Category: Community

What do we love about living in South Florida? The year-round, summer-like weather is a good reason. However, with the blessings also come the responsibilities. With access to pools, oceans, and canals we are in an environment where those who are not “Water Smart” can suffer serious consequences.

Drowning is one of the two top causes of death for children 5 and younger in Broward County (the other is unsafe sleep practices). For every child who dies from drowning, four more suffer life-long injuries that cause severe emotional and financial stress. Most importantly, drowning is preventable. That is why the SWIMS Foundation, the Children’s Services Council of Broward County, SWIM Central, the Department of Health, the YMCA, Pediatrics Associates, and many others integrate the Water Smart Broward Campaign. Each one of these organizations brings resources that help children and adults be safer in and around water.

What are the most important things to remember about water safety? First and foremost: adult supervision. Taking ownership of one’s child’s safety is the best thing any parent or responsible caregiver can do to avoid a drowning incident. Anyone who has taken care of a toddler, however, knows that constant supervision is nearly impossible. Being water smart includes creating barriers between the child and the body of water, such as:

• Installing child proof doors and locks, with handles at least 5’ high
• Installing alarms on access doors to all water environments
• Installing a four-sided pool fence
• Learning CPR and other rescue techniques.

Often, when a child is missing, the caregiver will search many locations, while the most important thing to do is to “Check the Water First!” When a drowning occurs, seconds count. So, whether it’s the pool, lake, canal, or even the tub… checking the water first is the rule of thumb. If a child is found submerged, immediately call 9-1-1. If more than one person is available to help, one should call 9-1-1 while another administers CPR.

Tragically, drownings often occur at a pool or other waterfront activities like children’s parties where everyone assumes someone else is watching. It is imperative to always appoint a water watcher, a responsible adult who will focus on the children in and around the water and make sure they are carefully supervised. Never trust another child with that responsibility or devices such as arm bracelets or rings. The latter are toys, not lifesaving devices.

Drowning accidents can happen to anyone. Many parents who lost a child to drowning never thought it could happen to them. Children, especially toddlers who easily and quickly leave a safe, supervised area unnoticed, need capable, close, and constant supervision.

Through funding from the CSC, Broward County residents can take advantage of low or no-cost water safety instruction for children 6-months through 4-years-old. By simply going to www.watersmartbroward.org anyone can ask for a coupon worth $40 redeemable at any number of aquatic centers in Broward. The SWIMS Foundation provides similar $50 value coupons for adults who wish to learn how to swim. These can also be redeemed on the Water Smart Broward website, as well as www.swimsfouondation.org.

Children who attend public schools can take advantage of the Swim Central program available to all kindergarten and first-grade students. Parents or guardians should look for a permission slip being sent home, sign off and make sure that on designated days the child goes to school with proper swimwear and a towel. With CSC funding, bus transportation provided by Broward County Schools and the support of Broward County Parks & Recreation, this program is free and it is available to all children in public school. It would be foolish not to take advantage of it, even if for this simple reason: since its start in 1999, more than three million lessons were given and only one child who has participated in the program has drowned.

For more information on the Water Smart Broward program and Swim Central, call 954-377-SWIM or 2-1-1. Let’s all be smarter about living in South Florida, enjoy the benefit of year-round beautiful weather and learn lifesaving skills that can help avoid needless tragedies.

Andrew Leon is the assistant director of Communications and Outreach, CSC Broward President, SWIMS Foundation.

Social media has become more than just connecting and catching up with old friends. Today, not only can you socialize but you can market your business as well. Whether you are a person looking to find out information on topics that interest you, meet new people, find out what’s going on around you, or have a business you want to expand by growing your brand and profits — Social media has you covered. Below is a list and brief description of some of the popular social media platforms:

FACEBOOK

Facebook is the quintessential social networking website. With more than 1.7 billion users, Facebook is a great tool for finding old friends and keeping in touch by posting pictures, videos, comments, and likes. You can create a sense of community for yourself by friending the people, businesses, or celebrities you’re interested in. If you want to market your business or brand you can start a fan page, which will enable you to stay in touch with your customers and let them know about new products or sales. In addition, you can join a group that has the same interests you do or “follow” your favorite celebrity’s fan page to keep up with the latest news.

