Registration Underway For Kids & Adults - For Spring Classes At Broward Center For The Performing Arts Wed Jan 29 2025 06:15:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Need A New Love This Valentine's Day? Thu Feb 10 2022 05:01:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Success Tips For Young Professionals By Family Features August 10, 2023 Share Starting your career can be both an exciting time and a daunting experience. While there's no secret formula to becoming successful in the workplace, there are steps you can take and skills you can build during the early stages of your career that can help you move toward your long-term goals. Many young professionals face unique challenges, but with the right guidance and advice those obstacles may lead to opportunities for personal and professional development. Passionate about mentoring young professionals and sharing her methods for success, Morgan DeBaun, Founder and CEO of Digital Media and Technology Company Blavity, partnered with Sharpie - markers to share these tips. Be proactive: Take initiative and identify areas you can contribute beyond your assigned tasks. Instead of waiting to be asked to do something, draft an email, spreadsheet or project board that could benefit the team. Showing a willingness to go above and beyond may lead to additional projects or responsibilities being sent your way in the future. Write everything down: Putting your dreams and goals to paper can help you commit to them, track progress and stay on course to achieve them. Additionally, particularly in meetings, your brain is processing new information, ways of thinking and operational systems all while you are trying to come across as engaged and personable. Jotting down key action items and learnings along the way can save you later. Being an active listener and note-taker can increase your ability to retain information and contribute to your team. It may sound silly, but get yourself a good pen, with no-bleed technology, so it doesn't smear all over your hand or the paper. It's a simple thing, but an option like the Sharpie SïGel pen promises exceptionally smooth writing experiences. To put her best work forward, DeBaun uses the Medium Point (.7mm) White Barrel. A high-performance pen enhances handwriting and gives it a sleek, professional look. A good pen is a must-have for professionals looking to make a statement. Identify useful productivity tools: Look for tools and programs that can help make you more productive and successful then leverage them in your personal workflow. Whether it's an email scheduling tool, calendar software or favorite writing utensil, ensure you are taking advantage of things that can help you succeed. Develop and strengthen your organizational skills: Regardless of what role you are in, being systemized and structured in the way you work can help keep you on track as you grow in your career. Whether it's a Smartphone App, old-fashioned to-do lists on paper or desktop reminders on your computer, find a system that works for you and stick with it - refining the approach as you go - for best results. For example, with a variety of available ink colors, the Sharpie SïGel can make it simple to color code calendars and to-do lists, which can make prioritizing tasks a cinch. Embrace teamwork and learn from your peers: Across your company, you are likely working with bright, talented people who may have completely different skill sets and ways of working and thinking than you. Set up 15-20-minute virtual coffee chats to meet people not on your team during your first 90 days as a way to connect with your coworkers and learn more about not only them but the company and its environment as a whole. Say yes to opportunities: Whether it is a work event, new project, meeting or class, take advantage of prospects presented to you. Taking advantage of opportunities to network, learn and grow in your career can help lead you on the trajectory you are aiming for. Use these techniques to set your career on the right path and you'll have a bright future ahead. < Previous News Next News >

Don't Flush $$$ Down The Drain: Save Water, Save Money: Broward Water Partnership Raises Toilet Rebate To $125 Thu Jul 13 2023 16:10:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Local & World Events Are In Focus: Hallandale Beach Helps Ukraine & Is Moving Forward After Reopening By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper March 31, 2022 Share As the War in Ukraine continues to rage, the country still needs all of the help they can get. Right here in Hallandale Beach a group, 'Florida for Ukraine' is busy packing shipments weekly and they are asking for these items: Coleman Brazos Cold Weather Sleeping Bags, Combat Tactical IFAK for First Aid Response Bleeding Controls, Celox - Hemostatic Granules, Burn Aid – Water Gel Burn Dressings 4X16 or 4X4, Tourniquets «CAT» (Mechanical means for a stop of bleeding like «CAT»), Emergency (Israeli Battle Dressings) Compression Bandages, Heavy Duty Knee Protector Pads, Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Neosporin Ointments, Triple Antibiotic Ointments, Wound Dressings, Adhesive