Sun Times Issue 04 20 23

Fiscal Insanity

The Government Borrows

$6 Billion A Day And We’re Stuck With The Bill

The U.S. Ranks As The 12th Most Indebted Nation In The World

We’re not living the American dream.

We’re living a financial night mare.

The U.S. Government is fund ing its existence with a credit card. The government - and that includes the current administration - is spending money it doesn’t have on programs it can’t afford and “we the taxpayers” are the ones being forced to foot the bill for the government’s fiscal insanity.

According to the number crunchers with the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the government is borrowing roughly $6 Billion a day.

As the Editorial Board for the Washington Post warns:

“The nation has reached a hazardous moment where what it owes, as a percentage of the total size of the economy, is the highest since World War II. If nothing changes, the United States will soon be in an uncharted scenario that weakens its national security, imperils its ability to invest in the future, unfairly burdens generations to come and will require cuts to critical programs such as Social

Fiscal Insanity, Page 5A

With 11 home stores at one address, Gulfstream Park Village offers shoppers endless interior design inspiration. On Saturday, May 6, from 1-3 p.m., Gulfstream Park Village will host a Meet & Greet event with South Florida Celebrity Interior Design Expert and Television Personality Martin Amado. The event, hosted at Crate & Barrel, will provide guests with inspiration, ideas and tips from Martin, as well as an opportunity to browse furniture, accessories and housewares in a relaxed setting. Guests can enjoy refreshments and bring mom for a fun afternoon of shopping

ahead of Mother’s Day. The first 250 guests will receive a ticket to enter to win a $500 gift certificate to Crate & Barrel at Gulfstream Park Village where the winner, who must be present at the time of the drawing, will be chosen by Martin himself. The event is free and open to the public.

For those who want to double up on their luck, the Gulfstream Park Village Home Shopping Spree offers guests a chance to win the grand prize of $3,500. Running April 3 – May 7, the winner will be announced on or before May 31 and will receive

gift cards or a $3,500 credit to use at all 11 participating home stores at Gulfstream Park Village where Martin Amado will personally accompany them to shop. From Williams Sonoma to The Container Store, Pottery Barn, West Elm, Todel, Z Gallerie and many others, there is something for every taste and budget. For more information and to enter the giveaway, please visit: gulfstreampark.com/giveaway.

FREE CONE DAY: MAY 17TH

In addition to 11 home stores

Gulfstream Park, Page 7A

David Schaecter was born in Czechoslovakia in 1929 in April 1940, his father was taken to Auschwitz and a year later, he and the rest of his family were

“We all had one thing in common and that was death,” said Miami resident David Schaecter, recalling his unfathomable experience as an 11-year-old at the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. Now, at 93, the Miami resident will take an emotional trip back to where his entire family was murdered during an exclusive “Holocaust to Independence” mission, hosted by Friends of the IDF (FIDF), from Wednesday, April 19th, 2023 - Thursday, April 27th, 2023 on the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of the State Of Israel. This time, Schaecter will be entering the gates of Auschwitz with protectors of the Jewish people, a delegation of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Officers.

“Upon witnessing my mother and sisters walk towards an open pit in the ground, I asked my brother, ‘why?’ He replied, ‘the world is standing still and doesn’t care,’” said Schaecter. “I feel that I must continue to share my story with others in order to make them understand the enor-

Auschwitz, Page 4A

Its Time Has Come: The New Young Circle In Hollywood

Todel Lighting and Flooring

BoConcept

Crate & Barrel

Martin Amado

By John & Nisha Whitehead

mity of the Holocaust. We must continue to fight Anti-Semitism so that atrocities against the Jewish people stop once and for all.”

Schaecter, accompanied by fellow Holocaust Survivor Ben Midler, will join more than 80 Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) supporters from across the country, alongside a delegation of IDF soldiers, as they embark on an incredible nine-day journey of remembrance and renewal, in Poland and Israel. “From Holocaust to Independence” will bring Jewish history to life, from its darkest moments to the most triumphant, culminating in Israel’s 75th Independence Day. The Mission is part of FIDF’s Witnesses in Uniform Program, which offers soldiers a first-hand look at the unfathomable horrors of the Holocaust, leading to a new, profound understanding of their Jewish identity and heritage.

One of the founders of the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach and The March Of The Living, Schaecter has made it his life’s mission to keep the memories of the six million Jews murdered alive. As the number of survivors continues to dwindle,

Schaecter says, he considers his extraordinary vigor a gift that allows him to continue telling his story to a new generation of young people. “I look in their eyes and tell them three things: No. 1, they need to hear me; No. 2, they need to understand and No. 3, the most important, I need them to be my mouthpiece when I am no longer here.” A film was produced in 2018 about his life, “A Call To Remember: The David Schaecter Story” and recently, hours of his story were recorded for an interactive exhibit slated to open in a museum in Boston in 2025.

Schaecter was born in Czechoslovakia in 1929 in the Tokai Mountains area close to the Czech / Hungarian border. In April 1940, his father was taken to Auschwitz and a year later, he and the rest of his family were also sent to Auschwitz. All 105 members of his family perished. He arrived in the United States in January 1950 at the age of 20 and registered at the University Of Colorado in Boulder. He later transferred to UCLA and graduated with a Degree in Industrial Engineering. A British-American family hired him to develop and grow two different branches of their business. They eventually trans ferred him to Miami in 1956. After two years in Miami, Schaecter started his own company and found great success. He

has been married to his second wife, Sydney, since 2005. He has two adult children, five adult grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The upcoming mission will begin in Krakow, Poland and participants will visit the Auschwitz Concentration Camp, where more than one million people were systematically starved, tortured and murdered between 1941-1945. They will visit the Zbylitowska Gora Village and Buczyna Forest to retrace the steps where more than 800 children were executed by the Nazis, and continue to the Kupa Synagogue, the Jewish Quarter in the Old City Of Krakow and on to the Krakow Jewish Ghetto.

The group will then fly to Israel where they will have the opportunity to attend the National Memorial Ceremony dedicated to fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism at the Kotel with state officials including Israel’s President and the IDF Chief of Staff. The group will visit IDF bases, meet soldiers serving on Israel’s front lines and commanders in elite units, commemorate Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror and to celebrate Israel’s 75th Independence Day with those who ensure Israel’s safety and its future existence.

“During this historic mission on Israel’s

75th Anniversary, we’ll celebrate the story of Jewish courage – from near annihilation to the triumph of establishing the State Of Israel,” said Steve Weil CEO Of FIDF. “When we march tall and proud through the gates of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Camps, together with Holocaust Survivors, FIDF supporters and Israeli officers in uniform, gratefully flying the Israeli flag, we will send a clear message: We are here, we will never forget and we will do whatever we must do to protect our country and our people to guarantee – Never Again.”

Friends Of The Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) FIDF was established in 1981 by a group of Holocaust Survivors as a 501(C)(3) Not-For-Profit Organization with the mission of transforming the lives of the young men and women of the IDF who protect Israel and Jews worldwide through empowering educational, financial, well-being and cultural initiatives. With 24 chapters throughout the United States, FIDF proudly supports soldiers before, during and after their service, as well as families of fallen soldiers and wounded veterans, reinforcing the vital bond between the communities in the United States and the soldiers of the IDF. For more info, please visit: www.fidf.org

Theater Up Close

Putting Audiences In The Middle Of The Action

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is proud to announce its lineup for the 20232024 THEATER UP CLOSE Season, created in collaboration with Zoetic Stage and City Theatre. This Season’s Theater Up Close Series returns with five extraordinary productions that put audiences in the middle of the action, including two world premieres and two regional premieres that reflect some of Miami’s diverse cultures.

