Our City Plantation and Sunrise

Our City We Connect Communities August 2020

PLANTATION • SUNRISE

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OurCityMedia.com

Welcome Back!

Our award-winning Leasing Center that everyone was talking about before the shutdown, is once again open!

With your health and wellness always our top priority, we look forward to welcoming you back.

Rest assured we have been creating future experiences that will exceed your expectations and we are eager to show you what’s next...

Call us at 954.217.2000 and we will arrange a convenient time for a visit.

Luxury Living for Seniors

The Palace at Weston Leasing Center 15951 S.W. 41st Street, Suite 500, Davie, FL 33331

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Plantation Acres Jacaranda Cay

880 NW 121st Avenue 6 BD 5 BA 7,222 SF $1,400,000

Great News! Low inventory, along with many buyers searching for homes make this the best time to list your home! What you need is a smart modern marketing plan and a dedicated agent to negotiate on your behalf to get the most for your home.

Learn how The Hopkins Team can assist you with all your real estate needs.

$75M Sales Volume in 2019

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1275 SW 130 Avenue 5 BD 5 BA 1 Half BA New Homes from the $750’s

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Honored to be included in this year’s REAL Trends America’s Best Real Estate Professional list.

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Dondi & Dianna Hopkins 954.915.8011 info@theHopkinsTeam.com

Not intended to solicit currently listed property. © Compass Florida, LLC. Equal Housing Opportunity. All information furnished regarding property for sale or rent or regarding financing is from sources deemed reliable, but Compass makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy thereof. All property information is presented subject to errors, omissions, price changes, changed property conditions, and withdrawal of the property from the market, without notice.

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CONTENTS

Our City

PUBLISHERS’ PAGE 10 Make Your Vote Count

REAL ESTATE

PUBLISHERS Christy & Terry Jaillet publisher@ourcitymedia.com

12 How Has 2020 Affected Our Market?

COMMUNITY NEWS

ART DIRECTOR Jacqueline Allard

14 Community Kitchen Feeds Over 1 Million People with State-of-the-Art Kitchen 18 Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County Get State of the Art Air Purification Systems 24 Imaginative & Contemporary Neighborhood Coming to West Davie 26 Raising the Standard of Care: Gadh Family Practice Goes Beyond CDC Guidelines to Keep Patients Safe

POSITIVE PARENTING

16

22 A Parent’s Guide to Successful Online Learning

SCHOOL NEWS 28 Broward Middle & High School Students Honored in Annual Holocaust Reflection Contest

ASK THE EXPERT 33 The Total Ankle Replacement

LEGALLY SPEAKING 34 Co-Parenting in The Age of Covid-19

FEATURE STORY

14

16 Tree of Life Christian Academy Preschool Provides a Higher Level of Care & Education 20 Negroni Law Group, LLC Handles Personal Injury with a Personal Touch

35 No Estate Plan? You Are Not Alone

ASK THE MAYOR 36 Davie Update

ASK THE SHERIFF

40 Meet Comet

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Kim Ruoff, PhotographyByLuigi.com, Victoria Genova Photography, Weston Photography Studios GOT NEWS? editor@ourcitymedia.com ADVERTISING INFO sales@ourcitymedia.com VISIT US ONLINE OurCityMedia.com

954-306-1007

38 Listening. Evolving. Changing.

PET OF THE MONTH

EDITOR Christy Jaillet GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Tom Rowe, Alana Brodie ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Nancy Koval nancy@ourcitymedia.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES John Brodie, Denise Caligiuri, Adrienne Collins, Mariem Garcia, Kenny Rodgers, Silvia Silva, Jerry Spielman CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Terry Jaillet, Jon Duka, Cassandra Fields, Beverly Perkins, Dr. Michael Cohen, Mayor Judy Paul, Evan H. Baron, Bruce Iden, Sheriff Gregory Tony

400 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway Suite 200C • Sunrise, FL 33325

28 Our City Media of Florida, LLC publishes FREE monthly, local community news magazines throughout South Florida. Our City Media Magazines are mailed monthly to affluent single-family homes, condos and businesses in their respective communities. Monthly mailings are verifiable by USPS postage statements. Additional free copies are available at selected locations throughout the communities served and upon request by contacting the publisher. Opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publisher. Our City Media of Florida, LLC reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our City Media of Florida, LLC is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers. Entire contents copyrighted 2020 by Our City Media of Florida, LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without prior written permission from the publisher.

8 AUGUST 2020 | OUR CITY | OURCITYMEDIA.COM

*Expires 9/30/20 SFLD

You’re Paying HOW MUCH to Sell Your Home?

Phone: 954-727-8218 Mobile: 954-470-3444 Brian@HelpUSellBroward.com *Paid at closing. Other Broker / Co-op fee may apply. Fees may vary with luxury properties, condos, land, etc. If your property is listed with another brokerage this is not a solicitation for your listing. Savings are compared to a 6% commission. Commissions are negotiable and are not set by law.

OURCITYMEDIA.COM | OUR CITY | AUGUST 2020 9

PUBLISHERS’ PAGE

Make Your Vote Count

D

id you know there is an election this month?

With the country and media so focused on national politics and the federal government’s handling of the coronavirus, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the national economy, it is easy to overlook this month’s primary election. In truth, local elections often have a larger impact on our day-to-day lives than national elections.

This month’s primary elections give us the opportunity to select the candidates for Broward Public Schools Board, Florida Senate, Florida Congress, Broward County Sheriff, State Attorney, Broward Public Defender, and a number of circuit judges. The men and women elected to these positions will, in large part, determine how we are policed and protected, and how the state responds to the economic trauma we have endured.

The election will be held on August 18th. Early voting begins on August 8th. If you are concerned about coronavirus exposure and have not requested a mail-in ballot, we recommend voting early in the morning during the early voting period.

Get out the vote! It is your civic duty and a good thing to do.

Sincerely,

WN O N PE O 2019

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REAL ESTATE

How Has 2020 Affected Our Market?

BY ZONA HORTON f you are like most people, looking back at the first half of 2020 may leave you with a lot of questions.

Many people are wondering what will happen in the housing market for the remainder of the year.

Will the Real Estate industry lead us out of this victoriously?

Based on recent data on the economy, unemployment, real estate, and more, many economists are revising their forecasts for the remainder of 2020 – and the outlook is extremely encouraging. Here’s a look at what some experts have to say about key areas that will power the industry and the economy forward this year.

Mortgage Purchase Originations: Joel Kan, Associate Vice President of Economic and Industry Forecasting, Mortgage Bankers Association “The recovery in housing is happening faster than expected. We anticipated a drop off in Q3 [Third Quarter]. But, we don’t think that’s the case anymore.

We revised our Q3 numbers higher. Before, we predicted a 2 percent decline in purchase originations in 2020, now we think there will be 2 percent growth this year.”

