Category: Lifestyle

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Subliminal Doubt: A Tribute to No Doubt 

            No Doubt About It:   Monica Leamy Channels Gwen Stefani with Talent & Charm

A double-shot of punk-pop nostalgia takes center stage as Subliminal Doubt channels the spirits of Blondie and No Doubt with gleeful exuberance.

On a recent Friday night, the central Florida-based tribute band headed to Lakeland, Fla. for a repeat performance at Union Hall.

With a setlist spanning two decades of pop rebellion, the group aims to capture the raw energy of Blondie’s disco-punk anthems and the ska-infused spirit of No Doubt’s ’90s hits.

At the center of it all is lead singer Monica Leamy, 48, – a doppelganger for Stefani – known to fans as “Fake Gwen,” channels the charisma of both Debbie Harry and Gwen Stefani as the eyeliner-clad crowd dances and sings along to “Just a Girl,” “Don’t Speak,” and “One Way or Another.”   

In the 1990s, No Doubt had hit songs with “Hollaback Girl,” “Spiderwebs,” “Underneath It All,” “Sweet Escape,” “Don’t Speak,” “Hella Good,” and “Hey Baby.”

Leamy and the Subliminal Doubt band, Danny Siper (drums), 29, Jonathan Leamy, 40, (bass) and Steve Osborne, 42, (lead guitar) took to the stage with an enthusiasm and mission to resurrect two decades of pop rebellion, the swagger of Blondie’s disco-punk sounds and the spirit of No Doubt.

The group travels the state and the northeast, recently playing in New York City at Sony Hall and has played at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale, Crazy Uncle Mike’s in Boca Raton and Sharkey’s Bar and Grill in Coral Springs.

“I’m a huge fan of both Debbie Harry and Gwen Stefani,” says Leamy, a formally trained dancer and singer who grew up in Florida and has performer at Disney, Universal Studios and Sea World.  “When I heard Gwen Stefani’s “Just a Girl,” I was spellbound; I didn’t leave my tape player for weeks.”

Leamy, who, when dressed in character, has a strong resemblance to both Harry and Stefani, says she loves Stefani’s whole vibe, her retro look, her fashion sense, her vocal style and “everything about her.”

She was dubbed “Fake Gwen,” by the real Gwen, at a No Doubt concert in Las Vegas, when she and her bandmate, Jonathan Leamy, married and went to Las Vegas for their honeymoon in 2019.

She was dressed in her best “Fake Gwen” hair and makeup, in jeans and a T-shirt reading, “Blonde Rebel,” from Stefani’s “This is What the Truth Feels Like Tour,” in 2016.  Stefani asked her, “Have I met you before?” before bringing her up on stage and bestowed the nickname of “Fake Gwen.”

With the recent announcement in October that No Doubt will reunite for a residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas in 2026, both Leamys plan to be there, coincidentally, coinciding with their wedding anniversary.

Born in Guam, where her father was a musician in the U.S. Navy, Leamy knew from an early age she wanted to be a performer. 

She took gymnastics from the age of three, started dance class at the age of six, took singing lessons in high school and majored in flute at Edison College (now called Florida SouthWestern State College) in Ft. Myers, earning her associate’s degree from Valencia College in Orlando in 2004.

‘I never saw another option,” she says.  “I wanted to be Madonna.”

Not only Madonna, but Paula Abdul, Katy Perry, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Taylor Swift (her impersonation is called “Taylor Thrift”). She has been listening non-stop to Swift’s latest album, “The Life of a Show Girl,” and, despite mixed revieiws, loves it

In later years, Leamy developed personas for these performers and uses them as inspiration for her shows.

“I’m not sure, exactly,” she says when asked how she channels each singer, “but something just happens.”

Once she warms up her voice, puts on her costume, listens to their music or watches a music video, she gets in the mood and is able to express herself organically as Debbie Harry or Gwen Stefani.

Jonathan Leamy, who was born in France and grew up in Hawaii, says he loves working together as a team with his wife, Monica Leamy.

He showed an early aptitude for music and began playing guitar as a child.  Later, he played the trombone in his high school marching band.

He joined 69 Fingers, a punk-ska band, where he met Osborne and performed at Disney Springs for ten years.  He taught music theory and music production at the private, for-profit Full Sail University in Winter Park, Fla.

Among his musical influences are jazz, funk, classic rock, the Beatles and he got into ska reggae and punk music in his late teens.

“It’s still a big part of what I do,” he says, admitting that he sometimes slips an Allman Brothers riff into one of their Blondie or No Doubt performances.

With career highlights, including the recent performance in Times Square at Sony Hall, New Haven’s iconic Toad’s Place and an appearance on “Live from Daryl’s House,” an award-winning on-line music series created by Daryl Hall (of Hall & Oates renown), Jonathan Leamy says the band is happy with their success.

“We’ve met and exceeded our goals,” he says.

They hope to keep on making music and to grow the Blondie shows.  Jonathan Leamy has a new appreciation for No Doubt’s bass player, Tony Kanal, and hopes to meet him one day.

“I’m surprised by how much his music has affected my life,” says Jonathan Leamy.  “I thought I’d make it as a ska or punk rocker.  I never thought my success would come as part of a No Doubt tribute band.”

The group has recently released their first original song and video, “Cutdown Culture,” (“You don’t know me; but you say you hate me”), a commentary on social media, available on streaming sites, and hope to create an original body of work.

“I feel fortunate to work every day with Monica, and Steve and Danny are like brothers to me.  We’re all very close,” he says. “Who else can say they get to work and travel with their wife and best friends?”

“It’s a rare thing and I’m grateful for it,” says Jonathan Leamy.

For Monica Leamy, stepping into the spotlight each night as “Fake Gwen” or “Fake Debbie” is more than a tribute — it’s a rallying cry for women’s empowerment.

And while Gwen Stefani once belted “I’m Just a Girl” sardonically and with irony, Leamy has claimed the refrain as her own — proving that being “just a girl” means you can be anything you want to be.

Visit them on Facebook or at https://subdoubt.com.

