City Of Hollywood 3-Day Centennial Celebration Thursday, November 20th – Saturday, November 22nd City Of Hollywood Nov 19, 2025 Happy 100th Birthday To The City Of Hollywood! Established On November 28, 1925, The City Is Throwing A 3-Day Party With Attractions Including Pyrotechnics, Laser Light Shows, Live Bands, A Winter Wonderland With Santa, His Elves And Real Snow At Our Tree Lighting. Enjoy Giveaways, Vendor Booths, Kids’ Activities, Food And A Most Memorable Centennial Celebration. All the festivities lead up to the main event on Saturday night with a performance by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Kool & the Gang – known for chart topping hits like “Ladies Night, Celebration and Get Down on It.” The festivities kick off this Thursday, November 20th at the Hollywood Beach Bandshell with a live concert at 7:00 p.m. by “Sippin Fire” presented by the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. The fun continues at the ArtsPark at Young Circle in downtown Hollywood beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 21st with over 40 activated vendor booths and historical displays, kids’ arts and crafts, real snow flurries, sledding hill, visit by Santa with free photos, laser light show, and our official Tree Lighting at 7:00 p.m. “On the Roxx” takes the stage for a live concert at 8:00 p.m., lots of free giveaways, popcorn & candy, crafts and fun! Consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy for donation to the Hollywood Police and Fire Department toy drive. Toys are being collected at the City’s tent on Friday and Saturday. The main event takes place on Saturday, November 22nd beginning at 5:00 p.m. with recognition of 16 Hollywood centenarians, ages 99 through 108, on the ArtsPark amphitheater stage, followed by the Hollywood Historical Society’s “History of Hollywood” documentary. The event will also feature a Classic Car Show, kids’ activities and bounce houses, historic displays, laser light show, 2,000 birthday cupcakes, pyrotechnics and live performances featuring “Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra.” Headlining act Kool & the Gang take the stage at 9:00 p.m. The City Centennial Celebration is presented by the City of Hollywood, Memorial Healthcare System, Moss & Associates, Boucher Brothers, the Chris Hixon Foundation, the Law Offices of Khani and Auerbach, Commissioner Caryl Shuham, Tim and Donna McVeigh, Jonathan Lorber with the Keyes Company, Honu Pool & Beach Management, the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Hollywood Kia, Margaritaville Hollywood Beach, and Flamingo Auto Group. Information To Help Make It A Safe And Hazard-Free Celebration Visitors to the beach and downtown will notice an enhanced police presence and enforcement of City ordinances. Visitors are asked to please abide by all rules and regulations. If you see something, say something to a police officer, park ranger or security guard. Call 911 in an emergency. Alcoholic beverages, firearms, weapons of any kind, fireworks of all types, glass, single-use plastic and foam items are prohibited and will be confiscated. To help keep Hollywood beautiful, visitors are reminded to bring reusable items, clean up after themselves and do not over-fill trash receptacles. The ArtsPark Amphitheatre is lawn seating, bring a blanket for your comfort. Public restrooms are located within the park and on Hollywood Beach at the Nebraska Street Parking Garage and at Tyler, Fillmore, Johnson, Garfield, Taft, and Missouri Streets on the Broadwalk for your convenience. Traffic Information Heavier than normal traffic around the ArtsPark at Young Circle is expected. Please plan for detours and delays. The Hollywood Police Department will be monitoring traffic, parking and capacity in an effort to maintain a safe environment for all. Starting on Saturday, November 22nd at noon: • Hollywood Boulevard between 19th Ave. and US-1 will be completely closed to vehicular traffic. Traffic will be directed north/south on 19th Avenue • US-1 Southbound traffic will detour west at Tyler Street • US-1 Northbound travelers wishing to go west will detour at Polk Street Parking Information Public parking at the City-operated parking garages is on a first come, first served basis. The garages are expected to reach capacity quickly. Carpooling is encouraged. Thursday on Hollywood Beach: • Garfield Garage, 300 Connecticut Street, $3.00/hour. • Nebraska Garage, 327 Nebraska Street, $2.50/hour. • Keating Park, 2400 S Ocean Drive, $3.50/hour. • Hollywood Beach Culture & Community Center, 1301 South Ocean Drive, $3.50/hour. • Metered on-street parking $3.50/hour for nonresidents and $1.75 for residents who are registered with the City. Residents can register by going online to: www.hollywoodfl.org/parking and click on “Resident Parking Rate.” Friday and Saturday Downtown Hollywood: • University Station Garage, 2031 Polk Street, $5 flat rate (4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) • Radius Garage, 251 North 19th Avenue, $5 flat rate (4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) • Van Buren Garage, 251 South 20th Avenue, $5 flat rate (4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) • Taylor Street Lot, 1810 Taylor Street, $5 flat rate (4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.) • City Hall, 2600 Hollywood Boulevard, FREE • On-street metered parking $3.50/hr. for nonresidents and $1.75/hour for residents who are registered with the City. Residents can register by going online to: www.hollywoodfl.org/parking and click on “Resident Parking Rate.” Be aware, those choosing to park on private property must follow the property owner’s exact rules to avoid a ticket, tow, or immobilization device. Sun Shuttle The Hollywood Sun Shuttle, operated by Circuit, is an environmentally friendly, electric public transportation option that transports riders through service areas citywide. The Sun Shuttle will be operating on the following extended service hours: • Thursday, November 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. • Friday, November 21st from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. • Saturday, November 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to midnight. An App requested ride is $2.00 per person per ride on Thursday and Friday. Riders are required to pay the fare onboard using a secure QR code to process payment. On Saturday App requested rides on the beach and downtown will be FREE using the promo code “CITY100.” You can also wave down a driver for a free ride on Saturday. For additional event information, visit: www.hollywoodfl.org/100 . All media is encouraged to attend on Friday or Saturday. For media inquiries, interview availability or live shot assistance, please call Arlene Borenstein, Communications Manager at: (954) 649-8200. Or Joann Hussey, Director of Communications, Marketing & Economic Development at: (954) 806-3675. Previous Next

Expanding & Attracting New Business: The Hallandale Beach CRA Has Innovative Programs To Assist You Thu May 12 2022 04:06:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Thanksgiving Traditions and Memory-Making Meals Tue Nov 08 2022 17:02:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Social Citizens Group Honor the Past and Head for The Future By Cesar A. Becerra July 8, 2021 Share Aerial view of Motel Row in Sunny Isles, Fl., 1955 Everyone can agree that The Pandemic did not bode well for social situations. Double that for an older generation going through the pandemic. And so it was that after what seemed like an eternity, the decade old Social Citizens of Southeast Florida, returned with a vengeance at their first and second functions of the amended 2021 season for a luncheon and lecture at The Olive Garden in Aventura and The Thai House Restaurant. On both days the group looked forward as they simultaneously honored the past with a brief talk by former Sunny Isles Mayor Norman Edelcup about the nascent beginnings of Sunny Isles Beach no less than 25 years ago and photos of a colorful mural sponsored by the group was also shared. Buzzing about with great intensity and ready to get back to normal were 40 fully vaccinated members of the Social Citizens who were eager to get back to their adventuresome pace of bus tours, luncheons, socials and broadway play outings. Director Dennis Stubbolo flitted about welcoming back new and old members alike. The season though cut in half by the ongoing issues of the pandemic and vaccination rules for gathering would have rendered most groups a death knell but the "Citizens" used it wisely to regroup, re-plan and re envision a future that has new programming already abuzz beginning with a hearty re-launch of activities beginning with a special tour on July 29th to coincide with Miami's 125th anniversary. Speaking of history, The Citizens - with their main offices in Sunny Isles - organized a special reunion of the key pioneers who actually birthed the town of Sunny Isles on the 12th of April, 1996. "We thought this is the perfect time to make sure we get our story right" feigned Stubbolo who discovered Sunny Isles in 1995 as his firm offered to transfer him to South Florida and adds "we figure instead of just a photo of the group we may as well record their thoughts and details of what they remembered in their respective roles in creating Sunny Isles Beach. One doesn't get that opportunity everywhere in cities that are several centuries old!" And so it was on 12th of April at One Netanya Center that founders Danny Iglesias and Godmother Susan Fried convened with Norman Edelcup for a one and a half hour recording session that was immortalized on both audio and video. The former Mayor, who hailed originally from Chicago and who served as Sunny Isles Beach mayor from 2003 to 2014 shared a few anecdotes and details about those early days at the luncheon last week. Mr Edelcup, spoke as a true and bold pioneer when he shared the story of how Sunny Isles Beach had dropped in stature by the early 1990's from its original glory as the place to see and be seen in the 1940's