South Florida Family Life October 2020

COMPLIMENTARY

OCTOBER 2020

tricks&

TREATS SAFE & SPOOKY WAYS TO CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN

GIVING the

GREEN

LIGHT

REUNITING KIDS WITH THEIR GRANDPARENTS

think

PINK

BREAST CANCER RISKS & REMINDERS

Baby Noah who had subglottic stenosis and Samuel Ostrower, MD

Noah today

Trusted then. Trusted now.

Seeing 5-year-old Noah come up for air as he plays in the pool, you’d never know he fought a life-threatening battle just to breathe as a baby. His parents placed their trust and hope for his future in Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

Our experts, including baby Noah’s surgeon, Samuel Ostrower, MD, medical director, Pediatric Otolaryngology, opened his constricted airway that was no bigger than a coffee stir straw.

Today, Noah’s parents say it’s incredible to see a boy who once struggled to breathe hold his breath at swim lessons, play soccer and enjoy being an active kid.

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is who we trust and where we still seek medical help, his mom says.

JDCH.com/ENT

FIND your PASSION THE FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS Be a part of a supportive, safe and diverse community that works together to help all children find their passion. Our competitive advantage prepares students for future success.

This comes from having the knowledge and understanding of what you love academically.

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Multicultural Day 2020

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VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE Lower School PK-6: October 17th at 12pm 954.472.0022

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Upper School 7-12: October 17th at 2pm

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contents

OCTOBER 2020

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COMMUNITY CLOSE-UP Our special advertising section takes a look at some local businesses and how they’re continuing to connect with the community while keeping the health and safety of families in mind.

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SAFE & SPOOKY With social distancing, this year is an extreme D-I-Y Halloween.

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HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS We’ve conjured up a list of on-site South Florida events from not-so-spooky to spine-chilling.

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THINK PINK October marks breast cancer awareness month. Learn about risks, symptoms and early detection.

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SOUTH FLORIDA SPOTLIGHT

FAMILY MATTERS

FAMILY PETS

WORDS OF WISDOM

Staying in touch with the people, places and events in our community.

Hugs for the grandparents put a squeeze on the social distance gap.

Is a pandemic pup appropriate for your family?

Sometimes all it takes to turn off those tears is a sense of humor.

S O U T H F L O R I D A F A M I LY L I F E

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954-488-2222 www.HuntingtonHelps.com

©2020 Huntington Mark, LLC. Independently Owned and Operated. SAT and Advanced Placement (AP) are registered trademarks of the College Board. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. None of these entities were involved in the production of, and do not endorse, this program. *Offer valid on Academic Evaluation. Not valid with any other offers.

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South Florida Family Life is published twelve times per year

by Family Life Media Group. It is distributed free of charge throughout South Florida. South Florida Family Life is not responsible for statements made by advertisers or writers. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of information we print, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from omissions or errors. All photography and letters sent to South Florida Family Life will be treated unconditionally, assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is forbidden.

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EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING ONLINE AND IN THE CLASSROOM Synchronous learning experience In-person school option daily for PreK - 5th Grades Daily access to one-on-one support from teachers Flexible learning plans allow seamless transition to virtual, hybrid and in class instruction as necessary SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY! VISIT WWW.NPBS.ORG/VISIT OR CALL 954-247-0179

SOUTH FLORIDA spotlight

Fear Factor HALLOWEEN DRIVE-THRU BECKONS CHILL SEEKERS

B

uckle up, it’s going to be a scary ride. The Horrorland, at Miramar Regional Park, delivers a spine-tingling Halloween experience as participants — who remain in their cars — find themselves immersed in a horror movie-esque scene as the action unfolds around them.

Monsters, ghosts, zombies and other creatures of the night will give you goose bumps as you slowly coast through different themed passages, including Alice in Horrorland, Christmas Nightmare, Creepy Carnival, Zombie Apocalypse, Farm of Horrors, Asylum of Darkness and Scream’s Cemetery.

The attraction, produced by Live305 Entertainment, is just one of many creepy concepts the company has created. Live305 is known for a number of shows throughout the United States and worldwide, including Circus of Horrors, Vampire Circus, Circus of Terror and more.

Tickets for The Horrorland start at $38 per vehicle to $178.99 for VIP admission that includes drinks, popcorn and T-shirts for four. High-occupancy vehicle and group rates are available. See website for rules and restrictions.

The half-hour experience, at 16801 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, is contactless and follows COVID-19 guidelines.

The Horrorland is geared toward kids ages 10 and older, with an adult. Tickets must be purchased online, in advance. The attraction is open Thursdays-Sundays from 7 to 11 p.m. through October 31.

To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit www.thehorrorland.com

Roaring back to business The animals are back in business at Zoo Miami, which reopened to the public in September complete with a new baby Bactrian camel and its Dinosaurs LIVE! Exhibit, which continues through Oct. 31.

