November/December 2023 Edition

WESTONCOMMUNIT YNEWS.COM

NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2023 EDITION

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CONTENTS NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2023

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER E.L. ROBINSON publisher@westoncommunitynews.com

MANAGING EDITOR STACEY BOMSER editor@westoncommunitynews.com

OUT & ABOUT 4

Events Calendar

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS 6

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ART DIRECTION, DESIGN & PRODUCTION MEDIA ONE FIVE COVER PHOTO PILAR CHAVES PHOTOGRAPHY 561.866.6344 WWW.PILARCHAVES.COM

Rotary Run for Tomorrow is a Community-Wide Day of Health and Wellness

Grand Slam. Weston Racquet Club Earns USTA Outstanding Tennis Facility Award

ON THE COVER 10 Experience the Ultimate in Dental Luxury at Pearly White Dental Spa

FINANCE 12

Life is Dynamic - With NPC Financial, It's Smooth Sailing

AROUND TOWN 16 Hometown Happenings

HOMETOWN HERO 18

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11 . 2023

Meet the Driving Force Behind the Harvest Drive

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 EVENTS

Moonlight Movies NOVEMBER 4 & DECEMBER 1

Environmental Expression NOVEMBER 4

The Great Outdoors is the theme of this year’s Chalk in the Park event.

Amateur artists of all ages will transform the sidewalks of Library Park into artistic masterpieces with images expressing nature’s beauty. Stop by between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to watch their progress in this friendly competition; prizes will be awarded in various categories. There will also be a DJ and professional 3D chalk artist. The event, which is now in its third year, is presented by the City of Weston and the Arts Council of Greater Weston. 1weston.com/chalk-in-the-park

Grab your lawn chairs or blankets and plenty of popcorn because it’s time for Moonlight Movies in the Park again. During the cooler months, the City of Weston presents free family-friendly feature films projected onto a giant inflatable screen. This season starts in November with Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. In this animated adventure/comedy, Puss in Boots realizes he has used eight of his nine lives, so he sets out on an epic journey to find the mythical Last Wish and restore his nine lives. In December, everyone’s favorite plumber stars in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. In this animated adventure, Mario joins forces with Princess Peach and Toad to search for his brother, Luigi. Along the way, they work to defeat the evil Bowser and save the Mushroom Kingdom from his destructive schemes. Both movies are at 7:30 p.m. at the event stage at Weston Regional Park. Westonfl.org/events

Veterans Day Salute NOVEMBER 10

Captain Scott O’Grady

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In honor of all those who served, the City of Weston, in partnership with the Weston Family YMCA and YMCA of South Florida, is hosting its 9th annual Veterans Day Salute from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Bonaventure Town Center Club. Decorated Air Force veteran Captain Scott O’Grady will be the keynote speaker at this breakfast celebration for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and their family members. He will share his incredible story of survival after spending six days in enemy territory in Bosnia before being rescued by the U.S. Marines. The program is free; pre-registration is required. ymcasouthflorida.org/veteransdaysalute/

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about

Foreign Film Series NOVEMBER 13 & DECEMBER 11

A breathtaking cinematic journey through the Bolivian highlands kicks off the 19th season of the Weston Foreign Film Series, presented by the City of Weston and the Arts Council of Greater Weston. November’s feature, Utama, is the beautiful story of how an elderly Quechua couple faces uncertainty and possible life changes. In December, the audience will delight in the French comedy Les Parfums about the relationship between a prickly perfumer and her new chauffeur. All movies are shown in their original language with English subtitles. Showtimes are at 4:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the AMC Weston 8 Theater. Tickets are on sale now.

1weston.com/Weston-foreign-films

Weston Foreign Film Series Committee: Terry Rodriguez, Vicki Rosen, Gloria Restrepo Lowenthal, WFFS Director Irene Carraway, Eli Habib and Gabrielle Martonffy.