Home Sales: Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, National Association of Realtors “Sales completed in May reflect contract signings in March and April – during the strictest times of the pandemic lockdown and hence the cyclical low point…Home sales will surely rise in the upcoming months with the economy reopening, and could even surpass one-year-ago figures in the second half of the year.”

Inventory: George Ratiu, Senior Economist, realtor.com “We can project that the next few months will see a slow-yet-steady

I

improvement in new inventory…we projected a stepped improvement for the May through August months, followed by a return to historical trend for the September through December time frame.”

Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac “Going forward, we forecast the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to remain low, falling to a yearly average of 3.4% in 2020 and 3.2% in 2021.”

New Construction: Doug Duncan, Chief Economist, Fannie Mae “The weaker-than-expected single-family starts number may be a matter of timing, as single-family permits jumped by a stronger 11.9 percent. In addition, the number of authorized single-family units not yet started rose 5.4 percent to the second-highest level since 2008. This suggests that a significant acceleration in new construction will likely occur.”

As a local industry expert, I have examined the market in the Davie and Cooper City areas. Prices have not decreased because inventory has decreased.

There are fewer home to choose from – and fewer homes mean steady to rising prices.

What is the bottom line?

The experts are optimistic about the second half of the year.

With fewer homes on the market, now is the time to sell. There is still a lot of pent-up demand in the marketplace. Condo owners want to get back out to the suburbs because the lockdown has caused some angst. Many condo owners were allowed to leave their buildings but were not allowed to return!

Rethink the last half of 2020 with regards to your Real Estate wants and needs.

Zona Horton has been successfully selling Real Estate in South Florida for over 30 years.

She works for the United Realty and serves Davie, Cooper City and surrounding cities. Call her for all your Real Estate needs. For information, visit www.ZonaHorton.com or send an email to zonahorton@gmail.com. ZONA HORTON, P.A., Your Resource for All Things Real Estate.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Community Kitchen Feeds Over 1 Million People with State-of-the-Art Kitchen

F

eeding South Florida recently unveiled its new, state-of-the-art, 5,000-square-foot community kitchen.

Although the kitchen is located in Palm Beach County, it will provide meals to nearly 1.3 million people in the four counties that Feeding South Florida serves (Palm Beach, Broward, MiamiDade, and Monroe Counties). The one-of-a-kind community kitchen is a highly anticipated community resource, with years in the making.

On Sunday, July 12th, a virtual grand opening celebration took place via Zoom and Facebook Live.

Viewers tuned in to view some of South Florida’s favorite chefs using their talents to showcase the kitchen’s full capacity. They prepared the very first meals in the kitchen using nutritious items regularly distributed by Feeding South Florida, converted into unique, savory, and creative dishes that appeal to the whole family.

Chef Ralph Pagano of Naked Taco in Coconut Creek, and Chef Randy Fisher of CREaM in Miami hosted the event. The featured chefs were Chef Lindsay Autry of The Regional Kitchen & Public House in West Palm Beach, Chef Allen Susser of Chef Allen’s Consulting in Hollywood, and Chef Timon Balloo of Balloo Restaurant in downtown Miami.

“This multi-purpose community kitchen is a vision that Feeding South Florida has had for quite some time, and we are so excited to finally present it to the community,” said Vélez. “This is just the beginning because the kitchen will serve the community by providing meals, workforce training, catering as social innovation, an incubator for community support, and family cooking classes.”

The kitchen will advance Feeding South Florida’s mission of ending hunger in South Florida by serving up to 10,000 meals per day for children’s after-school and summer programs, meals for older adults, and medically tailored meals. The kitchen will also provide critical meals during disaster response.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Feeding South Florida has distributed over 40 million pounds of food (33.3 million meals) in the four counties it serves (Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties) in 14 weeks a pace that translates to nearly 150 million pounds over a 12-month period. To put that in perspective, for the entire last fiscal year, Feeding South Florida distributed 62 million pounds (51.6 million meals).

Feeding South Florida’s food distributions are updated daily and available at https://feedingsouthflorida.org/covid19/.

To find out how you can help, learn about what Feeding South Florida is doing, safety precautions, and much more, visit https://feedingsouthflorida.org/covid19/.

14 AUGUST 2020 | OUR CITY | OURCITYMEDIA.COM

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FEATURE STORY

Tree of Life Christian Academy Preschool Provides a Higher Level of Care & Education BY: TERRY JAILLET

A

sk any parent, what they want in a preschool for their children, and you will almost always hear about three things: safety, learning, and emotional development. The Tree of Life Christian Academy Preschool has taken those priorities to heart.

The teachers and staff at Tree of Life are committed to providing students with the highest level of care and education possible.

The seven-time Best of Weston winner and 2019 Best of Davie winner offers a unique, high-level learning curriculum with programs for infants through pre-kindergarten. They offer an innovative dualcore curriculum that includes immersive bilingual teaching. In fact, more Tree of Life students graduate reading at the first-grade level than any other Weston preschool. We visited Tree of Life to learn what makes them unique.

Dual-Core Curriculum Tree of Life Christian Academy uses two curriculums: the ABEKA curriculum and the HIGH SCOPE curriculum while immersing the children in the Spanish language. We believe a successful education is centered on the curriculum used to teach kids. The ABEKA curriculum has been used internationally for over 50 years. Scholastically, reading is half the battle for preschoolers. ABEKA has a six-step program to teach reading skills by using a phonetic approach: 1. Learn to recognize the short vowels and their sounds.

16 AUGUST 2020 | OUR CITY | OURCITYMEDIA.COM

2. Learn to recognize the consonants and their sounds.

3. Learn to blend.

4. Learn to sound one-vowel words.

5. Learn the sounds of the long vowels. Learn to sound two-vowel words.

6. Learn and apply special phonics sounds.

The HIGH SCOPE Preschool Curriculum is the component of the HIGH SCOPE researched-based system of education. The curriculum has a set of teaching practices, content areas, assessment tools, and a training model to help teachers use the curriculum to support children’s development. The curriculum is based on Active Learning.

Active Learning is direct, hands-on experiences with people, objects, events, and ideas. Children are encouraged to “construct” their own knowledge by pursuing their personal interests and goals, guided by trained adults who understand the importance of learning areas for children in the preschool years.

Child Safety The owners of Tree of Life Christian Academy are dedicated to the safety of every child who attends the school. This includes physical safety, maintaining a sanitary school environment, and ensuring that students’ emotional needs are met. The school employs an armed security guard, has bullet proof entry doors and offers an onsite clinic. Every teacher is trained in CPR and first-aid. The school even exceeds the latest CDC COVID-19 safety protocols. Take a tour today to learn about all of the precautions they are taking to keep students safe.

Engaging Classrooms & Facilities The school’s warm and inviting classrooms are filled with age-appropriate materials to help stimulate creativity in each child. Learning centers include blocks, dramatic play, housekeeping, manipulatives, art, library, science, sand & water station, music and movement as well as writing.