Zoo Miami, billed as “the largest and oldest zoological garden in Florida” is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and it moved several of its signature events online during the closure to keep the party going, including its Virtual Feast with the Beasts in August. Its signature ZooRun 5K is also going virtual Oct. 2-11.

With the reopening, new guidelines are in place for keeping visitors and staff safe, including a requirement for face masks for all people over age 2. Rentals such as Safari cycles, strollers and motorized scooters will be sanitized after every use, and high-touch areas will be cleaned throughout the day, according to the zoo website.

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Some indoor exhibits, including Wings of Asia, Australia, Clouded Forest and Flooded Forest, remain closed because of Miami-Dade’s emergency order, and capacity will be limited in other indoor areas.

The zoo has also created some one-way pathways to keep guests socially distanced.

The animals will certainly take center stage for now, as the playgrounds, rides, water play areas and feeding experiences remain closed.

Outside food is not allowed at the zoo, but food concession stands will be open, and guests are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles, which they can refill at stations throughout the zoo.

Daily capacity remains limited, so zoo visitors must pre-purchase tickets online, and zoo members and Summer Savings passholders must make online reservations prior to visiting.

The zoo will be updating its attraction information online at www.zoomiami.org and on Facebook @ZooMiami, so check out your favorite animals and experiences on the Web before visiting in person.

You’ll both feel safe in our care.

Our integrated maternity program is designed to take care of you and your baby before, during, and even after your pregnancy. Committed to following your birth plan, but ready with one of the most advanced newborn ICU programs in the country should your baby ever need it. Stay at one of our spa-like Little Miracles maternity suites. Let us focus on your every need, so you can simply focus on your little one.

We are proud to be designated a Baby-Friendly Hospital for giving mothers the skills and support needed to feed and bond with their child.

Jackson Memorial Hospital Jackson North Medical Center Jackson South Medical Center Designated 2017 – 2022

For a tour or to find a physician, call 305-585-4MOM or visit JacksonMaternity.org.

SOUTH FLORIDA spotlight

CAPTURE COVID-19 HISTORY There is no question that the Coronavirus is one for the history books. So to document this moment in time, the Broward County Library System is asking that residents of all ages submit original drawings, journal entries, videos, essays, poems, music and other media expressing their feelings and experiences to a time capsule project.

The idea is to create a historical record of the local economy, culture, behavior and values for future generations.

It is free to participate and the library will compile and archive the material. Submissions must be original, appropriate for all ages and owned by the contributor.

Digital items can be uploaded through a COVID-19 Project page found on the Broward County Public Library website at www.broward.org/library.

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COMMUNITY CLOSE-UP

An entire month of family fun

Scarecrows, Costumed Characters & Live Animal Meet & Greets

Every Weekend Oct 3-25 9:30am – 4:00pm

OCTOBER 3-4

OCTOBER 17-18

OCTOBER 10-11

OCTOBER 24-25

Great Scarecrow Weekend Pirates & Princesses Weekend

Superheroes & Villains Weekend Creepy Critters Weekend

Hayrides and pumpkin patch suspended this year due to Covid requirements.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

MORE INFO AND PURCHASE TICKETS AT: www.flamingogardens.org

$21.95 ages 12+, $15.95 ages 3-11, ages 2 and under free

3750 S Flamingo Rd, Davie, 954-473-2955

Funding for this organization is provided in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council.

Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

KEEP DOING

WHAT YOU

LOVE

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Celebrate the fall season at Flamingo Gardens with themed weekends featuring fun and socially distanced activities. Each weekend features special themed photo opportunities with our live animal ambassadors and their companions, costumed characters, scarecrows and scavenger hunts.

• October 3 & 4 – The 11th Annual Great Scarecrow Competition. Scarecrows take over the gardens!

• October 10 & 11- Pirates & Princesses Weekend. Talk like a pirate or sing like a princess!

• October 17 & 18 - Superheroes & Villains Weekend. See your favorite superheroes and villains!

• October 24 & 25- Creatures & Critters Weekend. A special scavenger hunt with spooky creatures & creepy critters!

Please note: Hayrides, pumpkin patch and bounce house will be suspended this year due to COVID-19 requirements.

Due to capacity limits, online reserved tickets are required. Walk-in entry is available only for members and South Florida Adventure Pass holders.

Get ready for the spotlight Area Stage Company is South Florida’s premiere performing arts facility, offering conservatory-style classes and private instruction year-round in acting, voice, dance, musical theatre and more.

ASC has also housed a professional theatre company since 1989, producing musicals, plays, readings, concerts and new works continually for children and adults alike.

ASC was named Best Theatre Company in Miami 2020 by the Miami New Times and Coral Gables Magazine, and many alumni have graced the stages of Broadway.

Enroll in our fall session now at www.areastage.org/online.

Space is limited, and spots are going quickly. In-person and virtual options are available in a full schedule of classes and productions for all ages and abilities.

There truly is something for every young performer!

COMMUNITY CLOSE-UP

We can’t wait to see you — Come visit us!