Bandages, Pressure Dres-sings, Multi-Trauma Dressings, First Aid Padded Universal Aluminum Splints and Gauze Band-age Rolls 4X4. Florida For Ukraine Co-President Rafi Nagli is running a warehouse located in Hallandale Beach. You can donate there in person, donation center hours are Monday – Friday: 8 AM – 5 PM, Sunday: 11 AM – 3 PM at 227 NW 2nd Ave, Hallandale, FL 33009. I have also placed a bin at our City Hall to receive donations, they can also use cash donations. I encourage our residents to support these efforts. For Florida For Ukraine donation information and to offer assistance contact Karina: +1 (754) 703-6642 or Masha: +1 (312) 859 -4896 or visit https://fl4ua.org/ or visit Amazon’s List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2CO6LORBAFG3Q . On the COVID-19 Front, the FDA has released recommendations for a 4th Booster Shot for individuals ages 50 and up. Originally, the 4th Boost Shot was recommended for those ages 12 and up that are Immuno-deficient. Pfizer and Moderna now recommend the Booster 4 months after your last shot. While the jury is still out on whether it is needed for those in good health, some doctors are saying it may be time to due to the new Variant. Readers may recall that Israel was moving in this direction a few months ago. I have doctor friends that have already gotten the Booster to help them stay protected. Our City has officially reopened. While we are open, we are still struggling to fill positions. Our Police Department is in the process of hiring Front Desk Clerks. After speaking with the Acting Chief, they are close to finding new hires. Our Building Division has also found a shortage of Structural Inspectors. This impacts our ability to turn around permits. Our City has been so busy with Redevelopment, 40-Year Inspections and New Construction. To fill the gaps, we contracted with both the City and a Private Provider. I have written so often about this critical issue. There are ways contractors and residents can help themselves with the process. Our Staff is here to review plans and check for deficiencies. I want to emphasize “deficiencies!” All of the rules and regulations that we enforce are part of Florida’s Building Codes. Contractors need to know these rules and regulations. Before filing their permits, they need to make sure they are accurate and all of the information is included. If something is not correct it has to go through a full cycle before you can even address the problems. I can list all of the numerous times that this has happened. Sometimes it is for something as easy as Insurances, Certifications, Licenses, Product Specifications or Apartment Plans without the location of the plans in the condo building itself. A basic remodel requires plans that show everything they need from a contractor to be submitted to see if there is an expansion of a footprint, then it needs to have surveys and can become very complex. When the permit is submitted on-line, the system places it in a queue. On average Our Staff is handling up to 200 permits on a daily basis. The plan goes through each applicable specialty; Electric, Plumbing, Structure, Fire, Building and Zoning. Corrections cannot be submitted until each plan reviewer has completed their comments within the cycle and it can take up to three or four weeks. The applicant can now make the corrections and the plan gets put back in the queue. So, it can take another few weeks. The process continues until the plan is approved, then it goes to pricing and this too, often messes up the permit. Individuals try to reduce values so the permit will cost less. Our Department reviews the work and evaluates if it is within reasonable industry standards. If it is not, once again it has to go back through the system. Once everything is in order, the application needs to be paid and then the work can commence. As you can see, it is not an easy process, but it is required by law. Next Tuesday, I will be hosting my first Live Town Hall Meeting since the COVID-19 Pandemic and I will be at Foster Park, located at 609 Northwest 6th Avenue, Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. to update our residents and answer their questions about Our City Business. I am hoping to have someone from the Broward Housing Authority to address services to help our residents. In addition, Acting Chief Michel hopefully, will be able to give residents an update about police matters. As always, feel free to contact me anytime with your questions, concerns and ideas on how to make our City a great place to live, work and play! I am available by phone or text at: (954) 632-5700. E-mail me at: jcooper@cohb.org Or visit my Facebook & Web-site at: http://www.mayorjoycooper.com/ < Previous News Next News >

