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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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Raising emotionally intelligent leaders

In today’s world, raising a child means navigating a reality dramatically different from the one we grew up in. Screens dominate childhood, and while technology has brought many opportunities, it has also presented serious challenges to a child’s emotional and social development. Working in early childhood education, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to equip children not just with academic knowledge, but with the emotional skills necessary to thrive in today’s fast-moving, high-pressure world.

The term emotional intelligence is not new, but it has taken on new urgency. Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s own emotions while also recognizing and responding to the emotions of others. Decades of research, including from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and Dr. Daniel Goleman’s foundational studies, show that children with strong emotional skills are better equipped to lead, influence, and adapt in high-pressure environments. With stress, anxiety, and disconnection rising rapidly among young children, building these skills isn’t optional. It’s leadership preparation.

In recent years, conscious discipline, rooted in neuroscience and behavioral science, has gained ground. Dr. Becky Bailey’s conscious discipline framework emphasizes that children learn emotional regulation not through punishment or avoidance, but through modeled behavior and intentional connection. Studies at Florida State University and the University of Missouri have shown that children exposed to conscious discipline practices in early education demonstrate higher empathy, better conflict-resolution skills, and increased attention spans—vital 21st-century competencies.

The urgency is amplified by the reality of screen dependency. According to Common Sense Media, children aged 2 to 8 spend an average of 3.8 hours a day on screens outside of schoolwork. The American Academy of Pediatrics has long warned about the impact of excessive screen time on sleep, attention, and emotional regulation. Yet the conversation is no longer just about limiting screens, it’s about actively replacing those hours with meaningful, emotionally rich experiences.

Parents raising future leaders need direct, practical tools. Emotional coaching involves labeling emotions in the moment, validating children’s feelings, and guiding them toward productive coping skills. This does not mean overindulging or shielding children from difficulty. When we do this, we rob them of the small, everyday experiences that build self-esteem, confidence, and a healthy sense of worth. These moments, whether it’s resolving a disagreement with a friend or managing frustration when something doesn’t go their way, are essential for shaping resilient, capable leaders. Leadership is not just about leading others, it’s about trusting one’s voice and having the confidence to navigate challenges. That foundation is built in childhood.

Small, consistent routines foster a leadership mindset that lasts. Predictable morning rituals, mindful breathing exercises, and daily check-ins asking children how they feel equip them with the tools they need. Limiting screen time without a meaningful replacement leads to resistance. The key is substituting digital distractions with activities that nurture social-emotional learning (SEL): unstructured play, open-ended storytelling, collaborative projects, evening walks, and activities that demand teamwork and communication.

Schools must evolve too. Academic rigor alone no longer prepares children for the demands of the future. Programs integrating SEL show improved academic outcomes alongside measurable gains in empathy, resilience, and leadership. Schools that prioritize SEL are not just producing well-behaved students, they are raising leaders.

Parents often ask what they can do when the world feels overwhelming. The answer: Be present. Be intentional. Leave the phone away from the dinner table. Model calm when conflict arises. Validate feelings without rushing to fix them. Build predictable rituals. Replace screens with conversations. If we want our children to lead in the future with compassion and resilience, the work begins at home.

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Exploring science in West Palm Beach

“Open Every Mind to Science”—that’s the slogan of the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach. It provides visitors, schools, and campers with science programming and tech ventures based on computer coding, robotics, and other science programs. Although it’s not as large as some other science centers, the Cox Center offers an educational and entertaining experience, especially for kids. It has interesting displays, both inside and out. I went to check it out this summer with a friend.

The Cox Center occupies Dreher Park alongside the Palm Beach Zoo, and visitors can get deals for entrance into both facilities. Formerly the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, this museum has been serving Palm Beach County since 1961, and it’s undergone much renovation and expansion since then. It’s in the midst of an expansion project right now, and we had to walk past construction zones to get into the main building, but it’s still worth a visit. The grand opening to the public is targeted for 2027.

