Parkland native Ian Bartoszek does not hesitate to hail Dion the snake as an MVP—“Most Valuable Python.”

After all, thanks to Dion, a “scout” snake, Bartoszek and his fellow biologists at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida removed five Burmese pythons during the last breeding season. “[Dion] had five girlfriends,” Bartoszek jokes.

However, Burmese pythons and their effect on South Florida’s wildlife are no laughing matter. The Burmese python is a large, nonvenomous constrictor that is an invasive species in Florida. You will find them primarily in and around the Everglades ecosystem. The snake represents a threat to native wildlife, but “they’re not interested in us,” Bartoszek says.

One of the snakes captured during this past breeding season was the heaviest Burmese python ever captured in Florida, according to Bartoszek. Specifically, it weighed 215 pounds, measured nearly 18 feet long, and had 122 developing eggs. A necropsy found that an adult white-tailed deer was its last meal.

“Imagine what else she ate over her life[time],” Bartoszek says.

The necropsy, which National Geographic documented, took place in March. Before the December 2021 capture, the largest female removed through the conservancy’s program measured 16 feet and weighed 185 pounds. At the time, it was the heaviest python captured in Florida.

Bartoszek, a 1995 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School graduate, says that at first, he and his colleagues were unimpressed. “We all underestimated the weight,” says Bartoszek, environmental science project manager for the conservancy’s program. “When we brought her back to the lab and put [her] on the scale, there was a collective wow factor. When we looked, the scale read 215 pounds. We’ve lost count of how many large pythons we’ve captured over the years. To be honest with you, it’s just another big snake for us. There’s always a bigger snake out there.”

Ten years ago, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida started a radio telemetry project to track Burmese pythons in order to learn about their behavior. Since then, Bartoszek and his team removed more than 1,000 pythons collectively weighing more than 26,000 pounds from an area of less than 100 square miles outside of Naples.

Bartoszek and his team use radio transmitters transplanted in male “scout” snakes, such as Dion, to study python movements, breeding behaviors, and habitat use.

Since the conservancy’s python program began in 2013, necropsies have found dozens of white-tailed deer inside Burmese pythons. Also, data researchers at the University of Florida have documented 24 species of mammals, 47 species of birds, and two reptile species in pythons’ stomachs.

The breeding season for Burmese pythons runs from November through March. Last season, Bartoszek and his team removed 4,300 pounds of python from the study area outside of Naples. He says the previous season yielded about the same number.

Removing female pythons plays a large role in disrupting the breeding cycle, Bartoszek says. But that can be easier said than done. Indeed, Burmese pythons are “amazingly cryptic” and hard to locate, he adds. Furthermore, they expand their range each year. Parkland is on the edge of that range, the wildlife scientist says.

The public can report invasive animal sightings by calling 1-888-IVEGOT1. In addition, people can report sightings of invasive species on the IveGot1 app, available at the App store. The app is an integrated invasive species reporting and outreach campaign for Florida that includes the app, a website with direct access to invasive species reporting, and a hotline for instant reports of live animals.

Searching the Woods for Critters

While Bartoszek currently captures huge snakes, he recalled flipping over rocks as a child in the woods in search of critters.

“I always had the bug for turning over stones, seeing where critters were hiding,” he says.

In addition, Bartoszek’s father used to take him fishing. He says those experiences made him appreciate Florida’s wildlife more. As a college student at the University of Arizona, the Parkland native studied wildlife and fisheries science. He recalls coming home from school for the holidays during his college years and appreciating the Everglades and South Florida’s water world even more.

“You have to get away from it to appreciate it sometimes,” Bartoszek says.

After earning his degree, he landed an internship at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. His responsibilities included working on projects for the Everglades restoration. Also, he recorded wildlife and became more aware of the area’s invasive animal issue. The internship led to Bartoszek’s employment with the conservancy.

Bartoszek says if you told him 11 years ago that he would track one of the largest snakes on the planet, he would not have believed you. He has encountered “some pretty incredible things.”

He says, “You really can’t make this stuff up.”

Living near the water in South Florida has a lot of advantages. I got to experience one of the best ones this summer.

I took a two-hour, narrated yacht cruise aboard the Lady Atlantic on the Intracoastal Waterway, from Delray Beach to Boca Raton and back. The waters were calm and peaceful, the route was beautiful as we passed impressive mansions lining the shores, and the boat was mostly shaded and comfortable for our journey.

