Category: Community

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SoFlo BUZZ: Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department recognized again

The Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department is among 348 departments nationwide rated Public Protection Classification (PPC) ISO Class 1.

The PPC program is known to help communities prepare to fight fires effectively through the community’s investment in fire mitigation.

The ISO expert staff analyzes the data collected regarding municipal fire protection efforts in communities and assigns a Public Protection Classification on a scale of 1-10. Superior property fire protection
is classified as Class 1. The classification generally determines the price of fire insurance in a community – the better the rating the lower the price, assuming all other factors are equal.

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SoFlo BUZZ: Area seventh-grader wins second place in state essay contest

Isabella Renert, a seventh-grade student at Coral Springs Middle School, has won second place in the Florida League of Cities “If I Were Mayor” essay contest.

Her essay was among 291 submitted state wide. The first place winner was Rithika Shankar from River City Science Academy Mandarin in Jacksonville.

“I am extremely proud of Isabella,” said Bettania Opthof, Isabella’s 7th Grade Teacher. “This young lady is every teacher’s dream student.

“To say that she is highly gifted is undeniable, but what makes her truly special is her kind heart and love of family, friends, and community. With future leaders like Isabella, I feel confident that our great country will be in good hands.”

Isabella’s essay began, “If I were mayor for a day, I would help the homeless, make sure the city is clean, and make sure the schools are safe.”

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Rewind: Keeping seniors connected with loved ones during times of isolation

The Alzheimer’s Association has partnered with the State of Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs to keep seniors connected with loved ones during social isolation. Through Project: VITAL (Virtual Inclusion Technology for All), senior-friendly tablets from engagement technology provider iN2L will be distributed to nursing homes and assisted living facilities (ALFs) throughout the state.

“There are more than 580,000 people in Florida living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Approximately two-thirds of the people living in ALFs have some form of dementia,” said Alzheimer’s Association Florida Regional Leader, Angela McAuley. “Project: VITAL has provided the Association the opportunity to extend our reach to not just those living with dementia, but to all seniors in Florida who are vulnerable to the negative effects of social isolation.”

During the pilot phase, the Alzheimer’s Association will work with 150 care communities, 40 of them in South Florida, supplying two tablets per community, as well as virtual training on how to use the equipment and platform. The tablets are preloaded with software programming from iN2L, enabling residents to connect with their loved ones via video chat with a simple tap on the home screen.

The tablet further fosters connection with family by creating individual profiles for every resident, with the added ability for family to add personal photos and videos to those profiles for residents to view whenever they like.

Also included on the tablet is an easily-personalized library of applications that supports cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual wellness for the ultimate person-centered engagement experience.

“We are excited to be working alongside the Alzheimer’s Association to provide the technology and tools for Project: VITAL.” said Lisa Taylor, iN2L CEO. “We know how important meaningful connection is to older adults’ health and well-being, and during COVID-19, it is absolutely critical.

“Our tablets are a connection care package for senior living residents, equipped with one-touch video chat tools for virtual family visits, as well
as over 1,000 content applications to connect residents to their interests and passions – all designed to keep them healthy, happy, and entertained during these uncertain times and beyond. We are thrilled that more seniors in the state of Florida will benefit from this solution,” she added.

“We’re hoping the use of these customized tablets will facilitate critical connections with the families, especially during these times – but, we want to use them for sustainable models for the future,” said Richard Prudom, Secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. “We want to ensure the safety of our vulnerable seniors while keeping their loved ones connected.”

The first 50 tablets were shipped on Friday, April 24 with the remaining 100 tablets on May 1.

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Parkland Life: Pandemic, social upheaval, crash into idyllic Parkland life

This entire column was going to be devoted to Michelangelo (Mickey) BooBoo Vogel, our brand new mini golden doodle puppy, but things rarely turn out exactly as we plan.  Yes, we took the plunge and adopted a puppy.