In November 2021, the facility announced its expansion plans along with a name change, thanks to a record donation from Howard and Wendy Cox: “Their $20 million lead gift serves as the keystone for a $115 million capital expansion campaign to take the new Cox Science Center and Aquarium into the future with expanded exhibit and programming spaces, including one of Florida’s largest aquariums.” This expansion plan will also include a three-story, state-of-the-art building with a larger exhibition gallery, enhanced programming spaces, and a full-scale restaurant.

However, Cox has already dramatically renovated its campus in the past decade, including a reconstruction of its 5,000-square-foot Hall of Discovery, a full-dome planetarium, a 1,000-square-foot early childhood exhibit, more than 80 interactive exhibits, a modernized theater, and a new science laboratory. The facility serves more than 300,000 visitors annually, including 130,000 through field trips and educational outreach into schools and classrooms. While we were there, summer camps were going on, and the kids were having a blast.

“Engineers on a Roll” is a hands-on exhibit specially designed for young children, combining elements of an engineering lab, playscape, and climbing area, focused on introducing basic engineering, science, and math concepts through play. There’s a “river of balls” that children can direct, sort, and experiment with, encouraging them to explore and learn.

If ocean learning sparks young ones’ curiosity, they can check out Explorers’ Cove, where little adventurers can dive into a world of ocean discovery, with up-close investigations and interactive adventures. Kids can look for sea treasures, climb through an underwater adventure, and look through microscopes for close-up views of ocean life.

In the Florida Exhibit Hall are “Aquariums of the Atlantic,” with 10,000 gallons of water housing native fish such as queen angels, spadefish, moray eels, and stingrays. The different habitats on display here will take you through the depths of our coral reefs and Florida’s diverse ecosystems of the Everglades, the Gulf Stream, and the open ocean.

Outside in “the backyard” of the museum, there’s a quarter-mile-long Fisher Family Science Trail, which connects 15 new exhibits, including the FPL SolarScape, an interactive splash pad, a gem panning station, an amphitheater featuring live science shows and seasonal concerts, and and a dinosaur walk. Dino Trek, the cool dinosaur garden, drew in even us older visitors. Families can imagine trekking through a prehistoric wonderland and pose for pictures in front of the life-size dinosaurs.

For more adventure, there is a limited-time exhibition, Mission Aerospace, which invites visitors to “embark on a multilayered exploration of aviation history, aerospace milestones, and some of NASA’s trail-blazing discoveries that are shaping our world every day.” For an additional cost, explorers can go on this mission through Sept. 28 and learn about NASA’s exciting new vision for the future, its research, and the global benefits it’s providing. Group discounts are available.

So, Cox Science Center is constantly growing and expanding and bringing more mind-opening science fun to families in South Florida. You may have to pardon their dust for a while, but a trip there may be well worth it in your near future.

The Cox Science Center and Aquarium is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, go to www.coxsciencecenter.org.

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Food tips for summer travel with kids

Long-anticipated summer travel is not without its nutritional challenges, and adding young children to the mix multiplies those challenges. There’s more to consider than packing a few extra snacks and baby wipes. Follow these tips for a healthy, happy, and nourishing vacation with kids.

Road Trips

Logging a lot of miles in the car may have your kids asking for snacks to ease the boredom. Anticipate this and be prepared. Work with your kids on a list of boredom-busting activities, including games, music, videos, coloring books, and more. Before starting the car, review the day’s schedule. Explain when and where you’ll eat, and make a strong effort to stick to your normal eating schedule.

Pack some of these travel-friendly foods for children over the age of 4, as some may pose a choking risk for younger children. If your child is at risk of choking, enjoy your food at a rest stop so you can supervise while eating. Keep perishable items in a cooler with ice to reduce your chances of foodborne illness when on vacation.

  • Sliced bell peppers, cucumbers, or other easy-to-eat veggies
  • Applesauce
  • Dried and fresh fruit
  • Popcorn
  • Trail mix
  • Peanut butter sandwiches
  • Whole-grain crackers
  • Low-fat milk boxes
  • 100% fruit or vegetable juice
  • Low-fat yogurt
  • Cheese sticks
  • Cottage cheese

Don’t forget portable eating utensils and plenty of napkins and wipes. (If your kids don’t eat dairy products, learn more about nourishing plant-based foods you can pack at EatRight.org.)