Sounds of the Season DECEMBER 2

Enjoy a festive holiday concert by the Symphony of the Americas presented by the City of Weston in partnership with the Weston Music Society. This free performance of holiday classics will feature soprano Kyaunnee Richardson. It takes place from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. at Weston Town Center. westonmusicsociety.org

Tropical Tunes NOVEMBER 18

The WestonNights Outdoor Concert series kicks off with a special tribute to Jimmy Buffett by the Caribbean Chillers. ‘Florida’s Favorite Jimmy Buffett Tribute Act’ will perform some of his biggest hits like “Margaritaville,” “Come Monday,” “A Pirate Looks at 40,” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” along with “Bubbles Up,” a soulful ballad Buffet wrote shortly before passing that will be released on a new CD due out soon. The concert is from 7-10 p.m. at the events stage in Weston Regional Park. Concertgoers should bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Food trucks will be available. Alcohol and pets are not permitted in the park. WestonFL.org/Events N OV EM B ER /D ECEM B ER 2023

Kyaunnee Richardson Photos courtesy City of Weston, Arts Council of Greater Weston and Symphony of the Americas W ESTO N CO M M U N IT Y N E WS .CO M

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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Rotary Run for Tomorrow is a Community-Wide Day of Health and Wellness

BY STACEY BOMSER

Weston Rotarian Peter Williams, Mayor Margaret Brown, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Mascot Joey D., Rotary Run Co-Chair Frank Dreier, Rotary Club of Weston 23-24 President Cristiano Nicolucci at last year’s event. Photos courtesy City of Weston

T

HE FIRST STEP TO FITNESS STARTS ON Sunday, December 3rd at the Rotary Club of Weston’s 26th annual Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Run for Tomorrow. The event features 5K and 10K races, a Half Marathon, and the Commission Cup 1-Mile Walk, followed by the Health & Fitness Festival.

Run for Tomorrow is Weston’s largest health and wellness event – and the community’s largest sanctioned run. It is also Weston Rotary’s primary charity fundraiser. Over the past 25 years, it has generated more than $2 million to support local charities, non-profit organizations, and The Rotary Foundation, as well as Weston schools.

The Run for Tomorrow blossomed into a massive community event after the City of Weston partnered with the Weston Rotary in 2010 to start the Mayor’s Get Fit Challenge Cup, now known as the Commission Cup. The premise was to promote good early lifestyle choices including not smoking, healthy eating, and exercise habits among children in the community.

“It was important then, it is important now and it will be important in the future,” said Mayor Margaret Brown. “The Commission Cup is a culmination of what the City and Rotary do all year to educate the community on healthy lifestyle choices. Having parents and family members join in the one-mile walk with students provides role models for the children as well as a communityengaged atmosphere.”

Supporting our community is what the Rotary Run for Tomorrow is all about.

“The Weston Rotary Run for Tomorrow is not

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just a race; it’s a community experience that has become a Weston tradition,” said Rotary Run Co-Chair Frank Dreier. “It is a great time for both runners and non-runners alike. You can hang out with 3,000 of your closest friends and learn more about local businesses while having fun at the health fair and supporting area non-profits.”

The Health & Fitness Festival will feature more than 50 vendor and exhibitor booths offering an array of health and wellness products as well as fun fitness activities and friendly competitions.

There will also be live bands and a raffle with a grand prize package of a family vacation valued at more than $3,000.

Run For Tomorrow is one of the Rotary Club of Weston’s signature events. It is completely volunteerdriven, with support from the City of Weston and Weston BSO police and firefighters.

Mayor Brown commends the Rotary Club members for their dedication and activism. “The number of hours they put in each year to ensure a successful Commission Cup, Run for Tomorrow, and Health & Fitness Festival is extraordinary.”

The Rotary Club of Weston’s Run for Tomorrow takes place at Cypress Bay High School on December 3rd. The half marathon starts at 6:20 a.m., followed by the 10K at 6:50 a.m. and the 5K at 7:30 a.m. The 1-Mile Walk begins at 9:15 a.m. with the Commission Cup Awards Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. The Health & Fitness Festival runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For more information or to register for any of the 26th annual Rotary Run for Tomorrow events go to www.westonrotaryrun.com.

Runners celebrate finishing the Rotary Run For Tomorrow half marathon.

Students and their families are encouraged to take part in the Commission Cup 1-Mile Walk.

Participants can test their strength at the Health & Fitness Festival.

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Weston City Commissioners and representatives from the Weston Racquet Club celebrated the opening of the Club’s new padel courts in August. Photo courtesy City of Weston

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

GRAND SLAM

Weston Racquet Club Earns USTA Outstanding Tennis Facility Award

BY STACEY BOMSER

T

HE WESTON RACQUET CLUB IS recreational programming and facilities.

“I look forward to the continued ingeserving up some exciting news. It nuity and success of the Weston Racquet has been recognized as one of the top tennis facilities in the country.

