May the Fourth be with you!

By Sheryl Dunn

Stories from the Star Wars universe have been delighting and enthralling fans young and old alike since “A New Hope” first debuted in 1977. “May the force be with you” became a catchphrase, and eventually, as with many things on the internet ⎯ a pun and a holiday were born.

May the Fourth be with you! Regardless of your opinions on the prequels (Episodes I through III) and sequels (Episodes VII through IX), the popularity of the Star Wars franchise continues with the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando and with “The Mandalorian,” the TV show on Disney+.

However, you don’t have to travel all the way to Orlando and brave the crowds just to have some Star Wars−themed fun. Even though May 4th is a Tuesday this year, you can still have fun dressing up at school, at work, or at home and having watch parties with your friends and family.

What can hard-core Star Wars fans do if they want to up their costume game or meet other diehards? There are, in fact, international, nonprofit social clubs ⎯ the 501st Legion and the Rebel Legion ⎯ with local chapters in South Florida. Founded in 1997, the 501st Legion is an international, 501(c)(7), nonprofit social club first organized by Albin Johnson. As of April 2, 2021, they have 14,188 members in 69 countries. In Florida, there are 602 members who make up the Florida Garrison. The garrison is further divided into five squads with South Florida covered by the Everglades Squad, which was first founded in 2003.

Since then, the 501st has participated in thousands of events and currently has 101 active members in its service. Active members are defined as those members who participate in at least one event, or “troop,” per year; complete their annual organizational census; and own, via building or commissioning, at least one screen-accurate costume that has been reviewed and approved according to specifications listed in the costume reference libraries (CRLs). These CRLs include not only stormtroopers, but also any antagonist or morally gray character from the Star Wars galaxy.

In January 2000, in response to the rise of the 501st, and wanting to celebrate the heroes of the Star Wars galaxy, the Rebel Legion was officially founded by Tony Troxell, Richard Fairbrother, Doug Fesko, and Ed O’Connell.

The 501st Legion and the subunits thereof have three primary missions: (1) to promote interest in Star Wars, (2) to facilitate the use of costumes, and (3) to contribute to a variety of charitable causes. To accomplish these missions, they attend various private and community events throughout the year at no charge to event organizers. For private events, they generally encourage organizers to donate any amount to a charity of the organizer’s choosing in the 501st Legion’s name. This request is by no means mandatory, though. For public events, the 501st Legion visits libraries, schools, children’s hospitals, fundraising initiatives, weddings, birthday parties, comic conventions, municipal parades, movie premieres, select Disney events, and many more. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, the Everglades Squad attended approximately 142 different events in South Florida throughout the year.

For more information, visit the following websites:

The 501st Legion is a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans. While it is not sponsored by Lucasfilm Ltd., it follows generally accepted ground rules for Star Wars fan groups. Star Wars, its characters, costumes, and all associated items are the intellectual property of Lucasfilm.©™ Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. Used under authorization.

Let’s Fiesta! – A Cinco de Mayo collaboration

Let’s Fiesta! – A Cinco de Mayo collaboration

By Rachel Hunter

Owner of Celebrate You Events offering bespoke party planning for all occasions.

Tel: 305.389.0550

CelebrateYou2020@gmail.com

While Cinco de Mayo originated as an historic battle won in the city of Puebla, Mexico, here in the US, it has become a celebration of Mexican heritage. So, grab your sombreros and get ready to party! Here are some family-friendly ideas to liven up your hump day.

A few days before the holiday, get the kids involved in creating the decorations. The local dollar store has tons of seasonal, inexpensive crafts. Make them together, or give them the tools and enjoy a few minutes of downtime. (Wishful thinking, I know!)

On the actual day, I like to set up a festive kids table with more activities. Don’t put the Easter eggs away just yet! Save a few for them to make their own maracas. Simply have them put dried beans inside the egg, grab a couple spoons and secure the egg in the spoons with some colorful tape. They’ll enjoy decorating them as well as dancing around afterwards with their new musical instrument. I also found a free, downloadable Cinco de Mayo themed “I Spy” for them to play. Throw in some adorable avocado cookies, and you’ll have some happy kids!

