Tag: broward county

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MSD senior spreads sunshine and kindness

Freshman year at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School was difficult
for Daniel Tabares, then 17.

It was the year of the worst tragedy in the school’s history when 17 students and staff were murdered and Tabares lost friends.

He was sad and depressed and only when he became involved with the
Parkland March For Our Lives rally on Mar. 24, 2018 as a featured speaker, did he find his calling.

“I may seem serious,” says Tabares. “But once you get to know me, I’m
funny, outgoing, and always kind. Sometimes people have preconceived notions about people who look different, but don’t always trust your first impressions and give people a chance.”

Born with achondroplasia, a bone growth disorder, Tabares is not unfamiliar with the unkindness of strangers.

Achondroplasia is the most common type of dwarfism. It is a genetic
condition that affects about 1 in 15,000 to 1 in 40,000 people.

Emmy-award winner Peter Dinklage, who portrayed Tyrion Lannister on the wildly popular TV series, “Game of Thrones,” has the condition.

“I’ve been through so much,” he says, noting that he’s been called names, been excluded and stared at, not to mention undergone more than 10 surgeries.

“It’s no fun,” he says.

At the rally, Tabares spoke about how he was feeling and says he was quoted on CNN as saying, “Give yourself a hug like there’s no tomorrow.”

His inspirational words had an effect on those around him and boosted his morale and confidence.

From that day on, Tabares was a changed person and no longer depressed.

He had found his voice.

Daniel Tabares

“It’s a crazy world,” he says, “and maybe someone is going through a lot, and a kind word is all they need to get through their day.”

He has taken to sharing his kind words and inspirational messages on his social media and with the residents of Parkland as he rides from one end of Holmberg Rd. to the other on his bike showcasing his inspirational signs.

He counts his dad, Luis, as a role model (and for his good looks) and says he’s inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and Mother Theresa.

“You’re amazing,” proclaims one sign. “Be the change you want to see in the world,” says another, paraphrasing Gandhi. His LinkedIn page states, “Dreams and dedication are a powerful combination.”

Another sign declared not only black lives matter, but Latino, disabled, and LGBTQ lives as well.

He took Gandhi’s message to heart and challenges himself to be the change he wants to see.

Now, in his senior year at MSD and co-president of the Student Board of The Friendship Journey and Ambassador of Wings of Friendship, Tabares hopes to be a speech- language pathologist or a motivational speaker, and his dream since second grade is to attend the University of Florida.

This summer he was a lead counselor and student ambassador in an 8-week virtual camp for people with disabilities and was inspired by the students’ empathy for others.

The camp, sponsored by Dylan’s Wings of Change (DWC), is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the memory of Dylan Hockley, a student killed in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 along with 19 other first-graders and six teachers.

They partnered with the locally-based The Friendship Journey, with its mission to educate, empower, and include individuals across all cognitive and physical abilities.

Tabares said coming to the camp allows participants to be fully themselves and share their true colors with others.

“I’m thankful for that,” he says.

After the Parkland shootings, Tabares was invited to Pittsburgh to receive the first Loving Kindness Award from the Pittsburgh JCC’s Center for Loving Kindness, where 11 people lost their lives and six were wounded in a mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Oct. 2018.

Rabbi Ron Symons, the director of Pittsburgh JCC’s Center for Loving Kindness, says Tabares was selected for the award “because he exudes kindness in every way.”

“When we met him after the shootings in Parkland and Pittsburgh, we met a person with a depth of optimism and soul that few adults have,” Symons says. “No matter what he does throughout his life, I am confident that my friend and teacher, Danny Tabares, will inspire thousands.”

 

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Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL, 22nd District)

Dear Friends!

In November, Americans will be participating in one of our country’s most cherished democratic traditions. As we enter election season, I encourage you all to make your voices heard, whether that be in-person, by mail, or by early voting. To check on your registration, ballot status, and voting locations, please visit your county’s Supervisor of Elections website at https://browardsoe.org.

You can help ensure every voice is heard in our democracy and protect the health and safety of our community by signing up to be an election poll worker. Because of COVID-19, we are already facing a critical shortage of these essential workers. Our local elections officials are working hard to establish safe voting protocols, train workers, and supply election sites with enough PPE to make voting in-person safer. But they need your help. Sign up to be a poll worker on November 3rd at https://powerthepolls.org.

“I welcome these announcements that Israel will normalize relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The historic agreements will usher in a new era of regional cooperation and help provide greater stability in the Gulf, which is in the United States’ national security interest.”

I have long hoped to see the day that common ties between Israel and its regional neighbors would be able to advance, and I look forward to working to support these growing relationships. I am glad that these announcements include a commitment to finding a just, comprehensive, and enduring solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. It is only a two-state solution resulting in a safe and secure Israel living side by side in peace with a viable Palestinian state that can ensure long-term peace and prosperity for both Israelis and Palestinians.

