Sun Times Issue 01 19 23

The Surf Debuts As Hollywood Beach’s Newest Boutique Hotel

High Season Brings Top Events To Gulfstream Park

Start 2023 With Events You Won’t Want To Miss

Gulfstream Park is heating up in 2023! Peak season has arrived at South Florida’s favorite entertainment destination where a number of exciting events and happenings will take place under the Florida sunshine. Home to a world-renowned racetrack, casino, live performance venue, countless dining options and plenty of shopping and entertainment, Gulfstream Park is excited to usher in another year of signature events that attract visitors both near and far.

Known as one of the richest races in the world, the Pegasus World Cup Presented by Baccarat has quickly established itself over the past six years as South Florida’s preeminent luxury sports and lifestyle event. Taking place Saturday, January 28, the Pegasus World Cup attracts A-list celebrity attendees, fashion icons, influencers and avid fans to catch a glimpse of horse racing’s most iconic event of the year. The Pegasus World Cup brings a new

energy and modernity to the sport of thoroughbred horse racing for a new generation of fans. The 2022 Pegasus World Cup hit a record-setting handle with over $43.8 million wagered on the 12race program, a testament to the race’s popularity among fans. This year’s event promises even more excitement with an exclusive ticketed event at the Carousel Club featuring special performances by KYGO and One

Park, Page 4A

This past month My Hollywood Pride announced that the 2023 My Hollywood Pride Street Festival will take place on Sunday, January 29th, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Downtown Hollywood and will be

followed by a Tea Dance at Karma Lounge, also located in Downtown Hollywood from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The 2023 Chair of My Hollywood Pride, Todd Delmay said “Our Inaugural My

Pride for Hollywood, so we couldn’t wait to get started on building on the success of the event for 2023! Many of the inno-

vations we created last year are returning with the support of even more sponsors and supporters.”

My Hollywood Pride is honored that Safe Schools South Florida with support from the

Quadracci-Cabrera Family will be the 2023 Presenting Sponsor. Major Sponsors also include: Stoli (and its related brands), AIDS Healthcare Foundation

Hollywood Pride, Page 6A

Gulfstream

Gulfstream Park

From

pegasusworldcup.com/tickets/ and wine festival is back! The Hallandale Beach Food & Groove: A Wine, Food and Art Experience returns to Gulfstream Park as part of the 22nd annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One. Taking place Saturday, February 25 from 7-11 p.m., the event invites food lovers for an immer sive experience. Hosted by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and Florida International University, the Festival benefits FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center.

international cuisines that will get guests movin’ and groovin’ including Gulfstream Park Village’s Belly Fish and Ten Palms restaurants. Other partici pating restaurants include: El Tamarindo Coal Fired Pizza, Marash Turkish Cuisine, Moises Bakery, Dr. Limon Hallandale, CAO Bakery & Café, The Krazy Vegan, Il Mercato Café & Wine Shop, Matteo’s Trattoria, Dunn’s River Island Café, Holy Avocado, Ceviche Avenue, Chef Irie, See Thai & Japanese Cuisine, Nana’s Sapibon Haitian Restaurant, D’s Delights and Mable’s Island Kitchen.

Additional restaurants will be announced. General admission tickets are $75 and can be purchased by visiting: sobewff.org/ groove/ Music in the Park, Gulfstream Park Village’s favorite live entertainment series, continues its

weekly performances with the area’s favorite musical talent.

Taking place Wednesday through Sunday nights from 6:30-9:30 p.m., Music in the Park is sure to get audiences dancing. These open-air performances take place in the center stage and feature rotating bands on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights. Saturdays are DJ/Family Nights. Free to attend, Music in the Park has proven to be one of Gulfstream’s most popular ongoing events.

For additional live music, the Casino Stage features a DJ on

Friday nights from 7-11 p.m. and live band on Saturday nights from 7-11 p.m. The Breezeway Stage features rotating DJs on Saturdays from 1-5 p.m. and the Carousel Club features live music Friday-Sunday during all open hours.

“Gulfstream Park is the place to be – with live music, food and racing events, there is something for everyone to enjoy this sea-

provide opportunities to try something new or revisit a favorite pastime.”

About Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park is South Florida’s premier entertainment, dining and restaurant destination, located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, anchored by the legendary Gulfstream Park racetrack. Gulfstream Park not only

ies, fashion retailers, state-ofthe-art bowling alley, and a renowned selection of signature home stores. Gulfstream Park, voted a 2020 Top Travelers’ Choice Winner by TripAdvisor, is located at 901 South Federal Highway in Hallandale Beach, Florida, just two miles east of I95. Valet service and complimentary self-parking are available. Gulfstream Park is open seven days a week. For hours, schedules, upcoming events and additional information, visit: www.gulfstreampark.com or

It’s All About Community

By

Over the past two weeks I have been writing about our City’s plan to address our underground Infrastructure. It is not a surprise that these projects are a major expense. A good example of just how expensive they are is our 14th Avenue / Southwest Drainage Improvements. Thanks to a joint lobbying effort between staff, Congresswoman Wasserman-Shultz, our DC Lobbyist Maurice Kurland and myself, we received over $20 Million Dollars to build the pumping systems. These Funds were combined with City Funds and CRA Funds to complete the projects. Another is the addition to our Water Plant to ensure access to safe drinking water. To add one skid to process and filter water costs $6 Million Dollars.