Protecting Children In A Digital Age - Holiday Tips When Shopping For A Device For Your Son Or Daughter Family Features December 5, 2024 Share It's the time of year when you may be shopping for a digital device for your son or daughter, but you worry about the world they may come in contact with. Keeping a watchful eye on your kids requires an increasing level of tech savvy and many parents find it intimidating. Not only are your kids vulnerable to bad actors online, but your family's personal information could be at risk, as well. Learn how to protect your children and family in this digital age with these tips: Elementary-Age Children • Encourage open communication. Have conversations about what your kids see and do online and talk with them about potential dangers. Avoid lecturing in favor of an open exchange of information. • Make their inherent interest in privacy work in your favor. Kids in this age group, particularly toward the middle school years, understand the concept of privacy and value it immensely. Use that context to help them understand what goes online is there to stay. Talk about what kinds of information should always be kept private, including identifying details like addresses and social security numbers. • Stay on alert. Not all apps are completely safe (even the ones you can access from trusted stores) and not all filters are foolproof. Keep close tabs on what your kids are downloading by reading comments and reviews, and regularly monitoring what kind of content they see. Middle School and High School Kids • Continue talking about privacy. You can never have too many conversations about privacy. What seems like harmless sharing on social media can be quite revealing. For example, frequent posts about visits to a favorite store or restaurant can allow a predator to begin tracking behavior patterns that make your child a target. It's also important for kids to understand how their privacy settings work. For example, settings that allow exposure to friends of friends make their visibility to strangers much broader than they may realize. • Help manage their online reputation. Behaviors that once resulted in a day or two of hallway chatter can now live forever. Documenting mischief online is only fun until it spills over into real life and everyone sees those mistakes in full color - including prospective future employers. • Be clear about your position on bullying. From the safe distance of a screen, it's easier for kids (and adults) to say things they'd never say in person. Teach your kids to handle problems constructively offline and avoid engaging in attacks on others through social media, email and other platforms. College Students • Reinforce the risks. Once they're on their own, kids may feel more liberated to make their own choices online. However, college students are easy prey for identity theft and worse. Remind them what's at stake if they fail to protect their identity and private information, like where they live and what they do on a regular basis. • Teach smart practices. With all the independence that comes with college life, this is an ideal time for your student to take personal responsibility for his or her online security, including learning about virus protection, updating software, avoiding scams and backing up data. If you're looking for more practical advice for everyday family matters, visit: www.eLivingtoday.com . < Previous News Next News >

An Evening Of Remembrance - The City of Hallandale Beach Invited community members to an art exhibit to commemorate October 7th By Ira Liebowitz - Hallandale Beach Resident November 15, 2024 Share It was a year to the day, October 7, 2024 after Israel suffered an act of terrorism causing some 1,200 heinous deaths-and compared to the infamous attack more than a generation earlier on US soil. The City of Hallandale Beach was to put on An Evening of Remembrance honoring the victims and survivors of the massacre of innocent civilians including women and, especially, children last year. The event was rescheduled for a week later, October 14, to occur at the Hallandale Community Center due to hurricanes. It went off smoothly as Hallandale Police Department ensured safety as an estimated 150 to 200 persons attended the event that started shortly after 7 p.m. and ended about 2 hours later. The event commemorated the staunch resilience of the people of Israel to survive the unprovoked violence that occurred on October 7, 2023-truly a "day of infamy" like Pearl Harbor-and the continued aftermath involving the relentless shelling of Israeli cities by missiles of terrorists, Hamas, Hezbollah and other proxies of Iran. In particular, the event highlighted paintings of 80 Israeli children ages 8, 9 and 10 as they expressed in a tangible way, in "The Light of Sderot: Worlds on Canvas," what was in their hearts and minds. These paintings ranged in tone from smiley faces to rainbows to scenes of a city besieged by missile attacks. Through paintings as therapy, kids expressed their feelings. "Alongside great pain there was always room for hope," a pamphlet noted. An Evening of Remembrance was the brainchild of Hallandale Vice-Mayor Anabelle Lima-Taub who had been born in Israel and is fluent in Hebrew. Many from the audience seemed familiar with a prayer and comprehended the Hebrew language. Doctor Gershon Fink was a special honoree who spoke a prayer asking for the safe release of the hostages. Doctor Gershon Fink is, in fact, a medical Doctor, according to Mayor Cooper. The event took place October 14, 2024. It had been pushed back from a week before-October 7, the