Author: Li

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Mental health hotline mandated

Awareness of mental health challenges has been increasing at the local, state, and national levels. Efforts focus on ensuring folks who need to talk to someone during a mental health emergency can access the help they need.

Nationally, on Oct 17th, President Trump signed a bipartisan bill (S.2661) to create a new national hotline. The FCC already allocated 988 as the number, to replace a 10-digit phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). The new law also created a fee that a state may levy to support the hotline, similar to how the current 911 system works.

The bill mandates a July 16th, 2022 deadline for phone companies to enable the new service. Meanwhile, there are existing resources people have access to, including Broward County’s 2-1-1 Broward https://2-1-1-broward.org.

2-1-1 Broward has been a local non- profit resource for people who need to talk to someone since it was founded in 1995. Their mission statement is to provide a “24-hour comprehensive helpline, providing all people with crisis, health, and human services support and connecting them to resources in our community.”

For the past 6 years, 2-1-1 Broward has averaged 116,000 incoming calls a year. Since April 2020, 2-1-1 Broward has seen a steady increase of calls, up 82 percent in September.

The most common calls are related to COVID-19 services, basic needs (food, clothing), hospitalization, financial, and mental health services.

According to 2-1-1 Broward, some of the callers simply need listening support to de-escalate their situation.

The non- profit organization provides referrals to other professionals such as counseling, telehealth, crisis centers, support groups, family counseling, trauma-informed care, etc.

Due to COVID-19, 2-1-1 Broward has evolved to continue to service the community. The call center is fully remote for the safety of their workers. The resource database has been expanded to cover COVID-19 related responses. Additional staff is trained and hired to provide for Broward residents.

2-1-1 Broward is also nationally affiliated with Lifeline, which operates the national 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Calls from Broward to the national hotline are routed to 2-1-1 Broward. They also participate in many national programs, such as the Ride United Last-Mile Delivery program where, since April 2020, over 75,000 meals have been delivered across Broward County. The program aims to deliver food and supplies to vulnerable populations as a response to COVID-19.

You can find out more at their website: https://2-1-1-broward.org.

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What’s the deal with CBD?

CBD oil has recently been heralded as the key to alleviate many ailments for which traditional medicine has not offered reliable cures. So what is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is an extract derived from the cannabis sativa plant, sometimes referred to simply as the cannabis plant.

The varieties of c. sativa containing high CBD, and low Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), are generally called hemp, or industrial hemp. The more famous, or infamous, varieties of c. sativa  with high THC are often generally referred to as marijuana (AKA weed, pot, reefer, grass, dope, ganja, Mary Jane, etc).

Cannabinoid compounds bind with receptors in human cells. Two main types of receptors have been identified, CB(Cannabinoid receptor type)_1 and CB_2. CB_1 is most widely expressed in the brain, and CB_2 are seen expressed in immune cells. Researchers are still working to identify other receptors in human cells.

Medical studies have shown the strongest evidence of CBD benefit is in certain epilepsy syndromes, which don’t respond well to anti-seizure medications. The FDA recently approved the first-ever cannabis-derived medicine, Epidolex, a purified CBD extract.

Other studies suggest CBD can help alleviate anxiety and insomnia. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), the studies are not as advanced as for epilepsy. Interestingly, recent studies say THC may increase anxiety as opposed to CBD which reduces it.

Another potential benefit of CBD that is being studied is the anti-inflammatory properties due to its interactions with the immune system. According to Harvard Health, “CBD may offer an option for treating different types of chronic pain.” More studies are ongoing to substantiate the effectiveness of CBD on these difficult to treat conditions.

As the medical community continues to study the benefits of CBD, more and more consumer products are being marketed. CBD products are often used topically, ingested, or inhaled. According to Dr. Junella Chin, an osteopathic physician, topical cream or ointment can be applied to “muscles, joints, and ligaments and still get a nice, localized release.”

Dr. Chin says, when CBD is inhaled, you will feel an impact in 10 minutes, that tends to wear off in two hours. Whereas, if it’s ingested as an edible or liquid, it will last 4-5 hours, but takes half an hour before you feel the effect.

Given the vast number of CBD infused products you can find, you should look for a third party quality assurance stamp or certificate of analysis. A 2017 Journal of American Medical Association study found 26 percent of 84 products tested contained lower doses than stated on the label. So in the wild, wild west of CBD products, it is buyer be aware.

