Reel Fun In South Florida - 10 Tasty Reasons To Dive Into The South Beach Seafood Fest This Fall By Merilee Kern, MBA October 16, 2024 Share As October kicks off, the much-anticipated South Beach Seafood Festival is poised to take Miami Beach by storm for its 12th annual event, reeling in seafood aficionados from near and far, hook, line and sinker. This four-day culinary extravaganza, running from October 23rd - October 26th, 2024, promises to be an unforgettable celebration of food, drink and entertainment, all infused with the vibrant Miami culture. This year’s fest is set to be bigger and better than ever with throngs of participating restaurants, celebrity chefs, unforgettably delectable dishes and an atmosphere buzzing with excitement. This is a must-attend annual event for anyone who loves a gastronomic experience executed with South Beach Miami’s signature flair. “Save the date for the 2024 South Beach Seafood Festival, an iconic event that has become a cornerstone of Miami’s cultural scene. Each year, thousands of locals and visitors from across the country come together to celebrate Miami and the beach’s exceptional culinary landscape and vibrant beachside atmosphere,” said Valerie Roy, Co-Founder of the festival and CMO at CI Management, the team behind the South Beach Seafood Festival. “Whether you’re a seafood aficionado, an entertainment enthusiast, or simply in search of an unforgettable week of flavor set against the stunning backdrop of South Beach, this festival promises an experience that will captivate your senses and leave you with lasting memories.” Here’s why the 2024 South Beach Seafood Festival is a must-attend culinary celebration for seafood lovers and fun-seekers, alike. 1. Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine Hosting Food Network star Robert Irvine, best known for “Restaurant: Impossible,” is bringing his culinary expertise and larger-than-life personality to the festival. Irvine will host and serve as the official “Chef Ref” at the “VIP Chef Showdown.” There, he’ll be in charge of highlighting local chefs, overseeing the culinary face-offs and participating in special events throughout the weekend, including culinary demos in the Milam’s Market’s Culinary Showcase Kitchen on Saturday with a special bottle signing to introduce his latest venture, Irvine Vodka. 2. Supporting Local Talent The festival shines a spotlight on South Florida’s culinary stars, with chefs from some of the region’s most beloved restaurants taking center stage during different events across the multi-day soiree. For example, guests can expect to sample dishes from top spots like RED South Beach, ZUMA, Pubbelly Sushi and Meat Market during the five-course experience at Thursday’s “Crabs, Slabs, and Cabs.” Each participating chef will serve their own delectable course, or in collaboration with other chefs confirmed for the event, meaning patrons are sure to experience sensational cuisine from some of the area’s best. 3. Epic Live Entertainment The South Beach Seafood Festival is more than just great food—it’s also about enjoying the experience. Live entertainment will keep the energy high throughout the event, with the Jack Daniel’s Live Stage being the main site for chef battles, such as the “VIP Chef Showdown” hosted by “Chef Ref” Irvine. In addition to the mouthwatering food, guests will enjoy live DJs to dance the day away at the Jack Daniel’s Live Stage when competitions aren’t ongoing, as well as plenty of action at the Pacifico Beach Club and High Noon’s Lifeguard Dance Party throughout the event. 4. Elevated VIP Options The festival begins Wednesday with an exclusive five-course dinner at the renowned Joe’s Stone Crab. Hosted by Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, this will offer guests a menu of exceptional cuisine, kicking off the week with freshly cracked stone crabs. Set in the historic ‘Jesse’s Room,’ diners will enjoy an exclusive meal steeped in the rich history and charm of this iconic venue. For those looking for an even more elevated experience, premium upgrades will be available, including access to exclusive lounges like the Stone Crab Lounge, where guests can indulge in a more intimate setting while taking in the festivities. 5. The VIP Chef Showdown The ultimate culinary competition takes center stage on Friday of the festival. Twenty-two of Miami’s top chefs will go head-to-head in 11 thrilling battles, each showcasing their skills and seafood mastery, with Chef Ref Irvine serving as host. Festival-goers will sip on their favorite cocktails, sample dishes at the battle tents and vote on their favorites in each battle to help each restaurant win the people’s vote, before turning their attention to the Jack Daniels’ Live Stage to watch the 22 executive chefs battle it out live. Each chef will have 15 minutes to curate the perfect dish against their competitor for a panel of main stage judges who will weigh and determine the champions. The event will also feature the Tequila Herradura Bartender Showdown, where four bars will go head-to-head in competition. 