Category: Community

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Still pursuing a ‘perfect union’

The formation of the United States of America began with an idea. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed. The problem with implementing ideas is that humans are flawed. Even the best among us are not perfect, and therefore we can only hope to work towards perfection. The founders knew this. They knew they had written a document that contradicted the owning of slaves. Fourteen prominent founding fathers owned slaves, seven did not. As a group, however, they believed that the liberty and independence of the United States was the larger goal at the time.

The Constitution was signed September 17, 1787. “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, to ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” In Order to form a more perfect Union, the Founders were admitting that they, and this country, were not perfect. A great deal of work still needed to be done.

The Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 freed many slaves, but it wasn’t until the Thirteenth Amendment, adopted December 18, 1865, that slavery and involuntary servitude were abolished (except as a punishment for a crime). Ever so slowly, steps continued to be taken towards the idea that is the foundation of this country, equality. Initially introduced to Congress in 1878, a (white) women’s suffrage amendment was officially adopted on August 26, 1920. This was the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution.

In August 1892, one of the original Pledges of Allegiance was composed by Francis Bellamy: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” “…He had initially also considered using the words equality and fraternity, but decided against it, knowing that the state superintendents of education on his committee were against equality for women and African Americans.” Per Dr. John Baer in his book, The Pledge of Allegiance: A Short History.

June 22, 1942 saw the Pledge changed to “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” “Under God” was added on June 14, 1954.

The Civil Rights Act was enacted on July 2, 1964. As Americans we must work together to continue to bring the founders’ idea to fruition. All are created equal, with liberty and justice for all. As human beings we may never achieve perfection, but as Americans our ambition is to always keep working to “create a more perfect Union”.

On this Independence Day, let us truly reflect on the history of this country we love. Let us think about the things we are able to do, no matter how small, to make things better, and to continue working towards the original foundational idea of equality. Let us listen and open our hearts with love to our fellow Americans who don’t look like us, love like us, or worship like us.

We MUST do these things “not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because the challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win…” President John F. Kennedy, Sept. 12, 1962.

By Sheryl Dunn, Publisher

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Patriotic songs touchstone of Fourth of July

It’s the season of patriotic songs. You know the melodies, and maybe the lyrics, and now we present you with a little of the history of some of the most well-known and well-loved.

God Bless America

God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with the light from above

From the mountains to the prairies/To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home

God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with the light from above

From the mountains to the prairies/To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home

To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home/

God bless America, my home sweet home

Irving Berlin might be best known for songs such as “White Christmas,” “Easter Parade,” and scores for 19 Broadway shows and
18 movies, but he also wrote “God Bless America.” In 1918, Berlin, a Russian immigrant, was serving in the U.S. Army in Yaphank, New York. “God Bless America” was intended for the finale of his comedic all-soldier music revue, Yip Yap Yaphank, but Berlin decided to cut it, and did nothing with the song for 20 years. Then, in response to the growing conflict in Europe, he made revisions to the unpublished song, and Kate Smith first sang it on her radio program on Armistice Day, (now called Veterans Day), broadcast in 1938. “God Bless America” became her signature song.

America the Beautiful (1st stanza)

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties/Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood/From sea to shining sea!

The author of “America the Beautiful,” Katharine Lee Bates, was a Massachusetts native who became an English literature professor at Wellesley College. It was on an 1893 trip to Colorado, on Pike’s Peak, that she began to formulate the words to “America the Beautiful.” Her poem first appeared in The Congregationalist, a weekly newspaper, on July 4,1895. Over time, Bates made a few revisions to the words and for years, the poem was sung to many popular tunes, including “Auld Lang Syne.” Today it is sung to a melody written in 1882 by Samuel Augustus Ward, a Newark, New Jersey, church organist and choir director who originally wrote the tune to accompany the words of a 16th century hymn. Although they did not know each other, Bates’ poem and Ward’s music were published together in 1910.

The Stars and Stripes Forever

When you think of military marches, you think of John Philip Sousa. Sousa first became famous as the leader of the U.S. Marine Band and then with the Sousa Band, which toured for nearly 40 years. Known as “The March King,” he composed over 100 marches including “Semper Fidelis” (1888), which became the official march of the U.S. Marine Corps, and the rousing, July 4th favorite, “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” (1896), the national march of the United States. And yes, the “The Stars and Stripes Forever” has lyrics, but they are much lesser known than the tune itself.

The Star Spangled Banner (1st stanza)

O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming,/Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,/O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?/And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

The lyrics to the “The Star Spangled Banner” are a poem titled “The Defence of Fort McHenry,” written by lawyer, Francis Scott Key, during the War of 1812. Upon seeing a large American victory flag waving after a night of intense British bombardment at the Battle of Baltimore, Key was moved to write the poem. It was paired with a British tune written by John Stafford Smith for the Anacreontic Society and became known as “The Star Spangled Banner.” (For those not in know, Anacreon was an ancient Greek poet known for his celebrations of love and wine.) Declared the national anthem in 1931, and often played at professional sporting events, “The Star Spangled Banner” is notoriously challenging to sing given its difficult lyrics and high pitched and held notes.