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Project 1841 8 generations of students helping teens age out of foster care

When Marjorie Stoneman Douglas students Brianna Bango, 17, Mia Bono, 16, Amanda Bilsky, 16, and Samantha Shortz, 16, handed over a duffel bag filled with essentials and a handwritten birthday card as part of Project 1841, they knew they were giving more than supplies—they were giving hope.

From competitive dancing and sports to volunteering for Project 1841, a grassroots effort supporting teens aging out of foster care, these local girls are proving that age is no barrier to making a difference.

Across the city of Parkland, the newest members of this charitable organization, Martina Velez, 14, and Graciela Wilson, 14, make the eighth generation of volunteers—each group passing the torch as they graduate high school and welcome new members.

Together, they’re using their time and talents to support local causes and inspire others to do the same.

Founded in 2007 by then–Weston student Alexandra “Alex” Rubin and her peers, Ilana Wolpert, Alexandra Kaplan, and Alli Weiss, Project 1841 raises funds and collects donations to pack starter kits in duffel bags for youth turning 18 and aging out of the foster care system.

Prior to the duffel bags provided by Project 1841, these kids usually packed up their belongings in plastic garbage bags when setting out on their own.

Nearly two decades later, a new generation continues the tradition—packing duffel bags filled with essentials and hope.

“These girls are a blessing,” says Kaydion Watson, director of youth services at ChildNet, a nonprofit advocacy agency serving vulnerable children in Broward and Palm Beach counties. “We’re very appreciative of all they do for our foster youth.”

As director of youth services for the past six years, Watson has spent most of her 20-plus-year career working with foster youth, beginning as an independent living specialist. Committed and loving what she does, Watson says she’s happy to have a positive impact on these kids’ lives and is grateful to Project 1841 for their commitment and generosity.

“The girls of Project 1841 choose to be impactful with their time and energy and to give our kids a feeling of being valued,” she says. “We’re forever grateful for them.”

Teens in foster care “age out” of the system on their 18th birthday. Many will face challenges without the support of family or relatives or a safety net. Compared with their peers, young people who have aged out may face particular hurdles, including behavioral, mental, and physical health issues and challenges with housing instability, interrupted education, joblessness, and substance abuse.

The transition to “emancipation” can be daunting. Project 1841’s mission is to make that transition less daunting.

The name 1841 denotes three things: “18” is the age that youth age out of the foster care system, beginning their journey toward independence. “Four” signifies the original four girls who worked with ChildNet to collect donations and pack starter kits for the youth. “One” symbolizes the one cause that unites the girls—helping foster teens to transition from foster care to independent living.

According to figures provided by Project 1841, more than 120 teens age out of Broward County’s foster care system each year, and some of those teens age out when they are still in high school.

The first delivery of bags was in April 2008. Each month, ChildNet forwards to Project 1841 a list of names of youth who are aging out of foster care on their 18th birthday. Every month, the girls pack bags filled with sheets, towels, a pillow, utensils, plates, toiletries, snacks, detergent, and more, as well as a handwritten birthday card to each teen.

Brianna Bango’s mother, Maggie Cicarelli, a licensed clinical social worker and 18-year Parkland resident, says, “In this day and age, it’s particularly inspiring to see high school girls who are privileged to live in an amazing community in Parkland step up and give back to their counterparts.”

She says, “It also teaches them to be part of a community.”

The impact is tangible, but not without cost. Each bag costs about $100 to fill, and with prices rising, Cicarelli says they are always looking to host fundraisers or accept donations to support their efforts. Each generation adds its own touches to the bags, such as gift cards to fast-food restaurants or something to make the teens’ first night on their own more comfortable.

Since inception, more than 1,500 bags have been packed and delivered, thanks to the group’s fundraising efforts. Additionally, as each volunteer graduates high school, a new generation steps up to further the cause.

While Cicarelli acknowledges that the foster youth have a long journey ahead of them, and the volunteers’ efforts are “but a blip on the radar of their journey,” she knows from her professional experience as a social worker that kids who go on to do well and be successful, independent, contributing adults had someone who stepped up and showed an interest in their life.

“Sometimes a small act of kindness can make a difference in someone’s life,” she says.

All the donated items are stored at Cicarelli’s home, and once a month Project 1841 members gather to prepare the bags. ChildNet provides the group with the first names of those who will age out the following month.

Bango, a rising senior at MSD High School who hopes to apply to the BS/MD program at the University of South Florida and one day become an orthopedic doctor, says she’s motivated by her “love for our community” and a desire to make it better.

She also volunteers with Parkland Buddy Sports and created an organization that promotes health through dance called “Groove for Goodness,” which brings dancers to nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and shelters to dance alongside the residents.

“Project 1841 is for a great cause, and I think it’s important to give back,” says the straight-A student, who is the primary coordinator and in her fourth year as a volunteer.

Over the past 2½ years, Bango has forged close friendships with two of the other volunteers, Bilsky and Shortz, both lacrosse players at MSD, and the girls say they are grateful for the friendships they’ve made.

As yet undecided on where they plan to go to college, Bilsky excels in history and Shortz, who also prepares sandwiches for Our Father’s House Soup Kitchen in Pompano Beach, excels in math. Both also volunteer their time at Parkland Buddy Sports.

Shortz enjoys the physical act of packing the bags, knowing that these are necessities that will give the foster students a fresh start.

The girls all agree that being part of something greater than themselves is a good feeling. “It’s very rewarding,” says Bango.

“We all feel fortunate for what we have and grateful for the life we were given,” she says in a “There but for the grace of God, go I” moment.

A fact not lost on these young students is that the bags they are preparing are for teens similar to themselves.

Bango visited ChildNet in person to see firsthand where her contributions and donations were going. “It changed my perspective,” she says. “I saw that we are making a concrete contribution and making an impact on young people’s lives.”

After a summer of travel for Bilsky and Shortz, some SAT prep, a Cold Play concert at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and a national dance competition in New York for Bango, these teens geared up for back-to-school, college prep, and future careers.

Going forward, they bring with them more than their academic and extracurricular achievements—they carry the experience of having made a difference in someone’s life. And for the foster youth receiving their care packages, a show of support from their peers can be a small but significant gesture, and one that can be life-changing.