As always, please stay safe and reach out to my office if we can be of any assistance.

 

 

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If only mosquitoes sucked fat instead of blood

One fact might remove some of the sting from this year’s mosquito season: Health officials have no data to suggest that mosquitos transmit coronavirus to people. Still, mosquitos can transmit potentially deadly diseases to humans. And so, like every mosquito season, county officials are working to control the
population.

This year, Broward County has temporarily suspended mosquito home inspections as part of social distancing protocols. However, “we continue to provide truck-dispersed mosquito control products,” said Ahn Ton, director of the Broward County Highway and Bridge Maintenance Division and Mosquito Control.

The county’s seven inspectors apply products, collect traps, test water for larvae, and participate in public outreach. The county’s call center received about 50-80 calls per day in May, Ton said. By July that grew to 150-200 calls, County residents can call 311 or (954) 831-3940.

Ton said the mosquito problem this year is no greater or less than previous years. “Thankfully, we are not currently experiencing a mosquito-borne illness pandemic as we did with the Zika Virus,” Ton added.

However, from March 9 through July 28 of this year, as of press time, Palm Beach County had experienced one case of West Nile Virus in a human. In Miami-Dade County, that number is 24. Also, the Florida Department of Health has confirmed a case of West Nile in a horse in Northern Broward County.

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne disease that affects birds, but mosquitos, through their bites, can also transmit the condition to humans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States.

Cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall. There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. Roughly one in five people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About one out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

“Mosquitoes that transmit West Nile Virus bite during the day and night,” according to information on the county’s website. “People can avoid mosquito bites by using insect repellent (formulated with Permethrin, Picaridin, or DEET), by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and by treating clothing and gear.” The website also advises people with horses to ensure the animal is vaccinated against the virus. “When possible, keep your horse stabled and spray it with a horse mosquito repellent.”

Broward County officials are educating people about methods to lower mosquito populations such as removing standing water from their properties. Also, the county is providing materials and non-toxic larvicide tablets at special events and doctors’ offices.

Trapping is another control method, said Ton.

“Traps are used for surveillance so that we know the quantity and species of mosquitos in an area so that we can tailor our treatment technique to maximize effectiveness and minimize any waste,” Ton said. “Traps have the added benefit of removing adult mosquitos from the environment.”

Officials place traps throughout Broward County and collect them weekly for “counts.” On a regular basis, the county biologist traps mosquitos, separates them by species, and detects any potential viruses. Findings determine the chemical application that county workers will use and the type of treatment required.  Aerial spraying traps provide another control method. But under
Florida law, counties must show a 10-fold increase in their mosquito population before the state approves aerial spraying. Ton said the last time Broward County conducted aerial spraying was July 2019.

In Palm Beach County, mosquito control program supervisor Chris Reifinger said he deploys 17 traps around the county. This year, several traps caught more than 1,000 mosquitos in 24 hours. “That indicates a mosquito problem,” Reifinger said. Therefore, he’s had to conduct aerial spraying. Reifinger added the county usually uses a helicopter for that purpose an average of six times every year.

In early August, Reifinger said the mosquito problem in his county was “pretty calm.” By contrast, in June, mosquitos were a “big problem.” He’s had to conduct aerial spraying west of Military Trail on 270,000 acres of land which tends to flood. Reifinger said his team has also used a spray truck to try to kill West Nile Virus-carrying mosquitos.

For information on how you can avoid getting sick from viruses spread by mosquitos, visit cdc.gov/features/stopmosquitoes/index.html.

 

By Aaron Krause

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Organize Your Occasion

Planning a wedding is a joyous and special time in life, but it can be stressful to keep all of the details of your wedding in order.

Vendors, guest lists, gifts, and thank you notes are a few that need to be organized with meticulous care, and in turn, require you to have that knack for detail to keep you on track.

Here are a few organizational tips to make this process easier…

There are some great online tools and apps that can keep your lists organized. I recommend WeddingHappy for staying on track with tasks and AllSeated for visualizing seating charts and venue layouts. You can even organize your entire wedding on Trello, and get a little help writing your thank notes on Postable.

If you are not into using digital tools, old school methods of keeping hand-written lists will work just as well. Use a notebook that has pockets, and dedicate several tabs for each category – vendors, gifts, guest lists, etc. and take copious notes! Make sure to include all of the details like costs, vendor proposals with the scopes of work, and all additional specifics that are pertinent.

To avoid getting endless emails and text messages from guests, use a simple wedding website where they can check out your wedding details. Include important information for your wedding like dates, times, locations, dress codes, registries, transportation and lodging, and a day-of itinerary. Everything that appears on the invitations should be present on the welcome page of the website.