While the kids are busy with their crafts, make yourself a well-earned margarita. Instead of a salted rim try using Tajin for extra bite. Order food from your favorite Mexican restaurant, or whip up some quick fajitas like we did. But be sure to treat yourself to some almost-too-cute-to-eat sweets like these festive cookies and stunning cakes. Believe me, these coconut lime cactus cupcakes will not disappoint.

 

Stay safe and enjoy your Cinco de Mayo!

 

For information on any of these activities contact:

Rachel Hunter of Celebrate You Events (IG: @celebrate.you.events) – Concept creation, party styling & banners

Kelley Jomant of Caked with Love by Kelley Inc (IG: @cakedwithlovebykelleyinc) – Custom cakes

Ana Ortiz of AO Craft Décor (IG: @aocraftdecor) – Extra-large paper flowers

Claudia Ovalle of Claumellows (IG: @claumellows) – Custom cookies

Crystal Aguila of Riley Black Designs (IG: @rileyblackdesigns) – Custom signs & acrylic lime wedges

The spirit of agave

By Curiously Thirsty

Tequila will be part of many Cinco de Mayo celebrations. The nectar extracted from the blue agave plant is often enjoyed as a shot, or part of a cocktail, including one of my favorites ⎯ the margarita.

Founded by Franciscan monks in 1530, the city of Tequila is in the Jaliscan Highlands of Mexico, and it is the home of the distilled beverage. In the pre-Columbian era, the locals near Tequila had enjoyed a fermented beverage derived from the agave plant. The drink was popular until it was displaced by beer in the 19th century. The legacy of the agave beverage is still preserved by the European distillation methods introduced by the Spanish.

Starting in 1600, the mass production of the distilled spirits began at Tequila. Soon in 1608, King Carlos IV of Spain granted the local governor the license to commercially produce the drink. And 266 years later, the Mexican government officially nationalized the name “tequila” in 1974.

Tequila comes in many forms. The silver tequila, also known as Blanco, is made with no, or very little, aging. The resulting taste profile highlights the skill of the distiller, and the agave used; there is no oak to mitigate it. It’s often enjoyed in a cocktail or a shot.

As you age tequila, usually in oak barrels, the flavor of the wood gets absorbed. As the alcohol ages, the color and flavor from the oak get imparted into the tequila. Reposado is tequila that is aged two months to a year, and Anejo is aged past one year. A well-aged tequila, which has picked up the flavors of the oak, is often with a golden hue and a taste profile similar to a fine whiskey, along with the unique fruity aroma from the agave plant.

Most of us often have our first experience with tequila as a component in popular cocktails, like a Long Island iced tea, or on a warm day at the beach or pool, in a margarita. For the connoisseurs of Anejo tequila, the drink is best enjoyed straight, optionally with lime and salt.

If you are a fan of whiskey and have not tried Anejo tequila, you will be pleasantly surprised. When a good tequila is aged in oak barrels for a few years, the result is often smooth and fruity, reminiscent of good scotch, but with distinct tequila flavors. A good starting point for experimenting for Costco members is the Kirkland Signature Anejo tequila. You will find it creamy, and it’ll remind you of tropical fruits, which pairs well with most desserts.

 

If you are in the party mood, celebrate with the spirit of agave with the following margarita recipe. Say a cheer to the Aztec civilization who first recognized the potential of agave for making this Cinco de Mayo cocktail.

 

Ingredients:

2 ounces Blanco tequila

½ ounce orange liqueur

1 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed

½ ounce agave syrup

Garnish: lime wheel

Garnish: kosher salt (optional)

Steps:

  1. Add tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake until well chilled.
  2. Strain into a glass over fresh ice.
  3. Garnish with a lime wheel and kosher salt (optional).

Earth day celebrations

Multiple local events mark the 50th year of Earth Day celebrations.

Just to be clear, the first Earth Day was held April 22, 1970. That means the 50th Earth Day was April 22, 2020. But this April 22, 2021 marks the 50th year of observations.

