America's Moldiest Cities - Study Reveals 8 Florida Cities (Led By Fort Lauderdale) With The Highest Respiratory Risk For Residents Mon Dec 30 2024 19:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

If You Can Dream It: You Can Build It April 25, 2024 Share If you can dream it…you can build it at the new, first-ever MAGNA-TILES Studio set to open at the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS). This one-of-a-kind partnership is a celebration of endless creativity and Meaningful Play, inspired by America’s #1 Magnetic Building Sets Brand*. From crafting spring flowers to erecting skyscrapers, guests will discover the boundless potential of MAGNA-TILES imagination. It’s not just a studio; it’s a world of possibilities waiting to be explored. The ribbon cutting is scheduled for Friday, April 26th, at 10:30 a.m. A MODS Member Morning, an exclusive Members-only exhibit time before the Museum opens to the public, will be held on Saturday, April 27th, at 9:00 a.m. "In the limitless expanse of open-ended play, where imagination knows no bounds, the MAGNA-TILES brand shines as a guiding light of opportunity. Within the studio walls, these magnetic marvels ignite curiosity, inviting children on a journey where every path leads to endless discovery," said Joseph P. Cox, President and CEO of MODS. "In this creative studio, each tile is a stepping stone to confidence, empowering children to follow their instincts, chart their own course and revel in the joy of exploration. As they build, stack and experiment, MAGNA-TILES sets transcend mere toy status, becoming steadfast companions in the journey of lifelong learning.” The MAGNA-TILES Studio is designed as an immersive educational world where young minds will flourish. Activities focus on enhancing early cognitive skills and understanding of primary colors, small hand muscle development, finger strength and wrist stability, pattern recognition, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination development, early literacy and mathematics exploration. MODS’ new MAGNA-TILES Studio will feature more than 10,000 MAGNA-TILES pieces across the following creation stations: Magnetic Marvels: Experience the magic of magnetism. Witness MAGNA-TILES pieces effortlessly attract and repel, providing a hands-on lesson in shaping our world. Explore and consider how magnetic forces contribute to the art concepts of shape and form and the fundamental building blocks for creating masterpieces. Colorful Discoveries: Dive into the vivid world of primary colors. Turn MAGNA-TILES play into a palette for artistic expression, exploring the interplay of light through the colorful tiles to create mesmerizing hues and shades that captivate the senses. Engineering Excellence: Channel your inner engineers at the Innovation Station, where MAGNA-TILES pieces transform into the building blocks of inventions with each magnetic connection, exploring the art concept of form as structures come to life in 3D. MAGNA-TILES Builder, Metropolis and House sets are featured, allowing children to construct and explore the physics of building, enhancing the understanding of engineering principles. 3D Build Extravaganza: Step into the expansive 3D Build Area, where imagination knows no boundaries. Construct towering sculptures, intricate landscapes, or a MAGNA-TILES® masterpiece. This area seamlessly integrates art concepts such as shape, form, and color recognition as children combine basic shapes to create new patterns, objects, animals and more, unlocking endless possibilities along the creative journey. The "Garage" Shop: Discover the heart of creativity in our dynamic "Garage" shop, complete with a garage and refrigerator doors. It's the spot where magic happens, inspiring tactile creativity in the most ordinary places to tell unique stories. “We’re thrilled to partner with a world-class institution like the Museum of Science and Discovery on this one-of-a-kind MAGNA-TILES experience. This interactive exhibit was designed for children of all ages and their families to experience the joy of Meaningful Play with the MAGNA-TILES brand. We’re honored to help play a small role in encouraging the next generation of designers, dreamers, architects, astronauts and engineers,” said Michael Valenta, President at MAGNA-TILES. The new MAGNA-TILES Studio will be open during Museum hours of Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Sunday, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please visit: https://mods.org/exhibit/magna-tiles-studio-coming-soon/ - Or call: (954) 467-MODS - (954) 467- 6637. What Are MAGNA-TILES? For those of you unfamiliar with MAGNA-TILES, it's the original magnetic construction brand, born in the classroom in 1997. Invented by an educator, for educators, and from these humble beginning, MAGNA-TILES has grown to become America’s #1 Magnetic Building Sets Brand and an essential tool for every child’s growing mind. Through word of mouth and hands-on experience, MAGNA-TILES sets steadily found their way into neighborhood toy stores, at the urging of families who were seeking ways to bring education, enrichment and meaningful play to their home. Today, MAGNA-TILES sets are a staple in millions of homes and classrooms across 80+ countries. For more information visit: www.magnatiles.com The Museum The Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is at the forefront of Science Education, Innovation and Exploration. The Museum hours are Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. MODS is located Downtown at 401 SW Second Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information about the Museum, please visit: https://mods.org - Or call: (954) 467-MODS - (954) 467-6637. < Previous News Next News >