To help with this cause, please go to gofund.me/9161253f, and visit Project 1841.

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Get to know your school lunch program

Whether it is a wonderful memory of cafeteria staff or a favorite meal enjoyed with friends, we all remember the time spent in the school cafeteria. The National School Lunch Program was established in 1946 to provide students access to nutritionally balanced meals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to fund the program and to ensure that healthful lunches are available to all.

Thanks to the USDA’s Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, school meals look a lot like MyPlate, the government’s roadmap for nutritious eating. MyPlate creates a common language for school nutrition professionals and students, and the accompanying visual helps schoolchildren connect to the food they see on their plates.

Who Makes the Rules?

Regulations regarding what kinds of foods that schools should serve to students are approved by the USDA, and each state administers the program. In 2007, the USDA reported that school meals were not providing a variety of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables and were serving a higher-than-recommended amount of saturated fat and sodium. This prompted changes in the program. The 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act mandated updates to the meal requirements, which included more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, fewer calories, and less sodium. A new rule titled “Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements,” which went into effect in 2019, offers more flexibility for menu planning in schools compared with the original 2010 act.

Here’s what you need to know about today’s school lunch programs.

A Bigger Focus on Fruits and Vegetables

Potentially the most powerful MyPlate message is advice to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables at each meal. Schools serve fruit every day at breakfast as well as a fruit and a vegetable at lunch. School nutrition professionals understand that increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables on the menu doesn’t always mean that kids will eat more of them. Schools are becoming more strategic about serving produce in ways that will increase kids’ interest and consumption. That means slicing fruits and vegetables into bite-sized pieces and serving them with dips, tossing fruit into yogurt parfaits, and mixing vegetables into side dishes such as brown rice, grain salads, and roasted potatoes.

Grains Are Getting a Whole Lot Healthier

In keeping with MyPlate’s message to make at least half of all grains whole, schools are boosting whole grains in bread, tortillas, pizza crust, and pasta, so that half of the grains offered at breakfast and lunch each week are from whole-grain sources. They also are incorporating more whole-grain flour into baked goods such as muffins and pancakes.

Protein Slims Down

Most school-aged kids need 4 to 6½ ounces of protein each day. To keep it heart-healthy, MyPlate encourages fish, skinless chicken, and lean meat as well as plenty of plant-based protein. This might include menu items such as oven-baked fish nuggets, chicken teriyaki, and lean beef or bean burritos on whole-wheat tortillas. When it comes to plant-based protein, schools are getting creative—they’re offering options such as tofu stir-fries and bean burgers and tacos.

Milk Got a Makeover

MyPlate isn’t just about what’s on the plate. Drinks count too. The latest rule now allows schools to offer flavored 1% milk to encourage drinking milk, in addition to unflavored fat-free and low-fat options.

Getting Financial Assistance

If you’re having trouble paying for your child’s lunch, your family may be eligible for free or reduced-cost lunches through the USDA website (www.fns.usda.gov/schoolmeals/model-application). If your family meets the income guidelines and you have not yet filled out an application, be sure to request one from your child’s school.

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Our local guide to some of the best specialty foods in our area  Sampling savory sushi around town

Sushi lovers, you’ve got plenty to smile about—this town knows its way around a roll. From melt-in-your-mouth sashimi to playful chef specials that go well beyond the basics, these local spots pack real flavor and craft into every bite. Whether you’re loyal to spicy tuna or feeling adventurous, here are the places that always hit the spot.

Bluefin Sushi of Parkland

6694 Parkside Drive, Parkland

Bluefin Sushi brings together Japanese sushi, Thai cuisine, and Chinese dim sum all under one roof. From expertly rolled sushi and flavorful Thai curries to delicate dim sum bites, the menu is diverse. The setting is modern and welcoming, with quaint outdoor seating. The staff is friendly, the service is smooth, and whether you’re stopping in for lunch or settling in for dinner, Bluefin always delivers. It’s great for variety, quality, and a relaxed atmosphere.

 

Saisaki Sushi & Kitchen

6240 Coral Ridge Drive, Coral Springs

Saisaki Sushi & Kitchen brings the same bold flavors as its West Palm Beach original, but with a local vibe. The sushi is consistently fresh, the Thai dishes have real punch, and fusion twists (like the torched salmon roll) keep things fun. The space is clean and casual, with speedy service and bold flavors that don’t miss. Saisaki is simple, solid, and always satisfying.

 

Phat Boy Sushi, Kitchen & Bar

2702 N. University Drive, Coral Springs

Phat Boy Sushi in Coral Springs brings a fun, laid-back vibe with big flavor to match. Known for its over-the-top rolls, crispy appetizers, and buzzing bar scene, it’s a go-to for casual nights out or late-night cravings. The menu covers all the hits—spicy tuna, baked salmon, and fan favorites like the Phat Boy roll—plus playful twists and a strong sake and cocktail lineup. With quick service and a lively crowd, Phat Boy is a spot that always delivers.

Sushiato

7961 N. University Drive, Parkland    

Sushiato in Parkland keeps things simple and solid. The fish is fresh, the rolls are clean and well made, and the vibe is calm and polished without being stuffy. It’s the kind of place you can count on—whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or settling in for a quiet dinner. Favorites like the spicy tuna or yellowtail jalapeño always hit, and the service is steady and professional. Sushiato is a go-to for quality sushi done right.

 

Fuji Mura Buffet & Sushi

1850 N. University Drive, Coral Springs

Fuji Mura Sushi Buffet in Coral Springs is the spot for sushi lovers looking for variety and value. You’ll find plenty of fresh nigiri, creative rolls, and hot dishes—everything from tempura to teriyaki. The lineup moves quickly, which makes it great for a casual, all-you-can-eat night. The atmosphere is lively, the service is efficient, and it’s a solid option when you want to sample a bit of everything without breaking the bank. Fuji Mura is a dependable pick for relaxed, satisfying sushi feasts.

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Champion in a pink skirt Coral Springs golf prodigy following in brother’s footsteps

Golf dad Jeremiah Ritchie likens his children’s talent for the game to what Venus and Serena Williams experienced in tennis.