“The 2023-2024 Season Of Theater Up Close promises to engage audiences with thought-provoking pieces of theater that are sure to resonate with the South Florida community by telling nuanced, thoughtful stories that are poignant and relevant,” said Liz Wallace, Vice President Of Programming for The Arsht Center. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with Zoetic Stage and City Theatre as they bring these important stories to the forefront.”

“Zoetic Stage celebrates its 14th Season with a curated collection of programming filled with thoughtfully crafted storytelling, laughter, provocative themes, two world-premiere plays and a timely reimagined classic musical. This Season, I hope to celebrate friendship and family (in all of its forms) with a reminder that at the end of the day, it’s our shared experiences that make life worth living,” said Zoetic Stage Artistic Director Stuart Meltzer. “As always, we are thrilled to continue our arts partnership with The Arsht Center and anchor The Theatre Up-Close

Series.”

City Theatre’s Artistic Director Margaret M. Ledford said, “As Artistic Director, I am honored to present the Miami premiere of ‘La Gringa,’ an enduring and resonant classic from distinguished Playwright Carmen Rivera. Through the lens of a New York born woman with Puerto Rican roots, we experience the universal journey of identity and belonging. It is a funny, affirming story with family at its heart.”

Tickets

Five-Show Subscription Packages are available now starting at the Early Bird Rate of $195* until Monday, May 15th, 2023. Starting Tuesday, May 16th, 2023, Packages start at $220. Subscriptions can be purchased now through The Adrienne Arsht Center Box Office by calling: (305) 949-6722. Or online at: www.arshtcenter.org Tickets for individual performances will be announced at a later date.

The lineup for the 2023-2024 THEATER UP CLOSE Series includes the following: CLYDE’S Zoetic Stage and Adrienne Arsht Center present CLYDE’S – Regional Premiere, by Lynn Nottage and Directed by Stuart Meltzer, Thursday, November 2nd, 2023 - Sunday, November 19th, 2023.

“Fast-paced and uproariously funny, ‘Clyde’s’ is a spicy feast for the senses.” – Chicago Sun-Times

In CLYDE’S, a truck-stop sandwich shop offers its formerly incarcerated kitchen staff a shot at redemption. Even as the shop’s callous owner tries to keep them down, the staff members learn to reclaim their lives, find purpose and become inspired to dream by their shared quest to create the perfect sandwich.

CLYDE’S was written by Two-Time Pulitzer Prize-Winning Playwright Lynn Nottage (Mlima’s Tale, MJ The Musical). She is the first and remains the only woman to have won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice.

LA GRINGA City Theatre and Adrienne Arsht Center Present, LA GRINGA – Miami Premiere, by Carmen Rivera, Thursday, November 30th, 2023 - Sunday, December 17th, 2023. “90 minutes of laughter” - The New York Times Winner of the Obie Award, OffBroadway’s highest honor, Carmen

Rivera’s LA GRINGA is a poignant comedy about a young woman’s search for identity. Maria Elena Garcia visits her family in Puerto Rico during the Christmas holidays and plans to connect with her homeland. Although this is her first trip to Puerto Rico, she has an intense love for the island. She even majored in Puerto Rican studies in college. Once Maria is in Puerto Rico, she realizes that Puerto Rico does not welcome her with open arms. The majority of Puerto Ricans on the island consider her an American — a gringa — and Maria considers this a betrayal. If she’s a Puerto Rican in the United States and an American in Puerto Rico, Maria concludes that she is nobody everywhere. Her uncle, Manolo, teaches her that identity isn’t based on superficial and external definitions, but is an essence she has had all along in her heart.

City Theatre’s production of LA GRINGA, currently the longest-running Spanish-Language production OffBroadway, is presented in English with Spanish supertitles and is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

WICKED CHILD Zoetic Stage and Adrienne Arsht Center Present, WICKED CHILD – World Premiere, by David Rosenberg and directed by Stuart Meltzer, Thursday, January 11th, 2024 - Sunday, January 28th, 2024.

When Ben leaves his lucrative associate’s job at a New York law firm to join The Israeli Defense Force, his secular Jewish family must reexamine its positions toward The State Of Israel and their Jewish identity. Originally workshopped at Zoetic Stage’s Finstrom Festival of New Work in 2022, WICKED CHILD is a play about whether political belief can destroy familial bonds and how much we owe to our community.

CABARET Zoetic Stage and Adrienne Arsht Center Present CABARET, a Book by Joe Masteroff, based on the Play by John Van Druten, and Stories by Christopher Isherwood. The Music was composed by John Kander with Lyrics by Fred Ebb and Directed by Stuart Meltzer. The performances will be held Thursday, March 14th, 2023 - Sunday, April 7th, 2024.

The Tony Award-Winner for Best Musical (1967) and Best Musical Revival (1998) returns to Miami with South Florida-based Actress Lindsey Corey starring as Sally Bowles. An audience favorite, Corey won a Carbonell Award for her role in Zoetic Stage’s Stripped, which was part of the Theater Up Close Series. As the 1920’s draw to a close in Berlin, a garish master of ceremonies assures his audi-

ence that they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. With the emcee’s bawdy songs as wry commentary, CABARET explores the dark, heady and tumultuous

life of Berlin’s natives and expatriates as Germany yields to the emerging Third Reich.

Cliff, a young American writer newly arrived in Berlin, is immediately taken with English Singer Sally Bowles. Meanwhile, Fräulein Schneider, proprietor of Cliff and Sally’s Boarding House, tentatively begins a romance with Herr Schultz, a mildmannered fruit seller who happens to be Jewish. Musical numbers include “Willkommen,” “Cabaret,” “Don’t Tell Mama” and “Two Ladies.”

CUBAN CHICKEN SOUP WHEN THERE’S NO MORE CAFÉ

Zoetic Stage and Adrienne Arsht Center Present, CUBAN CHICKEN SOUP WHEN THERE’S NO MORE CAFÉ – World Premiere, by Elena Maria Garcia and Stuart Meltzer, Thursday, May 2nd, 2024Sunday, May 19th, 2024.

From the creators of megahit ¡FUÁCATA! A Latina’s Guide to Surviving The Universe – which sold out twice at the Arsht Center when it premiered in 2017 and returned in 2018 - comes the next chapter in Elena’s life as her world takes unexpected twists and turns. With everything upside down, Elena has the strength and wisdom of her mother, daughters and a slew of strong, vibrant and unapologetic Miami women to nurture her soul with Cuban Chicken Soup, sisterhood and lots of laughter.

All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Additional fees may apply. For up-to-date information, visit: www.arshtcenter.org

Security and Medicare. It is not a future anyone wants.”

Let’s talk numbers, shall we?

The national debt (the amount the federal government has borrowed over the years and must pay back) is $31 Trillion and will grow another $19 Trillion by 2033. That translates to roughly $246,000 per taxpayer or $94,000 for every single person in the country.

The bulk of that debt has been amassed over the past two decades, thanks in large part to the fiscal shenanigans of four presidents, 10 sessions of Congress and two wars.

It’s estimated that the amount this country owes is now 130% greater than its gross domestic product (all the products and services produced in one year by labor and property supplied by the citizens).

In other words, the government is spending more than it brings in. The U.S. ranks as the 12th most indebted nation in the world, with much of that debt owed to the Federal Reserve, large investment funds and foreign governments, namely, Japan and China.