6. All-Inclusive Saturday Seafood Slam This year’s main event is the “Seafood Slam” on Saturday, debuting an new all-inclusive format. With one ticket, festival-goers can enjoy unlimited tastings of the leading samples and beverages from over 40 of South Florida’s finest restaurants on the seafood scene. The event features a stellar lineup of restaurants from across the area’s favorite neighborhoods, including: Area 31, Barton G, Billy G Catering, Café Bernie, CalaMillor Gourmet Experience, Casa Matilda Steakhouse and many more. 7. Interactive Culinary Demos Throughout the weekend, festival-goers will have the chance to watch and learn from the best. Culinary demonstrations by top chefs will be featured in Milam’s Market Culinary Showcase Kitchen, offering sessions that are sure to inspire home cooks. It’s more than just a cooking demo—it’s an interactive opportunity to learn from top chefs. You can pick up new culinary techniques and even taste what the chefs prepare right in front of you. Chef Irvine will be performing his own demonstration on Saturday in Milam’s Market Culinary Showcase Kitchen with a special bottle signing to introduce his latest venture, Irvine Vodka. 8. Exclusive Wine Pairings and Local Mixology Beyond the seafood, the festival’s wine pairings elevate the dining experience to new heights. Expertly curated by title sponsor Breakthru Beverage Florida, expect to savor fine wines from Umani Ronchi, Gundlach Bundschu Winery and more, enhancing every bite. Beverage options will be available during each and every session of the festival. Friday’s Tequila Herradura Bartender Showdown is the perfect opportunity to see some of Miami’s top mixologists in action. Four bartenders will compete live, crafting innovative cocktails that showcase the best of local spirits and flavors before the final round heads to the main Jack Daniel’s Live Stage for a winner to be determined with the help of the people’s vote. This lively cocktail competition caps off an ultimate beach bash night at the South Beach Seafood Festival. 9. Cultural Diversity in Cuisine Recognized by USA Today, Forbes and the Travel Channel as one of the top seafood festivals in the U.S., the South Beach Seafood Festival has become a cornerstone of Miami’s cultural scene. It’s not just about the food—it’s about celebrating the vibrant, diverse and lively spirit of the city. Beyond traditional seafood dishes, the festival features a blend of international flavors from various cultures that resonates with Miami’s melting pot of culinary sensibilities. For example, the Saturday “Seafood Slam” will feature a stellar lineup of multi-cultural restaurants from across South Florida’s favorite neighborhoods, including Hoy Como Ayer, Jarana, La Pata Gorda, Lona Cocina, MAYU by Aromas Del Peru, Playa Bowls North Miami Beach, Southern Kulture Grill, SuViche, Tacos and Tattoos, Tartufo Prestige, Tasty T’s Catering, Te Tequenitos LLC, Viva La Pasta and more. 10. A Cause That Matters In addition to showcasing the region’s top culinary talent, the festival supports the CI Foundation’s EAT SMART Program, a 501(c)(3) NonProfit dedicated to providing Healthy Meals and Nutritional Education to the local community and Florida’s youth through Miami-Dade Public Schools. The mission of the program is to focus on the fight against Childhood Hunger and Childhood Obesity by finding a better balance through Health, Wellness, Nutrition and exercise throughout Miami-Dade County. Each year, a portion of the proceeds from the South Beach Seafood Festival benefits the nonprofit. These reasons, singularly and certainly in combination, make the 12th Annual South Beach Seafood Festival an unmissable event this fall. Recognized by USA TODAY as one of the “Top 5 Specialty Festivals in The Country,” by Forbes as one of the “Top 5 Things to Do This Fall,” and by the Travel Channel as the “Best Seafood Festival in the US,” the South Beach Seafood Festival is a must-attend event for seafood lovers near and far. In addition to showcasing the region’s top culinary talent, the festival supports the CI Foundation’s EAT SMART Program, a 501(c)(3) NonProfit dedicated to providing Healthy Meals and Nutritional Education to the Local Community and Florida’s youth through Miami-Dade Public Schools. Tickets for the 2024 South Beach Seafood Festival are now on sale at: https://sobeseafoodfest.com/ - and social media mavens can follow the epicurean adventures on Instagram at: @sobeseafoodfest and Facebook: @SOBESeafoodFest. (Photos Courtesy: www.facebook.com/SOBESeafoodFest) < Previous News Next News >