God Bless the USA

If tomorrow all the things were gone I worked for all my life
And I had to start again
With just my children and my wife

I thank my lucky stars
To be living here today
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom/And they can’t take that away
And I’m proud to be an American/Where at least I know I’m free
And I won’t forget the men who died/Who gave that right to me
And I’d gladly stand up next to you/And defend Her still today
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota
To the hills of Tennessee
Across the plains of Texas
From sea to shining sea

From Detroit down to Houston
And New York to L.A.
Well, there’s pride in every American heart/And it’s time we stand and say
That I’m proud to be an American
Where at least I know I’m free
And I won’t forget the men who died/Who gave that right to me
And I’d gladly stand up next to you
And defend Her still today
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.
And I’m proud to be an American
Where at least I know I’m free
And I won’t forget the men who died/Who gave that right to me
And I’d gladly stand up next to you
And defend Her still today
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt
I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

Singer songwriter Lee Greenwood released “God Bless the USA” in 1984. Greenwood, and the song, which peaked at Number 7 on the country chart, were nominated for two Grammys that year: Best Country Male Vocal and Best Country Song. However, it became an even bigger hit during the Gulf War in 1991, and then again in 2001, after 9/11. Greenwood had wanted to write a patriotic song for years, and found inspiration for the song when Russia shot down Korean Airlines flight 007 in 1983, killing 63 Americans.

By Ellen Marsden

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Business Spotlight: Start kitchen makeover with a clean slate

ShelfGenie is the only nationwide franchise designing, building, and installing custom pull-out shelving solutions into existing cabinets. Founded in Richmond, Virginia, in 2000, ShelfGenie has expanded across the U.S. and into Canada, fueled by local franchisees.

Bryan Dahn, owner of the Fort Lauderdale location, has a few suggestions for organizing your kitchen and how ShelfGenie can help. It might seem like a daunting task, but whether you are sheltering at home or stuck inside due to the rain, it’s actually something that can get done over an afternoon. And right now, they are offering complimentary design consultations and clients can receive 50% off their installation.

The first tip Bryan suggests is to pull out everything in your kitchen cabinets and shelves, where you can see your kitchen as an empty space, similar to a blank canvas and get inspired like an artist. Put similar items together and stack them on top of each other, such as with pots, Tupperware, or bowls that will be easy to access when you’re making the next recipe you saw on Facebook or YouTube. When you need a spice or a measuring cup, he recommends clients install ShelfGenie Glide-Out drawers or floating shelves to create a streamlined effect. You can also consider adding a lazy susan to the counter to hold smaller items, or a magnetic wall pendant for your metallic utensils.

The second thing Bryan suggests is color. Pick a few colors in a palette to incorporate throughout the kitchen. You can pick out colored glass jars or containers to house your pastas and other dry goods to transform them into a decor point that blends form, function, and beauty. Monochromatic kitchens have been trending, but he prefers using pops of color with colorful art or plants to add texture and mix up the space.

The last thing Bryan recommends is that you consider getting unnecessary items off the surfaces and make them into easy- to-reach display items that can be used time after time. This can be done by adding a bar between the kitchen shelves and adding metal hooks to display your collection of coffee mugs, for example.

ShelfGenie’s main website is shelfgenie.com, and Bryan’s Fort Lauderdale location has a Facebook website at facebook.com/ShelfGenieofFortLauderdale. You can call him at (954) 737-1679 for your complimentary design consultation.

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Fine wine from a total solar eclipse

It took almost one thousand years for the vineyards in Burgundy, France,
to become dedicated to specific varieties, and it was the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that became the masters of that fiefdom. When winemaking got started in California, the vintners planted anything and everything that they could lay their hands on. Among those early vintners was a faux Hungarian Count, Agoston Haraszthy, who is often credited with bringing to California most of the grape vines that have found a home there.

It has taken our vintners only 150 years and modern science to determine what grows best and where. Once the best locations were determined, American vintners began to make wine. American grapes, however, were not mirror images of their French parents, and winemakers had to discard French winemaking techniques to develop new ways of turning finicky grapes into exceptional wines.

Among the myriad of producers of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, only a few have mastered those grapes and are producing outstanding wines. I recently had the privilege to sample some wines from one of those latter-day vintners, Gary Farrell. The grapes for all these wines were picked on August 21, 2017, the day of a total solar eclipse.

2017 Olivet Lane Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay ($45).

The wine is outstanding and memorable. If you are seeking a carbon copy of a French Montrachet, you will be disappointed, as this wine is
a true child of California. The aroma of apples, peaches, and pears are intertwined with notes of fragrant summer flowers. I believe that this wine will set the stylistic direction for better Chardonnays for years to come.

2017 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($45).

The grapes for this wine were sourced from seven of the top vineyards in the Russian River Valley. The fruit from each vineyard adds its own nuance to the final blend, resulting in a delicately scented and brightly flavored wine. Cherries, both the fruit and the blossoms, dominate the aroma along with vanilla and toasted nuts. This is a wine that should not be taken for granted. It is a grand example of what a fine, well-made California Pinot Noir should be.

