Tag: Community Family

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The High Holy Days of 2020

In the Bible, we find the origin for the holiday of Rosh Hashanah. The Book of Leviticus (23:24- 25) declares: “In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of rest, a memorial proclaimed with the blowing of the shofar, a holy convocation.” However, for the first time in thousands of years, the delivery model for this worship will change.

The Hebrew root for the word “Shanah” means to change, shinui. This is typically referring to our personal evaluation and change that takes place over the High Holy Days, but this year we are faced with even greater ways to transform our worship.

Over the past few months, clergy have struggled with the dilemma of how to offer meaningful worship for the High Holy Days during the COVID-19 pandemic. The questions range from: “Can we accomplish a lengthy service filled with sermons, song, shofar blasts, and Torah readings through a virtual platform?” to “Can we figure out how to safely host a socially-distanced service where the clergy and a choir deliver a full worship service?”

Most have concluded that online is the only way to ensure the safety of their congregations. Unfortunately, this leads to a myriad of other dilemmas:

  • Will worship be in a virtual meeting platform (interactive both ways) or on a webinar (interactive one-way) where people can only see the speaker?
  • Should we pre-record or conduct live services?
  • Should we stream worship to a website or a social media account?
  • What if we lose power, Wi-Fi cuts out, or my children walk in and interrupt the service?

For a religion like Judaism, which places a great deal of importance on tradition and communal gatherings for Torah reading and saying certain prayers in a minyan, a gathering of 10 adults all tackling a new delivery model for the holiest day of the year seems like a great mountain to climb.

Martin Buber, a great 20th-century Jewish philosopher, once wrote about the distinction between an I-It relationship and an I-Thou relationship. The I-It relationship is a superficial relationship between two people, which is now reinforced through virtual meetings thanks to mandatory isolation. The I-Thou relationship is the creation of a deeper connection with another human being, leading us closer to a relationship with God.

The true task of the High Holy Days is not about how long the worship service runs or if it was the best video and music production. It is about the prayer, the melancholy tones that are chanted, and a sermon that educates, inspires, and provides hope for the year to come. It will be the roles of the clergy to create space for the I-Thou relationship to occur.

Psalm 82:1 reminds us that “God stands in the congregation of God” and we have an opportunity to reinterpret this metaphor in our current reality.

The world feels so very broken right now. People are not only fighting a virus in different ways but are bombarded with the tense political climate. We are suffering losses in many capacities; we are grieving loved ones, missing our “normal” routines, and missing out on the ability to visit with friends and family. These changes have affected our mental and physical wellbeing and will continue to do so as we see no end in sight.

The Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe, remind us that life continues to move forward whether we are ready for it or not. However bleak things may be, we must continue to search for meaning and find our purpose. By taking the time to pause on these High Holy Days, we cash in on the reality check we all so desperately need. The world is reaching its birthday on Rosh Hashanah and we have a chance to renew ourselves and refocus our goals.

For some, not entering a physical building removes a barrier for worship participation. By observing the High Holy Days in a virtual platform, there is no one to care what shoes or handbag you are wearing or to remember when you last stepped foot in a synagogue. No one can hear whether you know the words and sing along, or if your child is making noise in the background.

The playing field for participation is leveled. Everyone has the same seat in the sanctuary – in front of an electronic device. You can have your camera off or on – you can be seen or hold on to your anonymity.

For others, this virtual space will be much harder. Those who look forward to experiencing everything happening in three dimensions or reuniting with friends they have not seen all summer will feel as if they missed out on something. Everyone will be muted figuratively and literally.

One thing is for certain. Whatever happens, it will most definitely not be a repeat of the year prior or of decades before. Clergy have been pushed in new directions to rethink High Holy Days altogether. We must remember that this is not necessarily a bad thing. Inspired by learning new technology, they have been forced to innovate, which may prove to be particularly engaging for everyone in the virtual prayer space.

It is important to use this time to reflect on the change you want to occur in your life before you experience a new modality of worship. May you all have a Shanah Tovah, a “good change” or a happy new year, and a G’mar Chatimah Tovah, be inscribed (in the Book of Life) for good.

 

By Rabbi Melissa Stollman

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My pre-COVID self lies just under the surface, waiting to emerge

Neil and I along with millions of others are entering another month of primarily staying home. As I wrote last month, I recognize that as time continues and projects wane, I have to think of new ways to spend my time in a productive manner. Let me catch you up.