It’s like those folks who thought the 21st century began in 2000, when, in fact, that was the last year of the 20th century. Get it?

According to earthday.org, “Senator Gaylord Nelson, a junior senator from Wisconsin, had long been concerned about the deteriorating environment in the United States. Then in January 1969, he and many others witnessed the ravages of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.

“Senator Nelson announced the idea for a teach-in on college campuses to the national media, and persuaded Pete McCloskey, a conservation-minded Republican Congressman, to serve as his co-chair.”

They chose to choose April 22, a “weekday falling between spring break and final exams, to maximize the greatest student participation.”

By 1990 Earth Day became a global event. But, sticking
close to home, here are Earth Day events in South Florida.

April 22
Coconut Creek: Earth Day Arts and Crafts Fair
3:00 to 5 p.m. Recreation Complex, 4455 Sol Press Boulevard. $15 for Coconut Creek residents, $20, non-residents.

Participants will learn about the origin of Earth Day, read a related story and create fun recyclable green crafts. All activities are structured, safe, and meet the CDC guidelines.

Broward Lotus Sangha (Virtual) Earth Day 2021: Participate from wherever you are in easy steps. Details at https://www.meetup.com/fr FR/LotusSangha/events/270198561/

Lotus Institute for Mindful Living (Virtual)
Details at https://www.meetup.com/ru-RU/MindfulLiving/events/270197490/

April 25
Heal the Planet Day
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Esplanade Park, 400 SW 2nd St., Fort Lauderdale Heal the Planet Day celebrates Earth Day by bringing together the South Florida community for a day of fun, family-friendly activities. The focus is on small, local acts that have a global impact. Heal The Planet Day offers an array of activities. (Free admission)

Almost time to appreciate the manatee

Wednesday, March 31, is National Manatee Appreciation Day, aimed at bringing the world’s attention to an herbivore with no known natural enemies – in the water, at least.

Also known as sea cows, manatees are a vulnerable species due to their contact with humans. Boating and pollution are their greatest threats.

Florida, contrarian that it is, designated November Manatee Awareness Month. But we’re going to put that aside because, hey, it’s National Manatee Appreciation Day and our publisher made us.

And, besides, Manatee Lagoon, north of Palm Beach, held its ManateeFest at the beginning of February, a five-day, free, and virtual manateeorama. So, technically they did it first.

“I don’t care who did it first. One more time and I’m turning this car around.”

As you all know, of course, manatees are of the scientific order, Sirenia, of which the well-known dugong is also a member. The two main differences between them are that dugongs are smaller than manatees and have a sillier name.

If you insist on going into more detail, any third grader can tell you that manatees have horizontal, paddle-shaped tails with only one lobe to move up and down when the animal swims. Dugongs, on the other hand, have a fluked tail, meaning it is made up of two separate lobes joined together in the middle.

Manatees also are distantly related to elephants, and I mean distantly. There may be some common DNA, chromosomes, genes, or whatever between the two species, but manatees are a distant enough cousin to the elephant that they’re not being invited to the annual pachyderm family picnic anymore.

The last time that happened one of the manatees embarrassed himself at the punch bowl. You can guess the rest.

I have my own theory about the whole elephant-manatee connection. Please pay attention. It will be on the test.

Millions of years ago, an elephant, or mammoth, or mastodon, or whatever, enjoyed being in the water, like modern-day elephants do. He or she gradually started walking out to deeper and deeper water and started using its trunk as a breathing tube.

As time evolved, it learned to hold its breath longer, its trunk got progressively shorter, and its legs shriveled up into flippers. Voila, the manatee!

But seriously, despite manatees having no natural enemies, except perhaps crocodiles preying on their young, the species is in danger.

According to a 2012 article on Web Ecology the main causes of death “are human-related issues, such as habitat destruction and human objects.”

“Their slow-moving, curious nature has led to violent collisions with propeller-driven boats and ships. Some manatees have been found with over 50 scars on them from propeller blades.”

“The best way to protect manatees is for the public to learn about their plight and how protecting them is in all our best interests if we care about healthy aquatic ecosystems,” says Patrick Rose, Executive Director of Save the Manatee Club.