Interest payments on the national debt are estimated to top $395 Billion this year, which is significantly more than the government spends on Veterans’ benefits and services, according to Pew Research Center, more than it will spend on elementary and secondary education, disaster relief, agriculture, science and space programs, foreign aid, natural resources and environmental protection combined.

In ten years, those interest payments will exceed our entire military budget.

We’ve been sold a bill of goods by politicians promising to pay down the national debt, jumpstart the economy, rebuild our infrastructure, secure our borders, ensure our security and make us all healthy, wealthy and happy.

None of that has come to pass, and yet we’re still being loaded down with debt not of our

own making while the government remains unrepentant, unfazed and undeterred in its wanton spending.

Indeed, the national deficit (the difference between what the government spends and the revenue it takes in) remains at more than $1.5 Trillion.

If Americans managed their personal finances the way the government mismanages the nation’s finances, we’d all be in debtors’ prison by now.

Despite the government propaganda being peddled by the politicians and news media, however, the government isn’t spending our tax dollars to make our lives better.

We’re being robbed blind so the governmental elite can get richer.

In the eyes of the government, “we the people, the voters, the consumers, and the taxpayers” are little more than pocketbooks waiting to be picked.

“We the people” have become the new, permanent underclass in America.

Consider: The government can seize your home and your car (which you’ve bought and paid for) over nonpayment of

taxes. Government agents can freeze and seize your bank accounts and other valuables if they merely “suspect” wrongdoing and the IRS insists on getting the first cut of your salary to pay for government programs over which you have no say.

We have no real say in how the government runs, or how our taxpayer funds are used, but we’re being forced to pay through the nose, anyhow.

We have no real say, but that doesn’t prevent the government from fleecing us at every turn and forcing us to pay for endless wars that do more to fund the military industrial complex than protect us, pork barrel projects that produce little to nothing and a police state that serves only to imprison us within its walls.

If you have no choice, no voice and no real options when it comes to the government’s claims on your property and your money, you’re not free.

While we’re struggling to get by and making tough decisions about how to spend what little money actually makes it into our pockets after the federal, state and local governments take their share (this doesn’t include the

stealth taxes imposed through tolls, fines and other fiscal penalties), the government continues to do whatever it likes - levy taxes, rack up debt, spend outrageously and irresponsiblywith little thought for the plight of its citizens.

This is no way of life.

There was a time in our history when our forebears said “enough is enough” and stopped paying their taxes to what they considered an illegitimate government. They stood their ground and refused to support a system that was slowly choking out any attempts at selfgovernance and which refused to be held accountable for its crimes against the people. Their resistance sowed the seeds for the revolution that would follow.

Unfortunately, in the 200-plus years since we established our own government, we’ve let bankers, turncoats and numbercrunching bureaucrats muddy the waters and pilfer the accounts to such an extent that we’re back where we started.

But what if we didn’t just pull out our pocketbooks and pony up to the federal government’s outrageous demands for more

money?

What if we didn’t just dutifully line up to drop our hard-earned dollars into the collection bucket, no questions asked about how it will be spent?

What if, instead of quietly sending in our tax checks, hoping vainly for some meager return, we did a little calculation of our own and started deducting from our taxes those programs that we refuse to support?

As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, if we don’t have the right to decide what happens to our hard-earned cash, then we don’t have any rights at all.

Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an Attorney and Author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Popular Culture. John Whitehead’s Commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org. Informa tion about The Rutherford Institute is available at: www.ruther ford.org

at one address, Gulfstream Park Village also features a number of top dining destinations. This spring, fan favorite Häagen-Dazs is pleased to announce the return of its Free Cone Day promotion with a Carnaval theme. This highly anticipated event will take place on Wednesday, May 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. Locals and visitors alike are invited to enjoy one free mini cone or cup with the ice cream flavor of their choice. In past events, HäagenDazs at Gulfstream Park Village has served over 4,225 scoops and was the number one store in the country to participate in Free Cone Day. This year, the Gulfstream Park shop is the only store in the country to offer this exciting promotion and invites guests to enjoy summer’s upcoming arrival with a sweet and refreshing treat.

Bring the family and see the Village Center transform into a Carnaval setting with free entertainment featuring an interactive DJ, Carnaval masks for the first 1,000 kids, unicyclists, stilt walkers and an aerialist.

To RSVP for Free Cone Day and be entered to win a $200 Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream Party, please visit: https://gulfstream park.com/promotion/free-coneday-at-haagen-dazs/

Don’t forget Music in the Park, Gulfstream Park Village’s favorite live entertainment series, as it 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 openair performances take place on 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 a 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.

“We are excited to welcome Celebrity Interior Designer Martin Amado for an event where he will be sharing inspiration and ideas with shoppers,” said Alex Schreer, Director of Experiential Marketing at Gulfstream Park Village. “With 11 home stores at one address, Gulfstream Park Village has design inspiration for every taste and budget. With our home store giveaway, shoppers

have the opportunity to win a $3,500 shopping spree to update their home with the latest trends and furnishings.”

About Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park is South Florida’s premier entertainment, dining and restaurant destina-

tion, located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, anchored by the legendary Gulfstream Park racetrack. Gulfstream Park not only offers world-class Thoroughbred horse racing but is also home to a casino and family-friendly venues including over 15 restaurants, outdoor cafes, art galler-

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 I-

95. Valet service and complimentary self-parking are available. Gulfstream Park is open seven days a week. For hours, schedules, upcoming events and additional information, visit: www.gulfstreampark.com or call: 954-454-7000.

Crate & Barrel

BoConcept

Crate & Barrel

hood that provides all of the opportunities, connectivity and vibrancy that one desires in the pursuit of the good life.“ Wazir Ishmael, Ph.D., City Manager, City of Hollywood.

Young Circle History Young Circle is the easternmost of three major traffic circles envisioned by the City of Hollywood’s Founder, Joseph W. Young. Eventually, it would serve as an anchor for Downtown Hollywood and become a source of frustration for many driving along Hollywood Boulevard and US-1. As Florida underwent significant growth in the 1960’s, Young Circle began its ‘mid-century’ transformation where cornerstone structures from the city’s founding in the 1920’s gave way to modern shopping plazas and several highrise buildings.

Hollywood Bread Building History

Although known as the Hollywood Bread Building, the adjacent Home Federal Savings actually owned the structure with Hollywood Bread occupying the office spaces. Construction began in 1967 and it formally opened in 1969 with five office floors and six parking floors that accommodated 411 spaces for both buildings. In the 1940’s, Hollywood Bread founder Eleanor Hansberry developed a diet bread recipe that included eight vegetable flours. Noted movie personalities of the era, including Ann Blyth, Dorothy Hart, and Virginia Mayo served as product spokespersons leading to the “Hollywood Bread” name. Hansberry relocated the company headquarters to Hollywood, Florida in the 1960’s. In 1969, the nation would get a glimpse of her empire and the Hollywood Bread Building, when Hansberry appeared in an issue of Vogue Magazine.

Following the death of Hansberry in 1978, the company lost momentum and would eventually be liquidated. Beginning in the 1990’s, the Hollywood Bread Building was without tenants and slid into a state of disrepair. The structure was purchased by a development company seeking to erect a mixed-use highrise. The landmark Hollywood Bread Building signage was removed prior to demolition with developers noting its planned incorporation into the new structure.

The demolition of the Hollywood Bread Building in fall 2021 reflects another metamorphosis for Young Circle and the loss of one of the few remaining significant connections to mid-century Young Circle.