when it was the place to be and be seen of all of Florida's beach resorts. "We were the envy of all beach front resort towns until slowly the way american and foreign families vacationed began to shift to Disney's powerful and trendy allure." Slowly a decay began to fall over the area to the point where hotel properties and our sandy sidewalks of Sunny Isles began to be snapped up by hungry developers at below market prices and even prostitutes began outnumbering tourists as its citizenry realized they had to take matters into their own hands. A push to break away also meant a push to even jettison the name Sunny Isles as Edelcup mentioned in his speech that "The people that did choose to break away wanted to join the Aventura bandwagon." And so with a promise to eventually do just that they initially tabled the Aventure name and incorporated it as Sunny Isles Beach with the promise that in the near future they would vote to rename it. Edelcup added; "It never got brought up formally after incorporation so we kept on with Sunny Isles Beach!" Also on hand at the luncheon was Lewis Thaler the vice mayor and now Vice President of Social Citizens board who piggybacked on Edelcup's assessment and added that to pull away from Dade County was both easy and a no brainer. "You have to understand that we had to do something. We were not being treated fairly even when it came to basic services. We would of course not have any clue of the level of expertise we would have to take on over the upcoming years but we knew it was better than seeing our paradise run amok." And indeed they did. From the allure of the quick buck property owners were susceptible to quick lucrative payouts. It would take years before Sunny Isles Beach saw their population and reputation skyrocket. By the new millenium Sunny Isles had been saved and the community began being known once again as The City of Sun and Sea. It is no surprise that Social Citizens was born (on March 10th 2011) within their city limits and chose to headquarter right next door to City Hall. But director Stubbulo explains that in the future plans are afoot to grow past those boundaries; "Remember when we started we didn't want to be pigeonholed to just Sunny Isles, in fact we are seeing now some of our members are located in locales far away from the beach even deep inland. Which makes sense as our name was purposefully chosen as Social Citizens of Southeast Florida and this upcoming year we intend to grow into that zone by some exciting promotional materials we have planned and tours that stretch from here to Key West." At the end of the lunches several members like Gloria Ezrin along with Marvin Zubisky wished it to not come to an end. "Now I wish I had planned to stay longer but I'm headed back to New York in a week. But I'm definitely looking forward to the next season!" For a full roster of activities Social Citizens urge newcomers to check out their website www.socialcitizenssef .org and reminds all that with a discounted 10.00 membership (instead of the regular 20.00 a year) this year only due to the cut in programming you are getting a steal of a deal in time for the rest of the season. "It's still the best deal in town!" enthusiastically explains Nancy Leyton who is happy the group is back and firing on all cylinders. "Where else are you going to have an entire year of social outings planned for such a affordable membership!" The next big activity will be an all day tour celebrating the city of Miami with Historian Cesar A. Becerra on July 29th - one day after the city turns 125 and Becerra releases his 4th book on South Florida History focussing on pioneer co-mother Mary Brickell - and another bus tour on August 25th with Historian Seth Bramson to explore the island and history of Key Biscayne which will include a stop at the lighthouse and lunch at the famous Rusty Pelican. All tours and activities can be booked by calling Nancy Leyton at 305-333-2865 < Previous News Next News >

Gen Z Is Least Likely To Believe Cancer Can Be Prevented. Many Don't Know Basic Screenings Exist. By Sheeka Sanahori Sep 17, 2026 Gen Z Adults Are At The Stage When Lifelong Habits Start To Take Shape. They're Launching Careers, Reflecting On Their Values, And Building Relationships And Routines. They're Also Navigating Messages About Beauty Standards That Sometimes Oppose The Needs Of Their Long-Term Health. Case In Point: The "Tanmaxxing" Trend Found On Social Media. "Ain't no way I'm letting my job stop me from soaking in the 8 UV," one Instagram user wrote while tanning from a car with the convertible roof down. The video is one of hundreds by "tanfluencers" documenting the ways they take tanning to the extreme, including skipping sunscreen or tanning in the middle of the day, when the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays are at their most harmful. This risky trend is one example of a growing generational gap in beliefs about Cancer Prevention. According to the 2026 Early Detection Survey from the Prevent Cancer Foundation, Gen Z