Mickey Booboo is growing in leaps and bounds. He is learning many new things daily. Some I like, others I tolerate. When the devil dog emerges, we butt heads. He is vocal, opinionated, happy, and confident (he certainly takes after the two of us). He occupies a large portion of my day and I laugh out loud
at his antics, tell numerous Mickey stories to anyone who will listen, and enjoy our exercise program of walking and swimming. Yes, Mickey is a true water dog and swims all over the pool catching bubbles and bugs. I love my time with him and have looked to augment only a small portion of the day with other things.

Neil is busy with his many undertakings, yet makes time to play two-handed Canasta with me at least once a day. Besides his business and the HOA, he is working to create a mentoring program with the Broward County
Board of Education. Although we are both in the house, we generally are separate except for the card game, dinner, and whatever after-dinner activity we plan.

The biggest enhancement I have made is for my friends to occupy more of my time again. I now play both Canasta and Mah Jongg online with friends (simultaneously using Houseparty) three afternoons a week, I have a couple
of friends over to swim one day each week, and try to do an occasional lunch, dinner, or coffee and dessert outside (socially distant). By creating a regular recurring weekly schedule of these things, I am more satisfied both socially and having utilized my time in a positive way. This addition has made a world of difference.

I continue to try new recipes, and while some turn out to be delicious, others have been mediocre at best. Prepping and cooking combined with planning a shopping list for Walmart pickup occupies a number of hours, and this is something I have thoroughly enjoyed.

My cousin Sharry has tried a number of my creations and shares many of
hers with me. Again, I think I always get the better end of this deal as hers are
always delicious.

While I have nearly run out of house projects, there is one remaining that I have consistently hesitated to start. The project is going through all of my and my mom’s old photographs. I know that this should be done as it will preserve family history for my grandchildren, but somehow, I dread the poignant, emotional hours and days it will entail. Maybe I’ll start this month.

There is a word that describes my life during the pandemic: Pentimento. It is the reappearance in a painting of an underlying image that had been painted over, usually when the later painting becomes transparent with age. The earlier image may be visible initially, become visible with age, or revealed through X-rays. I feel that way about my life now. I have changed the surface of my life, substituting things that enable me to be happier in my new normal, but the elements of my previous way of life are still there, under the surface, waiting to emerge. I pray for a vaccine.

 

By Jill Vogel

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SNOOK season’s on! Start your engines!

Capt. Brian Sanders is on the right holding the snook. All the others are customers of his with snook that they caught with him.

September 1 is a special day for many South Florida anglers because that’s when the snook season opens after being closed for most of the summer.

It’s also one of the best times to catch a snook because the fish are still congregated inside inlets, off beaches, and around bridges.

One of the best places to fish for the popular gamefish is in the 10,000 Islands on Florida’s southwest coast. The remote area, much of which is part of Everglades National Park, probably has the most boat traffic of the year during the first week of September, most of those fishermen hoping to catch a few good-tasting snook to bring home for dinner.

Capt. Brian Sanders, who fishes out of Chokoloskee Island for snook as well as redfish, sea trout, tripletail, cobia, and permit (visit www.sandersoutdoorguide.com) said he’s usually booked for the opening week of snook season 30-45 days in advance. Those with their own boats also invade the area, especially on the first weekend of the season, which this year is Sept. 5-6, followed by Labor Day on Sept. 7.

“This area solely relies on tourism and fishermen,” said Sanders, who has fished out of Chokoloskee for more than 50 years and ranks among the region’s top guides. “The fishermen come, they stay the weekend, they buy fuel, ice, and food. They all come down and descend into the Everglades.”

It’s easy to get turned around in the 10,000 Islands, where many of the mangrove islands look the same. In addition, water levels constantly change with the wind and tides, so a creek or bay that was easy to navigate at high tide could leave a boater stranded during low tide. If you haven’t fished the area before and aren’t going with someone who knows the 10,000 Islands, it makes sense to book an experienced guide such as Sanders.

He is especially good with youngsters and with adults who don’t have much fishing experience and coaches them so they can expertly land multiple species.

“I do a lot of family trips,” said Sanders, who lives in Davie and commutes across Alligator Alley to State Road 29 every day. “Lately it seems I’ve had a lot of husbands and wives and their 12-year-old kid. They let me take all of the guesswork out of fishing.”

On a recent trip, Sanders took his cousin’s 18-year-old son. He had just graduated high school, but because of COVID-19, he didn’t get to enjoy a proper graduation.