CBD’s legal status is complicated. All 50 states have laws legalizing CBD with varying degrees of restriction. Federally, CBD oil extract from the marijuana plant, is still a schedule I controlled substance, whereas CBD oil extract from hemp (0.3% THC or lower), is legal for cosmetic use only, and not for food, or dietary supplements. In Florida, CBD extract can be legally processed with a state license under SB 1020.

As with all things, there are side effects from CBD that are also being studied. The FDA in their March 2020 statement says, potential side effects “include potential liver injury, interactions with other drugs, male reproductive toxicity, as well as side eff ects such as drowsiness.” The statement acknowledges much we still don’t know about CBD, and as recently as Oct 2019, the FDA and FTC sent warning letters to a Florida company for unproven claims on the benefits of CBD.

The CBD industry is evolving quickly, the FDA stated, and there is “significant public interest in CBD and we must work together with stakeholders and the industry to develop high-quality data to close the substantial knowledge gaps about the science, safety, and quality of many of these products.” So when you are shopping for CBD infused bath salts or other products, keep in mind, there is much we are still learning, both beneficial and potentially harmful.

 

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December 2020 Issue

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Phat Boy Sushi Lounge rolls into Coral Springs

Phat Boy Sushi Lounge recently opened a new location at The Walk on University.  Now you can find their combination of unique creations and Japanese classics much closer to home.

Navigating Phat Boy’s Sushi Lounge menu is like walking down a side street in Tokyo during dinner hours.  You will find a wide selection of Sushi, Yakitori, and Ramen, along with your favorite beverages on the menu.

One of their popular drink creations is the Lychee Martini.  A great gin martini,  flavored with the sweet nectar of Lychee, you will find it hard to just have one.

A traditional appetizer choice, Agedashi Tofu, its lightly fried tofu in a subtle Japanese broth.  A wonderful way to wake up your taste buds.

The chef had a special Sashimi salad on the menu.  It was a generous pile of fresh Tuna and Salmon served on top of a bed of kale, with a citrus sauce bringing it all together.  The texture of kale provides a good contrast with the fish, a surprisingly light starter.

If you want to experience the full Sashimi experience, try their Sashimi platter.  It’s a great assorted combination of Salmon, salmon belly, hamachi, (Pacific yellowtail) hamachi belly, and escolar.  All the fish is extremely fresh.  The salmon egg encased in hamachi belly is a tasty treat, where each bite creates a small pop of buttery flavor in your mouth, coating your taste buds.  You have a choice of pickled or standard wasabi.  The pickled wasabi provides a different flavor profile, which is highly recommended if you haven’t tried it in the past. Ribeye tobanyaki offers your steak lover a tasty Japanese variant.  The ribeye is grilled, sliced, and served in a savory soy sauce with enoki mushrooms, shishito peppers, and tomatoes.  A wonderful blend of umami flavors that go well with a side of rice. Beware, a small percentage of the peppers will be spicy.

Another traditional main course choice is Tonkotsu ramen.  Ramen, an adaptation of a Chinese noodle dish, allows chefs to showcase their imagination, and has become one of the national dishes of Japan.  Phat Boy Sushi Lounge’s ramen noodles are light and fluffy.  The ramen are drowned in a tasty broth with hearty servings of egg, pork, and mushrooms.  It’s great for lunch or dinner.

Phat Boy Sushi also offers a great selection of desserts.  The fried Oreo cookie is a splendid creation that you must try if you love Oreos. Oreo cookies are fried tempura style, and while still warm, combined with refreshing green tea ice cream. It brings memories of summer fair and is a great way to finish your meal.

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Whiskey primer for budding aficionados

For many, the different styles of whiskey often confuse and scare off newcomers. The wide variety of taste profiles and the almost snobbish vocabulary aficionados use turn away many who want to learn more about whiskeys.

First, some history. Whiskey is a distilled alcoholic beverage that likely originated in the monasteries of the British Isles. The word Whiskey is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word for water. Though if you tasted one of the original whiskeys James IV of Scotland greatly admired, you would find it very raw.  Renaissance era whiskeys are not aged or diluted.

Over the years, the process was refined, and the drink became more refined, as we now know today. Along the way, different styles started to take shape, often based on where the whiskey is produced.

The first main difference is what is used for fermentation. The monasteries in Scotland and Ireland used barley, which grows well in the area’s cold, wet climate. Barley is allowed to malt, which is the process of soaking the barley in water, but is halted from germination by drying with hot air. This process causes the carbohydrates in the grain to be broken down into sugars, then fermented and distilled.  When you see terms like single malt, it means the whiskey is made fro malted barley from a single distillery.