adults (ages 21-29) are less likely than their parents and grandparents to fully consider that Cancer Risk can be reduced through prevention and early detection. Gen Z faces a Cancer Prevention Awareness Gap Across every generation, most adults believe Cancer Risk can be reduced, but Gen Z is the least convinced. While 73% of Baby Boomers agree, only 64% of Gen Z adults do. That same pattern continues when focusing specifically on Skin Cancer. Nearly half of Gen Z respondents believe sunscreen and sun-protective clothing can help reduce their Skin Cancer Risk, compared to 53% of Millennials and 64% of Gen X. Only 37% of Gen Z respondents have had a routine medical appointment or Cancer Screening in the last year, the lowest of any generation. Although certain Cancer Screenings, including Breast and Colorectal Cancer, begin in middle age, some are also recommended for young adults. Cervical Cancer is highly preventable, with screening beginning for people with a Cervix and of average risk at the age of 21. Forty-six percent of Gen Z adults who are eligible said they were not up to date. Systemic barriers prevent healthier lifestyles For some Gen Z adults, the health care system itself is part of the problem. Nearly a third report experiencing discrimination or bias from a health care provider, and 44% believe the system prioritizes profit over patient care. Those experiences could be enough to make someone skip a future health appointment. The most common barrier for Gen Z isn't what you might expect. Three in 5 respondents say they simply lack motivation, a higher rate than Millennials or Gen X. Among the three youngest surveyed generations, Gen Z is the only group that doesn't rank cost as its primary obstacle. The bigger challenge is making preventive care feel urgent and relevant now. Better communication and education could help more get screened Data suggests that practical guidance and clearer communication could make a difference. More than half of Gen Z adults say having a provider to help them navigate the system would increase trust in health care and make it easier for them to get their recommended Cancer Screenings. Affordable, predictable costs would help 52% of respondents. Sixty-five percent of Gen Z adults say they're motivated to schedule Cancer Screenings because they want to live a long, healthy life. Colorectal Cancer is now the leading cause of Cancer Death in people under 50, and Skin Cancer is one of the most common Cancers in people younger than 30. The motivation is there. Reaching them with the right information at the right time may be what it takes. Methodology The Prevent Cancer Foundation commissioned Atomik Research to conduct the Foundation's 4th annual Pan-Cancer Early Detection Survey of U.S. adults ages 21 or older. The margin of error of the overall sample is +/- 1 percentage point with a confidence level of 95%. Fieldwork took place between January 10th and January 30th of 2026. The Cancer Screenings studied in this survey were for Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Lung Cancer, Oral Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Skin Cancer and Testicular Cancer. Atomik Research is an independent market research agency. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock Across every generation, most adults believe Cancer Risk can be reduced, but Gen Z is the least convinced. Previous Next

FL.Flamencos Perform - Two Shows At Aventura Arts & Cultural Center The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center October 31, 2024 Share The City of Aventura partners with FUNDarte and Miami-Dade County Auditorium to present FL.Flamencos performing “Ser.Rana” by Sonia Franco in two shows on Saturday, November 2nd at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 3rd at 2:00 p.m. Produced by Begoña Fernández Pellicer of Spain Flamenco Arts, the two shows are part of FUNDarte's annual FL.Flamencos series and Miami-Dade County Auditorium’s Away From Home Series. Created by Dancer, Choreographer and Actress Sonia Franco Gutiérrez, who has premiered dance performances around the world, “Ser. Rana” first appeared in the renowned Choreographic Competition of Spanish Dance and Flamenco in Madrid, where the show received the “Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana New York” Award that grants the opportunity to choreograph for the Prestigious Carlota Santana and enter New York’s Acclaimed Flamenco Dance Community. Translated from Spanish, Ser. Rana means “to be a frog.” FL.Flamenco explains the show’s choreography invokes the thought of a frog lost outside its pond, whose experience transforms movement and releases the desire to dance “ . . . like water that cannot be contained, like the flow of the river. The dancers do not cease until their bodies are transformed through Flamenco while they travel through this impossible scenario.” Ser. Rana’s original music is performed by Guitarist Alejandro Peralta, with Percussion by El Pepi and Vocals by Cristina Soler and Rosa Linero. Tickets for both shows of Ser.Rana are on sale now. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Buy tickets online at: www.aventuracenter.org - By phone at: (877) 311-7469. Or: (954) 462-0222. Or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center’s Box Office Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 p.m. Noon to 5:00 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each performance. For Group Sales, please call: (954) 660-6307. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, Florida 33180. Join the conversation, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram @aventuracenter or #aventuracenter. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts manages the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, a 14,864-Square-Foot, 330-Seat Waterfront Complex that hosts Performing Arts, Cultural and Educational Programming for all ages. < Previous News Next News >

Avoid Mortgage Loan Modification Scams Thu Mar 17 2022 04:01:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Vishal & Sheykhar Bring “The Superhit Tour” To Hard Rock Live In South Florida South Florida Sun Times Mar 19, 2026 After Selling Out Venues Across The United States In 2025, Vishal & Sheykhar Will Return This Summer With “The Superhit Tour,” Produced By Kash Patel Productions. The Composer Duo Will Perform On Sunday, July 26th, 2026, At Hard Rock Live In Hollywood, Florida, Bringing One Of Bollywood’s Most Recognizable Live Shows To South Florida. Last year’s tour underscored the pair’s growing foothold in the North American market. Across multiple cities, audiences filled arenas, turning concerts into full-scale sing-alongs that stretched beyond the final encore. For those behind the tour, the message from fans was unmistakable. “We saw such an amazing turnout and a real sense of community in 2025,” said Kash Patel, Founder and CEO of Kash Patel Productions. “In Toronto, the entire arena was on its feet. People were dancing from the first song, and the roar of the crowd didn’t let up. After a night like that, you don’t wait too long to plan the next one. It felt important to bring that energy to more cities so more communities across the country can be part of it.” For more than two decades, Vishal & Sheykhar have helped define the sound of modern Indian cinema. The Mumbai-based duo has composed music for over 350 films across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi industries. Their catalog includes 72 number-one singles and has surpassed 3 billion global streams, reflecting a reach that extends far beyond the theater. Their resume reads like a playlist of contemporary Bollywood staples. Songs such as “Desi Girl,” “Bang Bang,” “Nashe Si Chadh Gayi,” “Sheila Ki Jawani,” “Manwa Laage,” “Ghungroo,” and “Jhoome Jo Pathaan” remain fixtures at weddings, clubs and concert halls alike. Their work on Om Shanti Om earned the IIFA Award for Best Music Director and a Filmfare nomination, while additional honors include multiple Mirchi Music Awards and Zee Cine Awards. The duo’s influence has also crossed borders through collaborations with Akon, Diplo, The Vamps, and Imogen Heap, introducing global pop audiences to the scale and polish of contemporary Bollywood production. Yet onstage, their catalog takes on another dimension. “The love we experienced last year was incredible,” said Vishal Dadlani. “I love being right in the middle of that energy. When thousands of people start singing louder than the speakers, you just stand there and take it in. Meeting fans after the show and hearing what the music means to them is why we do this. This year we’re coming back with more fire, a few new surprises, and I’m ready to do it again.” “The love we felt from audiences across the U.S. last year was truly special,” said Sheykhar Ravjiani. “For me, the music always begins as something personal, but on stage it becomes something shared and powerful. Hearing thousands of voices sing the melodies back to us is an indescribable feeling. With ‘The Superhit Tour,’ we’re bringing that same passion, scale, and emotion to new cities, and we’re looking forward to creating those moments all over again.” “The Superhit Tour” will feature a full live band and large-scale production built around the duo’s biggest hits, balancing arena-sized dance numbers with moments that invite the crowd to carry the chorus. The addition of Nashville, long regarded as a cornerstone of American music culture, reflects the expanding presence of South Asian artists in major U.S. markets. Confirmed Tour Dates: Saturday, July 11th, 2026: San Jose Civic, San Jose, California Sunday, July 12th, 2026: Curtis Culwell Center, Dallas, Texas Friday, July 17th, 2026: The Pinnacle, Nashville, Tennessee Sunday, July 26th, 2026: Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, Florida For venue details and ticket information, visit: https://casino.hardrock.com/hollywood/events/vishal-sheykhar About Vishal & Sheykhar: Vishal & Sheykhar are one of Bollywood’s most iconic music-composing duos, made up of Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani. With a career spanning over two decades, they have composed music for more than 350 films across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi cinema. Known for delivering blockbuster hits like “Jhoome Jo Pathaan,” “Ghungroo,” “Manwa Laage” and timeless tracks from Om Shanti Om, their music has shaped the sound of modern Indian cinema. They have won the IIFA Award for Best Music Director (Om Shanti Om), the Zee Cine Award, and multiple Mirchi Music Awards. Their work on Om Shanti Om also earned a Filmfare nomination for Best Music Director. Individually, Shekhar Ravjiani won the Mirchi Music Award for Sound Engineering of the Year for Titli, and Vishal Dadlani has received critical acclaim as both a playback singer and the lead vocalist of India’s pioneering rock band, Pentagram. Follow them on Facebook or listen on Spotify to experience the music of Vishal & Sheykhar. About Kash Patel Productions: Founded in 2016 and led by Kash Patel, Kash Patel Productions (KPP) has revolutionized the North American cultural events industry. KPP has showcased some of the biggest names in entertainment, including A.R. Ameen, A.R.Rahman, Aastha Gill, Alka Yagnik, Anirudh Ravichander, Anuv Jain, Arunita Kanjilal, Atif Aslam, B Praak, Badshah, Jonita Gandhi, Kumar Sanu, Mika Singh, Neha Kakkar, Russell Peters, Sadhana Sargam, SANAM, Sayli Kamble, Shannon K. Sanu, Shreya Ghoshal, Shuba Vedula, Shweta Mohan, Sid Sriram, Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan, Vir Das, Vishal & Sheykhar, Zakir Khan, and Zarna Garg. This has earned Kash Patel Productions international acclaim, as it continues to deliver exceptional cultural events that redefine live experiences. To stay updated on the latest news and events from Kash Patel Productions, please visit: www.KashPatelProductions.com , where you can follow their incredible journey in the cultural event community. Previous Next

Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens Presents Take Akari - Bamboo Lights South Florida Sun Times Jan 14, 2026 Morikami Museum And Japanese Gardens In Delray Beach Invites Guests To Experience The Glamorous World Of Illuminated Bamboo As It Welcomes its Newest Exhibit, Take Akari: Bamboo Lights. The Dazzling Experience Is Curated By Japan-Based Bamboo Craftsman Akihiro Mashimo And Is On View Now Through April 5th, 2026. In Japan, Take Akari, or Bamboo Light festivals, have become beloved cultural celebrations, captivating audiences across the country for over three decades. These festivals were initiated to raise awareness about the critical importance of maintaining bamboo forests and to educate the community on the significance of this vital natural resource in daily life. Now, this mesmerizing experience comes to life at the Morikami Museum. Take Akari: Bamboo Lights offers a unique opportunity for visitors to witness the artistry and master craftsmanship of Akihiro Mashimo, whose iconic illuminated bamboo installations create a unique and immersive atmosphere. The exhibition allows attendees to experience a piece of Japan's vibrant festival culture and brings awareness to the importance of environmental conservation around the world. Take Akari is funded in part by The Jacarlene Foundation, JM Family Enterprises Inc., and Nobu Hotel Miami Beach. Cost is free with paid museum admission. Morikami Museum History Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens celebrate a rich, century-old connection between Japan and South Florida. In the early 1900s, a group of young Japanese farmers, led by Jo Sakai, established the Yamato Colony in northern Boca Raton. Named after an ancient term for Japan, this small agricultural community aimed to introduce innovative farming practices to Florida. The settlers primarily grew pineapples and winter vegetables, but faced challenges like competition and economic changes that made farming difficult. Despite hardships, the colony grew to include families, blending Japanese traditions with life in Florida. However, by the 1940s, most colonists had left or returned to Japan. During World War II, the U.S. Government took over much of the land for military use. George Sukeji Morikami, one of the last remaining settlers, stayed and later donated his land to Palm Beach County. This gift led to the creation of Morikami Park, which opened in 1977 as a cultural and educational center honoring the Yamato Colony’s legacy. Working alongside his friends, neighbors, and the Palm Beach County Department of Parks and Recreation, George Morikami helped transform his personal history into a lasting legacy—building a bridge of cultural understanding between George’s two homelands. Today, the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens features traditional Japanese architecture, three exhibition galleries, a theater, and an authentic tea house. The 16-acre Japanese gardens reflect a variety of historical styles from across Japan, thoughtfully arranged to form one harmonious landscape. With close to 7,500 art objects