Summer Deals For Florida Residents: Hotel Staycations Have Never Been More Affordable By John Bernardo June 20, 2024 Share Summer returns soon and our Peak Visitor Season in Broward County has already ended. Now snowbirds and spring breakers have settled back in their homes in Canada, New York, Europe, and other frost-belt regions. Tourist Season (November to April) is over and now hotel managers and staff from as far north as Deerfield Beach and as far south as Hollywood are no longer attracting out-of-towners. Nevertheless, to keep generating revenue during the Summer and Off-Season, hotels in our area are promoting and marketing their businesses to Broward and other Florida residents. Over the years, hotels in Broward County have ceased operations after April due to low occupancy levels. However, now managers of local beachfront resorts know they can’t depend on Winter and Spring Season revenue alone. So, to rectify that situation, they are preparing for the Summer Season by offering local and Florida residents more amenities, lower prices, and overall, better deals. In Deerfield Beach, Hilton’s Spokesperson Kayla Atwater said the Embassy Suites by Hilton Deerfield Beach Resort at 950 South Oceanside Drive is offering teachers 20% off their summer stay, along with Complimentary Self-Parking and a $15 daily food and beverage credit at the resort’s restaurant. Atwater also mentioned that Embassy Suites in Deerfield Beach will offer both locals and travelers from afar Staycation Deals along with the resort’s Suite Summer Road Trip Package. This Summer Package includes: Complimentary Self-Parking, a Waived Resort Fee and a $25 Resort Credit. For more information call: (954) 426-0478. Simultaneously, Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale on 1100 Southeast 17th Street will offer teachers 20% off their Summer Stay and Complimentary Self-Parking. Guests at the resort can also book a Pre-Cruise Package that includes Shuttle Service to Port Everglades per registered adult on the reservation. For more information call: (954) 527-2700. In Pompano Beach, Sands Harbor Resort & Marina at 125 North Riverside Drive is getting ready to welcome its summer visitors. In addition to offering reduced room rates from June to August, Sands Harbor will offer guests Sunset Yoga on Mondays and Wednesdays, daily Happy Hour from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Live Music every Friday and Saturday night, Sunday Brunch with a live DJ, and on June 24th, the resort will host a “June Pool Party” featuring drinks, music, and fun activities for folks of all ages. Additionally, they are participating in the “Love Always, Pompano campaign in which guests get a Complimentary Beverage with an Entrée and can enjoy a Complimentary Upgrade to our Premier Rooms and a Welcome Drink upon arrival,” said Julian Gabourel, Sands Harbor’s Social Media Manager. For more information about the Sands Harbor Resort & Marina call: (954) 942-9100. Another Pompano Beach resort, the Beachcomber and Villas at 1200 South Ocean Boulevard, is also trying to drum up business this summer. Oliver Segall, General Manager of the Beachcomber, said in order to attract more guests this summer, the hotel will reduce its rates. “The bottom line is room rates and during the summer, locals and Florida residents mainly want to relax at our pool and on the beach,” he said. “One option we’re looking at now is to waive resort fees (including parking fees) and depending on the length of their stay, we will offer a room rate discount anywhere from 10% up to 30% except during the holidays.” For more information call: (954) 941-7830. At Fort Lauderdale Beach, Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach at 999 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard is trying to entice more Florida residents to stay there this summer. Jeffrey Peterson, Sonesta’s Sales and Marketing Director, said the resort is offering Florida residents up to 20% off the best available rate, a $50 Spa Credit with their guestrooms, and a Bed and Breakfast offer that includes a daily breakfast per guest. “We also launched our 2ONE2 Speakeasy offering: Bites, Craft Cocktails and Live Music all with an ocean view and open-air terrace,” he said. For more information call: (954) 941-7830. In Hollywood, Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort at 1111 North Ocean Drive is offering locals SummerzCool, a package