“She wanted to do something nice for him and asked if I’d take him and some of his buddies fishing,” Sanders said. “We had seven kids on two boats and we caught lots of redfish and some big snook. We had a great time and all the kids caught big fish.”

Big breeder snook are protected by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to make sure that the state has a healthy population. Anglers are allowed to keep only one snook per day with a total length of 28 – 33 inches along the Gulf coast and in Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys, and one snook 28-32 inches on the Atlantic coast.

The Atlantic coast season is closed from June 1-August 31, which is when snook spawn. The open season is Sept. 1-Dec. 14, then it closes Dec. 15-Jan. 31. The season re-opens Feb. 1-May 31.

Regulations in Everglades National Park, the Florida Keys, and Gulf coast waters are more restrictive, with the season closed from Dec. 1 to the end of February and May 1-Aug. 31. Due to the adverse effects of red tide, the snook season is closed along the Gulf coast from north of Tampa to south of Naples through Aug. 31, 2021.

Snook can be caught and released during the closed seasons, and I’ve enjoyed many trips with Sanders where he pulled up to an island, told me to cast my bait to a downed tree or submerged oyster bar, and I immediately hooked a snook. That’s only half the battle with the hard-fighting fish because they have a knack for swimming to the nearest obstacle and tangling or breaking your fishing line.

Sanders said that when you feel the “thump” of a snook inhaling your bait or lure, reel in the line until it comes tight, then set the hook. If you get excited and jerk the fishing rod with slack in the line, you won’t drive the hook into the snook’s mouth.

“Once the fish is under control and away from the structure, back off,” Sanders said. “Let the fish pull and then you pull. And it’s important to stay on top of your fish. You can’t fight a fish that goes to the back of the boat from the bow.”

Sanders recommended fairly stout tackle to wrestle snook away from rocks, oyster bars, and mangroves. He uses medium-heavy 7-foot spinning rods made by Fairbanks Customs Rods with a 3500 or 4000 series Canyon reel. His main line is a 20-pound braid tied to a 40-pound fluorocarbon leader attached to a 2/0 or 3/0 Mustad Big Gun hook if he’s using live pilchards, threadfin herring, or finger mullet for bait.

His favorite lures are a Live Target 3-inch scaled sardine, which imitates a pilchard, and A Band Of Anglers 3-inch Dartspin Pro, either white with a chartreuse blade or gold with a gold blade.

Whether his customers use live bait or the lures, it’s likely that they’ll be enjoying fried or blackened snook for dinner in September.

By Steve Waters

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Teachers’ COVID-19 Survival Guide

The first day of school is always such a special day! A day filled with excitement, anticipation, and joy. A brand new beginning
is upon us. A day that is filled with hope! Hope for our youth, hope for a better tomorrow, hope for our future. The building is always abuzz with the hustle and bustle of teachers reorganizing their classrooms, decorating bulletin boards, color-coordinating folders. Teachers are reviewing lesson plans, sharing new ideas, discussing their summer vacations. Smiles are given by your favorite custodian, warm hugs from the office staff, and you notice the familiar smells wafting from the cafeteria. There is the prospect of eager new students dressed in their new clothes, shoes, and backpacks.

Unfortunately, it’s September 2020 and none of those things are possible right now. With all the changes this year, your excitement may be replaced with anxiety and dread. Some questions you may ask yourself are: How am I going to do this? How can I possibly prepare? How will I actively engage my students? What if I can’t work the technology? One thing to remember is that we cannot control the external circumstances and challenges present this year. The good news is we can make personal changes that will help to decrease or eliminate our anxiety related to this school year.

Here is a Survival Guide which you can begin practicing right now!

What can I do right now:

  • Sleep 7-8 hours per night
  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat healthily
  • Meditate
  • Engage in activities unrelated to work
  • Connect with others
  • Limit social media and all media
  • Practice self-compassion (kindness talk)

What can I do next week:

  • Set up a dedicated workspace. This helps form a work mode versus a disconnected mode.
  • Set up boundaries. Be sure to set up a designated time for office hours where the students, parents, and even administration can reach you. Respond during these hours only. Midnight texts, emails, and phone calls are unacceptable!
  • Set up reasonable expectations for yourself and your students. By setting up small, timely, realistic goals, you will feel more fulfilled. This will help to maintain your mental health.
  • Change your mindset. Think about what you have control over and make the decision to be positive. Wake up with gratitude every day.
  • Stop apologizing. Instead of starting a sentence with “I’m sorry, but,” be specific about what you need and what you are capable of doing. Do not apologize for setting boundaries or taking time for yourself.
  • Carve out time for your self-care. Self-care is not selfish.