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Most Broward County Parks are open and ready for socially distanced and responsible exercise, play, nature watching, boating and mindfulness. While there are current restrictions on park uses and activities, we still love to see members of the public enjoying themselves in our parks. COVID-19 has caused us to be more cautious than ever, and we sincerely hope you understand.

Simply put, we miss you! And it seems like you miss us, too. According to a recent National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Pulse Survey of more than 1,000 adult U.S. residents, 87 percent of respondents said it is important that residents have access to park and recreation programs for the overall betterment of their communities.

We haven’t heard this message only from the NRPA, we’ve heard it from you guys, too ... in our emails, messages, chats and phone calls. Since COVID-19 came into the picture, people are raving about how much they love and miss their parks, and how essential they are to maintaining one’s physical and mental health. We want to let everyone know that we’re still here, although with limitations.

Check our website to see which parks are open. Regional and neighborhood parks, nature center grounds, and natural areas are open seven days a week. Regional park and natural area sites are open 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Neighborhood parks and nature centers are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Anne Kolb Nature Center, which is open 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Please check our website for updates.

We can’t wait to see you stretching your limbs and enjoying safely distanced exploration of our parks’ flora and fauna.

Enjoy nature in our parks - just do it responsibly.

October 2020 | S O U T H F L O R I D A F A M I LY L I F E 13

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COMMUNITY CLOSE-UP

A hauntingly good time Haunt Drive at Tree Tops Park Family-Friendly Halloween Drive-Thru Dress up the kids and join us for a special family-friendly Halloween drive-thru before dark at Tree Tops Park in Davie.

During family time, 6 to 7 p.m. on select nights, see the Haunt Drive creatures come alive in the safety of daylight!

Tickets are available online only at www.hauntdrive.com/family. All cars will receive a prize pack, and proceeds benefit the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale.

Families can also add-on a “Drive and Bingo” pack to play during the drive, which comes with additional swag.

An after-dark haunt for thrill-seekers is also available.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY HALLOWEEN DRIVE-THRU

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OCTOBER 8 - NOVEMBER 1

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BEFORE DARK

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TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLY ONLINE.

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hauntdrive.com/family

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

BENEFITTING

AFTER DARK HAUNT FOR MATURE AUDIENCE ALSO AVAILABLE.

Presented by

SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 APRIL 11, 2021 Special thanks to the South Florida Science Center Board of Trustees Rick and Lesley Stone

4801 Dreher Trail N, West Palm Beach, FL 33405 • (561) 832 -1988 • SFScienceCenter.org

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Time to get real See the human body like never before with the blockbuster exhibit Real Bodies: The Exhibition, now open at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.

A thrill for all ages, Real Bodies reveals the science beneath our skin with 20 real, perfectly preserved human bodies and more than 200 anatomical specimens, all frozen in time through polymer preservation.

The exhibition shows the connection between breathing, hunger, heart rhythm, love, motion and thought that makes each person unique. It also explores COVID-19, with dozens of virus models, a short film on the journey of the virus inside the human body and the latest scientific facts about how it affects the body.

Safety guidelines like social distancing and mask wearing will be in place. Real Bodies, presented by The Stiles-Nicholson Foundation, is on display until April 2021.

Follow South Florida Science Center on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @SFScienceCenter or visit www.sfsciencecenter.org

A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

GET READY FOR CAT-TASTIC SURPRISES!

COMING SOON YOU CAN CHECK OUT GABBY'S DOLLHOUSE ON YOUTUBE! DreamWorks Gabby’s Dollhouse © 2020 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All rights reserved.

safe spooky &

WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING, THIS YEAR IS AN EXTREME D-I-Y HALLOWEEN

BY JENNIFER JHON

F

or many families, Oct. 31, 2020 was destined to be an extended celebration. Falling on a Saturday, the revelry would continue into the night, complete with a full moon rising.

But, due to the pandemic and social distancing restrictions throughout South Florida, upcoming Halloween plans now look frightfully different from what was anticipated. Most fall festivals and community Halloween celebrations have been canceled, and long-standing block parties in many neighborhoods have been called off. And, much to the disappointment of kids throughout South Florida, trick-or-treating is also off the menu for many families because of concerns about COVID-19. But all is not lost. The good news is that there are still many ways to make this Halloween spooktacular.

Kayla Reed of Davie has an 8-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son, and they are big fans of Halloween.

“Usually we have a Halloween party and go trick-or-treating. We won’t be doing

either this year, so everything is changing,” she said. “My plan for this year is to decorate our home like a haunted house, play spooky music and have them hunt for Halloween baskets filled with treats.”

She said they definitely won’t be trick or treating, even if the opportunity is presented. “My mom is immunecompromised, so we have to be extra cautious.” Instead, she and her husband will give the kids clues to find their candy inside the house and watch Halloween movies. “Hocus Pocus is my favorite,” Reed said.

Ileana Mesa-Rojas of Miami is also planning a Halloween at home, with a scavenger hunt and other fun for her four kids. Her sister and her two children will join them.

