Community Archives - Page 15 of 44 -

June 22, 2021June 22, 2021

Carbon: A new cash crop for farmers

What if farmers could make their practices more environmentally friendly, improve their plants, and continue to generate income at the same time? Such an idea has grown into more than just a thought in the U.S. The concept is called carbon sequestration, or “carbon farming.”

In simple terms, farmers capture and store atmospheric carbon dioxide in their plants. The concept could prove important in the fight against global warming. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the agriculture sector accounts for 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions across the U.S.

Such gases trap heat, resulting in higher temperatures in the atmosphere, and contribute to global warming. President Joe Biden hopes to reward farmers monetarily for using climate-friendly practices on their lands.

John-Walt Boatright, Director of National Affairs for the Florida Farm Bureau, said that he and others in the agriculture field have discussed carbon sequestration for about 20 years. And now, “the stars are aligning” to make such practices widespread, he said.

Specifically, Boatright noted that the Biden administration is determined to develop a climate policy. And those in the agriculture industry are equally determined to make carbon sequestration a widespread practice.

The process of implementing carbon sequestration strategies can prove challenging. It depends on factors such as a farm’s location, equipment, and finances.

For instance, planting cover crops, or those that cover soil is one technique. Among other things, the practice helps fight erosion, builds organic matter, and improves fertility.

Farms in some regions of the U.S. have been planting cover crops for decades. But growing seasons in other regions are too short to consider cover crops.

Some farmers have been using a technique called “no-till” for years with great results. It’s a process of farming without tilling the soil, helping to reduce the amount of soil disruption that would otherwise release carbon dioxide into the air.

But it’s not a technique that works everywhere, and it depends on the soil and other factors.

University of Florida soil scientist Jehangir Bhadha agrees that not all carbon sequestration techniques work equally well.

“We have to be very cautious in making these broad overarching statements because in some cases, certain practices may work, and you may yield profits from it — not just financial but even environmental benefits,” Bhadha told WUSF Public Media.

Boatright said that while conversations about carbon sequestration have been happening for years, “we’re still early in this process.”

Biden wants to use $30 billion in farm aid money from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation to pay growers for implementing sustainable practices.

And at least one agriculture official supports Biden’s proposal — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried.

“It’s going to be millions upon millions of dollars,” Fried told WJCT Public Media.

Fried told the media outlet that tariffs, adverse weather, and the pandemic have hit Florida farmers hard. She believes that Biden’s incentive can help.

In fact, Fried submitted a proposal to the White House. In it, she told Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris that “with 9.7 million acres of farmland, Florida is an ideal state for potential pilot programs.”

Among other things, Fried’s document suggests a public-private partnership “to identify federal and state-owned lands on which potential properties not actively being managed can implement a tree planting and cover crop program for carbon sequestration.”

“While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that the agriculture sector accounts for 10 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, regenerative agriculture can help sequester carbon from the atmosphere at levels that will have a real impact on the climate crisis,” Fried wrote.

Broward County Farm Bureau President Fred Segal said that carbon sequestration “definitely has potential down the road.”

Such practices could not only help environmentally but also assist agriculture in becoming self-sustaining while continuing to provide a safe, economical food supply for the public, Segal said. He added that carbon farming could help small farmers remain in business by providing them with an additional revenue source.

Just outside Tallahassee, David “Kip” Ritchey, 31, and Angelique Taylor, 27, operate a one-acre farm. WJCT Public Media reported that the young couple uses alternatives to tilling. In addition, they plant cover crops off-season to keep nutrients in the ground. They also use hay as a natural water and nutrient reservoir, and they experiment with organic fertilizers to reduce their carbon footprint. The Florida couple isn’t receiving monetary compensation for their efforts.

But in the Midwest, large agricultural companies are paying growers to plant crops that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use techniques to keep carbon in the soil.

With Biden’s plan to reward farmers monetarily for using climate-friendly practices on their lands, it could be just a matter of time before Florida growers also receive monetary compensation.

Boatright said that carbon sequestration is a complex topic but “I think will be valuable to the American farmer and also to the American citizen.”

June 14, 2021

What to do in case of drowning

Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1-4. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 drowning deaths occur per day in the U.S. In addition to fatalities, thousands of children are hospitalized each year, with many suffering brain or lung injuries. Most of those drownings occur in home swimming pools. This local story from Alicia C. is about what you can do to help in a drowning situation.