What can I do when feeling anxious during the school year:

  • Reach out to others
  • Call others
  • Video chat, Face Time, Zoom
  • Suggest a zoom book club, yoga session, or cooking club
  • Connections are crucial. You’ll be glad you did it, I promise!

How can I help my students when they are anxious:

  • Praise students for facing their fears.
  • Model good coping behaviors.
  • Validate and be supportive of your students.
  • Be open and honest with your students while reminding them that there is much thought and planning put into keeping them safe.
  • Provide new and accurate information in a timely manner while allowing students to safely express their concerns.
  • Provide an emotionally safe space for all students.

What can I do with my students when we are both feeling anxious:

  • Deep breathing
  • Support the use of comfort objects
  • Teach and practice meditation techniques
  • Teach and practice grounding techniques by using all five senses.

Gratitude for teachers is sometimes left unspoken. Know that you are appreciated and we are grateful for you. This too shall pass and when it does, our teachers will be celebrated as the heroes of the pandemic of 2020.

 

By Stacie Boyar

Stacie Boyar is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in private practice for the past five years at Grace Counseling in Coral Springs. She also has a master’s degree in education. Because of COVID-19, she has been providing services exclusively through www.telehealth.com.

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Annual Parkland Buddy golf classic set for October 23

Parkland Buddy Sports is hosting its Eighth Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, October 23, 2020, at Boca Lago Country Club, in Boca Raton. Sponsors are Vertical Bridge REIT and the Pintchik Family.

“Our Parkland Buddy Sports family has been providing fun, safe programming for our special needs children, their families, and our community since our inception in 2002,” said Parkland Buddy Sports President, Andy Zaukas.

“This tournament is our primary source of fundraising, with the hope that our free sports programming will continue to grow and succeed.” The golf committee is headed by Parkland Buddy Sports past board member, Gayle Tyrie.

The mission of Parkland Buddy Sports is to provide quality sports programming for children and young adults with special needs in an inclusive, empowering, challenging, and caring environment where the emphasis is on having fun, making friends, and realizing their potential.

Each player is paired for the entire season with their own “Buddy” who is a student volunteer. Through the shared encouragement of all the Buddies, the players with special needs and their families are able to experience the joys of their athletic endeavors.

The 1:00 pm shotgun start golf tournament will consist of up to 144 players in teams of four. The cost per player is $125, which includes golf, tournament prizes, gift bags, and a buffet dinner at Boca Lago’s VIP dining room.

Specialty holes will be available, including a hole-in-one par three, where golfers will be shooting for amazing prizes, including a three-year car lease, courtesy of Infiniti of Coconut Creek.

Other specialty holes will also be available. Mulligan cards will be on hand for players to purchase.

Sponsorship opportunities may be obtained at several monetary levels. Tee Sign hole sponsorships are also available for $125 per hole. The Parklander Magazine is the official magazine sponsor. Other corporate sponsors include Connect Credit Union, Ryder, The Eppy Group, Holman Enterprises, Wawa, Pollo Tropical, Fastbolt, JM Family Enterprises, and Pepsi.

Trophies and prizes will be awarded to the top teams. A silent auction and raffle will be held and will include hotel stays, signed sports memorabilia, attraction tickets, restaurant gift certificates, and an array of incredible prizes.

If you are interested in assisting the charity or golf tournament committee with your time and/or donations, please contact Linda Brown-Doriot at 954.288.7201. For more information on Parkland Buddy Sports, visit the Facebook Page – Parkland Buddy Sports Inc. or parklandbuddysports.org.

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Youth sports persevere in spite of pandemic

There’s a reason why “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is one of the most easily recognized songs in America. As a tribute to our national pastime, the tune holds relevancy as the COVID-19 pandemic threatens sports across the country.

From leagues as large as the NFL, to as small as Parkland’s Little League, players and fans recognize the impact sports have on wellbeing, education, and morale. The quarantine we all struggled with has proved the importance of sports as parents tried to find ways to entertain children without organized team activities.

This fall, Parkland hopes to deliver to the community a sports season that incorporates a variety of social distancing practices.

Richard Walker, a Parkland city commissioner, is spearheading the plan to accommodate new guidelines throughout a variety of Parkland leagues.

“Kids need social interaction and the opportunity to listen and learn from their coaches. There’s an element of learning outside the classroom that is definitely valuable,” Walker said.