The main way to pay for water projects is through Revenue Bonds. The City evaluates the needs and then models our rate structure to allow for repayment. A few years ago, there was an increase in rates that provided for revenue bonds. The City has been working to advance over $53 Million Dollars in projects. As of the writing of this article, our City will be presented with more fine-tuned data to go out for bonds.

Revenue Bonds are not the sole source of funding. Our Staff continues to apply for grants. We apply for all types of Grants. To date, excluding 19 allocated from the state for COVID-19 we have applied for $40 Million Dollars in Grants. The amount of our largest Grant to date was from the State for $15 Million Dollars to address our Wastewater Lift Stations. This allocation was one of the largest directly to a city. We were already contracted to do the work and it was in design. This proactive planning helped us to secure the Grants. Another

Stormwater Rates. We understand that many residents are being faced with expenses from 40 Year and 50 Year Inspections and insurance increases. Just like condominiums and households we have to address our aging Infrastructure.

Another question I receive is about development. All developers must pay impact fees when they create demands. They pay for Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, Transportation, Parks, Schools, Affordable Housing and other impacts up front. No one gets a free pass.

Next week I will go into what was presented at our last Commission Meeting.

This past Monday we held the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. It was the first since COVID-19. This event and parade are sponsored in partnership with the Community Civic Association. President Qunea Gordon Former Candidate for Commission and Hallandale Beach born and raised, took the reins of CCC and did a fabulous job fundraising and organizing the events that day.

She led Terri Baker who recruited vendors, Keena Johnson Former President who helped with vendor setup and of course our great parks staff led by Director Cathy Schanz. It was great seeing many of our staff members out and walking in the parade. Commissioner Lazarow, City Manager Dr. Earle, Assistant City Manager Sharon Ragoonan, Deputy Director of our CRA Faith Phinn and the CRA team all joined together and walked the parade route.

The parade started at BF James Park and continued to Hallandale Beach Boulevard west to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Northwest 8th Avenue to OB Johnson Park. There were many wonderful participants. Miss Senior Florida Wanetta “Vanessa” Massey who was born and raised in Hallandale Beach, Joanne Simpson, Senior Olympian Gloria Stoner 2022 Broward County Pioneer and Past Treasurer of CCC longstanding resident and Pastor Allen representing the Ebenezer Baptist Church’s Food Pantry. The Food Pantry and all of the volunteers were recognized as the MLK Humanitarian Organization Of The Year. The church has been

hosting the pantry for over 35 years. They provide food but also serve hot meals for those in need.

I had the chance to speak during the ceremony. The theme was all about the Children. We often forget while we are caught up in our own politics and beliefs how hatred is impacting the next generation. We need to realize that individually we all have the power to share light and knowledge. To speak up against hatred. It was wonderful to have both Principal Campbell for Gulfstream Academy K-8 and Principal Howard for Hallandale High School join in the event and speak about the future and unity to help raise the next generation of leaders.

I look forward to continuing to serve and keeping our residents informed. As always, I am available for your questions, concerns and ideas to help make our City a better place. Please feel free to reach out to my office at: (954) 457-1318. On my cell/text at: (954) 632-5700. Or email me at: jcooper@cohb.org.

Call to Artists

City of Hollywood COVID Memorial

The City of Hollywood is seeking to commission one artist or artist team to design, fabricate and install a site-specific Memorial to recognize those lost to COVID; and to honor the Health Workers and First Responders who dedicated their lives to the care of COVID patients. The Memorial should be a place for reflection and remembrance.

PROJECT LOCATION

Kiwanis Park, 3400 Johnson St., Hollywood, FL 33021. The Memorial will be placed in the southeast corner of the park in an area 25’ x 50’. Artists who wish to submit a proposal are strongly encouraged to visit the proposed project site.

BUDGET: $25,000 - $50,000

All proposals will be judged on artistic excellence, creativity, cost, and adherence to the entry requirements. Each artist or artist team may only submit one design. This Call to Artists is open to all professional artists, 21 or older, residing in Florida who have demonstrated experience completing and coordinating exterior public art installations. The selected artist(s) will be responsible for designing the artwork and an attachment method which complies with the Florida Building Code and all other applicable local codes. Artwork will be highly durable, resistant to salt and weathering conditions inherent in outdoor seaside environments and low maintenance. The selected artist or artist team’s unique approach to the project is welcome and the desired effect is an aesthetic impact that honors those impacted by COVID. The deadline for applications is

Wednesday February 8th.

To apply and complete your design and upload via the Application Form that can be found at: www.hollywoodfl.org under Hollywood Happenings. The Art Selection Committee will review all submitted applications and make selection which will be presented to the City Commission for final approval. The winning applicant will be contacted by email / phone and will sign an agreement to utilize selected work.