Committed Teachers & Staff Tree of Life’s highly trained and certified teachers motivate, encourage, and create a thirst for learning by building on each child’s individual strengths, gifts, and talents. The school is equipped with the latest technology, as well as a 1,200 square-foot indoor play area and four outdoor playgrounds. and organic and natural lunches are served. As a Christian faith-based school, Tree of Life teaches moral and family values.

Every student feels loved and valued every day.

Parents are invited to tour Tree of Life’s facilities, meet with the schools staff, and speak with parents of existing students. After you do, you’ll know why they have been voted Best of Davie and Best of Weston by the readers of Our City. A Tree of Life Christian Academy Preschool truly gives children a higher level of care & education.

Tree of Life Christian Academy Preschool is located at 1250 SW 160th Ave in Weston. To learn more about enrolling your child or to schedule a school visit, call 954-440-0174 or visit www.treeoflifeacademy.com

Thank You For Making Us Weston’s #1 Preschool!

A Higher Level of Care & Education

2020

The children in our community are atTree the heart what we do ofofLife The faith-based preschool grows and why we do it. with the addition of Kindergarten

court that replicates wha ican Airlines Arena. Betw curriculum, and dedicat Tree of Life has already g Facility’ award.

FREE

A Brand New Kindergartento get Remarkable Campus & Facilities It is our responsibility children

Registration & Uniform

BACK TO LEARNING AND HAVING FUN!

by JASON ZAUDER

Their precious lives have been affected and disrupted long enough!

For centuries, children have learned about the ‘Tree Of Life’ from the Book of Genesis. At the Tree of Life Christian Academy Preschool in Weston, children are learning many of life’s lessons in a thriving, modern school. As Tree of Life approaches their one year anniversary, owners Gabriel and Marcy Buitrago are celebrating what they have accomplished while looking ahead to the future.

Our facility is operating in compliance & strict Covid-19 That magic expand to Tree of Life’s Tree of Life’s campus& has families been thoughtfulsafety rules for thewillprotection of students brand-new kindergarten program. Their ly laid out to make the most of the 13,000 kindergarten will be in a separate room square foot building. The classrooms surthat will not be attached to the preschool, round an indoor play area where a cusand they are looking to reach a 9-1 stu- tom-made wooden Tree of Life serves as the (Science-Technology-Engineering-Art-Mathematics) dent-to-teacher ratio.

With kindergarten hub. Every classroom has their own private starting on August 18th, Tree of Life has al- bathroom and drinking fountain, as well as ready reached fifty percent enrollment, and an exit to the playground. Students can take placements will be filling up quickly. There advantage of a bilingual curriculum, learn are already wait lists for two- and three-year sign language, and utilize the latest computolds who want to enroll in those programs, and administrators are confident that kindergarten will also prove quite popular.

Kindergarten will be open to all children, The faith-based regardless of whether or not they attended preschool grows preschool at Tree of Life. the addition of Kindergarten with

INFANTS THRU PRE-K Included in monthly tuition:

Anniversary Cele

As Tree of Life gears up ting plans together for th their own celebration, th events for the non-profit Toys for Tots in Decemb to the community is jus impact the school has m living up to our mission i often cry at the end. But court that replicates what the M riedAirlines that their ican Arena.parents Betweenart crying because they love curriculum, and dedicated sta

Accelerated Reading Program • STEAM Program • Low student to teacher ratio • Bilingual curriculum (English/Spanish) • Computers and iPads® • Organic & natural lunches • We teach moral & family values • Nurse & clinic on premises • 1,200 sq ft indoor play area • Latest in high security & surveillance • 13,000 sqft building on 2 acres • 4 outdoor playgrounds • Armed Security Officer

Tree of Life A Brand New Kindergarten

Tree of Life has already garnere Facility’ award.

Remarkable Campus & Facilities

ers and iPads. All of these features are protected by a state-of-the-art security system, which includes security cameras throughout For centuries, children have learned about and two separate passcode-protected doors the ‘Tree Of Life’ from the Book of Gen“We feel like our formula for success is one must pass through before entering the The Security &esis.

Protection At the Tree of Life Christian Academy to be different than all the other preschools. building’s interior.

Preschool in Weston, children are learning of your precious children Our intention was to create feeling so in a thriving, “Thatmodkindergarten transition is very When need has a been break from many ofa life’s lessons That magic will expand to Tree of Life’s Treestudents of Life’s campus thoughtfula Top Priority! that is when a child enters ern ourschool. school, As there’s Tree of Life tough approaches their thebrand-new on both parents and the kids,” program. said learning, findtheorganic lunches kindergarten Their ly they laid outwill to make most of the 13,000 one year Gabriel“Many and parents a sense of wonder,” said Gabriel Buitrago. owners kindergarten in a separate room in square The the classrooms sur• Armed security officer on anniversary, premises Buitrago. havewill beenbeasking us brought everyfoot daybuilding. to provide fuel they Marcy are celebrating what they that will not be attached to the preschool, round an indoor play area where a cus“The•children are still going toBuitrago be learning Bulletproof entry doors to start a kindergarten; and with such a low need to explore the expansive outdoor area. have accomplished while looking ahead to and they are looking to reach a 9-1 stu- tom-made wooden Tree of Life serves as the a lot,•but also wanted them cameras to feel like student/teacher ratio, our teachers will have A miniature soccer field was just completed HDwe security surveillance the future. dent-to-teacher ratio. With kindergarten hub. Every classroom has their own private they are in a magical place.” more than enough timeon with child.” their four andassport starting Augusteach 18th, Tree of Lifeto hasadd al- tobathroom and playgrounds drinking fountain, well as

by JASON ZAUDER

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ISSUE #304 • AUGUST 2014 • CELEBRATING 25There YEARS DRWMAG.COM placements will be filling up quickly. advantage of a bilingual curriculum, learn

1250 SW 160th Ave. Weston, FL 33326 are already wait lists for two- and three-year olds who want to enroll in those programs, and administrators are confident that kindergarten will also prove quite popular.

Kindergarten will be open to all children, regardless of whether or not they attended preschool at Tree of Life.

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954.440.0174 • treeoflifeacademy.com

As Tree of Life gears up for th Tree of Life Christia ting plans together for their on ed own at celebration, 1250 Southw their the scho Theyforcan be reach events the non-profit Wom Toys Tots in December. Tea at for www.treeoflifea to the community is just one impact the school has made.

“W TO ADVERTISE CA living up to our mission is when often cry at the end. But they’r ried that their parents are goin crying because they love it here

COMMUNITY NEWS

Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County Get State of the Art Air Purification Systems

BY JON DUKA

N

ext time there is a competitive game of four-square at the local Boys and Girls Club, the kids might breathe a little bit easier. They won’t breath easier because the game will be less intense. They will breathe easier because the air they are breathing will be much cleaner.

A group of local businesses, led by Air Conditioning Contractor, Air Pros USA,

donated and installed 150 Fresh-Aire UV light systems at 11 Boys and Girls Clubs across Broward County. The systems were installed directly into the central air systems by Air Pros USA technicians.