TWITTER

With more than 300 million active users, Twitter has become an online news network service as well as a social platform. Twitter is one big networking event where you can send fellow users a message by simply tagging them. Twitter first made it big as a news breaking forum when America raided Osama Bin Laden in his Pakistan hideout, and a local citizen nearby was tweeting about exactly what was going on. News channels themselves look to Twitter these days to find breaking news worthy stories.

Twitter is also a great way for businesses to let customers know about new products and for customers to express their concerns or give praise. You can use hashtags (#) to direct users to your products or topics of interest. Hashtags started on Twitter because of limited word space. A hashtag is used to coin a topic or reference with one word rather than go into details.

INSTAGRAM

This social media platform potentially allows you to let more than 400 million users know about your brand or company by showing pictures or videos. Mainly used on a Smartphone, users can get access to Instagram at any time. Instagram allows you to be creative with photos and videos and use hashtags to direct users to your posts. The more creative you are with your posts, the more successful your site will be. With interesting filters and added editing tools, Instagram makes it fun to create appealing visuals to share. Once enticed, users can click on the link in your bio to buy your products or go to your website or read your blog.

LINKEDIN

LinkedIn is a social media networking site for professionals. Users can post jobs or find open positions that companies are looking to fill. You can connect with other professionals in your field or other fields that interest you by sending them a request to connect to your network. Gone are the days when a resume was on a piece of paper. Today, your LinkedIn profile can serve as your resume. A type of online digital resume if you will. Users can read other professionals articles, posts, or simply keep up with what is new or happening in their network of professionals.

YOUTUBE

YouTube is all about videos you upload to share with others. Users can see them and give you feedback by liking them or commenting on them. Additionally, YouTube is a great site to learn how to start a hobby such as sewing, cooking, crafting – pretty much anything you can think of. Or simply enjoy watching videos on any topic of interest. YouTube can be very entertaining or informative. You can promote your brand, upload your music, show how-to recipes, introduce new products you are launching, or showcase your talents through entertainment videos (singing/dancing). You can get discovered on YouTube, if the right person happens to see your video.

SNAPCHAT

Today’s generation is glued to their Smartphone device. With the launch of Snapchat, 12 to 22-year-olds connect and snap photos to share with their friends/followers. If you are planning on marketing to this age group, you can find them here. Users snap photos and upload them to share, but within 24 hours they’re gone. You can send real-time pictures and not worry about them sticking around.

Social media has been around for merely a little over a decade and shows no sign of slowing down. Vastly growing and changing at record speed, who knows where social media can take us next.

Animal shelters in the summertime may be overrun with puppies and kittens. But there is little worry that these bundles of fluffiness and cuteness will find their forever homes. The fact is the youngest pets are irresistible to many adults and children.

Usually overlooked are the older dogs and cats. This is a shame because potentially they adapt more easily to a new home and present fewer behavioral problems with training. From peeing on the carpet to climbing expensive silk curtains, puppies and kittens can create havoc without supervision.

“We get a lot returns of puppies because they messed in the house or chewed something,” said Lisa Mendeim, public education coordinator of Broward County Animal Care in Fort Lauderdale. “People need to be realistic with young animals, there are going to be accidents. A lot of people a have no time for training. Senior pets are great companions and very appreciative.”

At what age is a dog or cat considered a senior? According to Dr. Lisa Feinstein, formerly of the Plantation Animal Hospital, it is eight years old. Though an animal’s breed is also a factor in how long it will live. “Little dogs, like Yorkshires or Maltese, live longer than Great Danes and Rottweilers,” Feinstein said. “Just as with people, senior pets present health challenges. You may or may not want to invest in a life-saving surgery. It’s a quality of life issues for senior pets.”

“All senior pets need is love,” said Cherie Wachter, public relations and marketing person with the Humane Society of Broward County in Fort Lauderdale. She sees older pets given up for many reasons, some include moving to a no-pets apartment or allergies.

Wachter has fostered senior pets from the shelter, including a Yorkshire terrier whose owner had passed away. She kept the dog for a year. “She was just so sweet,” Wachter said. “She loved to give kisses and be petted. With older pets, you know their personalities. There aren’t a lot of surprises in store.”