Have your kids come up with fun meal ideas where they combine their favorite snack with another item you purchase at a restaurant. Kids can combine different lean proteins with whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to build a balanced meal or snack that’s part retail, part from home. In the end, you will save money and eat healthier. Water, milk, or a fortified milk alternative are good beverage choices, and even restaurant meals should include fruits and vegetables. If the restaurant doesn’t offer good options, fill in with the supply in your cooler.

A Stay at the Beach

Whether you’re hitting the beach for a day or staying for a week, the same guidelines apply. Try to stick as closely to your normal eating schedule as possible. Bring a cooler with some of the foods listed above and plenty of ice. Pack ample water and encourage frequent sipping. The hot sun can be dehydrating, and the cool ocean water and tons of fun can distract kids from drinking fluids.

Cruising Along

Food is present constantly on cruise ships—and in big, showy ways. Remind children that just because food is available doesn’t mean the family needs to eat it. Be a role model to your kids and encourage them to eat mindfully when they are hungry.

Travel Abroad

If you are traveling far or to places with new types of cultures, work with your family on planning where to eat in advance of your trip. Most restaurants around the world provide nutrition information online so you can plan on choosing the nutritious items that you have researched. Being in a new culture also is a great time to get your family to try new foods.

Visiting Family or Friends

Whether you’re traveling with others or staying in their homes, you may run into well-meaning food pushers. Give relatives and friends a kind heads-up to your expectations when it comes to offering food to your children. Help them find other ways to express love and warmth, such as reading a story or taking your child for a special outing.

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Pelican Harbor Seabird Station Nonprofit celebrates 45 years and 45,000 animal rescues

Pelican Harbor Seabird Station (PHSS) is Miami’s premier native wildlife hospital, which over time has evolved into a world-class wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, release, and education center. This nonprofit organization, now in its 45th year, is an internationally recognized seabird rehabilitation center that has rehabilitated and released more than 45,000 native animals.

Like most nonprofits, PHSS started with humble beginnings. In 1980, PHSS founders Harry and Darlene Kelton lived on a houseboat and had no experience in animal care. After moving their houseboat to the Pelican Harbor Marina, they found an injured brown pelican, removed a fishhook from its mouth, and decided to nurse it back to health.

When people learned of what the Keltons had done, they started bringing injured pelicans to their houseboat. What began as a love of pelicans quickly grew into a larger calling.

As more and more people began bringing injured pelicans and other animals to them, the Keltons knew it was time to expand, to create a real rescue and rehabilitation center. Others got involved, with the Miami-Dade Parks Department providing land, and in 1992, Miami-Dade County built the organization’s current facility, which is part of the Pelican Harbor Marina.

In 1996, former Executive Director Christopher Boykin led the effort to expand PHSS’s patient intake beyond seabirds to include all Florida native species, with the exception of rabies-vector animals such as racoons and foxes, as the facility did not have space to safely quarantine them. In 2023, PHSS treated more than 2,000 animals spanning 131 native species.

The Keltons remained involved with PHSS their entire lives and were known for helping revolutionize the rehabilitation and care of brown pelicans. Harry and Darlene developed a special medical procedure called “the cotton fish,” where they would stuff fish with cotton balls and feed them to a sick pelican with a hook in its stomach. Once the fish was digested, the cotton would cover the fishhook, and in many cases, the pelican would regurgitate it.

“We still use the cotton fish technique,” says Renata Schneider, DVM, a staff veterinarian at PHSS. “I would guess that it works 50% of the time. It’s noninvasive, so we always try that first. Then if we have to do a manual or surgical removal of the hooks, at least the metal is wrapped up in cotton.”

In October, PHSS will move to a new location along the Little River (about five minutes away from its current location). The new Wildlife Hospital and Education Center is 14 times larger than the current facility and will feature more ambassador and rehabilitation pens, a center for hosting school groups, natural history exhibits, and a manatee viewing location.

“At the new building, we plan to dramatically expand our educational programming as we will finally have space on-site to welcome larger groups of children and adults,” says Marianna Niero, PHSS’s communications manager. “We are planning enhanced tours, hands-on experiences, lectures, day camps, and other programming. The additional space will also allow us to offer more volunteer opportunities of various kinds, all with the aim of creating opportunities for people to connect with our native wildlife and to the ecosystems of South Florida.”