The New Bread Building

After paying $11 Million for the property, BTI Partners tore down the 11-story Bread Building and nabbed an $83 Million Construction Loan.

“The New Hollywood Bread Building development will continue to inject new life into Downtown Hollywood and is an important milestone to the future redevelopment of a new and revitalized Young Circle,” said Noah Breakstone, CEO of BTI Partners. “Overlooking ArtsPark, easy access to amazing beaches and close proximity to South Florida’s largest employment hubs, the new mixed-use development will be a tremendous asset

They Are MADD

12th Annual UKG & The Salah Foundation Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash 2023

To support the ongoing fight against drunk driving and drugged driving, thousands of people will walk and run during The 12th Annual UKG & The Salah Foundation Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K presented by The Sheriff’s Foundation Of Broward County and UBS. The event includes an in-person race on Sunday, May 7th, 2023 starting near Huizenga Plaza in Fort Lauderdale, plus a virtual participation option.

Festivities will include children’s activities, an awards ceremony, live musical performances and vendor/educational booths. The event will be attended by dignitaries including Walk Like MADD Fort Lauderdale Founder and Honorary Chairperson Heather Geronemus, MADD National President and Walk Like MADD Fort Lauderdale Honorary CoChair Tess Rowland and Major Robert Chandler of Florida Highway Patrol. MADD

Announced Rowland as the National President on Monday February 6th, 2023. Rowland is an American Heritage School Alumna. Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K is a Community-Driven 5K that raises awareness about drunk driving and underage drinking while uniting community members around MADD’s mission. Since it was established in 2011, this event has raised more than $3.5 Million that stays in the South Florida community to save lives and support victims of drunk driving, making it the most successful Grassroots Fundraiser in the history of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Every dollar donated remains in South Florida to provide victim services and prevention education at no cost.

“We are pleased to continue to hold this important event, which raises both awareness and funds to eliminate drunk and drugged driving and provide free victim services and prevention education in South Florida,” said Geronemus, who is

also the Immediate Past Chairwoman of The MADD National Board Of Directors.

“Every 48 minutes, someone in this country is killed by a drunk driver but we all have the power to stop that from happening.” Geronemus’ late father, Dr. Robert Perry Geronemus, was struck and killed by a drunk driver in 2009.

Event sponsors include Signature Sponsors UKG and The Salah Foundation; Presenting Sponsors Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County and UBS; Road Guardian Sponsor Weinstein Legal; Corporate Champion Sponsors Sheriff’s Office Of Broward County, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Broward Health, Memorial Healthcare System, BBX Capital, JM Family Enterprises, Miami

for the city and residents looking to live, work and play in Hollywood’s east urban core.”

“We are proud to be part of a development team that is focused on bringing new life to Downtown Hollywood, which has so much to offer,” said Michael Denberg, Managing Partner of Saul Ewing’s Fort Lauderdale office. “The New Hollywood Bread Building will bring pedestrian activity to the ArtsPark and to the many businesses on Young Circle eager to grow and thrive. This is the perfect urban location to create a highlydesired live, work, play and enjoy environment.”

“Bridge is excited to bring a development of this quality to Young Circle for Hollywood residents to enjoy,” said David Coelho, Chief Investment Officer of Bridge Development and Opportunity Zones. “We are grateful for all of the support we

Dolphins Foundation and Durée & Company and Spotlight Sponsors LaCroix, Office Depot, Rotary Club of Weston and Westway Towing.

When & Where Sunday, May 7th, 2023; 7:30 a.m.

In-person Race: Across from Huizenga Plaza SE 1st Avenue and Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301.

Virtual Walk/Run: Any place the participant chooses.

Costs (In-person and Virtual):

Adult 5K Runner and Walker: $35

Youth 5K Runner and Walker (ages 5-18): $30 Dogs: $10

To register for the In-person or virtual

12th Annual UKG & The Salah Foundation

received from residents, community leaders and elected officials. We look forward to continuing construction and turning our vision into reality.”

“We are pleased to have been involved in the financing of this game-changing development, which will help meet the demand for more housing opportunities in Hollywood as its strategic location continues to attract residents and businesses to the city,” said Steve Kohn, whose team advised BTI Partners on arranging the joint venture with Bridge as well as on securing the Construction Loan.

Young Circle & The New Hollywood Bread Building development is part of a new wave of commercial construction ramping up in Hollywood and brings a bright future to Downtown Hollywood while staying true to the vision of the City of Hollywood’s Founder, Joseph W. Young.

finishers. For the most up-to-date event information, visit: www.facebook.com/ MADDDashFortLaud

Please contact Rachel Stephens, Special Events Manager with any additional questions: rachel.stephens@madd. org.

MADD

Founded by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is the nation’s largest Nonprofit working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking. MADD also supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge, serving one person every nine minutes through local MADD victim advocates and at: 1 (877) MADDHELP 1 (877) 623-3435. In South Florida, the Chapter’s Annual Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K

2023 Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash Fort Lauderdale 5K Presented by the Sheriff’s Foundation of Broward County and UBS, visit: www.walklikemadd.org/fortlauderdale Event sponsorships are available. Awards will be given for top fundraiser, top team (private and corporate), as well as overall and age-group awards for 5K

more than $3.5 Million since 2011. MADD’s Broward and Palm Beach chapters facilitate hundreds of free events each year to educate youth and parents on the dangers and consequences of impaired driving. Learn more at: www.madd.org Or by calling: 1 (877) ASK-MADD 1 (877) 623-3425.

(Left) We got a glimpse of her empire, Hollywood Bread founder Eleanor Hansberry, and the Hollywood Bread Building, when Hansberry appeared in an issue of Vogue magazine (Top Right) The former Hollywood Bread Building prior to demolition in February 2021 (Bottom Right) The BTI Partners project (B57 North and B57 South) would change the way traffic flows around Young Circle. Under the plan, the towers would straddle a new section of road that would open up the east side of the circle, giving drivers a more direct route to the beach

has raised

(Top Right) Alex Price and Olivia Price are MADD (Top Left) George Taylor, James Taylor, Noreen Burpee, Bill Burpee walked to raise awareness and funds to eliminate drunk and drugged driving (Bottom) To register for The 2023 Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash visit: www.walklikemadd.org/fortlauderdale

Need A Doctor? Selecting A Health Care Provider Is A Few Clicks Away

Getting health care for yourself or a loved one is a big responsibility, especially if you are starting with Medicare, need services like: Nursing Home Care, have to find a new doctor or get Home Health Care.

Using online tools like “Find Care Providers” on: www.Medicare.gov can make it easier to make comparisons and help choose doctors, Hospitals, Nursing Homes and more for you or the person you are helping provide care to. Consider these benefits of using the comparison tools.

A Resource For Research

The website provides a simple search and compare experience that allows you to find providers near you. Simply put in a Zip Code and the type of provider to receive a list of providers, their contact information and a map of locations. The information even includes “star ratings” and services provided.

Using a laptop, desktop, tablet or mobile device, you can see how patients rate their care experiences at the Hospitals in your area and find Home Health Agencies that offer the services you might need, like: Nursing Care, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy.

Contact information for local Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities or Long-Term Care Hospitals is available, as well as Hospice Quality Care ratings and specific care details, such as: which Dialysis Facilities offer Home Dialysis Training.

Finding Health Care Services

Whether you have referrals or are starting from scratch, you can compare health care providers near you using the: www.Medicare.gov tool, pinpointing which category of services you need, whether it’s doctors and clinicians, Hospitals, Hospice and Home Health Agencies, Dialysis Facilities, Inpatient Rehabilitation Centers or Nursing Homes.