If you have questions or need additional information please contact: Mike Wharton at: mwharton@hollywoodfl.org

Operation Paintbrush

The City of Hollywood Department of Public Works is holding Operation Paintbrush this Saturday, January 21st from 8 a.m. until noon. Operation Paintbrush provides up to 20 gallons of high-quality exterior latex paint for free to single-family homeowners and non-profit organizations in Hollywood. 100% of the latex paint collected through the Broward County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program is recycled into new, high-quality exterior paint which is then provided to participating cities at no cost. Paint can be picked up at the Department of Public Works, 1600 S. Park Road in Hollywood beginning at 8 a.m. Distribution is on a first-come, first-served basis while the City’s supply lasts. To participate, you must provide your current driver’s license with Hollywood address and a current utility bill as proof of Hollywood residency. The paint colors offered are off-white, beige, terracotta, gray, and turquoise.

Commissioner Lazarow, City Manager Dr. Earle, Assistant City Manager Sharon Ragoonan, Deputy Director of our CRA Faith Phinn & the CRA team all joined together and walked the parade route during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

(AHF), Hotspots Magazine/TV and The City Of Hollywood. At the time of this release, additional sponsorships have been secured by Memorial Healthcare System, Prevention 305/Q Care+ and Cleveland Clinic. More sponsorships are in process and will be added to our website as they are confirmed.

Attendees to the 2022 My Hollywood Pride will recall that the Pride 100 Bunch to celebrate The City Of Hollywood’s 100 Score on the HRC Municipal Equality Index (MEI) was held in the morning of the Street Festival; however, for 2023, the Pride will occur on Saturday, January 28th, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The event includes the Presentation of the Annual “Trailblazer Award,” which will be presented to Former Vice Mayor Sabrina Javellana, who grew up in Hollywood and Hallandale Beach. For more information, our Press Release about the Pride 100 Bunch can be found here: https://tinyurl.com /573xtnc7

1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Enjoy My Hollywood Pride’s Signature Street Festival, which includes a number of food vendors with a focus on local Hollywood restaurants and businesses. It will also have live musical entertainment on its Main Stage, hosted by Velvet Lenore, featuring a number of drag queens and artists performing across a range of genres.

1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Anniversary Park will be the site of Kids Zone where face painting, Drag Queen Storytime and other kid-friendly activities will occur. My Hollywood Pride CoHosts include: BIG Pride, Sunserve and The Art And Culture Center Of Hollywood.

1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 20th Avenue (adjacent to Anniversary Park) will be the site of the Youth Zone where teens up to age 19 will be give a safe space to hang out, read “banned books” and enjoy a non-alcoholic Mixology station hosted by Pridelines.

Safe Schools South Florida, Prism and other community organizations will be on hand to

from the around the world and OUTshine’s “Cocktails and Cinema” following the screenings.

6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. The fun at My Hollywood Pride continues with an exciting Tea Dance event at Karma Nightclub in partnership with the Winter Party Festival featuring a worldrenowned DJ and Drag Host.

About My Hollywood Pride developed as the result of advocacy by The Hollywood LGBTQ+ Council on behalf of the voices, perspectives and presence of

In 2022, members of the Hollywood LGBTQ+ Council successfully produced the Inaugural My Hollywood Pride, which was held on January 22nd, 2022. The success of the event led to the incorporation of My Hollywood Pride, Inc. later that year to take over the role of producing this annual event. The Hollywood LGBTQ+ Council continues to be an important Sponsor of My Hollywood Pride.

The 2022 Inaugural “My Hollywood Pride’’ was a tremendous success and the 2023 “My Hollywood Pride” is expected to be even bigger and better. On

Sunday, January 29th, 2023 we will be back on Hollywood Boulevard to greet you for the second edition of this nowannual tradition. And we have chosen the theme “Welcome Home!” to guide us. Over the last couple of years, Florida has been a leader in Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislations and as a result LGBTQ+ people, especially our youth, are the target of unfair and unequal treatment. LGBTQ+ people have long created their own chosen families in the face of adversity and marginalization. With that in mind, we are inviting you to join us as though we were welcoming you back to our home and remind everyone that we are stronger together.

Our mission is to provide a space where everyone is welcome and where you can feel proud to be who you are. And it is in that space where we can laugh, dance and learn together. In 2023, we will continue to provide a place for kids, youth and families to come together and also be a place that invites everyone in to learn more about LGBTQ+ Art and Culture and where you can celebrate.

My Hollywood Pride, Inc. is 501(c)3 Non-Profit as determined by the Internal Revenue Service and is governed by a Board Of Directors that oversees the Pride Committee, which develops programming and activities around the Annual My Hollywood Pride.

For more information about My Hollywood Pride visit: www.MyHollywoodPride.com Or to learn more about The LGBTQ+ Council go to: www.lgbtqcouncil.com Or contact Melissa

Miami Teen Volunteers

Changing The Lives Of Special Needs Kids Simply By Being Their

Dozens of Miami teenagers are helping change the lives of special needs children by simply spending time with them. While special needs children may have the best doctors and therapists, they don’t necessarily have friends and safe places they can go for social interaction. The Friendship Circle of Miami offers a solution to these issues.