2017 Russian River Valley Chardonnay ($35).

This wine was made from the grapes of famous vineyards in the Russian River Valley. The wine displays the aroma of lemon, melon, peach, and pear with hints of green tea, jasmine and two of my personal favorites, arugula and wasabi. These flavors continue on to the finish where they mingle with tropical fruit and apple. This wine has an incomparable and unforgettable silky finish with hints of flavors that I have never before experienced in a Chardonnay.

It is customary to serve white wines slightly chilled. Unfortunately, all too often, the wines are served too cold so their characteristics become muted. If the wine fogs the glass, it is too cold. Twenty minutes in the refrigerator should be more than enough.

 

By Bennet Bodenstein 

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Parkland mayor seeks Florida State House seat

In April, Parkland Mayor, Christine Hunschofsky, announced her run for the Florida State House of Representatives District 96. She would be replacing former representative and friend, Kristin Jacobs. Jacobs passed away earlier this year following a three- year battle with colon cancer.

A 20-year Parkland resident before becoming Mayor in 2016, Hunschofsky served nearly four years as a Parkland City Commissioner, seven years on the city’s Education Advisory Board, and is currently a member of the Broward League of Cities School and Community Public Safety Task Force.

“I could never have imagined when I entered public office that I would see our community brutalized by a mass shooting and confronted by the devastating effects of an international health emergency,” Hunschofsky said in a press release announcing her candidacy.

“Both of these events have revealed urgent issues which must be addressed by the legislature now including gun safety, emergency preparedness, economic recovery, and fixing a broken unemployment system,” said Hunschofsky.

“I cannot think of a time when my friend Kristin Jacobs’ leadership has been more needed than during this current crisis,” she said. “Losing her is a true blow to our district and I intend to use my experience in government to do all I can to continue her work of fighting for our community in Tallahassee.”

The 96th District includes Parkland, Coconut Creek, parts of Margate, and the northeast section of Coral Springs in northeastern Broward County.

Parkland City Commissioner, Stacy Kagan, who served seven years with Hunschofsky and was vice mayor for two of the years, says, “Parkland has been fortunate to have had Christine’s leadership.”

A Parkland resident for the past 16 years, Kagan is now running to succeed Hunschofsky as Mayor.

“I endorsed Christine immediately,” she says, “and I think that she will
do an excellent job in the position.” said Kagan. “This town has a proud tradition of producing stellar leaders and it benefits our community to have leadership that understands the unique character and interests of this amazing place we call home. We have a resilient and united community and care about each other.”

A Boston native, Hunschofsky graduated with her bachelor’s degree in business administration and philosophy from Boston University, in 1996 she went on to earn her MBA from Babson College before relocating to Parkland with her husband, Hannes, and two sons.

Staying occupied with Zoom meetings during COVID-19 stay at home orders, Hunschofsky says when she received a text from Jacobs two weeks before her death saying she was not doing well and asking Hunschofsky to run in her stead, Hunschofsky knew she had to take the next step.

“I believe my experience allows me to bring a local perspective to Tallahassee,” Hunschofsky says. “I’ve worked on the local level and with leaders on a state level. This allows me to make a positive contribution and elevate local issues to Tallahassee.”

Following Jacobs’ commitment to environmental issues, specifically water quality issues, Hunschofsky plans to make this a priority in her agenda along with a focus on access and funding for mental health services, expanding Medicaid, school safety and common sense gun laws, and support for grief counselors and social workers in schools. (Hunschofsky was the Mayor during the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in 2018.)

For the Aug. 18 primary, Hunschofsky will run against fellow Democrat, Saima Farooqui, who ran and lost to Jacobs with 20.7 percent of the votes, two years ago. A write-in candidate, Coral Springs resident, Muhammad Amin, (also a Democrat) will not appear on the ballot in the primary but will appear on the ballot for the general election, Nov. 3.

Attempts to contact these two candidates were unsuccessful.

Check out our podcasts with Commissioner Kagan, and Commissioner Walker on www. theparklander.com/podcast to hear more on why they are running for Parkland Mayor.

 

By Jan Engoren

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July 2020 Magazine

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House of Hope receives $30,000 grant

Fort Lauderdale’s House of Hope has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the Jim Moran Foundation, which strives to improve the quality of life for the youth and families of Florida through the support of innovative programs and opportunities that meet the ever-changing needs of the community.

This grant supports House of Hope’s mission of providing hope and healing for those with substance abuse and mental illness. Like most non-profit organizations, House of Hope has had to modify daily operations due to COVID-19 and will use the funds to provide for the needs and adjustments brought on by the pandemic including purchasing additional PPE and cleaning supplies, updating the facility for telehealth visits, and preparing rooms for safely admitting clients.

“We are so thankful for the generosity of the Jim Moran Foundation during this challenging time,” said Sue Glasscock, House of Hope CEO. “As we all adjust to the new normal, our goal is to continue providing our clients with the resources they need to stay on track with their recovery journey and this grant will help us accomplish that. The grant acknowledges the positive impact House of Hope has by rebuilding lives, reuniting families, and building stronger communities.”

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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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