During these never ending days when Neil suggested that a silly, cute, cuddly and loving new family member was exactly what the doctor ordered,  I could not agree fast enough.  As is usual for Neil and I, once our decision was made we looked to get a puppy NOW.  This meant buying a puppy in a pet store, which I have never done before.

Calling around I found out that three mini golden doodle puppies were arriving at a pet store in Pembroke Pines on a  Friday night, and of course I booked the first appointment on Saturday morning to meet them. We would literally have our pick of the litter.  Of course there was never any question between Mickey and his brothers.

Once Mickey came into the play area with us, he went right up to Neil, licked his leg, looked up at him with his huge brown eyes and Neil was putty in his paws.  Mickey came to Parkland and immediately took over our house, backyard, and of course our hearts.  Like any baby (he was 8 weeks old) we have multiple nightly wake ups and Mickey and I are learning from each other what is negotiable or not.  He is charming when he cuddles, cute when he plays and devilish when he gets ‘puppy crazies’.  I am over the moon in love.

What Mickey brings to the table for me is a positive way to live my daily life.  After finishing multiple home projects, giving up on the 3,000-piece puzzle, baking, cooking, cleaning, reading and computer play, I was concerned about how my life was going to continue to transpire.  Neil, recognizing that, suggested to give me Mickey for my birthday. This has solved the loneliness I was feeling and has surely filled my days with love and positive energy.  I will always thank Neil for Mickey.

So, I am lucky.  I am white, have money and an education and was able to use these assets to purchase what I needed to make my life better, -namely acquiring Michelangelo BooBoo.  My life is filled with the luxuries that living in the United States can offer, but many people do not get to enjoy these same privileges.  Two days after Mickey came home, George Floyd died at the hands of the Minneapolis police.

We have all watched the footage of the police officer with his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck.  We heard Mr. Floyd cry that he couldn’t breathe.  We saw other officers stand by, looking and doing nothing.  I am sick every time I see.  This is America?  I thought this only happened elsewhere like  Nazi Germany.

My column is not generally political.  But how can I not compare the ease of my life during this pandemic and social upheavals over the death of Mr. Floyd, and compare it with others not as lucky as me? My self-isolation is in beautiful Parkland with many amenities.

On the other side many people are crowded into small apartments with no hope of staying safe in heavily hit urban areas.  I have retired and can order whatever I need on Amazon People with less means have to expose themselves and their families to the danger of contracting the disease as they shop or work in jobs servicing many of us.

This inequity in itself is hard to believe, but the apparent unimportance of Mr. Floyd’s life to those police officers defies any level of civilization.  I watch the fires of despair burn in cities from my living room with Mickey asleep in my arms.  I am so blessed while others are so unsafe.

I don’t know how to make things better but I will be thinking about these issues long and hard. I’m sure many of you will as well. Meanwhile, Mickey is safe in his new home with his loving new human parents.  I hope George Floyd rests in eternal peace.

 

By Jill Vogel

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Pandemic Parenting – Making it up as we go along

Think back to the beginning of the year. No one would have predicted that our children would be graduating in our living rooms; that summer camp, family get-togethers and beach days would be so oddly different.

For many, this change to a virtual existence has been difficult. Children thrive from social engagements, which makes this a time of great struggle and stress. Children’s brains develop through play and learning social skills. They learn boundaries and empathy through playing side by side with others, a scenario impossible to re-create through a video chat! So how do we fill the void for our children while maintaining social distancing?

Growing up, I had our summer ritual down pat. Days spent with family and friends, summer camp, vacation on Sanibel, school clothes shopping. It had a rhythm and regularity. This is the time to revisit your summer rituals and revamp them for COVID-19. Rituals are important for family cohesion. Resurrecting a custom from your childhood might be the answer. Unearth photo albums from your childhood and your children’s. Share stories and bring the past alive. Create a new rhythm for summer with family dinners, game time, and movie nights to help children connect with the family.