I had made reservations in advance (recommended) and boarded the yacht on a Saturday for the 5:30 p.m. sightseeing tour as part of a group of four couples. Lady Atlantic was docked at Veterans Park on East Atlantic Avenue in Delray. We planned to eat dinner at a nearby restaurant after we got back to town, although they sell food and drinks on board the cruise. We got in line early to secure a good spot on the middle deck (which is covered), and we grabbed a couple of small tables that were located at the stern of the boat overlooking the water, pulling up eight chairs at our prime spot. We were ready to cruise!

A server came around with paper menus listing the drinks and appetizers available, and we ordered something for everybody in our group. We also were located close to the inside bar, for those who wanted to go in and get a drink quickly.

At 5:30 our vessel started to move, turning slowly around to go south on the water and waiting for the drawbridge at Atlantic Avenue to go up at 5:45. As a two-year resident of Florida, it was my first time seeing the tall bridge spans standing up from the vantage point of a boat on the water, and I got a little thrill from finally getting to do that.

We slowly cruised south out of downtown Delray and toward Boca Raton, looking from side to side depending on what our narrator was telling us over the intercom about the sights on either bank of the water. There were many interesting, huge properties along the way, some with pools and elaborate yards and gardens, and we learned about some of the pro athletes who had mansions on the Intracoastal as we passed by them. It was easy to stand up and walk around to get good photos of the sights, as the waves were never rocky on our cruise.

As we made our way to Boca, we learned a little about the area’s history from our excellent narrator. My friends and I were also surprised to see how many houses along the way seemed to stand empty; we soon learned that these impressive homes were just one of a few properties that someone might own. Because we were doing this cruise in the summer, many homeowners were gone and probably staying up north. It also meant that everything in the area was less crowded — a nice bonus!

Like clockwork, when we got to our destination in Boca at 6:30 p.m., the vessel made a U-turn and we headed back the other way to complete the journey in two hours. We got to see the churning waters and the picturesque properties from the other direction now.

After we returned back to Veterans Park, everybody lined up to slowly disembark, with help from the staff. My friends said they wanted to do another cruise sometime, maybe to go north toward Manalapan Island, another option offered. We are hoping to see manatees in the water there in the wintertime.

Delray Yacht Cruises also offers 1:30 p.m. boat tours, holiday lights cruises during December, and private charter cruises. For more information, visit www.delraybeachcruises.com.

I love the high holidays! I love being with family, friends, and community. And this year is even more special because after two years we will be together.

As a rabbi who prepares hours on end for these services, I know I have an advantage. And that comes from spending time with the liturgy and readings. As a result, I have come to see myself in the holy days.

I’ll explain.

It may sound strange coming from a rabbi, whose religion is deeply immersed in the idea of “tradition,” that I need religious celebrations and observances to inform and inspire me in the present.

Traditions help create connections to the past and deepen religious feeling, but our inherited traditions also need meaning that speaks to the needs or challenges of our times. I have learned that even our most ancient traditions can address life in the present.

The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, is the beginning of what are known as the High Holy Days. It is followed by the “Ten Days of Repentance.” These 10 days are meant for self-reflection and consideration of our own behaviors. They culminate on the holiest day, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

So, what can be said that’s particularly meaningful for us and our world today?

Central to the Ten Days is a notion of teshuvah, which literally means “return” and calls upon us to examine ourselves and see where we can improve. We might ask, “How can I be kinder, more patient, more forgiving, more giving in this world?” Looking at all of the disturbing events and issues in our world, we can easily be overwhelmed and feel helpless. But when personal reflection leads to change, we give ourselves agency to fix some of the problems of the world.

The most profound message of these holidays reminds us that the world begins with you and me! In a world that is so deeply divided, where there is so much violence against each other and our environment, where there is anger and hostility and such intolerance for the “other,” this ancient tradition tells us to look at ourselves and see what we can do to create change for the better.

I wish all a good, healthy, and meaningful New Year! Shana Tova.

David Steinhardt is a senior rabbi at B’nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton.