As PHSS has grown, it’s remained committed to its mission of improving the lives of sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife with the goal of releasing healthy animals back into the ecosystem, enabling future generations.

One of PHSS’s recent rescues was a great blue heron white morph, a rare, federally protected bird that was a victim of animal cruelty. A fisherman threw a rock at it and broke its wing. The bird required multiple surgeries, but they were able to rehabilitate and release it. “The bird’s wing looks droopy, so we still get calls from people thinking it’s injured,” says Niero. “It’s nice because usually when we release a bird we don’t know how it’s doing. But because of these calls, I know it’s still there and doing well.”

According to Niero, more than 90% of the animal injuries PHSS sees are because of humans, and 70% of seabird injuries are from improper disposal of fishing equipment. “It might be cruelty, a car accident, pollution, or loss of habitat because of overdevelopment,” explains Niero. “That’s why it’s important to support organizations like ours. We owe it to wildlife because we are taking so much from them. They have no space and their environment is so polluted because of us. We should give back as much as we can.”

Some of the animals that cannot be released back into the wild become ambassadors for PHSS and help with education and outreach programs. One such ambassador is Mowgli, a female screech owl that fell from the nest as a baby and was attacked by a cat. The attack left her with a permanent injury to her left wing that makes her unable to fly properly and therefore unreleasable.

In addition to being an ambassador, Mowgli is also a teacher, training young screech owls how to hunt. “When we raise orphaned baby screech owls, before we release them, we have to make sure they know how to hunt and survive in the wild,” explains Niero. “We put Mowgli in an enclosure with the young owls, and we release mice. Thanks to game cameras, remains, and by weighing the owls, we can tell if they are learning. We call this ‘mouse school,’ and once they pass mouse school, they are cleared for release if everything else is fine with them.”

PHSS also has a library program called “Books with Mowgli,” where children can meet Mowgli and learn more about owls.

In addition to its educational programs, PHSS is open to the public as well. Free tours are available Saturdays at 11 a.m., and self-guided audio tours are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For a more in-depth experience, guided “Behind the Scenes” tours are available and must be booked in advance.

For more information or to get involved, visit PelicanHarbor.org.

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Back to school without the breakdown: A parent’s guide

Summer flew by in a blur of sunscreen, pool days, and late bedtimes. Now it’s August, and the back-to-school countdown is on. Whether your child is starting kindergarten, heading into middle school, or gearing up for high school, the shift from summer mode to school mode is real. And while the kids are the ones picking out backpacks and supplies, parents are along for every step of the ride.

Before the chaos kicks in, take a moment to breathe. We’ve put together this practical, no-nonsense guide with tips from local parents and teachers who’ve been there. It’s everything you need to start the school year feeling a little more ready—and a lot less stressed.

 

  1. Start Bedtime Boot Camp

As the first day of school gets closer, it helps to gradually shift back to earlier bedtimes and wake-up times. Starting this a week or two in advance can make the transition smoother for everyone. Getting back into a routine now can mean less stress—and fewer struggles—once school mornings begin.

 

  1. Keep the Drop-Off Line Moving

A quick reminder: The car line is meant for drop-offs, not long chats. Staying efficient helps everyone get through the morning smoothly—especially those on a tight schedule.

 

  1. Master the Art of the “Grab-and-Go”
    Breakfast doesn’t need to be fancy—just functional. Think yogurt tubes, banana muffins, overnight oats. Anything they can eat one-handed while looking for a missing shoe.

 

  1. Buy Twice the School Supplies
    Glue sticks vanish. Scissors walk away. Crayons break on impact. Buy extra while it’s cheap and hide a backup stash somewhere safe (a.k.a. where your kids will never look).

 

  1. Establish the After-School Game Plan
    Whether it’s sports, homework, or general decompressing, having a rough routine helps prevent that 3 p.m. chaos from turning into full-blown meltdown hour—for both of you.