Keller's Korner - Todd Golden By Neil Keller Feb 18, 2025 Pictured: Florida Gators men’s basketball Head Coach (L) Todd Golden with Neil Keller. (Photo Courtesy of Alyse Sachs) Welcome to Keller’s Korner. This column will cover the men’s basketball Head Coach for the Florida Gators, Todd Golden. He was born on July 7, 1985 and as of this writing, he is coaching the sixth ranked team in the country. The Florida Gators had a huge and loud crowd when we attended the February 4, 2025 game against the Commodores of Vanderbilt. Todd always loved the sport of basketball. He grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and led Sunnyslope High School to the 2002 Arizona 4A state championship in basketball. From there he played guard for St. Mary’s College of California from 2004 to 2008. The Gaels made the 2005 and 2008 NCAA Tournaments. Todd graduated as the Gaels' all-time leader in free-throw percentage (83.2%) before the record was broken by future NBA player Matthew Dellavedova. From 2008 to 2010, Todd played for Maccabi Haifa in the Israeli Basketball Premier League. He also competed in the 2009 Maccabiah Games playing for the USA. Todd added to me, “Bruce Pearl also coached me in 2009 in Israel in the Maccabiah Games.” Bruce is now the Head Coach of the Auburn Tigers. After playing a few years in Israel, Todd became an Assistant Coach for Columbia University and then Auburn and finally the University of San Francisco. Todd’s big promotion happened on April 1, 2019, when USF announced Todd would be the Head Coach of the Dons. Todd stayed there until the 2021-2022 season as bigger developments came into his life. At the age of 36 years old, Todd was named the Head Coach of the University of Florida on March 18, 2022. Now Todd was coaching in the big-time Southeastern Conference. The Gators won 24 games during the 2023-2024 season and Todd led them into the SEC finals against his mentor Bruce Pearl and Auburn. The Gators fell to the Tigers but the campus in Gainesville got Gator fever. One of their biggest fans is freshman Eden Rose. She is a die-hard basketball fan that gets in line hours early to sit in the front row. Eden is easy to spot wearing her foam Gator hat. She added, “I love the games, but it is also very exciting to wait in line with other students who love the team too.” Now in the 2024-2025 season, the Gators are rolling. As of February 7, 2025, they are ranked 6th in the country. I mentioned to Todd that of the 6 top ranked teams in men’s basketball, three had Jewish coaches. He is aware that they are Bruce at Auburn, Todd at Florida and Jon Scheyer at Duke. When asked if he had any comments to three Jewish coaches who have had such similar success, he responded, “It is definitely something that I am proud of. I think it is a really unique situation and cool to see. Obviously, I know Jon (Scheyer) pretty well, but Bruce is family to me.” As of this writing, Auburn is ranked #1 in the nation and they have a showdown with Florida on Saturday, February 8. It will be Jewish coaches Bruce Pearl vs. Todd Golden. Also, it should be noted that Steven Pearl, Bruce’s son, is an Associate Coach for the Tigers. When asked about Steve, Todd said, “Steve is one of my best friends.” As for the showdown, Todd said, “I owe a lot to them (Bruce and Steve) in terms of my success as a coach. I am proud to be coaching Florida, and I am excited to try to beat Bruce on Saturday." Note, on February 8, the Gators did upset the #1 ranked Auburn Tigers in Auburn, 90 to 81. Neil Keller is a Jewish historian. Visit his website: www.NeilKeller.com to learn who is Jewish. Previous Next

Community Cooperation of the Year Award Recipient Thu Dec 23 2021 05:01:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A Transformative Educational Experience - A New Platform Connects American Jewish Students with World-Class Israeli Universities Jewish Connection News Feb 12, 2026 A Compelling New Initiative Is Opening Life-Changing Pathways For American Jewish Students To Access World-Class Higher Education In Israel, Addressing The Growing Demand As Applications Jump From American Students Seeking Academic Excellence In A Supportive Jewish Environment. TheFutureIsCalling.org , launched by the Tzemach David Educational Foundation, provides families with comprehensive resources to navigate Israel's premier university system, where students can earn globally recognized degrees at a fraction of U.S. costs. According to: EducationData.org , Americans pay 5.5 times more at public universities compared to Israeli universities' international rates. Unprecedented Opportunities Await The initiative connects students with some of Israel's most prestigious institutions, including Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, known as "Israel's MIT," where a remarkable 67% of Israel's Nasdaq-listed companies have been founded or led by Technion graduates. Students can also explore Tel Aviv University, which is leading breakthrough research in spinal cord engineering and medical innovation, or Hebrew University of Jerusalem, home to world-renowned research and Nobel Prize