Here are the sky highlights this month:

• 10. Full Moon. The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be fully illuminated. This phase will occur at 5:58 a.m. Eastern. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Corn Moon because the corn is harvested around this time of year. This moon is also known as the Harvest Moon. The Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the September equinox each year.
• 16. Neptune at Opposition. The blue giant planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the best time to view and photograph Neptune. Due to its extreme distance from Earth, it will only appear as a tiny blue dot in all but the most powerful telescopes.
• 23. September Equinox. The September equinox will occur at 8:55 p.m. The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of fall (autumnal equinox) in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of spring (vernal equinox) in the Southern Hemisphere.
• 25. New Moon. The Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun and will not be visible in the night sky. This phase will occur at 9:55 p.m. This is the best time of the month to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters because there is no moonlight to interfere.
• 26. Jupiter at Opposition. The giant planet will be at its closest approach to Earth and its face will be fully illuminated by the Sun. It will be brighter than any other time of the year and will be visible all night long. This is the best time to view and photograph Jupiter and its moons. A medium-sized telescope should be able to show you some of the details in Jupiter’s cloud bands. A good pair of binoculars should allow you to see Jupiter’s four largest moons, appearing as bright dots on either side of the planet.

If you’d like to become more involved with astronomy in South Florida and meet like-minded people, the South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association (www.sfaaa.com) at Markham Park is fantastic, equipped with a state-of-the-art telescope, and the perfect way to take the next step in discovering our celestial sky. Happy exploring!

Over the past two years, fixed mortgage rates have been the lowest they have ever been since Franklin D. Roosevelt came out with Fannie Mae in 1938.

There is only one reason why fixed mortgage rates dropped to the levels that they have been, and that is because of the COVID pandemic. Now that COVID is getting under control and we are at the tail end of the pandemic journey, fixed mortgage rates are back to where they should be. However, we are seeing panic from new buyers, and from homeowners looking to take cash out for home improvement or debt consolidation, because of these “high rates.”

The fact is, mortgages today are still some of the lowest 15-year and 30-year fixed rates in history.

It’s important to realize that (prior to COVID) in October 2018, fixed rates were at 5.25%, which is basically within a hair of where fixed mortgage rates are now. So we are actually on par for where rates should be; however, with the last 2 “COVID years,” we got spoiled with those steady rates in the 2s and 3s.

I recently surveyed 50 people and asked, “Would you want to go through another 2 years of COVID lockdown, hospital treatment shortages, loss of life, etc., in order to get fixed mortgage rates back to the 2 and 3% range?” Of those surveyed, 100% said, “No way, not a chance.”

Knowing why fixed rates got so low, and realizing that fixed rates are currently exactly where they should be (5% to 6% range), I think we can all take a breather and feel comfortable knowing that mortgage rates are still historically low and that this is still a great time to lock in an incredible rate.

Recently, a member of the Federal Reserve said that fixed mortgage rates in the 7.5% range are in the Fed’s comfort zone. So we have to assume that that is where we will gradually head to. Being that we are in a high-inflation environment, if our economy stays on this path, we could see fixed mortgage rates up another 1-2% by the end of 2022. When you take that into consideration, you will have to agree that today’s mortgage rates are a lot more attractive than most people think.

Whether you are looking to purchase a new home or take cash out to make improvements on your current home, most people have a timeline of 20 to 30 days to their closing. Your goal is not to compete and compare with the “COVID rates” that are in the past, because that is a battle you cannot win. Your only goal is to lock in on the best day of your purchase contract period or in the days leading up to your refinance. Putting together a strategy for locking in a rate on the best day of your contract period is all you can control.

Although we have had a steady rise in fixed mortgage rates since February, we still get those days and weeks where rates turn around and actually get better. If you lock in on the best day leading up to your closing, regardless of what that rate may be, you will win.

Ryan Paton is president of Capitol Lending Group, with 22 years of history helping South Floridians get the best residential mortgage available.

Marjory’s Garden is more than just a garden. It’s a safe haven for students and teachers, fauna and flora, and so much more.

Ground was first broken on this project in May 2016 after dozens of portable classrooms were removed from a field behind Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSD). Following the suggestion of science teachers Kyle Jeter and Sean Simpson, the principal at the time, Ty Thompson, allotted a long strip of land next to the tennis courts for the purposes of a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) project. Mr. Jeter, Mr. Simpson, and others began brainstorming ideas and created a sketch of what would become Marjory’s Garden.

When you walk into the garden, the first things you might see are the flower beds with eye-catching zinnias up front. These specific flowers are perfect for two of the garden sponsors, Mr. Jeter and Mr. Simpson, who teach astronomy. This is because zinnias were the first flower to ever be grown in space! If you like that fun fact (or learning in general), you should keep walking past the flower beds to the outdoor classroom.