I was at Dania Beach with my husband, young daughter, and a group of families. One minute I am mingling with my child’s friends and their parents, enjoying an effortless day with my toes in the sand…

The next minute, we witness a father pulling his lifeless child out of the shallow water. The young boy’s face is red and his father is in disbelief, trying to shake the life back into him. The boy is 4, but petite, and is wearing a puddle-jumper swim vest, fully connected. He had been in very shallow water. The inlet is low tide. His father was almost within arm’s reach of him and interacting with him moments before.

Our friends, Kandice and Jen O., are first responders and jump in to give this frantic family assistance. A crowd envelops the boy and the two firefighters, which shields the graphic nature of this situation from our children. The boy is in serious trouble.

The family is agonizing over the reality of what is happening, helpless to do anything but worry and to scream in fear. It is crushing my soul to bear witness to. Their cries of devastation will haunt me. Then an ER nurse, Abigail B. from Massachusetts, jumps off a parked boat to assist.

The boy begins to turn blue, and the three of them start CPR. At this point, we have to redirect our children’s attention. We try for a minute to put on this act for our children, and we downplay what is occurring, but time keeps moving on, and eventually, I feel that we need divine intervention. So, my child, my husband, and I pray on our knees for this little one.

Suddenly, we see our firefighter friends carrying this child and sprinting (barefoot) all the way down the long, long path to the parking lot. They are trying to get this child to the ambulance because the ambulance can’t drive out to where we are.

I have never seen something so heroic in my whole life. This child lived. This child made a full recovery — through the miracle performed by these three strangers (on their day off, with no equipment, no warning, no gear, nothing, just their strength and willingness to do whatever it takes).

We are putting in a swimming pool this month, and I always had a fear of the hazardous risks they pose to children my child’s age. There may not always be a first responder around, so I am committed to getting recertified in CPR, and anyone else who lives in Florida should too

Kandice and Jen recommend the following precautions for everyone, not just parents of children:

Take swimming lessons (even for adults who may have to save themselves or a child). Flotation devices should never be substitutes for attentive adults.
Designating a “water watcher” is a necessity if more than one person is watching kids. Accidents often happen with large gatherings because it’s easy for each adult to assume someone else is watching for danger.
Learn CPR/first aid, so that you can save a life if the time comes.

“Anybody who knew CPR could’ve contributed to that happy ending,” says Kandice. “And the fact that the parents weren’t actually very complicit should be a lesson to us all.”

For more information on National Drowning Prevention Awareness Month (which was in May), visit the National Drowning Prevention Alliance at ndpa.org. Also, check out the Parklander’s^® May 2021 article on pool safety fences.

June 14, 2021

Technology’s threat to our security and democracy

Make no mistake about it: Our advanced technology is posing a serious threat to national security as well as to the foundation of our democracy. No one said it more clearly than the brilliant physicist Stephen Hawking: “The creation of artificial intelligence may be the worst event in the history of civilization.” He’s not alone. SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who knows something about technology, says, “Artificial intelligence could start World War III.”

The application of artificial intelligence to military operations is so great that nations have formed units of cyber warriors. In other words, they are skillful hackers. In effect, we are in an arms race of a different kind. Because so much of what we do is computerized now, it’s all vulnerable. A system is secure only until it’s breached. You’ll remember that last year we saw the worst-ever cyber attack on the U.S. when our Department of Energy was hacked. A cyber expert reported that at least 50 organizations were hacked. Microsoft’s president, Brad Smith, said he was impressed by the sophistication and scope of the attack.

In their book “Cyber War,” Richard Clarke, a security expert, and Robert Knake explain what cyber warriors can do. For instance, they hacked into Syria’s defense system to reprogram radar to show empty skies at a certain time
so that Israeli fighter planes could attack a manufacturing plant. Hackers can also cripple a nation in various ways. For example, Russia shut down Ukraine’s banking system for a week. Think of the consequences of that in the U.S. We already know that our electric grid is fragile and vulnerable.

The danger of ‘deepfake video’

Add to these threats the developing technology that allows the creation of video that’s so real and convincing, you cannot tell it is fake. They’re now called “deepfakes.” Before long, with the advancing technology, a kid in his basement could produce one and put it on social media.

Two law professors with expertise in technology are waving red flags of danger. Writing in Foreign Affairs magazine, Robert Chesney of the University of Texas and Danielle Citron of the University of Virginia describe scenarios that could launch a war. Imagine the consequences of a video showing a nation’s leader announcing that missiles have been fired at another country, or of an ISIS leader announcing a chemical attack — videos that could cover the world in minutes and that cannot be determined to be fake.