winners. Bar-Ilan University offers access to award-winning researchers in cutting-edge fields like marine virology, while Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Jerusalem College of Technology provide additional pathways to academic excellence. Transformative Benefits for American Students There is an exception to every rule and "you get what you pay for" is NOT true for Higher Education in Israel. American students gain access to globally-ranked universities at 60% to 75% less cost compared to comparable U.S. institutions, with over 100 degree programs taught entirely in English. These universities have collectively produced 9 Nobel Prize winners and hold more than 10,000 patents from their affiliated research institutions. Beyond academics, students experience vibrant Jewish campus life with diverse Orthodox-friendly options and comprehensive transitional programs designed to support academic, social, and emotional adaptation from day one. Meeting Growing Demand The Orthodox Union has documented a dramatic increase in American Jewish students applying to Israeli universities—from just 2-2.5% eight years ago to nearly 20% today. This surge reflects students' desire for academic excellence in environments that embrace Jewish identity and values. "By coming to Israel for their education, students don't just earn a degree—they join a network of peers, mentors, and opportunities that will carry them forward for life," explains the Tzemach David Educational Foundation. "Through TheFutureIsCalling.org , families gain peace of mind, students step into their futures with confidence, and Israeli universities gain a generation of leaders with deep ties to Israel." Comprehensive Support System The platform addresses the informational, emotional, and practical gaps that previously made studying in Israel seem daunting for American families. Students receive clear, reliable information about university programs and campus life, along with transitional support programs designed to ensure successful adaptation. The initiative provides guidance on Orthodox-friendly campus environments and facilitates connections to student communities and established support networks, ensuring students can thrive from their very first year abroad. About The Tzemach David Foundation The Tzemach David Foundation goal is to open new doors in education and opportunities in Israel. Our entry point has been supporting olim—helping families integrate and thrive in Israel's schools. Today, that mission has taken on a new focus: helping students and families see Israel itself as a first-choice destination for higher education. This campaign is at the heart of that work—bringing together parents, students, and universities to imagine a future where Israel is not only the homeland, but a place of world-class learning, belonging, and growth. Choosing Israel opens doors that last a lifetime—opportunities for networking, professional development, and friendships that root students both in the Israeli and global community. For more information, visit: TheFutureIsCalling.org . Previous Next

Don't Worry About What Other People Think By Bryan Golden March 2, 2022 Share We grow up being taught to worry about what other people think. Are you concerned about what other people think about you and how you lead your life? Are your decisions influenced by the way you anticipate other people will see them? Are you worried about criticism? Does ridicule bother you? Why are you concerned about someone else's thoughts or opinions anyway? We grow up being taught to worry about what other people think. How many times did you hear, “What will the neighbors think?,” “What will your friends think,?” “What will the relatives think?,” or “What will people think?” in response to something you did or wanted to do? When you adjust your behavior to conform to what others think, you stifle your goals and restrict your happiness. Continually striving to meet someone else’s goals in place of your own, causes you endless frustration. Too many people structure their entire lives in response to their concern for the opinions of others. Where they live, who they marry, their occupation, and who they associate with, are just some of their decisions determined by what other people think. Why do we fall into this trap and what can we do about it? It starts with our craving for acceptance. As children we seek approval from our parents. Over time this need spreads to friends, relatives, and even strangers. Additionally, the hunger for acceptance is combined with seeking to avoid criticism, ridicule, and rejection. These are powerful emotions because they are based on the fear of “what if.” What if people make fun of me? What if I’m not included? What if people don’t invite me? What if people don’t approve of what I’m doing? The list is endless but the result is the same: conforming to what other people might think ultimately makes you unhappy. The irony is that even when you do what you think other people want, they either don’t care or aren’t satisfied anyway. So, after adjusting your life, nothing has changed except the fact that you are continually unhappy. So, in the end, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Today is the day to break free in order to start living on your terms. You begin from where you are right now. There’s no point to lamenting any past decisions. Your objective is to avoid repeating past mistakes while moving forward. It doesn’t matter if you are criticized for taking control of your life. After all, attempting to avoid criticism didn’t work out too well. There is no obligation to explain why you are changing direction. You don’t have to convince anyone that this is the right course for you. Where you want to go from here is based on an honest assessment of yourself. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What do you like? What do you dislike? What are your goals? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, it’s essential that you take time to figure them out. Next, you need to formulate a step-by-step plan to get where you want to be. Each step must be small enough to be manageable. If one step seems too big, break it down into smaller sub-steps. Now it’s time for action. The formula for success is taking one step at a time. Don’t worry about what other people think. The direction of your life and your happiness is your responsibility. Setbacks are a normal part of goal attainment. Yet, this is the point at which you will be inundated with negative advice, criticism, and even ridicule. Ignore all of it. When you stumble, get up, dust yourself off, and resume your journey forward. You will be very pleasantly surprised by how much more joy you experience by not worrying about what others think. Bryan is the author of "Dare to Live Without Limits." Contact Bryan at Bryan@columnist.com or visit www.DareToLiveWithoutLimits.com Copyright 2022 Bryan Golden < Previous News Next News >

An Informative Town Hall In Hallandale Beach: Senator Pizzo Gives Residents, Condo, Vacation Rentals & Insurance Updates By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper November 9, 2023 Share Florida Legislators have begun what are called committee weeks. During this time is when members from both chambers submit Sponsored Bills into the process. They also are required to pass a State Budget. Our local Representatives Marie Woodson, Hillary Cassel and Senator Pizzo have already started working with the Commission and our Staff on our priorities. Senator Pizzo approached me to host a local meeting to discuss Condominium Laws and other issues with our residents. I, along with my colleagues, hosted the meeting on October 30th. Special thanks to CAO Bakery that provided refreshments. I have gotten to know Senator Pizzo over the past two years. We used to be represented by Senator Lauren Book. During the redistricting process the state redistricted the maps and carved out Book who does live in Davie but also put her head-to-head in the Senate Race against Barbara Sharief. As a note Barbara is now running for that seat which will be open now in 2024 due to term limits. Senator Pizzo's district runs all along the South Florida Coast. District 37 is along Broward, Miami Dade and dips into parts of Monroe County. Sunny Isles is where he resides in a condominium. Since the Senator lives in a condo, he is well poised and totally versed in Condominium Laws. He was raised in NYC and Graduated University of Miami Law School. Sadly, he was on hand during the Champlain Tower Collapse and had to witness many deaths. He shared with us that as a former State Prosecutor focused on murder cases he had the grit to work side by side with emergency management. It took his knowledge and strength to make sure the Surfside tragedy would not happen again. As we all know there was a ground shift in Florida after the collapse. Our Counties and State took steps to evaluate the building safety requirements to make recommendations on changes to close loopholes with the system to help prevent it happening again. I actually served on Broward County’s Taskforce. No longer can condos owners Waive Reserves. Condos MUST do milestone inspections and then provide a plan to place Funds in Reserves. This ensures much-needed repairs or replacements are already funded in their Budgets. The majority of people in the audience had more questions about the costs than the concept. In my opinion this was a good sign. The discussion was more around costs and how people, particularly seniors, can pay for Reserves. The Senator was very empathic but also shared that the super majority of Representatives and Senators will not support a bailout for unit owners. There is a disconnect since many do not understand the issue and believe many units are simply second homes. He will be working on making sure there are other financial vehicles through lenders to help those unable to pay up front and also vehicles for the Condominiums to borrow Funds. The concept of what is included in the Milestone Inspections was also touched on. The Senator suggested that some of the items on the list which was created, were too broad. He also discussed that condos that are already doing repairs such as Roof and Concrete Restoration can be considered for collecting reserves. Items such as a roof that may last 15 – 20 years can be addressed when the end-of-life date triggers the milestone. As with any new laws there definitely needs to be more clarity. Another huge issue discussed was the Department of Business And Professional Regulations. It is obvious that this department is understaffed and not budgeted properly. His goal is to separate out Condominiums and have a free-standing agency. In addition, create more teeth in what they can do. The senator also discussed making the Breach Of Regulations more stringent and in