“Whether passively observing the beauty of our waterways or actively engaged in water-related activities such as boating, fishing, or diving, we should understand our role as responsible stewards of manatees and their habitat and how we can help protect those things we hold dear.”

Manatee Lagoon (www.visitmanateelagoon.com) in Riviera Beach is a great place to see manatees. The lagoon is closed now because of the pandemic, but you can still access its live manatee cam at www.visitmanateelagoon.com/manatee-cam.

‘Relay for Life’ set to help fight cancer

The Relay for Life initiative of the American Cancer Society is the largest peer-to-peer fundraising event in the world dedicated to saving lives from cancer. Communities worldwide have come together for more than 35 years to celebrate and remember loved ones and take action for lifesaving change.

Over the next couple of months, Relay for Life will be hosting socially distanced events throughout Broward County to raise money and take action.

On March 20, Relay for Life is hosting “Relay’s Got Talent” at Parkland Amphitheater https://tinyurl.com/relaysgottalent2021. School of Rock is sponsoring this event. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., all different types of talent are invited to perform on stage. The performances will be streamed via Facebook for people to watch and enjoy. Whichever performer raises the most money for American Cancer Society wins. For contestants performing at the amphitheater, the event is socially distanced.

Event lead for Relay for Life of Parkland, Coral Springs, Margate, and Coconut Creek 2021, Megan Mila, said, “This is the first year we have had this event, and it won’t be the last. Many people are excited about this because their kids will have a platform to perform. There are so many people with brilliant talents that really deserve to be displayed and shown to the public.”

On April 24, Relay for Life is hosting a Reinvented Survivor Ceremony https://www.relayforlife.org/parklandfl. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Parkland Equestrian Center, this drive-up event will be surrounded by all the survivors. As attendees drive in, the top sponsors and top teams will be displayed on sponsor row. Once parked, Relay for Life will have a screen and a stage to display MSD JROTC performing the color guard. Mayors of the cities will be speaking, and the performances from the virtual talent show will be on screen. According to Mila, the most important part of the ceremony is their dedication video for those they have lost and those suffering from cancer. If interested in attending, please sign up on their website.

Last but not least, on May 22, Relay for Life is hosting a golf tournament http://www.swingforacure.com. The tournament will be held at the Country Club of Coral Springs. This event will have food, drinks, prizes, and more. At 11 a.m., registration begins. All attendees will receive a swag bag and lunch. Following the tournament, attendees will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks as prizes are being awarded. Prizes include a seven-night resort stay package, and hole-in-one prizes for $10,000 cash.

To sign up, email rflgolfevent@gmail.com. “We are really excited to be working with Chris Fletcher and Mike Fiorello to organize the event,” Mila said.

 

Sandler Center hosts virtual Jewish film festival

This year, the Levis JCC’s SandlerCenter goes on-line with more  than 50 Jewish-themed films from around the world – from historical dramas to documentaries and shorts in its virtual Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival (BRJFF), running through May 16, 2021.

In addition, there will be Q&A webinars with filmmakers, cast members, and community lecturers, as well as the opportunity to view each film up to 72 hours after its scheduled time.

“Our strong relationship with the film industry has allowed us to present our patrons with a high-quality line-up of films and speakers year after year, in turn, we are able to continue to inspire, educate, and connect with our community year after year,” said Lesley Rich, BRJFF program & production director.

Making its Florida premiere on Mar. 22 is the Israeli documentary, “Shamir, His Way,” by filmmakers Igal Lerner and Erez Friedman, a one-hour documentary film about Yitzhak Shamir, former Israeli Prime Minister and one of the founding members of the State of Israel who has impacted the entire Middle East region for decades.

Shamir passed away in 2012 at the age of 97 and left a deep and on-going legacy in Israel, the state he helped to found. Shamir was the country’s third-longest-serving prime minister after David Ben-Gurion and Benjamin Netanyahu.