While he maintains the situation is “fluid,” Parkland plans for fall leagues to continue under Broward County guidelines. This includes socially distancing viewers around the field, as well as spreading individual games farther apart across fields.

Local baseball has continued successfully this summer during the pandemic, and Parkland parents proved they were willing to follow all necessary steps to allow their children to compete.

However, if schools choose to reopen classrooms this fall, it may become more of a challenge for sports to continue if cases rise, specifically with indoor contact activities like basketball and wrestling.

What’s so threatening about a potential shutdown isn’t just the loss of everyday structure, but also how young athletes may have to work even harder next year just to return to the level they competed at before their training time was interrupted.

Demi Snyder, a South Florida local and member of the Harvard women’s tennis team, recently received news that all fall sports at her institution would be canceled. The cancellation affects her preseason training while she awaits a decision for the 2021 spring season.

“Because we missed our last season due to the pandemic, I may only get two seasons with my team to represent my school. After putting so many hours into my sport, it’s hard to know I might not play my first tennis season until I am a junior. It’s tough because there’s no one to blame. It’s just the situation that we’ve been dealt.”

As the future of sports has been threatened indefinitely, it remains important to listen to the voices of our sports community, who all convey their determination and willingness to adapt during tough circumstances.

So long as our community is willing to listen and propose new solutions, athletes this fall can be given the opportunity to prove they are capable of tremendous endurance, beyond the physical feat of passing home base.

 

By Madison Smith

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With COVID-19 there are no ‘immaculate’ assumptions

If you feel confused by the ever-changing data and recommendations surrounding COVID-19, you are not alone. As a new virus emerges, doctors and scientists are learning new information almost daily. Hence, the need to modify recommendations as this information arises.

If I say one thing to help guide you through this process, it is that as long as the virus is around, you must take measures to mitigate the risk of getting and spreading it. Over the last few months, many of us have witnessed two extremes: Those who drive alone in their car while wearing gloves, a mask, and a face shield, and those who partake in large group gatherings with no social distancing nor PPE of any kind.

Regardless of whether you fall into one of these categories or somewhere in the middle, I think we can agree that we all want to do whatever we can to keep our loved ones out of harm’s way.

The question I get asked the most from family and friends is regarding what measures to take when visiting with others. Whether it is a party for Grandma’s 90th birthday or a relatively small family gathering at a lake house, everyone wants to know a definitive answer on doing the right thing in the age of COVID-19.

Although there are evidence-based answers, anyone watching one of the numerous news networks or various social media feeds knows the research is ever-changing. Even those of us who have been critically reviewing journal articles as part of our career are relatively confused as to what the perfect answer is. As I said, you are not alone!

All of that being said, I would like to offer what I think is a risk-mitigating, comfort level approach to keeping you and your loved ones as safe as possible during group gatherings and family visits. For this, we need to make a few assumptions:

Assumption 1: When someone says they tested negative, assume this means they still could be infected with the virus.

Yes, I know this one is confusing, but it is very important. PCR and Rapid tests of all kinds (including flu) have always been known to be unreliable – this is not unique to COVID-19. This means that you should always inquire about symptoms, such as fever, cough, loss of smell/taste, etc. (refer to the CDC website for a current symptom list; cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/ symptoms-testing/ symptoms.html). If a person tests negative and has any of the listed COVID-19 symptoms, you must assume they are infected, and the test didn’t pick it up.

Assumption 2: Asymptomatic patients can still transmit the virus.

If someone says, “I tested positive but didn’t have any symptoms, therefore, I am fine,” be cautious. Although it seems that asymptomatic patients have a lower likelihood
of transmitting the virus, the evidence is debatable and from a personal standpoint, I wouldn’t bank on a lower potential transmission rate equating near zero chance, especially when dealing with any of the vulnerable populations. Play it safe!

Assumption 3: Assume that anyone with a fever of 100.4°F or greater has COVID-19.

For those who are taking temperatures at their door, more power to you. Although it is surely an uncomfortable welcome at the front door, it is one of the few truly objective measures we can take, even if it won’t screen in every infected person. Understand though, a temperature of 99° Fahrenheit is not a true fever. I grew up thinking anything above a 98.6° meant you were hospital-bound. We all have very normal fluctuations in our core temperatures throughout the day, but a fever doesn’t truly start until 100.4° Fahrenheit.

Assumption 4: Assume everyone has COVID-19.