 

  1. Set Email Boundaries
    At the elementary school level, you’re going to get emails. Lots of them. From teachers, the PTO, class parents, fundraising committees, and people you didn’t know had your address. Pick a day (or two) to check and respond—it’s the best way to stay in the loop without getting overwhelmed.

 

  1. Stock the Car with Emergency Snacks
    You might think you’re just picking up your child from school, but chances are you’re greeting a very hungry kid who hasn’t eaten since lunch. Keeping a few snacks in the car can make the ride home a lot smoother—for both of you.

 

  1. Don’t Try to Do It All
    You don’t have to sign up for every volunteer slot, bring in themed snacks, or keep track of every spirit day. Focus on what feels manageable for your family, and let the rest go. Most kids won’t remember the little details—but they will remember that you showed up when it counted.

 

  1. Prep for the Sick Day Shuffle.
    It’s coming. Someone will get a mystery fever at the worst possible time. Keep medicine, saltines, and backup child-care plans in place before it hits.

 

  1. Celebrate the Little Wins.
    Lunches packed? That’s a win. Everyone wore shoes to school? Celebrate it. Some days, survival is the victory.

 

Back-to-school is never seamless. There will be forgotten forms, mismatched socks, and days when dinner is just cereal. But there will also be growth, milestones, and the occasional sweet, quiet moment when you realize—you’re doing okay.

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Refreshing summer drinks from local favorites

Summer in South Florida comes with sunshine, sea breezes—and serious heat. When the temperatures climb, there’s nothing better than an iced cold beverage in your hand. Luckily, our local cafes, juice bars, and smoothie shops know exactly how to keep us cool. Whether you’re running errands, heading back from the beach, or just need a midday refresher, here are a few places around town to grab a drink that’ll hit the spot.

The Seed—Boca Raton

This cozy coffee shop is a neighborhood favorite in Boca, known for its friendly vibe and strong cold brew. Try the coconut cream cold brew for something smooth and summery, or go with a simple iced matcha if you want something earthy and refreshing. If you’re steering clear of caffeine, the hibiscus cooler is floral, tangy, and perfect over ice.

Tropical Smoothie Café—multiple locations

This spot always delivers when you’re craving something fruity and refreshing. The Bahama Mama is a classic if you’re in the mood for something sweet and tropical. If you want something on the lighter side, try the Detox Island Green—it’s packed with greens but still tastes delicious.

3Natives—Coral Springs

This Florida-born brand keeps things fresh and fast with smoothies and cold-pressed juices. The Pink Dragon and Berry Natural smoothies are summer favorites—cool, crisp, and with just the right amount of sweetness.

Nekter Juice Bar—Coconut Creek

For something clean, cool, and energizing, Nekter has plenty to choose from. Its Pink Flamingo smoothie (dragon fruit, strawberry, pineapple, and coconut water) is a tropical blast in a cup. Or try the Toxin Flush juice—packed with parsley, spinach, apple, and lemon—for a hydrating reset on a sweltering day.

The Modern Rose—Delray Beach

Every detail here feels intentional—floral drinks, antique mugs, and prime people-watching. The lavender lemonade is light and bright, while the rose milk tea (served iced, of course) is perfect for a slow afternoon near the beach. It’s a bit farther north, but absolutely worth the trip.

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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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Beat the heat Where to stay cool this summer in Broward, Palm Beach counties

Florida summers can be relentless, but there’s no reason to stay cooped up waiting for sunset. Across Broward and Palm Beach counties, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the season while staying cool—whether that means lacing up skates at the ice rink or spending an afternoon at a trampoline park. Here are some of the best spots to keep your family active, entertained, and out of the heat this summer.

Bowl and Cool Off

Bowling is always a reliable go-to when it’s too hot to be outside. Sawgrass Lanes in Tamarac is great for families, with plenty of lanes, arcade games, and food. Strikes in Boca Raton offers a vibrant, modern atmosphere with neon lights and an on-site sports bar—perfect for a group hangout or something low-key on a hot afternoon

Chill Out with Indoor Ice Skating

For a full-on escape from the heat, head to Panther IceDen in Coral Springs. The rink offers public skating throughout the week and is a fun, low-stress way to stay active indoors. It’s great for families, beginners, or anyone in the mood for a cool new activity.