anniversary date of the terrorist attack due to Hurricane Helene. Of the Hallandale City Commission, Vice-Mayor Lima-Taub took hold of the verbal reins as moderator, often preferring to ignore a pre-written speech to speak from the heart extemporaneously. And her inspired words on this emotive night flowed as from a spring of the soul. Also speaking eloquently with conviction were Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper and Commissioner Michele Lazarow. Last March Anabelle Lima-Taub, and Commissioner Michele Lazarow personally had visited the now "Sister City" of Sderot, even staying at burnt-out homes of victims in a virtual “little ghost town” and braving the elements amid nearby missile attacks. During their visit they presented this city with a key to the City of Hallandale Beach. Lima-Taub read a letter from the Vice-Mayor of Sderot which ended, “long live Israel. Together we shall win!” Anabelle mentioned how proud and amazed she was at seeing Commissioner Lazarow standing courageously against imminent danger. At the Remembrance, Commissioner Lazarow advised people to "be smart" and remain safe by avoiding dangerous confrontation while expressing their solidarity for Israel. Honored was Florida State Senator Jason Pizzo who was awarded for his steadfast diligence in support of the Jewish State. Mayor Cooper declared October 7 to be Senator Pizzo Day. She expanded that time frame to October 14, as well. Senator Pizzo referred to himself as "An Italian Irish kid from New Jersey who was blessed to have a Jewish godfather." He began by saying, "There is no generation where people have… had to hide who they are, where they are or what they are. This has never happened for another race, religion, culture or ethnicity..." Senator Pizzo asked kids under 18 at the event to raise their hands. To the four youngsters who did so, he said, "My hope and my dream is that yours is the first generation that when you become adults, and you become parents that you carry one thing that the last generation had not been able to do-be absolutely proud and loud about who you are, where you are anywhere in this world." He noted the significance that of the world's 189 sovereign nations, that only one is a democratic Jewish State. "Be absolutely proud and loud about who you are, where you are anywhere in this world!" -- Florida State Senator Jason Pizzo said to the children at "An Evening of Remembrance" Also honored was Ernesto Ackerman, President of Independent Venezuelan American Citizens. He is the son of a Holocaust survivor who passed away in 2022 just before her 100th birthday. Mr. Ackerman is not immune to the threat of enemy fire. As a five-year old in 1956, he was en route to visit uncles and was unaware– as then there was no internet-- of imminent danger. "Just as the ship set sail, we saw the entire city of Haifa go dark. All the lights went out and we saw Mount Carmel disappear before our eyes," he recalled. Like others present this evening, he noted the increasing antipathy toward Israel. "And now, the attention shifts away from the atrocity as if Israel should be blamed for protecting its people from such horrors from happening again. Emotively, he continued, "We must never forget, we must continue the fight for justice for our people, for erev (land of) Israel, and may the light of those we love/lost never be extinguished." Lima-Taub corroborated this thought citing an example of courage where in 1982 Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin stood up to a US Senator, decrying, "I am not a Jew with trembling knees." He and Anwar el-Sadat of Egypt was awarded the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize. A poignant video was shown of Siberian-born Tzippy Holland, educator and founder of Bridge of Love. Born in Siberia in 1940, she'd experienced the Holocaust. In the video, she implored the audience to stay vigilant as to the escalating Antisemitism happening worldwide, including at US universities. "I know what is happening. The whole world thinks that it's only happening in Israel. It's not. Antisemitism is growing all over the world. And, in America...in all the universities in the cities, when you wake up in the morning, you can see the clouds of Antisemitism." -- Holocaust survivor, educator, Tzippy Holland “In all the universities in the cities, when you wake up in the morning, you can see the clouds of Antisemitism." -- Holocaust survivor, educator, Tzippy Holland. Ms. Holland continued with stark emotion, likely sending chills and tears to those present and surely to this newspaper reporter. "Look at the drawings of these little kids. That instead of drawing flowers and beautiful scenery, they are drawing death. They are drawing unbelievable pain. I wish for them to be happy and healthy and to be able to get up in the morning and smile and dance and draw beautiful pictures." - Tzippy Holland Vice-Mayor Lima-Taub offered her opinion as to the roots of Antisemitism. "What is the core that bothers people so much about 'pesky' Jews?" she asked. "Jealousy," a man from the audience blurted out. Lima-Taub noted that indeed, Jews are hated because of their "success." It