some cases criminal. The other topic was insurance. We all know that the rates have skyrocketed. They have always been gradually going up, but the past two years have been the worst with the rates having tripled. Our average home rate is 6,000 per year whereas the national average is 1,500. The Senator shared some eye-opening information about what the state did. With the changes in regular citizens not being able to challenge insurance companies without going into their own pockets to cover legal fees. The law will create more insurance companies. He actually told the story about one Senator approaching him to join a group creating a company. In Florida, all you need is to put $15 Million Dollars in the bank to start up a company. Then that company contracts with the secondary market for reinsurance. Obviously he said no to the other senator and made it clear that he believes that it is a conflict of interest. Just another example of what our lawmakers are doing to help themselves, not their constituents. The senator also commented on the Vacation Rental and the Home Business Laws which were passed last year. He told us the business bill was created by a northern member whose wife ran a baking business at their home. She was getting fined by the city for receiving tractor trailer deliveries of flour to her home during the evening and early morning hours. There are rules that we can implement and have to offset the adverse effects of this new law. But for now, if I want to open a commercial kitchen in half of my home and have people pick up food or deliver food it can be done. This goes for any business that could have environmental impacts. The Vacation Rental Bill was also lobbied by real estate owners wanting to make more money from their properties without Local Government interference. Some areas like the Florida Keys already had regulations but areas like Hallandale Beach had to create some controls. We all have been prevented from banning them. There is a glitch bill already filed reconfirming condominiums have the authority to ban Vacation Rentals as long as their bylaws address Rental Regulations. We did not discuss it at length, but it is more than likely it will help stave off litigation from unit owners challenging the bylaws. As I shared earlier, committee week is just starting. Senator Pizzo has the ability to file as many bills as he would like since he is State Senate Minority Leader. He did not specifically cover what bills he had filed. At the end of the meeting, he requested to hold another meeting at a future date. The meeting was recorded, and our Staff is working on closed captioning so the recording can be placed online. As always, please feel free to contact me anytime with your questions, concerns and ideas to make our City a better place! I am available at: jcooper@cohb.org . Or at: joycooper@aol.com . On my Office number at: (954) 457-1318. Or on my Cell/Text at: (954) 632-5700. You can always visit my Facebook and follow me at Mayor Joy Cooper. < Previous News Next News >

A Milestone Year: Film Festival Miami Celebrates With Films That Inspire, Entertain And Educate April 20, 2023 Share OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival Miami, internationally acclaimed as one of the largest LGBTQ+ Cultural Festivals in the world, will celebrate its 25th Anniversary with the opening screening of the drama “Fairyland” (2023) at its new home at Silverspot Cinema Miami, located at 300 Southeast 3rd Street, Suite#: 100, Miami, Florida 33131 at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 20th, 2023. Attendees will enjoy a dinner-at-your-seats luxury experience followed by a dessert celebration after-party. The Festival continues for a full 11 days with over 65 features, shorts and documentaries from all around the world that inspire, entertain and educate along with a variety of parties and special events. “During this commemorative year, OUTshine is thrilled to partner with the luxurious and sophisticated state-of-the-art Silverspot Cinema in Downtown Miami. This central location for all films makes the Festival more exciting, more magical and more accessible to a greater cross-section of the community,” said Mark Gilbert, Board Chair and Interim Executive Director of OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival. “Also, new this year are free Community Cocktails & Cinema Happy Hours after the films on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and exclusive films not seen anywhere else.” Written and Directed by Andrew Durham, produced by Sofia Coppola, Durham, Megan Carlson, Greg Lauritano, Siena Oberman and Laure Sudreau and starring Emilia Jones, Scoot McNairy and Geena Davis, “Fairyland” captures the complexities, embarrassment and pride that are part of any father-daughter relationship, especially in San Francisco during the 1970’s and 1980’s, with its indelible legacy of loss and love. Following the sudden death of her mother, young Alysia is uprooted by her father Steve, in hopes of restarting his life. They move to San Francisco, where Steve develops his poetic and personal writing and begins to openly date men. Steve’s bohemian lifestyle clashes with the expectations of parenthood from the outside world and from Alysia herself. As Alysia grows into a young woman on the cusp of adulthood, their bonds and duty to each other are tested in painful and sudden ways. “As a leading LGBTQ+ voice in the