Trampoline Parks for High-Energy Indoor Fun

Too hot for the playground? Sky Zone in Pompano Beach delivers wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, and dodgeball courts. Urban Air Adventure Park in Coral Springs ups the ante with climbing walls, obstacle courses, and even a virtual reality zone. Both are air-conditioned and perfect for burning off extra energy.

Indoor Adventure Parks with Something for Everyone

Xtreme Action Park in Fort Lauderdale is one of the biggest indoor fun zones in South Florida, with go-karts, roller skating, escape rooms, bowling, and more. For the younger crowd, Flippo’s Indoor Playground & Café nearby is ideal, with climbing structures, soft play zones, and interactive games in a cool, safe space.

Splash Parks and Pools

Nothing beats the heat like a day spent splashing around. Waters Edge Park in Tamarac has a splash pad with sprayers and shaded seating—great for younger kids. In Boca Raton, Coconut Cove Waterpark brings the full package with a lazy river, slides, and a big splash playground.

A Peaceful, Shaded Escape at Butterfly World

For something quieter, Butterfly World in Coconut Creek offers a calm, scenic outing. With covered walkways, lush greenery, and misting fans, it’s surprisingly comfortable, even on steamy days. It’s a great pick for relaxed family time or out-of-town guests.

Beach Clubs for a Breezy Daycation

Looking for a cool coastal escape without committing to a resort stay? Apps like DayPass and ResortPass make it easy to book daily beach and pool access at select local hotels. You can enjoy perks like loungers, towel service, poolside dining, and beachfront views—all without being an overnight guest. Spots like Plunge Beach Resort in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and other nearby hotels often offer passes starting around $30–$60 per day. It’s a relaxed, convenient way to enjoy a little luxury and stay cool by the water.

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“Walk the Runway”: ArtServe

Turn left onto East Sunrise Boulevard. Then turn right onto Northeast 14th Street. It will be on the right. That’s right, ArtServe is where we are going this month. This nonprofit organization is for everyone, which is why admission is always free to view its exhibitions and attend its receptions. The gallery’s capacity, however, holds up to around 200 people, so be sure to come on in. Its new showcase will be held from July 18 through Sept. 19.

ArtServe. This arts venue first opened to the Fort Lauderdale community in 1989. Since then, it has grown into a vibrant arts incubator and cultural hub, supporting thousands of local artists and nonprofit organizations across Broward County. It’s not just a gallery—it’s a creative laboratory where exhibitions, performances, and workshops come together to spark connection and innovation.

ArtServe focuses its efforts on lower-income communities, typically west of I-95, offering not only opportunities for local artists, but also free workshops for small art businesses, teaching grant writing, marketing, and even how to start a small business. ArtServe serves to inspire artistic development, supporting the advancement of its diverse members, including artists and the community, through education and creative exploration and presentation opportunities in both the visual arts and performing arts.

“Walk the Runway.” Highlighting South Florida’s local fashion scene, ArtServe is currently showcasing local fashion designers, bringing individuality, liveliness, and, even more fascinating, its call for oceanic awareness to center stage.

Recently broadcast on Local 10, Young At Art presented “Reef Restyled,” a fashion phenomenon set to raise awareness out to the public about the coral reefs and the need to save them. These vibrant ecosystems support about 25% of all marine life, despite covering less than 1% of the ocean floor.

Currently, 84% of the Earth’s coral reefs are in danger. Runoff from agriculture, sewage, and plastic waste smothers reefs, blocks sunlight, and introduces toxins. Even sunscreen chemicals like oxybenzone can damage coral DNA.

Young At Art brings this pollution problem to the forefront, using fashion to come to the ocean’s defense. Seventeen participating local high school–age artists in the program used 75% upcycled and/or recycled materials to showcase their reef collection. Coral reefs aren’t just beautiful—they’re vital for human life. In the Walk the Runway showcase, the Young At Art collection will be exhibited in one of ArtServe’s solo galleries.