In addition to searching by your location using your address or a combination of city, state or Zip Code, you can search by provider type using a keyword to generate a list of providers that could fit your needs.

Finding A Doctor Who Fits

When you’re looking for a new doctor and not sure where to start, the tool makes it quick and easy to find and compare doctors in your area. You can find contact information, practice locations, specialty and Hospital affiliation as well as Hospital ratings.

Selecting the “compare” button allows you to compare up to three different health care providers at once. When you’re ready to schedule a visit with a new provider, be sure to take time during your scheduling call to verify general information.

Comparing Nursing Homes

Whether you’re planning ahead or need to make an unexpected decision, there’s a lot to think about when choosing the right

A Milestone Year:

OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival Miami, internationally acclaimed as one of the largest LGBTQ+ Cultural Festivals in the world, will celebrate its 25th Anniversary with the opening screening of the drama “Fairyland” (2023) at its new home at Silverspot Cinema Miami, located at 300 Southeast 3rd Street, Suite#: 100, Miami, Florida 33131 at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 20th, 2023. Attendees will enjoy a dinner-at-your-seats luxury experience followed by a dessert celebration after-party. The Festival continues for a full 11 days with over 65 features, shorts and documentaries from all around the world that inspire, entertain and educate along with a variety of parties and special events.

“During this commemorative year, OUTshine is thrilled to partner with the luxurious and sophisticated state-of-theart Silverspot Cinema in Downtown Miami. This central location for all films makes the Festival more exciting, more magical and more accessible to a greater cross-section of the community,” said Mark Gilbert, Board Chair and Interim Executive Director of OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival. “Also, new this year are free Community Cocktails & Cinema Happy Hours after the films on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and exclusive films not seen anywhere else.”

Written and Directed by Andrew Durham, produced by Sofia Coppola, Durham, Megan Carlson, Greg Lauritano, Siena Oberman and Laure Sudreau and starring Emilia Jones, Scoot McNairy and Geena Davis, “Fairyland” captures the complexities, embarrassment and pride that are part of any father-daughter relationship, especially in San Francisco during the 1970’s and 1980’s, with its indelible legacy of loss and love. Following the sudden death of her mother, young Alysia is uprooted by her father Steve, in hopes of restarting his life. They move to San Francisco, where Steve develops his poetic and personal writing and begins to openly date men. Steve’s bohemian lifestyle clashes with the expectations of parenthood from the outside world and from Alysia herself. As Alysia grows into a young woman on the cusp of adulthood, their bonds and duty to each other are tested in painful and sudden ways.

“As a leading LGBTQ+ voice in the community, we are committed to bringing people together to champion diversity, inclusiveness and awareness in the arts and beyond. This year promises an unforgettable line-up of dramas, comedies, shorts and thought-provoking documentaries, many of which you will only see at the Festival,” added Gilbert.

On Saturday, April 22nd, 2023 at 7:30 p.m., OUTshine will present its Men’s Spotlight Film, “Drifter” (2023), a North American premiere fresh from its screenings at Berlinale, Germany where it com-

peted for the Teddy Award for Best LGBTQIA+ Film in the festival. An afterparty at the OUTshine Lounge at Silverspot will follow.

Miami’s own Olympic Athletic Champion Danell Leyva will be honored on Wednesday, April 26th, 2023 at 7:15 p.m., prior to the screening of “Clocked” (2023), in which he stars. Leyva is a twotime Team USA Olympian and three-time Olympic Medalist as well as a World Champion on Parallel Bars. He was the first Cuban American on the United States Olympic Men’s Gymnastics Team. After his second Olympics, Leyva tied to be the most decorated male gymnast for Team USA. Leyva retired from gymnastics and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his passion for performing. Since then, he has been featured in multiple nationwide commercials, a recurring role on Paradise Run, series regular on the scripted Podcast Southbridge, multiple short films, web series and roles on Hialeah and Love, Victor. He also performs live in Cirque Du Soleil’s KA in Las Vegas. Leyva actively participates and donates to various Charitable Organizations and is an Advocate for Mental Health, LGBTQIA+,

Many family members and caregivers prioritize location so they’re able to check in and visit frequently, but there are many other important factors you may want to consider, too.

The comparison tool at: www.Medicare.gov provides filtering options that allow you to personalize your results by sifting through the criteria that matter most to you, such as inspection results, number of beds, staffing data and more.

You’ll be able to check out the Nursing Home’s overall “star ratings.” The information can serve as a guide of a provider’s track record to help assist you with finding a home that best suits the person’s needs.

Caregiver Guide

challenging but taking advantage of available resources can help you feel more confident in your choices. For example, when you visit: www.Medicare.gov this allows you to find information about health care providers, Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Hospice, Home Health Agencies, Dialysis Facilities, Inpatient Rehab and Long Term Care Hospitals near you. The website also provides quality ratings, so you can see the provider or facility’s history of service, among other details that help you make the most informed decision on behalf of the person you’re helping.

To access the tool and find health care providers and services in your area that fit your needs, visit: www.Medicare.gov/care-compare

and Civil Rights. He has also been a competitor on Univision’s Mira Quién Baila and NBC’s American Ninja Warrior, both for charities.

Continuing the fun on Thursday, April 27th, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., will be the Festival’s Centerpiece Film, “L’Immensita” (2022). This Italian Film, with an amazing performance by Penelope Cruz, is set in 1970’s Rome. While the film tells the story of the breakdown of a marital relationship, it also tells the story of the oldest daughter who longs to live life as his true self and proclaims he wants to be called Andrew. With musical numbers and a fantastic soundtrack, the film packs an emotional wallop while maintaining an entertaining tone.

Next, it’s time for the ladies to shine with the Women’s Spotlight Film, “Love Proof (Kärleksbevis)” (2022), a Swedish Feature Screening on Saturday, April 29th, 2023, at 7:15 p.m. Thomas and Marie are getting divorced and must meet one last weekend to empty and sell their summer house when a mysterious woman enters their lives and shakes up the scene. OUTshine wraps it all up on Sunday, April 30th, 2023, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

with the Closing Night Film, “Three Nights A Week” (2022), a French Film that utilizes the art and culture of drag to tell a poignant, yet entertaining story that will bring out the true diva in all of us.

Post-Festival, the “OUTshine At Home” viewing begins on Monday, May 1st, 2023 with many of the films screened in theaters as well as several exclusive to the On-Demand Streaming Platforms.

OUTrageous, OUTspoken and OUTstanding, this year’s OUTshine Film Festival Miami is presented by Gilead and Miami-Dade County.

Tickets to the Opening Night Film “Fairyland,” dinner-at-your-seat and afterparty are $95 each. This is an in-person screening, only. Tickets start at just $8 for other individual films with group discounts and additional offers available. All films and events take place at Silverspot Cinema Miami unless otherwise noted. For more information, film line-ups and tickets for the 25th Annual OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival Miami, call: (877) 766-8156. Or visit: www.outshinefilm.com A full schedule of parties and special events is available at: www.outshinefilm.com/films/program

“Fairyland,” starring Scoot McNairy and Emilia Jones, will open the 25th Anniversary Edition of OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival Miami

(L) Academy Award-Winner Geena Davis stars in “Fairyland,” written by Andrew Durham and produced, in part, by Sofia Coppola (R) Miami’s own Olympic champion turned actor Danell Leyva (left) will be at the screening of “Clocked” on April 26

Making decisions as a caregiver can be challenging but taking advantage of available resources can help.