“We are planning to have desserts (decorate your own cupcakes/cookies) along with some Pinterest-inspired goodies. We will play music and dance with glow sticks and a black light,” she said. “But for the scavenger hunt, I figured they can go all around the house and backyard picking up clues with candies, little trinkets or gifts.”

Costumes will also be part of the night.

“Since we are a family of six, I was hoping to get everyone on board to do a super hero theme,” Mesa-Rojas said.

Latoya Bramble of Fort Lauderdale has four children, and an activity they used to do might help families capture the excitement of trick-or-treating for their kids this year. “When my kids were little, I had them go door to door in my house,” Bramble said. She said she and three of her kids would get behind different doors in the house, while the fourth child knocked on each door to receive the candy. “We all took turns,” she said.

Some families are planning to stay as close as possible to tradition. “I’ll be outside handing out candy like usual,” said Christine Sheflin of Coral Springs.

She will change to handing out bags of candy this year as opposed to kids reaching into the trick-or-treat bowl.

“I think for the limited time period that we interact with the kids — coupled with the fact that we will be outside — it will keep it safe enough for these kids to enjoy their usual Halloween,” she said. “COVID has taken so much from them already, I don’t think it’s fair, or necessary, to eliminate this beloved outdoor tradition.”

For those missing the opportunity a Saturday night Halloween presents, there is some solace. Next year’s Halloween is on a Sunday, which is still technically a weekend day, and another Saturday Halloween is coming — in 2026.

Tricks to treat your kids this Halloween

BY JENNIFER JHON We’re all looking for ways to make the most of this year’s stay-at-home Halloween. Here are some ideas to help create Do It Yourself celebrations better than ever:

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Decorate big, and decorate early. Halloween décor is the best, with lots of glow-in-the-dark and spooky elements, and lots of it is easy to make. Go all out.

Get crafting. Red Ted Art (www.redtedart.com) has a list of 50 Easy Halloween Crafts that you can do with your kids, and that’s just a start. Pintrest has many more ideas.

Plan more than one party. Parties are a great excuse to dress up and have fun, even if it is just your family.

Try a pumpkin-themed party, a spooky dance party, a candy factory party … the possibilities are endless.

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Celebrate with a costume, or four. Stage a costume event complete with wardrobe changes so kids (and adults) can enjoy taking on a new persona, if only for a few hours.

Take pictures and challenge your friends and family to a visual riff-off to keep the fun going.

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Bring on the sweet stuff. NOT being able to get bags full of free candy – with the anticipation of “what’s it going to be?” at every door – is going to be crushing for the younger set. Set up a scavenger hunt, pumpkin pinata, or indoor trick-or-treating at all the doors inside your home.

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Glow-in-the-dark fun. Make the most of the darker side of the holiday with a glow-stick dance party, glowing egg candy hunt or a black light slime and bubble party.

Movie scare-athon. Clear the couch and gather your popcorn and candy for a night of movie magic. Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, E.T. and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown are classics, but check out the Hotel Transylvania and Goosebumps series, The Addams Family, Ghostbusters, Monster House, Toy Story of Terror and more.

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DIY Haunted House. Do your kids like creepy? Stage your own haunted house for them with tips from an expert at www.fatherly.com/play/how-to-make-a-haunted-house/.

Don’t forget the creepy music!

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Try to escape. The Peters Township Public Library in Pennsylvania has created free “escape room” experiences for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the Hunger Games. Gather the family and test your skills in this online challenge (https://sites.google.com/view/ptpl-virtual-escape-rooms).

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Get cooking. Fall foods and treats are ripe with flavor.

Bake with pumpkin, apple and caramel flavors to bring the taste and smell of the season into your home.

Try pumpkin carving. Or, for a Florida twist, make a Clementine lantern either by carving into the outer peel of the fruit or drawing jack-o-lantern faces on with a Sharpie marker.

Celebrate with friends. You can celebrate safely and still keep your distance through a drive-by or walk-by costume parade, a Zoom dance party, or a digital movie watch party.

Get out of the house. Although most community events are canceled, some celebrations are still happening. Find an event near you in our event listing at www.southfloridafamilylife.com.

Month October2020 2020| | S O SO UU TH T HF LF O LO R IRDI D A AF AF A MM I LY I LYL ILFI EF E XX 17

DON’T BE

SCARED There’s plenty of Halloween hoopla for your little ghouls and goblins Here is a sampling of some on-site events taking place.

Please be sure to double-check all details including registration guidelines and COVID-19 regulations before setting out on your adventure.