The fermented grain mixture is called mash. Mash traditionally uses a portion of a previous fermentation as the “starter,” similar to the sourdough process. It helps to ensure a proper pH level for the yeast to convert sugars into alcohol.

Starter mash whiskey, rather than that made with only yeast, is called a sour mash and the process creates acidity. Once distilled, you will not taste the acidity. You will find the Irish differ from the Scottish in distillation, where the Irish distill the mash three times, the Scottish only do it twice. Some like the cleaner taste of the Irish whiskey, while others enjoy the flavor of Scottish, especially those of the Islay style, where the peat moss is used to dry the malt, which gives it the unique smokey flavor many enjoy.

As European settlers came to the Americas, they brought their love of Aqua Vitae, meaning Vital Water, from their homeland. They adapted the recipes to the abundance of corn in the Americans to make their mash, which results in a sweeter product versus barley. Bourbon was likely started by Scots and Irish settlers in present-day Kentucky. It’s believed Elijah Craig, a Baptist minister, was first to age the distilled alcohol in charred oak barrels, giving it the unique, bold flavor profile. To this day, by law, all bourbon must be aged in new charred oak barrels and made with a 51% corn-based mash.

Back in the British Isles, whiskey distilleries traditionally used old wine and port barrels to age their whiskeys. As Bourbon became more popular in recent years, many whiskey makers switched to use old Bourbon barrels. Thus, you will find many Scottish labels stating the type of barrels used for aging,  impacting their taste profile.

Lastly, the longer you age a whiskey, the more of the barrel’s flavors are imparted into the drink. You will find the Scottish and Irish whiskeys to be aged longer than those in warmer climates. Part of that is, the evaporation process is slower in colder temperatures, resulting in a slower aging process. This is often referred to as the “Angel’s share.” You will find some fine Whiskeys like Kavalan, aged in Taiwan, or Bourbons in Kentucky, to have a shorter age duration, as the angel’s share is collected faster than in Scotland.

Hopefully, this gives you a basic understanding so that you can pick out a great gift this holiday. Or be dangerous in chatting with your local aficionado.

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Parklander Podcast Episode #16 – Dermatology with Dr. Ayar

For this episode, we interviewed Dr. Ayar, from Dermatology Experts in Parklander.  Dr. Ayar shared what dermatologist like him specializes in, and what his practice offer local residence.

Check out his new Parklander location at: 7535 N. State Rd 7, Parkland, FL, 954-726-2000.  Also, his mobile service website: http://mobilebodysculpt.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

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November 2020 Magazine

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Parklander Podcast Episode #15

Joining us for this episode is the owner of SoundsSweet Entertainment (www.soundssweetent.com) – David Brownstein.  They create  live moments into lasting memories.

You can reach him via email: info@soundssweetent.com.   Or on Instagram and twitter, his  handle is @soundssweetnews

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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October 2020 Magazine

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Musical education not left behind by COVID-19

During the past several months, COVID-19 has been a roadblock for the educational system. This spring, school classes went virtual, and a lot of extracurricular activities were halted in their tracks.

For parents with kids who are learning to play an instrument, the uncertainty with school bands and lack of in-person classes has been an ongoing challenge. One local music teacher is Glen Friedman from the G-Clef Music Academy in Parkland.

Glen has been teaching his students virtually throughout the summer. As schools open, he is planning to continue to teach virtually as this is key to ensuring his students keep up with their curriculums and not fall behind due to this year’s pandemic limitations.

Music strengthens the mind
Why is music education important for developing minds? A study by Professor Hudziak from the University of Vermont College of Medicine found that the “more a child trained on an instrument, it accelerated cortical organization in attention skill, anxiety management, and emotion control.”

According to Professor Hudziak, in an interview with the Washington Post, music is like an exercise for the brain. “What I was surprised by was the emotional regulatory regions. Everyone in our culture knows if I lift 5-pound, 10-pound, 15-pound weights, my biceps will get bigger. The same is true for the brain. We shouldn’t be surprised we can train the brain.”

Music helps with math
Much of Science, Engineering, and Math is built on the principles of harmonics. One key principle, the Fourier Transform, expresses the world in terms of musical chords. Joseph Fourier, in 1822, first showed the usage of infinite sums of harmonics to describe a signal, which the mathematical transform is now named after. Recently, our modern mobile communications mostly rely on the concept of harmonics to transmit information over the air.

Learning music has been shown to benefit students’mathematical abilities. Researchers from the University of Texas, in a peer-reviewed article for the Journal of Learning through Arts, found “the students who learned through the various music-integrated instructional settings demonstrated increased mathematical ability levels over the intervention period in the present study.”