The Friendship Circle of Miami is a nonprofit dedicated to offering friendship and acceptance to individuals with special needs, and providing respite to their families. The nonprofit pairs teen and young adult volunteers with kids, teens, and adults with special needs to bond over shared experiences such as art, band, swimming, equestrian and social circles.

Volunteers come from a variety of high schools in the MiamiDade School District.

Samantha Elkins, Sydney Hochstadt, and Jordan McKean are all seniors at Miami Palmetto Senior High School. They have each been volunteers at the Friendship Circle for three years participating in the Friendship Circle Band, and Tween and Teen Scene.

“The kids at Friendship Circle are very kind, smart, and unique in many ways. Getting the privilege to interact and form relationships with them is something that I don’t take for granted. Carrying friendships outside of the designated volunteering hours to text or call and reuniting each week is definitely rewarding. I also like seeing the kids become more confident in themselves and see that they can make friends and they are capable,” says Elkins.

“Through Friendship Circle, I form valuable friendships with people who sadly do not often

experience such,” adds Hochstadt. “The most rewarding aspect of my volunteerism with Friendship Circle is seeing the happiness on my friends’ faces upon first seeing me at every event. It is something I would not trade for the world.”

McKean says, “Seeing their faces light up when they play an instrument or sing a song is an amazing feeling. The most rewarding part of this entire experience has been the ongoing connections I’ve made with my friends.”

About Friendship Circle

The Friendship Circle model involves carefully matching teen volunteers one-to-one with children who have special needs, providing the mentoring and friendship that these children seek. Our model promotes inclusion and builds social and rec-

reational skills among children, teens, and young adults with special needs, regardless of their level of ability. Beginning with a pilot program and handful of children in 2004, they have served hundreds of children with special needs and empowered thousands of teenagers to become community leaders, advocates, and role-models.

The facility they currently operate their 21 programs out of has become insufficient to manage their tremendous growth and lacks the necessary space to introduce new, innovative services they aspire to offer and that families seek.

Under the leadership and direction of their Board of Directors, they are building a state-of-the-art campus. The new Friendship Campus will offer 20,000 square feet of space which will serve as an activity

center, social meeting place, and hub for their network of families, individuals with special needs, volunteers, professional staff, and supporters. The new campus will comprise two main buildings which will include beautiful and engaging activity rooms, lounges, classrooms, and a number of custom rooms. More space will allow them to grow their programs and add specially designed rooms for their participants, which will allow them to add new, innovative programs.

The most powerful force in society is a child with a dream coupled with the knowledge, nurturing and means to achieve that dream. The Friendship Campus is a lifelong dream for children with special needs and their families. They hope you will help them make this dream a reality by joining them to meet

Friends

their $7.5 million goal to develop a beautiful state-of-the-art home for children, for now, and for the future. For more information, visit: friendshipcirclemiami.org

A Night of Hollywood Glam

Friendship Circle of Miami will put on its 4th annual Heart and Soul Gala on Thursday, February 2nd at the Historic Alfred I. duPont Building. The event will treat guests to “A Night of Hollywood Glam” featuring a delectable dinner, live music, entertainers, experiences, and much more. The event will also give community leaders and supporters throughout Miami Dade County the opportunity to unite and celebrate the power of friendship.

The Friendship Circle of Miami: friendshipcirclemiami.org is a volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to offering friendship and acceptance to individuals with special needs, providing respite to their families, and empowering teenagers to make a difference through volunteerism. The nonprofit pairs teen and young adult volunteers with kids, teens, and adults with special needs to bond over shared experiences such as art, band, swimming, equestrian, and social circles. Money raised at the gala will go toward supporting the many programs the Friendship Circle of Miami offers. The nonprofit also recently began development on a 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art community center which will serve as an activity center, social meeting place, and hub for its network of families, individuals with special needs, volunteers, and supporters.

For more information on the Heart and Soul Gala, visit: www.fcheartandsoulgala.org

Robles at: (904) 472-7838.

microwave here. Each kitchen has all the appliances and accessories to cook a gourmet meal and showcase your inner Julia Child. Partipilo commented on the thought process behind this unique hotel concept by stating, “we wanted to appeal to guests who plan to stay for several weeks at a time or the full season by providing them the space and ability to shop for a week’s worth of groceries, cook their own meals and settle into their new home. No one can, or wants, to eat out every night, so it was important for us to provide the most comfortable setting, just like home, except we can offer a white sand beach and ocean as your new backyard.” Mr. Partipilo has thought through every detail when it comes to entertaining, even offering a huge patio and barbeque grill to enjoy a drink or a meal while you watch the sunset.

For those with a flair for adventure, you couldn’t ask for a better location than The Surf.

Located right on Hollywood Beach’s famous Broadwalk, you won’t be lacking for things to do with this ideal location. You can walk the Broadwalk and find dozens of bars, restaurants, and shops to pass the time. Guests can also access the Hollywood Beach shuttle for just $1 and traverse to even more entertainment and adventure with easy hop-on and hop-off service anywhere across town.