The outdoor classroom is exactly what it sounds like, with a handful of benches all facing a stage for optimal teaching (covered by shade for those hot Florida days, of course). Many teachers love using this area as a change of setting during school hours, especially the STEM teachers. In fact, in the 2022-23 school year, there will be a botany class taught by Mr. Davis, and he will use the garden.

The outdoor classroom is also where the school hosts its garden movie nights. The Climate Change Club, for example, recently watched “The Lorax” in Marjory’s Garden. Along with movie nights, there are many other special events held in the garden, such as Astronomy Nights and a “Not-So-Scary Halloween” event hosted by Mrs. Herzfeld and the spectacular MSD Drama program. As you can see, Marjory’s Garden is as versatile as it is beautiful, which is why it is split up into different sections, or zones.

The zones consist of multiple areas including vegetable and flower beds, a butterfly garden, and a “food forest” created by Mrs. Beaty. There’s also a corn and okra field courtesy of Lt. Col. Mark Anders, and a giant bamboo cone supporting bean-sprouting vines (designed and built by Mr. Davis). There is a “Reflection Garden” with a small fountain and 17 large, polished stones, donated and built by Brightview Landscaping in 2018.

The garden is an officially recognized wildlife habitat as well. It is home to countless species of fauna, including mice, butterflies, bees, sawflies, rabbits, iguanas, and, recently, baby birds. The “Everglades Zone,” designed by Mr. Garner, features indigenous plants such as sawgrass and is a prime example of how the garden is nurturing our Florida ecosystem.

Other amenities include the “Little Library” (donated by MSD Media Center specialist Diana Haneski), the “Kindness Rocks” stand (maintained by Roxanne Haubrich and many others), and an area for games such as chess and cornhole. Finally, and perhaps most uniquely, Marjory’s Garden is home to an observatory with an 8-inch Cassegrain reflecting telescope!

Besides being a beloved location by MSD students and staff, there are academic benefits to visiting the garden: Students can earn two service hours for helping out in the garden on Sundays (beginning at 9 a.m. sharp). There are always a variety of projects to work on, such as maintaining the garden, planting new flora, painting, construction, and much more. The most meaningful day to volunteer is on the Day of Service, an annual event hosted by MSD on the anniversary of the tragedy. Students not only earn service hours but also contribute very special and meaningful work to the garden.

Another great feature of being a student at Marjory’s Garden is the lunch held in the garden every Wednesday. On garden lunch days, there is always a faculty member present. Dr. McBride, for example, supervises the latter of the two lunch periods weekly, and Mr. Davis supervises the first. The garden lunch gives students a mental refresher and brain break from school and academics. During these lunches, students usually relax in the outdoor classroom or sit on the benches placed throughout the garden.

The garden also uses hydroponics, with a nutrient solution and tubes of flowing water to grow an assortment of plants, such as lettuce and peppers. The original hydroponics was created by Mr. Simpson in 2016; however, the garden is going to team up with Mrs. Reich and her STEM classes to create a new and better version of hydroponics in the future. The school is also installing electrical outlets and a permanent water valve in the front of the garden, for powering lights and other electronics at night, and of course, pumps for the hydroponics. This is an expensive task, however, so a lot of donors were recruited to get the job done, including Eagles’ Haven, Cutler-Rader, Hard Rock Classic Casino, Broward Health, and Roman Consulting. Without School Board member Lori Alhadeff leading the fundraiser, this could not have been accomplished!

Marjory’s Garden continues to be a vibrant and beautiful green space at MSD, thanks to the amazing students, staff members, community volunteers, and donors. The faculty leadership team consists of Lt. Col. Anders, Mr. Cochenour, Mr. Davis, Mr. Garner, Mrs. Herzfeld, Mr. Jeter, Ms. McAuley, Mr. Simpson, and Mr. Walsh. A special thanks goes to Ken and Sharon Cutler for supporting the garden from the very beginning. Mr. Cutler is currently the vice mayor of Parkland and Mrs. Cutler is a long-time MSD business teacher and DECA advisor. The school is also extremely grateful to all of the community and parent volunteers. Marjory’s Garden is a very enjoyable learning space for all, and it couldn’t have been created without the support of the whole Eagle family.

If you’d like to support this dynamic project, please go to https://gofund.me/cccf2fc7 for the GoFundMe, managed by former MSD teacher (and garden guru) Stephanie Beaty.