Clarke and Knake warn about another aspect of this that’s especially frightening. Skillful hackers can sneak into a computer system without being detected. Once they can bypass a system’s security, they can go in at any future time and adjust programs to do great damage. Some systems in the U.S. may already have been breached without us knowing.

The threat to our elections

Besides the aspects of war, the available technology poses a threat to the functioning of democracy in various ways. As you know, U.S. intelligence agencies are sure that Russia interfered in our presidential elections, spreading false information and targeting individuals to receive specific information on social media. The truth may never catch up to the inflammatory falsehoods that spread like wildfire through social media because they’re more interesting and colorful. People are more likely to spread false information if it reflects their bias.

Cyber warriors in a hostile nation can sow confusion about our elections, discontent based on false information, and scurrilous lies about a candidate or officeholder, which can affect the outcome of an election. In their article about deepfake videos, Chesney and Citron say “the prospect is chilling” that the technology can disrupt our democratic elections, which are

the foundation of our democracy. “There is no silver bullet for countering ‘deepfakes,’” they say. Will we have a functioning democracy if we cannot agree on what’s true and lose public faith in the legitimacy of our elections? A believable fake video could destroy the career of a public official.

The world’s leaders are not ignoring these threats, but what can they do? The Transatlantic Commission on Election Integrity is meeting without fanfare to deal with the integrity of elections. The commission is led by Michael Chertoff, who was secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who was NATO secretary- general and a prime minister of Denmark. Deepfake videos are one of their concerns. They’re trying to push nations into a cooperative effort to deal with the threat to elections because no nation can do it alone. As they put it, “The future of democracy is at stake.” Can a warning be stronger than that?

In any event, the technological genie is out of the bottle. Algorithms, artificial intelligence, and the rest cannot be put back in. Those who are now waving the red flags of danger may be the Paul Reveres of our time. Are we listening? What will we do? What can we do?

June 14, 2021

(Please) Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer

“It was a quiet morning, the town covered over with darkness and at ease in bed. Summer gathered in the weather, the wind had the proper touch, the breathing of the world was long and warm and slow. You had only to rise, lean from our window, and know that this indeed was the first real time of freedom and living, this was the first morning of summer.” ⎯Ray Bradbury, “Dandelion Wine”

Many of us have cherished childhood memories of the specialness of summer. We measured it, of course, by the last day of school. My sister and I made paper chains weeks before that last day and excitedly took off one link each night before we went to bed.

But summer, perhaps just another solstice to the science-minded, was magic. It was the best.

“Summer was on the way; Jem and I awaited it with impatience. Summer was our best season: it was sleeping on the back screened porch in cots, or trying to sleep in the treehouse; summer was everything good to eat; it was a thousand colors in a parched landscape. ⎯Harper Lee, “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Ray Bradbury’s story of 12-year-old Douglas Spaulding’s idyllic summer might not have garnered as much literary attention had it begun with a more technical definition of summer.

“From an astronomical view, the equinoxes and solstices would be the middle of the respective seasons, but sometimes astronomical summer is defined as starting at the solstice . . . often identified with the 21st day of June in the northern hemisphere. . . . The meteorological convention is to define summer as comprising the months of June, July, and August.” ⎯Sir Robert Ball, “Elements of Astronomy”

Makes you want to rush down to the old swimmin’ hole, doesn’t it? Whichever path you choose, summer 2021 presents a unique, pandemic-coated pastiche of optimism and trepidation.

Way back in February, James Hamblin of The Atlantic magazine waxed hopeful under the headline “A Quite Possibly Wonderful Summer”:

“Families will gather. Restaurants will reopen. People will travel. The pandemic may feel like it’s behind us — even if it’s not.”

That’s the clincher, isn’t it? “Even if it’s not.” The CDC advised against travel in late March but by April said it was fine. Meanwhile, Disney Cruise Line canceled more of its Florida-based sailings as well as its normal plans for European sailings this summer.

MSNBC reported in mid-April that more than a quarter of those eligible for vaccination in the United States had received both injections.

They’re safe, right? Right? We’re safe? Everybody’s safe. Or is it like Nazi dentist Laurence Olivier looming over Dustin Hoffman in “Marathon Man”? Is it safe?