featuring an extended stay which includes: stay three nights and enjoy 25% OFF and a $75 Resort Credit per stay or stay four nights and enjoy 30% OFF and a $100 Resort Credit per stay. “In addition, we just launched our Sunshine Savings Program (effective now through September) where Florida residents can get exclusive discounts of up to 20% Monday through Thursday that includes: Dining, Recreation, Spa Services, and spacious guest rooms with waterfront views,” said Margaritaville Spokesperson Jennifer Strum. For more information call: (954) 874-4444. Another Hollywood Resort, The Diplomat Beach Resort at 3555 South Ocean Drive, is offering its “Experience the Stay Package.” The Summer Package is available to guests who would like to prolong their stay with an early check in at 1:00 p.m. and a late checkout at 2:00 p.m. to experience more of the resort and receive a $50 Nightly Resort Credit. “In addition to our wellness programming classes by the beach along with Weekend Live Music and Entertainment, we will launch an exclusive Florida resident offer: up to 15% off the best available rate plus parking,” said Diplomat Spokesperson Heather Hagelberger. For more information call: (954) 602-6000. Digressing to our Summer Season, Broward’s hotel industry remains competitive and managers know how critical it is to attract guests to their hotels all-year round. Of course, in the winter and spring, it’s all about promoting “Escape the Cold” & “Sun In The Fun Vacation” deals to attract snowbirds and spring breakers. But right now and throughout summertime, managers must promote and market “Staycations and summer deals” so they can occupy their rooms with locals and Florida residents. That way, hotels in Broward County can generate more revenue and remain financially stable even though the tourists and out-of-towners aren’t around! < Previous News Next News >

The Holiday Season: “The Most Wonderful Time of The Year,” For Some, May Not Be For Others Ralph (Gene) E. Cash, Ph.D., ABPP December 22, 2022 Share The holiday season is here, and for most people, like the song says, it’s “the most wonderful time of the year.” However, for some, holidays can be especially difficult, particularly for those who have suffered a recent loss or who cannot seem to shake the grief related to losses that occurred a while ago. The fact that those who are grieving are around so many people who seem to be happy and having a good time can exacerbate negative feelings in those who have suffered or are anticipating a loss. It is important to remember that losses do not have to involve the death of a person in order to be very painful. Loss of a job, a home, a friendship, skills, or the capacity for intimacy can also be devastating. It is not possible to know all the battles others are fighting on a daily basis, and there’s no time like holidays for this to resonate so clearly. Here are some important points to keep in mind this time of the year (not necessarily in the order of importance in any given situation): • Grief and grieving are very personal and individualistic. Try hard not to be judgmental about how someone is expressing his/her grief. • The first priority for anyone expressing profound grief is to keep them safe! Do not hesitate to ask about self-harm and suicidality. You won't put ideas in their heads, and you may save a life. If suicidality seems at all to be an issue, provide the national suicide prevention hotline (988) and/or refer them to a mental health professional. • Express concern for the person who is grieving and ask if they are willing to talk about their grief, but don't say, "I know just how you feel!" It is very unlikely that you do, and it often seems to diminish the importance of their feelings and their grief. • Holiday traditions are important. Encourage the grieving person to be involved in keeping those traditions without attempting to force them or to demand that they participate. Doing normal things can help a person feel more normal, even if it doesn't seem that way at first. • If someone is terminal and has limited time, talk to them, and let them talk, if they will. Visit them. Don't avoid them or their condition, even if it feels awkward or scary to engage with them. If you are friends, that friendship should continue. • Provide the grieving person with opportunities to help others, if at all possible. Helping others often makes one's life seem more meaningful, engenders a feeling of usefulness, and can mitigate the hurt of one's own losses. • Remember that kindness heals. Small acts of kindness can have large benefits for both the one who is kind and the recipient of the kind act(s). Model and encourage kindness and pay it