seems noteworthy that as about 15 million people of Jewish descent occupy the earth, it seems a disproportionate number have excelled in many endeavors, including Art and Science. She also noted to be alert to the term, "Zionist," which has the connotation of "dirty Jew." Toward the conclusion, many people were recognized for their outstanding contribution to organizing the event and supporting Israel. Mayor Cooper thanked the legion of non-Jewish folks who are good Samaritans, who helped with the event and supported Israel. She thanks the Hallandale Beach Police Department which she lauded as stalwarts for ensuring Safety for the local Jewish population. A line of more than a dozen honored folks were welcomed onstage to copious applause from appreciative attendees. Capping off the evening was a performance by the Miami Ensemble Israeli Music Band. Moderator Lima-Taub effectively encapsulated the evening's premise as she said to the audience, "You come from a lineage of hundreds and thousands of years of survivors. This is the time to stand up. This is the time not to be quiet. This is not the time to be polite. We tried everything. Now is the time for us to stand up and speak up." Oh, a final thought by Tzippy Holland and then by John Lennon: "I still believe that we have a lot of good people around and the world is still good. And, that we can still change all this hate. Everybody should love everybody." John Lennon famously sang, "All You Need Is Love." Moderator Lima-Taub said of Florida Senator Jason Pizzo: "I have been great witness to his tremendous altruism and support in many ways to the Jewish community of South Florida." Mayor Cooper expressed the relationship between terror attacks and the efforts of Florida State Senator Pizzo supplied to tend to their needs. "Whereas of October 27, 2023, Hamas, the designated terrorist organization, launched an unprovoked attack on the State of Israel, causing great loss of life, displacement and terror among the Israeli citizenship, whereas the Jewish community in Florida was directly home to many families and deep connections in Israel was directly affected by this tragic event... ... "Senator Jason Pizzo has shown unwavering support for families of hostages affected by this brutal attack, standing in solidarity with them during their time of distress, offering critical emotion and logistic support and whereas Senator Pizzo's benevolence and advocacy was extended to the Jewish families in Florida, many who have found themselves in urgent need." "In his dedication to the Jewish community as well as his steadfast commitment to promoting peace, safety and justice for all has been exemplary, setting standards for compassion and leadership in times of crisis." Also, Orit Feigelman the Chair Person of “Reut Women” read a prayer to the audience which was received warmly. To see photos from the event, visit: https://issuu.com/suntimesnewspaper/docs/sun_times_11.07.24_webst/5?fr=sZmFlNjc5NDY1NDI < Previous News Next News >

Registration Underway For Kids & Adults - For Spring Classes At Broward Center For The Performing Arts January 29, 2025 Share For more than a decade, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts has been educating, entertaining and energizing the community with an impressive lineup of classes for all ages and skill levels. Registration is now underway for spring classes. While several classes are already filled, there are still classes open for enrollment in all age groups. Voted Favorite Arts Program by South Florida Family Magazine from 2018 through 2024, the Broward Center’s Performing Arts Programs allow participants to learn something new, try something different and explore their creative side from a talented team of theater professionals. With many classes ending with showcases and performances at the Broward Center, these skills-building and performance classes in singing, dancing, acting and improv are designed to encourage artistic expression, develop skills in all areas of the performing arts and help students build self-confidence in a fun and supportive environment. Among the classes that have openings for students from Kindergarten through High School are: Dramatic Play: Oh, The Places You’ll Go, is an introductory acting class for Kindergarteners. Themed around popular children’s books, this class is a fun and creative opportunity for kids to act out exciting adventures through the world of popular tales. Through role-playing and dramatic play, kids explore new locations, partake in new adventures and build characters as they learn about story structure while growing their vocabulary, self-esteem, creativity and problem-solving skills. Let’s Explore A Show! is a class designed for young performers in grades 1-3. This unique theater experience introduces students to the captivating journey of bringing a show to life, from auditions to final bows. Team-taught by a professional vocal instructor and a professional choreographer, this performance class allows young students to explore the basics of acting, singing and dancing while experiencing the process of auditions, rehearsals and putting on scenes and songs from the show ‘Could You Hug A Cactus?’ A script and basic costume is included with the class fee. Intro to Musical Theater is offered in age-appropriate classes for grades K-2 and 3-5 as each explores the dynamic world of musical theater to develop the basics of singing, dancing and acting using songs and choreography from a wide range of popular Broadway musicals in a supportive environment. Additionally, students learn stage directions, basic dance steps, terminology and also engage in healthy vocal production techniques. Family and friends are invited to an open class at the end of the semester and two sessions of this class are recommended. Students in grades 3-5 take their musical theater skills to the next level in Sing! Act! Dance! This exciting, team-taught class, led by a professional music director and choreographer, is perfect for those who are ready to build on what they've learned in Intro to Musical Theater, and helps young performers master singing, dancing and acting within the context of a Broadway scene. Through engaging vocal warm-ups, choreography sequences and character-building exercises, students develop strong, healthy singing voices, sharpen their dance technique and hone their acting skills. By combining all three elements, students gain the confidence and technical ability needed to shine, creating a powerful stage presence in every performance. Two semesters of Intro to Musical Theater (or similar class) are recommended as a prerequisite. Students in grades 4-6 explore the basics of acting and improv through fun and dynamic Theater Games. This engaging and interactive class is designed for all levels and focuses on building foundational skills such as character development, quick thinking and collaboration. Through a variety of creative exercises, students learn how to express themselves confidently on stage while working as part of an ensemble. Acting & Improv is available for students in grades 6-8 and explores the “fun”damentals of acting and improv skills. Students also explore how to use their bodies, voices and minds to create characters and imaginary circumstances. Through interactive warm-ups and skills-building activities, students develop improv and acting techniques as they build confidence and stretch their imagination. All levels are welcome. Available for students in grades 6-12, Broadway Dance Skills is the exploration of traditional and contemporary Broadway dance that include elements of Ballet, Jazz and Modern Dance. This is the perfect class for students who want to improve their dance foundation and focus on steps and routines found in musical theater dance. Students will refine skills for auditions and performances. This intermediate/advanced-level class hones students’ core technique while introducing a variety of movement styles. Previous dance and/or musical theater experience recommended. Principles of acting are explored in Teen Acting, a fun and supportive class created specifically for students in grades 9-12. Actors learn to “dig deep” in this foundational class, exploring basic acting techniques, analyzing scripts and developing full-bodied characters from the inside out using monologues and scenes taken from contemporary plays. Warm-ups, theater games and in-class performances help students grow in self-confidence, public speaking and creativity. Family and friends are invited to a showcase at the end of the semester. All Abilities classes are also open for enrollment and provide interactive and engaging arts experiences in a supportive and welcoming environment for people with Physical and Developmental Disabilities. The Broward Center’s teaching artists lead a fun dance and singing experience for the whole family. Parents and siblings are welcome to stay and participate. Complimentary parking is included, and complimentary beverages and cookies are provided to encourage socialization among participants. The spring All Abilities class schedule features dance on February 16th and March 2nd, Singing on April 27th and June 8th with two age groups available per class. All Abilities classes are made possible through the generous support of the Taft Foundation. For more details, please visit: www.browardcenter.org/education/programs/classes/sensory-inclusive-programs In addition to these classes, the Broward Center and The Performance Project School of the Arts announce the return of Summer Theater Camp 2025. Two sessions are available at Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale, at Aventura Arts & Cultural Center in Aventura and at the Rose & Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center at Nova Southeastern University. For additional information and to register online, visit: www.browardcenter.org/camp For complete class information and registration, visit: www.browardcenter.org/classes - By Email at: registrar@browardcenter.org . Or call: (954) 468-2689. For classes requiring auditions, visit: www.browardcenter.org/auditions The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 Southwest Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information, visit: www.browardcenter.org - Like us on Facebook at: www.Facebook.com/BrowardCenter - And at: www.Facebook.com/BrowardCenterEducation - Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @BrowardCenter. Subscribe to our channel at: www.YouTube.com/user/BrowardCenter - And join the conversation with: #BrowardCenter. The Broward Center 2024/2025 Season is supported by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation, AutoNation, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, Spirit and Nicklaus Children’s Health System. For more information, visit: www.browardcenter.org < Previous News Next News >