The Horrorland Drive-Thru

Ghost Hunting on the Rails

Creepy has not been canceled. Prepare for zombies, monsters and other creatures of the night as you drive through themed haunted houses. Geared toward ages 10 and up. Pricing starts at $38.99 per car. 7-11pm, 16801 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, 800-383-6119 www.thehorrorland.com

Go on a ghost hunt through the museum while learning about ghost hunting equipment and investigating with the ghost hunting team. $25. 6-9pm, Gold Coast Railroad Museum, 12450 SW 152 St., Miami, 305-253-0063 www.goldcoastrailroadmuseum.org

October 1-31

Harvest Festival

Saturday, October 10

Hocus Pocus

Saturdays & Sundays, Oct. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 Celebrate autumn by viewing a variety of scarecrows and participating in fun-filled fall festivities including a scavenger hunt. $21.95/ages 12 and up, $15.95/ages 3-11, free/ages 2 and under. Flamingo Gardens, 3750 S. Flamingo Rd., Davie, 954-473-2955 www.flamingogardens.org

Haunt Drive

Friday, October 16 Put it in park for a drive-in style viewing of Disney’s Hocus Pocus. Food will be available for purchase. Pre-registration required. 7pm, Westfield Broward Mall, 8000 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation, 954-452-2510 www.plantation.org

October 8-November 1

Drive-In Movie

Cruise over for some family-friendly drive-thru Halloween fun at dusk on select nights. Tickets, benefiting the Museum of Discovery and Science, are available online.

6-7pm. An additional free drive-thru trick-or-treat event is also planned from noon-4pm on Oct. 31.

Online pre-registration required. Tree Tops Park, 3900 SW 100 Ave., www.hauntdrive.com/family

Pile in the car for an outdoor screening of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. $5/vehicle. Space is limited.

Parking begins at 6pm, movie starts at 7pm.

Doral Central Park, 3000 NW 87 Ave., Doral, www.cityofdoral.com

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Friday, October 23

| southfloridafamilylife.com

Zombie Park Trunk or Treat Drive-Thru Friday, October 30

Take a not-so-scary tour of Zombie Park while collecting goodies placed in the trunk of your vehicle along the way. After, bring your loot to a drive-in style screening of The Addams Family at 7pm at a location to be determined. 5pm, Pinecrest Community Center, 5855 Killian Dr., Pinecrest, 305-284-0900 www.pinecrest-fl.gov

Halloween Golf Cart Parade Friday, October 30

Put a spooky spin on your golf cart and join the parade. Check website for time and location. www.cutlerbay-fl.gov

Historic Ghost Tour Ongoing

Hear about sightings and experiences from actual paranormal investigations as you explore what is said to be Miami’s most haunted property. Tour may contain mature subject matter. Visit website for dates, times and details.

Deering Estate, 16701 SW 72 Ave., Miami, 305-235-1668 www.deeringestate.org

BREAST CANCER A W A R E N E S S M O N T H

ThinkPINK BREAST CANCER RISKS, SYMPTOMS AND EARLY DETECTION

BY KIMBERLY BLAKER “There can be life after breast cancer. The prerequisite is early detection.” — Ann Jillian Twelve percent of women today will develop invasive breast cancer, and more than 40,000 will die from it this year alone, reports www.BreastCancer.org. That’s why a refresher course on early detection and staying up-to-date on the latest studies is essential and the reason for October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

RISK FACTORS

There are several risk factors for breast cancer, as identified by the American Cancer Society (ACS). Some of these are unchangeable but should be taken into account in developing a screening plan. Other risk factors are lifestyle-related. Therefore women, especially those already at higher risk, should consider those factors she can control.

Still, the simple presence of risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll go on to develop breast cancer. Likewise, a lack of risk factors doesn’t mean you won’t develop the disease.

For this reason, all women should be aware of the risks and symptoms and what screening does and doesn’t do.

Some factors that are unchangeable and increase risk are female gender, aging, genetics, and race and ethnicity (white women are at slightly higher risk) according to the ACS. A greater number of menstrual cycles, previous chest radiation, and exposure to the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) also put women at a slightly higher risk.

Other risk factors can often be controlled. Pregnancy and childbirth are some of these factors. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), having more than one child provides increased protection with each successive birth.

Women who breastfeed also reduce their risk of breast cancer, the NCI explains. The longer the total length of time spent breastfeeding during the child-rearing years, the greater the protection.

Oral contraceptives, according to the ACS, slightly increase risk. Though once a woman is off contraceptives for 10 years, that risk is no longer present.

Hormone therapy for menopausal women can also increase risk. The ACS says estrogen alone is not a concern. For certain women, it can even slightly reduce the risk. But estrogen combined with progestin can increase risk.

Another risk factor is alcohol. Having one daily drink increases the risk only slightly, while the greater the consumption, the higher the risk. More than 5 drinks daily increases the risk for other cancers as well.

After menopause, being overweight or obese increases risk, says the ACS. But as the organization explains, the risk of breast cancer related to weight is complex.

Those who were overweight as a child may not be affected.

The distribution of excess body fat may also play a role.

Waist area fat, in particular, might be more significant in increasing risk than fat in other parts of the body such as hips and thighs.

Exercise, however, has been shown to decrease risk, according to a study by the Women’s Health Initiative.

It found just 1.25 to 2.5 hours of brisk walking each week can reduce risk by 18%.