community, we are committed to bringing people together to champion diversity, inclusiveness and awareness in the arts and beyond. This year promises an unforgettable line-up of dramas, comedies, shorts and thought-provoking documentaries, many of which you will only see at the Festival,” added Gilbert. On Saturday, April 22nd, 2023 at 7:30 p.m., OUTshine will present its Men’s Spotlight Film, “Drifter” (2023), a North American premiere fresh from its screenings at Berlinale, Germany where it competed for the Teddy Award for Best LGBTQIA+ Film in the festival. An after-party at the OUTshine Lounge at Silverspot will follow. Miami’s own Olympic Athletic Champion Danell Leyva will be honored on Wednesday, April 26th, 2023 at 7:15 p.m., prior to the screening of “Clocked” (2023), in which he stars. Leyva is a two-time Team USA Olympian and three-time Olympic Medalist as well as a World Champion on Parallel Bars. He was the first Cuban American on the United States Olympic Men's Gymnastics Team. After his second Olympics, Leyva tied to be the most decorated male gymnast for Team USA. Leyva retired from gymnastics and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his passion for performing. Since then, he has been featured in multiple nationwide commercials, a recurring role on Paradise Run, series regular on the scripted Podcast Southbridge, multiple short films, web series and roles on Hialeah and Love, Victor. He also performs live in Cirque Du Soleil’s KA in Las Vegas. Leyva actively participates and donates to various Charitable Organizations and is an Advocate for Mental Health, LGBTQIA+, and Civil Rights. He has also been a competitor on Univision’s Mira Quién Baila and NBC’s American Ninja Warrior, both for charities. Continuing the fun on Thursday, April 27th, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., will be the Festival’s Centerpiece Film, “L'Immensita” (2022). This Italian Film, with an amazing performance by Penelope Cruz, is set in 1970’s Rome. While the film tells the story of the breakdown of a marital relationship, it also tells the story of the oldest daughter who longs to live life as his true self and proclaims he wants to be called Andrew. With musical numbers and a fantastic soundtrack, the film packs an emotional wallop while maintaining an entertaining tone. Next, it's time for the ladies to shine with the Women’s Spotlight Film, “Love Proof (Kärleksbevis)” (2022), a Swedish Feature Screening on Saturday, April 29th, 2023, at 7:15 p.m. Thomas and Marie are getting divorced and must meet one last weekend to empty and sell their summer house when a mysterious woman enters their lives and shakes up the scene. OUTshine wraps it all up on Sunday, April 30th, 2023, beginning at 6:00 p.m. with the Closing Night Film, “Three Nights A Week” (2022), a French Film that utilizes the art and culture of drag to tell a poignant, yet entertaining story that will bring out the true diva in all of us. Post-Festival, the “OUTshine At Home” viewing begins on Monday, May 1st, 2023 with many of the films screened in theaters as well as several exclusive to the On-Demand Streaming Platforms. OUTrageous, OUTspoken and OUTstanding, this year’s OUTshine Film Festival Miami is presented by Gilead and Miami-Dade County. Tickets to the Opening Night Film “Fairyland,” dinner-at-your-seat and after-party are $95 each. This is an in-person screening, only. Tickets start at just $8 for other individual films with group discounts and additional offers available. All films and events take place at Silverspot Cinema Miami unless otherwise noted. For more information, film line-ups and tickets for the 25th Annual OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival Miami, call: (877) 766-8156. Or visit: www.outshinefilm.com A full schedule of parties and special events is available at: www.outshinefilm.com/films/program < Previous News Next News >

Treat Online Shopping 'Tech Neck' - A New Product Developed By Dermatologists And Plastic Surgeons Can Help BPT December 12, 2024 Share Did you know that spending extended time hunched over your phone can take a serious toll on your neck? Commonly referred to as 'tech neck' or 'text neck,' this habit can lead to the appearance of deep lines, wrinkles and even sagging skin on your neck. The delicate skin on your neck is particularly prone to showing signs of aging prematurely - and constant hunching only accelerates the process. The skin on your neck is about four times thinner than the skin on your face, so it quickly shows signs of excess sun exposure, premature aging and 'tech neck. It's also highly visible skin, so unless you want to wear turtlenecks the rest of your life, you'll want to take better care of this fragile skin. While you may not give up your cell phone, you can take steps to protect and improve the skin on your neck so you can look and feel your best. 1. Watch your posture How often do you find yourself looking at your phone? Have you ever tracked it? It might be time for a reality check: Most smartphones and tablets allow you to monitor your daily screen time under "settings." You'll be surprised by how quickly those minutes accumulate into hours. Consider setting a timer each time you check your text messages or social media to limit the time spent in this posture - or try checking your phone only at certain times. Additionally, hold your phone higher, closer to eye level, to avoid straining your neck and hunching your shoulders. You'll be amazed at the difference it makes. 