The laid-back vibe at The Surf is by design and was carefully planned out to make guests feel that they’re in their own private retreat without the constant monitoring of an overbearing staff. The hotel offers a contactless check-in and checkout process by providing each guest with a special digital access code prior to arrival, enabling guests to arrive and depart at their convenience. While there is not a dedicated staff on site, guests can communicate any questions, special requests or needs via a text messaging app that is monitored 24/7. It’s the whiteglove concierge service for the 21st century.

While The Surf is a 5-star luxury boutique hotel, it offers many affordable rate plans, including deeper discounts for stays lasting a week, a month, or an entire season. Guests are encouraged to book direct at: www.thesurfhollywoodbeach.com where they will receive a 20% direct book discount for all stays. “Our mission has always been to offer the best discounts when guests book directly with us. This way guests don’t have to pay excessive processing fees and service charges like they do when booking on: Expedia.com or Booking.com,” Partipilo noted.

The Surf is very easy to find and has something truly creative that allows this hotel to stand out from the rest.

A thirty-five-foot flamingo. Curated by renowned artist, Nathaly Diaz, the flamingo mural was spray painted over an arduous 5-day period. Perched atop a wrought iron scaffold, Nathaly poured her literal blood, sweat and tears into the project. Partipilo discussed how lucky he was to have Nathaly as the

The newly reopened Surf Hollywood Beach celebrated their grand opening on December 29th with guests, friends, family and fabulous food

Located just a few steps from the famed Hollywood Boardwalk, The Surf offers guests the convenience and proximity of a beachside bungalow with the features and amenities of a boutique hotel

Local artist Nathaly Diaz, owner of Colectivo Creativo, created the beautiful Flamingo Mural

The Surf is ideally situated for guests looking to jump right into the local scene

resident artist, “I’ve known about Nathaly for years and love her work. It’s creative, fun and ties in seamlessly with the surroundings of the structures she uses for her canvas. We absolutely love the finished product and hope visitors, and guests alike can enjoy the flamingo.” For those

curious about Nathaly’s work, we encourage you to follow her on Instagram at: @nvt.art or: www.nvtart.com.

We commend Mr. Partipilo, who is now a full-time resident of Hollywood Beach, for his work and dedication to owning a local business in the community. We

asked Mr. Partipilo, who has to each community. I love that

Six Ways To Build Lasting Healthy Habits

(Family Features)

Starting on a path toward healthy habits is often easier than maintaining them long term. This year, you can avoid a major pitfall of healthy resolutions and build healthy habits that stick by working small, positive steps into your daily life.

In fact, healthy habits are the first suggested treatment strat egy for people whose Blood Pressure and Cholesterol are creeping higher than normal, according to an American Heart Association scientific statement.

“The current guidelines for managing high blood pressure and cholesterol recognize that otherwise healthy individuals with mildly or moderately elevated levels of these cardiovascular risk factors should actively attempt to reduce these risks, and increasing physical activity is a great place to start,” said Bethany Barone Gibbs, Ph.D., chair of the statement writing group and chair of the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at West Virginia University School of Public Health.

These six ideas from the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good Habit Coach can help.

Best Common Habit-Building Myths

You may be surprised to learn the truth about creating and

sticking to healthy habits. One myth is getting healthy means doing things you don’t like. Research shows positive emotions make habits stick, so set your intentions on something you enjoy. Another misconception is that big results require big changes, which may lead to overly ambitious habits. However, the simpler the routine is, the more likely it is to become a habit.

Work with Your “Brain Loops”

Your brain creates “loops” for habits made up of three things: a cue, a routine and a reward. Each time the loop is repeated, it becomes more routine and may become automatic. Knowing this, you can design cues for

developing new, healthy habits, such as setting walking shoes by the bed to start a walking habit. The routine is putting on the shoes and walking around the block, and the reward is the pleasant sensations and brighter mood from a morning stroll.

Build A Routine That Supports Your Goals

Positive and consistent habits are important to achieve your personal goals. Small habits done consistently can add up to big results. To create a new healthy habit, think through the steps that could lead to your desired outcome. Ask yourself whether you want to do it, if it’s easy and if it’s high impact. It’s important to choose habits that

make a difference and move you closer to your goals.

For example, if one of your goals is improving your heart health, a meaningful habit might be to move more. Increasing physical activity can help lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol along with many other health benefits, Gibbs said.

“Every little bit of activity is better than none,” she said.

“Even small initial increases of 510 minutes a day can yield health benefits.”

Create Cues That Work for You

Most successful health habits begin with a cue. The cue can be external in your environment or internal in terms of your mindset. The more consistent the cue, the

more likely it is to trigger the habit. Hacking your brain’s reminder system can help you remember your cue. Some examples of visual cues are placing a sticky note where you’ll see it often, keeping a water bottle on your desk or refrigerating fresh veggies at eye level.

Use Rewards to Make Habits Stick Start by choosing a habit you enjoy that’s rewarding by itself. If you’re more of a dancer than runner, increase your physical activity with an upbeat dance class. You might also look for a more enjoyable version of a new habit, such as getting more fruits and veggies by sipping on a delicious smoothie.