Several factors that previously have been claimed to increase risk factors are now disproven or deemed highly improbable, according to ACS and Memorial Sloan Kettering. These include antiperspirants, bras, abortion or miscarriage, dense breasts, fibrocystic disease, and breast implants.

Factors that remain unclear because studies have produced conflicting results include diet and vitamins, environmental chemicals, tobacco smoke, and night work.

These factors require further research to determine if there’s any relationship.

SYMPTOMS

There are several signs to watch for that might be indicative of breast cancer. Though most of these symptoms could be caused by something else such as caffeine, menstrual periods, infection, or other illness or factors.

If you notice any of these symptoms, see your health care provider to rule out breast cancer. Symptoms to watch for, say the ACS and other breast cancer organizations, include: • A new lump or breast change that feels different from the rest of your breast

• A new lump or breast change that feels different from your other breast • You feel something different that you haven’t felt previously • Nipple discharge that occurs without squeezing the nipple • Nipple discharge that occurs in only one breast • Bloody or clear discharge, rather than milky • Thickening, a lump or hard knot inside the breast or in the underarm area • Breast swelling, warmth, or redness • Change in breast shape or size • Breast skin dimpling or puckering • A sore or rash on the nipple, particularly scaly or itchy • Your nipple or other parts of your breast pulling inward • Sudden nipple discharge • Pain in one spot that doesn’t go away

EARLY DETECTION AND SCREENINGS

Screenings are an essential means for detecting breast cancer, hopefully in its early stages.

Until more recently, women were encouraged to do a monthly self-examination. But a major study reported in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute in 2002, concluded self-examination has played no role in improving cancer detection. It also found the extensive teaching of self-examination leads to an increased rate of benign breast biopsies.

Clinical breast exams, however, are still recommended.

For women with average risk factors, these should be done every one to three years starting at age 20. Then at age 40, clinical exams should be done annually. Women with higher risk factors should have exams more often and consult with their doctor for the recommended frequency.

Mammography, believed to be one of the most crucial tools in early detection for decades, first started in the 1960s. Early trials found mammography reduced breast cancer death rates by 25%.

But, Peggy Orenstein points out in her 2013 New York Times article, The Feel-Good War on Breast Cancer, such statistics have overstated mammography’s role in the reduction of breast cancer death rates. This is because the increased use of mammograms occurred along with much-improved treatments.

Medical experts now believe treatments likely played a more significant role in reducing deaths.

For this reason, mammograms have come under fire in recent years as more studies have revealed the debatable usefulness of this screening technique, at least for younger women. That’s because breast cancer and detection are more complex than once understood to be.

It’s now known there are at least four types and subtypes of breast cancer. Mammography often doesn’t detect the more lethal types until they’re in the later stages. Add to this, mammograms result in significant over-diagnosis leading to unnecessary treatment. This comes with its own risks.

Still, what is known is among women in the United States, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths.

Various studies indeed reveal mammography screening seems to have very limited usefulness among women under 40. Still, it’s moderately effective for detection in women ages 40-49 and is most useful for those in the 50-69 age group.

The results of recent studies have revealed several needs.

First, more research is needed to better answer questions about the approach to both detection and treatment. Additionally, better screening techniques should be developed for detecting the more deadly forms of breast cancer.

There’s no one-size-fits-all plan that works best. So, mammography screening for breast cancer should be based on informed decisions and individualized plans. It should take into account a woman’s age, risk factors, and both the advantages and disadvantages of mammography for each woman’s unique circumstances.

October 2020 | S O U T H F L O R I D A F A M I LY L I F E 21

FAMILY matters

Giving the green light WE LET OUR KIDS HUG THEIR GRANDPARENTS AGAIN

BY LAURA WHEATMAN HILL

M

y in-laws live 3 miles away, and they hadn’t hugged their grandkids for two and a half months before we all cracked.

Part of it was on my end. I was beyond jealous of my friends who were allowing grandparents to care for their kids, some even going so far as to have their kids go to the grandparents’ overnight during the week while the parents worked (and then watched Netflix and chilled to their heart’s content in the evenings).

Part of it was on their end. They were scared at the beginning of lock down because we had no known treatments for COVID-19 symptoms. Now that the curve has flattened significantly in my state, and there are some treatment measures

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in place for sick patients, they feel better about risking potential exposure. More than that, they decided enough was enough and wanted the sweet, sweet snuggles of their grandchildren.

I think what pushed us all over the edge was my 3-year-old. My 6-year-old is much more able to understand the WHY of quarantine and is doing OK with being home, despite some generalized anxiety and depression-inducing distance learning.

The younger one has really struggled, though. He asks a lot of questions about death, I think to make sense of the information he’s getting from the bits and pieces of conversation he picks up and the facts we’ve given him about why we’ve stayed home and away from others

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all this time. He’s angry and sometimes violent with objects and people, I think because he doesn’t quite know what’s going on and has lost many of his usual grounding attachments.