UV light technology compliments air conditioning systems to improve indoor air quality by neutralizing viruses and other microbes as the air circulates through the ventilation system. UV light systems are tested and validated against surface bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungus, and have been shown to achieve up to 99.999996% reduction on microorganisms.

“The need for quality indoor air is more critical than ever.

We are hopeful that our efforts to improve the air in these safe environments will help more families have the confidence to let children return to the clubs and take advantage of their amazing programs,” said Anthony

Perera, founder of Air Pros USA. “We are constantly working to make the clubs safe for children to pursue their passions and this donation gives us peace of mind that we will all be breathing cleaner air as we welcome back kids and teens,” said Matt Organ, co-CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Broward County. “We’re thankful to Anthony and his partners for their generous contributions.”

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OURCITYMEDIA.COM | OUR CITY | AUGUST 2020 19

FEATURE STORY

O

once again, another hurricane season is here.

Year after year we watch and analyze the reports on the various news networks to see if there is a disturbance in the tropics. If there is, we check our list of hurricane supplies and begin the stressful exercise of following the dreaded cone of uncertainty.

José Negroni, Attorney

When we suffer losses to our homes from a storm or any other reason, insurance companies send out adjusters to assess and calculate the amount of damage they believe was incurred. Unfortunately, these insurance damage estimates often fall short of the actual value of the harm suffered.

We sat down with Jose Negroni, owner of Negroni Law Group, to learn more You have represented homeowners who have suffered damage to their property for two decades. Tell us how you can help.

At Negroni Law Group we have a dedicated team of professionals ready to defend you against the insurance company and its adjusters. Insurance companies are solely focused on

Negroni Law Group, LLC Handles Personal Injury with a Personal Touch protecting their profits and bottom line. Our focus is to fight for you, so our team gets to work immediately to make sure that all of the damage to your property is fully examined and documented. Then we battle with the insurance company so that you get every penny you deserve. As civil trial lawyers, we are licensed to fight for you in court, and we will zealously represent you every step of the way.

Does the Negroni Law Group work on other types of cases, besides insurance?

Yes! Negroni Law Group is a victim-

oriented boutique law firm that has served this community for 19 years in the areas of personal injury and property damage. There are many advantages to hiring our firm to handle your serious personal injury or property damage case. At Negroni Law Group you will have access to an experienced and knowledgeable team that has successfully prosecuted these types of cases for our clients.

Our white-glove service will make you feel like part of our family, while we ensure our team of leading experts handle your case methodically.

What characteristics are you and your staff most proud of?

At Negroni Law Group we pride ourselves in providing an extremely high level of customer service for every one of our clients. I personally meet with my clients and constantly communicate with them throughout the entire legal process, including handling their case all the way through to a jury trial in court.

Tell us how your practice has grown over the years.

Our reputation in the industry has allowed us to become the trusted recipient of referrals from our past clients as well as other lawyers.

At Negroni Law Group we have a team of professionals ready to fight for every client in their time of need. You can count on us to get the job done.

Does your firm offer free consultations?

Yes, we always offer free consultations and answer any questions a prospective client may have.

What is the Negroni Law Group doing differently to adapt to COVID-19?

To better serve our community we are now offering free virtual legal consultations for most cases. The consultation has always been free and most cases can be managed virtually.

Is there anything else you would like readers to know about you or your firm?

We have been fighting insurance companies for a long time and always go the extra mile to protect our clients while getting the best possible results.

We utilize our years of experience and our civil law resources to collect the compensation our clients deserve.

Best of all, when you work with our firm, you do not have to pay anything up front. We work on a contingent fee basis, meaning that we will only charge our legal fee when we obtain money for your case.

n To schedule a free consultation or receive more information, call 954-424-9000, email info@negronilaw.com or visit www.FloridaInjured.com.

Negroni Law Group, LLC is located at 7050 NW 4th Street, Suite #201, Plantation, 33317.

20 AUGUST 2020 | OUR CITY | OURCITYMEDIA.COM

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POSITIVE PARENTING

A Parent’s Guide to Successful Online Learning

BY CASSANDRA FIELDS

O

n July 20th, Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Rucie recommended that all Broward students begin the year with online learning only.

“If conditions do not improve and continue to worsen, that is the only way we can educate our students while keeping them and our teachers healthy and safe,” Rucie commented, during the 8-minute address.

It is almost certain that part or all of every student’s course work at the beginning of the school year will consist of at-home, online studies. We surveyed experts to find best practices to ensure your student will be as successful as possible. Here is what they recommend.

1. Location, Location, Location It is important to establish a consistent routine for your child’s work. Roaming around the house with a laptop or taking ZOOM classroom instruction at the park may seem like fun, but a lack of consistency can lead to distraction. Have your student use the same, quiet place for his/her work each day.

2. Schedule Priorities Maintaining a regular schedule is critical in establishing a healthy learning routine. Like, having a consistent location, “going to school” at the same time each day reinforces the importance of learning.

3. Say No to Phones Perhaps the biggest challenge parents face with online learning is the fact that the primary tool kids use to learn can also be their biggest distraction.

Anything connected to the web can be a source of constant distraction. The dopamine feedback mechanisms students get from social media fuel their yearning for more, just like an addiction. Unless your student needs his phone for the coursework at hand, it is best to take it into a different room 4. Inspect, Don’t Expect Unless your child is incredibly organized, mature, and goal-oriented, it will be extremely difficult for her to stay on track remotely. The ever-present guidance of an involved-teacher simply won’t be there. Parents must be more engaged with their children’s coursework today than ever before. The good news is, most schools online tools available for parents to track their kids’ progress in real-time. It’s a good idea to review your student’s work on a weekly basis, or more often.

5. Open Lines of Communication Our “new normal” of education is new to teachers too. More than ever they will need candid, frequent feedback from parents. Make it your mission to have two-way communication on how things are going, and how your child is performing.

During these times of great uncertainty it’s our duty as parents to make sure our children don’t lose this precious learning time. Hopefully, by the end of the year, our kids will be back in school full-time.

22 AUGUST 2020 | OUR CITY | OURCITYMEDIA.COM

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Imaginative & Contemporary Neighborhood Coming to West Davie

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The project is a collaboration between architecture firm Pascual, Perez & Kiliddjian, Interior Designer Jorge Castillo, landscape architects Witkin Hults Design Group and developer Centurion LG. The homes will be exclusively marketed by The Rose & Dean Sklar Team at Coldwell Banker.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Raising the Standard of Care: Gadh Family Practice Goes Beyond CDC Guidelines to Keep Patients Safe

H

usband and wife primary care physicians, Dr. Ruchika Gadh and Dr. Rundeep Gadh opened their family medical practice in Plantation over ten years ago with the idea of providing patients with personalized attention and care. This driving thought has remained close to their hearts ever since.

Unlike larger group practices or medical corporations, Dr. Gadhs’ philosophy is rooted in getting to know their patients and their families.