and artifacts, including tea ceremony items and textiles, the Morikami offers visitors a deep, immersive experience of Japanese culture and its enduring connection to Florida. The original building, the Yamato-kan, is modeled after a Japanese villa. It features a ring of exhibition rooms surrounding an open-air courtyard with a dry garden of gravel, pebbles, and small boulders. The Yamato-kan offers exhibits that chronicle the history of the Yamato Colony and the design philosophy of garden designer Hoichi Kurisu. The principal museum building opened in 1993 to meet popular demand for more programming and versatile facilities and to satisfy the needs of a growing community. The museum’s architecture is inspired by traditional Japanese design. The building features three exhibition galleries, a 226-seat theater, an authentic tea house with a viewing gallery, classrooms, a museum store, the Cornell Cafe, and lakeside terraces for a panoramic view while dining. The Morikami Collections house more than 7,000 Japanese art objects and artifacts, including a 500-piece collection of tea ceremony items, more than 200 textile pieces, and fine art acquisitions. The 16 acres that surround Morikami’s two museum buildings include expansive Japanese gardens with strolling paths, resting areas, our world-class bonsai collection and lakes teeming with koi and other wildlife. The wider 200-acre park features nature trails, pine forests and picnic areas. In 2001, Morikami completed a major garden expansion and renovation. The new gardens reflect major periods of Japanese garden design, from the eighth to the 20th century, and serve as an outdoor extension of the museum. According to the garden designer, Hoichi Kurisu, each garden is intended to express the character and ideas of a unique counterpart in Japan without attempting to duplicate those gardens, and seamlessly flow together as one garden. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, with its unique gardens and collections, is one of Palm Beach County’s most treasured cultural attractions. Located in a tranquil natural setting, Morikami invites visitors to explore its many facets and discover Florida’s heritage and its connection with Japan. The Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33446. For more information, call: (561) 495-0233. Or visit: https://morikami.org - And follow on Social Media at: @morikamimuseum. Previous Next

Mermaids, Sisters And Spongebob: Slow Burn Theatre Company Has An Entertaining Year Ahead Thu Jan 26 2023 17:03:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Humane Society Of Greater Miami Launch Of New Priority Adoption Program In Conjunction With 90th Birthday Aventura Digest Nov 20, 2025 As The Humane Society Of Greater Miami Celebrates 90 Incredible Years Of Compassion, Care, And Community, The Organization Is Thrilled To Announce An Exciting New Way For Animal Lovers To Connect With Their Future Furry Family Members—The Priority Adoption Program. This innovative program allows adopters to join a Priority Match List for the breed or type of pet they’re hoping to adopt. For a one-time $250 enrollment fee, participants will receive early notification when a matching dog or cat becomes available—before the pet is listed for general adoption. But this isn’t just about finding your perfect pet sooner—it’s about giving back. The enrollment fee directly supports the Humane Society’s lifesaving mission, helping provide food, shelter, and medical care for hundreds of homeless animals each year. “Launching this program as part of our 90th Anniversary is especially meaningful,” said Jossie Aguirre, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Greater Miami. “For nine decades, we’ve been proud to serve our community and its animals. The Priority Adoption Program not only helps families find their ideal pets faster but also ensures that more dogs and cats receive the second chance they deserve.” The Priority Adoption Program reflects the Humane Society’s continued growth and commitment to expanding services that benefit both people and pets across Miami-Dade County. As the organization looks toward the next 90 years, initiatives like this highlight its dedication to innovation, compassion, and community partnership. For more information or to join the Priority Match List, visit: https://www.humanesocietymiami.org/service/adopter-priority-match-program/ About the Humane Society of Greater Miami Celebrating 90 years of service, the Humane Society of Greater Miami is a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding loving homes for homeless pets, promoting responsible pet ownership, and providing education and resources to strengthen the bond between people and animals. For more information, visit: www.humanesocietymiami.org Previous Next