Born in Poland, Shamir was a soldier and politician who was elected to the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) in 1973 and again in 1977. He became Prime Minister in 1983–84,1986–90, and again from 1990–92. Before Israel’s statehood, Shamir was a leader in the LEHI, an underground movement against the British Mandate in Palestine and was a member of the notorious Stern Gang. In 1946 he was exiled to Eritrea by the British but escaped and made his way back to Israel. Shamir was also the head of an elite and secret unit in the MOSSAD

– Israel Secret Intelligence Service where he had served for more than 10 years before entering politics.

His son Yair Shamir, a former Colonel in the Israeli Air Force and now a philanthropist and venture capitalist says, “My father had a unique personality, and we try to show this in the film. He was a leader – a leader of people, a leader of the state, a fighter, and father.”

“Despite his accomplishments, he was a very modest person with zero ego,” he says. “On the other hand, he was always a leader with a unique style – very open and a team player.”

“Shamir’s story is intertwined with the story of Israel,” says Noa Cacharel, the film’s international sales agent. “Through the film, you are able to see how Israel has survived and gotten to where it is today. Shamir cared deeply about his country and is an icon in the state of Israel.”

“We owe him a lot,” she says.

The filmmakers decided to focus on the period in 1991 when Iraqi
missiles launched on Israel, and Shamir, then prime minister, made the decision not to retaliate against Iraq. They wanted to explore his decision-making process and ability to withstand pressure from both the United States and Russia.

Later that year, in September 1991, Shamir represented Israel at the Madrid Peace Conference, which brought about direct negotiations with Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and the Palestinians. He brought with him, a then-unknown young politician by the name of Benjamin Netanyahu and introduced him to the world stage. The film intertwines exclusive and behind-the-scene insights illustrating the unique path between the terror of war and the hopes of peace. It includes rare interviews with influential people such as Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert, both Former Israeli Prime Ministers, in addition to Ya’akov Peri, Former Head of the Israeli Security Agency Shin Bet, and Shabtai Shavit, Former Director Director General of the Mossad, Israel’s Secret Agencies. All of whom have worked closely with Shamir through the years.

Lerner, a director and producer, is known for his documentary films about Natan Sharansky, and about the murder of an Israeli Jewish-Palestinian political activist, Juliano Mer.

Says Lerner, “Shamir kept his distance from the media and was one of the most ‘mysterious’ prime ministers of Israel. Our greatest challenge was to define and understand his way of thinking. He was a true chauvinist for Israel, an attitude he developed during WWII when his family was murdered by Poles in their village in Poland.”

It was that experience and way of thinking that led him in later years to advocate for both the emigration of Russian Jews to Israel as well as the later absorption of the Ethiopian Jews to Israel, as part of “Operation Solomon” in 1991.

“It was one of his missions in life to bring as many Jews as he could to the Land of Israel,” says Yair Shamir.

“For me, my father is a role model,” he says. “But, not only for me, but for my kids and nieces and nephews. He was a beacon shining a very focused light and providing a feeling of safety and lighting the way to overcome obstacles.”

“He is the beacon for our family,” he says. “It’s a challenge to live up to his ideals.”

“The name ‘Shamir’ means a very strong rock,” says Shamir. “My father lived up to his name.”

In 2012, Shamir was given a state funeral and buried amongst Israel’s other war heroes and prime ministers on Har Herzl in Jerusalem.

“Yitzhak Shamir was a tremendous beacon for all Israel,” says Cacharel. “So many people look up to him and admire him. We have schools and hospitals named in his honor. He stood for something and was steadfast in his ideals and principles – you don’t find that in many politicians these days.”

Other film screenings in March include Michael Lopatin’s “Code Name: Ayalon,” a David and Goliath story during Israel’s War of Independence, Jacek Borcuch’s “Dolce Fine Giornata,” a story about a clash of great creative intellect and femininity, with the backdrop of eroding democracy in Europe, and Oren Jacoby’s “On Broadway,” with Broadway legends including Helen Mirren, Christine Baranski, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, and Viola Davis sharing their experiences On Broadway lifting the curtain to show behind the scenes, with glimpses into the world of live theatre.