If you do decide to work with a professional planner or coordinator, a traditional wedding etiquette and guidebook (such as The Wedding Book) is an excellent source of information and expert advice, including tips, tricks, and examples of useful timelines and checklists.

This will help you visualize and prioritize your goals without being overwhelmed with all your wedding details all at once.

Try and enjoy your wedding process as much as possible! The tools mentioned above will assist you every step of the way and help
to make your special day an even greater success.

By Lisa Haubenstock

Lisa Haubenstock is a Professional Organizer and owner of LisaTheOrganizer, LLC. A Home Organizing and Relocation Company serving Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. She is a member of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO). She holds certificates in household management & residential organizing. You can contact Lisa at lisa@lisatheorganizer.com.

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Commissioner Michael Udine (3rd District, Broward County)

Congratulations to the Broward County Library Division for being recognized by the Florida Library Association as the Library of the Year, and by the American Library Association as the 2020 Library of the Future, among several other achievements. Over the last few years, they have launched innovative initiatives to enhance library services and programs. In response to the pandemic, Libraries developed a curbside pick-up service for patrons to check out books and materials, and expanded their online offerings with even more eBooks, music, movies, and classes. Hats off and thank you for all you do for the residents of Broward County!

I was proud to see so many residents and District 3 cities getting in the Fourth of July spirit. Although we were not able to gather for traditional parades and parties, our community reimagined Independence Day celebrations. The City of Tamarac organized a yard decorating contest, with participants sharing their patriotic decorations on social media. In North Lauderdale, the Parks and Recreation Department hosted a Drive-In Fireworks Show, where residents enjoyed a beautiful firework display while staying safe and socially distant. As our holiday traditions continue to adapt from years past, it is great to know the spirit and celebration remains the same.

As Floridians, we know that August is when hurricane season really kicks into gear. Staying prepared and vigilant is key. Make sure you and your family (including pets) have all the necessary food, supplies, and medications needed if a storm comes our way. If you are a resident at-risk, now is the time to make sure you are registered for Broward County’s Vulnerable Population Registry or special needs shelters. All residents should sign up for Broward’s emergency notification system, AlertBroward, in addition to your city’s community alert system. Visit Broward.org/Hurricane to register and find all the info you need to be Storm Ready.

Soon we will be transitioning out of summer and into fall. I applaud all teachers, students, parents, and staff for their resilience and innovation. I would like to wish everyone a successful start to the school year. The Florida “Back-to- School” Sales Tax holiday will take place this year from August 7th to 9th. Take advantage of savings on school supplies, clothing, backpacks, personal computers, and more so you can be prepared before classes begin. I have no doubt that this will be a year full of learning, growing, and making memories for our students.

 

  • Email: mudine@broward.org

  • Phone: (954)357-7003

  • Facebook: @CommissionerMichaelUdine

  • Twitter and Instagram: @MichaelUdine

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Engaged Couples: August 2020

Karina DiGregorio, of Boca Raton, and Ryan Zelaya, of Zephyrhills, plan a January 3, 2021 wedding at The Addison in Boca Raton.

Karina went to college with Ryan’s cousin, Suzie, who thought the two would be great together. Apparently, she was right. When Suzie learned Karina was going home to Boca in the summer of 2015 and that Ryan would be staying in school at FAU for the summer, she set the two up for coffee.

Their first date was a walk on the beach where they watched a mother turtle bury her eggs.

Four and a half years later, Ryan proposed to Karina. We don’t know what happened with the turtle eggs.

The proposal came at a New Year’s Eve Party. The ring Ryan ordered hadn’t arrived, but when the ball dropped in New York City, Ryan dropped to one knee, offered her a “promise ring” he bought that day and popped the question. Ryan had a friend standing by camera-ready to capture the event.

The actual ring was to arrive a week later and Ryan insisted Karina stay home all day to meet the UPS delivery man with the precious package. Turns out, when the doorbell finally rang, Ryan WAS the UPS guy, carrying flowers, the ring, and another proposal. So how sweet is that?

They SCUBA dive together, cook, and go on long walks, purposely leaving all technology behind. They plan to honeymoon in Hawaii, where they will dive, snorkel, and explore the underwater world.

Ryan is a test engineer for Sensormatic. Karina is a proofreader and operations assistant at the Parklander magazine.
Maybe you’ve heard of it.

Kristina Nunez, of Coconut Creek, and Javier Garcia, of Fort Lauderdale, will be wed this Nov. 21 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Fort Lauderdale, followed by a reception at Deer Creek Country Club.

The couple met in September 2016 through a dating app and Javier proposed in New York’s Central Park 2 1⁄2 years later. He hired a photographer to capture the moment.

The couple enjoys dancing, going to the movies, exploring new restaurants, and traveling. They both enjoy just spending time together, regardless of the activity.