The kind and efficient medical staff at Gadh Family Practice have been welcoming patients, 16 years and older, into their practice since opening.

They accept all major insurance plans and offer all types of primary care.

Unfortunately, the advent of COVID-19 has made some people scared to even step foot in a medical office. Dr. Gadh took this unfortunate, new reality as a challenge. He set out to create the safest, most sanitary medical office available for their patients.

The practice implemented stringent infectious disease prevention policies and retrained staff to ensure everyone who walks through the door will have the peace of mind to know they are in the safest environment possible.

We sat down with Dr. Gadh to learn more.

“We are raising the standard of care in order to protect our patients, especially the elderly and immunocompromised”

Tell us about some of the changes you’ve made as a result of COVID-19.

I want to reduce the fear that patients have when they come to a medical office because they are concerned they will get sick. We are now sanitizing our office with commercial equipment and EPA certified sanitizing solution, every day! (This is in addition to disinfecting every patient room, after each patient which is something we have always done). The systems we are using are far beyond the CDC recommendations. This is state-of-the-art.

We also have special partitions in the waiting rooms, temperature checks upon arrival, sick-visit screening before entering, and even sneeze-guards throughout the office. We put air filtration systems throughout the office and in each and every 26 AUGUST 2020 | OUR CITY | OURCITYMEDIA.COM

patient room.

This seems like it goes beyond, even COVID. Exactly. I do not know of any other practice implementing these aggressive measures. We are raising the standard of care in order to protect our patients to the best of our ability, especially the elderly and immunocompromised. Doctors’ offices should have been doing these things years ago in order to reduce the spread of viruses like the flu. It’s still not being done, it’s not the standard of care, but we are looking to be the pioneers to raise the standard of care.

What types of care do you offer?

We offer all types of primary care. Everything from physicals, diabetes, to managing hypertension, to allergy testing, and more.

It sounds like you put a lot of thought into your “new normal” approach, and at great expense. Why did you take this approach?

We take great pride in our patient care. In order to keep our patients safe and healthy, Gadh Family Practice has learned, adapted, and evolved for the “new normal.” We have always given our patients all the attention they need, we now exceed the standard of care.

Assuming we get a vaccine for COVID, will this change your new approach?

We have made a commitment to maintaining these higher standards for infectious disease control in the future. Simply stated, our goal is to ensure patients come to our office to get well, not sick. n Gadh Family Practice provides primary medical care to patients 16 years old and older. They are located at 600 S. Pine Island Road, Suite 104. To schedule an appointment or to learn more call 954-474-4401 or visit www.gadhfamilypractice.com.

Raising the Standard of Care • Entire office sanitized daily with commercial equipment and EPA certified disinfectant against Covid and other viruses • Each patient exam room disinfected after each patient visit • Anti-viral air filtration system throughout office and in each patient room

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We proudly accept Care Plus, Preferred Care and all major insurances.

SCHOOL NEWS

Broward Middle & High School Students Honored in Annual Holocaust Reflection Contest the oppression.”

This year, students faced the added ocal students were celebrated by The Holocaust obstacle of COVID-19 and, despite the Documentation & Education Center (HDEC) in fact that their schools shut down, all this year’s Olga & Eugene Guttman Visual Arts the students and teachers still made & Writing Contest. The contest was open to fourth the deadline and did everything they through twelfth graders and included submissions could to participate in the contests. from students at schools across South Florida.

“With everything taking place In addition to its annual contest, the HDEC in the world right now, it was truly offers educational and outreach programs through inspiring to see this generation have its Student Awareness Days and Teacher Institutes. a real understanding of compassion, These programs focus on the history and lessons of the Holocaust as well as the dangers that hatred, rac- empathy and kindness.” said HDEC President Rositta E. Kenigsberg. ism, and bullying pose today.

“Thank you to all the devoted teachers The HDEC contains a collection of photographs, who continued to encourage your studocuments, and artifacts organized in a manner dents to stand up and speak out.” that documents and educates to convey the mesWinners were awarded in various sage of NEVER AGAIN. It also contains the world’s 1st Place High School Division categories, including: largest self-produced collection of oral histories from Ashley Dawkins Olga & Eugene Guttman Art Holocaust survivors. There are more than 2,500 Contest Winners interviews with survivors, liberators, and eyewitThe Holocaust Documentation & Education Center (HDEC) was ▸ Overall Art Winner - Ashley Philips, Grade 11, nesses. Its recently built museum in Dania Beach founded in 1980 as a nonsectarian, nonprofit, multifaceted orgaCharles W. Flanagan High School is slowly beginning open following the COVIDnization, to document, preserve and protect the authentic memory ▸ 1st Place High School Division - Ashley Dawkins, 19 shutdown. of the Holocaust through eye-witness accounts from Survivors Grade 12 Charles W. Flanagan High School The annual contest asks students to submit artand Liberators; and to provide educational outreach programming ▸ 1st Place Elementary School Division - Beau Belle, for teachers and students. Its vision has expanded to utilizing the work and writing pieces based on a particular theme.

Grade 4, Everglades Elementary School This year’s theme was “Why Holocaust Survivors Are Holocaust through thought-provoking multi-lingual exhibitions and Olga & Eugene Guttman Writing Contest Winners Our Heroes.” insightful programming to educate people in all walks of life of the ▸ Overall Winner, Writing - “Reflections of the The overall winner of the Art contest was catastrophic ramifications of prejudice, racism, stereotyping and Past” by, Rosabel Cepero, Grade 10, TERRA Flanagan High School junior Ashley Philips’ captivatbullying, which tragically still occur today. Using cutting-edge techEnvironmental Research Institute ing drawing of two prisoner’s hands. nology such as interactive media and 3-D holograms, the Museum ▸ 1st Place Winner, High School Division - “Our “I drew two concentration camp prisoners grabwill put names and faces to the victims, raising the sound of their Heroes” by Jeshua Osorio, Grade 9, Barbara bing each other’s arms to show the importance of moral voices of conscience to mute the noise of prejudice and Goleman Senior High School unity in their survival,” remarked Philips of her hatred. The Museum’s artifacts include an authenticated Holocaust ▸ 1st Place Winner, Elementary School Division work, “I intended to show that Holocaust survivors Railcar and a U.S. Army M-4A3E8 Sherman Tank, as well as oral - “Holocaust Essay” by Collin Theberge, Grade 5, are heroes because, despite the terrible situation they history interviews, photographs, documents, journals, books, videos, were put in, they stuck together and fought against Sandpiper Elementary School and other priceless items from the HDEC Collection.

BY: TERRY JAILLET

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28 AUGUST 2020 | OUR CITY | OURCITYMEDIA.COM

Overall Art Winner - Ashley Philips

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• Toe Walkers • In Toe • Out Toe • Limping • Ingrown Nail

FRACTURES Why go to an Emergency Room?

All Foot, Ankle, and Leg Fractures in Children and Adults!