First came Elijah, quiet, studious, and steady. As an 11-year-old, he earned Gold Coast Golf Association Player of the Year honors in 2020. Elijah, now 16, continues to play at a high level in tournaments, clubs, and programs across South Florida.

But his little sister, Gabrielle, is tearing up those same courses at just 9 years old. And she’s doing it with confidence and a little swagger—with long curling braids, perfectly coordinated outfits that lean into shades of pink, and a matching golf bag and rosy-gripped iGen clubs.

She has followed in her brother’s footsteps. They both started to play around age 5. The two take coaching and endless repetition well, practicing roughly two hours a day, with early-morning strength training. And both revel in wearing brightly colored knee socks featuring characters from “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Rocko’s Modern Life.”

And when brother and sister are on the course, it’s all business. Elijah—his dad calls him “Easy” —easily stays among those at the top of the leaderboard every time he tees it up. But his dad says, “Gabrielle is the one that’s a force to be reckoned with.”

“She’s way more focused, way more resilient,” Elijah says of his loquacious sister. “She’s intense.”

“The comparison with how Venus and Serena came up is an easy one to make,” says Jeremiah Ritchie.

Also, in South Florida, the family legacy of Tiger Woods echoes down the eastern peninsula.

Elijah has played in some of the same youth golf circles as Charlie Woods, but Jeremiah more resembles Tiger’s father Earl Woods than Tiger—proud ex-military, college-educated, and a former athlete with plenty of glory days to look back on. Jeremiah, 47, works for the post office and has coached youth sports. He took up golf at age 33, thinking he could play as he got older—and then, as the story goes, he became obsessed.

To quote Mark Twain: “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.”

The Ritchies, a middle-class family from Coconut Creek, stand out mostly for their pluck and perseverance—and enviable trophy collections—in the lush landscape of South Florida youth golf, where children and grandchildren of paterfamilias Trump, Nicklaus, Norman, and Woods are the most seasoned young golf talent in the country, and they train and play in one of the wealthiest enclaves on the planet.

The Ritchie threesome has benefited from youth development programs like Fore Life (based in Lauderhill) and the Gold Coast Junior Golf Association to learn the game, the etiquette, and life lessons that help make young players more aware and resilient.

Now a rising junior at Transformational Technical Academy in Pompano Beach, Elijah lives and breathes golf, and he sees himself playing in college. He sees Gabrielle going pro.

Elijah said that when he was 9, he won some tournaments, but he wasn’t playing 18-hole rounds. Elijah endured his first full rounds at age 11. “She’s 9—and she’s doing way better than just keeping up,” he said.

In early July, Gabby played in the invitation-only Junior World Championships, hosted at Torrey Pines in San Diego, where she won the putting title for her age group. She played the three official 18-hole rounds of the JWC, plus multiple full practice rounds at Singing Hills Golf Club.

“The trip was fantastic—it was an eye-opener,” Elijah said. “The kids I play with, we never get on a plane to go anywhere. This trip felt like a fantasy—it was fun!”

Elijah helped get the family prepared for each day in San Diego—cleaning clubs, setting out clothes, checking locations, shooting video, keeping things easy. During warm-ups and between rounds, Gabby chatted up fellow players and traded pins in the shape of Florida for similar tokens from kids from across the globe.

“I don’t worry about anything,” Gabby said when asked if she feels pressure to win. “I have a free mind.”

Her dad took the family sightseeing in San Diego, visiting Mission Bay and taking a tour of the USS Midway. “I’d like to keep them kids as long as possible,” he said.

On July 13, the day after their return trip, Gabby took second in the nine-hole Gold Tour July Open at Pompano Beach Golf Course, sponsored by the Gold Coast Junior Golf Foundation.

This season, the rising fourth grader and straight-A student from Winston Park Elementary School has racked up five wins, four second-place finishes, and two third-place honors.

“I noticed from the very start that Gabby isn’t just a youth golfer—she’s a rising star,” pro golfer Micaá Thomas told The Parklander. “Her natural talent, focus, and poise on the course are rare, and I truly believe she has what it takes to dominate the junior tournaments and beyond.”

Thomas currently plays on the ANNIKA Women’s All-Pro Tour and NXXT Women’s Pro Golf Tour, aiming for the LPGA. She met Gabby at ChampionsGate Golf Course in Orlando in March. She said that Gabby’s play reminded her of herself when she started playing at age 10.

“Gabby’s passion for the game, her discipline, and her sweet spirit are a powerful combination that will take her far, not just in golf, but in life,” Thomas said. “I’m so incredibly proud of her!”

The two made quite an impression on each other. After meeting and playing a few holes in Orlando, Gabby wrote Thomas a letter, thanking the tour pro for spending time with her and sharing some pro tips.

She signed off on the letter by drawing flowers, hearts, and golf clubs that looked like little black music notes, and she wrote, “I 🩷 Micaa Thomas.”

Gabby and Elijah are both set to play in the Junior Golf Association Championships, where each player’s odds of adding to their collections of hardware are pretty good.

For Gabby, she’s keeping her aim on following the advice she gets from her dad and big brother. “Just don’t have too many thoughts—ball to target, ball to target,” she said. “Keep my mind free.”

 

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Savoring 360° views above Ft. Lauderdale

It’s 17 floors up on 17th Street where we watched the world spin around. Slowly. The Pier Sixty-Six high-rise has a rooftop lounge that’s fancy, elegant, and reservation only. Pier Top Lounge rotates in a slow circle for a full 360 degrees, where patrons can experience panoramic views from the top, looking out on the Intercoastal Waterway and the yachts docked there, Port Everglades and its cruise ships in the distance, stately buildings of Fort Lauderdale, and treetops below. A little further away, one can see the Atlantic Ocean.

Pier Sixty-Six is located on 32 waterfront acres in a designated historic landmark at a beach gateway in the Harbor Beach district. The property was built in 1957 and originally owned by Phillips Petroleum Co., sellers of Phillips 66 gasoline. In the early days, a Philips 66 gas station was out front and a fuel dock in back. This site has come a long way since then, and it’s now a completely renovated, multibuilding resort and condominium complex. It was announced earlier this year that the original revolving hot spot was finally back atop the iconic tower on the 17th Street Causeway. Closed in 2017 and reopened in January 2025 after a billion-dollar reconstruction, the property is back in business.