Rain Rain & More Rain

Historic Flooding Across South Florida

By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper

I am hopeful that since last week many of our readers have been getting back to normal. To those that have lost homes and property my prayers are with you. Our staff has been working around the clock to help our residents and the City recover. I want to extend my gratitude to City Manager Dr. Earle, Director of Public Works Jeff Odoms, Chief Michel Michel, the entire Hallandale Beach Police Department, BSO and our entire City Staff who have worked during this storm. I also want to thank the many residents who took it upon themselves to chip in and help. Many helped their neighbors and many also helped clear drains of debris and clean up.

There is plenty to cover and many news outlets have done a great job trying to explain what took place in terms of meteorology. I particularly enjoyed Suzannah Bryan of the Sun Sentinel who wrote about our drainage woes. I encourage readers to look it up online. I will be writing about this event in relation to our City in my next two articles.

Wednesday the calls and emails started. As the day went on we knew that something was different with the rain. By 10:00 p.m. I was asking Dr. Earle why a State Of Emergency was not being called. Thursday morning, I asked again if we could declare one. At that time, it was discussed the confusion created by the Governors new Legislation due to COVID19 handcuffing Local Governments for declaring Emergency. It turned out that Broward County was caught off guard. The County Administrator was out of the country on business. The Assistant Administrator was at a conference and communication slowed. By Thursday, the State and County finally declared a State Of Emergency. Without it people simply were going about their busy lives while the disaster played out.

I have lived in South Florida full time for over 31 years. My first experience with heavy rain was the September after Hurricane Andrew. It had rained all night long. Coming from the Northeast I was getting genuinely concerned as that water was halfway up our front yard. I called my new neighbor and asked if school was going to be canceled. I joked, “Is this a Florida Snow Day?” By 8:00 a.m. the school had been closed.

That afternoon her husband told me about the rains he had seen growing up in Hollywood as a young child. He remembered the biggest was when the area flooded all of the way to Federal Highway. That rain he said was something and quite scary. We sadly all know now that feeling.

The last heavy rain in 2009 set me in motion. Like many of the calls received last week. There was what the meteorologist called a microburst. I forget the exact amount of rain. Once again 14th, 12th and 10th Avenues between East Hallandale Beach Boulevard and Atlantic Shores Boulevard had almost three feet of water in some areas. I vividly remember walking down 14th speaking with the County Administrator and then Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz saying, “We really need your help. Not just with FEMA but with the Infrastructure.”

The City did have a project in our 5 year plan to replace the drains that were connected to the Intracoastal on Desoto Park. The systems servicing that area at the time were gravity drains. With Sea Level Rise and tides this system virtually stops. In some cases, if the valve at the outlets stick they back up into the streets. Either way we had to do something different. The County put in place a requirement to put Stormwater down into the Aquifer.

It was vital to protect our area. We worked with our Congresswoman and lobbied FEMA for originally $10 Million Dollars to pay for this massive undertaking. The residents that lived through the dirt and mess for almost 2 years know all so well how impactful these projects are with their day to day lives. That project expanded into a $20 Million Grant plus Millions of Dollars of Local match to install Pumps in the Northeast and Southwest Quadrants.

The Northeast Project did not go all of the way to Federal Highway or Atlantic Boulevard. There has always been a goal to do Phase 2. Due to different changes in the Commission and Administrative Instability, no large project was completed. We are now implementing many Infrastructure Projects. Phase 2 has not been added as of this date since we needed to focus on our Water Supply and Water Breaks. Ironically, we were approached by the City of Hollywood as they are looking at improving the Moffett

Street Pumping System, more on that later.

Before going into engineering and expectations I need to address the bigger elephant in the room. These projects are extremely expensive. For example, when we set out to build 14th Avenue the Twenty Million Dollar Price Tag was one fifth of the Annual Budget. If it was not for the other Government Agencies stepping up the cost burden would have been solely on the back of our taxpayers. Even with the outside help we needed to increase Fees for Water and Sewer. Not one of us likes to pay Taxes and Fees but they are what pays for our City Operations and our Infrastructure.

The next issue is expectations and how

Feeding 8 Billion People

Human Population Is Four Times Greater Than 100 Years Ago

By Beth Ellikidis

The human population has just crossed the threshold of 8 billion. That’s four times greater than 100 years ago and demographers forecast we’ll reach 9 billion within the next few decades.

With more and more people, the challenge of meeting basic needs, starting with food, is mounting each year. In fact, the United Nations reports that global food insecurity has “hit new peaks,” due to a confluence of crises and signs point to things getting worse. But thanks to the power of science, particularly new innovations in gene-editing technology, we can mitigate contributing factors such as drought, pestilence and climate change, helping to feed humanity even as our numbers keep increasing.

Consider that in roughly the same hun-

dred years the global population expanded by six billion, global poverty also plummeted. In 1929, 1.35 billion people, two-thirds of all human beings, lived in extreme poverty. By 2015, that number was down in absolute terms to 734 million -- just around 10% of humanity. In 2019, the percentage of the global population classified as undernourished stood at 8.9% -- a figure that, while still too high, represents tremendous progress.

At first blush, these statistics don’t seem to make sense. How can a population double twice over on a planet with scarce resources and people end up less hungry and less poor? But that’s exactly what happened and it’s thanks to humanity’s capacity to get better at what we do.

In the 20th century, inventors and agricultural scientists ushered in a “Green

Revolution,” a period in which new inventions and processes increased crop yields exponentially. In 1909, two German Chemists invented Synthetic Nitrogen, a chemical key to plant growth. Instead of relying only on manure and dead plants to feed crops Nitrogen, farmers now had unlimited access to inexpensive supplies at greater concentration.

Later in the century, Norman Borlaug, an American Agronomist, spent years developing new breeds of Wheat to control the height of the stem. Better Fertilization was causing stems to grow too tall and heavier grains were toppling the plants before harvest. The new Wheat breed has tripled yields since the 1960’s. Borlaug also applied his breeding technique to Rice -- and won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work.

A Modern Stormwater Master Plan is Being Implemented in Hollywood

By Hollywood Mayor - Josh Levy

Dear Residents,

With the recent rainfall event that brought us about one-third of our annual rainfall in one day, resulting in unprecedented flooding in many parts of our city, I’d like to inform you about the very large initiatives that our city is in the midst of undertaking regarding stormwater management.

South Florida’s annual rainy season has historically been between the months of June and October. During this time, South Florida is accustomed to intermittent flood conditions, especially after a large amount of rain falls over a short period of time or during a tropical system event. That was how it’s always been, but these days, with more frequent “historymaking” rainfall events coupled with higher water tables caused in part by sea level rise, South Florida cities evermore recognize that we need to shore up our stormwater defenses.

All cities have storm water management systems that work to contain and control rain water in order to minimize flooding and enable the community to live

through rain events with as little interruption to our daily lives as possible. In Hollywood, the stormwater system includes miles of pipes, channels, ditches, swales, natural waterways and drainage easements. It also includes thousands of manholes and inlets, various pumping stations, and retention and detention basins.

Stormwater systems always need maintenance and frequently need updating, especially when they no longer deliver an adequate level of service for a community experiencing changing climate conditions. The good news for us on this front in the City of Hollywood is that we’re in the final period of a 2-year project that our City Commission embarked upon - to create a comprehensive Stormwater Master Plan for the city.

Following 2 years of engineering analysis, the plan provides us with a list of projects, street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood, enabling us to better address stormwater management throughout the city - with consideration to Flood Control, Water Quality Protection, Aquifer Recharge, Supply Conservation and Reuse Conservation, Operation and

Maintenance Stormwater Utility Sufficiency, Long Term Financing, Community Acceptance, Adaptability, Resiliency, Fairness in execution and Sustainability.