When we ask children to make a choice, they feel more empowered and in control. That’s a good thing. If we give kids choices, they have a set list of options to choose from. What they don’t have is an endless list of options you don’t want them choosing. “Are we going to the beach at 9 a.m. to beat the crowds, or are we playing in the sprinklers today?” Did you notice two choices with limits? If your child counter offers with a Disney trip, ice cream for breakfast or some other extravagance, it’s fine to pass. Just because your child wants something, it’s OK not to give it to them. Even when life is weird or stressful!

Just remember – you’re a great parent doing the best you can during a difficult time. You got this!

 

By Maria Berger

Maria Berger is a licensed mental health counselor and a registered art and play therapist. Her practice, Berger Counseling Services, is located in Parkland. Maria has been serving children, teens and families for over twenty years.

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A family affair

 

Continuing our profiles of folks connected to the Parklander during the past 30 years, we talked to Bobbi Mechler, from the Mechler Group.  

 

Thirty years ago, when the Parklander published its first issue, the city was already known as a place where young families raised their children in a park-like environment.  That’s one of the reasons that attracted Bobbi and her husband to the area after relocating from Long Island.

Parkland was an idea.  Surprisingly though, Parkland at the time, had no public parks.  The first park in Parkland, Quigley Park, was dedicated in 1989.  Over the years, as the city grew, more and more parks were added. Now it is hard to imagine Parkland without all of its playgrounds, sports facilities, and trails.

Bobbi, working in the real estate industry, has always enjoyed meeting the residents and potential new residents moving to the area.  She shared some of her interesting experiences in the Parklander™ magazine back in 1991.  One story about the perfect seller, a homeowner baking cookies for potential buyers, is still good advice today.

Her love for her work had a strong impact on two of her children.  Her son, Brent, and daughter, Courtney, joined their mom soon after college.  They have been working together for 21 years.

Even though real estate can be a very competitive industry, Mechler’s family enjoyed working together, and there was much laughter. Brent and Courtney were quick studies, and inherited the same charm from their mom.  Soon, clients were feeding back how much they loved working with them.

Having her kids working with her was a boon for Bobbi.  She was able to give them hands on training and advice from her years in the business.  Courtney, who always wanted to work with her mom, helped the team adopt new technology, and market effectively over the years.

These days, real estate marketing is recovering in the “new normal”.  After a period of time with no face to face meetings, recently rules with masks have been adopted.  Property owners can now set the rules for buyers.  Some advice from Bobbi, if you are showing your house, is to keep your lights on, so it minimizes potential buyers from touching the switches.

Looking forward, Bobbi would like to see the area continue to retain the park-like atmosphere, so she can continue to enjoy her tennis, bike rides and walks.  Considering how Parkland went from no parks in the 80s, to now, with the right planning, we can continue to improve our neighborhood.  Someday, perhaps, one of her grandchildren will be helping new residents finding their home in Parkland.

 

by Li Pan

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Broward County Library wins top state award

The Broward County Library has been named 2020 Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association.

“Broward County Library is dedicated to providing  our customers with the very best library services and resources available,” says Broward County Library Director Kelvin Watson. “We’re honored that our efforts and initiatives have been recognized by our peers and we’ll continue striving to reach and engage our community in innovative and meaningful ways.”

The association said the award “recognizes a Florida library that has demonstrated outstanding service to its community” by providing creative or innovative programming that can be emulated by other libraries and by expanding library services to the community it serves.

Broward’s “Air, Land and Sea,” campaign increased services to new residents of Broward, explored current social issues and provided our community with free access to current technology including virtual and augmented reality gear, Watson said.

The campaign expanded library service points to unusual and unexpected places in the community, including buses, parks, businesses and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Other awards the library received from the association was its “Excellence in Marketing and Public Relations Award” for the branding/public awareness campaign of its airport branch, and the “Library Innovation Award” for “Project Welcome,” an initiative that supports English-language learners and newcomers to Broward County.