I’d heard that the famous Pier Sixty-Six had reopened, with the Pier Top Lounge at the top, and I wanted to go check it out. I had never been to a revolving rooftop bar before. My husband Art and I decided to go there on our anniversary, and we also reserved a table at a fine-dining restaurant on-site, Calusso, which serves food inspired by the French and Italian rivieras. Our plan was to first visit Pier Top (which has a dress code), sip cocktails and take some photos, and then head down to dinner.

When we arrived, we found out that Pier Top Lounge was not yet open for the evening, so we went to sit in the beautiful hotel lobby overlooking the outdoor pool. Art walked over to Calusso to see if we could move our dinner reservation a little later, and he told them it was our anniversary and we were going to do Pier Top first. Calusso’s general manager graciously offered to call Pier Top and let them know we were going up there on our anniversary night and to give us complimentary prosecco. Nice touch!

When Pier Top opened at 5 p.m., we got in the first elevator traveling up with the maître d’ from the lobby to the top of the tower. Walking out of the elevator into the fully windowed, circular structure above the city, we were greeted with striking sights, both inside and out. The host took us to seats at a plush couch with two elegant cocktail tables close to the windows, and we scanned the menu of hors d’oeuvres and decided to try the veggie appetizer to go with our prosecco. Then we strolled around the big, round room, circling the lush retro bar in the center, to get the full 360-degree views of the surrounding area outside the windows.

We stepped through a door outside to a large balcony area overlooking the waters of the Intercoastal, for some closer views. A few patrons were hanging out there in cozy seats. Walking back inside, we realized that our original seats had moved to a different location over Fort Lauderdale, as the whole Pier Top rotated! We now had a new view from our windows. At first, we had been overlooking a marina of boats; later, our view looked out on a city skyline.

It takes about 66 minutes for the rooftop lounge to make a full revolution, not enough to send your drinks flying. If you look down at the floor, you can see it slowly turn. We enjoyed our hour in the rotating bar, savoring our prosecco and the spectacular views, and then it was time to head down to Calusso for our dinner reservation.

Our evening of impressive elegance continued as we were seated in a very comfortable semicircle booth, with views of Calusso’s patio and the marina. The ambiance, service, food, and wine were all first-rate. The server and sommelier treated us like royalty. They knew it was our anniversary and provided us with champagne at the beginning of the meal and a special dessert at the end—both complimentary again! We also shared the Lobster Parmigiana and other delectable dishes.

From the spinning top of the tower to the decadent gourmet meal in the restaurant below, we had a night we’re not likely to forget.

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MindTravel – The Sounds of Silence Updated

A handful of white flags blow in the breeze against the blue of the skies.  Two cherry blossom trees and a sprinkling of yellow daffodils set the stage as pianist Murray Hidary, 53, dressed all in white, sits down at a grand piano set up in the sand on the beach last April in Deerfield Beach as part of his MindTravel series.

A few hundred people sat on towels and blankets in the sand or reclined in chairs; many brought coolers of food and drink with them.

MindTravel, an immersive, “silent” musical journey created by Hidary is designed to stimulate inspiration and awakening and foster connection to ourselves, to nature and to others.  Participants wear headphones to hear the music and are free to roam around the beach, dip their toes in the water or sit back on the sand and relax.

“Welcome to a continuous, uninterrupted musical journey and a real-time improvisation at the piano,” Hidary says through the headphones.

“Every time is different,” he says.  “Isn’t the seeing different? Isn’t the sky different?  Aren’t the waves different?  We are continually evolving and shifting.”

“I invite you into this conversation,” he says.  “All we have to do is take a moment to listen.”

Taking that moment to listen is something Hidary knows firsthand.

A multi-disciplinary artist, award winning photographer and tech pioneer, Hidary grew up in a large Sephardic Jewish family in Brooklyn, N.Y. where music was omnipresent.

“I always knew I wanted to be composer,” he says.  “I had my own thing to say.”

He studied music and composition at NYU and went on to perform at both Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.

Finding music both meaningful and meditative, Hidary says music became a portal into creating deeper connections and a way for him to deal with the stress of everyday life and of running a company.

During his 20s and 30s, Hidary kept a piano in his office and at the end of every day would play to de-stress and reset.

In 2006, after the unexpected death of his sister Mariel, a dancer, at the age of 23, Hidary turned more to music to help him deal with the loss.

“Music opened me up in a beautiful way and allowed me to connect to the love for my sister,” he says.  Steering him in a new direction, he says he saw how the power of music can be used for healing and to create deeper connection and decided to make this his life’s work.

After reading Siddhartha by Herman Hesse as a teen, Hidary incorporated the practices of Zen Buddhism into his music.

“When we don’t have the words to express our feelings, we turn to music,” he says.  “Music can give expression to the feelings that are hard to communicate and can help us navigate these circumstances in life.”

As Hidary’s relationship with music deepened, he began to see it not just as a tool for his own healing, but as a way to help others in their healing journey.

This realization led him to share his classical, jazz and musical improvisations beyond himself, bringing the experience to others who seeking solace, reflection and connection — thus, MindTravel was born.”

The first MindTravel took place 10 years ago on the beach in Santa Monica, Calif.

Hidary says he was the first to pioneer this communal way to experience music and nature and to bring people together for healing and community.

“I founded MindTravel,” he says on his website, “to create transformational experiences using music to share the wisdom and tools that helped me to achieve greater personal fulfillment, healing, and deeper connection with all things.”

Since then, MindTravel has performed in more than 100 cities, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Deerfield Beaches.  He performs approximately 150 concerts each year, including in Austin, TX, Southern California and in Central Park in New York City.

He has performed in such disparate areas, from the deserts of the Middle East to the continent of Antarctica.

“I haven’t looked back,” he says about his musical journey.   Part of his goal is to create a community where ever he plays and to do repeat performances in those cities.

“I want to make a space for reflection; a space people can just ‘be,’” he says.

In each of his concerts, Hidary creates a theme, such as courage, joy or love.

In Deerfield Beach, the theme was “wild.”