forward. • Seek professional help for extended and/or complicated grief, especially if the grief engenders thoughts of suicide. The holidays can be fun and cause for celebration for some, but they can also be reminders of what has been lost and can stir feelings of regret and grief for others. If you remember the old adage to be kind to others, that can go a long way in helping friends and loved ones who are struggling at this time of the year to persevere and to make it through. About Ralph (Gene) E. Cash, Ph.D., ABPP Nova Southeastern University, College of Psychology, Professor / Core Faculty, School Psychology / Director, School Psychology doctoral (Psy.D.) program / Full-Time Faculty, Department of Clinical and School Psychology < Previous News Next News >

‘Tis The Season To Celebrate At Gulfstream Park Village: Symphony In Lights Returns For Another Dazzling Holiday Season With A Special Kickoff Event November 9, 2023 Share As South Florida’s premier entertainment, dining and restaurant destination located on the border of Broward and Miami-Dade Counties, Gulfstream Park Village is gearing up for a holiday to remember. The highly anticipated Symphony in Lights will dazzle viewers again this holiday season, running November 12-December 31. Set to a soundtrack of holiday music favorites, the interactive lights display will run for 10-minutes at the top of every hour from 6-11 p.m. daily. Featuring over 250,000 LED lights, Symphony in Lights is an experience like no other. A special kickoff ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 11 from 7-10 p.m. All are invited to attend this community celebration that features DJ Chris Cruz and music from the Valerie Tyson 8-piece band. Representatives from the Cities of Hallandale Beach, Aventura, and other communities as well as FPL and the YMCA of South Florida will be in attendance to welcome guests. Even Santa Claus will be posing for selfies along with elves, dancers, and Nutcracker stilt walkers. After the opening remarks, a 10-minute light show dazzled in snowfall will commence. For more information on Symphony in Lights, please visit: https://www.gulfstreampark.com/event/entertainment/symphony-in-lights-opening-night-2023/ Make Gulfstream Park Village your destination for holiday shopping! When it comes to gift-giving, the Village offers an array of shops and boutiques for everyone on the list. Williams-Sonoma offers professional-grade cookware that will delight home chefs, along with gourmet foods, small kitchen appliances, cooking utensils and seasonal décor at all price points. The Container Store, known for expert storage solutions and custom closet designs, offers organization solutions for the festivities. The store’s holiday gift wrap shop is not to be missed! For those who love to decorate and create an inviting holiday atmosphere, Pottery Barn, West Elm and Crate & Barrel offer an array of stylish furniture and decor pieces designed by talented artisans from around the world, making them fantastic sources for holiday home inspiration. This is also the season to make a stylish entrance at holiday parties and celebrations. The Rene Ruiz Collection, renowned for its formalwear and opulent designs, seamlessly fuses Miami’s glamour with the finest luxury craftsmanship, radiating festive charm. Allure opens the doors to an indulgent world of luxury shopping, accommodating all budgets and styles ensuring that holiday wardrobes are nothing short of extraordinary. Shopping is not complete without a stop at one of Gulfstream Park Village’s many dining options. Yard House offers an extensive tap beer selection while Christine Lee's features some of South Florida’s best Asian-inspired delights. For heartier options, Bissaleh is a modern, Kosher Steakhouse offering the finest cuts of meat and Texas de Brazil's is known for its authentic churrascaria experience. Some room for something sweet! Häagen-Dazs's unique holiday ice cream flavors, including the ever-popular peppermint bark, are sure to satisfy. Looking to gather with friends, colleagues or family this holiday season? Strike 10 Bowling & Sports Lounge and PlugIn Karaoke offer the perfect setting to catch up and have a good time. “As South Florida’s top entertainment and event destination, we are excited to again host our Symphony in Lights holiday lights display,” said Alex Schreer, Director of Experiential Marketing for Gulfstream Park Village. “Families, friends and colleagues are invited to enjoy a festive atmosphere and make lasting memories this holiday season.” About Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park is South Florida’s premier entertainment, dining, and restaurant