South Florida Coastal Link Seeks Operating Agency: RFI Issued December 12, 2024 Share Broward County Transit (BCT) and the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) are seeking a qualified firm to serve as the Operating Agency for the transformative South Florida Coastal Link commuter rail project. The Coastal Link will operate on the Florida East Coast Railway corridor, and will deliver a reliable, efficient, and environmentally conscious transit option. BCT partnered with Miami-Dade DTPW to issue a Request for information (RFI), to assess firms interested in undertaking key operational responsibilities, including rail operations, fleet maintenance, and customer service. "The Coastal Link represents an opportunity to connect communities and create a truly integrated regional transportation network," BCT CEO/General Manager Coree Cuff Lonergan explained. "We're excited to engage with industry leaders who have a proven track record of innovation and passenger-centric service to help us bring this vision to life." The jointly issued RFI seeks responses from firms with expertise in rail operations, fleet maintenance, and exceptional customer service. The Coastal Link is part of BCT’s broader Premium Mobility (PREMO) program to modernize and expand South Florida's transit system with an emphasis on broadening connectivity throughout Broward County. BCT and Miami-Dade Counties hosted the RFI and Industry Day event — a platform to engage stakeholders and explore innovative solutions— on December 9, 2024, at the Northeast Dade – Aventura Branch Library, 2930 Aventura Blvd, Miami, FL 33180. Interested firms can visit: https://supplier.miamidade.gov/psc/EXTSUPP/SUPPLIER/ERP/c/SCP_PUBLIC_MENU_FL.SCP_PUB_BID_CMP_FL.GBL? & for more information about the RFI. < Previous News Next News >

Keller’s Korner - Jewish In Olympic Hockey: 1936 & 2026 By Neil Keller Mar 17, 2026 Welcome To Keller’s Korner. When Jack Hughes Slapped The Overtime Goal Into The Net That Lifted The Usa Men’s Hockey Team To Olympic Gold, My Mind Went To Another Jewish Hockey Hero. Ninety years earlier, Rudi Ball stood at the center of a very different Olympic drama. He was the only Jewish athlete to compete for Germany at the 1936 winter Olympic Games, where his performance represented a remarkable and little known act of Jewish resilience under the thumb of the Nazi regime. As a collector of Jewish sports memorabilia, I happen to own three of the very few surviving Rudi Ball 1933 German cigarette trading cards as Hitler wanted to burn things of Jews. I also happen to live in South Florida, where the U.S. men’s team traveled to celebrate their win in Milan. I wanted to share the story of Rudi Ball with Jack Hughes and his brother Quinn, as well as a third Jewish player on the national team, Jeremy Swayman. It’s not my typical milieu, but I made my way on Monday to the nightclub E11even Miami with two Ball cards in hand. There, I got a chance to tell Jack Hughes about the most important Jewish hockey player before him. I told him I had emailed his Jewish mother, Ellen Weinberg-Hughes, in the past as she herself is a hockey Olympian. Rudi Ball is a name most fans today have never heard, yet he was one of Germany’s brightest hockey talents before Hitler took power in 1933. Like the Hughes brothers today, Rudi came from a hockey family — he and his two brothers all played the sport. He starred for Germany at the 1932 Olympics, scoring three goals and helping the team win a bronze medal. At a time of rising antisemitism, his success brought pride to German Jews. But when the 1936 Winter Olympics were awarded to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Hitler’s hatred of Jews was already well known. The German Olympic Committee did not want Rudi on the team because of his Jewish heritage (his father was Jewish). His Christian teammates were outraged. According to my research, Gustav Jaenecke and two others confronted German officials and delivered an ultimatum: “If Rudi doesn’t play, we don’t play.” Hitler relented. Rudi agreed to perform the Nazi salute at the Games — a painful compromise — in exchange for safe passage out of Germany for his family. They fled to South Africa. Rudi was injured during the Olympic games, and Germany finished fifth, but his presence on that ice remains one of the most remarkable and little‑known acts of Jewish resilience in sports history. It also had a cruel postscript: Rudi was obligated to continue playing for a Berlin team throughout the war, meaning that he was one of a very few Jews to survive the Holocaust on German soil, maintaining his freedom but watching his