After an hour into the music, Hidary began a spoken word meditation on that theme.

“Imagine a place in you that was never meant to be tamed,” he says softly.  “They told us to be good – not wild.”

“To be wild is to be dangerous,” he says.   “To be wild means that you belong to something larger.  What if wildness was never the enemy?”

He talks about “a silence so complete, your breathe forgets it’s rhythm.”

One of Hidary’s favorite parts of the evening is the open mic section at the end of the concert where people get up and express how they’re feeling.

“People share the most heartwarming and fulfilling stories and emotions,” he says.  “It’s so human.”

In Deerfield Beach, a young man named Pedro got up to express his happiness at meeting his girlfriend, Amanda, and told her he loved her and was grateful for their two years together.  Another couple expressed their love for each other, while another participant who said they were in the military and leaving for Korea, expressed appreciation to Hidary for the special evening.

“Offering ways to destress and find deeper connections and healing makes me happy,” says Hidary, who now lives in Miami.

He’s motivated by the Jewish concept of “tikkun olam,” or, repairing the world.

“We can each bring a bit of “tikkun olam” in our own lives,” he says.  “As long as my fingers still work and people show up, I’ll do this until I’m 100 years of age.”

Visit mindtravel.com

Hidary will perform in Deerfield Beach on July 13.  Visit Eventbrite for tickets.

 

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Gumbo Limbo Come for the views, nature, conservation

If you would like a nature center with a coastal tropical hammock, located on a barrier island, complete with a boardwalk stroll through the coastal forest, a lush butterfly garden, resident sea turtles, and, most impressive of all, a 40-foot-tall observation tower featuring a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding area, look no further than Gumbo Limbo in Boca Raton.

Driving along Route A1A in the past, I would see signs for Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, and from the outside it seemed like a nice, tranquil park at the edge of the Intercoastal Waterway. So my friend Susan and I went to check it out recently. I have mobility issues until I get my knee replaced, and stairs or steep inclines are hard for me. I knew that this venue boasted an ADA-accessible switchback ramp to ascend to “Jacob’s Outlook,” at the top of the observation tower, and I wanted to be able to make my way up there and enjoy the spectacular views.

And did we ever. After entering the main building, we were handed a map and made our way out to the Coastal Hammock Boardwalk, a 1/3-mile elevated walk through the forest leading to the new, modern observation tower. There are two ways to traverse the circular boardwalk to reach the tower: a longer path curving around to the base of a large wooden staircase, or a short walk to the ADA-compliant switchback ramp. We chose the latter.

The impressive observation tower, which juts through the green canopy of trees, is just a year old. The old tower had fallen into disrepair and was torn down. For years, nothing was there. But then work began on this state-of-the-art structure, which finally opened to the public in June 2024, and it’s stunning. The 700-linear-foot ramp is spacious and wide, with nice wood craftsmanship and handrails on either side. As we made our way upward, we followed the shallow-ramped walkway while it wrapped around the structure and switched directions, and we stopped occasionally to look out at the different views.

Emerging up in the fresh air at the apex of the tower, we found it nice and breezy—and the panoramic view from Jacob’s Outlook? Fantastic! We could see the Intercoastal, all the trees and nature below us, nice homes, and landmarks of the city in the distance. We slowly walked around and took it all in. Once a knot of visitors headed back down, Susan and I sat on one of the benches and relaxed in the peaceful quiet. A plaque nearby read, “A vista to inspire the soul from the depths of the ocean to the skies above.” And that’s what it was.

The 20-acre Gumbo Limbo Nature Center was founded in 1984, a cooperative project of the city of Boca Raton, the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District, Florida Atlantic University, and the Coastal Stewards. “A beacon for environmental education, research, and conservation,” it provides refuge to plants and animals, including some rare or endangered. It is free to enter the park, but we contributed to a donation box at their welcome desk.

Gumbo Limbo’s Marine Science Lab, run by FAU, is well known in this area. Its Visitor’s Gallery, with an educational display, was designed to create public awareness about the fragility of sea turtles, South Florida’s ecosystems, and the Atlantic Ocean. FAU’s Marine Lab graduate students serve as community outreach ambassadors at the gallery.

The main venue was under some remodeling and construction when Susan and I visited, so we didn’t get to see everything. We walked around the outdoor marine aquariums, which usually hold a variety of native fish, resident sea turtles, and other marine animals. Gumbo Limbo also includes a sea turtle sculpture garden, the butterfly garden, an amphitheater, an outdoor classroom, and the Ashley Trail, a mulch-and-sand pathway that leads to the “Chiki Hut” overlooking the Intercoastal.

We had trouble finding the butterfly garden—the signage wasn’t clear, and because of the construction going on, we had to walk out to one of the two parking lots and then into a separate shady section of trees and bushes to find the butterflies flitting among the flowers. But once there, it was very secluded and bucolic.

There also is a sea turtle hospital on the property, which focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, researching, and releasing sea turtles. If anyone encounters an injured sea turtle or other wildlife, they can call the 24-hour rescue line (561-212-8691). Gumbo Limbo is a special place, and well worth a visit.

For more information, go to www.myboca.us/2485/Gumbo-Limbo-Nature-Center.

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Dive into aquaculture A sustainable seafood system

Some agricultural production systems rely on soil to farm plants for food. There’s also farming that involves raising land animals for food. But have you heard of aquaculture? Although it is sometimes referred to as “farmed fish,” aquaculture is more complex and involves both underwater plants and animals. 

Aquaculture: The Basics

Farming in water includes environments such as oceans, rivers, and even pens or tanks submerged in the water or on land, which is called inland or freshwater aquaculture. As of June 2023, there are approximately 600 species being farmed in countries around the world—significant for helping to feed the global population. Aquatic plants such as edible seaweeds or algae are being grown along with a variety of aquatic animals, including the following:

  • Fish (salmon, black sea bass, sablefish, yellowtail, pompano, trout, catfish)
  • Shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels, shrimp, crawfish)
  • Reptiles (crocodiles, alligators, turtles)
  • Amphibians (frogs)

Aquaculture is becoming increasingly complex, with a focus on plant and animal health and production practices. There also are other forms of farming in the water: hydroponics and aquaponics. Hydroponics is the process of farming or gardening plants in a water-based solution, rather than in soil, either on land or in water such as a lake, river, or ocean. Aquaponics is the process of growing fish and plants together in the water without soil. The nutrients for the plants come from beneficial bacteria that convert fish waste into fertilizer. The plants help keep the tanks or containers clean, so it is considered a sustainable practice.