Understand Resets are Part of the Process

New habits are experiments. If they don’t stick, you haven’t failed. Instead, you’ve learned what doesn’t work, which is useful. Get curious and ask yourself which part of the habit didn’t work for you. Maybe the cue was ineffective. Maybe the steps of the routine were too ambitious and you need to split them into smaller, easier steps. If you realize you don’t enjoy the habit, try something else.

Find more inspiration and ideas to jumpstart healthy habits this year at: www.heart.org/habits

Tobacco-Free ‘23: Three Reasons Why This Is The Year To Quit For Good

While Tobacco use has been declining for decades, 14.7% of Florida residents still smoke and Tobacco is the leading cause of death and disease in the state.

Through the new “Tobacco-Free ‘23” campaign, the American Lung Association in Florida is sharing key reasons why 2023 is the year to quit Tobacco, as well as sharing tips and resources.

“Each year, quitting smoking is listed as one of the top New Year’s resolutions. While quitting smoking is extremely difficult, it is possible. In fact, it typically takes a person 8-10 attempts to quit smoking for good, which is why we call it a journey,” said Janelle Hom, Executive Director, American Lung Association. “It is important to have support during this process, including family, friends and your doctor, to help keep you on the right path.”

Here are three important reasons why 2023 is the year to start your journey to become Tobacco-free:

1. Your Health:

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in Florida, killing 32,300 people each year.

Currently, 16 million Americans live with a tobacco-related disease. While it’s best to quit as early as possible, quitting Tobacco use at any age will enhance the length and quality of your life.

2.

FDA is Preparing to End Sales of Menthol Cigarettes:

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration FDA is in the process of finalizing rules to end the sale of Menthol Cigarettes and flavored Cigars in the U.S. If you use one of these Tobacco Products, this is an optimal time to begin your quit journey. In fact, after Canada stopped selling Menthol Cigarettes in 2017, the country saw an increase in quit attempts and cessation among people who smoked Menthols.

3. Be An Inspiration!

Last year, the American Lung Association relaunched the “Super Stoppers Club” with Award-Winning Journalist Bob Levey to celebrate people who have quit smoking for good and inspire those who are trying to quit. Read inspiring quit stories and submit your own at: www.Lung.org/Super-Stoppers

*Bonus: If your New Year’s Resolution is to save money, quitting smoking can save you between $2,230-$4,360 annually.

Here are some of the tips and resources the American Lung Association recommends to successfully quit Tobacco:

• Lung Helpline: Not sure where to start? Call the Lung Association’s free Lung Helpline and Tobacco Quitline at: 1 (800) LUNGUSA 1 (800) 586-4872, which is staffed with Licensed Registered Nurses, Respiratory Therapists and Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialists.

• Talk to your healthcare provider: Talking to a healthcare provider about your plan to quit smoking is an important step. With your doctor’s help, you can include cessation medication into your Tobacco treatment plan, which can double your chances of quitting successfully. There are seven FDA-Approved medications that have been helpful for others and are proven to help you quit.

• Get help from a proven resource: The American Lung Association offers resources to help adults and teens to quit all Tobacco products, including:

• Freedom From Smoking® helps individuals create their own unique quit plan, as well as tips and techniques to stay successful in the long run. Freedom From Smoking can be accessed online, at a group class and through a self-guided workbook. Those looking to quit smoking are encouraged to use the method that works best for their learning style, schedule and unique quit Tobacco use plan.

• Not-On-Tobacco® (N-O-T) is a teen smoking/chewing/vaping cessation

program for teens who want to quit. The 10-session program provides the tools, information, and support for teens to end their addiction to Tobacco. Teens can participate in NOT in-person, virtually or online at: www.NOTforMe.org

• Quit. Don’t Switch. E-Cigarettes are Tobacco products,and the FDA has not found any E-Cigarette to be safe and effective in helping smokers quit. Switching to E-Cigarettes does not mean quitting. Quitting means ending your addiction to Nicotine.

STP Recovery Plan: Processing Loss & Dealing With Recovery

This morning there was an upheaval in my home. I have two adult daughters home for the holidays and one of them has children. Unfortunately, my daughter miscarried two weeks ago. Our hearts are broken and she is devastated. As I was talking to her this morning about everyone getting along, she teared up and said, “Mom, I’m the one that lost a baby last week and everyone acts as though nothing has happened. No one even talks about it.”

Wow, what a kick in the pants. It is true that everyone has avoided the subject of her losing the baby, partly because it has been a holiday and we all wanted to celebrate without the trauma of loss. Mostly; however, we were wanting to shield our grandchildren from their pain. This is their third lost sibling. My grandson, who is their first surviving child, takes the loss of a sibling very traumatically. He was devastated by the loss and of course, the adults in our family were trying to shield him from further pain. Unfortunately, protecting our grandson increases the pain his mother suffers.

After my daughter said those words to me this morning, I felt terrible. The new baby will be buried here at the funeral home beside his brother or at the cemetery in the same grave as

my mother. My daughter and her husband have not made a final decision yet. Tonight, my family will have a family gathering. We will pray, sing songs, play games, hear a devotional and enjoy dessert together. Our devotion tonight will be centered on our newest loss. My daughter has asked me to say a few words about miscarriage to help her family process their loss and begin their recovery.