community be annihilated. Still, after the war, his brother Gerhard, also a talented hockey player, returned to Germany where the pair played together for several years before relocating permanently to South Africa. Ninety years later, the world is again experiencing a surge in antisemitism. And again, a pair of hockey-playing Jewish brothers are in the spotlight. But things are different this time. For one thing, Jewish representation in the Olympics is stronger. Back in 1936, the U.S. Olympic committee chairman was a Nazi sympathizer who boasted about how few Jews were on the national delegation. This time, dozens of Jews competed in Milan, including three on the men’s hockey team and more than a dozen on the Israeli team. What’s more, the brothers who took the ice say antisemitism hasn’t been part of their life. When I asked whether he or his brothers had ever experienced discrimination because of being Jewish, Jack answered simply: “No, we have not.” All three brothers had bar mitzvahs and are proud of their Jewish identity, which comes from their mother, who served as a player development coach for this year’s gold medal-winning women’s hockey team. Ellen Weinberg-Hughes said, “It all seems surreal. I could not be prouder of both the men and women’s teams.” She added, “I did not like Jack being hit in the mouth but [was] thrilled with the goal.” I showed Jack two rare 1933 German hockey cigarette cards of Rudi Ball, and we posed for a photo holding them together. To me, it was a most meaningful encounter: Rudi Ball fought simply to stand on the ice. Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes, and Jeremy Swayman stood tall on the ice and won gold for their country. Both moments, separated by 90 years, remind us how powerful Jewish pride in sports can be. Neil Keller is a Jewish historian. Visit: www.NeilKeller.com to learn who is Jewish. Neil Keller with Jack Hughes (Photo credit to Jeff Friedman) The two 1933 German cigarette cards that we are holding. A 2023 Topps card of 3 Hughes brothers. Previous Next

The American Dream Fri Jun 11 2021 15:15:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Calling All South Florida Artists: MOCA Announces An Open Call For Its 2023 “Art In The Plaza” Series December 15, 2022 Share The Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MOCA) is pleased to announce an open call to South Florida-based artists to submit their work for MOCA’s 2023 Art On The Plaza Series. Art On The Plaza was inaugurated in 2021 with a series of temporary public art installations on MOCA North Miami’s front plaza, inviting artists to activate the space and connect the museum to the community. The 2022 Series featured South Florida artists including: Onajide Shabaka, Autumn Casey and VantaBlack. Artists are invited to make proposals for temporary public art installations spanning three to four months in duration. Each selected artist can be awarded up to $13,000. Artist proposals will be reviewed by a MOCA-Appointed Selection Committee. Selected artists will implement projects with the support of MOCA Staff. The museum will host a series of programming to coincide with the art installations throughout the year. Selected artworks will be displayed on MOCA’s Plaza, including but not limited to: • The building façade or architecture • Interventions within or incorporating the fountain • Free standing elements • Light based artworks/projections • Artworks adhering to social distancing guidelines • Landscape-based artworks or earthworks Interested artists can submit their qualifying materials electronically by visiting: https://forms.monday.com/forms/a26d4201274160d5f55c4d37e6592edf?r=use1 The deadline for submission of art projects is January 8th, 2023 by 11:59 p.m. For more details on the process and to view important dates, please visit: https://mocanomi.org/2022/12/2023-art-on-the-plaza/ and for information about past Art On The Plaza commissions, please visit: https://mocanomi.org/category/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/ MOCA North Miami Exhibitions and Programs are made possible with the continued support of the North Miami Mayor and Council and the City of North Miami, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council and the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. MOCA North Miami also thanks its Board of Trustees, Curator's Circle and MOCA Members for their meaningful support. 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. MOCA developed from the Center of Contemporary Art which was inaugurated in 1981. The establishment of the permanent collection coincided with the institution’s move into their current building designed by Charles Gwathmey of GSNY in 1996. The Museum is located at 770 Northeast 125th street in North Miami. Free Parking is available immediately east, west and south of the museum. Handicapped Parking is located behind the museum, enter Northeast 8th Avenue and make the first right into the parking lot. For more information, call: (305) 893-6211. Art On The Plaza is presented by MOCA, with major support from the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (NMCRA). < Previous News Next News >