Clearly, this will be the most controversial assumption, but I believe a smart approach, especially when dealing with the elderly population and those with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or lung disease. Assume everyone has COVID and take precautions based on that. Everyone may seem okay or say they are fine, but don’t stop practicing strict hand hygiene or whatever form of social distancing you usually partake in.

If you don’t personally believe this is as bad as the news is portraying, the simple effort of regular hand sanitizing/washing and wearing a face mask during group gatherings could have maximum outcomes if it means you could prevent the spread to a vulnerable person.

Should you worry so much about your healthy 3-year-old or 16-year-old getting very ill? Not nearly as much as the vulnerable populations, but you should worry about who they will potentially pass it on to. Thankfully, although children can indeed get ill, they seem to be the safest population when it comes to COVID-19 with mortality and morbidity rates seemingly lower than influenza, but this doesn’t mean that they are not vectors.

At the end of the day, we all want to keep our loved ones as safe as possible, but unless you live in a HEPA filter bubble, I don’t think there is a 100% perfect approach in this COVID world we live in; however, you can mitigate risk. Personal interactions are core to our sanity and mental health. If you understand the risks and take precautions to mitigate them when you can, you can certainly achieve these interactions while maintaining relative safety.

By Dr. Jahn Avarello

Dr. Avarello was the Division Chief of Pediatric Emergency Medicine for the Cohen Children’s Medical Center of NY for the past 9 years and is now the Florida Regional Medical Director for PM Pediatrics Urgent Care (1st site due to open in the Sawgrass Center this fall). He is currently seeing patients for acute care needs virtually at PMPanywhere.com.

 

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PETTALK: Doctors make the worst clients

I recently went to a socially distanced neighborhood block party and met a few people I had never met before. Where I currently live in Jupiter, most of my neighbors are snowbirds and based on the spike in COVID-19 cases in Florida, they may not be coming back anytime soon.

At the party, I met a female neighbor who, after finding out I was a veterinarian, dragged her husband unwillingly out of a group of men who were talking about golf and politics to talk to me.

I am going to call him Dr. Skin because he is a dermatologist and his demeanor got under my skin. Mrs. Skin told him to tell me about Annabella, their 9-year-old boxer, who had increased thirst and urination. Mrs. Skin wanted to take Annabella to the veterinarian, but with the pandemic, she was reluctant to allow Annabella to be seen by her veterinarian while she was forced to stay in the car.

This allowed Dr. Skin the opportunity to act as a veterinarian by searching Google. I asked Dr. Skin how he felt about his clients coming in and comparing his diagnosis to Dr. Google and he said he hated it. I told him that he was doing the same to the veterinary profession.

Dr. Skin told me that he had put increased thirst and urination into the search engine and based on his research, diabetes and kidney disease were the most likely diseases followed by Cushing’s disease and a high salt diet. I nodded my head in agreement that they were definitely high on my list, as well.

So, I asked him what he has done, knowing that he has not called or seen his veterinarian. He told me he obviously wouldn’t start insulin therapy without taking Annabella’s blood sugar but was tempted. He didn’t think Annabella had kidney disease because her urine was very yellow in the morning and he would assume that if she had kidney disease her urine would always be clear in color. Then he abruptly left to get the bag of dog food so I could look at the sodium level.

I told Mrs. Skin that Annabella needs to see her veterinarian. Bloodwork and urine need to be analyzed and Annabella needed to be examined.

She agreed.

Dr. Skin not only brought back the bag of dog food for me to look at but Annabella as well. From ten feet away, I could see that Annabella’s lymph nodes on her neck, chest, and rear legs were swollen.

Annabella is a boxer and boxers are the number one canine cancer breed.

As Dr. Skin was showing me the bag of dog food, I interrupted him and asked if a patient came to him with swollen lymph nodes and abnormal clinical signs, would he take the necessary tests for cancer? He said absolutely and wondered why I had asked. I told them Annabella’s lymph nodes were very enlarged, and her clinical signs were classic for hypercalcemia, secondary to neoplasia.

It was a very hot day and Dr. Skin’s face went from red to pale white in one second. He left abruptly with Annabella and Mrs. Skin. I hoped he was going to the veterinarian.

Follow-up: Annabella had lymphoma and is currently being treated with chemotherapy. I later got a fruit basket from Mrs. Skin, and I would be happy to continue calling her husband Dr. Skin.