I will give them a little plan to help them. I call it my STP oil tip. When I was a young girl, I used to ride motorcycles with my dad. After our rides, my dad would maintenance check his bike. If it needed oil, he would add STP brand oil. I have always remembered this as a special time and memory from my childhood.

I will suggest that my daughter and her family use STP oil as their healing plan.

S: SAY HIS NAME

Saying the name of the decedent helps the family to validate the existence and importance of their loved one. It gives them confidence that their loved one matters and will not be forgotten.

T: TRADITION

It is important that the family incorporate a tradition that commemorates their loved one. This tradition can be something that was important to the decedent or something that reminds you of the decedent. In the case of a miscarriage, a yearly tradition might be to donate to miscarriage research, revisit the baby’s

sonogram images by sending out words of encouragement on special image cards

dition. Another might be to buy a beautiful baby outfit and give it to a newborn within your circle of friends and family.

P: PRAYER

Prayer is the most effective and rewarding proactive thing you can do for yourself after a loss. Asking the powers of heaven to lift your sadness and replace it with peace is a blessing you can give yourself. Asking and relying on Christ to lift your burdens and help you find your way back to living, trusting, feeling and loving is a glorious gift

he offers each of us.

If you have suffered a loss this holiday season, my heart and prayers go out to you. If you would attempt to follow this STP plan for recovery, I would hope that you might find comfort in it. Recovery does not mean that we forget our loved ones. Indeed, recovery means that we reconcile our hearts to a place where we can move our lost loved one from a living participant in life to a loving memory.

Losing another grandchild breaks my heart, but for my daughter, it is devastating. I ask the Lord’s blessing upon her and her sweet family during this tragic time in their lives. If you have suffered a recent loss, I ask the same for you.

God be with you.

My name is Tracy Renee Lee. I am a Certified Grief Counselor GC-C, Funeral Director FDIC, Published Author, Syndicated Columnist, Podcaster and founder of the “Mikey Joe Children’s Memorial” and Heaven Sent, Corp. I write books, weekly bereavement articles, Podcasts and Grief BRIEFs related to understanding and coping with grief. I am the American Funeral Director of the Year Runner-Up and recipient of the BBB’s Integrity Award.

It is my life’s work to comfort the bereaved and help them live

to those who loved the baby or perhaps visit his burial place. There are infinite options for a miscarriage tra-

By Tracy Renee Lee - Certified Grief Counselor

Positive and consistent habits are important to achieve your personal goals.

The American Lung Association encourages people who use tobacco to make a resolution to quit in 2023, provides tips and resources

Meatless Meals Made Easy

Regardless of your motivation, opting for meatless meals regularly provides plenty of benefits that extend from the health of you and your loved ones to your wallet and the environment. Whether

out measuring or the mess, the fluffy, nutty, non-GMO rice is free of MSG and preservatives, lending itself perfectly to satisfying and hearty meals like these Baked Vegetarian Taquitos. Or for a twist

Black Beans, drained & rinsed

pureé

Tablespoons of Taco Seasoning

Flour Tortillas (6 inches each)

Cup of Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

Tablespoons olive oil

Sour Cream, for dipping

Salsa, for dipping

Guacamole, for dipping

Fresh Cilantro, for garnish

Prepare rice according to package directions; add collard greens and corn to water during the last 5 minutes. Preheat the oven to 450 F. Drain rice and vegetables; transfer to the saucepan. Stir in black beans, pumpkin pureé and taco seasoning.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Servings: 6

• 2 Bags of Success Tri-Color Quinoa

• 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil

• 2 Garlic cloves, chopped

• 1/2 Cup of Onion, chopped

• 1 Cup of Mushrooms, sliced

• 4 Cups of Baby Spinach leaves

• 3 Cups of Tomato sauce

• 2 Cups of Ricotta cheese

• 1 Egg, lightly beaten

• 1/2 Cup of grated Parmesan cheese, divided

• 1 Tablespoon of Italian Seasoning

• 1.5 Cups of shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided

Prepare Quinoa according to package directions.

Preheat the oven to 375 F.

you’re a vegetarian, vegan, considering making some lifestyle changes or just want to give an on-trend meal prep strategy a try, going meatless can help reduce your intake of red and processed meats, decrease greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change and save money on substitute ingredients like grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes that are often cheaper than meat. For example, starting with a versatile pantry staple like Success Brown Rice can make mealtimes quick and easy. Ready in just 10 minutes with-

on a classic dish, Tri-Color Quinoa can be layered with traditional flavors in this Mushroom Spinach “Lasagna.” Packed with protein and all nine essential amino acids, the quinoa is a good source of fiber.

To find more meatless meal inspiration, visit: www.SuccessRice.com

Baked Vegetarian Taquitos

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 4

Spoon 1/3 cup rice mixture into the center of one tortilla; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons Monterey Jack cheese. Roll up tightly. Place seam side down on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas, filling and cheese. Brush taquitos with olive oil; sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake 10-15 minutes, or until tortillas are crisp and cheese is melted.

Serve taquitos with sour cream, salsa and guacamole for dipping. Garnish with fresh cilantro.

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onions; saute 1 minute. Add mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce and keep warm.