Chelsea Rousso. Another exhibitor is the esteemed glass artist and fashion designer Chelsea Rousso, who bridges the boundaries between the two media and is an innovator in her use of fused glass in fashion. While her work has been exhibited in numerous museums, galleries, and art shows across the nation and in Canada, Rousso, aside from her glass sculptures, is best known for her exquisitely wearable glass swimwear, corsets, bow ties, and masks.

Rousso’s book, “Fashion Forward: A Guide to Fashion Forecasting,” is being used in several colleges and universities around the world. Her installation for this showcase heavily features her Alice and Wonderland Collection.

Rousso holds a bachelor of fine arts from Pratt Institute and a master of fine arts from Goddard College. For more information, visit https://chelsearousso.com.

More about ArtServe. For most exhibitions, ArtServe does a call to artists (CTA), typically advertised through its social media or e-blasts. There are both long-term and short-term artists who keep up involvement with the organization.

ArtServe is self-affiliated, and its funding goes to operational costs of the building, its employees’ salaries, artist fees, and exhibitions. ArtServe’s artists always get paid for their work, and they are promoted via ArtServe’s social media and e-blasts.

Aside from CTAs, artists may also come from the Broward County Cultural Division for exhibition space to carry out its grants, or through collaborations that ArtServe does with other nonprofit organizations. Some of these past initiatives were set to amplify the healing and transformative power of the arts, reflecting ArtServe’s mission to be not just a gallery, but a community catalyst for good.

In 2020 and again in 2025, ArtServe has been the recipient of the Community Care Plan Non-Profit Awards hosted by 211 Broward, as the Non-Profit Organization of the Year. In 2024, ArtServe received Yelp’s “People Love Us” award.

ArtServe has been said to be a cultural trendsetter, due to its leadership role in the local arts community. It supports more than 350 nonprofit cultural organizations and around 10,000 artists across Broward County.

Some of ArtServe’s sponsors include FPL, Seacoast Bank, the Hudson Family Foundation, Topo Chico, and OutClique Magazine, all of which are local supporters invested in the creative economy.

For more information about ArtServe or how to respond to its calls for artists, visit https://artserve.org.

Picture:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/azd8co0umod56h72i96nd/APz6YnD6HfAKla6kpVvhbk4?rlkey=edahezpfo6c8xru8hl9t8wc1u&st=gfb2sga4&dl=0

Some other exhibitions

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/7u44upp28b1atn6wogt9j/ADogl1jXVlRmwykhpLf_UkA?rlkey=wsd3zxn8eb9nx97qcot2hpeyt&st=cujn6o54&dl=0

 

 

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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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Watermelons Delicious fruit of the summer, or a vegetable?

Few fruits remind us of the summer like the watermelon does. There is an active debate in the gardening community on whether this delicious treat is a fruit or a vegetable. Botanically speaking, it is definitely a fruit, developed from the fruiting body after flowering. But if you are from Oklahoma, where the watermelon is the official state vegetable, you would argue it’s a vegetable. In case you are wondering, Oklahoma has a state fruit, the strawberry, which botanically is not a berry, and botanists consider it a “false fruit.”

Why is watermelon a vegetable to the Sooner State? Because it hails from the same botanical family of cucumbers and gourds, which are classified as vegetables. In fact, the whole melon can be eaten, like a cucumber—even the rind. There are many cultures that pickle the rind, and once you try it, you will appreciate how similar it is to its cucumber cousins.

Originating from Africa, the watermelon plant loves the heat. Due to the warm weather, Florida’s watermelon season kicks off in late spring, around May, and extends through the summer months. You will often find local watermelons in area markets, and sometimes on the side of the road.

Florida leads the U.S. in terms of watermelons harvested. In a study by the University of Florida, between 2010 and 2021, an average of 22,616 acres of watermelon were harvested in Florida per year. Texas and Georgia follow as second and third, respectively.

Ancient civilizations in Africa and the Middle East were the first to appreciate the watermelon for both its high water content and its nutritional value. The melon is over 90% water, 6% sugar, and a good source of lycopene, the same strong antioxidant found in tomatoes, another botanical fruit that can be considered a vegetable.