Dr. Glenn Kalick

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Judge says principal fired over Holocaust email should be rehired

In our August edition, freelance journalist Jan Engoren wrote about new state legislation mandating the school curriculum about both the Holocaust and the little-known 1920 race riot in Ocoee, Florida. The law, H.B.1213, co-sponsored by state Senator Lauren Book (D-Plantation), was spawned in part by an April 2018 incident in which a Boca Raton high school principal emailed a parent: “Not everyone believes the Holocaust happened.”

William Latson, then principal at Spanish River Community High School, was fired from the post he had held since 2011. Shortly after the Parklander began circulating through Broward and Palm Beach counties, however, on August 13, Florida Administrative Law Judge Robert S. Cohen ruled Latson should be reinstated. So, while it may be old news by the time you read this, in the interest of fairness, we felt it necessary to follow up with the judge’s ruling.

Judge Cohen ruled that Latson should be rehired and reassigned to a post in the district “commensurate with his qualifications.” The judge’s written ruling also recommended that Latson receive back wages.

The Palm Beach County school district “failed to prove that Latson engaged in misconduct in office, incompetence, or gross insubordination by a preponderance of the evidence. No just cause for his suspension or termination exists, but a reprimand and reassignment are warranted,” the judge wrote.

 

By Richard Battin

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Parkland Mayor: Christine Hunschofsky

By the end of August, every homeowner should have received their TRIM (Truth in
Millage) notice which comes from the Broward County Property Appraiser. This notice can also be found online at bcpa.net. The TRIM notice details home market value and assessed value in addition to exemptions. It also shows the various taxing authorities (Broward County, Broward County Public Schools, South Florida Water Management District, North Broward Hospital District, Children’s Services Council, City of Parkland, etc) that make up your entire tax bill, what their current millage (property tax) rate is and what their highest proposed millage rate may be. Additionally, you will find all the times, dates, and locations of all the public budget hearings for every taxing authority. PLEASE take a close look at your TRIM notice this year so that you know how much each taxing authority is proposing to tax you and where you can go to give your input on their budgets.

Assessments are also listed on your TRIM notice separate from the property taxes. These include the Waste Management assessment for services, which is a direct pass-through amount from Waste Management for solid waste and recycling services, and the Parkland fire services fee. Additionally, some residents will have various water control assessments from North Springs
Improvement District, Parkland Water Control, Coconut Creek Utilities or Pinetree Water Control depending where their home is located in the city.

On a separate note, life has not been the way we expected it to be over these past few months. With the health and economic effects of COVID-19 as well
as schools starting the year off virtually, many are understandably stressed and anxious. Eagles’ Haven Wellness Center offers free virtual wellness classes and also has trained clinicians on staff to help. For more
information, visit their website at eagleshaven.org. Additionally dialing 211 in Broward County can connect you with a whole range of services from mental health and behavioral health to senior check-ins. Visit their website at 211-Broward.org to see the whole range of services they can connect you to.

The best way to keep up to date on what’s going on in our city is to visit the city website, follow the city on Facebook at facebook.com/copfl or on Twitter at @CityParklandFL, subscribe to the city’s e-blast “Parkland on Tap” at cityofparkland.org/notifyme and download the MyParkland app. As always, I enjoy hearing from our residents, so please reach out to me at chunschofsky@cityofparkland.org.

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The Fish Joint offers great seafood in Coconut Creek

The Fish Joint on the corner of Wiles & Lyons roads in Coconut Creek features an all-star menu of your favorite seafood options. They are open for takeout and have plenty of space for socially-distanced dining and outdoor seating.

Quality, fresh fish is the key to any great seafood place. The Fish Joint is no exception. Walking up to the counter, you’ll find fresh catches from local fishermen on display.

The special of the day was the lobster roll. They offer both hot and cold options. I had the hot option, which was a classic roll filled to the brim with delicious lobster meat. The owner, Brian, said they use the highest grade lobster meat for their rolls, and these have been a popular item.

On the menu is another of my favorites, conch fritters. I fell in love with queen conch meat when I was in Turks and Caicos. Queen conch, which used to be found in high quantities in the Florida Keys until the 70s, are often sourced from the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. The Fish Joint orders large quantities when they are in season, and the fritters provide a delightful crunch.

The seafood platter I ordered consisting of mahi-mahi, diver scallops, and shrimp was delicious and cooked to perfection. The locally sourced mahi-mahi was tender and not dry. The blackened shrimp and scallops had the perfect amount of spices, so as not to overpower the delicate flavors.