In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.

Place 1 cup sauce in the bottom of a 2quart baking dish. Spread half of the Quinoa evenly over the sauce. Top with half of the Ricotta mixture. Top with 1 cup sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup Mozzarella. Repeat layers, finishing with remaining Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Serve warm.

Better-For-You Family Meals

(Family Features)

Setting out on a mission to eat healthier starts with creating goals and working to achieve them with those you love. To help make nutritious eating more manageable, call together your family and work with one another to create a menu everyone can enjoy while staying on track.

Connecting an array of recipes that all can agree on starts with versatile ingredients like dairy. Gathering at the table with your loved ones while enjoying delicious, nutritious recipes featuring yogurt, cheese and milk can nourish both body and soul. For example, the key dairy ingredients in these recipes from Milk Means More provide essential nutrients for a healthy diet. The cheese varieties in Feta Roasted Salmon and Tomatoes and 15-Minute Weeknight Pasta provide vitamin B12 for healthy brain and nerve cell development and are a good source of calcium and protein, which are important for building and maintaining healthy bones.

Preheat the oven to 425 F. Line an 18by-13-by-1-inch baking pan with foil. Lightly spray foil with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. In a medium bowl, toss tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, oregano or dill weed, salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Place fish pieces, skin side down, on one side of the prepared pan. Sprinkle it with remaining pepper. Lightly press Feta cheese on top of fish. Pour tomato mixture on the other side of the prepared pan. Bake, uncovered, for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Place Salmon on serving plates. Spoon tomato mixture over top.

Bring water to a rolling boil and prepare pasta according to package directions for al dente texture, reserving 1 cup pasta water.

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in onions, carrots and sweet bell peppers. Saute vegetables for about 5 minutes, or until they brighten in color and begin to soften. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper and garlic. Cook and stir for 1 minute to allow tomatoes to release juices.

Pour reserved pasta water into the skillet, stirring well. Bring sauce to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 3 minutes. Taste sauce and adjust seasonings, as desired.

Transfer drained pasta to skillet along with lemon zest and smoked Provolone cheese, tossing well to coat. Serve immediately with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Mushroom Spinach “Lasagna”

Baked Vegetarian Taquitos

Mushroom Spinach “Lasagna”

Feta Roasted Salmon and Tomatoes 15-Minute Weeknight Pasta

Attention High School Students

Scholarship Application

Available For Local High School Seniors

The Hallandale Community Council Scholarship Fund has recognized the achievements of hundreds of Hallandale Beach resident high school graduates with financial awards ranging from $100 to $5,000 each, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. In 1960, Mrs. Chester Norteman attended Class Night at South Broward High School and was disappointed when not one civic or service organization from Hallandale Beach appeared on the stage to present an award to a Hallandale student. Mother of a graduate, she realized how much an award of even $100 (then) would mean to a student planning to work their way through college. To arouse interest in scholarships, she wrote to the organizations in town saying “discuss it, give it some thought and perhaps, take some action.”

In September 1960, S. Lee Crouch, President of the Hallandale Beach Area Chamber

of Commerce, urged by Ross Amos, invited all Hallandale civic and service organizations to form a Council of their Presidents or Representatives to serve as a clearinghouse for community projects and a vehicle for coop erative action. At the October meeting of the newly formed Hallandale Community Council, Ernie Pinto, Kiwanis representative, suggested scholarships as a Council project. After meeting with Frank Schwall, Guidance Counselor at South Broward High School, the Council named its first Scholarship Fund Committee: Charles Knorr, Edna Norteman, Betty Sapienza, Theresa Wipple and Chairman Pinto. Donations from twelve organizations netted $400 that year and the first award was presented by President Ernie Pinto to Richard Sullivan on June 7, 1961.

Since then, the Hallandale Community Council Scholarship

Fund (as it was known) has recognized the achievements and promises of hundreds of Hallandale Beach resident graduates with financial awards and plaques to Honor Cord Graduates (many who do not have a need for financial assistance).

Students apply for scholarships through the aid of the Guidance Counselors at their own schools. In turn, the Counselors provide the Committee with additional information, cumulative average, extracurricular activities, results of achievement, aptitude and college entrance tests. The

choice of school is left to the student, but the Committee requires that his or her application be accepted and the student enrolled, before any funds are disbursed. Scholarship students have attended local community colleges, state and private universities across the country (including Harvard) and such foreign universities as Universidad de las Americas and Columbus International in Spain. Some students also receive financial help for continued studies in vocational/trade schools.

Usually, scholarships are for the first year of advanced edu-

cation. If a student proves to be good college material during his or her first year, supplemental financial assistance is available to continue.

In 2009, the Hallandale Community Council Scholarship Fund, Inc. became the Hallandale Scholarship Fund, Inc. and continues to provide scholarship awards to graduating residents of Hallandale Beach in area high schools.

Scholarship applications are now being accepted, qualification and application requirements are available at: https://www .hallandalescholarshipfund.org

contact: (954) 454-9070 or e-mail: hallandalescholarshipfund@gmail.com

Since 1961 hundreds of thousands of dollars have been awarded to deserving students