My iPhone sounds its Sherwood Forest horn alert with the “Sun-Sentinel” headline “COVID-19 in Florida: 5,520 new cases and 7 more dead.” An “Orlando Sentinel” alert immediately answers back: “Weekly infections up, but residents’ deaths down.”

My wife and I have been following all the rules to avoid the virus. We’ve been very careful. We’re in our 70s and I have a respiratory condition that goes back to having pneumonia in the sixth grade.

By the end of March, we had received both vaccinations. We had to drive from Boynton Beach to Pembroke Pines to receive them, but it was worth it. We feel safer somehow. It was like a cleansing.

My publisher was quick to point out, aptly I reluctantly admit, the biblical connection here, both to the cleansing and to the season.

The Feast of Saint John closely coincides with the summer solstice. That’s John the Baptist, mind you, the guy who specialized in cleansing people of their sins in the Jordan River. He dunked Jews and gentiles alike, which would have been perfect for my wife and me because we have one of each.

We’re as excited about flying to Seattle in May to see our grandsons, daughter, and son-in-law as my sister and I were taking paper links off our “countdown-to-summer” chain more than a half-century ago.

There always seems to be a “but” in every new positive report that’s issued. We still have concerns. We remain on guard. But, yes, I said it ⎯ things are looking up.

I upgraded our tickets to guarantee an open seat between us. The Cleveland Clinic says airplane ventilation systems may actually temper the spread of the virus. Research at Harvard University suggests air travel is safer than grocery shopping.

Yeah, give me more of that kind of stuff.

Just please, please, don’t let me hear Jared Kushner tell us, as he did last spring, that the United States will be “really rocking again” by July. Someone stuff a sock in him.

June 14, 2021May 28, 2021

Technology’s threat to our security and democracy

The application of artificial intelligence to military operations
is so great that nations have formed units of cyber warriors.
In other words, they are skillful hackers. In effect, we are in an arms race of a different kind. Because so much of what we
do is computerized now, it’s all vulnerable. A system is secure only until it’s breached. You’ll remember that last year we saw the worst-ever cyber attack on the U.S. when our Department of Energy was hacked. A cyber expert reported that at least 50 organizations were hacked. Microsoft’s president, Brad Smith, said he was impressed by the sophistication and scope of the attack.

In their book “Cyber War,” Richard Clarke, a security
expert, and Robert Knake explain what cyber warriors can do. For instance, they hacked into Syria’s defense system
to reprogram radar to show empty skies at a certain time
so that Israeli fighter planes could attack a manufacturing plant. Hackers can also cripple a nation in various ways. For example, Russia shut down Ukraine’s banking system for
a week. Think of the consequences of that in the U.S. We already know that our electric grid is fragile and vulnerable.

The danger of ‘deepfake video’

The threat to our elections

The world’s leaders are not ignoring these threats, but what can they do? The Transatlantic Commission on Election Integrity is meeting without fanfare to deal with the integrity
of elections. The commission is led by Michael Chertoff, who was secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who was NATO secretary- general and a prime minister of Denmark. Deepfake videos are one of their concerns. They’re trying to push nations into a cooperative effort to deal with the threat to elections because no nation can do it alone. As they put it, “The future of democracy is at stake.” Can a warning be stronger than that?

June 7, 2021May 28, 2021

What’s Healthy Now?

There has been a lot of conversation lately about the word “healthy,” and I must admit it made me take a minute and ask myself, “So what do people think is healthy?” In working with clients over the years, I’ve learned the interpretation of healthy can mean a myriad of things. These differences in opinion on “healthy” can be a challenge to staying on point in the well-being lifestyle, so I hope today’s post will help clear things up.

I found several definitions, but the one most suitable is the definition from the Collins Concise English Dictionary — ”Healthy is the state of being bodily and mentally vigorous and free from disease.” The definition penned by the World Health Organization (WHO) is “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Next, when going to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for guidance, you may really be in a pickle. They currently allow the use of the term “healthy” on product packaging only when products meet specific nutritional guidelines, which now focus on limited levels of fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Even with today’s more conscientious culture of natural health and improved nutrition, several very important food items are left out of the current FDA guide.

Almonds, avocados, and salmon miss the mark, according to the FDA. Here is an overview of what these foods bring to the health table:

Almonds are a powerhouse of nutrients. Of all the tree nuts, ounce for ounce, almonds are the most nutrient-dense. They contain protein, fiber, calcium, vitamin E, riboflavin, and niacin.