According to Glen, the best way to learn music is through one-on-one sessions. The individual feedback is important to help develop and improve a student’s skills.

During the pandemic, it hasn’t all been virtual lessons. Glen is part of some virtual big band recordings, too. You can find some of those sessions on YouTube’s “Glen Friedman Music”channel.

If you are deciding how best to keep your child busy after school, improve their focus and emotional control, or just want better grades in math, enroll them in music classes. This is where the arts and sciences intersect.

By Li Pan

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Your Atlantic hurricane primer

Living in South Florida, many of us become amateur meteorologists every summer. With each tropical wave that forms, we watch it casually until a few become a tropical system. Tropical cyclones are an awesome sight and a reminder of the power of nature.

Most tropical storms spawn from waves created by thunderstorms coming off the West African coast.

Just south of the Sahara, the wet season brings many storm systems that will eventually migrate west with the trade winds and cross the Atlantic. The systems traverse the tropics as a wave and create stormy weather. Slowly, due to the Earth’s curvature, the wave starts to gain momentum in its spin. The spin will cause some of these waves to curve around themselves, and create a self-contained circulation. The spin in the Northern Hemisphere is counter-clockwise and in the Southern Hemisphere, clockwise.

Like a giant vacuum, a tropical storm draws in the warm air underneath it. The warm air rises and energy is released as it cools in the upper atmosphere. Cooled air will either flow out of the core or fall back into the center of the core, the eye of the storm. The more efficiently this occurs, the stronger the storm tends to be. This is why you may notice a more defined circulation pattern and eye as the storm intensifies.

Wind shear is when the wind flows in different directions
for a short distance and can be either vertical or horizontal. Storm circulation can be sheared vertically by crosswinds at different altitudes, hindering the strengthening of the storm. Just recently, Hurricane Marco’s mid-level storm clouds were sheared off by its low-level core as it approached the gulf coast. Losing its vertical circulation, the storm quickly lost strength. Just a day later, Hurricane Laura, with no wind shear to disrupt the flow, was able to strengthen to a Category 4 hurricane.

Laura was able to take advantage of what the National Hurricane Center calls “conditions that are conducive to development,” which means you will often see the major strengthening of a storm. In other words, this is when a storm is undisturbed by crosswinds, often resulting in an explosive intensification of the storm.

For South Florida, some of the strongest hurricanes coming our way tend to be Cape Verde hurricanes. They originate from tropical waves near Cape Verde, an island country in the central Atlantic, and slowly travel eastward as they gain latitude and strength. These hurricanes will typically form in August and September but can start as early as July, and continue well into October.

These Cape Verde hurricanes are often steered by a high- pressure (ridge) system that typically sits over Bermuda in the late summer. High-pressure systems create clockwise circulation that helps push the storms eastward until they get past the ridge. At this point, the storm typically begins moving north.

Because the wind currents that steer the storm are different at various altitudes, the net direction of the storm is often affected by its size and strength. For example, if there is a westerly wind at high altitude and easterly wind at low altitude, the storm will get pushed eastwards when the storm is weak; when the storm is strong, it will be affected by both and end up being almost static, as was the case with Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

So the next time you watch a forecast on TV or read an update from the National Hurricane Center analysis on http://nhc.noaa.org, you should be familiar with the terms used. If you are a weather junkie like me, I recommend the Youtube channel TropicalTidbits, along with its website https://tropicaltidbits.com for a detailed analysis of each storm threatening us.

By Li Pan

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Shed those COVID-19 pounds

Food is our comfort in these trying times. It helps relieve the anxiety we feel due to the uncertainties swirling around us. What’s going to happen to school? Should I visit my favorite restaurant? Given the amount of TV / streaming content we have also consumed, couch potatoing is an activity that is gaining
momentum as we settle into new routines.

There are many activities residents have been doing to burn off those newly acquired COVID-19 pounds. Some, like me, have a bike and have gotten more familiar with their neighborhoods. Others have been running and playing tennis, as those activities allow us to keep our social distance and get our heart rate up.

However, a lot of us need some help to get a good program going. There are a lot of local pros that can help; you may have seen the Trainstation mobile gym trailer driving around in your neighborhood. Rick delivers all the gym equipment you need to your house. Harry, a kickboxing trainer from HB Kickboxing, can help you get a workout and improve your martial arts skills.

Whatever your choice is, COVID-19 pounds are another way this pandemic could impact your health long term, but there are many options to shed them. So, you can keep active, or if you need help, many professionals are ready to keep you healthy.

 

By Curiously Hungry

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