Makiba Foster, regional manager of Broward’s African American Research Library and Cultural Center, received the association’s “Outstanding Scholarly Contributions” award for her article “Navigating Library Collections, Black Culture, and Current Events,” published In Library Trends Journal.

Earlier this month, Foster and Watson were selected by Legacy South Florida magazine as among of South Florida’s “50 Most Influential and Powerful Black Professionals of 2020.”

Nationally, Broward County Library Community Engagement Manager Roslyn Dean was named one of  Library Journal’s 2020s “Movers and Shakers” in the digital developers category.

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FROM THE EXPERT: ASK DR. RENAE

Dear Dr. Renae,

COVID-19 has had an impact on my personal training schedule and my college plans. My passion has always been the team sport I have dedicated large portions of my life to and I was hoping to continue to play on a team in college. As an athlete, the change in my training schedule and future planning has been overwhelming and confusing. If I do not get a sports scholarship to college, I need to reconsider my options. All athletes need a backup plan and I have been a good student with a competitive GPA so I can still get into a good college. I just don’t know how to focus my life on a different college experience since team sports will likely change.

Worried Junior, Rising Senior

 

Dear Worried Junior, Rising Senior,

I suggest that you sit down and create a Pros and Cons
list or a chart with your family or people who you are close with. By doing so, you will be able to figure out viable options for your future whether that includes getting a sports scholarship or not. Since times are very uncertain right now, it is likely that colleges and universities will be more lenient next year when it comes to admissions and scholarships. As long as you keep up a good GPA, you will be able to ensure a good place at a university whether or not your sport is in the picture. I wish you the best of luck!

A Caring Friend

 

Dear Worried Junior, Rising Senior,

This uncertain time with the coronavirus has caught a lot of the world off guard and has created such a dramatic shift in all of our lives. It’s ok to be uncertain about what the future holds, as I’m sure many are in the same position as you are right now. Even with all of the uncertainty, I would not give up your dreams. Of course, it is important to always have a back-up plan for college, but if you wish to play team sports in college and go on a sports scholarship, I would say to keep striving for that goal. You never know, in one year a lot can change and the circumstances may be entirely different. As someone who has been through the college admissions process, my advice is to continue to work hard and you will end up exactly where you are supposed to be!

An Understanding Friend

 

Dear Worried Junior, Rising Senior,

The current response to the pandemic has resulted in almost every person needing to reconsider how aspects of their future will unfold. As an athlete, you have been accustomed to relying on your ability to make highly successful split-second decisions on changing your course of action on the field. This inherent and learned resilience will serve you in realigning your future plans. Think about the decision-making process you automatically go through on the field and slow it down, step by step, to evaluate options for your future. The alternative opportunities you have are endless. You’ve got this!

Dr. Renae

 

ASK DR. RENAE is currently recruiting high school students interested in volunteering to be a Peer Counseling Writer for the Parklander’s ASK DR. RENAE teen to teen advice column. Please email Dr. Renae at askdrrenae@att.net to request an application for this exciting opportunity!

PARENTS OF TEENS: Would you like to anonymously and confidentially ask the panel of teen Peer Counseling Writers to comment on a parenting issue you are struggling with? If you are ready for a variety of honest opinions from real teens, please address your questions to askdrrenae@att.net.

Dr. Renae Lapin, a licensed marriage and family therapist with 40 years experience currently maintains a private practice in Boca Raton, Florida. For more information about Dr. Renae and her practice, visit her website: www.askdrrenae.com

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Zoom into Coral Springs art camps

 

The Coral Springs Museum of Art kicked off this summer with a digital camp program,“Zoom into the Studio,”which began June 15, and continues through August 14.

Artists ages 6 to 17 will be able to explore a number of studio art classes online on Zoom, where they will meet children with similar interests, and have fun developing their artistic skills in an interactive and engaging atmosphere.

Ninety-minute classes run Monday through Friday. Fees for members range from $54 to $60, with a $5 sibling discount. For registration information, visit museuminfo@coralsprings.org. Upcoming week-long classes include:

JULY 6 – 10

AGES 6 – 9
Pop Art

Instructor: Deborah Gregg

Young artists will jump right into designing colorful POP art pieces inspired by everyday images and comic books.