I was telling my mother-in-law about my struggles with my son. I’d had to call the pharmacy earlier that day and, while I was on the phone, he’d mummified himself with painter’s tape. He’d wrapped an entire roll around his midsection and I had to spin him out of it like Gwyneth Paltrow shedding her breast binding in Shakespeare in Love. Later, he’d ripped apart the craft his sister and I had made that morning and was attempting to murder a library book, ripping one page, before I wrenched it away.

My mother-in-law called a family Zoom meeting with us and with my sister-in-law, who also lives in town and has kids. We set the ground rules: If people were being relatively safe about social distancing, the grandparents could start hugging the kids. If anyone got sick or showed symptoms, all contact would stop.

Most significantly, we all agreed that there would be no blame or resentment if someone were to get sick. Being together is a risk and we all agreed to take it.

My in-laws came over the next day. When I told my daughter they were coming over, she said, “Maintain social distancing?”

She sounded like a little government official. “Actually,” I said, “No. We’ve decided it’s OK for you guys to hug again.” She smiled.

My kids had their noses pressed

“I’m your present!” my mother-in-law said. My son started to cry. All was normal.

He got over it and we invited them inside for the first time in months. My mother-in-law lightly wept and held them, played a board game, then headed outside to their fort, while giving them hugs and kisses and snuggles. When it was time for them to go home, we made plans to go to their house over the weekend and we said goodbye, confident that we’d see each other again soon.

Within five minutes of them leaving, both kids fell asleep without eating lunch.

It was the first simultaneous kid nap of the quarantine and only the third or fourth time my son has napped this whole time home. I didn’t even know what to do with my pocket of quiet time. I went in and checked on them to make sure they were

grandparents. My daughter crept into our room at night telling us she was worried about the virus. My son asked about how old his grandma was and wondered at what age she would die. My telling him we didn’t know when we’d die, but that everyone dies eventually, did not satiate his curiosity. Both kids were horrible on video calls, actively sabotaging any attempts at conversation. My theory is that their disobedience masked their sadness, a theory that was confirmed by my daughter after a particularly bad video call in which she tried to moon everyone.

“I’m worried I’ll never see them in real life again.” she said, tears in her big, blue eyes.

Hopefully, by getting their grandparent snuggles, my kids feel less scared of the big, bad coronavirus and can trust that

against the window by the front door in anticipation. When I announced that the car had pulled up, the kids sprinted out the front door to the driveway and flung themselves at their grandfather. Then they went in for the grandma attack. We were misty-eyed. Then my 3-year-old asked, “Where’s my present?”

alive. Both were sleeping peacefully. It was like they got what they needed to relax, to feel safe enough to rest their busy, anxious bodies.

They may or may not have understood why we couldn’t see their grandparents until now. I know they were both worried in their own kid-logical way about their

we are taking care of them and each other, both in terms of staying safe from illness and by showing up for each other, loving each other, and being a whole family.

When not living in an apocalyptic dystopia, Laura Wheatman Hill works as an English and drama teacher.

October 2020 | S O U T H F L O R I D A F A M I LY L I F E 23

FAMILY pets

Pandemic puppies IS NOW THE RIGHT TIME TO ADOPT A FURRY FAMILY MEMBER?

BY SANDRA GORDON

W

hen you’ve got little ones and more time spent at home due to the pandemic, now might seem like a perfect time to get a puppy — or maybe you already have. In fact, animal shelters have never been emptier. Social media is teeming with images of new puppies and families like yours with the same idea.

We asked two dog owners/experts for their take on the puppy question, especially when you have an infant or toddler in the house. Should you just go for it, and get a pandemic puppy?

Spoiler alert: Both experts said think very carefully about this decision, as in

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“probably not a good idea.” Here’s why: A puppy is a lot of work. When your kids are infants or toddlers, you’ve got a lot on your sleep-deprived parenting plate.

Adding a puppy to the mix — coupled with the fact that maybe you’re working from home — could create total anarchy because puppies are as helpless as infants.

“If you’re expecting your first baby, you have no idea what you’re getting in to. It’s easy to have the mindset that you can do it all. You really can’t,” says Donna Chicone, author of Being a Super Pet Parent. For one, there’s the puppy training part, which is incredibly hard work. Initially, you’ll need to take a puppy in training outside

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“to go” every hour or two. You’ll also need to make sure your puppy gets plenty of mental and physical stimulation with toys and exercise.

These needs don’t stop once your puppy gets bigger. You’ll need to invest in a crate and learn how to crate-train your puppy. “If used positively and not as a punishment, a crate becomes a private little room in the house, like your dog’s bedroom space,” says Chicone, who has two Portuguese water dogs, Jazz, 11, and Jive, 7.

If you anticipate eventually going back to part-time or full-time employment outside the home, and putting your child in daycare, you’ll need to invest in

doggie daycare, hire a dog walker or a combination of both. If you don’t have a backyard for your puppy to run around in, you’ll have to make frequent visits to a local dog park.

“Puppies have an enormous amount of energy,” Chicone says. You’ll need to hang out with your puppy. “Dogs require as many interactions as any relationship.