destination, located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, anchored by the legendary Gulfstream Park racetrack. Gulfstream Park not only offers world-class Thoroughbred horse racing but is also home to a casino and family-friendly venues including over 15 restaurants, outdoor cafes, art galleries, fashion retailers, state-of-the-art bowling alley, and a renowned selection of signature home stores. Gulfstream Park, voted a 2020 Top Travelers' Choice Winner by TripAdvisor, is located at 901 South Federal Highway in Hallandale Beach, Florida, just two miles east of I-95. Valet service and complimentary self-parking are available. Gulfstream Park is open seven days a week. For hours, schedules, upcoming events, and additional information, visit: https://www.gulfstreampark.com/ - Or call: (954) 454-7000. < Previous News Next News >

City of Hollywood Thu Jul 08 2021 04:01:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Circle The Wagons: The Government Is On The Warpath Thu Jul 13 2023 16:06:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Keller’s Korner - 2025 Delray Beach Open By Neil Keller Apr 1, 2025 Welcome To Keller’s Korner. I Often Cover The Jewish Angle To Many Stories And This Column Will Be On A South Florida Tennis Tournament. In 1991, Mark Baron Retired From The Clothing Industry At The Age Of Just 39 Years Old. Soon After, Mark Wanted To Do Something Different With His Life. Living In South Florida, Mark In 1993 Founded An Annual Tennis Tournament. It was held in Coral Springs and was called America’s Red Clay Championships. Mark’s goal was to bring top old, current, and new tennis talent to the fans. He surely succeeded as in the very first year, Jimmy Connors was a big draw. In 1999, Mark moved the tennis tournament to the Delray Beach Tennis Center. When I asked him why he moved the tournament 25 miles northeast, Mark explained, “There were so many bugs near the Everglades.” When I looked at a map, I saw the courts were in western Coral Springs that bordered on the Everglades. Mark renamed the tournament the “Delray Beach Open.” His sons Ivan and Adam help run the DBO. Mark’s official title is Tournament Director. Ivan is the Tournament Chairman and Adam is the Executive Director. The Baron family grew up in South Florida. Ivan played tennis at the University of Georgia and was briefly on the professional tennis tour. Adam was a lawyer before returning to help with the DBO. The DBO is a men’s tennis tournament. I asked Mark about having a women’s tournament. He replied, “I would love to have a women’s tournament. The problem is that we would have to extend this tournament by ten days.” When I asked Mark who was the best player to ever appear at the DBO, his response was, “My son, Ivan of course.” That is quite impressive when the DBO has had ten former #1 world ranked players appear. The 2025 DBO ran from February 7th – February 16th and Miomir Kecmanovic won the Singles by defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the finals. This was an upset as the top seed was Taylor Fritz of the United States. Taylor came into the match ranked #4 in the world in singles tennis and won the DBO in 2023 and 2024. I was particularly interested in talking to Taylor as his great great grandfather was a Jewish man named David May. David founded May Department Stores back in 1877. Years later May Department Stores merged with Macy’s. David was on the maternal side of the Fritz family. When asked about religion, the 27 year old responded, “I was not brought up Jewish but very aware of the Jewish side to my family.” His mother Kathy Fritz follows Judaism and was ranked 10th in the world in singles. Taylor added, “Both of my parents (Guy and Kathy) played professional tennis and inspired me to play the sport.” Taylor grew up in California and is the highest ranked American in the world. When asked what his most memorable moment was, Taylor said, “I would say beating Rafael Nadal at Indian Wells.” This occurred in 2022 against the legendary player Rafael Nadel, who was also on a long winning streak that Taylor snapped. Also, at the 2025 DBO event was Jesse Levine of Boca Raton. He was an outstanding player who retired from the tour in 2014 due to an elbow injury. He was the #1 ranked tennis player for the University of Florida. When I asked Jesse what his most memorable event was, he replied, “Beating Marat Safin at Wimbledon in 2009.” Marat was a former #1 ranked tennis player in the world. At the DBO, Jesse appeared in the Doubles Legends event. Jesse was teamed with Juan Martín del Potro who played the Bryan brothers (Bob and Mike). The Bryan brothers are the most successful doubles team ever. Being identical brothers and knowing