Carefully organize all the documentation related to your Military Service, your Application For Benefits, and the Decision Letters describing Service Connection. Store paper copies in a fireproof cabinet or safe. It is ideal to scan or photograph paper documentation and to also store it digitally on a computer or thumb drive. Explain your current Veteran’s Benefits to your family. Schedule a day and time to talk one-on-one with your family about the benefits you receive. Get out your binder and digital files and explain to them how the information is organized. Help them understand the situation as it is today. Discuss what happens to these benefits after you die and what additional benefits the family may receive. Disability Compensation Payments stop after a Veteran dies. Additional Survivor and Burial Benefits may be available after a Veteran’s passing. You can learn more by checking online at: https://www.va.gov/ - Or with a Veteran’s Service Officer (VSO). Plan ahead for possible financial shortfalls. Even if a Survivor Benefit is awarded to a widow or widower by the VA, the payment for this benefit will typically be lower than the Disability Compensation the Veteran received while alive. One way to address this income shortfall before the Veteran dies is to purchase Life Insurance that will provide additional income for the spouse. Give your family contact information for your VSO. Ideally, your spouse should be introduced to the VSO, so the spouse knows who can assist with applying for Survivor and Burial Benefits after the Veteran dies. While these conversations can be tough for many, they can better inform and relieve Stress for our families in the future. You want for the people you love to be taken care of after you are gone, so do not delay having these conversations. Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D., served as Under Secretary for Benefits at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs from May 2018 to January 2021. He is the Author of “Veterans Benefits for You: Get what You Deserve,” published in 2023. < Previous News Next News >

Cinema Paradiso: New Programming Brings More Hollywood Thu Jul 15 2021 05:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Digital Literacy Tips for Older Adults Fri Oct 18 2024 19:45:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Don’t Bow Down: America Is A Prison Disguised As Paradise Thu Feb 23 2023 17:08:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town Thu Dec 01 2022 17:05:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)