To reach a better level of service for our city, the 20-year Stormwater Master Plan itemizes and recommends selection of $980 million to $1.9 billion dollars of infrastructure improvement projects, including the upgrading and addition of our Exfiltration Systems, Gravity Pipe Collection Systems and Inlets, Stormwater Pump Stations, Outfalls, Stormwater Gravity and Injection Wells, Storage and Detention Storage, Swales, Backflow Prevention Devices, Raise Seawalls / Shoreline Armoring, and Road Raising in conjunction with new collection systems.

Once the Stormwater Master Plan is formally adopted, our next steps will be to determine the near-term budget and select initial projects within the budget.

We’ll also need to determine the city’s long-term financing plan and continue to pursue regional, state and federal grants in parallel. The same need exists for the hopes of converting and connecting our

big do you build? It is the job for the Engineers to perform Testing and Calculations. This Evaluation provides the costs of various levels of Pumping. The Large Pumps on 14th Avenue can pump football field size pools of water. This does not mean they can address every level of rain event. This last event was by some calculations an inch a minute. I am sure it no longer depends on the time of day. Join us next week for part two. 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 me at my office at: (954) 457-1318. On my Cell/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or Email me at: jcooper@cohb.org.

Right now, the latest installment of the Green Revolution is already under way. This time, it’s not what we add to crops, it’s how we structure their Genetic Code to select for desirable characteristics.

Consider drought, especially in the context of a changing climate. Areas without water for extended periods of time won’t yield enough crops to feed local populations. But with the Gene-Editing Technology CRISPR, which can “cut and paste” Individual Genes, scientists have added or removed Genes to make such crops as Corn and Tomatoes require less water and withstand drier conditions.

CRISPR has the potential to speed up the results from selective breeding processes that Borlaug had to spend decades to achieve. For example, snipping just one Gene from Rice and Corn can increase yields by 10%, according to a new Science paper and it takes just one growing season to reap the benefits.

Eight billion people is a lot. But by harnessing the power of Gene Editing and other Advanced Agricultural Technologies, we’ll be able to ensure everyone on Planet Earth has enough to eat!

many septic-tank neighborhoods to our city sewer system for proper wastewater treatment.

Lots of necessary projects, with a magnitude of dollars beyond the capability of our city government to self-fund, but we are up to the task of chipping away at the list of recommended projects year-afteryear to achieve the level of service goals that we desire.

In the meantime, thank you to everyone for your patience during last week’s rainfall event, and thank you to all the city crews from Public Utilities, Public works, Police, Fire Rescue and more, who worked to keep us safe during that time. Yours in service, Josh Levy Mayor

Hollywood Mayor - Josh Levy

The

Hallandale Beach residents woke up to flooded homes, streets & cars after severe rains.

One area of severe flooding, stalled-out & flood-damaged cars was NE 14th Ave.

Titan Restoration Inc.

Is A Company That Cares

By Erika Cartwright

The only thing in life that is certain, is that anything can happen at any time. Such tragedies as; fire, hurricanes, and floods are real and do happen, bringing with them water damage and the potential for harmful mold and bacterial growth. Water damage can occur for several reasons, some you may not notice right away, such as sewer issues, a leaking roof, and clogged or leaking pipes, just to name a few.

During these times you need licensed professionals with a plan of action that can ease the stress and take the headache of dealing with the insurance company off your hands. Allowing you to focus on what is important to you in your time of need.

Titan Restoration Inc., formerly known as 1st Priority, is a trusted, licensed Cleaning, Water Damage Restoration, and Mold Remediation Company proudly serving all of southern Florida. The main office is in Broward County. Technicians are throughout; Collier, Lee, Martin, MiamiDade, Monroe, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Counties, allowing them to arrive at the site within 45 minutes in times of emergency. With emergency calling 24/7, you are never more than a phone call away from friendly, efficient, caring, knowledgeable professionals.

Whether the water damage in your home or business was caused by a leaking pipe, roof, or major flood, Titan Restoration Inc. is here to help. To schedule non-emergency services or to request a free estimate please visit: www. Titanrestorationfl.com their user-friendly

Restoration Inc. works with all Florida homeowners’ insurance companies.

To assess the situation Titan Restoration Inc. offers state-of-the-art leak detection, using infra-red cameras. This allows for non-invasive, non-messy leak detection. No need to tear up dry wall or floors just to find the source of the leak.

remodels, as well as a wide variety of other services. Throughout this process, Titan Restoration Inc. will be working with your insurance company every step of the way. You should never attempt to remove mold without a licensed professional, it is unsafe, and hazardous to your health.

experts at Titan Restoration Inc. to have you breathing easier, in a mold-free environment.

Once the mold has been identified, the mold remediation process begins. Titan Restoration Inc. will dry out the affected area using fans and dehumidifiers. Followed by thoroughly cleansing and

get your life back. With services such as emergency packing and storing of salvageable belongings, following fire or flood, and standing water removal also available, they handle it all for you from AZ. The cost is most often fully covered by your homeowner’s insurance, leaving you with no worries about chasing down reimbursements from the insurance company.

Face it, you have enough worries, this doesn’t need to be one of them. Titan

Once the leaks have been found, you will be referred to a trusted, licensed plumber. After the repairs’, State-of-the-art specialized equipment is used to detect moisture levels in the air, dehumidifiers are placed in the affected area, and a Florida-

Mold thrives in dark, damp environments such as under the kitchen or bathroom sinks, in unventilated basements, and closed in laundry rooms. It can even be found behind drywall. Because of the heat and humidity which Florida is known for, it

sanitizing the affected areas using antimicrobial agents effective for moldeliminating and prevention. HEPA air purifiers are used to capture any airborne mold spores, leaving you with clean air. Green cleaners are used for mildew removal. Since mold spores are airborne and invisible to the naked eye it is necessary to deep clean the air ducts, carpets, furnishings, and upholstery. Homeowners’ insurance covers the cost in most cases following water damage. These services are offered year-round, and it is recommended to have these done once a year to remove allergens, bacteria, dirt, and grime buildup that occurs naturally over time. These services are recommended more frequently if you have pets, suffer from allergies, or are a smoker, to ensure peace of mind and healthier living.

After the repairs are completed and your home or business is restored to its pre-loss condition, a Florida statelicensed Mold Inspector will be sent out to do a final inspection, to ensure all mold concerns were effectively eliminated. Titan Restoration Inc. takes pride in providing the best service experience to its customers from start to finish. Their goal is to have your property back to its pre-loss condition while taking the stress off you.

they are dealing with. Some molds are more toxic than others such as black mold, knowing the type, allows for proper precautions to be taken to ensure effective treatment and removal of the mold. Depending on the severity of the damages, drywall and flooring may need to be replaced to effectively rid your home or business of mold. Titan Restoration Inc. is a full remodeling and restoration company, specializing in kitchen and bath

This causes more damage to your home and health over time. People and pets all respond differently to mold and mildew. For some, it may be watery eyes, itchy throat, cough, or skin irritation. Confusion, disorientation, and even hallucinations can also be signs of mold exposure. For others, exposure to mold can cause very serious, even life-threatening health problems. When it comes to your health and the safety of your loved ones, trust the

Titan Restoration Inc. is a customer-friendly company that also specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodeling from drywall and baseboards to cabinetry and flooring. It is not necessary to have damage to your home, to call on Titan Restoration Inc. for all your remodeling needs.