 

AGES 9+
Comic Book Design

Instructor: Cory Laub

Young artists will learn the finer points of designing comics, including character design, drawing techniques, and plot development. A lively discussion on the history
of comic books and their characters add to the fun.

AGES 12+
Teen Drawing

Instructor:Deborah Fletcher

Young artists will begin mastering techniques of drawing by adding dimension, value, and structure to their work.

JULY 13 – 17

AGES 6 – 9
Life Under the Sea

Instructor: Isabel Perez

This class allows young artists to experiment with different paper and painting techniques. They will learn about color, composition, texture and shapes, all while exploring life under the sea.

AGES 9+
Exploring Watercolor

Instructor: Pamela Keen

Learn about color, composition, texture and shapes in this out of the ordinary watercolor design class. Artists have fun experimenting with paint to make their own masterpiece. Demonstrations, classroom time for Q & A, and individual interaction will help you create beautiful paintings.

 

JULY 20 – 24

AGES 6–9

Art Around the World

Instructor: Deborah Gregg

Young artists will become world travelers as they learn about different cultures and their art. Throughout the week they will explore a variety of techniques and materials as they take a virtual trip to different destinations around the globe.

AGES 9+
Chibi Character Art

Instructor: Simone Spade

Young artists will learn how to create their own “chibi” character and critter using different art techniques like drawing and watercolor.

AGES 12+
Teen Creative Storytelling

Instructor: Cory Laub

In this class young artists
will learn the multiple ways
in which stories can be told. They will read and discuss short stories, create written work of their own, and learn how to adapt those stories into visual media like comics or movies. They will learn the basics of building a writing outline and plotting a story, the important differences between a prose story and a film or TV script, and what needs to be considered when creating a visual storyboard.

AGES 12+
Sketching Animals

Instructor: Simone Spade

Young artists will learn to properly sketch and complete drawings of animals in this exciting class. Young artists will learn how to properly map out proportions of animals and add details to their drawings in their own creative way.

JULY 27 – 31

AGES 6 – 9
The Wild Things

Instructor: Simone Spade

Young artists will take a walk on the wild side as they master the basics of creating animals using pencil and paint, while also exploring the natural world with a different type of animal featured each day.

AGES 9+
Cartooning

Instructor: Cory Laub

In this class young artists will learn how to draw popular cartoon characters step-by- step. They will practice cartoon drawing techniques and learn about anatomy, perspective, movement, how to create their own characters, and world- building philosophies.

AGES 12+
Teen Painting

Instructor: Simone Spade

This class is all about the exploration of painting. Young artists will enjoy learning different step-by-step skills of completing a work of art where both drawing and painting techniques will be covered.

AUGUST 3–7

AGES6–9
Art Studio

Instructor: Isabel Perez

This class is perfect for the budding artist. During this fun and exciting class the young artist will explore all things drawing and painting. They will be encouraged to use their imaginations as they discover their inherent talent.

 

AGES 9+
Art of the Animal

Instructor: Deborah Fletcher

This fun class will help young artists master the basics
of drawing animals as they explore the creative side of
the natural world and develop skills of bringing their creations to life.

AGES 12+
Painting Illustrations

Instructor: Pamela Keen

Explore the world of painting illustrations. Learn how to convert ideas drawn from various sources of texts into stunning, illustrative watercolor paintings.

AUGUST 10 – 14

AGES 6-9
Multicultural Art

Instructor: Isabel Perez

Young artists will spend the week creating art inspired by different cultures, while also learning about different traditions used to make art around the world.

AGES 9+
Exploring Watercolors

Instructor: Pamela Keen

Learn about color, composition, texture, and shapes in this out of the ordinary watercolor design class. Artists have fun experimenting with paint to make their own masterpiece. Demonstrations, classroom time for Q & A, and individual interaction will help you create beautiful paintings.