A one-ounce serving has 13 grams of “good” unsaturated fats and only 1 gram of saturated fat. They are cholesterol- and gluten-free. Almonds are also rich in magnesium, which aids in heart health and lowering blood pressure. Additionally, several research studies have shown that these nuts can be effective in reducing bad cholesterol and preserving healthy cholesterol.

Avocados (which are fruits) contain almost 20 vitamins and minerals in each serving. Nutrient content of this produce item includes potassium, which can aid in controlling blood pressure, and folate, which is a key in cell repair and helpful during pregnancy. Avocados are high in fat and calories, so it is important to adhere to the recommended serving size (1/5 or 1 ounce of a medium avocado). Two to three thin slices or 2 tablespoons of mashed avocado will give the correct amount. Avocados are also high in antioxidants, which contribute to cell health.

Salmon is a higher-fat fish, and it’s the fat that contains Omega-3 fatty acids, making this seafood a good choice. The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, or good fats, include a lower risk of arthritis, cancer, and heart disease. These fats have positive effects on memory, performance, and behavior. Research has also shown promising results from omega-3 fatty acids in studies of depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The American Heart Association recommends eating 3.5-ounce portions of fish, such as salmon, at least twice a week.

These foods may not have a seat at today’s FDA table of healthy foods. However, after taking a look at their nutrient makeup and the perspective on health and wellness in the 21^st century, it looks like the regulatory agency may be persuaded to revisit the topic of what’s healthy. As for me, I’ll leave each of those delicious foods on my list of good and healthy things to eat.

Takeaway: To ensure you are making wise and varied meal choices, it is crucial to learn all the facts about the nutritional content of the food items you bring to your table.

June 5, 2021May 28, 2021

Community – Marcia Harrison

“As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.”

— Bill Gates

There are a few sterling qualities that most successful leaders have in common:

They possess self-awareness and prioritize personal development.
They focus on developing others.
They encourage strategic thinking, innovation, and action.
They are ethical and civic-minded.
They practice effective cross-cultural communication.

It does not matter your age, gender, or the color of your skin – “leaders lead” and inspire others to be the best they can be.

Marcia Harrison is the type of leader for the next century contemplated by Bill Gates.

Marcia Harrison resides in Parkland with her husband, Tony, and two sons, Chad and Matthew.

For the past 25 years, Marcia has served in various roles within the banking industry, both in the United States and abroad. Marcia has worked extensively with diverse groups of financial professionals and clientele. In 2015, Marcia began her career at Bank of America as a Consumer Market Manager. She has held other leadership roles within the company such as Operations Market Manager and Consumer Banking Market Leader. She is currently a Senior Vice President, Operations Manager.

Throughout her banking career, Marcia has always taken great pride in mentoring and supporting her associates’ professional development. She believes that every employee has something of value to offer so it’s vital to invest in employee relationships, build trust by providing feedback, and seek your colleagues’ advice when you are the one who needs feedback. Marcia knows that good leaders play to employees’ strengths and work with the differences that make us unique and valuable.

Marcia’s ability to encourage, inspire, and foster a culture of inclusion in the workplace has placed her in a unique position to leverage her skills to support Bank of America’s values, particularly around diversity and inclusion. At a pivotal time in our country’s history when the work for advancing racial equality is so important, Bank of America had the ideal candidate – Marcia Harrison – as Chair of The Black Professional Group (BPG) Employee Network, South Florida Chapter. She has held this position for over a year.

The mission of the BPG is to enhance professional development, create visibility to the pipeline of black talent at Bank of America, be socially responsible, and support Bank of America’s values and business goals. Employee networks are formal, bank-supported groups comprised of employees who share a passion for diversity and inclusion. The group meets to network, mentor, encourage each other’s development, and participate in activities to uplift our communities. Network members are very involved in their communities, building strong ties through volunteerism, leadership, and financial education.

In addition to being Chair of the BPG, Marcia is also a Mentor for the Empowering Young Black Professional Program (EYBP), a program designed to foster the growth and development of young African Americans at Bank of America. The EYBP focuses on new associates with 1 -2 years of work experience, providing mentorship, information, and resources to prepare participants for professional skill growth and future opportunities.

Through her involvement with the Employee Network Groups at Bank of America, Marcia is able to organize events to support the community as well as to promote courageous conversations that highlight the importance of personal accountability and advocacy in advancing racial equality. Creating forums for Senior Leaders, associates, and community members to share their real-life experiences and learning from their insights, strengthen social connections, and helps improve health and mental wellness. These courageous conversations deepen our understanding of others and promote a culture of inclusion.