Club, which serves as a key component in The U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) the City’s mission to provide outstanding presented the Weston Racquet Club with recreational facilities and programming to its Outstanding Facility Award, which ensure a happy and healthy community,” recognizes excellence in construction and/ noted Perry. or renovation. It is one of only 29 faciliDuring the Outstanding Facility Award ties in the country – and the only one in presentation, the Weston Racquet Club Florida – to receive this prestigious award. was credited for helping keep the sport of The Weston Racquet Club was recognized tennis at the forefront of the community Cliff Drysdale Tennis President & COO Scott McCulloch, Weston Racquet and embracing USTA’s tennis initiatives. in the Large Public Facilities (12 or more Club Senior Director of Racquets Albert Fernandez, and USTA Director of courts) category.

“Great tennis facilities like the Weston Tennis Venue Services, Parks, and CTAs Todd Carlson. Photo courtesy USTA. Albert Fernandez, senior director of Racquet Club help us grow the game at the racquets at the Weston Racquet Club, says it is According to the USTA, “As racquet sports congrassroots level, and we are proud to recognize an honor to be recognized by the USTA with the tinue to boom, Weston Racquet Club has embraced them for their ongoing impact on the sport of tenOutstanding Facility Award. “It truly shows the this growth head-on by investing in adding pickleball nis,” stated Craig Morris, USTA’s chief executive of City of Weston’s longstanding commitment to and padel courts to complement their tennis offercommunity tennis.

The Weston Racquet Club offers a wide array innovate and be at the forefront of the future of ings. Along with these new sports, Weston Racquet racquet sports.”

Club performed a complete overhaul of the pro of programming for all ages and skill levels, The spacious 16-court facility features 15 hydroshop and community spaces. They have created a including lessons, competitive leagues, summer clay courts and one championship hard court, as club community that is passionate, inviting, and camps and special events. Beyond the courts, the well as four pickleball courts and two new padel shares the same values of growing racquet sports Club features freshly remodeled locker rooms, courts. Padel, the fastest-growing racquet sport in throughout South Florida and beyond.” a covered spectator space, a covered patio area the world, is a mix between tennis and squash.

Appreciative of the USTA award recognizing for pre- and post-match relaxation and a fully The addition of the state-of-the-art padel courts its growth and expansion, Kara Perry, Weston’s stocked pro shop. signifies Weston’s commitment to operating a director of parks and recreation, says the City, top-level club offering a wide selection of popular in partnership with Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Inc., To learn more about the Weston Racquet Club go to racquet sports. has always strived to be on the cutting edge of westontennis.com.

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FINANCE

LIFE IS DYNAMIC With NPC Financial It's Smooth Sailing You recently changed firms. I know this was a big decision for you. Why did you make the move to NPC Financial?

My wife and I put an enormous amount of consideration into the decision, because I worked at a great firm prior to this. It ultimately came down to wanting to do more for my clients. I have a broader arsenal of tools than I used to, which means I am better able to meet my clients’ needs.

What do you like better about the tools you are using at NPC Financial?

NPC Financial employs a protection-first philosophy, this is a deeply held conviction of our firm’s founders. I still utilize traditional investments such as mutual funds and ETFs, but I have added others that create tremendous value. If I could single out a particular theme, it is that these new tools provide protections for investors that are simply not a part of traditional investments. I can help clients capture the growth potential of the stock market, but while reducing their downside risk.

This is a great conversation to have with people because, well, who wouldn’t want to do that?

What are some of the tools you are referring to at NPC Financial?

There are several, but my favorite is probably structured notes, which generally fall into two broad categories, growth notes and income notes. Growth notes offer investors the ability to meaningfully reduce downside risk by absorbing a portion, or all, of the drop in the value of an underlying stock index. They allow investors to still participate in market growth, however, and in some cases magnify that growth. Income notes provide higher yields for investors than CDs and bonds, and are a very effective tool in building streams of income for retirees. Last but not least, structured notes help investors reduce fees.

What are some opportunities you are currently seeing in the marketplace?

We are at an interesting crossroads. Equities performed well in the first half of 2023, but still have not fully recouped last year’s losses, which means there is opportunity. At the same time, rates are higher than they have been in many years, and will not stay this high forever. This

TREY TWYMAN JOINED NPC FINANCIAL IN 2022, AS THE FIRM’S INVESTMENT

is an opportune time to lock in higher yields on income related investments. Investors needing to convert growth investments into future streams of income, particularly those within 10 years of retirement, may regret not taking action in 2023.

What kind of clients do you typically work with?