 

AGES 12+
Teen Drawing

Instructor: Isabel Perez

Young artists will begin mastering techniques of drawing by adding dimension, value, and structure to their work.

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Macarons – delightful treats

There are two types of people in the world.  Ones who have experienced macarons, and ones who have not.  Macarons are a sweet cookie, made with meringue.  For most of us who are not pastry chefs, meringue is made from egg whites, sugar, and in the case with macarons, almond meal is also added.

 

Pastries require careful preparation and are often impacted by the humidity and temperature we experience here in South Florida.  This is only one of the reasons pastries are something I enjoy but rarely attempt to make myself.

Macarons originated in Italy during the middle ages.  It was brought to France by Catherine de’ Medici, the Queen of France and of the famed Renaissance family origin.  It’s the french variety that has gotten famous over the years, and the Ladurée chain of bakeries have been spreading the luxury dessert across the world for the past 150 years.

It was at one of the Ladurée bakeries that Susan Mallow, owner of Bon Macarons Made with Love in Coral Springs, first experienced a Macaron with one of her daughters.  Susan decided to attempt to bake these treats right here in Coral Springs, and it took a lot of trial and error before she felt it was perfect.

Biting into one of these locally made strawberry and cream macarons, you feel the cookie resist slightly then give way.  It’s sweet, but not overly so, and the flavors from fresh strawberries come alive, and blend well with the Russian butter.  There are a wide variety of flavors to choose from, including chocolate brownies, peanut butter and jelly (PBJ), ganache, mocha, espresso coffee, and vanilla bean.  

Each macaron sells for $1-$3 depending on size and ingredients, and is a wonderful treat.  If you want to try to make it yourself, Susan will be happy to share her recipe, but be prepared for some hard work whipping the egg whites, and some trial and error to adapt to your oven.  She will also be offering virtual classes soon, for those who are interested.

 

Contact Susan via instagram @bonmacarons_

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SPORTS SPRINGS ETERNAL

By Nelson Dacier, author of The March to Madness

 

The term “Sports” can be defined as an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others according to a specific set of guidelines or rules. In addition, some commonplace synonyms for the word “Sports” include amusement, diversion, frolic, pleasure and recreation. It is in this fundamental form, rather than the former, that I will be discussing. 

The world was shaken several months ago by the Covid-19 crisis, and initially, it was quite difficult to grasp the widespread impact that the virus would have on all our lives. My first thought went to the safety and security of my family and friends and what the correct course of action would be to protect those closest to me. Then, during a phone call with my twenty-year-old son, who is currently attending a prestigious West Coast university, he said eight words that would alter my world forevermore, “What are we going to do without sports?” 

It had never occurred to me that I would live an extended era of my existence sans sports. Sure, there had been spans and stretches when strikes subverted seasons or incidents of inclement weather deferred and delayed performances for some brief period of time, but nothing had ever eradicated all events and shut down all sports, both professional and amateur, across the globe. I felt as if I had lost an intrinsic part of my essence.

Previously, on plenty of occasions, I would find myself sitting and channel surfing for something worthwhile to watch on TV, and, lo and behold, when all else failed, there was always a game to gaze upon. It was my father who invariably advocated for the action and uncertainty of any given sporting event over the predictable and typical inane sitcom, soap opera or dramatic series. “I never know the ultimate outcome of a sporting contest in advance,” he barked, continuing, “but I can surely submit the scenario of any given popular program that is presently on the air.” Thankfully, the reappearance of sports is on the horizon. 

Oh how I long for the camaraderie of crashing on the couch with my cohorts as we relish the comeback of competitive contests. Whether it is the NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB or even perhaps the PGA, ATP or collegiate challenges, I can assure you that hordes of fans will once again be reminiscing in their resourceful recliners. You may ask, “Why are sports so intertwined with today’s society as a whole?” Perhaps it is the hope, promise, and escape that sports allow us to achieve, if only for a few fleeting hours a day or a week. And while most of us are athletic supporters rather than actual athletes, the feeling of community, the sense of association, and the authentic bonding with our brethren will once again be proud and prevalent. 