For a free estimate call 954-280-6950, now offering 10% off a $350 service for out-of-pocket customers.

Titan Restoration Inc. is a trusted, licensed Cleaning, Water Damage Restoration, and Mold Remediation Company proudly serving all of South Florida

Titan Restoration Inc. is a customer-friendly company that also specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodeling.

As Residents Return Home: Be Aware Of Dangerous Health Effects From The Flood Waters

The destruction of homes and communities in the aftermath of the South Florida flooding is devastating and the cleanup itself creates the potential for serious and long-lasting threats to health, The American Lung Association warns.

The Lung Association stresses the importance of beginning the cleanup effort as soon as storm surge waters recede and it is safe to return. Chemicals, sewage, oil, gas and other dangerous substances found in flood waters can pose health risks to area residents.

“Standing water and dampness is a breeding ground for Bacteria, Viruses and Mold,” said Dr. Glenn Singer, Local Leadership Board Member, American Lung Association and Medical Director For Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Broward Medical Center. “These can become airborne and inhaled, putting people at risk for Lung Disease. In fact, Mold has been associated with wheezing, coughing and in some cases Asthma attacks and some evidence links Mold with Respiratory Illness in otherwise healthy children.”

This is especially important to know for

the more than 2.5 million Florida residents that already live with a Chronic Lung Disease like Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Lung Cancer.

Mold can grow anywhere there is water or dampness. Cleaning up affected homes and household items after the water recedes is vital to protecting respiratory health.

The American Lung Association offers the following guidelines to help you and your family stay healthy during flood water cleanup:

• Use soap and water for cleaning, especially to scrub Mold off hard surfaces. Do not use Bleach, which can make it hard to breathe.

• Protect yourself before returning to your building. During the cleanup, you risk inhaling dust, contaminants and microorganisms, which are unhealthy for anyone to breathe, but especially risky for children, older adults and people with Lung Diseases. Wear protective clothing, including gloves, rubber boots and a NIOSH-Certified N95 Mask to protect yourself from breathing

POOR LITTLE ORANGE POOR LITTLE ORANGE

We’re in a real quandary - Orange has to leave the veterinarian hospital. His rehab is completed and he can’t be boarded there any longer. We need to find him a perfect home.

No cat should have gone through what he did. Orange is a loving kitty who started out life living in a parking lot. Several months ago, after he was missing for 10-days, he miraculously showed up. Joy quickly turned to sadness because his left rear leg was severely broken – to the point that amputation was a real possibility. The surgeon miraculously saved his leg. Today he is in good health, neutered, vet certified, and now he needs and deserves the perfect forever home. These pictures were taken at the veterinarian’s office where the surgery was performed and where he is being boarded. They let him out of the enclosure every other day, where he has the run of the cat room and he gets love and attention.

For more information call Joel 305-891-1950

these particles. NOTE: N95 Masks must be fitted and are suited only for adults. Ordinary dust masks cannot provide adequate protection.

• When in doubt, toss it out! Remove everything that has been soaked by water, including clothing, papers, furnishings, carpet, ceiling tiles and wallboard. Anything that cannot be cleaned and dried and anything porous (like drywall or carpet) that had been in flood waters for 24 to 48 hours must be discarded. Simply drying out water will not remove the Bacteria or Toxins that can make people sick. Damp buildings and furnishings promote the growth of Bacteria, Dust Mites, Cockroaches and Mold, which can aggravate Asthma and Allergies and may cause you to wheeze, cough and experience other respiratory symptoms. Dangerous substances in flood waters can include: sewage, chemicals, oil and gas which can saturate materials in the home and give off harmful gasses.

• Consider hiring professional cleaners. Individuals with Lung Disease should seek help cleaning their homes and workplaces after floods. And if more than 10 square feet of your home is flooded or if water has been in the building for more than

two days, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends hiring professional cleaners. Flood waters bring in nasty residue that may contaminate porous building materials. Mold flourishes in this environment. Attempting to clean without professional help may increase the risk of developing respiratory problems from these exposures.

• Keep an eye on symptoms. It is not uncommon for people to develop health problems after a disaster such as flooding, even if they’ve never had problems before. Be aware of any breathing problems that may arise, including: coughing, especially at night, wheezing or feeling short of breath, chest tightness or pain, get immediate emergency medical help if fingernails or lips are turning blue or if there is severe chest pain. Both could be life-threatening.

If you are worried about your family’s lung health and have questions, call: 1 (800) LUNGUSA 1 (800) 586-4872 to talk to an American Lung Association Respiratory Therapist. More information on how lung health is affected by flooding is available at: www.Lung.org/flood

May 01, 2023 and file the original with the clerk of this Court at {clerk’s address} 201 SE 6th Street Fort Lauderdale FL 33301 Rm 430 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: {insert “none” or, if applicable, the legal description of real property, a specific description of person property, and the name of the county if Florida where the property

LLC Rickards Professional Building 196 Riva Ave., P.O. Box 382 Milltown, NJ 08850-0382 P: (732) 297-8200, F: (732) 297-8201 Attorney for the Plaintiff SALLY YOUSSEF, Plaintiff, v. NADER REZK, Defendant. Superior Court of New Jersey Chancer Division Middlesex County Docket No. FM-12-20123H CIVIL ACTION CERTIFICATION OF JORDAN B. RICKARDS IN SUPPORT OF DEFAULT I, JORDAN B. RICKARDS, ESQ., of full age, being duly sworn hereby certify as follows: 1. I am an attorney at law in the State of New Jersey and in that capacity, I represent the plaintiff in this action. I am familiar with the facts and circumstances of the within action. 2. The Summons and Complaint in this action were served by publication on the Defendant, NADER REZK, via, Email, by mail to Defendant’s address in Egypt via DHL and via publication in The Sun Times on December 29, 2022. Please see Exhibit A. 3. The time within which Defendant, NADER REZK, may answer or otherwise move as to the Complaint has expired and not been extended. I certify that the foregoing statements made by me are true. I am aware that if any of the foregoing statements made by me are willfully false, I am subject to punishment. Dated: March 9, 2023. By /s/ Jordan B. Rickards, Esq. Attorney for Plaintiff Jordan Jordan B. Rickards, Esq., Attorney ID #018782004 The Law Office of Jordan B. Rickards, Esq., LLC Rickards Professional Building 196 Riva Ave., P.O. Box 382 Milltown, NJ 08850-0382 P: (732) 297-8200, F: (732) 297-8201 Attorney for the Plaintiff SALLY YOUSSEF, Plaintiff, v. NADER REZK, Defendant. Superior Court of New Jersey Chancer Division Middlesex County Docket No. FM-12-201-23H CIVIL ACTION CERTIFICATION OF NON-MILITARY SERVICE I, Sally Youssef, of full age and sound mind, do certify to the following:

1. I am the plaintiff in the above-captioned matter and am duly authorized to make this Affidavit of Non-Military Service. 2. I have personal knowledge that the defendant named herein, namely, NADER REZK, is not presently in any branch of military service. I know this because a Department of Defense Manpower search was conducted showing that he is not a member of the United States Military, see Exhibit B. 3. I understand that the court will rely upon this Affidavit in its determination of defendant’s status and whether or not to enter a judgment by default in this matter. 4. I further understand that if any of the foregoing statements made by me are found to be willfully false, I am subject to punishment. /s/ Sally Youssef Dated March 9, 2023. Exhibits A & B available upon request to susan.rickardslaw@gmail.com or phone call to 732-297-8200.