Farmed Fish vs. Aquaculture

Aquaculture is a farming practice that does encompass “farming” fish. However, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, also known as NOAA Fisheries, farm-raised fish and shellfish grown in the United States are held to rigorous standards to ensure safety. Because most seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported from other countries, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established several processes to oversee its safety.

How Aquaculture Contributes to Sustainability

Aquaculture plays an increasingly vital role in the sustainability of food that grows both in the oceans and in fresh water. It can be used to increase the accessibility and affordability of seafood for consumers, and it supports guidance such as the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which encourages the consumption of seafood for health.

Aquaculture also plays a role in supporting wild seafood. When fish and shellfish are farmed, it helps to sustain fisheries that harvest wild-caught seafood. Aquaculture also can be used to protect wild seafood habitats and to revitalize or support the environment as well as the health of threatened or endangered species of fish or shellfish.

According to the FDA, about 90% of seafood eaten in the United States is imported—and more than half of it is produced through aquaculture practices. The FDA, along with other agencies, holds seafood grown through aquaculture to the same standards as fresh or wild seafood. Aquatic animal health in the U.S. is monitored through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which works with the World Organization for Animal Health to ensure that standards are maintained in the health and safety of aquatic animals and their international trade.

As the world’s population grows and demands more seafood, it’s important for farming in water to be sustainable, safe, and effective.

Aerial view of vast coastal fish farm with numerous circular enclosures in clear blue water, showcasing aquaculture practices.

Sustainably grown, organic Alaskan kelp is harvested at the Seagrove Kelp Co. farm in Doyle Bay. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Jordan Hollarsmith

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Breathe easy The power of houseplants as indoor air purifiers

We’re lucky to live in South Florida, where tropical plants thrive year-round and lush greenery is part of the everyday landscape. But while we enjoy our palm trees and bougainvillea outside, more and more people are bringing plants indoors—not just for their beauty, but for the hopes of cleaner air.

The idea that houseplants can help clean indoor air has been around for a while. It started with a NASA study in the late 1980s, which looked into how plants might filter air in space. Since then, there’s been ongoing curiosity about whether common houseplants can make a difference in our homes.

As it turns out, indoor air can be more polluted than we think, thanks to chemicals found in cleaning supplies, paints, furniture finishes, and even synthetic fabrics. For some, those pollutants can trigger headaches or even allergies. That’s where houseplants come in. While they’re not a magic fix, certain plants may help absorb some of those toxins—and they happen to make a room feel warmer, cozier, and more alive.

Lucky for us, you don’t have to travel far to find them. Many popular indoor plants are available at places like our local Fresh Market, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Home Depot, and even Publix.

Here are a few popular indoor plants that thrive in South Florida homes and are often praised for their air-cleaning potential.

Areca Palm

A soft, full plant that fits right into our tropical climate. It’s also said to help add moisture to the air.

Snake Plant

Very low-maintenance and tough to kill. It can handle low light and is often mentioned as a plant that helps clean the air.

Peace Lily

Easy to grow with elegant white flowers. It’s known for filtering indoor air, but it’s not safe for pets.

Pothos

Also known as devil’s ivy, this is a popular choice for beginners. It grows quickly and looks great trailing from shelves or hanging pots.

Spider Plant

A classic option that’s easy to care for and grows little baby plants that you can repot or share. It’s also believed to help with carbon monoxide and other indoor toxins.

To really feel a difference, some recommendations suggest having at least one medium-sized plant for every 100 square feet of space—but even just a couple can bring some life and freshness into a room. Experts suggest keeping leaves free of dust so the plants can “breathe,” and be sure to pay attention to their lighting and watering needs.

Whether or not they completely purify your space, houseplants have a way of making homes feel more grounded. In a world full of screens and synthetic everything, bringing in a few living, growing things might be one of the simplest ways to breathe a little easier—literally and figuratively.

NASA’s 1989 Clean Air Study is available online.

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Playing it forward Teen organizes drive to support student athletes in Africa

For Jordin Bekker, a freshman at North Broward Preparatory School, a recent school service trip to Tanzania was the perfect opportunity to give back to her native continent.

“I felt really inspired, being from Africa and knowing I was going to go on this trip, to give back to my community,” says Bekker, who grew up in South Africa and has lived in Parkland for almost three years.

A lifelong athlete whose love of sports helped her develop confidence, engage with people, and release her anger in a healthy way, Bekker wanted to support student athletes.

“Since sport is my passion, and there are many kids in Tanzania who don’t have the opportunity to pursue a passion like sports because they lack equipment and facilities, I wanted to give back part of what I was able to experience growing up,” explains Bekker, who decided to do an athletic clothing drive.

Bekker and her mother created a Facebook post about the drive, asking for used athletic clothing donations, and the response from the Parkland community was overwhelming. “The people of Parkland are absolutely amazing,” enthuses Bekker, who received three seasons’ worth of brand-new lacrosse uniforms from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School alone. “I didn’t expect this to blow up as much as it did. We received messages multiple times a day from people telling us they had bags and bags for us.”

Bekker spent weeks collecting and washing clothes and cleats and sorting them by size and age group. Due to the volume of donations, she had to put a shed in the backyard and is already planning on expanding her efforts next year. “It’s definitely something I want to keep doing,” she confirms. “I love kids.”

With the help of her fellow classmates and travelers, Bekker was able to transport 27 duffel bags, each filled with two T-shirts, two pairs of shorts, a pair of cleats, a soccer ball, and a ball pump.

The bags were distributed to students at Ngongongare Primary School, which has four sports teams and more than 700 students. “Giving them the sports equipment made me cry,” recalls Bekker. “Before we gave them the equipment, I watched them play during recess. They were playing barefoot on stones that would pierce your foot. Their field was slanted with long grass, and a goal made out of wooden planks. They were so happy when we gave them the equipment. They sang and danced to say thank you to us.”