We lost several significant happenings over the many past months including my personal favorite the NCAA Men’s Collegiate Basketball Tournament, more affectionately known as “March Madness” or “The Big Dance.” There was no madness in March. Nor were there any decisive dances or celebratory ceremonies. The arenas were empty, the stadiums were silent and our hearts were left hungry and hankering for seasons more satisfying. 

And now the debate rages on regarding how, when, and where a return to regulation will occur. But does it really matter? I think not. What truly matters in the long run is that the games regenerate, that hope once again springs eternal, and that we can all get back to our cozy confines and the cheers of competition. 

 

LONG LIVE SPORTS!!! 

Continue reading “SPORTS SPRINGS ETERNAL”

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Top 5 Advice for Wearing Masks for an extended period

It has now been a few months since most of us first laid hands on our masks.  During the lockdown, they were used while we ventured out to Publix, and to other stores that were still open.  Now as we have a wider range of activities to draw us out of our homes, the use of masks is increasing.

Masks were not initially designed for continual use.  Now, with more and more activity, and COVID-19 still a threat, work environments are mandating masks.  A lot of folks are facing 8 hrs or more of mask use.  It is a challenge to keep a mask on for a whole day, so we want to share some of the top advice regarding mask use:

 

Protect your Ears

Masks that hook around your ears are now a common sight around the community.  The ear hooks eventually irritate the back of your ear after using it for a couple hours; you can relieve this by getting a mask with straps that tie behind your head vs your ears, or with a single tie behind the head.  You can also get ear guards that will protect your ears.

Comfort

Now that you have protected the back of your ears, it’s time to consider the materials of which the mask is made of; polyester and synthetic material traps more heat vs cotton.  The N95 masks are typically made with thin synthetic fibers, but may not be as comfortable as a cotton mask.  Other moisture can also get trapped behind the masks, so one suggestion is to put a tissue on your nose behind the mask, it may help with some irritation.  If you feel suffocated with your mask, you can try mints or chewing gum, as they will help regulate your breathing.

Also, try out your masks at home before you use them for an extended period of time.  This will help you figure out the more painful areas and give you a chance to address it.

Credit: Stanford University / 4C Air

Make it Smell Better

You will be spending a bit of time with your mask when you venture out.  So, if you are sensitive to smells, consider using Menthols, or scented antibacterial sprays inside your mask. These will give it a pleasant smell, and reduce germs accumulating inside your mask.  You may also consider a few drops of essential oils.  For example, lavender oil is used to relieve anxiety; peppermint may help with mental focus; eucalyptus will help open your lungs, and bergamot has antioxidant properties, and can be a herbal option to ward off germs.

Foggy Glasses

For the 64% of Americans wearing glasses, especially in the South Florida humidity, foggy glasses are another annoyance you will face with masks.  First, make sure you have a tight fit on top of the mask.  If you have a metal strip in your mask, make sure it sits snugly on your nose and skin.  You can also try to wear your glasses lower, and thus down your nose.  For masks that tie behind the head, criss-crossing the straps can also be used to keep the fabric pressed closely against your face. 

Style

Since you are already customizing your masks to make them more comfortable, you might as well personalize it with your style.  The choice of masks now is ever expanding, and you can get them custom made for you.  You can choose a different mask based on your mood or outfit.

Credit: Katie May Masks

In Closing

Living with a mask on your face is now a part of everyone’s daily routine, you might as well try to make it as comfortable as possible.  There are masks for every purpose and occasion, so get a few styles and use them based on your activities.

 

Personally, I enjoy taking mask breaks when I can, but please wear a mask when you can not be socially distant in public.  You are protecting me by wearing a mask, and I am protecting you by wearing mine.

Submit your comments and your stories on masks to us.

 

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