The seeds of the watermelon were found in the Levant and North Africa over 5,000 years ago, before spreading to Asia. Evidence of watermelon cultivations was found in India by the 7th century, and in China by the 10th century. Initially only found in southern Europe, cultivars that adapted to the cooler weathers of northern Europe became common by the 1600s.

Nowadays, with more than 1,200 cultivars, you will find watermelons of all sizes, from 2-pounders to world-record 351-pound monsters (Carolina Cross cultivar). You will find flesh of all colors—red, pink, orange, yellow, even white.

There are many ways to enjoy watermelon this summer. It’s a must-have at picnics, pool parties, and barbecues. The most common way is to just open up the melon and devour its delicious, juicy flesh in slices, or cubes. Here are some other ways to enjoy watermelon.

Add Some Spice

Have you tried watermelon with some spice mixes? If not, you may want to give a try with a little lemon juice on the melon first. If you like that tangy-sweet combination, you might want to further venture into adding chili powder or cayenne. Maybe Tajin power, or a Dukkah blend of spices.

Watermelon Salads

Many cultures make a salad with watermelon and something salty. The simplest is adding salt to watermelon. Along the Mediterranean, you will often find watermelon paired with salty cheeses like feta.

In the southern U.S., you will also find watermelon being paired with salty country ham. Martha Stewart even recommends prosciutto-wrapped watermelon as an appetizer.

Juice It

Given that watermelon is 90% water, it’s simple to juice it at home. You don’t need any special juicer—just a blender will work. You may choose to strain the juice, or drink it as it is.

You can also blend the juice into your cocktails and mocktails. Fresh basil and mint can be muddled with the juice to add extra elements to the drink.

If you blend the juice with vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, and a spoon of Dijon mustard, you will find it a sweet, refreshing dressing for your summer salads.

Cook It

Another popular trend is to grill the watermelon’s flesh. You can cut up the flesh into cubes, and barbecue it on a stick. Or you can pan-fry a slice of flesh in butter, and you will find it transformed. The grill will impart a smokey flavor, whereas the mixture of sugar and butter provides the pan-fried watermelon with sweet flesh that takes on a caramel taste.

Freeze It

You can also freeze watermelon. The frozen watermelon can be used later for juices or purees. Or if you have juiced the melon, you can make a fruity popsicle for cooling down in the hot Florida summer.

Don’t Forget the Rind

Most of us often just discard the rind. But remember, watermelon is also a vegetable in the gourd family. Take away its sweetness, and it’s not too different from a zucchini or a cucumber. So if you’d like, you can try to prepare the rind. One common use is pickling the rind. You remove the green outer layer with a vegetable peeler, then slice it up, and pickle it just like a cucumber.

You can also stir-fry the rind. The white inner part of the rind can be stir-fried with other ingredients in your favorite stir-fry. You will find that the rind easily absorbs the other flavors in the dish.

There are so many ways to enjoy this melon as a fruit or as a vegetable this summer. I will leave you with a cocktail idea from Martha Stewart.

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Watermelon Margaritas

(By Martha Stewart)

  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • Peeled zest of 2 limes, plus ⅓ cup fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for making salt rim, plus thinly sliced rounds for serving (optional)
  • ½ small, seedless yellow watermelon (about 2½ pounds), peeled and cut into cubes (about 6 cups)
  • 6 ounces tequila blanco
  • 1 ounce elderflower liqueur, such as St. Germain
  • Coarse salt or Himalayan pink salt, for glasses

Bring sugar, ⅓ cup water, and lime peels to a boil, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat; let cool completely. Strain into a pitcher with lime juice.

Working in batches, purée watermelon in a food processor or blender; strain through a coarse-mesh sieve (you should have 3 cups). Add melon purée, tequila, and elderflower liqueur to the pitcher with lime syrup, and stir. Chill, covered, at least 2 hours and for up to 2 days.

When ready to serve, run a lime wedge around the rim of each glass, and dip the glasses in coarse salt. Fill the glasses with ice and 1 or 2 thin lime rounds. To make each drink, add more ice and ½ cup tequila mixture to a cocktail shaker. Shake for 15 seconds; strain into a glass. Repeat for the remaining drinks, and serve immediately.

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