Visit Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival (bocajff.org)

Tickets range from $4.99-$12 and film pass packages range from $59-$299 (prices are per household); tickets and packages are available for purchase online at Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival (bocajff.org). Movie rentals can be enjoyed on various platforms by downloading the Eventive TV app which is available on Apple TV, Roku, Firestick, Chromecast, etc.

The film will be screened in Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival on March 21-23. Together for a Q&A with Yair Shamir (son of Yitzhak Shamir) and filmmakers Igal Lerner and Erez Friedman on March 23.

Find a link to the film’s page at bocajff.org.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas memorial events

February 12
Day of Service and Love 

Only students and staff will be allowed on the grounds. It will be very similar to years past. This year’s seniors were freshmen when the shooting occurred on Valentine’s Day, 2018. There will be community service and campus projects, including campus beautification of Marjory’s Garden at the back of the school. There will also be a first responder’s breakfast.

February 14
Spreading The Love

10 a.m. to 5 p.m, Eagles’ Haven Wellness Center, 5655 Coral Ridge Dr.,Coral Springs.

Events will be outside in the parking lot, socially distanced. Masks are mandatory. Events will be centered on healing and “spreading the love” within the community. There will be arts and crafts, such as rock painting for the MSD Rock Garden, along with therapeutic activities like meditation and yoga. The families and community will have a space for grieving and remembering, with a candle lighting ceremony and benches. All clinicians will be present for individual counseling should the need arise. At the end of the day there will be a healing circle before transitioning to Pine Trails Park where the City of Parkland’s events will take place.

Pine Trails Park, 10555 Trails End, Parkland

The City of Parkland’s planned events will begin at 5:30 p.m. by the amphitheater. Social distancing and masks will be required. In lieu of an in-person service project as part of the Community Commemoration event, the City has collaborated with Food for the Poor on a fundraiser to build a home in an impoverished area of Honduras.

Therapists and the very popular therapy dogs from Canine Assisted Therapy will be available. 17 Memory Boards will be set up for people to write messages, with volunteers standing by to sanitize the permanent markers.

Spiritual Leaders will be taking the stage at 6 p.m., followed by a video presentation that focuses on the memory of the 17 people lost in the tragedy.

Virtual events
Run 4 Beigel – 5k Run/Walk
February 6 – February 14, 2021
https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Parkland/Run4Beigel

NSU – 3 Years Later #MSDStrong
12 p.m., February 12
https://www.nova.edu/alumni/events/index.html

Make Our Schools Safe – #LIVEFORALYSSA Benefit
7 to 8:30 p.m. February 11
https://makeourschoolssafe.org/2nd-annual-live-for-alyssa-benefit/

Chris Hixon Memorial 5k Run/Walk
February 20, 2021
https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Hollywood/ChrisHixonMemorialRun

2021 Brain Bowl attendees will ‘BARK to End Alzheimer’s’ on Feb. 28

Due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Boca Raton Brain Bowl will introduce a new format this year.

In lieu of the usual Country Club Luncheon, event organizers are inviting participants and their pets to “BARK to End Alzheimer’s” by taking part in an outdoor shopping experience.

“Our theme this year is ‘Bark & Browse,’” announced Attorney, Pamela Higer-Polani, President and Founder of Brain Bowl Events, Inc, a 501 (c )3 non-profit created to raise local awareness regarding neurocognitive diseases and disorders.

“We are bringing attention to pets who provide much-needed emotional support to families coping with the stress of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, dementia and other related neurocognitive disorders.”

The 7 Annual Brain Bowl event – to take place Sunday, Feb. 28 – will be set up in a large county park, where attendees can mingle and browse the offerings of local vendors while remaining socially distant and adhering to all public health regulations.

“Vendors, all generously spaced apart from one another, will be providing information on their services, selling items and providing individually-wrapped items to eat or drink,” Higer-Polani noted, adding that tickets will be limited in availability and participants will be encouraged to wear masks and stagger their attendance times.

The event will also offer attendees an opportunity to have their pictures taken with their pets by a professional photographer, and the winner of a prior social media contest for voters’ favorite emotional-support pet will be announced. Proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s for Boca Raton.