All the food came in takeout boxes, because of the new normal. The box is specially designed to allow for steam to escape and minimize humidity and condensation for the trip home. It made it easy to take the leftovers home, with all the food staying fresh until reheated the next day. It’s good to see The Fish Joint taking the extra effort to ensure a great experience for takeout customers.

The menu also contained other items like the crab boil and fish tacos, and for landlubbers, a great burger and grilled cheese. So if you are looking for incredible, local seafood at reasonable prices, check out The Fish Joint, you won’t be disappointed.

 

By Curiously Hungry

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Ask Dr. Renae: Household chore discord

Dear Dr. Renae,

I am constantly in trouble for not completing my chores at the exact time my mom wants them done. For example, I like to relax after dinner and take care of the dishes later. My mother yells at me for not doing them immediately after dinner. The same goes for taking out the garbage, making my bed, taking care of my laundry and hanging up my clothes. I get it all done, just not in the time frame my mother unfairly demands. I am called disrespectful and inconsiderate, neither of which are true. This is ruining our relationship as I do not want to spend time with my mother or even talk to her when she is always angry with me. I would like to be able to relax and have peace in my home. Please help!

14-year-old Daughter

Dear 14-year-old Daughter,

I procrastinate too. I find that it is best to complete my chores right away, so that you don’t have to worry about it later. Relaxing after chores will be much more rewarding that way. I suggest completing your chores on time and see if your mother continues to bother you. Mothers often take on domestic duties on top of being a caregiver and having a job, which is all incredibly stressful. She may be stressed about other things and misdirecting her anger on to you. Sit down with your mother and tell her that you value your relationship with her, but that it has been strained due to arguments over chores.

High School Sophomore

Dear 14-year-old Daughter,

I completely understand what you mean. Just try to understand your mom just wants you to adapt to doing chores on your own accord, as opposed to her having to tell you to do it. If you do it immediately, it saves both you and her unnecessary stress and strain on the relationship. If it’s an imperative problem, simply talk to your mother about how you feel.

Your Friend

Dear 14-year-old Daughter,

I feel you. As the daughter of a strict mother myself, I understand the struggle. In most cases parents tend to want things done their way in a timely and efficient manner. Anything otherwise would be considered procrastination and laziness, right? I’d recommend trying to communicate compromises with your mother and share your thoughts with her. A strong and positive relationship is all we ask for from our mothers and vice versa. Try to compromise on a time frame in which chores or other responsibilities should be completed that comply with both of you. Be realistic and consistent. Ensure that your chores are completed when you say they will be on your agreed terms. Build trust between both of you. You are responsible and respectful, make sure she grows to notice that. You’ve got this!

A 17-year-old Peer

Dear 14-year-old Daughter,

I totally feel you. The best advice I can give you is to start by doing your tasks when she tells you to do them. Now hear me out. Talking with a parent can be difficult if they are angry. If you do your chores on time for a couple of days, your mom will be satisfied with your efforts of listening to her. Her being in a happy state is the perfect time to communicate how being called disrespectful and inconsiderate is harsh when you do get your work done. She will be more understanding of how you feel. You can also try to sort out a time frame of when to do chores. Maybe you can rest 15 minutes and then get to doing your work. Just remember, there’s a better chance your mom will listen to you if she sees you putting in an effort to satisfy her.

Been There

Dear 14-year-old Daughter,

Your mom is trying to raise you to take care of your responsibilities and sounds frustrated in her efforts. Adults suffer consequences for not adhering to deadlines, such as late fees for paying bills past the due date, and accounts canceled. The consequences in those adult situations are applied without argument or discussion, just like your grade in the class automatically going down when you are late in handing in assignments. Some chores need to be done within a very specific time frame in order for the household to remain hygienic, clean, peaceful, and calm. For example, dishes need to be washed before food cakes on or insects crawl around. Garbage needs to be emptied before it overflows or smells. You might want to request a swap for chores that can be done in a less pressured time frame, such as once a day or twice a week whenever you wish, such as vacuuming or laundry. If that does not appeal to you and your mom, and you decide to keep the same chores, you can establish a written contract with the time/day each chore is to be completed. For example – dinner dishes within fifteen minutes after dinner time or garbage to be brought to curb by 6:00 am on garbage days. If you and your mom have previously discussed consequences, that should eliminate the need to argue. You will automatically lose a privilege for not complying, similar to school and adult life. You might find that you are awarded more privileges such as a later curfew and learning to drive when your mom sees you being more responsible for doing your chores without reminders.

Dr. Renae

 

 

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