Wachter recommends that adopters of older pets pay attention to them. “Be observant of their habits in terms of eating or elimination in case there is a sign of trouble,” she said.

Jennifer Hummel is dedicated to the cause of senior canines through her organization vintagepaws.org in Sarasota. It is a senior dog sanctuary that houses older dogs and finds foster and forever homes for them. The genesis of the organization was personal. “My mother passed away when I was 16,” Hummel said. “She dropped off our three senior dogs at the shelter.”

Hummel gets older dogs from owner surrenders and no-kill shelters in Florida. “A lot of them come to be neglected, so we look at their dental and skin problems and fix them up,” she said.

Having helped hundreds of dogs so far, Hummel observed, “Senior dogs are more mellow. They just want to hang out with you and take a slow walk. Some still have energy, but they are good easy pets.”

I read The Shack, by William Paul Young, in 2008. Honestly, I resisted it then, as it seemed too “trendy” for my taste. The book was wildly popular – earning awards and selling millions of copies. I gave in, curious just to see what everyone was talking about. I was glad I did. I found it deeply moving, with profound insights into God and life.

Recently, The Shack, became a film. Again, I was skeptical. As much as I liked the book, I couldn’t imagine the movie being as good. I’ve not been “impressed” by the overtly Christian films I’ve seen in the theater. I feared that a beautiful book was being turned into a corny, cliché-cheapened theatrical version. Thankfully, I was wrong.

Though I still prefer the book to the movie, I found The Shack to be well-made, and respectful of the book’s intent. And, I found many of the visual references beautiful and deeply moving.

The Shack is the “fictional” story of a man named Mack, who encounters God in a mountain “shack,” following the abduction and murder of his daughter, Missy. After a time of grief and anger toward God, Mack discovers a note from “Papa,” to meet him at the “shack,” which is also where evidence of Missy’s death was discovered. When Mack arrives, unsure what to expect, he discovers the “shack” transformed into a beautiful mountain cabin, inhabited by three people representing the persons of the Christian Trinity. “Papa,” typically referred to in the Church as “Father,” turns out to be an African-American woman. Jesus is a young Jewish man. And, the Holy Spirit, is an ethereal Asian woman named, Sarayu. Over the course of a weekend, Mack discovers God to be quite different than he had previously thought, and finds healing for his terrible grief.

The Shack is filled with profound insights into God, that challenge many ideas about who God is and what God does. For some Christians, that has been a major problem. For some, The Shack threatens core theological convictions, and violates what they believe to be biblically true. Undeniably, The Shack pushes the boundaries of conventional Christian teaching, which is why it has been refreshing to some and threatening to others.

It is important to say that The Shack is not the Bible. The purpose of The Shack is to reframe ideas about God, as well as the issue of pain, and to force the reader/viewer to expand their spiritual imagination. In one of my favorite quotes from the book, Papa says, “Just because you believe something firmly doesn’t make it true. Be willing to reexamine what you believe. The more you live in the truth, the more your emotions will help you see clearly. But even then, you don’t want to trust them more than me.” 

The Shack is not ultimate Truth, however you define it. But, it contains valuable insights into Truth. Whether or not the reader/viewer agrees with every detail, The Shack provides an opportunity to reexamine your beliefs. For some, that may simply reinforce existing convictions. For others, it may open their hearts and minds a little bit wider. It did for me.

WorldFest celebrates diversity

Last month Coral Springs hosted WorldFest at the Sportsplex to celebrate the diverse cultures that make up the community of Coral Springs. The event featured ethnic foods, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and fun activities for children. The event also featured Culture Village and Kid’s World

1.Lotus Angel with South Florida Vietnamese Folkore Dance.

3: Mona Tsui from the Coral Spring Chinese Cultural Association.

8: Officer Jomant with Caeser from the Coral Springs k9 Unit, demonstrate K9 take downs.

9: Josef Keller reads a book while selling jewelry.

12: Rosa Humala buys handmade jewelry.

13: Brittany Bell pets a little donkey.

14: Fernanda Lopez rides the pony.

17. Chaitanya Bhate from India with his son Agastia and wife Shuti Bhate enjoy the day.

18.Emma Viola sips a pineapple

21: Emily Jones plays in the bouncy house