Tag: women

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Parkland Vice Mayor Bob Mayersohn

The month of March is usually the time when we think about springing
forward as daylight savings time commences giving us an extra hour of sunshine. Spring centers around “Spring Cleaning,” “Spring Break,” and the religious holidays of Passover and Easter, which symbolize hope and renewal.

This year, however, March will be different for all of us as it is marked by the anniversary of the first reported COVID-19 case in Florida. Some have called it the “COVID Crisis,” while others call it the “COVID Catalyst.” Whatever lens you look through, the impacts of the virus have been devastating on the health and well-being of our families, our educational system, and our local economy. Yet, we need to be thankful and applaud the painstaking efforts of our frontline health care workers, first responders, educational professionals, and all those essential workers who were and still are critical to help us adapt to mitigate the crisis and create innovative opportunities.

As we strive for “herd immunity,” the work to distribute and administer the vaccines is an indication of hope. Yet, we still must be vigilant in preventing the spread by wearing our masks, social distancing, and washing our hands. For COVID-19 updates and resources, please visit our website at https://www.cityofparkland.org/coronavirus.

On a positive note, this month we are bringing back some of our extremely popular events such as Eats n’ Beats on March 13th and Movies in the Park on March 26th. We still have our incredible Farmers’ Market on March 7th, which will showcase our community awareness and business expo. On March 21st we include our health and wellness vendors.

Not to go unnoticed, March is also Women’s History Month. This is a time we reflect on the often-overlooked contribution of women to United States History and the City of Parkland.

Our City Commission meetings this month will be on Wednesday, March 3rd and March 17th starting at 7pm. You can see our agendas at https://www.cityofparkland.org/cc. and watch our meetings livestream at https://www.cityofparkland. org/1304/Live-City-Commission-Meetings.

Finally, I want to thank Mayor Walker for passing the pen to provide me the opportunity to be a guest contributor this month. Thank you, Mayor.

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State Representative D-96 Christine Hunschofsky

On March 1, 2020, we had the first announcement that two Floridians
had tested positive for COVID-19. The virus has impacted our lives in so many ways from our health to our economy, from how we connect with one another and how we do business, from how we learn to how we shop. So much has changed in our lives this past year and now with several vaccines available, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. As we wait for more vaccine supplies to become available, please visit https://floridahealthcovid19.gov for updates and continue to take precautions to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

March 2, 2021 is the opening day for the Florida legislative session. The Florida Legislature meets every year for 60 consecutive days of session and while some things will be different this year, there is much work for us to get done. We will be tackling unemployment, insurance rates, early literacy, climate change and flooding, among many other issues important to the residents of the State of Florida.

During the session I will continue to provide you with updates.

If you wish to join our email list, please email Lisa.Librizzi @myfloridahouse.gov to be added to the list. Additionally, you can visit www.myfloridahouse.gov to watch meetings, review agendas and presentations, and track bills that have been submitted. Please reach out to us at HDIST096@ myfloridahouse.gov regarding any particular concerns you have with bills coming in front of us for debate and vote. I value your input and your perspective.

March is also Women’s History Month and a time we recognize and celebrate the contributions women have made to our country and history. Our office is holding a Women’s History Essay contest for students grades K-12 in District 96.

To participate, please send us your essay of 500 words or less about a woman who you look up to or who you feel has made a positive contribution to our  society.

We want to know why this woman is special to you. It could be someone from history or someone you know today. Email us the essay to Lisa.Librizzi @myfloridahouse.gov with “Essay Contest” in the subject line.

Please include your name, email, and phone number. We will have three winners from grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve you in the Florida House. Please reach out to our office if we can be of assistance with unemployment issues, vaccine distribution information, or if you have a concern you would like addressed. It is our pleasure to help wherever we can. In the meantime, follow me on Facebook at @RepHunschofsky and on Twitter at @chunschofsky for more updates. As always, I look forward to hearing from you!

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Always that perfect something

Pizazz is a women’s jewelry and gift boutique in Coral Springs, offering unique gifts for every occasion.

Traditional gift shops are mostly a thing of the past, but Pizazz, at 10724 Wiles Road, has been in business for 12 years. A testimony to the success of its goal of making shoppers feel welcome from “the moment a customer is greeted coming in our door until they leave,” asserts owner Brent Brewster.

“It is our pleasure to offer our beautiful and complimentary gift wrap for every purchase,” Brewster adds. “Our goal is to make the customer service at Pizazz stand out tremendously. We hope that everyone who shops with us feels welcome and cared for because they are,” she adds.

Pizazz offers gifts for every occasion: Babies, graduations, weddings, holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, bar and bat mitzvahs, and more. And you’re likely to find something for yourself as you browse.

Go ahead. Treat yourself.

The store also includes a large selection of Fair Trade items, products that give back to communities in need all over the world. You can find out what they do at fairtradecertified.org.

“I had always wanted to open a gift shop,” Brewster explains. “When my second daughter went off to college, I really wanted to try something new. My very supportive husband said, ‘Give it a try.’ And we did!

“We opened in the Promenade in 2008, just as the economy was crashing. Pizazz was able to weather that storm though, and in a few short years we had quite a few loyal customers.”

Brewster says there are two things she enjoys most about her business. The first is “the joy that comes from providing my customers with products and service that I, myself, enjoy.” The second, but just as important, she emphasizes, is that “Pizazz is a local, family business. I love that.

“I love being part of what this country is supposed to be about. I love knowing that I can do something that I enjoy and make a positive impact on my community at the same time.”

The last few years in retail have been incredibly difficult,
especially for small businesses, Brewster notes, and “the past
few months have seen a tremendous strain on the entire retail community.

“We feel the best future for Pizazz is to go small and offer online services which we have not been able to do in the past. Our goal is to press forward and hopefully see the resurgence of mom and pop businesses,” Brewster says.

“What is most satisfying about Pizazz,” Brewster believes, “is that I get to be a part of the lives of women.” The store’s line of Fair Trade items helps “provide safety and jobs to women around the world. This is the heartbeat of Pizazz.

“I also get to be part of women’s lives in South Florida. It doesn’t matter if you’re a student looking for a gift for your teacher, a young mom who is looking for a special pick-me-up for herself or a grandmother who is excited to welcome her new grand baby, Pizazz has that perfect something.”

Pizazz, 10724 Wiles Road, Coral Springs, 954-688-9895, www.pizazzflorida.com. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Private shopping hours available by appointment.

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