The Brain Bowl Bark & Browse will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28, at Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park in Boca Raton. Tickets are $20 per person. To register, visit www.BrainBowlEvents.org. For more information, please contact Pamela Higer-Polani, Esq., at (561) 496-4222 or Pamela@LawPHP.com.

Parklander Podcast Episode #15

Joining us for this episode is the owner of SoundsSweet Entertainment (www.soundssweetent.com) – David Brownstein.  They create  live moments into lasting memories.

You can reach him via email: info@soundssweetent.com.   Or on Instagram and twitter, his  handle is @soundssweetnews

Michelle Kefford Comes Home

New principal ready to lead Douglas forward

Michelle Kefford is pumped. And while spasms of enthusiasm seem to come with the job when you’re a school principal, the new principal of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High has plenty of legitimate reasons to be excited.

“It’s coming back home,” Kefford, 44, said.

Those four words explain almost every reason she’s back at the Parkland school, coming full circle from where she began her career 20 years ago as a biology teacher.

Kefford, who begins work at Douglas on July 1, replaces former principal Ty Thompson, who stepped down in May, and co-principal Teresa Hall.

The principal at MSD when a former student opened fire at the school, leaving 17 dead and as many injured on Feb. 14, 2018, Thompson had been under investigation by Broward Schools and reassigned to different duties at Douglas. A popular and exuberant figure at the school, Thompson cited personal reasons for resigning after six years as principal. The investigation, which district officials expected to complete by May, remains ongoing.

Thompson’s departure widened the administrative hole needing to be filled at Douglas. In the wake of 2/14 and the local and state probes that followed, three assistant principals were transferred and a second principal was named. Kefford’s hire is not only a move to fill that void, but to begin building anew.

Kefford declined to speak specifically about past events at the high school but did say she will be re-evaluating policies and procedures going forward.

She has been working on her transition from Flanagan High, where she served as principal for eight years. Her efforts at the Pembroke Pines school blossomed these past two years as Kefford was named Broward’s 2018 Principal of the Year, then in March earned the Florida Board of Education Principal of the Year honor for 2019.

“I love what I do,” she said. “It’s rewarding to work with kids.

“I’m driven by their success. I want to prepare our kids for graduation and what comes next in life.”

A wife and a mother of two, Kefford and her family reside in Parkland. Her oldest son attends Douglas, while the younger boy is a student at West Glades Middle School.

Valerie Wanza, the district’s School Performance and Accountability director, was Kefford’s first supervisor.

“I watched her career grow in the school district and watched as her leadership grew at Flanagan,” Wanza said.  “Under her guidance, Flanagan became a consistently A-rated, high-performance school — not just academically, but as an overall school experience.” 

Describing her as a highly accomplished school leader, Wanza believes Kefford is the right person at the right time to take the reins at Douglas.

“Michelle will seize this opportunity to go home, help the community recover, heal, and move forward,” Wanza said.

Michelle Kefford (center) is flanked by Broward Schools officials, including superintendent Robert Runcie (right) at a May 13 press conference to announce her hire as principal at Douglas High. (WLRN photo

Robert Runcie, at a May 13 press conference announcing Kefford’s appointment, said, “We are grateful to Michelle for taking on this challenge. It speaks volumes to the type of leader she is.”

The Broward Schools superintendent cited the “culture of pride” Kefford built with the staff and students at Flanagan.

“Given her qualifications and her background, we couldn’t be more proud — and lucky — to recommend someone that’s so qualified to fill this important role,” Runcie said.

For Kefford, the most fulfilling aspect of the job is witnessing the success of her students.

“I get to see these kids from their awkward adolescence through to young adulthood,” she said. “Watching (them) attain their goals, receive scholarships, graduate, walk across the stage, go on to college, and to know I’ve made a difference in their life is very satisfying.”

The daughter of two retired educators, Kefford once thought she’d become a veterinarian. She said it was her mom who encouraged her to teach, because of her passion for biology. “I tried it out and never looked back,” she said.