Since returning from her trip, Bekker has already collected 50 more pairs of cleats and has begun registering her charity, aptly named Play It Forward, to continue and expand her mission of providing clothes and sports equipment to children in Tanzania.

For more information, visit platitforwardinc.com. {Is this URL link correct? It doesn’t work. And playitforwardinc.com doesn’t have anything on the site yet.}

https://playitforwardinc.com/ coming soon

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Music is on the menu with the band Vocal Menu

When somebody loves you
It’s no good unless he loves you
All the way

So begin the lyrics to Frank Sinatra’s classic song “All the Way,” on the 1961 album of the same name, and which he performed virtually with Celine Dion live in 1999 at the Millennium Concert in Montréal, Québec.

A classic love song, spotlighting both singers’ musical styles, it is a favorite to perform for local singers Catalina Prado, 29, and Carlos Iturrieta, 35, both classically trained vocalists and now members of the band Vocal Menu. Other members of the band include Jesús Herrera on guitar, Sandro Montoya on bass, and Oscar Bravo on drums.

“The song is so beautiful—I’m obsessed with it,” says Prado, the lead female vocalist, who admires both Celine Dion and Sandra Brightman.

Prado, a soprano, and Iturrieta, a bass-baritone, met in their native Chile during an audition backstage at the historic and iconic Teatro Municipal de Santiago, where they were asked to perform a duet from Mozart’s comic opera, “The Marriage of Figaro.” Both nervous for the audition, Prado sang the lead female role of Susanna while Iturrieta sang the lead male role of Figaro, two servants who fall in love and eventually marry, despite the obstacles in their way.

Luckily for Prado and Iturrieta, nerves gave way to something more. As Prado remembers, the couple, like their characters, fell in love during that audition, in a case of life imitating art.

And while they are not yet married, since that fateful day in November 2018, the couple has been singing together and two years ago relocated to Boca Raton from Chile, to be near family in Parkland.

Iturrieta studied at the Institute of Musical Arts in Concepción, Chile, under the tutelage of Chilean baritone Pablo Castillo and alongside renowned Chilean pianist Verónica Torres. A four-time scholarship winner, he studied under Chilean opera singers Rodrigo Navarrete, Oscar Quezada, and Christian Senn, as well as Italian baritone Alessandro Corbelli and Chilean soprano Pilar Aguilera.

In 2018, Iturrieta was a semi-finalist in two international competitions—in San Pedro de la Paz, Chile, and in Trujillo, Peru. The following year, he made his opera debut in Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly,” at Chile’s Biobío Regional Theater, in the role of the Imperial Commissioner, conducted by Italian maestro Lorenzo Tazzieri. And In May 2019, he was selected as a semifinalist in Plácido Domingo’s “Centre de Perfeccionament,” in Valencia, Spain.

And while Iturrieta studied opera formally for six years in IDAM, he, like Prado, realized he didn’t want to limit himself to one genre of music and felt that instead of people coming to him to hear him perform, he could bring his music to the people.

One of Iturrieta’s long-term goals is to found a performing arts center where people can come hear him perform. In addition to opera, he enjoys singing ballads, especially American music from the 1950s and ’60s, such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Andy Williams, and Nat King Cole. “The crooners,” he says.

Other musical influences include American opera singer Samuel Ramey and Russian opera singer Dimitri Hvorostovsky, who passed away in 2017.

Prado has an equally impressive background, beginning her musical journey in 2013 at the Symphonic Choir of the University of Chile, under the baton of conductor Juan Pablo Villarroel, where, at 17, she was the youngest student admitted to the program.

She studied under Chilean soprano Claudia Pereira, later graduating from the Conservatory of Music of the Universidad Mayor, in 2022. In 2018, Prado won the prestigious Amigos del Teatro Municipal de Santiago scholarship, and she performed in many of Chile’s top theaters.

Growing up, Prado attended a Waldorf School where music and the arts were an integral part of the school curriculum. She knew at a young age that she loved to sing, and to sing with others as part of a group. Finding success at an early age, she credits her mother’s prayers as having “something to do with it.”

Not one to leave fate to chance, Prado had a backup plan if her singing career didn’t take off: to become a doctor. “I always have a Plan B,” she says.

With a “strong passion” to heal people, Prado says both physicians and musicians are healing in their own way.

With a far-reaching repertoire, including arias, operettas, chamber music, popular music, and musical theater, Prado is not content to remain in one genre, and she’s looking to find her sound. “I want to explore my own sound without limitations,” she says, noting that to sing opera, one needs to conform to strict vocal techniques and requirements.

“I want more freedom,” she says, finding that freedom in musical theater and contemporary music, especially cross-over music.

“Cross-over music bridges different genres and worlds and is a way to bring people together,” Prado says. “Music is for everyone.”

Her dream, she says, is to be able to create unforgettable musical moments for everyone.

Prado cares for her voice with a healthy lifestyle that includes taking precautions against becoming sick; not eating spicy foods late at night, which can cause reflux and harm the vocal cords; and staying hydrated. She trains her vocal cords with warm-ups and scales every day.

Her dream is to play the role of protagonist Christine Daaé in “The Phantom of the Opera,” live on stage.

While the couple perform numbers from the musical, such as “The Music of the Night,” and others, Prado likes to imagine herself performing on stage in front of a large, enthusiastic audience.

“That would be unbelievable,” she says. She hopes to make professional connections here in South Florida to realize that dream.

The two also hope to make a name for themselves and the Vocal Menu band. Last year, they participated in the city of Parkland’s 60th Anniversary celebration, opened for the band Sugar Ray, performed for Veterans Day celebrations, and performed twice at the Parkland Farmers’ Market at the Equestrian Center, once as a duo and the second last February with the full band.

As recently arrived members of the community, they hope these performances are only the beginning.

“We love what we do,” says Prado. “We get to share special and emotional moments with each other and our audience.

“It’s a unique and beautiful moment,” she says. “Isn’t that what makes us human?”

To learn more, visit vocalmenu.com or go to Vocalmenu on Instagram


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