Every step of the financial planning process has its owns challenges and decisions. I enjoy every step of the process. That means I have clients ranging from young professionals, all the way up to retirees and high net-worth individuals.

What matters most, is having shared values, and a client’s commitment to a long-term plan. The earlier I get started with somebody, the more good I can do for them. When I meet with a prospective client, I spend the first meeting simply getting to know them, finding out about where they are and where they are trying to go. We get into the X’s and O’s later, once we have determined that we are the right fit for each other. When the fit is right, the client knows it, and so do I.

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MATERIAL DISCUSSED IS MEANT FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS TAX, LEGAL, OR INVESTMENT ADVICE. ALTHOUGH THE INFORMATION HAS BEEN GATHERED FROM SOURCES BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE, PLEASE NOTE THAT INDIVIDUAL SITUATIONS CAN VARY. THEREFORE, THE INFORMATION SHOULD BE RELIED UPON ONLY WHEN COORDINATED WITH INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. ALL INVESTMENTS CONTAIN RISK AND MAY LOSE VALUE. REGISTERED REPRESENTATIVE AND FINANCIAL ADVISOR OF PARK AVENUE SECURITIES LLC (PAS). OSJ: ONE BISCAYNE TOWER, 2 SOUTH BISCAYNE BLVD 1740, MIAMI FL, 33131, 305-3716333. SECURITIES PRODUCTS AND ADVISORY SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH PAS, MEMBER FINRA, SIPC. NATIONAL PLANNING CORP IS NOT AN AFFILIATE OR SUBSIDIARY OF PAS OR GUARDIAN. 2023-158326 EXP. 7/25

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9th Annual VETERANS DAY SALUTE A BREAKFAST CELEBRATION TO HONOR OUR VETERANS

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HOMETOWN HAPPENINGS Photos courtesy City of Weston, Weston BSO, FRPA, TeraInsight Media, Steven Romero

Around Town Marc and Elaine Weiss with former Mayor Dan Stermer (right).

TOAST OF THE TOWN

Cristiano Nicolucci (left) with event co-chairs Jacqueline Gillman and Peter Messina

Attendees at the Rotary Club of Weston’s Food & Wine Festival enjoyed tasty bites prepared by more than 25 of South Florida’s most talented chefs, food artisans and culinary personalities, along with curated libations and wine-tasting selections. The featured charities from this year’s event were Feeding South Florida, Habitat for Humanity Broward and Soles4Souls, with each receiving a check for $5,000.

Additional proceeds will benefit more than 25 approved charities supported by the Weston Rotary.

City Manager and Former Director of Parks & Recreation Don Decker accepts the FRPA Lifetime Achievement Award from FRPA Outgoing President Becky Gunter and Incoming FRPA President Charlotte Presensky

AWARD RECOGNITIONS

Weston was a big winner at the Florida Recreation & Park Association (FRPA) annual awards ceremony.

City Manager Don Decker was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Before taking on his current role in 2019, Decker had an extensive career in the industry. He served as Weston’s Director of Parks and Recreation for 12 years and held numerous leadership, mentoring and service positions within the FRPA. The Arts Council of Greater Weston received the Voluntary Service: Group Award. Committed to creating a culturally rich community, the Arts Council presents a variety of popular programs throughout the year including Weston World Fest, Celebrate the Arts Day, and the Weston Foreign Film Series.

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Becky Gunter, FRPA Outgoing President; Annalisa Walker, Special Events Manager; Laura Dobrzanski, President of The Arts Council of Greater Weston; Kara Petty, Director of Parks and Recreation; Bryan Beard, Recreation Superintendent; and Charlotte Presensky, FRPA Incoming President.

The Weston World Fest event program received an FFEA SUNsational Award

SUNSATIONAL WORK

Congratulations to the Parks & Recreation Department for receiving three highly coveted Florida Festivals & Events Association SUNsational Awards. The City was recognized among more than 200 entries for its projects in three of ten categories. The race medal from the Fourth of July Hometown Celebration 5K Run/Walk was 2nd place in the promotional item category. In promotional videos, the recap of the Hometown Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration earned 3rd place. And the Weston World Fest event program was recognized as 3rd place in the program/event/brochure category. FFEA’s SUNsational Awards program recognizes members’ innovation, individuality and creative collaboration. Weston’s winning projects reflect the work done by the Parks and Recreation Department, in collaboration with the Department of Communications, and the Arts Council of Greater Weston.