FOOT AND ANKLE ARTHRITIS Total Joint Replacement, Ankle Replacement, Arthroscopy, Fusions, Joint Realignment

CARTILAGE INJURIES Microfractures, Cartilage Transplants, Osteochondral Grafting RECONSTRUCTIVE FOOT, ANKLE AND LEG SURGERY Flat Foot, Bunions, Hammertoes, Ligament Repair, Achilles Tendon Tears, Arthritis Surgery SPORTS MEDICINE Tendon and Ligament injuries, Heel Pain, Shockwave Therapy, PRP & Stem Cell Injections, Arthroscopy and Tendoscopy, Shin Splints, Compartment Syndrome

SERVING OUR PATIENTS FOR OVER 30 YEARS Dr. Robert Sheinberg, D.P.M.

Dr. Carlo Messina, D.P.M.

- In Memory Board Certified FOOT, ANKLE, & LEG SPECIALIST

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Dr. Michael Cohen, D.P.M. Board Certified FOOT, ANKLE, & LEG SPECIALIST

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IMEs • Personal Injury • Worker’s Compensation Most HMOs/PPOs • All Foot Ankle & Leg Emergencies Same Day Appointments • Saturday Appointments Early Morning & Evening Appointments

SELF PAY RATES (Procedure cost is in addition to office visit.)

New Patient . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $200 Surgery Consult . . . . . . . . . . . $200 Injections . . . . . . . . . .$75 per shot Casts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$175 Follow Up Visit . . . . . . . . $50-$100 Orthotics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $350 Ingrown Nail . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125 X-Rays. . . . . . . . . . . . $50 per area PRP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$600 Shockwave (3 sessions) . . . . $500 Laceration Repair . . . . . . . . . $250 Wound Care . . . . . . . . . . .$75-$125 (FOR CHRONIC HEEL PAIN & TENDONITIS)

SPORTS MEDICINE ASSOCIATES (Self Pay Rates Do Not Apply To This Practice Below)

Dr. Al DeSimone, M.D. Board Certified SHOULDER & KNEE SPECIALIST

Dr. Fernando Moya, M.D. Board Certified SHOULDER & KNEE SPECIALIST

Dr. David Shenassa, M.D. Board Qualified HAND & WRIST SURGEON

Dr. Alexander Bertot, M.D. Board Certified SPORTS MEDICINE SPECIALIST

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ASK THE EXPERT

The Total Ankle Replacement

BY MICHAEL M. COHEN, DPM, FACFAS

A

nkle arthritis involves the loss of cartilage which decreases joint function and ultimately results in pain, stiffness, swelling, and warmth. As the cartilage wears the bones in the ankle joint grind on each other. There are several types of arthritis in the ankle. The most common types are osteoarthritis, a condition which is often a result of previous trauma to the ankle or leg and rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune disease resulting in inflammation of the joint lining and in advanced stages will lead to cartilage, bone, ligament, tendon, and muscle damage. Conservative treatment for these conditions may involve medication, injections, activity modification, physical therapy, and bracing. When conservative treatment fails surgery may be considered. This involves fusing (locking the ankle permanently) or replacing it with an artificial joint as are done in the knee or hip joints. The procedure is referred to as total ankle arthroplasty or total ankle replacement.

There are several ankle replacement systems available to the surgeon. Some total ankle replacement systems require more bone removal in order to obtain a desired result, others are referred to as resurfacing systems which remove less bone and essentially replace the surfaces of the joint. Certain ankle replacement systems are used for revision surgery.

Today’s total ankle replacements are essentially anatomic and provide the patient with the ability to reproduce the natural movement of the ankle joint. One of the most advanced systems utilizes the Prophecy technique developed

by Wright Medical. The Prophecy technique allows precise implantation of the device by using specialized CT scan imaging before surgery. Bioengineers will subsequently map out a customized plan for the individual patient which enhances the success of the operation.

The alignment of the ankle is crucial as a neutral (straight) ankle will perform the best in the long term, otherwise, ancillary procedures are required to straighten the ankle and foot.

The specific ankle replacement will depend on the patient’s age, level of disease, and the level of activity. The success of an ankle replacement is influenced by the condition and quality of the bone, the type and severity of arthritis, the condition of the muscles and tendons around the ankle, the weight, age, overall health of the patient, and finally the patient’s commitment to physical therapy and rehabilitation.

The success rate is very good with modern ankle replacements oftentimes lasting from 12-18 years. Studies show that patients preferred the outcome of ankle replacement over the fusion which bonds the joint in one position to eliminate all movement. However, like all surgery, there are potential complications. These may include infection, scarring, nerve damage, and loosening or wearing of the implant. Postoperative recovery generally requires four to six weeks in a short leg cast or fracture boot with physical therapy starting thereafter. The postoperative period is an added advantage over fusion which in contrast requires several months of immobilization in a cast.

BEFORE

Michael M. Cohen, DPM, is a Board-Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon and Diplomate of the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. He is a Fellow of the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and Board Certified and Diplomat of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. He practices with the Foot, Ankle and Leg Specialists of South Florida specializing in lower leg injuries and reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle. The practice includes Robert Sheinberg DPM, Al DeSimone MD, Fernando Moya MD PhD, Alexander Bertot MD, David Shenassa MD, Carlo Messina DPM, Franz Jones DO and John Goodner DPM. The South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine in Weston is located at 1600 Town Center Blvd., Suite C, (954) 389-5900 and in Pembroke Pines at 17842 NW 2nd Street, (954) 430-9901. The practice website is www.

SOUTHFLORIDASPORTSMEDICINE.org.

AFTER OURCITYMEDIA.COM | OUR CITY | AUGUST 2020 33

LEGALLY SPEAKING

AWARDED 10 YEARS

Co-Parenting in The Age of Covid-19

BY EVAN H. BARON, ESQ. nder normal circumstances, parents of school age children would be planning for the upcoming school term. The decisions that would need to be made would traditionally be school supplies, school clothes, uniforms, and perhaps after school care. The decisions that parents now need to make are obviously of much greater importance as they wrestle with the safety of traditional schooling. It seems that every other day a different plan is put forth.

The anticipated school term affects not only plans for the children, but also planning for the parents. Some parents have been able to continue working from home, but not all parents have that ability. It presents a major issue that each family needs to resolve within their individual household.

What if the parents are divorced and not part of the same household? How will these same decisions be made by two parents who sometimes cannot agree on much simpler issues? Who gets the final word in this situation?

Most divorced parents are required to co-parent. This means that decisions concerning major issues are to be made by both parents working together for the best interests of the children. In most instances, neither parent gets the final say in these issues. Shared Parental responsibility requires joint decision making. In some cases, the Parenting Plan will allow one of the parents to have ultimate decision making on issues concerning education and/or medical care.

This provision is not the norm, but rather the exception. So how do two parents who may not get along resolve crucial issues concerning their children?