The couple hopes to honeymoon to Europe after the pandemic is over, exploring new places and cultures.

Both are teachers with Broward County Public Schools. Javier teaches high school and Kristina, elementary school.

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Are we witnessing the end of LIVE Jury Trials?

As a result of COVID, circuits around the country are experimenting with remote jury trials. Broward County Chief Circuit Judge Jack Tuter, along with the American Board of Trial Advocates, are leading the charge. The State, if not the country, is watching. How do you create a system that moves cases without jeopardizing the rights of the parties?

Besides the basic challenges of how to call witnesses and enter exhibits, what happens if there is a technology glitch (i.e. wifi goes out)? Worse yet, how can we ensure the jurors are not playing Mario Kart during closing arguments if there is no one to monitor their actions?

As a litigator, I can attest that remote meetings via Zoom can be quite advantageous for routine hearings such
as status conferences, discovery disputes, and even dispositive motions. Remote hearings save attorneys a tremendous amount of time. I have personally waited hours in a filled courtroom for a judge to say, “Hello, Mr. Snyder. Your motion for continuance was granted. I’ll see you in eight weeks.” These “time-drains” would be eliminated with remote hearings.

Jury trials, however, are a whole different animal.

Some parts of trials are already remote. In many civil trials, doctor’s testimony is presented via video. Although these videos must be edited to account for objections (and cost an arm and a leg), they are very efficient. Push play and sit down.

Juries many times do not appreciate the “controlled chaos” within the courtroom. Attorneys may spend hundreds, if not thousands of hours preparing for a trial. Even if the attorney knows the case “like the back of his hand” and has thought of every possible contingency, there are always unavoidable curveballs. To quote Ross Geller, attorneys must “PIVOT” and plow ahead. These “on-the-fly” adjustments are much more challenging on a ZOOM platform.

Jury trials are equal style and substance. Trial attorneys lend an air of gravitas to the proceedings. The best trial attorneys are orchestra conductors who seamlessly make dozens of strategic decisions on the fly like: (1) how close the stand to a jury; (2) when to make eye contact with a particular juror; (3) when to pregnant pause; (4) when to put a hand on their client’s shoulder; (5) when to smile/scowl; (6) when to object / how forcefully to object, and (7) when to just remain silent and let the witness sink their own case.

Non-verbal communications are sometimes more important than what is said. During my last criminal trial, I made eye contact with a juror during my cross examination of the lead detective. I knew right then and there my argument was gaining traction. The juror observed what I observed-the lead detective squirming in his chair and become visibly irate. I dug-in deeper and really pushed the issue. My client was acquitted. The juror was the foreperson. This connection would have been lost in a remote trial.

We may have the technology to conduct remote trials, but technology does not transfer the human emotion and connection – these are vital elements of a fair jury trial.

I do not envy the people who need to decide on when we get back to live trials and in what capacity. It is a delicate balance. With the support of our hard-working Judges and trial bar, Broward County is on the right-side of the curve. I am confident they will be able to come to a happy medium balancing technology with human elements.

By Philip Snyder, Esp.

Philip Snyder is a personal injury attorney at Lyons, Snyder & Collin.

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Parkland mayor seeks Florida State House seat

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Attempts to contact these two candidates were unsuccessful.

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

 

By Jan Engoren

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Broward County Library wins top state award

The Broward County Library has been named 2020 Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association.

“Broward County Library is dedicated to providing  our customers with the very best library services and resources available,” says Broward County Library Director Kelvin Watson. “We’re honored that our efforts and initiatives have been recognized by our peers and we’ll continue striving to reach and engage our community in innovative and meaningful ways.”

The association said the award “recognizes a Florida library that has demonstrated outstanding service to its community” by providing creative or innovative programming that can be emulated by other libraries and by expanding library services to the community it serves.

Broward’s “Air, Land and Sea,” campaign increased services to new residents of Broward, explored current social issues and provided our community with free access to current technology including virtual and augmented reality gear, Watson said.

The campaign expanded library service points to unusual and unexpected places in the community, including buses, parks, businesses and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Other awards the library received from the association was its “Excellence in Marketing and Public Relations Award” for the branding/public awareness campaign of its airport branch, and the “Library Innovation Award” for “Project Welcome,” an initiative that supports English-language learners and newcomers to Broward County.

Makiba Foster, regional manager of Broward’s African American Research Library and Cultural Center, received the association’s “Outstanding Scholarly Contributions” award for her article “Navigating Library Collections, Black Culture, and Current Events,” published In Library Trends Journal.

Earlier this month, Foster and Watson were selected by Legacy South Florida magazine as among of South Florida’s “50 Most Influential and Powerful Black Professionals of 2020.”

Nationally, Broward County Library Community Engagement Manager Roslyn Dean was named one of  Library Journal’s 2020s “Movers and Shakers” in the digital developers category.

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