Special Events Manager Annalisa Walker (left), Director of Parks and Recreation Kara Petty, and Recreation Superintendent Bryan Beard proudly accepted three SUNsational Awards at the FFEA annual convention and trade show.

CHECKMATE

COMMUNITY POLICING

The Broward Sheriff’s Office Weston District hosted its quarterly Coffee with a Cop event at the Starbucks in Weston Commons.

Residents were invited to stop by, enjoy their favorite beverage, and meet our hometown deputies. Programs such as this help build strong community relationships, connecting law enforcement officers with the people they protect. Weston BSO is especially committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of seniors in our community.

Deputies and community partners will be on hand to discuss fraud prevention, bleeding control, and other ways seniors can stay safe and healthy at a Senior Seminar on November 28 from 9-11 a.m. at the Bonaventure Town Center Club.

Weston BSO deputies and C.O.P. volunteers are always eager to meet residents.

Weston Mayor Margaret Brown and Commissioners Mary MolinaMacfie and Henry Mead welcomed participants at the Mayors’ Chess Challenge. The Weston Community Center was packed with chess players of all ages and skill levels eager to engage in a little friendly competition. Originally created by the Mayor of Sunrise, more than 20 cities throughout South Florida now host Mayors’ Chess Challenge meetups. These events promote the benefits of scholastic chess.

Mayor Brown posed for pictures with chess players.

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HOMETOWN HERO

Meet the Driving Force Behind The Harvest Drive

BY STACEY BOMSER

O

Harvest Drive Founder Renee Herman with BSO Weston Police Chief Sam Cavalieri and K9 Olivia.

Harvest Driver Founder Renee Herman, along with Harvest Drive Boutique Coordinator Susan Gross and Harvest Drive Volunteer Coordinator Davi Leoniff, spoke at a City Commission meeting about the importance of Harvest Drive, which started here in Weston.

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VER THE PAST THREE DECADES, THE HARVEST DRIVE HAS GROWN from a simple canned food drive at Country Isles Elementary School to a year-round effort to feed and serve Broward County’s most vulnerable families. Beyond its annual Thanksgiving food drive, Harvest Drive now provides 360 bags of food to families throughout the county every month. It also operates multiple food pantries and a storefront providing families in need with clothing, household items, school supplies and more.

“I never in my life thought it could be like this,” Harvest Drive Founder Renee Herman confesses. “This is not a little grassroots project in Weston anymore. We’re big and growing. I don’t know what’s going to happen next.”

As the driving force behind Harvest Drive, Herman credits its massive expansion to her persistence.

“I’m relentless,” she proudly states. “I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer and I usually get my way.”

That is why, despite widespread economic hardship and the rising cost of food, Harvest Drive will be able to provide complete Thanksgiving meals and staple grocery items to about 2,400 families this year. She and her team of volunteers have been working practically around the clock to prepare, but Herman says the real work is done by the students.

From day one, Harvest Drive’s mission has been to teach children that their contributions can make a difference in the lives of others. It is a lesson not lost on Weston students, with all six elementary schools plus both middle schools supporting the distribution site at Cypress Bay High School.

The City of Weston is also a staunch supporter, organizing donation drives throughout the year to help fill its pantry shelves and stock its new storefront where families can “shop” for gently used clothing, household items, and children’s toys and books.

“Renee is my hero,” states Denise Barrett-Miller, Weston’s director of communications. “She always thanks others for helping her with the Harvest Drive but there would not be a Harvest Drive without Renee’s passion, energy and determination. For over 30 years, Renee has helped those in need who need a helping hand, ensuring children do not go to bed hungry and doing so in a way that shows all of our children how to give back to their community.”

Humbled by the praise and numerous awards and accolades she has received over the years, including induction into the 2023 Broward County Senior Hall of Fame, WPLG-Local 10 My Future, My Choice LIFE Award for Leadership, and Jim Moran Foundation Award for embodying the spirit of philanthropy and community service, Herman says she does what she does out of love and necessity.

“Although I am certainly grateful, I do not want attention; I want to raise awareness,” explains Herman. “Hunger is very real in our community. Every Harvest Drive inspires me to work even harder to make sure that families are fed and that children learn the importance of giving back and helping others.”

You can support Harvest Drive by donating canned goods and other staple grocery items at the Harvest Drive Holiday Collection Drive Thru in the Community Center loop at Weston Regional Park on Saturday, November 4th from 12-7:30 p.m.

To learn more about Harvest Drive and how you can help, visit HarvestDriveFlorida.com.

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