The concept of co-parenting suggests that even though the parents are no longer together, their love and concern for the children should not be affected. Not every happily married couple see “eye to eye” on every issue. However, they try to resolve it by negotiation and finally coming to a conclusion they both can live with.

This concept should apply to divorced parents as well.

Obviously, this ability to compromise is not always possible.

There are other possible alternatives, but each require the assistance of a third party. The parents could go to counseling to “talk it out”. There are several co-parenting classes that the parties can either voluntarily attend or they may be required to attend

by Court order. In some cases, a Parenting Coordinator or a Guardian Ad Litem might be involved. Of course, the last resort would be to file a motion and ask the Judge to decide where and how a child should attend school this Fall. I will tell you that Judges would much rather have the parents make this decision.

I suggest that at a time like this you both focus on what is the best solution for the children and put any hostility to the side. This is a difficult time for everyone and if a child sees parents working together their stress level will be significantly lowered.

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n The law firm of Evan H. Baron and Associates is located at 1655 North Commerce Parkway, Suite 201, in Weston. If you have any questions concerning this issue or any other family law matter, call the office at 954-385-9160.

LEGALLY SPEAKING

No Estate Plan?

You Are Not Alone

BY BRUCE IDEN, ESQUIRE

Y

ou may be surprised to learn that 60% of all American adults have no estate plan in place.

The distribution of your property, the care and custody of your minor children and the identification of who directs the administration of your estate is left to the default laws of intestate succession created by the State of Florida. So, in simpler terms: if you do not have a will or trust, the State will make all your decisions for you.

Another surprising estate planning fact is that on average those people who do have an estate plan, revise or update their documents every 19 years. Imagine if you have done your estate plan in 1999 and never updated it. How different are your financial and personal circumstances now? Would the choices you made, the people you identified and the concerns you addressed, still be appropriate today? Probably not.

Estate planning is often narrowly viewed as a process undertaken to plan for the orderly and efficient transfer of assets at death. A broader viewpoint is that estate planning is life planning, encompassing disability, retirement, and creditor protection, as well as who gets what after you are gone.

If you have minor children, your planning should address the support of yourself, your spouse, and your children, if you become disabled. It should provide a source of funds for children’s education, daycare, and medical expenses, as well as for the regular expenses of running your household.

If you have adult children, are you confident that your heirs will not recklessly spend their inheritance? Do you have any concerns that their inheritance may be lost to creditors or in a divorce? Do you have an adult child with special needs?

Finally, do you own a small business? Have you considered what might happen to your business after you are gone? Do you have a business succession plan or buy/sell agreement in place?

A proper estate plan should allow you to control your property while you are alive and well. It should also provide for you and your family if you become disabled. And it should allow you to give what you have to whom you want, in the way you want, all while minimizing the taxes, professional fees and costs to your loved ones.

If you do not have an estate plan, or if your plan requires revision, I recommend that you meet with a qualified estate planning attorney. Once you do have an estate plan, I urge you to review it every two to three years to make sure it still meets your needs.

Life can change in an instant. What are you waiting for? n Bruce Iden earned his J.D. from George Washington University National Law Center and his L.L.M in taxation from the University of Miami School of Law. He has been practicing in the areas of estate planning, real estate and business law for over 30 years. For more information, or to schedule a consultation with Mr. Iden, contact Iden Law Offices at 954-885-0085.

OURCITYMEDIA.COM | OUR CITY | AUGUST 2020 35

ASK THE MAYOR

Davie Update

BY MAYOR JUDY PAUL t saddens me to report that we lost a great friend right before the fourth of July. He was my friend and my mentor. He taught me that you reply to everyone who reaches out to you whether you agree with them or not. He reinforced my belief that everyone deserves the right to be heard and that we must do our best to serve all our constituents. Harry Venis loved life and he loved his family with all his might.

He was a great husband, father and grandfather. He was a great friend to the people of Davie, who he served faithfully. I have memories of his wrestling matches to raise money for PAL, his gun shooting challenge to the government of New Zealand (which of course he won), and the many hours he devoted to the town and our residents.

He taught me that being the mayor is a 24/7 commitment and it is our love of community and the kind and good outpouring from our residents that give us the extra push to continue to Mr. Venis was the Town’s first elected mayor under the Town Council/ Administrator form of government and served in this capacity from 1997 through 2003, while working as a Certified Public Accountant. Before serving as Mayor, he served on the Water Advisory and Planning and Zoning boards and was a Town Councilmember from 1994 through 1997.

He was a dedicated and beloved community leader who had a vision for Davie’s future and worked tirelessly to bring that to fruition. He was one of the driving forces behind the construction of the Town’s public safety complex on Nob Hill Road and expanding the parks and open spaces amenities in the Town.

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Venis was known for his prompt responsiveness to residents and believed everyone had something valuable to contribute to the betterment of this community. His dedication and commitment to this Town were not only demonstrated while in office, but he was also an avid wrestler who utilized his talent and skills in the wrestling ring to raise money for the Davie Police Athletic League (PAL) and other charities. PAL later erected a dedication plaque outside the boxing room recognizing Mr. Venis’ philanthropic work.

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend and mentor Harry.

He was an extraordinary man whose humble and fierce commitment to standing up for what’s right had a profound and long-lasting impact in our Town. To know him was to love him and understand the true power of commitment to improving our Town which he loved so dearly. He was a true public servant. I am heartbroken and sent, on behalf of all the people of Davie, our heartfelt condolences to his family.

In his honor, the Town will fly its flags at half-mast from Monday, July 6, 2020, through Wednesday, July 8, 2020. At the July 29, 2020, Town Council Meeting, the Town of Davie honored the life and memories of Harry Venis.

Details on the funeral service are currently unavailable. Mr. Venis leaves behind his wife Audrey, Harry Jr. and Kathleen Dale Schley and his entire loving family.

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BY SHERIFF GREGORY TONY his year, our nation – our world – has been faced with unprecedented challenges. From a global health crisis to civil unrest and the reminder of inequalities for people of color, our strength, our faith, and our will have all been tested.

As we enter the eighth month of 2020, I gain strength from the opportunities before us. The opportunity to listen. To grow. To mend. And to change.

In the last 18 months, I have made significant changes that focus on building stronger community relationships and restoring trust by bringing accountability and transparency to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. I have revised policy to establish a Use of Force Review Board, appointed new members to the Professional Standards Committee, established progressive training protocols and improved recruitment practices to ensure we are hiring the most qualified applicants. Despite these advancements, we must do more.

Recently, I’ve had several opportunities to sit down with community leaders and advocates for change to listen to their concerns and discuss areas of strength and opportunities for growth. Our dialogues were progressive, and the BSO command staff and I welcomed their input.

The focus of our discussions was on policing practices. Today, law enforcement remains the only branch of government that is required to respond to every situation where there is an immediate need or threat. Often, these needs are met by people in crisis, who are hurting, who have been wronged, are suffering or have been defrauded. Our deputies are trained in conflict resolution and de-escalation; the majority (soon to be all) are trained in crisis intervention. Yet, as a profession, our policing approaches must continue to evolve.