2. Harness the power of Retinol Looking for a non-invasive way to lift and firm your neck? Your best bet is Retinol, and RoC Skincare has made it even easier with their new Derm Correxion Firming Serum Stick. This innovative product combines their well-known Retinol in a convenient new stick format, firming skin and combatting lines and wrinkles with a simple swipe. Developed with dermatologists and plastic surgeons, this Firming Serum Stick massages Retinol, antioxidants and firming THPE directly into the skin on your neck, face, chest, and back of hands for both immediate and lasting results. Clinically proven to visibly firm and correct the lines caused by tech neck, it leaves skin looking smoother and feeling refreshed. "We all want the benefits of Retinol but with instant results too," says Dr. Prem Tripathi, Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon. "The convenience of the stick format paired with the effectiveness of RoC's Retinol and THPE makes it ideal for anyone looking to instantly tighten skin and maintain results long term." Find RoC Skincare Derm Correxion Firming Serum Stick at Target. 3. Go easy on sun exposure While it's well known that prolonged sun exposure can be harsh on your skin, it's easy to forget to apply sunscreen to all exposed areas. Next time you're outdoors, remember to apply SPF 30+ not only on your face but also on your neck, chest, and hands - areas of delicate skin that tend to show signs of aging. Incorporating these simple steps into your routine can help combat the effects of tech neck and enhance the overall appearance of your skin, boosting your confidence to look and feel your best, every day. < Previous News Next News >

“Hate In Plain Sight” - Cyberwell Alerts Social Media Platforms On Escalating Emoji And Coded Language Based Antisemitism Jewish Connection News Dec 18, 2025 Cyberwell, A Nonprofit Trusted Partner Of Meta (Facebook, Instagram And Threads), Tiktok And Youtube Working Alongside The Platforms To Combat Online Antisemitism, Has Identified A Rapidly Expanding Trend Of Coded Antisemitic Hate Speech That Uses Emojis And Coded Language To Target Jews Across Social Platforms. As Meta’s Oversight Board Opens A New Case Examining The Rise Of “Algospeak” And The Use Of Racist Emojis Targeting Black Athletes And Other Marginalized Communities, Cyberwell Is Highlighting How This Same Coded Language Is Rapidly Proliferating Across Social Media And Harming Minority Groups Globally. Within This Broader Context, Cyberwell Submitted Public Comments To Meta’s Oversight Board And Issued Multiple Real-Time Alerts To Social Media Platforms, Detailing Parallel Patterns In Online Antisemitism. Cyberwell’s Research Shows How The Same Dynamics Affecting Black Communities Online Are Also Fueling Use Of Coded Antisemitic Hate Speech, Including The Use Of Terms Such As “Juice” And “Tiny Hat” As Well As Emojis Including: 🧃, 👃, 🤑, 🐷, 🐀, 🐒, 😈, 👿 And 👹 To Dehumanize Jews, Spread Conspiracy Theories And Evade Moderation. “Even if these posts feature dumbed down ‘algospeak’, this content represents a troubling, sophisticated evolution of digital antisemitism and evasion tactics,” said CyberWell Founder and CEO Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor. “Users are leveraging emojis as algospeak and those intending to spread antisemitism are leveraging the symbols to post classic tropes and dehumanizing rhetoric.” Across English and Arabic content, CyberWell found that the majority of emojis and code words categorize Jews into four dehumanizing archetypes: animals, devils, proxies and classic tropes. Animal emojis such as: (🐷, 🐀, 🐒) compare Jews to pigs, rats and monkeys. Devil emojis: (😈, 👿, 👹) portray Jews as evil or satanic. Proxy code words such as “tiny hat,” “juice,” and the juice box emoji: (🧃) are used to circulate conspiracy theories about Jewish global control or moral corruption. Many examples flagrantly violate platform moderation policies yet manage to evade moderation tools and flagging mechanisms through the use of coded language and emojis. On TikTok, CyberWell recently found 64 accounts using “Jill Kews” as code for “Kill Jews.” After CyberWell alerted the platform through its trusted partner channel, TikTok removed and banned the large majority of the accounts. “Antisemitic actors have learned to weaponize tools meant for communication,” Cohen Montemayor said. “Emojis now function as coded cues that allow users to signal bigoted beliefs and harass Jews without explicitly naming them. We have seen this coded language become particularly popular after the roll out of generative AI applications and tools, that have similarly been abused by extremists and antisemites to flood platforms with anti-Jewish and Holocaust revisionism content guised as humor and through mediums like cartoons and Pixar-styled characters.” The emoji-based antisemitism is not limited to initial posts alone but is also overwhelmingly present in memes, reels and comments, including replies that only use emojis (without any accompanying text). In Arabic posts, animal emojis sometimes reference Quranic interpretations, while English posts often use emojis tied to New Testament language. Emojis also accompany Holocaust distortion, the “Khazarian” myth and “Synagogue of Satan” narratives. “Often emoji-based hate is minimized or dismissed because