how each other thinks is a clear advantage. At the DBO legends event, the Bryan brothers defeated Jesse & Juan. Ironically, at the 2009 U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships, Jesse and his partner Ryan Sweeting went all the way to the finals before losing to the Bryan brothers. Speaking of doubles, Miomir Kecmanovic (who won the singles) teamed with Brandon Nakashima, to win the doubles championship over Christian Harrison and Evan King, at this year’s DBO. Large crowds attended this year’s event and the Baron family, and the South Florida community and fans can certainly count on and look forward to continued success year after year with their always well run and exciting event. Neil Keller is a Jewish historian. To learn who is Jewish, visit his website at: www.NeilKeller.com Neil Keller, Left, Mark Baron, Right Taylor Fritz, Tennis Player, Left, Neil Keller, Right Previous Next

Protect Our Kids From AI: We Must Stop Predators From Using AI to Exploit Children By Teresa Huizar February 23, 2024 Share Sexual predators are using a new tool to exploit children - AI image generators. Users on a dark-web forum shared 3,000 AI-generated images of child sexual abuse in one month, according to the Internet Watch Foundation. Current child sexual abuse laws are outdated. They don't account for the dangers AI and emerging technologies pose. Lawmakers must act fast to put legal protections in place. The national CyberTipline -- a reporting system for suspected online child exploitation -- received a staggering 32 million reports in 2022, up from 21 million two years prior. That figure is sure to grow with the rise of AI. AI platforms are "trained" on existing visual material. Sources used to create images may include real children's faces taken from social media, or photographs of real-life exploitation. Advanced AI-generated images are virtually indistinguishable from unaltered photographs. Investigators have found new images of old victims, images of "de-aged" celebrities depicted as children in abuse scenarios, and "nudified" images taken from otherwise benign photos of clothed children. Much of this technology is downloadable, so offenders can generate images off-line without fear of discovery. Using AI to create pictures of child sex abuse is not a victimless crime. Behind every AI image, there are real children. And studies show that a majority of those who possess child sex abuse material also commit hands-on abuse. Adults can also use platforms like ChatGPT to better lure children. Criminals have long used fake online identities to meet young people in games or on social media, gain their trust and manipulate them into sending explicit images, then "sextort" them for money, more pictures, or physical acts. ChatGPT makes it shockingly easy to masquerade as a child or teen with youthful language. President Biden recently signed an executive order geared at managing the risks of AI. But we need help from lawmakers. We need to update the federal definition of child sexual abuse material to include AI-generated depictions. As the law stands, prosecutors must show harm to an actual child. A defense team could claim that AI material is not depicting a real child, even though AI images often pull from material that victimizes real children. We must adopt policies requiring tech companies to monitor and report exploitative material. Only three companies were responsible for 98% of all CyberTips in 2020 and 2021: Facebook, Google, and Snapchat. Many state laws identify "mandatory reporters," or professionals who are legally required to report suspected abuse. Employees of social media and tech companies ought to have mandated reporting responsibilities. We need to rethink how we use end-to-end encryption, in which only the sender and receiver can access a message or file. While it has valid applications, end-to-end encryption can help people store and share child abuse images. To illustrate how many abusers go undetected, consider that out of the 29 million tips the CyberTipline received in 2021, just 160 came from Apple, which maintains end-to-end encryption for iMessages and iCloud. Even if law enforcement has a warrant to access a perpetrator's files, a tech company with end-to-end encryption can claim that it can't help. Surely an industry built on innovation is capable of developing solutions to protect our children. AI and social media are evolving every day. If lawmakers act now, we can prevent wide-scale harm to kids. To contact your lawmakers visit: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative & https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm Teresa Huizar is CEO of National Children's Alliance, America's largest network of care centers for child abuse victims. For more resources, find your local Children's Advocacy Center at: nationalchildrensalliance.org. This op-ed first appeared in Fox News Opinion on www.FoxNews.com . < Previous News Next News >