Climate Change & COVID-19: Will They Continue to Make an Impact on Real Estate? By Elizabeth Fiegehen December 30, 2021 Share It wasn’t just COVID-19 that shaped the risky 2021 Real Estate Market. The continuous and growing impact of climate change has played a key role in many property owner’s risk profiles over the last decade and are hitting the U.S. harder than ever before. Wildfires, coupled with an unexpected deep freeze in Texas, ate up a significant portion of property insurance capacity. Hurricane Ida alone packed a $25 Billion punch. Unfortunately, a “return to normal” for the Real Estate Industry is not yet in sight. And who knows what the “new normal” may be. Instead, the upcoming year looks to be more of the same — a challenging environment that will require real estate owners and operators to use experience and tools to take as much control of their risk as possible and shape their risk story to worried insurance carriers. As they take on this challenge, here is what Real Estate owners and operators in South Florida can expect in 2022. Catastrophic weather will continue to impact insurance rates. Extreme natural catastrophes are no longer rare. Nearly one third of Americans live in a county impacted by a weather disaster in 2021 and this year’s Atlantic tropical season brought 21 named storms to Florida alone. In 2020, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) started the process of reevaluating property flood risk lines in all areas for the first time in almost 50 years, with FEMA 2.0. Previously, only basic statistics such as a property’s elevation were taken into consideration, but now FEMA is factoring in rainfall, storm surge and how much it costs to rebuild to determine risk level. The enlarged flood zones in some counties will force thousands to buy flood insurance, and it’s predicted that over 75% of existing policyholders will see an increase in premiums. This new attention to risk is causing many portfolio owners to evaluate property coverage costs and exclusions before buying. Reinsurers are exiting the market at a higher rate, drying up capacity and rates and consequently leaving fewer coverage options and higher rates for Real Estate owners and operators in the area. While potentially unsettling, this is projected to be the new normal as climate change continues to bring frequent and extreme storms to coastal regions. Catastrophic modeling will be even more important. Global catastrophic losses in the first half of 2021 exceeded $40 Billion. Insurance providers have taken notice and are reevaluating their application requirements. Catastrophe (CAT) models, which simulate potential catastrophic events and estimate the potential loss, are already heavily used across the real estate sector. However, it will become more and more critical to help property owners understand the extent of their risk moving forward, as well as estimating necessary policy limits and even securing coverages. In fact, some underwriters now require CAT modeling for large real estate portfolios. For the remainder of the 2020s, a strategic combination of CAT modeling, water mitigation and disaster recovery planning will be required for portfolio owners to secure the right coverage in high-risk areas. More scrutiny for multi-family housing owners is expected. Insurance companies have been tightening conditions for insuring multi-family housing properties in recent years in response to worsening weather conditions. Recent headline-making disasters such as the collapse of a Surfside condo building have only intensified these concerns, leading many insurance providers to require proof of passed inspections before coverage. At the same time, the market has experienced a long-standing rise in claims frequency which has led many mainstream carriers to only offer coverage with reduced limits for residential properties, forcing layers of policies on property owners in order to meet even baseline coverage needs. Unfortunately, multi-family housing owners and operators can expect more scrutiny in 2022 as underwriters continue to put loss history, previous damage and updates to electrical, plumbing and roof structures under a microscope. A clear risk management plan will be vital to paint an accurate picture of controls to prevent high-cost claims. Opportunities in repurposing. Losses and vacancies due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses large and small have brought new opportunities to every local market and South Florida is no exception. Big box stores and anchor mall tenants are finding new life as warehouses, office space is being repurposed as restaurants and entertainment venues, and vice versa. Luckily for real estate owners, the low interest rates that helped push repurposing along in 2021 are expected to remain relatively stable through the end of 2022. From an insurance standpoint, owners will need to remember that when a building’s purpose changes, so does its risk. Evaluating new risks and coverage with a broker will be an absolute must as they take on these new opportunities. Owners who want to reduce their exposure and increase resiliency will need to engage both new tech and traditional proactive controls across their portfolio in South Florida and beyond. < Previous News Next News >