Since becoming sheriff, I have made a commitment to investing resources in areas where they are needed most. Aside from the aforementioned changes, I have restructured the Law Enforcement Trust Fund process to ensure it is more fair and equitable to serve nonprofit organizations that focus on issues vital to our community. We have established the BSO Legacy Program offering scholarships and internships to minority individuals interested in a career in public safety. We have established a Youth Mentorship Program focused on mentoring youth and developing them into strong, responsible civically-engaged adults.

Change will not come overnight. However, these changes are just the beginning of establishing systemic solutions toward a more unified Broward.

I will continue to make progressive changes for the benefit of this community.

At BSO, we are listening. We are evolving. We are prioritizing the needs of the people we serve. And we are committed to working together with you to maintain trust and strengthen our community.

T

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(954) 846-7000 • sawgrassdental.com

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400 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway, Suite 200C Sunrise, FL 33325

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954.306.1007 400 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway, Suite 200C • Sunrise, FL 33325

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Thank You For Making Us Weston’s #1 Preschool!

A Higher Level of Care & Education

Tree of Life The children in our community are at the The faith-based preschool grows with the addition of Kindergarten

heart of what we do and why we do it.

A Brand New Kindergarten

2020

Remarkable Campus & Facilities

It is our responsibility to get children

BACK TO LEARNING AND HAVING FUN!

court that replicates what the ican Airlines Arena. Between curriculum, and dedicated st Tree of Life has already garner Facility’ award.

F REE Registra

tion & Uniform

by JASON ZAUDER

Their precious lives have been affected and disrupted long enough!

For centuries, children have learned about the ‘Tree Of Life’ from the Book of Genesis. At the Tree of Life Christian Academy Preschool in Weston, children are learning many of life’s lessons in a thriving, modern school. As Tree of Life approaches their one year anniversary, owners Gabriel and Marcy Buitrago are celebrating what they have accomplished while looking ahead to the future.

Our facility is operating in compliance & strict Covid-19 safety rules for the protection of students & families

Anniversary Celebrat That magic will expand to Tree of Life’s Tree of Life’s campus has been thoughtfulbrand-new kindergarten program. Their ly laid out to make the most of the 13,000 As Tree of Life gears up for t kindergarten will be in a separate room square foot building. The classrooms surting plans together for their o that will not be attached to the preschool, round an indoor play area where a custheir own celebration, the sch and they are looking to reach a 9-1 stu- tom-made wooden Tree of Life serves as the events for the non-profit Wom dent-to-teacher ratio. With kindergarten hub. Every classroom has their own private Toys for Tots in December. Te starting on August 18th, Tree of Life has al- bathroom and drinking fountain, as well as Accelerated Reading Program • STEAM Program (Science-Technology-Engineering-Art-Mathematics) • Low student to teacher ratio • Bilingual curriculum to the community is just one ready reached fifty percent enrollment, and an exit to the playground. Students can take (English/Spanish) • Computers and iPads® • Organic & natural lunches • We teach moral & family values • Nurse & clinic on premises • 1,200 sqhas ft made. “ impact the school placements will be filling up quickly. There advantage of a bilingual curriculum, learn living up to our mission is whe indoor play area • Latest in high security & surveillance • 13,000 sqft building on 2 acres • 4 outdoor playgrounds • Armed Security Officer are already wait lists for two- and three-year sign language, and utilize the latest computoften cry at the end.

But they’ olds who want to enroll in those programs, court that replicates what the Miami H riedAirlines that their ican Arena.parents Betweenare thegoin top and administrators are confident that kincrying because they love it her curriculum, and dedicated staff, it dergarten will also prove quite popular.

INFANTS THRU PRE-K Included in monthly tuition:

Tree of Life

Tree of Life has already garnered a ‘Be Facility’ award.

Kindergarten will be open to all children, The faith-based regardless of whether or not they attended preschool grows preschool at Tree of Life. with the addition of Kindergarten A Brand New Kindergarten

Remarkable Campus & Facilities

ers and iPads. All of these features are protected by a state-of-the-art security system, which includes security cameras throughout The Security & Protection For centuries, children have learned about and two separate passcode-protected doors thechildren ‘Tree Life’ from of“Weyour precious feel like our formula forOfsuccess is the Book of Genone must pass through before entering the esis. At the Tree of Life Christian Academy to is be different than all the other preschools. building’s interior. a Top Priority!

Preschool in Weston, children are learning Our intention was to create a feeling so “That kindergarten transition is very When need has a been break from manyon of premises life’s lessons in a thriving, mod- That magic will expand to Tree of Life’s Treestudents of Life’s campus thoughtful• Armed security officer that when a child enters ern ourschool. school, As there’s Tree of Life tough approaches their thebrand-new on both parents and the kids,” said learning, they will find organic lunches kindergarten program.

Their ly laid out to make the most of the 13,000 • Bulletproof entry doors one year anniversary, owners Gabriel“Many and parents a sense of wonder,” said Gabriel Buitrago. kindergarten will beasking in a separate room in square foot building.

The the classrooms surBuitrago. have been us brought every day to provide fuel • HD security surveillance camerasare celebrating what they that will not be attached to the preschool, round an indoor play area where they MarcytoBuitrago a cus“The children are still going be learning to start a kindergarten; and with such a low need to explore the expansive outdoor area. have accomplished while looking ahead to and they are looking to reach a 9-1 stu- tom-made wooden Tree of Life serves as the a lot, but we also wantedthethem to feel like student/teacher ratio, our teachers will have A miniature soccer field was just completed future. dent-to-teacher ratio. With kindergarten hub. Every classroom has their own private they are in a magical place.” more than enough timeon with child.” their four andassport starting Augusteach 18th, Tree of Lifeto hasadd al- tobathroom and playgrounds drinking fountain, well as

by JASON ZAUDER

VOTED BEST PRESCHOOL

7 YEARS IN A ROW!

20

ready reached fifty percent enrollment, and an exit to the playground. Students can take 1250 SW 160th Weston, FL 33326 ISSUE #304 • AUGUST 2014 •Ave. CELEBRATING 25There YEARS DRWMAG.COM placements will be filling up quickly. advantage of a bilingual curriculum, learn are already wait lists for two- and three-year sign language, and utilize the latest comput954.440.0174 • treeoflifeacademy.com olds who want to enroll in those programs, and administrators are confident that kin-

Anniversary Celebration &

As Tree of Life gears up for their fall Tree of Life Christian A ting plans together for their one-year ed own at celebration, 1250 Southwest their the school will They be reached events forcan the non-profit Women ina Toys Tots in December. Teaching at for www.treeoflifeacade to the community is just one way t impact the school has made.

“What 9 m TO ADVERTISE CALL living up to our mission is when child often cry at the end. But they’re not c ried that their parents are going to le