Nurturing Nature For A Greener Tomorrow: Aventura Celebrates 27 Years As A Tree City USA Wed Apr 17 2024 16:10:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

One Size Does Not Fit All - Property Tax Update By Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper By Hallandale Beach, Mayor Joy Cooper Jun 11, 2026 We Finally Know What Will Be On The Ballot In November When It Comes To Property Taxes. Some Are Calling For A Defund Local Government Amendment. Others Are Calling It Defund The Police Amendment. Ambiguous Language In Amendment Appears To Be Protecting Public Safety. The Issue Is, One Size Does Not Fit All. There are many cities, particularly smaller rural cities and those that have limited commercial property that will not be able to afford public safety let alone other basic services. Actually, many police and fire agencies made the trek to Tallahassee to vocally speak against it. Even Tax Watch spoke against the bill for being rushed and not sufficiently vetted. So what does it do? It provides, if it passes in 2027, all homesteaded properties that owners declared residency by January 2027 will have an exemption of 150,000 and in 2028: 250,000. If residency is declared after 2027, they will have to be a resident for five full years for the 250,000 exemption. Those residents will be able to receive a 25,000 exemption for school taxes and up to 50,000 for other taxes. Currently, there is an over 10 percent cap of non-homestead now it will be reduced to 5 percent. It does not apply to school taxes. Not paying taxes always sounds great. The issue is that this revenue is the major revenue that local governments depend on to serve our residents. Cities and counties and special taxing districts, hospitals, children’s services, water and flood control to name a few. It also defines that government can only spend money for core public “needs” including public safety, education and schools, Infrastructure and natural resources. There is language also referencing existing pension obligations. Obviously, this is pretty ambiguous language. Are parks core needs? Community centers? Senior Centers? Broward County Property Appraiser has done an evaluation of every city and our county impacts. Last week, the projection was at 10.4 percent reduction which equated to 4.7 million for Hallandale Beach annually. I do not have updated figures at the time of writing this article. It has been an interesting proposition. We are fortunate to have a good mix of commercial and non-homestead properties. The issue becomes what happened in the year where pension obligations increase due to lack of investment returns. In that year, we have to pay the obligation but may not have the revenue to pay. All money for tax must provide for services what gets cuts. While the state budget and property taxes were the main focus of special session. There was an additional bill passed that further mandates how local governments can change the millage rate. The Florida law allows cities to apply up to 10 mills overall. The new law requires that if local governments want to increase the millage rate by over 110% of the roll back rate to fund their budget it will require a super majority vote. This may sound reasonable, but it does mean in years where government cost index are high and we are required to find basic services there could be a stalemate of on the dais. When cities or counties cannot pass a budget, a city could go in default with agencies including the state. I've been posting lately in different Social Media accounts about this issue. One of the first responses was from a homesteaded resident that said “if it sounds too good to be true it is” and “the devil is in the details” others are “yeah, we should cut taxes.” To flip the coin on the question to ask people what in fact if we have to cut services what they want cut? Are the details people don't want to talk about? What will happen to response times? Do you want your streets paved sooner or later? Do you want public spaces maintained? Do you want quicker turnarounds with services? What will the fees be for parks, libraries, and community centers? As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our City a better place on my Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org . Please visit me on my Facebook page at: Mayor Joy Cooper. Like! Follow! And share! Previous Next

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