You need to spend time with them,” Chicone says.

A puppy is a big expense. Another reason why getting a puppy at this stage in life isn’t such a great idea, especially in this uncertain economy, is that baby Fido can cost a small ongoing fortune.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the first-year cost of pet ownership exceeds $1,000, and well over $500 each

don’t come with manners. They don’t come knowing how to sit, stay or not jump on people. In the first six months we had our puppies, we spent thousands of dollars on trainers,” Ingram says. “It was a cost we had never anticipated.”

There’s the expense of trips to the vet as well. “With a dog, you may have to give them preventive heart worm medicine every month, plus yearly check-ups,” Ingram says.

And what if something happens, such as seasonal allergies, ear infections, a torn ACL or worse (each of which Ingram has experienced with her dogs)?

Each sick-pet trip to the vet can amount to hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

And don’t forget the cost of food and cute stuff, such as a fun toy or a sweater.

“You want to be able to enjoy your dog

dogs know how to sit, stay and how to walk on a leash. They can be temperament tested too, so you can know if they’re compatible with children,” she says.

Chicone agrees. “It’s much more feasible to transition an older dog into a young family than a puppy,” she says.

If you want to get a puppy, she also recommends waiting until your children are older, like around kindergarten age.

But… if you’ve been around dogs all your life and know what you’re getting into, Chicone says, it might be okay to get a puppy now. Even still, when your puppy/dog spends time with your children, “they should be supervised,” she says.

And don’t expect your child to be the one to take care of the animal.

additional year.

“That number is spot on,” says Leah Ingram, a personal finance expert and owner of the dog birthday supply site, Pawsome Doggie.

Ingram has owned four dogs since 2002, two of which she adopted as puppies, starting when her youngest daughter was in kindergarten. “Puppies

the way you enjoy your child and surprise him or her with a gift every once in a while,” Ingram says.

But “dogs are totally worth it,” Ingram adds. If you want to get a dog now, when you have a baby or toddler, Ingram recommends adopting an adult dog.

They’re less work and you can probably skip on having to hire a trainer. “Adult

“A 10-year-old can handle more than a 5-year-old, but as the adult, you’re the one who is going to be doing most of the work,” Chicone says.

Sandra Gordon is an award-winning freelance writer who delivers expert advice and the latest developments in health, nutrition, parenting and consumer issues.

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October 2020 | S O U T H F L O R I D A F A M I LY L I F E 25

WORDS of wisdom

Water works WHAT’S BEHIND ALL THOSE TEARS?

BY CHERYL MAGUIRE

I

searched the trash folder for the deleted email.

My mom sends me a minimum of 10 emails daily, and 95% of the time I delete it without reading it.

I informed her of this fact and I even typed, “unsubscribe” in response to one of her emails, yet she continues to either forward or send. The reason I was searching for this particular message is, after speaking with her on the phone, I realized the email might actually be interesting.

My mother saw a news story about a father who posts pictures on a website of his two sons crying. His sons are ages 1 and 3. Why would I find this interesting?

Only because I have been listening to my daughter have daily meltdowns for the past eight years!

When she was a baby, I assumed she was crying for legitimate newborn reasons. When it became apparent that she cried much more than the average baby, I did what any mother does, I blamed myself. It wasn’t until much later I understood my daughter has a flare for the dramatics and possibly a future career in acting.

After locating the email, I clicked on the link, curious to see if the family experienced a similar situation to mine.

And I also hoped maybe there would be some solutions to the tears.

To my surprise, I found the site to be funny. The thought of seeing pictures of someone else’s child crying seems unappealing, but maybe it was the lack of sound that made it more bearable. Also, the clever captions the father wrote under each picture added humor. My personal favorite, positioned under the picture of a toddler with an arm outstretched and tears visible under each eye said: “I didn’t show him pictures on my phone quickly enough — and yes, they were pictures of him crying.”

As I was perusing the site, my daughter wandered over and asked, “What are you looking at?”

It was the moment of truth. How would she respond to pictures of another child crying? Would she sympathize would the poor boys’ plight? Or even worse, would she start crying?

With the knowledge of a possible looming full-blown stage five catastrophe, my curiosity got the better of me.

“I am looking at a website of a boy who cries a lot,” I told her in a matter of fact manner, studying her face for a reaction.

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She leaned closer to the screen. As she read each caption, I focused on her eyes to see if anything was materializing. There was nothing yet. She scrolled down the page. I inhaled deeply, still fixated on the eyes.

And then it happened, a reaction to the tears. She laughed out loud as if this was the most ridiculous site she had ever seen.

I felt the need to point out the obvious by stating, “You do realize you cry over ridiculous reasons daily?”

“I don’t think so mom,” she retorted, along with an eye-roll to solidify my ignorant observation.

I guess it is time to start taking some pictures.

Cheryl Maguire is a freelance writer and mom who has discovered that a little humor with a lot of crying goes a long way.

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