Marcia is not only impacting the lives of her co-workers at Bank of America; she is helping lay the groundwork for future leaders throughout the country who are currently under-represented and without a support group to lean on. Marcia’s work empowers others to strive for diversity and inclusion. Ideally, other large companies will take notice and create similar groups within their ranks. Strengthening social connections and leveraging different viewpoints and experiences to solve community problems benefits everyone.

Marcia is the type of leader you want on your team – one that empowers others in her community to succeed.

Thank you, Marcia, for choosing to raise your family in Parkland. You are an inspiration to us all.

June 4, 2021

Dietitian’s View – What’s Healthy Now?

Almonds, avocados, and salmon miss the mark, according to the FDA. Here is an overview of what these foods bring to the health table:

Almonds are a powerhouse of nutrients. Of all the tree nuts, ounce for ounce, almonds are the most nutrient-dense. They contain protein, fiber, calcium, vitamin E, riboflavin, and niacin.

Takeaway: To ensure you are making wise and varied meal choices, it is crucial to learn all the facts about the nutritional content of the food items you bring to your table.

June 4, 2021

Artist and coach contributes to MSD community and creative culture

Photography By Melissa Sweredoski of Moments By Mel

A lifelong artist and creative coach teacher, Lori Arbel has found the balance between art and academics, with her detailed work keeping people together.

“Two students who come to mind are Daniel Farji and Alyna Taub,” said Arbel. “We’re still friends and we’ve watched each other evolve as artists, as humans, and those are the most special relationships.”

From as early as 5 years old, Arbel has had an interest in art and knowledge. Many people think of a library as tall walls with boring, ancient volumes. But she saw it as a place with inky treasures and one that offered advice.

“I’d go to the library and I always had a stack of arts and crafts books,” said Arbel. “I remember being at the kitchen table making paper-plates arts and crafts with my cousin, and in that moment, I remember saying, ‘I love this.’”

Arbel later went to the University of Florida for her two-year undergraduate degree and a minor in photojournalism and art. She used art as a method to help heal and worked through the heartache of her mother’s death. She was then inspired to become an art educator, and at Florida International University she earned her master’s in art education.

For 20 years, Arbel’s career led her to teach in Manhattan, New York, and throughout South Florida. She is known for her mixed-media artwork, including drawings, paintings, prints, photographs, montages, and designs.

One example is Arbel’s “Thought Patterns,” a mixed-media collection using marks to question how people connect, respond, and make marks on the world while embracing emotional introspection for content — a creative expression as dialogue. Pops of bleached buttercup golds and yellows illustrate metaphors, and irregular lines may symbolize negative energy turning in a positive direction.

Arbel’s educational mission for Holocaust Remembrance Day and the currently all-virtual exhibition “#Marks4TheirLives” combines her artistic talents along with submissions provided by the public, who can participate and send in their projects for inclusion in the online gallery.

The exhibition focuses on a simple mark or line, on any size paper. This is to make a mark for each year of someone’s life, to celebrate their existence and uniqueness, and to honor the 1.5 million children whose lives were taken in the Holocaust.

“It’s a pun for March for Our Lives and March for the Living, which is a Holocaust program trip to Israel and Poland,” said Arbel.

This is meant to symbolize how everyone will confirm their own mark and existence and share their reflection on the process. The mailed submissions will be woven together to create a quilt, a celebration of life. All works will be displayed in a traveling art exhibition.

Arbel’s first full-time job was 20 years ago as an artist at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. After leaving Manhattan, she returned home to Parkland. She volunteered as a teaching artist with Eagles Haven, a wellness center created for the MSD community following the mass shooting.

“We created art together,” said Arbel. “It helps to heal and be in a loving and supporting environment.”

Alyna Taub has a history with Arbel. For nine years, Arbel has been a mentor, teacher, and friend to Taub. Their relationship began in high school when Arbel allowed Taub to express her creativity when the drama of high school swamped Taub’s teenage years. Through numerous lunches, class sessions, and after-school hours, Arbel supported Taub’s love of poetry, surrealism, and illustrations. Taub was inspired to go on and graduate from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s in visual arts.

“She’s been a constant support of inspiration, unconditional love, and friendship,” said Taub. “And I’m forever grateful to have a bright soul such as her in my life.”

June 2, 2021May 28, 2021

Carbon: A new cash crop for farmers