it can look humorous or vague,” Cohen Montemayor added. “But this coded language leaves a deep negative impact on Jewish users online and further normalizes a climate of antisemitism in the digital universe.” In its alerts, CyberWell has urged Social Media platforms and recent expert comment to the Oversight Board, that is currently reviewing a case related coded language targeting the Black community, to enhance detection of posts that combine emojis with antisemitic keywords, flag high risk combinations involving “juice,” the juice box emoji, “tiny hat” and “Synagogue of Satan,” ensure consistent multilingual enforcement and train human moderators to identify emoji-based antisemitism and comment section evasions. CyberWell is an independent, internationally focused, tech-rooted nonprofit combating the spread of antisemitism online. Its AI-technologies monitor Social Media in English and Arabic for posts that promulgate antisemitism, Holocaust denial and promote violence against Jews and their allies based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. Its analysts review and report this content to platform moderators while indexing all verified posts in the first-ever open database of antisemitic Social Media posts, democratically cataloging it for transparency at app.cyberwell.org. Through partnerships, education and real-time alerts, CyberWell partners with Social Media platforms and their moderators to help them enforce their policies more effectively, promoting proactive steps against online Jew-hate. For more information, visit: https://cyberwell.org/ . Previous Next

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Go Green & Get Recognized: City of Aventura Invites Aventura Property Owners to Apply February 21, 2024 Share The City of Aventura invites Residential and Commercial Property Owners who have practiced Environmental Sustainability to apply for its Annual Go Green Recognition Program Award. To be considered, all property entries must contain an address within Aventura city limits. Online applications are available on the City’s website and must be completed by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 1st, 2024. Go Green is the City’s initiative encouraging its community to make responsible decisions that reduce negative impacts on the Environment, Save Energy and lower Operational Costs. The City is committed to reducing its Carbon Footprint on the Environment and it is proud to be a Green Local Government, as Certified by the Florida Green Builders Coalition (FGBC). The FGBC designates Green Cities and Counties for Outstanding Environmental Stewardship. The program focuses on Improving Environmental Performance through Waste Reduction, Water Conservation, Air Quality Improvements and many other criteria. The process of becoming a Green City is an opportunity to improve existing programs, start new programs and set an example to the community in order to Improve Environmental Sustainability. The City of Aventura annually invites Residential and Commercial Property Owners who have Practiced Environmental Sustainability to be recognized with a Go Green Recognition Program Award. Aventura’s Green Local Government Practices Green Cleaning and Maintenance, in accordance with Florida Department of Environmental Resources: Aventura contracts out cleaning services that use Green Seal Certified Cleaning Products to Improve Air Quality and Reduce Employee, Visitor and Student Exposure to Toxic Chemicals. HVAC Equipment is regularly maintained and inspected to ensure Efficiency. Green Fleet: Aventura’s Public Works vehicles are regularly maintained by Recycling all Fluids, Batteries and Tires. Techniques to Minimize Environmental Impact are practiced for Spill Containment, including berms at both ends of the bays and many others. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP): The City adopts the EPA EPP practices as part of its Go Green Initiative, which reduces Environmental Impact; Energy and Water Use; Reduces Waste and Operation. Go Green is the City’s initiative encouraging its community to make responsible decisions that Reduce negative impacts on the Environment, Save Energy, and Lower Operational Costs. Go Green Recognition Plaques are awarded based on the content of each application and can be awarded to more than one property in each category. Judges decisions are final and based on the applicant’s information. All entries must be accompanied by a written narrative (100 words max.) explaining the details of the applicant’s efforts including any photos and must be signed by the applicant. Please ensure all entries are thoroughly completed upon submission as incomplete entries will not be considered. All entries must be sent electronically, fill out the form in its entirety, provide all supporting documents, and submit by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 1st, 2024. The prestigious award is presented by the Community Services Advisory Board to those properties whose efforts have and continue to keep Aventura Green. Awards will be presented at the City’s Earth Day/Arbor Day Ceremony on Friday, April 26th, 2024 at the Aventura Arts and Cultural Center. For more information, contact the Community Services Department at: 305-466-8930. To complete the application visit: https://www.cityofaventura.com/FormCenter/Community-Services-9/Go-Green-Recognition-Program-Application-78 < Previous News Next News >